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| Boys and Me Summer 2012 |
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Twins, Nine Months Apart
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
2013 in the Rearveiw Mirror
Soooo..... it's been a while. The year of 2013 was a busy one to say the least. We had A LOT of changes. Here are the highlights of our little family in 2013.
Selling our house
Well to start the year off we put our house on the market in Febuary to prepare to move to Springfield where Trevor started working in October 2012. Our house sold in 4 days!! Four days!! Expecting to have more time, we hadn't looked at any new houses yet. But we were able to find a lovely home in a quiet neighborhood with a fenced backyard and close to the school we wanted. Perks, it had a neighborhood community pool across the street. the boys
Moving day approached fast, then got moved up a day due to an impending snowstorm. With the help of friends, we were able to get everything clean and moved. The next day we did get snow, the last day of March! And that wasn't even the last snow of the season! We got snow in May! And the crazy snow for the year didn't stop there.
It's been hard to be further from our family and friends who love us and our kids like their own, but we are working on making new friends and expanding our love.
School
Starting a new school was emotional for me. I had grown close to the people at the boys' school in Monett, they had been helping our family ever since the boys came home from the hospital. Now I was going to have to trust strangers with my babies AND Nick was going to have to go alone to the school across town for a couple months since there was not room for both of them at the end of the school year. As much as I hated this I didn't want him to miss school where he received much needed therapy. To allow for a smoother transition I let Nick ride the bus, and he loved it!
After the summer break they both got to go to the school near our home. They were placed in the same class, but after the teachers and ourselves noticed a severe decline in Ethan's behavior we moved Ethan to a new class. This made a world of difference in his attitude.
Ms. Tracy (Nic's teacher) got to know him so well. When we went in for an IEP meeting , the info she had collected on him explained him so well. She knew his quirks, what set him off and how to reel him back in. She paid attention to his sensory needs and just loves him. Mrs. Tracy is wonderful. The paras in the class are Mrs. Mary Kay (she's sweet) and Mrs. Jackie (she's quiet) and sometimes Miss Sam, whom Nic loves!
Ms. Tammy (Ethan's teacher) has done a great job to help him feel helpful and make good choices. He comes home with a paper he gets to stamp when he makes good choices. Mrs. Kim (the para) also works well with him in class.
Therapy mom
Over the summer Nic started Occupational Therapy (OT) at the clinic and now we have added Speech/Lanuguage Therapy (SLP). Therapy makes a BIG difference in his ability to cope and his behavior. He has a total of 4 hours of therapy spread over 3 days each week. Since we left the NICU here 4 years ago, I never though I would be back so often once again. His OT is Ms. Kathy and his SLP is Mr. Stacy, he loved them both so much. His favorite part about going though is that he gets to ride the elevator. The challenge is entertaining Ethan while Nic is "playing" with the therapists. We will explore the hospital, or go down to a waiting room where it is quiet and he will do a puzzle or color together.
Diagnosis
In December we took Nic to a new doctor to see if they could help us pinpoint Nicolas "issues". We had suspected Autism for a while, but over the summer and fall we became more concerned at what we were seeing. And then we read the book "The Reason I Jump" (a book written by a 13 year old kid with autism) and then we had no doubt that autism is what fit Nic. The doctor confirmed that in December. This will open up many doors for Nicolas in treatment and support for our family. I will write more about this in a future post.
Wedding
October brought a new beginning to Trevor's sister Jessica. She met someone new, and he is now a part of our family, permanently. Byron had made Jessica so happy and is a great model for 5 year old Lucas. They make such a cute family.
Personal Note: It was fun to go dress shopping with Jessica and see her pick out her dream dress. Audrey, Haley and I threw her a shower that was awesome if I don't say so myself, and then we had an even awesome-er after party...
His vocabulary is booming and he's expressing himself in more original sentences. He learned how to ride a trike this summer, loves books, can count to 10, recite all his ABC's (X is his favorite letter). He is learning some pretend play with his trains (his favorite toy for the past few months). Nicolas likes: Riding the elevator, trains, the "X sign" at the train crossings, bridges, going to therapy at the clinic, music (Ellie Golding, Imagine Dragons, One Republic was this year's favorites) and watching "Calab" videos a.k.a. - Bible Lessons for kids.
He can write his name, dress himself all by himself, including button his shirt, ride a bike with training wheels, hit a t-ball and best of all... Graduated out of diapers. His likes: coloring, doing puzzles, playing Super Mario 3D, dancing (this kids has some moves I am not sure where he got them from).
Other highlights: All congregations of Jehovah's witnesses were invited to the Watchtower Annual meeting via video and received new Bibles, Trevor an I got away for a couple nights in St. Louis to see One Republic in concert. I got to go to Vegas for work, took a plane for the first time... all by myself.
 |
| Summer 2013 |
Well to start the year off we put our house on the market in Febuary to prepare to move to Springfield where Trevor started working in October 2012. Our house sold in 4 days!! Four days!! Expecting to have more time, we hadn't looked at any new houses yet. But we were able to find a lovely home in a quiet neighborhood with a fenced backyard and close to the school we wanted. Perks, it had a neighborhood community pool across the street. the boys
Moving day approached fast, then got moved up a day due to an impending snowstorm. With the help of friends, we were able to get everything clean and moved. The next day we did get snow, the last day of March! And that wasn't even the last snow of the season! We got snow in May! And the crazy snow for the year didn't stop there.
It's been hard to be further from our family and friends who love us and our kids like their own, but we are working on making new friends and expanding our love.
 |
| Boys 2013 |
Starting a new school was emotional for me. I had grown close to the people at the boys' school in Monett, they had been helping our family ever since the boys came home from the hospital. Now I was going to have to trust strangers with my babies AND Nick was going to have to go alone to the school across town for a couple months since there was not room for both of them at the end of the school year. As much as I hated this I didn't want him to miss school where he received much needed therapy. To allow for a smoother transition I let Nick ride the bus, and he loved it!
After the summer break they both got to go to the school near our home. They were placed in the same class, but after the teachers and ourselves noticed a severe decline in Ethan's behavior we moved Ethan to a new class. This made a world of difference in his attitude.
Ms. Tracy (Nic's teacher) got to know him so well. When we went in for an IEP meeting , the info she had collected on him explained him so well. She knew his quirks, what set him off and how to reel him back in. She paid attention to his sensory needs and just loves him. Mrs. Tracy is wonderful. The paras in the class are Mrs. Mary Kay (she's sweet) and Mrs. Jackie (she's quiet) and sometimes Miss Sam, whom Nic loves!
Ms. Tammy (Ethan's teacher) has done a great job to help him feel helpful and make good choices. He comes home with a paper he gets to stamp when he makes good choices. Mrs. Kim (the para) also works well with him in class.
Therapy mom
Over the summer Nic started Occupational Therapy (OT) at the clinic and now we have added Speech/Lanuguage Therapy (SLP). Therapy makes a BIG difference in his ability to cope and his behavior. He has a total of 4 hours of therapy spread over 3 days each week. Since we left the NICU here 4 years ago, I never though I would be back so often once again. His OT is Ms. Kathy and his SLP is Mr. Stacy, he loved them both so much. His favorite part about going though is that he gets to ride the elevator. The challenge is entertaining Ethan while Nic is "playing" with the therapists. We will explore the hospital, or go down to a waiting room where it is quiet and he will do a puzzle or color together.
In December we took Nic to a new doctor to see if they could help us pinpoint Nicolas "issues". We had suspected Autism for a while, but over the summer and fall we became more concerned at what we were seeing. And then we read the book "The Reason I Jump" (a book written by a 13 year old kid with autism) and then we had no doubt that autism is what fit Nic. The doctor confirmed that in December. This will open up many doors for Nicolas in treatment and support for our family. I will write more about this in a future post.
October brought a new beginning to Trevor's sister Jessica. She met someone new, and he is now a part of our family, permanently. Byron had made Jessica so happy and is a great model for 5 year old Lucas. They make such a cute family.
Personal Note: It was fun to go dress shopping with Jessica and see her pick out her dream dress. Audrey, Haley and I threw her a shower that was awesome if I don't say so myself, and then we had an even awesome-er after party...
Nicolas
His vocabulary is booming and he's expressing himself in more original sentences. He learned how to ride a trike this summer, loves books, can count to 10, recite all his ABC's (X is his favorite letter). He is learning some pretend play with his trains (his favorite toy for the past few months). Nicolas likes: Riding the elevator, trains, the "X sign" at the train crossings, bridges, going to therapy at the clinic, music (Ellie Golding, Imagine Dragons, One Republic was this year's favorites) and watching "Calab" videos a.k.a. - Bible Lessons for kids.
Ethan
He can write his name, dress himself all by himself, including button his shirt, ride a bike with training wheels, hit a t-ball and best of all... Graduated out of diapers. His likes: coloring, doing puzzles, playing Super Mario 3D, dancing (this kids has some moves I am not sure where he got them from).
Other highlights: All congregations of Jehovah's witnesses were invited to the Watchtower Annual meeting via video and received new Bibles, Trevor an I got away for a couple nights in St. Louis to see One Republic in concert. I got to go to Vegas for work, took a plane for the first time... all by myself.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Date night with Nic
I want to start sharing on this blog again. So here it is.
We had some one on one time yesterday with Nic as Ethan went to have his first sleepover with his buddy Finley. Trevor and I had a great time with Nic.
-First we went to the car wash (or the car bath as he likes to call it) and he was thrilled! LOL The simplest things that kids love.
-Then we went to our favorite sushi place (Umi) for an early dinner. Trevor and I ordered our favorite sushi rolls and a California roll for Nic. He loved that it had avocado (one of his favorite foods) in it.
-Lastly we went to our favorite coffee place (Classic Rock Coffee) for desert and we all shared a big chocolate muffin and played with the jenga blocks.
It was simple, but it was special to us. Nic was in a very good mood all evening which made for a good memory.
It is so important to have one on one time with the kids. We get to see their best parts shine without them feeling like that have to compete for attention or be annoyed by the other... yes, they do that now.
So... look for some more posts to come of little tidbits of life and an overview of the last year... It's been crazy!
We had some one on one time yesterday with Nic as Ethan went to have his first sleepover with his buddy Finley. Trevor and I had a great time with Nic.
-Then we went to our favorite sushi place (Umi) for an early dinner. Trevor and I ordered our favorite sushi rolls and a California roll for Nic. He loved that it had avocado (one of his favorite foods) in it.
-Lastly we went to our favorite coffee place (Classic Rock Coffee) for desert and we all shared a big chocolate muffin and played with the jenga blocks.
It was simple, but it was special to us. Nic was in a very good mood all evening which made for a good memory.
It is so important to have one on one time with the kids. We get to see their best parts shine without them feeling like that have to compete for attention or be annoyed by the other... yes, they do that now.
So... look for some more posts to come of little tidbits of life and an overview of the last year... It's been crazy!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Summer 2012
We've had a busy busy busy summer.
Things we did this summer-
DINOSAURS: There was an expo in Springfield to see moving re-creations of dinosaurs! The boys (and my biggest boy Trevor) Loved it! Trevor has been trying to instill his childhood love for dinosaurs into the boys and has been trying to get me to OK decorating their room in dinosaurs! He might be wearing me down. Trevor bought them a 2 ft. tall T-rex that they love to play with. Ethan will put the T-rex in the corner for biting....lol At first Ethan couldn't say dinosaur so he would call them "Cee-sars" and now he calls them "dinos" They had a blast!
SPRINGFIELD ZOO: Once a year the Springfield zoo has a special free day for families with special kids. This was our second year to be invited. We got to ride the mini train ride around the pond (The boys love trains). Ethan's favorite was the bears. My favorite was feeding the giraffes. The hit with Nicolas was the street drums! He loves to pound on drums!
A week before we went to the zoo we watched the movie "We bought a zoo." Ethan still randomly says "We got a zoo!"....lol
We've also been swimming a few times. Ethan is learning how to hold his breath and nose when he goes underwater! He has no fear of anything so it worried me when he wanted to jump in the pool with the big boys and not want mommy or daddy to catch him! But he is learning how to be a big boy in the water.
The Olympics are going on right now. Trevor will watch some of the highlights and then you will see Ethan trying to mimic the gymnastics and the trampoline jumping...lol Both boys are such stunt men! I guess I am just used to it but I realize how crazy they are when other people are around and the boys give them heart attacks! I don't know where they get their crazy from!! They just have endless energy and like to test their limits! I think their initial fight for life has led them to be stronger.
Nicolas likes: Drums- he loves to pound on his drums to let his steam out. He also likes any music with a strong drum beat to it.
Ethan likes-
Coloring and puzzles. He is doing 60+ piece puzzles all by himself. Recently we started tracing letters and numbers.
Things we did this summer-
DINOSAURS: There was an expo in Springfield to see moving re-creations of dinosaurs! The boys (and my biggest boy Trevor) Loved it! Trevor has been trying to instill his childhood love for dinosaurs into the boys and has been trying to get me to OK decorating their room in dinosaurs! He might be wearing me down. Trevor bought them a 2 ft. tall T-rex that they love to play with. Ethan will put the T-rex in the corner for biting....lol At first Ethan couldn't say dinosaur so he would call them "Cee-sars" and now he calls them "dinos" They had a blast!
SPRINGFIELD ZOO: Once a year the Springfield zoo has a special free day for families with special kids. This was our second year to be invited. We got to ride the mini train ride around the pond (The boys love trains). Ethan's favorite was the bears. My favorite was feeding the giraffes. The hit with Nicolas was the street drums! He loves to pound on drums!
A week before we went to the zoo we watched the movie "We bought a zoo." Ethan still randomly says "We got a zoo!"....lol
We've also been swimming a few times. Ethan is learning how to hold his breath and nose when he goes underwater! He has no fear of anything so it worried me when he wanted to jump in the pool with the big boys and not want mommy or daddy to catch him! But he is learning how to be a big boy in the water.
The Olympics are going on right now. Trevor will watch some of the highlights and then you will see Ethan trying to mimic the gymnastics and the trampoline jumping...lol Both boys are such stunt men! I guess I am just used to it but I realize how crazy they are when other people are around and the boys give them heart attacks! I don't know where they get their crazy from!! They just have endless energy and like to test their limits! I think their initial fight for life has led them to be stronger.
Nicolas likes: Drums- he loves to pound on his drums to let his steam out. He also likes any music with a strong drum beat to it.
Ethan likes-
Coloring and puzzles. He is doing 60+ piece puzzles all by himself. Recently we started tracing letters and numbers.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Multiplicity Magazine Spring 2012
Spring issue of Multiplicity magazine is out today! There is something for EVERYONE! Even if you don’t have twins take a look anyway! PS- I wrote on article that starts on page 38.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Life as it is
I am sorry I haven’t posted any updates in a while, life in twin-sane right now. The boys are doing well, playing and learning every day. Here are some pictures of their mischievous acts.
The boys like to rearrange my couch for their enjoyment. They make ramps out of the cushions or even make their own little nest like Ethan has done here. They are pretty creative.
Yeah, they were climbing up the shelf in their closet and then swinging like monkeys from the rod!!! We have since put a lock on the door so no one will get hurt.
This picture is called “Block Head”: See the bruise?
Ahhh… the moment I wait for every day, bed time!! The boys have started sleeping in the same bed some nights. Isn’t it cute?
Stay tunes for more pictures SOON… I promise!!!
The boys like to rearrange my couch for their enjoyment. They make ramps out of the cushions or even make their own little nest like Ethan has done here. They are pretty creative.
Yeah, they were climbing up the shelf in their closet and then swinging like monkeys from the rod!!! We have since put a lock on the door so no one will get hurt.
This picture is called “Block Head”: See the bruise?
Ahhh… the moment I wait for every day, bed time!! The boys have started sleeping in the same bed some nights. Isn’t it cute?
Stay tunes for more pictures SOON… I promise!!!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Twiniversity
I have been so blessed to have the support of the twin parent community that Twiniversity has made available. This year Twiniversity has launched Multiplicity, an e-magazine for mom's of multiples. I am happy to have a part in this and continue to share our stories and experiences in a larger way to help other parents of multiples, all while being able to be at home with my little guys.
Here is a link to my first published article. http://www.twiniversity.com/2011/out-and-about-with-your-twinnies-how-to-get-things-done-while-juggling-2-or-more/
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Never a Dull Moment!
When you here a child laughing uncontrollably…. you better check to see what sort of mess they are making!! Nick made this mess with the baby powder, all by himself!!!
Ethan does his own stunts. He started doing a cannon ball jump off the back of the couch into the bean bag.- trying to put a stop to this nonsense before someone gets hurt.
Night, night my precious boys! Rest up for your new escapades tomorrow!!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Story Time- Random happenings
Little Helper- One day while I was sweeping the kitchen Ethan got the dust pan brought it over near me and starting picking up the cheerios out of the pile I swept up and placing them in the dust pan. Then he tired holding it while I swept the rest of the pile up. Here he is sweeping for me. He even helped me put up his clean socks today and put his dirty clothes into the basket and carry it to the laundry room!! He really is my little BIG helper.
Laundry- It’s funny how the simplest things can be the most fun for them. A basket of unfolded laundry is a lot more fun for them than it is for me!!…ha ha.. Pull them out, put them back in, climb under the basket, jump off the basket… the possibilities are endless!!!
Big Brother- Ethan will go over to Nicolas and pat him on the back and say "ok? ok?" It's SO sweet that he is trying to be a good brother.
Dinner and A Show- Nicolas has a sense of humor and he knows how to use it. He likes to make funny faces at the dinner table and play peek a boo. He will cover his eyes with the back of his hands instead of the palms and say "boo". It's the cutest thing!
To Infinity and Beyond!- They both love the moon and will ask to go see it at night. They even like to look at daddy's big astronomy book and Ethan can point out the sun, earth and moon.
Team Work- They are a team at opening doors. Ethan is really good at unlocking and Nicolas is really good at opening. They are perfecting their skills by shutting each other in the closet and having to figure out how to get out complete darkness. In the picture here they have moved the stroller to the door, climbed it and are trying to escape!! They can’t get the dead bolt open though.
Happy Feet- The boys like dancing along with the penguins in the movie Happy Feet. Now every time music come on they will start to stomp around…. it is hilarious. I have some video of them dancing I will try to post soon.
Little Charmer- I say “hey Baby” to the boys as a greeting- I guess I say it a lot. Ethan will now greet some friends, usually other little people as: “hey baby”…lol There was one time during out meeting at the Kingdom Hall that he was exchanging some flirtatious smiles with a little girl and he all of the sudden said “hey baby” to her from across the isle!!
TP (not the kind you live in)- Nicolas has an obsession with things that spin, and recently has discovered the toilet paper roll spins- need I say more?!
Sleep Like a… Baby?- Ethan has graduated to a BIG BOY BED!! We converted his crib into a toddler bed yesterday. (you can see him here getting ready to jump off his new bed) His first night he slept the whole night thought without getting up!! I hope it continues to go this well. Ethan LOVES to be a big boy. It just breaks my heart to see them both growing up so fast.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
2 years old!
You know how when you are a kid and it seems like time moves so slow? Well it seems to speed up when you have kids. You see all the rapid changes of them growing up. And then other days it seems like they will be toddlers forever. But they are doing so much fun stuff right now: learning their abc’s, how to catch a ball, dancing like no one is watching… all the really fun stuff. The boys turned turned 2 in September and we had our friend Nicole M. take some pictures of the boys. They turned out wonderful despite the difficult conditions the weather was lending, We almost got completely rained out. Here are a few of them- enjoy!
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