3 Under 3 --11/27/2012

The kids would not wear their sunglasses.

We are surprised and happy to announce that we are expecting a baby April 2013. Yes that is correct a baby in 2013 and yes we will have 3 under 3. This little blessing shocked and surprised us and went undetected for 13.5 weeks. Yes I am now a believer in the show "I didn't know I was pregnant" I seriously thought that show was a joke and seriously how could anyone not know they were pregnant. I mean really, seriously there's no way that can really happen. Oh yah it did and I'm now a believer. So let's go back to all the obvious signs that I should have picked up on.

Now here is my disclaimer:

We went through fertility treatments where I barely produced enough eggs to become embryos, my embryos were not even freezable, my only two embryos we implanted only had a rating of a C and a D, and they said we only had a 60% chance of getting one baby with those piss poor ratings. Next on that agenda we were under the impression that it was physically impossible to reproduce. This is in our eyes a true miracle and  I'm already having a waaay better experience as a pregnant person. I'm able to work out, and actually hear positive things from the doctors. They are watching this pregnancy very closely as a result of the pre term labor previously. Weekly injections of progesterone are being administrated by "the bull" aka "father of 3 to be" to get us to 39 weeks. Last time at 20 weeks I was on a modified bed rest, no exercise, sleeping in a recliner, and wearing a back brace. So this go around has definitely been a better experience.  

Leading up to the shocking discovery:

Incident #1: I went to Homeland and while walking through the aisle I found some cheese whiz, bought it, and ate it in the car on the way home. I told Richard I bought it and his response, what? you don't eat that shit. No I don't, I don't know why it just sounded good.

Incident #2: I mentioned to Meredith, gosh I feel so hungry and like I have this ravenous appetite. Do you think it's my metabolism messed up from not being able to work out? 

Incident #3: Puking from the dirty diapers, still had not caught on at this point. (kids had been sick so I just figured it was going around)

Incident #4: The medication they had me on was not giving me my period but I kept waiting. 

Incident #5: The tatas magically came back but again I thought it was this hormone medicine. 

The Realization: 

Realization #1: Babe I'm starting to freak myself out, I feel like I have all the symptoms of being pregnant but that's impossible. He laughs, my response, it's really not funny. Again at this point I go another 3 days because that's just not possible. 

Realization #2: I drive by the sewage in Moore and think I'm going to puke in my car. I call Richard and tell him I really don't feel good and that he needs to pick the kids up. There is no way I can go in that daycare feeling the way I do.

Happy Birthday to me....10/10--The Discovery

Finally I get home and come to terms with I'm going to look further into this. Test = Positive Result!  What theeee?!?!?! Drive straight to the store, take another one. Test = No lines at all! What theee?!?!?!? Okay I'm going to wait till the morning. I'm on the internet all night long looking for answers to false positives, typing away, searching baby center, and of course not sleeping. Test number 3 = Positive! Neither of us believe it so I call the doctors office with the list of medication and leave a long message for the nurse verifying if this medication gives false positives. The nurse calls back and says no. My response---"I'm a fertility patient I don't know what  normal people do in this situation? I need more proof ASAP!! I need blood, I need blood confirmation, I have to have blood and need to know the earliest we can confirm this. The nurse's response you can come now if you like. 24 hours later while driving to OU/TX we get the call confirming what we thought was impossible. After sheer shock set in I came to my senses and had to call back to confirm HCG levels and to make sure that those levels indicated one not two. Even though I know two is physically impossible I had to double check. The levels were very high so according to the numbers we decided it had to be about 9-12 weeks.

Fast forward two weeks and we find out it's actually 16 weeks after seeing the high risk doc. Again this is after my ob looks at the ultra sound and says in shock your 15 weeks. Sheer panic goes through my head. I've had x rays, a girls weekend, labor day weekend, OU football games, anti inflammatory from my foot, oh and the hormones. After another night of no sleep my persistence pays off and I magically get into the high risk doctor which was originally scheduled for another two weeks. They told me people do not cancel but we will put you on the wait list just in case for both offices. Turns out ten minutes later they called me back with an open appointment  

All blood work came back as being a healthy little one so we are accepting our news and preparing for life as a twin mom plus one or 3 under 3. To be honest I'm completely freaking out, nervous, and hoping for everything to run smoothly. The biggest goal is to get to term without all the complications we had previously. Oh and the second goal is for us to not find out the sex of the baby. Well that is if I can go the entire time without finding out. 

On to big bro and big sis:
Blake had tubes put in her ears on Halloween, both caught the flu so we had a full week of sick babies, vomit, and lots of unhappiness. Both went to work with me and destroyed my office pulling every paper out of every spot and dumping absolutely everything out. No way you could tell they were as sick as they were. We went trick or treating with Elle and Riley and the kids all had a blast asking for treats. They really didn't know what they were getting till Uncle Chad gave them a taste of what they were getting. After that we could not keep them out of the candy. Since the tubes Blake's words have been coming along greatly. We are working very hard to break her from screaming for things and encouraging words as much as possible. 

Dax continues to say thank you as he steals something from his sister and the other day I heard the words stop it Blake come out. I turned to Richard and ask if he heard what I thought we heard. This taught me that we have little parakeets in our home as I say stop it all the time.

Both love to run from us, play outside, and get into everything. 

Enjoy our favorite pics by Sharlee Rother Photograpy. 

Shanna and Richard who has now been dubbed back to "the bull" for the time being.

HALLOWEEN

School Halloween Party

Trick or Treating at the Cleveland County Court House

Two Pirates and a Super Girl

19 Months:

The latest favorite thing to do these days is to poop in the bath tub. Literally I'm cleaning up poop almost weekly or pee on the tile from after the bath. Now that both are mobile I basically do a lock down where I shut the closet door and the bathroom door because both areas have carpet. My most recent poop ended with a black eye. I was trying to man handle Dax as he is trying to move and roll over at the same time trying to get the diaper on as fast as possible because poop was about to be all over the bathroom rug. At the same time Blake starts to stand up and we have discussed this multiple times that we don't stand in the tub. So as I'm telling her to sit and trying to keep myself from being covered in poop the child slips and hits her eye on the tub. Literally in a matter of seconds I have her screaming bloody murder and I now have poop. My poor baby girl has had this shiner for a few weeks now and it keeps getting darker. Since this accident she has been better about sitting in the tub. I remind her daily of her accident and what happens when we don't listen to mommy.

Another new experience this month has been the obsession with stuffed animals. Each Saturday since I have been unable to workout we take the kids seperately in the mornings. I took Blake to Target and decided  that since she was being really good and patient I would let her pick out a toy. I literally had a shopping cart full of stuffed animals so after some negotiation we finally narrowed it down to two animals, a frog and a horse. The child would not let me pay for the animals as she did not want them out of her reach for even a second. On the way home I discussed with no intention of it happening that I wanted her to pick out her animal and give Dax the one she chose for him. I explained that mommy bought an animal for each and she only got one and if she could not choose mommy was going to take both away. When Dax arrived at home she literally picked up the horse and walked it over to him. The frog on the other hand eats and sleeps with her. He has even been dragged all over the nasty zoo floor. The child loves her froggy. When Dax is sad she will get his horse and bring it to him.

Another little funny that happened which I was mortified by and is probaly was of the funniest to date. I know every mom can relate to this one. When you leave the house you want your kids to look cute whether it's a bow, cute outfit, whatever. Well I left the house leaving Richard in charge of Dax. About two hours goes by and they return. My husband the most fashion cautious man I know actually took my son out in public without shoes and pants. He took him in a t shirt and diaper. The first thing I said when upon his return was did he shit his pants? His response.....no I didn't notice until I was walking him in and I told the lady not to tell you.

The kids love to do touch downs with their hands, Dax will even say touch down. They love to read their books, look at animals, and dance. At school they are learning numbers and letters. They are coloring too which has become a concern of mine. Now when they see a pen they immediately start to draw where ever the pen lands. They are still in to everything, including the diaper cabinet, anything at their reach they can open and now Blake will run from me while dax is going the opposite direction. We seriously need eyes in the back of heads as well as another set of hands. As soon as Dax is walking I have a feeling that I may be in the market for some backpack leashes. Don't knock it till you've been in my shoes is all I'm going to say about the naysayers. I want my kids safe.

20 Months:

In the past 19 months this has never happened and I must say mama broke for the first time. I was changing a diaper and literally the smell was the worst to date. I started yelling for Richard to help me and as he was arriving I was puking in the trash can. Poor B got her feelings hurt and my mean sister called me a big pu-tang saying she thought her hubby made it up when he would gag from dirty diapers. 

NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Our most popular word in our household. The kids are growing so fast and exploring more and more each day. Everyday when we get home from school we check on our pumpkins on the front porch. They love to run and giggle as they run from us. We went to Pumpkinville in OKC, if you have not been well worth the trip. The kids loved it. We trick or treated at the PI PHI house and they had a blast. At first they would not put their costumes on so we started singing and dancing to get them excited. "We're going trick or treating, we're going trick or treating" over and over again. Finally had both dressed as pirates and off we went. They were grabbing handfuls of candy offering it to others and loaded up their treat bags. Along the way mom did some sitter recruiting so overall it was a win win. As we were leaving the house Dax told all the girls bye and high fived them as we walked out the door. A little ladies man never forgets the ladies as he leaves them. 

Enjoy some of our favorite pics from the past two months. 

Checking on our pumpkins

"UP, UP"

A cookie past my bed time is this happening?

A pirate and his June-yes it's an arranged marriage

"treat, treat"

18 Months 08-27-12

18 Months

What a month we have had and in fact probably our most interesting to date. Where to begin?!?!? I was put in a walking boot as the result of a stress fracture, so no workouts for mama. No workouts means a grumpy irritable mama too. We attended three birthday parties, all of which were a blast with great themes. Mama got a weekend away with college friends and found out real quick my body can't handle  the late nights. We took the kids to a long awaited ENT appointment and literally two days later Dax was getting tubes in his ears. Oh and lastly we began the end of the crack addiction by going cold turkey on the pacifiers.

Thunder Girl Birthday Party

Dax Man: 25 pounds 1 ounce in the 63rd percentile, length 31 and 3/4inches in the 26 percentile and 18in head circumference in the 10th percentile

Since his tubes were put in the little guy has become more vocal repeating more words and even taking steps. His equal librium has been off creating issues with his walking and balance. His new favorite word is NO. His personality has changed quite a bit meaning he is now a toddler pressing limits and throwing himself on the ground like a fish out of water flopping around. Time outs have increased and the screaming has escalated to no end. My sweet little boy does come out and loves to give his mama lots of hugs and kisses. He will even blow me kisses at daycare when I leave. 

Little Miss Blake: 20 pounds in the 15th percentile, length 29 1/2inches in the 2nd percentile, and 17 1/2in head circumference in the 9th percentile

Fortunately Blake did not need tubes in her ears so we will do a follow up soon. She began walking and loves to giggle to herself when she finds something interesting or funny. Time outs mean nothing to her and when she does go she just laughs. She is doing great at signing and continues to get into any and everything. 

18 month apt:

I learned I had no control over the two little boogers. Something I have been concerned with considering my stress levels have been beyond the point of concentration. After learning a few tweeks to the discipline we have seen some changes. The tantrums do not last as long and the time outs seem to be making more of an impact. I feel more in control and they seem to be learning that screaming at mama will get them nowhere. Past mama behavior is the constant pick up stop what I'm doing and to drop everything. I was advised they were controlling me and if I didn't get it in check at age 2 I was going to have my work cut out

Boomer Sooner

Taking a break from feeding the ducks on campus

Playing Dress Up

Our new cousin Zach

We did a tire mini session with Angel Porch Photography. I'm simply addicted to her talent. Enjoy some of my favorites.

06-27-2012-16-17 months

Testing mom's nerves with the steps-little dare devil

16 months:


This month flew by as they all seem to do right now. We took our first trip away from the kids since they were born. It was a much needed vacay to Chicago where we celebrated our 6th anniversary, father's day, and hanging out with our besties Josh and Paige. The kids on the other hand didn't do so hot. They caught hand, foot, and mouth. Poor babies were so sick while mom and dad were both away. I gotta give a big kuddos to our wonderful nanny who pretty much did not sleep the whole weekend and to grandpa for giving her a break during the madness. With that being said since then we have travelled to the lake which they absolutely love. Life jackets not so much but the pool and the new atmosphere is a plus for them.


 Both are making strides with their little personalities. Dax is a more outspoken little guy who is easily frustrated while Blake is more calm and goes with the flow. This month we are experiencing lots of hitting, biting, and taunting. When Blake gets in trouble she gives you this squinted eye grunt with her lips puckered and Dax throws a smile back at you like whatever dude. Dax has become Daxasaurus and Blake is now Blakeasaurus because they have been learning about dinosaurs so whenever you call them by name they will growl at you as if they are a dinosaur. I think it's hillarious. They both high five, clap when singing happy and you know it, hugs and kisses for Bella are daily must, and throwing their food on the floor is still the funniest thing ever. I tend to blow on their hot food and say it's hot and typically think nothing of it till the other day I said it's hot while holding Dax. All of a sudden he started blowing on me. 


We put them in floaties in the pool which I know they are not 3 but thought lets try this after some persuasion. Both absolutely love their floaties and kick like little fish. It's so fun to see how these tiny beings have become little personalities that are sponges for information. They really do know what you are saying now whether they choose to listen that's another story. 


Both are doing their sign language for more and eat. This has really helped us with the frustration factor. I'm now reading the Secrets of the baby Whisperer for Toddlers. I do feel it's helping me to not be so frustrated with the changes and fits we are experiencing these days so I strongly recommend it.

I love the lake

This pic below of Dax is literally my head turned for two seconds when he found the wipes. I figured as many as he had out what the hell and got my camera out instead.

Fear the beard

17 months:


This month we caught the flu. Started out with Richard and I and then the kids. A baby with the flu is not nearly as bad as a baby with hand, foot, and mouth. So all these illnesses have kept me busy and away from the blog. First of all I'm not a hot dog lover so cleaning up hot dog chunks is probably worst most disgusting thing to date. I will take the smelliest nastiest shitty diaper over hot dog chunks. My dog nose that I have been blessed with can't handle that one. I clogged up the laundry room sink cleaning the sheets as well as the washer. I swear the return of the hot dog keeps creeping me on a regular basis.


Both are climbing on everything and everywhere. They love to climb on the patio furniture and give me a near heart attack because I'm afraid they are going to go over the edge. We had to do some rearranging which doesn't look the best but it's all about the kids these days. They love peanut butter sandwiches again something I said I would never do but hell you gots to get by and this seems to work. It's either the fight of throwing everything in the floor or just feeding them something you know they will eat. I must admit I do resort to the pb sandwich quite a bit. 


July 21st Blake officially became a walker (more than 3 steps) she is still a little nervous and prefers assistance but we are gambling she should have this down within the week. It reminds me of my back handspring days of being able to do it but requiring a spot to hold onto my t-shirt. Blake does the same; the girl can do it but just wants that extra safety. July 25th, she officially won the walker award and walked all day long. Again a little tribute to our wonderful nanny who walked them all day. The following Friday she fell hard and has a huge shiner on her right eye. Baby girl had a little hold back due to it. 


Dax officially took 3 steps unassisted on July 30th. We are so proud of our "big guy". He too likes the additional support and prefers some assistance. Predictions for him are about two weeks. Fingers crossed my Daxman. 


We took them to their first "fancy" restaurant. Both of us went into this a little nervous but really wanted to try it out. The kids started out a little grumpy because we had a big day at the pool so our nerves were really going. When we got there to our surprise both did extremely well. They had their first mac and cheese out of a "fancy" bowl with a white table cloth. Again very impressed by the behavior and at the same time again impressed that we managed this one, something I never thought I would ever do in my life time. 


On a regular occurrence people ask how I do it, oh it must be hard, oh wow, two?, oh your hands are full. So with that being said you kind of become accustomed to it and a majority of the time you get that extra door held open for you or people go out of their way to make sure you are good.  I must admit the "stupid" questions of "are they identical" are still annoying but to have doors opened is very nice. Now that I'm fully aware I do notice the people that let a door slam in your face as you are pushing a bus of a stroller or holding a child in each arm, keys in your mouth, and sippy cups hanging from your pockets. Yes this is my life and yes this does happen. My mission in sharing this is so that the next time you see someone with twins, an elderly pushing a walker, a mom pushing a stroller, someone assisting another or whatever it is. Pass it on and open that door for that individual. That small kindness goes so far. Enjoy our two months!


The Fosters

Fun day at the pool with Riley

Dax surprised us the other day as well. As Claire was leaving he gave the most southern hill billy bye and waived her on. I was dying laughing so the little guy now says bye in his most southern hospitality voice.