eqsmom

This blog is MOVING!

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:43:10 GMT

I have moved my blog to http://stephn33.wordpress.com/. If you have this site bookmarked, it will no longer be updated. You will need to save this new address! Sorry for the inconvenience, but this blog is at its limit for photos!

More photos....

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:39:24 GMT

We had a nice weekend with the inlaws. Yesterday, we took the boys to Dairy Queen and they had a vanilla soft serve cone (I ordered cups but whatever...) They LOVED it and didn't make too much of a mess because they didn't want to lose any!
On Thursday, we are going to Disney for a couple of days. It is free for me because it is my birthday, the boys are free because they are under 3, and CQ is free because the military gets a one time 5 day pass. We are going to the Magic Kingdom, staying the night at Shades of Green (the Disney military hotel on property) and going to the Animal Kingdom the next day. It should be TONS of fun!

The boys play room- super clean and toys picked up!

Quinn's crib. Although, E is the one that likes to carry around stuffed animals, Q demands all these in his bed.

Q playing with the cool toy on the wall that we got from IKEA for $7! I love that place!

This is Veggie Pirate Booty. Both the boys are OBSESSED with it. I let them eat as much as they want because the main ingredients are CORN, BROCCOLI, SPINACH, and KALE!!!

17 months!!!

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:13:24 GMT

This is a photo post of just life around here....

Meet Trouble!

You know people must have said "double trouble" a million times since the boys were born. Well, it SO fits!!! Look at them!

E is SO cute! He doesn't like to be read to, he wants to do it.

Here is a 3 photo fight sequence

And the winner is....

They are kissing! Adorable!!!

Gasparilla Race 2009

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:45:36 GMT

Yesterday we walked in the Gasparilla 5K Stroller Roll in Tampa. Today is the marathon and half marathon and our brother in law is running in it right now.
We started at our church and took a photo and headed to the start line. Here are some photos.

Starting out at Hyde Park UMC. The boys got the cutest shirts but they were too huge!

Hanging out at the church for the photo!

Almost done!

Quinn needs a water break! And Mommy didn't bring sunscreen! E didn't make it~ he fell asleep!

Family Pic from another passing Hyde Park member! (the shirts give us away!)

Great photo~ besides my weird skin face!

E with his medal

Comparing medals

It was a great day! It was super hot but not a cloud in the sky! Beautiful!

Almost 17 months!

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:50:51 GMT

The boys are doing so many new and amazing things. They pretty much understand everything I tell them now. Here are some of my faves:

1. Both boys now run. Sadly, I really have to try to catch them.
2. E walks around saying, "Quinn" "Quinn" It sounds SO adorable and I just love to hear it! He is either looking for him or tattling on him!
3. Q gives real kisses now. Great smackers!
4. At night, when I put them to bed, E now says "hi" (which is bye) and waves to me from his crib!
5. We have less biting!!! Yeah! BUT, now more hitting.
6. They dance SO adorable. I never taught them to dance and I NEVER dance around the house. Must be instinct!
7. The boys sign~ "where' "eat" "more" "all done" "bath" "milk" "puppy" and some others I can't remember at the moment.
8. Q is SO GOOFY! He makes the funniest faces and giggles. He is SO weird!
9. E prefers to read books himself than for me to read.
10. E has a great throwing arm.

I can sit on a ball if I want to!

What can I say?

For Meme: Note the socks.

I was trying to take a pic of E and Q jumped in front of the camera!

He is SUCH a ham!

E is biting everything. Two large molars on the bottom came in all of a sudden. They are huge! I don't know how any other teeth are going to fit.

I told Quinn to kiss his brother. Ean was not having it. So, he ran away.....

But Quinn's eyes were already closed and he didn't know he was gone. Leaving this photo! Hilarious!

The Croup and other things....

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:15:38 GMT

So, as I posted before, Quinn has/had the croup and it landed us in the ER last week. We assumed that E would get some sort of something out of this since he shares pacifiers and everything else with his bro. Plus, E is the one that always gets everything! (Here's for praying that changes) Well, oddly enough, while Q was sick he slept fine. The docs said the nites would be the worst and we would probably have to be up holding him in the bathroom filled with steam. That didn't happen. I say "oddly enough" because Q is the one who doesn't sleep well. (See all past blog entries!) Q was actually bad during the days. Not a peep at night. He sleeps better sick! Well, E now can't breathe out of his nose~he is horribly congested. He woke up last night at 3:30! I can't remember the last time E woke up screaming and not sleeping through the night~maybe 8 or 9 months ago??? He was inconsolable. He came in the bed with me~which we also haven't done in 8 or 9 months. I didn't get much sleep after that. He tossed and turned every 20 min. or so and usually as I was falling back asleep. He also would whine, whimper, and sniffle. I gave him some Benadryl before bedtime tonight. I hope it dries up his nose. He was miserable at bedtime. I hope he doesn't wake up tonight! But thanks that he isn't wheezing!
I feel tired and kinda crappy myself. Not surprising since the whole time the boys have been runny nosy, I have still been kissing them and getting snot all over me. Both CQ and I have never been as sick as we have been since the boys were born than in our whole lives! Oh, well. Small price!
Off to early bed in case I am up tonight.

Late afternoon fun in the sand...

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:31:00 GMT

Monday afternoon on Treasure Island beach. I cherish these moments!

Q eating sand. He won't eat real food but he will eat sand?????

Showing the boys how to play in the sand.

Sunset on Indian Rocks Beach

Love this photo!

E says, "it's cold!"

More photos from the LONG weekend

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:19:22 GMT

Yesterday, we had a great President's Day. I will post those photos tomorrow. Here are some more from the weekend.

Chris decided to introduce the boys to chocolates on Valentine's Day. He gave them a bunch and then took off to play golf. Leaving me and Gran with 2 jacked up babies!

"E, whatcha got?"

Watching Tigger and Pooh in their chairs at Gran's

Haven't posted in a long while!

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:43:16 GMT

We have been very busy for the past few weeks. CQ's grandmother has been in hospice for the past month and she died last week. We spent a couple weekends visiting her and then this past weekend went for the funeral. We feel very fortunate that she got to meet and enjoy the boys. We have a very fond memory of right before Christmas, visiting them in Sebring at their house, and Granny running all over the place, chasing and playing with the boys. How many people get to meet their great grandchildren? We give thanks to God that he gave us that time and memories.
Also, after the funeral on Thursday, we had to take Q to the ER. He was wheezing and having trouble breathing. It sounded awful! As soon as they heard Q breathing they took us right in. The triage nurse even did his heart rate from across the room since she could hear every breath he took. He was quickly diagnosed with the croup. (I always put "the" in front of it!) He had 2 breathing treatments, a steroid shot, and some Motrin to bring down his fever. It is now Sunday and he is doing much better. The doc told me they get tons of the croup cases in the ER because it sounds horrible and scares the parents.
Despite all that has happened, we managed to have some fun.Here are some recent photos of the boys.

Playing at Gran and Papa Doc's

This little boy has SO many nicknames for all the trouble he gets in. "Destructo" "juvey" and "little vermin" are some of the highlights.

Trouble! (But so darn cute!)

Running on the golf course!

"Gran's got me~but I want to run free!"

my sick little boy!

More photos tomorrow...

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:31:35 GMT

If you read this blog, you know I am living a blessed life. Just look at the photographic evidence. Be assured (or reassured) that I know that. My boys are more than I ever could have imagined for myself. Raising twins is HARD. Everyone asks me how I do it. Well, I don't know. And I doubt my abilities every day. But, I wake up every day with them as the center of my world and work 110% to get it perfect or as near to it as I can. I worry about the way I do everything cause hey, I am making it up as I go! Are they eating enough? Are they getting enough nutritional foods? Veges? Are they saying enough? Why don't they say more? What are those weird spots on E's wrist? What is Q allergic to? Why won't they sleep past 6 am? Why won't they stop biting each other? Do they watch too much PBS? I could go on.
You know what? That is all VERY overwhelming. But for once in my life I am saying~ I am doing a darn good job. I am proud of my boys and most importantly proud of myself. Yeah, I get tired, exhausted, fed up, and overwhelmed~ but I deserve those feelings! And they are miniscule in comparison to how much joy I get from the boys. (stepping down from the soap box....)

E throwing Q out of timeout.

"Thank you, I would like to be punished now." The timeout mat has come out and we are getting tons of use out of it. At first we had to put them the corner. Now they just walk over, head hung down, and plop down! So much for not understanding!

My grandmother (Meme) with the boys. LOOK at those hats she gave them. SO adorable!

My mother (the boys call her Meme like I call my grandmother Meme. Hey, keep up!) puts the boys to work when they come over!

Q LOVES the Swiffer!

E is reading the Walgreen's ad. He is also in a rush to get somewhere.

With Papa Doc and Aunt Heather. I had to take this photo and run inside. My obsessive craziness makes me not able to even watch them next to the water like that. Even when in those very capable arms.

Red Jell-o

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:20:18 GMT

I decided to give the boys jello at dinner last night. They like it but it is such a mess!

They went directly into the bath!

An evening at the park

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:49:47 GMT

I know, I know....NO photos. I have received 3 complaints!! Seriously? Seriously. (which reminds me, off topic...but I was recently feeling like I was going to give up Grey's Anatomy...but this last set of 3 eps that went all together changed my mind. I literally SOBBED through Thursday's entire episode. Mom saying goodbye to little boy, Eric Stoltz getting the needle, Izzie screaming at Denny in the parking lot.....good stuff!!!)
Anyway, we went to the park in the neighborhood this evening. It was SO nice out. I again forgot to put bug spray on the boys and in this area it is a HUGE must. My poor babies! The boys have had green runny noses and coughs for a few days now, so it was fun to see sand covering their snot. (that's sarcasm)
Also, E bit Q on the eye today and it looks bad. Right in front of me and CQ~ but we couldn't move fast enough......

E was really hesitant about walking on the sand in his sneakers.

Somebody is learning to climb!

E is considering coming down the slide as his brother attempts to climb back up.

Q handing me bird poop.

holding on for dear life...

Clapping cause he made it down!

Fight! These kind of situations happen at least 20 times a day. Immediately after this photo was a biting attempt to the skull!

See the funny look on Q's face? He fell backwards into the sand 2 seconds later. Thus the sand all over his face and caked on top of his snot!

Back home! No one wanted to leave the park. They both get mad and don't understand when play time is over. In this photo, E is trying to get out of the wagon.

Tomorrow, photos from the Jello incident!!!

Wednesday

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:04:58 GMT

Nice title, huh?
Yesterday, MSNBC had 22 hours of continuous inauguration coverage. I watched 16 hours of that! Seriously? Yes, seriously.
I started at 7:30 am and finally went to bed at 10:30 last night. There was so much to see!!
Some highlights of the day:
1. The quote from the speech (see post below)
2. Justice Roberts messing up the oath
3. A big C-ya to Bush!
4. Those adorable Obama girls
5. The First Family! How good looking are they????
6. That benediction from the civil rights pastor- I keep saying it in my head
7. The first dance with Beyonce singing!
8. Obama's speech at the Commander-in-Chief enlisted military ball

Whew, I am tired from yesterday!
Today I got my haircut at a salon in Tampa. The owner has cut J.Lo's hair! Anyway, I like the cut but the stylist used at least 7 different products in my hair. I feel like I have a helmet head and want to wash it all out!

Inauguration Day

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:33:25 GMT

What a wonderful inspirational hopeful day!!!

"Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

The kind of week I am having....

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:31:54 GMT

Do you ever have those days??? This past week has been kind of odd. Let's start with "Poop Day" A whole day of the only thing I can smell is poop. Everywhere. Where is the poop? I took a quick timeout in my bathroom's water closet (the toilet, OK!) and said to myself, "my life is filled with poop."
Then there was Puke Day. I can laughingly complain about poop but I can't handle the puke/spit up. I am talking about the kind I have mentioned before. I think it may be called by definition- spit up. Whatever~ it is that stuff that looks like cottage cheese and smells UNBELIEVABLY awful. It makes ME want to vomit. Anyway. I had that day. Q was jumping on E on the floor. He stood up and there was puke down his shirt. I removed the shirt and put it in the washer- immediately. For the rest of the day, I could smell puke everywhere. I am convinced he did this more than once. I stripped the boys down and washed their clothes. I washed and sanitized my hands over and over. I took a shower and washed my clothes after they went to bed. Still the smell was somewhere! The next day, I found a toy in the play room completely soaked in cottage spit up puke. Then I found it in their Lego dump truck. It was good to feel vindicated rather than crazy. This came after CQ and I spent the boys' morning nap mopping all the floors.
Last night, I had a small crisis. Looking back at this blog you will notice that Quinn is never sick. Never! He has had sleep issues but we have never gone to the doctor re: something just wrong with him. Anyway, after being his normal out of control self all day, around dinnertime he threw himself on the floor screaming. I thought he was hungry, so I started on their food. He continued and seemed really upset. I went to him and picked him up and he felt hotter than he ever has. His head was not warm to the touch it was literally burning up. I took his temp under his arm and my thermometer did the beep beep beep it does when the temp is too high. I didn't even let it finish rising as I decided to take it rectally. It was 102.6. That is the highest temp ever registered on that thermometer.
By now, Q wanted me to hold him and refused to let me put him down. He became lethargic and not moving. As he stayed this way I spent the next couple of hours on the phone and trying to figure out what had happened so quickly. After giving him Motrin and talking to a doctor at our practice, I set both the boys in a cool tub. Q ripped off his diaper and started jumping up and down as he got in the tub. The two of them squealed with delight as I poured water over their heads. A miraculous recovery. He went to sleep fine and with a temp of 97.3. (he did wake up with a fever this morning though)
During all of this hoopla. (and trust me it was insane!) I was having trouble with E cause he wanted attention. I was on the phone or trying to put a cool cloth under Q's arm. Not paying him enough attention. I put on Barney for him. (I know....it came on after another show once and now he is OBSESSED) ( I really can't stand Barney) Anyway, when Barney was over, he started signing more and getting really mad. He was standing near the coffee table and somehow fell and hit his head. I didn't think that much of it since they both hit their heads constantly. I left Q lying motionless on the rocker and went to a crying Ean. As, I picked him up, I saw his eye swelling and turning purple in front of me. I didn't even know that things could bruise that fast. I am assuming he broke a blood vessel or something. Well, as I began to freak out and assume that some way or another I was going to the ER that night, E slid off my lap and went back to playing. I guess it is one of those injuries that looks worse than it is. Cause this morning, he woke up with an awful black eye!!!! It looks SO bad.
I LOVE children's motrin. It works like a charm.
BTW, I fell asleep very easily last night.
What a week.....

Busch Gardens

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:28:52 GMT

On Saturday, we went to Busch Gardens. Every year, the park allows the military one free admission for up to 4 people. Saturday was the most beautiful day! The weather was perfect, in the 70's, and not a cloud in the sky. We only had to pay to park which cost $11. And to eat in the park. (A complete other story!)
There were surprisingly a lot of activities and rides the boys could enjoy.
We didn't even get to do everything we wanted since we eventually had to leave out of sheer exhaustion. (The stroller weighs a ton packed down!)

The land of the dragons was really neat for the boys!

Q driving his own car for the first time!

coming around the bend!

on the boats!

flying through the air!

me, as a MUMMY!! HA!
(behind me is not fake~ there were NO clouds in the sky~it was SO Nice out!

We have another version of this photo from the last time we were there- minus the boys! Daddy and his boys with a truck of BUD!
BTW, as of Feb. 1, the parks will no longer give out free beer like they have forever in the Hospitality section of Busch Gardens and Sea World. CQ refuses to return now!

GO GATORS/GO SOONERS!!!!

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:16:17 GMT

The ultimate game in college football is tonight. My alma mater OU playing The GATORS for the national championship. OU needs this championship. They have had some awesome seasons that ended with flops in the post season. But I oh, so love Tim Tebow. I mean the man is a borderline saint.
I am in my Sooner football jersey. And the boys went to bed in their Gator shirts and sweatpants.
I secretly won't mind either way!! But don't tell my husband and boys that!!

Saturday adventure

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:02:21 GMT

We headed out Saturday with an area in mind having never been there. We were packed up with drinks, snacks, changes of clothes for the boys, beach towels, etc. Ready for anything. We drove about 30 minutes south.

We drove by this restaurant on the beach on Anna Maria Island. Great view!!!

The view from our table. NICE! The water is beautiful on this side of the island- this is the Gulf of Mexico.

The boys were obsessed with the coconut tree over our heads.

The other side of the island looking south towards Longboat Key. These boats were parked here and people were coming in their little dingys and having lunch at the pier.

Back at the beach- it all of a sudden went from no clouds to cloudy!

We let the boys walk around on the beach. Quinn tried running to everyone else's towels and stuff. Ean eventually sat in the sand and handed me shells. Every one he handed me was completely intact and not broken!
We had a great day!

15 months!!!! No way!!

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:21:23 GMT

The legos are supposed to go in the dump truck~not Quinn!!

Caught in the act! This happens hundreds of times a day! E takes Q's pacifier and throws it, Q gets mad, and he then bites E.
Photos of our day adventure to Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach tomorrow.

More Christmas Photos

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:25:24 GMT

Tonight I had bean dip and fritos and banana bread for dinner. This while the boys had whole wheat bagels with Polaner All-Fruit, pears, and fresh cut cantaloupe. Do you see a problem here?
Q was fussy ALL day today. I am okay with that cause he didn't fuss for 14 months (all that much) He bit E at lease 6 times just today. E's arms look terrible! We can never actually grab him in time to stop it. They want me to hold them and give them my undivided attention separately now a lot more. I am going to have to do some reading on that.
We have to get a new stroller. They attack each other in the side by side. Fighting, biting, stealing pacifiers, and taking each others' shoes. They do well in the front and back so we are looking at those.
More pics!

Christmas morning!

Q is hilarious! Put on his new snow hat (they are bald~they need protection when the temp goes below 70!) and jumped on the rocking horse.

E is playing "GO FISH" with his cousins and my SIL. So cute!

The boys got a new drum set and CQ was so excited!

All the cousins opening presents. The kids outnumbered us!!!

Back at home, the boys new tent! Its a shark!

everybody in the tent! It has cool velcro eyeballs!

Merry Christmas!

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:30:20 GMT

We have been on vacation and away from the internet for over a week. (Well, not really, I get the internet and email on my phone.)
Anyway, we spent the week split between my mom's and CQ's.
Here are some photos from Christmas eve.
It went by SO fast!

Christmas shopping!

with Meme (my Mom)

Christmas Eve. *NOTE: It was 80 degrees out. I made them wear the Ralph Lauren sweaters anyway.

I do not like this photo of me at all.

Mom with the grandkids. Emily is my sister's little girl.

My mom and my meme. Are you following this?

E and Mom

Meme with Q

E and CQ watching the camels before Mass

Opening presents Christmas Eve!

What you got? I got a remote! I got a remote too!

New basketball hoop! (It was too hot- we took off the sweaters!)

Christmas Day pics tomorrow!

Things I learned today...

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:37:47 GMT

1. When red marshmallows are melted with green marshmallows they become purplish marshmallows. Why did I think my Krispie treats were going to be so cute with red and pink streaks through them? How did I think that was gonna happen?

2. white chocolate is gross. And doesn't melt in Target-brand-chip-form.

3. Two runny-nosed boys makes for mucus and stuff everywhere-including on me.

4. I like the library.

5. Dew makes the ground wet. I said to CQ this morning, as we took the boys to the neighborhood swings, "did it rain last night?" Of which he replied, "no. It's DEW!" (he emphasized "dew") This whole interaction seemed very amusing to me.

6. Penguin (he is a much beloved bath toy) died today. He was lost last night while out for a walk in the wagon. We found him mangled and crushed this morning, around the block. Chris picked him up and quickly threw him in the sewer/drainy thing on the side of the road and said something about "where penguins go to die.." (CQ is a pretty funny guy)

7. My boys are currently not eating anything but fruit. I offer them 4-5 items per meal. They eat the fruit and throw the other stuff around. I wonder if they are hungry.

8. CHRISTMAS is one week away!

Holiday Time

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:10:54 GMT

I already LOVE the holidays and now that I have two awesome beautiful (naughty) boys, I love it even more!
I also am very thrilled that we live close to family now. We just pack up our overnight bags on the weekends and head over to our families' houses. (they live 2 hours away so we prefer to stay overnight!) We have spent the last 9 years living in Germany and Oklahoma, so we didn't get much time with family.

Riding their train and hauler. They DO wear clothes, its just really hot in the house and by the end of the day SOMETHING has happened to their clothes from 7 am.

Not sure, but this may be the cutest pic ever! Ean is laying on Quinn and they are watching Barney or Curious George.

In other news, I have TWO full time walkers!!! E is still pretty cautious, but is getting faster every day. This has made Quinn decide to speed walk.

Meme brought some Santa hats to Mom's this past weekend. This should be my Christmas card! Oh, by the way, I finished my Christmas cards weeks ago. But, I have yet to get stamps. Every time I pull in the driveway, I say, "duh, I needed stamps!"

Papa Doc with all his grandsons on his birthday(weekend). We are all SO Blessed!!

I have never been one for kids shows but I LOVE Sid the Science Kid http://pbskids.org/sid/#/playground It is SO GOOD! I am incessantly singing, "I am looking for my friends, I am looking for you..." (If you watch it, you know what I am talking about!) It is very educational, catchy music, great graphics, and very diverse!!!
I am attempting to make Chocolate dipped pretzels and rice krispie treats for gifts. We'll see what happens when I attempt to melt chocolate and be creative!

14 months

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:50:20 GMT

If someone knows where the time is going, please let me know. The boys are 14 months and are doing wonderfully. They are such a JOY! They are starting to play together more. They are really boys- they beat me up if I sit on the ground! Q is walking like he never knew how to crawl! He almost jogs! This new phase is weird since he can basically go where he wants and has not much of a need for me! Already. He'll just get up and walk in his bedroom and start doing something. Or at bedtime, after he gets his PJs on, he just walks out. We really wonder what he is thinking. E is walking more and more. He reverts to crawling when he wants to be where his brother is or where we are. I'd say he is walking 50% of the time.
I need to really get going on brushing their teeth. I am really slacking in that department. The doc said twice a day. AHHHHH! I feel awful. I think we do it twice a month.
Developmental milestones:
SHOULD BE ABLE TO...
*wave bye bye- yes. Q flaps his arm around and E waves his hand backward. You know, like how he sees when you wave to him.
*stand alone- yes
*put an object into a container- yes but they would much rather empty it!
*use mama and dada intentionally- they say DA much more than MAMA- they say that when they cry!
*follow 1 step verbal commands- yes
WILL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO...
*bend over and pick up an object- yes
*walk well- Q yes, E almost there
MAY POSSIBLY BE ABLE TO...
*dump an object in imitation- huh?
*use three words- they used to speak actual words. But they stopped and now have this constant chatter of words that make no sense.
MAY EVEN BE ABLE TO...
*build a tower of 2 cubes- yes
*use 6 words or more- they know 6 words but they don't use them
*run- Q almost!
*walk up steps- Q almost. he uses both his hands and the side of the door
*follow a 2 step verbal command without gestures- example?

They also know and use the following signs: milk, eat, puppy, where, more, all done, juice
We are working on naming everything and talking more intentionally with them.

Christmas lights!!!!
*NOTE: yes, Q is wearing a shirt and sweater vest and no pants. He grunted and made noises until CQ put it on him.

The Nichols as elves!

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:05:47 GMT

Send your own ElfYourself eCards