Just a few random pictures

Since there was a huge snowstorm on New Year's Eve, we had to celebrate the New Year the next day. We went to Jaime and Joey's for dinner and the kids had a lot of fun playing together. They get along really well, even though each tries to take toys from the other. They worked on this stacking toy together.


Mairead's godfather, Brian, gave Mairead this great Red Sox sweatshirt- it's a 4, so it's a little big, but I think she looks cute in it already, and she'll be able to wear it for a while! I think she looks like adorable in it.



This Mother Goose is from my friend Janice, at work. Mairead calls it a duck, but she loves it! She talks to it and carries it around. Don't mind the clothes on the floor next to her. Dave brought up a basket of laundry, and one of Mairead's favorite activities is to empty any laundry basket she can get her hands on. She does, however, like to put all of the laundry back in after she has emptied it.


And this last one is the most recent picture of me (taken today at 26wks and 3 days). Other than being tired a lot, I am feeling pretty good. I just wish I had more energy to get things ready for these kids! I have a whole 10 days before my next doctor's appointment, but I will be sure to keep you posted!

Mairead in 2008

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that another year has passed already. We have enjoyed so much happiness this year and we are excited for what 2009 will bring. Mairead is so much fun and it is amazing to see how she has changed in the past twelve months. You can see from the slideshow that she has grown up so much!

If it's possible, I think I love her just a little bit more every day. Last night, I went into her room to put the covers back on her, and when I came back into our room, I said to Dave, "I just love her so much." I am overwhelmed with love and joy when I look at her, and that will never get old.

We, of course, are anxious about all the changes our little family can expect in 2009; mostly, we are concerned with how our little girl will like being a big sister. We hope that she adjusts well, and we are thankful to have so many people around who will help us all with such a huge transition. I admit that I am more than a little worried that Mairead won't like the babies, or that she will be upset with me for having to 'share' her Mom, Daddy, and everyone else. I know she won't ever remember the boys NOT being here, but I just hope she always knows how special she is to us.

Every day, she does something new and adorable. Right now, she is enthralled with a coloring book that Ms. Pat from daycare gave to her. She doesn't use it to color, she just carries it around, and she gets upset when she can't find it. The other thing she likes to carry around is a magnet with a picture of herself on it. She even took it with her for her nap today! I suppose that is better than the empty coke bottle she took to bed with her last week.

She is talking more all the time with her newest words being "night night" and "tweet tweet." My mom gave her a little stuffed bird for Christmas and she LOVES it. She says, "tweet tweet" and then she throws it. Picks it up, and repeats the process. Well, birds are supposed to fly, right? I'll try to get some video of it- it is too funny!

Thanks to everyone who checks in on the blog and who shares our life and our little girl with us. She is the most amazing thing to ever happen to us, and we are so thrilled and so lucky to be expecting two more little miracles in 2009. We truly are blessed with everything and everyone we have in our lives. Happy New Year to all of you- best wishes for a happy and healthy 2009!

26 Week Ultrasound

Technically, I am 25 weeks and 5 days pregnant, but today was my 26 week ultrasound. With MoMs (Moms of Multiples), every day is important so we count each one very carefully! The boys look great! The perinatologist I see was happy with everything, and he doesn't see any problems at all right now. Jack is smaller at 1lb 8oz, and Ben weighs 1lb 10oz. Those weights are nice and close, so there is no sign of one baby taking more than his share, which is good! Just 4 weeks ago, they were 13 oz and 15 oz, so they are really getting big now!

The peri was very encouraging and told me that my babies "picked the right mother" because they are doing so well. Of course, Dave and I were thrilled to hear all of this good news. Now, let's just hope they keep it up until at least March!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day brought us all together at Nana and Grampy's house. We had a great holiday celebrating with our ever-expanding family. This picture includes (left to right) back row- my brother, Brian, Jen's boyfriend, Mike, my sister, Jen, Dave, me, my dad. Front row- Brian's girlfriend, Christin, my Nana, Mairead, my mom, Katie's husband, Steve, and Katie.


Mairead looked adorable in her little Christmas dress (one of many cute outfits for the holiday!). She spent a lot of time playing with her dollhouse and the little people inside that she calls 'kids.'

Christmas morning, Mairead was dressed in her little Santa outfit from her Grandma Dorothy. She really got into the Christmas spirit by investigating all of the presents and saying "ooooh" every time she saw something pretty. She loved being at my parents' house because there were lights everywhere and they have TWO trees! So exciting when you are 17 months old!

Santa brought Mairead this great play kitchen. It makes all kinds of sounds, lights up, and has tons of little buttons to push and things to do. She loves it!

This horse was actually a gift that my Nana gave her last year, but she was too little for it. So, we brought it out again this year and she had much more fun with it. It makes noise and shakes it's head as it rocks- pretty cute!

This last one is one of the few with her Santa hat actually on. She looked adorable in the outfit, especially with the pigtails!

We are very thankful for the amazing Christmas we had. We were surrounded by people we love and who love us very much. I have always loved Christmas, but now that we have Mairead, it is even more special and even more fun. I think that our Christmases are going to be pretty exciting from now on!