Human Food

Aside from formula, an adult should be able to taste all baby food and give it at least a "not bad," if not "yummy" rating. It's not like the babies eat cat food, ya know? But people tend to put baby and kids food in a different category. Lot's of times I hear human food vs. baby food. That is just wrong.

I mean every kid is going to get some junk food and pre-prepared food at some point because it's convenient and part of being a kid. But I really try to give the girls healthy food whenever possible.

Between the babies, me, my husband and the cats, I swear I spend the better part of the day in the kitchen. But it's okay because I love food. I was actually enrolled in cooking school before I found out I was pregnant (a day before). I had put a deposit down on a Friday for The Institute of Culinary Education in Chelsea, NYC and that night on the way home from work I purchased a pregnancy test at Bridgestone Apothecary. I didn't think it would be positive but wanted to double check.

We had been trying for months and after the miscarriage I figured it would never happen, so I decided to switch career paths and do the only thing I would do for free when it comes to work -- cook. I wanted to do something in food media. It's nearly impossible to get a gig in that field without some sort of speciality training. I considered cooking school a graduate degree on top of my bachelor's in communication. Luckily the deposit was refundable.

I have been really trying to switch things up for the babies' mealtime routine. They are getting better at chewing so I am trying to give them more things that they can hold and take bites of rather than cutting everything into miniscule pieces.

When they were eating purees, I would make all their food but now that they are onto various food groups and and finger foods, it's about 50/50. I try to keep it natural, healthy and organic whenever possible, but since my husband and I usually eat different things at different times, we can't all eat together.

Things they love:

* peas, peas, peas ... just slightly defrosted from the frozen bag

* Any fruit - mainly blueberries, rasberries, cherries, banana, mango (the mango is especially good steamed in the Beaba)

* Nature's Promise vegetable pizza (they like it better the second day as it gets a little soggier)

* Eggo Mini Waffles

* Dr. Praeger's California Veggie Burgers (loaded with carrots, edamame, corn, peas)

* Trader Joe's Turkey Meatballs

* South Beach Oatmeal Pancakes (make a bunch, keep them in the fridge for snacks)

* Dr Praeger's Fish Sticks

* Yogurt with either ground flax seed, wheat germ and/or amaranth (previously cooked) with fruit mash or puree

* Scrambled eggs with a pinch of cheese, dash of milk and a side of multigrain toast

Twin Meet-up

I met one of my best friends through MoMs (Mothers of Multiples) of Lower Fairfield County. It's a "club" for mothers of multiples (twins & triplets) in the area. There is minimal yearly fee and the group organizes events, playgroups, guest speakers and has a message board and classified section. The club has been invaluable for advice on parenting and for recommendations on local services and things to do. It's also how I found my pediatrician, night nurse, sleep expert, doctor and dentist, among other things.

My friend has twin boys about the same age. A few months back we went to the group's new MoMs luncheon and met two other cool ladies. Today we are having everyone over, including babies and husbands, for snacks and drinks. It will be pretty awesome to get together 4 sets of twins. I will try and take some pictures.

We are 1!

The first birthday party went really well and the Miffy theme was in full effect. We lucked out and got a gorgeous day after a monsoon of a summer so far.

My babies are taking first steps and growing into little girls right before my eyes. Still, no one has said "ma-ma" and I must say it 100 times a day. One of the girls says "da-da" and several other baby babbles and the other has started as well. They like to mimic us. If we stick out tongue out, they will to. They love to play hit the table and will copy you as you slap the table. One is also trying to clap but it looks more like she is wiping her hands clean of a mess. Still it's all very cute.

My husband got them the most adorable bear for their birthday. One of the girls really loves the bear and cuddles with him every moment she gets. It's like she forgets he's there and catches sight of him out of the corner of her eye and then crawls toward and attacks with hugs. It's pretty much the most adorable thing ever.

Party Planning

Now that ear infections are hopefully over for at least a few weeks, we can start thinking more about the girls' birthday party. Of course it's more a party for adults but hey, everyone needs a cupcake once in a while.

The theme is Miffy and I found a bunch of Miffy themed party supplies on eBay. The cartoon is done in primary colors so I need to coordinate balloons and paper goods, which is so hard considering I love purple and pink. It's going to be hard to stray from those colors.

We have a woman named Chris, recommended to us by a friend, who is making Miffy cookies. They will be adorable, I'm sure. Her company is called ArtGirl Cookies and you can check out her work here.

I ordered cupcakes from Crumbs Bakery, which just opened in Westport a few months ago. I love their cupcakes. I still love the cupcakes from Great Cakes, also in Westport, but Crumbs is really good and the cupcakes are slightly bigger. They make cakes too, which I didn't know. I picked the basic sprinkle cupcakes in strawberry, chocolate and vanilla, with two special cupcakes for the girls: rasberry and blueberry swirl.

I had previously ordered a cake from SONO Baking but the customer service was so bad I cancelled my order. Apparently it's an ongoing issue there, which is really too bad since the product is good.

What's left? I'll put my husband on balloon pick-up and I am going to make a little lunch buffet for guests. I need to work out something for the kids as well. We have some tbd guests but I need a final count by next week for sure.

Almost there!

Etsy Obsession

I am totally obsessed with Etsy. I have found some of the cutest things for the girls, including this adorable door hanger for their nursery.

I also purchased these great bibs to soak up the drool. The girls are in the stage (I feel like it will never end) where every minute they are awake they must be in a bib. We go through several bibs each a day and I hate how they ruin cute outfits. These are adorable and affordable.

I have also been on the lookout for prints. I got this one, this one (I customized it with black background letters and then in various shades of pink it spells out Twin Love) and this smaller one, which is framed on their dresser in between the cribs. So adorable.

I will have to post some photos of the nursery soon.

First Babbles

The girls have been making sounds for several months but one has finally started to make more familiar sounds. The other day she woke up from her nap saying da-da-da-da and blah-blah-blah. Of course, there is no ma-ma or mommy, but I am not giving up hope.

First Steps

Last Thursday at The Little Gym, one of my girls took her first steps. I stood her up on the mat and motioned her to come to me as I had done many times before but this time she actually felt confident enough to try three steps. Last night she took nine steps without any encouragement at all. Soon she will probably be running around the house. I can't believe this time last year she was still in my belly with her sister. Life is just amazing.