I have started a new Tuesday tradition with the boys. Every Tuesday I take one of them out for a "date" with mommy. I wasn't sure how this would go over for Caleb and Ethan. Caleb is so hard to read and I didn't think Ethan would understand, but I thought it was a great way to spend some alone time with each boy doing something fun!
I have had one date with each of the boys and I am so happy I started this. Each one needs a little something different to make it fun for him, but I think part of the fun for me will be finding new things to do together. Both Jacob and Caleb went to the splash pad with me. It is so interesting to me to see the differences between them. I had to beg Jacob to go get his feet wet. He was overwhelmed by the big kids and just too nervous to go out there alone. Mommy gladly jumped in to make it more fun! Caleb was the opposite. He ran right in and I had a hard time keeping track of where he was. Caleb was happy to be out doing something and because I wasn't trying to keep a location on three babies, he had more freedom than i usually give him. Jacob gave me a huge hug at the end of our date and told me "my love you, momma." Melted my heart!
Ethan was a little unlucky, on his date night it was raining, so no splash pad for him. We will just have to do that on another one of our dates. He enjoyed the one-on-one attention. He was able to walk and be a little more independent. We stopped by Target and I held his sweet little hand as we walked in. He was so excited to see the big red concrete balls in front of the store. He ran to the "ball" and pushed with all his strength, groaning and trying to make that ball roll! Absolutely adorable moment. We went to a play areas and played together and as he gets older we will only have more fun!
I didn't take many pictures while we were out because I wanted to give the boys my undivided attention.
I should mention that my dates nights are encouraged by my husband and I couldn't go if he wasn't willing to watch the other two while we go out. I have a good man!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
A Loss...
When Jonathan and I met we both had a cat. His kitty, Josey, was a little shy, but very accepting of me. My kitty, Kristy, loved Jonathan more than she loved me the first day she met him! The girls took a while to get accustomed to each other. They fought and hissed, but finally turned into best buds. They were the "beings" that kept us company while we were single. They are members of our family. Today we had to say goodbye to Josey. Our hearts are broken. It was very sudden and she was not old enough for us to be worried we would lose her anytime soon. It was hard for me, but I wasn't sure how Jonathan would handle her passing. He is a very strong man, but he has a big heart and is very capable and willing to show emotion. So, not only did my heart break in knowing that we lost a family member, but watching my husband's emotions was difficult too. Rest in peace sweet Josey girl! We will miss you!
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| Josey is the kitty in the front. Kristy is the black and white kitty and Hailey is our Maltese baby. |
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Catching Up!
Ok, it has been a very long time again, so let's hit the high points and move on so I can try to stay on top of this a little better:
Jacob - He has finished his first year of pre-school. His teachers brag about how both he and Caleb are the sweetest, cuddliest boys they have had in a long time. He is very polite and he is growing out of being a baby and into a little boy. Jacob will be evaluated soon for a few speech errors he has, but we know he will oversome those quickly. We had a date last Tuesday (July 2nd) and I had an amazing time with him. This picture is from our time at the splash pad on our date. When I put him back in the car at the end of our date he looked at me so sweet and said "I love you!" He has told me this many times, but never without me saying it first. He is our helper; he loves to help with laundry and taking care of the dog, he even likes to help me cook.
Caleb - My little free spirit! This kid has enough energy for 5 kids and he definitely keeps us on our toes. He also finished his first year of pre-school (with same cuddly nature as Jacob). Caleb has had a few issues with his ear and we think we are at the end of that battle. Caleb has speech delays, but he has been accepted to the PPCD (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities) for the coming school year. I think this will be a great program for him and I cannot wait to see how well he does in this kind of structured environment. Caleb's picture is from our date on Tuesday (July 9th). He was so excited running through all the water, I never could get a very good picture of him. By the end of our time there I was soaked, even though I had planned on staying mostly dry. Caleb is generous with his hugs and never meets a stranger.
Ethan - I think Ethan has stolen quite a few hearts! His big eyes and happy smile draw people right in! Ethan has had his palate closed, but he still has some small holes. I think those must be slowly closing because we are seeimg less and less food coming out of his nose. Maybe he is just learning how to keep it out of his nose. We have also had a hard time keeping Ethan on the growth chart for weight. He is just as skinny as he can be, but he pack away the food. At 19 months he finally hit the 20 pound mark! I believe he is just blessed with incredible metabolism, he will thank me for it later. He has a few teeth growing in the middle of his palate and these will eventually need to be pulled. For now there are no more surgeries scheduled for a while so we are just enjoying watching Ethan grow! Ethan's picture is from about a week ago. The boys all went outside with Miss Jessica to play and Ethan decided it should be pool time!
These three boys are special and wonderful, but each in a unique way. They have all got my heart and I am so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to raise them.
Jacob - He has finished his first year of pre-school. His teachers brag about how both he and Caleb are the sweetest, cuddliest boys they have had in a long time. He is very polite and he is growing out of being a baby and into a little boy. Jacob will be evaluated soon for a few speech errors he has, but we know he will oversome those quickly. We had a date last Tuesday (July 2nd) and I had an amazing time with him. This picture is from our time at the splash pad on our date. When I put him back in the car at the end of our date he looked at me so sweet and said "I love you!" He has told me this many times, but never without me saying it first. He is our helper; he loves to help with laundry and taking care of the dog, he even likes to help me cook.
Caleb - My little free spirit! This kid has enough energy for 5 kids and he definitely keeps us on our toes. He also finished his first year of pre-school (with same cuddly nature as Jacob). Caleb has had a few issues with his ear and we think we are at the end of that battle. Caleb has speech delays, but he has been accepted to the PPCD (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities) for the coming school year. I think this will be a great program for him and I cannot wait to see how well he does in this kind of structured environment. Caleb's picture is from our date on Tuesday (July 9th). He was so excited running through all the water, I never could get a very good picture of him. By the end of our time there I was soaked, even though I had planned on staying mostly dry. Caleb is generous with his hugs and never meets a stranger.
These three boys are special and wonderful, but each in a unique way. They have all got my heart and I am so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to raise them.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Ethan's First Surgery
Ok, I am definitely behind, but things are a little crazy around here.
Ethan's surgery to close his lip was on May 15th, 2012. The surgery went beautifully! I maintain that we have an excellent surgeon! They came and took Ethan from me around 7:30 that morning and we were able to go back to him around 11:30. We have a great anestheologist, who kept us very aware of the happenings in the OR.
Ethan's surgery to close his lip was on May 15th, 2012. The surgery went beautifully! I maintain that we have an excellent surgeon! They came and took Ethan from me around 7:30 that morning and we were able to go back to him around 11:30. We have a great anestheologist, who kept us very aware of the happenings in the OR.
Second Surgery is scheduled for October 16th, 2012. The results of that surgery will not be as dramatic on the outside, but will hopefully make a difference for Ethan and his eating. This baby has got to grow!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Just for Fun!
I feel like I only write about the crazy going on in our lives and while it is always crazy around here, sometimes it is fun crazy! I decided to just post a few pictures with comments about the fun we have been having recently too! Enjoy my handsome men!
The boys both enjoy running around in Jonathan's clothes. I laughed so hard this night, neither of the boys wanted to take the t-shirt off. These two adore their daddy!
Caleb's first cotton candy. Purchased against my better judgement by Jonathan. They loved it, but they were both NASTY by the time they were done! I believe the most fun for Caleb was smashing the goo between his fingers.
Jacob's fisrt trip to the dentist. He decided he did not need the dentist's help.
One of Caleb's favorite things to do is climb into furniture. This piece of furniture sits low to the ground so I was able to take a picture. Many times I have turned around for a moment and he has scaled the bookeshelf and is laying out in the middle of the shelf.
The boys both enjoy running around in Jonathan's clothes. I laughed so hard this night, neither of the boys wanted to take the t-shirt off. These two adore their daddy! 
Caleb's first cotton candy. Purchased against my better judgement by Jonathan. They loved it, but they were both NASTY by the time they were done! I believe the most fun for Caleb was smashing the goo between his fingers.
All three of my sweet boys in the bathtub. Ethan loves being with his big brothers. Jacob didn't really want him in the tub with them and fussed for a little bit, but he decided it was better to turn his back and enjoy the tub instead of crying about it.
Jacob's fisrt trip to the dentist. He decided he did not need the dentist's help.Thursday, May 3, 2012
Mixed Emotions
Ethan's surgery is scheduled for May 15, 2012.
Two weeks from Ethan's first surgery to close his lip and there is a list of emotions I am feeling:
Relieved: This is about knowing we have reached the first major step in Ethan's journey. I will focus on worrying about the next step a little later.
Scared: I am filled with fear for the pain my child will feel. I try not to focus on this much, but when he looks up at me with his big, beautiful, blue eyes, my heart breaks just a little bit thinking about what those eyes will tell me in two weeks. I am afraid I will not recognize Ethan. This surgery will change his appearance and I am in love with him the way he is now. I know I will love him just the same, but he will be different. I will miss his big wide smile!
Powerless: There are two ways I feel powerless in this process. I will want to take away Ethan's pain, and there is nothing I can do about that. I am not usually the kind of person that asks for drugs, but I hope there are some good drugs given to Ethan. The doctors we have chosen are incredible, but I will have no control over the outcome of the surgery, I cannot go to the OR with him. I am placing all my hopes for Ethan in their hands.
Nervous: One of the things most parents do not have to think about is how to feed their infant child. You give them a bottle, they suck the milk down and their baby is full and happy. Feeding Ethan has never been easy and I am very nervous that it will only get harder. We will meet with the feeding specialist the day before his surgery and she will tell us a few of the differences to expect, but this will not ease my mind and I know I will be nervous until he takes a good bottle.
Overwhelmed: This comes feeling comes from so many places, not just Ethan's surgery. Sometimes it feels like the "to-do" list gets bigger everyday. I know this is just part of being a mom!
Prepared: I have signed the forms, called the insurance company, arranged for family to be here to help, and taken notes and written my last minute questions out. These are the few things I can control.
Blessed: Admittedly, the other emotions are what I have been focusing on the most. However, I do know my family is blessed. God has taken care of me and my family and I know he will continue.
Two weeks from Ethan's first surgery to close his lip and there is a list of emotions I am feeling:
- Proud
- Relieved
- Scared
- Powerless
- Nervous
- Overwhelmed
- Prepared
- Blessed
Relieved: This is about knowing we have reached the first major step in Ethan's journey. I will focus on worrying about the next step a little later.
Scared: I am filled with fear for the pain my child will feel. I try not to focus on this much, but when he looks up at me with his big, beautiful, blue eyes, my heart breaks just a little bit thinking about what those eyes will tell me in two weeks. I am afraid I will not recognize Ethan. This surgery will change his appearance and I am in love with him the way he is now. I know I will love him just the same, but he will be different. I will miss his big wide smile!
Powerless: There are two ways I feel powerless in this process. I will want to take away Ethan's pain, and there is nothing I can do about that. I am not usually the kind of person that asks for drugs, but I hope there are some good drugs given to Ethan. The doctors we have chosen are incredible, but I will have no control over the outcome of the surgery, I cannot go to the OR with him. I am placing all my hopes for Ethan in their hands.
Nervous: One of the things most parents do not have to think about is how to feed their infant child. You give them a bottle, they suck the milk down and their baby is full and happy. Feeding Ethan has never been easy and I am very nervous that it will only get harder. We will meet with the feeding specialist the day before his surgery and she will tell us a few of the differences to expect, but this will not ease my mind and I know I will be nervous until he takes a good bottle.
Overwhelmed: This comes feeling comes from so many places, not just Ethan's surgery. Sometimes it feels like the "to-do" list gets bigger everyday. I know this is just part of being a mom!
Prepared: I have signed the forms, called the insurance company, arranged for family to be here to help, and taken notes and written my last minute questions out. These are the few things I can control.
Blessed: Admittedly, the other emotions are what I have been focusing on the most. However, I do know my family is blessed. God has taken care of me and my family and I know he will continue.
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| What the tape has done to my poor baby's face |
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Heidi's Crazy 48 Hours
Monday, March 5, 2012: The day started out like any other day. Jonathan and I went to work and the boys were well taken care of by Miss Jessica (our incredible nanny). That night's routine went like every other night; the boys brushed their teeth and I changed their diapers, then we rocked and sang a few songs before I put them in bed. Sometime during rocking the boys I started feeling a little sick and by 9 pm I thought I was going to die. My stomach hurt and I knew I was going to be sick. This had happened a few other times since Ethan had been born and I thought my stomach was more sensitive to different foods since his birth. After getting sick, the pain did not go away, it just worsened! Jonathan asked if I wanted him to drive me to the ER, but there was no way I was waking up my babies for that, so I took myself a little after 11:00 pm.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012: Sometime around 1:15 am, and after scaring everyone in the waiting room with my small moans in the corner of the ER, I finally was given some good pain medication and I found relief about 1:45 am! They did an ultrasound because they believed it was my gallbladder. After blood work and the ultrasound the diagnosis was confirmed, my gallbladder was the source of the pain. At this point I was told I would need surgery and I could not be released. I was also told I would see a surgeon in the morning to discuss the diagnosis and treatment. At this point I really did not understand why I could not go home, I felt better after the pain meds and I thought I could arrange to have the surgery done at a later time. Sometime around 5:00 am they finally moved me from the ER to a room (if you can call it that!). This "room" was extremely small and did not have a window or a bathroom. I was frustrated, hungry, tired and a little lonely, but I took comfort in thinking I would soon meet the surgeon and have this issue resolved so I could go home! My dad came to the hospital and stayed with me until late afternoon and I was glad to have the company. This was an incredibly busy week for Jonathan at work and was not a time he could take off (I think this ordeal might have been harder on him than me!). Finally, I gave in and started begging for ANYTHING the nurses would let me have to eat since it had been about 18 hours since I had even had a sip of water! They reached the surgeon and I was allowed to have clear liquids. Let me just say, chicken broth was not really a satisfying meal! It was 9:00 pm before the surgeon came in and I finally had answers to what was happening. I had gallstones, one of them was large enough to obstruct the bile duct and my gallbladder was now infected. I could not leave because they wanted to keep me on an antibiotic drip, this procedure could not wait a few weeks because I would not be able to eat until the gallbladder was removed. The surgeon told me I was in the middle of the scheduled surgeries for the next day and I should have my surgery about noon. From now until the surgery I tried to just sleep as much as possible, my head hurt from not eating and my blood pressure was acting up (I think it is the white coats that do it to me).
Wednesday, March 7, 2012: The day started with the nurses telling me my surgery was scheduled for 3 pm. I didn't think I could make it to 3 without eating and I was feeling just fine at this point! Luckily, it was about 1:15 when they came to get me for my surgery. The surgery went well, but I was very sore immediately after. As soon as I could I started walking up and down the hall and preparing myself to go home that night. I wanted to be in my bed and poor Jonathan wanted me home too! (his words: "I feel guilty if I am at home with the boys because I should be taking care of you and I feel guilty if I am here because I should be taking care of the boys.") They had started another round of antibiotics around 6:30 pm and it was going to take 4 hours to administer the IV, so we both agreed that when the IV was done we wanted to go home. The nurses thought I should stay, but I was feeling better with each hour that passed and they weren't giving me any pain medication anyway. The nurse tried to tell us that we could not be released since there was not a doctor there to release me, but Jonathan basically told her to find one. We left the hospital a little before 11:00 pm and pulled into the drive exactly 48 hours after I had driven myself to the hospital.
It is Sunday now and I feel pretty good. The three small incisions on my abdomen are a little sore and I cannot think about the cut in my bellybutton without getting nauseous, but that is just because I am weird. There are no stitches and with the exception of the boys pushing on my stomach, I have no real pain. I should also add here that during all of this my mother and Jennifer, Jonathan's sister, and Jessica were very helpful and made sure my boys were covered when Jonathan was with me at the hospital. We are very lucky to have such wonderful support.
I am so thankful that is over! Now, if we could have a few weeks of calm, that would be just perfect!!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012: Sometime around 1:15 am, and after scaring everyone in the waiting room with my small moans in the corner of the ER, I finally was given some good pain medication and I found relief about 1:45 am! They did an ultrasound because they believed it was my gallbladder. After blood work and the ultrasound the diagnosis was confirmed, my gallbladder was the source of the pain. At this point I was told I would need surgery and I could not be released. I was also told I would see a surgeon in the morning to discuss the diagnosis and treatment. At this point I really did not understand why I could not go home, I felt better after the pain meds and I thought I could arrange to have the surgery done at a later time. Sometime around 5:00 am they finally moved me from the ER to a room (if you can call it that!). This "room" was extremely small and did not have a window or a bathroom. I was frustrated, hungry, tired and a little lonely, but I took comfort in thinking I would soon meet the surgeon and have this issue resolved so I could go home! My dad came to the hospital and stayed with me until late afternoon and I was glad to have the company. This was an incredibly busy week for Jonathan at work and was not a time he could take off (I think this ordeal might have been harder on him than me!). Finally, I gave in and started begging for ANYTHING the nurses would let me have to eat since it had been about 18 hours since I had even had a sip of water! They reached the surgeon and I was allowed to have clear liquids. Let me just say, chicken broth was not really a satisfying meal! It was 9:00 pm before the surgeon came in and I finally had answers to what was happening. I had gallstones, one of them was large enough to obstruct the bile duct and my gallbladder was now infected. I could not leave because they wanted to keep me on an antibiotic drip, this procedure could not wait a few weeks because I would not be able to eat until the gallbladder was removed. The surgeon told me I was in the middle of the scheduled surgeries for the next day and I should have my surgery about noon. From now until the surgery I tried to just sleep as much as possible, my head hurt from not eating and my blood pressure was acting up (I think it is the white coats that do it to me).
Wednesday, March 7, 2012: The day started with the nurses telling me my surgery was scheduled for 3 pm. I didn't think I could make it to 3 without eating and I was feeling just fine at this point! Luckily, it was about 1:15 when they came to get me for my surgery. The surgery went well, but I was very sore immediately after. As soon as I could I started walking up and down the hall and preparing myself to go home that night. I wanted to be in my bed and poor Jonathan wanted me home too! (his words: "I feel guilty if I am at home with the boys because I should be taking care of you and I feel guilty if I am here because I should be taking care of the boys.") They had started another round of antibiotics around 6:30 pm and it was going to take 4 hours to administer the IV, so we both agreed that when the IV was done we wanted to go home. The nurses thought I should stay, but I was feeling better with each hour that passed and they weren't giving me any pain medication anyway. The nurse tried to tell us that we could not be released since there was not a doctor there to release me, but Jonathan basically told her to find one. We left the hospital a little before 11:00 pm and pulled into the drive exactly 48 hours after I had driven myself to the hospital.
It is Sunday now and I feel pretty good. The three small incisions on my abdomen are a little sore and I cannot think about the cut in my bellybutton without getting nauseous, but that is just because I am weird. There are no stitches and with the exception of the boys pushing on my stomach, I have no real pain. I should also add here that during all of this my mother and Jennifer, Jonathan's sister, and Jessica were very helpful and made sure my boys were covered when Jonathan was with me at the hospital. We are very lucky to have such wonderful support.
I am so thankful that is over! Now, if we could have a few weeks of calm, that would be just perfect!!
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