Monkey Business

My encouragement

2011-05-26T18:45:00.002-04:00

This was my encouragement when I ran the marathon. I was so thankful for the support I just wanted to blog it a little more. Along with the sweet faces of my hubby, mommy, auntie and wonderful sisters, and even friends! Grateful I had the chance to run my first marathon. Hoping to add more in the future!!

I love my blog

2011-05-25T14:29:00.005-04:00

I do love it here! I can't believe I don't get here to post pictures....i guess such is life as your kids grow.. just some random pictures...

yes...that's me finishing the race. I hate how I look, but I love that Caed is running in behind me!

our good friends, who we spend as much time as possible with!

One week

2011-02-11T22:06:00.003-05:00

In one week I'll be running my first marathon. The biggest reason for no blog post updates in so long. Earlier this week I was scared. yesterday I was confident. If I talk about it I get nervous. I can do this. I've been training for months. I don't want to box myself in with a time requirement, but I do have a time I'd like to complete it in. I won't tell if I make it or not.

I never did think I'd actually run a marathon although I'd secretly been jealous of those who had.

Here are the guys who have been making the biggest sacrifice by far for me to make this a reality. I run for them and I am running for my health and how and who that affects as a result.

prepping for christmas

2010-12-21T15:24:00.002-05:00

I love to do gingerbread houses with Caed! I remember loving that day in my class when we got to make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and decorate it up with all sorts of candy!! Fun, fun! I do the icing for these projects but Caed pretty much dictates the candy placement. He even cut the gummy circles and put it above the door himself.

Caed thought of this little outfit all on his own. He came and told us he was dressed up like Santa. what a funny kid! we decided to tell Caed that Santa wasn't real. It was after a lot of thought and Caed's constant questioning. And actually he told us himself. One day after I had thought I was going to tell him, I asked casually after he had been talking about Santa "Caed, is Santa real, or pretend?" He answered with a stong "pretend" and that was that. (well we did discuss it more, but I thought he was ready for the reality of a pretend Santa at least!) He still loves the fairy tale of a santa, and all the stories and songs. We haven't ruined it for him completely! And he totally goes along with all his friends at school when they talk about him, so I think we're good. We've talked about it some more, and we talk about who St. Nicholas was, and even though he might not have it sorted correctly, he's got the gist. Anyway- he looks more like the Swedish Tomten then santa....but he totally cut and taped that outfit himself. (a white beard had made a brief appearance, but I haven't seen it since) we love this time of year!

Keeping busy

2010-12-20T08:14:00.003-05:00

if you don't keep the Monkey's busy, they get into trouble...so we're keeping busy. Of course we do have some down time, but we try to keep the yelling and hitting to a minimum by taking them out and about. (that's not saying they don't yell and hit while we're out, but at least they are distracted!) These are some of our photos from Thanksgiving and the Myrtle Beach childrens museum.

pumpkin picking

2010-10-28T21:49:00.004-04:00

I took the kids to a pumpkin farm a couple of weekends ago. Hubby had to do some home repairs involving a ladder at high heights, and I don't like that- so I took the kids out...I forgot how much I love this one pumpkin farm. It's popular, but not as most, and you don't pay to walk in, you just pay for what you do. And you can look at and pet animals for free. I wouldn't have needed to pay for anything if I thought my kids could walk to the pumpkin patch instead of the hay ride. But we had fun.

Theron was a little worried by the animals, but I kept pushing, I don't want them to miss out on these experiences. And well he kept the book away from the goats, because they did want it. I had to keep them in the stroller most of the time, it's the only way to keep 2 18mo. old's in my possession! Poor Aldan would have loved to touch the animals. I am a little weary of touching them though since a couple of a years ago Jon got ringworm from a Pumpkin farm. (not this one)

Of course I love the baby animals, and I couldn't stay watching them long enough...I kept things moving- I was really on guard about the kids- and I didn't want to loose my patience.

This photo was at the end....asked a stranger with an SLR camera to take our photo...

I come up with a well laid plan on things like this...keep the kids in stroller. Everything in a backpack. The only thing I wasn't sure how I was going to do it was the hayride to the pumpkins, all three kids, and carting a pumpkin. Aldan got on the hayride and wanted to sit across from me. I didn't make it an issue. As long as he sat. I didn't want meltdowns. Theron did give me some trouble with sitting, which was annoying- but you can't prevent everything!

Caed was just happy looking around. Of course I prepped him that I didn't want any trouble from him, if we were going to do it ever again. Ha. I ended up bringing reusable bag to carry a pumpkin we would pick. I thought that might give me the most flexibility and it would keep the pumpkin to a smaller size.

Ha, evidence of Theron not wanting to sit!

I let them run pretty much as they wanted (could) once we got off the hayride at the pumpkins. They loved it.

I attempted a shot with all of them. Of course I only tried a little, didn't want to make a big deal of it, I wanted happy kids more. I was by myself after all. We did have a great time, and they did really well. I left hoping they'd fall asleep in the car- we were 45min. away from home- and of course, they stayed awake! Geesh! I love our monkeys more then words- what a blessing they are to Jon and I.

Happy 18 months!

2010-10-08T21:29:00.002-04:00

I'm a bit late here...but not too badly. Our monkeys are 18 mo. old. My how strangely time passes...the days are long, but the years are short.

I couldn't get them both to look at me, but Aldan was all silly, so this is fun enough. Theron can't let things out of his little mitts all that easily and he was holding a special toy of Caed's, so there was no changing his view. Aldan is holding one of his love-ys. He's got two, which are actually left over's from Caed that he never got attached to.

Don't let that little smile of Aldan's confuse you that he's the sweet one. Both have a streak in them, but they usually come out at different times. We are truely blessed.

And here's a little love sharing....it's cute to realize they don't really know how to kiss one another when asked to. When an adult kisses them, they just have to lean in- so they just lean into each other. But they will pretty much do this at any time. What cuties. (and what a mop of hair that Aldan has!!)

I'd have their exact stats, except I can't find the small piece of paper the woman at the doctor's office so nicely wrote everything out for me on, since I am a bit scattered when I go to the appointments....I do remember that aldan is an inch taller then Theron, and because of that, Theron is only 90-95% and aldan is off the chart! Ha, that little overachiever!

Happy Birthday!!

2010-10-06T21:21:00.002-04:00

(Heather with her daughter)

Happy Birthday to my older sister Heather! Hope you had a great one! Love to you, amazing mom, wife, sister and friend! (hope we get lots more time to get to know each other better!)

if i make it out to the garden

2010-10-03T21:25:00.001-04:00

I find really cool things. Unfortunately my neighbor who watered our garden while we traveled this summer probably was in my garden more then me. But I did catch this guy one day. He looked like such the textbook grasshopper that I had to take a picture. This first picture was actually taken upsidedown. I know...not a gripping blog entry...

will the real twins please stand up?

2010-09-28T21:10:00.003-04:00

my mom and her sister, our fabulous aunt, have always been asked if they are twins. They probably look more like twins then our actual twins...but I can't see the similarities in either set- I guess I know them too well. We took a picture for fun- unfortunately it's very difficult to keep the adults and children all looking at the same time! (well the adults could keep looking, they just couldn't keep their eyes open!)

and here's Caed with his requested photo...with his beloved kitty and pink paper cheeburger car. I love his love for his toys. He plays with them until he wears them out, and then we still can't get rid of them because he asks about them later! (tonight he requested some obsure car we threw out because it had come all apart, and this remote control car that our neighbor gave him, that burned out- not to be working again....I just tell him we'll have to look for it, if it's something I think he'd be too upset to hear we threw out...and hope he forgets about it a little longer!)

you can do it too!

2010-09-26T21:10:00.003-04:00

last Sunday I accomplished half of a goal. I ran a half marathon. 13.1 miles.

While pregnant with the twins I realized it might be a bit harder to loose the weight the second (and third) time around. I considered taking up running, once it was possible. It took a little longer to start running then I anticipated because of the logistics. That's when hubby gave me the amazing Christmas gift to the gym with childcare.

I started running on the treadmill in March. I ran a 5K in April, and had my heart set on the Paris Marathon 2011. I found a half to run which I thought would be a good indicator before registering for Paris on how I'd do. I ran in this past weekend. I was a bit slower then I anticipated due to a few reasons. I think I'm going to put off Paris another year, and try for a closer to home Marathon next year. So I'll stick with my goal of distance, but I'll put off the destination for now.

I am really really proud of myself. I don't feel badly about putting off Paris, because I think the bigger objective is getting healthy and having energy for my family. Running has made me a better mom and wife (i think!)

Other friends and family are really supportive and proud too. I keep reminding them that it's not hard to do when you take the time to train. You could do it too if you set out to train. It's not like I woke up last Sunday and decided to run 13.1 miles...I've been working really hard at it for months. Don't underestimate your own abilities when you work up to something- give yourself a small goal and then what you think you can handle from there....there were weeks it was hard- there were my long runs that took a long time... that my knees hurt me or I didn't have the best mood...and my tummy gave me problems, once home, at 10+ miles! i kept trudging through and had a good time. And I did it- and i wasn't last or didn't have to be picked up by the van that drives at the end...

so thankful that my family has made the sacrifice too.

just a day..

2010-09-21T10:26:00.005-04:00

C started school. We started adjusting to a new schedule. I have had to have a lot motivation to keep us on track with our time from wake up until 3. Kids all go down for bed now between 7-8 rather then the extended 730-9.

C comes home usually pretty happy now too. He's glad to be back with his toys, and our home. It's fun to watch that and think of the transition it must be in his mind...today I came back home after dropping him at school and the twins seemed bored...and like they wanted Caed to play with. after about 20 minutes. they warmed up and started playing together. I love seeing just the twins together, it's been a lot of fun to see their own interactions now too...

So today is just a day...and I may be seeing a spot in my day to add some blog posts. Lord knows there no shortage of things I think of blogging!

Part 2

2010-09-16T19:52:00.003-04:00

I really find so little time for blogging these days that I can't believe I'd go back and catch up. Ha! This is the last pressured 'go back' I'll do! (why did I name that last blog part 1!)

I had the hardest time actually on the boat. To me a cruise is a wonderful way to see lots of places without having to do the driving/flying ourselves. I would love to try a cruise with others- friends and/or family. I couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense on how indulgent it was. Especially in the beginning. All I could hear in my head was lines from the movie Wall-e. "Lunch, in a cup!" I relaxed a bit after the first meals, but frankly I would have been more comfortable cleaning my own room and serving myself at dinner then having it done for me. I was awkwardly grateful to all the staff and wanted Jon to tip everyone more!

We had lots of time to relax....

I was thinking a lot about how blessed I was to be there. There are lots of people who deserve as nice as a break and vacation as we had. I never dreamed that I would get to see and do the things we did.

And we got our picture taken with the Norwegian captain.

We really had a great time and I am so thankful for Jonathan and his commitment to our family, and us as a couple. It really was great for us to do the trip, and especially after the twins turned 1. It was a long year...and we made it!

Back in May...part 1

2010-08-28T09:00:00.003-04:00

We went on our very first cruise! What fun to get away for a week! We are so thankful to Jon's parents for keeping all three boys for us! We did EVERYTHING we could do. I was up for lots of fun, and things outside my comfort zone! I didn't want to be tied to the ship or be fearful because I might not get this chance again!

The water is super blue in the middle of the ocean! Who knew!

Jon trying to let the ship loose: (these are some major ropes here, amazed by it)

I was just so in awe of some many things on the cruise. The ropes that tie up the ship were just one thing. they are incredible. I never did see us dock or leave, so I don't know how many people it took to do this, but it's incredible.

We had beautiful weather, and the seas were amazing. We even happened to see wild dolphins out in the middle of nowhere swimming past the ship.

In Cozumel we Zip Lined (me in this photo!)

We climbed the rock walls: (Jon is good at this, and me notsomuch although I kept trying as much as my arms would let me!)

Jon geared up:

Jon coming down:

living in DC

2010-08-24T22:02:00.002-04:00

I love living in DC. The past couple of weeks we've really been getting out. I have been taking the metro with all three boys too! There are lots of upsides of the place.

The big downside is the transient nature of people living here. People tend to come here from other far off places to intern or work a job temporarily. Or they work a job, start a family and realize they want to be closer to home again with their family. Or they just move to the 'burbs. I generally don't mind that. I love getting to know people, keep in touch and know that one day when we want to travel to these really cool places they all live, we can go visit!

But sometimes it means that you feel like you want to get to know someone better and it just can't happen because of time. We (I) met a family last year that moved to DC for an internship at our church for the past year. It's time for them to move on. They have two boys and are really fun. Caed loved their oldest right away. I had anticipated not getting to know them because I knew they'd be leaving....I resisted. I tried to avoid wanting to be friends. I had twin babies, so it was easy to avoid with their busyness. But it was so much fun getting the boys together. Today as we had a last playdate for the kids, and all 5 were running around the grass and gravel of the National Mall, I realized that I really did like them! I was sad that I didn't get to know them better and have them over for a meal. We do have great friends in DC, I was just reminded how hard it still is to watch families leave regardless of how well you know them.

Today Amy was willing to corral the kids and enjoy the Air and Space Museum. I pray for the best for them, and we will stay in touch as they plant a church in Miami- but I shouldn't have waited this long to commit to getting to know them better. I know it's more then just us that will miss them too.

All 5 boys

C and A: (Caed actually wasn't feeling great today, so he wasn't so compliant with the smiling)

Running

2010-08-19T21:08:00.004-04:00

Me, and the craziness of my home after returning from my first ever race (5K) this past April. Not glamorous:

Another thing that has been taking up my time is running. I am training to run a half marathon. I am trying to follow through on my goal of running the Paris marathon 2011, and so I thought a half marathon about a half year before it was a good goal.

It has been fun....but it sure is time consuming! I do long runs on Saturday mornings (I leave the house about 5:45) and shorter runs during the week, a combination of road running and treadmill at the gym. A road run for me is only 2 miles though since I do it after Jon gets home, and the twins and Caed are manageable for him. It really is a sacrifice on the part of my family for this. I am hoping that somehow we make it through the 7 months after this for the Paris marathon.

I sometimes debate the wisdom is doing it next year, since it's been a hard few months for our family for the half marathon, but I think it's best to just keep going. I am proud of myself for keeping it up. I wish I was faster, but I'll take what I can get.

I am learning so much about running too, it's a lot of fun. I find that I am really enjoying it (besides the bit of a wall I've hit the last two weeks) and want to just keep doing it because my body can do it. Although I probably can have better posture/form, it's not like swimming where I've got to be taught certain strokes, or bike riding where I've got to own a bike, it's more accessible then that and I like that. I recently finished the book Born to Run. Loved it. But I love that style of writing anyway.

I am still figuring out my preferences as far as carrying water, when to wait to eat, listening to music (which is at a bit of a negotiating stage right now. My ipod isn't working, and I've been listening to Pandora on my phone with headphones. I have an arm band for the ipod, but for now I am sticking my phone in the tiny pocket in my running shorts, which gets the phone wet from my sweating!) do I carry some energy things with me for the longer runs, and talking while running when I'm with friends.

I was supposed to run 12 miles last Saturday but was in a bit of a funk, and ended up only running/ walking 6. This weekend it's back down to 10. I'll go with that, and get 12 the following weekend. That's the farthest this training plan has us go.

So here's to a little more time come a month, but only briefly, because I'll need to train to run 26.2 miles soon enough!

May

2010-07-28T06:55:00.002-04:00

Back in May, Caed "graduated" from his little preschool! The program is run for 2 + 3's as to not interfere with many children moving to schools at 4. (it's easier to get into a school you want to get into at 3+4 rather then waiting until kindergarten) Myself and 3 other mom's started the school 2 years ago, and it's going strong! We are so thankful for a place to have our kids at and where we can be involved. Unfortunately since there is demand on the space, we are limited to meeting only 2 mornings a week. (we meet at our church's coffeehouses' basement, where they currently hold 5 services a weekend) I am going to stay involved this year that I have no kids there, and we'll be back once the twins are 2! Yay!

Next year Caed is going to a charter school nearby. It has a Spanish and French immersion program. You pick the language. We picked french (of course!) and I am looking forward to getting involved in this new community....Here's my sweet boy, getting so big! We are so proud at how much he's grown and learned! Thanks in part to his sweet teacher, we're so happy she's there! (we didn't have a teacher the first year, and this year we do, and will keep her!)

guess I haen't posted in awhile..

2010-07-26T16:10:00.002-04:00

Man...i have wanted to post in the last month and a half...I have many excuses why I'm not documenting a single thing.

1) some guilt that I have over non organized photos on my machine and the photos I owe people on our shard machine downstairs have kept me away...

2)Twins are down to one nap, leaving valuable bogging time to nothing. I barely have time to get the stuff done during the one afternoon nap from everyone.

3) Twins are both walking!

4) I have been training for a half marathon in September. This is HARD WORK. I do my long runs Saturday mornings, at the crack of dawn, leaving my tired in the evenings. But proud of the fact that I am training. (thanks to sisters for some motivation to actually do this!)

5) I have three kids

6) it's hot out, but despite that I get the kids out as much as possible.

7) I like to read other people's interesting blogs through my google reader then come over to my blog and pretend I've got some interesting documenting going on.

8) some more guilt over not blogging people's birthdays, anniversaries, milestones...

9) I can't blog from my pre. I need an app that lets me blog from my phone.

10) I will be back...I got those photos organized, and I'll be burning two discs soon. I have to.

a day at the arboretum

2010-06-15T20:57:00.003-04:00

One day my friend and I decided to take the kids and meet their friends at the National Arboretum. It's beautiful there, and there were going to be kiddos and bikes and picnicking...

To say getting C to pedal is a test of patience is an understatement.

To say that it required composure of the greatest kind would not reach far enough.....

We made it. I can't remember how we made it from the parking lot to the columns, but we did, and that's all that matters now. I refuse to take the trike out since, until I get a new pole to help push him along. Something happened to our other one and I think it had to do with the construction and the cleaning up, and the guy who wasn't so careful with the throwing out. grrr. Anyway. We had a lovely time. The day was beautiful. The twins did mostly okay but "lunching" on a blanket is fruitless. I always try, but they do better when strapped into their car seats.

Theron didn't venture too far. He didn't like getting far from the blanket.

Aldan's hair is extremely light and with the nice wind blowing...it ended up looking like George McFly from Back to the Future. Ha. Didn't know I could pull that out of my memory.

Here are the columns...and we can go play in them any time we want. We are lucky! (next time I'll park at the lot right behind them and walk the kids across...may save the whole day that way.)

And we went before they filled this fountain...it was filled with nasty water which the kids stayed out of, until they didn't. Now this fountain is all pretty and clean. too bad we were a little early.

I might as well

2010-06-14T21:29:00.004-04:00

just keep going with the old posts...not even sure if I posted Easter at all, and I'm not willing to go back and check and risk never actually posting some of these memories.

After Aldan and Theron's birthday party on Saturday, Sunday was Easter! I didn't have enough time to plan through the two celebrations and our good friends invited us over.

We had a yummy brunch, the twins napped through, and C and A had an Easter egg hunt in the yard. It was so sweet watching them look together, I hope some of these things are memories that C keeps for a good while.

They made over a pound of bacon, and we ate it all! Yummy!

We are so happy to have the opportunity to celebrate these times with friends, who are generous in opening their home up to our family of 5!

There isn't anything C wouldn't do to spend time time with A. He wakes up most mornings asking to play with her. And although most days we don't have a plan with her, it usually comes around to that...

I love A and how kind and generous she is to my son. She loves to play similarly to him, and she'll even get him wrestling, and it's usually C who wants to stop first! The thing is A is so sweet, and girly...you'd never guess it running into her on the street. What a good match for C. I remember one of my first conversations with her mom at our mom's group through our church. I told her an easier way to get to the group from where she lived. Their family lived closer to me then some of the other families, and so I was excited to connect. But we were both hesitant at the time. It wasn't instantaneous. But it's awesome to see how it's all fit so nicely. Now they are expecting another, and I can't wait to meet the new babe at all! So lucky to get to share life with them!

We like to party!

2010-06-14T07:31:00.004-04:00

Back in March when the twins turned one, we had I think 3 parties for them. One with Jon's parents, one with my family who came to visit (and get sick! :)), and one with their "friends"! Whew!

All the parties were so much fun, and I felt really excited too! It was certainly the best way to celebrate getting through that first year! I still can't believe we have twins! Aldan and Theron are such characters....all these boys will keep us busy for the rest of our lives! I think it's fun that they get to celebrate turning another year older with each other, how fun to have a partner in life like that for the rest of your life!

So for the party with their friends (read, Caed's friends with younger siblings :)) My family helped me prepare the details. My mom and sisters had been here the week earlier and were heading home be back for Easter- so it was great to have their help. I wouldn't have been able to have the nice finishing touches if it weren't for them, and what's a themed party without finishing touches?! It turned out to be the perfect day for celebrating and grilling outside too! What a blessing, because all those kids would not have fit inside our house!!

So it was a Monkey theme, Martha Stewart has some good ideas for the theme, and I went with some of my own.

The goodie bags- brown bags filled with a monkey washcloth, soap, barrel of monkeys key chain (not suitable for little kids at all), banana & banana cookies. Kik did the outside of the bag nice and simple- so glad to have had her input, I was starting on a much more complex design that would not have turned out so nicely!

My mom spent a decent amount of time putting these adorable cups together. She cut out and glued all these pieces onto the brown cups! Aren't they adorable? It looked like an army of monkeys when put together. And actually, I think they were a bit too cute. People didn't end up drinking out of them because you didn't want to ruin them of course!

My first ever attempt at a cake design other then rectangle! Did you know you could bake in a Pyrex bowl? I can't believe this thing turned out half as good as it did...I had low expectations.

and here are the birthday boys....we love you Aldan and Theron!

So at their birthday Aldan and Theron were not walking...Aldan was closest, and luckily Theron made it to crawling before his 1st birthday!

And their stats at 1-

Aldan: 25 lbs 13oz 31 1/4"

Theron: 26lbs 14.5oz 31 1/4"

two pounds difference and same length...now that's fluctuated of course, and when we were in the ER (yes...pneumonia two weeks ago) Aldan weighed more then Theron. So you just can't tell at this point...

I'll be playing a little catch up with more up to date things...man it's amazing how when the twins go down for only one nap a day it takes away the extra free time to blog!

College roomie vacay!

2010-05-17T13:51:00.002-04:00

My college roommate, Janet, who I was placed with randomly our first year became my roomie all 4 years- on and off campus. We got together in williamsburg a month ago! We had a great time- They have two girls, and she's pregnant with a 3rd, which will be a surprise what it is until the birth. All the kids got along and we really had a great time. We did family stuff together, the guys golfed one day and we got pedicures. It really was so much fun. We even got to see another roomie of ours too! I miss them so much!

The Woof clan on the boat:

Jon and I had to take turns since we couldn't bring the stroller on board, so here's me with Caed:

Haley and Caed in the burned out boat:

fun jamestown stuff...

C in the gear!

holy gimoly!

2010-05-10T23:50:00.002-04:00

I found this picture tonight. I usually blog from my netbook, and tonight I am working on some photos I recently took and so I'm on my desktop. I ran into this picture....38 weeks....wow. I thought I would have delivered by then.....but no. Delivered at 39 weeks, so here you have it...it doesn't help my shirt doesn't fit over my belly either...

Birthdays

2010-05-08T22:17:00.004-04:00

Today is my dad's birthday- he would have been 68. I went and visited his "spot" with the three kids and took a picture, I did it because I know the rest of my family would have liked to do it if they could have. Tonight Caed asked why we didn't have a cake! We should have, next year I think we'll celebrate his birthday with cake, maybe small personal square cakes because my dad liked the corner pieces of cake! Yum, I'm hungry thinking about it! Here's to next year.

nearly 1 month ago my Nana turned 90!! I didn't do a post because I was in the middle of getting my computer returned and trying to catch up on all things with the hulabaloo around the twins turning 1! Although we couldn't make the celebration, we were celebrating in our hearts with her! (which hers is going strong, thankherverymuch!) I value all the conversations and time spent with my Nana. She holds a very special place in my heart of course! If I had to choose the most valuable quality about her, it would be her faith in God. Growing up we had the opportunity of living with my Nana and Grampy for a bit- in that time I really got to live her faith, experience it. She's an incredible woman and knows the Bible back and forth (right Nana?) and has read it through so many times! One of things I loved was looking through her clothespins and finding my name. she wrote people's names on the clothespins and would pray for them as she hung out her laundry. (and there was a lot of laundry to be hung then with all of us together!) I value her faith also because it's laid such important roots for me. I so valued living and growing up in a Christian home, and it's because of her continuation on in her faith that has me believing and living it as well.

Happy very Belated Birthday! And here's to at least 10 more!!

At Christmastime:(where is my flash?)

oh there it is- too much!! She's holding Theron and I love that it appears that he's looking up at her.

And for Mother's Day sake, My mom and Nana with my mom's grandkids and some of Nana's great grandchildren. (taken Aug. 2009)

zoo

2010-05-05T00:04:00.003-04:00

i am going to skip ahead a little here, but I'll be going back. Just wanted to get these photos for family. I took the kids to the zoo all by myself and we had a great time, I even had time to take pictures! I napped the babies in the morning and got us all ready and then got them up changed them and put them in the car. We ate lunch there, and it was so cute to do together, they did really well! I didn't push it or have any expectations, and when I sensed reaching the end, we packed up and left. we'll be back!

One Year down and a lifetime to go!

2010-04-25T22:55:00.007-04:00

I can't believe one year went by and no blog about it at all.

I was a little thrown off as my computer was sent to be fixed before the 1 year warranty ran out. (it was one of a couple of gifts for birthing the twins) We had family in town and then we've been going ever since. So let's see if I can catch myself up.

One year (+) ago...

Aldan Douglas

Theron David

Jon and Auntie April getting ready to come into the OR. You have to deliver twins in the OR in case you need an emergency c-section at any point. Luckily I delivered them both naturally (with epidural). My Dr. also let me deliver on the bed and not on the OR table, which is not what they normally do! Can you imagine? Whew!

I have valued this year so much. I've seen my family, good friends, and neighbors come around us and support us. I've found some deep hidden strength to make it through the days, weeks and months (with the generous support of those that came in to help those first 4 months!). Making it through this first year with twins has felt like such an accomplishment, I can't stop pinching myself that we made it. I know I've said it many times, but we've been so blessed by these boys. The twins, although lots of work, have been fun. I'll be real here too- there have been some really hard times. This winter they seemed to struggle with ear infections and teeth acquiring. We were really sick for about a week after Thanksgiving, and that was REALLY difficult too. Nursing although now ended, was great, but a welcome relief to make it to a year and be done. I just never saw myself as a mom of twins. I love human dynamics. Watching families and friends and all sorts of dynamics that we encounter in life. So having twins has really brought up some interesting family dynamic issues. Do we treat the twins the same? Do we force something between them and Caed? How does our first born get a fair share with the dynamic of three immediate kids? Are we running a daycare now? and lots more!!

All of these things pass through my mind, and although I could read to my hearts content, I am sure, I don't. I would prefer to love these kids without a pretense of why I may be doing one thing or another. I want them to know that we treat situations differently- things weren't 'even' with me and my sisters, so I am not concerned about fair or even, just loving them and helping them grow into the men that God has created them to be. I think that will look different in each of them as they grow into their personalities.

It's been an experience to go from one kid to three. Our life feels so full, and well, our home, and car do too. At the seams to be exact. We can't take anyone home with us in the car, and our house occasionally sees a friends of Caed's to nap, but we wouldn't be able to have another kid in this house. (if it were up for discussion, which it is not) We are so excited to see how our lives unfold with Aldan and Theron in it. We love them so much and we're so happy to have them as our sons. We have a wild ride ahead of us I am sure. Back to reading Bringing Up Boys!

(for some reason I can't get more photos uploaded, and I've waited long enough to try to get this post up, so I'll try to add a photo of Aldan later!!)

so proud!

2010-04-10T22:21:00.002-04:00

My sister kik ran a 10k 3 weekends ago. This weekend my sister Heather did the biking part as part of a relay team in a duathalon (20 miles, super hilly!). (her husband did the whole thing today too)

so proud of them both. Kik is 40, Heather is 37. First races ever.

I "run" a 5K tomorrow if my tummy is feeling better. It won't be impressive, but it's a start. For me it's a mindset change to make health a priority. I don't care my weight number if I've got the energy and ability to chase these kids and my grandkids around one day.

Yay for sisters (working on April who's got asthma to do something too)!

(ps. I just got my computer back after being fixed, and I am so happy!)

funny kids

2010-03-28T22:35:00.003-04:00

today we had two particularly funny incidents with the kids.

First was Caed. I was walking around on my hands and knees with him on my back (like a horse) and I crawled into the kitchen. My knees killed me on the tiles. I told Caed to hold on, "i am old". He said "yeah, I know, you're going to die soon." Wow. What an encourager he is! I can't tell you how shocked I was over that comment!!

Second was the babies. I went to Target at naptime and Jon told me the twins were talking and laughing the whole two hours I was gone. When I called him on my way home, he said they had settled down but one of them was fussing. I said okay, but leave them up there (they haven't been napping well and I'm trying to get Theron to actually lay down and nap!). When I got home Theron was still fussing. i let it go on for a bit, but then decided to go in and get him. I went in and he was without pants. I quickly looked at Aldan, who was sleeping, and he was pantless too. I thought I saw the pants in Aldan's crib. I quickly left, with Theron pantless, and brought him downstairs. I asked Jon if he put them to sleep without pants (thinking they were too warm?). But he didn't. So all their laughing and jolly good time up there without napping produced two babies without pants, and their pants in Aldan's bed. I wish I had a video monitor, and could have seen that! How did they get their pants off (especially Theron who is less coordinated) and then decide Aldan needed them in his bed? Man, this kids are getting organized!

I guess there will be more of this stuff in the future- and I can't wait!

spam

2010-03-25T22:17:00.002-04:00

I just changed some of my blog settings, I was getting spammed with junk and I was sick of getting them! Sorry to you if you post a comment with anonymous setting and it won't let you anymore...stupid people who made me make the change...

on the move

2010-03-22T20:33:00.003-04:00

yup, Theron is on the move. He started crawling forward on Saturday...Sunday he didn't get much chance to practice, and today, he was crawling back and forth through the house, getting into all the 'first' trouble Aldan got into.

Whew, this kid made it before our 1 yr. appt. next week with the pediatrician, just in the nick of time!

Exciting times around here!

Early Birthday Celebration

2010-03-17T22:28:00.003-04:00

While Jon's parents were here we celebrated the Twins 1st birthday a little early. We had a great time. We took the family to the circus to kick off the festivities. That was exciting! We got in our seats (big apple circus- great seats all around!) and about 15 minutes after sitting in our seats, there was a nice big 'clunk'! That's a great feeling when you are 20-30 feet up in the air. We quickly, and not so easily, filed out- I was on the inside of the row with Aldan, Caed and the backpack. I tried to leave the backpack behind to just move quickly, but Caed was insistent on keeping our stuff with us. He freaked out, and so I had to try to appease him by grabbing the backpack too. It was the juggling act, and spooked us a little bit. We stayed to watch the rest of the show in new seats, but Caed was NOT happy! He kept asking to go home, go to the car, or go to the his stuffed animal kitty. We kept him in the fun with us, and he did relax by the time it was over, but it took the whole time for him to gear down. The twins did pretty good the whole time- there was lots to look at! I think it's a great thing to do with kids- it's easy for them to stay occupied, and it's entertaining for everyone...

We came home and we ate pizza, salad and I had made carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for the babies. Yum! They loved them (of course!) My sister April came, with boyfriend Tom (who partly saved the evening with feeding the babies all their dinner, so we could prep everything else!) and our good friend Katrina and daughter A- and of course Grammie, Grandpa and us. It was a fun evening, kids running everywhere and wrapping paper and presents strewn about...

It's so funny to teach this age kid how to unwrap a present...it's just not possible...but how quickly they start to understand what it means. i think of Caed now dying to unwrap gifts, it only took 3 years to get it, and it's lots of excitement from here on out for him!

and actually as soon as a present was unwrapped, the wrapping and ribbon became more fun to them anyhow. So I see how wrapping paper begins it's attraction to kids...

our friend Katrina bought these adorable shirts for the boys! LOVE THEM!!! (and now we can wear them 2 or 3 times officially) So excited to be celebrating this birthday with them!

I am looking forward to changing the babies seats around, no more jarred food, and soon their own mobility. It's nice they don't places quickly, but carrying them around is a real bummer. It makes it really hard to have twins! I need them to start to move upright, on their own.

Everyone always remarks how different they look- and they do look opposite! And they have opposite personalities (at this point). But wherever I go, I get lots of comments about having 3 boys, having twins, and how well we are doing (out and about). It's funny how expected those comments begin to be. Oh life...

We'll certainly have more celebration, and I'll post those too.

Dedication and fun

2010-03-14T09:05:00.004-04:00

We had the twins dedicated at church last Sunday. Despite the illness going around our house, we did it anyway! They were good because they were so dopey from being sick! We believe in dedicating the kids, not baptizing them, since baptism we believe should be a conscious choice by them. It was so sweet, the congregation prayed over us together, and we were reminded what a blessing these kids are to our family. It's so nice to do a dedication because it does keep parenthood in perspective. Our pastor usually holds the baby being dedicated, but since we had twins, and they are nearly a year old, we held them. (I made sure that Jon held Theron!)...just the continuing difference of having more then one baby at a time.

Our church meets in movie theaters in various locations around the city. We used to attend a service held at the theaters in Union Station, but the theaters closed there and so they moved the service to their only owned location- the coffeehouse around the corner. The basement is designed for services, and other functions and has always had a service on Saturday evenings there anyway. Anyway, so that's why it looks a little non conventional, there isn't much about it's appearances that is!

There are rare opportunities to get a whole family shot at this stage since the babies still don't stand on their own and need to be held...It makes it hard without getting in the ground with them, and well Jon doesn't like doing that too often...but we did get a couple, thanks April!

To beat the dinner time fussiness I often pull out a couple of pots and pans and some mixing spoons to distract them, it usually works for a little bit at least...and they seem to like doing it without fighting over the various pieces.

And we had a little fun with one of the leftover boxes. I put them in together and pushed them around, they are so cute, aren't they? What an amazing thing to look at them and think they are both ours! It fills my heart to get to love on these two babies. (and well we love the big brother extremely too, of course!)

What a week!

2010-03-12T23:34:00.002-05:00

Last week on went to the pediatrician on Friday, the twins were out of sorts. I had to take all three, and going to the pediatrician is a feat. I can't stroller them in because of front steps to the office, and small waiting room for double stroller. So on the advice of a friend, I bjorn one, hold one, and hope Caed listens to me while we walk on the sidewalk. (no crossing streets)

Theron was diagnosed with an ear infection. Aldan was chipper and fine. I have quite the dramatic experience trying to get the prescriptions filled, entailing the pharmacy worker telling me it would be an hour- I say okay and go get something for Caed and I to eat for lunch. I come back and prescription is not ready (at least they have a drive thru!) and it would be 2 hours! What are you kidding me? I have three children in the car for an hour already! I need them now. at that point the twins desperately needed a nap but i decided to stick it out because she had said an hour! I can't lug them all back out to the car to pick the scripts up later! I was getting a prescription for Amoxocillian and Albeuterol filled, doesn't that tell you anything?

Well we go through the weekend, the twins get dedicated (pics to come) while sick (Aldan def. has something at this point, but I only have Tylenol to give him since the Dr. didn't find anything on Friday) and they did well. We kept them out of nursery and in the service the whole time, so we wouldn't get any babies sick. Monday, kids are out of sorts, more so Aldan. So I make an appointment on Monday afternoon for Tuesday. Tuesday Caed wakes up with a bad cough. I decide to keep him home from "school". We all four go to the peds office again. Aldan has pneumonia. great. I mention Caed's cough, but she didn't look at him. Tuesday night Caed wakes up with Fever in night. Wednesday he wakes up with 103 fever. Man!

But I call Dr. about dosing for him for cough medicine, and I had Aldan's script filled and picked up by Jon on Tuesday night. Finally today, the whole day everyone seemed to be doing so much better!

My in laws arrived for a visit on Wednesday, and the kids have enjoyed having the extra sets of hands to hold and care for them. It's been a bit of a break for me since they can be entertained better now. I even got out today for a couple of hours to run around and do some errands, all by myself. My mother in law even folded all my laundry today- what a huge task!! And she fixed some holes in Caed's jeans that I'm hoping will get them some more wear out of them when the twins can fit in them!

We go to the circus tomorrow with our circus! We start the twins 1 yr. celebration! I am making homemade carrot cake cupcakes and we'll order pizza. Yummy! More celebration to come the week of their birthday too!

Before it warms up too much...

2010-03-08T11:20:00.002-05:00

Here are our snow pictures! I know a little late, but I've wanted to post pictures from the second or so storm...and I've got new pictures to post from the twins dedication!

Here is Caed next to our car on the snow:

We brought the twins out in it too:

Jon made a tunnel/cave for Caed:

Jon shoveling (one of many times!)

Caed's friend A borrowed his football helmet:

Horse Flys, Stink Bugs and Babies- Oh My!

2010-02-28T14:45:00.006-05:00

Since the blizzard, and hence an ever so slight warming trend, we have begun to see Horse Flies in our house. There were 4 in the basement and one upstairs in our back room. The kind that you find on the beach! I don't like them on the beach, but if I lived near the beach and had them I maybe wouldn't be so offended that they've taken residence in my house. Luckily they are a slow moving variety (maybe due to their appearance while it's still cold?) so it's easy to kill them. We've killed a couple of stink bugs too in various locations.

Bugs are not something I enjoy getting rid of in the house. I try to be brave for the kids' sake, but I fear it's not quite effective, as Caed screams every time he sees one. (this includes the ever present "spider cricket", which we haven't see much of lately) I still try to calm him down and remind him they aren't dragons, or something else quite as viscous as he makes them seem when he screams. I try to convince him he's supposed to like them and take them to play outside for his mom. It's been a tough sell. even the "take the bug back to his mommy" doesn't work.

Aldan and Theron are mostly 11 months old today (darn short month!). I have been trying to figure out how to officially celebrate their birthday next month. They will be 1, so they won't remember it, but I feel as though I need to celebrate for us. The blessing it's been to have them, and how we've really be blessed by others as a result of their birth. I'm still thinking it through....it's been amazing to have made it this far.

I started weaning them a little earlier them I thought I would, but I am ready. I can't believe I nursed them both for quite so long. When I am presented with a challenge like that, I usually want to overcome it, or back way down. I was up to do it. I committed and there was never a second thought- I wanted to get through most of the winter with nursing them, and I did. Whew! Now to gain a little more independence. I will also be gaining a bunch of time I hope. Right now, nursing two, dressing two, changing two, preparing food for two, feeding two, getting two cleaned up, changed again, and put down for naps/bed takes a lot more time then I give it credit. Cutting out nursing will hopefully give me the chance to squeeze in a clean up of some sort, or working on something developmentally with them instead. I usually run around during their nap times trying to catch up on everything around here...and I still have a 3 yr. old to give attention to and help. I hardly get the chance to blog or e-mail, one because they don't nurse as long, so I don't sit with the computer, and two because since they are more mobile, I need to chase after them, or they are pulling on me....it's just this stage. I am okay with that- but I am trying to be patient and enjoying this for this time in our life.

The babies are lots of fun, laughing a lot and making tons of messes around here. And I am laughing with them, and going around cleaning up after them. Rado helps occasionally too. Our furniture will need to be replaced after this stage. We wrongly chose a non-busy fabric and well everything shows up, even where we clean shows up....Caed has been playing with Aldan a lot lately too, running after him- getting him to chase him...and well Theron just cries to play along. He's still not moving- much. He will spin himself around, and scoot a bit, but he's pretty much left in Aldan's dust. I try to make up for it, but I do want him to be frustrated so it motivates him to move himself. I try to balance it.

It is amazing how two kids, fraternal twins, can be so different. They both do things in such different ways. I love comparing their differences because they are so obvious right now. Theron turns the pages of the books. Aldan will touch those touch and feel books, Theron won't. Aldan moves around, Theron doesn't. They are both offered the same food, and yet Theron is solid and Aldan is "squishy". It's fascinating...

Happy Birthday to my Valentine!

2010-02-14T11:38:00.002-05:00

Jon's Birthday is February 13. It's always tricky for me to plan for both his birthday and Valentine's Day- I usually end up realizing I didn't think both "holidays" through. Nonetheless, I am so lucky to get to celebrate his life and our love so close together!

As I wrote about just a few posts earlier, i am so thankful for Jonathan as my husband, he's such a wonderful partner for me. He is sensitive and kind, loving and generous (when he's not being frugal) funny and supportive.

Although I woke up cranky this morning (that happens when you stay up way to late watching the Olympics!) he still is making the best of it! He bought me 2 dozen roses, took us out for breakfast (my favorite meal!) at IHOP (yes, all 5 of us, only for the second time since the twins have been born) and planned for me to go get a manicure/pedicure today. I love this man!

I decorated the house and planned to make a pot roast for dinner. I am thoughtful aren't I? See, I come up short somewhere...but yesterday for his birthday I had presents for him, I made a special meal of NY strip steak (grass fed) flounder stuffed with crab meat (trader joes) mashed potatoes and steamed carrots. I also made a Black Forest cake (his family tradition) mostly from scratch too. He got out for some father/son haircuts and a few errands to make his day complete. (I actually would love to run errands all afternoon with just Caed- how easy, and what a joy!)

Happy (belated) Birthday and I love you!

Do we like all the snow?

2010-02-06T19:35:00.003-05:00

Yes! We love all the snow!! (don't ask Jon, he's the one shoveling it all!) Now back to our light show put on by Caed in our living room. He's got all the lights out and our camping lantern on, dancing and singing around. His brothers love it.

midnight blizzard

2010-02-06T00:12:00.005-05:00

i went out and took my tripod out for some photos tonight of the blizzard...it was VERY cold and windy. But I love taking photos like that. Wish I was brave enough to take a walk around my block, i wasn't wearing snow pants though so I didn't want to be caught freezing cold and sopping wet! Caed is going to love it tomorrow!

facts

2010-02-05T15:51:00.002-05:00

Some facts so I don't forget.

Started nursing the twins separately after Thanksgiving- they were 8 mo. old. I am probably going to wean them at the end of February.

They eat so much variety, even now at 10 months. I never gave Caed grapes until much later, but I find if I cut them up small, I can give them to they with no problems. Thanks to a good friend of mine who has a baby only 2 weeks older and she gives him everything too, it's helped me broaden my options. (thanks nina!)

Caed will take himself potty, flush and wash his hands all by himself- and pulling up his own underwear and pants (finally!) this has helped tremendously. His communication has grown so much lately, and that's help the general workings of our day....he will keep himself busy with drawing and play-doh or lots of pretend play with his trucks. Or on those days he ends up watching the movie "UP" three times and then at bedtime tells his dad he's "going to rip him like a library book" (yes he did say that!) and we center our TV/Movie views habits back to minimal.

While Theron still doesn't get around, Aldan is making up for it. I have a feeling Theron is going to do some sort of other type of scooting though- and soon. He's getting frustrated and will rock himself back and forth so much that he finally can turn himself or propel himself in a direction...so he's getting there, i just hope he "hones" his type soon, it's very funny looking! Theron just got two more teeth finally, but he keeps up with Aldan no problem. They are both drooling hounds lately...Theron listens to books much more patiently then Aldan.

The two of them have started talking and laughing at the beginning or end of nap time- it's too cute. I hope to somehow foster the same sort of thing for Caed- maybe all three should share a room....hmmm...

I just took on a small graphics project. I think I am regretting it. Nothing else will get done around here since I only have small windows of time, and I'll need to them to do the work and communicate with the client. Good thing it's a weekend and Jon can pitch in...

10 months

2010-01-31T21:54:00.002-05:00

We've made it another month...looking at these pictures gets me all teary! Amazing. Amazing that we've been so blessed with these monkeys.

Yup, it's pretty hard to keep Aldan still..

Caed asked to get into the photos...that was really funny...

My joy runeth over!

Morning

2010-01-31T00:23:00.003-05:00

This morning I snapped a few shots of the kids. I have not taken my camera out since Christmas! My mom was here a whole week, and my sister and her fam came to visit- I didn't snap a single shot! What is wrong with me? I couldn't help but be in love with my babies this morning! I sent Jon off to the gym alone, thinking I'd get there after he came back...I was feeling too tired to motivate the whole family. The kids were apparently too! Caed slept until 8, Aldan until 8:30 and Theron woke up at 9:15! It was a lazy morning for me, in terms of getting myself ready. When Jon returned the roads were just too slippery to get out- and there had been no plows or salt trucks that had gone by yet. So i stayed in.

Don't these kids look totally different? Amazing they are twins!

When enough snow had fallen I let Caed get bundled up and go outside to play. He loved it. Stayed out there nearly and hour by himself in the back yard. He was playing with Rado and throwing the ball to him too. So cute, my boy and his dog! (love it!) Although the other day driving in the car, we had been quiet and Caed blurted out "got it". I asked him what he was talking about, and he said. "I have a plan. We'll give Rado to MB (former owners) and then we can get a cat!" I told him Rado wasn't going anywhere....and we could get a cat when we got a bigger house. He immediately asked if we could move. I told him no. The kid desperately wants a cat. It was really cute that he was devising a way to get a cat while riding in the back seat....but he loves Rado, so it was a strange request!

I also recently found a way to get him to drink orange juice! Give it to him in a cup with a twisty straw....and BAM! it's all gone! See, kids just need to have things presented to them in different ways, and they will feel differently about anything....now he's getting his vitamin c! (we drink OJ with Lots of Pulp, so it's not easily drinkable in a sippy cup) Here he is with his second breakfast. He was hungry this morning....

Theron's been a little clingy lately, which is hard with twins..both babies usually demand some of your attention, and when one wants to be on your hip....well i am thankful I've got a husband to hold one too. this morning, Jon was getting ready to head out- and theron looks slightly drugged. He wasn't, but I liked jon's smile (and tired eyes) in this photo.

Aldan's my mover....and here he is perfecting his sitting from standing...a difficult task to master of course. He usually plops to the ground...I work on very little with these guys, and while it's worked for Aldan, I've started helping Theron out with getting around- he'll be a little happier when he can join the fun by his own choice.

I am so blessed by these boys. Now to get some sleep so I can keep up with them in the morning- and motivate us out the door to church!

Back.

2010-01-25T23:52:00.000-05:00

Not a bad post to have left up for three weeks, but it's time to change...(although I don't like change too much)

It's been tough getting back into the routine since coming back from Myrtle Beach. coming back was a lot of work. There was never ending laundry, and I mean for real. Besides, I've realized that in one single day my family can produce one load of laundry for the most part. So I just couldn't get on top of it. I did something everyday that kept me from just being home and unwinding. We had to take down Christmas and then one of my childhood best friends came for a visit. She stayed with us one night, and then a last minute stayed two. My mom came in the following Thursday and leaves tomorrow. (luckily she's been helping me keep up with the laundry)

We tried the gym out for the first time as a family the second Saturday we were back. It was really good, and great for me to see the work required to do it too. I was glad to do the first time with Jon. I went once by myself, and we've gone again as a family.

Now school has started back for Caed, this week is already his third week. Last week I had to be in the classroom, so that means up and at 'em early for me. I've got to get out the door by 7:30. think it's possible? It's not, that's why I was calling the teacher both days to tell her I was running behind. Luckily the tasks at that early hour are relatively easy to do since it's my second year...seriously, traveling with rush hour is no easy feat in addition to trying to get all the necessary arrangements. I have a list of everything that I need to do on those mornings- including what I want to feed Caed and myself for breakfast- and I didn't actually get to eat either morning even with my carefully thought out plans! How is it you get yourself ready, and three kids (okay really only one, I was just nursing the twins and leaving everything else for my mom to do both these mornings.) to do anything early? I don't think i ever see a solution. Maybe once the twins are 2 and they are doing more on their own...who knows...

Aldan has seven teeth- and is crawling all around the house now. And he says Uh-Oh all the time. It's incredibly cute. He's got this spiky hair that just isn't tameable. I love it. He wants to be on the go all the time! He's got a smile that lights up every corner of my being!

Theron, well he likes to do things on his own time. He's quite content to sit and watch. My mom has been giving him tons of tummy time though, and he's finally moved up to scooting backwards! The pediatrician will be proud! He's so cute though just happy as can be sitting and watching us and playing with his toys until he's hungry or tired...he loves to lean in for a kiss and have you snuggle him!

Caed is seeing the benefits of his brothers all the time, and he's getting better at engaging them too. I love this. the other night he was cracking Theron up in the car....oh boy, that sound was amazing...i didn't want to get out of the car! He also is showing more of an attention span for longer books, and is getting more and more out of our conversations and book reading. He's become a big helper too- pretty much whatever I ask him to get, he'll run and get it...that's a huge help!

We'll be back in the swing of things in a couple of days...sad to see my mom go tomorrow- but thankful she was here so I could have my days in the classroom, and go to the dentist, and the doctor (for a general physical)- I wouldn't have been able to do it as easily without her....

my heart.

2009-12-30T15:40:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I don't do a good job of being grateful on a moment to moment basis. Overall I am grateful for what I have in my life- but on days when babies are sick, toddler hasn't napped, I am short on sleep, and then Jon comes in the house an hour late, I forget how thankful I really am. In fact I probably sound extremely selfish. And I struggle to remain calm and in control. Perfection hasn't been my strong suit. But I am a work in progress. I could elaborate on this further, but I'll get to my point.

This Christmas I wasn't feeling particularly needy for anything. I don't know if it's because I feel such satisfaction over my family right now- or because my birthday was just a month ago, or I was so happy with what I was giving this year, but I couldn't think of anything that I really would want. I LOVED what we gave Caed, and I was so happy I was getting to see my mom, grandmother, aunt, and sister and her hubby. I also loved that I gave Jon his first tickets to an NFL game. I arranged with his brother and he flew in to go with him!

Jon was planning something for me. I didn't know what it could be because I didn't know of anything I wanted! I was thinking if I had mentioned anything and I really couldn't think of anything. I mean, maybe some kitchen something here or there, or some new clothes- but it was obvious that he wasn't planning on getting me a crock pot or a new pair of jeans. The gifts were arriving by mail, and he had to go out and go to physical stores too. What could this be? I had happened upon a new CD that he got me, when he left it on top of the stereo. (it's up high and I typically don't look up there, but I had misplaced the checkbook and was searching everywhere!) So I only knew I was getting the new Switchfoot CD.

Christmas Eve he wrapped my gifts while i was putting the kids to bed. I came downstairs and there was a stack of 5 small-ish gifts. Tied together.

Christmas morning I was overjoyed to be with the family! The babies slept in, so we really got to watch Caed open his gifts. For those that are curious, we give each kid 3 gifts. Representing the three gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. Caed knows this. He gets three gifts- and all from mom and dad. Since he's been exposed to Santa, he thinks, and we direct his thinking, that Santa only fills our stockings. So if I have something outside the three gifts I want to give him and it's small, I'll stick it in the stocking- but I find it really helps me be intentional about the gifts we buy him- and we don't go overboard since we keep to the three gifts. I got this idea from another former roommate of mine, shauna. I don't know if she still does it- but that's where I got the idea for the three gifts. We bought Caed a small Wall-E figure, a Mack truck from the movie Cars, and a Woodland House Playmobil set (with a thousand small, cool pieces).

Jon then had me open my gifts- in order they were stacked. Gift 1- an Ipod nano. we had talked about me getting one before, but we always say it doesn't make sense right now with small children. I am not typically putting headphones in my ears at any point in the day. I need to hear them. But I LOVED the gift! Gift 2- TWO cd's! The switchfoot album I came across, and a Live Toby Mac album. Both are christian artists. LOVE it. Gift 3- a clothes box (yes!) a pair of workout pants and an arm band for the nano. How sweet. He wants to help me get back to running! Gift 4- another clothes box! Yes! Some more workout clothes and what is my METS key chain doing in there...with three cards attached to it....? A gym membership for me, with the kids enrolled in the childcare there!!! HOLY COW!! WOW. I was speechless. See- a gym membership with childcare is one of the only ways I could see me being able to get back into shape. I recently asked a friend if I could run with her, but she runs marathons...I am not in the shape to start back up with running with her. I need some warm up runs. And I don't think that I can leave early enough in the morning before the babies wake up. I just need some extra time with childcare. Gift 5- a beautiful book of historic Paris maps. Inside Jon wrote "Lauren, Thought you could use these to study up on the Paris Marathon course. Love you, Jonathan"

Grateful. I get tears in my eyes even as I write it again.

the gifts were more then the money spent on them. It was such a demonstration of Jon supporting a dream of mine. He cares for me, and the desires of my heart. Even when I show some ugly behavior and I am not the best person I should be- he still shows me how much he just knows my heart.

I want to run the Paris Marathon in 2011. That means I have to know by about Oct. 2010 if I can commit to it. That means I need to start working on it. Jon is supportive. It means a big trip but he wants me to follow through on it. I am so filled with gratitude to have him as my husband that for this week, and hopefully at least the next couple of weeks I can work on remembering this. No, really- to have this tangible thoughtfulness will be a reminder on those evenings I want to be short on patience and frustrated with him arriving home at the kids' bedtimes instead of at dinnertime. And hopefully getting some workouts will help alleviate some stress and tension too. :)

Again- I am so thankful. Thankful that when I was a junior in high school and still had my braces on (a total of 7 years, thank you!) and dyed my hair "red" (read: orange) he still decided to like me. That even though 5 years later he thought I might be a good girlfriend and I did not,he still pursued me. And when we dated those 5 years later while I was still in college, I finally knew we would get married. And even though we had COMPLETELY different upbringings, we had our faith as our common ground and it's kept us together and in love from then on. Thank you sweetheart! I am so thankful for you and how well you know me and what's on my heart!!

I just wanted to Blog this so that I share the good that happens when I maybe let the bad leak out too.

A week long visit!

2009-12-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

One of my former college roommates, Heidi Lyn, came for a visit at the beginning of November. We had such a great time. It was funny after the fact, to think about having a friend staying with her one year old daughter (and hubby came for the weekend) in my basement for a week. I felt like I was 16, and got to have a sleepover! They live in Seattle, so the trip was a welcomed one! The last time we saw them was when we went cabin camping in the Seattle area a little over two years ago.

I can't imagine traveling on a plane with three kids 3 and under- so I'm glad they came here for the trip. Their daughter Petra is so sweet. Having 4 kids in the house didn't mean lots of pictures, or well composed ones. So I have the few here....

On Saturday HL and Dan went on a morning date and headed downtown to see some sights, and then in the afternoon we all visited the American History Museum. Again on the metro with all three kids! It was so nice to have them here....we love getting to spend time with Petra too.

We stopped to eat with all the kids before we got to the museum- can you imagine finding space for 4 kids and 4 adults? It's tricky. Sometimes you have to fight for space!

Caed wasn't all that agreeable for the dads and kids picture...

While HL was here I took the kids on their first metro ride ever. We did it one day when Caed had to go to school, so it was my first trip with all three too! what fun and chaos we had. Finding all the elevators to get in and out of the metro...hysterical. And after we dropped Caed off at school we skipped nap and headed to the building museum in the cold rain! I can't believe it rained the whole week they were here...such is life- and well they are from Seattle, so they know they won't melt...

And the wrong angle gets such a bad view of the weight I need to still loose!! Oh well, worth posting anyway...

We miss you guys!

snow, I'll wash my hair with snow...

2009-12-20T00:05:00.004-05:00

My grandmother (yes, you Nana) always tells me that you don't have to take more then one picture of your house in the snow, because it will always look the same. I agree, but can't stop wanting to get pictures of all the beautiful clean white snow...

Here are some shots of the snow we got today...what a fun day! Jon took Caed out to sled in the morning, and I took him out in the late afternoon...and Caed had a great time trying to walk through it all. It tired him out too!

8 months

2009-12-06T23:18:00.003-05:00

I still haven't blogged my meager pictures from my former roommate's visit. I'll still get to it.

Here's a quick, albeit late, shot of the twins at 8 mo. We were super sick last week coming home after thanksgiving. The kind of sickness you want every 10 years. (how did we just have a terrible sickness less then 2 years ago? It was so terrible, I won't forget that one!) Anyway, I was impressed I got them both mostly similing.

and here's how they interact lately:

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-24T14:43:00.002-05:00

I am so thankful for my life and how rich it is. the Lord has truly blessed me.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! I am sure to have some cute photos. (besides I have the cutest ones from when HL and Petra were here..I still need to post those.)

Look who's moving...

2009-11-23T21:40:00.003-05:00

let's just say I'm glad Theron doesn't want to move too. Note to self to make sure children don't slip under furniture now. And you can be assured that Caed did pull his Kitty out of Aldan's hands without replacing it with another toy.

Have I mentioned how much i love this kid? He's a cutie.

Last week

2009-11-20T21:55:00.002-05:00

Last week one of my college roomies came for a visit! HL and her 1 yr. old daughter Petra. It was so much fun to have a friend stay with us for a whole week- I feel like I should have been 12- we stayed up late every night, and played hard all day. There were 4 kids in the house! (more on that later)

Aldan got three more teeth- all on top, and all at once. Aldan is now getting himself on his knees and he's scooting around a bit on the floor when he's on his stomach - moving backwards...the steps before moving forward...I think all he wants to do is practice moving. He's not happy just sitting and LOVES when you stand him up. When I try to sit him down he won't bend his knees and insists on standing.

Theron isn't doing much more then what he was. He loves to sit and play and shake and find toys in the bins next to him. It's so funny, but I watched him try to grab a toy that got too far out in front of him, and then he sat back up, and leaned the bin of toys over that was next to him, looked at it for a few seconds and then grabbed something. He was intentional about what he wanted to play with...i loved it. He loves books, and will sit there listening...at the end of reading the shortened board book version of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Theron gets a big smile. It's like he knows it's crazy all the letters fell out of the tree. He's loving our routine more and more.

Caed is understanding the family dynamic more all the time. It's harder to describe his development because it's a little more complex then crawling and laughing for the first time. He is doing really well and I am really intent on growing his relationship with his brothers these days. He tells us quite frequently that he Loves Us. And it's so sweet, but it really seems like he's saying it because he's grasping more and more how unconditional our love for him is. He'll say it after I discipline him too, which to me is so sweet. I have the oppurtunity to tell him how much I love him after I've had to do something I didn't want to! He likes school a lot and playing with his good friend Aliyah. We are thankful that he is able to develop friendships within our church. Hopefully wherever he ends up going to school next year these relationships will help bridge the transition.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. I know Caed gets the holidays more, and it will be fun to have two more babes to celebrate the holidays with. it will be especially nice to be able to see Jon's family and have them see the boys too.

Pictures to come....

They say it's your Birthday...

2009-11-18T09:22:00.003-05:00

Today is Mickey Mouse's Birthday!

It also happens to be shared with me. Caed and Jon baked a cake for me last night, and Jon's coming home early to cook dinner. (Shrimp fra Diablo) This morning Jon and Caed gave me my cards and birthday presents. Jon is taking me out to eat in Baltimore on Saturday to a dinner theater that is showing Irving Berlin's White Christmas! I am so excited about this because I LOVE that movie! I watch it during the holiday season and sing "sisters" with my sisters! The funny thing is just the other day I was singing my rendition with the words "brothers"! Jon said he thought I had come across the gift and that's why I was singing it- but I hadn't! He know me!

They also got me a gift card to McDonalds. Funny, huh? It's because I stop there all the time in the drive through to get one of their special coffees. Jon calls it my Starbucks. We don't have any other drive through coffee places as available as McDonalds....the funny thing is, I have one right around the corner from my house- but they don't make the special Cafe drinks there! I have to be intentional about going to one further away...it's probably good for me. Jon is also getting me a new phone- it's one I've wanted since the spring. I am REALLY excited about this. And the other gift to me today is that at 8am, I went to get the twins, and they were still sleeping!! so they slept until 8:45! A nice slow morning around here!

I am truly blessed!

Fun Stuff

2009-11-04T17:32:00.004-05:00

Well it's been a good week. The babies continue to grow and grow! It's so funny being out and about and people notice that I have two babies...kind of hesitant to ask me if their twins. I'm usually out without Caed- running my errands after I've dropped Caed at school on Tuesday and Thursdays. I've decided that going home to get them both down for naps is just too much work. I'd rather get out and do stuff, come home (or somewhere) and nurse the babies and head down to pick up Caed. I try to always mention that I have him too though- it seems sad to me to not mention him, my big boy!!

We bathe someone every night except Friday nights. That's the night I make a no bath night. then usually Caed gets cleaned on Saturday mornings, and the babies on Saturday night. Then that kind of creates a backlog on washing come Sunday, because we've got small group Sunday evenings, so no one gets washed again, and then I like to give Caed a bath the nights before he goes to school. So Babies don't get washed again until Tuesday evening. I guess I could bathe them Mondays at some point in the day, I just never feel up to it.

The twins eat twice a day, although i bounce back and forth with a third feeding. Right now I do a "lunch" and a "dinner" breakfast seems hard to add with getting Caed out to school- but I may try to commit to it. I don't know. I guess soon enough I'll be able to throw them pieces of things and they can get a morning "snack". It takes some time though to get them both settled to eat, and then clean and change two. Theron eats pretty neatly, but with Aldan sucking his thumb, he tends to get it everywhere because he likes to suck his thumb after every bite! So you can imagine what that means for spinach...green everywhere!!

They sleep mostly well. We've got them into a nice routine of three books and a song and you lay them down and walk out. I used to put Theron down first because he fusses some before falling asleep, but then I realized he fusses more when he sees the door open and shut when you come in with Aldan. So I've started putting Aldan down first.

That goes pretty well. They don't seem to really effect each other with crying. They do some when they are naturally close to being done with their nap- but it's okay. The situation works. This has always been a dread of mine, having to get two babies to sleep in the same room. Again, my friend Michelle encouraged me that they do get used to it, and it won't bother the other. So half the battle was in my own mind. Once I settled that out, then it seemed that they could do it!

Aldan (above) is a sweet sleeper. He's all cuddly, and loves his lovey. he cuddles the thing right up next to his face like he read some book about how to be the cutest baby ever while sleeping.

Theron is a good sleeper too, definitely more like Caed. It's fun to have the two be so distinctly different. We are so thankful for our kids. There aren't any pictures of Caed because I don't have any different ones then I've posted lately. These photos of the babies are from about a month ago.

Aldan is getting three more teeth! He's not been all that agreeable, and extremely drooly. Just helping him getting through this time, I wish they'd just pop through, they are so close- and I think that's what makes all the pain.

lying around

2009-11-04T07:36:00.002-05:00

if you leave something on the ground that is soft by any means, this is what happens..

Halloween costumes

2009-11-03T07:56:00.002-05:00

Not the most flattering photos....But the whole situation to get them out and dressed was quite a lot of work....and then to make sure they didn't cry the whole time...I just got the photos I could. And they were well behaved...

theron- our chili pepper

Aldan- Our Peapod

Caed- Our cowboy

7 months

2009-11-01T11:13:00.002-05:00

Has a whole 7 months gone by? Whew! I can't believe it. They are so much fun, and so much work! Took them to the pediatrician on Friday for their 7 mo. appt. Theron, on the right (in the red) is 23 lbs (they don't do length at this appt) and Aldan is 21 lbs. Funny they are exact weights, but yes, they were!

I have been feeding them lots and they have started to self feed Cheerios and other baby "puffs". They are sitting well, still a little tippy though. Theron babbles A LOT. They are smiling more at people other than us. They both have two bottom teeth.

keeping busy

2009-10-27T11:02:00.008-04:00

we are keeping busy, but who isn't? This past weekend was a rarity for me- I was busy every night! Friday I got together with some mom friends from Caed's school for games. Such fun! we actually only played one game, and then didn't finish because we started talking and enjoying ourselves...so nice. Didn't get home until 1am! Then Saturday morning, Jon and the twins let me sleep in until 9am! wow! The twins were in their bed until then! Then we had a fun Saturday evening at friend's of ours home. They have three older kids, and moved to a new house. We had a great time hanging with them- I lived with them when their 2nd kid was a baby and it was the last place I lived as a single woman! Then Sunday I helped a good friend of mine with a wedding she was photographing. Such fun, and HARD work! Yes, it is- all the gear to lug around, and different places to walk and get pictures at, she is a hard worker, and must be in good shape! I am feeling it still today! It was 8+ hours out of the house too, while Jon and auntie April took care of the kids and house. Jon did such a great job and was such a trooper! He had a good day too!

So that left yesterday as a little recuperation day. We took it easy and I did some cooking to catch up on all the food that was near to going bad. I made some meals and some food for the babies. I honestly didn't think I was going to make food for the babies this time around, but it's just too easy not to. Seriously. If we have a veggie or fruit I see we aren't going to get to, I steam it up, puree it in my food processor (with some/all of the liquid from steaming) and pour it into ice cube trays. So simple for me. I sometimes look online at different combinations people use, and then use that to guide my making as well. One company has some good combos, Happy Baby. They use Black Beans and Quinoa which i like adding to my babies food, so good for them! (i haven't added it to the twins yet because they are only 7 mo. old, I'll do it when they get a little older...)

This week we've got an extra Halloween dress up day for class on Thursday. So I really needed to make a decision about Caed's costume. I thought I was going to have him wear his Mr. Incredibles costume that I bought at Target last year, a couple days after Halloween for a steal, but he doesn't want to wear it. He's told me multiple times he wants to be a cowboy. I haven't reminded him he was one last year, so I don't know why he's choosing it again. But I decided to go for it, and today after dropping him off at school I went up to the thrift store and found a pair of cowboy boots. He didn't wear a pair last year, so I thought it might be a nice addition. I was proud of myself for doing it with the babies, and it was raining! We also went by the grocery store and picked a couple of things- another big step for me. I think I've only taken all three once with me, and I've taken the twins alone a couple of times. The more I do it, the easier it gets. I just try to be fast.

Well we've got the H1N1 flu mist to get today (Caed and I) and I'm a bit nervous. Hopefully we don't get sick because of it...

Jan's Photos of the twins

2009-10-14T22:23:00.003-04:00

I met with my friend Jan (who took our announcement photos) yesterday at the National Cathedral. She took some gorgeous shots of the twins (6 1/2 mo.). Love them, and I can't tell you how hard the boys were to work with...wouldn't laugh or smile, were wobbly with their sitting, and they were SUPER drooly. And Aldan was super dazed looking- and I still love the photos she got. I'm super impressed. www.janmichele.blogspot.com

camping photo album

2009-10-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

So there were a few more pictures that I wanted to post, just a few more then I thought...but that's okay. I wanted to make sure i got the pictures of inside our tent posted...it was quite the set up. The tent seemed to shrink as we started putting the stuff in- i remember jon and andrew harassing their parents for having such a large tent...and now we need it. we also used an air mattress for the first time...man, i love that thing! It makes sleeping so much better, we don't need to 'rough it' anymore- it's not like we're backpacking. gone are the days of all our gear being small and compact.

here's our family, the morning we left...(no showers and after packing up!)

The Jester's:

the whole gang!

Sleeping arrangements- our bed (air mattress, thank you!) see the blue pillow off to the right with the white blankets in the center? That's where Theron slept the second night...first night was mistakenly in our bed.

caed and pack and play. caed rolls off his bed roll and pillow and still somehow stays asleep on the rocks under the tent. Good thing he's three! We put blankets all around the pack and play because it was COLD! And it help minimize distractions. Alden slept like Rado- out!

here's caed (he still hadn't woken up)

investigating under the picnic table

at the tables. The two other families we went with set up the sites the day before we got there. It was smart. We had three sites, two of which were together, and one across the road. So they set up a tent across the road, and all the cooking was done there. Then the two tables were joined together and we ate one of the other sites across the road. It was smart because it kept the kids away from the fire and all the cooking when it was happening. we had 9 nine kids, so keeping them safe was important!

One of our meals, Mac and Cheese (yuM!)

BBQ Chicken (tons of it!)

Here's the cooking site- across where the minivan is, is where we ate, and our site is to the left.

the kids playing with bubbles:

Here are the Sandberg's:

Back in the saddle

2009-10-11T21:45:00.005-04:00

I love newborn baby feet!

okay, we've had a lot going on, but not much worthy of blogging or keeping much track of. at the same time, it's these times I want to remember too- so I kick myself for not getting anything up here...

Jon was away in Orlando and we had Amazing Auntie April to save us! She helped me out for a whole week! And really it's such a generous spirit that she did it in because she works at a daycare all day! She's with babies (3mo-1yr) from 8.30 until 5.30 all day- and then she came home and helped me with mine...I was so blessed with her here, I wish there was a reason to have her here all the time. She gave Caed some extra special time over on the field at the rec center (after work!) and then cared for the twins like only an Auntie can. She also helped me work on changing the nighttime routine. I have been really struggling with how we do it, and after a call with my friend Michelle, who has three kids, one of which is 2 mo. older then the twins, none of which are twins, she encouraged me to make the routine more simple. So we did! Now instead of rocking them and patting them and holding Theron's kicking legs down as he drifts to sleep, we've simplified! They get three stories, two songs, a prayer and kissed and laid in bed. There's some fussing, but not more then when we stay, and it doesn't last longer then 10 minutes. It's much easier to manage the routine now. I was so happy April was here to help me make the transition.

Caed has been doing really well- showing more affection to the babies, and laughing/playing with them more. He says the funniest things lately too. Today when we were leaving church we saw our pastor's daughter, who used to be one of the babysitters for our small group. Caed loves her- she's in 7th grade and she is really sweet. So I asked him if he wanted to say hi to her. He handed me the doughnut he was eating, and then asked me to wipe off his face from the frosting off the doughnut, before talking to her! Isn't that the sweetest thing ever? How did he know to want to make himself look presentable? Man. I love those sorts of things with kids. He's doing more and more on his own. And recently, yes, I'll admit it, he's been into trying to play my Nintendo DS. I have Mario Kart, and his cousin Chantz played it in the van on our way to Myrtle Beach. I am thinking he developed the instruction then. But he can actually complete a race. It's hysterical. And he's so proud of himself. I am trying to figure out the appropriate limits for a three year old playing a handheld video game now (!)- luckily we agree on one race, and then move on. Poor caed who can't do other advanced things because his mom is busy nursing/burping/changing two babies all day! I figure we'll make up for lost time once I've weaned them.

We are part of a small group at our church for parents. we meet at the church and enjoy dinner together, and then break off mom's and dad's separately, and the kids get watched by babysitters right there too. It's been a good experience. It's required some skillful planning and flexibility on our family's part since I'm still nursing, and well, since we have two babies. caed just goes with the flow.....I am happy to be doing something like this, because it's some regular care done for the babies by other people, maybe it will cut down on separation anxiety whenever that might come...(i can't imagine it with two- bleh!).

My one other thing is that I still need to make exercise a regular part of my routine. It's just so darn hard without a sitter and without the ability to push three in a jogger or without a gym membership. I had bought a jogger and was using it last summer, and then I found out I was pregnant and stopped my running. I do notice a difference just from taking a walk to the park. I have a double stroller (Phil and Ted) and use that to push the babies- and then Caed walks, but can and does sit on the footbed of the stroller from time to time. It's really nice when he doesn't want to walk up the hill, and so I'm pushing about 70 pounds up. Whew! I try hard to get him to walk as much as possible though...he's only walked the whole trip once or twice when I had our other double and there is no possible place for him to sit in that. On another personal note, I finished my first book since the babies were born! I was thrilled with that. Great book- My Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg Very good read- came out of her blog...www.orangette.blogspot.com- my sister's lead me to it.

the phil and ted in use in Myrtle Beach:

I border on saying how much I look forward to the holidays that run monthly right now. I am REALLY working on enjoying the days. But I am really thrilled to be at this time of year. I like the challenge of keeping it simple, but doing special and memorable things.

I've got the camping photos part deux coming soon!

first day..

2009-09-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

I am a little behind in posting his first day photo, but that's because I didn't think to take it until after he was in school, and not the cute photo at the door with his bag- and this photo was after we got home. Caed's enrolled in our little school through our church that we help start last year. He's really enjoying it, just two mornings a week- I can handle that and so can he! It's quite the rush around on those days, but it helps for the week to keep moving. caed's learning how to listen to his teacher, share and be respectful of others....(at least when I'm in the class I've noticed these things) he's really at a fun stage right now remembering things and using his imagination.

On another note, I started food with the babies, and they've eaten peas and carrots so far. I forgot how messy it is feeding babies with a spoon. Tonight I also tried bananas cut up in one of those mesh bag things. They loved that. It's amazing how quickly they pick up things now...I keep expecting them to have the same needs as they did when they were born, but amazingly they don't! they even are entertained a bit by themselves in the exersaucer and jumperoo. I am still having issues with putting them to sleep, and we've fallen into nursing to sleep at night, which I don't like to do. Time to break the habit next week. I want them to learn how to soothe themselves to sleep rather then use me. Oh, and Aldan appeared one Friday morning with two bottom teeth! They are growing up!!

Camping...

2009-09-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here's a small snippet from the famous camping trip...Little narration to keep it simple. I'll get to more descriptions and the pictures of the inside of our tent and our three campsites next...

We took the kids all for a walk around the lake and most of these pictures are from that...

(most of the kids, minus the twins)

Neighborhood

2009-09-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

We live in a great neighborhood. We love our neighbors and they really enjoy watching our family grow. We know everyone who lives on our block and then a lot of others around us. When we moved in we were intentional about introducing ourselves. We also wrote down people's names and where they lived or how we met them- we wanted them to know we knew who they were. We attended the neighborhood meetings. When we considered buying this house we came through the neighborhood during the day and night. We wanted to know what the block was like at all times. We saw nothing and neighbors all have been here for years and love it. There have been the things here and there that remind us that we are in an urban setting (like the full FBI raid on the house across the street!). Our neighborhood is composed of mostly retired African American former government employees. A lot of them served in Vietnam too. I only mention this to give you a sense of the "solid-ness" of the people here...and the picture that they love our little kids in a grandparent sort of way.

Every year there is a community day here, and it's at the rec center that is directly behind our house. We go over every year. And every year we're asked about 3 or 4 times if we are the "couple on the corner" or the couple "up around the hill". We're never asked if we're the couple directly behind the rec center, and we always explain where we live. They are surprised usually. (we've somehow snuck in 5 years ago!) This year we were only asked once. The man kept referring to us as another couple, but i think I finally described who we were accurately when I told him the names of our neighbors- who he knew (everyone has really lived here for forever!). Then he asked like most people do how we like the neighborhood. This year I just started off by saying that we've lived here for 5 years. We like it. It seems like a funny question to still be getting 5 years in. Imagine living someplace for 20 years, it's kind of that feeling...we are the neighborhood...we're not just experiencing it. Anyway, after we came home is when I finally realized that we are seriously asked the same round of questions every year. I wish that at some point it would end. I know they are just trying to be friendly, but rather then assume we are the other white couple then who we are, can't we just get asked where we live, before guessing the two other places those other couples live? I laugh at the situation every time. It's pretty obvious to me what their questions are implying...

We love our neighborhood. One of my prayers for our family and our kids is that we would be examples of generosity, kindness and our faith to our neighbors- no matter who they are.

a side story from the neighborhood party: a boy at the moon bounce asked me for an "air sip" of my soda that I was holding. He wanted me to pour my soda, and he would open his mouth for a sip without touching the can. Umm, no, yuck. I told him he didn't know me and that I wouldn't do that for him, besides my can was empty. yuck, yuck, yuck!

blogging

2009-09-16T09:00:00.002-04:00

I blog for lots of different reasons. I don't put any pressure on myself to have new entries on my blog, I just do it as I have thoughts and we have things going on around here. It's fun to sit down and write about the things that I have swirling around my head...

I then found this company that will make your Blog into a bound book. Ever since then I've been trying to blog things that I would find to be good memories and thoughts in a book for our family, in hopes that I will one day actually fork the money over and get my blog made into a book...so most things I don't mind being in this public space. I might have something to say that's useful to someone else- as other's blog's have been useful to me. But I have mostly been writing more recently with this book in mind. (except for my errors..which I'll just have to deal with since I don't have the time to review and rewrite my posts..)

On another note, I finally hit 300 posts with this one...had a little bit of slow go during our remodel and then after the birth of the twins...but looking to keep memories written down, and so I'll continue to blog with regularity.

Our Big Boy

2009-09-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

(i know, i know...)

I love the little noise caed makes when he's tired. He clutches his kitty and grits him teeth and makes a kind of humming noise. It's so funny, and he's been making it less and less and when I noticed that today it made me kind of sentimental.I love how he's been understanding more of what frustrates us, and how easily and "I'm sorry" or an "I love you" lighten the situation. especially when I am trying to get out the door and the babies are crying and he's not helping get himself out....he says in his sweet voice "mommy, I'm sorry" Man, I love this kid. He's learning how to be kind and generous and loves to make us laugh. I just want to continue to nurture his relationship with his younger brothers so that as a family we are able to enjoy this precious life that God has given us!

Myrtle Beach

2009-09-11T21:38:00.004-04:00

So my sister Heather was interested in getting back down to Myrtle Beach this summer. I was interested in getting to the beach at all, and then getting the kids down to see family. When Heather got the okay from her husband to go for the trip, she asked if I could come along. I was in for the trip too! My 89 year old nana lives there, and I desperately wanted to visit with my kids!

I was not underestimating the difficulty of the travel and trip as a whole. I luckily would be travelling with my sister who has two kids of her own and so flexible...and Jon had a work trip to Charleston that was coinciding with my week down in Myrtle Beach. So we were going to meet up and have a couple of days together as a family- then Jon would get to fly back home, and Heather and I would drive back. (lucky dog we had no room in the car!)

The trip down was great. We stopped when we had to, but it was all well timed- we were two moms, Heather's two kids and their German Shepherd, and my three kids. We were quite the caravan.

I ended up getting sick the beginning of the trip. Fever and just sick (i was scared it was going to be the flu). i did get some time on the beach, at my sister's pool and time with family....! It was difficult to haul around two babies, all their gear all the time, and Caed and his needs but there would have been no other way to do the trip. Jon and I had to change our plans for meeting up with him since I wasn't feeling well, but it worked out.

Caed was initially scared of the water, but I got in with him and whisked him around and he came to love it. Then he loved being swung around on the boogie board...he fell off and tumbled in the water a few times and still got up and asked for more! We brought the babies down to the beach one time (a lot of work!) and they chilled out in my sister's yellow sun shelter thing and we brought them to the pool too. The didn't sleep through the night the first night, but they did subsequent nights- and that's all a girl can ask for with the crazy schedule we kept.

Every member of my family helped me out! We had a great time overall....and i still can't believe we did it...so proud of us! We miss the beach...

At the beach, my feet in the sand of the ocean for the first time this year:

Loving boats at the water's edge:

Showing Caed it's fun!:

Playing in the waves:

Really having fun with the boogie board!:

Looking through the screen of the shelter at the twins:

MorMor (swedish for grandmother) 5 great grands and Nana (my mom):

MorMor with the 5 great grands (sorry I chose the wonky photo with my nana making a funny face):

Olivia and Caed dancing to the music at an area called Market Common, a new favorite place in Myrtle Beach:

Jon with the twins:

wow!

2009-09-07T17:13:00.002-04:00

we survived an 8 hour car trip to Myrtle Beach and a camping trip over Labor Day weekend. Fun stories and pics coming...first to unpack and wash the smoky smelling gear.

diapers

2009-08-31T18:07:00.002-04:00

back when i was pregnant with these boys, there was a diaper shower thrown for me. It was generous and a fun celebration...We received tons of diapers. The babies turn 5 months today and we haven't bought a diaper yet!! I am so thankful for all the generosity our family and friends showed us...what a treat to be provided for until this point!

dinner plates

2009-08-23T09:00:00.001-04:00

they shall remain nameless...

But it's funny. We had 6 plates. It wasn't the number we wanted, but it got us through visitors and daily meals. I had broken two others from our original set of 8. Then another got broken. It's funny how all of the sudden 5 plates isn't quite enough. It's funny that every time I open the door and there are no plates I think of one nameless person. It brings a smile to my face.

So we took out the back up stack in our hutch, and actually I like it a lot. We were given the set we're using from good friend's of ours for our wedding. the Butler's were SO thoughtful and got a replacement set of dishes that we used in our home, but my parents gave to them after one of our moves. So now we're using the set rather then pulling it out on nice occasions, and I like that.

I am just amazed that 5 plates couldn't cut it on a daily basis anymore for two adults and one child (he doesn't even use the china plates!).

The Blog World

2009-08-21T09:00:00.001-04:00

Right before Aldan and Theron were born I had read on another Bloggers blog that she was coming to DC.

We only came on her randomly through my sister Kik. I don't know her, other then her blog. But all my sisters (and me) and mom read and comment on her blog and we had a blogger friendship with her. She has the funniest stories, and writes pretty down to earth. She's a mom to three kids lives in the midwest, and shares about their travels, her children, her faith and just life in general. After my grandmother died we wrote her and asked her to keep us in her prayers. So this was someone who we all were comfortable with and she was comfortable with us, through this electronic world.

When I read she would be here shortly after the babies birth and my mom would be here. My sister had met bloggy friends before- so I suggested my mom try to meet her. I wasn't sure how it was going to work- I had newborns...but we worked it out, and her and her son came for a visit. Jon was a little skeptical about inviting a blog friend (how did we know she wasn't really a random truck driver coming after his family?) but I was pretty confident we'd have a good time. We did!

Picture above is my mom with Logziella*.

*not her real name

Summer

2009-08-20T09:00:00.002-04:00

My sister did this from another blogger, So i thought it was fun to think about...

Favorite Summer Movie: This year...i liked Slumdog Millionaire which we just saw- good underdog story..which I didn't know before watching..i could watch it a few more times...not about summer, but nice happy story.

Favorite Summer Cocktail: wish i had one....LI Wine (sally what was the name of that white wine we liked from peconic vineyards?)

Favorite Summer Song: This year I am loving that song from the movie Fireproof...John Waller "While I am waiting" but I love all sorts of songs (my husband loaded some Micheal Jackson in the car, and Caed loves to play the songs with "the drums" and that's been fun)

Favorite Summer Meal: Grilled Fish/ Shrimp (we've been doing that a lot lately), corn on the cob, salad and ice cream

Favorite Summer Outfit: At this point, anything that fits! (just being real here)

Favorite Summer Reading: ohh, bad confession, Shopaholic books- will read something with more value soon.

Favorite Summer Moment: Hmm, from this year...going out later then normal to take Caed to watch the fireworks with the babies and having a nice family evening, never imagined possible while pregnant with the twins...

Our Family from 4th of July to watch fireworks

(bad picture from 4th of July, but that happens when the entire human population doesn't know how to take a picture from the view finder of an SLR camera, instead of the back screen)

Living la vida loca..

2009-08-19T22:08:00.000-04:00

I wanted this to be part of a private e-mail to my roommates from my Liberty Days, but I couldn't find all their e-mail addresses in one spot, so I am making this public...and I thought it was funny enough..(maybe I'm wrong)

My roommates, all of them, no matter how long it's been since talking can pick right back up with our closeness...they rejoice with me and pray for me. I feel their friendship even though my daily life is spent with different people and no longer them. We are spread along the east coast- and soon to be around the country! This picture doesn't need any explanation to them.

Back at Liberty I loved Ricky. I even had this one dream with him in it (he came to visit me and any other details are lost, but it was clean!) and I really felt like I had met him. The dream was so realistic to me, I remember. So for one birthday my roommates left me a really nice gift from Ricky....although the gift wasn't as clean as my dream, those silly girls (I was really embarrassed and I think I have a picture of me blushing opening the gift)! They were really funny and it made me crack up.

So I saw today that Ricky is celebrating his own fraternal twins- he released a couple pictures of him with them...so what's the coincidence that we both have twins? And one seems to be blond, and the other dark...just like mine? I think it's a further bond (don't tell Jon, or the rest of my family! hehehe) between us.

Ladies, I can't believe you didn't see it before me!

Dress Up

2009-08-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

Caed has a mild interest in dressing up. So when he wants to, I like to help him really do it up! This particular morning was so funny, I had to get a picture! But it is hard to get a picture like this because Caed is really sensitive to someone possibly laughing at him. I told him I'd take his picture so he could see what he looked like, and that seemed to work. The outfit and tying the blanket was his idea....my little superhero!

our first overnight not at home

2009-08-17T09:00:00.001-04:00

I had been wondering how hard a night someplace else would be. Jon was going to be gone all day and night this one Wednesday, so I arranged to go to my sisters up in PA. I only went for one night, so that however it turned out, I wasn't gone for long. On the way up things went well. I got all the way there without a stop. While up there we did well too! The babies were a little fussy to put down, but they slept through the night- the only thing I wanted to see if they did. But on top of that, we had a great time! Caed loves his cousins. And C and O did so well with the babies. The way home was another story. I had bad timing. And the babies started crying and they wouldn't nod off to sleep. So I had to stop and nurse them both! Do you know how that goes when you have to feed 2, separately? Burp two, change two diapers...and make sure you feed them both enough? I was thinking I was going to stretch the diaper situation and not change them, but then they both had poop diapers!! It was hysterical. (not really, I was mad at myself for the bad timing.)

Here are some pics of the cuties:

4 months

2009-08-12T08:42:00.002-04:00

Not sure what's going on with the formatting here, but I am just going to write and post. It's kind of funky in the compose view.

The babies are now almost 5 months old, but this shall serve as their 4 month photo anyway... such cuties and everyday I look at Jon amazed we've got these three. I'm still kind of blown away that we had twins. Ah, I needed to be stretched this way.

Recently there has been a topic on a twins discussion board that I am part of about other's saying to families when they see the twins or multiples "you've got your hands full!". I've thought it was an interesting discussion and how if affects the older kids and the family when people say that- as if it's a 'burden' or it's nothing more then a blessing to have multiples- some have said that they say to people who say that "and we plan to have more!" or "what a blessing it is!". I love that. I do have my hands full of blessings, and it's tiring and takes extra thought on how to face certain situations (and a little more patience) but these little kids are so much fun. Starting to laugh at their big brother when he runs around acting crazy, and singing at the top of his lungs...trying to enjoy the days we're in and not waiting for the future...

Okay, stats. These babies come from families that don't have smallness in their genes.

Aldan 16 pds 8 oz. 27"

Theron 17 pds 11 oz. 27"

Yup, Theron (pronounced Theer-in, I do this because it looks like it should be pronounced with the 'o', but it's not) passed Aldan in weight. Theron is a little Caed...

(excuse anything that doesn't make sense, don't have time to read over, babies crying and C has a bug bite on his foot that apparently is chewing off his foot.)

Co

2009-08-08T12:34:00.007-04:00

my mom's younger sister, our "other mother", Auntie Co came to help me for the last week of official help.

I lined up 3 months of help after the twins were born. The first three months after Caed was born was the hardest for me. Mentally my world was changing. I was no longer only responsible for myself. I couldn't just head out to dinner with a friend. Jon and I had to plan when we wanted to go out.....all the things that changed kind of took adjustment for me. I don't think I was depressed, but I was certainly unsure of myself and the decision to bring children into the world after that. Luckily, three months went by and life started sinking in and melding together. Adding Caed had given our family a great new dynamic. Well I was worried about what bringing in twins was going to do, so when it was recommended to get help, i quickly tried to line it up. Oh it was so good to have the help- someone to help do laundry, cook, empty the dishwasher and keep the days from feeling so lonely. The help initially was survival. Do you know that statistically parents of multiples have a higher divorce rate? That sits at the back of my mind during our more stressful times. It's important for Jon and I to keep communicating. Do you know how hard it is to communicate with newborns- let alone twin newborns? Man, it's hard! Anyway- we were given such a gift to keep a lot of stresses low for us the first three months for the most part. The yard and home were kept running, as well as keeping the schedule. The middle of the nights were kept stress free too. We were thankful!

So Auntie Co came the last week...and we had FUN! Trips to Trader Joe's, IKEA (while she fed one of the boys a bottle!!), the zoo, and an amazing afternoon out just the two of us. Jon came home early and I got to go get my haircut!! Woo-Hoo!! I didn't get anything drastic done like I was thinking about, but it was so nice to get a mini break and get a little pampered. Jon did a feeding here at home (see he never backs down from a challenge!) and while Co was getting her hair finished up, I got to go to the bookstore and have a coffee and read parts of books (about parenting twins, of course!). It was such a nice time. We really had a blast together. She played with caed, setting up a mini construction site, read stories to him and helped keep him in line too. I was so thankful to have co here. She is a special part of our life and she is missed!

A lot of people ask Co and my mom if they are twins they are together...seriously, a lot. I've been there when they are and it's so funny. But my mom and her sister, when they are together are a lot of fun!! They make you laugh your head off- tell the funniest stories and are up for whatever adventure lays ahead. And I know that Co took the week with us as an adventure. She walked everywhere with us, and we had lots of fun treats. My sister Heather even came for the day and hung out when Co was here, what fun to have us altogether! We met up with AJ on her lunch break too. Everyone loves to be around when Co's there! We love you Auntie Co!

photos...

2009-08-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

I love photography. I have loved photos for a LONG time. I have a friend that I have known since the 4th grade. Debbie liked taking photos too. Early- and they were of everything, because as a kid you like to take pictures of your pool, your room and your cats, not necessarily things that you would put up in an art gallery. But I loved the idea of documenting life. I loved back then the anticipation of getting the images back on paper and looking through her photos. You remember you'd have to drop off your film and get them back 3-7 days later? I loved looking at pictures of our friends and the other random things she'd take pictures of. My older (not oldest) sister is 5 years older then me. When she was in High School she took a photography class and was able to develop her own black and white pictures. I remember this one cool picture that she took through the planks of our deck. The grain in the wood was so cool, and it just sticks out in my mind. When I got to High School, I took all the photography classes I could. I spent a lot of time in the dark room, developing my own pictures. I loved taking the film, loading it onto the reels- seeing the negatives develop and then loading them into negative sleeves and looking at them all, deciding what images might have turned out best. I loved buying the photo paper- and going into photo stores and trying different kinds of papers, and different sizes. Watching the images appear in the chemicals was magical. I created it. I could alter it. I LOVED it. I still miss that part of photography. If I could, I'd set up a darkroom in my house. We even have a boatload of darkroom supplies packed in boxes in my basement. If I could have it the way i want I'd go for it, but I have a family and put that on hold until it works. And for now I've been enjoying digital photography- but I was reluctant to use it. We went to France about 5 years ago and we took both my Minolta film camera, and the brand new Digital SLR we bought, because I couldn't imagine taking the photos completely on digital and not have negatives. enough about me.

Okay, all that to say. I wanted to contemplate taking my own photos of the boys for the announcement. I did. But I have a very talented friend, Jan, who offered to take her time to do it instead. Jan is professionally trained, so when she offered, I felt blessed. It's been so cool to see Jan's work develop since I've known her. She used to work on Capitol Hill and left her job to pursue her passion for photography full time. She's learned and developed so much- she does beautiful work. You can see blog here: http://www.janmichele.blogspot.com/ we spent two different attempts to get the photos, and it was stressful!! We used photos from when caed was 2-3 months old for his announcements so I was excited to get those newborn photos...but it was hard! We didn't get very many photos of just Aldan....he wouldn't sleep! When they are sleeping, you are supposed to be able to get them all pose-able...but that didn't happen...anyway- here are photos we didn't use for the announcement, I'll let her talent speak for itself...

Breaking the Law...

2009-08-01T13:21:00.002-04:00

So today I took Caed (and Rado) to the playground after my "workout". (Long walk, that I did pick up a little speed on twice) and he wanted to play on the bouncy spring-y motorcycle thing. You know that you can rock back in forth in? anyway, he wanted me to be included in this playtime by talking to me on the phone. He found a phone (small stick) for me and then told me to hold on. He got up on his motorcycle and starting "going" and then picked up his "phone" (toy fighter jet). rocking back and forth "hi mommy" "oh hi caed" realizing he's acting out what he sees "you know you shouldn't be driving while holding on to the phone, the police could pull you over. You see mom do that sometimes too, huh?" Quiet. "well mommy better work on that, but we can continue to pretend" DC has a hand free law and well I guess I better start obeying the law. So I am sorry to all of you who call me on my cell and I answer with my blue tooth that no one can hear me on. It's safer for me and the three kids too.

how adorable are two happy babies sitting in bumbo seats looking and "talking" to each other? VERY! Loving watching them interact and amuse each other for 2 seconds that I don't need to. I have a friend who uses this quote and I think about it ALL the time these days. "the years are short but the days are long". So true. They are 4 months old!

coping mechanisms

2009-07-30T13:57:00.002-04:00

so today I realized I have a little bit of a coping mechanism that I do.

My friend came over with her daughter, we took all the kids on a walk to the playground and then came home (it went well!!). Then I remembered I REALLY needed milk. I haven't done a grocery store trip with all three yet, and quite frankly it intimidates me. Jon and I went for the first time with all three this past weekend and it went okay- but doing it by myself is too much for me at this point. So luckily we do peapod and order our groceries online and have them delivered. Perfect for this mommy. Anyway. I really needed milk. I was thinking of the best way to have my friend help me. I offered for all of us to go there, park near each other and I run in with the kids in the car, and her watching them all. (my car doesn't fit more then my three kids, so we couldn't ride together) She offered to run there herself with her daughter, but I felt badly dragging her daughter into Safeway herself. So then I thought there's a 7-11 down the street, we can pay the premium one time- and so we agreed that me running down there without any kids was the best idea. So I ran to get the milk while she stayed back with all 4 kids. Now when I went into the 7-11 I grabbed the milk and quickly scanned the shop for anything else I might need. "Nope, we have bread and eggs- I don't need coffee....hmm, but I'll be "trapped" inside all day once I'm out of this store. What might I want later, when i can't leave. Chips? Yes! Chips! And how about a bottle of Coke? Yes! oh, do i want a chocolate bar too? No, I've got chocolate at home. Umm, how about a big bite? Maybe, but I don't think it's acceptable to walk back into my house with my friend watching my three kids, with a hot dog in hand. Unless, I came back with one for her......nah, I don't know if she likes hot dogs. Okay, milk, coke, and Doritos, check! Now I'll be happy with my afternoon when i want a treat."

See, my coping mechanism for not being able to get out easily is a junk food binge! I must promise to make my banana blueberry strawberry smoothie before I open the Doritos and coke!

Maybe I can resist them anyway.

Where we are at..

2009-07-21T15:40:00.003-04:00

So for the boy's three month appointment Jon offered to take the twins. It was generous of him so I didn't need to stress out the whole morning in the waiting room and then trying to decide if I should nurse them and all the other things that go through my head at the doctor's appointment. (we go to a sole practitioner who's great but also tends to start later then her first appointment.) So I don't have any stats because Jon didn't know they should get them every time, and they didn't do it for some reason. Basically they got their shots, asked my three questions and left. Probably the shortest easiest appointment ever. Oh well. Either Jon will offer to do it again because it was a good appointment or because of all my "encouragement" to get weighed and measured at the next appointment he won't.

Aldan now likes tummy time. Likes it so much he turns on his tummy for every bedtime. I can't make him stay on his back, and he's gotten too big for the sleep positioner. He's also found his thumb. VERY helpful when he's upset, he just sticks his hand up and in a very rigid way gets his thumb into his mouth. We tried pacifiers for a long time and I guess waiting for a paci when he's always got his thumb- works better for him. I don't look forward to weaning him off his thumb! I have family members who sucked thumb/fingers for a long time. They will remain nameless. Theron has yet to like tummy time, but he's more verbal. He'll chat at anyone and anything. He's in competition with his older brother. If you have all of Theron's attention and talk with him and repeat basic sounds over again, he loves it.

Caedmon still will choose the name Theron first when you ask him which brother is which. I wonder if other siblings of multiples have the same issue. He's doing great though as far as his attitude with them. He's still not really nurturing, but he's looking forward to playing with them. I have a friend who always talks about how the siblings will be best friends- and so I use that as my encouragement to him. "Caed, they are going to be your BEST friend!" We also have a book from Jon's Aunt that he LOVES about being a big brother. Caed has been hysterical lately- making up all sorts of stories and saying all sorts of funny phrases. I wish I was writing them down more often! He is definitely growing in leaps and bounds.

I am still really pretty strict with the schedule and for now it's working for us. The babies are sleeping- I still go back and forth with the best method to get them down- and for nap time with all three I am always changing how I do it. Basically, if I am good about getting the babies down for their nap at 12:30, then getting Caed down by himself becomes possible. But I keep doing it different so I haven't settled on the best method. It's hard to feel okay with the way I do it when I'm leaving one baby crying at some point. For the last 5 weeks Jon has been going to a bible study on Wednesday nights and I've been doing the whole nighttime routine myself. It's quite the routine to juggle.

Jon did take this past Sunday night and did it all himself too. He even had to do the last feeding at night. He survived! I am so thankful for a husband willing to get his hands dirty.

I also took the kids up to my sister's in PA for one night. I wanted to see what travelling with them is like and see how we would do for one night someplace else. They did okay, it took a little longer to put the twins down, but they finally went down and slept through the night! It was really nice to get away...and I'm happy I did it.

We are going to attempt a camping trip labor day weekend (what are we NUTS?!) with old friends and a trip at the end of august to MB, which came up unexpectedly...I'll be back with a post about my last week of official help.

We go to the 4 month appointment next week already!

Uncle Andrew and Auntie Sally

2009-07-16T21:59:00.000-04:00

We loved having Jon's brother and wife (that seems like a strange way to refer to a friend!) here for a whole week! We were so blessed by all their help. We had a great time celebrating Caed's 3rd Birthday when they were here too. Andrew and Sally made a great team. Uncle Andrew would play with Caed and hold the boys- and did stuff for Jon too- mowed the grass, weed whacked, and put out mulch around our yard, he fixed a nick in the wall that someone had recently caused- and I not only had him choose the wrong paint to begin with, but then no one caught he mistakenly painted the color around the corner too until much later! Oh man, that was a frustrating project. Anything that needed to be fixed around the house, he was willing to do. and it was a week "vacation" for him. Sally is a teacher and so she's got her summer's off. Rado got lots of good walks from Sally- and she helped bathe the babies, dress them, get them to sleep and help me stay on a routine. The biggest out of her comfort zone task she preformed? She changed her first (and many after) diaper. And not just wet ones, stinky poop ones! She was really a trooper, I was so thankful.

Whenever Andrew leaves, Caed always gives him such an honest good hug. He loves his Uncle. (and well his aunt too...!)

I know there is a lot more I could write about their help/visit, but as a mom of twin babies, my brain has turned to mush and this is what I got. thanks andrew and sally, we love you guys and miss you so much (and caed wantes to swim in your pool)

chinese manufacuring at its best

2009-07-09T21:00:00.000-04:00

We got this little piano for Caed for Christmas but didn't give it to him then, and gave it to him for his birthday. Some of this didn't make any sense at all, who let it on the boat for the U.S.? Can you see how hysterical this is? We were cracking up reading all the bizarre sentences..still cracking up looking at these pictures...

so cute

2009-07-07T13:22:00.002-04:00

today after i had nursed the twins, it was so adorable- I was holding Aldan upright for burping, and Theron was still laying on the nursing pillow- they started looking at each other and then Theron started smiling at Aldan. It was
a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e! I didn't get a picture of it, but wished i had. Then Theron started getting his fist in his mouth and Aldan started looking for his thumb (which he found the week Co was here- too cute too- although I'd rather he take a pacifier) it was like they were copying each other. Then Theron started his "talking" and Aldan made some sounds too! Aldan doesn't "talk" like Theron does, so I was really surprised. I love watching this interaction!

Grammie's Help

2009-07-06T21:00:00.000-04:00

We were fortunate to get Jon's parents help for some big chunks of time these past three months. they really helped fill in the gaps. Grammie was excellent at getting the boys to sleep in their bouncy seats (photo above bouncing them at the same time- what skill!)- i mean excellent. I think she could cast them into their deepest sleep because I could never get them to sleep so well. I don't have many pictures with her here because I think it's like the way it is with April- she was here so long i didn't rush to take the photos- I have the least photos with April too, even though she's here practically every weekend. Anyway- while grammie was here she cooked wonderful meals, occupied Caed and kept this house in order (dishes, laundry, feeding the dog, etc)! We even went out for a late dinner for the first time while she held the fort down with sleeping kids. Grammie was here then went home for about a week and came back with grandpa to celebrate caed's birthday. Grandpa helped Caed climb the willow tree for the first time! Caed loved it!

Thank you Grammie and Grandpa for all your love!

Happy July 4th!

2009-07-04T19:02:00.002-04:00

We had a great day. Friends over for brunch this morning and we're heading out to see fireworks in a little bit (wish us luck). Beautiful weather amazingly too! Thank you auntie april for the festive outfits!!

(yes, caed is holding an already exploded firecracker that he and Jon found on their walk around the block today. It's his "rocket")

a little back tracking...Memorial Day

2009-07-04T15:39:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day weekend we had old friends come for a visit. We love Tim and Dawn and their three boys! (their youngest is about 3 weeks older then the twins) I can't believe we have 6 boys between us! We met them for the museum in the morning, had a lot of fun, and had them over for a cookout, which turned indoors when it rained. We have known and been friends with Tim and Dawn since we were in high school. Dawn is a couple of school years apart from me and when she left for college i used to write her actual letters. I used to love getting her letters back, and that was mostly my motivation.

There are a bunch of us that married others in the youth group and so it's fun to get together and share our adult lives together too. We had an awesome youth pastor that really spoke into our lives. (he married Jon and I and was the reason for my minor in youth ministry) We all got to do and share life with each other in such a unique way that I think that's what brought out all the marriages!

anyway, we look forward to more fun with their family and their boys!

Happy Father's Day and Three Months

2009-06-30T08:22:00.002-04:00

Whew! We made it. The three month mark in my mind is a significant one. I had all my "help" completed by now and I feel like I can justifiably work on a routine and schedule with the babies. and looking forward in three month chunks just works for me.

The babies are doing well. we go for their appointment on Friday and I am anxious to see their weight gain. I don't dare say this too loudly, but they have been sleeping through the night for 2+ weeks. This involves an early morning wake up but I'll take it. But as a result of this sleeping through the night I tend to go to bed later since I think I won't have to wake up. That's become a problem because I am tired at 6am still! Not good! But without the middle of the night feedings i want to make sure they are still gaining like they should. They are a good size now, I just want to be assured. Theron has been doing a lot of talking which is adorable- and Aldan is practically ready to turn over (he likes to spin in circles on the floor). Big Brother Caed is doing well too- last night he actually wanted to help carry Theron with me! This is big. We've been reading a new book from Jon's Aunt Betsy called 'I'm A Big Brother' and he loves it. I think it's inspired him to recognize the babies are here. heheehe He still calls them both Theron when you ask who is who, which is really funny. But he knows Aldan's name.

I am afraid I'll need to stop nursing them both at the same time soon. They are getting so long that their legs and feet behind me are pushing me further and further to the edge of he couch. i am just not sure how to manage that- and I was hoping they would be a little quicker on the nursing before I had to change. So here's hoping the three month mark gets them to be a little more efficient. I can't imagine nursing for an hour at every sitting.

The picture above is from Father's day. We had a good day- we went to church in the morning and then went over to April's boyfriends parents house to cook out and swim in their pool. the water was a little cool for me (and I'm not ready for a bathing suit yet). Jon got to sit and glance over the newspaper too! We had Tom and April, auntie Co and myself to all watch the kids. auntie April bought the twins the adorable monkey swim suits, t-shirts and hats. We had a great meal that April and Tom put together for us! The night before I cooked a special father's day meal of crab stuffed fish (trader joes) and baked shrimp- steamed asparagus and baked potatoes. luckily my aunt co arrived just in time from Myrtle beach and helped me finish cooking the delicious meal!! (more on her visit later)

I am trying to get the babies down for naps in their beds, and yesterday I was successful! I need to keep going with it because it frees Caed and I up to do some fun things on the main floor without fear of waking the babies. It takes a lot of energy to get them both down though, so I am just forcing myself to do it.

Here's to the next three months!

caed turned 3!! and Happy Birthday to April!

2009-06-18T16:12:00.007-04:00

This past week Caed turned 3! What a big boy he's becoming. We are so blessed with him as the big brother in the family. He's been doing great, and learning what life is about when it's not all about him! It's a new phrase I've been teaching him- he's not the only one that lives in this house. I think it encompasses so much of who he's becoming and learning about. I've been a little worried that he's going to be bitter with his brother's since he doesn't get the same attention. But we have been taking this week to help him feel really special. We went on a Double Decker tour bus ride around DC on Saturday (so much fun and worth the money- in good weather!) Then had a family party on Monday and more to come this weekend. He's been so excited about all the fan fair he's waking up really early every morning this week!

Happy 3rd Birthday Caed!!

And today is Auntie April's birthday!! How fun to have their birthday's so close together! She's a great sister and Auntie and we hope she's had a great day today!!

Happy Birthday April!

today

2009-06-11T16:35:00.003-04:00

today I've had both babies napping upstairs twice!! this is a welcome thing for Caed who doesn't have to be quiet as a mouse EVERYWHERE in the house. I still need to work on getting them in the same room for nap time, but I am getting there. these two weeks have really helped to get me in order with these things. It also helps that although I had a week of full activities we've basically had them all fall through, which has had me at home more then I planned- but it's all been good. Tough when in the thick of it, but better once they are put to sleep at night.

Early in the week I had three nights of sleeping through until 6am! yay! Theron woke up the next two nights, the first night I fed them both anyway and last night I decided to let Aldan sleep and he slept through until 6am. This was a tip from a friend of mine who said that I shouldn't always feel compelled to wake the second. I tried that early on, but they only tagged teamed all night, but decided to try it again!

We set up the second crib, and I think I am ready to separate them tonight- although it makes me kind of sentimental. Already passing a milestone of sorts..

always busy!

2009-06-04T22:41:00.004-04:00

we've been busy!

our first two weeks on our own, to start off the beginning of month three has been good. The two weeks on my own actually is creating the ability to figure out how these babies want to do things, and how I can help create ways to assist them a little better. So they are tired- I can get them to sleep a couple of different ways, and work to be able to just lay them in their bed for a nap, so I don't have to take so much time all the time to get them to nap. I like the one on one time, but if Caed has a need or the other baby, I want them to be able to fall asleep with little protest in their own bed.

We also changed our nighttime routine. I am trying to get it down so that if I were all alone one night, I'd be able to do it myself (or Jon, or a babysitter (april)). I think it's pretty good and it takes the nursing to sleep out of the equation. Since the babies are so big, I am also looking forward to month three when I'll really wean them from the nighttime feeding. I think that will do a lot for my energy and sanity.

So now they still don't do much, lots of cooing- and tracking. They like the things that dangle in front of them on the bouncy seats now too and it will occupy them for an extra 2 minutes from time to time. I get big smiles from both kids and I have been including caed in some fun with the babies. We take these two rattle giraffes and a soft ball and play a sort of soccer together. It's usually when the babies are on the ground and from time to time they help us and either bat the ball with their hand or kick with their foot (i make them do it) they are quiet when we do this, and it gets caed playing with them. I am trying to be intentional about Caed including them, rather then just being frustrated with their crying (I just have cry-y babies!)

I took our first big outing without Jon or family this past week too. I went to the zoo with all three kids! Of course my good friend pushed caed around with her daughter the whole time- and my other mom friends were willing to hold and cuddle the boys at any point in time as well. So it wasn't really on my own- but it was fun to do, and it went well. I don't know if it would be possible to do it all on our own...Caed wouldn't be able to walk through the whole park.

there are still a couple of things I haven't figured out how to incorporate back into my life, like exercise. I know I don't need to really worry about it at this point, but I miss it. I can't do it in the morning because the babies (and Caed for that matter) aren't reliably sleeping to any normal time. Sometimes they fuss about 6am, sometimes later- and Jon has to get to work. At night I am so dang tired, I am falling asleep at 9:30! (i had an afternoon coffee today so that's why I'm still up now). I just can't seem to figure it in- and i really want to get back to running- the babies are also too small to run with them in the stroller now too..there are some other things I just tell myself I'll have to wait a little longer on too.

okay, now to the pictures:

today as I was about to nurse them they started getting frantic and tried to eat each other. It was hysterical.

I don't know what my camera setting was on, but thought this was funny, albeit blurry.

cheeky babies: (look at thier outfits, cute huh? thanks heather!)

they look like they are dancing- nope only about to throw a fit after all the pictures I was taking

for all the photos of just theron in that other post, here's some of aldan:

he does smile too!

car wash!! poor rado wanted to be involved too!

Caed loves helping his dad wash the cars!!

the sometimes necessary double hold- and jon does it well:

oh, here's the family a couple of weeks ago:

two months

2009-06-01T14:00:00.002-04:00

today i took the twins to their two month appointment.

they weigh the same! 13lb 7oz!

Aldan is an inch taller (the measurements aren't exactly scientific so this could be off ) at 24 1/2".

time to try to wean them off the middle of the night feedings! yay! (they started moving their wake up times to 1:30 and 5:30 so this is why i say feedings- plural) it's been rough lately.

Smiles!!

2009-05-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

We've been getting smiles from the boys! Theron is a little more predictable, and was the first to smile, so i was able to get pictures of him smiling, but Aldan is doing it too. It's so nice when you have those tough days to get a smile and know you are everything to them at this point, and you've got to trudge through the tough days. (besides, those tough days make us realize the good ones, right?)

Granny Arlene

2009-05-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

My best friend Becky's mom came to help us last week. We were blessed by Arlene's help. she loves babies and couldn't be more encouraging with them. She also did everything else around here, including making sure I ate lunch (it's a big task to make sure I get that meal!!) and changing the messy diapers at any point! I always realize how many diapers I am not changing once someone leaves. Man, do they build up quickly! Arlene was not only good with the babies but she was an overall encourager all week. She would talk with me about anything and lead me to the scripture in the Bible that would really just recenter me. I was so appreciative. I even felt like I could tackle this week which includes three days of managing the three kids by myself. I made it through Monday, and know it's no problem to make it through today and tomorrow! thank you to Arlene who flew in just to help from Florida, and her family who gave her up on Mother's Day, and let me take her for the week. My best friend came down from NY to retrieve her on Saturday and we got a little time too...how fun!

first year

2009-05-19T10:30:00.003-04:00

we started a parent co-op preschool at our church and we just completed the first year. It was so much fun to be a part of and Caed loved it too. He especially loved playing with more toys!! We (I had zero production credits) put on a little graduation. The kids were so funny, and us parents were funny to watch too. thankfully we were able to make all of us (Jon, myself and the twins) being there a success because we had our friend Arlene here to visit and help for the week. she was so generous to just fill in where needed.

we are hoping to be there in September but we need to figure out how to make the co-op part work with the twins...what a blessing to make those connections at church more then just on Sundays-we don't want to leave it!

Early family support

2009-05-10T09:00:00.002-04:00

about 3 weeks before the twins were born, Jon's parents came to help us. I needed the help with wrangling Caed and getting things done, and then we were going to need the help with once the babies arrived having the care of Caed when we were in the hospital. Jon's parents prepared and planned meals, dropped off and picked Caed up from school- they kept things moving around here seamlessly. we were blessed by their giving. they got Rado out nearly every day too, he LOVED them.

After Aldan and Theron were born my mom was next to come to spend the first week with us. Man, that first week is always hard because you don't know when they are going to sleep...she was a trooper. Helping with whatever I asked. She helped me with one of our first outings by double stroller (we had to call Jon up at work to ask how to open it!). She worked hard, it was no easy vacation for her. She tried to sleep when I did- and reminded me how precious the early days are.

My sister Heather and her husband Jerry came down the first weekend they were home- as did Jon's brother (already posted that picture) and wife, Sally (who will come for a week in June). Then Heather returned on her kids spring break to help out one overnight. (tough stuff!!) She had sick Caed last week and she'll be back too once the kids are out of school. She gives invaluable phone support too.

The second week my sister Kristen took a week off of work, and a week away from her husband and life to help us. She was just as hard a worker too. Willing to do whatever I needed. She was patient with me, Caed and Rado (she doesn't like dogs no matter how nice they are!!). She loved on the babies ALL the time and helped me think about how to get through situations. and we got out EVERY morning. One trip to trader joes, and I can't remember where else now!

Auntie April has come over WHENEVER i asked. She (& boyfriend tom) picks up our extra person when we go to church and can't fit everyone in the car. She helps calm some of my darkest feelings (will they EVER sleep? take a bottle?) and just doesn't fret about a single thing. And she intuitively takes care of Aldan and Theron and more so feels challenged when they cry to soothe them with her magic touch. I don't have a picture of her with them yet!! How can that be? (it must be because she's always here, I don't feel compelled to try to catch the picture)

We are so appreciative that our family village has come to us...

Happy Birthday!

2009-05-08T15:51:00.003-04:00

I don't get to blogging all the birthday's I want.

Today would have been my dad's 67th birthday. Missing him today. Aldan, Theron and I took a special trip to his "mailbox" at Arlington on behalf of my mom and sisters.

pictures

2009-05-06T15:18:00.004-04:00

I try to do activities with Caed in between the feedings. This one was an idea from my sister Kristen- I finally bought toothpicks and we got to play around with marshmallows- we had two different sizes, and caed made a long train out of them...he's so cute.

This is from today actually- Theron.

From today- Aldan:

From this weekend...what two different babies! I love looking for ways they are similar and different in personality at this point.

Some tummy time on the ottoman:

Big brother Caed loves to help with bath time.He gets to wash the feet, although he'd rather help with the head!

I think this is the picture i took for 4 weeks old. They don't like to sit up like this...

Oh Rado, moved to bottom of the totem pole. But we love having him around. I am working my way up to day time walks with him and the kids.

Jon's mom made this shirt for caed after we searched every store before the babies were born for big brother shirts...we found big sister one's, but no big brother ones!! He LOVES this shirt and wants to wear it everyday. We have to set limits!

finally, some more pictures.

Today i took the twins with me (alone) to my doctor's appointment. It was quite the spectacle. I carried in the two car seats and the diaper bag, and my purse....I decided not to take the stroller with me because my doctor's office waiting room is really tiny, and I wouldn't be able to take it all the way into the appointment with me anyway. I got in there fine, but then theron (pronounced more like theer-in) was crying...I am trying to give him a bottle, he didn't want to take one from me- I was flustered by that...then my doctor was extremely patient, so it made it okay and he had his receptionist help me back to the car. It was very sweet- but next time I'll make sure they are somewhere else for these appointments. They were asleep on the way home so I went through the McDonald's drive through for one of their special coffees. I wish every store had a drive through so I could get stuff done while I was in the car and the kids slept. On Long Island as kids our parents often frequented a chain of stores called Dairy Barn. You could pick up lots of different grocery store items, so it was kind of like a convenience store with drive through. I understand their benefit these days. i would love to drive up and just pick up a dozen eggs, gallon of milk, loaf of bread and some ice cream without getting out of the car and managing the double stroller. I am learning and getting better at it- but it sure would make some of those experiences a little easier at this stage.

A lot of people ask if I'm doing alright with the twins and how am I feeling? I actually do pretty well. writing/ saying that makes me feel like it will end- but I know that isn't true. It's also not all the time that it's okay. There are hard times during the day/ night but I trudge through them and I appreciate the glimmer of hope with a nights sleep, an in sync nap and a shower every morning. But i think for the most part I approach each day as a list to get through at this point. I look forward to knowing when I am going to feed the twins, give them "play" time and bath time (done every night as to give a sleep routine and again, an indicator to me that we are still passing time, and getting through the day) and fitting in Caed's needs helps too. I want to incorporate some flexibility, but right now I am giving myself 3 months with this mentality. My nature I am not a scheduled person. I have not been a list accomplisher (i love making lists!) but more and more I become the kind of person that thrives in this- to a fault. For now in these early years, it works for me and I try to be sensitive to when I need to be flexible- sometimes with the prompting of a family member...

Also what helps is not being daunted by crying. With Caed his cries were really hard for me to manage. He wasn't really consoled by things I might do anyway so I felt paralyzed by the thought of him crying- this time there are just times i cannot do anything for the crying. I feed them, burp them and change them- if they both still cry I try to take it as I can. I cannot easily hold them both with ease at the same time- and if I need to get something done, and I know I've met their apparent needs, I get the task done and come back to them and try things again and possibly try to put one in a carrier.... But I know they are safe, fed and clean...their crying still makes me on high alert but I deal with it differently this time- and it helps that other people have been here to help with picking them up and helping with one of them too.

one month....four weeks?

2009-05-01T17:43:00.002-04:00

Tuesday the twins were four weeks. Now I guess they are officially one month. We were at the doctor today- I feel comfortable stretching their feedings a little further apart, and not a bit guilty if they sleep until 5am. (only one night..!)

They are gaining weight beautifully, which I was a little worried about since no one has given me any guidelines about the nursing only of twins, I've just tried to 'go' with it.

Among all the good things from the visit, Aldan had to be taken for jaundice testing, again. and last night's sleep was horrible. another good night is bound to come 'round again, right? please? and if you've done or given to us something that I intend to write a thank you for, I'll get to it. This week has involved very little simultaneous sleeping by anyone, so I haven't been able to go back to my list and write more. We are so VERY thankful though for everything that has been done for us. We're in need of all the generosity and it's been so great.

good things

2009-04-27T09:38:00.002-04:00

last night the babies slept until 3. What a blessing. The cleaning people are here right now so I've showered already too. These things have to happen when they can. I can't plan or think about what the afternoon looks like, I can only deal with an even shorter forecast. That helps me cope a lot. I take the opportunities I have and try to get what I can from the immediate.

Wednesday I want to go to our little playgroup. That's at 10:30. All I will think about is how to feed the babies right before I want to go. I also have an appointment at 10:30 on Friday for them at the pediatrician. I'll do the same thing.

We made it to church yesterday too.

I still have some things I need to work on- with caed, I was a big supporter of the routine eat, play and sleep. I used a loosely based Baby Wise approach. It worked great for us. I haven' t been all that concerned this time around but I'm working on going back to that. It all takes a little more motivation with two babies. If they happen to fall asleep while feeding them I haven't wanted to wake them. So after their appointment on Friday and I find out their weight gains I'll feel better about a routine. I also need to set myself up with a better plan of what to do with Caed while I nurse (for when I'm on my own) and how we'll get out of the house during the summer.

tomorrow they are one month old. whew.

feeling hot, hot, hot

2009-04-25T20:39:00.002-04:00

it went straight from late winter to summer around here this weekend. I am so thankful for the warm weather, and although some of the 70 degree weather would have been a nice transition- we'll take 90 as opposed to 50 and raining.

I wanted to get out earlier today, but it didn't happen. Jon and his dad did a bunch of yard work, and caed played outside to his heart's content. I was what felt like nailed to the couch today. I started the morning nursing the twins separately, and that always makes the sitting so much longer, but really it is nice not to have two babies on your lap fo 40+ minutes.

When Caed woke up from his nap we got the kids in the car and went for some ice cream. I had wanted to walk there, but it was still a tad hot out. so we drove to the ice cream place and walked around the corner to the playground. we had jon's dad with us- so you know where that put one of us? Me, in the way back. I was up for it, instead of leaving Jon's dad back or taking two cars. We also had the double stroller in the back, so I really felt like I was 7. It was so funny. Only fitting our family into the car is strange, but coming from a family of 6, that was all we had growing up. Not sure what else I expect....I do want to carpool and think about carting Caed's friends around with us, but that isn't practical either- I do have twin babies now. And kids Caed's age need carseats, the big super padded ones, that take up half the back seat. We do have an extra seat for our other car which I was using for the occasional friend- not every family does have one, and hooking and un hooking another seat...i probably won't do it that often. I'll now leave that task to Caed's friends'. Miss Katrina, you are really the most patient one with all the car seat moving we've done!

Also last night a part of our wedding aired on TLC Wild Weddings! I forgot it was going to happen (new babies, toddler, lack of sleep, etc..) or else i would have posted something about it. We (Jon) did DVR it so we got to see it this morning, and it was really fun. Wish I had remembered to tell other people. Maybe it will run again, it was practically right in the middle of the show. It wasn't wild, just funny.

Well now it's time to go to bed. the babies gave us a good night last night, so I am not expecting much tonight. It usually goes that way with them (at this point)....here's to hoping we get to church tomorrow..really want that happen.....

a few pictures..

2009-04-18T12:13:00.002-04:00

i just looked at our Easter photo, and well, it's not good. There might be one salvageable picture, but if someone knows how to make a husband smile in every photo that would help us a lot. Mad looking dad in Easter photos are not ones to post! But here are some others...just random ones, not pictures of all our guests by any means...

Theron

Aldan

Big brother Caed getting a kiss from Aldan

i think this is funny for so many reasons

the cousins...

Chantz and Olivia, the most patient and loving cousins! being so silly!!

Auntie Sally and Uncle Andrew with nephews

deceiving

2009-04-12T13:48:00.002-04:00

leaving my last post on such a high note is deceiving. The next night we struggled all night with getting sleep. These nights will tend to yo-yo, I know and remember all too well.

We made it to church and only 10-15 minutes late! Happy Easter!