My Boys are Bilingual...

With cartoons like Dora, Diego, and Kailan how can your kids not be somewhat biligual right? Well, D has been making up words and then saying, "That is my spanish for ________ (whatever he is talking about at the time)." So, I have gotten used to him making up words. Well, the other day, C was talking and he made up a word - I asked him what that meant, and he said, "That is my way of talking Chinese."

Now because of the cartoons, yes, they do know a few words in each of the languages. They have just expanded on their knowledge to make words of their own in the different "languages."

Homeschooling...

C finished his preschool book...he refused to stop at only a couple of pages per day...he would do as many as 15 in one day. He loves it so much that he doesn't stop. I have a drill book for him to do and another book from Walmart for preschool that I will have him do for the rest of this year but what do I do to keep him busy next year. He technically is not in Kindergarten so maybe I can just do the Walmart Kindergarten book with him and then do the actual Kindergarten books the following year. Crazy!

D on the other hand, I struggle every day to get him to do anything that he doesn't want to do. He will whine and complain about everything except Art. Now he is interested in Science so it makes it easier. I bribe him with the Arts and Sciences if he does the other subjects. I guess he is excited about his phonics since he is actually reading sentences and stories. It is the other stuff that is so "boring." I told him he is going to have a hard time in school if he thinks that way now!

Yesterday we went on a Field Trip to Cabela's - he thought that was lots of fun since that is his favorite store. And, he is looking forward to tomorrow though...we are doing some experiments with the five senses. Should be fun...I am sure that C will even get into it. Hopefully K and T will cooperate!

It finally happened!

D has been waiting so long for this...his friends have been losing their teeth and he asked one day why his haven't fallen out yet. Well today it finally happened...I was on my way to my Aunt's funeral when I got the phone call from Dan saying that D fell (he was swinging - one hand on a table and the other on a chair) when he fell vertical and smacked his face on the floor losing his tooth. Dan made a call the the Dentist to see if he could get him in today - he thought maybe part of the tooth was still in there but it turned out to be his new tooth he saw poking through. The only time that he could get him in was at 12:3o - so that meant I had to leave the funeral early and get home because I had the car with the seats in and he didn't want to take C and K with. The dentist said that everything looked okay and that the tooth was about ready to come out anyway (beats the string tied to the door handle trick) along with the other top one.

As you can kind of see in the picture he also smucked his bottom lip up too. He doesn't care about that, he is excited to be able to put his tooth under his pillow tonight to see what he gets. Another milestone in the life of my oldest!

Belated Valentine Pictures...

or you could say Halloween pictures. K found her costume from last Halloween...it was too big for her then but fits better now. She sees her big brothers putting on their dress up clothes and so she has been wanting to do the same. It fits for Valentine's day though...my little love bug!

This is actually the outfit that I had picked out for T to come home from the hospital...a couple of weeks later it fits her, sort of. It fits for Valentine's Day too.

So Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

It has been awhile...again...

but not as long in between. Now I have some pictures to show again...

Here is T in the swing. We had to pull it out because there was no place to put her that was safe for her. Not that this is real safe but they kind of forget she is in there until she wakes up and starts crying.

Here is a beautiful quilt that Dan's Aunt Marge made for T. She has made each of the kiddos a beautiful blanket. I think that this one is my favorite. I love the purple and whites...you can't really see the details but the white squares are almost a really light purple with pink, yellow and purple flowers. It is the perfect size to fit in the crib. Thank you Auntie Marge.

Sunshine and Melting Snow

Hurray! The snow is melting and the sun is shining... Hopefully this means that Spring is just around the corner. I am tired of the snow and clouds. At least the sun being out today gives hope...hope for warmer weather, hope for no more snow, and hope that wet, smelly clothes are done with. Well, I guess I have to wait until the snow and rain are gone for the last one, but I won't have to bundle the kiddos up so much once the warm weather comes. K loves it outside with the boys, it will be nice just to send her out and not have to worry about her face planting in the snow. Now I just need to find/get puddle boots!

Falling Asleep Anyplace....

These two can sleep anywhere, but I guess that could be the case for any kid who is very tired. K fell asleep while eating lunch and C took a nap in the corner under the chair in the living room. I was looking for him and could not find him...finally D showed me where he was. I knew he was tired but usually he just keeps busy so he doesn't fall asleep. It was a nice couple of days with the naps.

Super Heros Living At My House

My boys have been into Super Heros lately...C has a Batman costume from Halloween that he now wears everyday and where ever I let him go to in it. They are into the Fantastic Four and I hear "Flame on" all day long. K has even gotten into the mix with singing "NaNa NaNaNa Na Ba'Ma'." It is too cute. She even loves putting on the head piece and cape...I'll have to get a picture except the batteries are dead in my camera right at the moment.

The only problem is sometimes D decides to be a bad man and C will go after him. C usually wins and K tries to get in on the battles too. It wouldn't be so bad except the other day I had a dream that C broke his arm and I had to take all four to the ER because Dan was gone. Now I am the Mom that keeps telling them to be careful and stop wrestling. Not a fun way to spend the day.

NaNa NaNaNa Na - Ba'Ma'

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

I know I live in Minnesota but I am tired of the snow already. I don't mind snow but I am ready for Spring. If March is supposed to be our biggest snow month ever, then I am not looking forward to it. Supper tonight was Chili and it was a very fitting supper for a night like tonight. I think that I need to plan a getaway for March...Wisconsin Dells is looking good for the kiddos.

T's First Doctor Appt

T had her first doctor appointment today. She gained a whole pound in just 10 days. I knew that she was gaining weight but didn't think it was that much. She definitely looks bigger to me. She is now up to 5 pounds 15 ounces and is 18.25 inches long. Which also means that she grew an inch since she was born. Though if you look at her percentiles she is in the 1 % for weight and the 0.1% for height. It is a good thing that they adjust them for her gestational age, then she is in the 10% for weight and the 25% for height. I like those measurements better.

C had to come with me to the doctor appointment. I originally told him he needed to stay home but he started crying and said he wanted to go with T. He is so protective of her and so gentle with her. He still to some degree is like that with K - when he isn't falling down in front of her to "stop her from going." Then we went grocery shopping and of course spent way too much...

T's First Professional Pictures

Once a month, the NICU along with March of Dimes sponsors a photo shoot with all of the babies in the NICU - if the parents sign up for it. A photographer from Dropp's Unique Photography volunteers their time to come in and take pictures of the babies along with their families. (Because of the flu and RSV season, they were not allowing anyone under 17 into the NICU - even siblings). They spent about 15 minutes with each family and gave each family a disc with all of the pictures that were taken. They do a wonderful job and are very careful and considerate of all of the babies and their families. We appreciate them giving of their time and talent to help us remember our little ones and how small and fragile they started out. THANK YOU to Dropps Photography!!!!

Here are some of the awesome pictures....

Off in wonderland...

Blowing kisses...

T's feet in Dan and my hands.

T's fingers with my finger.

T's hand with Daddy's hand.

Daddy's Little Girl...

Dan's Surprise!

Dan surprised us all by coming home on Friday night - actually early morning on Saturday. I would have posted that sooner but our Sprint wireless is not working very well...it is hit or miss. Supposedly we live right next to a tower but we have never really had great service. The one guy told Dan today that we live too close to the tower - like that would make a difference. Now, they are saying that we have faulty equipment and need to exchange it...however we can't do that at the place that we bought it from and it could take up to six months if we send them back to get new equipment. Anyway, I will post more on that depending upon the outcome of what happens.

Now, back to Dan's surprise...I actually knew he was coming home that evening but I kept it from the kiddos to surprise them. They were very surprised because we were just talking about how it was going to be a while yet before he came home. D came into the bedroom to ask me what his surprise was and when Dan said, "Good Morning." I thought I was going to have to pick up his jaw off of the floor. When K woke up I sent her out and she gave Daddy the longest hug ever. C takes a little longer to wake up but he came right away and crawled up on his lap and sat for the longest time.

It is good to have him home and it was even better since Saturday morning I was not feeling very well at all...lets just say both ends were busy. It is great to all finally be home together though it has been almost four weeks since all of us were here together and now Baby T is added to the mix. She is such a good baby...eats, change diaper, goes back to sleep until next time I eat. K still sits and giggles at her - blowing kisses and waving Hi to her. C still says she is so cute and loves to hold her. D will pay attention to her once in the while but usually in his own little world.