First Home Opener!

A first I forgot!

Babies 1st Indians Home Opener.

This used to be a big deal in our household. Bill had been to every HO for years. We took a break one year as a trip to Puerto Vallarta overlapped opening day and being 7.5 months pregnant with twins last year, I opted out.

During the game last year, I was envisioning that in '08 we would dress the kids in their Tribe gear and head down to the JAKE, as a family, to check out the brick we bought Daddy for Father's Day in the Heritage Park.

That is not happening.

First, we forgot to get tickets and it sold out in like 5 minutes. Second, it is not the JAKE anymore :-( Third, Daddy is in San Francisco. No family experience happening today. Since it is supposed to be a nicer day, I actually thought about taking the kids downtown just to experience the Opening Day Atmosphere.

Who am I kidding.

After being up half the night with a barfing CAT --not kid---CAT, and going to gym and swim at the Y this morning, I'm not going to be up for dragging these kids anywhere! We'll send Grammy out for some baseball game food and sit in front of the TV... for the 5 minutes the kids will allow me without wanting to climb all over me. On second thought, maybe I will take them to a restaurant so I can actually see an inning or two! LOL

Anyway, GO TRIBE!!! I'll probably end up catching the score on the news, if I can stay awake that long. Please, no barfing tonight Chandler!

I set up some templates in photoshop last night and had hoped to get some good pictures of Reagan and Nolan in their outfits. I guess I need to lower my expectations of "good" photos of 2 10-month olds! LOL Here are some outtakes :)

So Many New Things

It seems like a switch got turned on inside Reagan and Nolan in the last couple of weeks. They are really trying to communicate. Reagan started clapping and hasn't stopped. Nolan began making these noises with his lips and tongue, that neither Bill or I can duplicate. They both figured out how to crawl up the stairs. Yes, gates are being installed ASAP. Nolan is getting faster and faster at furniture walking and Reagan let go of both my hands for a brief second and stood before grabbing back on.



I'm trying to work on the kids 1st birthday party invitations. I've got it pretty much how I want it and I just need a "now" photo of the kids. I got them dressed in their birthday onesies the other day and tried to take a decent photo. Reagan has started this new thing and when she sees the camera she wrinkles up her nose and face like she is smelling poopy! EVERY.SINGLE.PICTURE looks like this. Help me!!!!!


On a somber note, my cousin JoAnne's brother-in-law passed away this week. He was 47. You'll remember that JoAnne lost her husband, Joe, a couple of years ago and he was barely 40. No mother should have to bury two of her sons. Just a reminder to hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight since you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Go Ahead, Have A Good Laugh

On Friday we became one of those people. The people that used to drive nice cars until they have children and then suddenly, a rolling jumble of storage compartments, power doors, and 18 cupholders suddenly become cool.

Yes, we have become mini-van owners!

I have to say, while it is nothing special to drive, the Dodge Grand Caravan is really nice and comfortable. It has a ton of storage and the middle row of seats fold completely into the floor. Another feature I find really awesome are the tailgate seats. The rear seats turn around and you can sit in them when you are tailgating or at the drive-in. These will come in handy when we go to Browns games this year..... and we will be going to more than the one game we went to last season!

Don't worry, there is no way in Hell Bill will ever give up being a Porsche owner, so when the urge to really DRIVE a car hits, we can still do that. (Bill adds: damn-straight, skippy. I gotta admit that it rides well, there are no hauling issues with this thing, it has a LOT of features including free Sirius for a year, and between the tier-I supplier discount and a wheelbarrow full of rebates they practically PAID us to drive it off the lot.)

Easter was awesome this year!!! The kids had a great time, we shared the day with my mom, Sam & Deb, John & Jan, and Joey. The food was fabulous. From the $120 ham we had for a starter (Bill adds: that's $120 a pound Iberian ham, that has a texture like butter), to the panettone bread pudding, it was all SO good. I had to take three pictures to get all of the food in. The kids looked so cute dressed up, they ate a little bit of everything, and they played with all their new stuff. An all around wonderful day.

Kids all ready for Easter

The next three are compliments of Ed Chuey. Uncle Ed and Aunt Eleanor are both great photographers and they caught some cute moments between Reagan and Grammy, Nolan and his ears, and Reagan being Reagan.

Easter Morning

Stuffing, grilled asparagus w/balsamic reduction, honey-mustard glazed turkey

smoked kielbsa, bread, cheesy corn bake

braised cabbage, ham, and amish style mashed potatoes

Easter Greetings

Not Impressed With The Rabbit

They didn't cry, but they didn't crack a smile either!



Reagan was busy pulling her ears off and once those came off she started going after the real ones. Nolan tentatively touched the fur, but quickly drew his hand back.




Easter is the last of the "first" holidays for the kids. That makes me very sad since we will probably not experience first holidays ever again. I guess we could celebrate some lesser known days to get a few more "firsts". For example, National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day , Hug a Newsman Day , No Housework Day ,Pig in a Blanket Day , Hug an Australian Day , National Shrimp Scampi Day.

Bill adds: There are a few more Holiday "firsts" that I have been waiting on, with gleeful anticipation

4/11 International Louie Louie Day

4/30 Beltane / Walpurgisnacht (an alternative to May Day, which will never recover from its preemption by the commies. All those bolsheviks out there banging their shoes still don't get it).

Also, today, a very Happy Snowman Burning Day to you!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Week In Review

I'm glad to see that the blog has an active following..... I've been scolded four times in the last couple of days for not doing an update this week!

It has been a pretty ho-hum week, plus Reagan and I are sick. I could feel it coming on yesterday, but I was in denial because I had a Mommy's Day out planned and I was not changing plans. I even went to the Y and worked out, hoping to fight off the cold that way. Didn't work.

We did our usual Gym and Swim on Monday and Aunt Deb came along to help. Everyone had a good time and we can't wait to play again with Aunt Deb.

Playing at gym time..... and Nolan finding a new place to play..... in the locker room.

Wednesday my mom, the kids, and I did some shopping at another MoM (mom of multiples) house for some summer clothes for Nolan. We got a ton of nice stuff for him. We met Daddy and, at the last minute Aunt Connie was able to join us for dinner at the Winking Lizard. Reagan and Nolan also sat in snow for the first time, they were not impressed. More of an ick sensation.

Paula is on Spring Break from class so on Thursday we drove down to the Plain Dealer so I could drop off some photos for a travel photo contest and then we lunced at Pacers. I've seen the competition and I have no delusions that I will win, but what the heck.

Reagan was just getting sick in this pic, you can see it in her eyes.

Saturday was my Mommy Day with Carrie & Jen. We hit Shaker Square's Indoor Farmers Market, had a great lunch at Flying Cranes (Udon Noodle bowl hit the spot!), shopped for yarn (for Jen...Carrie and I only wish we could knit!), and then hit On The Rise, a phenominal artisinal bakery. I picked up my fave, an epi- good crusty bread that goes so well with some goat cheese and a chocolate raspberry tart. It was a great day and look forward to a time we can do it again.

Some friends came to help Bill later Saturday and he made dinner to thank them. It was a yummy pork stuffed beef roasted served over cheesy grits and honey carrots. The grits hit the spot for me, nothing like something like that when you are coming down with a cold. Nolan and Reagan enjoyed playing with Mark & Karen's 3-year old daughter, while I enjoyed oohing and ahhing at their 10 week son. Gosh, I miss holding Reagan and Nolan when they were that small. Uncle John got some electrical work done so the washer and dryer are back on-line.

There you have it :-)

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

When the kids take a bath,we listen to kid-oriented CD's (Daddy has other ideas since The Foo Fighters disc was left in the player after he did baths last weekend.) So we are doing the Hokey, Pokey (what if that really is what it's all about?!), Itsy, Bitsy Spider, and Old McDonald. Next on the CD is the song "You Are My Sunshine." I've heard this song a million times, but today was the first day I LISTENED to it. What an awfully depressing song.

See for youself. With my comments.

You Are My Sunshine
You are my sunshine,
my only sunshine
you make me happy when skies are gray
you'll never know dear,
how much I love you,
please don't take my sunshine away.

OK, not so bad. First couple of lines are cute, but wait a minute, where might his"sunshine" be going and why? I bet you were even singing along, weren't ya?

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping,
I dreamed I held you in my arms,
but when I woke dear, I was mistaken,
and I hung my head and cried.

Aw, so sad. Why are his arms empty? Don't cry. You'll find someone else.

Refrain:
You are my sunshine,
my only sunshine
you make me happy when skies are gray
you'll never know dear,
how much I love you,
please don't take my sunshine away.

I'll always love you and make you happy
if you will only say the same
but if you leave me to love another
you'll regret it all some day

What? "You'll regret it all some day?" What does that mean? Will she just be sad or is he going to do something to MAKE her regret loving another? What kind of song am I playing for the kids?

Refrain

You told me once dear you really loved me
that no one else could come between
but now you've left me and love another
you have shattered all my dreams.

ALL his dreams are shattered? That is so sad. That cheating bitch!

Refrain
Words and Music byJimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell
recorded in 1931by(Governor) Jimmie Davis

Blah, Blah, Blah

Cold. Snow. Rain. Snow melts. Sunshine. Clipper coming. More snow. and on. and on. What did that damn groundhog say anyway?

We were stuck in the house for most of the week due to a snowstorm that closed schools for a couple of days in the area. We played, watched our sign language video a few times, and cleaned out the kids dressers. Finally on Friday we got out and took the kids to the Y for more swimming fun. They did really well this time. Without other kids to induce a panic, they got into being in the water quickly. Nolan was moving his body like his feet were a fin and Reagan loved floating on her back.

On Saturday morning, I got to go to the Y on my own. It was so nice to walk on a treadmill and ride a bike and just zone out for a while. That is right, I am saying exercise was nice! No worrying about who was touching the TV, banging their head, being hungry, needing a diaper, etc. Just me being me for a little while.

I picked the kids and my mom up and then headed to Wild Oats and Trader Joe's. Never again on a Saturday will I step foot in Trader Joe's. Besides the fact that they don't carry my favorite quick marinade anymore, the place was a zoo. Why, why, why does TJ's do this? As soon as I fall in love with an item, they stop carrying it. At least this is not as bad as when they discontinued the rice crackers that were getting me through my first trimester. Talk about almost going postal! Nolan was so over it by the time we got to the check out. Reagan was dancing in the shopping cart and having a grand time a few aisles over with Grammy. Nolan was so tired, yet never really got a good nap, thus this is what happened during dinner with Aunt Jan and Uncle John! Really, it does not reflect on the company ;-) We had a wonderful evening, as we always do with John & Jan.

Poor sleepy boy.

Today my mom and I took the kids to the Y to swim again. It is rough for my mom with her back problems so I have to do all the heavy lifting. She helps out as much as she can and I know it is frustrating for her to not be able to do more. It is getting so hard for me to carry both kids for any length of time though. They are pushing twenty lbs. each, so it is exhausting. I am determined that they will do all the things I'd do if we only had a singleton. They are not going to miss out on anything due to the logistics of being a twin. I've got a hip carrier I'm going to have to dig out so my back gets a little break though.

Now that Miss Reagan is standing a lot, her clumsy side has come out. She looks like she ran through the woods with reckless abandon. Scratches and bruises abound. She just needs to learn to sit down slowly to get back to crawling instead of taking a header against the corner guard on the end table so hard that she rips the guard off as she falls.

That is it from our corner of the world. Hope you are doing well in yours!

Gym & Swim

Today was our first day of Gym & Swim at the Y. Bill took some vacation time for some house stuff, but took a break to go to their first day. He was so glad he did; it was just too cute! They are so lucky to have a Daddy that cares so much about their day to day happenings.

For gym time there are a few exercises and stretches, but it is mainly free play on the mats and these soft blocks, rockers, slides, etc. I was very happy with the way Reagan and Nolan interacted with the other kids. Reagan took right to playing and even crawled up to a mom she had never met before and tried to use her to stand up on. Nolan was interested in the kids to a point, but they put some toys out and he loved this one rattle so it consumed his gym time. When the teacher was taking attendance, she called Nolan's name, and he raised his arm to wave at her.....here I am!

After gym time, we headed to the lockers to get ready for swim time. Nolan was very nervous when he and Bill first got in the water. Lots of whining and some of his "fake" crying. Then some of the other kids started crying so it became contagious. Bill would stand up with him and reassure him and then they would go back to floating around. He calmed down and really seemed to have a good time.

Miss Reagan is going to be a water bug, like her mama. She only seemed to get anxious when the other kids would start (one had a complete meltdown and had to leave class), otherwise she was fine. She seemed to enjoy floating on her back, although instead of stretching her legs out she kept them straight up in the air. Synchronized swimming at such a young age!

Look at Nolan clinging to Bill!

Reagan's bathing suit is super cute. It has a little ruffle around the middle and has flowers on it. It is a bit low-cut so we have to watch the cleavage :-) She is still enjoying sticking her tongue out all the time.

I'll tell you, it was exhausting for all of us. They took a good nap and even I caught a few zzzz's. I usually use nap time to do my consulting work or catch up around the house, but not today!

One funny note that will amuse anyone that was part of our Brickhouse Days. For those not familiar, the Brickhouse was a bar in Willoughby (right across the street from the Y) that Bill was the DJ for every Thursday night. There was a whole crew of us that would attend--this is how we all met Bill-- and take full advantage of the ladies drink specials. One poor soul was the "shepherd" (our term for the designated driver) for the night, usually our friend, Pork Chop. God bless him.....he made sure all the "sheep" (our term for drunk girls who would do things to torment him on purpose) got home safely and didn't do anything too embarrassing (or against the law) for the evening. He also kept a quote book of anything "witty" (have to use that term loosely since we were generally pretty drunk) we would say. There was one night in particular that some of the girls went outside for some air and had a rather ruckus conversation and Chops pen was flying. Many of those quotes came from Tracy D. Fast forward 10 years (yes, 10 years!!!!!!) to today at the Y. We are getting signed in and the door to the childwatch center door opens (place you can drop your kid off while you work out) and out strolls Tracy D. She is the childwatcher!!!!! Oh, the irony. She is going to be my children's "shepherd!"

Son Of A B^#@h*

I am with these kids basically 24/7. They cry, I comfort. Their bellies growl, I make food. They poop, I clean. They laugh, I laugh.

Thursday after work, Bill was on his way to a beer dinner at Bar Cento (his Valentine's Day gift from the kids and I) and he wanted to say good night to them. I put the phone to Nolan's ear and told him to say hi to Daddy. "Hi Dad-dee" flowed from his lips. Bill thought it was me joking around. Nope. From the mouth of the babe.

Friday morning Nolan pulled himself up on the blockade from the living room into the dining room and looked at Bill who was sitting at the kitchen bar working at his PC and said "Hi Dad-dee". Clear as a bell.

Early Saturday AM (4:05am to be exact) Nolan woke (we are guessing) due to teething pain. I know we are creating a monster, but we try to calm him and if that doesn't work, we bring him into our bed so he won't create a ruckus and wake his sister, besides we want/need sleep and he will just keep waking every few minutes crying. He settled into his boppy pillow in between Bill and I and commenced a conversation with his pacifier. Da-da? Dad-dee.....and on and on. I finally told him that it was ma-ma that got him out of his crib and maybe he could show me a little love........ SO HE DID! MA-MA, he said. FINALLY. I woke Bill up because I was so excited!

However, the rest of day has been all Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da.

On Monday morning when there is poop in his pants and hunger in his tummy, we'll see who Nolan's "Dad-dee" is!

*This post is all in good fun. I understand the lingual aspects of a child's development and that the "d" sound is one of the first they make, even those ours made a "K" sound first --Kitty Cat! But come on!!!!!

Pay no attention to the baby behind the curtain.






Miss Suzy Snowflake.



The baby jail.

(Bill adds: Actually, as Sam and some others could appreciate, I originally gave this pic the caption, "Boys, Avenge Me! Avennnnnggge Me!"*)


Nolan getting ready for his 9 month/Easter pics. I was going to delete this pic since he is not doing anything in it, but then I started thinking about what the photographer said when I mentioned something about his scar. She said she didn't notice it until she was really close to him and looking down from above. He is healing so well that as soon as he gets a haircut and evens things out, I don't think you will notice it very much at all. Let's hope he inherits my thick locks! Anyway, here is a shot of Nolan 6 weeks post-op.





*For those not in the know, that comes from the 1984 classic Red Dawn, starring Patrick "nobody puts Russkie in a corner" Swayze

Me Too!

Reagan has been working really hard to pull herself up and she did it!!!

The Next Iron Chefs

Move over Michael Symon, there are some new chefs in town.

We met some friends at Bar Cento for Tuesday kids cookin' night. Kids get a chef's hat and they get to pick all the toppings and create their very own masterpiece pizza. The creation Maddie made looked wonderful.....fresh mozzarella & nice pepperoni. They had all sorts of toppings to choose from, all local or organic. While Reagan and Nolan were not up for making their own 'za, they did enjoy the hat. Perhaps a little too much as there is a bite out of the top of it. It is a very creative way to get a "bar" packed on a Tuesday night. The best part is pizza night starts at 4p, which is great since by 7p we are ready for bed! Loads of familes having a great time together with GREAT food option for the parents.

Anyway it was fun and we finally got to meet some folks we have been corresponding with on the food forum for a long time. They have two little ones (3 yrs and 6 weeks) so it was nice to not be the only ones in the place juggling two kids! We'll be back, I'm already craving the bianco pizza I had and the bite of Bill's burger was divine. The pumpkin ravioli is calling my name for our next visit.

Doctor, Doctor, Doctor

The week of doctor visits is over, and all is well, big sigh of relief.

Monday we saw the neurosurgeon. He is very pleased with the results and he said Nolan doesn't need to see him anymore, unless we feel a need in the future. So, bye-bye Dr. Luciano. He is a nice man and a skilled surgeon, but I hope we never need his services again!

Wednesday we saw Dr. Papay, the cranial-facial plastic surgeon. He is still 100% pleased with the way Nolan's surgery came out. We need to see him in 5 months to take some "after" pictures and to touch base and then we will be done with him, unless we feel a need. Woo-hoo!

Friday was the 9 month checkup. The new doctor was very nice and the kids seemed to really like her. They are such hams though. They know to smile for the flash of a camera, so when she turned the light on to check their eyes, they put on their biggest, brightest smile. SAY CHEESE! They didn't need shots, but did get a blood test to check for anemia and a lead test. In hindsight the shots would have been easier. Taking blood from a 9 month old just sucks. Plain and simple. Plus the kids seem to have "deep veins" so the tech had to literally dig around in their elbow for a vein. Very traumatic for Reagan, Nolan, Mommy and Daddy.

Can you guess which stats belong to which kid*?
19lbs 13.5 oz, 28"
19 lbs 10oz, 27 1/2"
* hint-they have flipped size-wise since being born

No more doctor appts until May when we set up surgery to remove the cyst on Nolan's neck, the follow-up with the ophthalmologist for his astigmatism, and the dreaded 12 month check up with the ped where we will discuss delaying the MMR vaccine. Yes, I am one of THOSE parents that is still not convinced autism is not linked in some way to vaccines so we are taking a cautious approach to them.

Here is a short video of NOlan's latest..... he learned to shake his head NO. I'm trying to get one of Reagan saying 'kitty', but as soon as she sees the camera she stops what she is doing to smile. HAM!

Some pictures from the last few days:

Uncle Sam & Aunt Deb brought the kids cookies with blue frosting that turns your lips and tongue blue. Of course, this is the one picture Nolan has taken his whole life where he isn't smiling to show it off. He does have some blue in the corner. Reagan was just being silly.

They went to their friend, Isabella's, 1st birthday party on Sunday. I don't know if Reagan is just getting used to her new car seat (no more carriers-Mommy is so sad) and didn't want to nap during the 50 minute drive, but once she got to the party she was tired and commenced screaming every once ina while in tones that only dogs should hear! Not super-stellar behavior. Seriously, she wasn't that bad, but just not the exceptional behavior I am used to. Anyway, here they are all dressed up. (thanks for the hand-me-down dress Bobby & Jenny!)

Playing nice together

Would You Be Our Valentine?

Happy Valentine's Day, Love Reagan and Nolan

it is so hard to get a good picture of them together, they are on the move!

Look Ma, No Hands!

Well, almost no hands. Look what Nolan can do!!! He is pulling himself up to standing on EVERYTHING. They both act like they want to walk at any minute. Then my biggest fear will be realized. Picture it..... It is a summer day and I take Reagan and Nolan to the baby pool. They get out of their stroller to go into the water and decide to take off on me, in opposite directions. One is headed for the water and one for the parking lot. WHAT DO I DO? I never thought much about those backpack leashes until now. If you care enough about a dog to protect it from running into harm’s way, why not do the same for your child-especially when there are more of them than you!




This is the week of doctor appointments. Neurosurgeon on Monday, cranial-facial on Wednesday, and 9 month pediatrician on Friday. It is a new pediatrician so I'm not looking forward to that visit. I just can't trust the kids previous ped after he basically admitted to me that he dropped the ball with Nolan's craniosynostosis diagnosis and should have ordered x-rays at 3 months of age as a follow up to the ones he did at 1 month. If it had been caught then the surgery could have been done endoscopically. It is hard for a parent to hear the words "It doesn't help you, but now I'll know for the next kid." I know the other 2 appointments are going to go well since Nolan doesn't look or act like he had his head cut open just 4 weeks ago AT. ALL. I'm more worried about getting to the appt on Monday morning. We have severe wind chills and blowing/drifting snow. At the moment, I can't see the houses across the street.

Both the kids have colds, but I guess we'll have that now that we are back to being out and about. Germs are everywhere and strangers insist on touching Reagan and Nolan. I was never a toucher of a stranger’s kid, so I just don't get it. I don't know you so why would I want your hand on my kids cheek or touching his/her hand. I don't know where your hand has been and as soon as you leave they are going to stick that hand in their mouth!!!!!! I digress.



I had a nice evening out with some girlfriends on Friday. We ate at the Grovewood Tavern . GNO's (girl night out) are always so fun and don't happen nearly often enough. After a few glasses bottles of wine, I was waxing poetic (not sure if it was out loud or just in my head), about my 'circle of friends.' Now, if you've ever been to a 4th of July party at our house (well, I guess you've never been to one at our current house just yet) you know that we have a very eclectic group of friends.

Some of our friends are our relatives, others are people that share our common interests of food and wine, others we know from back in the 'bar days', some are internet friends, some are friends that we've met because of work, and others are those that we've known for many years from college, grade school, and even as far back as toddlerhood. Age 1 to be exact (we moved to the 'burbs on my 1st birthday.) It is so important to take the time from the craziness we call life to stop for a few hours and catch up with the people that we hold dear to our hearts. I think it says a lot that we have such a collection of wonderful people in our lives and now in Reagan and Nolan's lives as well. They are so blessed to have some many aunts, uncles, cousins, and even extra grandparents! They don't know lucky they are.....yet!

Here they are laughing hysterically because I was fake sneezing. They love that. It is funny though, if Reagan is over tired and you sneeze, cough, or make any sudden loud sound, she will scream as if you just beheaded her favorite teddy.




I just love these smiles so much!