And it was sooooo nasty. But a good morning nonetheless, and better once that sucker was tied up in a plastic bag, double knotted, and the trash taken out. No, I don’t use those amazing diaper contraptions. I do have one, though – I think it’s called "Neat." It is anything but neat. It sits by my nightstand, and is utterly impossible to use with just one hand. And who ever has two hands free? No one in this house!

So I took Caden and Seth to get their pictures made this morning.  This appointment has been set for a week, and they were clean, nails cut, outfits sorta coordinated and everything. And last night Caden gets his head stuck in the basement door (okay, actually I didn’t see him there because I was holding Seth and Caden was standing in the baby-induced blind spot – and I shut the door on his head) Anyway, faint bruise. Poor kid. And Seth? He scratched the bridge of his little baby nose with one of those newly manicured fingernails. A bloody scratch, right in the center of his face. I am such a good mommy, huh?

The photographer was great – one I’ve used before. But not so great that she could disguise my children’s injuries, and they will be documented forever.

I’m still new to having two babies. The others were far enough apart in age that I never had two such young ones at the same time. And wow, is it tough! Today was a huge success just because we got there on time and made it home.

That might not sound like a big deal, but it is. Or rather, the double stroller involved is a big deal. The thing weighs 46 pounds, and that is before you add children, infant carrier, diaper bag, or purse. People stop and stare, often openmouthed when they see me coming. Sometimes they even laugh, and that’s just not nice. The stroller is not terribly user friendly, which means that even if you’re strong enough to regularly collapse the thing and hoist it into the back of your super-big SUV (it won’t fit into anything smaller, I bet), it will mash your fingers and break all your fingernails every single time. It’s amazingly accurate, that way.

And yet, I’m grateful in a begrudging sense, as it is the only way to tote around my kids. But oh my gosh, once Seth is older I will so gladly chuck it and get a 2 pound folding double umbrella stroller that I will be able to lift with one finger if I want. (One finger with an intact fingernail.)

Until then, I’m the mom at the mall with the bruised and scratched kids in sorta matching sweaters, no fingernails, and the big honker of a double stroller. (If you must stare, at least smile.)

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