Jake's Breathing Treatments

We went to the pediatrician yesterday because Jake was coughing a lot. His nose has been running, but he went to the dr 2 weeks ago and was already on antibiotics, so I didn't rush to take him in.

Dr Nail said that his ears looked fine, but his lungs were a little raspy. He prescribed breathing treatments every 4-6 hours. This doesn't go over very well at all. We have a little nebulizer and have to add medicine to it and sit there and let him breath it in until it is gone (about 10-15 minutes). It is difficult enough to get a 16 month old to sit still for 10 minutes without having something up by his face!!

They did give us a little mask we could use, but that was a disaster when my mum and I tried it on Saturday, so Aaron and I have opted for the device without the mask. We go back to the Dr tomorrow to see how he is doing.

The unfortunate side to all of this is he is contagious. This really messes up our plans for Christmas. We were planning on spending Christmas Eve over at our brother-in-law and sister-in-laws house and then going to church. We will have to cancel that because cousin Troy is only 7 months old and we don't want to get him sick. We also won't get to see Great-Granny (Aaron's grandmother) because she also has a compromised immune system.

IN LOVING MEMORY....

September 23, 1998 - December 20, 2008

We lost our beloved Shadow to lymphoma. He went to meet his sister, Remington, at the Rainbow Bridge yesterday morning around 9:20. He had been fighting cancer for the last 5 weeks. Actually probably longer than that, but that was when he was diagnosed. He was 10 years old and lived a full life. This is a picture of him in his "younger days", taken after he had been to the park to play. We love you Sha Sha and we miss you terribly.

Ice In Texas!!

When we woke up this morning, the streets were covered with a sheet of ice. I don't do ice...and pretty much refuse to drive in it. Aaron took the day off work because traffic going to his office was horrible. We let it thaw a little and then he was nice enough to drive me to work. He actually stayed up there all day with me and do his work remotely. I found out something about my husband today that I never knew before now...he talks to himself while he is working. Talk about distracting. Although, he would probably say the same about me and my office staff. Every time he tried to make a phone call for work, he would have to leave the office since we were "too loud". Any way I was very thankful that he drove.

When we got home, Jake and Morgan enjoyed pasta with sauce. They make such a mess, but they both really love it.

Sleeping through the night is going a little better now. They are going down between 7:15 and 7:30 and not waking up until 4:30 - 5:30. I can't wait until we have 7 - 7. That would be great.

I have scheduled my tonsillectomy for December 26th (Boxing Day). This was the only time they could get me in before the end of the year, and since I have met my medical deduction for this year already, I wanted to go ahead and get it done. I guess that is one way to put an end to "holiday eating"!

How Does One Keep Her Daughter Busy While At Work???

With Baskin and Robbins ice cream and a jail of course!!!!!

Morgan and I were out today and I needed to go and do the kennel for work. I thought that she would probably be okay to go with me, and it just made more sense than taking her home since I was halfway to work. I knew that I had a pack and play at work, so all I needed was a little encouragement for her to stay happy while in there.

Guess what....vanilla ice cream does the trick. Well that and getting to see all the dogs. I wheeled the pack and play into the kennel, which she really loved. She watched me feed the dogs, do some laundry, and even give a dog a bath. She was so good.

Sailor Arrives!!!!

After much "counseling" on what type of dog would be a good fit for the Overby family, Ashley (and I...as the counselor) decided on a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are small dogs, but not tiny, around 15# full grown. They don't shed much and they like to play as much as they like to relax. This seemed like the perfect fit for them. Fortunately, I knew a good breeder in Coppell, where Ashley and I went to high school. I contacted Lila and she actually had a litter that was born in October and would be ready to go home now. So with a leap of faith, Ashley told me to go and pick her a puppy without her seeing it (since she lives in Tennessee). We chose a really cute black and tan with a little white on his nose and chest. He is super cute!

He was able to come home on Saturday and all three of them couldn't be more in love with another dog. I have a feeling Ashley is going to be spending a lot of time over the next few weeks telling Bailey and Reece to share "Sailor"

Good luck on having another "newborn"!!!!!

Ashley, Bailey, and Reece Come To Texas

Late Friday night Ashley made it to Texas. She came for a quick weekend trip to visit and pick up her new puppy "Sailor". Morgan and Jake enjoyed playing with Bailey and Reece. Jake idolized Reece. It was really cute to watch him look at Reece with such admiration!! Now if I can get Reece to only teach him all the good things he knows and none of the bad!

We enjoyed some Mexican food, visited with another friend from high school, Amr, and his wife and daughter, and got to play with the new puppy. I just wish the trip could have lasted longer.

Weekly Update

This week has been a crazy one, so it is all getting compiled into one post....

Tuesday both Jake and Morgan came home from "school" completely hoarse. They actually sounded hilarious when they were trying to cry. It reminded me of a dog that had been de-barked...they could still get the sound out, but it was at a fraction of the normal volume!!! They were both very congested and had runny noses so we decided to take them to the pediatrician the next day.

Wednesday Aaron stayed home from work since MJ (Morgan and Jake) were sick and I scheduled a pedi appt. Fortunately, their pediatrician's office is only about 10 minutes from where I work so I was able to meet them for the appt. Dr Nail said that they both had a minor upper respiratory infection and an older sinus infection and put them on antibiotics. Fortunately, it was Amoxicillin which is bubble gum flavor and both MJ like it. He also told us that as long as they weren't running a fever they were okay to go to daycare.

So off they go to school on Thursday and I end up at the Dr's office with a sore throat, thanks to "Helga" (the loving name I have given my grossly enlarged right tonsil). My Dr said that it didn't look infected, but due to sinuses and post nasal drip, it was red and angry and that my right ear was also very impressive. I finally have a referral to an ENT so that I can have my tonsils taken out. I go on Monday and I hope they schedule me up soon!!!!

Family Pictures Go Well

We had our annual, okay it is only the second year for us to do them, pictures taken with Natalie today. She is the photographer who took Morgan and Jake's newborn/family pictures last year. We were really happy with the finished product so we decided that we would like to have them taken at least once a year.

We met at the Dallas Arboretum today. The weather was overcast and it was a little chilly, but the rain held off and I think that we will end up with some really great pictures! As always, Morgan posed for the camera with her big "Morgan Smile" and Jake acted like we were torturing him by taking his picture!!! Really, it is not that we only take pictures of Morgan, she is just so happy to have her picture taken and Jake seems to hate it.

Here are a few I took with my phone at the end of the picture session. As soon as I get the finished cd I will post some of the professional ones.

Jake Has A Playdate With Camilla

Jake and Camilla (okay really Shelly and I) had a play date on Sunday. Camilla is 6 days older than Morgan and Jake. We went shopping at Chocolate Soup for a Christmas outfit for our family pictures today. They were having a great sale...everything was marked down 50% and then they were taking an additional 50% off all clothing, then finally to top it off, Shelly had a coupon for an additional 25% off!!! Talk about a bargain!!!

After our shopping escapades, we went back to Shelly's and got to play with some new toys. Camilla has a totally cool ball machine that blows balls into the air and Jake spent some time trying to catch them before they fell into the hole so they could be blown out again. That was so much fun until he stuck a little person down the hole (obviously too heavy to be blown out). He also enjoyed sitting on Camilla's new chair. I think it must be something about this age. Neither Morgan or Jake seem to be able to get enough of chairs.

Thanks again Shelly for letting me shop in your's and Camilla's closet so we didn't have to go and buy additional clothes and accessories for our pictures.

Morgan's Trip To Grammy's

Morgan got to go and spend the weekend with Grammy this past weekend while Aaron was hunting. The report was that she did very well and ate tons (maybe my cooking is bad????) She also was able to sleep through the night, well except for one bottle when Daisy (the doberman) go up to go outside. I am also told that she was not quite as quiet in church as Jake. Thanks again Grammy for watching her this weekend.

MOM's Holiday Party

MOM's = mothers of multiples

Aaron is hunting this weekend, so Morgan went to spend the weekend with Grammy (thanks Grammy!) and Jake stayed home with me. We went to the Plano Area Mothers of Multiples Holiday Party yesterday and had a great time. Jake got to have his picture taken with Santa, make some crafts, eat some cookies, and his favorite...play in the bounce house! He absolutely loved it. He spent well over 30 minutes in there just trying to figure out how to bounce and walk in the "castle". As other kids would come and go, we seemed like we were a fixture to it. When he would come out, he would walk around the back, look at the big pumps that kept it blown up and go back to the front and try to climb in. With all that bouncing you would think that he would have been tired and slept well....no such luck. We are really going to have to get serious about sleeping all the way through the night.

I know the video looks dark, but you can see him playing in the bounce house.

Morgan and the Potty

I am not sure if we are on our way to the start of potty training for Morgan, but we possibly had a step in the right direction...at least I think so. We have a Fisher Price potty that plays songs and praises when kids use it. They both have been playing on it for a while now, but yesterday morning Morgan actually lifted the lid and sat on the potty. When she was done she came over to me and had a poopy diaper. I know it could be a total coincidence, but I would like to think maybe she is getting ready to start the potty training journey!!

Morgan and Jake Play Hide and Seek

Totally cute! When I was getting ready to leave for work on Friday morning I could hear Morgan and Jake laughing up a storm in their bedroom. This could either make me smile or cringe! Normally time alone in their bedroom equals a nightlight on the floor, diapers on the floor, and most of the clothes in the baskets under the changing table on the floor. I was pleasantly surprised to find them playing hide and seek under Morgan's bed.

"Noooo"

Jake's first word..."Noooo". He says the normal mama and dada, but this is the first word that he uses at the right time every time. He is so funny because he will have a cookie (or some treat) and then hand it to the dog and say "Nooo" and then take it back. He will also say it before he removes the night light in their room. It's like he knows that he is not supposed to do it, but the urge is just to great (reminds me of a big yellow lab we have!)

Morgan is doing good. Recovered from her fall with only a scab on her lip. No real words for Morgan yet, but I am sure they are coming. She still loves sitting on chairs, any kind of chairs. As Aaron and I have been watching her on the web cam at school, we have caught her pulling another child out of a chair so she can sit on it on more than one occasion. I am waiting for the "your daughter is a bully, and she can't come back to school" phone call!!

Morgan Goes BOOM!

After dinner tonight Morgan took her first official "big fall" in the kitchen on the tile floor. She was tired and stumbling and she fell face forward. Aaron and I told her she was okay and he went to pick her up to comfort her. That's when we saw it. Blood everywhere!!!! It turns out she busted her upper lip pretty bad. We tried our best to clean it up (not so easy when you have a screaming 1 year old...make that 2 screaming one year olds - Jake had no clue why he was crying, but it didn't stop him) and put ice on it (which did nothing but upset her more!) Once she had calmed down, she seemed fine. She drank her whole bottle. I was a little worried that she wouldn't be able to suck on the bottle, but no problems. I am sure it will be swollen and sore tomorrow, but that is why Tylenol was invented!!

Cousin Troy

We finally connected with Aunt KK, Uncle Dan, and Troy today to watch the Steelers game. Uncle Dan has a new TV with an awesome picture, so we decided to watch the game and eat dinner over at their house. Unfortunately, we had to abort mission after being there for only about an hour b/c of cranky babies.

Troy is not yet crawling, so the house is not baby-proofed yet (although I am sure they now have an idea of what will need to be done since Jake and Morgan found everything they shouldn't). It was a challenge trying to watch the game and keep 2 lightning fast kiddos from trying to destroy Dan and Casey's house (sorry guys if we messed anything up). So we decided that we would try the dinner at another time and came home and watched the remainder of the game at home.

I can't believe how big Troy is. He weighs only 1 lb less than Jake, but is 9 months younger! He is a very compact little guy. He is starting to sit up on his own and loves to play with his toys. He also enjoyed the Baby Einstein Jumper.

Fashizle the Papizle

We have the only dog that speaks Eubonics (not sure if I spelled that correctly). This is what we tell Shadow when we are going to go for a walk. He is so smart! We now have a few more words that we have to add to our "can't say" list (Grandad, Argyle, Walk, Treat, Fashizle...)

Whenever we say "Fashizle" Shadow starts howling. Emma still won't howl. We can only get an annoying yap out of her.

We will continue to go on "Fashizles" as long as Shadow is able to. He does tire easily, so we are making the walks shorter now.

Our First Picture With Santa

In the middle of our "cranky" day from not sleeping last night, we decided to go and have our picture taken with Santa. This was a first since Morgan and Jake weren't really allowed to go to any public places last Christmas (b/c they were preemies and it was RSV season). Aaron had taken them to Bass Pro Shops last weekend when I was at work, and they have a Santa there each weekend. So we loaded everyone in the car and headed out. They both did really well (no tears at all) with Santa and we were able to get a couple of cute pictures.

CRAZY Mama

Last night was awful!!! But I think that it would have been an awful night if Jake was still in the Texas room. He didn't nap well during the day which makes for a very fussy baby at night. Go figure...you would think that the more tired they are the better they would sleep...NOT! Just the opposite. Plus, I think that we are working on our bottom molars and we have some allergies (drainage and diarrhea-yeah for me!) Morgan was also up a few times until midnight when she went to sleep in bed with Aaron. Jake and I spent most of the night awake in the recliner.

Any way, tonight is going better so far. They both went down without any problems, so lets see if they stay that way (at least for most of the night)

Morgan and Jake Together Again

Aaron and I decided to move Jake's crib back into the nursery today after about 6 months of being separated. The Texas room, where Jake's crib was prior to today, seems to get really cold at night and we have been putting a space heater on in there. I know that is not the safest thing, so back to the nursery he goes.

They have both been waking up at the same time to eat each night, between 2am and 4am, so I figured that they won't be waking each other up. Maybe they will even talk to each other and keep each other entertained rather than crying...One can always hope!

And there might have been a selfish reason in it as well. We get to reclaim the Texas room as the "Snoring Retreat".

So...the question is: Am I a genius or just plain crazy? Tune in tomorrow to see how the night went!

Morgan's First Time Out

Morgan got to experience her very first "time-out" today. The pediatrician said that this is the right time to start them (at a minute for each year of age). So after pushing Jake off "Freedom", their stuffed rocking pony, into the wall and not letting him get up, we decided now was as good a time as any. Poor Jake...he was on his back on the plastic rockers between the horse and the wall. There was no chance of him getting up! After a few (okay a lot of) tear, Jake survived with a small bruise on his back and Morgan with nothing more than a damaged ego when we turned our backs on her and walked away.

I am sure there are many more to come...

So Big!!

A few more pictures from Thanksgiving 2008!

Happy Turkey Day

We spent Thanksgiving Day 2008 with Grammy, Pap, and Great Granny (aka The Podlucky's) down at Lake Whitney. Morgan and Jake had a great time down there. We discovered that Jake (like mommy) loves turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing. We also discovered that Morgan (like daddy) doesn't really care for turkey. She feasted on cranberries and pickles (am I sure she is my child???)

Aaron stayed down there with the twins an extra night since I had to work Thursday evening. I got to enjoy a whole night of sleep without any interruptions. It was great! So great, that I didn't hear the alarm go off this morning for work. I woke up a minute after I normally leave the house, but fortunately there wasn't much traffic today.

More Turkey Day Pictures

15 Month Dr Visit

We went to see Dr Nail today for Morgan and Jake's 15 month check-up. Armed with my list of questions (I actually wrote them down this time), Aaron and I headed to the Dr's office with the twins. This was the first visit Aaron had gone to since they were 2 weeks old, and he had never witnessed them getting shots. They both got 4 shots each today.

I am really glad he was there to help because now they are walking they are into everything. Jake found the CPU for the computer that was in the room and was messing with the cords in the 2 seconds we weren't watching him. Morgan kept opening the cabinet where the trash was located. They both climbed on the foot stool in the room and rode it around like a car...one of them riding and one of them pushing.

Morgan weighed 21.2 lbs (25% for weight), 30 inches long (50% for height), and 18.5 inches for head circumference (90% for head size). She is growing proportionally and at the same rate she has been. So that got Morgan an A+ on her 15 month report card!

Jake weighed 18 lbs 15 oz (1% for weight), 29.5 inches (10-25% for height), and 18.3 inches for head circumference (50% for head size). While he is still on the very small size, Dr Nail is not concerned about his size since he is paralleling the curve well. As he has told me with each visit, "someone has to hang out on the bottom of the curve!" I guess after battling my weight my whole life, it will be nice for him not to have to worry about that. He also scored an A+ on his report card.

They are both developmentally where they should be for their age. Neither need to go back to the Dr unless they are sick until their 18 month appointment.

A House Divided

What is a person to do when you live in a house divided on football Sunday? I am a life long Dallas Cowboys fan while Aaron is a Steelers fan. So we do what any family would do...compromise. While Aaron always shows his support by wearing a Steelers shirt and I show my Cowboys spirit with my Dallas t-shirt, the twins get to support both. This week, Jake was modeling his new (well new to us) Cowboys outfit and Morgan was playing "Big Ben" in her Steelers jersey. We always get lots of questions when we are out along with the comments "Is that Daddy's girl and Mommy's boy"

Anyone Need A Kitchen Helper?

Morgan decided this weekend that the dishwasher was a fun place to hang out. I guess it won't be too long before we have to get those locks for your dishwasher, stove, fridge, etc... Now if I could only get her to load and unload it!