Brennan is a master at the "How big is Brennan? SOOO BIG!!" game and Carter has perfected the patty cakin' part of Patty Cake - and he l-0-v-e loves my family's version where we "toss 'em in the pan" while letting them fall backwards.
Evan put on an impromptu concert for us tonight. He sang the entire ABC's...twice. Then he sang a moving rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and ended with a rousing version of Itsy Bitsy Spider. Each song ended with him clapping for himself, so cute.
Yesterday night before it got dark Evan decided he wanted to go outside and play. I really didn't care that he wasn't wearing pants, just a shirt, diaper, and his sandals. However, a problem arose when he decided Daddy should be the one to go outside and play with him. Yeah, Daddy had already begun the winding down portion of his evening and he also was a member of the no pants club.
The following conversation took place:
Evan: Dad, I want to run outside!
Dad: I can't go with you, I don't have any pants on...
Evan (in a matter-of-fact tone): Well neither do I!
I looked at Kevin and immediately started to crack up. This kid is really starting to say some hilarious things. Just this morning he told me that he wanted a popsicle. I told him we'd have to eat our lunch first and then we might think about it. He then informed me that he wanted one of the cupcakes that were sitting on the counter. I again reminded him that we'd need to eat a good lunch before we have any sweets.
He comes back at me with this: "But Mommy, we eat the popsicle and cupcake now and then we can have a good lunch tomorrow!" He had that "sweet as pie, aren't I a genius for thinking of this great idea" look on his face. Clearly very impressed with his own brainstorming abilities. Where does he get this stuff?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
For Justice
Today Justice's family said their last goodbyes as they laid him to rest. The girls from the Moms of Multiples board decided to pay our tribute by wearing blue and blowing bubbles up to heaven. We blew our bubbles at the same time his service started and so did many others. It helped us all to feel a part of this day and to be there for our friend, Tiffany and her family.
Wearing our blue
Evan playing with JW
Bubbles floating to heaven
Wearing our blue
Evan playing with JW
Bubbles floating to heaven
Monday, May 24, 2010
Swimming
The boys went "swimming" in Pawpaw Gammaw's pool - okay, so it's a hot tub. It's getting quite cramped with the three of them in there now, but Evan did good with sharing the space. And he's still using the floatie! The babies really loved it and Brennan actually got in this time and stayed in for quite a while.
I was going to add a video, but since I've never done that on blogger before, I'm having a difficult time saving it to my computer to upload. It was taken on my cell phone. Hmmm...
I was going to add a video, but since I've never done that on blogger before, I'm having a difficult time saving it to my computer to upload. It was taken on my cell phone. Hmmm...
Friday, May 21, 2010
A Small Answered Prayer
Last night after one of my many break downs I decided to look for an inspirational quote that would bring me peace and solace. I came across this quote that really spoke to me in that moment and I immediately felt a calmness wash over me:
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran
I thought that maybe there was a slight chance that Tiffany, Justice's mommy, might see it and that it might bring her to a special place as well, if even for a moment, so I posted it to my facebook status. I checked her blog this morning and lo and behold the first entry since the post detailing his unfortunate departure was this very same quote.
Perhaps she found it on her own, perhaps she saw my facebook page, but it brings me a level of comfort knowing we found something special within the same exact words in such a dark time.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran
I thought that maybe there was a slight chance that Tiffany, Justice's mommy, might see it and that it might bring her to a special place as well, if even for a moment, so I posted it to my facebook status. I checked her blog this morning and lo and behold the first entry since the post detailing his unfortunate departure was this very same quote.
Perhaps she found it on her own, perhaps she saw my facebook page, but it brings me a level of comfort knowing we found something special within the same exact words in such a dark time.
A Heavy Heart
Yesterday a dear friend of mine lost her sweet 20 month old boy, Justice. He was born at just 27 weeks and had some lung issues since his birth. A few days ago he developed cold like symptoms and was eventually admitted to the hospital. Once there he was placed into a coma and placed on a ventilator. Sweet JW had kind of been there done that when it came to the whole hospital scene, and pulled through each time, but this last one was just far too challenging for him.
His mother, Tiffany, seemed in good spirits earlier in the day, all things considered. Not one of us from the online forum we all belong too knew that things had begun to take a turn for the worse. After word got to us all that he had passed we sat with tears streaming down our faces, blankly starring at our computer screens - it all happened so quickly and unexpectedly. The doctors had told her there was nothing more they could do for him and that she should simply hold him.
This is the part I struggle with the most. Can you imagine living through and surviving those words? On one side I'd be thankful to surround my baby in my arms and love for his last moments on this earth, but on the other side I would know that this was it. The beginning of the end. All I can think of is that you would just have to be present in the moment, tell him how much you love him and will always love him and be there for him, while the world crashed down around you.
Sadly, none of her family was there with her in his final moments. She sat completely alone after he passed. It just breaks my heart in every way possible, and I send her all of my love, hugs, support, and sympathy.
The message board we belong to means a great deal to everyone who is a member. We have such a great loving support network that is pretty impenetrable. You mess with one of our MoMs and you are sure to pay the price. On the flip side, when one of us grieves, we all grieve and pull together for one another.
Literally within hours of the tragic news a fund had been set up. Within minutes that fund had over $500 in it. I have never been so saddened and proud to call myself a friend to this wonderful group of ladies.
Thank you MoMfia girls, I don't know where I'd be without each and every one of you! Sweet little Justice, may your wings carry and protect us all.
His mother, Tiffany, seemed in good spirits earlier in the day, all things considered. Not one of us from the online forum we all belong too knew that things had begun to take a turn for the worse. After word got to us all that he had passed we sat with tears streaming down our faces, blankly starring at our computer screens - it all happened so quickly and unexpectedly. The doctors had told her there was nothing more they could do for him and that she should simply hold him.
This is the part I struggle with the most. Can you imagine living through and surviving those words? On one side I'd be thankful to surround my baby in my arms and love for his last moments on this earth, but on the other side I would know that this was it. The beginning of the end. All I can think of is that you would just have to be present in the moment, tell him how much you love him and will always love him and be there for him, while the world crashed down around you.
Sadly, none of her family was there with her in his final moments. She sat completely alone after he passed. It just breaks my heart in every way possible, and I send her all of my love, hugs, support, and sympathy.
The message board we belong to means a great deal to everyone who is a member. We have such a great loving support network that is pretty impenetrable. You mess with one of our MoMs and you are sure to pay the price. On the flip side, when one of us grieves, we all grieve and pull together for one another.
Literally within hours of the tragic news a fund had been set up. Within minutes that fund had over $500 in it. I have never been so saddened and proud to call myself a friend to this wonderful group of ladies.
Thank you MoMfia girls, I don't know where I'd be without each and every one of you! Sweet little Justice, may your wings carry and protect us all.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
I Forgot To Mention
we sent the boys' DNA off to have evaluated by a lab so that we would know for sure if the boys were identical or not. Several medical professionals had told us it would be beneficial to know, so we bit the bullet and paid for it out of pocket.
We got the results last Friday: monozygotic; commonly referred to as identical :)
We got the results last Friday: monozygotic; commonly referred to as identical :)
Surgery
The boys went in yesterday to get their tubes. We woke up at five in the morning, which is completely unheard of for both me and Kevin. To say we were tired was an understatement.
Evan had his school's spring concert the night before. Pawpaw Gammaw were there and so was Nonna. I'm not sure if it was the age he's at right now or the pants we put him in (he didn't like them), but when the curtains opened up and the music started playing all Evan could do was stand there and cry...through both songs. I didn't even bother with taking pictures, besides all I had with me was my cell phone. There's another story there, but for another day.
After the concert Evan went home with Nonna so we wouldn't have to wake him up and drop him off so early. He stayed that night and also last night and did really well at drop off this morning. From what I hear - no tears, absolutely unheard of for him.
Anyway, check-in at the surgery center was at 6:30 a.m. we got there and all got our bracelets on. I was assigned to Brennan and Kevin's designated baby for the day was Carter. We found out there was one patient ahead of us, but they were running on time.
Brennan was up first at 8 o'clock. It seemed like just as soon as the nurses whisked him away that the doctor was coming back into our room telling us he was out of surgery and in his recovery room. Everything was perfect with his surgery; they did find some fluid behind both eardrums, and once he came-to and gave the nurses a few rounds of good vital signs he was brought back and placed into mama's arms.
We were told all of these stories, okay nightmares, about what happens to kids when they come out of anesthesia. Most kids will scream and cry and thrash about, confused and angry about what had just taken place. Brennan didn't do any of this. He was brought back with a bottle of juice (his first time having it) and was happily sucking away, even cracking smiles behind it. No crying, no whining, and no wiggling about. He was absolutely wonderful; you wouldn't have even guessed he had just been in surgery.
A few minutes went by while they cleaned and prepped the operating room for Carter. They soon came back and got him, and daddy and I were focusing all of our energy on keeping Brennan occupied. It felt like it was taking a little longer for a doctor or nurse to come tell us he was out and doing okay, so immediately my mind started to suspect something was up. I kept myself calm and a few minutes later the doctor walked into our room. Surgery was successful, but they did run into a slight hiccup.
It appeared that Carter was just starting to get over an ear infection, which we didn't even know about, and that his right ear had some fluid in it and the doctor had a little trouble getting the incision in the eardrum, as it had a "gritty" texture to it, which caused it to bleed a little. Regardless, everything went fine and the surgery was a success. When they brought him back to our room he already had fluid draining from his ear. Poor thing.
Carter's recovery was a different experience than his brother's, but it wasn't terrible. And nothing like what I had chalked it up to being like in my head. He was a little fussy and would occasionally break out into mild hysterics, but he did so well overall. Having the bottle of juice really helped get his mind sidetracked.
We were discharged just three hours after checking in at 9:30 a.m. The boys instantly fell asleep and remained that way as we approached our house. I convinced Kevin to drive around so we drove, and drove, and drove because we knew once we stopped there would be no getting them back to sleep; it was best to just keep going.
After getting home and waking up, it seemed like any other day with the boys. Crazy busy and with it's ups and downs, but definitely nothing but normal - they were completely back to themselves making for one happy mama :)
Evan had his school's spring concert the night before. Pawpaw Gammaw were there and so was Nonna. I'm not sure if it was the age he's at right now or the pants we put him in (he didn't like them), but when the curtains opened up and the music started playing all Evan could do was stand there and cry...through both songs. I didn't even bother with taking pictures, besides all I had with me was my cell phone. There's another story there, but for another day.
After the concert Evan went home with Nonna so we wouldn't have to wake him up and drop him off so early. He stayed that night and also last night and did really well at drop off this morning. From what I hear - no tears, absolutely unheard of for him.
Anyway, check-in at the surgery center was at 6:30 a.m. we got there and all got our bracelets on. I was assigned to Brennan and Kevin's designated baby for the day was Carter. We found out there was one patient ahead of us, but they were running on time.
Brennan was up first at 8 o'clock. It seemed like just as soon as the nurses whisked him away that the doctor was coming back into our room telling us he was out of surgery and in his recovery room. Everything was perfect with his surgery; they did find some fluid behind both eardrums, and once he came-to and gave the nurses a few rounds of good vital signs he was brought back and placed into mama's arms.
We were told all of these stories, okay nightmares, about what happens to kids when they come out of anesthesia. Most kids will scream and cry and thrash about, confused and angry about what had just taken place. Brennan didn't do any of this. He was brought back with a bottle of juice (his first time having it) and was happily sucking away, even cracking smiles behind it. No crying, no whining, and no wiggling about. He was absolutely wonderful; you wouldn't have even guessed he had just been in surgery.
A few minutes went by while they cleaned and prepped the operating room for Carter. They soon came back and got him, and daddy and I were focusing all of our energy on keeping Brennan occupied. It felt like it was taking a little longer for a doctor or nurse to come tell us he was out and doing okay, so immediately my mind started to suspect something was up. I kept myself calm and a few minutes later the doctor walked into our room. Surgery was successful, but they did run into a slight hiccup.
It appeared that Carter was just starting to get over an ear infection, which we didn't even know about, and that his right ear had some fluid in it and the doctor had a little trouble getting the incision in the eardrum, as it had a "gritty" texture to it, which caused it to bleed a little. Regardless, everything went fine and the surgery was a success. When they brought him back to our room he already had fluid draining from his ear. Poor thing.
Carter's recovery was a different experience than his brother's, but it wasn't terrible. And nothing like what I had chalked it up to being like in my head. He was a little fussy and would occasionally break out into mild hysterics, but he did so well overall. Having the bottle of juice really helped get his mind sidetracked.
We were discharged just three hours after checking in at 9:30 a.m. The boys instantly fell asleep and remained that way as we approached our house. I convinced Kevin to drive around so we drove, and drove, and drove because we knew once we stopped there would be no getting them back to sleep; it was best to just keep going.
After getting home and waking up, it seemed like any other day with the boys. Crazy busy and with it's ups and downs, but definitely nothing but normal - they were completely back to themselves making for one happy mama :)
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