Navigating Treatments

So, it's been quite a while since I've had the time to get on here and write! I just finished up a post, and I really should be in bed. It's 9:30pm and I can hardly keep my eyes open. Sleep deprivation at it's finest!

The last couple of weeks have been stressful, to say the least! Different viruses have hit the boys, hubby was away with work, Norah started 'school' again, and, with the weather and air pressure changing, nights have been quite sleepless... I am LUCKY to get more than 4 hours ..... going on almost 3 weeks of this!

Just over a week ago, our older twin was hospitalized for dehydration as he was very sick, and while there, we were told that he was also low in iron. He was given a treatment plan that was questionable. After beginning treatment, he became very ill. Even after lowering his dosage, he was still ill, so we decided that we would just make changes to his diet to add in extra iron, since he reacts so violently to it.

He is finally on the mend, and we are hoping that he will continue this way. It is hard having sick kids. It is even harder when the treatment that you are given for your child is making them even sicker! It is also hard when you are given a plan of what medical professionals want you to do, and you know that it is not working for your kid. Having to decide if it will be continued or not is a huge decision. It is stressful! No parent wants to harm their child, either by giving them something that ends up harming them or by not giving them something that will make them better! If only it were easier and medications were the same for everyone... However, that is not how it goes. Treatments are not a one size fits all kind of thing! What works for one child may not work for another. A dosage that works for one child may not work for another, and so on....

Parents, please listen to your instincts when it comes to your kids! If something is just not right, look into it! There have been a few times over the last few weeks where I had to go with what my intuition has said, and each time, it has been a crucial decision. Other than the diet change vs. medication decision (which we will have to wait for the end result for a bit after tests), they have all proven to be the right decision.

Moms, we are given 'mommy instincts' for a reason. Follow them!! This child grew inside of you and you know them better than anyone else. If you just KNOW that there is something wrong, follow up!

I guess that I just needed to get that out there. Take your children's health seriously and don't just do what you are told. Do your research and find out what is best for your family and try to keep them healthy. :)

Lots of love, health and happiness to all of you... and hopefully for us too... extra doses of health would be great right now. ;)

Extreme Hand Holding

As I was putting Norah to bed yesterday night, we settled in and began discussing what we would say in our prayers. We talked about some special people who are sick, and then I took a little leap and told her that our neighbour and a friend's father were both dying. I wasn't sure how she would handle it.

At first, she screeched 'They're DYING? Oh NOOOO!" After the initial shock wore off, we started talking, and the conversation was AMAZING! Oh, to see through child's eyes!

I explained to her that sometimes, when people get sick, they just can't get better anymore. I told her that they fall asleep when they die and they never wake up. We discussed how people get buried and then their bodies are put under the ground. She was very interactive and interested in our conversation, when she piped up to ask a question.

"So, mommy, is that when Jesus comes to hold their hand and fly through the sky?"
"Um... Wha-a-a-t?"
"Yeah, because He does that, you know."
"What??"
"Jesus holds their hands to fly in the sky.... you know, on the way to heaven."
"Oh, yes! Yes, He does do that."
"So is that when it happens?"
"Is what when it happens?"
"When they die and sleep under the ground?"
"Yes, that is kind of when it happens."
"You know why He does that.... Right, mommy?"
"No, Norah, why does He do it?"
"Because Jesus doesn't want anyone to be scared."
"Well, why would they be scared?"
"Because they think they are alone!! But do you know what?"
"What, Norah?"
"They aren't alone! Jesus comes to hold their hand and take them right up to heaven, so they are never alone. Jesus is right there with them!"

I'll admit. I really didn't know what to add to this conversation. She had me pretty speechless... It's these quiet times when we talk before bed that get seared into my brain and let me know that she is going to be able to provide great comfort to others throughout her lifetime.

I wonder if it is too much Peter Pan mixed with the natural spiritual insights of a toddler.... either way, I think she is onto something. What a beautiful way to paint a passing! Love her to pieces...

'Tis the Season To Be Busy!

Everett on our ice cream date

This past month has just been crazily busy. The last week was no exception. Rather than wreck my brain trying to come up with something to post for this week, I am just going to share some of the fun things that have been going on with us!! I have been making more of an effort to be out and doing things with the kids (or even just doing things at home). It is going great and, although it doesn't help me rest up, it does help to keep the kids occupied and happy.... and not bouncing off the walls as much. :)

Who would have thought that Everett would love NY cherry cheesecake ice cream as much as I do!?! He definitely has my taste buds! While we were out choosing a birthday present for my cousin's babies (yes, she has twins too!!), Everett and I received an invite to join two of my sisters for ice cream!! What a nice little afternoon! Everett was bobbing up and down in between bites, eager for his next taste! He LOVED it!! What a cutie... Love him!!

Norah showing off our last 'big bake!'

Sorry for the picture quality on this one!!!
Norah and I have been taking up baking! She loves to help me add all of the ingredients and mix them together. She is becoming a pro at breaking eggs, too! (She does sometimes have a successful crack!).. I think one of her favourite things is when I break an egg, especially if it drops to the floor... She gets this little giggle and just laughs and laughs... I LOVE it! So refreshing.. I find it really funny that on days when I feel like I'm at my wit's end with the kids, if I make an effort to change it up and do an activity, that it somehow also calms ME!



Norah riding a pony for the first time!



On the weekend, my mom accompanied myself, Norah and Everett down to the Cottam Horse Show, which is hosted by the Cottam Rotary. I grew up in the small town of Cottam, which is between Windsor and Essex in Ontario, Canada, and I have NEVER been to the horseshow (so long as I can remember... maybe as a very young child??)... What an AMAZING event this was! Norah was able to have a pony ride (TWICE!!) and for FREE!! She loved it! The ladies that were taking her around were quite entertained by her. When asked her name, she told them that she was "Norah, the CowBOY"... and then proceeded to tell them that she already knew how to ride horses.. yes, she has quite the imagination.... I'll have to remember to tell her that hockey stick horses don't count! They had numerous vendors, barrel rides (barrels with wheels pulled by a lawn mower), and bouncy castles! Oh, and I almost forgot.... AND HORSES! Unfortunately, the weather was a bit dreary, so the turnout could have been better, but it worked out great for us, because we were able to check things out without huge crowds. This was such a fun day, and it has really encouraged me to make it out to more of our local festivals! In our area, there is almost one every weekend within an hour any direction. Little ones, like the horseshow, are truly a hidden gem that families need to get out and discover!

Another thing that we did this past week was something that could truly define us as daring. We went on one day road trip into Toronto, which is approximately 3-4 hours away... depending on traffic, weather, and how fast my hubby drives. :S.... hehehe. :)  The trip was wonderful! The was two purposes to going. It was my bff and her hubby's birthdays this month, and they are such blessings to us that I want to be sure to take them out for birthday dinner. I so wish that they lived closer, but, since they don't, I figure what better way to show them that we love them than to make the trek and take them out! Good company is always great!! Along with the birthday theme, I had also arranged to pick up some decorations that I had purchased from another twin mom in Ottawa for the boys' birthday parties. Toronto was the half way point, and we were lucky that she was able to have someone drive them that far so that we could complete the pick up. (And no, I am not giving away birthday secrets for their party just yet... although I will say that it will be PHENOMENAL!).. :) The trip was fantastic... the way home... not so much. :( It rained almost the whole way home, and then when we were about half way home, the 401 (which is the major highway down here) was shut down because of downed power lines... across both lanes... So, we ended up on a detour, which took us about an hour to move what would have been about 10 minutes on the highway....That was not fun... The trip was an overall success though, and I'd totally do it again... if the weather is going to be better! (also, it was SOOOOOO HOT that day!!)

Another issue that has kept me busy and lacking sleep the last week is that my little guy Andy has been a bit 'off'. We've been watching him and we did take him to the doctor's just to be sure that nothing is wrong. Likely just not feeling well because of teeth, but better safe than sorry..... he's still adorable as anything though. :) He missed out on the horse show, but he did make it to Toronto with us. He did great.. my little man. :)

Hope you enjoyed a glance into my life .... I think that most people's heads would spin if I told them what the next few weeks hold for me... so I won't.. but, you may just get another glance if I don't have the time to sit down and ponder anything inspirational to write.... so I guess my inspirational thought for this post would be that time with kids is the most important... even when you are busy, they still need to be involved. :)

Pictures above. L to R... Norah playing in the bouncy castle at the horse show, Being stuck in traffic... note the long lineup if you look closely, Andy not feeling well. :(

Plus One!

Magglio, our dog, and Walker, our kitten

Last week, we welcomed a very sweet little man into our lives. He is a kitten named Walker! He is great with the kids and lots of fun. He has given our puppy a playmate and has made our daughter really, really happy!! It has been a wonderful week of getting to know Walker and watching our children and dog get to know him!! Welcome to the family Walker!


Walker letting Andy pet him



Walker sleeping on Norah as she sleeps

Making Memories

 From left to right: Everett, Norah, Andy

 

Side note: As I write this, Andy and Everett are playing peekaboo with each other with a comforter sitting by my feet, laughing and laughing.. Norah is (yet again) pulling out shoes to play with --- she has an unhealthy amount of love for shoes at this age already, hahaha.... Life is great. :)

As the summer is coming to a close, I really wanted to make sure that I had some great and somewhat posed pictures of the kids. To this date, I have no pictures up of the boys yet (except for their ultrasound pictures, which kind of don't count)....

It's time to get off of my butt and get some new pictures up on the wall!! I have a few projects that I am going to be completing as gifts that also need pictures, so it's time to do it up!

I made my first order off of www.shutterfly.com on Saturday, and I noticed in my inbox that my pictures are already being shipped!! Ah-mazing! I am so pleased with this service so far. If the pictures turn out great, then I will definitely be doing more business with them!

Wow, all of that just to get to this..... As I was going through my pictures and deciding which to print, I was having such a wonderful time looking back over all of the pictures that I have taken since the boys were born... (um, about 1000. :S)... Time has flown, but I am happy to say that I remember taking almost all of the pictures! So many people tell me that when they had their twins, life became such a blur. Yes, life is absolutely moving at a fast pace that I never thought had previously existed - BUT I think that the quality of life that you (insanely) maintain can really help in the memory department... and some sleep here and there helps as well.. :) A lot of people also say that their older child kind of becomes the 'forgotten' one, as their milestones and new experiences are swept under the rug. Thankfully, I don't think I have missed anything! (Then again, I could use a lot more sleep and a clean house... more than a fair trade though.. time with the kiddos is priceless!)

Especially at times when I know that life is crazy, I make sure to try to take extra pictures, just in case I don't remember that special time when Norah was so happy to help make cookies, Andy was so proud to stand freely, and Everett glowed while spitting his food out... Making memories is so important, even if they are reflected on later as life is so busy in the present. Having the time to slow down a little bit and sift through the pictures reminds me of how much I give to the kiddos on a daily basis and how committed I am to them - raising them, being there for them and giving them the best start in life that I am able to give them. Looking at these pictures solidifies the fact that these kids are having a great childhood and it kind of keeps things in perspective...

When the memory making starts slowing down (and the pictures stop flowing), it is time to reassess what is taking up our time... If it something that boils down to wasted time, then it is time to once again find something picture worthy.

Afterthought..... Down time is not considered wasted time, in my opinion.. Yes, you can probably overdo down time. I do not know many moms who take downtime enough though (myself included). Everyone just needs to sit and relax sometimes. Wasted time is different.. :)

Nine Month Slump

I've been expecting the boys to be little 'nightmare' babies lately, as they are, after all, nine months old.... At nine months, they should be sleeping horrible and cranky (or so I am told). They, however, seem to be doing fine. They are cutting teeth like champs and really not too fussy. They are hitting milestones and learning new skills every day. They are handling growth spurts amazingly! It's wonderful!

However, I am tired! I didn't know that nine months was going to hit me like a ton of bricks! I don't know if it is the months upon months of broken sleep (because yes, I do get sleep - more than many people with just one baby!). Or maybe it is the extras that I keep adding to my calendar and life.  Either way, people keep telling me that I make it look 'easy', but it isn't easy. It is tiring - mostly, it is mentally tiring!

Don't get me wrong, life is good. The kids are good. I love being a mom. At nine months in, I feel like I am floundering a bit. At this point, many women are preparing for their 'big return' to the working world. As a former 'workaholic', I often thrive off of being home and accomplishing a lot. Daily tasks and the 'extras' are great; however, I feel like I have constant cabin fever. I feel like I need to  get out and be 'me.'

Even more than just being 'me', I feel like I need to establish who I am going to be outside of these four walls again. I love being a mom. Being a mom is awesome, but I look forward and see when all the kids are gone. Will I recognize who is looking back in the mirror? 

Many things that I enjoy have taken a second seat, and that is fine. A lot of new things are entering the picture and filling voids where other things have been put on the backburner. However, sometimes, I want the things on the backburner to be up front again... if you know what I mean... I've taken on some extras outside of the house lately (which leads to less late nights for typing on here). I need to find a balance though. When will things balance out?

I know that a lot of this is 'feelings', but sometimes feelings are hard to separate from reality. When does a feeling become a valid concern? Maybe cabin fever makes me think to much?

Who knew that the boys turning nine months would be tougher on me? Who knew that it might be my big growth spurt?