Late last year, I compiled a list of my ten favorite things of 2010. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that, though it is only April, I already have a list for 2011! Since my hubby tends to think of things in quarters in his world, I've decided that my favorites things list will be a quarterly report.

So, below are my Favorite Seven Things of 2011, Q1...

1. Nifty Label Maker... holy moly! As an organizational freak, I have no idea how I have lived without this item! Though I had wanted one for awhile, its purchase became non-optional after my in-laws visited and filled our home with beau-coups of new, early birthday toys for Pookie. I had SO. MUCH. FUN. reorganizing our playroom. I conserved lots of space by eliminating all boxes and storing toys in ziplock baggies. I labeled each bag and created a system for easily identifiying the shelf or basket where each thing belongs. After all the playroom fun, I made labels for all of Pookie's jackets, her backpack, and her lunch box as well as all of her art project supplies. Brothers Label Maker
2. Gel Manis... I have a terrible habit of peeling off nail polish, so I haven't had a manicure in years. (Why would I pay for something that I am going to personally destroy in days?) When a girlfriend of mine told me about this new type of manicure that lasts two weeks (three for me!), dries almost instantly, and doesn't chip, I was totally game. Not only do my nails look nice and pretty, but I also get in a little "me" time every couple weeks! Gel Manicure at 5th Avenue Nails
3. Darling New Drawer Pulls... after spending nearly a year searching, I finally found the perfect bedside tables on sale at a lamp shop last December. Despite loving the unique silver finish, I was still disappointed in the office-looking bright silver drawer pulls that came on them. When I came across these adorable round pulls at Anthropologie, I knew they would be the perfect compliment to the tables. I opted to mix and match two yellow, two red, and two purple pulls since each table has three drawers. I love how a tiny change can completely transform a piece of furniture! Anthropologie Prismatic Spring Drawer Pulls
4. Patagonia Zip-Up Fleece... this item is doubly-good because it was free! Every year when my hubby's company has their annual meeting, they get some type of jacket monogrammed with the company logo, and as a spouse, I get to reap the benefit! This year's cozy comfy style was especially a winner! I wore it, literally, every day for at least two weeks after I got it (with the occasional washing, of course.) Thank you, Excellere Partners! Black Patagonia Fleece
5. Whirlpool Duet Pedastal Drawers... if there's one thing I like even more than shopping, it's finding a great deal; and that's just what happened with this purchase. I have loved my Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer since we purchased them back in 2006 and have only slightly regretted not heeding the salesman's advice and buying the accompanying pedastals. Paying an additional $500+ dollars at the time just to have the washer and dryer be a little higher seemed ridiculous to me. However, while perusing a local store that was going out of business, I saw the pedastals for less than 1/3 of the original price and grabbed up the last pair. I am loving how much easier they make the mundane act of laundry, and the huge drawers for extra storage is an added bonus. Whirlpool Pedastals
6. The IPad... my electronic angel. Before you judge me for giving a tablet a title equal to that of a miraculous, spiritual being, please take a gander at the story of my traveling nightmare from February. Does it seem a little silly that my almost three year old has an IPad? Sure. Do I care? Not at all. The IPad
7. My Sperry Topsiders... since Colorado has been teasing us with the occasional taste of spring, I decided it was time to move the winter boots to the back of the closet and find some good every day shoes. I've always been a little skeptical of the Sperry, not sure they were me. Too preppy perhaps? Well, armed with my 20% off coupon, I picked up a pair at J. Crew; and I couldn't be happier. I love how they are comfy like a sneaker but cute enough to look like I'm actually wearing them as part of my outfit. Sperry Topsider

There you have it. My top Seven Favorite Things of 2011, Q1.

(Why seven? Because it's too early in the year for ten; I couldn't narrow it to five; and seven is my favorite number!)

Baffled By My Beauty

Confession: as a mommy, there is one attribute that I am really lacking... a keen mother's intuition. I was completely convinced during each of my pregnancies that I was carrying boys. With my first pregnancy, we chose to have the gender be a SURPRISE! upon delivery. I was absolutely certain, until I heard the words, "It's a girl!" that the little bundle who I'd grown to love in utero was a he. Then, I was so sure that number 2 was a boy that I didn't even think we needed to open the envelope that contained the picture revealed that baby's gender.  Once I learned that I was having a second girl, I became overjoyed! I was excited to be a mommy to two girls and envious of Carter's opportunity to have a little sis!
Very soon after we found out that we had another "she" on the way, the hubby and I began to discuss how fun it would be to watch our girls grow up together and to see their unique personalities unfold. We talked about what interests each girl might have, what activities they may enjoy, who would be the leader of the two, whether or not they would be competitive, and on and on. During these wonderings, we were picturing girls, school aged girls, not a baby and a toddler.
Since making her grand debut in the world, Murphy has had us puzzled. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that, in the first second that I looked at her, my exact words were, "Who is that???" She looked nothing like Carter, nothing like me, nothing like Lindsay, nothing like I expected! Beyond that first meeting, Murphy has proven to be an entirely different creature than her big sis.

Take sleeping habits for example. Murphy slept almost seven hours on the night we brought her home from the hospital, yet she was not consistently sleeping all night until she turned four months old. Carter never once slept through the night until the day she turned eight weeks, and then she slept all night, every night from that day on. At four months old, Carter was in a nice day time routine of taking two scheduled naps a day and being alert and calm in between. Murphy, at almost six months, is still not in a real day time routine. She can take as many as four naps a day and is quite cranky when she wants more sleep.
After placing Carter in her crib, she would play happily for a long time (often over an hour) before going to sleep. The second I lay Murphy down, she sticks her thumb in her mouth and goes right to sleep. Pooks has been attached her her "Lambie" from early on and often slept soundly with it draped over her face and head. Murphy becomes so upset if "Mousey" covers her face that I have to keep it out of arm's reach from her while she sleeps.
As nicknames go, I often refer to Murphy as Lazy Bones! While Carter rolled over from both back to belly and belly to back with complete ease at just shy of three months old, Murphy has yet to roll over from her back to her tummy. Not even once! (She did roll from belly to back at three months, but has decided she is no longer interested in that much work!) Carter had sitting up without assistance mastered by six months old, and Murphy screams if I even try to get to practice sitting with help! She is happiest in my arms or laying in her bouncy seat watching her big sis play.

Despite all her crazy antics these days, Carter was a pretty serious baby. Getting a smile out of her took a bit of work. Though Murphy had colic and spent most of her early months screaming incessantly, she now has the most pleasant demeanor. She radiates joy and smiles with her entire being, especially her sparkling eyes!
I find it amazing that my little girls are  already so very unique, and I look forward to watching them continue to grow into little ladies. While their differences are quite apparent, I am really interested to see their similarities develop. One thing is for sure: they really, really, really love each other. And I really, really, really love being their mommy.

We Lewellens Are Busy

Busy. Busy. Busy. And, of course, I know everyone is these days. For our family, though, I must say that this period of time in our life is feeling quite more 'filled' than any previous time. Allow me, if you will, to break it down for you...

• February 17-March 1... the girls and I visited family and friends in North Carolina. (Feel free to relive this fiasco in my previous blog...)
• March 8-10... hubby attended his company's annual meet in Beaver Creek leaving a post-travel-exhausted Mommy home alone with two post-travel-hyper kiddos.
• March 12-15... Misha-N-Pops paid us a visit which was great fun. Pookie especially enjoyed the early birthday party which was complete with a 9 pound cake and yots and yots of presents! 
• March 15-18... Uncle Mike (my Uncle Mike, not to be confused with hubby's Uncle Mike) and Cousins Kristen and Michael popped in for a Spring Break visit.
• March 21-23... hubby is currently in San Diego which I hear gets its name from a whale's vagina (gotta love some Anchorman!)
• March 29-April 3... Aunt Kiki is coming for a visit... can't wait for her to log some QT with the girls!
• April 12-April 26... Nanny returns! because...
• April 14-18... hubby and I are headed to Jamaica, Mon! for my girlfriend Tamar's wedding.
• April 28-May 2... Cousins Kyndal and Brett and their darling fellas Kaiser and Porter are leaving Pittsburgh behind for a weekend in the Mile High!
• May 29-June 4... hubby and I are Hawaii bound!
• June 10-June 17... my favorite Charlotte gals are coming for their annual summer visit.

Peppered into all the craziness is hubby's birthday, our five year wedding anniversary, Carter Lilly's birthday, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, the end of the school year, swim lessons, gymnastics, solving Murphy Girl's schedule and poop dilemmas,  starting her on solid foods (and hopefully convincing her that a bottle of milk is not her mortal enemy), trying to get rid of this darn baby belly in order to not be completely humiliated during our beachy trips, and generally ensuring that everyone survives the insanity with both a sane mind and a healthy body.

I must confess: this blog is mostly written for me. I'm hoping that it will be a nice reference point for me when I forget who's coming and who's going and when and where the comings and goings are occurring. 

I have a favorite quote: "Anticipation is the purest form of pleasure." I heard this several years ago, and it really resonated with me. When days are long and full of lots of whining (and, thus, lots of wine-ing), I certainly do take great pleasure in anticipating all the fun, memory making days that await us in the next few months. Looking at the bulleted points of busyness above does not make me feel stressed or overwhelmed. It makes me feel fortunate that so many folks want to come visit our toddler infested home. It makes me feel loved. It makes me feel blessed. 

Life is good. Very, very good. 

The Birthday Boy

Today is my hubby's birthday, and, since we are 1,500 miles apart, I have spent a lot of time thinking about him today.  I've pictured the day 32 years ago when my mother in law gave birth to her precious baby boy in Oklahoma. I am certain that she fell instantly and completely in love with him, and I am just as certain that God created him perfectly for me.

When my husband proposed to me, he said that he knew he wanted to marry me when he realized that his life was just better with me in it. The longer we've been married, the more I feel that same way. There are two activities in particular that are simply BETTER when we are together: eating and watching television. (What? Were you expecting things like community service and exercising? If so, clearly you have not met us in real life. But, I digress...)
Lindsay and I LOVE FOOD. We love thinking about food, talking about food, and, of course, eating food. He has given me a greater appreciation for the Mexican genre as a whole and queso specifically, and I have helped him to seek out new restaurants. When we lived in Dallas as newlyweds, we'd try a new Mexican restaurant every weekend in search of the perfect tortillas, fajitas, enchiladas, and, of course, queso. We have also embarked on similar quests for great pizza, burgers, steaks, cheese fries, and sushi.
With our bellies nice and full, the hubby and I love nothing more to relax and watch television together.  Just last week, I was watching Oprah interview David Arquette when I said to myself, "This is such an interesting interview. The only thing that would make it better is if Lindsay was here watching it with me." We tend to enjoy the same shows and often hit 'pause' so that we can provide our personal commentary. We anticipate new episodes of Mad Men as a small child awaits the arrival of Santa on Christmas Eve. We have been pleasantly surprised with the fresh judging panel on American Idol, agree that Modern Family is the funniest sitcom in ages, and admit that the new 90210 is our favorite guilty pleasure.
I've always said that my favorite thing about being married is always having someone on my team and knowing that he's 'got my back.' This has never been more true than since we've had children; if we're not a strong team, those two little rascals are likely to form an uprising and revolt in our own home. (On a side note, this whole prospect is what leads me to feel quite leery of ever adding another child to our family... do we really want to be outnumbered?!?!) Having our girls has also caused me to love and appreciate my hubby on a whole other level. Seeing him as a daddy produces an indescribable feeling of joy and even a bit of envy.

How fortunate my girls are to have a daddy who loves them 

so completely, so unconditionally, so perfectly. 

Though he denies it, my hubby wooed me on one of our earliest dates with his guitar skills... how handsome he looked strumming those strings! Nowadays he shares his talents with his new loves.

So, on this, my husband's 32nd birthday, 

I pay tribute to the man who makes me laugh, 

the man I rejoice with, 

the man who tells me I'm beautiful when I'm, literally, about to pop.

And, forgive me for stealing the words of an overplayed pop song, but as I think of continuation of this unknown adventure we call our life, I must request that he'll... 

Marry Me, Today and Every Day, Marry Me... 

When It Rains, It Tsunamis

As my last post indicated, I embarked Wednesday on my first cross country flight with both girls and no-hubby. Despite feeling a bit nervous, I actually was actually pretty confident that all my thoughtful preparations would lead to a fairly easy/uneventful experience. Boy was a wrong! The last 48 hours of my life would certainly rank in the top 10, no 5, most stressful of my entire life. Here goes the tale in bulleted form as my first draft, paragraph style, was becoming a novel...

• We left home at 8 AM Wednesday for our 10:25 flight to Greensboro with a connection in Charlotte. Our sitter, Tessa, rode along so that I wouldn't have to leave a car at the airport. I went inside to get our boarding passes and check our bags while Tessa stayed in the car with the girls.
• I loaded Carter into the stroller and Murphy into the Bjorn, stored Pookie's carry-on suitcase in the stroller basket, and attached my carry-on bag to the stroller hook. I was hands free, and we were ready to roll!
• Our first (tiny) glitch occurred when we got to security. Unlike when Carter was a baby, they now require passengers to remove babies from wearable carriers (Bjorn) before walking through the x-ray. Poor Murphy had to lay in one of the shoe/laptop containers for me to take off and put on the Bjorn.
• When we got to our gate, Carter immediately noticed another 'Baby Murphy' and wanted to go say hi. When the little fella didn't say 'hello' in return, Carter informed me that he was being 'shy at her.' I let her know that at 9 months old, he hadn't quite developed the language skills to verbally greet her. I learned that the blue-eyed boy's name was Henry, and his mommy, Alison, would be my airport angel for the next two days.
• When our plane arrived a few minutes late, we were informed that some type of tests had to be done on it before we could board. The flight that should have taken off at 10:25 kept getting pushed back... 10:45, 11:20, 12:30...
• During our wait in the airport, we found an out-of-the-way spot to settle in with Alison and Baby Henry. Murphy was happy as a clam, but Pookie began getting a bit antsy. Despite intending to save it for the plane, I gave her an IPAD that hubby and I had picked up last weekend. I had it all loaded up with lots of games and shows for her. She was thrilled with her surprise, and the IPAD became my second airport angel for the next two days.
• At around 12:30, we were finally able to board the plane. Despite knowing that I would be missing my connecting flight to Greensboro, I was glad to be in the air and just hours away from North Carolina. Murphy was calm and settled in to nurse, and Carter was keeping herself entertained with her IPAD.
• About 20 minutes after taking off, the flight got quite bumpy. The pilot announced that we would have to return to Denver and land the plane. These are not the words one wants to here while flying through the clouds with two small children. I snuggled my Murphy close and reached over and put hand on Pookie's leg. Clearly not realizing the unusual, scary situation we were in, she immediately asked me to remove my hand. I said a silent prayer for our safety and felt so relieved when the plane touched back-down in Denver.
• Alison and I reconnected on the jetway and waited nearly 30 minutes for our strollers to be given to us from beneath the plane. Back at the gate we discovered the line to arrange for alternate flight plans was quite lengthy. An agent took pity on us mommies and had us sit down and wait for her to help us.
• At nearly this exactly moment, my cell phone completely died, and my charger was packed in our checked luggage. Alison was sweet to sit with Carter while I sprinted in knee high boots through the airport with Murphy strapped in the Bjorn to buy a charger.
• By the time I back to the gate (with raging shin splints), Alison had arranged for a flight the following day by calling a toll free number. I called the same number and was booked on the same flight.
• We were told that we could pick up our checked bags in baggage claim. Alison and Henry went on to baggage claim while the girls and I stopped a few minutes to charge my phone and take a potty break.
• We got to baggage claim and rejoined Alison and Henry whose luggage came off the conveyor a few minutes later. Her ride arrived to pick them up, and they went on their way. We waited another half an hour for our luggage only to be informed that it had been sent on to Greensboro without us. Hubby arrived at about 4:30 to pick us up.
• We grabbed a quick dinner, ran by Target for an IPAD charger, and tucked the girls in bed by 7:00. The evening was actually pretty relaxing, and hubby and I enjoyed several 'grown up shows' from our DVR list before heading to bed early ourselves. The calm before storm #2...
• At 10:00 Thursday morning Tessa once again arrived to drive us to the airport. We got checked in even more quickly since we had no bags to check. I was prepared for the changes to the security process, and we arrived at our gate in plenty of time to make our 12:00 flight. Alison and Henry found us, and, once again, we settled in to wait for the flight to begin boarding.
• At 11:45 they announced pre-boarding for those with small children, and the girls and I were first in line. No sooner than the agent had scanned our ticket did another employee walk down the jetway from the plane and close the door. The plane had a rough landing due to the wind and would have to be inspected before we could take off.
• An hour later we learned that the earliest the flight would depart would be 9 PM. As all the passengers formed a line to make alternate travel plans, Alison and I called the same toll free number from the day before. She opted to cancel her trip and have her ticket refunded. We said our goodbyes, and she and Henry went on their way.
• I spent next 45 minutes on the phone trying to get on another flight. A rude, and not very helpful customer service representative booked us on a Delta flight that would connect in Atlanta and get us into Greensboro at around 11:45 PM.
• It was around this point, with Alison and Henry gone, that the stress of the situation began to hit me. As I sat in the airport floor, attempting to feed/soothe a distraught Murphy and holding back my own tears, a group of men took notice of me and asked a supervisor to come and help me: enter my third airport savior, Lorrie.
• I told Lorrie about my 45 minute phone call and my new flight plans. She told me this 'resolution' was unacceptable, worked a little magic to get us onto a flight that was about to depart for Philadelphia, ran with the girls and me to the new gate, escorted us onto the plane (front row seats), stowed our carry-ons, and made sure we were settled before she left us. I saw a ray of light... the clouds immediately rolled in...
• I had been on the plane about five minutes when I noticed that my fellow passengers did not look like folks who were prepared for immediate departure. They were on cell phones, walking up and down the aisle, and working on laptops. I questioned the lady sitting behind me only to learn that this plane had already been sitting on the runway, waiting to depart, for over two hours. The girls and I spent one hour on the plane, only to have the pilot announce that this flight was cancelled because it could not pass some sort of safely inspection.
• Upon exiting the plane, I made a bee-line for Lorrie. She expressed her embarrassment and said, "Tell me what I need to do for you." I told her that I wanted to be on the 4:00 flight to Charlotte. Once again she escorted the girls and me to the new gate.
• The flight was not just sold out, and there were over 15 people on the stand-by list. Lorrie whispered in my ear an announcement would be made that passengers would receive a credit if they would give up their seats and take an alternate flight. This request was being made to get the girls and me on the plane.

At 3:45 PM Thursday we boarded the flight that would eventually touch down in Charlotte. The IPAD continued to keep Carter happy for the 3 hour flight, though she did become hyper towards the end of the flight as that is how she reacts to exhaustion. Many, many folks gave me positive comments about how well-behaved she was during the whole ordeal.

Having slept less than two hours total all day, poor Baby Murphy was completely exhausted. Unfortunately for me and my fellow passengers, she cried (more like wailed) for much of the flight. I did my best to help her get to sleep, but she just couldn't seem to find rest. I felt so fortunate to be sitting beside a Grandmother who was not just tolerant of my girls but extremely kind and helpful.

After making a pit-stop at the Greensboro airport to pick up our luggage, Nanny and Pa greeted us at the Charlotte airport with welcoming arms! Once in the car, Murphy fell into a peaceful sleep, and Pookie was, well, she was Pookie.

We are now looking forward to a great visit, and I can't wait for friends and family to meet my Murphy girl! And, as for our return to Denver which is now scheduled for March 1, I am thinking our first family cross country road trip may not be a bad idea...

In a Moment of Sheer Insanity

I clicked purchase. As a result of that simple finger motion, I have sealed my fate. (Ok, so that expression may be a bit exaggerated.) Nevertheless, in less than 24 hours I will be heading to Denver International Airport... with two children... alone. I will be checking bags, venturing through security, folding the stroller and placing it on the scanner, going up and down elevators, entering and exciting the train, folding the stroller for storage, and boarding the plane. While in the air, I will be entertaining a toddler, nursing an infant, and avoiding at all cost the need for me to use the restroom. After flying for three hours, I will be exiting the plane, boarding another plane, flying one hour (see same activities from first flight), and exiting the plane... with two children... alone.
So, if I seem to disappear from Facebook or blog world or reality, it could be because I have taken enough Valium to put knock out a small army. I kid. Sort of.
Look out North Carolina... here we come!

It's a Kid's World

Several weeks ago, hubby and I took our biggest little girlie for a haircut. Pookie was quite clear in her feelings about said cut... She didn't want water sprayed on her hair; she didn't want to sit still; she didn't want to look down; she didn't want pigtails. Let me paint a clear picture of the scene that was just so disturbing to our little one... she was sitting in a mini-Escalade while munching a candy necklace while draped in a Snoopy cape while watching The Little Mermaid while being promised a 'pop pop' at the end of the cut.
(Before you imagine my darling as being a complete brat, I must interject that she did, in fact, sit still and act wonderfully polite despite her objections.)
A couple days later, with this experience fresh on my mind, I was browsing the baby section of a store where I spotted a mat that attaches to the back of car seat. Its purpose is to keep the seat-back clean when a child who is sitting in the back seat kicks the back of the front seat. I suppose such an item would go perfectly in a car which includes a personal DVD player and a sun shield attached to the little one's window.
All of this got me to thinking... When did our world become so kid-accommodating? What happened to asking (telling) the kiddo in the back to keep his or her grubby little sneakers off the seat? While I'm not sure I completely agree with my husband that all the sippy-cupping-silliness is creating a generation of weak adults, I do want to establish some sort of middle ground for my girls.
So, when I convince myself that taking my little princess to the fancy schmancy kids' salon is not just for a hair cut but also to make fun memory, I have to remind myself of some of my own hair cuts as a child. Often times, my grandma would trim my bangs (which had been scotch-taped to my forehead) while I sat on a stool in her kitchen. No entertainment, rewards, or treats were involved; though there may have been a few threats if I had dared to wiggle! Yet something about this memory is incredibly special to me. Perhaps it's just the time spent with my grandma or the tenderness of the moment that tugs on my heart strings. In the midst of all this kid craziness, I will try to remember that it's often the simple (and free!) events over the course of our lives that make the most lasting impressions.