Party On, Suz... Party On, Gen!

What an amazing few days..

It all started when Suz, my soul sister & mother of 2.5 year old quads, flew into town from TX. My very own surgical nurse wanted to be here for my hysterectomy (too bad it wasn't a tummy tuck! ;). But, this past weekend worked out even better! Thanks to Conor, we had TONS of girl time. For the story of how we met click here.

When I think of Suz, I smile ear to ear. I know that finding each other was nothing short of divine intervention. I'm not sure what I ever did without her in my life. It's not just the quad connection, it's everything. EVERYTHING. My family and friends felt it too. She fit into our world like she'd always been here. AND.. she FINALLY got to meet our kids for the first time! Skype is great and all.. but nothing beats the real thing.

Her first day we took her on a McNulty river adventure. It was so fun to be together and not just texting! We saw some local wild life, took a little hike, played at the park, and got dirty enough to make her hubs, Joe, cringe.. missed you dude!

River Walking

Friday we got to sneak away for a girls night out with one of our favorite mamas, Casey. We hit up Benihana, a first for both of them! The food was great and the company was amazing. I love these two down-to-earth mommy's with all my heart.

Casey, Me, and Suz

(3 mamas/11 kids)

Saturday we had an intimate birthday party with our very closest family and friends. 4 turning 4 was a BIG DEAL for Conor and me! It's a milestone we've been looking forward to for a long time. The party was laid back and way fun! We couldn't have asked for a better day. Thank you all for being here and helping us pull it off. It was a blast! We have a beautiful life and so many wonderful people surrounding us. To say we are blessed is an understatement! I put together a few collages to try and capture the festivities. The kids were far too busy to stand still for pictures though...

The McNulty Family Photo Attempt

Auntie Suz & her kiddos
(Clockwise from top Left)
Libby, Russ, Molly and Ally

Such wonderful friends and family!

"Say Cheese!"

Party People!

Me, Grampy, & Suz

-Gramp is my hero

Suz & Nani Donsie

Happy Birthday!!!

Sugar Coma

On Sunday, while the kids detoxed, Suz and I ran away from home. Thanks Conor!! She just had her 30th bday and I got to take her to San Francisco for a celebration. I was so excited to show her our old stomping ground, GO DONS, and couldn't wait to drag her through all my favorite spots. She'd never been -so it was extra fun for us both. We topped off our fabulous day with a delicious sushi dinner and night away in Berkeley!

Bay Bridge and Suz's 1st In-N-Out Burger

Haight and Pier 39

Ready for Dinner!

I MADE my Texan eat RAW FISH & she LIKED it! ;)

-Suz and Me

ONE WORD...
NERDS!!!

Even BIGGER NERDS!

I KNOW, I KNOW... I should not have been jumping up and down on a bed with a tummy full of stitches. It's not as bad as it looks. Suz was yelling at me to stop and double bouncing me off the bed with her mad cheer leading skills anyway. I haven't laughed that hard in as long as I can remember. Nothing like a true belly laugh to bring you back to life.

The kids were happy to see us Monday morning but so sad that Auntie Suz was leaving :(. Princess Penny didn't want her to go either! We had a little snafu with the flights and Suz ended up staying an extra night. DARN! I really didn't want her to go. As my aunt Barb put it... "you two seem like you were cut from the same cloth." I couldn't verbalize my feelings about Suz any better. Life would be complete if we could just live next door to each other. Hey, a girl can dream! For now... we will just keep on doing what we do - finding any and every excuse to fly back and forth. Next on our wish list?... Getting our kids together!

A HUGE THANKS to my rock star hubby. He ALWAYS makes sure these wonderful trips happen and KNOWS how important my friendships are to me. I love you babe. I'm one seriously lucky girl. As I typed up this post I couldn't help but smile.... you made it all possible.

I hope you all had a fantastic week and that all you ladies get to hug your best buddies as often as you can.

PS: I just read Suz's post and CANNOT STOP LAUGHING!!! We DID NOT talk about what we were gonna write about, let alone the title.... soul sisters I tell ya. So HYSTERICAL!!!!!!!

Blogging Slump

I know i haven't been a very good blogger lately and I feel really bad about it. Taking the time to write down/document things is important to me. I want the kids to look back on this blog and see it all.

Truth be told, I'm still trying to recovery from my hysterectomy. It went well, really well. BUT, I got up and going too soon (one week after the surgery) and now I'm paying for that. Oh well. I know I'll be back to my old ways in no time and.. I could have MUCH BIGGER PROBLEMS! I'm just not a very patient person, especially when it comes to staying still. I'd give anything to go for a run! ANYWAY, thanks for the vent and thank you for all the sweet notes and well wishes. I'm doing just fine and the kids are too!!

In fact, we are enjoying the weather thoroughly and they are very patient with me. I know they want their mommy back as much as I want to be back!

Pretty Blooming Cali Poppies!

Stud Muffin

-Russell Man

Goof Ball

-Ally Boo

I'm sorry, are you 4 or 14??

-Prissy Miss Molly

"Excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable."

-Libs

I have a very special weekend ahead of us and I can't wait charge up my camera!! Have a good one and thank you again for the all the well wishes. If I have it my way things will be normal in no time flat! ;)

I'm A Big Kid Now!

Last week, as we celebrated the kiddos 4th birthday, they were in heaven. They ate cake like it was going outta style, got to see the inside of Auntie Julis' tv studio (click here for tv link), graduated to the "BIG kids" gym, AND even got new beds. Life is good in the McNulty house!

(clockwise from top L)

Molly, fab 4, Russ, Ally and Libby

Since we moved into our house last year, we have been improving each room little by little. The new beds were the kids' birthday gift and long over due (big thank you to Grandma Deb, Papa John, and Muzzie!). Conor and cousin Luke put them together on Sunday and they are working out great. You've gotta love IKEA!

Men at work... with a little help.

We separated Russ from the girls about 6 months ago when we received the hand-me-down bunk bed from my cousins Sam and Joey. He's been a very happy camper ever since and has not wanted to move back in with the girls. I can't say I blame him! Anyway, he was THRILLED to inherit the "boy bed," and I even draped it in his favorite color..

Just like a BIG BOY!

(now...to paint those walls)

Ready to catch some ZZZZZZZZZZzzz's!

(clockwise from top left)

Molly, Russ, Ally, Libby

I hope your week is off to a great start! The kiddos are keeping me busy and I'm starting to feel like myself again! Woohoo! I feel like I have so much to blog about and I'm trying to catch up one thing at a time.

4 turn 4!

Thank you all so much for you sweet words of encouragement over the last few weeks. Everything went great and I'm back... and not a moment too soon! After all, TODAY IS MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR!

It's our our kiddos 4th birthday!

The traditional group shot..

Birth order

(L to R)

Russ, Ally, Molly and Libby

AND, the GOOF shot....

It's been 4 years since the day our little ones were born and I still can't believe they are here, they are safe, and they are healthy. On good days, but especially bad, I never forget how truly blessed we have been. AND, I'll NEVER forget the day they came into this world.

I'd been in the hospital for 4 weeks on the dot. It was my 3rd admittance and I knew I would not be leaving pregnant. I was determined to carry our babies as longs as I could. The day before they were born I'd been contracting a lot. By evening I was in labor. I remember being terrified and not wanting to push. But, I felt like I NEEDED to push. It was too early, 31 weeks and 4 days. Babies A (Ally) and B (Russ) had been fighting for position all night long and set my contractions into a tale spin. By the time the nurses and doctors stopped my labor Russ was the presenting baby. He was even trying to get away from his sisters back then!

We made it through the night and things were looking good. I hoped/prayed that I could hang on just a few more days if not weeks. My doctor came in for a visit and was also confident that we had dodged the bullet, once again. He left to go play golf and I settled into breakfast. A few minutes later he returned, uncomfortable leaving before checking me out. I rolled my eyes, begging not to be poked and prodded anymore. I felt great and thought he was just being silly. He took one look and before I knew it the OR was prepped and we were on our way. Russell was beginning to crown. I was so worn out and numb from the medication that I didn't feel it.

At 9:31am Russell John came into this world weighing just 2.15lbs. All I wanted was to hear each of them cry, hoping if I could just hear those cries, it would all be okay. But, he didn't cry. On the tape you can hear/see me arguing with Conor, my mom and sister (they were trying not to scare me). "He's not crying." "Yes he is, Gen." "No, no he's not." "Yes, Gen, he is." "NO HE IS NOT BREATHING!" Then, he cries and I take my first breath with him. It was all I needed to hear.

At 9:31:31 am Allison Ann made her debut at a tiny 2.10lbs with lungs like a full term baby. She was the strongest and smallest.

9:32 am Molly LouAnn graced us with her very long presence even breaking a couple of my ribs. She weighed 3.4lbs and came out crying. Thank God.

By 9:33am Elizabeth Dolores was last but not least weighing 2.14lbs. She also cried right away and with that, so did I. The moment I knew they were all here, I lost my poker face and let it all go. It was the most unforgettable moment of my life. I couldn't wait to hold them and tell them how much I loved them.

By 9:34 am Russ and Ally were in my arms for kisses and then rushed off to the NICU. A few minutes later I was loving on Molly and Libby as well. Conor wanted to stay with me, but I was fine. I wanted him to go to the NICU and he did.

As I sat in recovery waiting for news, my mind wandered. Our life would NEVER be the same again. Being a mommy was the only thing I'd ever wanted & May 13th 2006 was was my first Mothers Day. It was the most special day of my life.

Happy 4th birthday to my 4 favorite little people in the entire world. Russ, Ally, Molly and Libby. You fill our lives with love, laughter and meaning. I am so proud to be your mommy. You are each so very special. When I looked at your tiny faces for the very first time I fell in love and I've been a smitten ever since.

I cannot wait to see what year 4 brings us. They are no longer babies but not yet school age. It's going to be a very good year.

Have a great day everyone!

Traditions...

When you're outnumbered by females at home, you enjoy male traditions just a bit more. It's Stanley Cup time, which means the "playoff beard" is in full effect. The McNulty boys participated by going 9 days without a shave.

Dad may have won the growth battle, but Russ definitely has the better lookin' mug...

Surgery, Sprinklers, & 'Sposed to's

Gen's surgery went very well last week, and she's been home resting/recovering since Sunday afternoon. Wanted to say a very big "THANK YOU" to all for the good thoughts, prayers, and well wishes!

She's doing well and being a good patient (no small task for a McNulty....) to date - in bed most of the time, with less pain each day. The kids have been great, only stopping in for visits and cuddle time whenever possible. In attempts to let her rest, we've spent our week trying to stay busy and occupied!

Best Idea

Getting out and about. Daily trips to the gym, store and.......driveway? Yep - each destination is equally popular. Seeing how much our four enjoy the kids' club at the gym is a riot, with a full sprint from the sidewalk each time we arrive. Trips to the store for groceries, prescription pickups, and treats are always a hit. And the return home provides an opportunity to continue the quad-mural project in the driveway. Sidewalk chalk may be one of the great inventions of all time, with our gang feverishly sketching self-portraits, spelling their names, and attempting a life-size 2D Spiderman sketch. We may have to ask the neighbors if we can use their blank canvas soon....

31 very difficult decisions....

Worst Idea

Deciding to simultaneously play the role of Tim Taylor this week. Figuring some extra time at home would provide a chance to get some home improvements done, we set out to have "fun" and stay productive all week.

Sprinkler system changes went well (any excuse to dig in the dirt is popular around here) and kept us outdoors often. But staining the kitchen cabinets had recipe for disaster written all over it. Only a few mishaps to report, and mainly dealing with the frustration of having cabinet/drawer contents spread all over the table/garage. I get claustrophobic easily, and could only blame myself for the reoccurring bouts this week. But the kids have been awesome with not playing in the designated areas, and providing comedic commentary throughout:

"Daddy, you made a BIIIIG mess......you're gonna be in trouble." - Ally, wise beyond her years.

"Did you cut your hair off so you won't get paint on it?" - Molly, providing a great explanation for my current "hairstyle."

"That's not how Handy Manny does it!!!" - Russ, very concerned that my tools don't jump out a do the work for me. Can't say I don't share his disappointment...

"Can we paint the cabinets PINK???" - Libby, every hour, on the hour.

Happy Friday and Have a Great Weekend!

Conor, Gen, Russ, Molly, Ally, & Libby