3 Day Plan

Since it is a 3 day plan that Im following, I suppose I should give you the 3rd day update. I only cleaned up 2 messes today and we had tons of success. I feel optimistic, but I think we still have a way to go. Im SO looking forward to the weekend to have Mike around to help and to get out of the house! At least we are saving gas :) The kids are still having fun and don't seem too stir crazy yet.

By the way, Tyler was a crawling maniac tonight - knocking down block towers, jumping on books while we are reading, climbing up the bookshelf! It's amazing how quickly life can change.

Excuse Me!!

Variations of this exchange happen all day now...

Drew: Ella, do you want my bagel?
Me: No thanks Drew, Ella has had enough.
Drew: Im not talking to you Mommy, I talkin' to Ella. Want it Ella?
Ella: Ok!

Ella: Wanna play blocks?
Me: Ella, we are cleaning up now.
Ella: Im not talking to you. Im talking to Drew!

Little Bums

Im not saying we don't have a long way to go, but man they made great progress today! Ella is doing fantastic and Drew has improved dramatically. Im having a hard time staying at home...wow the day is long. Tyler hates potty training. He has always disliked being left in a room alone, so you can imagine his reaction when someone yells "I have to do poopie!" and we all run out of the room as fast as we can yelling, "Hurry! Hurry!" So, the resourceful little guy decided that he better learn to crawl so he can be in on the action. He is still going at a snails pace and crying with every inch, but he is crawling!
On the positive side, I love looking at their little bums! Especially when they are wearing a shirt, little Elmo underwear and big, gloppy rain boots! These kids crack me up :)

Im a Big Kid!!

"No more diapers!!!" And so the day began...how it ended was a totally different story. We are going cold turkey...nudey bums, underwear, and no leaving the house for 3 days. Many moms swear by it...Im just left swearing. This was one of the toughest, grossest, most trying days ever. Im determined not to go back to diapers or waste our money on pull-ups, so stay tuned to see if it gets better!

Picture this scene: One tiny bathroom. Tyler on the floor crying and trying to climb into the tub. Drew on the big potty saying he has to pee, but wanting to hold my hand because he is afraid he will fall in. Ella standing in the tub getting hosed off. Oh yeah and smoke slowly making it's way upstairs because dinner is burning.

Funniest moment: If you ask Drew where he peed after an accident he responds, "In my Beche" our word for the "you know what!"

Like Daddy Does

We hear a lot of "Like ______ does?" For example, "Do you want to ride your bike?" "Like Matt does?" Mommy is cooking on the grill. "Like Papa does?"

So anyway, here are some shots of Drew on a ride at the Fair and on his ultimate favorite thing, the train at the zoo. Don't you just love the look of pure excitement and joy on his face? Mike also has a deadpan excited look. Yes Drew, you look excited just "like Daddy does!!"

Day 3

I am so excited about progress so far, not to say that I don't expect regression at any time!! Last night Tyler woke at 2:30 for a pacifier adjustment and then the same thing at 5:30 and again at 5:45. At 6:30 he was up for the day. I feel like a new woman and he is eating so much better during the day. Why did I wait so long to do this?

Day 2

I think we are making progress. Last night Tyler woke around 11 and quickly went back to sleep. From 4:30 to 5, he fussed and cried a few times, but continued sleeping. From 5-6 AM he screamed like a stuck pig for the majority of the time. He was wide awake and did not want to be alone. It seemed as if he was screaming, "Mama, mama, mama!" Horrible. I would stand over the crib (cursing the moving guy who assembled it wrong so I can't put the side down) and he would stop. I would go back to my bed and just as I started to fall back asleep he would start the screaming again. But, he eventually fell asleep and slept until 8!! I feel rested and took a relaxing shower - I consider that progress!

Freckle Face

I abuse sunscreen to preserve their skin and health -but these little freckles fought their way to the surface. I know Im biased, but isn't she adorable?! (If you click on the picture it should enlarge it so you can see them better)

Day 1

We started letting Tyler "Cry it out" last night. Doesn't that just sound horrible? I just need sleep. Anyway, he was up from 11-11:30, 1-3:30, and from 5-5:30. He doesn't scream the entire time. I spend a lot of time hanging over the crib, rubbing his back, and shoving the pacifier in his mouth. He quiets down while Im in there, but screams again when I leave. It is terrible. I feel horrible, guilty, and above all exhausted. Hopefully he will be sleeping through the night in a few days. Then I can tackle potty training - for Ella and Drew, not him!

Short Stuff

She has always been little, but this picture made me stop short. Drew and her friend Julia (who is the same age, exactly) appear to be much taller than Ella. Maybe it is just the angle of the shot? Uhmm, I seem to recall making similar excuses for my height...

Seasonal Confusion

If you insist on wearing your winter hat in August, you're probably going to want to take your shirt off.

Being a Mom....

...sometimes means having your son's toenail clipping in your eye for half the day. Gross and painful!

...always having the door open while in the bathroom.

...listening to Sesame St in the car instead of good music and then finding yourself singing said Sesame St songs while in the shower, instead of good music.

...hearing crying while vacuuming and blow drying hair, even though no one is crying - weird!

...always either changing a diaper, making food, feeding food, or cleaning up food.

What I like about you...

Ella-Bell: My little spitfire, spunky, crazy girl. You are sometimes wound up as tight as those little blond curls. I love the sparkle in your eyes, your budding sense of humor and that crazy voice. You keep me laughing and always on my toes. I love your curiosity and the way you cock your head when asking a question. I love your determination when trying new things. I love the way you love your brothers, daddy and me - with that wild craziness that is you!

Drew: My loving, sweet, thoughtful boy. There is so much going on behind those captivating blue eyes. I love the way you check out new things with a quiet brave approach. I love the way you surprise me and do the opposite of what I expect - "you stay here mommy!" when going on your first fair ride. I love the way you love Ella, so obviously unconditional even when she is torturing you. I love the way you sing and bask in the attention of daddy. I am in awe of the way you adhere to the rules and naturally want to do the right thing. You are an amazing little guy.

Tyler: My little guy. I love the way you dive into my shoulder while smiling at someone new. I love the expression of awe, wonder, and love on your face as you watch your "big kids." I can't get enough of the quick magical smile when you see me enter a room. I can already see your tough determination and can only imagine how that little personality will develop.

All three of you amaze me in so many ways. I never imagined that my kids could be so different. I can't wait to see what you have in store for me...

The BIG Apple

"Look Mommy, a taxi!"
"Oh, another one!"
This went on for the entire drive through NYC yesterday. We went into the big city for a fun packed day. First we saw our old music teacher, Adam, perform with his kids Jazz Trio. E&D were thrilled to see their old teacher, but they were much more excited to see a saxophone. Next we went into Mike's work for our yearly visit. They were paraded around giving high-fives and saying "nice to meet you." It was fun to put faces to all of the names we hear about. We had a picnic in the park and then it was off to the art gallery to see Aunt Melissa's paintings. E&D loved the gallery and were more interested in the art then I would have imagined. They enjoyed pointing out colors and describing the pictures.
Although once a resident, I felt very much the tourist yesterday. Tough to maneuver the kids on the busy sidewalk and I am WAY out of the fashion loop! But my little city kids weren't fazed at all, walking around like they own the place and checking everyone out.

Toddler Thrills

It doesn't have to be a new toy or a yummy treat...

*Pushing elevator buttons

*Putting groceries in the cart and on the conveyor belt

*Seeing Canadien Geese on the highway medians

*A wet sponge or face cloth

*Sunscreen stick for their face

*Throwing away their own garbage, especially in big public gargabe cans

*Giving a cashier money

*Saying "hi" to a Drive Thru worker

*Carrying an adult size bag

*Running around "Nudey"

Thanks Michelle!

My sister-in-law just let us know that she is 4 months pregnant with her fourth baby in 4 years! Yup, she has a 4yr old girl, a 2 yr old boy, and a 1 yr old boy...and number 4 due in January. Wow. So I need to thank her because since she told us the news, my day to day has seemed so much easier - who am I to complain?!
Congrats Joey and Michelle!!

Good God

"No, YOU stop it, Mommy!!" - Ella

"I just doing nothing, mommy" - Drew as he spreads cream cheese all over his face

"OH BOOOOOOYYYYY!!!" - Ella screeching along to a song in the car

"Ella, stop that it hurts Drew." - Me as Ella bangs Drew in the head with a block
"No, I like to hit Drew." - Ella
"Ask him it hurts." - Me
"I hurt you Drew?" - Ella
"No." - Drew

"I want chicken nuggets, please!!" - Drew at Dunkin Donuts drive thru

My Little Guy

Just Tyler

Ella and Drew have detailed monthly updates documenting their first year...oops, sorry Tyler! He is getting so big. He started sitting up a month or so ago and he is now working on diving onto his belly to reach a toy. If he is sitting close enough to someone he can pull up on them. He sometimes plays peek-a-boo and often looks like he is clapping. One of his favorite things is bath time with his big brother and sister - he even laughs when Ella dumps water on his head! He is eating everything from baby food to corn muffins and loving every bite. We get a kick out of him drinking from the big kid cups. He smiles at everyone, but sometimes he pulls the shy act and dives his head into my shoulder. We hear lots of "talking" including Dada. He has so many cute smiles and his eyebrows are so expressive! He is a sweet, happy, lovable guy!

Broken Record

Since we moved and Im out in new places trying to meet new people, this is my day...everyday...These are the questions and comments I get everywhere I go...

"Are they all yours?"
"How old are they?"
"Oh, they are twins! A boy and a girl?"
"Wow! You could have been done!"
"You sure have your hands full."

It usually continues with they don't know how I do it and random questions about how I bathe them and grocery shop. I can't help but feel uncomfortable. As I am out in the market for new friends, I find this line of conversation a huge roadblock. I guess I need to change my attitude!
I wonder if this is how it is everybody...what about you sparks conversation?