Caleb

I know I don't talk enough about Caleb and how wonderful he is. As a 4 year old he has had to endure some pretty rough stuff having 3 baby siblings. Constantly having to wait and be patient. Being on his own with mom and dad for 4 years and then throw into the current situation could have been shocking and on some days it is. I hate to admit how much tv the kid watches, but quite frankly some days, I just don't have the energy to do it all. Life is demanding and 4 kids are even more so. Caleb loves the babies and they love him ten fold. He can make them laugh like no one else. He seems to always have a favorite, but plays with them all. Sometimes a little too rough, but as we are yelling at him to stop the babies are laughing hysterically. How confusing is that?? He always says that they like it which I agree, but sometimes it is just too much. Anyway he is such a good big brother and yes, we have lots to work on as with any kid. Today he was especially good and when he was brushing his teeth he did not have a shirt on so I started singing/doing the cris cross applesauce song. He looked at me and said 'Mom, did you learn that at mom school?' How sweet is that??

snow day

Caleb sliding his snowball down the glass after he 'hit' Cohen.

Cecilia and Cohen

Caleb Cecilia and Cohen
Christian, Cecilia and Cohen

Today it snowed again, but still not enough to go sledding. Well, there might have been enough, but by the time Mark got home it was all melted. Caleb played on the deck and threw snowballs at me and the babies until they went down for a nap. After nap time I went out and helped him make a snowman on the deck. It had arms that were made out of dead flowers, blueberry eyes and a carrot nose. No pics though :(

9 months!!

So the babies were 9 months old on the 21st of this month. I keep thinking that 9 months sounds old and time is really flying by. All of them are so sweet and hilarious and crazy at the same time.

Christian should have been singing all I want for Christmas is my 4 front teeth. This past week he has managed to get in all 4 of his top teeth. Much to my surprise he has been a trooper. He whimpers in his sleep and I guess that is why, but really no major complaints. He is pulling up on everything including me and as sweet as ever. He likes to eat but prefers to feed himself. Sometimes this is not really efficient, but we are working on it. It seems that when we spoon feed him he spits it out which may have to do with all of his teeth coming in.

Cecilia- Little miss Cecilia :) She is still as petite as ever, but as cute as a button. Everyone lately has been commenting on her hemangioma. It has been fading quite a bit and we hope to be off the medication by the time she is 1. Last appointment even though her weight increased they kept her dose the same so that was a good sign . She has been working on her teeth as well and as of today has one fang on the right hand side (along with her two bottom teeth). There are more coming, but they have not broken through yet. She has been pulling up and standing independently for quite awhile now. She smiles and even bounces when she lets go of things, but is not really 'cruising' around anything just yet. She just recently graduated to 6-9 month clothing so I think she had a growth spurt. She has been hungry these days and like Christian she too likes to feed herself, but will allow the spoon to enter her mouth occasionally. She seems to savor her food which makes me laugh. Maybe it is just a tactic so I will leave her alone and feed someone else, but she loves her o's along with everyone else. She doesn't miss her mouth much when feeding herself. She also loves to have her neck kissed. She even throws herself back when being held and laughs to get you to kiss her. Mark calls her Cici Lou Whoo since it has been Christmas time and we watch the Grinch that Stole Christmas with all of the Whoo's

Cohen-Mr. Fang man. Cohen currently has his two bottom teeth and his top side teeth. We like to refer to them as his fangs as they are pretty far in and his front teeth are still not in. I have tried to get photos of them, but he never cooperates with me. He, like Cecilia is pulling up on everything and letting go for quite some time. He is moving around things just a bit and is our fastest crawler. Cohen would probably eat cardboard if I would put it on a spoon for him. He loves to be fed but has also taken a liking to feeding himself. There doesn't seem to be much left when he is finished which is good. He, unlike the rest of us, seems to be left handed. I think this comes from Mark's moms side of the family even though he looks like me. Mark calls him his little vampire.

All of the babies (and Caleb's) favorite pass time is taking a bath. Yes, all 4 of them like to take them together. They are like a herd of dogs coming when the water is turned on in the bathroom. No food is safe as they will attack, grab and eat whatever is available. They currently are eating lots of finger foods such as green beans, peas, carrots, peas, kiwi, bananas, pears, string cheese, American cheese, turkey, chicken, roast beef, O's and anything else they can get their hands on. I am still grinding up veggies/fruits and using what I already made with meat in it. Bottom line is that they are hungry!! The good thing is they are still eating their bottles along with all of the good stuff. Oh, and since the holidays I think they have convinced others to give them 'treats' that mommy and daddy would not normally give them.

Christmas Pics

A good friend came over before Christmas to take some photos. Here are some of the many wonderful ones she took!!

Caleb 4 years 8 months

Christian 8 months

Cecilia (8 months)

Cohen (8 months)

The crazies!!! They were all supposed to be facing the wall but Caleb was the only one cooperating!! We did not use this as our official Christmas card, but did e-mail and sent it to quite a few people. Very representative of a crazy Gardner life!!

Christmas Day!!

Christmas morning Mark and I were both tired. I think we were both anxious for Santa to arrive and see Caleb's reactions. I know that I was worried about getting up, pumping and getting the babies fed while also making sure we were quiet so Caleb would sleep as long as possible. I knew he would be tired from being up late the night before and we had a long day ahead of us. Thankfully he did sleep long enough for me to get the babies fed so we all headed downstairs after Caleb checked it out and informed us all that Santa had arrived. The one and only thing he asked Santa for was 2 Nerf swords. One was for him and the other was for daddy. The babies loved their balls and Caleb helped them open their gifts while Mark and I were on paper patrol to make sure no one was eating what they were not supposed to be eating. It was a great morning and Santa was especially generous to me.

Christian looks goofy here, but it was the best of the worst :)

Caleb has always associated Christmas with snow and so as soon as he was done opening his presents he announced that he was going to check for snow. Mark and I as usual went into our explanation that snow as just a cold weather event when he screamed that it was snowing. mark and I looked at each other, said no way and had to check it out ourselves. Sure enough it was snowing!!!

Christmas morning we always go to my grandma and grandpa Szachnieski's for brunch/lunch. Since it was snowing the roads were terrible and it took us forever to get there. At one point we had to go the opposite direction of their house since the highway was closed to get there. We got turned around and took the side roads to get there. Luckily we got there in time for the 11 am feeding. We were also able to catch my brother in time to make sure they did not get stuck on the highway parking lot and they were able to detour and got there shortly after we arrived. My grandma always says that she is not going to make much, but she usually has a feast for about 30 people and there are only 7 adults, 3 kids and 3 babies. The one thing we all love and look forward to is her ham that she makes, it is the BEST!! Every time Mark and my brother talk about how it is the best one yet. She always seems to outdo herself!! They had a table out that was just the right height for the babies and they snacked all morning. Cecilia took up residence on my dads lap and stayed there the majority of the time we were there. If she got fussy she just chewed on her celery stalk. Mark and I decided today that we are going to have to have a conversation with him about this since he wants to be held all of the time now. I think they both enjoyed it. As always we stuffed ourselves and got tons of great gifts!!

After our morning at my grandparents we usually go home for a break and then back to Mark's grandparents for the afternoon/evening. This year with the traffic being so bad it took up forever to get home so we decided not to get everyone out and just go to their house. I went in and Mark drove around until I called him back to load up the car. I think it worked out well this way since we were there in time for me to pump and feed. it really would have been so much work to get everyone out and then reload them all in such a short time. I don't think anyone minds that we show up early since they love to see us (Caleb and the babies). We came armed with 5 dart guns so everyone was prepared to have a good time. The babies loved the huge staircase and all made it up pretty far before we drug them back and created a barrier. One kid is cute, 3 is just dangerous! They are definitely explorers. This year we had the traditional Chicken DuMun which is a favorite. Since the babies are good about sleeping in the pack n plays we were able to put them down for a short time, but before we knew it Caleb was ready to go. Fortunately this year we were able to stay and play the white elephant game which is always fun. I brought and took home the Big top Cupcake. 25X the normal cupcake size. Caleb saw it before it was wrapped and we had to get it back for him. Mark got the extra large universal remote. He plans to get it working and I envision our tv's to be forever messed up. the babies love remotes so this will be their new favorite 'toy'.

We are so thankful to have such a great family. Everyone is so helpful with the babies and without their help a holiday such as this could not have been pulled off. We have always been fortunate that our families parties have not ever conflicted in times. As crazy as this day(a) may have seemed it is our holiday and what we look forward to every year. I don't think I would change it for a minute!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas eve has traditionally been spent at my Grandma Winkelman's house. This year with the increase in numbers my mom decided to host at her house. I was at first a little sad as it has always been at Grandmas, but it was nice having the additional room for the kids. The pack n plays were set up from the weekend before which was nice since the babies can't make it much past 7. It was great to have everyone together and even my uncle Skip made it in from GA so we could help him celebrate his 39th (60th) birthday. As I mentioned the camera did not make it out much, but our dinner was worth photoing.

Mark's parents always host Christmas eve, but I opted to come home with the kids. It would have been too hard with the babies to transfer them again and then again plus it was already late for Caleb. Mark did go over after we got home, but most everyone had left already. We weren't too worried about it though since we were going to be with all of them on Christmas day.

Christmas #1

Christmas #1 is spent with my mom, Bill and their kids/kids kids. It is planned well in advance so that everyone can be there and is typically the weekend before Christmas. It is much more relaxing this way since it is one less stop we have to me on the actual day. WE get there after naps have wings/snacks, feed the kids and then let the kids open their gifts. Then, we break and the adult fill up on the traditional yummy fish soup. After we have stuffed ourselves silly we open our gifts. This year was no exception and all we received wonderful presents!! We asked for a family gift of a popcorn machine and man is it nice!! Caleb loves his race track and Zhu Zhu pet and the babies loved their choo choo wagon. Way too may presents to mention, but they were all great.

For some reason this year at Christmas my camera did not make it out much and when it did the pictures were not that great.

Caleb Cohen and Christian

Cohen, Cecilia & Logan, Christian..in the choo choo wagon
Christian, Logan & Cecilia, Cohen

Caleb's Christmas Tale cont.

So I'm sure you could tell that I was not the one who wrote the fancy poem about Caleb's run in with the deer. The funny thing is that when it happened I was changing a dirty diaper and I figured he was just talking about the light up reindeer he had put in the yard the day before. That poor deer looked so lost but Caleb was so excited about seeing her and I was glad that I didn't miss it. AS I'm sure you can imagine this only added to his excitement about Christmas.

I was surprised and happy that Mark actually updated the blog. I bug him about it all the time but for some reason he just never does.

Caleb's Christmas Tale

Based on a true story.

Only days before Christmas, in the early morning,
Caleb awoke to a phone ringing.
Grandma Debbie called, to announce she is coming.
The excitement has brought Caleb to look out the door. In anticipation for when she is here. As he starred through the frosty glass, something caught his eye. A Reindeer was outside. "Mommy! Mommy!" he said. "A Reindeer is straight ahead!" "Ohhhh...OK Caleb." Mommy said. Caleb was persistent in what he saw. So Mommy walked over and what dropped her jaw.
A Rein-Deer in the neighbors Lawn. "Mommy! He dropped from his spot in Santa's sleigh up in the sky. He has to get back. He has to try." And then with a flash, the deer ran off between two houses in a dash.

Lil Rascals

After last night's post it looks as if I am a terrible mother. Not really, I just let my kiddos explore. Lesson learned on the unsafe items in the house. They love being out and about and after we moved on from the bathroom we spend quite a bit of time in Caleb's room which is just as much fun for them. Something about being in their big brothers room excites them.

This is the team in action today. Cecilia pulls back the curtain and Cohen tries to get in the tub but laughs when I call their names. Don't worry, the toilet was actually clean and hands were washed afterward! BTW-They all know they are up to something, especially Christian because he has Cohen's pacifier in his mouth!! We had fun today while Caleb was at school :)

Even funnier!!

Date Night

Mark and I took Caleb on a 'date night' this past Tuesday and it was so much fun. We did not tell him where we were going other than he would have to wear special shoes. He was excited and Mark and I were as well that it would just be the 3 of us. Agnes and Holly who watch the babies on Wednesday afternoon when I run to pick up Caleb from school offered to watch the babies and Caleb so that we could go out but we decided that we wanted to take Caleb out for a special night. We had not been out with just him in awhile so it was really fun.

We surprised him by going to Steinberg's Ice skating rink in Forest Park. He was so excited!! Mark had taken him to an indoor rink when I was in the hospital, but that was quite awhile ago and plus I was not there that time :) We skated for awhile and he finally got the hang of it. Keep in mind that we went on a day when the high temp was 28 degrees so it was pretty cold. After awhile of skating we went in for hot coca and enjoyed some nachos.

After ice skating we went to Tilles park and drove through the 'light jungle'. It was so much fun to be out with Caleb and we hope that this may start a new tradition around Christmas with Caleb.

Funny Pic

So, I love this picture of Cecilia. I happened to be walking by as I was taking one of the boys out of their chair and noticed the orange on her head. Apparently she put it there and thought it was funny too!!

Happy Birthday Logan & Aunt MaryJo

So I have missed most birthdays since the babies were born, but today is Logan's 2nd Birthday and my Aunt MaryJo's (29th I am sure). This is Logan at his birthday party earlier this month admiring his awesome Thomas/Percy Cake him mom made.

Today

Whew-Today the kiddos were into everything!! They are getting quite adventurous and exploring everywhere. While I was getting the laundry out they made their way into the bathroom and Cecilia got a hold of a razor and cut her finger and the boys were playing/standing around the toilet. After that they discovered the fireplace. Well, not really. Cohen and Cecilia discovered it yesterday and the cover fell on them. Don't worry, it is a really cheap and light one and barely touched them. But today, they were out in full force attacking the fireplace. While I was pumping, Caleb was continually moving one of them away from it and they would quickly make their way back. Caleb seemed annoyed but in the end was laughing at them and their game. He was still on guard when I was making the bottles, but Cohen got by him and was eating the rocks. I of course was watching from the kitchen so I got back to him quickly, but it was not pretty. After that when I was changing Cohen's diaper I let him air out a bit while I installed the gate (seemed to be a priority) in front of the fire place and he of course peed. Later while I was at Caleb's Christmas party at my mom watched them pull out Caleb's basket of shoes as a group and get into that. She said they were having such a good time working together and trying to get his shoes to eat she let them go.

Let me tell you, they are out in full force.

In addition to getting into everything they are constantly hanging on me. If I am standing they are hanging on my pant legs. If I am sitting I am being climbed on. Every stage seems to be a new and challenging stage and I think this is by far the hardest. They are like a heard of animals coming after me, climbing on me and begging for whatever we are eating. I need to lock them up more :)

But they are so damn cute!!!

Teeth

Cecilia got her first tooth last week, the bottom right and this week the bottom left popped through.

Cohen has fangs. He does not have his top front teeth, but the side ones came in last week...yes, both of them in one week. His gums are still really swollen and red so I think the front ones are coming soon though.

Christian still only has his bottom teeth, but he is drooling SO bad. Hopefully something will come soon for him.

Cookies with Santa

Tonight we went to another family of triplets home to have cookies with Santa. We also went there for the hayride and Caleb had a great time. The biggest hit was when Santa drove away in a mini cooper with lights and antlers on it. Here are the photos of the kids. I think they speak for themselves.

Caleb and Santa

Cohen and Santa
Christian and Santa

Cecilia and Santa

The whole gang....priceless

Busted

So I was in the kitchen and hear squeals and Caleb say "Wow, Cohen really likes the blue icing". Had I not heard this comment the blue on their faces would have given it away.

Thanksgiving weekend

The day after Thanksgiving is always dedicated to the outside lights and this year was no different. Mark and Caleb worked hard and now Santa will for sure be able to find our house.

Saturday when we woke up Mark and I decided that we should go do something since the weather was supposed to be so nice. The first thing out of Caleb's mouth was the magic house and he insisted that we go there, so what the heck, we went. I had not been there in forever and love the beanstalk they have for the kids to climb. Here is Caleb climbing.

The babies loved the magic house too, once we got them to the right area. Mark and I split up since it was hard to keep track of Caleb and manage the stroller of babies. There was no one in the 0-24 month area so we took over. I was a little nervous about the germs but since no one else was there and there was a sign about where to put toys that had been drooled on so they could be sanitized I felt better about it. The babies were just happy to be free!!

Christian, Cecilia and Cohen enjoying the outside of the ball pit.

Yuck Cecilia-get that out of your mouth!!

After the magic house we grabbed lunch and headed to the Rocket Park, which is one of Caleb's favorites. I stopped by our friends house (Ryan and Jen) and drug them out so Caleb had Alex to play with and they had a great time. Once the kids woke up from their nap they were so excited to be out in the grass and playing.

Cohen and Christian

Thanksgiving night

Here are some pics of the kid 'helping ' decorate. At one point I said no more! They were all crabby and Mark and Caleb were having all of the fun while I tried to contain then and keep them happy. Once we got them situated and off to bed Mark, Caleb and I put all of the ornaments on the tree and they finished putting up the train. Caleb was mesmerized by the train again this year and the babies love to watch it now too.

Cohen (ear infection and all), Cecilia and Christian

Caleb