10 Year Anniversary Getaway!

This was me Tuesday the 11th before I left for Austin.

It's now Sunday night and I'm sitting here in bed typing next to my sweet sleeping Charli Kay. The twins are fast asleep in their beds. This last week has been quite a change for me since I hadn't seen my babies for 5 solid nights!

Tuesday, I left home for Austin to go the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Conference. There I stayed with my assistant principal and principal for the three day conference. I learned so many things and can't wait until I get the opportunity to become an assistant principal one day!



On Friday, Troy picked me up about 11am and we headed to Fredricksburg! Neither of us had ever been before and Troy surprised me on our anniversary with news of the upcoming trip! I was very excited but also nervous because I already missed my sweet babies so much. I knew how much it meant to me that Troy totally planned this and surprised me and I didn't want to be the "fun-ruiner" that just talked about how much I missed the girls every five seconds!!!

On our way to Friedricksburg we stopped at the Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX. It was such a neat place and had great BBQ! I highly recommend splitting "The Rancher" like we did so you can save up for their delicious Pecan "PEEE-CAN" Pie! I think I can say it is the best I've ever eaten and they serve it warm! YUMMMM! It was so good I was practically licking the plate! P.S. They don't accept cards of any kind so make sure you bring cash!


From there we headed to Fredricksburg. The drive was the beautiful Texas Hill Country and I enjoyed every minute of daydreaming about living on a ranch in an old Greek Revival or rock farmhouse. I hate to drive and I am so thankful Troy loves it because it gives me more opportunities to dream about living on a ranch and raising our girls! I think we all dream about that, right? Everyone loves sitting out on a patio, listening to the cicadas buzz in the trees while drinking a glass of tea or drinking a cold beer, watching the kids play and enjoying the beautiful Texas sunset! ....If you didn't before you do now at least?

When we arrived in Fredrickburg, we went to the visitor center and then made our way to our Bed and Breakfast. We stayed at the Cottages at Limestone on Main. It was such an amazing place to stay because you are right on Main Street and you have your very own cottage complete with a jacuzzi tub, kitchenette, and cozy bed! The owners are delightful and greet you with dinner suggestions and local advice. We settled in and started walking down the street to see what all Fredricksburg had to offer. Such a sweet town with amazing stores, boutiques, and restaurants.


Friday night, we went to Hondo's and it was great! We enjoyed the Queso Fundido, I got the Green Chile Chicken Tamales (they only serve them on certain days) and Troy got a bacon cheddar burger. We enjoyed our meal and then us two tired folks headed back to the cottage to call it a night.


Saturday morning we were greeted with a delicious breakfast brought directly to our cottage on trays. Breakfast complete with spinach and cream cheese eggs, vegetable hash, and turkey sausage. Strawberry yogurt parfait with fresh granola and the most delicious scones I have ever tasted! "Hill Country" Scones!!! Coffee and pomegranate orange juice :)

Needless to say not a morsel was left uneaten!



After breakfast we started our trek down Main Street, shopping and wandering through the old buildings. So much charm I could barely contain myself. I love the feeling of walking down the streets of a town that has such history imagining what it would have been like to actually visit Dooley's Five and Dime when it opened.



Meeting my dad's grade-school sweetheart! and shopping at her lovely store Henfeathers!


We walked all day until we couldn't walk anymore so we took a rest at our cottage and then headed out to Santamaria Cellars, as recommended by our B&B owner. We enjoyed our first wine tasting and ended up buying two bottles of wine, their Merlot (my pick) and Cabernet Sauvignon (Troy's pick). It was a little of a splurge for us so we are saving the wine for special occasions!

Next, we headed to dinner at the Doss Country Store (another suggestion from our B&B)...you feel like you're driving to the middle of nowhere but it's only about 30 minutes west of Fredricksburg and it's a beautiful drive. The story about the Doss Country Store is that the chef there was trained in New York, he followed a love interest to the town of Doss, and ended up staying there. We walked into the store which also doubles as a gas station and we were asked if we had reservations (of course we didn't! its a gas station!!!) but clearly everyone else does because most of the tables were reserved!!!!
The drive to the Doss Country Store.

The dinner was a 4-course meal which can be seen in this picture.


After dinner we headed back to town, rented a red box "The Dark Knight Rises" and called it a night!

After watching the movie I think reality had set in that I was ready to be home with my babies, because I had a total meltdown! I cried like a blubbering baby and thought I was having an anxiety attack. Troy said we could leave first thing after breakfast and calmed me down assuring me that the sooner I went to sleep the sooner I would be headed home to my babes. I tried to fall asleep and eventually I did because the next thing I knew it was morning.

We were greeted with our second delicious breakfast which was Sante Fe Egg Enchiladas, a homemade chocolate and golden raisin granola bar, and coffee and pomegranate orange juice. My favorite part is the details taken in prepping the breakfast each day such as the miniature salt and pepper shakers that were different each day and the china that changed each day too. It was exciting and different and made the stay so much more warm and unique.
YUMMM!

When we finished breakfast, we loaded the car and headed home!

We took Highway 281 which I highly recommend because its beautiful which also means I got to do more "Ranch Daydreaming" 4 hours later we arrived home to our sweet angels! I enjoyed their hugs and kisses so much more!!! I was so happy to be safely home with my 3 bubble guppies.

Thank you so much to my mom and mother-in-law for keeping our babies safe and well while we were gone. I am so glad to be home and highly recommend anyone looking for a weekend getaway to book a trip to Fredricksburg and stay at the Cottages at Limestone on Main!!!

Shout out to my fellow twin mommas!

The twins' first birthday has come and gone, and I just can't help but be amazed and awed by what the last year has brought us. When I think about the last 12 months, all I can do is realize how life goes by so quickly and we truly must cherish every minute of it! The chaos, the fun, the tears, the milestones, and the things we tell ourselves we would never do as parents but end up doing them.....Why? Not because we are weak or lazy, but rather because we love our kids and being a parent of little ones is well....EXHAUSTING!!!!

This is the night before I delivered the twins!


Happy Birthday Josi and Libbi! What a surprise we were in for! If you don't know their birth story check it out on my blog.


In the hospital.


And if you are a parent of a twin, triplet, or any number of multiples you manage to silence your inner thoughts many times when other people complain about their "singleton". So this post is a shout out to my "multiple-mommas" out there and daddies too!

When people say the lovely comment "Two for the price of one" I want to quickly pipe back, "No, two for the price of two!!!!!" We spend double of every thing! Double the amount of formula, double the diapers, double the wipes, double the food, snacks, and baby ibuprofen! When we go to the doctor you'd think we'd be cut a break, but no, we pay two co-pays! Double the clothes, shoes, and toys. Double the bath soap, lotion, and Desitin! MULTIPLES = MONEY!!! and lots of it!


When people say, "Are they twins?" that is by far my favorite! I always politely say yes, but Troy and I did have an amazing moment one time when we were at Outback Steakhouse with my in-laws. If any one of you know my father-in-law (Who I have nicknamed "LD" like Larry David from Curb Your Enthusiam, because he has many characteristics of him!) THEN, this next sentence will be no surprise, but when he was asked by someone "Are they twins?" He replied "No, they were just born 6 months apart!" I could not even look at the person! But I was secretly happy he said the comment Troy and I say to ourselves every time someone asks!


When people are walking around the mall with their "singleton" stroller, people don't even realize the trouble it is to get a double stroller around places! I have to search for a WIDE path and hope I don't take out a clothes rack or something. Believe me I have thought about getting the front to back stroller too, that would only elongate my caravan of children! Which leads me to my next rant!


Troy and I have officially started referring to our family as the "freak show" this is because when we go out in public we are stopped and stared at by mostly everyone living and breathing. When people see two twin babies and a "matching-blonde-older version of the twins" they go a little paparazzi crazy! They want to get in their faces, touch them, talk to them which ALWAYS results in one or more crying! We honestly have to debate on the weekends whether or not to take the "freak show" out! "Hey do you wanna take the freak show to Home Depot?"...."Sure why not!"



On that note, we have discovered a high need for more "multiple" shopping carts at stores. When we take the "freak show" to Target we usually have to get two buggies! and then we draw an even bigger crowd, because we are caravanning through the isles. The best places to take your twins are Sam's Club, Tom Thumb on Camp Bowie if you live in Fort Worth, Target by Ridgmar Mall if live in Fort Worth. If you don't live in Fort Worth, and you live some where else it is always best to take the stroller the first time, and then scope out the buggy-situation!


The hardest part of the day is always bath time. I think my back takes the brunt of it, but when I think of the ease of bathing one baby over bathing two slippery crazy wild babies I get jealous of those "singleton" parents! Troy and I have to mentally prepare ourselves for the nightly chasing and corralling of two fast-crawling-twisting-screaming little chubby- baby butts! Not to mention we still have to get baby lotion, diapers, and jammies on them, too!


The next is, "When the twins don't sleep, Nobody Sleeps" It has truly been a tough month sleeping-wise. As oppose to the "It's your turn"-option that singleton parents have, multiple parents don't have that luxury! There is no turn-taking! I am so blessed to have Troy who wakes up and goes into the trenches with me at 1am to soothe sick/fussy babies. We sometimes look at each other as we leave for work after a long night with the twins and tell ourselves we survived...we are super mom and dad! It makes me love him more every time he helps me with them on a night like those.

And for all my fellow multiple-moms, I would like to say that I know exactly what you are thinking when someone tells you they are tired...(They don't even know what tired is!)

BUT with all my ranting and complaining, I will say that there are many perks to having twins.

First, they have a built-in play partner for life. They will blabber, grab, and follow each other all around the house and it is by far the cutest thing ever!

Second, it is twice the baby love and hugs every day when I come home. My favorite part of my work day is coming home to Charli saying "Mommy you're home!" and the twins both looking at me bouncing and smiling saying "MaMaMaMa"

Third, I get to feel like super-woman everyday when I realize I am their momma. After a night of no-sleep, then going to work and working with special needs students, next coming home to fix dinner, bathe 3 babies, and get them to sleep...I truly do feel like a super-Multiple-Momma! (Well...... some days! LOL)

Josi and Libbi turned 1 on Sunday! What a difference a year makes! In the last year we have moved houses, had precious twin baby girls, potty trained Charli Kay, changed jobs, I finished graduate school and got my Master's in Education, and Troy has been working on a major project at his work for a little over 2 years now!.....


The Twins UP inspired first birthday!




Happy Birthday baby girls...I have said it before and I will say it again...I am so blessed to be your Momma! God is Awesome and has blessed us so much.

Texas Roadhouse Blowout

It's been a while since my last post, but I had vowed not to write until I was done with grad school (school-guilt if any of you have had it!) But, I had to share this one!



Well, you haven't truly enjoyed Texas Roadhouse until you've changed two blowout diapers mid-meal.

On Saturday night we went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate my father-in-law's birthday. We had planned to be there at 5:30pm and twin-time insisted on about 6:00pm since everyone decided to nap right until 5:00 and then we had to wake everyone up to get them packed and loaded for dinner.

On the way there I fed both girls on my tiny seat in between them in the van, as we arrive there and get seated everything is fine and the girls are actually enjoying themselves until Troy lifts Josi up to show me the massive blowout she had down her pants.




Wonderful!

I stop eating, (Thank goodness I was inhaling my meal, a new twin parent habit realizing at any minute I could be called to doody!) And, doody it was...lots of it! I went into the restroom and then see the changing table and think to myself, "Thank goodness it is in a private stall!"




Wrong, I put Josi down she starts crying from being on the foreign germ filled table. I don't blame her.

Next, the lock on the door is not working so I put one hand on Josi, I use my foot and my hand to try to pull the door shut, it doesn't want to close, so I proceed to slam it shut! WRONG choice!

Josi starts screaming...so then I start singing my go-to song where I just sing their names over and over to them... "Josi, Josi, Josi, Josi, Mae, Mae"




Next I open the diaper, and get to work, wiping, sweating, singing, smiling, and thinking about the germs! (I bet the waitress in the next stall over was texting her boyfriend that they needed to be "more careful", mom's of teenage girls or boys if you want instant birth control have your children change a screaming baby's diaper in a hot restaurant bathroom! It will work wonders!)

Next, was clothes changing time, why did I put the tight onesie on??? I practically ripped her ears off pulling it over her head. By this point Josi is happy again and I am the one about to scream! I keep thinking I should have just stayed at home! :)

Next I clean up, throw the diaper away! Apologize silently because I no longer carry those blue bags to wrap up the diaper to keep if from smelling. But, yes I did wash my hands!

Next, I proceed out the bathroom door to our table, and thankful for cooler air! I get to the table and relieved and exhausted. I made it through!


....until.....

Troy nicely smiles and says, "This one is ready!"

ENTER EXPLICIT LANGUAGE HERE!!!!!!

I pass him the happy clean one, and grab the next!

On to round 2!

Libbi was much easier, I didn't battle the door anymore, I just left it open. I didn't care.

Next I changed, sang, sweat, smiled, and prayed that I could just make it through the meal without having a blowout myself, a verbal blowout of profanities!!!

I left the bathroom, and walked to the table! Guess what it was time to go. Thank goodness.

We were supposed to head back to my in-laws house for cake and ice cream, but I passed! I headed home to get the girls wiped down, dressed for bed, and fed. Troy came home early to help, and brought me two pieces of cake...too bad I was too exhausted to even eat them.



My days are busy from the time I wake, and even while I sleep.


I thought this picture was funny (it came up when I googled "busy mom", yoga mom has time to do yoga with her baby! Must. Be. Nice.


Today for example, I had to get grades in, progress reports done, lesson plans, work on other things for school as well. To top it off, from about 3 to 7 we had two fussy babies to pass back and forth...not to mention diva-Charli who changes moods within 15 second time intervals!

I will be glad when graduate school is over for me in two weeks.

Troy looked at me tonight and said, "Being a parent to three under three is exhausting!"....understatement!

I am just glad that my girls are happy and healthy...yes I will be exhausted, tired, and overwhelmed most days, but as long as they are happy and healthy that is all that matters.

Bed time! Well, I will attempt to sleep! In between, waking up with either Josi or Libbi....or Charli! Gotta love Twin-Life ;-)


Halloween 2012

Not So Essure!!!!

So even though I am exhausted, stressed, and tired! I must blog about what happened to me.



I had planned about two months ago to get a procedure done called Essure. It is a permanent birth control option to keep you from having more children. Basically, they place two small coils made out of the same stuff heart stents are made of into your fallopian tubes. Then after three months you go back to the doctor for a dye test, where they put dye into your uterus and make sure everything is blocked off.



I had some doubts about whether I should make a decision so soon but I knew when I was up with the twins or Charli for the 18th time in one night I decided I was done. But, even still in the two months up to the date of the procedure I had doubts.

Anyways, in order to get the procedure you have to follow a strict timeline of events. They told me that I had to get my period, and then immediately come in for a Depo Provera birth control shot that lasts 3 months.


My take on this shot is never to EVER get it!!!!!! Unless of course you are going into battle because this shot makes you One Crazy BLEEP! I have never been more emotional, more moody, or more crazy!!! One minute I am crying for no reason at all, the next I am mad, and the next minute I am... KOO COO CRAZY!!!!

Granted I think it is in part because I am truly stressed. I have started a new teaching position, I am trying to learn my new students, learn about a new school, and try to make new friends. On top of that, I am in my last semester of Grad School, about to take my Principal's Exam, and try to keep up with all my coursework. Lastly, every year the first week back brings about sickness to my house, Charli got sick first, then Josi and then Libbi. All had or have some weird virus that causes congestion and cough.

Yay me! Now that my Pity Party is over I can move on to my other story.


Long story made longer....Do not get the Depo Provera shot!

Next after you have the shot you are given a window of opportunity to get the Essure procedure done. I was told I could either have it done August 27-31 which I was IMMEDIATELY against because that was the first week of school and there is no way I would ever miss the first week of school. So I chose the second week of school, or September 6th.

The night before the procedure I was told to take 2 pills and nothing to eat after midnight by the anesthesiologist.

The morning of I was totally uneasy, didn't speak much, and was extremely tired since I didn't get to have my Shakeology and coffee combo. Troy kept asking me what was wrong and if I was okay, and I just kept responding I wanted to get it over with.

We left for the doctor's office, and arrived in the parking lot.



Troy grabbed me and paraphrasing said, "Let's Pray...Father, please watch over us today, watch over Jessica and the procedure she is about to have done. And, please Lord, if this is not meant to be, please give us sign and we will know it is not meant to be...In Jesus Name, Amen"

We walk into the building, head up the 6th floor, updated my insurance, and waited.



Then the nurse came out and asked if I had brought my urine sample, and I of course forgot! Soooo, I go in the back and catch my urine for the pregnancy test, I was nervous even though I knew that I was on the KooKooCrazy shot (Depo Provera). The doctor comes in goes over the procedure, explains how I will feel, and most importantly I wasn't pregnant. She said to give us minute and we will be ready.

As I am about to walk into the procedure room the nurse says, "You need to talk to the lady up front to decide if you still want the procedure."

I looked at her confused, but went to the receptionist and she said.....Since your insurance changed on September 1 you will be charged $1,032 for the procedure. My face sort of grinned nervously, but my mind was thinking WTF?!?!?!?! Don't these people know I just had twins after 3 months of bedrest and maternity leave, and NICU hospital bills, I don't have $100 bills stashed in my bra? We are running on fumes bank account wise!


I politely said, "I have to talk to my husband."

I go into the waiting area, and tell Troy, "I can't have the procedure" WRONG choice words ladies...His face went white and eyes glazed over, because I think for a short second he thought I could be pregnant! HAHA! I quickly explained why...


We went back to talk to the lady. Meanwhile, why they are talking I felt the anxiety rise in my throat.

I had mentally prepared for this day for 2-3 months now, and something wasn't right. I wanted to scream, cry, and just curl up into a ball and lay with my babies cuddling around me.

I just kept thinking "Why did this happen?" "What does this mean?"

Troy was so supportive, and so sweet. We got in the car, the very place where we had prayed about the whole situation and he looked at me said, "Maybe God doesn't want us to do it right now?"

WHY?! WHY?! Does he have to say the right thing all the time, when all I want to do is go Depo Provera-crazy on somebody!?

After crying and getting a Starbucks, I got to thinking, maybe God had heard my doubts and second thoughts, and maybe like all great parents when it is time to step in He stepped in and made the decision for me.


We went home somewhat relieved and happy, to take care of our sick kids, and enjoy them and cuddle them.

And who knows? Maybe we will try for a 4th girl one day ;-)~ One day a long time from now!

Our God is an Awesome God.

We Work Hard for that Money Mommas

Back to life....Back to reality....! But no seriously...going back to work has conversely resulted in me having less time to do things like write.

I wish I felt like this.....


But instead I feel like this!


I have been back at work doing new teacher training. I am so excited to be in the same district as Charli's cousins and also excited to be at the school I am at!



On the flip side, going back to work brings a whole new gamut of emotions.

I feel like I miss out on so much during the day, my mom sends me pictures and I get a few minutes to glance at them and realize how much bigger my babies look each day. I come home and feel like I have been gone an eternity.

Working mommas have a whole different outlook on the day in general. Here is a sample of what my day looks like modified to next week when I have to be at school at 7:15am! So early!!!




Wake-up, Shower

Start Coffee, Shakeology in the blender, heat up two bottles, make Charli's milk and set out her vitamins.







Wake up twins (they are usually stirring and ready to eat) and feed bottles.

Finish getting ready, pack lunches, start dishwasher and kiss all my babies goodbye. Thanking my mom for being there, and getting in my car and choking back the tears that I have to leave my babies.


Drive to work and pray and talk with God, thanking him for blessing us with so many wonderful blessings!!!

Morning Duty-So early!

School Day- Hoping that the girls are okay :)

Leave school if I don't have a committee meeting or faculty meeting.

Arrive home, ask my mom how the day went and send her home to get much needed rest after taking care of 3 little ones all day, then I spend time with the babies, and Charli.

Start Dinner



Troy gets home then we eat dinner, spend some family time together, and the bedtime routine begins!!!

Get bath started for Charli, proceed to bathe each twin one after the other. Finish Charli's bath.


Next, is to lotion the girls up, and put on jam-jams, and give Charli milk, and feed babies bottles.

Put twins down to bed, and then lay Charli down(don't forget the Three Puppies story!).

Work Out-Currently doing Insanity and thinking I am INSANE for trying that workout first. But, I am seeing results! I am excited about being a BeachBody coach and helping other mommas lose their baby weight! It motivates me to workout and get healthy!


I will be posting before and after pics soon!

Cool down from workout, load the dishwasher, and then either work on Work or Grad school for a minute, or pass out from exhaustion and go to sleep.

I'm going 100mph and don't know how I am doing it. The only thing that is helping me besides the good Lord Himself! To do it all without going crazy is the strong support I have from family, and I also think exercising and Shakeology has truly been helping me to have energy and not get winded simply just giving my girls baths!

I don't even know how I am going to do this once Grad School starts on Saturday!!!!

I will truly feel like I am treading water and someone is trying to push me under. I just hope and pray God will give me the strength to get through.

And like my new best friend Shaun T. says "Power Through!" and "Dig Deeper!" I just have to dig deep and find the strength to make it through. I know it is going to be tough.

I hope my girls are proud of me one day when they read this.






Check it out for yourselves at:

www.beachbodycoach.com/jessicahanson

www.myshakeology.com/jessicahanson