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A Random Post

I am super great at keeping the blog updated (eye roll). A lot has happened since I last updated. Probably the biggest thing is finally giving birth to our little princess, Elia, with no epidural and no doctor. Yep, you read that right. It was a fun time for all involved. If you ever have a loved one in labor and hear a "code blue" announced I would suggest bringing an extra special gift when you visit the new mom. Vodka, perhaps. Trust me, she needs it. Elia has truly been a blessing, though. She's incredibly sweet and such an easy baby. She smiles non-stop and flirts with every person who looks at her and in turn everyone falls instantly in love with her.

We just returned from a Mardi Gras vacation to Disney World. When I was booking it a week at Disney with 4 kids spread out over a decade seemed like a good plan. Once reality set in on about day 2 of our vacation I realized that in fact I was out of my mind. It was definitely a challenge to pull off. Mixed in with our magical experience there was laughter, tears, grumpiness, and vomit. Graham spent the last night of the trip throwing up all over me all night thanks to a stomach virus, which of course I promptly caught. The kids still report that they "had a fun time", though, and it was definitely a trip I won't ever forget.

Since it's mostly what this blog is about, I'd like to take a moment to brag on 2 of my boys. Both of the twins have made the honor roll all year so far. This 9 weeks George has straight A's!!! I'm so proud of them both. They are rocking 3rd grade. Another point in favor of nurture in the nature vs. nurture debate- they obviously get their intelligence from me :).

In closing here's a couple new pictures of the kiddies:

Nursery Sneak Peak

The princess' chambers are just now in the early stages of execution despite being planned in my head for quite some time now. I thought I'd post a teaser of the fabulousness to come, though. Stay tuned for the full effect. I promise it be worth the wait.

Elia's custom crib bedding designed by Mommy

It's a........

GIRL!!! No, that wasn't a typo, haha! Against the odds we are in fact having a girl. Elia Danielle will be her Oct. 2010 and I am so excited! Her first name means "God has answered my prayers". A truer statement has never been uttered. Not only have I prayed for a little girl to share that special Mother-Daughter bond with, but being a girl she may carry Hemophilia but she won't have it and that truly is a blessing. Her middle name is after me. It is my middle name, too, and means "God is my judge". She will be the 1st girl in Greg's family in 22 years and the 1st one from his family line in 43 years so needless to say our family is very excited, too. She is developing just as she should and so far seems to be a mellow little one. I'm hoping that's something that continues after birth. I've already started buying her fru-fru little hair bows and the most beautiful little girl clothes ever made. I can't wait for her to get here so that all of the girly-ness can begin! Here are some pictures of my little princess from my 20 week ultrasound:

10 Little Piggies on sweet little baby feet

The face of an angel

Hey, It's a New Post (and a Surprise)!

I know it's hard to believe, but I have not fallen off of the face of the Earth. I've just been incredibly busy. Hemophilia has proved to be a tad more involved than anticipated and I have spent a ridiculous amount of time in the Pediatric ER having Graham infused. Somehow in the midst of all of that I was nominated to the board for the Louisiana Hemophilia Foundation and I accepted. I'm looking forward to contributing to such an important organization.

2nd grade is drawing to a close for the twins. It's hard to believe it, but they will be 3rd graders soon. With school ending we are gearing up for Summer vacations. In 2 weeks we are heading to Perdido Key for a few days to kick off the Summer and the kids can't wait. I just want to lay in the sand and drink something frozen with a little umbrella, but I'm sure what's more likely to happen is that I will be chasing a very energetic 19 month old through the sand as he explores the beach for the 1st time and trying desperately to keep up with all of the towels, flip flops, beach toys and sun screen that two 8 year olds require. It will be chaotic and fun and as soon as I get home I know I will wish we were still there.

Oh hey, and did I mention I'm pregnant?!?! Ha, ha, thought I'd slip that in there and see if you are paying attention. But, no, I'm not joking or crazy (though one might question that). Baby Nassif #4 is on the way and should be arriving in Oct. 2010. We are all really excited and can't wait to find out if perhaps this one is our baby girl. If you stay tuned you might just find out, too!;)

From The Mouth of Babes

So I was wearing my new purple plaid Roxy shirt and I think I look cool. In fact, I'm pretty sure I owned this shirt Freshman year of high school when we all smelled like Teen Spirit and I looked cool then, too. Anyways, I picked the twins up from school and the first thing Owen said to me was, "Mom, why are you dressed like you are from the wild country?"

Later, Greg asked Graham, "What does Mommy say?". I'm thinking he's going to say "Love you" or something equally sweet. Without hesitation he says, "No, No!" and pops his own hand twice. Good to see I'm making an impression. Too bad it doesn't alter his behavior at all.

Thank you, sons, for making me out to be a fashion challenged modern day version of Mommy Dearest. I love you, too.

His Boots Were Made For Walkin'

So my baby is finally, FINALLY, walking and he is everywhere! I'm not even sure how to put into words what it was like to see him take his first steps. I cried when he did it. We were at physical therapy, where his therapist, Gala, had been treating him every week for 6 months. He let go of her hands and stumbled unsteadily forward through his own will. When he toppled over 3 steps later Gala & I both cheered like we had won the lottery and tears started to run down my cheeks. Then, because she's a mom & understood that this was the moment I had lived for since his doctors first told me that he wouldn't walk until at least 2 and could have long term delays, she coaxed him into doing it again so I could video it with my cell phone. Now that he is primarily walking to get around our days at physical therapy are numbered. It's bittersweet because on the one hand this is my everyday miracle and I feel like the weight of the world has lifted itself from my shoulders. But on the other hand it means saying goodbye to Gala, who has held my hand and Grahams through our fears, our uncertainties, and our triumphs. She has worried and celebrated with us and been positive the whole way. How do you thank the person who gave your son freedom? It's probably not adequate, but if you are me you never forget them and you use paper and glue to help them remember that. Being the stalker-razzi mom that I am, I had my camera in hand the 1st time Graham was able to go outside and play by himself. He didn't need any one to carry him or play for him while he watched, and I captured some unforgettable moments of him discovering the world for himself. With a lot of love and some patience I put together a scrapbook page and framed it for Gala. I hope that she will put it in her office and on days that are harder with patients that don't have as encouraging of a prognosis as Graham she can look at it and remember what a difference she makes for those kids and that as the quote beneath Graham's pictures says, "Through Him all things are possible...".

This Picture Is For You, Carrie.

He looks a little different than in the pool, huh?:)

I'm Baaaack!!!

It's been a while, hasn't it? No, I did not die, move to Europe, or get taken hostage by insurgents. I've just been really, REALLY busy, and that sadly is an understatement. For the last year I've been on a rollercoaster of doctors, therapy 5 days a week, dealing with learning disabilities, volunteering with Junior League, and generally being Super Woman.

Since I've posted last...

Graham has been diagnosed with Hemophilia, done more therapy than any child on Earth, caught up on all of his developmental milestones (including walking!!! OMG, he's EVERYWHERE!), proven himself to be smarter than the average bear, and although it didn't seem possible become even cuter than ever!

Owen has been diagnosed with Dyslexia after long time struggles in school. I've decided to take on that challenge with a can-do "better abled" attitude instead of viewing it as a disability and Owen has happily joined my in that attitude. We've made some accomodations at school and he is improving steadily. I'm so proud of how hard he is working. He has come out of his shell and is quite popular at school now and has really taken on the role of "big brother". He is so great with Graham and they are best buds.

George has been chugging right along being his smart high achieving self. 2nd grade is going great for him and he is excelling. He has become some what of a star on his soccer team (they went undefeated!) and is learning to play tennis.

It's hard to believe I have 2nd graders!!! I miss my babies and love my little men at the same time.

So that's my quick update for now. I'm hoping to pop in and update more often and post some updated pictures soon. TTFN (ta-ta for now)!

Summertime Fun!

Graham tried out his baby pool for the 1st time today. When we first put him in it he screamed as if mortally injured. He did NOT like the cold water! Pretty soon, with the help of some inflatable friends, he started having fun & splashing around.

He was having a blast... and then he fell over... another thing Graham did NOT like!

Not one to let a little cold water in the face ruin his afternoon, he perked up with a little more coaxing from his inflatable friends & was all smiles again.

Mama's Little Monsters

The twins got these silly "monster" glasses at a party & they were having a blast playing with them when we got home.  I couldn't resist grabbing the camera & snapping some pictures.  The number of silly uninhibited moments seems to grow less & less as they get older & I want to hang on to every single one.  So here's a fabulous moment of my big boys forgetting for a little bit how badly they want to be grown up & just having some fun.

My beautiful boy

This is a picture of Graham at 7 months old.  I love, love, love this picture.  His expression is priceless.

Just A Cute Picture

I just thought I'd share this picture of me & Owen from the Mother's Day celebration at school.  I love this picture- Owen is so cute in it!   I can't get over how much alike we look in it.  Since he's a little clone of Greg I guess that means Greg & I look alike???  

Fun At The Little Gym!

Graham & I have attended Mommy & Me gymnastics at The Little Gym since he was 4 months old.  He really loves his weekly class & has lots of fun playing with the other babies & doing his "tricks".  He especially loves doing somersaults, rolling down the cheese wedge with Mommy, playing with the balls, & trying to grab the bubbles.  These are some pictures one of the other moms in the class took of us:

Happy Easter From The Nassif Family!

We wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter & share the kids' pictures with the Easter Bunny.  These were taken at an Easter egg hunt that we attended last weekend.  The kids had a great time playing games & hunting eggs.  Rejoice, for He is risen!

Mommy Loves Me & I Love Squash!

This is Graham the 1st time that he tried baby food.  As you can see, he greatly enjoyed his butternut squash!

Goodbye To Our Friend Seymour

As most of you know, our pug, Seymour, was put to sleep a couple weeks ago.  He had Pug Dog Encephilitis & it caused horrible seizures in him.  After a week's stay in the ICU & days of successive seizures he went to be with God.  George especially has taken his passing very hard.  We created a scrapbook of his memories of Seymour over the weekend, buried his collar under an azalea that the twins picked out, & put a clay impression of his paw on their bookcase.  Tomorrow I am going to pick his ashes up from the vet & we will scatter them in the lake in our backyard that Seymour used to like to swim in.  It would make me so mad when he would crawl out of that lake covered in slime & stinking like lake water.  Now it's kinda nice to think of him out there always near the boys. While making the scrapbook I came across some pictures of Seymour I had forgotten about.  I thought I'd share them as a goodbye to our friend.

This is Seymour with each of the twins the day we brought him home.  They were 4.  He was 6 weeks old.  Look how little all 3 of them were.

This is the picture George took for Show & Tell on the 1st day of 1st grade.  He was so proud of his dog & thought that a picture of his best friend best described him to his new class.  The caption read "My dog, Seymour, is a Pug!"  Seymour was very popular at school & attended two Blessing of the Animal ceremonies & made a live appearance in Kindergarten for Show & Tell.

Seymour "The Pug" Nassif:  9/3/06 - 3/5/09 ~ Forever loved

Breakfast Is the Most Important Meal of the Day

Happy Mardi Gras!

We went to the Spanish Town Mardi Gras parade today & everyone has lots of fun!  We bought a parking spot in our church lot so we were really close to the parade & we got there early so we had a great spot in the very front.  Owen, George, & Greg really got into catching beads & I held Graham who, of course, slept!  He woke up towards the end but I was amazed by how much of the parade (& the noise) he slept through!  One of the highlights for the boys was me spraying their hair green with temporary dye.  I even sprayed Graham's hair! Happy Mardi Gras, everyone!!!  

Famous or Infamous?!?!

The twins' classes hosted Famous Americans Day on Feb. 20, 2009.  They each chose a famous American to dress up as & had to give a speech about that person.  George chose Lance Armstrong & Owen chose Barack Obama.  They did so great with their speeches & I was so proud of them!

George & his friend, Riley, a.k.a "Sitting Bull":

"The Champion" & "The Chief"