M.I.A.

Sorry everyone...long time no post! Things have been crazy and I can only assume they will continue to be very busy with the upcoming move and selling of our house. Our house has been listed for 7 days and we have had 5 showings, and have another showing and open house scheduled tomorrow. While this is great news with this economy and housing market, we're hoping to soon see an offer come to the table. We've been getting good feedback from showings, so we're hopeful it will happen soon. It's so strange evacuating your house so strangers can traipse through it. It's also been really hard keeping our house looking p.e.r.f.e.c.t. with 2 year old twins in the picture. We're hanging in there!

David took the boys to the ENT on Friday. Our pediatrician had recommended that Sumner be scheduled for ear tube surgery, however when the ENT took a look at him, he felt the surgery could be put off, which is great news. Jack's hearing re-test showed no hearing loss as well. We're both thankful for this great news.

Last night was the semi-annual twins sale for my local twins club and I got lots of great deals for the boys. I bought some nice summer clothing and a little tikes picnic table. The thought of it at our new house made me so excited! I did feel bad last night because I realized more and more how teeny the boys are compared to other kids their age while I was shopping for clothing. I don't know if it is a preemie thing, or what, but I actually got teary about it last night. I know the boys are happy and healthy, and that the pediatrician isn't worried at all, but I wish I didn't feel like weight gain was such a constant struggle. I know from other preemie moms and blogging friends I am not alone, but it still nags at me from time to time.

So the timeline is: close on our new house on Tuesday, and begin the painting and re-carpeting. We don't have a set date to be finished but plan to move in by the end of March. Moving is definitely taking its toll on all of us but is so exciting and worth the hassle!

Elmo themed birthday party pictures

The boys had an Elmo theme for their second birthday. I didn't make their cake this year, I bought it from Kroger, but I was so pleased with how it turned out. We had about 20 people show up to celebrate, and many who sent well-wishes from afar. The boys had a good time, and got lots of wonderful things. We had a great time, and it was nice to make a memory in a house we love, and will miss dearly.

Listing our house

Tomorrow we will finally list our house. To see it now makes me very sad because it looks similar to when we moved in, newly engaged and excited. This house has been there for us through our wedding, infertility struggle, and bringing the boys home from the NICU. I love it so much. I hope someone really wonderful moves here and has some wonderful experiences here too!

We've spend the last 2 weeks packing and staging. This is no easy task considering we have to still live here with the boys!

Therapy last night was really cathartic. We still haven't started the meat of EMDR, but I am looking forward to it. When Jack had his surgery last week, they hooked him up to a machine similar to the one used in the NICU. The beeping sound alone made me shudder. Discussing that and the boys 2 year birthday with the therapist was really helpful. I am starting to notice my old reactions...flashbacks, crying, panic...are staring to become not as severe. I felt mostly nervous/anxious, but not panicked. This is good news!

To Jackson, on his second birthday

Dear Jack,

From the moment you came out, you were a fighter. To think about you almost not making it kills me, but I can still see you in your incubator, flailing around. Once, when the neonatologist was doing rounds, we asked about having your nasal cannula that supplied extra oxygen removed. He told us you needed it, but when he looked closer, you had pulled it out of your nose, and put it in your mouth. He laughed so hard and said "I guess he doesn't want OR need it!"

When you came home, you had such a hard time, reflux killed all of us, but you were such a good baby. A skinny mini from almost the first week. We spent a lot of time worrying about you.

Now you are two. How could I have ever imagined the toddler you have become? You are SO polite, always thanking people, saying please, blowing kisses, giving hugs, and taking care of others. You love to take care of baby Arden, and your brother. Sometimes I see so much of myself in you, it scares me. You are so feisty. Always doing something ornery. Throwing food, watching to see if we are noticing the thing you are on the verge of testing the limits with.

You are so sweet. You attach yourself into the heart of everyone you meet. After a few days with you, you have caregivers, doctors, friends and family wrapped around your finger. You have such a wise look to you, and you're always thinking. You love to run, jump, spin. You keep me busy, and on my toes. You love to sing, and to color. You beg to get out the markers. You love people, phones, remotes, keys, elmo, your blankie, and acting like you are very grown up. You are such a helper. You always want to unload the dishwasher, put the toys in the bath, or pick up. You love your daddy and you love to wrestle with him and carry tools like him.

You love your brother and call him "Munnny." After your surgery last Tuesday, it's starting to sound more like "Summy" every day.

Your smile lights up a room. You love to be tickled. People you meet, even strangers call you "Jackie" and feel an immediate bond with you.

I couldn't be prouder to be your mother today, on your second birthday.

love, mommy.

To Sumner, on his second birthday

Dear Sumner,

I still remember you in your incubator, your back covered in fuzz. You looked like an angry old man. You'd cry at diaper changes. You loved it when we paid attention to you.

When we got home, we called you "the tank." To us, you were huge...you looked like a potato. You used to make the cutest sound like a billy goat. Sometimes you sounded like a backfiring car. You used to nurse on our noses. One of my favorite pictures is you nursing Jack's nose.

Now you are two. Where has time gone? We were so proud of you when you started walking in October. You aren't always the most motivated, but when you put your mind to it, boy do you do it! You love cars, wheels, fans, cats, pretty much any animal that will hold still for you, elmo, and pacis. You have just started asking a lot for a "hug" and you can be so cuddly when you want to be. You talk all the time. You're always telling us "it's alright" "shut the door!" "I don't know." You love to repeat what you hear. You always have something to say. You love to sing, especially "twinkle twinkle" "row row row your boat" and the elmo's world song. Last week when we went out to the car, you sang "row row row your boat, gently down the street" because that's how you think it goes. You know each of our cats by name and tonight you chased Bode around for 5 minutes. You just started a "mama" phase this week and I am secretly overjoyed with it.

You are so kind to your brother. Today he brought your blanket and you said "Thank you Jack Jack." You always call him that.

You love your daddy and you are so proud when you get to wear your hockey jersey like he has. In a lot of ways, you remind me so much of him. You still sometimes have night terrors, and you have been known to get scared over small things, but you also have a laugh that is infectious. Last week you were in the lobby of a restaurant and you laughed so hard you had 10 other people laughing with you.

Your big blue eyes are so deep, I could see for miles. When you sleep, you always sleep with your butt in the air. You love stuffed animals.

I couldn't be prouder of you. I love you.

love, mommy.

Pictures, a party, and almost two!

Today we celebrated the boys' 2nd birthday with an elmo-themed party! We had a lot of fun even though Summy wasn't feeling his best. However, 20 people crammed in our house made us even more thankful we will soon be moving. I'll post pictures tomorrow, on their actual birthday.

Leah also posted these lovely sneek peeks of the boys' 2 year photo session:





I cannot believe tomorrow is almost here. How are my little guys almost 2 years old? Time moves by so quickly.

Surgery went well

Just a quick update...the surgery went really well, and they think Jack's hearing loss was more extensive than originally anticipated. Thanks for all the kind thoughts and well wishes. I cannot wait to see how much more he speaks now that he can finally hear!

busy busy busy!

So this weekend was a blur with packing, throwing away things, and general cleaning up. We might just fill an entire garbage truck on our own when it is all said and done. We managed to go through everything we had in the garage, and empty it so we can fill it with packed boxes. This evening and every night this week we will get to enjoy that! I also managed to full 6 lawn and leaf bags while working in the yard this afternoon!

We're gearing up for the boys turning two on Sunday. I cannot believe that in a week, my babies will be two year olds! I am starting to miss babyhood so much, I wish we could afford to have another right now. Somewhere down the line we will, and I can't wait for that day. Every day with the boys is a treasure. We're having their party on Saturday.

We decided to hold off another week on listing the house. We simply aren't ready yet. The thought of it overwhelms me, but I know we got a ton done today and that makes me feel thankful. And tired.

The results of the boys NICU assessment should be here soon, and I am anxious to see if they have come close to "catching up." I know they never really will "catch up" but I am also hoping that the results are positive.

Jack's surgery is at 9:00 on Tuesday so please say a prayer for him. I am looking forward to seeing how quickly he changes once he has full hearing capabilities.

Lastly, this weekend we had the opportunity to take pictures with Leah, an amazing photographer who also took pictures of us last September. This picture is from that session.



I can't wait to see how they turned out. We had a great time at the Franklin Park Conservatory with her. Be sure to head over to her website and check out her work.

In contract!

Haven't posted much this week, but wanted to let everyone know we are officially in contract on our new house! The home inspection is scheduled for Friday and we hope to list our house on the MLS on Sunday! I am excited, and nervous to pack ALL our stuff!

Jack's surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.

Tomorrow night my band and strings students have their first concert of the year. I am super excited and I know they are going to do really well.

So busy here, but I plan to post more in the next few days, and catch up on blogs!