Baby Proofing: The Vicious Cycle
July 2, 2014I’ve finally figured out the ultimate baby-proofing technique: full body armor, equipped with helmets and kneepads. Kidding (sort of). Baby-proofing is extremely tricky. Once you think you have it figured out, those little explorers beat the system again and again. The climbing is the worst. What are you supposed to do? Remove all of your Read more (…)
Built In Best-Buddies
May 2, 2014Watching the relationship between my twins evolve as they grow is truly remarkable. I’ve been thinking about how lucky they are to have each other and to never feel alone. It makes me comforted to know that they will (hopefully) have each other’s backs, to have a friend to laugh with, to cry with, always. Read more (…)
Best Dressed Lil’ Frankensteins
April 28, 2014Another busy trip to the east coast led me to my granddaughters’ front door for another wonderful visit. They are now walking stiffed legged and arms out like lil’ Frankensteins. They are so proud of themselves as they giggle and lunge toward you, looking for praise for their accomplishments. My daughter had them dressed in the Read more (…)
Happy Rainy Birthday to You
April 21, 2014Two daughters, two granddaughters and myself took a five hour trip to help my 29-year-old celebrate her birthday. Besides the five passengers, the car was packed with two portable cribs, two booster seats, a twin size stroller, diaper bag, food bag, and four pieces of various sized luggage. It’s exhausting just writing it all down! Read more (…)
Happy Birthday!
February 17, 2014You are Grandma’s lil’ miracles that have grown to be one year. Both cute as a bug and precious to hug So nice to cuddle and hold near. I hope turning one is happy and fun as you stumble from table to chair. I remember the first time I held you kissed you and whispered your Read more (…)
Back to the Babies
February 10, 2014With all the adult plans and excitements, I can’t forget to mention spending time with the grandbabies! At eleven months they are the most fun. They walk around objects holding on for dear life, squeezing through nooks and crannies all the while watching to see if you were going to chase after them. Crawling around Read more (…)
Sick Baby: 1, Mommy: 0
January 16, 2014Life has been quite the whirlwind lately. The girls have been so out of whack with their sleep schedules; on top of it, one of them came down with an ear infection, teething, and I’m pretty sure roseola all at the same time. I have never felt so helpless. As a mom, you try night Read more (…)
Cruisin’ to the Cape
July 22, 2013On the road again, but this time not to babysit, we were the grandparents along for the family vacation ride. Growing up, my grandparents always were with us for family events including vacations and I loved having them along. They were the patience that counteracted my high strung father. This 14 hour trip was dotted Read more (…)
Grandma’s NYC Escape
July 1, 2013My daughter and her family had Father’s days plans with his family so I had a chance to escape to visit my daughter in NYC. Bright and early, 6:15 to be exact my son-in-law dropped me off at my daughter’s apartment on his way to work. I arrived earlier than expected due to no traffic Read more (…)
Flop House on Clark Avenue
June 17, 2013Two families merged this past weekend for a celebration of Baptism. One family came from Ohio, and others from New York, Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Ireland. Our family of eight planned on staying in my daughter’s house, a 3 bedroom bungalow. Then came the in laws from Ireland and a brother and his wife. Upon Read more (…)
Post-Pregnancy Working Girl
June 12, 2013This is tough. Yesterday was my first day back in the office from my maternity leave. The whole week prior I found myself crying sporadically thinking of having to leave my two little babies at home. Even the smallest things would set me off…a smile, greeting cards at Target…you name it. I should have had Read more (…)
Red, White, and Cute
June 3, 2013I waited anxiously for the pre-Memorial Day arrival of my visitors from the east coast, praying all day that the white Nissan would come safely up the driveway. Well, my prayers were answered when the door opened and one crying baby was plopped into my arms. I was in heaven. My daughter busily emptied her Read more (…)
A & A Take Ohio
May 22, 2013The “alarms” go off at 6am. Amelia wails out & then her sister follows. The girls just turned 3 months & it’s time for their first road trip to mommy’s home state…good ole Ohio. My sis & I tag team getting the twins ready for their long ride; feeding (with an extra ounce of milk for the Read more (…)
Epilogue to the Diaper Diaries
April 29, 2013What surprises am I in for? As I pack for the trip back home to Ohio I am anticipating the worst homecoming. In the past, when I’ve left my husband home alone, there have been some unfortunate surprises upon my return. Once when I went to Chicago he set the kitchen on fire damaging the Read more (…)
Diaper Diaries Week 8: The Final Entry
April 22, 2013This will be the last entry of the Diaper Diaries. I can’t believe that 8 weeks have passed, time flies when you are having fun. Even more so when you are engulfed in sleepless nights, little miracles, a lot of hard but gratifying work and a bunch of crazy love. I leave with mixed emotions. On one hand I’ve been Read more (…)
Diaper Diaries Week 6
April 8, 2013‘Twas the night before Easter and all through our house Every relative was stirring, hopefully not a mouse The baskets were all hidden around with great care In hopes that the Easter bunny would soon be there The children were nestled all snug in their cribs, others on couches and blow-up beds While visions of breakfast and Read more (…)
Diaper Diaries Week #5
April 1, 2013After 5 weeks, the babies are growing and changing quickly. Fortunately, Grandma is much better now at calling out the correct baby names.Even though the twins are fraternal when they are wrapped up in their blankets with very little face shown it’s a detective’s nightmare to tell them apart. At times my daughter runs errands and Read more (…)
Best Burping Methods
March 29, 2013Dear Ask-A-Sitter, What are the best burping techniques? I have heard so many. I just want to communicate the best one to my sitter when I leave her with my infant. What do you recommend? -Tooty Twins Dear Tooty Twins, Yes that is true, everyone seems to have their own method, which makes sense because Read more (…)
The Art of Juggling
March 27, 2013Sorry I have been M.I.A. as of late; this is my first blog post-pregnancy and life has been a little hectic! I cannot believe how consumed I am with love for these two little beings that I’ve nicknamed “pumpkin” and “angel.” Now I cannot imagine life without them. I’ve titled this blog “The Art of Juggling” Read more (…)
Diaper Diaries Week #4
March 25, 2013Grandma is a little emotional. I thought that I held it together rather well during labor and delivery. My family made fun of me for being a jokester, but being silly is my defense mechanism for nervousness. I think after all that stress, I emotionally crashed. While I was singing Elvis Presley’s “Wisemen” to one of Read more (…)
Diaper Diaries Week # 3
March 18, 2013A typical day in paradise begins about 7AM with the squawking that signals feeding time. One baby for me, and one for Mom or Dad. You would think they twins would be ready to eat, but they seem to need coaxing for a few minutes as their flailing hands make bottle entry next to impossible. After Read more (…)
The Diaper Diaries: Week One
March 4, 2013My stubborn grandbabies entered the world via C-section despite my daughter’s desire to have a natural delivery. Thirty minutes before the unanticipated surgery I was called to the hospital. So in the cold,30 mph Manhattan winds, one of my daughters and I ran across the Upper East Side to be by another daughter’s side before Read more (…)
Worth the Wait
February 25, 2013This past week has been a LOT of waiting, but it was all worth it! Thursday: My husband and I headed for the east coast for the hopeful weekend of babies. We jockied trains and subways and learned what it feels like to be sardines in a can. The night ended with a calming dinner Read more (…)
Right Around the Corner
February 5, 2013Mommy hood is right around the corner. I’m almost 36 weeks…and still pregnant! Every day I’m looking for signs of labor; contractions, trickling of water, and some other things that I’ll refrain from mentioning. Not complaining at all, but I always thought that I’d have the babies at 36 weeks, so we will see! Although, Read more (…)