December 24, 2007

Always KISSING my sisters..

It's Christmas Eve already.. It's 2:14 AM and I just finally got AIden to bed after 2 hours of crying and screaming. I got fed up and rocked him to sleep with a little bit of a fight but not much cause he was so over tired and worn out from crying. I thought we were getting a handle on this (just this past week) cause he started going down between 9:30 and 11 pm which is FINE with me!
No such luck, once again the last few nights he's been up late and that is with no late nap. He usually naps about 4 hours after he gets up in the morning for 30 mins to 2 hrs, depending on how tired he is and how early he got up, and how late he was up the night before. Now he still does that but hasn't been taking a late nap which means from 1 or 2 pm he is up and active until 2am. I don't get it. By this time I am exhausted I don't know how the kid does it or what he runs on but give me some.. REALLY!!!! LOL
Every one keeps telling me to let him cry, but when your stuck in a one bedroom apt (til summer only we hope) and you also have 2 three month olds, it's hard to let him scream it out. Like I said it went on for two hours tonight and one of the twins slept through it (Riley) the other (Morgan) was awake and not happy either so it was not fun. In the mean time Chuck was trying to sleep to so he could get up early and let me sleep since one of us is always up at night cause the girls still don't sleep through the night.
Added to the fact I have been trying to make my homemade truffles for xmas which consist of hand dipping each one in chocolate. This is not fun with 2 crying kids and at one point all 3 were up in arms. UGGHHH!!!!
So anyways.. My christmas shopping is done which is good considering I wasn't sure we'd be able to really do christmas presents this year. With me still out of work on leave (with no pay) we only have the one income so it's tough at times. Christmas is a big deal to me and I LOVE to buy gifts for everyone, but this year I sucked it up knowing that it wasn't going to happen. Then I came into a little bit of money that I didn't expect so it gave me a little cash to get a few gifts for the kids and Chuck and my parents. YAY!! Now if I could just finish these truffles it would be nice. With two down and one still awake I'm still not able to get much done since Morgan doesn't want to sleep and is a bit fussy. Let's just say her scream cuts right through you.. Eeekkkk..

As for my littel Aiden, he is doing wonderful. He is drinking SO much better and I am positive we will have that G-tube out come spring. We hardly ever use it to bolus him now.
The other news is.... He took 5 steps.. FIVE !! They were tiny little steps but he still took 5! It was awesome and the most he has taken. He'll stand on his own but usually won't take a step, he'll whine or sit and crawl cause he's scared. He walks well holding just one finger most of the time too and if he can just muster up the guts to take off on his own I think he will be off and running. I can't wait!! People keep telling me I don't want him to start walking with 2 little ones but trust me I do. To be able to put him down and just have him stand for a second would be so helpful just getting out of the car for example. It's tough loading up the car (alone) with two in infant car seats and one in a big boy seat. Just thinking about it makes me tired (not to mention these darn snow banks that make it such a hassle now but that is another story.)

Elfed....

I Elfed the kids... Watch them go.. It's so cute..

Aiden, Morgan & Riley.. Elfed

December 5, 2007

Aiden took two steps today all on his own. He is getting better and better AND he stood up with out holding onto anything for 56 seconds, then started "dancing" which is more like bouncing in place lol. He was just amazing and made me smile.

We had a pedi appt last week and he weighed in at 25 pounds 4 ounces. He's gotten so much better with his juice box cup and now we are just working on quantity.

Today we had his neurology follow up appt. He is also enrolled in there study. We figured if it can help someone else out why not. The appt was quick. They asked questions like what is he doing now and is he walking and talking, then did a few eye following exercises and reflex checks and then we were out of there. We have to go back and have an MRI done for the study and Aiden has to see they "shrink" for the study too. That part kills me (in laughter) cause as I said to the doc what does a psychologist do to interview and "shrink" a 17 month old.. He was a bit stumped there too and said really i have no idea. He's so young that I don't know what they see him for. So I guess i will find out when they schedule the appointment. I keep you all posted on that, i am still baffled by it.

We also went to the mall last week to see Santa. Aiden loved him. He sat on his lap with the girls and was just amazed by him. I was waiting for him to try and pull his beard off (it was real) but he never did (thank god).

Aiden 17 Months
Morgan & Riley 2 Months

November 26, 2007

Happy Late Turkey day!!

We spent the holiday with the in laws (Chuck's family) and it was a nice day. Then we went to my moms (me and the kids) on Friday as usual. (We usually try to visit twice a week. It gives me a break "sometimes" and also lets me see more then just the 4 walls of my own house which is always enjoyed)

Aiden had a doc appt today but it was canceled and rescheduled until tomorrow. he'll be going for his RSV shots. He hasn't been drinking too much the last 5 days or so since his teeth have cut through so hopefully he'll pick back up to drinking more like he was a week ago. This is an obstical that is growing to be such a pain. Not in the sense that we have to work with him, just in the sense that he doens't seem to be a kid who likes to drink a lot. He doesn't seem thirsty very often and with out him drinking at least 12 ounces of fluid on his own every day he can't have his g-tube out.

We are also now struggling even more with is sleeping pattern. he is more and more like his dad and wants to stay up all night..
Before the girls came home he'd go to bed about 10:30 and wake up about 8:30am. Now he is up until 1 to 2:30 am and doesn't wankt to get up til 11am. I'll wake him up at 9 anyways to try to kick him back into a schedule but it doesn't seem to be working. I've held back naps to try to gethim into bed early and it might work to get him to sleep by 9 or 10PM but then he's awake at 11 or midnight and wants to play. If we leave him in his crib he just cries and cries and cries.
I know we need to let him cry but it's easier said then done. He gets to the point that he is all red and sweaty, his nose is running and he is just unbearable. This will go on for over 2 hours if you let it.. Til the point that I can't take it anymore.. With two little little ones and a 17 month old crying to the point I think he might explode, one person can only take so much and that about breaks my limit.

I don't know what else to do.. My new plan is to (for one week) stick it out, crying and all and put him to bed at 10 (I know that is late for some parents but I can deal with 10, it works for me) and hopefully after a week he will "reprogram" and know bed time is at 10 and that is all there is to it.. Wish me luck and if any one has any advice let me know. You need to know that we are in a tiny apt so that makes it even harder when you only have one bedroom.
Boy I can't wait to buy a house.. Fingers crossed cause it's going to be a LONG week !!

November 20, 2007

It's official we have two teeth.. YES TWO!!!! They broke through the gums and you can actually see them a bit (if you can get in there).. YAY!!!

Other then that life is the same. Aiden is learning everyday and growing up to be such a big boy. We are still working on drinking, walking, and all those other things kids do at 17 months (14 months corrected) He is an awesome kid.. Now if we could just get some words out of that mouth besides mumma, dudda, and nunna.. LOL all the rest sound like he is clearing out a hair ball in his throat. I think once he does start really talking, he's going to be a chatter box..

He is also becoming quite the big brother. He's been giving the girls kisses (when he isn't trying to find there teeth) lol

November 19, 2007

Just some random pictures of my favorite little guy

November 19, 2007

I've been tagged by Sarah & Jen which means I now have to post 7 random facts about myself.

1. It absolutly drives me crazy when someone leaves the shower curtain open.. IT MUST BE CLOSED!!

2. I am a very impatient person, i very much like instant gratitude. When it comes to my kids though, people tell me I have all the patients in the world.

3. I have a hard time asking for help! ( i am my mother's daughter) and will fall on my face before asking anyone to help me out, weather it is with the kids, money, or just life, i try to do EVERYTHING on my own!

4. I love Chocolate and have something chocolate everyday and think it can make almost anything better at least for a second.

5. I love to scrapbook (although I have no free time to do so) I love taking pictures and creating beautiful books to look back on.

6. As crazy as it sounds I want two more kids. It's hard, it's fustrating, and it's expensive, but I want a big family and don't ever want my children to feel alone.

7. My mom is my best friend and i could not live with out her, however I have not talked to my biological dad in 8 years. i often wonder though if he misses me, but I surely doubt it.

November 18, 2007

TEEEEEEEEEEEEEETH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG I think we may have a tooth.. I feel ridges!! 17 months and 1 week old and we may have our first tooth (or even first two teeth) ! Give the boy a steak already.. HA HA

Although he has steak for the first time last week (ground up in a chopper) but it still looked like meat and wasn't puree cause that would just be nasty.. Ewww

However he LOVED it. He ate a good amount and half of a baked potato with sour cream. He's such a good eater and becoming such a "big boy"

We had out appt with GI last wed. Got what a joke! I know they can't remember all there patients, they must see hundreds, but read the damn charts before you come in and say something stupid.
That's all I'm saying about that. We go back in 6 months unless Aiden gets the drinking thing down before then. if so we can make an appt and talk about removing the G-tube.

He's doing better with the drinking and drank 3 ounces in one sitting for me yesterday. How happy was I... It's one of those things that are going to take time but once he "gets it" he's going to do fine with it. Right now he is starting to "get it" another few months and we should have it down I think.

Not much new news other then that.. We did go for out first picture session. Aiden and the girls.. It's didn't go too well, although we got a few good pictures.. Maybe next time..
I also posted some under the girls page..

November 11, 2007

Can you believe Aiden is 17 months old today and as of Nov 6th he has been home from the NICU for 1 year!!. It's seems like it's been so much longer..

He is doing wonderful with learning new things and learning to drink from him juice box cup. We have an appt with GI on wed that I made for a check up and to talk about his G-tube sight. It's looks a little "funny" to me and I want it checked out before i start to really worry about it.

He has learned how to open and close every cabinet and door in the house. how to turn the lights on and off, how to empty the diaper cabinet and to make super messes.. He is coming along just fine. We are now working on putting things into a bucket and then taking them out (this he has down with no problem except his "putting into the bucket" is more like winging them with full force into the bucket) We've worked on turning pages to the book, and being nice to your sister. (Which consists of stop pulling there hair and trying to grab there face) He is determined to stick his finger in there mouth and look for teeth like he does to every adult that picks him up) LOL

It's so nice to see him learning new things and tweaking the things he has already learned. Both is E.I worker and OT say that you would never know he was a preemie. He has come so far, learned so much and is really smart.

As for the teeth, well, still NONE!! Not a single one.. ha ha
They are there and they are coming and I think MAYBE by turkey day he might finally break through the two bottom but we will see.

And walking.. Still No, so close but not yet. He crawls up a storm, forward and backward, and will cruise from object to object. He'll try and climb anything he can but still doesn't seem to have that balance quite yet to stabilize taking more then a step with out falling down. He'll get there and when he does, OMG watch out world. This kid is going to be all over the place.

As I look back at pictures from last year at this time I wonder where the time went and realize that my little boy is no longer my "little" boy. He's growing up...

Aiden November 2006

November 1, 2007

Boo!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!! Happy Halloween........ Trick or Treat....
It was a fun night and great weather.. i am happy to say that Aiden kept his hat on (which is NOT like him since he hates, I mean HATES hats on his head.. We trucked along in the wagon and had a great time.. The girls slept through most of it all cozy in there chicken costumes, and Aiden and his friend Makayla had a great time.
Aiden was a scarecrow, Makayla a duck, and the girls chickens.. It was a site to see.. lol

A trial run with the hat...

Nonny helping Aiden put on his costume over his PJ's...

Aiden's all ready...

Morgan's all ready...

Riley's all ready...

...And we are off...

October 29, 2007

Bumps and Bruises and lots of tears... I am not sure if those tears are mine or Aiden's or both, but we sure are at the age of falling down, pulling things over and getting hurt. I know it's how kids learn but no one wants to see there little one get hurt. And when you have a stubborn kid (like mine) who doesn't learn after the first or second time it makes it harder I think.
He's so smart and amazes me when he figures something out, like how to get off the futon "safely", or how to open and close the cabinet (after he empties all the diapers in it).
Yesterday he learned he has enough strength to pull over the entire rack of TV trays. There solid wood and heavy and YUP he pulled him over on top of himself. Then not an hour later he did it again. Now there tied up so he can't pull the entire thing over and so far he has left it alone. Then today he decided to slid off the futon but instead of turning around and going feet first he went head first and "knock" on the floor he went.. Tears and all, he was not a happy camper!

I swear people are going to think I beat him up with all the bumps he gets. Most of the time it's just a little bum here or there and in minutes it goes away, but in the last few days he has gotten a few good ones that I though were going to leave marks, but so far he only has one little scratch and a mark near his eye (from yesterday)

I am sure all parents go through this stage and just to think I get to go through it again with the twins, hopefully they will be a little less of a clutzy mess as my little Mr. Destructo!

It is good to see him do things that "all other kids do" and i am very lucky. I have three wonderful happy kids. For all he's been through (I can't say it enough) he amazes me and keeps me smiling. He is just a wonderful kid!!

October 25, 2007

We got shots today.. Aiden went in for his RSV shot and he was NOT happy!!

Our morning starting out with a very tired boy. He refused to sleep last night and once again was up late. This time later then he has ever been awake.. 3AM !! UGH!!
He then had to get up at 8:30 for E. I. this morning with his OT (for drinking). So Mommy made him some pancakes and got everything ready and Jean the OT fed him and worked with him and his cup. He didn't eat as much as he normally would but did very good drinking (hand over hand).
We stopped early and had a little play time cause he was so tired.

I figured after she left he'd want to sleep but he stayed awake which was fine with me, i want to get him back on track. We had a doc appt at 2 and he was in a really good mood when we got in the car. We arrived to see the doc and he was smiles and playing until the shot came. He was still on the table as they "cleaned the site" with there little alcohol pad, and then at the same time each nurse gave him a shot in the leg. This way it's all at once and he doesn't get poked one after another. He flinched and then cried and cried. I felt so bad as I picked him up and gave him a big hug. He calmed down after about a bit and was fine.
I had the doc come in and check him too. i wanted his ears checked cause occasionally he'll pull at his left ear, but they were perfect. He also woke up with two little spots on his leg today. My first thought was OMG my kid has ring worm, cause it's kinda what it looks like, but then I though, he hasn't been around any pets but ours and none of ours have it. Better safe then sorry i had the doc check that too. Well he said it looks fine, and that there is a "funky" virus going around that is causing kids to get spots like this. It's nothing to worry about and if he gets more then two just to give him some benadryl.
All in all it was a good check up I'd say. We are almost 17 months old, weighing in at 24 lbs 12 oz and we are just about 31 inches. So far not a single ear infection, no RSV, no colds, unless you count the 24 hrs we had the sniffles, but I think we have done really well.

Now it's just getting the sleep schedule back on track, learning to drink more from the cup or the bottle, and learning to walk... Then the big one.. Getting the G-tube out...

Oh can we add getting a few teeth in there too.. ha ha, although his gums are puffy and I really really think they are going to pop through very soon. Maybe in the next few weeks.. Maybe this has something to do with him not sleeping well either.. Grrrr them darn teeth..

.. And Aiden has discovered where we keep the diapers.. he thought he was funny (and he was) but we won't let on.. ha ha

October 23, 2007

Bottles, Cups, Straws... We have tried it all..

For a year we have tried different things and all it took was bringing home some babies. ha ha
As funny as it sounds I just had a feeling from him seeing his sisters take a bottle that maybe, just maybe, he would try it.

So I put some chocolate silk in a bottle (that is what mommy drinks and he likes it too) and handed it to Chuck. After the look I got I said to him, just give it to him I want to see what he does.
Can you believe he took an ounce and a half.
Now I know to any new people reading this, that is not a lot, but if you've been around with us for a while then you know for Aiden it's fantastic. He has been really good with it since. He won't really hold the bottle on his own very well but if you hold it with him he'll drink from it. So far, chocolate soy milk, regular whole milk, and water. He has also done really well with the juice box type cup we were training him with. he know can suck up the straw.

Let's just say with all this, when his OT showed up on Thursday morning last week she was siked. She said we made her month. THAT'S MY BOY!!!! Making people happy..

So now if we can get him to take the cup with a straw or a bottle (either one) on a regular basis then BYE BYE G-TUBE!!!! Now that is music to the ears...

As for him adjusting to the girls, well it took a bit. A few days went by and he was use to Morgan being here, then we added Riley to the mix. I'm sure he must of been thinking "what the hell" "are they going to get one of these things every week??"
But so far so good. No super major break downs. i will say he has been a little more clingy and his sleep schedule is all messed up (not due to the girls making noise, it's just he now decides he doesn't want to go to sleep) but I am hoping we get him back on track. He was already a kid who went down late (usually by 10:30pm) but the last 5 days he has been nuts and you have to fight with him to get him to pass out by 1am, sometimes 2.. Grrrrrrrr

As you can imagine this is not adding to us getting any sleep and with Daddy going back to work on Monday (cringe) it's going to be a rough week alone with 3 little ones.. I'm sure I'll have a few breakdowns.

Speaking of which, Aiden is in his swing (yes at 16 months he still loves the thing) and is over tired, talking to himself and every so often yelling out a fake cry like I'm beating him. That is what he does when he is super tired.. So I am going to attempt to get him into bed before 10:30 which gives me a little over an hour and we will see how it goes..

Aiden and Daddy at the Pumpkin Festival...

Waiting for Mommy to give me a fry...

I got one... haaa haaaa


Going for a walk with my Mommy and my sisters..

And.... We're Off!!!!

October 14, 2007

Can we say a bit jealous! I was surprised but YES he was a bit on the jealous side. We got home from the NICU (we all went together to pick up Morgan) and Aiden fell asleep in the car. We came in the house put him down for his nap and all was ok. When he woke up, Morgan was already awake ad i was about to feed her. I put her in her crib to get Aiden and she started to squack the cry a tiny little cry. As soon as Aiden heard her she layed on the bed like I tossed him away and just cried. Full tears and all. I felt so bad, my little boy all of a sudden didn't want to share his mommy. We've now had two overnights and we will see how he is this morning, but yesterday he was much better. I can only imagine in a few days how things will be when Riley comes home too. The poor little guy is going to think these tiny little squeeky things are multiplying. Awww
Don't worry little man, you will always be Momma's little boy and I love you sooooo SOOO MUCH!

October 11, 2007

Aiden did very well agin today with E.I. and drinking. I think he is getting his bottom two teeth soon so that may be why he was cranky yesterday too. His cheeks have been red on and off and the kid is chewing on EVERYTHING. Well he puts everything in his mouth any way, but the last few days he is chewing really hard on things.

We have some adjusting to do now too since his sisters will be home by the end of the week end. Morgan tomorrow and Riley by Sunday. I thin he'll be just fine though.

I posted some pics there not new but ones I liked and forgot to post previously. Check out Aiden in his new wagon. We copied our blog friend mommy who has triplets and has the wagon.(The Guinn's) I always loved it and once I found out I was having twins I searched the internet looking for it. I lucked out and got the wagon and a trailer before they stopped making the trailer. Then lucked out cause they got them in stock again and I ordered another trailer (for friends or storage) just about 6 weeks ago. Now there not available any longer.
Anyways he loves it and the great thing is the infant car seats fit in them too, so halloween will be a blast. The other pics are random too, like I said just pics I liked. Enjoy

First day with the new wagon

At the baby shower, getting a ride..

Getting a tubby at Nonny's

The face Aiden made when we were at the zoo and saw the Chimps.. lol

October 4, 2007

Aiden had his first OT session today for "drinking" and did fabulous with his new cup and exercises he will need to continue doing. He sat in his high chair, ate his breakfast, drank his milk, and it was like any other day. The key to this drinking thing since it is a new straw cup and he is working with a new person is to keep it fun. As long as it stays "fun" then he doesn't know it's work and will just become natural to him. His E.I. OT worker said he did really really well and that she anticipates that he will do fabulous with this. In 6 months we may be rid of the g-tube for good. We'll see, butt that would be nice.

He also got his flu shot the other day and two boosters so he has been a little cranky but all in all in a good mood. We just got the paper saying he qualifies for the RSV shots this year too which is great considering we have done well to stay away from colds and we will have two new little ones home from the NICU soon, maybe in the next two weeks.

He is now 24 1/2 pounds and 30 inches and growing. He's still crawling up a storm and cruising on everything and anything. It's also bumps and bruises age, cause I sware he is a clutz like his mom sometimes, but he is learning and to see that is just amazing. I try to picture 6 more months from now when the girls are home and he is even bigger. It blows my mind that he is growing so fast. Time really flies when you have kids! just as long as I don't turn around and I'm 53 and he's 21, THEN I think I'll lose it.. LOL