Triplets

Oh, no! We are so not having triplets! But Andrew has triplets and doesn't even know it...

When I purchased beanie baby doggies for Aaron & Andrew last fall, Andrew immediately became attached to his. The official name is: doggie. When I realized Andrew HAD to have his when he took a nap or went to bed or got hurt or pretty much went anywhere, I purchased 3 more. I got tired of searching the house before naptime. It was easier to grab one of the spares & say, "Look, I found it!" Later, when the missing doggie was found I'd put it in my drawer. Sometimes though, Andrew is the one who finds it-

When he see TWO doggies he gets really excited!! But when he's not paying attention I take one and hide it. At one time we had a total of 4 but one of them got lost at church and has never been found. Some other little boy or girl is perhaps attached to the same dog.

Andrew's doggie has accompanied him on bike rides....

While playing in the backyard...

relaxing on the couch...

During kidney surgery....

And a zillion other places that never got photographed. Whenever he gets hurt and is crying in my arms the first thing he says is, "Doggie. Net-nie (interpretation: blankie)." The net-nie is seen in the picture above. Those are his comforts. They solved any crisis. When he had is MRI and Mag-3 tests they were right by his side the entire time.

California in May- finally!

I figure before June is over I ought to post some of the pictures from our trip in May to California. Although we had a lot of fun on our trip it turned out quite different than we had planned- at least the last part.

We left on May 22 and drove all day to Danville where my aunt Nancy lives. We stayed with her until Tuesday morning. The weather was gorgeous and on Monday we went to the Oakland Zoo. The boys loved seeing all the animals and we had fun too.

We also enjoyed going over to my Uncle Mark & Aunt Wanda's on Sunday night for evening and visiting. It's been a while since I've seen them and only wish more of my cousins were there!

Then we left Tuesday morning for Lake Tahoe. We stopped in Roseville on our way and spend a few hours with my brother, Mark, and his family. It will be the last time we can see them there before they move to Denver in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, we neglected to take any pictures.

As we drove up to Tahoe we were accompanied by freezing rain and colder and colder temperature that dipped down to the low 30's that night. We awoke to about 2 inches of snow. So much for our bike rides and hikes! It was the same thing Thursday & Friday mornings too!

This was the scene from our window at the condo. Gorgeous!

Fortunately, we had checked the weather ahead of time and came prepared with warm clothes. The boys loved playing in the snow and throwing snowballs. Despite the cold weather we managed to do some fun things. Stopped at Emerald Bay for a while & enjoyed the views on our way to South Lake Tahoe for shopping and fun.

Eventually the weather warmed up by the end of the week and we stayed an extra day so we could have one day of only sun and no bad weather. One afternoon we walked down to the mansion about 2 miles away and walked around it. Aaron tried opening a back door so we could get in- but it was locked! Would've loved to sneak in and take a peak. And even though it wasn't at the mansion or the lake I loved the picture of Andrew being so proud of himself for climbing on a stump. On the last day were there we managed to go for a 5 mile bike ride so we didn't bring the bikes for nothing! The boys loved throwing rocks in the lake and watching them splash- could've have done that all day!!

There are so many other things that have gone on since then and hopefully it won't take me so long to post them this time!

Out with the Old, In with the New

Last week is not one I would choose to repeat although the results of it are. All in less than a week Andrew had major surgery on his kidney, we paid thousands of $ for landscaping, and Aaron had a bad case of flu that sent him to the ER. But the good outcome? Andrew has a healthier kidney and is recovering excellently, Aaron is almost over it, and we have a much better looking and way more fun backyard.

The old backyard (some of it)-

The entire back and side yards looked like this- nothing except small rock throughout. Not much fun for twin 2-year olds (I mean, the mom-they had a great time!) who love throwing rocks.

The new back & side yard (part of it, anyway)-

Pictures are from the same point.

The patch seen before the grass will include a swing set with a slide, sandbox, and tree house. Assembly not included. :( The paved area around the grass is a 3 foot wide racetrack. The boys are already begging to go, "owside."

One of the side yards. The path seen leads to a newly paved side courtyard with a door into the front hallway. The front yard is on the other side of the fence with a newly paved front courtyard.

Andrew's new kidney

Although Andrew didn't receive a kidney transplant (thank goodness!) the surgery resulted in a healthier, better working right kidney. This surgery was almost identical to the one he had at 7 weeks old on his left kidney. The left kidney was opened up a little and received a stint in the ureter along with the stint his right ureter received. Andrew is a golden patient. He was almost always happy, smiled, 'chattered' with the nurses, and never cried when anyone came in the room. He was in the hospital for 2 nights and so did I! We are grateful to our friends who helped watch Aaron each day and meals we received. Oh, and I should mention I got pulled over on the way to the hospital for speeding. I was going 75 in a supposedly 45 zone on the freeway but maybe the cop actually believed me when I told him I was on my way to the hospital! It must've been my lucky day because I thought for sure I'd be getting a hefty ticket on top of the huge hospital bill. The cop was feeling nice that day and I learned I'd still be there in plenty of time even if I hadn't been speeding.

We had to be there at 6 a.m. Andrew handled it much better than I did. This is the pre-op. Andrew was very curious and the waiting area was very kid-friendly. His doggie and 'knetnee' went through the entire process with him.

Sunrise Hospital has a superb staff, very comfortable room, and a great play room we could take toys from. Andrew had the IV in his foot so he wasn't able to do any walking but he kept easily entertained with crayons, trucks, and his "Bah bah booh" (Bob the Builder) and Signing Time videos.

His 'watch' is a security band to make sure we didn't try to escape with him. He became almost as attached to my cell phone as he is to his knetnee and his doggie.

Andrew's "big owie". You'd never know it's there the way he's been jumping, running, rolling, and climbing.

Bad case of the flu

Soon after Aaron went to bed Friday night he began vomiting that continued until we took him to the ER. He eventually was dry heaving but we feared he'd have to hooked to an I.V. like he did last November. He was released at 4:30 once he was able to keep the meds and the liquid down. But he awoke that morning with a burning fever of 103.9 and no appetite for a few days. He's much better now but it didn't add to our already stressful week.

Which makes us all the more excited to leave for California this weekend! We'll be staying a couple of days with my Aunt Nancy and then a few days at Lake Tahoe. We've been looking forward to this trip for months.

Mother's Day

On Mother's Days I feel a wide range of emotions from pure joy to deep sadness. I feel a deep sadness because of the loss of my dear mother when I was only 15. I had no idea the love, the impact, the devotion, the sacrifices of a mother until I no longer had one. Mothers are the gel that hold a family together. They are the love that makes a house a home, that brings happiness and sunshine to a home. If it hadn't been for the love of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends I would've fallen apart. I have felt a sadness because of the delayed opportunity to raise a sweet daughter.

But the pure joy I feel overwhelms the sadness I sometimes feel. I LOVE MOTHER'S DAY!! I love the chance (which is a daily occurrence, BTW) I have to reflect on my mother and the influence she has been, and still is, in my life. I feel blessed in my life to have two wonderful mothers- one who gave me life and helped shape me into who I am today, and one who has helped fill that void by being a friend, a mom, a grandmother, and a whole lot of fun. On Mother's Day I am reminded that one day I will hold my sweet little Rachel and be able to love her and raise her. She has brought me a lot of joy in my life. After her loss I wasn't sure if I ever would have the chance to be a mother in this life. But Heavenly Father has bless me with the two most precious boys a mother could have. And I can't forget to mention a wonderful husband who helps me care for the boys, cook dinner, clean up the kitchen, and lightens my load wherever possible.

As I'm writing this I am sitting in a comfortable chair in my bedroom while one of the twins is still sleeping (I think) and the other is downstairs whining to his daddy. With two 2-year olds Mother's Day is not exactly a break from the busy cares of our daily lives. But Steve is doing as much as he can. He has dinner cooking in the crock pot. He helped watch the boys during nursery (which is my calling right now) so I could attend the RS Visiting Teaching Conference. He got a card, wrote kinds words, and had the the boys "sign" below their names. He got me a gift to make listening to my iPod much easier. He is watching the boys until I feel like coming out of my room which very well my be until dinnertime! I truly have a wonderful husband.

Aaron and Andrew have brought me so much love, so much joy, so much happiness in my life. Even though they are busy little boys, even though they sometimes throw food, unroll toilet paper, play in the toilet, write on the walls, or wrap their arms (both boys!) tightly around my leg because they want to be held while I'm trying to fix dinner, I forget about all that when I see Aaron's precious smile or Andrew's adorable giggle. I forget about all that when I am reading to them and they point to, or say, something they recognize. I forget about all that when I see Aaron run into Andrew's bedroom (no, they don't share a room- the explanation can be for a different post) laughing with excitement because his playmate just woke up. Or sometimes Aaron is able to sneak in there when Andrew is still asleep and wakes him up because he doesn't like playing alone- not a happy time for me! Whatever the case is, I love, love, LOVE my boys and love being a mother. I only hope I can be as wonderful of a mother as mine was to me.

Tomorrow Andrew will be admitted to the hospital for another kidney surgery. Although I understand the need for this and that down the road it will prevent worse health problems, it breaks my heart to watch him have to go through this. He is a special kid who has been through this too many times already. Hopefully this is his last. If I could, I would do this surgery for him so he doesn't have to. I hope that by holding his hand all the way through it and being there by his bedside, that I can take away some of the pain. I know that's what my mother would've done if it was me in that bed.

Well, I think I hear crying from Andrew now because his much needed nap was rudely interrupted a few minutes ago (abt 1 hr early) by a brother who was desperate for his best friend to play with. This break has been a royal treat. I've been able to read my book, to spend some time on my laptop, and to get a 10 minute power nap.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Preparing for a Mission at age 2

This last Monday for our weekly attempt at a 15 second FHE (Family Home Evening) we showed them a copy of the Book of Mormon and told them in a few words what it is. Since we have many copies of the missionary version of the paperback books we gave each of them one. They LOVE flipping the pages and looking at the pictures in the front. Already they have 5 scriptures memorized and have read up until the Isaiah chapters. (true of all of us probably-haha). Yeah, right!

Whenever I've said this week, "Let's read our scriptures," they come running to me and grab them from me only to flip through the pages and look at the pictures. Andrew will look at the picture of Joseph Smith and say, "pwoffih," the Savior and say, "Jesthisth." I know I'm bragging but don't all parents have that right??

Andrew is always watching Aaron to see what he's doing. Aaron could usually care less what Andrew's up to.

Who's more dominant? They go back and forth-depends on the activity.

I am just LOVING how everyday they are saying more and more words, and making more and more connections. Even though has been THE busiest stage so far, it is so much fun. If it wasn't for all the other responsibilities of being a mom I'd sit and take pictures of them and play with them all day long. And some days I do!

These last two years have gone by in a flash! And before I know it I'll be listening to them speaking at their missionary farewells.

A bit about Andrew

Andrew loves hats- especially his daddy's hat! And whenever he puts a hat on his head it is always in reverse. I have no idea where he learned that because neither of us taught that to him. I have to admit that even though it's a typical punk look, Andrew looks so cute wearing his hat like that.

Last Friday we were spending a casual day when my sister and her 3 kids were staying with us. I saw a cute picture and hurried and grabbed my camera (or so I thought) and quickly snapped a few pictures. Imagine how disappointed I was when I realized it was not my camera but my sister's. No worries though- digital is great. I simply took her card out, downloaded the pictures I wanted, and now they're mine too!

I love this picture! Andrew is such a happy guy and melts my heart, especially knowing what he has been through and the miracle he is. Which makes me all the more sad to know he will have to go through yet another surgery to repair his right kidney on May 10. This is almost identical to the surgery he had at 7 weeks on his left kidney and will be in the hospital for 2 nights. Hopefully this will be his last surgery. All this has made him very tough. But even though he's tough he's very cuddly, loving, happy, laid back, and a whole lot of fun. Andrew is a very special child!

Remembering Rachel

While I cannot began to describe the joy I feel each day when I see the faces of my two little boys, it's impossible to put into words the deep sadness I felt three years ago today. With the births of all my babies I left the hospital empty armed. With two of them, though, I left knowing that my babies were in good hands, were being well cared for, and that eventually I would bring them home. With Rachel I left with the knowledge that I will never see her again in this life.

About 5 months after Rachel was born we were asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting on adversity. (I should mention that at the time we were about 3 weeks pregnant with the twins. No one knew it but us.) The thing is anyone could give a talk on it because none of us are free from trials. But it caused me to reflect on some of the trials I'd had in my life and how I was able to deal with them and come out better (hopefully) in the end. At that time our loss was still too fresh in my mind to share much detail about without completely losing it at the podium. Time is a great healer.

About a month ago I received an email from a friend of a friend of friend- something like that. She was going through almost EXACTLY what we did with Rachel. Her little boy had hydronephrosis, his kidneys were bad and causing the lungs to be underdeveloped, he had no amniotic fluid left, and she would be delivering him early with the expectation that he would not live for long. She asked me for suggestions, ideas, and help. Initially I broke down crying because I knew EXACTLY what she was going through and what she had coming for her and her husband. But it caused me to reflect on that experience and ask myself, "How DID I get through it?"

Number one is the knowledge I have of the gospel and the plan of salvation. I have no idea what I would do without the knowledge that I can see my mom again and to hold Rachel in my arms one day. The outpouring of love from family, friends, our ward, and even people I had never met, helped give me the strength I didn't have at that time. We may not know what to do to help a friend during a challenging time but it doesn't need to be anything big. I remember the RS president bringing over a Ben & Jerry's ice cream. I remember going on walks in the morning with a very busy friend who just let me talk. I remember the new RS President (there was a change about a week before she was born) bringing over a binder of Church quotes/talks/information she had copied off about the Spirit World, death, adversity, etc. I remember the many ward members who took the time to help organize a funeral, speak at it, perform music, and just be there. I remember the ward fast for Rachel in the hopes there would be a miraculous turnaround. But one of the things at the top of the list is the sacrifice of a very special cousin of mine who left two young children, flew here for 3 days, listened to me whine and cry, cleaned my house, did laundry, made cookies, cooked like crazy, and just be here for me. She has no idea how much that meant to me and it is something I think about- a lot.

Another thing that helped me was to keep a gratitude journal. From the day we learned she would not live I began keeping a gratitude journal. Some days I could barely think of one thing and it was usually lame like, 'I'm grateful for the sky,' or 'I'm grateful for socks' and sometimes I had to ask Steve. But as time went on it became easier and I began to realize that despite losing a piece of my heart, there are still things to be thankful for.

From the time Rachel was born pink roses have been a reminder of her in our lives. Last night Steve brought home a dozen pink roses that have been on our kitchen counter all day to remind us of this special day three years ago. Last night for FHE we brought out some pictures of Rachel, the dress she once wore, and a quilt I had made for her. We told the boys about their very special sister, where she is, and that they would one day see her. I'm not sure how much they actually learned but it was a great reminder for us. I am grateful for Rachel and to know that she is very much a part of our family.