Time Away

Gosh, I haven't blogged in forever. Most because I was planning my trip away and now I am away. I am at an 8 day conference in Charlotte, NC where our corporate head quarters are.

So far, so good. We are 4 days in with 4 days to go. It was really hard to think of leaving the family. Janie was absolutely devistated even though we have been discussing this for a long time. I am not sure if this was a bad or good mommy thing to do but I wanted her to have something to look forward to every day while I am gone so I wrapped up a little gift and note each day for her. So far it seems to have helped. Everyone is doing fine. I have had an army of people to help me. MY mom came in for several day, my bro is covering one evening, and my aunt and uncle come in to finish off the week. Wow! My friend is transporting to and from gymnastics and on and on. Remember, this is only Mike's second week on the new job so the flexibility is not there yet.

The training has been intense, challenging, super time consuming and annoying at time. I am trying to keep an open mind and learn tons as this is truly to prepare me for my bosses job. The challenge is that we have new hires in our class! Stupid, stupid, stupid. Anyway, my days are consisting of training from 7:30a-6:30p and often followed by dinners and hours of homework. The good thing is that this craziness has made it easier not to miss my kids and hubby every hour of the day. Anyway, that is all for now from Charlotte...

The day has come

Five days before my birthday Mike left his job. It was a crappy day, a crappy week, a crappy month. I chose to try and be a supportive wife, knowing that this too would end at some point. He had been unhappy for a while and I knew that ultimately, it would be a good thing once he found a new job. So a month later he started working at a really great restaurant. He learned some new things and really found his enthusiasm for food again. The problem was that he was basically working as a line cook and certainly not making enough money to pay the bills. Once he started I would often not see him for 5 days in a row since I was working days and he nights. Somehow, we have maintained. We didn't create and enormous amount of debt,our kids haven't suffered and we still love each other. What else can you ask for?

And so the interviews finally began. He has spent the last 3 weeks interviewing with 3 entirely different companies. The great news is...he recieved offers from all 3! Mike will start in a week at a Marriott property as the Executive Chef.

I have to believe that this whole journey happened the way it happened for a reason.
Five days before his birthday, the offer came...

My New Nephew

I was able to take a much too short trip to meet my new nephew this past Monday. I should say to meet the mini-brother-in-law. It was such a great time, just too short. My husband working nights certainly cramps my style sometimes and my ability to go anywhere.

Anyway, the new little family seems to be doing great. They have their good and hard days but overall this little dude, named Joey, is pretty scheduled and happy. I, of course snuck in a few of my secrets (like a little more food and a really tight swaddle). He is just over two weeks old and is sleeping a good 3-4 hours in a row (in his car seat, in his bed).

My Sissy is doing great! She is experiencing everything that first time and second time moms experience. She is learning her baby's need and loving him with everything she has. It is so fun to watch.

Until I get back there, I will continue to remind myself of this cute little dude that snuggles so well and that peed on me two times!

Hesitation

I am scared to say this but we are finally all healthy! Janie went through a horrible round of strep last weekend. Truly I think this is the sickest that I have ever seen her. By Saturday morning, when I finally took her in to the Dr., I had to carry her to the car and into the Dr.s office. I was bad! So, except for a black eye that Kyle got today from a fall off the sofa (no pic yet), we are all well.

This weekend plays out to be very busy. Tomorrow is Janie's first real gymnastics meet followed by a holiday party for my NICU board. Sunday I am departing for Columbus to meet my new nephew. I can't wait to hang with the little dude and give my Sissy some relief. I am sure I will also look forward to coming back home to my insanely structured household!

My exciting news is that I have officially booked a trip to Cancun for my hubby and me. I know that I can write this because he never looks at my blog. He turns 40 at the end of this month and since he is not one to throw a party for, I decided to plan a trip. I decided this a year ago and started saving my pennies in June. I had planned a long weekend to Florida but wanted to avoid and spring breakers because my only goals are good food, wine, relaxation, sun and a reconnection with my hubby. We have not spent a night away since Janie was born. So, after a lot of research and convos with a travel agent, we have decided that Cancun is the best for our money (I should say I decided). I think I may have to get it to him earlier than his b-day because he still needs to get a passport! Anyway, we go in March and I can't wait!

I thought I would include a picture of Kyle here. He hurt his head several months ago and we used to say "does you head hurt?". Now he just grabs his head everytime he wants attention. The scary thing is, now he hurt his head again. Check out that after bath hair - gotta love it...

Christmas

I haven't posted because I have been trying to get some better pics of our holiday. No such luck so far so I will just post what I have.

We had a great time! The boys enjoyed tearing paper and Janie loved her surprises. We traveled to my Sissy's house in Columbus on Christmas day to spend time with the rest of the family and prepare Sissy to give birth 5 days later. Yes, I am an Auntie for the first time! She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Joey, on 12/30 (just in time for the tax deduction). It has been really hard not seeing him or being there for this amazing thing I now have called a nephew! I will post a pic once I visit which will hopefully be in the next two weeks.

So back to Christmas - We ate a bit, drank a bit and played with kids. Of course the trip would not be complete without sickness. The boys both started with fevers on Christmas Eve and vomited a few times over next few days. That all seemed very minimal compared to my tragic moment with Owen. I was holding my little guy upstairs in a large room in my sister's house. It was just the boys, me, the TV and some good running space. Owen was at about 102 fever so he was cuddled up to me. Kyle started playing with a half full pop can. I proceeded to get up to put the pop can on the other side of the gate before it was a huge mess. As I leaned over the gate, with Owen in arms, the gate collasped. We fell forward and his head slammed between the step and me on the landing (the back cement side of the step). He hit hard! I know I cried longer than him but it felt as if I had just picked him up and threw him down the steps. It was awful. So here the kid is sick as can be and then his mom crushes his head. He seemed fine through the night. The next morning I was checking him out and noticed that his entire inner ear was black and blue. Of course I thought he was now bleeding from the brain! We left early that day and stopped at our Peds in Ann Arbor on the way home. He is fine, no broken bones, no bleeding and no head trauma. I however am still not quite over it.

The boys are now healthy although I am hesitant to say that since I came down with strep this week and will be taking Janie in to the Dr. in the a.m. becasue she is feeling awful and has been at 102 for two days! Oh sickness...

A Few Random Pics

I am working on Christmas pics to post but here are a few that I had on my camera before it died in the middle of Christmas.

Here is Janie meeting her first reindeer. Actually, I think it was my first also. We went to a festival in our little town and they had some great things for the kiddies!





This pic is of Owen and his older brother. Well not really but this is my girlfriends son that Owen looks a lot alike. We always joke that maybe he is there baby. He has the same mannerisms as Grant and certainly resembles him more than his twin!





Here is Owen again. When Janie came home from gymnastics one night, he begged to put her leotard on. He slept the entire night in it.


And for some reason I have trouble lining up the pictures with the photos but I tried!

Doing Christmas Twin Style

Preparing for Christmas with 20 month old twin boys is exactly what you can imagine it would be. We waited two extra weeks to get the Christmas tree, have limited our decorations, have not put presents under the tree and still it is not easy. The boys love the tree! They love to touch it, they love to point and say "ball", they love to take the balls off and throw them and soon they will love climbing it! Notice the tree does not have any ornaments under 3 ft.

Most other decorations are fine. They can play with them or throw them or eat them - I don't care! We didn't hang our stockings in fear that they would pull down the stocking hangers and knock themselves out. We didn't however worry about the 5 pieces of Dickens Village on top of the mantle. They some how got a hold of a cord brought two of those crashing down too! I should be happy that they didn't get hurt correct? Notice that nothing has been done with it since the accident!


Christmas morning should be interesting...

Same Ole Kid

I am a bit frustrated after just writing a long entry, I lost the entire thing. Anyway, I have a few more minutes so here are the Cliff notes...

Kyle had inguinal hernia surgery on Monday. They asked us to arrive 1 hour early, dress him in loose clothing and bring his favorite blanket or toy. Well, we didn't take Owen and that is his favorite toy so who knew what the outcome would be!

We met with a team of Dr.s and nurses and then they took our little one away to be "put under". After spending 30 minutes talking to the surgical nurse, the Dr. came out and we were called into recovery. Everything went great! The Dr. even said that his reproductive system all looks good. Grand kids, here we come!

Anyway, recovery was a bit hard. He cried a lot which I guess is normal. We got him home and after a bit of lying aroung, we put him down for a nap. Three hours later we went up to get him and only to find him diaper and pantless. He hasn't missed a beat since. He eats like a champ, sleeps like a champ and I am constantly having to stop him from jumping off the couch!

Once again, I am very blessed with the amazing Dr.s and nurses that we have. I talked to the surgical nurse yesterday and she told me that she has the best and easiest job ever because of the great kids. Amazing, just amazing...

What's new!

I thought I would write a little update on the family. Tis the season and I am busy finishing shopping, wrapping and doing Christmas cards. I am trying to stay ahead so not to stress myself out!

The kids are great! Janie is doing so well in school. She is reading like a champ and I love it. The only hard part is that I am struggling with her homework already. Uugh! She has her first gymnastics meet this weekend. It is a fun meet to get the girls used to competition. I will take advantage of having a babysitter and do a little shopping!

The boys are crazy as ever. Their new thing is taking off their pants and diapers. I caught Kyle peeing on the floor tonight. I guess it is onsie time! Kyle is really struggling with his exema right now so we are trying to get that under control. He has his surgery for his hernia on Monday. They told us to bring his favorite toy or blanket. The problem is that his favorite toy is Owen and he will be staying at home with Grammy. Hopefully all will go well. He is such a strong kid!

Owen is sweet as ever following his brothers lead. He is talking a lot and will repeat almost anything you say. I am so happy that he is talking more than Kyle just because Kyle does everything else first.

Mike and I are fine and continue to try to balance schedules as he works mostly nights. We see each other 3 times a week right now. Somehow, it is fine. I am just grateful for what I have!

I think that is all for now...

Tis the season

I am trying really hard to stay ahead of the game this year and get my shopping done, wrapping completed and Christmas cards written. Blogging doesn't seem to be a priority but neither does decorating. I don't have a sign of the holidays in my house. I think I may not be motivated to do it because the boys will tear it up. Literally! The Christmas tree is waiting at least one more week.

We did have a good Thanksgiving. We went to my Aunt and Uncles in Ohio. We enjoyed spening time with family and eating and eating and eating...My aunt has a house full of country nick nacks (not sure how you spell that because I don't own a nick nack). I was very concerned that the boys may destroy. We brought 2 gates and they did pretty well. Well enough that I really ejoyed myself. However, bed time was a different story! They were able to climb out of their pack n plays in a matter of seconds. One night I put Kyle back in 16 times! Being someone who enjoys putting children to bed and not hearing from them again, it was rough! When we got home on Saturday, I did the you-can't-get-out dance with a glass of wine in hand after putting them to bed.

Here are a few shots from the day. Back to wrapping...

Here we go

With cold weather comes sickness, as we have experienced the last few weeks. Our strep, sinus infections and flu have minimized to coughing, green noses and wheezing. Owen is officially back on steroids for the winter and breathing treatments as necessary (3 a day right now). Not so fun and he did not get better at it over since we stopped in July. Meaning, he fights us through the entire treatment!

We are close to being done with antibiotics. It has been a fun week trying to get those down. I hold an M&M in one hand and shove it in their mouths with the medicine in the other. It is actually humorous to me that bribing works at this age.

We attempted to get our Christmas pictures taken yesterday. My dear friend dealt with us for an hour as we had tears, chased kids and cleaned up kitty litter that they thought would be fun to play in. It was not my idea of a good time. Our Christmas card could easily end up being a hand drawn picture by Janie!

Seriously?

Apparently my parenting skills are to be tested right now. I am not so sure that I am coming out with flying colors. In fact, I almost threw the towel in today!

Yesterday was a rough day with very irritable children. I had to hold and pamper the twins all day. Janie on the other hand was just highly neglected and watched entirely too much TV.

Today was much of the same. Owen however woke screaming and did not stop. I finally took him to the urgent care at 9:30a. Yep, strep! So we had one healthy day between the stomach stuff and strep.

Of course Kyle will get this, if he doesn't all ready have it, since they swap cups and pacifiers all day and I have no control over it! So, although I feel a bit under the weather also, I had a brilliant idea. Owen fought me to take the Penicillin from the get go. I called the Dr. back to see if they would prescribe amoxicillin instead. He did and now I have two antibiotics! This means no taking Kyle to the Dr. Bad mom or brilliant?

The kicker is that our nanny called today and her child is now throwing up and she will not be here tomorrow!

Uugh, make it go away!

Caged or Safe?

Here they are- the nets, the bed bras, the cages, the best thing ever! As I said a week ago, I am not ready for the boys to be out of their cribs at 19 months. Since they think they are ready, we are telling them otherwise. These things are great and they seem to be fine with them. It is like they are camping all the time!

Anyway, they are now safer and we are buying some time before the move to bigger beds!

I think I can, I think I can...

This seems to be my slogan over the past few days. I will try not to go on and on about my pitty party here but I must update on the Mitchell adventures.

It all began on Friday night when Owen started not feeling well and it has continued still to today. Owen has had 103 temp since Saturday and spent all night Sunday vomiting followed by the few random vomits on Monday. I joined in on Sunday night with the adventures of puking my brains out. Meanwhile, Kyle has not had a fever but did one random cover-half-of-the-living-room-vomit on Saturday followed by filling-up-Daddy's-car-with-vomit yesterday on the way to the Dr. Yes, the Dr. We found what seemed like an egg-like thing in Owen's testicle. Mike took him in yesterday and he does have to have surgery to remove what is a hernia. We have our pre-opp appointment next week to see when this will happen.

So I got side tracked! I took Monday off to spend 30 minutes babying myself because remember I have the flu too! I came to work yesterday but then left early because Owen was not any better and the Dr. thought we should bring him in. I called the Dr and after much discussion and me informing them that Owen's heart rate was at 160, they decided to send us to the ER. Remember Owen was born with an SVT of the heart which is an irregular, rapid heart rate. He has been doing very well and has been off of meds for almost 1 year.

So we go to the ER for the next 5 hours. They gave him an IV, took all kids of blood, monitored his heart and we left with a virus. Yes, the unexplainable virus! At least that is what we think for now. He was dehydrated and has low levels in several areas but nothing that points to anything other than a virus. Poor little dude!

We arrived home around 6:30pm. My best friend Theresa graciously watched Kyle and Janie and put off going to her daughter's gymnastics class to help me out. Did I mention that our house is full of vomiting germs that will clearly make their way now through their house. Of course I came home to some yummy pizza, breadsticks and salad that she had ordered. Really is there a better friend than one that will stay with your sick kids, miss their kids activities, infect their kids with germs and have dinner on the table. Honestly, I am so lucky!

I am almost done...

So after getting kiddies drugged up and in bed last night I finished cleaning carpets and washing puky and poopy clothing. I signed off myself at about 10:30p. Janie arrived in my room about 11:30p and spent the rest of the night praying to our in need of cleaning toilet. I called Mike at 11:45p to see if he was on his way home. He had spent the 4th night on a new job vomiting in the sink, all over the stairs, and in the garbage.

Sickness go away! There must be an end soon....

The above pics are of Owen in his usual position for the last week and Kyle not realizing that he is sick!

The NICU Fashion Show

On Thursday night the entire family participated in a fashion show fundraiser for the NICU at the hospital where the boys were born. It was great! Despite having to chase the little guys around for a couple of hours before the start, it went perfect. A couple of really great stores were generous enough to sponsor the clothing (that we don't get to keep) for the show. We all looked hip and ready to hit the town. The best part - the boys were awesome! The walked out holding our hands, smiling and capturing the crowd forever. It certainly could have gone the other way so we were so proud that they were happy (especially since the whole thing began 30 minutes after their bedtime). Enjoy the photos!

Hopefully we raised tons of money for our group, the Family Advisory Board, so that we can continue to pursue positive things for the NICU!

Halloween

Halloween was good. We went over to our friends the Fishes. The boys did great in their cozy frog costumes. Janie thought she was pretty hip as a Rock Star. On to eating candy...

For some reason this picture is posting black but if you click on it, you can see the image.

Sooner than later

I knew this day would come. After all, we have conquered most gates and can climb out of anything with straps. Yes, my children have officially climbed out of their cribs at 18mths old. If anyone knows me well, bed time is a very important thing for me. When it is bed time or nap time, I put my kids down and that is all there is to it. This is my time (right..) or my time with Janie or Mike or laundry time or whatever-I-have-not-been-able-to-do-why-the-boys-are-awake-time! Whatever it may be, it is important to me and fortunately, my kids go to bed well.

Well, this all changed on Sunday. Janie and I were up at my Mom's for my Sissy's baby shower. Mike stayed home with the boys. He put them down at noon for their daily nap. 10 minutes later he heard a loud thud. He thought "great, Kyle has learned how to get out" So, he ran upstairs and no, it was not Kyle. Kyle was already out of bed playing, it was Owen who had fallen. I can see Kyle running over to his bed trying to coax him out. My little Owey would never do this on his own!

They went to bed fine last night. So I was thinking maybe it was just a one time thing. No such luck! When Mike heard the boys this morning and went into get them, Kyle was out and about playing like he is 4 years old. Oh my!

This is not safe. I fear that they will hurt themselves very bad crib climbing. Kyle may have conquered it quietly so that he does not tune us in but Owen is not quite strong enough. I read in Parents Magazine to move them at this point into big beds. Guess what? I am not ready. I am not ready for them to roam their bedroom for hours each night and I am certainly not going to lay with them until they sleep! Call me selfish!

I am going to by nets! Watch for an update....

Have I told you about my Brother?

It seems so often that we are so busy and caught up in our daily routines with jobs, children, spouses and nameless other things. My brother is no exception to this. He is in a very demanding political career, commutes daily 70 miles each way to work, and has endless evening meetings and events. And oh ya, he also has a wife at home that he occasionally sees. Despite his crazy busy life (just wait until he has kids), he never and I mean never (unless something major is happening) says no to helping me out when I need it. I can't tell you how many times I have been in a pinch having to work with no one to watch the kids. He has absolutely no problem with it. He will change diapers, he will play and play and love and play. All I have to do is feed him and he likes Hamburger Helper.

When I got caught at the Dr.'s office and was told I needed to go and deliver the boys, I called him and he went and picked up my daughter from school and took care of her all night. Just this last week I had concert tickets and Mike had to work. It was one of the few days that John got to work out of his house in Lansing. So what did he do? He drove down to Detroit to watch my kids so that I could go to the concert. And, did so willingly.

Anyway, it is so nice to have someone in your life like my brother. I can count on him. I can ask without guilt or compensation. I trust him as much as I trust anyone to care for my children. For this, I am grateful!

The only thing he doesn't do...pick up! Love you bro!

A month later...

It has been a very long month with a lot of ups and downs and therefore I could not bring myself to blog. In fact, there have been days that I could not bring myself to do much other than give my kids what they need and get through the day.

Mike lost his job on Sept 29th. The circumstances are not something I really want to discuss right now but ultimately, he resigned his position. So, we have been living with the stress of trying to make it on my salary while he is diligently looking for a job. There are so many factors to consider. How can we keep our babysitter that we love and has taken incredible care of our kids? How can we keep Janie is gymnastics? How can we not get ourselves into such a big whole that we can not get out? Where can Mike begin looking? Can he work an hourly position until he finds something? Will my husband fall into and unmotivated rut? And on and on and on...

Fortunately, things seem a bit up. He has started to get some interviews. In the meantime he is working as a temp at my work. He may start an interim gig next week at a new high end restaurant in Southfield. So, we are making it, trying to keep our kids happy and our marriage intact.

What I have learned through this whole ordeal is that I do have so much to be thankful for. I have healthy children, a loving family who would do just about anything for me (thank you!), great and supportive friends and I am still in love with my husband. Many things in life will come and go but my life is filled with the most important things! Now all I need is a paycheck damnit!

The kids are great! The boys continue to be out of control. Fortunately, they keep us laughing. Janie continues to do well in school. She told me the other day, as she giggled, that she has two crushes in her school. She made me promise not to tell Daddy or anyone else. See how I don't listen. It is so cute.

Despite having one unemployed we are managing to stay busy. My sister had a baby shower in Columbus this past weekend so we road tripped there. She has another this weekend up near my mom's and I think Janie and I will skip off by ourselves. We have a big fundraiser next week for the NICU where the boys were.

Other news:

~One of my best friends had a baby a week ago~ Congrats Mere and Jon and welcome Talan
~The nursing home where my grandma lives dropped her the other day and she has some serious bruising and cuts but is doing okay
~I saw the Indigo Girls concert last Friday and it was great!

I think that is it for now. Here is a pic of the boys enjoying their first powdered donut.

Off to a new week

I guess we are almost half way through this week but I am glad it is here nevertheless. I don't want to be a complainer because I certainly feel that my life is good and I am fortunate to have what I need however, LAST WEEK SUCKED! So here is how it went...

Friday (Sept 8) I got a call from daycare and Owen had a fever and was spitting up. Meanwhile I had just gotten a call for a potential huge event 10 days later and they wanted to meet with me that afternoon. Fortunately, Mike was able to skip out of work, for a change, and get Owen. He continued to have a fever until Sat. however, he never got flu like symptoms. On Monday, we found sores in his mouth which then verified that he had hand, foot, and mouth. Bummer!

We had continued to give both boys Tylenol since "crabby" was an understatement. So, when Kyle broke out with the sores also, we never even had known he had a fever. Yes, I'm sure he exposed many others at daycare.

Realizing that I had this incredibly crazy week at work still happening, I thought we were over the hump and I could just focus on planning this really big event, putting on other really big events and returning phone messages that were days old. WRONG! I raced home, like I do everyday, to get Janie off the bus by 4pm. My girlfriend picked her up at 4:10p to rush her off to gymnastics so that I could go and pick the twins up. I get the boys home, feed them and begin baths before running to pick Janie back up when my phone rings and it is the gym saying that Janie is in the lobby crying because she wants me. I re-dress the boys and run to pick her up (leaving behind my friends daughter that I am supposed to pick up). It turns out, Janie had a fever and needed to stay home the next day. Yes, another one with hand, foot and mouth! Fortunately, my husband came through again and took the day off!

The kicker of the story that I have now babbled on about is the morning that Janie had the fever, I went in to check her and kiss her before I left and she woke up. 45 minutes later, I finally left for work, late, with her in the garage crying and asking me why my job was so important! Are you kidding? I wasn't leaving her with the wolves but it certainly felt like it. I cried the whole way to work wondering if I had my priorities straight. Am I raising my kids right? Do they know how much I love them? Am I around enough to teach them right from wrong? Do they know that I would give my life for them? Maybe we should sell our house, move into an apartment so that I can stay home!

The thing is, I like my job. I like the balance that it gives me and the adult time. I feel like I am a better mom because I work. I appreciate the time I have with my kids more. But, these times make you question that. I am usually able to stay home when I need to or leave work when I need to but this was just one of those weeks! For once, I felt like the balance was not good. I didn't have complete control.

So I worked another 17 hours on Thurs. and Sunday too and now I am slowing down enough to rid the guilt! It is catch up time but I think I have a handle again.

The cool thing is that the event that I landed for this past Sunday was sponsored by a car company and Daniel Powter was the entertainment. He was fabulous live and does have songs other than "Bad Day".

I didn't mention the major traffic jam or my back pain being back or all of the NICU stuff I have to do because that would be complaining!

Now back to my life and my family and the way I like it...I hope.