"So I had a moment at lunch time today with Hailey. When they were babies I used to rock, mainly Hailey, to sleep in my arms and now that they're little people she's quick to jump out of my arms. But I picked her up today and I told her how I used to rock her and for like 10 minutes she went limp in my arms and I rocked her and hummed xmas songs and she was falling asleep. I had tears in my eyes. I just wanted to bottle that moment up."
Love,
Titi
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
O M G
Blogger has FINALLY gone mobile!!!!! They have an app for iPhone now and that means I don't have to log into the computer to blog.
Much more blogging to come....
Much more blogging to come....
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
It's Christmas time in the Lucco house
My, my time is flying. The girls hit the road with daddy for Thanksgiving. Road tripped to New Jersey to have Thanksgiving with the Lucco's. The girls did awesome they didn't fuss in the car, no crying in the hotel, and no melt downs staying up later than usual. Titi came with and we took the girls to the swimming pool in the hotel. This was a must per the girls request. The girls have visited Santa multiple times at the mall. We all had breakfast with Santa at my (daddy's) work. The whole gang daddy, mommy, Grandpa, Uncle Joey, and Kristin all went to a tree farm and we picked a really big tree to be our first x-mas tree in our new house. That brings us up to date. Sort of, I'm sure I'm leaving out a bunch of stuff.
Mommy update - She had PRK corrective eye surgery so things are a little blurry right now.
Things to come- The girls all have green snot and are going to the doctor today. Here we go again.
Peace out, DAD
Mommy update - She had PRK corrective eye surgery so things are a little blurry right now.
Things to come- The girls all have green snot and are going to the doctor today. Here we go again.
Peace out, DAD
Monday, November 14, 2011
Santa
Pete took the girls to see Santa yesterday. They all saw him - Emily & Hannah sat on his lap and I think Hailey stood next to him. That's progress from last year when it took us about 8 trips to the mall before they would actually go near him. On their way home Hailey said she needed to go back to see him because she forgot to ask for an iPhone.
Today after school we came home, made lunch, hit the park for a picnic and some play time and then headed to the mall to see Santa again. Hailey was standing in front of him (there was no one in line and no one around...we just stood around Santa and had a pow wow...lol) and said "I forgot to ask for an iPhone!" as if he was deaf. Then that was followed up by Emily saying "And I want a Cat. A REAL CAT!!!" Ohhhh my goooooodnesssssss!!!!!!!!!! I interjected and said how Santa doesn't bring REAL animals and this mall Santa caught on quick and agreed.
I must say - their excitement about Santa this year is very contagious. While walking through the mall they couldn't contain themselves. The laughter and giggling and skipping and screaming...all totally worth every minute.
Today after school we came home, made lunch, hit the park for a picnic and some play time and then headed to the mall to see Santa again. Hailey was standing in front of him (there was no one in line and no one around...we just stood around Santa and had a pow wow...lol) and said "I forgot to ask for an iPhone!" as if he was deaf. Then that was followed up by Emily saying "And I want a Cat. A REAL CAT!!!" Ohhhh my goooooodnesssssss!!!!!!!!!! I interjected and said how Santa doesn't bring REAL animals and this mall Santa caught on quick and agreed.
I must say - their excitement about Santa this year is very contagious. While walking through the mall they couldn't contain themselves. The laughter and giggling and skipping and screaming...all totally worth every minute.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Storm of 2011
So as if being down and out for 3 weeks with all of us being sick wasn't enough...we had a snow storm on Oct 29th that wiped out power to most of the state. Yes - about the entire state of CT was WITHOUT power. Night 1 the girls were at my cousin Jens house while Pete and I were home (and freezing). Night 2 Pete took the girls to his parents house and I stayed with a friend. Nights 3 & 4 were spent in a hotel room. We booked night 5 in the hotel but by that point we decided to take off to VA and visit my niece. We had preplanned this trip but just decided to go earlier since we were a waste of space here anyway. Pete stayed in the hotel on night 5...the girls slept in the car on the 10 hour drive to VA on night 5. Nights 6, 7, 8 & 9 were spent in VA at cousin Christina's house. And finally night 10 was spent sleeping in the car on the 10 hour ride home. Let's break that down in list form:
NIGHT 1: JENN'S HOUSE
NIGHT 2: PETE'S PARENTS
NIGHT 3: HOTEL
NIGHT 4: HOTEL
NIGHT 5: CAR
NIGHT 6: COUSIN CHRISTINA'S
NIGHT 7: COUSIN CHRISTINA'S
NIGHT 8: COUSIN CHRISTINA'S
NIGHT 9: COUSIN CHRISTINA'S
NIGHT 10: CAR
I was SPENT from the driving, sleeping everywhere but home, dealing with 3 kids on the road, eating out and just being misplaced. BUT we did it and we did it with ease. There were no major problems or complications. And I learned that the girls travel just fine. They did wonderful in the car! Pete turned their car seats rear facing for the duration of the VA trip so that when they slept in the car they were more comfortable. They didn't complain about being rear facing either! I also learned that hotels should have a kid friendly FLOOR. And it should be a 1st floor. And it should be sound proof.
The schools were closed the entire week PLUS Mon and Tue the next week due to power lines and trees making unsafe conditions for the kids to be at bus stops or walking to school. And Halloween was cancelled! Well that's what Mother Nature does - she just creeps up and disrupts the likes of what we call routine and schedule.
We're back to the grind and slowly getting back on track. Just in time for the holidays.....
NIGHT 1: JENN'S HOUSE
NIGHT 2: PETE'S PARENTS
NIGHT 3: HOTEL
NIGHT 4: HOTEL
NIGHT 5: CAR
NIGHT 6: COUSIN CHRISTINA'S
NIGHT 7: COUSIN CHRISTINA'S
NIGHT 8: COUSIN CHRISTINA'S
NIGHT 9: COUSIN CHRISTINA'S
NIGHT 10: CAR
I was SPENT from the driving, sleeping everywhere but home, dealing with 3 kids on the road, eating out and just being misplaced. BUT we did it and we did it with ease. There were no major problems or complications. And I learned that the girls travel just fine. They did wonderful in the car! Pete turned their car seats rear facing for the duration of the VA trip so that when they slept in the car they were more comfortable. They didn't complain about being rear facing either! I also learned that hotels should have a kid friendly FLOOR. And it should be a 1st floor. And it should be sound proof.
The schools were closed the entire week PLUS Mon and Tue the next week due to power lines and trees making unsafe conditions for the kids to be at bus stops or walking to school. And Halloween was cancelled! Well that's what Mother Nature does - she just creeps up and disrupts the likes of what we call routine and schedule.
We're back to the grind and slowly getting back on track. Just in time for the holidays.....
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Kryptonite
I do believe that the little kid germs from school just may be my kryptonite! I. GOT. SICK. I never get sick with what the girls have but this time I got hit and hit hard. The good news is that we are ALL back on the road to recovery after 3 weeks of crud.
Monday, October 17, 2011
IT'S NOT EVEN WINTER
Last week I had to bring the girls to the doctor. They were all sick. This week - THEY ARE ALL STILL SICK. Today they all had appts at the dentist. We kept those appts (since Hailey busted her face and chipped a tooth - we needed to be seen). And I made appts for them to see the pediatrician this afternoon because they are all still coughing so bad.
We left the house at 9:30 this morning. They were all seen at the dentist and had their teeth clean. NO CAVITIES YAY! Hailey's tooth may/may not change color but it's not going to affect her since it's her baby tooth. We left the dentist around 11:30 and went to have lunch at McD's (with a playscape). After lunch we headed to the doctor. They ALL have bronchitis. (Yup...all those moms at the playscape can certainly thank me now...ooops). Off to the pharmacy we went to fill prescriptions. Then finally home at 4:00. IT WAS A LONG DAY. I'm tired. The kids are tired. But they were very good all day long. I couldn't have asked for better behaved children under the circumstances.
With that said - they will be home from school again tomorrow. They haven't been to school since last Wednesday (Emily hasn't been since last Tuesday). So this is going to be a loooong winter...I can tell already.
We left the house at 9:30 this morning. They were all seen at the dentist and had their teeth clean. NO CAVITIES YAY! Hailey's tooth may/may not change color but it's not going to affect her since it's her baby tooth. We left the dentist around 11:30 and went to have lunch at McD's (with a playscape). After lunch we headed to the doctor. They ALL have bronchitis. (Yup...all those moms at the playscape can certainly thank me now...ooops). Off to the pharmacy we went to fill prescriptions. Then finally home at 4:00. IT WAS A LONG DAY. I'm tired. The kids are tired. But they were very good all day long. I couldn't have asked for better behaved children under the circumstances.
With that said - they will be home from school again tomorrow. They haven't been to school since last Wednesday (Emily hasn't been since last Tuesday). So this is going to be a loooong winter...I can tell already.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Stranger Danger
WTH is with society today? What part of "talk to my 3 year old" sounds "acceptable"? I get it. There are 3 of them. I know this because EVERY DAY I WAKE UP AND THEY'RE CALLING ME MOMMY! But that doesn't mean it's ok for YOU to talk to them as if you're friends. It's been a fine line to walk between 'stranger danger' and 'being rude'. I tell them not to talk to strangers yet I'm telling them to say 'hi' when people talk to us. No more. Our new phrase is "I'm sorry but Mommy told me I can't talk to strangers." That's it. I'm not longer willing to be nice because I can't afford to be. I can't risk them getting comfortable enough to make me worry when we're out in public.
Every single day we practice (I drill) the following:
"What happens if someone asks you to pet their puppy?"
"We say No Thank you - we can pet Marla at home. And then we run away fast and scream!"
"What happens if someone asks you to see their kitten?"
"We say No Thank you - and run away fast and scream!"
"What happens if someone tries to take you?"
"We throw ourselves all around the place and scream and yell and bite until we get away!"
I also tell them:
"Who's allowed to touch your boobies or vagina?"
"Only me and no one else."
"What happens if someone does touch you there?"
"I'm gonna tell Mommy or Daddy RIGHT AWAY!"
"What can you tell Mommy?"
"Everything!"
"Who loves you more than Mommy?" (hehehehe I love being mom)
"NO ONE!" Unless they're feeling giddy and then they'll say any name under the sun except mine! LOL but they get the point.
I don't want to teach them these things. I want to teach them that the world is a safe place and full of love. But that wouldn't be fair. I have to teach them that home is safe and home is love...but when we're out we need to be cautious.
At home - if the doorbell rings - my girls come running to ME...not the door. If someone walks in - they're very cautious to approach until they know who it is. And I'm totally fine with this. I want them to know that the world ISN'T all good. I need them to be prepared for when they're independent and on their own. I can't protect them forever so I need to prepare them. I know how over the top this all sounds but when broken down into bits and pieces - it's really not. It's simply making sure they have the knowledge to carry with them when I'm not around.
Every single day we practice (I drill) the following:
"What happens if someone asks you to pet their puppy?"
"We say No Thank you - we can pet Marla at home. And then we run away fast and scream!"
"What happens if someone asks you to see their kitten?"
"We say No Thank you - and run away fast and scream!"
"What happens if someone tries to take you?"
"We throw ourselves all around the place and scream and yell and bite until we get away!"
I also tell them:
"Who's allowed to touch your boobies or vagina?"
"Only me and no one else."
"What happens if someone does touch you there?"
"I'm gonna tell Mommy or Daddy RIGHT AWAY!"
"What can you tell Mommy?"
"Everything!"
"Who loves you more than Mommy?" (hehehehe I love being mom)
"NO ONE!" Unless they're feeling giddy and then they'll say any name under the sun except mine! LOL but they get the point.
I don't want to teach them these things. I want to teach them that the world is a safe place and full of love. But that wouldn't be fair. I have to teach them that home is safe and home is love...but when we're out we need to be cautious.
At home - if the doorbell rings - my girls come running to ME...not the door. If someone walks in - they're very cautious to approach until they know who it is. And I'm totally fine with this. I want them to know that the world ISN'T all good. I need them to be prepared for when they're independent and on their own. I can't protect them forever so I need to prepare them. I know how over the top this all sounds but when broken down into bits and pieces - it's really not. It's simply making sure they have the knowledge to carry with them when I'm not around.
New Day
Yesterday SUCKED. I'm thankful for a new day. All of the girls are sick - 2 with croup, one with asthma and Hailey fell and busted her face yesterday. She chipped her front tooth also. What a mess of a day..................
But today is new. So we're just going to move forward. Nothing we can do to fix yesterday so we can only hope today is better.
But today is new. So we're just going to move forward. Nothing we can do to fix yesterday so we can only hope today is better.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Blog?
Who has a blog? Me? I do? OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My bad......
The girls have been doing wonderful in school. They don't really give me too much trouble in the morning anymore. When we get to the classroom Emily still holds on to my leg as if I can't see or feel her and I may just leave with her attached to me. But the tears are far and few between and they are enjoying the new activities, new friends and new environment. All in all it's going well.
We've been spending our afternoons going places and having fun. When I pick the girls up from school I ask them to 'give me their naps' and I 'put them in my pocket'. If they start to act cranky - I can take their nap out and give it back to them which means stopping what we're doing and going home to take naps. But I'm also smart enough to know that everyone has to have their moment so I don't jump on them the second they act up. I give them time to 'calm themselves down' and usually this is enough to get through the day. They've been doing well without naps so we'll see how it goes.
I'll work on another post about stranger danger. It's so hard to walk that line!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The girls have been doing wonderful in school. They don't really give me too much trouble in the morning anymore. When we get to the classroom Emily still holds on to my leg as if I can't see or feel her and I may just leave with her attached to me. But the tears are far and few between and they are enjoying the new activities, new friends and new environment. All in all it's going well.
We've been spending our afternoons going places and having fun. When I pick the girls up from school I ask them to 'give me their naps' and I 'put them in my pocket'. If they start to act cranky - I can take their nap out and give it back to them which means stopping what we're doing and going home to take naps. But I'm also smart enough to know that everyone has to have their moment so I don't jump on them the second they act up. I give them time to 'calm themselves down' and usually this is enough to get through the day. They've been doing well without naps so we'll see how it goes.
I'll work on another post about stranger danger. It's so hard to walk that line!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Happy Birthday
Daddy here. The girls wanted me to post a very BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOMMY!!!
We love you and think you are the best mom in the whole world. We love all the fun things you do with us, the walks, the park, the mall. Emily says she loves the mall the most. Thank you for making our lives super fun.
Love,
Hannah, Hailey, Emily
PS: Happy Birthday, I love you too. O-|->
We love you and think you are the best mom in the whole world. We love all the fun things you do with us, the walks, the park, the mall. Emily says she loves the mall the most. Thank you for making our lives super fun.
Love,
Hannah, Hailey, Emily
PS: Happy Birthday, I love you too. O-|->
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tattle Tails
Yup...we have 'em. The girls will run and tell on each other about everything. Most times I say "Hmmm...sounds like something you can work out on your own." But there are instances that need some intervention - like hitting. Hitting seems to be a big thing lately. I'm not a fan - but not much I can do except try to curb the behavior. Hitting them back isn't an option (really doesn't even need an explanation does it?). But sometimes the tattling gets out of control. "Mommy!!!!!!!!! She did ____ to me!!!!" as they do whatever was done to them...and 10x harder I'm sure. It's funny sometimes but other times is just plain annoying. My patience wears thin and I think they sense that and feed off me....ugh.
School is amazing. They are coming home singing songs and talking about their day. They love it! Gym, music, the library...even the bathroom trips (there isn't a bathroom in their classroom - they have to make trips to use the potty!). The teacher has also told me that she separated the girls into separate groups. So although they're in the same classroom - they aren't always doing the same activity. I LOVE this idea and it seems to be working well for the girls.
School is amazing. They are coming home singing songs and talking about their day. They love it! Gym, music, the library...even the bathroom trips (there isn't a bathroom in their classroom - they have to make trips to use the potty!). The teacher has also told me that she separated the girls into separate groups. So although they're in the same classroom - they aren't always doing the same activity. I LOVE this idea and it seems to be working well for the girls.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Kisses?
I dropped the girls off at school today and they walked away...no tears and NO KISSES GOODBYE FOR MOMMY! They just went to sit down at their table to get the day started. I could have gone over to them and kissed them goodbye - but I just know that would have started something so I left. But man...I guess I have to watch what I wish for.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
STAND STILL
If you've ever tried getting a child dressed then you know it's an event. There's always something more important to be doing besides standing there getting your clothes on. The other night I was trying to get Emily into her pj's. She was everywhere but where I needed her to be. I'd get one pant leg in and then she's pulling away to pick up a piece of paper...... Finally I yelled at her and said "EMILY! GET OVER HERE, STAND STILL AND GET YOUR PJ'S ON NOW!" She promptly stomped over to me, grabbed my face between her hands and yelled right back "IT'S NOT EASY!" Guess I never considered how hard it is to stand still when you're 3...............
Thursday, September 15, 2011
4th graders!
When I picked the girls up at school yesterday the teacher told me that the pre-k 3 class had a visit from the 4th graders. Apparently the girls didn't like this at all and proceeded to have a triple meltdown. Hailey informed me that someone tried to hold her hand lol. I am guessing that when you're in the 4th grade - a bunch of preschoolers look like live dolls. So they probably were trying to get the kids to go play or read and Hailey just wasn't having it (none of the girls were). But the teacher did say they're talking with other students, playing and they've managed to separate the girls within the classroom. So far - so good!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Missing Pieces
I haven't been blogging - life isn't exactly where I want it to be right now. Not something I even want to get into on the blog though (not even something I want to get into in life...). But it's times like this when I wonder where I went wrong or if I went wrong. Was it destiny for things to be this way? Or did I make it this way on my own? Maybe a little of both. The fact of the matter is that 'it is what it is'. We wake up and move through the days, weeks, months...time passes. But somewhere - pieces are missing.
Friday, September 9, 2011
2nd week of preschool
Well the girls did awesome this week at school. They really didn't want to go back when Tuesday rolled around (Monday was a holiday) but they were troopers and made it through the week. Tonight we have a school picnic to attend so that we can meet some of the other parents, teachers and children. I can tell already that I'm going to have a hard time keeping up with all of the activities and schedule. And the paperwork...................
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Weekends
The weekend is here! The girls started at dinner last night about how they didn't want to go to school today. "I don't wannaaaaa go to school tomorrow............." Lucky for them it's the weekend. And a long weekend at that since there isn't any school Monday. I'm sure Tuesday we'll be back to the screaming and crying. But this too shall pass (so I'm told....).
Paperwork will be the death of me. (After I die from the whining). I don't know why - but each one of them comes home with the same stack of papers. I only need to read it once...but I guess I can have a new copy if I have to reread it. lol I might ask that they designate one folder for all of their paperwork but I'm not sure they'll agree. If not - it's not a big deal - it just seems like it's a waste of paper.
Fundraisers? Hmmm. For YEARS AND YEARS I've been buying fundraisers. One of the jokes that started when we had the girls was that everyone was going to get hit with 3x the buying since they'll have to buy something from each girl. Get this. The school added a $400 'fundraiser fee' on to each tuition this year. Why? So that we don't have to do fundraising. Basically they just increased the tuition. I was really looking forward to all that candy and wrapping paper!
Paperwork will be the death of me. (After I die from the whining). I don't know why - but each one of them comes home with the same stack of papers. I only need to read it once...but I guess I can have a new copy if I have to reread it. lol I might ask that they designate one folder for all of their paperwork but I'm not sure they'll agree. If not - it's not a big deal - it just seems like it's a waste of paper.
Fundraisers? Hmmm. For YEARS AND YEARS I've been buying fundraisers. One of the jokes that started when we had the girls was that everyone was going to get hit with 3x the buying since they'll have to buy something from each girl. Get this. The school added a $400 'fundraiser fee' on to each tuition this year. Why? So that we don't have to do fundraising. Basically they just increased the tuition. I was really looking forward to all that candy and wrapping paper!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
2nd day of preschool
Not so easy. Much worse of a drop off than yesterday. Pete went to work at 7:15 and the girls CRIED "I don't want to go to schooooooolllllllll!" At one point Hailey said "I'll go to school TOMORROW...just NOT TODAY" to which Emily quickly replied "Not me mommyyyyy...I never want to go to schooooolllllll." Oh please add the 3y/o whine into all of these sentences. LB was home - so he came to school with us so that he could see where their classroom is (he's on the list as someone that can pick them up).
Once we got there - I brought them in the room and they were screaming again. I gave them all kisses, said I'd be back and started to head out the door...then the teacher said they need to be signed in. Just that small bit of hesitation was long enough for all 3 of them to get a death grip on my pants. I quickly signed Emily in but left the other 2 blank...figured it was an all for one/one for all deal. I peeled their hands off of me and headed out the door. LB was right behind me. Rough rough rough. Who knew kids could tear at your heart like this?!?!
When we went and picked them up - they were happy and once again agreed to go back tomorrow. Good thing cuz they're going back.
We went to the park for a picnic lunch before heading home for naps. Hopefully tomorrow is a little easier but it might get worse before it gets easier. Imagine how the teacher feels?!?!?!
Once we got there - I brought them in the room and they were screaming again. I gave them all kisses, said I'd be back and started to head out the door...then the teacher said they need to be signed in. Just that small bit of hesitation was long enough for all 3 of them to get a death grip on my pants. I quickly signed Emily in but left the other 2 blank...figured it was an all for one/one for all deal. I peeled their hands off of me and headed out the door. LB was right behind me. Rough rough rough. Who knew kids could tear at your heart like this?!?!
When we went and picked them up - they were happy and once again agreed to go back tomorrow. Good thing cuz they're going back.
We went to the park for a picnic lunch before heading home for naps. Hopefully tomorrow is a little easier but it might get worse before it gets easier. Imagine how the teacher feels?!?!?!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
1st Day of Preschool
Where has the time gone? My babies aren't babies any longer. They're preschoolers! Somehow time is moving faster than I'd like it to some days. (Other days can't be over fast enough lol). Yesterday was bittersweet. The girls were VERY EXCITED to start their 1st day of school. We did a lot of prepping and planning to make sure they knew what was coming. However; they missed the part where they were staying and we were leaving. So we got them to school - they sat down at the table and we said our goodbyes. Triple nuclear meltdown!
When we picked them up (Pete took the day off so we could both bring them to school) they were exhausted. They must have played hard and had a good time because not only were they tired - they agreed to go back again! Yay!
We took them out to lunch at Friendly's after school and then came home for naps. They came home with tons of paperwork to be filled out...I need to get on that.
So it was a good 1st day :)
When we picked them up (Pete took the day off so we could both bring them to school) they were exhausted. They must have played hard and had a good time because not only were they tired - they agreed to go back again! Yay!
We took them out to lunch at Friendly's after school and then came home for naps. They came home with tons of paperwork to be filled out...I need to get on that.
So it was a good 1st day :)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Hurricane Irene
Well it's blog worthy because there hasn't been a hurricane in CT in 20 years. I don't remember the last one...and I'm sure the girls won't remember this one. This is a touchy age for them. They take things SO LITERALLY so we have to watch what we say. (Case in point...Pete said something about throwing one of them out the window and Emily burst into tears saying "I don't want you to throw me out a window!"). *disclaimer - he was JUST KIDDING* So I wanted to be very careful how I approached the hurricane with them.
1st - they aren't terribly afraid of thunderstorms. I do my best to take them outside when it's thundering and make a big deal out of how cool it is. So I didn't want to make a big deal out of the hurricane...but let's face it - I was scared!
2nd - how do you tape up windows, make an emergency kit, move cars and tie things down...all without raising some concerns to a few preschoolers? It's not easy. But it can be done!
We started by telling them we were going to get A LOT of rain. We kept it simple - just rain. They don't understand wind yet. Next - I told them 'guess what? Today is the day we make a spiderweb on the windows!" So I let them watch me tape up the big window in the living room and then the windows in our bedroom. Then - as we explained the lights going out and how we would have to use flashlights and candles...we talked about how cool it would be for their beds to be in our room so Pete and I didn't get scared when the lights went out. So we moved our bed, made room for their beds, and let them sleep in our room. Just for the night though - we don't wanna make a habit out that! They thought it was great that they got to sleep in our room so WE didn't get scared. :)
This morning - we still had power so I jumped out of bed, made coffee, bagels, Eggo's and boiled some water (don't ask why...I have no idea). All just in case we lost power. But we only lost power for a brief moment - then it came back on. No damage to the house here but some trees and power lines were down in the neighborhood. I guess we managed to get through this hurricane unscathed. Thank God!
1st - they aren't terribly afraid of thunderstorms. I do my best to take them outside when it's thundering and make a big deal out of how cool it is. So I didn't want to make a big deal out of the hurricane...but let's face it - I was scared!
2nd - how do you tape up windows, make an emergency kit, move cars and tie things down...all without raising some concerns to a few preschoolers? It's not easy. But it can be done!
We started by telling them we were going to get A LOT of rain. We kept it simple - just rain. They don't understand wind yet. Next - I told them 'guess what? Today is the day we make a spiderweb on the windows!" So I let them watch me tape up the big window in the living room and then the windows in our bedroom. Then - as we explained the lights going out and how we would have to use flashlights and candles...we talked about how cool it would be for their beds to be in our room so Pete and I didn't get scared when the lights went out. So we moved our bed, made room for their beds, and let them sleep in our room. Just for the night though - we don't wanna make a habit out that! They thought it was great that they got to sleep in our room so WE didn't get scared. :)
This morning - we still had power so I jumped out of bed, made coffee, bagels, Eggo's and boiled some water (don't ask why...I have no idea). All just in case we lost power. But we only lost power for a brief moment - then it came back on. No damage to the house here but some trees and power lines were down in the neighborhood. I guess we managed to get through this hurricane unscathed. Thank God!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Simple things
I always try to find ways to keep the girls occupied. I love to take them outside and I love to take them to new parks...and they love going to the park. It's hard not to get caught up in the house doing housework while they're playing and keeping each other occupied. If you show up to my house on any given day (before nap) - you will find the table with breakfast left on it, toys on the floor, clothes strewn across the house and an empty coffee mug somewhere in the house. On nice days - you won't find us here though. I'm big on ditching the 'adult' responsibilities for taking the girls to and do something. We like to visit people where I use to work, hit the park (or 2), go to Grammies house and hang out with the dog, take a walk, go to the pool, visit our cousins (this is a fav), anything BUT stay home and get caught up in cleaning. I hate when my house is messy. But I have to remember that one of the reasons I quit my full time job was so that I could spend TIME with the girls. Cleaning the house while they're playing in another room isn't the kind of time I want. I want good, quality time with them! Not so that they can grow up and say "My mom spent sooo much time with me when I was little." Nope. It's so that when they grow up I can say "I am so glad I got to spend that time with them when they were younger." Time is something we all need/want more of. And it's the one thing in life we truly can't buy or get back. So I wanna make the best of what I have.
We were suppose to go to the Cape this weekend but our plans were foiled by the impending hurricane. Since Pete had the time off anyway - we went to the zoo yesterday. Have you ever read the book "Good Night, Gorilla"? We have been reading this book to them since they were infants. The bind on the book is destroyed and although the pages are made of a carboard like material - they're starting to get demolished as well. But the girls insist that we keep the book and they love when we read it to them. In the book - the zoo keeper is saying goodnight to all of the animals while the gorilla is letting the animals out of the cages. So at the zoo yesterday - Hannah was way too nervous to enjoy anything. She kept asking if they were going to get out of the cages. LOL At least she's paying attention when we read to her! When we were at the bear exhibit - the bear got up and walked toward us. Hannah & Hailey just about jumped out of the wagon and took off. But they did enjoy themselves and we had a really nice family day.
We took the girls to Friendly's for ice cream after the zoo. When I asked the girls what their favorite animal at the zoo was - Emily & Hailey said the tiger. I thought that was pretty weird since the tigers we saw were just kind of laying around and we didn't spend much time watching them. Hannah said her favorite was seeing the monkey's (those were very active and they had 3 or 4 different species so it was a pretty big exhibit). Then Emily says "I even gave the tiger a high five!" Pete and I started laughing so hard..........
We were suppose to go to the Cape this weekend but our plans were foiled by the impending hurricane. Since Pete had the time off anyway - we went to the zoo yesterday. Have you ever read the book "Good Night, Gorilla"? We have been reading this book to them since they were infants. The bind on the book is destroyed and although the pages are made of a carboard like material - they're starting to get demolished as well. But the girls insist that we keep the book and they love when we read it to them. In the book - the zoo keeper is saying goodnight to all of the animals while the gorilla is letting the animals out of the cages. So at the zoo yesterday - Hannah was way too nervous to enjoy anything. She kept asking if they were going to get out of the cages. LOL At least she's paying attention when we read to her! When we were at the bear exhibit - the bear got up and walked toward us. Hannah & Hailey just about jumped out of the wagon and took off. But they did enjoy themselves and we had a really nice family day.
We took the girls to Friendly's for ice cream after the zoo. When I asked the girls what their favorite animal at the zoo was - Emily & Hailey said the tiger. I thought that was pretty weird since the tigers we saw were just kind of laying around and we didn't spend much time watching them. Hannah said her favorite was seeing the monkey's (those were very active and they had 3 or 4 different species so it was a pretty big exhibit). Then Emily says "I even gave the tiger a high five!" Pete and I started laughing so hard..........
She did give him a high five!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Whineeeeeeeeeeeee
I really dislike HATE whining. But it seems to be ALL that the girls are doing lately. And it's driving. me. insane. They whine to get a glass of milk, to get a toy, to go out to play, to get picked up, to go to the bathroom, to brush teeth.....you get the picture! I think this might be what does me in! The whining is winning.
Last night Pete and I went to the annual margarita party at camp Chabbot. And as always it was wonderful (we even played Quelf!). I love the fact that I can feel at home with my cousins. Whether they're here at my house or I'm at theirs - it's the same feeling...accepted and loved. Oh and they didn't whine so that made it even better.................................. :)
Busy week coming our way this week. I'm working Mon, Wed & Thu and we're leaving for the Cape on Thursday afternoon - returning on Sat (or Sun - we haven't decided yet). And the girls start school next week! I'm nervous and excited. I'm sure it'll be more positive than negative. I think the girls are more than ready for school and school is hopefully ready for them! We shall see....
Last night Pete and I went to the annual margarita party at camp Chabbot. And as always it was wonderful (we even played Quelf!). I love the fact that I can feel at home with my cousins. Whether they're here at my house or I'm at theirs - it's the same feeling...accepted and loved. Oh and they didn't whine so that made it even better.................................. :)
Busy week coming our way this week. I'm working Mon, Wed & Thu and we're leaving for the Cape on Thursday afternoon - returning on Sat (or Sun - we haven't decided yet). And the girls start school next week! I'm nervous and excited. I'm sure it'll be more positive than negative. I think the girls are more than ready for school and school is hopefully ready for them! We shall see....
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Grrrr
I posted yesterday and today....on the other blog! LOL I need to find a way to combine them into one I guess. Anyhow - here's the link...........
http://luccotriplets.blogspot.com/
http://luccotriplets.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Cousins
Have I mentioned before how much I love my cousins? I hope the girls really enjoy their cousins as much as I do. Yesterday we took a trip to go hang out with Daniel and Christopher for the day. Daniel (who is 13) I thought would just disappear into his room for the day and sleep or play video games. But he didn't leave us at all! As a matter of fact - he played with us and hung out with us all day. Even going outside! When the girls took a nap - Christopher was watching TV and Daniel and I played a quick game of mad gab (fun game but hard!). He showed me some hilarious videos on youtube and we started a words with friends game (scrabble on our phones). He's a pretty cool kid and he's an awesome older brother.
Christopher and the girls played all day too. Actually - it was mostly Christopher and Emily playing together while Hannah & Hailey played together. If Emily walked away from Christopher he would come get her, take her by the hand and say 'Come on!' and off they would go again. He didn't mind them playing with his toys and he wanted to JOIN them with whatever they were doing! He didn't take nearly as much down time as he has needed in the past and there was NO FIGHTING ALL DAY LONG!!!!!!!!! 4 toddlers could have easily turned into chaos and a huge headache. But these kids were amazing. With Daniel's help I made it through the day with no bumps, bruises, broken bones or lost children. But I think I enjoyed spending time with Daniel most. He's a good reminder for me that not all 13 y/o kids are horrible! LOL
Christopher and the girls played all day too. Actually - it was mostly Christopher and Emily playing together while Hannah & Hailey played together. If Emily walked away from Christopher he would come get her, take her by the hand and say 'Come on!' and off they would go again. He didn't mind them playing with his toys and he wanted to JOIN them with whatever they were doing! He didn't take nearly as much down time as he has needed in the past and there was NO FIGHTING ALL DAY LONG!!!!!!!!! 4 toddlers could have easily turned into chaos and a huge headache. But these kids were amazing. With Daniel's help I made it through the day with no bumps, bruises, broken bones or lost children. But I think I enjoyed spending time with Daniel most. He's a good reminder for me that not all 13 y/o kids are horrible! LOL
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Funny stuff
I don't know how I forgot to put this in yesterday's blog but it's worth it for sure. So earlier yesterday the girls and I had to run some errands. Breakfast WAS offered but my 3 munchkins decided not to eat. Normal this isn't a problem - there's plenty of food here to munch on during the day. But I'm getting them ready for their school schedule and that means they need to eat breakfast earlier and not have anything until snack time. Since we were going to be back before snack time - I didn't bring one with me. First we had to go to the bank. That took an hour...ONE FULL HOUR. The girls were good. So then I was debating if we should even go to Target because they had been so good at the bank - I didn't want to push my luck. But we needed to go to Target so we went. Soooooo I've got all 3 in the carriage and I'm looking at something. Hannah says "Mommy my belly hurts." I say "Oh sorry to hear" and go back to shopping. Then she says really loud and pathetic "But my belly hurts so bad because there's nothing in it!" OMG if I could have crawled in a hole I would have..................
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Play dates
Today we had a play date with the Dudley crew - they have triplets that are 4 months older than the girls but they also have a TEENAGER! He came along for the day as well - and everyone had a great time. The kids actually played TOGETHER today which is really great. I'm noticing that the girls are really playing more with other kids the more we get together.
After our play date - we headed over to the neighbors house - the one who has 2 boys. We needed to tell Pete that we were headed over there so he knew where we would be. Emily knocked on our back door and when Pete opened it she said "I'm going to Matthews house." Pete said "What?!" And Emily said "I'm going to Matthews house, that boys house." Haha Pete was quick to say "Ummm - you're not allowed at boys houses....unless Mommy goes." Mommy was going anyway but it was a funny conversation.
Then it was time for dinner, baths and bed. No naps for the girls today so it was a long day. They went to sleep NO PROBLEMS!
After our play date - we headed over to the neighbors house - the one who has 2 boys. We needed to tell Pete that we were headed over there so he knew where we would be. Emily knocked on our back door and when Pete opened it she said "I'm going to Matthews house." Pete said "What?!" And Emily said "I'm going to Matthews house, that boys house." Haha Pete was quick to say "Ummm - you're not allowed at boys houses....unless Mommy goes." Mommy was going anyway but it was a funny conversation.
Then it was time for dinner, baths and bed. No naps for the girls today so it was a long day. They went to sleep NO PROBLEMS!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Change
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So without change - we would all be insane (because if you DID do the same thing over and over again and got the same results - it would bore you to insanity itself). Change is good. I like change. But sometimes 'change' means changing from a fluid lifestyle to a ridged strict daily regiment. Very much like what happened when we gave birth to the girls. No more coming and going as we pleased, having people over whenever they wanted to show up, leaving for the night on whim...so on. BUT what we did was change. We changed our ways to fit the needs of our new family. And by doing so - we now have 3 happy, very regimented toddlers. (toot horn here...while patting self on back).
I think we need some change again. And school might just give us what we're looking for. If I could PAY for anything I wanted...it would be time. God if I only knew how valuable time was before I had kids I wouldn't have wasted so much of it doing only Lord knows what.
Here's to change...............
On a side note - I'm missing my family. Especially my cousins up in MA. So change might mean skipping out for a day or two to get up there.
I think we need some change again. And school might just give us what we're looking for. If I could PAY for anything I wanted...it would be time. God if I only knew how valuable time was before I had kids I wouldn't have wasted so much of it doing only Lord knows what.
Here's to change...............
On a side note - I'm missing my family. Especially my cousins up in MA. So change might mean skipping out for a day or two to get up there.
Monday, August 1, 2011
BEACH BUMS!
Yes my girls are going to be beach bums...and I am more than thrilled about this! We spent the day at the beach yesterday and they did amazing. Emily kept saying "Mom - we need a boat." We played in the sand, water and on the pier. We threw seashells into the ocean and even checked out some crabs that some other kids caught. Oh and we saw a ton of jelly fish (aka: gooey fish). It was definitely a fun trip and there will be more beach days to come!!!!!!!!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Beach days and walks
The girls and I have been walking with a neighbor and her kids - 2 miles everyday (sometimes we'll go twice to make a total of 4 miles...for those of you who can't add). It's got dual/multi purpose. 1st and foremost is to get my butt in shape. I'm GOING to lose these 15lbs that I've put on since last year. I just wish they would come off as quickly as they went on! 2nd - I get some adult time! How does that happen?!?! Well the kids are kinda quiet while they're riding in their wagon. So that leaves time for some adult conversation (when we're not panting and huffing and trying to catch our breath of course). 3rd - it gets us out of the house for a nice walk and nothing beats a nice walk...except maybe an early morning walk on the beach but since we don't live on the beach......
Speaking of the beach - the girls and I are going today. Pete is taking a trip to Boston with his sister today so the girls and I are on our own. My mom is headed to her friends beach house today and asked us if we wanted to come along. SURE DO! So we'll be beach bums.
Yesterday we hit the mall to have lunch with Uncle Kim. That was a lot of fun - and as always the girls were very well behaved. It helped that they knew they would be going to the candy store for a special treat.
Oh and on the special treat note - the ice cream man came by yesterday. Greattttt. Woke the girls up out a dead sleep from their naps. No problem - we had their ice cream $ on standby on the fridge. So we run outside just in time to catch him. AND I SEE HE INCREASED THE COST OF THE ICE CREAM THAT THE GIRLS ALWAYS BUY! They like to get the funky spongebob or bugs bunny or some other funny face looking ice cream. They were $2.50 each. Which I was already complaining about. But yesterday they were $3.00 each! NO THANKS! We bought ice cream sandwiches for $1 each and the girls enjoyed them just as much. We'll save the extra $ for the candy at the candy store.
Now I'm off to wrangle my kids and make sure they leave their whiny attitudes at home so we can actually have fun at the beach.................
Speaking of the beach - the girls and I are going today. Pete is taking a trip to Boston with his sister today so the girls and I are on our own. My mom is headed to her friends beach house today and asked us if we wanted to come along. SURE DO! So we'll be beach bums.
Yesterday we hit the mall to have lunch with Uncle Kim. That was a lot of fun - and as always the girls were very well behaved. It helped that they knew they would be going to the candy store for a special treat.
Oh and on the special treat note - the ice cream man came by yesterday. Greattttt. Woke the girls up out a dead sleep from their naps. No problem - we had their ice cream $ on standby on the fridge. So we run outside just in time to catch him. AND I SEE HE INCREASED THE COST OF THE ICE CREAM THAT THE GIRLS ALWAYS BUY! They like to get the funky spongebob or bugs bunny or some other funny face looking ice cream. They were $2.50 each. Which I was already complaining about. But yesterday they were $3.00 each! NO THANKS! We bought ice cream sandwiches for $1 each and the girls enjoyed them just as much. We'll save the extra $ for the candy at the candy store.
Now I'm off to wrangle my kids and make sure they leave their whiny attitudes at home so we can actually have fun at the beach.................
Thursday, July 28, 2011
could be worse
I've been so down in the dumps lately. Nothing and I mean nothing has been working to get me out of it. I'm considering a trip to the doc. Days like today though remind me why I quit my job and stay home with my girls. Time goes by so quickly and I'll never have another chance and raising kids so this is my one and only shot at it.
We're feeling the financial hit of me being home with the girls now. I'm working (cleaning) but I'm not making even 1/4 of what I was making before. The $ is good when I work but work is slow. I never thought I wouldn't go somewhere because I wasn't sure I could afford gas $ would even be part of my internal thoughts...but it is now. I know we'll manage and we'll make it through this. And I know it's not forever - but it just doesn't ease the pain of the here and now of wanting/needing things and not having the $ to just go out and buy them.
Last night I washed the girls potty seats for the last time. They're going to have to use the big potty from now on. They won't have potty seats at school and they have regular bathrooms - so the girls need to learn to adjust to getting up on the seat and wiping themselves and so on. I was kinda bummed cuz I realized they have had these seats since they turned a year old. 2.5 years now :(
They also had their 1st hair cut yesterday. I'm not thrilled with it but then again...I'm only good for throwing their hair up in a pony on top of their heads so really...it's not a big deal. Just adds to the fact that my babies aren't really babies anymore. Oh - and someone could have told me that I'm suppose to keep their hair from their 1st haircut. I had no idea....but Pete's mom showed up so she could see the girls get their hair done and she kept it. Good thing...I would have let it get swept away!
Then today I woke up and realized I want to go see my grandmother but I really don't think I can afford the gas $ to get there and back this week (me feeling sorry for myself again). Plus she smokes (a lot!) so I would want to just stay for a little bit and then go out to lunch or something so we're not stuck in the house with the girls.
I spent a good hour on the computer finding out how I could con my way into a public pool in 2 nearby towns so the girls and I could go swimming. The rules in every town are just about the same though...you have to be a resident or with a resident to use the pool. It never occurred to me that my own damn town has it's own damn public pools. I have no idea what's wrong with my brain sometimes but rather than try to explain it - I just move on. I finally checked our own town and we have 4 public outdoor pools. 2 of them have wading pools! So I called one and they open at 10:00, they have a park and it's FREE. The girls and I packed a lunch and some snacks and headed out. We travel really light so we put our suits on before leaving, grabbed 3 towels, the sunblock and our lunch bags. Off we went. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. The pool is only 12"-18" deep and they have a lifeguard on duty! Not that I would let the girls just go and swim alone...but I felt better that someone else would be watching my girls with me.
One thing I don't do is carry my phone on me when the girls are in water. I've heard way too many horror stories. So when there's water...it's all eyes on them and not my phone. We took a break from swimming so we could eat lunch and during lunch I checked my phone. I had a message about a dear friend we've been talking to via FB. Her 8y/o daughter Hailey lost her battle with cancer this morning. God it hit me so hard - it took my breath away. And of course it made me realize that life is fragile and can't be taken for granted.
So these are the days that I am grateful to be able to spend as much time with my girls as I do. I guess God has His ways of reminding us to keep our minds and hearts on the good and not to focus on the bad. My girls are healthy, beautiful and full of love.
We're feeling the financial hit of me being home with the girls now. I'm working (cleaning) but I'm not making even 1/4 of what I was making before. The $ is good when I work but work is slow. I never thought I wouldn't go somewhere because I wasn't sure I could afford gas $ would even be part of my internal thoughts...but it is now. I know we'll manage and we'll make it through this. And I know it's not forever - but it just doesn't ease the pain of the here and now of wanting/needing things and not having the $ to just go out and buy them.
Last night I washed the girls potty seats for the last time. They're going to have to use the big potty from now on. They won't have potty seats at school and they have regular bathrooms - so the girls need to learn to adjust to getting up on the seat and wiping themselves and so on. I was kinda bummed cuz I realized they have had these seats since they turned a year old. 2.5 years now :(
They also had their 1st hair cut yesterday. I'm not thrilled with it but then again...I'm only good for throwing their hair up in a pony on top of their heads so really...it's not a big deal. Just adds to the fact that my babies aren't really babies anymore. Oh - and someone could have told me that I'm suppose to keep their hair from their 1st haircut. I had no idea....but Pete's mom showed up so she could see the girls get their hair done and she kept it. Good thing...I would have let it get swept away!
Then today I woke up and realized I want to go see my grandmother but I really don't think I can afford the gas $ to get there and back this week (me feeling sorry for myself again). Plus she smokes (a lot!) so I would want to just stay for a little bit and then go out to lunch or something so we're not stuck in the house with the girls.
I spent a good hour on the computer finding out how I could con my way into a public pool in 2 nearby towns so the girls and I could go swimming. The rules in every town are just about the same though...you have to be a resident or with a resident to use the pool. It never occurred to me that my own damn town has it's own damn public pools. I have no idea what's wrong with my brain sometimes but rather than try to explain it - I just move on. I finally checked our own town and we have 4 public outdoor pools. 2 of them have wading pools! So I called one and they open at 10:00, they have a park and it's FREE. The girls and I packed a lunch and some snacks and headed out. We travel really light so we put our suits on before leaving, grabbed 3 towels, the sunblock and our lunch bags. Off we went. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. The pool is only 12"-18" deep and they have a lifeguard on duty! Not that I would let the girls just go and swim alone...but I felt better that someone else would be watching my girls with me.
One thing I don't do is carry my phone on me when the girls are in water. I've heard way too many horror stories. So when there's water...it's all eyes on them and not my phone. We took a break from swimming so we could eat lunch and during lunch I checked my phone. I had a message about a dear friend we've been talking to via FB. Her 8y/o daughter Hailey lost her battle with cancer this morning. God it hit me so hard - it took my breath away. And of course it made me realize that life is fragile and can't be taken for granted.
So these are the days that I am grateful to be able to spend as much time with my girls as I do. I guess God has His ways of reminding us to keep our minds and hearts on the good and not to focus on the bad. My girls are healthy, beautiful and full of love.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A day "off"
Lb and Kristin are off to NC for a week and they needed a ride to JFK this morning. I volunteered to bring them to the airport (before I knew they were flying out of JFK at 8:00am!) and made plans to have Pete drop the girls off at his parents house before he went to work. We left for the airport at 4:30 and didn't hit any traffic on the way there. I simply dropped them off and turned around to come back thinking there would be a ton of traffic. To my surprise there wasn't any traffic (my direction) and I made it home in no time. The drive was awesome. 2 hours of just ME.
I just finished a 2 mile run (a new outdoor route I found recently) and now I'm headed for 3 hours of house cleaning for some mula. No one will be home at this house so I'll be able to just listen to my music and enjoy my day 'off' lol.
Emily's funny quote of yesterday:
Pete told her "Don't jump off the couch!" and she replied "Don't watch me!"
I just finished a 2 mile run (a new outdoor route I found recently) and now I'm headed for 3 hours of house cleaning for some mula. No one will be home at this house so I'll be able to just listen to my music and enjoy my day 'off' lol.
Emily's funny quote of yesterday:
Pete told her "Don't jump off the couch!" and she replied "Don't watch me!"
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Divide and conquer
Many times Pete and I split up to get things done. New plan! We're going to start splitting the girls up as well. He can take one while I take 2 or vice versa. This ensures the girls get some quality alone time and it leaves some 'special' time for the other 2 as well. Emily actually went with Uncle Joey today for some special time. Pete had to work on his car so I took Hannah & Hailey to church and then to a new park. Pete's parents have also agreed to take just 1 of the girls whenever we'd like. I think it's a great idea. IT'S TIME FOR A BREAK FOR MOM! Even if only 1 goes someplace - 2 is much more managable than 3!!!! (I'm going to delete this post before the girls can read....) lol Plus this leaves the girls to enjoy some alone time. I'm so ready to let the girls have some fun away from home. I don't worry about when people take them anymore.
Emily and Hannah are battling a cold right now (it was Emily 1st now it moved on to Hannah and still lingering with Emily). That leaves Hailey next (maybe?). But I have to say - their little bodies seem to be doing so much better with going longer between illnesses and fighting them off better. Let's hope this summer cold just stays a summer cold and leaves our house fairly quickly :)
Emily and Hannah are battling a cold right now (it was Emily 1st now it moved on to Hannah and still lingering with Emily). That leaves Hailey next (maybe?). But I have to say - their little bodies seem to be doing so much better with going longer between illnesses and fighting them off better. Let's hope this summer cold just stays a summer cold and leaves our house fairly quickly :)
Friday, July 22, 2011
Princesses
My girls aren't into them. I'm not sure it's because we don't watch much TV and they've never really seen a movie with them (or even watched a full movie all together yet for that matter). Maybe they're not going to be into them? Maybe it's too early? All of the gear and toys geared towards their age range seems to be going from Mickey and Dora to all Disney Princess stuff. When we were at the Disney store today I noticed they didn't have any back packs or lunch bags with Dora and they only had 1 that had Mickey and 1 that had Minnie on it. I know it's not a big deal - but it does almost seem like Princess stuff just might take over the world. Not sure we'll be on the boat though. I let the girls choose their own lunch bags and back packs. Here's how it went...
HOT HOT HOT
Today's actually temp was 102 - the heat index I think was at 110? In any case...we were at actual triple digit numbers so outside play wasn't on the schedule. On the off chance that the rest of the world went to the library - we headed to the mall. 1st we had to stop at the bank (and had to go inside to the desk), then headed over to Walgreens (same parking lot) for some stamps, then we were mall bound. Once at the mall we hit up Starbucks (coffee...???? I think I will!). Then it was off to the candy store where the girls scored some Swedish fish. And then it was off to the Disney Store...where the girls walked out with brand new back packs and lunch bags for school. I'm seriously going to have to supplement my income more.
We were about to head home when I got a text from Uncle Andy that there was FREE ICE CREAM where he works! Detour! We drove to his workplace (another bank) and enjoyed some free ice cream, snacks from the vending machine (thanks to uncle Andy) and I even got a car wash! Whoooo hoooo!
Now we're home and I think we'll spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning up toys and playing games. The girls are walking around with their 'pack packs' and lunch bags filling them with everything they can think of.
We were about to head home when I got a text from Uncle Andy that there was FREE ICE CREAM where he works! Detour! We drove to his workplace (another bank) and enjoyed some free ice cream, snacks from the vending machine (thanks to uncle Andy) and I even got a car wash! Whoooo hoooo!
Now we're home and I think we'll spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning up toys and playing games. The girls are walking around with their 'pack packs' and lunch bags filling them with everything they can think of.
Lake fun!
(I'm just going to act like it hasn't been so long since our last post and move right along...).
One thing Pete and I have been wanting to do is take the girls to the beach. The one day we planned on it....it rained. It's not a trip I'm willing to take on my own. I don't think it needs much of an explanation as to why.
My cousin Jen invited us to her place yesterday where they have a lake not too far from her. Soooo we jumped on the opportunity to hang out! OMG IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! I was full of anxiety about the girls + water + people....I thought it was going to be a pain to keep an eye on them or to even get them in the water. BUT to my surprise it was the complete opposite! There wasn't too many people there, the lake water was clear so the girls were happy to get in and with the help of Jen - I was able to RELAX. The girls were happy to come out to me (in water up to their necks!) and swim back in with some help. And while they were in shallow water - they were crawling around on their hands with their full body in the water! For 3 and 1/2 hours they were fish! We didn't even need buckets and shovels because they were happy just swimming.
The day wasn't only about swimming either. Cousin Christopher actually WANTED TO PLAY with the girls. Rather than parallel play - he was totally interacting with them all day! It was a super day all around and I'm hoping to go back very very very soon to do this all over again.
Oh and the girls slept all night - no peeps out of them. I'm guessing that all that water play tuckered them out. I know it did me in...I went to bed at 9:00 last night and didn't move until 6:00 this morning. Ahhhhh what a good nights sleep can do for a mom is truly amazing.
One thing Pete and I have been wanting to do is take the girls to the beach. The one day we planned on it....it rained. It's not a trip I'm willing to take on my own. I don't think it needs much of an explanation as to why.
My cousin Jen invited us to her place yesterday where they have a lake not too far from her. Soooo we jumped on the opportunity to hang out! OMG IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! I was full of anxiety about the girls + water + people....I thought it was going to be a pain to keep an eye on them or to even get them in the water. BUT to my surprise it was the complete opposite! There wasn't too many people there, the lake water was clear so the girls were happy to get in and with the help of Jen - I was able to RELAX. The girls were happy to come out to me (in water up to their necks!) and swim back in with some help. And while they were in shallow water - they were crawling around on their hands with their full body in the water! For 3 and 1/2 hours they were fish! We didn't even need buckets and shovels because they were happy just swimming.
The day wasn't only about swimming either. Cousin Christopher actually WANTED TO PLAY with the girls. Rather than parallel play - he was totally interacting with them all day! It was a super day all around and I'm hoping to go back very very very soon to do this all over again.
Oh and the girls slept all night - no peeps out of them. I'm guessing that all that water play tuckered them out. I know it did me in...I went to bed at 9:00 last night and didn't move until 6:00 this morning. Ahhhhh what a good nights sleep can do for a mom is truly amazing.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Compliments
I took the girls to a store today that we hadn't been to before. It's called The Chalkboard and it's focus is materials for teachers. We were looking for something very specific that I knew this store would have so rather than having to shop around we went straight to the source. I must have chosen the perfect day to go because today the store was offering 10% off everything, free raffles every 15 minutes and tons of free stuff on our way out! We bought 2 things...a border for our newly painted chalkboard wall and a map of the United States. But we walked out with a ton of stuff. The store was packed (and it's not a very big store) and the girls were pretty good about using the 'one finger' rule (touch anything you want but with 1 finger only...this eliminates me from saying "don't touch that" 30 million times and gives them the opportunity to explore without breaking). We were in the store for about 30 minutes...and you can be assured that 30 minutes in a store with 3 kids who have bathing suits on ready to hit the park could be a challenge. Especially since this was our THIRD stop of the morning. We had to stop at the school to drop off paperwork, stop at the bank and then The Chalkboard. Each time the kids get out of the car (our bank doesn't have a drive thru ATM in this town). On our way to the cash register someone said "Triplets?" And I though 'great...this was going so well....' But this time was different because she said to me "I am absolutely amazed! You would never even know they were in the store because they're so well behaved!" *BIG cheesy grin from me followed by a "THANKS!" These are proud mom moments for me. Because sometimes I forget that they are 3 and there are 3 and I take these moments for granted. They WERE in fact being good and I was really appreciative that SOMEONE ELSE took the opportunity to tell them that. It's important for them to hear some positive feedback from people other than myself.
We did finally make it home to drop off our stuff, hop in the wagon and walk to the park to enjoy some time in sandbox and splash pad. This was followed by a walk home, lunch, nap and then picnic dinner at the community center.
Oh and I should just confess now - while 'teaching' the girls the states...I missed the boat on Illinois. So when they stumble in school - it's because they were 1st taught Idaho, Indiana, Iowa.....
If someone taught ME the states...this wouldn't have been a problem! LOL
We did finally make it home to drop off our stuff, hop in the wagon and walk to the park to enjoy some time in sandbox and splash pad. This was followed by a walk home, lunch, nap and then picnic dinner at the community center.
Oh and I should just confess now - while 'teaching' the girls the states...I missed the boat on Illinois. So when they stumble in school - it's because they were 1st taught Idaho, Indiana, Iowa.....
If someone taught ME the states...this wouldn't have been a problem! LOL
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Compromise
Life is about compromise. And if you don't learn to go with the flow and let certain things go - it'll just drive you crazy to have to get out of bed every day. One thing I was looking for in a program for school for the girls was 2 days a week and only 3 hours on each of those days. Then next year I was willing to do 3 days a week followed by full time K. But...it is what it is and I can't change school systems or their programs. So - what we have found that we seem to like a lot is St. Brigid school. They don't offer a 2 or 3 day a week program but they do offer part time. It's Mon - Fri from 8-11. I think I can handle that since I suspect the girls will be home sick for most of the 1st year anyway! They'll wear uniforms (some of you might cringe but I'm ok with this since it's LESS clothes that I'll have to buy them when school shopping!). They meet in the gym every morning for morning prayer and then they go to their classrooms. There is only 1 class for each grade (through 8th). This might eliminate the 1 vs 3 classroom debate (unless we choose to switch them over the public school). In the 3y/o program they leave their classroom to go to gym class, music class and library on different days of the week. By taking them out at 11:00 vs 2:00 (they would leave at 2:00 in the full time program) they are only missing out on lunch, outside play and nap time. These are things we can do at home together though...at least until we decide they're ready for a transition to full time. I like the office staff and the principal seems like she'll be running a tight ship in that school! I didn't get a chance to meet their teacher but she'll be calling me this week sometime. One thing I liked very much was the number of years each teacher has been in the school. The girls will share a room with up to 20 students their age, 2 teachers AND 2 aides. We haven't come to a decision just yet but it seems like a wonderful option to explore. We shall see..........
Friday, July 1, 2011
What do we do?
What have we been doing in all of our 'free' time? I wonder this myself sometimes but somehow - time flies. Monday's and Friday's are set aside for work for me. I clean on those 2 days (in addition to cleaning on some weekends but it doesn't take long so I'm not away for long). The great thing is that I don't have to 'clock in/out'. I get there when I get there...and I leave when I'm finished. The girls spend time with Pete's parents while I'm working and it's working out very well. The great thing is not being rushed to get out the door in the morning in addition to getting home early :)
We met a neighbor who has 2 boys. One is 4 and one is a little more than a year old. She is amazing and we hit it off pretty quickly. Her older son asks if his 'friends' can come over all the time and the girls love hanging out at their new friends house because he has cool toys. We haven't invited them over to play here yet but we will soon.
There is a splash pad at the park that we walk to all of the time. That's another great thing about where we live now. Having the 3 of them in the pool by myself would be impossible this year because they don't know how to swim and they don't know how to be patient either! But the splash pad offers them TONS of independence and it's PACKED FULL of kids! However; they don't actually play with the other kids yet. Actually they get pissed off when the other kids are in their way. Emily & Hannah just wait their turn but Hailey...boy oh boy. She is one smart cookie. She has learned that although mommy doesn't cater to her owl screeching scream - others certainly do! So if someone is playing where she wants to play she will scream "MOMMY! I WANT TO PLAY HERE AND THERE ARE PEOPLE IN MY WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!" It's not a tantrum type of scream...but a scream is a scream right? And here's the thing - she's NOT talking to me. She must have done this once expecting ME to make someone move. But I'm sure that didn't happen...what happened was whoever was in her way moved before I did anything. Who wants to hear a 3 year old scream about how you're in their way?!?! Soooooo that's what she does EVERY SINGLE TIME now. I'm letting this one go. Eventually she'll come up against someone that has a louder voice than her and won't give in to her. She'll learn................
We also spend a ton of time out in the yard. Who knew a yard could be so much fun!?!? We grill probably 5 out of 7 nights a week too. We play in the pool, with the hose, on the slide and just have fun.
The girls help around the house too. They each make their beds, pick up toys and help set the table when it's time to eat.
Oh - and their new 'thing' is they want a puppy. With a bed and a leash. One day...but I just don't think we're ready yet. I know I'M not! And since I'M the one that would get a majority of the responsibility...we're just gonna have to wait. LOL
We met a neighbor who has 2 boys. One is 4 and one is a little more than a year old. She is amazing and we hit it off pretty quickly. Her older son asks if his 'friends' can come over all the time and the girls love hanging out at their new friends house because he has cool toys. We haven't invited them over to play here yet but we will soon.
There is a splash pad at the park that we walk to all of the time. That's another great thing about where we live now. Having the 3 of them in the pool by myself would be impossible this year because they don't know how to swim and they don't know how to be patient either! But the splash pad offers them TONS of independence and it's PACKED FULL of kids! However; they don't actually play with the other kids yet. Actually they get pissed off when the other kids are in their way. Emily & Hannah just wait their turn but Hailey...boy oh boy. She is one smart cookie. She has learned that although mommy doesn't cater to her owl screeching scream - others certainly do! So if someone is playing where she wants to play she will scream "MOMMY! I WANT TO PLAY HERE AND THERE ARE PEOPLE IN MY WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!" It's not a tantrum type of scream...but a scream is a scream right? And here's the thing - she's NOT talking to me. She must have done this once expecting ME to make someone move. But I'm sure that didn't happen...what happened was whoever was in her way moved before I did anything. Who wants to hear a 3 year old scream about how you're in their way?!?! Soooooo that's what she does EVERY SINGLE TIME now. I'm letting this one go. Eventually she'll come up against someone that has a louder voice than her and won't give in to her. She'll learn................
We also spend a ton of time out in the yard. Who knew a yard could be so much fun!?!? We grill probably 5 out of 7 nights a week too. We play in the pool, with the hose, on the slide and just have fun.
The girls help around the house too. They each make their beds, pick up toys and help set the table when it's time to eat.
Oh - and their new 'thing' is they want a puppy. With a bed and a leash. One day...but I just don't think we're ready yet. I know I'M not! And since I'M the one that would get a majority of the responsibility...we're just gonna have to wait. LOL
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Feeling overwhelmed...again
I am doing some research trying to find a preschool for the girls to attend. I'm not looking for much - just 2 days a week for maybe 3 hours each day. Something to break up the week for them, a place that will slowly guide them towards getting use to a curriculum and schedule and school and all that stuff. I called 5 schools today.
The 1st school happened to be a magnet school. They will only open 15 spots in the fall and then the children that applied are chosen by lottery. That's out.
School #2 wants over $9,000 per school year per child. That's out.
School #3 wasn't extremely nice but said they could 'check and see if they might have 3 open spots for triplets in the upcoming school year." Thanks. I'll hold my breath waiting for your call.
School #4 is a Catholic school and seems to be reasonable in price. Only $3,200 for a 2 day program. They would attend 2 days from 7:50 - 11:15. Lunch would cost more so I'd feed them at home. It's only 32 weeks but at least they 'get in the program'.
School # 5 wants over $5,000 for their 3 day program. That's out.
I guess I called 6 schools...cuz I'm waiting for 1 more school to call me back. They didn't have a website so their tuition fees weren't listed. They also didn't answer the phone and I had to leave a message. Maybe their staff is actually caring for children and saving on the cost of tuition by letting the answering machine take messages rather than hiring a Yale graduate to direct my call and charging me 1/2 million dollars for my 'child's education'. But who knows.
You would think I should say screw it and not worry about putting them in school. I'm a stay at home mom anyway so what's the point? Here's the point. I can't offer them the things that a school can offer them. I can teach them what they need to know - sure. But I'm ONE PERSON. And I'm not a toddler or preschooler. They KNOW that when I'm 'pretending' to play - I'm pretending. I'm not really in their little world. When they play with other kids...they ARE in a different world. My innocence is lost to that. Every adults innocence is lost to that kind of play. They NEED other kids. They also need the curriculum. I'm not about to set up 3 desks and have 'school' time during the day here. This is HOME for them...not school.
Ugh...just feeling so overwhelmed. On one of the pages there is a preschool 'test' that kids can take. My kids would fail. Why? Because they actually don't know all of their shapes. They can't differentiate between sizes. They can't count to 20 yet and they certainly can't point at 20 dots and count them all. Light/heavy, wide/narrow, fewer/more...identify pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...the answer is no to all of it.
I know there are kids that go right to kindergarten and I'm sure they turn out just fine. I just want my girls to have every advantage available to them to keep up or get ahead. Doesn't every parent?
The 1st school happened to be a magnet school. They will only open 15 spots in the fall and then the children that applied are chosen by lottery. That's out.
School #2 wants over $9,000 per school year per child. That's out.
School #3 wasn't extremely nice but said they could 'check and see if they might have 3 open spots for triplets in the upcoming school year." Thanks. I'll hold my breath waiting for your call.
School #4 is a Catholic school and seems to be reasonable in price. Only $3,200 for a 2 day program. They would attend 2 days from 7:50 - 11:15. Lunch would cost more so I'd feed them at home. It's only 32 weeks but at least they 'get in the program'.
School # 5 wants over $5,000 for their 3 day program. That's out.
I guess I called 6 schools...cuz I'm waiting for 1 more school to call me back. They didn't have a website so their tuition fees weren't listed. They also didn't answer the phone and I had to leave a message. Maybe their staff is actually caring for children and saving on the cost of tuition by letting the answering machine take messages rather than hiring a Yale graduate to direct my call and charging me 1/2 million dollars for my 'child's education'. But who knows.
You would think I should say screw it and not worry about putting them in school. I'm a stay at home mom anyway so what's the point? Here's the point. I can't offer them the things that a school can offer them. I can teach them what they need to know - sure. But I'm ONE PERSON. And I'm not a toddler or preschooler. They KNOW that when I'm 'pretending' to play - I'm pretending. I'm not really in their little world. When they play with other kids...they ARE in a different world. My innocence is lost to that. Every adults innocence is lost to that kind of play. They NEED other kids. They also need the curriculum. I'm not about to set up 3 desks and have 'school' time during the day here. This is HOME for them...not school.
Ugh...just feeling so overwhelmed. On one of the pages there is a preschool 'test' that kids can take. My kids would fail. Why? Because they actually don't know all of their shapes. They can't differentiate between sizes. They can't count to 20 yet and they certainly can't point at 20 dots and count them all. Light/heavy, wide/narrow, fewer/more...identify pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...the answer is no to all of it.
I know there are kids that go right to kindergarten and I'm sure they turn out just fine. I just want my girls to have every advantage available to them to keep up or get ahead. Doesn't every parent?
Monday, June 27, 2011
More funny stuff
Sunday we went to Rose's Berry Farm to have breakfast and then pick raspberries. LB came along so it was kind cool that each of the girls got some 1/1 time. We ate more raspberries than we brought home. It was a really nice day and we all had a lot of fun!
I'm noticing the girls (especially Hannah) becoming more aware that they can 'lie' to get things. For example: The girls get mints after going potty at Pete's moms house. When we came home today Hannah said to me "I didn't get any mints at Grandma's so I need a prize now please." Hmmm...
They're also good for saying that "Daddy said we can _______" or "Mommy said we can__________" when in reality neither one of us had even been asked anything. I know this is just the start of a very trying time and very fine line. I know they're exploring and I have to give them space. But at the same time I don't want them to think it's ok to lie. Right now I'm just explaining to them what they're doing. "Hannah - I know you had mints at Grandma's house today. If you say you didn't - when you really did, that's called lying and we don't do that. Did you have a mint today?" "Yes." "Great! Thanks for telling mommy the truth." Hindsight I probably should have given her a prize anyway but I didn't. I don't know why - I think she sidetracked me with something else lol.
And today's funny comment is (per usual) from Emily. After getting home from being at Pete's parents - I asked Emily where her attitude came from (she was just being miserable). She replied:
"I just forgot to leave my attitude at Grandma's house."
I'm noticing the girls (especially Hannah) becoming more aware that they can 'lie' to get things. For example: The girls get mints after going potty at Pete's moms house. When we came home today Hannah said to me "I didn't get any mints at Grandma's so I need a prize now please." Hmmm...
They're also good for saying that "Daddy said we can _______" or "Mommy said we can__________" when in reality neither one of us had even been asked anything. I know this is just the start of a very trying time and very fine line. I know they're exploring and I have to give them space. But at the same time I don't want them to think it's ok to lie. Right now I'm just explaining to them what they're doing. "Hannah - I know you had mints at Grandma's house today. If you say you didn't - when you really did, that's called lying and we don't do that. Did you have a mint today?" "Yes." "Great! Thanks for telling mommy the truth." Hindsight I probably should have given her a prize anyway but I didn't. I don't know why - I think she sidetracked me with something else lol.
And today's funny comment is (per usual) from Emily. After getting home from being at Pete's parents - I asked Emily where her attitude came from (she was just being miserable). She replied:
"I just forgot to leave my attitude at Grandma's house."
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Funny stuff
The kids are definitely more vocal with their feelings and I'm all for it. And sometimes the things they say can be pretty hysterical.
Today I asked Emily if she needed help with something. She said "Nah - it's ok mom. I got this!"
I asked one of them to do something and the 1st thing I heard was "BUT MOM!!!!" and right after I hear Hannah say "NO BUTS!"
I told the girls to stop playing on the stairs. Hannah came to me in the kitchen and said "Emily didn't listen to you...she still on the stairs." and from the other room I hear Hailey shout "Worry about yourself Hannah!"
They repeat EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I asked Emily if she needed help with something. She said "Nah - it's ok mom. I got this!"
I asked one of them to do something and the 1st thing I heard was "BUT MOM!!!!" and right after I hear Hannah say "NO BUTS!"
I told the girls to stop playing on the stairs. Hannah came to me in the kitchen and said "Emily didn't listen to you...she still on the stairs." and from the other room I hear Hailey shout "Worry about yourself Hannah!"
They repeat EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Grandparents
Yesterday Meme and Shushi (my grandmother and her identical twin sister) and Grumps came down for a visit. The girls had a BLAST. It was nice to see them all spending time together.
Today the girls went shopping with Pete's parents. They took the girls (and the van lol) to Khols and then out to lunch at McD's. This is the 1st time they've gone shopping with someone else (without Pete and myself!).
Tomorrow...I'm taking the girls to see their 1st movie. Should be fun! (hopefully)
Today the girls went shopping with Pete's parents. They took the girls (and the van lol) to Khols and then out to lunch at McD's. This is the 1st time they've gone shopping with someone else (without Pete and myself!).
Tomorrow...I'm taking the girls to see their 1st movie. Should be fun! (hopefully)
Friday, June 17, 2011
Weekly posts and BUBBLE GUM
Maybe it'll be an easier goal to post weekly rather than daily. I swear I had more time when I worked a paying 40 hour a week job.
I am obsessed with gum chewing. I chew gum all the time...and the girls are obsessed with watching me and asking me to blow bubbles. So yesterday I gave them each a piece of gum. We started with yummy strawberry gum. They all sat down in a circle and put the gum in their mouth. We talked about how we only chew it and don't swallow it. We don't take it out of our mouths and we don't play with it. If it gets in our hair we'll have to cut our hair off. When we're done chewing gum we put it in the garbage. With all the rules out in the open - they chomped away for a good 10 minutes. It was great! They didn't say a word for 10 minutes straight! Then they wanted to try the minty gum. So I said that when Daddy got home we'd show him we can chew gum and we would use the minty kind. So they all spit their gum out in the garbage and figured it was worth the wait for Pete to come home.
Pete comes home and we were at the park. When we came home - they immediately grabbed the gum and opened and chewed and chomped and they were so proud to show their Daddy they can chew gum. I missed the part of the lecture about not running with gum in their mouth. Emily and Hailey smashed heads, Hailey gasped and down went the gum. She started choking. She got it up pretty quickly though and after we had the 'don't chew gum and walk' lecture. lol
I am obsessed with gum chewing. I chew gum all the time...and the girls are obsessed with watching me and asking me to blow bubbles. So yesterday I gave them each a piece of gum. We started with yummy strawberry gum. They all sat down in a circle and put the gum in their mouth. We talked about how we only chew it and don't swallow it. We don't take it out of our mouths and we don't play with it. If it gets in our hair we'll have to cut our hair off. When we're done chewing gum we put it in the garbage. With all the rules out in the open - they chomped away for a good 10 minutes. It was great! They didn't say a word for 10 minutes straight! Then they wanted to try the minty gum. So I said that when Daddy got home we'd show him we can chew gum and we would use the minty kind. So they all spit their gum out in the garbage and figured it was worth the wait for Pete to come home.
Pete comes home and we were at the park. When we came home - they immediately grabbed the gum and opened and chewed and chomped and they were so proud to show their Daddy they can chew gum. I missed the part of the lecture about not running with gum in their mouth. Emily and Hailey smashed heads, Hailey gasped and down went the gum. She started choking. She got it up pretty quickly though and after we had the 'don't chew gum and walk' lecture. lol
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Ugh
Where on earth does the time go? It's going by so fast :( This week flew by. It was HOT so the girls and I spent a lot of time outside in the water. I'd say the pool but they don't really like the pool - or the slip n slide. They prefer to play with the hose instead! It's fine - we're all having fun so that's what matters.
Today we went up to my cousin Kate's house for a picnic. Lots of family and lots of fun. But more importantly - the girls played with Kaleigh, Daniel and Christopher ALONE. They didn't require Pete or me to by right next to them! They went outside and played up in Kaleighs room...all without the need for us! Some would say it's bitter sweet. I see their need for independence as huge leaps though. Just in the last blog I was saying how hard it is to get them to be comfortable around other people. So today was great! AND IT WAS RELAXING! I'm sure the shot of tequila helped........
Bad news came my way today though. A friend - someone I worked with at UConn - was stabbed and shot to death by her ex-husband. He then shot himself. Both of their teenage sons were home at the time and I can't even imagine the repercussions this will cause for them. I don't understand why people think it's ok to hurt other people. Even sadder is that she knew this was going to happen. She told everyone around her that he was going to kill her and that there wasn't anything anyone could do. And she was right. No matter how often the police were involved - it wasn't enough in the end. I don't even know what to say or how to feel. She wasn't a 'best' friend but she was a friend and I'm sad that the world had to lose her so early. But I think I feel more emotion for her sons. They lost both parents in one hateful, senseless act of violence. There are no excuses that could make this less painful to accept. It's a bitter part of reality that there really are downright bad people in the world. I guess I'm sort of numb to it right now.
Today we went up to my cousin Kate's house for a picnic. Lots of family and lots of fun. But more importantly - the girls played with Kaleigh, Daniel and Christopher ALONE. They didn't require Pete or me to by right next to them! They went outside and played up in Kaleighs room...all without the need for us! Some would say it's bitter sweet. I see their need for independence as huge leaps though. Just in the last blog I was saying how hard it is to get them to be comfortable around other people. So today was great! AND IT WAS RELAXING! I'm sure the shot of tequila helped........
Bad news came my way today though. A friend - someone I worked with at UConn - was stabbed and shot to death by her ex-husband. He then shot himself. Both of their teenage sons were home at the time and I can't even imagine the repercussions this will cause for them. I don't understand why people think it's ok to hurt other people. Even sadder is that she knew this was going to happen. She told everyone around her that he was going to kill her and that there wasn't anything anyone could do. And she was right. No matter how often the police were involved - it wasn't enough in the end. I don't even know what to say or how to feel. She wasn't a 'best' friend but she was a friend and I'm sad that the world had to lose her so early. But I think I feel more emotion for her sons. They lost both parents in one hateful, senseless act of violence. There are no excuses that could make this less painful to accept. It's a bitter part of reality that there really are downright bad people in the world. I guess I'm sort of numb to it right now.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tired
I'm exhausted. Physically and emotionally. Emily has been attached to my leg and every time I turn around she's asking if I'm leaving. It's not healthy...for her or me. I love these kids with all my heart and soul. I'm thankful (more than ever) that I am able to have this time at home with them. But I must find a way to break away and get them to realize there's a world outside of mommy. There are only a handful of people they will stay with 'willingly'. My mother-in-law, my brother Joey and Pete's sister Rosemary. Ok that's not even a handful! Hannah & Hailey also have no problem staying with my brother Andrew. The problem isn't that I can't stand the screaming and yelling when I leave them - I know they'll calm down after a while. It's the fact that I can't stand to put that kind of pressure and chaos on someone else. I'll figure it out.
We've been getting a TON of outside play due to the weather being so nice. The girls love the pool, slide and slip n slide. Today I put a bucket outside with water in it just to switch things up a bit. I didn't put bathing suits on them because we weren't actually going 'swimming'. But I knew they'd make themselves all wet and I really didn't care. BUT I did ask them if they wanted to take their shoes off. They all said no. I assumed they understood that meant NOT to get their shoes wet. However; I look over to see Emily stepping into the bucket WITH her shoes on! I said "Emily! Those are NOT water shoes!" She said "Yeah they are. Look see - they're wet now. I put them in water." This kid......
We've been getting a TON of outside play due to the weather being so nice. The girls love the pool, slide and slip n slide. Today I put a bucket outside with water in it just to switch things up a bit. I didn't put bathing suits on them because we weren't actually going 'swimming'. But I knew they'd make themselves all wet and I really didn't care. BUT I did ask them if they wanted to take their shoes off. They all said no. I assumed they understood that meant NOT to get their shoes wet. However; I look over to see Emily stepping into the bucket WITH her shoes on! I said "Emily! Those are NOT water shoes!" She said "Yeah they are. Look see - they're wet now. I put them in water." This kid......
Monday, June 6, 2011
Family
June 1st - 3 tornados tore through MA. I have family in Monson - one of the towns that was hit directly. So Thursday I drove up there with the girls. I brought some supplies but had no idea what would be needed. All I knew was that my cousin, her daughter and my aunt were alive and all ok, no one had power, my aunts street was pretty much non existent any longer and that everyone in the town needed help. So I brought lots of non parishible food, water, gatorade and some shovels. Unforuntately I couldn't get to my family. The streets were unpassible via vehicle and it was too dangerous to walk with the kids. So I left what I brought at my cousins house (which was fine).
Friday I still had to drive to VA (I already had a plane ticket to fly back on Sat night and the car needed to get down there). So I drove to VA, had an awesome visit with my niece and her family down there and then flew back on Sat night.
Sunday I drove back up to MA to help my aunt pack up her house. Her house is still standing...barely. She's one of the lucky ones to be able to have 'things' to retrieve. But she has to get all of her things and get out - it's restricted access only.
I'm headed back there today. More to blog about but for now...I'll just post these pictures:
http://www.boston.com/news/weather/gallery/2011tornado_aerials/?s_campaign=8315
Friday I still had to drive to VA (I already had a plane ticket to fly back on Sat night and the car needed to get down there). So I drove to VA, had an awesome visit with my niece and her family down there and then flew back on Sat night.
Sunday I drove back up to MA to help my aunt pack up her house. Her house is still standing...barely. She's one of the lucky ones to be able to have 'things' to retrieve. But she has to get all of her things and get out - it's restricted access only.
I'm headed back there today. More to blog about but for now...I'll just post these pictures:
http://www.boston.com/news/weather/gallery/2011tornado_aerials/?s_campaign=8315
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Trip
I'm making a power trip to VA this weekend. Leaving Friday morning to drive down there and then flying back Saturday night. I will be accomplishing 3 things:
1: Delivering a car to my brother-in-law
2: Seeing my niece who we all miss very very very much
3: Getting some ME time! (10 hours in the car officially constitutes as 'me' time in my book).
The car needs to get to VA and it needs to be there soon. Joey and I went back and forth as to what to do and who should drive it down there. It was a battle because we ALL want to see Christina. She can't come up here right now (or I would take her for the whole summer). So if we want to see her - we need to go down there. Joey has to work. Pete has to work. A vacation isn't really an option this week. Soooo - off I go!!! (I'm excited about this actually. But bummed that I'll have less than 24 hours to spend with her). We are hoping we can make a family trip down there sooner than later. But for now - I'll take what I can get :)
1: Delivering a car to my brother-in-law
2: Seeing my niece who we all miss very very very much
3: Getting some ME time! (10 hours in the car officially constitutes as 'me' time in my book).
The car needs to get to VA and it needs to be there soon. Joey and I went back and forth as to what to do and who should drive it down there. It was a battle because we ALL want to see Christina. She can't come up here right now (or I would take her for the whole summer). So if we want to see her - we need to go down there. Joey has to work. Pete has to work. A vacation isn't really an option this week. Soooo - off I go!!! (I'm excited about this actually. But bummed that I'll have less than 24 hours to spend with her). We are hoping we can make a family trip down there sooner than later. But for now - I'll take what I can get :)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Memorial Day Parade
I took the girls to a Memorial Day Parade today. My friend Lucy lives right on the street the parade goes down so we had prime seating. I remembered the parade I took them to back in March - they didn't score any candy because we were too far back and no one was 'throwing' candy at that parade. They just kind of handed it out and since weren't sitting on the curb...we didn't get any. With our prime spot today - I figured the girls would be able to get a little bit (probably just enough to make them happy little parade goers.). But little did I know they would score a TON OF LOOT. I'm not sure if it was because they are triplets and they were dressed exceptionally cute today (and all were matching) or if it was just the parade itself. But they did score a lot of it.
Dressing them alike wasn't planned for the parade. I actually had no idea about the parade until I was on my way to the gym and my friend called to tell me about it. So I turned around, came back home, got the kids and left. The problem with dressing them alike is the attention it attracts. The girls aren't very fond of the attention and they're starting to show their dislike of complete strangers telling them how pretty and cute they are. Before the parade began - someone came up and SAT ON OUR BLANKET right next to them. She started talking to them and Emily slowly turned herself around so her back was to the woman. None of them said a word. The woman left. The people sitting directly next to us kept trying to get her daughter to come and play with the 'cute little triplets' but the girls were just content to sit on the blanket and wait for the parade to start so they didn't want to play. During the parade - we were pelted with candy...and lots of it. People saw the girls and for some reason felt the need to inundate them with sugary goodness. There was also a guy that walked up with a camera and started taking pictures of the girls (he wasn't part of any news station or newspaper...just a random guy). Someone that was sitting behind us but also part of 'our' crowd looked at me and said "That gets pretty annoying huh?" Yeah - and it's only been 45 minutes.
After the parade we headed to Friendly's for lunch. More comments, and even an interrupted lunch by the manager who came over to say "Wow! You don't see that often!" My reply was "Actually I see it everyday." People point and say "TRIPLETS!?", people stop other people their with to make them turn around and look, people come up and talk to us asking inappropriate questions. I love people...for the most part. But days like today I'm not a big fan. The girls aren't big fans either - and it's no wonder why.
Aside from all the interruptions...we had a fantastic time. The girls loved the parade and we all had a nice lunch. Hopefully they get to sleep early tonight since they didn't nap today!!!!
Dressing them alike wasn't planned for the parade. I actually had no idea about the parade until I was on my way to the gym and my friend called to tell me about it. So I turned around, came back home, got the kids and left. The problem with dressing them alike is the attention it attracts. The girls aren't very fond of the attention and they're starting to show their dislike of complete strangers telling them how pretty and cute they are. Before the parade began - someone came up and SAT ON OUR BLANKET right next to them. She started talking to them and Emily slowly turned herself around so her back was to the woman. None of them said a word. The woman left. The people sitting directly next to us kept trying to get her daughter to come and play with the 'cute little triplets' but the girls were just content to sit on the blanket and wait for the parade to start so they didn't want to play. During the parade - we were pelted with candy...and lots of it. People saw the girls and for some reason felt the need to inundate them with sugary goodness. There was also a guy that walked up with a camera and started taking pictures of the girls (he wasn't part of any news station or newspaper...just a random guy). Someone that was sitting behind us but also part of 'our' crowd looked at me and said "That gets pretty annoying huh?" Yeah - and it's only been 45 minutes.
After the parade we headed to Friendly's for lunch. More comments, and even an interrupted lunch by the manager who came over to say "Wow! You don't see that often!" My reply was "Actually I see it everyday." People point and say "TRIPLETS!?", people stop other people their with to make them turn around and look, people come up and talk to us asking inappropriate questions. I love people...for the most part. But days like today I'm not a big fan. The girls aren't big fans either - and it's no wonder why.
Aside from all the interruptions...we had a fantastic time. The girls loved the parade and we all had a nice lunch. Hopefully they get to sleep early tonight since they didn't nap today!!!!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Not ALL better
I don't intentionally let this blog go unattended for days at a time. I'm just BUSY! And by the end of the night I'm tired and don't feel like even turning the computer on. It's 8:44 and I JUST NOW finished my day and sat down.
Tuesday and Wednesday Emily was sick. She was throwing up and had a high fever. Wednesday afternoon (yesterday) Pete came home sick. Fever, throwing up and diarrhea. He's still sick today and spent the day in bed.
That leaves Hailey, me and LB. Lord help us if I get sick..........
So since Pete was home sick I figured I'd take the girls out of the house today and let him puke in peace (I know...the niceness is just drooling off of me). My plan was to keep them busy all day and be nap free so they'd go to bed early tonight.
We got up, chilled out for a bit, gave them baths, got 'em dressed and headed to the mall. We hung around the mall for a while and then came home just long enough to use the potty and grab the wagon. We then headed to the park where we fed the fish, played in the sand and swung on the swings. We'd have stayed longer but Hailey pooped her pants. (see above in this same paragraph where we DID IN FACT come home to use the potty!). So we left and came home.
I was frustrated with Hailey and when we got home LB was home. He was about to go upstairs to take a shower but I said "You have to wait. Hailey shit her pants." So as I'm bringing Hailey upstairs he says to her "What happened?" Hannah was all to eager to answer that with "She shit her pants. She just shit herself." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think my stomach hurts still from laughing so hard. No worries - I explained that she is NEVER to use that word again. (After I was done laughing my ass off). I think what makes it so funny is the innocence that comes with it.
Ok - I finished changing them (Hannah decided it was ok to shit herself while I was cleaning Hailey) and then we went back outside to play. We didn't really come back in until around 4:30. The girls played for a bit and LB went to the store with Kristin to get stuff for the grill for dinner. I gave the girls another bath (it was needed) and then we all (sans Pete) sat down for dinner. Even Rosemary came over to join us for some food!!!!
The girls went to bed no problems tonight but it wasn't until 7:00. My plan to get them in bed early failed. But it's ok - I'm hoping they sleep thru the night and wake up around 8:00.......hoping. lol
Tomorrow I'm working all day cleaning so the girls are going to Pete's moms house. He will be home again from work I'm sure. He's still pretty sick :(
Ok - see how time flies? It's now 8:58. I have 2 episodes of Las Vegas that I really want to watch! So I'm watching them NOW!
Tuesday and Wednesday Emily was sick. She was throwing up and had a high fever. Wednesday afternoon (yesterday) Pete came home sick. Fever, throwing up and diarrhea. He's still sick today and spent the day in bed.
That leaves Hailey, me and LB. Lord help us if I get sick..........
So since Pete was home sick I figured I'd take the girls out of the house today and let him puke in peace (I know...the niceness is just drooling off of me). My plan was to keep them busy all day and be nap free so they'd go to bed early tonight.
We got up, chilled out for a bit, gave them baths, got 'em dressed and headed to the mall. We hung around the mall for a while and then came home just long enough to use the potty and grab the wagon. We then headed to the park where we fed the fish, played in the sand and swung on the swings. We'd have stayed longer but Hailey pooped her pants. (see above in this same paragraph where we DID IN FACT come home to use the potty!). So we left and came home.
I was frustrated with Hailey and when we got home LB was home. He was about to go upstairs to take a shower but I said "You have to wait. Hailey shit her pants." So as I'm bringing Hailey upstairs he says to her "What happened?" Hannah was all to eager to answer that with "She shit her pants. She just shit herself." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think my stomach hurts still from laughing so hard. No worries - I explained that she is NEVER to use that word again. (After I was done laughing my ass off). I think what makes it so funny is the innocence that comes with it.
Ok - I finished changing them (Hannah decided it was ok to shit herself while I was cleaning Hailey) and then we went back outside to play. We didn't really come back in until around 4:30. The girls played for a bit and LB went to the store with Kristin to get stuff for the grill for dinner. I gave the girls another bath (it was needed) and then we all (sans Pete) sat down for dinner. Even Rosemary came over to join us for some food!!!!
The girls went to bed no problems tonight but it wasn't until 7:00. My plan to get them in bed early failed. But it's ok - I'm hoping they sleep thru the night and wake up around 8:00.......hoping. lol
Tomorrow I'm working all day cleaning so the girls are going to Pete's moms house. He will be home again from work I'm sure. He's still pretty sick :(
Ok - see how time flies? It's now 8:58. I have 2 episodes of Las Vegas that I really want to watch! So I'm watching them NOW!
Monday, May 23, 2011
All better!
Hannah is BETTER! SWEEEEEEEEET! And the other 2 are good so far............
Emily is a beast lately with her attitude. She seems to think the world revolves around her and everyone here is here to serve only her. The way she speaks to me is unreal sometimes. "I need a napkin." So I'll say "Excuse me?" trying to prompt her to use nicer words. She'll say "I SAID I NEED A NAPKIN." Ugh. I really do use nice words when requesting them to do something so I'm not sure where she gets this attitude.............lol
Emily is a beast lately with her attitude. She seems to think the world revolves around her and everyone here is here to serve only her. The way she speaks to me is unreal sometimes. "I need a napkin." So I'll say "Excuse me?" trying to prompt her to use nicer words. She'll say "I SAID I NEED A NAPKIN." Ugh. I really do use nice words when requesting them to do something so I'm not sure where she gets this attitude.............lol
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Hopefully on the road to recovery
After 3 full days and 3 full nights of nothing but puking and diarrhea - I think Hannah is on the road to recovery. She woke up today with her bossy attitude and was hungry/thirsty. YAY! She still hasn't peed yet but she only had 2 loose poops and that was earlier in the day. Let's hope this is IT and the other 2 don't get it but....I'm a realist so I'm on the 'wait and see' list.
This morning Pete and I split up so we could divide and conquer. I took Hailey & Emily to church while he took Hannah to the grocery store. After church I took the 2 I had to the mall where we met up with my friend Kim. We didn't stay too long - then we met up with Pete and Hannah at home.
Now after nap - it's time the them to go to Pete's parents for dinner and for my 'me' time. I think I'm headed out with my older bro to go play BINGO! Yay!!!!!!
Tomorrow starts a new week. I need patience. This week really took a toll on me in terms of having patience with the girls. We were stuck inside all week due to the weather. Plus Thu and Fri I had 1 sick kid while the other 2 were full of energy. THAT is something I wasn't prepared for. It's gonna take some working on but I'll figure something out for when this happens again.
This morning Pete and I split up so we could divide and conquer. I took Hailey & Emily to church while he took Hannah to the grocery store. After church I took the 2 I had to the mall where we met up with my friend Kim. We didn't stay too long - then we met up with Pete and Hannah at home.
Now after nap - it's time the them to go to Pete's parents for dinner and for my 'me' time. I think I'm headed out with my older bro to go play BINGO! Yay!!!!!!
Tomorrow starts a new week. I need patience. This week really took a toll on me in terms of having patience with the girls. We were stuck inside all week due to the weather. Plus Thu and Fri I had 1 sick kid while the other 2 were full of energy. THAT is something I wasn't prepared for. It's gonna take some working on but I'll figure something out for when this happens again.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Hannah is sickie
At 1:00 this morning Hannah woke up and was crying (per usual night routine). We did the whole "ignore her and she'll go back to sleep" thing but eventually she said "I threw up." So I got up - and I was pissed because I thought she threw up from crying. But I changed her, her bed sheets, cleaned her up and calmed her down before putting her back to bed. I went back to bed and about 25 minutes later she threw up again. This is the 'f*ck she's really sick' moment. And this time she needed to get a bath in addition to changing her sheets and clothes. I think it was around 3:30 when I was able to fall asleep again.
Pete went to work (lucky guy) and I got to stay home with the girls. I was totally preparing myself for the worst. But really it worked out ok. All 3 of them sat and watched cartoons for almost 3 hours today (this has NEVER been done before!). But today was a TV day for sure. Hannah threw up (dry heaving) most of the day and eventually I called the doctor to have something called in for her. They called in some Zofran and after she had 1 dose it worked :)
The other 2 were really receptive to the fact that Hannah was sick and they kinda just hung out on their own. I expected a ton of competition when it came to attention but it didn't turn out that way. They also were very kind to Hannah and getting her anything her little heart desired - though she was too sick to take full advantage of it!
I'm hoping that this doesn't pass through the whole house but only time will tell.
On a better note: Here's a conversation I had with Emily yesterday (or the day before...I can't remember).
Me: "Emily would you PLEASE pick up your crayons off the floor."
Emily: "I need to think about it. It depends on your attitude mom."
Pete went to work (lucky guy) and I got to stay home with the girls. I was totally preparing myself for the worst. But really it worked out ok. All 3 of them sat and watched cartoons for almost 3 hours today (this has NEVER been done before!). But today was a TV day for sure. Hannah threw up (dry heaving) most of the day and eventually I called the doctor to have something called in for her. They called in some Zofran and after she had 1 dose it worked :)
The other 2 were really receptive to the fact that Hannah was sick and they kinda just hung out on their own. I expected a ton of competition when it came to attention but it didn't turn out that way. They also were very kind to Hannah and getting her anything her little heart desired - though she was too sick to take full advantage of it!
I'm hoping that this doesn't pass through the whole house but only time will tell.
On a better note: Here's a conversation I had with Emily yesterday (or the day before...I can't remember).
Me: "Emily would you PLEASE pick up your crayons off the floor."
Emily: "I need to think about it. It depends on your attitude mom."
Monday, May 16, 2011
Triplet Play Date
We had a triplet play date today with the Dudley trio. We've seen them once before but it's been way too long - and we need to do it more often. She has BBG trips and they ALL had a blast. We went to McD's for lunch - and then headed to Bounce U where they ran NON STOP. The girls were quick to fall asleep tonight :) And I enjoyed the company of an adult :)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Dogs ARE our friends
I don't know where the time goes. I didn't realize I hadn't blogged since Tuesday and now it's already Friday. Time flies for sure.
The girls and I have been having fun and enjoying the weather. During the day we usually have been walking to the park once in the morning and then again after their nap. There is a huge sandbox there so they haven't even been playing on the playscape - just playing in the sandbox. And feeding the fish in the pond on our way out of the park has become part of our routine also.
When we walk - no matter where we're walking - we pass many many many dogs. I've learned that people with dogs on a leash are very fond of their pups and no matter what kind of reaction the girls have we get the same response "Oh MY dog is friendly - he/she won't bite!" But the fact is that I'm not worried about your dog. It's simply that Hannah and Hailey have such a fear of dogs that they freak out when a dog comes near them. So I always walk up to the dog in advance and make sure to grab the lead at the collar and make friends. BUT I'm one step ahead also - we now carry a bag of dog treats. And the YUMMY ones! So I ask if my girls can give the dog a treat and explain we're trying to get over a fear of dogs and giving them treats seems to help. I haven't had a single person say no yet. And the girls have been awesome. They look forward to seeing dogs on our walk! Now instead of the whining and crying when a dog is close - they are scrambling to find their bag of treats so they can get it ready. They won't get out of the wagon to pet the dogs yet but I'm sure that time will come. I'm just happy we found a way to ease the fear a bit. :)
The girls are talking so much more lately. The conversations are really intriguing. They're realizing that not everything has to be taken literally (mostly Hannah is catching on to this). But they also have quite the imagination. Today Emily asked Hannah and Hailey to do something and they said no. So she picked up her phone and said "Hi Santa. Hannah and Hailey aren't listening to me." LOL
The girls and I have been having fun and enjoying the weather. During the day we usually have been walking to the park once in the morning and then again after their nap. There is a huge sandbox there so they haven't even been playing on the playscape - just playing in the sandbox. And feeding the fish in the pond on our way out of the park has become part of our routine also.
When we walk - no matter where we're walking - we pass many many many dogs. I've learned that people with dogs on a leash are very fond of their pups and no matter what kind of reaction the girls have we get the same response "Oh MY dog is friendly - he/she won't bite!" But the fact is that I'm not worried about your dog. It's simply that Hannah and Hailey have such a fear of dogs that they freak out when a dog comes near them. So I always walk up to the dog in advance and make sure to grab the lead at the collar and make friends. BUT I'm one step ahead also - we now carry a bag of dog treats. And the YUMMY ones! So I ask if my girls can give the dog a treat and explain we're trying to get over a fear of dogs and giving them treats seems to help. I haven't had a single person say no yet. And the girls have been awesome. They look forward to seeing dogs on our walk! Now instead of the whining and crying when a dog is close - they are scrambling to find their bag of treats so they can get it ready. They won't get out of the wagon to pet the dogs yet but I'm sure that time will come. I'm just happy we found a way to ease the fear a bit. :)
The girls are talking so much more lately. The conversations are really intriguing. They're realizing that not everything has to be taken literally (mostly Hannah is catching on to this). But they also have quite the imagination. Today Emily asked Hannah and Hailey to do something and they said no. So she picked up her phone and said "Hi Santa. Hannah and Hailey aren't listening to me." LOL
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Mother's Day
It's been a busy weekend (when are our days not busy?). Mother's Day was special - we had breakfast with my family at the diner, then headed to church, then had a BBQ and then off to the in laws for dinner over there. Packed full of fun and family!
Yesterday the girls and I walked to the park in the morning before nap. Then after nap we walked back to the park and beyond...for ice cream. After that - we had a quick play date with a neighbor and then it was off to Alex's softball game. BUSY DAY But bedtime was smooth :)
Today the girls are going to Pete's moms house and then when I pick them up we're headed to the doctor for Hailey's check up after surgery. She's really amazing - never complained once about her incisions. They seem to be healing well so I suspect today's appt will be rather quick.
Yesterday the girls and I walked to the park in the morning before nap. Then after nap we walked back to the park and beyond...for ice cream. After that - we had a quick play date with a neighbor and then it was off to Alex's softball game. BUSY DAY But bedtime was smooth :)
Today the girls are going to Pete's moms house and then when I pick them up we're headed to the doctor for Hailey's check up after surgery. She's really amazing - never complained once about her incisions. They seem to be healing well so I suspect today's appt will be rather quick.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Hannah can't walk?
This morning Hannah woke up and couldn't (wouldn't) put pressure on her left foot. After some deliberation - I decided not to bring her to the ER and wait for the doctors office to open at 9:15. They got her in to be seen at 11:00 by which time she was walking of course. But she wasn't walking normal...more like a shuffle walk. We headed over to have an xray after the appt with the doc and that came back normal. So it looks like she may just have a virus in her hip...but who knows. We went through this same thing with Emily about 2 years ago. Never a dull moment.....
The day went like this:
Up at 6:30 - Pete showers 1st then I jump in the shower. The kids usually wake up and come crawl into bed with me and that's where they stay until I'm finished getting myself ready.
7:00 Pete leaves for work
7:30 The girls get up out of my bed and I get them dressed and ready for the day. On bath days we stay in our pj's until after bath.
8:00 Downstairs for milk (they still like it warmed up so that's what I do) and a bowl of dry cereal.
8:45 Bath time for them, I drink my coffee while they 'soak' in the tub. After bath I dry their hair, cut their toe and finger nails (usually only every other week this gets done), get them dressed, they head back downstairs to play while I clean up the bath mess. This whole process usually takes between an hour to an hour and 1/2. We don't rush because we don't have to :) But today we did cuz we had to be to the doctor by 11:00.
10:15 We leave for the doctor.
11:15 We see the doctor. She gives us a req to have xray which is in a different part of town so we head right over.
12:00 We arrive for the xray. We get the xray around 12:30 but have to wait even longer for it to be read so we don't leave there until 1:00.
1:15 We drive thru McD's for nuggets and fries before we head home.
1:30 We arrive home but only long enough to use the potty and get the wagon.
1:45 We're back out the door with McD's in hand. Kids are in the wagon, I'm pulling them while they eat...and we head to the park. From the park we walk to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. On the way home from the park we stop and feed the ducks in the pond.
4:15 We get home just in time to 'beat Daddy home' and start getting ready for dinner.
5:30 We eat dinner and head back outside for a few just long enough to put away our wagon and pick up a few things in the yard.
6:30 Pj's and bed by 7:00.
7:30 I leave again to go to a friends house. They just bought a house and are in the demo stages of rebuilding. I didn't do much in the way of helping tonight but it was nice to get out for a bit.
9:30 I'm home and now it's 10:30 and I'm ready for bed.
Oh - I also called the American Red Cross to make an appt to donate blood. The person who answered the phone said "Thank you for calling the American Red Cross. This is Katrina..." LOL
The day went like this:
Up at 6:30 - Pete showers 1st then I jump in the shower. The kids usually wake up and come crawl into bed with me and that's where they stay until I'm finished getting myself ready.
7:00 Pete leaves for work
7:30 The girls get up out of my bed and I get them dressed and ready for the day. On bath days we stay in our pj's until after bath.
8:00 Downstairs for milk (they still like it warmed up so that's what I do) and a bowl of dry cereal.
8:45 Bath time for them, I drink my coffee while they 'soak' in the tub. After bath I dry their hair, cut their toe and finger nails (usually only every other week this gets done), get them dressed, they head back downstairs to play while I clean up the bath mess. This whole process usually takes between an hour to an hour and 1/2. We don't rush because we don't have to :) But today we did cuz we had to be to the doctor by 11:00.
10:15 We leave for the doctor.
11:15 We see the doctor. She gives us a req to have xray which is in a different part of town so we head right over.
12:00 We arrive for the xray. We get the xray around 12:30 but have to wait even longer for it to be read so we don't leave there until 1:00.
1:15 We drive thru McD's for nuggets and fries before we head home.
1:30 We arrive home but only long enough to use the potty and get the wagon.
1:45 We're back out the door with McD's in hand. Kids are in the wagon, I'm pulling them while they eat...and we head to the park. From the park we walk to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. On the way home from the park we stop and feed the ducks in the pond.
4:15 We get home just in time to 'beat Daddy home' and start getting ready for dinner.
5:30 We eat dinner and head back outside for a few just long enough to put away our wagon and pick up a few things in the yard.
6:30 Pj's and bed by 7:00.
7:30 I leave again to go to a friends house. They just bought a house and are in the demo stages of rebuilding. I didn't do much in the way of helping tonight but it was nice to get out for a bit.
9:30 I'm home and now it's 10:30 and I'm ready for bed.
Oh - I also called the American Red Cross to make an appt to donate blood. The person who answered the phone said "Thank you for calling the American Red Cross. This is Katrina..." LOL
Thursday, May 5, 2011
TALK DIRTY to me!
Yup - I started my cleaning business again. Seems there's a lot of competition out there so I need an edge in advertising. So my ad starts with TALK DIRTY to me! And people seem to like it :) I won't be putting it on Craigs List though lol.
I won't be cleaning full time....that would defeat the purpose of being a stay at home mom. For now I'll be cleaning 2 days a week. My goal is to mainly clean businesses. I can clean businesses on nights and weekends when they're closed. When I clean houses people usually want to be away from home while I'm there so I'm cleaning during the day. But for now I'll take what I can get and make some $ to contribute to our ever growing list of 'needs'. The girls will visit Grandma when I'm cleaning also. I won't take them with me (not fun for them!). What I like about cleaning is that I can do it on my own schedule and when I'm done - I can leave. I don't have to clock in and clock out and make myself look busy until it's 'time' to leave.
I won't be cleaning full time....that would defeat the purpose of being a stay at home mom. For now I'll be cleaning 2 days a week. My goal is to mainly clean businesses. I can clean businesses on nights and weekends when they're closed. When I clean houses people usually want to be away from home while I'm there so I'm cleaning during the day. But for now I'll take what I can get and make some $ to contribute to our ever growing list of 'needs'. The girls will visit Grandma when I'm cleaning also. I won't take them with me (not fun for them!). What I like about cleaning is that I can do it on my own schedule and when I'm done - I can leave. I don't have to clock in and clock out and make myself look busy until it's 'time' to leave.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Shut the F^ck up...please.
The girls and I were very busy today. But rather than chronicle our day - I'm going to blog about some things that people say....that they SHOULDN'T.
1st - we walked to D&D this morning (well I walked...they rode in their wagon). This is a great trip for us as it's 1 mile there and 1 mile back. I get my exercise and they get donuts. This will be a trip we make often since there's also a Baskin Robbins in the same plaza :)
Anyway - while in line at D&D the girls were playing around the stands that hold the line divider. I have no problem with what they are doing since they're NOT doing anything wrong. However the guy working behind the counter felt it necessary to say in a scolding voice "Oh my God - you guys need to be careful!" Ummm...no. I'm sweating, thirsty and about to spend money at your store. You are NOT going to overstep your boundaries. So I say to him "As their mother I can tell you we're all set...we got this. They are just fine with what they're doing." In my head I followed that up with "Now get my damn donuts and shut the F^ck up." But I didn't.
Then we went to 2 hospitals today to visit people. At one hospital a drug rep walked by us while we were standing at the information booth. This drug rep came back and handed THE GIRLS each a bag of fruit snacks and then said "I'm giving these to you because you're the most beautiful girls I've seen all day!" I'm sure he meant well. But look at it from my point of view. How the hell am I suppose to get these girls NOT take shit from strangers?!?! As if that wasn't bad enough - before I could get a word in - the woman giving me the info I requested said "Oh - those are like gummy...you better make sure they can chew them." No shit lady. Thanks...now shut the F^ck up.
Now - I'm not saying I don't appreciate the things people give to the girls. The lady at the information booth gave the girls balloons on our way out. Plus - I, myself, took a pretzel from a complete stranger at the parade we went to. But with all due fairness - she ASKED ME if the girls could have it and she handed it to ME. I explained to the girls today that they NEVER eat anything from anyone unless they ask me 1st.
Later in the day we went to the library. I'm standing at the counter waiting for the librarian to get off the phone. The girls are handing on the counter like monkeys swinging from a tree branch. But they were being quiet and weren't doing anything WRONG. The GROWN ADULT guy standing behind me in line says "Oh I think it would be more fun to CLIMB UP ONTO THE COUNTER!" The girls stopped dead in their tracks, looked at him, looked at me, and went back to swinging. But he didn't leave it alone. He kept telling them to climb onto the counter. Then he walked over and tried to show them HOW to get up on the counter. I had to intervene. So I said "They will get into trouble for doing that. And they know they will get into trouble." So he took his place back in line and said back to me "If I were their older brother - you wouldn't like me too much." I soooooo wanted to say "I don't like you now so shut the F^ck up!" But I didn't.
Then the librarian gets off the phone. She's getting me my library card and says "Twins." Not a question...a statement. So I say "Triplets." In the same tone of voice. She says "Well I don't see the 3rd one." Ummm...does this mean she doesn't exist? Lol Then she looks around her computer, sees 'the 3rd one' and proceeds to say in the same matter of fact tone "I guess you're done." Wow! Thanks for helping with that life decision for me! Now shut the F^ck up!
During our travels today someone also called Emily fat...to her face. It was "Oh look at her...she's the fat one!" The Lord must have held my tongue and my arms at the same time because this woman is still alive. I quickly replied "She's healthy. And she's also only in the 50th %ile for weight. She's also tall. She's beautiful and she's smart." Now shut the F^ck up! I can't react in these situations because then the girls will react and that's not what I want for them. Every minute of every day has to be a lesson. I guess today's lesson was patience.
I'm used to the comments. I'm numb to the regular insults. But sometimes I wish I could speak what's on MY mind to these people.
I guess I just know that I'm more aware of what I say sometimes. I know that advice isn't always wanted or warranted. I know that some days I do in fact look like the nanny more than the mom. But I'm human. And most times these comments hurt. When you see someone that has 3 kids...would you say "I guess you're done." No. You would NEVER look at a grown woman and say 'She's fat!' in front of her face. So why do it to my child?
The girls are smart. They pick up on EVERY SINGLE THING THAT I SAY OR DO. EVERYTHING.
If I can model patience and understanding then I hope they will have some of that to carry with them. But at the same time - I need to find a balance so they don't get walked all over. They MUST find a voice of their own and be able to speak what's on their mind. Finding that balance will be difficult but I won't stop trying.
But I might tell some people to shut the F^ck up along the way....
1st - we walked to D&D this morning (well I walked...they rode in their wagon). This is a great trip for us as it's 1 mile there and 1 mile back. I get my exercise and they get donuts. This will be a trip we make often since there's also a Baskin Robbins in the same plaza :)
Anyway - while in line at D&D the girls were playing around the stands that hold the line divider. I have no problem with what they are doing since they're NOT doing anything wrong. However the guy working behind the counter felt it necessary to say in a scolding voice "Oh my God - you guys need to be careful!" Ummm...no. I'm sweating, thirsty and about to spend money at your store. You are NOT going to overstep your boundaries. So I say to him "As their mother I can tell you we're all set...we got this. They are just fine with what they're doing." In my head I followed that up with "Now get my damn donuts and shut the F^ck up." But I didn't.
Then we went to 2 hospitals today to visit people. At one hospital a drug rep walked by us while we were standing at the information booth. This drug rep came back and handed THE GIRLS each a bag of fruit snacks and then said "I'm giving these to you because you're the most beautiful girls I've seen all day!" I'm sure he meant well. But look at it from my point of view. How the hell am I suppose to get these girls NOT take shit from strangers?!?! As if that wasn't bad enough - before I could get a word in - the woman giving me the info I requested said "Oh - those are like gummy...you better make sure they can chew them." No shit lady. Thanks...now shut the F^ck up.
Now - I'm not saying I don't appreciate the things people give to the girls. The lady at the information booth gave the girls balloons on our way out. Plus - I, myself, took a pretzel from a complete stranger at the parade we went to. But with all due fairness - she ASKED ME if the girls could have it and she handed it to ME. I explained to the girls today that they NEVER eat anything from anyone unless they ask me 1st.
Later in the day we went to the library. I'm standing at the counter waiting for the librarian to get off the phone. The girls are handing on the counter like monkeys swinging from a tree branch. But they were being quiet and weren't doing anything WRONG. The GROWN ADULT guy standing behind me in line says "Oh I think it would be more fun to CLIMB UP ONTO THE COUNTER!" The girls stopped dead in their tracks, looked at him, looked at me, and went back to swinging. But he didn't leave it alone. He kept telling them to climb onto the counter. Then he walked over and tried to show them HOW to get up on the counter. I had to intervene. So I said "They will get into trouble for doing that. And they know they will get into trouble." So he took his place back in line and said back to me "If I were their older brother - you wouldn't like me too much." I soooooo wanted to say "I don't like you now so shut the F^ck up!" But I didn't.
Then the librarian gets off the phone. She's getting me my library card and says "Twins." Not a question...a statement. So I say "Triplets." In the same tone of voice. She says "Well I don't see the 3rd one." Ummm...does this mean she doesn't exist? Lol Then she looks around her computer, sees 'the 3rd one' and proceeds to say in the same matter of fact tone "I guess you're done." Wow! Thanks for helping with that life decision for me! Now shut the F^ck up!
During our travels today someone also called Emily fat...to her face. It was "Oh look at her...she's the fat one!" The Lord must have held my tongue and my arms at the same time because this woman is still alive. I quickly replied "She's healthy. And she's also only in the 50th %ile for weight. She's also tall. She's beautiful and she's smart." Now shut the F^ck up! I can't react in these situations because then the girls will react and that's not what I want for them. Every minute of every day has to be a lesson. I guess today's lesson was patience.
I'm used to the comments. I'm numb to the regular insults. But sometimes I wish I could speak what's on MY mind to these people.
I guess I just know that I'm more aware of what I say sometimes. I know that advice isn't always wanted or warranted. I know that some days I do in fact look like the nanny more than the mom. But I'm human. And most times these comments hurt. When you see someone that has 3 kids...would you say "I guess you're done." No. You would NEVER look at a grown woman and say 'She's fat!' in front of her face. So why do it to my child?
The girls are smart. They pick up on EVERY SINGLE THING THAT I SAY OR DO. EVERYTHING.
If I can model patience and understanding then I hope they will have some of that to carry with them. But at the same time - I need to find a balance so they don't get walked all over. They MUST find a voice of their own and be able to speak what's on their mind. Finding that balance will be difficult but I won't stop trying.
But I might tell some people to shut the F^ck up along the way....
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Oh boy
Where does the time go? I don't intentionally mean to leave the blog unattended for days at a time. It just happens that way these days. We had a great weekend. It wasn't busy!
Hailey is recovering from her surgery just fine. She doesn't complain at all that anything hurts and we haven't had to give her any of her medicine since the day she actually came home from the hospital. The other 2 are very careful to be gentle with her.
My friend Lucy is moving (they bought a house!!!!) and so we spent some time there Friday and Saturday helping to move. The girls were so funny because she bought them toy golf clubs and while we were at the old house, which was almost empty, the girls thought their golf clubs were vacuums. So while we were cleaning...the girls were going all over the house 'vacuuming'. LMFAO
Saturday we helped out a bit more but not until after the girls woke up from their 4 hour naps. That was nice :)
Today we had Carl's 1st communion so we headed to church...where Emily & Hailey were beasts. They are always good in church. The one day we NEED them to be quiet - they weren't. Ah well. After church we came home so the girls could eat and sleep and then I cleaned the house while Pete mowed the lawn.
Then it was time for a BBQ!!!!!! I love having a house and being able to have a BBQ outside with friends and family!
The girls are driving me NUTZ lately with their attitudes. Lately the new thing is NO. It's not the word itself...it's HOW they say it. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Hailey is recovering from her surgery just fine. She doesn't complain at all that anything hurts and we haven't had to give her any of her medicine since the day she actually came home from the hospital. The other 2 are very careful to be gentle with her.
My friend Lucy is moving (they bought a house!!!!) and so we spent some time there Friday and Saturday helping to move. The girls were so funny because she bought them toy golf clubs and while we were at the old house, which was almost empty, the girls thought their golf clubs were vacuums. So while we were cleaning...the girls were going all over the house 'vacuuming'. LMFAO
Saturday we helped out a bit more but not until after the girls woke up from their 4 hour naps. That was nice :)
Today we had Carl's 1st communion so we headed to church...where Emily & Hailey were beasts. They are always good in church. The one day we NEED them to be quiet - they weren't. Ah well. After church we came home so the girls could eat and sleep and then I cleaned the house while Pete mowed the lawn.
Then it was time for a BBQ!!!!!! I love having a house and being able to have a BBQ outside with friends and family!
The girls are driving me NUTZ lately with their attitudes. Lately the new thing is NO. It's not the word itself...it's HOW they say it. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Surgery
Hailey had surgery today. She did wonderful! We had to be at the hospital for 7:45am. We told all of them in advance what the plan was. We were having a 'special' day with Hailey while Hannah & Emily had some special time with Grandma. We dropped Hannah & Emily off to Pete's parents at 7:15 and headed off with Hailey.
She was a trooper! She had the cartilage on her neck removed (this was originally thought to be a skin tag but turned out not to be) and she had the nevus sebaceous on the back of her scalp removed. I was able to go into the OR with her and be with her until she was asleep. They put her to sleep with a mask before putting her IV in so that was great in itself. Once she was in the recovery room we were allowed back in to be her while she finished waking up and got ready to come home.
The ONLY time she cried was when they took the EKG leads off of her and took out her IV. That was it! For the rest of the time she was very cooperative and although she was apprehensive (and asked to go home before the surgery) she was a trooper. We got her home and she wanted to EAT. And eat she did. She ate a whole grilled cheese sandwich (her request) and 1/2 bag of Cheetos.
Hannah & Emily are staying the night at Pete's parents and we are going to spend some real extra time with Hailey tomorrow. She seems to be dealing with this fine. She hasn't complained at all and actually seems to be soaking up the extra time she's getting.
She was a trooper! She had the cartilage on her neck removed (this was originally thought to be a skin tag but turned out not to be) and she had the nevus sebaceous on the back of her scalp removed. I was able to go into the OR with her and be with her until she was asleep. They put her to sleep with a mask before putting her IV in so that was great in itself. Once she was in the recovery room we were allowed back in to be her while she finished waking up and got ready to come home.
The ONLY time she cried was when they took the EKG leads off of her and took out her IV. That was it! For the rest of the time she was very cooperative and although she was apprehensive (and asked to go home before the surgery) she was a trooper. We got her home and she wanted to EAT. And eat she did. She ate a whole grilled cheese sandwich (her request) and 1/2 bag of Cheetos.
Hannah & Emily are staying the night at Pete's parents and we are going to spend some real extra time with Hailey tomorrow. She seems to be dealing with this fine. She hasn't complained at all and actually seems to be soaking up the extra time she's getting.
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