Category Archives: Travel

Easter In the Mountains

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Houston kicked off Easter weekend by spending his first night away from home without Mommy and Daddy. Mommy, Houston, Gabriel and Zeke road tripped about an hour away from home to meet up with Grumps at an Arby’s. After getting Houston some grub and a diaper change, and then installing a car seat into Grumps’ Jeep, Houston and Grumps were off for the mountains, and (after a parking lot breast-feeding extravaganza in the back of the minivan) Mommy and the twins headed back to Clan Dillingham. 

Houston dyes Easter eggs w/ Granny.

From all reports, Houston did pretty good being away from home without us, except for the fact that he missed the solitude of his crib. Granny said she and Grumps found Houston tooling down the hall in his PJs, trying to continue the fun times well after his bed time. It took some convincing and major soothing to get him to finally go to sleep in the big bed.

Gabriel soaks in the mountain air w/ cousin Terry.

The rest of the gang got to Granny and Grumps’ house late the next evening. We had planned to arrive much earlier, but packing up all the twins’ gear was a huge pain in the rear … and we still forgot stuff! Thank goodness we had at least a little down time before we had to pack it all back up again and head out on the highway. (Click the photo below to see all the Easter pics.)

Zeke hangs w/ cousin Christy on Easter Sunday.

The next day was Easter and it was an incredibly beautiful spring day. We all went to Granny and Grumps’ church, and Granny gave special thanks to the Lord for His helping to see the twins through all their challenges in utero and as preemies. It’s just so amazing to think that this time last year Gabriel and Zeke were such helpless and dependent little dudes living inside my bum placenta, and now they’re six months old and strong as can be.

Houston plays in the bed of Uncle Tommy’s truck with cousin John.

The twins got spoiled being held by all the family members who came over to celebrate Easter at “the Creek House,” and Houston had a blast hunting for Easter eggs; shadowing John-John’s every move; running up and down the driveway; checking out Terry and Rick’s trout and worm bait; picking flowers for Marley; and doing all the other cool stuff that you can do in the mountains in springtime!

Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

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That is my response to people who ask me how I am able to manage the zoo and all of its inhabitants. In other words, when one of the kids is whaling or has a poopy diaper or has seriously hurt himself or is in need of immediate strict discipline, those situations take precedence over a whining or crying kid, a pee pee diaper, a minor boo boo or a no no that can be remedied with a simple distraction. First thing’s first, as I often explain to the boys.

Zeke helps Aunt Lisa referee Gabriel & Houston’s wrestling match.

I like to tell Houston that Clan Dillingham is a team, and as a member, he plays a vital role in keeping things running as smoothly as possible. That includes everything from helping with housework, which he loves to do, to assisting with brothers’ diaper changes, to just doing what Mommy and Daddy (the team captains) say. As a rambunctious toddler, this is sometimes easier said than done, but it usually works. And when it does, we do a celebratory fist bump and say, “Go team!” 

Aunt Lisa came for a long visit and spoiled the boys (and me) rotten! Houston got to play rough with Mommy’s zany sister, the twins got held much more than they are accustomed to, and I had a much-needed extra set of hands available to help out with kid duties and housework. It also snowed about 5″ when Lisa was here, and we built Houston his very first snowman, lovingly named “Joe Snow.” 

Three generations of Dillingham patriots speak out against Obama’s “spendulus” plan.

On 2/27, Houston hit the road with Daddy and Grumps to protest the federal government’s fiscally irresponsible (not to mention unconstitutional) stimulus package. They traveled to Fayetteville to participate in the New American Tea Party and have plans to head to Asheville for the Tax Day Tea Party on 4/15. They look forward to rallying with other supporters of a limited federal government in vocal opposition to Washington’s uncontrolled spending and meddling in the lives of tax-paying citizens.

 Gabriel can pull Uncle Greg’s finger & give the “power to the people” sign simultaneously … what talent!

The twins are getting stronger, bigger and more active and alert by the second. On 2/28, Gabriel rolled from his belly to back. Zeke wasn’t far behind, mastering the feat on 3/1. Gabriel laughs and coos at everything; he’s a total ham. Zeke, our nosey boy, is a tad more reserved, soaking in his surroundings with wonderment, and giggling and talking with pure intent. It’s intriguing how different their personalities have become, especially considering that identical twins have the exact same DNA — amazing!

Is Houston all boy or what? Check out his manly swagger!

Other big news is that the twins have mastered rice and oatmeal cereal, and began eating veggies on 3/7. Carrots was their first vegetable adventure, and they’ll be trying butternut squash this evening. Yummy!

Click on the top photo of Lisa and the kids to check out all the pics from her visit, click on the above photo of “Marlboro Man Dillingham” to see the latest additions to the February gallery, and click on the Tea Party shot to see all the photos from Fayetteville.

In Need of Continued Strength & Patience

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I had an appointment with my OB Dr. Stringer on Wednesday. We talked about getting prepared for the babies’ arrival and the probability of my having to have a c-section. He said that my blood pressure, weight gain and uterus measurement are all looking good, as are the twins’ heartbeats (144 for Zeke and 140 for Gabriel). Dr. Stringer also stressed to me how much of a miracle this pregnancy is, and that he feels blessed to be able to take part in and witness this Godly wonder as it unfolds. I always feel so optimistic after visiting with him.  

Houston pulling Daddy along on Independence Day 2008.

I have my weekly ultrasound with the specialist tomorrow, and then on Wednesday, I’m meeting with a pediatric surgeon regarding Zeke’s CCAM. We will discuss the condition, review the Cincy MRI and recent ultrasounds, and create a follow-up plan for the removal of Zeke’s CCAM either later this year or early next year. Note: the nurse who set up the consult made a point to say that babies with CCAMs generally do well during labor, delivery and early life. 

Even with these bits of good news, it was a trying week around here in the zone of grumpy bed-rest lady. First of all, Houston had a pretty bad cold for a few days, creating havoc with his normally awesome sleeping and eating habits. He had a fever, was congested, had a yucky cough and even lost his voice for a day or so, on top of drooling like a mad man because of his teething. All of this, of course, didn’t sit too well with him and added to the grumpy level. And now I have caught Houston’s cold, making bed-rest lady even grumpier.

Houston hamming it up while opening his birthday gift from Casey.

Houston’s feeling much better now and is currently at Dixie’s 2nd birthday party. I’m bummed I can’t be there with my boy and all of his cute buddies, but Granny is filling in for me, while Stephen gets a few things done around the house. I know I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful family unit, as well as a plethora of friends, neighbors and church folks, who are all willing to help out with Houston, me, my appointments and tending to the household. But having to lean on other people for virtually everything is starting to get on my (and their) nerves big time. We all know the sacrifices we’re making are worth the effort, but after all, we are all only human. So, please continue to pray for the strength and patience of everyone helping out Clan Dillingham in our time of need. 

Houston is actually the one coping best with all the changes, just loving the weekends that Granny and Grumps visit, and the weekdays that Gramsey heads to town. He is really showing his independent streak, wanting to feed himself more and more frequently, and trying to climb most anything unassisted. Houston has also started to mount his racer by himself and ride it forward. His signing is still going great, and his shaking his head “yes” and “no” also helps us better communicate with him.

Reds vs. the Rockies in Cincy in July 2008.

Click on the image of Houston unwrapping his birthday gift from cousin Casey (middle photo) to see all of his July photos, including a few of Houston leading Daddy around a 4th of July event we attended, as seen in top photo. And click the image above to see lots of great pics Stephen took at a Cincinnati Reds baseball game he attended during our time up in Ohio.