The Kirkland Kingdom

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-11-08T13:09:00.006-06:00

What a fun Halloween we had this year. Andrew was so excited to be a Red Power Ranger! Why he always has to pick a super hot costume, I don't know. He wore the mask for like 5 seconds and that was it. We went trick-or-treating with his bff Daryl. I walked with Andrew and friends the first half and dad pulled the twins in the wagon then we switched and I took the twins home. My mom and dad were here this year to enjoy the kids and it was a lot of fun. I have to say the twins looked super cute, but as always we couldn't get any real good pictures of them. Bernadette had the whole carrying the pumpkin with her to get candy, yet she wasn't all excited about going to the doors. Timothy on the other had, could careless about his pumpkin, but was all about going to the door.

Eeeeww! Pumpkin guts!

Bernadette looks so happy to be here. Messy hair and all.

Andrew came up with the pumpkin face all on his own.

I think we got almost all the shapes.

Mommy and Daddy got to dress up this year too.

Velma and Shaggy
I had wanted Andrew to be Scooby Doo and the twins to

be Freddy and Daphne, but he didn't want to.

Red Power Ranger costume

circa. 2003

At least they are all looking in the general direction of the camera.

Time to go Mickey, Minnie and Power Ranger

One day we will get a good picture of all 3 kids.

Let me go mom! I want to go eat my candy!

This is at the pumpkin patch over by our house.

He did NOT want to take any pictures.

Looking at this picture makes me see how big he has gotten.

I have one of him in front of this windmill every year.

LOVE this picture! Can you believe they are both

smiling and looking in the same direction!

Twin Tales

2011-10-24T13:10:00.003-05:00

I have been such a SLACKER with my blogging! A lot has happened since the last post. Both babies are FINALLY walking. Bernadette took her first steps on August 16th and decided to walk all the time instead of crawl around Sept. 22nd. Timothy on the other hand was not so cooperative. He stood up all on his own the same day Bernadette walked and didn't even attempt a real step until Oct. 1st! He would think about taking a step, lift his foot then kind of go "whoa" and sit back down before anything happened. However, once he decided that he could walk he has been working hard at it and by Oct. 19th he was choosing to walk instead of crawl. He is still a little wobbly though. In the mean time sister has been climbing on everything and will look at me and laugh. Such a stinker. Both kids are liking Mother's Day Out. No more tears at drop off. Bernadette has become very attached to her blankie and wants to take it everywhere now, instead of just sleeping with it. While Timothy just likes stuffed animals.

They had a great 15 month well check up. Both kids are growing and doing what they are suppose to. Both are still hanging out in the same percentiles, but that is better than going down.
Here are their stats:

Bernadette:
Weight: 19lbs 9 oz - 7%
Height: 29.5 inches - 24%
HC: 17.75 inches - 28%
Likes: her blankie and wearing her pink, Texas Rangers hat ALL the time
Dislikes: Getting sand or sugar on her hands (the kid won't even eat a sugar cookie), taking off her Rangers hat, brother taking her stuff, Andrew sitting on mommy's lap.

Timothy:
Weight: 22 lbs 10 oz - 24%
Height:30.5 inches - 33%
HC: 18.5 inches - 45%
Likes: Swinging, rocking, laying his head on stuffed animals
Dislikes: When things don't go his way, sister taking his stuff and when Andrew or Bernadette is on mommy's lap.

I am a big girl, look at me walk.

I am going to walk all the time now.

Timothy walking in his Halloween costume.

More pictures of both him walking

and Halloween to come.

First Day of Kindergarten

2011-09-15T12:41:00.003-05:00

I can't believe my baby has started kindergarten. Where has the time gone! He was so excited to go. We picked out his Transformers backpack a few weeks before school and it can actually transform from Bubmlebee to Optimus Prime. He had a great first couple of weeks of school. He was even kissing girls by the second day. Or at least they were trying to kiss him, but when I asked him if he kissed any back he said "just one". It took him a while to learn all the names of his friends and when I asked them what they looked like he said "one is black and one is brown". So, his best friends are Daryl and Leo. We walk to everyday with Daryl and Victoria who live right around the corner. Which was a nice suprise to know he has so many friends who live close by. He really loves school and I think he has a crush on his teacher who is young and pretty, or as Andrew tells me "she not pretty she's beautiful". I know he likes school a lot, but it is like pulling teeth. He hates telling me anything. This is what I get from him after I ask a few questions "Every answer to your question is yes, yes, and yes!". I am looking forward to see what the next few months hold.

Poor Marc had to travel out of town for work and

missed the first day.

Twin Tales ~ One Year!!!

2011-08-02T13:33:00.007-05:00

I can't believe it has been a year already! It truly has flown by. It seems like only yesterday we were heading to the hospital to meet our twins. How Bernadette was so tiny she didn't fit well in the car seat. Now they have grown so big and are all over the place. For their first birthday we drove to El Paso for the Fourth of July so they could celebrate their birthday with a lot of family. I decided to do Raggedy Ann and Andy cakes since that is what their first Halloween costumes were. My Aunt Margaret (GAM) helped me make them. I think we did a pretty good job. I also followed the North Texas tradition of getting Bernadette a petty-skirt to wear for her fist birthday. Too bad she isn't walking yet or it would have been even cuter. They really enjoyed seeing all their aunts, uncles and cousins, even though Timothy had the WORST case of diaper rash following a bout of diarrhea. Poor guy, we stopped at a truck stop to gas up and when I got him out of the car his white onesie was brown from his wait to his arm pits. Andrew kept yelling at Marc from the changing table "Daddy you really have to come see this! There's poop EVERYWHERE!". They also had their first trip to White Sands (photos to come soon), which Bernadette hated. They were just too cute at their birthday too. Timothy was the only one willing to blow out the candles, but didn't. Then he tried to grab the flame and Daddy wasn't quick enough to stop him, but I think he only got the wax on his hand. Then we put some party hats on them and they weren't too sure about those until they saw each other and thought it was so funny. They also had a great 1 year check up. All is looking good and they are getting a lot bigger. I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Bernadette 1 year stats:
Weight: 17 lbs. 7 oz. ~ 3%
Height: 28 inches ~ 16% That's up from the 3%!
Head Circumference: 17.25 inches ~ 15%
What's new: She can pull up, balance on her own, has stood all by herself once, cruise the furniture, wave hi and bye, play patty cake, blow kisses, tries to brush her hair and put clothes on. She like to try and put my shoes on, gives kisses, has 6 teeth. She can say: Andrew, Amanda, hat and ball.

Timothy 1 year stats:
Weight: 21 lbs ~ 21% That is up from 7% last time!!!
Height: 30 inches ~ 55% That is up from 22% last time!!!
Head Circumference: 18 inches ~ 19%
What's new: He can pull up and cruise the furniture, he has 7 teeth and can say just over 20 words. Some new words are Elise, diaper, get it, shoe, more and a ton more I can't think of. He can also wave bye-bye, play patty cake, itsy bitsy spider and sort of blow kisses. He also tries to comb his hair.

Raggedy Ann Cake for Bernadette

Raggedy Andy Cake for Timothy

I think the red, string licorice hair was a good idea

(If I do say so myself...)

Happy First Birthday Timothy!

Happy First Birthday Bernadette!

I think she looks so cute in her skirt!

Got to have a picture on the table with you birthday cake.

Not sure if he liked a rag doll cake....

She may not be looking, but at least

she is smiling.

They are ready to sing happy birthday and open presents!

Andrew was there to help blow out candles and

open presents.

Maybe he did try to blow out his candle.

You can see him trying to grab it.

Get ready to blow out your candle Bernadette.

She doesn't look to happy about it.

Yummy Cake! They loved to eat cake

and ice cream!

Party Time! They looked adorable in thier party hats!

There was nothing cuter than when they'd look at each

other's hat and laugh. If I knew how to put a video on

here I would.

Even Daddy got a hat!

Twin Tales ~ 11 Months

2011-07-01T13:06:00.003-05:00

WOW! I just keep getting worse about posting! I had to get these up since they will be A YEAR in a week. Holy Cow! Where has the time gone! They have been so cute lately and doing so much! Both babies can now crawl proper and pull up. Bernadette is "walking" pushing her little toy and sometimes will cruise around the furniture. Bernadette can now say ball and hat. YAY! Timothy is still talking up a storm. He said sister clear as day yesterday and a bunch of others. They are both playing Peek-a-boo a lot, and waving bye-bye. And they are both trying to sign "more" more often. Bernadette now has 5 teeth and Timothy has 7. OMG! I think they are so stinking cute! I am hoping to have their birthday pictures up in a timely manner.

WOW! A Really good picture of them both.

Timothy looks like he is chillin.

Typical Bernadette, not looking.

What a cutie!

OMG! 11 months!

Twin Tales ~ 10 Months

2011-05-26T15:36:00.003-05:00

I am getting soooo bad at updating the blog! Sometimes all the clicking wakes Timothy up (since the computer with all the pictures on it is on the wall right by his head). We've had a busy month. Both babies are crawling, though Timothy still prefers to army crawl. Timothy finally got a 3rd tooth, the next bottom left. Bernadette can pull up all the way now and Timothy can pull to his knees. Both are doing really well at drinking from a straw. They went to their first wedding, my cousin Matthew and Sarah's. They were so good and cute. Bernadette would "sing" with the music or talking. Then we made another trip to El Paso so mommy could see Elise dance point for the first time. All the kids did great in the car and LOVED seeing all their cousins. I think they are going to miss all the extra attention. While we were there both babies said Grandad and Timothy said: get it, James and I am pretty sure Elise. He said baby and excuse after we got home. They are loving all the finger foods they get to eat and will pretty much eat anything, though they don't like the texture of the whites of soft boiled eggs. Bernadette has also started playing peek-a-boo with her own hands and they both like putting my hand over their face to play too. Timothy loves to dance and will dance while sitting in his highchair or on the floor. Both babies are starting to shake their heads no (yay for me).

Typical for us. At least she is owning up to making him cry.

I have been trying to fatten them (Bernadette mostly) up.
Looks like it is working.

Bernadette is 10 months!

Timothy is 10 months!

They are getting taller!

It is still pretty hard for me to keep them still.

One smile out of two ain't bad.

In real life Timothy is way taller. He

is slouching here.

Andrew Anecdotes ~ Happy 5th Birthday!

2011-04-25T14:45:00.007-05:00

WOW! I can;t believe my baby is 5!!!!! Where has the time gone. It seems like just yesterday he was born and I was holding this beautiful little baby in my arms. Sniff, sniff. He has just really started to grow up this past year. He is starting to write so much better and loves to add things up. He has grown a ton too. He has grown 4.25 inches and gained 13 lbs in a YEAR! Holy Cow!

He is still the same silly kid. The new thing he like to say is "I'm serious". He is the best big brother too. He really likes that jobs and loves and takes care of the twins. I just love to watch it. He has also started playing tee ball. He has done so well! He even got the first game ball of the year. I just love my little guy. We also went to register him for kindergarten a couple of weeks back and he has already made a new friend. He and this little girl were just talking away. I am still on the fence as weather to be happy or sad about Kinder. On the one hand we are both ready for it, and it will be nice to be down to 2 kids at home. Yet, once he goes then he will officially be a big boy and not my baby anymore. I will miss spending time with him and I will miss my helper.

He had a great birthday party too. This year we did it at Pump It Up and he loved it. He asked for a Blizzard cake from DQ this year so after the main party we had another little party at home with that cake and we opened presents. One of his favorite gifts was a Wii game where you shoot dinosaurs. There is a picture below that will give you an idea as to how much he loves it.

Stats:
Weight: 52 lbs 3 oz - 95% which is up from 73%
Height: 45.5 inches - 91% which is up from 71%

Everyone get Matthew!!!

Blowing out the candles on his Blizzard cake

Have to have the picture with

him and the cake on the table

Blowing out the candles take two.

His little friend blew it out the first time.

Happy Birthday!

Being silly scared Bernadette and Timothy

Got most of everybody

My big boy!

First tee ball game

Going to get the ball

Let's go A's!

The day after his birthday and after his first tee ball game.

He fell asleep in the chair with his new favorite game

Like a little angel....

Twin Tales ~ 9 Months

2011-04-25T14:14:00.003-05:00

I am sooooo late is posting this! But, it was a good thing since both babies have done a lot of new things in the last couple of weeks. Timothy started Army crawling at the beginning of the month and Bernadette just started to crawl for real in the last few days. She can also sit up all on her own. They have also started eating table food for lunch and dinner. They can both drink from a straw. I just can't believe how much that are doing. It was also their first Easter, but I will post those pictures late. Now, I will have to say it was really hard getting them to stay still to take these pictures!!!!

Stats:
Bernadette
Weight: 15 lbs 9 oz - 4%
Height: 25.5 inches - 3%
She went down in her percentiles so we are having to up her calories. Which isn't as easy as it sounds. She eats a lot. We are trying to supplement with formula but, she won't drink from a bottle, or sippy cup... Not that she can't, she won't. She is getting better at drinking water from them and really likes drinking from a straw.

Timothy
Weight: 17 lbs 9 oz - 7%
Height: 27.5 inches - 22%
He is still maintaining for the most part and will probably get really fat now since we give him a bottle when we try and give Bernadette one. He drinks his all gone. It doesn't matter what we give him he will drink it.

Timothy

Bernadette

Try 1

Try 2

Try 7 a success!

Who do you think looks like who?

2011-03-17T13:30:00.004-05:00

Marc at about 5 months

Becca at about 5 months

Andrew 6 months

Bernadette at 6 months

Timothy at 6 months

Twin Tales ~ 8 Months

2011-03-14T13:51:00.005-05:00

I know I am a little late with this post, but we have been super busy the last few weeks. I had a visit from a good friend of mine followed by a visit from my parents. The babies have been changing a lot this past month. Timothy now has 2 teeth that came in a few weeks ago. Bernadette has one tooth that broke through about a week or so after Timothy's 2nd one came through. They weren't too bad teething either. YAY!!! Still no crawling yet (not that I am complaining, I am not looking forward to chasing after 2 babies). Yet, they have NO PROBLEM getting where they want to go. Lots of pivoting and rolling. I will say that Timothy has said 2 words (yes I am counting them). The first one was, get this, Bernadette. Yep, probably the hardest name to say. I was debating weather or not to count it but I did get it on video to show everyone and they all agree, he has said it. Grant it, it sounds like "Bah-dette", but still. Then he said Timothy a few days ago (my mom and dad heard it too). That one said like "Tee-Tee". The babies are getting to where they really like eating food and Timothy will do this little hand wave, like a scooping motion, when he is getting excited to eat. So cute. Bernadette is really starting to get shy around big crowds and new people and places. I think she is going to be a mama's baby. When we went to our cousin's birthday party I sat her and Timothy on the floor and she started to bawl! Then she wouldn't even let me walk away without crying. My aunt had to follow me around holding her so she'd be happy. She is such a stinker too. She has a little temper too, (hmmm, I wonder who she gets that from...). She now knows how to pull the bows out of her. Just when she got enough hair to wear them in her hair instead of on a headband, typical Bernadette. Other than that, not much else going on. They go in for their next Dr. appointment next month so I will have all their stats to add.

Their solid onesies were too small, so they have theese ones on

that have their names and a picture emborderied on it. I should have takend a

picture without the sticker too so you all could see how cute they are.

She knows she is a stinker.

My happy baby.

Look how big they are getting!

WOW 2 good smiles!!!

Twin Tales ~ 7 Months

2011-02-11T14:42:00.005-06:00

Wow 7 months! I don't have much in the way of stats. Timothy weighs 16 lbs 9 oz and Bernadette weighs 15 lbs 6 oz. Not much "new" has been happening. They can now sit up by themselves really good and Bernadette really likes it. I thought they'd be close to crawling since it seemed they'd start scooting a couple of weeks ago, but no. They aren't even trying anymore. I think they realized they could get where they wanted faster by rolling. Timothy is still getting on his hands and knees sometimes, but for the most part they just pivot and roll. They've been eating lots of solid foods now and really like it. The meats not so much (and can you blame them), but they LOVE the yogurt. The got to eat wagon wheels (like biter biscuits) for the first time the other day and are super into those. Food they can feed themselves, yay! Bruce has died and gone to heaven. He has been waiting for this, food to fall from the sky, since we got the high chair out. I just love how after 4 years he remembered that highchair = free food.

Timothy has his first illness. :( He's been running a fever and has a super snotty nose. I hope it isn't going to be anything major and the Bernadette doesn't get it. Trying to keep all the toys and stuff away from each of them is hard. I will say that miss high maintenance must know something is going on because Timothy pretty much has been crying for the past 24 hours and she has been pretty content entertaining herself. Not to mention since Timothy slept with us last night Bernadette was alone in the nursery and slept for 13 hours straight without a peep!!! I hope they both do this when all is said and done. Not sure if I have talked about Bernadette's demon voice before, but she does this really deep, throaty growl all the time and she sounds like she is possessed. It's funny because one moment she is demon baby and the next she is making high, pitched squeals.

One other new thing is that in addition to Bernadette taking the pacifier out of Timothy's mouth she has now started to pull his hair. All 3 of them. I mean come on, they have only been long enough to pull for 5 seconds and she is already pulling it. However, Timothy now takes his pacifier back once she gets it.

7 months old!

Look how tall they are getting.

Timothy figured out how to rock the chair by himself.
You can kind of see him leaning forward here to do it.

Happy Timothy!

Bernadette is looking at Andrew here.

Here they are eating their wagon wheels. I am surprised we can't
see Bruce under them.

Bernadette playing football while watching the Super Bowl.

Someones teething. He keeps chewing on his clothes.

Such a cute picture of them sitting.

They have now graduated to bath seats. Though Bernadette still needs

a booster since she is so skinny.

Andrew Anecdotes ~ New Bike and More

2011-01-29T15:35:00.004-06:00

Well, turns out the bike Santa brought on Christmas was too big for Andrew. After he crashed once he decided that "bikes are dangerous" and he has to be 12 before he can ride it again. It nearly brought him to tears when I suggested we go ride his bike. So, Santa made a very special trip back to Frisco to take back Andrew's old bike and left a new smaller one a couple of weeks ago before we took the tree down. Andrew was so surprised that Santa came to his house just for him. Needless to say, the new bike is just right and he really likes riding it.

A few other funny Andrew stories. First off, after 6 months, Andrew finally asked me "what is that part of Bernadette called where she is missing her penis?". It cracked me up the way he put it. So, I told him and now he is calling it a "vhinoceros". How he got vhinoceros from vagina, I may never know.

One day at StrollerFit when some of the other big kids were there he comes up and tells me "I'm in love.". The big sister of one of his friends was there and they were all playing. I guess he is going to go for older women.

While we were in El Paso he was playing Wii Resort a lot with his cousins and really having a good time. So, we used his Christmas money to get it for him and he has pretty much been playing it ever since. He's getting pretty good at some of the games too. However, anytime he looses he gets really upset (something we are going to have to work on) and yells that his opponents are "cheaters cheaters".

Finally, we got him signed up for tee-ball (though he doesn't really need a tee anymore). He is so excited and I can't wait to post pictures of him playing. I only hope his team isn't red, as that is not hie favorite color... ;)

Twin Tales ~ 6 Months

2011-01-14T13:28:00.008-06:00

I CANNOT believe that Bernadette and Timothy have been here for 6 months! It seems like just yesterday they were born. They are really starting to get active now. I swear their goal in life is to roll off the blanket when it is on the floor. They are getting really proficient at eating real food now and are seeming to enjoy it too. The funny thing is when I wipe Timothy's face first and start moving towards Bernadette she starts blinking her eyes real fast in anticipation of getting her face wiped. Both babies are starting to sit alone for a few seconds at a time. Bernadette started this right around Christmas and Timothy a couple of weeks later. They still sort of get on their hands or forearms and knees sometimes, but no rocking yet. I think both are on the verge of getting teeth especially Timothy. His gums are super red and swollen and he has been chomping on his fingers even more than usual lately. Sleeping is going pretty good for the most part. I am doing just one feeding at night, but Timothy is still waking up at least one time in between and I have to go in and give him his pacifier. Bernadette sleeps like a champ and would probably sleep all night if it wasn't for Timothy. When he wakes up to eat she gets woken up too. They are still napping really well too. Now when we go down for naps or night time I just lay them in their cribs and walk away. YES!!! 95% of the time there is no crying either and when they do it is just for a little bit and then they are asleep!

We had their 6 month well check-up the other day and they are still doing great. Both are still in the 10-15 percentile but are growing and gaining weight on schedule and pretty much the same amount that Andrew did at that same age. Their doctor is really happy with their progress and is super happy (and I think a bit surprised) that I am still nursing only. They get to start meats and yogurt this month and biter biscuits and wagon wheels next month and cheerios the next.

P.S. Timothy just started saying "mama". Not calling me mama but he is really saying it. Bernadette has been babbaling dada-dada for a while too.

Here are their 6 month stats:
Bernadette:
Weight: 13 lbs 14 oz - 11 %
Height: 25 inches - 22 %
Head Circumference: 16.25 inches - 16%
Likes: Anything Andrew does, Bruce the dog, hoarding the toys, chewing on the pacifier and Timothy, the exesaucer and jumper and jewlery. She loves jewlery and will play with someone's necklace or ring forever.
Dislikes: Loud noises, being in the car seat, stroller or high chair too long

Timothy:
Weight: 15 lbs 6 oz - 12%
Height: 26 inches - 31%
Head Circumference: 17 inches - 31%
Likes: Andrew, Bruce the dog, chewing on cloth toys, his little bug toy, his taggy blanket, the exesaucer and jumper
Dislikes: Still hates having poopy diapers, waiting for Bernadette to have her turn eating the baby food.

This was a cute picture and when I took it both were laughing,

but Bernadette came out blurry. :(

Again they kept trying to escape

Bernadette kept straightening out and slumping down. You can see
her starting to do it here with her legs.

They are getting pretty tall!

Bernadette looking only a little scared here.

Timothy looks like he is up to something here.

Getting a bath in the sink times two. This was before I gave

Timothy his bath and was pouring water on him and as I picked him up

what do I find....a big old turd under his bottom. That's right, I had been

rinsing him with turdy water.....EEEWWW

Bernadette sitting on her own. For a few seconds at least.

Timothy balancing on his own with

Bernadette showing off on the side.

Christmas 2010

2011-01-09T18:45:00.006-06:00

We had a great Christmas this year. It was the first year since Marc and I have been married that we were at our own home for Christmas. It was nice not to have to travel with 2 5.75 month olds, a 4.5 year old, and all the toys. The best part was that Marc's parents came here to celebrate with us and to meet the twins. We had a great time! The weather was pretty nice and we had a blast playing cards. Andrew even got to play the card game "Golf" with all the grown-ups.

He was super excited about Christmas this year and the look on his face as he came down the stairs and saw what Santa brought was priceless! It was a bike for him and a table and chairs for him and the twins and the twins got a little tree house toy. In Andrew's stocking he got candy and an electric toothbrush. The twins got some engraved spoons, a giraffe toy and a teething ring. It was a really great day.

Later on that day GAM and her family came over for some beans and Fritos and to see the kids presents. Andrew then tried out his bike. Not the most successful venture. He crashed into parked car and when he got up he told Marc that "Bikes are dangerous. I think I need to wait till I am James' age (12) to try again.". He is still a bit scared to try again and each time I suggest it he cries.

A few days after Christmas we went to El Paso to see the family there. We didn't make it up there at Thanksgiving this year so we decided to go after Christmas. It was nice to see everyone and while we were there Marc and I got go to the Sun Bowl. A friend of ours was able to let us buy tickets and we took my dad. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and giving Marc a hard time. It was a tad cold as it has snowed the night before and a little that morning. That night we went to a New Years dance with my parents, my sister Kathrine and her family, my brother and his wife and my aunt and uncle. It had been a while since we had anywhere to go for New Year's Eve. I think the best part of the night was seeing my nieces and nephews dance and all of us "old people" embarrassing them. Andrew had so much fun playing with his cousins. He was sad to come home. I had the best time playing Dance Party 2 (I think that's what it is called) on the Wii at my sister's house. I wish I had time to do that at home.

The babies did really well on the drive up there and back. It was mostly Bernadette that cried, but she does that no matter what when she's been in the car for a while so it was easier to ignore. We stopped at my sister Elizabeth's on the way there and back. It was nice to visit with her and her family and to see their new puppy. The babies did get a bit cranky right before we got home when we hit rush hour. But over all I can't complain. It was a great way to end 2010 and start 2011.

Becca, Bernadette, Grandma Kate, Andrew, Grandpa Jebb,

Timothy and Marc

Bernadette and Timothy in their Christmas outfits

Grandpa Jebb and Grandma Kate with the kiddos

Our first Christmas as a family of 5

Timothy with his stocking presents

Bernadette with her stocking toys

Holding their stockings

Andrew holding his stocking

Andrew posing the babies in front of the

presents Santa brought for them in their matching PJ's

Santa brought him a bike

"Holy sacrifice a bike!!!!"

What Andrew saw as he came down the stairs

Decorating the Christmas Tree

2010-12-22T14:28:00.002-06:00

Andrew was so excited to put the tree up this year.

That was for about 5 ornaments, then he got bored.

You mean we get presents!

This is the first year we are going to be home (Frisco)

for Christmas...

...so this is the first year we had the tree

up in the family room to enjoy. And probably the last

for a while since next year we will have

2 little hands trying to get at everything. :)

Twin Tales ~ 5 Months

2010-12-13T14:32:00.004-06:00

This last month has gone by so fast! I don't have much in the way of stats, but Bernadette is about 15 lbs and Timothy is about 16 lbs. Not too much "new" has been happening. Both babies can kind of hold thier bottles now. Bernadette is much better at it, which is funny snce she won't take a bottle to eat (they get bottles with water each day that they are suppose to drink...). Timothy still takes one, but he hasn't need to have one in a while since I haven't gone anywhere for more than a few hours. They are really getting cute!

Bernadette:
Likes - Timothy, she tries as hard as she can to get him to look at her and they she just smiles a coos away, taking Timothy's toys from him and she LOVES to take the pacifier out of his mouth. Bruce the dog.
Dislikes - Being in the carseat or stroller too long, having her nose wiped

Timothy:
Likes - Getting kissed under the chin and mommy "chomping" on his tummy, throwing toys around, gurggeling his food/water and Bruce the dog.
Dislikes - Poopy diapers! Mommy blowing her nose.

Timothy with a little smile.

Bernadette not looking too scared here like usual.

Getting so big!

Here's a good one of Timothy smiling!

Twin Tales ~ First Thanksgiving

2010-12-07T16:39:00.002-06:00

"Sitting" at the table with everyone

So cute! That is a turkey bow by the way...

My Little Turkeys

Andrew Anecdotes

2010-11-29T16:25:00.002-06:00

Wow, have we been busy lately! Andrew is doing really well in MDO this year, especially in Spanish. He is still being a really good big brother. He sings his own version of Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" to Bernadette that goes like "All the Single Babies"... It is hilarious!! He is also getting a little too observant for his own good. While talking with Grandma in the kitchen about him (nothing big or anything) he tells us "I CAN hear you, I AM right HERE". Well, I guess that means we better watch what we say. He has been so excited about all the holidays this year and couldn't wait to get the tree up, but like any typical 4 year old he got bored after 5 ornaments. I also let him help pick out the presents he was going to give the babies this year and he couldn't stop playing with them. Apparently they weren't joking when the box says 6M+ He is also, kind of on a picture strike. Every time I try and take his picture he makes a funny face or does some weired thing with his hands. I do have a few good ones but they are going to go in the decorating the Christmas tree post in a few days.

Twin Tales ~ 4 Months

2010-11-10T14:19:00.005-06:00

We had the twins 4 month check-up the other day and they are doing great! They have been doing so much in the last 4 weeks, I can't believe it! Both babies are now rolling from their backs to their tummies. Bernadette has been doing this for a few weeks now and Timothy just started the other day. They have both found their feet and hands. We also started on cereal! I will say neither one really likes it yet. Our big thing is they have moved out of our room into their own room and in separate cribs. I will say they did much better than I though, especially Bernadette. We also stopped swaddling since they can roll now and that too wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Bernadette goes about 6 hours between feedings on most nights, but Timothy is still getting up every 3 hours (UGH!).Here are their 4 month stats:

Bernadette:
Weight - 11 lbs. 9 oz. 13%
Height - 23 inches 14%
Head Circumference - 15.50 inches 14%
Likes: Tummy time now, putting toys in her mouth and she "sings" when she is happy. She is getting way better at being in the car seat.
Dislikes: The bottle and being in the car seat/stroller for a long time

Timothy:
Weight - 12 lbs. 11 oz. 14%
Height - 24.5 inches 39% (way up from before)
Head Circumference - 16 inches 16%
Likes: Chewing on his fingers, putting toys in his mouth and kisses under the chin.
Dislikes: Having to "put himself" to sleep in the crib, and drinking water

Timothy

Bernadette

Look how big they are getting!

After she ate her cereal

Bernadette's first taste

After he ate his cereal. He cried a bit.

Timothy's first taste

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T15:35:00.006-05:00

Here are some pictures of our Fall activities. Andrew was so excited about Halloween this year. He picked Spiderman for his costume (I wanted him to be Scooby Doo, but oh well). He got a pretty good haul trick-or-treating. He got pretty tired at the end and I had to carry him most of the way home. You know they are tierd when they tell you they don't need anymore candy. With this being the twins first Halloween I wanted them to have a really cute costume, so my aunt (GAM) made them Raggedy Ann and Andy costumes and they were soooooo cute!

Here they are at a friend's birthday party at a pumpkin patch.

I just love this picture.

Andrew had a blast and I think he has a really good smile here.

They whole Kirkland clan on a hayride.

Raggedy Andy

Raggedy Ann

Too cute!

Spiderman Andrew without the mask. It got kind of hot

with it on.

My 3 kids. Finally a good one of the twins both smiling

and the only one looking at the camera is Andrew

and you can't see his face. ;)

After we carved the pumpkin. Andrew wanted a "mean" one

and that is as good as I could do.

Bernadette in the pumpkin

Andrew was a good helper carving the jack-o-lantern

Timothy in the pumpkin

His close up with the light shining on his head.

Bernadette wasn't too happy to be in there at first.

I am so happy she finally has enough hair to put a bow in it.

Twin Tales ~ 3 Months

2010-10-11T16:34:00.004-05:00

I don't have any official stats but, Bernadette is weighing about 11 lbs and Timothy is about 12 lbs. They have really started to laugh and giggle a lot lately, especially Timothy, it is so cute. Bernadette just rolled from her back to her tummy on Oct. 14th. Timothy is getting close he gets on his side but that's about it. Bernadette is getting better about riding in the car seat and much better at StrollerFit. She usually only fusses a tiny bit now. Both babies are getting to where they like to hear themselves talk and Bernadette does this little screaming type thing when she is happy. They are also getting to where they like to see each other and will turn and look and talk to each other. It is too cute.

Andrew Anecdotes ~ Blue Blet

2010-09-27T15:32:00.003-05:00

Andrew tested for his blue belt on Friday. I just can't believe how well he has done so far. I think the next step for him will be moving up to the next class level. I am so glad he still enjoys going to karate. He has so much fun!

Twin Tales ~ 2 month Stats

2010-09-17T13:27:00.002-05:00

Wow! I just can't believe that 2 months have already gone by. The babies are growing so fast and are really getting cute. They are both smiling and cooing away. Bernadette is finally getting use to the car seat and is ok in it (not moving) for a while now. We started back at StrollerFit and now I have to get her use to the stroller. Timothy is a trooper as always. I am so glad that he is such a laid back baby. He really is so much like Andrew. Both Timothy's and Bernadette's hair is growing/growing back in and they both had super short hairs sticking up all over their heads. Bernadette has a few really long (original) hairs here and there. When those are sticking up she reminds me of a Muppet.

They had their 2 month check up on Sept. 7th and both passed with flying colors. Their doctor was impressed with all their weight gain and Bernadette is finally on the charts for weight, especially since I am still nursing them. They are sleeping ok at night. We usually get one good 4-5 hour stretch and then it's the every 3 hours. They are really starting to enjoy playing on the floor now. They kick their legs and wave their arms when we shake or dangle toys.

Here are their stats:

Bernadette:
Weights: 8 lbs 15 oz 10th percentile
Height: 21.5 inches 19th percentile
Head Circumference: 14.5 inches 9th percentile
Likes: The swing, shaking the rattle and being held facing forward or on your shoulder
Dislikes: The car seat

Timothy:
Weight: 9 lbs 14 oz 13th percentile
Height: 22 inches 18th Percentile
Head Circumference: 15.16 inches 18th percentile
Likes: The pacifier, dangling toys, and being held in the cradle position
Dislikes: Waking up in the mornings and getting his diaper changed.

Both babies gained about the same amount of weight and grew the same amount as Andrew did between his 2 week and 8 week appointments. That makes me feel better since Bernadette was so small when she was born. Everyone is right on track.

Andrew Anecdotes

2010-09-15T13:56:00.003-05:00

Andrew had his last, first day of Mother's Day Out (preschool) last week. He had a pretty good first week and I am hoping that this will be a trend. I can already see a difference in the work they send home now as compared to the end of last year. First big surprise was Spanish homework!!! Not that it was anything big, he just had to color some pictures to practice his Spanish colors. He is getting pretty good at them now too. He really likes going to school, but misses his little friend from last year who isn't in his class this year.

A couple of funny stories. I already talked about him being upset that Timothy has to wear a "dress" for his Baptism, so I showed Andrew the pictures of him in the same gown. He was like "oh man, I was wearing a dress too!!!". It's funny how they think at this age already. The other funny was while we were in El Paso my mom was going to get Andrew gum or something and he wasn't asking very nice so mom says "What's the magic work" and Andrew answers "Abra-ka-dabra" instead of please. It was hilarious and too cute.

Twin's Baptism

2010-09-08T15:39:00.006-05:00

We traveled to El Paso last week to have the twins Baptized and for a visit. All went well. The babies and Andrew were good on the trip up and back. Even though we had a rough start going. The batteries in both my car and Marc's died as we tried to leave. Then Marc forgot his phone. It was such a nice visit.

I was worried at first that I wasn't going to be able to find a Baptismal gown for both babies as we only had one. It's the one that my Aunt Anna made for Kathrine and all us kids and most of the grand kids have worn. Well, it turns out that Anna's mom had made one very similar for Richie when he was born so we got two almost identical Baptismal gowns. They looked so cute. Andrew wasn't too happy that Timothy was wearing a dress. When he saw him in it he said "Wait! He's wearing a dress! I think he needs to take it off.". So cute!

Bernadette getting Baptized

Timothy getting Baptized

Bernadette with her Godparents, Margaret (GAM) and Robert

Timothy with his Godparents, Michael and Elizabeth

The bow Bernadette is wearing, my sister gave to her, and

we are to save it so she can wear it as a garter for her wedding.

Bernadette

Timothy

Andrew Anecdotes

2010-08-24T13:36:00.004-05:00

I have to say Andrew has been a great big brother. He is always telling me that he loves the babies and is giving them kisses. He has been a really good helper too. The other day when we went to the store he was the one who was pushing the basket with the groceries.

The other week he went to visit Grandma and Grandad in El Paso for a week. It was his first time away from mommy and daddy for more than a few nights. He had a blast! He played on the water slide almost everyday and got to see all his cousins. He just loved playing with Ryan, William, John Michael and "The People". He is still talking about it. He also got to go to T-ball practice with Ryan, a Diablos game and to Western Playland (or Westernland as he calls it). It was nice that he got to go and visit. I sure missed him, but it was nice to have a few days where I only had to worry about 2 kids not 3. I am really glad he is home!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-18T13:47:00.003-05:00

Twin Tales ~ 1 Month Old

2010-08-10T15:11:00.002-05:00

Wow, where has the time gone!!! Both babies are getting so big and alert now. I think we can finally upgrade Bernadette to newborn diapers just as Timothy is almost on his way out. Let's see, what has happened this month...both babies have turned over from tummy to back, both cords have now fallen off, Bernadette has lost almost all the hair on the top of her head (she looks like a little old man), we had our first outing to Kristi's house, went to karate with Andrew and went to meet the people at Daddy's work. Over all things have been going well. Both babies are really good, which helps mommy. They are still nursing like champs (and mommy feels it). They are starting to coo and trying to smile. We get one every once in a while, but I don't think those are on purpose yet. Andrew is still being a great big brother and is now visiting grandma and grandad in El Paso. I sure miss my little helper. Mommy is doing great too. I feel almost back to normal and will get to go back to StrollerFit soon. I am now 27 lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight and I sure hope I can keep it off and loose 30 more. :)

Bernadette not too happy here.

Timothy is always so laid back

Got one of her not crying.

Andrew Anecdotes ~ I'm The Big Brother

2010-07-22T19:31:00.003-05:00

Andrew has been such a great big brother so far. He was so excited to finally meet the babies. He was very interested in everything about them. Of course after he saw them he wanted to see them without clothes on, too cute. He still has a hard time telling them apart and will ask me "Is that my brother or my sister". Before they were born he told me all the time that the boy was his and the girl was mine. Well, his tune has changed, he now tells me "I like my sister best because she is so cute, and you can like my brother". He still asks to hold them now and then, but it is only for like 5 seconds. He has been a big help when we need to give bottles or get diapers and so on. He was very funny in the hospital too. He asked questions about everything and when Timothy got circumcised we told him that his brother may have blood on his penis and he told every single nurse who came in the room that day about it. He was also very concerned about mommy's booboo too and still asks to see it. He tells me that when it is a little better he will kiss it and make it ALL better. Hmmmm, maybe not. He is just so cute and I can't believe he isn't my baby anymore (though he always will be) and that he is my big boy. I will have make sure to post all the cute things he says ( if I can remember them) as time goes on.

P.S. I forgot to tell you all about how he'd sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to the babies when he'd see them or when they'd fuss. It was pretty sweet to see.

Welcome To The World Bernadette and Timothy!

2010-07-18T16:56:00.004-05:00

Bernadette Grace and Timothy Marc Kirkland were welcomed into this world on July 7, 2010 at 9:55 and 9:56 am via C-section. She was 5 lbs 7 oz and 17.5 inches long (but I think that is wrong since he pediatrician measured her at 19 inches long 5 days later. I am going to say she was really 18.5 inches long or longer at birth) while he was 6 lbs 10 oz and 19.25 inches long. The sono tech was pretty close with Timothy, but way off with Bernadette. The Delivery went really well and there were no complications with mommy or babies. I will say however, getting the epidural this time was the most painful part. Apparently my spine was crooked from carrying the twins and it was really hard for the Dr. to get the epidural in. I swear he tried like 3 times and it felt like he had to hammer it in. The main point is that it worked when it needed to. :) I will say that so far my C-section recovery has been smoother than my vaginal birth before. I am/was in a lot less pain this time.

The babies are doing great! They are really good babies and hardly cry and for the most part sleep at the same time. Nursing is going good as well, no problems there. Andrew has been such a great big brother! He tells me all the time that he loves his babies. The funny thing is that before they were born he would tell me that the boy was his and the girl was mine. He has now changed his mind and tells me "I like my sister best because she is so cute. You can like my brother best because he is so handsome.". I will try and update an Andrew Anecdotes soon with his first reactions to the babies and all the funny things he said in the hospital.

39 weeks the night before the C-section

Bernadette and Timothy

The first picture of the Kirkland Family of 5

I tried to get a picture of him sucking on her finger

but just as I took it they moved. It is still

a cute picture though.

I had these super cute shirts made for them with their names

it. Andrew's says "I'm the Big Brother Xs 2 (in the star)"

Pregnancy Progress ~ 38 Weeks

2010-07-02T18:52:00.002-05:00

Holy Cow! I'm 38 weeks pregnant with twins!!!!! Sometimes I feel like it too. My sono today went great, not a whole lot of room in there. The babies were pretty squished. It just blew my mind how big they really are when she would move the sensor over my tummy and I'd see a head, then she'd keep going and going then I'd see their chest, then she'd keep going and we'd finally get to the legs way over there. They are estimating that Bernadette is weighing in at 7 lbs 4 oz and Timothy is 7 lbs 2 oz. Wow, over 14 lbs of baby, not including all the placentas, fluids and so forth. It will be interesting to see how accurate the sono has been. I am guessing (based on Andrew's birth weight and that these babies will be a "week early") that they will be right around 7 lbs. I have gained about 6lbs at this point give or take. I didn't weigh myself on my scale which is what I have been going by. The only other "new/different" thing from the last post is that my bellybutton is officially gone. It isn't an outie, but just flat. I think it did pretty good staying an inie for this long. When Andrew saw it yesterday he told me "you bellybutton looks disgusting." and I have to agree with him. Well, maybe the babies will come on Sunday and have a Fourth of July birthday. If not, then I am pretty sure we will make it to Wednesday and 39 weeks! I will post another picture of me before I go into deliver in a few days.

Andrew Anecdotes ~ Green Belt

2010-06-28T13:52:00.003-05:00

Andrew tested for his green belt the other night. I was a bit surprised since it had only been a month since his orange belt test. I am thinking that maybe he should have tested for his orange belt a while ago and didn't, so he really should have tested for green last time. I really started thinking that after the test. He did so good this time, the best he's done so far. Best part is, I remembered the camera AND the batteries were charged, so we have some pictures. He was really proud of himself this time too.

Here he is using a palm strike to break a board.

Mr. Rick presenting him his belt

Showing off his new belt to everyone.

Our normal pose at home.

Showing off his kick.

Pregnancy Progress ~ 37 Weeks

2010-06-25T14:25:00.004-05:00

WOW, I've made it to 37 weeks! It feels like it too. Not too much else to report this time around. I have pretty much been having contractions since last week until yesterday, when the stopped. I am hoping that this is the calm before the storm. Had another non stress test (NST) yesterday to monitor the babies and all is looking good. They were even on their best behavior, shocking. The L&D nurse even said they were the best behaved twins she's had. I told her it must be because they liked her, because they usually aren't that cooperative. I have another sono scheduled for next Friday (not that I still want to be pregnant by then) and then the C-section for the following Wednesday!!!! It is getting so close, yay!

Pregnancy Progress ~ 36 weeks

2010-06-18T17:15:00.004-05:00

Wow, I never thought I would ever say that "I am 9 months pregnant with twins", but here I am. I will have to say that week 35/36 has been rough in the sleeping department and I can finally say that I am READY for these babies to be born! I did go in today for my regular appointment and babies are still looking really good. They are estimated to be about 6 lbs each! I am 2 cm dilated, but my cervix is still long. The only major difference is that I did start to have medium contractions last night and all of today. My dr. doesn't think it is "real" labor and doesn't think anything will happen until Monday if at all. This is how it all started when I had Andrew, so you never know. I could be having some babies this weekend or not until next weekend or the weekend after. I personally think they are holding out for Sunday which is my Grandma June's birthday ( who passed away this January) and Father's Day. We shall see. I will say, that if they come this weekend that is fine with me. I am ready for them and I think that they are pretty much done cooking and won't have any major issues with coming at 36 weeks.

36 weeks

Wordless Wednesday ~ Take a Picture of Me Too

2010-06-16T12:36:00.002-05:00

Pregnancy Progress ~ 35 Weeks

2010-06-11T18:52:00.004-05:00

Today I am 35 weeks with twins. I must say, I am feeling pretty good. I don't have any major issues or complaints. I have only gained about 4 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight, no swelling, no back aches, very few contractions, and hardly any heartburn. The only time I really feel like I am big pregnant is at night when I need to turn over or when I get out of bed. I had a non-stress test today to see how the babies were doing. We all passed with flying colors. Neither one of them likes all the monitors and tried really hard to get away. They don't have a lot of room to escape now so, instead they just got the hiccups to mess it up, but not as bad as last time. I go again next week for a sono, so we will see how everything is going. Below are some pictures of me at 34.5 weeks, and yes, I was brave enough to post swim suit pictures. I think for being 8 and a half months pregnant with twins I don't look too bad. ;)

34.5 weeks

Pregnancy Progress ~ 34 Weels

2010-06-04T15:27:00.002-05:00

Wow, time sure flies by. I had another sono today and the babies are big (relatively speaking). She is estimated to weigh 5 lbs 3 oz and he is 5 lbs 4 oz!!!!! According to my book, the average singleton baby "weighs almost 5 lbs at 34 weeks", so we are a little ahead.OMG! That is over 10 lbs of baby in there. One thing that is new/different is that she is now head down. Other than that, things are still looking good. My cervix is still long and closed, which is a good thing. I have been having a few contractions here and there, but my dr said that is normal. She told me I would have been doing that like 8 weeks ago...She also said, going by her experience with other twin pregnancies she thinks that I will go into labor sometime after the 15th. She said I will most likely have these babies in June. No real big surprise there, but we shall see. I am still feeling really good. My dr said I am measuring and should be feeling like someone who is 41 weeks pregnant or one week over due. It is going to be interesting to see how things go the next couple of week. I go in next week for a non-stress test to see how the babies are doing in L&D then I have another sono the week after that. Busy, busy, busy.

Pregnancy Progress ~ 32-33 weeks

2010-05-27T12:14:00.004-05:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been 8 months already!!! Time sure has flown by. As of my appointment today things are still looking good. No signs of early labor; my cervix is nice and long and closed. :) I start weekly visits next week. The only downside is I started to get horizontal stretch marks!!!! Ugh! Now my tummy is going to look like a checker board. This week has been busy. First, Andrew has strep and when is dr told me that I kind of panicked because I woke up that morning with a little sore throat. However at this point it doesn't look like I've got it, but I will know for sure in a few days. What a great way to spend your 9th anniversary....

This picture is so cute. I need to get

one of him kissing them, which he

does all the time.

WOW, getting pretty big!

I guess it could be worse, I mean,
I am having twins.

Andrew The Orange Belt

2010-05-22T14:14:00.003-05:00

Andrew had his orange belt test last night. He was a little silly when he took his yellow belt test, so we were a little worried at how he'd do. He did so much better this time. Last time we forgot the camera and this time I remembered. However, when I tried to turn it on, found that the battery was dead. UGH!

This time he broke the board with a palm strike.

He is just so proud.

Our new little orange belt

Not So Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-19T15:13:00.003-05:00

Marc's Aunt sent Andrew this light sword the other day and he just loved it. He kept taking to bed with him. So we got some pictures of him with it. He has also been saying some pretty funny things. First my aunt just moved into a new house and Andrew keeps saying "GAM's old house got stolen, that's why she got a new house". The things they say.... Also, when I lay down with him at night, the babies always start moving and now they do really big movements. Andrew always tells me "The babies are kicking me again....". It is really.

Pregnancy Progress ~ 31 Weeks

2010-05-14T17:38:00.005-05:00

Had another sono and doctor's visit today and everything is still looking really, really good. So far she weighs 4 lbs. and he weighs 3.8 lbs. He is exactly on track for a single birth baby and she is slightly bigger. YIKES!!!!! Right now their combined weight is exactly what Andrew was at birth, 7 lbs 8 oz. Now, I don't feel so bad that I look like I am 9 months pregnant. My blood pressure and cervix were also looking good. So, it still looks like July 7th is the day unless they come earlier. Below are the pictures I took of our sono pics., again, not the best quality. We got a really good one of him looking at "the camera". I hope you can see his little face and fat cheeks. She like always has her back facing front. I think she is mooning us....

Here is a picture of his face. He is looking straight at you.

One eye is in the bright part and the bottom one is in shadow. You can

see his nose pretty good and the out line of his top cheek.

Since we couldn't get her face, here is a good picture of her spine.

Her head is on your left.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Andrew's Towers

2010-05-12T10:29:00.002-05:00

Just Something To Make You Laugh

2010-05-06T16:09:00.002-05:00

A couple of funny stories I just had to share because they made me laugh. First off is one about me, and Marc will probably wonder why I am even posting it.... Anyway, as you can imagine it is getting pretty hard for me to bend all the way over now, so to compensate when I get undressed at night I just kick all may clothes off and into the hamper. I usually make. Not the other night; my undies got stuck on one of my toes and flew off at a complete right angle and into the toilet. It was a one in a million shot. I was just lucky that Andrew had not been the last one to use it. He doesn't always remember to flush.

Second you know you are getting big when someone tells you "You look great...for having twins". In other words, you are HUGE, and it looks like you are having twins. Or the girl riding in the elevator with you who can't stop staring opened mouth at your tummy when she finds out you still have till July to go.

Last little story is about Andrew. I know I have posted in the past how he is obsessed with the mole on my arm. He tells me the other day "they babies can't touch the mole ok".

Pregnancy Progress 28 - 29 weeks

2010-04-29T11:58:00.003-05:00

Below are my 28 week pictures. Getting pretty big. I think I am officially bigger now than I was at 9 months with Andrew; I got the tiny-tiniest new stretch mark. Other than that all is looking and feeling pretty good.

Tomorrow, I will be 29 weeks so my Dr. had me go in today and get my first steroid injection to help mature the babies' lungs in case I go into early labor. Though, at this point that looks very unlikely. So, I had to go into Labor and Delivery to get the first shot (I get the 2nd in my OB's office tomorrow) because they had to monitor the babies for 20 min. before giving me the shot to make sure they were ok. Well, let me tell you, I think my daughter is going to be a pain. The booger would not hold still at all!!! What should have taken 20 min. took an hour! The poor nurse had to hold the monitor on my tummy and move it when she move in order to keep her heart rate on the machine. Too much pressure and she'd move away. Not enough and it wouldn't pick up her heart rate. Then she got the hiccups! I laid this way then that to help out. But no, she was not having it. The nurse even said she was surprised she had so much room to escape.

I joked with Marc, telling him I never thougth anything could

make my butt look small and he said "only from the side"...

4th Birthday Party Pictures

2010-04-22T12:22:00.005-05:00

Andrew had a really great birthday week. We started with a family birthday party on Easter at my Aunt's house and then ended the week with a Karate party with his friends. He had a blast with all his little friends. He was so excited about his birthday this year and had been asking "what months is it" since February.

Matthew was a big hit. The kids loved jumping on him and

blowing their party favors in his face.

We had a Scooby Doo theme this year.

Got to warm up before we can go crazy at karate

He had been asking for a "Star Wars Shooting Gun" FOREVER!

My Aunt and cousin Heather made him some chocolate cupcakes

for our family party. He looks so old here.

Pregnancy Progress ~ Week 27

2010-04-16T18:27:00.003-05:00

Had another Dr. appointment today at 27 weeks. I am officially in my 3rd trimester. They did my 1 hour glucose test and a sono of the babies to see how they were doing. All is looking well! Both babies are measuring about two and a half pounds, which is average for a single baby pregnancy. My uterus is at about 34 cm which is normal for a twin pregnancy. Best part is my cervix is still nice and long which indicates (at least right now) that I won't be having pre-term labor any time soon. Other than exercise I still have no restrictions on activity (YEAH). My Dr. always seems surprised by that. Weight is still looking good, though I have reached my pre-pregnancy weight. :( So, my weight gain to this point is technically zero. I know, I shouldn't complain. I am 7 months pregnant with twins, what should I expect. I guess I was just spoiled with Andrew ;) She did say that, unless I go into labor on my own before the 39th week she will schedule my C-section for that week. That makes it July 8th. Baby B which is the boy is still completely horizontal, with his head under my right ribs and she is presenting butt first and her head is over by my left hip. She is facing up and he is facing down, sort of Yin Yang style. It was so great to see them move and know all is going well so far. I go in 2 weeks for my steroid shots and then I will continue to see the Dr. every 2 weeks.
Here a some pictures of my sono pictures. Not the best, but all I got. I hope you all can tell what is what.

Baby boy; head, chest and arms

Baby boy again; head, chest and I think he is sucking
his thumb.

Baby girl; head, upper chest, and arm

Baby girl: head chest and arm

Wordless Wednesday ~ Western Day

2010-04-14T13:40:00.004-05:00

Happy 4th Birthday Andrew!

2010-04-08T10:41:00.006-05:00

I just can't believe that my baby is 4!!!! He has really been growing a ton; at least one inch since January! Looking at these pictures I see a little boy and not a baby. Sort or makes me sad, yet I am happy to see him grow.

Easter 2010

2010-04-06T15:32:00.006-05:00

We had a really nice Easter this year. My mom and dad came in town for a visit. This has been the first holiday they have been here since the year Andrew was born. He was so excited that were here. We also had a little birthday party for him since they were not able to stay for his real birthday. I will post those pictures soon.

Andrew took this picture of us.

Wow, dying eggs takes no time at all when you don't have

to share. One egg for each cup and we were done in the time

it took the egg to take the color.

I just love my new Easter decorations.

He opened each egg when he found it. Hunting eggs took FOREVER!

The Easter Bunny went a little overboard on candy....

24 Weeks

2010-03-29T12:46:00.003-05:00

Here I am at 24 weeks. Still getting bigger. I still feel pretty good, but it is getting hard to move when I lay down and hard to bend over.

Pregnancy Progress

2010-03-19T13:50:00.002-05:00

Went in for a doctor appointment yesterday and everything is looking good! My blood pressure was great and my weight is awesome. As a matter of fact, I think she still wants me to gain more between visits. She told me I should gain quite a bit more by the next visit. I am still measuring the same as I did last month, which I can't see how since I am noticeably bigger. I think the babies have moved down a bit and so when I lie on my back there is more room for them to "fall back" into. The nurse did have a hard time finding our little girl's heartbeat, though she could see her moving and was picking up her movement on the doppler. I have a feeling that this is an indication of things to come..... She just seems to already have a mind of her own. YIKES!!! I go back in a month for a sono and the 1 hour glucose test. If I pass that then I will go back in 2 weeks for 2 steroid injections to help mature the babies' lungs in case they are born before 34 weeks. My doctor also said this is probably the last month I will feel good and I quote " will feel like death warmed over" after that.

We are very happy that things are looking so good so far. The babies are moving all over the place. They are getting strong enough now that you can see my tummy move when they move some of the time. Andrew is totally excited. He told me the other day "I want the babies to get out now" and when I asked him why he told me "because I want to see them". Awwww He is also so cute when he kisses my tummy. He usually just walks up and will kiss my tummy just below and then just above my bellybutton. One kiss on each baby.

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Real Bat and Ball

2010-03-17T13:41:00.001-05:00

Andrew Anecdotes

2010-03-10T12:15:00.002-06:00

Two stories about Andrew today. First, ever since my Grandma died and we explained to Andrew that sometimes when some one is old they die and go to heaven. Well, then he asked like who so we went through the whole list of who would eventually go to heaven. One of them was Bruce (the dog). Now EVERY time we meet some one new Andrew tells them "My dog is Bruce, he's going to die. Then we are going to get a girl puppy". We have been telling him over and over that Bruce isn't going to die for a long, long time. He doesn't seem to care.

The next story I am sure is going to sound very funny to you all, me not so much. Every once in a while his Mother's Day Out doesn't have the carpool line and I have to walk him to his class. Well, yesterday he kept telling me that I can't go into his classroom, over and over. He was practically on the verge of tears when I said I wouldn't go in. Well, later that night when Marc asked him why he didn't want me to come in he got real agitated and wouldn't say at first. Then he finally whispered "because mommy is fat". Marc thought it was hilarious and I, on the other hand, started to pretend to cry. Well, that really made him upset and I almost made him cry. He knew what he had said was kind of mean. Then he started to make excuses like " so and so's mommy can't come in because she's sick" stuff like that. Really the sad thing is that he is finally getting to that age where the way mommy looks, or acts is going to embarrass him. That really made me want to cry.

Then and Now!

2010-02-28T12:51:00.002-06:00

Wow, what a difference 2 babies make! Here are 2 pictures of me pregnant on my birthday. The one of me in red is my birthday 2006 and I was about 8 months pregnant with Andrew. The one of me in black is this year and I am 5 months pregnant with the twins. OUCH!!!! I am going to get really BIG!!!

5 months with twins

8 months with Andrew

Andrew Andecdotes

2010-02-22T14:16:00.002-06:00

If I thought Andrew would have kept this up, I would have video taped it. As it is, you will just have to use your imagination a bit with this post. He was telling me that one of the little girls in his MDO class was getting mad at him. So, I asked him why and he said because he took her paper. Again, I asked him why he took her paper. No joke, you would have thought he started to have a seizure. He was stuttering, flapping his arms, shaking his head and pacing back and forth. He kept saying "I can't say why". We figured it was because he liked her and even asked him. Well, he confirmed that for us when his "fit" got worse. After about 10 min of this he finally whispered to Marc that he liked he. That night as I put him to bed he told me "I can't marry Chloe because I am already going to marry Neely Kate. SOOOOOO cute!

He has also been really cute with the babies. He calls the boy "my boy". He also thinks that my bellybutton is a window into my womb. He looks in it just like you would a hole in the wall and tells me that he can see the babies ("I can see them!"). He then puts his mouth there and yells "Hello babies! It's me, Andrew. I'm your brother" (as if they will have any doubt who he is when they get here). He also put his ear there and tells me he can hear them. I just love to see how excited he gets and how much he already loves them.

It's a Boy and a Girl!!!

2010-02-17T15:47:00.007-06:00

Ok, these aren't' the best pictures. I had to take a picture of the picture with my camera. I have a few more too, but I will post those and re-post these after I get my aunt to scan them in the near future.
So, it looks like it will be a boy and a girl. Andrew was right, yet again. Everything is looking good so far. They are measuring right on target. My Dr. said that if they continue to grow like this, I will have some pretty big twins (which I am assuming means about 6+ lbs). The girl is baby A which is the lower twin and the boy is baby B and he is above my bellybutton. They are both horizontal in my tummy right now facing each other. The other thing my Dr. wanted to check was the length of my cervix, as that can be a indicator if I could go into early labor, and I got an A++ on that. They also checked placenta positions and the girl's is a little close to my cervix, so they will keep an eye on that. My weight was good and my Dr. was happy. I gained about 3.5 lbs since my last visit, which puts me at -13 since I got pregnant. My BP was also good this time. It had been high the last few visits, but I think that was nerves (which seems to be the case).
Andrew was so cute watching the babies on the screen. When they said a boy and a girl he kept saying, "I was right, I was right". One of the babies was moving its arm and we told him it was waving at him and he started waving back. Then he "got scared" when they put the heart rates on the screen and told us he couldn't watch.
I just can't say how happy we are for 2 healthy babies! We are praying that all goes as well the rest of the pregnancy. Check back in a few days for better pictures.

I forgot to add, that as of today I am 18 1/2 weeks. I am measuring like 30-31 weeks. Now I don't feel so bad that I look like I did at 6 months with Andrew. The top of my uterus is about 3 almost 4 inches above my bellybutton.

SNOW!!!

2010-02-12T13:04:00.004-06:00

It started snowing early, early on the morning of the 11th and continued nonstop for 24 hours. Needless to say we got a ton of snow probably about 9-10 inches. DFW airport reported a new record of 12.5 inches! Andrew had so much fun playing in the snow. I am glad we bought snow pants and shoes when we visited Grandma and Grandpa in MI for Christmas 2008!

Getting ready to go out.

Trying to make a snowball with mittens isn't easy.

The first snowman Andrew has ever made.

He might look sad because the dog peed on his backside.

Today (Friday) Andrew got to wear daddy's hat.

He didn't want me to take anymore pictures so we could

have a snowball fight.

Here we are together in the snow.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Yellow Belt

2010-02-10T11:18:00.002-06:00

Blessings in Disguise

2010-02-02T13:17:00.004-06:00

I don't often write about my feelings or very personal things that I have strong emotions about. It's not that I don't want to share them, it's just that I can never seem to find the right words to convey my feelings in writing. So, bare with me on this one. On Jan. 24, my Grandma June passed away. I was very fortunate however, to have seen her over Christmas. Which isn't always the case, since we usually alternate which family we visit at Christmas. I was lucky that this year was my year to go to El Paso.

Here is where the blessing in disguise comes in. We all have those moments were something seems to "go wrong" or get delayed or whatever. If you are like me you probably wonder what was the point in all that? Here is how my blessing in disguise started. My cousin and I decided we were going to give my Grandma June a "Little Impressions" mold of Andrew's hand and my cousin's daughter's hand for Christmas. So we made our gift in Nov. and it was going to be ready before Christmas. Marc was heading out to El Paso just before Christmas and was going to pick up the finished product so we could give it to Grandma on Christmas Eve. Well, as it turns out the kiln (hope that is how it goes) that the lady at Little Impressions uses broke and the items weren't going to be ready in time to for Marc to pick up. I was fortunate enough that my Aunt was making the trip to El Paso after Christmas and she was going to bring the hand prints with her. The only "bad thing" was, I wasn't going to be able to give my Grandma her gift until after Christmas. Here is the real blessing, because she didn't get to open it before, Andrew, Marc and I made a special trip to my Grandma's house to bring her her gift. I rarely go there, since her house isn't kid proof and she usually visits us at my mom's house. So, we gave her her gift and she got to open it all by itself with Andrew right by her. No other hoopla or Christmas rush, and since we had went to her house we got to have a nice long visit with her and her husband. I got 2 really good pictures with Andrew and her and he and Arthur, the only ones I think I have. It was just the 3 of us and the 2 of them. So, you see, if it wasn't for the kiln breaking and the gift arriving late, I wouldn't have had that one last private visit with my Grandma before she passed away. I am so thankful for these little blessings that God sends our way without us knowing. For He does know what is best and what we need.

Andrew Anecdotes~ I'm going to be a big brother...

2010-01-25T13:04:00.003-06:00

Now, Andrew has been soooo cute with all the baby news. I know he is going to be an awesome big brother. He has been OBSESSED with babies for almost 3 years, no joke. Then he really started to get impatient for mommy to have a baby when a lot of his little friends became big brothers and sisters. He is always willing to help their mommies hold the bottles for the babies and wants to check them all out.

First off I have to say the kid maybe a psychic. Even before I was pregnant and I would ask him if he wanted a baby brother or sister, he would tell me he wanted " a brother AND a sister". It was like he knew what was coming. Well, we didn't tell him for a really long time that I was pregnant, but I am sure he knew something was up, when mommy started throwing up all the time. I mean come on how long can someones tummy hurt. He was totally in wonder of me puking. He is the only person I know who wants to see it when someone throws up. A few times in the car he would yell at me "I want to see, mom I can't see you". There was a few times had to race him to the bathroom and just barely got there first, and that only because I hip blocked him into the door frame. Then to top it off he tried to stick his head between my legs to watch. So gross! He got pretty good a telling if I was going to be sick or if I was just gagging. If I gagged twice all was good, but on the third gag he'd yell "look out she's going to throw up". I just can't believe how observant he is sometimes.

After we told him he was sooooo happy! He immediately lifted up my shirt and kissed my tummy. His eyes got really big when we told him that it was 2 babies. He is totally convinced that it is a brother and sister. "One is for mommy and one is for Andrew. The girl is for you and the boy is for me". He is going to be REALLY UPSET if it is 2 sisters and to a lesser extent 2 brothers. The next thing out of his mouth was how the babies were going to get out. We told him at the hospital, and he kept asking how, and was satisfied when we told him the Dr. would get them out. Then much to my chagrin, he asked how they got in there....The all encompassing answer of God put them there seem to be an ok answer, but he wasn't totally satisfied. He has since come to the conclusion that we went shopping for them at "the baby store" and put them in there.

He did a really good job of keeping it a secret too. I think he only said something twice and both times it was to people who already knew. Almost every night he will touch my tummy and either tell me he can feel or hear the babies. Though I tell him he probably isn't feeling them because they sleep all the time. I can't wait till the day he gets to feel them for real! I am just so excited to see him through this whole process. I know he is going to be the best big brother and mommy's helper ever!

FINALLY!!!

2010-01-21T13:06:00.002-06:00

I have been waiting so long to write this post. After 2 1/2 + years of trying, a couple of set back, a few procedures, a ton of pills and quite a few shots, I am happy and totally excited to announce we are finally expecting baby #2.....and #3 on July 16th!!!!! That's right TWINS!!!! I will officially be 15 weeks tomorrow. We waited for awhile to share our news given by past history. I can't even describe how happy and blessed we feel.
We were just a tiny bit surprised that it was twins. Not totally, I mean when you've done what I've done for so long, of course twins are a real possibility. It was just that at my follicle scan it looked like there was only going to be one, nice, big egg that would ovulate and 2 much smaller ones we thought weren't going to grow any bigger. Either these are identical twins or those 2 smaller eggs got real busy growing (which is probably the case). We told Andrew a couple of weeks ago and he is so excited. I will post all the cute and funny things he has been doing and saying in a later post about him.
I just want to say thanks to you all for your continued prays and I hope you will keep them coming. I just wish I had some sono pictures to post, but the last copies I have were from 7 weeks. I will get the "big" sono on Feb. 17th.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Eating with Chopsticks

2010-01-20T11:27:00.002-06:00

Andrew Anecdotes

2010-01-17T14:03:00.004-06:00

We finally took the last bit of our Christmas decorations down and put out our regular stuff. Most of this stuff are pictures and quite a few are of our wedding. So, Andrew was asking if he was at our wedding and I told him no, that he wasn't born yet. He then asks if he was in my tummy, and I told him that we got married way before he was ever in my tummy. He thinks about it for a bit and then asks, "So, I guess I was at the Baby Store then?". Now, I am starting to crack up a little and ask him what he means by the baby store and he tells me that that is where we went to get him before he was in my tummy to be born. At this point I think we will just leave it at that. Marc and I just thought it was too funny and too cute, "The Baby Store". :)

Andrew's Christmas Program

2010-01-11T16:37:00.005-06:00

I know this is a little late, but we left for El Paso soon after this and I am just now getting around to posting it. Andrew's MDO had a little Christmas program where the kids were suppose to sings a few songs for the parents. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it that day so Daddy and GAM went instead and taped it for me. Let me just say, I was glad I watched it after the fact. I think if I had been there live, I would have ended up with an ulcer. First off, Andrew walks in (he didn't know daddy or GAM would be there) and as soon as he sees Marc, he yells "DADDY!" and runs out of line to give him a hug. Once they were on stage he kept patting the kid next to him to say "there is my GAM". As the program started Andrew was in the very front row and he steadily kept moving up and back to the higher rows. Before the song was even over he was on the top row. Then he noticed that they were on the big TV screen behind the stage. He pretty much spent the rest of that song and most of the next watching himself on the screen. All you could see was the back of head swaying to the beat. Then he started migrating to the side to be with his other friends, pointing out to them as he went, the big screen. So, now we have like 5 little boys all looking at the TV behind them. Finally, it was over and time to pray. Andrew put his hands together, bowed his head and closed his eyes really tight. He was praying HARD. It was so cute to see. I joked that at least he got the part that really counted right. I've said it before, as much as I tried to avoid it, I have THAT kid.

Christmas 2009

2010-01-04T11:45:00.004-06:00

We had a really great Christmas this year. Andrew and I went to El Paso a week before Christmas and then Marc joined us later. Andrew had SO MUCH FUN with all his cousins. He has 2 right at his age and let me tell you, he was in heaven! He was also very cute this year. He had some idea of what was going on and was sooooo excited to open presents. He got some pretty cool toys too. Not all of them are in the pictures. I only got a few pictures of him with his eyes open. His present from mommy and daddy was a camera and he was taking pictures of everyone opening their gifts. I have to say, he is a pretty good photographer. I hope everyone else had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Here we are just before church on Christmas Eve

He looks so old! :(

Great-grandma June and Arthur gave him a
remote controlled car

Here William is eyeing Andrew's loot

Maybe we will hug

Blowing out the candle for Jesus' birthday

Andrew and his favorite person James.

Best part about the stockings is the chocolate!

Santa brought a guitar or as Andrew says

a "violin"

Santa also brought a race track, a book and a pop gun

Wordless Wednesday ~ Let's Shave!

2009-12-30T16:10:00.001-06:00

Decorating the Tree

2009-12-13T12:52:00.003-06:00

Andrew was so excited this year about Christmas. He really wanted to "help" with everything. I wish I would have gotten a picture of his face when we told him we were decorating the tree. He wanted to help with every little thing. He still needs a little practice putting ornaments on the tree (he is still putting them all on one branch). He was just too cute and I can't wait to see him on Christmas Day.

Helping Daddy put up the tree.

Hanging ornaments

Here he is hanging is 4th Christmas ornament.

It just feels weird to think that he is only

3 and yet this is his 4th Christmas.

Andrew got to put the top on the tree this year.

Andrew Anecdotes

2009-12-07T14:35:00.003-06:00

Boy! He is really into Christmas this year. When I pulled out all the decorations he insisted on helping me. Which, as you might guess, wasn't all that helpful (but super cute). On Saturday, he got to help daddy put the lights out in the yard. Marc said he started complaining about the cold, but he made him stay out there.

Sometimes I just can't believe how good his memory is. He has only seen Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer once last year. This year when it came on he immediately asked me if this is the one where that monster captures his mommy. I also think it is kind of funny that of all the things from that show, he remembers that. He also tells me that he is scared of that "Bombibal Monster".

The other thing that has been cracking me up is watching him play with his Little People Nativity Scene. All my friends with little girls play with them so nice and sweet. Not my kid. Baby Jesus is always on the verge of being eaten by a dinosaur. This said dinosaur, is constantly biting and picking up the barn, throwing and tossing everyone around, which somehow causes an explosion. Every person in the scene has at one point been very forcible jammed onto the roof where the Angel sits and when you press down starts the music. They will all be lucky if they make it to next Christmas. Andrew also still insists on call Baby Jesus, her. Even when I ask him if its is a boy or girl baby he tells me its a boy and then turns right around and says her.

Last funny thing, Andrew was getting ready to jump of something and yelled for me to look and after I did, I told him he couldn't do that. He then tells me "well, then don't look".

Wordless Wednesday ~ SNOW!

2009-12-02T11:35:00.001-06:00

Andrew Anecdotes

2009-11-30T14:18:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I was asking Andrew how old he was going to be on his next birthday. He then told me "old".

We had a pretty good Thanksgiving. We went to my aunt Margaret's for dinner and then celebrated Heather's 20th birthday. Andrew had a lot of fun "playing" video games with his big cousin Matthew. He got a little pouty when Chris and Paul showed up and there wasn't enough controllers to go around. He plopped down in front of the door with a super sad face. The best part was that he actually ate some turkey. Grant it, it was before the meal actually started, but better than nothing. This whole month when people have been asking him what he has been thankful for, he keeps saying "candy". Nice, Andrew, real nice...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Go Bucks!

2009-11-25T14:08:00.001-06:00

Karate Kid

2009-11-18T14:06:00.002-06:00

Flashback Friday ~ Nov. 2006

2009-11-13T13:50:00.001-06:00

Back when Andrew's eyes were still blue/gray

Walking With Dinosaurs!

2009-11-11T13:46:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago we took Andrew to see this show called Walking With Dinosaurs. It was AWESOME! They had life size dinosaurs the walked around and roared. I can't tell you how cool it was. It was like watching a real life Discovery Chanel show. The whole show was basically a science lesson with "real" participants. Andrew had see one of the dinosaurs on the news and had told us that he wanted to go, over and over and over and over again. He really enjoyed it and still talks about it. But of course my camera died just before the T-Rex came out. :( Some of the pictures may be blurry because couldn't use the flash.

Roar! I'm a "dinoroar"

The stage before the show. The Bracciosaurs

that came out reached all the way to those lights up top!

Stegosaurus

Allosaurus

Brachiosaurus

Halloween 2009

2009-11-04T14:34:00.005-06:00

Andrew was so cute this year. He was really excited about dressing up and I think he remembered what the deal was from last year. Which, by the way, is when he decided that wanted to be Superman. Marc wore a Superman T-shirt and Andrew's cape and Andrew cried then to be Superman. So, this year when I asked him what he wanted to be he said without missing a beat "Superman".

Here he is helping Daddy gut the pumpkin.

Reaching in to grab the seeds.

Making sure Mommy did a good job on the carving.

After Karate class he insists on wearing his

Rick's Kicks T-shirt all day. I hope you can't

tell he doesn't have shorts on.

Two great smiles.

I pretty much threw this costume together.

It's a Superman T-shirt, a blue pair of PJ's, a pair of

red underwear and socks, a cape we got at Six Flags, and yellow

electrical tape for a belt.

Up, Up and Away!

We tried really hard to get the Superman curl.

His bangs were cut a little too short

the last time we went to the Barber. Then it had to be

on the side with his cowlick or it wouldn't have worked at all.

This is right before we went trick-or treating.

At each house, after the people opened the door, Andrew would

say "Trick-or-treat Jesus!". What was up with that?

I have no idea where he got that from.

Worsless Wednesday ~ More Fair Pictures

2009-10-28T13:31:00.002-05:00

I wish the middle one came out clear. He had a big smile on his face.

A Visit From Grandma and Grandpa

2009-10-21T14:03:00.005-05:00

This weekend we got a special visit from Marc's parents. Andrew was so excited to see them. Grandpa Jebb was his new best friend and Andrew followed him EVERYWHERE! At first he was calling Grandma Kate, Grandma Patsy and then he switched over to calling her Grandma Cake. It was soooo cute! We had a busy weekend. We went golfing on Friday, the Fort Worth Zoo on Saturday, and Texas State Fair on Sunday. We had a blast!!!! I know he is already missing them.

You know Andrew, he had to show Grandpa his golfing skill.

Riding in the golf cart with Grandpa and Grandma "Cake"

His face in this picture is just too funny.
I think he was looking to see if ball went in the hole.

The Fort Worth Zoo has a really neat bird house

where you can get a stick and feed the Parakeets.

Andrew got a few to land on his stick. I don't think all the birds

had waken up yet and so they didn't get real active/hungry until we left.

Of Course he kept trying to touch them and then they'd fly away.

I think we have found the trick to the State Fair. We got there about

an hour before it opened, the gates were opened at that time, and took all our pictures

and visited the animals. Which was about the only thing open at that time.

By the time it got crowded we had seen/done everything we needed to do.

Andrew, Grandpa and Grandma in front of Big Tex.

Kate and Jebb also got their first taste of the famous Fletcher's Corny Dog.

It was nice to get into the petting zoo early. There was maybe 10 people in there

total including us.

Getting ready to go up on the Farris wheel. Grandpa

doesn't like rides, so he waited at the bottom. I have to say

this is a really good picture of Marc and Andrew.

Here we are close to the top.

If you look hard you can see the tiny

cars in the background.

Andrew really wanted to ride some rides this time.

We did let him go on a few. I have a really cute one

of he and Marc coming down the
big slide, but I will save those pictures for another post.

Andrew Anecdotes

2009-10-09T12:22:00.004-05:00

Here is Andrew with my (our) cousin Matthew, who is

Andrew's new BFF.

It feels like it has been forever since I posted, but nothing has been going on lately. But here are a few funny things Andrew has done or said. First off, his school sends out a newsletter each month and one of the sections is "The Cute Things Kids Say". I am pretty sure one of their quotes came from Andrew, though I may never know for sure. It was introduce by telling us how one of the teachers was talking about eating dinner and all the good things we can eat. She then turns and asks the kid next to her what was their favorite thing to eat for dinner was and the kid's response was "JUNK!". The reason why I think this is Andrew is because when I tell him it is dinner time or he has to eat dinner first he tells me "I don't want dinner! I want junk!".

Sometimes he is just so observant. We were waiting in the carpool line for his school one morning. There are several flowering bushes that line the drive way and they are always swarming with bees. Andrew likes watching the bees from the window and told me "Hey look, those bees are playing Hide-n-go-seek." And you know it did look like that's what they were doing. It is just so cute the way their brains work and how they see the word.

Andrew Anecdotes

2009-09-28T13:11:00.004-05:00

A quick funny story about what Andrew said the other day. How we got on to this topic I can't quite remember. But we had a conversation about breast feeding. Yes, I know what you are thinking. Any way we probably got onto this topic because several of our friends have had or are having babies. So, I was explaining to him how some babies drink milk from their mommies and of course he asked how. So, I told him how some mommies get milk in their boobies for the baby to eat and how that's how he ate when he has a baby. I could then see the wheels turning in his brain as he thought about this. He then puts his ear on me and says "I don't hear any milk in there". That was the funniest thing and we both laughed and laughed. Only Andrew....

Not so Wordless Wednesday ~ Poor Andrew

2009-09-16T14:56:00.002-05:00

Monday night just before bed, Andrew was running full speed and tripped on something. He flew, Superman style, straight into his little table. It was one of those that you know is going to happen and you just can move fast enough to stop it. Needless to say he got a HUGH bump on his head. We were pretty lucky, it looked like it was that close to being split open. So glad we didn't need a trip to the ER for stitches! He was such a good boy and only cried for a tiny bit.

Andrew Anecdotes

2009-09-12T11:07:00.003-05:00

Andrew has been saying some pretty funny stuff lately. The other day we were at Half Priced Books looking around and while GAM and I were looking at the shelf we hear a big clatter. When we turn around we see Andrew holding a record sleeve and a record on the floor (luckily it didn't break). Andrew then tells us "Oops! I dropped that big CD". We laughed so hard. Not to bad for someone who has never seen a record before and has know idea what it is for. Later we went for lunch and an Asian restaurant and Andrew got his chopsticks and raised them over his head, banged them together and went "one, two, one, two, three, four", then proceeded to hit them on the table just as if it were a drum kit. Where he got that from, I have no idea.

Yesterday, I saw a fire ant hill next to our driveway. I was trying to tell Andrew to never go near it because those ants are really mean and will bite him and that it will hurt very bad. So he then asks me why the ants are mean and I tell him that they just are. Like any typical 3 year old, the why, why, why follows, so I tell him God made them that way. He thinks about it for a little bit then tells me "Well, Jesus needs to make them happy". How cute is that!!! When we do talk about Jesus he always asks "The Jesus in my heart?", awwwww!

When we were in El Paso, Andrew and I went to my sister's house for dinner one night and they were watching Amadeus. Well, at every scene when Mozart was conducting the orchestra Andrew would stand in front of the TV and pretend to conduct too. It was pretty cute. He really liked that movie and watch most of it intently. Especially when the music came on. I know some of the songs her recognized from Little Einsteins, but a good portion of the songs he had never heard.

Wordless Wednesday ~ First Day of Preschool

2009-09-09T18:51:00.001-05:00

Andrew Anecdotes ~ Robin Hood

2009-09-01T13:06:00.002-05:00

Andrew had been watching Robin Hood a bunch before our trip to El Paso and he told me that he wanted me to get him a bow and arrow. So like any mom would do I told him he had to wait and ask Santa (in hopes that he'd forget). After I told my mom this, she did what any good grandma would do, she went and got him one to play with when we visited. He, of course, was thrilled! Well, he had been playing with them for a while chasing grandad around. Next thing we know he comes out from the back of the house with the arrows sticking up from his shirt, just like it was his quiver. It was so cute, and he did it all on his own.

El Paso Trip Part III

2009-08-28T11:10:00.007-05:00

I have been trying to get these pictures up for days, but for whatever reason they wouldn't "add". Anyway here are some pictures from our White Sands trip. We just love White Sands and try and go once a year. The day we went it was PACKED!!!! Almost every dune was full. I hadn't seen that many people there in a really long, long time. It was kind of funny, the first family that was next to us was from China and then after they left the next family that came was from India. We lent the 2nd family one of our sand sleds and they had a great time. They also thought Andrew was the cutest, funniest thing they'd ever seen and want to get their picture with him and came to hug him bye bye when they brought the sled back. They even asked him if he wanted to come with them and he said yes and then thought better about it. Which is kind of scary that he was willing to go at first. We all has such a good time.

The sunsets here are just beautiful!

Aren't we cute!

Here is a picture of Elise, Me, Joseph, Margaret (GAM) and Andrew

He had so much fun sliding down the hill in the sled.

When you live in the desert the only kind of sledding you

get to do is sand sledding.

His face says it all.

My mom and my Aunt

My cousin Matthew (Andrew's new bff) was digging a big hole

that eventually was deeper than Andrew was tall.

Getting deeper. I wish I could of had a video of Andrew running down the hill and when he saw the hole he put on the brakes, but kept sliding down and fell perfectly into the hole, body first and disappeared. This was the main reason the family from India thought he was so funny. Word just don't do it justice.

I think he was having fun.

Picnic time anyone?

How Elise, who is almost 13, and I managed to make it down the hill

on the sled is still beyond me. Even James looks a little shocked.

This picture of Eileen and Andrew was just too cute!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Andrew in a Hole

2009-08-19T14:44:00.003-05:00

El Paso Trip Part II

2009-08-18T16:33:00.003-05:00

Here are some more pictures from our trip. On our way to White Sands (those pictures to follow soon) we stopped at the Air and Space Museum in Alamogordo, NM. Andrew was so cute following James around the whole time. He liked looking at all the rockets and spaceships. He even got to land the Space Shuttle in a simulator.

Here he is in front of the Mercury Capsule

Andrew and his new bff, Jame in a mock up of the

inside of the shuttle

He really liked this "rocket"

Here he is with "The People" (left to right Eileen,
James, Joseph and Elise)

Here they are in front of a US rocket

Andrew and "The People" inside the Mercury Capsule

El Paso Trip Part I

2009-08-14T14:18:00.006-05:00

I have a ton of pictures and stories from our El Paso trip so I decided to separate then into several posts instead of just one long one. First off, Andrew had the time of his life and I don't know how he is going to get back to his normal boring life now that we are home. He just thought Grandad was awesome!!! Andrew followed him around like a little puppy. He walked right behind him every time he came home asking "Grandad, where were you? Where are you going? What are you doing?...........". He wouldn't even leave the house to come with me and my mom. He told us "no, I want to stay with Grandad". This was in part to the fact that Grandad took him to the park to play baseball and golf on more than one occasion. He also had a good time seeing all his cousins. Firsts, he got to visit with "My Friends" (Elizabeth's family) on the way up there, then he got to see "The People" (Kathrine's family) and "John Michael" (He refers to Michael's entire family as John Michael) during his visit. Which was great for me, I didn't have to entertain him for a second. He replaced "Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy" with "Grandad, grandad, grandad.".

Our firsts activity was a visit to Western Playland. For those of you who don't know, Western Playland is a little amusement park in El Paso. It has been there "forever". I have pictures of me as a baby on some of the same rides you will see Andrew on. He had a great time. First, with Joseph and Elise, and then the rest of "The People" came later on. They have lots of rides just right for a kid his age there. But, typical Andrew, he wanted to do some big kid rides and cried when he couldn't go on the bumper cars.

Grandma also has a HUGE water slide that she can put up in the backyard. He liked playing and splashing everyone. Then he decided that he was going to hit golf balls on the top and then climb up to get them down. After playing in the water he and "The People" decided that they were going to play in the mud. I think they ended up playing longer in the mud than in the water slide. Typical, "you buy a kid a toy and they play with the paper". So this ends the first 2 days we were there. More posts and pictures to come in the next couple of days, so check back.

Hee-haw!

2009-08-03T15:25:00.005-05:00

One of Marc's coworkers has been inviting us to bring Andrew to come visit her horse "Maggie". So, the other day we finally make it out there. Let just say Andrew had a blast! Not so sure "Maggie" would agree. First, Andrew got to take a little trot together with Dana. Next, Dana, was going to let Andrew sit up on the horse and lead them around the paddock. Well, I don't think "Maggie" liked the idea and she started dancing around and getting a little spooked. All the while Andrew is sitting on the horse hanging on for all he's worth. Marc and I are looking on from the other side of the fence frozen in place. Dana meanwhile is trying to hold on to the horse and Andrew at the same time all while yelling for Andrew to jump off. The look on his face was like "you told me to hold on". Well, she finally pulled him off and he got a little face full of dust. No harm no foul. He thought that was the best thing ever! When I asked him if he was scared he looked at me like I was from Mars and said "I wasn't scared, it was fun". Future equestrian perhaps??? Anyway, while we were there he got to help give the horse a "bath" and see a donkey and a colt. Not to mention like 8 barn kittens who kept following him around. I'm surprised he didn't come home covered in fleas. He just really had a good time and keeps telling me "remember that time I jumped off that horse? I want to do that again.". I even got up on the horse for a bit. I probably haven't been on a horse in close to 20 years!!!! I must say I still can do it. Though, "Maggie" didn't seem any happier to have me up there.

Wordless Wednesday ~ The Headstand

2009-07-29T11:08:00.001-05:00

Thursday Thirteen ~ Books I Can't Believe I Haven't Read Yet!!

2009-07-23T12:33:00.002-05:00

Here are 13 books that I am shocked to say I haven't read. I always say I am going to, but just haven't. Most of these I just love the movie version, which is probably why I haven't read the book yet. Then there are those that seems like I should have read in high school, but we read other books instead. One day I will finally read these.

1. Anne of Green Gables
2. Gone with the Wind
3. Little Women
4. Dune
5. The Color Purple
6. Great Expectations
7. The Grapes or Wrath
8. Bram Stoker's Dracula
9. Watership Down
10. Catcher in the Rye
11. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
12. The Great Gatsby
13. A Christmas Carol

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-22T11:13:00.001-05:00

Andrew Anecdotes

2009-07-17T10:57:00.003-05:00

Well, a while back I posted about Andrew learning a choice word, which I blamed on dad of course. He's at it again, but this time I know I am totally to blame. I thought we had been very good lately about watching our language, apparently not. Let me set up the scene for you. My cousin, her husband and little girl came over to visit. Andrew and Abrey were by the backdoor looking out the glass when we hear this: "Holy shit mom! There's and airplane!" Mortification galore!!! But it doesn't stop there. Despite our best efforts not to laugh, we all start cracking up. Andrew, taking his as his cue to be funny starts saying "shit, shit, shit, shit........". Of course we had to tell him that that was a bad word and he isn't suppose to say it, so on and so on. I was just waiting for him to tell me "but you do it" which is his usual line, but luckily he didn't.

When we visit my aunt's house Andrew always wants to go outside in the backyard and jump on the trampoline or play in the tree house. He will stay out there forever if we let him. With the 100+ temps lately we have been having to tell him that it is too hot for him outside. Well, he spent the night there the other day and is obsessed with my cousin Matthew, wanting to "play" video games with him the whole time. So, my aunt to give Matthew a break tells Andrew that they can go outside and play now. Andrew, apparently, not wanting to leave Matthew tells her "no, its too hot for me to go outside." Typical, they always do the opposite of what you want.

One last funny story. The air conditioner vent in Andrew's room always vibrates when the air comes on and makes a little buzzing noise for a few seconds. The other night when that happened as I was laying down with Andrew he told me "is Special Agent Oso going to come and fix that". It was so cute. For those that don't know, Special Agent Oso is a cartoon on Disney where a stuffed bear comes and helps kids figure out how to do something.

Wordless Wednesday ~ I watch TV in the funniest places!

2009-07-15T17:50:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday ~ "Help the chair is eating me!"

2009-07-08T13:52:00.002-05:00

Happy 4th!

2009-07-06T12:14:00.003-05:00

This 4th of July we had some family come over for a little BBQ and to watch fireworks after. We have a great view of the Pizza Hut Park fireworks from our front yard. Nothing like watching a great show from the comfort of home. Though there for a while we were wondering when they were going to begin. The kids had a great time running around and playing in the kiddie pool we got. Minus the one incident of Andrew swallowing too much water and puking over the side of the pool in to the grass. YUCK!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-01T13:43:00.002-05:00

Friday Funnies ~ The Green Lizzard

2009-06-26T10:51:00.002-05:00

The other day as I opened the door or the laundry room to go into the garage this pretty big green lizard ran into the laundry room and under the dryer. Well, Andrew just thought that was the greatest thing ever and told everybody, including me "mommy let this green lizard into the laundry room". I was just so sure that it would crawl under the door and be eaten by the dog or cats. Or worse, not be eaten, but be killed and I would have to clean up the mess. So for the next 24 hours Andrew would NOT shut up about the lizard. He even cried when I put him to bed because daddy was suppose to catch the lizard. I had told him that daddy better catch it when he got home. Andrew even tried to help by bringing daddy one of the nets from his Elefun game. Well, yesterday when Marc and I got back from lunch there was the lizard, in the middle of the laundry room. And wouldn't you know it, he ran back under the dryer. At least I knew he was still alive. So, later on I noticed Max sitting on the dryer looking intently at the boxes on the shelf. There he was, the green lizard. I then tried to catch him in a cup to rescue him from the cats. Man he was fast. So instead I decided to just move the whole box he was sitting on. It was this plastic box with handles on it. I was holding one of the handles and moving the box as slowly as possible, but when I took my other hand off the bottom to open the door the handle broke and box went crashing to the floor, practically crushing the poor lizard. As his life was lashing before his eyes, I am sure, he "let go" of his tail and ran into the garage. I was sure the little guy was dead, but he seemed ok. He did however get his revenge. After I got home from picking up Andrew I was walking back to the car to get my stuff when something ran over my foot, from behind. I saw our little green lizard glaring at me from under my car. I mean it was a total sneak attack. He came from nowhere and there is a lot of room in the garage and he just happened to run over my foot? I don't think so. ;)

Wordless Wednesday ~ Father's Day at the Driving Range

2009-06-24T11:02:00.002-05:00

Andrew Anecdotes

2009-06-18T18:23:00.003-05:00

Lately, to stall at bed time Andrew keeps asking for a hug then a kiss, then another, then another and so on. I started telling him "ok, no more hugs, no more kisses". Well, the last few times he gives me a hug and a kiss then tells me "ok, no more hugs, no more kisses". Then I kind of felt bad so now I tell him no more until he wakes up and he have as many hugs and kisses as he wants.

Not sure if I have posted already about how he has been pushing his limits lately? I have tried everything, rewards, punishments, ignoring him so on. The last time he got in trouble I was telling him that I don't want him to get in trouble, but he has to listen. This is what he told me: "but I don't want to listen. I want to do what I want.". Oh man, I am in for it.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Almost

2009-06-10T10:26:00.002-05:00

I got Andrew's hair buzzed yesterday. It just grows too darn fast. Anyway apparently he has a lot of blond highlight at his temples. Who knew?