Mamma's Gonna Keep Baby Healthy and Clean

Last night, the Gano 5 loaded up in our minivan and headed to the Coshocton County Fair.  The fair is always a good time, but can be quite challenging if, like me, you are mildly germ phobic.  John would say my fear is intense, but, since I've yet to shave my head or wear latex gloves in public, I'm sticking with mild.  I try not to force my crazy issues on the children, but at a germapalooza like the fair, it gets the best of me.

I learned a lot about myself last night.  I learned that I am a mother who will wait in line with her children to ensure that they do not shove their ways to the front.  I learned that, if your child pushes mine out of the way to cut the line, I will say, "I'm sorry, but my children were in front of you."  I learned, if you are a mother who tells your child, "That's okay, you're bigger than them.  Go ahead,"  I will tell you it's not okay.  If you then say that I should never speak to your little girl that way, I will think you're bat-shit crazy because, "I'm sorry, but my children were in front of you," is not offensive or out of line; your school-aged child should know better.  AND, if you then light up a cigarette while in line for a children's ride, I will judge you. That's me, ya'll:  Judgie McJudgeston.

I learned I'm a little overprotective.  Not this overprotective, but more than I thought I was. Despite the germs, line cutters and smokers in kiddie land, and the constant hand-washing, we had loads of fun. Here are some pics.

Everyone rode the carousel...even Jonah!  This was huge for him.  He's been afraid of it, opting for the bench rather than a horse.  I wish I could have shot a better pic of him. 

A sincere smile...hard to capture from her. 

John rode the crazy bus. The kids loved it and the carny was kind enough to give them an extra long ride.

The boys were convinced this was 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar.' 

The kids really enjoyed the fun house.  Jake was lost inside for a bit, but big sister fished him out. 

The boys liked sitting back to back.  While they were on the ride, I noticed the guns pointed at the other kids.  I really don't like that. Batman doesn't kill people.  I told John how much it displeased me.  I bet you heard his eyes roll. 

I rode the helicopter ride with Jacob.  This happened.  I can't believe I captured his silly personality.  He's a fun kid. 

We spent $80 at the fair, which isn't a lot compared to what some families have to spend.  My point is, this was the biggest thrill they had.  Who doesn't like standing under the hand dryer? 

Wanna know what else I learned?  The fair is a lot of fun when you're a kid...but it's way more fun to play there with your own kids. 

Ch-Ch-Changes

Oh guys, I have so much to tell you, if only I had the time.  Changes are happening.  To me.  I don't why.  Perhaps it's time that's changing me, but I can't explain it because I can't trace time. (Show of hands...who loves David Bowie?  This chick!)

I turned 34. Thirty-four!!!  When Mason was small, I made a commitment to be thin by 30.  It never happened.  I was on a good roll.  I joined Curves and made better food choices.  I started to really like the way I look.  I even managed to get out of the big girl sizes.  Then I got pregnant again. With twins.  After nearly 16 weeks of bedrest, I was a big-ol'-round-ball of flubber.

The boys were born and my body was the least of my worries.  I gained more weight while breast feeding, because that's my luck, and even more after I stopped.  I didn't care.  For 3 years, I gained and gained and gained to the largest non-pregnant weight I've ever been.  I'd look in the mirror and hate the reflection. Who was this wide-faced, dark haired, sad person looking back at me? I drowned my sorrows in Little Debbies and soda. AND then I'd feel guilty and eat more.

But, recently, I'm changing.  Can it be that I'm finally returning to the person I used to be?  I stopped eating meat.  Ya'll, I really think this is the best decision I've ever made.  Within one week, my knees stopped hurting. I gained a little more energy and I lost a little weight without even trying.  The best part is, I don't feel guilty if I have a handful of chips or a small dessert every now and then.  I need to find time to exercise...but I'm still so tired every day.  If I could just find a way to get 8 hours of sleep every night, or even a few nights a week, I think it would dramatically change the things I'm capable of doing.

I know everyone has a busy schedule, but I've got to share mine with you.

Sunday: Church in the AM. We sing in the choir; Community Choir practice in the PM

Monday:  Take Mason to school. Return home to feed the boys, play with them a little and get them ready for preschool.  Pick Mason up in the afternoon.  Practice piano at home with Mason, drop the boys off at a sitter, then drive to her lesson with Mr. Palmer in the evening.  When we get home, it's time for snacks, baths and bed.

Tuesday: Repeat the morning and afternoon, but add tumbling for the boys at the YMCA.  Then, get them to preschool and pick Mason up from school.  The boys go to the sitter after preschool while I take Mason to gymnastics and swimming lessons at the YMCA.  When we finally get home, it's time for snacks, baths and bed.

Wednesday:  Just like Monday, except, in the evening, I have chapel choir practice.  The kids go to my mom's while I'm there.  If I'm lucky (and I hope I am) my mom will bathe them.  Then we go home and there is just enough time for snacks and it's bedtime.

Thursday:  All the same morning/afternoon school and preschool routines.  In October, I begin teaching Kindermusik in the evening! I'm super excited about this.  My kids will come too during the weeks that John is able to help me.  Let me tell you how much I love Kindermusik. Soooooo much!!!   (Also, the second Thursday of every month is the Tuscarawas County Mothers of Multiples meeting.  I'm the new president. Find us on Facebook!) And when I get home, well you know..snack, baths, bed.

Friday:  I only have to take Mason to/from school.  The boys do not have preschool.  We have no plans for Fridays.  I think we will stay home, play, and have "pizza/movie night."

Saturday:  Sleep in? Oh I hope so!


See...busy! It makes time fly, but we enjoy all these things that keep us on the go.

Oh and I've been dying to tell you, over the weekend, I got a new hairdo.  And my eyebrows waxed.  What is it about a waxing that makes a girl feel so pretty? When I find the time to fix my hair, and maybe swipe on some mascara, I'll take a pic.  Oh, and I got my nose pierced.  Ch-ch-changes.

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful. Beautiful Boy.

Twins.  It's been three years since they were born and I still can't believe I have twins.  Jacob and Jonah.  Jake and JoJo. I find it hard to think of one boy without thinking of the other.  In their three years on Earth, they've been separated only twice.  They play together.  They fight over everything.  They laugh together.  They drive me crazy....but they're beautiful.

From the moment they were conceived, they've been difficult.  Pregnancy was awful.  I experienced bed rest which is surprisingly not restful.  I was sick and swollen and in pain.  They were born relatively healthy but that  didn't last. Due to the MRSA they contracted in the hospital, my serious (although at the time I denied it) postpartum depression, and just the reality that two babies are a million times more difficult than one baby, I never really bonded with them. And although Mason taught me how quickly years fly, and that I need to treasure every moment I'm blessed with, I often find it hard to enjoy them.  Frankly, most days I am so overwhelmed I could cry. And sometimes I do.  And nights are usually more difficult than days.

But, I look back on that first year...and the second...and even the third and I know, "every day, in every way, it's getting better and better." Gone are the days when crying consumed forty five minutes of every hour.  I can shower every single day.  I get precious one-on-one minutes with each of them to really learn who he is and to repair what we lost when they were screaming newborns and I was too depressed to handle them. They're starting to have meaningful conversations.  I'm learning, a little at a time, the magic of being a mother of multiples.

 They've taught me so much....much more than I've taught them.  It's ok to eat off the floor.  It's ok to lick the dog.  It's ok to jump backwards off the couch.  It's ok to throw a super-sized fit in the middle of a crowded store.  It's ok to continue to shop through said fit. It's ok to be late (I'm still working on this, John.) Please know that when I use 'ok' what I mean is: although it makes me angry, nervous, or nauseated, no one has died.

While the guys look alike, they are so very different. And why shouldn't they be?  They are two completely different people.  Jacob is ALL BOY...rough, tough, and a little crazy.  He roots for the bad guy.  He is the most difficult child I've ever met, but he's also the most loving and I struggle to understand him.  Jonah, oh JoJo, is so very sweet.  He's sensitive and I worry that the world will be hard on him. BUT, he can be such a trickster and he gets so much joy from hiding things from his brother and sister.  Jonah was always second to hit every milestone (except potty training! Rock on, Jo!) He stayed back while Jacob ran into life at full speed.  He seems so timid, but there is something incredibly special about him.  I think JoJo is the puppetmaster...the one in control of everyone else. Jonah always gets his way.  ALWAYS. It's quite impressive.
I don't know who they will be when they're grown but I'm starting to enjoy getting to know them.  I no longer wish for time to pass quickly and I look forward to watching them grow and discover themselves. In the meantime, I'm going to do whatever I can to enjoy the now, for right now they are my beautiful, beautiful boys.