The 20th was Bubba's first Fathers Day and his birthday. What did we do to celebrate? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! :) We hung around the house all day and ate leftovers from yesterday's BBQ. (Sometimes a BBQ hotdog that is reheated by slicing it longways and frying it is the best.) I asked Bubba several times if he wanted to do something special for his birthday and every time he said, "Nope. Let's just hang out." So, we watched the NASCAR race and took a nice afternoon nap with the boys in our bed. Nothing like an afternoon nap with baby boys and Bubba.
Sean did have a bit of a rough day. He hardly ate - he was busy trying to poop. But, I think it also stemmed from being overstimulated on Saturday. We had about 20 guests over for a BBQ. The weather was BEAUTIFUL. Bubba's friend Ramon took over grilling duties after Bubba tried to burn the hotdogs. Thank goodness - I had forgotten that Bubba can grill a mean steak, but burns the dogs every - single - time. But, as the party started to wind down, I had to take Sean to the bedroom and lie down with him. It took him a few minutes, but he did fall asleep. Of course, Colton was social and flirted with everyone.
Off to bed, this is going to be a busy week - working two days, teeth cleanings, neice moving in, and renew CPR certificate (opps! Better find the old card!).
Monday, June 21, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Welcome to Holland
I have heard parents of special needs kids talk about being in Holland. And, while my guys aren't special needs in the classical sense . . . well, maybe they are?? Sean is delayed, but the expectation is that he will catch up - or he might not. But, then again, both have a possibility of having CP. Oh, wow. (I need a moment. Okay, back on point.) I didn't know what these parents were referring to when they spoke of Holland. So, I googled it. And, now, I know. I, too, have been diverted to Holland . . .
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this . . .
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around . . . and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills . . . and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy . . . and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away . . . because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But . . . if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things . . . about Holland.
WELCOME TO HOLLAND
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this . . .
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around . . . and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills . . . and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy . . . and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away . . . because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But . . . if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things . . . about Holland.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Busy, Busy Day
Today we trotted off the Kaiser for physical therapy asessments and pediatic check ups. Oh, it was a busy afternoon. First each boy got a visit with PT. Let's see . . . anything new? OH YES! Sean has the sweetest little voice you have ever heard and a great little smile. He kicks his legs to let you know he is excited. But, he still refuses to participate in tummy time. He is perfectly content sleeping on the floor. Too bad we have figured out that sleeping is Sean's way of checking out. Not okay, little Seanie. You need to participate! :) So, the PT and I talked about some ways to help Sean during tummy time. Let's see how that goes. How about Colton? Well, that little guy is rolling over (yeah, it's an old trick for him!), chattering away, smiling, laughing and his new favorite, flirting! The PT did notice that Colton's hamstrings and shoulders are a little tight so we will be starting stretching exercises. Colton has already shown that he doesn't care for the hamstring stretches but he likes to stretch his arms (kind of like he is lifting his arms on a roller coaster - prepping the kid for Disneyland already!). At the end of the appointment, Colton threw up all over himself and his carseat.
After the PT, we headed over to the pedi clinic. The doctor was very happy with how the boys are doing. We weighed and measured the boys . . .
Colton: 12 lb, 0.7 oz; 24.75 inches
Sean: 11 lb, 5.2 oz; 23.25 inches
The boys also got some vaccinations today. They weren't happy about that. Sean threw up all over himself and me. Two barfers, one day. Oh wait, I have to add in the barfing in the evening. Yup, poor Colton isn't having a good night and barfed on me.
Last week, while in Roseville, the boys, Bubba and I stopped by the NICU to see some of their nurses. We missed Auntie Donna, but we got to see Auntie Carrie and girlfriend Jess. Someone asked why Jess got to be the girlfriend. Um, hello, SHE'S JESS! And, Colton began flirting with her a long time ago! It was nice to see them. But, I have to admit, it was weird walking the halls of the NICU. Very weird. I am still not sure how I feel about it.
On our way out of the NICU, we ran into Dr. A. He was the first neonatologist we met when we arrived at Roseville and he was the doctor who attended the boys delivery. I thanked him for taking care of my boys and told him we know that little Seanie was defintely a miracle baby as he really made it against all odds. I think my words were, ". . . yes, we know Sean shouldn't have made it . . ." Dr. A shook his head in agreement and I think I saw a tear in his eye. I turned my attention to Dr. A's daughter and told her that she should be proud of her dad because he helped save my boys. It was so sweet, she barely said a word to me; she hugged her dad. As we left the NICU, I cried.
This weekend is going to be busy as well. The boys are hosting a BBQ for close friends and family. My only question is: which boy is going to man the grill?? LOL!
After the PT, we headed over to the pedi clinic. The doctor was very happy with how the boys are doing. We weighed and measured the boys . . .
Colton: 12 lb, 0.7 oz; 24.75 inches
Sean: 11 lb, 5.2 oz; 23.25 inches
The boys also got some vaccinations today. They weren't happy about that. Sean threw up all over himself and me. Two barfers, one day. Oh wait, I have to add in the barfing in the evening. Yup, poor Colton isn't having a good night and barfed on me.
Last week, while in Roseville, the boys, Bubba and I stopped by the NICU to see some of their nurses. We missed Auntie Donna, but we got to see Auntie Carrie and girlfriend Jess. Someone asked why Jess got to be the girlfriend. Um, hello, SHE'S JESS! And, Colton began flirting with her a long time ago! It was nice to see them. But, I have to admit, it was weird walking the halls of the NICU. Very weird. I am still not sure how I feel about it.
On our way out of the NICU, we ran into Dr. A. He was the first neonatologist we met when we arrived at Roseville and he was the doctor who attended the boys delivery. I thanked him for taking care of my boys and told him we know that little Seanie was defintely a miracle baby as he really made it against all odds. I think my words were, ". . . yes, we know Sean shouldn't have made it . . ." Dr. A shook his head in agreement and I think I saw a tear in his eye. I turned my attention to Dr. A's daughter and told her that she should be proud of her dad because he helped save my boys. It was so sweet, she barely said a word to me; she hugged her dad. As we left the NICU, I cried.
This weekend is going to be busy as well. The boys are hosting a BBQ for close friends and family. My only question is: which boy is going to man the grill?? LOL!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Happy Half Birthday Boys!
Well, my little guys are 6 months old now. It's amazing how big they are and how far they've come. Sometimes it seems like they were born yesterday. Othertimes, it seems like the NICU experience was so far in the past. My life has changed so much in the last 6 months. I have made new friends and I have fallen in love. Oh, the sweet little voices these two guys have. I could listen to them all day long. Their sweet little smiles. The twinkle in their eyes. Oh, those deeply serious brown eyes allow Sean to pull you in. You instantly fall in love with him. And, then, there is the Colton and his blue eyes he got from Daddy. Oh, how those blue eyes dance!
Tomorrow (or today, I guess) the boys are making their social debut. My very dear friend is celebrating her oldest son turning 18 and graduating from high school It's funny, our lives are so different - she has one kid graduating and one getting ready for her drivers' license. I have two babies who are just now discovering their hands. She has decided she wants to work day shift - yes, getting to work at 7am! I am a diehard pm shift worker - nothing like showing up to work at 3pm! But, I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world! LOVE YOU, JEN!
Speaking of Jen, let's talk about another Jen. She gets a pedicure just about every other week. I used to think she was crazy to do this. Now I am thinking that I should be doing this. I need to take the time to pamper myself. I used to think that getting my brows done was pampering enough. Now I have decided that getting my brows done do not count as pampering in any way, shape or form! So, I think I am going to start getting pedicures. I still think Jen is crazy, but it's for completely valid reasons that have nothing to do with her pedicures!
NIGHT ALL! :)
Tomorrow (or today, I guess) the boys are making their social debut. My very dear friend is celebrating her oldest son turning 18 and graduating from high school It's funny, our lives are so different - she has one kid graduating and one getting ready for her drivers' license. I have two babies who are just now discovering their hands. She has decided she wants to work day shift - yes, getting to work at 7am! I am a diehard pm shift worker - nothing like showing up to work at 3pm! But, I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world! LOVE YOU, JEN!
Speaking of Jen, let's talk about another Jen. She gets a pedicure just about every other week. I used to think she was crazy to do this. Now I am thinking that I should be doing this. I need to take the time to pamper myself. I used to think that getting my brows done was pampering enough. Now I have decided that getting my brows done do not count as pampering in any way, shape or form! So, I think I am going to start getting pedicures. I still think Jen is crazy, but it's for completely valid reasons that have nothing to do with her pedicures!
NIGHT ALL! :)
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