Still Here...Updates

I've been a terrible blogger for the last two months but hopefully this update will let you know how I'm doing. I've been reading everyone's blogs daily and although I haven't been commenting, I've been praying for those of you who are nearing the end of your pregancies (T), or have recently been surprised by those wonderful BFP's (Bridget, Ordinary Girl)! I'm praying especially hard for those of you who are still trying to get pregnant, and you are constantly in my thoughts. It will happen, don't give up.

Now, as for us, here are some updates:

Me: - going back to work in September to a brand new school to teach Grade 3. Am so, so, so excited! I have so many ideas. Can't wait to get into my classroom to set up mid-July.
My diet has been pretty much the same - I haven't lost much but I also haven't gained, so that's good. But, I do have 30lbs to lose so I think I'm going to bite the bullet and see a dietician soon. We are off to a cottage in Northern Ontario for a week so I'll be looking into it when we get back. I've noticed a pretty scary thing going on in my life: I spend all of my time taking care of everyone else. My husband, kids and parents are my top priorities. I need to carve out time for me to plan my menu for the week/days and also schedule in time for myself to exersice. So, those are my goals for myself.

Tom: - On June 8th, Tom got hired as a permanent teacher! After 5 years of working towards this goal, we were so relieved and grateful. Our school board was able to hire about 30 teachers and he was one of them! He's teaching Grade 8 at the school he's been at for the last 2 years as a long term occasional teacher. So, no more worrying about having only one income! Yay!

Stathis: - graduated from SK at the end of June. He did very well on his report card, although he needs to work on his reading. I've been practicing with him every day. His printing is a bit of a gong show, too so we're working on that. He's in swimming lessons at the pre-school level and loving it. He can actually swim! How awesome is that? His back glide is a nightmare as he kicks his legs like he's doing karate chops, but I'm sure he's going to get it. We have a cool pool at the community center near our house with a lazy river and water-slide and he wants to have his birthday party there in October. I can't believe he's going into grade 1.

Christopher: - has started eating solids and loves them. Can roll all the way over from his back to his belly. Weight 18.5 lbs. Laughs at everything. Also has a moderate case of plageocephaly so we had to take him to Toronto to the Hospital for Sick Children where he was fitted for a helmet that he's going to have to wear for 2-6 months. He goes for the fitting on July 17th.

Eleni: - is our calm baby. She loves to sleep and cuddle. She can roll over onto her side. She loves to sleep, rarely cries. She weighs 17lbs. She also loves eating solids but it depends on her mood. She's lazy and prefers her bottle. About a month ago, I took her and got her ears pierced. It was more traumatic for me and Stathis than anyone else. Her earrings are super cute. She has a better wardrobe than what I'll ever hope to have.

We also had my brother's one year memorial over the weekend. There were about 50 people who came and paid their respects. Afterwards, my parents and Diane hosted a luncheon in the church basement. We laughed alot remembering him. Diane called me yesterday to tell me that the head-stone was erected at the cemetery yesterday. She went to go see it and it upset her. We are going up to see it on July 16, which would have been Chris's 40th birthday. I'm not going to lie - some days are easier than others to get through.

So, that's the summary of how we are all doing. I hope you are all well and remember even though I haven't been commenting, I've been following!

Healthy Living

I have to be honest here. When I was trying to get pregnant the second time, I really let my diet slide. First, I had about 30 lbs to lose from my first pregnancy which I half-heartedly attempted to lose because I knew I was going to get pregnant again since I got pregnant so easily the first time. (Seriously - our second month trying and we were pregnant with Stathis). Then, secondary infertility hit and the three year battle to try to get pregnant ensued. And it seemed for the longest time that nothing else mattered. I researched, blogged, went to the fertility clinic, went for accupunture, hired a trainer, and ultimately tried IVF which worked for us.

Now, the babies are four months old and I am left with those 30lbs that I still have to lose. I've lost weight in the past...to fit into a dress for a wedding, or because I had 6 months to summer vacation...but this time around, I want to get healthy for my health - not how I will look in a certain pair of jeans. Since the death of my brother Chris, I have been saying that I want to make a committment to my health but I haven't really been watching my diet or exercising.

So, this week I am going to start with my diet. I am going to become more aware of what goes into my mouth and not indulge in every piece of food that looks tempting. I wil be tracking what I eat to be more disciplined. Also look for my weekly weigh in and my weekly committment to getting healthy...

Last week I took the twins for their four month check up and immunizations. Christopher now out-weighs Eleni at 14.5 lbs! Eleni is 13.5 lbs. They are doing great! I better run, I have some tidying up to do and we are off to visit my mother in law today!

Changing...

So, I had to write a paragraph about myself to my new principal. She asked all the teachers to send a blurb about themselves to her. It was hard to come up with something witty, yet focused as to how I think others may see me. It made me think so much about some recent posts I read about keeping your voice real on your blog.

This has been something I have struggled with since my battle was with secondary infertitlty. What right did I have to complain about what I was going through when so many others were struggling with primary infertility. For the longest time, I would just stalk blogs when I couldn't get pregnant and had just been referred to our fertitlity specialist. Soon, I realized that my struggle was not that uncommon and found similar friends online who were going through the same thing. Now, we have three children and we are done with making our family. My journey has changed, and I think that my blog will, too.

I hope I don't lose any followers, but I have been pondering creating a more robust blog. One that reflects all the dimensions that make up my life, such as: infertility stuff, house stuff, fashion stuff, teaching stuff, healthy living, my brothers, being a working wife and mama, books and movies that I recommend, and a review of local restaurants.

I also want to say that all the NIAW posts that I've been reading are amazing. Everyone is so right about what they have written about...keep up the great work. The Canadian week is May 20-26 so look for my post, then.

Did you hear that Giuliana and Bill Rancic are expecting their first baby via surrogate? I'm a fan of their show and I'm so happy for them.

Here is a pic of the bubbas who will be 16 weeks tomorrow...

Have a great Thursday everyone...

Um, April, where did you go?

Holy crap time is flying by!!!


Here we are and the twins are almost four months old. Things have been crazy busy with us these last four months. The first six weeks with the babies were pretty insane. And then I had the brainiac idea to throw them their baptism in March. And then, Easter came right around the corner. Every weekend has been a blur with this function and that event.

Last night, Tom and I went on a date without the kiddos. It was great to talk, eat uninterrupted and laugh.

I have come to the realization that I try to do too much stuff in a day and in a week and end up feeling frustrated because I can't get it all done the way that I used to. So, my plan from now on is to focus on one small thing at a time and to not get frustrated about stuff. I'm using the reminders app on my iphone to just write things down that have to be done as they come to my mind and then every day I look at the list and decide what can get done that day and go for it. It seems to be working out ok.

I received a call from my doctor the other day about an ultrasound he had ordered on my thyroid. Apparently, I have cysts on my thryoid. I am now being referred to an endocrinologist. I'm trying not to freak out about it.

My five year old little man is doing well, he is so ready to go to grade one. He only has kindergarten every other day so on the days he's home all I hear about is how bored he is. I am going to sign him up for a gym class on Wednesdays and check out the activities they have at the library to keep him busy. Also, I think he's at a good age to start playing an instrument so I want to look into a kinder-music class for him. As for the summer, I am going to sign him up for some weekly day camps to keep him occupied. I mentioned this to a neighbour mom friend I have and she's going to enroll her two boys as well. The three boys all play well together so it should be fun for them and a bit of a break for us. I feel so bad for him, it seems like every time I play with him the twins begin fussing. Luckily, he's an old sould and doesn't seem to mind, but still, he deserves time and attention, too.

As for the twins, they are also doing well. They smile at us and grab at their toys. The even have started talking to us, making cooing sounds and razzing sounds. I find it hard to take them out. It's alot of prep time to get them out of the house. I will often dash out to run my errands and leave them with my mom. Hopefully, the weather will get nicer here in Toronto in the next few weeks and I'll be able to take them out more.

Since I'm going back to work in September to a different position, I am losing my laptop for work. But, the school board announced they have a supply of new data projectors and laptops for teachers in the classroom. All you have to do is take eight two hour workshops about using technology in the classroom and they are yours. Holla!!! I signed up right away. They run the classes after school and I went to my first class last week. It was so much fun seeing teachers I know and sitting in a course. I even treated myself to a Starbucks to sip while I listened to the lecture. No bottles or diapers or Lego. It felt weird but good at the same time!

I also managed to sneak in some reading time these last two weeks and read The Hunger Games trilogy. Not normally the kind of thing I would enjoy reading, but I did enjoy them. Not my favourite series for a bunch of reasons, but definitely a good read.

Friday night I managed to sneak out and do some shopping and bought some artwork for the bare walls of my house, and then went to the book store and bought the Shades of Grey series of books. So that's what I'm on to next. Anyone heard of these or read them? A few of my colleagues recommended them...what I really want to read is a funny book. Recommendations needed! Enough with the violence and depressing books!!!

This week I have two more courses, a photo appointment for the twins, and their four month check up booked for Friday when they will get their needles. Oh, and I promised Tom I would take them to his school Wednesday...Boy...it's going to be another hectic week...Time is flying...

Warning! Busy weekend ahead!!!

Today I am visiting my sis in law Diane to help her unpack at her new house. My parents are babysitting the twins and Stathis is at school. Greek Easter is next weekend do things are going to get crazy. Tomorrow, Stathis' godparents are coming over. Saturday we have our goddaughter Sophia and her family coming for dinner and also Tom's cousin is coming over for dinner. 6 adults and 8 kids! Should be fun! Sunday is our Psalm Sunday so we'll be at Church and then we are going to Diane's for Anglican Easter. Monday our other god-daughter Angelina is coming over and so are the twin's god-parents.

Tonight I am shopping to make sure I have enough good in the cupboard and to decorate the house for Easter.

Last night, both babies slept through the night! Best. Night. Ever.

Happy Easter everyone!

Marching On

Holy Crap! March came and went and I don't think I posted a thing on my blog. Things were definitely crazy so here is the update:


The Twins:
The twins are doing amazing. They are now 3 months old and about twelve pounds each. They are sleeping through the night, sometimes they wake up for one bottle. They are smiling at us and love kisses and snuggles.

Baptism Party
On March 17th we had them baptized and the party was a big, fat, Greek celebration. My brother Tony and his wife and their little guy came from BC, and my Auntie Anna also came from the US for the party. Baptism is a big deal for us Greeks as you are baptized, take your first communion and are confirmed all in one session. It's common for a big dance to follow, but due to the fact that my brother Chris passed away less than a year ago, dancing would be considered poor taste. So, we looked at our guest list, realized we had 100 people coming and 40 of them were children and decided to rent a jumpy castle. Yep, you read that right. We chose our best friends Nick and Cristina to be the godparents and it was a joyous occasion.

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God parents Nick & Cristina, my parents, in-laws, Tom and I and the babes and Stathis and our niece. Notice my green shoes in honour of St. Patrick's Day



A view of the party as my Mom proudly shrouds the bubbas...



Check out the jumpy castle!!!

Health Update

I recently started noticing I was having heart palpitations daily. Also, my appetite has been decreased and I've been feeling anxious. I thought it was the stress/excitement of the baptism/out of town guests, etc, but one of my aunts talked me into going to my doctor. So, while I've been losing weight because of the decreased appetite, he decided to run a bunch of tests and today he called me because it looks like my thyroid is hyperactive. I did more bloodwork and am going for an ultrasound next week. He also prescribed some medicine for my heart to steady my heart rate and to stop the palpitations. Hopefully I will be feeling more like myself once my thyroid is regulated...


Work
I also decided to take an opportunity at work. I'll be off until the end of the summer and then I'm going back to work to teach grade 3 at a brand new school 10 minutes from my house!! The principal also selected me to be the primary division chair person so I'll be in charge of buying all the resources and leading the primary teachers. I'm super stoked because the staff are a bunch of amazing teachers and I'm just so excited to be part of a team again compared to coaching teachers, which is what I've done for the last 4 years.

Blogging
I know I have been a crappy commenter but I've been reading all the blogs on my blogroll. I will be joining PAIL and ICLW this month. As for all that drama, I really didn't get it...but I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion...

Sleep Warrior

So, ever since we brought the twins home, all Tom and I talk about is sleep. We discuss it as soon as he comes home from work. When we are grocery shopping, we talk about it. When it was his birthday last week he told me that all he wanted was for someone to come and let him sleep for two nights in a row as long as he wanted to. Not for me to wear something that he would enjoy and for us to have time together, wink wink. And he only does the night shift ONCE per week. I am on duty FIVE nights a week. My marriage at the moment is all about sleep. It's all we talk about, think about and want!!!

Last week, I decided I had had enough of my family room couch and bottle feeding on demand and started moving the twins up to their nursery. My reading also intensified. I am now reading the following books and find them very helpful.







Over the weekend, Tom did the night shift on Saturday and he gave up and brought the twins down at 3am to sleep in their swings. On Sunday, my mother in law came and did the night shift and she slept on the nursery floor. They screwed up my sleep training regime so now I think I may need to be in charge and stop letting them take over the night shift. This means I will lose out on solid, uninterrupted sleep but means the twins know who's boss. Hopefully, they will sleep through the night in another 8 weeks which is when they will be 12 weeks old adjusted. I can do nights like last night for the next 8 weeks:

Last night, I put my purple pj's on and my war paint and put the twins down at 9pm

Eleni took bottles at 11, 1 and 4:30
Christopher took bottles at 11, 1:30 and 5

And I slept in between. Not bad considering the twins are 7 1/2 weeks old, 4 weeks old adjusted age.

I am so excited! This Gladiator can actually see sleeping through the night happening! Also as of today I will be logging their feedings, diapers and naps, looking for patterns.

Who know I could be so anal? See what sleep deprivation does to an otherwise sane woman? I now know why sleep torture is used by the military. There is nothing worse than not having your sleep. And yet, my brain actually cannot remember being sleep deprived with Stathis. You see, mother nature is a sneaky bitch that lets you forget.

In the battle of the twins sleeping vs. me sleeping, I will prevail!