Big Day In Lorain County

With the cost of gas, this may have well been our Summer Vacation!

We started the day at 10am, after breakfast and baths. We stopped at the Coit Rd. Farmers Market for some stuff. I am majorly missing my herb garden and knew I could pick up small bundles of fresh herbs. I love chives in my scrambled eggs and have been craving it since I saw a picture of a chive plant in full bloom this week. I also got some goat cheese from Lake Erie Creamery. While Bill can not stand anything goaty, I LOVE it. BAAAHHH. It appears that my son shares my love as he downed sample after sample of the creamy goodness. Reagan may lean the way of her Daddy (or ta-ta as she is calling him lately). The pretzel the cheese was on became a kind of pencil for her and she "wrote" all over her stroller tray with it. Oh well, give her time and she'll come around.

After a little shopping we headed to a birthday party at the Lester Rail Trail in Medina. Reagan talked our ears off in the car until Enya finally lulled her to sleep. It was a really cute place to have a party and the kids were amused by the train ride. At their age, once was enough, but the other kids at the party rode many times. Reagan and Nolan enjoyed themselves and ate pretty much non-stop . Taking a look at their clothes, I see that they had Pepperoni pizza, cheese curls, blueberries, grapes, and juice boxes. They mastered the straw today as well as the juice box squeeze all kids love to do. I faintly smell of lemons when I walk thanks to Reagan giving her capri sun a hearty squeeze right into my Birkenstock. Bill likened it to the fountain at the Bellagio.

Daddy & Nolan riding the rails.


Mommy and Reagan too


We left the party around 3pm and thought the kids would pass right out. Nope, not the case. Since we are rarely in the neighborhood, we called our friends Terry & Karen to see if they were home. We stopped by and the kids toddled all around their yard for a while and were looking tired. Nope. Still no sleep.

On the way to the freeway, Bill suddenly remembered that in Elyria there is a Dog N Suds. Apparently these were popular in the 60's when Bill was growing up. I wouldn't know. ha ha The quest began. After logging on the internet from his phone I was able to find a Dog N Suds dog wash in Elyria, but no place serving 'dogs. A quick stop at the gas station (gee, asking someone actually won out over technology) led us down the right path to artery clogging goodness.

We ordered......and ordered.....and ordered. Bill needed to get in all his favorites from back in the day. A foot long Coney Dog, a Texas Burger, fries, rings, and root beer. The kids got a grilled cheese and corn dogs (hey, when in Rome.) I opted for a regular size coney dog and root beer.

The wait began........Bill and the kids (well, OK, just Bill) watched the door, waiting for hotdiggity dog goodness to come forth.



.......and then it came......





...... and they conquered......




......burp......

It was a fun family day. Despite not really having naps they kids did well and seemed to enjoy themselves. While it takes a while to pack for these day trips, they sure are fun now that the kids are a little older and more interactive. Hopefully we will have a few more of these all-dayers this summer.

Memorial Weekend

OK, so I see I never got around to uploading any pictures from Memorial Weekend. It was a busy one. We hung out with lots of friends and enjoyed a couple of very nice meals out. One at Mark & Karen's to try out their new grill and a lovely dinner party at Nonny Linda & Grandpa Fred's to try out some Kurobuta pork. It was excellent!!! The kids reach their limit by 7:30-8pm so they were early nights for us. Sam, Deb & Ginger came over for dinner one night as well. Uncle Sam helped Daddy hang the kids swing and they love it! Reagans intake of breath and a hearty giggle were enough to make that clear.

Meeting new friends, Sierra and Zoe at Mark & Karen's house.

Enjoying a picnic while Aunt Deb & Ginger look on

Playing in the new sand & water table

WWWWEEEEEE!

Reagan loves the cookies Aunt Deb brings her!

Reagan and Uncle John checking out some leaves

She loves being up high!

Our movie star

On Monday we went to Downtown Willoughby to watch the Memorial Day parade. At our old house we were on the parade route, so we just had to walk out our front door to see a parade that was about an hour long. New times call for new parades so we packed up the wagon and drove a few miles to see a parade. The drive to the parade was longer than the parade, no joke!!!! It lasted about 5 minutes. Very disappointing. We will stake out a new parade next year. At least we found out the sirens and a marching band don't scare the kids. It gives me hope for fireworks. Of course, we can't see those from our front yard anymore and Euclid puts on a great show so we might have to go back there for fireworks.

Watching the parade

Birthday Pictures

I finally got the pictures uploaded and sorted. Uncle Ed and John did an excellent job of capturing just about everyone at the party. We are so appreciative for that. It was hard for me not to be behind the lens, but I had Mommy duties to do. Thanks again to everyone that shared Reagan and Nolan's special day. It was a wonderful way to celebrate all the joys they have brought to our lives this past year. http://www.photoworks.com/photo-sharing/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=ACCAFD1C598&cp=ems_shr_alb_pml&cb=PW

How Does This Happen?

OK, this is not a post about me or about the fairly nice Memorial Day Weekend we had. That will come tomorrow once I get the pictures off the camera and I calm down a bit. I am SMOKING ANGRY right now. This is a post about a girl I know, Kate. We "met" over the internet about 4 years ago on a Fertility Friend message board. There were about 8 of us that formed our own yahoo group and kept in touch. We still email a couple of times a month, but not like we used to. Several of us have been lucky enough to have children and some haven't, so it makes things tough sometimes. Kate and her hubby have been through more infertility stuff than anyone else I know. They live in Florida and have travelled to NYC to have invitro. They have done it all, spent more than I care to imagine, and have been through the ringer. Each time it was a BFN (big fat negative in infertility speak.) Kate had a couple of tot-sicles (frozen embryos) in Florida and one at Cornell. She decided to do one last IVF in FL. The two embryos from Florida were not good quality and the Cornell one was the one all the hopes were resting on......until SOMEONE LOST IT! That is right, somewhere between the labs in NY and FL, the embie just disappeared. HOW IN THE HELL DOES THAT HAPPEN?????? I"m not starting the debate about when a life starts, but that embryo was a potential baby!!!!! Perhaps their last shot at a bio-kid. I can't even begin to imagine how Kate felt when they heard that news. They went ahead and transferred the two poor quality embryos and the result this weekend was a BFN....expected, but still devastating. How do you even begin to fathom what was potentially lost? How can they be compensated for this? After being so jaded and taken through the ringer over and over, could you even try again? My gosh, this is WAY more than someone should have to go through. My heart just aches for them.

Week In Pictures

I have been lax in my blogging. Sorry. Just a lot going on and, even though Nolan's upcoming surgery is minor compared to January I'm starting to freak out about it.

I'm still working on the birthday party pictures. I promise to have those up in the next day or so as well video of Reagan WALKING. We knew she wouldn't be too far behind Nolan and she is on the verge on a good walk. Right now it is about 5 steps and then down.


Deer visiting Reagan

Loving Dinner, especially the peas

channeling Mel Gibson in Braveheart.... or just really enjoying roasted garlic sauce and tortellini (this is probably the most messy our boy has ever been)


chillin' at the Rib-Rip Off, I mean Rib Cook off


Mediterra, new bread stand at the West Side Market

Reagan enjoying a butter cookie at the market

Steak, it's whats for dinner

More meat

Kids snack

I hate to admit this, but in the 8 months we have lived here, I've walked down to the lake about 3 times to watch the sunset. I must do it more often. While I was there a lady walked down the street to watch the sunset also and we started talking. She is a cake-maker and just a downright nice person. She came into the house to write her number down and ended up staying almost 2 hours! Turns out she lives in the neighborhood I grew up in (almost bought the house right next to our old one). She also dabbles in event planning, non-profit stuff, etc. She took a bunch of Bill's DJ cards. Hey, you never know where this might lead. Anyway, she was a super nice person and I'll be sure to have her make a cake for the next special occasion.

My First Sale

I particpated in my first Moms Of Multiples sale at the fairgrounds last weekend. The kids had so many clothes that they have outgrown and this was a way to make a little extra cash and have some Mommy time. My friend Lori and I split a space and it was nice to spend time with her without one of us having to stop talking to take care of a child. It was the most time she and I have spent together since we worked together at the library.

Here is a little breakdown of how the sale went:

cost to rent space : $7.50 (split w/Lori)

-12 (while setting up I saw a caterpillar double swing for a swing set or tree)

-5 (turtle sandbox, grabbed that before the sale opened to the public)

-15 (plastic food for future kitchen for the kids)

-14 (Baby Einstein Videos & swim suits for Reagan)

-2.70 (swim trunks for Nolan & baby faces books)

+127 in sales

= $70.80

Not sure if all the time spent prepping for, setting up for, and tearing down from the sale were worth $70, but it was a fun day and a much needed break from the house.

I got a few tips from people about things I should list on Craig's List that will sell so I hope to make a little more there.

So, it is Friday and I realized I never published this post! I did make a little more from Craig's List and have two sales pending so hopefully I'll break the $150 mark.

Major Milestones

We hit a couple of major milestones this weekend. Nolan got up on his own, no encouragement from any of us, and walked across the room! Then he did it again and again and again! He looks so cute walking like a little Frankenstein trying to keep his balance. Not to be outdone, Reagan decided to visit the Land of Bedrock and morph into Fred Flintstone yesterday. All we've heard for the past 24 hours is this.....

I promise Birthday pictures soon. I'm incorporating the ones I received from Uncle Ed and making a slide show.

That Word Again

Reagan, Nolan, and I went to the mall today to make a return and just walk around and window shop. With the cost of gas that is about all I can afford to do these days. I was unaware that it was Senior Citizens Faire Day and the mall was packed. It took us forever to get through the mall because all the little grandma's had to stop and talk to the kids and have the same basic conversation with me..... Are they twins? A boy and a girl? What are their names? They seem like good babies. Those are nice names. You are so lucky.

There it is again. LUCKY. I had to have heard that 15 times today, no joke.

Reagan, Nolan, and I grabbed some lunch at the food court and I finally had a minute to think once they started chowing. Yep, I am lucky. Bill and I are very lucky. Our kids are amazing. Our friends are wonderful. Our family cares so much about our kids that they came from NYC and Dallas for their birthday. We have a nice house in a nice neighborhood. We want for nothing.

If I wasn't such a wuss I'd get "lucky" tattooed somewhere on my body, so I'd always have a reminder when I think otherwise.

My Little Harry Potter

(Bill adds: This picture of the little guy reminded me of those Atomic Test photos from the 1950's)

Playing in the mall

Reagan showing off her brother's paci that she stole out of his mouth.... and their new wagon! They really like it.

Happy Mother's Day

Sorry it is a day late. I was a little busy. After 86 people come to a party at your house, there is much work to do. It was a wonderful party and the only HUGE one we are having so it was well worth it. Reagan and Nolan were superstars..... laughing and playing with everyone. Nolan only had a moment when he got a little overwhelmed by everyone singing Happy Birthday, but otherwise they were passed around like footballs and enjoyed every minute. I saw this on another blog and thought it was nice (and true) What I've Learned Since Becoming A Mom I’ve learned how to pick things up from the floor with my feet because my arms are full. I’ve learned to live with the dust bunnies - it’s much more important to play with the dinosaurs than vacuum. I’ve learned that the only time my living room will be clutter free is between 8pm and 7am. I’ve learned that chap stick and silly faces will entertain a toddler while waiting at the DMV. I’ve learned that there is nothing better than cuddling with a sleepy baby or toddler - nothing. I’ve learned that in a time of crisis, I can do what needs to be done for the sake of my child (but then fall apart later). I’ve learned that I can feel such intense love that my heart might explode. Back to working on getting the birthday pictures posted :-)

The Speech

Well, the party has come and gone. My babies are officially 1 year old. I am dead tired, but here I am. Reagan is having a tough night so she and Daddy crashed after the last guests left around 10:30pm and I started cleaning up and then I brought in all the gifts they got. Well....not all of them, the 2 wagons and the art table are in the garage! I had to stop opening gifts 1/2 way through to get the kids ready for bed and my mom took over, so I don't even know what all they got, but it is sure a lot. Everyone was so generous. Of course, in my mind I had a little something I wanted to say to everyone, but at parties like this time gets away. So here is what I wanted to say today......... Bill, Reagan, Nolan and I are so lucky to have all of you in our lives. You were there for us through our struggles to have them, you were there when they were born, you moved us, you prayed for us when Nolan had surgery, and now you celebrate with us. Aunt Jane came from NYC and Uncle Bob from Dallas, just to celebrate this special day. What a year it has been and there needs to be a better word to describe how we feel about having you all in our lives; lucky doesn't cover it. So cheers to you for being our family and our friends. May we celebrate many more happy days together. More tomorrow..... I need to get to bed.

Starring Reagan & Nolan P.

Here is the montage I put together for Reagan and Nolan's birthday party. It is long....20 minutes, but then again it is for two kids :-) I can't watch it without crying, hell I can't even think about it without getting teary. All the cliches are true.... they changed my life, time flies, they grow everyday, they are the most wonderful children ever, etc!!!! These kids are the most loved children I have ever seen. They have so many people that care about them. They have no idea how lucky they are. They have aunts, uncles, and grandparents all over the world and as soon as they can ride a plane alone, they will be visiting-LOL! Thank you for sharing in all the moments, even the painful ones, this past year. It has been a fun ride!

Never Judge A Book.....

Remember what I said yesterday about "the plan" to get flowers planted? Well, I went to 4 stores and no one had impatiens. I ran out of patiences and went home .

This morning the kids and I took a lemonade bundt cake (one of Bill's favorite sweets I make) and an orange pineapple one to his work. Bill's boss and co-workers have been so kind and understanding through all our trials and tribulations with the kids this first year so I thought I'd make them a little "birthday" cake of their own.

Icing for the lemon:

Icing for the orange pineapple:

On the way home I stopped at a garden center I had never been to before, near the railroad tracks in downtown Willoughby, Willoughby Coal & Garden. I pulled in and there was a surly looking man standing at the front entrance. Long grey hair in a pony tail, lots of ink, scowling. I'm just setting the stage. Those of you that knew me 15 years ago know the crowd I ran with and this guy was probably one of my friends fathers, so I didn't really think twice about him.

He watched me get the stroller out and then the kids. He asked me if it was worth all that hassle. I told him of course. The kids are well traveled and enjoy seeing new things. All of a sudden they start laughing at him, showing him that they are going to be 1, putting on the full show. He looked at me and said, "Wow, usually kids cry and run when they see me, these guys are special."

He spent a lot of time talking to me about our landscaping challenges at the new house (lack of sun in the front where there is a large bed.) I ended up buying some dirt and some annuals (I don't enjoy annuals, but don't want to sink a bunch of money into perennials without doing more research.)

He helped me carry our purchases to the minivan and included where two pots of plants I didn't buy. As he put them in the car he said, "I's an old superstition to not thank someone for giving them flowers on their birthday." Awww, almost wanted to hug the big biker guy. I hadn't judged him at first, but I wonder how many others have and walked the other way?

Their loss.

Can't have a post without a pic of the kids. Here they are enjoying their first Cooper's ice cream. They tried the Grandpap's favorite; a black raspberry sundae. They loved it. He would have been grinning ear to ear watching them. You know that is probably him grinning through the sunlight behind Reagan.

Here It Comes.....

The big day is quickly approaching. We've got a roof leak, a plumbing problem, and they are now calling for rain on Saturday!!!! All things I have no control over, so no use dwelling on it. I am going to try to pretty up the yard a little today and plant some flowers. At least that is the plan, we all know how that works! I was thinking back to last year at this time. I know I was an emotional wreck. I went back to my old blog and looked at the posts to better remember the basket case I was. It didn't come through in my posts as much as I remember. Here is a post from 5/3/07 The cribs came on Saturday and the room is finally complete!!!! I really like it and I hope the babies are happy in it. I would have loved a reading/window seat like they have when I was a kid. It is so warm and inviting. I'm not sure they will really appreciate it if we move before they are old enough to remember. Tomorrow is our final doctors appointment. SO hard to believe. I think back to our first appointment when she gave us the tentative due date of May 17 and said if we made it to 36 weeks the babies would be good, and that is only 2 days away. At that time it seemed that it would take forever to get here and it is now upon us. I'm going to miss the babies kicking me and the hiccups and I take time everyday to soak it in since this will probably be the only time I'll ever have these feelings. It is so amazing when you really stop and think about it. I think I've done my best to make the babies healthy and strong and I'll try my best to continue to do so. Funny. The babies never spent a night in that nursery. They were in a co-sleeper in our room or a crib in the office at the old house. Moving happened a lot sooner than I guess I was planning for. I look at them now and imagine them when they were little beans we saw on a TV screen. Now they are walking, babbling (I actually think they speak Mandarin), laughing, and are eating machines and it is so hard to remember that time and it has only been a year. Anyone who has suffered through infertility knows that if you are lucky enough to have a child you never exactly forget all you went through. I do know that we won the in vitro lottery and I thank God everyday for Dr. Loret de Mola and Vicky the embryologist that watched over our 10 little indians in the lab and took care of the 5 that made it. I think about the 2 popciscle kids we have on ice and what they would have turned out like if they had been picked to be transferred on Sept 11, 2006. Anyway.... Reagan and Nolan love these baby faces. You can hear them laugh and Reagan gets going about 40 seconds in and starts saying "baby" over and over. Love it!

Nice Day

After a quick walk to the library, we had to go to BJ's to drop off the photos for the kids birthday cakes. Yes, I may still be in denial that they are really turning one in N-I-N-E days, but the show must go on! They love driving around the store in this cart. All the ladies handing out samples give them stuff to eat and they just drive around beeping their horns at people.


I said go that way!!!!

On the way home we stopped at the park and the kids rode the swings for the first time. They LOVED it. I think once Daddy gets theirs installed on the tree in the backyard, we may never get them out of them!

Video from the park..... listen to her "eeeeee's!"

Guess what?! You can finally see that we have a floor in our basement. You'd never have known with all the boxes all over the place for the past 8 months. Bill has been working long and hard to build a bar, wine cellar, and laudry room and it is nearing completition. I unpacked the bar stuff yesterday. It was good to see our stuff again. Hello, Cpt. Morgan! Seriously, we pitched a lot. I just kept saying "If we haven't thought about this in 8 months, do we really need it?" Nope. Out it went! It felt good. I'm also beginning to think my pool table just might fit in the basement after all.