Anyone else due in June "06

[SunMoonMom]

Okay - I think I have my mood figured out... I didn't get to take my anti-depressant yesterday due to not being able to eat/drink anything before the procedure. By the time I got done, it was too late to take it...

So thus I am crazy b*tch today...

don't worry ladies... I took them this morning... So all should be right with the world tomorrow...

Thank god for medication!

Jen - You are such a trooper... What an ordeal... I hope you start to feel better soon and getting those drains out today goes well... I will be sending you healing vibes... I will be sure to filter out my crazy ones so you don't get any of that...

Kerrie

[christel]

I'm Back :wave:

Alrighty, now for the real catch up... the girls are down for nap #2 :D

Jen - Can't wait to see the before and afters! That sounds like quite an ordeal and I think you paint it in the right light - as a serious commitment that isn't to be taken lightly. Botox, sure... tummy tuck, think carefully! And thanks for the compliment on the Easter pic!

Kerrie - I hope and pray that these injections do the trick for you. I worked at the children's hospital affiliated w/ my university all through college and moonlighted in outpatient surgery. The pain management clinic was the big business there. I have seen w/my own eyes what people w/ chronic pain go through and will do to get relief. It's not a fun way to live (understatement of the year!) and I pray that you are healed from this. Also, lots of praises for the recovery your dad seems to be making!

Danielle - definitely praying for your family as you deal w/ the issues your grandmother is facing. It's dreadful and so very difficult. Take joy in the new life around you in the form of your sons. They are so very precious :throb:

Jill - I loved what you wrote about the ordeals we've all been through the past 2 years (pg and babies and family, etc.) You have a gift with words and said it beautifully. Great food ideas, too. Especially the soup idea! I also LOVE the new siggy pics :throb:

Heather - I looked through your photobucket pages and am super envious of the vacation you had! You look beautiful and you and DH are so cute together. Hope today is going well at work and you're rediscovering your confidence. Don't let that one experience shake you, consider it a blessing. Working for the wrong person and in the wrong place is a miserable experience!

Staci - LOL about the pg bridesmaid in the lesbian wedding! Sounds like a sitcom episode :D As for the MIL's comment...I'd ignore it unless she keeps it up. Then, I'd respectfully tell her to shut it or she'd not be seeing the babies anymore!

Steph - hope your cruise is going great and you and DH are getting some good reconnect time (:knuddel:)

Andrea - So glad to see you posting again! I'm wanting to start a dinner routine like the one you have... I want to have a family meal w/ all of us at the table. Trying to figure out how to do it when the girls go to sleep b/t 6:30-7:30 and DH gets home around 5:30. That's a tight squeeze.

Valerie - hope that Kaley is better! Haven't done the vomitting thing here, yet. But had 5 days of diarrhea when Emme was on antibiotics for her ear. YUCK! Sending up some endurance prayers for you.

Missy - SIL sounds severely jealous of the attention you get from the babies. I've got a needy SIL and my Mom is grabby on the attention thing, too (but not at my expense, usually). It's hard and it pretty impossible to change/fix. Just gotta recognize it for what it is and feel a little sorry for them. Being the bigger person can really suck.

Lisa - DH would think he died and went to heaven if we were 2x a weekers! Tell DH about my poor guy - nearly a year w/out during the pg and post partum! I had NO sex drive during the pg and there was only a short window where it was allowed anyway. While BF for the first 6 mo., my drive was visiting Australia or somewhere else FAR away. We're still trying to find our "pattern" again :D Four times this week and before that it had been a month! Also, I was cracking up at the video! He looks confused and proud and really intense all at the same time!

Mindy- I'm so glad you have an end in sight. There's really nothing positive about it, though, is there? Just get through it, keep putting one foot in front of the other and know that there are beautiful, wonderful, peaceful days ahead. You are so amazing!

Kris - on the bottle holding - we did a lot like Jill and Lisa described. Emme is just now getting the hang of holding and drinking sitting up. Ruby still has to lay down... she won't tip the bottle up far enough while sitting. I'm only giving her sippy cup to her while sitting now, b/c I don't want to enable the lying down thing when she transitions. As for solids - I'm not doing 3 a day yet... we're having to go slow for Ruby (or she boycotts the bottle) and Emme gets to go along w/ the plan.

Missy - keep us posted on the neurologist appt., please!

Joy - Welcome to the board! :wavey: I'm Christel (31), married to Jamie (32) and mom to frat girls Mary Elizabeth (Emme) and Ruby Claire. I joined to board after they were born and will always be bummed I didn't have this support group during the pg. It was high risk, Ruby wasn't growing properly - had a bad placenta placement. The goal was to get to 32 wks and not have to delivery in an emergency situation and we did it! They spent 4 wks in the NICU and came home 3 days apart at the end of May w/out meds or monitors. Your babies are precious and I love their names! Glad to have you here.

Am I caught up? SO sorry if I missed someone!

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[mmzill]

Wow, so many posts today. I’m glad to hear from everyone!

Jill, - that was too funny about Noah getting stuck in a corner (I guess I shouldn’t laugh at his expense.) Thanks for posting about the olive oil and stuff in the fruits and veggies. I had been doing that, but it’s good to hear it from a “professional” also. Don’t think I’m a freak but I found some powdered goat milk that I’ve been adding to the food also. I’ve been using that instead of the Carnation instant milk. The goat milk has 7 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein and the Instant milk is fat free with the same amount of protein. Andrea also told me about a Greek yogurt that has 20 grams of fat per serving. I found it online, but so far have not found it locally….will keep looking though!

Christel – love your pics! You dress your girls so so cute!!! Also glad you are home. Maybe you can travel with Dh some this summer. It’s always an ominous task to think about traveling (especially flying) with kids, but it’s do-able and can be fun!

Jen – I wish you a speedy recovery….I’m jealous of the flat tummy. I don’t think I will ever get mine flat, but I’m hoping…..

Kerrie – I hope you start feeling better, and that the injection takes away all your pain!!!

Valerie – Where are you? I hope your kiddo(s) are feeling better. I’m worried because it’s not like you to not post.

Lisa – My dh wants it all the time too, but I think that he has resided himself to less. We are doing good to get it 2x a month. The video was too cute!

Heather – I looked at your pics too. Looks like you had a wonderful time! Hope your first couple days back at work go/went well.

Update on Aurelia (friend's baby that almost died from Group B Step) SHE CAME HOME YESTERDAY!!!! We are so excited for them! Thanks for all your prayers!!!

Well, I better get off here and get the kids ready for bed. Hope you all have a wonderful nights sleep.
Monica

[christel]

:rant:
I took the girls w/ me to SAM'S today... formula and dog food run. Good to buy both of those in bulk :D Used the double shopping cart cover and the girls did great.

Made it to check out and this man checking out the next aisle over (but w/ no partition b/t the aisles) comments on the girls. Used to that, right? He asks if they're boys. I say, "No, they're girls... just wearing blue today"

Then, he stands REALLY close to Emme and starts talking at her. She freaks, eyes well up and I start pushing the cart a little to move away from him. His wife says, "stop, you're scaring HIM" Then, he comes closer and says, "well, HE needs to get used to me." WTH?!:What::questionmark: I'm trying to pay the cashier at this point and can't move any farther away. He keeps trying to mess w/ Emme and she's crying now and I stand between them and his wife drags him off. In WHAT universe is that acceptable?! I haven't told DH yet, b/c he'll freak. I'm not good in the moment and always think of 10 things I should have done later. Why didn't I just speak up and tell him to leave her alone? :confused:

P.S. In case there's a next time, I'll... :secruity: or :thefinger: or :fight: or:vroam:

[SunMoonMom]

Please someone tell me that my boys will eventually sleep through the night again...

It all started with the cold that Ben got and has continued for the last two weeks... Ben is waking up in the middle of the night crying... Normally I would let him cry it out but it doesn't seem like that type of crying... I just know that it is because of the upper teeth he is getting and because he still has congestion from that cold...

I was up from 11:26p last night until 4:30a this morning holding him in the chair so he would sleep... (I did get to dose from 1a - 3a, but I was worried I would drop him so I wasn't really getting any rest)...

Of course all of this could have been avoided in my opinion...

Its a long story but to say that I told DH to give him some decongestant meds along with some orejel last night when he first woke up... Instead DH carries him downstairs and wrestles with him trying to get him to sleep... I then come downstairs, give him meds and he is asleep within 15 minutes...

Now here is the rub... I sent DH to bed because if I had to look at him for another minute I might have said something I would regret (oh forgot to mention that DHs first reaction when Ben cried out was to turn the monitor off...That really peeved me off... That isn't solving the problem)... So DH is upstairs and I'm downstairs... Ben is now asleep but in order for me to get him upstairs I would have to jossle him so much getting up the stairs (not graceful going up them yet, still need the handrail) so I just stayed in the chair with him...

So now I am so tired and still have to work today...

First off... what am I doing wrong? Should I just let him cry in the night no matter how long it takes for him to fall back to sleep? Should I not worry if he wakes up Zach?

Second... For those who have gotten through a period like this... please reassure me that it will get better and that this is only a temporary thing...

Kerrie

[lilybug19]

Hey there ladies! I didn't get to post yesterday. Luke was not in the mood to nap all day yesterday. He is getting his top front teeth. He slept great last night though. Well I tried to lay Luke on the floor in the boppy and lay his bottle on his chest for him to hold. He screamed bloody murder which woke DH up. So I just held the bottle.

Kerrie- Lily was waking up for about a week screaming in the middle of the night a few weeks ago. The first 3 nights I went in because it wasn't a normal cry. I didn't get much sleep those nights. Anytime I would lay her down she would scream. Finally I said forget it. I put a nite lite in their and didn't go in she stopped within 10 minutes. I knew nothing was wrong with her so I felt comfortable with this. It stopped within a few days after that. Luke and her don't share a room but it did wake him up the first 2 nights. Then it didn't bother him.

Christel- I feel so bad that man made Emme cry. I am okay with strangers asking questions and looking at the twins, but not touching them, getting too close, and definately not making them cry. I understand your hesitation in saying anything because you don't want to be rude. I was like that at first, but then I had a few people touch them/ lift their blankets off their carseat when they were sleeping and I just can't accept that. I don't know when it became acceptable for strangers to touch people's children. I would never do that. When I sense it coming I back my stroller away to avoid confrontation if possible( that sounds like what you do)but you couldn't go anywhere. I'm sorry that happened. Also where did you get the double cart cover?

Jen- Glad to hear that you are better. I went through that with my mom. She had a hernia repair and tummy tuck. I agree the drains are gross, but by the time they come out your off the strong drugs and on your way to recovery. She had a pretty easy time after that, but she wasn't trying to hold twins. Good Luck.

Lisa- Glad you had a good Easter. :woo: on the shopping trip! That was such a cute video of Brady with his walker.

Well Lily needs a diaper change desperately.
Kris

[vthompson]

Hello Ladies. It seems like forever since I posted last. Kayley's sickness has kicked all our butts. Today, she finally seems like she is doing better. She has only had one BM today, it was not nearly as runny as it has been. She was up all night Monday and ended up in our bed. She slept through the night last night. Thank goodness! Thanks to everyone for all your concerns!! We are just crossing our fingers now that Corey does not get it. We are supposed to go to Billy Joel on Friday. I hope we do not have to miss it!!

I have read everyone's post. I am hoping to respond to everyone, but I apologize in advance if it does not happen!

Teeth - Corey still does not have any. Should I be worried?

Kerrie - I am sure the boys are just going through a phase. You are doing what you think is best based on your mom intuition, do not second guess yourself. You are a terrific mom!

Christel - I absolutely cannot believe that story. What is wrong with that man???

Monica - That is so wonderful about the baby coming home. They must be thrilled to pieces!! I am glad you have been able to find some high fat foods.

Jen - It sounds like you are getting better day by day. I hope everything went well with the removal of the drains. Did you take pics yet?

Lisa - I love the video!! As for meeting, it is probably best to wait. I am just afraid that Corey and I are carrying all the germs. I do not wish this sickness on anyone! Hopefully, we can try again when you go back to your parents.

Christel - I LOVE all the new pics. Where do you find all those bows for their little heads?

AndreaR - Glad to hear from you!! I am happy that things are going well.

Jill - I also LOVE your news pics. Those babies should be models!!

Kris - I also feel like all we do is eat. Between bottles and solids...it all takes up so much time!

Ok, Kayley is standing here crying, I better go. Sorry if I missed anyone!

Valerie

[Jillmami]

Valerie, glad things are improving. What a rough week! Noah doesn't have any teeth either so don't worry. They should have one in the next few months. Fingers crossed that you get to go to the concert!! Funny you mentioned the modeling. Whenever Noah hears the camera turn on or notices the pre-flash light, he turns and smiles. He is such a ham! He's been in one magazine and it went to his head already! :proud:

Christel, I am besisde myself about your shopping experience! WTH??!! I don't know what I would have done. I just don't understand some people. Really makes you wonder.

Monica, great news about your friends' baby!! WAHOOO!!

Jen, keep resting and healing! Your body has certainly had its share of 'abuse' the past year or two! Take it easy now since the babies will have you running ragged soon enough!

Oh, I have a class soon! Need to pump before they get here! Take care mamas!!

[josie88]

Hello everyone! I tried to get on here last night but Ethan woke up screaming just as I was getting started. He must be getting more teeth, he only has the two on the bottom. I will be glad when this stage of teething is over. There isn't much you can do but pump them full of motrin/tylenol.

EI was here today. Emily is not wanting to be on her belling at all and doesn't use her arms much either. She has yet to roll to the side to reach for a toy. She has lately discovered that she can climb up on me to stand but she can't get very far because she won't use her arms. I try to allow her to do the work so she will learn but she gets frustrated and gets MAD!! They didn't have any suggestions on helping her with upper body strength. I work with her everyday by putting her up on all fours so she gains some muscle strength. Does anyone else have any suggestions that might help?

Valerie- Glad to hear Kayley is feeilng better. Stomach virus is the worst in my book. When we had it here I tried to keep everything separated even them and Emily was the only one that didn't get it. Kepp your fingers crossed. Emily doesn't have any teeth either. The pedi seemed surprised but said not to worry "just a late bloomer"

Christel- The girls Easter dresses are adorable. Did someone make them? Some people have no clue that they are idiots???

Lisa-Cute video!! He seemed amazed that he could go.

Kris-I too feel like all I do is feed! When I started solids I was stressed over how I was going to be able to handle feeding two at once let alone 3x a day. Now that I'm into that mode it is fine.

I'll have to finish later. We have screaming babies here.

Bye,
Joy

[Megzackben]

Daniele-thanks for the email. I looked online but I am not ready to spend that much on a diaper bag so I went to ebay. I may place a bid depending how high it goes.

Jen-Enjoy your bath tomorrow. I bet you cant wait to wash your hair!

Lisa-I loved the video of Brady walking. I want to get the "bikes" they had. Where did you get them from? I making a list of bday presents.


Thank you all for the wonderful encouraging words. It was EXACTLY what I needed. ANd yes the kids made me feel that I was right where I belonged. My mentor (a teacher I want to grow up and be like) really gave me some positive feedback today and made me feel wonderful. You all were right his philosophies are NOT anything like mine. He is known as a micro manager and I am very independent and a go getter. I need a little bit of encouragement but not alot of direction.

Okay funny question for those that bathe your kids together....has one of the boys peed on the other baby? Poor Ben. Every time Zack's bottom touches the warm water he squirts Ben's back. :wasn't: :bath:

Meg liked this smilie :bootyshake:

night...

[christel]

Hey Everyone :hello:

It's 7 pm and the girls are down for the night. One more day to survive until DH is home to help in the evening. It's that final stretch of the day that totally kicks my a$$... play, feed, bath, bottle, bed. It's a llllooonnngg 4 hrs. between the nap wake up at 3 to bed at 7. Phew! I braved the crazies again today and went to Hobby Lobby to get supplies for their b-day party. My girlfriend and her 15mo. old came, too, so no one tried to approach the babies. I'm going to go all Martha Stewart and make ladybug cupcakes, so I needed some true red food coloring (not the grocery store stuff that turns pink). Man, I hope these work like I'm imagining!

Joy - your Emily sounds a lot like Ruby. She has always HATED tummy time (b/c of reflux, I think) and doesn't have as much core strength as she needs to crawl. She wants to stand all the time and twists and grabs at me to get standing. When you go to sit her down she goes stiff and won't bend at all! She didn't qualify for EI and the follow along program hasn't determined that she needs services now, so I'm just doing what I can w/ her and trust that she'll get moving someday :) She does roll, but won't go all the way to her tummy. Oh, Easter dresses: My mom made them and smocked them. She made all our Easter dresses (me and my 3 sisters) until we were in college. She's been jonesing for little girls to sew for, and I accommodated her nicely :D

Jill - love the story about Noah and the camera :lol: I WISH my girls would cheese it up, I'd take about 50 fewer pics at a time if that were the case!

Valerie - SO glad that Kaley's on the other side. When Emme had pink eye, I kept big bottles of Purell in every room and wouldn't let the girls share toys. It worked for about 4 days and then Ruby got it... those viruses stick around for a LONG time! So, give it a week or more, before you relax w/ Corey. And the hairbands were something my mom found. She actually made the dresses to go with them!

Teeth - Ruby - 1, Emme - 0 DH and I were both late teethers, so I think they come by it honestly.

Kris - keep working on the bottle holding. It took our girls several weeks to get the hang of it. We always placed their hands on the bottle and held our hands over their's. You could also try putting something around the bottle that he wants to touch and hang on to... maybe a scrunchy or cut up a coozie (for soft drink cans) and put a skinny coozie ring up high on the bottle to touch or hold. Oh, shopping cart... I ordered it HERE (http://www.cleanshopper.com/index.php?cPath=35)

Kerrie - sending some good sleepin' vibes your way:xfingers:. I don't know what I'd do in your situation, other than give a good dose of Tylenol before bed. Hang in there:pathead:

Gotta go get some work done and then it's off to hog the whole bed (the only perk of DH being gone).
:lovemytwins:
Christel

[Jillmami]

Re: bottle holding we would hold onto their sleeves, by the wrists so that their hands stayed on the bottles.

Christel, your girls are just as cute as can be! Congrats on making it through the absence of your dh. My week is coming up so if I feel like complaining, I'll remember your strength and ZIP IT!! :snicker:

[AndreaR]

Hello Ladies (I wonder whatever happened to Jason.......)

Happy Thursday to all of you. I am still not caught up on the posts, but I decided to just wing it. I'm really sorry if I miss something big.

Kerrie - How are you feeling? Any relief yet? CONGRATS to Ben on walking!!! That is great! And it sounds like Zach is right behind. It sure is amazing how quickly things happen. I hope the sleeping improves soon. Okay, I just read a more recent post from you..... sorry about the middle of the night drama. YOU ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG. I know it's so hard to function after a night like that. My biggest frustration is the lack of control we have over our babies, when we are able to control the rest of our lives. But please know that you are such a wonderful mother & wife and you are doing EVERYTHING RIGHT! Hugs to you - I hope you are having a better day.:aww:

Christel - I can't believe those people at SAM'S. First of all, your girls could not look any girlier no matter how you dressed them! Some people are just idiots. I love the new picture! Ruby looks so big!! And of the dresses are so gorgeous. Your mom does wonderful work.

Christel/Joy re: upper body strength - Madeline also does the "I only want to stand or lie on my back" thing, but we don't let her. It makes for a very cranky kid, but we force her to spend quite a bit time on her tummy throughout the day. She would protest the entire time, but now she is starting to get a little stronger and she can tolerate it a little longer. When she tries to roll onto her back, we push her back and try to distract her with one of her favorite toys. She is also pushing up on her arms much better and even a little on all fours. Our EI therapist is the one who keeps pushing us. I hate to see my baby unhappy, but I know it's good for her in the long run. She suggested that we pick special toys that Maddie likes the most and ONLY let her have them when she is on her tummy. She said that Madeline will not gain the upper body strength she needs if we do not force her.

Jill - I was scanning through the posts yesterday, and I saw your new pictures really quick and was like, "oh, those must be one of the new mom's babies." Then I looked closer and realized that it was TJ and Noah! Wow - they look so big - bonafide todders!!


Valerie - so sorry to hear about poor little Kayley. Are things any better? Don't worry about the teeth. Some kids take a long time - they're just wired that way. I just met a woman last night and one of her babies (one year old triplets) doesn't have any teeth, but she eats everything, including steak!

I went to a MOM meeting last night. It was pretty good. It was my first time, so I wasn't sure what to expect. They all seemed normal. HaHa. But I couldn't help but think that I could never feel as close to them as I feel to all of you. There was a woman from EI there, talking about the program. I was surprised that some of the moms didn't know about it.

Monica - what great news about Aurelia! Thanks for letting us know. Great idea on the powdered goat's milk. I don't think you are weird at all! You are doing what's best for your babies! BTW, my sister only gave her son goat's milk until he was 3, I think. I never knew why, though. I'll have to ask. How are things going with Nathan?

I am taking Maddie to the doctor today to get her ears checked. She had an infection two weeks ago, and I'm not sure if it's gone. Also, her reflux has been a lot worse for about 10 days or so. She throws up all day long.

I really need to go - still in my p.j.'s - but I just wanted to share something nice about my DH, since I feel like I'm always complaining about him. On Tuesday, I was having a rough day. Not terrible, but I was just in a funk and I couldn't shake myself out of it. I called him at work, because I just wanted to hear his voice and hear him tell me that I was doing a good job. Which he did, and it made me feel better. But then yesterday, I got a surprise UPS delivery... He bought me a handbag that I had been coveting and had it overnighted to the house. You might remember that I have a sickness when it comes to handbags. Well, of course I broke down and cried. When I called him at work to thank him, he said, "and now you're having a better day, right?" I love my husband!!!

Have a great day everyone. Sorry if I missed you - I will try to get back on this afternoon or evening. Does anyone chat anymore?

xoxoxoxoxoxo
Andrea

[SunMoonMom]

Hi Mommies...

Thank you everyone for your encouraging words... Lisa, I really appreciate the fact that I'm not alone in this... Well, last night DH and I agreed to let him CIO if he woke up in the middle of the night... So of course, Ben never woke up at all during the night or I never heard him...

I did change one thing that I realized was consistant on the nights he woke up and cried the hardest... We have always put the boys down to bed awake... The nights Ben has been waking up crying the worse (outside of when he had his cold) was when he fell asleep with his nighttime bottle and we put him down asleep... Its like he wakes up and doesn't know how he got there... Just confuses him...

So last night I made sure that he was awake when we put him down... Don't know if it has anything to do with anything but it was a thought...

Pain relief - Good news Ladies... My lower back is really much better. I am not having that pain that made me felt like I would collapse... I am so excited...

Andrea - Congrats on the handbag... DH bought me one the other day too... Sometimes they know the right thing to do...

Christel - You princesses are precious!!!!

Okay got to get to work... just wanted to share that I actually got sleep last night.

Kerrie

[christel]

So, DH isn't coming home tonight :( MIL went to the ER last night w/ a heart attack scare. She's ok, all tests have come back normal (CAT scan, EKG, blood work), but she's being admitted b/c they don't know WHAT caused the blood pressure to shoot up and the radial pain. DH's work site was 2 hrs south of her town, so we decided he couldn't not go. Hopefully, he'll be home tomorrow and she'll be home, too. They're running a stress test this afternoon.

AND... Emme is running a fever. Low grade 100.7. She's tired and whiney and fussy. I called the dr. and gave her Tylenol. She's sleeping now. :sigh:

New Siggy - so, I finally scanned my favorite of the portraits we had done of the girls last month and added it to the siggy. Those are their dedication gowns that my mom made. We never did get one of them both smiling, but I liked their serious, thoughtful expressions in this pic (and Emme's feet poking out :)) Thanks :throb: for the nice comments on my sweeties.

Lisa - on the lips?! OMG! I would have freaked out! It just happens so fast, unless you see it coming, there's nothing to do to stop it.

Kerrie - I told DH about your sign on the stroller idea. He cracked up and said he was going to make me one. "NO TOUCHING - THEY BITE! (and so does their mother!)" Very glad that the injections are working for you :woo: How often will you have to have them?

Andrea - I think you're right on the forced tummy time... Ruby will do anything for a cheerio, so I'm going to start giving them while she's on her tummy and see if it's more palatable that way. And, dish on the purse already! Pictures, details... living vicariously here :D

Jill - Lord knows I need to zip it! I've verbally thrown up all over this board the last 3 months :lol: You vent away if you need to while DH is gone. Sounds like you've got a good game plan w/ the friends lined up for relief. I've got a girlfriend here (SAHM, too) that brings her child over and just gives me another adult to talk face-to-face with. Helps SO much.

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[josie88]

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Well Emily put her 2 cents in. She wants the keyboard so bad when I'm at the computer.

I tried to get out of the house today, I didn't want to go alone so I called my niece who is in her 30's. I sat at her house for 2 hrs waiting for her to get ready, I finally told her if we don't go soon we might as well not go because I need to be back home to get Madison off the bus @ 4pm and it was 2:30pm. I was p-o-ed. Next time I'll just go myself.

To all the working MOMMIES!!!-I just wanted to say- I admire you tremendously:love: How do you keep up??? I barely wear make-up anymore and most of the time I look like a BUM in yogga pants. Hair in a ponytail, don't even look like I took a shower. But you all manage to get up and go out of the house everyday and still continue to do all the other things. You are truly amazing MOMS:congrats:

Kerri-Glad to hear your back is feeling better:proud: What kind of injections are you getting? I think I missed it.

Christel-New pic is sooo cute. Why didn't Ruby qualify for EI?

Jen-Hope you are still on the mend.

Heather- Ethan has peed in the water a good many times, but so far not on his sister. Isn't it funny how the water affects them that way.

Lisa-Have fun shopping tomorrow:) I'll be thinking of you.

Love to all, Joy:crazy:

[Megzackben]

JOy and other SAHM my hats are totally off to you. I am a SAHM only on vacations and it is so much harder. I am very jealous though. Sometimes I get really bumbed about "raising" other peoples kids and not my own (Daniele and I talked about this before). I think I have it easier that other mom's who have jobs outside the house. My MIL comes and watches the boys. I usually put them in the highchair warm up their bottles make funny faces and then she comes to finish feeding them. So I have time to put on some lipstick get matching clothes. Meg is also such an independent girl. At 8 she gets herself ready including breakfast and lunch. I feel guilty but she is a natural at it.

I dont have time to type too much but I need MIL, $, daycare, DH in the middle help!!!!

[christel]

Girls are in bed, not asleep, but in bed... early night for them and for me! Poor Emme has been on 1/2 speed :turtle: all day and really pathetic. The dr. said it might be the tip of a virus and to watch for snotty nose and cough and treat it like a cold. Isn't that what a cold is? He's nice, but a little too literal.

DH called and said MIL looks good and he will stay until she has her stress test in the morning. Hopefully she'll be released then, too. He feels so bad for leaving me on my own and has sworn that he will not schedule any travel for the next 3 weeks. We'll see:chin:.

Joy - that is SO frustrating about the 2 hr. wait at your niece's. :gr:Grrr! Ruby didn't qualify for EI b/c she was evaluated on her adjusted age and she fell w/in the guidelines. I fill out an EI questionnaire every 2 mo. on both girls and mail it in. Based on those answers they let me know if they see any red flags and if I should have them re-evaluated. So far, so good... she was w/in range for the 8 mo. guidelines. We'll see what comes back on the 10mo. that I'll fill out soon. Meanwhile, I'm going to keep being a pushy mom w/ her regarding the tummy stuff. I've seen some improvements in the last 2 week.

Heather - I really think "harder" is whatever you're not used to :) I think we all perform our own miracles and hat tricks every day and if you dropped anyone else into our situation they would waive the white flag and :bowdown:inside an hour!

And now for today's bright idea:say: that I absolutely cannot claim:D A lady in my MOMs club posted this on our yahoo group. I'm thinking it's a great idea for now and to come.

Summarized from Parenting Magazine April 2007

Drew up List A: Foods Kids Eat Happily
Drew up List B: Most Healthful Ingredients
Set out to find the cleverest ways to hide items on List B in foods on List A
and came up with the Purees.

The result? peaceful, relaxed family meals where my kids eat everything!:snack:

Orange Puree:
High in Vits A & C and fiber - makes 1.5 cups.
In a pot, cover one yam and 3 carrots (all peeled and but into chunks) with cold water. Boil 25 mins or until very tender. Drain (*see note) and puree in 2T water under completely smooth with NO TELLTALE CHUNKS for 1 minute. If necessary, add 1T more of water to make the puree smoother.
*NOTE: I would use the water that you boiled the items in in order to
preserve the lost nutrients!

Purple Puree:
High in Vits A, C and E, calcium & flavonoids - makes 2.5 cups.
Put 2 10-oz packages of frozen spinach in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 6-7 minutes. Drain. (*see note)
Puree spinach, 1.5 c blueberries (puree first if frozen), 1/2t lemon juice and
2T water in a food processor until smooth, 1 minute. If necessary, add 1T water to make puree smoother.
*NOTE: I would use the water that you boiled the items in in order to
preserve the lost nutrients!

White Puree:
High in fiber, protein & iron - makes 1 cup.
Pulse cannellini beans (15 oz can rinsed and drained) and 1T water in a food
processor until smooth for about 1 minute. Puree should be the consistency of peanut butter. If necessary, add 1t water at a time until there are no bean
flecks visible.
*NOTE: I would use the water that you boiled the items in for the Orange
Puree or Purple Puree again in this recipe in order to use those lost nutrients!


THE RECIPES:

CRUNCHY MAC & CHEESE
Yield: 4 servings
______________________
Cooking spray
1c whole grain cereal flakes (Wheaties or Total)
1/4c wheat germ, unsweetened
2T grated parmesan
6-oz package macaroni & cheese
1/4 to 1/2c White Puree
1/4 to 1/2c Orange Puree
1T butter
__________________________
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat casserole dish with cooking spray. Put
cereal in ziploc bag and crush to coarse crumbs. Pour crumbs in a bowl and mix in wheat germ and parmesan. Prep macaroni & chs per instructions, adding White Puree, Orange Puree, or both, but use no more than 1/2c total puree to each 6 ounce package. Transfer to casserole dish, sprinkle with topping dotted with butter. Bake 10-15 mins or until topping is golden brown.


There are also recipes for pizza bagels, hamburgers & brownies that include these purees. Let me know if you want them and I'll post them, too.

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[AndreaR]

Lisa - I CANNOT, repeat CANNOT believe someone kissed Ethan on the lips! I almost fell out of my chair when I read that. It must be a cultural thing, but still... totally unacceptable. Although I know if I meet your boys (when I meet them someday), I would want to kiss them all over, too, because they are so stinkin' cute. But seriously, that is just wrong and it should be illegal!

Thanks to all of you for the kind words about DH. He really is wonderful, and he is an especially good gift giver. He bought me a Gucci bag, one that I had seen while I was out shopping with a friend a couple of weeks ago. For those of you who wanted a picture, here is a link to it on the Gucci site.
http://www.gucci.com/us/us-english/us/classics/handbags/#115867_F40KG_9773

We put the girls to bed about 20 minutes ago, but Izzy is sitting up in her crib, clapping to herself, cracking herself up. I love these video monitors. I wish I could figure out a way to hook it up to the internet so I could show others how funny she is.

Joy - I miss those carefree days of taking two hours to get ready... I would have been really frustrated, too, though. I feel like it is a race against the clock if I want to go anywhere in between naps, bottles & meals. And I couldn't agree more with your admiration for the moms that work outside of the home. I feel like it's a successful day if I take a shower. One day I showed up to music class in real clothes (casual pants and a sweater versus yoga pants and a hoodie) and my hair down and everyone was like, "oh, where are you going today?"

Christel - so sorry to hear about your MIL, but it sounds like maybe it was just a scare and that she should be fine. Poor you for having to deal on your own another night. Tell him you deserve a new bag!! Thanks for posting the recipes - they sound great. I steam my veggies instead of boiling, in the hopes that it retains a little more of the nutrients.

Speaking of eating, has anyone noticed that the finger foods (like puffs, teething biscuits, etc) all have these warnings that the baby should be able to crawl before you feed them to him/her? I could never figure out why, but I think it's funny how Maddie isn't anywhere near crawling, and she can't handle the puffs, cereal or anything that isn't mushed up. Even if I break off one of the tiny petals of a puff, she still seems to choke on it. I need to remember to ask our PT about it, because she once mentioned that it's all tied together, but I didn't ask for details. Do any of you that have babies that aren't crawling yet notice whether or not they're able to handle more solids?

Isabelle's new favorite food..........tofu! She loves it. I cut it into little cubes and she gobbles it right up. She also loves avocado. I am buying them in bulk these days.

Well, looks like they are asleep finally, so I think I'll go downstairs and snuggle with DH in front of the TV. Who knows, maybe I'll even "pay him back" for the new bag. :snicker: :knuddel: :snicker:

Have a good night!

xoxo
Andrea

[mmzill]

Hey Ladies - I'm sorry that I don't have time to respond to everyone.I've been thinking about you all so much! But we are packing - leaving at the crack of dawn in the morning to head south. I hope it's warmer there!!!!

I plan on checking in here when I can. Not sure if I'll have a computer during the day. DH may need to take it with him.

Anyways - love you all!!! Can't wait to get in some sunshine!!:sunshine: Better git before DH comes and drags me away! :vroam:

Monica

[Megzackben]

Monica-are you coming to Florida???? Call me if you are. I will PM you my number. Bring lots of sunscreen.

Christel-I really liked how you put it (SAHM issue). Thanks for the awesome recipes. I struggle finding different colors. I am sick of orange (carrots or sweet potatoes) and green. Glad MIL is doing better. Very scary ordeal. Glad DH is able to be with her. Hopefully he will hold true to the 3 weeks. Maybe you can mention a new bag to him too :)

Andrea-so jealous. My DH treats me like gold but is so not spontaneous with gifts. I actually got a heart of candy for Valentines day. I much rather had something home-made or something I mentioned. But I can't complain (oops just did). My Ben has a major gag reflex. He can only eat cheeios or puffs. Tried diced fruit but actually had to do the HYMLIC on him. I am not certified anymore. Luckily it came all back to me. I was so scared. His lips turned blue. On a lighter note: enjoy "tv" time with DH :) :snicker: :snicker:

[Jillmami]

Monica, Have a safe and fun trip! Enjoy the sunshine!!

YEAH Felisha! Glad you checked in! Sorry that things aren't going well. Are you getting any support anywhere? I don't know how you find the strength to do it day in and day out but I commend you! You're my idol!! As for the purple clothes, they are from my MIL. I'm glad they actually fit! She sent some beautiful dress clothes for their 1st birthday but they were size 18 months. Um... the babies are in 6-9mo and 9-12mo. So I guess next year possibly. :snicker: I don't have the issues with IL's like many of you do since they live on the other side of the country but she could at least ask once in a while about the babies to have an idea of how big they are. Although I don't speak to her unless I really have to. We have just never seen eye to eye. Gotta love in-laws.

Andrea, I'm glad that you mentioned something about tofu. I want to try it. What kind/type do you use? I saw something on packages about silken, medium, firm, super firm or whatever.

OK, we are having our 1 year ped. appt. tomorrow. Gotta love those shots days! YIKES! Take care and have a nice weekend mamas!

[AndreaR]

Monica - Have a safe, fun trip! I'm not sure where you are going, but I hope the weather is warm and sunny!

Heather - wow - that must have been so scary to have Ben choking like that. Good thing you knew what to do. I am ashamed to say that I never took the baby CPR or first aid class. I keep telling myself that I need to, but I've yet to do it.

Felisha - WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU! Like Jill said, you are my idol. I don't know how you do all that you do. You are amazing. I can't believe what the babies' grandparents did to you IN CHURCH on EASTER SUNDAY. Sounds like they need to spend more time in church rather than walking out. I wish I had advice for you with your older daughter. I have no experience there, sorry. But I'm always here for you (or anyone) if you want to vent. I'm happy to call any time I can, just PM me. In the meantime, hugs to you mama.

Jill - I bought Whole Foods brand tofu, the firm kind. I wasnt' sure what kind to get either, but it's working out great. It stays together really well (which is important to Izzy,because she insists on picking up everything herself), but it is soft at the same time, so it's easy to chew. I am thinking of giving some to Maddie soon.

Well, gotta run - lots going on today - but I wanted to check in and say a quick hello. Have a great day everyone!

Andrea

ps. Steph, I can't wait to hear about your cruise. I hope you are having fun!

[lilybug19]

I've missed so much in only 2 days. We've had a rough few days here. Luke started with a runny nose on Wed. night and he didn't sleep most of the night. Needless to say I didn't sleep much either. Then on Thurs. morning Lily woke screaming with bright red cheeks and a low grade fever. She is cutting teeth. Must be the molars. Well she was very cranky all day and wouldn't nap. Luke has been rebelling against naps all week. Well today we all seem better.

Valerie- Glad Kayley is on the mend. Hope you make it to Billy Joel tonight.

Joy- Lily is in PT and she wouldn't use her arms or be on her tummy. I just work with her everyday and she is coming along.

Heather- I still bathe the babies in the little tub separately, but Luke does pee on me once in awhile. I find if the water is warmer he doesn't.

Christel- Hope MIL is okay and that DH is home today. I hope Emme is better today. Lily does the same thing Ruby does re:going stiff when you try to put her in a sitting position. All she wants to do is stand with assistance of course. I'm going to order the twin shopping cart cover. Thanks for the site.

Thanks to all the ideas on bottle holding we're working on it.

Andrea- Wish DH would think of buying me a handbag. Lily doesn't crawl. She is in PT for motor skill delay, but she eats lots of puffs, cherrios, arrowhead cookies, etc.

Lisa- I'm going to get Luke that walker. It is so cute.

Kerrie- Glad that you are getting some pain relief.

Monica- Have a good trip!!!

Jill- Good Luck on the 1 yr. appointment. I don't like the shot appts. either. The twins always get very swollen inj. sites and fevers.

Steph- Hope you had a great cruise. I know when you got back you hugged and kissed those boys forever. I'm sure your still settling in from your trip, but let us know how it went when you can with the IL's watching Evan & Bailey.

Well have a great weekend everyone!
Kris

[Jillmami]

Christel, I hope that your MIL is doing well and that she, and your dh, get to go home today. How scary that must have been. Nice that your dh was close at the time to be with her.

Kris, I hope you are right and that today is a better and healthier day!

Heather, the choking has me worried too. Mine haven't done it in a while but with adding in new foods... I tried cooked egg yolk a month ago with no success. I tried it yesterday and they tried it without choking. TJ will try/eat anything. Noah is the picky one. He will close his eyes, make a 'poo poo' face and won't eat anything. I have to smear something he likes on his lips so he will smell/taste what it is to eat it. Holy drama king! :snicker: They will keep graduating to new foods when they are ready. Hang in there and keep trying. I waited a few weeks and tried again and they did fine so give them a bit of time. Great job with the choking issue! Way to keep your cool mama!!!

With the babies having tummy/crawling/strength issues keep at it. TJ is finally so close to crawling. She gets on all 4's and rocks away, lifts one arm, and then lies on tummy and flips to back to play. I think that when she is 'ready', she will be off and I'll be in trouble. She also tries to stand all of the time which our PT/OT discourage since they are not doing it "correctly" and we don't want to encourage bad habits. So much to think about with these preemies! I still let mine stand at times but I put downward pressure on their hips so they don't do the tippie toes. They just get so excited to be in a different position. I turn on the music to distract them since they like to sit and boogie. Mine absolutely LOVE music. It's funny, certain songs come on the ipod and they freak out with excitement! The food is a good motivator as well as fave toys. I am still putting mine on their tummies every time I put them on the floor and then rolling them onto their tummies every time I pick them up and then scooping them up from that position. She also flips around a lot and sleeps on her tummy. Noah's big thing is to sit up in his crib. I go in almost every am and his legs are hanging out of the crib and he is just sitting there like, 'finally'! Although he doesn't cry or fuss to let me know he is stuck. Silly boy.

OK, I rambled way more than I originally anticipated! Pumping is done and I'm off to get ready for the dr. appt. Have a fab Friday mamas!!!

[newmomx2]

Well if you recall I was on my own all week with DH on night work - well as I feared they got sick again - we literally had 2 weeks of well babies - I knew it was going to happen with everyone touching them on Easter my FIL was sick and I kept saying don't hold them so much hell sure enough Tues. nigher Tyler had a 104 fever all night so no sleep for me then I 'got-up' and had the neighbor watch him while I took Corey to the children's hospital. To make a long story short they said we can do a helmet but his head will never entirely come out at this point - I am so upset I can't even talk about it right now...

Week ended with Corey getting sick and no sleep Wed or Thur either (managed to get to work yesterday) home working today...so tired...

Then my only hope so far for day care (my current lady is stopping June 1) called and said she is moving...Tyler puked all over me and the changing table and DH was forced to work 2 more nights AAAAHHH

I will try to read posts later this weekend - miss you all and here's to you y'all having a better week than I...haha

[christel]

Quick update... MIL had a stress test this morning. The results will come in this evening. Then, she'll either be released OR they'll do an angiogram tomorrow. Right now DH plans to bug out tomorrow around 7am. It's a 6 hr. drive. :sigh::sigh: There is the possibility that he'll stick around, though, if she has to have the angiogram.

Emme isn't running a fever today :yippee: and seems to be in better spirits. She did have a kinda runny diaper this morning, though. Uh, oh. Just gonna watch her closely and pray that if anything is brewing we know today so she can get into the dr. I HATE when stuff hits over the weekend!

Missy - I am SO sorry for all the crap you're dealing with right now. I don't even know what to say about the Corey/helmet thing except to cry with you :pathead: How incredibly frustrating! Thinking of you.

Jill - I re-intro'd scrambled egg yolks today and they ate them like they were going out of style :snicker: Funny, isn't it. We continue to use some of the ideas you sent on tummy stuff. You're right, it'll happen when it happens. BTW, what is the "correct" stand position? Neither of my girls tries to go on tip toe, they have feet flat on the floor and seem to bear their weight there.

Kris - sending you good napping vibes! Hope todays the day for an extra long one for you!

Andrea - CUTE CUTE CUTE purse! Does it go w/ yoga pants and hoodies? 'Cause that's all I'm wearing these days, too :snicker: And, I'm gonna give the tofu a try w/ the girls. I don't like it myself, but they don't need to know that.

Felisha - LOL about the werewolf dream! And I am appalled at the behavior of the grandparents! That is despicable and I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. On the other hand, if that's the kind of people they are, good riddance. I loved :throb:the story about Maya and the burp rag. Too cute!

Heather - I haven't taken the child CPR class, either, and always worry that we'll have a time when I might need it. My girlfriend (and sometimes babysitter) has, though. I think I'll get her to at least walk me through the Heimlich.

Monica - have a safe trip and enjoy the sunshine! And :woo: that baby Aurelia is home! That is a for-real miracle!

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[Megzackben]

just real quick

found the first site I typed in for CPR. They said they had video demos.

I PRAY that none of us ever needs this.

http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/index.html

[JERSEYGEMINI]

I just wanted to say Hi- sorry that I can't respond to everyone. I've been reading, but I'm really uncomfortable sitting for very long. The drains came out, I took a shower (woo hoo!), but then I started really swelling since the fluid had no where to go...dr. said this is normal. I felt a bit better this morning, but already swelled up like a sausage today.

My mom left this morning--so sad--now FIL is here for two days, then MIL for 1 1/2 weeks...it's just not the same as your own mommy, you know what I mean?

Thanks for asking and all the good wishes...hope to catch up with you all soon!

Jen

[Jillmami]

We took the infant 1st aid/cpr class while the kids were in the NICU. They offered quite a few classes there which was nice. Heather, thanks for the link. Always good to stay on top of that even with a class.

Well, we just got back from our 1 year appt. and the shots sucked for the babies. Dh gets more upset than I do about them; it's cute. The second they hit that crinkly paper, it was all over. So as long as we held them, they were fine until the nurse came in. Isn't it weird how the babies 'know' when it's time. Babies are still creeping along with height/weight. Their iron levels were a little low but ped. thought it was due to them being preemies so next week they have a regular blood draw to check all facets of their blood. SO not looking forward to that.

Does anyone else pay for BabyFirst tv? Mine LOVE the channel. It's baby/toddler programs all day/all night. They love the snippet which teaches new signs, and a few other programs. As soon as the intro song starts for them, they laugh and squeal with excitement. It is a hoot! Definitely handy when pumping!

Christel, HANG ON! Dh is almost back! How are the girls hanging with daddy still gone? Fingers crossed she stays healthy, especially over the weekend. As far as I know, the 'correct' stand position is when the babies are not on their toes for one. Mine used to do a great job of NOT going up on their toes but lately, they get so excited when they are standing up they go on toes. That keeps the backside muscles in a non-stretched position and can cause tightening. I don't think this applies to non-preemies all that much though. I just know when our NICU nurse came out for this last monthly visit, she wasn't thrilled with Noah's standing posture. He also has some toe grasp still shows he isn't quite ready for walking. Once they are really ready, that grasp is gone. I know the tip toes is a big one though. Oh the woes of preemies. Today, I introduced shredded MJ cheese and they LOVE it!! A new texture to grasp and munch on. TJ is starting to get her 3rd tooth! Noah still doesn't have any. Ped. said that if by 15 months no teeth, then they x-ray to see if there are any teeth to come in. He's only had to do that with one kid though.

Missy, what a day you are having. Not a good way to head into your weekend. I am so sorry to hear about everything you've been dealing with. Have you looked online for childcare? Some people use Craigslist, some use other nanny services, we used gonannies.com and found 2 AMAZING ladies. 2 more nights must seem like an eternity. You can do it! Stay strong!! Good luck!

[Jillmami]

WE HAVE A CRAWLER!!! Noah is finally full fledged crawling! No more backwards crawl. TJ is very close herself. I think it will be a matter of a few weeks until she takes off.

[AndreaR]

Hip Hip Hooray
Hip Hip Hooray
Noah is crawling
Get out of his way!

[Megzackben]

Anyone using Enfamil Gentlease or AR lipil? I have a coupon for $7 off.

[christel]

:woo: :party2 :elefant: :five: :partygirls:
Yea Noah!!!! Watch out world!

Dh is home! :bunny: MIL is home and ok. The girls are sick :( Not eating well and diarrhea. Gaa!

Heather - we use AR. If nobody's in line in front of me, I'll pm you my address.

Jill - thanks for the info. on stand posture. We don't have BabyFirst tv, but I Tivo Sesame Street religiously. We save it for the whiney time at the end of the day and they react just like your 2. L:throb:VE it! Glad the shots are out of the way, but BIG bummer on the 2nd round of blood work. I'm suspicious that we might have iron issues, too, but will find out May 2. I am giving them infant vitamins w/ iron once a day b/c they often don't eat enough cereal to fill in the gap.

Jen - OUCH! is all I can say :pathead: Hang in there and don't overdo it! Keep letting the help do for you. Glad you're getting a chance to read the board. Don't worry about posting until you're feeling better :grouphugg:

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[swineland]

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack!!! :wave:

I totally have not caught up on all the posts (about 1/2 of them), but will finish reading them tomorrow as I sip my coffee and return to the land of the early risers.

The cruise was fabulous..... I'll post pictures and tell you all about it when I check back in tomorrow.

I did want to tell you though, since I've kept you in the loop about this since the beginning, that my dad's tumor/mass has been diagnosed as a soft-tissue sarcoma, a very rare type of cancer. It has been sent off to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, which is one of the best treatment and research facilites in the country in dealing with sarcomas. In fact, they see more sarcomas in one day than many physicians see in a lifetime. The next determination to be made is the classification, or staging, of the cancer. This will tell us if it has spread, how far advanced, etc. He and my mom should hear something next week to that effect, and then a possible trip to Houston pending those results. I am trying desperately to keep my cool about this and not go off the deep end just yet. I am going to try and take my cues from mom and dad, read their tones, etc. Today they both sounded cautiously optimistic, a little nervous, but mostly very hopeful and positive. So, I will do the same and try to really spend as much time as I can praying and "willing" this to be a best-case scenario. As you guys know, I am an only child, am very very close to my parents and shudder at the mere thought of my boys not growing up to know him. He's the kindest, most humble man I know and only this year will be 56. (He robbed the cradle, my mom is 7 years older!) Anyway, just wanted to fill you in.

BTW, Christel, don't you live in Houston?

Time to sleep....

Steph

[Jillmami]

Noah thanks you ladies for recognizing his 'mad skillz' as his daddy calls them! :snicker:

I got a 12oz container of Enfamil Next Step Lipil milk-based formula powder in the mail if anyone cares to have it. Let me know and I'll send it to you next week.

Steph, glad that you are back and enjoyed your cruise. Sorry to hear that your family has to wait for further results re: your dad. PLEASE feel free to pm with any questions you might have as I went through the test/wait phase last spring with my mom. It's no fun to wait. I too am an only child since my sister/brother were both in a car accident 14 years ago. It is not an easy position to be in. I will continue to keep you all in my thoughts/prayers. We are all here for you!

Speaking of dads, Kerrie how is yours doing? Hoping he continues to improve.

Christel, glad that you dh is home as well as your MIL.

[Megzackben]

Christel-it's yours just pm me your address.

okay on for a second. Pray for us (Steph and I) we are in a yucky storm coming. I am all alone. The tub is prepared with blankets and pillows in case of a tornado. (it is my one reoccuring dream...just had this same dream 2 days ago!)

[christel]

Just reading quickly and wanted to say WELCOME BACK :wavey: to Steph! I am in Austin. There was a mom on the board from Houston, but she hasn't posted in a while. It's about a 3 1/2 hr. drive to Houston from Austin, so not bad. It's at least a 3 hour drive to anywhere from anywhere in TX :lol: I will continue praying for your Dad, Steph.
:lovemytwins:
Christel

[vthompson]

Steph - I am glad that you are back safe and sound. I will continue to pray for your dad. It sounds like you are handling things as well as you can. Please keep us posted.

Steph and Heather - How is the storm? I pray that you are both safe.

CONGRATULATIONS NOAH!!! :clap: :clap: :jump: :clap: :clap:

Christel - I am so glad that DH is back and that your MIL is feeling better. We are still getting over the stomach thing...it is NO FUN!

Jen - I hope you get back to yourself soon. In a few weeks, this will all be a distant memory.

Missy - What a terrible ordeal! I hope everyone is feeling better. You deserve some time off after all of that.

Kris - I am glad that everyone seems to be feeling better. Hopefully, naps are going better.

Felisha - We will never give up on you! We will always be here to listen. I am sorry things are not going well. I absolutely cannot believe they did that! They are missing out on 2 beautiful children!

Lisa - We can celebrate 4 babies' b-days with some shopping this summer (lol).

Monica - I am SO jealous you are going to Florida, especially with this terrible weather we are having! It snowed AGAIN last night and now it is raining!

I know I have probably missed some people, so I am sorry. It has been many days since I have been able to post. I started feeling sick on Thursday, stomach, of course. Friday was the Billy Joel concert. I decided to go anyway, even though I felt like throwing up. I then decided to have some drinks, thinking, for some stupid reason, that it would help me forget how I felt. Well, during the concert, it did. It was AMAZING!! Then, after we left, I started to feel very sick. We were with a group of people who wanted to go to a bar. I sat at the bar so sick I could not even talk. Of course, DH was too busy socializing and claims he did not realize how sick I was. Anyways, after one of the pg wives wanted to go, we left. I came home and threw up, had chills and a fever, and was miserable. My mom was here and helped take care of me. I felt like such a baby, but you know how nice it is to have your mom take care of you :) I was pretty mad at DH. We talked about how he was being selfish and he apologized. He even took care of me and the babies yesterday even though he was pretty hung over. Anyways, each day I have felt a little better. I am still not 100%, but feeling much better from Friday.

Well, I better go. I have been on here forever.

Valerie

[Megzackben]

storms went by but nothing YEAH! I am a little drama queen but I really get panic stricken when tornados are in the area. It is my one big phobia.

Steph-glad your back. I hope you were able to enjoy. I will definately pray for your dad. Glad that he has MD Anderson to help him.

Okay Zack has thrown up 2x in 3 days and Ben did the same on different days. This past week they have been SOOO clinging and crying. I held them for 2 hrs straight. I hate when nothing helps. Luckily no fever. Their teeth are coming in still which may add to the situtuation. My little chomper Zack doesnt really want to eat. He took a few oz of Pedialyte but now wont take any and no BM in 2days. If it gets worse I will take him to Dr but I think its jsut something time with work out. Just dont like them this way.

okay off to them cranky again :(

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Go Noah!! :bootyshake: :itsyourparty: :clap: What an accomplishment!!!

Steph and Heather-- PLEASE stay safe with all this nasty weather. Glad that you're prepared, Heather--better safe than sorry. Steph-- welcome back, and so sorry about your Dad. Sounds like you all have great attitudes and that will surely help during this terrible waiting period.

Christel-- happy to hear that DH made it homeand MIL is okay! I never knew that you were in Austin. Before the twins, we traveled there frequently, and I love that city! My stepdaughter lives in Corpus Christi, my BIL and family live in Ausitn, and DH grew up in Houston. I've spent much time out your way! I hope the girls feel better soon. We've had diarrhea around our house for the past four days and it's finally clearing up.

Actually, right now my MIL is in Austin doing god knows what when she promised to be here in NJ TONIGHT since DH goes to Chicago tomorrow for work. Right now, I have NO help tomorrow and still cannot lift or drive. :stress: . She is so flakey--decided to visit the family in TX before coming out here when she knew that we were depending on her. Now, the awful weather has delayed her flight until morning. I have calls out to babysitters but so far no responses. I'm so frustrated with my husbands family-- they are well-meaning people, but not very dependable.

Val-sorry to hear that you've been so SICK! At least you got to see Billy!! Trust me- I really know how great it is to have your mom give the TLC. :pathead: I miss mine terribly! Anyhow, sounds terrible and I hope you'll be back to yourself soon and that the kids don't catch it.

Missy- :sigh: What a horrible week to be solo! I hope everyone is healthy soon! What's with all these bugs going around?? I used craig's list and www.babysitters.com to find a sitter since I'm going back to work in ONE week. It was alot of work, but the babysitters.com website really panned out. Hang in there, lady!

Guess what- Isa took her first steps this morning right into her daddy's arms! She looked like a drunken sailor. :cheers: She woke up this morning determined to stand on her own, and then progressed from there. Now she tries to walk before she has her balance and really looks like she has had a few too many. So cute. Mason is so jealous and cries everytime she walks.

I'll catch up some more later--

Jen

[mmzill]

Hey Everyone~
Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. We did go to Florida. On Friday we left WV and drove to Daytona Beach (13hrs, and 3 cranky kids later we made it!) The kids did really well, but were over their seats by the end of the drive, imagine that. Then on Saturday we went to the beach (wonderful warm weather!!! although windy!) Then came over to Orlando in the evening and are now settled here. We are staying down here for 3 wks. Dh has a training he is attending. But as I look out the window, the sun is shining and it looks so warm! (so different from the 38 degrees back home!)

Steph, glad you made it home and had a nice time! Can't wait to see pics!
Heather, we decided to go get groceries this morning, right when the down pour started....needless to say we got quite wet.

Val - hope your house continues to get better!

Way to go Noah!!!

Choking - my guys gag alot on stuff, then end up thowing up - it's so fruststrating.

Well, better go! Have a good evening everyone
Monica

[vthompson]

Monica - Glad you survived the rain!! I am SO jealous of the beach and warm weather. Take lots of pics.

Jill - I just looked at your website. It is so adorable!!

CONGRATULATIONS ISA!!! :jump: :jump:

Jen - How exciting for her!! Will you be ready to go back to work in a week?

Heather - During our stomach episodes with Kayley, the ped just said to keep her hydrated. So, we gave a ton of pedialyte.

Valerie

[josie88]

Congrats to Noah crawling and Isa walking!!!:clap:

Jen-Thank goodness you mom was there for you in the beginning instead of your MIL. I hope you were able to get some help. It would be so nice if we all lived closer to help each other out.

AndreaR-Crawling and handling solids- Ethan isn't crawling completely yet but, he eats just about everything I give him. Emily makes herself gag except when she eats yogurt. Oh!! I forgot about your new purse. I wanted to tell you the last time I posted but somehow forgot. My DH used to say I got a new purse everytime I got my haircut.

Christel-Thanks for those interesting recipes. I'm anxious to try them.

Felisha- :love: I have alot of the same issues with my 61/2 yr old. She doesn't listen to me like she does DH. I tell everyone she is 7 going on 22. she has such an attitude and a sassy mouth I could scream at her all day long. Then you feel like sh-t later. Alot of it was my time being taken from her cuz of the twins. It is so hard to take the time to play a game or whatever but she showed change with just a few times of one/one w me. I have recently got a technique to try from my sister's boss who is a phychiatrist for children. She says to use a reward/points to get her to listen and gain respect. Start with pennies,poker chips something you can give her so many of (like 10) each week. Make a chart of chores and rules, she needs to follow,if she doesn't do them or misbehaves you take away one for each. If she is good she can gain it back. By the end of the week if she has what she started with reward her with a rented movie,ice cream etc. She says "Lots of praise for postive reinforcements" You both can even pick the rewards together. I haven't tried it but it seems like it may work.

Heather-Hope all at you house is getting better. I too hate when they are sick.

Steph-Glad that your are back safe and sound. Sorry to hear about the news on your dad. Think positive, we are all here for you.:grouphugg :

Need to get off,Sorry if I missed anyone GoodNight

Joy :10pound:

[Jillmami]

Wahoo Isa!! Way to go girl!:top: :yippee: :congrats:

Valerie, thx. I am actually in the process of updating it since it still has Valentine's pics on the front page. :snicker:

This is probably a really dumb question but do you stay with your kids while they are playing or do you do other things and check on them every few? Does anyone have any good games to play? Mine get SO BORED with the toys. Noah makes his rounds in the playroom in about 5 minutes and then he's like, "ok, what now?" I try to be verbally stimulating but I get bored and tired after the first hour or so! ARGH...

[Megzackben]

JIll-Mine love the empty water bottles on the kitchen floor. I put some water in it so when they shake it splashes. I also emptied out my plastics cabinet and they have tons of my plastic. Their favorite toy is the Leapfrog music table. They play with it for about 20 min at a time. Good luck.

[Jillmami]

Heather, glad that you survived the weather and that it wasn't too bad. Thank you for the games. They do love plastic bowls/spoons. I like the water bottle idea. Bottles and sippy cups make such a mess!

[Jillmami]

Not sure if this still applies to anyone or not, but I stumbled across this info while looking for something else. It is a technique that makes your baby more tolerable to stomach lying.

* Step one place your baby on his or her stomach on a carpet on the floor.

* Step two gently hold your baby by the elbows and encourage supporting him or herself on elbows. Continue to provide support.

* Step three measure, or try to get some measure of the distance between the floor and your baby's armpit in the supported position.

* Step four get a roller with approximately the same diameter as you've just measured. Rollers are soft cylindrical shaped toys, preferably firm. The roller should be placed underneath your baby's upper body for support. It is important that you do not buy the roller too big. Your baby's elbows must still reach the floor when lying over the roller.

* Step five put the roller underneath your baby's upper body with elbows touching the ground in front of the roller. This supported position also allows your baby to lift his or her head and discover the surroundings.

* Step six get down on the floor directly in front of your baby, face towards your baby. Now let your baby look at your face while you talk to, amuse and encourage your baby to lift his head and take part in the conversation.

* Step seven step six is the most important step of this activity. And your baby will surely endure longer sessions and crawl sooner if it is enjoyable.Remember, your baby should focus on you and naturally develop a sense of using both legs for support. In no time you will see your baby supporting the upper body on straight arms and bearing weight on both knees ready to crawl.

Spend three to five minutes daily, results will come even faster if you can do more than one session per day.

[Megzackben]

Lisa-tell you mil that you are thinking of buying them a brand new car. Maybe you'll get one:snicker: For real though that would drive me insane. Just becasue I am dealing with MIL issues right now and very peeved I'd defiantely have them wear what you bought. They can wear it other days.:snicker: Good luck with your bday ideas. I am going to steal someone's idea and get a small wade pool and fill it up with the big balls. Then later use it with some water. I am going to give them cupcakes too.

I am so nervous though. Meg was eating very well at this point and giving her a cake was no big deal but I am now petrified with them choking or getting a bad reaction to choclate cake. Should I give them a little bit of cake before the bday in case it doesnt agree with them? With Meg I just let her have it and it was everywhere (a real cake).


dh stayed home because he had a HEADACHE!!!! I was a little bit upset becasue MIL still cam over. WIsh I had my mom to watch the kids while I layed in bed. I think he is going to take Zack to the dr. He woke up again with a dry diaper. Hope he is getting dehydrated. He isn't lethargic but he is very clingy (teething???)

okay got to go get the kids

[newmomx2]

I went to Virginia Tech and have family that work at the VTech - just saw the shootings on TV..

home today sick will write more later.

[swineland]

Missy, my DH went to Va Tech as well. He called me with the news and told me to turn on the television and I couldn't believe it. He is 36, so it's been awhile since he was there, but he's somewhat upset about it. It's one thing to walk down memory lane, but to do it in this context is kind of somber.

My prayers to your friends/family who work there.

Steph

[vthompson]

Missy - My prayers also go out to your friends and family. I cannot imagine how scary all of this must be.

Lisa - I would just have the boys wear your shoes. I do not think I would tell her what you are buying them anymore. That way, she does not have a chance to get them herself! I am not sure what we are doing for the bday yet. We are having family over on May 27th, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. I haven't decided if we are doing a theme, though.

Heather - How is Zach?

Joy - Those are all good ideas...I will have to remember that when the twins get older.

So, I think I am finally feeling better. However, now both babies have runny and congested noses. Kayley was pretty crabby today from it. I swear, it never ends!

I have an appt tomorrow with a dermatologist. I had a mole removed a few years back that came back as precancerous. Anyways, my doc freaked out and took off a bunch more and all were fine. Now I see a derm once a year for a mole check. I did not go last year at all. I always gets scared to go. Mostly, because I am afraid of having a mole removed. I am sure you all know about how fantastic my skin heals! Therefore, I always break out in a rash and it is MISERABLE!! On top of that, I have some weird feeling on the side of my throat/neck. It has come and gone the past week. It almost feels like a swollen gland. It does not hurt, just feels odd, does that make sense? I think I may get it checked out...I just have no idea what it could be. I think I am falling apart (lol)!!

Have a great night ladies!

Valerie

[Jillmami]

Lisa, the BabyFirst tv is a channel offered by DirecTV. http://babyfirsttv.com/index.asp
As for 1st birthday themes, we are having a more formal bday in June once school is out. We had a small thing back in March on their actual birthdate. Haven't thought too much about themes. What about Dr. Seuss Thing 1 and Thing 2? That would be easy for cake/cupcake decorations. Red cake or a jello poke cake (white cake with red jello throughout) with blue/white frosting? It would be easy to make little t-shirts with the 'thing 1'/'thing 2' on them instead of buying them. My dh suggested Heckle and Jeckle (the cartoon) or am I dating myself here. :snicker: We had personalized M&M's made in turquoise and fuschia for the bday party in June so maybe I'll make little M t's for the babies. Also our last name starts with an 'M' so that would be a double meaning there. Um... maybe have plain white t's for each boy that guests can write personal messages or just sign their names with fabric pens. Not sure how 'themey' you want. Characters from Disney/Sesame Street/other tv shows, everything with 1's on them, start a growth chart, if you are planning on staying put in the house you are in, plant a tree for each baby, look at http://www.orientaltrading.com/application?origin=page.jsp&namespace=main&event=link.home&BP=913&Source=Google&cm_mmc=Google-_-Oriental%20Trading%20Brand-_-Brand-_-oriental%20trading%20company
they have TONS of party ideas if you have never looked at one of their catalogs.

Heather, I hope that Zack is feeling better and you find out what is wrong with the little angel.

Hopefully nobody knows anyone that was involved at VA Tech. If so, I hope they are ok.

Valerie, good luck at the dr.'s office tomorrow. I know how you feel. It seems that now that kids are in the picture, I worry about things way more than I ever used to.

Ok, that was a lot of babble! Hopefully you are still not reading this. If you are, you must be a glutton for punishment. :hahaha:

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning Ladies...

Sorry I have been MIA.... Work has been crazy busy and I have had a sinus infection... Finally broke down and went to the Dr. yesterday... A dose of antibiotics later and I feel like a new person...

Its been too long and too many posts to keep everything straight in my head so please forgive if I miss anything...

Shots - I can't remember who but somone asked what kind of shots I had... It was a steriod injection into the sacral illiac (correct spelling optional) or also know as SI.. It is the joint at the bottom of your back... Its the piece that the tail bone attaches to... All of your nerves sort of converge there and then spread out from there into your legs... So far I have had so much relief... It is like night and day.

My Dad - He was moved into a private room on Saturday. He is definitely on the mend... I talked to him yesterday and when he got on the phone he said "Hey Baby Girl"... I never thought I would hear him say that again.

Vent - Yesterday I left work around 9:30a to go to the doctor. Waited forever because I had to go to the walk-in clinic... finally got home yesterday at 12:30p. Helped feed the boys their noon bottle and then thought DH would say for me to go lay down for a couple of hours to feel better (didn't sleep much the night before because of coughing)... Instead he said "I'm glad your home, I'm going to the hardward store and this way I don't have to take the boys"... Don't get me wrong... I love taking care of my boys but I could not take a breath without coughing... I didn't want to be in their faces any more than necessary... So he left and I took care of the boys... He came back and proceeded to put up the shelves he bought at the store... I watched the boys... I finally convinced him to stop working on the shelves (which are for the boys bedroom) so the boys could take a nap... Of course he told me the boys weren't tired... but I was sitting there watching them whine, rub their eyes and pull on their ears... Nope not tired... exhausted... So the boys napped for about 1 hour but by this time it was too late for me to lay down... so I just stayed up... DH and I talked about it last night and we are fine but it just gets my goat that I wasn't even suppose to be there, I was sick and thought I could at least get a little rest before getting up to help with the boys next bottles and feeding... I know... Me Selfish... But I was sick... I told him I had just got my hopes up that I would be able to lay down, let the antibiotics do there thing and I would be able to wake up this morning and go back to work feeling better than 70%... He did get a project accomplished so that was good...

Steph - I am so glad you enjoyed your cruise... Your dad is in my prayers...

Jill - We tried baby's first tv when it first started... The boys were too young to appreciate it back then... So far we haven't considered getting it... It might be a good idea as the boys get older...

Lisa - My grandmother was always like that with my mom... My mom would say she wanted to get something and the next time you saw my grandmother she would have one... Its a little different than your situation but I always think about how much it would hurt my mom... I'm sorry you have to go through that... especially when it should be such a joyous occasion... I actually like Heather's idea of telling her you are thinking of buying a new car for the boys...

Felisha - The grandparents (I use that term loosely) of your twins sound like they are spiteful and don't have the character to put the babies first... They are better off not being around people like that...

BIG YEAH FOR NOAH AND ISA!!!! Isa and Ben can go a walking together!

Heather - Keep us informed about what's going on with our Zack...

Okay, I guess I should get back to work... I got everything done that was on my desk before I left yesterday but somehow a new stack arrived while I was gone...

Talk to you gals later..

Kerrie

[AndreaR]

Missy - I hope that everyone you know at VT is safe and sound. It is just a horrible, horrible tragedy. In these moments, I always think about the family of the perpetrator(s) and how they are stuck with such a burden for the rest of their lives.

Steph - glad you had a nice vacation, but I'm sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. I will continue to pray and I hope that the next week passes quickly for you. I can't imagine.

Jill - thanks for the info on the tummy time. That sounds like a really good idea. Do you know where I could find one of those rollers? I'm trying to think of something I could use around the house. Maddie is really doing well, so I don't think we'd need to do this for very long. Also, I love the "Thing 1 & Thing 2" theme!

Jen - how are you doing? Hope your MIL made it and you were okay on your own for a little bit. How are you feeling?

Heather - how is Zack? Did he go to the doctor? It's so scary when they don't eat/drink. I wouldn't worry too much about giving them cake on their birthday, if you don't think they're ready for it. They certainly won't feel like they're missing out on anything. The first birthday is more for you than it is for them.

That being said, I feel so behind on planning the girls' party. We picked a date (June 3) and I sent out a "Save the Date" email to all of the family, but other than that, I've done nothing! Everytime I start thinking about it, I think that I'm going to go completely overboard, so I stop.

Valerie - good luck at the derm. And good for you for going. Keep us posted.

Lisa - thanks for thinking of me and the nor'easter. It was not that bad, or maybe I just slept through the bad part. There were a lot of trees down, and we lost our power, but just briefly. The Boston Marathon was yesterday, and I felt so bad for the runners. Can you imagine running in a storm like that? Also, thanks for the permission to kiss your boys... Good luck with the Elmo cake! I'm sure it will come out great. Regarding the sneakers, I would be peeved at MIL, too. I like Heather's idea of hinting at a new car. LOL. On the plus side, little boys cannot have too many sneakers, so just use the Puma's as back ups.

Okay, I know I am biased and I know that every first time mother feels this way about her kid, but I really think Isabelle is a genius. Welllll, maybe not a genius, but so friggin' smart. She amazes me. She says "hi" and "bye" and waves. She does it on her own, like if someone walks into the room. She says "Madeline" (though not perfectly - lol). Yesterday she started signing for "more" and "all done" and today she said "all done" after she signed. Again, she's not saying it perfectly, but she's definitely trying to say it. She understands so much of what I say. She does a lot more, but I'll spare you. My point is, I feel like it's hard to praise her and not feel bad for Madeline, who is totally at the other end of the spectrum. She is smart in her own way (so manipulative it's not even funny), but I find that I have to stop myself from making too big of a deal about Izzy's accomplishments, because I don't want to give Maddie a complex. I know it's a little early to be worrying about this, but if they are always this far apart, it's going to be hard, don'tcha think? I'd love to hear what you all think.

Well, sorry this is so long. I didn't realize I had so much to say! Hello to anyone that I missed. Daniele - I am thinking about you and praying for your family. I will try to call you today or tomorrow.

Off to build my ark. It's raining again with no end in sight..........

xoxo
Andrea

[Jillmami]

Andrea, re: rollers, I know that they are used in physical therapy as well as some exercise programs like yoga/pilates. I have seen them online for 5-10 bucks at pt places as well as exercise sites. I would think a bolster type pillow would work as well. It depends on how tall of an object you would need under her. If she is like TJ, not 'too' tall. If you are crafty, and they are the right height, you could take 2 oatmeal containers, tape them together end to end, and cover them with a towel or something cushy?? Just a thought. But as you mentioned, she doesn't seem as if she will need help for much longer and you will be running everywhere after her!

Kerrie, GREAT news on your dad! I remember when my mom had a few moments of lucidity and she looked at me and said, "hi honey!" It was a terrific feeling. Although we knew she wouldn't get better, it was great knowing she knew I was there. Seems as if he is definitely on the right path to going home soon! Keeping up those prayers for your family and Stephs! Glad that you are having relief from your back pain! How freeing that must be. Hoping it continues for you!

Felisha, I still can't get over how the 'grandparents' acted. Very sad. My dad hasn't even seen the babies. Of course we haven't spoken in something like 11 years. After my sis/bro died, he couldn't handle the guilt from not being around when we were younger and couldnt' be around me either. There's a great parenting piece of advice. :snicker: I speak via computer to my Stepmom so I know that he has seen pics of the babies. I will continue to extend invitations to visit us until we move this fall so we'll see what happens. You would think he of all people would understand how precious and short life can be. (I didn't even hear from him after my mom died.) My poor babies don't have many people on my side of the family! A few aunts and cousins. Anyway, sorry I was rambling! You are doing a terrific job mama and that's what matters. Hopefully they will come around soon.

Enjoy your day mamas! Sorry, I am sure that someone was left out. :embarassed:

[christel]

'morning ladies (the good is missing at this house) :wave:

Have done innumerable loads of laundry in the last 4 days... both girls have had lots and lots of diapers that runneth over :( Emme also has a cough and nasal congestion and every time she sneezes or coughs more poop shoots out. It would be funny if it someone else had to clean it up. We took her to the dr. yesterday b/c of that, plus the fever she ran last Thurs/Fri plus all the fussiness... wanted to make sure I wasn't ignoring an ear infection. She's clear in the chest and ears, so we'll just ride this out. Ugghh! Teething is the cause of some of the woe, but she's got some sort of a bug that's causing the congestion. Double wammy.

I did have a major perspective check last night when I was feeling overwhelmed and sorry for myself. I watched the show about the family that had twins and then had sextuplets. I have it EASY! Cool family and fun show to watch, too. Can't even wrap my head around what happens when viruses hit that house.

Jill - my DH is estranged from his dad's side of the family, too (parents split when he was 6). It's tough, they SO don't know what they're missing out on. His dad met the girls for the first time at DH's grandfather's funeral. It was very strange and awkward. There is one aunt on that side that lives out of state and she actually communicates more than everyone else who's close... cards, gifts, email. So sad :( We work it like you, just keep extending the invitation. We're not going to chase them down, but we're here if they want to step up. Oh, and bored mommy/play time... I sing a lot w/ the girls and we play peekaboo a 1000 different ways and put toys in dumb places, like on my head. Anything that gets a giggle. We throw the ball for the dogs and dance and then I'll change out the toys... That lets me escape for 20 min. or so and by then, we can usually transition to naps or a walk or jumperoo or high chairs. Sometimes I just load them in the car and we drive to get mommy a coke or some other drive-thru related errand.

Andrea - I've got similar issues w/ my 2. I think you can praise, just not compare. i.e. don't let yourself fall into the "look how well she does (blah blah), can you do it, too?" I think we can celebrate our individual's accomplishments and encourage progress in the other individual w/out creating complexes down the road. I SO understand your dilemma, though. This is going to be a constant issue for the remainder of our parenting careers.

Kerrie - that is so precious about your dad. How amazing is this recovery?! As for the vent... I'd be ticked, too! Sick comes w/ a dose of selfish, and you absolutely needed that nap! Just one of the many unpublished "joys" of marriage. Hope you're on the mend today.

Heather - So glad the storms weren't too bad and that all are ok. Was laughing a bit at your story about DH coming home w/ a headache and keeping MIL there. MEN! My DH will ignore the biggest of injuries (just a flesh wound:lol:) and whine forever about tummy or head pain! WTH?

Lisa - I would be more than annoyed about the shoe thing, too. I ditto Heather... start hinting about the car!

Valerie - we're about to pick up the pedialyte banner over here... we got the same memo, just keep 'em hydrated :sigh:

Missy - I am so hoping none of your near-and-dear were involved w/ the tragic thing at VT. :pathead: It's mind boggling.

Monica - hope Florida is still treating y'all well and the kids are doing well w/ the transition.

Joy - :wavey: how are things going?

Jen - That show I watched last night showed the mom getting a tummy tuck... OMG, I think you downplayed it when you've posted about the recovery. OUCH!!! And :woo: for Isa!!!! Very Exciting!! Also, definitely let me know if/when you come back to Austin. I'm so jealous of all the moms here that have been able to meet!

Steph - can't wait to hear about your cruise!

Gonna go grab a shower and some breakfast and do some more laundry before the girls wake up from their nap.

[christel]

Quick note to ask for a prayer for a family in my MOMs club... triplets. Little girl is recovering from RSV related problems and both boys have plagiocephaly and were put into helmets. Her DH just had to go back to work and they are overwhelmed w/ the medical needs of the girl, Lily. Someone helped the mom put this together... http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5892030206214460724
It gives all the details up to this point. Anyway, we've contributed to some amazing things w/ our prayers over the past year, and I'd be so grateful if you could send up some for this family.

[Jillmami]

Lisa, to each of us our problems seem huge and at times monumental. We each have our issues to deal with and that's all we know. Don't worry about anything you post! That's why we are each here. Now, if you were saying something about how your life is over because your MIL bought your kids shoes then we might have a problem! :snicker: Seriously, vent away when necessary.

Christel, I too am jealous of other mommy meetings! I will definitely add your friend's family to my prayers.

No matter how gloomy my day might seem at times, I am so thankful for what I have in my life. There are times where I feel that no matter what I do, TJ will never crawl! Or they will never gain enough weight to be out of the "severely below average" range. Now see what you started Lisa...:bawling:

Oh, Lisa, I can't wait to get home from school to see the video! I can't view it at school due to our server.

Hope everyone is surviving weather, colds, and life!

[SunMoonMom]

Christel - I am hysterical after watching that video... I am so lucky to have healthy boys... Dear God... the strength the Mom must have to keep it all going... How very proud of Lily everyone must be...

That family is very much in my prayers... I don't know that I will ever look at my boys the same again...

Kerrie

[SunMoonMom]

Lisa - the video of Brady was precious... It was just the thing to turn my tears to smiles...

Kerrie

[EBTwinz]

Holy Crap, I am bauling my eyes out after watching that video Christel posted. That was so moving. I just put the boys down for a nap and am half tempted to wake them up so I can hug them. Lily is such a sweet, beautiful little girl. I pray she will recover.

Jill: Thanks! :)

Okay, I will check in later. I really have to do laundry.

Love,
Lisa

[newmomx2]

Everyone I know is okay at VT.

Boys have had a terrible cold and now I have it - and I am flying to Arkansas for business tomorrow am till Thursday night - I am actually looking forward to a night in a hotel by myself:snicker:

[newmomx2]

I have been starting a fight with the ins for Corey's helmet - the neurosurgeon told me he is old to get one now and it may make little differenct but damn it we are going to do all we can for him..sorry I have been spitting mad so mad up until now I couldn't even talk about it. I have spent half the day talking to people to get butts in gear....

Please look at the link and give me HONEST feedback on his head - he is the one with more hair and brown eyes (chubby cheeks etc).

http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/mandjdietzpics/7-9%20Month/

[EBTwinz]

Missy: First of all, your boys are absolutely ADORABLE! As for Corey's head, I will give you my honest opinion... I think his head is flat in the back, but I don't think it's that bad. However, I can see your concerns for when he is older and I think you should continue to fight the insurance company. I remember when Ethan's was flat (his was flatter than Corey's) and the ped told us that by 9 months, that is usually the shape that will stay. We started to position him differently at night and it rounded out on it's own. Does Corey still sleep on his back? Can you try to get him to sleep on his side? Ethan's is still a little misshapened, but his hair covers most of it. I don't think Corey's looks that bad and I think if he never wears a helmet, then it's not going to be too noticeable when he is older. Hang in there and continue to fight for what you think is right. Go with your instincts. When Brady was about 2 months old, he was referred to EI. I was reluctant, since when they eval'd him, he scored so high, but I went ahead w/ the services, anyways, since it was free. I am glad that I did, b/c Brady was behind in motor skills and quickly caught up to Ethan. I had the same attitude as you, I would rather try it out even if there was no benefit in the long run. That way you know you are doing everything you can to help your kid.

Hope that helps...
Lisa

[christel]

Missy - yes, it's a noticeable flat spot, but I wouldn't call it severe. If it were us, I think that if the neurologist thought the helmet would help, even a bit, I'd go ahead and try it... then, I'd be happy if anything changed, but be ok if nothing did KWIM? Also, just have to say that you have 2 of the cutest little guys EVER! Just want to kiss their adorable chubby cheeks! :kiss:

[AndreaR]

Christel - I watched Lily's video and I cried so hard I almost vomitted. I couldn't stop crying. I am praying for her and her family. It made me feel so ridiculous for being frustrated with anything my girls might do. I am so, so, so thankful for all that I have. I thought I appreciated my life and my girls before, but man do I appreciate everything more now.

Missy - I looked at the pictures, and I honestly couldn't tell. If you think he needs the helmet, then go for it. I know insurance companies can be so terrible to deal with. Good luck. Your boys are adorable, though, and I was so happy to look at all of their pictures. They have such beautiful smiles.

Good night, everyone.

Andrea

ps. Here's hoping tonight was our last night with Sanjaya......

[swineland]

sorry the photos are so big! I'll resize in the morning :)

[lilybug19]

Gosh you really do miss a lot in a few days. Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, but it has been crazy here. Luke is off his sleep schedule & very fussy. Lily is joining in on the fussy part. Hopefully tomorrow will bring better days.

Steph- Glad you had a great cruise. My prayers are with your father. That video of Bailey is so cute. I can't wait till mine can do those kinds of things.

Christel- That video of the triplets(Lily) made me cry & cry forever. My prayers are with that family.

Missy- Corey does have a flatness to the back of his head. My friend's baby is 7 mos. he went in the helmet about 6 weeks ago. When they took him in he was at a level 10 after 5 weeks a level 3. The Dr. said he could discontinue using it if they wanted, but she is continuing for 1 more month to make it perfect. His head was flat to the back but to one side. It looked much worse than Corey's. Their ins. did not cover this. They had to pay out of pocket. It was $1500. She researched it and said the range of cost was $1500- $5000 and most ins. does not cover it. My sister's son has a head shape just like Corey's & he is 7yrs. old. It used to be noticeable, but as he has gotten older it isn't. If you want the treatment do it. Your the parent & you know what is best for your child.

Well I better get to bed. Who knows if I'll sleep through the night. The answer to that has been no as of late.

Kris

[Jillmami]

Missy, I agree with everyone else, trust your mommy radar/instincts. I would try anything possible if it had a chance of improving my child's condition. We were told that we would probably have to terminate baby b, TJ. If we had given up hope then, who knows what would have happened with her. She is here today from prayers and not giving up. If you strongly feel it could help, go for it. I also agree that your little ones are just as adorable as they can possibly be! Love those cheeks!!

Andrea, I feel you on the Sanjaya deal. :snicker:

Kris, glad you had some time to pop in! Really hoping that you get some sleep and that the babies are both healthy!

I had to post this pic of TJ. Check out her hair. It is so darn long on top! It keeps curling and curling... we call her Cindy Loo at times.

[LucasMom]

:flip: :flip: :flip: Ok, Just a quick note...

L and D have been in and out of the hospital for the last week. First Logan, who had the rotovirus so badly that he became a dehydrated little ragdoll, no movement, no drinking, no eating, no smiles for 4 days!! By day 2 I had him at the doctor, who immediately sent him to emergency. Long story short, both boys got the virus and were moderately to severely dehydrated because the little stubborn ones wouldn't drink ANYTHING!! They were lethargic to the point of scaring me half to death, and I ended up fighting with the emergency room doctor about treating Logan because I didn't feel like he was listening to MY MOMMY RADAR! My stellar soon to be ex husband turned his cell phone off, so I had to leave Logan at the hospital with my grandparents and my friend Brian, who took him through triage and luckily answered all the questions correctly, so I could go pick up Lucas and Dylan at daycare, because JC turned off his phone! Needless to say, it was a long week, alot of laundry!, alot of crying and snuggling with my peanuts to try and make them feel better, and so now I have walking pneumonia! whatever that means ( I get pneumonia easily since I was a child, things go straight to my lungs)...

Ok, enough of my crazy mommy rant. The boys are feeling so much better, Lucas managed to avoid the baby plague, and I filed my divorce papers yesterday. SOOOO.....

Steph-Glad you had a great time on your cruise. I am sending out big hugs and wishes for you dad and whole family. I can't believe how big the boys are getting!

Jill- Noah and TJ are so freaking cute!

Lisa- HAPPY 11 Months to Ethan and Brady and Logan and Dylan!!!! I can't believe we are all going to have one year olds (and some of us already do!!). It's been a long, strange, beautiful year with all of you.

I want to respond to everyone, but I am at work and have alot of catching up to do, so please forgive me...

Christel- I tried to watch the video yesterday, but my network kept stop/starting it so I will try at home tonight. Did she actually do a natural, vaginal triplet birth in a baby pool? Wow! I love the new pics you post of Ruby and Emme. So cute.

Missy- The spot is there, but what you do is truly up to you. Go with your instincts. The boys are adorable...

As for my secret...yikes, I still have to keep it a secret, but lets just say, I see a light at the end of my dark, 10 year tunnel with NSDXH (thats not so dear ex husband!) and I am keeping my head up.

I am again so proud to have you all as friends, a stunning, wonderful, intelligent, caring group of women, and I can't believe our journey has been a year and a half long already! I have such a big place in my heart for this crew and look forward to the day when I can join the list of you whom have met each other. Lisa-Still up for a KoP run whenever you are into it!

Love you Ladies,

Mindy

[EBTwinz]

Hey Mindy, I just found out that I am going to KofP in two weeks (a week from this Sat) w/ my MIL and SIL. Are you able to meet up w/ me? I am bringing the boys w/ me. Dh is in a golf tournament all day so I get to go shopping. My SIL wants to look at bridesmaid dresses at the big dept stores. I am so sorry you had such a tough week w/ your boys. HOpefully they are feeling better. And, no, I can't believe that our boys are 11 mos old today! Time is just flying by!!

Jill: That pic of TJ is just precious. You really do have two beautiful children. I think the June board has the cutest kids!! We should get all our kiddos into modeling.. :snicker: BTW, thanks for the ideas for the Bday party.

Kris: Hope you had a better night's sleep last night. I am w/ ya on the fussiness. Ethan has been in a funk lately. He is so fussy at night. Last night dh's parents babysat while we went to the gym (more on that later). When we got home, they were both still awake. Ethan wouldn't go to sleep until 9:30am then woke up at 1am screaming. We just put him in bed w/ us and he wanted to play. It's so frustrating.

Andrea: So you watch AI, too? I think Jen watches it, too. I am so addicted to it. I really can't stand Sanjaya. That kid needs to go! I am so torn as to who I think will go this week. Maybe Phil? Or it could be a shocker.

So, I joined the gym w/ dh. I went last night for the first time. I am so freaking sore today. But it feels so good to work out. I have a lot more energy today. It's nice to get out of the house, too. Dh's parents babysat last night but they live 30 mins away so they can only watch them once a week. Dh and I are going to take turns other nights. I will go when he gets home from work and he will go when the babies are in bed. I hope I lose 15-20 lbs, very soon. I feel so lumpy. I have never had a gut like this in my life. The skin just hangs. Damn twin skin. But it was worth it.:)

Bragging moment: My kiddos figured out how to put the balls into the drop and roar dinosaur on their own this week. It's so cute to watch them actually play with it. They are getting so smart. They both are saying Kitty cat, now. They say Dada and we think they call me DeeDa. They always say it when I am around. It's kinda funny. Ethan can blow kisses and if you ask him how the fan goes, he hold up his arm and moves it in circles. (my mom taught him that one). Brady started making really funny faces and then laughs. It's so cute. It's like he knows he is entertaining us. Oh, and they both have another tooth.

Speaking of teeth, don't they usually get the bottom two first? Ethan has both bottom teeth but Brady has a bottome and now a top tooth. And I think his other top tooth is coming in, too. I can feel the bottom tooth but it's not poked through, yet. Is that normal?

Okay, I wrote a book. I better check on the kiddos.

~Lisa

[EBTwinz]

Valerie and Daniele: WHERE ARE YOU?????????

[mmzill]

Hey Ladies!
I hope you all are having wonderful days!

I just got back from the park and meeting with Steph, we had a really nice time, maybe I should say I had a really nice time, but I think she and Evan and Bailey did also. It's so much fun to meet you all in person. I wish we could all get together sometime.

Heather, I do hope that we can see you too while we are down here! I PM'd you.

Lisa - dh and I watch AI religiously. HATE Sanjyah!!!! My favorites are Jordan and Blake. Good luck with working out! It feels so good to lose a little weight, (not to bragg, but I'm so excited! I went shopping yesterday and bought some size 8 pants!!! I couldn't beleive it. At Christmas I was wearing 14!) At anyrate good for you and good luck! You can do it! Smart kids - it sounds like your guys are very smart! You must be doing lots of stuff with them to encourage that! On teeth, I have a friend who's baby got the insizor teeth first.

Mindy - so sorry your guys have been so sick!!! I hate being in the hospital. I can't believe your NSDEH didn't have his phone on! That is so irresponsible! I'm glad that they are on the mend. Can't wait to hear what's going on with you! I wish you the best on the divorce.

Missy - my internet here isn't fast, so I only looked at the pics as small icons, but I could not see a flat spot. Your kids are adorable.

For all the sick babies, I hope they are getting better! Christel, Valerie, Heather.....and any I've forgotten.

Well, I'm going to get off here. I meant to take pics today, but never got the camera out :( I'm so mad at myself. Oh well, I think we'll get together again next week.
Love ya all!
Monica

[AndreaR]

Mindy - so nice to hear from you. I think about you all the time. I'm terribly sorry to hear about the boys' hospitalization. Sounds horrible, but it does sound like you handled it so well, with walking pnemonia, even!! You really do inspire me. I'm glad you have a light at the end of your tunnel, and until you get there, we are all there to hold your hand if it gets too dark and/or scary! :heart:

Lisa - yes, DH and I got totally hooked on AI this season. To be honest, I never watched it before and thought it was the stupidest show. Now we're obsessed. I like Phil better than a few of the others. I think he did well last night, but I don't think he's going to win. I like Jordan and Blake, too. Congrats to you on joining a gym! I think you will find that you will not only get back in shape, but you will have more energy. That has been the biggest motivator for me. And it's good that you're doing it with DH, even if you can't always go together, it is good to have that support. AND... MOST IMPORTANTLY! Congrats to E&B for their latest genius accomplishments! :woo: I'm very impressed!

Monica - nice to hear from you, glad you are enjoying your trip! I think Steph and Heather must have met the most mommies and twins, since everyone seems to travel to Florida! And BIG congrats to you on your new pants! There's got to be a good smiley for this...:dance3: :itsyourparty: :woo:

Don't mind me and the smilies - I'm having one of those days. Who creates them, anyway??? They crack me up!


Steph - LOVE the video, especially the pants falling off.

Kris - hoping you had a better night last night. I think the fussiness is the hardest part about twins because you can't really comfort two babies at once.

Well, I s'pose I should be doing something more productive, since both of the girls are asleep.

xoxoxoxo
Andrea

[EBTwinz]

One more thing that was cute today, the boys were watching Telletubbie and waved bye-bye at the end of the show to the tv. It was so cute. The tubbies always say bye at the end of the show and they both waved back. They are really into the tv right now. Not sure if that is good or bad, but it makes them happy and keeps them entertained. They like to sit in their comfy chairs w/ their sippy cups and watch TV. It's like they are morphing into little boys.

Monica: Your day sounded like fun! And a big :woo: on the size 8 pants. You go girlfriend!!!

AndreaR: Can't wait for the results tonight. Do you watch Dancing w/ the Stars, too? I just got into it the last season. I am loving the Olympic speed skater, Apolo Anto or whatever his name is. I think I have a crush on him. And I also had a dream that Blake from AI and I were dating. :love:

Oh, Valerie, I found an icon for you.... :violin: .....:snicker:

I am off to make dinner. Man, I have been on here all day.

OMG, almost forgot, I get the award for overreacting today. I was sitting in the living room and our window faces the street. Well, I saw this scruffy looking guy coming right towards our house. I didn't want to answer the door so I grabbed the boys. Well, the doorknob started to turn but our door was locked. I ran into the laundry room w/ the boys and grabbed the phone. Called dh and he didn't answer. Tried a hundred more times, no answer. So I ran upstairs and locked us in our bedroom. Then called dh's mom (dh was supposed to meet her for some work related stuff) and she handed him the phone. I told him what happened and he told me he was coming home. Well, when dh came home he brought in a flyer that was on our door. Stupid me thought the guy was trying to break in our house and here he was just leaving a flyer. You just never know these days... I am an idiot.

~Lisa

[christel]

Everyone -Thanks to all of you praying for the triplet family, particularly for Lily. Sorry for the tears that went w/ the video... I completely lost it, too, it was the ugly cry... but it sure drove home what that family is dealing with and makes them more than a faceless name, you know? I'm going to go over there next week (maybe this weekend) to help out w/ some housework. DH saw the video and said "ABSOLUTELY, whatever we can do for them, we will". I love that guy :throb:

Still sick here (which is why I won't go help at the triplet house now). Ruby threw up yesterday and today and ran a low fever most of last night. We took Emme to the dr. on Monday (and got a clean check up - ears & lungs) and I called them again today. I just know they get off the phone w/ me and talk about how crazy I am :crazy: Anyway, he said we've got a virus circulating and just to watch out for dehydration. There's nothing they could take, other than Tylenol. Also, Ruby had the 2nd bottom tooth pop through today, so add that to the mix. I just want them well by next weekend for their b-day!

Lisa - I adore that video! Baby laughs should be bottled so you can enjoy them anytime. And I was :lol: at your "over-reaction"... that's SO me! I'm sorry, but w/ all the craziness on this planet (VT???), and having 2 little babies completely dependent on you... there is no such thing as over reacting, IMO. And, :nod: YES your guys are the next baby Einsteins! So precious:love:

Andrea, Lisa & Kerrie - I know exactly what you mean... puts some perspective on life, doesn't it. I am SO thankful for my healthy happy children and it's sad that I forget how wonderful I really have it.

Monica - I'm always forgetting the camera when I go out, too... like photogenic things only happen at home :snicker: And I've got a camera on my phone, too, but never remember to use it! DUH!

Steph- I am so amazed by your little guy! He's like a bonafide toddler! How did they grow up so fast?

Jill - Emme and Ruby would both like to know what product TJ is using, b/c they don't have any hair and surely something she's doing will work for them! :hahaha:

Kris - right there with you on the fussiness and bad sleep. Hope all of our kids get the memo that tonight is sleep-through-the-night time and that naps are ON for tomorrow.

Mindy - So so so glad that your boys are ok and on the mend. HOW scary! Praying for your health, too :pathead: It is so good to hear a little spark of happy in your post. Focus on that light.

[mmzill]

Bye Sanjaya!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!! YEAH!!!! YEAH!!!!!!:jump: :yippee: :woo: :clap: :correct: :wavey:

Disclaimer: For all you who don't watch AI, I hope you don't think this is rude, but he really sucked!

[JERSEYGEMINI]

I'm watching AI as I write.......bye bye sanjaya?---here's hoping! My SIL loves him (she must have a screw loose). I LOVE Blake. He is so cute.

Christel-poor little Lily. Were Lily's and Max's illnesses related? I don't know how their parents can bare it. Will you please keep us updated? I think their story will haunt me forever. It definitely puts things in perspective. I will let you know if we're in Austin again, but no plans any time soon....I don't know when we'll be brave enough to fly with the twins!

Missy- I can see that Corey's head has a certain flatness to it. I would go for the helmet-not because the flatness is terribly severe, but just so you do everything you can. The helmet would probably help some and then as he grows it will likely become less noticeable. He is such an adorable boy (they both are!).

Monica- size 8?? Woo Hoo!! :scale: That is awesome! You're a hot mama!

Jill- great picture of TJ! She is a little princess.

Andrea- Isabelle is VERY advanced with her language. You should be proud! :proud: That is incredible! I also feel like I am always praising one (Isabella) who does everything early while Mason is doing things at the average times. I just try to praise him for the skills that he is mastering as much as I praise Isa for her baby acrobatics. I guess we will always have to perform this balancing act because one or the other will always be doing something better than their twin. I think the key is just to focus on their individual strengths.

Mindy-what a dreadful experience. I am so happy that your boys are on the mend and that Lucas was spared!

Steph- You look so RESTED and beautiful in your picture! How wonderful!

Lisa- You should be proud of yourself for getting to the gym. It is so hard to take that first step. You'll feel so much stronger and healthier by summer. Your video of Brady was great--aren't baby laughs the most heartwarming thing? It's something that you never want to forget. Thanks for your sweet posting, too.

Kris- I hope things get back to normal for you all and you get some sleep!

Well, things are looking better around here. MIL is behaving herself after our big run-in over the holidays . During our Miami trip, she was really going after Max for liking pirates, soldiers, etc, and saying that he was violent which he is NOT just because he loves his toy swords . He is a sweet, kind little BOY who is a total BOY. She raised 3 boys so I don't understand how she doesn't realize that boys have a chip in their brain to like this stuff. She was trying to get him to play rapunzel and cinderella, etc. and he was freaking out for good reason. I kept waiting for her to break out the Barbies! He is almost 5 and he hates anything "girly". I wrote her a long letter explaining how upset I was and how much her behavior was upsetting Max. SO, MIL is playing pirates with him this time around and even bought him little cowboys (with guns in their holsters!). They are getting along much better! She also let me sleep in this morning --fed the babies their bottles at 6 am and gave them breakfast a little later. I love her for that!

I woke up this morning feeling rested and the swelling had gone down so much overnight. I was being overly optimistic (and probably ridiculous), though-I pulled out my (string) bikini collection from over 5 years ago. What was I thinking???? I am really happy with the surgery results, but I definitely need to find myself a suit with some more coverage and retire the others!!:snicker: and then do a little of this :workout: . It is all good, though, and I feel fortunate that I have two happy, beautiful babies and a healthy body after everything it has been through in the past three years. Being healthy is the most important thing.

Well, I hope everyone has a peaceful night.

Jen

[christel]

Oh, almost forgot to add the bright spot in my day! :duh: I finally got a stroller I can live w/ for the next 2 years! It's the new Graco... here are the details (http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Quattro-Tour-Stroller-Ionic/dp/B000LP3VAK)... and HERE (http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e318/snelsonc6896/?action=view&current=IMG_2420.jpg) is a pic of the girls in it (before the next round of vomiting and diarrhea started up).

[JacobsMom]

Hi Everyone,

I haven't posted in forever, but I check in every now and then to see how everyone is doing and see what the precious darlings look like. I do think about you all a lot, and all we were going through in the last few months of our pregnancies together. Man, hasn't this past year flown by? I can't believe our babies are almost one year old! And that some of the little ones have already reached that milestone. Amazing! What little miracles we have.

David and Tate will be 11 months old next Wednesday, the 25th. Both of them have all 8 of their front teeth. No molars yet, but I'm starting to wonder if they are coming. They boys are drooling like crazy. Tate started crawling the last week of January. David was content to watch him for a while before developing his own "commando crawl". It was hilarious and I am so mad at myself for not getting it on tape. He just started crawling correctly the week before Easter! Both boys are great cruisers. Tate took his first independent steps Easter weekend. He is a real go-getter. We call him our little bulldozer! David is a little more laid back and tentative. He hasn't decided to let go and try it alone yet. We have a small rubbermaid tote that we keep toys in and he loves to push it around the living room.

We are having a big family birthday party for the boys on May 26 at my MIL's house in Natchez, MS. This is the day after their birthday. My older son Jacob gets out of school on the 24th, and we will be driving on the 25th. The babies won't know the difference. We are doing the Winnie the Pooh - baby boy 1st Birthday theme. http://www.birthdayjubilee.com/Theme_Party_Supplies/Pooh's_1st_Birthday_Boy/Pooh's_1st_Birthday_Boy.html I am getting costumes from another Mom of Twins that are Pooh and a Hunny pot. I am going to take pictures of the boys in the costumes and have that photo put on the cake. I will also print out copies of the pictures to give as party favors. Jacob had a Pooh first birthday party too.

The boys are so big! I can't believe how big they are. At their 9 month checkup, Tate was 30" and 22 lbs. David was 29" and just under 22 lbs. I haven't weighed or measured them since then, but they are wearing 18 and 24 month clothes!!! Their brother was almost 2 before he was this big!!

They really like being in their big boy carseats and stroller. We made the change from the carriers and snap-n-go over spring break in March. I ended up buying the Eddie Bauer (cosco) Alpha-Omega Elite car seat. It goes up to 100 lbs booster seat, so I shouldn't ever have to buy another car seat. I was so excited cause they run about $179.99, and I happened to be at my MIL's house and Big Lots closeout store had them for $100!!! I was at the door when they opened and bought two of the four they had in stock. SCORE!! Man I LOVE getting a huge bargain like that!! I got my Graco Duo-glide stroller from a lady on Craigslist for $60. It was practically brand new! A friend gave me an older model Duo-glide that I took to my MIL to leave there so I don't have to take mine back and forth. It literally takes up almost half of the trunk in my Camry! Poor Jacob, my 9 year old, is REALLY scrunched up in the backseat between the two carseats. I let him sit up front on short trips. I really feel sorry for him when he is stuck back there for the 7 hour drive to Mississippi!

Well, I need to get to bed. I will try to post more often. I really have missed being an active part of the group. I have joined a Mothers of Multiples group here and they have a message board too. But it's really different cause here, all of our babies are about the same age and we are going through the same things about the same time.

Here are some recent pics of the kids. In the first two pics David is on the left, Tate on the right. Pic 3 - Tate is standing, David is in Jacob's lap

Take care.
Stacey Pendergrast

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g62/JacobsMom97/Easter_IMG_3045800x533.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g62/JacobsMom97/meandboyzIMG_3174800x533.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g62/JacobsMom97/boysIMG_3175800x533.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g62/JacobsMom97/BB_collage_test2.jpg

[LucasMom]

Stacey- So good to hear from you!!! Your boys are so cute, they look so grown up!! I am glad to hear you are doing well. Check in more often.

Christel-Just looked at your stroller and easter pics, again, the girls are so cute! I love the flower headbands. It is ironic, because I have three boys, and I love boys, but this is coming from a woman who wore heels into her 9th month of twin pregnancy! I wouldn't say I am a girly-girl, but I do love the way those of you that have girls dress them up...so cute.

Jen- I am shopping for bathing suits now online, and while I am less now than I was pre twins, I still feel self conscious about my body, but one pieces have always been so hard for me because I have what some would fondly call "a big rack" :snicker: I am (tmi...) a 36dd on top and a size 8 bottom, so I have to get separates or I look really weird, and I need support in the boob area so I don't get uniboob. I am always on the search for the perfect bathing suit, which I would like to come complete with someone elses perfect body!!! Glad you are on the mend, and you know what mama, wear the string bikini, you deserve it!

Logan and Dylan were weighed at the doc, and I asked them to chart them for me. I was surprised to find out that the are both in only the 25% percentile for weight, at 11 months, they are both 21lbs. they are in the 75% for height. Lucas was always 100% for weight and height, because he was a horse!

Lisa-I think we should be able to set something up. I will get back to you this week for sure on it, and I would love to finally meet you and the boys. I'll see if my mom can come with me, or my girlfriend rebecca who just had her baby, Aidan 2 months ago. We will look like the traveling bay circus! And I love me some shopping time. Let me know what time you are going to be there...

Back to work mamas,
Post new pics of the boys tonight.

Hey, how bout some pics on here of the mamas? We haven't seen each other in awhile...

[josie88]

Just wanted to check in.

I was computer-less for two days so I'm back with $70 less is my pocket.:money: Be back later, off to Target and the mall.

[JERSEYGEMINI]

BYE BYE SANJAYA!!! I have to admit that I felt a little sad when he cried...:bawling:

Mindy- Let me know if you find a great suit! I heard that the victoria's secret catalogue has pretty ones. I have to say that I am not so well-endowed (34B :sigh: ), but always felt more comfortable in a bikini because I am short-waisted and they make me look less squatty (is that a word?). I want one that has a full-coverage halter-style top with wider straps. I think that would do the trick ; )

Christel- great stroller. I am not buying anymore, though!! Hope the girls are getting better. Puke is just no fun.

Stacy- nice photos. It is great to hear from you and know that everything is going well. I recently joined our local MOMs club, and I love it! I've already made some nice friends.

Where is King of Prussia? I hear that about that town on the news, but never know where it is....I would love to meet you!

I will try to update photos tonight and have someone take one of me for once. Steph and Monica are always so brave to post themselves--we all need to follow suit! :photo: Let's get out those cameras!

Jen

[SunMoonMom]

Hi Ladies,

My Ped is going to think I am crazy... The boys had colds almost three weeks ago but they still have congestion and cough... no one is running fever or acting like they don't feel good but this cough thing is really bothering me... So I am making DH take them in to see the ped at 11a today. I just know that I will sleep better knowing that their chests are clear and that the congestion will clear up eventually...

So enough about me...

Jen - I am so glad you are on the mend... Its hard to be in pain.. I know that when you start to feel better that you want to jump up and do everything at once but take it easy...

Christel - Love the stroller... and the girls.

Stacey - I am originally from TX and it was like a touch of home seeing the blue bonnets... Love the pictures.

Missy - I hate insurance companies... The boys were approved for the RSV vaccine and then suddenly the second month for the shots comes around and the insurance company said they didn't qualify... But they qualified the first month... who knows... There are other experiences in my life where insurance companies have made a negative impact on my existence... In general insurance is a necessary evil but I think most insurance companies get off on seeing people struggle and beg... nope I'm not bitter...

Steph - I love the video... its a man thing.. pants falling down and all...

Lisa - I wish I could get motivated to workout... I used to do it... Now it seems like it falls just behind poking my eye out with a rusty nail in my list of things I want to do... I am so proud of your dedication and motivation...

Jill - Ben would like to know what product TJ uses... he is having trouble controlling his hair...

AI - THANK GOODNESS; Sanjaya is gone.. When he sang, I would get this gagging feeling in the back of my throat... I really love Blake, Jordin, Lakisha and Melinda... I think Jordin will end up winning....

Mommy Question: So recently, I have noticed some jealousy between Ben and Zach... Here is what happens... I go in the play area, one boy comes over to me and crawls up my body to stand up... The other notices and crawls over to climb up and stands up next to me... Then they start jocking for position, whining and basically wanting to be center of my attention... They don't really do this with their dad... Do you think that it has something to do with the fact that I work outside the home and that I am constantly leaving... I know that my sister and I always seemed to be in competition for my Mom's attention and I hated it... I stopped doing it when I was about 16 but my sister continued to play the game until my Mom died... Do you notice any of this behavior or does your DH? The boys play together when I'm not home but when I get home all they do is whine unless I am playing or holding them... Just want to know that this behavior is normal for this age... or am I raising the Hatfield and McCoy babies?

Okay gotta get to work but thought I would share the boys Easter pictures with the Bunny...

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/Boys%20Togethyer/Ben_Zach_Easter.jpg

Kerrie

[SunMoonMom]

Omg... That Picture Is Huge!!

Sorry

[LucasMom]

Jen- i meant to ask you, how do you like your stroller, the Kolcraft? I have been thinking about buying that one, and heard mixed reviews...King of Prussia is off the turnpike about 20 minutes from Philadelphia. I am in Philadelphia and it is about half way between Lisa and I. GREAT SHOPPING! Strangely enough, the Newport News catalog has mix and match bikini options that are cheap, and the material is so soft and great that I usually buy new ones every year, because they are so inexpensive...they have some cute halter options.

[Jillmami]

Kerrie, LOVE the Easter pic! The boys are so cute with their little bunny ears! I am so not a fan of our Easter pic. The bunny at our mall, according to dh, boozed it up so much that it was banished to the Easter bunny reform school for bad bunnies. Your Easter bunny is GREAT! Of course your boys outshine him.:proud:

Mindy, I am so sorry to hear about your boys being sick, the hospital business, as well as issues with your STBE (soon to be ex). I hope that the boys are healthy soon as well as you! Make sure you are getting rid of your stress, if you have any :snicker: , somehow. Keep yourself as strong and healthy as you can mama!! Can't wait to see new pics of those adorable little boys.

Lisa, you do have some smartie pants! It is so cool to hear about what everyone's babies are up to! What a terrific group we have here! (Babies and mamas.) Love the pic of the boys all dressed up too! Had to giggle picturing you w/ the boys upstairs in hiding! Nothing wrong w/ being cautious and protective!

Steph, keep those great videos coming! Love the walking, giggling, and kick a** personalities of your little studs.

We seriously could open up a modeling agency just for multiples! Although I'm sure agencies have a multiples section but just multiples? Not sure. OK, did a search. If you care to check out 'jobs' for your twins, go to www.twinsworld.com

You ladies and your bikinis! HOT MAMAS!! I don't think that look will ever fly for me anymore. I envy you ladies!

Stacy, LOVE LOVE LOVE the pics! So glad you were able to post! Nice to know things are going well for you and your family. Sounds as if the boys are doing fantastic!!

Monica, CONGRATS on the size 8! I haven't worn that size since middle school. I am one of those tall, full figured gals. (My 1st graders say that I'm HUGE! Gotta love the innocence of youth.) When I was wearing a size 10 in college, I was told I could be a plus size model. Um... ok.

OK, not sure about yours but mine will have days/parts of days where they will fight/battle for every toy. Whatever one has, the other wants and vice versa. They will go at it! Pull hair, ears, etc. What do you all do besides scooting them apart a bit? I guess there's not much you can do. Mine will get mad about something and will yell at me like I know what they are saying. It's hard not to laugh when they do it. :snicker:

Noah and TJ said that normally they wouldn't give away their hair secrets but to this group, "of course!" They use Johnson's Buddies No More Tangles No More Bedhead Easy-comb spray. Our nanny got it for them since she likes to 'style' their hair for the day. I just let Noah's go wherever it wants to. Sometimes he has the Kramer (from Seinfeld) look. TJ's can go up in a barrette, swept to the side, etc. Although Noah's is getting long he looks akin to a caveman. Noah and TJ both have so much hair that I considered putting them in a "Sanjaya mohawk" for laughs but it's a bit too much torture to put them through with all of those sections!

For those of you I didn't respond to, sorry! I'll try to catch everyone else later on.

[lilybug19]

Well Luke & Lily have settled down a bit. Luke slept through the night till 5am. He wouldn't go back to sleep so at 530am I brought him downstairs. Then Lily woke up so I fed them breakfast at 6am. We usually start our day around 7am. Luke is napping again, but I have to rock him to sleep which I haven't had to do for months. We'll get back on track soon enough.

Jill- Your kids are so cute. Love the hair!!!

Mindy- Sorry to hear the boys were so sick and that you have walking pneumonia. Hope everyone is feeling better. I used to get pneumonia every year too. I got the pneumo vac and haven't had it since. It's good for 10 years. I'm due for another shot next year.

Lisa- My twins got there teeth in totally different order from what the books say. It's normal. I love Dancing with the Stars too. I'm voting for Ian & Cheryl, but I like Apollo Ono too.

Jen- Glad your swelling is down and you are on the mend.

Christel- That stroller looks cool. Hope your babes are better soon.

Kerrie- Love the Easter pic. About wanting attention Luke always wants what Lily has toy, me, etc. Since he's mobile he just goes and takes it(he gets very pushy). She gets pretty upset.

Someone was talking about that show with the family with twins & sextuplets. It's a weekly series now on Discovery Health tuesday nights. It's called Jon & Kate plus 8.

Well I better get some more cleaning done while the twins are still napping.
Kris

[christel]

So, no runny diapers today :woo: but Ruby did throw up tonight right before bed:( Gave them both Tylenol and decongestant/cough stuff and they are tucked in for the night. Hopefully tomorrow will be puke free :xfingers:

I had to run a few errands this afternoon and then we met Daddy at the park when he finished work. The bluebonnets were so pretty (and we were inspired by your pics, Stacey!) so we tried to get a few good shots. Ruby wasn't having it. Can understand why, now. We'll try again this weekend. HERE (http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e318/snelsonc6896/?action=view&current=IMG_2455.jpg)are the few decent ones that we got.

Also road tested the new stroller and I really do like it! It is heavy to lift in an out of the car, but I like everything else...especially all the storage it has. The girls seem to dig it, too.

Kris - I Tivo's the +8 show and watched it. What a cool family! They're really funny and soooo organized. Wow!

Jill - :lol: about all the hair styles your kids sport. I can't wait 'till my girls have enough hair for ponytails! And you'll not see my kids on tv, I think. I just don't have what it takes to be a "pageant mom":snicker:

Kerrie - L:throb:VE that picture! Good Lord, your guys are precious!

Swimsuit - tried my size 8 tankini on from before pg... need a 10 :( MUST lose these last 20 lbs! I also need a suit w/ support for the D cup boobs I am left with. Used to be a C. Wonder if that will change after I lose some more weight? If anyone finds cute separates w/ underwire support, please share!

Mindy - Thanks for the sweet comments on my girls. I have so much fun getting them dressed everyday :snicker: And I was in heels up to the end of the pg, too. You could not get me out of my tall high heeled boots! I wore them ALL the time :D

Stacey - I am crazy about those amazing pictures in the bluebonnets! They are priceless! It's good to hear from you again :nod:

Feel like I missed some of you, but am not sure. Leaky brain tonight :D

[sgarrett]

Hello Mommies! I have been gone forever. I have been stalking the site I just never have time to post. Work has been insane!

I will never catch up with everyone, wanted to say a quick hello. Hopefully I will have a sec to try and catch up tomorrow. Love all the new pics!

Good Night

Staci

[newmomx2]

I love that you are all so honest ! I will have to catch up with posts this weekend just got back in town and I LOVED 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep in a hotel !!!

I am going to follow-up with the insurance again - my frustration right now is that I just want to get the helmet and they are dic*ing around and I can't even pay out of pocket until they officially deny AAAHHH - which I plan on paying either way just want to get him in ASAP. Next step is insurance then casting then pick up helmet so probably another 2 weeks - this after the referral was on march 12th if we had known they would have been so slow I would have pushed the doctor for the referral before the 9mth check-up - I keep beating myself up over what we could have should have didn't do did do etc...but I really am not sure that we did anything wrong..just hope in a year this will all be behind us and something to forget...

Yes we kept Corey off his head from 5months on...but no matter what we did he always rolled to his back to sleep until 3 weeks ago - on his own he started to sleep on his side and belly YEAH COREY so proud hoping this will make a difference we think the one side has already started to come out on its own...

Corey is also pulling up to his knees and showing some signs of crawling !!!!

Okay gotta go feed them - will right to everyone's emails later this weekend -

[sgarrett]

Missy: I must have missed where you posted before about the helmet. We almost got one for Aiden and I did find out it was covered by insurance if the doc wrote it up as a deformity. I know that sound awful but I wanted to pass that info along b/c they are pricey. The doc told me Aiden head seemed to be fine and he thought he did not need one so we ended up not getting it. His head is still slighty flat in the back and I worry if I made the right choice. Good luck with all the yucky insurance doc forms!

Staci

[vthompson]

I am alive!!! It feels like forever since I have had a chance to post. I have missed you ladies!! This has been an exhausting week. Both babies have runny noses and congestion and are teething. Kayley has been waking up during the night and will not stop crying until you give her a bottle, so we give in. After 30minutes to an hour, it is too hard to listen to. I really hope we are not creating a terrible habit. You can see one of her top teeth getting ready to poke through so I think she is in a lot of pain. Needless to say, I am exhausted!

Staci - I hope everything works out with insurance. Fighting those battles are exhausting!

Monica - CONGRATS on the size 8!!

Mindy - What an awful experience with the boys. I hope everyone, including you, are on the mend. And what a jack a** for not answering his phone. Did he even feel bad once he knew about the ER visit?

Christel - Those pics are precious. How is everyone feeling today? I hope better.

Kris - I hope everyone is sleeping better. Did Luke and Lily call up Kayley and Corey and tell them that all babies are on strike from sleeping (LOL).

Jill - We definitely fight over here. Corey steals things from Kayley all the time. In fact, he just plows right through her like she is not even there. Sometimes, she takes a toy and crawls away with it so that he leaves her alone. Poor girl!!

Lisa - A bikini??? What is that (lol). I haven't worn one since I was 19!! I am glad that you found a gym you like. It is so nice to get away from the kids. Thanks for checking on me this week!! You are so sweet!! I cannot believe how smart the boys are!!

Kerrie - We have the same jealousy issues over here. Corey is the stronger one, so he just pushes Kayley out of the way sometimes. Then, when DH comes home, he picks up one baby first to say hello, puts that baby down to pick up the 2nd, and the 1st baby gets really mad and stands at his legs whining. I think it is normal behavior.

Stacey - Welcome back!! Those pics are precious! I cannot believe how big your boys are...they look like toddlers!!

Josie - Glad you got your computer fixed. It is amazing how lost you feel without it!

Jen - Glad to hear you are feeling better. Hopefully, you will be back to your old self very soon!

I am sorry if I missed anyone, but my window to take a shower is very small now...the twins will be waking soon from naps so I better go.

Love ya ladies!

Valerie

[josie88]

Well it's been a crazy week. What am I thinking it's always crazy!:stress: Sometimes I barely have time during the day to see what everyone is up to.
I went to Target yesterday for the first time. Those of you that shop there probably think I'm crazy but it is a good 20 miles from Walmart so that usually where I go. I really liked their clothing selection and prices, the store was very organized unlike Walmart. Does anyone know what there return policy is like?

Christel-The triplet video you posted was amazing. Thank God Lily pulled through she is one tough cookie. That stroller you got is the same one I have. I love it!!

Jill- I agree about Sanjaya it was his time to go. I like Jordin and Blake. My fav Sundance is gone. Thanks for the tummy info. What about using a noodle ya-know the ones for the pool. I think I have one in my shed I'll have to dig out today since the sun:2pounds: is finally shining.

AndreaR-Isabelle does sound like a little genius. I'm sure Madeline will be great at something too. Ethan somewhat barks like a dog, a friend of ours has a min. collie and Ethan loves him. No-one in the famliy has a dog so he gets soo excited. I have a statue of a cocker spaniel and when he sees it he barks. It's funny.

Stacey-Hello! Great pics!! What kind of camera do you have? Is it a digital? I need to invest in a digital camera. It's seems like you can do so much more that a regular??

Ethan is cryiing gotto run:vroam:

Sorry if I missed anyone. Try to post more later.

Daniele and Steph, Hope all is going ok with your families??

[newmomx2]

The insurance covers but does not guarantee basically won't know for sure until we submit - so he goes Monday to get the mold done - they said he will be very upset about it. So I am taking off to take him while DH watches Tyler. Then it is another 2-3 weeks to get made AAAHHH but she said to talk to them about expediting when I come in...one day at a time I suppose

[Jillmami]

Are any of you participating in your local March of Dimes WalkAmerica this year? With all of the wonderful NICU assistance my twins received during their 2 month stay, we can't think of a better way to thank the M. of D. than to participate. If any of you care to help, here is our family's page: http://www.walkamerica.org/milestwins

Hope you are all having a terrific lead in to your weekend. Will check back later to catch up on everyone!

[Jillmami]

I knew it would be within a week or so... TJ is crawling!! She has been so pissed off these past 3 days since Noah has been crawling around that she has been wearing herself out trying to figure out how to do it. Today she accomplished her goal - to catch up to Noah so that she could pinch his skin. Let the battles begin!:neener: :boxing:

Dh and I actually get to go to the :popcorn2: tonight. First time for me since my 4th month of being pregnant! Wahoo!!

[EBTwinz]

Real quick post, but wanted to say a big CONGRATULATIONS, TJ!! WAY TO GO!! :jump:

We are taking the boys to PSU today. They have their annual Blue and White football game, where the football team just plays against themselves to give you an idea how good they will be next season. We are going to tailgate. Hope the boys have fun. We got them PSU jerseys. The weather is supposed to be 75!

Have a great day, everyone. Enjoy the weather!

Love,
Lisa

PS... Steph... are you okay?????

[vthompson]

CONGRATULATIONS TJ!! Way to go girl!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Lisa - The weather is the same here today...Have fun at PSU!! Still waiting to tailgate with you next season!!

Christel - I finally had a chance to watch that video. I bawled my eyes out. What tough little babies, especially Lily. I could not believe how big they all were when they were born...and she gave birth at home to all of them vaginally! What an amazing mom!! I thought triplets always go c-section...I guess I was wrong!

Missy - All you can do is take it one day at a time. At least you got somewhere with the insurance, well a little anyways. Hang in there!

Joy - It is so true...every day seems like a crazy day!!

Steph and Daniele - Are you both ok?

We have my niece's confirmation today and then a little family party afterwards. I am excited to finally put some spring clothes on the babies. I am so over our winter gear!!

Have a great day!

Valerie

[Jillmami]

Valerie, Hope the confirmation was nice and the party was a blast! I am looking forward to staying in warmer weather clothes also. We had a chilly stint ourselves. (Of course our northern CA chilly is nowhere NEAR your chilly.) THANK YOU so much for the wonderful donation!! TJ and Noah say, "THANKS!!"

Lisa, Hope the PSU game/tailgating was fun. Sounds as if the boys look their 'studly' selves! Hope you got lots of pics!

I just realized how much I use the word "hope" in my posts. :snicker: I will consult a thesaurus and work on finding a new word!

Enjoy your weekends ladies!

[JacobsMom]

Stacey-Hello! Great pics!! What kind of camera do you have? Is it a digital? I need to invest in a digital camera. It's seems like you can do so much more that a regular??

Hi there. Thanks for the compliments on the photos. These were the ones that turned out. I have about 20 if the twins and I was shooting with the sun a little behind them and off to the side. I remembered to use the fill flash to light their faces, but did NOT notice the sun reflecting off the huge lens. All the pics have halos on them and are pretty washed out. I was so disappointed.

My husband finally broke down and bought a Canon Rebel digital camera last Thanksgiving. We have wanted one for years! It is awesome!! I think it is a 10 megapixel. It is really easy to use and takes fabulous pictures. Just have to worry about the one who aims it apparently! LOL!

I also have a smaller Kodak Easy-share Point-and-shoot 5 megapixel camera that I use to take everyday pictures. I really recommend going digital. I love that I can shoot 20-30 pictures in a row of basically the same thing, then go through and pick the best few where the babies are actually BOTH looking and BOTH smiling. Then you just print the best ones - no wasted film. And you can do so many neat things with photo software too.

I finally completely gave up my 35mm a little over a year ago. I stubbornly took mine along while my hubby took his digital for a couple of years. There are still some rolls from last year I haven't developed yet. I love the instant gratification of seeing them immediately. And you can give relatives a CD or post them on-line somewhere and they can order their own prints! I was spending a forture on double prints cause my MIL wanted all of them for her scrapbooks. She rarely helped pay for them! She justified that by giving me doubles of hers - of course I took about 5 times more pictures than she did!

I wouldn't buy a camera with less than 5 megapixels. They are really affordable now. We have done 8x10 enlargements that look as good as, if not better than the same one with a 35mm point-and-shoot.

Well, I got a screaming baby I need to tend to. He was climbing and got put back in the playyard. He is NOT happy that his brother is free! LOL!

[JacobsMom]

David took his first steps last night!! :yippee: I missed it! :( cause I was here :toilet:

He took a couple of steps to me today. :proud:

Tate has a new trick. When we say "Yay!!" He claps his hands. :clap: It is so cute.

[swineland]

Hi friends! :wave:

I am SO sorry I have been MIA, but without making excuses, I've been busy and not really in a posting mood. Part of it has to do with the fact that I'm so behind on here that I can't possibly catch up with you individually. The other part is that I have just been sorta "blah' feeling, waiting for news on my dad.

We still haven't heard anything. He went in last Tuesday to have his staples removed and they said it could be another week. So, I'm hoping that sometime early this coming week we will hear back from M.D. Andersons.

The boys are doing good. Evan has his 1st full molar in...it's huge! I keep thinking he's got some cottage cheese in his mouth but it's that tooth. Bailey's 1st molar, in the exact same spot, is just about ready and it's going to be big. It's all swollen and you can see the white underneath. I feel so bad for him, knowing what is to come. He was hot all day today, too, so I took his temp finally this afternoon and it was 103. He had motrin and went to bed early....I'll have to see in the morning if it persists. I'm worried now that maybe it is his turn with the roseola.

Wednesday, as she mentioned already, I met Monica and her beautiful kids at a local park/lake/playground here in Orlando. It was such fun! We let them play/swing and then for a nice walk, some playtime on blankets and then a yummy lunch at Panera. Hoping we can get together again during your stay, Monica!

My best friend and her daughter come to visit on Tuesday from Phoenix. She is 6 months pregnant and so this will be the last time I see her before her new baby daughter is born in July. Her other daughter, Taylor, is 3. (I think a long time ago I posted a pic of her holding the boys when they were like 3 months old).

I have discovered a gumball sized mass (a tumor, a cyst, who knows) in my right hand, situated in my palm between my 4th and 5th "finger bones"...haha, I have no idea what they're called. I can't believe I didn't notice it sooner, considering I've been having pain and swelling and other symptoms. I have already had surgery in this hand when I was like 13 for an a/v malformation, basically a tangled up mess of arteries and veins that caused numbness, swelling and pain. I just sorta chalked up this latest set of problems to that. When I was driving, I looked down at my hand as it gripped the wheel and saw this tumor-like thing sticking out. Anyway, I have an appt. with a hand surgeon on May 1st and we'll see where it goes from there. As if I need anything else to worry about.

So sorry I am not personally responding to everyone this time. I just don't have it in me to go back and take notes and all that. Please know, though, that I love you all and that I am so happy to read about all the new milestones, stories and daily accomplishments. All of the babies on here are SO darn cute!

I'll be sure to check in more often.....please don't worry about me. Sometimes I just 'lurk'.

:)
hugs and kisses,
Steph

[JERSEYGEMINI]

:jump: Woo Hoo, T.J.! That's Fantastic!! :congrats:

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Congrats to David and Tate, too! :) :)

[AndreaR]

oh both girls are screaming... i'm hoping that they fall asleep, but we don't have a lot of luck when they are both crying. i keep dreaming of the days when they are like 15 and finally sleep through the night.

jill - HOORAY for TJ! what a huge accomplishment! she must be so proud of herself. how was the movies with dh? what did you see? we haven't been to the movies since before i was pregnant.

steph - glad you posted. we will continue to pray for your dad. sorry about your hand. sounds yucky. let us know how it goes with the doctor. i can't believe how big and developed your boys are. they are so flippin' cute in that picture in the BJ's cart. the expressions on their faces says it all.

dh and i went to a spa today, using a gift certificate that i got him for valentine's day (i was hoping that he would take me with him when he went...pretty smart, huh?). we got there early and hung out in the steam room, then we both got massages. i had a 100 minute hot stone massage. it was so, so, so good. then we went out to a casual place for a late lunch and watch some of the red sox / yankees game. it was so nice to be alone with him. we really had a great day. and the girls did, too, because dh's sister came over with new toys for them and they got to go for a walk, which hasn't happened much this week due to the weather earlier in the week. now it feels like summer. hooray!!

valerie - don't beat yourself up too much about giving kayley a bottle in the middle of the night. in the middle of the night, my motto is "do what you gotta do" so that the most people get the most sleep. we are trying CIO (kind of) with maddie this weekend, and it has been so, so hard.

stacey - WAY TO GO DAVID & TATE! GREAT to hear from you and see pictures of your kiddos. i can't believe how big they are. i love the pictures in the bluebonnets. the classic texas pic!

joy - i love target. luckily, i have to drive about 30 minutes to get to the closest one to me. otherwise i would be there every day. i think that if you save your receipt you are okay with returns. i tried to return some baby gifts without a receipt and it wasn't easy. even though they were obviously from target (it was their brand).

just so you know (and i hope she doesn't mind me posting on her behalf), daniele is okay. her grandmother is still in ICU, so she's been going to the hospital like every day. i know you all have been thinking about her, so i thought i'd let you know.

well, i'm sure i missed someone, but i have to run. i hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend.

xoxo
andrea

ps. new siggy pic - i took this pic and sent it to dh at work on his bday, which was on 4/4.

[christel]

:wave: Hi Mommies

I think we're finally kicking this virus' a$$ and getting better. No throw ups or runny diapers yesterday and the coughing seems to be subsiding. :woo: DH went to the dr. on Friday and was told he has what everyone else has. Surprise surprise. He's been remarkably "big boy" about it and has held the whining to almost nothing. I had the stomach part of this bug the last 2 days... ICK! But, we're all feeling better today. WHEW!

Yesterday we went to our NICU reunion and saw some friends and nurses we knew from that extremely long month. It was so great to see all those babies w/out wires or monitors or support. But, it also made me really sad b/c some of those really early babies already have irreverseable damage. Eye problems, scars from surgeries, etc. Friends that lost their little girl 5 mo. after she was born and after she came home were there w/ their surviving twin... a beautiful little boy. That was bittersweet. I guess I expected it to be a really joyful event and was surprised at how emotional it was for me and how melancholy it made me.

Today we walked to our town's kite festival. We didn't fly one, just walked around and watched the show. There are a couple of pictures HERE (http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e318/snelsonc6896/IMG_2486.jpg) if you're interested.

Felisha - that stroller sounds very cool and compact! I am really liking the one we got, the new Graco, but it is heavy.

Lisa - L:throb:VE the pic of the boys in their jerseys! That is a keepsake picture! Sounds like y'all had a wonderful day.

Andrea - feeling more than a little envious of your spa day w/ DH! How wonderful. And thanks for the update on Danielle.

Danielle - still praying for your family :grouphugg

Steph - Jeez! You can't win for losing, can you?! Bless your heart :pathead: Don't worry about lurking and not itemizing when you post. Just glad to hear from you. Praying for you and your family, too.

And a big :woo: for TJ! WTG! :congrats:

Also, a :clap: :aok:for Tate and David!

Valerie - I KNOW! I was amazed at the water birth thing, too! Austin is like a little slice of California... very earth/granola/nature peace-love-happiness in Mercedes and Volvos kind of place :lol: So, I'm not surprised that she found a midwifing center that supported her in that.

Missy - Hang in there w/ the insurance. You just have to be a pit bull w/ those places! We are just now finalizing what we really owe for the delivery and NICU - a year later!

Joy - I'm a Target junkie, too! Thankfully, it's 1/2 hour away - SuperTarget rocks :dude: They are really hard to return to w/out a receipt, though... so hang on to it... for a LONG time!

Staci - So good to hear from you, too. Pop in when you can.

Gotta run - phone...

[newmomx2]

:hello:
Sort of back to normal DH is watching the boys and he now has the cold we all struggled with for days - he is acting like a baby I said HELLO I managed when they and I were sick and you were on nights so take tylenola and nap when they nap....

Corey is going today for the fitting...will post later to let you know how it goes.

I don't think I will ever catch up on all the postings since the last 2 weeks we have been sick and I was also traveling but here is a high level attempt.

TJ and NOAH; David and Tate WAHOO TO ALL

:partygirls: :harmony:

Steph - I am praying for your family.

[josie88]

:wavey: Hello Ladies!!
Quick chance to post E & E are napping. We have finally battles here too. I was wondering if they would ever pay any attention to each other. There was a time when they didn't seem to even notice one another. But now Ethan is always overpowering Emily, someday when she is mobile he will be in a world of hurt because he is such a :bawling:

My dishwasher died today. I set it to run last night while we sleep, it went through the cycle but with no water?? The soap is dried to the inside of the door. The thought of washing by hand makes me :tantrum: Oh well! Guess I have no choice.

Kerrie- Easter pic is really cute. Your boys are adorable. When I first saw the pic I thought who little ones are these? I had to do a double take. In your other pic we didn't get to see their faces.

Missy-Thinking of you and Corey. :love:

Jill-:woo: TJ!!! What movie did you see??

Christel-The NICU Reunion-I have mixed emotions of going to one for the same reasons you mentioned. At one end you want to show them off then the other you would not want to brag. Ya know what I mean?? You mentioned you live in Austin. How far is Round Rock from you? DH's Aunt lives there.

AndreaR-Envious of your Spa day too. I don't think I could ever get DH to go to one (too girly) Cute pic of your girls too!!

Valerie-Glad to hear your still alive and kicking!

Felisha- I can't watch scary movies at night. I get spooked soo easy.:afraid:

Steph-I can't believe your boys have so many teeth. Emily still has NONE!

Well I need to do my dishes before all hell breaks loose.
Sorry if I missed anyone.
Have a great day everyone!!:flowers:

Joy

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Hi Ladies. Kinda of slow around here! I guess there's too much nice weather! ; ) We all spent the weekend outside--it was wonderful and the kids napped and slept so much better thanks to all the fresh air.

I'm getting ready to start my new job tomorrow. I had the sitter come today to spend some time with us and go through the "schedule" . She did great job. The kids really liked her. I'm feeling a little nervous since all my therapy materials are in a big jumble in the garage and I have NO idea where any spring type work clothes might be. I really need to get organized. I'll be working at a school for Autism with kids from 3-21 years. They have really great vocational programs like a mock flower shop, office and restaurant kitchen to teach the kids work skills. They also hire their graduates to work in the front office. It is a really cool place. I'll just be working with the little ones to start.

Missy--good luck with the helmet fitting. I hope it all works out for you. This has been such a trying ordeal. Yeah for Corey for sleeping on his side! Hopefully, that alone will work wonders.

Lisa- I love the bear picture. It's great that the boys weren't scared!

Felisha- It was good to hear from you. You sound more upbeat-- are things going a little better for you? I'm going to check out your videos when I get on the computer later tonight.

Joy- I would have a tantrum if my dishwasher broke. I run it everyday. When we moved into our house 2 years ago, there was only a half dishwasher--that was the first thing that I changed! I hope you can get it fixed soon ; ) I LOVE Target and I've never had trouble making returns. You don't even need a receipt at our target-- you just give them the credit card that you used and it pulls up your recent purchases on their computer.

Steph- when it rains it pours....so sorry. I hope that your hand isn't anything serious. You have so much stress right now-- I hope things turn for the better soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your Dad.

Mindy/Felisha- I have a Kolcraft Tandem Contours stroller (I think you asked about it, Mindy). I love it, but it definitely on the small side as far as the seats go, so I don't know how long I'll be able to use it. It is also very heavy. The seats can change directions and the kids LOVE facing each other even though their feet overlap. I just wish Kolcraft had made the seats deeper and longer. I would definitely try to test drive it with your kids so see how they fit before purchasing.

Andrea- you are a smart lady!! I will have to give that gift some time---glad you got some pampering.

Mindy/Lisa-- I checked and KoP is 2 hours from me (we are 25 minutes West of NYC) :( That would be quite a trek with the kids, but maybe someday...I'd love to meet you!

Alright, Max is calling and the babies are sleeping so he needs some TLC. Enjoy the afternoon!

Jen

[newmomx2]

Corey is such a trooper he did great the guy said most kids scream Corey was pretty patient with it all...his head even showed improvement by itself already !!

They also said they can expedite the helmet I hopes this means it will be ready in a week ! Then we can get on him the first week of May hoping to see most improvement in month 1 - I doubt they will keep him in it for too long hoping he doesn't need it too much in the heat of the summer - he has to go get his hair buzzed this weekend :( Just when I was starting to see some curls :( :(

Mindy/Lisa - I am 40 minutes of KofP !

Jen - good luck tomorrow

[vthompson]

Missy - What a trooper Corey is!! I am just so sorry that you guys have to go through all of this. The month will fly by, I am sure of it!

Jen - Good luck tomorrow on the new job!! Are you excited? Is it full time or part time? I can't remember. I love your new pics!!

Felisha - I agree, you do sound more upbeat. Are things going better for you? I hope so!! I absolutely cannot watch scary movies...I am such a frady cat!

Lisa - I LOVE the pic with the lion! I was cracking up as soon as I saw it...I can't believe the boys are pulling his teeth! Too funny! Kayley and Corey finally figured out how to play with the dinosaur, too. I guess Ethan and Brady emailed them directions (lol).

Steph - I really hope everything is ok with your hand. Please keep us posted. Any news on your dad yet?

Joy - I would DIE without my dishwasher! I hope you can get a new one soon!

Christel - :woo: on kicking the sickness' butt!!

Andrea - I love the new pic! I am so jealous of your spa day! It sounds like you had a nice time.

Stacey - CONGRATS to both boys!!

Jill - I need a thesaurus, too. I feel like I use the same words over and over again!

So, Corey took 2 steps toward DH on Saturday. We were at a confirmation party. Of course, I missed it! I knew that would happen...I am with them all day long and he did it when I was in the other room. Today, I saw him take a half step towards DH, but nothing like the other night. I was so disappointed that I missed it.

I finally finished the twins' bday party invites. I used these photo cards that HP makes and printed them out on our computer. We are just having something at our house on May 27th...their actual birthday. It is Memorial Day weekend, so DH will have off the next day. That should be nice!

Well, I better get to bed. I am exhausted. Have a great night ladies!

[josie88]

Where is erveryone?:)

[LucasMom]

Hello all!

Took the kiddies to the zoo this weekend. Actually my first trip with the boys (3) and my BF Rebecca and her two. So there were two ladies, a 2 month old, 2 11 month olds, a 4 year old and a five year old. We looked like...breeders!!:snicker: I think that is what people see wen they look at me...look at the breeder. Whatever, I love this question "How do you do it with two, I can barely handle one?" Well, last time I checked, we weren't given the choice, they both just kinda showed up on the ultrasound! And we just do, don't we ladies?

JC turned in his application for his new place, and he may be going as soon as June 1st, as late as July 1st. Here's to hoping!

Who is up for a meeting at K o P this weekend? We can do lunch, Missy and Lisa, do I hear any takers?

I did L and D's invites on shutterfly. We are also doing a house thing, probably a barbeque in the backyard.

Congrats to everyone who has little walkers! That is so great. We are not walking yet, doing great pulling to standing, but not walking yet.

Still sending out love to Steph and Dan on your family troubles. My heart is with both of you.

I started atkins again a few days ago. After Lucas was born, I went on it about 6 months later, stayed on it for a year. I lost 30 pounds or so, and really have only gained back about 10 even after the boys. I am really only doing it because my body feels so sluggish when I eat alot of carbs, and I have been trying to work out again recently (still pushing for that bikini, stretch marks and all!) My goal would be about 25 pounds, but we will see. I am in the hardcore induction phase right now.

Jen thanks for the info on the stroller. Lo and dyl are not very big babies, but I would fear getting them something they may grow out of quickly, so I guess it's back to the drawing board!! Maybe a day trip is in order, do you have any outlets or great shopping near you? Mommy travels for good shopping!!:)

Back to work, mommas!

Mindy

PS-I am sure you all are familiar with the wet t shirt look Dylan is sporting in his latest pic. we call him Ferris Drooler or Drooley Andrews. If you don't get these references, I will feel really old, so please... (ferris bueller and Julie Andrews, ok, don't make me feel old...please?)

[EBTwinz]

Mindy: I am still up for meeting on Sat. I will PM you. And I just did my invites to the 1st Bday party on Shutterfly, too! I will try to post a link. I was going to make them myself but then decided to use shutterfly since I use it for everything else. Talk to you soon!

[swineland]

Hi guys :wave:

Thanks so much to all of you for, as always, cheering me up and pushing me along.

I don't go to the hand surgeon until a week from today, May 1st I believe is the date. Can't wait to find out what the heck is going on in there.

Right now I am waiting to call my mom so she can fill me in on the latest results. Apparently the doctor was supposed to call my dad 1/2 an hour ago at noon to discuss what they received back from pathology in Houston. Nervous nellie here...but hoping for the best.

Mindy, Lisa, et al....I want to meet at KofP TOO! Waaaaaaaah. Love me some shoppin'....especially with my twin mommy friends :)

Mindy....did you get my rambling message last night? Looks like someone can't drive and talk at the same time. Sorry 'bout that.

Bailey had a 103-103-5 degree fever all weekend and so he's been no fun. Feeling better today, thanks to motrin/tylenol cocktails. He's also got the biggest molar ever about to come through. It looks awful! It's all red and swollen and the white part is just under the skin.....I know it hurts him.

Well, I'll write back in a bit after I have an update on dad.

love you all...
xoxo
Steph

[Jillmami]

This is real quick as I'm at school and have a class walking in as I type.

Steph, keeping those prayers going for your dad and your family. Hang in there and know that you have lots of love and support/prayers headed your way. Hope Bailey is on the mend! Yikes on the fever/tooth!

Lisa, here is the link to our family's site where you can make an online donation. If it doesn't work, let me know. http://www.walkamerica.org/milestwins

I am so sorry to not respond to everyone! I will get back on after the kids go to bed tonight. Really hoping that everyone's babies are on the road to being healthy and happy. Nice spring weather seems to be in the air everywhere! Time to get out and enjoy it finally! Love you mamas!!

[mmzill]

Well Ladies and DH's (however defined),

This is Monica's meaner half Victor,

Just thought I would say hi to everyone while I am sitting in a class here in Orlando FL since I am bored and estate planning can get rather old when the presenter mumbles jibberish out of a book that is several inches thick!

As you know if your literate, Monica, the three terrors, and I are on a work/vacation trip to FL. I feel like a lobster that has been fried twice since the sun does not know how to shine in WV and it does a really good job of shining in FL. Monica is at our hotel room right now (or so she says, probably shopping in reality) trying to not let her mind turn to baby mush. Anthony and Nathan are little climbers now and love to get into everything. Our DD does not appreciate her brothers insistence on playing with her toys and so she thoughtfully likes to "rescue" her toys from them much to their dismay.

I better not write too much or else Monica will get jealous of my computer usage since I am supposed to be working at something productive and she would prefer to have the laptop with her so she can do non-productive things. Monica has been on a shopping spree due to losing some cells in her body which most women dispise. She seems to be having fun.

Oh, before I go, I should remind everyone that you need to draw up an estate plan in the event anything would happen to you. Guardianship of little monsters is very important and a good will is a must for everyone!!!

Now I can go since I actually gave advice relating in some obscure way to my work.

C-ya

:thrasher:

Victor

[SunMoonMom]

Hi Mommies...

Like Steph... I have been lurking the last couple of days...

I can't seem to kick this infection... The entire house was sick this weekend and only the boys and I are on antibiotics... DH is a MAN and didn't need anything... Needless to say it was a long and difficult weekend...

The boys are feeling better but I just can't seem to get ahead of it... I am still taking the antibiotics so I will keep taking it until its gone and see where I am at...

I took the day off work yesterday to try to rest (let DH rest all weekend so he would be able to take care of the boys this week without too much misery) and that helped a little... Back work today but it has been commented on that it sounds like a seal is barking at my desk when I cough... lovely!

Dad - My Dad got out of the hospital on Friday, but returned yesterday with a small blood clot in his lungs and pnemonia (sp?). I'm not sure of much more than that... My sister called me last night as I was heading to bed and the hospital was still trying to find him a bed. They are going to treat with medication but need to keep him close to monitor...

I have been reading everyone's posts but I just don't have the energy or brain power to go back and make lists of everything... Here is what I remember...

YEAH TJ!!! You Go Girl!

Corey - So proud of what a mature boy you were at your visit to get measured! I'm sure you will have the most beautiful head when all this is done!!!

Steph - I had a hard place come up on my hand that I had surgery on... Turned out to be scar tissue... A shot of cortizone (sp?) later and it broke up within a few weeks... Keeping my prayers flowing for your dad and also for you... We are here for you if you need to just vent! Its hard to go through anything this stressful..

Jill - March of Dimes -- I am on it...

Christel - Well... I can't remember what I wanted to say here... So Hi!

Okay I should go... Only 1 more hour to act like I am functioning... Then I get to go home and act like I am functioning there too... I think the next time I get sick I am renting a room at a hotel so that I can actually get some rest... Tonight I get to fold laundry, clean the bathroom and wipe down everything in the play area with disinfecting stuff...

I remember the days before kids when I could be selfish when I got sick!

hug me

Kerrie

[Megzackben]

Hi. I too have been lurking every night but I have been in a little depression.

I hinted that there were troubles with MIL (who watches the boys). Since she moved up here it has been very difficult for this independent momma to handle. Since our short get away to St. Augustine I found out through Meg and my mom that MIL puts the boys in TIME OUT!!! She doesnt feed them the whole bottle I prepare (7 oz) because here words are they will start to spit up. Instead of talking with me. I have never confronted her on these because mom told me in secrecy. I wonder where the formula is going?

The big news is that she told my husband to start looking for daycare for August when school begins. She has never talked to me and I am the one there in the morning/afternoon. Because she cant afford it anymore and she doesnt want to work 7 days a week. (she has a part time job at Disney)

So needless to say I am beyond stressed because we can barely make ends meet with $150 week we pay her. I called around today and it ranges from $125-$150 week per child!

On top of that, I still havent heard anything concrete from the principal from the other school. His decision will decide where I need to find a place for the boys. There are so many pros/cons to homedaycare and standard childcare. Felisha how did you make the choice? I will totally miss my extra sleep getting them ready, fed and out the door!

Okay I do have faith that it will all work out and God never puts more on my plate than I can handle.

On a good note: OUr school was observed from the county yesterday (as usual) and they came in and I was doing a really cool activity in math. My principal left a card/gift in my mailbox that said " You made me so proud. The observers really liked what they saw in your class". HOW COOL. You all know how sensitive I am so this really made my day especially after the other principals comments.

Okay got to go for now. I added more picutres to photobucket.


PS I maybe coming to Texas over the summer to drop off Meg for a week. (driving by myself with 3 kids!!!!) Who lives in TX again?

[EBTwinz]

I just logged on and I have to say...

Who in their right mind puts a 10 month old in TIME OUT???? Heather, you have EVERY right to be upset. Does a 10 month old even understand time out??? NO! I am in awe, disbelief, appalled, etc, etc, etc,!!!

I will check back, later. Heather, hang in there. We are all here for you. :love:

Lisa

[mmzill]

Heather, WTH? Time out? I'm just using that now with DD and she's 2 1/2. My guys wouldn't understand that at all. Sorry you are so stressed about child care. You are right that something will work out though! Way to go with the principal complimenting you! That's great! YOu are an excellent teacher.

Mindy - glad you had fun at the zoo. It's always crazy when you get together with friends with kids - I always get so many funny looks.

Kerrie, sorry your family has been sick. I hate sick! With a big family is seems like it takes forever to run it's course and be gone.

Lisa - sounds like you had a really nice time for dh's bday. Good thing you were prepared and had enough food. Also sounds like the game was fun over the weekend. Did you see that little boy that got nailed in the in zone at that college game? That would have been so scary! (not that your kids were playing in the inzone, it just made me think of it)
AI - I thought Jordan did really well tonight and I still like Blake. I hope Chris goes home, he sounds too nasaly to me.

Valerie - hope you are doing ok. What a bum that you missed Corey's first steps.

Missy - sounds like everything went really well at the dr's. Hopefully you'l get the helmet soon and so he can get it off quickly also.

Our time down here has been fun. My dad flew down from Chattanooga on sunday and left this morning (you can get a ticket for like $49 one way) Anyways - that was nice to see him. We went to a couple parks and out to eat. There are so many nice parks down here. Other than that we've just been hanging out. The room does get a little small after a day of not being out. Today went to BRU, I always like going to that store, since we don't have one in WV.

Hope you all enjoyed DH's ramblings. The boys are very mobile. But only occasionally crawl, normally it's a butt scoot. But it's really cute.

Well, it's getting late. Nice to hear from everyone!
Monica

[Jillmami]

Wow, for what seemed like a slow board the past few days certainly has a lot going on!

I have to agree with others, Heather. WTH with the MIL? I simply don't know what to say. On a MUCH better note, CONGRATS on the kudos from the principal. Nothing better than being recognized for your efforts. WTG!!!

Felisha, NO MORE scary movies for you! Stick to PG-13 and below. :snicker: How are things going with your dd?

Christel, I understand your feelings on the NICU visit. We actually go back from time to time to visit the nurses at the NICU and to catch up. It's kind of nice that way because you are focusing on the terrific nurses as well as the doctors. Is everyone healthy now?

Missy, WAHOO for Corey's bravery during his fitting! I saw a little girl at BRU the other day and she had a helmet on. They had written in large letters, "Please ask me questions about my helmet." It was cute.

Joy, we saw Fractured with Ryan Gosling and Anthony Hopkins. It was a terrific movie! Quite the suspense/thriller. Did you get your dishwasher fixed?

Jen, how was the first day of your new job?

Valerie, GO COREY!! Any more steps??

Mindy, sounds like some progress is taking place re: xdh. That's good to hear. How did the kids do with the zoo? Did they get much out of it? We don't have any walkers here either; just crawlers. Is the boys hair changing colors? It looks lighter. What cuties!! Love all the teeth too! TJ only has 2 and Noah still doesn't have any!

Steph, keeping your family in the prayers. Hoping that you get good good news re: your dad. No matter what happens, hope that his treatment is handled with loving care. I hope that Bailey is feeling back to his old self today. I am not looking forward to those molars. Of course at this rate, I am looking forward to Noah just getting 1 tooth! How is your hand feeling? Having any problems with?

Kerrie, sorry to hear about the sicknesses! How are you feeling today? Sorry to hear your dad had to go back in to the hospital. Prayers continuing to come your way!

Monica, glad that you had a wonderful time on vacation and were able to make a mommy/twin contact w/ someone from the board!

Night mamas!!

[EBTwinz]

I have a question... Are any of you starting to wean the bottle? I know in a month, I will be transitioning to whole milk. I usually give the boys 4 bottles a day. First thing in the morning when they wake up, after their first nap (around 11am), after their second nap (3:30-4pm) and before bed. I give them 7-8oz at a time. However, they are starting to lose interest in the third bottle so I switched it w/ a sippy cup w/ juice and water. Then I give them a little snack. Is that right? I have no idea what I am doing but I know we should start weaning the bottle, right? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, anyone know of any other juice besides Gerber that is 100%? Gerber gets expensive and it's a small bottle.

Monica: Glad to hear you are having such a good time. I am jealous! :) Although we did have some really nice weather up here for a few days. Now it's back to the 60's and rainy. As for AI, I agree, Jordin was great! I thought Blake was good, too. The judges were too hard on him. The rest were okay. Chris is nasaly and Phil creeps me out. I think it may be time for Lakisha to go.

Jill: I am donating today to the MOD. I hope it helps. My guys were in the NICU for a week. (breathing and feeding issues) I wish I would have got involved in our MOD walk but I totally forgot about it.

Christel: I just saw on the news all the tornadoes in TX. Please let us know if you are okay. Thinking about you....

Daniele: Got your PM. That is so funny about having the same suits for the boys. We do have the same taste. We would have fun shopping together. Hope you are doing okay.

Mindy: Sending you a PM right now w/ my info. Can't wait to meet you!!!

Steph: Any news??? No news is good news, right? Anyway, hoping you are doing okay and I am keeping your family in my prayers.

Jen: How was work?

Victor: NIce to get your commentary... ha ha!

Okay, I better run. Talk to you soon, mommies!
Lisa

PS... Hi Val!! :)

[EBTwinz]

One more thing, I need your opinions. I found this on Ebay and thought it was a cute idea for a Bday cake. They will personalize it for me and it goes right into the frosting.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170103766311&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us

Or I was going to make an Elmo cake using the Elmo cake pan seen here...
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Wilton-Elmo-Cake-Pan-2105-3461_W0QQitemZ180108999952QQihZ008QQcategoryZ11600 2QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

which one do you all like better? I am leaning towards the first one since I can put their names on the cake and it doesn't seem as hard to make or too difficult for me to screw up, but the Elmo head is cute, too.

[vthompson]

Jill - I forgot to tell you how cute TJ's hair is in that picture! Too cute!! Teeth must be a girl thing because Kayley has 2 and Corey has none!

Heather - I feel so bad for what you are dealing with right now. I am disgusted that she puts them in time out. As for the formula, what the heck is she doing with it? Are you or DH going to say anything to her?

Monica - As always, Victor makes me laugh!! I am so excited for the boys and their movements!! Now the real fun begins (lol). It sounds like you are having a great vacation.

UGHHHHH!!! I wanted to post more but both babies are standing at my legs and crying. Gotta go. Sorry for all those I missed!

Valerie

[AndreaR]

hello all....... wish i could post a really long one, but i am pressed for time. just wanted to check in quick and say hello.

victor - great to hear from you - thanks for the laughs. i was surprised to learn that you are in estate/financial planning. i pegged you for a techie type. sorry!!

heather - your kids are way too young for time outs (imho) and while i can appreciate your need for sensitivity because it's your MIL, you are still THE MOTHER and you need to make sure that your kids are getting the best care possible. what does DH say? sorry if my response is harsh.

lisa - i have read in a few places that babies don't need juice at all. you can give them just water in the sippy cups (if they will drink it). i don't know how much milk they need to drink per day. maybe someone else knows? also, i like both options for the elmo cake. which one would be easier to make? LOL!

steph - thinking about you and your dad. please keep us posted.

jill - i am going to make a donation for your walk. need to remember to bring my credit card upstairs. i usually make sure i don't have it with me when i am on the computer, otherwise i will go crazy shopping online.

hello to eveyrone else - i know i missed a bunch, but i have to run. love you all!!!

xoxoxo
andrea

[newmomx2]

Missy: That is good news on the helmet. And what a good little sport Corey was, not even crying. I feel bad you have to shave his head. I know what you mean about the curls. Ethan's hair is getting so curly. As for Kof P, can you go this Saturday? That is so cool that you live so close. I keep forgetting you aren't far from me, either.
Lisa

So sorry can't do this Sat. We are taking the boys for there 1 year pictures before I have to cut Corey's hair :( We can also try to get together sometime I am in York visiting the fam...

[Jillmami]

Lisa, I'm not sure about sippy cup/bottle transfer. I give mine a sippy cup with handles and one without that has water or a little bit of their milk to see what they do with it. They LOVE to splash it around though. Can't say as I blame them as it's FUN!! :spitwater Noah actually loves to drink out of my cup when I have water. He gets so excited after every drink. THat's why I bought some of the sippy cups without handles thinking he might like that better. Let me know what you find out and I'll do likewise. (Our NICU nurses come on Mon. so I'll ask for their input as well.) Love both cake ideas. Like Andrea, it depends on if you want an easier time with their names or one that requires more work to frost. Elmo's head is nice, but do you want to take the time to frost it so it looks like him? Either way it will be terrific! Very cute!!

Valerie, TJ says, "thank you" for noticing her hair. If anyone is interested, I found a woman on, where else, Ebay that has terrific headbands! They are designed in such a way that you can put any barrette/clip at top and it will stay! Plus, the bands aren't too tight. TJ didn't mind at all when I stuck hers on to see how it looked. Her seller name is "krazymop". I don't think she has anything listed right now, but she will be. If you want her email, IM me and I'll send it. I got 6 headbands in colors of my choice (that are really pretty colors) for $7.00. I'll try to attach a pic of TJ in her pink band below.

Andrea, I am with you re: credit card near the computer. Unfortunately, I know our AmEx by heart. :proud:

THANK YOU to everyone who is willing to help out for the MOD walk. I am looking forward to getting the babies out on Sat. for a nice walk. Hoping weather stays nice!

Enjoy your day!! OK, I put a more current pic of me and the babies. I have the sunglass hair not really working for me but it's there! Like Noah's silly face? The last week's set of pics all have him making some funny face. It's a riot!

[Megzackben]

Felisha-I was the one with the daycare/MIL dilema (but thanks for the advice, I feel the same way).

MIL-Thank you all for input (and no it wasnt too harsh). I think she moved Zack to another spot in the living room which is more of a diversion but called it "time out". She told my mom that they knew better to slap the glass on our coffee table. Its the same glass I laugh at when they banged it. Poor kids -mixed messages. So needless to say that day I took it out and its in the shed. Ben does stop when I say no and sometimes cries but Zack doesnt understand yet. I will talk when we have more than 5 min as soon as she comes I am out the door and as soon as I come home she leaves to miss traffic.

Lisa-I had the same exact question. I am not sure my boys are going to transition very well.

oops got to go get my students....I'll reply longer later.

[vthompson]

Lisa - I have the same questions about the transition. K & C used to be interested in their sippies, but not anymore. They still take 5 bottles a day. I just do not think it is going to go well. I am scared (lol). I just have no idea what or how to do it. I know it will be a battle, especially with that night bottle. I like both cake ideas. However, I think the Elmo cake is going to be a bi*** to frost. To save the headache, I would go with the other one.

Jill - I did not realize your walk was on Saturday. We are doing the MS walk this Saturday in Cleveland. Happy walking!!

Felisha - That is great that their dad is coming. Has he been around more? Does his family know or are they just choosing not to participate?

Kerrie - I hope your dad is feeling better today...how are you feeling?

I swear, everytime I get the computer out today, they both come running over to me and stand here crying and pulling on my legs. Gotta go...sorry again to all that I missed.

Valerie

[JacobsMom]

PS I maybe coming to Texas over the summer to drop off Meg for a week. (driving by myself with 3 kids!!!!) Who lives in TX again?

Hi Heather. I am in Houston. I'd love to meet you and the kids if you are anywhere near here. Where are you taking Meg?

I do NOT envy your drive! I have made several drives to Missisippi with my three. It can get stressful. It is only a 6 hour actual drive, but it usually takes me from 7-8 hours. I can't imagine driving all the way from Florida to Texas. And then back without Meg to help you!!! I'm not brave enough to make my drive without Jacob. I think I would go insane. It would probably turn into a two day trip! LOL! He is good at feeding them while I drive so I don't have to stop and take that extra time. He also plays with them when they get fussy. I wish you the best of luck!

[christel]

Hey everyone,

We're mostly well now, just DH bringing up the rear. He stayed home from work Mon. & Tues., but worked on our fence most of the time. He said he didn't think about being sick, therefore felt better, when he was busy. :crazy: Men! At least he wasn't whining in the house :D

We leave Friday morning for my parents' and will have the party on Saturday. I'm excited but feel really disorganized. I keep buying all this stuff for the party and I don't even know how or where I'm going to use it all! When we get back DH may have to turn around and go to a field site for 2 days. Grrr! He's got an ultimatum to be home on Wed. come hell or high water because the girls have their 1 year check up.

Question about discipline/parenting for y'all... Has anyone read anything that you found really helpful? All my "mom" books are about the schedules and the food and the milestones. I don't have anything about parenting techniques and we are definitely moving into a new stage of life with willful behavior that needs to be addressed properly.

Ruby has begun SCREAMING to get her way. She'll inhale all the air in the room, scrunch her body down and let it rip! One long shrill ear-shattering baby-pteradactyl scream. Then, she'll wait, watch and gear up to do it again. At first, I thought she was just experimenting w/ new sounds, but there's a purpose behind it now. I don't want to reinforce it. But, how do you "redirect" a kid away from a noise?

Ok, I seem to have missed a lot w/ my slacker posting, so here's a pitiful attempt to catch up:

Andrea - I L:throb:VE the new siggy pic!!! Are you and I the only ones w/ girl-girl twins on this board?

Missy - excellent idea to get the 1 year pics made with the curls intact. Hope they go well and y'all are happy with them. I love the idea of the note to the public on the helmet. Guess you'll have to see how much attention it grabs and then decide whether to do that or not.

Joy - :love: Those are most adorable new pics in your siggy, too! Look at those eyes! Wow! Oh, and we live in a suburb of a suburb of Austin... Round Rock is between us and Austin and I taught in RRISD for 8 years. Do you ever visit the aunt? If so, look us up when you come!

Valerie - :woo: for Corey and those steps! And don't worry, it doesn't really count unless you witness it :)

Jen - how is work going? Anxious to hear an update.

Lisa - thanks for checking on me! We had tornado watches all through the night, but nothing serious occurred. Thank goodness! And I say, go the easy route w/ the cake unless you REALLY want to make it.

Regarding milk transitions - our pedi said that they'll need 16 oz. of whole milk/ day. The remaining nutrients should come from their solids. He recommended phasing out the formula by gradually adding more and more milk to their bottles. He said to do that over the course of a week. I'm going to shoot for a 15 mo. complete transition to sippy cups. I don't think the girls are quite ready to ditch the bottles completely. I am though!

Mindy - so, how did your babies like the zoo? I've been wondering if my girls were ready for something like that yet. And, yes :nod: I got your old-school references!

Steph and Kerrie - how are your Dads doing?

Jill - hope y'all have a fabulous time on the MOD walk! I've got several friends participating here, but it starts really early and I'm SO married to our schedule, that I couldn't see a good way to get the girls out for it. Kinda feel like a loser, but there you have it.

Monica - :lol: at your DH's post! Have you transitioned your guys to whole milk yet? Are you still BF? I can't remember.

Felisha - will the babies' dad stay with you? Is that going to be weird?

Heather - WTG on the principal pat-on-the-back! :clap: Where will you be going on your trip to TX? I hope we can meet!

Man! Hope that's everyone - my fingers are cramping :D
:wave:

[lilybug19]

Hello Ladies!!! We had wonderful weather over the weekend. Spent lots of time outdoors. My mom and dad came over on Sat. she had just gotten home from a week in Cancun. I am so jealous.
Naps... What are those? Luke & Lily are on boycot and have been going on 3 weeks. I am very frustrated with this. Also Luke wakes up at least once per night and I end up rocking him back to sleep. Sometimes it takes an hour. What happened to my sound sleepers?
Also I need to find some way to confine them. I spend every waking minute with them it seems. Yesterday Luke flipped over in his infant to toddler rocker. I need to find a safe play area. Any ideas?
I have been reading the posts, but when I try to post a baby wakes from a semi-nap.

Felisha- I have the Combi Twin Savvy XL. It is very light and easy to fold & steer. It isn't good on uneven sidewalk, but other than that I am very happy with it.

Lisa- Juicy Juice is 100% juice. I like the 1st cake idea better too. It seems easier and is very cute.

Hope everyone in Texas is alright.

Steph & Kerrie- Hope your fathers are okay. They are in my prayers.

Joy-Hope you get your dishwasher fixed ASAP.

Christel- Lily must have read the same handbook as Ruby. She screams at a very high pitch when she wants something and doesn't get it or can't. I have no ideas on how to stop it either. I just ignore her when she does it so I don't encourage her.

Valerie- :clap: for Corey on his steps.

Well I know I missed some of you. I need to get Lily up from her very short nap. At least she took one. I couldn't get Luke to sleep. Are everyones babies still on 2 naps a day?

Have a great day!!!
Kris

[newmomx2]

Lisa - My guys take 4 bottles a day 3 - 6oz(or less if it is Corey). The 4th is 4oz. I still can't get them to drink out of a sippy cup tried many kinds we may be in bottles forever !!! 1 bottle at 6am, 1 at noon, snack bottle at 4pm(although if I can get them to do sippy cups I will do juice/water) and 1 at bed time - I am thinking I should put more in the night bottle maybe that is why Tyler wakes up early??? thoughts...

Helmet - love the sign idea - I asked for a 49ers helmet that is DHs team thought he would like it.

Day Care - i am on the hunt - visit a lady on Friday PM - home day cares are cheaper and BETTER less illness more love, less kids etc..just more work to find a good one.

Christel - Glad everyone is feeling better good luck this weekend.

Boys are at the work day care today and they had a clown visit at 10am so they missed the morning nap all together !!! but they apparently LOVED the clown :) Hoping they take a good nap tonight or could be hell ! They come to work again tomorrow and then home with DH Friday so I can catch up on work and visit day cares - somedays I REALLY miss being at home :( but glad they spend so much time at our house.

Gotta run and submit another expense report.

Hey ladies anyone have the babies r us credit card ?

[newmomx2]

Kris - we posted at the same time - I had a HE double hockeystick time with naps a few weeks back it turns out they were cutting teeth once the teeth popped through life got better.

Still 2 naps per day although I see 1 in the next month or so...

Lisa - I am ordering cakes from BJs - one chocolate and one vanilla and individualizing the tops then all visitors should be satisfied.

Okay really have to go now.

[sgarrett]

It has been so hard to find time to post lately, work is nuts and babies are crazy!

Discipline: We have started saying NO, Aiden totally knows what it means. If he is leaning down to bite a chunk out of the coffee table and DH says NO, he stops what he is doing, smiles very slyly, and bites the crap out of the coffee table! DH said NO very sternly to him last night for the same thing, he threw himself on the floor and pitched a fit! Screaming, kicking the whole thing. What a drama king! He has been such a handful the past few days, very cranky and will scream if he does not get his way. I ignore him when he screams, I do not want him to think he is getting any attention with bad behavior. Isabelle is pretty laid back, I hardly say no to her, except when she is pulling the crap out of my hair, I swear I am going to need Rogaine soon!

Kris: We have play yard, it is basically baby gates configured in a circle. We call it baby prison. We have mats underneath it, when we are eating dinner or doing something that requires caging the animals we put them in there. I try to get in there with them alot during play time so the do not see it as a bad thing.

Christel: I am glad the fam is feeling better. I am sure your party will be great! You will find ways to use all your decorations!

Sippy Cup: I give them one at lunch and at dinner. They do OK with them not great, I am not looking forward to taking away the bottle all together. I am going to see how they progress with the sippy cup before I start taking away bottles.

Felisha: Sorry I missed you at the zoo, I have not been able to be on here much lately. Call me on my cell next time, I would still love to meet! Good luck with the party, I am sure it will be fun!

Lisa: I would go with whatever cake is easier, they are both cute.

Birthday question, I have been so anal about the babies eating only healthy stuff and no sugar. I want to give them their own cupcake or something to destroy at their party but am worried about the sugar overload. Does anyone have any suggestion for a frosting not totally filled with sugar? We still have a couple of months but it will be here soon!

I know I am missing a ton of people, it is so hard to catch up. Work has been really nuts, I have had horrible insomnia lately and the babies (well really Aiden) has been quite the handful lately.

Take care

Staci

[Megzackben]

Bday cake-Meg's first cake I had gotten it at a Bj's type of place in TX and they were able to scan the invitation on top of the cake which was edible. You can also do it with a picture. If I don't make the cake then I will do that with a picture. I have a really cool kids cake book. Super easy. I am with Staci on the sugar overload. They have never had anything sweet yet besides puffs.

I am so glad everyone else is having trouble with thinking about transitioning to sippy cup too (sorry misery loves company) We have alot of bottle feedings 4-5. 6:30, 12:30, 6:00p, 9pm bedtime. All bottles SHOULD be 7oz depending on MIL dumping :crazy: 9:30a and 3pm (sippy cup of water which they hardly drink)


I did talk with MIL today not about formula or time out. I still think she is the BEST for the boys. We talked about her still taking care of the boys next school year. She says it depends on DH schedule next week. His changes every 6mths (school status through Disney). More than likely he will be on night shift. He thinks he can take care of the boys 2 days aweek after working at night!:snicker: He cant handle them for to long 1 day a week without stressing out. UGH hate this stress...I guess when I put it into focus it could be so much worse.

Got to come up with a kick butt lesson for next week. The principal that I REALLY want emailed me last night and wants to come observe me (apparently our interview went well).

Great news too. Our 4th gr writing scores came in. 3.5 is passing. I only had 3 students not pass out of 21! The lowest was 2.5 and she is a "non English" student. In Aug our average score was 2.2. We just did our average in class and we are now 3.4!!! I am so happy. I think I will leave the spreadsheet out on my desk so the principal can see it during my observation:)
I am so sorry that I havent responded to most posts. I didnt take notes since I was out of commission.

[christel]

Just reading quickly and wanted to say :woo: to Heather! An observation from your 1st choice principal! When? Yea on the great writing scores, too! But don't leave 'em out unless the names are blacked out. My school district is SO anal about that stuff and we got in big trouble if confidentiality wasn't preserved at all costs!

[Megzackben]

Christel-thanks! I will definately take your advice eventhough there is no such thing as privacy in our district :( But it could be an issue for the principal. I have an awesome data binder. I'll make sure its the first page :) He was so vague. Just said early next week! UGH so now I am not sure and have to be on my toes. I have a great friend that works for him and knows his schedule (he emails it out ahead of time) so she'll try to give me a heads up. Thanks for the encouragement...it means alot.

okay I let Zack cry in his crib for long enough. THey are loosing their last nap at before bed time and its killing me.

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Okay-let's see if this works. Christel -how do you do all those "Look HERE" links?

Please know that I am only doing this for you ladies and my bestfriend who lives in Houston . This is so embarassing. :hide: I hope weird random people don't look at this....I made sure not to put my face in. I had to include pregnancy pictures, too, because the timeline didn't feel complete without them : )

here is the link for my BELLY (it really has had a life of its own lately).

XXXX

I've felt great the past two days. I only have a bit of swelling at the top and at the very bottom along my incision.

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Now for some catch up--

It has been crazy getting into "working" mode. We used to be like a well-oiled machine in the morning, and the past two days we were just a mess getting out of the house. I LOVE our babysitter, though, and I decided it was worth paying her to come 1/2 hour early just to calm the madness in the morning.

The job was good-- they really just threw me into doing therapy without even looking at a single chart. In the past two days, I've worked with 5 year olds all the way to 15 year olds, some completely nonverbal, using one cart of materials. Most of the kids were great, though, and it felt good to be back doing my thing. Thanks to all those who asked. :)

Missy-I was thrilled to hear that the fitting wasn't too stressful for Corey. What a great kid!

Val- YEAH, Corey!!! You'll see him walk before you know it!!

Mindy/Lisa- Have a GREAT time this weekend. I am so jealous! I heard that the Flemington outlets in western NJ (pretty close to the PA border) are really terrific. I will have to check them out and let you know. I would LOVE to meet with you and Missy so maybe that would only be 45 minutes or so for all of us. Also, I am always up for NYC and the beach. I plan on going to the beach (or as they say here the "shore") many times this summer since I didn't see a grain of sand last summer with all the newborn to tend to! That would be a fun day, but quite a long drive for you. Mindy--good luck with your ATkins-- the first week is the worst.

Joy-love your new photos-- your twins look so different with their features/ coloring. Is one like you and the other like DH?

Jill--good luck with your walk this Saturday! I hope you have a great time and have some nice weather. My kids make sprinklers out of their sippy cups, too. What a mess. It was great to see a picture of you and your cuties!!

Monica/Victor- I'm so jealous of your time in the sun--enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Heather-- :party2 so happy to hear you had some validation for your great work. You deserve it! Sorry about all the trouble with MIL, too. I think it's best just to be direct about these things otherwise they can drag on for years when family is involved.

Kerrie- Feel better, lady! You've had an unfair amount of sickness in your life lately. Hang in there! How is you Dad?

Steph-- How is your Dad, too? I'm hoping that no news is good news....

Christel--so glad that your crowd is finally feeling better! I love the book "1-2-3 Magic". It worked wonders with Max, my "spirited" child. I still "count him" and I rarely have to go past "1". I don't think they recommend using this method until 18 months, though.

WEANING: Is it that time already??? Yikes. I guess so. I can't remember how I did it with DS, but bottles were gone by 16 months. It was never a big deal with him. I DO remember that whole milk gave him terrible diarrhea so we had to feed him Lactaid milk for 6 months and that was expensive. I hope the twins don't do that to me! I think I started mixing whole milk with formula to get him used to the taste for a couple weeks. Then, I dropped one bottle per week and replaced it with milk in a cup. Does that sound right? I'll have to get out the baby book and check.

JUICE- My ped has always recommended "Apple and EVe" brand b/c it has Calcium added and it's 100% juice. I also use Juicy Juice. My kids LOVE their sippy cups (I actually have to hide them from view until they've eaten enough because otherwise that's all they want). Believe it or not, they prefer WATER. They aren't as enthusiastic with the juice or milk.

I'm sorry if I missed anyone....so tired...I'm going to go to bed at 9 tonight!

Jen

[LucasMom]

Jen- I looked up the Flemington Outlets and they are only about 1 hour from me or less. I would definitely meet up with you there. I am kind of a free woman lately, so...set the date! Thanks for the pics. #1-You looked beautiful before and after. #2-Your belly was STRAIGHT OUT!!! Holy babies!! So cute!

Lisa-So excited!

Heather-Congrats! Love the new pics, not only do the boys look so cute and smiley, but meg looks beautiful!

Juice-Didn't give to Lucas until he was older and still now, mix like 1/4 juice with 3/4 water, just for flavor. As far as cake, when Lucas was a baby, I was careful with his snacks, but on his 1st b-day, I gave him a piece and let him go to town on it. He had more fun playing with it than eating it, and the pictures were classic! You can try a cream cheese frosting, just google it, def. lower in sugar.

More later.

Love,
Mindy

[Megzackben]

Okay just peeked on the May board to see about bday ideas. Found a cool alternative to bday cake cheescake adults of course :) and strawberry shortcake. So instead of real frosting you could use coolwhip. Are babies aloud to have strawberries? I may try the coolwhip idea.

ok going to bed before midnight tonight.

[josie88]

Hello! Ladies and a Gent :ciao:
I posted yesterday "Where is everyone" because the board was so quiet,today it's very busy must be the weather. Yucky rain here! Well I got my dishwasher fixed.:dance3: There is some kind of overflow valve that will pop up if there is too much water so no more comes in. Well I snapped it off somehow when I wiped it out the other day. It gets all grimmy and mildewy on the bottom (around the drain) Does anyone else have this problem? The repair man says it shouldn't be doing that,maybe it's the soap I use?

Discipline-We have been saying NO and diverting attention also...they seem to understand cuz they get mad. Even when Ethan is trying to crawl(cammando style)to me he shakes his head NO cuz he doesn't want to crawl. It's amazing how easy they learn.

Victor/Monica-Glad to see a DA DA in the mix. When I first found this site and was reading constantly about all you and posting elsewhere my DH casually said that I was stalking you guys.:snicker: Time in FL sounds so wonderful, soak up some rays for me.

Lisa-Juicy juice is 100%as someone already mentioned.I don't have any problems with my IL's but they stop in unannounced 2/3 x a week at around 8/9 pm which gets a little frustrating trying to get kids to bed. We are not super early risers.

Christel-I have yet to visit my aunt in TX, she comes home every year for our reunion but we are in much need of a VACA. I will keep it in mind.

Kris-We are taking 2/3 naps per day. If the #1 nap is a long one (2 hrs)usually there is no #3.

Kerri-Glad to hear your Dad was on the mend, hopefully he can nip the pneamonia(sp)in the butt. I chuckled:lol: about your idea of getting a hotel room when you get sick.

Jen-New job sounds like it's going well. My nephew Coby is autistic. He is 16 and pretty much non-verbal unless qued(sp) to speak. The pics of before and after are really something you can see such a difference. Oh! I almost forgot Ethan looks so much like my FIL it's so wierd and Emily looks like my DH. But I have dark hair so everyone says she resembles me. I'll have to post a pic of me next time.

Mindy-I'm familiar with Ferris Bueller and Julie Andrews. We can feel old together ok

Steph and Daniele-Prayers are still coming your way.:pray:

Heather-Great news on your principal observation. :proud: Hang in there the best babysitter will come your way soon.

Hope I didn't miss anyone. Have a good night!:snoar:

Joy:2pounds:

[EBTwinz]

Did anyone watch American Idol last night? I bauled my eyes out! My dh even donated money. What a show.

You all are going to think I am a horrible mother but I let my kids eat a lot of stuff. I let them have the Graduate banana cookies and the biter biscuits, (only once in a while), crackers, puffs, cheerios (even the yogurt kind) and for dinner they eat the pick up raviolis (either the meat/sauce or the cheese/spinach). I try to give a veggie, like sweet peas or mixed veggies that I steam and they can pick up, I let them eat hot dogs cut up small when we had a cook out, they had chicken nuggets and fries. I let them drink juice but I dialute it w/ water. The newest thing is turkey sandwiches. I put turkey and velveeta cheese on wheat bread and cut it up into small peices. They love it! They even tried the cheese puffs that are in the baby aisle. I can't feed them w/ a spoon anymore. They try to grab the spoon and it is a huge mess. So I have to give them food that they can feed to themself. Also, I have to hide the sippy cup, too, or they will drink all their water and not eat. I try to give them water w/ every meal. I am not worried about weight since my guys are still on the smaller side (probably only 20-21lbs each). Mine are tall. plus, dh and I were scrawny kids so I imagine my guys will be, too. And I ate a lot of junk growing up. I don't want my guys to get into bad eating habits but I don't feed them things that I wouldn't even try. I also give them berries and fruit all the time. They love bananas, stawberries, and mandarin oranges.

Okay, wrote a book over here. I will check in soon.

Lisa

[EBTwinz]

jen: I just looked at your pics. You look amazing! And I can't believe how you stuck straight out during your pregnancy. We should all post our last pregnant pic. I know my stomach was HUGE!! I looked so miserable in the last weeks. Jen, you look so great!!

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Good morning! I'm taking a break from fun things like mopping. My house hasn't been cleaned since my mom left 2 weeks ago.

Lisa- I am NOT a cook so I always feel guilty about what I feed the babies. I don't give them junkfood, but alot of Gerber "junk". I know it's not terrible for them, but not the best either. They LOVE the Gerber freeze-dried fruit cubes, ravaioli, and cereal bars. My two hate being spoon feed right now, too. They can't manage to scoop the food yet with a spoon themselves. I try to give them lots of cut-up veggies and left overs from our fairly healthy family dinners to make up for the more processed Gerber food that I'm using. They actually like the top of well-cooked brocoli, and of course our old standby, avocado, and toast with a wide range of things spread on it is a favorite. I don't give them any sugary sweets. Do you think the Gerber stuff is really bad? It is way too convenient! Lisa- I think that is a GREAT idea to have everyone post their last pregnancy picture a year later. I wasn't with you all back then so I would love to see. Yes, I had a strange, pointy belly. The ridicule was horrible, and people at work called me The Torpedo since it looked like the babies where one in front of the other. .. Hence, the stretched out post-baby belly!

Kris-forgot to tell you that we use a KidCo playyard for times when they must be confined. I play in there with them periodically to make it feel more natural. Mason couldn't care less about being in there, but Isabella screams her head off. I really need it when DH is out of town or I'm alone with the kids during the day and have to leave them downstairs alone.

Mindy-that would be great to meet in Flemington sometime! We'll definitely have to set something up. I need a whole new wardrobe because I really haven't bought anything for myself in the past 5 years. DH said he was going to submit me to "What NOT to Wear"-- it's a show on TLC. I told him that I already submitted myself for a show they are promoting to "look better for your spouse"!! Who cares about that! I just want $5 K toward clothes and a shopping spree in NYC.

Alright --back to work!

Jen

Staci/Heather- Sorry-- I forgot to mention yesterday that cream-cheese frosting is a bit healthier (I think someone already said this). However, I found that Max, who had real cake on his first, really never developed a taste for sweets until he was 4 so it didn't do any harm.

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning Mommies...

Everyone in my house is on the mend... not 100% but we are all doing much better.

Daddy was admitted back into the hospital but from what I have heard he is being treated with medication and is doing fine.

I did want to ask a question. My BFF is getting the merina IUD and was wondering if I had heard anything about it... Just wondering if any of you have it and what you think... I am currently using the NuvoRing but wanted to switch to the Merina in August when I have my annual. So if you are using it, please share the good, bad and ugly.

Okay gotta run... write more later.

Kt.

[sgarrett]

Kerrie: I had the Merina IUD before babies, it made me cramp a little more during periods and spot a little in the first month. All and all it was great, do not have to remember a pill, very low hormones etc. The only thing (and this is just me being paraniod) after I had it taken out I got preggo super fast and it ended up being a tubal. They had to remove the tube completely. I always wondered if it had something to do with the IUD. Probaly not, maybe worth asking the doc. about.

Jen: You look amazing! You looked amazing preggo and your stomach turned out beautiful.

Crap work is calling be back later......
Staci

[christel]

Ok, so here's my plan for the girls' b-day cupcakes... let me know what you think, please.
-making both yellow and chocolate cupcakes iced with cream cheese frosting colored red.
-using upside down chocolate chips for the ladybug spots and black frosting to delineate the wings and face.
-have licorice for the antenna

I'm going to make them at my mom's tomorrow night. So, dear lord, nothing can go wrong! Because I won't have time to fix it. I bought the cutest little dresses for them to wear... red w/ white polka dots and ladybugs on them. I think I'll have them wear bibs for the actual cake eating, though. Not sure, because I don't really want bibs in the pictures. But red frosting on clothes?

Jen - you were such a cute pg mama! And the tummy looks amazing now! Wow! TFS Oh, and to do the imbedded links, highlight the word you want to make "hot"... click on the "insert link" icon (looks like a globe w/ 2 chain links at its base). Then, type or copy the link into the popup box and say OK. Hope that makes sense :)

Lisa - I don't see anything wrong w/ what you're feeding the kids... sounds good to me :nod: My girls only want to hold the spoon, too. SO messy!

Joy - :woo: on getting the dishwasher fixed! I would be so stressed if mine broke! Don't know about the mildew stuff, though... maybe just spray it down every couple of days w/ some bleach?

Juice - I freeze apple juice in ice cube trays and then occasionally throw one cube into their sippy cup of water. That's it for us unless there's major constipation going on.

Heather - my sister did strawberry shortcake for her son and he loved it! Mostly he just wanted the fruit on top :D A lot less messy than cake and frosting, too.

Staci - if you want to leave the sugar out of the frosting altogether, you could do a whipped cream topping. Beat the whipping cream and frost the babies' cakes and then add sugar to it and top everyone else's cake.

Kris - I am ignoring (trying to) Ruby's screaming. One time I waited a second and did it back at her. She stared, just shocked, at me and then started the saddest most pathetic little cry. Broke my heart! So, I'm back to ignoring it. Either I'm getting used to it, or she's not doing it as loud or as much. Not sure :snicker:

Speaking of the screamer, she's awake after sleeping less than 30 min. :banghead: I'm leaving her in there until Emme wakes up, though. I can see her on the vid monitor and she's just playing, that stinker.

Must go clean and pack. Bye :wave:

[Megzackben]

Real quick post for now before I forget...I don't take notes bad teacher!

Mirena-I have it because I cant remember ANYTHING! I bleed non stop from Jan until 2 weeks ago. I had 2-3 days total with nothing. It wasnt heavy at all just annoying. I had an internal sonogram 2x to make sure it was placed correctly. All in all I am very happy with it. It did a number on our s*x life. Meaning we hardly ever did and now I think that is our unfortunate routine now.

okay will post later

Kerrie-dad in my prayer

Monica- are you still in FL? If so let me know if you have anytime this w/e. I know you were very busy with family last week.

Steph-want to get together soon???

[newmomx2]

Jen - Awesome results - makes me want to get a tummy tuck - I have similar 'flab' my mom calls it twin skin.

[newmomx2]

Testing Click Here (http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/mandjdietzpics/Boys%20album/DSC_00981.jpg)
That is my Dad and all his Grandsons.

[vthompson]

Jen - You look AMAZING!! I cannot believe how adorable your pg tummy was! As for the before pics, my tummy looks just like yours. Can you send your tummy tuck my way (lol).

Heather - I love your new siggy pics. Are those floats the boys are on? Congrats on your observation. Let us know how it goes!!

Missy - You should frame that picture for your dad. It is really cute!

Christel - I cannot wait to see pics of the party. Your cupcakes sound like they are going to turn out great!! As for the bibs, I wouldn't worry about it being in the pics. You could always gets 1st bday bibs.

Kerrie - I hope your dad is doing better and can stay out of the hospital. I am on the pill so I have no info on the IUD.

Lisa - You are not a horrible mom!! I have been feeding the twins all sorts of table food. They reject baby food most of the time...it is a huge struggle. They eat mostly what we eat for dinner now. It is just much easier. They like to feed themselves.

Mindy - I am so jealous that you and Lisa are meeting this weekend. Make sure you take lots of pics. You better not reveal your secret (lol).

Joy - I am not sure about the mold issue in the dishwasher. I would use bleach.

Staci - When we say no, they both just smile at me and either continue what they were doing or find something else bad to do. I am scared for what the future holds. I am guessing they do not understand, but I guess that makes me feel better to think that way!!

Juice - I have only given them juice when constipated.

Sippy Cups - I have tried to use the cups during their 4pm feeding. Kayley drinks some, Corey refused today and I had to give him a bottle. They used to get excited about their cups, but lately, they do not show any interest. I am trying to not stress out about it... but of course, if it does not go as planned, I feel like I am doing something wrong.

Have a great night!

Valerie

[AndreaR]

Don't have much time, but wanted to pop in to say that we met Daniele, Nico & Luca at the mall today and had SUCH a nice visit. It had been way too long in between visits, but we are already planning our next play date. Here is a picture of us : http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m272/arioles/DSC03420.jpg

I also updated my siggy pic (again...), so I'm testing it out. Why is it so big? I resized it to "message board" size??

I need to read and catch up and then I'll post and respond to everyone. Good night!

xoxo

Andrea

[mmzill]

Hey everyone -

Mirena - got one last June, spotted for 1 month lightly. Since then nothing and it's been great. Pills really screwed with my sex drive (and that's not a good thing, it's not real high anyway) This seems to be much better. Much less dosage of hormone. I have worried some about not being able to conceive later, but we have three now and I'm not sure I'm up for any more. :)

Bottles - everything I've read says that it's good to stop the bottle at one year. I didn't see the sense in that with dd and she was still having two to three bottles a day at Christmas (2yrs). In Jan took it away cold turkey...she has not drunk milk since then. She will have nothing to do with milk in a sippy. Sometimes I think that if i had weaned her sooner she would still take milk. But who knows. I don't recommend taking it away like I did. It was not fun. With the boys I'm going to get it down to like one bottle a day and then take that away after a while. I so wish dd still drank milk, it gives so much protein and fat.

Cakes - I made cupcakes for the boys. The boys really enjoyed digging into the icing, but ate very little of it when it came down to it. They just enjoyed the mess. And that's what made good pics too. I made a refrigerator cake/jello cake. With a pudding/cream cheese topping that I colored blue with food coloring. I don't have the exact recipe, so if somone wants it let me know and I'll call a friend at home and get it from here. But the idea is you take a package of Dream whip (powder that turns into a whipped topping) a package of pudding mix, (I have used lemon and cheesecake flavors, it just depends on what type of cake you are putting it on) then you whip it up with milk and vanilla. If you want to make it creamier, which I did for their birthdays, you can add a pkg of cream cheese and some powdered sugar to flavor. It's a wonderful tasting icing that is very light and doesn't taste as sugary as the prepackaged ones you buy. The disadvantage is it is more like pudding, so it doesn't set set real well and needs to be refrigerated so if you are taking them outside for long, your icing may not stay put.
For the cake you take what ever flavors of cake you want. Lemon is what I use the most. Bake it, in cake form or cupcakes, punch holes in it after it cools some then pour whatever type of jello you want in it. Lime works greata with lemon cake, but I did a strawberry one for dd bday and that was really good too. Stawberry cake and strawberry jello. Yum! It's really moist. Ok, enough about my favorite cake. If you all want the specifics (as if I didn't give them all here :) ) I'd be happy to PM them to you.

Jen - your tummy looks great! I enjoy watching What not to wear, and so wish I could have 5k to spend in NY!!!

Lisa - AI we did watch it last night. Very touching. So glad Jordan didn't go home!!!! I was really worried.

Christel - The lady bugs sound so neat! I think they will turn out great! A note of caution - about food coloring - the outfit the boys were wearing still have some blue in them that hasn't come out, so if they have a super cute outfit, I would definetly recommend bibs, just take some pics before with the cupcakes just out of reach, then bib the babies :snicker:

Juice - I have just started giving the boys some juice in sippys. Not a lot but some. My guys already have such a sweet tooth it's awful. They really don't like veggies anymore. (Nathan never did, but Anthony is getting worse) They are preferring lumpy food now too, do much better with table food than the jarred baby food.

Heather - I am still here. I'm not sure about this weekend. My SIL and I are planning on going to the outlets on Sunday. That's down closer to you, but not sure how it would work out. We will have the boys, but not my dd, or her kids. Victor was already asking how long we would be gone, so not sure how we could make it work, but I would so love to meet you and your dd and boys! That's great about the test scores.

Andrea - love the new pic of the girls in the swings. Their hats are so cute! Glad you and Danielle had fun today!

Well, Anthony has had a fever for two days, and now has a croupy cough. Ugh! Today we went to my SIL and spent the day there. They have a little girl who is one week older than DD, so the girls had lots of fun playing together. Yesterday we met with Steph and her BF at the zoo here. Boy was it hot! But the kids seemed to have fun. ( I did too!) We rode a little train that Alaina really liked. I did take some pics, but need to down load them first.

I just realized what a BOOK i've written. Sorry it's so long. I've been meaning to post the past couple days, but just haven't had the time....hence the book.
I hope that you all have a good night!
~Monica
Do you like my new pics? DH took the pics on Saturday. Alaina is such a pretty girl! And the boys are so cute! (sorry, proud mama here):proud:

[Megzackben]

Monica-I thought you were booked already. Hope you have tons of fun! We will definately have to meet next time :)

Valerie-Yes those are the most amazing floats. My mom found them at Walmart. I love it because it has a shade. My favorite part is the little splash section in front of them. The boys kept splashing the area.

Dishwasher-Be careful of pure bleach. DH said it could damage some of the tubing, wiring, etc...I heard that vinegar works good too but not sure.

ok time for bed for me.

[SunMoonMom]

Morning Ladies...

Monica - Love the pics... She is beautiful... breathtaking...

Heather - Good luck on the eval... I know you will rock the house...

Mirena - Everyone who answered... thank you... very helpful... I think I have decided to go for it... Appointment is in July.

There are so many I haven't responded to but I really need you advice... and I haven't been able to stop thinking about this since last night... I especially need advice from SAHM...

Okay so as you know my DH is a SAHD and I lately I have started to develop resentment toward him... Its not that he gets to stay home but when we talked about this before the boys were born, he said he wanted to keep a nice house for us... but most of the time he doesn't do anything during the day that helps keep the house in order... He plays with the boys, feeds the boys, watches TV and plays video games... Other than that I don't know what he does... He leaves it all for the weekend and then we don't really have time on the weekend to enjoy ourselves... or selfishly I can say I get no time to enjoy myself...

So Here are my questions for SAHM:

Most days, can you get one chore done - like vaccum the living room, wash the dishes (load the dishwasher), sweep the floor, wipe down the counters... anything? I don't want the house spotless but one thing a day would be great so wondering if you have time for that? Want to know if I am being unreasonable

Yesterday, he didn't even feed the boys lunch... just a bottle... I said to him last night that he won't have that luxury in a few months when we start taking bottles away...

DH and I can talk about anything but I feel such guilt wanting him to do more when he is already taking care of the babies... When they were younger they required so much attention but now they play together or on their own most of the time...

Just need to know if I am being a insensitive to what he does have to do during the day... I never want DH to think that I don't think taking care of the kids is work... He has the most important job in the family but not sure if he knows that the kids need to be taught by example and keeping a nice house is part of that...

AAAAAHHHHHHHH... I am just so conflicted and guilt ridden... Every night I go home and want to do stuff around the house but then I want to spend time the with the boys... Once they go to bed, I get about 2 hours before I have to go to bed... I like to eat dinner and relax a little... but its then that I need to be up working on the house...

Help... any info or advice would be great.

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Kerrie- I recently read an article somewhere about how much harder it is for women with kids to work outside the home than it is for men. This is because women have their job and then come home and still have more than their fair share of childcare and housework to tend to because we have such a sense of duty or responsibility in these areas.....fathers who work outside the home get to come home at night, play with the kids a bit and relax, and also don't tend to worry about their kids as much while they're at work....

I have to tell you that some days I get nothing done and other days I complete my entire list of chores. It depends on who is cranky, who naps, who is sick, etc. However, MOST days, I certainly can take care of at least one or two chores. For example, yesterday, I mopped the kitchen floor, did two loads of laundry and cleaned up the kitchen during the kids nap times. I still had time to relax a bit. I do major pick up of toys and kitchen after the kids go to bed at night. Also, I do make a point to do some housework when they're awake because, like you said, you need to teach them by example and they need to know that mommy can't sit by them every second of the day. I would never be able to skip one of the babies' meals at this point because they are not satisfied by the milk-- they would tell me about it!

I don't want to be sexist, but I wonder if it is just harder for guys...I don't want to offend anyone....they just tend to have one-track minds. In order to keep some marital peace, maybe you could express your frustrations calmly, and try to make a schedule for your home so DH feels like he has an organized "job"... such as Tuesday is mopping/vaccuming, Wednesday is dusting/bathroom cleaning, Thursday is changing sheets-- maybe DH just needs a little organization. Does that make sense? OR--if you can swing it financially-- have a housecleaner come in every other week to do the major cleaning to lift the burden from both of you. It may be the best $70 you spend! When I get back to working full-time, that will be my first investment.

Hope this helps--it is so hard to be a working mommy!

Jen

[lilybug19]

Good Morning! Well it is a good morning here. I let Luke CIO for naps yesterday. He woke 2x last night and cried for less than 5 minutes. No more rocking. I can't do it every night for hours on end. So yesterday I put my foot down & it worked. He cried today for less than 10 min. for this am nap. I'm keeping my fingers crossed we're on the road to sound sleeping again. Well re: play yards I think I'm going with the Lil' Playzone Lights & Sounds from One Step Ahead. Anyone have this?

Valerie- Re:sippy cups your not doing anything wrong so push those thoughts aside. One day they love something the next day not so much. Keep offering they'll use them soon enough.

Andrea- Love the new siggy pic!!!

Monica- Sounds like you are having a great time in FL. Love the siggy pics. DD is in her model pose.

Jen- You look awesome! Glad the new job is good. It takes a while to get in the groove of a new routine. Soon you'll have it down.

Joy- I don't know about the mildew, but when my dishwasher is done I always crack it open a bit to let some air in.

Lisa- I think it's good to give a variety of foods which is what you are doing. You do whats best for you. When we were growing up we ate hot dogs everyday right out of the fridge. Today we're so worried about everthing we give them.

Kerrie- I'm a SAHM and I do all the cleaning in my house unless it has been a hard week with the twins then DH helps. I have a routine of specific rooms I clean each day of the week. So I'm cleaning everyday.
Mon- Full clean of kitchen
Tues- Twins rooms/Quick clean of bath
Wed- Living/Dining room
Thurs.-My room/Office
Friday- Full clean of Bath
I do at least 1 load of laundry per day & clean up kitchen & general straighten of house.
Dh does the yard and trash. I don't think you should have to work outside the home and then come home and have to clean. You miss your boys and need to spend time with them. I feel if you worked from home on your breaks you would clean something, but since you are away from home you don't have this opportunity. Therefore the SAHPerson should take on most of the cleaning. I'm not a woman who caters to her husband when I worked it was 50/50, but I can't expect him to clean when his children want to spend time with him, and I have the time to do it during the day. It's not hard to accomplish a little cleaning each day and it leaves nights and weekends for family time. Good Luck with this issue.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMME & RUBY


Well I'm off to get some cleaning done. Have a great day ladies!!!
Kris

[mmzill]

Kerrie - I am not a mom who has to have my house clean at all times. In fact it's pretty cluttered....but I do get my dishes done everyday and generally pick up the toys at the end of the day so dh doesn't always come home to a toy fest. :) I totally agree with Jen that it works great to have days to do the big chores, like vaccum and mop, laundry that kind of thing so it doesn't feel like you need to do it all in one day. I also know that since the boys are moving around I'm alot more worried about the stuff that they may find on the floor and feel like I need to start mopping and sweeping much more regularly, or they are going to find an old grape or something dd misplaced before I do. Men do have a one track mind and have a difficult time feeling responsible for wiping the bibs after they are used, or rinsing off the bowls that have a little food left in them.......I could go on and on.....it sounds like you have a great relationship though in that you can talk to dh about this kind of thing. I'm sure you can work something out. I don't think my dh could stand to be at home and me work, so kudos to your dh......but I think he should carry some (if not most) of the household chores too. I'm guessing if he were working he would think it your job to do them, not his.

OMG - NIGHT FROM H*LL - I told you last night that Anthony had a fever, gave him Tylenol and put him to bed. ....I stayed up like a dummy and watched a movie till 12:30, then Nathan woke up, he had a fever too. 101.3 or so, not much later Alaina was up...fever too 100.8. Anthony then was fussing again, got everyone back to sleep after more Tylenol. By this time it was 2:30, at 4:30 Anthony woke up crying, felt him he was on fire, took his temp it was 104.2!! Freaked out for a bit, woke up dh, (he's not much help in the middle of the night) Anthony was quite alert and ok once we were holding him, gave him Tylenol and got online to see what i could find about high fevers. Gave him Motrin at 5:30 cause it hadn't dropped too much....bottle, juice,.....finally at 6 he went back to sleep and his fever had come down. Went back to bed, to be woke up by 8......i'm dragging today! So far though Anthony's fever has not come back up that high, Nathan's is still 101 though....I so don't want to try to find a pedi down here, everything I've read is that a high fever isn't all bad, and that if the baby feels better when the fever is reduced, it's probably a virus and there is not much the dr would do, but take our money and say "yep they're all sick" so I'm going to wait it out another day or so.

Ok, another book. Sorry.....misery loves company......

I hope you all have wonderful days! With perfectly healthy babies!
Monica

[LucasMom]

As mom and dad in my house (boy that is weird to finally put on paper...), the way I have been handling it from the beginning is when I get home, I give the boys 15 minutes or so to unwind and play, and I load the dishwasher and get that taken care of. Then we eat dinner (they eat and I feed them:) ), then we play, run errands, bathe whatever the evening plans bring. After I put the twins to bed (around 8:30) Lucas and I play a game of I spy and we clean up all of the toys. He gets his bedtime routine of pajamas, brush, wash, story and I lay with him for 15-20 minutes to cuddle. It's usually about 9:15 and then I spend approx. 1 hour cleaning up , making bottles up for school, packing bags, putting away dishes, 1 load of laundry washed, 1 from night before put away. Then I shower and relax! Every other week, I have a cleaning lady come by and do a deep clean, so I can not have to worry about that stuff. Point is, it can be done, not as well as I would ultimately like it to be, but enough so I can not feel guilty. I think having in mind that that hour after they go to bed will be an "organizational time" keeps me grounded and it's just routine at this point. I think the schedule idea is a good one. We all know being a SAHM is just as hard if not harder than working, but stay at home or not, life still has to go on and as moms, women, wives, humans...we all have alot to do and not enough hours in the day to do it. Don't let it get to the point where the resentment builds between you two, sometimes the face to face "I really need more help around here" kind of talk actually will work for a few weeks, you just have to plan to sit down again in a few weeks when the "man-brain" kicks in and the help stops again!!

Sorry I was babbling there...but I have been thinking about this topic alot lately because one of the questions I always get is "how do you do it?"...alot of love and one day at a time!! How else can you do it? For healthy, happy kids who feel loved, I'd do anything! Even if it mean 10 hours of sleep a week!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMME AND RUBY!!!!

[EBTwinz]

Happy Birthday Emme and Ruby! :party2 :partygirls: :birthday:

I will check in later, just heard a little cry coming from the babies room. I think someone is up from their nap.

[SunMoonMom]

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE!!! I AM WRITING OUT MY THOUGHTS NOW SO THAT WHEN WE TALK I WON'T BE TEMPTED TO GET EMOTIONAL.

but I have one more very very important thing to say


HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMME AND RUBY!!!!

:jump: :dude: :itsyourparty: :dancing2: :present: :birthday: :party: :partygirls: :sweety:

Your soon to be boyfriends Mama!!!

Kerrie

[josie88]

Hello all!
Quiet day at home today. My dad came to stay last night, he drove DH to Pittsburgh airport today. He went to Michegan to do something most people don't do out of state. He is buying a used 2004 Dodge Ram from a private seller from the auto trader. I truly thought he was crazy but he got a decent deal and the next time I want to go on vaca and we have to fly he will whether he likes it or not.

I'm assuming Mirena is BC. I must have missed it somewhere. I got my tubes tied. Four kids at my age (37) :snicker: is enough for me.

:party: Happy 1st Birthday EMME and RUBY!!

Christel- Can't wait to see pics of outfits and cupcakes. How did they turn out?

Kerri- I agree also on what everyone said. Some days I can get alot done then others it's like a major train wreck. I don't have a schedule but that seems like a good idea to be more organized. I make a list of things I want to get done each day to me it feels like I can accomplish something

Monica- Maybe the boys have that Roseola(sp) Hope they are feeling better?

Kris- Congrats on Luke sleeping better. I have had that problem with Ethan until a month or so ago. He was getting up 3x. I started the CIO also and now he only gets up once and he has a 6oz bottle.

PS-Thanks for the tips on my dishwasher!

Well it's nap time and I'm gonna try to nap too. :proud: Wish me luck.

Check in later, Joy

[Jillmami]

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY EMME AND RUBY!! :partygirls:

Can't wait to see the pics of the girls as well as the cupcakes!! Have a blast!

Hoping the rest of you have some nice plans for the weekend. Dh is out of town until Friday night so I'm flying solo. We have our walk tomorrow, THANK YOU ladies for the generous donations! You are all AWESOME!! I'm thinking that after that, they babies will be ready for some nice naps. Mom too! Take care mamas and will try to catch up later.

Steph, I hope that things are going ok for your family re: your dad and that you received some good news.:aww:

[vthompson]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMME AND RUBY:partygirls: :birthday: :party:

Kerrie - I agree with everyone else...some days I get a lot done, other days I feel like I accomplish nothing. I also like the idea of the schedule. Let us know how the talk goes.

Steph - I am getting worried since you have not posted in so long.

Monica - I hope everyone is on the mend. Sickness sucks anytime, but on vacation it is really bad!

Kris - I am crossing my fingers for you that CIO is working. It usually does!

Andrea and Daniele - You both look great in that picture!! How are you Daniele? You haven't posted in so long.

Mindy - It is so nice to log on and see your posts again!!

Jill - Good luck on your walk tomorrow. Wishing you beautiful weather!

Lisa - Just curious...does DH take meds for his ADD?

Well, babies are upstairs talking to each other and NOT napping, even though they should be. Of course, I have to pick up James at 3:30 today. They do this on the days I have to pick him up from school. They will sit up there playing and not fall asleep until after 2pm and then I end up waking them up to leave. It is so frustrating!

Valerie

[vthompson]

Monica - I keep forgetting to tell you how much I LOVE your new pics. Your DD is beautiful and the boys are so cute!!

Valerie

[JERSEYGEMINI]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO
EMME AND RUBY!!!
#1!!

:jump: :clap: :dancing2: :elefant: :party2

[AndreaR]

*&%# (*@%!! $#%*@

I just typed the mother of all posts. I responded to everyone. Smilies everywhere. My friggin' computer timed me out, and I lost everything. Sorry I don't have it in me to do it all over again. I'm so frustrated.

but I do have to say...

Happy Birthday to Ruby & Emme!!!

:partygirls: :partygirls: :partygirls:

xoxo
Andrea

[mmzill]

Victor Here,

Hmmmmmm. All these sexist women, what shall I say??? Well anyone who tries to say men and women are equal have something seriously wrong with their bone marrow and need a brain transplant as well. Well speaking of house chores, the simple fact is that most of us guys simply don't think it a high priority to have everything all neat and clean and put away. The problem is that most women do want all of that and thus the eternally revolving conflict. Oh Well.

Mirena is MUCH better than the pill if we are only comparing between those options! I remember blissfully the days before the pill when my Monica jumped me 50 times a day!!! I know that Mirena never bothers me for whatever it isn't worth.

Like the new pics huh? Kudos to me and my brother's camera lense that I borrowed and used on my Nikon D70 to take those and other great photos.

My dad and brother and I are going deep sea fishing this weekend and I hope to catch a great white shark so I can curl up inside it and take a nap. My recent fishing experiences have been fun but very little success in catching fish..... Here's hoping.

Well I hope tonight all the kids stay asleep and Dear Wifey doesn't need to wake me up from a groggy stupor so that I can pretend that I am actually helping.

Have a great weekend.

Victor aka "gent" "dh (whatever that means)"

:itsyourparty:

[LucasMom]

Victor,

You crack me up. I appreciate your humor and ability to listen to the hens crow and still have a sense of humor about the situation! You are still maintaining DH status from what we all can tell.

Mindy:shakehands:

[christel]

Ruby and Emme thank you all for the huge and wonderful birthday wishes! They are anxiously awaiting their party tomorrow and can't wait to dig into the radioactive ladybug cupcakes that Mommy made tonight.

(stay tuned for pictures tomorrow... you won't believe these things!)

[swineland]

I'm here.....

:birthday: Happy Happy Emme and Ruby!! I hope you all have so much fun at your ladybug party!

I haven't had time to read everyone's posts, so I will attempt to do that later today. Wanted to just check in and let you know I'm still alive!

Dad: MD Andersons diagnosed it as a malignant spindle cell tumor, the type of sarcoma most likely being malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). (They were kind of baffled as well.....that's all we keep hearing is 'this is SO rare') Anyway, he had a CT scan yesterday and Monday he has a PET scan. Then on Tuesday he has an appt. with his new oncologist. Tuesday's appt will tell us SO much about what we're dealing with. It's been almost 3 months since he first discovered the lump and it's been totally frustrating waiting for some answers. I'll keep you posted.

Me: I had an appt with a hand surgeon yesterday who thinks I have a reoccurence of an a/v malformation ( an abnormal collaboration of veins and arteries in a particular area that causes all sorts of problems). Unfortunately, because I have metal clips in my hand (which I didn't even know!) from the last surgery in 1989, an MRI won't work. So, I have to get an arteriogram (aka angiogram) done to see what the extent is of the involvement of veins and arteries. THis will tell him how invasive the surgery is going to be and how much reconstruction/grafting he'll have to do with the vessels.

All in all, a real crappy time right now, medically speaking. Otherwise, things are good! The boys are doing great, eating everything in sight (including their books) and, yes, Lisa, I also feed them chicken nuggets and Graduates meals and pudding, etc. These things are of course a 'treat'. They still get lots of avocado, cottage cheese, cream cheese/turkey sandwiches, whole grain pancakes, eggs, sweet potato, fruit, etc. They do awesome with sippy cups and use them throughout the day.

I have to run. So sorry I haven't been my normal self on here. I just have too much going on to spend the time I usually do going through posts and responding. I think of you guys DAILY. :)

Hugs and kisses...
Steph
p.s. Mindy and Lisa, have fun today!!

[LucasMom]

Hey all! Didn't read other posts, so forgive me for not responding...

Just wanted to say, Lisa, I had an awesome time today! It was so great to meet my due date buddy and our new friends Mr. Ethan and Brady! You handled them like a champ and we had a great time. I will post pics shortly...

Hugs and Kisses,
Mindy, Logan and Dylan

PS...Sorry guys, Lisa officially knows my secret!!

Steph-Just read your post...I am so sorry you are having a poopy time right now. Wish I could fly down and hug you. Sending you super hugs and super extreme wishes for great news on all fronts. Love you, girly.

[LucasMom]

Here we are...in all of our frazzled mommy glory!
I also posted me on mothers day last year, three days before the boys came!
Logan is in Orange and Dylan in Blue and Brady in blue and Ethan in red (right, Lis?, I hope!!)

Again, so awesome to meet my first twin mommy! Had a great time.

Love,
Mindy

PS---My jeans look really dorky in this picture, but I swear they aren't~

[Daniele'sTwins]

Hello my friends! I am 10000 pages behind and I am going to attempt to catch up right now but I just wanted to say hello and that I love you all!

I did meet with Andrea this week and had such a GREAT time with her and her girls! They are both so BEAUTIFUL. They were perfect angels the whole time!

My grandmother is STILL in the hospital and has been there since March
19th! She is making some small gains though.

DH...Well, it is 8:00 on Saturday night and he is STILL working! UGH! He just started ANOTHER business (this makes 3). He is now doing advertising (since March). He has a few of those trucks, I don't know if some of you have seen them. We are the first in RI but I know a lot of other states have them already. They are the box type trucks that have scrolling billboards....

www.nemobileadz.com

So I am still lonely! The only thing that gets me through it is that he is doing THIS business with my dad. Hopefully this will do well and my dad will be able to retire soon. All my life he has worked two full time jobs for my mom, brother and I, he deserves this.

OK, I am going to watch the Red Sox game, eat a big hot fudge sundae and read up!

XOXO,
Daniele

[newmomx2]

Sorry I missed the mall but we got some great pictures

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/mandjdietzpics/1st%20Birthday/Boys_1_updown.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/mandjdietzpics/1st%20Birthday/Boys_1st_1.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/mandjdietzpics/1st%20Birthday/Boys_1st_2.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/mandjdietzpics/1st%20Birthday/boys_1st_backtoback.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/mandjdietzpics/1st%20Birthday/Boys_1st_presents.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/mandjdietzpics/1st%20Birthday/Family.jpg

[AndreaR]

Okay, I'm going to try to get caught up again, and hopefully I won't lose my post like last night.

Steph - Thanks for taking the time to post and let us know how things are going. Sorry it's all so crappy for you right now. We'll keep you and your family in our prayers. At times like this, I wish we all lived closer together. I'd come over (with a bottle of wine) and give you a big hug!

Jill - How was the walk? Hope you had nice weather for it.

Mindy/Lisa - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pictures from your mall trip today. You both look so beautiful! And the boys look adorable - like they were having a really good time together. I'm so jealous that Lisa knows the secret!!

Missy - The new pictures are beautiful!

Daniele - VERY jealous of the hot fudge sundae. And sorry to say that unless you TiVo'd it, I think you missed the Red Sox game. I had a great time with you on Thursday and I can't wait to get together again. Sorry about DH's additional job. You are definitely married to a workaholic.

Christel - can't wait to hear about the party and see pictures!

Monica/Victor - I hope the kiddos are feeling better. I think the picture of Alaina is so sweet and gorgeous. She would make you guys a fortune as a model.

Kris - my friend has that play yard from OSA. I really like it. We were all in it together (two adults and three babies) with a ton of toys and there seemed to be plenty of room. I think she got two extensions.

Kerrie - I think you got good advice/responses from everyone else. And it is a great idea to write down how you feel ahead of time (I really wish I would do that more often). Have you and DH spoken about it yet? How did it go?

Jen - I took a look at the belly pics. You look fantastic! I keep hearing how painful that procedure is. Do you think it has been worth it? Not sure if you posted about that already, sorry.

Valerie - Why is it that the babies never nap when you need them to? And when you want them to wake up, they sleep forever! Just God's way of letting us know that we're not in charge anymore, I guess.

I think it was Lisa who posted about one of her boys getting mad when he didn't get his way. I am going through the same thing with Madeline. She is such a drama queen. The tears come on like faucets as soon as she wants something. I feel bad saying that - like I dont' care that my baby is crying - but most of the time it's the littlest thing. And she's become a bit of a mama's girl, too. She'll be fine until she sees me, then she starts crying. What do we do??? My instinct tells me not to ignore it, per se, but try to not rush in so quickly to attend to her beckon calls. But then I look at her eyes and I think, "am I a bad mother for making her continue to cry?" Any advice?? To top it off, I think Izzy is catching on...YIKES!

I know I have the worlds' greatest DH, but........ I have to wonder if anyone is experiencing a similar issue. He comes home from work and it's like I don't even exist. First, he makes out with the dog for a good two minutes, then he goes over to the girls (who are usually in their high chairs) and kisses each of them and talks to them so sweetly. Last night, Ronit was in the kitchen helping me feed the girls, and he said hello to her. He leaned RIGHT OVER ME to kiss Madeline. He was literally two inches from my face. He didn't even acknowledge that I was there, let alone kiss me hello. So, of course, I get all pissy and passive-aggressively get on with the bath/bed routine. When the girls were asleep he says, "what's wrong with you, why are you being such a b*tch?" So I finally tell him that my feelings were hurt that he didn't even say hello to me when he came home (when a kiss is what I really wanted). And what does he say? NOTHING. Again, he didn't even acknowledge what I had said. He just walked away from me. And then he proceeded to fall asleep on the couch watching TV. IS IT ME???

Okay, I'm crossing my fingers that this doesn't get wiped out.

Have a good night. Sorry if I missed anyone!

xo
Andrea

[Daniele'sTwins]

I CAUGHT UP!!!

AI- BIG FAN HERE! I have even been to three of the concerts. Not the first one because I didn't watch that one (sorry Kelly Clarkson) and the last one because my babies were too new to leave the house yet...lol My favorite this year is Jordin. I also cried my eyes out on the last show. I donated...but what I really wanted to do was adopt that little brother and sister that live all by themselves!!!!

Mindy...you seem so happy, like your old self in your posts now! Yay for your divorce. I can't wait for the secret!

Stacey...your boys are so cute!

Kerrie...( I am still praying) I love the Easter pic.

Missy...love the pics

Heather...Congrats of the compliment from the principal. I know it is so difficult to work at a job where you never here what a good job you are doing. When you teach you are really your own boss so you never hear that stuff! I am glad you are being noticed (not that I am surprised!)

1 year pics...ok, so I have only done professional pics twice but I would really like to have a first birthday one done. A friend of mine did tell me that I should consider taking one at a time. She really had a point. If i go to a really good photographer he/she will probably take an hour or so with each baby and that will be a lot for the other to wait and then sit pretty himself. I don't know, we will see

Talking...when we were leaving the mall Thursday luca said "Ma Ma Bye"...I nearly died!

Walking...both boys have taken 2 steps each before sitting down. IT'S getting CLOSE!

Sitter...this is getting close too...lol I am thinking of breaking down and hiring someone so I can go to the market and maybe out to an occasional dinner with DH without asking my mother to watch them.

Christel...a really good book, (temper tantrums and EVERYTHING) is "Ready or not there we go" It is about raising twins ages 1-3...I am not done reading it yet but so far it is SO informative.

Jen...all I can say is ...WOW! What a nice job!

Food...my boys eat everythign too. for breakfast they have a fruit and then either scrambled eggs, whole wheat pancakes, or bagels and cream cheese. Lunch ...a lot of times I will heat some ham and cheese in the microwave and put that in wheat bread and they love it. dinner usually whatever we are eating.

Victor...you crack me up!

Andrea...That new siggy pic is precious!

Happy Birthday Emme and Ruby!!!:partygirls: :present:

Jealous Twins...I have SOOOOO much to write on this but I am sooo tired so i will write more tomorrow!

XO,
Daniele

Oh yeah and the pic of my family is from Thanksgiving. i know it is old but we were all together and that doesn't happen too often...LOL

[Daniele'sTwins]

Steph....I am also praying for your dad. Paul says that what your dad has is very rare but treatable. It sounds like your mood is how mine was last week. Life can be a rollercoaster sometimes! Keep us posted on your hand too.
XO

[christel]

Hey Girls :wave: just a quick post to say that the party went wonderfully and the girls had a fabulous time! Start HERE (http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e318/snelsonc6896/?action=view&current=IMG_2572.jpg) to see the party pictures. I took some up close pics of the radioactive ladybug cupcakes that I'll post later :D

Tomorrow, the girls, the dogs and I make our 4 hour drive home... ALONE! Pray that I don't have to stop and pee! DH is headed in the opposite direction to a field site. He'll be home on Friday. I'll probably be MIA on the board tomorrow and Monday until I can get situated at home again. I'll catch up w/ you all then. :love: :love: :love:

[lilybug19]

Good Morning Ladies! Hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend. Well Luke is not doing well with CIO in the middle of the night. I fed him at 430am Sat. morning. He was up most of the night. Last night not so bad, but I did rock him at 130am because he was waking Lily up. He goes down for naps without too much fuss. Any suggestions? How many hours do your babies sleep at night on average? Should I cut out a nap during the day? He currently takes 2.

Daniele- Just curious if you give your boys the whole egg. I was told not to give egg whites till they were 1yr. Also the whole wheat pancakes have egg whites in them. I'm not sure if I should give it to Luke & Lily. What do you think?

Christel- The birthday pics are so adorable. I love the ladybug theme. The cupcakes look like they turned out so cute. Which type of frosting did you end up using?

Andrea- I am going through the same thing with Luke. If he is not happy with something or wants attention the faucets turn on. He has been a handful lately. I usually just try to redirect his attention if that doesn't work I just give into him. Do you ever feel like the noise level from these 2 little people can be overwhelming? Sometimes I can't believe it. Also I lost my post a few days ago. It just killed me. You spend time writing and in a second it's gone. I feel your pain.

Missy- Love the new pics!!!

Hope everyone has a great day!
Kris

[Daniele'sTwins]

kRIS...My doctor gave the ok to the whole egg at 9 months old. I have been giving them the whole thing since then. My boys LOVE it and have been fine but go with what you think. If your doctor says one year and you feel nervous to do it before one year just wait, it is not that much longer. My pedi told us the only things to avoid were shellfish, honey and any type of nuts and peanutbutter.

[sgarrett]

Hello Ladies!

It has been a crazy weekend it was Chase's senior prom. Instead of going out to eat the group came to my house for dinner. I had 10 kids, and 20 parents here Friday night. I am still worn out. In addition, I can not stop crying about Chase graduating. I can not beleive he is a senior. It is killing me! What am I going to do when I have two graduating? I will post prom pics soon.

Sorry I do not have time to respond to everyone, life has been really crazy here lately!

Staci

[Daniele'sTwins]

Staci...I can only imagine what you are going through! I can imagine I will be crying too! H3ll...I used to be the teacher that cried every last day of school ...and that was for my STUDENTS! If a kid moved away I would cry too...so yes, I can only imagine having my sons graduate high school! Will he go away to school, or stay local to you?

Kris...as for sleeping (I really hope this doesn't jinx me!!!) I put them down at 7 pm and they sleep until 7-8am. Sometimes they wake up inthe night but I will just give them their binki and walk right back out.

[EBTwinz]

Hi all! Just wanted to do a quick post tonight and will respond to everyone tomorrow. I am so tired. I just got back to our home this afternoon and the boys, dh, and I took a looooong nap.

I had such a GREAT time meeting Mindy. She is being kind in her post about my kids... Ethan and Brady were soooo hyper and all over the place. I was so embarrassed when we took them out to eat. My kids were the one's who threw everything off the table and all their food was on the ground, not to mention Brady crushing his cheese puff into the white tablecloth. Meanwhile, Dylan and Logan are so well behaved. They are adorable. I hope we can get together soon. Dh and I were talking about going to the zoo in Philly so maybe we can all go together. And, yes, I know Mindy's secret but I am sworn to secrecy....:snicker: All I will say is that I am VERY HAPPY for her and it's a great secret.

I will post pics tomorrow. Gotta get the munchkins ready for bed.

Daniele: My boys have the same Old Navy hat that Nico is wearing... ha ha! We definitely have the same taste in clothes. And I love the video you sent me. I almost bought the Polo track suits they are wearing but couldn't find 2 18 month sizes.

Talk to you soon,
Lisa

[EBTwinz]

One more thing...

Steph, I know this is a very hard time for you. Please know that I am here for you. I went through my dad having cancer, the waiting game, the surgery, etc. so, please, if you ever need to talk, you can pm me your number or email address and I will gladly call/email you. I am here for you. :aww:

Lisa

[Megzackben]

Staci-Meg is only 8 and I am already in deep depression sometimes because she is so grown up. I dont envy your transition right now. I can't wait to see the lucky girl that got chosen. That is way cool that they all came to your house. Goes to show that you really rock as a mom :snicker:

nothing major over here. Kind of out of my funk too. I hardly ever get there and definately dont enjoy it.

A/C broke last night. We have a ceiling fan and a suped up "box" fan plus the AC is usually set at 72. I live with an eskimo. It wasn't too hot last night with all the fans but DH didnt sleep at all. Luckily he and my stepfather both do the same job for Disney. AC and refrigeration! So they "fixed" it for tonight until they get the right parts tomorro.

Okay lesson plans are done perfectly, room/desk is organized and I boxed a bunch of items up and brought them home...so I am ready for the observation. Still dont know the exact time. I will let you all know

okay screaming baby. Went in the pool today for over an hr and loved it. No photos :(

[LucasMom]

Just a quick rebuttal...Ethan and Brady were AWESOME!! Stop being so hard on yourself, Lisa! They were smiley, giggly, happy, supercute babies! I thought we made a relatively small mess considering we had 4 one year old babies at one table! I had a great time, and I would love if you guys came down for a visit. Name the date!

Love,
Mindy

PS--Ethan and Brady have "cool baby hair". Logan and Dylan have "no baby hair..."

[Jillmami]

Wow Mindy, talk about a gorgeous maternity glow! What a hottie!!

OK, kids are finally in bed, I'm done pumping for the day and am off to bed since I have to get up early for work tomorrow. Dh has been out of town since Thurs. am and won't be back until Friday so I'm a bit more tired than normal. I don't know how you moms do it on your own every day. You certainly have my admiration.

I haven't been able to get on for a while so I'm WAY behind. Will work on getting caught up tomorrow during a prep. But, real quickly, wanted to say...

Heather, GOOD LUCK on the observation!! Not sure when it is so I hope that I haven't missed it. Represent us fellow educators!!

Daniele, your grandmother and your family remain in my prayers. Hopefully she will be well enough to come home soon.

Steph, keep your faith during this difficult time with your dad. You definitely have lots of willing ears/shoulders to lean on here. I am also adding you to my prayers again for your hand. Hopefully your tests show there isn't too much damage.

Andrea, LOVE LOVE LOVE the girls' new pic! ADORABLE!!

Christel, GREAT b-day pics! Looks as if the girls had a wonderful day!!

Ok, that was what I picked up on during my quick scan! Will catch more tomorrow!

Night mamas! Oh, I love everyone's new pictures! What cuties we have here.

[SunMoonMom]

Hi Mommies...

Thank you all for all the advice you gave me last week... I did write my thoughts down. I ended up talking to DH on the phone before I left work on Friday. I said I wrote all my thoughts down and he told me to email him... He wanted time to really think about what I sent... So when I got home Friday, he had the dishes done, the floors mopped and the trash out. I was in heaven...

In what I sent, I incldued a proposed schedule and chore list. I noticed Friday that he has posted it in the kitchen so that it is there for us to see and remind us of what we have to do...

Below is schedule and chore list.

POTENTIAL DAILY SCHEDULE

5:30am Wake Up
6:00am Bottles
7:30am Breakfast (solids) – with sippy cup

[MONDAY – THURSDAY]
9:30am Naps
(9:30am – 10:30am: one chore each day)

[FRIDAY]
9:00am – 10am KinderVillage
10:20am Naps

12:00pm Lunch (solids) – finger foods – small pieces of chicken/green beans/avacado
12:30pm Bottles

[MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY]
1:30pm snack (puffs, fruit)
2:00pm naps (1 hour, even if they cry leave them at least one hour)
(2:00pm – 3:00pm: video games)

[TUESDAY AND THURSDAY]
1:30pm Go to Moms

3:00pm Bottles
4:00pm – 5:00pm I get home, play with the kids, do any chore you decide that isn’t on my list below, you make dinner – boys can eat some off spoon and then part of our dinner by hand.
5:00pm Dinner – Everybody around the table – with sippy cups
5:30pm Baths [SUNDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY - Only]
6:15pm Bottles
6:30pm Brush Teeth
6:45pm Bedtime


POTENTIAL CHORE LIST:
Sunday: Litter Boxes and Trash; Larger project that we do together
Monday: Full Kitchen Clean
Tuesday: Living Room/Vaccum (includes trash gathering and dusting)
Wednesday: start one load of laundry/unload dishes/load dishwasher
Thurday: Put away laundry from day before/Clean downstairs bathroom
Friday: Our Bedroom/one load of laundry
Saturday: OUR DAY TOGETHER

KERRIE’S CHORE LIST: (after boys go to bed)
Sunday: Larger project we do together
Monday: Straighten Play Area/Clean Upstairs bathroom before bed/take clothes upstairs to laundry basket
Tuesday: Clean Bathtub (before bath)/Straighten Play Area/take clothes upstairs to laundry basket
Wednesday: Straighten Play Area/take clothes upstairs to laundry basket
Thursday: Straighten Play Area/take clothes upstairs to laundry basket
Friday: Straighten Play Area/take clothes upstairs to laundry basket/put laundry away
Saturday: OUR DAY TOGETHER

So this weekend we were able to spend a lot of time together and with the boys. We played outside on a blanket with the boys. We shopped for a new dinette. We ate dinner with the boys every night. It was so relaxing and the best part is on Sunday while the boys were napping, I was able to scrub the stairs to the second floor, DH rearranged the furniture in the living room and cleaned the cabinets over the stove...

All and all I am so happy and feel that we are moving in the right direction. I think that we both got into a funk because when the boys were younger it took all of your time and energy to take care of them but now they will entertain themselves a lot...

Sorry for the novel but I had to share...

Steph - You and your family (especially your father) are in my prayers.

Christel - I loved the pictures, the cupcakes, the ladybug antenea and especially loved the girls... What cuties...

Danielle - Welcome back.. we missed you!

Heather - Good luck on the observation. I know you will blow them away!

Lisa and Mindy - You gals are gorgeous! The babies are cute too.

Staci - You must be the coolest mom ever... That many kids and parents in your house and I'm sure it was absolutely wonderful... I was looking at the boys the other day and thought... OMG... They will grow up and move away someday... That's when I decided to not think about it... I will just ignore it until I can't any more... I am already wondering what happened to my precious babies that would sleep in my lap...

Andrea - My DH did that to me last week... Didn't say a word when I walked into the door... Just continued to play his video game... I played with the boys for about 1/2 hour when the phone rang... DH handed it to me without a word... It was my best friend... I had her on speaker because it was easier to keep the boys away from the phone... She asked how DH was doing and I said I didn't know that he had not spoken to me since I walked in the door... She asked if he was mad at me... I said I didn't know... then and only then did DH say "I'm not mad" that was the total of his communication to me for most of the night... We talked about that Friday and he understands that I look forward to talking to him when I walk in the door... Men can be so dense sometimes...

Well now that I have written war and peace... I must get to work...

Kerrie

P.S. I got dressed this morning, left the house, got to work and then only realized that my shirt was on inside out... Then I look down to find that I have a big rip in my shirt... It is an overshirt and I have a tank under it but man that is embarrassing... I just have to keep my arms down all day so no one can see... or they will be :hahaha:

[Jillmami]

Hi Kerrie! I can't wait to see some new pics of your cuties from the front! It's been a while and they are just so precious from the back I want more! :proud: I went back and looked at the dh issue you were having and you got some wonderful advice. My dh sometimes asks me to email him things to look over and it does seem to be a good idea. (No video games to distract them.) My dh plays often and can't carry a conversation with me, let alone say hello, but he can carry conversations with the people he is playing online with. Now how does that work!?! :snicker: Your schedule seems to be fabulous and the proof is in the pudding. Glad that you both had a terrific weekend! Nice job mama!!

[Jillmami]

Staci, your little Isabelle looks so different in the 10 month picture as compared the beach picture! What a young lady she is turning into! Adorable!

Daniele, glad to see you here more often! You have such great energy to add to the board!

Well, I have a sick little boy who slept MAYBE 2 hours total from 7pm until 5:30am. Needless to say, I am exhausted! No school for me! Enjoy your Monday mamas!

[Megzackben]

okay I am typing with shaking hands.

Observation-It went so good. The kids were fab. Everyone raised their hands. I owe them extra recess:) I was totally saved by the fire alarm bell. About 1/2 hr into the lesson, it wrang. Luckily it was an ice breaker. On the way back he said he saw enough and is just waiting on one teacher to put in her actual paperwork so he can put me into her slot! Even my VP gave the thumbs up during my planning. So apparently he told her it went well. So I think I have a new school!!!! I am already packing up. School ends for the students on May 21st. Only 3 more full weeks. Minus are 2 last minute field trips and endless testing. So its all good for now. Thank you all so much.

Kerrie-I loved your list. How did DH respond to been given a "list" your dilema kind of kicked my butt into gear. So this weekend I cleaned out the entire refrigerator, under the bathroom sinks and cleaned all tubs. I am actually going to make a shared to do list and hang it up. See what my dh says.

Daniele-I am so glad that your are back. I am really sorry that DH took on that other job. I know it has been hard for so long for you. You are such a trooper.

Excema (sp) My boys are covered with it. On the back of the sholders, all on the sides of their legs and spots on their back. You can't really see it except a little but if feels horrible. Any suggestions? I am putting Aveno baby lotion 2 -3x a day. I use regular baby wash.


Christel-havent looked yet at your pictues but I am already so envious. I actually found a ladybug tent in my classroom I had bough 2 years ago for a "reading center" and never got to put it up. DH and I put it up in our living room and the boys love it. I 'll post pics soon.

okay got to go get the students...

[SunMoonMom]

DH was very receptive... I made sure that I was very non-confrontational and used we instead of you when talking about our plans prior to the boys being born... He was awesome and you could tell he was as excited as I was this weekend to be able to have chores done and still have time to spend as a family...

He is my hero!

Kt.

[SunMoonMom]

Sorry one more thing...

Jill - I am trying to figure out how to get video online so you can see the boys in action... Now Ben is walking everywhere, holding stuff in his hands, squatting down to pick up other toys and then standing again... Its like he has been walking forever... Zach is now working on standing unassisted so its just a matter of time before he is off and walking...

I will ask DH to get more picks online of the boys... so I can share them..

I am scheduling their 1 year pictures for June 11 or 13, can't decide which day... Wanted to take them to the Zoo for their birthday so that day is out.

Kt.

[LucasMom]

Heather-The only thing that worked for Dylan when he was head to toe leather boy a few months ago was Eucerin original formula, I applied in multiple times a day, he looked very shiny and greasy, but it worked within a week. Hope that helps. The Aveeno baby stuff did nothing for him, either.

[Daniele'sTwins]

Heather...my DH says Eucerin too!

I have so much to type about...i will try to get back later!

[josie88]

Hello Mammas:)

Quick post before nap time is over. I had a very boring weekend watching DH have fun with his new toy truck. Needless to say he had no time for me. Oh Well, I usually have no time for him.

Heather-Ethan has had a problem with excema type skin since he was born. The only thing the pedi reccomended was Dove soap. Which I use cautiously because of it burning his eyes. I have tried lots of creams, etc. A lady came up to me while shopping she told me I need the cream she uses on her son. She could only see Ethan's face. The cream can be ordered online at freederm.com I ordered it and it is amazing stuff. In 2 days his skin was baby soft like never before. :clap: On your observation!!!

Kerri-Great news on your DH being so receptive to helping out more. Your plans sounds like it is really going to work well. Espescially after some great family time. I don't know if my DH would be so agreeable.

Mindy/Lisa-Great pics of all of you together. It looks like you had a great time.

Gotta run-babies up

Sorry so short, Check in later.

Joy

[sgarrett]

Jill: I love those pics with the funny faces, your babies are such little dolls!

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas on frosting. I am a terrible baker, but I guess I can handle a cupcake or two!

Joy: What kind of truck did your DH get? My DH has an 85 CJ5 jeep that is his toy. He can spend hours in the garage tinkering it with it. I think I am going to hire someone to steal it one day!


Kerrie: Congrats on your superior DH handling skills! I wish I could teach mine how to clean, I have to redo everything he does when he "helps"! BTW when you figure out the online video thing can you teach me? I cannot figure it out either.

Post more later, works is bellowing again!

[lilybug19]

Just have a minute to post my sister is coming over for a haircut, but I saw Heather's question about eczema. Luke's entire back was awful a month ago. He was scratching it open. I've always used Eucerin original formula, but it didn't work on this. I bought Gentle Naturals Baby Eczema Cream(It has Winnie the Pooh on the front). After a day and a half it was gone completely. They sell it at Target or any store like that. Good Luck.
Kris

[vthompson]

Is anyone else finding it virtually impossible to find time to post anymore??? Every time I try, someone cries...or, I wait until evening and I end up having 18 things to do and then I am exhausted. I miss being able to post!!

I have discovered that my children HATE being confined...they HATE the stroller, the high chair, car seat, etc. They just want to be out on the floor playing. DH and I took them shopping yesterday and they wanted to get out of the stroller so bad. Is anyone else having this problem? They are like energizer bunnies lately...they are kicking my butt!!

We bout the Super yard gate yesterday and put it in our backyard for the babies to play. They LOVE it. We put toys in there and some exercise mats and they go to town playing. I feel more comfortable now letting them go outside. Before, one would crawl in the grass in one direction and the other would crawl in the other direction...all the while eating grass! We actually bought 2 of the play yards to make it bigger for them. Pricey....but worth every penny!

Heather - CONGRATS on the observation! I am so happy for you!! We recently put a tent up in our living room, too. The twins love to play in it. I highly suggest it to everyone else.

Staci - That is so cool that you had everyone over for prom...I am sure that is a memory you will keep with you forever. I cannot imagine what it is like to have a child graduating and moving on to college. You are such a strong mom and handling it all so well. Do you think we will all still be talking when all the twins are going to prom??? Can you imagine!

Kerrie - I was glad to read that you and DH have come up with a plan. It sounds like things are already feeling less stressful for you.

Jill- I love the new pics. Noah looks like such a big boy in that picture. That face is priceless! How was your walk on Saturday? The weather here was rainy and cold for the MS walk. It sucked!!

Mindy - You look gorgeous in the pg picture!! I am glad that you and Lisa had such a nice time together. The pics of everyone are great. However, I am jealous that Lisa knows the secret and we don't (lol)...just trying to guilt you into sharing!! :snicker: :snicker: :snicker:

Andrea - We are also having the same problems with "tantrums". I usually try and ignore them, but it is very hard sometimes, especially when I am already stressed out.

Lisa - I got your email and emailed you back.

I know I missed a ton of people, but I did not take notes.

I love everyone's new pictures. I really need to update mine.

I am not sure who said it, but someone mentioned how overwhelming the "twin noise" can be during the day. Sometimes I just look around and laugh at all the chaos that is going on...I think I just do not know what else to do. In some ways, it is getting easier because they can play by themselves or together so I can get some things done. In other ways, it is getting harder because they are becoming willful toddlers. At least we all have each other!!

I better get to bed...I am fighting a cold and am extra exhausted today!

Love ya ladies!
Valerie

[Megzackben]

I have to go to bed. Didn't sleep a wink last night but had to post....


ZACK TOOK STEPS 5 times tonight!!!!!

:congrats: :jump: :woo: :itsyourparty: :partygirls: :harmony:

[josie88]

:woo: Zack!!!!

[josie88]

There are so many things I would like to do today with the weather being nice but, I need to finish spring cleaning and going through dressers to put away what is too small. This little man on my shoulder keeps saying go have fun outside!!:elefant: Oh what to do!!!

Valerie- I totally agree with what you said about having the time to post much less anything else. Ethan has issues with being confined he has been this way for a few months, Emily could care less she will sit and play even without a toy.

Missy-Great pics of the fam! Your boys are growing into little men since last pics.

Staci-DH got a 04 Dodge Ram 2500 Deisel Truck. He has been truckless since I found out we were having two because he gave up his 06 Truck so I could have a van. We are patiently waiting for prom pics.

Jill- Your little ones are hams for the camera.:photo:

Christel-Birthday pics are precious. It's so hard to believe we will all have one year olds soon. We've come along way BABY. How was your drive home?:driver:

Andrea- The expressions are your girls face is soo serious. Was that their first time in a swing? We haven't done that yet.

Steph-We are all right beside you as you go through this.:knuddel: I believe we all have had someone we love face cancer head on so your not alone. It's been 2 yrs. since my mom had breast cancer.

Sorry if I missed anyone. I'm off to do what I don't really want to do. CLEAN:rolleyes:

:nice:

Joy

[vthompson]

Christel - I LOVE the bday pics. The girls look so precious...it looks like your cupcakes turned out really cute!

Joy - I feel the same way today...I really need to clean, but I just want to blow it off right now!

Steph - Hang in there...we are all here for you! You are a strong mamma!!

YEAH TO ZACK!!! :congrats: :congrats:

Ok, I gotta go...babies up from nap!

Have a great day everyone!

Valerie

[Jillmami]

WARNING: LONG BABBLING RAMBLING TYPE POST. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK:

Quick question before I get some sleep... did any of your little ones have bad teething experiences with snotty/congested noses that couldn't sleep well? If so, any tricks? I've had about 5 hours total in the past 2 nights since Mr. Noah is so uncomfortable with his poor mouth/nose. No teeth yet so I am praying they all come in at once! :snicker: He is such a grouch when he's not happy too. Whines, wants mommy, so Mr. Drama King. He wants to play so badly but lasts a few minutes and then lets out a little whine, then tries to play some more. We've been real fortunate in the sickness area the past fall/winter so we're definitely due for something. I've tried the teething rings, cold washcloths, nothing but ice water in a sippy cup helps. Teething tablets/Tylenol help a little bit. I guess this is one of those, "wait it out" deals. :bawling: He also lost the weight he gained in the past few weeks since he hasn't been eating much at all. Ahhh the trials/tribulations of preemies.

Weather was beautiful for our walk. It was in the 80's. Great turn out! I think we had the 2nd largest turnout behind LA in CA. (I went to the Sacramento walk.) THANK YOU SO MUCH for the generous donations! My dh and I raised over $1200 so far and have a few more donations to pick up this week.

We are starting our Music Pups class this Thursday! Should be exciting! Sometimes, Noah dances so hard and shakes his head sideways that he almost falls over! Hopefully he will be feeling better by then.

TJ has her scan on May 10 to determine when and where her first surgery will be. Fingers crossed that it's out here and not in Cincinnati.

I continue to hold all those of you dealing with challenges in my prayers. Hoping we get some good news soon!

Joy, good luck with the cleaning. I need to get some done myself. My normal evening cleaning time has disappeared the past few nights unfortunately.

WAHOO ZACK!! There's no stopping him now!!

Valerie, hope that you are feeling better and that cold left before it too serious. Chug some Airborne!

Kerrie, hope the new schedule continues to work out!

Christel, hope you all made it home safely mentally and physically!

OK, I am done pumping and really need to hit the hay before I go in for my second half of school. (I took the am off.)

SO SORRY for the giant ramble, if you made it this far!

[SunMoonMom]

Jill - the only suggestion I have is to try Motrin instead of tylonol. Motrin will help with the gum swelling and that is what causes a lot of the discomfort.

Also, what surgery does TJ have to have... Sorry if I missed that info...

Schedule is going well... We are keeping on track... I am ready for a night of vegging out but its better to get this done during the week than saving it all for the weekend...

Well Mommies... I will post more later, just wanted to give my teething suggestion.

[Jillmami]

Kerrie, the new pic is ADORABLE! Your boys make the cuddly teddy bear not look so cute next to them! LOVE IT!! Thanks for the teething suggestion. Will pick some up today to try. As for TJ's surgery, she was born with imperforate anus. It is a defect that occurs around 8 weeks development I believe. Not sure why it happens, just does. It means she was born without a 'booty opening.' So she had a colostomy at day 2. So... we've been waiting for her to get big enough for a final scan to determine exactly how things are 'formed' internally. Her intestines are long enough and everything else looks good as of her last scan. After the May 10 scan, we'll schedule her first surgery to create an opening. Once that heals in about 6 weeks, she will have a second surgery to reverse the colostomy and God willing, she will be as good as poo (new)!! Sorry, really bad joke. Bad mommy. I am sure that is way more info than you wanted. SORRY! I blame it on no sleep. Can I do that?? :snicker: Enjoy your day!

[SunMoonMom]

I thought the joke was :snicker: funny... Good Mommy for being able to smile even with no sleep...

I have had a lot of experience with colostomies in adults (Mother and now father)... It is challenging with adults... I can't imagine what it has been like for you and TJ..

Well, I know the scans will be perfect and she will have an excellent exit in no time..

The pic is old. From the same photo shoot as the other but I thought you guys might want to see what they look like... I am planning on taking the boys to the park for the first time this weekend... I hope to get some new pics then.

[josie88]

Jill-I thought the joke was funny too! Your a great MOM.:) I also agree with Kerri try Motrin it seemed to work better here too, plus it lasts longer 6-8 hrs.
I have also given Benadryl:snicker: to help them sleep at times like that. Good for runny nose,congestion. Hope you have a better night tonight?

Kerri that pic is priceless. They are much cuter than that cuddly bear.:love:

Joy

[christel]

Hey Mommies :wave:

We made it home safe and sound on Sunday... me, babies and dogs. Just one stop for a diaper change (b/c DH forgot to change Emme before we loaded everyone up). Uh-huh :nod:

The girls had a great weekend w/ all the family and totally think it's normal for a house full of people to be at their beck and call. They are COMPLETELY bored with me! I'm a dancing monkey these past 2 1/2 days to keep them entertained. DH will be home on Friday. Counting the days!

The party did go great, the weather was perfect, the cookout went wonderfully and the cupcakes were a bizarre shade of almost red :hahaha: I used ALL the food coloring, too. In retrospect, I should have iced the girls' cakes in white... that was a b!tch to clean up :D But it did come off and came out of the dresses, too. They hauled on the toys, books, ladybug tent, etc. DH and I bought them an inflatable pool w/ an awning and a few small toys. Oh, and MIL got them these cute little Pottery Barn chairs w/ their names embroidered on the slip covers. Those were in the pics.

We started the transition to milk and they're doing great with it. As soon as the formula runs out (tomorrow), it's 100% milk. They seem to dig it. I'm also decreasing the amount in their bottles b/c they're only to have 16 oz of milk a day. So, that's a little harder b/c they're not used to filling up on solids. Today is the FIRST day of 3 solid food feedings. They're not eating a lot, but I'm hoping by the end of the week they'll be chowing down.

I'm doing mostly finger foods b/c they are uncooperative w/ spoon feedings. I did scrambled eggs and cereal this morning, canneloni (sp?) beans, tofu and crackers for lunch and will split a Gerber grad meal b/t them for supper. How much do your kids eat?

Also, how many of you are going to go organic on the milk? I bought a gallon of organic whole milk and it was $6! Cheaper than formula, no doubt, but still! I'll ask our pedi about it when we go. I had to reschedule the girls' check up for next Friday. I'm not about to try that one alone this week.

Oh, I'm totally freaking out about their development, too. I called ECI and asked for a re-evaluation. They've been on the follow-along program and I've been getting eval forms for their adjusted age every 2 mo. I fill it out, mail it in and get a feedback letter. Well, they stop adjusting at 12 mo. and so the last form I did was for 8 mo. of age when they were 10 mo. Now, I fill out the 12 mo. eval and they are failing it miserably! I am a wreck! The ECI woman I spoke with said to send in the 12 mo. eval and they would probably schedule a re-eval w/ a ECI person. HOW SOON? My girls aren't crawling (Emme is rocking on knees), pulling up on furniture, getting themselves into sitting position... I could go on. Freaking out, I tell you

Got to go.... babies... will try to catch up w/ everyone in another post tonight.

[Megzackben]

Christel-I bet its nice to be back home but I am sure its a difficult transition with lots of extra hands to none. Are you starting the feeding change before DH gets home? I am so nervous about changing to real milk. How long did you do the phase out period? I am now starting organic milk too we do go through alot too with dd. I am not an organic person by any means but I "heard" that the cows are given lots of steroids to produce more milk. As a teacher I can see that this could be a small reason why girls are going through the change in the 4th grade! Last year I had 3 girls and now I have 2. Only one was a retained student.

ok will post after dinner...dh cooked :)

[lilybug19]

Hello Ladies! Hope everyone is having a good week. I am such a crazy mommy. Can you believe I took Luke to the pedi for teething. He hasn't been sleeping as you all know. Well this weekend he got very fussy and pulling at his ears. So I think he has an ear inf. I take him in on Monday & he is has 4 molars coming down at once. She said his gums are all swollen. Poor little guy he is miserable. So she said to load him up on Motrin till he feels better.

Lily got into a crawl position and went backwards!!!! This is something I have been working towards for awhile now. I was so excited. She is really moving around.

Christel- Glad your trip was good and the party pics were so cute. Re:PT I understand how you feel. If you need me to video tape the things I work with Lily on everyday and send it to you I will. At least you can get started on some moves. Let me know.

Post more later.
Kris

[AndreaR]

Heather - I haven't had a chance to post and say congrats on the evaluation. Sounds like it went really well and that you should get that job. Do you know yet? ALSO...... :congrats: :woo: way to go Zack!!

Jill - I thought the poo joke was funny, too. It is your sense of humor that has kept you grounded and allowed to you survive everything you've been through this past year. I love your new pics!! And I agree with whomever recommended Motrin over Tylenol (or in addition to, if you feel like that works) and Benedryl for the congestion. Everybody needs some sleep!!

Joy - Yes, it was the first time the girls were ever in a swing. I have to give props to Steph, who put her boys in a swing back-to-back a long time ago. I copied her. They actually loved it and were laughing and talking for most of the time. I think they look serious, because they were watching all the bigs kids play on the jungle gym.

Kerrie - I love the new pic, too!! Congrats on the great communication with DH (I am so jealous) and the new chores schedule. I am always happier when I feel like I've accomplished a thing or two at the end of the day.

Christel - Welcome Home!! Congrats on your successful party and the trip home. Good luck with the ECI evaluation. Madeline isn't crawling either, and we are still having issues getting her to drink enough. We are still lacing everything we feed her with extra powdered formula, and we give her the Greek yogurt (20 grams of fat per serving!!) after each meal. I think she's definitely gaining weight, but I don't think she's really eating more in terms of volume. Izzy is eating really well, but almost always refuses to eat from a spoon. It's hard to say how much she eats. She is definitely in the chair for a much longer time because she's feeding herself. Do your girls like avocado? Izzy is already a freak for bread. I have to wait until she's eaten enough protein/veggie/fruit before I put any bread on her tray, or that will be all she eats. I also think she's not gaining much because she's crawling and cruising like such a maniac that she's burning as many calories as she's eating!

Kris - congrats to Lily on her crawling! And we are right there with you in teeting H3LL. My girls are so, so cranky. I wonder if it's molars. They never let me look in their mouths.

WOW - sorry for the long post. I didn't realize I had so much to say. I don't even think I got to everyone, but I've got to go to bed!

G'night all. Here's wishing that all of our babies sleep straight through until 7:00am!!

xo
Andrea

[Daniele'sTwins]

Hello my dearest friends!

:stress: I am currently so angry at dh! we are planning the bday party for the boys and i feel like we should have two separte parties for them! i am not talking about one for nico and one for Luca but one for me and one for d-f-in-h!!! He wants to invite all his staff! These are people that never see my kids! is it because he sees these people more than the kids and I????? UGH! I think I won the fight but i am still so upset! As of right now our list is 110 ADULTS! and he wants to add another 50 people???!!! Are you kidding me??? Also, to be fair i did not invite not even 1 person from my work (although i would have loved to), or from playgroup etc...But when I say this to him he tells me to INVITE THEM! I just don't want to invite people that don't even know my kids!!! Am i wrong here?


ANOTHER THING I AM UPSET ABOUT...my mother! I would like to visit my grandmother everyday. my mother is currently not working and she visits my grandmother once a day. (she has been in the icu since March 19th) Whenever i ask my mom (she is not working) if she can watch the boys so i can run to the hospital she either ignores me or tells me that i shouldn't go because she is doing really poor and sshe thinks i will have a hard time seeing her like that or she is sedated and will be sleeping anyway. Well, i go only once or twice a week. So, yesterday i askd her if she would watch the boys so i could run to the hospital and she did the ignoring thing. So, i asked her why she always does that and she said that it is because when i go i take
"like 3 hours"!!! I guess the boys are getting to be too much for her. i am so upset! I didn't go and i jus feel so frustrated. i know these boys are getting to be a lot more work but they are very good boys! The thing that kills me most is she is the ONLY person i have ever left with the boys besides my dh (once)! It is not like i asked her to watcht he boys while i go get a massage or a pedicure! I JUST WANTED TO VISIT HER MOTHER IN THE HOSPITAL! I really need to hire a babysitter!

i have so much more to post but i need a good night sleep. I babysat today for my friends two kids (3 and 1) and tomorrow morning i have a couple of girls from a playgroup coming over with there kiddos.


By the way i am sorry about the caps...nico pulled off the shift key:shot:

[sbazemore]

It sounds like your mom is too afraid to admit that the boys are too much for her to handle. Besides DH, my mother is the only other person who has kept our boys. As for a sitter, I've been hesitant because I know it will take a really special person to watch 2 very busy, mobile baby boys and to enjoy doing it. What are you planning for your 1st b-day party? We're in the planning stages, but it looks like we're bar-b-q-ing at the park with all of our family and close friends. Sorry, no coworkers...

[vthompson]

Daniele - I do not blame you for being so annoyed with DH. I would not be able to understand why he needs to invite all those people, especially if they have never met the boys. Why would they want to come to a party for children they do not know? I know I wouldn't! As for your mother, I would be irritated. I really think you need to find a sitter. I just got one...she is 19 and she is fabulous! She watches the twins when I have meetings or luncheons to go to for the companies I work for. She is really sweet. I was worried about her being so young, but she is definitely energetic!

Andrea - What is it with bread??? Mine LOVE it, too. I swear, that is all they would eat if I let them!

Kris - CONGRATS TO LILY!!! :party2 All of your hard work is paying off!

Christel - I know it is easier said then done, but try not to worry about the ECI stuff. You are doing such a great job...the girls are so happy and well cared for. They will get there soon!! I have SO many questions about the transition to milk. How did you start? When did you start? I am flipping out about it. My babies still eat 28-32 ounces of formula a day. How the heck am I going to cut that in half!! Do you do it all at once, or slowly? I am SO confused!

Kerrie - It is so nice to see the boys' faces!! They are so cute!

Jill - I thought your joke was very funny!! You have to have a sense of humor about these things...it helps you get through them. TJ is such a strong little girl!! Keep up posted on the scan.

Well, as you have read, I am now freaking about all the changes to come when they turn 1...switching to cow's milk, no more bottles, etc. So much of our daily routine revolves around bottles and formula, including bedtime. How will that go with no big 8 oz bottle?

Well, I am going to take my neurotic self and get some work done around here. BTW Kerrie, you have inspired me to make a daily schedule for chores. I try and clean the house all in one day and it stresses me out. Therefore, I am going to do one thing each day and divide everything up through the week. Hopefully, it works!

Have a great day!
Valerie

[SunMoonMom]

Hi Friends...

My dad was moved back to ICU yesterday evening. His blood pressure, body temperture and oxygen levels dropped dangerously low. His CO2 levels were high. They had to put him back on the vent.

My cousin said that he told her this weekend that he didn't want to live like this and that he was tired of fighting.

He is sober for the first time in 35+ years and has never faced anything this stressful or challenging without the alcohol to numb his emotions. I can see where he is having trouble dealing with these challenges. My dad is the most generous, kind, caring, giving man I know but he is not one to battle through tough times without using a crutch. He must be scared to death having all of this happen and not be able to use his coping methods.

My prayer at this point is for God to give my dad peace in what ever way that is possible. I don't want him to live if he will be miserable. That would be selfish of me and what I have learned over the last 3 years with the loss of my grandmother, mother and grandfather is that you can't be selfish when someone you love is dying.

I hope you don't mind my ramblings... In this setting I can share my deepest thoughts without fear... I thank you for being here.

[christel]

Good Morning Mommies :sunshine:

I don't know how I'll ever get caught up w/ posts... so bear with me, please :)

Re: the milk transition: I started Monday and went 1/2 and 1/2. I'm giving them 6 oz bottles instead of 7 or 8 w/ 3 oz of formula and 3 oz of milk. They didn't blink an eye, sucked it down like normal. But, they're hungry b/c the milk isn't as filling. That's what I was hoping for, b/c I've been working to get more solids in them. So, now they're more motivated to eat in their chairs. My grand plan is to gradually decrease the amount in their bottles and do more solids and snacks until they're getting 3 bottles a day to equal 16 oz. total. After that's well established I'll work on taking away the bottles. My goal is to be rid of them by 15 mo. I'm not sure just how attached they are to them. I'd like to start giving milk in cups and water in bottles. If it needs to be done gradually, I might switch back to the #1 or even preemie nipples and then offer a cup for faster gratification. I think they'll ditch the bottle pretty fast if I do that. Like I said, this is my plan... Ruby & Emme don't always get the memo :snicker:

Lisa - we have constant sister drama, too, w/ my SIL. I've had to step away and not care so much (which is sad), but it keeps me from getting dragged into the craziness which is her and her children. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with that in conjunction w/ your babies' b-days.

Kerrie - your post about your Daddy made me tear up. You seem to have such strength. Praying for your whole family.

Valerie - I've been worried about the diet changes jacking w/ the sleep, too, but so far so good :xfingers:

Danielle - I ditto the other girls... time to find a babysitter. I'm a big fan of having it done MY way and I don't feel like I have that option when family is involved. We've been super happy having teenaged babysitters. They have loads of energy, they expect to play with the kids and they don't have their own parenting notions, so they follow your plan. Oh, and we usually get a 2 for 1 b/c our main babysitter likes to bring a friend. Fun for her, help for the babies and FREE for us :woo:

Andrea - I :love: love the girls outfits in your siggy! So Cute! Re: avocado, they tolerate it, but don't love it. They are also bread freaks :lol: I've been giving them toast w/ cream cheese on it. Maybe I'll try toast w/ avocado and cream cheese and see if that's received well. I'm also going to start putting a shot of heavy cream in Ruby's milk to keep boosting the calories and fat.

Kris - thank you so much for the video offer! I'm to talk to ECI today and if I don't think the girls are going to get more assistance from there, I may take you up on that offer.

Heather - yes, I started the transition w/out DH. He won't be home until Fri and I didn't want to buy more formula to go another week just to wait on him. The hormone thing is my main concern w/ non-organic milk, too. I know that early-onset menses is on the rise... saw it w/ many many of my students over the years. I know that bovine hormones are being blamed for that, as well as the obesity trend in young children. Since I can do something about both of those issues, I will. I am going ask my pedi on his opinion regarding organic dairy, though. If he thinks the studies are flawed and don't have merit and that organic isn't a big deal then I may rethink my decision. And one more thing :five: to Zack!!!

Jill - I ditto the Motrin for teething. Seems to help better and longer than Tylenol. Also, save money and buy children's instead of infant... same stuff, more in the bottle, cheaper. So glad that the MOD walk was fun and a success! And praying for perfect conditions on TJ's May 10th scan and an easy uncomplicated procedure to get the little pooper going :snicker:

Joy - I am SO with you on the procrastinating of the housework! I have baskets and baskets of laundry to fold... UGH! And the sun is finally out after 3 days of rain.

Mindy and Lisa - love the pics of your shopping day together. SO JEALOUS!!! You two are so cute and your kids are precious :throb:

Monica - your kids are SOOOOO beautiful in your siggy pic! I bet you get stopped all the time when you go out with them. Are you home yet?

Staci - I think you asked me something, but I can't remember... I'll look back and see if I can find it or if I'm imagining. Oh, and big props for being the cool mom everyone wants to hang out with!

I don't think I'm even close to being caught up w/ everyone, but that's all I can remember :( I'll be on more now that we're home and will be a better board buddy now that the party is over... promise!

[Megzackben]

okay read all the posts but about to go get my students...

dilema with DH again. He stayed home AGAIN! He works at Disney and gets points for being absent or late. His excuse today when I tried to wake him up was I still a point for being late. He used up all his sick time when the boys were born so in the past 3 weeks he has lost 3 days pay. I am fuming made. I have known him since high school but didnt really date until 3 yrs ago. I really thought he was really driven but lately he has been just the opposite. Yes he will help out alot around the house but its an all or none. For a couple of weeks he will clean like crazy and then go a few weeks and not do a dish. I can say that this is really the only time that I have been truly disappointed in him. I understand he is tired but come on! I am anxious because his job could be in jeopardy. He has been going to classes 2 nights a week paid by Disney. So if they fire him there goes not only our current income but any future (that require that certification).

I am so sorry I vented but it does feel better letting it out than letting it fester.

Daniele-UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am really sorry for you. You are so giving and patient to everyone. You dont deserve this. Stand your ground girl!

Lisa-Thanks for thinking of me. MIL situation is still up in the air. It all depends on DH schedule next school year. We will find out in 2 weeks. (if he still has a job!!!!!!)
okay I will post more later (unless my computer at home dies...it would boot up this morning) :(

AndreaR-I havent heard official but our school secretary called me today and asked if I needed boxes for my stuff (secretaries alwasy know the scoop). I really think I am in but waiting for the physical spot to open.

[christel]

The ECI lady called me back and I told her my concerns. She said the girls scored ok on the 8 mo. eval (when they were 10 mo.), but she would prefer to be proactive (YEA :woo:) and send someone out to reassess. The same woman that came before will be their assessor, so that's excellent that we'll have some continuity. Now I wait for a call from the assessor to schedule a home visit. Hope it's soon :xfingers:

[christel]

ok - not Staci, it was Kris who asked about the frosting... I went w/ a cream cheese frosting b/c it spreads really fast and smooth (and is DELICIOUS!) But seriously...frost the thing the babies will dig into in white! I don't know what I was thinking :hahaha: :duh:

Lisa - :rofl: about the Brady story! Boys and their parts :snicker:

Heather - forgot to say congrats on the almost-for-sure job :woo: That's amazing! As for DH, if it was me, I'd probably suck it up and talk to him about it. Even if his job isn't in jeopardy (which is a HUGE deal), I would argue about the example it sets for the kids. Good luck :pathead:

[Megzackben]

okay just got home and still fuming. Which I know in a while wont be a big deal...long while.

DH stayed home as you know. I get home and he had already left for school (no absences allowed). His mom still came today because she watches another baby 3 days a week. So he had his mom here to take care of the boys and the only thing done was some bottles. The only laundry that got done was the towels that I did yesterday got folded. No dinner or even grocery shopping which is way overdue. He called and I was so cold on the phone. He had the nerve to ask "whats bothering you!" UGH!!! I said I dont want to talk about it when in 5 min he was starting class. He said whatever and hung up. Christel-love your advice about setting a good example.

so very sorry about complaining especially with all the physical and other really important emotional problems going on. THanks for listening to my babble.

[Daniele'sTwins]

Kerrie...i am so sorry to hear about your dad. What you wrote about your dad is exactly what is going on with my grandmother today (weird). She is all respitory right now.

Heather...congrats on the observation. It stinks that your dh is in a funk lately. Hopefully he will snap out of it soon...i don't want you to feel grumpy like me!

Val...I was laughing so hard when you wrote if we were still going to be talking when all the twins were seniors in high school - i predict - yes.

Jill...I know you have heard this 100 times already but I agree with the Motrin over Tylenol for teething. I also use "childrens" instead of "infants". I guess it is the same but call your doctor first and they will tell you how much to give them according to their weight. And by the way I LOVE YOUR KIDS! I could honestly eat them right up with those cute little faces!!!

Formula...as for bottles. My boys...
7:00 - 8 oz
9:00 - 8 oz (with breakfast)
12:00 - 8 oz (with lunch)
3:00 - 8 oz
6:00 - 8 oz (with dinner)

DH inviting his employees...they do know the boys, they do always ask about the boys, they do LOVE the boys and they would LOVE to come _BUT i do not want to mix business with my children's first birthday party. ALSO, my husband owns 6 businesses! He is saying he will only invite the people from one office but I know that will not end up being the case. For example, he has sisters working in two different offices. How is he only going to invite one sister? He would have to end up inviting the sister and if he invites the sister he would have to invite all the staff from THAT office...do you know what i mean?

Lisa... i completely hear you about only having one sitter for two maniac children. I really want someone, especially now that my mother admitted that she can not help me but just thinking of leaving my kids with a non family member makes my stomach turn! However, everyone i say that to says once you do it you will ask yourself why you didn't do it sooner.

AI...who is going to get kicked off tonight? I know that it will be 2...but who? I just hope not Jordin or Melinda.

Ok, i am off to eat pizza...i didn't cook tonight.

[vthompson]

Daniele - You made my day when I read your post!! My twins' formula feeding times are almost exactly like yours, except our afternoon times are about an hour off. Mine eat at 7am, 9am, 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm. I feel so much better knowing that someone else has a similar schedule as mine!! Thanks for posting that.

Heather - I would be more then fuming! The fact that he stayed home today would make me very angry...but the fact that he did nothing would make me livid! I would definitely talk to him and tell him how you feel.

Christel - I am SO glad to hear that they are being proactive. I am sure that makes you feel much better about the whole situation. Keep us posted!

Lisa - Family can be so stressful sometimes. One day, your sister will wake up and regret not getting to know her nephews better...she is missing out on 2 fantastic little guys!! I was cracking up at the pee-pee story! I think when we meet again, we will need to schedule in baby breaks for them to play on the grass or something. Otherwise, it is going to be meltdown city!

Kerrie - You are an amazingly strong woman. I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Please keep us posted.

Kris - I just noticed your new pics...the babies are adorable!

Steph - I hope everything is going well and you are finding out positive things about your dad's condition.

Monica - Are you still on vacation?

So, I called my ped today because I had to reschedule the twins' 12 month appt. Her office called and said that she was going to be closed on the day we had it scheduled for. She is going to the medical school graduation of one of her old patients she saw as a child. The old patient invited her. I just thought that was such a sweet story!!

Anyways, I also talked to the nurse about all the stress I am putting on myself about the milk and bottle transition. She said that for my two, we need to transition to milk very slowly because Kayley tested positive for a milk allergy when she was 4 weeks old and Corey had a very hard time digesting it...that is why they are on extremely expensive formula. She said I can start with 1 ounce of milk a day now. Then in about 2 weeks, try 2 ounces, and so on. She told me to give it in the sippy for now so that they associate the milk with the sippy cup. We will see how it goes. I asked her about the 16 ounces. She said that is just an estimate. I told her I was stressing because I cannot imagine cutting their milk intake in half in 3 weeks. I was given the ok to give them 24-32 ounces of milk and then slowly take them down. I feel a little better...I guess I feel like that is manageable. I just imagined cutting everything cold turkey...it just stressed me out. Don't get me wrong, I do not think it is going to be a smooth transition, but we will see!

So, I feel like such a hillbilly, but I have to tell you guys...DH saw a Little Tikes gym with a slide and a swing on someone's lawn...in perfect condition, just needs to be hosed down. He called me and I told him to bring it home. I feel like such a garbage picker. However, we were going to by the same thing for their birthday and it is $130!!! Instead, we got it for free...

Wow, I wrote a book. Sorry!

Have a great night ladies.

Valerie

[vthompson]

So, both babies are smiling in their outdoor play yard...I now realize that it looks like they are distressed...but I SWEAR, they LOVE IT!!

Valerie

[Daniele'sTwins]

LOVE THE NEW PICS VAL!

Now for Bon Jovi!

[swineland]

:grouphugg Hello friends!

I'm still alive and kicking. Had my best friend in town for a week with her 3 yo daughter. We had a lot of fun (including meeting Monica at the zoo!), but a week is a long time to have 3 kids and 3 adults in the house. I was ready for my peace and quiet (that's all relative, of course).

Speaking of peace and quiet, there is not much here these days. Bailey is on a screaming kick and it is driving me insane. Sometimes he does it because he is frustrated that his little push walker gets stuck, but mostly it's a 'oh, look what I can do with my voice' kind of thing. It's SO loud...ear piercing. By the end of the day, I'm totally on edge. Half the time it scares me. Evan doesn't really do it, thank goodness. ANyway, I can't wait till this little phase is over, but in the mean time I'm left wondering how to handle it? I've tried a stern "NO" and shake of the head, but then he just looks back at me and shakes his head too (which I admit is really cute when he does it). Or I've tried doing nothing at all, nothing to encourage it, but no reprimand either. Now I"m trying a low voice and saying "Bailey.....sshhhhhhhhh" and then putting my finger up to my lips. Who the hell knows. He still does it.

Update on dad: he STILL hasn't been 100% diagnosed with anything yet, other than just a malignant tumor. The pathology reports are leaning towards metastatic spindle cell melanoma, but there is also the chance it's a sarcoma. The oncologist he was referred to said that he didn't feel comfortable enough to treat my dad since he, too, was unfamiliar with my dad's diagnosis. Therefore, he is sending my dad to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville as soon as possible for further testing/evaluation and then a final decision on the appropriate treatment. We DO know that it is a very rare cancer, high grade/high risk and very aggressive. His PET scan last week actually showed no cancer in his body (meaning that the surgeon got ALL of the original tumor a few weeks ago) but apparently there is such a high risk of this spreading and presenting itself again, soon, that it warrants the most expeditious treatment. It's like, one step forward, two steps back. EVERY time. We are all so frustrated. I don't know how much my poor mom can take. She's so upset. She said my dad curled up next to her this morning and he cried and told her how scared he is. :( Especially when we all think about the boys.....they are so young right now. I couldn't imagine them not getting to know my dad.

Well, THAT was uplifting! Sorry guys.....

My hand: my arteriogram is scheduled for Monday morning. Will know more after that. Mom is coming up to help for a few days since I"ll be outta commission for a day or so.

Bailey took his FIRST STEPS today! And thankfully right into the arms of his daddy, who was just about to head to work. I'm so glad he was here for that milestone. Later in the day he took 3 more steps. Evan, not so much.

I took them to SeaWorld today and we were just going to spend an hour or so walking around. I decided to get some lunch at this cafeteria style place. I had the double stroller that I was pushing with one hand and then scooting my tray along with the other hand. I had a huge diet coke and a slice of carrot cake :snicker: on the tray when all the sudden I heard a loud noise. I look over and Evan had just pulled the entire tray down. My diet coke COVERED him. He was soaking wet...ice cubes in his lap, soda drenching his clothes. He was scared and crying. Of course then he tried to eat one of the cubes and proceeded to gag, which was awful because it was cold ice. There were people in line behind me and I"m all "oh SHi!". I actually said that out loud. I didn't have a change of clothes with me, or towels (b/c why would I?) and so it was just awful. I crammed the pizza down my throat and we went home. Nice to know I went all the way to Sea World just to have lunch.

I will try to write more tomorrow and hopefully do some individual responses. I have so much to say/comment on!

I love you all dearly and I cannot tell you how meaningful and uplifting it has been to read your constant messages to me, wondering how I am, how my dad is. You guys never cease to amaze me.

Much love mamas.....
Steph

[LucasMom]

Steph- I was just fixing my pics as you posted and when I read your post about dumping the soda , I laughed out loud. I think we will all experience the "Oh, Shi$" moment. It is at least a bit of comic relief when it is over.

I just want to say how proud I am that this board has become so much more than a place to talk about our kids. We have truly become confidants to each other over the past 18 months here. I am so glad that in times of need, we all have some place to turn to, a sounding board full of listening ears to comfort us with words or thoughts, and sometimes, even when no one responds, just knowing you are out there and reading makes it feel better, even if only for a moment.

I can't believe that in a few weeks I am on my own for real. The papers are filled out, and I am about to pack up (mentally and physically) 10 years of my life and put it away. I can't help but feel the box in which it will be filed will be labeled "Failure". I know with three kids, three beautiful, healthy kids, it could never be so, but it definitely hurts. It hurts to question yourself, to see your soon to be ex husband picking out paint schemes for his new place, hurts to decide on paper how you will divide holidays and birthdays with your children (OUCH!), just hurts. Makes me wonder how people do this every day. I know I will get through it stronger on the other side. I am so sorry if I have been impolite in not answering some of your very important problems, but I am a scatterbrained mess sometimes right now, and I just want you all to know I am thinking of you.

I love this place and what we stand for as women to support each other and rise to the occasions when we are needed here as opposed to being so single minded and only talking about one thing, albeit the thing that brought us together in the first place, our amazing children.

Good night, sweet mamas, and thank you all again for being you.

Love, Mindy

[Megzackben]

Valerie-I LOVE the new pictures. They are absolutely so beautiful.

Steph-So sorry about your Seaworld episode. Hopefully it'll be a funny story your can tell the boys one day. I pray that the drs are able to come to a final conclusion. Do your parents have close friends to lean on? I am very sorry for you personal turmoil through this too.

Mindy-No words of wisdom for you just that "this too shall pass". Always thinking of you and so proud of how you are handling things. You are an absolute trooper. WE LOVE YOU!


okay too mad to go to bed while NSDH is snoring!!!

[josie88]

I should be sleeping but I feel like I never have any ME time and need to unwindat the end of the day. This is usually the only time I get.

I did get DD#2's room cleaned and rearranged yesterday. It felt so good to accomplish something then today nothing went as planned started at midnight til 4 am,no sleep, screaming babies one couldn't poop' other up I believe cuz of teeth. Then when I went to sleep I missed the alarm and DD#2 was an hour late for school. What kills me is when I want an extra hour of sleep-babies are wide awake.:s:

Ethan has been up on all fours alot more the last day or so. Well tonight we finally have a CRAWLER!!! :woo: It is so cute to see him so proud that he can do it he just grins from ear to ear. :proud: Then I think OH! NO! HERE WE GO!! Maybe chasing him will be my excercise routine that I so need these days.

Heather-Don't feel sorry for venting.:argh: That is what we are here for.:)

Mindy- I have only been on this board for a short time. And the way I see it you did your damdest to try and work things out. It does hurt when you feel like you have failed. I have been there done that. You will bounce back and be stronger as you said when you reach the other side.

Val-Congrats on your "dumpster find" I have gotten alot things over the years like that. I see nothing wrong with it.

Kerri-Sorry to hear your Dad took a turn for the worse after getting back on his feet a few weeks ago. Prayers will continue to come your way.:pray:

Kris-Your not a crazy mom!! I have second guessed myself the same way. Sometimes Emily takes her fists and drives it into her ear so hard I wonder if she too has an ear infection?? Love you new pics too!:proud:

Christel-I have yet to get Emily to eat ANYTHING!! She has me concerned but the pedi just tells me not to worry, but she eats nothing doesnt' that seem wierd?....but Ethan will eat just about anything I give him. I hope that continues, DD#2 is a very picky eater.

Lisa-Loved your story:snicker: Why do boys always have to hold on to their package like it is gold and be grinning yet to boot???? That has always puzzled me!!!

Steph-I too feel you will have to remember that OH SHI!! story when the boys get older. They will love it!! You too, have prayers coming your way.

Daniele- I can't imagine having that many people for their birthday. Will your boys be ok with that much stimulation and noise?? My Ethan does not do well with strange people or crowds.

Jen-Where/How are you? Just wondering??

Well I better get some sleep :sleep:

TTFN

Love, Joy

[JacobsMom]

WooHoo!! Tate is walking for real!! Monday night he walked all the way
across my living room and now he's like the Energizer bunny - he keeps going
and going and going... Today he figured out how to make the turn to come
around the play yard to get to the couch. He even walked across the room
with a bottle in one hand and a plastic storage box in the other! I'd
forgotten how adorable it is to watch a little one toddle around like that.

I guess David was getting a little envious of me picking Tate up and hugging
him every time he walked a couple of feet, because he decided tonight that
he should give that a try too. He took about 3-4 steps between the two
couches and back several times. Of course we made a huge fuss over him as
well. I'm hoping he will get his confidence up and catch up to Tate in the
next week and a half.

We are going to my inlaws in Mississippi for Mother's Day weekend. My MIL
is going to be so surprised!! Now if I could just get them saying "Mimi",
she would be over the moon!! Tomorrow I'm going to start showing a picture of her to them over and over all day saying "look it's Mimi". I'm hoping that will work. It would be her best Mother's Day gift if they would say her name. They are both already saying "Ma-ma" and "Da-da". Tate will
say "Hey, Da-dee" and hold up his hand like he's waving. It is so cute. He
also claps his hands and says "Yay".

OK - thanks for indulging this gushing proud MOM. I'll quit bragging on my
kiddoes now.

p.s. Countdown has started - only 22 days to go and I have 1 year olds!!

[SunMoonMom]

I will come back to respond to everyone but I had to share these adorable pictures from dinner last night. This was the boys first attempt at pasta and sauce.... I think it went well!

Ben: He really got into it

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/Benyummyarm.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/benyummy.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/messyben.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/beautyben.jpg

Ben: the aftermath

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/bentheaftermath.jpg

Zach: not so much into the whole thing

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/zachyeah.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/zachwhat.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/notsomessyzach.jpg

[EBTwinz]

OMG, Steph, I am totally laughing out loud at your post. First of all, Ethan is such a screamer. It drives me crazy. He will scream when he can't get his walker to turn, too. Then I tell him No and he laughs at me then screams again. I was laughing at Bailey shaking his head "No" back to you. :rofl: I have tried the stern "No", the talking quietly back to him, ignoring him... nothing works. I guess it's just a phase. As for your Seaworld story, sorry you had such a crappy time but you provided some amusement for us. That story was great. I was picturing it in my mind. Gagging on the ice... ha ha! So cute! Now, on a serious note, I continue to pray for your dad. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you but try to stay optimistic. There are no more signs of cancer, so that is great news. Hopefully they got all of it and if he starts some treatments, it will kill off any remaining cancer that may be left in his body. Remember, the docs ALWAYS provide the worst case scenario to cover their :bootyshake:. And take care of that hand!!!

Mindy: I know you are going through a rough patch. But, brighter days are around the corner. I KNOW you are going to be sooooo much happier once everything is finalized. You will always have a special place in your heart for JC, even if it's a tiny, small, little, particle, but you shared 10yrs of your life w/ him, that isn't easy to forget. However, you are going to spend the next 60+ years of your life with the man of your dreams, whomever that may be. I know you will find someone who will make you happy and fulfill your life in a way you never thought possible. :) Remember, you are doing what is best for you and your beautiful children.

Valerie: You had me cracking up at your post. First of all, I must have missed the post when you asked if we will all be friends when our kids are seniors in HS. OF course we will!!!!! Not only us, but all of our kids will be friends, too! I am glad you found the Little Tykes playset. I am sure it is just fine. Don't be embarassed. You just saved yourself $130! Now you can buy them something else. We were going to get that for our kids, too, but then the IL's decided to buy them a swingset. So, we are getting a sandbox and a babypool w/ a canopy.

I will check back later. I gotta run.

Lisa

[EBTwinz]

Okay, I have a little more time than I thought...

Kerrie: You boys are sooooo freaking cute!!!!! I love Ben's hair!!! I just want to pinch their little cheeks and sqeeze them! They remind me of little teddy bears. You should be a proud mama!

Christel: My guys have those Pottery Barn chairs and they LOVE them! I bought them for Christmas but they really didn't start using them until recently. They will sit in them and watch Sesame Street (or Teletubbies or Hi-5) or they crawl on them until they tip. They think it's a game. It's so cute. Also, great news on the EI team coming out to re-eval. You are doing the right thing for your kids by being persistent and not giving up. I hope you get the services. I think you will see a huge difference once they begin the PT.

joy: Yeah for Ethan crawling!!! :woo:

Heather: So, did you talk to Dh last night? I liked Christel's idea, too, about setting an example.

Stacey: Glad to hear your kiddos are doing so well. Congrats on them walking and don't feel bad for bragging, we love to hear how well everyone is doing.

Val: LOVE the pics!!! I miss K and C... They are getting so big. Oh, I am coming home June 15th or something like that (It's a Wed-Sun). DH is going to the US Open in Pittsburgh so I will be at my mom and dad's w/ the kiddos. Wanna plan something?

AI: Sad to see Chris leave. I was hoping it was Lakisha. I can't stand her! What do you all think of Blake's hair? I like it better blonde.

Jen: Where are you????

Staci: Where are you, too???

OMG, the kid's Birthday is in two weeks! I am sooooo not prepared for their party. I didn't even buy them gifts, yet!

Love to all,
Lisa

[christel]

Hi Mommies :wave:

Check out this post (http://talk.sheknows.com/showthread.php?t=580692) on the SKBoard that I wrote... I asked the BTDT moms about the milk & bottle transition and got some good advice.

Now, the TOP TEN THINGS I AM SOOOOO OVER:
10. the high pitched baby-pteradactyl scream Ruby emits
9. DH being out of town
8. our over-excitable weather man peeing his pants for every storm cloud
7. teething
6. laundry
5. washing the high-chair tray
4. rinsing off plastic bibs
3. our border collie's spring shed
2. sippy cups thrown on the floor
1. examining sippy cups for dog fur every time they hit the floor

Kerrie - I L:throb:VE those pics of the boys! My girls and your guys are going to make such cute couples :handkiss: :handkiss:

Steph - I said an "oh sh$t" for you when I read that story! Bless your heart and BIG props for being able to laugh and not cry :five:

Lisa - cute cute cute pg pics! And, we're doing exactly that w/ the chairs... Sesame street :D I've got to find a good place for them to live, though, I don't want them in the middle of the floor when they're not in use.

Valerie - WTG on the free playscape! I am all about a good find :nod: I'm w/ Lisa, use the money you would have spent and go find something else cool, too!

Mindy - you said it perfectly :goodpost: Time heals, and oh those beautiful boys are yours are worth every heartache and are also there to remind you that there is not failure in their perfection.

Stacey - :woo: on the walkers! And you're so cute w/ your proud-mommy gushing :) Brag away! That's a HUGE accomplishment!

Joy - :clap: for Ethan on the crawling! And hang in there w/ Emily... just keep putting fun stuff down for her to try. My girls are just now really getting the whole "eating solids" thing.

Danielle - YUM, pizza - I'm on SouthBeach phase 1 :( And, stick to your guns on the party. This is as much a celebration for us mommies surviving and creating these fabulous kids w/ all these skilz! The party should be what you want and what you think will be best for the boys.

Heather - woe to DH! Hope you get things resolved quickly, I know it's miserable to bottle up a mad and not be able to get through to thick-headed men.

Staci, Jen, Felisha - where are ya? Hope all is well!

[lilybug19]

Hello Mamas! Hope everyone is having a great morning. Both babies are down for their naps so it gives me time to post. I don't know if anyone read that article in one of the parenting mags about what one parent did to replace a lost lovey. Well it got me thinking about the future and if I might one day be in this situation. Lily isn't attached to anything at this time, but Luke has this duck lovey that my mom got him for like $6 at JCPenney. It's discontinued of course. So I look on Ebay. There is actually a store called Lost Lovies. Well the duck is like $25-$40 on Ebay. So I call JCPenney's last night & this wonderful salesperson searches and finds one in the back room. So I am going over today to get it. It's always nice to plan ahead.

Valerie- I'm glad you talked to the nurse at your pedi's office, and she put your mind at ease about the milk transition. I love the new pics!!!!

Kerrie- I'm so sorry to hear your father went back into ICU. I'm praying for you & your family. I absolutely love the pics of the boys ,and their 1st pasta dinner!!!

Lisa- I understand the sister thing. My sister has only been to my house 3x and twice she came to get her hair done. If I don't go to her she would rarely see my kids, but I still love her unconditionally. It's a hard situation.

Christel- Hope the ECI comes soon for Ruby & Emme. Also hope they get the memo on the milk transition and it goes as planned.

Joy-:party2 Way to go Ethan!!!

Steph- Good to hear from you. I have you and your family in my prayers. :clap: Bailey your officially a walker now!!!!

Heather- How is the eczema? Hope that dh went to work today. Where's your day off from life? Why is it that men always think they are entitled to days like this. My dh thinks when my mom comes over to help that he is free to act like he has no responsibilities. They need an AA( attitude ajustment).

Well I have not gotten anything done during the twins nap except talk on the phone and post. So I better get to it.
Kris

[mmzill]

Hey everyone - Sorry i've not gotten on here in so long! Dh's computer was having issues. We are still in FL, heading back north tomorrow. (it will be good to be home in a way, but it's been nice to have a break)

Our week has been full of sickness. All three kids have taken their turn running a 103+ fevers. Anthony started it all, then Nathan and Alaina. This morning Alaina only had a low fever so maybe we are over the worst of it. (now I've got a sore throat though)

Victor had a blast fishing with his dad and brother. They caught a lot of fish and just had a good time. I hope know one took offense to his ramblings, he is quite full of himself and likes to spout off at times. But has a great sense of humor.

Kerrie - so glad your talk with dh was good. You said that you were tired and needed a break in the week, maybe you could schedule one evening that you do less, but still don't leave it all for the weekend. Love the pics of your guys and eating! so cute

Steph - I know what it's like to have soda spilled everywhere. I was at the mall a while back, pushing my stroller and had my food on a tray, along with a coke, something made it loose balance and it went everywhere. So annoying! (it didn't get anyone wet thankfully but still a pain) My guys went through a shreaking faze. Thank goodness it didn't last!!!!! I hope your dad finds something out in Jacksonville and I hope that your hand heals quickly

Lisa - my guys grab themselves all the time. Last night it was so funny, dh was changing Nathan, and not really paying attention to what he was doing. I looked down and Nathan's hand was stuck down in his diaper. It was so funny. Victor had diapered his hand! :funny: And we have to watch out when changing the boys on the floor because the other one will come over and try to rip off the other's pee pee. (or so it seems)

Valerie - love the new pics! so cute!!! I"m not sure how to get the guys off bottle. I failed miserably with dd, she won't have anything to do with milk now, so I'm not sure what to do. But it will work out fine for you! That's great that dh found a play set! More money for something else!

Kris - glad you found an extra lovey! I've been looking all over for another white blanket for dd, I just know I'm going to need one in the future, but I can't find them anywhere :(

Joy, no one ever sleeps when you need them to. It's just not possible. :)

WE Have our FIRST TOOTH!!! Nathan has sprouted one on the bottom right!!!! YEAH!! I didn't think they were ever going to get teeth.

Well, I should get off here. I have a ton of stuff to do before we are ready to head toward home in the morning. Love you all!
Monica

[EBTwinz]

YEAH for Nathan!!! Also, cute story about the diaper/hand... ha ha!!!

Christel: Totally cracking up over your top ten list so I had to add a few...

1. When you change a diaper (which is a huge challenge these days) and not even two minutes later you see the same baby off in a corner, red face, and grunting.

2. Babies pulling each other's hair.

3. Babies pulling my hair.

4. Diaper pail stench.

5. Washing bottles.

Okay, I posted a hundred times today. Time for me to go.

Lisa

PS... Kris, your babies are soooooo CUTE!!!!!!! I love them!!!! Lily is adorable and Luke is such a cutie!!!!

[sgarrett]

It has been impossible to find time to post, but I miss all of my mommies so much!

Steph: My heart and prayers are with you and your family. I know this is a scary time. Good luck on Monday as well, what is your recovery time?

Kerrie: I am thinking of you to, you have such a wonderful way of putting things in perspective. You are an inspiration. AND I love the spaghetti pics! Too cute!

Monica: Congrats on the tooth! I did not realize you did not have any yet. (well not you but the babes!) How cute! I miss the all gum smiles! Travel safe on your trip home!

Christel and Steph: Aiden has the high pitched scream too. It kills me, makes your hair stand straight up! I cannot look at him when he does it though b/c he has the funniest look on his face and I will laugh. He is such a monster! His new thing now is to wrinkle up his nose at you, bare his teeth and growl! He has also strated crawling on top of his sister and kissing her! it is sooo cute.

Kris: Way to go on the ducky find! We do not have any luveys yet.

Danielle: I would be super pissed about the whole bday thing. I mean who is this party for anyway? If he has all his coworkers there it is a pretty safe bet he will not be able to devote near as much attn. to the birthday boys and that is what they would want most of all! Stand your ground Mama! I agree with everyone else on the babysitter issue as well. My nanny is 23 and she is wonderful! Just think of all the energy you had when you were younger!

Joy: Yes babies have this 6th sense that alerts them when mommy really needs sleep. It is like an andrenaline rush for them.

Valerie: We have the same play yard in our bonus room. I never thought about hauling it outside. They would love that, I am going to do that this weekend

Lisa: Your preggo pic is awesome! You look great. I look like a bloated cow in mine. If I ever get around to downloading the prom pics I will post it as well.

Mindy: I know this is tough, DH is my 2nd husband. I divorced Chase's dad when he was 1. You will get through this. From all of your previous posts it sounds like you did not have much of choice in the matter. At least now he will be forced to spend some time with his children. This divorce will probaly make him a better father. Sending hugs your way!

I am sorry if I missed anyone, I never have time to take notes. Life has been so crazy around here. Babies are into everything, and senior year is so fricken busy and expensive! Now our church decided to have a luncheon for Chase Sunday and they need me to get all these pics together and write a letter to him. Well this really sucks b/c we have had a sitter planned for over a month to go to a cinco de Mayo (probaly spelled wrong) party Sat night and to spend the night. It is over an hour away. Now we cannot spend the night, it would be crappy to not be at church Sunday morning if the luncheon is right after. Plus I do not have time to get these pics together or write a letter. I just sent a bunch of pics to his school for graduation and had to write a letter to Chase for the yearbook. I do not want to sound ungrateful, but I just do not have time for this right now!!! Work has been insane, I am so worn out at the end of the day I feel like I do not have energy for the babies. Someone mentioned how it is easier now in some ways and harder in others. Right on, I wish I could just hold them an snuggle on the couch every once in a while. But they are so not into that. Isabelle has the back bend stiff as a board body trick down pat when she does not want to be held. How do all babies they learn this stuff? They must have a forum they sneak on to at night to exchange ideas.

Crap did not mean to ramble on forever.

Love you all!

Staci

[SunMoonMom]

Mindy - Like you I have really come to think of the women on this board as my confidants and support system... Things happen and I think about telling you guys... I know you will understand and get it... Not just with the babies but with life... We all seem to have something going on that requires a little extra pat on the back to get through... It is such a blessing to know that we have each other...

Okay, saying that I have to whine a little...

I AM SICK OF BEING STRONG!

I am sitting at work right now waiting for information to be delivered and meetings to start in the afternoon... My father isn't breathing on his own and his blood pressure is around 95/20....I am exhausted because I haven't been sleeping well... I miss my mama (silly, she died in 2004 - you would think I would move on...)

All I want to do is go home, put on my jammies, crawl into bed and put the covers over my head... but I can't...

I have to be strong... I have a job to do... I have babies to take care of... I have a husband I have to support...

Don't get me wrong I love my life but sometimes it gets to be a bit much..

Steph, Mindy and Danielle - I know you totally get this feeling right now and I'm sure everyone else has felt the same sometime in the past...

Thank you for being here to let me shed some of this stuff that is in my brain. It might actually keep it from exploding.

Christel - Here are my top 5 baby things I am over..

5. Diapers
4. Formula
3. Calling out to the dolphins at the loudest possible volume you can imagine (Zachary)
2. Waving hands in such a way to wack me in the eye every time (both boys)
1. Noise making Toys that never shut the f..in up... Hi! My name is Billy! I run with the Football! Over and over and over again... Billy needs to leave my house...

[sgarrett]

Kerrie: Yes you can hide for a day! God knows you need to, can you take a day off and get a massage or facial? Even superwoman needed a day off. Sorry for the bad news on your father. And no, you never move on. My mom died when I was 12 and I have been thinking about her more than ever now that the babies are here. I wish I could see you in person and give you a hug and baby sit for you for a day. And btw we have Lily, " Hi my name is Lily come and sing a counting song with me!" I think Lily and Billy might need to go sleeping with the fishes soon!

Staci

[swineland]

Top 8 things I am sick of:

8. Looking for soothies (pacifiers)
7. Cleaning up the play area/toys every day after bedtime
6. Preparing food that doesn't get eaten
5. Washing the highchair trays (I am TOTALLY with you on that, Christel.)
4. Washing bottles
3. Picking out all the food that has fallen into their laps while eating, so that when I go to take the babies out it doesn't all land on the floor....
2. Waiting for the damn FBI anti-piracy warnings on every DVD before the show will start
1. Baby laundry (used to love it, you know, like the first month)


Top 5 things I love:

5. When the crying stops and I realize that they have just fallen asleep
4. When I smell poop and get the wipes all ready and open the diaper and it's just pee
3. When they eat all of their food
2. When they laugh hysterically at each other and don't even notice I am gone
1. When I'm sitting on the floor and one of them comes up behind me and stands and puts his hands on my back.

[SunMoonMom]

Great idea Steph...

Top 5 things I love:

5. That first smile in the morning from both of them when DH gets them out of bed.
4. Watching Ben walk around with a toy in his mouth
3. Boinking heads with Zachary
2. Both boys dancing to any music (swaying to slow songs; bouncing to fast)
1. When I get home from work, go into the play area and get that big hug from both boys... THAT IS THE BEST THING EVER!

[sgarrett]

Geesh another gorgeous preggo pic, my face was even swollen. You look great Steph!

Yes I am trying to make up for my lack of posting by posting 100 times in one day. Work is actuallly kinda slow today.

Top 8 things I am sick of
1. Wiping the food out from inbetween the high chair seat and the high chair - eww gross!
2. Getting my hair pulled
3. Getting barfed on right after taking a shower or putting on clean clothes
4. Babies pulling eachothers hair
5. stinky diaper pails
6. looking for binkys
7. Never sleeping in
8. cramming work, babies and husband all into one day

Top things I love
1. When they climb up on your leg and put their arms up for me
2. hearing mama
3. getting slobbery baby kisses right in the mouth! (I could do without the tongue)
4. After the night bottle when they turn into me and snuggle
5. Watching Aiden pin Isabelle down to give her kisses
6. Seeing the twins interact with Chase
7. Watching the twins chase eachother
8. Watching the twins chase their own shadow (completey cracks me up everytime!)
9. Snuggling with the wonderful man who helped me make these little wonders (my dh not my fertility doc)

Staci

[christel]

Awww, Kerrie :pathead: You so deserve a day off from reality (so do Steph and Mindy and everyone else slogging through emotional sh$t right now). I'd tell you to hang in there, but if I were you and someone else said that to me, I'd want to throw 'em in the lake w/ Billy and Lilly.

We have the FP Circus Train and every morning I've awoken to "hop on board the animal train...come on everyone" repeating in my head. Makes me want to give myself a lobotomy.

Monica - I was cracking up a the diapered hand story! :lol: Will be sharing that one w/ DH when he calls tonight.

Lisa - I'm SOOO over the hair pulling (mine - they don't have enough to grab), too! They grab each other's ears, though... and then screech like banshees. :banghead:

Kris - my SIL has bought countless "doggies" off of ebay. Her 2 boys cannot sleep w/out them, so they have a set at the grandparents', in the car, at home, at daycare... she even bought the girls doggies, which they don't use, but I think it's her backup plan for when they visit here! Emme and Ruby have "Nannie Blankets" made by my granny. There is no replacement :( We keep them in their cribs for sleep or in the car on trips, but they don't go into stores, etc., with us. If those get lost, we're screwed! I slept w/ my Nannie blanket until I left for college :snicker:

Staci - when is actual graduation? Will things slow down this summer some? That's cool about your church wanting to honor Chase, but extremely poor timing for y'all. I'd say, spend the night, skip the service and just go to the luncheon. Sounds like it was last minute planning on their part and I think they'd totally get that you're out of town, but will come back early for the luncheon. Just my 2 cents.

Steph - I'm inspired to stop whining and list my top 5 things that I love :throb:
5. the way they cheese for the camera now
4. when we play 1-2-3 HUG and they throw themselves against my chest
3. storytime and I see them really paying attention
2. anything that makes them giggle
1. sneaking back into the nursery at night and just watching them sleep