Author Archives: reba

Please Support March For Babies!

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We’re very excited to be a part of this year’s March For Babies. You can visit our personal webpage by clicking the image below if you would like to make a donation to the worthy cause and/or participate in the 5k walk with us in late April.

The Clan Dillingham goal is just $500. With our family contribution — as well as an extremely generous donation from our pal, Melanie — our team only has $350 to go. I urge you to please consider making any size charitable gift, since your donation will fund March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies to begin healthy lives.

Please help us give all babies a healthy start!

Funds are also used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care. As parents of twins who were nearly six weeks early and spent more than two arduous weeks in the NICU, Stephen and I know how important the work of this fantastic organization is. Thanks in advance for your support!

Playtime

Our playgroup schedule is bustling. We have been attending one to two Moms Club activities a week, as well as having playdates with fellow Moms Clubbers: Miss Lorrie, and her kids, 5-year-old Haylie and 1 1/2-year-old Savannah.

We have also been meeting Miss Lorrie and the girls for our weekly Y outings. It has been nice for me to have another adult to chat with, and the boys look forward to hanging with Haylie and Savannah at Child Watch.

I took the boys to the Natural Science Center with GMOM earlier this month. From dinosaur replicas, displays of creepy-crawlies and live-animal exhibits indoors, to the petting zoo, huge tigers and a variety of tropical tree-dwelling critters outdoors, stimulation was certainly not in short supply. With the exception of the twins not wanting to leave a large train set early on in our adventure, the 3 Amigos did a great job getting around at the crowded facility.

It helped, too, that Miss Cristi took Houston under her wing, since he hit it off with her son, Gunner. That way, Houston and the other pre-K kids could move ahead at their breakneck speed, while Gabriel, Zeke and the other toddlers were able to slow down and digest everything at their slower pace.

Zeke (background) & Gabe demolish brick walls @ the Kids’ Museum.

The oft-talked-about highlight of our adventure was during the birthday celebration of one of the female gibbons, and her mate dangled from a branch and shamelessly pooped for all to see. Reverberations of “Monkey doo-doo … ooh, stinky … throw it” can still be heard throughout our house.

Dooky made for a memorable time at last Friday’s Moms Club gathering, as well. Even though many kids played outside, the 3 Amigos were the only ones to tromp through big wads of dog doo. While other moms relaxed, I hosed off their shoes and carried them to the front door before gracelessly exiting. It was actually pretty funny, but just oh so typical of life as crazy Clan Dillingham.

With all the warm weather lately, the boys have also been having lots of impromptu playdates with their neighborhood gal pals, Maddie, Dixie and Alyssa.

Family activities

Since we got Houston’s front bike brakes finally assembled properly, we’ve been practicing his biking a lot more. He is also swinging independently, although he still needs a little push start.

We recently took the 3 Amigos on their first real hike along one of the nearby lakeside nature trails. Considering we trekked nearly 3/4 of a mile, the dudes hung in there, although Gabriel required some nudging and Zeke begged to be carried at the tail-end of our journey. Next time, I think we’ll take the red wagon just in case.

Gabe (foreground) & Zeke lounge in the museum gardens.

The clan saw the bluegrass gospel band, the Rochesters, perform at our church. The twins thoroughly enjoyed the tunes, but Houston was surprisingly unimpressed. Despite the fact that bluegrass is his and little bros’ favorite style of music, I think Houston was disappointed that the band didn’t play “By the Mark,” a Gillian Welch song I’ve been performing for the boys most days before nap time.

Then last Saturday, Daddy took the kids for a wild outing at Bumper Jumpers, while I ran errands, got a haircut and had some Rebecca time. It was a much-appreciated break for me and a good practice for Daddy at handling the dudes in a crowded, active public setting.

Healthy endeavors

The kids’ dentist said that Gabriel should stop sucking a bottle while in his crib and Zeke needs to cease his thumb-sucking, unless we don’t care about paying for braces for two kids. We haven’t yet implemented his recommendations since Zeke is still being awakened on a nightly basis by that damned cough; I would just hate to subject him to his favorite soothing nighttime activity while dealing with that.

Zeke has an appointment with an “allergy, asthma and sinus care” doc later this week, so once we figure out his cough, we’ll then start kicking the twins of their bad bedtime habits.

Daddy and I took Gabriel and Zeke to their six-month follow-up with their behavioral doc. He is pleased with their speech progress and all other age-appropriate milestones. Diagnosis: the twins are right on track and perfectly normal, and we need not come back for another appointment.

Gabe takes the wheel, while Zeke sorts mail in this postal truck.

Two days later, Gabe and Zeke had their final shot in a three-part series of vaccines. They weighed 33 and 34 pounds respectively.

Houston-isms

“Houston, what do you think God looks like?” I asked. “Oh, He has hair and wears a hat,” he said, adding that God’s headgear is probably similar to that of Thomas the Train’s boss, Sir Topham Hatt. Houston’s reply was so quick and confident that I felt as if he may be privy to something that I am not.

After all, kids are born into this world without any pre-conceived notions and biases, and Houston’s opinion made me so appreciate the wonder, innocence, purity and beauty of what it means to be a child.

I found Houston poking around on our computer and he confidently notified me: “I’m just checking the weather, Mommy.”

“Mommy, I’m smarter than you,” Houston declared. After I explained that that day had not yet come, although it unavoidably will, he said, “Okay, I guess I’m not smarter than you, but brothers are.”

Today Houston stated, “I love everything in the world, toys and games and books and food … but I don’t like poison ivy.” I’m just now recovering from a nasty outbreak of the stuff on my forearms, so I suppose the addendum was empathy kicking in.

Papa keeps the beat, while Stephen shows off his Rock Band chops.

Other notes 

The 3 Amigos are still sharing a room almost every night. (Check out a couple pics of Houston in temporary digs.) The transition has been so successful that we are starting to save for a bunk bed with steps to the top bunk, instead of a ladder, and a third pull-out trundle bed. Daddy and I very happy at the prospect of getting our computer out of the bedroom and back into an official home office again.

On a sad note, Granny and Grumps’ “Duke dog” recently went to doggy heaven. A brave and selfless Granny got the sweet Schnauzer put down due to some major health problems he was having. We love and miss you, Duke!

But on a happy note, Grumps and Uncle Dale have been dealing with some life-threatening issues lately, but both have pulled through and are doing well. We’re keeping up the prayers, now y’all just keep up the good fight!

Click the top photo of Gabriel and Zeke to check ’em out at the Children’s Museum and the above photo to view Gramsey, Papa and the fam jammin’ out with Rock Band.

February Flash

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We have thoroughly been loving the springlike weather as of late.

Warm weather

After our long post-church naps this afternoon, the 3 Amigos and I played with flashlights on Liberty Loop during nightfall, while Daddy grilled hamburgers.

We tended to some much-needed yard work yesterday. I got a ton accomplished while the the kids napped: I removed the jasmine from our deck so I can have better visibility of the kids while they’re in the back yard and I’m in the kitchen, and I dug up a gorgeous bush from our weed-infested, soon-to-be demolished “amoeba garden.”

After my alone-time garden therapy, the kids helped me dig a big hole to transplant the bush, they assisted Daddy in moving the mass amounts of jasmine to our “nature pit,” and then my strong boys helped Daddy and me move riprap, which we salvaged from the yucky garden.

Houston shows off his first-ever trophy for a great season of basketball.

I finally assembled the seesaw the twins got from Santa. Maddie, our 5-year-old neighbor, has been over a couple times to teach the dudes the proper ways of seesawing. She is so helpful and loves directing the 3 Amigos. Maddie has twice led the boys in filling up buckets of broken-down compost and moving the dirt to Daddy’s veggie garden. Amazingly, Houston, Gabriel and Zeke follow her instructions to the tee and without complaint. It’s so intriguing to watch kid dynamics at work.

Clubs

We’ve been away from home a bunch this month, mostly attending GMOM and Moms Club activities. The dudes and I have attended three Moms Club playgroups, which are major fun for the boys. But I’m making friends, too. In fact, I met a gal, Lorrie, who hails from my hometown and lives only about a mile away from us. She and her two daughters are heading over to the casa for a playdate tomorrow afternoon.

I’m also bonding with my fellow GMOMs. I recently went out for a moms-only dinner, and then the 3 Amigos and I attended an awesome GMOM event at BounceU.

With a little help from Mommy, Zeke strung together this bead necklace w/ his initials.

Other activities

Houston went to the circus last weekend with Daddy, Matthew, Miss Beth and Mr. Alan. I took advantage of the lighter kid load and took Gabriel and Zeke to the Children’s Museum. The twins had a blast — especially loving the life-size vehicles (fire truck, train and airplane) and feeding the chickens — and did a fine job of exhausting Mommy. Thank goodness I only took two kids.

We made a surprise trip to see Granny and Grumps earlier this month. It was originally supposed to be only Daddy and Gabriel, but we decided to throw caution to the wind and head up to the mountains with the whole posse. Granny was happily surprised.

Doctors galore 

Gramsey and Papa came to town for a visit, which freed me up to go to the hand doctor. My left wrist had been killing me for weeks and the pain reminded me of what my right wrist used to feel like prior to having surgery to remove a ganglionic cyst and repair a tear. The doc says it’s probably another cyst that has been aggravated from overuse (read: changing unwilling children’s diapers for nearly four years). I’ve been wearing a splint and taking a regimen of ibuprofen, which has helped immensely.

Using a drill on his Toby train brought Gabriel much pride & enjoyment.

The boys had a dentist appointment on Valentine’s Day. Houston, who has been the anti-doctor kid up till now, did fantastic. Gabriel and Zeke were brave for the hygienist, but were over it by the time the dentist came around. Overall, the appointment, which took both Daddy and me to handle, was a vast improvement over last time.

Zeke’s cough is back in full force. I’ve had two moms say, “That sounds exactly like an asthma cough.” And since the pediatrician and throat-specialist routes didn’t pan out, it looks like taking him to an allergist/immunologist will be our next course of action. Poor kiddo.

As far as the twins’ speech goes, they are on fire these days. So much so that Miss Pat says that once they plateau with therapy, she only needs to see them every other week. This will help stretch out the insurance-covered appointments with Miss Pat through their third birthdays.

Shenanigans are rife while the dudes are “getting cozy,” as Houston describes it.

Discipline

We are now using an “If-Then” discipline chart. One column describes the naughty behavior, the next column has the corresponding Biblical verse, and the third column lists our punishment. It has been great, not only in keeping the boys in line, but also in helping me stay strong, confident and on top of things.

I also purchased a whistle, which I use when I need to get the boys’ attention while they’re being loud or when they’re far away while outside. I have a pretty loud voice, but I hated having to yell all the time. The whistle gives me more control over situations. Plus, the kids really respond to it.

Houston & Zeke experience their first taste of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Household

Tonight is the fourth night that Houston has slept on his mattress in brothers’ room. These pretty successful slumber parties have been Houston’s ideas (if it was up to him, he would be sleeping in one of the cribs with a bro). But it’s good practice for when they do ultimately share a room: once the changing table is gone and we get bunk beds.

I moved Houston’s art table out to living room a few weeks back because my guess was that Gabriel would really utilize the space for his creative drawings. I was right: our little artist can often be found for long periods of time, sketching away, concentrating on his work, not (yet) drawing on anything other than paper and usually holding his crayon properly. Amazing stuff!

Click the top photo to check out pics of Houston’s final basketball game and the above photo to view the post-game celebrations. Click Zeke in his bead necklace to see all the January photos and click Gabe drilling to see a few February shots.

On the Go!

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What the heck happened to January?! We have been so on the go lately that this first month of the year has just barreled by, leaving us a tad pooped, but also very happy and fulfilled.

The big news is that after having attended the monthly “socials” for Greensboro Mothers of Multiples (GMOM) and Greensboro Moms Club, I have officially joined both groups.

Houston & Gabriel tackle Granny — what a good sport!

The GMOM social was for moms only, so it was nice to get out and do something for adults — even if most of the talk was about kids. GMOM does offer plenty of occasions for the boys to make friends (i.e. play dates, group outings and the like), but it is more mom-centric, affording me opportunities to socialize solo with other gals who are fully in the same boat as me parent-wise. Should be a little cathartic and lots of fun.

Moms Club is mainly kid-oriented, featuring more frequent play groups and around-town activities. Plus, the socials are for moms and kids alike. The dudes had a blast playing with the other kids (mostly boys!) in a separate room, while I got to relax and hear a cool presentation with the other moms.

These groups will serve as wonderful outlets for the 3 Amigos and me. The kids will get to socialize, make friends and go on adventures with people their age, while I get to do the same. What a fabulous way to kick off the new year!

Zeke thoroughly enjoys getting raspberries from Gramsey.

Zeke’s cough has gotten much better due to the antibiotics the ENT specialist prescribed. The cough isn’t totally cured, but it is, thankfully, nonexistent at night. And since sleepless nights are never good for kid or parent, this is a huge improvement. The doc surmised that the cough is most likely a sinus issue and there’s not much else we can do for a 2-year-old. He did add that kids with sinus problems typically do better in the spring.

Last week, Gabriel and Zeke had a “screen” with Miss Dana, an occupational therapist (OT) colleague of Miss Pat’s. I know it sounds official, but it was just a casual meeting to discuss the twins’ propensity for clumsiness — a typical trait for preemies — and get some suggestions as to how we can help strengthen their “core” (the trunk area of the body). A sturdier, more capable core not only improves agility, but it also enhances fine motor coordination, as well as fosters increased cognitive activity.

Flirtatious Gabriel plays hard-to-get w/ Mia.

Houston’s final basketball game was last Saturday. He has come so far with the sport, making a few shots during recent games and doing a decent job of following the coach’s instruction. Since Houston showed good sportsmanship and lots of stick-to-it-ness, we celebrated the completion of basketball season by treating he and bros to their first jaunt to Krispy Kreme.

Then Sunday was a warm-weather tease. Daddy helped Houston ride his new bike for the first time; the twins got their fill of Liberty Loop, sidewalk chalk and swinging; Houston tweaked his “light saber” (read: plastic baseball bat) skills; Gabriel and Zeke practiced riding the trike and played on Miss Shawn’s bridge; and then we went on a walk/wagon ride with Maddie and Miss Ruth. And now that we’ve had this taste of spring and I’m ready for balmier temperatures, today was frigid. Oh well.

Cousin Kara teaches Houston the art of shooting silly string.

Click the top photo to see the rest of our Christmas Day fun; the shot of Gabriel and Mia for pics of our Virginia trip; and the above photo to check out our New Year’s Eve shenanigans.

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