Barbie Bike and Rocks

The other day we had a very hard time leaving Toys R Us with Abby because she saw the infamous Barbie Bike (A bike Barbie can ride on with you) A pink plastic Barbie bike. She was quite upset we wouldn't buy it for her and was very distressed. (melt down!)

SO we talked to her after her period of grief about how she would need to save up her money to buy the bike for her Barbie. That she would have to work for her money and that we would put it in the piggy bank. My mom also talked to her about how she would have to do little jobs to get money, like picking up rocks in the backyard so that Daddy wouldn't hit them with the lawnmower.

(this is the bike, you can hook it onto your handlebars so Barbie can ride with)

Well I had forgotten about the rocks but Abby sure didn't! Today while we were out playing in the backyard I noticed she was looking around the yard and picking up rocks. All on her own! I didn't even need to bribe her or convince her why she needed to do it. So she earned $1 towards her Barbie Bike. :o)

I think it is important to teach the concept of things and money early and continue on as they get older, gradually working up. There are certain things she won't earn money for (picking up her toys, room etc) Because those are just part of living in our home. But I hope that she can start thinking about how things cost money, and to get money it takes work. :o)

Perhaps I will make up a chart she can color in as we get closer to our goal. Something we can both be checking as she earns her money. (And make it more real for her.)

Road Trip

A photo from last Thursday, the girls all playing out on the backyard patio. What fun it will be this summer!

Mommy Date

I was going to just head off to bed but decided I had better get this down in writing... lol

Abby and I had a mommy date this morning. Surprising how much fun that can be with an almost three year old. She really is becoming more and more my little companion. Another issue... she is starting to really really love shopping. I don't know if it's the getting out of the house or the spending time with me... or getting things. But she gets really excited when I tell her we are going shopping. We started off in the mall because I needed to get her some sandals that match her little dress. I decided to have her do a little free photo session at a place here in town, I just wanted to see how she did with another photographer....

But back to shoes. Turned out there was a sale that you could buy one and get the other pair for a dollar. Great for a parent. Well I convinced her on the first pair but couldn't get her to wear the second pair. Why? She wanted the cheap plastic giant purple flower sandals. Did we get those? If they had been anything other than 29 dollars for a pair of cheap plastic giant purple flower sandals. So no... we did not. I got her a cute little pair of white sandals with gems and another brown leather pair (that she still refuses to put on)

We then went looking for bows and wow that was a job. Why don't they sell pony tail bows? (i had her hair in pigtails) Good grief!

But we got the photos in, after a lot of work from mom. The verdict? Cute photos... still convinced I could do better if only I had someone that could be as silly as me and know how to make her smile like I can. (At one point the 'meep monster' was attacking the photographer) Don't know if she appreciated it but at least I got her to smile and laugh instead of cry!!!

So we went out and got ice cream and shared a cheese burger after that. I'm not going to lie, that was the best thing ever. Even Abby told me that "Mommy, I had a lot of fun with you."

What I didn't include in the above story was how hard I we had to work to prevent meltdowns and tears. Ever since she has been sick things have been more difficult for both of us in maintaining a 'neutral level.' But despite all of that, all of the frustration, the looks I got at the shoe place because my three year old is melting down... all worth it as we shared a cheeseburger and icecream. Best 5 dollars ever.

Apples and Pears

If I planted a pear tree it would grow me apples right now..

That's right apples. But at least it's a fruit right?

So at last I come back to this keyboard and put down a bunch of words and phrases and goofy kid quotes with a silly photo tucked in for good measure. Since everything else I have tried to do tonight has gone ridiculously wrong I gave in and decided to blog.

We spent the day with my inlaws, we drove down to visit because a dear person had come to visit from a far far away land. So I packed my cranky three-some into our minivan and caravaned down with all of the crazy semi drivers. The drive was fairly pleasant though I'm sure that the girls are tired of watching Dora Fairy Tale Princess... or you would think so.

Kiley and Kara are on the upswing and for the most part seem to be doing quite well now. They finished their last dose of medication today and head back to the ENT tomorrow afternoon to recheck everything. Good grief I hope we are done with ear stuff for a little while!

They played and played and enjoyed exploring a new territory and digging out all of the toys from the toyroom porch. They even took really good naps and all in all we had an enjoyable day. Two singing bunnies came home with us and have been a source of entertainment (probably more the adults even than K&K lol) There is something so fascinating about them!

Ok... not this type of singing rabbit. But he is so cute I had to include him... look at him!

Kiley loves to walk around and take me by the hand to discover places, Kara on the other hand would much rather explore without me and yell when she needs me to come find her. 

I thought of two other words K&K know: Bumpa (did i mention that one before?) and Hi!

Abby is still not back to 100%.... at this point I would say that she is about 40%

I sure hope that antibiotic kicks nasty illness soon.

I think that if I had a day off, with just Abby, and she were having an out of the world good/awesome day. We would play Barbies. And we would both be happy. (And for some reason that thought makes me tear up)

We have been having a lot of hard days. 

And I have been praying for patience a lot... and a quiet spirit, and a loving spirit. Because I can't do it alone.  

Busy!

Ok I'm making myself write on this darn thing if it kills me. As you all probably know my kids have been sick, I've had a lot of clinical hours and we are getting to the final countdown to graduation. Combine this with a few health annoyances on my own end....

All of this equals one very tired mom.

After 6 days of fever I finally decided enough was enough and brought Abby in... they diagnosed her with Bronchitis and a sinus infection and put her on an antibiotic. Goodness I hope that means the end of this! I cannot handle many more days of sick kids. Thankfully I have had a lot of help from my mother and mother in law. (and the grandpas too... we can't forget them)

I'm starting to watch K&K's verbal development a little more and really trying to push them to use more words. Out of nowhere I suddenly was like... they are 17 months old... and speak like 12 month olds! (where did the time go?!) I know our pediatrician warned me that with the combo of a lot of ear infections and them being part of the multiple club ... they were at a higher risk for it.

Want a complete list of the words they say? Kiley: Baba, Mama, Dada, Ba (Bath), Mum ... and bumpa?
                                                                   Kara: same... with no thrown in
So ... what? Well it's not a (Oh my gosh!) worry type thing. It just means... hey pay attention your girls are not picking up words like they should be on their own and you need to get working with them on this.

Darn them and their twin language lol. They understand what WE are saying with no problem, they comprehend a great deal. It's the SPEAKING part they don't do. They know those words and perhaps a few more... but we probably only here them here and there, and not all in a day. National Speech and Language Assossciation says they should be starting to put two word phrases together and know at least 10-20 works plus names...

From everything developmentally it's not the number... it's the track. Are they doing this, but just slower rate then kids? Nope. I can't remember the last time they picked up a new word.

But anyways. I'll talk to the pediatrician about it, we'll work at it... they'll be fine.
-----

And then Abby, oh my gosh is that kid learning like crazy! She problem solved today and it was amazing to watch. She took the kite I made her, grabbed a Tupperware container, placed the string in the Tupperware, placed a rock at the end of the string and then dropped the kite over the edge so that it would swing in the breeze. She was so excited.

We also met a little girl in the park today, her and Abby played so well together I thought they were the same age because they both acted similarly. then I found out the other little girl was an entire year younger. Wow.

(funny story: Abby-sitting on the couch near me. I hear little toot sounds and ask: "Abby are you tooting by me?" she replies, "No mommy, my bottom's just making noises")

hahahahahaha

We are enjoying the nicer weather

Butterflies and Babies

The weekend draws to a close and I feel a little sad. I enjoyed the time with my girls and I hate being gone from them for such long hours. But I only have a few more of these left and I will be finished with yet one more thing so that I can graduate!

Kara was very fussy this afternoon when we went out to my grandparents place, I hope that she isn't coming down with something and that it is just teeth. There were several points where she just cried and cried and cried. Kiley was a little fussy too but not quite as bad as Kara.

Abby is still doing well with potty training, she had a bit of an accident out at the farm but that was my fault for not showing her to the bathroom when we got there. Oops! Naughty mommy!

We re-arranged the girl's rooms and I'm wondering if that was a mistake? The room downstairs IS bigger and fits two cribs and dressers much easier than the upstairs room. We discovered heater vents and opened them up so it is warm enough for them to be down there. My main motivation is that Abby is now closer and I can put her back to bed easily. I also wanted it to be easier for her to play in her room and to have a little sanctuary where she can go if she's overwhelmed.

Of course ideas usually are better when they are just ideas. We did switch things and I'm so thankful for the help of my parents  & brothers and sister. (they made quick work of it) But now I'm feeling a little bad because the twins cried and cried when I left them down there... and Abby cried and cried because she wanted to go back to her room, she doesn't have her butterflies... etc.

Perhaps I made a mistake.

At least the snow is starting to melt... and warm weather won't be far away...

Spring???

Spring is coming and none too soon! My twins are restless and ready to run, and run, and run... and did I mention run? Of course our backyard right now is 1/2 giant snow drift and 1/2 giant puddle. Mix in a little dog... and you get the picture folks.

Besides we haven't found the swings yet and the little shopping cart is only just beginning to appear.

We did go for a walk this afternoon, Abby walked part of the way, splashed in puddles and then rode the rest. The twins... well they complained, stole each other's hats... and then pulled each other's hair. Seriously they were just out to get one another

It was a wee bit windy... and at the end of our walk Abby freaked out and ran inside because she was afraid of the wind. I still don't know why.

Potty training by the way is still going very well. We have now discovered that urine makes the water turn yellow... and that it isn't good to drink. (Don't ask and I won't tell) One or two accidents here and there, usually just when we get distracted going over to someone's house and forget to go.

Abby asked me the other day where her new baby sister was.... I told her she didn't have one and she was very sad. Watch out mother's of unattended babies... my daughter is trying to claim one! Perhaps because she keeps seeing all these babies I'm doing photos of lately....

Kiley and Kara are getting molars in and are like bipolar teenage girls (look they even want to drive!)... Happy! MAD... Happy! MAD... SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD.... HAPPY!

MAD.

(Kiley shutting Kara in the dog kennel)

Ibprofin takes the bite (look at me I'm funny) out of it but they are still pretty miserable. Hopefully they poke through soon so we don't have to endure this much longer. Kara still has a massive spoon fettish... she calls them "UM" So if she comes to you for "UM" it's probably a spoon not "MUM" which is food.

They are also eating really well out of bowls with utensils. Who knew? Guess I should have trialed that sooner. Oatmeal has been the popular dish of the last few days. We are also officially out of bottles HURRAY! No more pushing in the nipples and spilling their juice/milk! We are still doing a bit of experimenting to see which they like best. In a way I miss the bottles because they were a fantastic comfort thing for the babies- they cried, i gave them a bottle (I know bad...)

Abby is still very insistent that we go swimming soon, I'm thinking of looking into swimming lessons for her but  haven't found one I like quite yet....I'm also enjoying painting on Abby's wall... I like crafty things, they are like little stress relievers... lol (I think it's turning out really cute... I have some work to do yet on it tho)

The letter P!

Poo in the tub... poo on the stairs... screaming babies and a phone call from my husband telling me the computer repair guy was stopping by in an hour.

There are toys everywhere, a giant dishwasher box is sitting in my entryway, table is covered in breakfast and last night's supper, you get the picture.

I cried...

Then put the babies in the highchair with a snack and turned on Cinderella and cleaned like a madwoman. The house was presentable by the time he arrived with his tools... right in the middle of lunch. The twins were covered from head to toe in spaghetti and dancing to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Abby promptly began to ask the repairmen tons of questions, "How do computers work?", "What is that!" "Abby help too?"

He got his share of my kids before he was out of here! But the computer is fixed, we had porkchops for supper and  I got the girls down for their nap.

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with my Grandma (The girl's great grandma) at this Science Center near our home. The girls love it and Abby just has a blast. Perhaps we will have her birthday party there or something similar. She would have a blast lol.

Trials and Tribulations... or just a car ride with three kids

We survived the gauntlet of six(ish) hours in a car with three small children. I believe we were all on the brink of a sudden plunge into craziness as we pulled into my brother and sister in law's house. With the exception of one or two or three stops... ok maybe more than that... we drove straight here. One of the stops I'll tell you about if the time arises, a few were bathroom breaks and one was at a rinky dink diner that we pulled into to do a neb treatment on Kiley.

Poor thing was really wheezing and working hard to breathe, it was try a neb or head on into a clinic/er. Thankfully after pinning Kiley down and holding up the mask to her face she got the medicine in and fell asleep not long after it kicked in. She seemed to be doing better for the most part after that. We did have to do one more once we got here and her older cousin was very concerned about the fact I was pinning Kiley down and holding this steaming noisy mask up to her face. I read later on the package of directions: "Try to breathe in deeply and calmly... oops...

Currently Abby is sitting on the couch with me... and no one else because she happened to wake up... again and didnt want to go back to sleep. She is telling me about how the storm made a mess and wants to know how we are going to clean it up. I'm not really sure where she picked up the bit about the storm, knocking down trees and such. Of course the heater kicked on and she told me that the train was coming?

But back to our trip, we were able to meet our beautiful new niece and Abby was able to see her other cousin whom she has been dying to see for the last few weeks... and who turned out to NOT have taken her swimming pool. (Where she gets these ideas...) She was a little scattered yesterday and I had very low hopes for our potty training... just too long in a car even with frequent stops and then she was too excited to be coming to see her cousins. We'll probably work on it more when we get home again.

Abby is now warming my feet with her feet... because they are cold. Hers are the cold ones.

Kara was the best out of all three yesterday, just haaaaaaaaapy and playing and loving life. Her carseat was stuck facing the back too! Silly little girl. She even did her little "Hah Hah Hah" and evil genius growl later. Oh and her new cousin... she looooves to go see her and pet her head and say "niiiiiiice" Kiley didn't ever really notice her but that is ok, I'd rather her not be around the new baby much just in case.

                                                           *Kara*
Well Abby is telling me it's time to get off my computer. I'm not sure what we will be up to today other than that I hope to do photos of Baby L :o)

Going Strong

Accident Free ALL DAY

What a quick study my little girl is lol

We'll see what tomorrow brings but still awesome!