Cry it out???

Cry it out

More like Mommy sitting in the living room crying it out! 

No mom wants to make her child do this, we always hope that the day comes where we no longer have to comfort them to sleep and they just simply understand, 

it's time to go to dreamland.

Where a little magic fairy dust is sprinkled, and they would go to sleep.

Well, last night we had to make that unfortunate journey.  

The whole situation in itself is so hard.  
The twins generally sleep from 7pm-6am.  
(Brock gets up 1 or 2 times a week in the middle of the night....)

 I suppose last night they thought that the time from 
7:40pm-1:45 am was a cat nap.  
Because at 1:45am they both thought it was time to get up for the day.

 (well Francis went back to sleep quite easily. He has been doing the self sooth for a while now. He does pretty well) 
At first I was mad because I thought it must have been daddy's alarm clock..
Daddy, went and tried so hard to get Brock back to sleep. 

Trying to give him a bottle to sooth him.....Nope Brock wasn't hungry, no he didn't want help getting back to sleep, he just wanted to be up!! After several failed attempts to comfort & pat him to sleep, Even resorting to simply sitting in the rocker humming for 45 minutes to see if it would help get him back to sleep..

I felt like a failure!

We are coming up on 16 months old doctor  "A" has even told us for months that at this point they shouldn't be needing a night time bottle and if they wake up it's more often then not because they are unable to get back down into the deep sleep. 
 I figured this was pretty accurate after reading the 100's of sleep training books and getting all the tried and true age old advice .  

  So when 4am rolled around and he was still whining-not crying- and not sleeping.  I was tired, upset, and at a loss.  SO, I tried it.  I closed the door went back to bed and turned down the baby monitor to where it was a dull background noise.

First off, they did not like me leaving the room!  

Within moments it was screams of almost terror coming from the other room!  Oh boy did I feel horrible, I laying in bed fighting myself to go in there 
and tell them I'm sorry and let them know I'm right there.  

I didn't, I stood my ground and just lay there, listening to their cries for their mommy.  Here is the ironic part, I couldn't SLEEP!!!

Not hearing them in the other room insisting they needed me when I knew they were OK.  So, we all cried a little bit.OKAY OKAY I cried ALOT A BIT!!!!

  Sad, I know...what can I say I feel vulnerable now that I'm a mommy.  

It's a whole new world where I feel like 

I'm making small mistakes every step of the way 

Anyway, back on track.  4:50am came on the clock.  The cries had begun to die down to simply one of the Little's, Eventually, it was all quiet.  I waited 10 minutes before I ventured into the lion pit hoping they weren't doing their "Ill pretend I'm asleep then start talking again soon as they are all settled in".  They weren't, both were snuggled up to their stufftys and                                            It was a success, 50 minutes of cries and they were done and 
ready to sleep again.  
I felt relief, it worked, 

although it was longer than I had ever wished to have to listen to them cry.  

I know many parents choose not to do this method, I am generally one of those.  Something inside of me just goes off and makes you anxious the entire time they cry, making you feel like you have to do something NOW!   While there are others who have told us 
"Oh let them cry all night if they have to".  That I could never do.

To be honest I hope to never have to do that again, call me a pushover,  but I just cannot handle hearing them so upset.  30 minutes has always been a limit for me and them crying.  
Today I will work on them at the nap time. 

Then tonight Daddy and I will work on it together. 

I think MeeMa and I need to go to the Alderbrook Resort and spa 

while Daddy and Pop do a few nights of crying it out.......

I've become a true softy with the arrival of my children.

They have me wrapped around their little fingers.

At the end of the night it worked and seemingly with no damage since they both squealed with joy when they saw me this morning.

Dads are too good at sleeping through the crying!!
Hell they are good at sleeping through almost anything... :) 

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday....

I truly love the Olive Garden, I love ordering the Chicken Marsala. I only get to eat it when I go out because I have never tried to make it at home. Well I looked this recipe up on Pintrest, and it turned out very well. 

Chicken Marsala 

 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for coating
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded 1/4 inch thick
 4 tablespoons butter
 4 tablespoons olive oil
 1 cup sliced mushrooms
 1/2 cup Marsala wine
 1/4 cup cooking sherry

In a shallow dish or bowl, mix together the flour, salt, pepper and oregano. Coat chicken pieces in flour mixture.

In a large skillet, melt butter in oil over medium heat. Place chicken in the pan, and lightly brown. Turn over chicken pieces, and add mushrooms. Pour in wine and sherry. Cover skillet; simmer chicken 10 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink and juices run clear. 

The Olive Garden Recipe

Chicken Marsala ( home made recipe) 

Prep Time:30 minutes

Cook Time:30 minutes

Serving Size:

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts, boneless & skinless

1/2 cup flour

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Dried oregano to taste

4 Tbsp oil

4 Tbsp butter or margarine

2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 cup Marsala wine

POUND chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap until about 1/4" thickness. COMBINE flour, salt, pepper and oregano in a mixing bowl. Dredge chicken pieces in the flour, shaking off any excess.

HEAT oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts on medium heat for about 2 minutes on the first side, until lightly browned. Turn breasts over to cook other side, then add mushrooms to skillet. 

Cook breasts about 2 more minutes, until both sides are lightly browned. Continue to stir mushrooms. Add Marsala wine around chicken pieces.

COVER and simmer for about 15 minutes.

TRANSFER to serving plate.

Try the recipes and tell me what one you favored. :) 

Meet Me Monday...

1. What holiday do you wish did not exist?

I have no holiday that I don't not like. I love every holiday, Before I was a Mommy I hated Mothers day. It was hard to be happy on the one holiday I longed to celebrate and be part of. Now its my favorite because I get to celebrate all this amazing love I have as a mom. 

2. What is your favorite romance/love movie?

I'm gonna go with my old standby, of romance movies..."the notebook". Love that movie. Also I love Dying young, and I have to say Twilight is really my very favorite of all time. Yes I am a little wired of my choices. :) A little 13 year old girl lives deep inside of me!! 

3. Do you make a big production out of celebrating Valentine's Day?
This year it was still low key because the twins are so little still. So we are going to be doing it big next year. Cards, matching shirts, heart shaped pancakes, tons of decorations...yes it will be AMAZING!!! <3


4. What is something weird you did as a child? (or even now!)I had an imaginary friend name Albert, he had purple hair and green skin. I truly thought he was real. my I had a very vivid and colorful imagination.... 

5. What makes you love your husband, really LOVE him, you know since Valentines is coming up?

I am married to the most amazing man. He has become very Deep in his faith again, loves his family fiercely, he's such an amazing dad, his laugh, his smile, his sense of humor.

The way is his always calm when I am all crazy. 
I thank my lucky stars that God brought us together, he is everything I ever dreamed of and needed in a man and I love him more with each passing day! Even when we fight and we can fight, let me tell you!  We make up and we are even stronger. 

Sometimes, I look at him and am just awestruck by our marriage...sure we have our hard times, but I absolutely love our relationship and the team we make.

Plus, he's hot!!! Really HOT!!!


I love that man. 
Have a wonderful week!!!

Wordless Wednesday.... Day out with MeeMa.

Stay at home mom?!

I won’t pretend it’s easy. My husband is a government employee. Also last fall he started back to school and is now a Collage student at 35 years old. Before this thing in our state call I- 695 where they took the car tab amount down to the said amount of $35.00 but I have never paid less then $60. Budgets were cut and his department was hit the most. ( I'll post this when I settle down a bit, it boils my blood)  But the pay is slim now in this economy especially with a family of four. He gets paid two times a month, and some months, our pantry and fridge are mostly bare those last few days. We make sure that the babies and pups have the food they need before Hubs and I eat anything more then sandwiches and noodles. 

Staying at home on a moderately lower income means that , we decided we’d  live in the 2-bedroom apartment we rent instead of paying several hundred more dollars a month for a 3-bedroom. That’s just beyond our means–and we strive to live at or below our means.

Staying at home means that we wear our clothes until they wear out–or we grow out of them. We never buy anything new unless its on the 75% off rack at Target. We do most of the clothes shopping at consignment shops. The only new clothing the babies get are from gifts or MeeMa. We personally haven't bought anything for them in a retail store. 

It means we don’t drive new cars, and, instead, we try to maintain the ones we do drive, so we can drive them as long as possible.

Staying at home also means that we don't get to shop regularly at Central Market or Met Market or Whole Foods or PCC. It means shopping at Grocery Outlet, Wallmart and sometimes getting still good to date baby food at the Consignment shops as well. It means hoping to be asked to go to my parents house for dinner or have them come here a few times a week so we can make our food stretch.

It means that I skip most moms nights out, and many of the playdates that cost alot because we have twins we have to pay twice to do anything. It means that hubs and I have coffee dates instead of dinner and a movie. We do Redbox or I will go to the Library and check out a movie there.

It also means that we no longer take vacations that we can no longer afford. We do a few day trips and we plan on going camping this year. When we do splurge it is to go see my sister, her husband and their son, my favorite nephew in the entire world Quinn in Colorado.  We are excited that they will be up this way sometime

No matter how much money I could have outside the home right now.... I wouldn't change it for the world. I get to be paid with belly giggles, sleepy snuggles, milk milk kisses, I get to read story's and go on walks with the babies. They wont always be little and that will be sad. When they grow up I want them to never doubt they were loved and I was there for them.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!!! ( v-day part one)

Valentines day is just around the corner. Being that we are living the thrifty side of life. We decided that we will do something at home after we put the babies to bed....now when I say "WE" I mean ME.

Hub's never ever remembers anything when it comes to this "Hallmark Holiday" as he likes to call it. I use to get my feelings so hurt. This year I wanted to do something with the boys and make my house look like Pintrest puked all over. Make my friends and family and other Mom's especially the mean moms green with Jealousy of my detailed and lovely handmade Valentines. 

Well I will be lucky if I can do anything more then buy pre made Pillsbury sugar cookies with the little heart in the middle that I just have to cut with my dull kitchen knives.  I bought mickey mouse cards for the boys to send out and we will skip doing any crafts this year and I will make a bucket list for next year. So the boys will be a little older and can do these fun things and truly enjoy them. Damn those moms that can do it all. When all I can do is dream about it in my head.

 I look at it this way....Might as well make it a nice one last V-day that we can focus on just the Hubs and I. So I am going to surprise Hubs with a Surf and Turf menu. Here is the Recipe that I will be using. I got it from a magazine on our 2nd anniversary, it will be rather nice to use it again. I will post other fun things I have up my sleeve for our romantic evening. My Camera is broke so please bear with me.

Surf and Turf.

                                                                                                          Photo credit from amazon.com

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons plus 2 tablespoons EVOO, divided

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley ( get all my herbs at trader joes)

3 tablespoons chopped green onions

2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup soft bread crumbs

1/4 cup butter, melted

4 lobster tails (8 to 10 ounces each)

4 beef tenderloin steaks (4 ounces each)

4 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper

Directions

• In a small skillet, saute garlic in 2 teaspoons oil until tender; remove from the heat. In a small bowl, combine the parsley, green onions, thyme, lemon peel, salt, pepper, cayenne and reserved garlic. Set aside 1/2 cup for crumb topping.
• Add softened butter to remaining herb mixture; mix well. Shape into a 1-in.-thick log; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
• For crumb topping, combine the bread crumbs, melted butter and reserved herb mixture; set aside.
• Split lobster tails in half lengthwise. With cut side up and using scissors, cut along the edge of shell to loosen the cartilage covering the tail meat from the shell; remove and discard cartilage.
• Place lobster tails on a baking sheet; top with reserved crumb topping. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until meat is firm and opaque and crumbs are golden brown.
• Meanwhile, sprinkle steaks with coarse pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook steaks in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a meat thermometer should read 145°; medium, 160°; well-done, 170°).
• Unwrap herb butter; cut four 1/4-in.-slices from log. Place one slice on each steak. Serve with lobster. Rewrap remaining butter; refrigerate for 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. Yield: 4 servings.

SIck in my house............

Sorry for the large delay in posts. First the Little's were sick then me, then hubs, both kids again, now I think we are finally turning the corner. Just when they are all three asleep and I have a minute to myself I realize I better lay down as well.......One of the littles would get up in the middle of the night not feeling well, or being awakened by big foot fattie that lives above us. Holly sh*t balls she is a monster. I do not mean looks wise but I think that the Shrek family must live above us!!! All hours of the day STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! Next door to us there is a young "in love" couple and they are gone all the time. The sad thing is that they leave their "puppy" a very large Chocolate Lab home alone to cry and whimper. They fight alot and "make up alot" if you know what I mean.  We have another neighbor that has a car alarm that goes off everynight right after bed time. It wouldn't matter if we put the boys to sleep at a different time. We have tried all kinds of times and it never fails. Almost like the jerks have a baby cam set up to piss me off.

What has been pissing me off the most about my rude neighbors happens to be the fact that the noises freak B out. Little things that sound different or have a new sound he has never heard before. It is hard to try and figure it all out and what as his mother I can do about it. Sometimes there comes the point where we can not console him. It Just breaks my heart.  On the other hand he has been improving in so many other ways......

We've had a LOT of recent developmental developments in our house lately. Brock has been cruising really well for awhile, but in the past week or so he has started pulling up & Climbing everywhere..... We've found him standing in the crib in the mornings!!

But the biggest development - B is walking pretty much all over, All of his therapists said he wouldn't since he was pretty random and could cruise but not really do it all on his own.....His right side is pretty weak. But our little man showed them. He uses his left side and I am pretty sure that he will be a rock climber in a few years.

I will be taking him in to his doctor that specializes in his Cerbal Palsy. They uped his meds because he is in a bit of pain after he wakes up from him morning nap. As he walks and trys so hard to keep up with his brother.  Mid afternoon he is so sore and his pain is often unbearable to watch. I know there is a time when he wont be in pain any longer, I just hope that time comes sooner rather then later.