And then she said...

..."No Mommy. I gotta go back down (stairs), 'cause I'm too heavy (in reference to me wanting to pick her up), 'cause I grew up, 'cause I'm 3 1/2 now!"

Oh what she didn't know before she turned 3 1/2. That was on Monday.

What happened to my little girl? This one?

That was 2 1/2 years ago already. Does it really go that fast?! I'm not sure, but I know she's only going to get older, and it's just going to keep going. My "little" girl who's 3 1/2, oh so wise, with so much to teach me. That's how it's going to be from now on!

Thankful for Relationships

So I just got home from a Moms of Multiples meeting. Moms of Multiples is a group I've belonged to since I found out I was pregnant with twins. Anyway, this month's meeting included a speaker. Many months have a speaker, and usually I look to see what the speaker is about. Tonight I didn't look...it was about women and relationships with your in-laws (mostly the mother-in-law).
After being there for about 10 minutes and hearing what the speaker had to say, I wondered to myself, "Why am I even here?" The reason being, I wasn't identifying with anything the woman had to say. You see, I was fortunate enough to marry into a family that respects me as a daughter-in-law (DIL), and hopefully I do the same in being the DIL. For example, reasons why your relationship might not be positive with your mother-in-law (MIL): "Your MIL doesn't accept you as a part of the family" or "Your MIL and the rest of their family doesn't accept you for who you are." There were many other things this speaker discussed, but I was only half paying attention to what she was saying, but more paying attention to the amount of heads that were shaking up and down like, "Yes! We completely hear what you're saying!" What?! Really? Your MIL is like this?
I mean I knew I was lucky to have married into J's family. I have never felt like I didn't belong as a part of their family. From the first day of meeting J's mom (when I was 15), she welcomed me into their home without question. Now I know she didn't know I would end up marrying her son, but... There has never been a day when I didn't feel included. After being at this meeting I know I am more than lucky and blessed to have the in-laws I have!
Tonight, I am thankful for relationships with my in-laws!

Happy Half Birthday!

Happy 3 1/2 Birthday to my sweets! A & C are 3 1/2 today (thanks, Mamma Jo!)! I didn't even realize it until my mom pointed that out. I can't believe they are half way to 4. That is a little scary to me. Time just doesn't slow down. I feel like it's such a cliche to say that because it's something people said to you as a kid. "Oh, you just wait! Time goes so fast when you're a parent. Before you know it they'll be grown up!" Ok, so maybe that is true. All of the adults that said that to me can say, "We told you so!"
C didn't have such a stellar half birthday. Mamma Jo was here for the day and C just woke up with the stridor breathing/cough that goes with croup. I hate it when kids are sick! And why is it that one of the 3 times ever, since the kids were born, when I call the nurses' emergency line, do I end up with Patty Personality? I mean really...maybe people call for nonsense things, but I have concerns with my son's breathing and you're talking down to me?! Ugh. Frustration. I guess here's to waking up a few times during the night with C just to make sure he's ok. Or I guess, here's to not waking up! Maybe that will be the case...just feel better Big Guy!
Happy 3 1/2 Birthday A & C!

It's not all roses...

...being a parent. People tend to forget to tell you that as you anticipate the excitement of having a new baby (or babies in our case). I have to say, we have had it relatively easy so far. Now remember, I'm not including the first, oh, say, 6 months of A & C's lives because I can't remember them. Complete fog. Good thing there are pictures! But seriously speaking, our kids have been really good kids and were good babies, too.
However, there was a 24 hour period from Thursday around 7pm until about last night (Friday) at 8pm. Everything from a screaming child (thanks, C) to a sick child, to a child that doesn't want Mommy to sing to her, to not even wanting to say goodnight to Mommy, to Mommy having tears, to just being emotional, to having 3 1/2 year old twins...it was a lot to handle!
I said to J last night after the kids fell asleep that it, to my recollection, was probably the hardest 24 hours I had had with the kids...and I even worked all day yesterday! Whoever said 2's were terrible clearly hadn't been to where their kids were 3 years old. Let me tell you...all of you that have kids younger than 3, watch out! I know all kids are different, but having 2 kids at the same age, both being 3 together, UGH! Hard.
Things have since been better. Today I had a snuggly little girl who wanted to play with me, sing with me, and love me, which made Mommy happy. It reminds me that 3 1/2 year olds, no matter how mature and knowledgable they may be, are NOT rational! I will be sure to bring myself back to this post, over and over again, and read it so I can remember that!
And to myself...remember that A & C love you no matter what and you love them no matter what. They always will! A little self-talk never hurt anyone, right? Right!

Sickly

One of my least favorite times is when the kids are sick. Such is the case right now. A was diagnosed with croup on Thursday with a temp and that seal cough. Now it sounds like she could lose her voice at any moment. She sounds cute! But I know she doesn't feel like herself. She's very snuggly and tired. Yesterday was a good day...today is a little bit like Thursday. Hopefully it isn't like one of those viruses that lasts a week or so with having one good day and one not so good day. We'll see if we can get to Sunday School tomorrow. I know she wants to!
On the up side for both of them...lots of video/movie time when you're not feeling too well. It's either that or hearing A whine, which isn't my favorite sound...let's be honest here! So "Snow Buddies" was the movie of choice again today (we just watched it yesterday, too). Started with Mamma Jo & Papa Kevin (thanks for stopping!), finished with Mommy & Daddy, then to bed. "Yes, we're exhausted, Mommy & Daddy. We fell asleep without a peep!"
Here's to hoping everyone feels better tomorrow! Sleep well, little peanut!

Marlin III and Nemo

So we're having trouble with fish in our house. Did I mention that before? Oh yes, that's right, I did. Just go here or here to read about the previous fish we've had in our house.
Well, since my last fish story (really, it is true!), we've gone through another Marlin, and now have Nemo. I did show the last Marlin to the kids and told them we were going to get a new fish. Charlie decided that this fish should be Nemo. Maybe he thought there was something with the name. I don't blame him!
Well, for all of you "fish people," you probably know you're supposed to float your fish on the top of the new water to get the fish acclimated with the temperature. Hmm...yup, we're not fish people in the house and failed to do that with the first three fish. So, lesson learned. We went to our local fish shop-yes, local as in just down the street, has been there forever-and got a new Beta. So far so good, but I should probably knock on wood before I speak too soon. We've changed the water twice and he's doing pretty well!
So here's to Nemo...our fourth fish within a week. Live little Nemo! Live!

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve was very fun this year! If I sound like I'm surprised, it's because I am...a little! Usually New Year's Eve has this big build up to be a huge evening full of fun, and it ends up being just another night. Ever since I've been with J I'm pretty sure I've spent every New Year's Eve with him. It's great! But, usually there's not a lot that's out of the ordinary. This year was different!
We went up to the cabin! We've never been up to the cabin to stay overnight during the winter. Since our cabin is "closed" without water, it makes things a little difficult. But, our new cabin neighbors Scott and Kristin :) let us use their place (Thanks!). The kids loved it. Of course they were too excited to go sledding to fall asleep for a nap, so they amused themselves by singing songs from school and tossing their animals back and forth between each other. Then it was time for sledding!
We haven't taken the kids sledding since they've been old enough to remember. It was very exciting for them to try. We started out going down the hill with them, and then they became brave enough to try it on their own!
A was the first try it by herself. She smiled the whole way down! Then C tried it and he had a blast too. We took turns going down the hill with them or on our own. Have you been sledding lately? It's so much fun! I loved it and decided that our next winter purchase is for J and I to have our own sleds! We had lots of fun with Matt, David and Erin. They enjoyed sledding with the kids too. We also went out on the lake, which A & C were really unsure of. They didn't want to go on the lake at first. I don't think they understood that it was ok to walk on since it was frozen! Once they figured it out, they loved it! After outside it was time for progressive appetizers around the lake. We went to 4 different houses eating things like chicken wings, fondue, ice cream (adult style), dips and dessert. It was great! It was very easy, even with all of the kids around. Have I mentioned there were 11 kids there? Yes, 11. And everyone did great! Our kids made it until 11:00, which is the latest they've been up; ever! J and I had a great time and are pretty sure we've started a new New Year's Eve tradition. Thanks to all who made it a great night. We had a lot of fun, and it was great to see everyone now, instead of waiting until the ice goes off the lake. When is that by the way...?