Along with Morgan's ear infection, the Urgent Care doctor told us that Morgan had quite a bit of wheezing with her latest cold. So, he put her on some steroids (18 mg of Prednisone) and albuterol treatments.
The kid went from a zombie to a hyper-active, bounce off the walls, deliberately disobeying monster. Thirty minutes after her steroids this morning, she ran over, grabbed the Kleenex box, looked at me, giggled, and then proceeded to pull them out of the box - handful by handful.
As I head across the room - she quickly averted my gasp and ran into the living room. As I rounded the corner behind her, I caught her trying to strangle her brother.
I understand she's on steroids and I should cut her some slack...thank goodness it's only for 5 days...
Monday, June 26, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
No More Guessing
Morgan has had a cold this last week. And, in true preemie fashion, Morgan's colds go straight to her chest and are very difficult for her to kick.
Last night, she was up on & off all night. Crying to be held - and then saying she just wanted her "crib". We did this battle from 2:22 until 5:30 when I finally let her get up and watch Sesame Street (why is it on that early!?!?).
At breakfast around 6:15, big tears started coming from her eyes - big ol' crocodile hurts and she looked up at me and said "Mommy ear hurts".
My first thought - was oh, crap. We had tubes put in her ears in August '05 - and she's done great since then. It's apparent that they aren't working now (as confirmed by the Urgent Care doctor).
My second thought - YIPPE - no more guessing what she's crying for. She can actually tell me what's wrong now.
This should make things so much easier.
Last night, she was up on & off all night. Crying to be held - and then saying she just wanted her "crib". We did this battle from 2:22 until 5:30 when I finally let her get up and watch Sesame Street (why is it on that early!?!?).
At breakfast around 6:15, big tears started coming from her eyes - big ol' crocodile hurts and she looked up at me and said "Mommy ear hurts".
My first thought - was oh, crap. We had tubes put in her ears in August '05 - and she's done great since then. It's apparent that they aren't working now (as confirmed by the Urgent Care doctor).
My second thought - YIPPE - no more guessing what she's crying for. She can actually tell me what's wrong now.
This should make things so much easier.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Two Years
I was reading one of the twin blogs that I frequent, and it reminded me that today is the 2 year anniversary of the day that we brought Morgan home after 56 days in the NICU.
It amazes me that we brought home this little five pounder two years ago:
And, today I have a two-year who is full of two-year old attitude, standing next to me and asking me to show her "Tanner and Morgan pictures". It seems like a blink of an eye.
It amazes me that we brought home this little five pounder two years ago:
And, today I have a two-year who is full of two-year old attitude, standing next to me and asking me to show her "Tanner and Morgan pictures". It seems like a blink of an eye.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Too much of a good thing?
I'm well aware of the fact that toddlers can be picky eaters. And, I have restrained from making them separate meals when they don't like something that we are eating. I just usually try to have something at each meal that I know each of them will usually eat.
Food is becoming a big battle for us. Morgan hasn't eaten a single entree at preschool since the first day. She'll eat the fruit and veggies, but won't touch whatever entree there is. Foods that she will typically scarve down - she won't even try. She comes home from school, cranky, and begging for food.
The only food that they show any interest in right now is yogurt. At Tanner's transplant team's insistence, we have included yogurt in their breakfast routine since they were 10 months old. When we first started the kids on yogurt at 10 months old - they fought and continued to do so until recently. Now, they beg for it.
"More yo-gert, PLEEEEASSSSEEE"
We hear them asking for yogurt over the baby monitor at 5:30 a.m. They ask for it at supper. They ask for it at snack. Morgan asks to feed Prayer Bear yogurt. And, if offered yogurt or ice cream, they'll chose the yogurt.
But, how much is too much? Morgan has eaten 5 containers of Trix yogurt in the last 24 hours.
Do I fight her on this - or do I figure it's a good source of calcium and protein and purchase stock?
Food is becoming a big battle for us. Morgan hasn't eaten a single entree at preschool since the first day. She'll eat the fruit and veggies, but won't touch whatever entree there is. Foods that she will typically scarve down - she won't even try. She comes home from school, cranky, and begging for food.
The only food that they show any interest in right now is yogurt. At Tanner's transplant team's insistence, we have included yogurt in their breakfast routine since they were 10 months old. When we first started the kids on yogurt at 10 months old - they fought and continued to do so until recently. Now, they beg for it.
"More yo-gert, PLEEEEASSSSEEE"
We hear them asking for yogurt over the baby monitor at 5:30 a.m. They ask for it at supper. They ask for it at snack. Morgan asks to feed Prayer Bear yogurt. And, if offered yogurt or ice cream, they'll chose the yogurt.
But, how much is too much? Morgan has eaten 5 containers of Trix yogurt in the last 24 hours.
Do I fight her on this - or do I figure it's a good source of calcium and protein and purchase stock?
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Calling all twin parents....
Ok, I know there are several twin parents who drop in once in awhile - and I have a question - especially for those of you who have boy/girl twins.
When do you put them in separate rooms?
Tanner & Morgan have been in the same room since they came home from the NICUs, and that worked well for the most part. In early June, we moved them downstairs to their "big kids" room(s). We put their beds in one room - and then we are letting them use the other room for their play room.
This works fine - but our son needs more sleep than our daughter does. And, she will carry on and keep him up some nights. Other times, when one of them is awake in the middle of the night, it means they are both awake in the middle of the night. And, on the weekends, during nap time, I know they aren't getting as much sleep as they could if they were in different rooms.
Since, they are boy/girl twins, they are going to eventually be in their own rooms - but I've heard people making the separation as early as 4 months - and as late as 12 years.
Any advice?
When do you put them in separate rooms?
Tanner & Morgan have been in the same room since they came home from the NICUs, and that worked well for the most part. In early June, we moved them downstairs to their "big kids" room(s). We put their beds in one room - and then we are letting them use the other room for their play room.
This works fine - but our son needs more sleep than our daughter does. And, she will carry on and keep him up some nights. Other times, when one of them is awake in the middle of the night, it means they are both awake in the middle of the night. And, on the weekends, during nap time, I know they aren't getting as much sleep as they could if they were in different rooms.
Since, they are boy/girl twins, they are going to eventually be in their own rooms - but I've heard people making the separation as early as 4 months - and as late as 12 years.
Any advice?
Monday, June 19, 2006
What Parents of Singletons Miss Out On...
Don't worry - having twins isn't all fun & games...but these are the times that make up for the not so fun stuff (can you say Terrible Twos Times Two?).
Saturday, June 17, 2006
The Best Father's Day Gift Ever
Randy just got the best Father's Day Gift that he'd ever asked.
He passed the Professional Engineering test. It was his 4th attempt in taking the test - the first attempt being 2 weeks before the kids were born. Ironically, the letter was dated June 13th...the 13th has always been our good luck day.
I can't begin to tell you how many hours he studied for that test...the sacrifice of his evenings and weekends. Or what a huge relief this is for all of us.
And, I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am.
He passed the Professional Engineering test. It was his 4th attempt in taking the test - the first attempt being 2 weeks before the kids were born. Ironically, the letter was dated June 13th...the 13th has always been our good luck day.
I can't begin to tell you how many hours he studied for that test...the sacrifice of his evenings and weekends. Or what a huge relief this is for all of us.
And, I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am.
Friday, June 16, 2006
The One She Loves...
It began as a small crush...an occasional nighttime snuggle. Gradually, their relationship evolved into a comfort role. And, after nearly a year, it could be termed a full obsession. Constant companions, her best friend. With her through thick and thin - long lonely nights, trips to the doctor, the first day of daycare. Faithful. An ever-listenting ear. There to comfort every tear.
I present to you, Prayer Bear.
Well, this is what Prayer Bear looked like when we first got him. Clean, in a nice blue coat. He didn't look like this for long. Morgan used him as her teether as she cut in her teeth - slobbering on his fur and coat until they were dripped with drool. As time passed, PB (as we called him), developed a scent all of his own. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
So, we searched...and the grandparents searched...and finally, one day, at a Wal-Mart in Ulysses, KS - Grandma & Grandpa found Prayer Bear #2. We now had a PB she could hold - and another we could wash. She was fooled - and Prayer Bear was spared the stench of his earlier days. Two worked so well that we thought we'd try a third Prayer Bear - one to wash, one for home, and one for daycare. But, alas, she caught on and rejected "Benedict" Prayer Bear.
Prayer Bear is Morgan's best friend. She has hit the stage in her life where Prayer Bear does everything that she does, including:
Time Outs
Long Car Rides
Parties
Tricycle Rides
Sharing Kissables
But tonight, Morgan climbed to all new heights for Prayer Bear. When we put her to bed, she threw Prayer Bear out of bed in her absolute indignation of getting put into bed. After asking her for and not getting an apology, I told Morgan, "Fine, Prayer Bear will sleep with mommy tonight". I scooped him into my arms, shut the door, and went up stairs - her tears and screams of anguish floating up after me.
After a few minutes, I realized that the screams were getting louder....and closer. And, then I realized - Morgan had scaled her crib for the first time to rescue Prayer Bear. You just don't screw around with true love.
I present to you, Prayer Bear.
Well, this is what Prayer Bear looked like when we first got him. Clean, in a nice blue coat. He didn't look like this for long. Morgan used him as her teether as she cut in her teeth - slobbering on his fur and coat until they were dripped with drool. As time passed, PB (as we called him), developed a scent all of his own. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
So, we searched...and the grandparents searched...and finally, one day, at a Wal-Mart in Ulysses, KS - Grandma & Grandpa found Prayer Bear #2. We now had a PB she could hold - and another we could wash. She was fooled - and Prayer Bear was spared the stench of his earlier days. Two worked so well that we thought we'd try a third Prayer Bear - one to wash, one for home, and one for daycare. But, alas, she caught on and rejected "Benedict" Prayer Bear.
Prayer Bear is Morgan's best friend. She has hit the stage in her life where Prayer Bear does everything that she does, including:
Time Outs
Long Car Rides
Parties
Tricycle Rides
Sharing Kissables
But tonight, Morgan climbed to all new heights for Prayer Bear. When we put her to bed, she threw Prayer Bear out of bed in her absolute indignation of getting put into bed. After asking her for and not getting an apology, I told Morgan, "Fine, Prayer Bear will sleep with mommy tonight". I scooped him into my arms, shut the door, and went up stairs - her tears and screams of anguish floating up after me.
After a few minutes, I realized that the screams were getting louder....and closer. And, then I realized - Morgan had scaled her crib for the first time to rescue Prayer Bear. You just don't screw around with true love.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
One Down
Yesterday was the 2nd time since the kids started daycare, that I picked them up for a reason other than they were sick. The only other time was their 1st first full day of preschool (June 5th). I'm hopeful that we can start a trend.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Daddy's Hat Trick
The kids seemed in fine shape this morning. I, totally WANTING to believe that this little bug might only last for 12 hours, packed them off and dropped them off at daycare. Within 30 minutes, the daycare had called and Tanner had thrown up. Since I had a meeting, Randy went to pick them up. As he scooped up Morgan in one arm and Tanner in the other – Morgan threw up on all three of them.
When they got home, Morgan threw up again in the car. Being the great Daddy he is, he picked her up and hugged her close. He glanced down at her car seat to realize it was full of the brown runny stuff – and then realized that the same brown runny stuff was also down his shirt and work pants.
That’s what I call a Daddy’s Hat Trick – Pissed On, Pooped On, and Puked On all within about an 18 hour span.
Needless to say, I’m now home with two sick kids. Daddy is showered, changed, and back at work. Just praying it doesn’t become two sick kids and one sick husband.
When they got home, Morgan threw up again in the car. Being the great Daddy he is, he picked her up and hugged her close. He glanced down at her car seat to realize it was full of the brown runny stuff – and then realized that the same brown runny stuff was also down his shirt and work pants.
That’s what I call a Daddy’s Hat Trick – Pissed On, Pooped On, and Puked On all within about an 18 hour span.
Needless to say, I’m now home with two sick kids. Daddy is showered, changed, and back at work. Just praying it doesn’t become two sick kids and one sick husband.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Question: What is 17?
Answer: How many hours will the twins be in daycare before one of them pick something up?
I got a call at 3:45 this afternoon - Morgan was throwing up, although she was acting fine. So, I went and picked them up (I usually go at 4:00, so it wasn't that early). We came home, and she seemed to act fine although a little lethargic.
We decided to give the kids a bath. I undress, get out the pajamas, lay out clothes for tomorrow, pick up, etc and daddy does the tub work. Shortly after putting Tanner down to "go to Daddy", he ran up to Daddy and promptly started peeing on him.
After bathtime, Morgan rocked with me for awhile, and then went to Daddy and wanted "up". As he held her there, I looked at her and thought "uh oh". As I got to them with a towel in hand, Morgan threw up all over Daddy.
So, Daddy had the unique opportunity to be pissed on and puked on in one night.
Now, my only question - what are the odds that The Boy won't catch this bug?
I got a call at 3:45 this afternoon - Morgan was throwing up, although she was acting fine. So, I went and picked them up (I usually go at 4:00, so it wasn't that early). We came home, and she seemed to act fine although a little lethargic.
We decided to give the kids a bath. I undress, get out the pajamas, lay out clothes for tomorrow, pick up, etc and daddy does the tub work. Shortly after putting Tanner down to "go to Daddy", he ran up to Daddy and promptly started peeing on him.
After bathtime, Morgan rocked with me for awhile, and then went to Daddy and wanted "up". As he held her there, I looked at her and thought "uh oh". As I got to them with a towel in hand, Morgan threw up all over Daddy.
So, Daddy had the unique opportunity to be pissed on and puked on in one night.
Now, my only question - what are the odds that The Boy won't catch this bug?
Monday, June 05, 2006
We Haven't Been Kicked Out Yet
Today was the first full day of daycare - and they didn't tell us that we couldn't come back! Hooray for small miracles.
Of course, I'm slightly concerned that they may have my kids confused with someone elses, because when I picked them up, I was told that they were "polite", "helpful", "listened", and "adjusting well". Surely they weren't talking about my two?
Friday was a hard day for us. Not only was Ashely our kid's third parent, she was our friend, too. I know the kids need the stimulation and structure of the daycare, but it hasn't made it any easier. We miss you, Ashley!
Of course, I'm slightly concerned that they may have my kids confused with someone elses, because when I picked them up, I was told that they were "polite", "helpful", "listened", and "adjusting well". Surely they weren't talking about my two?
Friday was a hard day for us. Not only was Ashely our kid's third parent, she was our friend, too. I know the kids need the stimulation and structure of the daycare, but it hasn't made it any easier. We miss you, Ashley!
The Next Simon?
Is she old enough to have that strong of an opinion?
I’ve commented before that I have a little song I’ve sang for the kids since early in their NICU days. I’m not a singer, and if my kids have any singing talent, well, it certainly didn’t come from my side of the family. However, the kids have always calmed down when I quietly sang to them…their screeches turning to small sobs and finally to quiet observance.
Until the other day…as I start singing to Morgan – she stuck her fingers in her ears and turned her head.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or be offended…
I’ve commented before that I have a little song I’ve sang for the kids since early in their NICU days. I’m not a singer, and if my kids have any singing talent, well, it certainly didn’t come from my side of the family. However, the kids have always calmed down when I quietly sang to them…their screeches turning to small sobs and finally to quiet observance.
Until the other day…as I start singing to Morgan – she stuck her fingers in her ears and turned her head.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or be offended…
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Changing of Guards
Today was the first partial day of Tanner & Morgan going to daycare.
What a radical change...to think that a little less than two years ago, Tanner and Morgan looked like this:
It was the first time that they had gotten to share a crib together, and just a few short days before Tanner was transferred to the University Hospital.
This is what they looked like this morning as they got ready to go into "school" for the first time.
I don't know whether to be proud or sad. A short two years, and look at how much they've grown. What will they look like when I put up the picture of the first day of kindgergarten?
So, the question of the day: how did they do at daycare? Disappointingly well...is that an acceptable answer? When we dropped them off this morning, Tanner originally stayed very close to Randy's legs. Eventually, he found the books and we pulled up a small chair for him to read. Randy disappeared, and a few short minutes later I slipped out the door. When I peaked in 10 minutes later, they were playing away.
When I returned around 10:30 to pick them up (we're doing partial days today & Friday), Morgan grinned and said "Hi Mommy" as she slid by me in a scooter and Tanner just grinned from across the playground. It took me 20 minutes to drag them off the playground and get them into the car.
The kids spent this afternoon with Ms. Ashley - and they'll have a few hours with her tomorrow, too. It seems weird that I won't be saying "see you Monday" to Ashley and little Ms. Riley. And, I can only imagine the "Ashley" and "Ry-wah?" questions that we'll be getting for the next few weeks.
Tanner & Morgan adore Riley. I truly think that they think she's a sibling. They love to play with her and give her kisses. Riley laughs at Tanner's dancing (well, really, we all laugh at his dancing) and Morgan dotes on her.
(No, we didn't intend on the kids dressing alike today - it just happened that they were dressed very similarly - so we couldn't help but snap a shot.)
It's a difficult transition for us. Not just from the prospective of having them in a daycare, but from the perspective of not having Ms. Ashley around. Ashley has become a member of our extended family and helped us through such rough times. It's impossible to express how truly grateful we are to her for being a part of these formative years of the kids lifes. She has helped mold these two beings into the little people that they are. Thank you, Ashley. Thank you for being a part of our lives and for helping shape these wonderful little people.
What a radical change...to think that a little less than two years ago, Tanner and Morgan looked like this:
It was the first time that they had gotten to share a crib together, and just a few short days before Tanner was transferred to the University Hospital.
This is what they looked like this morning as they got ready to go into "school" for the first time.
I don't know whether to be proud or sad. A short two years, and look at how much they've grown. What will they look like when I put up the picture of the first day of kindgergarten?
So, the question of the day: how did they do at daycare? Disappointingly well...is that an acceptable answer? When we dropped them off this morning, Tanner originally stayed very close to Randy's legs. Eventually, he found the books and we pulled up a small chair for him to read. Randy disappeared, and a few short minutes later I slipped out the door. When I peaked in 10 minutes later, they were playing away.
When I returned around 10:30 to pick them up (we're doing partial days today & Friday), Morgan grinned and said "Hi Mommy" as she slid by me in a scooter and Tanner just grinned from across the playground. It took me 20 minutes to drag them off the playground and get them into the car.
The kids spent this afternoon with Ms. Ashley - and they'll have a few hours with her tomorrow, too. It seems weird that I won't be saying "see you Monday" to Ashley and little Ms. Riley. And, I can only imagine the "Ashley" and "Ry-wah?" questions that we'll be getting for the next few weeks.
Tanner & Morgan adore Riley. I truly think that they think she's a sibling. They love to play with her and give her kisses. Riley laughs at Tanner's dancing (well, really, we all laugh at his dancing) and Morgan dotes on her.
(No, we didn't intend on the kids dressing alike today - it just happened that they were dressed very similarly - so we couldn't help but snap a shot.)
It's a difficult transition for us. Not just from the prospective of having them in a daycare, but from the perspective of not having Ms. Ashley around. Ashley has become a member of our extended family and helped us through such rough times. It's impossible to express how truly grateful we are to her for being a part of these formative years of the kids lifes. She has helped mold these two beings into the little people that they are. Thank you, Ashley. Thank you for being a part of our lives and for helping shape these wonderful little people.
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