The Best Christmas Yet!

What a fun Christmas. This year was really magical for Zander (4yrs).

Let me start by saying whenever anyone asked what Zander wanted for Christmas he would reply, "Anything. I will like whatever Santa gives me. I like everything...but I do need socks. None of mine fit me!" In my defense he DOES have socks that fit him, but one of my least favorite chores is putting away clean laundry. I don't know why, it just seems to finish drying at very inconvenient times:) Well Zander is referring to my not matching his socks up and putting them into his drawer. We have a laundry basket half full for mismatched socks. Whenever he goes to put on his he gets frustrated looking for his. By the way, I matched ALL the socks this week...his drawers are stocked!

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun. My sister Jacque, Aunt Duque, spent the night. We baked cookies for Santa and watched a xmas movie. Zander was so excited, Gavin went to bed early he wasn't feeling well. When it was time to go to bed we set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. We then wrote Santa a note. It read:

Dear Santa,

I love cookies.

I love presents.

I want toys.

Do you want to give me some presents?

Love, Zander

After thirty minutes of lying in bed Zander called me into his room. He told me that I had to make sure I don't leave the xmas lights on for Santa...it may cause a fire. Just make sure I clean the living room so Santa doesn't trip and fall or step on anything in the dark!

Busy, busy

Cami Rose...one of the 4 reasons I'm so busy

I just thought I was busy with a preschooler, a toddler and 2 newborns....but now that the twins are 7 months (time sure does fly!) it's a whole new ball game. They are nearly crawling and need to be entertained constantly. Ely and I have a bet going, I said they will be crawling by Christmas....but deep down I hope I'm wrong! We've got to baby proof our home again, ugg.

Tomorrow my sister Jacque and I are driving to Harrison, AR to go to our great grandfather's funeral. He was in his mid 90's and ready to go. It will be good to see family I haven't seen in years. Funny how it takes a death in family to get together.

Wish I had something grand to write about, but my mind is blank right now. I finally get time to blog and my mind is mush...maybe I should finish my drink and sleep while I have a chance!

Sneaky Sneaky

Most of you know that my boys are day and night. Zander wouldn't dream of disobeying his parents. He follows most of the rules and likes to do things the "right" way. Gavin on the other hand, is constantly testing boundaries and flat out defies us. I think they balance each other out...Gavin helps the very cautious Zander step out of his comfort zone and walk on the wild side...and Zander helps keep fearless Gavin safe and out of trouble.

Yesterday for lunch we had mac & cheese (with pureed zucchini & cauliflower...sneaky mom!) and green beans. After lunch we rushed off to take Zander to preschool, leaving our lunch dishes on the table. When I finally got to clearing the table from lunch (Gavin was taking a nap) I noticed Gavin's napkin was full of green beans! He's two in a half! This isn't the first time this has happened...but I never find it until after the fact. What do I do? The first time I laughed it off...but now he's just being sneaky. Him being only 2 years old I didn't think he would understand if I "lectured" him about it hours after it happened. But then again, he's probably smarter than I give him credit for...he is being deceitful hiding his green beans in his napkin. Is it even an issue at all? He is getting his veggies...I add puree to our dishes daily...

I decided to confront him before dinner. I told him he must eat his veggies and not put them into his napkin. I told him that was lying. He said, "Okay Momma, no green beans in napkin. No okra in tissue." What!? I never caught the okra in a tissue! I gotta keep my eye on that little one...

Happy Thanksgiving!

maya & camille...can you tell which is which??

What a great day! We went to my Aunt Peggy 's for lunch and then to my sister's for dinner. I ate entirely to much today:)

Last night the boys spent the night with my dad and Jacque watched the twins, Ely and I went out celebrating our 6 year wedding anniversary. We had such a great time. We ate at the Garlic Rose on Brookside. It was incredible. The ambiance was romantic, great service. We ordered a bottle of wine and ate until our hearts desire....food was spectacular...can't wait until we can go back.

It was so nice to be "kid free" for an evening. Ely and I don't get to go out alone together very often. Funny how our conversation kept shifting toward our children...they are the ONLY thing going on in my life right now. I love them but...

I think I'm going to join a "non kid related" club. Maybe a book club or something. I realize that I am a mother first and forth most but don't want to lose myself in my kids. I don't want my kids to define me...I think that is unhealthy. If only I can find a balance to be a good mother, a wife and true to myself all in one....We'll see...I'm turning 30 next month...maybe I'll be a little wiser and figure this life out.

Potty Mouth

pic of jacers...such a ham...

All you mothers with little boys will be able to relate to this story. My boys think it's hilarious to add "poo poo" "pee pee" and "wee wee" to ordinary phrases. Example: "Have a poo poo day mama!" and then they both crack up like it's the funniest joke ever.

Well today the boys were sitting up at the bar in our kitchen having an after school snack, peanut butter crackers. I beat them to the punchline saying, "Here's your peanut BUTTer crackers." They laughed. Then Gavin said, "No, PEE PEE nut BUTTter crackers!" Outwitted by a two year old.

Leo Leonni

Zander likes to play school. He informed me that there are "guy teachers too ya know." He tries to make Gavin be a student in his class, but he just gets angry with him because Gavin won't listen him. Most of the time he has imaginary students.

Yesterday he was playing school looking through all his books, trying to decide which one to read to his class, and said, "Mom why don't I have any books by Leo Leonni?"

WHAT!? He's to grown up for being only four. He must really listen in school...I can't believe how much he is learning!

Breastfeeding Twins

I love this picture of Maya!

I just read an article about Angelina Jolie breastfeeding her twins, her difficulties and her finally weaning them from the breast at 3 months. Wanted to share my struggles and triumphs.

I nursed Zander for 12 months & Gavin for nearly 15 months. I assumed I was a pro and wouldn't have any problems. Well let me say, breastfeeding twins is tough! You have to be 100% committed to making it work...and still some women have problems with milk supply. When my milk first came in it was SO MUCH! (ouch!) I never had a problem with my boys latching on, but the girls were a different story. Maybe because they were a little smaller? (6lb 3oz & 5lb 9oz...big for twins) They couldn't seem to get their little mouths latched on correctly. Eventually...about a week of practice they got it :)

The "experts" (whoever they are) say that nursing twins doesn't make your nipples any more sore than nursing a singleton....I beg to differ! For the first 3 weeks I was almost in tears at feeding time. That never happened with my 1st two! At one point I even considered quitting and switching to formula. Without a supportive husband to cheer me along I might have. I'm not saying this o scare anyone...but to encourage. It's tough emotionally and physically to nurse twins, but you can succeed!

Here is my advice on how to make it work:

• Be committed 100% Failing is not an option.


• Take care of yourself! Those babies are taking a lot out of you. You need 2000 EXTRA calories a day (I'm no expert...I just remember reading that somewhere) Keep your pantry stocked with healthy snacks nuts, power bars, fruit, etc. Eat every 2-3 hours.


• Drink LOTS of water! If you're dehydrated you're not going to produce enough milk.


• Feed your babies at the same time, esp at night, wake the other baby if needed.

On that note, I want to add that when you're expecting twins you hear all this advice on how to do it "right." My twins are only 6 months now, but I through out most of the advice I received out the window. I think you have to do what works for you in your situation. For example, I was told you have to feed your twins at the same time & keep them on the same schedule. Easy enough right? Well when your busy with a preschooler and a toddler PLUS have twin newborns that's a different story. Don't feel guilty if you don't do it "right." I didn't have a strict nursing schedule or nap schedule (funny though...I did with my 1st born...I think you relax a bit the more children you have!) The first few months I just did what I could to get by. It was easier for me to take care of one newborn at a time. I would nurse one at a time, that way if I had to get up and attend to the other children I could. I loved my baby ktan sling! No hands nursing.

The turning point in my way of thinking happened this summer. I was busy nursing both twins at the same time, the boys were running around the house being extra rowdy. I would yell at them to settle down...but they knew I was busy and weren't listening to me. They went into the kitchen where I couldn't see them and started to wrestle. I didn't see what happened, but apparently Zander "body slammed" Gavin into the floor face first! Long story short, we had to go to the ER. And let me add that was a stressful 10 minutes...Gavin's mouth bleeding, teeth pushed back, he's hysterical...Zander's crying because he thinks he's in trouble...the twins were in the middle of nursing and I had to stop so they are screaming...while I'm tending to Gavin one of the twins poops her diaper. By the way, it's just me and the kids at home! While hugging Gavin, mouth dripping blood, I have to change the girls diapers load them in their carseats. Get Zander dressed...they are always taking their clothes off and running around in diaper or underwear...We eventually got to the ER. Anyway, the moral of the story is, do what works for YOU. Nursing one twin at a time works best for me. In the evening (and throughout the night) I get them on the same schedule...when Ely's home...that way he can help burp plus you get more sleep if you feed them at the same time at night!

Wow...look at all my run on sentences...girls are waking from their morning nap....more later!

Girls Night Out!

Jennifer, Me, Dawn, & Jacque

I had a long over due girls night out this weekend. We didn't get crazy or anything, just margaritas and fajitas at a Mexican restaurant. I had a good time though. Ely watched all 4 kids all by himself. I like to leave him with all the kids just to remind him how much I do all day. Just kidding...he's knows how chaotic it can get around here...

We're counting down the days until our 6 year anniversary (November 28). We think we've got a babysitter for the Wednesday before and can't wait to go out! We always have to divide up our kids. I don't know anyone who can take care of all of them by themselves for a long period of time. The boys (4 & 2) are pretty typical rowdy boys and the twins (6 months already!) are pretty demanding spoiled babies who have got their mommy and daddy trained :) jk they are GREAT babies...but spoiled. Whoever says you can't spoil a baby needs to come to my house for a day! But then again maybe it just seems that way because there are TWO...one is always needing something. Wow...that sure was a ramble...the point is...we have a date night scheduled! We're just crossing our fingers nothing goes wrong.

They say God won't let anything happen to you that you can't handle...I think he has me confused with someone else...jk

Letting off steam

I've been having an internal battle lately & decided to write about it. By nature I'm kind of a control freak. With one or two kids it's tough...but you can schedule and get in a routine and get by just fine. But with FOUR young children I'm realizing exactly how disfunctional I can be. I have all these expectations about how my life should be. I expect my children to behave, my babies to be content, and my home to run smooth....not so.

Zander has always been my "model child." Doing what he's told and exceeding all expectations. Lately he has been testing boundaries...I know it's natural and essential for his development...it's just bad timing for me! I'm dealing with babies all day and and trying to teach Gavin how to behave, I expect him to act a lot older than he really is.

I've just got a lot on my plate right now and when I can't do everything it stresses me out. Who can? I know I need to cut myself some slack. I really didn't resolve anything...just letting off steam. Tomorrow's another day.

Another long night...

maya & camille

Wow...it's amazing how messy your house can get when you're not feeling well...or busy taking care of sick little ones. Hopefully I can get caught up today...


Last night was LOOOONNNGGGG! The twins were both not feeling well...running slight fevers, coughing, runny nose, congestion....they had to sleep in their swings sitting up so I slept on the couch in the living room to be near them. At one point in the night I as laying on the couch holding Maya (or Camille...at 3AM even I get confused!) Zander was laying on the couch at my feet & Gavin was snuggled by my side...no wonder my muscles ache this morning! I hope my babies start feeling better soon.

Better take advantage of this nap time and get caught up on laundry!

same blog...new site...

I know I haven't written much lately. I've been concentrating on transfering my old blog on tumbler to this site. I like the format better...easier to manage and plus people can leave me comments if they want :)

Now that the rest of the family is feeling better the twins are getting sick. Runny nose, congestion, cough...I hate seeing my babies not feeling well. Maya was up ALL night. I "slept" sitting up on the couch with her...she didn't want to lay down. Long night to say the least. Ely is off today so I got a nap this morning....exciting entry....I know.

Shopping with twins

Today I went grocery shopping with the twins. I was wearing Camille and Maya was asleep in her carseat. About halfway through our trip Maya wakes up screaming…a dirty diaper (at least it wasn’t a blow out!) I then proceed to the front of the store juggling both babies while pushing my buggy of groceries. Once I get to the bathroom I put Maya back in her seat and then try to lift it very carefully out of the shopping cart…not easy to do when you’re wearing a baby on your front! It heavy & high…not to mention you have to balance it just right because your baby’s not buckled in! Once I’m in the bathroom I have to “switch” babies in the seat…sigh…I’m getting tired reliving it. Anyway the point is NOTHING IS EASY WITH TWINS!

I remember a TERRIBLE trip to the grocery store when Gavin was a baby. He was just a few weeks old and Zander was almost 2. Well Gavin had a MAJOR blowout in his car seat. For all you nursing moms out there, you know what kind of blowout I’m talking about! I tell you it’s everywhere…up his back, down his legs, puddled in his seat…disgusting. We go to the bathroom…my cart is full of groceries so I grab Zander from the cart and leave it outside. I try my best to clean Gavin up (who, by the way, is screaming hysterically) I go through the sample package of wipes and proceed to use the sink and paper towels…Zander is running around the public restroom playing in the toilets…at this point I am in tears. The manager of Reasor’s came in the bathroom and asked me if I need help. I said, “Yes, please!” I handed her Gavin (naked) I then quickly cleaned the changing table, took Gavin finished cleaning him up and got him dressed. The manager watched Zander while I took out all the fabric of Gavin’s car seat. The manager then brought me several plastic bags to put all my “soiled linens.” I was such a wreck I apologized to the manager and thanked her for her help and rushed out of the store…there was no way I was going to finish my grocery shopping.

I wish I could take a day off...

double trouble

I went to the doctor yesterday and I have bronchitis. It’s been hard taking care of the kids not feeling well. I find my patience wearing thin. Even if I wasn’t sick I think I’m in a new “phase” with the twins. They are becoming more difficult. They are 5 months now and very feisty! They have to be constantly entertained. Maya will sit in her walker and watch the boys play yelling at them to come play with her. Camille will just cry and cry until I pick her up. She always wants to be held. Sometime it all can be pretty overwhelming.

People are so wierd!

We went to Boo Ha Ha yesterday. For those of you who don’t know what Boo Ha Ha is it’s a giant Halloween festival on Brookside…trick or treating, parade, costume contest…good times. The kids had a blast. Gavin was spiderman and Zander a firefighter. The girls wore shirts that said, “this is my costume” and pumpkin bibs.
A lady actually asked me if I colored the twins hair so they would look like pumpkins! yeah right lady…

Why?!

Not growing up with any boys in the house I’m kind of clueless with my boys (shhh…don’t tell them). What’s the fascination with their penis?! I can’t keep their hands out of their pants! Zander also started mooning this week. He moons cars as they pass from our living room window, he moons me while I’m cooking dinner, and his dad while he’s busy playing his video games. He’ll just stand there bent over with his little butt sticking out until you notice! I hope he doesn’t start doing it at school!

So Blessed

Last week a girlfriend of mine delivered her twin girls at 31 weeks, each weighing just over 3 pounds. Last night Joy was put in the hospital having contractions and already dilated at almost 30 weeks. She’s pregnant with twin boys. I just got off the phone with her and can only imagine how she’s feeling right now. I am so blessed and thankful for delivering my girls at 39 weeks and having no complications. When my life gets hectic or overwhelming I need to reflect on how great I have it and count my blessings.

Zander has a girlfriend

Today when I dropped Zander off at school he had his lunch all over his face. I was wiping it off with a wet wipe when a little girl from his class walked by and said, “Hi Zander!” Zander said, “Hurry up mom! I want to walk with her!” He ran to catch up with her and they held hands walking into the school together.
After school I asked him about her and he said that she (he couldn’t remember her name!) and Hannah always play together. He said he can never catch her though, she’s a really fast runner.

Back from the Ozarks

Wednesday morning our family went to St Joe, AR in the Ozark mountains and stayed in a log cabin for three nights. For the most part it was a great getaway. The day before we left I took Zander to the doctor, he has bronchitis and an ear infection. While we were there Ely burned his hand (ask him…I’m on strict orders not to retell his embarrassing story! LOL!) Gavin ran a fever, and I got sick too. I lost my voice…I think Ely actually enjoyed the quiet ride home. Other than that we had a GREAT time. We fell in love with the Ozark mountains. Arkansas is so beautiful. Maybe one day we’ll live there :)

FREAKED OUT!

Camille listening to her daddy jam

So it’s 5am…everyone is asleep but me…I am wide awake and totally freaked out!
At 4:30 am Camille started crying so I got up to nurse her. As I walked into the living room I noticed the front door open about 4 inches! I ran and shut the door, locked it and ran back to my room and woke Ely. We checked all the kids…safe in bed…then Ely looked around the house. I’M POSSITIVE I LOCKED THE FRONT DOOR!!! I always lock the door…I’m paranoid about it…I usually triple check…

Ely concludes that Zander must have been sleepwalking. This is almost as disturbing as an intruder…well not really…but my 4 yr old wandering off into the night!? We’re going to have to get a chain lock on our front door.

My mind is racing….there is no way I can go back to sleep…might as well start cleaning my house.

Vacation Countdown

Ely’s off for the next eight days (god help me…jk). Today we took the kids to the zoo, had a great time. I can’t believe it’s still hot in October.

I sold some of the boys toys on craigslist today. Then we took the kids to Toys R Us and bought them a HUGE bucket of legos with their toy money. It’s like Christmas Eve in our house…they can’t wait for morning to play with their blocks!

Wednesday we finally leave for our vacation! Zander is so excited to go fishing for the first time. I told Gavin we were going to a cabin in the woods and he said, “Wolves!?”

Balloons

my little pinocchio

For those of you that don’t know my sister, Jacque, is allergic to latex…no balloons around her.
Yesterday it was raining so I blew up two balloons for the boys to play with. After a few hours of playing Zander finally popped his. Well this morning Zander had Gavin’s balloon and wouldn’t share it with his brother. So I blew Gavin a new balloon up to play with. Zander decided Gavin’s balloon was better and wanted it…I told him no…Zander then said he was “lergic” and that no one should play with balloons around him…they make him itch…LOL! What a little fibber!

Attitude!

Both of the twins already have MAJOR attitude! It’s funny how different they are from the boys. Camille was sitting in her highchair “talking” to Zander, he got bored and wandered off. Camille “scolded” him…Ely, Zander, & I could not stop laughing…Zander walked back over to her, she smiled and giggled…Zander strolled away again, and Camille would start the fake crying again…they played this game for at least half an hour! I wish I got it on film…but I’m sure it will happen again.

Daddy's Girls

Just wanted it on the record that both the girls are TOTAL daddy’s girls. Nearly every night they cry uncontrollably for at LEAST 30 minutes. Ely rocks them, telling them to let it out and to tell Daddy all about it….they cry and then just give in…they start sucking their thumb and let out only little whimpers until they fall asleep listening to their daddy tell them every thing is going to be alright.


Secretly Ely is eating it up. I seriously can’t compete and he loves being so ”needed.” Once they’ve nursed they really have no more use of me (unless, of course, I’m willing to stand up with them pacing the house!)

Daddy's Girls

Just wanted it on the record that both the girls are TOTAL daddy’s girls. Nearly every night they cry uncontrollably for at LEAST 30 minutes. Ely rocks them, telling them to let it out and to tell Daddy all about it….they cry and then just give in…they start sucking their thumb and let out only little whimpers until they fall asleep listening to their daddy tell them every thing is going to be alright.

Secretly Ely is eating it up. I seriously can’t compete and he loves being so ”needed.” Once they’ve nursed they really have no more use of me (unless, of course, I’m willing to stand up with them pacing the house!)

Reading like "A Dult"

Today Zander told Ely he knew how to read grown up books. He grabbed one of Ely’s books off the book shelf, opened it up, and stared quietly at the pages. “See Dad. I can read like an a dult.”

“How’s that?” Ely asked.

“No talking. I just look at the page,” explained Zander.
Gotta love it!!

Living in the moment

Camille was so tiny she was dressed in a build a bear outfit!

This post isn’t about funny things the kids did…instead it’s inspired by an episode of Oprah I watched today. In short, it was about a busy working mother of two who accidentally left her two year old daughter in the car for eight hours. My first reaction was how could anyone EVER do that! That could never happen to me!

But as I listened to the grieving mother’s horrible story I realized how how “easy” something like this could occur. The toddlers father usually took the girls to preschool but he had a dentist appointment one morning…so the mother was suppose to. She dropped off her older daughter…but it was still to early to drop off her two year old…so stopped to buy doughnuts for her coworkers. Instinctively, she drove to work and proceeded with her day. Eight hours later her daughter was found by a fellow teacher. The baby’s skin was peeling off and foam coming out of her mouth. The mother just held her daughter’s limp body running through the parking lot screaming. I thought how could a “good mother” do this? How could she live with herself? My heart goes out to her…

How many times have I driven home, pulled in my driveway and couldn’t remember the drive home? The other day I accidentally left one of the twins on the front porch after coming in from picking Zander up from school. (only for about 3 minutes!) A few months ago I left all my groceries at reasors!

As a mother of four young children my life is BUSY 24/7…it’s so easy to forget things…especaily if you get off your routine! As mothers we need to STOP and take control of our lives. I know all day I am multitasking…while I’m giving the boys a bath I’m cleaning the toilet. I’m unloading the dishwasher, breastfeeding and helping Zander with his homework all at the same time.
We need to SLOW DOWN!!! This show was a major wake up call…

Nothing Important

my dad and the twins

I haven’t posted anything in the past couple of days…so I thought I’d better get on it!

Last night Rebekkah’s family came over for dinner. It was great visiting with them. Hannah is getting so BIG and she is absolutely beautiful. Jace and my boys had fun playing outside. Gavin went home with the Paden’s last night. (Zander has school so he couldn’t) Rebekkah said he woke up in the middle of the night crying for me. This is his first slumber party without his big brother. Poor baby.

This morning Zander and I (and the twins) went to his school’s book fair…Moms & Muffins. It was nice having that special time with Zander at his school. We sat in the library had muffins and juice, then looked at all the books. He had his own money (from his train bank). He decided on “DC Super Friends.” It was so cute seeing him pay for his own book with all his own money…a baggy full of change…he’s been “reading” it all afternoon.

Ladies Man

This picture is of me and my boys at Gilcrease.

Zander gets out of school at 3:35, but I get to school to pick him up at 3:15 (there is always such a long line of cars!) His class was outside at the playground when I arrived today. From my car I could see him playing. It was so cute! He was chasing the girls! It was just him and four little girls playing…I wish I could be a fly on the wall in his classroom…

So Big!

The original reason I started this blog was so I would remember what my life is like w/ 4 small children. It’s so easy to forget the “bad” stuff. The girls are 4 months now. They use to be so tiny…easy to hold them both at the same time. But now it’s nearly impossible. They are getting so big and they wiggle so much. I use to be able to pick each up with one hand to get them out of their crib in the middle of the night. Not any more! Now Ely HAS to get up w/ me to help me. I grab one…he grabs the other. We go in the living room, sit on the couch and I nurse them both at the same time. When they’re done, we each burp one and put them back to bed. One person CAN’T do it all anymore. I wonder what it’s going to be like when they’re crowling around! I’m scared!

music fest '08

Zander had his first program at school last night. He was so cute. Such a natural onstage…no fear…he was eating up all the attention! His class sang 5 songs. He was smack in the middle up front. Afterwords we went outside where the school had lots of games set up for the kids. (Blowup jumpers, slides, & race tracks) We ate hotdogs & icecream. There was even a dj and a band (which BTW sucked) The boys had a blast. Gavin was tearing it up on the dance floor!

Today is the QT 50 YR Anniversary Party down at the river parks. We’re gonna take the kids. JFJO is playing at 5…I’m so stoked! It will be interesting to see how it all plays out…we have to take a shuttle to the river from the fairgrounds. With 4 kids that does not sound fun to me. We’ll see!

Where do babies come from?

Zander asked the BIG question yesterday. “Mom, where do babies come from?” I asked him if he remembered when Mommy had a big belly & then went to the hospital and the doctors took the twins out. He said, “Mom, I already know that. I asked you how the babies got in your tummy.” Wow. Totally caught me off guard. Mind racing to choose the right words to tell my 4 yr old, I say “well there was something really small, like a seed, inside Mommy and it grew bigger into a baby” Yeah I know, weird answer, but he totally caught me off guard. He accepted my answer and continued playing.

Well, today we were eating some bread with sesame seeds. He looked at them for a long time, then asked if he was going to have a baby in his tummy now. LOL!

Homework

Zander is in preK as you all know. Every night he has homework. Tonight he had to name 3 things that smell good & 3 things that smell bad.

Good

1. Flowers


2. Soap


3. Pie (I don’t know where he’s been smelling pie…we all know I’m not baking any!)
   

Bad

1. Dirty Diapers


2. Poop


3. Smelly Feet
   

I’m so proud. The only bad smelling things I could get out of him were poop related. It took him nearly 20 min to think of smelly feet!

Gavin went poopoo!

Yeah! Finally he went in the potty! I am so tired of changing his diaper. For the longest time he would tell me he had to go poop and then REFUSE to go near his potty…something else I hate. Those little potty’s are so nasty. I hate cleaning them out, but he’s scared of the big toilet. One step at a time…he’s still only 2 1/2! We just opened the last box of diapers from the twins shower, so we’ll be buying diapers for 3 in a week $$$$$ no fun.

Zander's the Man!

I dropped Zander off at school today. Everyday he tells me that he can go in by himself…he knows the way, he’s a big boy. I was standing on the sidewalk watching him walk in and a little girl popped halfway out a passenger side window of her mothers car waved and smiled, “Hi Zander!” He grinned, grabbed his backpack straps and walked a little taller and said “Hi.” It was sooooo cute.

Another Baby!?

Zander just asked me if we could go to the hospital and buy another baby! LOL! I told him 2 is enough….he said he wants 3….

This picture is of my twins and my sisters newborn, Hannah only 2 weeks younger. Notice Camille flipping off the camera!

Rockin Day

I ventured out to Target again today and I must say my kids were great. We were there for nearly and hour and a half and no meltdowns. I think Gavin finally knows what I expect out of him when we go shopping (up until a couple of weeks ago he threw a fit every time we went to target, walmart, the mall…the little guy hates to shop!) Anyway everything went well…we actually had fun.

Thanks to my sister, Rebekkah, my boys say “Rock on, dude!” and hold up the rock on sign with their hands. Well Gavin has finally mastered it as of today. He told everyone we passed at target “Rock On Dude!” A little girl, about 3 yrs old, was standing with her hands on her hips glaring at Gavin as we wheeled by in our cart. He put out his hands and said “Rock on dude girl!” I could not stop laughing all the way out to the van.

Tonight he still had it on his brain…as we were getting him ready for bed he told Ely “Rock on” (making the symbol with his fingers) then his face grew sad (his fingers all came together in the center of his hand) and said “Rock on’s gone….” Then he cheered up and said “Rock on!” then depressed he said again “Rock on’s gone” Ely, Zander and I were rolling. The funny thing was Gavin kept a straight face…he knows he’s funny…he’s our little comedian/actor.

What a day!

The boys were WILD today. I wish I had a 1/3 of their energy! After we finallygot through dinner (Gavin has to be a comedian all through dinner…chewing silly & just being plain weird) we decide to take a walk to Braums to get ice cream and then to the park. On the way to the park, ice cream cone in hand, Gavin falls…but he doesn’t let go of his ice cream cone…landing on his hands….one palm flat & the other (with the cone in it) on his knuckles…his fingers bloody…but somehow he didn’t smash his cone!

On the way home from the park we walk by this man who is letting his puppy out to pee. He lets the kids pet his dog. Zander asks if the puppy will get bigger. The man said “yes, about up to your belt.”

“NO…” Zander says, “I don’t have a belt.”

OH!! I almost forgot…at braums Zander is talking to this lady…out of no where he says he wants to get married and he just needs to find him a wife! At least he’s out of his death phase!

Mommy Tips

There are a couple of things I’ve learned over the past few years that have made my life a little easier I would like to share.

-Always park by the cart corral at the store. That way you don’t have to walk away from your kiddos to put it up.
-If you have to breastfeed your twins (or singleton) in a restaurant always start with the side you write with. That way by the time your food comes you will have you “good” free hand to eat with or cut up your other children’s food.
-Always have distractions in your diaper bag for the older kids. Some times if I’m in public by myself with all four kids I have to have to attend to the babies. (Like nursing, burping, and changing diapers) A two and four year old can only be patient for so long. Have activities or special toys in your bag. For example a travel size echasketch, crackers, a play camera or phone…anything different then what they usually play with.

More later…Maya’s up…

Pre-K Funny Man

Everyday Zander cracks me up. I don’t know where he comes up with half the things he says. Today he was sitting up at the bar in our kitchen drinking his milk out of a coffee cup…telling me that e drinks his coffee black because he is a man…then he says “mom…Papa’s my life.” Trying not to smile I ask him what he means. He said “Well, I tried to find a lady to marry me, but no one will…so Papa will be my life.”

I DID IT!!

Today I ventured to Target with all 4 kids in tow…and I survived. Only minor set backs…had to bribe with Starbucks (kids got a vanilla milk & me a coffee). Anyway, the boys set in the cart and Maya in her carseat and I wore Camille in my Baby K’Tan wrap (which I LOVE and highly recommend it to ANY mother who has more than one kid…I can actually nurse with no hands and push a cart at the same time!) I had my list in hand and did it!

I had The Young & the Restless on during lunch (thanks grandma for getting me hooked) Nicki and Victor were fighting about something then went to commercial…Gavin (age 2) said “Victor’s mean.” It’s so funny, he’s never “watched it” before but he knows the characters! LOL!

About Me

Hi! I’m Dana, a 29 year old SAHM with four kids. I’ve been married to my best friend, Ely, for 7 years this fall. Life is pretty crazy with four little ones. I searched the internet looking for advice on how to manage twins when you already have 2 toddlers and couldn’t find much advice anywhere. I guess I’ll just learn as I go along…I decided to blog as much as I can so I won’t forget (I’m pretty sleep deprived) over the years. And if I can give advice to anyone in my situation that’s a bonus!

I’m a hippie at heart. I had my Zander, 4, and Gavin, 2 all natural. No drugs. The twins were a little different…I compromised with the doctor…long story short, they induced my labor at 39 weeks. The small hospital wanted to make sure they were fully staffed for my delivery in case anything went wrong. They gave me a spinal block…which I do NOT recommend…I still felt every contraction but couldn’t feel myself pushing…the reason I was told that I had to have some sort of drug was in case I had to have an emergency c section. But everything went perfect and Maya weighed 6lb 3oz & Camille weighed 5lb 9oz. I took them home two days after they were born…if I had a “do over” I would have refused the drugs (they gave me a terrible spinal headache for three days after!) and had an at home delivery. Maybe next time….LOL! I’m so joking…there will be NO next time.

I feed my family organic and whole foods as much as possible. I’m not a nazi about it, but I don’t buy a lot of sugary or processed foods. I try to do my part by being as green as possible.
About me…besides being a mom and wife…I love going to concerts and music festivals. I love to dance…unfortunately now it’s mostly with Ellen or the Wiggles. I use to play pool competitively…but that has been put on hold. I enjoy reading and a good bottle of wine and my hubby's home brewed beer.

The most important (and hardest) thing I’ve learned so far about being a mother of four is you must take care of you! That doesn’t mean be selfish…just make the time to take a shower everyday and get dressed! Easier said then done with a preschooler, toddler, & 2 newborns!
I couldn’t do it without a great partner. My hubby helps in every way he can…housework, baths, cooking, shopping, diapers (we have 3 in diapers!)…it makes all the difference in a good and bad day. And we all know the saying “if momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy” So true. He and I are a good team.