A Few Recent Pictures

Aren't my boys all getting BIG?!

Our Family on Jacob and Caleb's 2nd birthday!
(We are all in the picture - including Abby - and all HAPPY! If only Jacob would have been looking and they would have put the Thomas the Train gift bags down... but overall, a GREAT picture!)

My little Ladies Men and Major Cutie on Valentine's Day.


Group hug! Notice Jacob is kissing Gabe's forehead... awww!


The Valentine's card that we made to send out to the boys' Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, and Great-Great Grandma!


The 4 Seastrunk Boys Opening Weekend of Aggie Baseball Season 2009!
(Don't you LOVE the boys' matching "old school" baseball uniforms?!)

Yackety yack!

Jacob and Caleb are saying A LOT now, but here are a few noteworthy words that we hear often:

"NO" - I hear this no less that 200 times a day around here! Oftentimes this great word is heard in unison: "NO," but sometimes they add a twist for me. My personal favorite is "no-no-no" said in a high pitch tone. After several days of them doing this, I realized that they were mocking me ("Boys, no-no-no, let's come read books quietly for a minute rather than beating cars on the table.")

"Play" - Anytime we are doing an evil necessity - like washing hands, changing diapers, waiting on me to fix lunch, waiting on me to clean up the kitchen after lunch, etc - they inform me that they would rather "play" than participate in the task at hand.

"Bubba" - This is what they still call one another. They can also say "Cay-cay," "Jay-Jay," "Gabe" (sounds more like (Gee-be), "Gabriel" (which is hilarious to hear), and others, but the twins still choose to refer to one another and Gabe as "bubba."

"Grandpa Al" - This is greatness. My dad is Alan, but most people just call him Al, so we began telling the boys that he is their "Grandpa Al." When they first began repeating it, it came out more like "Growl-growl." Later it had three syllables, but was still "Gr-Gra-Growl." They have gotten close to mastering it now.

"Hers" - There is a great story behind this one! They boys really like to annoy Abby, our 10 year old rat terrier. They won't pet or play sweet with her for long, but insist on hitting, pulling her tail or legs, etc. So far she has been good with them, but I fear that she will retaliate any time. She has several toys of her own that they boys like to go steal (heaven forbid if SHE were to take one of there's!). Caleb came up to her one day as she was chewing a tennis ball and tried to snatch it. Afraid that Abby was about to bite, I yelled at him "Caleb, seriously, leave it alone - THAT IS HERS!" His eyes got all wide, "HERS?!" Me: "Yes, Cay, it IS hers." Well, he now calls a tennis balls - whether Abby's or not - "hers." I am working on trying to explain it to him, but no such luck. I think he might be playing tennis one day in high school with a racket and "hers!" :-)

"Abby" - Along the lines of Abby, they also love to scold her when SHE does something wrong - like try to come in the kitchen/dinning room while we are eating. Of course, "Abby" sounds like "B.B." for some reason, but we - including Abby - know what it means!!

"More" (mooore) - This is said about two or three times every meal. Within a couple of minutes of the start of a meal, something is gone from one part of their plate, and the request is on - "MORE!" Me: "Thank you for asking so sweet (*implied: rather than screaming*), but eat a few bites of something else, and then I'll get you MORE oranges (or whatever the requested item is)!"

They say almost all of the other basics - like juice, milk, ball, book, car - as well as some other random words, but I thought the above ranked as some of the funnier ones that we would want to remember years from now.

On that note, I'll close the blog with another favorite - "A-MEN!" This is said in the appropriate times (like when we finish their Baby Devotional before bedtime), as well as when they are getting impatient for their meal. If I am fixing their plates and they are really hungry, they will sit in their chairs saying "A-MEN, A-MEN..." over and over (and louder and louder). I guess they are letting me know that we have prayed, so there is no reason to delay food any longer!

(The sweet boys can also say "church," "Jesus," and "Bible" too. They LOVE Sunday School!!)

Be sure to see my previous blog too. Hopefully I'll get some pictures posted tomorrow!

So far behind...

Well, I realize that I have not been great at blogging lately. Life has still been pretty crazy around here. Nothing earth shattering, really, just day-to-day life kind of stuff. I have been wanting to blog for a while now, but, being so far behind, knew that it would take me a long time to get caught back up, and I just don't have that kind of time right now. I came to the conclusion today, however, that I don't have to get caught up, rather just pick up where we are now. I mean, the twins are doing so many cute things, and I want to document it all here. Sure, I like to share it with all of our readers, but it also helps Jon and I to have record to remember in the future too.

So, anyway, a quick post for tonight:

Jacob and Caleb turned 2 on February 4th!! At their two year check up, Jacob was 34 1/2 inches and 33 pounds, while Caleb was 34 inches and 32.4 pounds. They are running everywhere and into everything. Their speech has really improved a lot too. Caleb talks constantly and is like a parrot, repeating the last word of EVERYTHING he hears! When Jacob does talk, it is more plain, but he just doesn't have a lot to say. When he does say something, it is important so listen up (sounds like his Daddy)!

Gabriel turned 6 months on February 18th, and was 15 pounds 12 ounces and 25 3/4 inches at his check up. He is still little, but otherwise doing awesome. He is the most calm mannered baby I have ever seen (thank God) and has the sweetest spirit. He laughs a lot and loves to play with his big brothers and in his exersaucer. He rolls all over the place and can sit up on his own too - I think we'll have a crawler on our hands before long. :-)

Jon and I are also doing well. We have gotten to go out a couple of times by ourselves, thanks to my parents watching the boys. We always miss the boys when we leave, but it is so nice to eat dinner without having to tend to a major meltdown, dodge food, wipe faces, get them seconds-and thirds-and a cookie before we even finish our main meal, etc.

I just wanted to briefly let you all know that we are doing well. It is after midnight now, and Gabe is still waking me every three hours or so (yes, through the night too), so I need to get some rest! I will TRY to be more diligent about picking up with now and making at least a brief blog more often. We'll see... :-)

25 Random Things About Me

1. I cannot tolerate artificial sweeteners. The commercials that compare Diet Dr Pepper to donuts, cookies, cake, or some other dessert just tick me off. Diet drinks just taste like nasty chemicals to me. Yup - I can taste Splenda too. YUCK!

2. On that note, I have a difficult time drinking a full can of "coke" (any type of soda) in one setting. 99 times out of 100, I'd much rather just have water.

3. The exception is Dublin Dr Pepper! I can slam back one of those no problem. YUM!

4. I love music - any type of music. However the two I listen the most on the radio are ol' school R&B (think 80s/90s - 107.5 FM) and Christian. Try combining Chris Tomlin with some LL Cool J... "you placed the stars in the sky, and I'm gonna knock you out - HUH..." (OK, that's just wrong!)

5. I am blood type O negative - the "universal donor" - therefore get calls from Carter Blood Care often.

6. In addition, I am CMV (cytomegalovirus) negative, so my blood is the only type that can be given to preemies in the NICU. (We have no idea how I am CMV negative, as I went to public schools, was a pediatric nurse for almost 5 years, and a public health nurse for 2 years before having kids of my own!)

7. I carried my twin boys (in utero) up the Notre Dame Cathedral Bell Tower and then hiked over to Sacre-Coeur. (Whew!)

8. I have lots and lots of Titanium in jaw/mouth from a HUGE craniofacial surgery in December 2001.

9. I love Colorado and the mountains, but hate being cold!

10. A doctor once separated my mom and I for questioning, thinking that my parents were abusive since I showed up one week with bad whiplash and the next week with a concussion and extreme bruising from my face down to my hips. I mean, why's it hard to believe that a young lady tried to ride a steer and then fell off of a horse running full speed the next weekend?! It's all really funny now...

11. I've gotten into leeches while hiking in the Himalayas (India)!

12. I have an irrational fear of snakes. Nope, being in India in 2002 when it wasn't the safest time to be there wasn't scary at all... but don't even get me anywhere the snake house at the zoo!

13. One of my few regrets is not trying out for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders when I had the chance.

14. Another regret is not becoming a Thespian.

15. Part of the reason (for both) is that I was PAINFULLY shy and insecure about myself up until recently.

16. I have an weird gift of remembering lyrics - especially obnoxious jingles/commercials. Anyone remember the McDonald's menu song from 1989 (the little records - yes RECORDS - that you received in the mail)? I do - every word of it.

17. I have seen Rocky Horror Picture Show (the live, participation ones - not just the movie) multiple times. I still remember most of the audience participation part, since I have that kind of crazy memory.

18. About the only thing I am "intolerant" of is "intolerant people."

19. I make up ridiculous nicknames for my kids. Crazy names such as "Jakey Juice" for Jacob, "Queso" (or "Cay-so") for Caleb, and "Gabril Goo" (spelling intentional - said "Gay-bril") for Gabe. They all have stories behind them, most of which were created in a sleep deprived state.

20. I took Ballroom dance lessons before Dancing with the Stars made it cool. I got pretty good too! I'd LOVE to pursue it again now, but my "partner" (Jon) isn't on board! :-)

21. I am certified through the Radiant Child Yoga program to teach kids yoga, but have never taught a formal class.

22. I find dry, stupid humor, like Napoleon Dynamite and "Your Mama" jokes very funny!

23. I am glad that I get to stay home with my kids, but I REALLLY miss being a nurse.

24. If I wasn't married with kids, I'd probably be in the Peace Corp or a nurse in a third world country (most likely India).

25. I am addicted to Sprout's Farmers Market. I love that place!

"That fat dude who wants to eat my cookies?!"

In December, we found that Jacob is cool with Santa, but Caleb is definitely not. If Jon held Caleb - not me, but JON - then all was fine, but no body better DARE try to put him on Santa's lap! We took the boys to Bass Pro Shop on Black Friday to get out a little and see Santa, and we found this out LOUD and clear. Caleb was fine and happy in line and walking up, but when he turned to actually SEE Santa, he bolted. Jacob shook Santa's hand, waved "hi," and even blew kisses. In attempt to actually get a picture with all of the boys and Santa together, Santa held Gabe, Jon held Caleb BEHIND Santa, and I knelt next to Santa with Jacob. By the time we figured out the logistics of that, Gabe decided that he was tired and had enough. Here was our result:



Wow - is Gabriel ever ticked off?! Notice his tight hold on Santa beard (which was his real beard, by the way) - OUCH! So we didn't get a prefect picture with Santa, but won't this be fun to show the boys in several years?!

Itty Bitty Stinker!

I really suspected that Gabe was/is smaller than the boys were at his age, but it was confirmed on December 18th at his 4 month appointment.

At 4 months, Jacob was:
18 lbs. 7 oz. (97th + percentile) & 27.25" (97th + percentile)

Caleb was:
17 lbs. 15 oz. (97th percentile) & 26" (90th percentile)

Jacob and Caleb at 4 months

And Gabe was (drum roll, please):
13 lbs. 14 oz. (30th percentile) & 25" (50th percentile)

Gabriel at 4 months

I still cannot figure out HOW Gabe is so much tinier than his TWIN brothers! Not only did he not have to share womb space and had more time to grow in utereo, but he also did not have to share "Mommy milk" with a brother. I guess he just got smaller genes.

But what he "lacks" in size, he definitely makes up in strength and energy!

He can sit up with very little support,



can bounce like crazy in his Jumperoo,



can hold his head up high for long periods,



can stand well with little support,



as well as roll from his back to tummy and tummy to back.

He loves to imitate his big brother (God help me!) by squealing and "talking" back to them, smile, and laugh. Gabriel is such a good, sweet little guy.

December 2008

NOTE: I am way behind on blogging between Christmas Parties, MOPS, McMoms, church, seeing family and friends, and all of us being sick YET AGAIN (vomiting/diarrhea, then sinus infections for Caleb and I, an ear infection for Jacob, Jacob getting a BAD rash from Penicillin on Christmas night, Jacob still having an ear infection, and then vomiting/diarrhea AGAIN). So I thought I would go back and hit a couple high points rather than recapping all of December like I have done in the past.

If you want to check out all of our pictures for the month, however, see:

http://picasaweb.google.com/aggiefrog/December2008#

Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and great start to 2009!