A Little Advice from Aunt Katie

Here's a little advice from Aunt Katie for the new mother-to-be: Mother Knows Best (I just watched the movie "Tangled"). But seriously, trust your instincts. There are many ways to do everything and there is really no right or wrong way (even if the doctor says so). Do what you feel is right for you and your babies. If you want to rock them to sleep every night, do that. You can listen to everyone's advice and then do what works best for you. They are your babies and you will know what's best.

Also, I don't know anything about taking care of twins but do know a little about taking care of multiple kids. Some advice on that front is ORGANIZATION. It helps to lessen the stress of looking for things or packing things when you are in a hurry and/or running late (which now is going to be all the time now that you have kids). If you know you are going somewhere the next day, try and have as much ready the night before. You can also get bottles and/or clothes ready the night before. It takes a little extra time  but saves a lot of stress the next day.

Don't worry too much about anything, you are going to be a great mom!

Pregnant with Twins - Jenny’s Grandma Strutt’s Birth Story

I had no idea I was having twins.  

It was 1953, Grandpa and I lived in McGregor with our 1-year-old, Chuck.  I was pregnant, but my doctor was in the service.  That meant I had to go to Dodgeville to see a doctor, so I waited until I was 8 months pregnant to have my first doctor’s visit.  The doctor only heard one heartbeat. I went home.

A few days later, my water broke.  Grandpa drove me back to Dodgeville to stay with my mother and be closer to the hospital.  He went back to McGregor to work.  Two days after that, I was sitting in my mother’s dining room when I was suddenly in pain.  My mother drove me to the hospital and I told her not to stop at the stop signs because I knew the baby was coming.   

Ten minutes later, David was born while I was in the wheelchair on the way down the hall to the delivery room.  He was 6 lbs 4 ounces.  They put a bracelet on him right away and labeled it, “Strutt.”  By the time we got to the delivery room, the doctor told the nurse, “You’d better change that baby’s bracelet to say ‘Strutt A’ because here comes ‘Strutt B!’  Sure enough, Dawson was born, 5 lbs 13 ounces, just ten minutes later.  

I called Grandpa in McGregor after they were born and told him I had just had twin boys.  His reply was, “Should I come up?”  I said, “You’d better!”

Grandma and twins

Grandpa and twins

Twins

Twins with Grandma’s Uncle, Waldo Reese, and Grandma’s Father, Stanley Reese (also twins!)

Game Time: Daddy Knows Best...Answers!!

And the WINNERS are.....the Great Grandmas!!  Grandma Henkes and Grandma Great (Strutt) each guessed correctly: Jenny had FIVE correct answers.  Reminder of the game - Aaron answered the questions...and then Jenny had to guess how she thought Aaron would answer (not necessarily what she thought the answer should be).  She guessed his response correctly FIVE times out of twelve - pretty impressive!  Here's how the mother- and father-to-be answered (Aaron's answers in blue, Jenny's in pink).

1. How many diapers does a baby need each day? 

5, 5 <

2. How many diapers do you plan to change each day? 

2, 1

3. How many hours does a baby sleep each day on average? 

4, 10

4. At what age does a baby start sleeping through the night? 

12 months, 1 year <

5. At what age does a child stop needing naps? 

Never!, 2 years

6. At what age does a baby start eating solid food? 

14 months, 1 year

7. Do you think your babies will be born with no hair, a full head of hair or in between? 

Hair - lots of it!, Full heads of hair <

8. How many kids do you want to have? 

More than 2 but less than 4!, 3 <

9. Who'll be the firm parent, and who'll be the pushover? 

I will be firm, Jenny will be the pushover, I think he thinks I (jenny) will be the pushover and he will be the firm parent. <

10. From 1-10 (10 being the most prepared) how prepared do you feel for the babies' arrival?  

8, 2

11. How old will your babies be when you take them to their first Cowboys game?  

When we get tickets as a gift - they are too expensive, 10 years old

12. What baby item have you registered for that you have no idea what it is for?  

Boppy, breast pads

Thanks, everyone, for playing :)

Game Time: Daddy Knows Best

Today's game gets Aaron involved.  In this game, called "Daddy Knows Best," we have asked Aaron a series of questions to test his baby knowledge.  Later we will reveal his answer to the questions.  Your job, however, is to guess how many times you think Jenny was able to correctly guess how Aaron answered the questions.

To participate in the game, respond in the comments with the following: "I think Jenny guessed Aaron's answer correctly _____ times.  (Your name here)"

1. How many diapers does a baby need each day?
2. How many diapers do you plan to change each day?
3. How many hours does a baby sleep each day on average?
4. At what age does a baby start sleeping through the night?
5. At what age does a child stop needing naps?
6. At what age does a baby start eating solid food?
7. Do you think your babies will be born with no hair, a full head of hair or in between?
8. How many kids do you want to have?
9. Who'll be the firm parent, and who'll be the pushover?
10. From 1-10 (10 being the most prepared) how prepared do you feel for the babies' arrival?
11. How old will your babies be when you take them to their first Cowboys game?
12. What baby item have you registered for that you have no idea what it is for?

Check back tomorrow afternoon to see Aaron and Jenny's responses - and find out who the winner is!

A Present from Mary Crismon

Special babies need special gifts, and these are being sent all the way from the UAE!

(Mary is a friend of Jenny's that is teaching overseas)

Thanks Mary!

A "glimpse" of the Babies

Last year at a joint baby shower, Cousins Cheri and Nichole put together a guessing game. They took pictures of the mothers- and fathers-to-be and made pictures of what their babies may look like. Because the shower was for six pregnant mommies, the guests had to guess which baby belonged to which mommy. 

Since we only have one mommy this time, it's not a guessing game. But it is fun to see what the new little ones may look like. And with twins, we get two pictures. 

We will have to compare these pictures with the real little darlings when they arrive to see how close we got. I guess the website thinks Jenny has some strong genes! Cute girls!

Pregnancy Update

23 weeks. We had an ultrasound last week. Baby A weighs 1 pound 5 oz. and baby B weighs 1 pound 3 oz. Exactly where they should be. They are growing!

Eat Dessert First

What's a baby shower without cupcakes?  And two girls = twice the pink :)
This recipe was submitted by Aunt Becca - whose love of sugar knows no bounds.
Can't wait to meet those two sweet-as-sugar girlies this Spring!!

Double Pink Funfetti Cupcakes

Source

Recipe from: Your Cup of Cake

Yield: 30 cupcakes

Ingredients

Cake:

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 egg whites

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup pink jimmies

Strawberry Buttercream:

1/2 cup butter, softened

8 oz cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons strawberry puree

1 tablespoon strawberry gelatin

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4-5 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with cupcake liners.

2. Beat butter and sugar for 3 minutes, scrape bowl as needed.

3. Add egg whites one at a time on low until fully incorporated.

4. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.

5. Alternate adding buttermilk and the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture.

6. Mix in sour cream.

7. Fold in jimmies and fill liners 3/4 full.

8. Bake for 16-22 minutes, or until and inserted knife comes out clean.

9. Buttercream: Beat butter and cream cheese. Add strawberry puree, gelatin and vanilla extract. Slowly add powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.

10. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes.

Game Time: The Name Game

Okay, folks - it's game time.  Mondays during this shower will be game day.  Each Monday we will try to post a shower game to celebrate Jenny and Aaron's girls.  Today's game is The Name Game.  Many people spend countless hours coming up with just the right name for their child.  After all, a name sticks with you for your whole life.  Twins can be extra daunting, because you want the names to go together.  Let's give Jenny and Aaron a little help.

Using just the letters in Jenny and Aaron's first and middle names, create a pair of names (you only need to do first names), and share them in the comments below - and be sure to include your name and your relationship to the girls.  Let's get creative...and maybe we'll give Jenny and Aaron some ideas.  Remember, you can use only the letters in Jenny and Aaron's names.  And you have to come up with TWO names :)

A - R - T - H - U - R     A - A - R - O - N  

J - E - N - N - I - F - E - R     L - Y - N - N

A note from Great Grandma Henkes

Grandma Marci is getting ready for her own twin girls, practicing with her sister Kari's twin granddaughters, Makenna and Mayleigh Ruff, who will be four years old Feb. 26th.

Baked French Toast Recipe

This went over so well at Jenny's bridal shower, Aunt Katie thought it would be fitting for her baby shower as well. Plus, her boys really like it.

Baked French Toast

1 loaf Crusty Sourdough or French Bread
8 whole eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cups whipping (heavy) cream
3/4 cups sugar
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract

Topping
1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoons salt
1 stick cold butter, cut into pieces
fresh fruit (optional)



Grease 9/13-inch baking pan with butter. Tear bread into chunks (or cut into cubes) and evenly distribute in the pan.
Mix together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread. Cover tightly and store in the fridge several hours or overnight.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add nutmeg if desired. Add putter pieces and cut into the dry mixture until mixture resembles fine pebbles. Store in a Ziploc in the fridge.
When you're ready to bake the casserole, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle crumb mixture over the top. (If you're using fruit, sprinkle on before the crumb mixture.) Bake for 45 minutes for a softer, more bread pudding texture. Bake 1 hour or more for a firmer, less liquid texture.
Scoop out individual portions. Top with butter and drizzle with maple syrup.  Enjoy!

Welcome!

Welcome to Jenny's Virtual Shower. Since we can't bring Jenny to the shower, we thought we would bring the shower to Jenny. Here is how it will work...

Check back here (vargastwins.blogspot.com) daily to see pregnancy updates, notes from friends and family, and fun shower games. 

We are asking everyone to contribute. You can send a shower friendly recipe, a note to the mom-to-be or babies, mothering advice, fun photos or videos, or anything else to stickgrl@hotmail.com and they will be posted to the blog page. 

Jenny is registered at Babies R Us and Target under Jennifer Vargas. Please send cards and gifts to Jenny at 

21715 Chanas Court

Spring, TX, 77388

Feel free to have fun with this. It's a great way to build the anticipation. Enjoy!

Invitation

It’s a girl and a girl!

Jenny is excited

She’s having twins!

Let’s shower her with gifts

Before her new life begins.

You are invited to Jenny’s Virtual Shower.

It will last from January 19^th to February 16^th.

Please visit vargastwins.blogspot.com for details and to keep up with all the fun.

Hosted by the excited aunts: Katie, Becca, Jaclyn, and Whitney