22 months

As this summer continues and we explore, splash, play and finish every day more filthy than the night before, I can't help but remember 2 summers ago. I was nervious, anxious, uncomfortable and HUGE. Now, my days go by quickly as I chase after my almost 2 year olds! It's crazy to me that they are 22 months today.

I continue to be surprised at how different they are in all aspects: physical appearance, developmentally, socially, in play and in affection.

Addy's hair has lightened in the sun and we get comments all the time of, "Are they twins, but one has brown hair and one has red."...My canned response is that one looks like mommy and one looks like daddy, but that isn't entirely true. Addy has my facial features and looks a lot like my sister and I did growing up with her dad's coloring. Addy is all my coloring and daddy's facial structure. Addy is hyperactive a lot of the time. She's good at independent play, but also tries to keep up with the big kids in the neighborhood. She tends to 'play like a boy' throwing toys, loving balls, jumping off couches and RUNNING everywhere. However, when the moment strikes her, she comes to find me, pulls at my leg and says 'ug' when she needs a hug from mom...it melts my heart every time. She's very verbal now, but continues to be outshined by her sister in this department. Usually because Lilly "shows off" a bit more than she does.

Lilly is our chatter box right now, never stops talking and loves to illustrate her skills to anyone that will listen. I picked them up out of childcare at the YMCA this week and one of the male workers that plays with them a lot asked where their grandparents had a lake house...surprised since I didn't remember telling him this, he told me that Lilly had told him when he asked what she did this past weekend. "Ga Ga....Lake...Boat...Ga Ga." You were absolutely right Lilly, we went to Grandma's lakehouse and took a ride on Grandpa's boat. How did you get to be so smart? She continues to love books, taking them to bed with her now. She tests my patience because she's stubborn and wants to do things her way. I'm still wondering where she gets that from...She is affectionate and gives the best bear hugs and sloppy wet kisses.

Ashley (a sorority sister, former neighbor, fellow multiple mom and friend) and I finally got our kids together for a walk. After getting through 2 years with twins, the idea of triplets is crazy. You can tell Addy & Lilly weren't sure of it either. The neighbors must have thought we were running some kind of in-home daycare. You can check out Ashley's crew at: http://threelilcallahans.blogspot.com/

Grandma Jody has stored this dollhouse, made by Grandpa Dave's mother when they were expecting Jeremy, for 30 years. She's cleaned it up, got some new furniture for it and it is every girls DREAM. They are lucky (I never had stuff like this growing up :-)! I say frequently that it all kids in the world were LOVED the way these girls are by our extended family and friends, we would have a lot less social problems--thanks for all who continue to help us raise bright & beautiful girls!

Losing it...

My close friends and family will all tell you that I have always been one that had it together. I remember important holidays, keep on top of events, I'm meticulous about getting my teeth cleaned every 6 months, cleaning my carpets regularly, flipping the mattress, etc. I thought this would be wonderful attributes to assist me in becoming a mother. No one told me that you lose your mind when you are pregnant. We can blame it on the hormones, being pre-occupied or whatever, but seriously, yesterday it got ridiculous.
I took a 1/2 day of work in order to look at daycares and visit the doctor. We arrived at the daycare, took a tour, asked lots of questions and then left. I then proceeded on crying in the parking lot because I'm struggling thinking about leaving the babies when they are so tiny in a place that is so big. Let's keep it in perspective, it will be almost 9 months before this actually has to happen, but I cried anyway.
Next, we went to the doctor to find that it was closed. Yep, showed up for a 4 o'clock appointment and it was closed. Do we know if our appointment was 3 instead of 4 or next week instead of this week or never existed in the first place, who the hell knows. But at the end of it, I showed up, with my entourage of husband and mother, to an imaginary appointment.
I had been invited to attend the Southside Mother of Multiples Pre-Sale Sale last night. So, my mom and I drove from Carmel to Greenwood in Friday rush hour traffic. Only to get pulled over 2 blocks from the sale. "Ma'am, did you realize you blatantly disregarded the traffic signal back there?"After some whimpering and explaining that "We're not from around here", he let us off with a warning. We show up at this sale, not really knowing what to expect to be greeted by hundreds of sellers and hundreds of shoppers. It was serious business--let's just say I had to show my ultrasound picture at the door to prove I was indeed going to be a mother of multiples. We waited 40 minutes to get through the door and then felt as though the walls of the 2 gymnasiums that were filled were beginning to close in on me. Have I mentioned I have a slight problem with anxiety? We bought a $30 pack-and-play for grandma and then called it a day.