i came across a give away on a scrapbooking blog, for a cricut disk!
check it out: scherriescraps.blogspot.com/2011/04
Monday, May 2, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
thinks he's a quad
After the 'you must have your hands full', 'so you finally got your boy' seems to be one of the most common comments i hear when people find out that i have triplet girls who are 8, and a son who is 6. That really bothers me. We wanted another child, not just a boy.
When we went through our 4th round of IVF, we became pregnant with our daughters, and were also able to freeze embryos. After our daughters were born, i often thought about that, wondering if we really could have another child, or if our family was complete. We didn't want a large age gap, so we decided to go ahead with the transfer as soon as we felt we could handle another child. When the girls were 18 months we went ahead, and became pregnant with our son. We thought this would be our normal pregnancy, and that the girls would be potty trained before he was born. But there were complications with my health, and he was delivered 10 weeks premature. Just 8 days before the girls turned 2.
We enjoy the experience of raising a boy,but in some ways another daughter would have fit in more easily. he doesn't always like the same games that they do. He has found his own way though. When the girls would play barbies, he would push a dump truck along side and offer them a ride. When they would play house, he was usually the dog. Now that they are older, they all play video games together, along with soccer and basketball. A girl could have shared a room with her sister, and worn the handme downs. instead the 3 girls share the larger bedroom, and sometimes they lock him out.
He is not only a boy in a house full of girls, he is also a singleton in a house with triplets. He wasn't pushed so much to hold hands and stay together. He is more curious and likely to wander off. Once the girls started school, He went out more with just one adult. for the girls that one on one time was hard to come by. The girls also have a group of freinds from school that he doesn't know.
There are times that it becomes clear that he is not one of them. usually 2 of the girls sit with a freind on the bus, and the 3rd sits with ray. one day he decided that he wanted to sit in the seat by their freind, upsetting the girls. He sees her as his freind too, even though she is the girls age. This same freind had a birthday party, and he is not invited. he doesn't really understand why he can't go. We tried telling him that it's a girls party, but he doesn't care about those diffrences yet.he just feels left out. We also tried explaining that someday one of the girls would be invited to a party without the others, but none of the kids could grasp that concept. We will deal with that one as it comes, it's just part of growing up.
I asked him what he would like to do while the girls were gone. Grandma stopped by and he played board games with her. And my husband took time to play a wii game with him. i took the girls to the party, and then ran some errands. when i came home with out them, he wanted to know where they were. then every 15 minetes he was asking if it was time to pick them up. he picks on his sisters, and complains about sharing computer time, but he also misses them.
I don't mean to say that we aren't glad to have him. He is creative,and energetic. I think having a brother, encourages the girls to try new things. My husband also enjoys having a son. My point is just that having both sons and daughters shouldn't be assumed as the perfect arrangement. Each family has it's own strengths and tensions.
When we went through our 4th round of IVF, we became pregnant with our daughters, and were also able to freeze embryos. After our daughters were born, i often thought about that, wondering if we really could have another child, or if our family was complete. We didn't want a large age gap, so we decided to go ahead with the transfer as soon as we felt we could handle another child. When the girls were 18 months we went ahead, and became pregnant with our son. We thought this would be our normal pregnancy, and that the girls would be potty trained before he was born. But there were complications with my health, and he was delivered 10 weeks premature. Just 8 days before the girls turned 2.
We enjoy the experience of raising a boy,but in some ways another daughter would have fit in more easily. he doesn't always like the same games that they do. He has found his own way though. When the girls would play barbies, he would push a dump truck along side and offer them a ride. When they would play house, he was usually the dog. Now that they are older, they all play video games together, along with soccer and basketball. A girl could have shared a room with her sister, and worn the handme downs. instead the 3 girls share the larger bedroom, and sometimes they lock him out.
He is not only a boy in a house full of girls, he is also a singleton in a house with triplets. He wasn't pushed so much to hold hands and stay together. He is more curious and likely to wander off. Once the girls started school, He went out more with just one adult. for the girls that one on one time was hard to come by. The girls also have a group of freinds from school that he doesn't know.
There are times that it becomes clear that he is not one of them. usually 2 of the girls sit with a freind on the bus, and the 3rd sits with ray. one day he decided that he wanted to sit in the seat by their freind, upsetting the girls. He sees her as his freind too, even though she is the girls age. This same freind had a birthday party, and he is not invited. he doesn't really understand why he can't go. We tried telling him that it's a girls party, but he doesn't care about those diffrences yet.he just feels left out. We also tried explaining that someday one of the girls would be invited to a party without the others, but none of the kids could grasp that concept. We will deal with that one as it comes, it's just part of growing up.
I asked him what he would like to do while the girls were gone. Grandma stopped by and he played board games with her. And my husband took time to play a wii game with him. i took the girls to the party, and then ran some errands. when i came home with out them, he wanted to know where they were. then every 15 minetes he was asking if it was time to pick them up. he picks on his sisters, and complains about sharing computer time, but he also misses them.
I don't mean to say that we aren't glad to have him. He is creative,and energetic. I think having a brother, encourages the girls to try new things. My husband also enjoys having a son. My point is just that having both sons and daughters shouldn't be assumed as the perfect arrangement. Each family has it's own strengths and tensions.
Monday, March 28, 2011
What are you reading Wednesday...."The Majic Treehouse"
I was actually reading "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens, how did I miss this book? Everyone has heard of it, and knows how it ends, but somehow through high school and college, I never actually read it. If you haven't, do. suspense, drama, romance, yum. Lori saw the cover and replied" Charles Dickens...I think i've heard of him...." It turned out that in "the Majic Tree House #44:A Ghost tale for Christmas" by Mary Pope, the main characters had visited Charles Dickens.
This year (2nd grade) my daughters are just gobbling up these books. This is a huge series, with adventure and a little education mixed in. 46 books so far, and additional resource guides. The main characters in the series, are a brother and sister Jack and Annie. They have found a treehouse, that takes them around the world and through time. In this particular book, they visit Victorian England, they learn a little about real life conditions, and meet Charles Dickens with the plan to encourage him to keep writing. I learned a few things about him while reading this book. Did you know that his father was in debtors prison, and that charles was working in a factory at age 12? Jack and Annie has also visited the deck of the titanic, the first olympics, antartica, and too many other places to list. i love that there is a series that entertains, as well as educates.
This year (2nd grade) my daughters are just gobbling up these books. This is a huge series, with adventure and a little education mixed in. 46 books so far, and additional resource guides. The main characters in the series, are a brother and sister Jack and Annie. They have found a treehouse, that takes them around the world and through time. In this particular book, they visit Victorian England, they learn a little about real life conditions, and meet Charles Dickens with the plan to encourage him to keep writing. I learned a few things about him while reading this book. Did you know that his father was in debtors prison, and that charles was working in a factory at age 12? Jack and Annie has also visited the deck of the titanic, the first olympics, antartica, and too many other places to list. i love that there is a series that entertains, as well as educates.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
working mom
Craig and I were switching roles last week. I had 4 days of sub assignments, and he used a vacation day to take Lynn to the orthodontist, and to help get ready for my twins club sale this weekend. It feels strange,giving him my questions for the appointment, and wondering how it went. Lately he has also taken a day to go to the pediatrician and to stay home with a sick child. He has worked at the same company for 10 years, so he has vacation time built up. Lately i've gotten a lot of calls, but that's no guarantee for the future. If I have the opportunity to work, then I need to take it. Friday, I had an appointment with my optomotrist, and taking things to the sale in the afternoon. I also turned down 3 job assignments for that day. It's gone from wondering when I will work, to a question of do I want to... for next year, should i apply for a full time job at the school?
I've eased into it this year, substitute teaching a day here, a day there since all my kiddos are in school now. It was nice to have the flexibility. I was home with Ray for a week this fall with what turned out to be pnemonia. But after going over finances, and looking ahead to those braces x3, we realized that our income needed to increase. There was no where to cut back. Having weekends and evenings as a family is important to us. With 3-8 year olds, and a 6 year old, there is no older sibling to watch over them in the summer. Working on their school schedule makes the most sense for us.
I went online and looked at a map of schools in our area, and decided to apply to work in the next county. I immediatly started getting calls at the middle school and high school. Actually I've worked every day for the last 2 weeks. I've basically stumbled into being a full time working mom. It's an adjustment for the kids riding the bus. Craig can walk them to the corner before heading to his job. Fortunately their grandparents live in our district, so the kids can take the bus to their house after school. With 4 of them to pick up, the booster seats wouldn't fit into grandma's car. Often I get there close to the time that they do, sometimes before. They love spending time with grandma, but they also complain that the bus ride is long and boring. It's not an easy balance. Leah told me that she wasn't feeling well at school, but she stayed because she knew I was working that day. That broke my heart. I told her that our family always comes first, that either me or her dad would come if she needed us. Just last night, after i got a call to work today, Lynn asked "why do you need to work when daddy already does?"
I get their comb and braid their hair before they eat breakfast, and most days they aren't even out of their pajamas before I go. I think that matters more to me than it does to them. They would be just as happy with a ponytail instead of french braids. I like it though, taking care of them, sending them out into the world looking pretty. After school is just busier. Then when we get home, I still have all those things left to do that didn't get done during the day. In some ways it's like when they were toddlers, and taking care of them was my job. Any errands that needed done waited until their dad was home, or the weekend.
I think this is going to work for us. It is just going to take some more planning. Doing as much as I can ahead so there isn't such a crunch between homework and dinner. I've always been more go with the flow, so this is a change for me. Everyone says how much they love their crockpot, but i barely use mine. I can do a basic pot roast, and a shredded chicken, what are you having for dinner? i would love to hear your favorite crockpot recipie....
I've eased into it this year, substitute teaching a day here, a day there since all my kiddos are in school now. It was nice to have the flexibility. I was home with Ray for a week this fall with what turned out to be pnemonia. But after going over finances, and looking ahead to those braces x3, we realized that our income needed to increase. There was no where to cut back. Having weekends and evenings as a family is important to us. With 3-8 year olds, and a 6 year old, there is no older sibling to watch over them in the summer. Working on their school schedule makes the most sense for us.
I went online and looked at a map of schools in our area, and decided to apply to work in the next county. I immediatly started getting calls at the middle school and high school. Actually I've worked every day for the last 2 weeks. I've basically stumbled into being a full time working mom. It's an adjustment for the kids riding the bus. Craig can walk them to the corner before heading to his job. Fortunately their grandparents live in our district, so the kids can take the bus to their house after school. With 4 of them to pick up, the booster seats wouldn't fit into grandma's car. Often I get there close to the time that they do, sometimes before. They love spending time with grandma, but they also complain that the bus ride is long and boring. It's not an easy balance. Leah told me that she wasn't feeling well at school, but she stayed because she knew I was working that day. That broke my heart. I told her that our family always comes first, that either me or her dad would come if she needed us. Just last night, after i got a call to work today, Lynn asked "why do you need to work when daddy already does?"
I get their comb and braid their hair before they eat breakfast, and most days they aren't even out of their pajamas before I go. I think that matters more to me than it does to them. They would be just as happy with a ponytail instead of french braids. I like it though, taking care of them, sending them out into the world looking pretty. After school is just busier. Then when we get home, I still have all those things left to do that didn't get done during the day. In some ways it's like when they were toddlers, and taking care of them was my job. Any errands that needed done waited until their dad was home, or the weekend.
I think this is going to work for us. It is just going to take some more planning. Doing as much as I can ahead so there isn't such a crunch between homework and dinner. I've always been more go with the flow, so this is a change for me. Everyone says how much they love their crockpot, but i barely use mine. I can do a basic pot roast, and a shredded chicken, what are you having for dinner? i would love to hear your favorite crockpot recipie....
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
"the memory keepers daughter"
I've been working a lot more lately, so i didn't get this book review done last week as i hoped. ironically i was working with special needs students at our high school. i'm a substitute teacher so i'm never sure from day to day where i will be working. i was nervous about this particular assignment, almost canceled. but i really enjoyed it. The kids are eager to learn, and to make the best of their abilities. I was reading "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" by Kim Edwards.
description from the back of the book:
This stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964. When a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immedialtly recognizes that his daughter had Down syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution.Instead she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own.
Another teacher who saw me reading this, said that she got so mad at the husband after the first chapter that she couldn't finish the book. I like a book that makes me feel something, gets my heart involved with the story.In the 60's institutionalizing a disabled child wouldn't have been uncommon.The book brings up 2 questions, first how diffrent would their life would have been, if there had not been a twin. and 2nd what is the value of that twins life?
I don't really think their life would have been that diffrent if there had only been one child born. The emotional distance is more a symptom of his character, than a reaction to his choice. He had such a desire for perfection, that he could send an imperfect child away, without discussing it with his wife, before his wife had even seen her. Everyone has stuggles in life. if it hadn't been this, than something else would have happened to ruin his 'perfect' life. Whether it was an illness, or the loss of a job, he would react the same way, distancing himself from the problem and whom ever he saw as the cause of it.
In my own life, i have found that when a crisis hits, a strong relationship will stand firm, and a weak on will crumble. It brings out what is already there. We tried to have children for 5 years before becoming pregnant with our triplets. I never would have planned it that way, but those were valuable years in our marriage. We learned to trust each other, and to make decisions together. We couldn't have predicted that we would have 3 babies at once, or that later when i was pregnant with our son, i would be diagnosed with cancer. But what we had already built, would carry us through those times.
description from the back of the book:
This stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964. When a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immedialtly recognizes that his daughter had Down syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution.Instead she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own.
Another teacher who saw me reading this, said that she got so mad at the husband after the first chapter that she couldn't finish the book. I like a book that makes me feel something, gets my heart involved with the story.In the 60's institutionalizing a disabled child wouldn't have been uncommon.The book brings up 2 questions, first how diffrent would their life would have been, if there had not been a twin. and 2nd what is the value of that twins life?
I don't really think their life would have been that diffrent if there had only been one child born. The emotional distance is more a symptom of his character, than a reaction to his choice. He had such a desire for perfection, that he could send an imperfect child away, without discussing it with his wife, before his wife had even seen her. Everyone has stuggles in life. if it hadn't been this, than something else would have happened to ruin his 'perfect' life. Whether it was an illness, or the loss of a job, he would react the same way, distancing himself from the problem and whom ever he saw as the cause of it.
In my own life, i have found that when a crisis hits, a strong relationship will stand firm, and a weak on will crumble. It brings out what is already there. We tried to have children for 5 years before becoming pregnant with our triplets. I never would have planned it that way, but those were valuable years in our marriage. We learned to trust each other, and to make decisions together. We couldn't have predicted that we would have 3 babies at once, or that later when i was pregnant with our son, i would be diagnosed with cancer. But what we had already built, would carry us through those times.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
what are you reading wednesday
I've decided to give my blog another try, and introduce a book review each Wednesday. On other days, i will also include my view as a parent of triplets plus one. Today is March 2, National Read Across America day, also Theo Geisel's birthday. Even though he passed away in 1991,most children can recite at least part of one of his 44 children's books from memory. He is better known under his pen name, Dr.Suess.
I was a junior in high school when he died, and our teacher asked us to bring our favorite book in to read in class. I remember one student, the youngest in a family of 4, bringing in a book she didn't know the title of because it was so well loved that the cover had fallen off. My personal favorite is one of his longer works, "The 500 hats of Bartholomew Cubbins." Just this week, my 6 year old brought "Green Eggs and Ham" into the kitchen to read, not me to him, but him to me.
I love that I am raising the new generation of readers, even in this electronic age. I found it interesting that Dr. Suess started writing children's books from a list of vocabulary words,to educate, not only to entertain. I have always been a huge reader myself. Growing up, we were always allowed a half-hour to read before lights out. I tend towards fiction:classics, best sellers, sci-fiction,fantasy. I also read novels geared towards adults, teens, or children. I must confess that even tough i am 37, i have read and enjoyed all of the Harry Potter series, and the Twilight series. I like to know what my kids are reading. As a substitute teacher, I'm curious about the books the students are studying, and what they are reading during their free moments. I am also keep a paperback or 2 in my bag for those odd moments in my own day.
I plan to pass along my recommendations, and i would love to hear yours as well. To start it off, which book by Dr. Suess is your favorite and why? i would encourage you to go back and read it again, out loud, simply for the joy in the rhythm of the words.
I was a junior in high school when he died, and our teacher asked us to bring our favorite book in to read in class. I remember one student, the youngest in a family of 4, bringing in a book she didn't know the title of because it was so well loved that the cover had fallen off. My personal favorite is one of his longer works, "The 500 hats of Bartholomew Cubbins." Just this week, my 6 year old brought "Green Eggs and Ham" into the kitchen to read, not me to him, but him to me.
I love that I am raising the new generation of readers, even in this electronic age. I found it interesting that Dr. Suess started writing children's books from a list of vocabulary words,to educate, not only to entertain. I have always been a huge reader myself. Growing up, we were always allowed a half-hour to read before lights out. I tend towards fiction:classics, best sellers, sci-fiction,fantasy. I also read novels geared towards adults, teens, or children. I must confess that even tough i am 37, i have read and enjoyed all of the Harry Potter series, and the Twilight series. I like to know what my kids are reading. As a substitute teacher, I'm curious about the books the students are studying, and what they are reading during their free moments. I am also keep a paperback or 2 in my bag for those odd moments in my own day.
I plan to pass along my recommendations, and i would love to hear yours as well. To start it off, which book by Dr. Suess is your favorite and why? i would encourage you to go back and read it again, out loud, simply for the joy in the rhythm of the words.
Monday, April 26, 2010
multiples in the classroom
As this school year is winding down, we are looking ahead and making plans for next year. )Our daughters will be in second grade. We had them in the same class for kindergarten, then seperated in first grade. Next year we decided that it would be best for our family is the girls were placed back in the same classroom. There isn't one right way for a family to handle this. Each child is diffrent, and their needs change from year to year, so we are trying to adapt as we go.
Before they started school, my husband and i talked for months about what would be best for them. We had decided not to send them to a preschool, as i have been home full-time since before they were born. Kindergarten was going to be a big step, and it would be full day kindergarten on top of that.Being together would comfort them during these changes.
We didn't have any problems with the school, and their teacher was also helpful. She assigned them to diffrent tables to encourage them to build other freindships. Kindergaten went smoothly. no competition between them, or excluding other kids. Going into first grade, we switched schools and felt they would benefit from another year together.
first grade has been much harder. When I had spoken to the school about having them placed together, i was told that i could request that at registration in the fall. When we got there, the principal had already assigned them to diffrent classrooms. I spoke to her about the girls changing schools, and not knowing everyone, but she wouldn't budge. School was starting in a week and there was not time to fight it.
as there were only 2 classes, lynn was in class,and her sisters in the other. It took awhile to make new freinds, but after several weeks they settled in. The problem i was'nt prepared for was dealing with homework from 2 diffrent teachers. Someone was always waiting for me, to explain instructions,and discuss reading assignments. Then when someone needed extra help, with handwriting or math, it was hard to find the time.
Going into 2nd grade, we've decided that they need to be together again. After talking with several other moms with multiples, i think i made a better request. I typed up a letter based on logic not emotion. i also mailed it to her when there was still a month left of school. I haven't heard back from her yet, but i am hoping
Before they started school, my husband and i talked for months about what would be best for them. We had decided not to send them to a preschool, as i have been home full-time since before they were born. Kindergarten was going to be a big step, and it would be full day kindergarten on top of that.Being together would comfort them during these changes.
We didn't have any problems with the school, and their teacher was also helpful. She assigned them to diffrent tables to encourage them to build other freindships. Kindergaten went smoothly. no competition between them, or excluding other kids. Going into first grade, we switched schools and felt they would benefit from another year together.
first grade has been much harder. When I had spoken to the school about having them placed together, i was told that i could request that at registration in the fall. When we got there, the principal had already assigned them to diffrent classrooms. I spoke to her about the girls changing schools, and not knowing everyone, but she wouldn't budge. School was starting in a week and there was not time to fight it.
as there were only 2 classes, lynn was in class,and her sisters in the other. It took awhile to make new freinds, but after several weeks they settled in. The problem i was'nt prepared for was dealing with homework from 2 diffrent teachers. Someone was always waiting for me, to explain instructions,and discuss reading assignments. Then when someone needed extra help, with handwriting or math, it was hard to find the time.
Going into 2nd grade, we've decided that they need to be together again. After talking with several other moms with multiples, i think i made a better request. I typed up a letter based on logic not emotion. i also mailed it to her when there was still a month left of school. I haven't heard back from her yet, but i am hoping
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