Saturday, May 30, 2009

Tons of Trucks

Kevin and the boys in front of a helicopter

Anderson and Jake with huge grins aboard the school bus

Jake driving the firetruck


This morning we took the boys to a "Tons of Trucks" event at the nearby hospital. They had trucks, semi-trucks, garbage trucks, dump trucks, shovels, firetrucks, dirt diggers, large machine equipment, buses, helicopters, etc... The best part was they gave kids access to it all. You could get in the driver's seat and lay on the horn, push the pedals and pull on all the switches. The boys enjoyed seeing all the trucks but I think the constant horn blowing was a bit much for them. It was LOUD and non-stop.
Anderson and Jake love to watch the school bus go by everyday from the windows. Whenever we are driving they watch for school buses and get very excited when they finally spot one. You can imagine how excited they were today when they got to actually climb on board of one and sit "like the kids, like the kids". After the trucks we headed over to the baseball fields to watch cousin Grant play ball. When the snacks ran out, the boys started to get restless so home for nap we went.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

19 hours of Kevin's life

Just need to fill the bottom with sand and add some flowers to the flower box

Me and my bubs riding the glider together....we LOVE the glider!

19 hours of Kevin's life that he'll never get back. It's like a father's rite of passage. The boys love it and that is what we live for so what's a sore back, sun burn and 19 hours anyways. So says the lady that supervised.


Monday, May 25, 2009

My breakfast treat

The belly dancer at the wedding and a completely inappropriate yet funny guest who had been overserved.

Bob, Sean (the groom) and Kevin



Kev and I before we left for the wedding


It is becoming tradition that Daddy makes pancakes or waffles for breakfast every Saturday or Sunday. Today is Monday but since it is a holiday it felt like the weekend. As Kevin was whipping up some waffles, the boys and I were sitting at the table eating. Jakey mumbled something to me with a mouthful of food. I asked him to repeat himself because I couldn't understand him and he said "I love you much mama". What a treat! The best part was that it was completely random. He wasn't repeating or reciprocating in any way.

Our long weekend didn't really turn out how we had planned. Kevin had to work on Friday so the boys and I met up with the McBrides at Partridge Creek. Tina and I had our make up done at Bare Minerals, we wanted to try their products. After that we all did lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. Later in the day, Jared and Brian came over for a visit. They played with the boys and afterwards J, B and I went out for a couple of margaritas and a Mexican dinner. It was delish.

On Saturday Kevin and I finished the backyard de-landscaping project. My dad had tore out our bushes that were around the patio so that the boys could have more space to play and enter/exit the patio. He was going to replant them at his house. We replaced the shrubbery beds with grass and re mulched the backyard. We also spent some time perusing the outdoor playscapes and made the decision to purchase one....and pick it up in Grandpa Denny's truck about 10 minutes before the store closed.

Early Sunday morning, Grandpa Denny and Grandma Merris came by to help Kevin start the tedious process of building the playscape. There are literally hundreds of screws, bolts, washers and pieces of wood. None of which is labeled in any way. We knew this going in based on the on-line reviews, but it is still daunting nonetheless. They worked on the playscape for 7 hours. Later in the day we had a wedding to attend at the Detroit Yacht Club. The DYC was really beautiful, it had a lot of traditional charm. The wedding was interesting, Kevin's childhood friend married a girl who is originally from Egypt. They had an ethnic band, a belly dancer and the favors were glass beads from Turkey. They sorta look like an eye and are supposed to keep the "evil/evil eye" away and bring you luck. It was a very nice wedding and I'm happy to have experienced another culture.

Today Kevin and his Dad worked another 9 hours on the playscape. It is about 85-90% complete but the slide is still unfinished which at this point is the most important part to the boys. The boys and I watched Dad working hard most of the day. The boys liked to "help" by constantly picking up tools, wood, and wood chips and handing them to Dad or Grandpa. They got to spend a little bit of time in their "big castle" but the gaping hole where the slide goes was giving me anxiety so their time up there was short lived. Pictures coming soon!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Introducing the Crestwood

We purchased this playset for the boys today. We were originally going to purchase our neighbor's playset who is moving, but after a closer look it wasn't in very good shape and seemed unsafe. It needed A LOT of work. So after much research we decided on this set. I'm so excited to put it together for them...they are going to LOVE it!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

A Lovely Afternoon

Anderson James feeding the ducks



Jake contemplating taking a dip, his curiousity was really trying to get the best of him






Anderson enjoying his picnic dinner

Today we took the boys to the park for a picnic dinner. We picked up some sandwiches, laid down a blanket next to the river and enjoyed a quaint dinner together...just us and the ducks. Anderson was content to sit with his sandwich and take in everything around him. Jake preferred to get up close and personal with everything around him. Jake walked around with his sandwich in his hand and chased the ducks, touched the trees, and pressed his luck at the edge of the river.

After we ate, the boys fed the ducks some of their bread. The ducks at Rochester park are so well fed that they weren't the least bit interested in the bread...they were already full. The highlight of our outing was when the boys wanted us to hold them on the swings. They both cuddled up on our chests (facing us) and we swang for what seemed like forever. I had Jake with me and he sweetly nuzzled his face against my neck and rubbed the back of my arm with his hand. Sweet Anders kept telling Kevin and I that he loved us. My heart was overflowing, I will carry that memory in my heart forever.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Three years ago today....

From my former blog....

We are pregnant! This morning's test was almost as dark as the control line. Tomorrow is our beta and we are hoping for high numbers! It just doesn't seem real, I keep feeling like its a dream that I'm going to wake up from. I even pinched myself yesterday. I never ever thought this would happen. Despite the apprehension there is a joy nothing like I have felt before. There are no words to describe it.

I still can't describe the incredible excitement and relief that we felt on that day and during the wonderfully frightening weeks and months that followed. I spent most of my pregnancy walking on air. I.am.so.blessed.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Visits and treats

A rare and special "treat"

They ate every last bite


happy little bubbies

Anderson, Jordan, and Jake...new friends




Jenny, myself and Jennifer...old friends
This week we had a visit from my friend Jennifer. She has been a very good friend of mine since the 5th grade. We remained close over the years but after finishing medical school she and her husband moved to Maine. Unfortunately, because of the distance, we only see each other about once a year now. She has a three year old daughter, Jordan and a new baby girl Logan. They came by for a visit on Wednesday and our other long time friend, Jenny joined us as well.
The boys and Jordan had a great time chasing each other around and jumping on the bed. All three of them were sweating by the end of the night.



Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day 2009

Anderson and Mommy

Jake and Mommy

Jake in bed watching tv with Grant and Claire


Nanny (my mom), Claire, Anderson and Jake



Tina, Mom, me and Claire
Hard to believe this is my third Mother's Day. I had a great day! Kevin made us all a wonderful waffle breakfast and he cleaned up which to me is the best part. My mother's day gift is a day to the spa for a massage and pedicure. Can't wait for that! The rest of the morning we relaxed around the house, I had a little time to myself and after naps we headed over to the McBride's house.






Saturday, May 09, 2009

Slowing Down

I've been neglecting my blog. I'd like to think its because we've had some nice, warm days and I'm too busy making the most of them after being stuck in the house for so long but I'm not sure if that is the case. I think I have writer's block.... I know I have fallen victim to mom brain. I follow a lot of blogs written by MOMs (moms of multiples) and it makes me feel a bit inadequate. They are so witty, creative, intelligent and interesting.

I'll think of things to blog about throughout the day, but when I finally have the time to sit at the computer my mom brain has gotten the best of me. I can't produce any coherent thoughts without an insane amount of effort and concentration. The thoughts used to flow faster than I could type but now there are times I just sit and stare at the screen trying to remember who said or did what. It's crazy.

I was always one to carry a grudge, make a mountain out of molehill, and nitpick. Now.....forget it. I have difficulty remembering what I ate for breakfast yesterday let alone stew about something someone said or did for months or years on end. I guess that is one perk to mom brain. For the sake of this here blog I hope things start to improve. I feel like this is the beginning of the end.

**disclaimer*** (enter mom guilt here) please do not perceive my recent lack of bloggy love to mean I'm any less obsessed or crazy in love with my bubbies.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Professional Pictures
















Saturday, May 02, 2009

More pics from A Day with Thomas

Riding around in the toy cars

Grandma and Anderson

Grandpa or "uppa" as the boys call him


Mommy and Jake riding the bench on the carousel




Daddy and Anderson riding the zebra




A Day with Thomas

Anderson (L) and Jake (R)

Meeting Sir Topham Hat. Jake was a little less than thrilled




Anderson said this train was Murdoch




Sitting on the train waiting to ride

Today we spent a day with Thomas at the Greenfield Village. Grandma and Grandpa joined us and the boys had a GREAT time! They were so excited about taking a ride on Thomas. They loved his "peep peep" and yelling "all aboard" with everyone.

Sir Topham Hat was there taking pictures with everyone. Jake kept saying "no thank you, no thank you"...he's so sweet! He didn't enjoy his one on one time with Sir Topham Hat but Anderson did. The boys also colored Thomas pictures, played with Thomas stamps, and rode around in little toy cars.

We also got a chance to ride the carousel. Anderson wanted to ride the zebra and our usually fearless Jake decided he just wanted to sit on the bench with Momma rather than ride on an animal. Tonight at bedtime I told the boys to tell Mr. Bear and Monkey all about their day with Thomas before they went to sleep. Both of them drifted off as they told their little friends all about the fun they had today.

Friday, May 01, 2009

Well you don't hear of this too often

Our family is hiding a strange little secret. Well not really hiding it as I tell anyone who will listen and empathize since my husband refuses. The boys are oblivious but for that I am thankful. What is this strange little secret you ask? Kevin has become a raging lunatic during sleep. Sometimes its minor and funny. He's exchanging vulgarities whilst playing poker with his friends. He stands up and walks around the room looking for bugs. In the morning I fill him in on the funny things his says and we get a good laugh. Other times he's chatting with his Grandmother or telling the boys to settle down, giving them praise, or disciplining them. And then there are times like last night when he pulled his own shoulder out of its socket while trying to save me from only god knows what.

Yes, that is not a typo. Kevin dislocated his own shoulder. I was startled awake by him clawing at the bed just inches from my face. He was in total panic mode. I squeezed his arm and even lightly slapped him on the cheek to try and wake him out of it. He stood up mumbling and then he finally must have come to and realized he was in an immense amount of pain. He was able to pop his shoulder back into place but the pain was getting the best of him. We think he actually went into shock. He was shivering, pale, and could barely move from the pain. I begged him to go to the ER and like most men he refused. I gave him some Motrin and a heating pad. It took about an hour for the pain to slightly lessen...it was a long night.

This morning he went to the dr. and had some x-rays done. He is still in a considerable amount pain but it is better. This isn't the first time he has clawed at the bed in a panic. Almost every night for the first year of the boys' lives he would claw at the bed, throw back covers and frantically search for them. He would have recurring nightmares that they were in the bed with us and were covered by blankets and we couldn't get them out. This is the very reason the boys have NEVER slept in our bed. I fear for myself sometimes.

The mystery of all this is that Kevin is one of the most laid back, easy going people I know. He isn't the least bit aggressive, stressed, worried, or confrontational. I have a few theories....perhaps his heart/cholesterol meds are responsible. He does take them before bed. Maybe his lack of sleep is what is causing it. He stays up late and gets up early. He probably averages about 6 hours of sleep a night. That isn't humanly possible in my world. I HAVE to have at least 8 hours of sleep or I'm completely miserable. Finally could it be that he is internalizing everything that bothers him and it's manifesting itself in his subconscious. Whatever the case I can tell you it is no fun being woken from a deep sleep to the likes of that. I get an adrenaline rush which then makes it almost impossible for me to resume sleeping. I've been losing a night or two of sleep a week for the past several months from this debacle. Time for the hubby to pack his bags, get stickered up, and spend a night at the sleep clinic.