Twin Teeth

Addie & Avrie  - July 2012

I found this picture on my computer and just had to laugh.  This one always does. It is from July 2012.  We were in NYC for my birthday and staying in a hotel near Central Park.  We had been wandering all over that day visiting the touristy sites.  By the time we got back to our hotel everybody was zonked.  Addie was brushing her teeth in the tiny bathroom and Avrie was in the main sleeping area brushing her teeth.  All of a sudden Avrie had this look of horror come across her face.  Her tooth had just come out as she was brushing.  Just as she was about to say something about it we hear from the bathroom "Hey! My tooth just fell out!"  No kidding these two lost their teeth at exactly the same time!   This little story always makes me smile.  This picture is priceless.

Christmas 2013

The most wonderful time of the year!  Christmas 2013 was a success!  I was a bit nervous and wondered if we'd pull it off.  I had everything timed out perfectly but my plans came to a halt when Adeline and Avrie came down with the stomach flu on the Thursday before Christmas and had to miss their school party on Friday and didn't recover until Monday. Fortunately nobody else in the family got sick but I did have to just let some things go this year.  Like cards for example....our Christmas cards have become New Years cards....and I'm mailing them out tomorrow, January 13th. Oh well.   They turned out super cute though! I'm excited for them anyway.

The favorite gift this year were the nutcrackers you see in this picture.  I have to say that they really love their bath robes and their ice skates as well.  We are working on ice skating.  If you look carefully in the picture Avrie has a splint on her left wrist because she fell while ice skating.  She's fine now thankfully.  Next time we'll be sure to wear wrist guards under our gloves.

I think one of my favorite memories this year will be when our family went Christmas Caroling. We visited our neighbors and some older single women from our ward.  Kermit played the guitar and we sang "Good King Wenceslas" and "Away in a Manger."  Both were very cool arrangements and the girls sounded so good!  Hearing their voices never got old and almost made me cry every time!  I loved it! I definitely want to do that again next year. 

Over the break we visited a few museums and watched movies but many days were spent home in our pajamas enjoying whatever each person felt like. Some of our traditions didn't happen this year but we have the good excuse of having a new baby.  I think the thing I really want to concentrate on and set as a personal goal for 2014 is to have the shopping done by October 1st. Fall is such a busy time for our family with birthdays and holidays so I would love to unwind and focus more on service to others in December rather than worrying about if I'm ready with gifts for my own family.  I better get started! =)

Oh,and I have to mention that the girls were in HEAVEN when we got hit with a massive winter storm that dumped tons of snow and left us with crazy low temperatures.  Like  40 below!  It was heaven because school was cancelled for two days and then a third day because the pipes froze at school.  It was the vacation that kept on giving!  Thank you Chicago for the three extra days of Christmas vacation!

Grandma

I found these photos randomly on my laptop.  They are from December 2011.  My girls with Valrea Althea Hafen King.  Kermit's mom.  Grandma.  She had just been diagnosed with lung and brain cancer over Thanksgiving weekend of that year.   We knew her time would be short and it was.  We lost her on Easter Sunday 2012.  From her diagnosis in November until her death in April we visited her in St. George 5 or 6 times.  This was from one of those visits.  Grandma had some mining property up in the mountains that she wanted to take her family to see.  Gabe and Tanc were there with their kids as well and we loaded up the suv's and climbed the steep dirt roads that lead to her mines.  We had a great time looking for fossils and rocks.  We even went into an old mine cave.  Very cool!  Grandma had been receiving her radiation treatments but still had enough energy to get out and do some things.

That is one thing I have always loved about her and miss.  She was always up for an adventure or outing.  She was never one to sit home.  She got out every day.  If somebody in the family wanted to take a hike - she'd change her shoes (or not) and join the fun.  If somebody wanted to go shopping, she'd take you off the beaten path to find the best places to shop.  If somebody wanted to go anywhere she was game to join in, always. Even when she was in pain before she had hip surgery years ago she was still up for adventure just to be with her family.  She loved to travel the world.  She loved museums and culture.  She loved life.  I hope my children will have her sense of adventure throughout their lives.  These pictures up in "no mans land" with their grandma I hope will remind them how much she loved an adventure and also how much she loved them.

Avrie and Adeline's Baptism

Avrie and Adeline on their baptism day

November 23, 2013

What an awesome weekend we had! These two have been so excited to be baptized and the day finally came!

My parents and Kermit's brother Kimmel came out to be with them on their special day.  It really was a perfect day.  We had a sweet program.  My mom and I spoke on baptism and the holy ghost.  Annaliese joined Avrie and Addie singing "Rainbows" and were accompanied by our friend who plays violin.  It was so sweet.  I love to hear them sing!   Avrie wanted to be baptized first so Adeline got to be confirmed first.  Both confirmations were beautiful.  They really looked like angels.  Just sweet and beautiful as could be.  I truly felt the love Heavenly Father has for these two and I think all that were there did too.

We had so many people come out and support us.  The Relief Society room was packed.  They have amazing primary leaders and teachers and ward members that were there.  Also they invited a few of their friends to come from school.  Mia and Stella were there with their parents.  I'm proud of Avrie and Addie for wanting to share their special day with their friends.  It was a perfect day all around and one I hope they'll never forget.  I know I won't.

As Time goes by...and by, and by...with no posts.

Time to get the ball rolling again.

For now how 'bout a video of my girls from about 10 months ago. New enough right?! I don't think ever I posted it here anyway. (Okay after waiting too long for it to load I gave up...try the link at the end of the post. That'll get you there.)

Where to go from there? I don't know where to begin. Here is an awesome quote:

Quote of the Week: Avrie yesterday said, "When I grow up I want to be an astronaut that sells old fashioned nutcrackers in outer space."

Brag worthy: Report cards and parent teacher conferences were this week. It's official. My kids are way smarter than I was at their ages. Also, they have started taking a Spanish class and are LOVING it.

Other Happenings: Got released from YW Pres last week. Mixed emotions because I love the girls, but glad to have more evenings home with my family. KO is now in the stake YM. I am a VT. I like that...a lot.

Birthdays: We celebrated KO's 46th this week. We love birthdays around here...and we especially love him! We went out as a family to a middle eastern restaurant for dinner and came home to presents, cake and ice cream. His favorite gift was a cool "fashion hat" as the girls call it. =) Pictures to come!

Random Alison thoughts: Getting the itch to travel. Where to go? I'm thinking France for some reason. The girls' little Spanish words and phrases won't help us there. Neither will K's German. My high school French won't either for that matter! K has a meeting in turkey coming up that I could go tag along for free. Istanbul though? I hear it is great, but not on my top 10 places to visit. Call me unadventurous. Truth be told, I'm too chicken to leave my girls, afraid I'll orphan them. Totally irrational but a true fear of mine. I've missed tagging along to some really cool places these past years to stay home with my girls, but that is okay. We always said we would go later and visit those cool places as a family rather than leaving the kids at home. They are getting close to the age where we can start doing that. Today I pulled out our old travel photo album and showed the girls our pictures from our travels before they were born. I think that is where the itch comes from tonight. Guess we'll hold out for a not so free whole family tag along to a meeting somewhere else. Any meetings in France, Germany or Spain coming up? Didn't think so. Not so interested in taking the the whole family to Istanbul though. Oh, we ARE taking a trip soon to see my brother in Dallas. Dallas IS on my top 10 places to visit. Can't wait to see our cousins! After that...we'll just have to see! Kind of fun to dream about.

Video update: Okay already! How long does it take to load a video on blogger for crying out loud! FOREVER! I think I better just go to bed. Maybe you won't see the video of my girls from 10 months ago after all. I'll try posting a link. Try this. Good night. =)

How's that for a random jump start back into the blog! More to come soon...I promise! =)

Adeline & Avrie are 5!

My babies are now five! I can hardly believe it myself and yet when I look at them I realize that yes, it is TRUE! They have grown so much in a year! We decided to invite the girls from their class over for their party. They wanted a My Little Pony party. They chose the hats, the plates, the cups, etc. They helped me make some giant lollipop decorations that were on the tables. The surprise though was the candy table. When they woke up in the morning and saw the candy table...they were so excited!

Avrie wasn't too sure about having a party that wasn't on her actual birthday...but she soon found that having two celebrations is actually pretty cool.

Both Avrie and Addie loved having their friends over and had a really happy time. Kermit and I were just happy watching them be happy. He shot some good footage....maybe I'll have to put him up to making a little birthday video. I hope! =)

I love these girls. It blows me away when I think of their rough beginning at life. I feel so blessed that they continue to thrive, grow and learn. My whole life I thought it would be cool to have twins but never did I dream that I would actually have some of my own. It blows me away how different two girls can be from one another. It also amazes me how such differences can compliment each other. They are a perfect pair. I love these two forever. Happy Birthday my sweet girls!

Dancing Queens

I signed the girls up for their first dance class. It's a combination tap/ballet/tumbling class, 20 minutes of each. They pretty much LOVE it!

This clip was taken right after their first class when we got home. Makes me laugh out loud every time. They are dancing queens for sure! Enjoy!





The girls call their leotard and tights...their "costumes". Avrie chose a black costume because it's her new fav color. Addie chose the pink with a skirt and has it on everyday at some point. Annaliese wasn't with us when we went shopping so her sisters chose for her. She likes what they picked. Pink, no skirt.

After our second class Avrie accidentally came home with two left tap shoes, one two sizes too small. Obviously we learned quickly that names written big and bold in shoes is important. We have not found her right shoe yet....but somebody in her class has it I'm sure. She has been a good sport wearing her ballet shoes for tap class until the mystery of the missing tap shoe is solved.

The class is for 4-6 year olds. Annaliese is the only 6 year old and is a full head taller than all the other girls! There is one five year old, her friend from church...the rest are four year olds. She doesn't mind though. She gets along just fine with 4 year olds. =)

I think this class is perfect for these girls! They are loving it!

All about Avrie -2009

12/25/2009 - Loving her new scooter! Loves her set of horses too! Loves reading with Dad "Black Beauty" She likes to pretend she is Ginger the horse.

11/30/2009 - Loves to draw pictures on her doodle pad at night and leave them in the hall way for daddy to see when he comes up to bed. Cute girl!

11/18/2009 - My big four year old is loving her ballet costume and ballet slippers. Loves the barbie and horse gift too.

09/29/2009 - Avrie has learned to skip and it is the cutest darn skip I've ever seen! Almost like she skips side to side with huge hops. So cute!

09/21/2009 - Has decided that she would like to start sleeping on a big girl bed. Time to buy some bed rails so she doesn't wiggle off the bed...b/c she does wiggle!

09/14/2009 - Have I ever mentioned that this girl (and addie too) loves to change her clothes and often. If she had her way she would be seen in 10 different outfits per day. She still thinks that jeans are for boys..but is less resistant when we insist. After all you can't take a hike in a dress.

09/14/2009 - At night for story time this girl is always snuggled into my right side....and she always make sure that my arm is around her. I can't just hold the book open, I must have my arm around her and hold the book open. =) I do love it.

09/10/2009 - Started Preschool! Loving it! She told me the first day...the day that parents stayed in the classroom for the entire class. "mom, I'm not afraid. Could you please go away." =) Every day since at drop off she says, the same.

09/10/2009 - Of the three I've noticed that Avrie loves the outdoors the most. She loves the sand box. She makes sand cakes and pies and serves them up to anybody she can. She loves playing in the playhouse in the backyard. She is first out the door when we go on walks. She just loves it.

09/10/2009 - loves climbing on the castle at the park. Loves the swings and want to reach the leaves in the trees.

09/10/2009 - I can add one more food to her list of food that she will eat...energy bars. Kid Cliff...not bad if I do say so myself.

09/10/2009 - Can I celebrate the fact that not only are we fully potty trained but pull -ups are now optional at night time! Way to go Avrie!

09/10/2009 - At night she loves to draw on her doodle pad. Lately she has been drawing pictures for us and leaving them in the door way for us. She calls us up and tells us to look at the card she made. So cute! She is really getting good at drawing too! REALLY GOOD! She colors in the lines well too!

08/15/2009 - Was so captivated and interested in bugs on our trip to MA this summer. Her most quotable quote of the summer "Remember when there was a little tiny mosquito and I took care of it? And it had BIG EYES!" Love this cute girl!

07/31/2009 - This girl is GROWING UP! She has matured on so many levels. She is sooo helpful and sweet. She is melting me these days. Unbelievable! She is has been less clingy and outgoing socially too. She is going to be ready to start preschool!

07/31/2009 - Loves to race and loves to win! Working on the socially acceptable way to loose. =)

07/28/2009 - Avrie was curious why we need to take baths. It was explained that back in the olden days people did not bathe much and often became sick from being so dirty. Avrie says, "good thing we live in the latter days."

07/25/2009 - LOVED swimming at the indoor swimming pool! She loved doggy paddling around in her life jacket. This girl is fearless and a little fish~!

07/20/2009 - Avrie asked today "Mom, do little kids have a butt?" Yes, of course. Ha ha! =) An hour or so later..."Mom, where's my butt?"

07/01/2009 - This girl is potty trained! A month ago I thought for sure she'd be starting preschool in pull ups.

06/06/2009 - Is obsessed with being a girl. She only wears clothes that she thinks are girl clothes. Even though every single girl we know wears jeans...they are not girl clothes to her. Dresses, headbands, maryjanes are girl...everything else..boy and unacceptable to wear.

05/19/2009 - Loves headbands. Must wear one at all times. Loves her silver maryjane shoes. Must wear them at ALL times. I don't let her wear them to bed so she just sleeps with them next to her.

05/18/2009 - Still my pickiest eater but she has added Craisins to her list of edible food.

05/16/2009 - I love her little "prrrs" or prayers she gives. Last night's was especially funny..."Thank you that we can play guns and shoot each other. Thank you for the yummy food mommy made for us. Please bless us to go on a long trip so that we can watch a movie in the car. Thank you for the gospel. In the name…." Good news: today we took a long trip to the Indiana State dunes...they watched Dumbo. =)

05/15/2009 - Likes to run "SUPER FAST!"

05/15/2009 - Has gone from being 0% interested in Potty Training to about 50% interested. Hey, we'll take it.

05/11/2009 - Wow...this week Avrie has decided she loves to change outfits every hour....that's a lot of outfits in a day. I had to get organized and put things up out of reach to keep her outfit changes to 3 a day.

04/20/2009 - I love it when she sings "thumpin up n down in my little wed wagon....won't you be my garlin." Makes me smile every time.

02/25/2009 - This girl is under the weather. Snuggles from my Avrie all day. That's the kind of sick I like.

02/25/2009 - 5% interested in potty training. 95% interested in using diapers.

02/17/2009 - Loves to "ice skate" in the house...uses tupperware lids to "glide" around the room.

02/16/2009 - Where are those books? I've found she will respond better to puppets talking to her than me for some reason...she likes the attention and the play.

02/10/2009 - Unfortunately I need to pull out my parenting books again. Avrie is busy testing her parents limits this week.

02/10/2009 - Giving up naps these days...maybe there is a correlation?

02/02/2009 - This girl has been so pleasant lately! Just happy almost all day. Love her. Potty training has come to a halt. Last night as I was changing her diaper I told her that next time she should tell mom so that poops can go in the toilet. She said, "No, poops go in diapers." Okay we'll give it a rest.

01/19/2009 - She likes to wear her "Skeleton" jammies. Sometimes she'll call them "Stellikan". Funny girl.

01/19/2009 - Marshmellows! This is what she will work for! Potty training coming along slow but sure. Likes those marshmallows.

01/14/2009 - Miss Independent! You can't even TRY to help her. If you do she'll stop you and say, "No! I'm LEARNING!" =)

01/13/2009 - Potty Training...slow going but we'll get there. Discovered that she will work for marshmallows.

01/10/2009 - Pink Eye. Yuck! She does NOT like those drops!

01/09/2009 - Got her first haircut this week. We kept it long but she just needed her ends (baby hair) trimmed. I was a little sad...but I must admit she needed it! Looks cute!

Two times FOUR

It's been birthday time around here! The twins turned four on Wednesday. They are sure tell everyone the meet that they aren't three any more.
We had a "smallish" birthday party here at the house with their friends from their primary class. We had tiny cupcakes, tiny ice cream cones, tiny cookies, tiny pretzels, etc. The girls enjoyed playing "pass the parcel" and opening presents the best. They were so happy to have their friends over to help celebrate! They had a very happy day indeed.

On Thursday the girls got to have cupcakes at school. Annaliese came down from Kindergarten for the occassion. Again they were thrilled. What a great day!

Lately with Avrie....

12/17/2008 - Today Avrie ate string cheese for the first time EVER (knowingly). Also last week she ate and ate and ate corn and spaghetti pie! WooHOo! What's next? PB&J?!
12/15/2008 - When this girl is sweet...she is the sweetest thing EVER! She has been sweet the last few days. It's been heaven! love this girl!
12/15/2008 - Very good at coloring in the lines.
12/12/2008 - Today at ther 3 year check up she weighed 29 1/2 lbs. (50%) and was 37 1/4 inches tall (50-75%) . Her BMI was 15 (25%). Cute kid! Love her!

12/07/2008 - Her language is so cute. She loves talking and talking! Lots to say! She also loves to color. She is really good at coloring in the lines.
12/07/2008 - We started potty training, but we may have to wait for after the holidays to make any progress. I need to find a treat she's willing to work for.
10/05/2008 - Just spent the last 15 minutes mastering the art of tracing her own hand. "Look mom, I'm big geel!"
10/05/2008 - She calls the airconditioning "airplane machine". We laughed and laughed. Makes sense I guess.

Birthday Party Pictures

Addie & Avrie with their cupcakes.
Making butterflies.

Tired Girls! 3 hour naps for both 3 year olds!

Three years ago....

Three years ago (tomorrow to be exact) my twins were born. How grateful I am for these dear ones. I wanted to share a few excerpts from my journal written in June of 2006 when the twins were 7 months old. I always want my girls to know the story of their birth and a few of the many miracles we saw that allowed them to be with us today.

Avrie & Addie together for the first time since birth...

Approximately 2 weeks old.

June 2006-
"I’ve been wanting to write the story of their birth for some time now and share my thoughts and feelings. I almost can’t…..the whole experience almost doesn’t seem real, but when I start to think about each event that lead up to their birth and their recovery home….I shudder to think how lucky I am to have these two little girls.

I’ve always heard that a twin pregnancy had more risks involved….The word “risk” never meant anything to me before. I understand now…I’m glad those risks were taken obviously or we wouldn’t have our two baby girls but I don’t know I’d ever take those risks again. Life is too fragile and I love my babies too much to put anybody at risk.....

My whole pregnancy was a cinch. I actually didn’t gain that much weight and sometimes wonder if that had anything to do with this but I’ll never know. My body felt great.....I went in for a routine 30 week appointment for an ultrasound…all tests previous were normal….I thought it was strange when the tech kept asking me all kinds of questions about diabetes, amniocentesis, etc. It was a Friday. (I'm pretty sure this was the day of Grandma Bev's funeral, which I obviously missed.) My doctor was concerned and said it was serious. I thought she was being dramatic. She had me go in for a repeat test on Monday. That weekend I got a blessing before Kermit went out of town for the week to Boston. Mondays test came… I knew something was really wrong by the way the tech was acting. I was waiting and waiting to see the head supervisor/doctor but then after waiting forever they just told me to go see my regular doctor. She wasn’t in so I saw Dr. A. As soon as he looked at the report he said, "you need to go to the hospital right now. Baby A is very sick. She has fluid all around the outside of her lungs and heart compressing them. Fluid should not be there…this is called hydrops and it is very serious…call your husband you are not going home." Kermit was in Boston and caught the first flight home.
He stayed the night with me in the hospital. Megan our babysitter, stayed at home with Annaliese. That night I started contracting! I was given some medicine to stop contractions. I was given steroid shots to help strengthen their lungs because it was looking like they were coming soon. We waited, the contractions stopped. I was there for 3 days and they watched very closely little Adeline’s condition. It seemed to be stable. The fluid was there and not going away but she wasn’t showing signs of being stressed. Her heart beat was great. We made a deal that I could go home if I agreed to come in everyday for ultrasound and non stress tests. I did that for 1 1/2 weeks. The fluid did increase very little at first but then tapered off. I had gotten comfortable going in to the hospital every day, expecting that I would hear the same news I had heard previous day....that "the fluid was there but it wasn't any worse, Adeline is fine, go home and rest, come back tomorrow." I was convinced that I could get to 36 weeks... Then on November 17th I went in for my daily routine checkup…the fluid had gown substantially. Now Adeline had fluid under her skin on her head! They said her heart was still strong but wanted me to go to labor and delivery just to keep an eye on her heart. I was calm…I was exactly 32 weeks. I was huge and uncomfortable. I fully expected to be able to go home to Annaliese and Kermit.I sobbed when the doctor came in and told me that they needed to induce me. Adeline just had to get out if she was going to get better. I sobbed. I had been so tough and kept my faith…but the reality of delivering a baby that was so sick truly was frightening to me. Adeline needed ME! As long as she was in me her heart could beat and she didn’t need her lungs. After birth she would have to rely on her own heart and lungs that were in such critical condition. I cried and cried. Kermit was in Racine, WI on business. He cancelled his meetings and headed home.

It was evening by the time he arrived if I remember. They had given me my pitocin…that I actually didn’t really need…my body had already started labor again on its own. When it came time to break my water…whew…that was the hardest ever…there was no turning back these babies were coming and I was freaking. I couldn’t have done it with out Kermit. I was so embarrassed to be crying the way I was but I couldn’t stop. It was the most awful feeling I've ever felt. These babies weren’t ready! Neither was I!

I got my epidural shortly thereafter. At 11pm my doctor came in to check on me. She said she had been up all night the night before and that she really needed to go back home to sleep….that we didn’t want her there on such little sleep. I was so sad because she had been so cool to us all along and had been such a support. She had taken time at the end her exhausting days to visit with me during her rounds while I was in the hospital…she loved Annaliese and was great to Kermit. She tried to help us come up with names…etc. Now when it was time to deliver she had to go home to sleep. I labored all night and into the morning. At 5 am (now November 18th) I felt the need to push. The nurse said no way, you were a 4 less than an hour ago….I asked her to please just go get somebody to check me…I had to ask a couple of times and she finally did…it was time!!! I was a 10 and ready to go. They wheeled me to the OR where 20 doctors and nurses were…. I’m not even kidding. Dr. M (my doctor) was one of them! =) She got the call and came straight over….5 hours was enough sleep for her she said. What a woman! Dr. H was also there…he had delivered Annaliese so I knew he was good too. There were nurses attending then about 5 doctors and nurses for each baby…add that all up and yep…about 18-20 people. I pushed with all my might to get Adeline out. I think it was about 20 minutes of pushing. At 5:35am Adeline was born. They held her up for me to see then went straight away to the doctors waiting to save her life. She looked like a chubby little cherub. A lot like the way I remember Annaliese looking at birth. I remember saying that I thought she looked like Annaliese. Avrie was transverse so the doctor with the smallest hands (a resident) reached in and grabbed her feet and pulled her out 3 minutes later! Whew! Avrie was so little. She was beat red. TINY and RED! She was also whisked away to the other side of the room where her team of doctors were waiting.

I had done it. I had had a “normal” delivery with no complications just as I had been promised in a blessing I had received. I kept remembering that. God had promised me a normal delivery and I had had one….Now my babies would be blessed to make it and that promise would also be kept.

Dr. H kept going over to where our babies were being worked on to try to give us an update. Adeline’s chest tubes had been placed and fluid was beginning to drain…it was straw colored. That is all we knew. We had no idea that the team of doctors working on her little body didn’t know if they would be able to save her. It was bad.
They wheeled her off to another area of the hospital without saying goodbye. A few minutes later Avrie wheeled by and paused to say goodbye before heading up. It was up to recovery for me.

I didn’t go down to the ICU to see them. I felt the doctors would do better without the blubbering mother over their shoulders. Kermit’s brother Gabe happened to be driving through town with Kermit’s mother to move her out west for the winter. Just as they arrived at the hospital our Bishop showed up as well. The three of them (Kermit, Gabe & Bishop) went down together to see the babies and to give them blessings. I remember asking Kermit to tell me what the blessing said…he said he didn’t remember.

Next it was my turn to go see the babies. Dr. Beverly R. had told us everything they had done to try to save Adeline. (I took comfort in her name. It was a reminder that my Grandma Beverly in heaven was near and caring for my babies as their angel.) Dr. Bev explained that she had placed the chest tubes and had given her air but she had seen Adeline “posture” or show signs of oxygen deprivation and seizure. The fluid was draining. Adeline was the sickest baby in the nursery. Dr. Bev flat out told us she didn’t know if Adeline would make it. They were doing everything they could. Tests were being done to see if they could figure out the cause of the hydrops. Things did not look optimistic.

Kermit and I finally went down to see our girls. No pictures were taken. It felt like too sacred a moment to photograph. Adeline was right at the first bed as you entered nursery 7. A huge oscilating ventilator was shaking her whole body as it pushed tiny puffs of air into her frail lungs. She was on a sedation medication that paralyzed her keeping her from moving. She had an IV that fed her veins straight to her heart. Her knees were up and open like a W. Naked sitting on an open diaper. Tubes from both sides draining fluid little by little. She looked lifeless. She was so pretty. Her skin beautiful. Her chub wasn’t chub though…it was the ademia or swelling from the fluid. She had to live. It was surreal.

Avrie was so little, so red, on no pain medication, wiggle, wiggle, mad. She seemed to respond to my voice. I cried. She wore goggles to cover her eyes, she was under lights for bilirubin. Her legs were like a pincushion. Doctors tried and tried to get a central line in to her premptivley but could never get a good vein. Her ventilator was down her throat as well just with normal air flow rather than like Adeline’s. Avrie looked mad and so uncomfortable. She cried but no sound could be made with the tubes down her throat. She only weighed 3 lbs. 5 oz. 16 inches. Little. Neither girl looked good.

The next day we met again with a different doctor with a new update. Dr. __(Can't remember his name)___ had told us that in the teams had pulled out every trick they knew to help Adeline make it…he said that usually when they have to use these “tricks” as he called them they are able to tell immediately which intervention was the one that makes the difference…in the case of Adeline…they weren’t sure which one of their interventions caused her to turn around. Adeline was rallying beyond belief…stunning all those who had been present at her delivery. We know which intervention it was…her blessing. Though Kermit doesn’t remember the words he uttered in her blessing…he remembered that he felt she would be healed. She indeed was on her way.

It wasn’t more than a few days before Adeline was taken off the oscillator ventilator and moved to a nasal canula. It was a few weeks before she could be held due to the chest tubes….finally they came out and she was able to be held. She was getting stronger day by day. She was passing Avrie up in breathing and before long eating. She was started off on Portagen…a formula easier to digest than breast milk. Tests came back…no cause for the hydrops could be found. No evidence in brain scans of seizure, her heart strong, this little girl was strong and going to make it!

Avrie plugged away…breathing was never easy for her, eating never easy, keeping warm wasn’t easy. She was little. She wasn’t ready to be born but had to make due. One thing every nurse that cared for her said…this little girl is a wiggler! YES, I know! My ribs would agree! Every visit to the hospital Avrie always greeted us with wide eyes busy checking us out. Adeline was always asleep. The same is true today…Adeline my good sleeper…Avrie too busy looking around to sleep! =)

One day they were off their “ohio beds” and in to an incubator! =) There for a few weeks and then into open cribs! They were being fed every 3 hours around the clock. They were both now on Breast milk but bottle fed. What ever they couldn’t finish they would tube the rest through their NG tube (Nose). I would pump milk at home and bring it in to the hospital each day. Each day I would visit for a couple of hours. Hold each baby an hour each then go home. It was so hard. I felt the need to be there all day but just couldn’t. Annaliese needed me at home too. I was so worried I would have babies that were emotionless because their mommy couldn’t be there the way others mommies could be. I think I missed one day in 8 weeks…I couldn’t handle not seeing them….I had to go everyday. What mom wouldn’t.

Its late right now..I’m exhausted…but I wanted to get some of this documented before another 7 months slips away. I feel so blessed to have these dear babies. Its been a challenge everyday but one I am grateful for. Twins isn’t easy but is happy. I love these girls with all my heart. I thank the Lord for their safe arrival to our family. The priesthood is real and we have been blessed by its power. "

I know that God hears and answers prayers. Thank you so much to our family and friends who prayed continually for their recovery and our comfort. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Twins Birthday Recap

Yesterday we celebrated the twins third birthday. What a great day! I hope it will be one they both remember. We had a little butterfly party with just a couple of their friends. We made a little butterfly craft, played a little butterfly game, ate a little cupcake with little butterfly decoration in them, tah dah!

I don't think I have ever seen Avrie more excited. She's just been bursting with joy over turning three. It is a pretty big deal to her. When she came downstairs for the first time in the morning she was so excited to see the decorations set up for the party. She did a little dance and just squealed and then plopped herself down on the ground making a super silly face and wiggled some more. She was thrilled!

Addie was cracking me up all week. She's been busy singing, "Happy Birthday to me" or "Happy Birthday to US" all week! =) She was very involved in making the cupcakes that we made the day before. Keeping those cupcakes away from her until the party was quite the trick. I literally had to keep the cupcakes hidden in the cooled oven to keep her from devouring them before the party.

I have to say that these girls are about at the peak of cuteness! They melt me and I love that I am their mother. Happy Birthday to sweet Addie and Avrie! I love you both forever!

Little Pea

We checked out the book LITTLE PEA from the library. Avrie loves it. In the book Little Pea has to eat 5 bites of candy for dinner before getting dessert(spinach). My little Pee-Wee is (still) a very picky eater. Thanks to this book, I we have a new trick for mealtime. Just a little reminder of this story and she will enthusiastically take 5 bites of dinner. Funny little Avrie! You are my favorite Little Pea! Here is a list of some of my favorite & most recent Avrie Moments.

09/28/2008 - All week Avrie has been asking me if she is a baby or if she is a big girl. She is determined to be big! "I'm a big geel!"
09/28/2008 - Something changed...my Sweet Avrie is back (has been for 2-3 weeks)! Is it the moon? She has been THE sweetest and THE cutest child I have ever seen!
09/27/2008 - I think she is ready for potty training, for sure! Tonight she was sitting on the toilet and she said in her oh so cute 2 year old toddler voice, "The poopoos are sleeping in my bum. They don't want to come out and play with their friends. They're scared." =)
09/28/2008 - The last few weeks have been a riot listening to her talk. First of all she has the cutest voice I've ever heard, second she can talk and talk and talk. She is beyond using language to get her needs met...she has stories to tell!
09/27/2008 - Avrie and Addie (and Annaliese for the matter) play so well with each other. I love to hear the little conversations that they make their toys have with each other. Very cute!
09/10/2008 - I took her for her first dentist visit. She gave me a scare because she mentioned a few times to me that her teeth were hurting...but good news, no cavities! She did great for the dentist too! Good job Avrie!
09/10/2008 - Cute little body on this girl. She was exercising the other day by punching her arms out in front of her and kicking her legs out one at a time. She was panting and so proud of herself for eckersizing. Too cute!
09/10/2008 - Okay, another thing I need to record is this girl singing Happy Birthday. SOOO CUTE! She loves to "make cakes" from Sand, or blocks, or other objects and sing happy birthday. Then she makes you blow out the candles. When you blow out the candles she knocks down the blocks, or dumps the sand, or destroys what ever the cake was made from. Too cute! Sweet voice too!
09/10/2008 - Likes to play with the doll house. Still enjoying dress ups but not as often as she used to. She is loving learning to draw. Whenever she draws herself...she always includes her birthmark. Cute as ever!
09/10/2008 - LOVE her little voice! She has been telling the cutest little stories lately! Sooo incredibly sweet! Need to get this on tape.
09/10/2008 - It's official, as soon as I admit Avrie has chilled, she sneaks back to her old tricks! NO more will I comment on Avrie's temperament good or bad! No more jinx!
08/16/2008 - It's official, Avrie has chilled out. She is a happy little girl with a little bit of spunk. Parenting her has become so much easier these past few months. I never finished the parenting books, I think she is just growing up.
08/16/2008 - I'm listening to her sing, "Old McFarmer had a pig, ei ei o." =)
07/15/2008 - Sings "Someones in the the kitchen with dinah strumin on the old banjo, singing, B - I- Bidel e i o. B. I. Bideli I OOOO B. I Bidleio OOOOO...."
07/15/2008 - Sings "There was a farmer had a dog and Dingo was his name-o. D-I-N-G-O..." =)
06/15/2008 - Loves dress ups. LOVES IT! (So does Addie)
07/15/2008 - We have been working on manners with all the girls. Finally understanding that grunting is not the proper way to demand a drink of milk. She politely says, "mommy, may I please have a drink of milk." =)
07/15/2008 - Has decided she wants to be sweet 90% of the day these days. I can handle that! =) Love that sweet little Avrie.
07/15/2008 - This girl is so ready to potty train. Waiting until we are back from all summer travel and she'll be golden!
05/28/2008 - At her developmental eval she did great. She scored right where she should for her age. Knows most of her colors too. Good job Avrie! =)
05/26/2008 - I was cracking up this week watching her march around the house banging 3 different musical instruments simultaneously, singing random songs. Very funny!
05/26/2008 - Still very much into her dress ups. Got some good pics this week!
05/26/2008 - Very much into hugs and kisses. Love it!
05/16/2008 - Very independent girl. Must dress herself.
05/16/2008 - Says her name "Aidwie" - very cute!
05/16/2008 - Says, "Clicke, clock" instead of tick tock.
04/28/2008 - Love her sweet little toddler voice. Just precious! I've got to get it recorded!
04/24/2008 - Has been sick! Luckily I took her in with me when Addie had a doc apt. to recheck for ear infection....Avrie has a double ear infection now!
04/15/2008 - Today Avrie saw a young baby picture of herself and Addie. She immediately pointed to herself and said, "That's Avie. I have birthmark owie right there." Then she pointed to her forehead. I asked who the other baby was and she didn't recognize Addie. I told her who it was, but she didn't believe me.
04/10/2008 - Has started that darn 2am awakening game again!
04/10/2008 - Has discovered my shoes. All day today she clacked around in some shiny white heals. Also today wore her sunhat and ballerina skirt all day. A sight to behold.
04/10/2008 - I can't get this one to eat anything but white doughy bread and hotdogs! She has texture issues I think.
04/10/2008 - Had her first hemagioma bleed a few nights ago. They weren't kidding when they say that they bleed! Avrie loved wearing a Dora the Explorer bandage. I think she just scratched it?
04/01/2008 - Great at counting to 20. Knows many of her colors.
04/01/2008 - Her language is getting so good! You can practically carry on a real conversation with her. Very fun!
04/01/2008 - This girl has the best head of hair! Love her long locks and curls at the bottom. I love how her hair sways back and forth when she runs.
04/01/2008 - I'm reading the "strong willed" parenting book. She seems to be responding positively already. Separately, she is getting better at ASKING for things nicely. =)
03/17/2008 - Still loving her pink blankie. She has two and has recently decided she likes one over the other. She will let Addie have the other one.
03/13/2008 - The last month, she has been sleeping much better at night. At last!
03/13/2008 - Hemangioma is getting lighter & smaller! =) It's still there of course, the pics of her without it are photo shop, but it really is looking so much better!
03/13/2008 - Loves to read. She will go pick out some of Kermit's books from the bookcase and just flip through and look at the words I guess.

I think His Tractor's.....So Cute

Here are some darn cute pictures of my girls with Kermit on the old tractor this summer. I even gave it a go this year. I found it to be much more difficult than I thought. I felt exactly like I did the first time I ever drove a car. The shifting thing is very different, so is stopping and going. Practice is needed for sure. Maybe next summer I'll be able to spend a couple hours in a field practicing. I NEVER thought in a million years, I would ever want to learn to drive a tractor. IT'S FUN, the kids loved it too. Kermit loves it for sure! Okay, I'll just say it....I think his tractor's sexy....(blush, blush).

Easter Girls 2008

Here is a picture of our little ladies after church on Easter Sunday.

Too cute for words.

All about Avrie...

Okay, it's Avrie's turn in the spotlight with all her latest and greatest tricks. Life was a little crazy for a few months and I stopped updating just before Christmas so I'll have to think back to get her up to date. Avrie (aka Peewee) is a funny one. As you'll soon see, filling in the blanks wasn't too tough. Here we go....

11/12/2007 - Two days of little stinker Pee Wee & 2 days of Charming little Sweetie....I think there is a sleep connection. That is all I can figure!
11/12/2007 - I'd say she's been able count to 10 now for several months...not sure if I ever mentioned it. She also is great at her ABC song...I love it when she says "Em en en Oh pee" - too cute!
11/25/2007 - I think her looks are starting to change a little....something about her eye shape? 11/25/2007 - Is starting to be more happy more of the time...this is good!! Again, perhaps a sleep connection?
12/09/2007 - Happy child! I'd say 80% of the day this girl is happy! (Up until about a month ago she was miserable 80% of the day!! We could never figure out what to do!) My latest theory...she can talk & express herself more effectively! But its more than that she is darn right CHARMING and so fun to be around!
12/09/2007 - She said today "I'm me!" while pointing to herself!
12/09/2007 - Loves to sing Frosty the Snowman...if you try to sing with her she says "no no no NO, I try it!" Then she keeps singing! Very cute!
12-16/2007 - Loves to ROAR!!! Loves to see people "afraid" of her, she laughs and laughs then ROARS again!
12/16/2007 - Wears her tutu everyday. She calls it her "pincess". Today she told Kermit that she was a princess.
12/16/2007 - Loves to take care of her dolls and toy animals...puts them to bed with "covers" and feeds them. Addie does this too. So does Annaliese actually!
12/16/2007 - We had the "old Pee Wee" back for a few days (grumpy) but now has mellowed out and has become ultra snugly and sweet. She is sick and loves to snuggle (but not crying)!
12/16/2007 - Gotta watch this one! Loves to color which is great, but also loves to color on my walls, furniture, cabinets, floors, etc. Thank goodness for crayola washable crayons! I'm a believer!
01/2008 - Little STINKER!
02/2008 - Little STINKER!
03/2008 - HEAVENLY ANGEL! - From morning until night, laugh, play, smile, snuggle, giggle, kissy, charming, huggy...ZERO time outs per day!

Her Valentine Heart

I just died laughing when I came in to get her after her nap.

Nice socks & undies Avrie!

Ready for the swimsuit competition


Loves to read.

After a sugar high, comes the sugar zone out!

****************

03/2008- continued...

03/2008 - LOVES dress ups! Every day she wears a tutu! Sometimes she insists on wearing one to bed or out in public....at least she's dressed. It is cute! =)

03/2008 - Loves going on walks! She is the first out the door when we take family walks. She lights up with energy and off she goes!

03/2008 - Loves to JUMP! She is great at it!

03/2008 - Loves to paint and to play with playdoh! Will sit for hours when she gets the chance.

03/2008 - Still a picky eater but getting so much better! Is eating bagels with cream cheese, Ritz crackers, tacos!!!, mashed potatoes, cheesy Au gratin potatoes, sloppy joes, scrambled eggs, pancakes, Dora the Explorer soup, plain pasta, hot dogs, chicken nuggets & bananas. No veggies but I'm able to sneak them into sloppy joes, tacos, & potatoes.

03/2008 - Has the most adorable little voice I've ever heard! She's always been able to melt me with her little voice. She loves to sing too! Her language skills are taking off! It's pretty easy to understand what she is saying most of the time. Can very clearly say, "That's Annaliese's ______." The word "Annaliese's" is a mouthful I'd say!

03/2008 - Has overcome her need for 15 timeouts per day. Recent weeks ZERO timeouts! What a sweet little sweethead!

03/2008 - Loves playing with her sisters! She is great pals with both of them! She is a good little friend. Has been playing "time out" with them lately...hmmm.

03/2008 - Miss Independent. Must do things on her own. Only accepts help if she asks.

03/2008 - Must drink from a pink or red sippy cup (any color lid is fine except yellow. Yellow is Addie's color.)

03/2008 - Has overcome throwing tantrums at diaper changes. The solution, make sure she has a nice comfy pillow to lay on. Can you blame her?

03/2008 - Has overcome tantrums at teethbrushing time. The solution...I don't know, I'm just glad she's getting her teeth brushed once a day instead of once a month.

03/2008 - Loves to sing! Nothing more sweet than to hear her sing "I am a Child of God." Melt me!

LOVE this little girl! I love her spunk & tender heart.

Avrie takes notes....

...and plots her countermeasures.

Pillow Talk

Playing "Night Night....Good Morning" is a favorite game around here! I'm not sure what it is but Addie and Avrie LOVE to climb into big kid beds and pretend to sleep...then pop up off the pillow and shout "Good Morning". It cracks me up and they can play this game for hours a day! They also love to put all their animals and dolls to sleep too. They love it!

Lately Addie and Avrie have been playing so well together. They still parallel play and enjoy one on one time with big sis, but I really feel like they are developing a special bond. At night they often chatter with each other for an hour before they finally fall asleep. In the mornings they wake each other up (usually Addie wakes Avrie BRIGHT and EARLY). They chatter back and forth, jump in their cribs and sing! Very cute girls!

Happy Belated....

So the twins had their fun at Rain Forest Cafe for their birthday...but I just couldn't let the weekend pass without officially singing Happy Birthday to them! So the least I could do was whip up some cupcakes for them! They didn't really get it, but now at least Annaliese will acknowledge they are 2 years old now. Singing is magic....your age doesn't change until you sing the birthday song and blow out candles you know! So now it is official...they are both 2!