Spring 2010 Update

Wow! I haven't been very faithful in keeping up with this blog. The fact that the kids are turning four (Wow!) in about 2 weeks reminds me that I need to post an update. We have just been extremely busy. I am working 4 days a week as a contract provider for a community mental health agency and that alone is draining. I haven't had anymore than 4 day weekend for a vacation and I tell you, I am about ready for one. Only problem is that since I am not an employee, I don't get paid when I don't work. My husband is about through with the fire academy and hopefully will be employed again soon! It will be great being a 2 income family again! In our case, we need 3 or 4 incomes, so he better get extra jobs :D

The kids are amazing: my little joys. Alexandria, Gabrielle, and Hunter are all weighing about the same - 32 pounds, give or take a few ounces. They are on the small side still, especially the girls because they are a bit taller. They are in 18 month pants, but can wear 2T or sometimes 3T dresses. I never noticed how tiny they really were until they started school. The other kids just seem so much bigger than my kids.

Alexandria is my little drama queen. She is just definitely dramatic. All these expressionate faces and reactions all the time. It's just so funny. She bosses her sister and brother around, mommying them so she has earned the nickname "little mommy." However, she is the sensitive one and cries reactively, especially when her sister tells her that she doesn't like her.

Gabrielle is just as sweet as she can be, smart, and full of mischief. If there is a ring leader when it comes to trouble, it's Gabby. She likes to tease her siblings and will take things away from them just for the joy of being chased in a game of keepaway. She is definitely just a mommy's girl. She tells me this all the time. She wants to go everywhere with mommy, particularly shopping. The kid finds things just to buy, whether she needs/wants them or not. She is all diva, fighting with me over what she will wear, has to have more and more shoes (Emelda Marcos watch out), and loves to have her fingernails painted, but has no patience to wait until they dry.

Hunter loves his Batman and when I say he is my little baby, he gets mad and corrects me "I'm no baby. I'm Batman Hunter or if I am lucky, he will say his full name "HUNTER NEW-ing". His grandmother bought him a pair of jammies that had a cape attached and he loves to wear this. I thought I would die when he went outside, wearing swimming goggles and his cape to ride his bike. I wondered where I could hide if someone came along and saw us. Hunter apparently has a girlfriend at school -a girl named Zoe who "mothers" Hunter per the teacher. She moves her chair to sit next to him and tries to spoon feed him his lunch. He insists he only loves Pedro because girls are yucky. Pedro, a boy in his class, is apparently his "best friend." Today he told me Pedro doesn't love him because he follows Pedro too much. He keeps track of Pedro's fave snack, informing me at the store that the ritz and cheese cracker packs are "Pedro's favorite." Hunter is definitely all boy and all boy things. I should feel privileged when he tells me he loves me or graces me with a hug. He definitely favors his daddy (another manifestation of this all boy orientation). He is amazing with sports and has been advanced in his motor abilities for well over a year now. My husband says that hand-eye coordination like his at this young age is really quite a rarity. Fortunately, at 4 years of age, Hunter can join things like t-ball and soccer so he will finally get his chance to play! He's been talking about it for over a year. For his birthday, he wants a baseball room. That's what he will get.

All 3 of them started at private Catholic school on February 1st. They are doing extremely well and the people there are wonderful. I have never seen such kind and loving people. I love to hear and see the new things my kids are learning. They have really shocked me by repeating prayers they have practiced at school on the way home. It's just so sweet to hear! The way they are growing spiritually, emotionally, and socially seems more prominent than academically (although I am sure they are). They have been able to say their ABC's, count to 20, and know most of their shapes since they were 2. They can draw a circle and are getting much better with their coloring. I am awaiting the outcome on speech assessment they are undergoing this week. The bottom line is they are loving school and I know they are in the best place possible for them when I leave them in the mornings at the school. So, that's been a blessing.

Well, I hope to post some more recent pictures soon - hopefully some birthday pics. I am still trying to figure out what to do because their birthday falls not only during spring break, but on the day before Easter. I think they will just be celebrating with mom and dad this year. We will figure out something.

Fall 2009

It's wonderful that the kids are finally old enough to start to appreciate the holidays. They participated in choosing their Halloween costumes this year and were so excited in anticipation of the day they would go out in costume and get candy. We even practiced how to Trick or Treat to get it right. The girls were so excited about putting on make up and glittery dresses, as they were fairies for Halloween. Hunter had no other thing that he wanted to be more than Spiderman. I haven't any idea how he even knows of Spiderman because to my knowledge he hasn't seen any movie or cartoon with Spiderman in it. I had so much fun taking them out Trick or Treating around the neighborhoods nearby. They didn't want to go home. Allie had blisters on her feet and still wanted to walk in her costume, but we got them home somehow and they only got to have a few pieces of candy before bed. I remember being given total carte blanche when it came to Halloween candy as a kid. I guess we are a little more strict in that department. Their teeth will thank us later.

(We had some pics taken at the pumpkin patch but I haven't been able to figure out how to get them on here, so it's been delaying the blog post. I just figured I would write an update and figure out the pictures later).

Now that Christmas is approaching, they are asking us nearly every day about it. "Mommy I wanna see Christmas," Hunter tells me everyday. I tell him he will soon enough. Then he will tell me about what he wants for Christmas, which seems to evolve everyday. It's so exciting that this will be the first year they know a little about Christmas and will get to enjoy opening presents. I can't wait to start holiday traditions with them like decorating the tree, baking cookies, midnight mass, and going out to see Christmas lights. They get so tickled when they see decorations of any kind. Joy now comes from seeing the happiness of my kids. That love is amazing. I have never loved anyone more in life than these 3 precious souls. I am just sooooo very thankful for them, when they are good, when they are bad... it never waivers. Being a mother is just the best thing in the world.

Changes and loss

We have moved away to the Orlando area - living in Clermont, but in the country. We are on 3.4 acres of gorgeous conservation land with wildlife abundant. Unfortanately, didn't realize that we had gators until we moved in. However, it is paradise. It is great not having to drive 2 hours to work anymore and a relaxing setting to be in when I do arrive home. We have had a loss since we moved here. We lost my cocker spaniel of 15 years and honestly the most loyal companion I ever had. I feel a great loss, but time is making it somewhat easier to bear.

The kids have met friends here. Hunter has his first boy friend. He hasn't ever gotten to socialize with boys his age and now he is "friends" with a 4 year old Jacob who he cried about for several days, stating he didn't get his "kiss" and hug from his "new friends." He is just the cutest. What's not the cutest is his opposition to mommy. He is a dada's boy and it doesn't bother me too much until he gets really disrespectful, such as pushing me away, denying me kisses, telling me "NO mommy!" Well, it hurts my feelings, but I try to recognize it is a phase. Then, he will surprise me by crying for me or telling me out of the blue "Love you mommy." The other consolation is that I have two girls who are definite momma's girls, so long as grandma or their aunts aren't around. When that happens, you might as well chalk it up and call it a day because goose liver is more popular than me.

They keep reminding me, well at least Hunter does, that they aren't "wittle babies" anymore. Hunter will add "I big boy mommy." He definitely will always be my wittle baby but he doesn't seem to get that right now. They certainly try to act grown, copying everything we do and the girls will say they are mommy. Hunter will say he is daddy. The girls love to go shopping, dance, and sing. Hunter just loves everything about sports, particularly baseball.

Shortly after we moved into this never been lived in beautiful home with brand-new everything, the kids happened to have a "cookout" in their rooms. They gathered up all the food out of the fridge that they could find and dumped it on their carpet when daddy wasn't looking and when mommy was at work. They totally destroyed the carpet. Stanley Steamer wasn't able to get the pink pepto bismo stains out, so we have covered their stains with a white throw rug for now. I guess we have to keep it all in perspective. A few stains on the carpet aren't worth getting all upset about when we have 3 beautiful healthy babes.


I hope you enjoy the pictures. My dad took them while he was home from Afghanistan. He is returning tomorrow. I love these pics.

Jon Dorrough

I just had to add in here with a little note of pride that my Uncle Jon Dorrough (my dad's brother) and the guy who started this website for me has finally got around to publishing a book, something that has been in the work for years. He has another book on the way already too. The book sounds very interesting and one that sounds like it needed a ton of research and imagination, just from the description. I will have to buy one. I just think it is such a huge accomplishment to not only write a book, but for it to be good enough to be published and sell on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble!? That's difficult! Kudos to my uncle! That's something I have always wanted to do myself. What a dream come true! Love you Uncle Jon!!

Here's a link to his website which gives more details about the book!

http://www.jdorrough.com/

Allie Gabby and Hunter's Birthday Photos

ON DONALD'S BOAT IN TOON TOWN


GABBY AND ALLIE ON THE BOAT GETTING SQUIRTED


ALLIE ON LEFT, GABBY ON RIGHT


A MAGICAL MOMENT WITH MICKEY AND MINNIE


IT'S A SMALL WORLD


HUNTER GETS DRUMS FROM GRANDMA


HUNTER AT GRANDMAS


NATURAL TALENT


AT GRANDMAS, GIRLS GET DORA PURSES AND DOLLS


ALLIE LEFT AND GABBY RIGHT CHECKING OUT WHAT'S IN THE PURSES


ALLIE'S FACE


ALLIE


ALLIE


HUNTER



AT THE HOTEL, COMFY AND COZY


ALLIE ON LEFT, GABBY MIDDLE, HUNTER RIGHT



BED TIME



HURRAY FOR DISNEY


TAKING A BREAK ALLIE (LEFT) AND GABBY (RIGHT)


ALLIE AND GABBY



IT'S STILL US



TIME FOR THE CAROUSEL


TOON TOWN


GABBY AND DORA



GABBY AND DORA



JUDY AND ALLIE (VISITING AFTER OUR BIRTHDAY BECAUSE SHE WAS ON A CRUISE)



GABS

It's Our Birthday

April 3rd - Our birthday today (well 1 hour ago it was officially over since it is 1am now. We are 3 years old. Please leave us any birthday wishes so we can cherish your comments for many years to come. Disney here we come! We will think of you while we visit Minnie and Mickey mouse!

Almost 3, Yay for Chuck E. Cheese, Obsessed with Jeans, and Hunter's misguided haircut

In 1 month, my children will be 3 years old. It is so hard to believe that it happened this fast. Time has really just whipped on by. It seems like their vocabulary is really expanding by the day. They impress me so much with their abilities. These preemie babies are absolutely healthy and normal in every way. They have been tested by EI (Early Steps Intervention) and they don't qualify for any services - speech, occupational, or physical therapy. They are within normal limits to advanced on all cognitive, emotional, physical, and social testing. What a blessing it is that they are so healthy. Our pediatrician is also very pleased by their development.

So, we have a lot to celebrate on their birthday this year. This birthday, we are going to have their party at Chuck E. Cheese because these kids absolutely love the characters and love to dance and sing with the big mouse. I thought too, it would save us the hassle of cleaning up. I am always looking for the easy way out! Tonight I told Gabby that we are going to have a party for her and she couldn't stop saying "party party" and she understood what it meant because she insisted we have cake tonight. "Mommy, I want cake. I want cake, Mommy." Of course, she doesn't understand the concept of time so it shouldn't have been mentioned at all. I will try not to make that mistake again. Have you ever tried to explain time to kids who don't know time? It is absolutely mind-bending. I find myself in that same spot over and over again and never clearly convey the meaning. The kids want to go to bed in jeans. Actually, they pretty much want to live in jeans all the time. They have their favorite pair and they want them washed and ready to wear every day. So, I try to explain to them that they need to wait to wear the jeans and this is a little of what occurs.

Me: "You cannot wear the jeans tonite."
Them: "Mommy, I want jeans."
Me: "NO. Not tonight. You have to wear jammies."
Them: "NO jammies mommy. Jeans. Jeans. I want jeans."
Me: "No. Jammies tonite. You can wear jeans tomorrow."
Them: "Mah-rah?"
Me: "Yes, tomorrow. Not when it's dark out, but when the sun comes up tomorrow it is tomorrow."
Them: "Jeans mommy, I want jeans."
Me: "Tomorrow."
Them: "No mah-rah mommy. I want jeans."
Me: "Mommy isn't wearing jeans night night. You wear jammies night night. Mommy is wearing jammies."
Them: "NO Jammies."
Me: I concede and let them wear jeans to bed - stick with the big issues right? So, not only do my kids know they can win with me, they probably think tomorrow means right now, and they are increasingly obsessed with jeans. I am thinking of throwing them all in the trash and forcing them to wear dresses.

Another update: My son got a haircut. No, not his first haircut, but it is the most haircut he has ever had. My husband did it without telling or consulting me. I shouldn't be speaking to him. Hunter looks like a little man with a flat head. It's shaven pretty much. I'm thinking of suing my husband and the hairdresser, but I guess that won't bring back his hair. I know one thing - he will never be allowed to go get his haircut with just daddy. Heck, daddy should have a chaperone to help him get his own hair cut because he isn't doing too well by himself.

Mr. President

I realize this is a blog about my children, but every once in awhile, I do digress and speak slightly off topic. This is one of those occasions. In his first few days in office, our beloved President has seen fit to make abortion his number one pressing issue. With the state of our country's economy, he finds no better way to spend money (besides the most expensive innaugaration ever) than to give money so that the international community can perform abortion. In addition to this, he has lifted the ban on partial birth abortions and extended it to include killing children in abortion mishaps. Read more about this in the following articles since I am not a political commentator.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/01/AR2008040102197.html

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/23/obama-lift-ban-overseas-abortion-funding/

He states that he wouldn't want his daughter to be punished for a crisis pregnancy. Punishment? Interesting philosophy on pregnancy and the miracle of life. This is the man we voted for? Thanks so much "We the People."

Christmas Photo with Santa

Yay, I finally remembered to post the Christmas Photo with Santa. Here it is!






Left to right: Dylan, Hunter (saying Cheese!), Gabrielle, Santa, Alexandria, and Savanah

For a Laugh... The Mom Song

Mommying 101.. Random ramblings

Sorry, I still haven't posted that all important picture of the kids with Santa. It seems these days, I am full of good intentions with lack of follow through. In my "quiet moments" such as these, I am being tapped gently on the arm by a little part womanesque part cherubic 2.7 year old (to be more specific), somewhat impatiently. The tapping turns more into slapping than tapping in the course of 5 seconds. "Mommy. Mommy. I have booboo." I resign to the interruption, giving her a kiss on the wound - that magical miracle cure that somehow erases all booboos.

Then I am interrupted by the sound of little feet traveling across the floor at a frenzied pace, laughing and that always means trouble. One glance confirms that there is contraband. One has a bottle of vinegar I use to mop the floor and the other has a spray bottle of Fabuloso he is squirting here and there. Somehow, my out of shape body (at their doing) has turned into that of a marathon runner when I sense danger, as I sprint across the house catching them and watching them collapse in fits of giggles. Such fun. All I want to do is have a "quiet moment" and gather my thoughts. I can hear the pounding of the keys of the piano as Baby Einstein plays loudly in the background. They are entertained only moments and then return with the droning sound of "Mommy. Mommy." I have learned to tune it out a little too well. It's as if I were a 10 year old zoning out on cartoons, ignoring the requests of a nagging mother. Reality sets in eventually and I respond to their requests.

It's 9pm now and they are still not in bed. This is the norm at my house. In a few minutes, I will have to grab a spoon and make idle threats. Fear will not be realized. They look at me with the spoon and the stern voice saying, "get in bed" and laugh. 'Silly woman... you won't actually follow through," they seem to be laughing. Even when I do follow through and smack a diaper covered buttocks, it doesn't carry any sting. It's all fun and games here!

The whole point of this post was to discuss my disorganization and lack of follow through. I have digressed. As you can see, my thoughts are not even organized. As if the disorganization of my thoughts here are not enough, I can assure you there are further examples. I make lists of things to do and then do everything NOT on the list. I guess you can blame me for the depletion of trees in the rain forest.

My checkbook is unbalanced. My purse is full of receipts I intended to enter, but then forget to. I lose some and figure, what's the point? Before I know it, I am close to overdraft, rushing to the bank to cover the yet to be posted items before it's too late. This year, I only managed to get a handful of Christmas cards out before Christmas. I have intended for the last 2 days to send out the remaining cards saying "Belated Happy New Year" but by the time they will actually get out, they will be "Belated Happy Valentine's Day" cards with a Christmas feel. Ah well.

I think back to my college years, which wasn't too long ago. I could of possibly had a transient mental health disorder, but it would have to have been persistent to be diagnosable. Yet, I felt incredibly sane compared to now. I was obsessed with succeeding. I NEEDED versus wanted to get all A's. Other than exercise (yes I once exercised obsessively, I had no life to speak of, living only for the praise of the red A on the paper that I had deliberated over and refined repeatedly until I had produced my best efforts. Other college students were having fun partying, only concerning themselves with the production of a paper 12 hours before the deadline. They would pull an all nighter to produce the desired passable piece of work. Ah, those were the days. I was at the top of my game. Mentally, I was the sharpest I would ever be and the most organized I have been in my life. I am but a remnant of that oh so driven diva. Disorganized would be an adjective to aspire to. I am the complete epitome of the phrase - total chaos.

I don't share this to sound erudite, nor am I some kind of Mensa snob. I certainly am and always will be flawed, like most people. Unlike a few, I am aware of those flaws too. Let me just idealize for a moment, remembering a time when I could actually complete a to do list. That was before kids though.

Having kids is in some ways the best thing that could happen to a person. I feel extremely fortunate to have these little lives in my responsibility. They are the cutest and well I could fawn over all that they do all day long. Case in point: When I arrived home tonight, I was greeted by Gabrielle with the declaration "Mommy, I went peepee in the potty" very clearly and concisely in the toddler speak way. It melted me.

Even the annoyances can be cute. Yet, I think they should come with not only instructions, but the Serenity prayer. They can reduce the smartest person to a blithering idiot. So far, my life with kids is going right on cue, according to Bill Cosby's discourse on parenting.

I repeat myself nonstop. Everything is repetitive though: TV shows, ABC's, Numbers, Books, commands/demands. I am even forced to listen to the same song nonstop. "Right Now" by Akon is my least favorite song in the world at this moment. If I met him, I would ask him to annunciate his words better because even after 1000 times and counting listening to "I wanna make love right naw naw naw" I still can't distinguish what he is saying in several parts. Does he say "You were my homey, lover, friend" or "you were my only love girlfriend?" I guess I could google it, but it would take the last piece of mystery out of the song that my children insist on listening to and singing the last word of every stanza to on a daily basis. Please don't judge me for allowing my 2 year olds to listen to this song. You would let them to if you were listening to their screaming and incessant begging to listen to the one song they know the words to that isn't produced by Barney. This isn't one single child. This is a chorus of screaming and not in tune!

In the course of writing this blog, a mere 20 minutes, I have arisen and responded to the needs of children I put to bed more than an hour ago at a minimum, 15 times. I have kissed a booboo (as you know), confiscated the contraband, changed a dirty diaper, redressed a naked child, watched them swing Elmo together and count together, redirected them to bed repeatedly, answered the phone, hit rewind and replayed the same DVD in each room, taken a child to the potty, chased and threatened kids with a spoon, and read a book. I have also managed to put at least a few coherent sentences together. I will finish out the night with paperwork leftover from work today, rummaging for something to eat, and probably hitting rewind and play a couple more times.

Just
Another Day in the life of the Ewing Crew!

Christmas

I have not had the time to make posts or scan pictures, so it has been awhile since you have seen a post. I will try to spend some time getting some of the pictures together from Christmas and posting them here. Christmas was wonderful this year. The kids being a little older, had more of a sense of what was going on. When we went to take pictures with Santa Claus, Gabrielle didn't want to leave. She kept hanging on to him and saying "my Santa" "my Santa." I thought it was cute. The picture came out pretty good, so that is one I need to post.

We went to "midnight mass" which is at 9pm this year. Go figure. The kids weren't bad, but some people were less tolerant and I almost had a verbal altercation with a very rude woman who muttered some things in my general direction. She seemed to appreciate the children that were in the cry room only. I just took my disruptive child and sat outside the doors, still looking in on the mass. We will need to do some thinking about churches that can accomodate our brood. It's getting really harder to get to and through church these days and I need it more!


Christmas day was just lovely. The kids got way more than they need, but they had a fun time opening presents and oohed and ahed over different toys, trying all of them out within a quick span of time. We had a nice Christmas dinner, preparing it for the first time ever! Grandmas etc. had to come to us! It was exciting passage down. Now, I want to pass back the torch because watching children, cleaning, cooking on very little sleep after staying up to put together toys is for the birds! I think my mom will have to host it at her house and cook next year. All in all it was a wonderful day! Hope everyone out there had a great Christmas too. Thanks for reading about my family. :D

Photography by Mike

My 3 - So cute



Gabby


Allie



Hunter


Gabby again

I think these are some of the most beautiful pictures I have seen. The photographer did a phenomenal job. He is one of the top digital people in Florida and wins all kinds of awards for his photos. However, he is very reasonable. I am so glad we got a chance to have him take pictures of our babies. If any of my family wants to order pictures of the kids, call him at 863-385-9991.

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M.O.S.T. Mothers of Supertwins New Video

I am a member of this organization and am a volunteer. I am an area coordinator and after thorough training and the real life experience of being a mother to "surviving" quadruplets, I reach out to mothers who are expecting higher order multiples, providing support, education, and resources when available. This is MOST's latest fundraising efforts. A few of these ladies I have communicated with on a forum where mothers network. One of these ladies I saw on a show OMG! I am having Sextuplets. It was very moving to me. I thought I would share. I am one of the survivors of losing a preemie baby.

Excitement about McCain and Palin

This is the first time in a long time, I have been so excited about a presidential/vice presidential nominee. I cannot believe the people out there who are so hesitant to vote for this man. I cannot believe the words, "I feel like I have no choices. There isn't a candidate I support." This is one man I would stand behind and feel safe about running our country! I thought to myself years ago he was an excellent candidate for president.

This is a man with integrity, a man who doesn't change his answers to fit the venue and appease the audience at the time. He speaks as honest as any presidential candidate could ever speak. He is as humble as a presidential nominee could be. He has his finger on the issues: healthcare, increasing employment, energy, education: all pressing issues. I believe this is a man who will try to accomplish all that he can, but I am not deluded enough to think he can accomplish this alone. This is the executive of our country, but he is not the end all and be all. The legislative branch and the judicial branch of our country ensure that change is slow.

Many seem to be tired of hearing that he was a P.O.W. They think he is a one trick pony act, playing the P.O.W. card. Only in America can a man rise through the ranks of the military, become a P.O.W., live to tell about it, and become a presidential nominee. He is making history. Barack doesn't own the rights to that.

Nobody can effectively argue against John McCain's foreign policy expertise. His record and reputation are solid. His ability to oversee potential strategic military involvement is clear. Additionally, he actually has 2 sons in the military who have served our country. He comes from a long line of military. In fact, Palin's son is in the military too. Who do you want making decisions about whether it is necessary to send your children off to war? A man who never served nor had children serve? or a man whose children will be fighting alongside your children?

Isn't it ironic in a time where we have just ended the reign of terror of Sadam Hussein, we have Barack Hussein Obama running for president? Omen? or Conspiracy? Regardless of Barack's unproven origins, his experience is questionable. So many questions exist - Just where does Barack stand on the issues? His waivering and pandering leave us unclear. His wife does not help his cause, alienating the America she is so angry at for oppressing her. Poor Michelle with a home worth over 1 million dollars and a position paying over 300,000.00 per year with a hospital and a 52,000 salary for being on the Board of Directors for another company. I wish I was oppressed like that. The influence of Reverend Wright and his attendance at a church for over 20 years which was essentially anti-American propoganda clothed with scripture leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Any descent from Barack being president leads to questions about racism - how dare you not vote for the first real non-white contender for president? You must be a rascist. Maybe we just detest your arrogance and sense of entitlement. Maybe we question your honesty and ability to make decisions. After all being the president does require making decisions swiftly and it requires experience. You have given the same speech about Hope and Change countless times, but I am no clearer on who you are and what you really stand for. Being a president requires authenticity and sincerity.

I will try to refrain from calling Barack supporters idiots. I can understand we are in real trouble. Gas prices and everything that requires or is affected by gas prices are higher than ever. The real estate market has plummeted. Car sales are down. People are going into foreclosure and bankruptcy increasingly. People are out of jobs and unhappy with the way things are. Bush is who we blame for everything. Therefore, we want some unknown who sells us a dream of change without any plan of action that is realistic. He sells us with his charisma but has no road map. Are we that gullible that we fall for a bunch of promises from someone who has had years to deliver with his congressional positions, but hasn't? Are we that obtuse that we think John McCain is the same as Bush?

Well that is my 2 cents on the matter. I love the McCain/Palin ticket and hope you do too!

Randy Pausch The Final Lecture - Very Meaningful

The Phenom and The Dancers Get Big Girl and Boy Beds

I have been using this blog for posting pictures as I get them developed but I haven't really given an update on what is going on with the kids. Life is full and life is busy. My kids are the greatest thing that have ever happened to me, but at the same time, they are the biggest challenge. I think I have muttered a few times "I don't want to do this parenting thing." I was an expert in parenting before I had children. I always knew what to do to get the desired behavior. Just ask all my friends with kids. All I can say is that I am sorry to all of you who had to endure advice from me. I think this parenting thing is the toughest job ever!!!!! The kids are 2 years and a few months now. They are talking up a storm, even when we cannot understand what they are saying. Full sentences here and there. The favorite ones are "What's that?" which is said over and over until I have named every object at least twice. "Here you go," which is offered mostly by Allie as she doles out to the other kids some snack. My least favorite is "I want..." Usually it is said over and over, more and more loudly until it gets to hysteria at which point, I shouldn't give them whatever they want because I am reinforcing the whining behavior. However, my ears are going numb and temporary insanity sets in. I concede. Here are the cookies!! Here are the car keys!! Here are the kitchen knives!! Okay, I'm kidding. I would never give them the car keys. Ha ha.

They started climbing out of their cribs at bedtime, even with the crib tents which have successfully locked them in for months now. In the last few weeks, the kids have been going to bed later and later as we struggle over bedtime. The other night I hear my husband saying "Why do you guys do this to me? Do you think I like to spank you? I hate to spank you!" and then some cries followed. I have given up attempting to get them all back to bed. I concede. If he leaves the bedtime thing to me, they will all be running around until midnight. They laugh at me when I get stern. It's as if they are saying "Oh Mommy, you are so funny! Do you really think we are going to listen to you?" I have to say, I turned into my mother. I am constantly tattling on my kids and leaving my husband to be the disciplinarian. "Daddy, they are out of bed." "Daddy, they are running down the hall." etc. And yes, I call him Daddy. We have turned into some hillbilly cliches where we call each other "ma" and "pa."

As a result of all their climbing out of their cribs, we decided that they are ready for big girl and boy beds. The girls have toddler beds and Hunter has his crib converted to a daybed. They love their big boy and girl beds, though they don't spend much time in them. All of them wake up and climb into bed with us in the middle of the night or the early morning. I was terribly squooshed last night when all 5 of us were in the bed. Family closeness! On the bright side, we have some pretty talented children. Hunter is showing some interest and talent with sports. He would sleep with a baseball glove it we let him. He knows how to hold a bat. His stance is so cute! He dribbles a soccer ball phenomenally. We think he is going to be a PHENOM. I have never seen a 2 year old with such enthusiasm for sports. He is always happy with a ball in his hands. The girls are little dancers. Turn on the music and you will see rhythm. Watching them dance always makes me smile. In fact, Allie will ensure she gets my attention by yelling "Mama! Mama!" When, I look at her she is shimmying her shoulders or wiggling about in such a cute way. Hunter gets in on the action too. If we turn on Baby Einstein, The Wiggles, or Barney, they will wiggle and giggle away. It's too cute. So, in all being a parent is wonderful. The cuddles. The smiles. The laughter. Sure there is whining and temper tantrums, but the good so outweighs the bad. Can I have some more please? Just don't tell my husband I asked that. Here is a video that Aunt Judy took of the babies watching Einstein.

Saint Augustine

We went to Saint Augustine back in April which was a birthday present to me. It was the kids first time to the beach. I have a lot of pics I need to post from that visit, but these were sent to me by our new friend Tiffany, of Georgia.

She and her friends were the sweetest and Gabby really took to her. I thought I would share these pictures.

Our play date at Red Lobster with the Fulton Quads

Anthony, Me, Savanah, Cathy and her husband
with my 3 babies and her 4 babies




All the interested babies with the Manager of Red Lobster showing them a lobster and letting them touch the lobster




Just the kids


I belong to a higher order multiples club, MOST (Mother's of Super Twins) and met a lady named Cathy through that organization. She was passing through Sebring so she stopped to have lunch with us. They were the nicest family. I really enjoyed meeting them. Unfortunately, due to the bad behavior of my children, we didn't get to spend much time talking! Here are some pics that she just sent to me. I love them!!