Mooooooover Over 2010

Guilty, I am Guilty as charged. While I was Xmas shopping last week, I HAD to get you guys these outfits. They were on clearance with and EXTRA % off at the Crazy 8 store. I don't buy you guys a TON of stuff, but when I do I really need/want it :) I know I said it about Charlie's striped PJ's too. I love to shop.

Anyways, New Years is just around the corner. What a year it has been. Rough Start...Hectic Middle.... AWESOME FINISH. We did it. We are relocated to a better place, our lives are awesome, you guys are healthy, I am not in an institution, Your DAD still loves me, 2011 can only get better!

This spring and summer will be so fun with you guys being able to enjoy it more. Just don't grow up too fast, it is already starting to bother me :)

All That Hype!

One thing you will learn as you grow older is there is a lot of HYPE around XMAS, and before you know it is over. It is kind of Bittersweet though, as you know once Xmas is over and then New Years...SPRING is just around the corner. (Kind Of)

You guys were GREAT on Xmas and you were showered with gifts.

-Little People: Airplane, Circus, Farm Yard, Car wash

-Dolls, Strollers, Trucks, Fake Purse with accessories, Clothes, Playhouse, fake food for your kitchen, Plates for your Fake Dishes, Tea Set, Shopping Cart, More Clothes, Savings Bonds, Money, Cookies, Quarters, Socks, Decor for Lilly's Bedroom, A Chicken That Dances, Big Wheel, and DVD Players for the VAN. Yes you guys each got your own.
I think your favorite part of the weekend was the HUGE AMOUNT OF PAPER on the floor for you to nibble on... Weirdos!

But Mom....

I know I will hear this a lot when you guys get older... But Mom...I see that "so and so" has this, that, etc so I WANT IT!
You will see things on TV and instantly want them. I have this issue as well, when I read People or US Weekly. It gives us ideas of things we want.


Ms. Lilly Jean though however this morning showed us how she wants to wear her sleeper now....
Darn You E!.. “Shoot for the moon, Lilly. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”

Happy Holidays To You!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things!

I don't get/need to buy you guys a lot of clothes. Which I am very thankful for and so is my pocket book. You guys are showered with clothes from every side of the family!

However, I do see things from time to time..that I JUST NEED! They used to only be things for myself and more and more I am liking to baby shop more than mamma shop.


I shopped for 5 hours this past Saturday in St. Cloud. I was all by myself....loved it. You guys got to stay home in the warm house and play away with your DADDY! Anyways, Baby Gap, had extra 40% off clearance. I saw these jammies..they had 1 pair left in your guys' size and I HAD to have them. Charlie got the stripes and Lilly got the Pink Xmas ones. There is something about these stripes though... too cute!

Santa comes in 5 days!!

Do They Play Together??

Click Here To Watch A CUTE VIDEO

I captured this on Tuesday this week.

See remember Tuesdays are the days that Adam doesn't get home until later. So I bring the kids home, and one by one get them into the house. I have started to undress the first one out of their winter gear and place them in Lilly's crib as her room is right off the kitchen. Then when number 2 comes in, I do the same. For some reason these 2 love to play in cribs together. Give them a couple pacifiers, blankets, and a stuffed animal and I have 10 min to get the kitchen ready for dinner.

This past Tuesday I was stopped DEAD in my tracks by the cutest, loudest BELLY Laughs coming from her room. I grabbed the video camera that is strategically placed for moments like this and started filming. HOW CUTE ARE THEY?????

Friday Funny

Charlie I think you got this from your Mom. I have been told my smile can look... well "evil" or like I am up to something......

I think it is CUTE CUTE CUTE .Happy Friday. Snow storm coming AGAIN on the weekend. Might hinder Mom's plans of going out in Minneapolis for her bday with her girlfriends. Tomorrow morning we will see what it is like out there. Paul Douglass of WCCO is claiming 12 to 16 inches...and the worst he has seen since possibly the Halloween Storm in 1991. We will see if his predictions are right.

Weather is like....well you guys. UNPREDICTABLE.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Happy Birthday

Exactly 1 year ago today you guys were brought into this world Via C-Section at Abbott Northwestern in Mpls Minnesota. Dr. Jennifer Ambur performed the C-Section and was mommy's favorite OB-GYN!

It was not only your big day, but also Dr. Ambur's birthday. It is also the anniversary of Pear Harbor today as well. I will teach you about that when you are older.

10:40 am. Lilly came out

10:41 am. Charlie came out

I remember hearing Lilly's sweet squawk...and then Charlie came out.. Oh wow..was he ever upset to bet taken away from his Mommy!

You two were healthy from the get go. I am still so thankful for that, as sometimes Twins come early, etc... Lilly you weighed 6lbs 5oz, and Charlie you weighed 6lbs 10 oz.

One year later we have gone through over 5,000 diapers and close to 4,000 bottles I bet..... I did rough calculations, but you get the picture.

We celebrated your bday last weekend in Rochester with our family down there. Tomorrow we are having dinner/cake at Gma and Gpa Megen's.

You guys are so loved..and have been showered with gifts from day one! Thanks again to all the family and friends that have been there for us the past year. We could NOT have done it without you.

You two can HAVE your CAKE and EAT it, TOO!

Big week... you guys are one and I turn 30 on Thursday!! WOW.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

You really flourished in your walking skills since last weekend Ms. Lilly.

Really?

I remember being pregnant and looking at ALL the different things that are out there for babies. You do NOT need it all. If you want me to tell you what you actually use, just let me know.

I have recently come across something that we defiantly do not need and luckily did not get.



REALLY...

I will post a picture here pretty soon, but Lilly is off! She has figured out if she puts on arm in the air she can RUN. You look like Sarah Jessica Parker Flagging down a Cab in NYC.

Charlie you aren't far behind...although lastnight you thought you were pretty cute when you were walking on your knees. You also have NO FEAR. You like to stand in front of us, and make us think you are going to take steps, but then you plant your feet and fall into us. I hope you only do this when we are here to catch you.

I hear they GLUE gashes on the head together now. Anyone know where I can pick some of that up? It will save us mileage to the ER.

Who Let The Dogs Out?

You have over $100 worth of toys already with lots more on the way from SANTA!!! You LOVE the dog kennel though! Play away my little puppies.

Monday Comic...

Thankful Thankful Thankful

You made it..this is the last of your FIRST holidays.. (Except your Birthday).. You did it. Now was that as hard as you thought? The traveling, the company, the eating, the "OH THEY ARE SO CUTE!"...

I am thankful for everything I have and then some!!!

Next year I am going to be witty and post a THANKFUL for...... each day but this year I was behind the ball.

Lilly Zero...Storage Bin 1

Wordless Wednesday...

I thought Adam and I were the only ones to FIGHT over the remote in Bed.

More Mobile

So I have a video on my phone posted on Facebook of Lilly taking "some" steps. She is even more mobile now with that infamous "Diaper Box"..
Notice her "growl" as she walks along. She has been into making "growling" noises. Gma Nellie calls you her "Tiger Lilly" for more than one reason. Sassy Girl!

One of these days she will WALK across the room. Charlie will be right behind her I am guessing around Xmas time. He is starting to "stand" but when you put your arms out for him to walk to he takes a flying leap and jumps at you. Is he going to be may Dare Devil? Who wants to start the pot for first broken bone???

One Week!

One week has gone by and I have not posted a THING in this blog. I have been pretty busy. I went to MPLS last Friday for work and girls night with my friends, and then I also worked on Saturday from 8:00 to 4:30 pm. I was sure happy to see you guys when I got home Saturday evening. Your daddy worked hard on the basement office again on Saturday. We are VERY THANKFUL for Gma Nellie watching you guys while we worked.

Speaking of Thankful, you guys get to experience your FIRST Thanksgiving this year. I am pretty excited, too. Why you may ask? Last Thanksgiving your daddy and I didn't go anywhere. I was LARGE and NOT IN CHARGE..but just LARGE. It hurt...to walk, sit, lay, shower, bathe, etc... I was not having the Traveling for Thanksgiving. I actually laid on the couch as your daddy put up our Christmas Tree.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2009

This weekend I hope to get our tree up, order our Xmas Cards, etc. I MIGHT try to shop but we will see. We might have some visitors this weekend as well :)

Tuesday Nights

Tuesday's are when your daddy works in the "metro" he leaves home at 6:50 am and arrives home at 7:15 pm.(give or take a few min)... This means that I take you to daycare, pick you up, bring you home, feed you guys supper, change your diapers, get your PJ's on, make you bottles. I attempted baths in there once but will never do that again alone. Sometimes I stay at Grandma Nellie's a little longer to have 2 sets of hands, but once in awhile I brave it myself.

This week....wasn't the best Tuesday. We have good ones and bad ones. Today was a bad one..Lilly is getting over to stomach bug, and Charlie is teething.... Hang in there kiddos we will get through this together I promise.

If you watch it to the end you can see Charlie to sign language for "Bottle"...

TV Rots Your Brain!

I love that line..it is from one of my favorite movies as a kid "Don't tell Mom The Babysitters Dead!"...
I entertained you all Saturday morning while daddy worked downstairs. You were soo interested in this cartoon. Yo Gabba Gabba....kind of weird but their crazy singing and dancing really gave me a rest :)

Under Construction

Here I thought since we were getting a new house built in 2004, that we were free from "home renovation."... Your dad is a pro at it, and he likes to do it. I really don't mind. Good news is your daddy is going to work from home full time now just like Mommy. Bad news...is he works til 6pm, sometimes 7pm and you 2 are LOUD. He needs an office. He is putting up a 7X9 office downstairs, it will separate the living room and Charlie's room.



Phase 1:

First Snow...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in ev'ry store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.

A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben;
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen;
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well,
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.


I know some will read this and want to "hit" me...but it really is... 6 Weeks..

Through Thick And Thin...

We may not win a World Series, A Bowl, or Super Bowl...but we are still FANS!

Baby Proofing

Our new house is pretty baby proof for the most part. Defiantly the upstairs is. If we have our bathroom and bedroom door shut you guys can roam around dining room, living room, and Lilly's Bedroom. (Charlie's is downstairs)

Last weekend however we had to 'upgrade' the baby proofing. Lilly figured out that she can open the cupboards and then her and Charlie have at all the contents. There are not hazardous materials down low anyways, but Lilly did manage to open the buffet cupboard last weekend and shatter a whine glass on the floor. Don't worry, I have more and nobody was hurt :)

Free Thinking Friday

Age 4: Mom knows everything!
At 8: Mom knows a lot!
At 12: Mom doesn’t really know everything.
At 14: Mom doesn’t know anything.
At 16: Mom is ruining my life.
At 18: She’s old-school.
At 25: Maybe Mom does know about this.
At 35: Before we decide, let’s ask Mom.
At 45: I wonder ......what... Mom would think about this....
At 85: I wish I could ask Mom.

It's Coming...

What may you ask?? Snow..our first snowfall I think is coming this evening. Well that is what the weatherman makes it sound like. I know this is bittersweet to some people, but it is exciting for this girl. I always get really excited/nostalgic during the first BIG SNOW. I think anything over 5 inches qualifies for the first official "big snow"


I love Fall, and I love the Holidays that follow. Thanksgiving, Twins Bday, My Bday, and then CHRISTMAS. See last Christmas you guys were only 3 weeks old. I know you were the BEST GIFT EVER..but at the time we were too tired to even realize this. Beware the following picture is not PRETTY.....

This Christmas I plan to get all kinds of pictures and I WILL have my hair done, I will have showered, and I will have a fresh coat of makeup on my Mug. I will enjoy every minute of it. We will be tired from a lot of travel, but not half as tired as we were in the picture above on 12-25-2009. Also, look at all that snow in the background. We had a HUGE snowfall over Xmas last year. When we arrived home in Minneapolis on 9-26-2009, your father had to shovel us into the house, hop the fence as it was ICED SHUT. We arrived home to a furnace that had "gone out" but was luckily fixed within 1 hour.... Unbelievable. I had you guys down in the basement with the gas fireplace going to keep you warm and toasty.

CHEERS to an AWESOME Christmas this year!!

FYI, Charlie you have a new dance. You hear any tune and instantly throw your hands in the air and throw them around as if you are conducting an orchestra. My little conductor...I will get a video of this shortly..I promise. '

All Gone!

You guys usually here me say this when we are eating dinner.. All Gone.. or All Done. I say it in a real excited high pitched voice :)

Well today we are referencing my hair. 11 inches ALL GONE. It feels great, and I love the change. Lilly and I have the same hair line in back right now.



Lilly we can grow our hair out together now :)

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend With Evan

Meet Evan..he was born 3 months after the Twins. His mom and I met in Mankato while attending college. There is nothing more fun than having kids the same age as a friend. See when you become a parent, not all your friends have kids so you kind of have trouble getting together as they don't have to be on a schedule.

If you have a friend with a child the same age you can get together and understand that you need to speak quiet during nap, you need to be ready for meltdowns, it is normal to talk over a shouting baby, it is normal to keep talking in conversation while changing a diaper full of S_ _ T, you don't mind if your child drools/spits up on their floor..cuz "they get it"... etc. They don't' mind staying "in" as they know taking a child into public can be like walking down the street with a gernaid. Never know......

Jen and I at her wedding back in the day :)

Quote from Jen this weekend...while watching the kids play. "Wow, our lives have sure changed"

The video is Evan and Lilly taking a bath together. Evan thought Lilly was pretty cute.

Friday Video

Previous Videos have come off my camera, I am attempting them off my video camera now.

I hope you don't have any issues viewing it.

Let's Get Ready To Rumble...

I knew this day would come...it is nature to fight with your siblings. I remember fighting with ALL of mine. You guys WANT whatever the OTHER one has. It was really cute at first but it is slowly becoming......well sort of annoying.

See if I only have 1 of something I basically have to hide it as I know if I give it to ONE of you the OTHER one will want one too. I will try to be as Fair as possible. The other day I had ONE freezie left.... I really wanted it. So instead of being able to sit and enjoy it and watch you guys play. I had to sit Indian Style on the kitchen rug and pass it around from MOMMY , to Lilly, to Charlie. Kind of like a Peace Pipe :)

Lilly's little Chinese Kimono up top is from Gma Pam. She bought it 2 weeks ago when she was in New York. Pretty cute!

Weekend Recap...

I won't be typing too much... as I am one tired Mamma today..

Friday:

Worked til noon

Went to the Minneapolis

Got a nice hotel room at The Depot

Went to Sushi with Coworkers at Wasabi on Washington, Ave.



Went to The Depot for the Gala...from 8 til 11.

Went out with coworkers to the 508 Bar


***Stayed out late..




Came home Saturday morning.

Hung out with Gma Pam, Karrie, Jen, and Walker.

Went Shopping in St. Cloud

Gma Pam was ill..Karrie took her to the ER Saturday night. Gma Pam has Bronchitus

Hung around Sunday

Rochester guests went home around 1.. Miss them already.

Made Taco's for the Mergen and Trisko's

Went Trick Or Treating....

Freaky Friday!

You two got to wear these outfits to Daycare today. Charlie make mamma proud and come home in the same outfit. See...Charlie has "BLOW OUTS" still from time to time and we KNOW he did if he comes home in different "Digs" The picture above is about 3 to 4 weeks old and I can't get over how much Lilly has changed. She has more hair now.

What a comfy day...PJ's at Daycare! I will not see you guys for about 26 to 27 hours now. I am leaving this afternoon to go down to Minneapolis for my work Gala. Should be a good time. While I am gone, you daddy is staying home to take care of you and then this evening you have more guests coming!!

-Gma Pam

-Auntie Jen

-Auntie Karrie

-Cousin Walker
Charlie, your cousin Walker is bring up his Thomas the Train Set for you...... You are one lucky boy!

Behave and rest up for a big Day Tomorrow and Sunday is TRICK O TREATING!!

As you can see I have stepped up my game in editing photos :) Scary isn't it!

Vote November 2nd!

Your Grandpa Jeff is running for Stearns' County Commisioner this year. He has been so busy the past couple months. He is one dedicated hard worker!

I even recorded a radio ad for the local KASM AM 1150 radio station. I listen to it when I am in the car hoping that I can hear it, but I have YET to. I do however listen to a lot of polka music while patiently waiting. It brings back memories of Gma Lilly, she would LOVE this station.

Hanging Out

So the post below was the first part of the weekend, then the rest of the weekend we hung out at home. Didn't go anywhere really as it was so rainy, icky, gloomy. We were pretty spoiled with the awesome weather this fall, so I am not complaining too much.


Both of you guys have watched us play FETCH with Leni, and it has slowly taught you how to "Throw"......Good Job!

Weekend With The Fogarty's

Uncle Chris, Auntie TT, cousin Ayva, and Cousin Maya made a visit this weekend! They came Friday about 4pm and left Saturday about 3pm. We had a great time with them. We went out to Amaze N Farm in Eden Valley on Saturday morning/afternoon and the kids had a blast! We played with baby goats, attempted a very HARD Maze, went down a HUGE slide, and looked at their cute PUPPIES for sale. (No I did NOT get the itch to get one)

Both Ayva and Maya were so good with you guys. They are both going to make GREAT babysitters some day that is for sure. After the Amaze N Farm, we even went out for Pizza at the local pizza joint here in Cold Spring. I was a tad nervous as we went over your NAP TIME but you guys were Troopers!! Way to go. Saturday night and Sunday are very gloomy and rainy. It is a little after 10 am...so I need to go stir you guys to wake you up from your morning nap so you go down nicely for your afternoon one ;) I am heading to St. Cloud while you nap this afternoon. We are very low on Formula. I won't be saying the F word much longer. You guys will be off that stuff before we know it!

Playland at The Mall!

The mall in St. Cloud has a GREAT play land for you guys to stretch your legs at. Lilly took advantage of it...Charlie like to People watch as you can tell by the bottom left picture.

Trying New Things...

The thought of dining out with 10 month old Twins sometimes makes me cringe, but we DID IT!..
I had the help of Keillor with me Saturday evening... We let Dad work in the garage and we took you kids to the St. Cloud Mall...and then Mommy's Favorite. Mexican Food!!! La Casita was Yummmy. You guys split the Cheese Quesadilla off the Children's Menu..You also had babyfood to top it off. You behaved GREAT, no crying and lots of people watching.


When things go well like this it makes me happy, I once thought I would never be able to be in public again... CHEERS to being able to be in public again!!

How Many Snaps Does It Take?

Some may read my blog and think "Mandy sure snaps good pictures of these guys."....Well it takes a lot of trial and error sometimes as you can see below. There is a saying "How Many Licks Does It Take To Get To The Center Of A Lollipop?"...

Around here our Moto is: "How many snaps does it take to get a good picture of the Mergen Twins"....

**Lilly is happy as can be here, even though we were in yesterday for an ear infection :( Way to be a trooper Ms. Lilly Jean.