They are HER babies!

My Maggie may just be a mom in training. She just LOVES the babies and almost always refers to them as "my babies" and will argue with anyone who says differently. 

She loves to play with them and as she would say "make them happy."  The first thing she would ask when I picked her up when they were not at school with her, "Where are my babies?"  This is actually quite funny as she is the most serious little person at times and was only worried about where her little beings were at that time.

She doesn't care to help with the diaper changes but she just wants to see them, know they are at our house and make them smile.  Mallory and Cale just light up when she says their names.  She calls Cale, "Cale Man Buddy" because at some point Matt started calling him "Captain Cale Man" and yes saying it just like Captain Cave Man and son - but we insert Pickles!  She loves to sing, "we call her Pickles, Pickles, Pickles" to Mallory, but more importantly she actually says Mallory now.  That is a huge change that took quite a few months of work as she was blending Melanie and Mallory together.  She loves to help feed the babies and will "help" calm them down when they are upset.    That is usually done by her flapping her arms up and down saying,"guys, guys, guys.  It is OK!"  Again very sweet because she means it so honestly.

It is really a beautiful thing to see her love shine for these two little ones who I thought my cause some jealousy. 

And Caden, he too loves these babies, he interacts with them and cares about where they are but not quite on the same level as Maggie.   They know that he is there and watching over them and he loves to hold them.  He is a proud big brother!  He is my protector and my gatherer.

But Maggie, she takes the thought of "her babies" to a whole different ballpark when she plays with them and asks about them.

A few Sundays ago, we were sitting at home and she looked at me so serious for a 3 year old and said, "mommy, I don't want to make my babies happy today.  I need to go to sleep now and they will have to be just okay today."  She lives in big, big world.  She plays big and eats big!  She truly believes her place here on earth is to make these babies happy and she is here and ready to help when they need her the most - well most day anyways. 



Maggie teaching Mallory to sit up by herself!



I love watching this bond of my children. 

 It truly makes the world a better place these 4 amazing little people.

I love that we don't have many jealousy issues. 

I am blessed that I am raising a beautiful little girl, even with her very opinionated mind, and that she truly cares about her baby brother and baby sister! 

After all, they are Her Babies!

We survived, now we adjust!

So we survived the babies first day at daycare or as I like to say "school".  Something about calling it school vs. daycare that just makes me feel better, and really they are learning and interacting just like school so I am going to go with it!

They were the hit of the daycare and even Caden and Maggie's teacher was visiting with them when we arrived to pick them up.  They did OK - not great but OK and never seemed to mind that they were in a new environment socially.  They did not nap well, we will adjust, but it sure showed last night.  However, this morning they were up, got ready to go and once they were in their class they were playing with all of their new friends in a matter of minutes. 

So we survived the start of this big change and we are adjusting.  Everything is adjusting: routines, schedules, and feelings.  I do feel a bit bad for Caden and Maggie because as much as they love the fact that their brother and sister are at school with them, that takes away their time with mommy or daddy only dropping off and picking up.  They probably don't mind and are being awesome with our adjustment but it is a thought that is weighing on my mind! 

My checkbook hurts from the check I had to write but since Matt and I are going to both keep working we are just thankful that we can find care that we trust to protect our babies and give them a safe and loving environment everyday.  And again, we will adjust to the extra expense too.

I am thankful though, that we didn't have to put them in daycare until now.  We have been very lucky to have loved ones, friends and neighbors care for them up until this point.  I thank you all you have helped us out.  It was truly a blessing that I can never forget.

For now I am waiting for the big moment of when they start crawling while at school and we are told by their teacher - I know it is just a matter or time as they see all the other children doing it!   They are growing up way too fast.

Surviving and adjusting, that is the life of a parent, especially a parent with two sets of twins 3 and under, we have to be flexible! 

We do what we have to do to care for our families and make sure they are getting what they need. 

Heck I even cooked Matt a good dinner on Monday and dinner tonight is all ready to be put in the oven when we get home!  He maybe the one to really like our new routine.

Here is to being able to surviving and adjusting to whatever comes our way!

The Spring forward has been rough but no more diapers makes it better!

So the McCool clan is definitely ready for Spring but I can say that I don't think we were ready for the spring forward of daylight savings time at all!  I had a couple of very cranky and mean toddlers on my hands this morning.  Not to mention very opinionated and vocal about what they wanted to wear - for goodness sakes they are only 3 but they sure do know what they want to wear!

I wish that we could fast forward a few days so that everyone is used to our time change.  I know we will enjoy it being lighter out longer but it was very dark this morning once again as we pulled out of the driveway to start our day! 

We did enjoy the Saturday of sunshine. We were able to get outside, take a walk and visit with Memaw Connie, Papaw Eddie and the boys.  The babies definitely enjoyed their cuddles with Memaw and Papaw.  We really miss them.  The toddlers had an absolute ball running around and playing with the boys.  We really enjoyed our walk and visit and are ready for more days outside in the sun!  Maggie was very happy for Memaw's twizzlers - she gets that one from her daddy.

And now our very happy news is that Caden is FINALLY on his way to being potty trained.  We have been maybe lazy or scared on getting him potty trained and I was beginning to think he would go to kindergarten in diapers.  But he was cute and convincing when he would say that he would start in a few weeks on Thursday - well this past Thursday mommy finally decided a few weeks wasn't cool and that we would start this weekend. 
We woke up Saturday, put on big boy underwear and started our journey of becoming a big boy.  For a while I was beginning to feel like we had brought home a new puppy, Matthew even suggested throwing down newspaper but we did not we just kept cleaning up the messes.  We had our accidents on Saturday but come Sunday morning it finally clicked.  He figured out when he had to pee, let us know and this momma became very proud of her first born.  Matt took him in the first time and I stood at the top of the stairs waiting for the all good sign so that we could begin our celebration.  I actually cried because he figured it out, truly showing that it is the simple things in life that make us happy!   There was definitely a lesson there for mommy in how you can show your kids that they can do the thing they think they cannot do.  Now he is mastering the washing of his hands all by himself.  He really doesn't need me anymore!

He is doing great so far and we even survived a 3 hour shopping trip yesterday with only one small incident.  He knows it all now, he and I were talking about his potty reward since he would be saving mommy money and he said that the babies need to stop wearing diapers too and start going on the potty!  Now that would be a miracle. 

We are no where near finished but we are definitely on our way.  I am proud of him, nervous to see how he did at school today, but honestly proud of  my little man for finally doing this.  I think I am relieved to know that we will have another 2 years or so before we do have to start potty training with the babies!

Happy Monday, Happy Potty Training and Happy Daylight Savings Time!

Things I learned on our vacation!

It truly is amazing what you can pick up on when you spend a 17 hour drive, week straight, and a 2 day drive home with your family! 

Here are a few things I learned while on our family vacation (in no particular order):

• That I have to go back to Atlanta to visit the gone with the wind museum and take the tour.  For my future reference exit 228 off 75
• You see so much more when you drive somewhere even though flying is a faster way to get to where you are going
• It really is amazing what people will put on a billboard
• You can survive a 17 hour car ride with 4 children
• Georgia is one VERY long state but it sure is beautiful
• Vanilla zingers and coffee = Equal yummy especially at 2:00 AM
• Having a sick kid or 3 on vacation is no fun
• Cale and Mallory LOVED the pool and the beach! YEAH
• Maggie has one of the best imaginations ever (well I knew that) and I got to see and play full force with her during this week
• Caden loves shopping and will be very well behaved when there is shopping for him to come
• We are a freak show when we go out, I cannot tell you how many times I had to tell people that yes I have two sets of twins
• Our mini van is not big enough for us - we need a conversion van!
• If Putt Putt golf were a professional sport Caden would be a sure win as a pro!  He did great! 
• Watching a shuttle launch is really cool - sitting in traffic for 4.5 hours to get back to Orlando - not so cool but we survived and were a part of history - even if we only saw 20 seconds of the shuttle launch
• Matthew now enjoys the beach (well a little bit) since his kids want to build sand castles with him - THANK YOU Toddlers!  Mommy loves the beach - daddy not so much
• We will never again do the drive home during the day - always hang out at the pool until evening and wear them kids out so they sleep 90% of the trip home
• We are VERY grateful to Memaw Jo, Papaw Frank, Big Papaw and Shirley for their help and company while on vacation
• FAMILY VACATIONS ARE THE BEST!

We had a great time, I truly enjoyed just spending our time together with everyone.  I am already looking forward to our next family vacation.  Yes I maybe crazy but something about the memories which are created, I just cannot stop!

Loving the sand!  Look at those chubby leg on Mallory!

Caden and Daddy building a sand castle

This is the life

Miss Maggie enjoying the sand castle

The toddlers - after they are feeling better!

My boys enjoying the beach

Maggie trying to make the best of the nice weather while under the weather

Pickles - enjoying the sun

My babies!



Our time together is a precious, precious gift!

Why does it seem that a tragedy has to occur to remind us that God has given us a very precious gift of time with our loved ones?  We often let the stress of daily life weigh on us and interfere with our time with our family and friends.  While I try very hard to enjoy everyday with those I love I am still guilty of letting the everyday stress ruin times with those I love.  But I am making more of an effort to cherish each and every moment no matter how hard they are or how tough it maybe in our lives and our quest to raise these 4 children.

Two weeks ago a friend lost her 4 year old boy in an accident and because of the tragedy I cannot stop thinking of her and the pain their family is going through right now. 
I just cannot even imagine.  Not only has she and her husband lost a son but his siblings have lost a brother and more than that a twin.  There is so much pain they will go through and I am just praying for them all that they can find strength to move forward but remember their time with Aiden. 

So as we headed out for vacation I made a promise to myself and my kids (reinforced my "to do" list really) to spend as much one on one time with my children that I could.  And I am so glad that I did because I learned a lot from them.  My children are changing and growing each day.  Our week together without work, school, dance and a million other things was great, even with the illness that we fought.  Yes it was hard having sick kids while on vacation but the weather was great, the family was together and we made memories, we smiled and we laughed. 

I love my children more than anything, I love my husband more than anything and I love our life and cannot see a picture without them in it.  I love my extended family and group of friends who are always there when I need  them.  I know it is a precious gift which we are blessed with and that it can end way too soon.  I am just trying to make the most of every minute and remember what is truly important. 

So as I post this tonight I have to go and give my kids a big kiss and hug.  I would do the same with Matthew but he is bowling!

I need to thank God for my gifts that I am blessed to experience every single day. 

Our best picture of the 4 kids on vacation!

An update of the kid's developments!

So much has happened or been brought to my attention with my week off work I thought it was important to document all of the new things that they kids are doing....

Cale: let's do the baby first, he is now cutting and very close to breaking free his two front teeth, these will be number 3 and 4.  I swear you would never know this kid is teething unless you see them.  He definitely has a high tolerance for pain.  He started sitting up unassisted on February 12th, thank you Aunt Haley for discovering he could do this finally and not flop over every 3 seconds.  We were hosting family game night, she simply set him in front of a toy to play and there he sat! And most recently he has made his momma very happy by rattling off "ma ma ma" and talking up a storm!

 Mallory:  Well she is becoming a little diva!  She has learned to shake her head no, pat her head and stick her hand on her hip in a tantrum.  She too is teething the top two teeth but hers are not quite as close to coming as Cale's.  She is still a fan of dada but reaches for mommy most of the time.  She is a very chatty little thing and loves playing with her zoo!  Mallory was sitting on her own starting Thursday January 13th.  She will almost never lay down anymore - see her photo!  Rebelling in her seat!  I think Matthew and I will definitely have our hands full with this child.

 Maggie: Well Maggie is Maggie, she is forever changing outfits and playing dress up and she definitely has a mind of her own.  She recently found a whole new stash of dress up clothes, the clothes that Erica and I used to play with.  She is wearing our outfits from baton and dresses that we wore as flower girls.  Her princess dresses are still her favorite but her new thing is to have shoes on all the time!  See below - wearing her heels while lounging in the mail bin we had after vacation!

Caden: My oldest and the one who is definitely maturing the fastest.  He has added some new words to his vocabulary, "quite, okie dokie, and just a few minutes".  Quite, "I can quite see it mommy" "okie dokie" for about anything that he wants to say yes to now and "Just a few minutes" when he has taken toys from siblings he will say "well I just want to see it for a few minutes"  He was a champ on the putt putt course on vacation and amazed us all on how well behaved he was while playing.  Still not going on the potty and we have a lot of work to do after getting sick on vacation but we will get there, in his time!

 

My boys!  Caden and his famous face





The babies on 2-24-11 the day they turned 8 months!



The toddlers, finally feeling better on vacation!



Mallory and Cale playing with the zoo!

That is our update, I know I am way behind on getting all of my thoughts out here but they are in my brain and I promise to catch up. 

I love these photos and the smiles and memories that are here. 

The reality is my babies - all 4 of them - are growing and getting big way too fast! 

Where in the world is that pause button on life?