Kindergarten...

It's no longer "easy" to send your children to school, or maybe it's because I'm sending my first off for THE VERY FIRST TIME on 9/1/11!

When I was younger, my mom always made the beginning of school such a treat. She would take us clothes shopping (it felt like we could basically pick out whatever we wanted and she would buy it all for us), then we would go school supply shopping, that was special too! I don't remember ever having to worry about picking items off the pre-determined school list that every walmart, target, shopko in the tri state area seemed to have. All I had to worry about was picking out the prettiest trapper keeper, most exuberant sparkly (#2) pencils, my glue (in a bottle), and some crayons and colored pencils. It was a TREAT to pick out new markers and my goodness if you could get the rainbow pack, you were definitely the IN kid. Now a days you have to have specific brands of crayons, certain types of scissors, pre-determined colored folders etc. MOM!? Did you just take care of this for me for 13 years???? Or have times really changed that much???? It's not only no longer fun to go school supply shopping, it's also EXPENSIVE!!!!

Yesterday I sat down and filled out all of Liam's enrollment information. Health info, permission for pictures/videotaping, field trip approval, extra health insurance denial, fluoride denial, INTERNET USAGE EXPECTATIONS etc. (ps, yes I did make Liam sign his name that he would not google inappropriate websites, misuse e-mail like my friends and I do, and if he did he could no longer use the Internet or e-mail at school). It seems OUTLANDISH!!!! And as I'm filling out the paperwork I also kept a tally of which checks needed to be written (by Thursday), what they were for, and if it needed a special colored envelope so it could be mailed back in. Let me tell you...kindergarten must be what it is like when applying to MED school!!

$61 for milk/snack breaks for the whole year
$8 classroom fee (which really only includes a couple of class parties and a take home folder)
$18.95 for school pictures (and I chose the cheapest package they had because Target is my photographer not Herff Jones)

Then we have to add in hot lunch which is $1.80/meal. Hey, that actually sounds like a steal...but knowing Liam he'll likely take the hot lunch and then not eat it...so it's probably $1.80/da that's going to go down the drain.

Don't even get me started on the every other late start Wednesday. Whomever thought up that fab idea needs to piss off OR come over to my house and get my kid on the bus...because HELLO! I have to be at work by 8:00 a.m. so I can pay for class pictures, milk/snack break, and classroom fees!

I know my mom is a gem and I probably, no definitely, glossed over everything she has had to do as a parent...but I was really not expecting so much to do! It's already been challenging enough with a 5 y/o and twins...now I'm getting educated on the public school system. (ps I'm grateful to every TALENTED public school teacher out there...I'm thankful my kids will go to good public schools where I know they are safe once I drop them off for the day). I just hope no one holds it against me when I accidentally send one of the twinsies on the bus instead of Liam...Hey! At least I'm trying!!!! LOL

My Little Lovers...

These are pictures that were taken on 8/17/11. The babies are 9 months and 2 weeks old and Liam will be 5 y/o on Sunday. Time just flies by...

9 months in...

The babies have started crawling. Although it's absolutely fabulous that they are mobile it also is turning into a pain in the ass. Abe goes all over the place...and I'm talking about ALL OVER THE PLACE! He's in the bathroom, in Liam's room, ripping the cat's hair out, pushing buttons on the computer, picking up crap on the kitchen floor...it's exhausting and Adam and I need to get our butts in gear and block off a room where there are no little toy pieces, no food that can pose as a choking hazard, no computer that can be pulled off onto his head etc. Baby gates are going to be our new best friend and Abe's worst enemy. My friend with twins said she wishes she could tell me it gets easier but in reality, they only get smarter. Crap. I'm fried because DAMN I'm 35 y/o and out of shape!

Eli on the other hand crawls, but he's slower and he's more interested in crawling after your legs so he can get picked up. He has no interest in going too far away and panics if he can't see you. And also, when he gets frustrated he'll either spin in circles or he'll lay in one spot pound his legs and scream. That's how Eli gets around. He screams until someone picks him up and moves him...oh he's smart. I can only take the screaming for so long and he can scream FOREVER!

Oh, did I mention that they're also pulling up on things? Liam was walking by 10 months...I wonder when these little buggers will hit the bricks running?

Liam is my big helper. He fetches diapers, wipes, sings to the babies, dances for the babies, tickles them, carries them etc. He LOVES the babies...I called them "Little rotten babies" and he said "Mom. They're our babies and they are nice babies." Lesson learned. Never dis the babies in front of big brother. LOL

I have signed Liam up for soccer too. That kid runs fast. He hunkers right down and puts his little muscly legs right to work. I hope when he gets into Middle School, High School, and College that he keeps up with running. It's a great way to stay in shape and I wish I would have kept up with it myself. It's so freeing and you don't have to think about anything...A couple of my friends recently ran the half marathon (woot! woot! Sara and Emily! I'm still proud of you) and Liam said to me on the way home that he wants to run a marathon too. "Mom, would you be there to cheer at me?" Me: "Of course Liam!" Liam: "I would stop to hug you mom and tell you thank you. Would you be proud of me?" At that point I teared up. Me: "Baby, I'll always be your biggest fan..."

Crying It Out...

It's been rough for the last month at our house. About a month ago the babies got RSV. Some of the scariest shit I have ever been through. Nebs every 3-4 hours, round the clock, constant coughing and wheezing and for sure no one was sleeping. I was terrified.

But that was a month ago and still no one is back to sleeping the way they were prior to catching the plague. So. At the boys last pedi appointment I talked to Dr. Husain (whom I'm in love with) and told her that I have been getting up, on average, 5-6 times per night to tend to the babies that WILL. NOT. SLEEP. She told me I needed to let them cry it out. Oh the dreaded CIO. I knew this was coming but I didn't want to have to do it. I tried that for months with Liam, when he was little, but I had waited too long. The damage, I mean habit, had already been done. He would stand in his crib at night screaming "mama! mama! help me! please help me!" It broke my heart. He would do this, and I shit you not, for 2-3 hours at a crack until I finally broke down. Then I would be so angry at myself because basically I listened to him cry frantically for 2-3 hours for NOTHING! So with the babies I vowed it would be different. I was going to do this CIO thing before they could say my name (it makes me feel less guilty). So Eli is getting to be a champ. He'll cry for 5-10 minutes and then settle down. But then there's Abe. He cried for over 1/2 hour. I know, I know. It's not the 2-3 hours, but it still sucks! He screamed and screamed and screamed and I pictured him being terrified, all alone, in the dark needing me. Then it was quite. I panicked. I really did! I had to sneak in and look at him. There he was...laying there perfectly still. Of course I had to check to see if he was still breathing. He stirred a little, but he was fine. My heart was still broken, but I knew that we could do this.

So Eli woke up this a.m. and he was happy! So happy! And he slept until 6:30 a.m. IN HIS OWN BED! Then I rushed in to find Abe cooing in his bed. It melted my heart because I was sure he would be traumatized, but he wasn't. He was happy too! So here we go. Tonight is night number 3. Hopefully mama will be able to stay strong...keep your fingers crossed and send your prayers to Heaven...

My Family Of Five...

I can't believe how much our lives have changed since Abel and Elias have made their entrance into this world. Our lives are wild, forever changing, and completely full of love...I can't imagine my life being any other way and wish I would have known back then what I know...

Adam. I don't tell you nearly often enough how much I love you, how I love that you are my life partner, and love me for who I am regardless of my endless ranting about EVERYTHING. You're a wonderful man, a beautiful father, and my best friend. I feel your unconditional love when you look at me and know that I can be myself around you completely, go and bad. Yes. We argue, say hurtful things to each other, but always end the night with I love you's. I'm thankful to have met you, had babies with you, and decided to share my life with you.

Liam. You are the most precious little boy ever. You were my first born, my first parenting experience, and my love. You're my tender hearted little boy who's feelings get hurt easily, who goes at things with your whole heart, and your love for me, your dad, and your brothers just radiates. You love being the center of attention (like your father), you are satisfied with just sitting on my lap and staring into my eyes while making silly faces, and you love to make your brothers belly laugh by zipping around the house and yes, this includes showing them your butt from time to time. I see you going far in life. You'll graduate from college one day, probably in something Math related (you didn't get that from me) and you'll have a career that you love and look forward to going to everyday, because I never see you settling for second best. You'll have babies. Oh Liam. Please have lots of babies! Maybe this is just my wishful thinking, but I don't see you moving far away from me because you are my boy...my special best friend...and best buddies till the end. I love you my sweet boy...

Abel. My second born. You are a live wire! You like to smile and blow bubbles and then immediately hid your face in the nearest shoulder, which is usually grandma's because you are a grandma's boy. You have beautiful eyes, perfect ears, and a belly laugh that kills me everytime. You are showing me more and more everyday how independent you want to be and I can tell that you are going to be my handful. I see you being independent, probably moving away from me someday (yes it will break my heart) but I know this part of the world will not help you reach your full potential. You'll graduate from college, find a career, and hopefully still call me on the phone AT LEAST nightly. You too will have babies and wife that will love you. Maybe she'll be able to tame your "wild side?" Let's face it you're going to be a million miles ahead of everyone else...I love you Abel-babel...

Elias. You my last born and my baby. You're me. A carbon copy of your dear old mom. You snuggle, cry at loud noises, and prefer to be carried around as opposed to being left alone to entertain yourself. You have big blue eyes that wrinkle around the corners when you smile, a little button nose that it perfect for giving eskimo kisses, and a headful of hair that I love to snuggle. I see you loving life everyday, taking care of your brothers, and not wanting anyone to be upset. This is going to be a lot for you to handle, but I see that your heart is kind and capable. I know you too will graduate from college, marry the love of your life, and have lots of babies. Boys like you are the boys that get scooped up first. Your wife will think you are a treasure and she will wonder how she ever got so lucky. I love you Eli-a-saurus Rex...

To my family of five. My life is complete. My life is full of love. My life is full of adventure. I never want to imagine my life without any of you in it...growing together and loving each other. We have everything. As my good friend Emily said: My heart is full.