O Christmas Tree

I love that the twins are old enough to understand Christmas this year. They are full of questions, singing Christmas carols, telling stories. They use the phrase, "it's about Jesus". Just as well known now, is the presence of Santa. They understand it's a time to spend with family and celebrate what we have in our lives. So, they were the ones who requested to decorate the tree with "little balls", for some reason, they are not taking to the term ornament. 

So goes the tradition of telling stories about each and every ornament that we put on the tree. Some did not survive the trek up and down from the attic and that made me sad. Daddy has strict instructions to keep them in the garage, like we did before.

Here's a sample in no particular order.

Erin and Angela, our girls weekend when you were in Dallas and I was in Amarillo. Sniff, broken. March 2003.

Little stockings given to Sidney when he worked at Lasik Plus,  while I was pregnant with twins.

Not original ornament, that one broke but the this is the original ribbon
from our  wedding day favors.

My first Phi Mu ornament, probably circa 1994.

While we were still newlyweds we spent New Years in Atlanta while Sidney completed
a rotation there during his 4th year in Optometry school.

2007 The first year in our new home, our first house.
 Pottery Barn sold the perfect ornament to commemorate that big year.

Tea kettle Suzanne added to my collection,  straight from her trip to China.

Our 7th anniversary December 2006, spent in Jamaica, when I defied the "no days off  last day before Christmas break" rule.

Paris, June 2002 ... to celebrate Sidney's graduation from Optometry School.

Washington D.C.,  November 2006 - quick visit to Vishal and Bhavana, pre-engangement.

Boston - December 2004 - 5th anniversary get-away

Marks my first girls weekend - Charleston, S.C. with Kristin and Heather ... 1997?

Maui, June 2008 just before our "last" IVF procedure (#5) ... it worked!
Knocked up with not 1 but 2 babies.

Phi Mu ornament collection continued.

Philadelphia, November 2006 where the teacher in me loved our time at Independence Hall and seeing Liberty Bell.

Seattle, December 2005 6th Anniversary get away ...
best crab dinner I have had to date!

London, June 2002 Sid and I took the train from Paris for the day.

Bermuda,  August 2007 trip before school year,  after failed IVF #3.

Bahamas, March 2006 Spring Break trip, a surprise trip from Sid.

March 2005 - Ireland ... love, love, love this country.

Another Phi Mu ornament,  ribbon broke, now hang it by a hook.
Still haven't figured out how to fix the one that looked like old Headquarters.

International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque 2002

While I recounted each place we visited or event, Livvy and Mia would ask, "Can I go there?".  I promised we would. We have made quite a future family vacation list. Happy decorating to you!

Pictures from Disney World 2012

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Disney Vacation 2012 - Helpful hints

Castle lit at night, before fireworks.

Day 1 Main Street

Or should I say 1st Disney Vacation? We are hooked, officially. We had a fabulous time with our 3 little ones under the age of 4. Yes, I said great time. Was it easy? No. Were there tantrums? Most definitely. But so worth it to see the looks on their faces during parades and meeting the characters up-close and personal. I can't wait to go back for the next trip with all 4. My husband may disagree. He got a bit flustered when the crankiness set in.

Ferry ride to Magic Kingdom

Lunch time, Day 1

That being said here are my tips for an easier time while at such an overwhelming place.

1. Bring a night light, if your kid is a young one. I thought about it but forgot. We stayed at World Quest Resort, our "room" was a 3 bedroom apartment. So, just like at home, the girls each got their own rooms. But the rooms were dark. Had to leave the bathroom light on and doors open. Not a big hassle but night lights would have made it better when they woke up in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar place.

2. Bringing your own stroller is worth it. Again, if your kids are young. It is A LOT of walking. Yes, you can rent them but the one feature the rentals don't have is reclining backs. Sabrina, my almost 1.5 year old, slept while we wandered or ate. She would not have done so if she had to stay sitting up.

Girls tired at end of night waiting for fireworks.

3. Speaking of eating, don't be shy packing your bag with food & drinks. Outside food is allowed, even coolers but no one is crazy enough to drag that around the park. Also, my husband made the best purchase while we were at the grocery store, Ziploc bags. No, I am not kidding. Stash a bunch in your bag/backpack. If your kiddos get distracted, let's face it there are endless distractions at Disney, they won't eat much when you are paying inflated prices for your food, especially at the character meals. Put those chicken nuggets in that ziploc and when they are inevitably hungry 1 hour later, you have something more substantial than snacks to feed them.

Notice they are paying no attention to food on table.

Again,  food is the last thing on their minds.

4. Let the park photographers take your pictures. They are in the best spots for a great background and they will still take a picture with your camera. The picture card they give you has a log-in code. So you can check them out online at your convenience. I didn't discover this til day 2. They are pricy but would be worth it if your camera battery dies, like mine did.

Taken with our camera by an off  photographer that was on a break. 

5. Check out the parades. There is one in each park about 3 and Magic Kingdom had this dance party several times a day. We stopped several times. Each time caught different spot and girls warmed up to the participation part. Plus, their waving was priceless.

Mia pointing, Dance Party

Livvy waving at 3 pm Dream parade

Livvy, Dance Party

6. You can get a fair amount of souvenirs before you get there for a much more cost efficient price. We bought our autograph books for $6 at Winn Dixie. Granted they are a spiral notebook and not bound book type that you could get in the park. But our girls are 3. While they cherish these now, they most likely will not survive the year. I will buy the nicer ones on a future trip.

Livvy rarely let this autograph book out of her grasp.

If you see something you really like, buy it. Don't hesitate. I browsed too long and left the store on Main Street without my trusty Christmas ornament. I had to leave due to a meltdown.

http://www.magicalearscollectibles.com/Disney-Photo-Christmas-Ornament--2012-Mickey-Mouse-Icon--2-x-2-_p_938.html  

Now, will have to pay shipping to buy it because I didn't make it back and I didn't see it in the outlet stores on the outside of the park. 

That's Entertainment

Hand caterpillars.

Go Huskies!

As usual, I say that I am going to write this stuff down but then the day gets away from me and I forget. So much for those great letters that I was going to write every year. Did year 1 for the twins. Anyway, this month has already been chockfull of funnies. These girls are too, too much. They are little commentators giving their accounts of every action of the day. From "mommy you are cleaning?" to "Daddy is tired" to mimicking me "you're not listening" adding "it's making me mad ... it's making me sad".  Many anecdotes make it to Facebook, so I will be referring to those posts. So, you may have heard some before.

I'm driving!

Cutting paper, oodles of fun.

Sabrina keeps up just fine, even though her vocabulary is limited, she tries to say what she hears and it getting pretty darn close.  Up please is "uppy". She attempts the dance moves of Big Oppa and is almost proficient. Very entertaining. She tries to snap her fingers. She is picking up Signing Time and loves to sing the songs, In a House is her favorite. She clearly sings "me, me, me!". The funniest thing is to watch her sign please, or as she says "pease". The sign is rubbing your palm on your chest, but she lifts up her shirt and rubs her belly. Every. Time. Too funny.

I got you, baby.

Mmm, shake!

Daddy, being Daddy, loves to egg people on. The girls pick up on this but are so good to him and play along. Right now, he loves to call Nicolas "Nico" knowing it will bother the girls. To which they reply, "Nooo, no Nico. His name is Baby Nicolas". Then, they will recount this event to me, even when I am in the same room, "Daddy's silly. He said Nico and it's Baby Nicolas". But wait there's more, they will repeat to each other "Not Nico, Nicolas. Daddy said Nico". Ending with "Silly Daddy!"

7 weeks old

7 weeks old

Both girls also have the Bobby Brady hall monitor tendency to report every infraction the others make and they both like to be the inspector and believe me, they are good. Daddy usually puts them down for bed and I go up later. They tell me when Daddy didn't put away the toothbrushes or left the linen closet door open. They tell him that he didn't put away his water cup from the nightstand and they don't do it for him, they take it to him scolding "You left the water out. No water. Baby can reach it and make a mess". While mopping the other day, Mia told me "there's a hole". She was referring to me missing a spot on the tile. At the dinner table, Sabrina wanted Bubby to feed her and Livvy tells her "you have to feed yourself". Along with this, they like to tell you how you are feeling. Just the other day Livvy turned to a cranky Sabrina and told her "You're just tired, baby".  During bedtime prep, the girls were saying their goodbyes to Bubby which includes hugs, kisses, and I love you's. Mia added on "And Sabrina loves you".  My heart just melted. She has a knack for knowing what you want to hear. She is going to be a great friend.

I'm awesome.

I love, love, love the library.

Let's not forget the sheer tenacity that is Livvy. It doesn't matter how much you tell her no, she just keeps trying. When caught with a contraband item, be it my phone, a cookie, or her sister's toy, she half attempts to hide it behind her. Her thousand watt smile slowly creeps across her face as her hand slithers into full view giving up said item. Completely unfazed by the owner's annoyance. Then, you are rewarded with a sweet "I lub you".  She is going to be one of those lovable but difficult students that I had in the classroom. Teachers, you know, the ones you love to hang with at recess or lunch but drive you crazy in the classroom. Mia will be the one that you ask, "Where did I put my ...." and she will be able to tell you the location in the blink of an eye.

Yay, water!

Silly for camera.

Their new thing is being able to take things out of the refrigerator. It never ceases to amaze me that things like, say the contents of the refrigerator, can go unnoticed for years then bam, can't keep their hands off. I have had to make changes like prewashing fruit before putting it in fridge. Now, they have moved on to the freezer. Yesterday, while the girls were playing outside they kept coming in and grazing. Fine with me, nothing wrong with grapes and carrots being eaten between meals. I tend to Nicolas' diaper and come out and they have an open bag of tater tots, yes frozen, and are eating them. Ate an entire one before saying, "I don't like that" but because I laughed, they reached for another one. Don't worry, I stopped them.

My Snow White, notice headband and handhold.

I saved the best for last. In my attempt to encourage Livvy to drink her medicine. She fights this now. I let her do it herself, take huge gulps of water between her tiny, tiny sips, etc. Today, I thought silliness in the answer. So, I turned into a cheerleader, chanting "drink, drink, drink" which she did in one swig! I, then, applauded her accomplishment which immediately brought this list to mind, Why Having Toddlers is Like Living in a Frat House.  Happy reading.

Party pic!

Famous Last Words

I know that everyone tells you to wait til you have kids. Secretly, that cocky 20-something is thinking, "not me". Take it from me, type a personality, super control-freak ... I hate being told anything. I like to figure it out for myself. So, here is a my top 5 list of my famous last words:

5. "My kids will not eat in front of the tv."  
It started when it was just the twins. I would set them up with a snack, aim their chairs toward the Wiggle while I cooked dinner. Now, it often creeps into actual eating time. Not all the time but enough to bother me.

4. "I will not bribe my kids." 
I don't know that it's a bribe but I definitely give external motivators to get desired tasks accomplished. "If you eat your dinner, you'll get ice cream."
" If you clean up, you get my phone."
You get the picture.

3. "Referring to myself in the 3rd person."
The teacher in me hates it when I hear this come out of my mouth. Especially the double whammies!
"Mommy is talking right now."
"When mommy is finished with the dishes, then mommy can help you."

2. "We will only use the dvd player in the car for road trips."
My definition of a road trip has broadened to include the 7 minute ride to school, the 5 minute ride to the store, the 20 minute ride to Grandma's house, etc. I alleviate my guilty conscience by not making it a movie but Signing Time or just the musical number compilations like Elmo Sings with the Stars or Best of Wiggles.

1. "Wait 'til your father gets home."
I don't use this in the June Cleaver way but still makes me cringe when I say it. This was spoken countless times during this last pregnancy. Whenever there was a physical task that I didn't feel like participating in, I would pass this over to Daddy. Going out to swing in the backyard in the summer heat ... wait for daddy to get home. Pool ... wait for dad.  Go to the park ... wait for dad.

So, my #1 didn't fit in that "I told you so" category but still words I never thought my lips would utter.

Twas the Night Before...

As I sit here typing, I know I will get little sleep. Not because my little ones aren't feeling good or are awake even, they are all snoozing. You see, it is the eve of our first MOPS meeting of the year and I am a little giddy. I was a stay-at-home mom a whole year before I ever even heard of MOPS. Then, at a Parents of Multiples garage sale Ricci recruited me and I thought, "why not, worth a try". Recently while I tried to recruit a former coworker, I told her that now I couldn't imagine my life without it. She had already chosen another MOPS group closer to home. Not that it was in my plan, but obviously in God's plan, in my two years of being a member I have given birth twice more. The support that I have received has been priceless... the prayers, kind words, play dates, extra doting arms, maternity clothes loans, meals.

In fact it was at a play date that I was able to slip away to my doctor's appointment, leaving my 3 girls in safe hands and good company. The tell-tale appointment, that confirmed I did not have the flu but that I was, in fact, pregnant. Nicolas was almost a month old and I still had meals being delivered. Words just can not express how much easier that made my life with a newborn + 3 others.

So, all these extra steps I took tonight before going to bed or Nicolas' next feeding were done with excitement, not stress.

Clothes and socks laid out for all 4.

Fruit cut & in labeled ziploc bags for snacks.

Diaper bag is visible.

Contents have been reviewed and content restocked appropriately.

Sabrina's bag is in close proximity to refrigerator for easy packing.

Twins' aprons are in the car, eliminating chances of forgetting them at home.

This too, shall pass.

Photography by Mia

I know that I have been absent for a while. First it was morning sickness, then just being too darn tootin' tired and not it's being a mommy of four and four. And yes, still darn tootin' tired. In the last month not only have I been adjusting to being this new momma, yet again, but also my hard drive crashing. Now, I am kicking myself for not being better at keeping up with this blog. So, here is my attempt. The only reason I have the time for this is that my stubborn 3 year olds didn't nap again, so I managed to get them in bed by 6:30. Patting myself on the back. That was 3 days ago.

Oh what a week it's been. Livvy is a struggle. We had a brief hiatus from her major tantrums. They are starting to rear their ugly heads again. In addition, to a very attention seeking, Mia and extremely clingy, Sabrina, oh yes, and that 100% dependent newborn. I am a firefighter these days, putting out the most urgent fire and letting the others burn themselves out.

To use one of my favorite lines from my high school days, here is what constitutes "a day in the life" of Livvy. Yesterday, we had a very scattered mommy preparing for the early arrival of our handyman. While getting the smaller kids dressed I could hear the familiar sound of spraying, from a can. Despite being out of reach, Olivia found a way to climb within reaching distance of the air freshener and was spraying it in her sisters direction, laughing like it was as harmless as a squirt gun. Did you hear the bell too? That was the signal that the fight has begun. I attempt to iron the curtain panels going up in Nicolas room. I hear the sound again, this time it's spray starch. She had two accidents. Why? I don't know. She made it to the bathroom but somehow couldn't get her panties down in time to sit and pee. I had to postpone nap time, so that I could allow the work upstairs to be completed. Every time I said no or stop, she heard "I double dog dare you.

Finally, a use for leftover Pull Ups.

Nap time arrives, excuse me quiet time. Had the pep talk about being able to stay in same room with Mia, "you can do it".  NOT. Two warnings to stop jumping off the bed and she was booted to the nursery. (Going to be a problem when Nicolas is actually sleeping in there. Whole other can of worms.) She is quiet but Nicolas is extremely fussy, so I don't get a chance to go investigate. After about 45 minutes of quiet time,  I allow her to join me and Sabrina downstairs. Mia joins us about 45 minutes later. They proceed to fight, Livvy being the bully. Then, cue fit over water not being in the right cup. I am about to put her in her room for a cooling off period. This is when I discover, the artwork on the wall in the hallway. She is in trouble, capital T. I am furious. I am 100% sure, without a doubt that I lost it. I yelled. Loudly. I announce that Mia will be the only one accompanying me to the library. She immediately leaves her cell begging to join. I list all her offenses. She doesn't get it. She's three. I know this but periodically forget.

But wait, there's more. Library trip is a success with Mia and Sabrina. Not crowded, picked out stuff for the both of them. Both were able to play at the tables, there were puzzles, leggos, and a dollhouse ... oh my! Get home, my sister tells me Livvy slept the whole time we were gone. Hmmm, does her body still need to nap. Ummm, yea but she disagrees. Somehow we get through dinner, still not sure how. There were more tantrums, losing ability to feed herself, several "mommy do it" requests. The girls were even joking about the "mommy monster". Which is a completely accurate description of my behavior that day. Hearing it wanted to make me laugh and cry at the same time. One foot, in front of the other. Can't go back, just move on from here.

We play, sing, and dance to the cd we checked out. I am thinking, "whew, I made it through this day". Famous last words. We get to the girls' room to read some of the books before bed and I discover an entire art gallery of drawings on 3 walls, the footboard, and the fitted sheet. She sees my face and knows she is in trouble. I take her to the other room, no reading time. She begs to read with us and I can't see straight. I don't know where else to go with this. I am going with excluding her from fun things ... spankings, time out/cool offs, counting to ten, have all proven fruitless. Marble jar is effective but not all the time. The worst is, when I lose control and raise my voice, she smiles. UGH! She knows that she won.

Yes, I realize all of that made it sound like only one kid existed but believe you me, the other 3 added to that commotion yesterday. Mia with her bragging about taking a nap and earning her library trip. Princess Sabrina and how she dare not let her feet touch the ground. And baby Nicolas just wanting basic needs being met in a timely manner. Tomorrow is a new day, right?

Profile showing off cheeks.

Like my lipstick?

We spent all this morning cleaning the crayon off the walls. (FYI - baking soda and a damp cloth. Leaves no residue like Goo Gone. Toothpaste and vinegar did not do the trick like suggested in article 8 Ways to Clean Crayon from Walls. Didn't attempt the WD40, lighter fluid or mayonnaise.)  We repeat the rules over and over, "coloring is for paper only" and "you make the mess, you clean it up". I hope and pray this sinks in but who am I kidding. She is as stubborn as me and as mischievous as her dad. We are doomed and blessed, all at the same time.

So, from now on ... at least a few days to a week ... Livvy has to sleep in the nursery (in her bed) with the door closed. Which to her is cruel and unusual punishment. Today, she got her sister to break her out. I busted them in the play room and locked doors to both rooms. I worry about being too hard, for a second. Then I hear them talking to each other through the doors. Or should I say, yelling? ..."Livvy, I'm in here!" "Mia get me out!" "I'm coming Livvy!" "Can you hear me?" "Where's mommy?"
At one point, Mia was talking Livvy through her tantrum "Livvy count to ten. Okay? Together."
They even attempt to plot their escape, at the top of their lungs, as if I can't hear. Now, they sleep. Now, I can accept that I haven't scarred them for life as I listen to them laugh and sing through closed doors. ~Sigh~

Wiggles Concert

I do it!

To borrow the format from E! show recaps, here are some of my favorite one liners from the past week:

• Mia: Mommy, you're my girl.
• Livvy: I'm awesome.
• Livvy and Mia: Mommy, you're a teacher?! That's silly! (followed by lots of giggles)
• Mia: Mommy, you're a teacher and like a doctor.
• Mia: I can't, I'm holding the baby. (Referring to her husky puppy wrapped up in a blanket)