Nothing like starting your new job in the Ronald McDonald House

Well, I am officially emplyed by Johnson and Johnson! I am SO excited for the new adventure. I have to laugh though as I reflect on the last week. Joe and I have been running so fast and so hard for what seems like FOREVER the past year. On Saturday, we decided to have some friends over which was great fun. The kids played and ran around and our kids starting having a bit of the runny nose/allergy deal going.

Sunday, we planned to unwind and get ready for mommy's new job on Monday and a new week. Meanwhile, we have the rest of the twins club "stuff" to be tagged and prepared for the sale next weekend. I am planning a bridal shower for 120 invitees and our new au pair arrives in 3 weeks. So, our next month is certainly busy.

Well, back to my story -- Sunday morning we wake up (a little hungover actually) and Colleen is weezing. Yup -- breathing strong and shallow and I go into major fighting mode. We give her 4 treatments of albuterol and a nice dose of steroid and cross our fingers. She then spikes a nice fever of 100.3 and I get more nervous. We ride it out throughout the day and I decided to bring her into my bed to sleep at 9:30p.m. I laid there and said my prayers reflecting on the day and the week I have ahead and in the silence, I listened to her extremely loud breathing and counted her breaths. She was taking 4 breaths for every 1 that I took. I lasted about 3 minutes in bed and I sprung up, got dressed and off to St. John's Hospital we went. We got there in the nick of time because her breathing was getting worse and worse and she was losing energy fast!

We were admitted and stayed two nights. Monday morning came VERY quickly and I had several conference calls lined up for the new job -- remember, first day.

So, Joe came to relieve me and later Aunt Nellie and down the hall I went slippers and PJs and all to make my calls and start my first day of work from the hospital Ronald McDonald Room. I am SO grateful for that organization!!!!

Colleen is better and home now and I feel like I have a million stories that I could post starting with Colleen throwing up all over her treasured blankey and mom's only pants to me stumbling through the hospital with a sheet wrapped around my waist trying to find a washing machine. Or maybe I could talk about Colleen sitting up all night on the phone saying, "Dan...Dan...." until around 4:30a.m. Oh, how I love the circus.....

Gymboree Fun

Well, I have been REALLY enjoying my time off between jobs. I have taken the kids on walks, to the zoo, played games, cleaned out closets, found time to workout and today, went to Gymboree.

Gymboree is a cute little playspot for mom's and their babies. I wonder if dads ever go??? I suppose they could, but there were lots of moms with their one child and here Peggy strolls in carrying three babies. I looked ridiculous and in hindsight, I am not sure why they didn't discourage me from coming. I think it would be better to go one-on-one. There is something about "sit on mommy's lap" time that looks funny with three babies, especially when one has ADD and decides it is time to squirm off and go play with the ball instead.

All in all, they had a great time. I am so proud of my kids for their great concept of sharing at this young age as well as their independence. I did get a lot of looks from moms that said, "I can't believe you are leaving your kid on that bridge alone." But, again, how can you be on the bridge, the slide and the trampoline with three different kids at the same time??? you just can't! Lucky for me, my kids don't expect me to be right there all the time.

They would get the ball and when I told them to give it to another baby, they did.

Our neighbor and friend Joe Jr. was also there which made for super fun and great photos!!!!

I am not sure who will miss mommy going to work more....the kids or mommy???