What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Disappearing

2009-05-08T20:32:00.002-04:00

I've been missing from blogger world. Time....just don't have it anymore.

Three 3-year olds just isn't any easier than three 2-year olds This stage is tough. A 7 year old isn't much easier either.

I'm probably going to drop out of blogger world at least for a little while. I am on facebook and try to check it out at least once a day and I can still be contacted by email.

Before going I will give a short update.

All three-years olds had their checkups and all are within a 1/4 to 1/2 lb of each other weighing on avg 36 lbs each.

Madelyn and I are going to our first Mother/Daughter banquet tomorrow night. She's still a daddy's girl but she loves to shop with me. Recently we discovered she is highly allergic to ant bites. Her hand was covered in ants after falling down near our neighborhood pool and we ended up rushing her to Urgent Care for help. They gave her 3 shots and we came home with some medication as well. She was completely except legs covered in hives including her eyes swelling and itching. It wasn't a pretty site.

Nate and Andrew are in need of new bed or beds b/c they are sleeping together in one toddler bed - their choice - so I'm considering a full size bed for them to share instead of two toddler beds. They are still very close and don't like to be separated from each other. Nate wants to give up naps but I'm not ready to give it up yet. I still like that break if I can get it.

Logan is still loving Cub Scouts. He only has a few weeks of school left. I have him signed up for two weeks of summer camps and not sure what else we're going to do all summer yet. Logan was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD. As much as we hated to admit there was a medical problem, we're relieved to know why he is the way he is and can now get help for him. We've learned so much and are still learning more about AS everyday. Today I was able to go to his school for a Mother's Day celebration where all the kids in first grade sang songs to their moms. It was great and I shed a few happy tears too. I love him so much.

I love all of my children more than anything. They drive me nuts and I try to hide many times during the day to get a break but they are wonderful and are the best. Happy Mother's Day to me and all other moms too.

2009-05-02T10:02:00.000-04:00

Past Easter's

2009-04-12T20:41:00.002-04:00

Salsa Twins gave me the idea to compare past Easter Photos.

Easter 2008

Easter 2007

2009-04-12T20:38:00.000-04:00

Wow, I found a photo with them all trying to smile at the camera at the same time.

Happy Easter from Our Family to Yours

2009-04-12T20:34:00.000-04:00

Another Birthday Boy

2009-04-12T20:30:00.000-04:00

Friday was Logan's 7th Birthday. Wow! Where did the time go? We celebrated Friday morning letting him chose anything he wanted to eat for breakfast. He picked pizza rolls and Dr. Pepper. All of us went to the school to have lunch with him on his birthday. We didn't know it was a bag lunch day and classes were eating in their room. The teachers made us a spot though in the classroom so we could all 6 sit together and eat and watch cartoons. Logan and I passed out cupcakes afterwards and we stayed for the special birthday song all the kids do. That evening he opened a few presents from us and we let him chose a restaurant for supper. He picked Taco Bell so he and his dad picked it up and brought it home so we all didn't have to go out in the thunderstorm.

Tony also set up a special birthday mission earlier in the week on their favorite online game City of Heroes. Tony surprised Logan with it Friday, and the two of them played for several hours late Friday night.

Saturday he had his party at Play It. It's a small video game place set up with xbox's, pc's, etc and kids and adults can go play whatever almost there. He had four friends join him and a few of the dads and they all played together and had cake and other sweets. I kept the youngest kids at home so Logan could enjoy the time as a big kid plus the others didn't need to be there around all those computers and games. Logan's big gift from us this year was the new Nintendo DSi. He also got some games for the DSi, legos, telescope, money, RC Car and a few other things. Can you tell he's a big video gamer like his dad?

2009-04-11T22:00:00.000-04:00

"Okay, M, I need to breathe"

2009-04-11T21:59:00.000-04:00

2009-04-11T21:58:00.000-04:00

Easter Eggs

2009-04-10T13:59:00.000-04:00

Dress Rehearsal for Easter

2009-04-10T12:30:00.000-04:00

I had to make sure I had all parts, everything fit, nothing was missing, etc. so I dressed up the youngest three while Logan was at school today and we headed outside for photos. They did everything but cooperate. Out of 230 something shots, here's a few cute ones.

Finally I have a something named after me

2009-04-06T07:10:00.001-04:00

I saw this in the CVS salespaper yesterday. How perfect they thought of me naming this.

http://astronutrition.com/melissa-relieves-stress-and-insomnia.html

2009-04-04T22:59:00.000-04:00

Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-04T22:44:00.000-04:00

Jumping Twins

2009-03-24T16:18:00.000-04:00

2009-03-22T16:40:00.000-04:00

Combined Birthday Party

2009-03-22T15:22:00.000-04:00

Will post more later

Another trip (okay....3)

2009-03-20T19:27:00.002-04:00

I sent Tony with three envelopes today to Bloom labled... 1. Free or Overage 2. Good Deals 3. Not sure but check the price. His trips to three Bloom's came to out-of-pocket amount of $20.40. All of this totaled $173.02 before savings and coupons. We are for sure stocked with toilet paper, drinks and cereal. The kids were very excited to see the cereal boxes and even "helped" take out of grocery bags and put everything up.

Why I Spend So Much Time Sorting Thru Coupons and Sales

2009-03-20T09:10:00.004-04:00

Groceries and Toiletries are EXPENSIVE for a family of six. One income, three kids still wearing pull-ups and sometimes diapers, medical bills, utilities, home, etc makes for a tight budget so I made it my job to "Save" the money Tony brings home. Today is another Bloom Triple Coupon day and I have hit up three Bloom's and plan on more trips all weekend. Here's what I have bought so far for a total of $11.87. Without coupons I would have spent $195.95. Did we need 11 boxes of cereal, 11 Welch's juice, 6 Diet Dr. Pepper's, etc? Not immediately but it's called Stockpile. Get it while it's cheap, or in some cases, FREE. Notice there's even a gallon of milk in there. That's the only item I didn't have a coupon for and alone that is about $3 right now so I got the rest just slightly over $8.

I also contribute to Charity too. This week Logan's school is having a Canned Food drive so he was very happy to take some of our stockpile in and he was rewared at school for that.

Gotta sort through more "q's" today for more trips!!!!

2009-03-06T21:11:00.001-05:00

This Year

And Last Year
http://aninvisiblethread.blogspot.com/2008/05/b.html

2009-03-06T21:05:00.000-05:00

2009-03-06T21:01:00.000-05:00

Let's Eat!!!!

2009-03-06T20:55:00.000-05:00

Birthday Boys

2009-03-05T16:51:00.000-05:00

Little late posting but Tuesday was Nathaniel and Andrew's 3rd birthday. We're waiting until later for a big birthday party to share with Madelyn but we did have cake, and more cake, candles in morning muffins plus let them open their big present on their special day. The workbench was a HUGE hit. They have fixed (or as Andrew would say FIC-IT) everything. Andrew asked for party hats so I gave them the big green straw hats I had picked up last summer to play dress-up with. Their party will be at a gym later on this month and they have chosen a Mickey theme.

No Dolls for this Girl

2009-03-05T16:46:00.000-05:00

2009-03-02T10:15:00.000-05:00

First Snow Angel by Madelyn

2009-03-02T10:14:00.000-05:00

Snow Day

2009-03-02T10:13:00.000-05:00

We don't get much snow here so what little we get it's exciting!!! This sled was bought when Logan was a baby and I think finally it got used for the first time today for the purpose it was bought for. We couldn't find all 8 little gloves so Andrew and Madelyn are wearing socks on their hands. Underneath the twins pants I put girl tights on. They didn't know it b/c they were watching tv while I was putting clothes on them. They realized they had girl clothes on when they stripped down afterwards, and Nate was VERY upset he was wearing girl clothes. It kept him warm so I didn't care. We took the sled up to the school yard where there was a bank and slid down the hill. Andrew would go by himself but not the others. The funniest part was watching them step on ice. I probably said a million times "walk on the snow" but they wouldn't listen. I don't know how many times they bust their butts on the ice. No one was injured but I got some good laughs out of it.

The Clothes Finally Fit

2009-02-25T13:32:00.003-05:00

Feb 2009

Feb 2008

http://aninvisiblethread.blogspot.com/2008/02/happy-gotcha-anniversary.html

Feb 2007

Why do I rely on doctors for answers?

2009-02-22T18:32:00.002-05:00

My blogging time has just disappeared but this one is worth blogging so I'm trying to type with nap trying to get in my lap on the left side and Madelyn jump on my right side whispering in my ear while I keep glancing over to make sure Andrew isn't going to throw up again. I took my sick baby boy to Urgent Care this afternoon b/c he has been sick since Thursday vomiting and diarrhea and not eating (and if Andrew ain't eating, he is really, really sick) and not getting better and I just didn't want to wait another day and have to wait on an appt at our pediatrician. I had to wait b/c it's walk-ins and Andrew was very good at waiting his turn. However, after we were in a room he wasn't too patient.

Finally a PA knocks on the door. It's a pregnant lady and wanted me to know she was pregnant b/c she kept grabbing her belly and holding it with her hands. This lady says to me that it sounds like he's got a stomach bug from what I had told the nurse and this was without hearing it from me. She goes on and on about getting enough to drink to keep from being dehydrated, blah, blah, blah......and ends by handing me the check out sheet and walks out. She NEVER examined my sick kid. She didn't lay a hand on him. Didn't check his ears, look at his throat, listen to his heart, NOTHING. She diagnosed him with me just saying he's vomited and had diarrhea for four days and says to force him to drink water. What kind of medical practice is this?

I was in shock and didn't know what to say. I was just expecting her to examine him before she left the room after she was done talking. I paid for a doctors visit and was pretty much said make him drink water and it will pass.

I found out from a friend a phone number to call at the local hospital that takes complaints for the dr's offices associated with them so I've already put in my complaint. They are suppose to call me back later and let me know what this specific office has to say about this. I told them I would NOT go back to that office. There are other Urgent Care's around so it's not like that is the only choice on weekends.

Andrew hasn't eaten all weekend and this is a child that could probably eat a whole cow and an entire cake in a day. He's always hungry and never full. I couldn't even get him to suck on a dum dum today and he's got a sweet tooth like his mama.

If this PA didn't want to touch my sick child b/c she is pregnant, then she needs to get another job. I think I should be refunded also what I had to pay b/c I paid for no services.

2009-02-07T20:01:00.000-05:00

Photo before leaving for Chinese New Year Party

2009-02-07T19:56:00.000-05:00

We came, we saw, we left early from the Chinese New Year party the local FCC hosted. We made it longer than expected with three two-year olds but it was rough. Nate was a runner and didn't listen to a word we said. He should have stayed home. Andrew had to follow him. Madelyn probably would have done fine without her brothers there. On the bright side, Logan did well and enjoyed it. I didn't take pictures while there b/c my camera wasn't safe chasing the boys around everywhere. It ended up back in my bag.

2009-02-06T09:19:00.000-05:00

This is why I never take my kids to someone's house. I thought I could use Logan's room to babysit them while I cleaned Nate and Andrew's room.

2009-02-03T20:59:00.000-05:00

Last night
Tonight
Why do I bother trying to get them to sleep in separate beds?

Crazy Kids

2009-02-01T12:20:00.000-05:00

I didn't even know Madelyn had tape stuck to her shoe until I saw the photos.

You just never know where these boys are going to end up sleeping

2009-02-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

Love 'um when they sleep

2009-01-27T16:03:00.004-05:00

Today has been a no nap day. I hate those days. Why can't they sleep like the days when they were babies? Tony and I disagree over what stage is harder. I think NOW is definitely the toughest. Give me sleep deprivation and milk engorgement over yelling, temper tantrums, fighting, and destruction any day. I miss these days of a few naps a day. Giving up naps is not gonna work for me.

What is Wrong with My Kids?

2009-01-27T09:06:00.002-05:00

It amazes me everyday how much trouble three minds can get into. Today's disaster is another one worth blogging. There's disasters every day but today's is a biggie.

This all happened before Logan got on the school bus. I'm yelling up the stairs for him to get his butt downstairs and get his shoes on and he's yelling back he wants to play in his room with legos and is not going to school. This goes on and on. I was sitting in a chair with Andrew when I heard "Plop, bump, boom, crash". It was a unicorn music box that I had when I was young that I had been keeping on Madelyn's chest of drawers. Nate had managed to pull the kids steps we use in the upstairs bathroom to Madelyn's room. They were out in the hall b/c I had moved them there to make room in the bathroom for some reason a few days ago. He used the stairs to reach onto her furniture to get the unicorn. I don't know what exactly took place between pulling that own and the time it went down the stairs but I remember a little whining from Madelyn. That's very normal of her. I just assumed she was upset b/c Nate had her unicorn.

I get up and chase Nate down and find he's put the unicorn back on her chest of drawers. I passed Madelyn on the stairs never paying attention to her or what was wrong. Logan later comes down the stairs and with no emotion just says "what's all this red stuff?" In this house that could mean many things so I didn't pay it no attention. I could have been crunched up fruit loops - who knows?

I finally get Logan off to the bus and Nate is saying "Madelyn got boo-boo." She is sitting in the reclincer with blood all over her foot. As it turns out the horn on the unicorn broke off and must have cut her foot. It looks like a deep cat scratch from the toes towards the heal of the foot. The red stuf on the stairs was blood. She traced it from about the 2nd step down, every step all the way down from there and a path to the recliner. There was blood all over the recliner and her pants. He butt was covered in blood where she must have scooted down the stairs in all that blood. She never, ever said a word to me. I had no idea she was hurt. She whines if barely touched sometimes but yet shows no emotion when she is really hurt. Makes no sense.

So, my morning has been spent spot cleaning carpet, playing doctor on a foot, and trying not to lose what little sanity I have left. How's your Tuesday?

First Pine Wood Derby

2009-01-26T19:31:00.000-05:00

Logan's first Pine Wood Derby car wasn't a winner in any of the 6 rounds but he still had a lot of fun. He was exhausted before the races were over and ready to go home but he made it through. We know more of what to expect next year and how to make a better car. Maybe Tony and Logan will be experts in making FAST cars by the time Andrew and Nate are in Cub Scouts.

Picky Madelyn

2009-01-26T19:28:00.000-05:00

Madelyn and I went to The Children's Place Saturday and she HAD to have this. I also learned she is more of an accessories girl. She wanted a Hat, all the shoes, gloves, socks, etc. I did buy her a hat b/c she really insisted on it.

2009-01-21T19:27:00.000-05:00

Leave it to Andrew to hit the slide first to clear the snow off.

2009-01-21T19:26:00.000-05:00

Logan wasn't very successful at pulling the sled far. I give him credit for trying.

What Little Bit of Snow We Got

2009-01-21T19:25:00.000-05:00

This is more than we've had in a long time but not much. It was enough to cancel school. I was too sick to really enjoy it but I did dress the kids and let the youngest three experience snow for the first time. They were definitely excited about it but ready to come back inside in about 10-15 minutes. I had gone out in my PJ's and a long coat trying to take pictures and video tape it while sneezing and coughing continously. When they all came in, everyone of them hacked up a lung or two, sneezed, and in the end I had about another two loads of wet laundry to add to my already mountain high pile of dirty clothes.

Modeling New Christmas Coats

2009-01-16T21:38:00.001-05:00

I think we have a daughter under this Helmet

2009-01-16T21:38:00.000-05:00

Together Forever

2009-01-16T21:36:00.000-05:00

Nate has told us several times that he sleeps in Andrew's bed and I caught it tonight. Andrew went to sleep first. He's running a fever tonight and fell asleep before we even had time for bedtime prayers. Nate was in his bed and I told him to leave Andrew alone. Obviously that didn't work. He had to be near his brother. Looks like he took his covers off of him too.

Transition from Terrible Two's to Terrible Three's is TERRIBLE

2009-01-13T20:49:00.002-05:00

My blogging time just doesn't exist anymore. I don't even get a chance to sit at a desk anymore. Logan has pretty much taken over my computer when he's home and the other three don't allow me to sneak away during the day or even sit with my little Asus and check email anymore.

Today is a day though that I needed to find blogging time to share about how bad my morning was. Nate, Andrew and Madelyn need a team name that's for sure b/c together they can get into so much trouble.

The school bus was late this morning. Long story short there, it never showed up after school started. I was in and out of the house watching Logan at the stop about 5 houses up to make sure he's safe. Meanwhile the other three are running around the house like wild animals like always. I didn't realize they were up to something upstairs.

Usually the only two rooms with doors open upstairs are the twins room and Madelyn's room. Everything else is shut b/c it's not toddler proof. However; the bathroom was left open. I didn't know this. All during that time I was in and out the door watching for the school bus and calling the school, they were running in and out of the bathroom.

When Logan finally got onto the bus, I came inside to find Nate and Andrew with toothpaste on the hands and faces. No big deal. I just assumed they probably did get into that bathroom upstairs and tried to get some toothpaste out themselves. Andrew's shirt was a little wet, not soaked, but I changed him anyway and since I was changing him I went ahead and switched over laundry and sat down to fold it. I gathered up a load to go upstairs and that's when I passed by the open bathroom.

It was flooded!!!!! They had stopped up the sink and turned on the water. Not only that, toothpaste was in many places including all in the bathtub. Toothbrushes were laying on top of the toilet lid and they were wet. I was furious. I had steam coming out of my ears. I ran back downstairs and grabbed towels to soak up the floor first. I tossed all of the toothbrushes in the trash. I had to throw away a few other things that had been laying on the counter soaked and ruin now. I was so mad at those three. I also discovered there was pee in the little potty Madelyn uses so I guess she did that while the boys were eating toothpaste.

They ruined my entire day. I'm still made about the bus issues and the destroyed bathroom. Some parents say three's are worse than two's and I think I'm getting both of those years combined into one times three kids.

2008-12-25T20:44:00.000-05:00

What does our house look like on Christmas Morning?

2008-12-25T20:42:00.000-05:00

This actually looks clean. It got worse after this picture. We hadn't opened boxes before this was taken. It was pure chaos but so much fun.

Fun didn't start though until after we got downstairs. It took us a bit longer to get everyone down the steps this morning to see what Santa left behind thanks to Nate. Nate decided when he got up this morning to strip out of pajamas and take off a diaper full of poop. When I walked in he was sitting bare butt on the carpet with the diaper off in the distance and big pile of poop laying in the floor. Andrew is gagging while looking at the poop (Like Mother, Like Son). Poop is smeared on the walls, all over Nate and even on his face. He had to go straight to the bath tub. There was lots of screaming b/c Nate didn't want to take a bath, and Andrew DID want to take a bath and we weren't letting him in there. Then there was Logan screaming b/c we told him to wait on all of us before going downstairs and he didn't like that idea.

Eventually we made it downstairs and everyone was happy. Madelyn couldn't seem to rip paper off fast enough. I don't think she even looked at the presents. She was too excited about the paper coming off. Logan had a story to tell and had to talk about each present first before going to the next one. Nate was very slow and Andrew was even slower. Andrew started with candy and then made it to the bat and ball and didn't want to go further. He had been saying he wanted a bat and ball for two months now. When he got it, he wasn't letting go. He wouldn't open other presents b/c his hands couldn't come off the bat and ball.

The favorite toy for Madelyn was the vanity. She has painted her nails, put on lipstick and brushed her hair. She has pushed down her brothers to keep them from messing with her things. Nate and Andrew have really enjoyed the Batman shake n go race track. They have laughed so hard and jumped to the ceiling watching those cars go fast around the track. Logan is enjoying his new Wii games and Legos. He hasn't even made it around to trying out all his toys yet.

Tony and I are exhausted. Our house is a wreck. We had our usual Chinese take-out (and no we are not Jewish) but we started this tradition the first Christmas waiting on Madelyn's arrival and have continued it. I have plans to crash on the couch and veg-out out tonight. It's been a wonderful day. Merry Christmas!

Preschool Christmas Party

2008-12-22T18:19:00.000-05:00

Santa Baby

2008-12-22T18:18:00.000-05:00

2008-12-22T18:17:00.000-05:00

Sometimes he tries to disquise as an Angel. (Photo from our church Christmas Play)

2008-12-14T16:10:00.000-05:00

Santa and Two Haircuts

2008-12-12T19:23:00.001-05:00

My hairdresser told me last week Santa was visiting her Salon today so we dressed up the kids and went for a visit. The only one that told Santa what they wanted for Christmas was Madelyn and she said "choo choo". Nate gave a funny look to him the entire time. Andrew was just amazed. Logan whispered a few things but I couldn't hear anything he was saying to Santa.

We ended the visit with two haircuts - one for Logan and one for Nate. They were both past due.

Hot Dogs for Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T10:36:00.000-05:00

Yummy Cookie

2008-11-28T10:32:00.000-05:00

2008-11-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

Madelyn and I had some disagreements over what she should wear to our Thanksgiving meal so I let her in her closet to choose and she picked out her dress. Isn't she beautiful?

A Bad Day

2008-11-19T14:07:00.002-05:00

Today ranks up there as one of the Worst Mornings I could possibly have.

First, I couldn't wake up. I usually do not have this problem. That should have been a sign there. Tony had to wake me up before he left for work.

When I got to the twins room, I opened the door to find a full bag of diapers emptied out on the floor, Nate butt-naked on the changing table, and Andrew standing beside him as if changing Nate's diaper. Fortunately the morning diaper that was slung off was only #1. I can't imagine what mess it would have been if it had been #2.

Later I take Madelyn to my bathroom to brush her hair and mine. I come out to find that three 12-packs of Coke had been opened and all the cans scattered across my foyer. It was my fault for leaving them there but I didn't think they would have emptied the boxes. I picked all up or so I thought.

After everyone is ready to walk out the door (shoes and coats on), I rushed to the half bath for a break before I go out. While I'm in the bathroom I heard WHAM and I open the door to find three toddlers standing there and immediately a noise spewing everywhere. They found a can of coke I did not clean up and threw it at the front door. It spewed all over my foyer covering the door and floor and was on my coat, the kids and some toys. I got a towel and wiped up some but we were running late so I had to go and get Logan to school. (If late, I would have had to walk three toddlers in to check Logan into school and I didn't want to do that.) The floor is so sticky right now. Of all mornings too, I chose to throw out my mop since trash runs on Wednesday's. Now I have to go buy a new one so I can clean up the floor now.

Days like today I wonder why I even try to leave the house. It would have been much easier to have turned on cartoons and put their hiney's in front of tv. I love my three hours of preschool break two days a week but sometimes I'm not sure it's worth the trouble getting them there.

Triples Are Here!!!

2008-11-08T23:06:00.004-05:00

And I don't mean triple babies

Triple Coupons started at Harris Teeter Thursday and Bloom yesterday and end tomorrow. A friend of mine is teaching me her techniques during triples to help me build a stock pile. The goal is to buy when cheap, not necessarily b/c we need it now. Some of the best buys this go around are Betty Crocker cakes, frosting, cookie mixes, paper towes, Dawn, cheese, Campbells Chicken Noodle and many more. With four kids that eat us out of the house, I need to save in groceries as much as I can. A few weeks ago I started a binder and a few months ago I started buying more than one newspaper for the coupons. Now I'm finally seeing all the work pay off.

Here's my savings...

Store OOP Coupons Store Savings Notes

HT $14.22 $39.01 $10.47
HT $7.52 $39.83 $7.66
HT $16.37 $49.67 $17.55
HT $44.02 $52.20 $21.96
HT $11.57 $31.01 $7.84
HT $18.50 $33.29 $5.65
HT $4.04 $16.26 $9.99
HT $4.46 $34.16 $8.85
Bloom $7.62 $45.39 $12.72
Bloom $2.10 $28.00 $3.33
Bloom $3.09 $22.13 $3.83
Bloom $0.01 $41.51 $9.40 Free Milk
Bloom $0.37 $53.30 $19.13 Free lifesavers
Bloom $3.05 $48.96 $15.66 Free Milk plus 1 to make up for ovg
Bloom $7.34 $34.23 $5.71
Bloom $0.92 $47.58 $13.38 bought candy for ovg

Totals $145.20 $616.53 $173.13

I have bought over $600 dollars worth of groceries for $145.20. How amazing is that? It took me a few trips to start figuring it all out so I could have spent much less if I had worked it out first plus I did get some things I needed now that weren't necessarily the best deals. This has been so much fun but so exhausting. I'll probably hit Bloom up again tomorrow after I get the new Sunday newspaper coupons.

Maybe we should consider gymnastics for Madelyn instead of ballet

2008-11-04T20:47:00.000-05:00

Candy, Candy, Candy, Candy

2008-10-31T22:56:00.000-04:00

Sir Topham Hat, Thomas, James and Percy

2008-10-31T22:55:00.000-04:00

Our Mickey-O-Lantern

2008-10-29T19:51:00.000-04:00

Preschool Pics

2008-10-29T15:31:00.000-04:00

I wasn't going to buy preschool pictures since I take lots and lots of photos myself now but then I saw this one. They suckered me in and I ended up with 7 sheets plus the class picture.

Another Tag

2008-10-25T17:53:00.004-04:00

I have been tagged by another blogger (oops copy/pasted first time so I had last writer's info in original post)

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules.
2. Share 7 random or weird facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and link to them.
4. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I ABSOLUTELY HATE HATE HATE Potty Training three two-year olds.

2. Chocolate is a weakness I have. Love it! Not milk chocolate though like in chocolate bunny's at Easter time - don't care for that too much.

3. I HATE being late. I used to never be late for anything. Now my kids slow me down. I want to be first wherever I go but now I can't seem to get it together especially to church.

4. I watch one soap opera - The Young and the Restless. I used to watch more but there's no time anymore. I'm a stay home mom. Ain't I suppose to watch this stuff?

5. I don't like people touching me. I'm not a big hugger except to my kids. I don't go up to friends and hug at greetings but if I'm hugged first I will hug back. Same goes for a massage. Can't handle a stranger touching me.

6. I am not a girly girl. I don't wear pink. I only own a few pairs of shoes. I'd rather wear jean shorts and a t-shirt and pull my hair back into a ponytail.

7. I love shopping when I have coupons. I organize coupons by categories in a binder and insert them into baseball card holders and plan my shopping trips by matching coupons to sale prices. I think we only go to restaurants that I have coupons for or kids eat free. I love finding ways to save money.

Tag to all readers that haven't done this before.

Melamine and Chinese Adoptees

2008-10-23T20:30:00.002-04:00

I've been watching posts through Madelyn's orphanage, our adoption agency, and a few other groups I'm in and wasn't too concerned until recently about Melamine. There's been a few reports of girls older than Madelyn showing problems from Melamine so I decided to call our pediatrician yesterday.

When I first called, the receptionist didn't know what I was talking about so she took my name and number. I expected the nurse to call back but one of the doctor's did. At first she said she wasn't aware of the older girls being tested but just the newly adopted girls but would do some research and call me back. Today she called me back and informed me that Madelyn's blood work from her first visit did test for renal functions and she was normal. However, to be on the safe side, she should have a urinalysis done. I made an appointment later in November to take her for this plus all three toddlers for flu shots.

I don't think she's been affected by tainted formula but the fact that we don't know for sure what she drank while at the orphanage and definitely don't know what she had before that, we'd rather be on the safe side and make sure her kidneys are functioning correctly. Hopefully by November 18th, I'll have her using the potty more so we can get a urine sample from her while there. She's trying really hard to use the potty now but she still has accidents.

Why Three 2-year olds Should Not be in a 6-year old's Room

2008-10-23T10:57:00.000-04:00

No bathroom breaks for me

2008-10-22T20:19:00.002-04:00

As of today, I am no longer allowed a potty break before leaving home for preschool on Monday's and Wednesday's.

On preschool days I now take Logan to school instead of putting him on the bus. We were all ready to go out the door except for shoes so I run to make a pee break. In the short time I run to the bathroom, Nate and Madelyn decided to take off their sippy lids and pour milk all over the table, floor, carpet in the living room and all the way to the foyer. I had soaked kids and needed to get out the door. I was furious. I had already changed Andrew b/c while eating breakfast he either spit his milk out or had reflux so he need new shirt and pants. I can't leave a room with them in it and something not get spilled, broken, biten, or destroyed.

I ran late but wasn't late by the school to drop-off Logan. I later went to have lunch with Logan who spent most of lunch blaming me for why he got a warning at school. He said since he was late for school he didn't have enough time to finish his sentences. Everything is always my fault in his eyes. I'll from now on hold off on bathroom breaks until all kids are at school. Of course this is no guarantee something else will not go wrong.

Choo Choo

2008-10-20T10:53:00.000-04:00

If Madelyn would play dress-up in girly clothes, she'd probably have lots and lots of cute dresses like fairies and princesses but she'd rather be like the boys and be a choo-choo train. These three decided themselves which one they'd be and there was no arguing. Nate said James from the beginning and Madelyn wanted Logan's old Thomas costume. Percy is new this year so finding that costume took a while but it looks so cute on Andrew. They were a big hit at church last night.

2008-10-20T10:48:00.000-04:00

We trick-or-treated at trunk-a-treat last night.

Another Poop Story

2008-10-17T14:36:00.003-04:00

I can laugh at it now but a few hours ago I was not laughing - almost the opposite.

I HATE potty training. I hate, hate, hate it!!!! I seriously think I'd hire a company that specifically went to people's homes and potty trained their kids if these such companies existed. I'm stingy with spending money too but I think I'd pay if these companies were successful, fast and guaranteed.

It started off with Madelyn having an accident #2. I take her to the potty downstairs since we're all downstairs anyway, get her training pants off and sit her on the potty and let her try there. She's unsuccessful but we get up and go through the routine anyway of wiping down, new panties, etc.

It's about nap time so I start scurrying up everyone to go upstairs to their bed. As we reach the top of the stairs I notice Andrew is squating. He's in underwear so I start yelling "No, let go to the potty" but we don't make it. #2 is out. So, that's two out of three toddlers now with poop in their pants. I get Andrew to the bathroom to start the same routine again with him, get him on the potty and he jumps off. Now I've got poop smeared all over the potty and all over his legs. He starts squatting again right there in the floor. #2 falls to the floor. ***Steam comes out of my ears.*** I pick him back up, back onto the potty and try to get him to stay while I pick it up off the floor. He jumps back off again while poo is still coming out. My head is about to explode now from frustration. I get him back up on the potty. He's managed to get both hands to his back side and smear it all over his fingers and chest and then he grabs me. I now have poop down both of my arms and my shirt. To make matters worse, Nate is in the background behind me repeating my words, commenting on "oh, yucky poop" and just running his mouth non-stop. When Andrew is finally done I throw him in the bathtub. It was just easier that way and then I started taking Clorox bleach wipes to everything. I cleaned my arms and hands the best I could but I got Andrew cleaned up first and got the boys to their room for a nap. I came down for a scrub down afterwards and change of clothes.

I don't think I've ever seen that much poop smeared all over one bathroom before. It was awful. Andrew even got sick from looking at it and was gagging and later puked in his room before he fell asleep and had to have another set of clothes.

A diaper day would have been so much easier. I hate potty training!!! I hate potty training three at a time even more.

2008-10-16T09:18:00.000-04:00

Practicing for Christmas

2008-10-16T09:15:00.000-04:00

I haven't touched my camera in a while so I thought I'd try a few shots of Madelyn dressed in a Christmas dress and threw up a black piece of cloth. Unfortunately my lighting is bad and she was not in a modeling mood today.

Our Tiger Cub Scout

2008-10-16T09:09:00.000-04:00

Why Markers and Two-Year Olds Don't Go Together

2008-10-16T09:08:00.000-04:00

2008-10-14T10:48:00.000-04:00

Logan's drawing of him and his "girlfriend" on the coaster and me and her mom at the bottom. I'm not sure if I'm the picture taker or if she is.

Love Freebies

2008-10-10T07:04:00.004-04:00

A friend of mine is teaching me the art of grocery shopping for freebies. I'm so psych'd about it that two mornings in a row I've been to two grocery stores at 6am waiting on the doors to open. In two days I've spent $45.75 and saved $102.62 in coupons (of course I also relied on sale items too). My spent would probably have been lower but I still needed milk, bread and splenda and even though I had a triple coupon for splenda, it's still outrageously expensive. My friend has such a stockpile now of items that she only spends money on meats and just goes to stores when items are free or under $1. That's my goal. I compared my savings to a paycheck received if I was working a minimum wage job and that would be an estimate of 14 hours I didn't have to work outside of home. It's stressful searching for all of the coupons with three sets of toddler hands wanting to "help" but it's so worth it. More money saved, more money to spend on them later.

2008-10-09T10:45:00.000-04:00

Tony sent this to me this morning...too funny.

Nate's Recovery

2008-10-07T15:10:00.002-04:00

Nate had his tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy this morning and he came through surgery fine. Unfortunately, he's been a horrible patient. He came out of anesthesia very, very irritable. OR staff only let one parent back and I was stuck with restraining him in my arms. They pushed me in a wheelchair to his room and I several times almost dropped him. He's tried very hard to pull out his IV. I can't talk to him without him yelling "No" over and over and fighting back. I haven't been able to go to the bathroom without him or keeping the door open and I've been walked in on once since there are no locks to the hospital rooms. We tried to take a wagon ride around the Children's wing and all b/c they put a security bracelet on him, he screamed the entire ride and about hurt himself trying to get that bracelet off. It's been a terrible day. He's staying overnight b/c risk of dehydration with toddlers is higher so they like to keep IV fluids in them after this procedure. Honestly, I'm glad we're here b/c I can't imagine dealing with this and the other three at home at the same time. He's been all I can handle today. Thankfully he's napping now but I dread when he wakes up b/c the painkillers will probably have worn off by then.

Carowinds Foam Pit

2008-10-05T21:39:00.000-04:00

The bad side of childhood curiosity

2008-10-05T09:38:00.001-04:00

Geekdads has a hilarious post up titled Awkward Questions: The Downside to Inquisitive Kids

2008-10-04T20:55:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin Patch Today

2008-10-04T20:52:00.001-04:00

Look how much they've changed

Last Year 2007

2006

No, we don't know anything

2008-09-30T18:01:00.002-04:00

In case you read the news, we don't know anything the public doesn't already know. Tony still has a job. No news otherwise. If you've read the stories from other newspapers, you may know more than the employees know.

Cinderella

2008-09-28T11:10:00.000-04:00

Do you know how long we've had this costume and she refused to wear it? I got it on her for about two minutes this morning. I had hopes that since they played dress-up at Ballet yesterday she would want to wear it, but I was wrong. She has some scensory issues to this fabric tulle we think. Yesterday she had on her leotard and tights under her costume so that may be why she wore it longer at ballet.

When Logan was 2 1/2

2008-09-25T21:22:00.000-04:00

Pictures of Logan sleeping in the floor behind the door and on the changing table when he was the same age as the twins are now.

What's wrong with these boys?

2008-09-25T21:17:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it's just one of the boys but tonight they both decided that sleeping at the door would be more comfortable than their very cool, race car beds. Logan at this age did the exact same thing after he came out of crib for the longest time except sometimes he would crawl on top of the changing table and sleep there. I have a night light in the room and tried a lamp but Nate refused the lamp (not sure why) so I don't understand why they think peeping under the door and falling asleep in that spot is the right spot for the night.

It's Time to Cut Hair Back Off

2008-09-25T17:40:00.000-04:00

Now do ya'll believe me? Madelyn's snotty hair has now broken a comb.

Madelyn has beautiful, silky black hair when it's not full of snot. Unfortunately, it's always covered in dried snot thanks to her allergies. I have to keep it pulled back all the time to keep it out of her runny nose but she's a rough little girl on her cute hair-do's, and bows and rubber bands just don't stay up. Today I broke one of her two wooden combs that came from China trying to comb out snot tangles. I've tried hair detangler and it doesn't work on the big wads at all.

I've told many friends and family that I am going to have it cut off again short. Everytime I say this I hear "but it's so beautiful" or "Awe, but she looks so cute with her long hair." If she was old enough to take care of it herself, I wouldn't do it if she wanted to keep long hair. It IS beautiful but it's a nuisance, and she'll still be cute with short hair.

She also has the problem of her hair growing forwards from the back of her hair. Two different stylist have said we could "train" it to lay back like most human hair on it's own eventually. That hasn't happened yet. She has bangs cut but the top that grows forward that isn't part of her bangs stays in her eyes.

I don't know when I'm going to do it but I'll post photos of her new haircut soon.

What's wrong with this photo?

2008-09-18T22:08:00.000-04:00

Logan wanted the job of getting the boys to sleep in big boy beds tonight. This is what I found when I walked into their room to check on them at almost 10pm tonight. I'm not sure if this is an improvement for Andrew or not. The past two nights he fell asleep on the floor blocking the door. Nate's head is actually on a pillow vs turned upside down on the bed with his head down beside the mattress.

More Big News

2008-09-18T11:45:00.003-04:00

Madelyn went pee-pee in potty for the first time today. Yeah!!!!!

She refused to put on a diaper today. After Logan got on the bus I put training pants on her. She had been on and off the potty all morning long. I even sat her on the potty having her drink water from the big kid cup and nothing was coming out after all that water. When her play therapist got here at 10:30 we moved the potty to a towel in the living room floor and they did therapy from the potty. About 11:15 Madelyn stood up and her therapist saw pee in the potty. Unfortunately Madelyn didn't notice she had done it and we didn't hear it. We don't think she realized she had peed but I made a big deal out of it jumping up and down and swinging her around. She got prize candy and got to call her Daddy on the phone and tell him. We put underwear back on her and as soon as her therapist left and walked out the door, she flooded the floor.

Up until now, she was unable to hold it so at least I know she's capable of going a few hours dry. Time to really crack down on her and get the 2nd toddler using the potty. Nate will probably be like Logan was and take longer. He still refuses to put on underwear. He's not giving up his diaper.

First Night in Big Boy Beds

2008-09-13T05:53:00.000-04:00

I was too exhuasted to take the 2nd night's picture.

First In, First Out

2008-09-13T05:52:00.000-04:00

What a nightmare removing cribs is turning out to be

2008-09-12T21:25:00.004-04:00

I feel like I've been in a wrestling match.

This is night two of no cribs in the twin's room. Nap time wasn't as bad but it helped since they had been up since 4am. Tonight took about 1 1/2 hours to get them to go to sleep.

They started off in the toddler beds with another crib mattress in between that I could lay on. I think about 20-25 minutes after laying down, a few songs, talking a little and swapping stuffed animals back and forth, listening to the cars from the new dragstrip, Andrew's switch went off. I'm learning Andrew is a bit more hyper at night but he can go from immediately jumping around like a monkey to sawing logs. Unfortunately about the time Andrew konks out, Nate explodes in his diaper. The smell alone would wake the dead. So, I had to get up to change Nate which woke Andrew up and he was back to his typical toddler self.

Nate tells me he needs medicine. He has had a sore throat this week so we make a trip back downstairs, all three of us, to get some tylenol. Andrew asks for medicine so I give him benedryl since he has been congested. I should have done all this before bed but I can't remember everything these days. (I've also been up since 4am too.)

We go back upstairs and hear fireworks. Now the boys have to look for them out the window. Unfortunately we couldn't see them b/c of trees but in the winter we can see fireworks display that goes on at the speedway. They missed out this time.

Finally I get them back to the room and they decide they are sleeping with mommy. I was laying on a single crib mattress. It's already not big enough for me, let alone me plus two toddlers. So, I take their mattresses out and lay it up against mine, one on each side. We try this out for a while, and then Drew poots. Drew thinks he made a stinky. I had to get back up, turn the light back on and check. He didn't but he still thinks he did. Nate says Drew-Drew stinks but there's nothing. It was a big ordeal to them but I eventually convinced them everything was okay.

We get back to laying down and he mattresses are separating from each other sliding around on the floor because the boys can't be still. I push a toddler bed up against one side and have the far end cornered by the wall. Then they both want to sleep in the middle with mommy. Agh!!! So, I take out the middle one and the three of us are sharing two crib mattresses laying in the floor.

After a bunch of yelling from me, finally Drew knocks back out again and I'm thanking God that one is finally asleep. Nate was fighting sleep and wanted to get up, lay different ways, cuddle, not cuddle, etc. He even surpises me by getting into my face and giving me little kisses while I'm pretending to be asleep. I get tickled and he think it's funny so he continues to do this. Sweet but it gets annoying. He lays there and picks his nose for a while and finally starts snoring. Yeah! I was able to sneak out no problems.

I never lay down with them unless they are sick so I know they are enjoying this. I hope they catch on soon that they are suppose to stay in the beds but right now I don't see that happening soon. I am dreaming it will happen by the time Nate has his surgery. Drew will have one night without his twin since Nate will be spending the night at the hospital. Not sure what we'll do then.

We like to do everything all at one time

2008-09-11T21:53:00.002-04:00

at least that's the way it seems.

Today I took down the cribs in Nate and Drew's room. It was time. They were having too much fun getting into each other's crib. It took about 30 minutes to get them asleep in their big boy beds tonight. It kinda helped they skipped nap today and had benedryl before bed. I laid between the two beds until they fell asleep in their own bed. They also got a new Thomas blanket to sleep with that made them really happy.

Madelyn will remain in her crib. She's not close to climbing out and as nosy as she is, I don't trust her in her room alone not confined to a crib. She would have everything in her drawers pulled out and tried on and the closet ripped apart.

Our 2nd biggie for the evening is that the Tooth Fairy is making her first appearance tonight at our house. Logan has had a loose tooth for a while and tonight while biting into a lego, the gums started to bleed under the tooth. He let Tony get a good grip on it and one yank and it was out. This is his first tooth to pop through his gums and first tooth to leave his mouth.

My babies are growing up. Two cribs out of three are now out of the house and the first tooth now gone. ***sniff, sniff***

On the really sad note, my computer crashed. Tony has been working on it for a few hours now. Unfortunately I can't post my new photos from this evening and even worse, I'm not sure all of my other photos were backed up completely over the past few months. I hope he can work his magic and get everything back to working order.

Nate's Tonsils Are Coming Out

2008-09-09T18:08:00.001-04:00

The ENT agreed with me. Too many infections and his tonsils are very large but I already knew that. He asked me how many infections in the past year and I just responded with he's a twin and I can't keep up with who's had what but everytime Nate's sick it's tonsilitis. I didn't even mention there was 3rd two-year old in the picture even though he has done Madelyn's ear tubes but I don't think he remembers me. His partner took out Logan's tonsils.

Since Nate is under three, he has to stay 24 hours observation. If we wait until he's three we risk more infections until then.

This will make our 5th trip to hospital's this year. I'm not trying for the award of "Highest Medical Bill of the Year" but I think we'll be close. Madelyn had ear tubes/adenoidectomy, Andrew had the endoscopy, Madelyn had pneumonia, Tony's stay last week and now another surgery.

I'm hitting up the psych unit before end of year since we've met family deductibles and family coinsurance.

2008-09-07T20:10:00.000-04:00

Here's a Ball for Ya

2008-09-07T20:06:00.000-04:00

"No, Daddy's Turn"

2008-09-06T22:23:00.001-04:00

Nate's Attempt at Jumping Rope

2008-09-06T22:08:00.001-04:00

Madelyn's Attempt at Jump Rope

2008-09-06T21:55:00.002-04:00

First, let me tell you this is not a rope. It's a belt to a pair of capri pants I have. The boys found it in my clean clothes pile I was folding and with the help of Tony they decided it was a jump rope. We didn't even know they knew what a jump rope was. Andrew began turning it with Tony and Nate ran up and started jumping. Of course he missed but he thought he was doing it right. Our guess is he picked this up from Sesame Street.

Andrew is half naked because that's just easier for me and him both for potty training purposes, which by the way has been going really well. Our prize for pee or poo in the potty is probably unusual but I have my reasons - Candy Corn. It's not the greatest candy, but it's easy clean up and a candy Tony and I don't really like so we're not tempted to snack at every prize.

And yes, Nate is sort of attacking Madelyn with the rope at the end. I'm assuming it's his way to get her to not give up and try to jump more.