Road Trip Entertainment Tip

August 4, 2009 //

Came across a great tip on Parent Hacks today: using the Redbox DVD rental kiosks during road trips.

Rentals are $0.99 per day and you can return to any Redbox kiosk anywhere… and there are 15,000 of them across the country.

The only downside is the limited selection, but in most cases you’ll only need a few per road trip. And you can even reserve them through Redbox.com.

And, if you are on the super frugal side, there are Redbox promo codes out there to get free rentals, including Redbox’s Free Movie Monday on the first Monday of every month.

Lucy Noodlehands

August 3, 2009 //

30 Days Challenge – Update

July 31, 2009 //

I haven’t been posting lately, but I’ve been plugging along this week. We traveled last weekend, so I missed Saturday and Sunday. Monday was too hectic to fit something in, but I did do Tuesday and Wednesday. I am about to sneak in a 20-minute workout right now too. SO, overall I think we’re on Day 24 or 25 of the 30 Days… I feel like I haven’t quite lived up to the original premise, but on the other hand I have exercised more in the last 25 days than I have in the last few years. Can’t complain about that!

Anyway, just wanted to throw down a quick update post to let anyone following this sideshow on SixSmallHands.com, that I am still plugging away at my goal.

One Year Ago…

July 30, 2009 //

Clockwise: Stella in her open crib @ 2 weeks old, with Jason filling out discharge paperwork, Zoey in her incubator until she was able to regulate her body temperature on her own at around 2 weeks old, Zoey about a week old, Stella about a week old with a feeding tube.

One year ago Zoey and Stella were healthy enough to come home for the first time from the NICU! They were both in the hospital for 2 weeks after birth to gain weight and for Zoey, to be able to stabilize her own body temperature (wondering if this had any connection to her extra cranial fluids?) and for Stella, to learn to eat well (which is definitely not a problem now!). They both came home together (yay!) and were so tiny that they still didn’t fill out preemie clothes, were just under 5 lbs. and the car seat straps didn’t tighten enough to fit around their bodies so we had to pad around them with NICU wash cloths. Packing them up in the NICU that night was so amazing and moving that we didn’t get any pictures of it, except for a grainy one on JD’s phone. There was so much stuff crammed into the stroller around the babies that they sent us home with that it seemed we were leaving for the wilderness for a year (well.. that’s kinda true). The NICU staff walked us out, gave hugs and all kinds of advice. I think we both had feelings of joy and relief mixed with overwhelming fear of what lie ahead. Just 2 days later we celebrated 6 years of being married!

I have very few memories of the last year, but some of the most vivid ones are of the NICU and the caring, reassuring conversations the nurses had with me while I sat in that darkened quiet room with my girls as they slept. And the long, silent, awkward ride up to the NICU in the wheel chair by a hospital worker when I would come every day to visit but wasn’t well enough to walk there myself. Then there was the young, unmarried mother of twin 2 yr. old girls that found out 1 week before she delivered (about a week after I delivered our girls) that she was having another set of twins. They also turned out to be twin girls. She was pacing around in the NICU waiting room in her gown not even 24 hrs. after their birth in a horrible daze. She was laughing off and on too with a worried look on her face, while her family swirled around her on their phones spreading the incredible news.

Its amazing how life can change literally in one heartbeat- mom and babies’- and leave us reeling with so much joy and so much anxiety at once. I remember hanging on moment by moment. Calling the NICU every 3 hours, even through the night, to keep tabs on how much each ate, Zoey’s temperature, have a little conversation with their nurse and when they’d be home. It seemed like they would never come home and now, a year later, I can’t imagine not having a house full over chattering, bickering, dancing, smiling and screeching ladies. I think often of how lucky we are and how close we teetered to the fragile edge on many occasions through the pregnancy, birth and 1st year with Zoey and Stella. The gravity of those early, worrisome, sleepless and fleeting days will surely never leave me.

Jump up high and bring it down here

July 27, 2009 //

Lucy and I went out for a walk tonight after dinner. Here’s a portion of our conversation:

Lucy: Look, dadda, the moon!

Me: Oh, yeah, that is the moon. Very cool!

Lucy: Dadda, bring it down here.

Me: I wish I could!

Lucy: No, dadda, jump up and get it.

Me: I wish I could do that too! It’s really, really, really far away.

Lucy: No, dadda, jump up high and bring it down here.

Conversations like that are what’s amazing about kids – they don’t have any idea of what’s not possible. Whereas our (us “grown ups”) first instinct, a lot of the time, is that’s not possible or I can’t do that. Something changes us and our outlook. I’m thinking school [with varying degrees of crushing negativism, depending on race/class/gender] or maybe it’s just us “grown ups” projecting our own ingrained negative thinking upon kids. What ever it is, I think it’s pretty sad. Imagine how much more we could accomplish if we first thought in terms of ‘how can I do that’, rather than ‘why I can’t do that’.

Just something to think about when you have an idea, goal, or challenge in front of you… it might not be bringing the moon down to your kid, but it still can be something as ’simple’ as that project you always talked yourself out of starting.

30 Day Challenge – Day 18

July 24, 2009 //

Well, we skipped last night for a date night. Originally we were supposed to go to see Neko Case at Thursday in the Square, but that got canceled. Instead, we went to see Body Worlds, which was amazing. Gave us a whole new respect for the human body and development. For me, it made exercise and healthy eating that much more of a priority.

This morning, I made my first attempt at getting up early to exercise before work. I got up a little later than planned, so I only did 20 minutes on the elliptical. Certainly got me going, though, and feel really alert this AM. So I may have to do that more often – it would probably make it easier to exercise more consistently, since we have so much going on at night.

Stats: 4.51 miles and burned 357 calories.

Soundtrack

El Torrente – Minus the Bear
7/4 (Shoreline) – Broken Social Scene
Little Thoughts – Bloc Party
October is Eternal – Of Montreal
Can’t Think About It Now – Lifetime
Present of Future End – Most Serene Republic
E-Pro – Beck

30 Days Challenge – Day 16

July 22, 2009 //

Quick post tonight… last night was insanely busy, so I had to skip. Plus, Melisa was busy on the elliptical hitting almost 7 miles and 700 calories! So I couldn’t top that, either.

Tonight I watched episode 3 of Lost Season 5 (Jughead) while working out on the elliptical.
Final stats: 6.23 miles and burned 639 calories

Haven’t weighed myself in like a day or two, but I was down to like 186 (-3 lbs)… not too bad in two weeks, with no diet change.

Anyway, going to try to get in some elliptical tomorrow and Friday AM, as we’re heading to Albany for the weekend to visit family. Hopefully I can get in Friday AM at the very least. If not I’ll be skipping two days in a row for the first time. Definitely want to avoid that as much as possible.

30 Days Challenge – Day 14

July 20, 2009 //

Two weeks down!

Jason:
Tonight I hit up the elliptical again and watched episode 2 of Lost [Season 5] – The Lie. Went for 6.04 miles and burned 619 calories.

Overall, I think I am making good progress. Been over 6 miles and 600 calories the last few times, it seems like it is getting easier (both flying by faster and physically easier), and I feel better. I think a lot better, actually… so that is real encouraging. I currently take blood pressure pills and have borderline cholesterol issues, so it will be interesting to see how much progress I can make before my next check up in November. If these last two weeks are any indication, it will surprise the doctor for sure.

Looking back at the last 14 days, I’ve done the elliptical 9 times, ‘play’ exercised 3 days, and skipped 2 days. Not too bad and pretty much what I hope to stay on after these 30 days… 4 to 5 days of exercise ever 7 days and never skip two days in a row.

And Melisa is pretty sore from running last night! Got me to re-think my ‘take it to the streets’ idea last night. I’ll stick with my lower-impact elliptical, thank you very much!

30 Day Challenge – Day 13

July 19, 2009 //

Sunday! Kind of a lazy day, as we just played around the house all day. We did take a walk after dinner, as it was the nicest part of the day.

Jason:

Changed things up today, as I decided to start re-watching Season 5 of Lost instead of listening to music. Tonight I watched episode one – Because You Left. It really made the time fly, as I focused on the episode, rather than the clock/mileage/calories… I ended up with 6.00 miles and 616 calories burned. Not as good as the last few, but it seemed easier which I guess is good. The only negative to watching episodes, is it pretty much sucks the entire ipod battery for one episode… so I’ll need to re-charge each day to make sure I have enough juice. We’ll see how that goes…

Melisa went on a run with her friend Lis tonight [see Lis, I wrote about you! ], which ended up lasting more than 45 minutes… she seemed to think it went quick though. Maybe I’ll have to try an outdoor run one night, in order to compare it to the elliptical and see what I can do on the streets.

I’ll end the weekend with a quote from Lucy… (I think she is watching too much Electric Company!)

Word up, Momma.

She’s also said “hey you guys!”, like they do on Electric Company… if you have seen the show. Ha, too funny!

One year. An open letter from Dad.

July 18, 2009 //

The twins first birthday! Happy Birthday Zoey and Stella. Can’t believe it’s been one year already. Time certainly flies by, although I do feel like I’ve aged about 5 years in that time!

It’s been an amazing ride. One I certainly never expected to take, but I’m glad it happened. There have certainly been rough times for all of us and we’ve certainly all made life difficult for one another at various points, but I have no doubt that we’ll be a stronger family for it — the love between all of us is obvious, even when we’re exhausted and/or frustrated.

Melisa, you are an amazing person. You have dealt with so much the last two years and you keep coming back for more. You are a role model for sure. A talented, loving natural parent and juggler of three (sometimes four) babies, (if you count Milo!). I’m not sure how you do it ever day.You’ve got things down to a science and the house runs like clockwork, until I get home and mess things up. You have certainly taught me a lot and I only hope I can keep improving as a parent, in order to catch up to you one day. I love you and look up to you in every way.

Lucy, you are an amazing kid. Most days you handle being the ‘big’ sister (at two) really well. You’re even starting to be very sweet to your sisters, telling them you love them, sharing your toys, and helping momma out. It’s been a tough road and I can only imagine what it’s like to be at a point in life where you expect all the attention, only to have to share it with two sisters. You are blossoming into a sweet, intelligent kid, though, and I love you dearly. We built up a special bond when momma was pregnant with your sisters and I’m really glad we were able to do that – it really helped me get comfortable with being a parent, being able to open up and just have fun. I’m really looking forward to watching you grow up.

Zoey, you are probably the sweetest kid in the house – which is amazing given how fussy and crabby you were during the first few months. We now know what could have contributed to that, but in the end nothing beats the smile you give me when I walk in the room or come home from work. It makes the day instantly better. Your snuggles and hugs are pretty good too. You seem genuinely happy, which is amazing after all you’ve been through. I know it’s been hard for you, not being completely mobile, in a house with two very mobile sisters… not getting the attention, not being able to join in with your sisters right away, not to mention being able to move… but, in the end I think it’s helped us bond with you more. I know my love for you grows with every smile you give, every time you snuggle in when I pick you up, and every time you try to share your pacifier with me. Always stay happy and sweet, Zo-Zo.

Stella, Stella, Stella. Why do I have a feeling you’ll be the one giving us the most trouble when you are a teenager (definitely not the temper tantrums or mischievous behavior that started at like 6 months… nah) ?! Seriously, though, you are hilarious. Always talking, always doing funny, off-beat stuff, and always getting into things. Your smile and laugh is infectious, for sure. You certainly put a smile on our faces! You are incredibly active and always keep us (and your sisters) on our toes. Lucy has become very good at “No, Stella! No!” any time you even look at her. You adore her regardless. It’s very obvious you love your sisters. Always talking to them and smiling. You are going to be a great sister and friend to them. For me, since you’re the youngest (by 12 minutes) and smallest, you’ve always had a special place in my heart… I’m just not looking forward to the day you are slamming your door and calling me the “murderer of love!” Always stay who you are, Stella.

As you can see, we have quite the spectrum of personalities in our household. It’s made our journey to this point even more interesting and I know it will only continue to get better in the years to come. I am really looking forward to seeing you all grow up, forge even better relationships with all of you, and grow as a family. I love you all very much!

Jason/Dad - 7.18.2009