tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29722816354890194202024-02-19T16:44:56.215-06:00Raising Twins...and a GingerJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-995603938249235362013-01-31T13:15:00.001-06:002013-01-31T13:15:41.497-06:00I hope I don't forget!It has been so long. These kids to the most awesome things and I am going to forget...I think I won't and then one day I can't remember how the boys used to say McDonalds and I am so sad. So, the past few days have been super funny and I must write it down so when I forget I have a reminder! In the past couple of weeks, Molly has been shortening everything. She has this little pink sparkley dolphin that came with some mermaids from Grandma Bock. She LOVES this dolphin and has named him/her Dolphy. Dolphy is way to long I guess so it is now Dolph, movie is move, lovie is love...etc! She is so silly. It makes me laugh everytime...she is not allowed to watch Happy Endings but she talks just like Penny on that show! <br />
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Yesterday Aaron and Elliott were wearing outfits for summer even though it was cold and snowing...they really miss being able to run around naked and playing outside without bundling up. I don't know what it is with clothes but pants/shorts are always super big on the boys. They had on elastic waist shorts and I noticed you could fit another Elliott in his pants. I said something about him being sooooo skinny. Aaron said "I am not skinny but my pants are big too!". I told him that he was also a skinny kid...his reply was so incredibly unexpected....he said "I'm not skinny, I don't look like a hotdog!" That was hilarious and I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe...but what was even funnier was how funny Elliott thought it was. His giggle is infectious and he was practically rolling around on the floor laughing! <br />
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A few days ago, Andrew was getting frustrated with Molly...we were in a hurry like always and Molly wanted to pour the milk on her cereal I think. She was being very Molly and Andrew said something about wishing she would let him do things for her. Aaron said something along the lines of "when she does things herself you don't have to...its like you are the winner". So profound! He said I said that to him one time...I don't remember saying it but it does sound like something I would tell him when he was acting like the mom. Aaron and Molly have the crazy relationship. They are either very best friends until the end of time or trying to kill each other. Molly is so good at instigating....Aaron is too...<br />
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Lastly, last night Andrew made a comment about how he has had an ebay account since 1993...that date might be wrong...did we even have internet in 1993? Maybe it was 1997??? Anyway, I said "wow, that is a long time...I didn't even know you then" he replied "I know! I didn't even know be then! I have changed so much"....it isn't not nearly as funny now that I am writing and reading it...oh well...here it is in cyberspace forever! <br />
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Maybe I need to make more notes about life stuff...like I am currently baking whole wheat honey bread in the bread maker hoping it is as good as Great Harvest. ummm...we are trying to rid our lives of processed foods and it is so hard. The boys are in their second year of PreK but I want to homeschool them.....I just feel like I will fail because so many people in my life are so very against it...like I am dumb and wouldn't be able to help them learn....what else, oh the bathroom in mostly finished which is awesome but so much more money than we expected. We are hoping to replace the flooring in the upstairs super soon and maybe then we won't be embarrassed when people come over...it seems like stained carpet and super ugly linoleum makes all the clutter and kid messes even worse. I mean, I go to fancy houses and the owners are like "oh my gosh...it is such a mess in here" and I just don't see it...maybe because the house is fancy....or maybe we really do live like pigs..Oh! I read that instead of using refined sugar or a sugar substitute to put real maple syrup in your coffee...BEST THING EVER!!! Not only am I using something not processed but I get to feel like Buddy the Elf every morning! AWESOME! Ok...enough of this. I need to make some graham crackers and hopefully make them in to groundhog shapes so Aaron can bring a groundhogy for PreK snack tomorrow. Phew...maybe I can commit to writing once a week...this morning Andrew and I were remembering how Elliott and Aaron used to sing him to wake up in the morning...their song was "wake up daddy, wake up daddy, wake up daddy, wake up daddy" and later he taught them that if the pulled on his ear he would get up from a sitting or laying position...so silly! Best dad ever!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-30866060092609054342011-08-02T16:40:00.004-05:002011-08-02T17:01:30.074-05:00oh Elliott...So, we were watching Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey. Upon seeing The Man in The Yellow Hat (Ted) kiss his girlfriend Elliott started a funny conversation with himself. He said "she's pretty like miss Katie" Miss Katie is his favorite teacher at church. She was in the Monkey room and the boys are Lions now so they don't have her anymore. He then said "she is a girl and you and you are girls (pointing at Molly and I) but we are boys" He then turned to me with such a happy little face and said "do you want to see my wiener?" I told him I didn't. He turned back around, looked in his Disney Cars underpants and said "its still there!!!" Its not nearly as funny written as it was when it happened a few moments ago but I hope that in 20 years I will read this and remember how so very funny it was! Earlier today when the kids were napping I was watching an old episode of Rookie Blue. When they got up, I turned it off by pushing "live TV". It went to PBS and a workout program was on from like 1984. Elliott went to the bathroom to poop and Aaron and Molly started working out! So funny! I will post a picture if I can. I went to check on Elliott. He told me is was singing the "poop song" and that it ended with "splash" HAHAHAHAHAH....I asked him if I could hear the beginning of it and he told me "it's not in English so just leave me alone"...okey dokey! I love him!<br /><br />Notice Aaron's leg and what they are doing on TV. Molly kept putting both of her legs on the couch with her hands on the floor! Awesome!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcNxYLZqrH-7G6DF6om9ozq-Qae4CNRLuNQuGZ1-hzqIrrdYEOEgMGY0OFvwMFnhY9_AUGrXAOteL4mtk-2Wp-NgB06LSgFnyjHvJa536YQdMRaB5xuCxS7MmPzqvcTU7BvmeXQB0kin6/s1600/.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 429px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcNxYLZqrH-7G6DF6om9ozq-Qae4CNRLuNQuGZ1-hzqIrrdYEOEgMGY0OFvwMFnhY9_AUGrXAOteL4mtk-2Wp-NgB06LSgFnyjHvJa536YQdMRaB5xuCxS7MmPzqvcTU7BvmeXQB0kin6/s400/.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636381739010084002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkHg0BIaL3kIDJXAFWPZoDwITT8bcZFuBrmjifFgTLzJ55pKwXSQuX7z3WsdsT72dwkjFLSYOGjhgi_31BnGXsjULbykKQr4rUkeizPK1zEurR_wVOO2VkgGIS88QfDOtL3HvFl1LWfxt/s1600/.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 22px; height: 13px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkHg0BIaL3kIDJXAFWPZoDwITT8bcZFuBrmjifFgTLzJ55pKwXSQuX7z3WsdsT72dwkjFLSYOGjhgi_31BnGXsjULbykKQr4rUkeizPK1zEurR_wVOO2VkgGIS88QfDOtL3HvFl1LWfxt/s400/.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636381052454118354" border="0" /></a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-21004575999522199602011-06-04T21:22:00.002-05:002011-06-04T21:30:50.622-05:00gratefulI have been thinking about a girl I worked with when I first moved to Elkhart a lot lately. We started working at the Elkhart Co Child and Family Services at the same time....had the same supervisor...were in the same training....and pretty much hated the job! It was working with foodstamps, TANF, and Medicaid. YUCK YUCK YUCK!!! Anyway, I looked for her on Facebook probably a year ago and I think I friend requested her...guess she denied me...anyway she has just been on my heart so I searched her again and found a "Pray for the Neff's" page. I went to that page and read that she gave birth to a baby on December 31st 2008 that because of birth trauma was left without oxygen for 11 minutes and died just a week after being born. In April she had another baby boy who is perfect. I know this because I did some more stalking and found her blog. I started reading the blog from the first entry. Its just so tremendously sad. I can't even handle thinking about how it would feel to lose a baby...makes my heart sick. <br /><br />Thank you Jesus for my 3 perfect children. Please help me to love them like You do and have more patience then the saints! <br />Amen!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-67350023710283780112011-05-16T20:32:00.002-05:002011-05-16T20:42:22.618-05:00storyI have to type this out before I forget!<br /><br />When Molly was about 18 months old I took one of the boys frog potties down for Molly to use if she decided to potty learn early. Tonight before I stuck her in the bathtub she was sitting on the potty (as she does sometimes) with her diaper on. I took her diaper off and explained that it would be awesome if she pooped or peed in there. She sat back down and REALLY tried to poop...she didn't but at least I know she knows what to do in the potty. After baths I told her that if she needed to pee she should sit on the frog potty. She ran to the bathroom (she runs everywhere...she runs down hills and NEVER falls down...its nuts). I asked the boys if they would see if she peed in the frog potty while I gathered their jammies. They said she didn't but she nodded her head yes that she did. I forgot all about this until the boys were in the bathroom before they went to bed to brush their teeth and pee. There was a little puddle just outside the frog potty. I asked Aaron if it was Molly's pee and he said yes...I then said that it would be pretty awesome if she started using the potty and wearing undies like they do. Elliott made the observation that she is too little to sit on the big toilet like they do and that she would fall in. He said he would be really sad if we flushed her! He then said that the police would come and get her out. Aaron agreed that it would be so sad if Molly got flushed because we wouldn't "have our baby anymore". He also agreed that the police would come and get her out...that the police man would use a fishing pole and get her out of the toilet. I am so glad they love her enough to make sure they have a plan to fish her out of the toilet. What sweet big brothers Molly has!!!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-48386615896285151872011-05-15T11:59:00.003-05:002011-05-15T12:40:05.473-05:00HeavenSo, I haven't posted in forever and now I am not even going to write about the kids!!! Well, Maybe I will at the end = )<br /><br />Today at Church the sermon was about Heaven. I just can't wrap my mind around it. Creating a picture in my mind of beautiful mansions and never feeling pain...only crying tears of joy...that stuff is easy but thinking about relationships in Heaven is just too much. The pastor said that there is no marriage in Heaven...that its better...that our of our relationships are better. That they way we relate is different...I just can't figure that out. He said that a guy had a question about Heaven...that is first wife died and he remarried so who would he be married to when they were all in Heaven...the answer was that its just totally different and better but I can't figure it out. When Andrew and I are both dead and are reunited in Heaven will we not know of our history...will we not know each other...that makes me so sad ...I don't want to lose what we have and this is just nuts because we are talking about HEAVEN!!! So I just put the kids down for their naps and am wondering will I know them in Heaven? Will I know how special my teeny preemies are? Will I look at Molly and remember what a surprise she was and how she enriched our lives so much? Will I even care? I want to care...I don't ever want to forget so how exactly are these relationships going to change...how will things be better? Its really hard for me to articulate what exactly is going on in my brain...its sort of like that tiny part of a class I took that was philosophical . I just think myself into circles and I think will eventually go nuts. I am crying...this is absurd. I am just heart broken just thinking about losing these relationships even though it is promised to be better...I just don't understand what could be better and I guess that is how God is. We can't understand what we don't know and I guess I won't know how its all going to work out until I get to Heaven...<br /><br />Now onto the kids...They are so silly...Elliott and Aaron say such funny things and do such funny things! Elliott panicked in the car after church today because he said he left his babies at church...he then said he looked all over for them but couldn't find them and finally that they were in his tummy the whole time. Aaron often talks about his babies too. Molly doesn't say many words we understand but she does say "addy" and calls almost everything she loves "addy". She cannot be without her lovie but I am sure we will always remember that! Elliott is really excited to go to preschool but we don't know how we are going to afford for them to go. We can't send them to public school because that is scary and its 5 days a week! I can't send my 3 yr olds to school 5 days a week...that is nuts! I want them to be allowed to be kids. What is the big rush these days. Why do kids need to know how to read in Kindergarten? I really just want them to go to preschool so that I have a few hours a week without them! I also think they need to be around more people...they are a little socially weird. We really want to send them to Peoria Christian but its almost like sending them to college with how expensive it is. There is a Methodist preschool that is much cheaper but I feel like we are settling if we send them there. Ugh...<br />Maybe someday I will print this blog so I want to just add that Molly had tubes put in in January after having 5 or 6 ear infections in 8 months. The dr said he cleared a lot of gunk out of her ears...she seems so much happier but bath time is kind of a pain with her ear plugs. The boys LOVE to take them out of her ears with she is out of the tub and she is so cute just standing there and letting them! <br /><br />Both boys are able to put pants and underpants on by themselves and can usually not put anything on backwards or inside out! They love riding bikes outside and Aaron goes soooooo fast! Aaron is still huggie and sweet while Elliott is super active perhaps a bit "spirited". All three give the very best hugs and kisses! Molly is really into reading books. She is also very fiery! She does not put up with the boys taking things from her and I think will soon be able to beat them up! Its really fun to watch the boys make up new games and really play together. It has to be awesome to live with your best friend! I feel bad for Molly lots of the time. She tries to play with them but they don't want her to. Its so sad. She wants to do everything they do and pretty much can...except when her height gets in the way...she is pretty short = ) Ok...what else...Elliott is very sensitive to smells and Aaron is just really sensitive. I really should be writing down every funny thing they say and do...I really should. Maybe I will start today? <br /><br />We want to visit Great Grandpa Schimdt in Florida this fall. I was thinking we would go in October but Molly will be two then and I want her to fly free so we will have to go before her birthday. Grandpa Schmidt has not met Molly and hasn't seen the boys since their first Easter! I was hoping that Katie and Grandma Bock would also come at that time but since we haven't planned anything and Katie is going to have a baby at the end of July/beginning of August that all may not work out. Aunt Sharon wants to come with us! If we get to go I will want to find a way to visit the Joy, Dave, Brenda, Josh and baby Amelia too. <br /><br />I guess I am done for now..hopefully not for another 6 months though! I know some day I am going to be sad that I can't remember everything and will really appreciate the silly things I wrote.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-12012889725111418512010-10-13T22:17:00.003-05:002010-10-13T22:22:33.061-05:00funny kidsJust some things I need to remember<br /><br />Andrew just told me that Elliott's attacks in his shark or monster hooded towels are getting fiercer...that made me laugh.<br /><br />Tonight we were coming home from Kohls and Aaron says to Elliott "call me Aaron, not yayin"...so funny! He said it over and over and over...then he changed it and said "call me yayin not Aaron"...Writing it down makes it not seem as funny. I hope that someday when I turn to blog into a book that I will remember this time and still thinks its funny! <br /><br />About a month ago we were all in the car in the Walmart parking lot. Elliott was freaking out...he was hungry and just really really upset. He said that he wanted Molly's french toast...we give Molly these little french toast bites but he said that it was really big french toast....we couldn't make him calm..he was so upset. Then Andrew told me to look at Aaron. Aaron had the removable headrest pillow thing from his carseat over his forehead...it pulled his eyelids up and he was just sitting there looking sooo goofy and smiling while his twin was seriously distraught!!! Andrew and I laughed so so so so hard and couldn't stop! It made Aaron laugh too...he won't do it very often now but when he does its great!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-9837252250778483852010-10-08T20:54:00.002-05:002010-10-08T21:07:15.957-05:00updateSo Elliott is so funny! He has been calling me "honey" and "jen"...I tell him that he calls me "mommy" and he laughs and says "JEN JEN JEN JEN JEN"! He has also been asking Aaron when I tell him no...for example...Elliott: "mommy, can I have Pepsi" Me: "no Elliott, drink your milk or I can give you a cup of water" Elliott: "I'm gonna ask Aaron"...a few seconds later Elliott: "Aaron said yes!" This happens ALL day long! I keep telling Aaron to tell him no but he ALWAYS says yes! <br /><br />Both boys are putting together super longs sentences but its still hard to understand all of their words and some people can't understand them much at all. I think they are fine...actually...I wonder if Elliott is fine but it has nothing to do with his language development.<br /><br />Aaron is so sensitive and sweet...and he throws everything which sucks...I have to tell him all day long not to throw things unless they are soft balls but he throws blocks and shoes and dolls...He is still "good conscience" of the two. They are playing more together and talk to each other...their conversations are so funny! Elliott seems to like to play alone more than with someone and that has me somewhat concerned. <br /><br />Molly turned 1 a week ago...it was a sad day for me but she is still a baby..can't be called a toddler until she toddles and she doesn't toddle yet! She says mama dada, and uh oh...and she clapped for my dad when he finished installing her ceiling fan...and it sounded like she tried to say grandpa! She stands and doesn't hold on and I think she could probably keep her balance and walk but she doesn't. She almost stood up without pulling up in the bathtub tonight...oooh...she LOVES the bathtub...Elliott is now afraid of water in his face. I am sure he will remember that its not scary soon...I am glad this happened in the fall instead of the summer when he really needed baths. Anyway...just wanted to write some things down that I want to always remember. I need to make this a fun blog so that people will follow it and the people will want to advertise on it and I can make some money!!! I am funny...I can write funny...funny things happen here on a daily sometimes hourly basis...surly I can figure this out.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-77458165505244033192010-08-25T00:10:00.004-05:002010-08-25T00:17:25.949-05:00oh boySo...I write blog posts in my head all day long...there are so many things I need to write down...like on a daily basis I say things like "please only touch your wiener in the bath tub and NEVER touch your butt...poop comes out of there"! My life in nuts. The twins are crazy....Molly is VERY dramatic. Annie says its because the red head gene makes red heads feel more pain...that makes me feel sad. Anyway, I hope to make time to update daily...things happen that I need to write down DAILY. Poor Molly will have no record of all her milestones! She rolled from front to back on January 1st 2010 but didn't do it again for lots of months...she didn't roll from back to front until April 29th...the day she turned 7 months....she also started "crawling" that month...she could sit pretty well at 6 months....she got her first tooth this week...its the bottom left. She started crawling on her hands and knees several weeks ago and started pulling up and cruising around right around 10 months. She is so pretty and awesome! Breastfeeding is going great and I started cloth diapering her in April. I think our front loader makes it somewhat of a challenge to get the diapers clean but I won't give up! She has been clapping and waving bye bye for a few weeks now too. She is very snuggly and loves her brothers!!! She also loves jumping. Oh man...its after midnight...I need to make time earlier in the day....gotta go to bed!<br />JenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-89417990149775148582009-12-25T14:18:00.002-06:002009-12-25T14:54:51.904-06:00HAPPY CHRISTMAS!Sooo....its been lots of months since I posted on my blog. Lots of things have happened. I still have an unfinished post from April/May that I WILL finish and post someday soon...I hope! <br /><br />We didn't get Christmas cards out this year. Not to be a baby but its really hard to get things like Christmas cards done when there are more important things like feeding Molly what seems like 24 hrs a day and making sure that Elliott and Aaron are not feeling neglected. I think I might have made a Christmas letter last year on this blog and I guess I will do that again...this way we save paper and money!!! I don't have any super awesome Christmas family pictures to post right now but will add them when I can...if you would like to see our failed attempt at getting our children's pictures taken go to searsphotos.com...enter the email address jenhicks33@gmail.com and then my password...which I don't think I want to add here...so email me and I will give you the password. It was not good....the boys didn't nap and Aaron was SUPER cranky...<br /><br />on with the letter<br /><br />The Hicks Family 2009<br />Andrew is still working a million hours a week for Verizon Wireless...but we are thankful he has a job! The boys really miss him and are super clingy when he has a day off. He has started to do a little ebay-ing again and seems to really enjoy looking for things he can buy for super cheap and sell for a profit on ebay. Verizon stressed him out quit a bit and its nice for him to have an outlet that might even make a little money. He has really had fun with the boys this year! He has taught them all sorts of silly things and they LOVE to make him laugh. He is an AWESOME daddy. <br /><br />I am still a stay at home mom...and I gave birth this year!!! What a surprise our little Molly was! I keep myself very busy at home and am really trying to figure out how to be an awesome mommy and wife and keep the house sort of picked up...I think I am usually failing at the clean house part, but I think that when the kids have grown it is more important that they look back and say that they had a great childhood filled with fun memories instead of a clean house...right? Its been so fun to watch the boys grow more and more into individuals...not that they have ever been very similar! It been challenging for me to find things to cook that everyone will eat and even more challenging to keep up with the laundry! Molly has made things a little more complicated around here but she has also enriched our lives greatly!<br /><br />This year Elliott was able to grow all the rest of his teeth except for his 2 yr molars. He was hospitalized in April when he had a cold and had trouble breathing. We gave him breathing treatments at home but they did not work. He spent the night in the hospital and now takes Pulmicort daily in order to keep his lungs from needing rescue treatments. So far the Pulmicort has worked! Praise God!!! From what I understand...breathing is essential to living! Elliott is saying more and more English words and is also an excellent ASL signer =) He is beginning to get upset when Aaron takes his stuff instead of just letting him. He LOVES keys and Blues Clues and to make people laugh. He is very brave physically but gets pretty shy around new people and crowds. Elliott loves to jump off of things and is in constant motion...usually running! If you get the chance to stop by it would be worth the drive to watch Elliott dance =) He loves Molly and is favorite thing to do with her is hold her and fall backwards and laugh (I am also holding Molly when he does this). He also really likes to tickle people...he does not like timeouts and being without Aaron.<br /><br />Aaron got his first tooth in 2009 and is now only 4 behind Elliott!!! Aaron is still our little cuddley kid but would rather run around most of the time. He also spent one night in the hospital...in May. He had a seizure at home and then again on the way home from the Dr. I took him to the ER and they admitted him to make sure that he didn't have a serious problem. He was diagnosed with Febrile Seizure and sent home the next day. We learned from Andrew's Great Aunt that Andrew's dad had a seizure when he was around Aaron's age...that was somewhat good to hear because the doctors kept asking if febrile seizures ran in the family and we didn't know. He probably won't have another one but I still like to load him up with tylenol when he has the slightest fever....I don't ever want to see my child seizing again. It was terrible. He has been healthy since then until Thanksgiving when both boys caught colds after spending their second birthday at Chuck E Cheese. Aaron likes to run around after Elliott and take things from him. He's like the cop...when Elliott has something he shouldn't, Aaron takes it and brings it to me. Aaron also takes things from Elliott just because he wants to play with what Elliott has. Aaron also has a little OCD I think. He has to have a specific plate, fork, spoon etc...his blanket needs to be a certain way on him when he lays down in his bed...he puts toys and snacks certain ways...sometimes he even has to have the floor picked up in his room before he can get into bed! This year he has overcome his fear of bubble baths and now LOVES to play in the bubbles!!! He is talking lots and most of the time we understand it!!! Aaron also loves Molly and even asks to hold her sometimes. <br /><br />Molly is still pretty new. She went from preemie diapers to size 2 in less than 3 months!!! She is growing super fast and is the squishiest baby ever!!! Her favorite things to do are eat and be held. I think she really loves her brothers and her smile will melt your heart!<br /><br />Well...my blogging time is up. Aaron is up from his nap so I guess I need to gets snacks ready and prepare to go to Henry for Christmas dinner! Pictures to come soon....I hope...<br /><br />JenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-43253578468855535312009-05-17T21:18:00.004-05:002010-08-25T00:09:59.567-05:00this is going to be super longIts been a while again and two big things have happened. I think that if you are reading this blog you know about when Elliott was hospitalized at the end of April and that Aaron was just a few days ago. I want to document these incidents in my own words for myself so if you want all the details, read on!<br /><br />Elliott<br />On Friday, April 17th both Elliott and Aaron had colds. Elliott started wheezing around dinner so I gave him a xopenex breathing treatment before he went to bed. Around midnight he woke up crying. It is unusual for him to do that so I went in to see if he was alright. He was really working hard to breathe so I gave him another xopenex breathing treatment. Elliott has never woken up in the night because of difficulty breathing. It was strange for him to do this and it didn't seem like the xopenex helped. I don't believe that he went back to sleep. He talked in his bed, woke up Aaron and they had a conversation. He rolled around and around 4:30 he started to fuss. I did another xopenex treatment with him and knew that it did nothing. His tummy was moving a lot when he was breathing, his neck was sucking in and he was breathing fast and hard. Aaron woke up and Andrew was trying to get him back to sleep since he wasn't going to do it on his own with Elliott and I in the boys room. It was after 5am by this time. Andrew and I talked about what to do. I didn't think that I should give him another neb so soon and was told that if I did have to one each hour that I would need to takie him to the ER. After further discussion and me crying a bit it was decided to take him to the ER. I was worried about making an unneccessary trip to the ER and taking up the Dr's time when some else could really be sick. I knew that we shouldn't wait until Medpointe was open and I really don't have much confidence in the Dr's and nurses at medpointe. So off we went to the ER. I was little panicked becuase it seems like each time he gets a cold and needs nebs its a little worse. I didn't understand why the xopenex didn't help at all the time and was hoping that the worst would not be realized. We were in the ER forever. It was terrible. They took his temp rectally several times and it was only 101. They were so very concerned with this low fever. Elliott and I were both exhausted after not sleeping. They had me do an albuteral neb with him and it seemed to help. After 20 minutes his O2 sats were not good so it was decided that he would need a continuous 30 minute neb treatment to see if that could get his O2 sats up. After the 30 minutes his O2 was 91...the lowest it had been. It should be about 97. 91 is very low and scary. Somewhere in there he was taken to have a chest X-Ray. This was done in a terrible contraption called a Pigg O Stat. I will never forget his face. I could not stay in the room with him because I am pregnant. I think that was good because I don't think I could have been able to just stand there and watch him be terrified. Here is a picture of a kid in a Pigg O Stat....this kid looks like he doesn't like it...I wish Elliott would have just not liked it. He looked very scared and mad. I cried...I could cry remembering even today!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn70MJfFEEz13Xr8rNhitrWuXrSfEgJmJV94RHd9dY9bJp0_0LY_Ro0r0smtVv368W3E4j_SXluM4D3eGzQStLDkbh1oZFJvlzP5kX3R4jPbIDca2P4yhoG6lenwv91_J58oO3JszvG37/s1600-h/PIGG-O-STAT_1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn70MJfFEEz13Xr8rNhitrWuXrSfEgJmJV94RHd9dY9bJp0_0LY_Ro0r0smtVv368W3E4j_SXluM4D3eGzQStLDkbh1oZFJvlzP5kX3R4jPbIDca2P4yhoG6lenwv91_J58oO3JszvG37/s320/PIGG-O-STAT_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336994179798534402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The chest X-Ray came out fine but since he was unable to keep his O2 sats up and was still working so very hard to breath, they decided to admit him. It was after noon by the time he got to a room. He was given applesauce in the ER and was so so so very hungry. The applesauce was all he had eaten all day. I also was super hungry...I hadn't eaten anything but I did get something to drink which actually felt better than food! Oh...also in the ER he was given an IV. I had to help hold him. He kept kicking his legs out and preventing the nurses from being able to get the IV in. He was VERY mad to be held down. It was hard to watch but I didn't want them to have to pike him again so I did what I had to do. He didn't get any more upset when the needle was actually put in his arm. He was also very mad after that he couldn't bend his arm. He quickly adapted to it though. So...we finally got to his room on the peds floor. They brought lunch up for both of us, asked a million questions and left us alone for a few minutes at a time. Elliott was getting nebs every 3 hours. I worked to get him to sleep and then they would come in and wake him up to check his sats and breathing and temp or do a breathing treatment. It was nuts. It was a very long day. Andrew had to work. My mom was staying with Aaron. I was missing Aaron something terrible!!! Elliott and I were so tired. I was so scared for my little guy. They didn't know why he was working so hard but nobody really seemed to be worried. I was just wanting to go home. The oncall doctor was worried about how tired Elliott seemed. I tried to tell him that he hasn't slept more than 45 minutes total since midnight and that would make him tired!<br /><br />soooo...it is now November 27th..I think I started this blog in May! I hope I can remember everything. I am just going to end Elliotts story by saying that they couldn't find any reason for him to stay so they let us go home. He had Prednisone (I am sure that is not spelled right but if I want to get this blog finished I can't be looking up things!!!) to take when we got home and now has Pulmicort nebs twice a day. The Pulmicort is supposed to stop him from needing either Xopenex or Albuterol. As of today, it has done its job!!! They say he could out grow this breathing junk and not end up with Asthma.<br /><br />Now on to Aaron's story. I don't know what day thing happened but I do remember WHAT happened. I was putting the boys down from their afternoon nap and Aaron felt a little warm. I took his temp and it was 100.1...not a big deal right? I put them down and tried to nap myself....I had a secret at the time...I was pregnant and soooo tired. Elliott wouldn't go to sleep and he just kept playing. I tried rocking him again after Aaron fell asleep but it didn't work. I sat in my room listening to Elliott when I heard a weired sound. Elliott was quiet and I didn't want to get him all crazy again by going in the room so I listened to the sound at their door. The sound stopped after a few minutes and Aaron started screaming. I went in and picked him up and he was just limp...like a noodle...he couldn't even hold his head up. I sat down in the rocking chair with him while he whimpered pinching him to try to get some sort of response. Meanwhile Elliott was all happy and running around...I thought that maybe he had had a seizure but I just didn't know. I wondered if he had injured himself somehow and was paralyzed! After what seemed like an eternity he started to be able to talk a bit and had more muscle tone. I took him into the living room and took his temp and he didn't have one. I just held him and he acted like he does when he is sick. I texted Julie and she said to call the Ped and it sounded like a seizure. I tried to reach Andrew a million times. I texted him and called...I had called the pediatrician who said that it did sound like a seizure and that they didn't have any appointments...to go to medPointe. I ended up calling the store to reach Andrew. I told him that I thought Aaron had a seizure and that I needed to take him to MedPointe. He came right home and Aaron and I left. Aaron seemed back to normal at this point. I brought some water and teddy grahams since it was close to supper time. While we waited, he ate a few teddy grahams. He temp at the office was 101. They diagnosed him with an ear infection and said that it was probably a febrile seizure. An antibiotic was prescribed and sent to the Target pharmacy. They said that if he had another seizure to take him to the ER. It was rainy out so instead of going to Target I decided to just go home and send Andrew back out for the meds. I called Andrew and told him what was going on and then called my mom to tell her what was happening. We had just passed Proctor Hospital when I heard the noise again. I pulled over and saw my baby having a seizure...words can not describe the terror I felt. I told my mom what was happening and took off to Methodist...I don't know why I didn't turn around and go to Proctor...I have no idea how I made it all the way to Methodist...driving....with Aaron seizing right behind me...I kept telling him it was ok, he was going to be fine, and please don't die! He didn't stop until we were almost to the ER. That was close to 10 minutes. He had his jacket on even though it wasn't super cold out because of the rain. I carefully took him out of his carseat and carried him into the ER. He was limp and his eyes were all unfocused and scary. I told the receptionist that I thought that he had just had or was having a seizure...she grabbed him from me yelling at me to let him go and I was trying to and was terrified! We were rushed back to a room where they quickly took his temp (104) and got him down to his diaper. I felt so stupid for having a jacket on him and stood there trying to explain why. They hooked up an IV...he didn't move....I will never for the rest of my life forget how he looked. It was just moaning and soon looking very scared but not looking like himself. I was able to sit next to him and hold his hand but I was afraid to touch him thinking that my body heat would make him hot but all I wanted to do in the world was hold him! A nurse came in after he started "waking" up more and crying and told me I could hold him. I gave him his lovie and soon another nurse took it from him saying that he shouldn't have a blanket on! Its little...not like a blanket at all. I felt so bad for my Aaron. he didn't know what happened...he was scared and in a strange place with a needle in his arm. I was working hard not to sob. At one point an nurse hugged me. Aaron kept shaking....they couldn't decide if it was the normal after seizure things or if it was a continued seizure. It was taking him so long to come out of it. They talked about a spinal tap and a cath to get a clean urine sample....They wanted to know where the fever was coming from. After over an hour of continued little shakes we were told that he would be admitted over night and that they would not be doing a spinal tap. Andrew got there before we were moved to a room. Aaron just kept crying but seemed to be glad Andrew was there. We watched Handy Manny on his phone and he ate a bit of crackers. They told me that his sugar was a little high and asked if he had eaten anything...it was the teddy grahams. Andrew decided to stay the night at the hospital like he did with Elliott. It was hard to leave him but I left to get some sleep at home. His nurse told Andrew that she was going to refuse to Cath Aaron because she didn't see any reason to do it but it didn't end up coming down to that. The next morning my mom, Elliott, and I went to the hospital to see Aaron and to have Andrew leave to get ready for work. Aaron seemed super happy and was fine. He was a little wobbly. Mom and Andrew took Elliott home and I stayed with Aaron, waiting to see when he would be released. His nurse was the same that Elliott had. Nothing really exciting happened. Aaron's IV started to come out so the nurse took it out...Finally the orders came to release him and to follow up with the ped. I called Target on the way home to tell them I wasn't getting the meds since they ended up saying he didn't have an ear infection. ....that was so crazy...one dr said yes then another would come in and say no...another would say yes...ugh. We got home and Aaron was still wobbly...stayed that way for a couple days. He may never have a seizure again or maybe he will but they aren't harmful. I don't think if it happens again that I will be more prepared....I don't know that anybody can be OK seeing their kid seize...but at least I will know what to do. He might just be getting tylenol at the slightest hint of a fever to try to make sure he never gets a fever again! No fever means no febrile seizure!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-1333796179515843132009-04-12T21:46:00.003-05:002009-04-12T23:02:26.249-05:00EasterAndrew told me I needed to blog about Easter so I will. Let me start off by saying that I have the cutest kids EVER!!! We weren't going to do Easter baskets for the boys because we are poor and they don't know about what is going on anyway, but I went to Walmart with Julie and bought them a couple things. I saw a HUGE stuffed super soft duck that they had to have. Then they each had a bendable bunny and a parachuting egg in their Easter baskets. My mom wanted to get them something small so I told her KMart had a super cheap plastic picnic table. She bought that for them. I put it together last night and put their pitiful Easter baskets and their duck on it. Elliott ignored it and went to the kitchen for breakfast. Aaron went right to the table and took the stuff out of his basket. Elliott came back in the living room and he played with his basket and on the table too. They LOVE that table!!! They sat on opposite sides and just babbled at each other. Aaron stood up on the seat and was talking about something...it was like he was on his soapbox about who knows what!!! I really wish I knew what they were saying!!! I know when they sign "milk" "more" "finished" and even "cookie" but they don't usually sign unless I ask about it...like "do you want a cookie" and Elliott will sign cookie...I ask if they want milk and they will sign milk....Elliott signs more when he is hungry...but when they talk with their crazy words I have no clue what they are saying. ANYWAY...they played for a few minutes and had breakfast. We went to church and came home for lunch. We weren't going for lunch at Sharon's until 1 and the boys are used to eating at 11. I knew they would be crazy if we made them wait to eat until 1. I was really worried that they would be terrible today since they weren't gong to get naps but they did really well. They slept on the way to Henry and then took a while to wake up and not make us hold them. They had their first Easter Egg Hunt and I have to say that Aaron is a natural. Elliott found eggs and threw them off the deck and pushed them through the fence into the neighbors yard. He had lots and lots of fun!!! Aaron picked up the eggs and put them in his basket. He loves putting things in things. Carrie was holding his basket for him but she put it down and he picked it up and just took off. He kept falling down...partly because of the shoes his is wearing and partly becase the ground is uneven. Every time he fell, all of his eggs fell out of his basket...he started to put them back in the basket but eventually just gave up and looked for more eggs. Then when all the eggs were gone he left and went to the neighbors yard = ) They started getting super cranky. We opened some of their eggs and gave them the snacks in them...Gerber Juice Treats, Honey Kix, and Cheerios! They love Honey Kix!!! Mom held Aaron and he fell asleep and then we left to come home. I guess that is it...Aaron was really cranky when we got home and Elliott was super happy sitting at the picnic table. They ate dinner, took a bath, and went to bed. I hope that missing naps today doesn't screw them up a bunch...I am hoping that they sleep until 8 and take a 3 hour nap tomorrow afternoon! I don't think its going to happen but I can always hope right!?!?!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-T1UdlFGsaZa9TV7DqXXqgIoX9mzdOLdhBWzOjvC3KbxnJTQyPGwmgK4d1N8EDjcgrlIynRpohNqZIplk5FkdAAY8GhxSz2q0QaYF15Agzlx0G4-6zo-jGUY7uwKvmkK6DT4PSwnskBJ/s1600-h/DSC02682.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-T1UdlFGsaZa9TV7DqXXqgIoX9mzdOLdhBWzOjvC3KbxnJTQyPGwmgK4d1N8EDjcgrlIynRpohNqZIplk5FkdAAY8GhxSz2q0QaYF15Agzlx0G4-6zo-jGUY7uwKvmkK6DT4PSwnskBJ/s320/DSC02682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324018370914374050" border="0" /></a><br />the Easter display<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGlTtdt1jWoBzmQYryjFuLhr390Se2vKObOmFThAhG-BhyR5GFMSCuX5CrYuB77VEfEfjgcpS6UgAp9nNKwLLU0X3fwQNxZbVYy9O5SKSaiQLNrDFWkCew9N0sstYdz4qtNDK6xsFzeVt/s1600-h/DSC02683.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGlTtdt1jWoBzmQYryjFuLhr390Se2vKObOmFThAhG-BhyR5GFMSCuX5CrYuB77VEfEfjgcpS6UgAp9nNKwLLU0X3fwQNxZbVYy9O5SKSaiQLNrDFWkCew9N0sstYdz4qtNDK6xsFzeVt/s320/DSC02683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324018367205334562" border="0" /></a><br />the boys very sad Easter baskets...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Guq1x-vKGgjyxSuDbuGiMfPc1l67V7CDipLgkX6hyphenhyphen6PlC86SPD0lLyqnIt4OGUDa1tXPWjhpioJN1iSArD7vzDlveO7QsKbVHNBNXBsI288PyDs63UwKL8UuQfGu-P7awiQr5sGzATuE/s1600-h/DSC02685.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Guq1x-vKGgjyxSuDbuGiMfPc1l67V7CDipLgkX6hyphenhyphen6PlC86SPD0lLyqnIt4OGUDa1tXPWjhpioJN1iSArD7vzDlveO7QsKbVHNBNXBsI288PyDs63UwKL8UuQfGu-P7awiQr5sGzATuE/s320/DSC02685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324018365983677586" border="0" /></a><br />They don't need much to make them happy<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkHZK89Or4eh9aq4SpMKySwq9I1hfLaUowF7VzyeMIbxcLaB2ws_Z8LAqI55znZFTdGM0WGDQYjF6GUWDuToAmq4kco98RWoIteaIedbImLS80gPa93BZddBvzHO29QUFgIJrpwCiRPg-/s1600-h/DSC02693.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkHZK89Or4eh9aq4SpMKySwq9I1hfLaUowF7VzyeMIbxcLaB2ws_Z8LAqI55znZFTdGM0WGDQYjF6GUWDuToAmq4kco98RWoIteaIedbImLS80gPa93BZddBvzHO29QUFgIJrpwCiRPg-/s320/DSC02693.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324018361666230994" border="0" /></a><br />Loving their table<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnVIHrpe_mTxAM3GTUQu-NmWzbR1EEWXRSwxX6X85aWNMGiMdTmasCm58yAlKctuLwqp2iCsn4DO-zZx0oK5N4Ae6rbiG5xdu3yh28R8aaPau-hvrhPW56-M8YF889lHBy1Ps3HmJ2Di3/s1600-h/DSC02694.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnVIHrpe_mTxAM3GTUQu-NmWzbR1EEWXRSwxX6X85aWNMGiMdTmasCm58yAlKctuLwqp2iCsn4DO-zZx0oK5N4Ae6rbiG5xdu3yh28R8aaPau-hvrhPW56-M8YF889lHBy1Ps3HmJ2Di3/s320/DSC02694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324018357483271490" border="0" /></a><br />Aaron likes things on his head<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2y0C0PWlXTcvs51vJ5D0DgJODSPzyZzB9u6CpQTh4SbQiHEGGQ6tPNUGOT2LLIZNmHXUwenHPzxlzw97h67yC26ky5CADfJsdX55qwG_Gk-OGiZWOQ-5vVt8dn9ufAhD5ln-Sv5XoenlZ/s1600-h/DSC02703.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2y0C0PWlXTcvs51vJ5D0DgJODSPzyZzB9u6CpQTh4SbQiHEGGQ6tPNUGOT2LLIZNmHXUwenHPzxlzw97h67yC26ky5CADfJsdX55qwG_Gk-OGiZWOQ-5vVt8dn9ufAhD5ln-Sv5XoenlZ/s320/DSC02703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324016295141824322" border="0" /></a><br />Elliott dropping Easter Eggs off the deck<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO0qsgGMiH2E_wqQzYs7O-QvJZIlfargb3yL8zktYGf9hPRey7EAul7iRrOXtOnhkRfbhpH9hsX7vHm4L96cYphVxxdd6u-WHwUEdQxfwftdClyxP8NGVsbMDesyfTO32IDMk6UAbN1Iq/s1600-h/DSC02712.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO0qsgGMiH2E_wqQzYs7O-QvJZIlfargb3yL8zktYGf9hPRey7EAul7iRrOXtOnhkRfbhpH9hsX7vHm4L96cYphVxxdd6u-WHwUEdQxfwftdClyxP8NGVsbMDesyfTO32IDMk6UAbN1Iq/s320/DSC02712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324016289401697890" border="0" /></a><br />Elliott putting Easter Eggs through the fence<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIiZV_0M0LxXcTQ3MVNj2FbVPDtOhWHubTIE94EuNOljCSyLA8DKyxUuq_DU69Y4P50netzFVxCxWW5xDW4aDHNaiHVqbRDLoHNHm9yVo3np2QylW8T2lWGspJPGb7lmzF3eADjh4kaGi/s1600-h/DSC02716.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIiZV_0M0LxXcTQ3MVNj2FbVPDtOhWHubTIE94EuNOljCSyLA8DKyxUuq_DU69Y4P50netzFVxCxWW5xDW4aDHNaiHVqbRDLoHNHm9yVo3np2QylW8T2lWGspJPGb7lmzF3eADjh4kaGi/s320/DSC02716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324016285342249074" border="0" /></a><br />Aaron picking up eggs...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJGgZwv1pOMY185bS5zlOpWDVlcyNx5bDR859FXpSEhxcy0Ha4mUTUlZl9jOLB3ZU5X9W3JE7jmmi3svGJUuh9_i2dwlVLy_myOmiQ4IliTHWxBMQeB3bs_6WDVt1Aymcvlsy7hkTR9f7/s1600-h/DSC02718.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJGgZwv1pOMY185bS5zlOpWDVlcyNx5bDR859FXpSEhxcy0Ha4mUTUlZl9jOLB3ZU5X9W3JE7jmmi3svGJUuh9_i2dwlVLy_myOmiQ4IliTHWxBMQeB3bs_6WDVt1Aymcvlsy7hkTR9f7/s320/DSC02718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324016279376444338" border="0" /></a><br />...and putting them in his basket<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDzKOQLd4L0QU4gqoo2eO1eSAh3_I9hsU-kTNGYBzkbze3rbm12UZIOQ-gB2ELHHHjF_dz5Pu__JUMd3uZiormzggRAmb_756Qoj4A1eGOQTSp1KQh_olkPokQKwAqnJDqapk5CnxTv6e/s1600-h/DSC02719.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDzKOQLd4L0QU4gqoo2eO1eSAh3_I9hsU-kTNGYBzkbze3rbm12UZIOQ-gB2ELHHHjF_dz5Pu__JUMd3uZiormzggRAmb_756Qoj4A1eGOQTSp1KQh_olkPokQKwAqnJDqapk5CnxTv6e/s320/DSC02719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324016275976134194" border="0" /></a><br />Aaron in the neighbors yard...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb_kwkAQIyZk6Hm84H0s5x0uG3kGsLEKnGpC2xy16yLDRpMSmIYL7ucxmmhRq_WD8E8lJZQGTBUO8_Z6F7xpcO-WNpfx1MG9dIbz8m7QitZbybFMlc3sxo53kE24E3OPmqXMHpMiF26-r/s1600-h/DSC02699.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb_kwkAQIyZk6Hm84H0s5x0uG3kGsLEKnGpC2xy16yLDRpMSmIYL7ucxmmhRq_WD8E8lJZQGTBUO8_Z6F7xpcO-WNpfx1MG9dIbz8m7QitZbybFMlc3sxo53kE24E3OPmqXMHpMiF26-r/s320/DSC02699.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324020834404543522" border="0" /></a><br />with their awesome hats!!! Andrew looks pregnant and I look gross but the boys are super cute!!!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-81851920502929630202009-04-02T21:34:00.002-05:002009-04-02T21:51:55.111-05:00no more goopy eye!!!Elliott had eye "surgery" today. The doctor didn't want to call it surgery because he wasn't cut...he called it a "procedure". Anyway, Carrie came to our house last night so she could stay with Aaron while Andrew and I took Elliott to St. Francis. We had to be there at 7Am. Andrew and I got up at 6:30 and got ready and the had to wake Elliott up. He was such a trooper. He wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything until after the procedure. He only cried a tiny but when they pricked his finger to test his blood. He knew something was up and stayed pretty close to Andrew and I and clung to his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lovies</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">paci</span>. When the nurse took him from me to take him to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pre</span>-op room he didn't even cry!!! He looked very scared but didn't make a peep...I almost lost it but he did great!!! He was put to sleep and that was so scary for me!!! They told me that the procedure went great and that his left eye was really really clogged. They woke him up in the operating and took him into recovery 1. I was able to see him once he was moved to recovery 1. He was awake and crying. It felt so good to hold him. I know it was very very minor but he is MY BABY!!! It took him probably 10 minutes to calm down. He wasn't crying hard...just fussing but is was very sad fussing. It broke my heart. They told me that he didn't want to ride on the bed to the recovery room so the doctor carried him. That made me feel good...I knew he was not just another kid to them...he was treated like an individual and really cared for. He must have been so so so scared!!! His nose was bleeding just a little bit and I was told to expect that. The doctor said that he only lost 2 drops of blood but that it would be mixed with his snot and that we might see some...not a big deal. Elliott did not act like he was in any kind of pain and was so happy to get some water and cookies!!! He was pretty sleepy when we got home around 10 but was himself. I gave him some oatmeal and pancakes and he played...then he ran into his bedroom and woke up Aaron =) Carrie told us that when Aaron woke up this morning, she picked him up and he pointed to Elliott's empty bed...she told him he was not there right then. How sweet is that. I love my boys so very much. They are such sweet little guys. The boys ate lunch and took a nap while Carrie and I went shoe shopping....it is not easy to find baby boy shoes....or zebra print shoes for Carrie. Elliott was his happy self this evening....like nothing odd happened today at all. I am so glad its done and so glad he doesn't have to go through his life with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">goopy</span> eye!!! I have to call his doctor on Monday to let him know how his eyes are doing. He was pretty confident that the super clogged duct was taken care of but said that he might have some goop for the next couple of days. I am just so proud of my little boys. Aaron was not scared or super upset this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">morning</span> waking up without his parents or brother...Elliott was a trooper all day. Andrew and I are the most blessed parents ever and I pray that we never take our tots for granted!!!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-75127884839136662662009-03-15T08:04:00.005-05:002009-03-15T12:41:38.777-05:00Sunday Mornings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOm_fwUl7vGMOf81eLM7jQYWhuQmBkhJfm1-iVu8Oh-ZLJ1Juq9C2uLoGI9LGgFndyrqyCb7D7LpsSEjFIxW5STuUdbDyTIKWOriAFMZP-Q2WkFzy4MEocmHgRbqeklXzRk7Pg5cveKtf/s1600-h/DSC02581.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOm_fwUl7vGMOf81eLM7jQYWhuQmBkhJfm1-iVu8Oh-ZLJ1Juq9C2uLoGI9LGgFndyrqyCb7D7LpsSEjFIxW5STuUdbDyTIKWOriAFMZP-Q2WkFzy4MEocmHgRbqeklXzRk7Pg5cveKtf/s320/DSC02581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313412568000569010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sometimes we let them pick out their lunch.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmRqUizVBq4vuIUFyfYqs1yaLSHouJRamLSJKEveMLk0aLW8Jbm6XHx6MLnyICW4kyQtaStG9wz3j4aF-SxuDK-5YLj8ym-erYJi-r7hB3TwcIQlyIP9pSV3tbWz3NYIyg1TtS4et7Akp/s1600-h/DSC02582.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmRqUizVBq4vuIUFyfYqs1yaLSHouJRamLSJKEveMLk0aLW8Jbm6XHx6MLnyICW4kyQtaStG9wz3j4aF-SxuDK-5YLj8ym-erYJi-r7hB3TwcIQlyIP9pSV3tbWz3NYIyg1TtS4et7Akp/s320/DSC02582.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313412574958394210" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aaron wanted this juice...until he tasted it.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RpYNPvj2PH356vp_wZCaoaVHtzG4lhFRAx7m3z0lcZCQI-SeXLS53UTSVxqEF_B80KnsviRL7uri_4sUzaxAO7VciQmyoIjOc6vcfwWaD7egFtGcwWzxpW2lwuKC6yJVIMO6wJZBuwvI/s1600-h/DSC02574.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RpYNPvj2PH356vp_wZCaoaVHtzG4lhFRAx7m3z0lcZCQI-SeXLS53UTSVxqEF_B80KnsviRL7uri_4sUzaxAO7VciQmyoIjOc6vcfwWaD7egFtGcwWzxpW2lwuKC6yJVIMO6wJZBuwvI/s320/DSC02574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313412559221066690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Elliott was pulling on Jenna's earring...it was tickling her</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlPV0M1BWiIPYNeVPtbb4tyazaV4vhbc7erBDtZpoUeO3XWZ60X7Lm_1wiupSMJ3uyDd1dGE68ZuqKTObEGZL_4dihDJnAG1hG6siBfgaYH2FJmzvb9XOxtWyVV96CaBjQjJCV02w2vAs/s1600-h/DSC02570.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlPV0M1BWiIPYNeVPtbb4tyazaV4vhbc7erBDtZpoUeO3XWZ60X7Lm_1wiupSMJ3uyDd1dGE68ZuqKTObEGZL_4dihDJnAG1hG6siBfgaYH2FJmzvb9XOxtWyVV96CaBjQjJCV02w2vAs/s320/DSC02570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313412546361365026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This is Aaron pushing Elliott away from "his" cookies.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgXdwOy4BAa8YzQNbjcgh4LOio4McetOtMFrPV9eJU50D4TVuZc0lwGk7DGtiQko2K3glogEz6V1HEglfZc20XtgE-LdAyHIRXX4ccf7OAO73wbiyFygd99lXDeAzOGpr4rG8WV5ZKbw9/s1600-h/DSC02565.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgXdwOy4BAa8YzQNbjcgh4LOio4McetOtMFrPV9eJU50D4TVuZc0lwGk7DGtiQko2K3glogEz6V1HEglfZc20XtgE-LdAyHIRXX4ccf7OAO73wbiyFygd99lXDeAzOGpr4rG8WV5ZKbw9/s320/DSC02565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313410518251631762" border="0" /></a><br />Yes I do!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOXtaZUi-x5Y23gxJAzW5yccN0k5j-8noHfE08hZM7rwDqdZMjh0SkUAt_kaI6-CHnjMAuw6tm0OYSFPK-KKeSWNHzVnIIqLJsjx6AlSTS4JQzQraABrnXtiDpel3gtRmopQH7twrHtUu/s1600-h/DSC02568.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOXtaZUi-x5Y23gxJAzW5yccN0k5j-8noHfE08hZM7rwDqdZMjh0SkUAt_kaI6-CHnjMAuw6tm0OYSFPK-KKeSWNHzVnIIqLJsjx6AlSTS4JQzQraABrnXtiDpel3gtRmopQH7twrHtUu/s320/DSC02568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313416332349778930" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aaron was outraged at having to wear his hat outside =)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5WEGzuNYxDvkyqWkeTVRYcuCUY1dZgHZGzyS9-5SWNSJj1n9Zja-xt9-OzrlfeYeHHlxKRKeVOHBz1kygT9cGJ35StQ4D1mwMe3_IxKs0cCdpJmNYEnS88zQJyyM0m2pKSBrf-NQjNrP/s1600-h/DSC02562.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5WEGzuNYxDvkyqWkeTVRYcuCUY1dZgHZGzyS9-5SWNSJj1n9Zja-xt9-OzrlfeYeHHlxKRKeVOHBz1kygT9cGJ35StQ4D1mwMe3_IxKs0cCdpJmNYEnS88zQJyyM0m2pKSBrf-NQjNrP/s320/DSC02562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313410508193296034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Andrew is sharing his shamrock shake...Aaron LOVED it!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXw7f6zXviRThjIL6sw7ax0ctjBEuOVW65fsAAKM7EfdIOFH1BPfLE9JtOImOTJpeK_9tuFI3x1I0EaXm_FffStjaWkm0j5sfTWd4Mh1d17_jCIEpa8Cs6MREnLTVpL5iyttGRr9edIZD/s1600-h/DSC02561.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXw7f6zXviRThjIL6sw7ax0ctjBEuOVW65fsAAKM7EfdIOFH1BPfLE9JtOImOTJpeK_9tuFI3x1I0EaXm_FffStjaWkm0j5sfTWd4Mh1d17_jCIEpa8Cs6MREnLTVpL5iyttGRr9edIZD/s320/DSC02561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313410500775751970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Elliott had his eye on a book up there.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0fqtBr0T9L-VqNeocRg5thyphenhyphenss3eGWmQ_WSWskTH8nwxtFJioi4SwBFDKYFhi0a6kZFMavS41QNdFD8zCNvnvE7oBBb-hibF85He7nJsLVwUbF24XZGzCjvQduXwcolFnCCb5W84yFnq5/s1600-h/DSC02558.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0fqtBr0T9L-VqNeocRg5thyphenhyphenss3eGWmQ_WSWskTH8nwxtFJioi4SwBFDKYFhi0a6kZFMavS41QNdFD8zCNvnvE7oBBb-hibF85He7nJsLVwUbF24XZGzCjvQduXwcolFnCCb5W84yFnq5/s320/DSC02558.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313410492669839410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aaron was enjoying some time with out Elliott in the toy box.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6aXNmauY-HgY1ERorFHyv_1He2rMHqFY8vQUSwbKFYv_C4xa9ndFMtR5IJEz90L_cE2VaR8LcTZxBOqMBo2jjvwGPd7JnRbEuMEFPJqv0C1oV7caj1sZWMHd15kCnqYF0IJTtua2dgt5/s1600-h/DSC02587.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6aXNmauY-HgY1ERorFHyv_1He2rMHqFY8vQUSwbKFYv_C4xa9ndFMtR5IJEz90L_cE2VaR8LcTZxBOqMBo2jjvwGPd7JnRbEuMEFPJqv0C1oV7caj1sZWMHd15kCnqYF0IJTtua2dgt5/s320/DSC02587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313412579508805522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Andrew said this was the cutest he had ever seen Elliott...sleeping sweetly with his legs hanging out of the crib.</span><br /><br /><br />Its Sunday morning. I should be taking a nap before church...how crazy is that? Church is at 9:15 and I have time to take a nap before...and I have already showered!!! Boy do things change after children. If we did not have the boys we would be going to the latest church and sleeping probably until we had to leave. The boys woke up around 6:20...grrrrr!!! They went to sleep pretty easily last night. Its been strange these last couple days. They haven't been eating much. Aaron has been crazy grumpy and he pooped almost white poop yesterday. That is scary to me...I am trying hard not to freak out about it but light colored poop can be a sign of liver problems. I am going to call the Dr on Monday to see if I need to be worried. Elliott gagged after eating night before last and emptied his stomach all over him and myself. I think it was because he gagged...he put an entire animal cracker in his mouth. They hardly had anything for lunch yesterday. They shared one piece of turkey...didn't finish it...and a Dora yogurt...and they were done. I know that their appitites are supposed lessen as they become toddlers but I didn't think it would happen over night. They did eat a little better at dinner and they finished their oatmeal this morning. I am just praying that they are just not as hungry because they aren't growing so fast anymore.<br /><br />It other news...Elliott can make himself pee. I am pretty sure he doesn't know how to NOT pee...but he can make it come out. He does it nightly in the bathtub. He stands up and looks like he is going to poo...then he smiles and starts peeing and laughs!!! He has been peeing on the floor in their room too but he usually looks suprised when that happens.<br /><br />Aaron loves to hide in boxes. It pretty fun. He is a funny kid. They are sort of playing together at times but usually one of them doesn't know the other is playing..if you know what I mean. Elliott will be running around trying to get Aaron to chase him and laughing while Aaron doesn't know what Elliott is doing. Aaron was really upset while I was changing his diaper so I pretended his foot was a phone. Now they pretend their feet are phones. It is so funny. They think its funny when they touch each others faces too and try to brush each others hair. The bathtub has become a super fun place to be. They love to sit and kick their legs creating big waves and splashes. I love it!!! It sounds like Elliott says "kitty" but I can't imagine that he says that. We don't say it very often but he does love it when someone goes to the basement during meal times....they are both somewhat obsessed with the basement door and they know that two furry things come up sometimes. Elliott walks to the door and says "kitty" but it might not really be kitty. Who knows what that kid is saying...usually "digga digga dee" or "diggum" ...whatever that means!!! It sounds like Aaron says "baby". It is the sweetest thing ever...his little voice gets all high and innocent and he says "baybay". His little mouth is looks so sweet too. He is good at copying voices so when I talk to them like ET or growl like a monster chasing them he repeats it. He is growling often and he pretends to clear his throat when someone else does...its nice to hear him with a sweet innocent little boys voice.<br /><br />Well...I must go now. Its 8:45...one of the boys is awake...I need to get dressed for church and get my little guys ready as well. Enjoy the pictures!!!<br /><br />JenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-85557039987037937212009-03-04T21:10:00.003-06:002009-03-04T22:37:00.178-06:00Its March!!!Its been awhile again...sorry! The boys were sick again...just colds but it was not fun. Dr. Maini told me that Elliott has reactive airway disease...they can't diagnose asthma this young but he may never be diagnosed with asthma anyway. Lots of the time boys grow out of it. Our insurance company enrolled him in an asthma thing and we have a nurse that we can call anytime and she said she will call us and ask about how Elliott is doing every couple of months. She asked me what triggers him to wheeze...all I could tell him was he wheezes every time he gets a cold. I still don't really know how to know when he is wheezing until it gets bad enough for me to hear. There have been many times I have though he was find but Dr. Maini has said he has been wheezing and needed breathing treatments every 4 hours. He hasn't needed one (that I am aware of) in a few days but a couple days ago he looked at me and put his hand on his nose and mouth like he was asking if he was going to get a treatment...it was cute. Aaron is as cute as ever. He is so funny. He loves to climb up on the bench but for some reason can't remember how to get down. Both boys learned how to drink out of a straw but Elliott can't remember now. Andrew brought home a chocolate shake and a shamrock shake...we mixed them. That is how they learned to use straws =) Aaron was chugging it!!! Elliott is more of a grazer so he would drink a little and play then drink some more and play. Aaron loves drinking out of straws and throws a fit when he sees one that is not for him. Elliott likes to chew on them but doesn't remember how to use them!!! They went to the Dr. last Wednesday. Elliott is 30 inches and Aaron is just under that...29 something. Aaron is 21 pounds 6 ounces I think and Elliott is 20 pounds 10 ounces...I might have the ounces wrong. Elliott's head is a little bigger...I think that is all the news I have....<br /><br />We went to the Children's Museum in Bloomington today. Andrew has been working lots and lots of hours and had yesterday and today off. The boys really liked playing in the toddler area and running around all over the place. The toddler area has steps to go up and a bridge to walk over as well as a slide to go down and a rock wall to climb up. I didn't know that Aaron could climb stairs but he can...Elliott has been able to for months but doesn't get much of a chance. They both had a difficult time with the bridge. It had a hump in the middle that was hard for them to walk over and both ended up falling down it when they crawled. Elliott tried to climb up the climbing wall which was fun. I didn't know how he knew what to do...guess he really is a little monkey. They were too short to play in the water, even standing on the stools. Aaron was afraid of the water smock but they were so long both boys would have tripped over them anyway. There is a wind area that Andrew and I had a lot of fun at!!! There were these clear tubes that had air blowing through them. You can put a ball or square pieces of material in a hole and then what you put in there would blow through and come shooting out another hole. Andrew put each of the material squares through one after another while I sat on the floor where the material would land. The boys were so funny watching them blow through the tubes...their eyes were going crazy!!! I think they will have more fun when they are older but I know they enjoyed themselves today. We had lunch at Noodles and Co. and that was super yummy!!! They boys were very well behaved and I was proud (as always) to be their mommy.<br /><br />I am hoping to go to Six Flags this summer with the boys and maybe St. Louis Zoo. Elliott has 6 more inches to grow before he can ride on rollercoasters...Aaron just a little more. I am not thinking they will grow 6 inches in the next few months but I kind of wish they would. I want them to be normal sized intead of so short. I know there are other kids that are shorter but I am not talking about them. 12 month pants are still so long (in most brands)...I bought them some chinos in 12 months...I asked mom if she could hem them but she told me they were so long she would have to cut them off so I took them back and will have to find 6-9 months I guess. Andrew and I are average sized people so I think they will eventually get as tall as we are. My friend from Henry came over with her daughter. She was born on December 1, 2007 so just 6 days after the boys. She is at least a head taller!!! She looked like a 2 year old. My friend, Dani, told me that she is off the chart for height so I guess I shouldn't think they should be that tall. I can't wait for the day that they are in the 50th percentile for weight and height instead of the 5th and 10th. They are healthy so its really not a big deal...I just want them to be taller I guess....This is a dumb thing to write about....<br /><br />Well...I am going to bed I think. Tomorrow Andrew goes back to work so it's just the boys and I. The weather is supposed to be nice so maybe we can go outside and play on their slide.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-44062105294390017642009-02-07T20:36:00.002-06:002009-02-07T20:58:34.409-06:00growing growing growingToday was a BEAUTIFUL day...it was pretty warm...I wanted to open the windows but Annie thought that was a little silly and really it would have been. It wasn't that warm!!! I took the boys for a walk yesterday and it had cooled off lots and I didn't realize until we were about half way back home. Their little hands were freezing...the wind was pretty biting!!! We went for another walk today and it was much warmer. They LOVE their stroller still which is handy. They were so different being outside then they were last time we got to take a walk. They were looking all over the place and interested in the trees moving and other people walking. They talked alot too. I gave them a snack during their walk today. I never thought they would be able to use those little snack cups that are attached to the stroller!!! They are super handy!!! I couldn't put their sippys in the cup holders because they still throw their cups as soon as they are doing drinking. I am thinking about investing in those sippy cup holders...probably I could make some....<br /><br />So...Aaron is walking everywhere now and falling less often. I is walking more then he is crawling...it just happened. Actually, grandma Bock was here for a visit and I think he wanted to show off for her. He started walking across rooms while she was here and the next thing I knew he could go from the living room to his room without falling...then a few days ago I noticed that he could stand up from sitting without pulling himself up. I honestly don't know if that was the first time or if I just hadn't noticed...Elliott has been doing that for a really long time so it isn't as impressive I guess. I still threw Aaron a little clapping and "yay-ing" party when I saw him do it. Aaron is also climbing as well as Elliott. Both get very frustrated when that can't get on something...like the futon and the recliner. They LOVE climbing on the rocking chair in their room. They also love to go in their room and empty their drawers. I don't love that but it seems like alot of fun for them so I guess its not a big deal for me to fold everthing again. Elliott tried to put his shoes on and tries to help me get pants on him. They aren't really close to saying any words but they babble to each other and us all the time. They string together all these strange sounds. My mom said that she doesn't remember any of us ever making the sounds they make but I don't think they are weired. I think they might be forming their own language. They seem to understand each other and answer each other. This is pretty scary for me because I won't know what they are planning and I am very sure they will be planning things. I think that right now is going to be the easiest time for me for a while. They are gettin gmore and more opinoinated and are fighting with each other more. Aaron takes anything Elliott has from him. He tries to push him off things and sometimes hits him. Elliott gets so frustrated with not being able to play with anything without Aaron taking it. He also gets pretty frustrated when he can't do things by himself. They learned how to rock their rocking horse and rocking caterpiller this week. They can get on the bounce and spin zebras but haven't figured out how to bounce...they try to rock on them. Aaron always try to push Elliott off of the zebra he is on even though there are two of them...what a kooky kid!!! I have been trying to teach Aaron that he has to wait until Elliott is finished but I do not believe that year old kids are able to reason well =) Aaron is making more and more funny faces...he is such a comic!!! Their humidifier isn't working..needs a new filter and we haven't been able to find one...anyway, Aaron's nose is super dry. I have been almost drowning him in little noses and started with Elliott too. Everytime I put little noses in their noses they breath in and out really deep...like it helped so much...its so funny. Aaron's whine has been really nasaly...he sounds like Pat from Saturday Night Live...it kind of makes me crazy. I hope that its just the dry air and not how he is going to sound...I can't handle rasing an actual nerd...I realize that Elliott and Aaron might not be the most athletic kids(they will probably be able to swim and play golf) and might be interested in nerdy thing but they can't be REAL nerds...they are too fun and too cute!!! <br /><br />This blog is too long!!! If you are reading this and have not seen new pictures on snapfish...let me know and I will resend you the album. I added over 100 a few days ago to the 12-18 month album. <br /><br />I am going to stop babbling now and get ready to take a trip to Indiana tomorrow!!! I am so excited...the rumor is that grandma and grandpa Bock are taking the boys (I hope they let us come too) to the Indianapolis Children's Museum!!! YAY!!!<br /><br />JenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-14799768641635731752009-01-10T21:37:00.004-06:002009-01-10T22:17:14.319-06:00long time no blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vCOUmGzZgXwlv-ByI9F8J2FGpOUiCmDa69JPje2MJFtkU9x_gep5qaG72cdBoKdYaPbl9tNPizOWpSMWEvYButGT20_qgtMTUwHUf8g3_w3sJ_egR80z-TISzi7-h72yTPRjUEU1yiMT/s1600-h/DSC02160.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vCOUmGzZgXwlv-ByI9F8J2FGpOUiCmDa69JPje2MJFtkU9x_gep5qaG72cdBoKdYaPbl9tNPizOWpSMWEvYButGT20_qgtMTUwHUf8g3_w3sJ_egR80z-TISzi7-h72yTPRjUEU1yiMT/s320/DSC02160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289882526017911698" border="0" /></a><br />boys in a box...elliott wanted aaron off of him<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNj8XwGYYTSIFf9UtmqQMWaYcFtm0P-jQiYOR40ww46HjVYnBErS_uwTSHKvaW9YCwV14Bjg7HYG4c3TuwUP9cIjeCUb_87DNZAQ8enlZzGlpKGalP_CK3GSOnGIVavk0HMXe_KAPFYVtb/s1600-h/DSC02148.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNj8XwGYYTSIFf9UtmqQMWaYcFtm0P-jQiYOR40ww46HjVYnBErS_uwTSHKvaW9YCwV14Bjg7HYG4c3TuwUP9cIjeCUb_87DNZAQ8enlZzGlpKGalP_CK3GSOnGIVavk0HMXe_KAPFYVtb/s320/DSC02148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289882524060540322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnZ7A-cuwmb3eLIxKgd0HrmeyF8NuTR-wnHpcRmfOelXD9XIIkZFfZq0enxYu3AFLaWeXddfByk6xXtHurNh5Tnr-VwIavuEgjy2xS01mh84adRihYblPVw_G7gGYRypdzCjMwyHwg5M-/s1600-h/DSC02146.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnZ7A-cuwmb3eLIxKgd0HrmeyF8NuTR-wnHpcRmfOelXD9XIIkZFfZq0enxYu3AFLaWeXddfByk6xXtHurNh5Tnr-VwIavuEgjy2xS01mh84adRihYblPVw_G7gGYRypdzCjMwyHwg5M-/s320/DSC02146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289881330373869106" border="0" /></a><br />peek-a-boo elliott<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA4XQ-Fpvmy9w42cDi7fFzyum-H3We7tZRzvPdSG9Fbi-CZ1aQRnfFiJeCtz95bjJRXXO3opANSpg1qs1cABJmQJ645urDEIjJqZuaYuy4kGMDNaWGiFuvb5z9XpIAVjh8x8HYk7P1ekE/s1600-h/DSC02136.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA4XQ-Fpvmy9w42cDi7fFzyum-H3We7tZRzvPdSG9Fbi-CZ1aQRnfFiJeCtz95bjJRXXO3opANSpg1qs1cABJmQJ645urDEIjJqZuaYuy4kGMDNaWGiFuvb5z9XpIAVjh8x8HYk7P1ekE/s320/DSC02136.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289881323894894562" border="0" /></a><br />andrew let them play with kleenex..they had such a great time!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDUP_K4my9ep-tOSgh61L1xoY2ETLUQdLyrvfWUoGU0k4S4Cq3cqNbMTPoNVkc98sKJkINqsPvDXUb_n28dWdhMbEModWPlHaqcWct7MBR27NIwstZYSogA65h2Xc1aFYBdTdcLBMyd-6/s1600-h/DSC02134.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDUP_K4my9ep-tOSgh61L1xoY2ETLUQdLyrvfWUoGU0k4S4Cq3cqNbMTPoNVkc98sKJkINqsPvDXUb_n28dWdhMbEModWPlHaqcWct7MBR27NIwstZYSogA65h2Xc1aFYBdTdcLBMyd-6/s320/DSC02134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289881316392722066" border="0" /></a><br />eating cheerios out of a pot<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVBMn37KTfGQmKMCXv-TtPC_7nRNuX87mfP-NYRcjGvI-RkHnCLUBtgeZOU7eRy8gOEH5U-PHDSiIzcgNeReBNL5KEjQQ06Em-Dqg7Y1-M97lYCT12lAQuf4rmqCkpR3rz7D7_yIaGMp1/s1600-h/DSC02130.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVBMn37KTfGQmKMCXv-TtPC_7nRNuX87mfP-NYRcjGvI-RkHnCLUBtgeZOU7eRy8gOEH5U-PHDSiIzcgNeReBNL5KEjQQ06Em-Dqg7Y1-M97lYCT12lAQuf4rmqCkpR3rz7D7_yIaGMp1/s320/DSC02130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289881306876121426" border="0" /></a><br />playing "sooo big"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCET5im7yVEf4jfQ4eSxAv5_xbaNWc8glmPq6CysBJgHI5J6IVZUinI55Vv2AjY8kKmTzteVllYIEhH00NwAJiUeI17oLC3K44mKlsZvjUDbX7lF6GUpsbx4XIG4iBmfvdCeU3GO0nPjdk/s1600-h/DSC02116.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCET5im7yVEf4jfQ4eSxAv5_xbaNWc8glmPq6CysBJgHI5J6IVZUinI55Vv2AjY8kKmTzteVllYIEhH00NwAJiUeI17oLC3K44mKlsZvjUDbX7lF6GUpsbx4XIG4iBmfvdCeU3GO0nPjdk/s320/DSC02116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289881302043132354" border="0" /></a><br />its a walking tigger =)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I really need to blog more often but there are many things that I want to write about that I don't think I am supposed to on this blog. I made another blog that is private...I have to invite you to read it...but I am not using it like I should I guess...anyway<br /><br />Lots of things have happened. Aaron finally got his first tooth!!! I am a terrible mother and can't remember what day it was...I know it was before my last blog..he had a tooth before he started walking...YES HE IS WALKING!!! He started walking on New Years Day...I think...<br /><br />Yesterday I was feeding the boys their lunch and Aaron started to cry...I looked over at him and he was signing milk!!! I gave him his milk and he was happy. I love that I can see them learning. Its awesome!!! When I say "peek-a-boo" or "where is Elliott" or sometimes I just have to say "peek" Elliott covers his eyes with his hands. I love it!!! Also yesterday I had the Backyardagains on after the boys nap. They aren't interested in TV but I want them to be so I can not have to be chasing them around all day...anyway...they were actually interested in The Backyardagains so I stood in front of the TV with them so they could see it a little better since the TV stand makes the TV be like 5 ft...a tumbleweed knocked Pablo over and Elliott laughed. It was really cute. I like to think that he found humor in it but I think he was just laughing because thats what he does. They are so much fun!!! All of you need to come over and play for a little bit!!!<br /><br />My mom brought Aunt Sandy over today in a Henry school bus. That was exciting!!! They were here to help out with the Synagis shot. I can't be here alone on shot day because they cry so hard...someone has to hold the first shot baby and calm that little guy down while I hold teh second baby to get shot. Its terrible!!! I have not heard Aaron cry as hard as he cried today. It might actually be more painful to me than it is to him!!! I will just keep in mind that it would be much worse for them to get RSV (esp. Elliott with every cold making him weeze) and be in the hospital.<br /><br />A couple days ago I changed the outlets in the boys room so now the things we plug in actually stay plugged in and don't fall out...that is super great!!! The boys are not intersted in cords anymore...so so so so much safer and easier for them to play in their room. Next I get to change our thermostat so our house can be more efficent. I ran into a problem while changing the outlets. I know how to do it...have a bunch of times but our house is strange. We don't have brakers to turn off...you have to unscrew these circles!!! It was nuts. Annie said that she thinks dad can change it to a regular circuit braker thing and it would be safer so hopefully he can find some time to do that for us.<br /><br />I am not able to think anymore so I guess I am done. I hope you love the pictures of my super cute little boys!!!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-62206092665187552522008-12-17T19:19:00.005-06:002008-12-31T21:04:53.507-06:00a Christmas letterI started this blog several weeks ago and never finished it. It might be a little late but I am going to finish it now.<br /><br />So you know how people put a letter in their Christmas cards? Well...we don't do that. Maybe people we send cards to don't want to read about our year...also, maybe they read this blog and already know everything. Andrew read a Christmas letter yesterday and thought maybe we should write a letter to make the cards a little more personal. I was going to do it but sealed all the cards before I remembered I was going to write a letter. So I am just going to blog a letter and hopefully the folks that want to read it will and those who don't won't!!!<br /><br />What a year it has been!!! Here are two pictures of the boys with Santa last year....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikuXQWbsQ6N03D3d5VGsyzHEMvwU876PGzZT0bayrwdRx4R6TT-9w0joYVEDo4_kPi1Tfs3DI_sSyofu8hf4KXKNuQeMv-B5zjlk_cHp4psnRf0zxWq0hoAvp8SnmOahOuWemoWV9vgrg/s1600-h/santaboys.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikuXQWbsQ6N03D3d5VGsyzHEMvwU876PGzZT0bayrwdRx4R6TT-9w0joYVEDo4_kPi1Tfs3DI_sSyofu8hf4KXKNuQeMv-B5zjlk_cHp4psnRf0zxWq0hoAvp8SnmOahOuWemoWV9vgrg/s320/santaboys.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280944688549243490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHnFg7nqsEYAVZR7Eb-dJkMWSNwwb7Sq0pMwx8OaTMi9F14vDtqMf3YyURewri-QIJppY5m0MNvPUGWj_OYImd4-xL_JAiy89mw7BntuzJcxD8BX_AWD6UMe6K1q-ktFkeIxLVHhM3Z9S/s1600-h/ussantaboys.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHnFg7nqsEYAVZR7Eb-dJkMWSNwwb7Sq0pMwx8OaTMi9F14vDtqMf3YyURewri-QIJppY5m0MNvPUGWj_OYImd4-xL_JAiy89mw7BntuzJcxD8BX_AWD6UMe6K1q-ktFkeIxLVHhM3Z9S/s320/ussantaboys.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280944686714663314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here they are this year...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-vnjo5MgS3vVHL_ewYVF2tILBcYftMCo5a3z835mLYS4tPuH9jrzpXlTZe-0vtnDdv0Z62dPaqqsmmt_mGKvH7svwcNIXlBdzaL3o16HdddmZ8vRryaknO3jHJG5sd5zXANMRK3_Q6sw/s1600-h/santa08.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-vnjo5MgS3vVHL_ewYVF2tILBcYftMCo5a3z835mLYS4tPuH9jrzpXlTZe-0vtnDdv0Z62dPaqqsmmt_mGKvH7svwcNIXlBdzaL3o16HdddmZ8vRryaknO3jHJG5sd5zXANMRK3_Q6sw/s320/santa08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280945337413817010" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Aaron wanted to snuggle with Santas beard last year and this year he wanted nothing to do with him!!!<br /><br />We have been through a lot this year and we have so very much to be thankful for. The boys are both on the growth chart and do not appear to have any delays. They reached all of their milestones so far within the normal range for their real age...not adjusted. They are amazing and it seems impossible but I love them more everyday. This year we were able to move out of my sister Annie's house and into our own.<br /><br />Andrew still works for Verizon Wireless in East Peoria as a Sales Rep. It isn't the best situation but the job pays the bills so we are thankful. Hopefully one day he will have a job that allows him to be home to have dinner with us..his family. He has had a very good year as far as his job goes. He is good at sales but does put a lot of high goals on himself. He is always in a silent competition with another sales rep and really doesn't like when the other rep comes out ahead of him at the end of the month. <br /><br />I am still a full time stay at home mom. It is by far the most demanding job I have ever had but it's also my favorite job!!! Some days are harder than others but the good outweighs the bad. I really struggled during the first half of the year with getting the boys on a schedule and getting them to sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time but all that hard work has paid off. They are great sleepers, fabulous eaters, and the sweetest little boys you will ever meet =) I have thought about finding a job I can do at home to help with the bills but have been unsuccessful in finding anything that is not a scam. I would like to go back to school for speech pathology...but honestly..I don't know how well I would do with the demands of a new career path and raising my boys. We will just have to keep praying about it and asking for God to give Andrew and I the wisdom to know what to do. <br /><br />In the past year the boys have learned to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time. They have learned to sleep on their own. They have learned to roll from their backs to fronts and fronts to back. They have learned to sit without support, stand, cruise around furniture, sit up from laying down. They know how eat solid food and pick finger foods up to feed themselves. They have gone from 5 lbs to almost 20!!! Preemie clothes to 12 months!!! They are trying to talk. Elliott can walk and Aaron is not far behind!!! They are learning how to be nice to one another and not push each other down and take things from each other. Aaron loves to put toys in things...or his paci. He hides his paci in the laundry or in other toys. Elliott loves to be chased and held upside down. They both love to make people laugh. <br /><br />So that way my attempt at a Christmas letter. I think it was kind of dumb. Oh well. <br /><br />This is New Years Eve. I am at home alone with the boys. They are sleeping and I am feeling a bit lonely. Andrew went to Henry to play poker. My mom, Julie, Annie, and the kids are at Annie's house playing games and eating unhealthy stuff. I am not feeling very well but much better then yesterday and the day before. The boys are getting runny noses and coughing again. I am thinking about taking them to the doctor tomorrow to see if they have ear infections again or if either of them are wheezing. Runny noses and coughs have always turned into wheezing...I did read that boys grow out of the wheezing asthma stuff more often than girls...YAY!!! <br /><br />I am trying to think about what has happened since the boys birthday. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Jamestown with Grandma and Grandpa Bock. Katie, Eric, and Cassidy were also there. It was pretty hetic opening presents. The boys wanted to play with Cassidy's princess cups and Cassidy wanted to play with the boys dump truck. I actually think that they didn't get to play with their dump truck until we got home!!! They didn't want to open presents...they just wanted to be all over the house. I think that they really enjoyed time with their grandma and grandpa...also with Katie and Eric....I am not sure what they thought about Cassidy. They were just like they are with Jackson. Cassidy and Jackson are both sweet and will hug the boys and stuff but the boys just kind of want to do their own thing. I think they will be different in a few months. It seems like they are getting more interested in playing with eachother instead of next to each other. I know that all comes with time and time is something I don't want to rush. I wish that the boys could see Cassidy more but I guess they can't!!! I think that their favorite gift was the toy box from Santa Bock. Elliott got inside of the toy box with his lovie. He was very graceful getting in and getting out. Aaron likes it better on the outside. They also really LOVE the big dump truck. I was bringing stuff in from the car and Andrew was watching the boys. I came into the living room to find Elliott sitting in the dump truck and Aaron pushing him!!! I wasn't fast enough to get pictures but I did get a little video footage. We have put Elliott in the dump truck a couple more times and he loves it!!! Aaron also loves to push him...they are too funny. Aaron does not like being in the dump truck!!! <br /><br />Its been fun to watch them learn how to play with their toys that they have had for a long time. Aaron loves to play with the roll-a-round dinosaur. I was so suprised the first time I saw him put the ball where it was supposed to go. He puts paci's in the dino often too. Elliott has been getting very frustrated when he can't do things by himself. It's sad to watch but its all a part of growing up. Aaron doesn't get frustrated as much...he takes his time to figure something out and if he gets tired of trying he just goes to something else. They were given LOTS of books for Christmas too and its been fun reading them all the new stories. <br /><br />I feel that this blog is boring and long so I guess I will stop. I will try to blog more often and about more interesting things in the new year. YAY 2009!!!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-1953245418209965262008-12-10T22:35:00.003-06:002008-12-10T22:38:43.819-06:00just a quick oneI just wanted to write a quick little blog. The boys are doing much much better...they don't even really have runny noses anymore =) <br /><br />Also I learned from my mom who learned from our doctor when we were little that not wearing shoes is the best for little feet. The doctor told her that shoes screw up our feet. When kids are learning to walk its best for them to be barefoot because they roll their feet right and use their toes and strengthen their arches. So, no shoes for my boys!!! I am looking into getting cheap "robeez" but not actually robeez...some family in China makes soft sole crib shoes like robeez and sells them on ebay. I have seen many not be bid on at all and the bidding starts at .97 with $8 shipping...we can handle that. That's it...I must finish watching the Dark Knight...I guess it's important.<br /><br />JenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-74818716721343619582008-12-07T14:04:00.002-06:002008-12-07T15:04:27.001-06:00nebulizer and croupI have no excuse for not blogging...I have just been lazy. <br /><br />The boys had their last "first" on Thanksgiving for a while. How sad...I guess Aaron still needs to get his first tooth and take his first step... They had so much fun playing with their cousin Ashley's toys on Thanksgiving. She had tons of play food and a kitchen...she's in college now and doesn't play with that stuff anymore (as far as I know!!!). We will have to get them something like that soon...or when they have outgrown some of their baby stuff they are still playing with. We also put Aaron in a doll baby buggy of Ashley's and had Jenna push him. Its a pretty cute picture...I will post them soon.<br /><br />The day after Thanksgiving Elliott started to get a cough and runny nose. Aaron started with the same stuff Sunday afternoon. They had their well baby check on Monday. Aaron started croup coughing on the way to the doctor office. He felt pretty bad by the time we got there and it's only a 15 minute drive!!! Elliott was feeling pretty bad too but I think Aaron was scared because it hurt to cough and he didn't know what was going on. They weighed and measured them but I, again, don't know how accurate the measurements are since they were super upset and the nurses were hurrying. Two different nurses measured them too. Aaron weighed in at 20.7 pounds and Elliott 19.11. Aaron was 28 1/4 inches and Elliott 28 inches. Here is the thing...when they stand up together, which they do all the time, Elliott is taller than Aaron. Anyway, Aaron was given a steroid shot and breathed epinephrine through the nebulizer at the office to help with his croup. He coughed a little when we got in the car but not again after that!!! Praise God!!! Elliott was wheezing and had an ear infection. He was given antibiotics and has to use the nebulizer at home with albuterol. They had a recheck on Thursday. Aaron is down to just having a cold...they don't do anything for that and Elliott was "wheezing all over" so he is up from 3 nebs a day to 4. He's doing pretty well with them so I won't complain. I just hope he grows out of it. Both seem to be feeling better every day.<br /><br />Aaron is getting braver and braver. I have thought he was going to take a step several times but he always just goes to his knees to crawl. Elliott is walking more than crawling now. He is good at turning and walking around things too. Now we just need to find shoes with arches that fit them!!! I think they might have unusually small feet or I am just not shopping at the right stores. I used the shoe chart on the Old Navy, Gap, and Children's Place websites and their feet didn't even get to the smallest shoe size. I think shoes are important so if you have any suggestions let me know. <br /><br />So..the boys are doing more and more grown up things. Elliott tried to put his sock back on and Aaron tried to put his santa hat back on. Both are doing well at drinking milk from sippies rather than bottles...even Aaron!!! Aaron held his bottle yesterday too!!! I think Aaron might be getting a tooth but I have been thinking that off and on for several months. Elliott's 5 tooth should be popping through any day. Aaron has decided that he is a picky eater again. Today he refused mashed potatoes, turkey, and fruit and yogurt. He would only eat deli turkey...smoked turkey at that...that has a strong flavor...he is a weird kid. Elliott loves yogurt!!! I wish Aaron did. I will keep trying with him. Hopefully he will remember that he likes everything soon. I don't know if either of them will eat green beans anymore. Neither of them can get enough Gerber Juice Treats. I am pretty sure Elliott threw his first real fit yesterday. He was drinking from the red sippy and Aaron from the blue. I don't like them to switch because then I don't know if Elliott has drank everything or if Aaron has had some too. Anyway, Elliott decided he wanted the blue one and I gave him the red one. I put the blue one out of his reach. He layed on the floor and rolled while kicking and crying and threw the red sippy. Later he and Aaron both wanted a bottle that was in the tub. Aaron took it from Elliott and Elliott tried to rip Aaron's face off!!! I am kind of freaking out because I don't know how to deal with it. I thought they would not fight...seriously I did!!! I thought they would be sweet forever!!! Don't feel bad for Aaron though!!! Elliott has put up with a lot this past year from Aaron =) <br /><br />Oh my...I must pay attention to my boys now. Aaron is trying to eat a wagon wheel in one bite...<br /><br />JenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-35409082466668130692008-11-25T22:11:00.010-06:002008-11-26T14:08:10.443-06:00Happy Birthday!!!Well....it happened...my babies are 1!!! I can't believe how fast the year went. I know I should be happy and proud of them and I am but I also can't stop thinking about what it was like a year ago. I can't remember what happened a year ago yesterday. I can't remember how a year ago today started or really ended. I can only remember a few things. I remember that it snowed for the first time that year. I remember they told me that the babies would be taken that night. They had scheduled the c-section for 7 or something but moved it up to 5:30 or 6. I remember Andrew telling everyone to leave my room and how thankful I was that he did that. As much as I wanted everyone there...I really needed just him. I told him that I thought it was okay that they were born that day because it was the first snow and it was a Sunday. He played a Jimmy Eat World song for me called Sunday...I think that is the name of it...its an extra special song. I remember crying and being really really scared but trying to be strong and brave. I can remember being taken to the operating room and laying on a bed that felt about 5 inches wide. It also felt like there was a hill right under my back. I was super hot...the magnesium made me hot, being pregnant made me hot, and they had the room hot so the babies wouldn't be super cold when they were taken out. It seemed like I was laying there for hours. I can remember that the epidural hurt pretty bad and the nurses talking about how Dr. Boyd was a little annoyed that my epidural was so late. I can remember feeling embarrassed about all my parts being out in the open for about 20 people to see. I didn't know how worried Julie was. Part of me doesn't want to have any more children just to keep Julie from having to go through that again!!! I can remember that it felt really strange when Dr. Boyd was taking the babies out. I know they cried but I can't remember hearing them. I know Andrew didn't know what to do...he wanted to be with me but he wanted to see his sons. I told him to take a million pictures and to stay with them. The put them in the same bassinet and stopped about 9 feet away...that was my first and only glimpse of children for 2 days. The next thing I can remember is asking if I could go to sleep. They said yes and then asked me a question I don't think I answered...then they told me they were giving me narcotics. Then I remember waking up and seeing my very best friend Carrie (Tree). I couldn't believe she was there. I cried when I saw her and asked if she saw them. I think she had but I don't remember anything..just that she was there and I cried because it meant so much. She drove all the way from Chicago and had to go back that night. You don't get many friends like her...I only have one...I love her!!! I can't even imagine what the boys were going through. They weren't ready to come out...they were small and scary looking. Andrew showed me pictures everyday on the camera. I had him take more pictures every time he went to see them and made him go see them many times a day. He didn't like taking all the pictures but that was all I had. I wasn't allowed to see them until my catheter was out and that couldn't be taken out until I was off the mag and I couldn't be taken off of that until my blood pressure went down. I had these crazy balloon things on my legs to keep me from getting blood clots. They were fun for about 20 minutes...then I hated them. I think that I didn't like when anyone other then Andrew told me how they were doing. I didn't want to hear it from people that didn't know what it was like to be going through it...that is dumb though, but how I felt. Finally on Tuesday they took the cath out. I was still on mag but very little I guess. I was moved from the labor and delivery room to the mother baby wing..my room was across from the nursery...that was kind of mean. The nurse couldn't believe I didn't see my boys yet and took me as soon as I was settled in. Andrew was waiting for us. We saw Aaron first. It was really hard not to sob. Andrew told me it hurt him to touch him and not to rub him. I couldn't believe someone was telling me how to touch MY baby. It was terrible. He had so many cords all around him. His skin looked like it hurt...I just told him that I loved him and that I was so very sorry. Andrew tried to prepare me to see Elliott. He still had CPAP. Again...I cried...told him I loved him and that I was so sorry. His nurse was Christal. That was when she told me to feel what I was feeling. Some people had told me that I should be grateful and happy about how they were doing. It was nice for her to tell me I didn't have to feel happy because I was far from happy. I was scared out of my mind and so terribly guilty. I went to see them a few more times that day and it got easier each time. I think I was finally released on Thursday. That was probably the worst day of my life. I wanted out of the hospital really bad but I didn't know how hard it would be to leave them. Right before I went home a new mom was put in my room. She had just given birth to a healthy baby girl. I just sat on my bed praying that Andrew would hurry up and get there. I didn't know how terrible I would feel to hear the nurses bring in her new daughter....to hear them helping her put the baby to her breast to be fed for the first time...I wanted to die. I was able to hold it together. I clung to the pictures I had of Elliott and Aaron. Andrew finally got there and I got out of the room as fast as I could. I was wheeled down to the parking deck where I waited for Andrew to bring the car around. I couldn't believe how cruel life could be. While I was waiting...with my belly still looking pregnant but empty....there were at least 5 other new moms there, holding their babies, waiting for their babies daddies. They were everywhere...seeming to mock me. It was so hard. Next we went to Target for my pain meds. As soon as we were in the door what do we see? Infant twin boys with their parents. I wanted to just go home but I was in pain so we picked up the meds...gave the pharmacist an update on the boys and went to Avanti's. That night when I was trying to sleep I kept rubbing my belly like I did when I was pregnant...they weren't in there...they weren't in the room with us or the room next to us. I couldn't stop crying. Andrew called the NICU to make sure they were okay. It was so terrible. The emotional pain of that day is something I will never forget. I am very happy about how everything turned out. Elliott and Aaron are AWESOME!!! I think Andrew and I are stronger individuals and have a stronger marriage because of that month they were in the NICU and the past year we have had. Sorry that was so long...Now I can't really see the screen...I am crying kind of a lot!!!<br /><br />So..now to happy stuff. We celebrated the boys birthday with family and friends on Saturday. I have added some pictures. Today we took the boys to the NICU. We saw Dr. Hocker (he was their neonatologist) and tons of their nurses. It was really fun. Elliott showed off and Aaron was shy and cuddly. We had them dressed in birthday clothes from head to toe. Everyone loved their birthday shoes...thanks Katie!!! We went to Chili's for dinner. The boys had broccoli and grilled cheese. We told our waiter it was their birthday but they didn't get a birthday song or free dessert...what gives??? Next we went to Toys R Us and bought tons of stuff they don't need. Maybe they do...don't kids need mega blocks and busy beads and maracas and drums??? Also books and Christmas bibs? I think they do =) They have really enjoyed playing with/chewing on all their new stuff. Aaron has been standing more on his own...I might have already said that. They seem to be sleeping better and better all the time...not waking up in the night to fuss for a few minutes. They even sleep past 7 sometimes!!! Other times they are awake closer to 6am...oh well...at least they wake up every morning right?!?!? Well...I had better get to bed. Enjoy the pictures!!! The last one is a video. Make sure your sound is on...Andrew and I are talking about something dumb but the boys talk and it's cute. Hopefully we can capture Elliott walking sometime!!! That kid is camera shy or something!!!<br /><br />xoxo<br />Jen<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Decorations...lots of yellow!!! Just remember...not our choice of wall color. It came with the house. Jackson is in this pic...he is so cute!!!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhq6FUFc9j7wXwfrs12wm2sO3cXvb3Ylg40fUv33zFl0WSqj6jDkhtVyslpQ5_4W0A-wn2p70XJsmqZ-6TJ0wVo1yU28jcZkkRkkEhne9DiZUz4U4cI0mQJn4yGh1L33-83fyFlpE7wY0/s1600-h/decorationsfood.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhq6FUFc9j7wXwfrs12wm2sO3cXvb3Ylg40fUv33zFl0WSqj6jDkhtVyslpQ5_4W0A-wn2p70XJsmqZ-6TJ0wVo1yU28jcZkkRkkEhne9DiZUz4U4cI0mQJn4yGh1L33-83fyFlpE7wY0/s320/decorationsfood.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272815551984164018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The boys in their birthday hats...they were pretty big but still cute!!!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T7AcBWTjLBilCvSJ78L5lpEgGk-f4zQUWrkccZZ0gdufcvF3l2_5xVoaOXny9F9Z32UKH5I5iMPvYHLUwhUKseGzM2OLRPEi2F7lymntiAiUthQjp4f_wlC3V_baFGVfoHhWRxpO1C3V/s1600-h/hats.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T7AcBWTjLBilCvSJ78L5lpEgGk-f4zQUWrkccZZ0gdufcvF3l2_5xVoaOXny9F9Z32UKH5I5iMPvYHLUwhUKseGzM2OLRPEi2F7lymntiAiUthQjp4f_wlC3V_baFGVfoHhWRxpO1C3V/s320/hats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272815404382644946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The duck cake =)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcuX_xw9DSFZCirj3xdY587pfhxk0ExA9-wUuYu_DPMxjiiVQGr8gAbzHEByawbiOqVRwQcg1gXUZlYAfY8Zvb877PmZ8Wr9N70GU_rPalPT9OEEzfGFQys3jwiR926KC7Gm0BYL1PGmB/s1600-h/duck2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcuX_xw9DSFZCirj3xdY587pfhxk0ExA9-wUuYu_DPMxjiiVQGr8gAbzHEByawbiOqVRwQcg1gXUZlYAfY8Zvb877PmZ8Wr9N70GU_rPalPT9OEEzfGFQys3jwiR926KC7Gm0BYL1PGmB/s320/duck2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272815403820853042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The cupcakes with all the little birthday rubber duckies!!!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju1rrD5rQ_UbzvJjiD7VdgbQFhsyxGbRx9hFvsASwZsH52jUWrK0SA4HILRCkzOM_TjRScm2t_UnQlTupzmbDutmraUb19pk8IRjZU1AU2EWxIt54YIi6-d3LBo4HUVAWsUvfvyZM1QV3/s1600-h/duck.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju1rrD5rQ_UbzvJjiD7VdgbQFhsyxGbRx9hFvsASwZsH52jUWrK0SA4HILRCkzOM_TjRScm2t_UnQlTupzmbDutmraUb19pk8IRjZU1AU2EWxIt54YIi6-d3LBo4HUVAWsUvfvyZM1QV3/s320/duck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272815398682308626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Grandma Bock and Elliott</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo4Fd2TKku61j7ze9YImoDTMzs0Mq0lfNnbwVKXcywrQ9R_6BO-6SGEGbSlpBuSm0_HNykzrX_r3RJjloANTvtIV2c0COLPj62HCBFrC9QpvvO9b0FW5JlFdYism3evHQ67lpO4C9sMLF/s1600-h/gmaelliott.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo4Fd2TKku61j7ze9YImoDTMzs0Mq0lfNnbwVKXcywrQ9R_6BO-6SGEGbSlpBuSm0_HNykzrX_r3RJjloANTvtIV2c0COLPj62HCBFrC9QpvvO9b0FW5JlFdYism3evHQ67lpO4C9sMLF/s320/gmaelliott.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272815399205946978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Our family before opening presents</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUz3s_bAPU1S-uRLHgUvKpTgvVP4k7StcPm_F_r-7oCRjBl3zOQSSh7SCuH5TNVRyVNB0YgDxzC8DeEKF_n3eYVP8frVYE1N4-4qCf6vzEpT0Ndrp-Nj5x-LeqfhazHA7RFk6ETSkK6t6/s1600-h/fam.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUz3s_bAPU1S-uRLHgUvKpTgvVP4k7StcPm_F_r-7oCRjBl3zOQSSh7SCuH5TNVRyVNB0YgDxzC8DeEKF_n3eYVP8frVYE1N4-4qCf6vzEpT0Ndrp-Nj5x-LeqfhazHA7RFk6ETSkK6t6/s320/fam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272815394505868082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aaron IN the box with the presents!!!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8oXyelxuz_iyXy-1uLry7VFDYLsNK8aV4cqE1D-AEZr8TGsW9pdF_nRy5QD0FvtTOEHv2zvawCdgcW7x7cPN1R1Sa8jBptVxsNAsI8Sf0w1uYqqgdmtXWEnk-ps046nOqE3vxCeg1_gs/s1600-h/aaronbox.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8oXyelxuz_iyXy-1uLry7VFDYLsNK8aV4cqE1D-AEZr8TGsW9pdF_nRy5QD0FvtTOEHv2zvawCdgcW7x7cPN1R1Sa8jBptVxsNAsI8Sf0w1uYqqgdmtXWEnk-ps046nOqE3vxCeg1_gs/s320/aaronbox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814833030419602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">blowing out the candles...sorry I am in the way...Aaron is behind there!!!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbRZKfo7eSKSBpwnNL_m9_UYID2Yj-ObfW71l1Mz0cgVOOQKezE-a1mPBcKx8ul1OrAhkSU67Y1MuVq3LMLnP6-mhiFsrLPLTW3wiTzBqo6iSpOB2VwhNDom9vOWP0_VGqzXnnqCqIeDn/s1600-h/candles.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbRZKfo7eSKSBpwnNL_m9_UYID2Yj-ObfW71l1Mz0cgVOOQKezE-a1mPBcKx8ul1OrAhkSU67Y1MuVq3LMLnP6-mhiFsrLPLTW3wiTzBqo6iSpOB2VwhNDom9vOWP0_VGqzXnnqCqIeDn/s320/candles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814827652591378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Aaron LOVING frosting and cake<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sdVuavQrMmAJHVQWys33nC8rBYerRjnQY6tgco9JPpITJgj0sS7tEEPEdI4KpODaSzwvVzb7pnxgqWOiw5m8Vg4P0jL12Yz2_SznStnlDwhPzNjOoLdrNysmGpO2PT3itkYhVzR2NRWm/s1600-h/aaronfrosting.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sdVuavQrMmAJHVQWys33nC8rBYerRjnQY6tgco9JPpITJgj0sS7tEEPEdI4KpODaSzwvVzb7pnxgqWOiw5m8Vg4P0jL12Yz2_SznStnlDwhPzNjOoLdrNysmGpO2PT3itkYhVzR2NRWm/s320/aaronfrosting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814830298250930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Elliott loving frosting and cake.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFL8cgTr_6JaihFwyKlXpnuhmFjfsvt2RCPbh2St5z4awgfj1ztDqPcN72jMEeTWctvgNj37PLb8-xRRn1_8oRFNeP1M9joh3FTGMcLHbEbEGMerWclkTKCT1zEAfdQQvSO2M2Zikg8E-/s1600-h/elliottfrosting.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFL8cgTr_6JaihFwyKlXpnuhmFjfsvt2RCPbh2St5z4awgfj1ztDqPcN72jMEeTWctvgNj37PLb8-xRRn1_8oRFNeP1M9joh3FTGMcLHbEbEGMerWclkTKCT1zEAfdQQvSO2M2Zikg8E-/s320/elliottfrosting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814826573533570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Elliott very sad because his cake is gone!!!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34o4rYltzuvE6hCIro64eKMvxL49oBN55uaq3tcOo5oy5vXPxDnbv8bZ2K7iUcjuxhn3WHn_pTB6uv_EA790_n4fPUvx8ioQWNkqOSkqZy-AtIJ1SJr9oGCVALBh4H5PAl65bM8wCU8OX/s1600-h/elliottmorecake.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34o4rYltzuvE6hCIro64eKMvxL49oBN55uaq3tcOo5oy5vXPxDnbv8bZ2K7iUcjuxhn3WHn_pTB6uv_EA790_n4fPUvx8ioQWNkqOSkqZy-AtIJ1SJr9oGCVALBh4H5PAl65bM8wCU8OX/s320/elliottmorecake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814824587433026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aaron doing "so big"</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51SKY42V8XWll19M2kWliTb0MIOb6glJSmH6MwCcdTjuEVs5Vx8NbVHHwpqmyqszAWIKDxaHUYcIapO6wFT85h8i8fyU72Ws_xRFMHOkewhbVHbvq09nZGJj_y29sBENF0hvTeDGgF6bp/s1600-h/aaronsobig.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51SKY42V8XWll19M2kWliTb0MIOb6glJSmH6MwCcdTjuEVs5Vx8NbVHHwpqmyqszAWIKDxaHUYcIapO6wFT85h8i8fyU72Ws_xRFMHOkewhbVHbvq09nZGJj_y29sBENF0hvTeDGgF6bp/s320/aaronsobig.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814421306347922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aaron with NICU nurse Christal. She was one of my favorite of Elliott's nurses. She is the one who told me it was okay to feel anything I was feeling and I didn't have to feel lucky because my babies were doing so much better than lots of the other babies in there. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmHfgHaFHH-XVsrThcGepjLb-bDf_9ky9HygWqiLXRuuB3BNVdbiCH7_99mjzN0CmObGBC9XVVW1oMxVikB5vAF2EIUAzqZWaZZG1-PF3D-QIL0cy1Yenp79UX93yjQmt_89zkYtBnV6E/s1600-h/aaronnicuchristil.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmHfgHaFHH-XVsrThcGepjLb-bDf_9ky9HygWqiLXRuuB3BNVdbiCH7_99mjzN0CmObGBC9XVVW1oMxVikB5vAF2EIUAzqZWaZZG1-PF3D-QIL0cy1Yenp79UX93yjQmt_89zkYtBnV6E/s320/aaronnicuchristil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814419611130546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Elliott walking from NICU nurse Cari to me...Cari was one of Aaron's nurses. She was there when Aaron came home. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZDnskX-CULmL65Zo3wFPJD5XuFYCWSzcMe9v5cRN-9FCPsU831TsMQ3f-Y53lGVXXzmggb3eLG8Z9LuXBKel3gDKdlIEGkE709zMyLSGen_H22atM6sSCpFPsHNsuTPZ0tC2zGGQa3d-/s1600-h/elliottnicucari.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZDnskX-CULmL65Zo3wFPJD5XuFYCWSzcMe9v5cRN-9FCPsU831TsMQ3f-Y53lGVXXzmggb3eLG8Z9LuXBKel3gDKdlIEGkE709zMyLSGen_H22atM6sSCpFPsHNsuTPZ0tC2zGGQa3d-/s320/elliottnicucari.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814417739389858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aaron and his daddy at Chili's for their birthday dinner...they had broccoli and grilled cheese.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4rYZrinqyQAmHxLB5ksLKuTCimOi0usB6j3v36JEIjfUmaeg9hVKV2XOVpbXq2BoV4GN3MiPQrnylwhqTusCXy5jUqKvrsF-azROzHu715DzXxdGYPxRfQKL0NWaD9Z9gMgN-rghY_nT/s1600-h/aaronanddaddy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4rYZrinqyQAmHxLB5ksLKuTCimOi0usB6j3v36JEIjfUmaeg9hVKV2XOVpbXq2BoV4GN3MiPQrnylwhqTusCXy5jUqKvrsF-azROzHu715DzXxdGYPxRfQKL0NWaD9Z9gMgN-rghY_nT/s320/aaronanddaddy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814414487082994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Elliott and I at Chili's. We told them it was their birthday and they didn't sing or give them free dessert!!! </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzme_D2bnGiruN796MovGvkzkrH7k9Jt0uGLuk-jaCof0MF88vfik67lVvz0UHrPMujPahJY6qbJxvFjtO5LT2sa0KFOf3bWOCy7pU-_fUex8JTQMYKFRloZWJUAOGBwFCH60Csz6qAXwZ/s1600-h/elliottandmommy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzme_D2bnGiruN796MovGvkzkrH7k9Jt0uGLuk-jaCof0MF88vfik67lVvz0UHrPMujPahJY6qbJxvFjtO5LT2sa0KFOf3bWOCy7pU-_fUex8JTQMYKFRloZWJUAOGBwFCH60Csz6qAXwZ/s320/elliottandmommy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272814407622133634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxqw8ymJZzxkvZGNXEzr8H1QO8kG60-XCOrzklZs3pEvmHHHiPM4Hf2jcy4Rbbco5IE69sXKiDbIqSdgoN5hg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-32279063627231526562008-11-23T19:44:00.002-06:002008-11-23T20:17:34.422-06:00crabby crabby babiesI had two very crabby babies today. Elliott slept for about 40 minutes this morning after waking up around 6:15. Aaron slept until about 10:30...that was pretty good, but they were both so tired and crabby. It was fun to see them play with their new toys. Their second nap was from between 12:30 and 1:00 until 3. I thought they would be feeling great after that but they were still crabby. They also had bright green poo!!! What a surprise that was when I opened Aaron's diaper!!! I didn't know blue frosting did that =) Tree and Sean came over this morning before heading back to Chicagoland. Tree really liked playing with the heavy haulers. I have to admit...they are pretty fun. So is the car wash fridge magnet!!! "Train in the bubble wash Train in the bubble wash, good bye dirt, hello soap squirt. Train in the bubble wash"...what a fun song!!! <br /><br />I am still suprised at how many friends and family celebrated with us yesterday. All of my aunts (minus Florida family =( ) were here!!! Grandpa Shurts came...it was strange how no husbands came...The only guys were Andrew, Grandpa, Randy, and Sean. Maybe birthday parties are girl things...<br /><br />JenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-40507108698348485462008-11-23T19:25:00.003-06:002008-11-23T19:44:09.126-06:00St. FrancisOne year ago today I woke up and felt fine. Andrew left the hospital to go to work. I didn't feel like I wanted to be alone. I didn't ask if I could take a shower like I usually did while staying in the hospital. This is only important because I didn't get a shower from Thanksgiving until the Tuesday (I think) after the boys were born....GROSS!!! Anyway, Jamee was going to stop by and did...I think. That might have been a different day but I am pretty sure it was this day. I called my mom when I was alone again and told her that I wanted her to come stay with me. I didn't know why I was so needy. She said she would be there soon...she was going to leave then so it took her an hour I guess. The rest is kind of a blur. I think they told me the 24 hour urine showed that my condition was getting worse. I used to remember the numbers but I don't anymore. They told me I was being transferred to St. Francis "now". I called Andrew in a panic. I told him what was going on and he came to the hospital. I million people were in and out of my room. I was given a bolus of magnesium sulfide. It made me super super hot and a little uneasy on my feet. After the bolus I was just getting it through my IV. Some ambulance people came and put me on a different bed and I was wheeled around the hospital...I remember being so very hot and disoriented. Nurse Pam came in the ambulance with me and Andrew and my mom followed. Mom got there just in time. This day was also the day that Pam came in to do the usual "do you see spots, does your stomach hurt, are you dizzy" thing...she took my blood like most mornings too. She somehow got blood all over my body pillow. She took the cover and washed it at the hospital. It wasn't dry when I had to leave but was mostly dry. I don't know why I remember that so well. Anyway, I was wheeled around the hospital. It was a cold day and I remember how awesome it felt when a little cold air got on me when they were putting me in the ambulance. I also remember that I didn't know why they had put blankets on me when I was so hot and also I felt super bad for the people that had to lift my 200+ pound body into the ambulance. Yes..that is right...over 200 pounds and my babies didn't even weigh 6!!! I was driven across the street to St. Francis. Once of the ambulance people was asking me all these questions that I couldn't answer but I think they were easy like what is your insurance or something. Pam stuck up for me and told the lady to back off a bit. She liked me I think...Pam came into St. Francis with me and stayed in the room for a few minutes I think. I think she came back later that day to bring me a ring I had left in my room. I will never forget Pam. All the rest of this day is all mixed in with the rest of the days. I know that I wasn't allowed to eat because nobody knew if I would be taken in for a C-section that day or not. I don't know what time I was able to eat but it was after supper time. I ordered baked chicken and almost died when it came and it was on the bone!!! I ate it anyway because I was so hungry and found out the chicken on the bone is super good!!! I don't know who was there and what happened. I know that at some point Jamee brought over a bunch of baby stuff and a humidifier. I wonder who paid for that humidfier...hmmm...I think I had another 24 hour urine test...no..thats not it at all...They brought my pee over from Methodist...the 24 hour urine was not finished. I think that it was my blood that forced the transfer to St. Francis. I was sad to leave Methodist. I loved all the nurses and the food people. It was comfortable and friendly and one of the residents reminded me of Tree. I was put into a labor and delivery room at St. Francis...they didn't even try to anti-partem me. I think I must have been much sicker than I felt. After the magenisum I felt terrible...it was like I was in pudding. I was allowed to go to the bathroom by my self at this point but sometime I couldn't....or maybe I always could...things will be pretty foggy from here on in my memory I think. Until tomorrow.....<br />JenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-58395270364505553982008-11-22T22:48:00.002-06:002008-11-22T23:05:07.170-06:00first birthday partyToday was the boys first birthday party. I don't know if it was fun or not. It seemed like a lot of sitting and crying. The boys didn't take a good nap today so they were very tired and cranky. They did LOVE cake and frosting!!! <br /><br />I think probably the best thing about today was all the people that celebrated with us. Leisa, Randy, and Heather S. came all the way from Elkhart!!! Tree and Sean from Chicago, Grandma Bock from Indy, Ann and Sheila from Iowa!!! How wonderful!!! All my sisters were here and even two "adopted" sisters Heather R. and Jamee. I was so happy to see Aunt Mary too!!! We said that gifts were not needed but they were brought anyway!!! The boys have lots of jammies and toys and wintery clothes!!! They weren't really interested in opening things but Aaron really liked getting into one box and eating paper and Elliott chewed on the ends of toddler silverware for a while. They were really nice to everyone...I think. Lots of people held them that they don't see very often. Everyone was so helpful too!!! Leisa and Heather S. put up the decorations for us...I feel like it was kind of rude for me to have them do that after they drove so far to get here but it looks awesome!!! I am not taking it down =) Julie cooked stuff and made things look pretty. Grandma Bock wrapped candy bars. Grandma Schwiderski made yummy bacon little smokies. Carrie and Heather R. got the boys dinner ready. Jenna "watched" the boys in the bathtub so they wouldn't drowned (don't freak!!! I was with them the entire time and so was Andrew giving them their bath but she was really proud to tell everyone she "watched the babies so they wouldn't drowned"). Julie also found some funny first birthday sailor hats and bought them each a dog that everyone signed. I feel like it was a success. I came very close to crying when we started singing happy birthday...I don't know what came over me!!! I guess I am just so proud of them and amazed by them. I have said it before...I KNOW that other babies are born like they were....even smaller and less healthy. I KNOW that almost 32 weekers aren't THAT early, but I had never seen a baby that small and that scary looking. I had no experience with the NICU. Not coming home with my babies sucked super bad. Seeing them and knowing that it would hurt them to touch them sucked. The guilt I felt for not being able to keep them in longer was unbarable at times, and look at them now!!! They are bigger than Jackson was at one and Cassidy was at one...not that there is anything wrong with Cassidy and Jackson...it's just amazing..they went from less than 3 pounds to 20 pounds in a year!!! They said that they would be behind and not to worry if they didn't meet their developmental milestones on time...ELLIOTT IS WALKING!!! He isn't one yet!!! Aaron is so smart...I can't wait to see what he will come up with. I don't think he will walk...he will just start running one day!!! Even if they weren't the smallest and most unhealthy babies in the NICU, the are two miracles, they are two blessings, the are amazing!!!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-76767149539571373152008-11-22T22:39:00.003-06:002008-11-22T22:48:16.562-06:00thanksgivingOne year ago today was Thanksgiving. My mom, dad, and sisters brought Thanksgiving to me in the hospital. We were thankful the babies didn't come that day. I was given the steroid shots to help the boys lungs mature...this was a wake-up call to me...they WERE coming soon...very very scary. What I remember most, other than the awesome food and loving family, is that I was scared. Andrew was planning on sleeping at Annie's house (where we were living...thanks Annie) because he wanted to be well rested for "black Friday". We he left the hospital I couldn't stop myself from crying. I didn't know what was wrong. I think had just finished a 24 hour urine thing...that was super fun. I had to pee in a thing on the toilet and then dump it in a jug and put it on ice...awesome!!! I didn't have any results from the 24 hour urine. I didn't know why I was so upset but I think it was because I knew I needed Andrew. I was trying to go to sleep when he came back in my room...I couldn't believe it. He didn't know how upset I was...it was God. He couldn't get in Annie's house and she was in Florida. I am actually starting to cry now...I can remember the relief I felt when he just walked right in...He got in my tiny hospital bed with my big belly and held me until I was calm. I remember not wanting him to leave in the morning but I knew he couldn't call in on "black Friday"...I guess I tell that story tomorrow. I couldn't believe he was back!!!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972281635489019420.post-64925132510861326612008-11-21T20:00:00.003-06:002008-11-22T23:05:33.360-06:00twins rockNot much new going on with the boys since yesterday. Aaron has bruises all over his head...I honestly don't know where they are coming from. He is scratched too. I kind of think something is wrong with him. He is crying a lot....I don't know...its probably me just being a little crazy. He also has a slice out of his pinky. I have no idea how he got that either!!! I also don't know how it didn't bleed!!! I wish I could put a bandaid on it. He will eat the bandaid.<br /><br />Elliott is getting better and better at walking!!! Aaron is too...just not without holding on the the hippo of a box or whatever else he can find to scoot across the floor. I don't think they learned anything new today...oh...they LOVE the Rock Band Safe Auto commercial. Its super fun when it comes on. They both stop what they are doing and look and then Aaron starts clapping. LOVE IT!!! I had better go. I need to get cleaning to be ready for the big birthday party tomorrow!!!<br /><br />JenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847978571347785570noreply@blogger.com0