Alls well

Surgery went well, the prep for it was very very very difficult. Getting two babies ready for surgery, no matter how minor the surgery... is a lot of work. I wasn't feeling very good  and was really struggling. The nurses were great and helped me by walking Kara up and down the halls. They were both very upset that I wouldn't feed them. The babies... not the nurses lol

Then when I heard Kiley crying because she had woken up from surgery they told me i had to wait in the room because they were holding Kiley and I needed to talk to the doctor. So here I am all worried something had happened and she wasn't doing very well. Why else won't you let the mom see her crying baby? I might have been less nervous but the nurse that had been helping me out was confused too. So that didn't make me feel great that things weren't going as planned for them either.

I'm still not sure why they told me that but it wasn't too long and they finally gave her to me. I felt a little bad that I practically snatched her away from the nurse but I wanted to feed her and comfort her. It's still hard to watch them go back into a room without you to go to sleep. And at that point I was exhausted.

It was a looong morning but I'm thankful for the staff there because they did do their best to make sure that not only my girls were taken care of but that I was doing ok too. The doctor did say that their ears were worse than she thought and so she wants to see them herself for the post-op appointment instead of a nurse visit. They've been bleeding and the gunk has been flowing!

Tom's mom came up last night to help watch Abby and has been helping me around the house with things which is nice :o) I even got a much needed nap when I got home and got the babies to sleep. Since then I've been feeling quite a bit better so I'm hoping that I'll be able to fight off this bug that I seem to have gotten too.

Back to work!

Surgery tomorrow already!

I'm waiting for the surgery lady to call me back... so I thought I would just write a quick update while I waiting.

We spent 2 hours in the ENT office this morning. Long time for me alone with all three girls! Abby actually did pretty well for the most part. At one point while we were waiting in the waiting room she was running from one wall to the other. "I'm running a race mom!" At least she wasn't screaming or being 'naughty'... it was a little funny too.

The ENT was fabulous. That lady knows her stuff! She had this specific technique to look in their ears and was so good with all of them. Even when Abby was dragging the toys all over the room or jumping on the bench. Very down to earth awesome physician. Oh and she knows ears too. Kiley and Kara I guess have really bad ears bilaterally (both ears). She said their ear drums were retracted there was so much fluid back there and scarring from the infections. At one point she told me that if they didn't get tubes they would have constant infections until next SPRING! There is just so much fluid behind the ear drums it's not getting out and just keeps getting infected over and over and over and over again. (Hence the multiple antibiotics)... oh and did I mention they BOTH had them in BOTH ears... hmmm so much for Kiley not having an ear infection. And Kara has been running a temp all day poor baby. I knew she was pulling on those ears good...

She even checked my ears... and said that she could see the subtle signs of damage from ear infections I had as a kid. Funny... I don't remember them, maybe that is a good thing! Maybe thats why I was so cranky :P

Now Abby... here's the real surprise.

REFLUX! They said it's incredibly rare to have a child who had zero ear infections in the first year of life to start having so many now. They also noticed she is a mouth breather. And those of you who noticed that she tends to 'drool' a lot.... reflux is also to blame. Her throat and tonsils were really irritated. So can you believe it causes ear infections too? Which also causes her nose to run and run and run and run... so miss Abby has learned to breathe out of her mouth instead. Which means her mouth is open a whole lot more and that she just ends up drooling especially when she's concentrating. So we are starting her on Reflux meds and going back for a follow up in 6 months or so to check things out. I thought she had outgrown it... guess I didn't know...

So surgery, we get there at 6:30am and I get to take both of them in to get ready. It might be interesting.... they are all napping now and I wish I could lay down! I sure haven't gotten a lot of sleep lately.

ENT tomorrow!

Kiley Kara and Abby have an appointment with the ENT tomorrow morning. Thankfully I was able to get them in a little sooner than Friday. The ear infections must end! At this point I really don't know who has them and who doesn't. All I can say is that all three have green snotty noses, Abby and Kiley are coughing and Kara and Kiley aren't sleeping. But we'll see. Maybe they can at least give me a little advice.

Tom is sick tonight so I'm ready for a healthy house again.

Kara is really trying to walk on her own and can take steps holding on with one hand. Every moment she gets she is trying to do it on her own. I'm trying to convince her that standing on her own might be a good first step. She did manage to stand for a few moments until she toppled forward. Won't be long!

Kiley... could care less. She enjoys cruising along the floor at breakneck speed. She stands along items and walks along them but isn't as daring as Kara is.

I've also noticed that Kara enjoys cruising things along the floor. As in she will take an object in her hand and 'drive' it along the floor. Whether it's a spatula, plastic rolling pin, plastic cow, car... even things that can't drive she tries to push. It's pretty cute.

Both girls are munching well and love to self feed. I found some great snacks for them to eat while I tend to Abby or other house needs. Of course that really only works with Kara because Kiley loves to escape the highchair. In fact she will escape even with a 'seatbelt'... so I have to be extra vigilante with her.

Abby is as busy as ever. She has a touch of the tummy bug too so that never helps. We played outside for awhile today when K&K were napping. She really liked playing on the swings and bars with me. She loves getting under dogs and trying to touch the clouds with her toes. Of course "clouds are yucky, don't eat the clouds mommy." Ok Abby... I won't eat the clouds :o)

All three of us took an hour long walk around town today, we played in the park too near the school. Abby loved the bouncy horse. Well it's time for some sleep before my next baby shift begins... I have some pictures and videos I would to post but need to fix my computer so I can upload them. Maybe eventually...

Back to School

Back to school and so far... so good.

I spent the last two days in an Addiction Treatment Center and wow was it eye opening... and also exhausting. I have a lot of respect for the people who do that work every day. They do some pretty amazing things.

But of course it means I've been away from my girls these last two days more than what was normal and it's been a little bittersweet in that I miss them terribly but love that feeling when you walk in the door and they are absolutely beyond excited to see you. Abby just wanted me to hold her and hold her and hold her today and she played with my hair for awhile, we went for a walk and played in the backyard with Kiley and Kara.

Kiley has a fascination with the pool which makes watching Abby outside while she is swimming really tough. I need a fence within my fence! Kara tends to be more interested in eating the grass. And there is a lot of grass in my backyard....

We found a frog in the grass and Abby loved it. Thankfully it was a large frog and could really jump which kept it out of Abby's loving grasp (aka super tight death grip) It was a beautiful cooler day and we enjoyed playing outside as much as we could.

I always seem to miss the weekends but we had a good time going down to celebrate with Tom's parent's church. While we didn't get to see Grandma and Grandpa as much as we would have liked it was still a good time. The services got a little long at one point and Abby was beyond tired so she couldn't handle it as well. Oh and side note. All three girls slept in the same room with me over the weekend! And it worked! It was so cute.... once when Kara woke up and woke up Abby (I was super tired and didn't wake up as fast to get her)... Abby said "Be quiet baby, Abby's trying to sleep."

I couldn't help but laugh because those were my thoughts exactly!! And when it comes to not sleeping... ugh they haven't been sleeping again! Does this mean ear infections again? I don't know for sure but I'm super suspicious. And I've been unbelievably good at getting those meds into them on time every day every dose. And still... we can't kick them. It's been 2 months of this with Abby and just over a month with K&K. Abby is on her third type of antibiotic now and K&K their second. They aren't working...

Someone mentioned tubes and oh my can you imagine if I need to have all three girls get tubes placed in their ears? Three surgeries? What do you even do? Would I have them all done the same day and be done with it? Rip it off like a bandaid? Or... Do I spread it out so that I can have more special cuddle time and attention from mom... They might not even suggest tubes, they might not even try to get me in tomorrow but I'm just trying to be prepared so I don't get sideswiped by this and make a hasty decision. Hmmm what to do... I just want these ear infections to be done. They are seriously sick ... all ... the time. And it's August. What will we do when it's December, January, February? The months where ear infections are more common.

I guess we'll find out. Perhaps I shouldn't even worry about it until I take them in tomorrow or Thursday... and see if they even still have them. Kara's nose is running like crazy and they are so so so so very cranky at night. They have been waking up screaming at night again... last night I was up with them 4-5 times each. I'm too tired for that anymore! Plus they are pulling on their ears and falling over a lot... so thats why I suspect it... but I'm tired and so...

 I'm going to bed!

*updated* Plenty of Sun... and rain

This will be a really fast post because Tom ran down my computer's battery and it is flashing angrily at me. I'll try to post coordinating photos when I have more battery in the morning.... (ok pictures are up! with some new stuff too)

We spent the morning at the local fair... oh it was fun but HOT HOT HOT. I think the temp was 94 when we left at one o'clock? The girls were miserable by then and I knew it was time to go. Abby loved the baby ducks and the kittens. She told me that she wanted the black one... we had to move on so I didn't give in....She also got her face painted. I think she would have rather painted the lady's face...

My mom, sister and brother were all there too along with an aunt and uncle/cousins so we were quite a group! Though I had plenty of help with the girls which was great. In the Expo building they had a booth with these 'pillow pets' Abby was so excited when she saw me (she had been walking with my sister...) that she took my hand and said... "come here mommy! Look!" She kept trying to walk off with them. I still feel a little bad i didn't just get one... but seriously how many stuffed animals that girl has... we'll see. I may give in yet...

The girls all napped on the way back in the cool van and I managed to get all three in the house without waking them up (yay me!) It was really nice to take a cool shower and not have screaming kids at the door... or trying to get in with me.

Abby has a new found love in playing with my hair. She probably did for like 30 minuets or so today just brushing and brushing and pretending to put preeties in. At one point she went into the bathroom and was digging around. I kept asking her what she was looking for and finally I got it. "Mommy I need a cut to cut the hair..." She was looking for a scissors to cut my hair. I had to explain to her that only mommy cut's hair (and normally i only cut Feebee's hair at that...)

*note to self: Keep all scissors out of reach*

Kiley and Kara shut themselves in the nursery today. When I came to get them they were both playing with the carseats. I wished they liked sitting in them as much as they like crawling into them. They are starting to play together better and better. Which is probably trouble for both of us. 

Kiley crawled out of the highchair... yes seriously. I went to get clothes for both of them while they were eating their snacks and when I got back she had her feet on the tray and was holding onto the back of the highchair. The little wiggle worm!!! Good thing I didn't take long to find clothes for them!

We attempted to go swimming with my brothers and sister tonight. But with our luck the one pool was closed early for this week only and by the time we drove to another town their pools were closing in 30 minuets. Abby was sad but we got ice cream and took a bath when we got home to try and make up for it a little. That girl would live in the water... I hope we get a chance to go play again sometime soon.

Round 2

Oh do they fight, oh do they cry and pinch and push each other over and munch on feet and hands and ears or whatever else... but oh do they love each other too!

My precious girls.

Well it's back for round 2 of antibiotics & mommy vs ear infections. I wish we could beat these darn things! It seems like the girls have been sick foreeeeeeever. They bumped K&K up to the next level and moved Abby onto a whole new range of antibiotics to see if that would help. Mommy would really like to sleep again! Plus the days aren't so crazy wonderful with three girls with ear infections. Abby & Kara have one in their right ear and Kiley has a double ear infection. Loving this other doctor I've been seeing lately. Good grief she remembers me and get's right down to the point! FINALLY someone who just listens to me!

The hardest part of the appointment actually was getting the meds. They sent them to the hospital pharmacy a few floors down so that it would be easier for me since I had to take the girls in by myself (that was fun). So here I am in a little store with candy and toys and cards and various medical equipment with two fussy babies and a vivacious toddler. Thankfully Abby was on her very best behavior and just sat... seriously just sat in the waiting chairs. (Hallelujah!) The babies prowled the shop just a bit so I could fill out paperwork and then we were on our way, baby on each hip and Abby close by in tow. I bought her a thing of apple juice for being so good and helping me out. I don't know how else I would have survived that....

(Kiley... haven't edited it yet but it was too cute not to share)

Today was hard. They were miserable which made me a little miserable but that is how it goes sometimes. Poor Abby must really be bothered by her ear she slipped on the steps twice and just was a little more of a handful then she normally is. We did a lot of things to try and pass the time but I think we will need to find a place to go tomorrow or we will all go insane. It's hard when the weather is so hot and humid because we wear out so fast. We did three walks though and played with chalk, played in the sandbox, swings and 'bike' ... she also helped me make homemade pizza and muffins. She loves to cook! She also did the sweetest thing today while I was editing photos. She came and sat on my lap and played with my hair like she was braiding it or putting preeties in it. "Almost done honey, it's ok" It was hard not to laugh, but oh was it sweet. That was my favorite thing with her today.

Oh and she slept in her big girl bed for nap and didn't even play in her room! 

Of course for night time she wanted to go back into the crib... and was very very very insistent that she be returned to the crib. So I gave in. Maybe it's a comfort thing. I got her new bedding and she loves it. We even cleaned up her room a bit to try and create some more play space. Kiley and Kara had a blast playing in all of the stuffed animals and clothes. They kept laughing and laughing. We played down there for quite awhile. Now if only the rest of my basement were as clear! Garage Sale!!!!

Kiley and Kara have discovered that you can go UP stairs now... creating issues with the deck stairs and being downstairs. Suddenly I have to make sure they don't decide to climb when I'm not looking. 

I'm noticing they are starting to do things the same way at the same time. Now this is as close as I could get the picture but seriously they were both holding their left foot... the same way. Once in awhile I'll say something to them and they'll both turn to me, with the same movements. Almost like they choreographed it. There are certainly moments when I am surprised at how identical they are... even if in my eyes they are complete individuals who happened to share mommy. :o)

Two Videos... as a bonus

Abby and her cousin playing together.

Kiley laughing at her bottle... she loves to laugh.....

Busy weekend & more to come

I've got my pj's on and am just about ready to hop into bed. All three girls are all tucked into their beds finally and so far so good. I hope they sleep ok, we have to get up in the morning to make another lovely doctor run. Abby is saying her ears hurt now and the way the babies are tugging on them and not sleeping I wouldn't be surprised. Kara ran a temp Friday night and the girls were up constantly Saturday and Sunday night (not to mention very little napping) So they are exhausted and I am exhausted and we have had enough.


Speaking of doctors... still haven't heard a word on Abby's test results. At least we are going in tomorrow so that I can 'bug' them about looking at those. Thankfully I've felt a little better after spending the weekend down at Tom's parents. Once I realized that a huge part of my anxiety and sadness was related to past circumstances, and I was able to talk to Tom about it, pray and cry a little.... suddenly I wasn't feeling this deep pit of grief and fear. Thankfully!

We found out that Abby, Kiley & Kara will have another cousin this coming Spring. It is exciting news even if they aren't so sure what it means yet. Someone else can have the baby that I can hold! :o)

Overall the weekend was good. We did some swimming, lots of playing and just had a good time spending the weekend together. Abby's favorite (and only so far...) cousin was there and brought along his mom and dad. They play together so well and absolutely love each other. There were a few moments of "Anything he can have I want more..." the overall opinion is that in the end... they are friends. Two is just a hard age... and sharing is a tough lesson.This coming weekend we are heading back down for the church's 125th celebration. It sounds like it could be a lot of fun... I hope the girls are all feeling better by then! I also hope it doesn't rain... we've had enough rain!

I love spending the days with my girls (even if they can stress me out sometimes) I'm really going to miss that as I start school again. Suddenly textbooks will fill up a good portion of my day. But I'm doing it as much for them as I am for myself and Tom. It will be a hard year but it will be so worth it in the end. And it won't get any easier. I try to convince myself that it will fly by and soon good things will be here to stay. But I'm still dreading school like a 6th grader....

Kiley and Kara are really chatty now. They love to spend time climbing all over me and still speak the 'raspberry love language' often. They had mashed chicken noodle soup for supper tonight and absolutely loved it. It is exciting to see how much they love to try new things. Something new for me! Baths are a much loved activity and they get so excited the moment they hear the tub start running that they flock like a herd of wild horses to the bathroom door. It is so much fun to watch them play together now too, or talk to each other from across the room in their separate cribs. They had more fun trying to eat the grass than swimming I think (above picture) But it was still fun!


Abby is slowly becoming more and more my companion and it is amazing and also a little hard to believe she is growing up. She loves to chat with people on the phone and often ends the conversation with "Thank you Grandma (or Daddy or Grandpa etc) Bye!" We are unsure of the potty training thing yet though I wonder if she is slowly starting to get that diapers are something babies have. We are having more issues with her taking them off lately.

Not the most flattering picture of Kara here... but I find it hilarious that she likes to ride in her carseat like this... like handlebars. Perhaps I'll get a better picture of it later :o)

Well I think that is it for updates :o) Hopefully I'll remember, or have time to post more later!

sigh

Well ... it's 5:30 on Friday. No test results till Monday now. Ugh! I'm trying to stay 100% positive and not worry and not think about it because it's probably very very very unlikely that there would be anything unusual about the test results... but I'm still the mom, she's still my little girl... and I still can't help but feel a little crazy.

Which reminds me of how important the receptionist job is... I did it and technically am still a receptionist/scheduler at the clinic she got her tests done at... but one that I talked with today upset me a little. I tend to be very polite and friendly when I ask them questions (because I know how hard that job can be...) but she was very short with me and completely dismissed my concerns. I'm a worried mom... I'm sorry you have better places to be than your job... I tried to be patient and maybe I was too patient and waited till 4:45 to call you... but the idea of waiting all weekend to get the results is maddening go me.

Sorry... I needed to get that off my chest a little. I'm really frustrated and feel like burying my head in the sand... or staining my fence... or just crying...

Abby in other news took a 3 hour nap today. Wow! I gave her Tylenol before her nap and apparently it helped her sleep better. She was exhausted. Of course the other two take turns at napping so I had at least one baby all day. We went to Walmart and Lowes today to pick up a few things... me alone... with 3 kids. We got a lot of looks because I had Kara riding in the Beco and Abby & Kiley riding in Hawk.

We did pretty well until Abby saw the shopping carts at Lowes. For some reason she was irate that I would not let her sit in the carts... not sure I still understand that. But I guess that is toddler for you. They want what they want and that is all that matters.

Kara and Kiley are both trying to stand on their own now. It's for very short periods of time. They are growing up so fast.

I'll try to write more later. I need some coffee for now... and a mommy break.

Nothing Yet...

I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to post in awhile. Those of you who didn't already know we took Abby in this morning for an Echo and EKG to rule out any abnormalities of the heart. She passed out on Monday and they want to be sure it wasn't related to her heart. If these tests come back normal they will possibly do an EEG to test for any seizure activity in the brain.

So far we have not received any news on the results and it looks like it will be tomorrow before we hear anything (hopefully). Abby did very well even if she was very sad and a little scared while they did it. She kept saying "Mommy hold you?" and "Almost done" (repeating the last one that we were telling her) She looked so sad and little on the table but they did an awesome job. She watched Elmo while they did it and took lots of pictures of her heart. I guess we will know one way or another hopefully tomorrow.