My P.S.A.

People - when the light turns green and/or you are merging onto the freeway - please, please, please use the pedal on the RIGHT!

Especially when you are merging onto the freeway and I need to merge onto the exit ramp - you know, it's annoying to go from 70mph to about 15mph to wait for you to get that foot over to the right then I need to speed up again to get to the end of the exit ramp in less than 3 days!!!!!!! Sheesh.

Work with me people!! Drive like you are from New York (I can say that 'cause I am from New York) - be aggressive, okay, be assertive. But goodness, the pedal on the right is your friend!

Twin Update!

Logan and Seth had their 2nd year well-child check-up. Overall they are doing great!!! First, the stats:

Logan who still retains the nickname of "Sir Super-Chunk" weighed in at 28 pounds. He was 35 inches tall. That puts him in the 60%-tile for weight and the 70%-tile for height.


Seth who absoultely still retains the nickname of "Sir Stick-Boy" weighed in at a slight 25 pounds and was half an inch taller than Logan at 35.5 inches tall. That puts him in the 25%-tile for weight and the 75%-tile for height.


The pediatrician was not concerned at all. They are both (knock on wood) so healthy and happy. Blame it on genetics the doctor said. Logan will grow up to be the football player and Seth the long-distance runner. It's just the way they are. But it's so hard not to compare the two because they are twins and each is the other's built-in control. It's hard to get away from that comparison. They are both doing wonderfully though. Their speech is fantastic. They each have 3 and 4 word sentences and some 5-word sentences. They absolutely seem to understand EVERYTHING!!!!! It's scary. We have to be careful what we say because they also love to repeat things (use your imagination).


So, separately:


Logan - loves: his taggie blankie/lovey; attacking Foster; reading books; bathtime; undressing himself; falling asleep on the floor or the chair vs. his bed; food, food, food; being outside; playing ball; and running in circles.


Seth - loves: following Foster around; cuddling; sitting on the potty; eating chocolate; playing outside; drawing with crayons; reading books; and watching "Calliou".

They both seem to have some "twin-speak" going on, especially at night. They will talk to each other and laugh and we have no idea what they are saying. Too cute. They both are getting used to their new toddler beds. They will let us know when they need a diaper change and are using the potty every once in a while. They love to chase each other around and run up and down the hallway. They also love to give hugs and kisses and we love to receive them!


So there you have it, the Twin Update!

Fun Photos

All the news that's fit to print

So you ask, dear readers, what’s going on in the Stein-White household?? I’ll fill you in now. I feel like posting a newsy-news post.

Let’s see: Starting with last month – we took Foster to the San Diego County Fair and he loved, loved, loved it. I think he especially loved it since his best friend Connor also went. On July 4th, Laura and I celebrated our 7th anniversary. I/we decided that when I turn 40 (in 3 years) we will also be celebrating our 10th anniversary and should thus celebrate in grand style. I really want to go on an Olivia cruise. So that’s our plan. Of course we have 3 years to plan (and save the $$$) so hopefully we can make that dream come true. OH – and it will be sans kids – so therefore we’ll have to figure out who the lucky people are that get to watch them for the week . Yes, by then, Foster will be 8 and the twins will be 5 so hopefully they will be a bit more independent by then – hopefully!


Laura and I spent a wonderful evening in early July at the Indigo Girls concert with our IG buddies Anita and Chris. Great concert!


Foster has done amazingly well with his swim lessons. Wow, I can’t believe how great he’s doing. He takes semi-private lessons with Connor in Connor’s pool. Foster can now swim across the pool, dive to the bottom to retrieve objects, he can semi-dive in from the side, he can almost float, etc. The teacher is a former Murray Callan swim teacher so she really knows her stuff. I am still amazed at Foster’s transformation from fear of the water to a little fishy who loves it. Oh, and he hasn’t used any types of swim floatation devices, the teacher doesn’t believe in them and it worked out great! Foster is doing very well in his preschool. He starts Kindergarten on Tuesday September 5th. We have Kindergarten orientation on Friday September 1st where we’ll get to meet his teacher and see his room. Can’t wait! He’s totally looking forward to it.


Logan and Seth celebrated their 2nd birthday with a few close family and friends at our house. They seemed to enjoy the low-key celebration. Those two are doing well at their daycare (our neighbor) and are now the owners of big-boy beds – bye-bye cribs – they went to some lucky people who answered my posting on Craig’s List (love that site!). They were sold within 24 hours of posting.


We went to Laura’s company picnic and the kids had a great time! We also all attended our local gay pride festival. That was just too fun. The kids all seemed to enjoy just people-watching (me too) and in general just being outside and out-n-about. We recently spent the day at the beach – it was just beautiful. That was with our local Family Matters group.


This weekend we’re taking the kids to the Circus. I finally get to use the free tickets I rec’d for all 3 kids. I sent for them right after they were born. Ringling Bros. gives out free tickets to all kids if you send for them within a year of their birth. Well, I did and now we finally get to go. Foster can’t wait!


We are also getting ready for Bubbe’s visit. She arrives on Saturday August 26th and we already have a full calendar. Let’s see, we’re going to the horse-races – wish us luck!!! Then on Wednesday August 30th we’re taking all the kids to Disney’s California Adventure!!!! I’ve never been there so I’m totally looking forward to this. We picked a random Wednesday so hopefully the crowds will be at a minimum. The twins will be going too, so I hope that everyone has a good time. Then, there’s Foster’s Kindergarten Orientation that Friday. We already have all his school supplies so we’re good to go!


Foster turns 5 on September 2nd and his party is on the 3rd at the local YMCA. It will be a pool party since swimming is his new favorite activity. Pictures will definitely be posted!


In early September Laura and I have a wedding to attend – an “Adults Only” wedding. Whew! We get to enjoy ourselves at a fancy party and eat wonderful things. What could be better!!! Since Bubbe (my mom) will be out here in CA, we are doing our annual garage sale on September 16th. We need all the help we can get – that’s why we are doing it while she will still be here. We have so much crap to get rid of. No joke! And I still have to clean out my closets and drawers! Fun times ahead…


Then we’re planning on going to the huge Family Matters Annual BBQ on Sunday September 17th. Then Bubbe is going back to NY that evening.


Nobody ever said our life is boring, that’s for sure!


Hope you had fun catching up on our daily lives!!!

3 minus 2 equals...

...a great time for re-connecting with my oldest. Laura went to a movie at church this evening and I stayed home with the kidlets. I promised Foster we'd watch our own movie and make popcorn and hot chocolate. He was so excited he couldn't wait.

After bath, I put the twins down to bed - well, since they are now transitioning to their "big boy beds" it's more like put them in their room and pray they fall asleep eventually. Foster was being so good, really good.

He selected "Monsters Inc." for his movie. He helped with the popcorn (pushed the microwave buttons) and watched me make him hot chocolate.

We sat and cuddled on the couch and watched the movie (for the 100th time). He got his pillow from his room so he could lay on my lap. He isn't usually a cuddle-type kid unless he's sick so this was a real treat for me. I loved it!!! We ate the whole bag of popcorn. We watched the movie and laughed. I reminded him that we're soon going to California Adventure and they now have a "Monsters Inc." ride - he can't wait!!

It was a wonderful evening of no complaints, no whining, no crying, no back-talk, just fun with my boy. I felt he really needed some one-on-one time and he got it. He even told me how much he loved me and wanted lots of hugs and kisses, that just made it all worth it.

Love him!

Mothers...........................

I came across this in some stuff I had in a folder at work. So much of it is true, at least for me. I have to try to really remember what this is saying, especially when the kids are on my very last nerve.
I always love them but sometimes it's hard to like their actions. But after reading this (and I'm sure we've all seen this in print numerous times) I remember just how much I absolutely love and adore my children - forever and ever.
Anyway - here goes - to ALL of us!!

Mothers
This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It’s okay honey, Mommy’s here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can’t be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up to work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their briefcases.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who don’t.

This is for all the mothers who gave birth to babies they’ll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars.
And when their kids asked, "Did you see me Mom?", they could say, "Of course, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world", and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn’t find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again, "Just one more time".

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home – or even away at college – or have their own families.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they’d be just FINE once they got there, only to get a call form the school nurse an hour later asking them to pick them up. Right away.

This is for all the mothers whose children have gone astray, who can’t find the words to reach them.

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of the recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TV’s in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation…and mature mothers learning to let go.

For working outside of the home mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and partnered mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us…

Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray and never stop being a mom…

Harmless but still icky...

Ick...it's a harmless spider but huge.


Laura transported it to a place other than our front door!!!


EDIT:

Here is the info. we found out:

The Black and Yellow Argiope is a common orb web spider. Orb web means it spins a web like a circle. Black and Yellow Garden Spiders are harmless to humans. Because they are large, many people fear them; however, not only are they harmless, but they do a lot of good. These spiders eat large amounts of insect pests, such as flies, mosquitoes, and aphids.


Ummm, yeah, it still gave me the shivers. It now resides somewhere out on Teletubbie Hill (that's a post for another time)!!!

Because this is PRIDE Week!!!

10 Reasons Gay Marriage Will Ruin Our Society:

1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.


2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.


3) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.


4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can’t marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.


5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriages were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.


6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn’t be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren’t full yet, and the world needs more children.


7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.


8 ) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.


9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.


10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven’t adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.


AMEN!
Happy Pride!!

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww..............

Okay, it's hot here. Very hot. It's sticky. I don't like it.

Don't wanna see the electric bill this month - we've been running the window a/c every day until late at night.

So, last night I took a shower. A cold one. In fact, I didn't have ANY of the "hot" water turned on at all, just all "cold" - and it wasn't even all THAT cold.

But the "Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww" part --- as I poured the shampoo in my hand I noticed it was very, very warm. Yuck, warm shampoo - warmer than body temperature. Doesn't make for a very refreshing shower.


Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.............

Logan and Seth turn 2!!!

Hope this works, click below for the full effect (i.e. all the pictures!).

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZs2bNu0ZNGTs&notag=1

What's on your "back-to-school" shopping list?

We did our first "Back-to-School" shopping trip this past weekend. Although, really, it should be called "First-time-to-School-Shopping".


On Foster's Kindergarten "needed supplies" list we have:

-box of colored pencils
-package of 4 Dry Erase markers
-two large glue sticks
-kleenex box
-package (8-10) Crayola Washable Markers
-erasers
-liquid hand sanitizer
-backpack


Foster got to pick out the kleenex box (he chose a red mickey mouse one) and the erasers (basic pink) and the backpack. OMG - the backpack. It is now considered part of his body. He selected a Spiderman one and now insists on taking it everywhere including to bed.


We drew a line at him taking it now to preschool. He is allowed to take his "older" backpack to preschool but not his "Kindergarten" one.


Kids are funny...

3 Words that strike fear in my heart!

All Staff Meeting


Uggggg, someone carve out my gallbladder with a toothpick now. I despise all staff meetings. They are boring, boring, boring. Did I mention they are boring?? I try so hard to stay awake and attentive during them but it usually fails. You remember back in college – in those really boring classes, as you were trying very hard to stay awake and take notes? Then you look at your notes later that day and either they are complete doodles or totally not understandable – like you wrote “Horse went home world tomato mirror.” But at the time, it sounded right.


Anyway, that’s how my all staff meetings are. We have them about once every 6 weeks. And another one’s coming next week. Maybe some of the reason I find them so very boring is that maybe 1% of the meetings pertain to me and my position. All the rest is discussions on stuff that I have NO input on at all. Yet, I have to sit there and suffer.


Okay, I’m over my rant now. Maybe I’ll get me some strong Starbucks beforehand and be really awake and attentive during the meeting. Okay, who am I kidding. I’ll deal with it. Guess it could be worse…I could be the “minute taker”. Oh, wouldn’t that be fun? Doesn’t everyone want to get notes written by moi with “Horse went home world tomato mirror” written on them? Makes sense eh?

The soul remembers what I can no longer hold

The twins are turning two on July 15th! This is bittersweet for many reasons.
The first thing that comes to mind is that they are getting older. This is both happy and sad. I miss the really baby-stage altho Laura will tell you otherwise – she almost didn’t survive the “4th Trimester” AKA the first 3 mos. following their birth. It was hard, hard, hard – on so many levels but the sleep-deprivation thing was the worst! I miss the nursing and cuddling. But now I really am enjoying this rapid learning stage. They are a joy and it’s hard to think about life without them. But I do…


…On August 27th, 2003 I went in for a routine ultrasound when I was about 10 weeks pregnant. This was my 2nd pregnancy after Foster. There was no heartbeat. The baby measured two weeks behind so he/she probably died a couple of weeks earlier and I didn’t know it as I was on progesterone support during the pregnancy. This would have kept any bleeding or signs of miscarriage away. I was in total shock. Total shock. I had no idea. I was heart-broken, as any mother would be to find out she is having a miscarriage, but you have to remember that pregnancies for us just don’t happen after a fun night in bed. We had to very carefully calculate fertile times, do inseminations in a dr’s office, etc. That’s how we have to make babies. Not that that diminishes the pain a heterosexual woman would feel but I felt that second blow of all that “hard work” gone. Because I had retained the fetus past probably two weeks (based on the size of the baby) I had a D&C two days later. Those few days in between were a blur of sadness. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me.


Sometimes I feel that pregnancy was just not meant to be. See, I was unknowingly pregnant (hadn’t yet taken a pregnancy test) when we went camping July 4th weekend of that year. I had unfortunately been the target of gazillions of mosquito bites which a few days later became terribly infected. Since I knew there was a chance of pregnancy, the dr. did a pregnancy test and lo and behold I was!!! Yay!! But I needed a safe anti-biotic to take – I was Rx’d an anti-biotic that was supposedly “safe” to take during pregnancy. But again, - how safe? I was at the most vulnerable time in my pregnancy, those first few weeks and here comes some powerful anti-biotics invading fragile, growing, developing tissue and of course, baby. That hurdle was over and then at about 5 weeks into my pregnancy Foster suddenly couldn’t walk. He wouldn’t put his leg down on the ground. I had a very unusual Saturday meeting at work and Laura wound up taking him to Urgent Care. The dr. there was extremely concerned and immediately decided to hospitalize him as they were thinking it was possible he had a septic hip which would have been a surgical emergency. I was called out of my work meeting to meet them at the hospital. We were total nervous wrecks. At the hospital he had to have a radio-active scan. Due to that scan he was then considered radio-active for days following. I was instructed not to touch him, not to change his diaper, not to be within 4 feet of him. Oh my f*ucking G-d. My baby was in the hospital and I couldn’t even hold him or touch him. How horrible was that. I was newly pregnant and they were fearing the effects of him being radio-active and transferring that to me – that would be very bad to a newly pregnant woman to be exposed to radio-activity – I understand but oh how hard that was. Laura was voted the most eligible to stay at the hospital overnite with Foster but she had to go home for a change of clothes and for some of Foster’s clothes and special toys. I stayed in the hospital room. My baby was not even two yet and didn’t quite understand why mommy couldn’t hold him when he was hurting and so confused. His cries for me to hold him haunt me to this day. I could barely hold it together. For a few minutes I wished I was not pregnant so that I could comfort my baby. I felt useless. I was able to get on the floor and play with his cars with him and feed him some soup (from a distance) until Laura came back. As it turned out, Foster did NOT have a septic hip, he had toxic synovitis which sounds horrible but really is just an inflammation of the synovial fluid in his hip – a few I.V. doses of Motrin and he was 100% cured by the next morning. Whew. But that lingering question of what horrible thing did I just do to my body by being near my boy who was radio-active.


I also had weird pains a week later in my back. This worried my R.E. who recommended me to come in for another u/s to rule out a tubal pregnancy. It wasn’t. We saw the heartbeat right smack in the middle of my uterus where it was supposed to be.
But then that day came 5 weeks later. “I’m sorry, but I can’t locate a heartbeat” the nurse said. Those words echoed in my head – like a bad dream I so desperately wanted to wake up from. It was reconfirmed by a dr. and the re-reconfirmed before the scheduled D&C. I cried rivers for that baby I’ll never know – not in this lifetime. I wondered if it was a boy or a girl. I had a feeling it was a girl for some reason. But, we never found out, it was too early in the pregnancy. People said all the things they thought they should say – you know “You can try again”, or “Good thing it was so early on” or even “Guess that baby wasn’t meant to be”. But for me, it was my baby I lost. I didn’t want to try again. I don’t care that I was “only” 10 weeks pregnant. To me, my baby was meant to be. But for that little soul, he/she was ready to move on. I felt like I gave him/her whatever he/she needed for those short 10 weeks but that baby had other plans. So I said my good-bye’s and had the D&C.


That brings me to the twins. They are here because that little soul isn’t. I like to think that the baby I lost just wasn’t ready to be born yet and since I then got pregnant with twins, that one of them (I have a feeling who it is but I ain’t telling!) is that little soul joining us at the right time. I recently ordered a necklace to replace a charm I currently wear. The one I have now is a forget-me-not flower, really tiny, encased in clear crystal. I wear it around my neck along with Foster’s fingerprint immortalized in silver. But that little forget-me-not flower is kind of falling apart. The bottom of the charm broke off and you can barely see the flower anymore. I wanted something else to physically touch to remind me (not that I really need any reminders) of that wee one that I didn’t get the chance to meet. My new necklace which is on it’s way has a butterfly charm (to symbol transformation) and a blue and a pink crystal – since I didn’t know for sure if it was a boy or girl. It also has a birth charm of the month of that due date – March. I can’t wait to receive it.


Well, I didn’t mean for this to get so long but part of the purpose of this blog is to get out what I have in my brain. And the twins’ birthday in just another week has made me want to get my thoughts out.


I plan to post lots of pictures of the twins birthday party – it will be quite a small get-together with close family and friends.


And it will be bittersweet.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

7 years and still going strong!
Happy Anniversary Laura!!!

Where did my babies go?

Logan (L) and Seth (R) got haircuts yesterday. Aren't they adorable???

We survived!

Here we are and it's Sunday - Laura the wonder mom survived our week w/o daycare for the twins. I did end up staying home on Thursday since Seth ran a pretty high fever on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. But he was fine by Thursday afternoon when Foster came home from his field trip (which we LOVED) with a fever!


I had to go to work on Friday as I had a presentation to give at another agency but by the afternoon Foster was feeling better and we all went to the pool. BTW, I was very impressed by the school bus Foster's preschool hired to take them all on the field trip to the science museum. It was very modern with high-back seats AND seatbelts. Whew!


Tomorrow is Foster's special day at the San Diego County Fair with his best bud Connor.


Can't wait!

Day 3 and other news

First off - Logan's hearing is apparently normal!

Yay!!

He had his repeat hearing eval. this morning. Laura took him into the appt. while I entertained Seth in the hallways and the gift shop of the hospital. I even showed him the nursery (it was on the same floor as audiology) and told him he lived there for the first 48 hours of his life but he didn't seem very interested. He WAS interested in the $6.00 frogs with bulging eyes we got in the gift store though.

Anyway, Logan had lots of wax in one ear and after that was cleared out they tested him and his hearing was normal. No follow up needed. This is very good news.


After the hearing test we went to Big Lots in search of a new vegetable bin and a shoe rack. Well, $95 later we got the bin but no shoe rack. We did get lots of other goodies though. Love Big Lots (http://www.biglots.com/).


Then I finally went to the clubhouse here (http://www.mvhoa.org/) by our house to get a new pool key with my correct name and address. I've only been meaning to that for NINE years! Problem being is that the clubhouse is only open Mon - Fri from 8am to 3pm. Well, sorry, but I'm usually at work during those hours but since I had off today I finally got that "activity" crossed off my "To Do" list.


Then we came home for lunch and put the twins down for a nap. That was almost an hour ago and I expect to have another hour to an hour and a half of peace. Laura went to the grocery store. After they wake up, if they are in good moods we'll head to the pool for a dip - it's HOT here.


Day 3
Here we are on day 3 of no daycare. Only 2 more days to go. Laura has been doing an awesome job - and we saved $200 by not having to pay for daycare this week. But we both decided that we just weren't meant to be SAHM's. Oh well. We're having fun today. We're two against two so the odds are good.


Foster Update
Foster is doing amazingly well in his new preschool. They are really getting the kids ready for Kindergarten. There are about 10 kids in his "class" in this "Kindergarten Readiness" program and he's loving it. In the morning they have "Classwork" - mainly worksheets and writing and reading. In the afternoon they mainly have crafts and outdoor time. He's having a great time there and has made lots of friends. Tomorrow he goes on his very first field trip. They are going on a school bus to the space museum in Balboa Park (http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=13) for the day! My baby is going on a field trip!!! I'm sure he'll have a blast and have lots to tell us when he gets home!

Swimming is going so well - he's doing so much better than I ever thought he would. He's swimming to the bottom of the pool to pick up objects, floating, jumping in, etc. These lessons with his best bud Connor are excellent.


I'm taking off Monday the 3rd so we can take Foster to the San Diego County Fair (http://www.sdfair.com/fair/index.php?fuseaction=fair.home). The twins will be back in daycare - because honestly - they don't enjoy riding in their stroller for that long and I know I don't want to be rushing thru the fair. So we decided to just make a special day with Foster. Well, we are also going with his best friend Connor and his mommy and grandma so it will really be fun! I'm so excited!!! I love the fair. I love the food and the crafts and the animals, and all the goodies to buy. I love it all. The best part though it watching Foster love it all too. He can't wait to go on all the rides with Connor.


Well, that's it for now. Guess I should put away all our Big Lots purchases before the twins awaken!

We did it!

We survived the first day without daycare!


Actually, Laura survived - I went to work.


Only 4 more days to go...


...I'll keep you all up to date!

It's coming!!!

The week we've been waiting for - the week our daycare provider for the twins is on vacation. Such is the risk we take when opting for home daycare vs. Foster's center-based preschool. Oh well, I know she deserves it - it's just hard.


We had a great weekend though. I had a wonderful spa pedicure on Friday after work - this is after I got a DTaP shot/immunization during the day. By the end of the day I felt kinda ill but I wasn't sure if it was more "mind over matter" esp. after reading all the side-effects you can have from the shot. Anyway - the pedicure was wonderful.


Then, came Seth's night from Hell. All went as expected on Friday night. Dinner and baths and bed. Laura and I watched another L word episode and it was about 10:30pm when we were getting ready for bed. That's when Seth decided to wake up. To make a long story short, I wound up sleeping with him on the couch until he finally fell asleep at 3:15am. Do you know that you can order your swimming pool and spa by calling an "800" # from tv? Yeah, not very interesting programming on at that time. Seth thought it was fascinating and I didn't want to start watching something that would keep him up - little did I know! I finally transferred him to his crib at 3:30am. And went to bed. Then woke up at 8am. Not enough sleep!


But........after checking out our neighborhood garage sale on Saturday, we came home for lunch and the twins went down for a nap and actually slept for close to THREE hours! Unheard of. And Foster and I took a 2 hour nap. Then Foster and I went swimming and Laura stayed home with the twins.


And best of all - a spur of the moment chance to have a night out - dinner and a movie. The twins Godmother came over and watched the clan (fed them dinner, bathed and put them to bed) and Laura and I had a wonderful dinner out and finally got to see The DaVinci Code.


Today was quiet and low-keyed. Church in the morning, home for lunch and then nap for everyone (including me) and then Laura took Foster to the pool while I stayed home with the twins and did even more laundry.


And so, tomorrow it begins. Our week without daycare (for the twins) - Foster's still going to preschool as usual.


I'll keep you informed.

Can't wait for tomorrow (at 4:30pm)

Not only is tomorrow Friday but I've decided that I'm taking some "me" time and going for a pedicure after work. Not just any old pedicure but the "Deluxe Spa Pedicure". Now, I only have these when my mom is out here visiting (our guilty pleasure) but I figured why not, next week is gonna be a long and busy since our twins' daycare provider is going on vacation for the week. Laura is going to be playing the part of the "SAHM" and I'm going to work - except for Wednesday when I'm taking off too.


So, I thought, I better get some "me" time in now - as I know Laura will be chomping at the bit to get some "me" time after being home all day with the twins.


So - tomorrow, at 4:30pm I'll be totally relaxing for close to an hour while my hard-working feet get a make-over. And yes, this includes the "massaging chair", the "sea salt glow treatment", the "tension relief massage", the "marine mask treatment", and the "paraffin wax treatment". But shhhhhh, don't tell anyone less I lose my "gay card".


I'll take that risk.


Blissful risk...