Our Year in 25-Minutes or Less

Can't believe it will be 2009 tomorrow!! To celebrate, we'll likely enjoy some ice cream and ice skating, too, if Daddy gets the things he wants done around the house all fixed up. If you have the time, here's a rather substantial look at our year through pictures and video:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A San Francisco Holiday

Well, Grandpa and Sherry's airplane is grounded in SEA so, along with 3-other days worth of flights, they are going back home instead of down here as intended. It will be a blue Christmas without them. However, Aunt Ainsley did make it down from the snow just before having to go back to work and we managed some fun - San Francisco style.

We started out with Christmas decoration gazing while listening to carols in the car. We saw the trees at Pier 39, Ghiradelli Square and Union Square. We then went in for a hot fudge sundae at Ghiradelli and took pictures on the cable car at the Hyde Street turn around. Oh, what fun it is to ride and eat chocolate at the same time!!

And, although we won't be able to host Dad and Sherry, we will still probably go down to Fishermans' Wharf to get fresh cracked Dungeness crab for Christmas Eve's dinner. Paul's mom and younger sister and family will come for the "traditional" ravioli Christmas Day feast, which we will host. Christmas with my Dad and Paul's older sister will have to wait until 2009.

Alessandro - 6 Months

Well, he doesn't have teeth yet, but is obviously teething. Naps are shortened by teething pain and drool as well as shoving anything in his mouth is constant. He's also biting me while nursing (Grrr!).

Here are his healthy stats at the beginning of his 6th month:
Height: 26 3/4 inches - 75%
Weight: 16 lbs 12 oz - 50%
Head Circumfrance: 43 cm - 25%

His silver-plated rattle is still his favorite toy. His god-parents gave him a new crinkle-teething book which he also likes. He rolls from one side of the room to the other with ease. Unwrapping presents this Christmas might be a fun activity for him!!

Care to Elf Yourself?

I love this site!! You've got to check out our annual elf dance, gratis a Jib Jab... Click here to watch a jingle-jangle.

Having a Holly Jolly Christmas

Well, Ava and Bettina are ramping up to have a hilarious Christmas. Here's a little "play" with Ava as Santa Claus and Bettina as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer..... and, Merry Christmas!

Alessandro's Baptism

With God-parents Ralph & Tiffany and Rev. Judy. Also gathered with the family and his sisters, also wearing their crosses, gifts from Grandma on their Christening Day when they were just over 4-weeks old.

It was a rainy day, but not quite the freezing torrential storm that was expected. In the white heirloom gown I bought from Feltman Brothers (called the 'Roosevelt') that Grandma gifted for the occasion, we went to church - this time on time - to baptize our child. If you've been reading this blog for awhile - or are just familiar to our funny family stories, you will remember that we almost missed the girls' baptism we were running so late. On top of that, while Paul was hurriedly changing Bettina into her christening gown, she had one of those giant explosive poops that sprayed "mustard" all over the car as well as Daddy's pants. For some beautiful Godly reason, it completely missed her gown. I was laughing too hard to either help him or hold Ava properly. Poor Paul threatened to boycott the christening because there was no time to clean his pants. Oh, the things the congregation didn't know that day....
Not nearly an occasion for such a story today. Alex's baptism was cute and happy. We got many compliments on him - even today as I dropped the kids off at school. However, two of his cousins had complaints: Antonio couldn't figure out why the minister kept calling him "Alex" ("His name's not Alex!" he said in not-so-hushed tones as his mother tries to shush him). And Jacob, my cousin's 12-year old, wanted to know why he had to wear a dress! Well, we know who will keep him straight from now on!
Now our baby is christened - even if they couldn't pronounce his Christian name.

Alessandro - 5-Months

Does this cowboy thing ever really get old for me? Ah, no.

weight - 16 pounds (50%)
height - 26.5 inches (75%)
head - *forgot* (25%)

So, now we're 5-months and so many changes: we've outgrown the infant car seat (at 26.5 inches, 1/2 inch too tall) and had to change to the monster convertible one. Still backwards facing - at least until 20lbs and 1-year. We're grabbing absolutely everything and can even transfer from one hand to the other. He is rolling (both ways) all around, across the floor and under the Christmas tree to pull on some of the ornaments there (note to self: move the ornaments up one more notch). He is still a happy giggler and goes with the flow. Today, he had to wait until 11:15am for his 9:30am nap because we had to take Bettina, with a suspected ear infection, to the doctor (good call - bulging ear drum for sure! Antibiotics and these great drops that topically numb the drum to ease her pain). He is eating solids (only rice cereal, bananas - which he LOVES - and sweet potatoes), so I have to remember to pack a bowl and a spoon, as well as break out the old baby food processor from the cupboard. Oh, the memories. I still have some of the old jars from the girls, too. How nice! We need to put Nonna on baby food alert. She did such a great job making all kinds of food for the girls, and they both became great eaters (even compliments from the pre-school teachers about how un-picky they are), we have to set Alessandro up for the same plan. Making food never seems to be a problem for her - nice Italian heritage. Things to look forward to this month: celebrating his baptism this Sunday and buying a new Christmas stocking. Also, we will probably be out of the 3-6 month clothes and breaking into the next level. This is always fun as you feel as if you just went shopping! Nice feeling.

An Evening to Remember

OK - Wedding number 4 for Alessandro and just days after he turned 5-months old. Here he is with bride (and my good friend) Tina and her new husband Neil. This ceremony was all-the-more significant as Tina and Neil got married at The Harvest Inn, just like Paul and I. Tina came to that ceremony and got the idea (one of many she researched) there. We were thrilled that we could watch Tina and Neil while remembering and recounting our own ceremony, this time, with one of the kids with us.

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

We're in!! After over a year of "we should be moving in within the next 2-months," we are now living in our "new" house, which is really our old house. The girls are in "big girl" twin beds and Baby Brother is for the first time in a crib (no rolling out of there!). We're like a kid in a candy store! Paul was so excited, he and all three kids tried out the Jetta jacuzzi tub within hours of settling in. My, it's good to be home!

Academy of Sciences

Family Outing

How does a family of four go out on a trail ride with only one horse? My dream come true...

Ava's strike with Misty is apparently over since Bettina got a new riding helmet. Now when we go to the barn it's not just Bettina who goes racing into the tack room to get her helmet, pleading to ride before Misty's even clean. Her stipulation is that she rides on the saddle and gets to sit in front (she doesn't like the Buddy Seat that sits behind the saddle).

Monday we didn't have school (Veteran's Day), so we went to check in on Misty. Imagine my surprise when Ava asked to go on a long trail ride "up to the mountains." Who am I to deny, right? Well, we wound up on the trail for 1.5 hours walking toward the mountains along the cliffs that overlook Montara State Beach, Ava in the saddle, Bettina in the Buddy Seat, Alessandro riding shot-gun in the Ergo walking with me on the ground. The girls loved watching the waves and the cars below on Highway 1. They chatted about which bird calls they were hearing and protested when I said it was time to turn back. "We'll go again on another day," I say, "It's starting to get dark."...while I also am thinking, "Yee-haw! They got cowgirl in their blood!"

Doesn't Know His Own Strength

Little Alessandro is growing by leaps and bounds! He is constantly testing his own strength and yearns to stand, reach, and pull. I no longer can hold him and expect to hold something else. While feeding the girls a quick breakfast before school one morning, little Alex knocked over the "family" bowl of Honey-Nut Cheerios 3-times before I decided he had to be banished to the jiggle-chair until we were all done. Ava no longer wants to sit too close to him as he swoops down to grab a fistful of hair while she innocently watches TV.
His hands and arm constantly move while he feeds. He kneads his hands sometimes pinching me quite hard. I don't have to wait for him to bite me before thinking about weaning him for sure. I also tease him calling him the Bronc Buster for, as he nurses, his right arm will swing wildly around as if trying to sit the 15-second ride in a rodeo. He's an object of perpetual motion!
He pulls nearly everything he can reach and stuffs it eagerly to his mouth to chomp on it. His favorite toy has certainly been my fingers and hand, however, as his chomping strength increases, I've been trying to get him to transfer more and more to teething toys. His favorite toy has been the wooden orb atom-looking Squish toy held together with an elastic cord. It is incredibly easy for him to grasp and chew on. It was also one of the girls' favorites. This Oball toy would also be a great one. More and more he's reaching for toys and engaging with them.
His strength is encouraging, but also startling. To his parents' horror, last night he "practiced" his back bends so well, he launched himself off of the bed! To do this, he had to travel the length of the queen-sized mattress in transverse crawl of back-bend arches, push the protective layer of pillows out of the way and onto the floor, and then follow suit himself. He was none-to-pleased with the results, and neither were Mommy or Daddy! Gone are the days of trusting the child to sit still. Get ready, world -- Alessandro's on the loose!

Philanthropic October

Ava & Bettina with their pre-school class after Boogie-ing 10-minutes for Baha', their "friend" in the Gaza Strip.


This month is more philantropically oriented than I thought at the beginning of the month! They participated in a book drive at church where they brought in 5-grocery bags of lightly used books. They spent one of their Saturday mornings in Halloween costume at a local old-folks' home (where Alessandro was the true hit - boy, did they get lost once our little pony grabbed ahold of their finger!). Lastly, they participated in a dance-a-thon where raised $160.00 for the tuition of a little deaf boy in the Gaza Strip so that he could go to a special school for the deaf. That's one-fifth his tuition for one-year!!!
They should feel really good about helping people and bringing smiles to complete strangers. Perhaps Santa will be extra-kind to them this year!

Aren't You Glad You're Not Them?

This email came through my inbox from another twin mom seeking advice....so glad it's not me:

"Twins Trying To Kill Me -- Ok, not literally but anyone else have problems with their twins making a mess in their rooms/houses at night? We have a three bedroom house, three kids so mathematically we have to have the girls together and the boy alone safe in his crib at night.Sunday they got up at about 6am and got into the food closet (and yes now we have a lock) and decided to poor brownie batter (powder) all over the furniture, new carpet, walls and drapes. They then topped it with a Costco sized bag of goldfish crackers. On top of that they made sure to get water from the bathroom (which now is also locked) and pour it all over the carpet-all over the downstairs-soaked!Ok, we locked the food cabinets and told them to use our bedroom bathroom at night. We locked the boys bedroom to keep him safe with a monitor.The next day Monday my husband camps out in front of their bedroom but upon leaving their bedroom door they took out all their clothes from every drawer and threw them all over the room (yes they've done this about four times before) but this time they managed to get all the clothes hanging up in their closet down and strew those too. Should we have to get drawers that lock? I've already hidden away all their toys and books-I take out only a few at a time.They are three, and identical, and very giddy about it all.We are angry and getting tired.Anyone else have any similar problems/suggestions.So tired..need...help...Mom of twins trying to kill her (maybe literally)

Alessandro - 4 Months Stats

Alessandro as a little horse for Halloween. His sisters are a cowgirl and an equestrian rider.... cute, huh?

height: 26" (65-75%)
weight: 14 lbs, 9 1/2 oz (50%)
head: 16.5" (25%)

Ballet Recital - "Mommy, I'm a snowflake!"

The girls have finished their second series of ballet classes and here are some highlights from the end-of-the-series recital. There were only 4 girls in the class, and they did 3 dances from The Nutcracker Suite: March, Waltz of the Snowflakes and the Russian dance Tr'pak. As the girls come back into the room from their costume change and just before they dance in their blue costumes, Bettina whispers loudly from across the room, "Mommy, I'm a snowflake!"

Waltz of the Snowflakes

March (pretending to be Clara's friends with their nutcrakers)

Russian Dance

All I Want for my Birthday

So, while trying to fall asleep, I fantasized about what I would like to have for my birthday. Many things flashed through my head: a luxuriously long, hot shower, uninterrupted by children's questions or complaints, a whole day without spit-up in my hair, a day when I don't have to change my clothes 3 times from curtled cheese embedded in the fabric, a 20-minute drive without noise when I can listen to "my" music, not haunted by The Wiggles' lyrics dancing though my head. The images kept growing. I couldn't decide which one to choose as my birthday wish.

This morning, instead of breakfast in bed for me, I woke to make strawberry pancakes for the girls who chatted animatedly, clearly enjoying the food. And instead of dressing in a real "grown-up's" outfit, I sat in my over sized t-shirt, marked with a spot of spit-up, and watch my son as he heavily sighs during his morning nap.

I think about my wishes....if I got a day without spit-up in my hair, that would mean it would be a day without this 15-pound little man who now giggles and slyly smiles at me when I'm in sight. If I had my wish of a quiet car, it would mean missing out on hearing Ava and Bettina retell to each other the story of a show they saw or a friend from school or their hopes of what to do with their day. A clean car would mean less getting dirty with the kids. So, I have to reconsider. Perhaps I don't want what I initially thought I wanted.

I've got it. I want a beautiful picture to go with all of these daily memories. Forget the fancy clothes or an adult-only dinner at an overpriced restaurant. I'll take a professional photographer for my family and kids - and perhaps I'll opt to try to be free of spit-up on my shoulders or hair.

Alessandro the Wedding Crasher

Wedding #2 - Tracy to Addi (2 months old)
Wedding #1 - my cousin Jimee to Barry (3-weeks)

Wedding #3 - Krista to Kleve (3 months)

I may have mentioned that we have been invited to 5 weddings in the span of 6-months. And, even though the invitation haven't included his name, I've needed to bring Alessandro since he's still too small to stay with a babysitter (don't worry - I've checked with the brides beforehand).

I thought that I'd start a photo compilation of him and all these beautiful brides. I didn't think to do this with the first wedding, my cousin's when Alex was just 4-weeks old, but I think I can photoshop something later...

So, here's Alex with bride and groom Krista and Kleve. Soon to come will be Tracy and Addi and I'll have to photoshop Alex into a photo with Jimee'. Soon to come will be Tina and Neil, who we will see next month at the same venue where Paul and I got married six-years ago.

Three is a Magic Number

Here we are - everyone is three: the girls are three-years old and Little Man is three-months old. Together, they are three little kids. I must say that three is a magic number. We have reached our "groove" and, for the most part, we get along in our little routine. It gets easier all the time, especially as the girls learn to do more independent play and problem solving.

I can take a shower, enjoy a cup of coffee, or even do a couple loads of laundry without having them underfoot or otherwise demanding acute attention. We can eat Popsicle on the front porch or go on a trail ride with Misty and chat about what's on their mind, which is sometimes quite profound and insightful.

I'm enjoying my three. Three kids who are three and three. Three is a magic number.

The Debate...

"The truth is that we have been living beyond our means and my economic plan is [to give more money to those same people living beyond their means]." Well, at least he admitted it....

October is a Giving Month

Alessandro and Ava visit in costume with a senior citizen who used to be a first-grade teacher.

October is a giving month at our church....actually, every month offers new opportunities to give back to the community. However, this month, there are not one, but two great ways that the girls could participate. So, we signed up for the book donation drive as well as a visit to a local seniors' home in costume (we did this one last year as well).

Here's the email we sent to friends to help us out: "During the month of October, Ava and Bettina are participating in their church's children's book drive. We hope to pick up and recycle books from our friends. The girls will bring the books we collect to church where they will go to families who can't afford them.

If you have any books you would like to donate to this cause, please let me know. Ava and Bettina and I will arrange to pick them up and perhaps plan some play time with you! It should be a fun, simple and meaningful way to teach them how help others."

The response was amazing! Within a week, we had 4 families give us 3-bags worth of books. Our donation alone filled up the book box at church! The kids were sooo proud. They just HAD to show David (the Director of Childrens' Ministries, who the just adore!).

The Pumpkin Patch

Some pictures from our visit to the pumpkin patch at Lemo's Farm in Half Moon Bay with cousin Braxton, Grandma and Aunt Ainsley....

We visited the petting zoo of goats and rode the ponies and the "scary" haunted train. The girls loved the train before it left, hated it during (especially in the tunnels - crying and afraid of the "scary things") and asked to go again when we got off. I remember the days myself...

3-Months and a Visit to The Picture People

Height: 24 inches (50%) Weight: 12 lbs 15 oz (50%) Head: 39.75 cm (25%)

Alessandro's favorite things:
making faces at Mommy, grasping fingers, watching the ducks on his swing, putting his fingers/fists in and around his mouth, usually resulting in pulling out his binky, standing up in his wobbly way, watching the world from his Ergo carrier. He can't stand the car seat, although he's finally able to fall asleep after fighting the system for 5-10 minutes. He does not sleep though the night, opting to wake about 11pm, 2am and then every 45 min-1 hour between 4am and 6am, finally falling asleep solidly at 7am, just when the girls get up!

Addicted to Facebook

My friend Ian was talking about Facebook as we chatted and watched our children in the Kid Zone section of our local art and wine festival. He was so excited because it connected him with a ton of friends from high school and fired him up like it was our 20th high school reunion all over again. It got me curious. I tried it. I made friends...a lot of friends. Heck, even my pediatrian has a facebook page (you know you have a hip pediatrician when she's got a facebook page!).

Turns out, I like seeing what friends, both good and acquaintance, are up to. It's a little window into their world as well as a place to leave a one-lined vent. Often, this is just what a crazed mother entrenched in a kids' world needs. Need a friend -- or a lot of friends? Try it...and look me up.

Did He Actually Say That?

It's one thing to go to the Feds and ask them to change/adjust the interest rate for those caught in the mortgage crisis, but for Biden to actually say the government should advocate so that their PRINCIPLE is lessen is sickening! That scares me. Or, perhaps I should go get me one of Uncle Sam's credit cards....I'm going shopping.. with the expectation that at least half will be paid by someone else.

Happy Birthday, Mason!

Who's the pinata anyway?
We went to cousin Mason's 1st birthday party this weekend. He is the 2nd of the 5 boys all born to the family in the last year or so. We all had a buggy time (bugs was the theme) featuring "bug juice" limeade, ants on a log (celery, cream cheese and raisins), and a caterpillar cake. The girls had a blast plating with cousin Jake (6-months their senior) and others and got high on way too-much candy from the pinata. This resulted in no one sleeping during the 1.5 hour ride home, including Baby Brother who continues to refuse to embrace the carseat, crying the whole way back. Poor little man had a sweaty head once finally "rescued" when we got home. Will he ever learn?

The "Man of the Hour"

Saturday Morning Cartoons

This is how Saturdays should start out, right? Cartoons and cuddling for kids and coffee for mom...

Some Days You Have to Have a Sense of Humor

Indeed this day has to be recorded as does every first smile, cute sentence or ballet recital. And all for the sake of granting a wish for a train ride.

Most days, we drive along the freeway to school or Grandma's house right along the BART train track. Occasionally, the girls will ask if they can ride the train. Well, with not much of a schedule or agenda today, it was the perfect opportunity to do just that. I figured we could walk to the BART station an take a ride out to Grandma's house and a stroll through the local street faire as well. Daddy would come pick us up on his way to Mason's birthday party so it would be only a one-way trip. I figured the whole affair would take about an hour and a half.

So, we start out walking, with the girls in the double stroller and brother in the Ergo carrier, toward downtown to catch BART. Mid-way through the walk, it starts to drizzle so heavily that everyone was getting drenched. Fearing stuffy noses, we opted to take the street car the rest of the way - bonus train ride for the girls! The double stroller barely fits and it proves awkward to park the darned thing since they don't have a spaced carved out for strollers or wheelchairs. The elevator system also proved a hurdle. We were on the middle floor and each time the car came to our floor, it was full of bicycles or strollers either going to or from the BART platform. I finally resolved to get in going the other direction and wait it out when it came for us with only one stroller and enough room.

Since 9/11, BART has decided to close their bathrooms. Quite unfortunate when traveling with two pre-schoolers. Not 3-minutes into our 12-minute wait for the train, Ava needed to go pee-pee. I delve through the depths of the stroller and find a swimmy-diaper from last year and squeeze it on her. "Try to hold it, but if you can't wait, this will help," I assure her, unsure myself to trust the absorbency of a swim diaper. Note to self: stock pull-ups in the stroller, just in case. "Wow! That's quite an entourage you roll with," says a collegian approaching in a group of guys wearing UC Berkeley Rugby uniforms. I guess one woman juggling 2 chatty and constantly moving pre-schoolers and a baby strapped to her chest is quite a novel sight for someone who's primary concern is how to get to 9 o'clock classes after late night partying. I remember the days with envy...

Just after the doors close on our train, and in a voice loud enough for all to hear, Bettina notes that her "pee-pee is coming." Hurriedly, I get her off the upholstered seat and search for another swim diaper. Bonanza! Found a real Pull-up! One I can trust! I strip her, apologizing to the rugby team for the show, and feel relief that at least Tina's safe from wetting herself and the BART car. "OK, Tina, now you can let the pee-pee go. You're wearing a Pull-up and you won't get yourself wet. We will find a pee-pee chair when we get to Grandma's." I mistakenly believe that she is assured and try to make the train trip exciting for the girls again. About 3-stops later, Bettina starts dancing and begins to cry. "The pee-pee's coming, Mommy!" Although I assure her (and the other passengers nearby) she can go pee-pee in the Pull-up, she refuses and tries so darned hard to hold it until she can get to a bathroom. I know we have about 20-minutes left of the trip and it pains me to see her try to hold out since I know she's already in pain. The rest of the trip both girls can no longer be distracted by any thought other than the pee-pee chair and the pain they're in. Both are crying, Bettina on the ground at times, and I can do nothing. It's awful. Because I am powerless, the only thing I can think to do is laugh.

Finally, we get to Grandma's station. "Is there a pee-pee chair here?" asks Ava. "I don't know... we'll have to ask," I respond. Coming out of the elevator, I can see there are bathrooms as someone is coming out of the men's. The women's is occupied and I don't have the heart to tell them they have to wait, so we go to the men's. The hallway is too narrow for the stroller, so I direct them to go while I straddle the doorway. I have to dart in and out since they can't reach the paper or the soap dispenser and I don't want to leave the stroller unattended. Exasperated, but finally with happy kids, we leave the BART station and walk to Grandma's door. The trip in total takes 2.5 hours - a whole hour longer than I anticipated and they were so focused on their sad need to potty, I fear they didn't even remember the "fun" of the train. Two and a half hours by public transportation or 25-minutes by car? Now we understand why this is a "special" once-in-awhile event. And, I am reminded that you just have to remember to laugh at your circumstances every once and awhile.

Everything's Poopy!

The girls are at the developmental stage were silly is cool. And, nothing says silly better than poop. No matter what the topic, surely it will eventually become "poopy" and will result in true hysterics. This happens nearly every time we get into the car. The game has lost its appeal to me, but the laughter certainly is welcome!

Lullaby Time

The girls decided to play with baby brother while I made dinner. Sort of cute video of it... The little man is almost 3-months old, can you believe it?

Back to Ballet - and Activities..

This was a big week with all planned activities in full swing. Ballet class started this week - the tragedy, however, is that Miss Jenny left to open up her own ballet studio and won't be their teacher. Although the girls asked numerous questions about why she wasn't there, I'm sure they will be just fine with another teacher. The class is much smaller this time - only 2 others so far. Funny to think my kids make up 50% of the class. They are also enrolled in and started Tiny Tumblers (gymnastics) this week, and we're going to the pool at the gym where I attempt to give them swimming lessons. In college, I used to teach swim lessons during the summer. We'll see how far I can go before they refuse or get me in a choke hold screaming for me to let them go back to the stairs. Then I'll make the bold appointment with a "real" instructor. So far, Ava will kick and put her face in the water, but doesn't trust me outside of the safety of the stairs. Bettina will go out with me and kick and even blow bubbles, but if I try to hold away from my body or float her on her back, she flips out and climbs back for the choke-hold.

School is going well for both the girls. I just love their teacher and assistant. They will be making family collages next week and I'm interested in seeing how they turn out.

Little Big-Man Gets Around

Here is the smallest guest at our friends' wedding reception last weekend. This is the second of 4 weddings this year. What do you want to bet he's the smallest at them all??