I wrote a cookbook

Normally I keep our family blog focused on the cute stuff our kids do and the fun adventures we go on.  I wanted to take a minute to plug a book I wrote!!  I published a Gluten Free cookbook in April that has over 50 recipes that are easy to make with minimal ingredients.  They are all Gluten Free but that doesn't mean you can't make them if you eat Gluten!  It is called Family Approved Gluten Free Recipes. 

Some of the recipes include: bacon cheddar puffs, onion rings, shepherd's pie, crock pot lasagna, pumpkin whoopie pies and lemon squares.

If you are interested it can be purchased on Amazon for only $6.99!  If you happen to purchase a copy please help me out and leave a comment on Amazon!  This will help the book rank higher on searches.

You can also check out my Gluten Free blog over at ImaCeliac.com!  I'm also on twitter and instagram if you want daily updates on what we are eating!

Thanks for your support!

18 Month Twin Update

The twins are a year and a half today!  The first thing that comes to my mind is, "we survived!"  Having twins is intensely difficult.  Everything is times two!  But having twins is also a huge blessing.  Henry and Hannah love each other and have so much fun together.  They truly care about one another! Today Henry ran into something (happens about 5 times a day) so he was crying and Hannah brought him a paci to cheer him up.  It was adorable!  Henry will also bring Hannah her favorite teddy bear, Pinkie, if she is upset.  It is so sweet to see them interact.  Don't get me wrong they also have their moments.  They will steal a toy from the other without hesitation and knock one another down to get to a desired item!  Nothing is as much fun as when your twin is playing with it!  They are also all about equality.  You can't give one a sippy cup without the other whining for one too!

Henry 18 Months

Hannah 18 Months

They are growing up so much.  We took the kids to the local park last week and everyone got to play.  Last summer and fall the twins had to suffer in the stroller while Cali ran around playing.  This time they were right there with her running around and climbing.

Henry's favorite things include: pacifiers (don't judge!), BALL, the dog, food, milk, playing outside and mommy (again don't judge!).

Henry and his BFF Jack

Hannah's favorite things include: any toy she can carry around, Pinkie the bear, marshmallows, milk, talking and playing by herself.

Hannah trying to ride Cali's bike

MONTHLY UPDATE:

Food - They drink whole milk and water from sippy cups.  Hannah also enjoys juice boxes.  They eat three meals a day and get two snacks.  Favorite foods include: french toast sticks, pears, goldfish, chicken, green beans, pasta and veggie chips.  Henry can out eat Cali and Hannah remains reserved in her food choices. 

Sleep - The nap transition continues, somedays they nap twice and others it is only one.  They go to bed at 7:30pm and wake up around 7:30am.  

Clothes - Hannah is in 12 month some 18 month tops.  Henry is in 18 month clothes.  Both are in size 5 shoe.

Weight -  Hannah 21 lbs Henry 25 lbs  

Height - Hannah 30 inches Henry 32 inches  

Diapers - Pampers size 3

Health - Hannah has her first laser treatment for her hemangioma this month.  The doctor said it will look worse before it gets better and she will be mad as a hornet during the procedure.  Wish us luck!

Fun Facts - Henry has ten teeth and Hannah has twelve.  

Wagon rides are also very popular these days!  Hannah has a bubble wand and Henry has a stick.  They also like to switch sides mid-walk. 

Mother's Day Weekend 2013

Saturday Cali and I went to a Tea Party with some girl cousins, aunts, Maw Maw and Grannie at a fancy hotel.  Cali was so excited that she talked about it for days!

Cali and mommy ready to go

Cali and Maw Maw

Maw Maw, Grannie and Cali

Our group

Saturday afternoon we celebrated Mother's Day with my side at our house.  We had a tasty dinner and celebrated Mom.  The cousins had fun playing.

Sunday after church we headed to Nick's mom's house.  More tasty food and playing with cousins.

Farewell Old Friend

This has been a tough week in our house.  Saturday we were outside playing with the kids and Harley. While chasing the ball Harley started to stumble around.  Sunday she was getting worse.  Monday I took her to the vet and her blood pressure was very high.  We went home with meds, but she only got worse on Tuesday.  Wednesday she was not herself in many ways.  Nick and I made the very hard decision to put her to rest.  

Harley was our first child.  We got her when we had only been married for 6 weeks.  So she has been a part of us since we have been an us.

It is sad with her gone.  Jack seems lonely and lost without her.  

It was a wonderful 10 years with her.  Farewell Old Friend! 

Hair Cuts

The other day we took the twins to get haircuts.  It was Henry's second and Hannah's first.  They were both big enough to sit in the chairs by themselves.  Henry did good for about 3 minutes then cried the rest of the time.  Hannah was ok for about 5 minutes then I had to give her goldfish to keep her happy.  In the end both got hair cuts and were happy.  Success!

Henry before

Henry after

Henry in the big boy seat

Hannah not too happy about getting her hair cut

Hannah after

17 Month Twin Update

Henry and Hannah are 17 months old today!  Wow are they growing up so fast!  They are toddlers running around our house!  Henry continues to amaze us with his "boy" antics. The boy can climb onto almost anything we have, destroy most toys and eats more than Cali.  Hannah is starting to get more of a girl attitude these days.  She knows what she wants and quickly says "no" and shakes her head if she isn't on board.  She is also a very smart cookie and responds well to verbal commands.  The twins learned to color this past week.  Henry was happy for 5 seconds then wanted to eat the crayons.  Hannah sat there happily for 15 minutes coloring.  

Henry 17 Months

Hannah 17 Months

Outside is their favorite spot right now.  It doesn't matter if we are in our front yard playing, on our deck swinging or at a park - the twins just want to be outside.   They are also very confident in their abilities   They can both climb up the stairs at the playground, go down the slide and repeat the steps until they decide to pay somewhere else.

Everyone loves bubbles!

After dinner tonight the kids all had ice cream cones on the deck for dessert.  Cali's was the only one that actually had ice cream in it, the twins just love to eat the cones.  Here are some funny photos from the ice cream cone eating.

Cali with a blue tongue

Henry stuffing his face

Blue Eye Hannah 

"Hey can I have yours too?" asks Henry.  Hannah quickly pulled it away and gave him a look!

MONTHLY UPDATE:

Food - They drink whole milk and water from sippy cups.  They eat three meals a day and get two snacks.  Favorite foods include: french toast sticks, goldfish, chicken, green beans, pasta and veggie chips.  Henry will eat anything and lots of it while Hannah will eat a lot if she likes it.  

Sleep - The nap transition continues.  Hannah is ready for only one nap but Henry isn't and there is no way they are going to be on different schedules!  They go to bed at 7:30pm and wake up around 7:30am.  

Clothes - Hannah is in 12 month.  Henry is in some 12 month but mostly 18 month size.  Both in size 5 shoe.

Weight -  Hannah 21 lbs Henry 25 lbs  

Height - Hannah ___ inches Henry ___ inches  

Diapers - Pampers size 3

Health - Hannah's Hemangioma meds are going well.  We have two laser treatments scheduled for this summer to make the red color above her lip go away.  The Dr feels we will get good results.
Fun Facts - Henry has nine teeth and Hannah has eight.  Henry learned how to drink from a straw this week.  It looks like Hannah will be a lefty as she always favors her left hand to color or write.

Outside

Somehow we totally skipped Spring here in NC.  We went from sleeting one week to 80 degrees the next!  What that means to this family of 3 active kids is outside playtime!  We have a couple parks that are great for our kids that we frequent.  Here are examples of the chaos of playing outside.

This week we were able to meet up with my sister and her daughter to play together.

 Kimmie was a big help on the slide!