If You Wouldn't Mind...

Lately I seem to be struggling in my role as MOM 2 Da'Gorgeouses. Of course it doesn't help that they seem to have entered that stage where everything is a challenge, a struggle for independence and a down-right battle of wills. I'm grateful that they're healthy and for the most part well-behaved, but when they put their mind to it, they can REALLY make me CRAZy! Bedtime in particular is difficult. So if you remember and have a chance, could send a few prayers my way? I'd be much obliged to you---right now I can use all the help I can get!

Ignore Negative Behavior

Da'Gorgeouses have been acting rather strange lately. Over the last few weeks, off and on, there's been A LOT of yelling, high pitched yelling, demanding, saying "NO", testing their limits. I'm supposing they're just exercising their right to act like 2 (almost 3) year olds. Whatever is going on, it's making me a tad bit nuts! I swear sometimes I don't know whether to bust up laughing (which would only encourage their negative behavior) or cry (which would only encourage their negative behavior), or join in (which would only encourage their negative behavior). LOL!! I just can't believe that after all my schooling and training and working with students with behavior issues (and by no means am I saying my girls have severe behavior issues), for all my years of repeating my mantra "Ignore negative behavior"...well, it's just so different when they're yours and you're right in the middle of it! I don't know how, or why, but most days it just doesn't affect DrillSgt. the same way. He generally does a stupendous job of ignoring their behaviors.

Take today for instance, DrillSgt. did an AMAZING job with them (luckily for me they were taking turns), and me....well, let's just say I'm thankful that tonight is Margarita night! LOL!!

I Pray This Year Only Gets Better...

Seriously, this New Year has already given us tons of crazy adventures. It all started on New Year's Eve when I (the designated driver=NO ALCOHOL) slipped and fell outside my uncle's house. Thankfully every part of my old body remained unharmed, VERY sore, but nothing broken, no trip to the ER. Then as we were leaving and as I slowly and carefully backed out, I backed right into my aunts parked black pickup! Not too much damage on our end, a cracked taillight and a slight dent in the corner of our bumper but it made quite a mess of hers. WTHeck?! Even after all that craziness we decided to go forward with our plans to visit our wonderful friends down in SoCal. We were having a grand time, hanging out, talking, Da'Gorgeouses loved playing and running around with their children and their dog Jax (which Da'Gorgeouses renamed Apple Jacks).

On Saturday night as we were headed to sleep we noticed that Pistol kept scratching her ear, she'd been messing with it earlier that night and had been coughing just a bit. Unfortunately, now that we were in bed and she kept scratching at it, it was getting really red. We took a look at it and told her to stop, turned out the lights and tried to get some sleep. Sure enough the poor kid kept itching and scratching, bad enough to where I turned the light back on and took a look. Her face was covered in hives, and as a looked under her jammies, her entire body was covered hives and her ears must have swelled to at least 4 times their thickness. It really freaked me out, but I tried my best to remain calm and woke up our dear friend to ask her if she had any children's benadryl. Luckily she did and I gave Pistol 1/2 tsp, rubbed Caladryl Clear all over her and put in a call to our local pediatrician. After getting off the phone with her, and having her reassure me that I didn't need to worry unless her breathing changed I gave Pistol the directed additional 1/2 a tsp of benadryl and watched and waited. Lo and behold she puked and her breathing began to get a little more shallow. Now I started to panic and we decided to head straight for the local ER. The drive was short, but seemed long as I tried to keep Pistol awake asking her tons of questions which she slowly and correctly answered but she was extremely lethargic and her breathing seemed labored to me. All I could think of was that if her ears and face were swollen that much what the heck was happening to her throat?! I was glad when we arrived as there was a Triage nurse on hand to assess the patients coming in. I relaxed a bit and figured that if she did stop breathing we were already at the place where they could help her immediately.

Pistol was a trooper through the entire night she didn't even fuss or cry or panic. After the initial assessment they decided she was okay enough to wait in the waiting room, her breathing seemed to have returned to normal but her hives still looked really bad. So we waited our turn, which was only about 45 minutes and Pistol pulled her hat down over her eyes and fell into a deep sleep right there in my arms. Once they took us back and the Dr. came in he managed to freak me out again, and wondered if I'd given her the correct dosage of Benadryl. He woke her up by shoving the tongue depressor down her throat to take a look at what was going on there. She was NOT amused to wake up gagging as even our morning tooth brush ritual which includes brushing her tongue makes her gag! He listened to our account of what she'd eaten that evening and decided that although it was possible that she'd ingested something that gave her an allergic reaction, her throat was so red that the rash might also be related to a throat infection ie. strep throat. So the scary ordeal that began at 11 pm that night finally ended when we returned to our friends home at 4 am the next morning, with a prescription of penicillin, and Benadryl, as well as a warning not to eat any more nuts, or tomatoes?!

I thought we would manage to stay away from the hospitals for a very long time, but I'm very glad that everything turned out okay. Her face is still a little red next to her ears, and she still has a few splotchy areas on her skin, but she isn't itching and she's taking all her medicines just fine!

As for our wonderful visit with our AMAZING friends I'll follow up with a post about them soon!

Pay It Forward...

It went very well the whole guest speaking thing for the RMH. I'd written something all out, made plans with DrillSgt. to have him say it, we got there found out we only had about 2 minutes, and so he just spoke. Turned out pretty well too! I stood there, tears in my eyes, because reliving that story gets to me...it always does, and because here was a chance to help out an organization that we will forever feel indebted to. There were some gasps from the crowd when they viewed the slideshow and when they heard that we stayed there for almost 15 weeks. Anyway, here's the written speech, kind of long and wordy and WAY over the allotted 2-3 minutes we were given---LOL!! (Of course names have been changed to protect the innocent!)
________________________________________________________________


Hi, my name is (DrillSgt.) and this is my wife (MamaChanga). We are here to tell you a little bit about our experience at the Ronald McDonald house.

Prior to the birth of our twin daughters (Pistol) and (LongRifle), we knew very little of the wonderful place called the Ronald McDonald House. We had heard it was a charity of some sort that you could donate to, that it helped the families of children that were hospitalized somehow, but we had no idea it was an actual PLACE! Well, all that all changed on Monday, May 8, 2006

After trying to conceive for 8 ½ years without success we were at last anticipating the arrival of our twin blessings. It had been a fairly uneventful pregnancy, smooth sailing, no morning sickness, no complaints, and we’d just found out that more than likely we were having twin girls at our doctor’s appointment that Thursday. According to the doctor, everything was looking fine. (MamaChanga) had complained of feeling extra tired but the doctor assured us that she was measuring the same as a woman at the end of her 7^th month, and had good reason to feel tired! Friday evening she was downright exhausted, but it had been a long workweek, so that too was easy to explain away. On Saturday she began to complain of discomfort and was beginning to think that maybe she was just getting sick, and by early Sunday morning we finally decided to call the doctor’s office. She explained her symptoms to our doctor who just happened to be on call and he suggested we go in to (our local hospital) just to get checked out. He calmly explained that it was probably nothing and she would more than likely be home that same day, but that it would be better to check it out and have a peace of mind. Good thing we went in, because when we got there and they started monitoring, they informed us that she was having contractions every 5 minutes. Our usual cheerful and smiley-faced doctor had a seriously pained look on his face after he checked her, more bad news, she was already dilated to 4 centimeters. He explained that they’d try to stop the contractions, but more than likely we’d be having our girls sometime soon. 23 weeks and 4 days along, just 2 days shy of the beginning of 6^th month…it was way too soon…

The medications given to my wife enabled them to hold off the labor for another 24 hours (every hour counts when babies are coming that early) and it was enough time for her to receive the much needed steroid injections and surfactant to help develop their lungs somewhat. On Monday May 8^th at exactly 9:54 and 9:55 am (Pistol) and (LongRifle) were born (we had decided on names at 4 am that very morning). They weighed 1.4 and 1.5 lbs respectively, and measured only 10.5 and 12 inches in length. Being only one cell thick, their skin was transparent, and their eyes were still fused shut (Vision is the last sense to develop. In utero, eyelids remain closed until about the 26th week). The two teams from Valley Children’s NICU were there to make all necessary preparations for their transfer to Children’s Hospital in Madera. It took a few hours, but they made sure to bring them the hospital room so we could see them before heading out. She was able to reach in and hold their little hands, and was given a picture of both (goodness how we treasured those pictures!). We were also given a code to call in order to receive information about how they were doing. They told us the first 72 hours would be critical…

We decided right there and then that I would follow the girls, (MamaChanga) still had to recover, but made plans to do whatever she needed to in order to be discharged as soon as possible. So my mother in law and I made the drive to Madera and it was there that the hospital social worker assigned to our case told me about the RMHouse. We would be placed on a waiting list and as soon as an opening came up we would have a room to stay in for $10 dollars a night. This place that was literally steps away, a short walk to visit our girls any time of the day or night that we wanted to. This place that would literally become our HOME for the next 14 (almost 15) weeks.

On May 10^th my wife was discharged from the hospital, and although the doctor told her she should go straight home and rest, he also said he knew she’d go straight to Valley Children’s and visit our girls. Little did he know that not only would we go straight there, but that she would only come home 3 times during their almost 15 week stay. We spent the first couple of nights at my sister in laws who lived a little over 30 minutes away, it was closer than the 1 ½ drive from our home, but it was still not close enough to the girls. Although they had made it beyond the 72 hour critical point they were still very sick tiny babies.

On May 12^th we received the call that there was a room available at the RMHouse. We gathered what few belongings we’d brought with us and checked in. N. was the first person we met, and her warm and wonderfully caring personality really shone through as she explained the “house rules” and how things operated. During our almost 15 week stay we would get to know N., J. and E. very well. They always had a smile to share, a listening ear, and encouragement to give. They shared our concerns, as well as our joy and celebrations!

It was as perfect as any “home away from home” could be. It provided us with a place to sleep and take care of daily needs, but it was also so much more than that. We were so close by that we made it a routine to visit our girls every morning, afternoon and night. We could stay as long as we wanted by their bedside, reading, talking to them, or just sitting quietly watching them grow. We were able to witness the first time they each opened their eyes, (Pistol’s) first frog push up, as well as a few scary events thrown in (like when she decided to pull out her tubing). If we called at night to check in on our girls and the nurses informed us they were having a rough night, it was easy to get dressed, walk over and sit by their bedside. Staying at the RMHouse provided us with a sense of normalcy. Our situation was very far from normal (as we were watching our babies finish growing right before our very eyes), but we had a place to sleep, a place to shower, meals provided by caring volunteers or a place to cook, and somewhere where our families and friends could stop by and offer their encouragement and support. It was also LongRilfe’s first home. Although she had struggled the most, she beat her sister out of there by 5 days. We brought her home to the RMHouse and waited for Pistol to “catch up”.

During our long stay, we also made some new friendships, other parents of children that were there. One couple in particular from a neighboring town in our area also had a premature infant, born the day after our girls. She was a few weeks farther along, so their stay was slightly shorter, however during the time we were there we became good friends. To this day we still keep in touch with that couple and their beautiful little girl.

So on behalf of my wife and I and our GORGEOUS little girls we would like to thank the RMHouse, its amazing staff, the volunteers, and benefactors for all that you do. You provide a home away from home, as well as support, encouragement, and comfort to all those families just like ours during such a challenging and emotional period in their lives.

Thank you and God bless you!

Social Butterfiles

So they didn't get any better, and to tell you the truth, Pistol got worse. I had to take her back to see the doc and she went ahead and prescribed a stronger antibiotic and told me to fill it, she also added the steroid inhaler. Pistol's cough still sounds horrible but it's a million times better than what she sounded like yesterday morning. The medicine seems to have done LongRifle some good also, she didn't even cough last night. I'm expecting to have a long night again, but I'm also expecting that this will be the worst of it. Next year we're getting those flu shots early, I kept waiting for the postcard in the mail from the immunization clinic, but according to the doc it's been shut down. Oh well, I have to wait until they are better before we can give them the flu shot anyways.

Funny thing though, as horrible as they sounded and as much as their nose was running, the first thing out of their mouth was where we going today? Okay, is that a statement of what they've come to anticipate when I'm home. I will admit, Tuesday's are our library days and every other Thursday we go to MOPS and on the Thursdays we don't go to MOPS I try to take them out somewhere. Of course Friday's are the day that Marisa visits. Since they've been sick this week we haven't been anywhere, I think even they're getting a little stir crazy and missing all the social interaction and external stimuli. I just figure they need their rest and there's no sense in exposing everyone else to whatever terrible bug they've got (although I'm quite sure that's where they got it). Hopefully if they're better tomorrow I'll at least try to take them out back for a little sunshine and maybe some finger painting, that might cheer them up and maybe the sun will make them feel better!

A Day With Tia Na-Na

I am seriously blessed to have a wonderful sister. Can you believe she drove OVER an hour to watch Da'Gorgeouses for me yesterday? Can you also believe that NOT once did they cry while she was baby sitting them?! I asked her to guest blog her experience with them, from what she was telling me it was one hilarious moment after another. Maybe I can still have her do that, I think it'd be neat to have her write it from her point of view. Bottom line is, she did an amazing job with them (which I knew she would) and had a fun, but exhausting day taking care of them. She's off to work now, so that will be that last time I can ask such a HUGE favor of her. THANKS Tia Na-Na, you're a life-saver (the cherry kind 'cause they're my favorite!).


Work seems to be going okay, I'm getting the hang of it all but I'm still feeling the stress of having to complete everything before I leave to come home and in the allotted time. Back in the day, (before Da'Gorgeouses) I brought work home, graded papers, entered grades, or just stayed late after school (all those people that say teaching is an 8:30 am to 3:00 pm job, need to show me how that is even possible---I need to learn before next year!). Anyway, that staying late, bringing home papers, sooo NOT happening now, and making sure I get it all done in the 3 hour time frame is really exhausting!

Ch-ch-cha-changes

So Da'Gorgeouses had their first taste of waking up to Grammy instead of Mamá yesterday. She said they were a little confused, Pistol was somewhat in a daze for a little bit and LongRifle griped some, but overall it went well. We were home by lunchtime and DrillSgt. ate with us quickly then had to leave to return to work. Pistol had a hard time with that part, but since Angel was down for a visit she was quickly distracted. They spent a lot of time in their playroom and actually asked to go in there. I noticed they are more tired after they play in there, of course climbing all over everything would be the cause of that. Dinner went well, but getting them out of the playroom and ready for bed was a struggle. I think they were still a little stressed from the major changes (mommy going back to work---wait until I'm gone pretty much all day those 2 days a week---uuuugggghhh) not to mention they kept asking to "get out, go in playroom." I finally had to have a calming chat with them, telling them we would be back to the normal routine. "Go to bed, mommy wake you up, change your diaper, have breakfast and we'll go to the playroom, but you have to go to sleep right now." That seemed to do the trick, they calmed down and fell asleep about 10 minutes after that.

I joined Freecycle a few months ago & today I managed to get them a red tricycle. If you haven't heard about it, you should really check it out. It's a good way to give away things you no longer want to someone in your area who is in need. There are a few rules like it has to be free & you have to be willing to go pick it up. It was pretty cool, the lady posted the offer, I emailed her, she emailed me back & it turns out she lives right down the street from me. Not only that but when she came to drop off the tricycle (she offered since she was running an errand anyway) I asked her if she had any need for a computer desk. Turns out she did! Her husband had just built a computer and it is taking up space on their counter. We had taken the old, bulky one we had out and replaced it with a corner desk that took up less space in their playroom. She took a look at it and said it would be perfect! Funny how things just worked out for the both of us.

A New Adventure (For Me!)

I was offered a job and am in the process of completing all the paperwork for it. It's a part-time position (well 2) and will average to 16 hours a week for a total of 2 days per week. I'm excited to get my feet wet again, I really do love teaching, but at the same time I'm already missing Da'Gorgeouses. I know it will be a good thing for ALL of us in the long run, and I also know how fortunate I have been to have spent the last 2 years exclusively devoted to them. DrillSgt. is VERY excited, even though it will only be part-time, he's glad I'm going back to work. The nice thing is I'll still be able to take the girls to their appointments and group time, and the lady that hired me was willing to be flexible at letting me choose the days I will be working. Funny thing though, she hired me WITHOUT ever meeting me, we've exchanged e-mails, I've spoken to her on the phone, I've already filled out the paperwork but I won't actually meet her until today! Da'Gorgeouses swim lessons have been going well. They are comfortable in the water, sometimes too comfortable for my liking, but when it comes down to it they can be super cautious. They are blowing bubbles, have fallen head under water a couple of times and managed to hold their breath long enough for us to pull them up. They still won't go under on their own, but for 3 days into it I'm happy with the results! On a positive note, they are super hungry at dinnertime and they fall asleep fast at night. Pistol has been so defiant the last couple of days, I'm thinking that she's either super tired, is growing and not eating enough or it's a combination of the two. She was really trying my patience today, screaming at the top of her lungs for her "daddy", she was crying so much during lunch that she almost choked on a piece of bread she was attempting to eat, I tried to get my finger in there and what did she do? She bit me----HARD!! Uggghhh, after I calmed down (yes, I needed a time-out) I was able to calm her down. We had a few of those episodes today, it's days like these I'm really grateful they take turns being crazy!

Growing Up is Hard on Mamá

I busted a blood vessel in my eye and DrillSgt. noticed it yesterday. I have no idea when it happened but I wear contacts and don't remember seeing it when I put them in yesterday morning. So off the contacts came, and a phone call to my optometrist gets me in for an appt. to see him this morning. I guess I'll find out whether I can put my contacts back on or continue wearing my glasses. I can't stand wearing my glasses, they obstruct my vision and fog up and just plain get in my way. Oh well.

Last night was a rather rough night for Pistol. I have no idea what caused it, but she had a melt down as soon as we put her to bed. She kept working herself up, crying hysterically wanting DrillSgt. to pick her up and carry her. I finally had to ask him to leave the room and managed to get her calm enough to try to fall asleep. It worked but I could still hear her sobbing in her sleep. I gave her Tylenol, just in case it was her teeth, rubbed her gums a bit, that seemed to do the trick. It just broke my heart to see her like that and the scary part was, as long as papá was in the room there was just no reasoning with her. She even managed to climb out of her crib without hurting herself and tried opening the door. I wonder if she'll remember how to do that from now on?! Maybe it's time to move to the big girl beds? I'm sooo not ready for that next step, my tiny babies are growing up way too fast! Where's the Baby Whisperer when you need him/her?

Yep, she did it, she woke up again @ 2:30 am and didn't go back to sleep until almost 4. Any ideas? Anyone?