My adorable boys. Recent Quotes and funny things:)

Nolan was crying up in his crib the other night and i went in (Jared was still up too) and was patting his back telling him, "Mommy's here, don't cry". My sweet Jared pipes in and says "Look Nolan, Jared's here, Liam's here (although silent and sleeping) - and we all love you, don't be sad". My heart melts...how precious.

On Christmas day Liam is with Kristen and David in the bathroom and he looks in the mirror and says "Hi Noli (Nolan)"....haha, too funny. My little crack up.

Nolan - most babies like to snuggle up with a nice soft blanket or cozy stuffed animal. Not you!!! Another night you couldn't settle and I went into your room and hand you a toy hammer. You calm right down and go back to bed. You are always walking around with a little matchbox car, toy tool, or cookie:) in your hand. You boys make me smile bigger than anything I could have ever imagined.

Christmas!!!

Christmas has come and gone and I must say I'm a bit sad. I have always LOVED Xmas but this year, sharing it with our 3 little men, was the best. Every day leading up, we would listen to christmas carols on the radio and the cd's we made, we baked, we crossed off the days on the advent calendar and would talk about santa and all his reindeer. They were hysterical. Liam and Nolan really didn't know what was going on but knew it was something exciting and Jared this year was fully aware. He kept talking about Santa flying around and being a good boy. They were a blast...from start to finish. Yesterday I asked Jared if he had a fun Xmas and he said "Christmas is all done mommy, 'borry" (his pronounciaton of sorry)" Haha, he knew I didn't want it to be over either. They are having a blast with all their new toys though, keeping very busy. Jon was so good to me - got me boots (that I'm returning...sorry babe - not my style:), new VS stuff, a new outfit. What a good boy!!! Maureen annouced on Xmas that they're having another baby -- I'm thrilled for them.

An awesome Xmas and amazing year. :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

We are getting close, only 8 days to go until Christmas day. The boys are crazy, getting very excited. Jared's eyes light up when I talk about Santa flying around in his sleigh pulled by Rudolph and he's so excited to make Santa some xmas cookies to leave out on xmas night. Liam and Nolan know something is up -- and Nolan says "ho, ho, ho" when he sees santa. I almost don't want the day to come so quick because I am loving this prep time with them. It's the best watching Xmas shows/movies, coloring Xmas trees, crossing the days off the calendar -- I've always loved this time of year but it doesn't compare now that I get to do it with my boys. They are so fun!!

My Three little Goblins!

Almost Halloween time - my boys, espeically Jared cause he's the only one who understands why he's dressing up in these silly costumes, ARE SO EXCITED to trick or treat!!:) We had a halloween parade in Walpole this weekend and one in Mansfield for Jack and CJ's halloween party and the kids had so much fun! Jared will just randomly start blurting out candy talk and practice his trick or treat expressions. Cracks me up. Jared is a Frog, Liam is a Dragon and Nolan is Mickey Mouse. ADORABLE!!!

Funny Jared quote the other day. I have a which on a broomstick Halloween decoration and Jared looks at it and says, "oh, it's a lady on a rocket ship"....hahaha:)

My Baby (well my big baby) is almost 3!!

I can't even believe that 3 years ago today, Jon and I had the day off from work and had a nice lazy afternoon planned -- our last day as just the two of us. Little did I know that after our Thai lunch, after our walk with Marley over the little stream, after our trip to Home Depot, I would be sitting on the couch in major pain - not knowing if I was in labor or not!!! I WAS and 3 years ago today was when it all began. The best 3 years of my life as a mom. Jared - love you more than you could ever know...XOXO, Mommy.

Latest Sayings that make me laugh!

Liam: Caaaa = his version of "car" w/ a thick Boston accent!
Caca = Cracker
Mama, mama, mama = calls for me when he wants anything:)

Nolan = Oh Nooooo (constantly saying Oh No with a very exaggerated NO)
Counting randomly up to 10
Saying his ABC's
Sings Row, row row your boat

Jared = It's not Fair (everything is not fair, I ask him to pee in the potty "it's not fair", Jared, we're going to Mia's christeing this weekend "it's not fair, it's my party". Not sure where he got this saying but he loves it and over-uses it any chance he gets!

silly boys...:)"

Jared: we were driving the other day and drove by the walpole prison. jared says "look mommy, a castle"...:)

Liam: i was on the phone with jay and asked jared if he wanted to say hi...liam looks at me, picks up his toast and puts it to his ear and says "jay?".

Nolan: singing and chatting up a storm!! a little parrot who copies everything we say. you are singing twinkle twinkle and the abc's...(you have the tunes down to a T!)s

you are getting to be the jealous brother - you are pushing jared and liam off my lap when they are sitting on your momma and telling them "no"

Potty Training!!!

Great news, Jared is officially on his way out of diapers!! Chatted w/ Lisa the other day and she told me for Aiden, she just put him in underware and he hated the feel of being wet so he got how to potty train really quick. I tried it with Jared, 2 days after his naps I put him in underware and just let him "go":) He didn't seem bothered by being wet, but on the third day - I put him on the potty and he didn't have to go. Two minutes later he came up to me and said "mommy, I have to go pee" and I put him up against the little potty and he went!!!! Two days in a row of dry pants and going on the potty!!! (still diapers at night for now and if we go out training pants...just jotting this down so I can remember for Liam and Nolan's turn).

Vacation

We're back from our first O'Connell family vacation - a week down in Falmouth (390 Marivista Ave to be exact) which was SO SO much fun!! We had a blast. We packed our minivan to the brim - I mean to the BRIM, everytime one of the boys moved - you could hear a back of chips russle or a baby toy sound off from being so on top of everything. 3 pack and plays, 3 booster seats, a triple jogger stroller, a BJ's run worth of food, a cooler, a beach caddy, beach toys, baby toys - we jammed it all into the Odessey and made it. We were down there with Mark, Moe, Sean, Lissa & all 9 of our kids in one house. Allie came down for a couple nights, Ry for a couple hours and my parents came to Old Silver for one of the beach days.

Lov'in the outdoor shower!

On the brink of potty training interest!!!???

The boys and I were outside in the baby pool, shirts on with not diapers (they'll love hearing that one day -- for some reason my boys never have pants on). Jared starting peeing and couldn't stop staring at himself, he thought it was amazing:) He kept saying "again, again mommy - please" as if I could miraculously make him need to go the bathroom again. Hopefully this has triggered something to make him aware that he can do this on his own...we shall see, this may be wishful thinking but it cracked me up none the less.

## We swam today in a big pool...at Kerri's parents house. Liam and Jared are loving it. Nolan, we will get there. Love you! PS. Daddy put you babes to bed tonight while I was at the gym. When I got home he kept saying, "they are just so beautiful and such good boys". He was so proud & we are thrilled all three of you are ours.

Jared the Fish

A couple weeks ago Jon signed us up for a new gym which the boys can come to as well and they have a great indoor/outdoor pool. I took Jared since our last few times at a pool he has not gone near the water and when he did, he cried and screamed. I wanted to get him used to it so I just the two of us headed out for a swim. When I brought him in all he said was "I want out, I want to go home" and cried and cried and cried. Am I a bad mother?? Everone at the pool probably wanted to kill me but I knew he'd warm up to the idea of it. After about 5 minutes of torture - one little boy swimmed up to us and said "put his hand up to the drain, it really tickles and will make him laugh" Sure enough, Jared loved it and thought it was hysterical. I loved that little boy - what a good idea!!! After our playing with the drain, Jared was all about the pool and didn't want to get out. I AM SO PROUD OF HIM!!!! He was jumping off the stairs into my arms, swimming around like a little fish. I can't wait to take him back:)

We have a walker (and one more on the way)!!!

We have a walker! Liam is now cruising around 120 Polley Lane and he thinks he is such hot stuff. He's such a crack up. He puts his hands up like this and waves them around, trying to make it to his next destination and wants to make sure everyone sees him. He started last Saturday (June 14th - approx. 14 months old) and he is beyond proud of himself. Jon and I are too! Nolan didn't want Liam to steal all the thunder - on Sunday he was causiously taking steps too without holding on to anything. They are now both walking & still crawling since they haven't 100% perfected their new talents.

Jared thinks it's hysterical to see them walk (well it is:) ...he laughs out loud with his big belly laugh "look at Liam walk". He loves it. It's just a matter of time before they are all racing around the house in 2 feet (all though I must say Nolan and Liam have become the best crawlers and fastest movers on all fours...Liam has also figured out walking on his knees. Hopefully that will stop soon, it looks like it hurts!). Yeah boys!!!

This week we also went to the zoo. We had so much fun, they all loved it. Nolan was pointing "ooo ooo" at everything and Liam was in the front of the stroller jumping up and down with excitement. Jared loved it so much that he couldn't control his excitement or frustration at the end of the day. This is a fresh picture but I know one day I'll laugh at it. This is me, happily unaware that my darling little Jared is about to slap me in the face.

Serenity Now!

Ok, some days I have a complete handle on you 3 monkies and other days - NOT SO MUCH!!! Last week was insane. Liam had something called Roseola - which I had never even heard of (so much for keeping up with reading baby books to inform me of all these lovely illnesses). Started off with a high fever for 2 days and was topped off by a HORRIBLE mood and a rash all over the stomach. Not fun for my poor little baby and not for poor me either. These are the days where I need another arm to keep up with you guys as Liam wanted to be held 24/7 which is difficult running after the others.

Yesterday we were off for a hair cutting adventure - all three in the triple jogger stroller to Super Cuts. Let's just say Super Cuts was thrilled to see us leave. Not that you guys aren't adorable but especially Jared, you hate getting your hair cut. Oh well, it was an hour of hell but it's over and done with and you all look so adorable (Nolan, from the front your cut is perfect and handsome just don't look too close in the back. You made a quick move and half of the back of your head has hair, the other side - not as much).

Once we were back home I decided it was nap time. Liam took off on me mid change since he's the fastest crawler in the land and bolted behind the chair where he took a big poop on the floor. Before I could blink and eye, Marley then peed all over the mess. Nasty. Just nasty! All cleaned up - you were up in your beds. I turn around and see Nolan jumping in his crib with no diaper on looking so happy to be naked. Little majician, I have no idea how you got if off so quick!!

Jared, you called Uncle Jay today and sang "Happy Birthday"...you were so excited to leave him a birthday message and I can't believe how big you are that you now know all the words (or most of them). It's so cute -- you sing "happy bert-day".

You make my craziness so much fun...love you boys...!

House full of Monkeys!

Our house sounds like a zoo at all times...three little monkeys live here. Nolan is chatting up a storm, he's like a little parrot. He's too funny. I underestimate him cause Jared didn't talk for a while but Nolan is always copying what we say - a word here or there but he is really saying words. Crazy to me!!! He and Liam are also using their sign language now to say "more" and "all done". Liam isn't forming words yet but he can SCREAM loader than anyone. Screams when he's excited, sad, angry or just when he needs to be heard. He is the middle child after all - maybe he already feels the need to be heard:) Its the loadest pitch scream too -- I try not to laugh and encourage it but it is funny cause I can't believe such a big sound could come out of such a little tiny boy. As for my Mr. Jared - he speach has come leaps and bounds. Love love love it. He's really understanding things these days and I just couldn't be proader. If we tell him we have a birthday party to got to - he'll chat about it all day (AND NIGHT...he has complete conversations at 2AM, goes on and on and on - talking about his day). As Jared calls them "bert-day party". He is still so expresive with his hands when he's filling us in on his days...waves hands around with such conviction like a true Italian:)

They are busy boys, loud as you can imagine and I love them beyond words!

The Big ONE!!!!

My babies are officially one year olds!! So exciting & completely blows my mind that a year has passed already since Liam and Nolan were born. Seems like just yesterday Jon and I were driving to Newton Wellesly Hospital, checking in and getting ready to meet our twin boys.

The birthday party was so fun. Sean and Lissa got them a blow up jumpy castle for their big day - the kids loved it. Nolan was loving life just sitting in there jumping on his bum. He was too cute. Jay had Liam and I had Nolan - they were adorable. Kristen got some awesome pics on my camera but I can't even tell you how sad I was when I accidentally deleted them:( Anyhow - they are in love with chocolate cake. Noles had 2 pieces and wanted to also eat the plate. If it fit in his mouth he would have.

This past year has been the craziest, busiest, tiring, most INSANE year of my life.

First and hopefully last trip to the ER

Liam, you scared us!!! On Saturday, April 5th you woke up out of a sound scream, SCREAMING and crying like we had never heard you scream before. We tried everything to settle you but nothing worked. You were looking at us but not responsive at all and when you started to cry so hard you couldn't catch your breathe and you started to throw up - we were just so terrified we called 911. I can't even imagine what I would have done if something were really wrong with you or one of your brothers. Grammy and Papa flew over here and while daddy waited for them - Itook you on your first and hopefully last trip the Norwood Hospital.

We did laugh though because once we were outside in the cold and you saw the ambulance lights going you calmed right down. Of course:) We took you anyway to get you checked out - the Dr seems to think it was a night terror which I agree with - you looked like you were awake but weren't alert and it lasted about 20 minutes which is typical. Also, night terrors run in the family and Papa Joe had them really bad when he was little. Hopefully that was it for you little man - sweet dreams for here on out. Love you & no more scaring us like that--!!

Jared...open the door!!!

This week did not start out on a good note!! Monday morning we had a nice trip to the Christmas Tree Shop to pick up our Easter basket goodies (thankfully, Jared doesn't notice what I put in my basket or I may let on there is no Big Bunny). When we got home I brought Nolan in, put him in his exesaucer so he can't crawl around while I'm getting everyone out of the car. Next I bring in Jared since this is the order of the carseats. Finally I grab Liam to head back into the house but to my suprise, my adorable little two year old Jared has locked me out of the house!!! NOT GOOD because I do not have a key to the storm door that he has locked. I am freaking out, I have Liam screaming in the car, Marley running around free outside, Nolan crying inside and Jared roaming free ruling the house. I am pleading with him outside, "Jared turn the lock, let mommy in the house, see that button, turn it around" -- as he's opening and closing the main door saying "suprise" "ta-da" not listening to my instructions. He then runs and grabs the remote control and asks "show mommy?" to which I tell him you can watch all the shows you want, all day long if you let mommy in!!! I had called Jon to tell him to come home but then I notice Jared has grabbed my glass bowl off the hutch and smashed it on the floor. As I'm screaming "Jared, that is dangerous - BIG BOO BOO" he is loving that mommy is outside and starts hucking the glass across the room against the wall. HORRIFYING!!! As he's throwing and he's asking me "what happened momma" as if I don't see him being a tiny little monster child! All this while Marley is now running in the street, a woman pulls over and asks if he's my dog and if I need any help....NO I"M FINE BUT my kids are locked in the house while I"m stuck outside w/ no key!!! Just a terrible terrible morning --- thank GOD Jon flew home. Oh, the joys of a two year old.

Bath Time!

Feb 08 Update on the O Boys

Jared is such a crack up, he is always making us laugh. He's still learning new words everyday but what he does say and the way he says things (with all his many hand motions) makes us laugh very hard. Constantly asking us "Mamma, what you do'in" with his hands up in the air asking a serious question. Loves his brothers Liam and Nolan. Still calls both his brothers "Nolan" most of the time since I think it's easier for him to say. Night time is adorable, he climbs up on the crib rails when they are each in their crib and says "Night night Nolan" then over to Liam's crib "Night night Liam" and blows them both a kiss. Could eat him up...love these moments between my boys.

Liam's CRAWLING!!! ON the move....I am in trouble, it's so funny to now see him just crawl into the kitchen. For so long it was easy to contain everyone in the family room but NO more. He's like an inch worm, up on all fours and then down on the belly to push himself forward but I'm calling it an official crawl. Favorite food is cheese.

Nolan I would say is almost crawling. He's down on the belly, pulling himself forward like a little army man. He doesn't always get up on all fours but he's getting there. He just started clapping and bopping to music...too cute!! Favorite food is cheerios and pancakes.