January 1st-7th

Hockey is hard

(1/1) Happy New Year!  I had the day off and kicked it off with a half marathon.  Nanan watched the boys for me.  I came home to napping kiddos, and then we went over to Granddad's to play games and have dinner.  Jake, Amber, & Audrey all came and it was a fun family-filled day!


(1/2)  Back to life as usual.  Well, kind of.  I worked today, even though it was a Wednesday.  The kiddos were at Kathy's.  Kathy said they had to do a lot of rearranging because J is a little monkey and is into EVERYTHING now that he is walking!  


(1/3)  Dad had the kiddos today and ended up with an extra one after school.  I asked him if he was ready for 4 kids now, and he glared at me.  (We are done, but I can tease!)  I came home after class to two *tired* little boys.  J was on the blanket pile and didn't even come over to see me. He fussed and rubbed his eyes. And D parked himself right in my lap.  Silly boys.  Granddad had C this evening, so it was a very quiet night after the little guys went down!


(1/4)  Another busy work day for me today.  Both of us worked, and the boys went over to Kathy's around 11:30. C is having a rough time adjusting to being back at school so it was a rocky day...  He had a play at the Children's Theatre tonight, and Nanan came to get him before I got home.  I had the twins to myself again tonight and after they went down, I zoned out and watched TV until C got home.  It'll be good to have all the boys home to get settled back into a routine, and soon!


Kathy said the twins are now signing "eat"... a lot.  They ask to eat and say "num-num-num" allll the time.  Methinks they're growing.

(1/5) I was feeling lazy today, so in lieu of a run, I stayed home for cinnamon rolls (duh!).  We had a great morning bumming around the house and then packed up mid-morning to go to hockey.  The boys played for about half the time climbing the bleachers and such.  I finally had to corral them back in their stroller because big brother needed more than just a half-eye on him during practice.  D conked out while I walked them around the rink while J just got crabby.  I was surprised that he didn't zonk during the ride home.  He took a nice, long nap once we got home, but I had to bring D back down after a half hour of chatting.  I didn't want him to wake his brother.  The rest of the evening was very low-key and much-needed after a week of rush-rush-rush. 


(1/6)  Game day for C!  Dad got the boys up while I was out for a run, and then we piled in the car to head for hockey.  The boys climbed all over the bleachers, and us, and more of us.  With about 15 minutes to go, we took them upstairs to warm up.  They fell asleep on the way home, and we took them straight up for a nap.  They mostly woke up and chatted for about an hour before I gave up and brought them back down.


(1/7)  Happy Monday!  Dad has the kids today and I am back at work.

December 25th-31st

(12/25) Merry Christmas!  We woke up and saw that Santa had filled our stockings.  The twins got some animal cookies and stacking cups in theirs.  We headed over to Granddad's for big Santa gifts and breakfast with the group.  Santa brought the twins a kitchen, which I know they will love.  I just need to put it together.  They got a great assortment of toys/clothes/necessities, and got to help unwrap lots of stuff. They inhaled three Dutch Babies between them, a big pile of eggs, and had a couple of other things.  One would think we didn't feed them!

We had a really nice day just hanging out.  The twins took a pretty short nap, so I catnapped them before dinner too.  We had a big dinner filled with family and friends. I love Christmastime!

J de-decorating the tree

(12/26)  Girls' Day today!  Uncle Jake and Granddad wrangled all the children while Mama snuck out to to get a mani/pedi with Grandma & the aunts. Audrey opened her presents after dinner, and all the sudden it was late, and we piled in the car to come on home.

Christmas morning!

(12/27) The bonus to having a big family is multiple Christmases!  We had dinner with Nanan, Jake, Amber, & Audrey tonight. Nanan brought the twins some cute clothes and fun toys.  The ball toy was a huge hit! Jake and Amber brought them a musical dump truck and a piano.  I have pretend food from their kitchen allllll over now, and the twins keep bringing it over to tell me they're hungry.

J is very clear on the "all gone" sign.  He brought me an animal cookie box and signed "all gone," looked in the box and signed it again, and then held up the box and signed it again (as if it wasn't clear).  He also signs "all gone" when he removes one toy from another.

On the walking front, J is walking everywhere. He just turns around and goes - no problem!  He plops down when I say "Good walking!" or "Walking boy!"  I think I probably distract him.  D is the same way - I try to set him on his feet and his legs get noodley, and he won't stand.  But once he's up, he'll walk to me.

J is really excited about toothpaste

(12/28) Today was lovely!  The boys and I had a chill morning and then Grandma came over after I had put the littles down to watch boys while Granddad and I went back to his house to play cards.  We kept meaning to, but with watching the littles, we just never got to over Christmas.  We played until around 4p, and then went to go pick up Jordan so he could spend the night with C.  I made fish burritos tonight and the little boys were a *mess.*  Good thing they're washable!

J in new UW jammies!

(12/29) I made blueberry waffles this morning, which everyone inhaled. Jordan and C finished their Star Wars movie and then I turned on Spaceballs.  A lot of the humor was over their heads, but it was still fun for me.  Dad worked today and I had an adult party to attend, so Granddad and Grandma came to watch boys.  Thank goodness, because Mama was about ready to lose her mind with all the noise. I came home to sleeping kids and a very clean house ~ thank you!!

Spoiled much?  Cute Dawg fans tho!

(12/30) Lazy Sunday today.  C and I went to Chuck-E-Cheese's for Jordan's 6th birthday and the littles stayed with Dad.  They were napping when we got back, so I decided to join in, but of course they woke up just as soon as I started to nod off.  Dad graciously watched them while I caught a few winks.  When I woke up, the house smelled delicious and I had two very hungry boys racing to the gate.  D kept alternating between saying "Nana" (banana), "Num-num," "Night-night," and screaming to tell me how hungry he was, even after we gave him a small snack.  J was signing "more" and raising just as much of a ruckus.  They finally got to inhale their dinner, and then went in for a bath.

D

(12/31) Happy last day of 2012!  It has been a fun year, and I cannot believe how fast it has flown by.  Dad and I both have to work today, so I'll probably be all kinds of lame and go to bed before the ball drops.  Although, C has requested that I wake him at midnight to see the fireworks.  I better set my alarm!

J waving bye!

December 18th-24th

(12/18) Work day for Dad & me.  It sounds like the kids had a good day at Kathy's.  Tuesdays are always such a whirlwind. They always make me look forward to my Wednesdays with the boys though!


(12/19) SNOW DAY!!  It's so pretty!  We ended up with maybe 2" of very wet snow.  Dad got the snow tires put on my car and I waffled on taking the van out in it for a while, but when C came down dressed in his snow suit, we couldn't not go out.  We hit up Starbucks and then delivered to Sarah's, and stayed to play.  We came home to lunch and the last day of school before break for C.  The littles napped while Jax and I watched a movie.

We had a messy dinner tonight (spaghetti), so it was bath night.  J gets so excited, and kicked his little feet all the way to the tub.  I discovered he had a messy diaper while in there, so took him back out to the changing table first and he screamed bloody murder. Drama queen!

(12/20)  Work day for me, and Dad had the boys.  I ended up getting off work early and took advantage of Dad being home to watch kids to get the last of my Christmas shopping done.  I still got home early and Dad went to get pizza for us.  We had a great evening together, and I'm finally feeling ready for the Christmas rush!

(12/21) What a fun day!  I had a half day at work and then Dad met me with the kids.  The littles sacked out for the ride to and from work, but woke about a block from home.  We kicked around home for a little bit, then headed over to Sarah's mom's house for a cookie party. The boys played and played and played.  I could tell they were fading at dinner, especially when J almost zonked out at the table.  I decided to head home around 6:30p, and they didn't even make it past me going back in to get their stuff.  I put them directly to bed, even though it was a little early, and then started in on ALL the wrapping I have been putting off.  We have some SPOILED kids.  Nana kept C for a sleep-over, so I was able to it get it accomplished without prying eyes.

Nana gave the little boys finger puppet books, and they crack J up.  He later started screaming at all the other books that he checked because they didn't have puppets in them!


(12/22)  Yay!  We got to sleep in today!  The littles slept til 8a, and then talked for a good half hour.  I made them breakfast and then we played at home for the morning.  C came home around lunchtime and Sarah brought more presents.  J has figured out the ripping wrapping paper thing and really wanted to help C with his.  Sarah got them some puzzles, and by the way the pieces have been distributed all around the house, I'd say they were a hit!


(12/23) C had his first hockey game of the season.  He started off in goal right away, got scored on, but then went on to get two assists.  Way to go, C!  I missed half the game since my eyes were on the busy twosome.  Thankfully, Jay & Sarah R came to visit, and Sarah generously loaned me an extra set of eyes and hands.

Tonight was "kids dinner" at Grandma & Granddad's.  Grandma went all out and cooked quite the feast. The twins and I camped out in the kitchen and took everything out of the cupboards and made a grand mess.  It was fun.  After dinner, and seeing two thousand yard stares, I put them down where they proceeded to scream for a long time.  So not how I wanted them to end their evening.  Sorry, guys.


(12/24) Merry Christmas (Eve)!  We are driving down to Gig Harbor today for dinner with Nanan's side of the family.  Should be fun!  Wishing you all a wonderful holiday!  

Fourteen Months

(12/11)  Fourteen Months.  Not babies anymore!  The boys are cruising all over, and are taking a small handful of steps in between pieces of furniture.

They are now saying a number of words:
D says nana (banana), night-night, boom-boom, num-num, Mama, Dada.
J says GO, night, Mama, Dada, thanks (?), that, and J!

I had a surprise day off today. Always a pleasure to spend with my boys.

First haircut! (J) 12/10

(12/12)  J set a new record: 9 steps!

I volunteered in C's classroom today, and Nanan watched the little guys.  She brought over some cabinet locks, and I finally put them on so the Tupperware can stop exploding all over the house.

We had a quiet night in watching Christmas movies.  I love this time of year!

Walking J!

(12/13) Dad had the kiddos today while I worked, and then I drove straight to Santa pictures.  I didn't realize it was military night (which is awesome, don't get me wrong... it just made for a long line!), and we waited in line for about 45 minutes.  Normally, when we go there we're through and done in about 10.  Dad took the littles home straight from pictures, while C and I attempted to do some shopping with Nanan.  That was a big fail. Oh well.  Another time.

(12/14) My heart is heavy. There was an elementary school shooting today and 20 children were killed.  I was glued to the news all day and couldn't wait to get home and hug my kids.   Thankfully, Dad was home to hug them for me after the news broke.  Once home, I turned the Christmas programming on, played with my boys, and blocked out the rest of the world.

J is up to 12 steps and D took 4 tonight.  Not far behind!

(12/15) I took the little boys and C to hockey this morning.  They did well for about half of it, and then got cranky.  Same with C, oddly enough. We came home to naps, baths, and a quiet evening together.

(12/16) Ah, Sunday.  My favorite day. Shopping and errands in the morning.  Dad brought us a yummy lunch, the boys practiced some walking, and then it was nap-time.  The boys crashed *hard*, and so did we.  C went over to Grandma & Granddad's to do cookies, and he and Dad have a hockey game this evening.  The little boys have me all to themselves, but they're still sleeping.

(12/17)  Monday.  Back to work with me!  Dad has the boys.

We are picking up a pop-up camper today.  We're very excited to take the boys camping this year!

December 4th-10th

(12/4)  Dinner was so fun with Oma and Opa last night!  The boys were exhausted and D kept rubbing mac & cheese covered hands in his eyes. But they were really well behaved, even with that.  Dad discovered that J's top molars have come through. This will make 6 teeth on the top, 4 on the bottom.  D has bumps, but his haven't quite poked through yet.

They are routinely waking at 11:30p and crying hard. Sometimes it's one, sometimes the other.  Usually they just cry for a few minutes and then go back to sleep.  I'm not sure if it's nightmares or teething or a combo.

Anyhow, Tuesday was a good day.  The boys were with Kathy and then we came home to the dinner/bedtime rush.  We're working on using a spoon.  Can you tell?

D eats yogurt. He even gets it on his eyelashes. LOL!

(12/5) Today was a very chill day. I stayed home while C was at school.  The boys had a good, long nap, and even Jax took a nap while he was here.  3 kids napping = win!  I soaked up the quiet while I could.

They boys had fun trying on hats tonight, and playing in the toy box.


(12/6) Dad had the kids today and it was a busy-run-around day.  We ended up selling our extra car and have a sale pending on a pop-up trailer!  Can't wait for camping season!  I may buy leashes for the twins now. I kid, I kid.

I worked today and then took a class, so got to play with twinsies for a little bit before taking them upstairs to bed.  Dad said they had a good day.


(12/7) Tonight was my work's Christmas party, and we both worked a morning shift. We got all the boys up at 5:30a.  D kept saying "night-night" all the way over to Kathy's.  She said they went down for their first nap around 8:30a. We picked them up at 1:30p and then ran them home where Nanan took over, and had them overnight while we were away.  Nanan said they needed one more nap to get through the day until bedtime.  Sounds like they had a great time!


(12/8) We had a fun night and returned around 11a.  Nanan said the twins woke around 9a and talked until close to 10a.  They were ready for a nap around 11:30 when I got back, so I kissed their fuzzy heads, put them down, and ran to collect C from hockey.  The twins slept until probably 2p.  We piled in the car for a trip to the grocery store (yes, we are exciting!), and then came home for more play time and dinner.

I caught J climbing onto the kitchen chairs twice today.)  D is equally naughty and stands up in his high chair if he's not strapped in.  I didn't strap him in today at dinner and he ended up getting both feet on his tray, so he was effectively stuck.  Boys!

J is consistently taking a few steps here and there.  He crashed hard today and bonked his cheek on the train table, and now has a line where he hit it.  Poor monkey.

Crap. Look at J's new trick.

(12/9) Yay!  Lazy Sunday on tap! We slept in and the twins stayed home with a parent while we each ran errands.  Dad took the baby stuff the boys have outgrown to a friend's and I ran C to Michael's for Christmas crafts (ornaments and a gingerbread tree).  J ended up with an impromptu bath after lunch since he decided to wear it and smear yogurt through his hair.  And we have pulled him down off the chairs no less than 32 times today.  He also managed to climb up and spill C's eggnog.  Sigh.

Speaking of eggnog, it appears they are fans.  D was *begging* for a drink, which attracted the attention of his brother, and so we had this:

(12/10) Happy Monday!  Work day for me and the boys are with their dad.

And the stockings were hung over the changing table with care..  Our Christmas decor this year, since we're not doing a tree.