Christmas is coming......

Haven't blogged in quite some time! Apologies. Children are all well. Brooke and Caroline are 1! Great fun was had by all for their birthday. Jackson was in his first holiday production and jumped up and down throughout his two songs. We all laughed. And by "all" I mean everyone in the audience of 200. Sigh. We seem to have a class clown on our hands. This is what life is all about...the transference of knowledge to children and what you get back. All else pales. Merry Christmas to all.

Thanksgiving and Other Fun

We have, as usual, a great deal to give thanks for in 2009. We are ultimately grateful for health, particularly the health of our twinnies, who were 6 weeks premature. And the fact that we have been blessed financially so that I can take a year off, which I was thrilled to be able to do. Now, just to find the right new job. I have nearly given up on the lobbying business, for a number of reasons, but also because I'm just not sure it is the right time. Not the right time and no clients, so you see the struggle. I am having a bit of a tough time mentally, though it could be seasonal. However, with all our blessings, it is a wasted emotion! In the pictures, Aunt Emmy holds Brookie as she screams, Jack and his cousin Noelle enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, the twinnies are mobile, Jack and Dad at the Zoo (yes, we went in November, it was ridiculously warm) and Dad and Caroline at Thanksgiving. Also, Jack convenes his "Round Table" of siblings. It's only a matter of time before we lose all control. We're outnumbered, after all!

On Being Three

Jackson frustrates me so much sometimes I really want to cry. He still needs a nap or he loses his mind by 4:30 and has a complete melt down. Of course, he fights his nap every day. It has now been an hour and 20 minutes of arguing about taking a nap, going potty, throwing fits, asking for snacks, asking for a video (NO), asking for new pillows (? Apparently we can get these at Target, so I have been informed.) I hear silence upstairs, but I am untrusting. He's probably just rigging up a trap for me. Negotiation on behalf of corporations, easy. Three year olds? I am defeated. It is so frustrating because I have this time off, I want to spend time doing fun things, like going to the park (who am I kidding, it's raining here.) and we never have time to do these things because I spend 2 hours a day trying to get the kid to nap. And if he doesn't nap, the rest of the afternoon just trying to engage him. IN ANYTHING. Without a nap, he unable to receive any sort of comfort, be that in the form of a snack, TV show, painting, building with blocks. You name it, it just doesn't happen. And so, my fantasy of staying home with the kiddos, is, among other fantasies, shattered. Not to mention that Jack becomes the center of all things and the little babies don't get enough attention.

Ah, the worries. I am exhausted. And, for those readers I don't speak to frequently, we didn't land our first client. They went with another firm, which, of course, casts all sorts of self doubt into work. Ugh. Honestly, I was a bit shocked. Too confident. Why don't I just stick with my general downtrodden view? Things are much easier to take. Ah, well. Try, try, try again. We are under consideration by my old employer, should hear something back by week after Thanksgiving. Though I don't really want to enter that fray again. But, beggars cannot be choosers. Footsteps upstairs. Kid is staying at preschool for afternoon session tomorrow.

Eleven Months Old

On a shocking day in June 2008, we were informed by our doctor that we were having twins. He gave us quite the doom story, "Twins are difficult and twin pregnancies are tough. This is going to be a long road." He's a professor in his spare time and prone to such monologues from time to time, so we didn't pay him much mind. He was right, but he did discount the joy. Having twins these last 11 months has been life changing. My career is completely in disarray, but I am much more fulfilled today. It is just a different life and one that I frankly had not contemplated. We are thrilled that our little ones are doing well, all three of them. J and I are still shocked that our house is so full! For an only child and one with one sibling, this is a lot of kiddos!

In the pictures, Caroline is standing by herself and she is close to walking. Brookie is loving on dad. Jackson is enjoying the construction zone at the Magic House and this is a common sight at 10 p.m. on most nights at our house. Life is short, but it is wide. (Rebecca Wells)

What Am I? Crazy?

It's exactly a week before our big client interview and I am swinging between thinking that we have this in the bag and "Am I crazy? This company has 22,000 employees and some of the best known brands in the world. Geez." Well, let's hope I land on confidence next Tuesday. Barb and I are flying up and back, which will assist in the child care situation for all involved. We've coordinated our outfits enough so that we don't arrive looking like twins or clashing too badly. At the end of the day, isn't it about the shoes? :)
We seem to have weathered this round of the flu. Last Friday, Jack went to the doctor for a sinus infection. Antibiotics again. Tomorrow the twins get checked to make sure their ear infections from two weeks ago cleared up. We might as well have a standing appointment at the doctor's office. At the present time, everyone seems to be healthy.
In the pictures, the 3 munchkins in the playroom, Jack and Grandma at the pumpkin patch and the twins play with their stand up music table.

Chicago, Potty Training and Emergency Rooms

The delay in blog updates occured because I went to Chicago without my camera charger, then couldn't locate my battery once I came home, etc. So, it took awhile to get back to my basic photography. J and I took Jack to Chicago on a business trip. While J conferred with his client, Jack and I went to the Shedd Aquarium. We enjoyed the carribean reef, the catfish, penguins and beluga whales. We also saw some dolphins. We did not enjoy, sadly, the world renown Dolphin Show, simply because it was lunch time and Jack waits for no one. The lunch opportunities were slow and meager at the aquarium, so we went outside. We had nachos while we waited for a water taxi. The water taxi was quite the harrowing ride as the winds were up that day and it was more than a little rocky. Just thankful we made it the short way to Navy Pier. We then had a real lunch and did a little shopping before we went to the Chicago Children's Museum. The Children's Museum was the hit of the day. We built forts and skyscrapers and painted. Good fun was had by all. The drive home took seven hours. Really, no additional information needed there. Jack was a trooper, J and I were wrecks. Jack, however, had a personal DVD player and his new Dora videos, so we thank goodness for technology. All in all, a successful trip.

Our potty training continues to go well, though we seem to have quite a few accidents, or perhaps it is just experimentation with pee. Our hallway shower curtain had odd wet spots that turned yellow, following inspection, seems that Jack is testing his range. Boys will be boys.

For Halloween, Jack is going to be Mizzou's Truman the Tiger, Brooke and Caroline are going to be MU cheerleaders. Too cute. In pic, Brookie is trying on her outfit.

Yesterday, Brookie and I spent the afternoon in the emergency room due to her 104 temperature while on antibiotics for her ear infection. I will say, though, that again, Cardinal Glennon did a great job and they get rave reviews from me. She has the flu, though not likely H1N1. She is on Tamiflu, which worked wonders and she slept through the night.

Beginning of an Era

I have not been posting a great deal with the overload of parties, subsequent clean up and then a kidney infection, this is the first morning everyone is somewhat occupied and I have checked fb, email, etc. Brookie is crawling, which is darling, though she can still be trusted to stay in the general vicinity of where you leave her, which is nice. I cannot say the same for Caroline. Jack is doing great at preschool, he is in love with a little classmate named Madison. She's a little blondie. He also loves Ms. Karen and Ms. Angie. We are relieved.

We've had some behavior problems with Jack recently, basically refusing to come to me and telling me he doesn't like me, etc. It's hurtful, though it appears to be lifting a bit.

Our public affairs firm has a big interview in Chicago for a huge client at the end of October. I am trying not to panic. I do view this as a huge opportunity, it could launch our lobbying firm into existence. We're doing LOTS of work to prepare.

In the pictures, the family at J's cousin's wedding, twinnies post bath and the beginning of an era. All three littles playing together in their playroom. A beautiful sight to see.

Caroline and Brooke's Christening

Caroline and Brooke were baptised this Sunday. We go to a local Methodist church when we can get ourselves organized and it is the church where J's grandparents went their whole lives and were married and buried there. It's a nice tradition. Yesterday our twins were baptised and we joined the church officially. It will be nice to have a church family again and this particular church is very involved in the community, runs a food pantry and homeless transition shelter and ministers to a diverse congregation. We're excited about it. We struggle with our faith a bit in our family, as we are intellectual liberals and spend a lot of time as lawyers and lobbyists looking at all sides of questions, but in the end and at the least, we like the church as a concept and as a philosophy for our children. We're working on the rest.
Auntie Harriet and Torre (who had a kidney stone and couldn't make the ceremony) sponsored Brooke and Auntie Carrole and Mike sponsored Caroline, which really meant a lot to us. It was nice to have the family there as well. Jack had a fit, announcing to the congregation, "But I don't want to leave," at least the pastor had a sense of humor and said that "he's probably the only one [who doesn't want to]." Brookie went first and was an angel and so was Caroline. They went to the pastor and were blessed and everything without crying. I was sure that the water on Caroline would do her in! It was nap time, after all. They are really good babies. Anyway, they are officially blessed!

Jack's 3rd Birthday

On Friday, we celebrated Jack's birthday. And as usual for one of our parties, we started out with a small barbeque and ended up with a neighborhood bash. I don't know why I don't learn to just expect the bash. It's not that I mind it so much, I just find it a little stressful as an introvert. Justin prefers a bash and would have one every weekend if I could stomach it. It was a great party. We didn't tell Jack that he was getting a bouncer with a slide for his birthday. When he walked outside, he said, "Oh....my....gosh...." (To our credit, we've cleaned up our language.) Then he turned to J and said, "Thank you, Daddy." Too cute. He truly had a wonderful time and is still recovering. He jumped and jumped and jumped. Then we all sang him happy birthday and he squealed with delight at the end. It was truly the sweetest thing. We were blessed to have Auntie Emmy, Grandma and Auntie Harriet in for the weekend, which was the best present of all.

We've had the most challenging year by far as parents, thus far, anyway. But Jack is really coming into his own. He's off to preschool and things are going swimmingly well. He's really growing up and J and I cannot believe that he is 3 tomorrow morning at 4:09 a.m. (After 16 hours of labor, mind you.) Jackson Wyatt is the best thing that ever happened to us.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

These pictures are actually from last weekend. We had a great time on Sunday, first at the park and then at the Cardinals game. We headed to the park with Brooke and Caroline. They took their first swing. I feel they are a little too small for the baby swings, but they did really enjoy it. These pictures were pre-injury, as Jack took quite a fall from a ladder onto his face! He's fine, but has a scratch on his face that I spray with Neosporin when I think he's not looking and I can reach to cover his eye. Ninja moves.
Nana came to sit with the babies while they took their nap and J and I took Jack to the baseball game. We had a nice time. I have spent a lot of time at Busch Stadium, as a lobbyist. There aren't a lot of entertainment opportunities in these parts, thank goodness for a major league team. In my previous life I would entertain in whatever company's suite box for any number of reasons, political fundraiser, caucus entertainment, you name it, we did it. It was fun. Free beer, free food, good connections. Weirdly social/business situations. What a weird career I chose. I digress. I spent a lot of time sitting in my suite perch watching the families enjoying the game and seeing the kids climb in the family pavilion area and wondering if I'd ever get to be a part of that type of fun. And now that I am, I really wouldn't choose to go back to the 'suite' life. J might, but I am very, very happy to be able to walk around with my little guy, outside of the suites as it were.
Jack had a great time. We ate pretzels, which I think was his favorite part. He also liked the unabashed yelling at the field. Of course. No shusshing.
We are in Day 5 or 6 of our first preschool cold. Eck. Caroline also broke through her front bottom teeth and is miserable. We are fully stocked on baby motrin and teething tablets. Brookie is starting to crawl and also really drooling, so will have her teeth as well soon. No one is sleeping through the night. In the evolution of the species, why, why is sleep deprevation part of the deal? Why is that necessary?
Career panic continues. Ah, well. What to do. As my great mentor always said, "You can have it all, just not all at once." And so she was right. Come on Contract!

First Day of Preschool

Yesterday Jack began his daily preschool program. It's from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and it seems to be going well. He reports that he enjoys the little kitchen, where he cooks dinner for his 'babies,' and the big slide, where he goes down 'very fast.' Such a cutie. His first friend is "Leslie." He also likes Callie the guinea pig. Eck. I am sad and relieved to have him in a program. I think that he's the type to really enjoy the other kids, but I'm a little sad that he's off and running in school.

Caroline and Brooke are taking a morning nap, longer than usual, which is why I am posting in the middle of the morning. (Sad when I think middle of the morning is 8:50 a.m., but when you've been up since 5...). I am saving my career angst posting for another time. All is well on the homefront. In the pictures, Brooke is smiling at Jack, Jack is feeding Brooke ice cream when he thinks I'm not watching, Jack feeds both twins ice cream when he thinks I'm not watching, the twins post verboten ice cream eating and J, the twins and Jack going into preschool.

The Littlest One

Brookie is the youngest of our three, and for some unintentional reason, has gotten short shrift on photos. So, a short posting all about her. She is, by far, our easiest going child and for that we are forever thankful. She has the longest eyelashes and the largest eyes as well. Heartbreaker material. Brookie eats and after nearly 3 years of trying to feed a non-eater, is a great relief and joy. We all love her dearly and I promise to try and post more equally in the future. (Apologies to Auntie Harriet, Brookie's godmother, who watches out for her!)

Caroline Crawls and Other Tales from the Crib

Caroline crawls, which is terribly exciting and a little sad, as it is a great relief that our babies are healthy and growing, but also a reminder that they are growing up! J and I talk a bit about the grind of having 3 little kids, but we try to remember the Trace Atkins song, "You're Going To Miss This...", which basically is a tale of parents being tired and irritated during childrearing, but once they grow up, you'll really miss those times. (We know Trace because Jack is a huge fan of country music. I guess when your name's Jackson Wyatt and you live in the heart of America, that's inevitable. Well, that and Trace was on Celebrity Apprentice and we watch bad TV.)Brookie, remaining the most cheerful of our children, is not crawling, but is sitting up with great confidence for about 20 seconds and falls over just as I get the camera out. I'll work on my speed.

Last week, my little public affairs firm received a request from a big company for a proposal to lobby for them this coming session. Of course, we are overjoyed, but trying not to get too set on the prospect as we are the most untraditional choice. Fingers crossed.

Justin is in trial this week with a manslaughter case for one of his pd clients. It's very stressful and he's having his back pains and spasms because of it. His new suits look great, though! He'll give his closing tomorrow, which will be a relief to us all.

Next month we will celebrate Jack's 3rd birthday and the twins's baptism. Today we go to preschool orientation, if you can believe it! Jack is a curious and demanding child, preschool will really, really help him. Hopefully his teacher will be great. We're excited to meet her.

A few currently irritating phases but sure to be fond memories.....Caroline rolls over any time you change her diaper, which can be quite messy. Jack is refusing to wear shorts and insists on a coat and tie (we use the term coat loosely, as it is usually a sweatshirt) so as to look like dad. After several days of Caroline taking the Winnie the Pooh phone away from her in the playpen, Brookie has begun to take it back (and the sibling squabbling begins.) J keeps thinking that he left important trial folders at home once he goes to the office, there's a mad search by his office staff and me and then he finds it in his briefcase or that his co-counsel took it to organize. Practicing our yoga breathing.

In the pictures, Caroline crawls and the twins play with their music boom box. I love seeing their two little heads together. Brooke and Jack splash in the tub. Jack plays "Slip and Slide" with our neighbors on a lazy Sunday. Jack at the Museum of Transportation at the children's play room on the ship.

Summertime

We had a tough day today. I knew it was going to be bad when Jack came into our bedroom this morning and began the day with jumping on our bed, kicking his feet out in front of him and landing in a big "plop." This was around 6 a.m. Sigh. I ended up taking him to Monkey Joe's, in an attempt to induce a nap. He did take a 2 hour one, which is the only way we made it through the day. The twinnies went along for the ride and were well behaved, for the most part. It was bath time tonight. For those who have participated, you know how the baby triage goes. All are currently asleep, one more feeding to go.

Pics include Caroline and Brooke at the dress up room at the Children's Museum of Edwardsville (ok, but not worth the drive overall. Better to go to the Magic House.). Jackson at Monkey Joes. Grandma and kiddos at the Missouri Botanical Gardens and Jack checking out a calla lily at the same gardens. Good night, sleep tight.