We're off on holidays today for a week. I have been doing a lot of work all week making sure we have everything we need ready for the boys and the rest of us, but hopefully my lists have it all covered. We're a bit nervous for our first adventure as five (especially sleeping in the same room as the boys), but fingers crossed it all turns out and is not more effort than fun!
You'll hear from me next week with pictures and stories - hopefully mostly good ones. Until then - happy end of summer!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Blue Bums
We are going on holidays on Thursday for a week (details to come). Because of where our delivery date for our cloth diapers falls in the week we need to skip two weeks of deliveries and therefore use disposables. This started Friday, and wow, if I didn't know before how much we loved our cloth diapers, we sure know now. Disposables are so gross! They stink like pee and who knows what else instantly. They sag. And they need to be changed every 3 minutes. Eww eww eww, I will happily take the big cloth bums any day. Thank you Happy Island Diapers, we are counting the days till we start our service back up!
Anyway, the point of this post is not to sing the praises of our cloth diapers, but to model the hilarious diapers I bought. I figured that since disposables were a "treat" I should buy some fancy ones at double the price but at least ten times the cuteness!
So here is Asher, modeling some denim diapers. I believe as Huggies claims "it's the coolest you'll ever look pooping your pants"!
Anyway, the point of this post is not to sing the praises of our cloth diapers, but to model the hilarious diapers I bought. I figured that since disposables were a "treat" I should buy some fancy ones at double the price but at least ten times the cuteness!
So here is Asher, modeling some denim diapers. I believe as Huggies claims "it's the coolest you'll ever look pooping your pants"!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Girls Just Wanna Have Fu-un
Today Rio and I went on a mother-daughter date. It has been a few months since our last one and I was really looking forward to it because her attitude and my increasingly shortened temper for her attitude have been a bad combo lately.
First stop, haircut. She got a much needed trim and layers, topped off with butterfly barrettes, sparkles and a lollipop.
Then to a fancy toystore for a lot of browsing and not a lot of buying (which was handled surprisingly well).
Next was lunch at a great little cafe, topped off with delicious mini cupcakes and tea for two.
Last, and certainly least, a field trip to the new Walmart Superstore, biggest in Canada (or is it North America?). Every bit of my good judgement told me we shouldn't go but I just had to see for myself. I should have listened to my instincts and turned back when I saw people directing traffic into the parking lot. Ick is all I have to say. First and last visit.
We ended up at home several hours later with a happy and tired little girl and a mom who was thrilled to have put on a decent outfit and leave the house without being covered in vomit. Good day had by all!
First stop, haircut. She got a much needed trim and layers, topped off with butterfly barrettes, sparkles and a lollipop.
Crazy eyes - trying to smile while watching a DVD
Then to a fancy toystore for a lot of browsing and not a lot of buying (which was handled surprisingly well).
Next was lunch at a great little cafe, topped off with delicious mini cupcakes and tea for two.
Last, and certainly least, a field trip to the new Walmart Superstore, biggest in Canada (or is it North America?). Every bit of my good judgement told me we shouldn't go but I just had to see for myself. I should have listened to my instincts and turned back when I saw people directing traffic into the parking lot. Ick is all I have to say. First and last visit.
We ended up at home several hours later with a happy and tired little girl and a mom who was thrilled to have put on a decent outfit and leave the house without being covered in vomit. Good day had by all!
Friday, August 20, 2010
More from the IDP
Yesterday we had a visit from both our IDP case worker and our Physiotherapist. It was nice to have them come at the same time because they are both assigned to the boys' case but have never seen them in the same visit, able to observe the same behaviours. Of course we paid more attention to Asher because he is the one we are more concerned with. PT did a complete assessment of him and we discussed as she went along, noting when and where he elicits less than ideal movements.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
First (Minor) Emergency
The other day while we were out in the yard doing the carseat installs, Rio decided to stick something in Nolan's ear while we weren't looking. Next thing we knew, he was bleeding and dad and mom panicked. This was not a good move as Nolan was clearly ok, but this sent Rio over the edge and made her refuse to tell us what happened. After begging and pleading and threatening to take away every privilege known to man, she would not budge.
Our pediatrician's office is close by so I called. Four thousand times. At 3pm I refused to believe that none of the doctors were in the office, but either that was the case or no one was answering the phone. So instead of taking him to emerg, we decided the walk in clinic a few blocks away was in order. So I strapped him onto me (because we had no carseats in the car!) and hiked up there in the sweltering heat.
When I got to the clinic, I realized it was no longer a "walk in" and only a clinic. The office was completely empty but I was hoping there would be a doctor to take pity on me. I asked the receptionist if there was any possibility the doctor would see me, but I was met with attitude. "You do realize this isn't a walk in clinic don't you?" to which I answered "Yes, I do NOW but I obviously didn't realize that when I came here". So this caused me to start to cry. Like burst into tears. I had a son bleeding from the ear (minimally, granted, but still from the ear); I had a 4 year old who caused this bleeding yet refused to open her mouth; and I was hot, like hotter than Hades hot. I had reached my melting point.
Thankfully the doctor decided to see us. I was a blubbering mess and even explaining the boys' history clearly did not make up for my ridiculous (in her eyes - not mine!) behaviour. I was met with a whole lot of blank stares and asked condescendingly "so has it been bleeding more than this, or just this?". I repeatedly had to tell her that my concern was not the volume of blood (dripping as opposed to gushing), but the fact that it could have been something broken off in his ear canal because our darling daughter wouldn't tell us what she'd done.
So after I calmed down she took a look and said she thought it was fine, but I should probably get it checked again in a few days. Ummm, is his ear canal ok, or is it not? I'm going to go with fine, considering he was acting ok (and two days later still is), but I would have preferred a more confident answer. So after what turned out to be a waste of my time, energy and temperature because I was really not reassured at all, I trudged home. Thankfully Nolan didn't seem to be bothered by any of it.
Turns out that the threat of daddy taking away Rio's stuffies is what did the trick and got her to break her silence while I was at the doctor. She apparently stuck a piece of paper in his ear (what?) and then tried to get it out with a pencil, supposedly the eraser end. None of this makes sense to me because I'm not sure how paper got in, or how an eraser could have caused the bleeding, but all I know is that it wasn't one of the million small sticks in our yard, so for that I'm thankful.
Not our best day - hot, traumatized, and angry. Thankfully, so far the rest of the week has brought calmer emotions and much cooler temperatures!
Our pediatrician's office is close by so I called. Four thousand times. At 3pm I refused to believe that none of the doctors were in the office, but either that was the case or no one was answering the phone. So instead of taking him to emerg, we decided the walk in clinic a few blocks away was in order. So I strapped him onto me (because we had no carseats in the car!) and hiked up there in the sweltering heat.
When I got to the clinic, I realized it was no longer a "walk in" and only a clinic. The office was completely empty but I was hoping there would be a doctor to take pity on me. I asked the receptionist if there was any possibility the doctor would see me, but I was met with attitude. "You do realize this isn't a walk in clinic don't you?" to which I answered "Yes, I do NOW but I obviously didn't realize that when I came here". So this caused me to start to cry. Like burst into tears. I had a son bleeding from the ear (minimally, granted, but still from the ear); I had a 4 year old who caused this bleeding yet refused to open her mouth; and I was hot, like hotter than Hades hot. I had reached my melting point.
Thankfully the doctor decided to see us. I was a blubbering mess and even explaining the boys' history clearly did not make up for my ridiculous (in her eyes - not mine!) behaviour. I was met with a whole lot of blank stares and asked condescendingly "so has it been bleeding more than this, or just this?". I repeatedly had to tell her that my concern was not the volume of blood (dripping as opposed to gushing), but the fact that it could have been something broken off in his ear canal because our darling daughter wouldn't tell us what she'd done.
So after I calmed down she took a look and said she thought it was fine, but I should probably get it checked again in a few days. Ummm, is his ear canal ok, or is it not? I'm going to go with fine, considering he was acting ok (and two days later still is), but I would have preferred a more confident answer. So after what turned out to be a waste of my time, energy and temperature because I was really not reassured at all, I trudged home. Thankfully Nolan didn't seem to be bothered by any of it.
Turns out that the threat of daddy taking away Rio's stuffies is what did the trick and got her to break her silence while I was at the doctor. She apparently stuck a piece of paper in his ear (what?) and then tried to get it out with a pencil, supposedly the eraser end. None of this makes sense to me because I'm not sure how paper got in, or how an eraser could have caused the bleeding, but all I know is that it wasn't one of the million small sticks in our yard, so for that I'm thankful.
Not our best day - hot, traumatized, and angry. Thankfully, so far the rest of the week has brought calmer emotions and much cooler temperatures!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Carseat Graduation Day
Today the boys graduated to their new carseats and stroller and we changed Rio's carseat into a booster. Big day for the big kids! Jordan cleaned the car and did the new installs while I cleaned up the old stuff to hopefully sell quickly.
I am glad to see our infant carseat/stroller combo go. It has served us well (especially to keep the boys thoroughly hidden from looky-loos) but is a bit of a beast!
Instead of the buckets, the boys will now be riding in this big boy seat (x2 of course):
and in this:
Hot, new, way-more-compact wheels! We still have our chariot for "big walks" (haaaaa, those happen rarely) but now this is our zip-around-town-and-do-errands machine. Maybe this means I'll actually want to leave the house with them?
I am glad to see our infant carseat/stroller combo go. It has served us well (especially to keep the boys thoroughly hidden from looky-loos) but is a bit of a beast!
Instead of the buckets, the boys will now be riding in this big boy seat (x2 of course):
and in this:
Hot, new, way-more-compact wheels! We still have our chariot for "big walks" (haaaaa, those happen rarely) but now this is our zip-around-town-and-do-errands machine. Maybe this means I'll actually want to leave the house with them?
Guest Blogger - Sara
Author: Sara
Current Occupation: Mom to Mikayla, Tlell and Jack; photographer; advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Mikayla was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 18 months old after a terrifying hospitalization when they did not know if she was going to survive the night).
Connection to the Trousdells: High School friend of Tracey's, reunited a few years ago through Facebook.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
NICU Reunion
Today was the NICU reunion party at the hospital. It was great to show off the boys to their doctors and nurses who haven't seen them since discharge. As always, it was wonderful to hear how well the boys are looking and have everyone blown away by how chubby they are! For the most part the boys just slept through it all, unaware of everyone's admiration. Jordan, Rio and I had a great time....until a father of a toddler let his son repeatedly put his saliva soaked hand in Nolan's mouth (with Jordan awkwardly repeatedly taking it out). I guess even other parents of preemies can be clueless and that kind of ended the day on a bad note for me, as we have been SO germ conscious! At least I got two pieces of cake and an ice cream sandwich to soften the blow.
Oh right, and then there's the fact that the CBC radio guy interviewed me about the boys and our experiences. So that's cool. NOT AT ALL. I wasn't helped by the fact that Jordan skulked away the second the guy came over so when I thought we were both getting interviewed, really it was all me. Booooooo. At least one of the other neonatologists shared the same fate, so hopefully between the two of us we come off sounding ok!
Rio has asked for a new picture for my facebook and my dad wants a new one of his grand kids, so what better time than when all three of them are gussied up for a party!
Oh right, and then there's the fact that the CBC radio guy interviewed me about the boys and our experiences. So that's cool. NOT AT ALL. I wasn't helped by the fact that Jordan skulked away the second the guy came over so when I thought we were both getting interviewed, really it was all me. Booooooo. At least one of the other neonatologists shared the same fate, so hopefully between the two of us we come off sounding ok!
Rio has asked for a new picture for my facebook and my dad wants a new one of his grand kids, so what better time than when all three of them are gussied up for a party!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Guest Bloggers - Asher and Nolan
Sunday, August 8, 2010
WEIRD!
I just read a really interesting factoid:
Identical twins' children are genetically SIBLINGS*, not cousins.
Huh?
Well if you think about it, Asher and Nolan are genetically the same person. What started out as one baby became two. Therefore, when those "same persons" procreate, the children they produce are siblings*, not cousins, from a genetic standpoint at least.
*Let me clarify here - by siblings I mean HALF-siblings (I just prefer the shock value). The only way they would be full genetic siblings is if the boys had babies with the same mother or if they had babies with another set of identical twins. Possible? Sure. Probable? God help me, I hope not! This is weird enough as it is.
I love me some identical twins. The freakiness is never ending!
Identical twins' children are genetically SIBLINGS*, not cousins.
Huh?
Well if you think about it, Asher and Nolan are genetically the same person. What started out as one baby became two. Therefore, when those "same persons" procreate, the children they produce are siblings*, not cousins, from a genetic standpoint at least.
*Let me clarify here - by siblings I mean HALF-siblings (I just prefer the shock value). The only way they would be full genetic siblings is if the boys had babies with the same mother or if they had babies with another set of identical twins. Possible? Sure. Probable? God help me, I hope not! This is weird enough as it is.
I love me some identical twins. The freakiness is never ending!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
My Babies Are Growing Up
Today we went on a shopping trip and bought the boys new carseats and Rio new shoes. Both of these are indicative of the fact that all three of them are about to start a new phase of their young lives. In terms of the boys, they need new carseats because they are suddenly too fat for their infant carseats! While the weight limit is 22 lbs and they are less than 20, their odd preemie body shape (quite literally short and fat) has made it so the straps can't loosen any more over their gargantuan mid sections.
As for Rio, the new shoes we bought her are her "indoor shoes" for preschool. Preschool! Wasn't she just learning how to walk and talk? Suddenly she spells and asks insanely intelligent questions and is old beyond her years and we are sending her off into the real world to preschool! (Don't even get me started on the fact that 3 of her best friends go to kindergarten in the fall. Oy.)
Big sigh. Mama's little babies, all three of them, are growing up!
As for Rio, the new shoes we bought her are her "indoor shoes" for preschool. Preschool! Wasn't she just learning how to walk and talk? Suddenly she spells and asks insanely intelligent questions and is old beyond her years and we are sending her off into the real world to preschool! (Don't even get me started on the fact that 3 of her best friends go to kindergarten in the fall. Oy.)
Big sigh. Mama's little babies, all three of them, are growing up!
Friday, August 6, 2010
The Berry Patch
This morning we took the kids to Stewart's Berry Patch for some blueberry picking. I have never gone to a berry farm before, and my only experience berry picking has been pillaging the Galloping Goose Trail for blackberries. I think it's safe to say we have been missing out! In less than an hour we picked 19.4 pounds of unofficially organic (no chemicals/sprays of any sort) blueberries. Rio had a blast picking, eating, and feeding the goats, the boys chilled in their stroller, and Jordan and I loved the fresh air and hot sun. We now have a freezer full of nature's super food to take us through the fall and winter. Another successful family outing with endless yummy eats to look forward to!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
IDP Returns!
Today we had a visit from our IDP therapist. We've missed her because she had the month of July off so it has been almost 6 weeks since we'd seen her last.
Before I tell you about the visit, I must admit how worried we have been about Asher in the past couple of months. As Nolan's skills have improved, Asher's have not. Nolan rolls and grabs and reaches and does all of these amazing things, that to be honest we have trouble enjoying because Asher is not doing them. With every tense arm and uncoordinated gesture, our worries about Cerebral Palsy (as a result of his bleeds) were becoming a lot more real. We analyze his every more and were starting to be so overcome with worry that we were not seeing many positives.
Before I tell you about the visit, I must admit how worried we have been about Asher in the past couple of months. As Nolan's skills have improved, Asher's have not. Nolan rolls and grabs and reaches and does all of these amazing things, that to be honest we have trouble enjoying because Asher is not doing them. With every tense arm and uncoordinated gesture, our worries about Cerebral Palsy (as a result of his bleeds) were becoming a lot more real. We analyze his every more and were starting to be so overcome with worry that we were not seeing many positives.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
6 months Corrected - Three Cheers for the Pump!
Today the boys are 6 months corrected (6 months past their due date). The real feat of this day is that I have made it this far pumping! I can remember when the boys were around 4 months old (1 month corrected) and one of the neonatologists was commending me on still pumping. She had said to me that if it was at all possible I should try to make it to 6 months corrected before I stopped pumping. At the time that seemed soooo far in the future, but at the same time, I felt it was my job so I was going to do my best.
So here we are, on that day, and I have made it to my initial goal. It feels good! Well actually no, it doesn't, we all know I hate the pump, but it feels great to know that I have soldiered through something I dislike that much to make it to my own personal milestone.
Next milestone - end of 2010, making the boys 14 months/11 months corrected. If I make it that far, that calls for some serious drinks on New Years Eve!
So here we are, on that day, and I have made it to my initial goal. It feels good! Well actually no, it doesn't, we all know I hate the pump, but it feels great to know that I have soldiered through something I dislike that much to make it to my own personal milestone.
Next milestone - end of 2010, making the boys 14 months/11 months corrected. If I make it that far, that calls for some serious drinks on New Years Eve!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Hurt Comes in Many Flavours
Often, I hurt because I am so sad for what the boys have been through, what we have been through as a family, and damnit, what I have been through personally. Other days it hurts when I think of not knowing what the future holds and how the boys, mostly Asher, will fare through all of this at the end of the day.
But today is a different kind of hurt, the best kind of hurt. Right now at this very moment, my heart hurts, aches in fact, with the love I have for my kids. As I listen to Asher and Nolan babble away on the floor next to me, and the silence of Rio playing down the hall quietly in her room, I realize that I am incredibly lucky. No matter what we have gone through or what we are going to continue to go through, my heart is so full of love it feels like it is going to break. Feeling love like this in the middle of the melee that is my day to day existence, makes me stop and take a moment to enjoy the life I have been blessed with.
But today is a different kind of hurt, the best kind of hurt. Right now at this very moment, my heart hurts, aches in fact, with the love I have for my kids. As I listen to Asher and Nolan babble away on the floor next to me, and the silence of Rio playing down the hall quietly in her room, I realize that I am incredibly lucky. No matter what we have gone through or what we are going to continue to go through, my heart is so full of love it feels like it is going to break. Feeling love like this in the middle of the melee that is my day to day existence, makes me stop and take a moment to enjoy the life I have been blessed with.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Identical
If there was any question about how alike the boys are...
I promise you I did not stage this!
9 Months!
Happy 9 months boys! Wow, where has 3/4 of a year gone? The boys started their 9 month birthday with an unseasonably early feed (4:30am) and were then up ready to party at 6:30 for the day, timed just perfectly with Jordan's first day back of his set. 9 months down and mama's not getting any less tired!
Asher - 9 months/almost 6 months corrected
Nolan - 9 months/almost 6 months corrected
Rio - 6 months
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