Greg now has the girls raising their hands when we drive over rumble strips.
Julie thinks it is funny to call herself "Julie Boolie.". She does not, however, like to be called "Julie Patchouli.". On Monday, she wanted to call "Jojo."
Julie and Emma have started calling Becca "Becky." I don't particularly like the name, but it sounds really cute when her sisters say it.
The girls usually do great in the morning with the nanny, as long as they're awake. They just wave and say "Bye mommy daddy, have a super day!" I'm relieved that they're doing so well with the transition.
In addition to "sweethawt" (as in, "it goes right there, sweethawt"), the girls have also started calling each other "honey."
I had football on over the weekend. I kind of like watching it. Is that weird? Greg has no interest. But some part of having football on tv on the weekends makes it really feel like fall. Anyhow, Julie will cheer with the tv sometimes and say "yay!" Later, they lined up their red chairs in front of the tv and were turning the tv on and off (sigh) and saying "I wanna watch dinosaurs." I was never completely sure if "dinosaurs" meant football, or if they were talking about something else.
We went apple picking last weekend (more on that later) and decided to take the wagons. Becca kept calling them the "dragons" which I guess really makes a lot more literal sense than "wagon."
Emma's new favorite phrase is "Who dat doing dat?" whenever she hears a noise.
The girls' teddy bears have been sick lately, so they get to lay down on a blanket while the girls check their ears. Then they have to give their bears "drops" (an toy ear of corn, at the moment). Julie was holding her bear down and saying "Ouch? I saw-wy."
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A chilly Friday at the beach
We had a gorgeous week of summer like weather while we were at the beach, up until Friday when it turned gray and overcast. We took the girls on another 'venture, and after lunch with Greg's friends from college, we went to check out the fish. They were actually kind of freaky... they were so used to being fed by people that the fish would pile on top of each other and you could see their mouths and eyes up on the surface.
We found another playground.
And then we found the dune buggies. I wasn't sure if they were going to like them ... or if they were going to freak out and start screaming and trying to climb out as soon as it started. The carousel (earlier in the week) was really their first "ride," and even though they kept trying to take our hands off of them on the carousel, there was always an adult right next to them. But they loved it! They mostly wanted to honk the horns.
And, as if that weren't enough 'venture for one day, we took the girls for their first round of miniature golf after dinner. It was pretty funny. Every time someone hit a ball, the girls would go chase it and pick it up and bring it back to us. They would hit them from wherever they wanted to, and then they'd pick up the ball and set it right next to the hole and hit it in. I'll admit it was nice to have 3 little people so close to the ground and intent on picking up all of the balls.
It started going downhill after a few holes, when Emma started running back and forth between holes. When her golf club eventually became a vacuum cleaner. When the rocks became more interesting than the golf course. When we were following around 3 dirty diapers. But oh so funny.
We found another playground.
]
We found some 'mingoes.
We found another carousel.
And, as if that weren't enough 'venture for one day, we took the girls for their first round of miniature golf after dinner. It was pretty funny. Every time someone hit a ball, the girls would go chase it and pick it up and bring it back to us. They would hit them from wherever they wanted to, and then they'd pick up the ball and set it right next to the hole and hit it in. I'll admit it was nice to have 3 little people so close to the ground and intent on picking up all of the balls.
E, J, R
Daddy gets some pointers from the ladies.
Papa and Becca
It started going downhill after a few holes, when Emma started running back and forth between holes. When her golf club eventually became a vacuum cleaner. When the rocks became more interesting than the golf course. When we were following around 3 dirty diapers. But oh so funny.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
NICU Reunion
Last week, we went to the NICU reunion. As soon as we got there, we saw someone dressed up as a teddy bear (the NICU mascot), and the girls freaked out.
And it didn't help that, once we got inside, they saw someone dressed up as a tiger. And that freaked them out even more. (They had a tiger mascot come to visit daycare a few weeks ago, and that night at dinner, they told me that the tiger "scare me.")
Emma was so freaked out, she was shaking, and insisted on being held any time the tiger was around. Her head was constantly pivoting around, trying to keep an eye out for where the tiger was at all times.
There were a couple of activities around, and we got Becca to decorate a sugar cookie, but Julie and Emma refused to be put down. We got some food and tried to eat, but again, they were too scared. (The hats are safari hats that we got there.)
We did get to see one of our primary nurses (Debbie Jo) while we were there - she hadn't seen the girls since we left the NICU. We were yet again reminded how lucky we are to have three happy, healthy little girls with us. We didn't stay long. They wouldn't even leave Greg's side so I could take their pictures.
Julie and Becca snacked on some chicken fingers as we walked back to the car, but we had to stop on the way home for a real dinner.
And it didn't help that, once we got inside, they saw someone dressed up as a tiger. And that freaked them out even more. (They had a tiger mascot come to visit daycare a few weeks ago, and that night at dinner, they told me that the tiger "scare me.")
Emma was so freaked out, she was shaking, and insisted on being held any time the tiger was around. Her head was constantly pivoting around, trying to keep an eye out for where the tiger was at all times.
There were a couple of activities around, and we got Becca to decorate a sugar cookie, but Julie and Emma refused to be put down. We got some food and tried to eat, but again, they were too scared. (The hats are safari hats that we got there.)
We did get to see one of our primary nurses (Debbie Jo) while we were there - she hadn't seen the girls since we left the NICU. We were yet again reminded how lucky we are to have three happy, healthy little girls with us. We didn't stay long. They wouldn't even leave Greg's side so I could take their pictures.
We let Becca eat her icing-loaded cookie after dinner. It looks like she enjoyed it.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Notes from Potty Training Boot Camp
Becca, dare I say it, is pretty much potty trained at home. She's doing great.
Emma, just since we've been back from vacation, has taken an interest in the potty, and has been doing great lately.
They're both still using the little green IKEA potties, and have no desire to use the "white potty." I think that's the next real challenge, right? And then getting them to use public bathrooms?
Julie still has no desire. She gets excited and cheers for Emma and Becca when they use the potty, but the jelly beans are not at all motivating her. She could care less. She wants "pull 'em up" and says "I not need big girl undies." I think I need a new motivator.
Emma, just since we've been back from vacation, has taken an interest in the potty, and has been doing great lately.
They're both still using the little green IKEA potties, and have no desire to use the "white potty." I think that's the next real challenge, right? And then getting them to use public bathrooms?
Julie still has no desire. She gets excited and cheers for Emma and Becca when they use the potty, but the jelly beans are not at all motivating her. She could care less. She wants "pull 'em up" and says "I not need big girl undies." I think I need a new motivator.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Playground and Ice Cream
One night, for something different to do, my dad found a local playground that we took over for a little while.
Julie climbed a rope web with papa's help.
This one just makes me laugh. For a while, Becca was running around screaming at the top of her lungs like a crazy person. Seriously, I think she scared a couple of other kids that were there.
It amazes me what they do now, like taking this ladder thing on. Shaky at first, and then so confident it was scary.
It was pretty much dark when we left, so they aren't the greatest pictures, but I just love how they came out. Humor me.
After the girls talked grandma and papa into another "hawsie" (carousel) ride, we went for ice cream. I think I've shared before that my goal on vacation is to eat ice cream at least once a day. I think we got pretty close on this trip.
*One more* "hawsie" ride before we finally called it a night.
Julie climbed a rope web with papa's help.
This one just makes me laugh. For a while, Becca was running around screaming at the top of her lungs like a crazy person. Seriously, I think she scared a couple of other kids that were there.
It amazes me what they do now, like taking this ladder thing on. Shaky at first, and then so confident it was scary.
It was pretty much dark when we left, so they aren't the greatest pictures, but I just love how they came out. Humor me.
After the girls talked grandma and papa into another "hawsie" (carousel) ride, we went for ice cream. I think I've shared before that my goal on vacation is to eat ice cream at least once a day. I think we got pretty close on this trip.
*One more* "hawsie" ride before we finally called it a night.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Change
I don't like change. I love routine. I love the feeling of control I have from predictability. Sometimes I'm sure it holds me back. Sometimes I'd probably be happier if I didn't just order the same thing off the menu every time.
Especially where the girls are concerned, I've got a pretty big fear of the consequences of changing our routine.
And yet, a few months ago, we were presented with an opportunity -- the opportunity to spend more time with our kids and less time in the car. The opportunity to get into work earlier (well, on time) and leave earlier. The opportunity to give our kids more dedicated attention and closer supervision and monitoring.
The opportunity to have a nanny come to our house every day and take the girls out of the daycare they've been in since they were 4 months old.
The decision literally made me sick. Fear of change made me sick.
It took us a couple of weeks to decide. And now that we've made it through our first full week with the nanny, I feel so much
In hindsight, it really should have been an easy decision.
Especially where the girls are concerned, I've got a pretty big fear of the consequences of changing our routine.
And yet, a few months ago, we were presented with an opportunity -- the opportunity to spend more time with our kids and less time in the car. The opportunity to get into work earlier (well, on time) and leave earlier. The opportunity to give our kids more dedicated attention and closer supervision and monitoring.
The opportunity to have a nanny come to our house every day and take the girls out of the daycare they've been in since they were 4 months old.
The decision literally made me sick. Fear of change made me sick.
It took us a couple of weeks to decide. And now that we've made it through our first full week with the nanny, I feel so much
In hindsight, it really should have been an easy decision.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Ocean vs. Pool
Lots of people have asked if the girls liked the ocean or not. They liked playing in the sand. Becca liked collecting shells. And for a little while, they liked playing at the water's edge. But they didn't really like to go swimming in the ocean.
For swimming, they LOVED the pools. The hotel had 1-1.5' deep kids' pools. It was the perfect depth for the girls to feel like they were swimming in the water, but not be frightened by. They also loved being able to get in and out of the pool by themselves.
The kids' pools also had these mushroom/umbrella shaped things that water flowed over the top of. At first, the girls were terrified. Then wary.
And then they started easing in to them. And, by easing in, I mean testing them out with our heinies.
By the end of the week, they loved it.
They also became "ladies who lounge." Maybe I could learn something from them.
And yes, theoretically, all that fun could have just worn some of us out until we fell asleep at the pool.
For swimming, they LOVED the pools. The hotel had 1-1.5' deep kids' pools. It was the perfect depth for the girls to feel like they were swimming in the water, but not be frightened by. They also loved being able to get in and out of the pool by themselves.
The kids' pools also had these mushroom/umbrella shaped things that water flowed over the top of. At first, the girls were terrified. Then wary.
And then they started easing in to them. And, by easing in, I mean testing them out with our heinies.
By the end of the week, they loved it.
They also became "ladies who lounge." Maybe I could learn something from them.
And yes, theoretically, all that fun could have just worn some of us out until we fell asleep at the pool.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Pier
One morning on our vacation, we walked out to the fishing pier.
Out at the end, there's a covered area that the girls declared "the party house." We had our own pretend picnic out there, with all sorts of food delivered by the girls. Lots of cupcakes.
And of course we ran. In circles.
It was hot, but there was a nice breeze. I love this pic of Emma's hair.
Julie
Out at the end, there's a covered area that the girls declared "the party house." We had our own pretend picnic out there, with all sorts of food delivered by the girls. Lots of cupcakes.
And of course we ran. In circles.
It was hot, but there was a nice breeze. I love this pic of Emma's hair.
Julie
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Random notes from the week
Emma and Rebecca have learned how to blow their noses.
Julie was singing "The wheels on the bus go upside down" on the way home with Greg earlier in the week.
At dinner the other night, Emma was wiping her face with a napkin and said she had pizza on her "other face." I think she meant her other cheek.
Apparently they are learning to use the word "boy" at school, because on Wednesday at dinner, the girls kept saying "hi boy" to Greg. And then later, while Greg was changing Emma, she had a plastic bottle that she thrust at Greg and said "Open it, big boy." Oh man. How do you not laugh at that?
Apparently the rumble strips along the side of the highway are just hysterical - every time we run over one, the girls yell "Again, daddy, again!"
"Again" is one of those words I've learned that always requires further investigation. If I hear it, and the girls aren't in front of me, I know it's time to go find them. Uncontrollable giggling is also a sign they might need some adult supervision.
They've started having whispered conversations with their stuffed animals.
They shoo bugs away ("Don eat my food, bug!"). Emma has also started shooing people out the door with her hand the way I do. They'll all say, "c'mon mommy" or "c'mon daddy" and try to drag us out the door.
I managed to put a black crayon through the washing machine recently with a full load of the girls' clothes. The good news? It was a washable crayon. The bad news? It's only washable before you put it through the drier. We still ran it through the wash a bunch of times, and now everything is left with just some dull gray marks on it. At least they were summer clothes...
Julie was singing "The wheels on the bus go upside down" on the way home with Greg earlier in the week.
At dinner the other night, Emma was wiping her face with a napkin and said she had pizza on her "other face." I think she meant her other cheek.
Apparently they are learning to use the word "boy" at school, because on Wednesday at dinner, the girls kept saying "hi boy" to Greg. And then later, while Greg was changing Emma, she had a plastic bottle that she thrust at Greg and said "Open it, big boy." Oh man. How do you not laugh at that?
Apparently the rumble strips along the side of the highway are just hysterical - every time we run over one, the girls yell "Again, daddy, again!"
"Again" is one of those words I've learned that always requires further investigation. If I hear it, and the girls aren't in front of me, I know it's time to go find them. Uncontrollable giggling is also a sign they might need some adult supervision.
They've started having whispered conversations with their stuffed animals.
They shoo bugs away ("Don eat my food, bug!"). Emma has also started shooing people out the door with her hand the way I do. They'll all say, "c'mon mommy" or "c'mon daddy" and try to drag us out the door.
I managed to put a black crayon through the washing machine recently with a full load of the girls' clothes. The good news? It was a washable crayon. The bad news? It's only washable before you put it through the drier. We still ran it through the wash a bunch of times, and now everything is left with just some dull gray marks on it. At least they were summer clothes...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Friends
One of the best parts of our family vacation was that we also got to see some of our friends. Since we live so far from everyone, it's unfortunately been such a rare occurrence for us to get to see college friends. Actually, it's kind of depressing when we think about how often we actually get to see any of our friends. I'd like to think that we actually see the "in town" friends more often, but honestly, working full time and raising 3 kids has really put a dent in any sort of friendships.
I'm rambling now, but I guess that's one of the great things about college friends - it felt like we could just pick up our conversations from where we left off.
Courtney and Dan flew in from the west cost to spend some time with us before venturing on down the east coast. And of course I didn't get any pictures. But we had a fabulous dinner together and spent time doing some of that "quality talking" that you can't do with 3 kids running around. Courtney hadn't seen the girls since they were 4 months old, and yet Julie and Becca took to her like part of the family. (Emma doesn't trust anyone.) I've got happy memories of Courtney and Becca walking on the beach and picking up shells together. And slightly more chaotic but just as happy memories of our dinner on Sunday night with all 9 of us, and the girls playing musical laps.
And then, much to our surprise, through the miracle of the modern internet, we discovered that some friends of Greg's were also on vacation about half an hour away from us for the week also. We met up with them on Friday afternoon for lunch, and got to meet their three kids. The last time we saw them, Meghan was (very!) pregnant with their first child at our wedding, almost 6 years ago now. And yet, there we were on Friday, with 4 high chairs and six kids between us.
I'm rambling now, but I guess that's one of the great things about college friends - it felt like we could just pick up our conversations from where we left off.
Courtney and Dan flew in from the west cost to spend some time with us before venturing on down the east coast. And of course I didn't get any pictures. But we had a fabulous dinner together and spent time doing some of that "quality talking" that you can't do with 3 kids running around. Courtney hadn't seen the girls since they were 4 months old, and yet Julie and Becca took to her like part of the family. (Emma doesn't trust anyone.) I've got happy memories of Courtney and Becca walking on the beach and picking up shells together. And slightly more chaotic but just as happy memories of our dinner on Sunday night with all 9 of us, and the girls playing musical laps.
And then, much to our surprise, through the miracle of the modern internet, we discovered that some friends of Greg's were also on vacation about half an hour away from us for the week also. We met up with them on Friday afternoon for lunch, and got to meet their three kids. The last time we saw them, Meghan was (very!) pregnant with their first child at our wedding, almost 6 years ago now. And yet, there we were on Friday, with 4 high chairs and six kids between us.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
My Little Daredevil
Um, yeah.
So that's Rebecca. On a bungee jump ride. Loving it. I never would have thought.
She had her shoes off as soon as she saw it. She didn't quite get the whole bouncing off the trampoline thing. The guys working it pretty much just pulled and let her bounce up and down. And sometimes she just kind of hung there.
Julie and Emma both got their shoes off. Julie got all harnessed up before she freaked out. And Emma never got any further than taking her shoes off.
So that's Rebecca. On a bungee jump ride. Loving it. I never would have thought.
She had her shoes off as soon as she saw it. She didn't quite get the whole bouncing off the trampoline thing. The guys working it pretty much just pulled and let her bounce up and down. And sometimes she just kind of hung there.
Julie and Emma both got their shoes off. Julie got all harnessed up before she freaked out. And Emma never got any further than taking her shoes off.
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