Pictures for Jay

Here are some pictures mainly for Jay's benefit. This is the best way for him to see pictures because their e-mail is too slow to receive photos. So here are some of the things I've wanted him to see or have told him about. Sorry that they're probably really boring for the rest of you!!

Jack decided to "help" me by unpacking groceries and lining them up all the way around the kitchen counter top....this picture doesn't do it justice, I needed a panoramic lens!

The babies will routinely crawl right over each other in order to get something they want and oddly the one on the bottom usually isn't complaining. In this instance, Nate is the one being mowed over and he actually had a smile on his face!

So when we moved into this house six months ago the back yard was a mess of mostly weeds, dirt, and a bit of grass. Jay put down some grass seed literally days before deploying and I have been trying to get it to grow. I put straw down in several areas and that is basically where the grass grew in. This section right off the deck was literally all dirt so it's doing pretty well! I wanted Jay to see because I was so excited!! No more mud pies for Jack, though, and he is none too happy about that.

Jack playing in his sandbox at the other end of the yard. Notice more straw here....the grass did not fill in very well on this end unfortunately. I think this is where all the water runs when it rains so that doesn't help. But the large tree makes for a great shady spot - just perfect for the sandbox.

Another shot of what was a huge area of dirt. (If you're wondering what that huge piece of paper taped to the slider is, well it's a picture Jack drew to scare away the squirrels because they eat all of the bird seed out of our feeder. They have figured out how to open the top of the feeder and I have witnessed them actually sitting INSIDE the feeder feasting on bird seed. Hence the drawing to scare them away.)

And finally the latest baby confinement device to hit the family room! The twins quickly outgrew the "play pen" so I had to find a way to confine them in here because I simply cannot baby proof the entire upstairs of this house (it's a split-level so our living areas and the master bedroom are all on the upper level while the playroom and kids' rooms are all on the lower level). It seems to work pretty well and the babies enjoy more room to explore so they're not complaining as much. Plus it has a door so it's super easy to get in & out. It is hardware mounted to the wall so I had to pre-drill holes and everything to install it - I'm pretty proud of myself! We'll see how long it stays up....

Last Soccer Game

Today was Jack's final soccer game, and he insisted on wearing the turquoise bandanna you see below. So he played the entire time with this bandanna on which got all hot & sweaty.......and then notice his forehead in the next picture - permanently blue! Even after a shower it's still blue!!



Jack is building with these fantastic magnetic blocks he received for Christmas from Grandma & Grandpa Lambert. These are by far one of Jack's favorite toys and he has played constantly with them since Christmas! So if you have a preschooler or know one you would like to give a fantastic gift to, consider these blocks because they have been one of our most enduring toys. (Also notice the picture frame in front of Jack's place mat; it's a photo of Jay & Jack at Disneyworld last October. The picture now sits with us at dinner every night so Daddy can still eat with us. Awwww!)

So I have mentioned that the babies are on the move, and they are catching on quickly!! I was attempting to wash bottles yesterday afternoon and as I was standing at the sink I looked down to find TWO babies clinging to my pant legs. Literally....one on each leg. I had to step back and take their picture as they surrounded me on the kitchen floor. :-)


These next two shots are for our dearest friends the Binkleys who sent these great onesies to us.....I get more comments on them when the babies wear them out and about! Thanks ya'll!!!

(Matty)

(Nate)

Sitting & Crawling

At nine months old Matthew is still not too big to fall asleep all curled up in the baby swing (he's a little peanut). I'm not sure what I'm going to do when they really do outgrow the swings.....they are a lifesaver when both babies are cranky!!

The babies can finally sit up on their own! I thought it would never happen.... (FYI - Matty is on the left and Nate is on the right, I usually try to do it the other way around)

Now that the twins are on the move but not proficient at it yet, they often get stuck. Such as Matty did here behind Daddy's favorite chair. And while Nathan crawls the traditional way (and IS getting quite speedy), Matty does it more commando style by pulling himself on his belly across the floor with his arms. Not as nice to look at but it definitely works!

Goodbye to Daddy

We said goodbye to Jay today which was difficult (it always is) but made harder by the fact that we had to keep our emotions somewhat in check for Jack's sake. Jack, on the other hand, seems sort of blissfully ignorant as to how long daddy's "long trip" really is and I think this is a good thing!

Jay's ship.

Jack & Daddy snuggling before we said our goodbyes.

Spring in VA

Jack doing his "roar" face.

We spent Mother's Day at this wonderful park (we'd never been there before). Jack had a fantastic time feeding turtles, playing in the river, and as you can see here dragging "big sticks" up "big mountains".

The babies and I watching Jack playing in the river. It was a beautiful day!

Jay and Jack snagged a free paddle boat ride!

Jay & Jack in front of the huge bear carved out of wood (Jack was a little leery at first until he realized it was just a wooden statue!)

Jack wanted to have a tea party....so we turned it into a sweet tea party (I make it with decaf tea and splenda so it's kid friendly - having lived in the south for several years now I have become completely addicted to sweet tea!). Duckie was invited too (that's his seat next to Jack - the stool). And Jack insisted that our cups match our plates....hmmm....apple doesn't fall far. :-)

Jack holding Nathan - he did a great job and had so much fun doing it! Jack really loves being a big brother.

The babies playing - one will bounce and then the other bouces back. I must admit it is kind of handy that they can entertain one another....helps me get more done because I don't feel as bad leaving them to play on their own since they've got each other!

Nathan has mastered going backwards...and often gets stuck! The wood floors certainly don't help the crawling effort either.

Our first experience with teething biscuits. Although you wouldn't know it from their expressions, they actually devoured them!

All my boys are captivated by the TV...wonder who they get that from...oh yeah, Dad! :-)

Nathan.

Matthew.

Matthew smiling even after Nathan just stole his binky right out of his mouth (a new favorite pastime of Nate's even though he sucks his thumb).

Our first date night since the twins were born! How exciting to eat at a restaurant with cloth napkins and NO kids' menu!!!

Sorry blog.....I joined Facebook!!!!

Nathan laughing at Jack.

Matthew laughing at Jack.

Jack's huge icicle he found hanging from our deck...which he subsequently insisted on bringing inside.

Matthew asleep in his feeding seat.

Matthew asleep in his feeding seat....again!!! (maybe if he didn't wake up every few hours at night screaming like a banshee he wouldn't have such narcoleptic tendencies!!!!!)

Jack having fun holding Matthew....Matty, not so much.

Getting ready for Jack's first soccer practice!

The babies watching Jack playing soccer - they're so enthusiastic....

Jack's first soccer match. He pauses often to stop and wave at us....in the middle of the game.

According to Jack, "The Easter bunny must like the babies because he left them presents too!!" These are their new Easter toys. (And yes they have jackets on....it was cold in the house when we got up that morning and I hadn't turned on the heat yet!)

Matthew smiling.

Me trying to get two babies to stop crying!

Jack's favorite thing to do in the whole world is make the babies laugh...and he's really good at it!! They LOVE to watch him and laugh at him.

Matthew unusually happy after waking up from a nap.

Nathan happy as usual after a nap.

Jack hanging out in his toy room (having this space was one of the major reasons we chose this house).

The newest addition to our family room....attractive isn't it??

Help us - we're being held captive against our will!!

Jay took this picture...a typical purchase of baby food.

We've had several unseasonably warm days so on one of them I pulled out these great onesies that say "Daddy's Little Wingman". Maybe someday.....if they don't have my eyes!

Sorry for the LONG delay in posting and the even longer string of pictures. Under the pressure of many friends, I joined Facebook which has been wildly addictive. It actually is a really useful tool for reconnecting with long lost friends.....as well as people you didn't know were your friends. :-)

We are settled into our new life in VA and have come to really appreciate what a great part of the country this is. I love the fact that you get more of a distinct feel for the four seasons here. Right now the area is just blossoming with flowers and new leaves/buds on all the trees. It's just wonderful to see spring in full swing!!!

Jack has ever so slowly adjusted to his new school and has even made several good friends. Although strangely he still doesn't know the names of all the kids in his class. He has also started playing soccer through our YMCA which he just loves! Although a little clarification was needed because upon learning he would be playing soccer he said, "Alright! I'm going to score a touchdown and run around ALL the bases!!"

The twins are getting so big along with their appetites!! I cannot believe how much formula and baby food we go through! The transition to whole milk and table food cannot come soon enough. They still refuse to eat any of the baby meats (which, granted, do smell a bit questionable) but they eat everything else, usually at a voracious pace. And while they eat about the same amount of food, Nathan is still roughly one pound heavier than Matthew. We will get more exact weights next week when they, thankfully, receive their last Synagis shots (special antibody shots to protect them from RSV; they've been getting them every month since last September). But Nathan is about 16lbs now and Matthew is around 15lbs. Nathan is finally ready to move into size 6-9 months and size 3 diapers, but Matty isn't quite there yet.....at 8 months old! They are almost a full size behind their actual age, but I guess when you start out life roughly half the size of most babies you've got some catching up to do!!

Our biggest battle has been with colds. All the kids have been sick off and on since the end of January. YUCK. It hasn't really slowed Jack down too much, but the twins just keep getting whatever Jack brings home. They will finally get rid of their runny noses and then boom, they're sick again. We have also had some ear infection issues with the twins which is new territory for me since Jack has never had one nor has he ever been on an antibiotic. It started in early February with both the twins having ear infections. Nathan's cleared with one 10 day round of amoxicillan (sp??) but Matty just couldn't kick it. So three antibiotics and three months later and he STILL has one ear that's infected. Apparently, according to the doctor, they don't usually put tubes in just one ear for babies. So since Matty only has problems in one ear they aren't sure what to do with him. Right now we are just waiting to see what his little body can do on it's own (but I have a prescription for a fourth antibiotic on hand in case he acts like he is really in pain) and will re-evaluate at his 9 month check. Now, mind you both babies are cutting three teeth at once and, of course, have colds again so I'm not really sure how I'm suppose to distinguish possible ear pain from the also just as likely teething pain or potential fussiness from yet another cold.....

Jay is getting used to life on the ship but none of us are used to the idea of him leaving for seven months. His departure date is looming (May 12) and I'm still in denial!! I know I have been spoiled, but on Jay's previous deployments I have been able to see him at some point during his time away. Not so this time around which is difficult for me. I worry too that I'm going to be spread a little thin which means I might not always be such a nice Mommy! I don't want the pressures that I will face with having to manage everything on my own to trickle down to the kids - they deserve the best that I can give, especially during such a hard adjustment. Pray that I have enough energy to take them places and play with them and still have enough left that I don't end up making Mac & Cheese for dinner every night!!!

Again, sorry for the long lapse in posting! But, on the bright side, once Jay leaves I'll be posting all the time so he can see pictures of the kids!!! :-)