Airshow, Easter, Daddy still in GA

We've been staying busy since my last post. Last weekend, was our anniversary (6 years). Happy Anniversary to us! We headed down to Montgomery for the Air show with our friends Chad and Kayla and their two girls. The boys had a great time. We had beautiful weather and great company:) According to Parker, we saw "helicockters and fire (in a beavis and butthead type voice)." They enjoyed all the tricks and the parachuters....and the playground on the base while the adults watched the Thunderbirds. I've never been to an airshow so I was impressed! We spent some time playing and the boys roasted marshmallows and ate smores for the first time! They loved it! Thanks to Chad for the great fire (using an old Christmas tree, which was a bit disturbing for all of us) and Kayla for a good dinner! We ended our weekend with a lunch for Leah's birthday and then Brad packed up and headed back to Georgia for the week.




Last week was pretty uneventful (stay tuned, we are paying for that already this week). Tuesday morning before school, we had a visit from Granny and Gramp who were headed to the beach. The boys were pumped up, and even got some candy from their Easter basket before school! We went to the Mountain Brook vs. Thompson softball game on Wednesday to see a couple of my pitchers play- and they won! The boys were covered in dirt from head to toe when we left, but they had fun. Friday the boys had an Easter egg hunt at school. Carson is quite the hunter and Parker kind of hung back and waited for Carson to spot them and then try to race him to it! It was funny to watch- and they both had a great time!



This weekend started off with a bang by us buying the boys a new "playground" as they call it. We have been planning on getting one, and intended for it to be their birthday present, but with Brad out of town so much we just haven't gotten around to it. We also intended to hire someone to set it up....but 6 boxes and about 472 screws, nuts and blots later here it is...Phase I of the Rocky Mountain Retreat...we still need a roof and some swings, but Brad's goal was for it to be "playable" before he left and that it is! The boys told him it was "awesome."

We had a nice Easter. The boys woke up to their baskets-which they eagerly went through and then told us that "we already have THIS car (it really was a different one, but too close to tell for the boys I guess), I don't think we need another one. Ha! We played with play-doh, ate candy for breakfast and then headed out for church. We ate lunch with Brad's parents and then headed back home to finish Phase I of the playset. It was a long day-with the weather being so pretty it's hard to get the boys to come inside- I've always liked "springing forward" for daylight savings time, but this year with 2, 3 year olds, I'm already re-evaluating my stand on that!





Grandpa JR was put in the hospital this weekend. Having some trouble with his heart. He remains there tonight and will begin a new drug to help his heart function. Keeping him and Granny in our thoughts and prayers....it's been very hard on them and us because we are so far away.

This week is already proving to be filled with good story telling. Around 11, I got a call from Mitchell's Place (the boys' preschool) that Parker was throwing up:( When I got there to pick him up he was pitiful. Meanwhile, Carson was be-boppin down the hall asking why Pop didn't pick them up! One of their teacher's handed me a bag with some towels in it....a puke bag for the road? It must have been bad! Special thanks to Ms. Bry- we used it (at least the towels). We made it to the driveway, where I mistakenly got overly confident that we had made it. I stopped to tell my neighbor that he was sick and he got "that look." By the time I could get him out he had already done it again- and then again once he was on the driveway. This provided me with a great learning opportunity. 1- You're not home til you're out of the carseat. You can spray off a driveway- you have to completely dismantle a car seat 2- Love my Britax carseat....but reassembling it was a pain in my rear. I did figure it out eventually, but realized that Brad has pretty much done the reassembly every other time! He slept for over 3 hours, but now he seems to be feeling a little better, but they will stay with Ms. Angie tomorrow just to make sure we're good to go!

Spring Break, Daddy Back to GA, Doctors Visits....

So the first and second part of my title is my excuse for a lack of a post for.....what....almost 3 weeks?? Geez....that's bad. Let's see what I can remember...

Brad did get to come home for a quick trip to the beach. The weather was kinda cool and windy, but we did get a couple hours on the beach each day, so we really can't complain. We did some shopping, SOME, right Brad? The Destin Outlets were not hurt by the economy thanks to me. The boys needed summer clothes and shoes....and the fall/winter stuff was on clearance....and if you know me you know I love a deal! I'm buying for twins....I need to save when I can....and plan ahead too! There will be no pictures posted from the beach, because we didn't take any. In the packing craze....after 2 weeks of Brad being gone and 1 night to pack, I was literally just throwing stuff in bags.....and somehow brought a camera with no battery:( and it only takes the battery that came with the camera. Whoops....that stinks.

The boys had a good time and kept us laughing. On the trip down, Carson got his first experience of going potty on the side of the road (potty training will be the death of me). He had to go...and we were in the middle of nowhere! He was a trooper for sure! One night, I asked what they wanted for supper and Parker said, "Mama, I think I want something AMAZING....." like I EVER give them something amazing for supper. They asked to eat at Habaneros and Cracker Barrel almost everyday.....and we lied, saying they didn't have Cracker Barrel at the beach. We were caught the next day, when they spotted one....who knew?!?! My highlight of the week was when sweet Parker looked at me and said, "I think you're Supermom." I can't even remember what the context was....it was sweet though, I remember that:)

I turned 31 since my last post....wow, officially on my way to 40. Had a good day....until around 5 when Brad left for GA AGAIN. I mean really, should we be looking for a house over there or what?!?!? They do have the HOPE grant that would put both of my kids through college....hmmmmmmm....just kidding. Hopefully he'll be back here soon....the news is a couple more weeks and then alternating weeks 'til the end of May.

Monday morning we started out with a bang...and Carson had a PT appointment at 730 AM before school. Really, what was I thinking?? Ms. Peggy put some more padding in his jumping boots and said that he "looked good", but it might take us up to 6 months to "fix" the problem:(

So here comes the funny part of this post. I mean, I'm no Kate Gosselin (thank GOD), but a video camera following me this past Tuesday would have been entertainment for all:) I pick the boys up from school early, which means they had to be woken from a nap, to take Parker to the ENT and then both boys to the pulmonologist (lung dr, Dr. B).

We go to the ENT, where I fill out several pages of new patient paper work while everyone is commenting on how cute they are, asking if they are twins, and telling me I have my hands full....yes, that's all true, thank you for noticing, but you talking to me doesn't help me make my hands less full by getting rid of this clipboard full of papers! As I am finishing up the last page, someone has to go to the bathroom (at this point I actually begin thinking that pull-ups are an investment that make your life easier!). We take the papers to the front desk and head to the bathroom, where I proceed to whack Carson in the face with the toilet seat (he may leave it down forever now....my apology to his future wife). He leaned down to pull his pants down as I raised the seat.....complete meltdown to follow- I multi-task and ask Parker to use the potty while I console Carson- yea me! Carson is fine...a small scratch on his eye- but quits crying relatively quickly.

We head back to the waiting room where the boys have a small wrestling match while we wait....are they still cute, people!?!? We head back to the room and Carson is Mr. Personality until the doctor starts looking at Parker. Carson goes into a complete meltdown, i put him in the corner, while I try to listen to the ENT tell me that Parker needs to have tubes put in his ears and have his adenoids taken out. Carson eventually stops crying in the corner and tells me that he's ready to be nice. I tell him to apologize to the Dr., which he does, which leads the ENT to tell me that I have my hands full....really?!?!...thanks for the reminder from 10 minutes ago in your waiting room!
We move into the surgery scheduling room where I am filling out all the consent for the surgery (which is going to be in about 3 weeks, we think)- and Parker declares that he needs to poo-poo. I try to hold him off, several times, just trying to get through all the paperwork, and finally he says, "Mama, I have to go NOW or poo-poo will come out of my bootie!" BAHAHAHA.....the nurse tells me to go ahead....and we do....and we successfully make it to the bathroom. I ask twice if they are sure that Parker shouldn't have his surgery at the main hospital (as opposed to the satellite outpatient center), due to his asthma, and after checking with the doctor, the surgery is scheduled for April 15th at Children's South (hang on for a reschedule later in this post)....and we head to the parking deck.
Upon arriving to the parking deck, Carson says, "Mama, where is Scuba June?" For those of you who don't know...This was pretty much Carson's only request this past Christmas....and Santa was the only person able to find Scuba June....on eBay for about 3x regular price. I proceed to empty the diaper bag, my purse and my pockets, with no luck....so back to the Dr. office we go. We look everywhere and can't find it. I filled out a missing persons report and asked the nurse to keep her eye out...and we headed back to the car. As we walk, Carson has the lip out and is crying, and Parker is saying, "Sorwee bubba, you lost her and she's gone for ebber and ebber (ever and ever). As we reach the end of the hall, the sweet nurse says, "Mom, mom, wait....I think we found her!" Wheew!! Small miracles....gotta love it!

Now we head to Dr. B (pulmonologist) for a check-up. As we pull off the interstate, Parker tells me that he has to pee and that he might pee his pants. At this point I am absolutely positive that my next child will not EVER be potty trained. I will leave that child in pull-ups FOREVER!! I talk to him as we sit in traffic, trying to brainwash him to stay dry and hold on as long as he can. This story ends up with both boys peeing off the side of the parking deck at St. Vincent's hospital- absolutely Alabama, you might be a redneck if- I am just happy we made it and that I won't be washing carseats later that night! Both boys declare that they are watering the plants because they need water to grow during Spring time! Guess they are getting my money's worth at Mitchell's Place:) BAHAHAHAHA.....what a day
During the appointment Dr. B says that there is no way they will do surgery on Parker at Children's South (the satellite outpatient center), due to his high-risk breathing history, and that we'll need to reschedule at the main hospital, just in case of complications. We are awaiting a new date....and hopefully I will post again before the surgery:)

Brad is heading home tomorrow night and we'll celebrate our anniversary and Leah's birthday this weekend. We are taking the boys to Montgomery for the Air Show at Maxwell Air Force Base- and visiting our friends The Breedloves- we're really looking forward to that...and maybe we'll get some pictures to post!

Just Living

I'm already slacking on the posts.....geez, even once a week is too much for me:(

We've been staying busy....took a trip up to Chattanooga last weekend to watch Abigail cheer, celebrate Brenda's birthday and then finished it off with freezing our butts off at Tyler's baseball game. We had a great time and were glad to see everyone!

Brad left last Sunday night to work in Macon- we still haven't seen him:( Apparently, the dirt in Macon is wet and so they have to dry it.....hmmmmm, watching dirt dry. I bet Brad's having a blast! He is supposed to be coming home this Friday so that we can go to the beach!! Let's hope that works out.....for him I mean:)

Last Wednesday, Carson had a physical therapy evaluation for his "toe walking." We have officially aged out of early intervention, so his early intervention therapist referred us to a new therapist at Children's Hospital. Ms. Peggy was very nice and recommended that we try "the most conservative" option first. This consists of Carson wearing AFOs for a month. These are little plastic leg braces that go over his socks and under his pants. We call them his "jumping boots." He doesn't love them, at all, but is tolerating them well. Our biggest hurdle right now is that he has to wear shoes while they are on- or the hardwood floors in our house become an ice skating rink. Trying to get him to keep his shoes on while we are home continues to be a struggle, but warm weather is coming, so we're hoping that won't be such a problem once he can just stay outside and play! He is supposed to wear them "all waking hours", but I've been letting him take them off around 630 or 700, which is about an hour early. 12 hours a day is pretty good I think! He says, "Sorry, Parker, only I get jumping boots. Not you. Mama didn't get you any, sooorwee bubba." Which is followed by Parker saying, "Why didn't you get me any jumping boots, mama?" Twins make EVERYTHING more interesting, that's for sure!

This weekend was pretty low key....we caught some softball games at the Spain Park Tournament, ate out with friends and family....and played. Tonight, the boys were turning each other and me into things. Some of my favorites included, when Parker said, "Carson, I turn you into a "boobie bop and mommy, I turn you into a princess." I got the good end of that deal for sure! We missed our daddy. The boys kept asking, "What's today?" and "Where are we going?" It's almost like they couldn't figure out what was going on....I don't think Brad's been gone all week plus the weekend before (plus another 5 days too, but that might be discussed in my next post!). After dinner tonight, which was quite a battle for Parker, he hopped down and said, "Mama, let's go snuggle." and Carson said, "Yea, good idea Parker, let's go snuggle with mama." Love, love, love those boys.

We are fairly healthy. Parker and I are still coughing....Carson seems to be over the hump....except for that nasty runny nose, which I have decided is just par for the course:( Today I asked Parker what was wrong and he told me, "Mama, I can't breathe. I think I need some mask medicine (breathing treatment). That poor kid....at 3 years old he knows when he needs his medicine:(

Hanging on...5 more days til Spring Break....supposedly headed to the beach- thanks Aunt Pokey and Uncle Terry:) We'll see what happens with work for Daddy. Even if plans get axed, I'll be off from work, the boys off from school....that's a mini vacation in itself!

Another interesting week

It's been a great week! Carson (and Parker too....but his good potty skills are getting to be, dare I say it, old news) seems to be catching on this week. He's starting to tell us when he has to "poo-poo" in the potty!!! He told us when the vacuum salesman was here (no, he didn't take the hint and leave), and at the Spain Park vs. Mtn. Brook softball game!! Go Carson! Our biggest news might have come today when he told his teachers at school that he needed to go and actually did!! He got M&Ms from his teachers and a Curious George puzzle from mommy and daddy:)

We had some beautiful weather over the weekend- we all played outside, well, daddy worked in the yard while the rest of us played. Brad and I were working on setting up the stomp rocket (Tracey, was that for Brad or the boys??) and I hear, "Momma, look at me!!" I will never underestimate the power of those words again. Up until Saturday, that would have meant either, I did a puzzle, stacked a tower of blocks, or put on my shoes all by myself. This particular day it meant, we finally know how to ride in these Little Tykes Cozy Coupes (little plastic Fred Flintstone type cars if you don't know) and we are going to spice it up. We look over and Parker is on top of the car, yes, completely laying over the roof, all appendages off the ground, while Carson's feet are running as fast as they can go! Are you kidding me? For anyone reading this blog, please expect an entry about a broken bone- or at the very least a visit to the ER sometime very soon....I know we won't be surprised at all!

Angie also took us out for a little photo session in the pretty weather, of course, with 2, 3-year olds, it's hard to get everyone looking and happy at the same time! We tried though! They loved the lake- especially the rocks they got to throw and the sticks they were jousting with!






The boys are learning about teeth and the dentist at school this week. They are very excited to talk about things that are good and bad for your teeth. Yesterday, I gave them both a pack of graham crackers (Scooby Doo) and Carson said, "Mommy, we can't eat these cookies because they have TOO MUCH SUGAR!!" He yelled the "too much sugar" part and I almost ran my car off the road! Seriously, what 3 year old tells you he can't eat something because it has too much sugar? He then proceeded to tell me that cookies (my poor deprived children think graham crackers are cookies when they come from me:)) go on the "sad tooth"- only milk, cheese and water go on the "happy tooth." At least they are paying attention at school, right?

Last night, we went to the first game at the new softball field at UAB. It was freezing, compared to the 67 degrees from the weekend, the boys were red nosed and we only had 3 gloves for 4 hands....poor Parker:( This morning he told me, "Remember mama, at the softball field, you told me to put my hand in my pocket so it wouldn't get cold?" He had on one glove, with the bare hand in his pocket most of the night- I told him he was cool like Michael Jackson. If only he could know just how cool that was back in the day. Cold temperatures aside, It was great to see some old friends and be a part of such a big day! It only took 10 years, yes we started the program in 2000, and we (yes, girls, I'm talking to you) are officially old, but at least it happened and it's something that UAB can be proud of.

I've been sick much of this past week-got a shot, antibiotics, decongestant, and some killer cough medicine- and then felt worse for 2 days in a row:( Feeling better today, so hopefully I'm on the upswing too! The 3 of us (thought to self, why isn't Brad sick too?) will finish our antibiotics tomorrow- so hopefully we'll be well for the weekend!

WOW...snow and potty success all in a weekend?

Lots of news to report this week! Wednesday, Carson was sent home from school with a fever....but didn't have it by the time he got home:), but :( at the same time. The boys missed their Valentine's Day party at school the next day, that dang 24 hour rule sucks! The boys stayed home with Angie and had a fun day though, so I don't think they were too disappointed!




Friday, we were blessed with another SNOW DAY (I won't be saying that in June when I'm still at work)!! And this time we actually got some snow! The boys weren't too sure as you can see from the picture, but they ended up liking it after they realized they could knock down and break everything I tried to make! They also liked throwing the snow at each other and at me! Carson kept saying, "Snowballlllll fight!!" It was cute:)




Saturday was a big day. Carson finally pooped in the potty!!! I caught him "thinking" in the play room and I asked if he had to go and he said, "Yes!" and ran to the bathroom! It was fabulous...didn't carry over to Sunday, but at least we had some progress, right??

Sunday and Monday brought more fever for Carson. We already had an appointment for our 3 year old well child visit and for the 2nd well child visit in a row, we left the doctor's office with ear infections and prescriptions for antibiotics:( Carson had just finished his antibiotic on Friday, so bring on the poopy pants:( 20 out of 22 days on antibiotics is sure to bring some fun- and to think we have just finally come around to the idea of pooping in the potty.

We're having LOTS of fit throwing, whining, fighting over toys, yelling, "NO!" at anyone and everyone- but that's everyday, so I won't bore you with that....how about if I blog about that when it DOESN'T happen!! The person who coined the term, "Terrible Twos" clearly had not made it to the 3's yet! The boys are "wrestling" and "tickling" each other quite a bit now and laugh hysterically while they roll all over the floor (Can I spray down some floor cleaner when they start that? Or is that abuse of some sort?) so that's cute to watch. Of course, someone always wants to quit before the other one does, which turns into either, fit throwing or whining from previous sentence:(

I finally had my appointment with the neurologist- and she thinks putting me on a daily blood pressure medicine will help reduce the number of migraines I'm having each month. Right now I'm at about 8-9 a month, so I'll try anything! She says that migraines can be stress induced and asked if I had alot of stress in my life......I referred her to this blog:)

Happy Birthday!

Well, our little boys are officially 3! The past week has been full of fun....where to begin...I'll start the day after my last post:) Tuesday as Brad went to pick up the cookies I ordered from a bakery for the boys to take to school (yes, I copped out and ordered instead of baking). The bakery is a whole 2 miles from his office. Well, the cookies cost us $199.00- WOW those are good cookies- 15 mph over the speed limit in a 25 mph zone= ticket. whooops:(
The birthday boys woke up soooooo happy on their birthday, which was a nice change from the grumpy old men we've been dealing with every morning. I fed them a donut, with chocolate icing for breakfast- at that point they may well have voted me mom of the year- they usually get oatmeal or pancakes (with no syrup, which is child abuse according to their Gramp).
They had a great day at school, yes even Carson, made all "green" choices at school and got to leave early to head to the doctor's office. They had been coughing like 2 pack a day smokers, or 30 week preemies, smokers sounds more interesting for 3 year olds though:). We left the doc with 2 scripts for prednisone and one for an antibiotic (note: this did give us a ray of hope that at least some of the behavior problems we were dealing with was because of illness). 2 boys on steriods?? on their birthday party weekend?? that should make for some fun times:(
From the doc we headed to the toy store to play with the toys- then to the bakery to pick out an after dinner treat:) Carson picked a HUGE chocolate chip cookie with M&Ms and Parker a pink and purple flower cookie- weird I know, but it was his birthday! They really enjoyed Sumo and the big fire- of course, we did have Parker almost knock himself out by running from the open side of the table to the closed side- he forgot to duck, or else didn't see that it was closed:( Poor guy!
Friday, Parker informed my friend Monica, who baked all day to create the perfect BOLT cake (complete with Penny), that the cake was not cool:( Really, after she worked all day, you are gonna say it's not cool?? It was the 'roids Monica, I swear (see above premenition)
Saturday brought the BOLT party- lots of friends and family came to celebrate their special day, I think someone counted over 50 people! Thanks so much to all who were able to come:) We are blessed to be surrounded by such great people! We bought the boys a Step2 roller coaster- which was a huge hit! The kids were out playing on it in the beautiful, cloudy, dreary, 40 degree weather! Parker cried much of the time and wanted me to hold him:( He said there were too many people and that they needed to go back to their own house!! (see above reference about steriods) They both ended up having a great time and got lots of great gifts- thanks everyone! Where am I going to put more stuff you ask?? I ask too! We are still working on putting stuff away- but tomorrow is garbage day so the mess will be gone soon!
This week has started off well behaviorally (less whining then we have had), knock, knock on some wood, I know:), and coughing is easing up some. Carson is STILL struggling on finding the potty to do his business- he says he poops in his pants because he likes it- really? He likes it?
Thanks to my friend Kayla for sharing her year long battle with this problem (not the liking it, I don't think her kids are as weird as mine, just the refusing to do it in the potty part)- we're 6 weeks in, let the count down begin:( Pooping in the potty tips are welcome at ANY time......geez it's gonna be the death of Carson, I mean death of me!
WOW- we made it 3 years- what a blessing these little guys are to us:) We do remember what life was like before them (ALOT more sleep and time to do "stuff"), but wouldn't trade life with them for anything. Happy Birthday Carson and Parker!

Bring on the 3s

Well, Friday I come home to a note from the teacher....yes one of THOSE notes. It said, "Carson had a very active day, but was in a good mood. Really, I thought? When is he NOT active? Anyway, there was an arrow to the back of the note, which is never a good sign. It continued with, "Carson was removed from the classroom for getting into a physical fight with another student." As I arrived home, he met me at the door saying, "Mommy, I had a bad day at school, did you see my note?" I mean shouldn't he have been hiding or something? He admitted that he did get into a fight with another child, but that he wanted that food that Grant had and just wanted it.

You remember, we have twins, right? The same day, Parker's note, yes the teacher can write small, says, "Parker was removed from sensory time because he tore up one of the sensory toys and was later removed from circle time for pinching a friend." Parker tried to lie and say he didn't do those things, which I'm still deciding is better or worse than Carson's broadcasting his bad day:)

My Lasik surgery went well, I'm 20/15 with no contacts! Yea me:) We're gearing up for Wednesday when the boys will be 3- Carson says that he wants to eat at the place "where they make that big fire" This is better known as Sumo, one of those japanese restaurants where they cook in front of you. Shouldn't 3 year olds be picking things like Chick-fil-A or McDonalds? Maybe I should start cooking so they will want to choose my food for birthday dinner, nah.............:)