And so it was 7 years ago

As my daughter had just turned 3 months old, she had to say goodbye to her maternal grandfather. We had not planned this child so early in our marriage but I truly believe that she was a symbol of the circle of life. She arrived to us in time so that my father, whose life was cut short by the cancer demons, was able to meet his first grandchild. The 3 months with the two of them seemed short. We lived in Phoenix and he lived in Michigan. He made it to her birth and was able to hold her at several later dates. In his weakened state, he fed her a bottle and played to her on the piano. A love that only a grandparent knows.

I would give many things to be able to sit and have a conversation about life with him now, receive one of his tight hugs or listen to his heavenly fingers strike the piano. None of this however would mean as much as it would to see him with all of his 5 grandchildren.

He was a man of courage, passion and pure love. He loved my mother and his children without effort. He loved friends and strangers. He gave all he had to anyone who needed it. He taught me life lessons that I can only now appreciate now as a parent.

I wish I could rewind back seven years to tell him a few more things. I wish I could share my children's' everyday milestones with him. I wish I could hug him, kiss him and hold his hand. I wish he knew our entire family, his son-in-law, daughter-in-law and 4 more precious grandchildren.

Dad, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish you were here!


Owen

Kyle

Joey

Abby

Potty Training 101

The question is - do I really want to do this? I know it is not about me or convenience, but really? After playing for a bit at the park this afternoon, I watched what looked like a 3 year girl pull her pants and underwear off at the foot of the slide and stick it out like she was a boy aiming for Cheerios. Really, she stood right there and peed all over her clothes. Then she took her shoes off, emptied them out and continued to play. When the mother realized what had just happened (because my kids were shouting oooh, pee, pee mama!), she was devastated. All that would come out of my mouth was "It happens to the best of us. Look at it this way, you don't have to run home to go to the bathroom" Not sure if that was good or not.

Kyle is doing pretty well with potty training. He went in his pull-up three times today and once was during his nap. He occasionally asks to go but will most often go if you ask him. He thinks it is so cool to watch himself and I think he is so cute in his training pants. Of course Owen, who has zero interest in the potty, must where the training pants, also but over his diaper!

It's still summer

I feel like I am grasping for every last breath of summer as mid-August is approaching. I am booking every free minute, trying to get a lot of family activities in and appreciate it while work is still slow and the weather is fabulous! We seem to stay busy all of the time. Janie has continued gymnastics all summer and also added in Camp Wolverine, which turned out to be fantastic. Keeping her busy has been a good thing!

The boys just continue to 2 years old. They have started to understand discipline (well, maybe), talk in short sentences and continue to beat each other up. They are such boys. I am definetly in a stage where I don't know if things are getting easier or harder. Kyle continues to go number 1 on the potty but I have not overpersued it, probably because I am lazy and Owen is so far from potty training.

All else is well! Owen had Fifths disease last week but is over it now. I just returned from a conference at Boyne and am looking forward to two festival this weeks, one the following along with our annual NICU reunion.

Baby Abby

I am a proud new aunt or Abigail Elizabeth Lindley! She was born to my brother and sister-in-law last Sunday weighing in at a hefty 8lbs., 13oz.

Welcome to the family and love you to death Abby!

Summer

Although I am truly trying to enjoy these few weeks of calmness at work, good weather and extra time with my kiddos, I am very apprehensive about summer being over already darnit! I need to get over it and continue to enjoy the "terrible twos" (and yes, we are so there) and a Hannah Montana wanna-be.

I do have to say that my dear friend, probably the best friend that I have ever had, has been really sick for a while now. She has had severe stomach pain for over 6 weeks and they can't figure out what is going on. She has had multiple trips to the ER, many test without any outcome and now she is living on Dramamine and Vicodin. I hate this! I hate that insurance limits her ability to just run to any DR. I hate that she has never complained in her life, and now at times she looks like a sad old lady. I hate that all she want to do is swim and golf with her kids but instead she has to lay on the couch. I hate that I can not make it better! So, I can only pray that this test she is having on Tuesday will give us some answers and selfishly, I can have my ROCK back!

Here are a few random pictures of our summer!

The 4th and beyond

The day following our arrival home from vacation, Mike's Dad and family arrived for an annual visit. I say family meaning - wife, wifes' daughter, and daughters' son. Interesting would be a nice way to leave it. They live in California and typically drive out every year for a visit. I love Mike's dad. He has worked very hard all of his life and is a good guy. He has however made many decisions in this lifetime which I would describe as not-so-good! Anyway, their 4 day visit turned into 8 days and that is okay. I have my house back now and Mike got to see his dad.



We did take everyone to the cottage on the 4th and did a bit of swimming and lots of eating (that is what my family does). The boys had a blast playing with my cousin's daughter, Caroline, who has no problem keeping up the conversation with them.

Long overdue

I know, I have gotten caught up in that whole life thing! It has been a busy month! I ended my crazy time at work and immediately went on our family vacation to one of my favorite places on earth - Higgins Lake. Joining us were my mom, sis and fam, and my bro and his very pregnant wife. This was the first year that I was not the only one with kiddos. My nephew Joey (baby Joe as the boys call him), who is 6 months old enjoyed his first trip up there. We swam, boated, bonfired, walked, watched sunsets and of course drank plenty of wine.


I have come to realize that relaxation does not have to mean extra sleep or lounging but can simply mean time away from the daily grind. This vacation is always time way and I love it!

A good time was had by all!

The end of 1st grade

My little girl finished 1st grade with flying colors last week. I am still amazed with how much a child can learn in a year. She started of September not knowing how to read and now she is reading chapter books. She certainly did not know anything but simple addition and know she asks me to write out fractions for her. I am truly impressed with her teacher and the school system!

Now we are on to summer camps and gymnastics. Fortunately, she will have things to do while I work but really, gymnastics 3 hours a day, two days a week? A bit much for me!

I am so proud of my big girl! Here she is on her last day.

Happy Fathers Day

Today was a nice day spent at home with the family. Mike said several times that he did exactly what he wanted today, not much! We did do a lot of playing outside and enjoying the weather along with some nice meals.





It is days like today that I realize how lucky I am to have my husband. Actually, I think I realize it often but today I celebrate it. He is such a great dad. Our children love him as much as I could ever hope for. In fact, the boys often choose him over me and for that I a happy that he gets equal attention.

I have to say that being my husband and the father of my children is not an easy gig. I had a pretty amazing father myself. He was the most generous and caring man that I have ever met in my life. I never try to compare because that would not be fare but still, he left me with high expectations. I miss my daddy every

Living like the other half live

And I am not talking about the rich! I am talking about those parents who work normal hours, have weekends off with the family and are able to share activities TOGETHER!

This was not a normal weekend for us. Mike usually gets one day off a week and works until 8-9p most nights. This weekend he worked until 2pm on Sat and had Sun and Mon off. Amazing! We planted flowers, we did yard work, we cleaned, we went to the park, we had a picnic, we (I should say Janie and Mike) went put-putting, we had dinner together three nights in a row, and I grocery shopped alone! Doesn't the song go something like..."Please don't let this feeling end.." When I say it was great, I mean it was great! I guess it is a good beginning into my sleepless- chaotic-work-missing-my-kids-next-4-weeks!

Happy Belated Birthday Janie!

For my sweet Janie who makes sacrafices every day and loves her family more than ever! You blink and the time passes.

What I Learned this week about 2 year olds

I feel like every week I learn a few more things about kids or parenting. I am however always learning something new about 2 year old twin boys. Here are a few things from this week.

1. Don't try to put one twin boy in jammies with balls on them unless you have a second pair of jammies with balls also.

2. They have no problem seeing how their hand fits in the others' "crack" while in the bath.

3. The word "share" really means "I want what you have and I am not giving it back"

4. If you think they are ready to begin potty training, maybe they are?

Janie was potty trained easily in one day (except for nights) at 2 years and 4mths. I was not ready but someone told me I better run with it if she is showing signs. Both Kyle and Owen say "Poooopoooo" in a stressful voice everytime the duty calls. So tonight I brought up the little potty. As bath time started I stripped Kyle down, sat him on the potty and told him to go pee pee. And, he did. Just like that. Owen, not so much. But really, could this be time? I am not used to this whole tallywacker thing that boys have or how it works. I have always heard that boys take longer but who knows. Here is Kyle on the pot enjoying the parts that he finds down there.

Seasons End

Today was the last of this years gymnastics meets for Janie. Notice I say this years! Unlike other sports, we do not get a season off or the summer. She will continue to go all summer, 2-3 days a week for 3 hours a day. A lot for a 7 year old? Yes, and for a 7 year olds mom. I guess as long as she is still liking it, I will stay committed but my goal is to also introduce other, cheaper and less risky sports along the way. Really the outcome of gymnastics is scary. It is the highest injury sport, it is extremely expensive and the time commitment is crazy. It is however the coolest sport to watch if I do say so myself. Here are a couple of pics from today. I had trouble getting anything good because flashes are not allowed during competition.

A 7 year olds dream

I am a few days late with this post (shock, I know Billie) but wanted to share a few pics of Janie's 7th birthday party. She turned 7 last Friday. Yes, my baby is 7! We went to Libby Lu for the b-day party. For those of you who don't know what Libby Lu is...it is a spa for 7 year olds. Really! Well not just 7 year olds but young girls. They get there hair done up, nails done, make up done and get to pick out several prizes. They also do some singing and dancing. Anyway, good or bad, it is everything a 7 year dreams of for a birthday party. Well, at least Janie.

More about her turning 7 soon but for now, here are some fun pics!

Mothers Day

I just finished reading my post about mothers day from last year. I have decided that I still have the same outlook. Mothers day has never been an extra special-my husband goes above and beyond-sleep in as late as I want-get big gifts day. I am okay with that. But it is simple, or so it seems to me, to make someone feel just a little special. I love to do this. I love to think of that little thing that could brighten someones' day. I think I can generalize with exception (my bro and father being the exception) that most men don't think this way! I asked my mom on Saturday night if there were things about her father that my Dad could never compare with. The reason for my question is that although my husband is a great father, a good partner and very supportive, he is missing the "spontaneous, above and beyond, make someone feel like a million bucks - gene". I am okay with this but this is not how my dad was. My dad brought flowers to my mom all the time. My father put together care packages when I was in college just from him. My father was just like that!

And so, I spent a wonderful Mother's day at my sister's house in Columbus with my kids and my mom while Mike stayed in Detroit and worked. I did get a nice card and a plant for the yard. I enjoyed my kids and got huge hugs from my hubby last night.

This post is not supposed to be about what Mothers Day is not. Instead, I want to say what it is. It is a day for me to celebrate being a mom and honoring my incredible mother.

My mother has been incredibly unselfish throughout her tenure as a mother and a grandmother. She has provided, taught some of life's best lessons and always loved unconditionally. I feel very strongly that because of the way my mother was/is, I am the person that I am today. She has taught me to be a caring, kind and anappreciative person. I can only hope that one day, I can feel that I have raised my children as well as she raised us. I hope that one day, my kids feel the same way about me as I feel about my mother! I love you mom and thank you for being the best mommy that a child could ever dream of!

March of Dimes Walk - A Success!

This was one of my favorite days. The weather was beautiful, the company amazing and the cause priceless. Wow, that almost sound like a commercial. The O.K. Twins team raised over $1400 with a goal of $750. I was so touched by the genuine support I recieved from family and friends through donations and walking with us.

The walk itself is a short 3 miles. The great thing is that there are many activities along the way for the kids, tons of food and fun give-aways. We were able to hook up with many of my friends from the NICU Board that I am on as well as walk with some people dear to my heart - Team Holland and Eden (I would love to link them here but forgot how. You can click on their site under other fav blogs). Watching Holland and Eden (24 weekers) cross the finish line was truly what this whole thing is about!

Anyway, here are lots of pics including the sign that was posted for our team with a pic of last year and a quote I wrote.


O.K. Twins with Team Holland and Eden

O.K. Twins team minus Krissy, our nanny and fam who came a bit later

Owen having a good time!

Kyle showing off the back of his shirt with a pic of him in the NICU

Proud big sis

My cousins daughter Caroline, not sure about this!

The guys feeling cool in their light blue shirts - Cousin John, Mike, Bro John, and Uncle Steve

Our sign