Motivation

I've always said this twin thing is quite enjoyable, in fact other than a few hair pulling episodes (on my part) I've felt quite in control of the whole situation. I've also always said, that the babies can't go anywhere on their own and that makes it easier, well, that is about to change.
Little Red is about to become mobile. He already rolls around and grabs anything his chubby little hands can reach, but just last week he finally got up on those knees. He's still kinda wobbly, but fearless. Nothing motivates him more than a discarded TV remote control on the floor.... or his poor little chubby sister still lying on her back, immobile, unable to even roll. Nothing make him happier than to "play" with her, he enjoys stealing her Binky, poking out her eyes, pulling on her clothes, and occasionally biting on her hands and feet.
Poor little Sweetie is a little delayed in the movement department. We recently had her evaluated and although she is slightly behind with her fine/gross motor skills, the therapists believe she will quickly catch up with a little daily therapy. For now we've invented a little early warning system, Peanut and Walnut watch the babies play on the floor and if Red is about to get into something, they come get me. As for Sweetie, she's got a warning system all her own...if she sees Red even looking in her direction she starts screaming. Perhaps Little Red is just the motivation she needs to get moving...problem solved.

Hoop Jumping

There is one aspect of my life that makes me feel like an adult, makes me feel responsible, organized, and some days a bit frustrated. Last January, shortly after I found out the twins were coming, one of the first calls I made was to my insurance provider. I knew the complications, risks and expenses associated with twins and wanted to prepare myself as to what to expect in regards to my coverage and expected out of pocket expenses. I took diligent notes, and carefully reviewed all the hoops I was required to jump through to make sure we would have no problems with the anticipated medical bills. I can now say I am a professional "hoop jumper". I spend roughly 5-6 hours a week on the phone (mostly on hold, I might add) coordinating bills and benefits. I'm constantly amazed at the inefficiencies of these places. It's almost as if they intentionally set out to confuse me, transfer me to endless idiots and ultimately make me angry. Now for those who know me, know I'm great at getting what I need on the phone. All those years dealing with irate Southwest Airline passengers, have really paid off. Rule number ONE, take charge, take names and take notes, TWO, thoroughly and calmly explain the problem, THREE, don't yell and don't blame the person your speaking with, and FOUR, expect the issue to be resolved in your favor. Yea right!! I have given up on rationality, or any expectation that anyone can actually understand my problem, let alone begin to resolve it. I have literally explained that I have two babies with the same birth date to at least fifty people, yet can any one of them understand this concept, let alone fix it in the computer? NO! Some days after a particularly harrowing phone battle, I wish I could just pay these bills and be done with them. If I were rich I would, my time is more valuable than this, and then I realize that is exactly what "they" are counting on. "They" are huge and pay hundreds of people, to do nothing other than wait for me to call, so they can put me on endless holds, transfer me to unrelated departments and again falsely promise to remember that I have TWO BABIES! As of January 1st we had the opportunity to change insurance carriers, needless to say we did. Part of my meticulous accounting tactics is to follow claims online and make sure things are processed correctly. Today I was in the process of setting up access to our new medical insurance accounts when I realized I did not have authorization to access any ones medical claim information but The One Who Works, I called our insurance and explained my dilemma. I was informed that due to HIPPA laws, legally I could not access anyone else's medical information other than my own. I told the woman that these were very young children, my children no less, and as she could plainly see their birth dates in her computer, figured the solution was obvious....apparently not. She informed me that if the children so choose, they could authorize me to have access to their medical claims. Again, I explain that they are only ages four, two and 7 months old, at this point she tells me (their MOTHER) that I (again, their MOTHER) can fill out a form for them on their behalf to authorize me (still their MOTHER) to have access to their claims. OK, so they did, I did, she did and now I finally do.....hoops, whew!

Don't let dinosaurs eat Daddy

Yesterday Peanut turned four. We had a small family dinner topped off with birthday cake and ice cream. Peanut loved all his gifts and loved the attention, he was practically vibrating with excitement while we sang "Happy Birthday" to him, he had the biggest grin pasted on his beautiful four year old face. This year he wanted a leaf cake....what you ask is a leaf cake? Well, I didn't know either, so it turned out green, like the color of leaves, he seemed satisfied, and I got off easy, so we were both happy.

Since Peanut was the birthday boy, after all, we allowed him to say the prayer on dinner. I should add, Peanut says wonderful prayers, he knows all the right things to say, he always remembers to pray for those who need it, and usually includes the food if it's a prayer on a meal, I'm always amazed and proud at how well he does. Last nights prayer however, is my new favorite, he was on a roll as usual, being thankful for all his gifts, praying that all would travel safe and that the food prepared would "nourish and strengthen our bodies" when out of nowhere, with a perfectly straight voice added "and please don't let any dinosaurs eat Daddy". I must admit, I was trying to be reverent, but couldn't help as my eyes nearly popped out as I was attempting to restrain a burst of laughter. Oh, to be four and believe anything is possible!

A day on a hill

Today was a good day to be alive. After going to bed to some wild, howling wind attempting to blow the house down, we woke up to a beautiful, blue sky, winter wonderland. Heavy, white snow blanketed everything in sight, and I, still trying to make amends for my out of control "holiday appetite", decided to do the snow shoveling myself. It was quite a job, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. Since it is Saturday today, we decided to take the whole family sledding. Well not the whole family, after dropping the twins off with Grandma and Grandpa, we headed to the biggest hill we could find! We have a new high school in our area and they have a huge hill, perfect for sledding. My sister, her husband and three boys joined us. We had a blast. This particular hill is huge and very long, there is plenty of space for at least a hundred kids to slide down simultaneously, which worked out perfectly, because apparently we weren't the only ones with this idea.


The boys had a great time. We started sledding about half way up the hill, but after watching his older cousins brave the top, Peanut and eventually Walnut were won over. Peanut even tried his hand at snow boarding on a tiny little snow board his cousin brought, I was rather impressed at his agility on the board.


Peanut often has a problem walking a straight line without falling, yet he could remain standing an unusually long time, with both feet strapped to a board hurdling at breakneck speed down an icy hill....go figure? We topped the whole afternoon off with hot chocolate and french fries at Village Inn, before heading to pick up the twins, who I would like to add had a wonderful time with their Grandparents!