SacMomsClub.com

Brodie was eating a mini bran muffin while walking around the kitchen, when Lucas woke up from his nap.  I left Brodie alone and hurried down the hall to get Lucas out of his crib.  I was only gone a few minutes, but in that short time Brodie had finished his muffin.  Rather than eating it, he smashed it into pieces and left a muffin trail from the kitchen into the entry way.  He kept walking over the muffin pieces, stomping on them and saying, "Uh Oh!" Then he would occasionally bend over, pick up a few pieces, and throw them back onto the floor, repeating "Uh Oh!"  Lucas woke up from his nap crying, so he melted down into hysterics when I set him down on the kitchen floor, so I could start cleaning up 'the muffin trail', before it was completely smashed into the rug and spread all around the house.  I picked up Lucas in an attempt to calm him, then Brodie started pointing and saying "wa wa" for water.  I gave him the water bottle, but instead of drinking it, he turned it upside down and started pouring water all over the floor.  I set Lucas back down on the floor, to clean up the water puddle that Brodie was stomping in and swishing around with his hands, Lucas immediately started crying, and the phone rang.  I got the water cleaned, and picked Lucas back up, as I grabbed the phone.  It was my husband.  Now Lucas and Brodie were both crying.  Lucas was hungry, Brodie was upset because I took the water bottle away from him, and I still had 'the muffin trail' to deal with.  I answered my husband's question, tried to politely listen to what he was saying, but we could barely hear each other, so I ended our call ended abruptly with "I have to go. They're both crying.  I love you.  Be safe and have a good ride home." 

I try to avoid situations like these.  Its a good day when I'm one step ahead of Lucas and Brodie. But as you can tell, this is not always the case.  Within minutes a perfectly calm day can turn into chaos.  They finally calmed down when one of my friends brought her two sets of twins over to play with her.  The kids had a great time together.   

I was using the restroom.  The farthest room from the front of the house.  I could hear Lucas and Brodie talking in low voices, like they were collaborating something.  I could tell they were in the kitchen, but I couldn't identify the clanking sounds, which only meant I had better get out their fast!  Within seconds I was running down the hall toward the kitchen.  As I slide around the corner, I saw Brodie inside the dishwasher flinging a large knife around in the air like he was conducting music, while Lucas tossed a dirty plate back into the dishwasher as if it were a Frisbee.  I moved Lucas aside as I lunged for the knife, gently removed it from Brodie's hand, as I pulled him out of the dishwasher, and quickly shut the dishwasher door.  Lucas and Brodie immediately reached for the latch and the dishwasher was open again.  Just when I thought I had "toddler proofed" my house. Lucas and Brodie out smarted me again. Thank God they were both okay.  

As soon as its quiet, my mind starts spinning in circles trying to figure out what to do first....sweep, mop, laundry, wash dishes, bake, pick up around the house, or return phone messages, check e-mail, maybe read....the list goes on and on.  I have to pick one or I'll spend their entire nap starting projects, but not finishing any of them.  Today, it's going to be: sweep, mop, laundry.  If I have extra time, read.

I have to admit, some days I think ahead, and have my bike set up on the trainer, so I can spin for an hour before they both wake up.  Today, is a running day.  Later this afternoon, I'll take Lucas and Brodie outside for a run through the neighborhood, and if it doesn't start to rain, we'll go to the park to play afterward.

Everyone needs their playtime. 

 
 

It was a windy, rainy morning at the downtown Sacramento Farmer's Market.  Even though I had the rain cover on the stroller, Brodie still got wet because he kept sticking his arms and legs out.  Once I got back to the car and both buckled into their car seats, I realized Brodie was missing a shoe.  Once I found his shoe, he had pulled his other shoe off, and both socks.  Then they were hungry.  While feeding them a snack, Brodie put too many pieces of cereal bar in his mouth.  Since he had his mouth open, I reach in to pull out some of the extra mush, and he chomped down on my finger and wouldn't let go.  Then he started to grind my finger in between his teeth. In the midst of all this, he was able to manage a smirky smile, as he continued to inflict pain on me.  Eventually he let go.  My finger was a different shape, but at least he didn't break the skin.  I guess I shouldn't have put my finger in his mouth, but he didn't have to bite me either.  At least he was able to swallow his food and take a drink to wash it all down. After all that, he insisted on eating the mush ball I had pulled out of his mouth.  Lucas just sat in his seat eating his cereal bar nicely.  And he waited patiently for a drink, as Brodie kept tipping the water bottle upside down spilling water all over himself. When I tried to take it from him, he threw a fit, saying no, no, no, more, more, more.  Then he'd take another drink.  I kept telling him it was Lucas's turn to drink water.  Finally he handed the water bottle over to Lucas.  They both fell asleep within a few minutes of getting on the freeway driving home. 

Friday morning Lucas and Brodie both woke up saying "No!".  They said "No" when I picked them up from their cribs, "No" when I set them down, "No" when I changed them out of their PJ's. "No" when I changed their diapers. "No" when I dressed them for the day.  It was a day of "No!".   Brodie would say, "No, no, noooo", and Lucas would say, "Noooooooooo".  I just laughed.  What else could I do?  I had two kids saying "No!" to just about everything.  I was completely out numbered.  I knew this day was coming, but I had no idea it would arrive quite like this.  

Feb 14th was not only Valentine's Day, but also the first day of the AMGEN Tour of California bicycle race.  Downtown Sacramento was the host for the Prologue.  The Prologue is a time trial.  Approximately every 30 seconds one cyclist at a time rode a closed course, around the Capitol, racing the clock in hope to have the fastest finishing time.  The cyclist with the fastest finishing time, was the race leader for Sunday's race, starting in Davis, ending in Santa Rosa.  All the other cyclists have the rest of the week to try to catch up to the leader. But there could be a new leader of the race each day.....So what did you do on Valentine's Day?

My friend and I walked from her place in West Sac to the Capitol with our kids in strollers.  We were fully loaded with rain gear, blankets, drinks, snacks, cameras, and whatever else we thought we might need.  As we neared the race course, the crowds were thick.  They were expecting 75,000  spectators...I don't know how many people showed up, but it was a lot! 

We watched the time trial periodically,  But spent most of the time playing with the kids in Capitol Park.  All three boys, 18 months old, played in the grass, climbed on low hanging tree trunks, through brushes, over shrubs, and up on top of benches.  They tossed sticks, leaves, and their shoes.  Lucas and Brodie both managed to lose a shoe.  Luckily, each time, someone noticed and brought it to my attention.  Otherwise, I would of had two kids, each with one shoe.

We didn't stay long enough to see Lance Armstrong finish his time trial, but we all had a good time.  This is the 3rd year of the Tour of California.  The 2nd year its been in Sacramento.  If the tour comes back to Sac next year, we'll be back as well, with the kids.   
   

"Mama! Mama! Mama!"  My friend's son was having a major meltdown.  Tears were running down his cheeks.  He held on tight, as he pointed to the front door.  "Mama! Mama! Mama!  We still had quite some time before his Mom was going to return home from her appointment.  I grabbed his shoes, and carried him outside.  His meltdown ended abruptly, as soon as his feet touched the grass outside.  The sun was shining.  It was a beautiful morning to play in the back yard. 

Eventually all four kids had their shoes on and were digging in the dirt.  Stomping in the mud.  Tossing balls.  Crawling through the lavender and rosemary.  Tasting dirt, mud, rocks. Pulling leaves off potted plants.  Climbing on and off patio chairs.  Running, jumping, and spinning around in circles until they were dizzy and falling over.  The longer we stayed outside playing, the muddier the kids became.

Finally it was time to go back inside.  We agreed on an assembly line.  One by one, hose off their hands, clean off their faces with a wash cloth, take off their shoes and pants, and then set them inside so they could be undressed down to their diapers. 

Suddenly there was a knock, and the front door opened.  We had four kids in diapers running around the house, as my friend returned home from her appointment.  She asked calmly, "Why are they all just wearing their diapers?"

Our answer:  They were a little muddy from playing outside. Nothing that three Moms can't fix. All four kids had their diapers changed and clean clothes on in minutes.

Against my better judgment, I took Lucas and Brodie to the Sacramento Railroad Museum, by myself, Wednesday afternoon.  No running allowed in the museum, but run they did.  Luckily they don't run that fast.  Its more of a wobbly speed walk, that often ends up in a trip and fall.  They giggled and screamed with excitement the entire visit.  Except when they saw the miniature train exhibit.  They were enthralled by all the small moving trains, and the buttons they could push that tumade the lights go on and off.  They climbed the two flights of metal stairs and walked into the largest train engine.  Within seconds they both climbed up into the engineers chair, and were trying to climb out the window of the train.  I picked them up, one under each arm, and carried them out of the train, and back down the stairs.  I tried to set them down to let them walk, but neither of them wanted my help climbing down the stairs.  Once we were back on the ground, they were both off running around the corner, as I grabbed the stroller and chased after them in hot pursuit.  As long as I could keep them in my sight and within a 15-20' distance from me, I let them explore.  The trains towered over them, making them look so small.  I think they enjoyed the freedom to explore more than they enjoyed the trains themselves.  After nearly 2 hours of chasing after Lucas and Brodie, it was time to leave the museum.  We stopped in the front lobby to eat a snack.  The entire time they were eating, they kept pointing to the train and making train sounds.  Apparently, they had a great time.  We'll be back.  Hopefully Grandma can come with us next time.

He's known to some as Brodums, Brodes, or Bro Bro...It all depends on who he's hanging out with.  Lucas calls his brother Bro Bro.  To me, he'll always be Brodie.  But I have to admit, the nicknames the kids created for him are cute.
When my husband and I picked names for our twin boys, we made a point to choose names that did not rhyme, that would not be easily shortened into nicknames, that didn't begin with the same letter of the alphabet, and names that did not begin with a 'J' or 'S', since these are the first letters of our names.  Leave it to the kids to figure out ways to shorten Brodie's name.  Yes, I know Lucas could easily be shortened to Luke. For this reason, we spelled Lucas with a 'c'.
I just explained how we chose their first names.  I'll spare you of how we chose their middle and last names.  Yes, the last name was an issue of much discussion. 
So what is in a name?  A lot!   As parents we put so much time, energy, and effort into naming our children in hope that they like it.

 

That white, round shape in the sky, most people call it a moon.  Lucas calls it a "ball".  I explained that its called a moon.  Now he calls it a "boo".

Sleep continues to be a challenge with Brodie.  He still fights going to sleep.  There is the rare occasion, when he points to his bed, and just wants to lie down and sleep.  Most of the time, that's not the case.  He wants to be held until he falls asleep.  It's a miracle that he's sleeping through the night, with 1-2 wake ups, and taking at least 1 nap, lasting at 1- 2 hours a day.
When Lucas and Brodie are ready for a nap, I put Lucas to sleep first, then Brodie.  Brodie then proceeds to alternate crying and talking, for 30 minutes to an hour.  I usually end of going in to get him because all the racket isn't  fair to Lucas who is trying to sleep.
 
I've tried having Brodie take a nap in a different room, but that doesn't work.  Neither Lucas or Brodie will take a nap at home unless they are in their crib, in their own room.  Taking them running in the Bob stroller almost guarantees a nap.  But Lucas will only sleep 1 hour.  And Brodie is very unpredictable.  Sometimes he'll sleep the entire run 30 minutes - 1 hour, then continue sleeping another hour or so in the stroller after the run.  Other times, he'll stay awake.   Staggering their naps times works.  Lucas gets his entire nap first.  When Lucas wakes up, Brodie takes his nap.  But this makes for an exhausting 12 hour day.  I'm working with no brakes, any where from 5 AM, when Brodie wakes up in the morning, until 7PM, when they both go to bed for the night.  Sleep is an ongoing and ever changing challenge.   

Lucas and Brodie spent the day with Grammy N Grandpa Saturday, while Steve and I did a 4 hour mtn bike ride in Auburn on our Ventana tandem.  It was a great day.  A little chilly to start, but warmed up nicely.  We rode with another friend, who is also a parent to two boys.  Our conversation was interspersed with kid stuff, parent stuff, and of course bike talk.  We were all happy to be out riding our bikes, and also very appreciative that we didn't have to worry about our kids, since we knew they were having a great time playing their Grammy N Grandpa, and in our friend's case, with their Dad.  Its nice to ride with friends that can relate to the importance of getting out to ride, but also still put their family first.  When our friend got back home, her husband left to go for a mtn bike ride, while she watched the kids.  When we got back home, we hung out with the kids and played the rest of the afternoon.  The rest of the weekend was family time.  But in our case, family time also includes biking.  Sunday morning after a leisurely morning, we drove out to Granite Bay, parked, and rode our road tandem with the kids in tow into Granite Bay Recreation Area to watch the TBF mtn bike race.  It was a windy, freezing cold morning, but we still had fun.  Lucas and Brodie got to explore the outdoors running, climbing, and playing with sticks, rocks, and whatever else they found on the ground.  By the time we buckled them back into the trailer, they were ready for a nap.  They slept all the way to the car, all the way home, 2 hours in total.  By the time they woke up, they were re-energized and ready to play for the rest of the day. 

Lucas and Brodie took their first swimming class this morning.  A mom in our playgroup coordinated free swim classes on Fridays during the month of February.  It was nice to be in a class where everyone already knew each other.  I think this also helped make the kids feel more comfortable. 

A big thanks to my Mom for making it possible to take Lucas and Brodie to swim class at the same time.  She took Brodie, and I took Lucas.  Brodie managed to pee on both of us before we even got into the pool.  Lucas kept trying to get in the pool before class started.  They were both so curious and excited.  They were a bit surprised when they went under water for the first time, but did great!  No tears.  A few tight bear hugs when they felt the slightest bit uneasy, but overall they smiled and had fun.    We're all looking forward to next weeks class.
 
 

A person who prefers to eat and buy locally grown and produced food. I don't consider myself a locavore, but I try to ensure that my family eats locally grown and produced food, whenever possible.  Just by being more aware of where our food comes from, has been an eye opener.

We use to only shop at Trader Joe's.  In reality, almost everything there is not locally grown or produced.  Now we shop at the local farmers' markets Sat or Sunday, but we still buy some items from Trader Joe's, Sac Natural Foods Co-op or Whole Foods.  Occasionally we shop at Raley's, but mostly for over the counter cold remedies.  We plan our meals, make our shopping list for the week, then choose where we'll shop.  No more than 2 places a week.  One always being the farmers' market, the other a grocery store. 

It's comforting to know what ingredients go into the food we eat.  The only way to control this, is to cook or bake it ourselves.  I try to cook or bake as much of the food we eat as possible.  It really doesn't take that much more time.  It just takes planning and good time management. Plus I've learned that there are a lot of time saving tricks to make things easier. 

A friend of mine just shared the following time saving trick:  Sweet potatoes can be washed and placed whole in a crock pot on high.  Leave unattended, and they are done before you even needed to check on them.  :)

Do you have anytime kitchen time saving tricks to share? 

It's not a good idea to take a sick kid shopping, but we needed diapers, so we went.  After all, Lucas hadn't puked since earlier that morning, so I thought, maybe he was over it?  I thought wrong!
Lucas and Brodie love riding in the Costco shopping cart together.  As I pushed them through the Costco entrance their attention was sucked in by the huge TV screens glaring at them.  We walked about 500 feet into the store, when suddenly time stood still.  Wet, lumpy, warm, projectile vomit came shooting out of Lucas making a splash landing down the front of him, on my jacket, my pants, the shopping cart, and reaching its final destination in a puddle on the floor. 
My first thought was we've got to get out of here.  In one quick glance, I realized we weren't going anywhere.  The vomit was dripping, and I couldn't leave a puddle of hazmat in the middle of a crowded public place.  Not to mention all eyes were on me. 
So right smack in the middle of Costco, I went to work.  Emptied my diaper bag, pulled out the Kirkland wipes and hand disinfectant.  Brodie kept poking Lucas making a bigger mess.  So I quickly undressed Lucas down to his diaper, pulled him out of the seat, and put him in the still empty cart.  I cleaned the seat next to Brodie.  Cleaned Brodie's hands.  Redressed Lucas in clean clothes.  Then cleaned the rest of the cart, to get rid of the dripping.  A few people actually stopped to watch, then must have realized they were staring and NOT HELPING the situation and moved on.   I ignored everyone around me, just focusing on the task at hand.  The pile of yucky clothes, and wipes kept growing.  The only thing I needed, but did not have was a bag to put all the yucky clothes in. Once the cart was clean, I buckled Lucas back in next to Brodie,  finished cleaning the floor, found an empty box for the clothes, and tossed the rest of the yucky stuff in the nearest trash. 
I figured at this point, Lucas's stomach was empty.  We were already here, so I found a Costco employee, told them my son had vomited all over the floor...that I had already cleaned it up, but thought they may want to know so they could ensure that area was cleaned.  They thanked me for informing them, and they said the floors are mopped every night.  (This is good to know.)  I doubt however, the shopping carts are cleaned that often, if at all.  (Don't worry for those of you who also shop a Costco and might get the same cart we used.  I cleaned it well with wipes and hand disinfectant.)
I went ahead, bought the diapers, and headed home where we stayed the rest of the week.   I still can't believe that happened.  I was so glad I still carry a fully stocked diaper bag with me.  It seems silly sometimes, but its those rare occasions that make lugging all that stuff around worth it.  
 
  

Good Morning Lucas, "What great hair you have!"  Brodie and Lucas were both standing up in their cribs as I walked into their room last Monday morning.  They had both slept through the night, with the exception of one late night diaper change for Brodie.

Lucas's normally straight hair had body, even a few curls. Before I had a chance to look into his crib, Brodie and Lucas were signing 'eat' as they pointed to the puke on the mattress.  Lucas had puked up his dinner, and then fell back asleep, lying in hit.   

As I got Brodie and Lucas up for the day, I explained puke is yucky and not to eat.  But yes, they were right, it was food.  A confusing conversation for 17 month olds. 

So our week progressed with the typical runny noses, which is standard around our house these days.  Lucas spiked a fever of over 102 for 24 hours.  His delirium went away with his fever on Tuesday, but then he started puking 2-3 times a day, and once almost every night, for the rest of the week.

To make things a little more complicated, I felt out of sorts.  Not bad enough to say I was sick, but just not right.  Not to mention as the week progressed, I became increasingly more concerned about Lucas.  It was a challenge to keep anything in him, even liquids.  He kept producing pee pee diapers at least every 8 hours, so I knew he wasn't completely dehydrated.  His cute little baby pot belly was slowly disappearing. 

Friday night the advice nurse suggested I bring him into the see the doctor on Saturday just to have in checked out.

Saturday morning  I woke up early and left for a mtn bike ride in Auburn.  The plan was for Steve to watch the kids, while I did a 3 1/2 hour ride, then I'd get back in time to take Lucas to the doctor, and Steve would take Brodie to the bike shop with him.  I only did a 1/3 of my ride before I was nauseous, dizzy, and weak.  I could barely stay up right on my bike.  It probably didn't help that I was running late, and had to ride up hill for the first 4 miles as fast as possible to meet up with my friends in time to ride with them.   I ended up home by 11:15 AM, rather than 2 PM. 

Steve did great with the kids.  I arrived back home and could officially say, "I'm sick with the stomach flu."  Why it took me all week to rear its ugly face, I don't know.

We went our separate ways, Steve with Brodie to the bike shop.  Lucas and I to the doctor's office, even though I felt awful.  Luckily, I was told Lucas was going to be okay as long as he stayed hydrated and quit puking by Monday.  I luckily was able to hold myself together while at the doctor's office.  Once we arrived home, Lucas and I both took naps. 

Sunday morning I called my parents to ask them to cover over for a few hours to watch the kids while I napped.  Lucas must have been starting to feel better Sunday afternoon because he ate, and kept it down, some yogurt, 1/2 an orange. mac n cheese, Brodie's soy formula, and even a couple french fries while we were at IKEA.  (I have MOMMY GUILT about letting him eat french fries.)   
 
Its now Monday morning, a week later.  Lucas has his appetite back.  I'm over my stomach illness.  Brodie and Lucas still have runny noses.  Life is good.