the newest trick

John is on the hearth

I just had to share the twins newest trick. Climbing up on the fireplace hearth. They are pretty proud of themselves for managing this, and I don't have the heart of say no when they flash me such winsome smiles.

the day after.....

Emma and Grace
John and Jacob
Garrett

Christmas is officially over, but we still feel pretty festive. Here are the kids the day after.

Christmas magic

This is DEFINITELY John

Emma
Jacob
I think this is John, but I'm not positive.... (I was wrong...checked the PJ's)

Grace got an MP3 player and I-Dog that plays her music and has "emotions".

Garrett

Christmas came and went so quickly. I wish Christmas Eve fell on Sunday every year. It was so nice to go to church and have a nice Christmas service with beautiful music. This Christmas Eve we went to the Parson's house after church and then had a ham dinner at our house on Christmas Day. We were at our own home for the first time in years, and it was so relaxing and joyous. So, here's my list of Christmas memories:

*wondering how the chapel was so packed that we had 4 seats for 8 people and hearing such a beautiful voice at church that I got goosebumps and forgot all about my discomfort.

*Grace telling me that Christmas was better than great.

*being able to video tape this Christmas, thanks to Jeff's Christmas present to me.

*watching the twins crawl on top of and over their presents but having no desire to actually unwrap them.

*seeing Garrett's excitment as he opened each gift.

*hearing Emma's giggle each time she got something she really wanted.

*feeling Jeff's lips on mine when he kissed me Merry Christmas

I hope the joy my children experienced this year is repeated each year. They really do bring the magic of Christmas home.

Upon our doorstep appeared......

This is a picture of Grace.....she had the opportunity to carol at a nursing center and in a parade. Although she is MY caroler, she is not one of the carolers I talk about below.

In my mind, I have memories archived of Christmases past. This year, we had a caroling experience that will be held in that vault with other events that left me happy, thoughtful or nostalgic.

Last week we had a knock on our door in the evening. Emma ran and opened the door (even though she knows she's not supposed to) and quickly shut it and ran away. I heard singing and went to the door. There upon my doorstep were two families who had come to sing Christmas carols to us. They were obviously two musically inclined families because they sounded great. Really great. They even had accompaniment from what I thought was their car stereo. At the last song I peeked around the porch and saw that the trumpet I heard was live. The trumpeter was out on the street so that he didn't overwhelm the singers. It was pretty spectacular as far as caroling goes, and I'm thankful for those two sweet families who braved the cold and dark air in order to sing to my family. Oh, and did I mention they also brought really, really yummy smores?

The Mystery......

This morning as I was unloading the dishwasher, Emma and Garrett came rushing in.
They had a mystery on their hands and my super sleuths shared it with me.
It went like this:
Emma, "dad can't be at work".
Garrett, "daddy no wear shoes, no socks".
Emma, "and you know the most amazing part, mommy? He's not even wearing his work shirt".
I told them that he was wearing another shirt and different shoes, but since they were so excited about solving their mystery, we called Jeff at work to make sure that he was in fact wearing a shirt, shoes and socks.
(Just in case you're wondering, he was!)

These are the little conversations that make my days cheery and bring joy to my heart.

Laid to rest!

No, no one died, the results from Jacob's CT scan came in. Normal range. Not a huge surprise. But, I'm relieved all the same.

Update: The doctor called today and went into the report in more detail with me. Yesterday's report was from the nurse. Anyway, NORMAL, but his parietal bones are asymetrical. So, in 2-3 months I'll take him in for a head circumference check, but things look GOOD.

Few things much worse......

OK, I've decided that there few things worse than trying to get a family picture with 5 wiggly cranky children. So, to copy a few of my good blogger friends, take that into consideration if/when you get our family picture in our Christmas card. I say If because I'm not positive at this point if I'll get it done. I think I'll post the picture here in case I dont' get around to it. Then, all the hard work and grief we endured yesterday won't be for naught! :)

Opinion, please.

I need your help. I was trying to get a shot today that made the boys look the most identical......which is your favorite?

the stats are in....

Jacob and John had their ONE YEAR well check this afternoon, accompained with 4 shots each. The weight gap has widened, and Jacob is now a half a pound heavier than John.
Both boys are holding strong in the 10th percentile for weight and height (you'd never guess it by holding them though....they feel pretty solid)
Jacob: 20 lbs. 3 oz, 28 inches
John: 19 lbs. 10 oz, 28 1/4 inches

Jacob does need to have a head CT scan. His head circumference has gone from the 10th percentile to the 65th percentile in 6 months. John's (as the perfect control) has stayed on the same curve, so the doctor wants to see if something is going on, or if he has a big head. So, the question she asked is, "do big heads run in the family?" I'm not sure...I dont' think so? ..do they? anyone have that answer?

lists

I don't usually make lists, I'm not sure why, so I thought it would be fun to extend myself somewhat and make a list of things I'm thankful for to wrap up this season of giving thanks. There is no order to my list, just random thoughts jumbled all together.
I'm thankful:
*that playing in the toilet is a phase children go through and it passes
*for infant carriers-they have been a life saver with the twins
*for a comfortable, reliable car that carries the whole family in safety everywhere we need to go, AND for DVD players in autos
*for lollipops and the JOY they bring my children
*for school-for the knowledge and enjoyment it brought me and brings Grace
*for books-lots and lots of books-I'm happy with a BIG stack of them just waiting to be read on my nightstand
*for the internet
*for the Disney channel-Emma's best friend
*for hospitals, doctors and nurses, who helped my dad when he had a stroke, gave my FIL a new heart, and delivered ALL of my babies
*for high capacity washers and dryers
*for disposable diapers
*for Target and Costco, my one stop shops
*for a warm toasty house when it's cold outside
*for designer jeans-doesn't everyone look better in them?
*for tall ladders so Jeff doesn't slip putting lights on the house and break his neck
*for a good nights sleep
*for the beauty all around!

It's official!

John really wanted the cake
Jacob enjoyed his cupcake......alot!
One of our cowboys (Jacob)

They are ONE! We celebrated the boys first birthday with a themed party at Rachelle's house. We had a barnyard party that turned out really well. The twins wore plaid shirts, jeans and cowboy hats (for about 30 seconds, that is). We decorated the tables with bales of hay, toy tractors, cowboy hats and bandanas. Jeff and I made a barn cake that was somewhat droopy, but it's the thought that counts, right? Rachelle did so much to make the party a success, and I'm so thankful for all the time and effort she put into making it a memorable party.

90 what?

Jacob
John (oh how I love this shot)

Yesterday and today it snowed. Last week we arrived in Southern CA in our long sleeves and pants and sweltered in the 90 degree heat. Even though the bulk of my life has been passed in CA, I wasn't expecting the heat in late November! The second day we were there, I caught these shots of the twins that I just love.

bath time

Jacob
John and Jacob
John

I LOVE the look and smell of clean babies.....

the planting of a new heart

Today I'm thankful for hearts. For people willing to give their hearts in death in order to potentially give life to others. I'm thankful for the gifts that Heavenly Father has given each of us, and for those who develope their talents. Today I'm thankful for those that studied and worked and honed their skills so that they can save others. I'm thankful for doctors and nurses and those in the healthcare profession. I'm thankful that my father in law recieved a heart last night. I'm thankful that each report we've received has been a good one and that if all goes well he has a new lease on life. I'm thankful for all the ways he's enriched my life.

secrets and revelations

Our dinner conversation was very interesting last night. It went something like this:
Emma, "there is a boy in Grace's class that asked to sit next to her in computer lab".
Grace blushing, "Emma!"
Jeff, "who asked to sit next to you in computer lab?"
"is he cute?"
Grace, still embarrassed, "I'm not telling his name, but it starts with a C".
Emma, "he likes Grace, and he dumped another girl to like Grace".
Grace, very loudly, "EMMA!"
Emma shrugs her shoulders and is pleased to futher add, "she told me in the shower".
Jeff, "I know you told her that Grace, Emma doesn't even know what dumped means".
Emma, "yes I do, it means broke up".
Jeff, "this is going on in KINDERGARTEN?"
Grace laughs, "daddy, I'm not in kindergarten".

What was mommy doing this whole time? DYING! So funny.

with a thankful heart....

I love this time of year....Definitely my favorite. It comes almost as a tradition to ponder all the things I am thankful for. So, while the twins are taking a nap, I'm going to take a shot at listing some of the things I am thankful for.

First of all, I'm thankful for my husband who loves me unconditionally and is a good man. He sacrifices a lot for our family, and works very hard to be where he is today. I'm thankful that he is willing to work 12 hour shifts (standing up) so that we can have a comfortable life and doesn't complain (much) about his aching feet. :)

Second, I'm thankful for my children and the joy they bring into my life. They are all miracles, and I'm thankful for my last two who really made me realize how blessed I am to have five wonderful treasures in my life.

Grace is such a good girl. She is getting so grown up. She wakes up to her alarm clock, makes her bed, gets dressed and brushes her teeth, does her hair for the most part, and THEN wakes me up to adjust her hair and fix her lunch. I'm so thankful for the extra sleep this allows me, for never having to worry if she'll get up or be late, and for such a self reliant daughter.

Emma helps me all day long with the babies. She brings so much sunshine into our home, and I'm so thankful for that.

Garrett.......he just makes me laugh. All day everyday. I'm thankful for all that he does to help me each day, and if he didn't wake up asking to go to the park, I'd feel like something was missing. I am thankful for this conversation which has kept me laughing for hours. It went like this:
"Garrett, do you know what daddies name is?"
Garrett replies, "yeff" (we're still working on pronunciation )
mommy asks, "Garrett, do you know what mommy's name is?"
Garrett sweetly replies, "poop".

I'm thankful for Jacob and John. They are so much fun to be around......they are so happy and have such ready smiles. They remind me daily how blessed we are to have them safely here and thriving.

I'm thankful for the forum this blog gives me to record thoughts and actions that are meaningful to me and for the opportunity it provides me to be introspective. I especially thankful it records my thoughts and then spits them out looking so professional.

MORE of a thankful heart:
I'm thankful for my dad. He is a great person and taught me so many important things growing up by example. Some of the things he taught me was to be responsible, on time and prepared. He also taught me how to manage money (DON'T waste it), and how to have an even, easy temper. Because of him, I was able to overhear this conversation:
Grace talking to her grandma:
"we were going to grandpa Scott's for Thanksgiving, but we don't know now".
pause
"I think it's because he put his dog in the freezer".

I'm thankful for my siblings. They've each added so much to my life and we've shared so much together. I'm especially thankful for Rachelle who has always been there for me, always will be and is one of the best people I know.

tethered what?

Yesterday Emma and I spent the better part of the day at Doernbecker Children's Hosptial in Portland. Emma had an appointment to see Dr. Seldon, a neurosurgeon there about the possiblity of having "tethered spine". Dr. Seldon told us that her MRI looks good, but the imagining they use now does not always show the part of the spine that could be tethered. This could mean she has minimal tethered cord syndrome. So, we are back to the urologist for one more pressure test. Emma will have to be sedated ONCE again and see what this new test will reveal. If there are problems with the nerves in her bladder, then she would be a candidate for spinal surgery which untethers the cord. This syndrome and surgical intervention is HIGHLY controversial (it's THE hot topic in the neurosurgery field)! So, after Emma has the bladder test we will know whether or not Emma has another appointment with Dr. Seldon or if we are back to square one with the urology department. The GOOD news is that with her daily medication she has stayed infection free for 3 months now.

it happened one day

I have been thinking a lot recently of things that can happen in one day....a few things happened today to illustrate these changes:

1. I looked out my window and was amazed when I saw our Japanese maple. I thought the trees had all peaked. There are ALOT of Japanese maples up here, so it's like having fall twice. Beautiful. I have to share a few pictures of what will be here and gone soon.....

2. It also happened in one day that I looked in the twins mouth and beheld new teeth. Jacob has two teeth on the bottom, and one on top. John has one tooth on bottom and one on top.

3. I was going about my day when I heard Hannah Montana singing, "you say, you say" on the Disney Channel and Garrett singing it back to her. Garrett is really beginning to use his words.

the greatest discovery

Need I say more?
Toilet paper, AND their bottles?

(Jack on left, Jacob on right)

the truth about mommy

John
Emma
Today I learned some interesting things about myself:
1. Grace informed me that if there was a contest for the worst singer, I'd win.

HOORAY!

2. Emma and Grace had this conversation at dinner.
Emma, "this food is yucky"
Grace, "Emma, almost everything mom makes for dinner looks disgusting....."

What??

and she finished, "but tastes delicious".

Thanks, Grace!

"I assure you......"

Grace had an issue with a little girl at school that needed teacher intervention. The intervention went well, and the little girl had to tell Grace, "I assure you, that will never happen again". We've adopted that as our new family motto.....now if Grace does something I don't think is appropriate she has to tell me, "I assure you....." and it cracks me up every time.

speaking clearly

Is there candy in there?
Thinking about candy? With thoughts of lots of candy on Halloween night...
Jacob...
Garrett

As many of you know, Garrett has been our "late" talker. His pediatrican actually thought he was a little delayed with his speech and gave us a referral to speech theraphy. We decided not to take him to speech theraphy yet, that perhaps he's just a little lazy with his enunciation. This morning we decided that WE were right.

Garrett had a melt down about something very close to his heart and managed to scream over and over again, "mom, where you put my candy?" as clear as day.

I've decided maybe I need to adapt to the times and start a blog. My goals are to keep family and friends abreast of any new happenings in our lives.....let's see how this works!

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