5 Months!

Cosette Left
Elizabeth Right

My dear little ones. You are 5 months old.
Cosette, you can find your fingers any place any time and any where. You just discovered how to roll over from your back to your tummy. That's good because you don't like to be alone on your back. You smile when I tickle your chin. You like to observe and learn by watching. You really like your bouncy seat and play with the bird a lot.
Elizabeth, you like to smile a lot! You will talk and talk and talk just to get mommy to look at you. You flash your big toothless grin and everyone else smiles with you. You can roll all over the place and don't like your bounce seat as it keeps you from exploring.
Both of you LOVE to watch your big sister as she dances talks to you and holds toys for you to look at.
You both have slept through the night a few times. Mommy's ready for more! You both love to be held and to go for walks.
While it's an adventure for Mommy every day I LOVE YOU!

Member Profile

I thought I would share with you my member profile for the Mom of Multiples group:

Charissa Ludlow


I have three girls: Gianna who is 2 1/2 and currently potty training and Elizabeth and Cosette - 4 months - who are currently learning to sleep through the night. I was born in Valdez, Alaska and grew up in Fort Worth. I got my undergrad degree at Texas Tech in Early Childhood Education and moved with my husband 9 years ago to College Station for his job as a campus minister. He now works for himself as an internet marketer. I got my masters degree in Special Education at A&M. I taught in Bryan for 5 years in a Preschool program for children with disabilities - specializing in children with development and speech delays. I worked in College Station for 2 years for young children with autism. Also, I taught at Blinn for 2 years teaching students who wanted to be special education teachers. Currently I'm the CFO, appointment secretary, child care expert, chauffeur, and personal chef for a local family of 5.

*What's your favorite moment of the day with the kids?
Right after waking up in the morning. We all have breakfast together and enjoy taking it easy.

*What do you like to do when you have a little time to yourself?
Um, I have 4 month old twins. I'm lucky to go to the bathroom by myself. But occasionally I like to get pedicures or enjoy a good magazine.

*What has been the most challenging part about being a twin mom? About being a mom in general?
It's hard not to compare my twins to my older daughter. What age she did this, started that, etc. It's also hard not to compare them to each other. It's also hard to not have enough hands to hold on to everyone.

*What has surprised you most about being a mom?
Some of the things that I have to say - "You can't wear other peoples panties - you have to wear your own." "You need to wear clothes when we go outside." Fun stuff like that. And the joy I get when I actually take the time to be in wonder of what the "new" thing in life they've just discovered.

*A word of advice for other twin moms with young kids?
It goes by faster than you think, so make sure to savor the small moments.

*A cause you feel strongly about?
I will ALWAYS support March of Dimes as all of my children have benefited from the equipment that they have donated to the local hospitals.

*Personal indulgences?
Tall decaf pumpkin spice latte with whip cream. I mean no real indulgences; it's all for the kids!

Balloon Fest

The gang.
My three girls and Aaron, Wendy and their 3 girls.
We are a full table for sure!

We went to the Plano Balloon Festival last weekend with my brother and his family.

There were no balloons but we had a blast!

The lone balloon.
The next day we saw tons of balloons. I guess Saturday was not good balloon weather.

The best part of the whole fest was the FREE stuff we got and of course the Funnel Cakes!

Post Script

After today's visit at playgroup, I would like to add some additional information to my previous post: Besides my own "just do because you have to attitude." I also get by with a little help (LOT) from my friends. The ones who offer to hold a baby when I already have one in my arms. They bring swings bumbos and blankets when I forget mine. They give food to Gianna when my packed snack is left on the counter at home. They help me get to the car with two car seats and a toddler. They encourage me and make me smile. All in all, my own normal is not complete with out my friends helping me.
Thanks Ladies!

New Normal

Mirror image

I've been asked a lot recently, "How do you do it?!?!?!" And most times I just smile and say it takes a lot. But I recently asked a friend how she does it. (She has 5 under 5) And she smiled and says- you just do.
So that got me to thinking (and thus the blog post).... You just do. That's right. You just do.
This is my normal. I don't often think about life with just two, or what if I just had one second baby, or even if Gianna had her twin. This is just is. At least it's our "normal."
It reminds me of something I read about twins. They often get asked, "What is it like being a twin?" And the writer of the article said how funny of a question this was because no one asks you, "What's it like being a singleton?"
It's your normal. It seems silly to think of another way. You just do.
So that's my thought for the day. This is my new normal. And I'm so glad that it is. It is nice to have a little bit of "normal."

oh my

2 year old tantrums are not fun. I just wanted you to know.

First Day of School

With a tear in my eye, I sent Gianna off to her first day of Mothers Day Out. Yes, I did tear up. No, I did not make a scene.



But I wanted to.