It'll be one year tomorrow since I came back to work after the twins were born. (I know, Christmas Eve is a great day to start back, but that's when my FMLA ran out!)

They are now 14 months old! It's gone by so fast, but it's almost like I'm paying attention more than I did with Noah. I don't know if it's because they're not my first or because of what we went through to get them here.

Having 3 miscarriages in 6 months can really mess with you. And unless you've gone through at least one you can't really understand. The moment the 2nd line appears on that little stick, there's a baby. You have hopes and dreams for it, wonder if it's a boy or a girl and imagine how it will fit into your family. Even though I never saw a heartbeat for any of the 3 I lost, it was still my baby when that line appeared. I didn't know at that time what God had planned for me and I wondered if I would ever have a second child. I definitely appriciate what a miracle having a child is now. Everything has to be just right in order for the little one to stick around.

Noah was a surprise baby. Jeremy and I were not prepared at all, but we figured it out. I just thought when it was time for #2, we wouldn't have any problems because we weren't even trying when we had Noah. I even planned out when we would start trying so that Noah and the new baby would only be 3 years apart in school.

I know now that God's plan was to bring 2 more beautiful boys to me at once. Maybe he just wanted me to wait for the right time or maybe he wanted to prove to me what a miracle a child is. All I know is that I did not wish their infancies away. You know...I can't wait until he smiles, walks, talks, etc. Everyday, they get bigger, but I'm enjoying every moment!!

All of this reminds me of my favorite quote..."If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans."

Ready or not...it's Christmas!

As evident from my lack of posting, there's not much going on here. We're just getting ready for Christmas. Noah asks me every morning, "How many sleeps until Santa comes?" That's how he counts days now, by how many times he wakes up. So, he's excited because we're down to 2! (I am too, because hopefully, I won't have to hear that question for at least a couple of months!) He also asks if he can open a present every day. Daddy already bought him some Heelys that he couldn't wait to give him. I at least wrapped it so he knew it was a Christmas present. Now, Noah's one of those annoying kids that tries to skate everywhere. I do take an extra pair of shoes with us, so if he's skating around after I told him not to he has to take them off.

Lance and Austin have no clue that Christmas is coming. They're too busy fighting with each other! If it's this bad now, I don't want to know what the teenage years are going to be like. They're always taking stuff from each other or pushing each other around. It's like a constant wrestling match at my house. I refuse to buy 2 of everything. I think they need to learn to share (I know it's a little early for that yet). Plus, they always want what the other one has even if it's the same thing.

Austin's helmet is now decorated for Christmas. He's doing pretty good with it, except now we have to use box tape to hold down the velcro so he doesn't take it off. It's quite "special" looking. I can definitely tell a difference in the shape of his head when I take it off. The biggest problem I have with it, is the smell!! I can get the helmet clean and smelling good, but I just can't get Austin's head that way! I can wash his head 20 times and it still stinks. So, I found some Johnson & Johnson baby cologne and that kind of takes away the smell for awhile. I don't know how much longer he'll have to wear it though. Probably another 2-3 months, I'm guessing.
He did graduate from physical therapy at the end of November, so that's one less appointment to go to. Yeah!!

Hope everyone else is more prepared for Christmas than I am!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Austin got his helmet!!!

We finally got it!! I'm really surprised how well he's doing so far. He took it off a couple of times, but only while we were in the car. He seems to be used to it so far. And he went right to sleep without a fuss, still wearing his helmet! So without further ado, here's Austin in the helmet I fought for for 6 months!!

And after Mommy decorated it:

He kind of looks like "Hulk Baby" when the helmet slips forward. It makes him look mean!! Hopefully, his face doesn't stick like that!

Lance and Austin's 1st Birthday Party!!

We survived!! All we did was open presents (with the "help" of Noah and his cousin Bryan) and watch them make a mess with their cakes. I know it's a HUGE mess, but it was so fun watching them dig in. It must have taken a lot of energy though. Austin went to bed at 5pm and I guess is out for the night, because I haven't heard a peep. Lance went down about 6pm and woke up long enough to get some milk and back to bed for him. The boys got a lot of awesome stuff. My house is being taken over by toys. The study's full and know the living room is next. Here's some pics of the big day.....

Austin opening toys....Lance didn't want to sit still long enough.

Mommy, why are you making us wear these stupid hats???


Lance enjoying some cake.

Austin REALLY enjoying some cake!!

Austin getting cleaned up

Now we're done until this weekend. I'm turning the big 3-0 next Sunday....AAAH!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

This has been a busy week!! The twins turned 1 on Monday! They're not babies anymore and it makes me kind of sad. I can't believe one year ago I could hold all 2lbs, 14oz of Austin in my hand. Now, he's 19lbs 5oz!! My little 4lb Lance is 19lbs 6oz. They got so big, so fast and I feel like I've been in a daze all year. Of course, I still don't know how Noah got to be almost .5 and starting Kindergarten next year!!

Jeremy's birthday is today! The last year of his 20's.

The twin's party is on Sunday. I'm so excited to see them dive into their cakes, and I know they will. Especially Austin. He's got a major sweet tooth, just like mommy!

And.....I called the helmet place. It should be here within the next day or so!! He might actually get it!!

Austin still does not have his helmet!!  I called the helmet place on Monday to get the status of his helmet.  Then, she tells me that the scan didn't take and they needed to rescan him!  Noone called me to let me know!  So, we rescheduled for today.  He did much better this time.  No screaming or wiggling!! Yeah.  His orthotist said that the helmet should be here in less than 2 weeks.  About time.  I've only been messing with this for 5 months!

And some countdown news!!

--1 day until NKOTB!!  Nothing like 5 "girls" at a concert (with homeade t-shirts!) 20 years late.         I'll be sure to post pictures!

--5 days until the twins 1st birthday!!!  (11 days until their party)

--18 days until Shannon turns 30!!!!  (How did that happen?)

We're here

We survived Ike!!! We only had slight devestation to our backyard. The only casualty was Noah's swingset.

And Noah found that he didn't need electicity to have fun. (or clothes for that matter!)

Austin, obviously didn't get his head measured on the 15th. Nobody had power and I was busy waiting in line for an hour and a half with all the boys to get gas. We rescheduled and he was measured on September 26th. Hopefully, he'll be getting it this week. I already bought stickers to decorate it with!!

Hunkering Down

We're at home waiting for Ike. I've got water, diapers and 80 serving of powdered milk. Hopefully, the boys will drink it, I can't see that I will! Right now we're located on the "dirty" side of the storm, which means lots of wind and rain and possibly tornados. Fun!! On the plus side, no work tomorrow!

Hopefully, it's not too bad because Austin's supposed to be measured for his helmet on Monday.

Austin's getting a helmet!!!!

Just 3 "short" months after we originally requested approval from our insurance company they have given us the go ahead for Austin's "helmet." He has an appointment on September 15th to get scanned and then should get his helmet a couple of weeks later. The only downside is that since it took so long to get insurance approval, he'll probably have to wear it 4-5 months instead of the 2-3 if he would have gotten it when he was 7 months old. Here's a before pic....notice how his right ear is further foward than his left.

He's also still in physical therapy for torticollis. He was making progress, but now has reverted. His physical therapist says it happens a lot when they start working on their gross motor skills....So, since he just started crawling it was not a surprise. The next step is using Kinesio tape. It's the same stuff that the beach volleyball player wore all over her shoulder during the Olympics. Not quite sure exactly how it works, but have heard/read good things about it.

If that doesn't work, he may have to have a TOT Collar. I looked it up and it's horrible!!! If he had to wear that and a helmet, he would look like he was beaten!! Here's a pic of it....

I VOW to work harder on his exercises!!!! I think the helmet is enough torture for him!

Herding cats and mean brothers

Both of the twins are now officially mobile. Somehow they know mommy can't get both of them at once and they go in opposite directions and it's kind of like what I imagine herding cats would be like. I get one rounded up and the other takes off in the other direction. It's time for the baby Octagon!!!





But now Austin can get his revenge, but it may already be too late.
Their teachers at daycare said that Austin cries when Lance is around. Then, they move Lance to the other room for his nap and Austin is perfectly happy and doesn't cry. I think he's scarred for life!!

First day of school

Noah started school on Monday. He has to wear a uniform. Since he was sick on Sunday, he did not sleep good. Therefore, I got this lovely, happy picture of Noah for his first day. He wouldn't let me try and take a better one.

Sick Boys

Lance got sick last weekend and was running a fever. He decided to be a good boy and share with his brothers! Noah got it Sunday night, but was fine for his first day of school Monday. I had been at work about 2 hours when daycare called and said Austin was running a fever. I stayed home with the twins on Tuesday until I made sure they were better. Then, today daycare called and said Noah was running a fever. He seems okay. He's just hanging out, watching Spongebob and eating "sick crackers" and "sick Sprite."

Watch out....we're mobile!!

Okay, only one twin is mobile. But, that's enough for me. Lance is an army crawler. I don't know if he'll stay that way or if he just hasn't figured out that he can use his knees. Either way, he's FAST and he's going to have some serious upper body strength if he continues this way. He'll also just crawl over stuff that gets in his way, including Austin. Poor thing, Austin just likes to be left alone to play. Then, here comes Lance. Usually, Lance just crawls over him and leaves it at that. But, sometimes, he decides to stop and poke Austin in the eye or hit him in the face. I think Austin's just waiting for the right time. He's simmering. Once he figures out how to chase Lance, it'll all be over. Austin's bigger, and I think he can take Lance!!! Let's get ready to rumble!!!

So, the twins are 8 months old today. Where has the time gone? It just seems like yesterday that we (I) decided to start trying to have another kid.

Lance has already learned to irritate Austin. I picked them up from school on Monday and their teachers were cracking up. Lance learned to scream last weekend. Just because he wanted to hear himself. Apparently, Austin doesn't want to hear it. Lance would scream, Austin would cry, Lance would laugh, and repeat. This lasted for about 10 minutes! I can only imagine when they get older!

Austin has a head measurement appointment on Tuesday. We still don't know if it's been approved because apparently the insurance company has decided to take it's sweet time and use every bit of it's 30 days to decide if they are going to cover it. I found out yesterday all they have to do is look at a couple of measurements, a very difficult concept, I know. Either we will have put ourselves one step ahead of the game or we will have ended up wasting time and more importantly, gas.

Appointments galore!

Another day, another appointment. Lance and Austin had their Early Intervention appointment today. They came to the house and assessed their development. So far, so good. They will send a survey in a couple of months to follow up.
Tomorrow is their eye doctor appointment. I know, why do 7 month old babies need an eye doctor. This will be their 3rd time going. This time, they won't use the medieval torture device to examine them. Last time, the doctor held their eye open with this little metal instrument and then poked their eyes with another. All the while, they were being held down by an assistant. Keep in mind, they were 4 and 5 pounds. Not easy to stand by and watch them do this.
This time, they'll just be checking for lazy eye. Apparently, it's more common in premmies.
Then, next week, Austin will have his 1st physical therapy appointment for his neck. And, hopefully, next week, we'll hear back from the helmet place about Austin's newest accessory.
I don't really notice, but the neurologist says that his forehead's higher on one side. If insurance doesn't cover the helmet, he'll just have to have a slightly crooked head, because the helmet is $4000! I got into the wrong business!

First Post!!

I'm a little behind the times. Seems like everyone has a blog, so I thought I could start one for our little family.
For anyone who doesn't know us, my husband, Jeremy, and I, were married in September 2003 (has it already been 5 years?!!). Shortly after that (surprise!!), in February 2004, we welcomed our first son, Noah.
In June 2006, we decided (or should I say, I decided ;) ) it would be a good time to start trying for #2. Long story short, we welcomed our TWIN boys to the world 6 weeks early on October 20, 2007.
So, now, we're raising 3 wonderful boys. A shock at first, but we wouldn't want it any other way now!
And before you ask, NO!! We are not trying for a girl!!