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/

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.

Splish Splash

Alex and Spencer are enjoying a toddler pool handed down to them by their cousins. Our next-door neighbor let us put it on her deck. Thanks, Caroline!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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...)

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.

Alex's and Spencer's Second Birthday

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!

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.

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.)

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!

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.

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!

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)

The sweetest thing just happened. The boys were sitting on the living room floor watching "Baby Beethoven" and Spencer was babbling on and on about something as he often does. Suddenly he started singing "Al-LEE, Al-LEE, Al-LEE." So special!

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!

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!

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!

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!