Summer fun

Our big event this week was that Julian finally learned how to ride his bike without training wheels. We are so proud of him and more importantly he is so proud of himself. It's great to see your child accomplish something that they have been so afraid of. He actually asks to go out and practice riding every day. Each day he gets a little better and more confident in himself. Chris and I have learned that Julian does everything in his own time. All we can do is keep giving him the encouragement and validation that he is doing so good. This is something that is all him and doesn't have to share the lime light with the babies. We also had Julian's last baseball game of the season last Saturday. He did great and got better with each game. He all the mechanics right, we will just have to keep practicing so again his confidence will grow in his ability. Having played softball most of my childhood, I loved watching Julian play baseball. I loved that Chris was able to help coach is team and be part of that for Julian. Mommy was kept very busy during the game being the only one to watch the babies. Most of the time, they wanted to play on the playground or play a game with me trying to escape onto the field. Definitely kept me very, very busy.

We've also enjoyed some time outside. The babies love playing in the baby pool. They love being outside and it does help the day go by faster than being stuck inside.

The babies have also been doing good at going to the potty. So, I bought pull ups instead of diapers so they feel like big kids. They love them. I'm hoping that this will transition to no diapers by the end of the summer. I can't imagine after all the years we've bought diapers to be finally done. That will be a big stage. No more baby. Hopefully, I can handle that and be ok with no more baby stages.

Silly girl loves her hats. She has also learned the word "pink" since everything is pink for Lilly and blue for Alex.

memorial weekend

The week before Memorial Day was pretty busy for us. Chris had a meeting out of town all week, and julian had some activities. Mary and Tom were nice enough to come stay with us while Chris was out of town. They made it to our house in time for Julian's game Wednesday night. Julian again was so happy to have family come watch him play. He did great in his game. He again was 3 for 3 in hits, and was fielding great. He got to play 1st base (his favorite). He did get a line drive to the stomach but recovered fast and was such a trooper. It was great having the help while i had been flying solo.

May May and Lilly at Julian's baseball game.
Julian at his game

Alex playing outside in the baby pool. He loved letting Duke drink the water from the hose.


Pop Pop and Alex
The kids with their grandparents
The best attempt to get a picture of Alex and Lilly
At Toys R Us, this is an adventure in itself for my 3 kids.
We always love it also when aunt Anne comes and visits. She's so great to my kids and they love seeing her also.

I thought this was so cute. While Chris was out of town, both babies have to sleep with me because it's the only way I can figure how to lay with both of them until they fall asleep. Alex was holding Lilly's arm while they were sleeping. So cute!
This is one of the new presents from Dee Dee and PaPa. They bought Lilly and Alex their own "car" instead of taking Julian's. This of course is Lilly's, and she is taking Alex for a ride. So cute watching them.
DeeDee and Papa bought this one for Julian when he was 2. We sure have gotten our money out of this one.

Julian also lost another tooth when Chris was out of town. I actually had to help Julian get it out and this is not my thing. I was so upset Chris was gone for this. It's funny because being a nurse, I can handle so many things, but I hate pulling teeth. I did it though and got it over with and the tooth fairy paid Julian a nice visit.

Julian and Alex

Julian has had a hernia/hydrocele for a couple years now that we have been watching and putting off. We had the surgery scheduled once while we were in Canada and had to cancel when I went on bedrest with the twins. Life has been pretty crazy since then, but we finally have followed up with a pediatric urologist here yesterday. He could tell it has been there awhile and definitely suggested that we go ahead and get it scheduled soon. I'm waiting on the scheduler to call so we can get this started and hoping to wait until after he finishes school. Julian is a little older now and knows that this is something that needs to be fixed, so hopefully it won't be too tramatic on him. Chris and I really liked the surgeon, so we pray Julian will do fine and not be too painful.

We have also gone all week with Alex not sleeping in his bed. I had to resort to buying him a bed yesterday that we weren't prepared to do that yet. Chris has slept on the floor a couple nights on the air mattress next to him and really is ready for Alex to have a real mattress. We are trying to keep him in his room though so he won't be used to sleeping with us. We're still hoping to have one child that sleeps in his own room.

Visits and Big Changes

Last Friday, Dee Dee and PaPa came for a visit to see the kids and catch a baseball game of Julian's. He was so excited to have people come watch him play. He loves the validation that he is doing a good job and feels so special that they took the time to come down for that. I think it brought back many memories for my dad. I started playing softball very young, and my dad was always there coaching and it was a huge part of my life growing up and a wonderful bond between my dad and myself. Julian did great. He was 3 for 3 for hits and hit from the coach instead of using the stand.

I also want to brag a minute. I have had several people in the last week praise Julian. I've been told he's the sweetest kid they have ever known, to he has a heart of gold. Everyone that meets him will fall in love with him. There are days when parents question if they are doing a good job, and when you hear things like that, we must have done something right. God has blessed him with a loving heart, a bright mind, and a wonderful personality. He truly is one special little boy.

We have also hit another huge phase since we've had the twins. Alex is officially done with his crib, much to my sadness. We finally had a child that would go to bed with no problems, and enjoyed his bed. Now, he wants no part of it. We are still in transition figuring out how this is going to work. I've been looking into getting him his own big boy bed and my hope is that he will like it as much as his crib. Today, was my first day having to get the twins down for a nap. I usually have a routine that has worked really nice. Alex wants someone to lay down with him now, which I can't do since I have lilly running around. So, today we just pilled into my bed and they went to sleep. Who knows this is going to continue, it's a day to day thing right now.

We put an air mattress in Alex's room, and he slept their last night. Hoping he will like his own bed.
This is our new nap time, in my bed.

Mother's day and Julian's t-ball

We've had a great week this week that started off with Mother's day. Chris surprised me with sending me for a little spa morning. He had scheduled me a massage, facial and pedicure. So after hanging out with Chris and the kids, I headed off for a relaxing couple of hours. It was so nice and I had a quiet morning of pampering. Julian made me a wonderful book at school about things his mom does that he likes. It was so sweet and I love saving things like that to look back on one day. When I got home, we spent the day together around the house. We planted some flowers and played outside most of the day. the weather is starting to feel like spring here, and it's great to be able to enjoy being outside with my kids. They would love to play outside from sun up to sun down.

We hated not being able to be with both of our mothers that day but I guess it comes with the territory of living far away. If I had my choice we would live closer, (same city would be nice) but this is where we have to live right now for Chris's job. We are very lucky to have a great job for him, and guess we have to take the good with the bad. Living on our own has created us a strong family. We usually just have each other to depend on and it makes us closer. I wish I could call on one of our moms to help when chris travels or when we have sick kids, but we have learned to handle most things together. Maybe one day will will be able to live closer to family.

We also went to Julian's school this week for their annual music concert. Each grade performs 2-3 songs. It's really cute to go see the kids sing. This year was songs from movies. 1st grade sang a song from Mary poppins, and Sponge Bob Squarepants. This is a picture of the 3 first grades. it's a really blurry picture, and then my battery died.

Also this week, Julian started his games for t-ball. He is having a great time, and his skills are improving every day. Chris is helping to coach this year, but unfortunately, had to miss the first game for a meeting in Canada. He is back today for another game tonight. My mom and dad are also coming to the game tonight which will make Julian really happy. It's great when our family is able to make it to one of his sporting games. Again one of the downs from living far away. Usually he just has us to enjoy in his fun and excitement. I did my best to take pictures at the game last night. It was just me there to watch the twins as Julian played, so I did my best.

2 steps back

Feel like I'm a broken record with this, but we've had a stomach bug again. Hope this isn't TMI to anyone, but being a nurse, none of this phases me. It started about 3 weeks ago. Chris came home not feeling well and had some upset stomach for several days. Then Lilly threw up several days later. She felt better for a couple days then had 7 days of vomiting and diarrhea. I took her to the ER in SC while we were on vacation. Of course they gave me the standard line with a child that has N/V. I try to tell them that she isn't the typically child. She has a really hard time getting past these bugs and usually needs iv fluids to help her. We went home pretty much doing what we were already doing and drove back to PA that night. The next morning she had a ton of diarrhea and vomited. I took her to the pediatrician who almost admitted her that morning and decided to let us go home and do some stool cultures (tmi). I called him back that afternoon, with Lilly crying in pain, and still sick. She was very tired and not herself. He told us to go to the ER for fluids. We did and 3 hours in the waiting room, we finally were seen. The nurse and doctors were very nice. I go in with my spill of her past medical history and preemie status. They started fluids and gave zofran and 3 hours later she was like a new child. It's amazing to see how well she does with a little extra fluid. We did good for a week, Lilly was actually asking to eat. Then Julian got the tummy ach and diarrhea. He has been home for 2 days from school, and finally went back today. Thought everything was going to start to get better, and then Lilly woke up throwing up today. I feel like giving up. I don't know what to do with her. I don't know how it's possible to get sick so much. I called the ped back and he is at somewhat of a loss as well. He told me to call the GI and discuss some potential things that we can do or things that are wrong. So our saga will continue and i'll post later.