Cold day at the park

Sometimes you just have to get bundled up and go to the park!

Cold outside, baby

Even though it's quite chilly here in McPherson, the twins wanted to head outside, so we got bundled up and went into the cold, for about 4 minutes.

McPherson thanksgiving

Our sickly family finally made it to McPherson for thanksgiving. Lots of food lots of family.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a bit trying this year. But we made it through. Owen was sick most of the day. Olivia's attitude wasn't great. Add to that Lindsay's stomach pain after her surgery and it was a wild day. But thanks to family we were able to keep the kids happy most of the day. Even Papa had to babysit until midnight, just in case. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Update: Owen went to the doctor Friday morning. At first they thought it might be pneumonia. But he went to children's mercy for a chest x-ray and he's getting treatment now.

Good to be Home

What a whirlwind week it has been!  A week ago this morning, I called my Dad in the middle of the night to take me to the ER.  The doctor knew within minutes it was my gallbladder (interesting since I had seen my DR twice in the last 2 weeks for the same problems!).

A week later, I came home!  I got home yesterday afternoon and it was a rough day.  As much as I was ready to go home, so many things are harder about me being here.  I still have pain and exhaustion, so I can't do much.  And I definitely can't carry the kids.  Justin's Mom came up on Saturday to help with the kids so he could go back to work.  I was dying to spend time with them yesterday, but they just didn't understand my limits.  I think that made it much more difficult on the Grandmas that were attempting to corral them.  Olivia threw lots of tantrums, and both were angry when we put them to bed. 

Today was a much better day.  They only asked "UP" a few times, and seemed to move on when I told them I couldn't carry them.  They still allowed me to play even though I couldn't be quite as much fun. 

I know that every day will be better. So I really hope we can enjoy the next few days!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Olivia and Owen visit

Justin just left the hospital. The kids were able to come up for about 15 minutes. Owen sat next to me the entire time. Olivia was a little scared.

I've run in to some complications that will keep me here awhile longer. While they were removing the gallbladder, they noticed stones had already traveled into other ducts. So Thursday, they scoped down my throat to get to those stones. Apparently that procedure caused pancreatitis. Crazy, huh?!

I miss Owen and Olivia terribly. Today was the first day I was able to see them since Sunday. We've skyped a few times, but that's not too easy with 2 crazy toddlers!

The Hospital

Lindsay no longer has a gall bladder. She had it removed today. The twins haven't seen their mother in a few days, and they are missing her. Lindsay will probably be discharged on Friday. Both sets of grandparents have or will get some quality babysitting time in over the next week or so because Lindsay won't be able to lift them up for a few weeks.

Park

I'm sure our park opportunities are winding down for the season, so I tried to get some pictures today!

Olivia made a new friend.  A new friend that loved to hug!

We played in the pirate ship

And watched buses go by from the elementary school down the street.

We had a great time on a beautiful day!

Bedtime Stories

Bedtime story time at our house can be a little crazy.  Here are the usual scenarios:

1 - 60% of the time -  Owen sits on my lap and has me read 10 books, or read one book 10 times.  Olivia runs in circles and giggles. 

2 - 20% of the time - Owen sits on my lap and has me read 10 books, or read one book 10 times.  Olivia sits on my lap for one book.

3 - 20% of the time - Owen and Olivia rotate.  While I read to one, the other runs in circles.  Then they switch.

Tonight was different.  They both sat on my lap, together, the entire time, while we read at least 5 stories.  It was amazing.  And calm.  And I hope its the new norm.  And I wish we had hidden cameras so you could have seen it. 

18 months!

This post is a little belated, but since Olivia and Owen just saw the pediatrician yesterday, I put it off until I had their stats!

You can find 15 month stats here for comparison. 

Olivia - 
Weight - 21 lbs 13.6 oz (14%)
Height - 30 1/4 inches (12%) - I find it hard to believe that she didn't grow at all, this may have been measurement error

Owen - 
Weight - 24 lbs 2.2 oz (24%)
Height - 32 inches (40%)

18 months old tidbits:

• Talking!  Both have quite the assortment of words.  I would guess around 15 words each, plus an assortment of animal sounds.  Here are a few (and I know as soon as I hit post I'll think of more!)
• Owen and Olivia: Mama, Dada, Papa, Lola, Nana (Banana), Uh Oh, Bye Bye
• Olivia: Car, Cracker
• Owen: More, Moon, Buh( Bus), Ball, Up
• Walking Backwards and Spinning.  When did that become cool?  I'm not sure.  But they love it when we ask them to walk backwards or spin around.  
• Body Parts.  They love "washing their hair", and pointing to body parts.
• Following Directions: It's amazing how they are "learning" to do things.  Each has a basket by the front door for their shoes, and they put their shoes away as soon as we take them off.  
• Playing in a crib together.  We always call it baby jail, but they just love getting in one crib and giggling together!
• Singing: If you're
  happy and you know it, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, and Itsy Bitsy Spider!