Softball

Saturday morning was cool and windy, and a perfect day to watch Grandpa Cermak coach his softball team. The team girls know all about the twins and love to see them visit. Grandpa loves to show off his darling grandchildren. And Evie enjoys watching the action on the field. Gavin got a little bored and kept signing that he was "all done," but it was a great morning anyway!



Auntie Clare played cars with Evie:



Nana helped Gavin walk on the bleachers:



And she also helped him sit in a tree - a first for Gavin!

With a batter up and a runner at third base, Grandpa watched closely:

"When can I play softball, Daddy?"

Gavin signing "All Done." Note that he is wearing his red hoodie for the first time this year! I finally got something other than his winter coat on him!

A pretzel break with Nana:

Life 1, Mom 0

I know when I've been defeated. And I was defeated quite soundly last Friday morning. And it was all because of Curious George. Here's what happened...

My twins group had a meet-up at Morton Arboretum on Friday morning. Curious George was going to be there to greet the kids and plant a tree, and the staff would read Curious George Plants a Tree. Of course, this was in honor of Arbor Day, and there were other Arbor Day festivities going on - I just had no idea how many.

I thought Evie and Gavin would love meeting George (since they loved meeting Clifford) and I know they love the Childrens Garden in the Arboretum, so off we went at 9:30 am. My first clue that all was not normal was the long lines to go through the admission booths. After getting through that, my next clue came when I saw that the first parking lot was marked FULL, and so was the second lot.

The next thing I saw made me a little panicky. It was a big yellow sign reading "Remote Lot - Shuttle." "Shuttle?!," I thought, "I'm on my own today!" I debated turning around for one second, but we were already there, and anyway I was in a line of cars on a narrow Arboretum road and I didn't even know where I could turn around.

Our unfortunate car caravan snaked along the little road, going up hills and through forests that I would have appreciated a lot more if I wasn't getting more nervous with each turn. After what I estimate was a mile, we reached a field with guys in yellow vests directing cars to park in a neat row. As I passed one of them I rolled down my window and called out, "Is there really a shuttle? 'Cause I have two little kids and a strolller!"

He looked at me like I was crazy, as I am sure I must have sounded, and said, "Yeah, there's the bus right there." I turned and looked to see a big yellow SCHOOL BUS. That's right, a school bus. Me, two toddlers, the diaper bag, and our double stroller...on a school bus. I broke out in a sweat.

I had no idea how this was going to work, so I just proceeded to unload the kids and set up the stroller like I always do. I reasoned that I would figure it out on the way to the "bus stop." Well, I still didn't know what I was going to do when I got there. But then some very nice people asked if I needed help, and boy was I ever grateful. A nice man put the stroller in the bus, and I climbed on holding a child in each arm and the diaper bag over my shoulder. Gavin, who loves to point out busses when we are driving around town, suddenly panicked at the prospect of actually getting on one and burst into tears and screeches.

I got into a seat and tried to calm Gavin down, who was clinging to me for dear life. Evie had lost a shoe at some point and a very nice woman gave it back to me. The ride back to the Visitor Center was the longest bus ride ever.

We finally arrived, unloaded ourselves, and went into the Visitor Center, where we immediately got into a line of moms and kids waiting to see George. Gavin was not happy about waiting, but at least he wasn't crying. Finally, it was our turn!

Gavin gave George a high five only when I was standing right next to him, but Evie wanted nothing to do with George. I couldn't even put her down to get a photo of Gavin. I said "Well I guess that's it! We're done." Then the woman behind us offered to take a picture for me, and I turned around to say that we weren't done, only to see George walking away and the woman who was managing his schedule saying that he was going on a break.

ARRGH! After I got over the feeling of "This Is Not Happening," we just went outside and walked to the entrance of the Childrens Garden. That is where I got the picture above. Gavin and Evie still didn't want anything to do with George, and it was getting close to nap time, so we headed back to the "bus stop," since we had to repeat the bus ride process and I didn't know how long we would have to wait for our big yellow vehicle.

Again, we were aided by some very helpful fellow visitors. Gavin didn't cry too much on the return trip, but he covered his ears the whole time. (He took a three hour nap when we got home, by the way - he was so worn out from the experience.) If it was not for the kindness of strangers, we would not have made it onto the first bus. I have learned that some things just don't work out with toddlers, and I reaffirmed that I will always do my best to help people with small children. And the next time I take them to the Arboretum by myself, it will be when NOTHING special is going on!

Box Top Baby

Last weekend we helped Uncle Kevin celebrate his birthday a little early. When I told Evie that we were going over to Auntie Di and Uncle Kevin's house, she smiled and signed "cat," because she just loves her cat cousins!

Evie patiently waited for Gavin to wake up so that we could go visit the cats:




While were there, Uncle David had the idea to put Evie in a box. That box is usually a cat-resting spot, but it quickly became Evie's car / throne:



Uncle Brad and Uncle David pushed Evie all around the house in that box. They carried her around in it too. Evie wanted to bring it home, but we vetoed that idea due to Francis' cat allergies.




When Evie wanted chips, David put the box on a kitchen chair.




Gavin played with Auntie Di's exercise ball:




Evie and (two of) her uncles:

Uncle Kevin, have a happy birthday today! We sure enjoyed playing at your house!

Gavin and Daddy

Gavin enjoyed more bonding time with Daddy this weekend. He tried bonding with Evie too, but one look at her face and you can tell what she thought of that:

Daddy and Gavin played Game Boy:

Then it was time to play with trains:

Time for an extra big hug! "I love you Daddy!"

Tool Time Storytime

Last week we went to the library for "Tool Time Storytime." We sang songs and read books about tools and building things ("Old MacDonald Had a Workshop," anyone?).

While we were waiting for it to start, Gavin hopped on the computer to search the online catalog for his favorite books:

All the kids got construction hats! Evie didn't want anything to do with hers until two days later.

After the songs and stories, the kids could make a craft...Gavin lost interest after about 60 seconds. Evie wasn't interested at all, but she enjoyed watching Gavin.

Here is Evie with her hat on...2 days later:

On the way home from storytime we got to see some big trucks. It seems like all of the main roads in Naperville are under construction. That is actually a good thing, when we are not running late. Evie and Gavin LOVE all the busy trucks. Here are some at the intersection of 75th and Washington.

Updates on Evie

We have started taking Evie to see a pediatric pulmonologist, at the recommendation of her cardiologist. Since Evie does not have a good network of blood vessels in her lungs, he wanted to see if this new doctor could help her out. The pulmomologist put her on a steriod to help build up and strengthen her lungs, and also prescribed a rescue medication if she is coughing alot.

She has to take both medications through her nebulizer, and she has a cute fish mask to wear. At first she didn't like it, but now she just relaxes and breathes in!




I also had to take Evie for bloodwork that both her cardiologist and pulmonologist requested. We also had to do this two weeks ago, and Evie remembered it. As soon as we walked into the little room with the big chair for me to sit in and hold her, she started crying. Fortunately, the nurse was quick - unfortunately, Evie coughed the whole way home and I had to give her the rescue medication when we got there.

Also unfortunately, the lab was not able to run all the tests because her blood was hemolyzed (during the process of drawing the blood, some blood cells burst). We had to go back again the next day for the nurse to draw more blood.
Poor Evie!!! Luckily she didn't get quite as upset the second time.

The one good part about being at the hospital was the big fishtank in the outpatient area. The kids saw a fish that reminded them of Dory (from Finding Nemo), so we ended on a good note.

Friday Cuteness

Here are some random photos from last week:

Gavin helped Francis make muffins:



Big smiles:


Pointing out ducks on the Riverwalk:



Reading with Daddy:



Gavin's super-curly hair after his nap:

Gavin's new Clifford doll:

Gavin and Daddy

Gavin has been "all about Daddy" lately. He asks for Da-Da frequently during the day. He thinks Francis can fix ANYTHING...which is sweet and funny. Below, Francis took one of Gavin's cars apart to try to figure out why the wheels weren't turning. Gavin was fascinated:






Unfortunately, the car couldn't be fixed - but it was good father-son bonding!

Demolition Evie

While Gavin was napping, Evie started playing with our "Cars - the movie" car collection. She especially enjoyed using the yellow bulldozer to push all the other cars around. She also has developed kind of an extended giggle...and a definite "Ha!" when she is pleased with herself.

Monday Cuteness

The other day Evie and Gavin woke up from naps in a fun and silly mood:

This is their "stinky" face - the face they make to tell me they have a load in their diapers:



Big smiles!


They were hugging their toy cars, then dropping them on the floor. Ahh, toddlers!