The Nursery

We moved just in time for the twins to be born. In my preeclampsia comatose decorating the nursery was the last thing on my mind. The babies move into their room coincided with the additional bill of formula and once again decorating the nursery was pushed aside. The family friend who gave us our second crib also gave us this entire bedding set, wall decorations, and pillows! While this isn't exactly up to Martha Stewart's standards I'm quite pleased to have a little color!!!!!!
Patrick sleeps on the left and Cassidy sleeps in the crib on the right

Busy Weekend

Life with three children rarely leaves room for entertaining. Steve and I had a very ambitious weekend and while we haven't had guests over for quite a few months (not counting family) suddenly three events appeared all in the same weekend. The weather, which had been lovely, turned on us and went from the balmy 50's with no snow to 28 and two feet of snow! Ahh, only in Alaska. Friday we had some clients over for dinner and Steve grilled...........yes he is amazing. In the middle of the snow storm he braved the deck and conquered the grill. Saturday we had some family friends over for dinner, and Sunday morning we had my dad, his girlfriend, and her daughter and boyfriend over for brunch. Sunday afternoon we were all exhausted!!!! Here are a few pictures of the kids playing............and the unwelcome snow!


Cassidy, Mommy, and Patrick

Spring in Alaska.................

Play Dates........for the Babies?

Kara and I get the kids together at least once a week............lately it has been more frequent. After eight months of play dates we finally witnessed all four of them playing!!! Granted it wasn't necessarily playing together, but it was at the same time. We can only hope that in another eight months they will be playing at the same time and with each other. Sometimes I wonder about our ambitious goals.................

My Favorite Blanket

We have a collection of blankets......to say we have a few would be an understatement. Cassidy could care less which blanket accompanies her to nap time or bed. Patrick on the other hand has developed an attachment. It isn't the blanket their great grandmother spent hundreds of pain staking hours knitting, or the hand made baby quilts we were given. It isn't even one of the cute $15 blankets I splurged on at Wal-Mart. No, this blanket is special. This blanket, which must be in Patrick's crib, is a pink blanket I spent 50 cents on at a garage sale. Steve cringes every time he sees him with it........what father wouldn't? In my defense I must confess that the babies did sleep together for the first seven months of their lives...........pink and blue were side by side. And so my poor son now has a pink, very loved blankie. Just look on the bright side.......he has never worn pink clothes:)

Stroller Envy

It's funny how life changes so inexplicably when you have children. The center of the universe suddenly revolves solely around them. In past birthday's I might have pined after jewelry, shoes, or purses. This year however, everything I want relates back to the twins. Who ever would have thought I'd want a stroller as a birthday present??????



Kara is a great antagonist for baby related gear I think I need. She is the stroller queen (currently she has eight!) The one stroller I have is not designed for walks....it is more of a mall type contraption. So what do we NEED? A jogging stroller with a swivel wheel, cup holders, and cushioned seats. The Cadillac of joggers, the greatest invention of all time..........the BOB. BOB comes with quite a hefty price tag, Cadillac's after all aren't cheap.



We went for a walk yesterday with Kara and the kidlets........and her brand new BOB. The boys rode in the Peg Perego and the girls had the luxury of BOB. It was love at first ride!!!



How am I going to justify this large expenditure?

* I have taken the babies on daily walks since the sun has appeared (4 days in a row now!)

* We are doing the heart run on Saturday..........and could use BOB for many other races

*I used to run.........I can become an avid jogger! Exercise is good!

*Getting out of the house keeps me sane (and who wants to live with an insane mommy?)

*If I use the jogger for three summers (it has a 100lb weight capacity) that would only be $100 per summer..........if I sell it on craigslist for $150 when our family is done with it.

*All of the large baby items we have needed thus far have been given to us or purchased secondhand. Don't the babies (and their mommy) deserve something new? (If a BOB appeared on craigslist I would snap it up in a heartbeat.........but so far there haven't been any)

*BOB can be used in the winter!

*I would never be alone with the babies...........I'd have BOB:)

*Not that it is necessary to keep up with the Jones' but Kara and I could match! Our neighbor with twin boys loves her BOB!!!!

*We are saving hundreds of dollars a month previously spent on Cassidy's formula.

* My birthday is in May and so is Mother's day.........Have I convinced anyone that BOB is a McSharry family necessity and not a frivolous expenditure???????


The "boys" Jackson, Patrick, and Bentley

The "girls" Genevieve and Cassidy

Wipe Boy

What baby doesn't love diaper wipes? While Cassidy and Patrick both crawl straight for the wipes when they are out, Patrick can open the wipes and pull out as many as he pleases. Don't worry the wipes are not wasted! They can easily be stuffed back in. Here is Patrick having a little fun after his bath. Naked and free reign of the wipes, he is in baby heaven!

Jail?

The babies and I recently started getting up to say good-bye to daddy in the morning. I must say I preferred the old way of doing things.........snuggling in bed with the babies and getting kissed good-bye. The twins have a mind of their own however, and have determined 7:30 is when THEY want to wake up (sometimes 6:30 but we just don't tolerate that). By the time daddy is heading out the door they've already had their bottles, depending on the day have clean clothes, and are ready to play play play. The coffee pot has been working overtime.

Patrick's attachment to his father is growing daily. In the morning he babbles DaDa.........Da...........DaDa! He then proceeds to crawl around as Steve gets ready for work...........a mini Steve shadow. Into the shower with Daddy (he LOVES to play in the bath), the closet for his tie and suit, back to the bathroom to brush his teeth, over to the desk to check on work, and then the hallway to say good-bye. He then pitifully sits (or lately stands) muttering DaDa..........Da........DaDa as Steve walks out the door and drives off to work. The poor guy will sit there for ten minutes ........DaDa.....DaDa.......DaDa!!!!!!

While Patrick is our residential pull-up to a stand pro this is Cassidy's first real attempt at the latest family trick. Don't they look adorable?