The Life and Times of the Sturtevant Family
Sturtevant Twins
Off To The Races
Mid-December kicks off birthday season for us. Most of Bettie and Quade's friends have their birthdays within the next few months so we will be doing lots of partying!
Their friend Ryan had a relay race birthday party with a real track coach and everything. Bettie and Quade have zero exposure to track and field events or sports of any kind, but they sure did love it!
Here are the 3 year olds (and one brand new 4yr old) warming up
Bettie had a blast! I had no idea that she would love it so much. She did every single event. It was so much fun to watch her.
Quade insisted on wearing his Cal track suit because he wanted to be "Number 1". He was ready to win!
Bettie & Quade's first ever long jump. Quade was really good at it but jumped from too far back this time. Next time for sure! Bettie did more of a long hop but was very proud of herself nonetheless. I was very proud of both of them for trying something new and doing it with such gusto!
Quade's favorite event was the hurdles. He got to use his "big legs" to clear the hurdles. Look at him fly!
Their friend Ryan had a relay race birthday party with a real track coach and everything. Bettie and Quade have zero exposure to track and field events or sports of any kind, but they sure did love it!
Here are the 3 year olds (and one brand new 4yr old) warming up
Bettie had a blast! I had no idea that she would love it so much. She did every single event. It was so much fun to watch her.
Quade insisted on wearing his Cal track suit because he wanted to be "Number 1". He was ready to win!
Bettie & Quade's first ever long jump. Quade was really good at it but jumped from too far back this time. Next time for sure! Bettie did more of a long hop but was very proud of herself nonetheless. I was very proud of both of them for trying something new and doing it with such gusto!
Quade's favorite event was the hurdles. He got to use his "big legs" to clear the hurdles. Look at him fly!
Baby's 18 Week Ultrasound (photos)
Our ultrasound was all good news.
The ultrasound tech is certain that we have a Baby GIRL!!!
We are very excited but Quade insists that the baby is a boy. We kept telling him that he is having a baby sister and he kept saying that he is having a baby brother. We were going back and forth and his final response was priceless:
"I'm not going to argue. We will just have to wait and see when the baby comes out."
The baby's anatomy appears to be completely normal and she is still growing a few days ahead of schedule. She reminds me a lot of Bettie in that she has the same big tummy, super long legs and is very active just like Bettie was.
Baby is lying transverse, across my tummy and pressed right up against the placenta.
This was supposed to be our last ultrasound, but I don't want to go another 20+ weeks without seeing my baby again. I was so spoiled with the twins because I got to see them at least once a month and every week towards the end. When baby is bigger, we will probably get one of those fancy 3-D ultrasounds in the next month or two just like we did with Bettie and Quade. so.much.fun.
The ultrasound tech is certain that we have a Baby GIRL!!!
We are very excited but Quade insists that the baby is a boy. We kept telling him that he is having a baby sister and he kept saying that he is having a baby brother. We were going back and forth and his final response was priceless:
"I'm not going to argue. We will just have to wait and see when the baby comes out."
The baby's anatomy appears to be completely normal and she is still growing a few days ahead of schedule. She reminds me a lot of Bettie in that she has the same big tummy, super long legs and is very active just like Bettie was.
Baby is lying transverse, across my tummy and pressed right up against the placenta.
This was supposed to be our last ultrasound, but I don't want to go another 20+ weeks without seeing my baby again. I was so spoiled with the twins because I got to see them at least once a month and every week towards the end. When baby is bigger, we will probably get one of those fancy 3-D ultrasounds in the next month or two just like we did with Bettie and Quade. so.much.fun.
Kaiser Ultrasound Drama
Andy and I were so excited to see our baby again. The kids were so tired after a day at preschool and no naps and no lunch but were champs. Andy took time off work & met me at Kaiser. We check in and they tell us that we don't have an appointment. Wait...what?!
They said that somehow our appointment was moved to another Kaiser facility without our knowledge or consent. Oh and we had already missed said appointment. I had just confirmed my appointment at my facility with my doctors the day prior so I asked to see this information in writing. Of course, they would not provide it. I accessed my account online and lo and behold, the appointment that was there the day prior had been erased. There was no longer any record of it or of the other appointment I supposedly had. Very strange!
Long story short, the manager said that she couldn't fit us in until the end of January. Oh H-E-double hockey sticks No. In terms of prenatal screening, it is very important to have measurements taken within the next 2 weeks. Andy and I insisted that we weren't leaving until we got our ultrasound.
They agreed to have a tech work overtime and see us at 5pm. They were booked solid with techs working through lunches and breaks for the next month plus. Kaiser has so many members now and apparently not enough resources. The scan was rushed and we were distracted trying to keep B&Q quiet and out of trouble, but it was still great to see our baby and get the report.
They got the measurements they needed for the 2nd Trimester Screening results. I was "screen negative" for the common genetic conditions & birth defects. Great news!
We finally got our 18 week ultrasound and anatomy scan.
They said that somehow our appointment was moved to another Kaiser facility without our knowledge or consent. Oh and we had already missed said appointment. I had just confirmed my appointment at my facility with my doctors the day prior so I asked to see this information in writing. Of course, they would not provide it. I accessed my account online and lo and behold, the appointment that was there the day prior had been erased. There was no longer any record of it or of the other appointment I supposedly had. Very strange!
Long story short, the manager said that she couldn't fit us in until the end of January. Oh H-E-double hockey sticks No. In terms of prenatal screening, it is very important to have measurements taken within the next 2 weeks. Andy and I insisted that we weren't leaving until we got our ultrasound.
They agreed to have a tech work overtime and see us at 5pm. They were booked solid with techs working through lunches and breaks for the next month plus. Kaiser has so many members now and apparently not enough resources. The scan was rushed and we were distracted trying to keep B&Q quiet and out of trouble, but it was still great to see our baby and get the report.
They got the measurements they needed for the 2nd Trimester Screening results. I was "screen negative" for the common genetic conditions & birth defects. Great news!
We finally got our 18 week ultrasound and anatomy scan.
Fighting Irish
One of Nanny's lifelong dreams has been to take the whole family to a Notre Dame football game and she made it come true at this year's Notre Dame v. Stanford game. The whole family went to the game held at Stanford stadium except for Uncle Josh who was out of town.
We were all decked out in our Fighting Irish gear and had a lot of fun cheering on our team even though they lost miserably. This was the first football game we have been to as a family and the twins' first football game ever.
Andy walking Bettie and Quade in to the stadium
Our seats couldn't have been any better. I took this pic from my seat. Look at how close we were to the field! Sitting on the ND side of the stadium & being with fellow Fighting Irish fans was awesome.
Our first of many Notre Dame football games
One of the highlights was seeing Nanny cheering on her team with a giant "Erin Go Bragh" flag draped around her!
We were all decked out in our Fighting Irish gear and had a lot of fun cheering on our team even though they lost miserably. This was the first football game we have been to as a family and the twins' first football game ever.
Andy walking Bettie and Quade in to the stadium
Our seats couldn't have been any better. I took this pic from my seat. Look at how close we were to the field! Sitting on the ND side of the stadium & being with fellow Fighting Irish fans was awesome.
Our first of many Notre Dame football games
One of the highlights was seeing Nanny cheering on her team with a giant "Erin Go Bragh" flag draped around her!
December Fun
Bettie and Quade got a chance to play with all of their twin buddies. They have had the same group of twin friends since they were 6mos old. It's hard getting all of the kids together with different preschool schedules, dance classes, work, etc. but we all meet up at least once a year. Here they are, the 4 sets of fraternal twins born all within 2 mos of each other!
After reading "The Gingerbread Boy" book at school, Quade was begging me to make him gingerbread cookies with eyes, a mouth and buttons. I was having a really hard time finding a good GF gingerbread cookie recipe, so I hadn't made them yet.
The last straw was when, at school, the kids all made and ate gingerbread cookies and he couldn't have one because of the wheat flour and tears came to his eyes. It was the one thing he had been asking for. "Why do I have to be allergic to wheat?! Why can't I be allergic to something else like blackberries or something?" It was heartbreaking. I always find out what they will be cooking at school and make the same thing gluten-free for Quade so that he is not left out. This time, the cookies were not on the schedule and it took us by surprise.
As soon as we got home, I whipped up our favorite gluten-free sugar cookies and the kids made their own "gingerbread" boys and girls. They love cooking and helping in the kitchen and were so happy to make their own cookies.
They rolled the dough and cut out the shapes
After baking, we added buttons and faces with icing. They were just as good as gingerbread cookies and maybe even better because they were safe, tasty and made with love. Quade was finally satisfied that he got to have his "gingerbread boy". Andy was pretty happy too when he came home from work to a plate full of cookies!
Bettie and Quade got a wonderful package of goodies from Great Aunt Geraldine. I'm pretty sure that opening the box, pulling everything out and crumpling up the tissue paper were just as interesting as the contents themselves. For these 3yr olds, process > product.
There is so much I love about this photo: Andy reading to his princess, the way her head is resting against his, our well-loved copy of "On The Night You Were Born", and above all - Bettie's perfect little feet and toes.
After reading "The Gingerbread Boy" book at school, Quade was begging me to make him gingerbread cookies with eyes, a mouth and buttons. I was having a really hard time finding a good GF gingerbread cookie recipe, so I hadn't made them yet.
The last straw was when, at school, the kids all made and ate gingerbread cookies and he couldn't have one because of the wheat flour and tears came to his eyes. It was the one thing he had been asking for. "Why do I have to be allergic to wheat?! Why can't I be allergic to something else like blackberries or something?" It was heartbreaking. I always find out what they will be cooking at school and make the same thing gluten-free for Quade so that he is not left out. This time, the cookies were not on the schedule and it took us by surprise.
As soon as we got home, I whipped up our favorite gluten-free sugar cookies and the kids made their own "gingerbread" boys and girls. They love cooking and helping in the kitchen and were so happy to make their own cookies.
They rolled the dough and cut out the shapes
After baking, we added buttons and faces with icing. They were just as good as gingerbread cookies and maybe even better because they were safe, tasty and made with love. Quade was finally satisfied that he got to have his "gingerbread boy". Andy was pretty happy too when he came home from work to a plate full of cookies!
Bettie and Quade got a wonderful package of goodies from Great Aunt Geraldine. I'm pretty sure that opening the box, pulling everything out and crumpling up the tissue paper were just as interesting as the contents themselves. For these 3yr olds, process > product.
There is so much I love about this photo: Andy reading to his princess, the way her head is resting against his, our well-loved copy of "On The Night You Were Born", and above all - Bettie's perfect little feet and toes.
17 Weeks - Belly Photo
Here I am at 17 weeks and feeling fantastic. I love the 2nd trimester! Even though I was so tired and sick in the beginning, I am happy to have a new little life inside of me and I'm really enjoying this special time. I'm sad that it's going by so quickly because this is definitely our last baby and it's almost half over already. I'm also savoring these last few months with just Bettie & Quade. It's about to get a whole lot crazier around here and the precious, one-on-one time that we have now is going to be much harder to come by. That being said, we are really excited to welcome a new baby into our family. All four of us have so much love to give and I can't wait to see how our family of five blossoms.
I have another ultrasound next week where we will look at the baby's anatomy again, make sure baby's growth is on target and hopefully find out for certain if Baby #3 is a girl. I'm dying to go shopping
I have another ultrasound next week where we will look at the baby's anatomy again, make sure baby's growth is on target and hopefully find out for certain if Baby #3 is a girl. I'm dying to go shopping
A Day On The Farm
Today was Christmas Day at Ardenwood Farm which is an organic, historic farm in Fremont. We had the best time there!
Our trip started out with a train ride (I'm using the word "train" here very loosely) because we can't go anywhere without riding a train. Bettie & Quade still get terribly excited about riding trains.
The train took us through groves of eucalyptus trees where we saw over 1,000 monarch butterflies. This grove is one of their overwintering sites. The site of these butterflies was breathtaking!
What appeared to be clumps of dead leaves were actually clusters of hundreds of monarchs.
After the train ride, we listened to a live jazz band playing Christmas favorites and then the kids did a Christmas decoration craft. Bettie & Quade never used to like crafts, but now they love doing projects. I'm pretty happy about that!
We watched a real blacksmith at work. Predictably enough, the fire was the best part.
We bought hot dogs & chips (their only offerings) and ate a picnic lunch while listening to the music.
Afterwards, we watched a puppet show based on the Nutcracker. We saw our friend from school, Charlotte there and we all sat together. The puppet show was fantastic!
We, of course, had to visit all of the animals. Here are some of the better looking ones...
Isn't this peacock gorgeous?
Bettie was begging Andy for a horse drawn carriage ride, but at $40 a ride? I think not.
When I was tucking Quade into bed, he said, "Mama, I had the best day EVER. Thank you for taking me to the farm!" Of course, I just completely melted and told him that I had a wonderful time also.
I'm always probing for more information, so I asked him what parts of the day he enjoyed the most. His reply? "The Doritos you gave me at lunch"....Classic!
Our trip started out with a train ride (I'm using the word "train" here very loosely) because we can't go anywhere without riding a train. Bettie & Quade still get terribly excited about riding trains.
The train took us through groves of eucalyptus trees where we saw over 1,000 monarch butterflies. This grove is one of their overwintering sites. The site of these butterflies was breathtaking!
What appeared to be clumps of dead leaves were actually clusters of hundreds of monarchs.
After the train ride, we listened to a live jazz band playing Christmas favorites and then the kids did a Christmas decoration craft. Bettie & Quade never used to like crafts, but now they love doing projects. I'm pretty happy about that!
We watched a real blacksmith at work. Predictably enough, the fire was the best part.
We bought hot dogs & chips (their only offerings) and ate a picnic lunch while listening to the music.
Afterwards, we watched a puppet show based on the Nutcracker. We saw our friend from school, Charlotte there and we all sat together. The puppet show was fantastic!
We, of course, had to visit all of the animals. Here are some of the better looking ones...
Isn't this peacock gorgeous?
Bettie was begging Andy for a horse drawn carriage ride, but at $40 a ride? I think not.
When I was tucking Quade into bed, he said, "Mama, I had the best day EVER. Thank you for taking me to the farm!" Of course, I just completely melted and told him that I had a wonderful time also.
I'm always probing for more information, so I asked him what parts of the day he enjoyed the most. His reply? "The Doritos you gave me at lunch"....Classic!
Our Tree Lighting
Oh happy day! We anxiously await the day we put up our Christmas tree. Bettie and Quade enjoy placing (and endlessly rearranging) the ornaments. Andy and I like looking at the special ornaments that we get for the children each year.
Their 1st Christmas, their cousins Kaeli, Dayne, Carter and Lily made personalized ceramic star ornaments for Bettie and Quade. Their 2nd year, we took the gingerbread people from their Hansel/Gretel costumes and made them into ornaments. Bettie and Quade also made ornaments from their "Little People" animals since they loved playing with their Little People sets that year. This year, Bettie and Quade will be painting ornaments since they are both very interested in painting right now. We may also get a train ornament and a guitar ornament since those have been Bettie and Quade's passions this year.
Their 1st Christmas, their cousins Kaeli, Dayne, Carter and Lily made personalized ceramic star ornaments for Bettie and Quade. Their 2nd year, we took the gingerbread people from their Hansel/Gretel costumes and made them into ornaments. Bettie and Quade also made ornaments from their "Little People" animals since they loved playing with their Little People sets that year. This year, Bettie and Quade will be painting ornaments since they are both very interested in painting right now. We may also get a train ornament and a guitar ornament since those have been Bettie and Quade's passions this year.
The best part is when we are all done decorating, we turn off all of the lights and send the kids in to their room momentarily. When they come back in to the living room, the tree is fully lit & looking magical. The awe and wonderment in their eyes is precious!
Quade Loves School
Here are a few, long overdue photos of Quade at his nature school. Can you tell how much he loves it there? He goes to this school and also a structured, more traditional preschool but this is his favorite. Quade loves the outdoors, loves running and physical challenges but also loves being able to use his creativity here with the endless projects & crafts.
I am the "cooking mom" and am busy cooking gluten-free waffles for & with the entire class...outside! Cooking is a big part of the curriculum. Quade is the "cooking boy" and gets to ring the snack bell when it's time to eat. This is a very big deal. He is so proud.
enjoying the fruits of our labor
Quade is climbing up the hill by grabbing onto the roots of the tree...
and sliding down the backside of the hill on his bottom
Here is Quade riding his stick pony and shucking corn for another meal. He likes to be involved in everything.
The zip-line is one of his favorite activities! Can you blame him?
Quade is slowly but surely warming up to the guinea pigs. I'm glad he's getting this exposure at school, because there's no way I would have a rodent at home!
My big guy climbing rocks & loving the outdoors
I am the "cooking mom" and am busy cooking gluten-free waffles for & with the entire class...outside! Cooking is a big part of the curriculum. Quade is the "cooking boy" and gets to ring the snack bell when it's time to eat. This is a very big deal. He is so proud.
enjoying the fruits of our labor
Quade is climbing up the hill by grabbing onto the roots of the tree...
and sliding down the backside of the hill on his bottom
Here is Quade riding his stick pony and shucking corn for another meal. He likes to be involved in everything.
The zip-line is one of his favorite activities! Can you blame him?
Quade is slowly but surely warming up to the guinea pigs. I'm glad he's getting this exposure at school, because there's no way I would have a rodent at home!
My big guy climbing rocks & loving the outdoors
Bettie Loves School
Bettie asks me every day if she is going to her nature school and if Nanny is going with us. She asks me every.single.morning. She loves her school. It is highly nurturing, there are no right/wrong answers and no child is pushed or encouraged to do anything they don't want to do. They just play and play IS learning. Being able to do her own Bettie-thing at her own Bettie-pace is just what she likes!
Bettie also goes to her speech class where she is learning SO much and doing extremely well. She has also made some friends of her own there and loves her amazing teachers.
She also attends the structured, traditional preschool with Quade and does very well there also. Bettie likes all of her classes and really enjoys them which is of primary importance to me. She is one busy girl!
Bettie is working on an apple seed project with her teacher
Here is Bettie climbing up the hill by grabbing on to the tree roots and then sliding down the other side. The adults give her a little bit of extra guidance along the way, but she is so proud when she makes it to the top of the hill!
hammering pegs into pumpkins & styrofoam
Bettie is riding her stick pony & leading the "train" sliding down the hill. Gettin dirty!
Playing with trucks in the sand and when she gets bored of sand play, she turns the rake into a guitar!
Bettie & Quade have their own, very LOUD, drum circle going on here...
Musical circle time has to be her favorite
My beautiful girl is ready for the "umbrella parade" where the kids marched around in the rain with their boots and umbrellas. So cute!
Bettie also goes to her speech class where she is learning SO much and doing extremely well. She has also made some friends of her own there and loves her amazing teachers.
She also attends the structured, traditional preschool with Quade and does very well there also. Bettie likes all of her classes and really enjoys them which is of primary importance to me. She is one busy girl!
Bettie is working on an apple seed project with her teacher
Here is Bettie climbing up the hill by grabbing on to the tree roots and then sliding down the other side. The adults give her a little bit of extra guidance along the way, but she is so proud when she makes it to the top of the hill!
hammering pegs into pumpkins & styrofoam
Bettie is riding her stick pony & leading the "train" sliding down the hill. Gettin dirty!
Playing with trucks in the sand and when she gets bored of sand play, she turns the rake into a guitar!
Bettie & Quade have their own, very LOUD, drum circle going on here...
Musical circle time has to be her favorite
My beautiful girl is ready for the "umbrella parade" where the kids marched around in the rain with their boots and umbrellas. So cute!
