Operation Bubble Machine is a GO!!

Hey Matt, Lori, and Andrew....What is wrong with this picture? I'll give you two guesses.



Kristi and I got a little surprise this morning when Addyson went over to her diaper bag and pulled out a pair of plastic pliers and a wrench that belong to Andrew. We had dinner date with the Dyks last night (That post will come later) and I guess Addy decided that I wasn't moving fast enough in stealing Andrews bubble machine so she took matters into her own hands to get Operation Bubble Machine going or our daughter just showed us that she is a klepto....not good. I guess from now on we are going to have to check the diaper bag before heading out of any establishment but since we got them I'll just say this,

Hey Andrew we might have something you want. If you want them back we would be willing to trade for something....oh lets just say it makes bubbles!!

Tuomisto's come to visit!!

Yesterday Ryean-Marie, Kai, and Mayli stopped over to visit us. They dropped off a co-sleeper and some cloth that we will be able to use for the twins. They also brought some bagels and cupcakes...you can't beat that. Here is a picture of Addy and Mayli right before the Tupmisto clan had to take off.

Addy wasn't going to let Mayli go with out a hug first....

....and of course a kiss to go along with that hug!!

Kai also being the gentlemen he is wasn't going to leave either without kissing Addy on the cheek.
Thanks again Tuomisto family for letting us borrow your co-sleeper and stopping by you are welcome any time especially if you bring cup cakes and bagels.

Too Cute to Trot!!

All I can is, "My daughter has fashion!!" She loves to wear these star sunglasses. Sometimes she will even wear them upside down. Here she is with everything working for her....I mean the pajama's, the binky, the sun glasses, and don't forget the one mitten on the hand. I think the one mitten adds that final touch that was missing.




I think she gets the inspiration for these outfits from her mother.



"Hey guys...Just strolling along here...Man I look GOOD!!"



I'm almost considering turning her name into that show called, 'What Not To Wear' She could be there youngest contestant. Is that bad?

THIS JUST IN!!

Bemidji State University 4
Cornell 1

We are in the Frozen Four!! I can't believe it!! I'm wearing my BSU gear all week!!

Check out the article on ESPN's web site!!

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/

Take that Notre Dame!!

How proud am I to be a Beaver!! I want to let everyone know that the Bemidji State Beavers STUNNED the top-seeded Notre Dame last night by beating them 5-1 in the NCAA Hockey Midwest Regional.

They now play Cornell in the regional tonight. (SUNDAY) If they can beat them they will advance to the Frozen Four in Washington DC.



I read an article where the coach of Notre Dame had this quote;

"I don't know how many times I got asked this week, 'Who's Bemidji State?" "I think people know now."

Bemidji State has won 13 NAIA, Division II and Division III national titles but Notre Dame is the highest-ranked team Bemidji State has ever beaten.

This is a picture of them when they defeated Robert Moris 3-2 in OT to win the CHA championship and advance to the NCAA tournament.



I also read in the Star Tribune that Bemidji State has also applied to be accepted into the WCHA conference were they would play teams like the Minnesota Gophers and Saint Cloud State. That would be awesome.

I honestly will say that I don't get a chance to follow them as much as I would like so I really have no clue what there chances are against Conell but no matter what, "WELL DONE BEMIDJI!!"

I think we might need a license for this stroller.

Last week I thought I better get started on putting some of the stuff we have bought for the twins together. My whole side of the garage is filled with cribs, dressers, and shelves and at this rate I will never get it all done. I grabbed my little helper again, since she did so well with helping me with the garbage disposal.

I thought I would start with the stroller. We got the Kolcraft tandem stroller. We thought we would go with the tandem because we were afraid that if we did a side by side it would take up the whole aisle at the grocery story or it would be to wide in the shops at the mall.

Here Addy and I are double checking all the pieces to make sure they are all counted for before getting started.

I would like everyone to know that Kristi was very proud of me because no swear words used during this project. I can honestly say it went a lot smoother then the garbage disposal.


Here is the finished project. Isn't it HUGE!! Our new car seat matches the original color of the stroller but the old one isn't as nice but there is no room in the budget to get another one so the old one will just have to do.


We actually bought a double snap-in-go but we decided to returned it because we got a great deal on this stroller and it comes with these extra seats so the twins can use it for a lot longer. All the reviews we saw were great. The only bad thing that we read about is that it is heavy and I do agree with them but there are so many more pro's then con's so we went with this one. I think the biggest thing we like is that the seats can face us, face each other, or face to the front. I guess the mood of the twins or the mood of the stroller operator will determine which way they will face.


Here is Addy taking the stroller for it's first test drive. I will say it again, it's HUGE but it's going to be nice and a lot of people in the reviews also LOVED the huge basket underneath. If you look close you can see her waving goodbye to me.


I thought she was going to stop after a couple of steps but OH NO!! Addy was on the move. I LOVED having her as my little helper and have no problem with her assisting me with any project. "Hey Addy...Watch out for the Explorer." The carpet on that dash is very EXPENSIVE. (That joke is for you Tim.)

Twins run in the family!!

I'm sure most of you know this but if you don't....twins run in the family. Kristi's dad, Jim is a twin. He had a twin sister named Carolyn. They were born on May 15, 1943 in Wenatchee, WA.

Kristi's mom brought over some picture albums this week so we could take a trip back in time. I absolutely LOVE this picture. We think Jim is the one on the right and Carolyn is the one on the left.



Jim and Carolyn were born to Genevieve & Claude Pair. Jim's dad was in the Navy and his mother was a stay at home wife. After the twins were born they picked up and moved to Pullman, WA so Genevieve could stay with Claude's parents while he was away in the service.

Here are Jim's Grandparents, James and Jenny holding their grandchildren back in October of 1943.


According to Karen (Kristi's mom) Genevieve was shorter then Kristi, it's almost hard to believe. When I heard that all I could think is, "HOW DID SHE DO IT?" It would be fun to just sit down and talk to her to see what it was like for her and what it was like back then compared to now days. Carolyn was 6lbs when she was born and Jim was 6lbs 1 oz.


This story does have a sad ending. Carolyn ended up getting pneumonia at the age of 10 months and passed away shortly after on March 2, 1944. Genevieve never really talked about Carolyn after she died. I couldn't even imagine how hard it must of been.

This picture was taken back in 1944.

Besides Jim and Carolyn being twins Kristi's great aunt was also a twin. Thelma still lives in Wenatchee and Elma passed away a few years ago. If your curious I have no set of twins on my side of the family so this was all Kristi.

35 weeks down 2.5 to go!

What a journey it's been so far, 35 weeks and counting. We are so glad that we made it to this point, but we are hoping we can just hold on for just two more weeks. I'm thinking that it shouldn't be a problem since this pregnancy has been smooth sailing so far. (YES I'M BEING SARCASTIC WHEN I SAY THAT!) Our main focus right now is to make it to the 36 week mark, and then we will take it one day at a time and just hope for the best.

As you can see, it takes a Kristi a little longer to get off the couch or off the bed. She's hanging in there, but I can tell she's at the point that nothing is easy anymore.


At our last appointment we found out that Baby A (Easton) and Baby B (Owen) are both at 4lbs 9 oz. After the measurements Easton is in the 20 percentile and Owen is in the 18 percentile. I think the doctor said it right when she told Krisiti that, "Your just BABY, BABY, BABY."

They told us that the twins on average should gain about a 1/2 a pound a week which will put them around 6lbs each on their due date. The doctor also told us that both boys are practicing their breathing and that they look good and are doing well. The doctor also had some other great quotes that I just had to add...

She told us, "There's a bottom right there and a head right there but I don't think it's part of the same one."

"Just a cozy little house." BOY DID SHE GET THAT ONE RIGHT!!



******WARNING....BARE BELLY PICTURE BELOW**********

Climbing

I think Kristi and I might have a little mountain goat on our hands because Addy now loves to climb up or onto everything. She doesn't only climb up objects but she will also go and grab any of our stepping stools, carry them to where she needs it and then use that to get up and get the item she needs or wants. We've caught her grabbing my wallet, keys, cell phone and everything else off the counter tops. After she grabs whatever she wants she'll start playing with it or taking everything out of it....I guess right there is proof that I did NOT teach her this because the only other person that goes through my wallet and grabs my credit cards and cash is her mother. Thanks for teaching her this honey!!

"Hey Dad....Mom was on the couch so I just thought I would climb up my stroller and grab the toys I needed...That's not a problem is it?" I am still not exactly sure how she pulled this one off because I'm guessing at her size it wouldn't be the easiest thing to do but some how she found a way.

Another thing she likes to do on occasion is when we open the fridge door she will muscle her way by us, step onto the little landing and take a look. It's kind of hard not to laugh really.


"Hey guys I love you but you guys really need to get a better selection of kids food in here...this is ridiculous."

My Little Helper

A couple of weeks ago I get a call from Kristi telling me that something was leaking from under our sink. With a little investigating I found out that our garbage disposal was leaking from the bottom of it so I called "RG Plumbing Service." As in Ryan Gamradt's Plumbing Service....Watch out David I might just branch out and take the Puget Sound by storm. Here I am taking out the old leaking disposal.


Here Addy and I are talking about what we need to do next. Every professional plumber needs a head light and a Supervisor so far I'm 2 for 2.

No....I did not shower before coming to work but when the quality of work is this good who needs to shower.

Here is the finished project. The new disposal works GREAT and so far no leaks.....now all I need is to buy some advertising where it's a back of a bus but it looks like a back of a plumbing truck with me waving to everyone. Down goes Brooke's father-in-law and husband. Maybe I'll call my new business Flush Away... My slogan "When your stressed about your plumbing call Flush Away." Ok I'll keep working on my slogan.

I was reading this before Ryan posted it to the blog and I just wanted to add a little bit to it since I was on the couch while they were working. I just would like to say I hope the only thing Addy learned from this was how to change a garbage disposel and not any of the 4 letter words that Ryan repeatedly said or yelled during the whole process. All we need her to do is start shouting swear words.

What Else????

I think Kristi and I are pretty close to that point in this pregnancy where nothing will surprise us anymore. The latest thing we found out is that Kristi now has Bell's Palsy. On Thursday she had a tingle in her tongue but really didn't think much of but then on Friday her whole left side of her face didn't move. Thanks to Julianne she thought it might be Bell's Palsy. We did a little research on the internet and came to the assumption that yes she was probably right, on Monday it was confirmed by the doctor. What it Bell's Palsy?

It's a sudden weakness of one side of the face. It's attributed to the inflammation of the facial nerve. The direct cause is not usually known but it does happen to women who are in there third trimester and to people that have diabetes or upper respirator aliments.

In Kristi's case her paralysis is on the left side of her face. When she smiles only her right side goes up. She can not shut her left eye completely so she does have to wear a patch while she sleeps so the dust and other particles don't do any damage.

The doctor gave her a steroid and antiviral to start the healing process. I guess in most cases people begin recovery in 2-3 weeks with 70-80% of people showing complete recovery in 2-3 months. There is a 10% recurrence rate but we hope that we are in the other 90%. Kristi is being a trooper throughout the whole thing but at the same time I know it's difficult.

We were going to post some pictures of her but decided it just looked to BAD to post!! We are in the final stretch and it's only a matter of time before Easton and Owen are here but stay tuned because how things are going anything can happen.

Yogurt...Yummy

I think it's safe to say Addy has a new favorite side dish...IT'S YOGURT! When you give it to her she just chows down but the funny thing is she prefers eating it without a spoon. We give her a spoon she just takes it out, puts it aside, and starts eating it with her fingers. I have to say it's very entertaining just sitting there and watching her. It's hard to see but if you look closely you can see the yogurt all over her face.


Here's a little closer picture of Addy just saying....hey...just enjoying my breakfast.

MOM...MORE YOGURT PLEASE!! Who needs toast when you have yogurt.

Fondue

Back in January Kristi and I decided for our 4th wedding anniversary that we would go to the melting pot. (Special thanks to the GREAT gift cards we got from Julianne) Overall it was a spectacular time!! It took two hours to eat, which we thought was a little long and something we are not use to but the food was good and the desert was to DIE for. In fact the desert was so good we went searching in our garage for our fondue thing-ma-jig which we got as a wedding gift so we could attempt making a desert close to what we had that night.

We started by making some brownies, cutting up some banana's and strawberries then melted the chocolate. Here are the goodies that we dipped. It took us a little while to come up with the idea that we should blog about this, hence that's why the plate is already empty.

We melted the Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips mixed with heavy whip cream and let me tell you what it came out a lot better then what I thought it would. It isn't the healthiest desert but it was a lot of fun to do. It was so good there came a point where you just had to turn around and walk away because if you didn't you were just going to start drinking the stuff right out of the can. In fact it was so good that it might be worth the 3 degree burns from putting your lips against the can.

Here is Kristi and her mom enjoying a bite of desert. Sorry our house is a mess, I blame Addy. A game of basketball anyone?

Baby Shower

Last night a group of our friends held a baby/twins shower for Kristi, Addy, and I. It's always nice when we get a chance to hang out with them, have some dinner, and chit-chat but I'm not going to lie it's even sweeter when they bring US gifts. Brooke planned the party while the Dyks hosted it where we were greeted with a scary but exciting reality. 5 Gamradts...oh boy!!

Here is a picture of the whole gang kicking back a few beverages except for the pregnant ladies of course. I guess I also have to be put in that group..I'm such a women. If you look at the top of the picture you can see that Lori even hung purple and white streamers in honor of the Minnesota Vikings. I'm guessing she didn't even realize that she did it but the fact that she did it speaks volumes!! Lori I make you an honorary Viking Fan!! Now let me hear you say, "Go VIKES!!"

oh no....we are not in this alone. Lori and Matt are also expecting. Lori is close to 26 weeks pregnant and as you know Kristi is close to 33 weeks. This will be Matt and Lori's 2nd child where Andrew will be having a younger brother.

Besides them not being apes this kind of reminds me of that evolution poster. Leslie is 14 weeks pregnant and her and Michael are hoping to find out the sex of their child on April 3rd. If you think about it if they have a boy we are only one child away of a hockey team.

Now to the gifts. We got these great onsies with the boys names on them. Now we will be able to tell them apart if they happen to look like each other.

If the onsies with there names happen to get dirty after a week then we will able to put the onsies with their initials on them to fill that gap.

I know they are hard to read but these shirts say, "Totally Cuter Than Daddy." ain't that the truth!! There not even born and I can tell you already that they will be better looking then me. One shirt came with a pair of blue pants and the other came with a pair of green pants. Kristi and I have decided that the twins will ALWAYS be dressed a like, not only will they be dressed a like but Addy will be wearing the same outfit just a different size. (J/K)

If I had to guess I would say that about 95% of the time they will be dressed differently, the only time they will be dressed a like is when it comes to my benefit. (KIDDING AGAIN)

Thanks to everyone that was able to make it and thanks so much for the diapers and adorable outfits. In fact it was so nice I can't wait to do it again in 18 months when we are pregnant with triplets....WHAT AM I SAYING!! WE ARE DONE!!