My house is so quiet....

This is so strange to me and surreal to a point :-P I knew the day would come but I can remember thinking of it so long ago and it felt so far away. Now it's here and it feels like it came too quickly...Gavin is at school.

Our baby boy is at school....I don't know what he is doing, how he is acting, if he is listening, how many times the teacher has redirected him to stay away from the sink or the toys and SIT still, if he sharing nicely, taking turns, crying because he realized we are not there, using potty like he should, washing his hands....a million thoughts going through my mind.

It is almost 9:00...his class is getting ready for their morning snack at school. At home, Jakob and Kaleb are settling down for their nap. And I am at a loss of what to do with all this quietness and free time that I rarely have. This is definitely going to take some adjustment on everyone's part :-P

Marcin took Gavin to school on his way to work. I was outside in driveway telling Gavin bye and NOT crying, no I was not! And Gavin says to me "Go inside mama...BYE!" lol Marcin called after he dropped him off and said Gavin ran right in and started playing. He had to ask a few times to get a goodbye hug and kiss :-P I was so relieved he did so well and was not crying, I couldn't handle it if he was crying. I don't know how my friend B did with when she started work and her son cried at school when she dropped him off : /

His teacher suggested the 2nd day may not be as easy once he has a better idea of what is going on....i.e., he is not there to play all morning :-P

On the plus side, I know he will enjoy school AND I get some time with jakob and kaleb, which is always fun! They are so funny these days!!! I don't know if it because they are twins or just used to always being together but they play together, not the parallel play most toddlers do but sometimes they actually play together and interact, cutest thing ever!!!

So they are napping, Gavin is at school.....what do I do? Hmm...sit on couch and eat bon bons like Marcin thinks I do all day ( joking honey!) or straighten up house? oh and I get to take a shower without rushing....yep I think I will adjust ok :-)

Here is a little insight that I feel like I forget sometimes because I do need to slow down......

"I really am your gift. I am not just a little person who needs to be "raised" and taught, and taken to activities....I came to the people in my life to bring a message: slow down. Feel. Be. Over and over again. When you do, you will notice immediately, that I am not an obstacle to your work, or inconvenience to your daily life. Instead, you will come to appreciate my honesty, humor, presence and love."-- Bruce Scott

5 gallons of milk!

Thank goodness for Aldi!! I went yesterday to stock up on milk, they increased their price from $2.67 to $2.99 but still better than grocery stores :-P

I bought 5 gallons! Usually I get 4 gallons and that last us about 2 weeks. Yes we drink alot of milk in our house:-)  Now that J&K are drinking at least 48oz combined per day of milk, I figure they will use up a gallon in about 3 days, EK!

But NO MORE FORMULA!!! woo hoo!!! It has only been a few days but I do not miss the work of boiling water, mixing formula in pitcher and all that.

I am curious to see how long these 5 gallons will last......10 days? I have to remember this will only be temporary because once J&K stop bottles they won't be taking so much milk from their sippy's. My goal is to be finished with bottles by October/November, that is reasonable right?

I don't think they will miss them too much....J&K are pretty good about going with the flow. Although now that I say that, it won't go as smoothly as I am anticipating, hehe

::sniff sniff:: my baby is starting school.....

... in less than a week!!! We went today for a short visit so he could see his classroom and sort of get a grip on things.

The teacher asked me if I had any questions.....I was thinking, "YES!!! I have alot, I just can't process them right now." So instead I answered, "They will come to me before we leave":-) She seemed to understand. His teacher Mrs. Patti seems very nice. He will also have a new teacher starting this school year. Mrs. Patti has 4 boys herself and Gavin's classroom is all boys with the exception of THREE students. Honestly.....why are there so many boys?!?! hehe

I tried explaining to his teacher that this is Gavin's first experience in a structured environment where he will be expected to sit still and focus for a period of time. She didn't seem to be concerned. I don't think she understands what she is in for hehe Or maybe WE don't know what we are in for :-P

We were able to go outside with the classes and Gavin had a blast! All of the children there were so friendly with Gavin, introducing themselves and showing him around. It was adorable. Thankfully I had my sunglasses on because I am pretty sure something was trying to get in my eyes. ::sniff sniff:

Our sweet baby is growing up!! He is starting school! How is this possible? I have been thinking about this for over a year. And leading up to this and J&K being born, anticipating how I would manage being at home with all 3 boys by myself. I was terrified this time last year. He is such an inquisitive little guy....curious about everything. I sometimes look at him in amazement and wonder what he will grow up to be and how can we foster and encourage his passions in life so he can go in the directions he wants to go.

Last night Marcin pointed to a pile of towels in the bathroom and told me they were soaked. {We keep our towels under our bathroom sinks...when Gavin was about one I put everything under our sinks (shampoos, soaps, meds, etc) in the linen closet and moved towels under the sink). Gavin loves water....he has always been fascinated with it! So usually once J&K go down for their morning nap, I take a shower and Gavin will play in the bathroom sink. Eh hem...I have seen him opening the cabinet under the sink but didn't really think he was doing anything important. Well apparently he was....he wanted to see where the water was going after it went down the drain. I am assuming in his mind, he figured he could see this better if he unscrewed the pipes under the sink. Judging from the soaking wet towels Marcin pulled from under his sink....he was almost successful :-P

Less than a week and he will be in school 2 mornings a week. But he does have the option to stay all day so at least that going for me should he decide to stop napping :-P

I am going to miss him (even if he does drive me crazy sometimes....he knows how to push my buttons!) but I know once he adjust he will love it! And it will also be nice to have spend time with J&K, not much right now since they are still taking a morning nap but once that phases out, we will have all morning to do things!

Updates on school, potty and just life :-)

My younger brother Reh informed me it has been over a week, so sorry! I didn't know anyone that was interested in our life of feeding children, napping stories, potty stories and my endless complaints of laundry :-P

We have had a busy week! We registered Gavin for 3 year old preschool....after the drama with the school down the road from us, which I am still not over....irks me so badly! He will still be close by, only about 10 minutes away. It is a 'learning center' with a private school attached to it. I really like the director, she was nice and easy to talk to. Spent at least 30 minutes with us on the tour of the school. It is costing us about twice as much as the previous school but we know Gavin will love it and let's face it....the child needs to be exposed to a structured learning environment where he can learn to sit still, be attentive and FOCUS! We are going this week for a couple of transition visits and open house. Gavin will have the option of going 2 full days but we figure Marcin will drop him off on his way to work around 7:30 and I will pick him up around 11:30 before the class has lunch and nap. He still naps 2-3 hours in the afternoon and I am in no hurry for that to disappear! There is no way he would nap at school with all those toys and everything else around him. The thought makes me laugh! He starts Aug 23.....I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand I am super excited for him because he is such a sociable kid, I know he will enjoy. On the other hand, I am going to miss his crazy, energetic self. Well if I have time to miss him :-P  J&K are still taking morning naps from 8:30-10:00ish, then they eat and then we pick up Gavin. It will be nice to have some time with J&K too.

Gavin is doing really well on the potty!!! He is using the BIG potty most of the time. He isn't 100% trained but I didn't expect that, he is only on week 3.....he wears his big boy underwear all the time with the exception of naps and bedtime. I wanted to avoid the pull ups and use the Super Undies (Which are great by the way!) but he is eh hem....holding things until nap or bedtime because he doesn't like the potty for those things and well, I don't want to clean up anymore of that than I have too, so pulls up it will be :-)

I took J&K back to doctor last Tuesday because they were both still congested :/ They have pretty much stayed congested since the beginning of June thanks to numerous ear infections. The antibiotics will clear it up but within a week they are back :/ So sure enough, Kaleb's were better but not 100%...more like 60-70%.
Jakob were both pretty bad...buldging and red. So we were referred to ENT to talk with. We will see what they have to say with their history of ear infections before we make final decisions on tubes or not.
And then over weekend, Kaleb developed a horribly sounding cough and some wheezing : / I called on call doctor she said it sounds like croup, geez. We can't catch a break! His cough sounds like a barking seal which apparently is symptom of croup.

These little ones just can't catch a break...I have a feeling it will get worse before it gets better with Gavin starting school and bringing home all sorts of stuff : / They will definitely be getting the flu shot this year. Gavin never got it when he was their age but I feel like they will need it with him going to school.

We went to Dutch Wonderland last week with some friends, what a great day it was!!! Gavin had a blast!!! We wanted to take him last summer but he would have been too young (and I was very super pregnant with J&K), his age was just about perfect because he is so tall and can ride about 75% of the rides :-) I wasn't too sure what J&K would think about sitting in their stroller/carseats most of the day but they did very well! We tried to take them out when we could and let them stretch. They really seemed to enjoy watching all the people and the rides. The boys will have so much fun there in a couple of years when J&K are older and they can ride together or big brother can go on rides with them :-) And Gavin wore his underwear the entire day....accident free!!! (Even though I had 5 extra pair in car hehe!)

I have diligently been working on J&K's party decorations.....I am pretty happy with most of it! I have been cutting lots and lots of triangles for the circus bunting to hang around the house. I have made their monthly picture banner, my fabulous friend keeley designed their birthday banner and cupcake toppers that I am cutting out, balloon wreath, ticket cake, etc. I have ordered the cotton candy, cracker jacks, got animal crackers, candy for vases, swirl pops, borrowing a popcorn machine, buying the food I need to cook (with my coupons of course hehe) and other fun stuff!!! I could seriously go way overboard with the circus stuff...we are going to have to do this again when everyone is older, there are so many fun things we can do!

Here is a little preview of what I have been working on, the ticket cake is not finished...I have a cute elephant on a bicycle for the topper.

I still need to add ribbon and signs to the balloon wreath but it turned out cute! This is an 18inch wreath, total cost me $20 to make. I saw them for $60 for etsy! It didn't take me long to do, I worked on it while watching tv once kids were in bed :-)

The one on top their birthday banner and then the triangles will be their monthly picture banner. The little ones on the left are the food labels :-) And I still have to punch holes in both banners, run the string and also finish cutting triangles and string the rest of the bunting together. whew!

Alot of work but I love doing this stuff!! A year ago, I thought I would never have time to do these things again  :-P

Mommy's Little Helpers....

DISCLAIMER! please excuse my mess of a laundry, as you can see I need all the help I can get with the laundry LOL

Happy 11 months Jakob & Kaleb!!!!

Seriously...where does the time go? I can remember when I was younger and it would take f.o.r.e.v.e.r for summer to end and school to start. Now somehow these precious little guys are already 11 months and will soon be one year old. And you know what else I can get over....we survived :-D We have had our moments but we are doing! Doing it pretty darn well I might add :-)

Gavin at 11 months.......

Jakob and Kaleb are into everything! Their personalities are so much fun to watch develop!! Kaleb is definitely the instigator and Gavin's little Mini Me. Whatever Gavin is doing, Kaleb is right behind him. Which is where he has learned alot of his skills of getting into everything. Jakob is more of an observer, he sits back and watches most of the time. He will also get in the middle of Gavin and Kaleb but he prefers to observe everyone else and then go do it once they are done because he has learned then he can have it all to himself without the other 2 bothering him :-) Gavin truly loves his little brothers, he is always giving them BIG hugs (his words!) and kisses. "Trying' to help them...for example, I was putting Kaleb down for nap yesterday and I hear Gavin downstairs trying to help Jakob get down from his high chair. EK! Kaleb and Jakob are in awe of Gavin....it is the cutest sight to see them both crawling after Gavin to go where he is going :-)

Kaleb is cruising around on the tables and furnitures, I don't think he will be walking by his birthday but you never know! I would guess not (which is fine by me!) but we will have to wait and see. He seems to need to practice different skills longer before he masters them. He is babbling and learning to tell us what he wants and when he wants it. He is the big teddy bear. He loves to cuddle with you! You would think with him being bigger than Jakob, he would be the tougher guy but he is not. He is usually the first to cry, complain or want you to pick him up. He reminds alot of Gavin when he was little...like Gavin, Kaleb's new love is opening/closing doors, AH! Most of you know Gavin's obsession with doing that over and over again :-P He is also constantly on the move, much like his big brother! Crawling over things, knocking them down, throwing, getting a stick in each hand and starts waving them around all over place (hitting jakob in head!). He gets super excited when the bathroom or laundry room are accidentally left open....he giggles and yells and takes off for the room open! He either wants to flush the toilet, play in the toilet (EW!!!!) if the lid is open or try to climb in the washer :-D

Kaleb has 6 teeth, 4 on top and 2 on bottom! He is really enjoying all his new foods and sippy cup with milk or water :-)

Jakob sits back and watches intently. With Kaleb when he was learning to pull up on things...it took him about 2 weeks to learn not to stand on the sides of his foot/ankle and how to sit back down. About a month after Kaleb had it mastered and Jakob observing, Jakob just pulled himself and sat right back down. He didn't scream and cry because he couldn't sit down (like Kaleb :-P) Jakob also likes to cruise around on the couches and tables, he isn't too quick but that's ok!
He is our giggle box, the child laughs all the time! We will be in the car and Kaleb is babbling or Gavin is talking about something and all you hear from Jakob is him cracking up :-D He has a million and one facial expressions, I love it!

He has his 2 bottom teeth and his top front teeth are cutting now (ouch!) Jakob eats ALOT!! I swear the child must have a hollow limb because I have no idea where he puts all the food he eats. So far he likes to eat pretty much anything but peaches. And he also enjoys his sippy, he just started picking it up yesterday by himself, YAY!!!

J&K are great sleepers!!! Some friends refer to me as the "Sleep Nazi' because I am usually the first to leave playdates to get my boys home for their naps. If I learned anything with Gavin and it has proven true with J&K, sleep definitely begets sleep. The better they nap during the day, the better they sleep at night. If they are overtired their naps are crap and then they are cranky. No thanks...I would rather be a sleep nazi with happy babies :-) They are still napping 2x a day, usually 8:30-10:00 and 1:30-3:00/3:30, going to bed at 7:00 and waking up at 6:00/6:30. This may sound early to you but Gavin was always a early riser but now he sleeps until 7:00, so J&K waking up at 6 works out perfectly because we can spend some time with them, give bottles and play. Then Gavin wakes up :-)

Here are some other fun pics when I was trying to take their 11 month pictures...they would NOT sit still for anything! I tried to take the pictures when Marcin was at work and finally I just decided to wait so he could help me keep them still :-)


and they're off....



gavin trying to 'help' lol

I love their serious faces ....studying their cars

LOL jakob seems to think that Kaleb won't notice he is trying to take his car?!

Diets, Potty and School....

Day 30 of weight/exercise -

* 4lbs lighter :-) That's about 1 lb a week. Works for me!! And it's progress. That is just with eating smaller portions, making better food choices and fast walking for 30 minutes a day. I am anxious to see my results in a month after I incorporate weights!!

I also want to try Couch to 5K with a friend, I just need to get started on it!!! I don't really like running but I am willing to try it.

My clothes are already starting to fit better...well except for my stupid midsection. I really hope with all hopes that weight loss and exercise will decrease it so that it is bearable for me and I won't need a tummy tuck. The doctor said they usually schedule them 2 months out and I am giving myself until December to judge my progress. The recovery scares me a bit so if I don't need it, I don't want it. But at the same time, I also want to feel good about me! I am grateful for my body and allowing me to grow and give birth to 3 healthy boys but darn....LOL I've got other 'battles scars' on my body that can show for the pregnancies, lol Like my feet...carrying all that weight with J&K definitely widened them a bit so now most of my cute shoes aren't as comfy as they used to be. Which is fine because I rarely wear my cute shoes *sigh*

Tentative Day 4 of successful potty for Gavin!!! WOO HOO!!!!!

I am giving any and all credit for this to Marcin, and Gavin of course! It was his idea and Gavin has responded very well to it!
As most of you know, Gavin is not a fan of sitting still. Rarely does he sit still so that would probably explain why my idea wasn't so successful. A few months ago when Gavin first started using potty, he was using one of those that you can put anywhere and have to clean, ew :/ So Marcin decided why not put it in the family room and let Gavin watch one of his shows while 'waiting' to pee. Low and behold....it worked. Gavin did not kick, scream or throw anything! And he peed on the darn thing! He also takes it while 'walking slowly so it doesn't make mess' to the big potty, dumps it and flushes it. And in true Gavin fashion wants to take the lid off the back of the toilet tank to see how it works when he flushes. What will this child be when he grows up?! lol
Marcin also made him his very own special M&M container with a sign on it that says, 'Gavin's Potty M&M's" Gavin said that he would like 4 M&M's for peeing on potty. He gets 10 if he poops....Gavin is a good negogiator.
So not only has this been working but it is MUCH easier to manage with J&K than before.  Yesterday he even said to me that he needed to pee and ran to sit on his potty while telling me that he wants to watch Caillou :-)

Which leads me to my next update, Gavin's preschool. Oh vey....last October we went to the preschool orientation. At that time, Marcin said he heard the principal state that they needed to be potty trained for 3 year old preschool. I didn't recall hearing this...then again this was just a month after J&K were born so it is possible. I do recall being in the 3 year old classroom, a parent asking about pull ups and the teacher replying that some kids do come to class in pull up and aren't completely potty trained. So I didn't stress over it.

Well....last week I emailed Gavin's teacher to tell her that Gavin is not completely potty trained and I will be sending him to school in a pull up, which I wanted to avoid completely but if that's what we need to do. But seriously...what is difference between diaper and pull up?! It is just 2 days a week for 3 hours, not a big deal. And usually Gavin doesn't go when he is busy with stuff. The teacher replies Friday at 5:00 p.m. that she is forwarding this onto the principal because it is an 'admission issue.' News to me, hmph. I am pissed and assuming I won't get reply from principal until Monday. Thankfuly she replied within  a couple hours explaining that over the past year there were issues with kids not being fully trained and the time to change them was taking away from class time and becoming distracting. Ok I get that. She then proceeded to tell me about my child when she has not even met him,

First, potty training is a sign of readiness for school in general.  Your little fellow is very young. You may just want to think about coming to the 3 year old program for 2012-13.  We would not charge you the registration fee again. also, If he makes significant progress, you may want to enter the program later this year or enter the 4's next year. If he is clearly in route to being trained except for a possinble occasional accident, then he might watch the others and learn more quickly. Then he could come to school.  He doesn't appear that he is even that far.

This is what irked me. Please notice the incorrect spelling lol Yes he is a very young three, that I agree. He just turned 3 two weeks ago. But do not pass judgement on a child you have not met.

After this we just had a bad taste in our mouth. We were all ready for him to start and very disappointed. We decided over the weekend that we didn't want him to attend there this school year. Would he be singled out? Would it become a distraction mid year and he get pull out? Would it be a bad first school experience for him? So many questions we can't possibly have answers for.

So I have been scrambling this week to find a program for him a couple days a week. We would prefer he be in a 3 year old preschool but many in our area require them to be fully potty trained.

I see two positives to this happening 1) We are glad we found out before the first day of school 2) He already has a spot in the 4 year old preschool, that is if I am able to let go of my grudge by then :-)

And I also have to wonder...did this happen for a reason? Maybe he wasn't meant to go there, ya know?

So that our past week in a nutshell. Never a dull moment :-)