OPERATION WEIGHT LOSS

I was spoiled. After I had the twins the weight flew off without ANY effort. Since I have stopped pumping it has steadily returned.

Phase 1: I tried not pigging out all the time...like I was able to do while pumping. But it did not work.

Phase 2: Two months of working out to the Firm 3 to 4 days a week. The result was 4 pound weight gain and jumped up a pant size. So many say "It is muscle". I must have had NO muscle to begin with. I do feel stronger, and my arms are getting ripped, but I am still not satisfied. I want sexy legs and then I will be happy.

Phase 3: Cardio. I bought a treadmill off of Craiglist that is a DREAM. It is the bottom of the line of the top of the line treadmill. Which retails for 2300.00. I got it for $250. It is solid and has all the bells and whistles. I am so excited. Running in Oregon is difficult unless you enjoy getting soaked and freeze. I ran after a workout and was surprised that my body approved. It felt GREAT.

My beef with my body revealed. It is not that I think that I am FAT, or that others bigger than me are FAT. I just think my body shape is not desirable with extra weight. I am tiny on top and thick on the bottom. Shane says he likes the "bo-donk-i-donk" but I do not. Maybe if it was firm and smooth.

NO SECRETS/SURPRISES

Shane and I were convinced that he was not getting a birthday present this year. The last few expensive things that he bought, were agreed upon only because with his puppy eyes said, "this can be my birthday present". This is a trick that he plays on the ever year. Some years I stick to my guns and do not give him anything ON his birthday. This year we were both convinced that he DEFINITELY would not get a gift.

Two days before his birthday I gave in. I got him a present but made the mistake of letting Brenna help me wrap it. We had a very lengthy conversation not to tell daddy. "It was a surprise". Well as soon as he walked in the door from work we started a conversation realized a few minutes later that Brenna was trying to butt in with something very important. Shane had not idea what her gibberish meant but as soon as I realized I took her out of the room and we had another conversation. She seemed to understand but as soon as we came back to Shane, I heard her once again. This time he knew what she was saying. BUMMER. At least he doesn't know what it is.

TEMPTED

...But I know better. After 3 babies get out of the tub at the same time at least one PEES on the floor before I get a diaper on. Brenna knows how to get out of the tub and use the potty but I am tempted...to teach them to pee in the tub, so they dont pee on my carpet;)

5 MINUTES

Since our condo is so condense I am able to keep my eyes and ears on my children at all times...until now. They have made me Primary Secretary...which I love. My last few weeks have been trying to update and simplify lists. This takes my FULL attention or else I make mistakes.

It is AMAZING what 5 minutes of intense concentration can do. The outcome is HORRIFYING!!! I find babies in the fridge, or in the bathroom the the toilet. I find them outside, or everything out of cabinets. I find crayons half eaten, or kids in the dryer. I find sippy cups turned upside down and shaken until contents are all over the floor. I find Landon is snacking on Brenna's left over breakfast.

How does this happen? I thought my house was baby proof. It is not baby proof when there is a smart 3 year old unlocking doors and cabinets.

NURSERY

SUCCESSFUL. Their first day in nursery was nothing short of a dream come true. It may have helped that Brenna is in there too. They went right in, played quietly, ate snacks nicely. Now if we can only REteach Brenna to use the bathroom by herself...which she has been doing for about 4 months but has conveniently forgot.

LOCKED IN

The door to the kids room locks from the outside. We lock it until they go to bed... or so we don't get interrupted unexpectedly (TMI, sorry). But Brenna has learned to unlock ALL the doors in our house. Which also means she can lock ALL the doors in the house.

I never predicted that this would be a problem until...I was changing Jackson diaper and Brenna locked us in and her and Landon out. I did not stress. I can climb out the window and come in the front door if worse comes to worse. Then I remembered that the front and back doors are locked due to the same problem.

Thank goodness she figured out how to open it... or else Jackson and I would still be in there because Shane also doesn't take his house key to work.

HOUSE OF ECHOES

They have learned that in the parking lot of our complex, which is surrounded by the buildings, they can say "echo" and it makes cool sounds. Inside the house there is CONSTANT noise. The brothers are echoing everything I say, or everything each other says. Brenna echoes herself with her constant repetition of the same question, which once answered, changes to a new one, but only slightly. "Mom, I want some water, mom" repeated 5 times before I can squeeze in a reply, "No, not right now". "Mom, I want some milk, mom". My favorite is when she lumps it altogether. "Mom, I want milk, candy, blankie,movie, mom".

SO POLITE

Where do kids learn it? They hit a certain age and "please", "thank you" and "excuse me" come easily out of their mouths. Jackson is my MOST polite one. He always says "thank you" and SOMEHOW learned excuse me. If he burps he says "me...meee". Today I was feeding him lunch and wanted him to open his mouth wide for a bite. I told him to say, "OOOOO". He did and I guess is sounded to him like a burp and he said, "excuse me".

If I was a better mom I would take all the credit, but it came natural this time.

LITTLE MAMA

You also "cant hide your sins" when it comes to what type of mother you are when no one is around. Brenna is a mirror image of me. She says what I say. Interacts with the brothers as I do. She is a "little mama".

I got done with a workout and lied down on the bed to cool off. (Yes, I was sweaty, but don't worry it was Shane's side of the bed;). Brenna came in and brought me her blankie. She came in a few minutes later with a sippy cup of water...a doll...pulled my blanket over me...gave me a kiss and a hug...said I love you...locked the door handle and said "Now don't come out, Go good-ni-night."

I am also not a sweet, mild tempered mama. I am rough, wrestle, growl, and clench my fists. Jokingly of course but...Brenna does the same. When the boys are getting into something she clenches her fists, growls "OOOOOWWWWW" and gives them a flick on the hand.

Yes...I will work on my mothering habits. Shane sometimes says that our upstairs neighbor must think I am always in a bad mood because he can only hear the growling and raised voice and not the playfulness.