Autumn pics

You would think from these pictures that I had an easy time photographing Lucas and Matilda, when the truth is I spent thirty minutes saying "Don't eat that!" and jerking leaves, dirt and grass out of their mouths. Boo. But, they sure made pretty pictures!

I am going to share some pictures this week of my sister in laws home, which is gorgeous. I had hoped my aunt would get to see it when she was visiting here, as she loves to decorate as much as I. Instead, she can view the pictures here on my blog.






Here is Lucas and Matilda at 12 weeks.



Rowan looks so much like Lucas. These were taken at 11 weeks. If Rowan had a tad more weight on him, they would look identical!



Rowan had his eye exam the same day Matilda had her cranial appointment. Good news for both babies! Rowan doesn't have cataracts. He is just severely nearsighted like me. The doctor said that this would cause the light to refract differently and he is guessing it is what confused my pediatrician. As far as Tilly, her sutures are OPEN so she won't need surgery, but, he doesn't anticipate her flat pancakey noggin to finish rounding out until she is around 15 years of age! With her personality the DOC Band would of been monsterous.

Ewan just looks like... EWAN! He doesn't favor Matilda in the least, but looks a teensy bit like Lucas... sometimes. He is the most unique in appearance. He has blonde lashes and eyebrows, and light hair, too. Maybe there is hope for a blue eyed boy, yet!



Here is little Ewan... SMILING! This is what a baby boy looks like who finally has some relief from reflux. We tried 5 different formulas (including those over priced 26 dollar a small can ones!) and none worked. We tried baby zantac and that didn't work. Last, we tried mine and everyone elses grandmothers cure for spit up issues- rice cereal. Bingo. Now he is a happy smiley boy.

House Guests, SCARY Babies, Smilie Babies

My aunt and uncle came to visit for two days last week! This is my favorite aunt, my mothers baby sister. My mom is one of four girls, and my father one of five children- and the only boy. I have many aunts, but, none as generous, kind and all around lovely as Mae.

They brought some of my things from West Virginia- like my Department 56 Halloween and Christmas Villages. We had a lovely dinner, and I had the dining room decorated for Autumn. I served a pork tenderloin in a mushroom cream marsala sauce, broiled asparagus, pineapple bread pudding (as another side to compliment the pork) and rolls. I made the applecake I shared below (yum!) for dessert and it worked as a lovely centerpiece too, I think. It was so nice o have family stay with us. I don't have much opportunity for entertaining, and am so thrilled when I am able to- especially for wonderful people. My aunt is very much like me in that she enjoys giving to people and making them feel special. It is nice to reciprocate!



A friend of mines 20 month old son learned the word "Scary" and uses it at times to avoid things he doesn't want to do. When they visited me a couple weeks back, he said that Lucas and Tilly were "scary" to avoid getting in their play yard with them. I mean, that *has* to be the explanation, because my children are NOT scary. They are sweet little angels who would never try and intimadate another baby.



Rowan has been flashing us the biggest gummiest smiles for a couple weeks now, but this is the first one I have managed to catch on camera. Ewan is still the "angry baby" with his colic, but he is on zantac now so we hope that will clear up soon and he will be just as smilie.



They had their 8 week check up on Wednesday. It certainly could of went better for Rowan. We are making him an appointment with a pediatric optometrist because the pediatrician thinks he has cataracts! Egad. It isn't as horrible as it sounds and I have learned they are fairly common in infants, but stressful none the less. Rowan just can't catch a break right now.

I will try and update again soon.

It's Here!

Just Desserts- A Sideboard of Sweet Temptations



My new issue, the very first new issue of Victoria Magazine arrived today!

Rowan hasn't had any Apnea episodes so far, and Ewan will see about reflux medicine this Wednesday.

Hope your magazines arrive soon- its WONDERFUL!

Apple Bundt Cake

First, if you visit my blog and don't see your blog listed on the left side of this page under "blogs to visit" will you respond in this post and tell me to add you? I definitely mean to add everyone who has visited so I can return the favor, but sometimes I forget!

A friend shared this cake with me Friday and its sooooo good! Its the best apple cake I have ever had. Here is the recipe.




Apple Bundt Cake
Bon Appétit December 1999
Amanda Denton, Barre, VT

"Whether it's served warm or cool, my mother's apple cake is the best I’ve ever tasted," says Amanda Denton of Barre, Vermont. "It's moist on the inside and has a beautifully browned crust. This recipe ranks right up there with love and support as the great things my mother gave me."

Servings: Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Ingredients:

4 medium Golden Delicious apples (about 1 1/2pounds), peeled, cut into 1/3-inch pieces
5 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Mix apple pieces, 5 tablespoons sugar and ground cinnamon in medium bowl. Combine 2 1/2 cups sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange peel and vanilla extract in large bowl; whisk to blend. Stir flour, baking powder and salt into egg mixture. Spoon 1 1/2 cups batter into prepared Bundt pan. Top with half of apple mixture. Cover with 1 1/2 cups batter. Top with remaining apples, then batter.

Bake cake until top is brown and tester inserted near center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour 30 minutes (*note my friend said in her oven this cake is always done in 60 minutes). Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack. Cool at least 45 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Autumn decorating and first smiles!

This weekend I decorated our front porch for Autumn! I used fall leaf silk garland, pumpkins, yellow mums, and amber lights. It's so pretty in the evenings. In some ways I like autumn decor even better than Christmas. I use the amber lights on my Christmas tree, too.



Here is a closeup- this wreath stays up all year, I just tuck seasonally colored silk stems in it to match the holiday.



I received gifts from a "bloggy baby shower" yesterday! Genevieve, Debra from Bunnies Bungalow, and Laurie from Charming Designs sent me presents.



Debra sent me the sweetest cd's of storytimes and lullabys for the babies, along with some spa themed slippers for my feet.

Laurie sent me two of her birdies- a soft buttercup yellow, and that lovely shade of pink she creates!

Genevieve sent me two sleepers for the little twins to wear at 3 months, and her lovely daughters sent Lucas and Matilda two Gund "Dustys"... Genevieve didn't know it, ut this barking puppy is Matilda's favorite lovie. :-) Although hers is quite... ahem... CRUNCHY. *laughs* We managed to wrestle crunchy Dusty away and give her a new puppy while crunchy was washed.

"Dusty" is her puppys name because she can't say puppy. She says "Duddy". She also says that "Duddy" says "Meow". Hee, hee.

I appreciate my blogy friends so much for thinking of me, and celebrating with me. Thank you sooo much!

Manuela from the Feathered Nest also thought of me this past week- she sent me a stack of brand new magazines to enjoy during my quiet times- albeit rare time indeed, its all the more welcomed with a cuppa tea and a good magazine.




This may be the best picture I have taken of Lucas and Matilda. They were in the jogging stroller and we went for a nice walk last weekend while Duane stayed with the little twins. This is a lovely season for walking.



Here are Ewan and Rowan swinging away!



And a rare moment- I captured one of Rowan's first smiles. He smiles quite contently now when his tummy is full. Isn't that sweet?

Silly pictures of Ewan and Rowan

Ewan just can't take a good picture:




Duane calls this one "alien probe":



This is the only silly one we have of Rowan. He is fairly photogenic!

baby pictures!

I managed to post these pictures earlier today, and am editing to add comments about them!

The first picture is of Ewan. He is a very difficult baby to get a good picture of! He still has a skinny little face where he is so tall, he hasn't filled in yet. I remember Lucas and Matilda didn't look like "babies" until they were closer to 8-10 weeks old. Anyhow, in most of Ewans pictures he looks startled. Heh. He is a cutie, but Duane says "Ewan" the way Jerry Seinfeld used to say "Newman". Ewan is a cranky little fella and always the worst during Duanes shift (which coincides with the "colic hours" of 6-midnight).



Rowan is a happy little guy. Well, we *think* he is. All he does is eat and sleep. He doesn't get angry, he doesn't have any colic, he is an EASY baby. Easier than all the others have been. He is a good baby to have as a twin, because he is so laid back. He doesn't even spit up! We will have to see if this laid back newborn continues this way. He gets very angry though if he has to wait on his bottle!



OK, so, the little twins turned 5 weeks old on Friday, and I decided it was time to get out the infant swings. They are having longer periods of wake time, and, its good for them to be exposed to all the sights and sounds of daytime. Thus far these little twins have slept so well at bedtime- they only wake to eat. And, I think its because of how bright and noisey our home is during the day!

Well, we get the swings set up, and Lucas and Matilda wanted in them. Mind you, they haven't been in their swings for the last 5-6 months!!! They both had the best time. Fortunately they are right at the weight limit, so it was safe, too. You can see at first they looked sweet, then they started having fun. The last picture of Tilly wiht her legs in the air cracks me up!







As far as how I am doing... getting rest since the babies do sleep between feedings, but, still worn out. I am hoping Ewan and Rowan follow Lucas and Matilda and sleep through the 4 a.m. feeding early. Lucas and Matilda gave it up at 10 weeks, which is awesome for a preemie.

We have the siding and windows up for our family room remodel! YIPPEE! A play room! I am going to have a huge clear space when we move the playyard out into the family room (it will now be for the little twins) and have no idea what to do with the area in my living room once its free of baby toys. I would LOVE to have a loveseat on the wall there, but, we need a sofa for the play room first... I am not sure... when its atcually clear, I will post a picture and get advice.

P.S., I feel like I am going brain dead. I think its all the poopie diapers (550 a month). So, I bought some used paperbacks off of ebay- Donald Bain's Murder She Wrote books (one of my favorite "comfort food" t.v. shows). I am excited about the first two "Trick or Treachery" and "A Little Yuletide Murder". The holiday theme should make them a fun read, and these two are set in "Cabot Cove".