I Know...

I promised pictures, updates etc...and I haven't really done it. In my defense...to say I'm busy would be a serious understatement! It would take me several moments to type up the list of things I've been responsible for lately...and I really don't have the time. So, at the very least...I attempted to make some changes to the blog and have at least updated some pictures. I'm not even sure I have that many followers anymore. I know it's been tough for me to follow my list of blogs...and I used to be quite the "blog stalker". So, to those of you who have been checking in to see if there are any new updates, I'm sorry to disappoint. For those of you who are gluten free and have been looking for new information...I have included a widget for a gluten free search engine down on the right hand side of the blog. You can type in any kind of product and it will pull up a list of gluten free choices for you. It's pretty handy for just about anyone...even those of us who have been doing this for awhile now!

So, please check back again. I don't know when I'll be able to update with more pictures, but I will do my best! If I don't get on again soon...have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Does a Heart Good

We do a monthly trip to Trader Joes in Tyngsboro once a month to stalk up on many non perishables as well as fruits and vegetables. Feeding nine people, five of them children, can cost a lot of money, but with their prices we usually manage to walk out of there with lots of food to last about a month, for little money...(when I say little I mean anywhere between $300-$400).

On this trip, my parents followed me and my crew done to Tyngsboro. All of the kiddos were asleep except for Ethan, so my Dad stayed in the van with them while Ethan, my Mom and myself went in to do the shopping. Ethan, as some of you know, can be quite chatty. Most of the people we come in contact with end up learning more about our family than necessary. In any case, the employees loved him and thought he was very smart, funny and cute. While we were checking out, (our two overloaded carriages), Ethan was talking about all of the people that live in our house. When the cashier was done ringing everything up he excused himself and said he would be back in a moment so Ethan continued talking to the gentleman who was bagging our food. The cashier came back with a bouquet of flowers for me telling me lots of nice things that made me feel all warm and fuzzy, and Ethan was very excited about the flowers. So, I asked him what we should do with them when we got home, and here is how the conversation went:

Ethan: We need to put them in a vase because flowers like to eat water and soil.
Me: Well, once they are cut they only need water. When they are growing, then they need both water and soil.
Ethan: Okay Mommy. Will they last forever?
Me: Honey, does anything last forever?
Ethan: No Mommy.......Well, except for God's love!

How great is that?? My heart just about exploded out of my chest. I was so proud of him and told him so. The cashier and bagger were speechless with eyes and mouths wide open. Then the bagger leaned down and said to Ethan, "We could all learn a lesson from you!" Ethan just smiled. What a great moment!

John Deere Expo Pix

These pictures were from the John Deere Expo in Kensington NH. It is held every year in August, and we have made it there the past 3 years. The kids LOVE it. They don't have a ton of stuff to do, but what they do have is just enough for our kids!

The twins had a great time riding around in the double stroller!

Yes, I color coordinated for the occasion.

He looks comfy doesn't he? It's been taken under consideration as a new bed for him!

She is just so darn cute and little!

This was by far their favorite part. Yes, that is Bekah driving! She did an incredible job, and Josh was nice enough to give her a turn. They switched off and on. Ethan on the other hand, was perfectly happy doing his own thing!

We Are Still Here!

So, it's been about a month since I last posted. A lot has happened that has not only kept me away from the blog, but just kept me so busy, that finding the time to type something out is near impossible.

Here are some of the things that have kept us so busy: a John Deere Expo, a gluten free BBQ with our ROCK support group, my parents moving in, a birthday party for the twins, apple picking, the Deerfield Fair, day trips up north to see the foliage, plus many hours of driving to and from various therapies and doctors appointments for Ethan and Joshua, as well as teaching Ethan first grade! Yup, we've been busy. With the volumes of pictures I have it would be impossible for me to pick out a few to post here to show you where we've been and what we've done. That and the fact that I just don't have time to wait around for blogger to download the darn things!! :)

When I can, I promise to post some pictures...hey maybe tonight...we'll see. In any case, we are still here and going...just busier than ever.

Haircuts

Well, my babies will be turning one in just a few days...time has certainly gone by way too fast. I suppose it was bound to happen, it's just one of those things. But, unlike my other children, I've been having a tough time with some of the milestones the twins have been hitting. One of which is the infamous haircut. My oldest two boys had a lot of hair, especially Joshua. He needed a haircut at 9 mos. because it was getting into his eyes! Poor Rebekah still doesn't have enough hair to truly cut, but even she has now had two haircuts. So, it was only a matter of time before the twins would be receiving their very first as well.

I think I've put it off because I knew that once they had those little baby hairs clipped, they would look like "big boys" or toddlers and I wasn't sure I was ready to let go of my "babies" just yet. But, they are growing up, and I can't resist those cute little boy faces anymore than the cute little baby faces...so clip-clip!

I am very fortunate to have such an awesome hairstylist. Donna has been cutting my hair since my wedding day! I say fortunate, because she was willing to come to my house yesterday to cut my hair, so that's why we figured we'd take advantage and have her do the twins and Bekah as well.

Caleb before his trim...

Caleb after his trim...he wasn't too happy with the whole experience. I think he wanted to be the one using the scissors!!

Elijah before his trim...

Elijah after his trim...very happy little guy. He had no problem with the haircut. As a matter of fact he continued to eat his veggie bootie during the whole process!

Results

We received Ethan's CAT results at the end of last week. It was a pretty quick turnaround. We are proud to say that our big guy did awesome. He scored average to above average all the way around. His lowest score was a 5 (on a 1-9 scale; 1-3 below average, 4-6 average, and 7-9 above average) and that was on comprehension. We weren't surprised because comprehension can be a difficult task for children with Asperger. The problem with comprehension is that if the topic doesn't interest them, they simply tune it out. If the stories on the tests were about John Deere or Thomas, I'm sure he would have paid closer attention to the story, but still may have struggled with the concepts the story was presenting. Since the story's were about cats outside and breakfast foods cooking in the kitchen, he didn't even hear the stories much less be able to answer a question about it.

In any case, he did so well and we are so proud of him. When we told him his results he smiled and said, "I'm so proud of myself!" We had told him that when he finished Kindergarten we would celebrate with a cake of his choice. So, he chose chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting. I figured it would be a perfect opportunity to check out the new gluten free mixes from Betty Crocker. They have four mixes out; Devil's Food Cake, Yellow Cake, Cookie Mix, and Brownie Mix. We had already had the brownie mix due to Ethan's OT using that as a cooking activity during one of his sessions...they were yummy! Well, let me tell you...the Devil's Food Cake was pretty awesome as well. That topped with my homemade gluten free, dairy free vanilla frosting and the kids were all pretty excited as they inhaled not one but two cupcakes each! We even let the babies try some...ya, ya I know they haven't had their first birthday yet...but some rules are made to be broken right?? :)

Anyway, we are now looking forward to his first grade books coming in the mail tomorrow and have the school room all set up and ready to go. Mike and I organized each child's activity/school basket so that it's easy enough to know where each child's work is. We will be doing preschool for Joshua and Rebekah as well. It should be an interesting year, and I'm looking forward to watching my children grow in their learning!

Just A Swim

Walking into the bathroom yesterday I noticed the sink was a quarter of the way filled with water. Floating in the water were two bath toys...an orange fish and a duck decorated with the British Flag colors (courtesy of our relatives in Ireland). Knowing who had been in the bathroom prior to myself, I began calling for Joshua.

When he came to the bathroom door, I pointed to the sink and asked him if he did it. "Yes, Momma" was his reply. I asked him why and quite seriously he said to me, "They just wanted to take a swim Momma!" ...and then he smiled!

It Is Done...

Hooray! Today is the day that Ethan finished his CAT Exam for Kindergarten! It was a pleasant experience to watch my little guy answer questions that I thought might be tough for him. It was also reassuring that everything I've been able to do...or not do...over the course of the last two years helped him accomplish this goal. Even more so, the curriculum through Seton for Kindergarten far surpassed the questions that were within the 6 tests he had to complete. Again reassuring me that we've made the right decision for him.

Now, we just wait for the results and order the materials he needs for 1st Grade!! WOW! I have a first grader...very exciting. He has asked for chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting to celebrate...no problem...we'll just mix up a batch and throw them in the van...with this heat I'm sure it's just as hot as the oven in there!!!

Awesome Parents!

You know how you can look back on something and whatever it was that struck you as odd finally makes sense to you??

Well...as most of you know Ethan is tiny for his age. He will be 7 years old in December, but his body size measures at around a 4 1/2 to 5 year old. In any case, the child really has no waist, and if it weren't for the fact that he needs the length in his pants, he could easily walk around in a size 2T to 3T without fear of them being too tight. As a matter of fact, we have been able to put him in his brothers 3T shorts this summer when his two pairs of size 5 have been dirty. (They are the ones with the adjustable waist which is the only reason why they fit him!)

It just dawned on me, as I was hanging up some of the wet laundry to dry, what was wrong with Ethan's outfit on Sunday. I had mentioned to Mike that Ethan's pants looked a little weird, but it was usually when I was in the middle of something and I never got around to checking out why. He wore them all day, never complained once about how they fit, I just thought they looked weird...maybe too small. I didn't think anything of it...until just now...when I hung up a pair of 6-9 MONTH PANTS, that it all became so clear...

You guessed it...no wonder he looked weird...he was wearing 6-9 month pants as shorts!! And we didn't even realize it until 5 days later...that's AWESOME!! :)

Who Are The Animals In Your Neighborhood...

Well, for being on the West Side of Manchvegas we've seen our fair share of wildlife this summer.

First we have evidence of a rather large moose taking a leisurely stroll through our backyard and over our fence. Our neighbor actually saw the moose, but we had hoof prints and moose hair all over the yard and stuck to the fence.

Second we've had a woodchuck sitting around on the rock wall now for the past several mornings. We think he took a liking to Mike's Jeep mats that have been airing out back there.

And now...a baby skunk.

Isn't he cute???

(I was using Mike's camera which has an awesome zoom control...because I was about 15 feet away!)

And then he spotted me!!

Live Fee Or Die

Nope...it's not a typo. I really meant to spell Free as Fee. Why? Well, let's just say that the great state of New Hampshire doesn't seem to be living up to its state motto these days.

In the news today, was an announcement that anyone who needed to register their vehicles in the next four months had better hurry up and do it TODAY, as TOMORROW the new fees would be implemented. Hun? I didn't see that headline this morning on WMUR, and yet there it was this afternoon when I checked the news. Maybe I just missed it because I was just in to check the weather real quick. But, if you read the article, the information was only just posted...today.

For those of you, who like me, didn't know of this change coming so soon you can click on the WMUR link above for the news article...which by the way was a little blurb on the side of the screen. It seems to me they had far more "warnings" for the impending change over to digital television than they did for this little diddy!

Anyway, suffice it to say...this will be the last time you will see the VANOKDS license plate on our vehicle. Due to the new fees that our lovely state government has decided to place on everyone in the state, such things as a vanity plate have become a far to expensive way to show our state just how "free" we are. Not only did the fee go up for a vanity plate...$40 vs. the $25 initial cost...but you will now be charged the $40 ANNUALLY!! Ummm, last time I registered my car, I don't remember receiving a new plate with my stickers...hmmm.

Plus, in addition to your regular state and local fees for registering your vehicle, you will have a minimum $30 charge depending on the weight of your vehicle. All total, that's an extra $140 we have to come up with for our two vehicles. (Hubby's car has a vanity plate too.) Thank God my kids don't weigh much!! :)

I absolutely refuse to give my irresponsible state $40 of my husbands hard earned cash for the "privilege" of having a vanity plate every single year. I'd rather make them shell out their own money to make me a boring one. I strongly urge anyone out there who has a vanity plate, to consider doing the same. It's time to stand up and hold those responsible for the state our state is in...accountable!!

Sevin Stitches

A friend of mine has just opened a new Etsy shop. To celebrate she is giving away one of her Monk's Bags . Please follow the link below for your chance to enter the contest as well as to see some of the great things she is making!!

http://sevinstitches.blogspot.com/

He Did It!

Everyday it's a battle. Everyday, Mike and I try to figure out the best way to deal with the many issues that Ethan presents us with. One of the longest battles we've had is in potty training. We officially welcomed him into the world of underpants and toilet use in February of 2008! In general he uses the toilet pretty regularly. We have found that the reasons for his wet accidents are the usual...he's too preoccupied, doesn't want to stop doing what he's doing, or is just plain lazy! However, it's been a battle to get him fully trained in doing a BM without accidents. We are constantly faced with the questions "is it autism, sensory, or 6 1/2 yr. old behavior??" Then we try to come up with an answer and a solution. Needless to say we have tried everything! And in Ethan's defense he is still on a laxative, (he's been on one since he was 18 months old!), so if it's been a couple of days since his last BM, we'll "up" his meds. to encourage his body to go. This sometimes results in a "got there a little too late" accident which is obviously beyond his control.

Well, yesterday I had had it! It's enough that I still have four other children in diapers, (another post for another day) so it's not hard to imagine that I find myself losing my patience so much quicker when my oldest just can't seem to keep his underpants clean. So, I came up with yet another plan. Ethan wears a pull up to bed at night because he absolutely cannot stay dry that long yet. In the morning, he is supposed to come down, use the toilet and change out of his pull up into a pair of underpants. Last night I told him that from now on, when he comes downstairs he is to change from his overnight pull up into a new pull up for the day. He really didn't like that idea, but I told him that he would be allowed to put underpants on as soon as he did his "stinky" on the toilet.

He did it! He got down from the breakfast table this morning, declaring that he had to "go", and in he went. No accidents. He is now happily sporting his favorite underpants. So, we'll do it again tomorrow, and the day after that and the day after that. It's too early to determine whether it was autism, sensory or 6 1/2 yr. old behavior...but if I were to make a determination based on just today...I would tend towards the latter! :)

Rebekah or Emma...Who's Who??

It is incredible how much these two look alike...they could be sisters! In the top picture is Emma...I believe she was around 20 months old. We thought she had very little hair, and compared to others she most definitely did, but if you look closely her mom was able to put enough together to make her trademark "whalespout" hairdo.

Then we have Rebekah...who's tiny amount of hair can't even hold the tiniest barrette, never mind a "whalespout"! But their smiles are very similar as are most of their mannerisms. Mike and I are often amazed at how much she reminds of our niece.

Even Rebekah was confused by the picture saying, "look, look it's Bekah, I sitting". I then told her that it was actually Emma in the picture and she said, "it's Emma...wearing Bekah's clothes!" :)

They Are Getting Soooo Big!

It's hard to believe that these "little" guys are 10 months old today!! Yipes, where did all those sleepless nights go?? These two monkeys are both growing nicely as their 9 month check up revealed.

Caleb (baby on the right), is weighing in at 17 lbs. 5.5 oz and 27 1/2" long while his brother, Eli (obviously...other baby), is weighing in at 17 lbs. 7 oz and 27" long. They both have their two lower central incisors...and they know how to use them. As a matter of fact Eli has been nicknamed "Zombie Baby" by his father, because every time Mike goes near him, Eli attaches himself to Mike's arm and begins to chomp! Those little teeth hurt!

Of the two, Caleb is much more adventurous, while Eli is content just staying put. Caleb has developed this breast stroke, land style to get around. I wonder if we put him in water if he would actually swim! Needless to say he gets faster every day...which has forced me to sweep even more than the 3 times a day I was already doing...as well as...you know...wash the floor...every now and then.

As for Eli, he just started to venture out into the kitchen. Up until now, he's been pretty content just sitting in their toy room watching, or playing with whatever is around him. He has a pretty controlled fall, so if he needs to he'll just kind of fall over, and then with a combination of rolling and pushing forward with his feet, can get to where he needs to go.

They continue to amaze us as they become more and more interactive with each other. And although they aren't holding hands as much as before, it seems to be that much sweeter now when they do.

Happy 4th Birthday Joshua!

Every year the 4th of July brings about cookouts, celebrations and time spent with family and friends. For the past 4 years we have been blessed to have another reason to celebrate. Our little guy, Joshua. He was born on this day, 4 years ago and has continued to be our spirited little firecracker ever since. His dependent independence his given us a glimmer into how strong he will be as he gets older...once he lets us out of his sight. His smile is a window into his soul which is pure and bright and wonderful. His hugs and kisses are a never ending sign of just how much he truly loves us with his whole being. And even though at times, he makes the worlds loudest and most obnoxious noises, his gentler, quieter voice when he says, "I love you too, Mommy", brings happy tears to my eyes.

Your Father and I wish you only the best Joshua, as you continue to light up our days with your very own special kind of fireworks!

We love you!

Happy Birthday!

FINALLY...GF, DF, SF Yogurt!!

Okay, so the title may or may not give it away...but it would have been too long to write it all out! For those of you who have read the blog...you know that time isn't always something I have!

So, here it is...the search is finally over. I've found a yogurt that accomplishes all I needed it to and more. Joshua used to be a BIG yogurt connoisseur...he would eat almost any flavor, and wouldn't stop at just a measly 6 oz container. Since he went gluten free and now (mostly) dairy free, it has been impossible to find a suitable replacement for him. We've tried everything out there...and I have to agree with him...most of them are pretty...yucky! Either too thick, or too watery...or the taste is just horrible!

Until now. We've been enjoying ice cream for the past year from this very same company, and I remember saying to Mike how great it would be if they could also do a milk and yogurt! Well, they now have both.

We recently discovered So Delicious not only has the best dairy free, gluten free ice cream, they have also come out with milk and yogurt...and it's all made using coconut milk!! So Delicious Yogurt, and So Delicious Coconut Milk. Plus, it's soy free too! You simply must try it. Whether you just recentely went dairy free, or have been for awhile now...I believe you will be pleasantly surprised at how truly delicious these products are.

9 Months Old And On The Move

My "little" guys are 9 months old today! Can you believe it?? Time is really flying by. We can't believe how much they've grown and changed. Their 9 month checkup is next Friday, so I will have updates on just how much they have grown in the last couple of months. We're thinking they will be the first of the Ouellette children to have hit 20 lbs by their first birthday!

They each have their own little personalities, and as you will see in the video below...are just a few days away from really living up to the name of "Double Trouble"! Enjoy...

Bunny-Bunny Love

Miss Rebekah absolutely LOVES this blanky/doll. Her godparents, Dennis and Cheryl gave it to her for her Baptism and it really hasn't left her side since. It used to be a lovely light pink with a white satiny border, and the bunny had nice soft white fur. When you hold it up, the bunny in the middle is actually holding on to the blanket, and there is a prayer around the border.

Now the string that attached the bunny's arm around the blanket, has long since been detached. The fur has been rubbed thin, and both the fur and the satiny border have become a worn gray color. The pink is more like white with a hint of pink, and even the tag has been worn down to tiny fibers. I can't say for sure, but I believe the words are still around the border.

The love that blanket has in it can't possibly be measured. It is my hope that long after she has abandoned her need for her bunny-bunny, there will still be something left of it to put away for her in a memory box to have when she is much older.

Smile Please

Elijah

Caleb

Rebekah

Joshua

Ethan