Sunday, December 27, 2009

the survival of Christmas

Probably really should be the survival of the first school vacation...

After a week of baking and making treats and wrapping presents for friends of family the big festivities started Thursday night. For the first time since putting the tree up (the weekend after Thanksgiving, earliest ever for me) we got to open the gate and let the kids up close to it. My parents and siblings came over along with all their significant others and kids to open presents and just visit. I almost think we've seen more of each other in the last month than we have the entire year!

We spent Christmas Eve at home this year, which was nice even though we did miss the big Kendrick clan gathering (which is always a good time). But there is just something about waking up in your own bed.

Almost thought that Santa wouldn't arrive as Alexa decided she wasn't going to go to bed that night. I think finally around 9 she stopped coming out to chat. Eventually Santa dropped off the goods and ate his cookies and milk. Elizabeth was the first one up and about and had a blast digging into her stocking. She was followed maybe 15 minutes later by Jacob who had just as much fun. Alexa had to be woken up by ripping the blankets off of her. Then she came out and started talking about how Santa came into her room and touched her leg and that she heard him when he ate the cookies and milk. I think that kid is going to be a believer for as long as she can!

We eventually moved onto presents which got opened fairly quickly. The twins have discovered the joy of tearing paper open that's for sure. All seemed to be happy with what they got! Loot included art supplies, a bat and soccer ball for Alexa, ponies, cars, and dress up stuff for all. I made a yummy baked french toast that had soaked in the egg mix all night just to have the kids barely touch it. Then we dressed, cleaned up a bit and headed southerly for Christmas with Grammy Karen, Grampa Chris and the girls. I was a bit worried about what the twins would get into at Grammy Karen's but the gigantic pile of presents proved to be a big distraction.

We were back home by just before 6pm Christmas night! All were tired but not too cranky given the busy-ness of the day. Yesterday was spent doing a bit of shopping along with some returns. Once the twins had gone to bed I got to the business of taking down the tree. Alexa was sad to see it go but I really needed to get the room back! It's so nice to see the floor again and know the only thing taking up space for awhile will be the toys they dump on the floor. Jacob is in boy heaven with all his new "beep-beeps" including a remote control train. Elizabeth has been enjoying her zhu zhu hamster along with the puppy and ponies she got. Alexa seems to be enjoying the gift she bought herself most of all followed by a horse stamp set. She's busy making cards for everyone...hopefully they'll get mailed before the other resident artist puts her mark on them.

Overall - an enjoyable holiday season that was fairly stress free. Even Chris commented on how much he enjoyed Christmas this year, he who is normally a bit Scroogy. Now we get to look forward to a New Year's celebration with friends and all that will be coming our way in 2010.

Monday, December 14, 2009

holidays

I have survived most of the holidays this year with my sanity fairly intact. This time of year is the most hectic because we've a birthday smack dab between the two busiest holidays.

Thanksgiving ended up being such a wonderful time. Good food, friends and family. It didn't leave me feeling stressed at all. Alexa's birthday party left me a little stressed just because we had so many things going on that weekend in addition to the party. But everyone had a good time. I even had a nice time, although I think I spent the majority of it in the kitchen making pizza. Then I had to worry about running out of cake before the masses could be fed.

Now Christmas. It isn't even the gifts that is getting to me. I made up my list and I've checked it more than twice. No, it's the "what are we going do" and "where are we going to go" that is causing me stress. Last year we were able to stay with family overnight and attend the big family party on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning was spent surrounded by family. I'd love to do the same this year but there are a lot of changes. The first would be that we'd have to stay in a hotel. There is just something about waking up in a hotel on Christmas morning that doesn't really put me in the spirit of things. Not to mention the crappy sleep we'd probably all have gotten which means adults and kids would be cranky. But I suppose we'd have fun the night before. Then there is the question of where to gather. My mother-in-law has offered to host but that idea terrifies me. It would take some effort to get her house into a condition that I feel would be safe. And when I say safe I mean safe for the house. The twins can be more than a little destructive and really do much better in a big empty room. I find that if it can be broken, it'll break. If it can be chewed on, it will be eaten. If it shouldn't be thrown, it'll find it's way across the room. I can't relax when I'm worried about what is going to be destroyed. And I don't want to spend an entire day un-relaxed, especially when I'm already cranky from lack of sleep.

And I haven't even tackled the issue of what we are going to do with my side of the family! It may just be time for a mass email saying come to our house if you wish, we'll be here and I'll feed you. If you don't want to come then I'll be happy to pop your gift into the mail.

This time of year is about family and when I say family I mean myself, Chris and our children. I'd like to develop some traditions that help us get into and stay in the Christmas spirit. I want it to be about more than the gifts you get, or even the ones you receive.

the kids hanging with the man in the red suit

Saturday, December 5, 2009

6 years old!

In some ways I find it hard to believe that my little girl is already 6 (or only 6 depending on her attitude!). I don't think there is anyone out there quite like her that's for sure. Incredibly independent most of the time, but has moments where she needs and wants her mom and dad. She is such a wonderful big sister to Jacob and Elizabeth, giving them lots of "Alexa time". She has her moments of not wanting to share or have anything to do with them. This summer she mastered riding her bike without training wheels, although her dismount still needs a little work at time (that's what helmets are for right?). She's got her first loose tooth and is learning to read. She was so excited to read her first book to me (a short Dora one). Her favorite toys are barbies and horses/ponies. Loves having her movie nights and would like every night to be movie night. Right now she's really looking forward to all the activities that Christmas has to offer, although a bit nervous about chatting with Santa. She did write him a lovely letter that still needs to get mailed to the North Pole. It'll be interesting to see what her 6th year holds for all of us!

just days old
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1 year
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2 years
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3 years
love dressing up

4 years
4 years

5 years
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6 years
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from October to December in a blur

So I will freely admit I end up spending too much time updating facebook instead of updating my blog. It's an addiction that probably has a group somewhere on facebook dealing with it.

October...the biggest highlight had to be Halloween. Alexa was Supergirl, Elizabeth an adorable little witch, and Jacob a very handsome monkey. Both the girls were excited to dress up, Jacob not so much excitement there! Luckily they had both a party and the actual day to get into costume for. Of course Elizabeth still likes to wear hers at random and there is no parting her from it without battle when she's got it on. The kids brought home lots of candy which sadly I mostly ate. Damn weakness for chocolate goodness.

Alexa also got to go for a sleepover at her Grammy Karen's over Columbus Day weekend. We met Aunt K in Topsham for pick-up and from there she went apple picking and baked a pie (well apparently ate most of the inside prior to baking). She also had an overnight with Aunt M where she fell in love with a fake deer that thankfully wasn't allowed to come home with her!

All 3 kids got to have some one-on-one time with Nokomi during the month which was good for both the kids and my mom. Next up...taking more than one of them out in public at a time!

We had another wedding to go to...this time cousin Gregg. While we stayed late into the night (not getting home till after 12am!) it was well worth the family time. We also celebrated Ivan's 5th birthday. Mix in school and the usual at home activities, it was another exhausting month.

November - well we survived Thanksgiving vacation! This was Alexa's first long time off since school started. She was so happy to go back on Monday. We had everyone over for dinner so lots of good food and good company. If you went by what the twins ate you wouldn't have thought the food was good though, as they have become very picky eaters. Veteran's Day was also mixed in which Alexa spent most of the day playing at her friend Elle's house. Election Day went off without too much of a hitch if you consider taking 3 kids to the polls a good time. Thankfully all we had to do was walk across the street.

Alexa got her first report card which was good overall. We got to attend our first parent teacher conference. The only issue to report is the fact that Alexa tends to talk a bit too much. Not really much of a shocker there. She's got her first loose tooth which seems to be taking forever to fall out (much like they took forever to come in). She also got her ears pierced and has grown I don't know how many inches. She's getting to be a very tall, young lady!

Elizabeth decided to attempt potty training. We spent about 2 weeks in big girl underwear when I finally realized I was the one trained, not her. If she didn't have a constant reminder she'd just pee wherever she felt like it. She is quite the little artist whether it be on whatever paper she can get her hands on or herself. Talking up quite a storm and easier to understand most of the time.

Jacob is coming along in his speech. We've come to discover an extreme dislike for bathing which is fun. Nothing like showering in an enclosed area with a screaming 2 year old. His favorite activity is still sitting at the kids table putting matchbox cars into bigger cars (or parking them in the dollhouse).

Alexa and I also joined a Girl Scout troop. In order for her to join as a Daisy they needed another co-leader. I filled out my paperwork, got my references in order and have started my leader training. So far so good! I think Alexa really enjoys being able to interact with all the older girls and her stories seem to keep them quite entertained.

Friday, October 2, 2009

September recap

This week marks the 4th week Alexa has been in school and also brought an end to September. And what a busy month it was!

We started off with a weekend family trip to Boston. We were supposed to go camping but the weather forecast didn't look very promising (rain, rain, rain). Everyone had a good time and got to see a lot of sights. The biggest hit by far was the zoo. The kids loved all the animals and we were able to catch up with some friends (meeting for the first time after talking for nearly 3 years online!).
That was followed up by a ferry trip to see the US Constitution which was closed. Instead we got to walk the US Cassen Young.

waiting for the next ferry back to Boston


After that is what school prep week. Alexa had her screening and open house. The open house was...interesting. My dad and stepmom came over to watch the twins so that Alexa and I could partake in our 2 minute bus ride to school. We got to listen to the driver and her rules before heading into school. Once inside we were shuffled to the library and had to sit in tiny chairs and listen to the principal while the kids got to play with the teacher.

watching the wrong way for the bus

The first week was just a half day followed by all day the second week. The twins love seeing her get on the bus. And are always happy to see her when she gets home. Most days she's happy to go although there have been a few "I don't wanna go" ones. One day she had started cutting her project before listening to directions. She was terrified the next day that she'd get in big trouble and "have to sit like Cole did". Turns out that Cole was being more than a little naughty that day...hence a time out of sorts. I think she learned from that lesson.

She's also doing soccer which has mostly been Chris's responsibility. I did suck it up and take her this past Wednesday to practice. Jake wouldn't leave the car and Liz wanted to play soccer with the big kids. Once I finally was able to pry Jake from the car (without fits) and go watch her practice the skies opened up on us and we had to run for the car. Everyone ran except one. Alexa took her sweet time wandering back in, stopping to pick clover along the way. She kept saying on the way home how her coach kept waving - no kidding...he was waving you in!

We also celebrated several birthdays in September although most of them were away and so could only send birthday wishes. Mine was a quiet one, just the way I like it). I did get a delicious Blizzard cake from DQ (made with my favorite - chocolate extreme).

We also had a wedding! My little brother married his longtime girlfriend and I was lucky enough to be asked to officiate. From what I saw it was a beautiful ceremony. The reception was bit chilly once the sun went down but thankfully hot soup was on the menu. We did stay for some of the dancing but forgot to get some cake. Just as well...there were so many other goodies to snack on. Jake did get to taste the frosting before the reception - that naughty boy stuck his fingers right in. Alexa made some friends and her and Liz both had fun dancing. Jake kept trying to sneak in the bathroom to turn the sinks on.

Overall a busy start to fall. And if the next few months go as fast as this last one I'd better get going on plans for the holidays and Alexa's 6th birthday!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

haircuts!

We took advantage of an overnight trip to Portland to stop in at Snip Its. If you've got kids I really recommend seeing if there is one near you. I've always found that haircuts occur with a lot more ease courtesy of the place being kid-oriented with hairdressers who know how to handle kids. It was needed as both Alexa and Jake were getting a bit shaggy and Liz's was always in her face.

Jacob before

Jacob after - clipped to big boy style

Alexa and Elizabeth before
Alexa and Elizabeth after

summer

So as I sit here at the computer listening to the hum of the fan and the AC (we've got a big room to cool down!) I face my list. This is the list I made up just before school got out of all the fun things we'd do this summer. Sadly though there aren't very many items accomplished on this list.

Sure we've made lots of library visits and a few playground trips. But between the rain and the humidity in the last week it's hard to find the motivation to do anything. Add in the various illnesses that have hit and I suppose I should be glad we got done what we did.

For us summer vacation is drawing to a close. Alexa's first official day of school is September 8th. But the week before she's got her kindergarten screening and open house. We are going to manage to squeeze in a vacation of sorts - a 3 day camping trip next weekend. This weekend we are supposed to do a trial run with the kids at sleeping in the tent (more for the twins than Alexa). But the weather isn't sounding all that promising (not that I get to actually see the weather, rather I hear it second hand). We'll see - it's should be cozy that's for sure.

Honestly I much prefer the fall. Cooler weather, crisp smells, and you can still enjoy being outside without freezing or boiling/sweating (or better yet not being eaten alive by bugs). Of course this fall is going to be different than the others with Alexa gone from 8am-3pm. I'll be working a little (hopefully) and just enjoy the twins still being little.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

gardening

My parents and grandparents (well paternal ones) have always had huge gardens. I remember being told it was time to go out and weed, doing more than my fair share of whining over it. And as a kid I wasn't really too keen on the end result either.

One episode of weeding that sticks in my mind is the nasty spiders that were in our tomato patch. I don't recall what type they were beyond nasty. The idea was to get them on a stick and then pelt dirt, rocks, apples at them till you managed to knock them dead, all the while avoiding them actually getting to you. My phobia of spiders doesn't start there but definitely was contributed to.

In the summer of 2006 we had a small garden at the house in Gorham. In it I managed to grow lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Lacking in a green thumb I was very proud. I always managed to work on it in the evening or during naptime.

Last winter I talked to my aunt about the idea of taking over a bit of the garden on her father-in-law's yard. We decided to make it a "family patch". Sherm was worried about how I'd be able to garden having 3 kids.

I didn't really think it'd be that hard. Haven't gardens been being grown forever? Haven't people been having kids forever? I've been able to get into it a few times to weed (of course so much rain has made it hard to get out!). My last trip out was cut short when Alexa set the twins free from their nap and they came barreling across the lawn to me.

So I asked my dad how he did it. His response "I waited till you'd gone back to your mom's. If I wanted a garden I had to do it without you around". So I mentioned my plans to weed today plus plant a few things (I actually managed to grow a few sunflowers, a squash, and 4 watermelon plants!). He mentioned using the superyard he'd gotten us for the twins first birthday.

I hauled it out along with a wagonload of toys. My goal - to have them play nicely on the lawn. If they got out of hand they could play in the superyard. Unfortunately Alexa decided she wanted to play in the superyard. So in they all went. Then she decided she wanted out and went into the house for more toys. The entire time Jacob and Elizabeth were quite verbal about their situation. I set them free and told all 3 to play in the grass.

It wasn't long before I had company. Jake kept circling the shed. Then tried to destroy the peach tree. When I went to stop him Liz joined in. Then they ran for Sherm's house. I caught them and shooed them back towards the garden. Apparently I am not good at herding because they both booked it down Sherm's driveway. I caught Liz before she got to the road and than had to scoop Jacob out of the parsonage's yard (thankfully he didn't notice the little golfballs in their garden marking the rows). After that (and some time in the superyard for bad behavior) the girls decided to help garden. Alexa decided she needed to plant some weeds. Elizabeth's weeding method was to dig and toss dirt.

Somehow though we all survived (as did the plants). A hosing and soak in the kiddie pool got everyone fairly clean/de-mudded. I do think that I will wait till naptime, or have another adult watch them. Gardening can be peaceful and I'd like to keep it that way.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

2!

the happy 2 year olds
Last Wednesday was the actual big day with a celebration yesterday. And it was a celebration! Not only of the fact that the twins have been here for two years but that we've all survived those two years, relatively in tact.

Wednesday was spent quietly at home because guess what...yep it was raining. The story of our summer this year so far. I think they were actually up at the time they were born for a late night nursing session (that time being 12:49am and 12:50am). Alexa kept randomly singing happy birthday to them to which they really had no response. Chris ended up bringing home a surprise ice cream cake. Apparently they were much more interested in eating it when it was whole rather than sliced into pieces on plates to be eaten with a fork.

mmm...ice cream cake

The skies were blue and sunny yesterday for the outdoor party we had planned. I had hoped to be cooking by 12 but 1 seemed to work out ok also. The hamburger I had put in the fridge several days prior still hadn't thawed completely and needed a little help before patties could be made. There was lots of yummy side dishes brought by friends and family and enjoyed by all.

guests enjoying lunch...guess Chris's cooking didn't kill them!

see the lady with the purple shirt? She was a party crasher!

The cakes went quick. This was an area I was indecisive on for quite some time - whether to buy or make. Monday I decided to order 2 10' round. Tuesday I decided to cancel. I ended up making 2 9x13 and had maybe 1/4 of one cake left.

After cake it was onto the presents. I think Liz and Jake got to open 2 each. The rest were torn into by the other kids that were under the age of 6. It ended up being a bit chaotic but that's nothing new!
Both got some fun new things to play with and some beach gear and wear. Now hopefully the sun will stay out so we can use the lifejackets (thanks Missy), beach towels (thanks Nokomi), sand toys (thanks again Nokomi), beachballs (thanks Ashmores), and 2 bubble mowers (thanks Grammy Karen & Grampa Chris).

Eventually everyone had their fill of fun in the sun and headed back to their homes. Liz took a nap while Jake kept escaping out of his bed (and out of the room till I locked the door). Chris played some volleyball with Brenda and the Ashmore twins while Alexa and Ellie played inside doing "girl games".

As for the twins accomplishments...there doesn't seem to be much that they can't get into.

Liz: very good at running, quite chatty and you can understand/figure out most of what she says. She likes to be on the go. Favorite toy is any baby doll and accessory she can get her hands on. She also loves to dress up. Favorite food, well her favorite to say is "couscous" but I don't think she actually eats much of it! I can't really think of one thing that she prefers over all else! Loves to do whatever her big sister does even if it drives Alexa nuts.

Jake: still working on the running. He's got the motions down but needs to pick up the pace. Of course he looks like he's moving faster than he really is because of the hunched shoulders, serious look on face, and pumping arms. His favorite word seems to be "mine". And it's really one of the only ones we understand. This kid cannot be without his toy cars when he is at home. He lines them up on the end table and will try to fit various items behind the steering wheel. Moving onto big cars as I caught him opening the van door yesterday and climbing in behind the driver's seat (note to self...should probably lock doors or better supervise and never leave running!). His favorite food - marshmallows. He will cram an entire one in and go looking for more, stealing bites from unsuspecting sisters if he can.

2 year stats:
Jacob: 26 lbs, 33.5 inches tall. Dr. Lew and Nurse Holly were excited that he hit the 25th percentile in both categories!

Elizabeth: 24.6 lbs, 33 inches tall. Hit 25th percentile for height but still at 10% for weight.

Friday, June 12, 2009

the little fashionista

I wonder a bit if it's a girl thing or perhaps a future in fashion but Liz sure does enjoy creating her own look. Alexa will add some jewelry and glasses occasionally. For Elizabeth it's a way of life.

Her current favorites are a bike helmet, knee pads, and some sort of shoes (boots or mismatched preferred). But she's not picky, any items will work.

Going out in public happens on a regular basis. I do draw a line at the helmet but we did go into town the other day while wearing the knee pads. Removing her beloved items brings on a tantrum until I promise to let her put them back on (usually occurs during diaper changes). Last week she wanted to nap in her helmet which probably wouldn't have been comfortable or very safe (unless she was expecting something to fall on her head, then she'd be protected). Just the other morning I was woken up by being hit in the face with one of her new crocs. She couldn't get it on herself so smacked me awake to do it for her. This morning was a similar experience only I was expected to put a knee pad on one handed.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Staycation Adventure #1

Chris ended up having the day off from work (thanks Margie!). We decided to take advantage of the lovely spring weather and visit some local sites.

Rockport ended up being our destination of the day. We first headed to Vesper Hill (also known as the Children's Chapel). It was very lovely and very quiet, even with 3 kids running about. The kids loved climbing the rock stairs and checking out the flowers.

After that we headed to Rockport Marine Park to see Andre the Seal's tribute statue. That turned out to not be the only thing to watch at the park. While we were there we got to watch a sailboat being delivered to the landing. All three (especially Jacob) were fascinated at the procedure. We also got to check out some of the old limestone kilns, an old train (the engine?), and a super sized buoy just right for climbing.

Stay tuned for more staycation adventures as spring progresses to summer!

the graduate

Alexa "graduated" from preschool last week. They had a nice ceremony that included a play (Alexa was a lion - imagine that!), 2 songs, and recitation of 9 Bible verses. The play was very cute and narrated by their teacher. The story was David and Goliath. Alexa's big part was that she had to steal a sheep. She commented to me a few days before the big day that she was worried no one would like her because she had to get a sheep. She ended up being the comic relief when the sheep she chose wouldn't crawl away with her.

It's a little hard to believe the school year has already come to a close. September wasn't that long ago! But how much she's grown since then is unbelievable. Not just taller and mouthier but a lot smarter. Preschool was one of the best things I could have done for all of us!

Now is just a few short months she'll be off to kindergarten. The setup for that is interesting in SAD 40. She's all registered but doesn't actually doing any screening until September 1st. Then on the 4th is the open house which includes a short bus ride. School starts half day on the 8th, followed by full days on the 14th. It's going to be a little strange not having her around most of the day. But I know she's going to be having fun learning and making new friends.

September 2008

May 2009

Sunday, June 7, 2009

summery eats - lobster rolls

To be perfectly honest, while I love lobster I can't stand lobster rolls. There is something about contaminating it with mayo and bread that is just wrong to me. Alexa however loves them (although not too keen on mayo herself). So to get her out of Nokomi's house and away from the frogs I decided to bribe her with the lure of a lobster roll from Linda Bean's where Lauren works.

At the price of those lobster rolls I was only splurging on one ($15!). Me and the twins had good ole' hot dogs at $3 each. And even then they only at the hot dog, tossing the wheat rolls aside.

All food eaten outside in the warm, fresh, sunny air tastes good. And here's some pics to show how much!ok...so Liz doesn't look so happy. But she was...honest!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

okay May...where'd you go?

Yikes...another month nearly gone. And as usual it's been a busy one at our house.

Chris has been busy working at the Samoset, a combination of front desk shifts and his new position as inventory coordinator. In addition it's baseball season which means lots of umpiring. And he's coaching Alexa's t-ball team which means lots of games and some practices sprinkled in.

Alexa is finishing up pre-school. She's got just a couple days left with graduation on the 4th of June. I don't think it's dawned on her that in another week she'll be home all day, every day until September. That's when she'll go for her screening, open house (including a bus ride!), followed by her first day on the 8th.

Jacob and Elizabeth just continue to grow, learn, and master getting into things. Just this morning I found a butcher knife and scissors on the floor. Thank goodness no one got hurt! As I was putting them away I noticed that some of the knives were jammed into the wrong slots. Apparently Jake made good use of the chair his sister left out next to the counter. While I type Elizabeth is on my lap, trying to type while exploring the desk top. I have no choice but to let her be in my lap until she decides she's had enough - she just propels up my arm like a little monkey.

Both are starting to have word explosions. Elizabeth has a much larger vocabulary and is easier to understand. Jacob is slowly making improvement. He actually had an informal screening 2 weeks ago and goes for a formal evaluation the beginning of June. He understands everything we say but has such a hard time saying what he wants/needs to say without a meltdown (which can range from mild to terrifying). This week his new word is "mama". While I am quite excited to have him saying it to me it is getting a little wearing as he seems to expect a response from me every single time. Elizabeth's word of the moment appears to be "mine" and is used for about everything she comes in contact with (including myself).

Their 2nd birthday is now just a little over a month away. hard to believe how fast the days have gone!

As for me...I'm finding myself just trying to hold it together! I seem to have more days where I feel like all I do is wipe butts, laundry (wash, dry, fold, and even put away if really motivated/lacking in space to walk/sit), and dishes. Or I'm naughty and play games on Facebook just to feel guilty about it. My facial massage back in March (maybe April?) was so long ago.

My time for now is up although I'm sure I have more to get out of my head. But the kids are all clamoring for attention and I've got to figure out dinner.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

a curse or blessing?

The more I try to think about events from after 10pm on Saturday July 7, 2007 the more blurred everything becomes. I'm glad I wrote down things and took pictures because I would have missed a lot. The memories most definitely need some sort of trigger.

I think this may be the body and brain's way of dealing with reality. It's just like forgetting how rough and painful labor and delivery is. The first year with multiple children is not easy, more so when you have them 2 or more at a time. But if all was crystal clear people might not go on to have any more children. And sharing the scary stories might scare off others from having children.

My big concern lately has been whether or not my OB actually did my tubal ligation after my c-section. This came up after talking with some friends, one of whom became pregnant after hers. Needless to say this is a very big fear of mine. My luck is that not only would I get pregnant but that I would end up having triplets! My mother told me I should have signed some paperwork and given consent. I don't remember any of that!

Luckily I have someone in my life that does. Yeah my dr should know but I also had a very good friend (who was a med student back then but now a full doctor herself) in the OR with us. Fortunately her memory is a bit more intact than mine and she was able to reassure me that yes the tubal was done and that the chance of me getting pregnant is incredibly slim. That is a huge load off of my shoulders.

Whenever anyone asks me what life is like with twins it's now become my standard to smile and say it's great. And sometimes I say it out loud (and always to myself) that I did survive the first year. And I've almost made it through the second year in relatively one piece with my general sanity still intact.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Follow the Leader

These days you never know what you might come across when you enter our house. It could look like we have no kids (those days are few and far between) or like someone recently ransacked the place (much more common). We have days of everyone getting along and days that everyone should be sitting in the timeout chair for the rest of their lives.

But it is fun that's for sure. As the twins get bigger they are more interested in everything. A lot of their play is probably a bit older than what other kids their age might do courtesy of having a big sister and other older friends to play with.

This past weekend we took advantage of a sunny, warm afternoon to go over to the playground at the school. Last year I had to force Jacob and Elizabeth up the steps to use the baby slide. This time I had to run in circles to keep an eye on both of them. Elizabeth is our fearless little adventurer. She had no problem following Alexa right to the top of the tallest slides. And then going down one by herself when our backs were turned for a second. I admit my heart about stopped when she landed on the ground. But she picked herself up and started laughing, then ran to go back up again.

Everything that Alexa does they want to do which is always very entertaining. These are from this morning. The new game is "we're having a baby". The kids started doing this the other day and the fun continues. Good thing we've got lots of balls around the house! The fun continued after getting dressed. Liz however decided her "belly" got in the way of her trying to cook in the "kitchen" so she popped it out. If only it was that easy.


It's hard these days to keep up with everything that they do and are learning. They just go so quickly from one thing to the next, filling their little brains. I'll let the pictures create the story...


Jacob's milestones

  • weight/length @ 7: 55.6lbs, 48.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 42lbs, 43.5"
  • weight/length @ 4: 36 lbs, 39+"
  • weight/length@ 3: 32lbs, 36.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 26lbs, 33.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 18lbs, 29 inches
  • walking: 11/17/08
  • standing: 3/31/08
  • crawling: army, 2/5/08
  • first time rolling: 9/30/07, belly to back
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:49am
  • birth length: 19.5 inches
  • birth weight: 6lbs, 1oz

Elizabeth's milestones

  • weight/length @7: 53lbs, 47.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 40 lbs, 42.25"
  • weight/length @ 4: 34lbs, 38"
  • weight/length 3 years: 28lbs, 35.5 inches
  • weight/length 2 years: 24lbs, 6oz 33 inches
  • weight/length 1 year: 18lbs, 1oz 27.5 inches
  • walking: 9/1/08
  • standing: 4/4/08
  • crawling: army 3/16/08
  • sitting alone: 2/29/08
  • first time rolling: 11/23/07, back to belly
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:50am
  • birth length: 18.75 inches
  • birth weight: 5lbs, 8oz

Alexa's milestones

  • weight/height @ 10 (really 10.8): 186, 5'3"
  • weight/height @ 8.4 years: 113 lbs, 55.5 inches
  • weight/height @ 5 years: 61lbs, 4oz 45.25 inches
  • weight/length @ 4 years: 49lbs, 42 inches
  • weight/length @ 3 years: 38lbs, 38 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 32lbs, 8oz 35.75 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 22lbs, 3 oz 29.5 inches
  • 1st day of preschool: 9/3/08
  • solo somersault: 3/4/08
  • whistling: 3/2/08
  • potty training: 10/7/05
  • walking: 12/21/04
  • standing: 8/23/04
  • crawling: 8/21/04, only a week, then became a butt scoot
  • first wave: 7/27/04
  • rolling: 5/2/04, belly to back
  • sleeping thru the night: 3/1/04
  • first smile: 1/20/04
  • birth date/time: 12/4/03, 10:41pm
  • birth length: 20 inches
  • birth weight: 7lbs