Monday, August 31, 2009

OUR STORY


When I was 15 years old I was sent to spend the summer in Oregon with my oldest sister. I was wild and my mom hoped that my sisters example and time away from friends would change my life. I came to Oregon as a "punk" as Shane puts it. Typical teenager, only interested in boys and fun. Shanes family was in my sisters ward. Shanes mom was one of the young womens leaders and a huge influence to me through the summer. It wasnt until alot later that I really go to know Shane. I knew who he was, but he to me was the quiet homeschooled boy in the back that only spoke to add something profound to the lesson. I was impressed with him but had my eye on the more popular boys.

Throught the summer, I morphed into a different person. My sister was a good conversationalist and able to get me to search my soul. Her family read scriptures every night and prayed at meals. I took the challenge in YW/YM to read the Book of Mormon during the summer and by the end...according to Shane...I was different. The end of the summer came and my mom and sister asked me if I wanted to stay a year for school. The first semester I went to the public school and then the second semester I did not.

I was reading my scriptures and I had the thought that I needed to pray about going to PHA - the "homeschool" Shane went to. I did and got an answer to go there. I felt so strongly that I cried all night when my sister refused and even moved in with a family in the ward in order to go there. I loved the public school and there was no reason that I did not want to go back. All my friends were there and I knew noone at PHA, except the ackward boy in the back of Sunday school.

When I was crying, Shane called me on the phone and we had our first conversation. He or his mom picked me up everyday for school, evethough Shane had allready graduated. We became good friends. The next summer I came to visit Oregon, and since my sister had other family in town, I stayed with Shanes family. Josh even called me his sister.

The summer Shane left on his mission he flew me up for the week before he left. Gave no hint of liking me. I knew that he was a good boy and did not want to write someone on his mission, so I figured I was either a "sister" or a prospect for the future. I spent the first year of college thinking that he was just 2 hours south of where I lived in Arizona. He taught my cousins missionary lessons in Tucson. All of my boyfriends knew that "Shane" was coming home from his mission soon.

I knew the general time he was coming home from his mission and waited and schemed how I could contact him. Instead he called me. He wanted me to come visit Oregon. I said I was working and going to start Nursing school soon and broke. He said he had a little money and would come down to Arizona to visit. I said, "Great we can tour your mission", unsure of the real reason he would come all that way just for me.

He went to Lake Powell for a few weeks on a family vacation and then came to visit. While he was on vacation I called his house and his aunt Donna answered. She said that Shane was really excited to come and visit. YIKES!!! I got all of these visions in my head of being swept off my feet, and began picking out colors for our wedding.

Shane came and we drove to Tucson. I thought he was everything that I dreamed. I wanted to be close to him and kiss him, but... whenever I got even slightly close he moved away. To top it off, on the way to Tucson he explained that on vacation he kind of started dating a mutual friend that went also. I died inside. Okay, why the heck did he come.

I made the most of the weekend. We enjoyed and had a blast. The last night as we played cards, he said something about how charming he is. I said that I had not seen that side of him. He said that I probably would not. That opened up the conversation and that night I went to bed heart broken.

The next day on the way to the airport we stopped and watched airplanes at the top of a mountain near ASU. He held me, and said that he did not expect to like me so much, and that I ruined eveerything. Then he left. He said he would call me the next day. I was a wreck until he called. What if he said yes? What if he said no?

He finally called and said that he wanted to have a relationship with me. I said, "Oh say it again". He flew down a few weeks later, and we drove to Oregon in my packed car, where he had a roomate and apartment waiting. I spent the next few months in Oregon ackwardly beginning dating while everyone around us treated us like we were engaged.

The time came for me to stay in Oregon or go back to Arizona and start Nursing school. He sent me home. I died again. But a week later he had quit his job and moved to Arizona to be with me.

A few months later we were married. The rest is happily ever after.

MY = I


Brenna learned how to talk from her cousin Tucker that is 9 months older. Right now his I's = My's. "My want that toy". Brenna speaks the same way now. I have been trying to help her talk correctly but it is not sinking in:

Brenna: "My want it" (her pink hat)
Mom: "Brenna say, 'I want it'"
Brenna: "You want it?"
Mom: "No Brenna (in a higher tone this time) say, 'I want it'"
Brenna: "No its my hat"
Mom: "Yes, it is your hat, but dont say 'My want it' say 'I want it'"
Brenna: "You want it? Okay here you go mama"

Friday, August 28, 2009

Thursday, August 27, 2009

BOWL OF LEMONS

It may appear to be just a bowl of lemons that I use as a center piece on my table... but really it is 30 minutes of freedom. No matter how hard they are crying, the bowl of lemons makes everything better and they play, play, play. I only bring it out in cases of emergency, so they dont get bored with it.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

BABY HUNGRY


There is a reason that my post is called "Battling Insanity":) I have had off and on baby hunger since "the brothers" were about 4 months old. Ridiculous, I know. I held a newer baby on Sunday during Relief Society and since then cant get it off my mind. But from experience, in a few days I will be in the "3 is ENOUGH" stage.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

GOT TO LAUGH...


OR ELSE ID CRY!

...when Brenna comes back from the bathroom and her favorite game is running away from me when I try to put her pants back on. Even if she had allready do it 6 times that day, it is still her favorite game.

...now that "the brothers" are mobile, they pick on eachother. One pulls the others ear or kicks him and the victim cries. This is a continuous situation. I move them but they find eachoether again.

..."the brothers" cry whenever I leave the room.

...that whenever I find a momment to close my eyes Brenna wakes me up just for fun.

...that my "alone time" is running errands, but only one per outing at a time and only while the babies are sleeping.

...when Brenna cries to be held when I allready have a carseat in each hand, and a bag on each shoulder.

...when I try to put the kids to bed for some time with my prince and it takes a hour until they calm down enough to relax.

...when Brenna gets out every toy that I just put away.

...that Landon thinks he can crawl in the tub.

...that I change a million diapers a day, holding down the baby with one leg to keep them from rolling away.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

NO SHOWERING ALONE


My showering routine is: Set the boys on the floor in front of the shower with toys. Jump in just long enough to wash my hair. Put in the plug and put it from shower to bath. And finish up with Brenna in the bath with me. How we both fit? It is tight.

This has been working for us for the past few months. But... the other day Jackson was screaming and crying so hard. I could not fiqure out what was wrong. So I striped him down and added him to the tub with us. THAT was what he wanted. I dont know if all four of us will fit each time. I am going to have to fiqure out another way to shower.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

MEETING MILESTONES

Maybe it is because they are 2 months behind developmentally, but I want my babies to meet their milestones early. They so far are a little behind, even for 7 month olds. And also, since they are twins, I quess I expect them to do everything at the same time. Jackson was by far the first one rolling over and to get teeth. Landon is crawling all over the house and even sitting from a crawl. Jackson took a break from rolling but now has begun again. Jackson dose not like his belly and looks alot like the humans on "Walle" if they fall off their chairs. They both sat at the same time.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Friday, July 31, 2009

LANDON 911

Maybe if I blog about it, then the flahbacks haunting me will cease.

Monday after work Shane let me sleep until 1200 then he had to go to work. I was still tired, so I put all of the kids down for a nap. While I was trying to put Brenna to sleep, I heard Landon, it was kind of muffled but I decided to give Brenna another minute and then check on Landon. I fell alseep and woke up about a half an hour later and I heard Landon again. Brenna woke up too so I put on a movie for her and then went to get Landon.

He has a blanket that is furry on one side and silky on the other. It was somehow, wrapped tightly around his head. I had to pull hard to get it off. He was inresponsive, lethargic and his eyes were open but rolled back. He was not blue but breathing shallow and grunting. Without the blink of an eye I KNEW, I needed to call an ambulance.

They came fast but it felt like a lifetime. I knew he would survive but I worried that I had made him a vegitable or mentally retarded because of lack of oxygen. The parametics came and he was stable, but limp. They took him straight to the Emergency room.

His eyes opened for the first time while walking into the ER, and he steadilly slowly perked up. Shane gave him a blessing. They kept him in the hopital overnight because his blood sugar was 500. Now my fear was diabetes and the life change that it brings.

Once in the hosptial room, he was my sweet little Landon again. Rolling and rocking all over the bed. In the am his blood sugar was normal and he came home. The diagnosis was "Acute Life-Threatening Event", but the eitiology is unknown. They think that he got stressed, and had a seizure and I found him right after the seizure. Possibly the stress caused his blood sugar to rise, plus diarrhea that night and increased WBC and platelets.

Landon is better but I am haunted by the flashbacks of him whenever I close my eyes and the guilt of knowing that he is that stressed. He was so stressed that his body freaked out. I hope it will lessen over time.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

SIMPLE JOYS

Brennas shorts are always sagging, now that she is potty trained, and her tinkerbell panties peep out.

When the boys wake up and happilly play in their beds until I come and get them.

Landons smile that goes from ear to ear.

When my kids sit still long enough to snuggle.

5 minutes of joy when my house is spotless.

That my house is in the shade all day and I dont need an air conditioner.

Gummie bears, by the handful.

When all 3 babies nap at the same time. Rare.

Monday, July 20, 2009

BRENNAS REGRESSON

It is probably my fault but heres the list:

Drinks out of a bottle. Would rather be dehydrated than drink out of a cup.

Sucks on a binki. She had a amazingly easy wean off of the binki when she turned 2, but lately I find her in bed with one in her mouth. She will even hide under he blanket so I cant see it.

Wants to be held all the time. She used to wiggle out of my hands whenever I tried to hold her.

Loves to eat her food with tiny baby spoons. I dont know how it makes it to her mouth.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

THEY ARE IDENTICAL

This statement is always made by others with doubt. For SURE they are identical, but they are different. Judge for yourselves. (Please turn the volume on your computer down so that you dont have to suffer through my baby talk :).


Monday, June 22, 2009

FATHER OF THE YEAR

Shane is amazing! He jokes around that before the twins he could do his own thing and help out if he WANTED, but now he is NEEDED, and he loves fatherhood 10 times more. He is so gentle and patient with the kids. He loves to wrestle and play with them outside. He takes them out on the boat and on the dirtbikes. He stops and teaches instead of raising his voice. He goes to work all day and then comes home and sometimes has to single-handedly watch them at night. He is superdad.

OUT WITH ALL THREE

I did it! I needed milk so I took all three to the grocery store. I put one carseat in the basket of the chart, one carseat in the top of the cart and then there was a tiny little spot for Brenna to stand. I had to put the milk in the bottom of the cart. I got looks of amazement all through the store and we made it out whole. MAYBE I will attempt it again.

JACKSON BROCK

"Jackson Boy". Drama King. He wants it NOW. He exercises his lungs if he wants something. He LOVES food. He will eat every last drop no matter how much I give him, then he will cry for more when he is finished. He loves babyfood. He loves to roll perpendicular to Landon and kick him in the head. He also loves to play with Landons ear. He does not like to be held or rocked when he is tired. He wants to be put down with a blanket that he can snuggle with his face. He is known from Landon for his chubby cheeks.

LANDON ACE

"Commander". Laid back and smiley. That is Landon in a nutshell. He is my sweetheart that lets me snuggle with him. Food or milk, he can take it or leave it. He gags everytime I put baby food in his mouth, and pulls a face like it is the nastiest thing ever. He can play for hours be himself on the floor. He loves laying next to Jackson and sucking on Jacksons hand. Everone says he is going to be the prankster and silly one.

BRENNA MORGAN

At this stage she is a JOY and a CHALLENGE at the same time. The ward members say that they love to sit behind us because she is so much fun to watch. She has a hillarious little personality. She is always joking around and playing. On the flip side if I get too busy and neglect her a little, she cries about everything, until I remember she is there. She is a daddy's girl. Loves to be outside playing in the dirt. She has a hard time if dad rides the dirt bike without her. She loves to go fast and has the biggest smile. No matter how much I feed her right now, she comes back 15 minutes later, with the most desperate look, and says that she is "hungy". She loves to wrestle. I have to remind her to be soft with the babies, but she is always trying to roll around with them on the floor. She always needs your attention. When I try to take a little nap, she comes in every 5 minutes just to say hello. She is known for her crazy hair that is curly and does its own thing. We put pigtails in but after 30 minutes they are pulled out.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

"HOT MAMA" HAIR CUT


After having hair down to my butt most of my life, I do not know what I want or how much work a hair cut will take. I have always said, "Just give me a 'hot mama' hair cut. Everytime it does not hit the spot. I guess I needed to go to someone who knew me. I trusted Kimber (my sister-in-laws sister) to do it. I also realized that if it was long enough to put in a pony tail then it will always be in a pony tail.

It came out great. It is short, especally to me. I love it. I finally feel like the hot mama I have been searching for after twins. I have to spend alot more time getting put together, but it is so worth it.

POOPY IN THE POTTY

Brenna finally went poopy in the potty. She did not want to but it helped that yesterday she watched Tucker do it. i had to keep her attention on a book and off the fact that she was sitting on the potty. She got 2 lollies for doing the poopies. a little while after giving them to her, she came to me saying, "Help me mama". She had both lollies stuck in her hair :).

POTTY TRAINING

We attempted potty training with Brenna once she turned 2 years old. It lasted a day and then we gave up. Tucker (her cousin) is almost 3 years old and was potty trained in a day. Grandma Karen said it was time to give Brenna another try. I resisted. why could not I wait until she was 3 and do it in one day, with no puddles on the floor. Between shane and Karen's pressuring, the potty training journey began.
The first day she had 2 mistakes and then went down for nap. She woke up dry, so I put my trantrumous 2 year old on the potty right after her nap. I thought that she would definitely have to go after a 2 hour nap. No success. I spent the next 3 hours reading books, watching a movie, coloring, and anything else I could invent, with her sitting on the potty. We have a few portable potties that she is comfortable sitting on.Then it happened. She went. We danced. We cheered. I praised with no end. Then I could not get her off the potty. She wanted to do it again. We went to the store and got her some "lollies".
It has been a week, with a few days off at times. I put a diaper on her at grandma Karen's house and at stores. When she is at home she is naked except for a shirt. She will leave the room that I am in and go potty in the other room, but she will not go on command, or tell me that she needs to go. Since she is two the answer to every question is "no". So I have a hard time determining when to take her to the potty if we are out. that is the next step. I am not interested in leaving puddles all over other peoples houses.

"HAPPY TO HAVE TWINS" STAGE


THE TWINS ARE NOW 7 MONTHS OLD (5 MONTHS OLD DEVELOPMENTALLY, SINCE THEY WERE BORN 2 MONTHS EARLY). THEY GIGGLY, SMILE, AND LOVE THEIR MAMA. THEY ARE PURE JOY. THEY ARE CONTENT PLAYING TOGETHER ON THE FLOOR. THEY SLEEP GREAT AT NIGHT. THEY EAT WELL (SOME SAY TOO WELL, ESPECIALLY JACKSON :). THEY DO NOT CRY UNLESS THEY ARE HUNGRY OR TIRED. I LOVE GOING PLACES BECAUSE EVERYONE WANTS TO SEE MY BABIES. JAWS DROP IN AMAZEMENT WHEN THEY SEE US PACK AROUND ALL THREE. ALL OF THE SUDDEN I AM SEEN AS "SUPER MOM". I SPEND ALOT OF DAYS WITH ALL THREE TO MYSELF AND LOVE IT. I NEVER THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD COME. I ACTUALLY FEEL SORRY FOR ASHLEY THAT JUST HAD 1 BABY (SHE GOT JIPED).