Another Big Move

I’ve been really quiet since my rebirth and that’s because we have big news to share!

Most know the story but for some of you who are new here, I’m from NY. No…not NYC…the state of NY. Specifically, Upstate (the better part of NY altogether!) The only thing NYC has to do with upstate is the atrociously high taxes it causes us! Toblerone and I met there actually. It holds a very special place in our hearts and of course our friends and most of my family is there.

I try to think back about when I first decided to follow him to Germany and I must have been drunk. I’m surprised I went at the end of the day. That was a major risk and I think my little 25yr old brain didn’t have ANY idea of what I was getting into. Somehow I thought, “I’ll just move back home if I don’t like it!” The reality is, I can’t just go home when my “home” (Harley and Tobes) wouldn’t be coming with me. It was more complicated than I thought.

I went to Germany with a huge carry on bag of German cuisine cookbooks (seriously) very unsure of what my future would hold and after 4 years it giving it the old college try, we decided moving back to the states was best for us. Tobes got a job that shipped us over to Michigan and although it was the US, it still was 9+ hours away. So I went from a 9+ hour flight to an equally as long of a drive. Not sure it was a win.

Chilling at a winery in the black forest

Every time that we did make it back to NY we always talked about how our hearts were warm and we felt relaxed. Much of that has to do with the atmosphere my mom’s house presents and also because of the friendships we have there. We have a tribe.

The goal was always to make it back closer to family and out of nowhere the stars aligned and here we are…going back to NY. We’ll be 20 minutes from everyone and we are bubbling over from excitement thinking about how different our life will be now. Not just for us but for the kids.

Ten years later…home. I’m no longer tribeless.

Finally holidays that will mean something. Traditions to continue. Birthday parties to have. It all finally makes sense. Finally.

We left a couple days before Thanksgiving and we’ve been shacking up with the prenatal units until we close on our new house after New Years. It’s been a surprisingly easy transition. The kids are adjusting nicely and Toblerone fits right in at his new job. All is well so far!!

Until next time, Readers!!! Xoxoxoxo

The Calming Corner

Three-year-olds are ridiculous. They are emotionally charged, whiny, and logically disconnected.

My dudes are not exempt from the nonsense, unfortunately, and so I’ve had to curve my “parenting skills” constantly. Even more so, with twins, you have to change the way you parent each kid as both are completely different individuals with completely different needs. It’s been a challenge, to say the least.

Blondie is what the modern world is now calling a “spirited kid.” What is that you ask? Let’s be real…he’s full of the devil! Full of energy, spite, and love. He is sensitive and high-strung, loving yet psychotic, lol. No for real…he’s a tough cookie but I am certain he will do amazing things when he’s older. Own a Fortune 500 company or cure cancer. But for now, he’s a doozy and I’ve been trying to find ways to comfort him before his massive blowups happen.

 

Brownie is the complete opposite. He wouldn’t hurt a fly but is very very sensitive. To the point where if we tell him not to do something and logically explain why not to do said thing, he will throw himself on the ground as if he was shot down. He literally just falls out of his chair without bracing his fall. It’s pretty hilarious actually. Kind of like those fainting goats. That being said, he doesn’t get in trouble much but he also won’t listen when you tell him “No.” So, it’s a bit out of control on both ends here.

I began to dig around for an all-around thing that would work for both extremely different children. I’m not sure where I first heard of the idea of a calming corner but I happened to search a bit and found a zillion things on Pinterest and other places about it. Phew! I’m not the only mother who has lost her damn mind and needs SERENITY NOW!

 

***wooooosssssaaaaaahhhhh***

 

First things first, we had to find a spot to have this said Calming Corner. I don’t know why but setting it up in the formal dining area was good enough. I needed to have these two jokesters in plain view so another room wouldn’t have worked. Then I trucked over or mom-vanned it over to the dollar store and grabbed all the essentials to make a calming corner..well..calm.

So in our bucket is:

2 sensory bottles (1 with glitter, the other a lava lamp look)

3 playdough filled balloons with different emotions drawn on them (Happy, Sad, Angry) which act as a stress ball of sorts.

1 snuggly bug

2 squrimy thingies (I bet you like it when I talk about technical, don’t ya!?)

1 firm yet squishable football

1 rubix cube

 

The only rule that is set with this area is that when they are done playing there, they have to put all the toys back in the bucket so they are ready for the next person to use. Essentially, the idea is that we try to catch them before they are upset or if we see that they are starting to get emotional about a situation we ask them if they want to go to the calming corner for a little bit. They are allowed to bring their blankets, loveys, and pacifiers with them if they want and they can choose when they are done. Both boys have sat there quietly for 15-20 minutes at times.

This is not to replace time-outs. It’s supposed to be a “safe space” where they can go to try to identify their emotions and work out how to handle them. It’s not easy being green or three for that matter and this so far has been a great option for both of them. At this point, I’m willing to try anything to get these kids to quit their antics but let’s face it, toddlers will be toddlers.

Hell, I should throw myself in the calming corner and see if they leave me alone for a minute actually! (Going to go try that right now! I’ll report back! ha!)

 

Until next time, Readers!!! xoxoxoxoxo

Another Day Of Spoiling

The fun continued from one party to the next! I had my awesome NY baby shower with friends and family back home and our fantastic neighbors here in Michigan threw us another great baby shower/diaper party. We’ve lived here for just a little over a year now and we have accumulated a really great “family” that is always watching out for us.

We had the baby shower with all the ladies in our home and all the men gathered at the neighbor’s house for the diaper party. It worked out perfectly and I got SO many presents (once again!) I never thought I’d be so excited to open presents for my future children and not for myself. Ha! Who knew!

Harley even wore his fancy new collar which he got as a present from the first baby shower (Thanks Aunt Addie and Uncle John!) He was lovin hanging out with all the ladies!

Granted I am now the size of a beached whale but my hostesses kept it organized and not too long which was great for me! I have zero energy these days and immediately had to nap after the party was over. I loved showing Toblerone all the new things we got and the adorable outfits people gave us. I mean…little khakis!! Can you get any cuter! The boys also got a few German-esque things geared towards their Dad’s favorite soccer team, FC Bayern Munich. Whether they like it or not, they are going to be fans 🙂

We can’t wait to read them books in English and in German and sing lullabies in both languages. It’s going to be a really fun experience to get them to be bilingual. Nothing cuter than kids speaking in German!

A rubber ducky with lederhosen! I mean….how cute is that?!

Only 8 more days until their arrival! It may take me some time to get back here to write again but lo and behold…I will be back!

Until next time, Readers!!! xoxoxoxoxo

A Party For Two Very Loved Babies

I have to say that had we become pregnant in Germany, I would not have the pleasure of experiencing a real deal Baby Shower of my own. As most of you know they do not throw Baby Showers in Germany partially because it’s just not their tradition but the other idea is because they are superstitious about bringing gifts to a baby before he/she is born. Its considered bad luck!

A while ago I threw a party in Germany for a friend who was expecting. Giving her the whole experience of an American Baby Shower!  Go check it out if you missed it!

So, I was just ecstatic that the people I love were willing to throw me my own special party for these two little nuggets. Toblerone and I traveled to upstate NY to my family’s home right before Thanksgiving. The drive was atrocious…9 hours in a car with thigh high compression socks is not particularly the most comfortable way to go! But we arrived and were just so excited to be back with family! People came from all over and even from out of state to visit us! My brother and his clan came from West Virginia and my Aunt and Uncle and cousin came from Pennsylvania! I mean….THATS what I call love!!

My mom’s house was decorated in my absolute favorite theme: nautical! We decided to have this as a Jack and Jill party as well so we could see all of our friends and family at one time. People brought diapers for a diaper raffle and gifts as well. These boys are SPOILED!

It was just so amazing to be around family and to show them the belly we waited so long to have! Granted, I’ve now tripled in size since then!

We got so many amazing gifts and of course Toblerone was out of this world excited when he got his very own gift for the boys! Thank you to all our friends and family who came and gave us gifts for these boys. We are just so grateful! Having twins is certainly not cheap!!!

Until next time, Readers!!! xoxoxoxo