sweet and savory

Julie Andrews didn't include 'dinners in tupperware containers' among her favorite things, but then again she never came home from the hospital with two babies. If she did, the lyrics would surely change.

Advice from the trenches: never underestimate the healing power of a prepared meal. I had NO IDEA how amazing it was to have friends bring dinner during the first days of parenthood until, well, my first days of parenthood. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the many [Debbie, Tim, Jo, Michelle, Barbara, Sarah Margaret, Addie, Megan, Claire, Matt, Cathrine, Eric...] who took the time to fill our bellies in those early weeks and especially to Patrick, who thought to coordinate a dinner delivery schedule. So smart!

a little blue and a little orange

It's a real labor of love to make one baby blanket, let alone two! But then again, that's the kind of friends Elizabeth and Rhiannon are. So incredibly thoughtful. What a nice thing to be on the receiving end of their talents.

P.S. If you're little guy or gal needs some special overalls for the spring, be sure to check out Rhiannon's Little Orange Shop. Deliciously sweet!

gently used is the 'new' new

The boys' toes seem to outgrow at least one pair of footie pajamas a week. Luckily we have a closet generously stocked with reserves. Many thanks to Ellie and Janet [or should I say Harrison and Henry] for keeping Max and Miles in style. Your hand-me-downs make all the Cabreras very happy!

a week of thanks

Would you believe the boys' first birthday is less than three months away, and there are STILL thank you notes from the weeks surrounding their birth that I've yet to write?!? How embarrassing!

With so many gifts that have gone unthanked, but hardly unappreciated, I'd like to spend a little time this week paying tribute to some of the M+M's [and my] favorite things. Starting with this sweet apron from Becky.

Not only has this saved me from many a spit-up and blow-out [once or twice simultaneously], but so have the great list of tips Becky sent for getting along these first few months of motherhood. Tip #1: Buy the darkest version of everything you can find-especially onsies, t-shirts-and bibs. Miles 'the Mess' and I thank you kindly for this advice Becky!

the week in review

Today marks a momentous occasion.

I finished a magazine.

Yes, that's right, a magazine. Not a book, mind you, but a simple periodical: 46 pages long. This may not seem like an accomplishment to many. But, with twin babies, reading anything beyond Clifford's Bedtime is an absolute luxury: one I savor at the end of a long day for exactly 4.1 minutes [or 5 paragraphs] before falling into the deep sleep [the deepest sleep one can achieve when they're sure to be awakened by strange breathing or a pacifier leaping out of the crib every 30 minutes or so].

It's this short attention span that has left me unable to complete a single issue of The Week for six and a half months before another week passes and another magazine arrives in my mailbox. Yes, today is a turning point.

don't want to miss a thing

'She was twice blessed. She was happy and she knew it." --Kathryn Windham

Edgar shared with me earlier how he wishes he could bottle up the moments we're living and keep them forever. Recording them in my sketchbook is my eager attempt to do just this.

Life is grand. And I love this little family of mine so, so much.

three socks walk into a bar

I'm doing laundry out the wazoo these days. Luckily, M + M equate watching me folding laundry to the finest in quality entertainment, with emptying the dishwasher running a close second.

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On another note, regarding my last post---sometimes I write about how I'm feeling in a given moment and move right on, giving it little extra thought. However, in this instance, several of you were more tuned into my emotions than I was. I'm very grateful for your kind words and thoughts. Right now is the best time of my life, but also the most challenging. No book could have prepared me for the roller coaster ride of motherhood.