I love these boys!

From other moms and relative of twins (boys especially) Aaron and Andrew are typical 3-year-old twins. Best of friends yet worst of enemies at the same time. Fortunately they get along most times. It makes the rough time worth it. Especially moments like this-

Andrew thinks Aaron is hilarious- except the times

when he gets hit, pushed, and bit by Aaron

Smiler Tyler is the name we often call our sweet little guy. He is ALWAYS happy!! This morning when he awoke at 4:15a.m. all he wanted to do was smile and laugh in my arms rather than eat. All I wanted was to go back to bed! Even so, I am in love with this adorable, little man!! I love his smiles, his laughs, his coos, the joy he brings me every day. I can't believe he is over 4 months old. He is growing way too fast. Is there any way to slow things down??

Tyler sitting in his Bumbo seat for the first time. As usual he is all smiles. Notice the cute behind in the background. :) Most of the time the twins are shorts/pants-free around the house. It's much easier- for them and me- when they need to go to the bathroom to only have to drop their undies.

Smiler Tyler

Finally, Aaron and Andrew learn to ride tricycles!! Santa Claus bought the bikes for them when they were about 18 months. Ever since then they have not been interested or were unable to ride them. Recently, Andrew has been practicing and trying. About a week ago he finally got the hang of it! Yeah Andrew! When Aaron saw that Andrew could ride it he didn't want to be outdone. So he got on his and away he went!

Andrew

Aaron

3 out of 4

Tyler's actually 4 out of 4. The title is about something else.

While we were excited to learn we were pregnant with Tyler it soon turned to nervousness for the first 16 weeks until we learned whether or not he had hydronephrosis. We were greatly relieved to learned he was clean! Phew! The first pregnancy we didn't lose, or think we were going to lose, a baby. Even though we had a bumpy spot or two Tyler was born healthy with no complications. Or so we thought.

Five weeks ago I took Andrew and Tyler to Red Rock Radiology so both could have an ultrasound on their kidneys- Andrew for a routine follow-up and Tyler so the urologist could take a look at his kidneys now that he was out of the womb. Of course I wasn't worried because if there was a problem it would have been detected in one of the numerous ultrasounds I had during pregnancy. The reason I had so many is because of being high risk; the first thing that was always checked was the kidneys and the amniotic fluid and it was always normal.

When I arrived at the doctor's office the following week I had no worries about learning the results of either test until the nurse made a comment about Tyler not receiving an "A+" on his test. "What? Tyler????" I said. She is a very happy, friendly, and fun nurse so I wasn't sure if she was just joking or being serious. When she realized what she'd said she quickly said, "Oh, you know" and moved on to other things. "Oh, well. Whatever. I'll find out soon enough," I thought.

After I learned that Andrew's right ureter is still constricted and will need further work (no surprise) she moved on to Tyler. She said his left kidney is normal but the right is interesting. Rather than just one 'drain' he has two. Each one has a ureter that begins toward the bladder but the top one joins the bottom ureter so it looks like a Y. The top drain is incomplete and has some backup into the kidney. Since then he has been on an antibiotic to ensure that no infection forms.

This morning I took Tyler to the hospital for a MAG3 test. I couldn't remember the directions but I was pretty sure from 3 years ago when Andrew had the same test that he couldn't eat for 8 hours before. We fed him only 4 hours before the test though since he is on a liquid diet anyway. Once I got there I learned I could've fed him right up until the test. Wish I'd known that- all that crying and me feeling guilty for nothing! First, they tried putting an IV in him but found no good veins so they called down a transport nurse who is highly trained on IV's in pediatrics. She put in the IV on Tyler while I held him. His next tough thing was the catheter. I never enjoy having one put in me but at least I understand what and why it's being done. He was miserable and very mad. He was not happy to be strapped down either. Once his arms and legs were constricted he screamed, cried, and tried kicking and moving his way out. Poor Tyler! He finally cried himself to sleep.

I was much braver this time around then three years ago when Andrew had the same test at about the same age. It's okay for the mom (or dad or both) to be there next to the bed the entire time. When Andrew had his I remember it was difficult for me to see him cry so hard from having an IV in that I was finally excused from the room and told to go to the waiting area down the hall. At first I was afraid a similar thing would happen this time but I managed to keep my emotions stable and was able to be there to comfort Tyler and make it easier. In fact, I even got a picture on my cell phone of him smiling- after having an IV and catheter put in and being strapped down!

Well, after learning that Tyler is not completely free from kidney problems I realized that 3 out of my 4 children have, or had, hydronephrosis. Rachel had it the worst and lived for only a short time. We thought we were going to lose Andrew too but he is a miracle and lives a normal life although he's had surgeries, tests, stints, ultrasounds and isn't done yet. And Tyler now has it but really minor. Aaron managed to skate by somehow and is the lucky one. We've become a little familiar with hydronephrosis and our pediatric urologist, Dr. Close (who is THE best!) has become very familiar with us!

Tyler's growth chart by picture

When the twins were the same age as Tyler I gave my blog almost daily attention. Now it is so poorly neglected it's pathetic. Part of this was probably because I had a new camera that I loved trying out and some of it was because the babies I had were sleeping a lot. Now, well, it's very different. Still new into potty trained twins (that's a post all of it's own!), LOTS of doctor appointments, and twins that are transitioning out of naps. The list could go on and on but the blog is close to the bottom of the long list.

Tyler began smiling about a month ago but now he is smiling, cooing, and has even 'laughed' for me when I tickle him. About 2 weeks ago he began sleeping through the night! Yeah! He sleeps solid for about 10 hours, wakes up to be fed, and then goes back to sleep for about 3 more hours! It has been very nice not to have to wake up in the middle of the night. A lot of pictures have been taken but have yet to be added to the blog. Each month I have taken a picture of him in a onesie with a paper that tells how old he is now. Usually this picture has been (or will be) done on his bouncy chair or the floor. When seen on a hourly/daily basis his growth seems so gradual. By looking at these pictures it reminds me that he is slowly growing.

Newborn- 2 weeks

Two months- forgot the paper. Oops

The Evening of a Lifetime

This last week my ward had a Relief Society activity that celebrated the anniversary of the Relief Society organization. Prior to the evening the book The Hundred Dresses was passed around for everyone to read. The activity entailed a light dinner and a fashion show of dresses from different time periods. Each dress had a story behind it that was shared while the dress was being modeled. It was an enjoyable evening (especially to get away from home and my very busy children!) and was well prepared and organized.

That night was feeding Tyler in the wee hours of the morning- 3:00 am.- I remembered from the middle of nowhere, a dress hanging in the closet downstairs. If only I'd remembered this dress before the evening's activity:

The history behind it:

In 1967 my mother had been dating my dad for about three years. They had a date to the 1967 New Year's Ball. She sewed a long green velvet dress with a matching coat. That night my dad proposed and my mom accepted.

Ever since my mother died I have had this dress and coat hanging in my closet. It wasn't until the middle of the night that I remembered the dressing in my closet and wish I'd remembered it in time to wear it at the activity. Since it's too late for that I'll "model" it here online.

One month old (4 days ago!)

It was a month ago today (now 4 days ago) that Tyler joined our family. He is a good baby who does what all newborns do- eat, sleep, and poop! But I could spend the entire day holding and loving him and doing nothing else. He has been sick with a nasty cold for the last 10 days his brothers were generous enough to share with him. I am so grateful he is healthy in every other way though and so grateful he has joined our family.

We initially thought he would be another redhead but it doesn't appear to be the case. My guess is he'll be anywhere from blonde to light brown. Regardless of the color he is gorgeous! When he was weighed a week ago he was 8 lbs (born at 6 lbs 10 oz) and this week is now 8 lbs 5 oz. so he is gaining weight good.

During the first few baths Tyler let me know he did NOT like them! But now he seems to have learned this will be a regular part of his life. Eventually he will become like his older brothers and complain when it's time to get out of the tub!

Tyler's first bath

A common question I get is: How is Aaron and Andrew adjusting? Some days are better than others but I think as time goes on it'll become easier. During the first week Aaron seemed to show no interest in his new brother. Now he likes to help hold the bottle, come sit by me as I feed Tyler and is a great helper by getting me a diaper and the wipes.

This has been an eventful month to say the least! It is difficult enough to recover from delivery (especially a c-section), adjust to less sleep, caring for older siblings and all with the same amount of hours in a day. To add to that I was back in the hospital 3 weeks later for 2 days- and Tyler was at home. In the early morning hours of February 1, I had two grand mal seizures. Since Steve had to be here with the boys until help arrived I was transferred to the hospital by ambulance. We still don't know the cause of the seizures (and we may never know) but one thing is for sure- I don't feel comfortable driving yet. There could be many causes- my very high blood pressure, lack of sleep, stress, hormones out of whack, or low medication levels. This last week I saw a new neurologist who will be ordering an updated MRI, EEG, and blood work to test my medicine levels. I will be very anxious to know the results. In the meantime, friends and ward members have been wonderful to help pick up the boys, give me rides, bring dinner, or help in any way they can. The week following my return home from the hospital the twins and Steve all got a bad cold who gave it to Tyler. Now that they're all recovering I've now got the nasty bug.

It is fun to watch them change as they continue to grow and learn and I love (for the most part!) each phase so far. But I sure wish they didn't have to change so rapidly the first few months!

Brothers

Everyone asks us, "How are the boys adjusting?" I don't have anything to compare it to but I'm think they doing great. Aaron and Andrew are getting used the idea that Tyler is going away and they love the idea of being big brothers.

Prior to Tyler's delivery Andrew was always more interested in feeling my tummy, 'listening' to the baby by putting his ear to my stomach, talking about Tyler. Aaron showed little interested in comparison. During their first visit to the hospital to see their new brother we asked them if they wanted to hold Tyler. Andrew quickly climbed up on a chair and smiled sincerely at his new brother in his lap. Aaron said, "No!" and walked the opposite directions to press all the buttons on my bed and anything else he could. I wasn't successful at getting picture of Aaron by himself holding the baby.

But now they've both warmed up to Tyler. Whenever I'm feeding him they like to come sit next to me and kiss his head, rub his feet, talk to him, show him their toys, or hold his hand.

Andrew and Aaron seem to have changed a lot in the last 2.5 weeks- mostly for the better. Aaron has been constantly sucking on his right wrist- all day- and soaking his sleeve (insecurities?). Both have been more defiant. But now they seem much more grown up. Both are more independent, willing to help with Tyler. They seem more attached to Daddy than every before. They both seem much bigger than before although I'm sure they've gained little weight in the last couple of weeks (except maybe Andrew-he really is bigger). And they play together very well since they don't always have my full attention when busy with Tyler.

I love all of my beautiful boys! It is my hope they will all be best friends.

Day 4 - Tyler is doing great. He has been eating very well. We are also supplementing his nursing with formula. So he has been getting plenty to eat. However, it looks like Katie will have to stay in the hospital another day. Her blood pressure is still too high for my doctor to order her discharge. So we hope she will be discharged tomorrow. Aaron and Andrew also love their new baby brother. They helped Katie push Tyler in his cart for a walk around the hospital halls.