H was trying to help too (as was Pukka).
Finally.
11.07.2008
Halloween Part 2
Getting E in his costume was like trying to get an angry bowling ball through a button hole.
11.03.2008
Halloween - Part 1
Winnie and Tigger
E was ecstatic that he was walking from house to house. Would it be a problem if I dressed them in their costumes frequently? E was adorable. As was H, especially with his little tail.
They did great, loved every minute. Of course, mom and dad were the ones to enjoy the fruits of their labors.
More pics to come when I can get them from the aunts.
E was ecstatic that he was walking from house to house. Would it be a problem if I dressed them in their costumes frequently? E was adorable. As was H, especially with his little tail.
They did great, loved every minute. Of course, mom and dad were the ones to enjoy the fruits of their labors.
More pics to come when I can get them from the aunts.
The great pumpkin hunt - part 1
Our pumpkin hunt first began at the local farm market in Spring Green, where we discovered E loves pumpkins. Perhaps he'll be a farmer, like his Gpa once was.
Ear Tubes
At the beginning of October, the boys both had ear tubes placed in both ears. It was an extremely short procedure and both boys did very well. E was very cranky afterwards. H flirted with every woman that came by. He was even doing hi-5 with a woman who was with another family down the hall.
Dr. Livingston, I presume
Well, we're finally adding a few posts to the blog after nearly 2 months of neglect. For awhile we were lacking batteries for the camera and didn't really have any photos to add. Then, honestly, I sort of forgot about the blog. Then remembered. Then forgot again. And now finally remembered.
9.08.2008
Climb every mountain, or stair at least
H is getting so quick that if we're not careful (and yes, I admit, there's been a time, or two, okay three) that he'll be at the top of the stairs before we realize it. Now, if only we can get him to come back down again on his own, we'll be set (He instead prefers to try and go down either head first, which ends up in a sort of body surfing down the steps, or he tries to actually step down, but isn't quite tall enough and ends up with him in mid-air , me desperately trying to catch him, and limbs flailing everywhere, including a swift foot kick to the eye.)
E's many moods
Here's happy E, relaxing in the swing at the park:
Here's punk E, who lives by his own rules:
Here's "I wonder if she'll notice if I stick this in my mouth so she'll have to pry it out" E (and yes, I did notice, and yes, I did have to actually pry it out of his mouth):
And here's "why are you trying to feed me green vegetables, or anything other than Cheerios for that matter" E:
Is it September Already?
Where does the time go? The last I knew, it was early August.
You may wonder about the name change. It was brought about during dinner when I watched as E scattered his crackers everywhere. H looked and thought, 'Hey, that looks like fun' and proceeded to scatter his crackers everywhere. Then I tried to feed them some garden vegetables. E grabbed the spoon, started flinging it about, sending pureed veggies all over me, him and the kitchen cabinets. I turned my attentions to H, thinking I would feed him instead while E collected himself and played with the big glop of veggies on his high chair tray. Not to be outdone, H grabs the spoon sending even greater quanties of veggies over me, the high chair, the floor, and even E. And the two then looked at each other and laughed. Hysterically.
This doesn't bode well for my future, you realize.
You may wonder about the name change. It was brought about during dinner when I watched as E scattered his crackers everywhere. H looked and thought, 'Hey, that looks like fun' and proceeded to scatter his crackers everywhere. Then I tried to feed them some garden vegetables. E grabbed the spoon, started flinging it about, sending pureed veggies all over me, him and the kitchen cabinets. I turned my attentions to H, thinking I would feed him instead while E collected himself and played with the big glop of veggies on his high chair tray. Not to be outdone, H grabs the spoon sending even greater quanties of veggies over me, the high chair, the floor, and even E. And the two then looked at each other and laughed. Hysterically.
This doesn't bode well for my future, you realize.
8.06.2008
There's days I'm not sure I'm cut out to be the mom of twin boys. And then there's days I know I'm not.
During dinner, an otherwise fussy E discovered the funnest thing ever - spitting mouthfuls of applesauce at his brother. Meanwhile, H thought it was the funnest thing ever to be on the receiving end of said spitting. Naive mom thought surely, if I give him another bite he'll actually eat it. Only to wind up cleaning most of the full serving off of H.
Dinner was followed by a little playtime, which entailed H showing off his ever-more-stable walking ability by pushing the kitchen chairs around the floor. It was actually quite helpful when he pushed the highchair back into it's storage space. On the otherhand, it wasn't terribly helpful when he began pushing a chair and intentionally blocking E into a corner. Again and again.
And finally, off to bed. So, with Dad out of town for work, it was just us three. In their bedroom, I get E in his jammies and let him crawl on the floor as I turn my attentions to H. H decides that he'd like to continue demonstrating his abilities and stand on the changing table while I'm changing his diaper. Not content with just standing, he decides he wants to explore the top of the armoire while he's at it.
As he begins reaching into a position that will surely end with a face-plant on the floor I hear a loud thud behind me followed by E crying. I turn around to look and there E is trapped underneath a nightstand that he has somehow managed to pull over on top of himself. I grab H put him to the floor, a move which makes him quite unhappy, and pull the nightstand off of E. Amazingly enough, E rolls over, crawls a few feet away, grabs a book and sits against the side of the crib and literally looks like he's sitting to read the book. He even begins turning pages. His gaze, however, never leaves the nightstand which is on the receiving end of what can only be called a 15-month-old's best icy stare.
After multiple calls with the ER, we determine he's probably okay though need to wake him every few hours throughout the night to ensure that he can be roused.
By midnight Dad rolls in, I'm exhausted, he's exhausted and we still have several wakings ahead of us til morn. Ethan is amazingly cooperative as he decides to get up on his own multiple times throughout the night (the result of congestion from his cold).
Our doctor called us in the morning, having received the notes from the evening calls to the ER. She suggests we bring him in for a once-over just to make sure. And indeed, he survived what was, I'm sure, the first of many, many similar incidents.
How boys actually survive to adulthood, I'll never understand. How their mom's survive...God help me as I find that out.
During dinner, an otherwise fussy E discovered the funnest thing ever - spitting mouthfuls of applesauce at his brother. Meanwhile, H thought it was the funnest thing ever to be on the receiving end of said spitting. Naive mom thought surely, if I give him another bite he'll actually eat it. Only to wind up cleaning most of the full serving off of H.
Dinner was followed by a little playtime, which entailed H showing off his ever-more-stable walking ability by pushing the kitchen chairs around the floor. It was actually quite helpful when he pushed the highchair back into it's storage space. On the otherhand, it wasn't terribly helpful when he began pushing a chair and intentionally blocking E into a corner. Again and again.
And finally, off to bed. So, with Dad out of town for work, it was just us three. In their bedroom, I get E in his jammies and let him crawl on the floor as I turn my attentions to H. H decides that he'd like to continue demonstrating his abilities and stand on the changing table while I'm changing his diaper. Not content with just standing, he decides he wants to explore the top of the armoire while he's at it.
As he begins reaching into a position that will surely end with a face-plant on the floor I hear a loud thud behind me followed by E crying. I turn around to look and there E is trapped underneath a nightstand that he has somehow managed to pull over on top of himself. I grab H put him to the floor, a move which makes him quite unhappy, and pull the nightstand off of E. Amazingly enough, E rolls over, crawls a few feet away, grabs a book and sits against the side of the crib and literally looks like he's sitting to read the book. He even begins turning pages. His gaze, however, never leaves the nightstand which is on the receiving end of what can only be called a 15-month-old's best icy stare.
After multiple calls with the ER, we determine he's probably okay though need to wake him every few hours throughout the night to ensure that he can be roused.
By midnight Dad rolls in, I'm exhausted, he's exhausted and we still have several wakings ahead of us til morn. Ethan is amazingly cooperative as he decides to get up on his own multiple times throughout the night (the result of congestion from his cold).
Our doctor called us in the morning, having received the notes from the evening calls to the ER. She suggests we bring him in for a once-over just to make sure. And indeed, he survived what was, I'm sure, the first of many, many similar incidents.
How boys actually survive to adulthood, I'll never understand. How their mom's survive...God help me as I find that out.
8.03.2008
The cure for fussy babies
Anytime the fussies start, our sure-fire cure is to get a little perspective, usually an upside down one. But, when strapped in the stroller, we do what we can.
7.20.2008
At least I had my dignity
I admit. I haven't always handled this whole mother thing with grace. Little sleep, two very active babies, a demanding schedule. Admittedly, Todd probably was on the receiving end of more than a few snappy comments. But, at least I have my dignity. Or, should I say, had my dignity.
So one of H's favorite things lately is belly buttons. Heaven knows why but he takes great pleasure in lifting someone's shirt and sticking his finger in their belly button. E's, Todd's, Gma's, mine.
And so it was Saturday morning as we were relaxing on the floor. I was on my back and H crawled over, moved my shirt and started playing with my belly button. Then, he slapped his hand down on my belly and, well I'll be honest here, saw it jiggle. And then he started to giggle. Hysterically. So he hit my belly again and it jiggled, he giggled. Slap. Jiggle. Giggle. Slap. Jiggle. Giggle. And so it went.
I didn't know whether to laugh along, or cry. At least now I can say that those extra cookies I nibbled were ultimately serving a greater purpose -- endless hours of entertainment for H.
So one of H's favorite things lately is belly buttons. Heaven knows why but he takes great pleasure in lifting someone's shirt and sticking his finger in their belly button. E's, Todd's, Gma's, mine.
And so it was Saturday morning as we were relaxing on the floor. I was on my back and H crawled over, moved my shirt and started playing with my belly button. Then, he slapped his hand down on my belly and, well I'll be honest here, saw it jiggle. And then he started to giggle. Hysterically. So he hit my belly again and it jiggled, he giggled. Slap. Jiggle. Giggle. Slap. Jiggle. Giggle. And so it went.
I didn't know whether to laugh along, or cry. At least now I can say that those extra cookies I nibbled were ultimately serving a greater purpose -- endless hours of entertainment for H.
7.09.2008
Part of us, anyway
As we're posing for Gma, H suddenly decides to exact revenge for that bite lo' those many weeks ago. Apparently he had been saving it up...
Going for a walk with their cousin
It was the boys first time meeting their cousin during a visit to Gma and Gpa's. They seemed to enjoy each other's company.
6.19.2008
A recent visit from Great Granny
Prior to our chicken pox, Great Granny came for a visit with Grandpa and Grandma. Here H gets a few words of encouragement as he tries his walking car (he hasn't quite gotten the hang of it yet, but Grandpa was helping him try).
6.18.2008
A Pox in the House of B
One pox, two pox, three pox, four. There's so many, we count them by the score.
Oh yes, the pox. Thankfully, the boys are too young to realize that one of those nasty little shots they got several months ago was supposed to prevent this. Alas, it was a futile effort.
And naturally, it happens on a day that A) Dad is out of town for business; B) Grandma B has pneumonia (we hope she feels very better soon!); C) Grampa and Grandma are a flood covered interstate away. Which left mom to care for two very uncomfortable little boys alone. Two very uncomfortable boys who wanted their mommy at the very same time. I finally got them to sleep by sitting on the floor with one straddling one leg, the other straddling the other leg and then contorting such that both had their heads resting on one of my shoulders. And I somehow managed to even rock them in that position. Thank goodness I'm still a might flexible in my advancing years...
For those keeping score, in the last five months both boys have had:
1) RSV
2) Four ear infections each
3) Far too many upper respiratory illnesses to count
3) One hospitalization for E
4) Hand, Foot and Mouth Virus
5) Chicken pox
What's probably the most troubling is that we're quickly becoming the pariahs of daycare. Already there's been warning signs posted saying "your child may have been exposed to..." and now a second set of signs will be going up tomorrow. Perhaps we should start collecting the signs for their baby books. Never mind the fact that the boys literally only go to daycare and then come home. No restaurants and the occassional jaunt to the grocery store or Target is either in our own stroller or our backpacks. Leaving us absolutely boggled where they're picking this stuff up. But, somehow they are.
I know the first year is the hardest, but really, this is just getting silly.
Oh yes, the pox. Thankfully, the boys are too young to realize that one of those nasty little shots they got several months ago was supposed to prevent this. Alas, it was a futile effort.
And naturally, it happens on a day that A) Dad is out of town for business; B) Grandma B has pneumonia (we hope she feels very better soon!); C) Grampa and Grandma are a flood covered interstate away. Which left mom to care for two very uncomfortable little boys alone. Two very uncomfortable boys who wanted their mommy at the very same time. I finally got them to sleep by sitting on the floor with one straddling one leg, the other straddling the other leg and then contorting such that both had their heads resting on one of my shoulders. And I somehow managed to even rock them in that position. Thank goodness I'm still a might flexible in my advancing years...
For those keeping score, in the last five months both boys have had:
1) RSV
2) Four ear infections each
3) Far too many upper respiratory illnesses to count
3) One hospitalization for E
4) Hand, Foot and Mouth Virus
5) Chicken pox
What's probably the most troubling is that we're quickly becoming the pariahs of daycare. Already there's been warning signs posted saying "your child may have been exposed to..." and now a second set of signs will be going up tomorrow. Perhaps we should start collecting the signs for their baby books. Never mind the fact that the boys literally only go to daycare and then come home. No restaurants and the occassional jaunt to the grocery store or Target is either in our own stroller or our backpacks. Leaving us absolutely boggled where they're picking this stuff up. But, somehow they are.
I know the first year is the hardest, but really, this is just getting silly.
6.15.2008
6.05.2008
Just the beginning
When an incident happens involving your child and another child at a licensed daycare facility, they are legally not allowed to disclose any information related to the other child. For example, when your child bites another, all they can say is "your child was bitten by another."
So today when we arrived to pick up the boys, our provider said, "I'm afraid H was involved in an incident. He was bitten by another child." And there were quite the bite marks on his arm to show for it.
I started thinking to myself, "oh great, there's a biter in the group. No telling where this could lead..." when the teacher continued with, "and I'm afraid E was involved in an incident as well." My mind started racing, who is this little Hannibal Lecter taking chunks out of my children. When she finished "He bit another child in class."
Ahhh.
The incident report read, "H was playing with the piano when he was bit by another child who was also trying to play the piano. He received a bite mark on his left forearm, there are purple-colored teeth indents."
Ironically, on the daily activity sheet that says what each child did that day, E's read, "He enjoyed playing the piano today."
Apparently so.
So today when we arrived to pick up the boys, our provider said, "I'm afraid H was involved in an incident. He was bitten by another child." And there were quite the bite marks on his arm to show for it.
I started thinking to myself, "oh great, there's a biter in the group. No telling where this could lead..." when the teacher continued with, "and I'm afraid E was involved in an incident as well." My mind started racing, who is this little Hannibal Lecter taking chunks out of my children. When she finished "He bit another child in class."
Ahhh.
The incident report read, "H was playing with the piano when he was bit by another child who was also trying to play the piano. He received a bite mark on his left forearm, there are purple-colored teeth indents."
Ironically, on the daily activity sheet that says what each child did that day, E's read, "He enjoyed playing the piano today."
Apparently so.
A moment to savor
Tonight as we went about our evening routine of dishes and lunch packing, there came a voice across the baby monitor. Instead of the typical cries that summon us to their bedside, there was H saying, "Da da da da." Not just a babble mind you, but a very deliberate call to get our attention. When we didn't respond right away, mostly because we were dumbfounded, asking ourselves, "Is he really saying what we think?" He tried again, slightly louder this time. "Da da da." I went upstairs to find something had startled him awake and picked him up to soothe him. It was hard to put his little sleeping self back down knowing it won't be long before he's no longer my little baby.
5.18.2008
Ice cream really can solve all problems
So, Friday started out just fine and then daycare calls and says, "E's lips and fingernails have turned purple, his breathing is rapid and shallow and he's really sleepy. We may call 911 if he turns worse before you get here." Well, I'm sure I broke some laws in how fast I got there. We took him to the ER and after running some tests, they figured it was just his body's reaction to a severe double ear infection. We had been treating him for the ear infections, and just that morning he was chipper, chatty and close to his old self. We thought he was on the mend. We dropped him at daycare and an hour later is when it all happened. The docs decided to keep him over night for observation because of how severely he reacted, and to make sure it didn't get worse, so we stayed at the children's hospital. He definitely wasn't feeling well, even into the next day. But armed with serious antibiotics we headed home on our way to recovery.
Or so we thought...
Saturday night was a really rough night with H. He was super fussy and didn't sleep. We thought perhaps his ear infections that we had also been treating weren't responding to the antiobiotics. So, we planned to call the after-hours clinic first thing Sunday morning.
First thing Sunday morning arrives and even in our sleepless state, we notice that E is covered in a rash. It's literally head to toe. Our first thought was that he was having a reaction to the new antibiotic. So, we loaded E and H up and headed back into Madison. Once at the doctor, she took one look at E and said, "that's hand, foot and mouth." Come again?
It wasn't a reaction to the medicine (good news), bad news, it was a highly communicable illness that causes blister-like things all over the inside of the mouth, down the throat, all over the bottom and hands. Supposedly they don't itch but are very uncomfortable.
And the same was true for H, although his progression was a few hours behind his brother's. That's why he was so fussy, because his ears were actually on the mend.
So now, with two very uncomfortable little guys finally in bed and two very large sundaes in front of us, we try to figure out how to juggle the necessary days off this week (daycare apparently isn't fond of having children with communicable disesases hanging about and mouthing toys). But it's nothing a little hot fudge can't solve.
Or so we thought...
Saturday night was a really rough night with H. He was super fussy and didn't sleep. We thought perhaps his ear infections that we had also been treating weren't responding to the antiobiotics. So, we planned to call the after-hours clinic first thing Sunday morning.
First thing Sunday morning arrives and even in our sleepless state, we notice that E is covered in a rash. It's literally head to toe. Our first thought was that he was having a reaction to the new antibiotic. So, we loaded E and H up and headed back into Madison. Once at the doctor, she took one look at E and said, "that's hand, foot and mouth." Come again?
It wasn't a reaction to the medicine (good news), bad news, it was a highly communicable illness that causes blister-like things all over the inside of the mouth, down the throat, all over the bottom and hands. Supposedly they don't itch but are very uncomfortable.
And the same was true for H, although his progression was a few hours behind his brother's. That's why he was so fussy, because his ears were actually on the mend.
So now, with two very uncomfortable little guys finally in bed and two very large sundaes in front of us, we try to figure out how to juggle the necessary days off this week (daycare apparently isn't fond of having children with communicable disesases hanging about and mouthing toys). But it's nothing a little hot fudge can't solve.
5.15.2008
March for Babies
The four of us participated in this year's March for Babies. Thanks to everyone's generous support, our "team" contributed $405 to the March of Dimes. A total of 1,200 folks showed up at 8:00am on a Saturday morning.
We had the option of doing the shorter 3 mile route, or the full 7 miles. While we weren't sure the weather would hold out, we decided to go the whole way.
5.08.2008
4.20.2008
Their first birthday party
And what a party it was! We kept it simple for their number one and just had a quiet family get together at Aunt Michele and Ana's house. With wonderful food and incredible cake it was a great way to celebrate such a huge milestone. The slideshow below is just a few of the photos from the day.
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!!
In the day to day of life, with constant to-do's and little sleep, we sometimes forget just how far we've come.
As the boys celebrate their first birthday on April 21, we certainly will stop and give a huge and hearty thanks to anyone listening for having two, healthy and (usually) very happy little boys.
What an amazing journey it's been so far. And we couldn't have made it this far without the love and support of our friends and family. So a huge and hearty thanks to all of you too!!
As the boys celebrate their first birthday on April 21, we certainly will stop and give a huge and hearty thanks to anyone listening for having two, healthy and (usually) very happy little boys.
What an amazing journey it's been so far. And we couldn't have made it this far without the love and support of our friends and family. So a huge and hearty thanks to all of you too!!
4.13.2008
Infirmary of B
Just when we thought we'd get out of this winter alive. In the last two weeks another two illnesses struck the household which resulted in the boys' fourth ear infection of the winter and equal number of antibiotics, and:
But we have faith that this too shall pass and we'll soon be able to look at new parents and say with wisdom, "ah yes, that first year is always the hardest."
- Three times that I had to pick the boys up early from daycare due to illness (once was projectile vomiting, another was for a 102.9 temp, and the third was a combination of the two)
- five doctor's visits
- four days off work
- one whopper of a cough for Todd
But we have faith that this too shall pass and we'll soon be able to look at new parents and say with wisdom, "ah yes, that first year is always the hardest."
3.25.2008
I told you so
Or so I've been told. Prior to starting this blog, Todd asked, "Are you sure you want to? The time is going to come when you won't be able to keep it up." "Pshaw," I responded. How hard could it be? Well, given that my last post was January 31, apparently a heck-of-a lot harder than I thought.
The plague has swept through our house. Again and again. And again. The four of us have literally been sick since mid-January. Between illnesses and our commuting routine (who ever thought I'd not only get up regularly at 5:15am, but still function throughout the day), time has simply disappeared.
So, for anyone that might still think to check this, I'll try to keep a little more current with photos. Particularly as the boys seem like they're growing overnight (23lbs and 20lbs and not even a year yet).
The plague has swept through our house. Again and again. And again. The four of us have literally been sick since mid-January. Between illnesses and our commuting routine (who ever thought I'd not only get up regularly at 5:15am, but still function throughout the day), time has simply disappeared.
So, for anyone that might still think to check this, I'll try to keep a little more current with photos. Particularly as the boys seem like they're growing overnight (23lbs and 20lbs and not even a year yet).
1.31.2008
Never Say Never
So at first we said "Absolutely not, no large, hulking piece of plastic thing that occupies 2/3 of our living room". Then we saw the look on Ethan's face...
1.12.2008
The wisdom of the elders
H. has an enjoyable chat with Gpa and Great-Granny B (Bruns, that is). It was the first time he got to meet Great-Granny B and now that she's living closer, hopefully he'll get to see her a lot more often.
What'cha doin'?
Part of the joy of twins has been watching them "discover" each other. They can make each other laugh, calm each other down just by being near one another, and provide us with endless hours of entertainment.
Yes, I realize one day soon they will also entertain each other by flinging peas at each other at the dinner table, but I try not to think about that.
So a funny thing happened on the way...
I swear I left him in the family room playing on their playmat....
Frankly, I think he was as surprised to see me as I was to see him.
He's gotten quite good at perambulating simply by rolling over until he gets where he wants to go.
I'm not sure what it says about our children that instead of crawling, one just rolls over and over until he gets there while the other scoots everywhere on his back.
Frankly, I think he was as surprised to see me as I was to see him.
He's gotten quite good at perambulating simply by rolling over until he gets where he wants to go.
I'm not sure what it says about our children that instead of crawling, one just rolls over and over until he gets there while the other scoots everywhere on his back.
Who needs TV
Ethan has a little rainforest thingy-ma-bob that plays music (complete with rainstick noise to evoke feelings of South America apparently), a little monkey that swings back and forth, a fish that, well, bloobs air bubbles, and little poison dart frogs that sort of lean out from behind leaves. Needless-to-say, it provides endless hours of entertainment.
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