Caution: 2 Year Old on Steroids

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...

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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…

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.

Summer Time

To me, summer has always been bookended by Memorial Day and Labor Day. Maybe that is because those roughly corresponded with the end and beginning of school - or maybe because they so closely reflected the gradual warming to the summer's searing temperatures. Either way...this weekend was the kick off to summer.

So, to welcome summer, we pulled out the pool from last year. You know, those little inflatable ones that are $8 from Wal-Mart. We packed it up with us to take to Iowa this weekend since the forecast was 90 F. HOT. So we went, prepared.

Today, the forecast was right on. Daddy got the pool out this morning and spent the better part of the morning figuring out how to patch the hole in the bottom of the pool. But, he was successful, and the kids got to spend about 45 minutes outside after nap playing in the pool.

For fun - here's a picture of the kids last year about this time, in the same pool.





And, this year....








We have a little game we usually play with Tanner were we tease him about eating his "yucky toes" - he then promptly sticks them in his mouth, and giggles madly. Here they both are participating in the fun:






Morgan then got the bright idea that she could jump in the pool - much likes she likes to jump on the sofa - by jumping up and then pulling her feet out from beneath her:






It didn't take Tanner long to figure out that he did not want to be a part of this game:










I think we may have to invest in a larger pool for the rest of the summer....or at least something with higher sides.

Dancing

Tonight, as always, we turned on the radio station while we were getting the kids' pajamas on and ready for bed. As daddy was pulling out pajamas and diapers, the kids started "dancing. But, not just their typical dancing where they stand stationary and "bob" to the music (true to their very caucasion roots) - they grabbed each others hands and began twirling in circles. I have to admit - it was pretty cute.

And, here are the pictures to prove it:






And, my favorite:

Not a Drop Left

Randy & I can be not the most attentive parents. I think it comes from all of those years as being DINKs (Double Income No Kids). We're used to doing something without the disruption that two two-year-olds brings.

On Sunday, after doing a big Target shopping trip, we returned home right around lunch time. The kids needed to eat lunch, and we had food that needed unloaded. So, we started the kids on the oh-so-healthy Kids Cuisine meal that consisted of Taco Chips, little burritos, and cheesy sauce to dip it in. I added some applesauce for some redeaming nutritional value.

Then we started unpacking. We were in the kitchen - right here...so we could hear, and we were loosly watching them while unpacking the bags. And, then I went to the table to check a little closer.

This is what I found....










And, I think he was quite proud of himself.

This is Morg-in

Morgan is cracking me up right now. She's really starting to put a lot of words together - and figuring out how to use them. Unfortunately, one of these words is "no", but we're trying to teach her the appropriate sound level to use that in (NO NO NO is not acceptable, but "no mommy" is).

Her latest thing is whenever she meets someone...or something...new, she introduces herself by pointing squarely at her chest, dropping her head just a little bit and saying "this is Morg-in". When she says her name, it isn't doesn't come out as "Mor-gan", it's more a tin-ny sound - "Morg-in".

And to me, it's just about the cutest thing ever.

A Beautiful Spring Afternoon

Yesterday afternoon, I left work 20 minutes early and went home to my kids. Now, I usually get off at 4 p.m. - so I was home by 3:45. Within about 20 seconds of walking in the door, Morgan had her shoes in hand, and was bringing them to me "outside?" she asked with a hopeful smile on her face.

How could I tell her no - even though I was tired and really just wanted to sit in the recliner and relax? So, I told her "you need some socks to put on your shoes", and my little girl tore off to her bedroom saying "I need some socks, I need some socks" (notice her use of pronouns!). Thirty seconds later she was back with socks. Thirty seconds after that, her brother had brought me his shoes and socks, too.

It was a beautiful, quiet May afternoon. Seventy degrees, sun shining overhead, a slight wind rustling the tree leaves, and birds singing and chirping. The peace interrupted only by the occasional barking dog.

And we swang. Well, "we" didn't - they swang while mommy pushed them. I got to see the looks of pure joy on their little faces with the gentle back and forth motion. A smile that lit up their eyes - sparkling with the joy of being two. I didn't grab the camera, I absorbed the moment into my mind.

After about twenty minutes of swinging, Tanner was done. He wandered around our posh play area and was soon asking me for "more". Finally, I coaxed him into showing me what "more" meant, since I couldn't figure it out on my own. He wanted the bubbles.

As soon as the bubbles were out, Morgan was all done. She wanted in on the action. For another forty minutes, I blew bubbles while my children "ohhhh", "ahhhh", and "weee" at the delightful soap bubbles. They would chase after the bubbles until the were out of reach - or reach for the bubbles and then flinch as the bubbles would go POOF in their face. Smiles slyly returning as they would yell "POP". I too took the time to marvel at the little bubbles - watching them join together occasionally, or seing a twin bubble go by. Oogling the way that you could see the tension in the bubble and the swirl in the surface.



Many times in the rush of they day, I forget to take the time out to enjoy the little moments. They will only be two for a year. I get to experience twice the fun, and the joy of twins, but I only get to experience that unfound joy and the marvel in a child's eye one time. Unlike parents of singletons, I don't get to experience with my first child - and then appreciate it again a few years later as they get older. I only get to do that one time - so I figure I need to make sure I soak it all in while I can.

You Must Be Mistaken

Oh my goodness, the pressure is on. And, why, oh why, is the pressure on!?!? Because, Lisa, Aiden's mom sent you over here to read something funny. Me, funny? No, I don't think so...I think it's my kids that are the funny ones.

Being the mom of twins has not been easy, and as I often point out to my husband, he better be glad we got two the first time, otherwise, I doubt that we'd be having a second. Maybe not, I don't think it would be this hard with one. For my evidence:

1. If we tell one child not to do something, the second one immediately decides that they, too, want to try the same thing. Like climbing on the sofa, smashing food in our fingers, throwing the toys, or eating the dirt.

2. Do you think either child will eat the same thing? No, of course not, they are TWO. I guess the only good thing about that is that Child #1 will usually eat what Child #2 will not, and vice versus. So, somewhere about 1/2 way through the meal, we do a plate swap (yes, for our transplant families out there, I know this is completely not hygenic - but these two share EVERYTHING already).

3. M-I-N-E. That is all two year olds really understand - they don't quite get the concept of sharing. Very difficult when you've operated under the philosophy of "just buy one, they can share it". I totally understand why some twin families have two of everything.


But, really, I do love being a twin mom - it's a novelty. Most people don't get to rock two kids to sleep, watch them play and interact so sweetly. Just last week, our neighbor, Sydney, came over to play. What I often dismiss as routine, Sydney's mom noticed right off - the way they play together. They were standing around the exersaucer, when Tanner hit the music button. They glanced at each other, and at the very same time, started dancing and spinning.

Most people don't get to see such an intense bond between two people - something that will hopefully last them their whole life. I attended a twin's club meeting last week - there were several sets of boy-girl twins there to my great excitement. And, they all said that their best friend was their twin. In fact, one girl twin had just moved back home because she was too far away from her twin brother. Thirty years old, talk every day...I don't have that relationship with my brothers, and I hope that my kids get to share that.

I often worry about whether or not Tanner's liver disease will affect their relationship. Do we give Tanner more attention / time because of his condition? Do we balance that for Morgan? Will she become the protector of her more "fragile" brother? Or will she resent the attention? I haven't quite figured out how to handle the healthy twin / sick twin phenomena. Undoubtedly, it will affect both of them.

Here are some of my favorite "twin" photos of my two....Lisa's favorite one is the double time out picture.

Enjoy!

Tanner & Morgan - being held together for the first time - Morgan reached out & grabbed Tanner's hand. May 2004



Tanner & Morgan after Tanner was home from the kasai. We would lay them side by side, but they'd always end up nose to nose. August 2004



Fighting over a toy on the floor - April 1, 2005



Hugs...September 2005



A DOUBLE Time Out - December 2005



Because it isn't all fun & games - January 2006



Morgan pinning a kiss on Tanner - Winter 2005/2006



Sharing books...March 2006