September 2008

I know everybody has always said that toddlers are buys but I don’t think Aaron and I ever understood how incredibly busy twin 3 year olds could be.

24/7 they are going and naked more than we’d like. Sophie still likes to nap but Trent has given it up. We are so unhappy.  We loved our schedule that had them both resting at the same time and now— it’s completely changed the plan and Aaron and I are having a hard time adjusting.

The continued warm weather is both a blessing and a challenge.  I think it’s made Aaron and I continue to keep our little plastic pool busy, use our water spray toy frequenting the local park that has a water spray area.  Of course we’ve managed never to plan ahead and every time we’ve ridden our bikes to the playground with the water spray park we haven’t brought the appropriate attire but at some point you just have to deal.  We know it’s hot, they’ll dry and they’re happy.  Wet toddlers is not worth getting worked up over.

They continue to amaze us everyday.  One day last week I came home from work and told Aaron I felt like I was coming down with something (which amounted to being all in my head after a good nights rest) but the kids were so sweet.  After Aaron told the kids I wasn’t feeling well they ran to get their play stethoscope to check my heart rate and after giving me a kiss- Trent handed me his prized blanket  (binky) and assured me it would make me feel better.  Such a sweet moment that reminded me how lucky I was to have two sweet little ones.

This weekend was all about celebration. On Saturday Willow Glen had its annual Founder’s Day parade.  What an awesome event. Tons of old cars, and 100 year old Willow Glen Resident as the lead in the parade, a great focus on the need for a green environment, marching bands, dancing horses and lots of fun.  The kids had an amazing time. The event as followed by the Italian festival in downtown Willow Glen.   Historically Willow Glen had a large population of Italian’s so having the festival in downtown Willow Glen definitely was like coming home.  It was such a nice event. Lots of great food, music, art, history and a great kids corner.  Needless to say the kids corner was huge hit with our two little ones.  They loved, loved loved the jumpy house, Had it worked out I would’ve brought my computer with me to finish my performance reviews while they jumped all day but it was one of those deals where they had to come out every 10 minutes with tickets.  However, we did burn through a lot of tickets.  Unfortunately Trent was highly frustrated by the wait for his turn and reared back his head smacking me good with his head.  I now have a large bruise above my lip that looks like either I have a half mustache or got in a fight with a purple pen.  I can only imagine what it will be like to go to work tomorrow.  Oh well there are bigger problems in life.  The event though was awesome.  The kids also enjoyed riding these life size dinosaurs.    I’ve never seen kids ride like that but wow were they popular.  Trent and Sophie were just over the moon riding them.  

The best part of the weekend though had to be the dancing on Saturday night.  Once again we ran into our social worker from our Packard days.  She’s no long with Packard and we’re long healthy which means at long last we can be friends without worry of privacy issues or roles.  I never thought 3 ½ years ago that we would have the honor of meeting Gab’s family and more than that- being able to dance with them and enjoy a neighborhood celebration.

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We continued to be blessed everyday and no matter what life throw us- we need to remember that.

I can’t believe its already mid September.  Where did the summer go and how ever did we already get into almost fall?  Time continues to seem like it speeds up.

The last couple of weeks we’ve been trying to make the most of nice weather with bike rides, going to the local park with giant water fountains and using our water toy (an awesome gift from our friends Kelly and Mark) to keep cool and burn that never ending toddler energy.

We try to do family things every weekend but this weekend was extra special with two puppet shows, the grand opening of our awesome new Willow Glen toy store (Tree house in the Glen- site of the first puppet show) and the annual NICU grad party at Stanford.  Lots and lots to celebrate.

The toy store opening was so much fun.  There was tons of little kids- all waiting patiently until the door opened for the store.  It kind of reminded me waiting for concert tickets to go on sale- only those waiting typically aren’t toddlers.  I was so proud of our little ones though. They sat down in the front row, paid complete attention and were wonderfully behaved through the whole story.  The store is already planning monthly puppet shows, a doll making workshop and several other children’s activities.  We can’t wait!

The annual NICU grad party was a blast. We were so proud to show off our amazing toddlers.  Dr. Rhine was there (pictured) – the first neonatologist who took care of Trent and Sophie.  Over the years when we’ve seen him he always say’s our little ones are responsible for helping turn his hair gray with their early on issue of breaking down their red blood cells when they were first born.  Both Aaron and I can remember talking to Dr. Rhine like it was yesterday and asking if Trent and Sophie would survive- and he just said “ we’ll do our best”… and that he did.   I know the advice he gave to us about reading everyday and singing to them had a direct impact on where they are today and we continue thankful for folks like Dr. Rhine everyday.  It so nice to see him, some of the other doctors, nurses and the many, many families who have benefited from the Packard expertise.    The sentiment was the same across the board- none of the medical personnel could believe our kids were x-24 weekers.  They said they didn’t even look like preemies.   It was interesting to see one doctor who I remember just saying off the cuff to me in the hallway that they had to inhabited Trent again and not to expect much since he was so early.   I remember thinking “Wow- not my favorite doctor and asking how long she’d be on service (since they typically only went 2 weeks at a time and I was hoping we’d soon move through her 2 weeks).  I don’t think she remembered us but it sure gave me proud of my little man when she said, “He’s a 24 weeker?”  Wow.    We certainly showed her.

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It’s been a busy week or so but definitely all good.  The Labor Day weekend was so nice.  We had so much fun being a family.  3 years ago when we first brought the babies home our first outing was the local “Tapestry and Talent Festival” in down town Jose.  Tons of nice art, crafts and nice music.  It’s funny the first time we went it took us over 2 hours to get out of the house and we ended up buying hats since we forgot them (and the sun was hot) but this time we were able to take the light rail down with the kids in the stroller and just enjoy the day.  As a tradition we always purchase some tie-dye clothing (our first year we got hats) but now the kids are aware and both were able to pick.  Trent got a very nice t-shirt with a guitar on it and Sophie chose a very nice purple dress. 

On Monday the kids and I went to another very cool art festival up on Kings Mountain (between Half Moon Bay and Palo Alto) along with my folks.  My parents are definitely getting on so the small hills and dirt road were hard for my parents to walk on – but the kids just love being with their grandparents and definitely cherish each moment they are able to spend with them.

This week has brought us back though to the ups and down of life.  On Tuesday I took Sophie to the dermatologist to address what we had been told was a fungus on her foot- causing her pigment to disappear.  Unfortunately the neuro teams quick assessment of a fungus was wrong (clearly they need to stick to neuro issues) and she was diagnosed with Vitiligo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitiligo.  It’s -an autoimmune disease with no cure.    I can’t believe this.  She already had so much to deal with – the hydrocephalus, her shunt, epilepsy, possible development delays and now this.  Clearly someone was watching out for her and although she might have significant challenge. This has got to be the reason she has such spunk, personality, and stubbornness.  And now with the pigment issues- she’ll definitely need all that.  Thank goodness for her brother.  There is no little man who adores his sister more or is more protective of her.  I guess this is all just one more hurdle to deal with.

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