Trick or Treat on Trenton Street

Our formal ghost
with handmade
monster treat bag.

Lions and

Tigers and Bears

(oh my!)

It's been busy around here getting ready for Halloween (but so much fun!). Grandmom and Pop arrived from Massachusetts on Wednesday and we've kept them on the go between watching babies and getting ready for the big night.

Last Sunday, (as JP was beginning to get sick) Joe and he went over to our neighbor's annual pumpkin carving party. They were able to get 2 pumpkins carved before JP started to feel pretty bad and had to come home. We then spent the next few days getting him better.

On Thursday, JP started the day making a trick-or-treat bag. He did a great job creating monsters on a paper sack. Without help from anyone, he used his markers, glue stick, scissors and contruction paper to make a pretty great looking bag. He traced his own hands and glued them on as the monster's hands.

In the afternoon, we made his costume. He wanted to be a ghost this year (I was thrilled at the easy old-school pick!). Grandmom had sent him a sheet and a few holes later he was set. It has been so warm here that we worked out on the back porch and the babies loved watching JP turn into a ghost. He kept saying Boo to them, and they laughed and laughed. Last night we had to add a necktie to keep the sheet from moving around too much. He was a very fancy ghost!

I then took JP over to his old babysitters to see his friend Ally. She was a lion this year and the two got to run around for a bit. That night, Grandmom and JP made monkey (banana) muffins. He had found the recipe in his Highlights magazine and was dying to make them. They turned out great. That night JP and Ryan wore their matching PJ's. It doesn't get much cuter than this! Maddi also wore some Halloween PJ's that we had. When Joe went to get her Friday morning he saw she had kicked the bottoms off during the night! Won't be wearing these again!

Yesterday was fun-filled also. Grandmom and Pop took JP uptown to the little bookstore that had a Halloween party with a puppet show and treats. I think Joe was one of the older kids there, but he still had a good time. All day he kept asking "How many hours until trick-or-treating?" We made a lasagna for dinner and I had fun with JP saying it was a witch's lasagna. I told him the mushrooms were toad stools, the basil was lizard scales, the egg was an iguana's egg, etc. etc. He thought that was pretty cool.

It was 76 degrees here yesterday. I can't remember it ever being so warm on Halloween. At a little before 6pm he headed out. I joined with JP and Joe around our block while Grandmom and Pop passed out candy and watched the babies. It's so fun seeing all of our neighbors and kids out with their costumes on. Because it was so warm people were standing in the streets just having a good time. As it grew darker it turned into groups of kids from all over. I'm sure they know our neighborhood is a great place to trick-or-treat.

The babies got their costumes on as well and had fun sitting on the front porch watching all the kids. I had around 600 pieces of candy and we turned out the lights at 7:50pm. I would say 1/2 the kids got 1 piece and 1/2 got 2. Another fun Halloween put to bed!

Heres a link to all our Halloween pictures: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=11inays5.2xr2125d&x=0&y=-z3iz2e&localeid=en_US

Our New Hats

Today I took some photos of the kids in their new knitted hats they received. 2 friends (ones in MA and here in CO) made hats for the kids and they both arrived last week. What great presents! I wanted to include a pic with their thank-you's and they were so cute I had to post!!

JP is home from school today. Went to the doctor: Ear Infection, Pink Eye AND Strep Throat! Poor kid, thank goodness for antibiotics!!

Pictures and Videos from the week

Playtime
















Maddi thinks she is so funny
when she tries to flip out
of the bouncy seat.




Keeping them entertained

















Playing outside Friday after school.
It was wear your PJ's to school day.






















I'm dreading the day
when they'll all be climing the tree!






























Ryan

























Caiti






















Maddi







Thanks Aunt Erin
for our bunny buntings!
















Saturday morning.
JP trying to watch cartoons.


JP and the girls

Ryan Starts Cereal & The Preemie Party

This kid is definitely
a Crist!










I think we tried to pack as much into today as we could! Sunday was not our day to take it easy this week. Ryan started his first cereal today and loves it! He's been acting lately as if he is hungry all the time and sometimes eats 10oz at once, so we decided it go ahead and try it. I think he was definitely ready, there was no hesitation at all. It was if he was saying "It's about time!" The girls are another story. I think they could care less. I may try giving it to them in the next few days to see what they think, but I'm not really going to care if they wait another month before starting solids.

We attended the Rose Hospital Preemie Reunion today also. They invite all preemies from past years to see how they've grown. It was nice to see some of the doctors and nurses again. We even got to see a little boy that was next to us in the NICU that came before our kids and left after. He is doing great now too. They had clowns, a puppet show, face painting and lots of treats, so I think JP had the best time of all!

After the party, we stopped by a pumpkin patch. The babies were asleep in the car, so JP & I went to scout for the best pumpkins. We got 3 little ones and 1 great big one. I told JP he would have to carry his choice on his own, but he picked out such a nice one that we switched and he carried the 3 little ones. It was heavy, but not as heavy as Ryan which I think should be getting to 18lbs by now if he's not there already!

After we got home, JP wanted to make tombstones out of cardboard. Totally his idea. He is fascinated by them and loves to write RIP on them. Today he asked me what if somebody didn't rest in peace? This kid has a question for everything! We started out front on the sidewalk and before we knew it, we had more kids all wanting to do our "craft project". It was a fun time.

Other than that we did our usual getting ready for school tomorrow and Joe getting ready to travel Mon & Tues for business plus me trying to cram in about 15 orders, it was just another crazy day at the Crist house!





























Everybody intently listening as Daddy and a nurse were chatting.






















This little guy was in an isolette next to our kids.






















Looking for the best one.





















I thought this was such a pretty tree, so I made JP pose. He was like aww come'on Mom!



















Remember Smelly Markers? The kids were having a great time sniffing! JP was pointing out the scents.


















Katie, Tess, Jack, Tommy, and JP and their tombstones.

We have 5-month-olds!

We're getting big now!!















Another month has flown by! The babies are getting bigger, more interactive, and so much fun! They are all sleeping well through the night. Ryan has started making it til 5:30 and the girls will easily sleep until 6:30 after their 7pm bottle. Joe's the one who gets the first up out of their crib each morning and I think seeing those happy little smiles is about the best part of his day!

They are starting to notice and "talk" to each other more too. All are shaking rattles and playing with toys and rolling over when they want to. Ryan still outweighs the girls by about 5 lbs. I think some cereal is in his near future! JP loves putting his head down and letting them pull on his hair. He's getting pretty good at keeping 1 or 2 entertained while I try and make dinner or get something.

We're still waiting on final word, but, it looks like we are going to be covered by insurance for Synagis shots to help fight against RSV this year. Many people are not aware what RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is, but when you have preemies it is important to not only learn about it, but take as many precautions as possible so the babies do not get it.

Here's the textbook version of what we are fighting against: Virtually all children are exposed to the virus during the first two years of life and re-infection throughout life is very common. Infants born at less than 36 weeks gestational age are at a significantly elevated risk for severe RSV disease. The virus causes a lung infection that can make some babies and young children very sick. RSV is the leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in babies and is the most frequent cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization of infants under the age of one. In addition, RSV is thought to play a major role in the development of childhood asthma. In high-risk pediatric patients, RSV lower respiratory tract infections can lead to hospitalization, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and possibly death.

Given that we also have a school-aged child, we are even at a greater risk. This is something that is to be watched for their 1st 2 years. RSV season typically runs from around Oct-May. The Children's Hospital in Denver has not announced that it has started here yet, so our pediatrician we will begin the shots when it does. Synagis shots can help prevent serious complications from RSV if the kids get it. Born at 34 weeks and with no severe problems, we weren't sure if insurance would pay for it. Each shot runs $1000 x 3 x 6 months of shots = $18,000. But as my pediatrician told me one week in the hospital if only one of the babies got RSV would be more than that.

So we just want everyone to be aware of the following when visiting during RSV season:
- When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching the kids.
- Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick, if you live with someone who is currently sick, have been in contact with someone who is sick, and/or if you have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days.
- If you smoke, we ask that you refrain from smoking just prior to visiting, as their lungs are very sensitive and change clothes.
- If you are parents to a toddler or school aged child, please refrain from bringing them to the house during RSV season.
-Please change clothes after being at work or in large crowded places with close contact before arriving at our home.

As you know, we are pretty laid back when it comes to most things and although I hate to sound strict, I would hate more to have one of the babies in the PICU. I've been told to basically not take the babies out in crowded places for the next several months. I asked the doctor about Thanksgiving and Christmas and he said to basically use common sense. If everyone attending has been in good health go ahead, otherwise we may have to stay home from events. We'll just wait and see.

OK, hopefully that's the most serious post I'll be writing for a long time! Now here's the fun part- all the new pictures~















Maddi & Caiti
























I'm such a little man in my overalls!





















Showing the babies a spider, while JP & I hung our Halloween decorations.





















Hanging out on the front porch



























JP arrived home from school one day with about 5 things pinned to him or his backpack. Too funny!





















Happiness is a sleeping baby.





















Ryan, your sister is not a footrest.



























My girlfriend Ellen brought her girls +1 over to meet the babies. Both my girls thought they were so cool! Ryan was a little scared, but that's OK b/c he was so outnumbered!





















One last picture of Nana & Pa from their visit.

So Much Happening..

So much happening, so little time to write!

It's been busy as usual around here. Last weekend we attended our 6th annual Rally in the Alley with our neighbors. It's hard to believe we've lived here almost 6 years! It was fun with lots of good food and games to play. JP learned to play Yatzee in the kid's tournament. It's amazing how many kid's live around just on our alley. Over 30 were at the rally. We always say it's going to be scary when they all become teenagers!

On Tuesday, Nana & Pa arrived. They have been having fun with our babies, JP and with little George. The babies are loving getting held all the time ~ I'm sure they'll be looking around with sad faces next week when its only me again during the day! On Sunday, we went to the Ringling Bros. Circus (Joe took one for the team and stayed home with the babies.) It was a lot of fun. I have never been a big fan of circuses, but this was more like a theatrical production and kept JP entertained. He loved all the clowns and animals and motorcycles.

On Friday, we took the babies to Children's Hospital to have their heads checked for plagocephaly (a very flat head). Ryan does have it pretty bad, but they feel that it should get much, much better on its own and really did not recommend a helmet. They said studies have shown that in 5-6 years it should be close to that of a molding helmet on its own, and although he will probably always have some sort of flat spot, many other kids in this generation of back sleepers will have the same thing. Considering the helmet is considered cosmetic and runs to the tune of about $6K, we'll just keep trying to get him to lie on his less favored side.

On Monday, I joined a Bunco club in our neighborhood. I had never played before, but it was a lot of fun. I think Joe thinks its good for me to get out of the house sometimes and not go baby crazy :) I got to meet a lot of new people and will look forward to the monthly outing. The best part is I can either walk or only take a short drive to the games.

Yesterday was Joe an my 8th Wedding Anniversary. Hard to believe! Who knew we would have 4 kids in 8 years! Actually, I wouldn't change a thing about our life and am so lucky to be married by best friend and the best guy ever!!

Other than that, we have just been enjoying this beautiful fall weather. We still try to get the babies out almost everyday because we know winter will be here soon. JP plays his last soccer games of the fall on Saturday and they are expecting the weather to start gettting colder. Denver typically has its 1st snowfall sometime in October, so we trying to prepare ourselves. Luckily, we still have enough sunny days even during the winter that I am hoping we can bundle the kids up and get them out often.

Ryan sporting his new outfit my cousin's family sent him.













This is a picture of the kids just down our alley and on the corners. There are over 30 in the picture and not everyone was there!















JP learning to play Yatzee in the kids tournament at the Rally.






















Caitlin goofing off





















Pa with Caitlin and Ryan
















Nana and Maddi















"Who did you say you were again?" George
















JP and Mom at the circus
















All smiles during the show.















Maddi and Caiti having a fun in the exersaucers. It's amazing how much baby gear we have crammed into a little room!

The Best Pouty Face Ever

The other night we captured Madison showing off one of her great pouty faces. We can only the imagine the drama we will receive from this one as she gets older!