Happy Valentine's Day Mr. Stomach Bug

All I can say is that  I am glad that we are finally on the up-side of this one!  Phew!!!  We had a very fun and exciting Valentine's day weekend that was unfortunately followed by the worst stomach virus ever.  I was fortunate to be the one to start with it, followed a few hours later by Cassie, who Dawn nicely tucked into bed with my surrounded in towels and a bucket.  It was really the longest night EVER, and the first time I realized just how awful it is to be ridiculously sick and have to take care of a toddler at the same time, no fun.  Unfortunately Dawn followed closely behind by about 3am, and of course the babies shortly thereafter.  I feel like to day is the first day that we all have gotten some energy back and actually started eating again, just in time to conquer the mountain of laundry from this whole ordeal.  The nice thing is that this little bug has also seemingly left us all with a wonderful head/chest cold to with with the cleansing...can it just be spring already????  Here are a few photos from the weekend as the twins were in rare form for their first Valentine's day.

This shirt says it all!

Full of smiles as always

I am sure you can only imagine what Cassie must be doing to get an expression like this out of these two.

This is mischievous with a capital M!

Preparing for American Idol.... And seriously, so we really have this many toys? Good grief!

Of course a little big-sisterly advice 

This guys is just the biggest cuddler ever!!  Especially when he does not feel well, or when he wants to eat Mama's wedding ring...

These kids LOVE the bathtub...as you can see Brookie is the lounger, while Austin is the chaos maker!

A special visit from Auntie Terri and Auntie Kris

and yes, we have really started to notice each other and take an interest, pretty much in licking one another's faces!

Little Miss Brooklyn enjoying her pedialyte pop for breakfast...she actually seemed to enjoy it, thank goodness, since it was the only thing staying in her belly

Austin didn't seem to have quite the same reaction, he was rather un-impressed and very annoyed that it was so cold on his hands.

From the album: End of Feb 2009

Look out world, she's armed with an SLR!

It is going to be really hard to keep the photos in this post to a minimum.... as Dawn surprised us with the new Canon Rebel SLR camera that we have been looking at.  Of course we have spent the beginning of the week just playing around with it and taking some random photos, but the quality of them is just amazing (as you will see in some of the ones I am posting today), and I am even more amazed as just how blue Cassie's eyes are with this camera.  

Aside from being my usual photo taking self, we have been trying to stay busy going to indoor play-places for Cassie to get some good exercise time, as I think the bitter cold winter temperatures that are keeping us inside are starting to get to her.  It was nice this weekend to finally break out of the 20's and have some really great outdoor playtime, she was in heaven.  The twins are amazing us with something new that they do everyday, and are now sitting up unassisted (with pillows behind them just in case) to play with their toys - and each other - and really loving it.   Austin has been on his second round of antibiotics to get rid of the 3 week long ear infection, with Brooklyn just starting one yesterday for her bout of double ear infections.  I will be SO happy with spring comes to get rid of all these germs!

Here are a few photos of what has been keeping us busy these days:

Here are mommy's new favorite outfits...with matching shoes and all!

Brooklyn is trying to determine the severity of Austin's stinky feet... (or is she trying to sample his piggies?)

Mama and her babies!

Making half-moon cookies with mommy (a family tradition is handed down!)

Nothing like cuddly time in pj's

Austin appears to be a binky magnet.... I am still trying to figure out why he (they) wake up crying for a pacifier every hour or so during the night....just turn your mouth - you're bound to run into one!

Our fun trip to the Great Escape, an indoor play place for kids... we went with my sister Trish and her son Jake and my good friend Annie and her two girls Maddie and Katelyn.  Cassie and Maddie are having a blast in the ball pit.

On our way to lunch with Mr. Cool Jake after a fund ay at the playplace.

A photo of the twins and their cousin Jake that my sister took with her SLR camera, just amazing

I think that this picture is what sold us on wanting to get a new camera, the clarity is unbelieveable! (as is the size of that bottom lip!)

Having some fun times in our towels after bath time. 

  

 Austing and Brookie pose for photos after the tub.

A little flashback?  I am guessing you can pick out which one is Cassie!

Finally!  Holding our bottles on our own!

Mama!!! That is my pajama top!

Mommy and Brooklyn after mommy's long run Sunday.

Our little Brookie!

Our for a walk as a family.

Cassie was sooo excited about wearing her new stick on earrings from the nurse at our pediatrician's office - and I just love how blue her eyes are in these pictures!

CLICK HERE (all the photos in the new album):  End of Feb 2009

Just a quick photo update....

We are continuing to experience major sleep issues in this house, and every night wonder if "tonight will be the night where everyone will sleep..." the answer is no.  Dawn and I are definitely on the completely exhausted side and are getting frustrated...good thing that these little faces cheer us up (although no so much at 2 am).

Austin's personal teddy bear...awe!

A few little cozy moment's at home... I love it when I can see Austin's neck! Brooklyn is sporting a little snow bunting our friend Annie lent to us (it is beyond beautiful), and of course, the girls snuggling on the couch watching Ice Age for like the 800th time...

Nothing like turning your back for a second....and realizing that the toddler thinks that paint is really a snack.

At least these guys are closer with the snack idea....although Austin decided that he wanted to trade in his drumstick for an ice cream cone!

You'd think that we had the largest bath tub on earth!

As you can see from all the food on our faces, this is why mommy does tubby after dinner!

And of course I had to share our latest development...yes, it appears as if someone is getting closer to being mobile!  

Although she really isn't sure what to do once she is up here!

You can see all the photos in the album by clicking here!