Because Jon & Kate turned out so well

Octo Mom Gets Own T.V. Show

Pleeeeeeeeeeze, give me a break already!

Long Weekend

Our Memorial Day weekend consisted of the following:

Attending the wedding of two colleagues. Congrats Andrew and Michelle!

Where we:

Ate grass.

Played lawn games.

And spent time with friends.

We also learned about democracy.

Tried to nap but got attacked by numbers. (thanks Louis!)

And just hung out.

Hope you had fun too!

When Swine Flu Paranoia Goes Too Far

Play Date

This Saturday two colleagues and myself are putting on a professional development seminar so today after work they came over to discuss last minute details. All of us had babies last summer. Lexie was born the day before the twins and Minna was born one month later on the twins actual due date. I made sure to have Louis on hand to be "The Manny" while we worked. Of course Louis loved it and is trying to convince me that having quads would be fun. (Maybe with his new wife!)

The Gang-All four never hold still at the same time!

Matthew likes hanging out with "the ladies."

Sarah and Minna

Miss Lexie

Playing together

Even though they have seen each other since they were a few weeks old, this is the second time they've been old enough to really play with each other. It's good for Matthew and Sarah since they will be in day care part time in the fall.

Twin Tuesday: Welcome Sophia

Blog Man and I are an aunt and uncle. His youngest brother and wife had a baby girl last night. At 9 lbs 11 oz she weighs more than the twins combined at their birth. But then, she waited 42 weeks while Matthew and Sarah made their appearance at barely 36 weeks. Welcome Sophia!

Happy Memorial Day

Memorial Day was originally called Dedication Day. It was a time set aside to decorate the graves of  Civil War soldiers, both North and South. Through the years it became a day to honor all American soldiers who had died in war. It was not a national holiday until 1971.

Everything has a history, even holidays!

Yuck

Is it just me or does anyone else think Elmo is creepy? Barney and dancing vegetables are annoying, but something about that bright orangish/reddish creature talking in the third person just gives me the creeps. Elmo wasn't such a prominent character back in the day when I watched it.

The only TV the twins have watched so far is MLB baseball. We might just stick with that for awhile.

Blast to the Past

Last Friday we took a spur of the moment trip up to the area where Louis spent 3rd through 7th grade. He had wanted to show me for awhile and since I was in between projects for school and before the weather got too hot, we decided to make the trip last Friday. We drove up and stayed in Marysville Friday night. We walked around Ellis Lake where Louis remembers going as a kid.

I just want to say that geese and ducks are only cute in children's books and from afar. After all, they swim in bacteria infested water, poop a lot every 10 minutes and attack toddlers who hold on to the bread too long. Here are some pictures of the little darlings.

Duck twins

Three dudes staking out their corner waiting for a deal to go down.

And I thought twins were hard.

Saturday we headed up the hill to the middle of no...um, I mean Brownsville. Louis visited his old haunts including his old house and neighborhood.
The school bus stop.

His elementary school.

The small local market. The closet supermarket was an hour away in Marysville. I don't know how my mother-in-law did that with 5 kids.

Matthew snoozing in the heat.
The scenery was gorgeous and it was fun to see the five acres where Louis lived. On the way home we stopped in Folsom for dinner and swimming with Louis' parents and then back to Sunnyvale. The twins were champs the whole time.

Twin Tuesday: Matthew & Sarah Share a Joke

Matthew and Sarah, as you know, are inseparable. Thank goodness their sleep schedule is the same way. We put them to bed at the same time, and wake them up at the same time. That leads to happy, healthy, rested babies (and parents).

This afternoon, as with many afternoons, the two of them were sharing some kind of inside joke, laughing up a storm. We investigate the situation on film.

Kaari and Jenni beware

Matthew has decided to try online dating. Sarah is still weighing her options.

Twin Tuesday: Twin Speedway

Since Mario Kart has become the new obsession here at the Gray House we bring you our own live version of Twin Speedway. Vegas is laying down the odds for the next race. Who's in?

Mother's Day: Diapers and Diamonds

For my 1st Mother's Day Blog Man and the twinners went shopping.

Not bad eh?

The ring is from Matthew and Sarah and the necklace from Louis. I love emeralds and this was a total surprise. I was thinking a picnic in the park, or a cute card.

I love my little family!

The Big Fluff

This is our new nanny. His name is Iorek. aka: Big White Fluffy Guy

Isn't he one handsome dude?

Here he is watching over the twins, keeping them out of trouble.

He also loves my cooking. Sweet potatoes with hamburger-yum!

He's our favorite pooch and we loved watching him this weekend.

Disclaimer: Before you freak out, I changed spoons between feedings.

Added: Logan is our favorite hyper, brown pooch. (happy, Kaari?)

Other videos from the weekend can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/asypta

Starting Over

Since October of 2007 I've had to think twice about everything I ate or drank due to the fact that I was pregnant and then nursing. (Yes, I was one of those no caffeine, no artificial sweetner people). Since I stopped the breast feeding a couple of weeks ago, I was thinking about partaking of my beloved Diet Coke once again. Having that late afternoon pick-me-up was looking more and more like a good possibility (a caffeine IV might work too). So, I tried some the other day, and it tasted NASTY! I'd forgotten that it was an acquired taste. I might have to switch to the Coke Zero or (heaven forbid) Pepsi.

Twin Tuesday: Cinco de Mayo

Today we celebrate Cinco de Mayo which commemorates the Mexican army's defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla. Or as Americans like to think of it, another reason to go party.

Yes, we bribe them with food since they won't stay still anymore.

Thanks Aunt Malinda for the cute outfits!

I'm thinking enchiladas for dinner.

Saying Goodbye

I had to write my breast pump a Dear John letter today. It was hard. It's been such a cute little constant companion, I might just miss it. OR NOT.

Dear BP,

 You and I have become really close these last 10 months. But all good things must come to an end and now is the time for us to part. We've had some nice times, you and me. Always a constant companion by my bedside. Always faithful, consistent, non complaining. Your little motor always a pleasant little hum at all hours of night and day. I love your compact size, spiffy back pack style. We've taken some good trips, spent some time in many a dressing room stall, car, or office. You're much less awkward than those big hospital rental things. Will you ever forgive me for using one of those first? I was naive and didn't know any better.

You never minded sharing half  of me with a baby, always trying to be the better sucker when it came to getting milk. Not that it was a contest or anything. You saved me from many a time of having mastitis and for that I will be forever grateful. 

It's not you, it's me. Other things have come into my life. Things called solids and baby teeth. The latter consists of little razor sharp things that are not conducive to one as sensitive as I. The other consists of fruits, vegetables, rice, cheese, yogurt, etc. And the demand for them is going up, so therefore, the demand for you must come down. Interest from the twinners is waning and so our relationship needs to come to an end. But not to worry, this is not goodbye for good, merely a parting for a period of time. I'll keep you tucked away until you hear the sweet crying of another newborn and then you and I can reestablish our relationship.

Until then thanks for you undying devotion and ability to always suck it up and get to work when I needed you.

love,

Wifethereof

HAPPY MAY DAY

The Maypole dance:
On the first day of May, English villagers would wake up at daybreak and roam the countryside to gather blossoming flowers and branches. A maypole was set up on the village green, usually made of the trunk of a tall birch tree, was decorated with bright field flowers. The villagers then danced and sang around the maypole, accompanied by a piper.