Our crazy weekend

We knew it would happen one of these days, and sure enough, it did. Matt figured out how to escape his crib last week. At first it wasn't too bad because he was just getting up and out in the morning. Then, on Friday night when I put them to bed, Matt got out immediately. So, I was running up and down the stairs putting him back in--who needs a gym membership when you've got 3 boys under 2?! Finally, he stayed in his crib and went to sleep, until 4:00 a.m., that is. So, on Saturday at o-dark thirty the baby was up screaming, Matt was up, and then Thomas woke up, too. Meanwhile, Chris had come down with a terrible cold and was trying to sleep through it all. I managed to get everyone's diapers changed, and we were up for the day.

Now, all we had to do was come up with a plan so that I would be able to sleep again! We considered toddler beds, but then we figured we might as well jump right into bunk beds--we'd need them for the next many, many years anyway. So, we found a very nice set of bunk beds at Wal-Mart that can be twin beds until the boys are ready for them to be bunked up. We got mattresses and all the bedding, and while he felt terrible all day, Chris spent Saturday dismantling and re-assembling the twins' room. Anyone need a crib? We'll save one for Christian, but now we have an extra. Chris also had to take out the dresser so they wouldn't climb, fall, take out all the clothes, etc. He had to install some fancy gadgets on the sliding closet doors so the boys wouldn't open, close, smash fingers, etc. We had to turn the locking handle around for the door so that we could lock it from the outside--we can't have them escaping and running loose through the house!

Their first night was a bit traumatic. They didn't quite know what to think about their new room and beds. Eventually, they fell asleep, both in the same bed; they were so cute. Our room is right below theirs, and we heard a few thumps in the night. We might need to get some rails so they don't keep falling out of bed . . . luckily, it's carpeted, and there's a rug for extra padding. Plus, it's a pretty short fall. In the morning, they pulled lots of books off the bookcase and were playing in a sea of my prized picture book collection. So, we cleared all of my books out--one day they'll get to read them, but not right now! Last night they seemed to do a little better; still, I heard Matt fall out of bed once or twice.

They're up early again today, hence, here I am up early, too. Who knew blinds could be an endless source of fun? They keep banging them against the window and giggling.

So, this was one of our more difficult weekends, but we made it through, and really, it wasn't that bad in the larger scope of things.

Until next time . . .

j&c, m&t&c

I'm back on the blog!

Sorry for the long delay between posts; I can never seem to get a moment to blog.

It's been quite a month. Mom is here to help with the babies for 3 weeks--thank you Mom!!! She and I went on the road with Christian for a week, and we're going for another week beginning tomorrow. I'm visiting as many customers as I can in California.

We went to San Diego, and we were so happy to see Chris's dad and go over to Auntie Barbara's for dinner. Pam and Paul and Staci and Stella were there, too. We also got to see Chris's grandpa and Auntie Maureen, but all too briefly.

I had so much fun with friends from high school who were in town for the R-n-R marathon. Kiersten and Jurhee came over for dinner one night, and then a bunch of us went out to dinner on another night. I got to see Julie Lewis, Jean Robertson, and Kim Lewis, too. Wish I had more pics!

Gotta run, the twins need lunch . . .

xo, j&co

The Herb's with Santa and Mrs. Claus

We had a fun time at our public library, hearing Christmas stories and getting our picture taken with The Claus's. The twins were terrified and wouldn't go near them, so we had all of us in the picture. Maybe next year they won't be so scared.

Marjorie Paula Goodman, 1919 - 2009

My beautiful grandmother passed away this week. She was 90 years old, and she was ready to go; she was a devout Christian and she's now in Heaven with my grandfather who we lost in 2001. Grandma Marjie was my mom's mom, and I am so lucky to have been her granddaughter.

When I was growing up, they had a farm in Albany, Oregon, and I spent a lot of time there. My grandmother was a platoon leader for the local strawberry farmer, so every summer, my cousins, my uncle Wayne, and I would hop on the bus (it was parked at their house, and Grandpa drove it!) at a very, very dark early hour and head to the strawberry patch. We picked strawberries all day, and then got back on the bus for the long ride back to the farm. I loved picking strawberries, and I liked the spending money I made.

When Grandma and Grandpa retired, they bought a motor home and joined Thousand Trails. They'd take us grandkids with them camping each summer; we especially loved going over to Pacific City on the Oregon Coast.

Whenever we were all together as a family we ate lots of good food, and we were always telling stories and laughing. My grandma and grandpa were married more than 60 years; they had 4 kids, 9 grandkids, more great-grandkids than I can count, and two great-great-grandchildren so far.

We were blessed to be able to celebrate Grandma's 90th birthday this summer; we will all miss her so much.

We love you, Grandma.

j&c, m&t&c

Wonderful holidays!

Hello! Lots of wonderful things going on! Chris's dad, Frank, came to visit so it's been wonderful to spend time with him. He then went off to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with his sister Anita, and brother-in-law Bill. He had a great time there at The Villages. My dad came for Thanksgiving week and spent lots of time with Matt, Thomas, and Christian. They learned how to call him Papa right away, which was very cute. Frank is now back from Florida and will spend some more time with us before heading back home to San Diego.

On Saturday I got to have a spa day with my amazing friend, Amy! We met out at the Wild Horse Pass spa, Ajji, at about 8:30 a.m. First, we went for a walk along their gorgeous 2.5 mile interpretive trail that ran along the golf course. Then, we took a Pilates class (I'm still sore!), and then Amy had a massage, and I had a facial. We then had lunch by the pool. It was the perfect weather, sunny and clear and low 70s. Wonderful, relaxing day!!! Amy came over on Sunday to meet our little guys before she flew back home to the Bay Area.

I've posted lots of pics here.

Love, j&c, m&t&c

November update

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated our blog!! I don't have a lot of time available as you might imagine. This is my last week before I head back to work on Monday. It has gone so fast!! We've been doing a lot of cleaning and organizing. We're always trying to stay one step ahead of the twins to keep them in a safe place. They are climbing everything in sight! We basically moved everything out of the living room except the couch and chair and their toys. It's gated in, and they have the entire run of the room. Earlier this week we moved everything off the carpet and cleaned the carpet. We moved the bookcase into the family room, and I cleaned and organized that. Then, since I was in the cleaning mode, I cleared out 4 bags of clothes from my closet and took them to Goodwill. I still need to go through my dresser and get that cleaned out. I guess I'm still nesting!!

The twins went to the doctor last week for their 18-month check-up. They're doing great. They haven't gained much weight; they're still at about 27 or 28 lbs. They're tall, at 34". Christian had his check-up yesterday. He has gained 3 lbs since he was born and is now up to 10 1/2 lbs. He's grown 1 1/2 inches to 21 1/2". We blessed that they're all healthy and doing just fine.

That's all for now!

Love, j&c, m&t&c

First Haircuts!

I took the twins to get their first big-boy haircuts yesterday to a place called Cool Cuts 4 Kids. They got to sit in little cars and watch an Elmo video while they got their hair cut. They did great! No crying or anything, and they stayed fairly still during their cuts. They look so cute!!