Where Have All the Happy Babies Gone?

Teething=No Fun

Ringin in the New Year Out-of-Towner Style

We were offered the chance to break free of the chains of parenthood to celebrate New Year's Eve.  Apparently, as young adults, we should still want to go out and get crazy on New Year's Eve.  So, off we went.  Since we are here in Indian Rocks Beach, we dont really know anyone or any place to go.  Our options consisted of what we could see.   Oddly enough, the Holiday Inn on the water is somewhat of a compound that included multiple outdoor bars and live music.  We started there around 9.  We were seated in the farthest corner of the outdoor seating, away from everyone.  That was ok, since most of the attendees were middle-aged dorks in town for the bowl games.  They were all super excited to hear the cover band rock out with 'margaritaville', 'american pie', and other classics.  We had a few drinks (Katie had a Big Bamboo, which consisted of 14 kinds of rum, a piece of sugarcane, cocoa, and a partridge and a pear tree).   I also ordered a pound of shrimp, which made everyone's (mostly mine) hands smell lovely, even after wipes.   Luckily we had an entertaining waiter, who tried to give us suggestions on where we should really be that night.  We left the Holiday Inn, thinking we were heading towards some of his suggestions.  It turned out we were heading back towards our condo, which was fine for me.  I hate walking and the unknown.  We ended up stumbling upon Crabby Bill's, which is a landmark seafood restaurant in Florida.  It is a big restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, and an open air bar.   We remember that their sign boasted of a big NYE party, so we went in.  It was quite the mixed crowd.  Some clear locals in varying states of dress (from total white trash to girls all dressed up with clothes you would normally wear to far more formal occasions).  I couldnt believe some of these women were wearing full-length black dresses, makeup, with their hair done up.  If you were going to go through that much effort, couldnt you find a better destination that a tacky tourist destination?  Anyway, we were about the middle of the road as far as dress, which was fine with me.  Drinks were cheap, which was great.  We eventually scored a booth, and proceeded to criticize the clientele.  As we got more intoxicated, the conversation got livelier.  Katie thought it would be hilarious to play 'truth or dare', but noone would do any dares, so it became 'truth'.  We tried to get Katie to ask this woman of questionable morals if she was either wearing underwear or pregnant , both equally amusing questions, but she declined.  We moved on to the truth game, and it was Nick's turn to ask Laurin a question.  Apparently Nick (Katie's boyfriend) is not familiar with this game.  His question to Laurin was "Which baby was born first?  Sanna or Riley?".  We all broke out laughing at that question and the game kind of ended at that point.  Soon after the bartender alerted us to the fact that there would soon be a breakfast buffet.   I found that odd seeing as how this was a seafood restaurant that I didnt think served breafast.  He said it would be $6 and would come out soon.    We were intrigued, but not that hungry.  About 10 minutes later, we found out the buffet was now free, and coming soon.  We were more interested at this point, especially since the food coming out smelled quite good.  We were amazed to see that they spread included smoked salmon and asparagus on bagels. biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos that were quite good, pancakes, sausage, eggs, potatoes, some kind of potato-filled empanada, and much more.  My mild intoxication caused me to eat way more than I needed.  See the picture of some of the carnage.  Soon after, it became midnight, we watched the ball drop, finished our drinks and went home.    I couldnt have asked for much more in a New Year's Eve. 

Road Trip Horror Show

After a wicked sweet Christmas in Grand Rapids we had to head home to get ready for Florida.  Weather during the visit to G Rap ranged from snowing and freezing cold to raining and balmy.  the latter caused huge amounts of fog.  We left around 1:45 PM and got home around 7.  Thats about an hour longer than usual.  Here's how the fun broke down.  Just after leaving, the meticulously packed trunk of the Escape (only half was used to leave room for the dogs) toppled over and almost crushed the dogs.   We had to pull over and rearrange the suitcases.  Not long into the trip Riley started crying.  We held her off for a while, but then Laurin was forced to feed her.  Both of us were almost falling asleep, which is fun when you are driving through fog/pouring rain and managing unruly infants. Laurin hopped in the back seat for the first of many times and fed/entertained Riley, who we think is teething.   Later, we hit a massive traffic backup at the 94/65 interchange.  We lost about 20 minutes there sitting around for some unknown reason.   After that,  I decided I needed caffeine, so we stopped and got pop/candy/gas.  Soon after that Sanna ate and quickly proceeded to make a hot mess in her pants.  We had about 90 miles to go at that point.  We normally would have left her, but she was crying due to the fact that her diaper rash was clearly being irritated by the presence of an acidic mess.  So, we pulled off at another exit and changed Sanna under the canopy of the gas pumps in the pouring rain.  I forgot to mention that Frankie was also whining like a little baby, so I had to walk him at one of the stops.  I treaded trough a mine field of mud and crap, leaving my shoes in utter disrepair.   Later on, we were halted once again as there was a car engulfed in flames off to the side of the highway.  After another 10-15 minutes lost we headed home while being serenaded by the sounds of a screaming Riley, who apparently wanted to eat again, but luckily fell asleep for the last 20 minutes.    We got home, where it thankfully wasnt raining, and unpacked the car.  Happy to be home is an understatement.   We will never be leaving the house again (especially with the dogs).   I almost forgot to add that my cell phone was dead, so I couldnt text/check my email/update my facebook status the whole way home.  I dont know how we made it home sane.  I uploaded a bunch of Christmas pics to Flickr.  There are more to come.  

Not Quite Christmas Card Material

With the family in town for the baptism, we did our best to get a cute baby picture set up for some type of Christmas communication. Being the expert photographers we are, we thought a solo picture of the ladies in front of the tree would be great. As you can see, what resulted was a unhappy duo with uncontrollable hats in front of a big pillow.

Bringin the Funny

Here I present two videos: one of Sanna playing airplane and laughing. The other is of Riley taking part in her favorite pastime. Can you guess what it is?

Whose Babies are These?

I have been hearing for weeks now, "that picture of Sanna looks just like you", "Riley looks like me when I was a baby", etc.  I have yet to see the resemblance between either of us and our children.   Please tell me what you think looks like either of us on each baby.  I know they are super cute, which they got from me.  They laugh at all my jokes, which they got from Laurin.   What else?

Laughter is the Best Medicine

We have had many requests for videos of laughter. Also included are pictures of the ladies passed out after partyin. I coudnt get them to load in the order I wanted . Please forgive me.

How to Win Friends and Influence Parishioners

Sunday was our day to be welcomed to our new church (St. Joan of Arc).  We were told by our parish companions (a couple about our age who recently adopted twins from Ethiopia) that we needed to show up around 10AM, and that we would be introduced in some way during mass.  Knowing how much Laurin loves people/being the center of attention, I knew we were in for a treat.  Even before we left the house we knew we were in trouble.  Both babies sensed the  stress we were already displaying, and the both went into freakout mode.  It took about 10 minutes of driving to calm them (about ten more minutes than normal).   When we got there (early as usual thanks to years of training from my dad), we were the only ones there.  By the time they started to get us organized there were about 50 people.   Apparently St. Joan of Arc has loosened their rules on getting married at the church.  You now only have to have been members for 2 months.  I cast a critical eye on a few couples that happened to be engaged/'joining' the church.  Back when we were without a church and looking to get married St. Joan of Arc required yo to have been a member for a year.    Anyway, my annoyance aside, the event moved forward.  Normally, we make full use of the cry room during mass.  Of course, in all the times we have used the cry room the girls have been angels.  Now hat we were forced to sit amongst the masses it was party time.  Right as mass started the girls decided they were hungry.  We mixed bottles in the pew and went to work.  Both babies fed well, but I knew we were in for trouble.  Riley started to spit up in greater and greater quantities.  She was also fussing.   She puked on herself, my pants, the floor, and more places I may have left out.  This was all before we had to go up in front of everyone.   I rotated between wiping her, bouncing her, and walking her on the side of the pews.   It soon became go time and we were called up front (along with the rest of the newbies).  They did it alphabetically, which was good, but that also meant we ended up in front.   we recited a few things to the priest and it was time for his blessing.  Just as he began, Riley projectile puked about four feet out in front of us, right onto the marble floors.  It left a clearly-visible puddle in front of us.  Thankfully, she didnt hit anyone else.  So, for about a minute I had to stand there wondering what to do.  I couldnt leave it.  I scanned the audience, but noone appeared to be breaking out in laughter besides me.  It seemed that we were in the clear.  I knelt down and wiped it up after the blessing.  We made our way back to the pew where Sanna promptly had a poop explosion and almost ruined her outfit.  A little more fussing from Riley and we were done.  Needless to say, we will never be leaving the cry room again during mass.  The one  bright spot was that the morning ended with a church-sponsored buffet foods I love.  I stuffed myself and went home to be lazy.  The end. 

Action

Laurin was not happy with the last video of Riley rolling over. Here is a much better video. Also, some sweet action of Sanna with Riley's duck. We are nearing our first sister brawl when they start to get into it over the duck.

Biggest Loser Update

It appears that three members of the household are not putting their all into the Biggest Loser challenge.  At our doctor appointment today, Sanna gained 1lb 9 oz to weigh in at 14lb 10oz.  Riley added 1lb 13oz to weigh in at 15lb 8oz.  Laurin is not reporting any weight loss as far as I remember.  I though, can report a marked improvement.  I am pretty sure I am down at least a pound.  If you see me, do not congratulate me.  This is only the beginning.  I cant rest on my laurels now.  I have 14 more pounds to go before Florida.  Anyway, I am off to Michigan for the evening.  Laurin will be braving it alone.  Look forward to tales of horrible babies.  They always seem to go crazy when I am gone.  They clearly miss me and I am a calming influence.