Mama Smillie

Spring 2010

2010-04-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Dance your pants off at the science museum. That's what Niko did.
Addie's just jamming on guitar. She's a rocker.

Imelda Jane

2009-11-20T18:35:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2009

2009-11-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

This is Mommy Kangaroo.

Addie, Niko and Garrett at the neighborhood party right before the parade. Addie took off running and shaking her toy trying to keep up with the big kids. Niko and Garret took their time with the dads lagging behind.
b Boo!

Almost 2

2009-11-20T11:59:00.001-08:00

Niko is a punk rocker, Nee eko is....a punk rocker!

OOOH OOOH Ahhhhhh!

I love shoes, yours, mine, his, etc...

Future Mountain Biker

2009-10-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

state Fair Fun

2009-10-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

Nudes N Tudes

2009-06-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

From left: Niko, Addie, Steve and Christopher.

Father's Day 2009. Steve squashes himself into a big wheel and has sealed the deal on no more kids. Niko is loving this if you can't tell here.

Here is our little mean green walkin machine.

This was about 3 weeks ago.

Pool Party Smillie Style! Need we say more?

Constant Motion

2009-05-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

Little Harley Addison

Zooooooooooooooooooooooom..............................................................................................

mmmmm.....good

Who Hates Pants?

2009-05-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

I don't know where they get it, but thse guys hate pants.

Jac, Max & Cash

2009-05-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

Newest Niece. Jacqueline Anita Castro. Born March 27th.

Newest nephews. Maxamillian and Cassius Stolz arrived May 19th.

We love you all!

Soooooooooooooooo Cute!

Biker Babe

2009-01-28T17:09:00.001-08:00

Almost one year old

2008-12-18T05:23:00.000-08:00

Need we say anything?

Not sure this is fun for us kids, but mom is having fun!

Fall....literally

2008-11-04T18:24:00.000-08:00

Fall is here. We should look back and reflect on a simpler time. A time when little people did not move so much. This end of summer and beggining of fall has been great. Here are some of our fun photos of what we did.

We biked the Cannon River trail this summer

We played with our cousins (Elise on the right)

We made our last trip of the season on Grandma and Grandpa Smillie's boat to Lake Pepin. We dressed up for our dinner out at the Harborview restaurant.

Addie takes boat safety VERY seriously.

Erin, Steve and Kim enjoying life after kiddo bedtime - watching the Biggest Loser.

Weekend before Halloween we visited the HanHans in Duluth. Here is Erin, Addie and Ella enjoying a very relaxing Sunday morning. We love visiting the HanHans (Sarah, Tolga, Steve and Soren not pictured b/c they felt not so photogenic in their Pj's).

Halloween day - playing in the leaves.

Addie and Niko in action Halloween evening. Grrrrrrrrrr........................

casa de smillie es mui escary!

Giggles

Grandma and Grandpa Pearson brought us some fun paper to play with. Who cares about gifts?

Yup, I am naked!

Naked and Lovin it!

Our cousin Christopher came to visit and play with us. We love you Kipper.

addie clap

2008-09-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

if your'e happy and you know it...

Am I alone here?

2008-09-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Video?

2008-07-31T05:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, Video!

Start the day with some calisthenics!

July

2008-07-29T18:40:00.001-07:00

If you saw us in July, there is a good chance you saw us in the truck.

We spent over 50 hours traveling between Boulder, Co to visit the Buzek gang, Luddington, MI to visit the Holdridges and Brainerd for some R & R with the Guilds.

Addie and Niko have enjoyed July traveling, but first they had to model their beachwear.

Our first pool experience at Kjersten's tennis and pool club.

The day was full of fun 4th of July festivities and food. Steve took part in a swim , beer chug, swim relay race with some of Kjersten's co-workers.

They did not win.

Here is Stas reading a story to Niko for a little afternoon wind down.

Kjersten, Stas and Mark on tennis tournament day. Mark won his match. Good job!

Dodge ball! Mike's out, look out Ayden!

Each of us holding a baby on Gull Lake

The kids eat their meals in the highchairs now. This pic is taken before the mess.

Grandma Jackie made Addie a tutu. Sign her up for ballet.

We forgot our camera for the Michigan trip - photos from Grandma to come...

June Blog

2008-06-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

May and June have been full of fun! Addison rolled over first with Grandma Carol and Nicholas with mom, twice now. Nicholas can sit when propped up for over 10 seconds (some of the time). They are eating rice cereal - Niko loves it and Addison is growing to tolerate it. They both will take sips of water from a cup and lap it up like a dog (some goes in and some goes on the shirt). Addison and Nicholas both will laugh at or with you. They find lots of things funny, zurburts on the belly is especially funny, peek-a-boo is so so. Waking up to Nicholas talking is hilarious, if you can get over that it is 5 am.

What more can we say.

Niko loves the saucer.

Addie loves the "happy apple"

The kids took their first airplane ride to Dallas to visit cousin Christopher, Aunt Jen and Uncle Ian. On our way to Dallas Nicholas had a major blowout where Mom had to do the walk of shame back to our seats with a very naked Niko.

Cousin Christopher at the Dallas Arboretum

We saw a baby owl and parents on their patio at night.

People just love holding two babies at once!

We have enjoyed grandma Carol's care every Wednesday since mama went back to work in March. Grandma will be going back to work in July and pave the way for Grandpa Roger to take over.

Our cousin Kennie (Kennedy) spends time with us regularly. Here we are on Easter at Grandma and Grandpa Pearsons.

Addison looking very Hollywood with our neighbor Lynn.

We went to Grand Old day with Kennie and Aunt Kelly.

Till next time,

Mama Smillie

2008-04-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

Addie showing off her gorgeous legs.

2008-04-25T21:36:00.000-07:00

Naptime with my buddy....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

2008-04-25T21:34:00.000-07:00

Addison flashing her pearly whites for the camera. Soooooooooo cute!

2008-04-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

Shannel and Zuri come visit us from Madison.

2008-04-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

Daddy reading us a book.

2008-04-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

My friend Tammy (happy birthday by the way) and her daughter, Avery, visit. Here we are on a lovely spring day back from the coffee shop.

2008-04-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

Auntie Jen comes to visit.

2008-04-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

We travel to Brainerd with the kiddos in honor of uncle Mike's birthday! Pizza and Big Buck Hunter at Zorbas, what could be better?

the winters

2008-04-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

We dine with the winters days before their little Mary Beth arrives. Jimmy loves all the baby talk, just kidding.

2008-04-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

The Hara girls come for a visit. Future babysitter getting some practice.

March-April (3-4 months old)

2008-04-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

Nicholas looking very Miami vice for easter.
Matt, Nicole and Eli visit

Nicholas flashing his usual exhuberant smile!

3 Months

2008-03-31T15:04:00.001-07:00

Week 9

2008-02-26T06:26:00.000-08:00

It's starting to warm up - so we've had some outside walks in the stroller:

Addie and Niko all bundled up

Our good friends Matt and Crystal stopped by and we had some Thai take out - I don't think the kids loved it - but we did. Here's Crystal with a pre-spiced Niko.

Now for the expecting parent parade...

Jodi and Mike (who are expecting their first April 5th- Abbey) came by with Chipotle (again, we loved it - kids did not). We don't have any pictures of their visit - but check out Jodi's photography blog, she does great work!

We had Game Nite with our friends the Neerlands and the Robertsons - both are expecting their firsts as well (Carrie and John are due at the end of June and Katie and Travis are due early August) . We had some delicious n/a drinks for Carrie and Katie. While Erin and the boys enjoyed a beer or two.

I've been meaning to post pictures of this for a little while now... there are a lot of "cool" "hipster" clothes out there for kids - but is there any place as cool as Japan? No. Our friends Micah and Mayumi who live in Tokyo gave us these cute bibs featuring "AnPanMan" a Japanese superhero made of anpan (a sweet roll with bean jam filling - you couldn't make this stuff up if you had too!). And check out their "Punk" socks - a little big yet, but they're looking forward to them for sure.

2 Months Old

2008-02-17T13:46:00.000-08:00

It is already February. Where does the time go? Well...................
I will tell you where it goes:

Bathtime fun in the sink.

Visiting with great great great aunt Laura, 93.

Visiting with friends, pictured here are Kim and Lance Brown.

Breastfeeding.....................................
Napping...............................ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ for all of us.

Visiting with cousin Christopher, now 2 years old.

Rockin out with cousin Kennedy "Kenny G", 2 yr.

Visiting with Aunts Jp (from Portland) and Kelly and Grandma Carol.

Visiting with the girls from book club - next month the book is mother goose. Is she for real? Ana (3 months), Niko (1month), Addie (1 month) and Ellen (5 months). Nicholas was not alone with all the ladies, but shared the estrogen party with toddler pal, Nathaniel (not pictured).

We have had lots of nice visits with friends and family, trips to MOA for walks, out to eat with friends (and eating in), a few walks outdoors with our obscenely large stroller, etc...

Stay Warm!

The Smillies

1 Month

2008-01-26T06:41:00.000-08:00

Wow, we're not doing such a good job updating this are we?

Everything is going well. We've been out to eat a few times, had lots of visitors and even became some of those crazy people who go to the Mall of America to power walk with our enormous stroller!

Here are some photos...

Addie in here awesome cardigan - knitted by our friend Lori

Matching cuteness from recent parents Tigger and Aly and future play date pal Kira

Another cute set from Karen

And Another from Grandma and Grandpa Smillie (looks like they can grow into these)

Here's an older photo taken the day we went to the hospital (for the first time).

with ski buddies' kids: Twins Gus and Leo, Stas, Miranda and Sebastian hiding behind her.

Week 2

2008-01-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

Wow, time flies when you're feeding, feeding, changing, changing, sleeping, sleeping...

Everyone is doing great and we're all learning. Thank you to all our visitors who've helped out - we love short visits, so come over and meet the kiddos!

What you really want is photos right? Here you go...

Addison and Nicholas (as usual, Addie is alert and Niko is sleeping)

New Years Eve

The Happy Family

Week 0

2007-12-31T07:32:00.001-08:00

Born 12/25/2007

Nicholas Oliver 8:30 PM
6 lbs 7oz
21 inches

Addison Jane 8:34 PM
5 lbs 7oz
18.5 inches

Everyone is doing great!

Week 38

2007-12-25T08:44:00.001-08:00

We went into the hospital on Saturday afternoon to get gels (helps with dilation). The plan was to be there twice a day for the next three days. When we went back for our second one they said she was having too many contractions (so minor that Erin didn't even notice them) so they sent us home.

At midnight she did start noticing them every 5 minutes for an hour. We called the hospital and after another hour of contractions we went in. They got Erin all hooked up to monitors and checked her out. We spent the night and in the morning they decided to send us home - walk of shame!

Sunday we were both exhausted and laid around the house all day. Again that night the contractions came on and they were strong - making the last night seem like a joke. The hospital said we should come back in, so we were on our way (a little more calm than the last time). Again all the monitoring and this time some good drugs to help Erin sleep. Morning came and another walk of shame. Rejected again! Though before we left the Dr. said if the contractions are as painful again tonight we could come in and they would help her sleep.

Back at home on Christmas Eve day, Erin was too uncomfortable to travel to see family, but my Aunt and Uncle from Michigan and my Mom and Sister stopped by with groceries and for a short visit. I ran a few errands and we watched some movies as Erin suffered through painful contractions. At about 9pm we decided to head in again (this time we brought cookies). About half way through the night it became clear that today was gonna be the day! At about 3am Erin was set up with an epidural and at 7:30am they broke her water.

So now we are waiting...

Week 37

2007-12-18T07:33:00.000-08:00

It is week 37 and still no babies here. My Doctor says the amnio was borderline - indicating that waiting one more week to induce is the best option. I guess Christmas babies will be arriving sometime next week or over the weekend.

Shield your eyes if you're a bit squeamish, here is my belly in its full glory.

I have been fighting boredom with movies, a birthday dinner last week at the chatterbox and various outings to ride in a wheelchair in the stores. Steve is happy to push me, at least I can keep up. There really is a place for fun in your life at the Mall of America. It was not too crowded, but maybe too many football fanatics for my liking, both Bears and Vikings.

I've got some pants that I thought would be much more comfortable if I wore suspenders, the problem was that I didn't own any suspenders. I remembered my dad having some so I asked him if I could borrow them. There is only one problem with them...

week 35

2007-12-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I've been a bit behind on this lately - sorry.

We brewed another batch of beer with our friends Jason and Jana (though I sat this one out for the most part). We also bottled the beer we brewed before - should be ready to try next week (for those who aren't pregnant). Check out more photos here.

Biggest news and accomplishment is that the nursery is ready!!!

Week 34

2007-11-23T18:16:00.001-08:00

Wow - only 3 weeks to go. We've had so many photos of me and Steve thus far, I thought it would be good to post a few others.

Here's "Baby A"

And "Baby B"

These ultrasounds were taken in September. "Baby A" is the boy and he's referred to as "A" because he's the lowest and will be born first. We've had so many ultrasounds - it seems hard to

believe that most people only have one and even harder to believe that not that long ago, no one had them.

Steve and I have a niece and nephew as well. My sister gave birth to Kennedy almost 2 years ago. Here she is helping with the Thanksgiving punch.

Steve's sister gave birth to our nephew Christopher 2 years ago in February. He lives down in Dallas, so we don't get to see him as often as we'd like to.

And we can't forget our first two babies: Scooter and Pickles.

Week 33

2007-11-23T17:54:00.000-08:00

We got together with our game night crew. I don't think we got around to playing any games. We were much too busy with catching up, hearing exciting news and eating spectacular home made pot pies! We had to leave early because I was way too tired, I hope the group got to play some games without us.

The nursery is coming along. Steve's dad finished painting and we started moving furniture in. Once we get it REALLY put together, we'll take a much better photo.

For Thanksgiving this year I'm taking full advantage of my current state. We headed to my Sister Kelly's house and I got away with just bringing a pie. Good food and a pretty casual day with my family.

I'm now at the point where I see my doctor every week. Nothing is going to get past her during this last month. I do a non-stress test every week - basically they monitor the babies' heart beats and contractions for a half hour while I sit in a lazyboy chair. This is what I do most of the day, just without all the monitors.

Week 32

2007-11-13T05:53:00.000-08:00

We had a busy weekend (busy by my current standards at least). Saturday we went to a clinic to test our car seat installation. Something like 85% of baby seats are installed incorrectly. There are free clinics monthly all over the state to check you out. It was quick and easy and yeah... our seats were not quite right - but now they are!

We then drove to Eau Claire Wisconsin for an art exhibit at the University. We saw some great stuff - you should make the short drive to check it out. Don't tell my Doctor I left the state.

Sunday was the fourth and final baby shower with a bunch of my long time girlfriends. It was fun to see everyone. Special thanks to the hostesses! Check out photos here.

Week 31 - 9 Years

2007-11-06T18:18:00.000-08:00

Steve and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary today. Wow, 9 years - hard to believe how time flies. At the same time, it's hard to believe how much our lives have changed in 9 years. Nothing like how they'll change in the next 9 years I'm sure.

We went to WA Frost for dinner and had a wonderful meal (and dessert). They say you can take a break from the Diabetic diet for special occasions, but I was pretty good.

As predicted last week, I'm done at work. This is my first week off, but I'm managing to keep busy (and Steve busy as well). Lots to do before the kids arrive, speaking of... we are making progress on the nursery. Truth be told, our friend Bryan is making progress on the nursery - but let's not get hung up on details.

It's still got a ways to go - but we're moving forward.

Week 30

2007-10-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

Managing diabetes has been a bit of a challenge between not having the correct equipment at times and blood glucose readings. I have had to adjust my diet, but I may have to go on insulin if my numbers are not favorable. Gestational diabetes is farily common for multiples - but that's little comfort. It is not good for the babies or me to have high or low blood sugars. I take my blood 4 times a day, so I just need to report to the diabetes clinic if my numbers are off 4 of 7 readings after each meal. Wish me luck.

Steve and I brewed some beer last night. It is a beer kit I had given to him last year for our anniversary. It is a beer from the french region of Belgium...mmmmmmmm...... It should be ready to drink by the time I am, some time this spring. It's been a long time since we last brewed, it was a lot of fun and this is the time of the year to be brewin' - anyone want to join us for our next one!?! More photos here

I am half days at work and this may be my last week (I don't think so - Steve). My doctor has shared I won't go past Christmas (36 weeks). That means that I only have 6 weeks left - holy crap we've got a lot to do.

Week 29

2007-10-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous baby shower last night at the Ritters (see photos here). It was my third shower - but the first for Steve because it was a couples shower. Thanks to everyone who joined us - we had a great time. And super special thanks to Ania and Jonah for organizing and hosting!

Here's an update on the Nursery:

As you can see - it's nowhere near complete. Steve removed the bed, but we still need to paint, acquire and assemble furniture, clean, decorate, organize... we've got a long way to go.

Every Sunday night we read from our week by week pregnancy book. Steve seems to read much more frequently than I do. It's been a nice weekly tradition together, maybe we'll continue after we finish this book - I wonder if Steve will read, "Twins, the First Year" to me.

I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and took a class last week. I'll cover this topic next week.

Thanks for all the nice e-mails and comments that so many of you left.

Week 28

2007-10-14T07:40:00.000-07:00

Steve talked me into starting a blog to keep people posted during the pregnancy and beyond. I'll update with what I'm going through, photos and what the kids are up to.

Getting everyone up to speed:

We are expecting Twins (a boy and a girl). The due date is January 12th, but my doctor says I won't be going past December - so it's looking like holiday babies are on the way.

Most recently I found out I have gestational diabetes. I'll have a class on that shortly, for now I'm hopeful I'll be able to control it with diet.

Steve and I have been taking a birthing class for parents expecting multiples through United Hospital. It's been great to get a perspective entirely focused on multiples. The class is 6 weeks and has 5 couples in it.

I've joined M.O.M.'s (Mothers of Multiples) an organization for Mothers expecting and experiencing multiples. I've yet to attend any events, but I'm looking forward to meeting Mom's in this group for information and support - plus they have legendary garage sales twice a year.

That's all for now, keep checking back and leave comments!

Erin