Daddy's Birthday

I'm sure I won't win the mom of the year award for feeding Ben chocolate cake the day after his visit to the Emergency Room. But, some things are sacred in our house, and birthdays are one of those things. Plus, the doctors did tell me to keep Ben happy for the next several days since crying can bring on more respiratory distress. I can't think of a better way to keep someone happy than a big helping of chocolate cake!

We've had a good day, despite being cooped up in the house while we wait for Ben's croup to pass. Steve opened his birthday presents this morning, while the buddies ate breakfast. We spent the rest of the day moving from room to room in our house and from the front yard to the back yard to play. The buddies barely seemed to notice that we never left the house since they saw a lot of variety.

Tonight, we'll have cake after dinner, but since the buddies will be in bed, I let them lick the icing from the beaters (a first for them!) and eat the scraps that I cut away to level the cake. Ummm, they thought it was good!

Sad, Sad, Sad

Today is a day I hope not to relive any time soon. Ben woke this morning, struggling to breathe. He'd been coughing since yesterday afternoon and we thought he was coming down with a cold. So, we scheduled an early appointment with our pediatrician and the buddies and I raced out the door.

Our pediatrician quickly diagnosed Ben with croup, a respiratory virus that affects infants and small children. They gave him an oral steroid in the office and then attempted to give him a cool mist treatment. Ben became agitated by the treatment, and when he cried, his breathing problems worsened, so they ran a few more tests and then sent us on to the Children's ER downtown. Steve met me in the parking lot and picked up Ace and took him home.

Ben and I spent the next 5 hours in the ER. After having his chest x-rayed (an awful procedure!) we met a very nice respiratory therapist who got us started on another cool mist treatment. It was naptime, so Ben slept in my arms while I held the mist under his nose and mouth for almost 2 hours. When he hadn't improved after several hours of observation, he was given an epinephrine breathing treatment, which seemed to help tremendously. We are home now, with our prescription medicines, and Ben is sleeping. I'll probably check on him all night long. And although I really hope not to repeat this day, croup is highly contagious so there's a good chance I'll be back with Ace. I'm praying that he doesn't catch it.

Happy, Happy, Happy

Ben has a new word - happy. He wanders around the house singing, "happy, happy, happy." It melts my heart. Of course, minutes later, he'll whack his brother on the head or bang a big toy on the window. I just savor the sweet little moments when I can.

Today, the buddies played at their favorite mall play area and then ate Chinese food with us at the Dragonfly. They love sweet and sour chicken and are becoming very proficient dippers. Of course, they were covered from head to toe in the sauce by the time we left. Ben had it streaked down his left leg and Ace had some in his hair.

First Dental Exam

The buddies had their first experience at the dentist's office today. It is pretty safe to say that they both HATED it. They enjoyed meeting Bugsy, a big, fluffy stuffed animal with a very nice set of teeth. The dentist's helper was very sweet and let both boys pull on Bugsy's tongue and brush his teeth while we waited for the dentist.

The dentist noticed a few spots on Ace's front teeth that are missing enamel. I was pretty ticked when she accused me of giving him milk at bedtime (which we don't!) or giving him a lot of juice (never, really!). I don't think she believed me because she asked if I thought his teeth just came in without enamel. Heck if I know, lady! You're the dentist. Do teeth just come in without enamel?? Anyway, she recommended a calcium-fortified paste, which was outrageously expensive, so we bought it and were on our way.

A Relaxing Afternoon by the Pool

This is how I envisioned my life when I first decided to become a stay-at- home mom: I thought I'd hang by the pool (although I imagined a bigger one) with my kids all day and enjoy a nice cold beer when the mood struck. Then came the buddies and reality sunk in. I am way too busy most days to relax and have a beer.

This afternoon, we went to our favorite play area at the mall where I became frustrated at one of the big kids who hogged the slide. His mom chatted away on her cell phone, oblivious to the other children waiting in line as her son camped out at the top of the slide. Ace and Ben were so good and just stood behind waiting for their turn. Not wanting to deal with it, we packed up and headed home for our own swim party and I did crack open that beer. Ahhhh, it was good!

Another First - Child Care

Steve and I are taking a 5-week Love and Logic course called "Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun". Our first class was this evening so the buddies had their first experience with childcare. We arrived 15 minutes early, prepared for teary, panicked goodbyes when we dropped them with their new caregivers. But, 30 seconds later, Steve and I were in the classroom next door with our emergency beeper and the buddies were happily scooting cars around in their room. Two hours after that, we picked up two happy but very tired boys (it was over an hour past their bedtime) and headed home. One of the childcare providers said they stuck together the whole time and were happy as clams.

Mommy's Day Out

I didn't get to relax, but the work I did this morning will save me loads of time over the next few weeks. This morning, the buddies stayed at home with their dad while I joined 6 fellow twin moms in a commercial kitchen downtown for cooking club. Everyone prepared 2 entrees for each family and walked away with 14 ready-made meals! Although I'm not one that loves to cook, I really had a fantastic time chatting with the other moms while we chopped, baked, and sipped mimosas. Over the next few weeks, we'll be dining on pork chops stuffed with cherries, ginger and pine nuts; spice rubbed baby back ribs; turkey florentine meatloaf; chicken cutlets stuffed with olives, feta and red peppers; chicken and mango curry; beef with broccoli; fajitas; and many more tasty dishes! And the work will be minimal - jealous anyone?

And best of all, I came home to a quiet house that had been freshly vacuumed by Steve - and I didn't even ask! He also mowed the lawn during the buddies' nap so I have to say I feel a little outdone. I never get THAT much work done during naptime.

More Texoma Pictures

Click here to see Grandma's pictures!

Our 15 Month Stats

We were 6 weeks late for our 15 month well check today. It was a good visit and everyone is healthy and happy. Here are our stats:

Ace
height: 34" (this is really tall - he's not even on the growth chart!)
weight: 27 pounds (80th percentile, but slender for his height)
head circumference: 48.7 cm

Ben
height: 31 1/2 inches (55th percentile - also tall!)
weight: 23 pounds (30th percentile, also slender for his height)
head circumference: 48 inches

We just had two shots today, but boy they were mad about them. Both boys took off their band aids in the car and chewed on them. I was driving on the highway shouting, "No eat! Yucky! No eat!". It was really tempting to reach back and yank them away but that wouldn't have been safe at 60 mph so they both ate a little band aid. Next time they're wearing long pants. Boys are gross.

More Pictures from the Weekend

If this has you wanting to see more, click here for the rest of our pictures!

The First Annual Festival of the Testicle

The first annual Festival of the Testicle at Lake Texoma was quite the event. My dad and his neighbor cooked up loads of calf fries, lamb fries, and sissy fries (chicken nuggets) and pleased crowds of people. Yes, the buddies ate calf fries and lamb fries, as did Steve, who also went back for seconds. I ate a tiny bite after I was told I couldn't buy a t-shirt next year otherwise, but mostly loaded up on the delicious pot-luck sides and desserts that the neighbors brought.

There were lots of cow-themed games for the kids - pin the tail on the bull, bull ring toss, a cow pinata, and a bull bean bag toss. The buddies played all the games right alongside the big kids and thought it was just great.

You can be sure we'll be back next year for the second annual - for the good company rather than another helping of fries.

More Festival pics

The Buddies at School

Ace and Ben spent the afternoon at Grandma's school yesterday. They arrived just in time for Grandma to show them off to all her teacher friends. Then, it was time for snack and the buddies sat around the table just like all the big kids. They thought they were so grown up. The school day ended with songs. Grandma's class danced to the chicken dance, the abc song, and a few others. It was great fun.

We are at Grandma and Grandpa's house today. Great Granny and Great Gramps are here so the buddies are getting lots of love and attention. They are swimming, chasing dogs, running around, playing with Suzi and Sally, and eating Grandma's good cooking. Ace and Ben wish this vacation would last forever.