Shopping at my Mom's Second Favorite Store

My mom has two very favorite stores.  No other store can hold her attention and/or browsing capabilities like #1, the Apple Store, and #2, Wal-Mart.

I am a product of my upbringing and am also a fan of Wal-Mart.  Going there by myself with the girls, though, is such an effort.  I have to make sure that the girls are well rested and fed for the long-haul because everyone knows that there's no such thing as a quick trip to Wally World no matter how few things are purchased.

The girls are still wobbly when they are sitting, so putting both of them in the cart isn't yet an option.  I've tried several different methods with shopping with the girls, but the easiest for me is just taking the stroller and loading it up with everything I need.  Usually by the end of our shopping, the three of us look like a walking circus, but we always make it through.

This is what we look like shopping.  We get a lot of "oohs and ahhs" as we meander through the aisles.  Everyone young and old is enamored with the twins.....actually, it's mostly just the young and old.  People 15-65 aren't so interested, unless they have twins, know twins, or are a twin themself.

Everything these days seems to be an adventure with Caroline and Ellie as they are changing so much.  I'm noticing right now of how much longer things hold their attention.  They do really well when we're out as there is so much to look at, and they love to touch/hold/eat everything...except for their toys, of course!

We're having a lot of fun these days.  My mom arrives next week, so we'll be able to do some big shopping when she comes....as in purchase more than 10 things at a time!

Visiting Yiggie and Pa!

We had such a wonderful time visiting Yiggie and Pa, which is what all the grandkids on Blake's side of the family call his parents.  Who knew 3 weeks could go by so fast.  We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends, and even still, there were still people that I didn't get to see.  It's amazing how much I can't get done with 2 babies in tow.  (How many times have I said that??).

The girls mastered sitting up and rolling over with ease while we were there, and they both had some new teeth pop through.  Ellie had her top 4 teeth come quickly in all at once, and Caroline got 2 teeth with 2 more slowly making their way.

I did a terrible job taking pictures while we were in Bakersfield, and I'm crushed.  I had big plans of making a little baby book with a picture of everyone in the family for the girls to have, but clearly that's not happening right now.  We'll be there for Christmas, so I guess I can refresh my good intentions during that visit that will, let's be honest, most likely have a similar outcome.

Thankfully, these girls are adorable (I say with complete objectivity), so even a picture taken on my "2009-definitely-not-smart-phone" or Blake's phone is a keeper in my book!

With their Great-Grandma Winnie!  We saw her almost every morning, and it was wonderful!  The girls definitely knew their Great-Grandma after a couple mornings, which warmed my heart.

Visiting the firehouse and Uncle Cole.  Thanks Vanna for sending me this picture!  :)  All the cousins got to go to the firehouse and visit - absolutely adorable!

Playing on the floor at Yiggie and Pa's house.  The girls mastered their sitting up skills while were were there!

Ellie and here Daddy!  It's difficult to tell in this picture, but Ellie developed a freckle on the top part of her forehead right before we arrive in Bakersfield.  It was very convenient for everyone knowing who's who.  Plus, Ellie always sucks her left hand, which is always a giveaway!

We borrowed a lot of pack-and-plays and cribs while we would go visit people's houses.  This is Caroline and Ellie passed out together in my friend, Annah's crib.

The girls started sitting in high chairs for the first time since they could finally sit up by themselves.  They really got to the point of enjoying their baby food too.  It's amazing how much they changed while we were there!

Flying with Ellie, who didn't want to sleep on the flight since there was so much to observe and people to look at through the seats.  

Gettin on a Jet Plane

Blake and I flew to Bakersfield with the girls for our first plane ride experience since we've had them.  In the past, we both have always enjoyed getting on a plane - it means total relaxation and a good nap for the both of us.  Ahhh...the good 'ole days.

Caroline and Ellie did extremely well on the flight.  They were enthralled with all the people and the noises from the plane and on the way there, they did not make a single peep.  Not one.  

We had an extended unplanned layover in Phoenix that delayed us several hours.  It was late.  The girls were tired, but they hung in there with their people watching and Blake and I pacing the terminal trying to keep them comfortable.  However, in the end, we made it!

By the time we arrived in Bakersfield, it was the equivalent of 1am (Texas time), and the girls had hardly slept.  We think that was the ticket to getting them quickly adjusted to the new time zone.  They slept in and were ready for a 7pm normal bedtime the next day!  

On the way home, this past weekend, my sister, Lauren, helped me get the girls back to Texas since Blake had already left the week prior to get back to work.  Caroline and Ellie weren't as easy going on this trip.  Lauren had Ellie on the first flight to Phoenix, and Lauren fed her about a lb of baby puff crackers to try to keep her quiet.  We couldn't sit next to each other on that flight and I could hear Ellie from a few rows back fussing loudly in between each puff that Lauren shoveled into her mouth!  Our flight from Phoenix to Houston was cancelled at the last minute and so we had to hang around the airport for about 6 hours waiting for the next flight.  Caroline and Ellie did great the whole time, although Lauren and I were exhausted just trying to keep them entertained and happy.  

By the time we got on the plane, the girls were spent, tired and we were all ready to be home!  At some point, though, you just gotta laugh.  I have one amazing sister who put with so much to help me out!  I'm not sure what I would have done without her!

The girls finally fell asleep and they never cried once from the air pressure changes.  I think Lauren is looking forward to her flight back...all...by....herself!  ha!

Even with all the schedule changes and a lot of baby bouncing, we made it home and everyone survived!  It was so sad leaving Bakersfield and Blake's parents, but it's nice to be home and be back with Blake.