Fun Game

QUOTE(ljcrochet @ Aug 6 2008, 01:35 AM) [snapback]915838[/snapback]
Now it is my turn to spill about my boring life.
I was born in Brooklyn NY, grew up in Staten Island NY, which is one of the 5 boroughs of New York City. I now live in Long Island, NY. We moved to give my DH a 20-30 minute commute instead of the hour and 1/2 to almost 2 hour commute depending on traffic.
I used to teach Biology and Peer Mediation to what was one of the largest NYC high schools in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. I worked there for 9 years. I'm very lucky that the NYC department of Ed gives teachers a 4 year unpaid leave after they have children. So I have one more year till I have to go back or lose my job.

Did you ever live in Brooklyn, or only born there?
QUOTE(carmenandwhitsmom @ Aug 6 2008, 03:23 PM) [snapback]916716[/snapback]
Okay, I got nominated so here goes.

Let's see... My name is Letetia, I am 38, almost 39 (YIKES!!!!) and I live in Rockville, MD. I am originally from Atlanta, GA and hope to go back so that I can buy a house that I can actually afford :winking0009: My husband is from Columbia, SC and he wants to move back south as well. Whit and Carmen are 3 years old and they are our only children. Max and I have been married 15 years. We celebrated our 15th on July 24th. My birthday is September 11th and I love presents!

I used to enjoy reading, exercising, and working with computers. I only get to read occasionally now since I work FT and then switch hats to be with the kids. I am hoping to start exercising again because I can only blame the weight on the kids for so long. As for working with computers, since I use them everyday at work, I am not really fond of them anymore.

Okay, as for travel, we have been to most of the Caribbean(sp???). I love Jamaica. I have been to every state in the US except for Hawaii and Alaska and I hope to hit those soon. Actually, now that I think about, I have covered all of North America (been to Mexico and Canada as well). We went to Italy for our 10 year anniversary and I enjoyed every moment of it. It took quite a while for me to eat Italian once we came back. My goal is to one day hit Singapore, Australia, and Africa. This goal will clearly be met after the kids finish college unless they get scholarships.

You are my traveling hero! I dream about traveling the world.

 

QUOTE(TwinsItIs @ Aug 10 2008, 06:37 PM) [snapback]923296[/snapback]
Did you ever live in Brooklyn, or only born there?


I lived in Brooklyn (Nostrand Ave) for the first 3 years of my life. Then my parents moved to Staten Island. Funny thing is all my family that is in the NYC area are all in Long Island.

 

Wow…everyone is WAY more interesting than me. Maybe I should make something up…LOL.

I was born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, in a tiny little town in the sticks that no one has ever heard of, about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh. When I graduated from high school at 17, I went to a small private university right outside of Pittsburgh. I graduated from there with honors in 1996 with a BSBA.

I married my college sweetheart in 1997. We found out that I had infertility problems in 2001. I remember calling the hospital to schedule my laparoscopy and deciding at that exact moment that I didn’t want to have his baby...or be his wife. We separated in 2002. During this time, I met Brian at work. He too was in an unhappy marriage, though no one knew it. Things with Brian moved very quickly, but we felt like we had already wasted years married to the wrong people. We both had dreams of living in Florida, so he took a chance and asked for a transfer. It was granted and we made the 1000 mile move in May of 2003. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were still married to other people at the time.

The divorces were eventually finalized – though not without much money, tears and drama – and we felt like we were living on vacation here outside of Tampa. We bought a house together in February of 2004, got engaged that September and had a weddingmoon in the Bahamas in 2005.

Brian has a fantastic job and his office is here in our home. I quit working in 2005 and went to beauty school for 6 months and am a licensed nail tech and esthetician. After school, I traveled around the Tampa area working as a freelance make-up artist and esthy.

We started trying to get pregnant, but I knew from tests back in 2001 that I had bad tubes. We saw an infertility specialist in 2005 and I finally had that laparoscopy in February 2006. When I still wasn’t pregnant 6 months later, we went back. That’s when my doctor mentioned a new drug study for IVF and said we would be good candidates. Which meant that our IVF cycle would be free.

After many, many pre-qualifying and qualifying tests – we were admitted to the study. On Wednesday, October 4, 2006, 2 very healthy Day 5 blastocysts were transferred into my uterus, next to a very full bladder! It was all downhill from there…!

I developed a rare IVF complication called Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome…and shortly after that the morning-sickness-that-lasted all-day started. I went into pre-term labor at 26 weeks which they were able to stop. They put a terbutaline pump in my leg and kept me in the hospital for 6 very long weeks. They let me go home at 32 – for my sanity. I kept them babies cookin’ for another 4 weeks at home. I turned off the terb at 36 weeks and I had those babes the next day. They did great from the start, but I had complications. My blood pressure skyrocketed in recovery, so it was another round of mag for me. I didn’t even get to hold my babies until 8 hours after they were born. But after I came off the mag, I felt pretty good and they let me go home on Saturday. Sunday night around midnight, my incision opened. So instead of the typical 6 week recovery, mine was 9 weeks with daily visits from a home health nurse to change my dressing and check for infection.

But I have had a wonderful time with my girls now that they are here! All of our family is in Pittsburgh, so we’ve been pretty much on our own except for the occasional visits. Baylinn had some reflux that went away quickly and Breen had torticollis which I took her to physical therapy for. They’ve been great nappers and have STTN since 4.5 months. The transition to toddlerhood has been tough at times, but I think the sun is finally starting to break through again!

I love being a SAHM, but I’ve started looking into doing something from home for a little extra money – and brain stimulation. My first love is scrapbooking! I just wish I had more time for it. I also love historical fiction and I spend way too much time on perezhilton.com. DH and I were big into ballroom dancing before I got pregnant and we still get out and dance when we can get a sitter. I also love ‘good’ reality tv like Project Runway and Top Chef.

I had a tubal during my c-section, so if you include my 3lb Yorkie, Bentley, our family is complete.

Ok, I didn’t mean to go on and on. Apparently no one has asked me about myself in quite awhile so I had stuff built up! LOL.

I nominate 2BusyGs!!!

 

QUOTE(sunshinetwins @ Aug 10 2008, 09:05 PM) [snapback]923439[/snapback]
They did great from the start, but I had complications. My blood pressure skyrocketed in recovery, so it was another round of mag for me. I didn’t even get to hold my babies until 8 hours after they were born. But after I came off the mag, I felt pretty good and they let me go home on Saturday. Sunday night around midnight, my incision opened. So instead of the typical 6 week recovery, mine was 9 weeks with daily visits from a home health nurse to change my dressing and check for infection.


did we have the same delivery/recovery? The only difference was when I went to have my staples removed a week later the incision never closed - I had the home health nurse for weeks too!!!

 

QUOTE(AmynTony @ Aug 10 2008, 10:41 PM) [snapback]923574[/snapback]
did we have the same delivery/recovery? The only difference was when I went to have my staples removed a week later the incision never closed - I had the home health nurse for weeks too!!!


Add me to the list too! Including the skyrocketing bp, mag and home health nurse for popping a stitch or two while on blood thinners!

 

Seems to be quite a few from Pennsylvania in this thread.

 

Sorry, busy weekend for me so I'm kinda late!!! Here goes:

My name is Kristy and I'm 28, I'll be 29 on Sept. 3rd- yes I was born on Labor Day! My mom really took that day literally! I live in Inwood, West Virginia and have access to MD, VA, DC, and PA within 30 minutes!!!
I have an amazing husband who was successfully trained by our 2nd date! His name is Chris and he's a great father, his best quality I think. We went to the same high school and when I was 15 I saw him quarterbacking on the football field and proclaimed I'd marry him one day. Everyone laughed until the year 2000 when we tied the knot! It took us 7 years of unexplained infertility to conceive the twins but did so with 2 rounds of clomid! WOOOHOOO! We were ecstatic to say the least. Actually, Gabriella and Griffin are 2 of 3 or "surviving triplets" some might say. We lost him/her at 7 weeks.

At delivery, the dr. was amazed to see both babies were:
Born on 5-3 weighing in at 5lb. 3 oz.
Had the same Umbilical cord ph
Had the same Apgar of 9....

I love baking, but not cooking
I eat like 25 things in the whole world- not even kidding!! ( I eat like a 5 year old)
I love to travel - most recently Germany and Puerto Rico
I'm too poor to travel now! LOL
I have an older sister and younger brother
I have a business degree but am working on my Masters in Special Education
My favorite color is green but hate green cars!???
I'm in love with 2 men other than my husband: Matthew McConnaughey and Keith Urban
My inlaws drive me absolutely nuts-o!

For the past year and this year included, I'm staying home during the day and in the evenings or maybe 1 day per week during the day (if I find a capable sitter) help run the Homebound program for students in our county. (Ex..pregnant, depressed, etc) It allows me to stay home and watch the babies grow and not send them to a sitter at all.

I have a weakness for writing sappy things about my kids and scrapbooking. I'm overemotional when it comes to them and our time together! We'd love to have more kidsl, but haven't taken the fertility plunge- yet.....! Oh, and I also started the first mom's group for twins in our Tristate area...it's called Twinsanity!.....If anyone lives nearby please check it out!! www.twins.meetup.com/41


I love this thread and that's all I can think of for now!! Thanks Ladies!

Edited for hometown and twins link!

 

I nominate One+Twins2be, my best friend!!

 

QUOTE(AmynTony @ Aug 11 2008, 02:41 AM) [snapback]923574[/snapback]
did we have the same delivery/recovery? The only difference was when I went to have my staples removed a week later the incision never closed - I had the home health nurse for weeks too!!!


I had no idea such a thing could happen - until it happened to me! The home health nurse actually had another patient in my town with the same problem at the same time.

They removed my staples before I left the hospital. The doctor said that there was probably an infection which caused it to open just 5 days after the delivery. The doctor that debraded the wound without numbing me hurt me so bad....I'll never forget it. I had no idea that they weren't going to reclose the opening....instead you're stuffed like a turkey until it closes!!

 

QUOTE(sunshinetwins @ Aug 10 2008, 09:05 PM) [snapback]923439[/snapback]
Wow…everyone is WAY more interesting than me. Maybe I should make something up…LOL.

I was born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, in a tiny little town in the sticks that no one has ever heard of, about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh. When I graduated from high school at 17, I went to a small private university right outside of Pittsburgh. I graduated from there with honors in 1996 with a BSBA.


I nominate 2BusyGs!!!


Hey...you are a lot more interesting than you let on!!! BTW...where are you from....I am from small town in southwestern PA too and went to small college near Pittsburgh...Just wondering where you are from....

 

Thanks for the nomination, Kristy (2BUSYGs)! As Kristy said in her post we're best friends - been friends since the 8th grade. Wow, that was a long time ago!

Anyway, about me.....

My name in Christen, I'm 28 years old. I've lived in the very small town of Glengary, WV my whole life. DH & I actually built a house less than a 1/4 mile from my childhood home (where my parent's still live). I have two younger brothers (one is 13 months younger and the other is 15 years younger - he was a surprise!). I grew up on a farm. It's about 270 acres. We raised chickens (about 50,000) and hogs (about 3,000). My dad still operates the farm full-time, though my DH & I have very little to do with any of it. I guess I had enough of the farm animals as a kid!

I met my DH in high school, although we didn't start dating until I was in college. We started dating in Oct 1999 and were married on Sept 21, 2002. I went to Shepherd College (now Shepherd University) where I double majored in Accounting & Business Management. I interned for a small accounting firm while I was in college and then started there full-time after graduation. After a couple of years of jumping around and trying to find my niche in the workforce, I'm back at the accounting firm that I started at during college. They've allowed me the priviledge of working part-time from home. I only go into the office one day a week to pick up/drop off work. It's been awesome having the opportunity to kind of stay in the workforce but still spend most of my time with my DS (soon to be my DS + twin girls). DH is a self-employed auto mechanic. His shop is directly across the road from our house, so he comes home for lunch every day - Awesome! He loves to be able to see DS and hang out for a little while and I love to have a little break to get caught up on things.

DH & I were shocked when we found out that we were expecting twins! We don't have any family history, so that wasn't even a brief thought in my mind. Although I will have to admit that Kristy (2BUSYGs) "predicted" that it was twins because of my morning sickness. DS turned 2 last month and the girls are due on December 4th. This pregnancy has been pretty uneventful so far. And the doc says we're gonna keep it that way, right? I can't wait for their arrival! We are just ecstatic!

A few more tidbits:
I love to scrapbook! (on paper)
I'm an avid reader....although having a toddler has kind of slowed me down a little.
We love to spend time outdoors.
I love street rods and muscle cars. We've owned everything from a '49 Chevy Rat Rod to a '67 Barracuda to an '05 Ford Mustang. Although now it's just an '04 Sienna mini-van!
We have a chocolate lab named Duke. He's almost 4. Carter (DS) absolutely loves him! They are buddies.
I'm with Kristy on the fact that "My inlaws drive me absolutely nuts-o!"

That's all I can come up with......my life is pretty boring.


OK, I guess it's time for the next nomination. I nominate FirstTimeMom814.

 

Well I'm not very good talking about myself, but I'll give it a shot.

My name is Trish and I am 30 (almost 31).I was born in Portugal and moved to Florida at the age of 6. I was an only child until I was 10 and then my brother showed up. I grew up in West Palm Beach , FL.

I met my DH at the University of Florida in 1995. We were friends for 2 yrs (while I was dating someone else). We started dating at the end of 1997 and we got engaged on Valentine's day 1999 and got married exactly 6 months later. We are celebrating our 9 yr anniversary in a few days. In 2004, we thought we would start trying to have a baby. We had many friends that went through many struggles to have a family, so we thought we better get moving on it just in case. ONE month later we were pregnant. Much to our shock....TWINS. I think DH secretly was dissapointed that there wasn't enough "trying" involved...lol. I carried the kids to 35 w 2 days, after 4 weeks of bedrest. These will probably be our only kids since I don't think I can convince DH to have any more. I am now a SAHM, in my previous work life I was Director of Operations at a healthcare company in Orlando. Sometimes I miss the adult interaction of work life, but I wouldn't trade being home with the kids for anything.

I have moved way too many times in my life. I've lived in Gainesville, FL; Jacksonville, FL; W.P.B., FL; Orlando, FL; Redmond, WA, back to Orlando, FL; back to Issaquah, WA and now I'm in the Austin area of TX. I sometimes feel like a nomad. Hopefully we will be here for a while.

2 yrs ago I was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, which is basically an inflammation of the spinal cord. It was in my lower neck/shoulder area so it caused me to lose sensation from my neck down. At my very worst I couldn't feel when I was holding on to something and I could only type with my thumbs. I'm very lucky in that it has mostly healed itself. While I don't have 100% sensation in my hands, I'm probably at 95%. I consider myself lucky, because my initial diagnosis was MS, but luckily further testing ruled it out for now.

Odds and ends about me:
-I love romantic comedies and I could probably watch any wedding themed movie.
-I'm a total sap. I'm terrible at goodbyes.
-I'm a geek and I love gadgets and computers.
-There's only one kind of football for me...GATOR football.
-I'm a total girly-girl, I don't like bugs or critters.
-I love playing video games, in fact I was playing Metroid Prime in between contractions the day that my labor started. Of course now with the kids all that is limited.
-I read every night before going to bed. I've always had a love for books from a very young age.

I've been on TS for just over 4 years now and have been part of the Mod team for almost 3 yrs. I have made life-long friends on here and am just beyond thrilled to have found TS when I was expecting.

Ok...after reading all that...I'm really boring. If you have any specific question let me know!

I nominate....Kate (twoin2005)

 

Oh boy...here it goes...

My name is Kate. I am 33 and live in sunny southern CA. I was born and raised in Huntington Beach and spent many summers playing at the beach. Great way to grow up! I met DH while I was still in high school and started dating him my freshman year of college. I attended the University of CA, Riverside and managed to graduate in three years (can I get an "amen" for the AP exam credits that shaved a whole year off my tuition!). I went to the University of CA, Irvine to get my teaching certificate. I have been teaching grades K-6 since 1997 and LOVE IT! My current gig is teaching Kindergarten part time at the school within the neighborhood. I love being so close to my home, kids, etc. We also live close by to both sets of parents. That is really important to us.

DH and I have been married 10 years. We started our family almost 7 years into the game, and were VERY surprised to learn that we were having twins. Within one month, I graduated from my master's program (Ed. Admin), got a new job, found out we were expecting, and bought/moved into a new house...all withing ONE MONTH! Good times. I loved it...bring on the stress people!!!! Good think I didn't learn it was twins until two weeks later!

Some tidbits:
*I have lived in southern CA most of my life, but DH and I did live in Ashland, OR for a few years after we were married.
*My first car was a white VW bug. I remember those days of jamming six girls in there to go to the beach. Soooo not allowed anymore.
*I played soccer from kindergarten to my senior year. I would love to start playing again, but honestly, I wasn't very good.
*I love reading. I have been known to sneak into the bathroom, feigning illness, to finish a chapter. Shhhhh, don't tell.
*DH and I enjoy camping and hiking.
*I was more of a tomboy growing up than a girly girl. I owe that to having two older brothers!
*I am still in my pajamas...BUT...I HAVE to shower, do hair, etc. before leaving the house. Even when they were infants, I did that.
*I live in flip flops.
*I also live in a tiny house. It is a 4 bedroom house, but it is only 1100 sq. ft. Do the math!!!
*I have had the crocodile song from Peter Pan stuck in my head now for 47 consecutive days.
*I love my Buddy Club on TS. I cherish my flakes!

Ahhhhh, now let's see...whose turn next....(she is going to kill me)....how about my neighbor NicoleT....

 

Thanks Kate!

So about me... my name is Nicole and I am 29 and live in beautiful southern CA (near Kate!). I was born and raised here, still live here and hope to never leave! My parents divorced when I was 6 and both remarried not long after. I have a brother that is 15 months younger than me and a half brother that is 16 years younger than me! Everyone in my immediate family lives within 30 miles of me.

Most of my childhood revolved around sports for either me or my brother. I played soccer from age 5 to 13 and danced from age 5 to 17. Growing up we were a "boating family" so we spent most of our summers at the river or on lakes. We also enjoyed a family cabin in the mountains in the winter. So many of my childhood memories are from these trips!

I met DH in high school when I was a junior and he was a senior. We had a math class together and the rest is pretty much history! We dated for almost seven years before we got married. He proposed on December 22, 1999 at Disneyland-- on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride-- which is the first ride we went on during our first official date together. We were married 19 months later on August 4, 2001.

Right out of high school I went to California State University, Fullerton and four years later I had earned a bachelor's of art degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. My first job was a ride operator at Disneyland on It's a Small World and the Matterhorn! I loved working there and got to meet a lot of famous people! Once I graduated from Cal State Fullerton I took a job with ABC television network in their primetime department and did PR for shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Spin City and Two Guys and a Girl. It was a fun gig, but driving to Los Angeles took its toll on this OC girl! So I worked at some local Orange County public relations agencies.

In 2004, the baby itch came and DH and I decided that it was time to start trying. I had ovulation issues so after six unsuccessful months I was put on Clomid. After our second round I got news that I was pregnant. At 7 weeks we had an u/s to determine "how many" and even though I knew there was a chance of twins I was still shocked when I found out there was two in there! I think I cried for 2 weeks straight!! My entire pregnancy was actually a breeze. No issues or complications. I made it to 36 weeks 1 day. I woke up that morning stood up and BAM-- the gush came. That night I delivered two healthy babies vaginally with an epidural that never took!!! I still am amazed that I did that!! They have been the light of our lives since they were born and I would love to have one more.

I was able to stay home with the babies for 10 months, but then had to return back to work. I currently work for a technology company in their PR department. I love what I do, but long to be home full-time. Maybe in the near future! We are fortunate to have our parents watch the kids for us.

So I guess this is me in a nutshell-- settled into our little life with 3 year-olds, working and enjoying time together as a family in beautiful California.

Some tidbits:
*My favorite color is red.
*I was a cheerleader in high school.
*I attended prom all four years in high school.
*I once stood about five-feet away from four-living presidents-- Nixon, Carter, Reagan and Bush Sr.
*I lived at home up until I got married.
*The most beautiful place on earth IMO is Tahiti, where DH and I vacationed for our honeymoon.
*I have watched Pretty Women over 500 times!
*I LOVE People magazine. Literally can't wait to get to the mailbox on the day it comes!
*I will have known DH half my life next year!
*I love to travel and take vacations.
*I have attended Game 7 of a World Series. (2002 between the Angels and the Giants)

Okay, I nominate... melissao!

 

QUOTE(FirstTimeMom814 @ Aug 11 2008, 04:57 PM) [snapback]924437[/snapback]
Odds and ends about me:
-I love romantic comedies and I could probably watch any wedding themed movie.
-I'm a total sap. I'm terrible at goodbyes.
-I'm a geek and I love gadgets and computers.
-There's only one kind of football for me...GATOR football.
-I'm a total girly-girl, I don't like bugs or critters.
-I love playing video games, in fact I was playing Metroid Prime in between contractions the day that my labor started. Of course now with the kids all that is limited.
-I read every night before going to bed. I've always had a love for books from a very young age.


This is a great idea! I love romantic comedies as well and will see anything that is about a wedding!

 

Thanks Nicole

I'm not sure I'm very interesting, but here is goes!

I'm originally from Philadelphia, PA and I'm one of 6 kids, 5 girls and 1 boy. There are two sets of twins in my family. I have an identical twin sister and I also have a brother and sister who are twins. We're all over the country now! Alot of my extended family still lives in Philly though.

I went to boarding school in Mercersburg, PA for high school. It was about 45 minutes away from home. I played soccer, squash and field hockey. I spent two years abroad during/after high school. One year in Spain and another year in England. Living abroad gave me the travel bug and I decided I wanted a job that would allow me to live all over the world. I went to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and I was in the School of Hotel Administration. I majored in marketing and worked as a teaching assistant in Human Resources and Business Communications.

I met DH at Cornell. We lived on the same floor of our freshman dorm. We didn't start dating until the next year though when we lived in our fraternity/sorority houses. His fraternity was across the street from my sorority house and we started going out to dinner together on the weekends. We dated for 3 years before we got engaged. I was actually going to go work for the Marriott Corporation at the World Trade Center property, but when we got engaged I decided to take a job closer to Nate. He always wanted to come home to WV to work for his family business. He's a civil engineer and his family owns a company that specializes in bridge and heavy highway construction. So we got married and moved to WV! It's a nice place to live and raise kids, but not the international destination I envisioned - LOL! Pre-kids I worked for a local country club as their event planner and membership manager. I am a stay at home mom now, but I still do some event planning on the side. I'm currently planning a big fund raiser for the local University that is going to be hosted by Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck (she is a Charleston native!). We were married for 4 years when A&C were born. It was a difficult pregnancy with an extended hospital stay on magnesium sulfate, but they were worth it They will be 4 in October and Elizabeth is 15 months. She has been such an EASY baby compared to the twins! Life is busy, but I am enjoying it!

We bought our house from my inlaws when they decided to move. So we live in the house that DH grew up in! So he's lived here almost his whole life except for the two years after we got married. We just celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary last week on August 5th (a day after Nicole!). Our house was built in 1938 and it is an ongoing project for us! The plumbing is all starting to go bad on us, so we are currently working on turning our 5th bedroom into an expanded master bath/walk in closet. It is a daunting project!

I think that's it! Some interesting (or not so) facts about me... hmmm...

-I'm very cluttered, but I can always tell you what stack something is in. It drives my super-organized engineer DH crazy!
- I love pink and like to wear lots of bright colors. I own alot of Lilly Pulitzer. I also have TOO MUCH fun dressing up my kids! LOL.
-I hate massages
-I love to travel. My favorite trip was our trip to Italy before we tried to have Catherine and Andrew. I can't wait to go back.
- I'm a really FAST reader and can burn through books. I'm currently working on a stack of Jodi Piccoult novels that one of my sisters left behind at my mom's house!
- I don't follow any sports, but try to keep up with WV football when it's going on even though I don't understand football!

ETA - I'll nominate Diane (Dfaut) - I don't think I've seen her on here yet!

 

:hug99: Thanks Melissa! I guess you figured since I am on vacation I have nothing but time to talk about myself huh?

:wavey: Um, Like. Hi. I'm. Like. Diane. (if you speak valley....)

Well, I am an OLDIE but GOODIE or so I like to think. I am a goofy person and like to cut up. I like talking to Trish because she laughs VERY easily and it makes me feel like I am actually funny!!

I was adopted at birth and came home to my parents when I was a week old. I grew up in Reno and lived in Germany (Berlin) for 5 years. My father was an airline pilot. It shaped my love of travel! I was fortunate to see a lot of wonderful places growing up. I traveled for the better part of a year after college.

I went to Sierra College and then Cal. State Univ. Sacramento where I earned my BA in Organizational Communication. (Should have gone Nicole's route and done PR!!)

I've been on the site for about 4 yrs. now and a mod also for 3. I joined when I found out it was TWINS!!! (IVF - 2 viable 5 day embies) We had a fairly easy pregnancy with regards to scares etc., but I was :bad: SICK SICK SICK for the WHOLE ENTIRE THING!!! I was on Zofran the WHOLE time and every time they took me off, I was back on again with in hours. I had wicked heartburn as well. (You'll see me in expecting about those issues!)

Ali and Martin were forced out at 36 weeks 2 days. Ali spent 11 days in the NICU because she had fluid in her lungs and was "singing". She had a CPAP for a while and a feeding tube, then she was under the bili-lights etc...we were VERY fortunate she was only there for 11 days!

I met my hubby 10 years ago this past June and we've been married almost 7 yrs. (Sept. 1) we were on a cruise in Hawaii when 9-11 hit. It was surreal and awful. Jim had been traveling back and forth to Boston for A YEAR when that happened. We started our honeymoon in NYC looking out our hotel window at the twin towers and ONE WEEK LATER THEY WERE GONE!!! :icon_eek: Truly shocking when a week before we were standing there looking at them.

Ok...back to happy times!

Jim and I enjoy traveling and the kids are very good travelers so far! We are in RENO now, going to TX for Thanksgiving and Hawaii for Christmas and New Years! It's going to be a busy fall and winter!! (I am going to impose myself and the kids on Trish in Austin!!!)

Anyone who has paid attention over the last 4 yrs. would tell you that I am a die hard tennis player and fan!! TENNIS MY CRACK!!! :icon_eek:

I think this is getting long, so in order to not lose the audience here....I'll move on to tidbits....

* I love chocolate and hate coconut
* I have a bichon frise named Divot
* Not having more kids
* Have met my birthmother
* Drive a green SUV
* Favorite color is purple
* had 2 men stand on my side of my wedding
* I used to work for one of the owners of the Colorado Rockies (the only FEMALE owner)
* I'm blonde and have a great body er... personality
* I've met a bunch of TS'ers!

I nominate JUJ!!!!

 

Diane, my sister Meredith was married Sept. 1, 2001 and was stuck on her honeymoon too!

 

QUOTE
I am a goofy person and like to cut up. I like talking to Trish because she laughs VERY easily and it makes me feel like I am actually funny!!


:rofl: That is hilarious! I love Trish for the same reason...she makes a great audience and does wonders for the ego!!! :rofl:

 

QUOTE(twoin2005 @ Aug 12 2008, 12:04 AM) [snapback]925664[/snapback]
:rofl: That is hilarious! I love Trish for the same reason...she makes a great audience and does wonders for the ego!!! :rofl:


You guys are too funny! Seriously!! :laughing:

 

Oh Diane! No one wants to read about me. Everyone will be sleeping by the end. And I’m going to cheat and steal my info from what I posted in our beloved Buddy Club.


I am 41 years old. I live in the same town that I grew up in.
I have two older brothers (born on the same day 2 years apart) and one younger sister.
I bought the house next to my parents. My in-laws live on the same street also.

Adult life!
How did you meet your DH? I have known my DH practically all my life. We grew up on the same street. He is older than me and he was always one of the “big kids” on the block. We got to know each other when we would both go and watch his sister (www.Lori McKenna.com) perform locally. She was just starting out and would perform at local bars and coffee houses.

We got married May 5, 2001 in a Universalist Church . DH was divorced and needed to get that marriage annulled for the Catholic Church to marry us but we didn’t want to wait for that.

I am a SAHM. In my previous life, I was a Branch Coordinator for an insurance and they went belly up due to 9/11 and poor investments. DH is a Building Manager for an adhesive company. His brother started the company in the basement of their family house. The brother sold the company a few years ago to Henkel/Locktite (a worldwide adhesive company). DH still works there but the future of the company is a little shaky right now. He also does some side work that is too small for his full time company to handle. I often help out with those jobs.

Hobbies: I don’t have a crafty bone in my body but I do love doing work in the yard.
He loves motorcycles. He is currently restoring a 1948 Indian motorcycle now.

My favorite vacation would have to be our honeymoon. We went to Turks/Caicos and a second runner up would be Cleveland, OH. DH & I went there to see his sister open up for Faith Hill & Tim McGraw.

Here come the kids!
Was your pregnancy planned or a surprise? Planned. We went through 2 IUIs and 4 IVFs. Dh is a cancer survivor and thankfully “banked his friends” before going through chemo (2 rounds of chemo!).
How did you react when you found out you were expecting twins? Excited, overwhelmed, lucky. Even with the assistance that we had, we were still quite surprised.
Who was the first person you told? My Parents. We went for our 1st u/s. DH noticed the second sac before the tech pointed it out to us. Our clinic gave us a pregnancy journal to record our adventure. We went straight to my parent‘s house to tell them the news. I walked in with the journal and showed it to my parent‘s. They thought it was really sweet that the clinic gave us a journal. I told them that they should have given us “two journals.” My Mom looked a little confused and started to cry. My Dad didn‘t get it at first but cried also when I told him I was having twins. I think I‘ve seen my Dad cry twice in my entire life.
Did you find out the sexes beforehand? No, neither one of us wanted to know. I could have sworn I was having two girls. I knew Richie was kinda hoping for a boy although he would never had said so. I had a c-section as Katherine was breech. I actually thought about trying to deliver naturally but then we found out that they were linked together. Kinda like a barrel of monkeys - their elbows and/or knees were linked together and there was no way I was having them naturally when I found that out! Katherine arrived first and was crying so loud that I couldn’t hear them say Michael was a boy. I kept asking what the baby was. When I looked in Richie’s eyes, I knew the second baby was a boy.
Why did you choose the names you chose? Richie always loved the name Michael so we decided that if we were to have a boy, his name would be Michael. Katherine was actually called Michael’s sister for the 1st 12 hours of her life. We had some names picked out but none seemed to fit her when we saw her. Then “Katherine” popped into my head and we both loved it.
Do you want more kids? No. I couldn’t go through another IVF and our ages are also a factor. Richie thinks he‘ll be mistaken for K&M‘s Grandfather on their first day of kindergarten!
What has been the hardest thing about raising twins in your opinion? I honestly have nothing to compare it to. I didn’t realize it at the time but I’m pretty sure I suffered from depression during the first few months. I guess my friends, sister and Mom were all concerned. When I look back, I wish I enjoy them more during their first months. It is not that I didn’t enjoy them. I guess I wish I enjoyed them more and wasn’t so wrapped up in schedules and trying to do the right thing.


I watch almost every Patriots football game with my Dad.
I’ve hung out with Faith Hill & Tim McGraw.
I’ve “talked twins” with James Taylor. He has twin boys.
I saw Steven Tyler drive by when we were on vacation a few weeks ago.
I have always lived on the same street.
I was born on my grandparent’s anniversary. K&M were born on their grandparent’s (my parent’s) anniversary.
I don’t have a passport.
I have never been to Europe.


I nominate Misty! (Babytimes2).

 

QUOTE(ABCKids @ Aug 11 2008, 03:13 PM) [snapback]924176[/snapback]
Hey...you are a lot more interesting than you let on!!! BTW...where are you from....I am from small town in southwestern PA too and went to small college near Pittsburgh...Just wondering where you are from....


I grew up in West Newton, PA. My family still lives in Westmoreland County, but they are in the Greensburg and Latrobe Areas now. I went to Robert Morris College (now University) in Moon Township from 1992-1996.

What about you?

 

QUOTE(sunshinetwins @ Aug 12 2008, 10:04 AM) [snapback]925958[/snapback]
I grew up in West Newton, PA. My family still lives in Westmoreland County, but they are in the Greensburg and Latrobe Areas now. I went to Robert Morris College (now University) in Moon Township from 1992-1996.

What about you?


Wow...way too cool. I am from Apollo...went to Kiski Area High School...you should know where that is if you are from Greenburg/New Stanton area. I, too, went to RMC...now RMU from 1990-1995. I still now live in Westmoreland County. I know where West Newton is...my father worked for 35 years at the Westinghouse in that area.

We are already planning our Schramms trip to the pumpkin patch....did you ever go there?

I went to RMU in Moon twp and lived there all 5 years...including my last two summers.

 

My mom lives in Bedford, PA - not too far from you other SW PA gals!

 

QUOTE(melissao @ Aug 12 2008, 11:01 AM) [snapback]926092[/snapback]
My mom lives in Bedford, PA - not too far from you other SW PA gals!


That is not far at all. If any of you ever come visit these parts..we should get together!!!

 

QUOTE(mandylouwho @ Jul 31 2008, 07:20 PM) [snapback]907413[/snapback]
No, I have not seen Jon Bon Jovi in concert, and NO ONE that lives in this state pronounces it JOISEY.


As a broke 19 year old, I used to pose nude for photographers workshops in mansions around NJ. I have some really amazing shots and a beautiful portfolio. They were legally bound not to sell them by contract. I was asked to model for a photo shoot for playboy. A spread of "unknown girls next door" posing on harly's. It was down to 10 girls and they only took three. I didnt make the cut. If I did, I would have been flown to Hawaii for 2 weeks.

Im a avid ghost hunter and researcher of the paranormal. I have been to several haunted gravesites, homes, historic landmarks, etc.

I have a borderline unhealthy obsession for the following:

Billy Joel


I love cars...mostly muscle cars from the 60's and 70's. If I had one car to own, it would be a 63 Corvette split Window, Riverside red and white walls. Not to race. Just to sit at home and "Rub it with a diaper" (Cmon Jenny).

I am studying at the University Of Massachusetts for my BA in English and Art. I wish to get my masters at the University of Lampeter in Wales so I can teach Celtic History. I am currently learning the Celtic Language. I have been to Ireland, and would live there if I could afford a second home.

I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 15. My house burned to the ground when I was 8. My parents designed a new home and we lived in it until I was 18. Its currently up for sale, and me and my family get to go see it Saturday!

I am writing a childrens book. I paint Childrens Murals.

I am a brown belt...


Wow Mandy! I went back to find your info because I confess, I hadn't read the whole thing and wanted to make sure you had to answer as well!!

I, too am a DIE HARD Billy Joel fan. Unlike you, I saw Bon Jovi on the Slippery when Wet Tour!!! Sorry, I was a 80's girl in a 80's world kwim?! Had to brag!!!

The Playboy thing would have been really interesting! Too bad that didn't pan out for you.

My Dad owned a 62 convertible corvette! We just went to Hot August Nights here in Reno and there were a BUNCH of 63's....

You have had a very interesting and definitely NON-DULL life. I found that very interesting to read about you!! You have a lot of stuff to accomplish, so you better get crackin' girl!! :girl_devil:

 

Thanks, Julie! I'm sorry it took me so long to respond. :blush: My dad had knee replacement surgery this week so I've been at the hospital every day. I hope I can live up to everyone's expectations because I lead a really boring life!

I'm Misty. I'm 35 and I'm a part-time special education teacher. Camden and Slaton are 4 years old, going on 13 it seems. I have one brother who is 6 years older than me.

I met DH in college. I saw him on campus and was immediately attracted to him. When we finally got up enough courage to speak to each other, we hit it off immediately. The day we met we left without exchanging phone numbers. Before I left campus that day, I stopped by his pickup, pulled a deposit slip out of my checkbook, circled my phone number and wrote "Call me!" on it and stuck it under his windshield wiper. He called me that same night. He took me to a drive-in movie and to Sonic on our first date. And can you believe I still married him? :laughing: In his defense I lived in a small town so after the movie was over the only two places that were open to eat were Sonic and McDonald's. We celebrated our 13 year anniversary in February. :wub: I love him to death, but some days I wonder where I could hide his body if I killed him.

Let's see...here are some random facts about me:

- We have 3 pets...all rescues...a 6 year old Golden Retriever named Cooper 2 cats named Jack and Jill.
- Speaking of rescues...I'm a HUGE advocate. I will get on my soapbox about it if given the opportunity.
- I have a phobia of sharks. I've only been in the ocean once because of it. However, I am strangely addicted to shark movies and I love Shark Week.
- I broke my arms three times when I was a young child so I never learned how to ride a bike.
- I love the smell of coffee but can't stand the taste.
- Public restrooms give me the heebs.
- I've recently lost 25 pounds.
- I have a very broad range of musical interests. I like rock, country, folk, rap, hip hop, classical...you name it. I'm a big Bon Jovi and Lori McKenna (ahem...Julie!) fan.
- I'm very much a t-shirt and jeans girl - in the summer you will always catch me in a pair of shorts, t-shirt and flip flops.
- Oh, and speaking of flip flops...I'm addicted to them. Especially Reef and Yellow Box.
- My brother is my hero. He's a single dad to three great kids. I only hope that I can be half the parent that he is.
- Dr Pepper - enough said.
- I am making little changes in our lives so that we can become more green.
- I recently started feeling the need to do some volunteer work in our community. I'm checking into possibilities now.

I think that's about it. Thanks again for nominating me, Julie! :hug99:

I nominate Gini (4lilmonkeys)!

 

Thanks Misty!

I'm so terrible with these things! I either can't come up with anything or end up rambling on for pages because I can't stop thinking of stuff to talk about. Let's see...obviously I'm Gini, short for Virginia. Nobody can ever pronounce my name right, so I've pretty much given up trying. But, for those who actually care it's GIN-EE. I absolutely hate my name and have yet to meet a single person under the age of 87 with that name. So, ladies...don't do this to your daughters, okay?

Anyway, I'm 28 but will be 29 on October 29th. Close enough to Halloween to be considered "evil" by the Baptist minister that lived across the street from us growing up. And yes, I'm serious. I'm a SAHM to four fantastic boys and have been married for almost nine years. We've lived here in College Station for almost five years and I really love it, even with the 40,000+ Texas A&M students.

I was born in Fairfield, California at Travis Air Force Base. My dad was in the Navy at the time, so we only stayed in California for just a little while before moving to North Carolina. From there, we moved all up and down the east coast. Maryland, South Carolina, and Connecticut mostly. When I was three, my mother decided she didn't want to be married anymore, packed up her things and left me in our apartment alone for my dad to find when I got home. I vividly remember this, and it's always been something that's been hard for me to get through.

My dad and I moved to Augusta, Georgia and he married my step-mom. My brother was born in May of 1986. We lived there until 1987 and then moved to Mystic, Connecticut to this really beautiful sea captain's home that was built in 1774. That was pretty cool! Oh, they also filmed the movie Mystic Pizza while we lived there! After that, we moved to Cleburne, Texas and stayed there until 1994 when we moved to Fort Worth.

In high school, I was the Opinions Editor for our school paper. That landed me in hot water though, when I wrote a commentary on a very hot topic and the parents had a hissy fit. I ended up having to write an apology and apologize at board meeting in front of the Superintendent. I won an award for it, though.

I moved out of my parents house shortly after graduating and spent about a year working as a hostess at a seafood restaurant, while living with some friends and taking classes at Texas Christian University. It was the time of my life!

In February of 1999, my roommate decided it was time to get married. We parted ways on bad terms (told her it was a bad idea, she disagreed, they are now divorced and we're still friends) and I moved back home, broke up with my low-life, dead-beat boyfriend and got fired from my job.

On the advice of a friend, I put a personal ad on AOL. I told myself that I just wanted to date around and have fun, and I did just that. One afternoon, I got an email with the most gorgeous picture attached. It was this guy, standing by a fountain in San Antonio and the second I saw it, my whole life and I what I wanted out of it flashed before my eyes. I knew I'd marry him. Jonathan and I met about two weeks later and it was instant chemistry. We had quite the whirlwind romance. We met March 17, 1999 and were engaged a month later.

Funny story...
The two of us have crossed paths before. Growing up, my grandparents would take us to Texas A&M football games. Back then, A&M still played TCU where Jonathan was a student and in the band. Before the games would start, my cousin and I would walk around Kyle Field, thinking we were pretty hot 12 year olds. :lol: We were making fun of the TCU band uniforms because they were this ridiculous purple with a purple feather on their hat. I walked by and said "nice hat" to one of the saxophone players. Years later, Jonathan relays this story to me and how he never forgot about that girl because while it was so annoying, there was something about her that kept him thinking about it.

In June of 1999, I got pregnant with our oldest son, Andrew. I remember the night we found out and how scared I was. At the time, he was 25 and I was 19 and I just knew my life was over. Stories like this never end well and I was prepared to be a single parent. I don't think I realized then just how much he loved me. We got married, as planned, in November and Andrew was born in February via emergency c-section and about 3 weeks early. His due date was March 17th, a year to the day that Jonathan and I met.

That first year was really rough. We packed up and moved from Fort Worth to Southaven, Mississippi (just outside of Memphis), Jonathan's home town. We stayed there for three years...some of them good, some of them truly awful. When the opportunity arose for us to move back to Texas, we jumped at it and here we are!

We struggled with unexplained infertility for about five years. It was an incredibly difficult time for me, filled with lots of turmoil inside and out. In December of 2004, I had a miscarriage and was absolutely heartbroken. It was then that we decided Andrew was enough and we'd be happy no matter what. That summer, I gave away just about every baby item we had, finally content with our decision. In December of 2005, I got pregnant. Blake was born September 15th, via induced VBAC, an accomplishment I'm quite proud of. He was 9lbs 7oz and just perfect! We were thrilled!

Life was going smoothly. We were all very happy and had just celebrated Christmas with my in-law's in Memphis. In late January, I started feeling sick. I could barely get out of bed in the mornings and would just lay around all day with Blake, watching TV in bed. Friends would come over and I would fall asleep talking to them. I was overly emotional and having awful headaches. It wasn't until mid-February when I stopped being in denial and took a pregnancy test. It was positive. I called Jonathan and he about jumped through the phone, he was so excited!

My OB's office wouldn't see me until I was almost 14 weeks (their policy, which I think is stupid but that's another story). I went in, just hoping to hear a heartbeat and be done. We had sort of a "been there, done that" attitude about the pregnancy and just figured everything would be routine. She put the wand on my belly and immediately said "I think there's two in there!" Reese & Riley were born on September 20th, just five days after Blake turned one. And, that was only because I forced myself to wait until after his birthday!

Anyway, life has been completely nuts ever since. But, it's great! I love it and I wouldn't change having a big family for anything. Watching these boys grow up together has been an experience that I'll never forget. And we're only just beginning!

Random facts about me (and then I'll end this ridiculously boring and long ramble about me):

-I love to sing. I grew up listening to all type of music and would sing in the car with my dad. I sang at church a lot and in a couple of talent shows, but I have such an awful case of stage fright that I don't do it anymore.

-I'm very close to my parents. They're now divorced and my dad is remarried, but my step-mom raised me and she is my family. Her family took me in as their own and I'm still very close to them. I talk to my dad at least three times a week.

-Blake broke his leg over July 4th weekend and was in a Hip Spica cast for six weeks. It just came off on Wednesday and I can't tell you guys how thrilled I am to have him back! This is pretty much what it looked like.

-I'm a neat freak.

-I bite my nails. Bad.

-I'm usually incredibly opinionated, but have learned the very valuable lesson of walking away.

-I love to write, but don't have a ton of time for it these days. I also make greeting cards, but that's fallen by the wayside too.

-I'm an avid reader!

-I have a great sense of humor and can be quite snarky and sarcastic when I want to be.

-I never finished school. I might go back after the boys are older, but I might not.

-I talk to the TV, to the point of being annoying!

-I *love* baseball! I've been to most of the major ballparks, but would love to find a way to check the rest off my list, specifically Wrigley Field!

I guess that's it! Hope you're still awake!

I nominate Nancy (itsnancycozzi)!

 

QUOTE(Babytimes2 @ Aug 14 2008, 09:15 PM) [snapback]930936[/snapback]
- I have a very broad range of musical interests. I like rock, country, folk, rap, hip hop, classical...you name it. I'm a big Bon Jovi and Lori McKenna (ahem...Julie!) fan.


:FIFblush:

 

QUOTE(4lilmonkeys @ Aug 15 2008, 11:06 AM) [snapback]931707[/snapback]
I guess that's it! Hope you're still awake!


Still awake? I'm wanting to read some more about you. :lol:

Gini, your life could be a made-for-TV movie! What a great story about how you met your husband....both times!

 

QUOTE(ABCKids @ Aug 12 2008, 10:48 AM) [snapback]926060[/snapback]
Wow...way too cool. I am from Apollo...went to Kiski Area High School...you should know where that is if you are from Greenburg/New Stanton area. I, too, went to RMC...now RMU from 1990-1995. I still now live in Westmoreland County. I know where West Newton is...my father worked for 35 years at the Westinghouse in that area.

We are already planning our Schramms trip to the pumpkin patch....did you ever go there?

I went to RMU in Moon twp and lived there all 5 years...including my last two summers.


Just saw where you live ABCkids. We live in Greensburg. Going to the Schramm's pumpkin patch and Delmont apple festival are all on our "to-do" list every October.

~Debbi

 

QUOTE(4lilmonkeys @ Aug 15 2008, 11:06 AM) [snapback]931707[/snapback]
Thanks Misty!

-I'm usually incredibly opinionated, but have learned the very valuable lesson of walking away.


-I *love* baseball! I've been to most of the major ballparks, but would love to find a way to check the rest off my list, specifically Wrigley Field!


Great story. Have you been to PNC park in Pittsburgh yet? Beautiful field...if you ever come, you will have to let me know. We are taking the twins to their first game on Monday.

How have you learned to walk away??? That is a lesson I need to get better at teaching myself!!!

 

QUOTE(Debb-i @ Aug 15 2008, 05:10 PM) [snapback]932352[/snapback]
Just saw where you live ABCkids. We live in Greensburg. Going to the Schramm's pumpkin patch and Delmont apple festival are all on our "to-do" list every October.

~Debbi


Wow...that is cool...I didn't realize you are so close too. I live in Lower Burrell now. We love Schramms's, Soergels, Delmont Apple fest, the Ren Fest (we are going to the Renaissance Fest on Aug 30), and we also always go out to Penn's Colony..which is out my way.

Those are some of our favorite fall things to do. We will have to meet up sometime!!! We do try to go to the Seven Springs fall fest too if we get the chance.

 

QUOTE(ABCKids @ Aug 15 2008, 04:14 PM) [snapback]932361[/snapback]
Great story. Have you been to PNC park in Pittsburgh yet? Beautiful field...if you ever come, you will have to let me know. We are taking the twins to their first game on Monday.

How have you learned to walk away??? That is a lesson I need to get better at teaching myself!!!


No, not yet! I've been to Camden Yards several times, but that's the closest I've been.

For me, it's been a lot of little things. It's great to have an opinion, but it's knowing how to state it objectively and without prejudice that gets you a lot further with people. I've hurt people's feelings, had my feelings hurt, and have really made myself look bad in the past. I think some fights are completely worth it, others aren't.

The most valuable lesson that I learned regarding that was several years ago. I had a "friend" who was doing some really awful things to other people. I let it go for a while, and then one day she did something that really got to me. Instead of working it out, I vented about it on my blog. It went downhill from there when I found out she was reading it. I wasn't ugly, but I did let my opinionated side go on about it when I really should have let it go. It actually turned into quite a nightmare and I learned one really big lesson there. Or, two...don't talk about people on your (public) blog (DUH) and two, what you think about some situations really doesn't matter.

 

QUOTE(4lilmonkeys @ Aug 15 2008, 06:03 PM) [snapback]932412[/snapback]
No, not yet! I've been to Camden Yards several times, but that's the closest I've been.

For me, it's been a lot of little things. It's great to have an opinion, but it's knowing how to state it objectively and without prejudice that gets you a lot further with people. I've hurt people's feelings, had my feelings hurt, and have really made myself look bad in the past. I think some fights are completely worth it, others aren't.

The most valuable lesson that I learned regarding that was several years ago. I had a "friend" who was doing some really awful things to other people. I let it go for a while, and then one day she did something that really got to me. Instead of working it out, I vented about it on my blog. It went downhill from there when I found out she was reading it. I wasn't ugly, but I did let my opinionated side go on about it when I really should have let it go. It actually turned into quite a nightmare and I learned one really big lesson there. Or, two...don't talk about people on your (public) blog (DUH) and two, what you think about some situations really doesn't matter.



Camden Yards is my Camden's namesake.

Very good lessons. I will have to take some of that to heart. I have gotten a lot calmer in my old age, but I still like to open my mouth too much from time to time.

I guess the big one is what I think about some situations really doesn't matter. That is a good lesson to learn.