Big Boys!

We had our second to last Synagis shot of the season today, and Sumner weighed 18 lbs, 1oz (Way to break 18 pounds...woo hoo!) and Jack a whopping 16 lbs, 11 oz!!! What big boys!

At the pedi's office he expressed concern over the growing brown spots on Jack's front teeth. He thinks it is from an apparent lack of tooth enamel. He said we need to head ASAP to a pediatric dentist, and I was fortunate enough to get an appointment for tomorrow at 9 am. My online research indicates this might be because of the boys being premature, but I'll know more tomorrow. Wish us luck!

My heart is breaking

This has been a devastating week for many of my IF friends who have suffered losses. I have spent the week in tears over the babies they will never meet, or knew all to briefly. Please, if you have a minute, visit:

http://bustedbabymaker.blogspot.com/


I can't help but read her story and think...that was almost me. I am devastated for her.

Pablo Poopcasso

I forgot to mention that on Thursday last week at the sitters Jack reached in his diaper, pulled out some poop, and proceeded to color all over the crib with it. Lovely.

We are now calling him pablo poopcasso, pooptav klimt, jackson poolick, and claude poo-nay.

They are replacing the engine!!

After MUCH hassle, and multiple trips by an adjustor, and tearing our engine down to zero, they are replacing the engine! Thank the Lord!

And, I am trying not to worry, but I am worried about Summy. When is get going to want to stand? I see *no* movement towards walking in the future. I *know* he crawled really late and just up and did it one day, but I can't help but be worried!

Three singing pigs say "la la la"

No word yet on the car...

I'm trying to rationalize the thought of putting the boys in an actual daycare CENTER next year. This place is highly recommended, and while more expensive, they are RAVED about. 4 other teachers at my school have their children there. But I keep thinking...*my* kids? My tiny little baby-men? They seem too little...sooo hard to believe. I worry, as we all do. Then the guilt sets in. Our sitter had said in almost the same breath after telling me she couldn't watch the boys..."and I think you should stay home with them next year." There is was, old nagging guilt, back for me again. And the pediatrician said "really? they'll be old enough to start in August?" (Center only accepts 18m+) And I worried...tiny preemie babies+daycare center=feel guilty mom, stay home with us mom, big worries mom?

The therapists could go to the center and work with the boys which would be super. But our hopes of going to MRDD preschool next year are now dashed.

And the mommy guilt returns. Why do we do it to ourselves? Will any decision really be OK?

I had the chance for a rare girls evening out this week at the melting pot, my fave fondue restaurant. Most of the talk centered around babies. Aunt E happened to be there too (she is PG, did I mention that?) and she got frustrated with all the baby talk. I was led to remember a great article in this month's real simple magazine about the new-mother-lose-yourself-and-your-identity-in-your-new-child syndrome. It's unavoidable, really. Even now I have a hard time talking about anything other than teaching and my boys, as those are primarily the only things I have the energy to do anymore. The hormones, the sleeplessness, they all make you crazy, and so baby-focused. Sometimes I wonder, will Aunt E feel the same in 22 weeks?

We were reading our nighttime standard, moo baa la la la by Sandra Boynton, and when we got to the part "three singing pigs say" Summy pulled his paci out of his mouth, looked dead at us, and said "la la la." It was one of those parent moments.

Summy's third tooth to pop through was not the previously stated top tooth, but a pointy incisor. Strange!

Jack's croup is gone, but he developed hives and a horrible rash wed. that never went away. A pedi appt. today confirmed not much. Benadryl isn't working and they think he's allergic to "something" (not food) and we don't know what. Not much help. He inherited my sensitive skin, apparently.

Bad news comes in threes

I don't think I posted about our recent bad news.

While D was out of town I managed to lock myself out of the house with the babies locked inside. Long story short, it was 11 pm, I was in pyjamas, and our friends had to come over and break the door down.

We planned a family trip last friday to IKEA. As we arrived in cincy, we noticed out car making a strange sound. Long story short, the engine on our 2004 Matrix had almost blown. We spent a long day making many phone calls and ended up being towed to a local dealership and renting a car to get home, but only after many hours of crying, calling, trying to get things arranged, and moving the entire contents of our car into two places. And sitting on a toyota waiting room floor for a long time. We are still awaiting the verdict.

And tonight, our sitter called and told us she can't watch the boys next year. After some crying, reality is setting in. I do not look forward to finding someone for next year. Nothing will be as good.

So hopefully this is the end of our bad news, at least for now. I cannot bear the thought of more.

For some good news: Jack's "bark" is gone so his croup seems to be over. The babies turned 13 months yesterday, and life here is good. Spring break starts Friday and I can't wait to spend a week (even more!) with the boys.

Barf, glorious barf!

I tired to give Jack his steroids tonight and he promptly threw up all over me and him. Lovely. I'm now extra worried b/c he's asleep with no steroid dose and his breathing sounds terrible. Not one peep out of him last night!

Tonight D installed their fisher price safe voyage convertible carseats. It is totally bittersweet because I am not ready for them to sit in highchairs, need to be carried, use their new big boy stroller (graco quattro tour duo) and just be all gorwn up. I mean really...can't they stay little forever?

Friday is our trip of wonderment and joy to IKEA. I am SO excited!!! The new Ohio store opens tomorrow!

croup.

Jack woke from his nap "barking." He has croup. Apparently another common "preemie side effect."

I'm hoping we aren't in for a night of heck and he feels better soon. We were able to get a dose of steroids in him before bed.

Could/should I pray for the weight gain side effect?

Weights

I threw the boys on the scale tonight after their bath and Jack was 16.4 lbs and Sumner only 17.7. I am slightly worried that Sum's not gained as much although I know he's become much more active. (He's usually a slug)

Sum's developed a random case of cradle cap, something we never had as babies. Hopefully the oil in the hair tonight before his bath did its trick.

Also, they just called and said we have no school tomorrow. Hopefully I can get my errands done before the next snow hits. (another inch or so tomorrow) I actually really needed to see my kindergarden kids tomorrow.

Some recent pictures...

I keep telling you about Summy's love of cats, but this picture is proof of:

1. How much he loves cats
2. How patient Bode is



Jack is *so* pleased he knows how to stand up in his crib now!



We tried a bath in the "big boys bathtub." The look on Sumner's face says it all. For now, we're back to the large infant tub! LOL!



Sumner *loves* the piano they got for their birthday. He plays it like a real piano!

The blizzard of '08

So, we're snowed in. I had a thousand and one things to do this weekend...errands to run and such, but we're enjoying time at home together.

I didn't want to post too specifically before for safety's sake, but D was out of town Monday am till Thursday night so I played single mom this week. The long, tiring week culminated in me locking myself out of the house with the babies inside on Wednesday night. After hyperventillating, I was able to call E&J and they came over and J kicked the door in so we could get inside. Best part: the babies never woke up! Amazing.

I don't know how single moms do it. Seriously, I was SO tired after the 4 days alone, I can barely explain it. I really did pretty well staying on top of everything but it wore me out to the bone. On top of that both boys have a cold so sleep wasn't so fabulous tues. and wed. night.

I put real PJs that Aunt C and Uncle M bought the boys for their bday on Sum today and he looks totally stinkin cute. I'll try to take pics today of it. Right now he's in his crib talking and he's taken his socks off. No idea how he's not totally unconscious from the week. I know I am!

Both boys now say "uh-oh" "mama" and "dada." Jack also shakes his head no. This week's fun has been watching Jack drop things on purpose and say uh-oh. We got the MRDD paperwork and are thinking about sending the boys to their school next fall. Sumner's starting to bear some weight a little better (he still sticks his butt out) and is army crawling everywhere, and Jack's cruising everywhere. It's definitely harder now that they move all over.

I am having a really hard time being patient and waiting to see the boys 1 year pictures we took last weekend. I know they turned out really great, and I am looking SO forward to Rachel editing them! I'll post as soon as they're done.