We're backkkkkkk

Not goodbye forever, but a leave of absence

I started this blog to document Carson and Dean's life for Eric and myself, as well as any of our family and friends who were interested. Its been so fun to update the blog with the twins milestones and events. I have loved all the emails, comments, and all the people that have complimented the blog! Nice to know that the kids have so many fans! However, my last post, was 4th of July! WHY?? The truth is, there is just NOT ENOUGH time!!! AHHH!!! Carson and Dean started walking a couple of months ago, we dropped to only one nap a day, and I started my own side business; touchy tags. During nap time, if I am not doing laundry, cleaning the house, cooking, or eating my first meal of the day and staring into space regrouping, I'm doing work for touchy tags. At night, I always think to upload pictures and update the blog, but I am usually relaxing and down for the count early! So, with that, marguliestwinturtles.blogspot is taking time off. (Clearly, no announcement needed since there hasn't been any post in over 6 weeks).

In closing, here's the latest on Carson and Dean.

1. They are "blabbing" all of the time! They say "uh-oh" 200 x a day and "cracker" 700 x a day. Dean loves to say his version of the word "bubbles" and Carson sings / hums.
2. Ask them where their belly buttons are.
3. Same with nose and head.
4. We just returned from a week in Hilton Head with my family. They LOVED the beach!
5. They say "ma ma" all of the time! (May not sound like a big deal, but they are 16 months old - - I waited a long time for that)
6. They love Elmo.
7. Dean LOVES Meurice. Carson, could care less.
8. Carson is biting now. Correction, Carson is biting Dean now.
9. Dean shakes his head 'NO' alot. (Can't wait until he says it . . . )
10. Eric and I have started to have "dates" with the kids. This past Sunday I took Carson to the pool for some girl time. Eric took Dean out to lunch and then shopping for cologne. (I think Carson and I had the better gig)
11. We start our first gymnastics class tomorrow. Tiny Tumblers
12. One more ear infection and I am going to lose it.
13. We just visited the Durham Life & Science Museum - - they loved it!
14. We've spent 1 - 2 days a week at the pool with a "mothers helper" this summer.
15. They climb up and down the stairs. My arms are enjoying the break.
16. They love to dance. Its precious!
17. 7:30 pm is bedtime. They love going to bed and still are the best sleepers. Thank you sleep GOD!
18. They are the healthiest 16 months old EVER. These 30 week old preemies continue to amaze me and can do anything.
19. To answer the daily question "do you want more kids" . . ." Wouldn't you like to know"!
20. For as tired, dirty, and crazy I am at the end of each day. Being home with them everyday has been the best decision of my life.

Goodbye for now!!!!

PS - - I appreciate your support in spreading the word of touchy tags. www.touchytags.com

JUST A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO

MY 4TH OF JULY TEAM


DADDY AND HIS PEACE MAKER


DEAN LOVING SOME SAUCE AND VEGGIES


PLAYING WITH SOME NEIGHBORS IN THE BABY POOL


CARSON WENT DOWN FOR HER NAP WITH A SHIRT AND PANTS ON - - AND WOKE UP LIKE THIS! ONE HER FINER MOMENTS!


ROAD TRIP TO BALTIMORE FOR BRAD & SHARON'S WEDDING! WEREN'T IN THE HOTEL 15 MINUTES BEFORE THESE TWO TOILET PAPERED THE ROOM!

Carson Belle is off

A few of the highlights

CHEESE!!!!!


ONE BIG BITE


HAPPY BIRTHDAY T-POP (thank you Gran, Spike & Colleen for babysitting)


SIPPING CHAMPAGNE IN WINE COUNTRY!


MEMBERS OF THE DDD CLASS OF 2003 - Reuniting in Wine Country!

On your mark, get set,

GO!!!!

THERE ISN'T ENOUGH TIME

. . . to get everything done, I need to get done, AND blog! Sorry to disappoint my millions of readers. (ha, ha). Eric and I have been incredibly busy with the good and the bad. The passing of Eric's grandfather, followed by our vacation to wine country and Austin, back to home where I've been spending any free minute (aka C & D nap times) doing touchy tags business, and then doing pool excursions with the kids and friends, and this weekend celebrating Mimi's Bat-Mitzvah.

So, here's where I am at. I could upload 1 million photos. Some from our day at our neighbor's lake house, our time at the pool, and C & D's week in Austin when Eric & I were in Sonoma and San Francisco. They had a great time at Nonna & T-Pop's, celebrating T-Pop's Birthday, and we had a wonderful time visiting wineries, drinking an abundance wine, seeing old friends, and just having a good time. Can you visualize them?? Does that count??!

I also have a video I need to upload and that is of . . . DEAN WALKING!!!!!!!!!! Our son is WALKING!!! He took his first steps in Austin and is now all about it. He looks absolutely adorable and has that look of "even I can't believe I am doing this". We are loving it!! Carson, is close behind. She is now constantly wanting to "walk" around holding onto our fingers. She's trying to put this thing together. Carson is always motivated by praise - - I think she's seeing us cheer for him and thinking - - "I better figure this out because I want some of that"!!!

www.touchytags.com

touchytags.com

This WEDNESDAY touchytags.com will launch!!!

This has been my project for almost a year. I have designed CAR SEAT AND STROLLER TAGS THAT HELP KEEP OTHERS RESPECTFUL OF YOUR LITTLE ONE’S SPACE. They help protect your baby from unwanted germs in a fun and fashionable way! They are round rubber tags that come in two color options - - PINK or BLUE. They are two sided, with one side saying "LOVE, not germs". The other "Are Your Hands Clean". Touchy tags can fasten to any car-seat, stroller, baby carrier, and piece of home baby equipment with ribbons. Each ribbon contains durable Velcro snaps that allow for easy attachment!

These are adorable tags that politely ask others to not touch your newborn. There are too many germs lingering at the grocery store, mall, restaurants, etc. The last thing a new mom needs, is a sick baby.

If you are expecting or know someone who is, check out touchytags.com on WEDNESDAY and take a look!

Carson's homecoming anniversary!

Carson came home May 15th!!! I have been way to busy to stop and blog! Carson came home 2 days after Dean. Thank goodness she did because those 2 days we could only get up to the NICU once a day. I was used to sitting there all day with them, but now that I had Dean, we couldn't. Carson was a very serious baby and has since turned into one crazy lady! She loves to "talk" and repeat things and smiles all day! She follows Dean around and is just a beautiful baby girl!! Carson -- WE LOVE YOU!

Anniversary of Dean's Homecoming

May 13, 2009 was the day Dean came home! He weighed 5lbs 2oz and had spent his first 38 days of life in the NICU. We were so excited to finally have him home. It was an exciting and sad day. We had 1 coming home and were leaving our baby girl behind. Luckily, it was for only 2 days. Dean came home - - and we just stared at him. The next morning we woke up and took him back to the hospital . . . but not as a patient, as a visitor to see Carson. Today, Dean is a healthy and ACTIVE 13 month old baby. Dean, we love you!

My 1st ( technically, 2nd ) Mothers Day!

Last year Carson and Dean were still in the hospital for Mothers Day, where Eric & I spent the day at the NICU with them. So, this year, was our first Mothers Day as a healthy, happy family! All we wanted was to share this day with us and our children. Eric handled breakfast on his own, while I caught some extra zzz's and then we took a morning walk. After their morning nap we headed out to Vollmer Farm for a picnic and Strawberry Picking!! It was so much fun! I loved picking and the kids loved eating! It was messy! It was the perfect day, exactly what I wanted, time spent with my family for my 1st Mothers Day.

A special Happy Mothers Day as well to Nonna, Mimi, & Gran! We love you!

Date Night

Mexican Food + Eric + Lauren + Cupcakes = Date Night

Outside Fun

With the weather warming up C & D are spending alot of time outdoors with their friends. Last Friday there was a cul-de-sac gathering. The kids had a great time, while the adults enjoyed Happy Hour!

I HIT THE TRIFECTA!!!

And here's how the story goes . . .

Wednesday night the kids were in their highchairs for dinner, like every other night . . . until Carson vomited everywhere. (she's ok, by the way). Lovely. Usually I wait until Eric gets home to do their baths, but this little problem, presented a change in plans. With the mess at hand, I stripped Carson down in the kitchen, left the mess there, and got them upstairs and in their bath. Luckily, they were all bathed and clean when Carson decides to double the fun that evening and take a GIANT #2 in the bathtub! Dean was incredibly intrigued with the new "bath toy" so I had to quickly get them OUT OF THE TUB. I snatched Dean first, wrapped him in a towel, and almost tossed him on the floor so I could now turn around and grab the guilty one and get her out of the water. While I was getting Carson, Dean wiggled out of the towel, and pulled his naked self up holding onto the potty. He gave Carson and I a sly grin and started peeing on the floor. And there it was, that one single given moment, I had puke waiting for downstairs in the kitchen, a poop in the tub, and pee on the floor. That my friends, was the trifecta.

BEAT THAT.

The Cool Kids

We saw the idea for these swings in Austin in Nonna & T-Pop's neighborhood. Our yard isn't big enough to house a swing-set, so we thought this would work for us too! Aunt Nut bought them for the kids for their birthday and we hung them up over the weekend. We simply hang them up when they are using them and take them down when we're done. Needless to say, C & D are serious trendsetters. Check out those stickers. We don't mess around!

Birthday Tour 2010

3 parties later, 3 cupcakes later, a taste of ice cream, and Carson and Dean are officially ONE! This past Saturday they had some of their friends over to round out the Birthday Party Tour! Thank you to Cole, Blake & Cole, Haydn, Charlie, Matthew, Caden, Landon, Caden, Jacob, Reese, and Leila for coming and for your wonderful presents! Carson and Dean enjoyed ripping into them. During the party the parents decided it was cocktail time, so we took the kiddos outside and lined them up in their Radio Flyer Wagons! Check out the train below! Carson and Dean (and mommy and daddy) are so lucky to have made such great friends here. To all of our wonderful friends and neighbors, thank you! We look forward to more get togethers!

CARSON AND DEAN TURN ONE

.....literally an hour from now to the minute. I sit here at 9:42pm, our Carson Belle arrived at 10:42pm and Dean at 10:43pm. Exactly one hour away from being EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO. Mind blowing. All you parents out there, I am sure you'd agree that time flies. For all my friends who are new mothers or those expecting, cherish and enjoy every single thing big or small. Time flies by faster with your own children than any other period of my life up to this point. I hold up their preemie / NB or 3 month clothing and can't believe they were ever that small. I can't remember how we got to this point. Carson and Dean arrived 10 weeks early and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. These next 6 weeks I will try to remind myself of that time, everyday. When I am tired (daily), chasing them (again, daily), putting all the tupperware back into the kitchen cabinets after they've spread it out across our entire downstairs (you guessed it, daily), and when they are making me laugh out loud I will sit back and think how Eric & I can't imagine our lives without the two of them. Happy 1st Birthday Carson and Dean. (As for us, Mommy & Daddy, we can go ahead and pat ourselves on the back. So far, so good . . . .)

Wilson

This Easter weekend, was incredibly busy and so much fun! After our park day on Friday, we had Reese's birthday party at The Little Gym on Saturday afternoon, followed by a neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. We had a great time at the birthday party, Carson and Dean enjoyed all the activities The Little Gym had to offer. Eric and I felt like we needed a nap when we got home! Dean enjoyed teasing us with his "I can almost" walk using some bars. Carson, on the other hand, fell in love with a soccer ball. They became great friends, very similar to Tom Hanks and his buddy Wilson in Castaway. Carson is all about having dolls and babies right now, and quite frankly, that soccer ball was her new little baby.

Happy Birthday Reese! Thanks for a great birthday party!

It Truly Was A GOOD FRIDAY

Eric had the day off, so we decided to have a family day. Based on some of our friends reviews, we ventured over to Joyner Park, (which is new) in Wake Forest. It was so beautiful and nice. We packed a picnic and of course, the Radio Flyer Wagon. We wheeled C & D around then set up on a blanket. They ate their lunch like a big boy & girl and had fun just playing on their wagon and on the blanket. It was a very nice (and hot) day! We really enjoyed it and will definitely be back!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

Party # 1 of 3

After our trip to Palm Springs, Nonna & I flew to Austin with Carson & Dean on Tuesday (which is officially not fun at this point). We've had a great trip here in Austin! We've gone shopping, strolling in the Radio Flyer wagon T-Pop bought, gone out to dinners, rode the train at the park, and just had fun visiting everyone. Yesterday Nonna & T-Pop hosted a 1st Birthday party for Carson & Dean at the UT Golf Club. We had SO much fun. The kids loved their cupcakes and enjoyed playing with the big kids! Here are just a few pics of our great day with our almost ONE YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY BOY & GIRL. . .