Smile BIG

The twins went for their second-ever visit to the dentist this week.

Luckily, it was less traumatic than Gwendolyn's first trip was. This time, she actually let the hygienist clean her teeth! For her part, Braelyn's only disgust came when her turn in the chair was done and she realized that she wouldn't be able to finish watching the cartoon that was playing on the ceiling-mounted television. (I know, oh the humanity... What if Woody doesn't make it back home to Andy!?!?!?)

Anyway, here are some recent shots of our three favorite subjects that we wanted to share... Enjoy!!!

 

Smiles at breakfast before we visit the dentist

Gwendolyn holds still for her x-ray

Braelyn gets her teeth cleaned

Gwendolyn opens wide

Braelyn practices proper brushing techniques on the dentist's stuffed alligator

Shea's become B.F.F.s with her teething ring as more pearly whites come in

Unfortunately, Shea has been constantly battling ear infections these past few months... We think tubes could be in her future! =(

Thankfully, Grammie pinch-hit at home last week while Dad was gone  for meetings in Indy!!!

Our Motley Crew

I just realized that I forgot to add this photo yesterday.

We actually had a warm (well, I suppose that's relative when compared to say July) day this week and ventured out for a walk in the neighborhood.

I think we exceeded the maximum capacity of the double stroller but, oh well!!!




Out of our way!!!!

Here we go again!!!

Well then... Time continues to fly by... I'm sure that has nothing to do with the fact that we have three girls under the age of five at home to keep up with, right? (Yep, I'm blaming my tardiness getting a new post up on the kids... After all, isn't that the whole purpose of having a family?!?!?!?!)

The good news about there being so much time between now and our last post is that Mom's been working her iPhone non-stop taking photos of our crew. So, we have a TON of new ones to share with you all.

With that said, I'll get right to it... Please enjoy them as much as we have:

Shea has no idea why we are all laughing at her but she still goes along with it!

A brief moment of peace with the twins at their table doing crafts.

I don't even know where to start here... Firstly, Braelyn's tongue is still lizard like in length... Then there's her natural goofiness... But maybe my favorite part is that Mom voluntarily gave me this photo for the blog. Yep, I married that fine cultured young lady folks!!!

A frequent sight of late... Shea with a clean high chair tray after inhaling her dinner.

During our crazy snow storm, the twins begged to go outside in the sub-zero temps and play in the snow. Much to her credit, Mom compromised and brought the snow inside to them. Even Joker and Shea were curious as to the goings on as the twins played in the kitchen with their piles of snow.

When it's cold inside, Shea decides to merely accessorize so she can stay warm.

This has become a theme we see a lot of at home also... Shea crawling around like crazy.



Give me that phone, Mommy!!!

What does Shea love more than table food... Chewing on the head of this baby doll... Yummy!!!

In a moment of equal parts jealously and craziness, Braelyn climbs into Shea's high chair for breakfast. Sadly, her tiny bum-bum fits just fine.

Yep, that Shea's already got a mouthful of teeth. Better yet, every time this picture comes up on Heather's phone, Shea grabs it and tries to kiss the phone's screen. Who says narcissism isn't alive and well!  ;)

Blogging in 2014 (What, how is 2013 already over with?!?!?!)

Well, somehow another year is in the books and we're into 2014 in the blink of an eye.

Outside of the crazy bitter cold that everyone's been dealing with, things have gone well for the Castellanos thus far.

Heather and the girls are back to school and I am still trying to get over the Chiefs playoff loss to the Colts... But the pain should eventually fade (or so I've been told).

Nana visited us for New Years as 2013 came to a close and we had a blast... Here are some photos from that visit:



The girls show off their annual holiday ornament gift from Arletta and Julie... This year's were birds.



Nana, Barelyn and Gwendolyn were excited for the Chiefs playoff game to start... Unfortunately, few were smiling when it concluded. (Including Daddy)



Gwendolyn and Braelyn (open your eyes) were excited to find that Nana had got them Mooshka dolls for Christmas this year. 



Shea (whose eyes are always open) was excited to see Nana!



Shea has graduated from her swing to a bouncer now... Unfortunately, the twins are obsessed with "helping" their little sister to bounce (or as Heather and I like to say get launched) whenever she's in there.

A Month Has Passed Already?!?!?!

Wow... So I just realized it's been over a full month since last I wrote... I guess hopping back on "the wagon" is more difficult than I thought!

Since both Thanksgiving and Christmas has passed since last I checked in, I thought the best way to update you on the Castellano Family's going-ons is in a mom-styled photo listing. I also FINALLY added poor Shea to the photo header of the blog so she's represented (nothing like waiting eight full months just to be sure she made the cut)!!!

Anyway, enjoy these photos and I'll try to do better in 2014... Sorry again!!!



This ALMOST became our Holiday Card photo this year... Unfortunately no one would have likely understood the humor except for us... But this is our life!!! (Note the facial expression of all three of our "angels". Now that's priceless)

Both the twins got a Daddy-Daughter Date Day this month. Braelyn choose lunch with two of her favorite foods - mac & cheese along with mashed 'taters (but NO gravy!!!).

Mom & Dad brought the twins to the movie theatre for the first time so they could see Frozen. ..They did surprisingly well as their Princess Anna dolls will attest!

Daddy, this is what happens when you leave me alone with Mommy...

And this is how I end up getting dressed when I'm left alone with Daddy!!!



Braelyn and Gwendolyn prep for their first church pageant by singing "Away in a Manger" for Mommy & Daddy. 

Shea Frances discovers just how soft Daddy's belly is.



Santa got the twins a doll house this year stocked full of dolls and accessories.

Gwendolyn was excited to say the least when her cast was finally taken off!!! Now we are working to strengthen her leg and getting her acclimated again to her walker and forearm crutches. Let's just say that the former has been an easier task than the latter thus far.

 

A rare moment of cuddles for the twins... They must have remembered that Santa would be coming to town soon.

Since you can't quite make it out, Shea's shirt reads "My First Christmas"



"What's the deal with all these lights?"

 



(L-R) Cousins Anthony & Ava join Braelyn & Gwendolyn on a train ride at Union Station. We had our whole family in town for Thanksgiving this year.



Ah, this really is the perfect bookend to this conglomerate of holiday photos... The Castellano trio meets up with Santa at Dad's holiday office party. As you can see, Shea doesn't quite know what to think, Braelyn is happy to smile as long as she can get her hands on whatever Santa's got for her in that gift bag, and poor Gwendolyn just wants a hug from Mommy and/or Daddy... As long as the team's mascot KC Wolf is no where in sight that is!!!

Gwendolyn's Doing Well

Just wanted to update you all that Gwendolyn's been doing well since her discharge from the hospital and return home.

Her biggest complaint thus far is that her cast is "too hard" so it is difficult for Gwendolyn to crawl (and, consequently move).

However, we set her in Uncle Verdell's personalized "star car" and she's been tooling around in that sporting a big smile.

She went back to school yesterday and all seemed to fall in line with her typical day there. 

Luckily, her cast is due to come off before Christmas so she'll only have it on for one holiday we suppose.

So, all things considered, things aren't too bad at all!!!

Gwendolyn on her way to the O.R.