Happy Birthday Times Two!

My Dearest Snowflakes,

It appears this post will make it out before the Christmas post and before the year in review post. I dont know whats going on with the time machine people - but somehow it is now the end of January.



Its not only the end of January - but January 25. Which means one very short year ago our family trip to the Franklin Institute was preempted by the grand entrance of one certain Master Jacob Ronald Olmsted and one Miss Lucy Snow Olmsted. So much for the dinosaur exhibit!

By all accounts, this has undoubtedly been the shortest, fastest, most insane year of my life. One year ago today - when not puking my guts up in post surgery delirium - I didn't know how we were going to make it through the first week let alone the first year. Now, 365 days later, I still do not know how we all made it here!  It has had its ups and its downs - and more diapers then I could have ever imagined - but I would not trade a second of it for the world! Now, if only I could remember more of it! It went so quick it is like a blur!

Now here we are one year later and I find myself not able to remember a time before you both were here. Isaac doesnt remember being a only child - although he has asked if we can give Lucy "back" a time or two.

My Lucy Goosey - aka Boo - aka Goobs - aka Lulu Belle




I remember the moment the doctors put you in my arms - I thought 'Dear God, what am I going to do with a girl??? I am the least feminine person I know!" (I am sure your Uncle Ronnie thought the same thing!)  365 days later I can see I do not have to worry about that! You are crazier and more manic than I ever could've imagined - just like your Mommy! I Love it!

You are such a trip I do not even know where to start. The facial expressions? The overly dramatic screams? The flailing body? The tantrums? The way you can stuff an entire loaf of bread in your mouth while stealing food off your brother's tray? Im pretty sure you got that all from me! God Help me.
I wonder if you will be as rough and tumbly when you grow up as you are now. From the looks of things you have your mommy's lack of dainty-ness too!

Oh My Boo, I can tell we are going to have so much fun together! You are the reason I tell myself everyday to be the kind of woman I would want my daughter to be. My Daughter. Who would have ever thought! I hope I can teach you to be  strong and independent with a little bit of sassy and smart assy to boot! You are going to be the one to drive Isaac bonkers and I bet you have your Daddy wrapped around your finger by the time you are 2!

Happy Birthday and I love you my little Lulu Belle - dirty face and all!

My Jakers McQuakers
My little man with the mega-watt smile and eyes! One year ago, I remember touching your tiny hand and wanting so bad to hold you! Nine months is nothing compared to the 48 hours I had to wait to snuggle you in my arms. And what a snuggler you are! You may want to teach your brother and sister some of that some day! Those two are like snuggling a wet cat - you on the other hand - are Mr. Love & Cuddles. No wonder Noni rocks you all night long!

What an amazing year we have had! A year ago I was panicking on how we were going to figure all "this" out.- Now here we are and I just cant seem to remember what I was actually worried about. You are truly a Blessing and a Miracle! Sure you have given me my fair share of grays and wrinkles already - and we got to spend New Years Eve in the hospital - but just think of the stories we will be able to tell! I wouldnt change a second of it - well except for the Philly ER visit - that was kind of gross and (thankfully) pointless! :)




I think Uncle Ralphie better watch out - I think there is going to be a new Mr. Personality in town in a few years! Jakers I hope you always keep that aura of contagious happiness about you. Happy Birthday Quakers! You are my perfect little man exactly how you are and We couldnt be prouder of you!



And of course then there is my Best Big Boy Isaac.

We did it Buddy! YOU did it! We survived our first year with twins! You survived your first year as a big Brother! And I have to tell you how proud we are of you! You have made so many adjustments in the past year - and you have done it all flawlessly! You became a Big Brother  (twice!) - we moved (twice!) - you started school - and you got a girl friend ...or two, or three...

What an amazing kid you are! I couldn't be more proud of you! You are growing up so quickly these days. Its hard to remember you are only three years old! I see the changes gradually - no more Curious George and Super Why now its Superheroes and Army trucks.  Everything is "I can do it" these days too. I can tell my days of being needed so much are numbered. I hate that. And while normally I should be relieved that you are becoming so self sufficient, I cant help but think of how I want to keep you my baby forever.

I asked you the other day if you remembered a time before Jake and Lucy were here - and you replied "Weren't they always here?" I couldnt ask for more!

And then there is you Daddy....

How you and I survived this year I will never know! But....Somehow we made it this far and it's a probably a good idea we keep on keepin on. This year has definitely had its fair share of ups and downs. Yet we managed to weather them all - and we havent killed each other - yet.

If I have learned anything this year is that I cannot do this alone - and more importantly -  I wouldn't want to. We are a team - albeit at times a tumultuous-throttling-each-other's-throat-until-one-says-MERCY! - team. We win together and we lose together - and like it or not we are stuck together. :) And just in case I do not say it enough (and I know I do not...), You are an amazing Daddy and an amazing better half and I cant thank you enough for putting up with me. :)

Well kiddos - my goal of 2013 is to be a little more proactive with the blog. Let's see if you three cooperate with that! Happy birthday to my amazing little Thing 1 and THing 2! You two have brought us so much joy and happiness in the past year it is hard to sum it up into words. Just know that the three of you are loved beyond words and I couldn't be prouder as your Mommy!

I love you all  my little snowflakes! Good Night and Sleep Tight!

Love, Mommy

Dear Snowflakes,

I swore I was going to do better. I mean a week (or so) ago it was Thanksgiving and apparently now they tell me Christmas is now somehow 3 days away?? How does this happen every time? I think someone is playing tricks on me with some sort of time/space continuum  thingy. Not cool people. Not cool at all.

Well, I wanted to catch you up on all that has happened this Fall since our last post like Grandma Maberta's visit, Turkey day, getting ready for Santa - and I have to honestly tell you lately I am not very much in the mood. Something has happened recently kiddos that has shaken every part of who I am. Something I hope you may NEVER experience the likeness of and will be nothing more than a tragic event in American history by the time you are able to comprehend it. Something, unfortunately, that many children today - barely older than the three of you - have been trying to wrap their heads around.

Last Friday In the tiny, quaint, New England town of Newtown, Connecticut a lone gunmen - a lone dark, lost, evil madmen walked into an elementary school and took the lives of 26 people before cowardly taking his own. None of those 26 people deserved to die. None of the 500 people - mostly children -  in that building deserved to live with the forever scars they will be forced to take from that horrific day. None of the lives that were destroyed and altered that day deserved this sick twist of fate simply for going to school on one seemingly bright and cheery Friday morning.

And then began the media coverage. I watched the scenes unfold as the "Breaking News" alerts were splashed across every station. As I sat in the rocking chair trying to hush Jake asleep, I watched the scenes of horror unfold in real time and found myself sobbing and hugging you tighter than I should. My heart was broken for those people of Newtown. And as the facts of the matter came to light, I was not only heartbroken for Newtown but for all of us as well. 26 Dead - including 20 children - mere babies of 6 and 7 years old. All Gone.

26 lives lost.
26 Families forever altered.

Hundreds of students and parents forever shaken.
Dozens of first responders forever scarred.

All gone.

I wept for those frantic parents I watched on the television - and I wept for all of us staring at the TV in horror wondering - What the hell is this world coming to? What have we become? How can this have happened? How can we do better?

I do not think I have ever been so deeply saddened by a national event in my life. I cannot explain the sadness - the numbness I feel about this tragedy - I can only imagine it has something to do with the fact that I am now a mother and I know with the honor of knowing the greatest love - comes the insurmountable possibility of suffering the greatest loss. As one mommy blogger wrote - this event shook us so much because we know "what six feels like". Nothing can ring truer. My snowflakes may not have turned six years old yet, but three feels the same - their pure innocence, the smells of fresh from the bath skin and hair, the wonder in their eyes, the touch of a tiny hand in ours, the sound of "Mama" in the middle of the night. Six feels like pure love. Pure - we are still the center of their universe - unconditional love for a child. That must be why this stings so hard. We know six, we live six, we love six, and we don't want it to ever grow up let alone die.

It's hard to think that in a town not too far from here there are suddenly 26 mothers mourning the loss of their child. There are 26 Fathers who have an inconsolable heartache. Mothers, Daughters, Sons, Sisters, and Brothers all gone in an instant. There are 20 hidden closets filled with Christmas presents for children who are not coming home. There are 20 parents who did all they could do to protect their children  - and in the end their biggest regret will be sending them off to school on the wrong day.

It is unimaginable. Yet it is all I have been imagining since Friday. Each time I turn on the Tv or go online I see the brilliant faces of those beautiful children and teachers. I cant help but think of the What ifs? The Whys? Newtown, Connecticut can very well be Anytown, USA.





So my little Snowflakes, forgive me for kissing you too much and hugging you too tightly lately. Forgive me for holding your hand when I know you are a "big boy " now and can walk by yourself. Forgive me for the spontaneous crying that seems to erupt when you say or do something cute. I do this because  I love you more than words can express. I do this because I now realize everyday is a gift - even if it may be a trying, exhausting, sleepless gift.

I hope and pray I may never know the pain those families of Newtown are experiencing. I hope and pray I overcome the fear I will have every time you are not in my sight. I pray the next time we go to a movie I can sit and enjoy the show, rather than constantly scanning the exits and planning an escape strategy. I pray I can remember none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. I hope I can teach you all to live for today and not take yourself so seriously. I hope and pray you know how much your Daddy and I love you and want to watch you all grow up and lead happy, healthy lives.  Most importantly I pray we as parents - and a nation can do better by you. I Hope through our darkest hour, we can show you the way to a brighter future.

We are three days away from Christmas. Three days from mountains of ripped up wrapping paper and one too many cookies. Three days from Santa's visit and the gifts he will bring. I hope you three know how much I love this time of the year and how much I will treasure the memories of our family Christmases. My Snowflakes you are my life, you are my loves. Merry Christmas to All And to the people of Newtown please know you are forever in our prayers and thoughts. Your angels will never be forgotten.

I love you my Snowflakes,
May our Christmas be Merry and Bright!
Love, Mommy

I Can't Keep Up!

My Dearest Snowflakes,
Sweet Lord how can time pass so quickly?? I must have started this posted a million times in the past month and have yet to sit down to finish! Here I go.....

Every time I sit down to finally write a new post, I am somehow amazed at how a month or more has managed to pass by. Where does the time go? Here we are 2 days after the twins 9 month celebration, and I still feel like I am closer to their due date than their first birthday!

So much has happened in the past few weeks it is hard to find the proper place to start.

 Lucy and Jake, you two are getting so big and so fun! You FINALLY are interacting with each other and I love the way each of you light up when the other comes in the room - and especially when big brother Isaac enters the room! 

Jakers you have the most infectious smile I have ever seen. Like, Ever.  I defy anyone to look at you and not smile! I have a feeling that smile and those eyes are going to get you in (or out of) a lot of trouble as you get older - not that you will need any help with that! You are trying so hard these days to scoot yourself across the floor. Keep up the good work my little buddy! You will scooching around in no time!

Oh My Lucy McGoose. You are definitely your Mama's girl. I can tell you will have my gift of cynicism and skepticism.  Your dead-pan-glare, your forever withholding smile, your ability to put nearly every object you come in contact with in your mouth - yep - all Mama! You have nailed every part of separation anxiety and stranger anxiety on the head! I am pretty sure you would live inside my mouth if I let you! But I am smart enough to live it up now - because if you are anything like me my dear, your love and allegiance will be fleeting. You can't play a player babe.

Oh My Sir Isaac. What can I say other than you make everyday just a little more interesting. You have evolved into such a character and are full of personality these days. Whether it be your random bursts into rock stardom or when you start jibbering in your own language, you always keep me on my toes!

You are loving your preschool days and had a blast this past Halloween. I was so happy you actually wore your planned costume this year - so far my track record was 0-3 with getting you into your costume. But you made a perfect Cat in the Hat along with your sidekicks THing 1 and Thing 2! And dare I say you ended the night by practically eating your body weight in candy!
Can I mention that I am somehow amazed that we are in November already!!??? How can that be? I mean the twins are still newborns! How can nearly 11 months of this year have passed already! Impossible. 2012 has been, at the very least, interesting. I can only imagine what 2013 has in store for us!

Besides the obvious daily drama we had going on the past few weeks - the milestones, the adventures, Halloween - this past week has been of significant importance in weather history. This past week the entire Eastern Seaboard Braced for Super Storm Hurricane Sandy - and while we here in PA were largely spared - our neighbors to the East, mainly New York and New Jersey were devastated and ultimately forever changed. Entire neighborhoods were taken off the map. Places you would have normally grown up to visit on long summer weekends have been washed away and now lay on the bottom of the ocean. Sad. Very Sad. It is a grave reminder that we need to cherish what we have today and not take tomorrow for granted. My heart breaks for those who lost everything. I can only remind them that "houses" can be rebuilt - "homes" are memories that live within you and last forever.

As if Hurricane Sandy were not enough Drama for one week, tomorrow is also election night. We may or may not have a new president of the United States by this time tomorrow. It will certainly be a close one. Before you three came along I honestly didnt care who ran or who won. I didnt see the personal connection. Now I realize that everything these people do will impact YOU more so than will impact ME. These men will set in motion the kind of world you will be living in as adults. Therefore it is my job now to make sure your world is not only secure now - but secure then as well. May the best man win.

There is so much I want to say. SO much I want ot write down so I dont forget all the little things that make each day interesting. But at the end of the day after I tuck all three of you in and finally sit down to type my mind goes blank and I can only think of how soon one of you will be up and beckoning me. It's a call I will gladly answer - knowing all to soon you will be all grown up and not needing me as much. I dread that day.

There is one other thing I want to write down for you guys while I remember. A few weeks ago, this area suffered some unnecessary great losses due to a rash of teenage suicides. Truly, a parents greatest nitemare. I cannot imagine what those parents are going through and I pray those CHILDREN who took their own lives have finally found some peace. There is no cure to suicide. It is a decision that cannot be reversed and will forever impact those left behind. I do not think all the speeches and school assemblies in the world can prevent it. I do think parents can try. I think if there is one lesson to be learned from this and from the "bullying" epidemic that has plagued our schools is that parents need to stop teaching their kids to be great - and start teaching them how to be good. Unrealistic goals, unattainable expectations, empty desires of constantly being "the best" cannot always be a healthy lifestyle.
 I do not need any of you to be "the best" at anything other than being the best Isaac, Jake, and Lucy you can be. I promise you I will never be the mom who publicly calls out your referee,  who heckles the opposing team or forces you to play a game or activity you are not interested in. I will be the parent who will take you to church on Sunday, want to carry on an actual conversation with you, who wants to know your friends, and who will genuinely be interested in you and your place in the world. I do not want you to ever aim to please me or your dad. I want you to be happy with the person you are - because as I see it, you are already the greatest people I know!

I love you my tiny snowflakes. Sleep tight - and for me just this once -  sleep long! :)

Love, Mommy

The Traveling Circus

Dear Snowflakes,


As far as cataloging memories go, I think Vacations should have their own special place. I mean really  they are a quite a phenomenon unto themselves aren't they? When else do you pack up everything you own (and I mean everything), just to take it somewhere else and pretend you are not home? And rules? Forget about rules! If I had a dollar for every time someone counteracted my eye rolls with a "but you are on vacation" I could have bought a plane ticket to an Island Paradise (notice I said "A" plane ticket - as in singular!)
Alas, we survived - and did not even have to cut our trip short - although each night I swore up and down we were leaving in the morning. Eight Fun filled days of hanging out in the New England Area - Mommy's paradise getaway! Daddy can have his mountains  - I will take the quaint main streets and fall foliage of New England any day!
Our first stop was to see our cousin Christine in Massachusetts, and uproot her home and terrorize her kittens accordingly. I am pretty sure once the overstuffed caravan pulled onto her peaceful street she was whole-heartedly rethinking her offer to let us stay! But after a long drive we were all just ready to get out of the car and stretch out - anywhere! We had a great night toasting smores in the back yard and eating WAY too much chocolate before bed time - hence, the first of many "you are on vacation" chimes rolled in.
Night #1 we discovered a very grim traveling detail  - Jake, you are a devout Crib Sleeper. No Pack-n-play nonsense for you! I swear you must have gained 10lbs on our trip because I kept giving you bottle after bottle just to shut you up and not wake the whole house up! You most certainly gave us a run for our money - I must say you have one heck of a set of lungs on you! Maybe I just suppressed all those torturous nights with Isaac, but you Mr. Cranky Pants had me at my wits end every night! You'll be lucky if we go on vacation again before you are 5!
Day #1 Boston. Oh how I missed thee! What a beautiful city - and just as spectacular as I remembered it to be! Even though it had been 6 short years since my last trip there, it seemed like a lifetime ago - well, actually 3 lifetimes ago! We had so much fun exploring the city and seeing all the sights to see! Isaac and Daddy loved hanging our on the Wharf and gazing at all the boats! We rode the train, play in the Public Garden, and even caught a magic show from a street magician in Faneuil Hall! It was a jam packed two days of site seeing in the city - then followed by a certain someone screaming all night long ...hint hint :)
Finally we were off to Maine to check out "the way life should be". First stop, some roadside fried clams for Daddy and a much needed potty break for me! For some reason the trip to Maine seemed longer than the entire trip to Massachusetts! Maybe because a certain dynamic duo was not having any part of being in the car again. I don't blame you! I spent much of the ride sitting backwards on the arm rest entertaining or holding bottles in their mouth or replacing binkies every two minutes!
Ah Maine - indeed you live up to the hype - you are the way life should be! A special thanks to Kelly and Neil for sharing their amazing beach house with us! It was perfect - and just big enough to muffle the sounds of a certain someone screaming all night :) Daddy had his first Maine lobstah and quickly became a fan! Isaac, you were like a fish! As soon as you had the life vest on, we could not keep you out of the water! Lucy and Jake were less than pleased with the sand filled getaway. Day #1 they barely lasted an hour on the beach but by Day #2 they were getting the hang of beach bumming just like the rest of us!
Next off to Portland to check out the city life  - and while the "men" feasted on Mussels and Clams for lunch, Mommy and the Babies did some sight seeing of our own! We ended the day with Boat ride along the Bay  - a perfect family day in Northern New England.
Our last day at the beach was spent like the first - doing nothing but hanging out on the Beach and making some new friends! Isaac, by the end of the night I thought you would be tired enough to sleep outside! I guess that is the sign of a good vacation - complete exhaustion!

SO the first Family Vacation is hereby in the books and we all survived! We created memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life - and my sweet Isaac I hope with you as well. You are getting so big I need to stop and remind myself to take in all these little things while I can! In a few short days you will be starting Preschool and I will somehow have to accept that my baby boy is growing up!
Lucy and Jake I feel the same about you! I know you will never remember this vacation but I hope when you look back at your childhood it is filled with memories of us all doing things and going places together - as a family - or in our case one big traveling circus!

I love you all my dearest little Snowflakes! Sleep tight (PLEASE!!!) I love you to the moon and back - forever and ever. Amen.

Love, Mommy

Isaac 3.0

Dear Isaac,

August 17, 2009.

The day my life changed forever in ways I could never imagine. Little had I known, long gone were my nights of being bored, occasionally over sleeping, and (on very rare occasion) looking halfway decent when I left the house. My nights were now filled lots of screaming, tears, and feedings - mostly yours, but a lot of mine too.
Two has been a great year for us. It started out in Denver - just me, you and Daddy and ended up with not one, but two siblings! You are an amazing big brother - and I love the way you dote over Lucy and Jake! You are a natural at being a big brother! You have gone through quite a lot in the past year and you take it all in stride - and always with such a smile on your face - and some quick wit on your tongue!
So how can it be now, in 2012, three years have gone by and my little monster baby is now a 3 year old crazy toddler? THen again, how can you ONLY be three? I feel like I have known you my whole life. I know have LOVED you my whole life.
As you lay asleep as your first night as a big three year old, I cant bear to think of how quickly this time will go by. You will never be this young again - yet you are the oldest you have ever been. How can time and reality be so full of evil trickery? Someday all too soon I will be saying, "I cant believe you are driving, I cant believe you are graduating, I cant believe you are such an amazing young man!"
So tonight I take comfort in knowing that tomorrow morning you will scream for me to come and get you out of bed, that it will be me who gets all of your morning kisses, and it will be my arms that carry you up to naptime - even though I know it takes me one day closer to you being a "big boy" - I take comfort in knowing that tomorrow you will still be my little boy and I will be your Mommy.

I love you my monkey man, my big time cool dude
Love always.




Mommy

Oh the places we'll go!

My Dearest 3 Little Snowflakes,

Three months! Three months? Three months.

I cannot believe it has been three months since I have last updated this blog. I guess that can be taken as a good sign. We have been to busy to sit down and write - or mommy has been to wiped out to type (ok, and there is that silly pinterest obsession too)! Whatever the reason, I am back and ready to update you all on the comings and goings of my Favorite Terrible Trio.

It has been a HOT, busy, hectic spring and summer thus far. Our daily calendar fills up quite nicely these days - therapies, story hours, gym dates, farmers markets, walks, trips to the park,"adbentures" - we are one busy family! I cannot tell you how much I love all of it either! How much I love spending all this time with all three of you  - watching you all discover things for the first time - and watching you all grow into your roles as sister and brothers. Its an amazing thing - and I am simply blessed beyond words that I am able to stay home with you and be here for all of it. We are a lucky bunch indeed!

My Dear Isaac,
You are such a trip. You are one of the most charismatic, fun, outgoing, personable, devilish, fearless kids I have ever met. I hope you always stay that way too. YOu are becoming such a little man. I cant believe what an amazing little guy you are. YOu light up every room  - whether it be your badass swagger, your non stop talking, crazy quips, or one of a kind facial expressions - you know how to command the room's attention - and how to use that power to your advantage. You have taken to the role of Big Brother in such a way that mothers can only dream of. You are doting, caring, with just enough gentleness and a little bit of rough big brother mixed in. Jake and Lucy are so lucky to have you!

Of course you are still all about Daddy these days - Im sure its just a phase that will last through your mid tweneties, but whatevs. Daddy is still your #1 Buddy and the world revolves around him. YOu carry your tool bag around and 'work on stuff like daddy' all day, impatiently wait for him to come home every night, and of course manage to canieve him into EVERYTHING Mommy says no to. I am constantly amazed at how oblivious Daddy is to your puppetry! You got him wrapped kiddo - work it!!

The past three months have been filled with memories that I never want to forget - and some that I would like to (most notably seeing you covered in your own blood when you busted your chin open at Frances Slocum  - and of course the (my) horror of your first cavity filling experience. Ugh) I cant believe in a few short weeks you will be turning 3 years old and then starting pre-school. Im sure I will have a mini breakdown before then. How does time fly by so quickly? Where is that pause button I have been searching for? I love you Monkey Man!! I love you more every time you sing me "you are my sunshine", every time you give me a kiss and ask me "if I'm happy" and every time you remind me you are my "best big boy". You are truly one of a kind my Sir Isaac. Well done!

My Dearest Jaker McQuaker and Lucy Lu - aka Angry Bird, aka Loober Maguber, aka Goobs, aka SnoCo, etc

Practically 6 months old and already racking up enough nicknames for a lifetime! You two are quite the duo! I swear you two do not even know the other one exists just yet - you are definitely not the lovey dovey type you imagine when the doctor tell you are having twins! You are both your own center of the universe - demanding to be held, coddled, and cooed all the time. Apparently you guys have yet to figure out Mommy only has two hands!

Lucy - I live for that morning first smile from my peanut. That feeling I get every morning when your face lights up when you recognize me, makes the hellish night you put me thru (almost) worth it. :) Seriously Goobs - you were my dream child - you lulled yourself to sleep, slept thru the night, got along with everyone. Notice how I mentioned all that in the past tense? Now you are all Mama's girl, up 3 or 4 times a night and have a scream (or shall I say Screech) that would peel the tread of tires! You literally look like a cartoon character when you scream - you turn beet red, your tongue rattles and your whole body shakes. Such a Drama Queen already.  Oddly enough it ALL stops when I pick you up. Every time. Nonsense Miss Goosey. Spoiled-Brat-in-the-making-Nonsense.

Psst. Secretly I love it.

Jakers - My super Chunk (dont worry, I will ban everyone from calling you that by the time you are old enough to understand it!) But I have to tell you dude - you are one solid hunk of  damn cute blue eyed
babiness! I hope you keep those baby blues forever. They are show stoppers! And if nothing else I am hoping you give me some rocking Michele Obama arms by the time you are out of holding stage!

You have come so far in the past six months. I cannot say You have exceeded my expectations only because I never really knew what to expect 6 months ago. I just knew I loved you and I would love you no matter what. But now I am starting to know what to expect from you - and that is you are going to be one amazingly regular kid. You are going to be one amazing Jake. And like your brother and sister - you are going to be whomever you were intended to be.  You have an infectious smile that will melt hearts and much like your sister, a pick-me-up-now-damn-it cry that will eventually cause me to claw my own eyes out.

I sometimes sit back and smile and wonder how I got be a mother of 3 little "angels." I mean wasn't I just wearing alternating neon socks and rocking the banana clip? How did I suddenly become Mom status? But honestly I think I have always been mom status - I was just waiting for you guys to get here.


So, I gladly look forward to rapidly growing old, ragged, scarred, gray, babbling, and senile (probably in my 30s) thanks to each of you. I hope you enjoy this wild ride we are on as much as your Daddy and I are enjoying it. Wherever it may take us. As Dr. Seuss says - "Oh the places you will go, Oh the places you will grow." Our little clan has set out to make its mark on the world and I look forward to watching its effects.

I love you all my three little perfect snowflakes. Sleep tight - and take it easy on me every now and then wont you? - afterall I do control your ....Well Hell, I guess I don't really control anything! Even more reason to take it easy on me!

I love you Sir Isaac, Jakers, and Lucy Lu!
Love, Mommy