Only puddles

So our little Zoester is a dare devil. She loves getting sprayed right in the face with water, loves running through sprinklers, loves splashing in the tub and in the water table. She will dump a bowl of water right on her face and crack up laughing. She is a funny little thing. Nora, umm, let's just say she isn't quite so daring. It takes lots of coaxing and toys to get her to sit in a bath, she does NOT like being sprayed and takes an hour to warm up to actually splashing in the water table and not just sticking one tiny finger in. However, this past weekend we found a version of water that Nora loves. RAIN! She stayed outside watching the rain and standing straight in the middle of it for hours Monday and then today she played for an hour straight in the puddles. She would stomp and run through and laugh and laugh as she splashed around. As always, our little quirky girl makes us smile, but I'm glad to know she is a fan of water in some capacity!! 

And as you can see from the pictures below my children are still rather hefty! We get comments often on their size, most recent being "oh girl, those are the healthiest twins I have ever seen", or "wow they are FAT!", or "they must still be breast fed....they are so big", and my particular favorite so far was at the grocery store recently. Here is what went down:

Random stranger (speaking in a rather ghetto fashion): those twins?

Me: yes

Random stranger: ooh they is fat

Me: yep

Random stranger: why one have blonde hair and one have brown hair?

Me: I guess that's just how God made them, this one (Nora) looks like my husband. 

Random stranger: the brown eye baby look like a boy. 

Me: (smile and nod...awkward laugh) 

Random stranger: she grow into herself don't worry 

Me: ha....well that's good

Random stranger: your husband fat? 

Me: what?

Random stranger: you not fat, your husband big and that's why these babies so big?

Me: nope he's not fat, I guess we just got healthy girls

Random stranger: (walking away literally muttering to her self "oooooh they fat"

People, you can't make this stuff up!! But I know I will be glad I wrote this down one day! I kind of couldn't stop laughing all the way home hearing that voice saying over and over "oooooh they is fat!". People tend to lose their filter when they encounter twins. It's quite interesting and always makes for some interesting and entertaining conversations when we are out and about, 

Enjoy the pics of my favorite little fatties and their precious little cousins. Zoe dumped chocolate milk all over her face, if you are wondering what the brown water is. They love their aunties house because they get treats like chocolate milk! Oh and have I mentioned how much I love these little boys too! Because I do!! :) 

Kid free fun!

This past weekend we had a 30th birthday party for Lance at my sisters and brother in laws house. They live in our neighborhood but have a big pool and yard and outdoor sunroom and pretty much the best entertaining house. So it was a no brainer where to host! Thanks again guys!

After much thought...actually not really, we decided to make it a kid free party. We all needed a break and I could think of nothing my hubby likely needed more than a carefree weekend, with no kids and responsibility. If I haven't mentioned, Lance commutes to Spring EVERYDAY and works 6:30am-4:30pm and drives over an hour each way, poor guy! Anyway, we decided to have a grown up pool party. After all my mommy friends forgave me for making them wear a swimsuit, we had the BEST time!! The guys left at 1pm for a brewery tour and Betho and I got the food and yummy beverages ready while they were gone. They got back around 3 and all the ladies came around 4 after getting babysitters squared away. 

We ate, and swam, and ran around the pool like crazy college kids ALL afternoon! I mean, it really was so much fun! No kids, no responsibility, just water and sun and food and drinks. Once the sun set we pulled back out the food and tres leches and sipped the last bit of peach tea and mojitos in the hot tub and all finally called it a day around 11pm. Lance and I then headed home to an empty house (my mom had all 4 grand kids!) and were able to sleep until 9:30am! However, we were both up at 6:15 desperately trying to go back to sleep, but after getting up at 6am everyday for a year, your body rebels against sleeping in I guess! But we stayed in bed nonetheless and then headed down the street to my moms house to gather our little angels, who have pink eye, so we skipped church and took them home and had a nice morning together. Then later that afternoon, we went back to the Girods to have leftovers for dinner and watch the birthday footage. I forgot to mention that Cody, my brother in law, had a camera attached to his head (forgot what it was called) and was able to document practically the whole party. We watched it with the kids and they thought it was hilarious to watch the guys jump off the slide into the pool and loved pointing out everyone. Max would jump to his feet and laugh hysterically at all his family members and their friends acting silly at the pool. It was cute! 

Today we enjoyed the holiday and had a rare weekday that Lance was with us for the whole day!! We spent most of the day playing on our front porch watching the rain, the girls loved it, and just enjoyed having nothing to do. Oh, and I forgot to mention that I am in a wedding Saturday and I got a call that my dress was damaged and couldn't be shipped so I set out to find a Blush, floor length dress Sunday and it was quite difficult. I ended up buying a dress that was WAY too small (let's pretend that too small size isn't 2 sizes bigger than my post preggo size) and just hoped it would work as it was literally like the only one that worked based on color!! The store wouldn't take it out and I finally found a tailor today that was willing to cut fabric off the bottom and use it to add fabric to the side. Thank goodness, because when I exhaled in the dressing room the hook & eye busted off and flew across the room! Not a joke! And last night after I got it home it took Lance 5 straight minutes to get it zipped and I couldn't bend over to try my shoes on once I was in the dress! Heavens! But all is well and by Saturday I will be in a perfectly fitted blush dress! 

Well, I guess that sums up the weekend. It was great! 

Happy short week to all!! 

And I know the picture is upside down but I can't get it to delete. It's the girls playing on the porch. They played out there for hours!!

 The girls making their "twin face" I kinda think they look alike here!

Here is the notorious dress after I was poured into it and not really breathing...I was wearing a hat with no makeup & wet hair so my head simply could not be in the shot. But although I'm a bit more curvy, ok a lot more curvy, than I once was I'm happy with my last minute purchase!! 

I must confess....

Would anyone judge me if I admitted on my blog that I was stressed? I hope not, because the reality of my "right now" is that I am stressed. I'm totally not looking for pity, or help or anything like that. It's just nice sometimes to be real and come out and say it, "sometimes life can just be downright stressful". 

I am a fixer. I think most moms are. I like things the way I like them, and if they aren't the way I like it I fix them. I feel like as a mom it's a day in and day out cycle of fixing messes and putting things in order just for them to get out of order and need to be put back again and I love it. I absolutely love the day in and day out insanity, I really do! But Nora and her allergy and skin issues have thrown me for a loop. I was given a diagnosis in the form of a long list of allergies, I researched what and how she could eat and put a plan in place, made a budget and was ready to conquer food allergies. And in a way we did. Nora is 100% happier than I have seen her in months. She truly is. She will go entire days now without as much as a wimper until it's bedtime and her sweet little face is flawless! But as far as her body goes I still can't "fix" her. She still scratches all day. I still have to put her in socks and long pants so that she's not re opening old scabs and bleeding. Car rides make me cringe as I can hear her just clawing away at her sweet little legs, and she still wakes up some mornings with the back of her head bleeding from scratching. Just today I went to cut her nails and realized they were just full of blood. It's just starting to totally unnerve me as to how to help this stop. We are on antihistamines, creams, the worlds most healthy, organic, vegan, paleo, I don't even know what to call it diet around here and yet she still scratches and scratches. We've switched detergents and soaps and have tried about a zillion lotions. We have bathed once a week when that's what we were told, bathed daily when that's what we were told. We started whole milk when we realized she was allergic to her formula and stopped milk and switched to coconut when that's was what we thought may be best (even though she is allergic to coconut...long story). We've now talked with our pediatrician, two allergists and are set to see a homeopathic doctor in July. I'm sure I am overreacting some and just need to step away for a minute and take a deep breath, but I'm so fed up with eczema I could scream. And not because it's wearing me out, but because I almost feel like I can feel her pain. I get anxious just watching her all day, wanting so bad to help her! 

I know it could be worse. I really do. I see "worse" every Monday when I walk into my office. This is a minor problem. We are very very lucky. But, I just needed to vent and say that today I am stressed. One day we will figure it out. One day I won't have to watch my sweet baby girl scratch her skin off, but unfortunately that day isn't going to be today or tomorrow and I just need to pray for wisdom. So here's to God answering that prayer and me waking up a very wise, refreshed mommy tomorrow! 

Her sweet face has been perfect, smooth and so clear since we removed her allergens, mainly wheat & soy. She used to go weeks at a time with a rash around her mouth and since the day after we cut out these allergens she has had this perfect little skin on her perfect little face. 

ONE whole year old!

Ok babes....here is your, a little late, 12 month post. 

Zoe: You are the sweetest little creature ever created. Really, you are just too much! You have such a pleasant demeanor about you and just love life. You love to play & explore and snuggle. You LOVE your family, and in particular have taken a serious liking to your Aunt. I am going to pretend that you don't reach out for her and call her mama daily. Its a bit odd....but at times I kind of wonder if you think you have two mommies who look a whole lot alike! You have finally moved on from your crazy separation anxiety phase and it's so much fun to see you exploring your world. You love to "go". You get bored at home and jump to your feet and sprint to the door when I pick up the keys. You like to go anywhere. You love getting in your car seat and anytime someone comes in and leaves and gets in their car without you, you get a little sad for a minute and look at me like, "Wait, aren't we going too"? You love to wave at anyone and everyone and love to chase behind other big kids and try to keep up. You love playing with your cousin who is 6 months older than you. Its so cute to watch you follow behind and try so hard to keep up. You have become a climber, but don't have the coordination, balance or awareness to be such. You have been known to crawl on top of a picnic table and then just fall off. Like, fall straight back as if some magical force is going to catch you. While on that topic, I must say you have made some amazing strides this month in "threshold awareness"! Up until recently you would just walk straight out the front door or over a ledge with NO awareness of the drop. And you are fast so it was hard to catch you before the crash. But now you are such a big girl and navigate your world so efficiently! You love to stack your little blocks and knock them back down. You love to pretend play with your cell phone, hair brush, and tea cups. You now pretend drink your "tea" and then waddle over to give me a "sip". It's pretty cute. You say "mama", "dada", "uh-oh", "bye", "Hi" (but only on your phone), "eyes", "baby", "thank you", "mimi" (kinda), "Nor-Nor" (that one MELTS my heart!), and "up". However, you don't talk, as in using actual words all that much, but you are on the verge of some serious imitation, I can see it coming! You're a good sleeper, but are in a tricky nap transition right now. You wanna nap late in the morning, but still want an afternoon nap as well but won't fall asleep until 3:30 or so and then sleep late and go to bed LATE! We are trying to tweak this nap behavior b/c as much as we love you, we love to see you retire to your little room well before 9:30pm! You have been battling ear infections since you were six months old. We have been told we are one short of tubes. I actually think you have one now, we go in in the morning to see. So I suppose that will be an interesting appointment. But I am ready to stop putting your poor little body on so many antibiotics! You are a good eater, but have kind of become a grazer. It's kind of hard to really know whats normal for eating because the only person I have to compare you too is a bottomless pit that eats more than me....aka Nora, But I think you are an ok eater. You love all things carbs and if really hungry will eat the healthy stuff. We have cut out all processed food in our house and you have done well with the transition. I guess finding out your sister was allergic to lots of stuff at such a young age was better than if y'all were older! But I do sneak you the occasional cookie or bagel when Nora is sleeping or occupied! Zoe, your little passion for life and the people you love is such a joy to watch. I cannot wait to see the plans God has for you. You are a mountain moving type of girl and we are honored to be here to watch you grow and turn into the person God intended you to be! Happy FIRST birthday Zoester! 

Nora: You are a new woman! Now that we have figured out what was bugging you, you are a cheerful, funny, silly, sweet, little girl. You are definitely not a social butterfly and are much more of an observer. You have been known to cautiously watch people for an hour before deciding they are worthy of even a smile! You love your family, but if it's not someone you see often you struggle. You love love love to laugh and play games that involve us throwing you in the air or spinning you. You also love hide and seek and your current favorite game is hiding behind our curtains and popping out. You think it is hilarious. You are a good little sleeper, and even though you often give us a little drama at bedtime, you seem to actually sleep longer than Zoe now. I truly never thought I would type that sentence. I was sure you were destined to stay up at night until you left for college! Your skin care and allergies have kind of turned into what seems like a full time job. I didn't realize how unnerving it would be to send you out into the world or even take you to the zoo or playgroups, with our new knowledge of your allergies. It was a much simpler time when we were in the dark, but I am SO thankful we had you tested because I was literally about to give you a peanut butter sandwich and I'm sure it was only a matter of time before you got your hands on some almonds as I eat them constantly! My biggest struggle with feeding you now believe it or not, is that you can't have bread. And even if we find a wheat substitute, they all have egg. I will pay someone big bucks to locate a soy/egg/wheat free bread. For now, I have been making gluten free pancakes for you with egg substitutes and then making grilled cheese or whatever with it. I told your daddy that you get a McGriddle almost every day. Lucky! :) You are such a good eater. Your daddy and I stare at you in amazement at the amount of food you put away daily. And you are probably the healthiest baby around. You love cheese, avocado, broccoli, kale, chicken, beef, turkey, tuna, salmon and beans! You literally eat adult size portions at meals and usually polish off your sisters left overs. Its hilarious to watch. You hate sweets, which is good since you can't have them, and literally start jumping for joy when I give you leafy greens. You can say, "mama", "dada", "bye", "eyes", "uh-oh" (but you only say 'uh'), "block" and "baby". However, like your sis we don't hear all that much "talking". You do babble a ton and it's cute to see how your sweet little voice is gonna sound! You are such a fat little chunk and a total little priss pot! You love to shake your booty to a beat and walk around taking the smallest little steps with your little hands at your waist. It's very cute!! You love for us to chase you and squeal and run away. You both run now which is funny! You are trill taking two naps most days, however can totally hang with a one nap day and then go down for bed so easily. Your sister is SO not there, and I am accepting the fact that we are probably about to embark on a season of naps not coordinating. You have been waking up around 8:15am and your sister around 6:15am. Sigh! But I am learning to roll with the punches as a twin mom. "Learning" being key word! Nora we love you SO much and are so thankful for you. You have so much joy and are such a smart, inquisitive little thing. You are going to make a difference in this world and it will be a better place because you are in it! We pray we can keep you healthy and safe and that you know how loved you are by us and the one who made you!! 

So life with one year olds is actually much easier than life with infants. We are SO enjoying this, dare I say it, "toddler phase". However, now that we aren't eating any processed food and can't eat wheat, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, peas, and a few other non issue foods, I do feel very busy! Before we were enlightened to Nora's allergies I was popping waffles in the microwave lots of mornings or just toasting bagels. I was buying yogurt that I knew was healthy"ish" but not reading labels like a detective. If the girls got fussy and needed a snack I would toss some some Cheerios on their trays and enjoy a break. But Now I kind of feel like I am in the kitchen constantly these days. I make breakfast, lunch and dinner now every day. We make all pancakes and waffles from scratch and substitute eggs in all that stuff lots of mornings. There are very limited brands we can even buy to use as the base or mix and I am learning to make these interesting foods yummy. We do lots of ground sausage for breakfast and white turkey meat and basic meat and veggies most of the time so it's really not bad at all unless we are wanting a carb type food. I have been on the phone with most meat distributors and am starting to get a good solid list of clean meats. Side note, I have learned so much and have become TOTALLY 100% disgusted with the food industry and I mean really disgusted! They are hiding so much nasty junk in our foods in order to let it sit on a shelf and stay "fresh" and in order to produce it cheap. I've learned that soybean oil is pumped into most all of our food and I'm talking from breads, to yogurt, to cheese to deli meat. It's gross. No wonder my child with a severe soy allergy was breaking out in a rash from eating a yogurt and we just assumed she was allergic to milk. I've also learned that companies produce very pure healthy "infant" yogurts and products, I'm talking about you YoBaby, and then once it's a toddler version sell it for the same price, but diminish the nutritional content like you would not believe. It's no longer yogurt but a bunch of filler junk that's cheap and easily preserved with a side of actual yogurt. They win you over with the good stuff and once you trust them switch it up. I suppose once your kid is one it's time to start getting them used to the crappy, processed food and to top it off us moms don't even know we are doing it. If you can't tell, it's really annoying to me. Ok sorry tangent, all that to say our new way of eating is keeping me busy but surprisingly it's cheaper because we are embracing it as a family, all eating the same stuff, and not eating out much and I know we will all be better for it!! 

But we are really enjoying the girls like I said! They love to go out, love to play, love new adventures and really just love life! We are really blessed!

Happy one year little munchkins! Can't wait for another fun year ahead!!

These have all been posted on Facebook but here are a few recent shots. Their favorite activity is the grocery store! They point to everything and gasp....like "wow look at all this cool yummy stuff!" Party pics up next! 

Finally some answers.

I'm really behind on blogging! We have been so busy with camping & birthdays and tons of fun stuff I will blog about soon I promise. But our biggest parenting challenge has just been dealt us in the form of serious food allergies for Nora and it's kinda been consuming us for the past few days.

After lots of testing we have found out that she is allergic to wheat, soy, coconut, egg whites, peanuts, peas, lentils, walnuts & almonds. And about half of those a very severe....some nearly a 6 on a 6 point scale. We are wrapping our minds around a new way of cooking, but more just trying to figure out how to make sure she is always safe and healthy while not totally freaking out and jumping to the worst case scenario, because when you have a doctor use the words "potentially fatal outcome" you get a little stopped in your tracks and kinda want to throw up! 

So please pray for us a we learn how to cook wheat/egg/soy/nut free at the Agan household. And for me as I try to learn how to be "that mom" who has to check everyone's food, call ahead at restraunts and have a running list of meat distributors that don't pump their meat full of soy. I never thought I would actually ever call that little number on the back of a frozen chicken or leave a detailed message with boars head. But yes, that is now me. So sorry, but if you can't part with your peanut butter sandwich or trail mix, or honey nut Cheerios we can't be your friend anymore. Not really.....well kinda! ;)

Wish us luck & say a quick prayer of protection over our sweet little Nora Beth! I'm hopeful that as stressful as this all is, that she will be on a quick road to healing and can finally stop itching and batteling rashes for the first time in her little life!! 

We love you Noten Porten! You are worth every bit of all this! And Daddy and I decided we will just go on date nights and eat as many breakfast tacos as possible and Reece's peanut butter cups as we can before we get home! So no worries!