March 2008

I can’t believe tomorrow will be April 1st. Where has the year gone? Our toddlers (formerly known as babies) continue to show amazing progress and are growing like weeds. Last week I traveled to London for business, and Grandma Judy flew out from Arizona to help Aaron. Our agreement is that we buy her the ticket and she comes to spend time with us. The kids were just OVER the moon to see Grandma. Of course all they could talk about was Grandpa Bobby which tells us for the next visit he is a must-have. Trent particularly is aware of Grandma Judy’s incredible baking abilities, and upon learning she was coming, immediately asked  Will Mamaw make cookies”?  Quite a memory since she hadn’t been here since January and baked for him.

I always bring them toys when I travel, and this time I brought him a toy train from the “London Underground Set”, and I brought Sophie a stuffed rabbit that hops (she’s been pretending she’s a frog or rabbit for the last couple weeks), Simple things but they certainly provided HOURS of fun.

It was so nice to be a family again though on Saturday. There is something about having little kids and really enjoying life. They bring so much to everyday. I’m not sure if it has to do with the way they were born, our strong desire to have a family, or just them being Trent and Sophie, but whatever it is, we certainly enjoy our family time.

On Sunday, Aaron suggested we go to Lake Alamden to feed the ducks. There were HUGE Canadian Geese there (a great play to winter if you ask me), and they were quite assertive. We didn’t realize that you weren’t supposed to feed them bread until after we’d given them several pieces.  Sophie was completely fearless. She walked up to several of them saying “here ducky, ducky“. I think they may have been insulted though by the duck reference since they made a very rude honking sound that I can only guess the translation on.  Trent, on the other hand, was more cautious but still quite intrigued as he held on tightly to Aaron or my leg while approaching them. It’s funny how similar and but yet different they can be.

I sent an email to Trent’s kidney team asking if we can have his blood work retested. He’s taking iron for anemia, but his little legs are covered in bruises. He’s all boy so it’s not that his bruises surprise me, but it’s more the number of them. Aaron and I are sure it’s nothing to worry about, but given his past tests we just want to make sure we’re not missing something. He’s been so brave with all his tests this year, we just want to make sure that the iron is working.

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Although I’m out of the country traveling and Grandma Judy has come (again) to help take care of the babies, the Internet makes the world a global place and, once again today, I reminded of the challenges our children may face because of their early birth. Today there was an article in the San Jose Mercury News (front page no less) about premature babies and the development risks they face. The doctor quoted in the article was one we had worked with at Stanford. The main gist of his comments was that we now have more premature babies that survive than ever before (although their prematurity may be caused by poor nutrition, fertility treatments, and older new mothers-Wow!). That was something to read.

The Mercury can be a bit of a sleaze paper these days but regardless- it sure was hard to read about the mortality rate of 25-week preemies and long-term development issues. Honestly, it’s not like this is the first time I’ve read it, but there is something about it being on the front page of your local new paper. I am so fond of the statement  “we’re here now” and nothing could be more true for our twins. We can’t change history and there are 10,000 things Aaron and I both wish we could change (like waiting so long to start a family) but, still, we have these two amazing 3-year-olds and as much as we worry (especially about Sophie and her delays) they truly are amazing little people and Aaron and I have no doubts that 17 years from now- no one would ever believe they were 24-weekers.

The early Easter this year reminds me so much of the year the babies were born ( I think it was 2 weeks after their birthday). I guess it will forever be burned in my brain, but somehow the timing and the progress they’ve made somehow made this Easter even more of a reason to celebrate. The babies were SO excited about the Easter bunny, hunting eggs, and enjoying spring.

Our celebration started last Thursday night with the annual neighborhood egg dye over at Jennifer’s (Tia). Our kids (especially Sophie) didn’t exactly get what they were supposed to do (ohhhh- look at all that pretty colored water and how fun it can be to pour it everywhere), but with a little help from Tia and our neighbor Mark, they were able to dye a few eggs. Trent being Trent though just wanted to THROW the hardboiled eggs (circular shape- must be a ball, right?).

Needless to say – between our kids and some of the others egg accidents- we ended up with less hardboiled eggs than originally planned. However, all had a GREAT time and as usual all the kids just wanted to play with each other. All neighborhood get togethers these days always seem to turn into a great game of soccer with Trent wanting very much to be a big kid and Sophie just running around like a social butterfly (or a very unfocused three year old).

Saturday morning brought our annual neighborhood egg hunt and brunch. Thank goodness for all of the shrubbery and big trees on our street. We had tons of eggs (plastic and real) and needed every part Jenifer’s yard, our house, Jean’s, Amber’s, and another neighbor who lets us use her front area for all the hiding. Trent totally GOT it and was just on fire picking them up. Sophie on the other hand treated it a little more like shopping and picked up the eggs-thoroughly examined them as if they were a very nice purse or pair of shoes she was trying to decide on buying- and then finally put them in her pail. Needless to say – Trent had to share.

Tia gave them new spring socks and bunny ears, which they enjoyed wearing as they pretended to be bunnies hopping around the house. There is something truly amazing about watching our two toddlers hop in sync on Trent’s command. After the egg hunt- the kids once again broke into a great came of ball, skateboarding, and running around. They weather was perfect and all had a wonderful time. Aaron worked Saturday afternoon to put the garage back together and set up his new outdoor office, and the kids and I hit the playground. My two little energizer bunnies kept right on going all day. I just don’t know where they find the energy, but nothing seems to make them happier than playing. Thank goodness we have 3 very close playgrounds to choose from within a short walk (or wagon ride).

Sunday we had one more event at Aunt Liz and Uncle Randy’s. My sister always makes a grand meal and has started doing egg hunts. Trent though doesn’t get it when the eggs are not for him and has a hard time realizing when his turn is over and it becomes and adult hunt (I’m sure he wouldn’t been disappointed when he opened the adult eggs and found lottery tickets instead of cars). My sister and her family were such good sports, but I know we wore them out. Our three year olds are busy, busy, busy.

Three is turning out to be a great age though. We can communicate better with them, and they just crack us up. They both have such funny personalities. I don’t know what they’d do without each other. They can’t wait to see each other in the mornings and won’t go to sleep unless the other is there. It’s hard to believe now that they were micro preemies. I know they’re smaller than other 3 year olds, but since neither Aaron nor I are from the family of big and tall- it’s almost not noticeable. Trent is still not the eater we’d like, but he’s trying. The doctors have always worried a bit about his height (apparently related to his kidney issues), but to me – he seems the right size until we see other three year olds who are clearly much bigger. Sophie on the other hand has a hollow leg and is constantly hungry and although still quite thin- continues to grow taller. Thank goodness Capri’s are still in so she can wear her pants- although a bit short. During the winter she always had long sleeves on and I’d almost forgotten about the scarring on her arm related to her IV infiltration last October. The pigment is still off (it looks like light scaring) and for most people – it’s hard to see but I still feel terrible that with all she’s been through – that she also now has discoloration on her forearm. Minor though compared to everything else she’s been through.

The beds are working. Sophie is actually sleeping through the night (she wakes us up at 5:30am since that used to be my running time before Aaron changed jobs), but Trent usually sleeps later. Getting them out of the cribs was definitely the right move. We were also able to give back with our much-loved cribs. With the help of my wonderful neighbor Jean- we donated the cribs and all the bedding (she and I looked like Sanford and Son in her nephews painting truck) to the San Jose Family Shelter. Usually they won’t take things on the weekend, but Jean called in a favor and we were able to drop them on Saturday. The shelter apparently was in dire need of cribs and was absolutely OVER the moon to get them. Aaron and I hope that the families who get to use them (it’s a 90 day shelter program) will find as much watching their infants sleep in them as we did.

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In an idiotic set of moves, I managed to blow up the entire blog earlier this evening. Thankfully, I had a backup of all of the data so I could recreate it. The only exceptions to that were pictures. However, in a serendipitous move, I’d downloaded all of the pictures last Saturday and have them (I’m 99% sure) on another computer. So, I’ll be working over the next few days at getting them back up and appropriately attached to the posts that Katie has made.

Sorry ’bout that.

In the meantime, you may also see some experimenting with the look and feel of the site. Let me know if you see anything particularly horrible.

–>Paul B.

So we definitely have 3 year olds. It’s all about climbing these days and is becoming VERY challenging for Aaron and I. It all came to a head yesterday. Last night Sophie tried to scale the bookshelf in our living room and then decided she was scared right before she almost got to the top. Typically they rat each other out and call for Aaron or I, but for whatever reason Trent didn’t say a word as Sophie scaled the bookcase. Jeez…talk about a parent freak out. Sophie was crying (because she was scared), and Aaron and I were in total disbelief. How could the child who used to be afraid of climbing at the playground suddenly need to Mt. Everest [editor's note: this is the first time I have ever seen Mt. Everest used as a verb.] (sans Sherpa) our bookcase? Needless to say, the episode called for a “time out” for Sophie and a discussion between Aaron and I about the importance of the bookcase in our lives.

Trent, too, is expanding his horizons. This morning he decided to scale our corner wall unit and flat panel TV before he, too, got stuck…and started to cry. Sophie, though, ratted him out, and I came running. Once again a time out was issued but for Trent this time. Apparently I pulled the bedroom door closed pretty hard though or Trent pushed the lock… whatever… he was locked in and I was locked out. Unfortunately, all our tools are in storage so there were no screwdrivers to be found. I thought about calling Jean across the street (sort of the MacGyver of the neighborhood-the women who can drop in skylights if necessary), but then I realized we had a very skilled contractor in our garage. He is so mellow. “Hmm… your 3 year old is locked in his bedroom, let me help.” Trent was such a big boy about it all. “Momma- please get me out” “Mama- I’m sorry I was climbing… please open the door NOW.” “Sofa…. Please tell Mama I want out….” It went on from there. Of course Sophie was trying to coach Deacon on the finer points of getting a door unlocked as well as crawling on the floor to look under door to tell Trent him that all was well and not to worry. Thankfully, Deacon was quickly able to get him out, and all was well.

Today the babies had another birthday party at the park with their neighborhood playmates put on by our nanny, Doris, (even on her day off). While I wasn’t able to stay, it sure looked like fun, and the babies had the both of best worlds: spending time with Doris and kid friends and also hanging out with Tia and Jose (our next-door neighbors/friends and Trent’s godparents). This evening was filled with telling Aaron and I about their great day. It was very sweet.

I’ve fully accepted it – my children are no longer babies, and they are, gasp, toddlers. Total deep breath on my part. Aaron and I spent Sunday acknowledging this fact by moving their cribs out of the house, moving the big beds into their room, sorting through the “baby toys”, and reorganizing the former nursery into a “toddler room”. We talked about splitting them up but 1) I’m fully not ready, 2) we need a guest room, and 3) they are so connected – I think they’d freak.

The regular beds are exciting for them, but we’ve learned the quilts I thought would work are way too short. Aaron knows that while he can do sheets at pottery barn, quilts are a COMPLETELY different space, and now it’s up to me now to step up. Going through their room though was interesting. I must have said the word “anal” over 100 times, and Aaron and I argued about how to organize the toys, what to keep, and how to ensure we were organized without having the attack of toys it goes on and on. I love that Aaron is anal. I know more than 100 women who would “die” to have a man who goes right for the dust buster when they come home, but we also want Trent and Sophie to be children and, while you and teach children to be tidy, they are still three.

They are changing though they are trying to hard to grow up, but are in a cross over space. Trent talks on and on about “being a big boy”, but still he carries around his security binkie, sucks his thumb, and wants to be held. Three is definitely not quite an independent toddler. Sophie, too, is trying her best to be a big girl but still says “I hold you” quite often and forgets she’s suppose to be working on being independent. Between no cribs and potty training I think a little snuggling and binkie is well justified.

Last night was our first night of the new beds. They were so excited to get into them but the all-hang-out-all-night-thing is still a challenge. They both hung out until 2:30 or 3am but then wanted momma and papa- climbing into our bed. Aaron and I, though, our strategizing on a game plan and our hope is that by Friday (at the very latest) they’re both sleeping through the night in their new beds.

They SO love their birthday gifts. They got so many cool things it’s hard to tear them away from playing. Among the favorites right now are the new “almost real size guitar” Aaron got Trent (we’re pretty sure we have a musician in our future), the play cookie cooking set, and the Noah’s Arc little people they got. The also have several cool new games, coloring books, and other things that they are just getting used to – and provide hours of play. They are so happy. They just play and play for hours. Such happy kids. We are so blessed.

Wow- Sophie and Trent are three! How on earth did we get here? Today was such a better day than March 15th 3 years ago. Although it was 3 years ago, the whole day and especially 5:30pm is burned in Aaron and my mind, and although the experience was lousy, the outcome was so worth it.

I’ve learned though that birthday parties are hard. Mind you I can write a business requirement document for a company sales portal but ask me to stuff a piñata, and I’m totally out of my element. Thank goodness for my neighbor Jean (actually known as St. Jean). Yesterday I took the day off to prep for the party, and although I think I bought all the right stuff, the challenge was putting it together. I had this whole thought of “I‘ll get up way before the party on Saturday and stuff the Piñata (although I didn’t know how) and prep the gift bags. But there came Jean on Friday evening and said, “Katie, we can do this in minutes” and there we did. Woohoo! So much easier than earlier morning drama. My plan had been to do mini cakes for Trent and Sophie and cupcakes for everyone else. What a great idea (ok- so it was Jean’s suggestion). She and I usually walk at 6am on Saturday mornings, so today we just ran errands picking up stuff for the party. Early this morning I heard the hard rain coming down on our roof at 3am and all I could think was “PLEASE DON’T RAIN TOMORROW”. The sky was on and off threatening, but thankfully the weather agreed. Although cooler than I would’ve liked, it was dry and all were happy.

We had about 24 people, 3 sets of twins including ours among the 12 children and TONS of food. Pizza, gold fish, chicken wings, cupcakes, individual ice cream cups, and lots and lots of fun. All the kids had SO much fun playing together.

Sophie unfortunately had to have a wardrobe change. She started in her Easter dress from last year but then she fell into the drink bucket and poured ice water on herself. Such an unhappy moment. She has a whole thing with ice though at our neighborhood events, and we’re all hoping her bonding with the ice bucket today ends her interest in ice. Thank goodness she had another cute outfit that Aunt Lizzee had gotten her, and so we were able to change her into another outfit. It was so nice to watch all the kids playing together.

The piñata was quite an event. I was so sure Trent would want to really whack it, but, as it turned out, he was afraid of it and didn’t even want to hit it. We also had a little drama with trying to get it high enough in our very tiny yard, but thankfully Sophie’s godparent, Ben, and Aaron were able to make it work. Trent would never hit it but Sophie took a few turns with Aaron’s assistance. Finally, we ended up throwing it up and down several times (apparently Jean and I were over zealous in our stuffing Friday night so it was hard to break). Once it broke though, all of the kids were happy.

We were blessed to have our former neighbors Jody and Dan attend with their two-year-old Gaby and their 3-month-old twin boys. They had rented in our neighborhood while they were remodeling their home in another town, and we got quite attached to them. Sophie and Gaby were so happy to see each other. Poor Jody felt so bad when one of the twins had a blow out. I kept telling her it happens and was more than happy to go up into our attic and get Mateo (I think) some of Trent’s old baby clothes so he had something to wear rather than just a blanket.

Trent and Sophie seemed to thoroughly enjoy their birthday party. We feel so blessed to have so many awesome neighbors and friends to help celebrate. The kids all just played and played. They loved having their Grandparents (my dad and step mom) and my sister and her husband. The kids are SOOOO in to Aunt Lizzie and uncle Randy. It’s nice though, my sister and her husband have gotten to know my neighbors over time and it’s all very comfortable.

And then there are my neighbors. They are so awesome. They’ve always been there for us, love the kids and are just all around good people. We don’t see a lot of each other from January until April, but once March/ April comes and the time changes, we all start hanging out again. There is something very special about ladies who know where everything is in your kitchen and just jump in to help with social events.

What an incredible day we had! The babies (yes, I’m still not ready to acknowledge that we’ve grown out of the baby period) are sooooo tired, but I know they’ve definitely had a day they won’t soon forget. What a great way to kick of their 3rd year. Just makes all the hard times almost evaporate.

Next week we’ll join our neighbors for the annual egg dying in preparation for the annual egg hunt. The plan is to take all the drinks left over from today over to the egg dying (along with the drink bins that belong to Jean). I guess it’s all about the sense of community. Here’s hoping that the babies their year will be HEALTHY and VERY HAPPY!
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