Happy New Year!!

Ok, it's a little early yet for happy new year talk, but I'm up late and I've ran out of internet...

I would like to start my new year off right, so I'm gonna put on a little post dedicated to the ones I love..

Brandy

I'm so happy to have my soul mate. I'm very thankful for you, you really are the perfect wife just for me. It's been over 11 years of great fun and it's gotten better every year. I think it's gotten better than I could have imagined since Karter and Kolton came into our lives. The first year with our premature babies was truly the most difficult year of both of our lives, I didn't think a human could go for six months with no more than 3 hours of sleep at any given time. But every day of the struggle proved that we were designed to be together as one. When the going got rough, we became a well oiled machine that couldn't have ran smoother (even if we may have been asleep during it). I didn't think the two could become one more than we already had, but I was proved wrong by the suffering that we lived through together. I remember well the most stressful day in the history of my life... The day our kids came home. Now that our children are beginning to know who we are, it was worth every sleepless minute of it. You're a great wife and you get greater every day. You about ready to try for number three (and maybe four)? I'm just kidding, the two we have are about all I can handle at the moment..

Karter and Kolton
I know you're too little to read this, but one day I know you will read the whole history of how you came about. You're such sweet little guys, everyone that meets you can see it in your eyes. You will grow up to be caring, gentle, kind, and intelligent. I truly cherish every minute that you lay in my arms and watch television with me. I'm torn over both of you, I want you to grow quickly so I can get to know you as the young men you will become, yet I want to enjoy every minute of your childhood as well. I know the time will pass too quickly, I can see it flying by already and it makes me sad. The second greatest day in my life was when Brandy told me we were going to have a baby, I was thrilled! The number one greatest day of my life though was when the doctor told us there were going to be two of you coming at once. Some moments will forever be a snapshot in your memory, the moment I know we had two coming, is one of those moments for me. I didn't have any idea of the troubles that were to come as a result of that, but looking back from this point, you make the trouble seem irrelevant . The sorrow has turned into great joy, and you're a joy that gets greater every day. We're going to do a lot together, and I can't wait to get started.

Jimmy (almost 2008).

17 months-12 days late.

This is the latest I've been on posting their monthly updates. I actually had to sit down and make myself do it, because I get side tracked by the many blogs I read and the stacked up laundry and the many piles of junk that somehow are piling up in every room. The piles bother me a lot, we have too much junk and I am feeling the need to weed through it all except I don't know where to start and what to do with it all. Anyway, lets get started.

I'm starting with Karter this time.

Karter said he first sentence last night. We were in their room getting them ready for bed, Karter was done, with his jammies on. Jimmy and I were sitting in the floor and he went beside his bed looked at us through the slats and said "I see you" and laughed. It was so cute. He has said it several more times today as well. I have taken the binkies away again during the day. When they were sick they really wanted their binkies but now we are all better, I've taken them away again and their speech seems to have really taken off. I was aware of the binkies possibly hindering their talking and it did while they were sick, thankfully that's over. Karter now has 12 teeth which include 4 molars and another on top coming in. They have both learned to scream and boy do they scream. When they're mad or when they are fighting with each other. They have really started to interact with each other lately. Kolton will hand Karter things and the other day I swear I saw Karter tickling Koltons belly and saying tickle tickle. Still eating well, loves to talk on the phone and any and everything is a phone to him. An old calculator, a computer mouse, a remote control, he holds them all up to his ear and says "hello". He loves to lay down on soft blankets and will say "ahh" when he lays on it. Loves to take drinks out of our cups and says "ahh" when he gets a drink. We have discovered he's my little spicy eater boy. He loves sausage, chili, lasagna, spaghetti and salsa on his chips. He's such a joy and when you hold him he looks at you smiles and lays his little head on your shoulder. Several times he has given my back a soft pat. He usually responds when told no and has not had a time out yet, however he does think you are playing a game sometimes when you tell him not to do something. He runs back over to it smiles and does it again. Usually a stern no is enough to stop him.

"I see you"

Kolton has been repeating everything we say. Every sentence he will repeat some word out of it. He has 13 teeth now. It's so cute to see them chew with their new molars. Kolton's new obsession are pretzels. At a family Christmas gathering someone made popcorn and pretzels with a candy glaze. Kolton went nuts for those pretzels and since then I have bought a bag of pretzel sticks and he begs several times a day for some. I put them in a baggie for him and he carries them around the house getting them out one at a time. Kolton as been in time out several times. He knows when you are telling him no, but he gets this gleam in his eye, looks you straight in the eye, smiles and does it anyway. He still steals toys from his brother, but lately he has been sharing things. Last week several times he took Karter his binkie when he found it on the floor. He has taken him toys and given him a raisin. I always make it a point to tell him what a good job he did of sharing. I don't want Kolton to get a complex or not think he's good enough, because quite honestly it's pretty much Kolton that's always doing something he shouldn't be. On the flip side I try to make sure Karter does not get all his toys taken away and will take his hand and have him go to Kolton to get it back telling Kolton he has to share. Kolton is full of life and you never know what a day with him will bring.

He wouldn't look at me just wanted to chew on the bottle.

For some reason last week Kolton became scared of the ceiling fan in their room and it took me a day to figure out why he kept crying. Finally I figured it out when I went in their room to comfort him for the second or third time. He pointed up to it. I asked if he wanted me to turn it off, I turned it off and he laid down and went to sleep. That lasted a week and he seems fine with it now. Kolton is the first to greet one of his grandparents when they come over. He laughs out loud if someone else is laughing. He will come to you for hugs and grab your hand and lead you to something he wants to show you when you arrive to where he want you to be he will pull down on your hand to tell you this is were whatever he wants or needs is. Kolton is my silly boy that is always ready to ham it up.

"oh hey!, why are you yelling at me?"

I'm sure there is so much more I could say about them, but I'm tired and I still have that laundry and those piles of junk that I should get to. I can't believe that they will be 18 months old soon. My babies are not babies anymore. I still call them babies, but they are toddlers, little boys that have likes and dislikes and know how to tell you about them.

Rundown of Christmas 2007

First I want to say that I will be writing the boys 17 month update very soon, like in a day or two. We have been so busy around here. First we had the Ice Storm and went without electricity for 7 days. We got power back, on a Monday and by Tuesday Kolton and Karter were sick. Both had diarrhea and Karter threw up one night for several hours and then once or twice a day or so later. It has taken him 7 days to recover. Kolton did not get it as bad. Everyone got the virus and I mean everyone. Whatever we have/had, which I suspect is Rotovirus, although that has not been diagnosed by a doctor is highly contagious and pretty much anyone who came into contact with the boys when they first got it has gotten it. My nephew, who I watch began throwing up the next day, my brother got it the day after that and his wife a few days later. I got it as well, but thankfully didn't throw up or have diarrhea. My mother in law got it and then both my sister in laws got it. It's a nasty horrible bug and somewhat acts like food poisoning. It causes back pain and neck pain, the shakes and a slight fever, possible diarrhea and vomiting and strangely gas. Poor kids, Karter did not eat well for a week, today is the first day he has been eating at meal times. Anyway lets move on, I'm sure you didn't want to know all that stuff.

So after a week of sickness then we had the holidays. I didn't get my shopping done like I would have liked and my Mom is having to wait on some of hers, but it got done. We had 3 days of celebrating starting on the 23rd with my Mother in laws. We had a nice time and good food, however she did not feel well due to the virus I mentioned above. The kids got some really nice stuff, it was a nice day. On the 24th there was talk about rescheduling Christmas at my Dad's also due to said virus mentioned above, but at the last moment we went ahead with it. The kids once again got some amazing gifts as did Jimmy and I. We got a date night with dinner and a movie and even a babysitter from my Dad and Step-Mom, what an awesome gift and much needed by all of us, me, my sister and brother and our spouses because in the last year we have all gone from no children to kids and as everyone knows the first year is a doozy. We then went next door, where my MiMi lives(my brother, nephew and sister in law went home, due to said virus, because there were lots of children there and my elderly great grandma) and had lots of yummy food, with lots of family. On Christmas morning it was just Jimmy the boys and I. We opened our gifts, the boys played with all their new toys for a bit and then we got dressed and headed to my Mom's for Christmas dinner. It was all very yummy, then we opened more gifts, the boys got some more cool stuff and I got some money to burn, Amazon here I come. It was a very busy 3 days, well actually a very busy 2 weeks, but it's all over now and things are back to normal. I took the tree down today and am now sorting through clothes and toys that we are no longer using. I plan on selling some of it, anyone interested? So that was our holiday in a nutshell. Good food, laughter and time spent with family, that's what I enjoy about the holidays.

I hope everyone had a nice a very Merry Christmas.

Kolton at Nana's checking out the presents.

Karter pointing at the camera. He is obsessed with cameras and phones.
(he's still was not feeling well here)

Kolton Christmas Eve at Papa's. "hey where's the presents?"

Karter found Nanie's camera and thought he hit jackpot.

5 Generations.
From L to R: My dad and Karter, me, Kolton, my great grandma(mamaw), my sister, her daughter, my grandma(mimi, my dads mom)

Christmas Morning

Boys are still sleepy.

After everything had been opened.

Just a side note. They put WAY too many plastic things that hold the toys in on the toys now days. It took forever to get those things open. Also I forgot to bring my camera to my moms in the rush to get out the door. Both my sister's had cameras so I'm waiting on pics from them.

A little information about RSV and a poem

If you have read this blog for any amount of time I'm sure you have heard me refer to RSV. RSV is dangerous in it self even to full term infants, but to preemies it is life threatening. As I was looking through my daily blog reads, I stumbled upon Kristi's very excellent explanation of RSV and why we have to be so careful. Her post explains it far better then I ever could and she even has pictures too. Please take the time to read her post about RSV. Once again here it the link.

Also while reading my daily reads I stumbled upon this poem and found it touching. It's long but I hope you enjoy.

Twas the night before Christmas, and in each isolette
Little creatures were squirming and getting all set;
Machinery sat by their bedsides with care,
In hopes that good breathing skills soon would be there.

Day shifters were home all snug in their beds,
As visions of overtime danced in their heads;
While preemies on ventilators, and some on CPAP,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap...

When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
The residents woke up to see what was the matter.
Away from the sink I flew like a jet
To make sure all was well at my baby's isolette.

Some bilirubin lights with their powerful glow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to babies below,
When, there before my wondering eyes, it would seem,
Was an oversized stroller and a medical team.
With a handful of needles with which they could stick you,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nicu.

More rapid than eagles his specialists came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Nurses! Now, Residents! Now, Neonatologists!
On, Social Workers! On, Respiratory and Occupational Therapists!
From the front of the unit! To the end of the hall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

Up to each baby's cribside they flew,
With the stroller full of toys, and St. Nicu too.
And then, in a twinkling, they stopped at each bed
And tucked in the babies and got them all fed.

As I looked at my baby, and was turning around,
Down our aisle St. Nicu came with a bound.
He was dressed in red scrubs, and I could instantly tell
That his clothes had an obvious hospital smell;
A bag of stuffed animals was flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
A little red pen he held tight in his teeth,
And a stethoscope encircled his neck like a wreath.

He was chubby and plump, with a few extra pounds,
And I laughed when I saw him there doing his rounds.
A turn of his clipboard and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke few words, but came straight to my side, And running down his face was a tear he had cried.

And laying his hand on the back of my head,
He gave me a nod, and slowly he said:
"Each night you come here you're aware of the danger,
But your baby is loved by the One in the manger."

Then the medical team gave a thumbs-up and smiled
And St. Nicu placed an animal next to my child.
But I heard him exclaim, as they rolled out of sight,
"Merry Christmas, tiny baby, and have a wonderful night!"

Ice Storm 2007

I couldn't resist this title because as anyone who lives in Oklahoma knows, our weather stations always have to name everything and make it dramatic, and sometimes it is dramatic, but the names always get me. When we had the tornadoes a few years ago in May they are now referred to as the May 3rd Tornados, and everyone in Oklahoma know what they are talking about. Anyway Ice Storm 2007 was the name given to the recent events that took place in our great state. This storm did not produce ice on the roadways, all the damage came from the trees, lots and lots of trees down. Due to the down trees we were out of power for 7 days. That was the longest 7 days I've had in a long time. The power went out on a Monday, we ate dinner in the dark, luckily the roast I had put in the crock pot got done before it went off. Tuesday I went to my Mom's who's power only went out for a few hours, to her advantage an OG&E guy lives in her neighborhood and of course he could pull some strings. So for the next 7 days I went over to her house with kids, junk and usually laundry in tow. We ate breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner over there. The kids were a bit confused as to why we where leaving so early, and why when we came home it wad dark in the house(I told them the trees were broke and the lights broke, for several days they went around saying "tree broke") but we managed. They did not eat well for a few days due to being out of their routine, but I tried to keep it as regular as I could. I brought them home after lunch everyday for a nap. Thankfully we borrowed a generator from a friend who had electricity. With that we were able to run the heater and stay warm. After 4 days and going into the weekend hubby bought a bigger generator that was able to run the freezer, heater, TV, a lamp and our computers. This past Monday afternoon the power came back on and all is well in that area now. I say in that area because on top of all that, now the boys are sick. Kolton has had diarrhea for two days and Karter woke up last night vomiting. He did this on and off for two hours and was able to go back to sleep until 4 when he woke up again vomiting. I finally brought the Pack N Play into our room last night and Karter slept in there. Every time he threw up it woke Kolton up and he got upset and scared for Karter. Everyone slept a little better by separating them. Today no vomit but diarrhea and raw bottoms on both boys. Both have slept a lot today and I don't feel so grand either. And to add some more, I had planned on finishing up my Christmas shopping online, but with the power out and all I was unable to do that and now nothing will arrive in time. I have 5 days to go out and find several gifts for people still on my list. I so don't look forward to fighting the crowds.

Ok that was the longest paragraph ever, but my show is coming on and I still have pictures to post. Also in the next few days I will write the boys 17 month update. There is lots to tell. Until then I give you pictures of ICE STORM 2007.

Most of this tree that is in the neighbors backyard is now in our backyard.

Lots of downed trees lead to lots of candles.

This is only half of the tree limbs that are in our backyard. There are lots more in the front yard too. All still waiting to be cut, anyone want to do it for free?

Winter/Holiday Photo Contest

I've got so much to update you all on, but it will have to wait. I have to go to the grocery store and restock the food we lost due to our power being out, which was just turned back on today. However I was reminded by Stacie that I needed to enter the photo contest. I'm entering this picture I took of my nephew Collin. Go vote for me, all the details are here.

Darkness...

You might noticed we haven't posted in a while...
We've been out of electricity for almost 5 days now.
We've been fortunate to have a neighbor that happened to have a small generator that he was able to loan us. I hooked that into the central heat and air and kept the house pretty toasty warm. We are now looking at spending the weekend with no power other than the little generator so I went and bought a more powerful generator today. We can now power the satellite, television, both computers, the freezer, the CH&A, and enough kitchen appliances to cook some dinner! I suspect now that we have the larger generator around, OG&E will show up quickly to turn on the power.

I had been meaning to get a generator for a while, now at least we'll have one for emergencies.


Here's Brandy surfing the web by candle light :>, you can click for a larger view.

ElfYourself

This has been going around. I'm sure you have seen it. We decided to jump on the bandwagon.

Watch our dancing debut here!

Our Christmas Card Pictures

I plan to take some more as soon as I get time, probably this weekend, but I wanted to get our cards sent out so I didn't have to worry about them. This year I went to Walmart's site plugged in some pictures I had taken earlier in the week, chose a card, clicked done and I picked them up the next day. It was so simple and I will defiantly use them again, hopefully next year I can get a better picture and preferably one of the whole family. I ordered 25 cards thinking it would be enough and I would probably have some left over. I was surprised when I used every single one of them. If you don't receive one, I'm so very sorry, I wasn't very organized with my addresses and such. I had to go looking around for them and wasn't sure if I got everyone.

I do have some things to tell you about.

I hope to get video of this soon, but so far everytime the camera or video camera come out they both stop what they are doing and just want to touch the cameras. My kids, like their dad, are so into electronics. They can scope a cell phone, or camera out in a second flat. They smile and make their way over to said device and try to snatch it. Just so you know they are learning to run, it's harder to catch them, but it's cute to hear them giggle and run from you. Ok, sorry I got off the subject there for a second. What I was going to say is that Kolton has taken up singing. They have a book that at one time played music and has a little microphone attached to it. It stopped working long ago and they ripped out the pages, so all that remains the the back cover and the microphone. Kolton drags that thing around singing into it. He holds his little mouth in an O shape and just pours his heart out. He sometimes pauses to place the microphone near your mouth so you can sing too. It's so cute and I'm so glad he likes to sing. I like to sing. A little known fact about me is that I got through my first two years of college on a scholarship singing in my collages music band. We traveled around to local school and sang at local events. I really enjoyed it.

Karter has taken up dancing and at the mere word dance, begins to stomp his little feet and twirl around. He likes to spin around, stop and then walk backwards. He does this until he's dizzy and falls down giggling the whole time. He really likes to preform this for his Papa and Nannie, he just giggles when Nannie laughs at him.

Ahh my silly boys, they are so fun!

Oh and today Kolton climbed on the couch all by himself, crud I knew that was going to happen soon. They totally don't get the gravity thing and just try to nose dive off it. He also moved his toy car to the playpen that we use when Collin is here and climbed inside it.

Lovin my new camera

I'm really liking my new camera. I still don't really know how to use it but I have managed to take some pretty good pictures, well at least I think they are good. Last Friday, while the boys were napping I took the opportunity to take some pictures of my nephew Collin. Here are just a few of what I got. Enjoy!

Girly Things.

Being that my niece is the only little girl in the family right now she is, of course being spoiled with all things cute and girlie. My sister got these adorable little red shoes for Kyndie. We call them her Dorthy shoes, like Dorthy's ruby slippers on the Wizard of Oz. I couldn't pass of the chance to take pictures of them. I took these several weeks ago, with my old camera and photoshopped them some. I thought they turned out cute.

Santa came early to my house.

Well for me at least. Jimmy got me a nice new camera for Christmas and I've been trying to learn how to use it. Let me just say I have absolutely no idea at all, but whenever I have a free moment, which is not often, I pick it up and snap some pictures and read the manual. I started watching my nephew Collin on the 19th and although he is a good baby it has made me tried. He has some reflux issues which have made him just miserable, but with a formula change he seems much better. I forgot how exhausting taking care of an infant is,(how can I forget that so soon and I had two at one time) he mostly sleeps so I don't know why it's so tiring but it is and add to that Kolton has been having some jealousy issues, well let just say they both can say NO, NO and shake their head now. It's inevitable that when I feed Collin, Kolton wants me to go somewhere or read him a book. I feel guilty to a point, but then I know it's good for him to learn to share and all that stuff.

Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know I'm still here, busy but here, trying not only to figure out my camera so I can take our family Christmas picture, but both the kids and I are adjusting to a baby in the house and not being able to get out as often, this is the hard part, we all start going stir crazy. My Explorer will not fit 3 car seats, I have tried and it's not happening. Anyone want to give me a nice newer maybe a little bigger car or truck for Christmas? Come one any takers? I didn't think so.

I leave you with some blurry messed up pictures from my new camera. Sheesh I hope I can figure this thing out. I suppose I can always shoot in Auto, but I don't like to use the flash if I don't have to.

I not so happy Collin shortly after he arrived at my house.


Kolton wondering what else he can take off the already pretty bare tree. Sorry it's blurry



My sweet Karter with a shadow on his face.


A kinda blurry picture of an ornament on my tree.


I actually like this one.

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I ask that you take a moment to remember what it is that you have to be thankful for.

I'm so very thankful for my ears, well not just my ears but my hearing. This may sound like a weird thanks for some of you, but without my hearing I would not be able to enjoy the sound of my children's laughter or the sound of lovely music.

I'm so thankful for my children. My precious children who had a rough start to life, but who thrive now, thankfully, for my hearing I can hear them arguing and playing with the father as I type this.

I'm thankful for my family. My every supporting family. I love you guys, all of you.

I'm just thankful to be alive, although it's cold here today, my house is a mess and I have absolutely nothing suitable to wear, I'm alive. Alive to see the beautiful trees that are such lovely shades of amber and red now, the sky so blue and crisp, the grass all crunchy brown.

Be thankful for you never know when it will be the last day your eyes see or your ears hear, or your children laugh.

God Bless you all.

16 Months Old Today

I can't believe that today the boys are 16 months old. I have to say that after they turned one, it has gone a lot faster. They are beginning to understand what we are saying. Kolton wanted in my lap the other day, he was sleepy and I said "Kolton go get your lovey" he stopped in he tracks turned around found his lovey and brought it to me. I was like hey, he understood me! I asked Karter the other day if he was ready for night night and he shook his head yes.

Kolton: Lets start with teeth. He as two molars on top and is getting two on the bottom. He now can answer some questions. If it's nap time and I ask if he's ready for a nappy nap he will grab my hand and take me to his bed. As a matter of fact he will come to where ever I am and take my hand and take me to whatever he is wanting. The other day their were some crackers on the cabinet and he took me over to them and pointed and said ahhh. Kolton never stops moving, EVER. From the time he gets up until the time he goes to bed he is moving all over the place. He hardly ever just sits down and plays with something. Kolton is also testing his boundaries lately. He keeps going to the tv stand and turning the satellite on and off over and over and playing with the cords. If I tell him NO, he smiles and does it again. He's also started being mean to his brother and sometimes me. I've notice he does this more when he's tired, however if you tell him NO that's not nice he gets this look in his eye and does it again. I have caught him several times pulling Karters hair. Tonight he slapped me in the face while we were standing around talking to my dad and step mom. I was holding him and they were talking to him and he just slapped my face. We all said "Kolton, that was not nice, be nice" he looked like he was going to cry for a second and then did it again, then he pinched me. It seems with Kolton the more you discipline him the more determined he gets. To tell the truth he has always been like this, even in the womb. He was twin A the one who decided that it was a good idea to come early. I have had to start doing timeouts with him for no more than a minuet at a time. Then I let him up and tell him what he did and let him go. We have only been doing this a short time, so we will see how he handles this.

He's saying all kinds of words and using them correctly. He can find the kitty cat in the book and says meow. He will bring the bubbles to me and say bubbles. He says no, no and shakes his head, can say yes and shake his head yes, says shoes and socks and holds his feet up for both. Understands when you say want to go bye bye and heads to the door. Runs when you tell him you need to change his diaper and has even said diaper once or twice. Says doggie and points, however he also tries to pull the dogs hair, but on the flip side tries to share his food with them. Knows what a nappy nap is for a nap and heads to bed, knows what night night means and head for bed, and he know what where to go when I say lets take a bath. He also knows what I mean when I ask if he's hungry and can say juice and will bring his empty cup to me. He's very bossy and takes anything he wants from Karter.

Kolton pushing the buttons AFTER he had been told not too.

I think that sums Kolton up for now, I'm sure I have forgotten to mention some stuff, but that's all I can think of for now.

Karter: Karter is very sweet, not that Kolton does not have his moments but for the most part Karter is the cuddle bug. He will come up to you and raise his arms to be held, he will lay his little head down on your chest or pat your arm or back. He also has two molars on top and two more coming in on bottom. He pretty much is always on the go as well, but will sit in the floor playing with a toy for a few minuets at a time. He does respond to being told NO for the most part and will stop what he is doing. He has not had to have a timeout yet and does not try to hurt his brother or other people. Pets the doggies nicely, but also feeds them his food. When Kolton takes something away from him he cries, sometimes throws a fit and looks at me to get it back. At times I will go to Kolton tell him Karter had it first have him give it back and then take Kolton to get something else, this does not always work. Karter can also find the kitty cat in the book, does not meow though. Call his cup a Ba, I suppose short for bottle, knows what his shoes and socks are, but does not like to put them on like Kolton, understands what taking a bath means and heads to the bathroom, also knows what a nappy nap is and night night. Can say and asks for a cracker when he's hungry, but it sounds more like crah ker. Heads to his chair or whines when I ask if he's hungry around lunch time. Also know what bye bye is and head to the door and also runs when you mention a diaper change. Karter loves to try to climb, thankfully so far neither one of them have tried to climb on the couch or chairs, but it's coming. Karter has the bad habit, which has caused many a head bump, that if he wants something or doesn't want something he will throw himself backwards without regard for what might be behind him. This usually just makes him even more mad. He LOVES anything electronic. Can scope out a phone or camera from across the room makes a beeline for it all the while smiling. Once he sees that your are not going to let him have it, sometimes he throws himself in the floor and cries.

Karter, OHH the camera, uhh hey you think if I smile real big you will let me play with that thing?

That's all I can think of for Karter now, just like Kolton I'm sure there's more.

I have to say I'm very excited for the Holidays this year. I can't wait to put the tree up. I know I'm crazy, it's just going to more than likely end up on the floor or all the ornaments will. Last year I bought a six foot tree with lights already on it. I didn't put any of my really nice breakable ornaments on it. Usually before I had kids my tree was huge, 7 feet tall and was big and fat around. I decked it out in ribbons and bows and pretty glass ornaments, it take a long time to put up and I hate that part and putting the lights on it. I don't mind decorating it and I hate taking it down. Last year after everything we went through, I just didn't have the time or energy to put the big one up. I figure this way if something get broke, no big deal, it's all inexpensive stuff on there anyway. I need to get busy and take some pictures for our Christmas cards this year. Once I get them I'll be sure to post them for all to see.

Whee! Leaves are fun!

Uhh, not whee, I don't really like it down here.

Nope I would rather get up and go this way.

Just Stuff

Kolton has added some new words to his vocabulary. He now says nose, bubbles, and yuck. Those are the ones I can decypher right now.

Karter can say bubbles, and nose. He's been running a low grade fever then it went up to 101 today. I called the doctor and if he is still running one in the morning we are going to the doctor.

Don't you hate it when your kids don't feel good? I don't want them to hurt or feel bad. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow, however I expect Kolton will come down with whatever it is. He looked like he didn't feel well tonight in his eyes.

Time Change and Photoshop

I assume that we are not the only ones having a hard time with the time change. I'm assuming that children all over are wanting to go to bed too early and getting up too early and getting hungry for lunch and dinner too early. For the past two days Kolton and Karter have been having a hard time. They usually eat dinner at 5:00 or 5:30 but now are starving at 4:00 that's after I have given them a snack earlier in the day. Since they have been sleeping through the night, they are very particular on when they want to go to bed. Before the time change they where very sleepy and in bed by 7:00. They like this, believe it or not they beg for this. They will go to their room get their water bottle, binky and lovey and say over and over night, night. Poor kiddos don't understand why we are not putting them in bed when they think it's bedtime. But as you all know that time is really 6:00pm now and that really does not work well at all. We plan to extend there bedtime by 5 to 10 mins or so until we reach 7:00, but I gotta say it's not going to be easy. Time change sucks and I would be happy if we would just do away with it. I understand why it was started, but most of America does not work like this anymore so we should do away with it don't you think?

Ok enough of that.

Since looking at so many website with beautiful photos, I've become very interested in taking better pictures. I'm just getting started, I don't really know what I'm doing and I'm sure my photos are very flawed to the professional eye, but to me they look good most of the time. I've also started playing with photoshop. This is a wonderful program that helps you fix flaws in your photos. I've only started learning about it. Here are a few photos I've played with so far.

Baby Collin-(my nephew)

Baby Kyndie and Mommy-(my niece)

Kolton

Karter

My Favorite Things.

I don't know what got me thinking about this. Maybe the new parents in the family and all the baby stuff that's on the market. I remember feeling so confused and frustrated. I had no clue what I needed or what would work best. As I muttled along I have discovered some things that I really like. Here's my short list of things that have worked the best for us.

Here they are.

1. AngelCare Monitor by Bebe Sounds. This is my number one favorite thing. This simple monitor allowed both Jimmy and I to be able to sleep. We got this monitor when we no longer needed the Apnea Monitors prescribed by the doctor. I believe both babies where about 6-7 months old(I don't really know for sure if that's the correct age, but I'm too lazy at this point to look through my archives) when we started using them. Like the Apnea monitors, they sound an alarm if there is no movement in baby's bed for at least 20 seconds. You will, as your children get older, get a few false alarms as baby begins to move around the bed more, but they are few and far between. I know this does not prevent SIDS or something else bad from happening, but it does alert you if there is a problem it alerts you soon enough that you can get help or take recitative measures yourself. We have used these every night since. Well that was every night until about a week ago. It was the first time in 15 months the both boys where not being monitored while we all slept. I was nervous and would still be using them if they hadn't become such and obsession and a hazard to the boys during the day. Both boys are OBSESSED with the monitor and cords. The began, everyday climbing under their beds numerous time to get to the monitors. I tried everything to keep them out of their reach, but because there is a part that remains in the bed at all times I couldn't just put it up during the day. So, because it had become a hazard during the day, all day and the boys were so obsessed I decided to put the up, for good.
I strongly recommend this monitor, for 65-80 dollars you can have some peace of mind while you sleep. If I ever have any more children I will certainly use this monitor again.

Jan. 19, 2007
The day before the boys where taken off the Apnea Monitors. We where so nervous and scared. We researched and ran right out and bought two AngelCare Monitor.

2. Boppy. This is great for all occasions. It's good if you breast feed and works great if you bottle feed as well. I have used mine(we have two) for several different things. When the boys were really young they were a life saver. I used them to feed both boys at the same time. It took some practice but once I got the hang of it things got a lot easier. I also used them for tummy time and the boys would lay on them on our bed and just watch us or their surroundings. Occasionally they would nap in them. I have to tell you there is a disclaimer on the tag that states you should never allow your children to nap on them, but I did, I never left them alone on them. Kolton had some pretty bad reflux when he was little and we where supposed to prop him up after feedings for at least 20-30 mins. The Boppy worked great for this as well. I recommend these to anyone with an infant they allow you to have your child close by but have your hands free as well.

Picture taken Oct. 21, 2006
They got sick with a cold that night and their monitors went off a lot. We had to take them to the ER the next morning.

Taken Oct. 5, 2006-Two days before Karter was able to go off oxygen. Poor little guys face was swollen from the oxygen, he had cradle cap and eczema on his face. Not to mention the tape bothered him. Man, oxygen sucked.

Taken Nov. 11, 2006-Kolton enjoying his boppy and a binky.

3. Papasan Swing. We got two of these swings as a gift from a dear friend for the boys. Both boys really liked them but it was Karter who loved his swing. He up until 9 months or so would take his naps in his swing. I would let him swing until he fell asleep and then I would stop the swing. He would nap for an hour or more in it. When nothing else worked and Mama was about to have a break down from them not napping or wanting to be held all the time. I could turn to the swing for at least 30 mins. The swing will swing in two different directions and the seat has two different positions in which you can put it in. When you have infant twins you will try anything to get just enough time to cram a sandwich down your throat or go to the bathroom. These swings where sometimes the only reason I got to eat.

Taken Nov. 8, 2006
One of the first times I put them in their swings.

4. Booster Seats. Although these are not the exact seats we have they are by the same company, they just don't fold up. I love these seats, they take up less room than the highchairs, and when you have two of everything space is an issue. They are easy to clean and the boys feel like they are more apart of dinner time now. For that matter when we got these seats we were able to put the table back in the kitchen and all eat together. When it was just the highchairs we had to take the table out because there wasn't enough room for both the table and highchairs. We of coarse used the highchairs until the boys where able to sit well on their own. If we are going to a friend or relatives house to eat, we just take these seats along and the boys have their own chairs. I've not had one problem with these seats I think they're great.

Taken June 30, 2007
First time in their big boy seats. We have since then switched them to the other side of the table and most times we use the tray that came with the chairs, they seem to focus better on eating with the tray attached.

5. RadioFlyer Wagon. The boys got this for their birthday from their Nanny. This is a must for twin families. I would also say it was a must for families with children close in age. Both the boys love this wagon. It's easy to pull, has safety belts to keep them strapped in, and has cup holders. We never get one complaint from either of the boys in this wagon. We also have this wagon. I like the wagon as well, but at this point neither boy will stay seated in it long enough to be pulled around. Because it has the bigger tires it tips a little more easily. We've tried it several times but their not ready for it yet, they don't get that if they stand up or fall out while we are moving that its going to hurt and it's going to leave a mark and I don't want that. It does have a cover on it like a covered wagon which both boys are crazy about. They do however like to push it around they yard. I'm sure when their older this wagon will be just as big a hit as the other one.

July 4, 2007
First time in new wagon.

July 6, 2007
We even took it for their one year old pictures. The wagon's a hit I tell ya!

There's my list of my five favorite things so far. I'm sure as the kids get older my list will grow. Feel free to share your favorite thing in the comment section.