a day in the life of

The final Months

2009-10-13T20:03:00.003-04:00

Ahhh the final months of my third pregnancy with the 4th and 5th child. I have come to realize that most people feel for me and are looking forward to "the end" The beauty of these last few weeks are, as I have discovered from my own experiment, I can actually not wear a bra for days and keep pajamas on while going out in public, and no one will even say anything to me. To not wear a bra and actually get away with it is a glorious event. Not only that I can live in sweats, and quite possibly pee in them and no one approaches me. I am sure that I not only look like a hobo, but I probably smell like one too.

As I venture into the last few weeks I still wonder every day, HOW? How is this going to play out? I am letting you all know that I have absolutely no idea. My options are limited though. I can grin and bear it, and find the strength or I can become a super crazy lady (hmm i might need some cats for that) and make my family nuts. I am hoping for the strength of option one.

Here are some family updates:
-Both Team B babies move all day long. They let me know they are large and in charge of my stomach
-Twin Team A (the boys) are talking up a storm, it is still hard to understand some of the words but they are really good at showing me what they are talking about.
-Team A new hobbies include: 1.Screaming in each others faces purely for fun, really, they laugh as they are doing it. You can only imagine how well this goes over late into the afternoon. 2. Drinking milk then spitting it down a wall, window, appliance, TV. Yeah, that one goes over well too. 3. Waking up after 7am, I truly love this one. It is like a dream come true, for the next month. 4. Minding their manners. They have gotten very good and please, thank you, and excuse me. Thomas prefers "beep beep" to excuse me, but we are working on it.

I apparently have exceeded my limit on uploading photos. I am sure there is a way around this (other than paying) so hopefully I will have some pictures real soon. If not, oh well.

The Ever Evolving Pregnancy

2009-10-06T14:06:00.002-04:00

As most know this pregnancy has been just absolutely crazy for me and my family. After a quick break of feeling great, I took another turn last week. I finally got sick. I know you are going, "but haven't you been sick the whole time" technically, yes, but last week I called my doctor at 10pm on Sunday, unable to breath and nothing was helping. He put me on antibiotics and a steroid. After a few days I was back on my feet and feeling well again. I guess I am feeling as well as a person who could be 9 months pregnant carrying one baby.

I will be 32 weeks on Friday, so I figure I have about 4-6 weeks left of this pregnancy. I went for a sonogram today and as we looked at our large babies we were told that one is estimated to be 4.3 lbs while the other is estimated to be 4.13 lbs. Yes, that is 9 lbs of baby. Even full term for a single baby, that is large. I have only gained 14 lbs thus far. So, if 9 lbs are baby, that leaves 5 lbs for 2 placentas, twice the amount of fluid and anything else that goes along with birth. Not bad... If anything I should look good almost coming out of the hospital.

So yeah, about only having 4-6 weeks left. ( I think it is closer to the 4 week side) Everyone is wishing this pregnancy to end quickly for me because they have all witnessed first hand what I have gone through, but have any of you stopped to look at what will happen after... The realization of 4 kids under 24 months is really starting to settle in. Yes I have a wonderful, supportive husband who does so much for me and our family, and yes, Colin does more for me and his siblings than the average 12 yr old. But, from 8am and anywhere from 3-5 pm I will be running the show solo. Whoooo that scares me. I have a great network of friends that already do so much for me and I know they will be there as well, but this is my show and I am becoming to realize that I will be the ring master. I figure, if I can get through the first 12 months and still be sane, then I will survive this wonderful journey I have been put on.

I don't go to church anymore (sorry mom), but that doesn't mean that I do not believe in God. I know someone will give me the strength to wake up every day and move forward. After all I will have 5 amazing kids. What more could anyone ask for (other than gift cards to shop rite). Thank you grandma, if you had anything to do with this for either passing down the twin gene or passing down the gene to haphazardly drop eggs like it was my job.

Names, names, names..... I am still stuck on names. I have no idea what I even like anymore. I do know that my Grandmothers name was Margaret Irene, those names just might grow on me.

one day

2009-09-08T20:42:00.002-04:00

We are at a loss as to what car to get come the birth of the next litter. (Only kidding with the litter comment). For the everyday use, a minivan would work because Colin can sit in the front, but for when we would like to go anywhere as a family, we will not fit. We are thinking Conversion Van. They are pricey and I am not sure if I completely sold on them yet. I know that we could get the whole gang in them and maybe even have a seat for an extra person, but I am just not feeling it. For know, this is what the back seat looks like.

riding bikes

2009-09-04T20:49:00.003-04:00

It was September 1st and we woke up to a beautiful crisp morning. I love fall, starting to layer, and just being able to breathe non-humid air. The guys love to ride their bikes and the back yard doesn't work for them anymore. We park our car at the end of the driveway and they are pretty good about not going into the street. thomas' new thing is to ride down our small incline with his head up in the air. I have to remind him to put his head down before he slams into the car. What they also do is start up at the front door and then come down the driveway. If one is up the sidewalk and the other starts to come up there usually is some yelling. They are pretty good about backing out and waiting their turn now, it is so funny to watch.

2009-09-03T14:40:00.000-04:00

and now I have thrown my back out. I am pretty sure that my back is from hours of coughing and vomiting and once I felt better my body said "here you go, the next issue is..." I have been working aggressively with my Chiropractor all week and the pain has subsided some but I am so afraid to move an inch in the wrong direction.

The Big Turn Around

2009-09-01T20:21:00.002-04:00

In the past week I have had some major improvements in my health. I can not believe how great I have been feeling. I think that the coughing/vomiting/peeing in pants was all due to a severe case of reflux. Last Monday (over a week ago) I was still coughing and everything else that went along with it. Tuesday I caved and took the prendesone along with an inhaler of albulteral, let's not forget the prescription of pepcid and have had nothing but daily improvements. I am absolutely amazed at how I feel. I have been rapidly getting better every day. The first few nights, I would still cough some and need to change "the diaper" but now a week later I hardly cough at all. I might even be brave and not put a diaper on tonight.

I only took the steroid for four days and I am down to taking the inhaler once a day but I still take the pepcid every day. I really think that is what helps me. I went to the doctor the other day and I have gained 14lbs total. He assured me that I would "catch up." These babies can suck as much fat off me as they like, i don't mind.

I would like to thank my family and friends for any and all support they have given me over the past 6 months, mostly the past 2. I know that I have not been the most pleasant person to be around, yet you all still managed to smile when I came through the door. I am so glad to be feeling better, so much better. I actually am starting to feel pregnant and hungry too. I spent so much time in a fog and feeling so sick, I have had little energy to enjoy my pregnancy.

As for my pregnancy, both babies are looking good and growing strong. They are both bigger than the expected growth (not surprising) and I think they might be born on their brothers birthday (Nov 20th). It would be wild to have 4 kids with the same birthday, however it might be easy, just get a big sheet cake and write everyone's name on it. Ahh Names, we are still up in the air about those. Two of my favorites are already taken (Norah and Claire) so I will have to continue to search until I find good ones. Actually I will have to see the babies first and then find some names.

Hopefully the next 2-3 months will be as good as this past week and Hopefully my labor and delivery will be as quick and easy as the first set. I have been working with my Chiropractor aligning all my ligaments hoping the babies fall in the right positions so I can avoid a C_Section. My goal is to go as close to full term as possible and deliver vaginally with no drugs. It has worked so far, third time should be a charm.

some recent shots

2009-08-26T21:46:00.002-04:00

These are from various locations over the past few weeks, I am just to tired to tag, locate, identify, post, etc.

an update

2009-08-23T21:56:00.002-04:00

Our summer has been jammed packed (i think), not really. We actually I/we havent left the state since early July. I have been unmotivated, very tired, somewhat sick (in the head some might say) and scared. This pregnancy is wearing me thin, almost literally. As of right now at almost 6 months pregnant i have gained only 10lbs. Not that i am complaining but it really isn't a lot of weight for someone carrying twins. My severe allergy symptoms have escalated into a crazy cough that lasts for hours. By hours it starts somewhere around 6-7pm and ends anywhere from 11pm-2am sometimes longer. It usually comes to an end with me vomiting or by 2am dry heaving. Most nights i make it to the toilet but sometimes i am running with a bowl in my arms to catch the beginning.

I have gone to an allergist and we have both decided that this all might be reflux. This makes sense to me since the coughing started around the same time my stomach started to get big hence making less room in the digestive cavity. I have taken all sorts of drugs and the pharmacist knows me by name and voice on the phone. Here is a list of things i have tried most of which have not helped
Robitussin
Robitussin with codeine (was up all night on this one)
benadryl (i still take just to help me sleep, it might also be a mind over matter thing)
Zythromax
Claritin
Zyrtec
Rhinocort (still taking, i think it helps)
Pepcid (not OTC, 40 mg, I think this is working for me)
I was prescribed Prendasone, but i did not want to take it.

Larry and I have noticed a difference since i have been taking the pepcid. Hopefully this is reflux and that medication will help.

We had plans to go away this month, but I do not feel comfortable being at anyone elses home. This is how my evening goes down. We get the babies ready for bed and it is at this time that i usually start to cough. Like I said this lasts for hours. As i am coughing i have also lost bladder control so at the same time I am going through about 5-8 depends a night. Most nights I end with vomiting but there is still residual coughing after. This leaves me with about 2-4 hours of interrupted sleep (coughing).

My skin has taken a turn for the worse as well. I have small patches of dry and itchy skin on my elbows and side. Maryellen, our family friend, looked at me tonight and said it looks like a bullseye (lyme disease). I do not think I have lyme disease, and I do not have any other symptoms of lyme disease, but it was still not a good thing to plant into a pregnant womans head.

I also have people bugging me about where everyone is going to sleep. We have a three bedroom house, 2 of the three rooms are really small. The answer to all of you is somewhere.... We will figure it all out when the time comes.

I have some pictures to post at a later date, I finally got a camera (thanks larry and colin) for my birthday. Colin is doing great, he is ready for school and has become girl crazy. It is scary, real scary. The twins are so cool and such good babies. They do a really good job a sharing with each other and friends and their speech is starting to pick up. They will repeat anything i tell them to. Thomas more than William, but he is not far behind. Like i said, pictures will come soon...

true happiness

2009-07-20T12:23:00.000-04:00

We took the kids to the zoo in bergen county and there is a bird house where you can get the birds to land on sticks and eat some food. Both boys had a great time and by the end of the adventure Thomas was holding the birds and sticks all by himself. This is an awesome picture of Larry and Thomas, both are expressing true happiness and love. I love it!

parking lot

2009-07-13T13:13:00.000-04:00

Like my kitchen isn't small enough, they must park all bikes under my feet. Yes, there are three and only two kids and yes these are usually outside. However, Thomas has figured out how to get them up the stairs onto the deck and with some teamwork from William who will open the door for him the come inside.

the slow drip

2009-07-13T13:11:00.000-04:00

It has been so long since I had small kids and when colin was small we lived in a working town. Now that we are back in PR there are plenty of moms home with their kids. Before the twins i always wondered why people had kids parties during the day. Now i get it, we, the moms, are home. We went to a party the other day and I have seen one of the neatest inventions. "Slow drip Popsicles" both boys ate one and all I had to do was wipe around their mouths and a small line of juice down their arm. By far one of the coolest things ever. They are partially made out of jello hence the slow drip.

ice cream

2009-07-13T12:45:00.000-04:00

the finished product

2009-07-13T12:38:00.000-04:00

I wish Colin was home to fold the rest of the socks. That is my least favorite thing to do with the laundry. I gave him that chore a long time ago, he has hated ever since.

Evel Knievel

2009-07-12T14:50:00.000-04:00

2009-07-12T14:49:00.001-04:00

We were lucky enough to aquire a swing set from a friend. They boys love it and it keeps them occupied all day

Workout

2009-07-12T14:47:00.000-04:00

The boys are stretching with Larry and making sure he stays fit

William and his fig leaf

2009-07-12T14:46:00.000-04:00

life

2009-07-12T13:50:00.006-04:00

As most know I have no problem writing my thoughts and opinions on this blog. I have been thinking about writing a book over the past few weeks, just about every day things that go on in my life. My pregnancy is going great, but these allergies have taken over my waking and sleeping hours. They have taken over my breathing, and I have just surrendered to the fact they have taken over my bodily functions, mainly my bladder.

Picture this, a beautiful white lacy bra, panties that you could just rip right off and a nice set of thigh-highs. Yes, this is how Larry would love for me to jump into bed looking every night or day i am sure, however, here is all the information. White, lacy nursing bra, (they are the only ones that I have that fit right now). Underwear you could rip off would be the depends i have to wear because I have lost all bladder control and often pee all over myself and any chair i sit on. As for the thigh-highs, they would be full length compression stocking since some veins in my legs have decided to rise to the surface and protrude through my first 7 layers of skin, right into my vagina. I looked at Larry the other day, after looking at myself in the mirror, thanking the God that I am already married because I am quite a catch right now.

I get little rest during the day as most could imagine and my sleep is often disturbed by hours of coughing. The one word I could use to describe how I function and get through each day would be numb. I think that I am so overtired and way beyond any sense of reality, i just coast through the day. I have also used the term fragile to describe my current state. If for some reason I just jostled in any one direction that I can not handle, the state of my fragility is severely compromised.

I am not quite sure how my family has put up with me, they just look the other way and don't question when I get up from the dinner table and abruptly leave. I say "leave" because my mom has stepped in as family chef. Thankfully my parents live less than a mile away and my mom cooks some kind of meal every night. The last thing I have energy for is cooking dinner. I would rather buy her groceries and have her cook for my clan then deal with the chore of making dinner. By the end of the day (end being about 5pm) I am so shot, I can't deal with much more. I usually have enough energy to help bathe the kids and get them to bed. Most nights I don't even go downstairs after they are in bed.

As for my book, I will keep you posted as to whether or not I write one. Here are some pictures for you. One is obvious, the second is also pretty obvious... (Don't worry neither of them are of "THE VEIN" I will keep that to myself")

I like how Krazy is marked on the wall just above numerous loads of laundry that need to be folded.

notice the shadows

2009-06-19T09:15:00.004-04:00

There was a rumor on the radio news today that there might only be a CHANCE of a late afternoon shower. As soon as I heard this I started to take full advantage of the day and get the kids outside. Yes, it was very wet (b/c it rained all night) and there were large pools of mud, as shown, but I did not care. All that dirt can be washed off. My next challenge for the day is keeping the second nap, I am fearing they are starting to lose it... boohoo

the saving grace of the screen porch

2009-06-16T10:28:00.004-04:00

Yes we got a great deal on our house and for the most part it was in move-in condition, other than painting, the selling point for me was the extra room. Even though it is a screen room so it limits our use to April/may to October. It is by far one of my favorite rooms in the house. With all this rain it has served as an extra playroom for the twins while staying dry and getting fresh air at the same time. I keep the doors open all day and they are able to ride their "outside" bikes around. I allowed for that only because of the rain, as soon as this mess is over everything is going back out, along with children and DOG!

here is the screen porch, as you can tell it is a good size room with a nice high ceiling. My sister was nice enough to pass down a couch so now it really is an extra living/play room

As some with kids already know, never underestimate the power of a cardboard box

the garden (not)

2009-06-16T10:21:00.003-04:00

I have decided to try and plant a garden this year, unclear of how to plant a garden and where, and what to plant I did it anyway. As it turns out 80% of my back yard is shaded 80% of the day. Neither one of these factor when planting a garden. I only planted a few plants just to see what will work. I have a good feeling that i will be planting seed in the fall and reconsidering my garden location. As for all the rain, I can guarantee that I did not plant maple sapling and mushrooms although these pictures might lead you to believe that I did.

rain rain go away

2009-06-16T10:10:00.003-04:00

Now that we are on our tenth day of rain, even though I think it has been raining since the end of April, we are completely stir crazy. The boys need to be outside and quite frankly even playing in the rain in no fun, it is cold, rotten and nasty. There was a quick break in the weather the other day and we took advantage of the brief, almost glimpse of the sun. As you can tell, the boys are playing in what would be a sand box but we haven't gotten any yet. Anyway, it is FULL of rain water. I heard today that the rain fall for June so far is above 5" and it has yet to hit 80degrees.

thomas feeding william

2009-06-13T14:13:00.000-04:00

breakfast of champions

2009-06-13T14:09:00.003-04:00

The babes love to sit in the front window and car/people/dog watch. I gave them bagles this morning, since I packed up all the bibs (they remove them) I used some towles thinking it might get messy.

william

2009-06-13T14:08:00.000-04:00

a true kid

Gene's birthday

2009-05-31T09:46:00.006-04:00

Somehow we managed to convince Gene to come off "the island" and visit our home. After a backbreaking train ride he finally made it. Yeah! We celebrated his birthday, on the actual day and had a wonderful bar-be-que with great food and awesome family.
pre-party, we gave Gene a cell phone. Giving the gift was the easy part, now we must give a complete tutorial on how to use it.

me - suffering severely from allergies for the first time in my life, enjoying the pregnancy, not enjoying the allergies

william patiently waiting the arrival of cake into his mouth

I guess we did not take the camera out until the end of the day. The table was filled with ribs, steak, chicken, grilled veggies, the only thing missing was the salad

like father like son

2009-05-31T09:42:00.001-04:00

reclaimnig the old toys

2009-05-31T09:37:00.002-04:00

So apparently I let them play in their pajamas all day this particular day, or at least through lunch. We pulled out some old toys to loan to a friend and the boys were all over them, we had them taking turns which they are very good at. For lunch there was pizza and frozen peas (a house favorite)

popsicles and pj's

2009-05-31T09:29:00.004-04:00

The twins are early risers and still are going strong with two naps a day. We are outside usually by 7am-ish. On this particular day i decided to give them some Popsicles while still in pj's. It was just some frozen juice so i saw no harm in that.

spring

2009-04-29T15:18:00.001-04:00

it's oficial

2009-04-29T14:42:00.002-04:00

As i sat in the doctors office with a sonogram wand inside me, (the most logical place a wand could go in this situation), two babies in a stroller looking for crackers, and my doctor trying to find the egg. All of a sudden this popped up on the screen. Before my dr. could even say anything i yelled "Holy Shit, No Way!"

and this is how the rest of the conversation went
Dr: You saw that
Me: UH Yeah there are two eggs there
Me: Are you kidding me
Brief pause so i can call Larry who was trying to get there,
Me: Does this happen
Me: Is this normal
Me: Holy Shit (a few more times)
Dr: Well we have never seen this in my office
Babies: Still calling for crackers

As it turnes out, I had all the cards stacked against me, and this is what I found:

"You, your mother, or her mother's mother is a fraternal twin".GRANDMA "These women may carry a gene for hyperovulation," (a term here i did not like.) "which means they release more than one egg during an ovulation cycle, increasing their ability to conceive fraternal twins. The chances may be high as 1 in 17 if the mother is a fraternal twin herself."

"You've already had one set of fraternal twins." CHECK "For mothers who have already had one set of fraternal twins, their chances of conceiving another set are four times greater than the average woman, or about 1 in 12!"

So here I am, about 8 weeks pregnant, eating french onion soup and thinking about how I will soon have 4 children within 24 months. Larry and I are so happy and truly excited. We understand that we (I) won't have much of a life for the next few years and that this puts up way beyond minivan status. I will be looking at a Michigan Van as we call them here on the east coast.

As a child and growing up through the years all I ever wanted to be was a mom. I never had one job in mind that i wanted to grow up and be. All i wanted was to be a mom, someone like my mom. Someone who makes warm cookies for kids when then walk in the door on cold winter day. Someone who can teach my children how to plant vegetables and pick berries. Or someone like my dad, who even at the end of the day when I am tired I will still go out and do something special, like fishing or go to the park. Or take my kids for a long hike even while teaching importance life lessons, like yes if you fall off the cliff it could kill you but it is still ok to look down, there is a lot to see down there.

Thank you mom and dad you are both amazing people and I am so blessed to have been raised by you both. Knowing that I have been given the knowledge to succeed in my life I know that I will be able to catch the challenge put in front of me this coming year and succeed with flying colors and some really cool kids too...

sick (and i'm tired)

2009-03-31T12:34:00.004-04:00

This year has been the worst ever for stomach viruses. It all started the the "family funk" back in January, pre-move. Our whole family, extended family too has the runs and puking. (remember the week before our move). The second bout happened the night of Colin's birthday. William was first with the puking and the diarrhoea down his legs to the floor. Thankfully that was all he had in him. Thomas on the other had started puking at 3am and didn't stop until 6pm. This was a Thursday and at that point we took him to the hospital fearing he was becoming dehydrated.

The ER Doctor felt he was ok since at that point he was sipping water and keeping it down. We went home and he mostly slept through the night. He woke up the next day and vomited once, i think because he drank to much to quickly. After that he fell asleep and slept the whole day only to wake every so often to drink some water.

By 6pm that night the diarrhoea started again and we immediacy called the doctor and rushed our lethargic baby to the ER, again. When we walked in the same doctor was on and looked at him in my arms and said "oh no he looks a lot worse" It was at that point they hustled a into a room and "tried" to get and IV into him asap. It was a horrible experience to witness our little fella getting an IV in his arm unsuccessfully and then his foot with success. So Thomas was checked into the hospital on Friday night for hydration purposes. He was such a great patient and we were starting to see improvement in him by the following afternoon. I did the overnight shifts and kept him in the bed with me, I did not have the heart to put him in the metal crib that resembled a jail cell. Larry would come in the afternoon and take over. By Saturday afternoon he was eating Cheerios and drinking juice and water. He looked very stylish and cute in his hospital gown, however once was enough for us.

When all is said and done, both boys are very healthy, Thomas was in the hospital, but it was only for hydration purposes. The only antibiotic either of them have been on was an eye drop for pink eye and that was during this fiasco.

A bond I may never understand

2009-03-30T17:28:00.003-04:00

I am not sure how to even express how much i love this photo. They love each other so much and are so kind and gentle to each other. It is so amazing to have both babies in my life and growing at the same time, yet they are so different from eachother. On this day, both boys were sick and it was the beginng of a really long week that ended with Thomas in the hospital. that is all for another post, maybe tomorrow I will have some time to get that in.

colin turns 12

2009-03-30T16:43:00.002-04:00

Another year has gone by and they go faster and faster every year. Colin turned 12 on March 18 and he is excited to venture into his true pre-teen years.

almost white trash

2009-03-30T16:33:00.003-04:00

I believe these photos almost qualify us for white trash. Here the twins are playing in what would be a sandbox. However we filled it with ice (at the time water) and beer. Of course it happened to be Budweiser. none the less they had a great time playing in the water... I think this is right up there with them splashing around in the toilet bowl.

everyone has a place

2009-03-08T20:16:00.001-04:00

Kate and Paul decided to stop by for the day. Thankfully Paul loves to do fun things outside and Kate loves to hold the babies. William could not wait to get in the dirt while Thomas was happy on the sidelines. Looks like everyone pairs up quite well.

before and after

2009-03-08T20:10:00.002-04:00

i have been thinking about a garden and where/what to do. I grew up with a garden in the yard and helped pick weeks and food, but I do not know the science of how to start, when to plant or what the heck to do. First off, i needed a spot. I watched the sun and the trees above and decided that right in front of the shed would be the best spot with the most sun coverage. My dad brought over the rototiller and I got busy. Thank God they live a mile away and have been gardening for years! After all was done I went out and moved my posts another ten feet. We will see what I can produce out of the garden this summer.

eating pears

2009-03-08T19:58:00.001-04:00

as the story goes

2009-03-04T22:30:00.005-05:00

both boys love the dog and want to eat her food and drink her water. So as some may have seen the video to the left of them drinking out of the dog bowl. Here they have moved onto the toilet. I heard nothing for about 30 seconds and came around the corner to see this. They were taking turns trying to drink out of the toilet. Thomas, as you can tell form the wet head, was the sucessful one. William decided to just help him in in the end... I will keep you all updated from now on of the daily antics they will be providing... more to come

2009-03-04T22:28:00.000-05:00

at home

2009-03-04T22:24:00.001-05:00

the move...

2009-03-04T22:11:00.002-05:00

yes, we have been busy. First off, our camera is gone, well broken. so any of these posts are from my phone, not the greatest, but better than nothing. Where do I begin. Yeah for us, we finally got our house. After nine patient months we finally closed on the house on January 23. We knew it was going to happen soon from about December on but still were unsure of the day or even week. Anyway we felt sorry for the previous owners and a little awkward at the closing but here we are in our new home.

Prior to our move on Saturday, January 24. I spent my week, (where I should have been packing) with three, yes all three, puking kids. I did not get a break for sickness until at least two weeks after we moved. Anyway back to the week before. My plan was, as I am sure most people would have planned, was to pack. Sounded like a great idea. However packing was not in the cards for me and my sick family. Every night Larry would come home and I would cry and say "I just don't want it to be Saturday and everyone shows up and we throw our shit in boxes and bags" Of course this is exactly what happened. Thank God Larry and I have awesome families and friends, they just look past us and see what needed to get done and did the job. It was a disaster, it was freaking freezing, and it was dirty, but we got the job done. We most of everyone else got the job done, I still had two sick and miserable babies hanging on my legs. Melanie showed up on Saturday and did not leave (except to sleep) until Thursday. I knew I would be indebted to her, thank God I had her surprise party just around the corner, that would make up for my mess.

In any event we moved, we are 98% unpacked and we are happy. We will be eating rice and beans for a long time, but we are happy. Our house is great, it fits us all and we have enough space that we are not living on top of each other. The twins LOVE the backyard (fenced in already) and William will cry every time I bring him in. They have adjusted to the move and thankfully have recovered from 2-3 weeks of puking, coughing, runny noses.

So here are a few pictures of before the move and now in our new home.

week of hell!

2009-03-04T22:10:00.000-05:00

finally...

2009-03-04T22:06:00.004-05:00

finally moving out

poor sick william

weeks of no washer, UGH!

poor sick thomas

me and colin

Not only are they roomates, they are...

2009-01-17T20:04:00.000-05:00

pasta night

2009-01-16T10:51:00.000-05:00

above average

2009-01-13T10:47:00.000-05:00

I caught some heat the other day because the twins had clips in their hair (pictures are on my phone). I also catch heat because they wear tights, pink ones, it was slim pickings at the store. They are looking at me everyday and when they see me with clips in my hair they want to wear them too. They get upset if I take them out, so i leave them in until they fall out. As for the tights, it is cold on the floor and in the rule book, no where does it say that they are not allowed to wear tights and an under layer, (aunt Kim).

My point is, that obviously wearing tights and clips have not affected my above average toddlers. When we put them in the tub last night as always we threw in some toys. Well, look at that aunt Kim. Whose initials is that on the wall, and isn't he so proud of himself. Of course he is proud because he realized that the letters stick to the wall, but maybe he realizes he put his initials up there too... That's my boy!

snow day

2009-01-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

The twins are walkers now which in some cases has made my life a little easier. They love being outside, but for me to get both kids outside in the snow is not an easy task. I was holding out on buying them snow suits hoping that I could just wait until next year. However, I broke down and got them since we are starting a play group this week that involves being outside. They are good walkers (inside) but put them in a layer with three inches around every limb and boots that is a different story. William could not move and Thomas made the best of the situation. As soon as I put them down Thomas started to move and roll down the lawn.

snow day

2009-01-13T10:31:00.001-05:00

William was just happy to be outside.

snow day

2009-01-13T10:27:00.000-05:00

Here is Thomas eating snow and slowly rolling away

a day in the life of colin

2008-12-31T14:15:00.004-05:00

I am not sure how other moms' do it with twins, but I most certainly would be lost without colin. he is such a huge help and an amazing brother/son/step-son/ kid. He is off from school this week and I appreciate every minute he is home. Just today he has played hard core with his brothers, scrubbed the bathroom, wiped up, cleaned up, looked after, and taken care of so many things I would not have been able to do if I was alone. I told him this morning that he need to clean the bathroom before noon, and he need to spend at least a half hour in there. I am not sure how many 11 yr old would get on their hands and knees and scrub a toilet with a sponge, mine did. he sat on the floor for hours keeping his brothers happy while i cooked in the kitchen. He set up tents, tubes, pushed trucks and threw balls. Even after all this hard labor he still comes and gives me hugs. He truly is an amazing kid.

chloe

2008-12-30T15:37:00.000-05:00

Chloe aka "fleabag" just got back from her wash and cut. Poor dog has allergies and it affects her skin so bad. I guess it is common in brown cockers...

colin decides to re-birth himself

2008-12-30T15:33:00.000-05:00

thomas

2008-12-30T15:32:00.000-05:00

william

2008-12-30T15:30:00.000-05:00

broken camera - boohoo

2008-12-30T15:24:00.003-05:00

Our point and shoot was on the fritz for months and it finally took one last fall a few weeks ago. this totally sucks since i take numerous pictures daily. Now I have to use the "big" camera. The one big issue i have with this camera is that i am not able to fit it into my pocket. No pictures were taken Christmas morning, but I assure you everyone had a grand time.

Katie's Home =D

2008-12-22T17:13:00.003-05:00

Katie is home from college for the holidays! Hooray! She really wishes her first semester had made her better at writing things such as blog posts. =/

our first shot

2008-12-01T08:22:00.005-05:00

I wanted to get professional pictures for the babies 1st birthday and for the holidays. William, who always smiles at the sight of a camera just sat there staring. Of course when he finally warmed up we were done. It was challenging but fun and hopefully will be easier next time. Overall i was pleased with the results and will be sending out holiday cards this year. I was a little busy last year so my apologies go out to you all.

this one needs to be cropped but they both looked so cute in this picture

we determined that it had been over six years since i had gotten a picture of Kate and Colin together

plumber's crack

2008-11-27T09:15:00.000-05:00

Thankfully Larry was not sporting a plumber's crack, however it was a tight squeeze for him to get under the sink. This is at his dad's house out in LI. The boys decided to help but then determined that plumbing was not what their future had in store for him.

PB&J

2008-11-27T09:12:00.000-05:00

Well the boys are not allergic to peanut butter, that will make my life easy in some ways

colin and his leaf party

2008-11-27T09:05:00.000-05:00

it is conforting to know that colin still loves being a kid. as soon as he got off the bus this day he ran inside to ask me if he could jump in the leaves. of course i had to get the camera to capture the moment

2008-11-24T15:28:00.000-05:00

2008-11-24T15:20:00.000-05:00

william

2008-11-20T17:39:00.000-05:00

i make good looking people

william and his leaf pile

2008-11-20T17:30:00.000-05:00

It continued to get smaller and smaller but he would not move

leaf party

2008-11-20T17:28:00.000-05:00

birthday babies

2008-11-20T17:22:00.000-05:00

so we made it through the year, (thank god)the boys are truly amazing and are loved so much by all. We had birthday cake at "the cabin" for the twins and they each had their own cupcake. they enjoyed it thoroughly as you can tell from william face. Thomas attempted the stairs for the first time, with dad behind him of course

thomas

2008-11-18T08:59:00.000-05:00

"Billy" blue eyes

2008-11-18T08:58:00.000-05:00

for the record we will not call him billy, it just goes nicely with blue eyes

food

2008-11-18T08:57:00.000-05:00

food

2008-11-18T08:56:00.000-05:00

double take

2008-11-18T08:55:00.000-05:00

For the first time I had to do a double take and think about who this was. OK it is clear now that it is that baby but for one second I thought it was the other

colin amusing his brothers

2008-11-18T08:53:00.000-05:00

Larry's Birthday Pizza Party

2008-11-17T20:01:00.000-05:00

We celebrated Larry's birthday at our "whole" family favorite pizza joint. We had a great time and thanks to all who came out to celebrate. Next we have the babies...

Larry's Birthday Pizza Party

2008-11-17T19:59:00.000-05:00

birthday wishes

2008-11-06T20:55:00.003-05:00

i just want to let you all know that i am tired. by 6pm i am no longer able to carry on coherent conversations. please do not expect an answer to any questions, especially if you want me to remember the answers. i love my long days, but my days are exactly that, long. i spend them doing laundry, playing on the floor, shopping in shop rite, which i might add is not 2 kid friendly. we, the babies and i, have a lot of fun and they are so so good. they are happy and content. that makes me realize that i am doing a good job and i am succeeding at motherhood. Colin is well adjusted and happy to come home. homework is another story but of course i wouldn't expect anything other than a complaint for homework.

having two babies is by far the hardest job ever. i though having one was hard, but two is a whole different level. i dedicate my day to those babies and i am so proud of myself. they are on a schedule and totally depend on that schedule. they love it as do i. i never had Colin on a schedule and i am still seeing how that has affected him. i was not sure how i was going to do this whole two baby thing but here i am almost one year later and i am amazed at myself. i have more patience that i ever imagined, i have picked up new skills, (sewing one of them) and i have a wonderful family to show for it.

so, Colin, thank you for being an awesome brother and an even better son. you have come through for me over this past year more than i could have ever imagined. you make my day. every day, when you get off that bus and come right to me and your brothers i know that you are happy to come home and don't mind being here. you are amazing and i love you very much, you are my first true love.

Larry, you have made me realize that people are good fathers, no offense to you dad you were amazing. You are my father Larry, i always dreamed of this life and you delivered for me. thank you for giving me the opportunity to be home with our family. you come home every night and know that i need help and jump right into action and for that i am so grateful. you are an amazing father and i am so glad that i get to share all my kids with you. ( that means you too Kate)

Kate, you have always been a silent support for me as i feel i have been for you. i believe i ventured into THAT life so we could have each other. you are amazing person and i am proud to call you my daughter. thank you for making some trips home from college just to "spend time" with us. it means so much to me that you get up at 630 when i know that is about 5 hours earlier than normal for you.

Thomas and William, you came into my life long before November 20, 2007. i fell in love with you years before. i am so fortunate to have you and cherish each and every day that we spend together. you fellas show me how perfect my life is and how each and every moment is important. I am so grateful to have you both and I am so excited that you get to grow up as best friends. I tell you that every day, you love each other and are best Friends, one day you will understand. Thank you boys for choosing me, thank you for making me a better mom, Colin a better brother, and daddy a better father. you both are truly amazing.

so in this month of November, happy birthday to my dear husband, i love you Larry and i always will. i spent my life searching for you and i am so happy to have found you. thank you for the life you have given me, thank you for first being an awesome father to Colin, and thank you for being an exceptional father to Thomas and William. you are amazing. Thomas and William, my other little scorpions, happy birthday boys. every morning when you rise (at 5:30am) i cant wait to see your happy faces and long to spend the day with you. it is because of you that i have been able to step into the role of true motherhood again. i love you and happy birthday my little twinfants.

Candy!

2008-10-31T19:56:00.001-04:00

Both babies helped me hand out candy when we got home, however they thought it was better to try some out. I really didnt think that they would get through the wrapper, but imaging my surprise when they did. Thomas got a taste of the chocolate and screamed for more when i took it away from him. Look at william in the background, man is he pissed

the twins

2008-10-31T19:53:00.000-04:00

Trick-or-treat

2008-10-31T19:50:00.001-04:00

Later that afternoon Colin Kateri and Cole went trick -or-treating

even daddy dressed up today

2008-10-31T19:48:00.000-04:00

My bats

2008-10-31T19:47:00.000-04:00

Halloween at Metro

2008-10-31T19:46:00.000-04:00

If the babies were older I would have to say that Gianna was all over them. Well at least Thomas, William learned his lesson last time she was around. Danielle was kind enough to wait for us to get there so all the babies could hang out for a few in costume (drag). All three looked really cute and it is absolutely amazing to see the difference in all three. Gianna is only 5 days older and has 8 teeth (thomes 4, william 2) and is walking for a few weeks by now (twins cruising on furniture)

halloween

2008-10-31T19:41:00.000-04:00

We went to see daddy at work today in costume. Since both boys are well over 20lbs each I can not carry both of them to the car at the same time. I usually take the wagon (shown here) to the car down the hill, but since I parked at the top of the driveway this morning I had to take one at a time. After dropping Thomas off and strapping him into the car (quickly) I found William on his way out the door to meet me. Of cours he stopped at the dog leash for a quick chew (YUCK!) I have been trying to keep that out of their way but I guess it didnt happen today.

Bats

2008-10-30T17:14:00.000-04:00

The twins are gong to enjoy their first Halloween! They told me that they thought it would be real cool to dress up at bats so luckily i was able to find some bat costumes

here is that damn blue strap again

2008-10-30T17:11:00.000-04:00

2008-10-27T08:53:00.000-04:00

play time

2008-10-23T13:29:00.000-04:00

cheese omelets and yogurt

2008-10-23T13:28:00.000-04:00

"Colin the Great"

2008-10-20T08:40:00.001-04:00

Aidan

2008-10-20T08:37:00.001-04:00

Aidan did not stop walking all day. Poor Nicole did not get to sit down once

quick cat nap

2008-10-20T08:36:00.000-04:00

2008-10-20T08:35:00.000-04:00

soup picnic

2008-10-20T08:33:00.000-04:00

The new generation of "soup picnicers" comes together

thomas and aidan

2008-10-20T08:29:00.000-04:00

As most know the "soup picnic" has been going on non-stop for 30 years if not over 30 years. This is a picutre of Thomas and Aidan, offspring of the original offspring. I am sure there are pictures of Nicole and Me or Matthew and Zander somewhere in a box that look just like this one

2008-10-20T08:27:00.000-04:00

soup picnic

2008-10-20T08:26:00.000-04:00

NYC

2008-10-20T08:24:00.001-04:00

We went to a street fair in NYC last week and took a small break in Barnes & Nobel. It worked out for us while we waited for the group to come together and the drizzling to stop.

sharing nap time

2008-10-10T13:47:00.000-04:00

thomas

2008-10-10T13:45:00.001-04:00

Wher does the time go???

2008-09-30T08:49:00.004-04:00

On Sunday I attend (and helped organize) my 20 year class reunion from grammer school. It was so awesome to reconnect with so many classmates after so long. We had over 30% of our classmates there and were amazingly able to contact about 85% in total. I guess we were just to cool for the others.
It was good to see that for the most part we all turned out to be functing adults. I guess we should thank our parents for that. Thanks mom and dad!