Wednesday, March 31, 2010

March Nolanisms

  • One afternoon I told Nolan he had to take a quick snooze (nap). Later when he was talking to Daddy he said, "I had to take a snore today, Daddy". Brian said, "What did you take?" And he said, "You know. A snore...(insert snore noise)....when you lay down...a snore."
  • Nolan and I saw the Easter aisle at the store. As we passed it he said, "Mom, we can look at that stuff, but we aren't allowed to buy it, only the Easter Bunny can bring us that stuff."
  • We have a plastic horeshoe set. One afternoon he was looking around outside and I said, "What are you looking for?" He replied, "I'm looking for the green rainbow that you throw at the stick."
  • Nolan learned about our first and present president in school on Presidents day this year. Upon hearing the news talk about "Washington" he got very excited and said to me, "I know WashingTIM, he was our first president, the guy with white hair!"
  • I had Nolan wear his "Twin Brothers for Sale" t-shirt one more time recently (its getting too small). I explained what his shirt said and asked what he was selling them for...trucks, trains, money? He replied, " Thirty Eighty Ninety Twenty Dollars." I was laughing so hard as I grabbed a piece of paper so I wouldn't forget. Then Nolan got very concerned,"Wait!! Don't write that down! I want to keep my brofers! I like them, so don't let anyone see that." (Now I feel a little guilty sharing this, but I did explain to him why I write it down, that someday I want to remember this so I can tell him and promise him that he'll think its funny. I also reassured him he and his brothers were going nowhere)!
  • We were on our way to the YMCA and I hear grunting from Joseph. We were already cutting it close and I knew by having to change his diaper I would not be able to make it to the class. That's when I heard Nolan say, "Really, Joseph? With the pooping?" He literally took the words right out of my mouth!
  • While at the beach we were literally attacked by seagulls when we decided to eat lunch on the beach...to be specific, I was attacked. One dive bombed my head in attempt to get my sandwich. I was screeching and covering my head...Brian was smart and retrieved Tootsie from the house, who kept those seagulls in line. BUT...as we continued to lunch we watched as Nolan stood up, grabbed a full bottled water and marched (not walked), marched towards a lone seagull sitting a few feet away staring us down. He just kept marching at it until it flew off. We were calling after him, "Nolan, what are you doing?" He came back and said, "I was going to hit that seagull over his head so he would leave my mommy alone!!"
XOXO,

Monday, March 29, 2010

Basketball

We signed Nolan up for his first organized sport at the YMCA. He chose basketball (his other option was tae kwon do). He didn't know how to do much with the basketball when he started, but by the end, he could dribble REALLY well and even made a couple baskets during the games. We are so proud of him and it was so much fun. Even though we had to scramble about to make practises and early morning Saturday games, I know we'll all miss it!

Unfortunately, when I tried to take pics in the gym, they turned out really dark, but if I got close to take a picture Nolan stopped playing and would say cheese!

Go Red Team!
Nolan and Griffen were on the same team, so Coach had his hands full, but the boys had such a blast!
Coach and Nolan, with his trophey. After the last game Saturday we went to the park for lunch and trophies. Coach has a talent with these kids...and he's also the dad to a 4 year old boy and twin girls, so our families had lots in common!
XOXO,

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

9 Months!!

I should probably start writing the twins' one year letter to them now, finding time to sit down and write my thoughts and their progress is getting more challenging!

Dear Joseph & Daniel,
How is it possible that 9 months have come and gone that you have been a part of our family? Every day you spend with us, my heart somehow expands a little more and my love for you blooms daily. Every night when I lay you down, sad that I don't have more time to cuddle you and grateful for the moments I WAS able to cuddle you, I think, "I love you so much I could burst." The next day its a miracle I don't burst, because you make me love you more that day.


Joseph,
I say to you constantly, I have never known a baby like you. You are one of a kind. Hands down, you are my cuddler and I am so grateful to God for that. You are the one who almost seems to need me the most and our relationship is so different from your brothers that way. You want me to play with you non stop and spend lots of time screaming if someone can't hold you or play with you. Thankfully Nolan helps me a lot. You were the only one of the boys who seemed genuinly delighted and beside yourself to see me return from my girls weekend. Your face lit up, you smiled from ear to ear and you looked at me with an expression that's etched on my heart. You are determined to be on the go and your chubby little legs are constantly kicking and trying to walk, even when you're sitting. You have the strength and ability to cruise and have had it for some time, but just yesterday you finally trusted yourself to use the walking toy and let go of my hands. Before that, you wouldn't take a step unless my hands were on you. Now you are happily walking around giggling (with the push toy) and so proud of yourself, but not nearly as proud as I am! You are truly the most stubborn soul I have ever known, except for maybe myself. You know how to crawl, but don't like to because you'd rather walk. You are quick when you want to be, but prefer to wait until someone can help you walk. When we try to sit you down you lock your legs completely so we can't sit you down. When we "trick" you and do manage to sit you in front of a toy, you get so blazin' mad that you throw your whole body backwards. Heaven forbid there is a person, toy, dog or table behind you because landing on the carpet is painful enough and you get sooooo mad, but look at me or your Daddy as if we did it! Changing your diaper is truly a wrestling match. You have scared me on the changing table so often, I usually change you on the floor, or at least get you dressed there and the whole thing takes so much time and strength...you are strong, Joseph!!!
When you laugh, you sound like a little lamb. You like to feed me cheerios and crackers and delight when I actually eat them from your pudgy hand. You adore both your brothers and when we are at a party, I have a very difficult time getting you back, as you get passed around and make your way into everyone's arms, even people I don't see as "baby" people, you seem to charm! I love the nights when I can steal away and rock you as you fall asleep. My heart just bursts with love for you and with excitment for all that is to come. I love you Joseph, my Jo Jo Bear. Thank you for being my baby boy. Happy 9 months!

Daniel,
What a road we've traveled. My relationship with you is so different from Nolan and Joseph. I'm still in awe actually how a mother can love each of her children so much, so equally, but so totally differently. If someone told me that before you were born, Daniel, I don't remember it. Or perhaps I didn't understand it. But I do now. My love for you has grown and bloomed in tiny ways, in tiny moments in only a way that can happen through struggle, resulting in a love so big I don't know how to get a grasp on it. I remember how the first time you smiled, I cried. The first time you laughed, I cried (happy tears). Some days, now, when you laugh or smile, it still brings me to tears and nearly brings me to my knees with gratitude and joy. For a while there, I didn't know if you would ever be happy or be free of pain. You are so tough, and with all you've been through, you are the most determined little guy I know. Joseph often takes a toy right out of your hand and instead of getting mad, you just get another one. I'm sure that won't last, but it seems to be your personality, that you just make the best of things. When you fall, you cry, but not for long. You are army crawling now, rolling from one side of the room to the next, pulling yourself up and walking with our help. Both your brothers make you belly laugh easily and the sound of it is best thing in the world. You are not the world's biggest snuggler, much like Nolan wasn't, but you have been flirting with the idea that its fun to rest your head on my shoulder and snuggle in a bit when you're sleepy...if you're not sleepy, forget it, there are things to be done, toys to play with. You LOVE the bath and keep trying to stick your head under. Yep, scares me each time, but you are delighted and you splash so much that Nolan wonders why HE gets in trouble for splashing when you splash just as much but don't get in trouble. Your eyes are like the window to that old soul of yours and it is rare to meet someone who doesn't comment on how gorgeous those blue eyes are. They remind me so much of Nolan and so much of my dad, but at the same time seem unique to you, because you really do seem to be wiser than your years. My sweet Daniel, big D, I adore you and I love you. Happy 9 months baby cakes!!


Raising twins so far has been as challenging as everyone has said it would be. But its been much more rewarding and fun and hilarious and humbling. I have said it before, but I'll say it again. You both, along with your brother, are miracles. Your existence, your health, your personalities, the lessons you teach Daddy and I...miracles. We love you and can't wait to see what you have in store for us next. I love you sweet boys!! So so so much.


XOXO,

Monday, March 15, 2010

Watch Out World....

Daniel's pulling himself up (this was actually about 3 weeks ago, but I'm just finally getting around to posting it)!

XOXO,

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Major Select!

The boys and I are soooo proud of Brian. He has been chosen as a Major-select and sometime next spring/summer time frame will pin on Major! He works so hard and has such integrity and I am so glad my boys have him to look up to and watch and learn from. If he could get promoted in fatherhood/husbandry, he would, too! We love you, Brian, way to go and congrats!!!
They "Pinned" these on at work when he got the good news:

 I couldn't swing a babysitter for his pin on party, but the boys and I picked him up and we went to dinner with another family (another Major Select Bri works with) to celebrate:
 We're so proud of our daddy! He's the best...now pass the puffs please!

XOXO,

Monday, March 01, 2010

My Sweet Valentines


My boys...what more can I say except that I'm the luckiest woman in the whole world??



Joseph, Nolan, & Daniel:
Joseph kept grabbing/poking at Daniel, who thought it was funny:
 Both looking, one day we will get one of them both smiling:
 Nolan making his Valentines for Mom and Me party. We melted crayons into heart molds and then glued those to paper and wrote: "For Crayon out Loud, will you be my Valentine?" Nolan adored and had the BEST time making them until he got to his party and realized other kids were giving out candy and then he pouted. It was a 4 year old typical moment that totally annoyed me, but someday I'll find amusing....
XOXO,