Starting Solids....

Alec (L) and Aramis (R) begin adding solid food to their diets
Don't they look oh so excited??!!

So, the kingdom is enduring another change in that the princes are moving into a new phase of their development at five months--which includes the addition of solid cuisine on the daily menu. We've only just begun this process, but can tell that applesauce is definitely a favorite of Alec's. Aramis on the other hand could care less for it. We're making our own babyfood (well, we're doing the best we can at this time--who knows what will happen a week from now) and hoping they'll enjoy the consistency of 'real' homemade baby food versus a lot of the store bought stuff. Now, we're not fools. We keep a ton of those little plastic squares filled with squash, apples and blueberries, prunes, beans, peas and apricots in the cupboard for those hurried meals or on-the-road visits. Our goal is to do things a little differently with the boys since Abby is a tremendously picky eater, and we hope that by introducing 'real' food, maybe they won't have food aversions. Well, here's to wishing and hoping for the best. We'll post 'messy' photos once we introduce lovely items such as chocolate, ice cream and spaghetti! :)

No good deed goes unpunished...

Okay, I hate this phrase. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. It has plagued me my entire life--as far back as my 21st birthday when I drove several of my drunk friends home (MY birthday and I was designated driver...go figure) and was pulled over at 2:45 a.m. by a police officer wondering what I was doing driving 5 miles over the speed limit at that hour. I was so irritated that my friends were drunk (one was puking in my backseat as I was pulled over, mind you) that I screamed at the officer and said, "why are you pulling me over when all I'm trying to do is get my friends home safely and avoid puke in my hair!" He smiled, of course as he saw (or should I say smelled) the situation up close and personal (as he stepped back when I opened the window), and proclaimed, "no good deed goes unpunished." He didn't do anything to me but send me on my way, but it really irked me as before that day, I'd never heard the phrase and had no idea what it meant. Little did I know that it would be the first of many instances. Case in point, this past week. After a nice snowstorm, our plow guy came to clear the driveway, mailbox, etc. Unfortunately, it was raining and foggy and he somehow backplowed into an icebank, getting his truck completely stuck. I saw him outside and went out to render some help. After 45 minutes of digging, pushing, rocking, rock salting and tire spinning, his truck was freed. I felt I'd done something to help him out as he'd be able to get back to his job and serve his other clients. Little did I know that two days later, I'd receive in the mail, a bill for the full service! I was shocked. Clearly, my 45 minutes of hard labor and help to a guy who had no other means of freeing his damn truck, wasn't worth a penny. I shared this little tidbit with King Tony whose first reaction was, 'no good deed goes unpunished.' Can someone please dig into the books of cliche' lingo and permanently delete this one, for the sake of all of us? I think if anything, good deeds should be appreciated, rewarded, revered--not punished. So, I'll pay the bill. I'll also let the guy and his business know how bad for business I think this practice. And, I'll start shoveling my own driveway as given the time I spent on his problem (not mine), I could have shoveled the entire driveway and then some--at no charge!

An ER visit...

I just wasn't prepared. Years serving as a volunteer at Children's Hospital in Boston and a sister to both a pediatrician and a surgeon didn't give me the strength I needed when having to endure a visit to Winchester Hospital's emergency room earlier this week with our little Aramis. While giving him a bath, we noticed a red circle around his left breast/nipple. We thought it was wierd and sent a photo to Uncle Erick and Auntie Beth who within two minutes, discerned it as an abcess needing immediate medical attention. It's seven o'clock in the evening, so we called our own pediatrician's office, and were advised to take him into the ER. Fortunately, we were seen fairly quickly, and were told he needed IV antibiotics and bloodwork for something called cellulitis (a staph or strep infection, basically). I was okay with the bloodwork, but NOT okay with an IV. Some background: Abigail was permanently scarred for life because of an improperly placed IV (called an infiltrate) while she was in the NICU soon after she was born. Not surprising, Aramis too suffered the initial affects of an infiltrate when he had an IV after birth (which we had removed before it could do any serious damage--having learned through Abby's experience what to look for, etc.). So, I'm not a fan of IVs. After speaking with both the ER doc and two nurses, we arrived at a compromise, which was a IM (inter muscular) injection of antibiotics and oral meds. After the bloodwork came back and we learned that little Aramis' white count was up, we gave him a shot, some oral meds and waited to make sure he didn't have an allergic reaction. Now a few days later, we're still worried that the abcess will have to be lanced at some point, but happy that we caught it so quickly. Otherwise, it could have spread and worsened. So, a lovely side affect to all these antibiotics are both explosive diarrhea, irritability (as if the twins could be any more irritable...) and a serious problem with gut flora (the stuff that breaks down food in the belly). It'll be an interesting few weeks, but thankfully, Abby has been a great big sister and helper and Alec is trying his hardest to whine only when we're not focused on Aramis. :) I was happy that we didn't spend 10 hours in the ER (normal wait time...) and that we were able to bring Aramis home without having him admitted, but let's just say that I hope we won't have to see much of the ER in years to come as it is a place I'd just as soon avoid.

Happy Hallmark Holiday....

Okay, okay, we all know what a Hallmark holiday Valentine's Day is, but isn't it still a little fun to plan (or receive) something special from someone you love? The Agudelo twins and their big sister Miss Abigail dressed the part today in their red, Cupid's arrow, heart-filled gear and hung out in a chair together to show their love for one another. Obviously, as they age, these moments will be few and far between, so Wendy and Tony take all opportunities possible to get the kids together in pictures. Miss Abs actually enjoys giving her brothers wet smooches when they are sitting in their exer-saucers or working on their rolling. They, in turn, roll their eyes and aren't yet quite sure what to make of all that affection. I guess...time will tell. :)

King Tony surprised Wendy with an incredibly creative and handmade book titled, "That's Not My Mommy." A throwback to several Usborne Book titles, the installment includes several hilarious photos of women (smoking, bald, etc.) and one of mommy when pregnant with Miss Abigail. It was such a sweet gesture, it made Wendy's day and definitely was more appreciated than a dozen roses (well, Tony got her a few dozen of those LAST weekend...). :) Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Aramis, Abby and Alec warm up for the camera

The twins strike a manly pose....

It's all fun and games in our house....

Taking a drive...

Doesn't everyone enjoy taking a drive? Off to a known or unknown destination--with the wind in your hair, bugs on your windshield, or freezing rain under your tires? Within the kingdom walls as of late, there's been a whole lot of driving going on. Recently, Princess Abigail and her friend, Knight Benjamin, took out the new, red, sportster gifted to her and her brothers from Auntie Cookie (Stephanie), Uncle Doug, and cousins Clo-Clo (Chloe) and 'sh' (Joshua). So, off they went with snacks in hand....(don't they look so cute and content?)

But, all of the sudden, a complete blow out occurs, and the flat tire leaves them temporarily stranded.... :( Together, they ponder what to do next....

Then, Abby gets an idea. "Benjamin, you must exit the sportster and fix the flat tire." Knight Benjamin seems pleased with her suggestion as he is a young man of strong muscles and character. He knows he can fix the tire and get them on their way again....and then, their casual drive can continue. :)
Prince Alec on the other hand, hasn't quite graduated yet to the level of sportster, and instead, drove the purple Bumbo around the kingdom's lush grounds. As you can tell, he has it mastered.
Prince Aramis prefers to drive Daddy around. It's a much more cozy ride and right now, that's all the driving he wants to do. :)

The kingdom has been amid a number of changes as of late. The boys are beginning to sleep (thank goodness!) and Miss Abigail is in school and off socializing several times a week. Grandma Kathy has also been visiting--to keep the kingdom in line, of course. :) The best part of our drive are the stories we share after we've completed them, so we suspect that more stories (and ultimately more driving) is still to be enjoyed.

A Chargers Family....

Unfortunately, the San Diego Chargers just couldn't take the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots two weeks ago, terminating their half-way-decent season. King Tony is an avid San Diego fan, and has been working hard to cultivate said love of the Chargers among his three little ones. As you can see below, it is more than an obsession. Even though our favored team won't be in the SuperBowl this year, the local favorite--Pats--will be. So, you'll find us in front of the boob tube for a few hours watching the Pats take on the Giants as we secretly begin planning next year's strategy towards a Chargers victory. :)

Alec dressed in Chargers gear

Proud Papa and Aramis cheer on the Chargers