Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, How are you?

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good holiday season. Ours was crazy! E had a good time and did well in the gift department. Peanut and Squeakers were a little overwhelmed and cried when they saw Santa. The poor dears-so many people, all the presents, two different houses. They just really wanted to walk around.
We took E to NYC on Dec 26 for the day. The city is so magical all dressed up for the holidays. We packed a lot in one day: Rockefeller Center, American Girl store, FAO Shwartz, Central Park, handsome cab ride, Tiffany's to just name a few. We probably walked over 5 miles! E was mesmorized by the city. I did tell her about homeless people to give her a heads up. She kept asking me where they were--we really didn't see any. There was a guy sleeping on the steps at Port Authority but I don't think he was homeless.
The kids were sick over Christmas vacation. E had a cold and the babies had RSV. We had to get a nebulizer for the babies. They didn't like it at first but then after a few treatments they were alright.
E started ice skating lessons. Her first lesson was this past Monday. She fell and got a nice cut on her leg. But she got right back out there after I cleaned her up. I was very proud of her for doing that :-) Next lesson is bring a friend for free--I'm going!
I am going to start doing something for myself--working out. I ordered Brazil Butt Lift and I now have a beachbody coach. It's time to get back into shape. I believe working out first thing in the morning is the best time. However, I am not a morning person. I'll have to see how it works out. I'm also debating on whether or not to take before and after pictures. I have looked at myself in the mirror holding a little hand mirror and I don't like what I see.
We took down the gates in the living room. After baby proofing the downstairs the babies can walk around the kitchen and hallway now. I think I may have to order the magnets for the kitchen doors/drawers. I did give them a cabinet with plastic lids and containers. It's nice to open it and tell them they can play with the things inside.
M and E with Balto-the dog that saved Nome, Alaska

E read about him in one of her stories.

E, Me and M going for our handsome cab ride


Peanut and Squeakers with E's grocery cart. They loved pushing this around!




Peanut, Logan and Squeakers. I can't tell you how hard it is to take their picture! They are little whirlwinds! I couldn't even get one with all three kids for our holiday card. Hopefully next year!


That's me!


I'm not going to make any resolutions. I would like to lose weight, eat better, do more things with just E, see my friends more, organize the house and go to sleep a little earlier. That's not to much, is it?

Life

Hello! I haven't been blogging because I've been ordering Christmas presents online and trying to declutter the house so we can start decorating. M put up all the outside lights and hung wreaths on the windows. I just have to get started on the inside. We have to put the tree in the basement this year. We only have one living area on the main floor and that is Squeaker and Peanut's domain. I can only imagine what would happen to the tree if we put it in there.
I'm pretty much done shopping. Yay for T.arget and E.tsy online. I had everything shipped to my parents house as to keep the goods from being found. The only items left to get are some gift cards. I'm way ahead of the game this year. Last year I did everything in a scrambled sleep induced haze.
I'm hoping to get back into the swing of working out. I asked for Z.umba for the W.ii and E asked for J.ust Dance 1 & 2. My good friend is going to be taking pole dancing classes in Philly. I would love to take those! They look like so much fun and it tones/strengthens your whole body. In my neck of the woods we aren't up to speed on the latest fitness trends.
We are doing better eating. We have added more fruits/veggies to our meals. Plus lowfat yogurt and jello are now in our snacks. Trying to be good eggs. It would be easier if the babies slept through the night. Now we are in the throws of teething. They are each getting three teeth in the front. Broken sleep makes it hard to do the regular house/taking care of kids, etc. let alone adding regular workouts. Working out would increase my energy. But I have no energy to get started.
Here's a picture from this week:
It was so nice out we walked around the neighborhood for an hour. These hats I bought last year on E.tsy. I call them their baby bear hats.

Happy Halloween

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!! E was flapper. Peanut is a koala bear and Squeakers is a polar bear. Hopefully they will stay still long enough to get a picture.

E's lunches

Almost everyday this school year E takes her lunch. We got her a nifty new lunch bag with separate compartments that will keep her soup hot and sandwiches cold. I asked her why she is taking her lunch this year and she told me that it takes too long to get the school lunch. Plus I feel a homemade lunch is healthier and yummier (because it's made with lunch--oops love!). I used to bring my lunch to school everyday. Either a baloney sandwich (2 pieces of baloney--nothing else) or pb & j. E likes chicken noodle soup or a sandwich. The part I like the best is writing her a note. Today's note contained a riddle:
What do witches put in their hair?
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Scare spray!

So lucky

Peanut & Squeakers--more please!

I am blessed to have a beautiful and healthy family. I have a wonderful job teaching reading to first graders and I have my health. I am so lucky :-)
Today the babies and I went for a walk for about an hour. We walked all over town taking in the reds, yellows and oranges that mark my favorite season. The air is so crisp peppered with someone burning leaves or doing laundry. It was a good time.
Peanut and Squeakers are eating so much now. For lunch they had: 1 banana, half of an acorn squash, tortellinis and chicken. I think when they get older we will have to get some cows and chickens. It's amazing what they can pack away.

E's Beauty Salon

I am currently getting my hair done by E. She asked me if I thought she would be a hair dresser when she grows up. Who knows? As long as she doesn't put a big sequined bow in her clients hair. Lol!

Have you seen my iced latte?

G.eneral Foods has a quick and delicious way to make lattes: a packet of coffee plus flavoring (french vanilla or hazlenut) that you can add to water or milk. I use soy milk and it's sooo good. I was at Wally World and where my latte goodness was is now taken over by Keurig. Now that's all find and dandy for people who have those machines. But us low tech people (I use a French press when making a regular cup of coffee. Ok, ok. I do cheat now due to time issues and use Folger's instant. It's just like making a cup of tea) really like the ease of pouring in the coffee flavored powder and -voila!- instant latte right in the comfort of my own kitchen. I also looked in T.arget. They seem to have been taken over by the little k-cups as well. I can always order it on A.mazon, but I'm going to keep looking.

Baby sign language

I have always been interested in sign language. I was even a deaf ed major in school before switching to elem ed. My ASL teacher was so wonderful I didn't even mind going on Saturday mornings for 3 hours. I don't remember how I came across it but I thought it was so cool to teach E sign language. She knew the signs for cereal (c.heerios), dog, cat, light, moon, stars, more, drink, and a bunch more. My Mom was amazed that E could tell her when she was hungry or tired. E could tell us what she needed before she could talk. I started teaching Squeakers and Peanut a couple of months ago. Peanut picks up on the signs quicker than Squeakers but I know constantly signing is the key. I also found these great websites that are a great resource:

ALS Pro

Baby Sign Language Basics

These books are great too. We also have the ones for bedtime and my first baby signs. These are nice because they have pictures of babies doing the signs.

D.isney for two please

After much talking M and I decided that it would be E and myself going to D.isney. It wasn't the added expense (we would have gotten a suite) of taking the babies but the general care of them. Feeding them, naps, etc. Plus they wouldn't remember going. We told E and she was upset. She was excited to have them see the characters but after explaining to her that she would be able to do so much more I think she began to understand. We are going to book our trip this week. I am also going to make our reservations for the luau, breakfast with W.innie, hair and make-up at the Bibbity Bobbity Boo salon and maybe C.irque du Soleil. U.niversal is also on our list. I think we will go for two days. H.arry Potter being our main destination. E saw the pirate rooms at the Caribbean so I'm going to check those out for her. It does simplify things but I know it's going to be hard to leave Peanut and Squeakers. If they want to go in a couple of years we will take them. I think everyone should experience D.isney once. I went when I was 4 for the first time (I don't remember much) and again when I was 21. I had so much fun the second time. I'm looking forward to seeing E experience D.isney. I think she's at a good age. She is tall enough that she can go on all the rides but young enough that D.isney is still magical.

Adventures

I come in from taking Kona and Logan outside early this morning. I see Peanut high tailing it through our baby gate and crawling underneath the kitchen table. M was just about out the door to go to D & D -we run on D.unkin ;-) - and I ask him, "Didn't you put Peanut in the exersaucer?" "Yes" Amazing. We don't know how exactly he got out. M said it was going to happen sooner or later. I would prefer the latter because I put them in there when I have to go to the bathroom.
I don't think Squeakers would do that. He's so happy and content where ever he is. He was pushing a book around the living room and Peanut is taking clothes out of the plastic drawers. We had to turn around said drawers because he shut the drawer on his fingers. Oh boy.
E has her cheerleading camp today. She told me she wants to do cheerleading next year. This is something I can see her doing. The cheering, routines and fancy uniforms are right up her alley. She went to her first football game last night and loved it. She went with one of her friends from class and met up with other friends. She made confetti, watched the cheerleaders and had red, white and blue stars on her face. Sparkly stars of course. After her camp the girls put on a routine for the parents.

Weaning

I was very determined to nurse both my babies. I really enjoyed nursing E even though we got off to a very rocky start. I did nurse Peanut and Squeakers in the hospital but also supplemented with formula. I just wanted them to gain weight so they could come home. M helped me with the babies for their first two weeks home. He would ask me who he could feed and more times than not I told him Squeakers. So I blame myself for him not nursing like Peanut did. I do wish I could go back and do things differently. It's affected me more than him. I continually tried to nurse him but after a few months he would turn his head away. He's very content to drink out of a bottle. And now so is Peanut. He's becoming so independent. He likes to hold his own bottle and take a swig. The only time he really nurses is at night. Then you have E who loved her boobies and nursed until 2 1/2 years old. I really thought my nursing relationship with my babies would be like that. My children are all their own person with their likes and dislikes. What makes them move.
As a parent you do the best you can for them. Even though they may not understand or like you for it at the time. E has a hard time understanding why we are more strict with her than the other kid's parents in our neighborhood. Why we don't tolerate being mouthy and having an attitude. It is my job to be the best parent I can be for them, not their best friend. I just want them to grow to be happy, healthy and respectful of people and their world. I think that's what any parent wants. Right?

Ten

Happy 10 months to Squeakers and Peanut! Big changes this month: standing up on their own, walking along furniture, each getting their first teeth (bottom two) and waving hello. They really notice each other now--they chase each other around the living room and stand up in their cribs and "talk" to each other. It's hard to believe their first birthday is just around the corner.
E is starting 3rd grade tomorrow. Holy smokes! She's getting so big too. Another good note--her cast comes off this Friday. Hooray!
I've also been working on getting back into shape. I started week 3 of P90x. It is hard but not as bad as I thought. I'm starting out slowly and taking my time.
The house is getting organized. One day at a time I take a room and organize and clean it. I do this during their afternoon nap. It feels good to see the house coming together.

Bump in the road

Sunday was supposed to be the start of our vacation at the campground. Not even 1 hour there and E fell off her scooter and broke her thumb and wrist. We found a way to make her cast waterproof--gore tex liner. Now she can go swimming and shower. I feel so bad that her summer is ending this way. But on a good note she only has to have it on for four weeks and she can go swimming.

The kids

Today is the babies 9 month birthday! Time is flying by and so are they. Peanut is super fast with pulling himself/crawling and Squeaker rolls around. The dogs even know to get out of the way!
Last Friday was E's 8th birthday. We celebrated with friends, cake and swimming. This year I finally got on the ball and had games. We used water balloons to have relay races, volleyball & squish the balloon on the metal chair-my personal favorite. E has a surprise guest-her teacher for the past two years-Mrs. M. E really enjoyed her party.
We will be leaving for the campground for two weeks this Sunday for Vacation Bible School. The campground is a throw back to days of yore. It really is a dream if you are a young. Tons of other kids to play with, VBS, a pond to swim in and a boarding hall where you can get three square meals a day. I'm a little intimidated to have the babies by myself for two weeks but my Dad will come out and I believe my friend who owns the cottage will take some vacation days to spend with us. Crossing my fingers that I maintain my sanity ;-) The only downside is no internet. We read and watch plenty of Seinfeld on dvd.

Peanut


Squeakers




Miss E 8 yrs old

There's a birthday in the house!

E and Kristie at the Furry Tails Reading Program
Don't you just love the book she picked out?

Today is Miss E's 8th birthday! We are celebrating with ice cream cake and plenty of pool time (temps to go well over 95). She is super excited for her special day. Me too. I love birthdays because it's a day to celebrate the person. She has basketball camp and then we are having Chinese food and cake. Tomorrow is her party. People will either be in the pool or in the house because it's going to be another hot one.
I am very excited to say I started working out again. The babies are going down for somewhat regular naps. I did the 30 day shred yesterday. I was comfortable with doing just 30 mins of exercise to: a. get back into the swing of things and b. I could shower after I was done. Gradually I would like to increase my work out time to one hour. My legs and arms are a little sore ;-)
The babies are doing well. Peanut is pulling himself and getting ready to crawl--he pulls himself through the bottom of the exersaucer. Squeakers is in love with Kona. He squeals when he sees her. It's the cutest thing. And they both like her one toy.
I am going to start breakfast. I have a special request for chocolate chip pancakes.
Stay cool!

8 months

E, Peanut and Squeakers (eating the 8 month sign)

Wow! I can't believe my babies are 8 months old. They have sure grown a lot. Peanut is spinning himself around and getting ready to crawl forward. Squeakers rolls all over the place and has discovered his voice. They both love the puppies and squeal with delight with Kona or Logan enter the room. They light up when they see E. Nothing is safe because they grab whatever is closest to them.

Squeakers

Peanut

Sunny days (update with pic)

We spend our afternoons strolling around town. It gets us out of the house and me much needed exercise. The babies enjoy it too. They look around and then usually take a nap. After our walk we pick E up at the bus stop which she loves. She enjoys showing her bus driver and the kids her brothers. She is very proud of them and is a great big sister to them.
Sleeping is something we are still figuring out. Naps are on the couch (our couch is super comfy). Sometimes they nap for 30 mins or as long as 1 1/2 hours. Night time they go down about 8-8:30. We put them in their cribs and basically it's anyone's guess how the night will go. Some nights are excellent with minimal waking or, like last night, it's get up and eat a couple of times-Peanut- or reposition Squeakers because he gets stuck in the corner. I would love to get a routine with sleeping until 7 am. That would totally rock because then I could get up and do the P90x dvds.
E had her assembly on Friday. It was a great show! She got to sing at the microphone and had a speaking part. Her and our neighbor made onesies for the babies to go with their costumes for the show. They are wearing them today. I'll try to take a picture and post it later.


E and Squeakers
Peanut and Squeakers wearing their surfer t's.

I haven't skipped town

I've just been really busy. The babies will be 7 months old on Sunday and have started rolling over. E joined Little League and there are games 2 nights a week and 2 practices a week. Trying to keep up with cleaning and laundry is a struggle. We had some rainy weather but now it's looking up. As long as it the radar is clear we go for long walks all over town. Squeakers and Peanut love being in the jogging stroller and usually fall asleep.
We moved them to their cribs in their nursery. Peanut does really well--he can sleep pretty much anywhere. But Squeakers gets up so many times during the night. Plus he's usually up for good between 5:30 am -6:30 am. M has been getting up with him because I was getting no sleep (Peanut is good for getting up at least once). I know this too shall pass but the lack of sleep makes me (and M) crazy.
They're both sleeping on the couch. That's where they nap. I believe because it's soft and their head is touching something. The naps can last for up to two hours! (I am always right by them)
I took them today to E's school to help paint their t shirts for her assembly. She got most of her hibiscus painted on the front of her shirt. She wanted to paint onesies for the babies but they got hungry and tired so we came home.
I'll post pictures later ;-)

Hippoty Hoppity

Happy Easter to you! I hope the Easter bunny brings all kinds of goodness ;-)

Catching up

I haven't posted in almost a month! I'm here ((waves))
The babies are growing like weeds. We weighed them on Sunday: Squeakers is 16 lbs and Peanut is 17. No wonder why they feel so heavy in their car seats. Sleep sometimes alludes us. Peanut gets up anywhere from 1-3x a night and Squeakers 2-3x. I'm so tired. They take one good nap around 9 am no matter what time they wake up and the rest of the day they cat nap. Peanut rolled over 3x in March and hasn't rolled over since despite getting tummy time almost everyday. Squeakers has not rolled over yet. I'm not worried about this and other mile stones. They'll get there.
We went out for walk on Monday--it was almost 80 degrees!--for about 40 minutes and picked up E at her bus stop. Pushing the double jogger was quite a work out. I'm dying to do P90x but I really don't know when I would squeeze in an hour because their sleeping and waking aren't consistent. I want my belly gone.
The babies are now 5 1/2 months:

Squeakers riding in Daddy's truck



E and Peanut