Don't do it!!

The MLB trade deadline is today and I was glad to see Junior go to the White Sox and play for a contender. He and Dye together should be interesting to watch. But they will probably just bury my Royals even further. Oh well, the rich get richer. But what I don't understand and don't want to see happen today is Manny get traded from my "other" team, the Red Sox. And as of 11:30 am, he has already agreed to be traded to the Marlins if the deal were to take place with them and the Pirates. Why would Theo risk the clubhouse continuity at this point? They are only a few games back of the Rays and are in front for the wildcard, but I think getting rid of Manny is bad news. And now that Ortiz is back, things should only look brighter for the rest of the summer. And why would Manny want to go to the Marlins? They have no fans and probably will not make the playoffs, although there's a chance. But in a way, he'd get out of the negative publicity the media unfairly pours on him, be closer to the Dominican, and why would anyone want to play for a team that says they don't want you anymore - and the Sox have been saying it for years! We'll see what happens, should be an intersting last few months of the season!

Happy Birthday Big Cato!!

Happy Birthday to Big Cato (Josh Caton)!! It was actually yesterday and I always get confused by it because I know it's around the 1st of August and that we typically celebrate it around the first week of August. although I haven't been able to attend the past few years, but I'm not missing the big 3-0! We're actually all headed down to the P&L District this Saturday night to celebrate. Should be a good time as a lot of our old friends will be there and Josh's girlfriend Bridget will be there too. Josh and Bridget have come over a few times in the past few months to lend a helping hand with the kids, which has been much appreciated! It'll be fun to hang out with them and have some drinks for once! And, it will actually be the first time Julia and I have been able to go out partying together since we found out we were pregnant with Jonathan almost three years ago - with major thanks to Nadine coming over Saturday night!! Here's a pic of Josh and Jonathan out on the Compound (Windy Ridge Ranch!) shortly after he was born.






Here is Josh at Joseph and Caroline's baptism.

I ( Julia) just wanted to add to THomas' awesome post that Josh is Joseph's godfather and wanted show a picture of the baptism. He, Josh, is an awesome godfather and we are so happy he is part of our kids lives. He has been coming over to work with Thomas and Jonathan LOVES to look for "Josh's truck." Thanks Josh!

Splish Splash the twins in the Bath

The twins got to big for their baby tub so we put them in the tub we wash Jonathan in. They LOVED the room and being able to play together. Big brother joined them once but not for the photo shoot.

In the big tub!
Caroline...LOVED IT!!!
Clean babies!

KNOW YOUR BASIC FIRST AID

Two days ago we were eating dinner (one of our yummy Mealsmith meals) and the twins were in the family room playing. I heard Caroline cough a few times and went over. One of them, I think Joseph, got a hold of Jonathans snack cup of Cheezits. She was drooling and chewing then all of a sudden gagged. I looked on the floor and realized they were both having a munch. I flipped her over, tummy on my arm, smacked her back, did a finger swipe and out came a nickle size piece of cracker. I'm not sure she would have stopped breathing because the cracker was really soft but it sure would have gotten stuck! Thank god for first aid training.

Twin update

It seems like all I do is write about what Jonathan is doing and THomas writes about sports. SO much is happening with the twins I am forgetting (due to lack of sleep) so I am going to jot things down here so I won't forget.

JOSEPH:

Here is our WILD MAN!!!!!!!!!!!! If you look at the picture on the bottom he had flipped himself over in his bouncy chair after finishing his bottle and was about to launch himself off the back of it (picture on the top). HE does NOT stop moving. HE is so close to crawling. HE drags himself around the house like and inchworm and just hasn't figured out how to coordinate opposite arms and legs...real soon I think. The other thing about Joseph is he is so LOUD!!!!!!!!!!! We are talking SCREAMING LOUD ALL DAY LONG!! One would not believe he had issues breathing in the NICU!

CAROLINE:

What a SWEET sweet girl! Holy cow is she NOTHING like our boys. Caroline is very happy to just sit, look darling and watch the world around her. She has eyes for her father and when he enters the room she LIGHTS up!!! SHe has two little bottom teeth that I am trying to get a picture of but I don't think I'm fast enough. SHe is ALWAYS keeping tabs on where her brothers are when they are moving around her. She is getting better on her tummy but still gets fussy. SHe has been getting monthly Physical THerapy from my friend/co-worker Jeannine throught Infant-Toddler Services of Johnson County ( a little plug for my job) and she says she's doing great but needs to be moving soon or else we'll be a little behind. She'll get there.

Ok, here are two funny things that recently happened with the twins:
1) I got paged at the gym to come get them last Friday. When I got there the girl said, "We were having a great time playing until they both decided they wanted the same toy, and boy, it went downhill from there!" Ha...they are already fighting over toys!
2) At the gym again this past Wednesday, the girl said, "Well, for some reason when one starts to cry they all do in here. THey (Joe and C) would look at eachother, burst into tears; look away and play; look at eachother, burst into tears; look away...and so on." NOt sure what that was about but it made me giggle!

They are developing their own distinct personalities so I will try to give you more of them!

Boring day at Media Day's....

The media day's were pretty boring yesterday, but they always are, I guess. Figured I'd share some of my fondest memories of the Big 12's before KSU hits the podium today.....enjoy!

Snyder headed into the 1998 season

Mangino before the 2002, 2003, 2004

2005, 2006, 2007 seasons. Will probably

have the same thoughts today......

Gary Barnett's last Media Day's......

Thomas the Train

In June we took just Jonathan to see Thomas the Train. My parents were suppose to come in town but couldn't so we gave their tickets to our neighbors the Martins' since they have been so helpful and generous during the pregnancy, bedrest and bringing twins home. They have a little boy about a year older than Jonathan, Brendan, and just had a little boy, Camden. Everyone had a blast and just the morning on our walk, Joanne, my neighbor, and I were talking about how much fun it was. I think we'll try to make it next year since Joseph and Camden may be into "choo-choos" by then too!

Here are some pictures from the day. Jonathan asks daily to look at the "choo choo" pictures:

Jonathan was mezmerized by the train!

Jonathan and Brendan

Football season almost here......

The Big 12 Media Days start here in KC today and go through Wed. I'm looking forward to the season since there are many story lines and many unknowns. Can KU and MU repeat what they did last year with targets on their backs? Can NU be competitive with a new regime led by Bo Peep? How will Chizik do in his second year and can Hawk lead CU to better things with his son entering his second year at starter at QB and with the #1 RB in the country coming in? And of course, how will K-State be in Prince's third year and with the fans getting antsy? I think the North will be better than the South this year. I think MU and KU will repeat their 2007 performances, I think ISU will be improved, but may not show it in the W/L columns yet, CU will surprise some people and KSU will be competitive and maybe win some games they shouldn't. I think KU will win the North, followed by MU, CU, KSU, ISU, and NU. That's right, NU dead last.

KSU is going to honor the 1998 team throughout the year this year, so I'm hoping to make it to some games, but it all depends on how the kids are doing this fall with their schedules. I'd really like to make it to the first game, they are inducting some players into the Ring of Honor, including Terence Newman, Mark Simoneau, Martin Gramatica and David Allen - some very special players under Snyder. Don't know if we'll see players of that caliber again. They deserve the honor. Speaking of that 1998 team, I've never seen a more competitive player on a field, court, diamond, etc. than Michael Bishop, except for Micheal Jordan. Bishop plain and simple hated to lose, not just a game, but individual plays and one-on-one against a defender. He used to run over defenders which is unusual for a QB. Anyhoo, the guy was a physical freak who could run over defenders and throw it 100 yards.

Let's see what kind of BS comes from the next few days. I'm interested to hear what Prince has to say, especially after an interview he had a few months ago claiming that he was going to play a certain type of defense that was "revolutionary" and "futuristic" and was going to change the way defense will be played in the future. I've never heard of such crap before. Knowing him, instead of playing a 4-3 or a 3-4, he'll probably play a 1-1-9.

Random Pictures

Here are a few of my favorite most recent pictures:

Jonathan and his father swimming on Father's day...the water was freezing and Jonathan's jaw was chattering, but he wouldn't come out!

Joseph and Caroline ready for the pool. Joseph screamed bloody-murder when his toes touched the cool water...we decided to let Caroline be:-)

Our boys! (Caroline was asleep). I personally don't think they look anything alike, but alot of people say they do. Jonathan and Caroline look more similar and Joseph is kind of the black (or very white as Thomas would say) sheep.

The kids one morning playing nicely!

Fourth of July babies. Our neighbor had a little party to tie-dye tee-shirts for the 4th...JOnathan wouldn't sit still to get in the shot.

Caroline's smile...such a sweet giggle!

No Tiger - dang it!!

Today is the start of the British Open.........does anyone care?!!! Seriously, how many people are going to watch now that Tiger is sidelined until next year. I might flip through the channels just to see who's near the top, but it's basically meaningless. It just shows the power that he has to attract viewers, thus, advertisers. I read last week that he will become a billionaire in 2010, and the first to do so through sports and having "earned" it. All the other billionaires became wealthy through investments, i.e. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. But Tiger will be the first on the list to earn it. The same article said that Nike Golf had $600M in sales in 2007 so I would think every penny they pay Tiger is worth it to them!

Tom Watson was on the news last night saying that it's a good thing Tiger isn't playing so that it gives others a chance to win or make a name for themselves. I totally disagree. If you're going to be the best, don't you want to beat the best?! If these yayhoos are tired of losing to him, why don't they get in the weight room and hit the range at 5:00 am and try to outwork him? Amazes me these guys just accept defeat before playing and are just happy to go home with a top-ten finish that has a big paycheck thanks to Tiger bringing in the dollars.

So Tiger being out for so long got me to thinking.......what will happen to golf if/when he retires? Will anyone care anymore? Will the weekend hacker continue to play or just give it up? How will viewership, advertising, marketing, sales hold up?!! It will be a bigger blow to the sport than when MJ left the NBA. To me, the NBA still isn't the same without MJ, yet it's holding up ok. Tennis had the same issue with Agassi and Sampras leaving, but the tennis world has grasped Federer and Nadal as their "heros". But American tennis hasn't been the same. No one has been able to take the torch from Agassi. Roddick was supposed to be that guy, but he really isn't that good. but tennis will survive just fine with Federer and Nadal. But I think once Tiger is done, and it could be sooner than people think, golf will fall back to what it once was - below the NFL, NBA, MLB and NASCAR. I think it's possible that once Tiger beats Jack for most Majors, that he will consider cutting back on his schedule and pursue other interests. His dad even said that - that he will have a bigger impact on this world and that it won't be through golf. Maybe politics? Possible. But I think the next 8-9 months will tell us a lot about the sport once Tiger is done. Let's hope he plays for the next 20 years so that the next generation can watch him and want to beat his records and thus, the next Golden Bear and Tiger comes along to carry the sport into the future! When's the Masters? I bet the golfing world is hoping April gets here fast - I know I am!!

Like father like son

I was in our laundry room the other evening and heard this, "NUM NUM...ha ha ha, Daddy!" and looked out into our kitchen and saw Jonathan with this EMPTY beer bottle ready to be put into the recycle bucket. I don't think I have anything more to say about this~ :-)

Chicks dig the long ball!!

Anyone that pays attention to baseball knows about Josh Hamilton. He was a stud coming out of high school in 1999 and was the #1 pick of that year's draft to the Devil Rays. He was supposed to be the next Ken Griffey Jr., who is one of my top five favorite players during my lifetime. Anyways, he got hurt a lot and had too much time on his hands so he decided to give booze and drugs a shot! He was hooked and his career fell into a dark hole - never to be heard of again, except for the fact it seemed SI or ESPN would do a story every other year tracking his downward spiral and telling the story about what could've been. He blew his $4M bonus on coke and crack and finally moved in with his grammy after his wife kicked him out. Back at that time, many players that went on to the Majors swore he was the greatest player of all time, and if not giving him that title, thought he had maybe the best swing ever. That's saying a lot since I always compare the purest swing to Junior's. Side note - Junior would be hunting for the HR title if he didn't keep getting hurt in Cincy. Anyways, teams and scouts were still keeping dibs on Hamilton and a few years back the Rays put waivers on him and no one took him, even for $20k!! But before the 2007 season started the Reds got him in a draft for $50k. Imagine him and Junior in the lineup. Anyways, Hamilton's made an almost unbelievable 180-degree swing as he is an MVP candidate this year with the Rangers and could possibly win the triple crown. After watching him in the Home Run Derby last night made me realize just how much of an incredible hitter he is. Baseball has always been my favorite sport, but it's hard to cheer on your team when they're the Royals and they struggle every year (although I think Dayton Moore is the right guy to lead a turnaround). I've adopted the Red Sox as my "other" team thanks to Julia!!

Anyways, it was the first time I had a chance to watch Hamilton's swing. The guy is a freak. I thought Junior, Big Mac, and Sosa were freaks, but nothing like Hamilton. I still think Junior has the most pure swing and I would put Hamilton's swing as a cross between Junior and Jason Giambi. Giambi has the wildest swing and afterswing. The bat speed that Hamilton creates is something I've never seen before. I read that is was clocked at 110 mph which I guess is crazy! I don't know what other power hitters clock at. Anyways, for anyone out there that's curious, power in the swing comes from the hips and forearms. Hamilton's forearms are HUGE!! They might be the biggest since Mickey Mantle. That dude had massive forearms, thus, was a great power hitter. But Hamilton also has amazing hip rotation, which combined with his forearm strength, leads to him hitting 518-foot homers in Yankee Stadium!! Anyways, just some thoughts after watching him set a record with 28 homers in the 1st round of the Derby last night!! What a great underdog story and I will be a fan of his for year's to come! Here's a link that highlights what he has done, but it's not very detailed compared to some of the other stories back in the early parts of this decade. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/albert_chen/05/27/hamilton0602/index.html

Highlights from last night......

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3487661&categoryId=2378529&n8pe6c=3

Caught Red Handed...

In a good way!!! Jonathan loves his siblings; however he is almost 2 and 2 year olds bite, hit, throw, pull hair, pinch (am i missing anything?). Anyway, the other day I was doing something in the kitchen and I heard, "Oh no baby, ba-ba." I looked over and saw this:

Joseph can now hold his bottle and if he drops it, he typically screams at the top of his lungs until we put it back in his hands. I did not hear any screaming, so his big brother must have go to him before he lost it. I was very happy with Jonathan since he typically tries to roll over or sit on Joseph. Interestingly, he does not try to do those things to Caroline. Instead, he will hug and try to kiss her...although he does try to pull her stick-straight-up hair once in a while. Anyway, Jonathan helped his brother, then happily went on his way to play with his toys! Good job Jonathan!

TP's first post!

This is my first post and don't really have any pictures to share, but don't need them anyway. Figured I'd get people caught up on what I've been doing (or not doing) since the twins came along last year. Let's see......I don't play softball anymore because bath times are always around game times! No way could Julia handle that herself - no way. I'm hoping to start back up next spring and we should be able to take the kids out to the softball diamonds. I wasn't able to play basketball in the evenings anymore either, but I did play with Doc a few times and actually was able to join the recreational basketball league at Sprint, where I work. We lost in the semi's to a team we demolished in the regular season, but no one could make a shot. One guy shot all the time and missed. He shot all the time because he's a huge KU fan and thought he was actually playing in the NCAA tourney along with Mario and "Deadbeat Daddy" Rush!! Anyhoo, the league allowed me to exercise some since I don't really exercise anymore. I've gained 15 pounds since the twins were born, but have managed to get 5 of those back off this summer. I imagine it's because I'm mowing all the time now!

Speaking of KU, it sucked that they won the championship and the Orange Bowl on top of that. As a K-Stater, it was cool to see B-Easy and Sky Walker get drafted a few weeks ago. Walker going to Julia's hometown Celtics after winning the title is a pretty cool thing. He'll be in a good situation there and hope he recovers from his knee injury. I am now the biggest Heat fan! I was the biggest Bulls fan during the 90's and loved the organization, well, until they broke the team up after '98, but I hate them like a Jayhawk after passing Beasley and taking Rose with the #1 pick!! I just don't understand how you pass the best player for a PG that will average 10 and 5 a game. Maybe a little better than that. I lost all respect for John Paxson making that pick - and I used to love the guy for making the clutch 3 against Portland back in '92!! Way to go Pax. Loved how Pat Riley played "poker" through the media to make Beasley look like a terrible person. It was genius. Then to add Mario Chalmers in the second round! I hate KU (as if you didn't know), but I'm excited to see B-Easy and Super Mario play on the same team. I wish they would've kept Darnell Jackson, who they originally picked in the second round, but they traded him to Cleveland the night of the draft.

With the kids getting bigger, and the fact that we can't just rely on one vehicle to haul them around, we decided to get rid of the Altima, and get something bigger. Not another minivan - no way. I was already upset by the realization that the Altima couldn't fit all three kids so we had to make sure we got something decent. My brother, Robert, is buying the car and will be headed to Chicago next month. Last week, we got a 2005 Acura MDX, white. Pretty nice and still has plenty of warranty. Seats seven, which was the main thing. I didn't want to get a 'Hoe or a Yukon (sorry Ted) or a big gas guzzler. The space would've been nice, but I didn't want to fill the tank. The MDX gets pretty good gas mileage - we considered the Honda Pilot first, but both were about the same price.

This is getting too long, so I'll wrap up shortly. We had our master bedroom shower and floor redone last October, weeks before the babies were born. We had the exterior of our house painted in June, so now we're done with projects for awhile. I have to paint some rooms, but we won't do anything else until next year when we plan on getting granite countertops and having the cabinets refaced. Then that just leaves new wood floors for the following year and we'll be done!!

Ok - I'm done.

Oh how we have grown!

I was looking back at pictures on my computer the other day and thought these pictures are a great comparison of how much the babies have grown. The picture on the left was taken on Dec. 10th, the day we brought the twins home from the NICU. The picture on the right is from a week or so ago. One morning Joseph discovered Caroline's ruffles on her new jammies (thanks grammie) and thought they'd be fun to chew on. She didn't like that too much! They are developing their own funny quirks and personalities...I'll share those another time:-)

Welcome!

It finally worked! I have been trying for a few days to download a picture to start this blog and it hasn't worked (or else I didn't know what the heck I was doing).



Anyway, I have been dying to start one of these blogs because I LOVE reading my friends (Kati, Jolyn, Barb, Ted) and thought, I should too since I never have time to call or see anyone!



So, here is a glimps at what it is like with 3 kids under the age of 2!!!!! Join our madness...now, I can't promise I'll update that frequently, but at least you'll be able to see updated pictures of the kids! Enjoy:-) J