We've hit eight months! Friday - September 12, 2008

The boys hit EIGHT MONTHS old this week. I can hardly believe it.

Time really flies when you're busy! And, I mean B-U-S-Y. So busy that on most days, the first time you sit down to enjoy a quiet moment to yourself just happens to be around 11pm. It's the first time you're not worrying if everyone's ok and fed, or picking up the crap on the floor that surrounds your feet, doing more laundry, thinking about work deadlines, etc.

But, things around here seem to just keep getting more fun and a tad bit easier every day. Well… kind of. I mean, we do still deal with the bumps & bruises, challenges of juggling 3 small kids, tantrums, juggling our jobs with family life, etc. Hmmmm… ok, maybe it isn’t really getting easier yet. Does parenting ever get easier though? I mean… are we going to think being a parent is easier when the kids are 18? I think NOT! ;-)

Recent noteworthy news in the Martino house includes:
* Matteo is holding his own bottle. He doesn’t hold it consistently… but hey, I’ll take ANY sort of help at this point.

* Rocco is EVERYWHERE climbing EVERYTHING. Climbing favorites include the stairs, kitchen cabinets, dishwasher, and the sofa.

* Matteo is on the verge of crawling. He’s up on all 4’s… moving knees and hands. Just not at the same time. I think he’ll officially be crawling in another week or two.

* Gabby is now in the older preschool, with the older kids (ages 3-4) and new teachers. She’s settled in and one of her teachers told Dan at pick-up time today that she’s a definite *leader* on the playground. Is that *preschool code* for slightly bossy? I have absolutely no idea where she would get that from. Seriously. Erhmmm…

* Rocco now jumps in his chair and screams at us simultaneously when he’s really hungry. No really. The child jumps while sitting. A lot. So much in fact that I’m scared to leave the kid alone in his chair and I wouldn’t dream of leaving him unbuckled. Kids like Rocco are THE REASON safety belts were installed in random infant chairs. I never buckled Gabby into anything when she was a kid… well, except for her car seat, of course. I never had to worry about her doing chair dives or anything.

Now for some photo cuteness... I'll post some video soon too:

A rare Canon moment. Thursday - September 11, 2008

This rarely happens...

Rare is the moment when Dan & I are both captured in a photo together... ever rarer are the moments when Dan & I are photographed with ALL THREE kiddos.

We were playing around outside last week... and I took a couple photos of Julia, our au pair, with the kids. Then, she turned the camera on us... and she captured a couple funny photos for us. She's a great photographer... don't get me wrong. It's just that three of the subjects were less than cooperative.

It's a tad bit crazy trying to hold 3 kiddos for a photo. But, it's so great to have the help of an au pair to help capture some of these moments for us. Julia's been great... and absolute joy to have in our home and she's great with the kiddos.

Below, top, is me with the kids... and then, Julia with the kiddos.



















Usually... if we have 3 kids in hand, it's not on purpose... trust me. I've usually got one two year old requesting chocolate milk IN my lap because she thinks it will result in her getting it sooner... WHILE I'm feeding an 8 month old, WHILE also holding the other 8 month old so he doesn't bang up his head on one of his expeditions around the kitchen.

Yes, friends... THIS is what a real moment with 3 kiddos under 3 looks like, before I head out on a run:

More recent cuteness!

Lots of stuff happening around here lately. Lots of crazy, but fun stuff. Sometimes I think my head is spinning. But, we sure do laugh hard every single day...

Here's some of the cuteness to share:

Matteo getting up on all 4's! Monday - September 1, 2008

I think Matteo is tired of sitting on the sidelines while watching Rocco chase Gabby around the house. Mr. Matteo has decided he's going to try and start moving too...

Yup... he's getting up on all 4's people! Any bets on when we'll have another crawler in the house?

Crown apples. Monday - September 1, 2008

After a weekend of fun dinners with friends, neighborhood bbq's, and LOTS of yummy treats... how do you possibly get a 2.5 year old to eat a piece of fruit?

Well... you give her a CROWN APPLE, of course.

Gabby was begging for more sweets tonight, and I had to put my *mommy* hat on and tell her she needed to eat some fruits or vegies.

Then, Julia said she'd make Gabby a crown apple. Immediately, Gabby was VERY interested... and then proceeded to eat her crown apple with lots of enthusiasm. What princess wouldn't?!

Just a tad bit messy. Monday - September 1, 2008

So... just a little example on how messy it can get feeding the twins.

Matteo:

Rocco:

And then you wonder what their chairs look like when they're done eating, right? Well... maybe not. Maybe you're still fixated on their faces. But... below is what the chairs look like. And, for the record.... this picture doesn't even do them justice. I think the flash bounced off all the food spots so it just looks sorta shiny in the foody areas (ok... so the whole thing looks shiny... you get the picture).

Now you're thinking... "OMG! How do you clean them?" Easy. Dan takes them outside, sprays them with the pressure washer, rubs them down with soap, and then sprays them with the pressure washer again.

Nothing strange about that, right?! I mean... parents across America clean their kids chairs with pressure washers, right?

Uh-huh. Yeah right...

She's wonderful! Tuesday - August 26, 2008

Our wonderful new au pair has arrived!

Her name is Julia (pronounced “u-la”) and she is from Germany. The kids all adore her.

We took Julia to Vasona Park on Saturday so the kids could ride the train and the carousel. Then on Sunday, Julia and I went biking with Gabby. We then topped off the weekend with some yummy sushi… and Julia loves sushi so she fits in just fine. ;-)

Also… Gabby and I have already learned to count to five in German!

Ummmm.... we're the losers. Wednesday - August 27, 2008

So… you know when you read those statistical articles about kids falling off changing tables or out of high chairs, etc. And while you’re reading them you’re thinking to yourself “what kind of loser would let their child fall from X?”

Well… we’re the losers.

Ok… not to point fingers or anything… but, it totally wasn’t me.

On a serious note… it may have been my scariest parenting moment to date.

Matteo fell off the changing table in the moment Dan left him there alone. I was in tears, of course. And as Dan ran with Matteo to the ER, I could see tears welled up in his eyes and a look of fear. And that says a lot. Before this, I had only seen Dan cry or near tears three times in my life. He cried when his father died. And, tears welled up in his eyes during two movies – “Friday Night Lights” and “We Are Marshall”. Again… I can’t make this stuff up. Totally honest.

Anyway… Matteo is 100% GOOD. No broken bones, no internal damage… and not one bruise. Thank God. And, part of me thinks his little angel brother took care of him.

Crazy thing is… we were thinking Rocco would be the first ER trip. He’s constantly falling and bumping his head as he explores the world crawling & climbing. I almost asked the pediatrician the other day if it’s possible to buy helmets for curious 7 month olds.

So, learn from us! DON’T LEAVE YOUR KIDS ON A CHANGING TABLE ALONE FOR EVEN A MOMENT! They will surprise you when you least expect it. And, you don’t ever want to have to feel how we felt when that happened.


Some recent photos of SUPER-Matteo:
















And, some recent photos of Rocco the explorer (aka, Bruiser):

And the topper to a chaotic week? Tuesday - August 19, 2008

We successfully pulled through yet another chaotic week. Here are few of the highlights… for memories sake. Well, and I should be honest. Hopefully, the kids will read this someday when we’re old and gray… and repay the favors.

Just a peak into a chaotic week with 3 sick kids under the age of 3:

Saturday, 8/9:
Gabby gets a fever that hits 102.4. She complains of her ear hurting which means we need to see the doctor. And because Saturday doctor visits just happen to be non-office hours… they also come with *special* fees. Lovely. For sympathy, she tells us “I have a froat.” Translation: “Dr. O said I might have strep throat.” No ear infection though.

Monday, 8/11:
* Matteo runs daytime fever of 102.4.
* Both boys begin getting abnormally fussy.
* Matteo pukes down my shirt, right between what’s left of my disappearing chest. The twins have GREAT aim with puking… have I blogged yet about how whenever they puke, it’s down my shirt, between my boobs? Anyway…
* Matteo’s fever spikes to 103.1 in middle of the night.

Tuesday, 8/12:
* I spend the night rocking and checking Matteo’s temperature. I get less than 4 hours sleep.
* Dan gets up throughout the night to wrestle an unusually restless Rocco. Dan also gets very little sleep.
* I call and schedules doctor appointment for Matteo.
* I take Gabby to school and hit the grocery store. While at the grocery store, I get a S.O.S. call from babysitter saying both boys are screaming and unhappy and she can’t do anything to soothe either of them. Totally abnormal call coming from the very competent babysitter. I hurry home.
* I visit the foot doctor. He basically tells me what I already know – my foot is f*$$#* up… but he uses x-rays, ultrasound and science language. I’m just great at summing things up with one word. So, he tapes my foot and tells me to go on a run (same day). Yup. In addition to having approx 3 hours sleep, 3 sick kids, 3 doctor appointments (keep reading), and working (for my paying job, that is). Uh huh.
* I get home from foot doctor. Babysitter says that Rocco now also has a fever. Rocco’s fever is 102.2. I decide to wait with calling the doctor for Rocco… I first wants to see if Matteo truly has something.
* Matteo’s diagnosed with ear infection.
* I get home. Rocco’s now burning up… fever hits 102.7. Ok, I guess we should get him in to the doctor today too.
* At 3pm… I am starving and finally eat something.
* Dan takes Rocco to his doctor appt. Rocco also has an ear infection. Dan also picks up the Rx’s for both babies.
* I pick Gabby up from school and race home to stuff her with food and get her dressed for swimming lessons (all within a 30 minute window).
* Daddy takes Gabby to swim lessons. Mommy stays home with two sick, tired and very crabby babies.
* Another sleepless night for mommy & daddy… FYI, babies with ear infections & fevers don’t sleep well.

Wednesday, 8/13:
* Matteo’s fever is gone. Rocco is still burning up.
* Matteo starts sitting on his own - hooray!!
* Daddy takes day off from work to help with sick kiddos and to also let mommy get much-needed work done.
* Babysitter calls in morning. She calls in sick for Thursday. As it turns out… we probably got her sick too. Dang.
* Rocco & Matteo are still F-U-S-S-Y and N-E-E-D-Y. Very unlike my two little men.
* Grandma Leo & Grandpa Kenny come (as they do every Wednesday). Bless their hearts! And, they deserve extra blessings because they stayed, even with two fussy/crabby babies!
* I bring Gabby to gymnastics.

And so on, and so on… you get the picture.

Now you’re wondering what the topper to the week was, right?

At the end of the week, Gabby looked at me and said "Mommy? You're boobies are falling down." Honest. She said this to me. I can’t make this stuff up. I almost fell over. I mean... I'm already struggling with my disappearing & drooping chest. Does the 2 year old really need to rub it in?

Matteo cut TWO teeth! Sunday - August, 17, 2008

As if to show us that he is a tough guy too - Matteo has cut TWO teeth at the same time. Very impressive, I know.

I figured the little man was up to something. In addition to being sick all week, he continued to be extra fussy even after he started the medication for his ear infection. I couldn't figure out why he wouldn't let me put him down without a constant, sad little whine. I started to think that he forgot he was a twin.

On Saturday - there they were. Two teeth. Both very visible. Our little man cut TWO teeth on the same exact day. Poor monkey. An ear infection, a fever that hit 103.1 and two new teeth. No WONDER he was whiny all week! Good job, 'lil Matt!

Matteo is sitting! Sunday - August 17, 2008

Matteo decided he's sick of viewing the world from the floor. After hours of watching Rocco explore the play area horizontally, Matteo now prefers to watch Rocco while sitting upright. For a while, he was looking at me a bit surprised, like "Am I sitting up like Rocco & Gabby do, mom?" But, after almost 1 week of practicing - today he looked like a real natural and only fell over a few times!

Thank the lord for tumbling mats. Well... kind of. Unfortunately, the mats haven't stopped Rocco from getting 2 shiners on his face and head over the course of the past week. One lovely black & blue spot on his forehead and one on his cheek. Poor baby!

Matteo sitting on the left, Rocco sitting on the right:

Crazy-cute faces... love 'em!

Rocco's pulling up to STAND! Tuesday - August 5, 2008

As if Rocco is trying to set some sort of record for new tricks... he decided to show us another. Yes... he's now pulling up to a strong stand!

I can't believe it. He did it 5 times today, but Dan & I both missed the first time.

I was working from home and our nanny came over to me and said "So, I can't believe Rocco is crawling, sitting and pulling up to a stand! So much has happened since last Thursday." I said "Wait! He pulled up to a stand?! OMG! I didn't know he was doing that either!" Crazy!

I'm now guessing this kid might just be walking before he turns 9 months old. There's no stoppin' Mr. Rocco!

Rocco's got a tooth! Sunday - August 3, 2008

It's official... our little man, Rocco, cut his first tooth today!

There was nothing sharp in his mouth this morning... and I should know because he spent lots of time chewing my hand, my arm, my leg and going after my feet. He spent the day being unusally fussy, having the symptomatic clear runny nose and LOTS more drool.

Then he chewed on my hand tonight and it HURT! I ran my finger over his gums and sure enough... it was a sharp little tooth that popped through.

Good job, little buddy!

Oh... and Rocco also ate his first fist-full of dirt. I can't imagine what else on earth could be more exciting than this.

A good kind of busy. Saturday - August 2, 2008

We’ve been busy lately – but for all the right reasons. Here’s our latest news and some of our recent wonderful achievements:

1. Gabby is 100%, fully potty trained. See below post.

2. Rocco is crawling. Rocco is now everywhere and getting into everything. Literally. He’s reminded me in recent days that anything small WILL be put into little people’s mouths. Anything that looks like it shouldn’t be climbed over or under, WILL be. Any magazines within reach will be torn apart and/or eaten. He’s progressed quickly this week from relying solely on the army-man crawl to get around, to full-on crawling.

3. Rocco is sitting. It’s his new trick this week. He’s sitting unsupported and he’ll even prop himself up into the sitting position.

4. Matteo is now rolling lots, scooting backwards, and testing new swivel moves on his belly. Seeing Rocco explore and get into trouble looks like a whole lot of fun and Matteo isn’t one to miss out on fun. Not to mention, Matteo also has to learn to defend himself from curious Rocco, who frequently tries to climb over or wrestle him, or grab his head and ears.

5. Gabby RAN just over 1 mile with us the other day. Dan & I were both shocked and impressed. I guess she is bored with always having to ride in the stroller. So, she decided and was completely determined to run WITH us. We let her and she ran a lot further than we thought she would. One + mile is probably equivalent to a two year old’s marathon.

6. Both boys have now slept through the night, on the same night, twice! Matteo has always been our good sleeper and has slept through the night quite a bit. But, Rocco has now also slept through the night several times. Hooray! Now, if we could only convince them to sleep through the night on the SAME night more frequently.

7. Rocco eats A LOT. Three to four times a day, he eats three 2.5oz packages of baby food mixed with rice or oatmeal cereal. It’s amazing. Rocco loves to eat. And, he still looks like the smaller twin but weighs more. We haven’t found a food he doesn’t like. He’s a lot like his daddy.

8. Matteo is real picky when it comes to solids. He likes pears, sweet potatoes and squash. Anything other than that, he protests with the cutest big lip pout ever, and a sad little whimper. A big meal for him is usually one 2.5oz package of solids and a couple ounces of milk.

Potty-trained! Hooray! Friday - August 1, 2008

Gabby is 100%, fully potty trained! Hooray!

We LOVE it and are so proud of her. She has been potty trained for two full weeks now. She had been using the big girl potty (selectively), since January. But, we couldn't get her to commit to using the potty chair ALL the time. Finally, I decided to tell Gabby we ran out of diapers. At first when I told her, she looked really sad and worried. She asked a few times "we don't have any more diapers for me?" She thought about it for a few minutes and then jumped up and yelled “Yeah, but we have pull-ups! Yay!” So, then I told her we only had a few pull-ups left too and we couldn't waste them. Suddenly, she was instantly potty trained. Amazing. It's as if I flipped a switch.

Wish I would have run out of diapers months ago! ;-)

We celebrated by going out to buy fun-themed big girl panties. Now Gabby gets to wear new big girl panties every day. And, some days, she'll put several pairs on just because they’re so cool!

What are we doing with all the money saved from not having to buy diapers for Gabby? Well, that money now goes into Rocco's food fund. That child eats like a man.