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??

Cabbage Cups - The Real Culprit...

Well, over the weekend, the tell-tale signs of thrush appeared in Alessandro's mouth. This explains why the cabbage cups weren't working!! Treating thrush is like chasing chickens - it's incredible what needs to happen to ensure it is treating both in the mother and the son!

Some great advise from my cousin's wife who battled this darned thing for 3 months!

1. Nystatin cream for my nipples, oral nystatin for him, and he didn't have the white in his mouth but did have a yeasty diaper rash so we used nystatin butt cream too. This worked the first time and had to be used for no less than 14 days
2. 10-14 days of 200mg of diflucan with a 400mg loading dose the first day. It was ok to take while nursing. I took this in conjunction with the nystatin. I had to ask for it as they don't like to give it unless the infection is really bad.
3. Over the counter Lotramin - you have to wash it off. I used a vinegar and water mix and sprayed it on my nipples and gently wiped it off and then let it air dry. I read to do that and that the vinegar helped to kill the fungus too? ....wether or not it helped I don't know. I did however learn that if I did that before I pumped it would curdle the milk in the bottle.... that was disturbing, I thought I was lactating chunks of stuff before I put the two and two together!
4. Gentian violet - this was my last hope before I gave up. It is supposed to be a really quick fix. You only need to do it once a day and for a max of 3 days. It is a deep purple dye and Rudy looked like the Hambergler from McDonalds for a day or so after I used it. I wish I would have done this from the start. You can get this without a prescription. Just ask at the pharmacy.
5. Sun bathe topless.....this was really hard to do since we live on a corner lot with really close neighbors so I would open a window that the sun was coming through..... a pharmacist told me that this was the best thing to do.... I also read that but again, it was really difficult for me to be topless in the window!
6. Plain yogurt with acadiphilis - I read this, you put it on your nipples...if anything it felt really good when they were burning! They also say to eat yogurt and/or take acadiphilis supplements.
7. All Purpose nipple ointment..... I did not try this but I heard it worked and read about it as well. It has to be made at a pharmacy and prescribed by your doctor.

If you do go get the nystatin don't start using the lotramin and then stop and use the nystatin. Only use one or the other...... I learned the hard way and that was one reason mine would not go away.
Here is a website my lactation consultant recommended to me. This page is about the Gentian violet, but if you do a search for nipple yeast on the main page there is a lot of great info. http://www.kellymom.com/newman/06gentian_violet.html

Back To School

Well, the girls are going back to school. We're three-times a week, now, and 5-hours instead of 3 per day. Plus, they have ballet class on Mondays after school and Tiny Tumblers (gymnastics) on Thursdays. We are also contemplating swim lessons, but are watching to see if we're not already over-programmed. The girls, however, are adjusting quite well. I was initially worried that, especially with all the sleep issues we've been having lately (skipping some naps and never ready for bet at a consistent hour - leaving bedtime also inconsistent and usually a battle - probably based on their inconsistent naps), and I thought with the more intense schedule might be disastrous. However, with the "nap/rest time" a part of their school schedule, it's actually helped us out at home.

So, we're dedicated to skipping naps now, and it's helped ensure that everyone is ready for bedtime, which is earlier that it was before. I had been fighting this big move since their nap/quiet time was necessary to ensure Baby Brother had a really good uninterrupted afternoon nap. However, I've found that I can still work one in for him provided the girls remain enthralled by a movie or TV or some other "quiet" activity. I'm sort of feeling guilty about allowing an hour or 90-minutes of more TV (they already get about 45-minutes in the morning while I make breakfast, get dressed and feed Baby Brother), however, if it allows us to run as smoothly as the last two days, I'm sure I'll learn to weave it in as a necessary evil.

So, yea! We've found a way to please everyone....we think.

Another "big girl" move that we're starting is wearing nighttime pull-ups instead of overnight diapers. I'd stuck with the diapers since, frankly, they hold more and we'd hardly ever get a leak. But, we're encouraging the girls to get up themselves in the middle of the night to go pee-pee in the toilet. We'll need to buy more night lights, but hopefully, it will cut down on some of the times Paul and I are awakened at night and will bring home the whole idea of keeping the pull-up dry in the morning. We started first with nap time and, with their consistent success, we're going for nighttime as well.

Cabbage Cups

I'll tell you, there are advantages and disadvantages to this whole messy process of lactation. For example, even though you have to change outfits more often than your toddlers, you can lazily feed your son with very little preparation. Mr. Alessandro has been such a greedy eater lately (growth spurt?) that I'm getting rubbed a bit raw and it's definitley uncomfortable. The advised solution: stuffing my bra with chilled cabbage. Sounds crazy, huh? We'll see how it works. In the meantime, we have a bunch of cabbage cups making the rounds between the fridge and me.

Alessandro - Stats and Development

Stats for Alessandro's Monthly Doctors Visits:
I used to do this every month after the girls' visits. Sort of started falling behind with the Little Man. Long story short, he's growing very well and is the cutest little button ever. He's got excellent neck control and has pretty much been strong in that regard since birth (something both Paul and I noticed right away). His sisters at his age were in the 5th percentile - granted, they were born a month earlier than he. But he's nearly 3/4 of a pound bigger now at 2-months than they were at 3 months. Little Bird (Ava) was only 9 lbs 7 oz at 3-months and Bettina, just over 11 lbs.

One Month Old (4 weeks):
Height: 21 3/4" (59%)
Weight: 9 lbs 11 oz (50%)
Head cir: 36 1/2 cm (30%)

Two Months Old (8-weeks):
Height: 23 1/2" (72%)
Weight: 11 lbs 12 oz (51%)
Head cir: 15 1/4" (50%)

Quittle Me!

The girls have leapfrogged again and Ava has taken a turn for defiance and temper tantruming. When she's asked to do something, she'll throw her hands in the air and say, "OK!!" with a really rough tone. If you comment on her rough tone, or become more specific about what action/emotion isn't pleasing you one bit, she'll tout back, "Just quittle me!", which we've come to understand as "Just quit bothering me."

I have started losing my temper about her newly found defianace and sense of entitlement about pushing her parents around. Where did my sweet child go? Fortunatley, us moms tend to talk with each other when frustrations like this arise and I've come to realize almost every one of us with kids in the same age-range is dealing with this issue. I've already read half of On Becoming Child-Wise and have been told by my mommy friends that 1-2-3 Magic is also a good resource for this type of problem.

The best remedy, however, I've found by watching my husband. At least half the time, he just sings, "Just quittle me" right back, teasing her. He'll start saying it in the most random of situations as well, which shows his skill for making the phrase a joke rather than getting upset by it. Perhaps this way, Ava will realize that it's not having the great button-pushing effect which will force her to come up with some new strategy...perhaps becoming the "good girl" again?? Let's only hope!

First Month and our First Smile

Our Little Man is becoming a little man! It seems that everything happens faster this time. I remember waiting what seemed like forever for the girls' first smile. Alessandro's just snuck in there. I was simply changing a diaper when all the sudden, there it was! This video isn't really his very first smile, but it was soon after. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

One Week of Growing Up

This was a week with huge strides in growing up and becoming "big girls." Well, little brother, too. It started out with a flight little brother and I took to go to my cousin's wedding near Seattle. We arrived at the airport an hour in advance, or so we thought....After our bag had been checked in, the attendant looked at me and my baby and said, "You know you're here 13-hours before your flight..." Well, apparently, they have a 9:30am and a 9:30pm flight to Seattle -- I got ticketed on the wrong one! Ouch! Well, all the flights until 7pm were full, but I waited on stand-by, hoping to make the 12:40 or the 1:00pm flight.
After wandering around in the airport and spending $16.00 on a glamorized breakfast burrito and a cup of coffee, we found ourselves on a flight without a hitch. After the initial shock and uncertainty of making a flight, everything turned out OK. Stander-bys who were watching the story unfold said, "You're so brave to wait this all out with a baby!" Little did they know that it was really much easier than going home to watch 3 kids instead of the one quietly snoozing on my shoulder! I even made it up to the wedding in time for a quick shower while family fought over who got to watch little Alex first.

Alessandro was also an angel during the 9-hour drive down from my dad's to Sunriver, where our annual reunion awaited this year. His learning to use a bottle and pacifier helped tremendously, too. The girls drove up with their dad and my cousin's teenaged kid, who also endured a 10-hour ride up from the south. This week-long vacation proved how quickly these little girls can grow up. Firstly, they slept in "big-girl" bed - twin beds instead of pack and plays or cribs. This was a big step, especially for Ava, who now wanted to sleep with the door open so she could see more light. Secondly, the girls went the whole week without diapers (except when they were sleeping) or an accident!! Also, Ava sealed the transition by finally going poop on the potty - an accomplishment only master by Bettina before now. Before the trip, we always knew when Ava had to poop as that was the only time she requested a diaper. "One day," I would tell her as I put on her diaper, "you will be a big girl and go poop on the potty as well. It's much cleaner and you will find you like it better." Sure enough, that day came just as we were waiting for Aunt Linda to cut her hair. "I have to go poop, Mommy!" she said. "Well, we're not at our house, so I don't have any diapers here. What do you want to do?" Before I'd finished talking, she was on her way to the pee pee chair to fulfill my prophesy. "I went poop on the potty and I liked it!"

Another milestone is Bettina's mastery of riding her bicycle with training wheels!! Those familiar with Sunriver Resort know its famous and many bike trails. Everyone brings their bikes and rides around the resort. With some persistence and determination, and being coached by second-cousins and her Daddy, Bettina has mastered - and enjoys - riding her princess bicycle. I'd catch her running out the door with her princess helmet saying, "Can I go ride my bike now, Mom?"

This is the only arena where the girls didn't make huge strides -- still just holding on the wall in the pool (well, they're confident in the baby pool) instead of outright swimming.
We took a two-hour ride down the Deschutes River with Ainsley and Patrick. They got the tandem kayak while we took the canoe with the girls riding in the middle. The girls went with us in the canoe last year, they just didn't like it and cried most of the time. This year, they rather enjoyed the trip and, other than the water fight that mommy and daddy had with each other (which inevitable splashed the two of them pretty good), in their own words, "I'm having fun in the big boat!"
The whole family - or at least our branch of it - snuggled together for a picture.

A Visit to the Bay Area Discovery Museum

Bettina and Ava learns how build a nest and pretend to lay an egg

A year and a half ago, my cousin gave Paul a couple free passes to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Last week, we finally found the opportunity to go. It was a first visit for Daddy and like the first visit for the girls since they hadn't been in a very long time (probably a year).

They made music on the xylophones, climbed the play structures, pretended to be insects, birds and animals, and played construction in the gravel pit. Dad got to get on his hands and knees with the girls while Mommy more or less hung out with Baby Brother.

Here are some silly shots of the kids just being kids....

Looks like Grandpa Braxton??

This picture in particular reminds me of my Grandpa Braxton. It's probably the square jaw/head that gets to me. There's another photo where he looks just like the other side of the family where he's giving the camera what we lovingly refer to as "the Curletto stare" - ever see Paul really study something??

Ava was nick-named "Little Bird" early on for her fine features and big mouth that would open unbelievably large for food. Bettina was dubbed "Helga" for her stout German-like temperament or "Nay-nay Girl," based on the sound of her cry. I've started calling Alessandro "Frog-Man" because he still hasn't unfurled his little feet -- they're curled up under him like a little frog ready to jump away. He really does not like to have them stretched out, which I have to do to either change his diaper or put him in the Baby Bjorn.

First Portrait

We went to The Picture People for the first time today. Little Alex was very hungy in this shot. He relaxed a bit later as he fed while the girls took a few shots on their own. This one still turned out cute, despite the crying kidlet.

Happy 4th of July!

Bettina, Dean and Ava ride the kiddie Ferris Wheel at the County Fair

The 4th of July was a lot of fun this year. We spent the whole day with one of the girls' favorite friends, Dean, who's mommy is one of my favorite people as well. After watching the Piedmont parade on a tummy full from the pancake breakfast fundraiser, we caravaned out to the County Fair where, besides looking at livestock, milking a pretend cow and riding the kiddie Ferris Wheel, we gored on corn dogs, garlic fries and artificially flavored shaved ice. Dinner wasn't much better --- we showed up at Lydia's and Carlos's and ate leftovers from their BBQ lunch - mostly the leftover birthday cake and a few asparagus spears. You've got to have at least a couple of really good bad-habit eatting days a year, right? Heck, this IS America!!

Bringing Brother Home

Here's a video clip of the girls with little baby Alessandro -- their first time seeing him.

Funny side note: When Daddy came with the girls to the hospital room to pick us up, Mommy was still in the shower. From there, I could hear Daddy showing them little Alessandro. "He's not in Mommy's tummy anymore," he explained. After some "ooh-ing" and "awe-ing," I come out of the shower to say hello. Ava looks at me and, while pointing to my tummy, quickly says, "Mommy, are you having another one?" OK, it may take some time to get rid of the whole pooch, but give a girl a break!! I shed nearly 15-lbs in one day!!

Welcome, Baby Brother!

Little Baby Brother, now called Alessandro Andrea, was welcomed yesterday! We are all very excited by this beautiful bundle of joy (and I am so very thankful for no longer being pregnant)!

I was so surprised at just how easily everything went - when we finally got it all started! Paul and I weren't sure that the OB observation was going to admit us when we arrived at 4am with the "right number" of contractions again. Just like the last time, there were the "right number," but they weren't doing too much in allowing labor to progress. However, with my OB back from vacation and scheduled to come in in a few hours, they let me see her in the hospital rather than the office. She came in around 10:30am when she broke my water. By noon-ish, I'd requested my epidural and I was ready to push at about 2:45pm. Little Alex came soon after - at 3:25pm, and Paul and I had "won our prize." There was only one complication during heavy labor when his heartbeat did drop enough to concern the doctors. He recovered fine and all appeared seamless to me, but I found out later that they did contact the anaesthesiologist to set up an emergency c-section. Turns out, there was some placenta abruption and that is probably what upset little Alex. Lucky for us, he recovered and we were able to finish the VBAC.

Both he and I were tired after his birth and, after Daddy went home to be with the girls, we took a nap. When he woke, he latched on both sides like a pro. This left me thinking smugly that having one was really super easy. He's got a great disposition, a face like Ava's and dimples like Bettina and his cousin Braxton. Just as Aunt Ainsley guessed, he's got a lot of hair, which looks like it will be a bit curly. We are truly blessed by this little spirit and look forward to introducing him to his sisters, who will come to help bring him home tomorrow.

Tim Russert - What a Country!

A long time ago - perhaps 12 years? - I started watching Meet the Press most every Sunday morning. At least more Sundays than I'd go to church, at the time. I was never very political before, but Tim Russert, the host, broke it all down in a way that made it very easy to follow and get excited about current events and issues effecting politics.

A year or so after I started watching, I found myself rooming with a really nice gal, about my age, who did the same volunteer position I did for our sorority but for another school - she in Washington DC and me at UC Berkeley. We were flown out to Ohio to get our annual training. After sharing a couple of days with her, and noticing she'd check her email at every opportunity, I asked what she did for a living. "I'm in television," she answered simply. After more questions, I pull from her that she not only works on Meet the Press, she's the Executive Producer. She's just making sure that everything's cued up for tomorrow's guest and that Tim has everything he needs. WOW, I think. Such a nice and humble girl with a huge responsibility dealing with someone I really admire. On top of all of that, she does a great job running the local chapter of our sorority, and I know how much time that takes!

Well, Betsy and I continue to be friends, long after our stint as room mates in Ohio. We email often about how to solve certain problems, never forget to send Christmas cards, celebrate the births of our children and call each other when in town to get together for a drink (well, she traveled more often than I did). The one time I was able to travel to DC, it was for a sorority convention. Betsy and I made time for a drink (even though I was pregnant) and she even introduced me to Tim, who was there as a guest speaker. Tim even gave me a copy of his book, Big Russ and Me. I was surprized just how much I enjoyed reading it.

When I heard about Tim's death last Friday, it shocked me two-fold. He had the ability that I so admire in people that makes you know that he's listening to you; he's one that lives in the "here and now," attentive to details and curious about people. Even though my visit with him was relatively short, I had his attention the whole time. He was curious about me, my opinions and was a pleasure to be in his company. For the loss of someone like that, it is a great tragedy. However, my devestation was doubled knowing that, if Tim was at work at the time of his death, surely Betsy had a front-row seat. It must have been a very, very difficult day for her and my heart bleeds for her. I immediately emailed her my thoughts, knowing she probably won't go through her email for weeks.

I watched Tim's memorials on TV. Each time, Betsy played an important role. She sat next to Tom Brokaw as part of the panel that first Sunday. She was one of the many speakers at his service and I watched as she sat composed and poised, full of wonderful memories and insights into Tim and his life. I marvel at and thank God for people as poised, humble and just plain good people. I hope we learn to be as patriot, supportive, interested, invested and loyal as Tim Russert. Friends like Betsy inspire me to be just so.

Nearly 40-Weeks

Tomorrow, we reach the 40-week mark of this preganacy. You would have never convinced me two-weeks ago that I'd still be pregnant today. I was so convinced that I'd be early. In fact, I was so sure I didn't want to be pregnant, that I literally took my suitcase to my last OB appointment and demanded they either break my water or schedule a c-section for me (I still have that option, right?). Between the heat (in the 90's in the City, cooling only to the mid-80's at night) this week and my weight and bulk, sleep has become a serious issue. I've only been able to manage between 2-4 hours a night, waking every 1.5 hours, and I see birthing as my only reprieve.

With my regular OB still enjoying Legoland, I meet her replacement - someone new to the group. Unfortunately, I'm not able to convince him or guilt him into doing much to help me. "You know we can't induce you," he says. How about breaking my water? "I'll do that if you're already in labor, but you're not yet. If you want the C, fine, but the first opening we can plan won't be until Monday afternoon. Again, if you're in labor and change your mind, I'll do it over the weekend, but you have to wait for the labor." He looks at me puzzled at my impatience as we discuss semantics of "just a few days." Nobody seems to understand - I leave, defeated, but also with another appointment to see my regular doctor at her first opening, Monday. She assured me I'd deliver before then - perhaps, if this kid's still stuck inside then, I can guilt her into doing a bit more.

The one thing the new guy was willing to do was strip my membranes - for the 3rd time. He did a good job, though, stretching another 1.5 cm. He encouraged me that everything looks very ready: 80% efaced, 3.5 cm dilated and "very soft." Well, as it did the other 2 weeks, the striping sent me into contractions again, but nothing with any type of regularity. It made me a bit sore, PMS-y, walking like I was carrying a log between my legs, and sure I'd check into the hospital by Saturday. There was an upside as the 21st is a common birthday in our family: my birthday, the girls', and baby Braxton were all born on the 21st. Perhaps, we could have all my parents' grandchindren born on the 21st of a month!

I tried everything permitted. I even schuduled a hair appointment, thinking that Murphy's Law would help. My nervous hairdresser had obsessively thought of what to do should I start giving birth while she's doing my hair, but never had to act on it. Even Murphy's Law isn't as strong as this kid's resolve to stay cozy inside.

All dressed up and nowhere to go? Well, at least yesterday afternoon, it seems as though contractions are starting to organize a little bit. Yesterday, they were about 1/2-hour apart moving to about 15-minutes apart last night. Is today the day? I'm starting to become a cynic, yet I'm stubbornly still driving with packed bags in the car. The contractions didn't go away during the night, but I didn't stay up and time them, either. We'll just have to try not to think about it...hope for the best (today) and plan for the worst (organizing another sit-in at my OB's appointment tomorrow!).

Anticipation....

"Will try anything!" including Skipolini's Prego Pizza
Remember the old Heinz commercials? "Anticipa-a-ation is making me wait..." So feeling that right now. Two days ago, at my last OB appointment, the doctor again stripped my membranes in an effort to start things along. I'm still at a little over 2-cm dilated, but "it's a softer" cervix now, which, apparently, is suppossed to be better sign of readiness. She predicted it would happen over the weekend: "Saturday or Sunday," she says. "Make an appointment for next week, just in case, but I'd be really surprized if I saw you again next Monday."

You see, she's going to Legoland this week with her 2 and 4-year olds. Perhaps she said "sometime over the weekend" just to make me feel better. After having my membranes stripped for the second time, and yet one more Prego Pizza dinner from Skipolini's (we brought the whole family this time: party of 13 - as if the increased number would also increase our odds and not just our cheering section), but nothing but a bit of heartburn has happened.

Yet, I continue to try to make the house ready, just in case. I do a load of laundry every day and check to make sure I have at least 3-days worth of food in the house for "whoever" will be here with the kids. My sister will leave back for home tomorrow, so it's not likely going to be her. Wouldn't it have been a great Father's Day present if Daddy's little man showed up today? Well, we only have 9-more hours for that Father's Day present. Otherwise, it's just more of the same waiting game.

38 Weeks and Desparately Uncomfortable

I'm supposed to still have 2-more weeks to go. I suspected that I would be at least 2-weeks early, as it's been my family history: both my sister and I were quite early (me by nearly 3-months and Ainsley by 3-weeks; even Ainsley birthed 2-weeks early). Already, I'm carrying this baby 2-weeks longer than the girls - 2-weeks and a day, to be exact. This is good, I know, but I keep having dreams and fantasies about how labor's going to start and give me the eventual relief from this heavy load I'm carrying. At over 46-inches around at the widest part (which is nothing compared to the 54 I was with the girls), I've got sciatic pain in my lower left back, between my shoulder blades when I sleep for more than 2-hours, and "Baby" is sitting directly on nerves that, when rubbed, causes me to involuntarily bend and collapse my leg. Itchy skin on my tummy is a bother, as well as other unmentionables from the load-bearing weight that should resolve itself after the birth. I went out shopping for new nursing bras and am amazed at the size of the monstrosity they give me: 34G (that's 5 cups sizes larger than my usual monstrosities)! They only have 2 in stock, so I get them both.

I get winded brushing my teeth or blow-drying my hair. I drag a stool over to the counter when I cook and I haven't been able to reach the toys lost under the couch for months. I slash at them with a long-handled broom which either rescues them or send them further back into the abyss. Twice a month, the cleaning lady and her son made a small pile of the books, puzzle pieces, tiny doll shoes, etc. that can finally be reunited with their like parts.

Looking at the positive, it's supposed to be beautiful weather all week long. The girls have been almost as desperate to go swimming as I have been to feel the freedom of buoyancy. They put on their swimsuits nearly everyday despite the fact it's only 65-degrees outside. Today, however, it should reach 91-inland; 80 by the Bay. I've pestered everyone I know who belongs to a pool for a playdate. If no one responds, I'm thinking I'll just hop the fence ;-)

There are signs of birthing soon, however. Last week, my OB "helped" by manually stretching me (ouch!) another 1/2 cm so that I'm a little over 2 cm dilated and almost all effaced. That night, my contractions were frequent enough to call in and they sent me down to the hospital. It was a regular fire drill: Paul's mom was called at 10:15pm to watch the girls while we bumbled to pack things into Paul's truck and wind our way to the hospital. True to "everyone's" story, I nagged Paul about him taking the longest route to the hospital invented as well as driving the stiffest car (I'm never riding in the truck again until after this kid's born!). Ended up that the contractions weren't doing too much to change anything. They gave us the option to check in or go home - we went home and things quieted down even more.

We got a call from my uncle this morning who tells us he and my cousin (the one that was deployed to The Gulf and currently on leave and visiting home) and family were going to come down for a visit. Elated, it's the only reason I'm glad I haven't given birth. I figure after their visit, I can celebrate by having a pizza dinner at Skipolini's. They have a pizza, called the Prego Pizza, that's guaranteed to send you into labor within 24-hours. Does it sound like I'm ready??? I'm ready!

The Big Ballet Recital

Today was the big day - the ballet recital!! Miss Jenny decided to practice and dance in the big auditorium instead of the classroom since it was available. This was neat for some kids, since they liked being on stage and having extra lights, but it intimidated others who cried and refused to dance with the rest of the class. Luckily, our girls were OK with the change.
Grandma, her friend Inga and Daddy all came to watch the girls preform. It was clear that my girls really only understood a couple of moves by name: plie' and very-official-sounding "bunny hop." The rest of the time, they were just copying Miss Jenny, which is perfectly fine.

In the first video above, Ava (the wobbly girl to the right of the one with the fluffy skirt) attentively follows Miss Jenny while Bettina sort of aimlessly wanders around.

At least the "bunny hop" (above - with Bettina as the first bunny and Ava the second) was a little easier to remember!

This last one is the passe' - Bettina is third followed by my childhood playmate Simone's daughter Paige; Ava is 5th. They also learned to do first and second positions, arabesques, "tippy-toe turns," and a curtsy. All and all, it was a very cute event. We went out for a cookie afterward to celebrate!