Sunday, October 14, 2007
New Blog
Alex and Spencer are two and a half years old now. I've been thinking for a long time about what to do with this blog. It has always been a blog about them, about their prematurity, their struggles, and their triumphs. I am ready for a blog about US: what they're up to, my thoughts and feelings about a variety of things, and about us as a family. So, I think it's time for a new blog: http://simpletinymatters.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 31, 2007
Moon & ABC's
Spencer's newest love is the moon. He's enjoyed looking for it in books for some time now. Just the other day as we were driving at dusk he noticed it in the sky for the first time. He was so excited. As the sky grew darker and the moon grew brighter his excitement grew as well. He kept saying "moon" and "hi" as if were his friend.
Last night we drove through a wretched thunder storm on the way home. The sky was thick with dark clouds. Spencer couldn't find his friend anywhere. He was so upset; he was shouting for the moon and calling "hi, hi," trying to coax his friend out of its hiding place. This evening, which was considerably more pleasant, we went out for a walk and I told Spencer we would look for the moon. "My moon," he said.
Alex began saying the entire alphabet about two weeks ago. Soon after, he started counting from one to ten. He utters both sequences repeatedly. I was excited but a little concerned, being that the developmental pediatrician is watching him for PDD-NOS. Last week he was playing with a television remote and was saying "one, two, one, two" and pressing the corresponding buttons. His speech pathologist was there at the time, working with Spencer. "Oh my God!" I said, "I can't believe what I'm seeing!" I brought Alex to the table and began writing random letters and numbers for him. He actually identified them! I was so shocked. The speech pathologist says that he may be hyperlexic.
Last night we drove through a wretched thunder storm on the way home. The sky was thick with dark clouds. Spencer couldn't find his friend anywhere. He was so upset; he was shouting for the moon and calling "hi, hi," trying to coax his friend out of its hiding place. This evening, which was considerably more pleasant, we went out for a walk and I told Spencer we would look for the moon. "My moon," he said.
Alex began saying the entire alphabet about two weeks ago. Soon after, he started counting from one to ten. He utters both sequences repeatedly. I was excited but a little concerned, being that the developmental pediatrician is watching him for PDD-NOS. Last week he was playing with a television remote and was saying "one, two, one, two" and pressing the corresponding buttons. His speech pathologist was there at the time, working with Spencer. "Oh my God!" I said, "I can't believe what I'm seeing!" I brought Alex to the table and began writing random letters and numbers for him. He actually identified them! I was so shocked. The speech pathologist says that he may be hyperlexic.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Splish Splash
Haircuts
The boys got their first official "big boy" haircuts a couple weeks ago. I decided I was tired of long, thick, HOT hair and got mine chopped, too. Freedom!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Walking
The boys and I went on a long walk tonight. That is to say, I walked and pushed about 80 pounds of kids and stroller around town. We walked past a lot of old houses and one in particular caught my eye. I was standing on the side of the road admiring it when I suddenly realized where we were: right around the corner from our house. I drive by that old brick house all the time and I've never noticed it before. You see so much more when you walk. This is why I would rather hike than ride a mountain bike or an ATV, a topic about which I've had many conversations in the past.
We got caught in a rain shower when we were down by the river, about a ten minute walk from our house. I got soaked. The boys got rained on from the knees down. It was fun! The boys seemed so happy and relaxed by the time we got home. There's nothing like being outdoors to sooth one's spirit.
We got caught in a rain shower when we were down by the river, about a ten minute walk from our house. I got soaked. The boys got rained on from the knees down. It was fun! The boys seemed so happy and relaxed by the time we got home. There's nothing like being outdoors to sooth one's spirit.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Okay, So It Isn't True
Yet. She's not moving yet. Kathy didn't get the job and I'm so sad for her. Really, I am. It's just postponing the pain for me anyway, but at least I get to keep her close for a little longer.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Please Say It Isn't True
My best friend is moving. To Michigan. To be near her family. It's always been her intention, and I knew that, but now she actually has a job offer and it's really coming true.
I've only known Kathy for a little over three years. When I interviewed for my last job I wasn't sure I wanted it. When I went back for my second interview I met with Kathy and I thought "I really want to work here!" It was one of those instant friendships...kindred spirits. She is such an incredible person: intelligent, funny, kind, thoughtful, and a little crazy. We're so much alike. She's never been afraid to tell me how it is and she's almost always right (much to my chagrin). She is like a sister to me.
Kathy is Alex's godmother, and her husband, Kevin, is his godfather. They have two beautiful little girls whom I adore. I am so going to miss watching their girls and my boys play together. I'm going to miss spending the afternoon at their house. I'll miss Big Lots and Marshall's trips with Kathy. I'll miss Indian food and Jack's in the summertime with her. I'm sure we'll stay close, by phone and Internet, and the boys and I will visit, but it won't be the same. Kathy and Kevin have been here for me through everything I went through, the pregnancy, the boys' early birth, my father's death, my pneumonia this spring. They have been a tremendous source of support. I don't know how I'll replace them.
I'm happy for Kathy. I really am. I know she's going to be much happier being close to her family. There's nothing quite like being home. I love you, Kathy. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.
I've only known Kathy for a little over three years. When I interviewed for my last job I wasn't sure I wanted it. When I went back for my second interview I met with Kathy and I thought "I really want to work here!" It was one of those instant friendships...kindred spirits. She is such an incredible person: intelligent, funny, kind, thoughtful, and a little crazy. We're so much alike. She's never been afraid to tell me how it is and she's almost always right (much to my chagrin). She is like a sister to me.
Kathy is Alex's godmother, and her husband, Kevin, is his godfather. They have two beautiful little girls whom I adore. I am so going to miss watching their girls and my boys play together. I'm going to miss spending the afternoon at their house. I'll miss Big Lots and Marshall's trips with Kathy. I'll miss Indian food and Jack's in the summertime with her. I'm sure we'll stay close, by phone and Internet, and the boys and I will visit, but it won't be the same. Kathy and Kevin have been here for me through everything I went through, the pregnancy, the boys' early birth, my father's death, my pneumonia this spring. They have been a tremendous source of support. I don't know how I'll replace them.
I'm happy for Kathy. I really am. I know she's going to be much happier being close to her family. There's nothing quite like being home. I love you, Kathy. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Two Times Four
On Sunday I finally got to meet Jennifer. Her boys are 10 days older than Alex and Spencer. We met through a twins listserv back when our guys were itty bitty, then discovered that we're both bloggers. We live about two hours away from each other, so we met in between for some shopping and fun. It was so good to finally meet her and her family. I think she and I kindred spirits. I love reading her blog; she's an amazing writer with a great wit. Check it out!
(I'll add pictures later. For some reason I'm having trouble uploading them tonight. Sigh...)
(I'll add pictures later. For some reason I'm having trouble uploading them tonight. Sigh...)
Monday, May 21, 2007
The Long Lost Blogger
I haven't blogged in a looooooong time. I'm just going to pick up here and try to fill in some of the blanks later. It's been a tough spring. Health issues have taken their toll on my body and my life. Things are changing, getting better, but it's slow and I'm the kind of person who wants change to happen overnight.
On the other hand, it seems like the boys change every day. That's the upside of the so-called "terrible twos." The downside is the whining, crying, and temper tantrums; the climbing and falling and bleeding and sobbing and getting back up and doing it all over again; the gobbling down of a favorite food one day followed by throwing it all over the kitchen floor the next. Oh yes, it's all part of the learning process, I know. I love that they are becoming more themselves every day, but the process requires a whole lot of patience!
Alex finally started really walking a few weeks ago. He went from only taking a few steps with a lot of encouragement, to almost running on hardwood flooring in socks within a matter of weeks. That's Alex: he takes his time in doing something, studies every detail, makes sure he knows exactly what the situation is, and then proceeds.
Spencer, on the other hand, charges into things full steam ahead. Right now the boy has scabs on his nose, forehead, and scalp. There's nothing he doesn't try to climb. And no matter how many times he falls he just keeps going back. He's fearless, which is great for him, but challenging for me.
Spencer said his first real two-word phrase today. Our next-door neighbor (the boys' sitter) has a dog named Monster (a little Jack Russell). Spencer recently started going to the window and calling Monster's name. This morning I said to him "Did you see Monster? Is he out?" and he said "Monster out."
Alex has been getting speech therapy for about three months and seems to have at least one new word every week. Speech therapy seems to have done him a lot of good with his play and social skills, too. He had a cognitive evaluation last week. The psychologist recommended increasing his speech therapy to twice a week and adding a social worker for play therapy and a teacher once a week.
We have our IFSP meeting next Wednesday. I think both boys will be continuing OT and PT once a week. Their PT said their gross motor skills are at about 15 months. I can't believe that micro-preemies are expected to catch up by the time they're two years old. Practitioners are supposed to stop correcting preemies' ages at two, but it just doesn't make sense for babies who were born as early as Alex and Spence. It doesn't really matter, though, as long as they are getting the services they need. They are learning and developing rapidly, and I have no doubt that they will be fine.
On the other hand, it seems like the boys change every day. That's the upside of the so-called "terrible twos." The downside is the whining, crying, and temper tantrums; the climbing and falling and bleeding and sobbing and getting back up and doing it all over again; the gobbling down of a favorite food one day followed by throwing it all over the kitchen floor the next. Oh yes, it's all part of the learning process, I know. I love that they are becoming more themselves every day, but the process requires a whole lot of patience!
Alex finally started really walking a few weeks ago. He went from only taking a few steps with a lot of encouragement, to almost running on hardwood flooring in socks within a matter of weeks. That's Alex: he takes his time in doing something, studies every detail, makes sure he knows exactly what the situation is, and then proceeds.
Spencer, on the other hand, charges into things full steam ahead. Right now the boy has scabs on his nose, forehead, and scalp. There's nothing he doesn't try to climb. And no matter how many times he falls he just keeps going back. He's fearless, which is great for him, but challenging for me.
Spencer said his first real two-word phrase today. Our next-door neighbor (the boys' sitter) has a dog named Monster (a little Jack Russell). Spencer recently started going to the window and calling Monster's name. This morning I said to him "Did you see Monster? Is he out?" and he said "Monster out."
Alex has been getting speech therapy for about three months and seems to have at least one new word every week. Speech therapy seems to have done him a lot of good with his play and social skills, too. He had a cognitive evaluation last week. The psychologist recommended increasing his speech therapy to twice a week and adding a social worker for play therapy and a teacher once a week.
We have our IFSP meeting next Wednesday. I think both boys will be continuing OT and PT once a week. Their PT said their gross motor skills are at about 15 months. I can't believe that micro-preemies are expected to catch up by the time they're two years old. Practitioners are supposed to stop correcting preemies' ages at two, but it just doesn't make sense for babies who were born as early as Alex and Spence. It doesn't really matter, though, as long as they are getting the services they need. They are learning and developing rapidly, and I have no doubt that they will be fine.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tears of Joy
Alex just did a 180 degree turn - three times. I had him standing up facing me and he turned around to grab onto furniture for support. He's so hesitant to stand and walk on his own, but he just did three 180 degree turns! He also said "I love you" to me twice today. I've heard it before and thought I was imagining it, but I was wrong. He says it when he's hugging me. It sounds like "Ah yah you." He's going to put his speech and physical therapists out of their jobs.
I started crying. I'm a little overwhelmed with emotion, tomorrow being their second birthday. Alex heard me and started chiming in. I said "Alex, it's okay, Mommy's happy. It's a happy cry." My little sensitive guy. Spencer just laughs when I cry. God, I love them!
I started crying. I'm a little overwhelmed with emotion, tomorrow being their second birthday. Alex heard me and started chiming in. I said "Alex, it's okay, Mommy's happy. It's a happy cry." My little sensitive guy. Spencer just laughs when I cry. God, I love them!
Friday, March 02, 2007
Birthday Wish List
I've started a birthday wish list for Alex and Spencer on Amazon.com. This is just meant to be an idea list. The products certainly don't have to be purchased through Amazon! I just thought people might want ideas about what to get. I'm sure I'll be adding to it as I think of things. Their birthday is four weeks from tomorrow. I can't believe it! Invitations will be in the mail shortly. Click the button below to link to the list.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Shoes
Spencer in his first pair of "real" shoes. Take that, Monkey Toes! (I'm sure he'll find other ways to go where he wants to.)
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Trouble
Alex decided the little red table would be great for climbing, and his brother quickly joined in. Spencer's monkey toes can climb on the tiniest strip of wood. Maybe it's time for hard soled shoes. ***, am I in trouble!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Monkey
I was sitting here at my computer drinking my coffee and checking my email. I heard Spencer let out a cry and turned around to see what was the matter. This is what I found.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
An American Life
Ummm...I can't say this is what I pictured for my boys. But, really, they don't watch much television. Here they are, watching "Sesame Street" in their pajamas, eating Kashi Heart to Heart. Please, no comments on what a lazy mom I am sometimes!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Alex is Learning to Walk
These are from two separate falls. I'm not beating him, I swear!
"Purple is a good color on me, don't you think?"
Coffee table bruise and scratch from glasses (which broke in the fall)
"Purple is a good color on me, don't you think?"
Coffee table bruise and scratch from glasses (which broke in the fall)
Friday, January 26, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Bear Steps
Tonight Ally Bear took his first steps! He went from one step, to two, to three, to nearly four all in the space of about five minutes. Alex takes his time getting to milestones (he's very cautious), but when he decides he's ready to do something he does it all the way!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Uh Oh
Until recently I allowed Alex and Spencer to watch television very rarely, and usually no more than 30 minutes at a time. Recent studies suggest that television affects babies' and toddlers' brain development negatively. Lately, however, since they're almost two years old, I have been letting them watch about an hour a day, usually a Baby Einstein video or part of "Sesame Street" in the morning, and their "Goodnight Moon" video before bed. The boys got up from their nap a little while ago. Spencer just pointed at the television (which was off, as usual) and then sat down on the floor in front of it. He was very clear about what he wanted...now we're watching Baby Einstein's "Meet the Orchestra." Ugh! Don't you turn into a couch potato, Spencer!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Laundry
Okay, so....as the sizes of the clothes increase the amount of laundry increases. I'm still wanting to do laundry just a couple times a week. It's piling up so quickly. I have to adjust my thinking!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Spencer Sprout
In my last post I said I thought Spencer had grown. Well, three weeks ago at the doctor's office (for a sinus infection) I asked the pediatrician to weigh and measure him. He hadn't gained much, but he had grown four inches in two months!
Friday, December 01, 2006
20 Months
Alex and Spencer are 20 months old. Wow! Time goes by so quickly...too quickly. It doesn't seem like that long ago that they were those fragile, barely viable, tiny little babies in the NICU. You would never know it to look at them now. Most people would have looked at their little bodies, with their see-through skin, all the tubes and wires attached to them, and thought "There's barely a chance they'll make it, and if they do they'll have so many problems," but we were fortunate. Fortunate to be surrounded by people who believed in miracles, that with enough love, positive energy, and prayers anything is possible. My boys are so healthy! As I write this Spencer is standing behind me, not holding on to anything for support, and clapping his hands. Alex is cruising around the living room carefully inspecting everything, as he always does. Two colds so far this year and no panicked visits to the doctor's office, no getting up in the middle of the night to give breathing treatments. Their health is better than I could ever have hoped for, and I am incredibly thankful.
Spencer seems to have sprouted recently. Maybe it's because he's walking tall, taking up to eight or nine steps at a time; it looks like he's as long as Alex now. At last weigh-in two months ago Spencer was a little over 20 pounds, and Alex was almost 24 pounds. Who knows how much weight I'm carting up and down the stairs now. Spencer still has just six teeth, but is working on more. Alex has a mouthful. 10 at last count, with four more pushing their way through right now. They rarely seem bothered by teething, or much of anything really; they are such happy, good boys.
Alex repeats words from time to time but mostly babbles. He loves to sing to himself when he's happy, "la, la, la" and when he's upset he'll request to be sung to in the same manner. He even sings to his brother when Spencer is upset. It's the sweetest thing. Spencer's most frequently used words are "yogurt" and "Ally." The both say "I did it" and of course "mama." The boys babble to each other in their own little language and amazingly seem to understand one another.
Alex's favorite toy is the bead maze. He loves to move the beads up and down and can entertain himself for a long time that way. Spencer likes to climb onto his rocking horse and bounce, one knee under him and the other leg over the side. He also "talks" on the play phone, putting up to his ear and saying "hello." They're both easy to entertain and keep themselves and each other occupied much of the time. Alex is playing the toy piano now (while wearing his "rock star" shirt...Mommy doesn't have any aspirations for him musically, does she?). They both love the piano, and often play duets.
Favorite foods
Spencer: Yogurt, bananas, Annie's Mac & Cheese
Alex: Eggplant parm, chicken
Both: Applesauce, Goldfish, Fig Newmans, Kashi Heart to Heart, and Veggie Booty
Favorite activities
Trying to get into anything that is obviously off limits or out of reach
Playing with their cousins
Dumping toys all over the floor for Mommy to pick up
Climbing on top of each other
Things we're working on
Feeding themselves with a spoon
Walking
Drawing with a crayon
Learning body parts (they know mouth, nose, hand, foot, and belly) and how to treat others gently (the biting has significantly lessened)
Favorite toys
Anything with buttons and lights
Bead maze
Musical instruments
Little People castle
(okay, I admit, I have influenced them in the direction of the last two just a little)
Spencer seems to have sprouted recently. Maybe it's because he's walking tall, taking up to eight or nine steps at a time; it looks like he's as long as Alex now. At last weigh-in two months ago Spencer was a little over 20 pounds, and Alex was almost 24 pounds. Who knows how much weight I'm carting up and down the stairs now. Spencer still has just six teeth, but is working on more. Alex has a mouthful. 10 at last count, with four more pushing their way through right now. They rarely seem bothered by teething, or much of anything really; they are such happy, good boys.
Alex repeats words from time to time but mostly babbles. He loves to sing to himself when he's happy, "la, la, la" and when he's upset he'll request to be sung to in the same manner. He even sings to his brother when Spencer is upset. It's the sweetest thing. Spencer's most frequently used words are "yogurt" and "Ally." The both say "I did it" and of course "mama." The boys babble to each other in their own little language and amazingly seem to understand one another.
Alex's favorite toy is the bead maze. He loves to move the beads up and down and can entertain himself for a long time that way. Spencer likes to climb onto his rocking horse and bounce, one knee under him and the other leg over the side. He also "talks" on the play phone, putting up to his ear and saying "hello." They're both easy to entertain and keep themselves and each other occupied much of the time. Alex is playing the toy piano now (while wearing his "rock star" shirt...Mommy doesn't have any aspirations for him musically, does she?). They both love the piano, and often play duets.
Favorite foods
Spencer: Yogurt, bananas, Annie's Mac & Cheese
Alex: Eggplant parm, chicken
Both: Applesauce, Goldfish, Fig Newmans, Kashi Heart to Heart, and Veggie Booty
Favorite activities
Trying to get into anything that is obviously off limits or out of reach
Playing with their cousins
Dumping toys all over the floor for Mommy to pick up
Climbing on top of each other
Things we're working on
Feeding themselves with a spoon
Walking
Drawing with a crayon
Learning body parts (they know mouth, nose, hand, foot, and belly) and how to treat others gently (the biting has significantly lessened)
Favorite toys
Anything with buttons and lights
Bead maze
Musical instruments
Little People castle
(okay, I admit, I have influenced them in the direction of the last two just a little)
Monday, November 13, 2006
Woo hoo!!!
Alex just made it through the firehouse siren going off without crying for the first time!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Mommy Doesn't Live Here Anymore
My mom used to say this sometimes when we were kids. Four kids in four years...who can blame her? Sometimes you just want to go away. I love my boys. Seriously....seriously! But this virus we've had over the last week (first me, then Spencer, then Alex) has made things tough. I need a break. That's why I'm finally cashing in on the massage gift certificate I was given months ago. Saturday. And I'm getting my hair cut, and my eyebrows waxed. Because I need it, and I deserve it. Seriously.*
*For those of you who aren't Grey's Anatomy fans, this is me trying to give myself a pep talk, Izzie style. Ah, forget it. If you don't watch you won't understand. Seriously!
*For those of you who aren't Grey's Anatomy fans, this is me trying to give myself a pep talk, Izzie style. Ah, forget it. If you don't watch you won't understand. Seriously!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
POTD 10.27.06
POTD 10.27.06
Originally uploaded by doublethefun.
One of the boys' favorite things to do when we first come down in the morning is to look out the living room window. I haven't put plastic up yet and the big windows get a bit frosty or dewy. I've showed them how they can "draw" in the dew with their fingers. Here's Alex enjoying his morning lookout.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Picture of the Day 10.22.06
POTD 10.22.06
Originally uploaded by doublethefun.
Alex got new glasses, with an even stronger prescription. He's eating a Fig Newman in this picture. The boys love them.
Friday, October 20, 2006
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