Markers and Jon and Kate + 8

In a very un-like Kate Gosslin way, I let the boys play with markers yesterday. They really enjoyed it and of course they got some on their hands and Karter even got a little on his face. The first thing I though of was that Kate Gosslin would have a heart attack. I watch her show but there are some things that have been bugging me about it lately. I think she is a good mother and she does not intentionally want to hurt or harm her children in anyway, but I think sometimes she does, not to mention her poor husband Jon as well.

She always talks about laundry and freaks if her kids get anything on their clothes. That's what kids do, my kids get stuff on their clothes all the time and I have to admit that I have ruined several shirts of theirs because either I didn't pre-treat the stains or I left them wet in the laundry basket and they mildewed. I don't buy the boys really expensive clothes because first they are boys and will get dirty and second because we don't have all the money in the world to be buying expensive clothes.

I felt so sorry for Kate's kids when they went to Disney and they were eating ice cream, one of the girls dripped some on her clothes and Kate just flipped. She started yelling and trying to make everyone who was there to help feed the kids ice cream. In that instance I would have just let them eat their stinking ice cream and if they trashed their clothes too bad buy them a new shirt. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about how dirty my kids clothes get, maybe it's because of how they came into this world but that's not one of the things I choose to worry about. I like the boys to look nice and I don't take them in public such as to church, or eating out with trashed clothes, although I did take them to wal-mart with dirty shirts once, no one died and no one said anything to me about it.

Kate's just too uptight about things. I realize she has eight kids, but I would assume that all the stressing she does over the little things just makes her and her kids more stressed. I wonder if it might be time to end the show for the kids sake. They have had camera's following them their whole life, of course that would not stop her from freaking over spilled ice cream.

The whole pre-term birth and NICU experience changed me for the better I believe. I used to stress over silly things but now I no longer do that for the most part. I realize what is important in life and stained clothes are not one of them.

Things I never thought I'd have to say

Karter please stop licking the counter.

Boys are silly. I remember when my brother was about 4 or 5. We were in a department store and my mom was looking at jewelry. My brother came up to the case and starting licking it all up and down the glass leaving spit marks as he went. I remember my mom and the counter worker just looking at him like he was crazy. If I also remember correctly that was the same day he did a summer sault in the middle of the store and came up with his shirt off.

I'm sure I have more things I never thought I would have to say coming my way.

Help!?!?

Please tell me it's just a phase they are going through and my kids will resume taking naps shortly. I so looked forward to the hour to two hours I had each day to do stuff that needed to be done or to do nothing at all but stare at the tv or the walls. I NEEEEEEDED that time, I WANT that time.

Now the minute I lay Kolton down he screams which in turn keeps Karter a wake and an hour to an hour and 1/2 later I still have two kids that are awake. Say it ain't so!

Having Issues

Kolton has been having separation issues lately. It really started about a month ago when we started attending church. The first couple of times he stayed in the nursery with no problems. The nursery workers only reported that he became sad at times and his bottom lip would pucker but he was still playing. The third time he did not want to go in but we encouraged him to then we left. Our church nursery provides pagers to the parents and on the third visit I got paged. They couldn't seem to calm him and he had tried to climb over the wall and busted his lip.

The next two services we tried to take him in to church with us. He really enjoyed the praise and worship part but by the time the pastor began he had had enough and began to talk and whine loudly. So I ended up taking them both the the lobby and trying to corral them. The next time we tried I decided to go into the nursery with them and leave when he was playing. He was very nervous but at snack time I slipped out, 3 mins later I was paged back in. I ended up staying the reminder of the time with the boys in the nursery.

At this point Jimmy and I were beginning to become frustrated as to what to do. We both wanted to be able to attend the church service and know that Kolton was fine in the nursery. It was also becoming a drag taking turns sitting in the lobby. As anyone with children knows trying to contain them in a place that is full of stuff they want to touch, climb on, jump off of, and to keep them quiet is just hard ,times that by two and there you have it.

After debating on whether one of us should stay home at the next service, we decided to go anyway. Kolton needs to learn it's ok and that we will always come back, but we were nervous. It was Jimmy's turn to get them if we got paged and he was not looking forward to sitting in the lobby again. I decided to try a different approach. I would take them to the nursery by myself, I would tell them both I would come back to get them in 45 mins(they do very well if you give them a time frame). At the door Kolton got teary eyed and kept saying "I go momma's lap" I told him no that he would have fun. A very nice lady who's name I did not get took him in her arms,as a side note I allowed them to take their comfort items,binkies and lovies, it seemed to help Kolton. I looked in about 5 mins later and Kolton was still being held be he was no longer crying and seemed ok. We did not get paged that service and both enjoyed the church service. As I went to pick them up from the nursery I peaked in before I went to the door. Karter was playing with a little girl with a toy kitchen, Kolton was still with the very nice lady. They had made sticker books and Kolton seemed proud of his. He was not crying and seemed content.

I really appreciated the extra time and care that the nursery worker took to comfort Kolton. It not only allowed both Jimmy and I to sit in a service together, it also showed Kolton that we will always come back.

On a side not it changed my mind as well. Our church likes for you to be involved. Weather it be a door greeter, nursery worker, coffee server, whatever just something to keep you involved and to help you meet people at the church. When I was initially thinking about what I would like to do, my first thought was, well I don't want to work in the nursery, not when I basically have a nursery at home, but two things changed my mind, the first being the day I spent with the boys in the nursery. All the kids are so cute and it might be fun to play with them. What really made me change my mind was the kind, extra care that the nice nursery lady gave Kolton. It really helped him and in turn helped me not only to get to hear a full service with my husband but it helped change and in turn helped me decided to work in the nursery. I think it's going to be fun and I actually look forward to it.

I need to add that Karter has not been having and issue with the nursery. He goes right in and plays. He does however began to get concerned when Kolton cries so it's nice for both of them when he doesn't.

March of Dimes (Part 4)

We exceeded our goal! I didn't think we were going to make it, but at the last minute we pulled it off.

The actual walk will be next weekend. There will be awards, breakfast and a preemie parade. I plan to take plenty of pictures.

I want to thank you all for sponsoring us and helping me raise money for a cause I'm so passionate about.

To my Internet friends thank you so much for the past two years you have helped me by donating.

To my family I thank you as well for being so supportive and for walking with us.

To Jimmy's co-workers, it is because of your last minute donations that we met our goal. You have been nothing but kind to our family in the past two years. Thank you!

And now for some pictures.

Photo Attempts

I've been trying for quite a while to get the boys in the same picture. I took over 200 pictures of them yesterday I'm still going through them all but here are a couple.

March of Dimes (Part 3)

Just and update and reminder that those who wish to donate to our March of Dimes fund, please do so by clicking on the March of Dimes banner on my sidebar or contact me as I need to have all monies by Sunday Sept. 21st. Unfortunately, I am sad to say that it does not seem that I will reach our goal of $300 by the turn in date of Sept. 23rd. While the March of Dimes is near and dear to me, I just don't think many people know what it does and how it helps. I encourage you to go to the March of Dimes website, read what they are all about, then I encourage you to read my previous posts on how the March of Dimes helped Kolton and Karter. A lot of people who donated last year to us seem to be unwilling this time. I understand that we were the ambassador family last year and therefore more people were willing, however that does not change what they do and how they helped in our situation. Last year my goal was $1000 I reached that, this year it is only $300. If possible please pass this post on and help me help the March of Dimes and all babies and families who may benefit from them.

Fun at the Fair

Sunday was such a nice day here. Not a cloud in the sky and the temperature was just right. After church instead of finishing the fence that hubby had been working on all week we decided to go to the State Fair.

When I was a kid my family went every year those are fond memories for me. I want to carry that on for my kids. Last year we went it was hot and the kids could have cared less but this year was different. They had a great time we all enjoyed some fried fair food and the boys had their first carousel ride. They absolutely LOVED it. The carousel was my favorite as a kid and I still like it to this day. It warmed my heart to see my boys enjoying it so much. I have to admit a small tear came to my eye as I remembered just how far they have come in their two short years. We had so much fun that day, it was just a laid back Sunday afternoon.

Cooking with Mom

Up until this point I hadn't really let the boys help me in the kitchen. I just didn't want to deal with the huge mess or the fights that I knew would ensue. However, the other day I had an easy boxed banana bread mix and thought it would be the right time to have their help. They enjoyed it so much and it went smoothly until I had to take the mix away to put it in the oven. It was at that point Karter threw a mini fit, thankfully it didn't last long. The bread was yummy too.

For Daddy

Yesterday was daddies 40th birthday. I hope he had a happy one. We love you daddy.

A Cabinet Full of Boys

The boys are really into taking all their toys out of whatever cabinet, or storage unit they are in and throwing them all over the floor. There is a a cabinet in the living room that holds some toys, but yesterday it held some boys.

Sigh

*EDIT* Karter went to sleep Kolton did not. Kolton and I sat on the couch and watched reruns of 7th Heaven. All is good, but I need some chocolate.

Kolton and Karter begged to go "night night" (nap)about thirty mins early today. While I found this odd, I obliged since Kolton got up early today. I get them all ready and by the time they get in bed they are only in there 15 mins early. We do our routine, I get on the couch to hopefully take a nap and the screaming begins. Kolton starts screaming about something, this in turn wakes Karter and now they are both screaming. I've checked on them both twice and this seemed to only make it worse. They are so tired. I'll give it 15 more mins then I suppose my longed for nap will be a thing of the past and a LONG afternoon shall begin.

Outside Time

For most of this week it has been super nice outside, the temps have been in the 70's and 80's and we have taken advantage of it.

The boys just love going outside and playing on their swing set and driving their cars. I would love to live somewhere where the weather stays like this all the time. I could live without the cold even though our winters are really not that bad here. Anyway that's beside the point. The point is the boys love to go outside and it keeps them from going stir crazy, which in turn keeps me from going crazy. I have tons of pictures that I have taken of them outside lately, but here are the latest ones.

Jimmy and I are going out tonight. My Mother-in-law has graciously volunteered to come to our house, she lives over an hour away, and watch the boys while Jimmy and I go eat or to the movie, or something. The problem is it has been so long since we have done anything without the kids that we don't know what to do. We won't be gone that long but it is much needed. Can I just say how awesome you are Nana! I have never been one to say I need time away or that I am feeling a little drained I always feel guilty if I voice it. I didn't have to, Nana just knew. Thank you!

Karter Time

Lately most of my posts have mainly been about Kolton. It's Karter's turn now. For the past couple of months I have not done monthly updates simply because I don't know what else to write in them. I pretty much record everything they do on the blog anyway.

Karter or Kartman as we usually call him is still a whiner and still dramatic at times. He screams the most highest pitch scream you have ever heard if Kolton takes something away from him or if he doesn't get what he wants.

He is an observer and usually just stands back and watches what goes on. Unlike Kolton who never stops talking, he talks but not every second. In the car he usually just rides and looks out the window, however if he is playing with something and drops it, oh my. He breaks out in the "uh oh" over and over and they get louder and louder the longer he has to wait. If I'm driving this drives me crazy as I can't reach back there and hand it back to him.

He still loves his naps, unlike Kolton, and still takes about a two hour nap a day. When he wakes up he likes to cuddle on the couch and if he doesn't get to do it as long as he likes then he gets upset an sometimes a dramatic scene ensues. He still loves spicy foods and will always, always eat pizza which is his favorite. He can eat two whole pieces of pizza by himself and likes just about any kind, but always picks olives off.

Karter still loves computers and electronic gadgets. Everyday, and I do mean everyday he takes all the plastic buckets out of his toy organizer and dumps everyone of them in the floor. He then goes into Kolton's room and dumps his out too. We are working on cleaning up our toys, but he loses interest quickly. It's not as fun to pick them up as it is to dump them out. One of the funniest cutest things he does lately is he will say loudly "I'm jumping" and then began to jump up and down all over the living room all the while giggling as we laugh along with him. He also wants to be carried around so he can see on the counter tops and then wants us to hand him stuff. If we don't give him what he wants he tries to push one of the kitchen chairs over to the counter and get it himself.

Karter is full of life and mischief. He is ornery and loving all in one little package. One little toy dumping, toilet flushing, high pitch screaming, pizza loving little boy. My silly little Karter.

Today-Not So Good.

Today has been a not so good day. I find myself being a little short with the kids today. Not bad but my tolerance for their shenanigans is a little lower than usual. I don't know if it's due to my back hurting today and dealing with that pain or if it's because they have been so dang busy lately.

I've told Karter countless times today not to stand in the pot/pan drawer and not to push the buttons on the stove(I have the buttons locked to he can't turn on the stove).

Both have been so whiny today.

It's raining here today and one of the dogs popped on the front porch and I had to clean that up.

Then the topping on the cake happened. I was laying on the couch, to try to stretch my back and wait for the boys to come out of the other room. Kolton came in and climbed on top of my stomach he began to hop up and down. I told him that it was hurting mommy and he needed to stop. He continued and I told him again that is was hurting mommy, all the while he is laughing. As I was about to sit up to make him stop he kicks me in the nose and mouth. I hear a crack and my nose starts to bleed. What do I do? I start to cry. I have never cried when one of the boys has hurt me before, but this really, really hurt and on top of the hurt that my back is causing, I just started to cry. Neither boy has really seen me cry before. Karter didn't really seem to care and though Kolton looked a little concerned he still thought it was funny. At this point I try to tell Kolton he hurt me and he laughs. I then popped his leg and instantly felt bad. His lip puckered a little then he was fine.

I went to the bathroom where I cleaned up then had Kolton sit on the couch. I apologized for popping his leg and gave him a hug and explained that he hurt mommy. Kolton seems to be fine. I on the other hand have a swollen sore nose and sore teeth. Not to mention I feel bad for losing my cool with him.

Update on Kolton's Doctor Appointment

On Friday Kolton saw the cardiologist. Everything is fine, he does have a slight murmur but nothing to worry about. He does not have an open PDA like Karter and the doctor does not need to see him again.

It's nice to know his heart looks fine and we don't have to worry about him having any procedures done.