So...

What have we been up to? A busy Thanksgiving weekend that is what. We had two seperate such occasions. . Both had wonderful food and the girls enjoyed it very much. In fact we still have leftovers from the first celebration. I think I'm getting a little tired of digging mashed potatoes out of the girls ears, hair and noses... Abby is generally pretty clean it's the other two i worry about.

The second Thanksgiving was a little over 3 hours away and it was a lot of traveling. Abs rode in my parent's car because we just don't have a lot of room for three large carseats in the back of Tom's vehicle. (miss the van) It went pretty well. The girls even watched a movie or two there at the end... (anything to stop the screaming) But no they were actually really good all things considering. (Kiley is sleeping below, Kara was playing)

Sometimes it amazes me we can get three kids at all in this back seat... not much wiggle room that is for sure!

(Kiley loving her bottle)

(Abby playing with one of the toys Kiley & Kara got for their birthdays from one of my awesome aunts)

We have also been spending a LOT of time at home. With the weather chillier and the vehicle situation more complicated we just don't get out as much as I wish we could. Tomorrow is supposed to be nasty so I doubt we will be going many places then either. Thankfully no school for me! I may have to get more milk since the girls drank this last gallon so quickly. Hard to believe they go through a gallon of milk every other day! Abby never did that!

But as I was saying, we have to get a little creative some days to keep them entertained. Abby's room is a fun place to play occasionally but ends up being a mess when we are done!

                                                 (Kara is on the left, Kiley is on the right- they were playing in the chair)

Playing in Abby's room... she was really having a good time....

Tangled

I took Abby to her first movie in a theater. I think I was almost as excited for it as she was. My friend tagged along too so we had a 'girls outing' Kiley and Kara wanted to come too but are a little young for that. Abby did so well watching the movie. We ordered a large popcorn and soda and then shared it. She ate and ate that popcorn! It was actually really good popcorn lol. I was so impressed that she sat for an hour and a half with very little difficulty. Towards the end she got a little antsy but that couldn't have been from the soda she snagged too. The movie was adorable and we had a great time. It was worth every penny to experience that with her. And it was the perfect movie to do it with too. In fact on the way home she cried and cried because we had to leave the 'tv' as she called it. It took awhile to calm her down but she is already talking about next time. I hope it wore her out enough that she sleeps through the night!

Tom is at a movie now. He went to one with my brothers. I'm glad he was able to get out and have some fun too. Perhaps next time we can go together! At least this way no babysitter was needed. So I got the girls fed, bathed and put to bed. It is sure a lot of work alone!

Right now Kara is my sensitive one and Kiley is the dominant one of the pair. It is interesting to see their relationship. They are walking more and more everyday. I love their baby waddle!

But wow I'm falling asleep writing this. Abby had me up for two hours last night and then i went black Friday shopping so I'm worn out! Night!

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Insurance ... what fun

Still no official word on our van. I suppose we will have to wait until next Monday now to hear anything since it is a Holiday weekend. Ugh! We did hear an unofficial report from the body shop that the damage estimate is around $6500... enough to put on a damage disclosure if we fix it thus dropping the value of our van if we ever wanted to trade it... but POSSIBLY not enough to completely total it and have the insurance company replace it. Basically a lose lose for us. I'm trying not to worry too much about it yet until the insurance tells us what they are willing to do, but it is frustrating to just have to wait and see so long.

I just hate to pay $1000 to get our van fixed and then lose value on what we owe against our van. UGH! I thought insurance was supposed to help more. I am just hoping and praying they decide not to mess with it and total it. They are just never the same after an accident... even if they are fixed. Could I really trust it to transport my children? *sigh*

I called the bank and we owe about 10,000 on it with no penalty for paying it off early. So paying $6500 to fix a van that will probably be worth 7-9000 after the accident... seems crazy to me. But from what little research I've done insurances won't recognize Diminished Value in a first party accident... basically where I was the only one involved. Obviously the deer didn't have insurance to cover my accident. So... that's where we are at. If we hear anything I'll update. Looks like my camera and all other projects are on hold for now and will be going towards this car issue. That's life I guess, we need a car.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see... and hope Tom get's a really good bonus.

my poor van... :o(

hunting with a minivan

Well I got my first deer and it was quite an experience. Thankfully I had slowed down because I thought the roads were icy or I would have hit him much harder. Now we just wait and see what the insurance and auto body people say. I'm still nervous driving on the interstate after that! I was really shook up after it happened. Thankfully none of the kids were with!! And thanks to my mom for coming up to watch the girls, my friends and husband for coming to get me, the cop for pulling the deer off the road so I didn't have to and the anonymous fireman for checking to make sure I was ok.

Abby was looking at the pictures tonight and she was so funny. "My van is SO broke!" "We need some sticky tape." "Only daddy can fix it." "Mom broke the van, its ok mommy, it was an accident." " Have to get a new one..."

She cracks me up. Thanks for the laugh Abby... now please stop waking me up for several hours at night!

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Christmas is coming ... after Thanksgiving!

We decorated last night for Christmas... a little early I know but I love to enjoy the beautiful lights and festive things as long as I can... and Thanksgiving weekend and after is usually such a fast paced occasion that we wanted to do it while we had a free weekend. So far the girls have left the decorations alone for the most part which has really surprised me! In fact the only one we had to worry about was a certain two year old that wanted the candy canes down. I caught her standing on a chair she had pushed over next to the tree. Needless to say the candy canes have gone MIA.

Right now we are trying to figure out how to keep things from Abs. The other day we caught her with a steak knife she climbed up onto the counter and gotten. She was trying to cut windows in the box... Not good! I think we will have to lock the upper cabinets now. She is just too smart!

Baby it's cold outside

Abby-isms:

• Walking out the door of the doctor's office Abby tells the receptionist "Have a good day!" (the ladies absolutely love it)
• Abby and I are coloring with colored pencils, I ask her for an orange one and she replies "I'm sorry honey." 
• Abby notices baby spit up on the floor "Moooom! The baby pooped on the floooooor."
• Abby sneaking out of bed, says to Tom and I.... "Shhhh don't want to wake up the babies...." 
• Begging for candy "Have to get some candy mom, It's preeeeeetty tasty!"
• As I'm getting ready to leave for school "No mom, have to stay home with Abby." (awww!)
  

We made homemade play dough today. Abby loves to help cook but I really can't let her get so close to the stove because she doesn't really think about where she puts her hands and I'm terrified she'll touch a burner or knock a hot pan over onto her or the babies. So today while I was cooking I looked over and she had pulled a chair up to the counter, had broken up the remaining cupcakes and was mixing them in with what was left of chicken noodle soup from lunch. After she finished mixing them she scooped up the mix and put them in muffin cups and told me they weren't ready yet... had to finish cooking.

(Kiley)

She loved the new play dough by the way...

Poor K&K have nasty diaper rashes again. I think the antibiotics are being a little tough on their tummies. So many dirty diapers! It's like wrestling a diaper on a wild cat. They are enjoying all of the birthday presents and our living room is plenty littered with toys for the moment. Their favorite thing in the world is climbing on top of the boxes... of course. I moved them to their new seats because they were just getting so big for the infant ones. Kara HATES riding facing forwards. She cries whenever we drive now. (She doesn't like swinging either so I think it is a security thing) But I'm sure she will adjust and get used to it.  

(Kara riding the duck)

The girls were chasing eachother around the living room and kitchen tonight. It's nice to see that they are starting to feel better! Hopefully we can avoid getting sick again for awhile. I'm glad the antibiotics are starting to work. 

Speaking of meds I feel like I'm a pharmacy again... this is what Abby's med 'schedule' is like.

Before Breakfast 30 minuets: Prevacid 1 tablet
After Breakfast: Antibiotic, 

Lunch: Calcium Supplement, Vitamin

Before supper: 30 minuets Prevacid 1 Tablet

After Supper: Antibiotic

I feel like I'm constantly giving her meds even if it is only a few... and it's so hard because the Prevacid has to be given in certain time frames before and after she eats. I've discovered she snacks all day long (which is really how she has always eaten)

But anyways! Time fore bed. Class again tomorrow... ick We tried to go outside today but Abby told me it was too cold and we came back in...

Happy Birthday!!

Where has the time gone?! My 5lb babies are 21 lbs now and growing like weeds. I can hardly believe how quickly this last year is gone. And as exciting and wonderful and absolutely amazing as that day was, I remember exactly how terrified I was in the hospital, those feelings of "How am I ever going to do this...." and look at us now! We may have our crazy days, weeks, (months) but I wouldn't trade them for anything. God has been faithful and we have all survived. :o)

The birthday celebration was fairly intimate with just my family this time. I have decided that parties are far more fun when they understand what is going on... like Abby's age. I can't wait to throw a party for her 3rd birthday. She is already asking about her birthday! She just loves loves loves candles and cake and presents and singing Happy Birthday... and SURPRISE!

(Kara)

I tried to get photos done of the girls... they wanted nothing to do with it and by the time I got them to sit still the sun had gone down and i needed to use flash. Not really satisfied with them (the photos) but I think the girls are still cute.

Kara would keep her bow on but Kiley really hates wearing them. I was planning to try and do more photos on Friday but it wasn't long after these were taken that Kiley ran into the coffee table and now has a large goose-egg on her forehead. We'll try again soon I hope!

(Kara)

We had a good time though and the girls had cake and my mom made a roast dinner which they shoveled down. Abby enjoyed everything and sang Happy Birthday to the girls several times. She also loved helping the girls open their presents (yes it is Christmas wrapping paper...) Abby & Kiley below...

Happy Birthday Babies!

Kiley is walking!

I thought I had better make sure I post this! She is waving her little hands and trying to walk from one thing to the next. She also has this funny little dance that she does where she wiggles her hips and her arms. Perhaps more later!

sleep!

It would of course be completely probable that as soon as I FINALLY get Kiley and Kara to sleep through the night Abby would start waking up. Last night alone I put her back to sleep three times. Ugh. I think it is the coughing.

Toms parents came up to visit with Toms brother who was visiting us and celebrating a birthday. We ate at huhot and had a wonderful time. The girls all did really well and seemed to enjoy the food. Abby didn't like the spicy plate toms brother had. It was pretty funny! We came home and had birthday cake and ABS had to help him blow out the candles. She sure loves birthdays.

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Invasion

The sick bugs continue to invade our home. It seems like they have been feeling under the weather forever even if I know that isn't true. I was hoping we were nearing the end of all this but just a few minuets ago I picked up Kiley out of her crib and she was hot hot. Checked her temp and yep 102. Doesn't surprise me since they have been all out of sorts for the last few days. I really really don't like Daylights Savings Time. But that's another entry for another day...

I think Abby is either sick, on the brink of being sick or sickness is pending. She is ... like a tornado? Can't concentrate, tripping all over, running in circles, running into walls, the table, fell off the chair. She looks like the ball in the pinball machine and all I can do is try to direct her towards the right holes... as she bumps along her way. Her nose is gunky, her eyes are watering and she has a cough. I think her cough woke her up at 6:30am and despite my lengthy explanation that the sun was not yet up and that signaled bedtime... she was up in 30 minuets.

My house is the largest casualty. I want to take a large box and put everything in the box and start over! I don't know where to begin. Thankfully no more lectures or clinicals this week so I should have time to get a few things under control...

(Kiley)

Kara is sleeping on my lap for the moment. I won't let her sleep too long because I want her to go to sleep later. Abby and Kiley are 'playing' in the cardboard box house I made with Abby a few days ago. Sounds like it is ripping so I'm not sure how much longer it will survive...

Hopefully Tom will be home soon. Just another day in paradise I guess. I will take tons of snow if it means no more sick kids!