Lots of Updates and some BIG NEWS!

I know we've been on a "blogging break" for over a week and I do apologize. 
It's been crazy around our house!  First of all, we got some exciting news- we are expecting another baby!  Yes, baby # 3 is on the way!  :-)  How exciting, huh?  We are surprised and feel so blessed.  I can't wait to see how the twins do as big brother & sister.  I know they will be great, they love babies! 

As for the twins, Carson is recovering nicely from surgery.  His incision is doing good and it hasn't slowed him down a bit.  He doesn't like when I put the ointment on him, but it's necessary so we get through it. 

The crib situation is solved for now.  (Knock on wood).  We have two lovely crib tents on the twins' cribs.  Actually on Carson's crib and cousin Hunter's crib.  Emilynn's original crib is ruined.  We had to modify it so much that it's not safe to re-use.  :-(  Does that make me sad?  A little.  I am sentimental but it is just a crib.  I will take a picture of it and let it go....even with all the precious teeth marks where she's knawed on it.  Okay, maybe I'll keep a little piece of that part......
I guess we'll trade it in for a new one when BabiesRUs does the big trade in.  We'll see.  They actually like the tents okay.  I like them a lot, knowing they are safe and can't ramble through the house or get hurt falling helps me sleep better.  I tried to make the tents fun, we really played them up when Daddy was putting them on.  I kept telling them how exciting it was to have a tent to sleep under and we'd put them in, zip them up, kiss through the mesh, press noses through the mesh, and they really took to them. 
I caught a lot of grief from grandparents, etc. saying to just get them toddler beds.  Honestly, why rush it?  I just cannot lay in their floor trying to get them to sleep at night like I know so many with toddlers have to do.  I am going to hold on to them sleeping in cribs as long as I can.  My kids have to have a good nap consistently each day and go to bed on time.  They need it and will even go to their crib for me to lift them in.  It's just how we've always done it, routine from day 1.  I can't give that up, because it keeps me sane.  Truely, it does.  I know I can count on nap at 1:30 no matter how crazy the morning gets.  I know they will go to bed at 9 no matter what and I can finish up my household chores that I can't get done with them underfoot.  I know we'll do toddler beds eventually, but for now, cribs work for us.  Plus, Dustin works sometimes at bedtime and then how would I keep two kids laying down and in bed long enough to fall asleep?  I just can't imagine it yet. 

We are on day 9 with no hot water.  Yes, you read that right.  I am trying to be optimistic and I KNOW there are so many people in the world with no water at all, so I am very grateful for cold, running water.  Building wells for villages in Africa is a mission that is very dear to me.  So, instead of complaining about not having water, I'm just going to REALLY be grateful when it's back on and not take it for granted.  Hopefully by the end of this week we'll be back in business with our second new hot water heater (LONG story).  For now, we shower at Papa's house or Meme & Poppy's (they bathe the kids for me, so I LOVE going there-hehe). 

Tomorrow is our 18 month check-ups, so I will post on the latest "stats" for the kiddos.  I know Emilynn is heavy!  That girl is tall and solid.  Carson weighed 26 pounds before his surgery, and I know he's small for his age.  We'll see what the dr. has to say about that.  He doesn't eat as much or consistently as Emmy, nor does he drink as much milk.  He did insist on his milk in a cup today, so we may be getting away from the ba-ba. Although cups are called ba-bas at our house too.  Kind of confusing.  I want to get them totally off ba-bas before the new baby arrives. 
We are going to have 3 children 2 & under.  Crazy!  :-)  But so much fun! 
I have a ton to do......the new nursery is a junk room right now.....so lots of organizing and moving stuff around will have to be done.  I've already been strategizing what I'm going to do if we go places.  Notice I say "if".  It's already hard with the two little ones.  I think instead of a triplet stroller (although I saw a nice one on amazon-and for not much more money you could get a quad stroller, and have extra space for a neice or nephew or bags.......just an idea!) I could either put both twins in their stroller and put the new baby in a Moby wrap.  OR, I could put the new baby in it's carrier in our front/back twin stroller in the back, Emmy up front, and carry Carson in his hip carrier that he still loves and is light enough for.   I know I'm crazy for thinking of this already, but one of my biggest fears with having the twins was, "Am I ever going to be able to go anywhere with them by myself?".  I HAD to have a stroller that would let me, for my own independence.  I just don't like to ask for help.  That has been one of the biggest lessons God has taught me with twins, to ask and accept help from others. 
Actually we have four strollers, so we probably won't buy anymore. 
I actually let the twins walk with me into the supply place to get the water heater part on Monday.  The man working the counter being oh so clever says to me "Boy, you've got helpers today." I just looked at him and said "I haven't had hot water in over a week, I am desperate."  Isn't everyone such a comedian? 

Surgery Day

Today was Carson's surgery day.  I am SO GLAD it's over!  I thought I would come home and get a good night's rest tonight after worrying about this for months.  However, Miss Emmy decided that she wasn't getting enough attention today, so she climbed out of her crib during nap-twice!  Now, I have something else to stress over till we get that issue resolved.  I have ordered crib tents, but I read mixed reviews on those.  I am not ready for moving them into big boy/girl beds yet.  Mainly because I don't think they would get good sleep that way.  I really want to keep them in cribs longer and make sure our sleep routine is solid before the switch.  Our routine is solid now, and I just depend on that too much to give it up.  I know it seemed like my neice who's 4 stayed in her crib a long time and then when she switched to a big bed she goes to sleep pretty easily, without a fight to keep her in bed.  That would be our goal....we'll see what happens.  Deep down what I want to avoid if we can is having to lay with them for hours trying to get them down to sleep.   Dustin is headed to Lowe's first thing to get some supplies for a possible temporary fix.  I won't sleep good again tonight!  All the grandparents are brainstorming.....

As for Carson, he did great today!  We got up about 4 a.m. and Dustin & I got ready, we got him up at 4:30 so he could have something to drink, as that was his "last call" for juice and water.  We left around 5 and got there around 6.  We were the first people there!  Kind of weird if you know me.....  :-)  By 7:15 we had met with the anesthesiologist and Carson's surgeon came in about 7:25 and talked with us.  Around 7:35 we walked him to the O.R. and said our goodbyes.  He was not happy.  I knew that's how it would go.  It was a LONG 45 minutes before they wheeled him out on this huge gourney.  He started crying and thrashing around.  The nurse warned us that all babies do that coming out of anesthesia, and they did.  We heard them all!  After about 10 minutes, we got instructions and were on our way.  He was much happier in our car and slept all the way home.  His procedure went great.  He got anesthesia through gas, then after he was out with that they put in the I.V. with more anesthesia.  He also got a shot in his lower back for pain management for 5 hours.  He is home on pain meds too.  Poor guy, when he woke up from nap he was in pain, you could tell.  Every time he moved he would cry so pitifully.  We got meds in him and he was running and playing and happy again.  It's hard to keep him calm.  We are not supposed to be letting him walk much today without help because the pain shot makes them weak, even if they don't feel like they are.  The dr. said to let him do what he felt like doing, so he will play a while calmly, then maybe do something rowdy.....then he rests a bit.  I have a feeling tomorrow he will be more "back to normal".  His incision is much longer than I thought it would be, but that's okay.  I don't get freaked out by medical stuff.....so I'm good with that.  Anyway, I guess we'll have a low-key weekend and just do what we feel up to doing.  Relay is tomorrow for the finale but we'll see how it goes before we decide if we're going.  I kind of don't want him all hot and sweaty so if it's humid we may stay in.  He has a plastic tape thingy over his stitches which is supposed to work it's way off on it's own.  I don't want to speed up the process with sweat!  We'll just play it by ear I guess.  I'm off to try to rest and worry about Emmy!  Monkey girl! 

Our week so far....VBS, Truck issues, Dr. appointments......

VBS has been going great this week!  We had a slight snag the first night, Carson cried for most of the 2 1/2 hours we were there.  It was bad.  He hasn't been back because I think he made other kids not want to be in the class.  :-(  He is really clingy to me this week, more even than normal.  Maybe he senses his upcoming surgery?  That is looming large, set for Friday morning at 7:30 a.m.  I am dreading it and will be glad to put it behind us.  I'm glad it's VBS week to keep me busy and my mind off of it.  Emilynn has had a ball at VBS each night.  I asked her on the way home last night "Did you learn about Jesus tonight?" She very clearly said "No."  At least she's honest, right?  Tonight on the way home I asked the same thing and got "uh-huh".  I guess we're getting there.  It's been fun to have time with her there and boy is it easy to manage one child!  :-)   I miss Carson though and feel bad leaving him.  Tonight he & Dada were outside when we left and he just waved bye-bye and wanted to follow the car.  He didn't cry though. 
I took Dustin's truck for inspection yesterday, on a side note.  It didn't pass...got a big fat rejection.  Sigh....gotta get muffler and tail pipe fixed.  I also got a 2 page list of other things wrong with it, not inspection related.  It's always something.  We are so blessed, I'm not complaining.  I guess we'll get it fixed by summer's end.  I love summer because I have extra babysitters & helpers.  Mom, Nicole, Madison, Abbey, and Alyssa are all off.  Abbey is working some this summer, but everyone else is available for the most part.  Madison is who I call my "mommy's helper".  She is a great set of hands to have around!  Nicole is going to go with me to get the kids' pictures taken...that's one of her summer activities every year! 
I haven't done pictures since June of last year.  Isn't that bad?  It's hard to go.   We've taken a ton ourselves....but we ARE going this month I hope. 
Well, I'm off to do dishes, laundry, and all the other things I can't do with extra hands during the day.  Please pray for Carson Friday (and his parents!) if I don't get to post anymore this week. 
Pray for the doctors and nurses that will be caring for him and a quick, routine procedure.  In the past year and 1/2 that we've had the twins we've seen a pediatric cardiologist (Em), pediatric endocrinologist (Car), pediatric opthamologist (Em), and now pediatric urologist for Car, in addition to the neonatologist that was in the delivery room and cared for them after birth.  That's a lot of appointments in addition to our regular pediatrician's visits!  Because of course you can't go to a doctor once, there's always LOTS of follow up appointments.   And my kids are healthy!  I'm counting my blessings this week- healthy children and good insurance!  And a momma who is home to run them to all these appointments! 

Our week-trying to beat the heat. :-)

It's been a busy, HOT week.  I've been trying to keep the kids indoors as much as possible.  That is no easy task because they LOVE it outside.  We've had several soccer games in the hallway and I've broken out a few new toys I'd been holding back for a while for occasions such as this.  We did go to Hunter & Shelby's softball game Monday night because it wasn't too hot.  We had chilly willys for the first time there!  I was prepared for the heat and took freeze pops for the kids.  But, we called them chilly willys growing up, so chilly willys they are.  They loved them.  They were so messy and afterwards I realized, they enjoyed one that was not even open as much as an open one.  They just liked the cold on their teeth.  Carson finally had two teeth break through, so he's not such a bear anymore.  Thank goodness! 
On Wednesday, my mom & I took the kids to the Children's Museum.  It was a lot of fun.  We'd never been and I had thought I'd scope it out and possibly get a membership for our family & add two of my sisters on so we could go all summer.  I didn't end up doing that cause I just don't know if we'd go enough to get our money back.  I would really have to have help go with me too, and I wasn't sure if that would be the case or not.  The kids liked it though, Carson picked berries the entire time from the "berry patch".  He loved doing that.  Emilynn just ran behind other kids, I don't know if she knew what she was doing.  She just wanted to be in some action!  I had thought of getting a zoo membership but Emilynn is terrified of animals, so I think that would be a waste.  We'll see.  I'd like to take Carson to the zoo cause he loves animals.  Maybe on a cool day we'll go.  We got our kiddie pool up and going this week.  It's not real huge, but it's a good size rectangle pool.  Enough for what we need.  They love it!  It is nice to beat the heat in the evenings and get in there to cool off.  We went to Wayne's 30th birthday party this evening.  It was fun, but every time they have a party, it storms.  I kid you not.  If we have any drought days, let my sister plan a party.  It will rain for sure.  The kids had fun playing with all their cousins and friends and there was yummy food of course.  When we were leaving a snake was on my foot!  I kicked it not knowing what it was, although it was cold and slimy.  I opened the truck door to get some light and I screamed and took off.  Left my poor kids in the car (Dustin & my dad were right there).  It was so gross!!!!!!  Dad caught it to show everyone...how thoughtful, right?  It was a pretty big one.  Ewww, ewww, ewww!  I'm gonna have nightmares.  Had to share that...not a good experience! 
I am happy to say Dad & Dustin installed my new hot water heater today.  It went smoothly and we have really hot water again!  I am so tired of lukewarm showers.  Yay! 
Vacation Bible School starts tomorrow night.  Nicole & I are teaching 3 years old through pre-schoolers.  It should be fun.  The twins are in a babies class.  I'll be excited to see what they learn.  They are picking up on so much lately!  They colored for a full five minutes at the table one day this week, they like to read a lot more now and be read to, Emilynn talks and says all kinds of things, they know to "sit on their bottom" by the door for me to put their shoes on to go "bye-bye", it's just so many things.  Emilynn is actually counting some too thanks to Sesame Street.  I LOVE PBS shows.  They are awesome!  :-) 
Anyway, it's just like lightbulbs went off overnight.  I'm so excited because I love teaching them new things.  They are at such a fun, fun age!!!! 

Update on Emmy's Eye

I took Emilynn to her eye appointment on Tuesday.  She was so cute, she walked the whole way in by herself, holding my hand.  She's such a big girl!  Her tear duct was partially open, so they couldn't do the procedure in their office to open it.  The Dr. wants to give it 6 months and see if it finishes opening on it's own.  We are hoping it will and that will be the end of her eye issues for now.  If it doesn't, they would have to go in and surgically fix it.  We'll see what happens.  She is a little bit far sighted and has astigmatism, but doesn't need glasses right now.  I'm glad we got a baseline eye exam for her, so we'll always know where we started for future reference.  It was a good appointment all in all.  She did get her eyes dilated and we had to wait 30 minutes for that to work.  It was a LONG 30 minutes.  She wanted to walk around but couldn't see good and kept bumping into things.  People were looking at me like I was a bad mom or something, but honestly, YOU try to keep a 17 month old still for 30 whole minutes.  In a boring office, with just a few toys.  Anyway, glad that appointment's behind us. 
Yesterday was our Relay For Life team's horse show fundraiser.  We did the concession stand the whole day.  I did not see my kids all day.  :-(  I missed them so badly.  I was so tired too, my hat is off to anyone who waitresses or works in food service.  It's hard work!  My feet are sore today.  My house is a disaster too!  Daddy had the kiddos all day yesterday and they had fun...... :-)  The kids were great for him, he said he got bored.  Apparently they were VERY good for him if he got bored.  I don't get bored generally speaking!  Haha!  Today I didn't do much either, just soaked up time with the babies.   I woke up before them this morning and kept waiting for them to wake up so I could see 'em.  Little rascals slept late too- that will show me for leaving them all day long!!! 
This week should be somewhat quiet.  Next week is VBS at church, so we'll be busy every night then!  I'm excited my children get to go this year.  It will be their first learning experience....should be fun.  Well, organized learning I should say!  :-)