Shaz by the Sea

The boys will be 3 in two months...wow. That means they age out of early intervention. When a child turns 3, they no longer qualify for (free) services through EI. That basically means it's on to the next round of evaluations and stages. We already began the process called "the transition out of EI" by having a few meetings with our speech language pathologist and a representative from Woburn Public Schools. We discussed the twins, their current situation, and the progress they each have made through their IFSPs. We talked about different options and the amount of services they receive each week (one day each of speech - one at school, and one at home - alternating). We talked about potential dates when the boys could come in and be evaluated for services and the consent forms were mailed to us. That's where we are at right now. All of this reminded me of going to group classes at EI over the fall and winter months - when I was on maternity leave with Cal. It feels ...

Like many other parents, I struggle with the balance of wanting to do things that make my kids happy, but also giving them limits. I love to see their faces light up when I give them munchkins in the drive through, or a kit kat bar for dessert (that never happens), but at the same time, I don't want to spoil them or promote activities, actions, or behaviors if they aren't helping them. For example, this is a minor one, but the boys love holding on to small objects like coins or dice - and they get really upset when I take them away. I try to minimize their time with them because I know it isn't really doing anything for them. Yet - it isn't hurting them either....so is it a real issue? I guess I could say that I am picking my battles here. See their hands? Full of small objects! At least they've never put anything in their mouths. I lucked out with that one. And lollipops at the parade! :) They are very good listeners. I say, "one hand on the car...

For the past few days, I have been trying to picture how life will be when I have all three boys home with me. In a couple weeks, we are pulling Conor and Caden out of daycare to stay home with me and Cal - mainly because I am going on leave without pay. Frankly, we can't afford two daycare payments if I am not getting paid. Therefore, I will have all the boys home with me for a few months until I go back to work. At that point, Conor and Caden will start preschool...and Cal will go to the daycare that C and C are at now. Timing is all still up in the air - but that's our tentative plan. Anyway, I have been trying to come up with craft projects, places to take the kids, and ideas to keep them busy and entertained this fall. I found a few crafts on pinterest, and my mom and I took them to the library the other day after we picked them up from daycare. They loved the magnets and blocks and books there. Here are some pics from the library. Another idea I...

Let me set the stage for you -- I am currently sitting in my driveway (in a folding chair), eating eggplant parm, and drinking chocolate milk while writing this post. Ha. Who am I??? I feel like I used to do this stuff when the boys were infants, but hey each day is different, right? We ha d the boys two year pediatrician appts this morning. Jim met me there. The appts went great. However, I took a bit of a longer route than usual to get home and the boys fell asleep on the way to the house. Sooo, I am hanging in my driveway until they wake up. If I wasn't 7 months pregnant (or maybe if there weren't two of them), I would consider relocating them to their cribs. For now, I am enjoying the peace and quiet - eating some lunch and writing this post. Here are the boys stats from their  2 year checkup. No shots, just a finger stick for a lead test. Weights -  Conor: 29 lbs 12 oz; 72% Caden: 27 lbs 14 oz; 49% Heights - Conor: 36 inches; 92% Caden: 35.5 inches; 85% ...