Sunday 27 November 2011

Scottish-American Thanksgiving

Today, we will be having our 3rd Scottish-American Thanksgiving Dinner. I'm Scottish, and my dear hubby is American. Since he came to live here, we have embraced Thanksgiving, a Holiday which is not celebrated in Scotland.

I have done the pie baking, the bread-roll baking, the gravy making, the potato peeling, and the veg chopping. I also made the cornbread for the dressing.

That's all the easy stuff, hubby does the rest. He does the parts of the meal that stand out in people's minds, and that's ok by me.

We're doing the cooking, but dinner will be at my family's house. Again, this is ok by me. For a start, we don't have a dining room (or dining table), or the space to fit 11 people. Secondly, I'm a terrible hostess. I love cooking and baking, but honestly, the other aspects of entertaining totally stress me out. I'd actually rather serve people their meal, and wait in the kitchen until they're done.

Does that sound awful?

Anyway, we have a lot to be thankful for this year. Two happy healthy babies, great friends and family, each other, and a loving God who has seen us through a tight financial squeeze this month.

Here's a pic of the baked goods. I hope people enjoy them.

Friday 18 November 2011

Ashleigh 0 - Frump 1.

After my last post about the twins being 6 months, I realised something else. I'm still wearing stuff I wore when I was pregnant. I'm not talking about the nice stuff, all the cute maternity tunics and dresses have been stowed.

My general daily outfit is sweats, long sleeved tee, and (when it's chilly and I have to leave the house) a jacket or fleece belonging to the hubby.

Yep, that's right. I've not got a jacket that fits, so I pilfer one of the hubby's.

Frumpy, huh?

The thing is, I've realised that what they say is right. 'Clothes maketh the (wo)man.' It's as much about how you see yourself, as about how others see you. Now, I'm sure there are people who could wear an outfit like the one I described, and look great, because they wear it with confidence. Me? I look like I might steal crackers from the grocery store.

There's nothing wrong with relaxed dressing, but I've gotten downright slobby, and it's lazy and a tiny bit selfish.

My kids deserve a mum who feels good and confident enough to get out and about with them (to places other than the grocery store). My husband deserves to come home from work, or spend his days off with a wife who looks like she cares and wants to look good for him.

I could say 'well, I've got twins, there's no time for all that, blah, blah...' but I'd be kidding myself, and doing my family a disservice. During WW2 women embraced the concept of 'beauty as duty' These women were often looking after families, working to help the war effort, and may also have been volunteering. Many would have been kept up half the night by air-raids. Despite what must have been 6 years of near-constant exhaustion, these women still made the effort to iron their clothes, do their hair, and put on a bit of lippy.

Now, I'm not going to be sporting a victory roll any time soon, but perhaps it's time to take a leaf out of that generation's book, and standing firm in the fight against the frump.

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Six Months Old

Gareth and Molly are now 6 months old, half way to their 1st Birthday. I can hardly believe that this time last year, hubby and I didn't know there were 2 babies busily growing in my tummy. We knew I was pregnant, but it was not until my 12 week scan on December 1st, that we knew we had been blessed with twins.

The past 6 months have been a rollercoaster. They've been joyful, exhausting, occasionally exasperating, fun, filled with wonder, and never, ever dull.

Even at this age, their personalities are very different. Gareth is our laid back baby, he goes to sleep, on his back, with his hands behind his head, and stays that way until he wakes up in the morning. Molly is our busy baby, she fills her day with rolling, scooting along the floor, and playing. Even in bed, she's moving until she's tired out, and generally falls asleep on her tummy, after a few protesting 'but Mummy, I'm not sleepy!' squeals.

I'm so incredibly proud of them. I don't know why God Blessed my husband and I with these 2 fantastic people to love and care for. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing a good enough job, or if they know that I love them.

Well, we've already got teeth (well, Molly has) at this half way point in this first year. Here's looking forward to more teeth, walking, talking, laughing, munching, and lots of hugging and kissing as we continue on this exciting journey.

Sunday 6 November 2011

Sleep or Solitude?

Being a mum of twins and an introvert can be tricky sometimes. I love my children, I cherish the time I spend with them, but as an introvert I also crave quiet and solitude.

Sometimes, this means making a choice between staying in bed and sleeping, or getting up while the house is quiet and everyone else is sleeping. I choose to get up, and honestly, I find that solitude just as restful as sleep. It gives me a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee, think quietly, and generally prepare for the day.

I've always been the type of person who needs time to 'come to'. Having to be on my feet before my eyes are open is a horrible feeling to me, it puts me out of sorts for the rest of the day. I feel as if I'm always playing catch-up.

My baby boy is awake now, and I'm glad I've had this early morning period of solitude. It prepares me for the day, and helps me to be a better mother. The cup of extra-strong coffee doesn't hurt either :)