Circus, Circus!

Nick heard through the grapevine at work that Ringling Brothers and Bailey Circus was coming to Nashville!  Once we secured a babysitter for the babies, we jumped on what few tickets they had left for a Saturday matinee.  The kids were wide-eyed and mesmerized by all of the excitement!  Emmy loved the whole show, from start to finish.  So much so, that as we were leaving, she asked if she could stay for the next one.  Hannah loved the elephants, but didn't have quite the same stamina.  We had to push hard with snacks to get her to intermission, which helped to re-fill her tank a bit.  But, partway through the second half, she was begging us to leave.  We were able to rally, but made a pact that we wont attempt to take all of the children to the circus until the twins are at least three. :-P  It really was such a special outing with our big girls!  

California Get-A-Way

My dear husband gave me the most loving, thoughtful, generous Christmas gift that I could have ever dreamed of.  My gift was a childless long weekend at home with my parents and my sister.  There are not words to describe my appreciation.  I don't think Nick knew what to make of my show of gratitude (and that of my sister and my parents;) the joy derived from this trip was far-reaching.  Getting back to California is very difficult these days, and we hadn't spent any time together without children in the nearly two years since my dear Grandma's funeral.  I love my babies desperately, but I don't think that I've had a coherent, complete conversation in just as long.  We practically skipped everywhere we went and CHERISHED the quality time.  The only two goals of the weekend were rest and family time.  We did our very best to meet both (as much as one can do while still pumping 7 times a day.)

After a zen travel day, spent intermittently napping and devouring a new book, Mom, Kris and I all converged on the curb at SFO on Friday afternoon; arriving within minutes of one another!  The timing was perfect!  It was just foreshadowing all that was to come!

We raced home to Dad, who was waiting for us with an open bottle of vino as we decided on our dinner plans!  We decided to go to Mom and my favorite jaunt from my single days, Chinese Paradise (which was an even greater treat because Nick doesn't prefer chinese food and we don't eat it much!)  By the time we returned home, our beds were calling us...I can't even describe how incredible it was to sleep through the night without interruption.  HEAVEN!!

Saturday started with us girls chatting over tea in the kitchen (and pumping...) for hours.  When we finally decided that we needed to get out (since we could!) We headed over to Blackhawk Plaza where we found a walk-in salon for Kris and I to get hair cut and blown out (gosh that sounds so FANCY!)  My poor, neglected hair!  I felt like a shampoo model in a commercial when we finally emerged!  What a pick-me-up that was!  We wandered around the Plaza, grabbing a bite to eat and milling in and out of the swanky stores without a care in the world!  For dinner that night, Dad took us to an amazing Italian restaurant, Il Fornaio, in Walnut Creek...He thought of everything (including to reserve a seat for my pump, an offer I politely declined. :-P)  We sipped Prosecco and feasted on the most incredible food.  Not having to cook or clean up afterward confirmed it's standing as the most spectacular meal I've had in recent memory!

The next morning, we rose early to head over to my Grandpa's house for breakfast.  I feel so sad saying that I couldn't remember the last time I'd been there.  It's been years. :(  But as I walked through the front door, it felt as though no time had passed at all.  What a gift to spend the morning hearing Grandpa's fantastic stories and taking a very special walk down memory lane.  I'm not going to lie, it was hard to leave.

We then paid a visit to another Team Horn!!  Ben and Eliana, so graciously invited us over to their new home and spoiled us rotten as soon as we stepped inside.  They are expecting a precious baby girl any day now, and while I would give anything to be there to celebrate when she arrives, I was beyond grateful to be so close to her when I could!  We are out of our mind excited for Ben and Eliana and our expanding family!  I was thrilled to be able to see Grant, as well as meet his love, Camilla.  I told Nick later that it felt so incredible to be seated around the table sharing a delicious meal and laughing together.  Just like home.  If only my Nick could have been there...

When we finally pulled ourselves away, we ran home to regroup before we went to visit with our beloved Landgrafs.  We absolutely crashed their sweet boys' bedtime, but I am secretly so grateful that we could see them...How they have grown since our last visit!  If only my girls could have been there, too.  I crave the day that our kids can play together while us grown-ups sit back and catch-up.  Kris and I way over-stayed our welcome, and didn't actually leave until almost 1 in the morning, and we still barely scratched the surface...It was such a gift.

Luckily, we didn't have an early morning flight the next day!  We took our time packing up before heading to the airport.  I hated to leave (HATED IT!) but it was time to get back to my babies.  Lucky for all of us, they barely noticed that I was gone, as Nick and his parents had been devoted to loving on them for the weekend!  Everybody won!!

We used to play on this rock all the time in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.  

Grandpa and his ladies. :)

This photo is precious to me...

...and so is this one.

Grandpa sharing his "binder" with us...He keeps all of his most treasured photos and notes inside.

Grandma kissing Jamie. :)

All of us grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa.  We'd have huge Christmas Eve celebrations every year.  I miss them.

I'd never seen this photo of Grandma and Grandpa, Mom, Auntie Jackie, Auntie Joanie and Uncle Michael before.  I wish I could know what they are laughing about...They all look so happy.  Makes me smile just looking at it. :)

My handsome grandfather back in his Navy days. :)

Mom, Kris and I have joked about how I need a painting like this in my house...:-P Only with another baby and a couple of needy dogs.

We used to have fantastic dance parties at our family gatherings.  Someone would turn on the radio and it'd get rowdy.  We are a bunch of a Italians, after all. :)

My fortune at Chinese Paradise...I sent this to Nick, who was deeply immersed in our lively family at the time. :-P

Grant, Ben, Eliana (and Baby Girl!) Me, Kris and Mom!

Camilla, Grant, Ben, Eliana, Yours Truly and a space to photo shop Nick in!

We Help Each Other, Part 2

Tonight, Nick was working late so I was flying solo for dinner, bath and bedtime.  Over the last several months, I have been trying to come up with the best way to streamline this routine by myself.  With MUCH trial-and-error, I have made strides, but it's still an exhausting, grueling process, that is emotionally-charged with over-tired children and, who are we kidding, mama, too.  I decided that tonight, I'd try bathing the babies while the girls' were finishing their show and their dinner was cooling.  The poor babies would go down for the night an hour earlier than they do, if I could manage it, but dinner prep and pumping fill the hour before dinner, so my hands are tied.  Anything to get them down earlier...As I was wrapping up bath time, round two with Juju, I could hear the show ending (19 minutes goes fast!)  I ran downstairs to find the girls sitting together at the dinner table eating their now-cool meal.  They had moved their dinner plates from the counter to their place settings (well, Emmy's, Hannah seated herself in my chair) and were eating their dinner quietly.  I felt as though the wind had been knocked out of me...Tears, once again, stung my eyes as I witnessed my "bigs," who, to me, are still so little, pitch in to carry some of the load.  My heart may well burst from love and gratitude.

Before they saw me.

They both exuded a special new confidence.   Feeling very grown up. ;)

We Take Care of Each Other

Last week, I was overwhelmed with the chaos around me.  "Quiet time" had just ended abruptly while I was plugged into the wall pumping and everyone needed something all at once.  I went to a happy place to block out the noise so that I could buy an extra few minutes to have enough milk to satisfy the babies before I took off running upstairs to start retrieving children one at a time.  I dumped a now diapered and clothed Hannah and her 15 baboos on the couch and thrust a bottle of milk in her hands (she's like a caffeine addict who can't start their day without a cup of coffee, only with milk, and it happens in the morning and after naptime.)  Attempted to soothe a whiny Emmy, plunked a screaming James in his jumperoo and went after my Juju. Finally, after grabbing the fresh milk bottles, I sank into the couch to start feeding Juju.  It took me a second to realize that the house now felt calm.  I looked over to see Hannah sitting before James in his jumperoo, and they were just looking at each other contentedly.  Under his chin rolls was a balled up burp cloth.  He's known for having eyes bigger than his stomach and spits up with great regularity.  I called to Emmy, who was now immersed in her legos, asking her if she'd wiped Jamesy Boy up, with the intent of thanking her for her help.  To which she said, "No, Mama, that was Hannah."

Even typing those words just now, tears well up in my eyes.  My baby taking care of her baby brother.  My Emmy has such a nurturing heart, and is constantly helping me care for her siblings, whether it be running to get things for me, offering a bottle to the babies when they are crying before I can get there, or sitting with them, making them laugh, when they wake up and I am busy tending to something else.  Now my Hannah, saw an opportunity to help her little brother who couldn't help himself, and stepped in without being asked to do so.  One of the greatest prayers I have for our children is that they have a servant's heart, and it's moments such as these where I am overcome with gratitude knowing that God is molding our babies to do His work.

Luckily for me, my camera was within arm's reach.  I want to remember this moment...

4 months & 2 years!

With Emmy's recent birthday, I couldn't help but reflect on how drastically life has changed over the last 4 years.  I am absolutely in awe of all four of our precious blessings, and feel so honored that God made me their mama.  I'm not going to lie, though, this time has been hard.  Really, really hard.  It's crazy how you can feel so overwhelmed while also savoring the moment.  I know there is going to be a time when I miss the crazy, and I try really hard to focus on that.  With practice, I have become pretty efficient at completing those tasks of the highest priority (pumping, meal prep, dishes, bathtime, etc.)  I run through my day (and night) as if I am completing a complicated obstacle course, and I am as clumsy as they come...Every task requires forethought, and each step I have learned the hard way, which has just burned it into my memory for the next time.  I used to laugh that God was going to reveal what I'm made of, and now I consider myself to be living proof that He provides.  He ALWAYS provides exactly what is needed, whether it be patience, an extra big pumping, or a solution to a problem.  How did I ever live without Him?

I am overjoyed to say that all of our babies are absolutely thriving, as per our patient pediatrician!  Last week was our joint 4 month and 2 year well check-ups for Hannah, James and Julia!  I very well might've shaved years off my life pulling a stunt like that all by myself, between keeping everyone reasonably content and cooperative and out of the garbage and three sets of immunizations, I was spent by 11 o'clock in the morning.

James and Julia's little personalities are emerging!  They are HAPPY little ones, sharing giggles, squawks and smiles liberally.  They love to be cuddled and sang to, and James has some serious tickle spots on his jaw line.  Julia is always quick to return a smile when smiled at.  They have become very grabby and hold on for dear life to whatever might be in their reach-hair, toys, eachother's hands.  It's almost like they give hugs when they're being held, they are known to wrap their sweet arms around my neck.  They are trying hard to "help" hold their bottles at feeding times.

They are good at holding their heads up now; Jamesy has a little more stamina than Julia, but they are both doing a fantastic job.  I am pretty embarrassed to admit that they have both developed some flat spots on the back of their heads from laying down.  It's kind of a one-two punch, given that all I want to do is hold and cuddle our babies, but  I can't and keep the rest of our family and home afloat.  They are so happy and content and such wonderful sleepers that I have let them lay down more than I ever did with the girls.  The good news, is that it's purely cosmetic and that their little heads can round out on their own in the next couple of months with plenty of time upright and rotating how they sleep.  So, along with safety and nourishment, my top priority is keeping the babies upright (in their jumperoos, bumbo seats, propping them up on the couch or bed, wearing them, etc.) whenever they are awake.  It might be optimistic thinking, but I think I've already noticed a difference...Praying that we can avoid the helmets, but very grateful that we have options if it comes down to that.

The twins are eating well, typically six feedings a day.  The first one being their largest with about six ounces and the others with four to five ounces.  I am doing my very best to keep up with their milk demands, but a pumping injury and a growth spurt have tested me big time.  I am grateful for our robust freezer stash to make up the difference until I can get my supply up to snuff.  Pumping has become a very time-consuming task, and I would give anything to be able to nurse the babies (both for the convenience factor and the precious cuddle time,) but in the handful of times I've tried recently, it's evident that we have a long way to go (Jules was far more focused than James) and I just don't have the time in my day to commit to it while also keeping up with the other kids.  So for now, I will carry on with the pumping since I am totally committed to providing their milk.  I am more stubborn than a pit bull when it comes to certain things.

Their sleep routine is just beginning to take shape.  They began sleeping through the night on December 13th (which was SO APPRECIATED through the holidays so that I could get stuff done after hours!)  They went down around 9 and would get up around 7!  AMAZING!  We transitioned them to their separate cribs in the nursery on December 31st.  We've had a little bit of a sleep set back just after New Years, with their 4 month growth spurt.  That's when I dipped into the freezer stash, and since they've been enjoying some heartier meals, James is back to sleeping all night and Jules is down to one meal a night, usually in the 4 o'clock hour (after going down at 8PM.)  They are beginning to fall into the 1-2-3 hour nap pattern (awake for one hour, nap, awake for two hours, nap, and then awake for three hours and down for the night.)  They sleep exceptionally well in their caseats on school days when I have a bunch of errands to run.  It is such a blessing to be able to have that whole time out tackling my to-do list so that I can avoid taking all four kids to the store.

JULIA

11 pounds 4.5 ounces (1%ile-no longer on the preemie chart!)

23.5 inches tall (7%ile also off the preemie chart!)

I'll have to go back and find the measurement for her head circumference...

JAMES

15 pounds 5.5 ounces (38%ile)

24.75 inches tall (21%ile)

41.2cm head circumference (24%ile)

Getting coiffed by Sis.

HANNAH

26.2 pounds (44%ile)

35 inches tall (88%ile)

As for our dear Hannah, she is turning into a little lady right before our eyes.  Her vocabulary has exploded in the last two weeks and she has been communicating to us in sentences!  "Hannah like trains" or "Where Emmy go?" she is finally a contributor to the incessant dialogue throughout our day.  Every time I turn around she is trying out a new word, it's hard to recall them all!  One of my favorite phrases is "O'tay, Mommy."  Music to my ears!!  Nick and I get a kick out of her pronunciation of her favorite snack, Pirates Booty; it sounds like "hairy poopy."  I mourn the day she says it properly.

Speaking of snacks, it's Hannah's favorite mealtime of the day (next to breakfast.)  If given the choice, she would exist only on pancakes, pirates booty, bananas, Campbells' chicken noodle soup, almond milk, ice cream, cheese (which she eats sparingly because of adverse GI effects,) apple sauce, chocolate, cheerios, hummus (better known as "hummy"), peanut butter, bean and cheese quesadillas and condiments such as jam and ketchup. 

When it comes to sleep, she rocks my world.  Hannah usually wakes up around 7 or 730 (sometimes 8 if we had a particularly long day before) and goes down for a 2.5-3 hour nap at 1230 or 1.  She then goes back down for sleep at 730(ish).  

Hannah is increasingly interested in the potty, I have made this assumption based on the fact that she likes to take her diaper off as soon as it's soiled.  We've had more than a few wake-ups at naptime because a Sissy, clad only in her birthday suit, has relieved herself in her crib.  She is no longer interested in her behemoth sleep sack, but she will agree to footie jammies, which seem to make the difference.  By the grace of God, she is still in her crib, but Nick and I are bracing ourselves for the day that she attempts to climb out.  We are fearful that it might be soon. For now, we cherish the fact that she is one of our offspring that sleeps consistently at naptime and at night!

She is still obsessed with her baboos, and her collection has exploded!  She likes to take care of them, feed them and push them around in the stroller.  She has become an avid "reader" and very carefully inspects every page of the books we read.  She likes to bring books into her crib at naptime to "read" before she goes to sleep.  She has a new fascination with trains, particularly Thomas the train, of whom she calls "Tommy."  Caillou has a rival in our house.  She loves duplo legos and packing things in bags and carrying them around.  She also LOVES her toothbrush...It looks like an over-sized crayola crayon and it buzzes while she brushes her teeth.  She makes multiple trips a day to the kids' bathroom to retrieve her toothbrush and toothpaste.  She is also very much into animals and the noises they make.  She tells me that "ephaphants" (elephants) are her favorite, but I believe that puppy dogs are a close second.  

To Hannah, Emmy walks on water, until she doesn't.  They adore one another but know exactly what buttons to press to get a rise out of the other one.  I am going to have to brush up on my refereeing because I suspect my job is going to involve a lot of that once the twins enter the play scene.  Hannah doesn't take nonsense from anyone and is very quick to dig her heels in.  But she's also quick to say she's sorry, which makes me feel as though we must be doing something right.  Hannah is very self confident, innovative, independent-thinking, pretty dramatic, and yet warm, loving and cuddly, especially when she's in her comfort zone.  Her favorite song to dance to is "Roar" by Katy Perry and her favorite song to sing (with hand motions) is "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and without hand motions is "Frosty the Snowman" (Frosy Nowman in Hannah speak.)  

Love them!

Hannah is 2!

Hannah's birthday celebration was so special for so many reasons!  She has become such a big girl, and we've been noticing especially in the last few weeks an explosion of words and a fantastic ability to follow directions!  She's becoming a kid!  She really had no idea what a birthday is all about, but Emmy sure does and was eager to make the day extra special in so many sweet and hilarious ways!  Our Emmy had been counting down to Hannah's birthday for days...On Friday, we went to Target and Emmy picked out two small gifts for Sissy and promptly wrapped them as soon as Sissy was tucked away in her crib for quiet time that day.  She spent the next couple of days carting her gifts around to various hiding spots so that an completely unsuspecting Sissy wouldn't find them.  She spent Saturday morning (before Sissy woke up) making her not one, but FIVE birthday cards!  She planned her outfit (a green dress with white polka dots and a purple beaded necklace) and laid it out the night before.  She was so overcome with anticipation for Hannah's special day that she woke up three times the night before (that NEVER happens!) a bright eyed Emmy came running downstairs at 630 on the big day with her gifts.  Of which she place on Hannah's trampoline, just as she'd planned to do the night before.  It was TORTURE for Emmy to wait the extra hour for Sissy to wake up (who actually woke up because Emmy opened her bedroom door to check and see if her eyes were open...)  Emmy led the charge with gift opening, just as soon as Sissy came down stairs.  We had a big breakfast full of all Hannah's favorites..."hot dogs," swedish pancakes, eggs and mandarin orange slices, along with a celebratory bottle of Martinelli's sparkling apple cider.  Sissy was so excited to "cheers" all of us with her fancy drink over and over again. :)  We went to church, and when we picked the girls up from their respective areas, Emmy, very seriously, dropped to her knees, pulled off her fleece, unzipped her backpack to retrieved her "Happy Birthday" crown and blower party favor.  She placed the crown on her head (still very seriously,) put the blower in her mouth, took my hand and help walking.  I couldn't stop laughing over how devoted she was to celebrating Sissy's big day. :)  Warmed the cockles of my heart.

After an abbreviated quiet time, we loaded the troops up in the car and headed down to Nashville for a surprise birthday adventure!  We made it to the Build-A-Bear factory with 30 minutes until closing!  Luckily, that's all the time we needed.  We took our time exiting the Opry Mills mall before we stumbled upon their Merry-Go-Round, which both Emmy and Sissy were begging to ride...In the spirit of Hannah's "yes" day (opting for responding favorably to most of her requests-within reason,)  Daddy took both girls for a whirl.  They loved it, especially Hannah, who continually asked for another go around throughout our very high-brow meal at Burger King in the food court.  We rushed home afterward so that we could sing "Happy Birthday" enjoy Sissy's hand-selected cupcakes!

Hannah's awake!!  The moment we've all been waiting for!  Especially Emmy!

Opening presents as soon as we got downstairs.

A fancy new birthday outfit and cozy "ephaphant" baboo from Mimi and Papa!

One of Emmy's gifts, that was, thankfully, a big surprise for Hannah; largely due to her gift-hiding strategy, I'm sure.

A sweet sheep baboo that says a goodnight prayer from Grammy and Poppy.

An Army baboo that even has our last name on the jacket from Grammy and Poppy!

Train duplos to feed Hannah's train obsession!

Breakfast time!  Hannah's favorite meal of the day!

Lunch time treat...juice in a train sippy, what could be better?!

Hannah making her selection at the Build-A-Bear factory, she hardly knew what to do with herself!  Emmy, on the other hand, had her pink princess bear and outfit (including shoes) picked out within the first 5 minutes of being there.

So many to choose from!

Hannah really actually preferred the display puppy dog...But, reluctantly went along with the process...

...Until she wanted nothing to do wit her new puppy dog...

Emmy waiting patiently for her pink princess bear.

Hannah can't shake the display baboo...

She can tell which one is the display even after Nick attempted to masterfully "switch" it.  They were identical, but she has a sixth sense about baboos.

Bathtime!

A little personal grooming.

If only I'd clicked over to the video camera quickly enough, Hannah was doing a little boot-scoot-and-boogie with the cowboy hat.

She desperately wanted a "car" bed for her puppy dog to sleep in.  She staged a protest in the middle of the aisle. We negotiated a little backpack for her to carry her baboo in.

Juju's awake!

Singing "Happy Birthday!"