Change in 2010.

This past year has been a year of change. As is every year I suppose. In 2010, we lived in 3 different places. Celebrated the twins first birthdays, Bella's third. The babies learned to crawl, walk, talk, kiss, hug. Bella learned letters, how to write her name, took a dance class, swam, biked, and sled for the first time. Pablo got a promotion and won a huge contest for his band. We went to the Royal Gorge for the first time, and celebrated 4 years of marriage! We changed cars, houses, and diapers (about 5,500 just in 2010).

Our friends have changed, or we have changed. However you want to look at it. My faith has most definitely changed, for the better.

This isn't only the end of the year, but also the end of a decade (as Liz pointed out :). 10 years ago I was a freshman in college, in a horrible relationship, not following God, and living in Greeley. Bleh, to all those! This decade has been 10 years of change and growth I am so thankful for! Thank you God!

Here are some photo highlights from the past year! I hope you enjoy, meanwhile I will be bawling my eyes out!

Amazing what a year can do. What change it can bring. Here is to 2011! Praying you and your family have a prosperous and happy NEW YEAR!

Looking for the sparkle in Christmas...

I painted the girls nails yesterday. Red. Then added sparkles. Well, Bella calls them sprinkles! "Come get sprinkles on your nails Lili!" Our life has more sprinkles in it than sparkle, so I can understand her confusion! We bake way too much!

I almost dread Christmas these days. Although my girls do give it a whole new meaning. Yet I can do without so many things. I love seeing all my family, yet hate the run around. Love shopping, but hate the financial strain it puts on us. Really enjoy wrapping, dislike having to stay up late at night to do it. I like the food, hate the pounds!

We go non stop for 3 days, not including all the preparation before. It all stresses  me out. I want to sit back and relax. I want to watch my girls open gifts, but then have time for them to sit and play with them without us running out to the next place. I say this every year, but next year I want to stay home!

So I struggle to find the luster in the holiday season. I really don't mean to be all cliche, and say keep the Christ in Christmas, or Jesus is the reason for the season. BUT I also wonder how this holiday got so messed up. I just watched this clip on Nightline about archiologists, and Bethlehem and the birth of Christ. It was so cool. I just want to find the sparkle. When Bella sits and sings "Happy Birthday Jesus", I see the sparkle that makes me love Christmas! Now if I can bottle it up and bring it with me...
PLEASE WATCH.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8ouaWgUCNg

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas baking, making, and no-baking!

Bella puts on her apron and says, "I am a maker!"

 I am not sure about you, or your family, but in mine we celebrate the holidays with lots of baking! Even if we don't eat it, which I am not...still dieting! (27 pounds down if you were curious :) I have a million more to go so you cant really even tell! Anyway, while baking I did not lick one bowl, taste one cookie... It may seem as though that is the important part. The eating. Well it is a close second. The MOST important part to me, is the baking. It is the day (or two) blocked out just for making all the Christmas recipes that taste good and feel good to you! The ones that trigger memories, emotions, or high blood sugar levels.

My Children and I are now doing this annually, just like I did with my mother. Although, I find myself not baking as much, but rather making, or non-baking! You know the easy recipes on the back of cereal boxes? Haha. My grandma Tesones sugar cookies recipe is AMAZING. That I did. As well as a few others. I thought I would share the journey of my baking, making, no-baking day (through pics, of course :)

Happy/Merry Christmas week Everyone!!!

When in doubt, bake!

I show my love with food. I love when people enjoy a good meal I cooked, or bread I baked. I believe I learned this from women on both sides of my family. My husbands family is the same. Now being a mommy, I try to give my girls their daily veggies and fruits. As well as yummy treats that make them happy! My favorite gift after the girls were born (besides diapers), were home cooked meals for my freezer. My sister in law Ashley did a food exchange with some women. They each made a dish 4 times, then exchanged. So everyone had meals for their freezer! Brilliant.

This post is all about food and how it kind of dictates so many things in my life. For example, the girls get hungry on a schedule so I have to accommodate them. My husband eats A LOT so therefore I keep him well fed. Though he gains nothing! This time of year is infamous for food at parties. I bake certain things in different seasons, my biggest obsession is when I get to bake pumpkin things in the fall and winter.

I have a dear friend, who is by far the best person I know. Beautiful in and out. I am not just saying this.
She is a doll. She is going through a very hard thing right now. I cry for her daily, as well as pray. She is just someone I cannot imagine anyone would try to hurt. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world and this place just down right sucks. Although we are believing in a miracle, it is still so tough. Besides praying, and calling her, I feel so helpless. So I baked. And baked. And baked some more. A goodie basket will be in her hands tomorrow and nothing makes me feel better at the moment. Pablo said it was my gift. Ha ha, this gift of mine seems to not want to leave my thighs and tummy! Actually I am not huge on sweets myself. I ADORE giving baked goods away. Is there a love language of baking? If so, it is mine.

I am on a diet. A very strict one. It does not allow for any cheating or you might as well give it all up! I realized I need this in order to succeed. I was not going to announce this information for a few reasons. One being that I have tried so many that I am almost embarrassed to tell people because I know they are thinking "another diet Nina?" Another reason being that I am just embarrassed that I need to "diet" at all. blah. After the influx of babies in our home, I finally feel like I am in a good place to take the time to do this. Although I am actually succeeding this time it seems. So hopefully I will not fall off the wagon this Christmas season!

In the meantime I will bake for those I love. Cook amazing new recipes just to pass the food along to someone who could use a few "freezer meals". If you too need to show some love, bake! It is so refreshing to the soul.

Left over Turkey

giada-de-laurentiis turkey-and-pancetta-pot-pies-recipe

Here is a link to a recipe I tried this weekend. Pablo said it was one of the best I have "tested" out in a while!

Try it, I bet you could use chicken too! 

Here is our version, modified a bit! The dough was so fun for Bella!

Wack Friday

My 3 little turkeys are out, snoring away. My eldest turkey is asleep next to me. I practically had to hold her down so that she would calm herself into a sleep. I pet her hair and sang  How Great, her favorite.

Today was a good day. It always is when Pablo doesn't have to work. The girls LOVE having him home, as do I. Since he leaves for work before they wake, when he is home in the morning Lili will scream "daddy!" and Gabi will snuggle up next to him saying "dada dada". Everyone enjoyed our lunch at Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Ron's. The girls ate 2 helpings of mashed potatoes, Gabi even dropped the spoon at one point and put her mouth directly to the plate! Not to mention Grandma Tesone's homemade noodles that grace our table every year, Gabi also lost the utensil for this item. Yummy.

As I sat here with Bella snoozing away, I was watching the news. The headlining story.....wait for it....BLACK FRIDAY! Yes, lots of deals are to be had. I get it.....ok I don't. At all. Some of the other stories of the night were so much more news worthy to me. A mother missing in Silverthorne, elections in Haiti, among many others. I just think we get so jaded amidst the adds and news stories of this shopping extravaganza. We are so wacked out as a nation. We feel so entitled to things, and stuff. We think we HAVE to participate and supposedly save SO much money. They said on the news that 13 million people are still paying for LAST years Christmas!

My sister got a sweet deal on a tv a few years back on Wack Friday, I know some friends who will be doing toy shopping or their 5 kids, that makes sense to me. But camping out for a "door buster deal"? Standing in 15 degree weather to be the first inside the Coach store? NOT my cup of tea.

Speaking of which, I think I will go make a cup, go to bed and not worrying about rushing around tomorrow with people who are already holiday grumps! Oh, they are already out there! There was this guy at King Soopers (ok tea after one more story!) that yelled at me for being in the way on the entrance. I had been waiting for a "car cart" because they were all taken. After wrangling my children for 10 minutes trying to track one down, then finally my Nemesis (the huge grocery cart) was available. The Mr. Rude Face said, "Do you think this is the best place to be standing?"

I yelled back at the guy,"hey you wanna help me load up my kids? Happy Thanksgiving!"

Good luck to you crazy Black Friday shoppers!

Bye Bye Ba Ba

This week the babies officially gave up the bottle, or as they say "ba ba". It is so very sad for them AND mama! It is one of the last things to go that still make them seem baby-ish to me! Of course they are still in diapers, and have their binkies, but the whole bottle thing is hard. It was hard for me with Bella too. All of these changes as a mom are always bittersweet. I had a friend blog last week about changing out her kids clothes for the season, and how difficult that was! When the girls out grow clothes, or can no longer where a cute dress because its too cold, makes me so sad. :(  But I am so thankful they are growing and are healthy!

On a side note, I am getting excited for Christmas! It will be so fun this year with the girls! Bell is already asking to put up the tree! Also, Pablo is starting a new position at work! It will be very good for him, for all of us!

Have a great thanksgiving week!

You're My Cuppy Cake!

Click on this link and watch, adorable!
Original Cuppy Cake Song

That song gets me every time! So sweet! No pun intended :)

I have way too much on my mind to pick anything specific to talk about! So lucky you, I am not writing much. Here are some pictures of what my girls and I have been baking lately! I love baking with my girls! Every time we see snow, we bake!

My kitchen helpers






My taste testers!



Chocolate Chip




Something for my bestie





The babies went to bed, so Bella and I made cupcakes! Our favorite




She kept saying, "Mmmmm, tasty!"





Cuppy cake!


 

















A whole latte blessings!

Was I trying to make this title super cheesy? Yes! Haha, it reminds me of a shirt my brother in law has that says "Scone on?" with a picture of a scone! So cheese, but makes me giggle.

Today the girls and I ventured out to Kings Soopers for a much needed outing. Its been a long week at home. I put the girls into the extra long extended cart at the store. You know the one with the extra little car on front. One of the more annoying things I have ever seen, but it's the only way I can shop with all the girls. We went to the Starbucks in the store to get Bella and  I coffee (usually some kind of latte for me, and a vanilla steamer for Bell :). When in line this lady in front of us was gushing over the girls. She was so nice, and kept saying how cute they were and asking me how I did it. She kept saying you must be so busy! Then she asked what I was ordering. I was shocked and tried to say "oh nothing"! She insisted on buying me a coffee! A perfect stranger! After getting me a pumpkin spice latte, she said "being a mom is hard work, have a blessed day, and a blessed holiday season!". I was left with tears, and a smile! Her gesture was so very thoughtful and much needed! Especially since I use my grocery budget money for my little treat! What is it about coffee? It is a much coveted thing for me. So when this lady gave me a free coffee, it was like she gave me so much more! Although it was a $4 blessing, it was such a huge blessing!

Just this week I have received so many generous little but BIG gestures. You know what I mean? Its the little things! Like my mom sending over chicken noodle soup for dinner when the girls were sick, along with groceries and banana bread for Pablo. His fav. My dad got me a bottle of wine too! Or my godmother dropping off cute outfits for the girls, a pumpkin latte and all kinds off pumpkin goodies from Starbucks! I even tweeted about, saying coffee is like sanity in a cup! Maybe that's why I like them so much! Lattes almost clear my head!

I hope someday I have the same opportunity to drop of things to my girls when they have babies. Or my godsons (I have 2 :) when they could use a pick me up. Though I really hope that I can buy a perfect stranger a coffee! It really is the thought that counts!

After our day of errands, the girls were pooped! And cold!




Comfort

It feels like I just survived a war. Coming out of 3 days of the stomach flu...all 3 girls got it! Yuck, yuck, yuck. Bella has never gotten it until now so this is my first "experience" with this sickness. NOT FUN. Having done at least 12 loads of laundry, changing sheets, jammies, towels, bathing children, bathing myself, washing cups, wiping down all surfaces like a mad woman, I am so tired! At one point when it was at its worst, it looked like a scene from a horror film! Gabi, then Lili, then Bella. All 3 looking at me with their big doughy brown eyes, helpless and hurting. Broke my heart.

Yet the positive things that came out all this awfulness was astounding. How? Well, I had numerous encounters with the girls separately that allowed me to hold and comfort them. In the craziness that is my life, I often just rush from one task to the next. Starting a meal, turning on the TV to occupy them while I try to cook dinner. The sweet quiet moments happen daily, but this was so different! Sure the girls need me on a daily basis, but they REALLY needed me this week. In the pain and suffering they clung to me. Even after they were starting to feel better their tired worn out bodies snuggled in my arms for hours. Looking to me for comfort.

So many times during this, when the girls were suffering the most...I couldn't help but ask God why. Why do we go through anything difficult in life? While God only knows, I do know this much from this experience...

In the most difficult points in my life, to where did I run? Who or what did I cling to? No matter what I am going through and no matter why, I have to cling to God. I don't always. I should more often. Just like in this horrible experience, I was able to hold my children through the pain. Just like my longing to comfort my children, God also longs to comfort us! Wow. It is so easy to look at God as this higher power that judges and is scary. But He is a loving and caring parent to all of us. He truly does care.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Nina has 3 small children and a minor in multitasking

We recently saw a story on the news about woman and how they become smarter when they become mothers. Pablo snickered a little, and as I gave him a little punch to be quiet, we listened on. They said that mothers need to always be thinking ahead, multitasking, planning, and on their toes basically. Yes, I do all that, but how does that make me smart? When I was pregnant with the twins Pablo had heard of another study stating that pregnant women loose some 15% of their brain cells? So he would joke that I had lost 30% since I was carrying two babies! I did feel that way at times! But back to the first study.... I like that one, it says I am smart! I do have a real college degree you know! I must say that some days I dont feel smart! Grocery store runs, endless diaper changes, Dora, making 3 meals a day x 3 children + 1 husband at the dinner meal...AAAAHHH. See, I just sounded dumb. My BBFFF (my best friend) sent me this card....

So funny huh? She is my bestie for a reason, she sends me the BEST cards!

Although today was packed with cleaning, shopping, cooking, even putting a meal or two in the freezer, among the other daily activities, I felt a bit worthless. In the respect that I don't help out with income, at all. Its always tough around this time of month so I always wish I could contribute in that way. I would not want to be away from my girls, so this is the trade out we make as a family for me to stay home. I love it, I really do! It just has its moments!

My husband is so wonderful. God indeed hand picked him for me. he even made me sit and watch The Office with him. I think that is because he was annoyed I was cleaning the TV while he was watching it! See, multitask!

But I must share, so tonight he took over bath time so I could clean the kitchen floor. I had towels ready, jams layed out, lotion, diapers...I was thinking ahead, as moms do ;) Upon finishing my duty I joined in the pajam chaos and noticed the girls hair was not totally wet. I asked Pablo if he had washed the girls and he said " Uh, no?". His face looked exactly as that question sounds! HA, mothers are smarter! He obviously doesn't have a minor in multitasking!  

My mom shared an email with me a while ago, SO very true! I copied it to the end of this blog post. Hope you enjoy :) goodnight, oh wait...Lili is up, again. I forgot to tell you,  I have an emphasis in sleep deprivation!

My best friend also gave me this! She is so awesome.  "mommy needs sleep"...

WHY I LOVE MOM...
Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed".
She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches. Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning.
She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer , ironed a shirt and secured a loose button.
She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer.
She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry.
She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk, wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book out from hiding under the chair.
She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store.. She put both near her purse.
Mom then washed her face with 3 in 1 cleanser, put on her Night solution & age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails..
Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed."
"I'm on my way," she said
She put some water into the dog's dish then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on.
She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TVs , hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework.
In her own room, she set the alarm; laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack. She added three things to her 6 most important things to do list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.
About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular. "I'm going to bed"
And he did..without another thought.
Anything extraordinary here? Wonder why women live longer...?
Cause they are tough and made for the long haul .... ( they can't die sooner, they still have things to do!!!!)
Now go to bed!

Sleepless in Centennial

Hoping tonight will not be the fourth night in a row that my Lili bird wakes every hour. My sleepy, easy going newborn switched places with her sister when she was a few months old. Since then, we have tried different things to get this little peanut to sleep all night. I used to think she was genuinely hungry and woke to eat. Since she is smaller than her twin, she does eat more often. She has her daddy's metabolism! But now, it just seems like she is wanting to be patted or tucked in....EVERY HOUR!

After feeling super guilty in the morning if we discipline this behavior, Pablo and I had to put things into perspective. Pablo often asks, how would God raise our children? Yes, Yes, He is the Father, but how would He handle a baby, toddler, or child? Or how does He handle us? Does God tire of helping us? Loving us?

Your comments and discussion are welcomed. I will let you know how this little girl sleeps the rest of the week. In the meantime, I will drink a lot of coffee and take advantage of the time loving on my sleepless girl...
                                                                           

Blog Vomit

Gross title, I know. It is Halloween, so I figured it was fitting. I have titled this blog entry this because there is so much on my mind that it might just shoot out, be all messy, stinky and make no sense at all. Kind of why I started this thing in the first place. Plus, I had to clean up some barf on Friday. From a child that will remain nameless, in order to protect her cuteness. *note to self, five pieces of cheese for a 15 month old is too many!

I don't love Halloween. I DO love dressing up my girls. Bella was a princess, the babies were bugs. I usually use hand-me-down costumes, or stuff we already have. This year was no exception. Although Halloween does not pull on my heart strings, seeing Cinderella prance around and my buggies waddle with antennae bouncing, does. It makes my heart full of joy. They are so precious. This is why I do somewhat partake in this holiday that seems so dark. I pick out the fun light hearted stuff and go with it. I find no joy in watching films that look into so called "paranormal" activity, blood, and guts.

I had a wonderful weekend with many talks that I can look back on and smile. My sister introduced us to her new boyfriend today, which was awesome. Felicia came and kept me company Saturday while our husbands played a show. There are a handful of people that I feel truly "get" me. Nichole, my mom, BBFF, and Felicia. Sometimes Pablo. That sounds horrible, but women just get other women better sometimes!

I have also come away from this weekend, and week actually, thinking...."I want to give my piece of mind to so many people!" I have gone back and forth so many times on if I should or shouldn't tell people how I REALLY feel. I have come to the conclusion that if I don't, then I will eventually have a "word vomit" episode and all of my kept up feelings and emotions will come out in a very sudden, stinky, and ugly way.

Sometimes I feel like I care too much about people and things. What if I did all the things I think about doing, or saying? Would this prevent the emotional and verbal vomit?

 Maybe next time I wont tell my cousin their baby is cute on FB because they never comment on my photos, or tell them hello on their "wall" because they don't do it on mine. Maybe I will write an email to someone who hurt my mom, or brother. Maybe next time I wont just think it, but I will actually do it.

Well last week I came to that crossroads. I said something that I felt would prevent harm on my children. Drama. I caused drama! Me? Can you imagine that? Yet after all is said and done. I feel better for having said it. It was what I was feeling. Don't they say if you keep feelings in, it causes cancer? Haha. That will be my reasoning behind saying what is on my mind instead of withholding!

On a lighter note, Bella and I had fun making dirt worm cups and cookies for her party...

Getting excited for all the babies and possible weddings coming up soon! :)

My life...for real?

Have you ever looked at your life, or "looked back" on your life and thought....WHAT HAPPENED? More importantly, WHEN? I had one of this moments last week. Let me begin by describing the scene of this out of body experience....

Me: no make up, frazzled in the kitchen, burning pumpkin bread, sweating, and probably yelling something like "NO! don't touch!".

Pablo: folding 3 baskets of laundry in the living room, with MNF on the TV.

Bella: running around, curly hair and all, bossing her sisters.

Lili: Naked. No diaper. Nothing. Waiting for someone to put her diaper back on, which she ripped off.

Gabi: Also naked, but with a dipe, also awaiting jammies.

Get the picture? Chaos. So of course this is the time our new neighbour chooses to knock on the door with a bottle of wine. I am looking horrible, naked children, blaring TV. And, and, AND, our new friend upstairs is an old high school classmate! Duuuude! Yes, this is my life, for real. She did not recognize me at first but soon realized this former skinny, tan, very blond, person has been transformed.
That encounter left me reeling for a few days. Although I see close friends from high school often, this was different. My friends have seen my progression, from Barbie (as Pablo says) to this very different person I am today.
So after I recovered a few days later I started to examine WHEN this life change transpired. It just happened. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Life happens. I would not change this life of mine for anything.
But the body...hmmmm :)

So this is me blogging. I am going to try it out. The name means nothing more than what it says. i love babies, and cakes.

Here are a few blog names I considered using though!
http://www.5minutesforparenting.com/340/340/