Things that make me happy

• Theo and Beckett are growing and growing. Beckett has outgrown some of the newborn outfits we have, and Theo solidly fits in them now. They are also filling out and both actually have some fat rolls now!
• Yesterday we took them for their ultrasounds as mandated by New York State to determine whether they had any hip dysplasia as a result of their breech positioning. The doctor who did the ultrasound and exam said they both looked great. It was kind of neat to see their little hip bones moving around in the sockets on the screen.
  
• Thanks to my dear friend Sara, I have an AWESOME mother's helper/babysitter named Kelley. Last week she came over for two hours and today she came over for another two hours. After giving Theo a bath, I left the house with both boys asleep and when I came back she had sterilized the pacifiers, vacuumed the whole downstairs, and taken out the garbage. She is awesome! I think I'll have her come a couple times a week for as long as I can, because it is awesome to be able to hand off one crying baby and deal with the other, or get out of the house, or take a shower, or have help with baths, or whatever! She's fantastic and kind and gentle and the babies seem to be very calmed by her, which is wonderful.
• Great Aunt Teddy visited last week for three days and Theo and Beck got to spend lots of time with her. The rest of us also enjoyed her cooking (and I guess Theo and Beck did too, just filtered down through Mommy). Thanks for coming, Teddy!
  
• The Tuesday Farmers' Market in downtown Syracuse is open! This morning I bought some lovely strawberries, cherries, sugar snap peas, and whole wheat Pastabilities bread. I love that I can park close and maybe will even take the boys next week.
• Two houses down there is a cat that looks like a lion. It appears to be shaved all over except on its hands, feet and head, which makes it look like it has a mane. Also, it is tan and therefore lion-colored. It is awesome. Seriously, you should come see it. It kind of looks like this.
• This book. Just TRY to read it without crying. I dare you.
• The Onondaga Park public pool is open! I am hoping to get over there for a swim sometime in the next week if I can find a babysitter....
• Beckett is now smiling while awake, seemingly in response to faces. He continues to smile and laugh out loud in his sleep regularly. Theo still smiles both half smiles and full smiles in his sleep but I don't think anyone's seen him smile awake yet.
• I reached out on our neighborhood listserv and found some stay-at-home moms who want to get together for playdates and walks this summer. It will be good to meet some new people and get out of the house with the babes!
• Despite my mom's fears, it does not appear that the babies are allergic to strawberries. Apparently strawberries are a common allergen and Theo and Beckett were fussy with my parents after I ate strawberry rhubarb pie once but not the second time, and at no time last week or since this weekend when I have eaten strawberries. Maybe they don't like rhubarb, or maybe it was a fluke. But I do not think I have to avoid strawberries, which is good because I've gotten some great ones this season!
• We have resolved the fly issue in the house. We had a brief infestation and Jeff found the source this weekend, which is disgusting enough not to need to post BUT the point is that the problem is hopefully resolved.
  
• I have not posted about it because, again, it is too disgusting, but my hemangioma (blood blister) on my back reappeared while I was still pregnant, 3 weeks after being removed by the dermatologist. The happy news is that it was removed again by the dermatologist last week in a much more traumatic and invasive way that will supposedly guarantee that it does not come back again. Judging by the Frankenstein scar on my back and the fact that I have to go back in a week to get the stitches removed, I hope they are right. If not I think I should get my money back.
• Grandma Joanie and Grandpa Stu graciously agreed to babysit Saturday night while Jeff and I went out to see Ragtime at the Hangar Theatre. The show was really wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed getting out and away, even for just a few hours.
  
• Thanks to Robin, Jack, Lindy, Joanie, Michelle and Faye, we have a very fancy and multi-featured baby swing that is amazing. This thing has everything--swing motion both side-to-side and front-to-back, plus non-annoying music, bird sounds, a very plush and comfy seat, AND, most importantly, an AC adapter so we don't go through C and D batteries like crazy. Jeff will post a video of the swing in action soon. Suffice it to say, we think it is magic!
• Grandpa Stu bought and installed new toilet seats for our two most-used toilets. They are spectacular and solid and clean and I am so grateful both for the idea of new toilet seats and the execution!
• We have a brand-new patio set with beautiful cushions and an umbrella. Thanks Grandpa Stu for putting it all together last week. We haven't had great weather yet for it but we're looking forward to using it some time this week!