Arts & Crafts

Owen will attest to the fact that I'm not a crafty person.  I would love to be, but I'm not.  I have tons of ideas but never seem to know how to execute them.  I'm happy to say that I finally followed through with a craft project that I said I was going to do.  

If Gwyneth and Lillian have hair like their older sister there will be TONS of hair bows in our house.  I have yet to master making bows but I figured I could make something to display the ones they do have.  I saw the idea for a bow holder on another blog and thought it looked easy enough (no sewing involved).  All I needed was a glue gun, some fabric, ribbon and an old frame.  I didn't have a frame but found one at Goodwill for $5.00!  Since the frame wasn't the right color I had to get some spray paint too.  Add the paint, fabric, ribbon and frame together and my project only cost about $12!

It took longer for the paint to dry on the frame than it did to the rest of the project.  Here it is completed and ready to be hung up.

 On the wall in Gwyneth & Lillian's room.

Now I have to figure out how to make the bows.  Maybe I'll accomplish two craft projects.  Maybe.  Stay tuned...

Time seems to get away from me and before you know it three weeks have past since the last blog update.  Since pictures are what everyone really wants to see, below is what the Burritt crew has been up to.

We went to our friends house catch up with them and to let the kids swim in the pool.  Didn't get any pics of the kids but her is Lillian and Gwyneth relaxing after a day in the sun.

 

Charlie still had some more energy so she played dress up with Megan

She loved the devil costume!

All of the kids waiting for the 4th of July parade to start.  It was Charlie, Logan, Will, Ally and Jonathan.  They were all getting ready to get the candy!

Charlie wasn't a fan of all of the sirens on the fire trucks and police cars.  She just kept starring at them waiting for them to stop.

Lillian tried to stay as cool as possible underneath the tent.

Gwyneth couldn't handle all the excitement that day and fell asleep early.

We enjoyed some beautiful weather and had dinner on the deck.  Gwyneth was busy starring at the deer that were in the backyard.  

This time it was Lillian that fell asleep early!

On a nice day Owen and I took Charlie down to Navy Pier.  She was so excited to go on the choo choo!  Of course, she needed a snack to  complete her train experience.

Splashin' around in the fountain.

On the Seadog boat ride down at Navy Pier.

You can't tell by her serious look but Charlie really liked the boat.  She loves the water and loves to go fast!

She really didn't like getting wet.

Chicago is a beautiful city!

The boat ride really worked up Charlie's appetite so we had lunch. 

Then she did an impromptu dance on one of the stages.

Her first churro.  It was sweet so she loved it!

Back on the train she had to check and see if she had any messages from her peeps!

After a fun day in the sun she was ready for bed early.

This past weekend we went up to the lake.  We wanted to get Gwyneth and Lillian in the lake so they grow up to love it as much as Charlie.  We got Lillian in the water and after a little crying she really seemed to like it. 

Gwyneth thought that it was lame and slept the day away!

I think if Charlie would sleep in the water she could.  It was the first thing that she talked about in the morning and the last thing she talked about at night.  She can't wait to go back again.  If she only know how hard it is to get down to the beach with three kids and all of their 'gear'.  It's totally worth it once you see the smile on her face as she plays in the sand and water.

Lillian & Gwyneth had a lot of fun just relaxing on the blanket. 

Gwyneth already has a thing for shoes.  Even though they don't fit she insisted that she wear the pretty pink shoes!

Family Time & 4 Month Stats

As some of you may already know, corporate America has thrown our family a bit of a curve ball. I have a little of extra time on my hands so we decided to take advantage of it and go as a family to the zoo. It was a beautiful day to be outside and just enjoy. Charlie was more fun this year really wanting to see all of the animals and she really liked the monkeys, giraffes and zebras. Unfortunately the bears weren't swimming like they have been in the past...she really wanted to see the polar bear. Gwyneth and Lillian were surprisingly awake for most of the day and took everything in. We took along a picnic so we didn't miss a second of the beautiful weather.

Overall, a great day and it took my mind of the job hunt that hangs over my head now. So the silver lining of all this is that while corporate America has taken a turn that I didn't expect, at least I get to spend some extra time with ALL my girls. Nothing wrong with that! I truly believe everything happens for a reason so hopefully I'll look back on this in a few months and the reason will be apparent. Just wish, I knew this path beforehand so it wouldn't be so worrisome. But what fun would that be right?! Here are reasons why I continue to smile even in this bit of a stressful period.

Lillian did not want to take a picture, Charlie wanted her to be quiet and Gwyneth just ate so she was pretty calm

4 Month Stats

Hard to believe but Gwyneth and Lillian are already four months old. While some days seem to last forever the time really is flying by. We took them for their four month doctor's appointment and the doctor was happy with the girls' height, weight and overall health.

Gwyneth is 25 inches and 14lbs. 7oz. Just a little smaller, Lillian is 24.5 inches and 13 lbs 9.5 oz.

Lillian & Gwyneth

"I know that God will not give me anything I can't handle; I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."    -Mother Theresa

Things in the Burritt household are starting to calm down a little, but still far from routine.  We are starting to see better sleeping habits out of all three girls.  Yay!  Owen and I constantly have to remind ourselves that we will get a full night sleep again.  Not sure when, but we know it has to happen! We have gotten a couple nights where Gwyneth and Lillian sleep through the night.  Unfortunately, they are never two night in a row.  We've moved them into their own room and they are sharing a crib.  Even if we put them on opposite ends of the crib they eventually scoot closer and closer together.  I think there have been a few times they have woken each other up because they start knocking heads together.  For those of you who have met Gwyneth and Lillian you know Lillian is going to will that battle every time!  Next step will be to move one into the second crib.  Maybe I'll try that tonight...maybe.

Charlie is still growing by leaps and bounds.  Her vocabulary keeps expanding which is so great to hear.  Let me rephrase that.  It is so great to hear after I've been up for an hour.  The girl LOVES to hear herself talk.  She narrates her entire day...the good, the bad, and the ugly!  A typical morning for us is

Charlie:  I want a waffle...please

Owen/Donna: Ok

Charlie: I want apple juice...please

Owen/Donna: Ok

Charlie: No waffle, cereal.

Owen/Donna: Do you want a waffle or cereal?

Charlie: Waffle or cereal

Owen/Donna: You have to pick one

Charlie: Pick one

Owen/Donna: Charlie, do you want a waffle or cereal?

Charlie: Waffle.....cereal

Owen/Donna:  Ok, you said you wanted a waffle first so you are going to get a waffle

Charlie: CEREAL!!!

Owen/Donna:  Ok, cereal it is.  What kind of cereal?  (We'll hold up two boxes so she can choose)

Charlie: (Points) That one....that one.

Owen/Donna: You have to choose only one

Charlie: Only one

And back to square one we go.  I'm not sure of the whole "Who's on First" kit but I'm pretty sure it is close to our morning routine!

As Owen mentioned in a previous post we have to try and remember these moments because they will be gone before we know it.  We have to remind ourselves that we have three little blessings that were given to us for a reason.  We will, and have, made mistakes but have learned from them and are better parents because of them.  Would we love to get everything right on the first try?  Yes.  Since that is impossible, we thank God that he gave us three patient girls who love us even though we are not perfect.

Charlie

Gwyneth

Lillian

A rare quiet moment...

A Few Random Thoughts....

Last night, Gwyneth and Lillian pretty much slept through the night. Definitely a good thing! Problem is, Charlotte was up a number of times so we still didn't get a full night's sleep. But it's coming!

So, with another step in the life of my twins, I had a few thoughts. As a parent, it really does seem to be the small things that I try to savor and not take for granted. The first time Charlie said "Daddy, I love you", I can tell you was an experience I will never forget. Even though Mom prompted and helped her, it was one of the sweetest things I've ever heard. Or maybe a few days ago when Charlotte and I were walking Artu and she just broke out into song and sang her version of "Twinkle, Twinkle". Like I've told some people, having a daughter has turned me into a big sap at times. Donna and I are so busy with the twins, that we've told each other and are trying to make a concious effort to enjoy this time. Trust me, it's hard enjoying a feeding at 2:30 in the morning but before I know it they'll be 2, preschool, proms, etc. This morning before I left for work, I went upstairs and just stared at them both sleeping in their crib
next to each other. It was such a cute little picture that makes me smile just thinking of it. I guess this is part of what a parent is being about, just enjoying the moment when you can. We get so busy and things will get busier, that I am trying to just take a breath and enjoy each moment I can.

Charlie at Easter in her Sunday Best
Papa with Lillian & Gwyneth

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