They're here!!

Wow, what a crazy time it's been. R had to go on bed rest at week 24 or so of her pregnancy. I had surgery on my wrist and things seemed to be going well but quickly came to a stand still. I'm not happy at all with the wrist or the current outcome of surgery and occupational therapy. I don't know what's next other than to just live with it. Boo!!

 

My dad got ok'd by a doctor for the cochlear implant and was waiting to hear if ins would help pay for it. Then they went on a 2 week vacation, camping on the beach. By this point R was hospitalized with her pregnancy. Thing 1 and Thing 2 wanted out of their cramped quarters. We (T and I, J and a buddy, A and P) decided to head out for camping on the beach at the same place my parents were at. While we were there, after 4 weeks of being in the hospital, R gave birth to the babies! Thing 1 weighed 4lbs 4oz and Thing 2 weighed 3lbs 14oz. They were 17 1/2 inches and 17 inches long. R had managed to carry them for 32 weeks and 5 days. Thing 1's little feet are turned in and sort of scrunched up where his brother was laying on them and Thing 2 has a heart murmur. Other than that they are doing really well. They are still in NICU and on oxygen and feeding tubes but Thing 1 is taking about 60% of his feedings by nursing or bottles and Thing 2 is doing about 40%. They are pushing 5 and 6 pounds and should be going home soon. Also, dad found out right after he got back that he was scheduled for surgery in less than a week. Zoiks! The cochlear has been implanted and he gets "turned on" on Wed. Praying for good results.

 

I was able to get a few days off work and JTs mom and I flew out to meet our grandbabies. They are precious!! From the pics we had seen they looked pretty good sized so we were surprised at how small they were. Here is Thing 2 with his daddy's hand. You can tell how small he is.

 

Mimi and Thing 1 the first time I saw him.

Mimi and Thing 2 when I met him.

Holding Thing2.

Bright eyes. He looks just like his daddy.

Thing 1 after his daddy changed his diaper. Unfortunately R got a cold while we were there and couldn't see the babies. She kept pumping though like a champ and has managed to provide more than enough milk for both babies. When we got home R found out she had bronchitis and pink eye. She's well now.

Holding Thing 1, who looks just like his mommy.

Build-a-bear donated costumes for the preemies and this is a pic of their first Halloween outfits, on a poster along with some other babies. Thing 1 and 2 are the Denver Broncos in the middle. Too cute! And they gave the outfits to their parents so they can have build-a-bears made and put the costumes on them. How cool is that?!

Thing 2 gets a mohawk when his hair is washed.

Selfie with Thing 2. His head is so small compared to mine!

Selfie with Thing 1.

That's a newborn size onesie that goes down to his knees.

Last view of Thing 1 before I left.

Momo cracked me up in silhouette behind the curtains.

And on her mommy's lap, with R's hair in her mouth.

CO landscape. Look at all the different colors.

And rock formations.

And rugged beauty.

My last view of Pike's Peak from the airport.

I can't wait to go back and see them again!

Where has all the time gone?!

It's been nearly a month since I posted last! Oops, I had no idea until I checked the date on the last post. Oh my goodness, what a roller coaster we've been on!

R has been in the hospital for over a week now, with Thing 1 and Thing 2 trying to come out much too early. They stopped her labor 3 times and she has had contractions off and on the whole time since then. They monitor her and the babies multiple times a day. If she can make it to 32 weeks they might let her go home.

Her friends had a baby shower for her today. She wheeled down to a special occasion room where her friends had decorated. It wore her out but she had a great time wearing real clothes and just doing something "normal". She also got to go to a chat session on Tues with the other "ladies in waiting" who are at the hospital trying not to have their babies too. R was one of two having twins and one of three military wives and one of three in the same week of gestation. It's always nice to know you're not alone in a situation and can help each other cope. She is at 30 weeks and 2 days. Prayers are appreciated.

JT has been able to spend a lot of time with R and for that we are grateful. He's done a great job taking care of his wife and babies. He even brushed and braided R's hair one day. How sweet is that?

J is brushing my hair as I type this. He's still loving high school and especially basketball. They are having homecoming week this week and he's thrilled. I remember R's first homecoming week and how  excited she was about it. J told me everything they were going to do and how short his classes were going to be and I just smiled and said, "You're my third child to have homecoming week. I know how it goes. But I'm glad you're so excited about it." J had a birthday since I posted last. He's 16! He continues to do well in school and at home. He's a bottomless pit and will eat just about anything. He's a bit lazy and has an attitude prob now and then, but he's a 16yo boy! We love him dearly.

We (the 4 of us) sat around last night and played games and sang Veggie Tales songs. What  a hoot! We are all looking forward to fall break and the beach. Bring it on!

A got an 85 on her stats test the other day and was thrilled with it. Woot! She likes her classes this semester for the most part. She also likes her job and continues to do well there. A and P are going to join us for part of our time at the beach, Lord willing and the creek don't rise. We are all looking forward to it. I hope it works out and doesn't disappoint.

My dad got approved by the doctors for the cochlear implant. Now he just has to get approved by the ins. We are hopeful that this would open up his world again.

I'm officially a junior in college now. I'm only 2 months behind where I wanted to be. I've done well after surgery and am pleased with it all so far. I was even going to play keys and lead music in church tomorrow but a major water leak at the church this evening has cancelled services. I did play the ukulele a bit this morning so that's good. I'm doing therapy twice a week for my wrist and it's going well. Fibro is ok too but I've had sleep issues and hip pain a lot the last couple months.

I'm trying to go through things and get ready for a yard sale. I cleaned out the game cabinet today. Well, I got all the games out. Trying to decide what to keep is hard. I came across my 20 Questions thingy. Have you ever played with one? It's creepy good at guessing what you're thinking of.

The "Ladies in Wheeling" episode of 4x4 Nation is coming out this week. Check it out if you can at www.4x4nation.com .

So, I think I will end this with a thankful list. I'm thankful that Thing 1 and 2 are still tucked safely inside their mommy. I'm thankful for medical care. I'm thankful for God, family and friends. I'm thankful for a chance to take a vacation. I'm thankful for the chance to "go to college" online.

After surgery....

Things are going pretty well. Much better than last time. Of course theeres some pain but not as bad and I've had no nausea or vomiting which is really good. I used my little "leg squeezers" to prevent blood clots the first couple days. the tubes and lights were a pain but better than blood clots.

I'm in the soft cast thing until the 17th.

Whew! Sleepy kitty, drugged owner.

I took a shower by myself this morning and used press and seal to keep the wrap dry. Got dressed by myself so feeling pretty good about things.

Please keep R in your prayers. She's on bedrest and having some early labor complications. She's at 26 weeks. JT is trying to get permission to not go in the field so he can be with her. Prayers appreciated.

Yay! More pics!

Like I said, I have a love/hate relationship with blogger. But at the moment I'm loving that I could load some more pics!

 

The Duck Dynasty party was a blast. I hope everyone who came enjoyed it. We had lots of good food, fellowship and games. We shot ducks with T's rubber band rifles, hunted for frogs (egg hunt style) had fun dressing up (P looked just like Jase and my SIL's dad was very creative in his Si outfit) had a bee hive pinata and "blew up a beaver dam" along with anything else they could find to blow up. We even exploded some watermelons with rubber bands.

 

We had camo cake at our Duck Dynasty party.

J trying out the beards!

A and I had a blast making a beehive pinata. We even made a "queen bee". See her crown? She's by the hole in the hive.

We had some "Uncle Si" sightings.

Korie and Willie were there.

Lots of beards and bandanas.

M looks like one of the lovely ladies of Duck Dynasty without even trying.

There was a frog hunt.

And the camo cakes were made into duck cakes. There were lots more pics taken and some video of exploding watermelons but that's all I had on my phone.

I've been trying to get some sewing projects done before surgery. I made these bibs for the grandbabies, at their parents request.

I also made these buntings....

....and baby "I" tried one on for his little cousins.

Here's J holding I. He needs to practice holding babies for when his nephews get here.

And just because I do love a sunset.

A few pics

Well, I was going to post a bunch of pics from our Duck Dynasty party and some other stuff but blogger wouldn't let me. Whatever. Sometimes I have a love/hate relationship with blogger. I only managed to get a few pics on here before it wouldn't load any more.

 

J had his "gotcha day" last week. 4 years home! He's doing pretty well. He's loving high school, loving basketball and loving his social life. He's making decent grades but we're only a few weeks into school. He still says funny things in his attempts at mastering the English language. He's also trying to get an afterschool job. Maybe after his 16th b'day at the end of the month. I'm also working with him on trying to get his learner's permit. Ahhhh!!!!

 

R and the babies are doing well. Baby A kicks her in the ribs a lot and she's hungry all the time. Otherwise things are going well.

 

T's biopsies came back and all is well.

 

A is back to school and likes her classes for this semester.

 

I have surgery scheduled for Thur. I have mixed emotions. I want relief but I just went through this 2 years ago and I know what's coming. Not fun. And I don't want to have another problem right away either. I guess I'm a little gun shy.

 

And now the few pics that blogger let me load. I found these super cute converse booties for the grandbabies.

This is my brother with his grandson when he was just a few days old. Too sweet.

R's horse Dante getting used to having to forage for his own food. He's doing better.

Diesel sleeping with his tongue sticking out.

The ugly boat looking better and better.

The front yard.

Prototype of a super cool rubber band rifle that T made out of wood. It has a working trigger mechanism. 'Cause he's cool like that.

I will put some more pics up whenever blogger feels like I deserve to.

Life...

Wow, we are more than half-way through August already! I can't seem to keep up with everything. I thought I'd do a person by person update and that would be the easiest for me.

T had a hectic first full week of back to school technology glitches. Things all seem to be working correctly now. He had a birthday since I posted last. He is still happy to be working on the ugly boat when he feels like it. We (T, J and I plus my dad) took my dad's old boat to the lake yesterday and it wasn't without it's drama. It was nice to be at the lake but jeepers, how much time/money can we sink into those darn boats? Anyway, it fired us up to work on the ugly boat and two more seats are ugly no more. Yay! He also found out that he does indeed have an umbilical hernia which can thankfully be left alone for now. And since he was at the doc's office and that happens so rarely they took a couple of suspicious moles off his head and arm. Praying for good news on the biopsy results.

Me. Well, I'm one class away from being a junior. I wanted to already be there but life keeps getting in the way. At least I'm not too far off my mark. I'm gearing up for wrist surgery-take 2- in Sept and not looking forward to it. Praying for good and lasting results this time. I made 4 batches of cookies today to sell where I work. I led music at church the last two Sundays. I enjoy it but I'm glad I'm not doing it all the time. I got two new textbooks. Call me weird but I enjoy getting them. Kinda like a kid with new school supplies. Or something.

R and JT. Yes, they are a set. And they are having a set! Ha! Both babies are boys, both are doing well, and R is doing well too. She's seeing a regular doc who has experience with twins and she now feels much more confident about her and the babies care. The babies are estimated at about 11 inches long and a pound each. They are head down and facing each other if I understand R correctly. One was head up but last week they did the wave across her tummy and now they are both head down. JT recently finished his schooling for promotion. Now he just has to have his time in at his current rank and then he can move up again.

A is working and getting ready to start her junior year in college. I've enjoyed lots of moments to connect with her this summer as she hasn't been gone to either work, school or with P at all times. She is a fun person to be with.

J is loving high school and loving basketball. I hope it continues. He still cracks us up at times. It used to be more with his words he was trying to speak. Now he's trying to read everything and getting things confused. The other day we had been to the airport to pick up Bampa and he said, "What's dat 'super me' gas for $3.59?" I said, "Umm, son, that's 'supreme' gas." So funny! Super me/supreme. So close!

August already?!

I can't believe it's August already. This is going to be a busy month but hopefully not as busy as July. T has a birthday this week and R has one later this month. J went to school today. His first real day of high school. He's probably playing basketball right now and loving it. A goes back towards the end of this month. She will be a junior in college.

 

 We have decided to have the bone spur in my left wrist removed and that is scheduled for the first week in Sept. I'm not happy about it but hopeful that it will help and no more problems will come up. The ugly boat is coming along nicely and isn't quite so ugly any more. I don't have current pics of it downloaded. But I do have these other pics!

 

After J and I exhausted ourselves trying to get Cooper in the car one day we decided that he needed training. Now he gets into the car on command. Except, I accidently ran him over (I think I "rolled" him) and he's fine but he is afraid of the car again now. Sigh...

Diesel doing his "Princess and the Pea" impersonation on the stack of seats from the ugly boat.

We were going to try to make these cupcakes for R's baby shower since she has taken to calling them Thing 1 and Thing 2 but our cotton candy "melted".

Anytime, anywhere.

The epitomy of laziness.

The dogs brought us an armadillo. We've watched too much Duck Dynasty and Man, Woman, Wild because we looked at each other and said, "Hey, we could eat that!"

We had fun decorating onesies for R's babies. J made really cute basketball ones that he free-handed once he got the circle drawn. He was so excited to do this so he washed and dried them so we could get busy. When he pulled them out of the dryer he said, "Uh, I tink dey shrunk." I told him that her babies are really going to be that small when they are born. Here he is showing how small the onesies are.

I did not free-hand these. I'm not that good. I did trace and fill in. These were made with fabric markers. Super easy to work with and they don't make a thick hard surface on the fabric.

 

Even though R is referring to her babies as Thing 1 and Thing 2 (or baby A and baby B as it says on the ultrasound pics) she is going with a Lion King theme in the nursery. So our friend K helped us with the shower and we made these cute lion cupcakes.

We found Lion King baby shower decor and filled up our cart.

We made this watermelon baby buggy fruit salad.

Here's the table. Thanks K for all your help!

JT's mom made this cute punch.

This is the two preggos. Nephew's wife, M, on the left and R on the right. This was 10 days before M delivered a 7lb 11oz baby boy! R was only 4.5 months along with the twins. Aren't they cute?! My dad was in Haiti or he would have been in there comparing belly size too!

My mom found this great twin stroller at a yard sale and Misty thought we got it just for her. She was sad when it left with R and JT.

I do love a sunset....

...and beignets.

Hey look! We have huge crocodiles in the sky!

We are making plans for a Duck Dynasty themed party. I found these great Uncle Si tea glasses and had to get them.

Diesel is the keeper of the ladder, ruler of all who enter the ugly boat.

Yup, I do love a sunset.