Big Boy News of the Day...

Our little monkey is in his big boy bed! He has been sleeping there for naps and bedtime since Monday night... a little bribery certainly helps (a skittle or a Hershey kiss when he wakes up). Jamie has been in her big girl bed since before Christmas, and Jacob's bed has been set up in their room since then, too. He has slept in it a time or two, but always ends up climbing back in his crib. So, since he has been in the bed all week, I actually took the crib down today! I really thought that when I took our crib down for the last time, I would be sad... but that is not the case! I am so excited!

Family Fun Friday, Football, & Fall!

When school started, we decided that we would dedicate Friday nights as "Family Fun Friday" with the girls! On Fridays, after we put the twins down, we usually watch a movie or play games together... and of course, enjoy a special treat (usually ice cream). We have tried to do similar nights in the past, but it never stuck... so now, it is written on the calendar. The first few weeks, I reminded the girls... now they remind me. This Friday night, Jessica picked "The Lion King" - which we haven't seen in a long time. The Friday before... Jaycie wanted to scrapbook!!! It is nice having that special time together every week to look forward to!

Bright & early this morning, James & Jaycie headed to Raleigh for the day to watch some Wolfpack football! We couldn't get childcare worked out and I feel like I am finally getting the house somewhat organized again after being gone all summer & didn't really want to travel the entire weekend... so I decided to stay here. We have tickets for a game in November and James' parents will come here to keep the kids! For this game, Jaycie decided she wanted to go with Daddy (once we told her there would probably be doughnuts at the tailgate party... she was ready to go!) The weather is perfect today & it just doesn't get better than this... especially since the Wolfpack just won in OT!!!! Sorry, Shannon & Brad... well, not really ;)

So... I took Jessica, Jamie & Jacob to the Farmer's Market this morning to pick out pumpkins. We just got small ones and will go back later with Jaycie to get the ones we will carve. This weather just makes me want to head to the pumpkin farm... I love it! We also stopped by Target looking for a Spiderman costume to fit Jacob (they were all too big)... and headed to the park for a picnic. It has been a nice, relaxing weekend! But, I am certainly looking forward to next weekend... a MUCH needed, long weekend w/girlfriends at the beach!

Splash Pad

This past Saturday, we went to the Splash Pad with the Moms of Multiples club. It was cancelled on Friday b/c of T.S. Hanna... then rescheduled mid-morning on Saturday b/c the weather was beautiful - so we only had an hour to get everyone packed & ready. (BTW... we fared well thru the storm - except a leaking dining room window which we have had problems w/before. The good news is that all of James' efforts in the yard to improve drainage worked!) Anyway, at the Splash Pad, I thought I was seeing double. Actually, it seemed like the majority of the kids there were b/g twins! Seeing some of the babies definitely brought back memories! Jessica & Jaycie had been before and they loved going again. It was Jamie & Jacob's first time... Jamie loved it and Jacob didn't really care for it (as expected b/c he doesn't like water in his face). He stood on the edge watching others play for the first hour... then reluctantly was carried thru the mist with me & James... then eventually found few good spots where he could play in the water w/o getting splashed. Afterwards, we had a pizza party... yum!

Jamie & Jaycie

Jessica & Jamie

Our Jaycie Bear...

Me & my little man, Jacob

A Milestone!

Most of you know about Jacob's food issues... peanut/egg allergies, lactose intolerance, a few other food intolerances... it can definitely make eating out a challenge. Some restaurants actually post a list of allergens on their website (thank you!) - but when you take out peanut, egg, & cheese... that doesn't leave much on the menu he will actually eat. Other restaurants, in their fear of being accused of being negligent, tell us not to bring Jacob... here is the email reply I received this week from the Olive Garden: "Given the complexity of our menu and multiple ingredient sources, and with the highest regard for your son's health and safety, we are unable to guarantee that any of our menu items are completely free of eggs and peanuts and safe for him." Blah, blah, blah... thanks for the help, not. Other restaurants claim their managers are knowledgeable about food allergies and can help us... only to find out when we get there, they don't have a clue.

Anyway, I digress... we have just gotten to the point that we either get take out & make him something at home or bring food for him if we want to eat out (pretty much ruining any spontaneity). So... since Jacob has been born, we have not been to a restaurant w/o bringing something from home. The good news is that Jacob seems to be outgrowing his lactose intolerance... there is a level of dairy he can now handle & that level seems to be increasing. So... after church on Sunday, we stopped by Moe's (Welcome to Moe's - my kids LOVE to go in there & they have an awesome food allergy table on their website - no peanut products on the premises.) We were going to do take-out, not having anything for Jacob to eat or drink in hand... and I decided we should test his lactose tolerance level w/a cheese quesadilla, light on the cheese... so we ate there! We gave him lemonade to drink... he LOVED his quesadilla... and much to our happiness, his tummy did not get upset!!! So... our big milestone this week is that for the first time ever, we ate out as a family of six w/o having anything prepared ahead of time! What a relief!

First Day of Preschool!

Today was Jamie & Jacob's first day of preschool! They both did AWESOME! I thought Jamie would do well, but I was not sure how Jacob would react b/c we have had some separation issues with him this summer. When we got to school, I told them that Mrs. Floyd was waiting for them & had a hug for them... and Jacob walked in with his arms wide open!!! I snapped a couple of pictures then gave them a quick kiss good-bye, and they were happy. What a relief! Fortunately, we had a classroom visit last week, where the parents stayed to play and help everyone get to know each other... plus, their teacher came by for a home visit to get to know them better before school started... which certainly helped ease their transition. I did go by later in the morning to peek at them - Jamie was sitting at the table playing with play dough and Jacob was hanging out on the reading mat with the other little fellas in the class! When I picked them up, they were both very happy & said that they wanted to go back!

As for me... well, the first thing I did was to swing by Starbucks... then I got my hair cut (almost 5 inches cut off!)... then I had time to stop by a children's clothing store to pick the outfits I want them to wear for portraits later this fall... met with the preschool director (to train her to use Jacob's Epi-pen)... and had time to spare! It was awesome! I remember when Jessica was 2 yrs old and I first dropped her off at preschool... we were both in tears. She was crying, "Mommy, please don't leave me!" (Yeap, dramatic even then.) Well, me being pregnant with Jaycie & very hormonal, I cried my eyes out the entire morning. Today was a different story... I was so happy that they are old enough for preschool! Plus... since they will be going 2 mornings/week, I'll actually have some time to volunteer at the girls' elementary school - and get an occasional hair cut ;) YIPPEE!

Fun With Just Two...

Since the girls started school, the twins and I have been able to do some fun outings together. Dare I say, things are "easy" with just two kids at home during the day? Jamie & Jacob are at a great age... they entertain each other and usually play well together. Getting in/out of places has also gotten significantly easier since I don't always have to take a double stroller. Plus, they still nap at least 2 hours a day... which means I have a little peace & quiet! In the mornings, we try to do something fun. We have been to the park for a picnic, met their preschool teachers & friends, been bowling with our playgroup (the twins first time!), and today... we visited a miniature horse farm!

They liked bowling... Jamie was requesting a pink bowling ball before we even got to the bowling alley. She has never even seen a bowling alley before, so how she knew there would be a pink ball is beyond me (if I had to guess, I would say Jessica & Jaycie gave her the tip). Well, fortunately, there were pink balls... several of them... which was good b/c that, of course, seemed to be the color of choice for all the 2 yr old girls there. Jacob could really have cared less what color bowling ball he used... as long as it was his turn to bowl!

Notice that Jamie & Jacob NEVER look at the camera at the same time...

I think they have some sort of unspoken pact.

The horse farm was fun... and boy did a lot of kiddos show up! When we first got there, they had "Sparkles" out... she let all the kids swarm around her, brush her & pet her. Jamie & Jacob both took turns brushing her - until she neighed - then Jamie started crying and wouldn't go near her again.

Pretending to drive the "Rhino" and the 4-wheeler was a big hit with all the kids.

But... climbing on the fence seemed to be the most entertaining...

Jamie & Jacob will start preschool TOMORROW!!!! I am so excited! I think Jamie is ready... she walks around the house with her book bag singing about going to school like Jaycie. I'm not so sure about Jacob... his reply is "I don't want to go to school." We will see... I do think they have an awesome little class and the twins already know a few friends in there, which should help smooth the transition.

As for now... I have less than an hour left before Jessica & Jaycie get home from school & the twins wake up. I go from peace & quiet... to 4 little tornadoes running thru the house. Whew!