Going to one blog...

Head on over to www.octobertwinsplusone.blogspot.com This is where I'll be doing all our updates....of our family of five :)

What's new?

So much has been going on...

The girls are very ready to meet their brother. They went to a big sister class at the hospital and we were amazed at how well they put diapers on their baby dolls. They also practiced burping and holding and talked about ways they can help Mommy with the baby. It was so sweet. They made their brother birthday cards. We had friends over the other day who have a 2 month old, and they sat next to her and wiped her mouth with a bib and put her paci in and just oohed and ahhed over her. It was so sweet. I can't wait to see them act that way towards their brother.

School is going well for them. Teacher still says they spend most of the time together. She said she can tell they are getting ready for their brother because every day they choose the housekeeping center and play with the baby dolls.

They want to help with everything from laundry to dishes! I love this age. I taught four year olds in my life before children....and it is just my favorite. Can NOT believe they will be four in 2 weeks. I still call them my babies, and the other day Nelson said no, it's just one. I said no, I'm talking about the girls. Whatever, they'll always be my babies :). If you ask them they'll tell you that too ;).

Love

We were talking to the girls tonight about school. This year is still new to them so they are still glued to each other. It's important to me that they play with other friends, not sit next to each other all the time, and choose different centers to go to. This will help me to decide to keep them together or if we'll need to seperate down the road.

So, tonight we asked them who they played with, and again they said, "Sister". I told them they need to play with other friends and go to different centers sometimes. Mikayla said, "But, I love my sister so much". Then, Brianna said, "Yea, and we want to play husband and wife in housekeeping center". So cute. How can you not want them to be together?? I told them that's wonderful, and sometimes they can play in housekeeping together, but they also need to play with other kids and sometimes do different things. They just fill my heart with so much joy everyday :).

Money Tree?

We went this morning to have all 3 car seats checked. We moved the girls to the back row, and put Joshua's car seat in the middle row, and took out a captain's chair so that the girls could easily get to the back, and we could easily get them in and out. Well, the CSI (car seat inspector ;) ), looked at baby's car seat first. They have already become more high tech in the past 4 years. There was a knob to turn to make the seat level that we didn't have on the girls' Graco Snugfit's. Crazy. So, he adjusts baby's and it was all set. The girls' were more tricky, because they've been in them for 3 years now and so the straps had to be checked and everything else. He gets them all set, and they are all buckled in and we are about to leave when he calls the fire marshall over to double check...this is where I freak out (inside, no waterworks with everyone there)

Their convertible car seats are good until they are 40 lbs. The girls both weigh 33 lbs. They gain about 3 lbs. a year now...so I figured we wouldn't have to buy boosters until they were at least 4 1/2. Well, the fire marshall looks and she says, "You need new car seats, and they won't fit in boosters yet" WHAT?!?!? My girls apparantly are too tall for their seats. She told me there is a car seat that is a 5 pt. harness starting at 20 lbs, and turns into a booster when kid reaches 40 lbs. BUT, that's 300 dollars right there for both of them. We have had SO many expenses come up that we weren't expecting. It's freaking me out so much. Then, in 3 weeks we are going to have an astronomical hospital bill. Seriously, where is the money tree I so need to visit?? Ugh...

Open House

We went to the girls' school tonight for their Open House. The teachers put together these little school houses with the kids' picture, and some questions they asked with the kids' answers. One of the questions was: I love Mommy because.... (Brianna said "because she gives us baths", and Mikayla said, "because she hugs and kisses me") LOL.....Well, the REALLY funny one was what they said about Daddy. I love Daddy because....(Mikayla said, "becuase he makes me oatmeal", and Brianna said, "Because he goes to work") LOL ...How funny, Brianna knows how she gets toys and clothes is because Daddy works ;).

Grandparent's Day at school tomorrow. I'm going to send them in red, white and blue...can't believe 9/11 was 8 years ago. So sad.

So so sweet

Mikayla just hugged my belly, and said, "Joshua I want you to marry me". Then, she looked up at me and said, "Can I marry Joshua someday, mama?" I said, "Well, no, he's your brother, and you can't marry your brother. Just like Mommy couldn't marry Uncle Ricky or Uncle Joey. You have to find a boy you love that isn't in your family." Mikayla then said, "I want to find a boy that's just like Daddy".

AWE....SO Sweet.

I told her I thought that was a wonderful idea, and she said, "Mommy, when I find a boy like Daddy, can I have a baby like you?". Oh geez. So, I told her that first she needs a husband and then she can talk about kids ;).

No self esteem issues here...

I have always said that I want my girls to have high self esteem, and know how amazing they are. Well, don't know if we've gone overboard with complimenting them ;).

Awhile ago Mikayla said, "Mommy when Joshua's born he's going to say, Wow, Mikayla you're so beautiful". LOL

Then, when I was sick over the weekend Brianna said, "Mommy whenever you feel sad just think about the day I was born. That will make you feel better."

Then, today, Brianna said, "Mommy we are best friends". I said, "Yes we are :) ". Brianna said, "I'm just so wonderful". LOL.

They fill me with such joy :).

Ears are pierced!!

My ears were pierced when I was 6 months old, and my mom jokes if she had it her way my girls' ears would have been pierced as soon as they were born. Nelson and I wanted our girls to ask to get their ears pierced. Well, they have brought it up here and there when they admire Mommy's earrings. A week ago they were asking a couple times, and I told them we would have to talk to Daddy about it. I was excited at their enthusiasm for earrings, and the fact that you have to care for new earrings 3 times a day for 6-8 weeks seemed like now was the perfect time. I have 8 weeks before Joshua is born. So, I'll be cleaning 4 ears 3 times a day until my son arrives :). I was just amazed with them. They didn't cry, didn't even say ouch. They were so brave. Mikayla went first and sat on Daddy's lap, and then Brianna went and sat on my lap :).

They each got to choose their own earrings. Mikayla chose her birthstone which is a pink sparkly stone. Brianna chose yellow gold balls. These are both very fitting for my little girls. They also already got a new pair of earrings from a family friend. I am hoping to find little hello kitty and pooh bear earrings for their birthday :). Ok...enough rambling...here are the pictures of my BIG girls! :)

Mary had a little...Jesus?

So, Mikayla has been asking a lot of questions about Jesus' family. I have a friend who is the youth director at a church and she said this is the age where they are so curious about it all. Well, the other day Mikayla is singing the nursery rhyme Mary Had A Little Lamb...and instead of lamb she said Jesus, and then said, "and everywhere that Mary went Jesus was sure to follow". LOL. This has been her new favorite song to sing. They still are having a hard time understanding Joseph is married to Mary but God is Jesus' Father. I told them that Joseph was like a dad to Jesus though. I don't think they are at an age to go into different types of families. I don't want to talk about step-parents and all that because I don't think they are old enough to know they don't need to worry about their family breaking apart. Probably when they start school and see many different types of families we'll discuss it.

In other funny sayings, Brianna told me out of no where that she is my "miracle of life" and I am the "hero of her life". She cracks me up. I don't know where they get this stuff.

Holding grudges...

I got to go on a girls trip with two of my close girlfriends that I have grown up with. We went to Savannah, and had a nice relaxing trip. All three of us are pregnant, and this was our only chance to all be together before our babies arrive. It was awesome :).

Well, my girls were home, and my husband was wonderful as always with them. They really loved their time with Daddy, but really missed me.

When I got home they made me promise to never leave them again. Then, on Monday Brianna was super grumpy. She's usually my easy going kid, and not as dramatic as her sis...but Monday she wasn't acting like herself at all. She seemed angry with me. I asked her if she was upset that I went on a trip without her. She said, "yes", with no hesitation. I told her I wasn't going away any time soon, and that I love her...and she seemed better.

Nelson reminded me that when I went to Vegas when they were a week shy of turning one Brianna acted the same way when I got home. She's always been such a Mommy's girl.

Things were good today, and I had my happy-go-lucky girl back :).

Birthday

The girls' birthday party will be a month early because of their brother's arrival being so close to their b-day. So, I ordered their invites yesterday, and the proof came to my e-mail today. I love it! They have their favorite color on in the picture. The theme is Tink/Hello Kitty since they both have different things they like. The lady who made the invites was able to incorporate it and everything.

Well, I showed the girls...Brianna loved it, Mikayla did not. She says to me, "Why did you put that picture? I look silly." I told her she looked beautiful, and she said, "I don't like it" and stormed out. She is 3.5 going on 15!!! She is warming up to it now ;).

Here is the invite minus the party info since this is the world wide web and all ;)

Tuning 'em out...

I was watching Chelsea Handler last night, and she was interviewing Brooke Burke. Brooke was saying she can do things and talk on the phone because mom's can tune out the kids. This is so true. I am able to talk, make lunch, deal with issues, and it can be super loud but it doesn't bother me. Nelson can't handle this. He hasn't been able to tune them out yet :). Chelsea said that when she talks to her sister that it totally stresses her out when she hears her nephew freaking out in the background and her sister just goes about the conversation. I'm wondering if my friends without kids feel this way. If they wonder how I can be having a conversation with chaos all around me. I figure I either talk with the background chaos, or never talk...I'd much rather tune out then miss out on my conversations with my friends :).

Bedroom transition

Today we moved all the toys out of the playroom/soon-to-be baby's room. The girls were all excited when we started this morning. Then, when we finished, Mikayla had a melt down. She said she wanted her brother to sleep in the guest room (which is now their playroom/guest room). I told her that the baby would be lonely in the back of the house, and now his room will be right next to her room. She said, "Mommy, his room is next to the bathroom". LOL...there is a bathroom right in between their rooms, so she got me there. I expected Brianna to be the one upset not Mikayla...though, Mikayla does hate change like her mama. Hopefully she learns to love her new playroom soon :).

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July! Some friends came over, and we went swimming and had a bar-b-que. Then, we headed to Channelside for some great fireworks :). I absolutely love having kids and seeing the joy of holidays in their eyes.

Summertime

It is hot hot hot outside. We have been staying cool by going to the YMCA pool, free movies that are offered for kids over the summer, trips to the mall, and the spray park. My mom started today by taking the girls out for the morning. She is going to do this on Thursdays during the summer. It was a really nice break for me this morning.

The girls are good girls, but lately have been driving me crazy. WHINING is a constant in my house lately. I keep envisioning what their high school years will be like, AUGH! I feel like since I have all these pregnancy hormones going on my patience isn't as great as it usually is. They are loving being cuddled by me since I can't pick them up anymore. I hate that I can't carry them, but it was hurting me too much when I tried that I didn't want to hurt Joshua, so now I hold them when I'm sitting. That is nice that they love it when I hold them. They are so so good about not asking me to hold them. When Nelson's around they immediately run to him and ask him to pick them up :). Mikayla said when she grows up she's going to wish to go back to being little, because she never wants to be big ;).

On Father's Day, we let Nelson sleep in, and then went to Lenny's for breakfast...his favorite. Then, we headed to play mini golf for the girls' first golf experience...they loved it! Afterwards we went to my parent's for a barbecue. It was a really nice day...the girls and I are so grateful for Nelson.

Imagination Movers

For those of you not familiar with Imagination Movers, it's a show on Playhouse Disney that my girls are a big fan of. It's one of their favorite shows that I like too :). There are 4 guys who sing, play instruments, and solve problems using imagination. It was on the other morning, and Mikayla was sitting in my lap, and Brianna was right next to me. Mikayla says, "I really like Rich, he's my favorite". Brianna then said, "Dave is my favorite, he has a cool red hat" (Dave's hat is like Mary Poppin's...he can pull anything out of it). Mikayla then said, "Mommy, who's your favorite?" I told them that I liked Scott. Brianna then said, "Then, Smitty must be Daddy's favorite". Because surely we must all like someone different right? It was really cute. They are definitely little girls now...no more toddlers...it's so strange to me. The past 3 years have just flown by, and yet it feels like my girls have always been a part of my life.

My Fish!

The girls are in refresher swim lessons, through ISR, since they haven't been in the pool since last September. Last year when they took lessons they basically just learned survival skills. How to float, and roll over and get the wall of the pool. No actual swimming was really going on. It was fine with me, because my big worry was that we have a pool, and I wanted them to be safe. Well, now they are actually swimming! Their last week of refresher lessons is next week, and it's just AMAZING how far they've come. We went to the Y's pool with friends yesterday, and they both were swimming for dive sticks!!! They are amazing me. A month ago Mikayla HATED to be in the pool, and now I think she likes it more than Brianna! Crazy. The other newest thing, is that Mikayla is OBSESSED with Belle (the Disney princess). She's always been her favorite, and has liked her, but it's an all new level now. The past two weeks I've had to do her hair so it's touching her shoulder like Belle's...and the other day she noticed a picture of Belle where one side touched her shoulder and the other side didn't. Mikayla freaked out that her hair wasn't exactly like Belle's. So I had to pin back one side of her hair. She immediately lit up, and ran to the mirror and kept spinning around saying she looked just like Belle. Oh my gosh. This poor little boy has such girly sisters ;).

Never a dull day...

Monday we had our usual day of staying home and recovering from the busy weekend, and doing laundry and all that. Well, the girls were in the playroom, and I turned on A Baby Story, and there were twin 4 year old b/g twins and the mom was having a baby. I called the girls out to watch, and they were glued to the tv, and kept asking questions, it was really cute. I really think their age is the best age to be pregnant...they are SO excited. Anyway, later I'm folding laundry in my room and the girls were in the living room right next to my room and I hear furniture moving. I walk out and Brianna was laying on the ottoman with a doll (and a ted) under her shirt, and Mikayla was moving her bed to the room where the Dr. had to take the baby out ;). It was really funny.

Then, after nap time I heard the girls' door open on the monitor, and they always come to my room after nap...no girls. I thought they must have gone to the playroom, and as I went to go see Brianna came in. I asked her where her sister was, and she said she didn't know. Hmmm...we looked in the playroom, family room, no Mikayla. I go back to the guest room...and there she was with my purple scrapbooking marker. I looked at her and said, "What are you doing?!?!?" She said, "Mommy, I'm your little kitty." Oh geez.

So much going on!

The girls had a very big week.

They had their last week of school...their first year of pre-school! It was a bit emotional for me. Their teachers made beautiful portfolios of their year, and they ended the year with a class performance and family picnic. I'm excited about them starting back in August. I have really seen them excel this year.

Here are the girls on their last day of school

Mikayla and Brianna also had their dance recital this week. Which was one of the best things I've ever seen. They were so excited, and you could just see how proud they were of themselves. Neither one of them got stage fright, or was nervous...I felt so very proud of my girls.

Married...

So, on Tuesday I went into the girls' class to observe. The girls were in centers. Mikayla at art, and Brianna working on the small group activity. They can change centers whenever they want if there is room in other centers. I think only 5 kids per center, and they have to take their name with their symbol on it and velcro it to the center.

Anyway, Joseph, this boy who Brianna has been starry eyed for all year was in the housekeeping center. He had on a top hat and a suit jacket, and a little girl, Makenzie, had on a dress-up dress. Joseph asked Makenzie if she would marry him. Brianna heard this and left the small group activity to go over to housekeeping, and she put on a hat and a necklace, and said to Joseph, "No, ME!" LOL. Joseph, said ok, and they held hands and rocked back and forth like 3 year olds (and me ;) ) dance. It was SO funny. I felt bad though because the whole time Makenzie had her bottom lip out and was pouting. Brianna has since been telling everyone about how she married Joseph. She does go after what she wants ;). I so wish I had had a camera or video camera!!

Our vacation...

We left on April 26th and returned home Saturday, May 9th. So we were away with two weeks, and got home with so many great memories.

First stop, Pennsylvania. On the drive there I sat in the back with the girls during lunch while we were on the road, and Mikayla went to hand me her milk, but I wasn't paying attention and it spilt all over me. I freaked out, and Brianna very calmly says, "Mommy, sometimes things happen."...ah, yes, my 3 year old wise daughter telling me not to stress over the spilt milk! PA was great we had a lot of fun in Hershey and went to the Chocolate Factory, Children's Garden, and the Indian Echo Caverns.

Next stop, Jamestown, New York. We got to spend some time with Menash and Nichole and their girls. It was really great. The girls loved spending time with their friend! We went to a bouncy place, bowled, a princess breakfast, Madelyn's 3rd b-day party, and had lots of fun!

We then headed to Niagra Falls in Canada. It was so fabulous...BEAUTIFUL! We did all the touristy stuff, and I loved it. I got really sick...blah, and am still trying to get better. Blah. Other than that it was perfect!
Then, we headed home, and stopped at my cousin's for the night. I love seeing my girls play with their cousins...it's so sweet!
Such a great trip!

We're home!!!

We came home a day earlier than expected...I've been sick for the last half of our trip, and Nelson wanted to just drive all night home...so 4 am we arrived home. The trip was great, wish the girls and I had been feeling well, but overall it was a really great trip. We went from FL to Canada and back stopping along the way....I'll blog about the trip later...lots of fun times...and I need to upload pictures later. For now I'm thinking about my precious baby who is with Jesus now, and who was due today. I miss you sweet baby. Thank goodness I'm pregnant now, not that this baby takes the place of the baby we lost...I just can't imagine how I would have gotten through this day otherwise.

Blog now open...

I've been writing a blog about baby #3 due in October, and have kept it private. I just made it public though, and invite all of you to go and look :). www.octobertwinsplusone.blogspot.com

Easter

The girls had a blast on Easter. They woke up and ran for the door where they had left their baskets for the bunny. They were so excited about all the treasures the Easter Bunny left them! Then, they went outside and searched for eggs the bunny hid for them ;). It was so fun! We headed to church, and my dad and sister met us there. Then came home played with their new kite and bubbles, and then they took a great nap ;). After napping we headed to my parents house for Easter dinner.

Weekend Wedding

We went to a wedding this weekend, and the girls were the flowergirls. The bride, Rachel, was Nelson's close friend in high school. She did such an amazing job of making the girls feel so special. At the rehearsal dinner she got them these beautiful Lenox music boxes to put their jewelry in. They were even engraved with their first and middle names. They didn't want o put them down all weekend! Then, when we walked into the reception there were bags waiting for them full of things to keep them entertained during the reception: a tiara, lip gloss (Mikayla's favorite), Pooh books (Brianna's favorite), bubbles, coloring book, and crayons.

I was so nervous that they would both freeze, or one would freeze, but they were perfect! The ringbearer went first, and he started crying and sat in the middle of the aisle! So, I was super worried that the girls were watching him and it was going to spook them! They waited at the door and apfter a couple of us waving them forward they started walking (with smiles on their faces!). Half way through the walk down the aisle they started throwing the petals ;). They then went and stood with the wedding party the whole time! They were so so good! We really are so blessed to have such amazing daughters.

Here are some pictures...they were too sweet:

Sweet sweet girls

So I'm in my room, and Brianna puts on her mouse ears hat w/Minnie on it, that she got at Disney. She says, "Mommy, I have an idea. How about if we have a new baby we get a mickey one for a boy or a minnie one for a girl". I said, "Honey that's so sweet, we'll definitely get our new baby someday a mickey or minnie hat.". She looks down, and after a minute says, "Mommy, can we pray right now for a new baby". I said, "Yes, of course." So, we put our hands together and both said a prayer for a healthy baby. It was so very sweet. My girls have such amazing hearts. They really are such amazing kind girls.

Speaking of sweet things, this woman at my church who I've known since I was young had suffered 5 losses before she welcomed her son, Luke, into the world. I told her last week about our loss in October, and she is praying the Novena for me at church for the next 9 weeks for a healthy baby. She said she's gotten 11 women to have healthy babies after losses by doing this prayer, lol.

March of Dimes

The girls in the NICU 10/2005

We are marching for the 3rd year for March of Dimes. We are saving babies! The girls spent 10 days in the NICU, and it was a very hard time, but we felt so blessed that they had such great care.

Pleae help support us in our walk on April 25th

www.marchforbabies.com/mandb

The girls at the 2007 and 2008 March for Babies!

The little things...

I've been tagged to list my top 5 little things that make me happy...

1. Definitely not a little thing, but my girls always top the list. I smile everyday because of them. They are my joy, and really my daily dose of laughter.

2. shopping...really my therapy. It doesn't even matter what I'm shopping for...it just does make me happy ;).

3. Ice cream...seriously I could eat it every day. Love it!

4. The mornings my husband lets me sleep in. The only thing I miss since becoming a parent is sleep. I require it, I love it, and I never feel like I get enough of it. Luckily Nelson is great, and lets me sleep in some days during the week so I feel rested and ready to tackle a day with my kiddos.

5. taking pictures...my little hobby...my girls are usually my main focus. I love capturing their expressions, and knowing I have them to look back on.

Best family...

We had a wonderful weekend. Yesterday we went to the beach and Bubba Gump's in John's Pass. It was a beautiful day. The girls had a lot of fun. Brianna kept calling Bubba Gumps "bubble gum", and was so excited about trying bubble gum for the first time. We kept reiterating, no, bubba gump...and she was so disappointed...but got a lollipop after dinner, so all was good ;).

Today, we, well Nelson, totally redid the front of our house. All of our plants had died, and we decided we wanted red mulch, and to make it look better. I'm so impressed with all he did out there. It's almost finished, and it looks SO much better. I did tons of laundry, and am trying to get the house in order for our guests this week :). Anna and Shawn get here Wednesday, and Alison will be here Thurs.! I'm so excited to see them, and excited to see Evan Baptised on Saturday.

The girls were playing in their playroom today, and Brianna asked me to leave. She said, "you can go now, we're fine by ourselves." They are 3 going on 15!!! Way too big. So so funny. They were pretending Mikayla was the mom, and Brianna was her daughter, and Mikayla said naptime, which Brianna didn't like, so she said I'm going to get my real mom...and came and got me. LOL.

The Cost of Children

The Cost of Children

This was posted on a message board I read...

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down.

It translates into: * $8,896.66 a year, * $741.38 a month, * $171.08 a week. * A mere $24.24 a day! Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is; don't have children if you want to be 'rich.' Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140.00?
* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up.

You get to: * finger-paint, * carve pumpkins, * play hide-and-seek, * catch lightning bugs, * never stop believing in Santa Claus. You have an excuse to: * keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, * watch Saturday morning cartoons, * go to Disney movies, and * wish on stars. You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for: * retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, * taking the training wheels off a bike, * removing a splinter, * filling a wading pool, * coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the: * First step, * First word, * First bra, * First date, * First time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!! Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren!!!!!!! It's the best investment you'll ever make!!!!!!!!!

So much going on!

I haven't posted in a couple weeks because we've been super busy. Our cousins were in town which was so fun. The girls wanted to emulate everything their 8 and 10 year old cousins did, it was really cute. When I was young and my cousin, Sabrina, would come spend some time with my Grandparents I wanted to have my hair like hers, and dress like her....and now my children are doing that with her children...crazy. We just celebrated Nelson's b-day...he turned 27. It reminded me of his 19th b-day (the first day he flirted with me ;) ). Now here we are with our children and we're going to celebrate 6 years of marriage in June.

The girls are amazing. So fun, and full of joy. They are needing their own space more and more. I have to separate them lately a lot just because they get on each other's nerves over silly things. I think it's just the age. Usually they are sweet with each other though :).

So much going on...

Nelson and I had a wonderful romantic getaway a couple weeks ago...we went horseback riding on the beach, went on a ghost tour, shopped in a cute downtown area, and enjoyed some us time :)












We have been so busy, our cousins are in town and we got to spend time with them at Disney. Luckily they will be here next weekend for more fun! The girls start dance this week and I'm ecstatic!!!




I am praying we are blessed with a healthy babe soon, and since more people are reading this blog I'm going to not share that aspect of our lives on this bloggety-blog. I don't know how long it will take, or what will happen...just please keep us in your prayers. Speaking of babes, the girls met my friend's baby today. It was so sweet. I think when we do have another one the biggest issue will be that they help too much ;).



Did I mention I was offered a job?!?!? UGH! I was so flattered...(the director at the girls' school said a position is opening up for next school year, and she would love to have me)...perfect hours, 1/2 of tuition...BUT, if we are able to have a babe..........I am going to be honest and tell her we are trying to add to our family and it's not the right timing, but to think of me in the future (hopefully). I told her I'd think about when she brought it up....so now I'm going to have to talk to her tomorrow since I have to pay their Feb. tuition (HELLO...how is it already February?!?!?)
Hopefully the job's available in 3 or so years ;).

Wacky Day/Donuts with Dad Day :)

The girls had "Wacky hat and socks day" at school today. They also got to get to school early with their Daddy and enjoy some donuts. It was such a nice morning. I worked the book fair, and got to see the girls have some special time with their Daddy. They also all joined in prayer before starting school. It was so nice to see all the dad's and their kiddos out there. Here are some cute pictures...

25 things

25 random facts about me...

1. I have biked down a volcano in Maui.
2. I have gone swimming with dolphins.
3. I have gone horseback riding on the beach.
4. I have done the first 3 things with my husband who is my very best friend.
5. I love sweets, but am super picky about them...I will also not eat white chocolate.
6. I hate nuts, but I love snickers...weird, i know :)
7. I was alone when I found out I was having twins (Nelson was in a meeting) It was so overwhelming, exciting, scary, and shocking.
8. My girls were born at the same hospital where I was born...24 years later :)
9. I wish I took more time to catch up on my scrapbooking....I have thousands (literally) of pictures from the last year that need scrapbooked!
10. I freak out when I get my hair cut. I have cried before because I haven't liked it...I usually need a change so I chop it off, then regret it later...I needed a change in Nov., and now I'm growing it back out ;).
11. When we first bought a house I told Nelson we had to have pest control. I am terrified of roaches and rodents.
12. We have only been married 5 1/2 years and we've lived in an apt. and 3 houses. Yes, it's ridiculous, and I'm never moving again ;).
13. I was a teacher for 3 years, and I don't think I want to teach again, and the idea of having no clue about what I want to do freaks me out.
14. I love reading celebrity gossip ;)
15. I love Broadways...I've seen RENT, Les Mis, Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway in NY, and out of NY I've seen Wicked, RENT, I love you you're perfect, now change....ready to see more ;)
16. My girls are only three, and they've been to North Carolina, New York, Seattle, all over FL, (and St. John when they were in my belly :P)
17. I pray we can have another baby.
18. I had a miscarriage in October, and it turned out it was a partial molar pregnancy so I have had weekly blood draws from Nov.-end of Dec., and then now monthly to make sure there are no cancer cells due to the partial molar. Scary.
19. I have met Pres. Clinton and Hillary Clinton. They were so nice!
20. Some moms say they don't have time to shower...this has not and never will be me. I can't start my day without a shower.
21. My siblings mean the world to me, and I love watching them grow up and seeing the paths they choose for themselves.
22. I wish my best friends lived closer.
23. Shopping is my therapy :).
24. I am loyal, sensitive, and an over analyzer.
25. I am a reality tv junkie :)

Sweet words...

Friday I took the girls to a Mommy and Me that a local parent magazine puts on. The girls had a lot of fun as usual, and on the way home Brianna said...,"Mommy, I love being your friend". Is that not the sweetest thing ever?!?!? I just love them more than words can describe.

Friday night they spent the night at their best friend's. It's so funny when Nelson gets home from work I need a break, and complain about whining or whatever occured, and the moment they are away from me I miss them and feel like a piece of me (2 pieces) are missing. They had a great time...such big girls.

We had a nice day at Animal Kingdom yesterday. We left early and ate dinner by home...such a nice perk of having passes you don't have to rush through to see everything.

I have to mention...on Saturday I was driving home and Nelson called me and put Mikayla on the phone. My chatterbox and I were on the phone for almost 20 min. It was so awesome. Just another thing though to show me how big my babies are getting. Geez. I do love all the new things they do though :)

My Dad

My dad's going to be on Bay News 9 on Monday at 5:53 am, and every :53 after the hour until 5pm. He was nominated by someone in his office as an "Everyday Hero", and was picked! We are excited to see him, hope if you are reading this and in the Tampa Bay area you can check it out too!

Here's a picture of my dad reading to the girls 3/17/07....old picture, but a cute one!

Unbelievable

We got another bill today for bloodwork. We don't have maternity coverage. Nelson has his own business...so we have private insurance, and not group insurance. No private insurance comes with maternity, you can add it on...but by the time you negotiate with the hospital it makes more sense to not add on maternity (every insurance rep has told us this too). Well, if you have a baby it's not a huge deal money-wise. However, if you have nothing but pain to show for it's freaking unbelievable. We added up all the bills today, and it's cost us $8000 and no baby. Praying we can pay all this off soon, and have enough money to try again soon. I have been more down lately and I think it's because we're able to ttc soon, and I'm absolutely terrified of going through this again. My hope and want for a baby outweighs the fear, so I am ready to try again...I just pray pray pray it's a healthy baby next time....I also hope it happens soon. It's so emotionally draining on me.

My Nannie passed away 11 years ago today. I always think about her more when this day approaches...on a great note Evan got to go home today...YAY! My mom goes for a stress test on Friday and we'll see if she needs a stint or what the next step is then...

This is not an up-beat post at all...just feeling blah. It comes and goes. I am grateful for so much, and I try to remind myself of that everytime I feel this way.

Sleep over!

The girls had their best friends over for their first sleep over on Friday! It was so fun! They did art, made pizzas, danced, slept some ;), had pancakes, did a puppet show, went to the park and loved being together...

I had a rough morning. Went to a meeting at the girls' school, and one of the mom's told me she's pregnant and due in May. She had such a cute bump, and I felt so jealous and sad...that I should be sharing that month with her. Then, we get a flier about our school's biggest fundraiser, May 9th....my due date. BLAH. I'm excited about planning our trip to NY and Niagra Falls it'll be nice to be away during that time with friends having good memories.

Thank goodness for my girls...such joy.

EVAN!!

Sara, one of my best friends, college roomie, siamese sister as we've once been called...had her first child...Evan. He's so perfect. She was there when my girls were born, and there was no way I was missing Evan's arrival. Boy did it bring back memories. I don't want to put too many details of him on the web, but his journey is starting off like my girls' and no mom should have to go through that. I can't wait to see him again, and to hold him! Sara is the first from my core group of close friends to become a mom :). It's such a special feeling when someone who is close to you becomes a mommy. It's hard to explain. Like a bonding feeling, and a sense of joy for someone you've known so long to start a new chapter in their life.

In other resolution news...I've given up diet coke. I don't want the aspertame in my body...trying to have a healthy body to create a healthy baby ;). I never drank caffeine when pregnant...but it never hurts to stop bad things before becoming preggo. I told Nelson I think I'm obsessed with getting pregnant, and he told me that I'm not obsessed that it's beautiful how much I want another baby. I thought that was super sweet. That's why I love him, well one of the reasons ;).