I cannot believe I have not updated the blog in 12 days! That is such a long time. Well, it has been a pretty hectic couple of weeks around here. As you all know, I had an ear infection a few weeks ago. It started in the outer ear, progressed quickly and very painfully to the inner ear until my eardrum ruptured at 4 AM one night. That was lovely. I told Darrell I would have rather go through 4 more c-sections than to have that kind of pain again. Even the pain pills left over from my c-section did nothing for the pain. Luckily, the antibiotics kicked in a few days later and now I can pretty much hear again. The loud tinnitus I had is also dissipating. I had the audiologist at my office check me out and she said the eardrum had ruptured, but my hearing and middle ear compliance was ok. Thank goodness for that!
Then, L&D had a stomach bug which they passed to Darrell and me a few days later. A few days after that, I lost my voice for about 4 days. It's coming back now and suddenly D is having the same issue today. Then, Drew ran a fever last night for some reason. Fortunately, it broke quickly with Tylenol. He was pretty fussy, though. Poor baby.
Then we had some family drama-- with our first child, that is. Cleo (our cat) is 14 years old and has had some bladder control issues. This story could get really long, so to make it short, we brought her to the shelter thinking she was miserable with us b/c of the babies' arrival. For 2 solid days, Darrell and I were so upset thinking we were the most horrible people ever. So, we called and went back to get her and have been enjoying her ever since. She has changed for the better already and is coming around and loving on us and the babies more often. She even comes to visit them during their bath at night. It's really cute since L&D are really noticing and wanting to play with her. I know we did the right thing by bringing her back home. I've had her so long-- even before Darrell was around! In fact, she's purring right next to me on the couch. I was thinking that maybe she was peeing in there for a reason-- since I do believe that everything does happen for a reason-- because she knew I could get the wood floors I've been wanting since we moved in this house 1 1/2 years ago! The materials were delivered today and they are going to look so nice! Except now I need to pick out an area rug for under the dining room table. Hey, Cleo-- stay off that one, okay?
Okay, put down your tissues and listen to the newest things L&D have learned...
1. Drew now waves bye-bye!!! After weeks of me doing it every single morning, he did it out of the blue on Wednesday. It was so exciting. He is crawling all over, especially in the bathtub.
2. Libby is clapping all the time and it is precious to watch. She now loves it when I make the "Native American" sound of tapping my hand over my mouth while saying "ahhhhh". Anyway, she's tapping her hand on her own mouth, but won't phonate. Baby steps... She also loves to give kisses now. Except she likes to lick you with a wide open mouth. So cute b/c her face just lights up. She is so adorable when she smiles like that! She is still just scooting (and barely) but she's always been the diva around here.
3. The babies now take their bath together in the big tub! They love having so much room, too. Except that Drew loves not being so contained and tends to try and grab and touch anything and everything except the 100 or so toys we put in there. We've also had him dive face first a few times, too. You'd think he'd learn the first time that you really can't breathe underwater!
That's all for now, but it certainly is a lot for 12 days, right?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Baby Signs
For several years, I've been using basic signs with my students with developmental and language delays. There's so much research that shows how much it can help hearing children improve their communication skills, so we've been signing with L&D.
We started at age 6 months with some basic signs: milk (for bottles), all done, eat. So far, I think they both understand exactly what these signs mean. Whenever I sign and say "milk", for example, they both get really excited and even start looking everywhere for their bottles. Just this weekend, both of them started approximating the sign (they started opening and closing their hands)! I told Darrell to look and he saw it, too. I was so amazed! We've been using "all done" when we're finished with eating, changing, bathing, getting dressed, reading books, etc. I think Libby knows what it means b/c she HATES getting her face or nose wiped and always throws a fit. Last week when her nose was icky, I had to use the aspirator thing on it. She was not enthused and started a fit. But then I signed and said, "all done" and she looked and stopped immediately. Wow! Here are some visuals for you:
EAT
MILK- squeeze hand like you are milking a cow
ALL DONE
We've added some new signs this past week: Mommy, Daddy, drink (for sippys), stars (for the star puffs), O's (for Cheerios), more, bath, book, and sleep. I know it sounds like a lot, but I think they are receptively ready for it. And these signs are for routine things, so it's easy to use them over and over each day. I searched today for some images to show you what the signs look like and came across this video. I thought it was really neat to watch and am excited to see we're learning the same signs (even the O's and stars). Take a look...
We started at age 6 months with some basic signs: milk (for bottles), all done, eat. So far, I think they both understand exactly what these signs mean. Whenever I sign and say "milk", for example, they both get really excited and even start looking everywhere for their bottles. Just this weekend, both of them started approximating the sign (they started opening and closing their hands)! I told Darrell to look and he saw it, too. I was so amazed! We've been using "all done" when we're finished with eating, changing, bathing, getting dressed, reading books, etc. I think Libby knows what it means b/c she HATES getting her face or nose wiped and always throws a fit. Last week when her nose was icky, I had to use the aspirator thing on it. She was not enthused and started a fit. But then I signed and said, "all done" and she looked and stopped immediately. Wow! Here are some visuals for you:
We've added some new signs this past week: Mommy, Daddy, drink (for sippys), stars (for the star puffs), O's (for Cheerios), more, bath, book, and sleep. I know it sounds like a lot, but I think they are receptively ready for it. And these signs are for routine things, so it's easy to use them over and over each day. I searched today for some images to show you what the signs look like and came across this video. I thought it was really neat to watch and am excited to see we're learning the same signs (even the O's and stars). Take a look...
Friday, February 15, 2008
Libby and Mommy
Here is a LONG video of Libby playing with Mommy in the basement. We finally got some footage of her clapping, too.
My Funny Valentines
Happy Valentine's Day! Here are my little valentines dressed in their cute red clothes yesterday. I bought their onesies separately and could have sworn I bought one Mommy one and one Daddy one. But looks like both say Mommy. Oops! Sorry, Daddy! We love you anyway...
Drew Crawling
Here is some video of Drew crawling around in the basement this morning. I kept the babies home today b/c both were throwing up yesterday and Drew did again this morning. No fever and they both are playing and seem to be feeling okay. So, hopefully they are not catching the nasty stomach virus that is spreading around. Sorry the video is so long! Libby is starting to scoot, but won't do it on video. I'm trying to sneak up on her to catch her clapping since she learned how to do that this week.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Ear Infection-- boo hooo
Can you believe that neither Drew or Libby have an ear infection, but I DO? I started having some fullness in my ear on Friday night which escalated into the worst pain ever-- I mean EVER-- all weekend. I went to the doctor today and as I suspected-- Otitis Externa. Which basically means an infection in the outer ear. We suspect it got irritated somehow (from Qtips-- yes, I am guilty) or maybe some water or shampoo got trapped in there and boom--- infection. It's what's also known as "swimmer's ear" and it HURTS. Thankfully, no ear drum rupture from which she could see (b/c the canal was swollen shut). I actually have been taking the strong ibuprofen they gave me after my c-section and it's barely helping. But I was prescribed some antibiotic drops and should feel better within a few days. But I can't afford to take off more time from work, so I'm going in tomorrow with a blocked up ringing left ear that throbs. Lovely. I can tell you something, though-- I do have a whole new respect for babies and children that go through this multiple times and can't communicate what's wrong. Holy cannoli! I'm gonna make sure I keep a careful eye on it for L&D.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Another Then and Now post...
Darrell and I are realizing that the babies are growing so fast that we can no longer bring them into our bed at 6 AM when they wake up and feed them a bottle half awake. They used to just cuddle with us and then fall asleep for a while after their bottle. No more. This morning, I had Drew in my arms and he just wanted to laugh, squeal, and explore my face and hair-- you know, by pulling and pinching on them! Poor Darrell had it worse-- Libby just couldn't get comfortable for some reason, so she decided to whine and cry and whine and cry. She didn't want to be held, but didn't want her paci, but didn't want to watch Sprout on tv, and didn't want to lay down, and didn't want to sit up. You know... the typical tragedies of a 9.5-month-old girl.
L&D have been having some strange sleep habits this weekend. They usually take 2 long (2 hr.) naps and sometimes a short 3rd one during the day. Then they go to bed at 7 PM and sleep until around 6 AM. This weekend they've both been refusing to take that morning nap and the afternoon one yesterday was literally 30 minutes. They went to bed at the same time at night, but then Drew kept waking up suddenly every so often with a strange, "I'm in pain or scared" cry. I finally went up to console him and he looked so sad and scared. I picked him up and then he started smiling and laughing and trying to get out of my arms to play on the floor. That rascal! Too bad for him that his momma is such a meanie because she didn't fall for that and put him back to bed after a kiss and hug. He tried it again a little later and when D went up he was really crying and chewing on his fist and drooling all over. Those teeth. A little dose of Motrin and a hug and kiss and he slept like a baby the rest of the night. Today he has a terrible runny nose, so maybe he's not feeling so great.
We're going to a birthday party today, so I'm excited to get the babies out of the house for a little while. They should have fun playing with all of the other kids, too. Then it's back home to watch the Super Bowl. I don't really have an opinion either way on who wins. But I usually like to watch the halftime show. It's Tom Petty this year, which might be pretty neat to see. Guess they're stearing as far away from possible "wardrobe malfunctions" now!
I just got a text message from my brother Jeff saying that he was heading to the Bacchus parade in New Orleans. I'm so jealous! But luckily, Darrell's mom mailed us a king cake yesterday and I've been putting myself in a sugar coma ever since. Yummy! So, to you Louisianians-- Happy Mardi Gras! But to everyone else, happy regular ole Tuesday. Mardi Gras is so early this year (Feb. 5) since Easter is early. It's pretty cool because it also falls on Darrell and I's 8th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long. Not to mention that we've been together for 13 years now. WOW! I thought I'd reminisce and post a picture of us from the big day back in 2000.
Geez, my hair was so much lighter. Oh yeah, that was when I would spend ridiculous amounts of money on highlights and fancy shampoo. Now my idea of luxurious shampoo is a 5-gallon bucket of Pantene from Costco. And I'm not talking the separate shampoo and conditioner... no, I mean the all-in-one. Now that's fancy!
L&D have been having some strange sleep habits this weekend. They usually take 2 long (2 hr.) naps and sometimes a short 3rd one during the day. Then they go to bed at 7 PM and sleep until around 6 AM. This weekend they've both been refusing to take that morning nap and the afternoon one yesterday was literally 30 minutes. They went to bed at the same time at night, but then Drew kept waking up suddenly every so often with a strange, "I'm in pain or scared" cry. I finally went up to console him and he looked so sad and scared. I picked him up and then he started smiling and laughing and trying to get out of my arms to play on the floor. That rascal! Too bad for him that his momma is such a meanie because she didn't fall for that and put him back to bed after a kiss and hug. He tried it again a little later and when D went up he was really crying and chewing on his fist and drooling all over. Those teeth. A little dose of Motrin and a hug and kiss and he slept like a baby the rest of the night. Today he has a terrible runny nose, so maybe he's not feeling so great.
We're going to a birthday party today, so I'm excited to get the babies out of the house for a little while. They should have fun playing with all of the other kids, too. Then it's back home to watch the Super Bowl. I don't really have an opinion either way on who wins. But I usually like to watch the halftime show. It's Tom Petty this year, which might be pretty neat to see. Guess they're stearing as far away from possible "wardrobe malfunctions" now!
I just got a text message from my brother Jeff saying that he was heading to the Bacchus parade in New Orleans. I'm so jealous! But luckily, Darrell's mom mailed us a king cake yesterday and I've been putting myself in a sugar coma ever since. Yummy! So, to you Louisianians-- Happy Mardi Gras! But to everyone else, happy regular ole Tuesday. Mardi Gras is so early this year (Feb. 5) since Easter is early. It's pretty cool because it also falls on Darrell and I's 8th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long. Not to mention that we've been together for 13 years now. WOW! I thought I'd reminisce and post a picture of us from the big day back in 2000.
Geez, my hair was so much lighter. Oh yeah, that was when I would spend ridiculous amounts of money on highlights and fancy shampoo. Now my idea of luxurious shampoo is a 5-gallon bucket of Pantene from Costco. And I'm not talking the separate shampoo and conditioner... no, I mean the all-in-one. Now that's fancy!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
6 Months Ago...
6 months ago, the babies got to sit in their favorite toys (the Exersaucer and the Jumperoo) for the very first time. To see how much they've grown, I'm posting pictures of them that day and then in the same toys today. Darrell and I were just saying that they are getting so tall that they only have 1 more knotch on the toys before they've outgrown them. This makes me sad because they have so much fun in them. But then again, I'm sure they'll find something else to entertain them (like the kitchen cabinets, the coffee table, etc.)!
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