Friends Come Into Town

This past weekend, our friends the Robeys came up for a visit to catch up and relax. (Robey is a fraternity brother, roommate and partner in crime from college days) It was quite a weekend as the house was bustling with kids. Since the weather didn't cooperate as we had hoped, we had kids enjoying any and all activities that we could throw at them. When we last visited the Robeys in the Fall, we were smaller families. Given our recent additions and theirs too, we are now both families of 5. So, you can only imagine the enjoyable chaos that this brings to a house. I also was introduced to a few new things. The first was "The Michael Jackson Experience" for Wii. It is a dancing game and I quickly was reminded that I am not a dancer, I look like a fool when I try and Nancy, their 7 year old, enjoyed beating me....and talking a bit of smack too! We were also introduced to Peanut Butter Pie from Yoder's restaurant in Arcola. Now Yoder's is an Amish buffett that is nothing short of great. But this was my first PB pie and whoa, was it good. The fact that I am blogging about food again is a statement to how good it was. I'm glad the restaurant is 150 miles away or that could quickly become dangerous. Overall, it was a wonderful weekend and also great to have a few extra and willing hands to hold and feed the twins. When we parted ways, we already are looking forward to the next time we see them! Next time, leave the dancing games at home though!



Charlotte holding Lillian, Nancy holding Gwyneth and Josie

Opening Day

Last week, some of my fellow Sox fans and I made our annual attendance to White Sox opening day. Last year it was 70 degrees and sunny..........this year it was much different. The outcome of the game was the same as the Sox beat the Rays in a great game but it was definitely a cold one as the temperature didn't get above 38 degrees. We tailgated before the game to enjoy some good food and a few beverages but after the game, we all looked forward to getting into our cars to thaw out. It has been a long time since I've gone to a game when it was that cold!! Of course, not 48 hours later I was watching the games and saw fans in shorts and t-shirts. It was a great day and I'm looking forward to a great season as my White Sox go for another World Series title!

1 Month

Not only was it Gwyneth and Lillian's one month check up today but it was the first time that I ventured out with them on my own. Granted, I didn't have Charlie with me but I was still a little anxious. We all survived so the next step is to go out with all three girls!

The doctor's appointment went great and they girls are growing right on target. Gwyneth is now 20 inches long and 7lbs. 3oz. Lillian is just a little shorter at 19.75 inches but a little heavier at 7lbs. 3.2oz.

Gwyneth & Lillian

Great-Grandma & the girls

Great-Grandma met her new great-granddaughters over the weekend. She went from no great-grand kids to five great-granddaughters in 2.5 years. As soon as we have a picture of all 5 we'll post that too. For now, here grandma is with her two youngest.

O'Knutson St. Patrick's Day Party

This past weekend we went to the O'Knutson St. Patrick's Day party. It was our first adventure out as a family of five! We had a great time with family and friends. The corned beef and cabbage were amazing as were the desserts! Here a few pictures from the night's festivities.

Here we are with our three lucky charms

Kyri and Charlie playing on the see-saw













Lillian & Gwyneth are partied out. They were showing their Irish side with the shamrock on their cheeks.













All of the Burritt girls - Gwyneth, Lillian, Charlie, Kyri and Tessa.

The New Burritt Twins

On Wednesday afternoon, we welcomed two more daughters into our family. Lillian Janice and Gwyneth Austin were born at 1:51 and 1:52 weighing 5 lbs 12 oz and 5 lbs 9 oz. Both girls and Mom are doing great! I can't tell you how happy and proud I am of all my girls! Charlie met her sisters later on Wednesday and while she may not really "get it", it was awesome to see her being a big sis. We'll be going home on Sunday to begin the journey of raising twins. Yes, it is a little bit of an intimidating thought but we're looking forward to it. Like I always say, what fun is it if it's not an adventure!

Lillian on the left and Gwyneth on the right.

Papa with his new granddaughters.

Grandma and Grandpa B with 3 of their granddaughters

February Update

As you may have already heard, Donna and I are a new Aunt and Uncle again. Kyle and Teri welcomed their new addition to the family, Tessa Beverly, into the world last Friday. She is absolutely adorable and is home now and everyone is doing great!

The new family of 4!

Charlie was so happy to meet Tessa!

A few updates on our side....Donna is doing well and the doctors have been giving her the thumbs up. We have been getting everything ready for the twins to arrive. Last week I finished painting their room and Charlotte's crib is put together again for them. We also found out that 2 infant car seats and 1 toddler car seat actually can fit in a Kia Sorrento but is a VERY tight fit. Even the police officer who checked the car seats recommended a new car with a third row. (Thanks Sherlock Holmes) Donna's Kia will suffice for now but come spring or summer, it will be time to go car shopping. Oh goody!

Charlotte is doing great and always points to Donna's belly and says "babies". I'm sure she'll be in for a shock when they come but it's really cute to see her hug and kiss Mom's belly.

More to come...............

Getting closer

With all of the doctor's appointments I've had I wouldn't necessarily say that time is flying by during this pregnancy, but we are getting closer to meeting these two little ones. I had another growth ultra sound on Thursday and the doctor was pleased with everything. Based on all the measurements they took, Baby A is measuring at 2lbs. 13 oz. and Baby B is measuring at 3lbs. 3 oz. Baby B is already bigger than Charlie was (3lbs.) when she was born at 30 weeks.

The doctor said that these babies seem to be enjoying their current living arrangements with no signs of moving out any time soon. Since their older sister was the same way but had a change of heart and decided to move very quickly the high risk doctor would still like to see me for another month to make sure they stay put! So, I'll continue to see my regular doctor once a week for the duration, plus the high risk doctor every other week for another month. I also have to get a progesterone shot once a week at the doctor's office to help keep these babies in. I'm not sure about you, but I think they should give me my own parking spot with the amount of time that I spend there! The doctors are still optimistic that I'm going to get to 38 weeks so hopefully we'll be able to schedule my c-section date soon.

The twins are definitely starting to give their Mom a run for her money. I've started to notice some swelling in my feet and ankles by the end of the day. The doctor's aren't too concerned about it but did give me compression stockings to wear to reduce the swelling. There is no way to make these things look cool! In my last blood work my iron count was a little low in spite of the fact I'm on iron pills. Now my daily pill routine is two iron pills, one multivitamin, one Pepcid (for acid reflux), and as many Tums as necessary (for heartburn). It's all worth it, but I was spoiled with such an easy pregnancy with Charlie!

The babies are pretty active so getting good, clear pictures of them is becoming a little more difficult. Below are pictures of both of their profiles. For those of you whom I don't see on a regluar basis I've included a picture of my growing belly.

Charlotte Meets Santa

Today Charlotte and I went to the mall to do some last minute Christmas shopping.....the only kind of Christmas shopping I know how to do. After we picked up a few items, I decided maybe Charlotte would want to meet the big man himself. So, I asked her if she wanted to see Santa, and she replied, "Sata". So off we went to the middle of the mall for her first time to meet Santa and my first experience of standing in line to see the big man. She had been such a good little girl throughout our shopping and that continued as she sat in her stroller just watching the other little kids in line. We slowly crept to the front of the line and she saw the Christmas tree, the presents and all the pretty lights. It was finally our turn to see the man himself. At first, she said his name again and I took her out of her stroller. I began to walk up to him and as soon as we got close, the meltdown began. She was holding on to me so tight I couldn't even peel her off. I decided that there was no way she would sit on Santa's lap and that I'd have to sit with her. This picture is the second or third take as she was covering her face for the first two. We took the picture and decided that was enough torture. As soon as we were done and I bought the pictures, Charlotte looked back and said "Sata". Guess, he's just a bit intimidating up close! I had a little side talk with Santa and he said he doesn't take it personally and that he's still hit visit our house!

'Tis the season

This past Sunday we made a trip downtown to see the holiday decorations. In the past we've gone downtown the day after Thanksgiving but have wised up over the years and realized that going downtown on Black Friday is not the best idea. This time we were a little warmer and didn't have to fight such big crowds.

We had a nice time looking at the windows at Macy's and the decorations around the city. Since I'm carrying around a 'little' extra weight these day I wasn't able to walk as much as usual. Charlie cooperated and slept most of the time and then just people watched as we walked around. In true Charlie form she was up and ready to go when it was lunch time! It is a fun way to get in the holiday spirit!

Half Way There!

Owen and I went to the 20 week appointment this morning for the twins. The doctor says that everything looks good and the babies are growing right on target. Both babies are about 12 oz. a piece. They are in separate sacs that are separated by a membrane which is about the thickness of a balloon. They are currently using every inch of their current residence!

























Baby 'A' is on my left side and is measuring at 19 weeks 6 days. So far Baby 'A' is the one that I feel most of the time. As we learned today, it is using my bladder as a leg press.

























Baby 'B' is on my right side and is measuring at 20 weeks 3 days. This little one I don't feel move as much as Baby 'A' but is still a kicker!

Happy Halloween!!

We started off the day by carving he pumpkins that we got last week at the pumpkin patch.






































Charlie dressed up as a baker this year



























We put her to work baking in the kitchen


























Not bad for her first baking experience

Trip down state

We took a trip down state to Arcola last weekend to visit our friends the Robeys . We had a great time visiting, catching up and meeting the newest member of their family, beautiful baby Josie. On Saturday we enjoyed the unseasonable warm weather at a pumpkin patch.

Charlie turning into a vegetable

Both Nan & Charlie turning into veggies

Charlie and Daddy looking at some of the animals

Going through the maze

Showing Daddy which way to go

Yay! They made it.

After the pumpkin patch we all worked up an appetite so we went to eat. The Robeys took us to an Amish restaurant, Yoder's, in a neighboring town. I think that Owen will agree with me that Yoders has some of the best fried chicken that we've ever had.

After we stuffed ourselves on the buffet we went back to Mike and Laura's house to relax. Nan did a great job of entertaining Charlie and tiring her out. Charlie slept well on Saturday night and was ready for the drive home on Sunday.

Thanks to the Robeys for opening your home to us again and showing us another great weekend!

It has been too long...

Well, it has been quite a while since we've updated the blog so I'll do my best to hit some of the high points. In September Owen started a new job with Moxie Software. He is enjoying working for a start up company and it has been nice to have him around while he builds his territory. Once things get rolling he'll be back to traveling like he did for his old job so I'll enjoy it while I can.

In September we also started telling people that we will be expecting two new additions to our family. If all goes as planned, Baby #2 and Baby #3 will be making their appearances in March. Right now I'm about 4 months pregnant so we'll definitely be keeping everyone updated.

Charlie's been keeping us all busy, even Artu. We try and keep her away from him as much as we can but sometimes he needs to fend for himself. As you can see, sometimes he just give in to her charms and lets her do whatever she wants!

CHARLIE TURNS 2!

At the beginning of the month we celebrated Charlie's 2nd birthday with a family party. Her older cousin, Bailey, was showing her how to walk down the stairs like a big girl.

Charlie, Kyri and Austin played so much that they decided the stairs looked like a comfortable spot to try and take a nap.

We thought cake would be a good pick-me-up for the kids so we sang Happy Birthday to Charlie and had some dessert.

Charlie did a much better job of feeding herself the cake this year. I don't think she could get it in as fast as she wanted.

PUMPKIN PATCH

We took a trip to a local pumpkin patch with some friends. It was a great day to spend outside but seemed a little strange since it was 80 degrees at the pumpkin patch.

We rode the Merry-Go-Round

Fed the animals

And checked out all the pumpkins.

PICNIC TIME

We had to take advantage of the beautiful weather that we have been having so we went to a park in the Rockford area for a picnic. Now that Charlie is 2 we figured we needed to put her to work so we had her bring the blanket for the picnic. She pointed out the perfect spot for us to put our stuff down.

I tried to teach her the rules of soccer but she didn't seem like she wanted to play. I'm pretty sure that sitting on the ball is not allowed.

I know for a fact that touching the ball with your hands is not allowed.




















But when she gives hugs like this she can make up her own rules!




















YARD WORK

Owen has gained a new helper this year. I don't know how much she truly helps him but she loves spending time with her Daddy!!

They grow up so fast...

It seems like just yesterday we were bring Charlie home from the hospital. I just can't believe she is already getting picked up for her first date...

Charlie's First Haircut

After much encouragement from Owen I finally made an appointment for Charlie's first haircut. Since I thought it was going to be a very traumatic experience for her I thought I would leave it up to the professionals. She ended up doing very well. Yay!