Been so busy lately! Robert is really enjoying school. It seems like once I get him there and then go home, it's time to pick him up already! He really enjoys playing with our neighbor Nina who is just 10 days older that he is. We have been having playdates about 3 times/week. Swim lessons started this week. Robert was not scared at all, and in fact I think he was a bit bored. He is still too young for the next class, so we'll see how the next six weeks go.

Alex and Ava are getting so big! Ava is crawling everywhere! Alex isn't moving much yet - which is just fine with me! Alex is over 17 lbs already. We should probably start looking for a new stroller, since it seems they will be outgrowing their car seats soon and then it's "goodbye snap n go." (sniff sniff) We visit the pediatrician next week for their 6 month check ups. I'll update their stats then.

Little Fans

A tooth!

Who says Ava does everything first? Alex got a tooth this week! Poor little guy has been very grumpy for a few days, but this finally explains why! A second tooth is pushing through, and is almost visible, too.

The lady with the twins...

I have taken on the daunting task of creating a neighborhood directory. I made flyers and put them in every mailbox in the neighborhood. I requested names, email addresses, phone numbers and children's names and ages. My thought is that we can all get to know eachother and form a 'community' as opposed to just a 'neighborhood.' The responses keep coming in, and I am very excited about it.

Anyhow, as I was delivering these flyers, I introduced myself to the neighbors who happened to be outside. I had this exact conversation 4 times on Thursday evening:

Me: Hi.
Them: Hi.
Me: I'm Michelle. I live at xxxx road - up on the corner.
Them: Oh yeah. You're the one with the twins.
Me: Yep, that's me.
Them: You must have your hands full.

So... apparently everyone already knows who I am around here! I'm "The lady with the twins."


"Mind you, there are 3 other sets of twins in the neighborhood. Crazy, isn't it?

Supermom? Maybe just for today...

So, today I ventured out with all 3 kids. It was the first time I've taken all 3 kids out alone. (well unless you count the one time we went to the doctor). It was wonderful! We went to the mall, with a mission - to return a bra to Victoria's Secret. Anything else we could accomplish was just a bonus.
We did manage to walk through the Children's Place (the setup in that store is not very friendly for strollers - and mine is a double. We also walked through Boscov's and searched for a potty since Robert decided that he had to go, and when an almost potty trained 2 year old says he has to go, you don't ignore him!
Long story short, we scoped out the bathrooms at Boscov's and shortly after that found the toy department. Alex and Ava fell asleep in the stroller and it was blissful for just a few moments. We ventured home for lunch and naps (did I mention that ALL three kids are napping from 1-4 every day???) and then mommy had an afternoon rendezvous with the treadmill.
It was an exceptional day! Oh, but I forgot to mention the way people gawked and chatted when we came strolling by - like we were some kind of freak show. Well, I guess we kind of are, huh?
This mom thing is a piece of cake. :)

Ava's First Crawling Attempts

The Trifs in Boston...

We drove up to Boston last Thursday and stayed until Sunday. It was so nice to relax and visit with the Halls. The twins were well behaved for the ride, which was a surprise. We actually managed to get a picture of all 5 grandkids... it's not the greatest, but it's sufficient.
Robert and Oliver had a blast, as always. We can't wait to see them again!

A couple of annoucements...

My sister delivered a healthy baby BOY on Friday, July 20th. Linus Hamilton Hall was 8lbs 3 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. He is beautiful, and he looks just like his big brother, Oliver! The Trifs are taking a roadtrip to Boston next weekend to meet him. We can't wait!

My brother and sister in law announced this week that there will be a new Gladu in January. Germaine is 14 weeks along, and they are thrilled! We are so excited for them, as they have wanted this for so long. They will be finding out "baby new year's" gender in August. This will be Gram and Pape's 6th grand child.

I have lost 10 lbs! I am stoked! I still have a ways to go before I am back into my pre-baby wardrobe, but hopefully that will be before the twins turn one. My tendonitis in my knees seems to be healed and I'll be getting back on the treadmill this week. yay for me!

My current favorite pic...

Took this pic early in the week... it's my current favorite.

Infant Formula...

Tomorrow is trash day (and recycling as well) Before we put our trash out tonight, we took a picture of the empty formula cans that we've used in 2 weeks.

There are 21 (empty) cans in this pyramid. One can is 32 fluid ounces and each can costs $5 (on sale). We go through about 1.5-2 cans/day depending on how many times Alex is nursed. This pyramid represents $105. That means it's costing us just over $2oo to keep these kids fed each month.

The trash men must think I am running a daycare here!

Happy 4th of July

Ava and Alex's 1st July 4th

(2007)

Robert's 1st July 4th
(2005)

17 week pictures...

Here we are... 17 weeks old! We're very animated and fun these days. Mommy just loves it!

A potty training nightmare!

We have begun the potty training process with Robert this week. Some days are better than others. He still doesn't understand that he needs to tell us when he needs to go, but we sit him on the potty many times during the day and most of the time he tinkles.

To make the process easier, I often let Robert run around without a diaper. It is a good reminder for me to get him on the potty often. Well, this morning, I left Bobby in charge while I went upstairs to do some chores. I came back downstairs about 15 minutes later and Robert greeted me by saying "poo poo mamma". There was poop painted on the family room carpet, and Robert had run his trucks through it over and over as if it were mud... really smelly mud, I guess.

Now, Bobby was sitting in the kitchen reviewing an online ad for the new Apple iPhone.. .if you know Bobby, you know he was completely tuned out to anything else around him. All the while, Robert was just 20 feet away 'silently'(so says bobby) playing in his own feces.

It is well known that when Robert is quiet, he is certainly up to no good.

Ava and Alex at the beach

We're in Ocean City for 2 weeks... its so nice to be away from home. The weather has been great, so far...

American Idol Finals...

YES!! Jordin Wins!!

Ava's tongue tie - all fixed

Ava before surgery...(wearing the littlest hospital gown I ever saw!)

Ava's surgery went wonderfully. We had to be at the hospital at 6:45am. She had last eaten at 12:30am, and she had an ounce of water around 5:30am. Luckily, she was pooped from the activity of the Christening on Sunday and she slept really well. She was so pleasant all morning, despite not having anything to eat. At the hospital, she cooed and smiled and hugged her daddy. She fell asleep just before the procedure, which made it so much easier to watch her get wheeled away.

Bobby and I waited in the waiting room for less than 10 minutes before the doctor came to get us to tell us it was over. I went to recovery where I had to give her some glucose water and then I was able to nurse her. We were home just after 10am. She doesn't seem to be bothered with the stitches... we gave her some tylenol anyway, but she really seems fine. She's a trooper. And I really believe that she had angels with her yesterday, because for those of you who know Ava, it's not at all like her to be calm and content for any lengthy period of time.

The top picture was taken just as Ava was being wheeled away for surgery. The other 2 were taken before surgery - we wanted to how how tight her tongue was - she was not able to stick it out any farther than what you see.

Two month doctor's visit

Today, Alex and Ava had their 2 month visit with Doctor Novak. They are now 11 weeks old. Ava is weighing a hefty 9lbs 7 oz and Alex is 8lbs 7 oz. They are still peanuts, but growing well. Doctor Novak said not to be concerned with percentiles at this point (Alex isn't even on the charts yet) as long as they are growing at a steady pace. I was surprised that they were bright eyed, alert and pleasant for most of the visit... until, of course, they got their shots... 4 of them, to be exact - 4 each! We're expecting a few sleepless nights ahead (more sleepless than usual, anyway) poor babies.
Ava will be having her tongue clipped on Monday. I am not comfortable about taking her to the hospital for the procedure, so Bobby will be taking her. We thought she may have to be put under general anestesia, but instead they will use a numbing spray. She should recover from it just fine. The ENT who is doing it assured me that it is 'not a big deal.' I am anxious to get her back to the breast.
Things are fantastic in the breastfeeding department. Alex is a champion nurser, and I am sooo glad that I stuck with it. I only hope that its not to late and Ava will get back at it without a problem. Formula costs are breaking the bank these days!

This Sunday, the twins will be christened. Family will be visiting from out of town, and we are so excited about the whole ordeal! Robert is psyched that Oliver is coming!

God Bless Alex and Ava! pictures to follow!

Robert

ah, Robert... where do I begin? He's two. enough said. Everyday, it seems, I have a new story to tell about him. For those of you who don't know the most recent anecdotes, I'll share them...

We keep our bathroom door closed and locked. Robert loves to go in and play in the sink, the toilet and most recently the soap. A few days ago, he got in and took the soap pump out and decided to 'clean' his toys in his playroom. He squirted watermelon scented soap on everything... and I mean everything! I was furious. Bobby suggested that I make him eat it. So, I did. I scooped up a whole bunch of it with my finger and put it in his mouth. He made a sour face and then preceeded to say "Mmmm." Are you kidding me? My kid likes the taste of soap! argh!

Today, he was coloring at the island in the kitchen. I guess he got bored of that and decided to add some color to his playroom. We now have purple and blue crayon EVERYWHERE in the playroom. On the rug, the windows, the shelves, the tv... everywhere. It's washable, thank goodness... so I didn't freak out too much. It just sucks that I have to spend his naptime scrubbing it up. blah.

The new phrase in the Trif house: "Robert take your hands out of your pants" He apparently is fascinated with his genitals and constantly has his hands in his diaper. Now, this isn't too big of a deal, we just do lots of handwashing. But at nighttime, he manipulates the diaper so that he wakes up soaked in the morning (which makes mom's favorite part of the day even more delightful - and I am being sarcastic here, folks.)
And lets not forget about the times he likes to show me his poop - conveniently this usually happens when I am nursing the twins. And since I can't react immediately he smears it on the sofa, on himself and on whatever else is closeby.

In the above picture, Robert is holding a tulip that he picked from my cousin's gorgeous flower garden (flowers that weren't for picking) He was filling the tulip with mulch and dumping it on the other flowers. Hmm, he's an artist AND a gardener.

This is my life. As crazy as it is... I love it and I wouldn't want it any other way. I DO have my HANDS full, but I my HEART is full, too. Life is just perfect.