My Three Favorite Things

Gabby: "Mommy, do you want to hear my three favoritest things?"

Me: "Yes. Do you mean your three most favorite things?"

Gabby: "Yes"

Me: "Ok"

Gabby: "My three most favorite things are princesses and princess dolls and dresses and castles and stories. And, I really like pink and purple. And I like butterflies a lot too!"

Me: "Wow! So your three favorite things are princesses, the colors pink and purple and butterflies"

Gabby: "No mommy... princesses, princess dolls and dresses and castles and stories... and pink and purple and butterflies.

15 Month Twin Stats

The 15 month growth stats are in for the boys!

ROCCO
Weight: 26lbs, 2oz (75th percentile)
Height: 31 7/8 inches (70th percentile)
Head: 50.1 cm (off the charts)
Tooth count: 8

MATTEO
Weight: 23lbs, 13oz (25th percentile)
Height: 31 inches (50th percentile)
Head: 49.7 cm (95th percentile)
Tooth count: 7

I will be shocked if Rocco does not outweigh Gabby by the time she turns 4 years old.

Rocco continues to be a really great eater... and will probably eat us into debt someday. Matteo just in recent weeks has also become much more interested in table foods and willing to try table foods he snubbed in the past. In addition to being a speed-eater like his father, Rocco will also still try to feed Matteo, Gabby, me or whoever is feeding him. Gabby always loves it when Rocco tries feeding her. It's really cute to see him try and put pizza in her mouth. At least she'll eat for someone, I guess! Rocco definitely outeats his sister. Actually, both boys do on most days I think. Matteo is still a bit of a food snob... he has his favorite foods and will eat when he chooses to eat. He's happiest when he has control over what's being put in his mouth so you're best of loading a fork full of food and passing it off to him to put in his mouth. Usually, that is then followed by his happy dance (same dance as his "Go Diego Go" dance... he wiggles and giggles... so cute!). Matt would surprise you in that he's got a stubborn side and it comes out if you try to feed him something he's unsure of.

The boys continue to get busier by the hour. They even try to jump out of their highchairs when they've decided they're done or if we're taking to long to help feed them. One little guy stands up.. then the other decides to stand up. Crazy little copycats!

Dan had a GREAT suggestion for future feedings (not!)... he said "Instead of feeding these guys we should just throw out live kill. They'd probably have a lot more fun having to hunt their food... it would keep 'em busy for a bit. AND... they'd probably be more excited to eat it since they had to work for it."

Hmmmmm... something to consider I guess. Ummmm.... NOT!

SWIMMIES!!!!

All three kids recently started spring swimming lessons. Gabby has of course taken swimming lessons before, but this is the very first class for the boys.

Since Gabby is 3, she is no longer in a class that requires a parent in the pool with her. It's just her, 3 other 3 year olds, and coach Justin. She's loving it and doing a great job. One of her recent accomplishments includes diving under the water surface and swimming to coach Justin. We're so proud of her!

The boys are LOVING swim lessons! And, they are absolutely fearless in the water.

Dan will go underwater with Rocco... approx 2-3 feet under the surface... and Rocco just loves it! Dan will signal to him, counting to 3, then saying "Deep breath" and then they go under SO FAR! WAY further than mommy would bring him under! Yikes! He'll close his eyes and hold his breath and he comes up like nothing happened, smiling and looking around and just perfectly fine. Every time I am in shock. He also climbs out of the pool on his own and jumps into the water on his own, into Dan's waiting arms, of course. It's funny though... because whenever he climbs out... he runs around to find a ball and then runs back to the edge of the water to jump in again with ball in-hand.

Matteo is also very unphased by going underwater. I ususally have Matteo for the majority of the swim class.. and unfortunately, this means he doesn't go as far under the water surface as Rocco does. But, I do bring him about a foot under the surface with me and he does great! He also comes up smiling and just looking around. He too clearly understands when it's time to hold his breath... I do the same count and "Deep Breath" signals that Dan does. Matt loves swimming on his belly and trying to gather balls/toys that are floating around. He'll jump off the edge into my arms in the water. He loves watching the other kids. And, I just LOVE hugging and cuddling and holding him during this fun little play session.

Gabby loved the water at 15 mnths, but HATED going UNDER water. I vividly remember dreading the point in each swim class when I would have to put just her face in the water. It would always result in screaming at that age. She hated it.

Dan & I try to switch off between the boys during class. But, he typically has Rocco and I have Matt for the majority of each class.

So far, it's been really fun for us to spend this time with the little fellas in swim class. Dan and I both seem to agree that swimming lesson night is one of our favorite "family" activities to date!

Not to mention the fact that seeing the little guys walking around the pool, next to their big sister, all in swimsuits is beyond cute!

Her new uniform... unveiled!

And, this would be Miss Gabby's new uniform - the Princess swimsuit (featuring Cinderella, Belle & Sleeping Beauty). She wears it almost every day... except on school days of course. But... she would wear it to school if she could, trust me.

Gabby even wore it to one of the Easter holiday parties we went to at my friend Kathleen's house. All the other kids were dressed in Easter dresses... and there's Gabby in a princess swimsuit with tutu.

Dan asked me as we left our house "Are you going to let her wear that?"

My response was "Well... I don't have the energy to wrestle her to the ground and switch her outfit... do you?"

Santa Cruz half Marathon Sunday - April 19, 2009

My friend, Kathleen, and I finished the 2009 Santa Cruz half marathon yesterday. And wow.... it was a HOT one! It hit 90 degrees here and in Santa Cruz yesterday.

We did great though, regardless. A new personal best for me. My official chip finishing time was 1:55:05. That's about a 8:47 min/mile pace. I came in at #81 of 557 finishers in the females 30-39 age category. Kathleen's finishing time was 1:52 (finished 63rd!)... and I think that was a new personsal best for her too.

We started out a lot faster than we should have... probably because a) we forgot our watches and b) we were still in line for the restrooms when the gun went off. So, by the time we crossed the STARTING line... the race had already started 6 minutes prior and we had a LOT of adrenaline to try and manage!

It wasn't my favorite course.... beautiful from the starting line to mile 3 and from mile 10 to the finish. But, it was bumpy dirt trails with lots of rocks looping around open farm fields from miles 6-9 (along an ocean cliff for probably 1.5 miles of that sucky part). And, because we started the race late... we spent the entire race trying to pass runners ahead of us and that's extra challenging on dirt paths. You sometimes run in the grass alongside the trail, trip on rocks or bumps or whatever. Not exactly as safe for your ankles as road racing. And to top it off... you finish the race off on the sandy beach. Yes... you run your last approx 20 yards on sand. Not sure who thought up that great idea.... clearly... not one of the runners.

The photo above is of us after the race all nice and stinky (taken with my BlackBerry) with the Santa Cruz wharf in the background.

This is me at home with the boys after... in the large photo... you can see the boys standing at the gate behind me crying because I'm not holding them. So, of course I had to pick 'em up to be in the photo.

14 day record broken... bummer!

Wow! We made it a whole 14 days without visiting the pediatrician!

But... every record is meant to be broken, right?

Unfortunately, all of our fun Easter festivities last weekend ended up bringing on another round of sickness in the Martino home. Not sure if it was brought on by the babies drinking out of other kids sippy cups at the Hart's party on Saturday night or from being wet out in the cold while at the egg coloring party at the Keene's on Friday night. But, by the Tuesday after Easter... Matt had a stuffy nose and by Wednesday, Rocco was also sick. Dan brought Matt to the doctor on Wednesday for fear of another ear infection because he was up all night. Apparently, he just had a sore throat, snotty nose and was stuffed up.

On Thursday, Rocco's snotty nose was in full force. Julia suspected he might have pink eye when he woke up from his afternoon nap because his right eye was very swollen and there was gunk coming out. Gabby had it a few weeks ago... so this seemed to make sense.

Well, when Rocco woke up on Friday morning... both of his eyes were red, swollen, and had gunk coming out of them. He looked like he was in a fight! Poor baby! He was diagnosed with Periorbital Cellulitis. Which, if left untreated can be incredibly serious. Apparently, some kids are actually admitted to the hospital right away for IV antibiotics.

I can't bear to post a photo of what he looked like... because it just makes my heart hurt and my eyes water. Poor

Rocco was given antibiotic shots for two days, eye drops (3xdaily) for 5 days, and an oral medication for 10 days. He is doing SO much better now and his eyes have completely cleared up... thank goodness!

Both boys are still snotty. Matt still has a bad cough. But, both seem to be getting better and I know I should knock on wood before I mention this... but NO EAR INFECTIONS! YAY RAH RAH TUBES!!

We had a super-fun weekend with all the kids regardless of them battling colds! We played outside a lot in the sun and sprinklers... it was LOTS of fun!

Easter wrap-up, PART IV

And, finally... Easter Sunday!

Gabby and I colored some more eggs with her Princess egg coloring kit while the babies took their morning naps. Then, when the babies woke up... they helped us finishe up the egg coloring. And then we remembered that the Easter bunny probably came the night before so we started the Easter egg and basket hunt which was lots of fun and lasted less than 5 minutes.

Cinderella bath doll, a Belle doll, a Cinderella head with hair to style, new PJ's, Teddy Grahams, Tootsie Pops, a chocolate bunny... wow! The boys both got baseball gloves and baseballs, HotWheels cars, new sweaters, new t-shirts, chocolate bunnies and Teddy Grahams. What a bunch of lucky kids!

Another big surprise was that this year we were also visited by a German Easter Bunny who left lots of gifts and eggs out in the back yard! How fun for us that Julia could participate in such a miraculous visit from the German Easter Bunny! =) The kids loved EVERYTHING the German Easter Bunny brought... a mini football, soccer ball & basketball, a remote control dog, and other fun little toys that the kids just LOVED! The German Easter Bunny sure is fabulous! We love her lots because she's SO good and loves our kiddos!

Then, we went over to Scallan's house so we could enjoy Easter brunch with grandma Leo & grandpa Kenny, Trish, Todd, Courtney and Tori. It was so much fun! Grandma and grandpa helped all the kids hunt for eggs outside and ring the wind chimes. The boys just loved wandering around the beautiful outdoors with Leo and Kenny. They played with aunt Trish and cousins Courtney & Tori... and tried to show off all their new tricks. Matteo of course showed off his improved walking skills (he's now walking 90% of the time).

Trish and Todd also live up in the mountains... so again.... breathtaking views from their backyard. And the weather couldn't have been more perfect to enjoy the outdoors.

Grandma Leo surprised the kids with darling wrapped Easter baskets filled with jelly beans and chocolates, as well as cute stuffed animals. Gabby just loved the candy filled baskets and dug in right away. The babies however, preferred the stuffed animals... especially the yellow chick... even fighting over it!

Brunch was DELISH! Trish made some yummy steaks and potatoes. And, we all brought yummy food to share and it made for the perfect Easter holiday!

Easter wrap-up, PART III

We went to our good friend's (the Hart's) home on Saturday night for an Easter Egg hunt and dinner.

Kathleen had an Easter basket for every child with real grass growing in them... they were SO CUTE! Eggs were everywhere in their yard and the kids all had a blast. They live up in the mountains... so the view from their backyard is breathtaking (see photos below)!

Kathleen is a great cook... she made a delicious lamb and everyone brought something savory to share. The kids all had a great time and got to eat dinner together at a combined two tables. Then, because they finish dinner in approx 5 minutes... we were able to move all the kids into the TV room to watch Nemo so the adults could eat, drink and converse with minimal interruptions.

Here's a shot of the kids at their dinner tables and then at the start of the movie (note that Rocco is not sitting & watching the movie):

So, while everyone else's kids pretty much sat and watched the movie or played nicely in the TV room... Dan & I were busy chasing down Rocco, and then also Matteo (little copy-cat).

It was a GREAT night though. LOTS of fun!

Easter wrap-up, PART II

We attended our first ever egg coloring party at the Keene's this year. It was so much fun!

The kids had a blast, as did Dan & I! We really enjoy our Nevada Ave friends.

Gabby really enjoyed coloring the eggs and spending time with Sophie and Trent. Rocco and Matteo had great fun watching the bigger kids play. Rocco started grabbing balls and trying to throw them with the big boys. And, Matteo started was busy chasing the balls and climbing on the play structure with Rocco.

Below are some photos from the fun (& very chilly!) night.

Easter wrap-up, PART I

Ahhhh... Easter! Celebrating miracles and the fact that spring is just around the corner! We had LOTS of Easter festivities we participated in this year, including:

1. Annual LG Community Easter Egg Hunt

2. Egg Coloring party at the Keene's

3. Annual Easter Holiday Egg Hunt and Dinner at the Hart's

4. Easter Bunny's arrival at our house!

5. Easter brunch at Scallan's

I don't much recall much of last year's Easter celebrations. Partly due to the fact that we had two 2 month olds and one 2 year old. And, partly due to the fact that all of them were under the weather. I think Matteo had his first ear infection around the Easter holiday and Gabby had a fever all weekend, followed by an ear infection diagnosis on Monday and then a ruptured ear on Friday.

Well... this year was different... the kids all got sick AFTER the Easter holiday!

Below are some photos from the LG Community Easter Egg Hunt. Gabby was thrilled that we were able to meet up with two of her very best friends from school (Sofia and Giovanni). They all scrambled to get eggs and partook in the joys of eating lots of candy that morning. And, it was also superfun to have the boys experience the LG Egg Hunt for the first time.

Rocco thought it was great and kept running out into the egg hunt area before he was technically allowed to. He also really enjoyed picking up eggs and putting them in the basket. He was wandering all around the grounds and required one adult at all times. Matteo could have cared less. I think he was more focused on why he wasn't getting his nap during his nap hour. Poor baby! But, he did seem to enjoy the people watching.