KLM Blog

Need A Change

Jen called in, again.  It's all the time now.  I did some research on Care.com and have selected a few people to do working interviews with.  Today I called a 21 year old named Joslynn.  I really liked her profile and she's in Plano.  I set up a working interview with her for Friday.  

6 Month Talk

Meg's favorite thing to say is "A Ba!  A Ba! A Ba!"

Liam loves to say, "Mamamamamamama!"

They had their 6 month appointment today.  I currently don't have their stats in front of me.....but off the top of my head I can tell you that Megan is a lot smaller than Liam, who is not all that big, but seems it due to their difference in size.  I'll follow up on stats later.

4 Year Old Art

Here's a smattering of Kate's most recent drawings.  Above I love Kate's most rececnt style of drawing women. The circles that look a little like boobs are really straps on the dresses.  Her hairstyles are changing....she used to make the pony tail stickstraight out as seen by the one in the blue dress (me pushing the stroller)  But now she is giving some of her girls more wild fluffy hairstyles!

Below she presented me with "Hot Summer's Day" and some french fries that she labled, "Friday" She thought it was funny that she made the connection between Friday and french FRIES.  4 year old humor!

Those are big roses!  Or fireworks....I can't quite remember.  But I do love how she draws the sky!

Again love the sky and flowers of this one...

Kate and a friend sitting in chairs having a conversation.

Kate's 4 year old hand and finger prints

Below, at the beach, Kate on a raft in the pool, mom and dad laying on towels.

Party with balloons and fireworks

There must have been a good story behind this one, but I can't quite recall.  I see rainbow, fireworks, and loads of people.

Below is what Kate imagine the clouds to take shape as.

Playing on the swingset.  Music notes in the sky.

Kate sleeping and her dream bubbles.

'Bout Time

Kate has been potty trained for a LONG time now, but I haven't gotten out of the habit of putting her in pull-ups at night.  I have been afraid to do it.... When I was pregnant, it seemed beyond comprehension having to go upstairs and change a wet bed.  And then I had the babies, and it still seemed beyond comprehension....even if the babies were sleeping through the night and Kate still got up several times a night.... But finally after a lot of Kate's requesting to try to sleep in underwear at night, I relented.  Tonight was her first night in underwear and all was perfect!  Writing this 8 months later, I can tell you that she only wet the bed maybe twice.  What I learned from this is that there's no need to rush things and they know when they're ready!!  Congratulations Kate!!

Kate's Daily Sheet

I know I should be proud that Kate's daily report states that she was a very good listener and gave a classmate a nice compliment, but the thing that stands out to me and makes me most proud is that she sang Katy Perry's "Baby Your a Firework" to the class.  A chip off of the old block!

1st Photo Shoot

We took advantage of the PAMOM fundraiser and got a very quick photo session with the kids (and some with us!)  It wasn't easy....maybe could be referred to as a disaster...but looking back, I truly love these pictures.  It was worth it, sad faces and all!

 

Marching Band Up Close!

Turns out in our new neighborhood that the Plano Sr. West High School Marching Band makes a parade route right down our street as a fundraiser.  They sent an email out in advance asking for donations and they would play requested songs for a donation as well.  Above you can see Nana, Megan, Kate, me, Liam, and Karen Richards waiting for the band to come down the street.

Here they come!

Right in front of our house!  How cool is this???

 

Daily White Board

Kate draws a different picture for me each day on her white board.  I particularly liked this one of her as a Princess in a castle under a sunny sky.  I swear she draws better than I do.

6 Months!!

Happy 6 month Birthday little babies!  I guess it's a pretty good indication as to how my life was going at this point.  I am finally getting back on my blogging feet again in May 2012!  Just 8 months later!!!!  I wish I could say I took amazing 6 month pictures, or even did the monthly pictures....but this is exactly the time that things just got really really hard.  My helper, Jen and I were not seeing eye to eye on a lot things and even though she was definitely lending a hand it was also an additional frustration, which I really didn't need at this point.  She felt that she needed to spend more time at home with her boyfriend and dogs, so things generally worked out and it was time to find some new help.

As for the babies....we were making it day by day.  Taking lots of stroller walks around the neighborhood, and otherwise, we were mostly stuck upstairs in the play room just getting by!  

Swingin'

Today I took Kate to her soccer practice and while she was working hard at becoming Mia Hamm, the babies got to go for their first swing in the park!

Megan definitely loved it more than Liam, but both babies seemed to enjoy it!

Lion King 3D

I took Kate to see The Lion King in 3D today.  It definitely didn't need to be in 3D, but I was much more moved by it than I had been when it originally came out.  Kate loved it.  So lovely getting to go to a movie with her and spending time with her doing something fun together!

Emmys 2011

Today Kate and I made Bee Cookies.  They looked like bees.  Unknowingly, today, Nana also bit into a bee that she didn't realize was on her hamburger....OMG! (She's ok - though it did sting the snot out of her mouth!!)  

Today was also the Emmys.  I am a very big awards show fan so of course it gets a blog post.

Best Comedy went to Modern Family - I am currently watching Season 1 and hoping to catch up.  Admittedly, it seems to be hilarious!  Glee, The Office and 30 Rock were also nominated and are also favorite shows of mine.

Best Drama went to Mad Men - I am also totally on board with that.  One of the very few shows that Mike and I watch and enjoy together.  Dexter was nominated and we both watch that as well, though Mad Men was the better choice.  I watch Boardwalk Empire and it's getting better, but I don't think it's the best HBO drama by far.

Best Lead Actress in a Comedy went to Melissa McCarthy in Mike and Mollie - While I think she's a hilarious actress, I have not seen this particular show.  I would have preferred the win go to Tina Fey of 30 Rock.

Best Lead Actor in a Comedy went to Jim Parsons in Big Bang Theory - Also, I have never watched this and it looks terrible....but people do seem to like it and I shouldn't judge until I give it a chance.  I was hoping for either Steve Carrell from The Office or Alec Baldwin from 30 Rock.  Although I think AB has won best actor for like 6 years in a row on the Golden Globes....

Best Lead Actress in a Drama was to Julianna Marguiles in The Good Wife - Never seen it and really would like to.  Still would have chosen Elisabeth Moss from Mad Men

Best Lead Actor in a Drama went to Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights - Another show I've never seen....but would like to.  I would have been more excited to see Steve Buscemi from Boardwalk Empire, Michael C. Hall from Dexter or Jon Hamm from Mad Men win.

Best Supporting Actress Comedy went to Julie Bowen in Modern Family - Yes, she's good but Jane Lynch from Glee was robbed.  She was MUCH more deserving.

Best Supporting Actor Comedy went to Ty Burrell in Mondern Family - He's ok.  He was also up against his fellow cast members, Eric Stonestreet, Ed O'Neill and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who I think were all better.  

I've decided that I'm boring myself, so I won't go through any more categories.  I'll just reel off the tv shows that I do watch on a regular basis these days (that are apparently Emmy worthy.....)

30 Rock * The Office * Glee * Modern Family * Mad Men * Dexter * Boardwalk Empire * Real Time with Bill Maher * The Amazing Race * American Idol *Dancing With the Stars 

Ellie Turns 3

I can't believe that Ellie is already 3!  She had her party at the Frisco Rec Center where her brother Michael has had his before.  We LOVE it there.  Kate has such a blast and it's easy for everyone involved!  Kate was excited to sit next to the birthday girl for some pizza!

The newest Boyle was there too.  Baby Matthew slept through most of the party, and it was the first time that I got to meet him! So sweet!

Of course, Kate was thrilled to see her pal Gracie and pose for pictures together.

Weeeee!  Splash!

And of course Kate and Michael got along so well.

Happy Birthday Ellie!

 

 

My Brave Dinner

I planned to meet Tanya for dinner, but Jen called in sick so I decided to brave dinner with all three kids instead of cancel.  It was......pretty rough.  Tanya was awesome and tried to lend a hand as you can see.  Liam got some snuggles from a new friend.

Peas at Nico's

Maybe it was Marty the Magician that was distracting Liam, but while we ate out at Nico's on the patio, Liam didn't fight his peas so much this time.  Try, try and try again.  ;)

 

Kate got a very cool balloon hat from Marty and all was a success.  

Actually, the night ended a little strange with my helper Jen....  She's been a huge help, but we are having trouble seeing eye to eye on certain things and so we are both thinking that we need to make some changes.  (Not long after this night, she decided that she should spend more time with her boyfriend and dogs and quit.)

I also had an MRI follow up on my foot....still broken...keep wearing boot....

Firework

Today at school, Kate apparently sang to her classmates "Baby your a Firework!  Come on show me what you're worth!  Make it go AH! AH! AH! As you shoot across the sky! Ay! Ay!"

She is a Katy Perry fan....

Liam Burrito

Liam is great at rolling himself up in a blanket to make a sweet Liam Burrito.

I should also note that Liam is in a Hawaiin outfit that Mike and I bought from his cousin Joe when we were in Hawaii 6 years ago!

Duffys and Duffeys

The baby Duffys got to spend time with our friends the Duffeys at Little Gym, while Kate and Kelsey did their somersaults and flips.  Kailyn held Megan, Debbie held Liam. Poor Kailyn got peed on, but didn't seem too upset about it!

Peas Make Liam MAD

 You can see above that Liam is MAD.  It's because I dared to get him to try peas for the first time.  Shame on me!  The video below is pretty priceless and his angry "cry" is both pathetic and adorable....from a mom's perspective anyway!! (PS....6 months from now, he definitely LOVES peas!!!!  Scoops them up by the handful!)

 

10 Years

10 Years.

It's been 10 years since September 11, 2001.  I remember that day thinking that each minute seemed like an hour.  

At the time, I lived less than 10 miles away from The World Trade Center in Manhattan.  

I worked probably less than 500 ft away from the Trade Center.  

My building, World Financial Center 2, with the Trade Center in the background...

But thank God, on September 11, 2001 I was on a train traveling from Barcelona to Madrid Spain.  Nearly 4,000 miles away, WITH my mom.

I think my mom would have died if she didn't know immediately that I was ok.  So I am SO thankful for that.

I don't think that I've even talked about that day on the blog.  But if I have forgive me for me going over it again.  I really don't think that I have and I think it's important to tell my story for my kids to hear one day.

Admittedly, it's been 10 years and memories fade.  Our minds change the facts on us.  My mom and I already admitted that we had different versions of the events of that day after only a couple years afterward.  So all I can do is tell what my head remembers.  Whether it's 100% correct or not. (though, of course, I think it is.....)

My mom and I woke up in Barcelona 9/11/01.  We took a cab to the train station.  Bought a one way ticket to Madrid.  Somewhere in the middle of the trip I decided I needed to use the restroom.  I headed to the back of the car, and waited my turn.  A woman with an English accent asked me if I was American.  I am always on guard and paranoid, so I responded "yes" with a bit of an attitude....like, "What's it to you?"  She told me that there was something terrible going on in the States and that someone in the next car back was on the phone with someone in America and giving off information.  Huh???

She persuaded me to come with her to find out more information.  I headed to the back of the next car and there were about 3 Americans sitting near each other.  They looked concerned but not overwhelmingly alarmed.  Another woman, on the other side was listening on a cell phone.  She apparently was Spanish and her husband was an American reporter, in America and telling her everything he knew.  

I admit it's a bit of a blur.  But I remember that the few American's there were from places like, South Dakota, Nebraska, and West Virgina.  And while I'm not putting those places down, they also are of somewhat small populations and not known for their skyscrapers.  They told me that "Planes were being flown into buildings.  Trade Center, White House, Capitol, Pentagon, etc." It was an exaggeration of the truth.  And while I should have been astounded at the White House and Capitol, I remember thinking....The Trade Center???? In New York????!??!!  They, like many other people pictured a small single engine aircraft....but I, Miss Debbie Downer, immediately envisioned a large passenger plane hitting one of the towers.  

I raced back to my mom and told her what I'd heard.  Information was obviously hit or miss, shocking and sparce.  But we both understood the magnitude of it.

My mom seemed to know that the couple seated in front of us were English speaking and so told them what she knew.  They shrugged their shoulders and made some stupid comment. (I know my mom remembers the details of that more than I do!)

We pulled into the train station in Madrid.  I was anxious and agitated.  I knew the impact that a large plane would have on the Trade Center.  And I knew how many people worked on each floor.  

A view of the building I worked in from the WTC...

I remember a crowd standing around a tv.  I walked up on the back of it.  Saw everyone's silent faces.  Mouths hanging open.  No one moving.  I made my way in front of the tv and saw TWO towers burning.  I didn't expect that.  At all.  My legs gave out and I fell to my knees.

The next thing I remember is being in the cab, on the way to our Hotel.  We had left Barcelona a day or so early (this is one place my mom and I disagree).  And so we didn't definitely have a hotel room.  The radio in the cab was talking about the events going on in America.  I speak Jr. High Spanish....which is actually better than I thought, but still shoddy.  

We got to the hotel.  The very sweet man at the check-in counter asked if we were Americans when we arrived.  "Yes".  He aplogized for what was happening.  I was impatient.  Anxious to get to a tv.  I could hear a tv set to CNN in a room in the upstairs lobby.  Just check us in!  My mom told him that I lived in NYC and worked across the street.  He looked so sad and said, "I'm so sorry. Both towers.  They are gone." And he held up both hands and lowered each one, as if to say they fell down.  I laughed.  "Oh, no....they didn't fall down!  They were hit by airplanes.  They can't fall down."  He said again, "Yes, they are gone.  They fell down.  I'm sorry."  I just didn't believe him and couldn't wait much longer.

I went upstairs while my mom finished checking us in.  There were about 30 people watching tv silently.

And there, on tv.  I saw that the towers, both, in fact....did fall down.

I literally don't rememeber anything after that except that my mom and I holed up in our hotel room for the next two days.  We watched CNN non-stop with the exception of beer runs to get us through this madness.

There's no way to really express what goes through your mind in a time like this.  My whole life I thought about how my parents had to live through the Depression, the Second World War, The Vietnam War, Assassinations of JFK, RFK and MLK.  I immediately realized, that this was as significant, if not more so.  What the hell was this?!  Life as I'd known it would never ever be the same.

I honestly didn't know if people I worked with were ok.  I worked so close and it happened during rush hour.

If I'd been in NYC that day, and not on vacation, I would have arrived to work at 9am.  The first plane hit the North Tower at 8:46am.  Most of the time, when I went to work, I took the subway and walked through the underground mall. I used to walk through this very spot, daily...

I would come up these escalators on the slight north side of the north tower

to the over the street walkway bridge that connected the North Trade Center Tower to The World Financial Center.  That bridge was demolished completely in the destruction.

 I heard stories from my co-workers.  The elevator shaft was in the center of our building and had several tvs lining that waiting area.  They were pretty much always turned to the news.  Several people saw images of the burning north tower, before they looked out a window and realized what was happening.

There were fire drills prior to this day.  I recall being told to go up or down three floors (depending on where the fire was) and that the structure of the tower was safe enough to contain a major fire.  I imagine, this is what the people were told in the WTC also.  But people in my office decided to go all the way down.  Unfortunately they exited onto the east facing side, which faced the north tower....which had debris and bodies falling within feet of my co-workers.  ( the side with the flag on it) No one I know was killed or injured doing this, but were emotionally tramatized for sure.

I had another friend that walked through the north tower lobby to get to work. (Sometimes I did this too....because it was always a thrill to me to walk through the lobby of the WTC to go to work) He remembers the elevators exploding, being thrown back, hitting a wall and seeing people on fire in the revolving doors.  He had to have, too many to count, shards of glass removed from his face, arms, etc.  But he escaped and was relatively un-injured.

The stories go on and on.

I was on a missing persons list briefly, since I was out of town and didn't get to call in to touch base immediately.  I couldn't get through to America anywhere for a while.  

We finally ventured out of our hotel room a few days later.  We decided that we were in Spain for the first and maybe last time and should try to see it no matter how we felt.  The people were unbelievable.  So genuine.  So loving. So endearing.  But unfortunately, I also ran into some not-so great people.  A couple of men on a train to Segovia laughed at our Newsweeks and said something in French.  I wanted to kill them.  But also we met such sweet people that they stood up for us in restaurants and hugged us.  Surreal.

We were lucky enough to go home on the exact flight we were intended to.  Flights resumed exactly one week after the day.  We returned home Sept 17, 2001.  It was the scariest flight of my life.  But I literally kissed the floor of the airport in NY as gross as that is....when I returned home.  I loved my country, my city, my co-workers, my own life. (still do!)  I was as thankful to be home as I'd even been in my entire life.  

But as I went home, in Queens...my apartment literally on the East River overlooking Manhattan, I could smell the Trade Center.....

I went back to work, but our offices/building was closed down due to structural damage.  There was another Deloittle office in Times Square and so that's where we all piled in.

I was able to go to my cubicle which was in the middle of the building about the 14th or 15th floor.  Slightly north and west.  My desk and everything I had was covered in ash.  It made my stomach turn knowing what the ash could be.  People had stolen some of my things. I'll never undestand that.  A couple pictures of me standing in front of the trade center.....some personal books.....some cds.....  I don't understand people.

This isn't a picture I took, or even of my desk or right floor...but examples of what it definitely looked like when I went back in to get my things....

 My desk was not nearly this damaged because it was more on the west side of the building.  But it was smothered in dust and the offices on the east side just a few feet did look like this.  

I was basically fired a year later, right before we moved back to our old building. Admittedly, I wasn't the greatest Admin.  Hell, I'd moved to NYC to be a singer, not an Admin.  And I was told that I wasn't the "cheerleader that the team needed" me to be for them through the hard times.  But I didn't think I was THAT bad.  Whatever.  I'd learned that it certainly wasn't the end of the world....but it was hard looking out of the remenants of the Trade Center while being told to "pack up my things" and head off for a new chapter.  

Mike could tell you his story....but he was going to school in Philly at the time.  He knew two people that died and his brother Chris, spent a lot of time working at the Trade Center in the aftermath.  He is a Port Authority Police Officer. Mike and I actually met while we were both working at Deloitte in the 2 World Financial Center so it is a personal piece of our history. Everyone, whether they lived in NYC, Dallas, Pittsburgh, China or Spain has their own story to tell from these events.  None are a happy one.

Kate wanted to know more this year and so I let her in on some more information.  She knows that the towers had fires.  They fell down. People died.  She knows that it was Osama Bin Laden's fault. But she doesn't know about the planes.   I don't want her to be scared to fly.  So I don't know when I'll tell her.....

10 years.  Unreal.

1st Fall Soccer Game 2011

Kate tackled the Field Mice with her Tigers team!  She and Colin are good friends and by the way, are betrothed to one another apparently!

Megan watched and took pointers for when she one day also gets to play some soccer!

After the game we had dinner at Coach Brunenn's.  We are so lucky to have found this team!

Sleepy Play Date

We had the Bakers over today and Liam did all the hosting.  Lila showed off her sitting up skills while the rest laid around on their bellies.  Not sure why Liam always looked like he was caught doing something he shouldn't be!  Also, not sure I've mentioned it on the blog, but Lila has 2 large hemangiomas.  One on the outside of her head and the other is internal, in her throat.  The one on her head is of no medical danger.  It's strictly a cosmetic concern.  The internal one is definitely of concern and so she is on steriods to help stop the growth and allow her to breath and eat without concern.  One of the side effects are what you can see....she's a little puffy.  But I can say from writing this 6 months later, that everything is looking great for Lila!  She's off the steriods and has slimmed down something fierce!  Her hemangiomas are on their way out and she's doing great!!

Here's one with all four.  Supposed to be on their own blankets, haha.....Meg rolled to Liam's and conked out.

She just couldn't keep up with the rest of the gang.  Too sleepy!

Big and Little

Liam has a new game he likes to play.  He sticks his tongue out and then I do.  He likes to imitate back and forth.  SO cute!

Below you can see that Meg is getting Liam's hand-me-downs because Liam is growing like a weed and Megan.....not so much.  But she looks good in blue, and she's cognitively and physically on target so no worries....but dang, they barely look like twins!!!

Another good comparison below.  Fatty (sorry Liam, it's true! (Not really, he's just 50th%) but look at that belly!) and Meg's teeny torso!

And the hand size difference! Big hand, little hand.  Funny, when I saw the 2 follicles before fertilization, one was bigger than the other.  So it's a safe bet that they were pre-destined to be husky and petite.  ;)

Other notes from today.....I had an MRI on my foot and it's officially broken in three places.  Nice that the ER Dr. completely missed it and told me that nothing was broken....makes me think twice before going to Presby Plano again.....So I am still wearing a giant boot...have I even mentioned that officially on the blog?  It's a big old clunker of a boot.  Goes nearly to my knee, but at least it's whitish gray and not brown or black.....maybe black would be ok.  I call it my storm trooper boot.  Not sure how long I'll have to wear it (yes I do, I'm writing this in March...I wore it until nearly Christmas!!!!!) But I was hopeful that it wouldn't be that long....even though at this point it was still unbelievably horribly painful....oh....it's still hurts a bit in March 2012 as well.  Dang!

Still Going Strong with the Tigers

Getting better every day....slowly but surely!

Blanket Time

 

Snuggles, Massages and Good-byes

Liam is a cuddler.  So much so that he likes to sleep with one arm thrown over his bumper.  I know this means, that I should probably take them away....but it's even harder knowing that he likes to cuddle with them when he sleeps.  Here's a monitor version.

It was time to say goodbye to Uncle Bill.  Kate had a blast with him and we all can't wait to see him again.  Thanks for visiting!

    

Uncle Bill had flown back to New York and Kate went on having a great time with her siblings and friends.  Here, Kate was convinced that Liam was "So sweet to give me a back massage!"  In reality, he was just reaching out to touch his sister.  I hope they stay this sweet forever!!!

 

Live From the Patio

I think this is one of the funniest videos of Kate of all time.  Enjoy her very gloomy original acoustic performance for her Uncle Bill.

 

And the picture to accompany the video.

The kids all threw on their outfits from Uncle Bill for some pictures.

Uncle Bill had a friend stop by for a visit and Mike grilled.

Uncle Bill Meets the Babies!

Megan is sick.  Poor baby. Note the red rash on her face.  Can't see it?  How 'bout now? ;)

And Uncle Bill came to visit!  See him with Kate on his shoulders ordering BBQ?

Hmmm....I don't think either one knew I was taking this picture...oops!

Ava's 5th Birthday

Kate helped Ava celebrate her 5th birthday at Chuck E Cheese today.  She had a great time with her friends!  My pictures are terrible, but nonetheless, they mark the day and how much fun she has with her friends.

I loved this Repunzel cake!

Jean and Sibling Shirts

Jean Lee the first non-family visitor to ever meet Kate was in town and able to meet the neweset Duffys.  She jumped right in and helped feed everyone!

And then we took some pictures of the three kiddos together in their Big Sister, Little Sister, Little Brother shirts.  Technically, Megan could also have a Big Sister shirt.  ;)

Feed Yourselves!