We're finally starting to come out of the sickness fog in the Licameli house. Today everyone woke up a little less gurgly and a little more like themselves. The worst of the three is Chuck. Amazing how this "virus" has taken down the parent here - the one who should have the best immune system? Hmmmm. I don't wish this crud on anyone! Be that as it may, it's run it's course and it's time for it to leave the premises. We're done! Sadly, it hit one of my other playgroup Moms and her twins. I feel just awful about it - especially since we still don't really have any idea where the kids picked this up. I swear, I have been so careful about taking the kids any place for so many months. They have only gone to the grocery store MAYBE twice in their entire lives; and only a few playdates in their entire lives. And somehow, we came up with it. Oh well. Just goes to show you that you can't protect them forever right? It's a good thing really - now that they are getting better I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and say that. Next time around, it won't be as severe - hooray.
I just dragged the kids up to BRU tonight to get yet another baby gate. We're locked down now. JD is such a piece of work. He's got the hang of this crawling, scooting, standing gig and he just doesn't stop. I love it! Watching him is so intriguing to me. And Cole is starting to finally move a bit too - he was just as content sitting on the floor hanging out without making much of an effort to go anywhere. Afterall, JD would always come over and give him a poke or a friendly eye gouge now and then. Why move, right? When he sees JD coming toward him he starts screaming - like the worried kind of scream. It's a riot. He knows that he's going to maul him in some way so that is his way of preparing himself, JD and us that there is trouble coming...and low and behold, JD gives him a friendly love tap and all hell breaks loose. AT THIS EARLY AGE! Amazing...I see a hell of a tormenting future ahead between these two. Yet when I walk out of the room and they are playing, they erupt into laughter together and coo and touch each other. It's really cool to hear and see. Almost like they don't want us to know that really, they are friends.
The boys and I are solo this weekend - Daddy is headed out for a guys weekend. I'm hoping that we're all well by then so that we can do some fun things outdoors. I'm stir crazy having been inside for many days. I'm sure they would benefit from some sunshine and fresh air as well.
Two weeks from today is the big birthday day. It gives me butterfly's thinking about it really. We're celebrating next weekend since their real birthday falls on a weekday. I am so excited for their birthday - and a bit sad as well as we're one man down, missing Calvin. But we will celebrate his short little life that day too ~ and I know he'll be with us in spirit. It's just amazing to me that this time last year I was bed ridden, full of red spots, big, fat & pregnant, missing home and waiting as patiently as possible for our little guys to make their appearance...
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
A bend in the road...
Blogging isn’t as easy as it used to be. I started this blog as a way to let out my fears, hopes, dreams and feelings. It was just between me and Blogger.com. Then it turned into a way to keep my family & friends informed on what was happening with my pregnancy; then to the progress on the babies; then a documentary for my kids. And in less than 6 months, it's had over 21,000 hits. That is pretty amazing.
I've reached a point though that I feel like it’s so boring and uneventful. It’s strange – I think about blogging every day yet I don’t normally have anything to write about. In our world, life is normal now, THANK GOD. There is no drama (aside from the occasional bat or two, or a cat catching fiasco). Seriously, I feel so fulfilled and complete. And although there is always something exciting going on in our house, it’s just like everyone else’s. In our world, normal is something that I have strived for for a long, long time. I’m so thankful for it. And believe me, I’m more thankful for that than anyone can imagine. Considering what we went through at this time last year, it’s a breath of fresh air for us to operate as a normal family. I will never ever take that for granted again.
That said, I am sort of at a loss as to where to go next with my blog. I want to keep it up for the kids sake – but as they rapidly approach their first birthday, I can’t help but wonder how valuable it really will be for them someday? If you could see the amount of video and photos that I take on a daily basis, you might agree with me; the blog is just an “extra” and can’t possibly capture the memories that the photos and videos do. But I like blogging; and I like being able to express myself on “paper” so to speak. So, I won’t stop…but I need to refocus and figure out what my blog will be for. Maybe that will give me some direction.
A friend recently said to me “Having seen your boys in person and knowing that they are fine now, I am making myself stop checking your blog because I feel like I’m being nosey”. Although as the blog author, I by no means feel that anyone is being nosey (after all, I’m putting it out there for anyone to read), I can relate to that feeling. I check other blogs on a weekly basis too and it feels sorta funny sometimes knowing what is going on in other peoples lives so intricately. But in this day and age, the amount of people that ‘blog” is quite amazing. And people blog about ANYTHING. I have found some of my greatest support in other blogs where people have poured their hearts out and you somehow find comfort in knowing how other people handle certain things. It helps to teach lessons about life that you might not otherwise have learned. And there is something about reading a blog about someone who you have never met – yet you feel like you know them when you know as much as you do after reading their entries.
I recently came across a blog that a woman writes after having lost one of her twins. This woman is an amazing writer. And reading her blog has put so much into perspective for me. Rather, it has helped me to understand my own feelings during this time in my life and realize that this emotional confusion is normal. Being able to tap into someone else’s perspective on things (no matter what it might be) with the click of a mouse is a pretty cool thing if you think about it. It really is.
My kids are my pride and joy. My life now revolves around them. And I don’t want it any other way. But there is more to life than “the kids”. And I feel that I have learned so much over the last year of my life that I need to try to articulate it a little better than just posting updated photos of my children. They have taught me life’s lessons in a very short time – and I want to find a way to share that. If nothing else, to continue the journey for the kids sake but let them know about the life’s lessons that are out there waiting for them.
The other issue that bothers me a lot is that I have some followers that are still on their quest to have children. It pains me that they continue to check back on my blog and see happy faces full of laughter; yet they are still trying for their own. I know that sometimes that can restore some hope, but I’ve been there before and I know how painful it can be at the same time. Many of my lessons were learned along that part of my journey as well; and I will never forget that.
I almost feel a sense of relief just writing about this since it’s been bothering me for weeks. I keep the blog updates going for the sake of some of my out of town family and friends. But it hasn’t been nearly as meaningful and fulfilling as it once was. It’s time to go back to square one…hopefully my focus can change a bit in the coming weeks. Stay tuned…
I've reached a point though that I feel like it’s so boring and uneventful. It’s strange – I think about blogging every day yet I don’t normally have anything to write about. In our world, life is normal now, THANK GOD. There is no drama (aside from the occasional bat or two, or a cat catching fiasco). Seriously, I feel so fulfilled and complete. And although there is always something exciting going on in our house, it’s just like everyone else’s. In our world, normal is something that I have strived for for a long, long time. I’m so thankful for it. And believe me, I’m more thankful for that than anyone can imagine. Considering what we went through at this time last year, it’s a breath of fresh air for us to operate as a normal family. I will never ever take that for granted again.
That said, I am sort of at a loss as to where to go next with my blog. I want to keep it up for the kids sake – but as they rapidly approach their first birthday, I can’t help but wonder how valuable it really will be for them someday? If you could see the amount of video and photos that I take on a daily basis, you might agree with me; the blog is just an “extra” and can’t possibly capture the memories that the photos and videos do. But I like blogging; and I like being able to express myself on “paper” so to speak. So, I won’t stop…but I need to refocus and figure out what my blog will be for. Maybe that will give me some direction.
A friend recently said to me “Having seen your boys in person and knowing that they are fine now, I am making myself stop checking your blog because I feel like I’m being nosey”. Although as the blog author, I by no means feel that anyone is being nosey (after all, I’m putting it out there for anyone to read), I can relate to that feeling. I check other blogs on a weekly basis too and it feels sorta funny sometimes knowing what is going on in other peoples lives so intricately. But in this day and age, the amount of people that ‘blog” is quite amazing. And people blog about ANYTHING. I have found some of my greatest support in other blogs where people have poured their hearts out and you somehow find comfort in knowing how other people handle certain things. It helps to teach lessons about life that you might not otherwise have learned. And there is something about reading a blog about someone who you have never met – yet you feel like you know them when you know as much as you do after reading their entries.
I recently came across a blog that a woman writes after having lost one of her twins. This woman is an amazing writer. And reading her blog has put so much into perspective for me. Rather, it has helped me to understand my own feelings during this time in my life and realize that this emotional confusion is normal. Being able to tap into someone else’s perspective on things (no matter what it might be) with the click of a mouse is a pretty cool thing if you think about it. It really is.
My kids are my pride and joy. My life now revolves around them. And I don’t want it any other way. But there is more to life than “the kids”. And I feel that I have learned so much over the last year of my life that I need to try to articulate it a little better than just posting updated photos of my children. They have taught me life’s lessons in a very short time – and I want to find a way to share that. If nothing else, to continue the journey for the kids sake but let them know about the life’s lessons that are out there waiting for them.
The other issue that bothers me a lot is that I have some followers that are still on their quest to have children. It pains me that they continue to check back on my blog and see happy faces full of laughter; yet they are still trying for their own. I know that sometimes that can restore some hope, but I’ve been there before and I know how painful it can be at the same time. Many of my lessons were learned along that part of my journey as well; and I will never forget that.
I almost feel a sense of relief just writing about this since it’s been bothering me for weeks. I keep the blog updates going for the sake of some of my out of town family and friends. But it hasn’t been nearly as meaningful and fulfilling as it once was. It’s time to go back to square one…hopefully my focus can change a bit in the coming weeks. Stay tuned…
Drugs for kids (the good stuff!)
Yes, JD & Cole were introduced to Baby Einstein yesterday for the first time...I knew there was a reason we didn't do this sooner - they were enthralled!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Uh oh!
JD is officially crawling on all 4's and pulling himself to stand - watch out world! It's a proud day!
Like father, like son...Cole is destined to be our soccer player, no question!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Is it Friday yet?
Aye. What a week. THREE sick babies (yes, my husband is one of the three) makes for a long week…. We have a new visitor in our house. And no, not the bats (they are gone, by the way). It's the coxsackie virus - wooo hooo! AKA - Hand Foot Mouth Disease. I thought it was a bout with bad summer colds but as both kids lost their appetites and started to cough terribly and start weezing, I took them to the ped today. Turns out, they have HFMD - which runs it's course on it's own within 7-10 days. GULP.
We started round the clock motrin for pain and the nebulizer treatments for their breathing as soon as we arrived home. I jinxed us. Last week, I took all of the respiratory meds we had left (like 150 doses) from the post-NICU days and gave them to the pediatrician's office, KNOWING I would not need them any more. Low and behold, they gave them all right back to me today when we walked out the door. I knew I should have held on to them, just in case. Murphy's Law strikes again.
This week has been one for the books. It all started on Monday when the vet called and said they would be late for our appointment. Any of you who know my psychotic cat know that I can no longer take him to the vet since he’s such a spaz so we have to have the vet COME TO US. Thank goodness for our mobile pet vet – she’s awesome if anyone has a similar problem. Anyway, she called and said she would arrive around 4:30/5pm; which would normally be fine but that is when I feed the kids dinner which is a whole circus in itself. So, 4:45 rolls around and chaos ensues.
The vet walks in, the cats scatter and the kids start cranking up since it’s dinner time. Mac and cheese in the microwave, cheerios sprawled everywhere and cats meowing crazily as we try to chase them throughout the house. The vet usually does her “visit” in the bathroom so the cat can’t get away – but before that, we have to catch them to get them in there. Long story short, after about 30 minutes of trying to coax Gus out of small places, they had to pull out all of the stops to catch big Gus and get the net. Yes, it’s like the kind that you see on cartoons that the “dog catcher” uses. So there we are, poking him out from under the bed with my swiffer (gotta love those things) and off he goes into the net on the other side. He was making noises that I never knew a cat could make. He hates me, still.
By the time the cats were done, we were nearing the end of dinner and JD goes into a coughing fit, causing him to throw up all of the dinner he just ate. Followed shortly by Cole who just gagged on lord knows what and threw all of his up too. In between making sure that the kids aren’t choking, the cats aren’t coming after me and slipping on my butt from the water that JD spilled on the floor when he tossed his sippy cup, I pay the vet and get her and her assistant out of the house. Two less people to worry about….
On we go – right to the baths (I made a short stop at the frig for a glass of wine, on the advice of my smart mother who called in the midst of all of this). Finally, 7:45 pm and the boys are tucked in bed. C had arrived home in the midst of the chaos and made us a wonderful dinner…ah, perfect ending to a long afternoon. Thank goodness my husband can cook. Only to be awaken at midnight by crying babies...
Since then, we have had intermittent sleep every night due to fevers, congestion and coughing. My poor little guys – I never knew such little bodies could produce so much mucus (ewww). The midnight to 4am stint last night was brutal and apparently I'm in for a few more of those, according to the doctor. I just feel awful for the kids after learning that the source of their will NOT to sleep is from pain in their throats. I wish their pain could be transfered to me so they felt better instantly.
This too shall pass - we've got our work cut out for us this weekend. Never a dull moment!
We started round the clock motrin for pain and the nebulizer treatments for their breathing as soon as we arrived home. I jinxed us. Last week, I took all of the respiratory meds we had left (like 150 doses) from the post-NICU days and gave them to the pediatrician's office, KNOWING I would not need them any more. Low and behold, they gave them all right back to me today when we walked out the door. I knew I should have held on to them, just in case. Murphy's Law strikes again.
This week has been one for the books. It all started on Monday when the vet called and said they would be late for our appointment. Any of you who know my psychotic cat know that I can no longer take him to the vet since he’s such a spaz so we have to have the vet COME TO US. Thank goodness for our mobile pet vet – she’s awesome if anyone has a similar problem. Anyway, she called and said she would arrive around 4:30/5pm; which would normally be fine but that is when I feed the kids dinner which is a whole circus in itself. So, 4:45 rolls around and chaos ensues.
The vet walks in, the cats scatter and the kids start cranking up since it’s dinner time. Mac and cheese in the microwave, cheerios sprawled everywhere and cats meowing crazily as we try to chase them throughout the house. The vet usually does her “visit” in the bathroom so the cat can’t get away – but before that, we have to catch them to get them in there. Long story short, after about 30 minutes of trying to coax Gus out of small places, they had to pull out all of the stops to catch big Gus and get the net. Yes, it’s like the kind that you see on cartoons that the “dog catcher” uses. So there we are, poking him out from under the bed with my swiffer (gotta love those things) and off he goes into the net on the other side. He was making noises that I never knew a cat could make. He hates me, still.
By the time the cats were done, we were nearing the end of dinner and JD goes into a coughing fit, causing him to throw up all of the dinner he just ate. Followed shortly by Cole who just gagged on lord knows what and threw all of his up too. In between making sure that the kids aren’t choking, the cats aren’t coming after me and slipping on my butt from the water that JD spilled on the floor when he tossed his sippy cup, I pay the vet and get her and her assistant out of the house. Two less people to worry about….
On we go – right to the baths (I made a short stop at the frig for a glass of wine, on the advice of my smart mother who called in the midst of all of this). Finally, 7:45 pm and the boys are tucked in bed. C had arrived home in the midst of the chaos and made us a wonderful dinner…ah, perfect ending to a long afternoon. Thank goodness my husband can cook. Only to be awaken at midnight by crying babies...
Since then, we have had intermittent sleep every night due to fevers, congestion and coughing. My poor little guys – I never knew such little bodies could produce so much mucus (ewww). The midnight to 4am stint last night was brutal and apparently I'm in for a few more of those, according to the doctor. I just feel awful for the kids after learning that the source of their will NOT to sleep is from pain in their throats. I wish their pain could be transfered to me so they felt better instantly.
This too shall pass - we've got our work cut out for us this weekend. Never a dull moment!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
A glimpse of JD & Cole's world....
Too crazy hot to go outside to play so we played inside instead...
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Outnumbered!
4 Mommies & 9 babies under 1 year old = DANGEROUS (But fun!)
We had a MOMs group playdate yesterday (thanks for hosting Jen!) with the kids - it was a hoot. The last one we had was in May'ish and the kids were not nearly as mobile as they are now. My, how things have changed! The kids did great - everyone got along, no casualties. Mackenzie and Grace are certainly outnumbered by the 7 boys...those boys will be fighting over those cutie's before too long. Watch out girls!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Fellow bloggers...
I don't know about any of you, but reading blogs can be quite addictive, in a weird way (you think?). The fact that you are now reading MY blog, shows that you have some of that strange addiction in you - it becomes a daily habit doesn't it? A glimpse into someone elses life is kinda interesting - as odd as it sounds and seems.
In any case, I have several blogs (some friends, some only blog friends) that I keep up with weekly. One of the best ones is one that many of you may have already come across - DOOCE. She's been pretty widely publicized on things like the TODAY show and other news shows. This woman is an absolute riot - and her blog is her income. Yes, she has since quit her day job and she blogs for a living - she makes her salary on the ads on her site. Pretty cool eh?
I mention this today because her blog entry from yesterday is one of the funniest I've ever read. She's got a great sense of humor and a great way of making mundane Mommyhood seem like the most hilarious job ever. Check her page out - I guarantee you'll add her to your "blog checklist" each day. She's an ex-mormon which makes it even funnier. Enjoy.
www.dooce.com
In any case, I have several blogs (some friends, some only blog friends) that I keep up with weekly. One of the best ones is one that many of you may have already come across - DOOCE. She's been pretty widely publicized on things like the TODAY show and other news shows. This woman is an absolute riot - and her blog is her income. Yes, she has since quit her day job and she blogs for a living - she makes her salary on the ads on her site. Pretty cool eh?
I mention this today because her blog entry from yesterday is one of the funniest I've ever read. She's got a great sense of humor and a great way of making mundane Mommyhood seem like the most hilarious job ever. Check her page out - I guarantee you'll add her to your "blog checklist" each day. She's an ex-mormon which makes it even funnier. Enjoy.
www.dooce.com
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Plug...
I have to give kudos to BLURB.COM. I just received my published "blog book" and it's better than I ever imagined! I published the first year of my blog into a 300+ page book and it's like a fine coffee table book. I am so impressed.
So, any of you bloggers out there that really want to preserve the awesome blog memories (for you or your kids), check out www.blurb.com and you will not be disappointed. The price is too good to be true and the finished product is well worth the work (it takes a good bit of time to format), and the wait.
They also do photo books, and any other kinds of books you might like to create. What a great site they have...check it out.
So, any of you bloggers out there that really want to preserve the awesome blog memories (for you or your kids), check out www.blurb.com and you will not be disappointed. The price is too good to be true and the finished product is well worth the work (it takes a good bit of time to format), and the wait.
They also do photo books, and any other kinds of books you might like to create. What a great site they have...check it out.
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