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!

Cranky Babies

Well Morgan and Jake finished their first week of "school" today. It actually went better than I thought it would. They seemed to really like it each day. I am sure that they have made a lot of new friends in their class.

They have been a little cranky each morning after waking up, but they seem to get over it really quickly. Ms Kinisz also said that Jake was a little whiny today. When I logged on this afternoon to check on them, she was carrying him around. I guess he can sucker her just like he does me!

They are learning to use sippy cups during the day, so I think that they are hungry at night (which is why we are getting up at least once a night to eat). I am sure it is just a phase and they will get adjusted soon.

They are also exhausted when they get home. They were used to having 2-3 naps each day and are only getting one a day now. Plus they have a very full schedule at school.

We did get a really cute "hand-print" turkey finger painting. I have them on the fridge to show them off!!! I am such a mom!!!!!

A Big Thanks

I just wanted to say a big thanks to Aaron for really helping out this week since I have been back at work. Not that Aaron doesn't always help out, he has just really been helping with the kids and the house this week. He has gotten up each night with me when Morgan and Jake have woken up and needed to eat. He has also dropped them off and picked them up at school most days. Since he gets home earlier than I do, he has had dinner started (or ready) each night. I know I don't say it enough, but I really appreciate all you do Aaron and I love you!!!

Morgan and Jake Start School

As many of you know, Morgan and Jake started full time daycare ("school") this week. We selected a daycare that is right by our house. This is a big plus because Aaron can drop them off and pick them up each day. Since he works 5 days a week and I work 4, his days are almost always shorter than mine. I can also drop them off on my day off if I need to go to a Dr appointment or something that is not "twin friendly".

There are 9 other children in their classroom right now, but a couple are about to move up to the 18 month class room. Their teachers, Ms Kinisz and Ms G are very nice. Both Morgan and Jake seem to be adjusting well. I wish I could say mommy has had as easy of a transition, but I am sure I will get there!

At school they get to work on arts and crafts and sing songs. They also have time outside on the playground twice a day, which I am told that they both love. They get a morning and afternoon snack plus lunch each day.

More Pictures From School

Workin' Mommy

As many of ya'll know, I decided to go back to work full time. I started this week and have almost a whole week under my belt now!!! I went back to manage the veterinary clinic where I have worked for the past 5 1/2 years. I am doing the job I did in my former life (pre-Morgan and Jake)! I am really enjoying it, you know...getting to use my brain for something other than "heads, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes" and getting to have adult conversations. I do really miss Morgan and Jake during the day, but I think I am a better mommy when I am with them. We have lots of fun when I get home before they go to bed.

Now I Know Why Everything Was Blurry

I went to the eye doctor on Monday because I wasn't able to read street signs when I was driving until I was right on them (or at least that is how it felt). As it turns out, I have 2x the astigmatism in my right eye and 3x in my left. This is crazy! At some point I thought your eyes were supposed to stop changing...or at least change to near-sightedness. Dr Black had to change me from my soft contact lenses into a toric lense. This is a big adjustment for me since i can't sleep in these (I did in my disposable soft lenses). I guess I just need to add something else to our busy morning routine!

Shadow Update

We received some very sad news Thursday on Shadow. For those who haven't been following his story recently...Shadow is our 10 year old rottie. He has been with me (and us) through basically all major events in my life. He is my first child and knows it.



About 6 weeks ago, I took him to work with me because he was losing weight (a lot of weight). I ran some blood work and took some x-rays and discovered that his liver enzymes were elevated (his liver was not working right) and that he had 2 masses in his abdomen. We proceeded with an ultrasound to see what organs, if any, the masses were associated with. On ultrasound, they appeared to be associated with his spleen. We removed his spleen, took a liver biopsy, and removed what turned out to be a necrotic lipoma later that day.



He went to the emergency clinic overnight for monitoring. The Dr there (Dr Donothan...you are awesome!) had to do another surgery on him to stop some bleeding during the night. He came home the next day and started his recovery. I have repeated blood work a few time since then and his liver enzymes are coming back down closer to normal range.



This past weekend is when I felt the lymph nodes under his chin. They were enlarged. I took him to work with me and had Dr Grand look at him. She did a needle aspirate of his lymph nodes and discovered that he had lymphoma. Or at least she is 99.9% sure he does. The only way to know for sure is to remove a lymph node and send it in for biopsy.



She feels that this is an a typical lymphoma because of the way it came up and the fact that it is a disease that normally affects younger dogs. She doesn't think that he will respond to chemo, so we are not going to pursue that option or to biopsy a lymph node since it will not change our course of treatment.



We opted to keep him comfortable for as long as we can (with the average time being 6 weeks from diagnosis) and to enjoy the time we have left with him. We will be taking many trips to the park, going for long walks, and taking some trips to Argyle (where my mom and dad live) and Lake Whitney (where Aaron's parents live). These are all of his favorite things.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

A Sad Day

This past Thursday was Morgan and Jake's last day at WCA (where they attend their mother's day out program). After deciding to go back to work full time, and Jess (our baby-sitter) finding a full time job with benefits, we have decided to put Morgan and Jake in full time day care. This has been a bitter-sweet decision for me. They (and I) love their class and time at WCA. They have adjusted so well to "school". I know that slot of the thanks on the adjustment goes to their teachers there, Ms Dee Dee and Ms Suzi. Thanks guys you are GREAT! Here are some pictures from their last day. Enjoy!

Ebay Anyone?

"Matching Pair...For Sale Cheap!" My nerves were frazzled today and the thought crossed my mind about putting Morgan and Jake on Ebay!!! Just Kidding, but it was an afternoon.



After picking the twins up from their Mother's Day Out class, I decided that I was going to return a video that I had rented from Blockbuster. While in the parking lot, a lady hit me while she was going around the corner. Neither of us were going over 2 mph so there is not much damage, but there is a dent in the driver's side of my car and the paint is cracked. She didn't even know that she had hit me. She just said that she was looking a Pizza Inn and thinking about getting something to eat! Fortunately she does have insurance.



After we got home, Morgan and Jake decided that I was out of practice with them both crying at the same time (since Jake had been away for 4 days). Let me tell you, I am back in practice now. They spent the better part of 3 hours crying. Not hysterical, but more than a whine. We tried everything (bottle, food, cheerios, nap...), but nothing worked. I feel so bad for them because they are desperately trying to communicate with me and I have no clue on what they want. Fortunately, I had my Mother's of Multiples meeting tonight, so as soon as Aaron got home, I left and had a few hours out of the house.



I feel much better after my meeting and know that we will make it through all our hard times. I know that I am blessed to have two healthy babies, and I shouldn't take it for granted. They really are a gift (just not so much when you only have one frazzled nerve left!)

Jake's Weekend At Grammy's **New Pictures**

Jake enjoyed his weekend down at Lake Whitney with Aaron's mom. They went on walks, blew bubbles on the porch, played with Hank and Daisy (the dogs), and enjoyed the outdoors. Jake also got to visit Grammy and Pap's new church on Sunday. He was completely over the stomach "bug" and Grammy reported that he ate well. As soon as I have pictures from the little vacation, I will be sure to post them.



**Thankyou so much Sue for watching him this weekend. I don't think that I could have watched both of them by myself while being sick. It was a real life saver. Thanks again**

Pump It Up Jr.

Morgan got to go to Pump It Up Jr. today with the Wylie Mom's group. We had so much fun. I wasn't sure what to expect since we have never done anything like this before. There were 3 large inflatable bounce houses with obstacles and slides. I got to figure out just how out of shape I was when I had to climb to the top of the big slide to go down with Morgan. I can't wait until December when the group has the location rented again so that Jake can try it out. I think that he will have even more fun because he is more steady on his feet than Morgan. I think that this will be a good place to have their second birthday!

More Pictures From Pump It Up

Pump It Up Junior

Morgan got to go to Pump It Up Jr today with the Wylie mom's group. We had never been there before and didn't know what to expect. There were 3 large inflated bounce houses with slides and obstacles. She had a blast and even went down the big slide with mommy! I think that this would be a great place for Morgan and Jake's second birthday party (they even have a party room!) I can't wait until December when the moms group has it reserved again so that Jake can try it out. I think he would have even more fun than she did since he is more steady on his feet.

More Pictures

Morgan and Mommy Weekend

Life was better today, and Morgan and I got to spend some quality time together (this was the plan for the weekend...only temporarily put on hold due to the "illness"). We went to the Dallas Arboretum with a friend of mine, Dagmar. It was so relaxing just to get out and walk in the fresh air. I am really glad that I got the season pass there. After strolling around, we got Morgan out of her stroller and let her play in the grass, but she was more interested in playing with the stroller.

What Goes Around, Comes Around!

Well Jake was better by Friday morning so the plan was still on for him to go and spend the weekend at Grammy's (Aaron's mom) so that Aaron could go hunting. I left work early because I wasn't feeling well and got sick once I got home. Fortunately, our nanny Jess was with Morgan and told me she could stay until 7, so that I could lay down for a few hours. That lasted about 20 minutes until Morgan started vomiting. So here we are again, only Mommy is vomiting now as well. Poor Jess got puked on and decided that a vomiting child was the best kind of birth control available. Morgan and I proceeded to spend the next 3-4 hours with one of us vomiting every 15 minutes. She got over it quicker than I did (thank goodness), because I was up every 30 minutes until 4:30 am being sick.



Saturday morning comes around and I feel like I have the worse hang over of my life. Not sure if it was recovery from being sick, or being up all night long. Morgan was a real trooper though and took some long naps so that I could sleep, which with one baby you can do. I now understand the statement "just take a nap when the baby takes a nap".



This little "bug" seems to be super contagious because Jess got sick Saturday afternoon. The only good thing is that it only lasts 24 - 36 hours and then you feel almost 100% again!

These Shoes Were Made For Walking...

Well Morgan got her first pair of hard soled shoes today. They are Clarks (from England) and she is a pro in them. She is very proud of herself as she is able to walk around the house by herself. She is constantly checking to see if we are watching!

Once Again...I Have Been Nominated For Mother Of The Year

Well not really, but whenever I do something that is dumb (for the lack of a better word), I always wonder why we don't have to take a test in order to become parents.

Overnight, Jake had vomited a few times, which I didn't find until this morning (I was finally being strong last night and letting him cry it out when he woke up around 2 a.m.) While I was a little unsettled that he had vomited, I thought everything was probably okay. He was smiling and laughing and he wasn't running a fever, so in all my BRILLIANCE, I gave him a bottle (like I do every morning at 5:30).

Well, come to find out, you DO NOT feed a vomiting baby. That is unless you want to see all the formula again...all over you, the baby, the couch, and the floor! Are you picturing this...me, still groggy from just waking up, covered in vomit holding Jake (who is also covered in vomit), Aaron getting paper towel to clean up the vomit while at the same time keeping Morgan and the dogs from getting in the vomit. I am sure we were quite the sight!

Now with Jake stripped down to his diaper, Aaron went to take his dirty clothes to the hamper in Morgan's room. Unaware that the metal baby gate was not closed, Aaron tried to step over it and it flew open sending Jake sailing when the gate hit him in the head. Which led to more crying and of course more vomiting!!!

Needless to say, Jake stayed home from school today and hung out with mommy. Much to my shock, Morgan and Jake had no problems being separated while she was at school. We have had a few more episodes of vomiting, but have been able to keep down 1/4 banana and about an ounce of pedialyte. He is going to be starving when he can eat again. POOR JAKE!

We have a walker!! (or two) **New Video Coverage**

Well it is official. Morgan finally decided to start walking today. She has been practicing for about 2 weeks, gradually increasing from 1-2 steps, but never getting past 2-3...until today. Jake on the other hand has been walking for a few weeks now and is so proud of himself that he is faster than his sister. Life as I know it is officially over.

Bath Time

We have started getting in a routine of having a bath before we wind down for the night. Both Morgan and Jake really enjoy the bath. There is so much splashing that I am not sure if more water ends up in or out of the tub!