Could it get any worse?? Of course it could!

Ok, all the kids have been sick for a couple weeks now. Last week I took Barrett in and he had Bronchitis. I thought all the other kids just had bad colds that were taking a while to get over. No...I was wrong. We now have pink eye in our house. Soren is wheezing really bad (bronchitis) and Tristan has a bad ear infection. Eliana complains of ear aches at night but then is perfect at day. I might be taking her in just to be sure. I think God knows I am a little stressed because I felt myself get sick a few nights ago with coughing and achiness that only lasted 3 hours than it was gone. I truly hope this sickness stays clear of me so I can take care of all the little ones. Thank goodness I have a housekeeper coming on Monday to clean. I just don't think I can get everything done before Chris comes home. I guess he would understand. Even when he is home things are never perfect. I am sure he will just be glad to be home. I hope I can get all this sickness out of the house before then. Well, I am off to bathe all the kids and put them to bed. Love to all!

Biter

So Barrett is my Biter boy. He bits shoulders, knees, fingers, backs and legs. Soren has suffered many battle wounds and they mostly happen just after bath with they are exposed. I would separate them after bath but that is their favorite play time. I dry one baby off and throw him in the crib then I quickly get the other baby and throw him in the crib. As soon as they are united they get HUGE grins and start wrestling and hugging (and biting). Well, last night Barrett totally made me crack up laughing. He was standing there jumping and saw his luscious arm that looked SO tasty. He leaned his head over and took at nice chomp on his arm and then followed a terrible cry. It would be nice to think he learned a lesson by biting himself but I still don't think he gets it.

Chris is coming home!!

Today I was counting the days till Chris comes home and it has totally snuck up on me. One WEEK! Yes, just one week. I truly hope we can get all this sickness out of the house before he gets home. I have a jam packed week with appointments and projects so I am sure the time will fly. We can't wait to have Daddy back home with us!!

Albuterol blues

It is a love/hate relationship we have with Albuterol. It helps with the wheezing and chest congestion but it gives the jitters. Little Barrett was up till 10pm last night with only a 1 hour nap in the day. Needless to say it was a long day.

All my 4 children are sick with this nasty cough. Barrett isn't getting better yet and Soren's cough is getting worse. I am really hoping Soren can kick this on his own and doesn't spike a fever. Keep us in your prayers.

Dang DOGS and new bus driver!!!

On Monday I got a notice from Eliana's bus driver that the route would be changing a little bit. Her pick up time in the morning is about 10 mins earlier but the afternoon drop off is the same. These changes where to take effect today (fri). I get her off fine but I realize that it is also a new driver. So this afternoon I was getting Barrett, Tristan and his friend Lilly ready to walk to the bus stop. I have Barrett buckled in the stroller and the kids let the dogs out!! I got Diesel in no problem but Bella is a pain in the ____! I still had a few minutes till the bus was to come so I wasn't stressing too bad until I am standing on my front lawn holding Bella by her collar and I hear the bus stop at the end of the long culdesac EARLY. I drag the dog into the neighbors front yard to where the bus driver and Eli could see me and I wave her down. But she wasn't getting off the bus. I keep waving and...nothing. After 4 cars are waiting behind the bus I decide I am going to have to drag this dog by the collar and run down to the bus stop. The new driver chewed me out thinking I expected my daughter to walk herself home and that was against the rules. I had to be at the bus stop. I looked at her a little crazy and said can you not see this dog I am holding by the collar?! You could see me clear as day and you wouldn't just send her to me 4 houses down? REALLY! If it were the normal bus driver there would be no issue. But I was the terrible mother who expects her 5 year old to walk home alone and leaves a 1 year old alone in the garage buckled into a stroller with a 3 and 4 year old running loose.

Anyway, that is my ranting for the day. I am off to bed!!!

Poor Barrett

Yesterday the babies got their tubes put in. They both did great. Soren took off with the nurses in a little red wagon and came back to me smiling the same big smile. Barrett left me sleeping and came back crying. I knew he hadn't been feeling well and he had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia. The rest of the day the babies had low grade fevers which is common.


Today Barrett spiked a fever to 103 and his cold/cough had gotten much worse. It is amazing how quickly babies health can turn. I took him into the Dr. and he has Bronchitis (again). Poor little man is on Azithromisin, Albuterol and Prednezone. He is wheezing and has a terrible cough. I laughed at the Dr when he told me to keep the babies apart as much as possible. Like that is even remotely possible. I finally got home and collected my other two kids at 7:30 and rushed to get everyone fed, bathed and to bed. Oh, and medicated! Eliana had a hard time falling asleep. I could hear her singing to herself then 20 mins later she finally stopped singing.

PS...TP...FP

How could I have forgotten the other mess I came across today? Barrett and Soren have discovered the wonders of the bathroom. I caught Barrett splashing around in the toilet surrounded by a mountain of toilet paper on the floor. I tried to keep the bathroom door closed all day but it is hard to teach the kids new rules. Soren made his way and found the joys of unwinding the toilet paper too. They both are learning to give mom the dirty look/cry when I take them away from their fun adventures in potty land.

Soren has discovered the fireplace. There is NO barricade I can find that will keep Houdini out of the soot. They aren't even walking yet and I can't turn my back for one minute. I might have to move one of the couches in front of the fireplace.

Goldfish snowflakes and the little drummer boy

At least these are the words Tristan used when trying to explain the insane mess I encountered after getting out of the shower. Both babies were napping so I thought it was safe to shower. But NOoooo.....Eliana comes in the bathroom asking to use the scissors to cut off a piece of paper to make a card. I knew Tristan would steal the scissors so I told her to wait until I was done. I was nervous to see what surprise may await me. I was hoping Eli would still have her long beautiful hair. Instead Tristan gave his Giraffi a little trim. The real drama wasn't giraffi's lack of hair it was the sea of crushed up goldfish strewn across my whole house. Tristan took the BIG box of goldfish and threw it all over the house then crushed every single one. I wont go into detail of the aftermath. Needless to say I REALLY hope that doesn't happen again.

As I am sitting here I hear this LOUD drumming noise that has a steady rhythm. At first I thought it was the TV then it was too real sounding and it didn't stop. I checked it out and Soren has two Lincoln logs in his hands and is banging on the table one thud after another with a BIG grin on his face. I guess he was auditioning for his imaginary band. That boy has some rhythm!!

PARANOID?

My husband sent me this article and video. I personally have a Concealed Carry Permit. I believe strongly in my right to protect myself and my family. I think Susan Gratia says it well. If you have 5 mins to spare it is worth reading this article and watching her video.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=86317

crib wrestling

If you take the time to watch this little video clip of my boys you will quickly see how loud an animated they can be. Soren can scream just as loud as his sister Eliana. Don't worry, all of the cries you hear are just for show. Barrett might have been a little upset when he bumped his head. BTW. I tried to edit out as much of the (revealing parts) as possible. This is for you DAD...can't wait for you to come home so ALL the boys can wrestle while Eli and I referee.

Tubes times 2

Yes, both babies are getting tubes put in their ears next week. They have had several ear infections. In fact, every single time they get any sign of a cold it drains into their ears. I am truly hoping this helps my little guys so they will feel better and not have to be on Amoxicilin all the time.

Wrestle Mania

It was so entertaining to watch Tristan and Soren have at each other today. I had to remind Tristan to be gentle at times but he was fairly aware of when to back off and not be so ruff. Soren was lovin' the wrestling. Tristan would get Soren in a head lock and Soren would start to cry but he kept coming back for more. Soren did a good job at pouncing on Tristan. I'd say Tristan won that match by a hair. Soren was a tough competitor. Barrett stayed far away from the action. He didn't want to have anything to do with it. I can foresee the battle wounds that will come from having 3 boys.

Soren and Barrett turn the BIG 1

Yes, 1 year is a big accomplishment. (for the whole family:-) The day Chris and I went in for my ultrasound we knew there was a possibility I was having twins but when the news came it still hit me hard. I must have said "Oh, my Gosh" about a thousand times during the 80 minute ultrasound. These boys never held still during those and they still never slow down. I have to say that this past year has been my happiest year ever. Despite the hurtles that life has thrown our way, it is truly what lies within ones heart that determines true happiness. Watching these babies grow and their personalities blossom is a daily blessing.

Soren has a handsome, charming look about him. He can give you the eyes and throw that smile at you and he has got you roped in. Maybe this is why he is such a mamma's boy. I give in to his every need and he is VERY demanding. Soren is a happy boy with loads of energy. I have never seen a child jump as much as he does. He is constantly trying to be where the action is. He is very affectionate and gives open mouth kisses. He plays okay by himself but would rather be playing with his siblings. I have recently given him the name Mr Distructo. He likes to demolish anything he can. His favorite things are to play in a pile of clothes or with all the blankets in his crib. He throws them around, smothers his face in them and plays peek-a-bo with himself. He is also the fasted crawler there ever was. This kid can get to the other side of the house in no time flat! He's not very talkative yet but when he has something to say it is normally very loud (just like his sister.) Soren loves to be thrown around. He loves the swing, spinning and hanging upside down. Barrett is the complete opposite. His tummy is so sensitive to gravity he can hardly stand to have me hold him while walking down the stairs. He makes this face with his mouth stretched wide and tense.

Barrett is the sweetest little thing there ever was. His laugh and smile are contagious. When he smiles his whole face lights up and his whole body wiggles. He is happy, happy and content with life. Barrett is also a wolf in sheep's clothing. If you aren't paying attention he will sneak up and BITE you. Seriously. We all have battle wounds from this kid. Whenever he and Soren are standing or playing next to each other Soren tries to hug him and kiss him while Barrett is eating Sorens head. It is good that Soren's head is so hard or he would be one abused little baby. Barrett has very ticklish feet. In fact his whole body is ticklish. Thus, I am always tickling him to hear his laugh. Barrett has always been my little cuddle bear. He will nuzzle in, put his arms around my neck and give me a big bear hug. True to his name. Barrett is becoming a picky eater at an early age. If he doesn't like the texture in his mouth he spits it out. I still have to feed him lots of jar food because I never know if he will eat what I make for him.

There are SO many things I could write about these boys. They are so wonderful. They hardly ever cry and they are such a joy to us and everyone they come across. It is no wonder people at church steal my babies from me. I never have a lack of helpers and that has been a blessing. So, one year down, 18 to go till I can send them on there missions.

On their b-day Barrett started with an ear infection. So he was a little grumpy. I made individual cakes with one candle and as soon as I put it in front of Barrett he touched the flame and burned his little finger. I felt so awful! So Soren leveled his cake and shoved fist fulls into his mouth. By the time Barrett was back in his seat Soren was almost done. Barrett enjoyed the cake especially the frosting. He rubbed his eye with a hand full of cake and got his face covered in sticky frosting. They both loved playing with the balloons. All in all they had a good 1st birthday.
PS I have to mention that these boys love to get on the computer with their daddy. Every time they see him on the web cam they smile and try to attack the computer. They also love checking themselves out on the screen but daddy's new mustache is hard to ignore (hehe) love you babe!!

Sneaky...sneaky....Baby.

First I have to say the BABIES are now 1 YEAR OLD!!!! I will post on that very soon.

This morning was Eli's first day back to school after the holiday. So I had to get used to juggling getting her ready and taking care of 2 babies at 6:30 in the morning all over again. After the babies had enough of crawling around I stuck them in their chairs for b-fast and got Eli off to the bus stop with the neighbor. I fed the babies some yogurt and then Tristan started crying in his room so I ran to him in case he needed to go potty but just before I put some Kix on the babies trays. When I came back Soren had thrown all his Kix on the floor. For the past several days Soren has thought it FUN to feed the dogs from his hands and throw all his food on the floor. Normally the dogs clean up his mess for me but they were outside. I picked him up and got him dressed and then we checked on Barrett and stole one of his Kix to put in Sorens mouth. He decided he liked them. I had put him down to take care of things and when I came back into the room ALL the kix that were on the floor were gone. I looked to see if Tristan had let the dogs in but NO...Soren cleaned up his own mess. However, he never fails to disappoint. 10 minutes later Soren had the kids book shelf completely cleared and onto the floor. We are talking hundreds of books. Ahhhhh. He just looks at me so innocently. I am going to start calling Soren (Mr. Distructo!)