Happy New Year, a bit late ...

Hope everyone had a wonderful new year. It's been hectic and I haven't had time to update. Our New Year was uneventful. We just went to my sister's house for a mini-party. Only ended up being a few couples with WAY too much food! It wasn't a late night at all, the ball dropped, we blew into some noisemakers and said good night. We were all tired. My mother in law came up and stayed with the twins, and spent the night and got up with them in the morning. So it was nice for me and Eric to enjoy ourselves knowing that we could sleep in a bit on Tuesday. Here is a few pics.


The funniest part about those pictures is that my sister is dressed up for the first part of the night, but then switched to sweats halfway through. That's very Chrissy.

We have now started the "it takes a village to raise a child (or two)" month. I don't know if I even mentioned it over the holidays, but my cousin Christina was going to watch the twins 3 days a week this month, while I worked from home two days until they got into day care in February. Well she broke her elbow in two places in late December! Yeah, ouch is right! Oh, and it was her right arm, and she's right handed. Yeah, no good at all! So she can barely take care of her own kids, let alone mine! So operation "it takes a village" was concocted. I'm working from home 2 days a week, Eric is taking off 1 day a week, my sister is working from home (or my house, anyway) 1 day a week, and my mother in law and mom are splitting the other days. It's really amazing how they all were willing and able to step up and help out! Love you all so much, and thank you!

Besides that, it's status quo over here. I think we are all desperately fighting from getting sick. Everyone I know has had some sort of cold, and Eric and I both felt like we were coming down with it. Although it hasn't really hit either of us yet, so we think we might be fighting it. Hailey had a bit of a sniffly nose and cough, but Jake has been ok. Blows my mind that one of them can get sick, and the other won't. Especially considering they spend every minute of their lives together, as well as chew on all the same things.

Looks like I may be traveling into the city 2 days a week for the next few months. We are starting a new project, and we have lots of meetings to get all our requirements gathered. I was in the city yesterday, and it was frightening warm! Um, 65 degrees in NYC in mid-January? Yeah, something is very much not right. Not that I'm complaining. If I need to travel in there, I would rather it be warm than cold!

I can't believe I forgot a most imporant piece of info!! Hailey is CRAWLING! She is all over the place like a lunatic. We went and bought a playard to set up for them. Jake isn't crawling yet, but he's pushing up on all fours, and I don't think he is going to be far behind. Here she is, read to make her move.

At some point Eric is going to figure out how to go from the video camera to the computer and I'll post a video of her crawling.

And we move the kids from the infant tubs to those bathrings. It SUCKS! When we had the infant tubs, we put the tub between the two sinks in our bathroom, and were able to stand up and do everything easily. Now with the kids in the tub, we have broken backs! Ugh! Does anyone have advice on how to make giving the kids baths more comfy?? But look how darn grown up and cute they look?


Now for a little fun in the new year
...
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

Uh, had a baby. Actually, 2.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept my last year's resolution. Although it wasn't really in my control. Last year all I wanted to do was make sure that I could carry my babies as long as possible so they could arrive happy and healthy. Succeeded!

As for 2008, my resolution is (like always) to lose weight. I joined weight watchers last Thursday, so tomorrow is my first weigh in. I will keep you updated on my weight loss.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Seems like everyone I know! I did. 8-) My friends Michele, Tara, Joann, my cousin Julie, my cousin Kristen, friends from college Megan, Kim and Jen. I'm sure I'm forgetting people. Sorry! It just seems like everyone I knew was pregnant this year!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thank God, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

None. Does the obscure land of MommyOfTwins count?

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

Money!!! Well, I will actually probably lack that more in 2008, thank you very much daycare. I would like more sleep. I didn't get much of that last year.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

April 5th, 2007. The day the most beautiful twins in the world were born.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Hailey and Jake. I am so proud of how I did with the kids. Learning how to take care of them, getting them on a schedule, getting them to sleep through the night in 3.5 months. They are growing and thriving, and Eric and I have learned how to handle twins, and still smile and have fun every day!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Eating. After the twins were born, we fell into such an unhealthy eating pattern. Dinner was always McDonalds or pizza or chinese or something equally unhealthy. I definitely gained weight after the kids were born.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nope.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Gosh, for me, or for the kids? For me, it would have to be the post-baby massage and haircut. Made me feel SO good!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

First off, my husband. For being the best father to his kids. For being so fully involved in the lives of his kids. For being a totally hands on Dad, and for letting me go out and get "me time" probably more often than I deserve. My sister, for being the most amazing Aunt these twins could ask for. Sometimes I wonder if she loves them more than me. 8-) I am beyond lucky to have her for all the support she shows me daily. And my parents, for well, being my parents. I have sung their praises many times here, and I'm sure I will continue to in the future.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, etc ...

14. Where did most of your money go?

Formula, Diapers, Mortgage.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going away for the weekend with my husband in Sept. It was so nice to get a few nights away, and reconnect without the kids.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

Geez, it's so awful, but Rehab. I don't even know if that song came out this year, but it was a song that Jake seemed to love, so I always used to play it in the Ipod when I was changing them. He seemed to like the part when I said "No, No, No!". Made him smile every time.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happier than any year I've ever had.
b) thinner or fatter? 
Well, last year at this time I was pregnant, so thinner.
c) richer or poorer?
 Poorer. Twins are a financial drain. 8-)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Sleep. There certainly wasn't enough of that this year.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worry.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

See this post.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

Yes, with a handsome little man and a beautiful little lady.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Jeez, I have to limit it to one? That's not possible. Anything reality. The Office. Extras. 30 Rock.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Hate? Such a strong word. No, I can't think of anyone I hate now.

24. What was the best book you read?

I haven't read a lot of books. But I enjoyed re-reading the Handmaid's Tale.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

KT Tunstall. But that may not have been this year.

26. What did you want and get?

Is this getting repetitive? Two beautiful healthy babies.

27. What did you want and not get?

To win the lottery.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

That's tough. We didn't see that many, but I really enjoy Knocked Up, SuperBad and Juno.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 33. I don't think we did anything, cause I think I was on modified bed rest.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I can't think of anything. Maybe winning the lottery?

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

The "Christine Triolo Special" aka Sweats.

32. What kept you sane?

TV, junk food, my husband. Not necessarily in that order.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Hmm, I don't know. I don't really have celebrity crushes.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Seperation between church and state. Abortion, Gay Rights, Taxes, free speech, etc...

35. Who did you miss?

I miss my kids and husband when I'm not with them. I miss the people I don't have as much time to see now that we have kids.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Honestly, I don't know if I met anyone new in 2007 in real life. But I have met many wonderful online blogging buddies.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Nothing is more important than family.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Rest your head close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine"

Enjoy,
Erica