Charlie's 4!

Four years ago yesterday our world was rocked by the early arrival of little Charlie.  Every year Owen and I talk about how crazy and scary those few hours were before she arrived.  We also talk about how crazy and scary the first few weeks were after she arrived.  I'll spare you all the details that you've probably heard me tell a million times.  I just can't believe the little peanut who entered our world at 3lbs has grown into such a healthy little girl.  Charlie's spunkiness that helped her strive in the NICU has not gone away.  It has helped her develop into a spirited little girl who keeps us on our toes.














This past weekend we had a party to celebrate Charlie's birthday.  Since Charlie loves to jump on the couches, beds and anything else she can find we decided to rent a bounce house for the day so she could jump to her hearts content.  Seemed like all the kids had a good time bouncing around.  Hopefully, they all slept good that night!

 Kyri and Charlie testing out the bounce house.

 Lil and Charlie having a good time

Gwyneth is all smiles as she gets out.

 Charlie was eying the yellow rose from the time we put the cake in front of her.  Pretty sure she ate her whole piece - including the huge rose!

 Lil loved bouncing with her Daddy!

 Gwyneth got tired of jumping so she was seeing what else she could do.

 Just so you know, all these pictures did take place on the same day.  Charlie doesn't like to wear an outfit for too long so there were five wardrobe changes over the course of her party. 

 After all the baseball she watches with her Daddy, Charlie got her first glove and ball.  She can't wait to learn how to play!

On Sunday we went to the annual NICU Reunion.  As always, it was nice to see some of the doctors and nurses that took such good care of Charlie (and us) while she was in the NICU.  I spoke to the NICU Nurse Manager, Sue, and found out that one of Charlie's main nurses, Jean, retired this past December.  They offered her early retirement and she decided to take it.  I'm happy for her but would have loved for her to see how far Charlie has come.  Another one of Charlie's nurses, Leslie, was there.  She actually sought us out at the party to say 'hi'.  She remembers Charlie and how tiny she was when she was born and what I wreck I was.  Leslie said she remembers pretty much forcing me to hold Charlie for the first time.  I wish I could say that she had me confused with someone else but I was afraid to hold that fragile little baby.  I was afraid to break her, or make one of the millions of alarms go off.  There will never be the right words or enough time to thank the doctors and nurses for everything that they did for our little ones.  Hopefully they know that these kids would not be here if it wasn't for their dedication and heart.

 

 They have tons of activities for the kids to do but riding on Daddy's back is always the best!

 

 Every year they have a steal drum band.  It's a little random but still fun!

 

Leslie and Charlie.

Charlie is back in school

 I'm about two weeks late in posting about Charlie's first day of school but I'm hoping it's better late then never!  She is at a different school this year and is going three days a week (M,W,F).  The first two days were not pretty dropping her off.  Charlie talked a big game until it was time for us to leave.  There were a lot of tears and crying on those days but by day three she was much more comfortable.  She really seems to like her new school and her new teachers (Ms. Candace and Ms. Sue).

Had to get the picture of Charlie with her 'back to school sign'.  Can't wait to do this to her every year until she goes to college.  I don't think she'll be smiling when she's in high school and I make her take the picture!

 Owen was able to be around to see Charlie go to her first day of class.  That made Charlie's Day!

 I had to get a picture with my preschooler too.

 The twins wanted to get in on the action too...

 We did a quick switcheroo so Owen could get a pic with all his girls but, as you can see, they weren't having it.

 Owen helped Charlie find her name so she could hang up her backpack. 

 One last picture with Dad before he went off to work and Charlie started her first day.  As you can tell, she was starting to get a little scared/nervous.  The smiles and laughing were gone and she was pretty anxious. 

 Ms Candace and Ms Sue said that Charlie was fine about five minutes after we left in the morning.  We wanted to make a big deal about her first day so she realized she did such a good job.  What other way to do that with Charlie than to give her cupcakes!

 Once again, the twins wanted in on the action so they celebrated Charlie's first day of school too.

Gwyneth being Gwyneth!

). 

Flying by....

I don't know how many times we have heard "Enjoy this time because it goes by so quickly."  I've tried to be polite when I hear it for the umpteenth time when I really want to roll my eyes.  I might stop rolling my eyes (so much) since I realized this is more true than I knew.  Our baby girls are a year and a half.  How did that happen?  They've grown up so much already but I just can't believe that it's been a year and a half. 

People always ask us which one is the happy one?  Which one is the better eater?  Which one 'this'?  Which one 'that'?  Both girls definitely have their own personality but they are pretty similar.  Both are happy kids.  Gwyneth is a bit more mellow and Lillian is a tad more high strung.  Both are good eaters but Lillian is a bit neater when she eats.  Both girls are talking (more than Charlie did at this age) but Gwyneth seems to try to say a few more words that Lillian.  To my delight, both girls still are cuddle bugs so I get to snuggle with them every once in a while.  Downfall of that is they always seem to want to cuddle at the same time.  Charlie doesn't want to be left out so she joins the mix and it's more like a pile of kids on me versus cuddle time.  Both girls are good sleepers too.  I'm going to enjoy that while it lasts because Charlie was an awesome sleeper when she was younger and that went to hell in a hand basket a couple years ago!

I know it's hard to believe but these two little cherubs have their quirks too.  Even though Gywneth is mellow she cries a lot.  A LOT!  Her immediate reaction to anything negative is to cry and scream.  Normally she calms down pretty quick but not after the damage is done with her scream.  I don't know how to describe her scream but I'm surprised that windows and/or glass has not shattered when she lets a scream out!

Lillian is just a little daredevil so she cries because she gets hurt.  I've had one bloody nose my entire life and Lil has had three or four already.  She's fallen into things and bitten her tongue and cheeks a couple times.  Poor little girl has more bumps and bruises than I thought possible.

They had their 18 month check up at the doctor's and both are doing well.  No shock but Gwyneth is taller and weighs more than Lil.  It was a pleasant surprise for all of us that they didn't need to get shots at this appointment.  Next appointment won't be until they're two.  Yay!

Gwyneth - 34",  26.5lbs.

Lillian - 32",  24lbs.

A Weekend At The Lake

It has been quite a while since we've updated the blog but like many of you, things have been busy.  So, just a quick post to say hello!

Donna got a new camera for her birthday and I took a few pictures this weekend.  (Dang there are a lot of buttons on these new gadgets today, all I want to do is take a picture).  I will admit, these new cameras do take great pictures and there is no delay so I can actually capture the girls' smiles.  We were up at Lake Summerset for the weekend to relax and enjoy one of the last weekends of summer.  To my surprise, all three of my girls enjoyed the beach and a little water even in the 70 degree temperatures.  (And for those that know me, of course I didn't go in the water, silly question)  These are just a few random pics from the last few days. 

A Baseball Thrill for Owen!!

Last Friday night I had a huge thrill that I’ve been waiting for since I was a little kid.  I CAUGHT A BALL AT A WHITE SOX GAME.  Many of you may be saying, “he caught a foul ball and that’s a thrill???”.  Well, being a diehard baseball and White Sox fan, I’ve always wanted to catch a ball in the stands.   I’ve been close but never close enough to touch or catch the ball.  I’ve watched a home run ball land two rows in front of me during a playoff game in ’05, I’ve watched a guy 4 seats down from me catch a line drive foul ball with his face and watch his nose spew blood but I’ve never caught a ball.  Please know that I’ve been to hundreds of games and this all started in 1983 when my Dad took me to my first Sox game.   So there I was on Friday night, Section 135 Row 31 Seat 14 which is just to the left of home plate.  It’s the bottom of the 4^th inning and AJ Pierzynski is at bat.  All of a sudden, he fouls off the ball, line drive coming straight at me.  Without even thinking, pure reaction, I just caught the ball.  And no, I didn’t bobble or drop it.  (The crowd went wild….OK, maybe they didn’t go wild but in my head they did!)  The crowd did give up a bit of an applause and the guys around me and Donna gave me high fives.  One of the guys said that my eyes were huge as saucers watching the ball come at me.  I was absolutely pumped!  The Sox ended up beating the hell out of the Mariners for their 9^th straight win too!  So that is a great night in my book…..I had a date night with Donna, I was at a Sox game and saw them win and I CAUGHT A FOUL BALL.  A great night!!!!

View from our seats

Well, looks like another month has passed since we've updated the blog.  Owen has been busy traveling for work.  We've both been busy being the parents of our three crazy little girls!

Charlie had her last day of preschool today.  I think she really enjoyed herself and even learned a thing or two.  Her teacher, Ms. Kathy, sent a personalized note home with each of the kids with a short recap of their year with her.  Here's a little piece of what Ms. Kathy said about Charlie, "Charlotte is such a joy to have in class.  She has such wonderful manners always being polite when speaking to her friends and teacher.  She is a good listener and participates in group time."  It took me some time to pick my jaw off the floor when I read it.  I couldn't believe my little girl has good manners and she listens.  Those are two things that are lacking when she walks into her own house.  I'm glad to know that she has learned at least a couple things at home!  Maybe because she is our first born but Owen and I have decided that she is our favorite!  

Gwyneth turned 15 months old and had her 15 month well check up.  She's still growing at a steady pace and is now 32" tall and 25.9lbs.  She's right on track developmentally.  Overall, she's the easy-going one of the three.  She smiles and laughs a lot  I think it might be her chubby cheeks but she's our favorite!

Pretty sure it won't come as a shock but Lillian had her 15 month check up too.  She's growing at a steady pace too and is still a bit smaller than Gwyneth.  She's 31" tall and almost 23 lbs.  She's right on track developmentally too.  You can still see the wheels turning in Lillian's head of how to get into trouble.  Most of the time it's because she is climbing on something.  We've turned our backs for a couple seconds to turn back to Lillian on top of the kids' table.  Lil may give us a run for our money but she is our favorite!

All the girls are really starting to play well with each other.  It is so much fun to watch Charlie make them laugh and be a good big sister.  Don't get me wrong, it's not always pretty.  Actually, most of the time we are just playing referee to make sure that everyone is treated fair and no one is getting intentionally hurt.  Bumps and bruises happen on a daily, if not hourly, basis around here.  I've noticed that Gwyneth and Lil team up on Charlie every once in a while and drive her crazy.  Pretty funny to watch them gang up on her!

March for Babies

It is that time of year again.  It is the season of charity walks in Chicagoland which means it was time to for us to walk for premature babies everywhere.  As a family of five we walked a 5K and raised $650 for research to help future mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies.  The March of Dimes is working on research regarding prematurity as well as the overall health of newborns.  The money raised will help with research regarding:

Brain: Premature birth - baby’s brain needs at least 39 weeks to fully develop

Smile: They have identified a gene responsible for oral cleft and are working on preventions.

Spine:  Folic acid education means fewer babies are born with neural tube defects

Eyes: They are developing treatments to cure vision defects  
 
Lungs: Surfactant and nitric oxide therapies save the lives of many premature babies


I thank the March of Dimes for the research that they have done over the past 60+ years.  Their hard work has given us three healthy baby girls!

We lucked out with the weather today.  The temperature wasn't too warm but it wasn't raining.  We walked at Potawatomi Park in St. Charles.  As when we walked before, the mood at this walk is an overall happy mood but there is some sadness.  You know that there are families that are walking in memory of their little angels instead of walking in honor of them.

We saw a family that had three little kids that they were pushing in strollers on the walk but wore shirts that said 'In Memory' of their little guy.  I can only imagine the pain that they feel walking knowing that one of their babies is not there.  After the walk I saw the husband holding the wife as she cried.  Images like that stay with me as I realize how easily that could have been me.

For those of you who see me on a regular basis, you know that images like that are not with me all the time.  I lose my patients with Charlie more often than I should.  Yell at her more often that I should.  Get frustrated with her more often than I should.  I will try to keep that image of that grieving mother with me more so I remember how lucky I am my little girl is here.

Charlie is starting to realize that the main reason that we do the March for Babies is because she was born early.  As she gets older it will more rewarding to do this with the girls since there is a personal reason why.

Gwyneth, Lillian, Charlie, and me

The group before we started the walk

Our little preemie all grown up.  They had some muffins before the walk started so you know Charlie had to have a couple!

Lillian liked being pushed in the stroller but wanted to stretch out her legs when we were done.

Gwyneth was happy to get out of the stroller too!

For all of you that donated to the March for Babies, we thank you.  Your contribution will help families welcome healthy, full-term babies into this world.


Just a fun little note...Owen and I joke that we are the freak show when we go out in public with all three girls.  With the amount of twins in the world people still seem to be intrigued by them.  Today we saw a lot of multiples but it didn't seem too overwhelming.  As we were walking we saw another family that takes the cake on 'freak show'.  I know they get tons of looks all of the time so I didn't ask to take a picture but this is what their stroller looked like.  Please say a little prayer for the "Freak Show Family of Four" tonight.  They need all the strength, wisdom, and patience that they can get!

  

Anniversary weekend in Austin

This past weekend Donna and I took a trip to Austin, TX to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Why Austin, you ask? Well, we were looking for somewhere in the same time zone and fairly shorter flight so we could the most of our time. Neither of us had been to Austin for fun (I've been there for work but didn't get to enjoy the city fully) so we were bound for the great state of Texas.  We didn't take very many pictures so I've included the websites of places that we went to so you can check them out.


Before we get into the details of our trip we'd like to thank the Robeys for watching our three girls (in addition to their two) for the weekend.  They came to our house on Thursday night so we were able to leave on an early flight on Friday morning.  Thanks also to Nan and JoJo for sharing your parents for an entire weekend!  We can't thank you guys enough!!

We arrived in Austin a little before noon so we weren't able to check into our hotel yet.  What better way to start out trip than to get some Texas bbq.  We ended up at  Salt Lick Bar-B-Que which was rated pretty highly from a few TV shows and the web. And yes, the bar-b-que was very good and we had our first Lone Star Beer.  

We stayed in a hotel that is in the heart of downtown.  We were only a couple blocks away from 6th street which we learned is Austin's entertainment center.  Friday afternoon and night we took in the 6th street scene.  The weather cooperated the whole weekend so we were able to walk almost everywhere.  We wondered around during the day checking out some of the local bars.  At night we went to Iron Cactus for a great Tex-Mex dinner in their outdoor patio.  After dinner, we wandered around 6th street as it became busier and busier. People watching is extremely interesting! We decided to have a another few drinks while listening to some live music at the bar, Blue Moon Rock N Blues. The music scene is great and we really enjoyed it!

On Saturday, we started our morning with a visit to Round Rock Donuts. I saw this place on TV and since it's vacation, a good excuse to indulge. Amazing the size of the line for donuts so we knew they were going to be good. While in line, I met a Delta Sig alum from UT (YITBOS) and the wait was worth it. Nothing like a few donuts with some cold milk to start the day. We spent the afternoon wandering around the University of Texas campus. Their football stadium is HUGE and it was nice to just walk around. We decided to spend the rest of the night just wandering around 6th street again. We ended up in an Irish bar, B.D. Riley's for a few drinks and an appetizer.  I schooled Donna in pool and air hockey (much to her dismay) at another place and then it was off to a few more places to listen to some live blues music.

Sunday morning came too quickly but we needed to hit one last restaurant that I'd heard great things about.  We went to Juan In A Million for some good, cheap Tex-Mex breakfast food.  I know it seems like all we did was eat and drink but isn't that what vacation is, trying new places?

It was a great weekend.  It was nice to spend a few days just bumming around and being able to sleep in a little bit every day. But we were both looking forward to going home to our 3 little munchkins.

It's been 10 years and so much has changed. One thing that has stayed the same is that Donna and I still have a great time just hanging out and enjoying each others company. Let's see what the next 10 years brings!

Celebration!

This past weekend we celebrated our babies turning 1!  I know that it's a big deal for the girls but I'm giving Owen and myself a majority of the credit.  We made it a whole year with no major injuries to any of the girls.  I figured since we are out numbered that it was inevitable that someone was going to have an injury that required an emergency room visit.  I guess we get to look forward to that in year two!

Gwyneth is now 30.5" and 23lbs 9oz.  Lillian is 29" and 21lbs and 4.5oz.  They're developing normally so nothing to report there.  I'm working on getting the girls to use sippy cups all the time so we can stop washing bottles.  We're also working on getting them to walk.  I know that will create new challenges but it'll be nice not to have to carry them everywhere!

Here are some pictures from their party.

Owen and me with Gwyneth & Lillian

Gwyneth enjoying some birthday Mac & Cheese

Lillian eating up some lunch too

 Gwyneth & Lillian hadn't really had sweets before their cupcakes.  Both seemed to really enjoy them!

We had a great time celebrating the first year of Gwyneth and Lillian's lives.  We could not have done it without the love and support from our family and friends. Thank you for cooking us meals, babysitting, the words of encouragement, the shoulders to cry on and the numerous beers that kept us going.  We appreciate everything that you have done.

Goodbye Artu

Tonight was one of the hardest nights we've had in a long time as Artu has left our family. My bud, my companion, my friend, my office mate and the member of the family who was always happy to see me. As I sit here and write my thoughts down, I still can't believe he's gone.

I was on my way home from Indianapolis after a meeting around mid-afternoon when Donna called me concerned about Artu. She said that he was having trouble walking and was just laying on the floor. When I had left this morning at 6:00, he had followed me downstairs as he always does to say goodbye, I had scratched his head and told him to take care of all my girls. He wagged his tail and watched me drive away. So, I had a hard time believing that something was wrong when I talked to Donna. As the afternoon progressed, it became apparent to Donna that Artu was feeling worse and worse. She took him to our regular vet who told us that his anemia levels were really low so Donna took him to the emergency vet. I met Donna at the vet where the doctor told as that Artu was bleeding internally, most likely from a tumor that burst on his spleen or liver. The doctor calmly told us that there was a very high chance that it was cancer and given his age.....and we knew what was coming. I had promised him that I would not put him through another surgery like we did 3 years ago and we felt that it was best for him to make the decision we dreaded. I've done my share of hard things so far in my life but making the decision to put him down and spending his last few minutes together and watching him fade away, well....that was one of the hardest things I've done and will remain imprinted in my brain.

Artu was my first dog and before him, I never understood how people became so attached to their dogs. I learned quickly after he came home with us that I was heading down that path. Over the past 5+ years, he truly was a part of our family. Everyone feels that they have the best dog but I couldn't have asked for a better one. He was everything I thought having a dog would be and than seeing how awesome he was with Charlotte, Gwyneth and Lillian just brought constantly smiles to my face.

Now, this is the same dog who I never wanted in the first place. Growing up I never had a dog and when we bought our house in Bartlett, it was a condition of mine that we get a dog. Two weeks after moving in, we headed to the Boxer Rescue to find the Burritts a boxer. I told the rescue that my one requirement was that I didn't want the dog that they had pictures of on their website, the one who had one eye and just looked a bit odd. When the rescue brought out boxer after boxer to see which ones may be a best fit, especially the one that jumped so high that his butt hit me in the chest, I was wondering if maybe the boxer breed was the wrong decision. They wanted to show me one last dog, and they brought out this boxer who ran two huge laps around their yard and than came sat down waiting to be pet. And yes, that dog that I said I didn't want the one who just looked up at me, was Artu, the one eyed dog from the website. Since than, he followed me all around, we took daily morning walks and he was my all around pal.

Artu loved us all unconditionally. He wagged his little nub when we showed him even the smallest amount of attention. He never complained. He did what we asked and what he was told to do. I hope he knew that he impacted all of our lives in such a positive way. We might have said our final goodbye to Artu but he will be with us every day in our hearts.

We've used this blog to use as our personal diary and update friends and family on the ongoings of our life. This time, I used this as much to let you know about Artu but also so I could put my thoughts (maybe ramblings) down on paper.

Thanks Artu, you were all and more a family could have asked for. We have pictures and videos of you from the times it was just us three, to the times you showed such excitement when we brought babies home for the first time.

I love you buddy......we all do!

Not sad to see it go...

With Gwyneth and Lillian fast approaching their first birthday they are outgrowing things at lightning speed.  We've gotten rid of their swings, bouncy seats, play mats, and a slew of other things.  It's hard to see them go knowing that we are not going to need them anymore.  Knowing that the girls are growing up and we will never have a newborn again.  It's nice to have more room but there is still a little part of me that hurts when we get rid of their "baby" stuff.

There are certain things that I've held onto of Charlie's because I want to remember the time when she was a little baby.  But there are certain things that I can't wait to get rid of.  I have been waiting for months for Charlie to give a sign that she had outgrown something else.  About two weeks ago she FINALLY said that she was ready.  WE GOT RID OF THE CHANGING PAD!  Charlie is potty trained!!!  Hallelujah!  I know that ultimately this is Charlie's accomplishment but I feel like the true congratulations go to Owen and me.  We have been trying to get her to go on the potty for months but she finally decided she was ready.  Charlie said she needed to go on the potty and hasn't looked back.  She hasn't had any accidents during the night, during naps, or even at school.  I couldn't be more excited!  It's so nice to know that she won't be going to college in diapers!  It's a good thing that she figured it out because I don't think the changing pad was going to last much longer!

Our Weekend Adventure

This past weekend we met the Robeys in Bloomington, IL for a winter-weekend getaway.  We had planned this a while ago and we were all looking forward to getting out of town and enjoying a fun weekend.  I'm sure most of you have already put the weather of this past weekend out of your minds.  In case you forgot, here is what Friday night looked like.


     (Maybe it wasn't this bad - but it was bad!)

As lifelong Chicagoans, Owen and I figured that the roads wouldn't be that bad and we would be fine.  Um, that was not the case.  Kyle and Teri were nice enough to take Artu for the weekend so we needed to drop him off at their place in Villa Park.  About 40 mins into out trip Owen and I decided that we would drop off Artu but then go home and head down to Bloomington in the morning.  It took us three hours to drop off Artu and get back home.  We were extremely lucky that Gwyneth and Lillian were quiet the whole time.  Charlie was a different story but one out of three's not bad!

The drive on Saturday morning was a breeze and we made it down to Bloomington in no time at all.  We, and by that I mean Owen, unloaded the car so we could get ready to go to the childrens museum in Normal, IL.  The place was a hit with all of the kids.  We knew Charlie was having a good time when she didn't want to leave to get lunch.  The girl never turns down food!

Lillian checking things out

Gwyneth playing around

Charlie practicing for her first job.  

Lillian and Gwyneth

Charlie painting on the glass.  Loved that she could get some of her creativity out and I didn't have to worry about the mess!

 

After the museum and lunch we headed back to the hotel for some pool time.  I'm happy to say that it seems like Gwyneth and Lillian enjoy the water just as much as their older sister and Mom.

This was the first time that we stayed in a hotel with all three girls.  Needless to say, our room was a little crowded but everyone slept through the night and we survived.  We had a great time and hope to make this trip an annual event.