I'm aging

I was just talking with a friend last night about how we feel as if our parents will forever be 35 year old. Now, as we are nearing the age that we still think our parents still are, there needs to be some kind of reality check. I suppose I have mini-checks every now and then. Today was one of them.
I was driving home from the chiropractor (my back often reminds me that I'm not a kid anymore) I was bored with FM radio- same songs, different day. I flipped to AM and found myself listening to - and very much enjoying- talk radio. I must be growing up after all. I guess all the gray hairs I've been sporting weren't enough to convince me of that.

A year in review

It's been a year since these twins entered the world. Our lives have been flipped upside down - in the best way ever! I can't even imagine life without them or life with just one baby - how weird is that?
I thought I'd take this opportunity to share some twin math as we reflect on their first year of life:
Approx # of diapers changed: 4380
Approx # of diapers that were poops: 2390
Approx # of bottles made/washed: 4160
Money spent on diapers: $1585.00
Money spent on formula: $7000.00
Kisses given daily: 67
Hours spent cuddling: 1480
Hours spent talking in baby talk: 2500
Hour lost in sleep: 1095

This has been the best and most rewarding years of my life and boy how it's flown by! I have 3 healthy and happy children that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world!
Happy Birthday Alex and Ava!

Robert is all boy!

I have been pretty impressed with his creativity lately. This morning he made these 'planes' all by himself. (He said the red one is for me) Impressive, if you ask me - he's not even 3 yet!

Alex's first haircut

Before...



After...still holding a grudge

whose legs are these anyway?

I realized that my kids have Cabbage Patch Doll legs! Have you ever seen anything cuter???




I had a hard time getting a pic of Alex. Whenever he sees the camera he tries to get it from me.

Allergy testing

Alex had his allergy tests done yesterday. They tested for indoor/outdoor allergens (cats, dogs, feathers, mold etc) and also for common food allergies (wheat, protein, peanuts, milk, eggs) The good news is that he tested negative for all of those things. (Hooray!) The bad news is that we still don't know what it is that is causing him to throw up dairy. The allergist wants Alex to have some bloodwork done. He said that often a skin test may come up negative but a blood test can be more accurate. I asked if it would be possible for him to just have a 'milk sensitivity' and he told me that it is very possible. It is called gastroenteritis and it is usually overcome by 1-2 years of age. My hunch as a mommy is that that may be what we are dealing with. But we'll know more after the bloodtest results. We would have gone for the blood work today, but I couldn't find the place and Bobby has my gps in his car.

Anyway, Alex was a trooper for the tests. Even the nurses were impressed! For now we need to stick with the soy, continue the trial and error with his diet and we'll return to the allergist for a 'milk challenge' in the summer.

knock knock...

who's there?

People are always telling me that they love to read my blog. I love hearing that, but I especially love hearing it from people that I didn't know were readers of our blog.
If you subscribe to our blog or keep tabs on us, please let me know who you are! I'd love to know what kind of fan club we have going out there! Leave me a comment or send me an email. Please? :)

Alex on the steps

New surprises everyday...

Life back to normal....

Julie and Howard returned from Mexico last night. Boy, did they look rejuvinated - tan and energized. I was so happy for them. The live such busy lives, and they needed a break. The boys were so happy to see them. Linus seemed a bit comfused at first, but it wasn't long before he was sticking his hands down his mommy's shirt. Julie pumped over 150 oz of breastmilk while they were away (she's unbelieveable) and only encountered a small bit of trouble trying to get it back into the country. We stayed up talking until about midnight and I got to sleep in this morning. We went out to lunch and then the Halls began their drive back to Boston.
We returned to a quiet (but messy) house, and I began to feel sad. I miss the boys. I miss the craziness and the noise that was everyday. Robert keeps saying "I mitt Ahvah" Translation: 'I miss Oliver.' And I tell him that I miss him too, but that he'll be back in 2 weeks for Ava and Alex's birthday party.
Before I jumped into this adventure, I said it could go one of two ways - I would say "It wasn't so bad" OR I would say "I am never doing that again!" Would I do it again? Certainly. The Hall boys really are good boys and I enjoyed every precious minute of them and I'll never get those moments back.
So, it looks like I have my life back - back to 3 under 3, but not for long for Robert will be 3 before we know it! Back to clipping coupons, folding laundry and changing diapers. It will just be a little less noisy and a few less diapers!
But first, just a little bit of letdown.

Five under 4 - day 4

4pm: Taking a few Tylenol - and perhaps a glass of wine later tonight... if I can stay awake.

Five under Four - day 3

Gram came today! She arrived early this morning - the boys were so excited to see her! She brought wooded cars for them to play with and new books to read. Robert went to school this morning, and then it started to snow! It pretty much fell all day until it turned to sleet/freezing rain at about 7pm. Gram decided to stay over - what a treat! I was able to get to the grocery store while she was here. The day was productive and the extra hands were nice. I am so glad my mom was able to help out. The kids loved having her here, too. Of course, 5 o'clock was the witching hour and things got crazy but 7pm arrived quickly and I was relieved.

We were all in bed by 9pm - no naps for the boys today, so they were pooped. I am starting to think that my 3 kids will seem alot easier when these guys go home. I also had a quick thought - actually 2 - one was that I love the sound of happy kids in my house and the other was that maybe I should consider taking in some kids to make some extra cash. Need to discuss that platform later with Bobby. This week has been one of the most fulfilling weeks in my motherhood career. I love to be needed and I feel so accomplished. Just ask Robert, he'll tell you - "Mommy's the Boss!"

Life with FIVE under 4 - day 2 (part 2)

Tonight at 5:30pm, all heck broke loose in the Trif house. (This is always a hectic time for us, but when you throw 2 more kids into the mix, it gets worse!) I had just cooked dinner and called the boys over to eat. Oliver complained of a tummy ache and he didn't want to eat. he hasn't pooped since Friday, and I knew he needed to go. He's had tummy/constipation issues in the past so I was on to him. I saw this coming and all day long had been offering him foods that will make him go. I made him sit on the potty - but he was too afriad to go. I've tried every bribe in the book. We are making some progress, but he is scared because he knows it will hurt. Poor kid. Anyway, he was screaming and crying on the potty while I was trying to feed Ava and Alex and Linus had just woken up from a nap. I really wanted to spend time with Oliver on the potty, but the other kids needed me too. The twins and needed baths and bottles. They were so tired and miserable. Linus wanted to eat, and Robert just wanted to put his ziti in his milk and make a mess. (ugh)
By 7:15, Alex and Ava were in bed, Linus was having a bottle and Oliver was resting upstairs. Bobby walked in as I was cleaning up the disaster in the kitchen. I couldn't wait to eat - I was starving.

Now everyone is in bed. Robert and Oliver both napped today, so they are not as exhausted as they have been the past 2 nights. They are watching cartoons and hopefully will be asleep shortly. I fed Linus his cereal and wrapped him up like last night. He has been sleeping for almost 2 hours. Fingers crossed.
Robert has school tomorrow, and he will be going. Based on today, I think some time apart will be good for the boys. Robert has become really possessive and pretty much a brat when it comes to sharing. My mom is coming for the day tomorrow, and she can have some one on one time with Oliver. It will be nice.

I changed 14 poops today. Only three were from Linus - the rest were from my kids. That is a bit more excessive than usual. I don't think I even changed that many in one day back in my daycare days!
Must sleep... it's a new day tomorrow...

Life with FIVE under 4 - day 2 (part 1)

Much better night last night! Bobby swaddled Linus and he slept soundly in the pack and play from 8pm until 4am! I kept waking up to check on him - certain that something had to be wrong. I gave him cereal last night and I am wondering if that made a difference (I never believe those old wive's tales) Robert and Oliver slept in the guest bed again. They both woke up once in the night at about the same time. Robert came into our room to get us, and Oliver just cried a bit for him mom and dad but went right back to sleep.
It's just after 2pm and the house is quiet and still. Everyone is asleep! I've managed to amaze myself! Jon and Kate plus 8, you've got nothin' on me!
Other accomplishments today:
I've changed 8 poopie diapers, clipped some coupons, took a shower, bathed the boys and washed and changed the sheets on our bed and Alex and Ava's cribs. Thank goodness for naps! Coffee reheat count: 7. I'm wishing I had more coffee right now!
Bobby has class tonight after work, so he will be home late. I imagine I'll probably be ready to crash sometime after 7pm.
We tried a photo shoot this morning. How is it that the younger kids are the ones actually looking at the camera?

Allergist update

Just realized I forgot to update on last week's allergist appt...

I wasn't sure what to expect - I wasn't sure if they'd run tests right then and there or what. They gave me a questionairre loaded with tons of stuff from what kind of mattress does he sleep on to what kind of detergents we use. Then they took us back and asked a ton more questions. I think they were thrown off since he was stuffy and had a runny nose from his cold. They voiced some concern that he has had 3 ear infections and some respiratory issues, but I needed to keep reminding them that we were there because we suspected a milk allergy. But I guess it is standard procedure for them to explore everything...

Anyway, long story short, we had to schedule another visit to do two 'panels' of allery tests - one indoor/outdoor and one common foods. That will be on the 18th.
In the mean time, the doctor gave me a prescription for a lotion called Mimyx to use on his excema. The pedi had given me some samples of the same stuff a few weeks ago, but he never explained that it works with water and his face should be damp when I apply it. His face started to look better after just a few applications.
They also gave me a pamplet on Atopic Dermatitis (Excema) and a guide on how to include calcium in his diet without milk and a paper on common words for 'milk' that can be found on ingredient labels.
He told me to avoid dairy and supplement soy formula a few times a day so he is still getting fatty acids that he doesn't get from the soy milk. He should avoid eggs, fish and nuts until he is 5 years old. And we now have an epi-pen on hand - just in case.

As far as his diet goes, it's going to be trial and error since I am finding that some dairy is tolerable for him and some (most) is not. argh.

What I am bummed about most: He may not be able to have any of his first birthday cake! Hopefully we'll have the answers before then.

Life with five under 4 - day 1

Preface: This week, my sister and her husband are vacationing in Mexico. They had planned to leave their kids (Oliver 3, and Linus 6 months) with my parents, but I offered to take them since my parents have alot going on right now and since my house is already child-proofed and we knew Oliver and Robert would enjoy spending a whole week togther. (And because, hey, what's 2 more?) I've decided to blog this experience...
We got an earlier start than usual today. Linus did not want to sleep last night, and the best he gave me was a stretch from 12:45 - 2:30am. After that he was up about every 20-30 minutes. Somewhere in there Alex woke up and remained restless. I finally gave un around 5:30 and we went downstairs to start the day. I put Linus in his stroller (he likes to sleep in the Bugaboo) and he immediately fell asleep. Go figure. I emptied the dishwasher and started some coffee. It wasn't long before Alex and Ava were up for the day too. Bottles and Breakfast were had by 7:30 and the twins were dressed. Linus had a bath and Robert and Oliver woke up and started their day. I plopped them in our jacuzzi tub and I jumped in the shower while they played. Alex and Ava had their usual naps today and pretty much remained in their routine. Linus napped sporadically and drank his bottles. He also had some rice cereal and applesauce - which he loved! I pureed him some peaches and some mixed berries that he can try tomorrow. And I somehow managed to get 4 loads of laundry done - and folded - and put away! Of course it was wonderful to have Bobby home today (he is so happy to have to go to work tomorrow!) the day was pretty smooth, with just a few bumps - certainly harder than I imagined, but still nothing unmanageable for me.
So, I guess the worst part of the day happened before it even started (The sleeping (or lack of) part.) It really makes me appreciate what good sleepers my kids are!
Now, Linus is swaddled in the pack and play next to my bed, Ava and Alex have been asleep for hours and Robert and Oliver are tucked nicely together in the guest bed with heavy eyes and tired souls. For tomorrow is another day... with five under 4!

My week as a single mom

Bobby has been in Huntsville, Alabama (Alabammom - according to Robert) since Sunday, and I have succumbed to life as a single mommy once a again. As usual, I was dreading the thought of being alone all week, but I reminded myself that thing s DO indeed run smoothly in Bobby's absence and heck, it couldn't be nearly as bad as last time he was away - when the kids were sick and my back was in bad shape.
WRONG.
On Monday, all three kids had snotty noses. No big deal. I just got a deal on a bunch of Kleenex from CVS, we'll just eat our way through that. Monday night, Alex is coughing. Tuesday, Ava's snot is yellow, and the allergist tells me Alex has 'some' fluid in his ears, but 'he'll be okay.'
Wednesday afternoon, I'm playing on the floor with the kids and I'm suddenly paralyzed! I manage to stand up, but then I can't walk. I give myself a few minutes and I was able to get to the phone to call the chiropractor. He tells me to come in immediately. Luckily, it was not related to my disc injury - I just pulled my sacralilium, but he popped me back into place and sent me on my way. BUT I need to come back on Friday.
Thurday, we call Dr. Novak. Alex and Ava have more that just a cold. They are put on antibiotics (Alex has double ear infections - again! And Ava is treated for Sinusitis) Thank goodness their lungs are clear - I hate that dang nebulizer and I'm so glad we don't have to use it this time.
Friday, We're having company It's my birthday. My parents are coming for dinner. The Halls are coming for the weekend - And I am NOT cleaing the house - not on my birthday! It looks like a daycare threw up in here - and I hope they don't mind a little bit of dust. Julie and Howard are leaving the boys here for the week while they go to Mexico. Am I crazy?

All in all, this week was basically a repeat of the last time Bobby went away. Next week should be an adventure. The title of the next chapter in my book - "A week with FIVE under 4!"

Allergist

We have an appointment with the allergist tomorrow morning for Alex. Hopefully we'll have some answers sooner than later.
My neighbor suggested that he may be allergic to corn syrup, and I have a feeling he may be allergic to eggs. Yesterday, he threw up after almost everything he ate, and today his pants are really loose around the waste. I have a feeling he is losing weight since we started the soymilk, and I may put him on a soy formula instead. Will update tomorrow with whatever we find out...

A diaper full of surprises...

Today Alex had a really stinky (and runny) diaper. I opened it up, and to my surprise, there was a dum-dum wrapper -fully intact, just rolled up a bit (remember my post about Robert and his lollipops?) I saw this very wrapper on the floor last night, and I swore I threw it away. Apparently not - Alex got to it first.
He may throw up dairy, but at least we know paper passes. :)

We meet Levi!

The Trifs drove out to PIttsburgh on Thursday to meet the newest Gladu - Levi Xavier. We had a great time - it was so nice to relax with Rob and Germaine in their home (I really love their house!) The kids were well behaved - for the most part - and the car rides were pleasant and painless. And Levi - well, he's just perfect! A little love! We can't wait to see him again!