Weekending and My Anniversary

It's Monday again, but this Monday is special because it is my 2nd wedding anniversary. I can't believe how fast two years went. We have traveled a lot (but still have so many places to visit), got pregnant with twins, had a crazy pregnancy, delivered our baby girls early, had surgery three times and now are crazy busy raising our girls and our pup. There is no one I would rather be on this journey with than you my handsome husband. I love you! Happy Anniversary!

This weekend was another busy one. I ran a bunch of errands for the wedding I am in this upcoming weekend. My dress finally fits, now to get it steamed. I also received my shoes in the mail and they fit. Win.

I did a clay canvas class with my mom, sister, aunt and friends. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to go back and paint so many more things. You can bring in wine and food and hang out as long as you want. You paint any ceramic piece however you like and then a week later you pick it up after it has been glazed. I can't wait to see my finished product. I did a fun little new trick there. Stay tuned for pictures.

Sunday we went to the beach (Hidden Beach, Lake Tahoe) again. See I told you I would try to go as much as I can before the end of summer. This time we left the ladies at home. Alone. Just kidding. My in-laws watched the girls for us so we could take our pup and have a day with him. He loved it.

I worked on my tan, got some much need relaxation time and cuddles with my little dude. Sunday night we ordered in pizza, bathed the girls, took their helmets off one last time and watched some Bachelor in Paradise.

Too bad we didn't sleep well last night. The girls weren't too sure how to react to their helmets coming off so they woke up about once an hour between the two of them. Let's hope each subsequent night goes better. But I am so happy the helmets are off. Now we can see their precious heads all the time, see how much their hair has grown in, cuddle them easier and kiss their sweet heads. This momma is happy. I think the girls are too. They can't stop rubbing their heads haha.

Here is to a super busy week ahead. Wish me luck and see you on the flip side.

Oh Hey Friday

Another Friday here and I couldn't be happier.

One. I have my follow up appointment from my umbilical hernia surgery. I am not that happy with my surgery results. I mean they are fine, but part of my belly button (on the right side) still sticks out some and my doctor said my belly button would go back in more. When I was stretching in bed, it felt like my incision area was ripped open. This has happened a few times and I am so scared to do certain workouts at the gym due to it and finally my scar is healing all wacky. It is bumpy-ish and internet searches suggest too much glue was used. So these are the things I am talking to my doctor about. And the bad part is, I may have to have surgery again to fix it all. When I did my first post op, he said if it didn't go in more, he would have to fix it (and it better be for free). I don't want surgery again, but I want my belly button area to look normal again. Ugh. Decisions.

Two. I am doing a clay canvas class with my mom, sister, extended family and friends tomorrow. Girls day. I am excited about this as I love Picasso and Wine and this is the same concept but with clay. I loved my clay classes in high school and college, so I get to work my inner artist out again. My mom and I are choosing things to go in the girls room. Can't wait to share pictures with you all.

Three. Sunday we are hitting the beach again. Yes! I love Tahoe and we haven't gone much at all this year (once). And this momma needs a tan before Nathalie's wedding next weekend. Maybe a stop at Garwoods for a Wet Woody is in order too.

 Give me all the Wet Woody's

Four. Helmets. My dear baby girls get their helmets off on Sunday. I am super excited about this. We will get to see their beautiful heads all the time now. Not just an hour a day thing anymore. I can say the helmets worked beyond our hopes. The girls heads are super round. They are probably more round then mommy or daddy's heads. We will find out the measurements next Friday to see the full amount of change. But at last appointment they were already in the normal range. Avery was at a 4 and Sutton was at a 5. With 6 and under being in the normal. 

 Say bye bye to your helmets ladies

Five. Fall is right around the corner and that means some of my favorite things ever are upon us. Leaves turning, fall clothes, boots, Apple Hill, pumpkin spice lattes, holidays and FOOTBALL! Less than 3 weeks until the first Wolf Pack football game (September 3rd) and preseason has started. Can't wait to watch my Niners. And I can't wait to introduce the ladies to football because they will be going to all home games and be watching it on tv all weekend long. Get ready girls!

Hope you have a good weekend. See you on Monday.

Random Thursday

So I just got a call from my husband saying that today is my day. A big day for me. I was super confused until he told me it was...

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I love being a left-hander, but it has definitely had its challenges over the years. Opening cans with a can opener, using right hander scissors, getting pencil all over my hand as it drags across the page when writing, etc. But being a left hander has been awesome in ways too. It is always harder for pitchers to pitch a ball to left handers. I used to always hit the ball. I am more ambidextrous.

I really hope at least one of my baby girls is left handed. But they say it is still too early to know.

In other news, I am down to two pumps per day. One at 5 am and one at 4 pm. I am trying to space them out around 12 hours (I know that isn't 12 hours). So far it has been pretty good. I am huge by 3 pm or so, but then I am good to go after that through the next morning. On Saturday and Sunday, I will be cutting one of those pumps shorter to prep for my one pump per day which starts Monday. I am hoping by the end of the week (Friday) that I will be able to go pump free just in time for Nick and Nathalie's wedding on Saturday the 22nd. 

I am still mixed on this weaning deal, but I think it is just the hormones. I love the benefits it gives to my daughters and myself (burns all the calories!), but I am wanting my body back. I don't want to deal with weekly clogs and pain anymore. I want more time with my babies. I have a good stash of milk in the freezer and plan to give my girls at least one or two bottles a day of breast milk once I am done pumping until all the milk is gone. So hopefully by 8 1/2 or 9 months. It has been a good run and I am proud I have gone this far. I had a goal of 6 months and I have been going strong for almost 8 months now. And I am still producing a ton of milk for the girls!

I wish it was Friday. I have some fun things planned this weekend, but next week is pretty busy for me with my anniversary, beauty appointments and a wedding. Bring on the busy.  

Weekending

Another weekend in the books, and a great one at that.

Friday I worked late to make up some time from the girls helmet doctor appointments. Then we ran errands upon errands followed by dinner at home. And I finally watched American Sniper. Such a great but sad movie.

Saturday we went out to brunch, hung out at home and then went to my dad's retirement party. I can't believe he was in the Army for almost 34 years. So crazy. But it was a great time and my dad really loved the party. And everyone loved seeing the girls. That evening we ordered in pizza and had a laid back night.

 Happy babies love to cuddle in the morning

Sunday we went to Lake Tahoe for the first time this year. I can't believe it took us ALL summer to finally get to the lake (but it is so hard with twins to get out of the house sometimes), but we did, and the girls loved it. It was beautiful out. The girls didn't care for the super cold water, but mommy and daddy loved it.

Suns out, helmets off!

After the beach, we headed home to give the girls a bath and get ready for dinner. My in-laws came over to watch the girls and my hubby and I went to dinner with my family for my dad's and my birthday (dinner place isn't the best place for babies). So good, but I overstuffed myself.

We came home to watch the season finale of True Detective which was such a sad ending. I liked the ending, but basically everyone loses (I won't get into the details in case someone hasn't watched it yet).

How was your weekend?

Oh Hey Friday

Friday again. My third favorite day of the week (Saturday being first), and that means link up time. A late link up for me, but a link up nonetheless. So let's get down to business.

One. Wedding Anniversary. In 10 days, I will have been married to my handsome football loving, gardening fanatic, super opinionated and amazing daddy to our girls for two years. Two years. Doesn't seem like a long time, but we have done a lot since getting married. We made two unbelievably adorable identical twin girls. That my friends is a big deal. I sure do love my hubby with all my might and can't wait to spend the next 100 years together (yes we are living until we are in our 130s).

Two. This is a week of celebrations. It started off with my 32nd birthday and yesterday was my father's birthday (I was the best birthday present to my dad!) and tomorrow we are celebrating my father's retirement. My dad retired from the Army after almost 34 years. So crazy. I am excited to see what the future holds for him and my mom. Plus now we have a very free babysitter!

Three. I know it as just my birthday and I did buy myself something small (a Tahoe Made sweatshirt), but I need this necklace in my life. I have been coveting one for a long time (I posted about it several times. Specifically for Christmas) and payday is only a week away. I am thinking if I buy it in the right color, I can wear it to the wedding I am in in less than two weeks. What do you think?

    Kendra Scott Rayne necklace (love this color, but would need a more pinky color)

Four. I am finally getting my long awaited wish. We are going to remodel our kitchen. Ok, we are not going to, but we are going to hire someone to do it. We have been toying with the idea of selling our house and buying a new one, but we love our neighborhood and the houses we find in our price range either have an old kitchen like ours, or are smaller than our house with an upgraded kitchen. So we decided to remodel. Now we are in the process of looking for a contractor for some estimates and plan ideas. Then to financing and getting a new kitchen. I am giddy with excitement. 

Five. I finally purchased shoes for Nathalie's wedding and they came in and look good and fit well. Now I need to get my lazy butt in gear and try on the dress and shoes together to make sure they work well. And I need to schedule my alterations (today) as their wedding is two weeks away. My dress is just right in the chest and huge everywhere else. Pumping/breastfeeding mom problems. But I am weaning so I am worried these lovely ladies won't be as big by the time the wedding hits. Might need to invest in a good padded bra, haha.

Yves Saint Laurent Vox Box Review

Recently, I was chosen to receive a Yves Saint Laurent Voxbox from Influenster. I was very excited to receive this box as I love their make up line. I bought their foundation while I was pregnant because it had a light feel to it, better for sensitive skin (skin that was raging with hormones), filtered several times, a glow to it and smelt nice (which is a biggie when pregnant). I also bought their concealer to cover the dark circles from not sleeping much, and I still use it today.

In the Voxbox was two items. The YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer and Perfector.

I have used both of these items several times over the last week and I am in love with them. Reviews of the primer said they didn't like the gold specs in it and how it makes your face glittery. I would have to disagree with this.

The primer (for my sample) came in a bottle with a paddle handle. You simply dab primer on your face in several places and rub it in gently. I washed my hands after this, so it gave the primer time to set and so I could open up my other make up items I was to use next. The primer goes on so smooth, has an amazing smell to it, leave a slight shimmer on your face, evens out the pours, makes your skin feel so smooth, brightens up the face and it isn't greasy at all. I tend to have oily skin and this doesn't make your skin oily at all. I love how light it feels on your skin, how fast it dries (literally 10 seconds is enough time) and how it "primed" my face.

After the primer, I used my Touche Eclat (which I already owned) as my concealer and brightener. And finally put on my Le Teint Touche Eclat (foundation which I also already owned). I love the combination of all the products together and even using them separately.

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Throughout the day my make up gets its wear and this is where the perfector comes in handy. I just swipe on the perfector with the applicator and it freshens my make up. The perfector can be used in three ways: as an overall base (either alone or under make up), to set your make up or touch up your make up. I have used this product all three ways. I love how it is a balm that turns into a powder when you rub it in. Again, it smells amazing, goes on light and turns to a powder quickly, goes on evenly and smoothly and isn't heavy.

A few hours after I used all the products I listed above (on my birthday)

* I received the items complimentary from Influenster to test and review. All opinions are my own.

Birthday Weekend

I feel like I am still recovering from the weekend. A weekend where I turned 32. Wow, I really can't believe it, but I think it will be a great year ahead. I have this weird thing with even numbers. I love them, so I always think even number years (like 32) will be great years. So here is to 32!

Friday started off with work, then a delicious sandwich from Paisan's deli (one of my favorite Reno sandwich shops since 2005-ish), followed by a manicure and then my baby girls helmet appointments.

 

Sutton is very happy to know that her helmet comes off soon!

The girls helmet appointments were for an adjustment to the inside of the helmets. See my baby girls are rockstars and their heads have grown a ton in 5 1/2 weeks (major growth spurts). This meant that the doctor needed to shave down the inside of their helmets in certain areas to allow a bit more growth and ease the discomfort.

The good news is, Avery only has up to 3 mm left of growth and Sutton only has 4 mm. This is so small. And the news was confirmed yesterday when we saw their neurosurgeon who took measurements again and said the girls can take their helmets off in 2 weeks. Their heads are in the normal range which is a 6 or lower, and the girls are at a 4 and 5. So these next two weeks are bonus and will only help them out more. By the time 2 weeks is up, the helmets won't fit and they will have gotten full use out of them. And that will be around 7 1/2 to 8 weeks total which is less time than the neurosurgeon and helmet doctor have ever seen! Amazing news!

After their appointments, we went home to feed the ladies and then go out to a new noodle (udon and ramen) place in town. It was really good. Sorry no pictures.

Saturday was spent getting chores done, errands ran and hanging out at home.

Sunday was my birthday and it was an amazing day. From homemade lattes in bed to snuggles in bed with my baby girls, the morning started off right. Plus my husband got me the tieks in ballerina pink that I have begged nudged him about.

My little family and I went to brunch and had the best huevos rancheros, mimosa and coffee.

Bonus...I even got to curl my hair and pretty myself up for the day sans babies.

After brunch, we stopped at a few cute shops in midtown and bought myself a birthday present. Then we went home to feed the girls and have them take a nap before our next adventure.

 Someone was supposed to be napping.

At 3, we headed to my friend Stacey's house for her housewarming party. Love her and love her new house. So much fun. Plus friends brought their little babies and there was a baby fest. The girls have new best friends.

At 5:30, we headed home to meet my sister. She was kind enough to watch the girls for us that night, so my husband could take me to a birthday dinner. We went to the Atlantis Steakhouse. It has been forever since I have been in a casino, but it was worth it. I haven't been to the Steakhouse since 2006-ish and my husband has never been. It was really good. So full of yummy steak and wine! 

We came home to the girls sleeping and some catch up time with my sister. It was the perfect end to a great birthday!

Monday, we had the appointment with the girls neurosurgeon and as I said above, it went very well. And bonus, we only had to work half day yesterday. Win win for a Monday.

How was your weekend?