The Times They Are A Changin

I can't believe that one week from today Bailey and Cooper will be three.

Three.

How did this happen? I promised myself if wouldn't. That I would find a way to keep them young and small. But then I got busy with cleaning up toys, and mopping floors and endless laundry and reading Blackberry Mouse six dozen times and now here we are and my babies are turning three.

I can't stress this enough, how quickly time is flying by. But if you're already a parent you already know and if you aren't there is no way to convey in words how true a statement it really is.

I wanted to record a few things, write them down someplace so as not to forget. So here I go.

Bailey repeats everything. Already this is dangerous but sometimes it's quite cute. Especially when she says "I really love this song" or "We don't like Taco Bell do we Mom?" Other times it's less cute, as when she repeats that line about Grandpa being a big kid...while he's here visiting. Today she referred to her babies as James and Judah, the sons of a friend of ours, last week one of the baby names was Alexa also the name of a friends child. She got two strollers for Christmas and a baby doll and I can tell you that would have been enough. She also got a carrier that has gone everywhere we've gone since Christmas. The baby doll's name? Trouble. Thanks to Todd for that one. That a hoot to hear about, "I've got to get Trouble, Mom." "I like Trouble". And so forth.

Cooper is talking tons too. And he got a lot for Christmas. Lightning McQueens and Spiderman and Parking Garages but what is his only interest? Bailey's strollers. If I hear them screaming over a stroller one more time I will hear them screaming over a stroller one more time. Because I don't seem to be making any headway on convincing them to share or honor each other's personal property. He is developing a few oddities that I hope change quickly. He HAS to have his hands washed a lot but then HAS to have them dried completely or have a meltdown. I thought that maybe he would potty train easily because of this. Nope. Not so at all. He had five accidents this morning before I just threw in the towel and put a diaper back on him. But we did get to wash our hands twelve times this morning. So that was fun. Fortunately for Cooper he's one of the sweetest and cutest little buggers I've ever seen and so logical over everything else that I know in the end he'll be just fine. Every one has to have some oddity, right?

Sean is growing. I mean I think he's finally gaining weight, yay! He is in awe of all of the goodies that have come into the house but his attention span is still so short that any toy is a great toy for 35 seconds or less. He goes on Monday to the allergist so we'll be praying for good news. Here's hoping that at least he can switch to soy milk. He is also getting a new tooth and has a bad diaper rash and I often find myself spoiling him because he just seems to have it so hard. I know later he will be a terror and Bailey will constantly remind me that it was all my doing and we are so unfair to her. Or Cooper will say it. Or some nice lady I've never met at Kroger will say it. Point is, sooner of later I'll probably hear it from someone and I'm just telling you now, I know it's all my doing and he's had a tough time of it so I don't feel guilty about it.

Except I do a little. Because I drink guilt for breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner.

I feel guilty for example that I don't blog more. So maybe in 2011.

Or maybe not. We'll just have to see how it goes.

The Triplette

For over a year now, and as long as we possibly can, this is how we ride.

Our Sink Sitter

Recently, Bailey and I made pumpkin seeds together.  For the record, they were far too troublesome and not very good.  I don’t recommend you bother. 

I get sidetracked so easily. 

I placed Bailey in the sink to help me wash the seeds and get them ready.  She loved sitting in the sink.  She sat there for over an hour.  Now, whenever I’m in the kitchen cooking or baking, she wants to sit in the kitchen sink. 

If it’s clean.  I let her.

This is Seaner

He is such a stinking cutie.

Because he is so stinking cute, I try to take his picture to capture his adorability.  However, like his mother, he hates to have his picture taken.  Recently at a 5k I spent the morning trying to get his picture.

He literally spent the morning trying to evade me.

I said “Seaner, your powers are no match to me.”

He replied. “Oh yeah, Mom?”

Sneak Peak

Last week my sister and her husband finally let me photograph them together.  It was a spur of the moment sort of thing, at the seafood dinner, but I’m hoping they’ll like what I did enough to let me actually shoot them.

 

 

And I mean that in a purely photographical way.

Family Dinner

Last Sunday these two really cool people had us over for Family Dinner in Blacksburg.  It was awesome, they made my favorite foods:

 pizza, pasta and brownies.  Yummy. 

And of course some of my favorite people were there, the host and hostess, as well as these cuties:

We had a super awesome time.  So much so that we’re (the kids and I) are going back on Wednesday for more.   

The previous evening we had the Seafood Dinner.  That is the annual Christmas feast that my mother’s family has every year.  Where the food may not be our thing, we enjoyed getting to see everyone, especially Donna and Ben who were up from Florida.  I will try and post some photos from that dinner as well but this us my favorite from the evening…

Seaner is 1!

Last week we went to Duck, North Carolina for our big vacation of the summer/year. It was a perfect time to go as it was the only week Uncle Tyler and Jordan had off all summer long but it was also a packed full week of birthdays and anniversaries for our family. Monday was my birthday, Wednesday was our 9th anniversary and Friday was the Big Day otherwise known as Sean's first birthday. We celebrated with a Duck Donut, glazed with sprinkles for the big man who is allergic to most things. I'm not suer the donut was completely dairy or egg free but it seemed better than a cake with icing that surely would have been full of both. He loved the donut, I will try and post pictures or video later. Duck Donuts are possibly the best donuts ever. Ever. And I love donuts so that is saying a lot. We went 3 times during our vacation. And we only found them on Wednesday. I ate 10 powdered donuts. Yes, they were that good. But back to Sean. We spent the day mostly lounging by the pool or splashing on the shoreline. In the afternoon we went to a restaurant that was overly priced and not so tasty, I won't name them. Afterwards we went to Jockey's Ridge, the coolest place to watch the sun set ever. I've been going there for 17 years and yet I never outgrow that large pile of sand. Here we carried out the rest of our day rolling in the sand and trying to get that perfect picture of our family. We came home with buckets of sand in our hair, pants and shoes, but no perfect picture. Here is an OK one of only three of us.

I know Sean will never recall this first birthday but it was very monumental for me. Remembering that big day last summer when he finally arrived. The joy and sheer happiness. All the perfect days since. All the trying days since. And the perfect and trying days to hopefully come our way. It also marked my year goal of breastfeeding. It's time to wean. And gain 25 lbs. Our at least cut back on the powdered sugar donuts.

Now we are home, unpacked and moving on to the next thing. Seaner's first birthday party. We are having a party this Saturday. It's soccer ball themed and I've been searching for the perfect, OK more like doable, dairy free cake and icing recipes all week. At least he doesn't know what Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake tastes like.

Bailey 20 months old

Today I imported all of the pictures and videos off of my small Nikon camera that I bought last year to take to Arizona but that I hardly ever use. I have however been using it more recently to take to the pool. Anyways, I imported the pictures and found that some of the pictures and video were from last fall, including this video of Bailey taken 10 months ago. I don't remember her ever being that small and cherub cheeked so it's nice to have this as proof.

What we've been at all month long.

It's been nice and hot here lately so we've been doing the pool, either at Hill City or at a friend's house, several times a week. Sean, as well as his big brother and sister, can't get enough of the water.

Morning's mischief makers

Time sure flies by when you're having fun and I reckon mostly what we do is having fun.

Bailey and Cooper continue to amaze me with their vocabularies and speech. Cooper is big on adjectives and it's always "a big one truck" or a "a yellow one bus", it just dawned on me that I guess there's a little bit of math going on there too. Bailey is full of phrases both cute and otherwise, "I don't think so" being a favorite of hers. She is very happy being the sole sister as she told me yesterday she would like two more brothers for a total of four, but not five. Sisters, she'll have none of those, please. Their conversations regularly have me in stitches. But their recall is amazing at this age to the point that I was shocked last night when I told Bailey she could come to Walmart with me. "I want to ride in the car" she said, referring to the carts with steering wheels. When I informed her that Walmart didn't have car carts she retorted, "Oh, so we go to Kroger because Kroger has cars." Her logic was so plain and simple she won me over. We went to Kroger where fortunately for me, milk was on sale. Unfortunately, for her all the car carts, in demand as they are, were currently taken. Little girl, bless her exhausted little heart, wasn't too happy about that.

Cooper, our daring bounce house jumper, trampoline tackling, roller coaster rider, would have nothing to do with Sunday's loud firework display. He actually asked to go to bed, for Cooper that was a first. Bailey held her own (and was thus held by everyone around at least once) until past 10:30, also a first around here. She got flashy Fourth of July jewelry as well, so it was a pretty good day for her.

Then there is Sean. A far more calm and easy going baby then I recall either of the twins being, and for this we are more than thankful. His sweet disposition makes his new found allergies even more disheartening. We have confirmed that he is allergic to eggs, milk and soy. The eggs being the biggest allergen has probably caused most if not all of his eczema that has ailed him for months now. In just a little over a week his skin is looking better with just the eradication of eggs from both of our diets. I have continued to eat some dairy but his skin and tummy seem to be handling that just fine. I have bought a few egg and dairy free products for us to try and have started to make his own baby food. It is only a little more work and I find that it gives me more control over what he eats, and we all know how much I love to garner control. However, I will say that homemade baby food smells and tastes much better than the Beech Nut and Gerber varieties. The other day Sean got only a smidgen of the banana puree I made for him because Bailey and Cooper swooped in like vultures and ate up all the banana puree before Sean could decided whether or not he liked it. This morning we have just blanched peaches for his breakfast, we will see if they are successful.

Sean is crawling everywhere, standing alone on occasion and walking with assistance. I have spoken with him and let him know that I see no reason for him to walk before his first birthday. He has kindly told me, mostly with his eyes, that there are several reasons to begin walking asap. Namely, to get away from Cooper's grasp quickly, and to reach the red ball, or the Tonka truck, or the stairs. We will let you know when steps are taken.

The parents are still running, not as much as before but we do have several races coming up ahead including our first adventure race in two weeks. We are busy playing and teaching the twins as well as working, cleaning, and having fun as time allows. We aren't nearly as interesting as our children though, so back to them.

It has been hot here, maybe not as hot as El Azizia, but pretty hot nonetheless for us four seasoners. So we've been frequenting the pool, the 'city pool' as Bailey calls it. A month ago Bailey and Cooper were frightened of the water, not several sessions later and with the added comfort of Puddle Jumpers they are little fish. Cooper can float by himself in waters deeper than him and will jump in the pool by himself. Bailey, who is almost always a little more timid, loves to jump in the water if you catch her before she goes under. She also likes it if you 'swim' her across the middle size pool. Today, the burning temperatures may send us in the city pools direction.

But first we must get on with the peaches.

Nine months old already!!

I know, I know. I haven't posted in like two months. We're busy people, Ok? Sean's surgery went well. He recovered with little side effects if any. Today he is nine months old. That's right, 9 months already. He is crawling, sitting and pulling up on the side of furniture and his crib. He says 'Da-da' and 'ma=ma' and 'ba-da-ba-la-doo-da', but mostly it's 'da-da'. Todd thinks he will be walking in no time but I am Ok if he waits a few more months. He is one cute little bugger and we're so glad he's a part of our family.

I will try and post some more photos soon. We went to Washington, D.C. this past weekend and got some great outdoor pics of the kids I want to share.

Wish us all good luck.

Tomorrow we travel to Charlottesville to the UVa Hospital for Sean to have surgery.  From what I’ve been promised told, it’s a simple procedure, but I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t extremely nervous. 

Not only does our little guy have to be sedated and ‘go under the knife’ they expect him to go without food or milk from midnight to post surgery, surgery is at noon.  The little man doesn’t go more than five hours at night without waking to fill his tummy and they expect him to go 12 hours plus with 8 oz. of water.  Aargh. If I sound a little stressed, it’s because I am. 

Here’s to hoping that all goes well and he makes it through the hospital’s attempt to starve him and his surgery.  It would have been nice of them to prescribe something.  For at least his parents. 

I’m only joking because I am so worried I could collapse from all my fears.

Sometimes, she surprises even me.

Though not as enamored by Sean as Cooper is, Bailey is still a tremendous big sister.

Our little monkey.

I need to learn how to take action shots or I will never capture Cooper adequately in a photo.

Always going at full speed a head with a smile on his face.

Number 3

I am constantly amazed at how breathtaking and miraculous Sean is.

Now and forever, I am your biggest fan little man.

Our little Lady

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Christmas Bailey got a most adorable outfit from Gymboree courtesy of her Aunt and Uncle.  It was a cute dress with matching stockings; size 18 months.  Bailey being a wee little thing has just now grown into the dress, over a year later.  Just last Wednesday she wore the tights for the first time and unfortunately, the last time.  Within minutes of playing at Romp and Roll she had torn holes in the tights by rolling down a padded incline and getting caught on some Velcro.  The holes, being quite small, wouldn’t have had to be the end of the tights.  However, on the car ride home our little lady spent her time in her car seat to see to it that the holes were increased…about ten times over.  When I was getting her out of her car seat all she replied was “I did it, Mommy.” 

I decided to snap a few pictures of the tights as I have a feeling Bailey is going to take after me when it comes to dresses, and our little girl in dresses may be a dwindling occurrence.

Snack time

When a package arrives

For Christmas, as all of you must know by now, Bailey got an apron from Aunt Sue.  It was a big hit.  Really big.  There was only one drawback to be seen.

There was only one of them.

And you see when you take to wearing your apron morning, noon and night including meals, it’s bound to get dirty and need to be washed.  Your brother, who is possibly a bit jealous of your good fortune, will take to pointing out that your apron, being worn nonstop, is dirty.  Your mom will have to wash it despite your insistence that it isn’t ‘durtee’. But then you might reply ‘I need another one’.

If someone as awesome as an “Aunt Sue” hears of your woes, she may just make you another one, perhaps even two and one for that pesky brother of yours.  Which is nice, because as soon as you get it in the mail, you’ll want to put them on, despite the fact that you’re eating a rather messy snack of cinnamon sugar bites. 

But of course there is little to fear when you have almost as many aprons as days of the week.

 

Thanks, Aunt Sue, you rock!

Last year for Christmas Todd bought me Photoshop Elements and only now, a year or so later, am I finally playing around with it.  I have no idea what I’m doing, it’s all trial and error (mostly error), but it’s fun when I’m up in the middle of the night.

I love when I capture something like this.

All boy

 

Cooper is such a rambunctious little fellow.  The other day he was playing with his daddy and he just closed his eyes and jumped off the couch.  I happened to catch that feat with my camera and that photo has been making me both laugh and smile for days and I just thought I would share.

My little taste testers

I have recently been doing a lot of baking, so much that I even went and started a new blog to record all of my sweet treats and baking feats, you know, because I have so much free time on my hands and all. 

The thing is, I really want Bailey and Cooper to experience home baked goods though.  I seldom recall my own mother baking, actually I think there is only one memory I have of my mom baking Christmas cookies with us, and I want my kids to have even more memories, whether or not their fond  memories (OK, so that isn’t true, I want them to be some of their favorite times because already it’s been some of my favorite times with them).

I have been baking cookies and cakes, brownies and muffins.  Lots of muffins.  This week I decided to make seven muffin recipes to try out.  By the end of the week some of us won’t care if we ever see a muffin again.  But I have been ‘testing’ my recipes out to see whether or not their kid friendly.  The other day we were snowed in and I made two different muffins; Cinnamon Sugar muffins and Maple Muffins.  When they were all done I let Cooper do a little taste testing.  He had quite the time with it. 

He was thrilled to be chosen as number one taste tester.

 

He sampled the Cinnamon Sugar ones first.

He decided pretty quickly that he liked the Cinnamon Sugar ones over the maple ones.  I wasn’t a bit surprised.

Here he’s saying “Anytime, Mom.  Anytime.”

The next day I made Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins.  Bailey got to be number one taste tester that day (Cooper was still down for his nap).

She loved them.

 

She couldn’t stop singing their praises.

Our arms are full and look how happy that makes us.

I always find it a tiny bit rude and very funny when people comment how ‘full’ our hands are, but the truth is, they just don’t know how fortunate we are to have our hands this full.  It can be very difficult and trying to have three kids but we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Round and round.

The twins got an electric keyboard for their birthday from their friend Jack.  They love it.  Love it.  I only wish there were two.  I think so do they.

I think I understand why my grandmother always got my sister and I the same thing at Christmas. 

You can’t tell by this picture, so I will just tell you.  This shot is of the two of them rocking out, playing wonderful music together on that new keyboard.

How did I get so lucky?