Raising Twins...and a Ginger

oh Elliott...

2011-08-02T16:40:00.004-05:00

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!

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!

grateful

2011-06-04T21:22:00.002-05:00

I 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.

Thank you Jesus for my 3 perfect children. Please help me to love them like You do and have more patience then the saints!
Amen!

story

2011-05-16T20:32:00.002-05:00

I have to type this out before I forget!

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!!!

Heaven

2011-05-15T11:59:00.003-05:00

So, 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 = )

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...

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...
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!

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?

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.

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.

funny kids

2010-10-13T22:17:00.003-05:00

Just some things I need to remember

Andrew just told me that Elliott's attacks in his shark or monster hooded towels are getting fiercer...that made me laugh.

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!

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!

update

2010-10-08T20:54:00.002-05:00

So 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!

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.

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.

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.

oh boy

2010-08-25T00:10:00.004-05:00

So...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!
Jen

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-25T14:18:00.002-06:00

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!

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...

on with the letter

The Hicks Family 2009
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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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...

Jen

this is going to be super long

2009-05-17T21:18:00.004-05:00

Its 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!

Elliott
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!

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!

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.

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!

Easter

2009-04-12T21:46:00.003-05:00

Andrew 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!?!?!

the Easter display

the boys very sad Easter baskets...

They don't need much to make them happy

Loving their table

Aaron likes things on his head

Elliott dropping Easter Eggs off the deck

Elliott putting Easter Eggs through the fence

Aaron picking up eggs...

...and putting them in his basket

Aaron in the neighbors yard...

with their awesome hats!!! Andrew looks pregnant and I look gross but the boys are super cute!!!

no more goopy eye!!!

2009-04-02T21:34:00.002-05:00

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 lovies and paci. When the nurse took him from me to take him to the pre-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 goopy 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 morning 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!!!

Sunday Mornings

2009-03-15T08:04:00.005-05:00

Sometimes we let them pick out their lunch.

Aaron wanted this juice...until he tasted it.

Elliott was pulling on Jenna's earring...it was tickling her.

This is Aaron pushing Elliott away from "his" cookies.

Yes I do!

Aaron was outraged at having to wear his hat outside =)

Andrew is sharing his shamrock shake...Aaron LOVED it!

Elliott had his eye on a book up there.

Aaron was enjoying some time with out Elliott in the toy box.

Andrew said this was the cutest he had ever seen Elliott...sleeping sweetly with his legs hanging out of the crib.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

Jen

Its March!!!

2009-03-04T21:10:00.003-06:00

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....

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.

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....

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.

growing growing growing

2009-02-07T20:36:00.002-06:00

Today 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....

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!!!

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.

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!!!

Jen

long time no blog

2009-01-10T21:37:00.004-06:00

boys in a box...elliott wanted aaron off of him

peek-a-boo elliott

andrew let them play with kleenex..they had such a great time!!!

eating cheerios out of a pot

playing "sooo big"

its a walking tigger =)

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

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...

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!!!

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.

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.

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!!!

a Christmas letter

2008-12-17T19:19:00.005-06:00

I started this blog several weeks ago and never finished it. It might be a little late but I am going to finish it now.

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!!!

What a year it has been!!! Here are two pictures of the boys with Santa last year....

And here they are this year...

Aaron wanted to snuggle with Santas beard last year and this year he wanted nothing to do with him!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

So that way my attempt at a Christmas letter. I think it was kind of dumb. Oh well.

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!!!

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!!!

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.

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!!!

just a quick one

2008-12-10T22:35:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to write a quick little blog. The boys are doing much much better...they don't even really have runny noses anymore =)

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.

Jen

nebulizer and croup

2008-12-07T14:04:00.002-06:00

I have no excuse for not blogging...I have just been lazy.

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.

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.

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.

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 =)

Oh my...I must pay attention to my boys now. Aaron is trying to eat a wagon wheel in one bite...

Jen

Happy Birthday!!!

2008-11-25T22:11:00.010-06:00

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!!!

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!!!

xoxo
Jen

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!!!

The boys in their birthday hats...they were pretty big but still cute!!!

The duck cake =)

The cupcakes with all the little birthday rubber duckies!!!

Grandma Bock and Elliott

Our family before opening presents

Aaron IN the box with the presents!!!

blowing out the candles...sorry I am in the way...Aaron is behind there!!!

Aaron LOVING frosting and cake

Elliott loving frosting and cake.

Elliott very sad because his cake is gone!!!

Aaron doing "so big"

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.

Elliott walking from NICU nurse Cari to me...Cari was one of Aaron's nurses. She was there when Aaron came home.

Aaron and his daddy at Chili's for their birthday dinner...they had broccoli and grilled cheese.

Elliott and I at Chili's. We told them it was their birthday and they didn't sing or give them free dessert!!!

crabby crabby babies

2008-11-23T19:44:00.002-06:00

I 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!!!

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...

Jen

St. Francis

2008-11-23T19:25:00.003-06:00

One 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.....
Jen

first birthday party

2008-11-22T22:48:00.002-06:00

Today 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!!!

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!!!

thanksgiving

2008-11-22T22:39:00.003-06:00

One 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!!!

twins rock

2008-11-21T20:00:00.003-06:00

Not 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.

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!!!

Jen

one year ago today...again

2008-11-21T19:52:00.003-06:00

I am not for sure what happened a year ago today...it was the day before Thanksgiving and I still thought I would come home. The nurses would tell me I was going to get to go home and the Drs said I wasn't. I guess I chose to believe the nurses. I was still feeling fine. At one point a super nice nurse brought me a different mattress. That was one of the best things ever!!! Andrew had brought more stuff...my belly wedge and big boppy pillow...those things helped keep me comfortable too. The food at Methodist was so so so yummy too. I had this list of super good stuff that I could order from all day long. I was always awake before I could order and had to wait in the morning. The delivery lady was so nice too. One day I was late ordering breakfast and they called me to make sure I was OK!!! I LOVED everyone at Methodist. I was close to the C-section room and got to hear babies screaming down the hallway after being born. There was another mom pregnant with twins in the room next to mine. I didn't get to meet her. She was having boys too. Once was named Owen...I don't remember the name of the other one. She had them at Methodist while I was still there. They were big enough to stay at Methodist and did not have to be moved to the more intensive NICU at St. Francsis. One year ago today I was almost 31 weeks pregnant. I kept remembering the perinatologist telling me that it was important to make it to 32 weeks because there is less chance of a brain bleed....that was so scary to me!!! Thats all for today I guess!!!

Jen

I am in trouble

2008-11-20T20:00:00.002-06:00

They can open doors...oh no...
Elliott is walking further every day...he doesn't seem to know he can do something awesome. I clap and yell YAY and whatnot and he just smiles...

Aaron is standing on his own a lot more...he knows he is doing something great...when he walks with the hippo he looks back make sure I am watching him and loves all the praise he gets!!!

one year ago

2008-11-20T13:12:00.003-06:00

These days I am feeling pretty nostalgic. One year ago yesterday is when I was admitted into the hospital. This blog is going to be about that day so if you don't want to read something super boring then don't read on!!! I just want to remember and have it written down...not sure if I have written it down before.

November 18th 2007 Andrew's mom and Dave came to Peoria so they could go to my appointment with the perinatologist on the 19th and get a preview of the twins on a sonogram. That night we ate at Flat Top and went to Gordmans. I didn't get much sleep that night. My feet and ankles were swollen and I was up peeing all night. I woke up super early...like 4 am..because I was so nervous about the sono. I was always nervous before appointment especially sonogram appointments. I had a sinking feeling something was wrong...I always did...nothing ever was. Andrew got up and got ready. Annie was going to make lasagna so I got some frozen hamburger out of the freezer for her. We were running late...as usual. We had to go the the hotel the Bocks were at and have them follow us to the hospital. I think we weren't actually running late but I was so nervous I just wanted to hurry. We got to the hotel and Patti and Dave were having breakfast. Andrew sat down to eat and I remember feeling crazy...wanting to leave. Then we were running late. We got in our car and Patti and Dave got in theirs. They were behind us but Andrew isn't a good person to follow. We lost them. At this point I wanted to cry and throw up..I am telling you I was so so so so nervous to see the babies...I didn't want anything to be wrong..especially when the boys grandparents were there. I didn't know how Andrew and I would handle fiding out something was wrong but I thought we should figure it out before telling others...anyway. I think that there were some cell phone calls. Andrew ended up going back to the parking deck and waiting for his mom and Dave. I was called back to the room. My nurse also lead our lamaze class..we had been to two classes. Our third was that night...there were six total...She took my blood pressure and it was high. She didn't tell me what it was but she told me it was high and she needed a urine sample. While I was peeing in a cup Andrew and his mom and Dave came in. I had told the nurse that it wasn't a suprise my blood pressure was high...I was crazy nervous and on top of the my in-laws were there and we had lost them on the way to the hospital. The dr. came in and started the sono. I don't remember much from it...just that both boys were head down and looked fine. Elliott was so far down the Dr. couldn't look at his head. He said that Aaron weighed 3 pounds and Elliott weighed 3 1/2 pounds. After the sono was over I guess my pee looked bad so they walked me to the anti-pardem section. They hooked my belly up to stuff and I had to sit there forever. It was weird. Patti and Dave needed to leave, Andrew needed to go to work and I was sitting there in a hospital gown feeling fine. They said I would be admitted and would probably only be there over night. I was put in a room finally...I wasn't having contractions. They took my blood pressure all the time. The nurses were great. That was when I met Pam Stevenson. She was awesome!!! They gave me an IV...but later took it out. I stayed there that night and Andrew stayed with me. He brought a bunch of fun stuff like Elf and my John Ralston CD. The babies really liked John Ralston. Patti sent me a candy gram...it was yummy and so so cute!!! I assured Patti and Dave that I woudn't be having the babies and they didn't need to even think about it while they were visiting Dave's daughter in Seattle. I laid on my left side as much as I could and slept as much as I could. That was a year ago yesterday. A year ago today I was thinking I would go home. It was a Tuesday. The nurses told me I would go home and then a Dr. would come in and tell me I wouldn't go home. Dr. Boyd came in...it was the first time I met him. He is the Dr. that works with my midwife Dana. He told me that he would be out of town for Thanksgiving and he didn't expect the babies to stay in through the weekend. He talked to me about being moved to OSF St. Francis. Then a nurse came in and said I would probably be home by Thanksgiving!!! It was so confusing. Andrew stayed with me again this night. He was the best.

not much new

2008-11-18T21:37:00.002-06:00

I don't have much news...really I don't have any news. I just want to have 100 posts by the boys birthday...I have to do ten in a week!!!

Elliott is walking further and further. I think he can get about 2 feet now. I am so very proud of him. Aaron is letting go more now and seems more interested in walking with a box or with the hippo. Actually, Elliott started walking with the hippo and Aaron jumped in front of him and Elliott ran over Aaron's hand!!! It was so funny...except it really did hurt Aaron.

Andrew finally ordered a new camera...ours wouldn't turn on more than half the time. It came in the mail yesterday. Its awesome...it can detect smiles!!! The only problem is that we don't have a memory stick for it...we have lots of memory cards...and it will only hold 5 pictures...I hope the memory stick Andrew ordered comes before the party!!!

I don't have any more news...

Jen

teeth

2008-11-15T21:09:00.002-06:00

I forgot...I found another tooth on the top in Elliott's mouth on November 6th and another one on the bottom tonight!!! No wonder he's been so slobbery and cranky!!!

I am sure Aaron will get a tooth soon!!!

oh my oh my

2008-11-14T20:15:00.007-06:00

Sorry so long!!! I have been lazy. I just didn't want to mess with the camera and waiting forever to get pictures on here. I added a bunch, hope you think they are as cute as I do!!!

Well, some stuff has happened since I last blogged. Elliott started standing up by himself (I haven't seen it but Andrew and the health department lady did). He also took his first steps on Wednesday. I missed the first ones but have seen lots since. I have to say that I felt kind of mad at Elliott for waiting until I was making his lunch to show his dad that he can take steps but really it's pretty awesome Andrew got to see it. I get to see lots of stuff while he is hard at work.

The crazy health department lady came by on last week. It's so irritating when she comes here. I still don't really know why she comes here. She tells me stuff I already know like "don't let them play with knives". I guess the boys have been given 4 books from her and that is nice. She weighed them. Elliott weighed 19 pounds and Aaron was 20.2. I don't remember their heights but Elliott was taller than Aaron. She tested them at 9 months and said that they are behind and Aaron is more behind. I asked her what they should be doing at 12 months and she said "they aren't 12 months, they are 9 months". I asked again and she told me they would be walking at 12 months which is crazy because it's normal for babies to walk anywhere between 10 and 18 months!!! They couldn't roll a ball back and forth but we haven't done that with them. They couldn't wave bye bye but we also haven't done that with them. She gave them these tiny blocks...they were about an inch on all sides. She wanted them to bang them together, but Aaron put the whole block in his mouth. I asked her if they could use bigger blocks since they seemed to be a choking hazard and she said it was a standardized test...what the heck? Why in the world would you give a baby something to play with they could fit in their mouths!!! Anyway, later that day both boys picked up peek-a-blocks and banged them together...GRRRR. I wanted to call her and tell her that Elliott can walk but I didn't. She is dumb and I don't think they are behind. There is a range for everything. Some kids don't talk for a long time, some don't talk for a long time. They have been in the normal range for everything so far according to their real age not their adjusted age. They have been ahead if you look at their adjusted age. I am glad that is off my chest!!!

They boys and I loved having Andrew home for a week. They looked for him when he went back to work this week. It was sad. I wish he would use his vacation days but I understand that he has to be at work to make commission and we need that income.

I have been cooking like a crazy woman and the boys have enjoyed real people meals. They both are drinking from sippy cups (FINALLY) and Elliott is awesome at holding his bottle. They won't drink formula from sippy cups. Weird. Elliott has once but Aaron lets the milk run out of his mouth. I put the formula in a bottle and they both gulp it down. I will just keep on trying. They will both eat anything. They like lima beans (GROSS) and BBQ chicken, beef stroganof, peas and carrots...everything!!! Sometimes Elliott gets mad when I spoon feed him. He likes to pick it up himself but I am not ready to have him eat oatmeal with his hands!!!

I think thats it!!! Enjoy the pictures of my super cute twins!!!

Jen

if you haven't been invited, you are now =)

Elliott didn't like the swing much or he is just trying to be a gangster

Aaron thought it was fun

If you haven't seen him do this face you must come over!!!

Indianapolis Zoo aquarium

Andrew trying to pet a Dog Shark. He did actually pet one and so did I...it was gross.

Elliott trimming his toenails

Playing upstairs at Grandma Bock's.

They had lots of fun banging on the piano at Grandma Bock's!

Sitting in Grandma Bock's chair.

If you didn't figure it out...this is Elliott and Aaron with Grandma Bock.

Andrew's sexy legs

Elliott surfing on his highchair tray.

Aaron is stuck in the Hippo.

But he's happy and oh so very cute!!!

Happy November

2008-11-03T19:54:00.002-06:00

I don't have any pictures to post so if that is all you come to this site for you are out of luck =) We are at Grandma Bocks house right now. We came here Sunday and are leaving tomorrow. The boys slept SUPER well last night and we are so very thankful. We decided to bring their sheets and a couple of other things we have in their beds at home to see if it would help them sleep at grandmas and I think it worked!!! I still didn't sleep very well but such is life I guess.

The boys first Halloween was pretty fun. They were pretty worn out and grumpy at the end of the day and they did not win the costume contest but I saw some old classmates and that was fun. We also didn't get a picture of the boys with Jackson!!! GRRRR!!! We will have to have a pretend Halloween to get pictures of Roo, Tigger, and Pooh together.

Today Grandma and Grandpa Bock took us to the Indianapolis Zoo. The boys didn't really know what was going on but it was still fun. Aaron was asleep when we got there and it took him a bit to wake up and be normal Aaron. They liked the big fish tanks. We went to the see the walruses and the big huge one swam right at Elliott and I...it actually scared me!!! Andrew didn't get it on video..I was sad about that. There were two other walruses in the water that were fighting. That was fun to watch. We went to the dolphin show too. Elliott watched kind of. He was more interested in chewing on Grandma Bocks hand which was covering the guard rail thing. Aaron was very quiet and content when the dolphins were swimming around and jumping but got super irritated and grumpy when the lady was talking about dolphins. Maybe we have a future dolphin trainer!!!

On Sunday we met Grandma Bock at the Beef House. Apparently it is famous and super good. I think that we were the only people that were not over 80 there. The boys drew lots and lots of attention. People asked if they could take them!!! They were wearing camo bibs...one guy looked at Aaron and asked if he was going to be a deer hunter...strange-o!!! The boys had their first restaurant food...green beans =) They loved them. Today we had lunch at Applebees. It was so awesome to be able to feed them at the table and be able to eat at the same time!!! They shared a grilled cheese sandwich and some fries. It was their first time to have fries too. They are amazing. I am so happy that they are eating table food and they will both eat about anything. Elliott will eat ANYTHING but Aaron is a little more picky. I think he likes things to be bland and Elliott doesn't care as long as it can get to his belly. I wonder if this is as boring as I think it is....

I will post pictures when we get home. I think we might have some good ones from the zoo.

Jen

11 months

2008-10-25T19:20:00.007-05:00

I know its nuts to blog two days in a row but I'm doing it!!! Elliott and Aaron are 11 months old today so that means its time for a sappy "they've grown so much" blog. As I was rocking the boys before a nap today I began to think about how much room they take on my lap now. They were so very little...even when they were home...even in March!!! I could hold both of them so easy. I remember being so worried about them being held too much and wanting them to sleep in the bassinet and not have people hold them when they were asleep. If I could do it over again I would be holding a baby every second I could. I remember Grandma Bock saying things like "I would have to hold them all day long" and I would think...are you kidding me. I need some ME time. I was the crazy one. They only get bigger...they don't get smaller. Oh how I would love to cuddle my 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 pound babies again!!! I think if we only had one baby I would be telling Andrew it was time for another!!! When we have our identical twin girls I will hold them all the time...I will carry them in sings...I will never put them down!!!

Andrew just informed me that he gets the first week of November off for a vacation!!! He hasn't had time off since the first week of January. He is stressed out, burnt out...in need of some time off. I know we are going to be expected to be in Henry and Indy alot but I think we need this time to relax and for Andrew to regroup. Please forgive us if you don't see us at all. The boys will be so happy to see their dad so much!!! They think he is awesome. I feel like crap when he is around. They hold their arms out to him and choose him over me = ( He doesn't prepare their food and clean their poop and wash their clothes and give them millions of hugs and kisses everyday...most of the time he just lays on the floor and hopes they don't hurt him!!! Really, he's a great dad. I give him a hard time in the morning because he is such a butt. He wants to see them but doesn't try real hard to wake up and make the best of being up at 7 when he doesn't work until 11:30. Anyway....WOOT WOOT...Andrew gets a vacation!!!

I forgot to mention that we took a day trip on Tuesday to Bolingbrook to meet with our friends Ashlee and Dustin from Elkhart. I was planning on leaving no later than 3 so we could be home to do the regular dinner and bedtime routine. That didn't happen. I fed the babies jarred baby food in the car for dinner and Andrew stopped so we could give them bottles and burp them. It was kind of nuts. They had been in carseats or highchairs or the stroller all day so they didn't want to go to sleep when we got home around 7. They didn't go to sleep until after 9. Andrew thought they would sleep until 9 the next morning...he was so wrong...they were up at 6:30 as usual. It was really good to see Ashlee and Dustin. Ashlee is pregnant. She is due just a couple weeks before our babies were due. I wish this year was last year so we were pregnant at the same time. That was what we wanted...who doesn't want to be pregnant at the same time as someone they are super close to??? Anyway...I don't want to do that again until the boys are older and not on such a tight napping and eating schedules. Enjoy the pictures. Sorry no videos today. I tried to download 2 from the delivery room but after 20 minutes one was still not on so I gave up. Maybe on the blog I write on their birthday. I did get good video of them today but it was on our video camera and I don't know how to use it with the computer yet. I haven't tried. I bet it's super easy. I hope we don't run out of room on the video camera...we don't have a computer that can burn our home videos to cd...we are so poor = ( But what we don't have in money we have in love (PUKE!!!)

Jen

Elliott 11 months old

It is VERY hard to get a good picture of both of them.

Elliott just wanted to eat the pumpkin stem

Aaron is too interested in the bench arm and I guess Elliott wanted to get down

This is Elliott standing and not holding on to anything

His feet look huge!!! I assure you they are not. What an awesome smile!!!

just playing

Aaron kept making that face today and screaming "DA DA DA DA DA DA"

Here he is again...he makes the best faces

we finally got to go!!!

2008-10-24T19:28:00.010-05:00

Well, we finally got to go to Tanner's. It was cold and yucky and we probably should have stayed home. I am sad that we didn't get pictures of the boys feeding the goats or playing on the playground or even sitting in a pumpkin patch but I guess we have next year. I took some pictures of them in their stroller holding two little pumpkins I picked off of a table...not out of a patch. Andrew stayed inside with the boys and I picked out two pumpkins for us. I really am disappointed..this is their first fall, first Halloween, and first Thanksgiving and I just wanted to be able to do stuff. I wanted everything perfect but I guess nobody really gets that right?

I am having a hard time getting good pictures and video of the boys because as soon as any kind of camera is out they come attack me. I hope this phase ends soon =)

I really don't have much to write about Elliott and Aaron. They are pretty much doing the same things. Elliott can stand without holding on for longer periods of time and he pushes up from a toy on the floor or from my legs if I am sitting on the floor. He is getting braver but I don't think he will be walking by next Friday. I haven't seen Aaron let go and stand yet but I think it will be soon. He might have even done it tonight because he managed to open two cabinet doors and pull out a pot. Elliott has been sort of opening cabinets for a while but started to really get them open and get stuff out today. Aaron watched and followed =) Also, when I went to see Jordan in the hospital and Carrie was watching the boys she reported that Aaron climbed on a box (I keep lots of boxes around because they are their favorite toys) in order to reach stuff behind the super gate.

My sisters Julie and Annie and our friend Jamee took Julie's 4 children to Disney World last week. Each of Julie's younger kids had a fever for a day and a cough and it went away. Jordan (the oldest, he's 13) got a fever on Monday of last week. It was thought that it would go away like the other kids. He didn't feel well enough to go with them to Disney a few days and stayed at the resort. Julie called to check on him all the time and he sounded better. He wanted to go with them and ended up going back because he wasn't feeling well. Anyway...I might have some of these facts wrong but I think I have the jest of it. I think Julie called the doctor and they told her to just give him meds to keep the fever down. They got home last Friday night. Joe (brother-in-law, or bother-in-law if you have read past posts) took Jordan to a prompt care place where they thought he was having a bad asthma attack. They did a breathing treatment but said that if it didn't get into his lungs he would need to go to the ER. Well, he ended up at the ER and was then admitted to the hospital. He had super bad pneumonia...one lung was pretty full. He was released Tuesday. I think he went to school Thursday but they told him not to come the next day because they wanted him to rest and get better. He can't finish football this season and is not able to play basketball this year. Julie reminded me ( I don't remember this at all) that Jordan had RSV when he was about 4 months old I think. She took him to the ER a billion times and they always sent her home. I think he was diagnosed after he was better. Anyway, they told her that he would have a greater chance of getting asthma and pneumonia. Jordan really scared all of us. He lost a ton of weight and was just SOOO sick. This RSV things has me even more scared for Elliott and Aaron. I have been saying that we will not be leaving the house after October 31st. I know that is crazy but I don't want them hooked up to machines again. Oh...I just got a text from Carrie. They are on their way to the ER with Jordan. So so so so scary. Okay...it's official. We are not going anywhere after the 31st until March. Now I need to go and worry about my Jordan.

Jen

These pictures are all out of order but I am not changing them. It has taken this computer 32 minutes to move the pictures from our cards and put them in Kodak. GRRRR

Elliott with his little pumpkin

Aaron with his little pumpkin...I think I added a better one of Aaron...

Elliott sporting two different babylegs.

Elliott watching Wonder Pets

This is a little better...he was cold and grumpy...even inside

They reached through the gate and grabbed Carrie's purse and continued to pull on it thinking it would come through...when that didn't work they just reached through and tried to get into her purse...

Look how fast Aaron is moving!!!

In the first video Elliott had opened the door. I put everything back and closed it and two seconds later Aaron's opened both and took out a pot =)

walking soon =)

2008-10-17T20:04:00.008-05:00

Andrew is rocking Aaron and Aaron loves it...Andrew looks kind of scary!

Elliott wouldn't turn around...you can see how his hair has grown though!!!

I guess this really isn't a good picture...

Aaron with Aunt Sandy's sunglasses at the family reunion

Elliott with Aunt Jean in Aunt Sandy's glasses at the family reunion

Aaron "driving" with Andrew. They just backed the van out the garage.

A few days later Elliott got to back the van out =)

He was squinting before the flash...he knew it was coming...

Aaron doesn't mind the flash =)

Again with the flash!!! I would count to three and he would close them on 2 even when I didn't have the camera out!!!

The boys seems to be better. They cough sometimes but not like they were. We did end up having to use the nebulizer again and they hated it more this time, but they got better!!!

Elliott has been standing on his own lots. He isn't standing up on his own...just letting go and just standing there playing with a shoe or whatever it is that has his attention at the time. I haven't seen Aaron do it but I supposed that doesn't mean that he hasn't. A few days ago Elliott pushed the blue peek-a-block hippo...he walked with it. Today Aaron used a box to stand up and pushed it to walk. They seem too short to walk and actually I think that they won't walk for several months but I am hoping they will. I feel bad for their little knees and I really don't know how them walking will make things worse. They already crawl every where and pull up on everything...I don't know how walking will make my life more difficult. Crawling has been super helpful. I don't have to carry them everywhere. Watching them crawl from their bedroom to the bathroom every night for their bath is the cutest thing ever!!!

I am trying to think of other stories to tell or news....ummm....Andrew and I were going to take the boys to Tanners Orchard last Wednesday but it rained. We walked around Tuesday Morning instead. We had hoodies on the boys but I think the misty rain was getting on Elliott's face as I walked with him into the store. He giggled all the way into the store and lauged almost the entire time we were in the store. He found it really funny to drop toys and me pick them up. I don't think I have ever heard him laugh like he was. Julie found a little tikes blue rocking horse for free and give it to us. Aaron LOVES it. He will sit on it and bang his head to get it to rock. He doesn't even mind when he bumps his head on the horse after banging it a little too hard!!! He is so cute and smiles ALL the time. He still won't even try to hold his bottle and was to cuddle when he wakes up from naps. Aaron is now eating pasta and whole green beans. He was doing really really well with his reflux issues. I emailed the Dr. and asked if we could start weaning him off of Zantac. She said to give him the same dose every other day. If he did well then to give it to him every two days for a week...if he did well to stop. Well he did well every other day but every two days he didn't do so well. I thought maybe it was because he was sick and he was spitting up because of all the snot that was going into his tummy. He isn't sick any more and the spitting up is getting worse. We started Zantac again. Hopefully it will start working soon. I don't think that the puking really bothers him but I am sure he doesn't love doing it. The yuckiest part is that both boys will start to play in the puke puddle if I don't see that Aaron has puked right away...YUCK!!! Oh...Elliott can get the plug cover things out of the outlets in their bedroom...awesome...

Well...thats it. If you read this blog you are invited to the boys first birthday party. It is November 22 at our house from 2:30-4:30. Presents are not necessary. We just want everyone to join us in celebrating their amazing first year of life!!!

Jen...I think I might have uploaded a video of Aaron!!! I hope it works...it was taken on my phone.

chiropractor

2008-10-07T19:50:00.005-05:00

They are a little to big to fit through things together but they still try

Elliott made it out...looks like Aaron is going to but...

he decided to stay

They love to try to drink from these big cups...but just chew on
sippie cups

Aaron is either using Elliott to stand or pulling Elliott down

Aaron crawled under and got stuck

poor kid...and we took pictures while he cried

and the foot rest putter outer was in his sweet little back. He did
that three times that day.

again trying to get through the same little place at the same time

We took a family trip to the chiropractor today. Everyother time we have gone the boys have loved it. Today they both cried...hard. It was sad. I want them to love Dr. Denise!!! I do!!!

Elliott's eye is doing very very well. His tear duct has been clogged off and on since December....it's been pretty bad for the past at least 6 months. Sometimes it is glued shut after he naps. I have been praying for it to heal for the past week or so and I think it's working. I started to get very worried because the eye doctor said if it's not fixed by the time he is 11 months they have to stick in needle in there to unclog it..and they put him to sleep to do it. It looks like he won't be having surgery because God is fixing it...YAY!!!

I don't know if anyone watches "How I Met Your Mother". It's kind of dumb but last weeks episode was SOOOO funny. Marshall was on a quest to find the best hamburger. It made Andrew and I want hamburgers super bad so we have been having them alot. Not all too healthy but oh so delicious!!!

In other news..Elliott pulled himself up today and then stood for a few seconds without holding on. He didn't fall either...he just put his hand back on the activity table thing. I don't think he knew that he did anything awesome. I am wanting them to walk (I know thats crazy!!!) by Halloween so Tigger (Elliott), Pooh (Aaron), and Roo (Jackson) can walk together at Henry's costume contest. I know they will win...what could be better?!?!? I don't really think they will be walking though. That would be like they started walking at 9 months (adjusted age). I don't think babies really do that.

Andrew had the day off so he was here for bedtime. The babies have a new nightlite that makes big shadows on the wall Elliott's crib is on so when I was sitting on the ottoman with Aaron we were a huge shadow on the wall. Andrew being the silly dad he is gave Aaron shadow bunny ears. Then he did the funniest thing I think I have ever seen him do. He made his fingers look like a claw machine game and shadow grabbed Aaron's head. We lauged and laughed and laughed. Then he said lift him up like claw game is picking him up. So we did that a few time and laughed and laughed some more. Aaron had no idea what was going on...and then it took him forever to get to sleep...it was worth it!!! Andrew's next day off is Friday...stay tuned for more silly Andrew stories.

sick again

2008-10-05T19:50:00.002-05:00

The boys are sick again. It sucks. It is not as bad as last time but I somehow feel like it's my fault. Is my house too dusty? Do I need to vacuum more? Maybe I am not washing my hands enough...I don't know. I feel terrible, the boys feel terrible. Aaron couldn't sleep last night. At about 11pm I told Andrew that I didn't know what to do for him. We ended up putting him in our bed...but he still didn't sleep and neither did we. He tossed and turned...and whimpered. It was sad. I think his throat hurts. He has yuck running down his throat and making him cough. Elliott is a snot factory as well. Both are sneezing very often and coughing. Aaron is coughing more. Its not scary like last time...their noses aren't stuffy and Elliott is not wheezing. Enough of me whining.

Andrew wanted me to blog this story:
Last night Andrew was home for the boys bath and bedtime. He was rocking Elliott and I was rocking Aaron. When we both are here for bedtime, one of us sits with a baby in the rocking chair and the other on the rocking chairs ottoman. Anyway, I always sing the same three songs to the babies for their naps and bedtime. Andrew is tired of these songs and wants new ones but I can't think of any to sing to them...so..that being said...sometimes Andrew tries to change this a little. Last night he decided to try to harmonize during the last song which was so funny! We both started laughing and woke our babies right up. We had to sing more songs to get them calm again but I couldn't stop thinking about him harmonizing and I kept laughing. That's the story...
hope you liked it.

Well...I have some pictures I would love to post but I can't find the card reader so you will just have to imagine how cute they are or just stop by and hang out for a while. Oh...Elliott had Aaron's lovie again today after a nap. I wonder if Elliott steals it from him when he is sleeping to get Aaron back from stealing stuff from him and pulling his hair and using him to stand up during the day....

crazy babies

2008-10-03T20:52:00.002-05:00

I think lots has happened maybe but I can't think of everything. I have just been lazy and not blogging. I really should so I can remember this time when I go back and read this blog. Looks like this one might be short...the babies have runny noses again and having a difficult time sleeping. I don't like to rock them to sleep but have already rocked Elliott to sleep twice. I hear a baby now...I think it's Aaron. Anyway...

The boys are funny. They are working on cruising...Elliott does a little better than Aaron but Aaron seems to want to push the hippo so that seems a little better than just cruising. Aaron just wants to be an over achiever!!! He is not satisfied with just cruising around the furniture. They are crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything. They are pulling things over less often and that is nice...less bumps on their heads.

Yesterday after their nap I went in to get them to find that Elliott had Aaron's lovie...I like to think that Aaron passed it over to Elliott rather than Elliott taking it out of Aaron's crib. Today I put the boys down for a nap but they didn't want to sleep so I went to get them. Elliott wasn't wearing pants (no suprise) but I couldn't find them in his crib....Aaron had them in his crib!!! I wish I could see it happen. I bet it is funny. Mom thinks we need a nanny cam in their room so we can see what they do when we think they are sleeping.

Oh...Aaron is still toothless but Elliott has another tooth...so he is up to 2!!! The second popped through on the 26th. They still love pancakes. Elliott loves pasta, Aaron hates it. He is a picky kid....

I think I am going to brush my teeth before I don't have the chance anymore. Please pray that the boys don't get sick like last time...
Jen

Jack

2008-09-26T21:08:00.002-05:00

Andrew took Jack to the vet today and had him put to sleep. I cried...it's very sad but it was the best thing for Jack. His teeth made him sick and have a miserable life. Rest in peace Jack...enjoy bunny heaven...

10 months =)

2008-09-25T21:59:00.004-05:00

Aaron today...10 months!!!

the boys tonight waiting for their daddy to get home...Elliott just sat down (I think he was tired after all his crawling around and being crazy today) and Aaron is happy to see his dad

this is what they do with their bench now

Aaron being cute...

Andrew didn't shut the bathroom door...I found them in there both standing up at the toilet (gross)...I was washing dishes...this was all Andrew's fault =)

Elliott today...wearing shoes...

Elliott again...trying to get the diaper bag

That's right...Elliott and Aaron are 10 months old today. We were at Target and someone asked if they were about 6 months...I really don't think they are small...not 6 months old small. Maybe she had really huge babies...anyway

We celebrated by taking advantage of our last day of have two vehicels and went to Children's Place to exchange some pants and then to Target to buy 4 cans of formula (for the price of 2 woot woot) and some picture frames. I also bought the boys some awesome pirate skull shirts for Halloween and picked up one for Jack too. It felt super good to be able to go where I wanted to with the boys while Andrew was at work but alas...the two weeks is up and aunt Sharon wants her car back = (

The boys are talking alot...I really mean ALOT. It's like every waking moment its "da da" this and "da da" that...ma ma is thrown in sometimes and I think Elliott said Todd today. Aaron said Annie a few days ago. Elliott woke up around 4:44am and talked for at least 30 minutes. At about 5am I peeked in their room thinking I might rock Elliott back to sleep but Aaron was awake too...they were both standing in their cribs...talking away...they both went back to sleep but I woke up around 6am to Elliott talking again. I wanted to get him before he woke up Aaron but I was too late. Aaron was awake again and talking to Elliott. I guess Aaron could have woken up Elliott...maybe I can't tell their voices apart in the wee hours of the morning...anyway. They went back to sleep again but Aaron did cry for a few minutes this time. He woke up at 7:20. I somehow convinced Andrew to get up with Aaron and feed him. At about 8 Andrew woke Elliott up. I guess he was pretty tired after a long night of talking instead of sleeping!!!

WARNING!!! The remainder of the blog entry is not for the easily grossed out people. It's about poop so if you don't want to read about poop...NO NOT READ ON!!!

So...last night Elliott was a little wild. He just had lots of energy. He pooped during dinner...which is fine....any pooping is great after it was so hard for him when he was tiny. Normally after they eat dinner I take them both into their room and strip them down to their diapers. I then leave their room (shutting the door behind) and run the bath for them. I then go back into their room and pick them both up and take them into the bathroom, take off their diapers, and give them a bath. Last night was little different since I needed to clean Elliott's poopy butt. I didn't want to put a diaper on him for 45 seconds so I opted to stand him up looking into the tub. I knew he would stay there. I went back to get Aaron...Elliott peed on the floor in the bathroom while I was getting Aaron. No big deal...Elliott pees on the floor all the time. During their bath Elliott as nuts. He didn't want to sit...he was crawling all over...over his brother..trying to pull up on metal slippery thing...It was a challange to say the least. So..the bath was over. I put them in their towels and carried them both to their room. Normally I put Aaron's diaper on and then let him play while I dry off and dress Elliott. Aaron was being especially "active" so I just wanted to get him dressed so he could just play. I thought that the chance of Elliott's peeing again was slim since he had just peed on the bathroom floor. No sooner and that thought crossed my mind when I heard him peeing...this time on the roll-a-round dinosaur. I sighed and went on dressing Aaron. I thought the Elliott might need to poop a little more...then I heard him grunt...I looked and he hadn't pooped so I thought I was safe. I was almost done dressing Aaron...I can do it very quickly...I can do lots of stuff quickly since I have these crazy babies...I still take super long showers...anyway...I was putting Aaron's arm in his sleeve when I saw it. Elliott was crawing and he had poop on his foot...squished between his toes like mud!!! I yelled "DON'T MOVE!!!!" That didn't work so much...I put Aaron's arm in his sleeve, popped him in his crib and cleaned up Elliott and his turd on the floor in his pee puddle. At least he didn't do it in two different places right? So...I picked up the poop with a billion wipees and put the wipees in the Diaper Champ until I had the boys in bed at which time I was going to take the wad of wipees to the trash. SO...Elliott was dressed and Aaron was dressed. I needed to brush Elliott's tooth and Aaron's gums. I put Elliott at the Incrediblock and picked Aaron up out of his crib (Aaron was having the time of his life in there...don't know why he cries so much when he wakes up from naps!!!) I turned around to see that Elliott had cruised on over the the Diaper Champ and was taking wipees out of it. He is not tall enough to reach in there...he tipped it over enought to get his fast little hand in there. Luckily there were clean wipees on top...I had take like 30 out of the container and only used like 20. I told Elliott that he needed to settle down and not do that. I then put them both in front of me on the floor on their bottoms. They were about to crawl away until they saw the rubber little infant finger brush things. Then both of them got really excited and Aaron was even bouncing. I brushed their tooth and gums then quickly put the tooth/gum brushing stuff in the hallway. Aaron had crawled over to the pee spot and pulled himself up to stand in it. I don't know how he got over there so fast!!! I picked him up and put him on the chaning table to change his socks. No sooner had I put Aaron down when Elliott made a bee line for the night light and wipee warmer cord (these are unplugged during the day so it's safe for them to play in their room. I had just plugged them back in). I somehow, with my monkey arms, held on to Aaron while scooping Elliott up and I put Elliott on the changing table as well. They were both sitting facing me...trying hard to get off the table. Finally both were poop and pee free and in their jammies and ready for bed. I didn't want to put them down again because I had no idea what kind of mess they would get into...it was kind of a hard evening...I had to pull down both shades and turn out the light while carrying my not so light twins....then I was suppsed to rock them and sing to them? Are you kidding? I took a few deep breaths and told them that I didn't feel like singing. I read them "Pajama Time" and sang their three songs and put them into bed. Aaron didn't make a peep and Elliott talked for about 10 minutes. I sat.....

growing

2008-09-24T08:47:00.002-05:00

Well...I don't have much news. The boys are still growing, still learning. They only want to eat pancakes and fruit...yay. I made a bunch of butternut squash and sweet potatoes for them and they seemed to like what I made...just not what is bought so I guess I am back to making baby food. I know it's cheaper...I thought maybe it wasn't but it really is (yes Julie I know I need to always listen to you (= ). I am going to crockpot some chicken breasts and over cook some small pasta to see if I can get them to eat it. I didn't puree the squash and potatoes so it's nice and thick. I am kind of freaked out that they won't be able to eat actual solid foods ever and I really don't want to ruin them. We also bought some tofu to put in some of their food for the added protein. I have also read in a book Julie gave me that tofu is a good finger food snack. I don't know if they will eat it but I'll try.

I am very excited and happy to say that we started the boys on regular formula right after they stopped being sick. So...no more Gentlease...regular Enfamil Lipil. We did this hoping that if they could tolerate it we would start giving them generic formula. We started that a few days ago and they are doing great. We are giving them Target brand infant formula. It's about $12 a can instead of $25 a can!!! What a money saver!!! Parents Choice (Walmarts off brand) may be cheaper but I have been super unhappy with every Parents Choice thing I have tried with them. The diapers (in my opinoin) are terrible. I wish they were awesome because they are like 1/4 of the cost of my beloved Pampers. The wipes made both of my boys have red butts...poor guys! I guess that is all that I have tried but if the diapers and wipes are bad then I am not about to let my babies drink anything Parents Choice!!! It is not this parents choice =)

Well...I guess that is it. I am too sleepy to post pictures. I need to get in my morning nap before the boys decide theirs is over. Oh...Elliott can climb...yay (that is sarcastic).

Jen

I guess you have to take the bad with the good

2008-09-18T20:21:00.005-05:00

Happy Aaron in the tub

Elliott always closes his eyes when the camera flashes...you can see his tooth

Frog Aaron

Shark Elliott

shark Elliott playing with the incrediblock...this is what he peed on...actually if you look carefully you can that he was peeing on it as I took the picture!!!

Well...for some reason today was not such a good day. I don't know why...well maybe I do but it's not something to blog about. Elliott and Aaron were pretty good sleepers. They were funny all day. Julie came over with Jenna and Jack...she fed the babies french toast sticks (they loved them)...she brought me a cherry limeade...I think I got tired while feeding the babies dinner and annoyed that they didn't want what I was giving them...I gave them stage 3 baby food last night that had actual noodles and whole peas...they did great. I tried to give them noodles again tonight and they cried and cried!!! Elliott finally ate it but Aaron just let it set in his mouth and cried. He loved the fruit after...that baby loves fruit. He used to eat what I gave him but since I started giving them mixed things and meat he has become rather picky. So....after they both started crying while eating I gave up...dumped tons of cheerios on their highchair trays and washed their bottles!!! I should have videoed them with all those cheerios!!! They filling their hands and shoving what they could in their mouths...most of the time they got nothing...there were tons of cheerios on the floor, their tummies, and in the chairs. It was funny...one hand after the other like they had never had anything so good!!!

So...not to ruin a surprise but Elliott is being Tigger and Aaron is Pooh for Halloween. I knew that Aaron would make the perfect Pooh but Elliott is the perfect Tigger!!! Jack is Roo...so cute!!! I put their costumes on almost daily because they are so cute. I love watching Tigger and Pooh crawl around. Its just so cute.

After Elliott was crawling outside the baby zoo, I found almost a whole head of hair on his hands...I decided that I needed to vacuum. This was the first time that I vacuumed with them crawling around...they were funny. I thought they would be scared like when you vacuum with a cat in the room or something, but they wanted to touch the vacuum. Then I think Elliott got tired of it and he crawled to the kitchen and cried. Aaron spent time chewing and pulling on the cord.

Andrew is home and keeps talking to me and I don't know what I have written and what else happened today and my mind is all crazy so I am stopping.

pictures 2

2008-09-13T08:28:00.003-05:00

Make sure you check out the pictures I posted in the previous blog. I can only post 5 at a time and I wanted post more so this is the second part...

pictures

2008-09-13T08:13:00.005-05:00

I don't have time to write...have to pack for the trip to Grandma Bock's house. Just wanted to post the 9 month pictures that were finally taken yesterday. They boys decided not to nap and then Aaron fell asleep in the car on the way there so he looks all funny and didn't want to smile. His eyes are also kind of red and that looks weird with the white and orange...oh well. He is still the cutest baby B ever!!! I have no idea why Elliott did so well...I thought he would be screaming the entire time but he didn't...he was funny. Enjoy!!!

PS...if you click on the picture it will get bigger

boy are my hands full!!!

2008-09-11T19:31:00.007-05:00

I can't say that today was a bad day. It wasn't...it was actually pretty great. I made dinner!!! The babies slept well...they ate well...I was just chasing them everywhere and they are sooo heavy!!! Anytime they weren't in baby zoo I was chasing them around. It's kind of fun but difficult. I am not complaining. I couldn't wait for them to do something other than lay on their backs. I knew that it might be crazy at times...and it is. Bath time is usually the most challenging...but that just started this week. I really wish you could see Elliott in his shark towel crawling around. It's just so funny. What is not funny is that they now think they can crawl around and stand up in the tub. I used to be able to dress Aaron while Elliott played and then dress Elliott while Aaron played. Now I have to be dressing Aaron while I am keeping Elliott in their room and interested in a toy. Today Elliott was more than happy to stand up and play with the incrediblock. I had just started to dry Aaron off when I noticed that Elliott wasn't playing. I looked at him, he looked down at his "bits and pieces" and peed on the incrediblock, his foot, and the floor. I wasn't mad...he didn't do it on purpose, but I did have a bit of a problem...a big wet spot on the floor and two naked babies. At least I didn't have to worry about Elliott peeing again =) I quickly grabbed some laundry and soaked up the pee the best I could. I couldn't clean the incrediblock but I figured pee is sterile right?!?! I prayed that Elliott wouldn't stand in the pee spot. I dried and dressed Aaron and chased after Elliott who was crawling very fast out the door. As I grabbed Elliott, Aaron made a dash for the door. I think they understand each other and tell each other to do stuff. I managed to get Elliott dressed without problems. Then I grabbed some paci's, grabbed the babies and sat in the rocking chair. They sat on my lap while I read them "Pajama Time". Then I started to sing the three songs I sing to them every night. They did well for a few minutes and then the paci stealing began. UGH....It is getting increasingly difficult to keep their hands away from each other on my lap...my lap is large but the babeis are growing and growin and taking more room...their little hands are so fast too!!! I layed them down and they went to sleep...YAY BABIES!!! A few night ago, both babies were bathed, dressed, and ready for bed. I was helping Aaron or giving him something .....I don't remember...Elliott pulled himself up on the humidifier and managed to pull it over and dump kind of a lot of water...they are so fast!!! I am lucky in that most of the time when they are on the move they are going in the same direction. They crawled from our room to the kitchen for breakfast this morning...they cried all the way there but they made it!!!

Elliott can pick up puffs and cheerios and eat them. Aaron picks them up and then shakes his hand around to get them unstuck from his hand....he is funny. I tried to teach him how to feed himself and he loved all the clapping and praise and laughs he got from Elliott and I. I was talking to my mom today about how it seems like Aaron watches Elliott do stuff and when he decideds that he can do it he does. Mom said that she thinks maybe his is watching to see what happens to Elliott when he does stuff before he will try....what a smart cookie!!! Well...I am super distracted...I hope this all made some kind of sense...I am watching nanny 911 so I know what do and what NOT to do!!!

Andrew was able to spend some time with the boys during his lunch break

Happy standing Elliott

Happy standing Aaron

Elliott

Aaron crackin' out

no pants dance

2008-09-09T23:02:00.003-05:00

Well...Elliott took his pants off again. I can't help but laugh. I know it won't always make me laugh...but he is just so funny. Every time he has taken them off I have walked into their room..he has looked at me and if I see he isn't wearing pants he laughs. If I pick him up and feel he isn't wearing pants he waits until I notice and then he laughs. He laughs hard too. He is so very silly. I think he takes his socks off to be funny as well. It was chilly this moring when we went for a walk. He took his socks off and I put them on 5 times and we only passed 3 houses!!! I just left them off and hoped his feet didn't get too cold. Enough about Elliott stripping.

Yesterday Aaron found the door stop boingy thing....the thing that stops the door handle from making a hole in the wall when the door is opened...anyway, it was funny. He crawled over to it in their room and made it boing for probably 10 minutes. Today he pulled it off the wall and tried to chew on it...I didn't let him. He is probably the sweetest kid ever...except when he is pulling off your face. His smile could light up a room and I know it makes his dad feel AWESOME!!!

Elliott started to really crawl on his hands and knees today. I don't have anything else to say. Funny stuff happens all the time but you need to see it. I am using our video recorder daily now. I love to show Andrew what they have learned at the end of the day.

I used to think that people that said "twins?!?! I bet you have your hands full" were dumb and they made me mad....well...I do have my hands full. Everyday is an adventure. They won't stay in one place anymore. If there aren't in the baby zoo (baby zoo is more fitting...it really isn't jail) they are all over the house. They usually go together...it's cute. They have really liked being in our room for the past two days. As soon as I put them down in their room they are off to the door and crawling into our room. Crazy kids. They are getting harder and harder to carry together so today I put them in a laundry basket. Aaron was in the back...it was kind of like when you go on the Whizzer (I think that is what it is called) at 6 Flags. I pulled them from our room into the kitchen for lunch.

The poor kids are falling down ALL the time. They have red bumps all over their heads. Most of the time I think that it had to have hurt pretty bad and they act like nothing happened. I know when they cry it must have really REALLY hurt. HOLY CRAP!!! IT'S 11:30!!! Why in the world am I up!?!?

goodnight
Jen

No pants Elliott

The newest way to get heavy twins from one place to another

naked bathtub Aaron

naked bathtub Elliott

This one is old...they aren't 6 months here...it's sweet though isn't it...

all better

2008-09-08T19:54:00.002-05:00

The boys are all better. We went to the doctor for the last time last Thursday and Dr. Maini said they both sounded perfect. I took the towels and blankets from under the end of their mattresses and started putting them to bed like we did before they got sick. I thought it would be terrible but they have done great!!!

Some new things that are happening. Aaron is pulling himself up but not as much as Elliott. Elliott is pulling himself up on everything. I think he will be cruising soon. Elliott also talks all day long and apparently does not like to wear a sock on his right foot or pants. I have come in to get him after a nap and twice he has taken his pants off. I can't help but laugh...it's funny. I hope he doesn't figure out how to get his diaper off. Elliott can also take a puff from my hand and put it in his mouth. FUN!!! I was feeding Elliott puffs when Aaron was still sleeping so I am not sure if Aaron can do it yet or not. Aaron's new favorite thing to do is to sing while he is being carried places. He is funny.

The boys interact alot. I LOVE it!!! Sometimes its nice and sometimes its not. For example: Elliott was laying on his back playing with something. Aaron was sitting next to him. Aaron started shaking Elliott's head around and pulling his ear. Normally Elliott would cry but he just layed there....this kind of thing happens very often. It is usually Aaron trying to pull Elliott's face off. In the bathtub tonight I had Aaron laying back so I could rinse his hair. Elliott reached over and put his hand over Aaron's face and squeezed. Aaron cried. Other times they play "swap the paci" with each other and appear to be sharing toys. Earlier today the shared a kleenex...that was fun. I was a neglectiful mother....I left them playing in their room....they found a kleenex...tired to eat it. Elliott was better at swallowing it but couldn't (thank God) and ended up puking. Aaron couldn't get the kleenex off the roof of his mouth to swallow. It was pretty cute when I came in their room and they were sitting looking at each other and attempting to eat kleenex.

I guess that's it...

still sick but better

2008-08-31T15:38:00.004-05:00

The boys are still sick. Elliott had to go back to the doctor Friday to make sure the nebulizer was doing its job. Aaron was sounding worse so I called to bring him in too. We saw Dr. Reed instead of Dr. Maini because Dr. Maini was on vacation. Elliott was much better. He is bad on his left side and Aaron is bad on his right. Aaron is having to use the nebulizer now too. They are still coughing tons and have stuffy and runny noses but they are feeling better. Aaron has reverted back to not being able to sleep without being held or in a big bed....oh well. We just need him to be over this sickness. Dr. Reed said they have bronchitis...I thought she said bronchitis but Julie thinks she may have said something else....regardless....their little colds turned into something worse. Dr. Reed said to make sure if they get fevers to bring them in right away for chest x-rays because they could have pnumonia. I think I like Dr. Reed more than Dr. Maini and want to switch. Dr. Reed seems to be more sensitive to their prematurity. I don't want to think of them as these weak little babies because they aren't but nothing will change the fact that they were born premature and their immune systems were compromised because of that....also that I believe that their other body systems could be just a little behind like their tummies. Dr. Reed introdued herself and said that she saw that they were preemies but not getting synagis. I was happy that they weren't getting synagis because I hate when they cry from shots...I hate when they cry in general....Part of me was a little nervous about Dr. Maini not wanting them to have Synagis again this year. I have been told by everyone else medically involved with the boys that they would most likely get the shot for two seasons. After them having to use a nebulizer I was more nervous about them not getting it so I was actually relieved that Dr. Reed ordered them to get it again.

In other news....they boys are feeling better and are super active. I did a treatment with Elliott at midnight on Friday/Saturday. He went crazy!!! He was so hyper!!! I layed down in baby jail and tried to sleep while he crawled all over the place like a crazy kid for 45 minutes. I didn't even turn on a light. Then he scooted over to me and whined and went to sleep!!! Aaron doesn't seem to get hyper at all from the treatments but Elliott hadn't either until that midnight one. Aaron hates them but will tolerate them if he has his paci...I don't know if it is as effective that way but otherwise he would be getting nothing and screaming at the top of his lungs. He falls asleep before its over.

I haven't been putting rice in Aaron's bottles because it seems like he shouldn't have such thick bottles when he is all congested. He hasn't been puking so I think maybe we will just stop putting rice in. Aaron is still crawling on his hands and knees....totally skipped the army crawl thing. He is slow but steady. Its so strange that a week ago they couldn't sit and now they do it like they always have....how amazing. Elliott pulled himself up to standing in his crib today. I put Aaron in Elliott's crib so I could keep them away from the nebulizer machines in thier room while I looked for missing pacis. I lowered the side of the crib and Elliott reached up and stood. I will attach a picture. He was so happy!!! He found that it's super fun to chew on the crib rail =) They will be walking before we know it and way before we are ready!!! Oh I almost forgot. I am a bit of a terrible mother. I left the vicks baby rub in baby jail. I was rocking Elliott and my mom was watching Aaron in baby jail. She looked away for a minute to do something and when she looked back Aaron had opened the baby rub and had it ALL over him. He smelled super good =) She didn't think he ate any because there were globs all over his clothes. We called poison control and they said it was fine and to give him a drink to get the taste out of his mouth...in case he ate some. My ever smart mom took it upon herself to take other things out of baby jail like butt paste that has a screw on top. I told her that they love to chew on tubes of butt paste....then she read on the tube that you need to seek immediate medical help if it is swallowed!!! So...lesson learned. I need to be much more careful about what I leave with my babies....they are smart and can do much much much more than they could before.

later
Jen

The boys in their new jammies from aunt Katie...notice the difference in their bellies!!!

Elliott standing =)

Elliott in a Pampers box

Aaron in a Pampers box

sick

2008-08-28T20:17:00.003-05:00

The boys are sick. It is very sad. They have been sick before but not like this. They have terrible coughs and Elliott has to use a nebulizer. I am trying to be super cool about it but I am really freaking out. I know that lots of kids have to use a nebulizer...I even know two...Jake and Jackson, but it is still very very scary for me. Elliott really doesn't like it very much but has fallen asleep both times we have done it at home. He sounds much better!!! Dr. Maini said that if Elliott gets worse tonight and the breathing treatment isn't working to take him to the ER...then she said I don't want to freak you out....luckly I think that he is much better so I am going to try not to obsess and check on him every 5 minutes if he stays asleep. I wasn't even going to call the doctor because they say that they can't do anything for a cold., but he kept getting worse and Julie said to call...so I did. The office sounded like I was just an overreacting mom. The lady said that Dr. Maini did have an opening today and asked if I wanted to bring Elliott in...like I really shouldn't. I am very glad we did!!! Aaron started out with a cough on Monday I think...Elliott didn't until Tuesday. They both have runny/stuffy noses. Poor poor babies. None of us have really slept in 2 days. We tried to sleep with them in recliners last night so they could breath better but that didn't work at all. We put blankets under one end of their mattresses tonight so they would be more upright but they keep moving around and ending up at the bottom...then waking completly up and wondering what the heck happened!!! The other solutions are to have them sleep in their cribs in either bouncy seats or their carseats. I don't think they will sleep in either of those plus we let a fried borrow the bouncy seats and we have convertable carseats that aren't super easy to install. I suppose we could try to put them in the swings but I think they might weigh too much....and I am not confident that they would sleep in those either. Anyway....Elliott has to go back to the doctor tomorrow so his pulse ox can be checked and they can listen to him breath...his pulse ox was 91 before the breathing treatment at the office and 93 after...I don't know if that is super bad or not. Mine was 97 when my lung collapsed....Well...I am going to see if I can find something for dinner and try to sleep and not worry about my babies....that is if they sleep...

9 months

2008-08-25T19:48:00.003-05:00

Elliott and Aaron are 9 months old today. I know I say this and get all sappy each month birthday but I can't help it. My tiny babies are for sure no longer tiny. My littlest baby is not the biggest baby and they are doing new stuff everyday it seems. Aaron sat up from a laying down position yesterday and Elliott did it today. Aaron took his diaper off yesterday and Elliott rolled around with the hood of his towel totally covering his face....he loved it!!! I can't help but think about how they weren't even really close to doing this stuff a month ago...They were just starting to sit super well and look at them now...crawling sitting up on their own, using more sounds....amazing. A year ago at this time I didn't even know we were having two boys...time flies.

Aaron had a better day as far as puking goes yesterday but today was terrible. I don't know if making the formula thicker is helping or not. I don't know what to do. He is so cute....so cute I can hardly stand it. Elliott is too...and so funny!!! I wish I had a reality show. The stuff they do needs to be recorded. I am not sure that Elliott will ever crawl on his hands and knees. He is so efficient doing it the other way. I think he will go from army crawl to walking. He was so cute this afternoon. Both babies had woken up from their naps and I went in their room to find Aaron all happy on his belly and Elliott sitting up trying to get the stuff on his mobile. I have been telling Andrew that we need to lower their mattresses for weeks...they are going to be pulling themselves up and falling out any day!!! We will have to do it tomorrow!!! Both can pull themselves up using a pair of adult hands but they haven't figured out they can pull up on the sides of the play yard or other furniture.

I tried hard to take some super cute pictures today but it didn't work. I let the boys stay in their jammies all day because they turned 9 months. I am going to post some pictures I took last week when we played outside. Oh my goodness does my eye hurt!!!! I think I have a sty in my eye and it makes me want to cry...

They like it outside

Aaron

Elliott

Aaron tasting grass

Elliott tasting grass

crawling

2008-08-22T19:10:00.002-05:00

Well...it has happened. Aaron crawled on his hands and knees today. Elliott is still "army crawling" on his tummy. He gets on his hands and knees but gives up and does what he knows to get where he wants to go. Aaron isn't very good at crawling yet but he did it. He went after a paci =) He can only do like 2 or 3 crawls at a time then he rolls over and smiles. He is so funny. The first time he did it I picked him up and hugged him and I cried....first they were rolling then Elliott figured out how to move forward then he got a tooth and now Aaron can crawl....whats next...college and marriage?!?!?

After one of their naps today, I put Aaron in Elliott's crib to see if they would play. We keep 4 extra pacis in their room on the floor by their beds for night emergencies...ie: crying baby and a paci somewhere on the floor. I gave the babies the 4 extra pacis along with the two they had in their mouths from sleeping. They played together with their pacis for over 15 minutes!!! It was super cute. Elliott started pushing them out of his crib...I think its too early for them to be learning to pick up game!!!

The boys had their 9 month well baby check up yesterday. I was happy to learn that they didn't even need blood tests because I am not breast feeding and they are getting tons of iron from all the baby cereal they get. We got to leave the office with happy babies!!! Andrew went with Elliott to be weighed and measured. I don't know exactly what happened but Elliott was crying and I don't think they got an accurate measurment. They said that Elliott is 26 inches long (not on the chart for his age) 16lbs 13oz (the 5th percentile) and his head is 18 inches (75th percentile!!!). Aaron is 26 1/2 inches long (5th percentile) 18 pounds!!! (10th percentile) and his head is also 18 inches....they must be very smart with such big brains in those big heads!!! Dr. Miani said to put more rice cereal in Aaron's bottles and to make sure his food is also thick (it is). If that doesn't work we can give him 1.5 ml twice a day or try a different med. My mom and aunt made me feel kind of bad. They said that he is not having a problem eating and gaining weight so why bother with more or different meds...am I medicating him for me? So I don't have to change his sheets so often or feel bad because he has been sleeping on puky sheets for weeks? Do I just not want to clean up puke anymore and its really not about Aaron feeling good? I don't know...I don't like it when I puke and if I did it all day long I would want that to end...I think I am doing it for him. Dr. Maini said that she thinks he will outgrow it soon. Elliott will get another head ultrasound when he is 1. She didn't seem worried about him at all so I won't worry about him either. She asked if they clap and say mama dada baba....they don't...well...I think Aaron claps but Elliott doesn't and they don't say mama dada baba. I felt like I needed to tell her that they are awesome and to BACK OFF but then she said that they are doing wonderful and that she didn't really expect them to be doing all the developmental things that 9 months old do since they would be 7 months if they were born at the right time. She even said that she was happy to see them doing some things that kids do around 9 months!!! GO ELLIOTT AND AARON!!! Well...thats it!!! Have a super night...
Jen

teeth

2008-08-20T18:45:00.005-05:00

I don't know that anyone reads this anymore...I don't blame them. It must be super boring!!! I am going to keep blogging because this way I can keep a record of milestones and someday I will put them in the babies baby books...which I don't have yet but someday I will find two that are as perfect as my boys.

So....Elliott's tooth finally broke through today. He won't let me see it but I can feel it. Its on the bottom/middle/right....I have to admit that I did cry when I felt it. It just makes me somewhat sad to see more and more of my babies turn into toddlers!!! I am also just so very proud of them. I know that there are many babies that are born smaller and sicker than Elliott and Aaron were but I had never seen a baby so small...I am AMAZED that they lived and they are developing so well. They really aren't even that behind. Aaron is trying hard to figure out how to crawl. I don't think that he will do the "army crawl"...he is just going to take off on his hands and knees one day....maybe tomorrow!!! I think that Aaron will crawl on his hands and knees first and Elliott will walk first. Andrew thinks that Elliott with do both things first. It's really fun having two and guessing who will do what first.

Yesterday we took the boys to Wildlife Prairie Park to go down the slide. It was also Andrew's first time down the slide. Elliott cried and Aaron just looked blah...I know they will LOVE it in a year or two!!! I would put the videos of the boys on the slide on this blog but the computer is going so slow that it is just now writing the word "this".....I had to go back and fix a bunch since I couldn't see what I was typing...

The ten month old little girl I mentioned in my last blog died yesterday. I cried hard and held Elliott (he was awake) and thanked God for giving us such healthy babies.

In other news...I am tired of feeling terrible about myself and am doing my best to do something about it. I have never thought too much of myself but for the past 3 or 4 years I have just not been that happy. I know that is crazy...I should be the happiest person on the planet!!! I am the only one who can change how I feel and I HAVE TO DO IT!!! There are some things that I can't change but I can change the way I think about those things. I have to be a positive influence for Elliott and Aaron. I want them to grow up feeling confident and I don't know if that can happen when I am not confident. I have the most supportive husband in the world so this shouldn't be tough right....RIGHT???? Alright...I need to do some cleaning. Have a happy happy night =)

thankful

2008-08-18T20:07:00.002-05:00

Although I am not always an awesome mother or wife...in fact most days I am not and some days I wish I could go back to being just me for a day....I am so very thankful. I ran onto a blog listed in a monthly PMOT (Peoria Mothers of Twins) newsletter. Its from a family that has twin girls and a 10 month old daughter who is very sick. They are admitting the 10 month old to the hospital today for her to die. I cried and cried and wanted to go in and grab my babies and hold them forever. We are so lucky!!! Another PMOT member had her twins at 30 weeks I think. They are almost 3 months old now and one is still in the hospital on oxygen. I complain about the dumbest stuff and I suck!!! Our boys may be pukey and have sleeping troubles but they are home they are growing and they are healthy....they are amazing. We may be living paycheck to paycheck and sometimes not making it to the next paycheck but we have family that loves us and helps us in any way they can. We may not be able to afford to go on a real vacation but we might get to spend some time at Wildlife Prairie Park tomorrow and relax at home on Andrew's day off. It would be nice to be able to pay a bill when it came instead of figuring out when we could pay it according to Andrew's pay schedule...but we can't...we do get the bills paid and for that I am thankful. We are both healthy and love eachother and our two awesome babies. Please forgive me for dwelling on stupid things and being unhappy because I will never fit in my pre-pregnancy jeans again. Check out this blog...http://www.ilrohrers.blogspot.com and http://www.mikliks.blogspot.com....

Its Sunday

2008-08-17T18:24:00.003-05:00

It's Sunday. We skipped church. Its hard to go when Andrew has to work. We would have to leave church early and I would have to drop Andrew off at work and then pick him up when he could come home. The biggest problem is that the babies are both sleeping and Andrew isn't home so I would have had to wake the babies to get Andrew from work...I don't think Jesus wants me to do that.

Today was kind of a tough day. Elliott is getting a tooth and I think it is making him cranky and clingy and making it difficult for him to sleep. I had not made baby food in a long time and the babies only had squash to eat. Grandma Ski bought green beans and peaches for me to make into baby food so I made the greed beans along with some pears yesterday. Today I did the peaches. I started to make the peaches and couldn't really stop once I started. About 5 minutes into it both Elliott and Aaron decided that they wanted to cry and were tired. I didn't want to stop and didn't think it would take too long. Aaron ended up falling asleep in "baby jail" (as Julie calls it). He found a pillow to snuggle with as well as Elliott's paci. I felt super bad about that. Elliott was still crying. Anyway...naps were not that great today and I felt a little distracted by things I wanted to get done...I feel like I kind of neglected the boys today. The fact that a tiny little tooth is coming out of Elliott's gums makes me so very sad. They are not going to be babies for much longer and I really really really love their gummy smiles.

It appears that both babies are asleep....I didn't hear a peep after I put them in their cribs. I had to take their bumpers out (I know that I was never supposed to have them in there) and now they can see each other. I think that helps...maybe. The problem is that they lose their pacis and they always fall where I cannot reach them. Maybe they will be getting rid of pacis at bedtime sooner then we thought!!!

In other news....I bathed the babies together in the big tub tonight by myself...and both lived!!! Maybe this does not seem like a super fantastic task but I am proud of myself so poop on you if you don't think I am awesome!!! Also, Aaron did not puke in the tub and neither of them peed before I got their diapers on!!! GO ME!!! I feel pretty awesome about the timing as well. They were fed bathed and asleep in 1 hour!!! I think that might be more efficient when I am alone. It seems like everything has to be done so fast now that we have the twins. When we are out with them we have to hurry around because they need to eat soon or they need to be napping or we don't want to hear one more person ask if they are twins or if they are identicle or tell us that our hand are full....at home I am in a hurry because one baby is always needing something so when I am changing one baby...that baby wants to be done and the other wants to be held or have his diaper changed ect...I love my life most of the time but to be honest sometimes when Andrew is leaving for work I think and sometimes say out loud "I don't want to do this today". On that note....Andrew is finally home...I am starving (not really as you know if you have seen me lately...I think I could not eat for years and still be fine) and it's time to eat the roast that I have been smelling in the crock pot ALL DAY!!! Enjoy the pictures!!!

Aaron in baby jail

Aaron's first time in a swing...this was taken May 18th.

Elliott's first time in a swing also on May 18th

This is just cute

Aaron eating a monkey with pen marks on his face...he tried to eat a pen earlier in the day...

I LOVE MY TWINS!!!

2008-08-10T20:38:00.007-05:00

I will try my best to make this less boring and shorter!!!

Andrew and I just finished having a leisurely steak dinner outside...with two sweet sleeping babies inside!!! YAY!!! Andrew has a difficult time letting them fuss for more than 2 seconds but he is working on it. I always check on them if they are crying but not if they are just making noise....I have to add that its amazing how they really are not crying!!! They know that we love them and that we will pick them up when they need it. Aaron slept in his bed from about 7:15pm until 5:45am!!! I think he would have fallen back asleep but Andrew went in and got him when he made his first peep. He had gotten Elliott out of bed about 30 minutes before. I think Andrew is sad when he doesn't get to snuggle with a baby. I know that I miss them when I don't snuggle with them when they are sleeping!!! They are such happier babies during the day and they are so funny!!!

Andrew did not work this weekend. He took if off so we could go to a wedding reception in Chicago. I was SOOOO excited to go. We were going to get to see Val and Josh, Tree, and Josh, Jillian, and Jude....unfortunatly Andrew made a "poor financial decision" (that I don't want to talk about) which made it not possible for us to go. It was probably for the best since the babies are FINALLY getting used to sleeping in their beds. Plus...(Elliott, Aaron, and I) got to spend TONS of time with Andrew and it was super. We discovered that Andrew is an awesome carpet puke spotter!!! Sometimes Aaron pukes and we don't even know until we find the little puddle later...I know that gross but its our life and YOU are choosing to read about it =) We need to not have carpet I think....

On a bit of a side note....we went to a garage sale on Saturday and the people had twin boys. I was so excited about getting some winter clothes...(hint hint...the babies don't have any fall or winter clothes =) I felt that the clothes were priced too high for a garage sale. Also, I know how much it stinks to have to look at every clothing price tag and mulitply it by two and so did the garage sale mom. If we ever have a garage sale with clothes at it and a mom of twins in buying...she gets a two for one deal. It's the decent thing to do. Sure...I probably paid full price but that doens't mean I can't try to pay it forward right? I think that lots of places should give us two for one deals...like ALL doctors offices, department stores, grocery stores....Maybe I could get a hair cut if would could get two for one diapers or formula!!! I was sort of complaining about how the box of 204 diapers will be gone in 22-25 days for us but for a singe baby the box could last for almost 50 days!!! She said that the was she sees it is that most people will end up having at least 2 kids. When you have twins you buy enough for 2 at once. When you don't have twins you don't do that. She said that with inflation we might actully be saving money....thats a fun way to look at thing =) Speaking of saving money...my dear sister Julie found a ginormous play yard for $25.00!!! YAY YAY YAY!!! We can hold off on baby proofing the entire upstairs and the babies can stop rolling under the recliner!!! Well...I think I made this just as long and borning...sorry...Andrew is texing me to come downstairs and finish watching the movie we started last night (we couldn't stay up long enough to watch it...we are so old). LATER TATERS...enjoy the pictures =)

so....here is an awesome Elliott smile....then a pretty big Aaron smile....to bad they are in different pics!!!

Aaron getting to spend time with his daddy.......meanwhile Elliott found a cord to chew on =(

two baby smiles in ONE picture!!! That is some wicked redeye!!!

ah

2008-08-06T20:14:00.000-05:00

So...Sunday was not such a good day..sort of. I am so very tired...so so so very tired and feeling like I have done so many things wrong with my little guys in their short lives. This somehow doesn't stop me from getting so mad at them when they are cranky and crying because they are so tired. So...Tuesday morning I really really really just wanted a bowl of cereal and a shower...I didn't feel that was asking much. Let me preface this by telling you about a book Annie brought here. It's called the 90 minute sleep solution. It says that babies have 90 minute wake cycles. This doesn't mean that they can only be awake for 90 minutes at a time...actually, the twins couldn't even stay awake that long when they were new!!! They can be awake for more than one cycle but are more likely to be able to fall asleep and stay asleep if put to sleep at the end of a cycle. I just want to say that I have been saying for MONTHS that my babies are tired after being away for an hour and a half...that's 90 minutes!!! Yay for me I am so smart =) So anyway...I was trying to really keep track of when they woke up and start getting them ready to nap just before the time was up. This by itslef was not working so great. The book said that the best way to get them to stay asleep is to let them cry it out but that is very mean when you have a sleep deprived baby. I waited until Tuesday when I wanted a shower and cereal. I very calmly put my babies in their beds and left the room. Andrew was leaving for work and look a little concerned. I didn't take a shower...I had to listen to them until they stopped. To my suprise they just kind of whimpered (I know it was very sad) for about 40 minutes. I felt so guilty but they were both sleeping!!! Elliott took 2 1 and a half hour naps yesterday!!! Each time I layed them down they whimpered for less time. By bed time they didn't whimper but maybe 7 minutes. Elliott woke up a couple times in the night and put himself back to sleep. He did this probably in 2 minutes. Aaron woke up after Andrew got home and we had just sat down to have dinner together...seriously I think I had just put my fork in the food. I told Andrew we should see if he could soothe himself. We finished eating and put the leftovers away. Then Andrew couldn't wait any longer and picked him up. He went back to sleep rather quickly but woke up a few minutes later. I rocked him for about 30 minutes and gave up. Andrew took him into the spare bedroom ( as he has done for at least 2 weeks) and went to sleep. When these babies finally do sleep on their own it is going to be a huge adjustment for Andrew and I to have to sleep in a tiny queen size bed together!!! Anyway....I heard Elliott wake up around 5am. I am sure he could have gone back to sleep on his own but I was freezing and thought he would be too...and I missed him...so into bed with me he went. He slept soundly until 7:30am and woke up smiling...this has not happened in weeks!!! Today Elliott did not nap as well but he napped. Aaron did a little better today and put himself to sleep several times. I think it's important that I didn't do this until now...I needed to be really insane and tired before being able to listen to my babies need me. I feel no guilt now. I think I did what was best for them and for me. It's like the breastfeeding thing...I was so exhusted from pumping every 2 hours that I couldn't take care of my boys like I needed to. Stopping was better in the short and long run....with the sleep thing I was seriously going crazy. I still think that probably I would like to talk to a therapist (I believe everyone could use a little therapy =) and I think at times that I am depressed and could use some drugs, but its like a weight has lifted off my shoulders these past two days. I know that I could still have some terrible days ahead but at least I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I want to be a happy positive mom for my babies...I want to be the old Jen...the happy, funny, smiling, non grumpy Jen...I know she is in here somewhere!!!

Now for some fun baby stuff
Elliott and Aaron are both scooting themselves backwards. It has to be a little frustrating. Andre and I both saw Elliott move forward by pushing his feet into the floor yesterday. I tried to get him to do it again but he got pretty frustrated. Aaron is an expert at changing directions..he spins on his sweet little tummy. They love to eat paper and chew on anything they are not supposed to. I think that I have hidden things well but they find them. Aaron found some scissors under a chair yesterday...I was too lazy to put them away...won't make that mistake again!!! Aaron has begun to do this funny little breathing thing and cute lip thing when he starts to fuss. Elliott is screaming as loud and as much as ever!!! I hope he stops that some day soon!!! Elliott continues to laugh in his sleep. Its probably the best thing ever. I wish you all could witness it happening. They both told me that they are very excited to see aunt Joy and meet uncle Dave...YAY!!! Oh...Aaron continues to puke all day long but he is interested in eating more...I guess I would rather him eat less and puke less but I don't know when to make him stop or if I should even do that. They see the doctor at the end of the month and I AM NOT LEAVING UNTIL I GET THE ANSWERS I NEED!!! Probably I will forget when I am even concerned about. I am so stressed out by all the shots they are getting and by how much weight they have gained I don't know what I am doing. This doctor visit they will just be have a little blood drawn...hopefully it won't be as bad as the shots...those are terrible and I am going to do some research to see what shots they can do without (probably all but I am just not that crunchy...I want to be but am not). Now for some pictures...

Aaron eating paper at Old Chicago...his first time in a restaurant high chair=)

Elliott at Old Chicago...also his first time in a restaurant high chair

This should be on a MacMurray College recruiting pamphlet...

Andrew proudly wearing Aaron in the prettiest slingling we own =)

Aaron and Elliott with their Great Grandpa Shurts

2008-08-03T11:21:00.001-05:00

i am defeated

6/8 months

2008-07-25T23:18:00.000-05:00

Elliott and Aaron are 8 months today...and 6 months this past Wednesday. I can now feel like I am doing to right thing when I feed them solids!!! Both boys took nice naps this morning...from 9-11:15 for Aaron and 11:30 for Elliott. Elliott would have slept longer too but I had to get out of bed...thats right....they slept so well because Aaron was sleeping with Andrew and I was sleeping with Elliott. At least that gave them one good nap today. The other two were not so good....the last one only being about 25 minutes for each. Aaron was asleep by 7:30pm and didn't wake up until 10:30 pm!!! YAY Aaron!!! I don't know when Elliott went to sleep but it's now almost 11:30 and he is still sleeping. Aaron just almost finished a bottle and will go back to sleep for another few minutes...hopefully.

I called Dr. Maini about Aaron puking so much. I was hoping to try a new med or have some testing done but she just told us to give him 1.25ml twice a day instead of 1ml twice a day...I don't see how that tiny amount will help but she's a doctor and knows what she is doing right?

Last night we skipped swimming lessons and went out to eat...not at FlatTop...I know all who know us are in shock!!! We went to Old Chicago. It was yummy and the boys sat in high chairs for the first time. They did great. I will have to post the pictures soon. In order to do it now I would have to unplug either the fancy smart phone and lose internet connection or unplug the chillmat and the computer would go too slow to load anything. I will try to get to it tomorrow but I am not making any promises. Andrew and I were actually able to eat a meal without holding a baby!!! We did have to watch Aaron every second because is go go gadgit arms kept reaching thing like forks and salt shakers and whatnot. The hostess gave the boys menus and crayons...Aaron tried to eat his menu and I think he actually did swollow some...I didn't let them have the crayons...I think they are too young... Both boys enjoyed chewing on the table inspite of the fact that I brought their favorite toys. It was pretty gross but I am sure the table gets cleaned more often than the high chairs and I wiped the table off with a wipee. Even if they ingested tons of yucky stuff I felt better using a wipee =) We stopped at Target after for diapers and formula and two cart/highchair covers. Having to buy two of lots of stuff kind of sucks and makes Andrew's checks not go as far!!! Speaking of Andrew's checks not going far....we are now excepting donations for a super gate....if you use paypal, you can send donations to hicksman42@yahoo.com. I am only sort of kidding...

I better go and help Aaron go back to sleep. Andrew is letting him touch everything and its really light in here and he can't calm down when there are things to touch...

Jen

maybe I am an awesome mom

2008-07-22T19:52:00.000-05:00

Well....it's 7:52 pm. The babies took their last bottles at 6pm. Aaron left 3 ounces....Elliott drank one of Aaron's ounces...then Aaron puked a bunch...so since 6 I have fed two babies, bathed two babies (bathed Aaron twice because he puked lots in the tub), dried and dressed two babies (dressed Aaron twice because he puked what he ate 4 hours ago on his jammies), rocked two babies, and put two babies to sleep. I have also washed bottles, put the bath stuff away and straightened the living room a little. Now I am sitting down to finish my frosty. I am kind of tooting my own horn but probably not for long. I am guessing that Aaron will be awake in the next 15 minutes. He couldn't stay asleep for more than 5 minutes at a time last night from about 7:30 until about 9:15. It was nuts and I am not exaggerating. He slept for about 30 minutes and Andrew and I enjoyed baked potatoes from Wendy's (hence my frosty). He woke up after that I just took him to our bed where he slept happily until about 6:30 am. Elliott also had a bad night. He couldn't stay asleep and sounded in pain. Oh..Aaron is up!!! It only took 3 minutes!!! He is asleep again...hopefully for a longer time...like an hour...I would be happy with an hour. Aaron has decided today that he can't go to sleep on his own so now I am having to rock him too. It's kind of sweet but I want it to be over. I want them to fall asleep on their own and stay asleep for hours.

Elliott is sitting up very well now. He has also decided to sleep on his tummy, cross his ankles, and stick his butt up. I love it!!! Aaron isn't really doing anything new other than not eating much...I guess he really is eating just not when I want him to. We have some awesome pictures that I am not able to post on snapfish. It tried to load for an hour so I gave up. I will post some here. Well...I guess since it's 8:30 and my babies are sleeping I will read a book and wait for Andrew to get home. Later tater

Elliott does smile...just not for our camera

They are playing together.

They have a cool bench!

Aaron rolled under his bed and found toys!!!

They do wear clothes...they are not always in jammies...they are just usually the happiest after their first bottle in the morning...before they have had a day of not napping.

poop

2008-07-19T14:17:00.001-05:00

yesterday was a cruel joke. we are back to 15 minute naps

napping again....for now

2008-07-18T17:22:00.000-05:00

It scares me to write this but the babies are napping today!!! Elliott is falling asleep. . .on is own. . . in his crib!!! I rocked both of the back to sleep once during their first nap which lasted over an hour and a half. I didn't think I would get so lucky with the second one....but....Aaron slept for over 2 and a half hours and Elliott for over an hour and a half again. Elliott woke up and I was rocking him to sleep...his eyes were closed but he wasn't really sleeping I think...he was humming and smiling...anyway....they are now down for their third nap of the day. This one shouldn't be too long. I wish I knew that the second nap was going to be so awesome...I would have taken a nap myself but I didn't...I looked at double strollers online. I love our stroller but am interested in a side by side stroller that will fit through doorways and stores. They are super expensive. I am thinking that at some point in the near future the baby in the back of our stroller is going to be getting upset when he can't see anything. Maybe I should just wait until that happens. I would also love the convience of being able to steer it with one hand so I can read books better when we go on walks. I guess I am just acting spoiled. I am thankful for what I have.

So...a couple days ago Elliott decided that it was cool to sit and roll around. He doesn't sit as well as Aaron yet and doesn't roll as much but he is getting there. I can't decide if it was a terrible idea to sell (actually I guess we kind of gave it away since we didn't recieve any money) our pack and play. Our babies exceed the weight limit together for it so I guess it's okay. I have been wanting to get a supergate but now I don't know that we actually need it. I found a super fun one today that had all these toys on the "walls" of it. I suppose we can do without. I just need to babyproof the living room and get a gate to close off the kitchen. I think that Christmas is going to be crazy this year. Aaron touches EVERYTHING and wants EVERYTHING. I can't imagine the tree staying up and not falling over on him without some kind of gate to block it off...I guess we have a while to figure that out.

Jackson turned one a few weeks ago and it got me excited for the twins first birthday. I told Julie (the very old wise one) that she needed to start planning now...we are talking fireworks and slideshows....not really but I do want a super celebration of their life and how far they have come.....and the fact that hopefully Andrew and I will still be sane =)

I don't think that I have been poisoning Aaron. I think he has acid reflux and he maybe needs a different medicine. I am annoyed with him m a bit...he won't finish his bottles during the day and wakes up at night for a bottle. This morning when he woke up and I couldn't rock him back to sleep I freaked out and told Andrew to take him to work and see if anyone wanted him. I meant it a tiny bit too!!! The next time someone asks me which one they can take home you had better be prepared!!! I might have Aaron's stuff packed and ready to go =)

I can't get over how they are sleeping today! What had changed? I guess that eventually God does answer prayers...or it could be that I am having them drink their bottles before trying to feed them....Elliott still wants food...both his and Aaron's share...Aaron hasn't finished a bottle and isn't interested in food. I am not fearful of him losing weight...he is a butterball!!! If he's not hungry he is not hungry and the formula is more important than food I think. I do wish that I could just stop giving them formula. I could afford a fancy stroller if I wasn't giving them formula.

One more thing and then I will be done. I am currently using the laptop upstairs with internet provided by a fancy smart phone from Verizon Andrew gets to borrow so he can better educate his customers about this phone. I am trying to download pictures to snapfish. You may be getting a fun email with TONS of pictures in the near future...I know you are oh so excited =)

feeling a little better

2008-07-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

So after my rant I felt a little better. I still feel like a terrible mother but my babies smile at me so I must not be the worst!!! I came upstairs after I didn't hear Elliott crying anymore...and was worried. He has NEVER fallen asleep crying as hard as he was...by the way...I don't understand why it is good to let you child fall asleep crying. It's terrible to fall asleep crying!!! Like nobody cares about you in the world!!! Anyway...Elliott was alive and asleep. Aaron became quiet as I walked upstairs. He was looking at the ceiling unmoving. I thought he was dead!!! Then he looked over at me and smiled soooo big and started kicking his legs. I picked him up and hugged him hard. Elliott woke up about 10 minutes later. He was just as happy to see me and even happier to eat!!! I am not saying that I don't feel the stuff I wrote...I do and some days I look at my babies and blame them for everything. ALL days I love my babies more than anything...never doubt that.

So...Aaron is rolling around all over the place. He loves to play on his tummy now (I keep soft toys from him as they are harder to clean puke off of!!!) Elliott seems content to be on his back. He can roll over...just chooses not to. I think that once he figures out that he can get around by rolling we will be in big trouble. I am also thinking that it won't be long before Aaron is crawling. When he sees something he wants he tries very very very hard to get it and often does....I don't know how...it doesn't look like he is moving...it's like he gets a go go gadget arm!!! Both boys are doing a fine job eating solid food. They love squash (especially butternut) and carrots...but only had carrots once and I think maybe I should wait awhile before giving them carrots again. Aaron has some nasty diaper rash...or something...I could post a picture of it.....Apples were not so good. Aaron cried actual tears when I fed him apples. Elliott ate them and loved them but then threw every last bit up...I am sure of it...I had to clean it all up!!!

The boys started swimming lessons. It's pretty fun to play in the water with them...no so fun to be seen in public in a swimming suit =( Aaron seems to like the water more than Elliott but Elliott also seems to sleep a little less and is kind of grumpy during lessons. Both don't like going under water and it kind of freaks me out to have their ears in the water and to have them getting chlorine in their eyes and mouths....also on their skin. Maybe I am over protective. I wanted them in lessons as young as possible because I think it's important to know how to swim and not be afraid of water. I taught lessons with moms and babies at the Y in Jacksonville so I suppose I could teach them to swim myself but we don't have a pool and it would cost much MUCH more to build one or get a membership to RiverPlex.

I have to go make Aaron go back to sleep now...
ps...thanks for calling Jillian and being so anti circ!!!

Jen

I am a terrible mother

2008-07-12T16:41:00.000-05:00

This is not a happy blog about how the boys are doing so if you don't want to read about real life and my honest thoughts...go to a different blog.

Let me tell you why...I got sick so they came early. I must have done something wrong while pregnant for Aaron to puke all the time. My babies won't nap for more than 20 minutes anymore...and if one more person says "maybe since they are older they don't need to nap as much" I will punch them in the face. If you think that, how about you come stay with them for the day and tell me that they are getting enough sleep. Aaron won't sleep at night in his own bed. This must be my fault. Apparently we are supposed to let him cry until the sun comes up so he can learn to sleep by himself all night in his own bed....or maybe I just suck...when I hear other moms talking they talk about how bad they have it because their one baby won't sleep for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time...to you I say.... something explicit. I couldn't breastfeed so my babies are unhealthy. I tried to do better by making their baby food but I think I am poisoning Aaron because he won't stop puking and now eats about half of what Elliott eats. Want to know what is going on in the Hicks house right now? I am down in the basement so I can't hear Elliott and Aaron screaming. I told them that 15 minutes was not a nap...shut the door and walked away hearing them scream. I have a monitor that I turn on every 5 minutes to make sure one didn't choke on puke. Just checked....both are still screaming. Sometimes I think that I was not meant to have children. I have been told that when God puts a desire in your heart he will make it happen. Maybe God did not put my desire to have children in my heart. Maybe it was just my desire and we changed fate by me taking Clomid. Don't you think that perhaps I didn't ovulate for a reason....because God knew I would be a terrible mother? Sometimes I sit back and think about everything that the babies ruined. I have no freedom...I can't even go to the eye doctor or dentist!!! I am lucky to get my hair cut every few months and to get a shower every few days. Andrew and I get NO time together without thinking about how we can't buy something because we need to buy formula or diapers....or without a baby crying or needing to eat or needing a bath or wanting to be held. I will never be comfortable in a swimsuit or any other article or clothing again. I have no career, no free time to read or even have friends. Some days I am not this negative but today I am. If you think that I shouldn't write or even think these things then you either aren't a parent or you are lying to yourself. I asked Andrew last night why we wanted kids...not because I don't love mine....just because I couldn't remember why we wanted children so badly that I took drugs to get them. He said that we wanted children because it's a human experience and to further on the Hicks name....hmmmmm....just checked....they are still screaming....have been for 45 minutes now....who are you people who say a baby will "cry it out" in 15 minutes???? What a lie. There is so much pressure on me to be perfect and I am a terrible mother. What mother questions her reason for wanting children? What mother can't breast feed? What kind of mother has children that can't nap and puke ALL day long...I am not exaggerating...he pukes from his first bottle to his last...pukes after he eats and even right before. Come over and look at our puke stained carpet...now since they are eating solids....we have colored spots!!! What kind of mother can't speak up for her children...I should have told Dr. Maini that I didn't think they should start eating solids yet...just to see what she had to say but I didn't....I just followed her advise...I didn't want them to have shots, yet I didn't speak up and my babies were pumped full of stuff their little bodies could have probably done without. I stay home all day with them and just pray to God that I am not creating two psycho killers. Just thought of one more thing...I am a terrible mother because I put my babies to sleep on their sides and have bumpers in their cribs and give them pacis.

whoa

2008-06-13T23:38:00.000-05:00

So...I finished writing my last blog and logged into myspace and guess who accepted my friend request? ASHLEE!!! I know I am pathetic but I AM SO HAPPY!!!

blah blah blog

2008-06-13T22:14:00.000-05:00

I thought it was time I blogged.

Elliott actually rolled over on his half birthday and Aaron did the following Thursday...from back to belly...they have been rolling from belly to back forever!!! Elliott hasn't really done it since but I know he can. He gets about half way and stops. He sleeps on his side so I guess he is comfy there. Aaron went through this thing were he rolled over in his sleep and then I would go to check on him and he would be on his tummy with his nose in the mattress....scary!!! I would just flip him over and he would stay sleeping. A couple times we have woken up to fussy babies and found them on their bellies....it seemed they couldn't remember how to get back to their backs!!! Silly babies!!!

In other news...Grandma Bock took the boys to have their first professional pictures taken. I think they are super cute but can't really remember because it took so long for them to come in!!! We took the boys to Penney's for their 6 month pictures. I picked them up yesterday and they are very very cute. We didn't get any of the boys alone but we did at the grandma Bock photo shoot...I really can't wait to take them at 9 months. They will be able to sit and will be so fun. They are really interacting a lot now and it's super fun to watch. We play this game during bottles. When I am burping Aaron, I lay him over my leg and it puts him at Elliott's feet. He always plays with Elliott's feet. I say things like "he's gonna get you" and Elliott gets all happy and wiggles around. Aaron laughs and tries to chew on Elliott's feet. I love it!!! They are super fun to make laugh and they laugh all the time.

Aaron has been puking alot more lately. I thought maybe it was because we started solids...oh we started solids!!! It was oatmeal first...they didn't like that. My mom told me to put a little sugar in the oatmeal and I was like...NO WAY CRAZY LADY!!! But then aunt Sharon was here during the food time and put a little sugar in and they liked it much more!!! I know that it's not what you are SUPPOSED to do but I did it!!! I am making their baby food so next they got to try avocado. It seemed they liked that at first but by the end of the 4 days they were not eating it so well. Next was sweet potatoes. They are kind of weird about them. One day they love them and the next they can't even eat one cube together!!! They did pretty well today. I think that I have to get the texture to what they want or they won't eat it. Such picky little babies!!! Tomorrow we get to try bananas..I have high hopes for the bananas. Aaron makes this face the first spoon of whatever it is....it's like he is eating poop or something. He looks sooo very disgusted...I don't know why...I tasted the formula...it is gross...oh so very gross!!! ANYWAY....Aaron has been puking much more lately...I know he brings up some of the solid food because after the solid food the milk puke is a little bit the color of what he ate. But it's not projectile. I made Andrew call Dr. Maini today. She said to give him zantac in the morning and at night. I hope it works. The poor kid can barely stand to eat the last bottle of the day and he is spitting up the ENTIRE day!!! I am not exaggerating about that. It's so sad and he is so smelly by the end of the day!!! Sometimes I have to change his clothes 4 times!!! Other times I just let him wear pukey clothes... I keep my pukey clothes on...

Today the boys did not want to nap at all. If Elliott was asleep, Aaron was awake and grumpy....if Aaron was asleep, Elliott was awake and grumpy. We have not had a day like this before and I pray we don't have another one!!! At one point Elliott had woken up and I had just put him back to sleep when Aaron woke up. I was hoping Elliott was asleep enough to put back in his crib but as soon as I stood up he was awake...but so tired. So I held on to Elliott and picked up Aaron (this is not as easy as it was when they were 4 pounds!!!). Elliott went back to sleep and Aaron just fussed. At one point Elliott started laughing...I mean really laughing!!! I looked at him and he was totally asleep!!! I was happy that he was having a good dream =) Finally it was time for their last bottles and bath and bed....I was so happy when both went to sleep in their cribs rather quickly...I was able to wash the bottles and make more formula for tomorrow...now I am hoping and praying that Aaron will sleep until 2am...I think his tummy has been bothering him...he wakes up sometimes as early as 11:30. We bring him into bed with us and he tosses and turns for what seems like hours...then he wakes up and does it all over again. I wish we could help to poor little guy..what am I saying...he is not little!!! He weighs more than Elliott now...by 3oz....both are over 14lbs....can't remember exactly what they were and I am soooooo not going upstairs to get the info!!!

I had been doing a little diaper research because I originally wanted to find a cheaper place to buy Pampers...I just love Pampers!!! I ran onto gdiapers and read about them. They are a hybrid between cloth diapers and disposable diapers. They look like cloth diapers but have a disposable insert that you can flush!!! I decided against my very old and wise sisters advice to try them. I think I love em!!! They do not leak and it's fun to flush baby poop!!! It takes an average of 500 years for a regular diaper to biodegrade in a landfill...that is a long time and we put and have put very many diapers in the landfill!!! You can also compost the peed gdiapers...they biodegrade in like 50days....much better than 500...we don't compost because I don't know how to do it and it kind of seems gross, but we are helping the environment if we flush them or even if we add them to the landfill. The problem is that I was trying to save money but have ended up loving diapers that cost .20 cents more a diaper. That adds up pretty quick. Not to mention that the started kit came with only two little g's (that is what the outer cover that looks like a cloth diaper is called). We need more than that because its not convenient to have to put the disposable insert in the little g at every changing..I am not sure that we will be able to keep using them which makes me sad. Also they babies get a red mark on the front of their tummies. I don't think is irritated...just red. It goes away pretty fast. They are just so cute!!! Check them out at gdiapers.com. I think that is enough diaper talk!!!

On other news....my friend Ashlee that was my best friend while in Elkhart has totally pushed me out of her life. It was all over a misunderstanding...I guess....let me tell you the story. Her husband and her were selling their house. There was going to be a short period of time when they would be homeless...their house was sold and the people were moving in and the house they bought had not closed yet...We had told them lots of times that they could stay with us if they needed to. Well...she texted me (you should not text when its super important) and asked if they could stay with us for a few days or weeks. This was the same time we were getting our house ready to sell. I told her that I didn't know how Andrew would feel about it since they have 4 dogs (two little ones, one rottweiler and one pit bull) and 3 cats. The big dogs chewed up their couch and the dining room chair legs!!! We don't have a lot of nice things but our couch and dining room table and chairs are nice. Neither Andrew or I wanted the dogs to chew them up. Ashlee said that either her or Dusting (her DH) would be home except for like an hour or two a day. I asked her (still texting) if she could find a place for her big dogs since we were trying to get our house ready to sell and I didn't want our table and couch ruined. She stopped texting me...I didn't hear from her for a month at least. I thought we were okay because she started texting me again but I was wrong. We moved to Illinois and I wrote her an email. She wrote back but I didn't see it for a long time. I found it when I was in the hospital around Thanksgiving. She said that here and Dustin were upset because nobody would let them stay with them and they thought we were their friends. They ended up staying in their relator's basement. I wrote her back and said that I thought it sucked that we weren't friends anymore and we never said that couldn't stay with us. I said that I missed her and explained that I was freaking out in the hospital. I heard nothing until a couple weeks ago. She sent me a message via myspace to tell me she was pregnant. I instantly wrote her back exclaiming my delight in her big news. It should be knows that we were both trying to get pregnant at the same time. She and her husband had been trying for about a year longer than Andrew and I were. We were both taking clomid at the some time and I got pregnant and she didn't. I think she was jealous and upset about that (I understand where she was coming from there....I hated everyone that got pregnant in the two and a half years we had been trying....I didn't hate Julie!!!) So...also in this email she let it be known that she got pregnant "without fertility". I thought that was awesome and said so in my response. When she didn't respond back I felt pretty yucky like she was trying to make me feel like less of a mom or something because I wasn't ovulating....the worst part is that I really do miss her and I can't stop thinking about how I wish she would just be my friend. I feel pathetic. It's her loss right?!?! RIGHT??? I am not so sure about that.....

Sorry if you read all that and really don't care....this blog is called elliottandaaron......not jen's issues.....well...I guess I am going to look at her myspace page now and try not to buy her baby stuff.

Jen

Happy Half Birthday!!!

2008-05-25T13:46:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe but it's true....Elliott and Aaron are 6 months old today!!! Sometimes it seems like just a few days and other times it seems like years that they have been here. I have been looking at the NICU pictures lately and I cannot believe that they were that small. I can't even remember that....I wish we had more pictures of us holding them and their entire little bodies in their isolletts....more pictures with our hands holding their hands and feet and on their backs so it would be easier to remember how small they were. They have come so far and are soooo very amazing!!! To start at less than 3 pounds and in 6 months be 14...probably 15 pounds....amazing!!! It hasn't all been easy...I remember freaking out every time one of them threw up an entire bottle and taking their temps ALL the time to see if they had NEC. I remember how hard it was in the beginning to juggle two babies once Andrew went back to work and how incredible our families were during that time. Aunt Sharon spent soooo much time at Annie's house helping me feed babies and giving me rest. How awesome it was for Sharon and our moms to spend the night and feed babies in the night to give Andrew much needed rest. I remember how awesome it was when we found out that the babies loved to be in swings!!! I remember how sad and happy I was when we moved into our house....which we couldn't have done without the help of Julie!!! Heck...we wouldn't even have the house without Grandma and Grandpa Bock!!! We had such a huge mess in the house and would still be working our way through all our junk if Julie hadn't spent weeks here. Words can't express our gratitude to Annie...allowing us to live in her house for 6 Months!!! I don't know how to ever repay her. We should have named a baby after her =)

I don't know when Elliott and Aaron became "real" babies but they did!!! They went from laying all day long being able to do nothing to being able to breathe on their own, then taking milk from a bottle....then losing their IV's....getting in open cribs....now they pick toys up and put EVERYTHING in their mouths...They talk and laugh and recognize people. Elliott usually sleeps through the night (with the exception of the past two nights) and Aaron has his super fun pattern of sleep...getting up and 3 and sometimes earlier. They used to just stare blankly and anything and now they are interested in their surroundings and love to see the people that love them. I think they have a favorite movie...they were both sooo interested in Pirates of the Caribbean yesterday when I was feeding them. Elliott almost rolled from his back to his belly yesterday...and both can move around the floor and in their beds on their backs...Elliott is getting lots of hair and Aaron's head seems to be getting less flat. They love to play in the applesaucer and their new jumperoo. We haven't use the swings in weeks!!! I can now be with the boys all day and not be begging Andrew to take one when he gets home. I have been feeding them at the same time which has been helpful...it used to scare me to do it and I would feed one while the other one cried....it was sad. Andrew and I are still very exhausted and need to figure out that it is best to not stay up until midnight or later when the babies are going to sleep around 8 every night.

My babies are sooooo funny too!!! They don't know that they are funny but they really are. Its a good thing because sometimes I am so tired that I need some comic relief in order to stay sane. We went from living in Elkhart alone with two cars to living in Peoria with twins and a VAN in less than one year!!! I went from a full time social worker to a full time mom...nothing could be better.

Thanks to everyone that has loved our boys, that has come and fed babies and changed diapers, that have allowed me to do a load of laundry or taken a shower!!! Thanks for coming to visit and praying for our family!!! I need a nap...
Jen

we are dorks

2008-05-13T23:38:00.000-05:00

We bought a mini van today. We are dorks. I really really really really didn't want to be a van owner but we had to. We have been driving around for months in a tiny car. If the babies were in the car the front seats had to be so far up that the drivers knees were in the steering column and the passengers knees (if it was me) were touching the glove compartment. It was so very uncomfortable and probably not that safe to be so close to the air bags!!! If we had the stroller with us we couldn't bring anything else or buy anything. It just wasn't big enough. We plan on using the stroller for a few years and it just doesn't fit in trunks....it does but then you can't fit anything else in the trunk or in the back seat with two car seats there...we thought about an SUV but we would have had to had a big one and I think they use more gas. I cute little RAV4 just couldn't hold our babies and their stuff. So...we have a black Town and Country....its kind of awesome. We can open the sliding doors from inside our house!!! It's handy to have power doors!!!

I forgot to mention that on Mother's Day the babies talked to each other. It was the sweetest thing I think I have ever seen. They were napping on Annie's bed. I heard them and peeked in. They were looking at each other and talking. Then it was like one said to the other "lets cry so mommy picks us up". I love them so much

They have been going to bed around 8pm...and skipping their last bottles. It's so strange, but I love it!!! If only Andrew and I would get smart and also go to bed at 8 we wouldn't be so grumpy when Aaron wakes up at 3 wanting his paci.

Well..I'm off to bed!!!
Jen

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T21:59:00.000-05:00

I am a little sad about this first Mother's Day. I didn't really have any expectations but somehow feel disappointed. I had a good day. I fed Elliott at 7 and Andrew fed Aaron at 7:30. I took Elliott to bed with me and we slept until 10!!! That was very very nice. Then mom came and picked us up to go to Annie's house. It was fun to be with the family. Everyone was playing Wii but I didn't. I guess I was just too lazy to go down stairs...or I knew that the babies wouldn't sleep very well so I might as well stay upstairs to put their pacis back in their sweet little mouths. Andrew brought home two new Singstar games last night and I guess it's nice but not very Mother's Day like you know....Now the day is done....I guess I should have told Andrew that I would have liked something to remember my first Mother's Day...like framed NICU pictures with now pictures to see how far the boys have come...or something like what we did for the grandmas....hand and foot prints on something. He is busy and probably wouldn't have had time anyway but I still feel sad....kind of like the day went by and he didn't think it was important. I am still going to make his first Father's Day as memorable as possible and I guess I will just make something from the babies for myself for Mother's Day....
Jen

GRRRR COMPUTER

2008-05-10T19:44:00.000-05:00

I shouldn't be mad at the computer...I need to be mad at AT&T I guess for not having good service way out here in the country...oh wait...we don't live in the country...what the crap? I thought maybe it was Snapfish so I tried to put pictures on walmart. That didn't work either. I am not trying to put 100 on at a time....just one...that's all I ask...just let me put ONE in the 3-6 month album!!! Now the silly Internet will not allow me to shop on line for car stickers...yes that is right...the Hickses (yes you say HicksES...not the Hicks...)are getting car stickers....the family stick figure stickers to stick on the car window. I cant' wait...but will have to since the internet is too crappy to load stick figures!!! Okay...I will be done with my rant and talk about the boys...
First off I would like to apologize to our wonderful friend Eric for not mentioning that Elliott and Aaron finally were able to meet you and also to the old wise one....you were here ALL the time and it was great!!! Grandpa Shurts stops by usually once a week and Sharon too. We all really miss the rest of the aunts....especially Joy since we haven't seen her since Christmas....she will fall over when she sees these guys now!!! Too bad I can't down load any pictures!!!

So...I do believe that they still love their cribs but they have been a little more difficult lately. I just don't think that 10 minutes counts as a nap!!! They are doing a little better today but that just means that maybe they won't tomorrow or maybe they will do even better because Grandma Bock brought presents this weekend!!! Now they boys have their own mobiles for their cribs. They are super awesome too!!! I kind of want to steal the Ocean Wonders one for my bed!!! It makes fish and star's on the ceiling!!!

Since we brought them home, they have been sleeping on sleep positioners that I used to put blankets under to make them very inclined to help with reflux and help with breathing. They are made out of memory foam. Elliott has been trying to seep on his side but has a difficult time because this bolster thing prevents him from rolling. I decided that maybe he didn't need the thing anymore and took it out his crib. He didn't sleep for an entire day. I put it back in and he went right to sleep. They can't sleep on those things forever....do they make a memory foam mattress pad for cribs? What picky little babies I have. Aaron can't tolerate generic formula and Elliott won't sleep unless he is on memory foam...goodness

Elliott and Aaron on Earth Day...sorry you have to tilt your head for this one...I flipped it but it flipped back...maybe its me and not the Internet...Elliott's shirt says "Hug Me Hug a Tree" and Aaron's says "Love Me Love the Earth"

On a super happy note....the next Peoria Mothers of Twins thing is this Thursday...I hope it fun!!! Also....I alphabetized and categorized ALL our CD's....so happy that is finally done. I know I am crazy...

I think that Elliott and Aaron are learning something new everyday. They can pick up their favorite monkey teether thing while in the applesaucer (it's an exersaucer but Andrew calls it the applesaucer and I think its really funny) and chew on it...I always miss when they actually get it because I am usually feeding the baby that is not in the applesaucer, but I know they are getting it by themselves. They amaze me. They still can't wear their 3-6 month Old Navy jeans but will soon be in 6-9 month sleep and plays. The crazy health department lady (yes I can call her crazy because I believe that she is...I am not using her name so she cannot sue me just in case you were concerned) was here on Monday. She said that developmentally they are on target for being 3 months. She always tests them at their adjusted age. They do some things that only 5% of 3 month old babies do. They will be caught up in no time...she also reassured me that Aaron's head is fine...so hopefully he won't be wearing a helmet to correct his flat spot. She also weighed and measured them. They are both almost 14 pounds and she measured them as being the same length. Aaron looks shorter when they are laying next to each other but I guess I will believe the crazy health department lady until we see Dr. Maini at the end of the month. Can you believe 14 pounds!!! I am not sure that their year old cousin Cassidy weighs 14 pounds!!! 9 month old cousin Jackson I think only weighs 15 or 16...I guess I shouldn't compare Elliott and Aaron to other babies. Julie has these little tiny babies and apparently Katie does too. Mine must be the regular version. It's just hard to believe the 5 months ago they weighed less than 3 pounds..which makes me wonder why I gained so much weight!!! I was not even carrying 6 pounds of baby and I gained 50!!! And boy oh boy is it coming off slow....or not at all. Grandma Bock said that since it takes a year sometimes to get back into pre-pregnancy clothes...I get until the end of January because that was when the babies were supposed to come...I think I'll need those extra two months!!! Well...that was a tangent...

they are trying to hold hands =) You can't tell me that this isn't one of the cutest pictures you have ever seen....It looks like Elliott is saying "don't worry Aaron...I got ya". These little outfits say "runs on natural gas"...Julie found them and I had to get them since I have the gassiest babies EVER!!!

One last thing and then I will be done with the crazy blog...For mother's day Annie painted a plate for Grandma Bock (seeing as it's hard to go to a pottery painting place when you have two babies). I took the boys there when she was finished and we painted their hands and feet and made prints on the plate...they didn't do so well with their hands...they kept making fists...but their feet were very cute...grandma Schwiderski has too many grandkids for a plate so she is getting a bowl...hope she doesn't read this tonight!!! When I saw the finished plate I wanted to keep it!!! It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen in my life..but then again I have this thing with baby feet. I LOVE LOVE LOVE baby feet!!! I am so happy I get four!!! OK...I am done now I think...I will attach one more picture...I am so glad blogspot lets me have pictures to share!!!

So....Andrew caught two smiles!!! Elliott does smile super big like Aaron is doing but they get so distracted by the camera!!! Check out their chunky legs!!! I am so proud of their chunky legs...they certainly didn't start out that way =)

Thanks for reading!!!
Jen

almost a month!!!

2008-05-03T14:28:00.000-05:00

I feel kind of bad that we have had (crappy) internet for a while and I haven't blogged!!! I have been somewhat conflicted about blogging because I was told that I am a little too blunt and shouldn't say some thing. I have decided that I am who I am and this is my blog...I can say whatever I am thinking and feeling.

So...The boys are growing and growing!!! They are wearing size 2 diapers!!! That makes me sad. My 3 year old niece had an accident and refused to wear a pull up. She said "I want to wear Aaron's diaper" so we put one of the size 2 diapers on her and it fit!!! Either her butt is tiny or Elliott and Aaron are huge!!! She is pretty small....

Elliott rolled from belly to back for the first time on April 6 and Aaron did it on April 12. I had Elliott on his tummy for tummy time...he was fussing and looked like he was trying to swim. I looked away for a second and when I looked back at him his was on his back smiling sooo big!!! We tried to get Aaron to do it but he just cried =( Then the old wise one (Julie) turned him on his belly and he flipped over like he had been doing it for years!!! He cried after he rolled....he was hungry = ) Elliott would do it usually once a day for a while and Aaron just cried. Just last week Elliott decided that he could do it everytime and this week Aaron has been rolling like a champ. They are both very very close to rolling from back to belly. They get to their sides and stop...they like to be on their sides and not their tummies so I don't know that they will ever actually get to their tummies.

Both boys like to spend time in the exersaucer and also under their gyms. Elliott is super good and grabbing and holding onto this little spinning monkey. They started to notice each other too!!! It's so cute when they smile and talk to each other. I can't wait until they are best friends!!!

They made the big move from the bassinets in our room to their very own cribs in their room. It was a sad night for me but an important one. They LOVE their cribs!!! Elliott wakes in the morning so happy!!! He talks to the ceiling and his blakents...so sweet. Aaron does the same thing but for a shorter amount of time...he isn't as patient when it comes to breakfast. They will both sleep from 9 or 10 until between 7 and 9:30 in the morning. We do get up often to replace paci's. Aaron has this habit of getting up around 3 every morning and then up every hour after that until about 6. Sometime he gets up several times in one hour...I think that I am more tired now then I was when they were eating every 3 hours!!! They have been pretty good nappers too. Elliott slept from 9:45 to 1 today!!! He was super hungry. Aaron has had a tough napping day today. I didn't give him Zantac yesterday to see if he was done needing it....he is not done needing it!!! He has been pretty fussy and pukey today. Poor baby....I will never keep it from him again!!! Both boys are sleeping peacefully now...they look so sweet. I don't know how we got so lucky to get such perfect boys!!! I can't wait to have our set of perfect twin girls to match our perfect twin boys!!! Maybe I can wait.....

As for Andrew and I....we love our house. We are pretty much moved in now. The futon is still in the garage and we have a few boxes left to unpack. Most are CD's. We also took the rest of our stuff from Annie's last weekend. I didn't know we had so much crap there!!! I was able to listen to my very much missed John Ralston CD today....4 times!!! They boys like him. Aaron used to move alot in my belly when I played that CD. He hardly moved any other time...I always thought something was wrong with him...it turns out he is just a laid back baby. John Ralston was also the first concert the boys went to. I think I around 27 weeks pregnant when we saw him and Dashboard and Augustana. Little did we know the boys would be making their grand entrance a month later!!!

Well...I think I am going to try to post pictures on snapfish again...I haven't had much luck...the computer keeps freezing and making me crazy....later taters!!!

Here is a picture from Easter.... They looked like little old men....Aaron looks like an angry Irish cab driver =)

my how they grow fast

2008-04-04T23:52:00.000-05:00

Hello again!!! I hope that I haven't lost all my readers because its been so long. We moved out of Annie's house and haven't had internet. Andrew has been researching different providers to find the cheapest. Right we are using a Blackberry as a modem but should have actual service in the next couple of weeks. Anyway.....

I really don't know what has happened since the last time I wrote. I think that the boys had their first trip to Indiana...to Elkhart to pack up that house. That was really really REALLY not fun. Julie came to help but it was so difficult to do things with 3 babies....those babies being Elliott, Aaron, and Jackson. We got it done though with a little help from our friends. Thanks so much to Leisa and Randy, Rob and Tara, Jenna, Brian, and Emily, and Heather...also Andy and Alexa from across the street. Elliott and Aaron slept the entire way to and from Elkhart!!! Amazing!!!! Andrew and I also celebrated our 5th anniversary (March 22) and our birthdays...Andrew turned 30 on March 21 and I turned 29...also on March 21. We kind of forgot about our special events but others didn't....we had a party on Easter and a cake on our birthday!!! THANKS OTHERS!!!

The twins also had their first trip to Grandma and Grandpa Bock's house in Jamestown, Indiana...close to Indy. They were able to meet their Great Grandpa Schmidt, uncle Eric, and cousin Cassidy while they were there. Also people from church that have been praying for them. They spent their first Easter working hard to be happy when so many pictures were being taken and while Cassidy stole their hats. Their sleep schedule was all off...that wasn't much fun. I can't wait to visit Great Grandpa Schmidt in Florida!!!

We moved into the house in Peoria at the beginning of March. You would not believe the sea of boxes in the living room. With the help of Julie, Joe, Jordan, Jake, Jenna, Jackson (for smiles), Aunt Sharon, and Grandma Bock we have been able to actually have chairs in the living room!!! YAY. I am very excited to have our first children (Azrael, Hermione, and Howie) in our home and also to paint the Elliott's and Aaron's room. I am sure that this will be the shock of a life time but I think we will go with a monkey theme for their room. It feels pretty awesome to be in our own house again. It's smaller than the Elkhart house but we have really worked hard to get rid of lots of stuff. I am giving away a big Kohl's bag of purses....and even some shoes!!! I don't actually like to carry a purse or wear shoes but I sure do like to have choices when I do!!! Andrew has let go of some things as well...that was a big step for him and a surprise for me!!!

Elliott and Aaron had their 4 month check up yesterday. Aunt Sharon came along for moral support since they would be getting another round of shots....poor kids. Elliott is 23 inches long and weighs 12 pounds. Aaron is 22 inches long and weighs 11 pounds 12 ounces. They are so healthy!!! I didn't think they would ever be this big when they were born!!! They both try to eat their hands a lot and are getting better at controlling their heads. They smile and respond to us which is sooo very sweet. They talk all the time...especially Elliott. Sometimes I think that Aaron calls me ugly and Booboo. I keep telling him that he can call me mom and that he thinks I am beautiful!!! They have also been sleeping from 10 or 11pm to 6 or 7 am....this is super nice =) They are not rolling and are not able to reach out to grasp things yet but Dr. Maini said that it's fine. She said that she won't worry about them not rolling over until they are 6 months old. In some ways to seem like 4 month old babies...they are finally on the growth chart (earlier then I thought they would be), but are still behind in some of the developmental things. It is fine though...if they were born on their due date they would only be 2 months old and what 2 month old can roll over??? I'm sure some do but I don't know of any. They are currently fighting off their first colds. Poor kids are all stuffy. Elliott has had some difficulty keeping his formula down at times but that is normal. He swallows lots of the snotty yucky stuff and has to get it out somehow!!! They are no longer receiving the Synagis shots....YAY!!! I am not sure if they will when RSV season starts again or not. The home health nurse said that since how much of the Synagis is given depends on their weight. when the babies are close to a year and older they have to have 2 shots at a time to get enough of the serum. They really don't like shots so getting two at once is not fun for them or for me. Poor Aaron always looks so surprised and he cries soooo very hard. I just want to cuddle him up and hug him forever!!!

I think that is all. I need to go downstairs and take Aaron from Andrew so he can go to sleep. I am hoping that Aaron is asleep so I can put him in bed....I am hoping that Elliott is also asleep so Grandma Bock can put him in bed....I will post pictures soon...I think.....
xoxoxoxoxo
Jen
ps...come visit us soon!!!

I am no longer funny

2008-03-07T10:28:00.000-06:00

After reading my sisters blog I realized that my blogs must be so very boring!!! She told me I needed to blog but I don't really have anything to say. I think that maybe I need to make another blog that isn't about the twins. It can be like a secret public blog...hmmm...I'll have to think about that.

As for the babies...they are doing awesome!!! They had their third trip to Flat Top Grill last night. They didn't do as well as they had the previous two times. I ended up having to hold Aaron while I ate...I think I held Aaron...it could have been Elliott. Oh! Speaking of Elliott, he puked all over Annie last night at our new house. I felt super bad. He was kind of gagging but he does that sometimes and I told Annie to aim him to puke down her shirt...this was a joke. He started to puke and he puked directly down her shirt in front of the Realtor!!! He may not be having kids anytime soon now!!! I don't really know why Elliott puked...probably because I was just thinking about how they hadn't REALLY puked in a long time.

Elliott and Aaron have managed to stay alive without their monitors and are even sleeping in their beds at night. I haven't been able to get them to nap in there during the day yet but I am sure that day will come. I am not sure the day will come that they will sleep all night without waking up acting like they haven't eaten in days!!! I started putting 5oz in their bottles yesterday but they didn't really take much more than 4. I guess we will stick with 4 for a little longer.

Our stroller is the BEST twin type product we own. Mom and I used it when we took the boys to download the monitors on Monday...so much easier than carrying the carseats. Andrew thought that it was going to be a big hassle, but I showed him. We took it to Target and Andrew loved it. Since our carseats are not actually made for the stroller, we have to take one baby out of his carseat and have him lay down in the back of the stroller. That kind of sucks but is still way better than putting two carseats in a cart or using two carts. The only downside which could be a good thing is that you can't really buy anything because its really hard to fit stuff in the basket under the stroller. We were able to fit 6 cans of formula but a big box of diapers isn't going to fit down there. I was so worried that this wonderful stroller would not fit in the truck...but it does!!! It's pretty much the only thing that will fit in there but we will figure that out later. I have to take off two of the wheels to make it fit...

Today the boys and I will have to take a trip to Apria Health to take back their monitors. What a glorious day!!! I think that we might have to go to Old Navy too. I think that Grandma Bock is going to be here so maybe we should wait for her. I think she will LOVE to shop with the babies. Oh...the best thing happened the other day. A lady at Target said to Andrew (twins!!! You are so lucky". Nobody ever says that. They always say things like "boy do you have your hands full" or "how do you do it"....thanks to that lady for seeing how awesome it is to have twins. She also said "I won't get too close...I know you aren't supposed to do that" LOVE HER!!!

I want to write about baby bottles but Aaron is hungry so I better feed that sweet little guy.

the hicks babies have gone wireless!!!

2008-03-03T22:23:00.000-06:00

Elliott and Aaron are no longer on apnea monitors!!! What a glorious day!!! I was super happy and not worried about it until I called my mom and she said "I hope you can sleep okay tonight and aren't up checking that the babies are breathing all night". Thanks mom...I wasn't really thinking about that. Then Andrew came home and also said something like that...I think that they are fine. God will take care of them...and it's not like the monitors were making them continue to breath. They do it on their own because they are AWESOME!!! Also, the crazy lady from the Health Department came today. My mom asked what she came for and she told her its because the babies are high risk since they were born early. The lady, Alice, weighed and measured the babies. Elliott is 22 inches and weighs 10 pounds!!! Aaron is 21 inches and weighs 10 pounds!!! Jackson (nephew born July 2nd) probably weighs 14 pounds by now...my little chunks are going to outweigh him before we know it!!! I love my babies but Julie has such cute little kids...I kind of wish mine would have stayed tiny for a little longer. Cassidy (niece born April 20) is tiny too. It's strange to have normal size babies among all these tiny ones...I think they are normal size...I think they gain so much so fast because they are formula fed. I just hope that they are healthy and not over weight. I have major weight issues and don't want to put that on my kids. I want them to grow up with healthy body images and really am praying that I don't make them think that they need to be on diets. Maybe its more of a girl thing...I don't know. Maybe being aware of my own self image issues will help me keep my boys self images healthy. Well...now that I am done with that tangent I must be off to feed my second born...sweet little Aaron with his big tummy and chubby cheeks....oh so kissable =)

Elliott found his thumb!!!

2008-02-27T20:28:00.000-06:00

Hello all =) Today has been a super day. I had my hair cut and and badly needed eyebrow wax...haven't done either of those since September or October!!! Aunt Jean came over and Andrew was home so I didn't have to leave anyone alone with two babies...its tough to do that. I also got to walk around Walmart without worrying about dirty strangers touching my babies!!! It was so freeing!!!

Elliott and Aaron turned three months old on Monday. They are smiling all the time and talking lots too. Sometimes I think they are smiling at us and other times I don't think they know what they are doing!!! We discovered the awesomocity of baby swings this week...they actually will sleep in them for hours!!! We were given a swing from Annie's neighbor and my mom bought us one that Julie found on craigslist for $25...it's awesome...it has cute fish and a light that changes colors. The babies and I LOVE it!!! Aaron's head is flat on...I thought it was and my mom said it wasn't and then Julie said it was and now I am freaking out. I don't want people to make fun of him...he is way too cute and so sweet. Elliott found his thumb today. I was able to capture the moment on video...I am not sure how to post videos from our video recorder but if I get a chance to figure it out I will post Elliott sucking his tiny little thumb. The boys are doing much better as far as projectile vomit goes...that is super awesome! They spit up a lot but I welcome spit up after all that puke. They are really missing their aunt Annie since she has been in a different country since Friday....Andrew and I miss her tons too. I don't know how we are going to survive once we move out of her house!!! Speaking of that...we can move in March 9th...YAY!!! I think we will paint a few rooms before moving our stuff in...it's easier that way.

I just want to give a "shout out" (what ever that means) to Nate and Heather....I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy that you guys are finally going to have a baby!!! Way to go you crazy kids =)

Jen
PS. Thanks Aunt Joy for those super cute bibs!!! Twins really do rock =)

Praise God for Avanit's and Sprite

2008-02-17T21:15:00.001-06:00

It's been awhile!!! I want to start out by saying that last week I was able to get a shower 3 days in a row!!! I have been really stressing out over Aaron puking so much and both boys not being able to sleep without being held. I have had to break down and ask for help. My mom has come after work to help out and spent the weekend here. Sharon came two days last week and Grandma Bock was also here. It's just been a little crazy here lately. We are way super excited to move into the house!!! We will have an entire refrigerator to ourselves and everything!!!

I am trying to remember what I wrote in the last blog...I don't remember so I might repeat myself. Aaron kept puking so he had an ultra sound of his tummy. It was fine so we started the Gentlease for both boys. Elliott is now pooping almost everyday and Aaron is puking much much much less. The problem now is all the gas they have. They will both still be burping 2 hours after they ate. Also, Elliott has MAJOR gas issues. Aaron has been screaming after he eats and we think its gas. It could also be reflux. It's so hard to know. Aaron has been taking Zantac for his reflux and it wouldn't be working yet if it will work but maybe he doesn't even have reflux. I don't know if I am just putting too much guilt on myself but I think that things would be lots easier for my little babies if they were getting breast milk. They have always been gassy but not this bad. I know that going to formula only was the right choice (I think) but to hear my babies scream in agony makes me feel pretty terrible. It's hard to say what is making their tummies hurt...in the week that things started to get bad they received shots, I stopped breast feeding, and we switched formula. It could have been any of those things or a combination. All I know for sure is that I am feel super guilty for not giving them the milk that is best for them. My mom did some research online and thinks they might have a milk protein allergy. The Gentlease should be easier for them but there is yet another formula that is made for babies with this allergy. It's called Nutramigen. The Gentlease has partially broken down protein and less lactose. The Nutramigen has "extensively broken down protein" and no lactose. I really don't want to switch again but this gassiness is just awful and I don't think its normal. I don't think that it's okay for poor little Aaron to be in pain and for Elliott to have so much gas. His tummy has to hurt too. I am going to call the doctor AGAIN and talk to her about my concerns. I know she thinks we are crazy!!!

Oh!!! The boys had thier Synagis shots on Tuesday and Elliott weighs a whopping 9 pounds while Aaron weighed in at 8 pounds 5 ounces. They are so big!!! At least all the puking hasn't make either one of them stop growing. I can't believe how little they started...I miss my tiny babies!!!

The babies are smiling alot and it seems like they know what we are talking about when we talk to them. Both love to be sung to and to be told stories. I posted more pictures on snapfish so be sure to check them out. Becky, if you are reading this I promise that I will email you soon. I think that I want to be your BFF =) Well, I need to go now...Aaron just projectile puked *sigh* and Elliott needs a bottle.

good news/bad news

2008-02-07T23:08:00.000-06:00

Aaron went to see the urologist, Dr. Reid, yesterday. Lots of good news!!! His hypospadias fixed itself and the hydrocele is getting better. He could still need surgery to fix it but his older cousin Jake had the surgery so I am sure if Aaron needs it he will also be just fine!!! The bad news is that Aaron threw up 4 bottles in a row last night/this morning. I called the pediatrician, Dr. Maini, this morning to see if we needed to switch formulas again. I talked to a nurse who told me to bring him in. Andrew had to work today so I had to bring both boys by myself....that was some hard work!!! People said "wow! Your hands are full" and wouldn't help me!!! What the heck?!?! Anyway, I told the doctor that he had been thowing up more often with this new formula that is supposed to help him not throw up. She said that he could be getting an infection (no fever), he could have reflux (was diagnosed with that in the NICU) and his tummy could be extra sensitive to the new formula, or he could have some kind of sickness that would need surgery. This sickness thing is when the stomach muscles grow too fast and there isn't any room for food...or something like that. I was so sure that that wasn't the problem that I didn't really pay attention. Maybe I should have... So Aaron was to have 2 oz of pedialyte every two hours for at least 4 feedings and then have 2 oz of Enfacare (old formula) every two hours. I called the Dr back at 3 like I was supposed to and have to call again in the morning. If he continues to throw up then he will have to have a tummy ultrasound. He is very hungry but was able to keep the pedialyte down and his first formula feeding. I am hoping that things will continue this way throughout the night and Dr. Maini will want to put both boys on a different formula, Gentlease. This is supposed to be super easy on their bellies. The Enfamil AR (the new formula) makes Aaron puke and makes poor Elliott constipated. He has been screaming when he poos. Poor poor little guy!!! I guess that is all the news I have. Oh...I looked to see if I could post a link to the house, but it's not online anymore...guess because we bought it =) I will post pictures of the house and of the boys soon!!!
Jen

we have a house!!!

2008-02-05T10:52:00.000-06:00

It's true...we have a house. Actually two now, but I am sure that the Elkhart house will sell very very VERY soon =) We put two offers in on the house in Mackinaw but the bank would not budge so we gave up. Andrew looked at a house in Peoria without me last Tuesday..I think. He came home and told me he wanted to buy it. I saw pictures online and wasn't that impressed. He told me that the rooms were small and it was only a one car garage. I just kind of blew it off. The Wednesday he texted me and told me that he had arranged for me to go look at the house with Mario on Friday. He said that he wanted me to go through it and then put in an offer. The house was listed last Monday so I knew we didn't have a lot of wiggle room with the price...plus I didn't think it was the right house. Anyway...Andrew, the boys, and I went to look at the house Friday. Aside from the purple shudders and door I love it. I knew the second I stepped in the front door that it was our house. I don't know that our family can add more people to it in the house but it is perfect for now. We put in an offer on Friday and the people accepted it on Friday. We close on March 7 and move in March 9. YAY!!!

Elliott and Aaron had a super day yesterday. Nobody threw up and they slept very well in between feedings. I had to let Aaron cry for about 7 minutes before he fell asleep and I hated doing that. I keep reading that babies cry for a reason and you shouldn't let them cry but I can't hold them both all day either. I am putting my babies first and everything else second, but I still can't hold and calm two babies and once as well as prepare and wash bottles. They HAVE to learn to sleep without being held. Aaron goes to the urologist tomorrow to check on his hypospadius and hydrocele. Hopefully nothing will require surgery!!! I am sure that God will get us though it if it does. Nothing can be worse then having babies in the NICU for a month!!! Gotta go...Aaron is screaming!!!

Jen

Finally a minute...

2008-02-01T14:36:00.000-06:00

I only have a minute. The babies have been extra demanding this week. They went to the doctor on Monday. I was overwhelmed and surprised when Dr. Maini said that they would be getting shots. I knew that the time would come but I thought we had more time. I didn't want them to have shots....I really wanted to make sure that they only received the ones they would need to go to school. I felt rushed and pressured into it and didn't have time to think. Each baby received 2 shots in each thigh and an oral vaccine. Elliott spit most if not all of the oral vaccine out...yay Elliott!!! Since then they have been a little extra cranky and don't want to be put down. This is hard when I am only one person!!! Elliott weighed 7lbs 10 oz and Aaron was 7lbs 1 oz. They are not on the chart as far as weight goes for a normal 2 month old but their heads are on the chart!!! I didn't think they ha big heads. They no longer have to be on the high calorie formula but are now on Enfamil AR...for acid reflux. Its super thick like a milk shake, but they aren't throwing it up!!! We were hoping they would be put on a less expensive formula but our babies are WAY to special for that!!! On that note...I have decided to stop breastfeeding. I know that it is healthier for them but I am pumping so often that I can't spend quality time with my babies. I think their mental health is more important than their physical health and I know that their physical health is good. It is true that they may have more ear infections and allergies because they are not breastfed but they may not as well. They could have developed those things even being breastfed. That may sound terrible but they are really healthy!!! They were only able to get one bottle of breast milk a day. I know every bit is awesome, but I need to be able to sleep in order to be a good mommy. I was so incredibly stressed out and it was such a hard decision to make but I know it was the right one for our family. Andrew and I are both able to bond while feeding the babies and all 4 of us seem to be happier and more calm. I love being able to spend more time with them and not getting upset when they take a long time to get to sleep since that pushes my pumping back and makes me be able to get less done. I need my babies to be what I think about the most...not pumping. I had been in denial about this for too long and I really REALLY tried to make it work. I am not giving up. I am doing what is best for our little family. We have spent so much money on teas and herbs and non FDA approved prescriptions. If circumstances were different it may have worked. I will for sure try again if we have any more kids...even if it's twins again!!!

On a light note...Andrew and I had a terrible night with the boys Sunday night. They were both crying and we couldn't figure out why. They kept calming down when they had their paci's and then would begin to scream again when their paci's fell out. Andrew wanted to tie their paci's to their faces!!! I wouldn't let him but it did lighten the mood and make us both laugh. Finally Andrew asked if we had checked if they were poopy and both were!!! Once their diapers were changed they both felt so much better =) How amazing is that!!!

On Monday they boys had their first trip to a restaurant...we went to Flat Top...yummy. They slept the entire time!!! We put in two offers for the house in Mackinaw and both were rejected. The four of us looked at another house...this one is in Peoria..this morning. I feel very good about it. Not like how I felt going through the Mackinaw house. We are putting in an offer today. It is move in ready and super close to Chuck E Cheese. We bought the boys in the house and they met our Realtor, Mario. He thought they were awesome!!! I am thinking it won't be long before him and his wife have their own little bundle!!! Well...the boys are waking up to eat. So happy I had a few minutes to write!!! Have fun in the snow!!!
xoxo
Jen and Elliott (Elliott is currently sleeping on my lap =)

Elliott and Aaron are 2 months old (actual age)

2008-01-25T22:06:00.000-06:00

They made it two whole months...maybe I should say that we have made it two whole months. They have been home for a little over month and I think that we have already spent a small fortune on diapers and formula. Annie has bought her share of diapers and formula as well!!! I have to be honest here. I ALWAYS love my babies but I don't always LIKE them. For instance, just 5 minutes ago I was holding Aaron and he would not stop crying. I have things I need to do....normal things like pee. He was just so tired!!! I really didn't like him at that moment. I love him dearly so I gave him to Andrew and he immediately calmed down. I am so thankful when that works. Andrew is better at soothing Aaron and I think I am better at soothing Elliott. Maybe Elliott is just a less fussy baby or sleeps well like his mommy =) Anyway...I just thought I should write on their two month birthday. Also on this day I left the boys for the first time. Andrew had the day off and I needed to take lots of stuff back to lots of different stores. I didn't everything I wanted to do done because I missed them too much!!! I wasn't really worried about them because they were with their daddy, but I think I would worry if they were with anyone else. I am sure this will pass. Oh...I finally was able to take a shower last night. I posted pictures of the boys taken today. Aaron is on the bottom. I guess that is it..have a super day!!!
Jen

HELP!!!

2008-01-24T17:42:00.000-06:00

I just had the most terrible 20 minutes of my life!!! I may be exaggerating...a little. Both boys were SCREAMING and I was freaking out. Elliott was poopy (YAY!!!) and Aaron was sooo tired. I was changing Elliott, which he didn't like at all, while Aaron sat screaming in the baby papasan chair. I wanted to calm Elliott down and put him into the bassinet before getting Aaron. I was crying because he was crying and I think that I may have harmed him mentally. I ended up figuring out a way to hold both of them until they both calmed down and I was able to put both of them into the bassinet. Now Elliott is grunting in the bassinet like he is in pain or uncomfortable while Aaron is sleeping peacefully. It's 5:46. They will eat again at 6:30 but I think that Elliott is beginning to wake up and he will want to eat. I used to have time to nap but now that they are awake more and take longer to go to sleep, I have no time. I feed and change them one at a time. After they eat they have to be held for a little bit just to make sure they are not going to throw up. They usually cry when I put them down but I have to because at that time the other baby is so hungry he is crying like crazy. After all the feeding and diapering is done I have to pump. Then wash bottles. By then usually one of them has woken up and is upset and screaming. I calm that baby and put him back to sleep. THen it's about time to eat again. What a busy mom I am . I try to get some laundry done in between times and I would love to paint a room or unload the dishwasher for Annie but I just don't have time. This is crazy, but AWESOME!!! I added a couple pictures of the boys on their due date. They managed to get baths yesterday, but I still didn't. This would not be a good time to stop by as you would throw up from my stench!!!

Elliott and Aaron are 0!!!

2008-01-23T10:44:00.000-06:00

First of all I want to bring you attention to the last part of my last blog. I made so many spelling errors!!! I guess blogging that early with little sleep does not make me seem very smart =)

The day finally came. Today was my original due date. That makes Elliott and Aaron 0. This is so exciting I guess. They only woke up once to eat during the night. I think we are supposed to still wake them up to eat but we really don't want to. They don't seem extra hungry, and I think its important for them to sleep. I wish we had a baby scale. I want to know how long they are and how much they weigh on this momentous day. Also how big their heads are. I know I can measure them here but the doctor and a baby scale would be more accurate. I guess that starting today I can begin to count down to when they will meet all their milestones. I think that they are ahead of their adjusted age and will meet their milestones when they are at their actual age. Elliott wants to talk really super bad and both are amazing and being able to move their heads around...they will be holding their heads up before we know it. I am excited for them to smile socially. Julie (my oldest sister...she is really old too =) thinks that they will be smiling socially in the next two weeks. She is so very old and wise so I am sure she is right. They are really staying awake more. They look around with these ginormous blue eyes. Its really sweet. Unfortunately for us, they seem to not sleep very soundly when they are in their bed. They do better with us. They are rather restless during the day and seem exhausted in the evening. Last night we each slept with one. I had Elliott from midnight to 8am. Andrew had Aaron from I think 5am to 8am. I know that sleeping with them is not harmful to them but we want them to be able to sleep alone. I think I have said this before...we also sleep better when they are not with us. I believe that its natural to have a "family bed", having your babies sleep with you, but I think that I don't want them to get to used to that. It doesn't seem like the right thing for our family. On the other hand, the babies slept with me for 7 months when they were inside. It has to be strange for them to sleep alone. I guess they really aren't alone, they have each other. I don't know...I am torn. I want them to be healthy and happy and to be trusting and know that we are always there for them. I think that my last job has made me a little crazy about attachment theory. We had kids in group who did not form positive attachments with their parents. They had major problems because of that. I want to make sure that Elliott and Aaron are able to from positive attachments with the people that love them, are able to trust as well. These attachments form in infancy. I feel that if I screw anything up now they will be messed up for life!!! That's a lot of pressure!!! Having two makes things even more difficult. When they are both awake, one is sort of being neglected. It's super hard to give both of them my undivided attention...AGH

On a completely different topic, Andrew and I were feeding the boys this morning and watching Wonder Pets. Ming Ming and Tuck were saving a baby mouse. Lenny was sick and was not with them. Ming Ming called Lenny a "she". What!?!?! Lenny the Guinea Pig is a gir!?!?! This is breaking news!!! Maybe her name isn't Lenny. Andrew thought maybe they were saying Winnie or Linny...I don't know!!! My world has just been turned upside down!!! If anyone reading this is an avid Wonder Pets watcher, help me get to the bottom of this.

I think that I am going to pray that the babies stay asleep now so I can take a shower. I haven't had a shower since Sunday!!! GROSS!!! The boys also need a bath. They are getting stinky =( SInce they are over 5 pounds they get to use electrode belts for thier apnea monitors instead of the sticky things which I think means that we can start using lotion!!! YAY!!! Until next time....
Jen

two days left

2008-01-21T07:51:00.000-06:00

Well...this sure is an exciting time. The boys are almost 0!!! That's right. My due date is the 23rd...two days!!! I can't believe we have had them around for 2 months already. What sucks a little is that most parents think that is two months down...YAY...for us it's like we have had them for two months but those two months they were supposed to be inside so it doesn't really count as far as development. When I read that the babies will cry the most at 6 weeks and then start to cry less...I am thinking that we are almost done....but then I read that it is 6 weeks after the due date so really we haven't even started. This makes me nervous because sometimes Aaron will cry and cry and can't be calmed. It seems like hours but really it's probably only a few minutes. I think that all in all our babies are super calm and awesome. I thought that I wanted them to be awake and alert more, but now that they are doing that I am wishing they would sleep all the time again =) Like I mentioned in my last blog, I am reading a couple books. One is How to Soothe Your Newborn (or something close to that). The other one is Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. In Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child it talkes about not letting your baby be awake for more then a 1-2 hour window or they will be overtired and not be able to sleep. This totally freaks me out. I keep watching the clock during feeding times and trying so hard to make (usually) Elliott go back to sleep before he has been awake for too long. I want them to be able to fall alseep away from Andrew and I. It also talks about putting the baby in bed before they are totally asleep so that they will learn to self soothe and fall asleep without being held. This is so important!!! Since there are two and I am only one and Andrew has to work, they both cannot be held all the time. I want them to sleep at the same time (as any mother would) so they HAVE to learn to fall asleep in their bed. As healthy as I believe it is to allow your infant to sleep in the "family bed", this is not all that do-able for us. We don't sleep well with them in bed with us because it's not as comfy when you are constantly worried that you will roll over one. We do let them sleep with us when they won't settle down...worried sleep is better then no sleep!!! All in all the boys are doing great. They look like regular babies instead of tiny babies and are eating and gaining weight like the little piggies they are.

It looks like we are going to put on offer in on the house. Here is a link...I hope it works...http://www.maloofrealty.com/search/listing.asp?mls=1090788&MLSArea=1
We will need to remove ALL the wallpaper and paint everything but it's nice right? Plus, we will be just about across the street from my sister Julie. Right now we live with my sister Annie. It will be sad to leave even though we are really out growing our room. The boys have their own room but I just can't separate from them yet. I have been complaining about not having our own space to live for months. Now that we are close to having our own space, I am worried and sad to leave. I am going to miss Annie a ton!!! This house is pretty much everything we have been looking for but haven't been able to afford...we can't affort this one either since our house in Elkhart hasn't sold. It's missing a fireplace and the garage isn't attached. We could make the garage kind of attached, but I don't think we will be adding a fireplace. Maybe we won't even get it. Who knows.... Joe (the bother-in-law and fix it champion) is looking at the house this morning to make sure that any repairs it needs he can repair. This is a definate benifit of living back in Illionis!!!

I need to try to catch some z's before having to feed my sweet little -2 days old babies. I just had a wonderful left over salisbury steak breakfast...thanks mom =) Later taters
Jen

Just a Penny!

2008-01-18T12:55:00.000-06:00

Well I am home from work today watching the babies, so Jen's running around starting laundry and then getting a relaxing shower, which is equivalent to a 3 week vacation in Fiji when you are caring for these kids 24 hours a day.

We are starting to get used to the cat naps and trying to have some sense of night and day, both for the babies and for us. Apparently we are supposed to interact with them less during the night feedings than the day feedings, so they start to know that night time is for sleeping and midnight milky snacks and not for play time. And as for us, we try to stay active during the day mostly out of habit, but probably also a little because it seems more normal. Doesn't hurt that we've had a few "sunshiney" days to appreciate, too.

Of course, I am also working 40 to 45 hours a week in my sales job with Verizon, which is supposed to be a high energy, fast-paced job and somehow that's still going pretty well, but I have learned to do it in a low energy, slow-paced way, with similar results. Jen still tries to get most of the feedings done on her own on the nights that i work early the next day, which I absolutely love her for.

But here's the best part! Since I have learned the importance of keeping that energy up, I have also learned the joy of a good cup of coffee. And today, on the way back from a 7:30am store meeting, I grabbed some hotcakes and sausage from Mcdonalds for Jen and I (babies don't eat hotcakes), but I forgot to buy myself a cup of coffee. Instead of doing another lap around the drive-up, I headed home in coffee-less shame.

But on the way, I remembered it was Friday! And you know what Friday is, don't you? (Probably not.) It's "Coffee for a Penny" Day! That's right, this little coffee shack around the corner from our house called Kade's has fresh gourmet coffee for a penny! I always thought it was a gimmick from the signs out front, like it was buy one for $4.25 and get one for a penny. But the need for a good steaming cup was too great. I couldn't turn back. So, I drove up Penny in hand, and I asked if it was really true. They said it was, and in a moment, I drove off with a hot, Tall-sized Tanzanian Peaberry flavored coffee with cream(one of two choices) and also a sense of accomplishment! I had purchased a cup of coffee for a penny! When's the last time anyone you know did that?

Hmm...most of the time I have a good moral to the story here. ... I'm thinking...Thinking. Nope, I'm just a overly-worked, sleepy Dad whose happy to get a good cup of coffee for a Penny. Okay? And Peaberry doesn't taste like Pea, in case anyone is wondering. :)

its been a while

2008-01-17T08:28:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I have blogged...sorry. I am so very sleepy and it seems like such a pain to turn the computer on.

I don't think lots has changed since I last updated. I was able to feed both boys at once...in their carseats. It wasn't bad. Burping is still an issue, but I think Elliott and Aaron are getting more patient and they know that they will get to eat as soon as they burp. Andrew bought two books on half.com to help us learn how to best help the boys sleep and be happy. I just scanned through one last night (written by a doctor) and I am pretty sure that it suggests having the boys sleep with us. They sleep much better when they are with us. Elliott doesn't make a sound and when he is in the bassinet is groans and grunts..like he is uncomfortable or in pain. It's an awful sound. They also don't puke as much. A home health nurse came here on Monday to give the boys their anti-RSV shots. They hated it but were quickly calmed. She weighed them...Elliott weighs 6 pounds 8 ounces and Aaron is 6 pounds 2 ounces. It seems like Aaron will quickly catch up to Elliott. They are getting pretty fat...I think that they need to be off of the high calorie formula. I know it's important for them to gain weight but it's not healthy for them to be fat. Plus...I think the formula is hard for them to digest. If only I could breastfeed....

Andrew had the day off yesterday and we looked a like a million houses. We took turns going in the houses to look around so the boys didn't have to be taken in and out of the car a bagillion times. It looks like we might put an offer in on a house in Mackinaw. Grandma Bock (Patti, Andrew's mom for those that do not know) is coming here on Friday and will go through the house with Andrew. I will most likely stay home with the boys...that's my life...and I kind of like it!!! Just a side note...sometimes I feel trapped at home, but as soon as I get out I want to be back with the boys and when I take them out *gasp* I worry and just want them home. I am nervous and can't relax when I am not with them. It is nothing against anyone who might want to give us a break and stay with them...I think it's that I'm a new mom and can't stand to think that my babies could die without me there and I would have missed precious time with them...and the fact that it's hard for me to let anyone do anything for me because they will do it "wrong". I know that sucks and I am working on it. Andrew has made formula twice!!! That's a big step!!! Back to the house...the house in Mackinaw was built in 2000 and went into foreclosure. Our relator, Mario, thinks we can get a pretty good deal on it. It will be sold as is and we will have to pay for an inspection...which we will!!! It's practically across the street from my sister Julie which is awesome, but probably 20 minutes further for Andrew to get to work and from our doctor and the hospitals. I will be sure to keep you updated on our house search and the selling of our house in Indiana.

Last Saturday I was finally able to have a baby shower. It was fun. I loved seeing my cousin (once removed? =) Shelia and her twin girls Kristen and Miranda. Also Andrew's aunts from Iowa, Ann and Sheila. It's that fun to have two Shelia, Sheila's together and spelled differently? Sheila took tons of great pictures...including a picture of my twins with the other Shelia's twins. This girls were awesome!!! We all need to get together more often. Two of my great aunts were also here and all of my regular aunts...except for Joy in Florida. It was fun and we had yummy cake made by Annie...if anyone needs a super awesome fun cake call Annie...I can help sometime and make a cute baby out of fondant. Anyway, the boys were given some great stuff that we have already put to use. Andrew and I finally put one of the cribs together last night and completed it with a mattress and sheet Annie gave to the boys. Now I need to decide whether or not I am ready to move them to the next room over. I'll have to read the book to see what it says =) Fisher-Price Space Saver High Chairs are the best invention ever and we were so blessed to be given two of them...the boys don't need them now but they will in no time. I went online a couple days ago and bought cute bedding for the boys and some other things that we did not receive.

I can't seem to stay on one subject at a time...A lady from the health department came over yesterday...I don't really know how she helps but we I guess she can stay involved. She talked to us about how it would be good if we could qualify for a medical card for the boys. I don't think that we do but if we do then we could probably get WIC and that would pay for formula...that would be a huge help!!! The boys get one bottle of breast milk a day and the rest is formula. It is so very expensive, but I don't think that we will be able to get it. They look at gross income and it looks like Andrew makes a lot with commission...only like half of that is taken in taxes. Anyway...this computer doesn't know that it is plugged in and is about to die. SOrry this is so long and boring. Later taters

Jen

I'm learning!!!

2008-01-08T19:51:00.000-06:00

Well...I have learned two valuable lessons in the past 30 hours. The first is that I am clearly not coordinated enough to bottle feed both the babies at once in a boppy. I bet it looked super funny. I wish it would have been video taped. I had both boys in a boppy but the kept rolling towards each other and trying to each others head. I finally was able to get them straight and was able to feed them. Then I started to panic about how I was going to burp them. When there is only one baby in the boppy, that baby falls over and looks terribly uncomfortable. I decided I could burp them both at once. I was able to get a baby on each of my shoulders and tried to burp them, but they were so unhappy!!! I laid them down and fed them one at a time while the other screamed. Maybe tomorrow I will try to feed them in their car seats. They will be upset when the other is being burped but it should save time right?

The second thing I learned is that I really really REALLY hate Huggies and Luvs diapers. I want my beloved Pampers again!!! I thought that I would love the Luvs because they have Blues Clues on them but I do not love them. Its like Huggies and Luvs are made of paper and Pampers are more cloth like and they seem to fit the boys better. We have a bunch of Huggies that came with a diaper cake and my BFF gave us Luvs. The Luvs are much better than the Huggies..in fact...we just aren't using the Huggies. I think the biggest problem with the Huggies is that the tabs are not sticky on any part and we need the sticky part to help keep the babies monitor cords from pulling the sticky things off their bodies when they are picked up and stuff. The sticky part on the Luvs tab is not very sticky and its small. This is a very useless paragraph...I am sorry that you just read it!!!

Elliott and Aaron continue to do well. Their monitors were downloaded yesterday and Dr. Maini called me today with the results. They weren't all that good. All this time we thought that Elliott was beeping more than Aaron, but were happy that both seemed to not be beeping as much...until the past two days when Aaron decided to have a low heart rate. Anyway, Dr. Maini told me how many clinically significant apnea's both boys had. I can't remember the numbers but Aaron had more than Elliott. When she said apnea I think its low heart rate because Aaron only beeped for an apnea once and they told me that was a false alarm. I think Aaron had like 9 and I really can't remember Elliott's number. Aaron's number was high enough that we could put him back on caffeine. He has been off caffeine for some time. Dr. Maini asked if when he beeped if he ever turned blue...I told her no and so she said we would hold off on the caffeine and would just keep watching him. She did not seem too concerned and said to have the monitors downloaded again in 4 weeks. Both boys are awake more now and are more picky about when they want to eat. I was so happy to bring them home already on a schedule but it's not sticking anymore. I am sure we will all get back on some kind of schedule soon. It's fun that they are awake more because they are so curious. I love to talk to them and have them look at me. They are so awesome. The only problem is that we don't really have a place to put them when they are awake. I can't hold them both for a super long time when they are all wiggly and we only have one bouncy seat. We do have two boppys but they don't sit in them very well and don't like them because of it. I'm sure we will figure that out too.

Well...I am off to take a nap before feeding my little sweeties again. Later taters
Jen

zzzzzzzzzzz

2008-01-07T14:09:00.000-06:00

I don't have much to say...too sleepy. I am, however, very thankful that my mom made tons of home cooked yummy meals and froze them so Andrew and I can eat. I don't really eat anymore. It takes too much time, plus I would would have to go grocery shopping and who has time for that!!!

The boys are doing well. They are still struggling with pooping but are doing better. Aaron had some problems last night throwing up two entire bottles. I freaked out (of course) and had to call the doctor. His monitor has been going off much more frequently as well. He had a apnea episode then had projectile vomit...that was what made me call the doc. The on call doctor said it was not big thing and to make sure to have the monitors downloaded today. She said to watch his temp and his breathing and if it looks like he is having difficulty breathing to bring him in. He still has a stuffy nose and sounds sick. It doesn't help that his eye is always goopy as well. He looks sick sometimes but I think he is fine. Mom and I took the boys to the hospital to have their monitors downloaded. The lady told me that Aaron's apnea was a false alarm. I don't know how they can tell.

Both boys are growing so fast. Preemie clothes are not really fitting anymore =) The newborn stuff is still way too big but we are making due. Both boys are holding their temperature better so we don't feel like we have to make them burrito babies and wrap them in blankets. Both boys did not scream during their baths yesterday either...making me think that they weren't cold.

On a fun and happy note...I finally get a baby shower!!! It's this weekend. I am somewhat nervous about people coming here and playing pass the babies. We do have face masks for those who are coughing and sneezing and tons of antibacterial instant hand sanitizer, but will that be enough? Some days I look at the boys and think they are perfectly normal and am ready to take them shopping to Target. Then Aaron pukes all over the place and I start to freak out all over again. I will be so happy when the weather gets nicer and we can go for walks (that is if we are given a stroller for the shower *hint hint*) and just get out of the house without worrying. It will be nice when Julie's kids and Cassidy can be near the boys as well. I am also looking forward to the day that my hands don't feel like sandpaper from all the washing and sanitizing =) Well...guess that is it for now. Sorry so boring...this is my life...feeding, changing diapers, worrying, loving the boys, and sleeping sometimes. If you happen to be in the neighborhood...stop on by with some diapers, formula, and dinner!!!
Jen

The importance of napping

2008-01-02T13:14:00.000-06:00

Well...EVERYONE has told us to sleep when the babies sleep. Did I listen...nope and now I am paying. I was so crazy last night I thought the babies were in on their own little conspiracy to keep me awake. Elliott was so fussy!!! I picked him up and laid him down in our bed while I tended to a fussy Aaron. The second I put him down in our bed he stopped crying!!! Like he needs to sleep in a queen size bed!!! What a brat!!! I love my babies ALL the time but I LIKE them a lot more during the day when they sleep better =)

Dr. Denise (the chiropracter) is coming to the house today to adjust the babies...hopefully find Elliott's "poop button". Aaron does not need his pushed at this time. He was poopy at almost every diaper change yesterday. It seemed like he was having a hard time getting rid of all the poopiness at once. I think that probably 8 out of every 10 diaper changes Aaron pees on whoever is changing him. It's some kind of talent he has. We are getting better and better and keeping the pee from getting all over his clothes and blanket and us but it still happens sometimes. I think whoever invented the "peepee teepee" was super smart. Aaron spit up what Andrew thinks was all of his bottle this morning. Normally I would freak out but Dr. Maini didn't think that spitting up an entire bottle just once a day was a big deal so I won't freak out. We took his temp and it was fine. OH....I don't think that I have blogged since they went to the doctor on the 31st. Elliott weighed 5lbs 5oz and Aaron 4lbs 15oz!!! Aaron gets to be in the regular carseat!!! Andrew called St. Francis today to find out what we are supposed to do with the carbed. Praise God that we get to get rid of that thing. The boys are really getting fat!!! Elliott is almost too long for the preemie clothes now, but the newborn clothes are WAY too big. It's too bad most of the preemie stuff is footed. Oh well...he will just have to wear stuff that is too big for a while. The way they are growing it won't be long before they have outgrown lots of their clothing.

It looks like its feeding time again...until next time...
Jen