Cottage Days...

It's Monday afternoon and Paul and I are sitting in Clayton's only coffee shop, "downtown." This is the first time I've had real internet access in the 12 days we've been up here so far! His parents have dial-up at the cottage...it's not even worth the effort getting on, I can't believe people still have that.

Anyways we are having a good time and enjoy the weather...highs in the high 70's most days...don't hate me. Enjoy our picture show. I have to go now..I actually had to pay for this real internet access, and my time is up...plus there are more ice cream cones to be eaten and boats to be driven :)

Lilly

All about Lilly

I thought it would be fun to spotlight each of my tots, so of course, I must start with the oldest, even if it is only by a minute!

Full Name
Lilly Sue

Height
35 inches?

Weight
about 28 lbs

Favorite Foods
Strawberries, grapes, watermelon, milk, yogurt, french fries & ketchup, noodles, raisins, & ice cream to name a few

Favorite Show
Dora the Explorer

Favorite Activities
Reading Books, Playing dress up - especially wearing heels, Playing in the water, Singing, Dancing, Acting like she's a baby, baking pretend cakes and making you blow out the candles

Current Favorite Accessory
Magic Cape (aka red bandana) and her wand. She wore her cape to CVS the other day, announcing so that all could hear "look mommy, I'm flying!"

Current Favorite Book
Princess Baby!

Favorite Word
Mine!

Signature Move
the throw down
(hands in her face, head in her lap, immediate tears, or pretend crying, anytime something doesn't go her way)

Potty Training Status
has pooped and peed many times in the potty, but not that interested
loves the Dora underwear we got her, but it's purpose doesn't seem to be clicking quite yet

Lilly, our first born. I'd have to say she is definitely the epitome of a drama queen and girly girl, which can be both good and bad. But she's also the first one to grab at a frog or worm long before brother would. She is simply fearless. And stubborn. And definitely knows what she wants! She is so very sweet and thoughtful too. She is constantly telling everyone and everything "I love you" and always makes sure that Owen has his book for bedtime.

I love walking into the room and being greeting with a "good morning mommy" :) Lilly loves to wear pretty clothes and loves to accessorize, she gets much more wear out of my heels than I do. Jewelry, hats, headbands - she loves it all! I had an impromptu moment last week when I decided to paint her toe nails for the first time....after I started and she realized what I was doing, she kept saying "thank you mommy, thank you mommy, thanks"....and then, of course..."do hands, do hands!"

Lilly definitely got Daddy's clean gene. She gets very concerned if she or Owen accidentally makes a mess, and has been known to go and get a towel, etc and clean something up without even being asked. Pretty good for not even 2.5! She'll also put her clothes in the laundry room without being asked.

I can't imagine life without this little girl, and I know she will keep us on our toes for a long time!

getting a pedi...

In other news, our great friend "uncle" Mikey came to visit us this weekend. Unfortunately I'm on a roll and again too no pictures of his visit. But we had a great time! We went and let the twins play in the fountains, ate lots of good food, played some pool, and had a great time! Owen has been asking to go to Mikey's house all day....Mikey lives in Dallas. Thanks for the visit Mike!

Our cooking class for the week. We tried out the bread machine we borrowed from LaLa and made some zucchini bread. These kids, especially Owen love to help cook. Anytime he thinks I might be making something, he tries to drag the chair over the counter and has a fit until he gets to do something...I've always said this kid is going to be a chef!...or a rockstar.

I've been trying to make an effort with the potty training. They have both used the potty on numerous occasions, but aren't particualary interested in it. I'm not sure if they're really ready or not, but I am! Three in diapers is a little much.


We are eagerly counting down the days until vacation to upstate New York. We can't wait to escape the heat and be outside and on the river! 10 more days!

Ginger and my other babies.

It's the end of another week. Paul had the day off so we made an exursion to the Children's Musuem at the mall...and all that fun stuff. Now Paul has a better idea of what the kids and I are up to on some days. I think he had a good time but not sure he's ready to be Mr. Mom any time soon.

Baby Ginger is 5 weeks old today and still all over the place with her sleep She's not getting enough of it, I'm sure. I keep reading about other babies the same age that sleep 5,6,7,8 hours in a row at night...and take a few 3-4 hour naps during the day. Do these babies really exist? If I have had 3 babies now, shouldn't I have at least gotten one baby like that??? I still haven't figured out how you're supposed to get a newborn to sleep with two constantly-shreiking 2 year olds. I'm open to suggestions :)

The twins are doing OK with Ginger. Most of the time they are indifferent to her, although I'm starting to see a little reaction from Lilly. For instance, Lilly now calls herself a baby, asks to be fed and rocked quite frequently, and is constantly wanting her binky - something she hasn't used in two years. I'm trying to indulge her a little bit, but I have to say it's getting old. One funny thing is that Ginger is exclusively breastfed, yet both kids now drink from baby bottles on a regular basis. Note bottles and binky in picture below. Ginger has 4 binkies and I'm lucky to find one most days - not because I am losing them, but because I have two pint-sized binky theives, ugh!

I don't beleive it has rained since before Ginger was born..so for over a month now. So Mommy made rain!

I can already tell Ginger is going to be another Daddy's girl. She smiles and "giggles" for him already! She just started smiling this week, and it's adorable!

So I got brave and let the kids do some "cooking" last week. I got that Monkey Munch recipe from the Jon & Kate show to make (which incidentally, the recipe is also on the side of the Chex box -who knew?). I waited until Daddy got home for backup. We let the kids stir the melted peanut butter and chocolate into the chex, and even shake the powdered sugar bag. They were quite proud of themselves. They were not so happy when I did not let them eat ALL of it in one sitting.

This is what we wish Ginger did more of. But this week was definitely better than last!

My happy girl!

I hope everyone has a happy 4th! We don't have any grand plans but hope to take a trip to our neighbors pool again. And sleep.

Future Firefighters

We had a fun day today! Our "twins club" hosted a playgroup at the firestation today, and it was quite the hit - who needs Disneyworld!? The firemen were great guys and good sports, being swarmed with about 2 dozen or more toddlers.

Anyone who knows Owen knows he is a quite the fan of any big truck, he calls out "big trucks", cement trucks, fire trucks, dump trucks, tractors, and I'm sure a few others, every time we hit the road. Out WONDERFUL Aunt Lala was gracious enough to accompany us - thanks Lala!

The firemen loved Ginger! I can't see policemen cooing over a baby but these guys did.

Lilly's favorite part....sitting in the AC, on the fireman's recliner, eating "wackers", and they turned on Nickelodean for her. She's still feeling a little under the weather...

Two days left in the week. I'm attempting a solo (well except for two year old twins and a newborn) trip to the library tomorrow, and we have a playdate set for Friday. It's good to have something planned and get back in the swing of things!

Why we love Daddy!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Who'd of thought three years ago on this day, Paul would now be the proud Daddy of three kids?!?! In three years we went from wondering if we'd ever have kids, to having a houseful! Luckily, Paul is a natural when it comes to being a great daddy, and we are all so lucky that he is ours! So without further ado....



REASONS WE LOVE DADDY!

He's the best tickle monster there is!

He gets up EVERY morning with Lilly and Owen and get's them O's and milk, and lets mommy sleep a little longer...

He doesn't mind it when we call him at work 20 times a day :)

He's a great chef - especially when he makes us a big breakfast on the weekends.

He makes the best bubbles at bath time!

He's a great provider.

He is so very patient!

He checks on all his babies every night before he goes to bed, just to make sure they're OK.

He'll read the same book over, and over, and over, and over, because we ask him to.

He throws us up in the air and pushes us really high on the swings!

He loves us so very much, and shows us and tells us this.

We love you Daddy!

Here are a few other pics from the last week or two...

Sprinklers!

Baby Ginger is now 3 weeks old! We've been dealing with some reflux lately so she's not been a happy camper. We're doing some things to help and hopefully we'll see a change soon. She slept 4 hours straight last night....longest stretch yet.

"Baby Lilly"

What else can you do when the heat index is 108F? Eat ice!

Grandma Webb came down to help this week. She was a good sport and threw a pool party while mommy & Ginger stayed in the AC. Thanks Grandma!


"Aunty" Michelle came to meet Ginger, and came bearing gifts....strawberry tarts from Cafe Eccell in College Station - can you say yum!?

First week home.

It has been exactly one week since Ginger has been home, and I have to say, Paul and I are enjoying our babymoon (is that what you call it?). One newborn is SO different than TWO, and we are really enjoying just getting to snuggle with her as much as we want. As I sit here writing, Ginger is taking a snooze on the swing (it's not moving but she really likes it), and the twinks are taking a nap. Aunt Laura has been helping the past few days but is gone now, and Paul will be home to get the twins up from their naps since I can't lift them out of their cribs. So, the house is nice and QUIET!

Ginger and I met Daddy for her first checkup appointment this morning. This girl has gained almost a pound since birth, which is pretty impressive I think. She was 7lb 2 oz at birth and is now exactly 8 lb. Hmmm...maybe I should be bottling and marketing my high calorie breast milk?? Needless to say she is a good nurser. She is not sleeping more than three hours at a time, especially at night, but we are doing OK with our sleep and not too tuckered out.

Ginger snoozing with Aunt LaLa




Our new family!




Paul and I both truly love our new family of five, and really feel completed. In fact, I love having this baby so much I almost wish I hadn't got my tubes tied...but I'm sure that's just the hormones talking :) We did lots of errands together on Saturday and it was fun to be out and about together. Needless to say it will be awhile before I attempt to take the trio out by myself, but I'm up for the challenge just as soon as I feel comfortable lifting Lilly & Owen again. I know the twins are getting a little cabin fever right now, but we do have a big Target/Lunch outing planned for Thursday when Laura is helping us again - it's the little things right???

.

Everyone asks how Lilly and Owen are adjusting, and I have to say pretty good. I know they are a little bored being at home so much, and Owen especially misses momma putting him to bed, but we are really trying to give lots of hugs and snuggles, and they really love baby Ginger. They get very concerned every time she cries, and are always asking where she is. Lilly is going through quite a princess phase right now, but that started before Ginger is here. Every little time she doesn't get her way, she is on the floor faster than you can count to three, face down on her tummy, pouting. She doesn't cry or scream, and she doesn't get any attention from us when she does this, so hopefully it will be shortlived. A highschool friend on Facebook, posted an identical picture of her daughter doing the exact same thing, and I have to say it made me feel really good, is that bad?