Friday, May 29, 2009

Scenes of a visit

We all love being at my parents house. Everyone is in their glory! Scenes to be remembered...with or without a camera....

All 3 crammed on Dad's chair watching a movie...again.

All 3 running into Moms room yelling, "Wake Up!!" at the top of their lungs and then jumping on her. And she smiles and laughs and hugs...before her coffee. That is love.

Ella putting an Edamame bean in Dads ear and him laughing. Again LOVE.

Tyler hugging moms legs while she cooks dinner.

Helping Dad put water in the pool, and loving every minute.

Seeing 5 of the biggest smiles I have ever seen and feeling my own spread from my heart to my face.

I love being home.

Now, where is my husband?

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Needed


This morning was a tough goodbye for Tyler. These last 3 days he has been attached to Mike, yelling "Dada" in urgency dare Mike walk 3 feet from him, so you can imagine the scene as Mike disappeared around the corner.

It feels good to see Mike so needed. I wonder sometimes as the kids cling to me or want it the way I do it or I take control (who me?!) if Mike would like to feel a little more needed. They ALWAYS want him, I mean who wouldn't with his fantastic hugs and his generous...well, everything. Mike is generous with everything from games, to books, to 5 more minutes of anything.

But needing is different than wanting. Although both feel quite good for the receiver.

I like that my kids need me. I need them.

This week though I need home. I need my mom. I need my dad. I need the familiar of my home and the scenery. Sometimes the pull is so strong it feels suffocating.

But, I also know that after a day without Mike, we will all feel a little lonely, And we will need him. Alas, it is tough when you can't have it all!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Let it Begin!!


Does anything say summer like an ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles?!
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and we have only 10 weeks until Labor Day closes it out. That is 10 weekends...too few in my estimation. The weather has been glorious or as my dad likes to say, "Spectacular!!" I can't get enough. Neither can the kids. We have come into the house for sleep only, the rest of the time has been trampoline, swing set, bikes, and anything else we can think of.
To really kick off the summer, Im heading to my parents for the rest of the week. Yes! Family, beautiful fenced in yard, pool, minutes to the beach...if only the forecast was for sun. Typical of our trips home, it is expected to rain almost the entire time.
Yeah summer :(

Friday, May 22, 2009

Let Summer Begin!!

This being Memorial Day weekend and all, and with temps reaching 87 today - a trip to "The Little Lake" was in order. We had a blast and will surely return many times this summer.

Now to the pics...




Wowser!

Don't you just love my new header?!

My cousin Mike married a wonder of a woman, Shauna, who apparently works in an office with other amazing women who in their spare time like to work on my blog!

Am I lucky or what?!

Thanks Ladies!!!


ps. I need some kind of training because I can't get that annoying box that is under/behind the awesome header to disappear!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Faces



I have a new computer program that uses facial recognition technology to organize your pictures by people automatically. Pretty cool. Pretty crazy though that it keeps mistaking Tyler for Ella. It has suggested Drew for Ella only a handful of times, but when I try to search for Ella, it pulls up EVERY photo of Tyler.

Uhm. I guess I never thought of them looking so alike...but I guess they do! And what does this say to all the people who say Ella looks like Mike's sister but that Tyler looks like me? Ha. Got you now!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Success


This past week during our little Homeschool, play school whatever you want to call it - we discovered 4 of the 5 kids present reading on the couch together after the lesson.

After 7 months of weekly meetings and lesson plans, we decided this photo proves and documents our success!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Peek


Same pigtails, same crew cut, but now a not so little side kick is one step behind their every move. They are all faster, more coordinated, saying more and doing more.
Is is possible that it has been 6 months between photos? I thought it was just yesterday that we were peeking through the window at those baby chicks.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Swing a Ding Ding


Our love affair with swings started 3 years ago. That first spring I couldn't wait to get them in a swing together, like many twins I had seen before. It was as exciting as I thought it would be, for all of us. Ella and Drew tried out every swing in Hoboken (and there are lots) and kept swinging right into winter.
Of course we had to take a few months off, as snow and freezing temperatures make swinging a little less fun. But as soon as it warmed up - back to the park we went,
In went Drew...in went Ella. Out went Ella. She was petrified. Shaking. I tried a few times all that summer, but eventually gave up. She no longer liked the swings. Drew kept swinging and sometimes Ella would push him.
The following Spring she adamantly told me that she did not like the swings. She didn't get in once.
Now, Spring 2009, we are swinging fools! All 3 love the swings and giggle and yell "higher" the entire time. Ella's face is the best, bordering on scared but so excited at the same time!
Here are all 3 swinging in Central Park. Not a great pic, but you get the idea. Ill try to catch one with Ella's scared/happy face!

Friday, May 15, 2009

My Little Guy


When did my little baby become a baseball hat wearing big boy?

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Zoo Babies


Some friends make fun of me, but I don't care. We go to the zoo a lot. We actually rotate among 3 different zoos, but we hit one at least 3 times a month. I love them and the kids do as well. I will tell you why.

We are outside. Is there anything better?

There are animals. Lots of them. Cute ones, big ones, smelly ones, sleeping ones. We see what they eat, where they like to hide and how they move.

They change. We are lucky enough to have a membership to 2 zoos. The Bronx zoo, which is just awesome - a true oasis in the city. And another much smaller zoo just 10 miles away. The more we go the more we notice. We see how the Elk's antlers grow and how bony the sheep look after they are shorn. We can check the progress on the snake trying to shed his skin. Most exciting this spring are babies - buffalo, prairie dogs and geese.

They stay the same. We learn why the porcupine is always sleeping and the best bench to sit for lunch. It is like it is ours.

Of course the added bonus of the train and the carousel.

We love the zoo!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

That Kind


Did you ever have a friend that was so awesome that she made you want to be better? A friend that you could see once every few years but still talk like you were neighbors?

Katie is that kind of friend.

She traveled from coast to coast to attend a friends wedding and we were lucky enough to snag her for an overnight visit. As an added bonus we got to see her beautiful baby belly first hand and bask in her pregnant glow!

Being with her reminded me of how I so much want to live a more purposeful life, as she seems to do so effortlessly.

Apparently Ella and Drew are excellent judges of character. They fell in love with her soft voice, patient manner, infectious laugh, and the kindness that oozes out of her pores immediately. She will be a fantastic mom.

And just like that she and her vintage suitcase disappeared into NYC.

The kids have asked for her daily and each airplane they point out in the sky holds Katie coming back for a visit.

If only.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Dear Mr. PSE&G

Do you have 10 minutes?

Every month you come into my home and down into the basement to read our meter. I never know what day it will be or exactly what time.

You are my monthly challenge. I am determined to have you show up one morning and walk through my 3 rooms and be shocked by the sparkling floors and the perfectly placed toys. I want you to walk down the basement steps without stepping over dirty bibs and wash clothes thrown down on their way to the laundry.

But while you are here this time, can I just explain a few things to you?

That pile of tissues on the dining room table. See one son has incredible seasonal allergies, the other is determined to empty the tissue box whenever he can get his hands on them. So, when he gets his little hands on them, we stack them up next to the box. Did I mention he laughs like crazy in the process?

Pillows on the floor. My husband prefers the floor over the couch for watching tv. My kids love this, as do he and I, because they sit on him, roll on him, walk on him, and hug and kiss him. He doesn't always (ever) put the pillows back. Did I mention they all laugh like crazy in the process?

Dinner dishes in the sink. I assure you that we have been so good about cleaning the kitchen at night. But last night was beautiful out. The kids begged for a few more minutes on the trampoline before pjs and we obliged. Two more minutes turned into almost an hour as we jumped, played ball and chatted with our neighbors until it was too dark to play. We marched into the house, straight past those dirty dishes, and straight upstairs for pjs and books. But did I mention we all laughed like crazy in the process?

Last time I tried it, no one laughed like crazy during clean up time, especially me.

So, next time you come stomping through here in your muddy work boots slow down and take a quick look around. I bet you will be able to see the fun and loving life we are living here. If you listen close you may even hear the echoes of us laughing like crazy as you gingerly pick your way down the basement stairs.

Yours Truly,
the messy and oh so happy housewife in the yellow house

Monday, May 11, 2009

Test. 1. 2.


"Does his breath sound raspy?"

"Are babies fingers supposed to curl like that?"

"Do you think her poop is a weird color?"

Im sure that every new parent has a little anxiety once bringing their new baby home. As a new parent of twins, of course I had questions, but having another baby right there was perfect!

"Do Drew's fingernails look funny?...well, Ella's look the same, so they must be normal!"

"Is Ella spitting up too much? Drew is doing the same, so must be ok!"

I find that I still do the same thing. Just now I went to check on them while napping. I thought Drew may have been breathing a little noisily, but after checking Ella I was no longer worried.

Another reason twins are just awesome!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Two Important Moms


Dear Marietta,
There are a million reasons why I should thank you and honor you on Mother's Day - and every day for that matter. But the number one reason is for the love of my life and best friend, Michael. His character, sense of humor, and deep commitment to family are why I fell in love with him and why I love him even more today.
If our boys turn out to be half the man he is, know that you helped. And know that you should be proud.
With love and admiration, Lauren


Dear Mom,
I realize everyday that being a mother is a lot harder than it looks. But thank God I have you as an example to follow - a nearly flawless example at that.
I hope that I make you proud and I hope that I make you happy - I try to everyday. You certainly make me proud and happy.
One of the things that I admire most is that you have always given 200% to us kids (and now grandkids), but you also have a successful career, a beautiful marriage, friends, and golf. You may appear to stretch yourself thin, but you do everything so amazingly well and with a brilliant smile that those left in your wake can only assume that you have plenty left to give.
You are truly my hero.
I love you, Lauren

Friday, May 8, 2009

And then some...


Today we have a guest writer...my mom. She wrote this card to my grandmother for Christmas in 1978. They found it this year and gave it to me at Christmas.

December 20, 1978

Dear Mom,
I'm sitting here with a cup of tea, watching my little girl play. And, as I often do, I begin thinking that once, not so long ago, I was like Lauren and mom was like me. Life is funny the way it silently moves on. Then I began to think about Christmas and presents and how we worry over little things that really are not so very important. How sometimes we receive gifts all year through and don't even recognize them. I thought to myself, when Im like mom and Lauren is like me, what kind of Christmas present could she give me to make me really happy? You know what? She wouldn't find it in any store. All I could ever want would be to hear her say, "Mom, Im happy."
Well mom, this is the Christmas present I give to you. To tell you that Im happy, Im in love, my family is my life, and Ive got more than I could ever want. My soul and my mind is full of peace and I love life. I want to thank you for being there will all your hugs and love and understanding. Always there to dry a tear or pat me on the back when I needed it. You helped me be what I am.
Sometimes I think how much easier it was to be "the kid" instead of "the mother." I hope I can be the mother to Lauren that you've been to me. Before you know it Ill be like you and Lauren will be like me. I hope that someday I, too, will receive a gift like this.
Mom, this is my Christmas present to you. I hope you like it because there is no refund, no exchange, no merchandise credit. This is yours forever.
Love Nancy


This mother's day, mom, know that you have been an unbelievable mother and friend. I am deliriously happy (or just delirious, only time will tell) and I owe just about everything I have and am to you. Hopefully I can continue the tradition and be an awesome mom to Ella and the boys.
Love you!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Wow

"Drew, no jumping on the couch!" I yell in from the kitchen as Im making dinner. A few seconds later, I peek in and see him doing it again. I walk over and tell him to stop, again.
"Oh, Ok mommy." As he hops on the floor. Then he looks at me with such a cute little face and says, "Where can I jump? Mommy, I need to jump!"

Have you ever seen your child on crack? Or steroids? Or a whole concoction of drugs?

He won't stop moving. Or eating. Or talking.

I feel like I have a new child. It is cute most of the time, but really I just want my unaltered buddy back.

I would add a picture, but he is moving too fast.

So, I know why Drew is manic...but what is Tyler's excuse?!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

My Little Trooper


8PM: I notice Drew is a little wheezy and laughing funny. We assume it is because he is due for a dose of allergy medicine. We give it to him and put him to bed.

Every 30 to 45 minutes he is up, thrashing around the bed, dry cough, and the wheezing is worsening. We can't make him comfortable.

2:30AM: call doctor

3:30AM: arrive at ER

I was worried, but I figured they would give him some type of medicine and we would be on our way. As we entered the ER waiting room my heart sank at the amount of people there. I braced for a long wait.

The admitting nurse rushed us right in...I panicked. This is more serious than I thought.

Drew is an amazing patient. They take all his vitals - he thanks the nurses without me telling him to. They strap on a face mask and he wears it for 15 min without a peep. The nurse takes it off and he says thank you. They decide to do another treatment. He accepts the mask with a chipper, "ok!" After that they give him an oral med. After drinking it he exclaims, "It taste like syrup!" Then he marches down the hall for an x-ray.

Did I mention it is 4:30 AM and the kid has not slept?

He must stand against a machine with a heavy skirt wrapped several times around his legs. I leave the room and wave at him through the window. They turn him this way and that, ask him to raise his arms and stand still. He yells, "freeze!" They give him a sticker when they are done and he says, "oh, thank you! I love stickers!"

Back to the room for more waiting. He says, "I like this place. Look at the nice tv."

7:30 AM: We get in the car to leave. As we were talking I mentioned that we were at the hospital. He exclaims, "We are at a hospital?! Mommy, was I born today?!!"

I love this kid.

They think it was a type of asthma reaction to his seasonal allergies. We will need to follow up with our doctor and perhaps an allergist.

In the meantime we took home a neubulizer machine and his own dinosaur face mask.

He is bouncing off the walls from the steroids they gave him. He is as happy as can be and breathing good.

I am about to fall over!

It is hard to describe the feelings of bringing your child to an ER, especially in the middle of the night. It is absolutely heart breaking to see him sit with a mask on inhaling medicine.

Piles of laundry....messy house...late for an appointment...trivial.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Waiting


Being a little kid is tough in a lot of ways, one of which is always having to wait. There is only so much they can do on their own and the rest involves waiting for me to get to them. The waiting is only compounded when there are 2 other dependants waiting on me too!

Drew is relatively patient, so he ends up waiting the longest most of the time. The screaming wheel gets the oil first and then the dramatic whining wheel.

I found him here one afternoon. When I asked him what he was doing he looked at me and with a little sigh answered, "Im just waiting for you."

He is the cutest.

Im waiting for a few things this week. Maybe a visitor or two, a reprieve from the rain, the completion of a few projects. We'll see how it goes!

Friday, May 1, 2009

McLovin

In honor of my almost 3 yr old nephew Luke who refers to himself as "McLovin" here are some lovey shots!
Have a great weekend :)
Gotta love the open mouth kisses, they only last for so long!