Embracing Life

This is how my kids like to pose for the camera. And I'm okay with that.

This past weekend, my wonderful sister-in-law offered to give us our Christmas (and my birthday) gifts a little early.  She got Keith and I tickets for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  I have to say, they put on an awesome concert.  We had pretty good balcony seats - 3rd row - so we got a great view of everything. Fire! I love pyro at concerts. I'd really like to make this a yearly thing with Keith. Although, he is the guy who sat next to me, barely moving throughout the performance.  (But he barely moved his head at Slayer either - he just doesn't show his excitement at concerts!)  The man next to me was more my people, I told Keith.  He actually seemed to enjoy himself. ;)  Anyway, I am so glad I got to see them again.  It really got me into the holiday spirit!

This weekend, Colin brought home a special friend from school to spend time with us.  Hermie the frog!  The two of them (and Connor and Keira) had a great time together.  Colin and Hermie got haircuts and rode in an airplane: Had breakfast at Nana's: (Not the best picture because his eyes are closed - which he did on purpose -  but his smile is so cute!) Racing cars down the make-shift ramp: Best buds:

Happiness is breakfast on the couch while watching Playhouse Disney.

When I first had Connor, I made our Christmas cards.  But once the twins came along, we barely had time to put up the Christmas tree and wrap the presents, much less worry about what I was sending out to family and friends.  I was delighted to find that Shutterfly makes this process easy-peasy! I had used Shutterly in the past for photo books (because who has time to make a baby book when you've got twins???) and calendars (which make my office at work seem more like home).  As I looked at the other options on their site, I smiled when I saw the variety of holiday cards that they offer.  The thing about sending photo cards - which is what I like to do - is trying to get a nice family shot, where all the kids are looking at the camera AND smiling.  At the same time.  Which is near to impossible with a four-year old and two-year old twins.  The nice thing about Shutterfly is that I am able to choose a format that allows me to use various pict...

This morning, the twins were in our bed, and I was trying to change a messy diaper on Colin. Keith and Connor walked in, so I gave the diaper to Keith.  He took one whiff and said, "Ewww....".  Connor looked at him and said, "Crap." Right after Keith said to him, "We don't use that word.", Keira says, "Crap." Then I say, "We don't talk like that." I look at Colin who has a mischievous grin on his face. And hear him say, "Rap". Which is what "crap" sounds like when you have a pacifier in your mouth and can't stop grinning. And all I can think is, Oh Crap.

When I got home from work, the kids saw the turkey pin I had on my coat.  They got really excited because they know we get to go up to Gigi's (my grandmother) house for Thanksgiving.  I'm trying to find an easy art project we can do this weekend so that the kids can make a centerpiece for Gigi's. Last night, I went to my abs class.  I left to one child screaming for me.  That's normal.  I got home, and Keith told me that Colin quieted down a few minutes after I left.  Keith even went back in to check on him after he put Connor to bed, and Colin was happy in his crib.  I went upstairs to check on the kids, like I normally do.  No wonder Colin was so happy and quiet.  Kids that are naked usually are.  Pajama pants and diaper thrown haphazardly on the floor. This morning, Keith took Connor to his mom's for the day, and the twins went to my mom's house.  They were happily eating breakfast before we left.  The thing is, on these...

Today over at Mama Kat's , one of the prompts is to write about "That one time you met your online friend in real life (was it everything you thought it would be?)" After Connor was born, I joined his birth board at Babycenter. There, I was able to talk with a lot wonderful women who were going through the same thing that I was.  They gave great advice and really helped me out with my first-time mom questions.  As the group grew, we broke off into separate groups, although the main onesstill existed.  Some of those women are my best mommy friends even today.  One of the groups I was a part of actually branched out to another website.  We were able to really get to know each other and bond over many things.  One of my friends, Cathy, was traveling down to where I live for work.  We decided to meet.  I remember being nervous, wondering if she would like me.  It was like getting ready for a blind date.  ;)  I ...

Today, November 17, is Prematurity Awareness Day.  According to the March of Dimes: "Every year, more than half a million babies are born prematurely in the United States. The rate of premature birth has risen by 30 percent since 1981.  Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death worldwide. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk of lifelong disabilities." I had one of those babies.  Well, technically two. My twins were born at 36 weeks, 6 days, via a planned induction.  I did not have to have a c-section.  I did not plan for either of them to have an extended stay in the NICU, but it happened.  I was told I was having full-term twins and that there was nothing to worry about. After a very easy birth (I even got to hold Colin immediately after I delivered him), and both babies nursing for me, we prepared to leave the maternity ward and head to my regular room.  However, Colin's temp wa...

As a treat to myself (mainly because I found the money Keith gave me for Mother's Day.... 6 months later...), I bought these: What makes you happy?  Join Leigh and play along!

Yesterday, Keith took the kids to his parents' house for about an hour and a half.  This was after our early morning trip to Urgent Care for Colin (pink eye, viral rash-thing due to always being sick).  Anyway, that 90 minutes allowed me to pick up the house and get it looking pretty nice.  One thing we did was rearrange the living room, in anticipation of putting up the Christmas tree next month.  Keith's next project (at our house) is to build - well it doesn't really have a name.  What we need is a place by the backdoor for the kids to store their coats, winter boots, and backpacks, as well as have a little place on top to put some bins I am getting to keep their school paperwork in.  It's going to be like a bench, but with cubbies underneath for the boots, and hooks behind the bench for coats.  So I hope he can have that done soon - as soon as I decide if I want it painted or stained, the dimensions, and such.  Last night, aft...

My sister wants to know what I want for Christmas.  I hadn't put a lot of thought into it this year, since Keith and I decided we weren't going to exchange gifts this time.  We gave each other the gift of a new sewer line and a large clump of dirt, gravel and clay pipe in our front yard. ;) Unfortunately the things I do want - grey boots, new jeans, chunky turquoise ring - are all things that I have to specifically pick out and try on.  I'd love to ask for gift cards, but then I also need to ask for a babysitter to watch the kids so that I can actually leave the house.  And if I am asking for a babysitter, I'd also like to throw on a housekeeper as well.   As I started thinking of what I wanted, I turned to my amazon wish lists for ideas.  Then I had to scrap that idea because then all I would be getting is books for Christmas.  Oh wait! That would actually be perfect.  Although then I would need that babysitter again to watch the kids whi...

"Believe" - Trans Siberian Orchestra Regretful for the things you're not And all the things you haven't got Without a home A heart of stone lies bleeding And for all the roads you followed And for all you did not find And for all the dreams you had to leave behind I am the way I am the light I am the dark inside the night I hear your hopes I feel your dreams And in the dark I hear your screams Don't turn away Just take my hand And when you make your final stand I'll be right there I'll never leave And all I ask of you Believe

I just had to do it.  I didn't mean too..... but I needed a little something, a little pick-me-up.  So............. I broke out the Christmas music.  Don't tell my husband, he will make fun of me. I know, I know... it's too early.  Way too early... But I needed some holiday spirit.  And some calming music.  Don't tell my sister, I just made fun of her last week. I had bought a CD at Kohls a few weeks ago.  It was $5.  Now, I love love love this group.  Their music is amazing.  And not only that, Keith surprised me with tickets to see them live last December when they came to Chicago.  BEST. SHOW. EVER. We are on a tight budget this year, so I know we won't be able to go again... but I am putting tickets to TSO on my Christmas list for next year.  This year, what money isn't going towards Christmas for the kids is being put into the "let's pay off the stupid sewer pipe line repair and then landscape our front yard bec...

Tonight at dinner, we were about halfway done with our meal.  All of a sudden, Colin starts saying: "Hands! Hands!"  I look over and he has his hands folded.  He was reminding us to say grace. Connor and I were in his room saying prayers, when I hear Keira yelling from the nursery: "HEY! AMEN!"  I guess she was feeling left out. As Connor turned over to go to sleep, he said to me, "Mommy, I really like you very, very much."  What a sweet boy.

Don't know if that is a sigh of relief or stress.  I'm on a short blogging hiatus this week, as I mentally recuperate from Colin's hospital stay (third time since March).  He was hospitalized on Tuesday for viral pneumonia and reactive airway disease.  He is home now, hopped up on steroids and albuterol, so while he doesn't act sick, he really is. This is the third time in 8 weeks that he has been on steroids for this sort of thing.  We meet with the doctor on Saturday to discuss possible maintenance of this issue.  However, the ped said we are in for a long winter based on his health history.  Prayers and healthy thoughts are appreciated, as well as wine and a gift card for a facial.  Those last two are for me, not Colin. I'm hoping my husband takes a look at my blog. *wink, wink*

One of the few pictures of Keith and I.  Taken on Halloween, the day after we celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. 

Yesterday we had a Halloween party, then took the kids trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.  It was the twins first time t-o-t'ing.  I'm not convinced they "got it", but they had fun. The group before we headed out Here we have Dora the Explorer, Buzz Lightyear, and Daphne Blake Scooby   Colin was supposed to be Handy Manny (hence the gloves).  However, he has taken quite a liking to his Uncle Tommy, and wanted to be Tommy for Halloween (hence the camo jacket and jeans).  I don't know where the rain boots came from.  I'm just happy he is happy.   First house.  Being thankful:  I'm trying this on facebook.  For the month of November, I'd like to comment on what I am thankful for.  Today it was for a wonderful Halloween weekend, as well as a great time with family.  The kids loved having everyone over.  They are always so happy when we have a full house of family.  Or "guests" as Connor calls ...