I had a great day yesterday. We all went to church yesterday at 11am while Aunt Myrna watched the babies and cleaned my house. I want to stop and talk about Aunt Myrna for a minute....she deserves much more than a minute but for now I want everyone to know what she has been doing.
Myrna (my mom's sister) has always been the awesome aunt to both my sister and I. She has continued her awesomeness towards all of my kids. Many of you all know that Myrna is a retired teacher, administrator and now a teacher at a University (Eamon would say she is the smartest person ever). She comes over and spends 30 minutes with each kid teaching reading, writing or whatever the kids are struggling with at the time. This summer we have focused mostly on reading. She arrived yesterday with a bag full of goodies. Each of the boys were given a "classic" book to start reading. They are to read everyday and at the end of 7 days and upon completion of 7 chapters they would each get some baseball cards to add to their collection. She even had a task for Mairin. Mairin is to write and learn her letters and she can get a new pair of high heel shoes. You may think...hummmm treats for reading..well it is a way to get the interest started. These are big books "The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn" and "RobinHood". Aunt Myrna is truly amazing and helps me to come up with things that will make Eamon and Liam enjoy school and hopefully have a love of reading. The generosity of her time is overwhelming to me and her kindness and thoughtfulness makes me ask myself if I am as good of a person as she is. All of my children benefit from having Aunt Myrna living so close.
Now back to the story of my great Sunday. After church we came home, picked up the babies and packed up enough stuff to last us a full day away if needed. All 8 of us were loaded in the car by 12:30 and our first stop had to be for a cup of coffee. We didn't know where we were going to go but as long as we were together it didnt really matter. We began our trip with a car ride through the winding streets of Birmingham and surrounding area. We ended up in downtown Birmingham at Booth Park. We unloaded and headed to the park for some fun. The kids went crazy. They found what they wanted to do immediately and before we knew it the sweat was dripping down the sides of all of their faces. I kept the trips in the stroller as long as I could and then I found a place to lay out a blanket so they could stretch their legs. Now that I have 2 crawlers it is tough keeping them on the blanket. I stood there and smiled as people stopped and starred and I kept grabbing a kid and re-positioning back on the blanket.
We decided to pack up and go for a walk so we headed down a wooded trail for a stroll. I had Mairin on my shoulders, the boys were way ahead enjoying an adventure and David was pushing the stroller. The trail winded thru a wooded area running parallel to a small stream. We came to a dead end so we turned back and headed downtown for some food or drink. We came to an ice cream shop and decided that was lunch. We all got a scoop and parked the stroller on the sidewalk so everyone could stop and make fun comments while we ate. We returned back to the park for another period of play while 2 babies snoozed and 1 baby gazed at all the action.
It was time to pack up and head home. We all had a quiet ride home and a stroll thru some more neighborhoods before we pulled into our driveway around 6pm. A great afternoon for all of us. I think we all returned feeling like we took advantage of such a nice, sunny day.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
All 6 Of My Peaches!
Well here they are.....I am a bit surprised at how fast they are growing up. I love them being little but I am more than ok with them growing up. I could be done with diapers now and I would probably welcome a couple days of "a teenage boy that doesnt talk to his mother" or a daughter that wants to be left alone. I know I will regret saying this as before I know it they will be grown up and they won't need their mamma like they do now.
I had a great visit today from a good friend and her kids. The DiPonio's made a visit and it is was very enjoyable. Paola and Gerry you have some very nice kids. The girls all put on a music show and the boys played cars and chased each other and one little boy liked to scream. I had a nice afternoon of adult conversation. Please come again.
Do you ever have one of those days where you walk around the house and you just keep thinking or more and more things you need to do? I had a day like that and I just hate it. I get a panick inside of me and think that it all needs to be done right now. I have to write it all down and know that everything in my life right now is a ...work in progress....I really panick when I go into the kids room and I go to hang something up and I start to notice all of the shirts in the closet that probably dont fit the boys anymore and the fact that they are still hanging in their closet drives me crazy. I really hate it when I have to continuously change the batch of clothes that I have out for the babies. They grow out of stuff so fast and I feel like I can never keep up. Tomorrow is another day and tomorrow I will wake up in hopes of completing yet another task that needs to be done.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Madder Than A Hornet
Oh I am boiling and bear with me as I just got off the phone with Orchard Pediatrics about this wonderful "file transfer" fee. (Check the previous blog entry for more details) I called and nicely asked to talk to billing as they were unavailable on Friday. I talked to Pam and she knew who I was and I could tell was prepared for an "ugly" moment to happen. I kept my cool as I paced up and down the driveway. I explained who I was and said that I wanted to talk about the "copying" fee. I said Pam, "when you called me 2 weeks ago you said you were sending back the money I mailed to you because the company you use charges a $25.00 copying fee. I said , "25.00 wow ...well ok" I told Pam, "You never mentioned it was 25.00 per kid" and she said "oh yes I did..I tell everyone that". Now come on girlfriend if I was freaking out about a $25.00 fee don't you think I would have really freaked out at 25.00 per kid? Why aren't conversations recorded for training purposes when you need them? I then proceeded to tell her that I dont have any bills for 25.00 but they are 30.74. She said "oh well there is tax and 25.00 is usually what it comes out to be". If I could have jumped thru the phone..I would have at that moment. I kindly said "Well for future Pam, especially with big families maybe you should make sure you include that the fee is per kid, $140.00 to copy my kids files and send them to a new pediatrician. That is kind of a big nut to crack don't you think?" "Pam thanks for your time"..is how I ended it and now I guess I just have to suck it up and pay the fee. I think they were wrong and it is definately not a good way to end a relationship with any hopes of referrals in the future. I think the thing that really upsets me the most is that I really had a hard time leaving them. I don't like conflict or being mean but I am glad I left now.
I am so excited to get started with my new pediatrician and really looking forward to taking in my little bundles and leaving with a smile. Stay tuned for some letters that will be written about this situation.
What is the old saying ..when you are happy you tell so many people about your experience but when you are angry you tell twice as many people.
I am so excited to get started with my new pediatrician and really looking forward to taking in my little bundles and leaving with a smile. Stay tuned for some letters that will be written about this situation.
What is the old saying ..when you are happy you tell so many people about your experience but when you are angry you tell twice as many people.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
A Weeks Worth Of Everything-Healthcare-Crawling-Travel....
Ahhhhh...David and I arrived in Stanton (my hometown) around 2pm today in preparation of my grandmothers 85th birthday tomorrow. Heidi brought the older 3 kids up on Thursday and so I was on easy street for 2 days just taking care of 3 little ones...oh and David. We are all surprising Nanny tomorrow at church and then dinner to follow.
This was an eventful week as Colin began crawling. He is not just starting to crawl but he is full fledged across the room crawling. I am really nervous about Colin because I think he may be that hiper kid that never stops. Finn is also crawling but not nearly as fast as Colin. Declan...my little Declan is still a jumping fool in his little jump up. He is good at getting into the crawling position but the coordination of putting the arms and legs into movement at the same time is not there yet. Finn is starting with the dahhh dahh sounds and it makes me melt everytime. We just got all of the poop out of the house and now I am dealing with ...I think...an ear ache with Declan. Ugg it just never ends. I am praying that we all get some sleep tonight in a new place.
I wanted to also touch on a healthcare subject that is making me so mad that I just need to vent about it. When the twins were born I went to Mali and Mali Pediatrics and I just loved them. When Mairin was born I went ahead and stayed with them even though they were 30 minutes away. It was a pain to go for appointments but I did it. When the triplets were born I decided to move to a pediatrician closer...I called up Mali and Mali Pediatrics and told them I wanted my files and explained why I was leaving. They were so kind and very happily sent my paperwork on to Orchard Pediatrics. I have been with Orchard Pediatrics for 7 months now and quite frankly I just have yet to feel comfortable. I am not sure if it is just a conflict of personality but ultimately I leave every appointment feeling like I am just not doing a good enough job. I feel beat up and that the triplets are not doing enough. I get lectures at 4 months old about how I should be straping them into their carseats when I use the restroom and how I should make sure and not leave Finn last since he is so patient. These are my babies...the most precious bundles in my world.
I decided that I needed to make the change to a new Pediatrician so with a couple of referrals I decided to move to Bloomfield Hills Pediatrics. I went in for an interview and all was well. I sent in a request for my files to be forwarded to the new pediatrician and I thought I was being kind in sending a couple bucks to cover the cost of mailing the papers across town. I get a call from the receptionist telling me that they will be sending back the $3.00 because they charge a $25.00 copying fee. I thought that was high but what am I going to do about it so I say ok. Today I recieve 6 bills in the mail. They are charging me 30.79 per kid for the triplets, 11.50 for Mairin and 9.75 each for Eamon and Liam. Remember that we had only been there for 7 months. They never even saw Eamon and Liam and they saw Mairin once. I am well over $100.00 to move my "paperwork" over to another practice. I called up Orchard Pediatrics and they said I need to speak with billing or I should call the copying company. This is so frustrating that this is only the beginning. I will be keeping you all updated on what happens with this situation.
This was an eventful week as Colin began crawling. He is not just starting to crawl but he is full fledged across the room crawling. I am really nervous about Colin because I think he may be that hiper kid that never stops. Finn is also crawling but not nearly as fast as Colin. Declan...my little Declan is still a jumping fool in his little jump up. He is good at getting into the crawling position but the coordination of putting the arms and legs into movement at the same time is not there yet. Finn is starting with the dahhh dahh sounds and it makes me melt everytime. We just got all of the poop out of the house and now I am dealing with ...I think...an ear ache with Declan. Ugg it just never ends. I am praying that we all get some sleep tonight in a new place.
I wanted to also touch on a healthcare subject that is making me so mad that I just need to vent about it. When the twins were born I went to Mali and Mali Pediatrics and I just loved them. When Mairin was born I went ahead and stayed with them even though they were 30 minutes away. It was a pain to go for appointments but I did it. When the triplets were born I decided to move to a pediatrician closer...I called up Mali and Mali Pediatrics and told them I wanted my files and explained why I was leaving. They were so kind and very happily sent my paperwork on to Orchard Pediatrics. I have been with Orchard Pediatrics for 7 months now and quite frankly I just have yet to feel comfortable. I am not sure if it is just a conflict of personality but ultimately I leave every appointment feeling like I am just not doing a good enough job. I feel beat up and that the triplets are not doing enough. I get lectures at 4 months old about how I should be straping them into their carseats when I use the restroom and how I should make sure and not leave Finn last since he is so patient. These are my babies...the most precious bundles in my world.
I decided that I needed to make the change to a new Pediatrician so with a couple of referrals I decided to move to Bloomfield Hills Pediatrics. I went in for an interview and all was well. I sent in a request for my files to be forwarded to the new pediatrician and I thought I was being kind in sending a couple bucks to cover the cost of mailing the papers across town. I get a call from the receptionist telling me that they will be sending back the $3.00 because they charge a $25.00 copying fee. I thought that was high but what am I going to do about it so I say ok. Today I recieve 6 bills in the mail. They are charging me 30.79 per kid for the triplets, 11.50 for Mairin and 9.75 each for Eamon and Liam. Remember that we had only been there for 7 months. They never even saw Eamon and Liam and they saw Mairin once. I am well over $100.00 to move my "paperwork" over to another practice. I called up Orchard Pediatrics and they said I need to speak with billing or I should call the copying company. This is so frustrating that this is only the beginning. I will be keeping you all updated on what happens with this situation.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Couple Of Funny Stories
If you have been keeping up with my rants and raves about all of the poop in this house than you will be happy to know that we have finally turned the corner and on to solid forms. I hate that I resort to talking about such a gross topic but hey it is my life and it is my blog so the topic is what it is.....
My son Eamon was sitting on the front porch the other day and holding onto Colin. Colin was moving about impatiently and squirming attempting to free himself from Eamon and Eamon couldn't stop laughing. He thought it was hilarious that Colin was being a squirt so he says to me, "Mom I know what Colin is going to be when he grows up". I asked him what and Eamon said "I think he is going to be the host of America's Funniest Home Videos" I said " Really...you think so huh" Eamon responded with "Yah mom because Colin is so funny". I have to write these down since they are just so darn funny.
I have one more funny for now and then I will stop.
Mairin and I were in the family room and playing with the babies. Mairin was so cute and she was picking up Finn and talking to him so I had my camera out and thought I would start taping. BTW- I did get this comment on tape. She is playing and in the midst of her picking up Finn her dress pulls down in the front too low. I tell her that she needs to pull her dress up and she says to me "Yes mom I know I need to cover my brets" This is a 4 year old and I am doing everything I can to just answer without laughing. She can be so mature sometimes and yet I laugh because it doesnt seem right coming out of her mouth. This was one of those that you just had to be there.
My son Eamon was sitting on the front porch the other day and holding onto Colin. Colin was moving about impatiently and squirming attempting to free himself from Eamon and Eamon couldn't stop laughing. He thought it was hilarious that Colin was being a squirt so he says to me, "Mom I know what Colin is going to be when he grows up". I asked him what and Eamon said "I think he is going to be the host of America's Funniest Home Videos" I said " Really...you think so huh" Eamon responded with "Yah mom because Colin is so funny". I have to write these down since they are just so darn funny.
I have one more funny for now and then I will stop.
Mairin and I were in the family room and playing with the babies. Mairin was so cute and she was picking up Finn and talking to him so I had my camera out and thought I would start taping. BTW- I did get this comment on tape. She is playing and in the midst of her picking up Finn her dress pulls down in the front too low. I tell her that she needs to pull her dress up and she says to me "Yes mom I know I need to cover my brets" This is a 4 year old and I am doing everything I can to just answer without laughing. She can be so mature sometimes and yet I laugh because it doesnt seem right coming out of her mouth. This was one of those that you just had to be there.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Lots More Poop And The Winner Is.......
I know I am a day late in posting the winner to my giveaway but let me tell you that if you have had to deal with the poop that I have..you would be surprised that I am even announcing the winner now.
This morning I woke up to the sound of a whimper so I opened up the triplet's bedroom door and I about threw up right there. I quickly backed out of the room, closed the door and decided that I was not ready to clean up poop again ...until I got myself ready for the day. The smell was horrible and when I opened the door I didnt know if all 3 had exploded or if just one did...I didn't know if I was changing 3 sets of sheets or just one. I slowly got dressed and made my way to my bathroom to freshen up for my next task at hand. I headed for the dreaded bedroom and as I grasped the door handle I took one more deep breath..here we go again.
Declan was laying there cooing and was wet with poop. I grabbed him and carefully brought him downstairs. He got a bath and the pajamas went right into the garbage. He was covered with the mustard yellow, sweet smelling, sour, stringie, almost liquid poop. It was under his arms and between his toes. I got him all cleaned up and propped him with 3 ounces of a bottle. I headed back upstairs to see what other damage was up there. Finn was laughing at me and Colin was playing in his crib...they were both dry to the touch..Thank God. I quickly changed Declan's bed and took all of the soiled items to the laundry before even touching the other 2 babies. Needless to say I had to turn on the fan and find some serious air freshener.
I was able to change both Finn and Colin and all was well...Declan had eaten his 3 ounces and seemed hungry still so I gave him 2 more ounces.....10 mintues later a fountain of puke errupted out of Declan. To the bathtub again .......
Ok are you grossed out yet????? Well I had Marcia my babysitter come for a couple hours while I took a poop break and headed to the beach with the older 3. I am back and feel revived. Go ahead and bring on the poop....But before lets announce who won my cool earrings.
The winner is......
Jen from Buried With Children. You can locate Jen at http://mimitchells.blogspot.com
Jen thanks for all of your visits, comments and words of advice. Jen has a great blog that I have followed her for awhile now. Please visit her and say hi.
Jen please email me at heathermott6@gmail.com with your address so I can mail out the earrings.
This morning I woke up to the sound of a whimper so I opened up the triplet's bedroom door and I about threw up right there. I quickly backed out of the room, closed the door and decided that I was not ready to clean up poop again ...until I got myself ready for the day. The smell was horrible and when I opened the door I didnt know if all 3 had exploded or if just one did...I didn't know if I was changing 3 sets of sheets or just one. I slowly got dressed and made my way to my bathroom to freshen up for my next task at hand. I headed for the dreaded bedroom and as I grasped the door handle I took one more deep breath..here we go again.
Declan was laying there cooing and was wet with poop. I grabbed him and carefully brought him downstairs. He got a bath and the pajamas went right into the garbage. He was covered with the mustard yellow, sweet smelling, sour, stringie, almost liquid poop. It was under his arms and between his toes. I got him all cleaned up and propped him with 3 ounces of a bottle. I headed back upstairs to see what other damage was up there. Finn was laughing at me and Colin was playing in his crib...they were both dry to the touch..Thank God. I quickly changed Declan's bed and took all of the soiled items to the laundry before even touching the other 2 babies. Needless to say I had to turn on the fan and find some serious air freshener.
I was able to change both Finn and Colin and all was well...Declan had eaten his 3 ounces and seemed hungry still so I gave him 2 more ounces.....10 mintues later a fountain of puke errupted out of Declan. To the bathtub again .......
Ok are you grossed out yet????? Well I had Marcia my babysitter come for a couple hours while I took a poop break and headed to the beach with the older 3. I am back and feel revived. Go ahead and bring on the poop....But before lets announce who won my cool earrings.
The winner is......
Jen from Buried With Children. You can locate Jen at http://mimitchells.blogspot.com
Jen thanks for all of your visits, comments and words of advice. Jen has a great blog that I have followed her for awhile now. Please visit her and say hi.
Jen please email me at heathermott6@gmail.com with your address so I can mail out the earrings.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
I Have Had Enough Poop For Today
Enough Already......The triplets have something and I have yet to figure it out. It started the other night with Declan. He downed his entire bottle and just as easy as it went down...it came back up...no tears...just laughs as it came up within 10 minutes of eating it and with the same consistancy. Yuckkkk. I woke up this morning to 2 babies with poop up their backs and soaked thru pajamas. It is like liquid poop and it stinks. It is coming out both ends of 2 of the babies and probably the 3rd shortly.
Yesterday I had Declan in his jumping chair and as I glanced over I noticed light green pieces of something all over the floor. OMG...As I looked closer it was poop. Declan had been jumping with a diaper full of liquid poop and the solid pieces squirted out the sides...down each leg and ended up on the floor. How do you even begin to clean this up? Earlier that day Colin was in the exer saucer and I looked at the bottom of it and it looked like I had put chocolate pudding all over the bottom of it...Yep Colin was jumping in his liquid brown poop. Sick..Yuck..Gross..Needless to say I have not been in the best of moods lately. I have done 4 loads of laundry..mostly outfits..blankets..towels and anything else that has touched the rear end of any of the babies. Tonight each baby got 2 diapers. I figured that I was going to make sure nothing got out so I put on a #3 diaper first and then I put on a #4 diaper on top and then their pajamas. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow when they wake up.
Only a couple of more hours before the drawing. I think I am going to do the drawing in between poops. I have put all the names in a hat so if you are not a follower...become one and if you have not left me a note..leave me one now.
Yesterday I had Declan in his jumping chair and as I glanced over I noticed light green pieces of something all over the floor. OMG...As I looked closer it was poop. Declan had been jumping with a diaper full of liquid poop and the solid pieces squirted out the sides...down each leg and ended up on the floor. How do you even begin to clean this up? Earlier that day Colin was in the exer saucer and I looked at the bottom of it and it looked like I had put chocolate pudding all over the bottom of it...Yep Colin was jumping in his liquid brown poop. Sick..Yuck..Gross..Needless to say I have not been in the best of moods lately. I have done 4 loads of laundry..mostly outfits..blankets..towels and anything else that has touched the rear end of any of the babies. Tonight each baby got 2 diapers. I figured that I was going to make sure nothing got out so I put on a #3 diaper first and then I put on a #4 diaper on top and then their pajamas. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow when they wake up.
Only a couple of more hours before the drawing. I think I am going to do the drawing in between poops. I have put all the names in a hat so if you are not a follower...become one and if you have not left me a note..leave me one now.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Thank Goodness It Is Almost Monday
Wow...I am ashamed to say it again but TGIAM...Thank God It Is Almost Monday! I know I know crazy huh. Friday we took the whole family and a friend down to our local beach where we had a few cocktails, dinner, smores etc. We returned home around 11pm. The babies did great and the older kids just love being in their bathing suits on the beach at night.
Saturday morning we had to get up and get everyone ready to do drop offs before David and I headed out of town. We had a wedding in Grand Rapids for my side of the family (great wedding by the way). Our niece, Colleen arrived at noon and we had to drop Mairin off a Sally's house for a sleepover with Kate and then drop off Dylan (Eamon and Liams sleepover friend). Colleen was in charge of only 5 until midnight when we pulled in. The drive was long but we couldn't miss the wedding for anything. We probably would have spent the night if we hadn't been gone all last week on vacation. I was definitely tired of the hotel thing.
Sunday we got up and did church, went and picked up Mairin and had my sister-in-law,Kathy over to see the kids. She was here for several hours and we had a great chat. Kathy left around 5pm and we headed over to Uncle Harry and Aunt Myrna's for an evening of swimming, dinner, Wii and hummmm conversation. In the 5 hours we were there we managed to break one of their dining room chairs and Declan vomited all over their living room carpet. Time to go. We got home at 10:15 and here I am....Ready for bed...It is a good life though.
Saturday morning we had to get up and get everyone ready to do drop offs before David and I headed out of town. We had a wedding in Grand Rapids for my side of the family (great wedding by the way). Our niece, Colleen arrived at noon and we had to drop Mairin off a Sally's house for a sleepover with Kate and then drop off Dylan (Eamon and Liams sleepover friend). Colleen was in charge of only 5 until midnight when we pulled in. The drive was long but we couldn't miss the wedding for anything. We probably would have spent the night if we hadn't been gone all last week on vacation. I was definitely tired of the hotel thing.
Sunday we got up and did church, went and picked up Mairin and had my sister-in-law,Kathy over to see the kids. She was here for several hours and we had a great chat. Kathy left around 5pm and we headed over to Uncle Harry and Aunt Myrna's for an evening of swimming, dinner, Wii and hummmm conversation. In the 5 hours we were there we managed to break one of their dining room chairs and Declan vomited all over their living room carpet. Time to go. We got home at 10:15 and here I am....Ready for bed...It is a good life though.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Twins and Chores and Our Last Night
Tonight is our last night here in Cabo..probably the last vacation for awhile..at least until Heidi is off next summer. The time has gone fast and I am thrilled to have gotten away. I am even more thrilled that my kids are not missing us yet. It always makes you feel better when everything is running well at home. We will be pulling into our home tomorrow around midnight. David thinks we need to wake everyone...I say not.
My friends are laughing at me for taking my computer and for "staying connected". What everyone out there doesnt understand is that I love to play on the computer and surf the net. I never ...ever have this amount of uninterrupted time to play. It has been so fun to just check out sites..update things and shop for the past 7 days with no interruptions..well David interrupts me but ..he always does. I don't have to get him milk or cook for him....
The sun is so stinking hot and strong here that I coat on my 30 block and head out to find a chair with an umbrella. I have read every magazine out there and I have even completed a book.."The Shack"...Great book by the way. We head down to the beach to do some good people watching and happy hour starts at 4pm. Life is good and oh by the way we are 2 hours behind you so understand when you see some of these time stamps...I am currently in the room getting ready to go out while David is poolside reading and drinking Margaritas........
I talked to Heidi today and all is well at home. The boys went to the beach with some friends, Mairin had a friend over, the babies are happy as ever. I left chore sheets for the kids to start while I was away. These are just sheets that list household chores to do and when they are completed they get a star and then they work towards a treat. The boys are working towards baseball cards and I am sure Mairin wants more high heel shoes. To get a star you need to do any of the following: clean your room, make your bed, brush your teeth, clean up the basement, read for 20 minutes, complete some summer homework. You can get a star for every thing you complete. I let them put their own stars on the sheets and they get really fired up. I will probably make sure they have 10 or 15 stars before I go out and get a treat. This works for awhile and then after a month or 2 they get bored with it so we put it away and bring it out in a couple months.
My friends are laughing at me for taking my computer and for "staying connected". What everyone out there doesnt understand is that I love to play on the computer and surf the net. I never ...ever have this amount of uninterrupted time to play. It has been so fun to just check out sites..update things and shop for the past 7 days with no interruptions..well David interrupts me but ..he always does. I don't have to get him milk or cook for him....
The sun is so stinking hot and strong here that I coat on my 30 block and head out to find a chair with an umbrella. I have read every magazine out there and I have even completed a book.."The Shack"...Great book by the way. We head down to the beach to do some good people watching and happy hour starts at 4pm. Life is good and oh by the way we are 2 hours behind you so understand when you see some of these time stamps...I am currently in the room getting ready to go out while David is poolside reading and drinking Margaritas........
I talked to Heidi today and all is well at home. The boys went to the beach with some friends, Mairin had a friend over, the babies are happy as ever. I left chore sheets for the kids to start while I was away. These are just sheets that list household chores to do and when they are completed they get a star and then they work towards a treat. The boys are working towards baseball cards and I am sure Mairin wants more high heel shoes. To get a star you need to do any of the following: clean your room, make your bed, brush your teeth, clean up the basement, read for 20 minutes, complete some summer homework. You can get a star for every thing you complete. I let them put their own stars on the sheets and they get really fired up. I will probably make sure they have 10 or 15 stars before I go out and get a treat. This works for awhile and then after a month or 2 they get bored with it so we put it away and bring it out in a couple months.
Monday, August 3, 2009
People Watching and Thinkin About The Kids
The vacation is not over but is coming down to the final stretch. It is Monday morning and we leave our hotel at 11am on Wednesday. Wow have we had fun. Yesterday we laid in bed until noon, headed to the pool and read our books and drank until 7:30pm. At 8pm we headed down to the marina for some drinks and conversation and home by midnight. No schedule
I am such a people watcher that I have been very entertained. When you wear your sunglasses it is almost like you can stare at people and they have no idea. I watch people and try to guess: Where they are from? Are they happy? Are they strict with their kids? Do they go to the gym everyday? What do they do for a living? I find myself looking at some families with older kids and imagining David and I and what our family will look like when our kids get older. Will we take them to a place like this when the twins are 17, Mairin 15 and the Trips 11?
David and I have gone kid by kid and talked about each one of their characteristics. David will say "What do you like best about Eamon? then Liam etc...." "What will Mairin be when she grows up"? We caught ourselves just laughing as we thought about some funny moments with the kids. It is so fun to dream about what the future holds.
I am such a people watcher that I have been very entertained. When you wear your sunglasses it is almost like you can stare at people and they have no idea. I watch people and try to guess: Where they are from? Are they happy? Are they strict with their kids? Do they go to the gym everyday? What do they do for a living? I find myself looking at some families with older kids and imagining David and I and what our family will look like when our kids get older. Will we take them to a place like this when the twins are 17, Mairin 15 and the Trips 11?
David and I have gone kid by kid and talked about each one of their characteristics. David will say "What do you like best about Eamon? then Liam etc...." "What will Mairin be when she grows up"? We caught ourselves just laughing as we thought about some funny moments with the kids. It is so fun to dream about what the future holds.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Another Day Without Kids...Kids Having As Much Fun As Mom and Dad???
David and I have been just having a great time. We spent yesterday doing some shopping at the local markets and still looking around and noticing all of the things to do. We found ourselves a spot by the pool around 11am and ended up flopping until 7pm. David read (did some editing too) and listened to his ipod and would stop often just to take in the view. I spent the afternoon with a 30 sun block on, laying in the shade and taking a swim often to cool off. I did some reading and listening to music.
We packed up and headed back to our room to get ready for dinner and ended up at a place called 'The Crazy Lobster". David enjoyed having several people come and seranade us with favorite mexican songs...I finally had to tell him ..Enough. In Mexico if you show interest in anything it is like leaving syrup on the floor for the ants...They come out of everywhere and swarm the target. "Gringos...with money to spend" is what they really say. This is also true on the beach, on the streets and everywhere you go.
I got another update from my sister Heidi and I just had to post it since I could not rewrite this any better. This is Heidi in an emaili to me about how yesterday went with all of the kids and my mom and dad.
Today was an eventful day. Grandpa spent a good part of the day getting ready to camp with the boys. (Grandpa made a campsite deep in the woods behind the house I grew up in with a private lake, old camper, firepit and outhouse. All the makings to a great camping experience with 7 year old boys)
This is the best part. Mom and I thought we would be brave and take the trips and Mairin to Grand Rapids. Mom had to return one of the two dresses she got for the wedding. We left here at about 1:15 with bottles, extra clothes, and diapers. You should have seen Mom and I getting everyone ready to go. The trip to GR was great. The babies did not make a peep the entire way there. Mom ran in and made her return...then the fun began! Mom asked me if Colin, Declan and Fintan liked to get out and shop. I had to think a minute..and told Mom that I was not sure they had ever been shopping let alone in Sams Club. Afterall...totally not something you would be a fan of doing. For fear there might be a scene. We arrived at Sams and got everyone loaded in the stroller (thank goodness I left the triple car seat stroller in the car for this trip). I told mom to be prepared for lots of comments and attention. Heather, no joke, there was hardly a person that walked by us that did not make some kind of comment. I think I finally understand what you mean about the overwhelming attention. I could not believe it. I know people were wondering why in the world anyone would bring triplets to Sams...but we did and it was a great experience. They were again, very good and loved looking around at everything. C, D, and F have officially had their first Sams club outing and will be requesting to accompany you from here on out. Mairin was a real trooper too. She was so good and helpful. A long trip in the car is not complete without a drive thru stop at Burger King. Mairin got her cheeseburger. I think you must not let her open up her cup and eat the ice because she asked me if she could pretty please do this. I, of course, told her yes! Aunts let you do those harmless kinds of things that Moms won't!
We got home around 5:30 just in time to put the kids out on the beach blanket in the back yard so Laura and Fran could come play with them. They were 3 tired boys tonight. Mairin just went into town with Mom to get a few things. I am sitting here in peace! You are probably wondering to yourself about if the boys are still on their schedule. They all slept through the night last night and woke up at 7:45 for a bottle. By 9:45 they were getting another bottle and ready to go down. By 10:15 all were in bed for their nap and slept until about 12:30 or so. They snoozed on and off in the car for their second nap and were fine tonight. In bed by 8. I cannot believe how well they sleep up here in a new place. It is most impressive.
The boys and Grandpa were here finalizing all of their goods for the camping trip when we returned. The boys were higher than kites...so excited! They headed back with plans of fishing, cooking dinner over the fire, having campfire, cooking breakfast etc. Dad is excited and has really spent a lot of time with them today.
That is about it for today....enjoy your last day of July! We officially ended July as the coldest on record. Weather is looking up a bit in the future.
Keep having fun!
Heidi
Can you see why I am in such peace on my trip? Everything and I mean everything is being handled and I can sit back and enjoy. Heidi I think you can start a blog now and everyone out there..life is good.
We packed up and headed back to our room to get ready for dinner and ended up at a place called 'The Crazy Lobster". David enjoyed having several people come and seranade us with favorite mexican songs...I finally had to tell him ..Enough. In Mexico if you show interest in anything it is like leaving syrup on the floor for the ants...They come out of everywhere and swarm the target. "Gringos...with money to spend" is what they really say. This is also true on the beach, on the streets and everywhere you go.
I got another update from my sister Heidi and I just had to post it since I could not rewrite this any better. This is Heidi in an emaili to me about how yesterday went with all of the kids and my mom and dad.
Today was an eventful day. Grandpa spent a good part of the day getting ready to camp with the boys. (Grandpa made a campsite deep in the woods behind the house I grew up in with a private lake, old camper, firepit and outhouse. All the makings to a great camping experience with 7 year old boys)
This is the best part. Mom and I thought we would be brave and take the trips and Mairin to Grand Rapids. Mom had to return one of the two dresses she got for the wedding. We left here at about 1:15 with bottles, extra clothes, and diapers. You should have seen Mom and I getting everyone ready to go. The trip to GR was great. The babies did not make a peep the entire way there. Mom ran in and made her return...then the fun began! Mom asked me if Colin, Declan and Fintan liked to get out and shop. I had to think a minute..and told Mom that I was not sure they had ever been shopping let alone in Sams Club. Afterall...totally not something you would be a fan of doing. For fear there might be a scene. We arrived at Sams and got everyone loaded in the stroller (thank goodness I left the triple car seat stroller in the car for this trip). I told mom to be prepared for lots of comments and attention. Heather, no joke, there was hardly a person that walked by us that did not make some kind of comment. I think I finally understand what you mean about the overwhelming attention. I could not believe it. I know people were wondering why in the world anyone would bring triplets to Sams...but we did and it was a great experience. They were again, very good and loved looking around at everything. C, D, and F have officially had their first Sams club outing and will be requesting to accompany you from here on out. Mairin was a real trooper too. She was so good and helpful. A long trip in the car is not complete without a drive thru stop at Burger King. Mairin got her cheeseburger. I think you must not let her open up her cup and eat the ice because she asked me if she could pretty please do this. I, of course, told her yes! Aunts let you do those harmless kinds of things that Moms won't!
We got home around 5:30 just in time to put the kids out on the beach blanket in the back yard so Laura and Fran could come play with them. They were 3 tired boys tonight. Mairin just went into town with Mom to get a few things. I am sitting here in peace! You are probably wondering to yourself about if the boys are still on their schedule. They all slept through the night last night and woke up at 7:45 for a bottle. By 9:45 they were getting another bottle and ready to go down. By 10:15 all were in bed for their nap and slept until about 12:30 or so. They snoozed on and off in the car for their second nap and were fine tonight. In bed by 8. I cannot believe how well they sleep up here in a new place. It is most impressive.
The boys and Grandpa were here finalizing all of their goods for the camping trip when we returned. The boys were higher than kites...so excited! They headed back with plans of fishing, cooking dinner over the fire, having campfire, cooking breakfast etc. Dad is excited and has really spent a lot of time with them today.
That is about it for today....enjoy your last day of July! We officially ended July as the coldest on record. Weather is looking up a bit in the future.
Keep having fun!
Heidi
Can you see why I am in such peace on my trip? Everything and I mean everything is being handled and I can sit back and enjoy. Heidi I think you can start a blog now and everyone out there..life is good.
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