I’ve entered a contest to be a contributor to a blog: How Do You Do It? for moms of multiples!  AND soooo have 27 other mommies…  We each have a day to “guest post” this week, and at the end of the posts of the day there will be a poll where you vote for the one you liked the best.  So- will you please vote for me?  My post will be up on Monday (tomorrow 6/1).  It would be so fun to be a contributor!  The most votes win… so fun!!  Thank you!

We’ve had lots going on lately!  The girls are changing and growing in amazing ways.  I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that they are turning into little girls- not babies.  That they were once 2 and 3 pounds and now closer to 18!  Wow- our God is so good.  People keep telling me- “oh- having twins gets easier!”  Well I L-O-V-E it with all my heart, but my girlies are On the Move (scooting) and that’s not easier yet- ha!  Reese is rocking on her hands and knees, is all over the place on her tummy and ends up in the funniest places!  Like UNDER the play mat…

Both girls have been enjoying the bouncer- it’s hilarious how much they get into it!  Here’s Riley laughing her head off!

My parents came last Thursday through the weekend and it was a blast!  The girls were THRILLED to see them and Casen too– he has started saying “Pop” and also says “Naa Naa” for Nan.  He’s a CUTIE!  We ventured to an outdoor shopping area to play, eat, and shop on Friday.

We made a stop at the Chocolate store… shhhh…. Here’s Casen showing us the big bear.  He loved it!

Casen decided shopping was for the birds!  He wanted to play!  Doesn’t he look so tiny in this big grassy area?! ha!

Sisters and their babies!  (Don’t be blinded by my whiteness… ha!)

He is such a hoot!

Mom and me

Reese checking everything out.  (Why does my arm look gigantic?!  Must be the angle… right… ha!)

Riley took a nice nap.  Doesn’t she look like a baby doll?!

After some shopping and playing, we met my sweet friend Amy for lunch!  It was fun to see her!!

Mom and Reese and Amy and Riley

Riley LOVES Miss Amy!

Reese was a bit exhausted from all the excitement…

Getting some lovin from Nan!

On Saturday, the girls went to their very first birthday party!  It was Autumn’s 2nd birthday- her mom, Anna, and I have been best friends since 6th grade!  It was fun to see them and meet some of Autumn’s friends!  The girl’s borrowed her swing and LOVED it!  If we had somewhere to hang it, we would get one too!  I’ll have to get creative…

Riley Grace squealing with delight.

Reese having a blast and Autumn and her friend in the background in her new wagon!

Cutting the cake!

Daddy and his girls

The girls got to meet Miss Harriett and Mr. Greg for the first time (Anna’s parents)!

Later that day, my Nanny came over to see the girls- they LOVE her!  It was so fun to see her with ALL her great grandchildren.  What a sweet time!

Reese and her Great Nanny

Having fun!

Silly Riley!

The great grandchildren!

Riley getting a little sleepy- she’s turned into quite the cuddle bug!

Sunday night (after Mom and Dad headed home) we met our friends for dinner and after walking our dinner off- we got some Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and watched kids play in the fountains- it was so funny!  One day it will be OUR kids running around in the spraying fountains giggling!

Baby Drew- 3 weeks old!

Best Friends!  (kind of sleepy here… )

Monday was a relaxing day Memorial Day!  We had friends over to cook out and of course the only pics I took was of the kids!  Casen giving Riley hugs and kisses.  (Look at Reese’s face!  She LOVES him!)

Drew wanted to watch Tommy build the tower too… well… maybe he didn’t…ha!

Me holding Riley and Drew- Riley kept trying to eat his arm, but he didn’t mind.

WOW what a long post!  Thank you, Mom and Dad for coming to see us!  We had so much fun!  Can’t wait to plan our next trip to see you guys!!

We’re going to go swimming once a week with Aunt Leah, Cousin Casen, and “Aunt” Susan starting in June and we can’t wait!  We HAD to go shopping today to get prepared…

Aren’t their new swimsuits CUTE?!  

The girls’ appointment with the Cranial-facial Doctor went well this
morning… well minus my “grand entrance” that included me struggling to get
the limo stroller in the tiny door/ narrow hallway while hitting my big
booty on a sliding door behind me and knocking it slightly off the hinges
and then proceeding to knock a frame off the wall with the stroller
handlebar (I did catch it, however– impressive, I know)… all the while, a
lovely father and daughter watched the whole thing and didn’t lift a finger
to assist a poor clumsy mother.  Oh well. ha!

Anyway– the nurse practitioner and dr said as Cranial Tech and the pedi did
that they have NEVER seen staph from a Doc Band… it’s a mystery.  

They evaluated the girl’s heads and said Reese is great without any
treatment- you can even see the back of her head rounding out from last
week- it really is taking shape.  

They said Riley’s is NOT severe (as Cranial Tech said), but he said it was
moderate- average to what he sees in his office.  They reassured me that
plagiocephaly ALWAYS corrects itself when it’s positional plagiocephaly:
they said Riley’s clearly started from her positioning in the womb along
with her tortocolis (also from womb) and then she just continued laying that
way etc… It can take years to fix itself, BUT it ALWAYS does fix itself.
They also said that plagiocephaly DOES NOT effect ANYTHING else.  Not the
brain development, not eyesight, not the jaw, nothing– just the shape of
the head- that’s it.  So that’s good.

As far as the Doc Bands- they help and faster than doing nothing, but doing
nothing works too.  He said if we do decide to continue with the bands we
should wait 1-2 months for their staph to clear up.  By then they’ll be 10
months old and the older they get, the slower it takes with the bands… so
is it worth it??  I don’t know…

He said the only time he puts a baby in a band if when you look at the baby
and it’s so noticeable or severe that you feel they might get made fun of at
school.  Well Riley’s is not noticeable when looking straight at her, but is
from the right.  So we’ll probably leave Reese as is and I don’t know about Riley…
but Richey and I will talk more about it…

What a mess!  Oh but the biggest blessing of the day is that a sweet high
school girl was “working” there for school for one of her classes and she
entertained one twin while the dr/nurse pract. looked at the other- it was
AWESOME.  She was even doing full out motions and songs- ha!  I told her she
needed to come EVERYWHERE with me and it’d prevent lots of tears.  My babies
are easily distracted-ha!  It helped me so much.  

So pray for us that we make the right decision and that we stay staph-free
around here!  Thank you!

PS- Reese has been rocking on her hands and knees this week!!!!!  We’ll have a crawler
before we know it!

Okay, so if life didn’t continue to surprise us, then it’d just be plain boring– RIGHT?!  As mentioned in the last post, Riley had an ear infection last week… and it all went downhill from there.  Since that fever, it was like she couldn’t handle her Doc Band- she was SWEATING profusely on her forehead (that was covered by the helmet), and developed heat rash on Friday afternoon.  After talking to Cranial Tech, I put hydro-cortizone on it (as they said) and shortly after put the band back on.  They said that it’s like a blister and a shoe- you have to wear it in to get used to it.  WELL… it got worse.  It was rubbing her forehead raw and was oozy (nasty, I know) and she was miserable by Saturday.  So we took the band off and called the pediatrician.  She wondered if it was possibly infected… we went in on Monday.  (Oh and Reese had a spot on the back of her head that looked raw, so we took hers off too).  Anyway… just as I suspected, Riley’s head was infected (that rhymed- ha!)… it was STAPH!!  AND she shared it with her sissy (such a sweet girl…).  So helmets are off and we’ve been on antibiotics: oral and ointment.  The ointment seems to REALLY be helping.  Then Thursday we got a call from the dr. and they got the culture back to show what type of staph they had.  It showed: MRSA (THE BAAAAAD kind that’s resistant to antibiotics and can end you up in the hospital with IVs).  So when we went back in Thurs, he was shocked that they’ve healed so well- it’s nearly gone!  SO… the ointment has been working (along with LOTS of prayer).  The dr was beside himself and I could not stop thanking God for his healing and that my babies did not have to be hospitalized.  Now I will tell you (I know some of you reading are going thru the Doc Band process or about to), NO ONE including pedi OR cranial tech has EVER heard of anyone getting this horrible STAPH from the helmets.  So my pedi referred us to a cranial/facial doctor for a second opinion.  The helmets now have MRSA Staph and can for months.  If the girls get it again (which they’ll be prone to), they may not be as lucky as this time.  SO… we’re in a bind.  We spent lots of money on these bands they wore for 4 days, don’t know if they can put these specific ones back on, don’t know if they need new ones, don’t know if they should get one at all due to the risk of this staph again,…. lots of unknowns.  Will you pray for us?  Tomorrow we are going to a Cranialfacial Doctor for a second opinion and guidance on this based on his expertise.  It’s the dr we wanted to go through to begin with (back in March), BUT after called 3-4 times, they never returned my call to make an appointment, so we went with Cranial Tech.  BUT our pedi pulled some strings and even made our appointment for tomorrow for us.  I appreciated that SO MUCH.  I’ll keep you posted on how the appt goes.  OH… and the “Oh crap” from the title:  Richey got staph on his finger.  SOOOO we’ve been deep cleaning and washing our hands like crazy.  PLEASE pray it does not get passed back to the girls (or to me).  

I promised pics of the decorated bands, so here they are (however, we may never be wearing them again ).

The back says: “I’m a princess- my Father is the King of Kings!”

Thanks for your prayers!!  

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

Well Day 2 of Doc Bands and the girls still seem to be feeling fine about them.  Mom says it’s because of the giant daily head bands and bows- it was great preparation. ha!  

Have you EVER seen anything CUTER?!  Do you see her 2 teeth on the bottom coming thru??

I took the band off every 3 hours to check for pink/red spots and would put it back on once they faded away.  At one point (after the girls 2 hour morning nap), Reese’s “sideburn” piece and above her ear was really red when I took off her band.  Since she’s a tummy roller these days, she’s been sleeping on her tummy and kind of her face too, so I figured that was why.  But I kept it off to wait for it to fade (it was deep indentions!).  Cranial Tech said to call if it took more than an hour for spots to fade these first two days.  Well… just to check on it, I called and surely sounded like an idiot, but basically said, “My daughter has had red marks from her helmet for about an hour and a half, however, she had taken a 2 hour nap and slept on her face.”  :)  The sweet sweet lady didn’t even laugh- she asked me what Reese had been sleeping in, that it might be a bit of heat rash… I replied, “Uhhh… well… her regular pajamas: the long, cozy, footed kind.  I should probably change that- huh?”  (DUH, I know).  She was so sweet and suggested just onsies and socks while they are in the bands since their heads get hot.  Anyway, Reese is fine… but that was just the beginning of our interesting day…

Did you notice in the pic of Reese above that her band isn’t decorated yet?  Yes, well Leah (my sis) came over to help and my nephew Casen too.  Well… with three fussy babies things don’t always get done- ha!  Casen was sleepy, Reese was teethy (aka slobbering, shoving everything in her mouth, and fussing if someone wasn’t holding her), and Riley out of character was screaming and not calming down.  After the two of us trying to balance the 3 kids and use our “creative minds” we decided I’d feed the girls and she’d take Casen home for a nap and come back later.  I was overwhelmed by this point- wondering if it was the Doc Band that was bothering Riley?? (Why can’t babies talk?)  Riley wouldn’t eat and continued to just cry and cry.  I took her band off (it was the 3 hr time) and nothing looked red or anything, but I noticed she was burning up!  So with Reese screaming in her highchair for food, I stripped Riley down and took her temp: 101.2…. her first fever.  My precious sister came back and watched Reese for me while I took Ri to the dr.  She has an ear infection, poor baby.  It’s just pitiful.  She’s been whimpering.  She’s on antibiotics and I’ve been giving her tylenol for her fever.  Hey- 8 months of being sick-free is pretty good.  

Soooooo I think we’re on the mend, bands will be decorated today, and we are surviving.  (No picture to post of Riley because she was glaring at the camera- hee hee).  

Always interesting around here………

The girls and I have been having lots of FUN with friends lately!!  A couple weeks ago, we met Kim and Natalie for lunch and oh my gooooodnesss– the girls were in love!!  It was so much fun.  Both Kim and Natalie have the SWEETEST kids (I taught their boys)… so I will be getting parenting advice from them in the future!  Can’t wait for another lunch date!  Oh and I haven’t forgotten about your babysitting offer.  hee hee

Miss Natalie and Riley (she was a little sleepy )

Miss Kim with Reese

Last week we went to a baby shower for my friend Shari’s 2nd baby boy and had so much FUN (even though R and R were soooo tired)!  We had fun posing the babies together. 

Little cuties!

 Oh, Riley! ha! 

On April 28th, Reese and Riley’s “cousin” (practically!) was born!!!!  We’re SO GLAD Drew is finally here!!!  Here is our “family” (practically) picture! FUN!

 Proud “Aunt” Amy!

We see Aunt Leah and Cousin Casen every week!  Casen is quite the entertainer… his newest game is to take one of the girl’s pappy (blanket) and put it over his head and play peek-a-boo with them!  They crack up and so does he– it is the SWEETEST!!  Then he will put it on his head and walk around and giggle– he knows he’s funny!  

Silly Casen!  It’s so funny how kids can have a sense of humor even when they’re so little!

******************************************************************************************************

Doc Band Update:

Before our appointment, I was SURE to put BOWS on those heads one more time (the traditional way… don’t worry I’ll find a way for them to wear bows with the band on!).  I had to take a pic…

Reese: “Are you SURE we won’t have to wear these things for a while??  (please, please?)”

Riley, “WHAT?!  No head band bows?! I can’t believe this…”

The appointment went well!  The girls were so sleepy (it was nap time) they could care less that they were putting that thing on their heads. ha!  At one point Reese reached up and patted her band and Riley who loves to scratch and feel textures, scratched the velcro for half a second, but that was it.  AFter a couple adjustments, we left with our COOL helmets sound asleep in the car seats!!  Once home, the girls woke up for diaper changes and FOOD.  When Reese was getting her diaper changed on the changing pad (on the dresser), she looked at herself in the mirror and then had to do a “double take” and smiled really big.  I guess she thought she looked funny.  Every 3 hours I’m taking them off to let the little red/pink spots fade away then putting them back on.  We’re easing them into it so there heads will get used to it.  No major redness or anything yet!  They are happy as can be and keep grabbing at each others helmets- they’re cracking me up.  I’m going to decorate them soon… I ordered something to help decorate and I haven’t gotten it yet!  Will post decorated pics soon…  Here are my cuties oblivious to the fact that there’s a plastic/foam thing on their heads- ha!  What a BLESSING!!

Riley: “Helmet?  What helmet?  What are you talking about?”

Reese: “That’s right, I’m cool: I’ve got sideburns now.”

Round heads… here we come!

My baby girls are becoming more and more like little girls and less like little newborns.  C-R-A-Z-Y that they have blessed our lives for 8 whole months- wow!  

Aren’t they cute in their fancy dresses?!  It’s getting harder and harder to capture BOTH girls smiling and looking at the camera! ha!

Updates on my sweet little Baby “B,” Riley Grace!

-She is not little anymore!  She weighs: 15 lbs 13 oz!!!

- She’s wearing size 2 diapers, 6-9 months clothes, I still haven’t bought them shoes- ha!

-She LOVES to talk!  She’s been babbling “Dada” and it’s the sweeeeeeetest.  Click below and hear!

Dada

-She’s been holding her head straighter and turning left a lot more- still working with OT.

-She’s rolling to her side!!!  Getting close to rolling over!

- She’s tolerating tummy time for the first time EVER.  She can stay on her tummy without face planting for a long time.  I’m so proud of her!  (Her muscles in her shoulders and neck are still tight, so it’s a bit hard).

-She’s tried all her veggies (and LOVES sweet potatoes and squash the best).  She’s also tried applesauce and loves it.  She’s a GREAT eater these days.  She cracks me  up though– for the very first bite, she has to lick the spoon as if she wants to know what it is you’re about to feed her– then she’ll take the bite. ha!  QUIRKY– who’d she get that from???!!!

-She LOVES her sister- she’ll stare and her and just laugh and laugh.  Even when Reese rolls on top of her, she’s giggling.  Funny girls!

-She loves her “pappy” (blanket) and continues to “cluck” to soothe herself.  (see below!)

Clucking

-Our “shy” Riley has turned into a show off!  She is absolutely hilarious!  

- Well… I have to say she’s sweet as can be, but still has that little attitude- ha ha!  

-OHHHH how we love our little Ri Ri SO much!!!!

My sweetie Baby A: Reese Abigail

-She weighs 16 lbs 5 oz!

-Same as Riley- wearing size 2 diapers, 6-9 months clothes

-She also loves to talk!  She talks to her paci, toys, sister, the ceiling, you name it!  (see her latest convo with the paci below– notice the wrist action- ha!)

Reese and her paci

- She LOVES that paci- she’s learned to take it out… and put it back in.

-She rolls from her back to her tummy!!!!  But… is too scared to roll back to her back, so she just cried until I help her.  NOT cool in the middle of the night when she’s rolled in her crib…

-She has TWO bottom teeth coming through!!!  Which means she wakes mommy up at least 3 times a night… but once I roll her over and/or give her a paci, she usually falls right back to sleep.

-She grabs everything in sight (and usually brings it to her mouth).

-She’s tried all her veggies and has the same favs as her sis: sweet potatoes and squash.  Loves applesauce too.  She tries to take the spoon to feed herself and sometimes will hold her bottle herself!

- She, too, LOVES her sis.  She tends to laugh at her when Riley is crying- ha!  She just stares and her and smiles and giggles.  She’ll scoot all over the place on her tummy — usually backwards to get near her sis.

-She loves to stand up and “jump” or bounce… I think it’s time to try our bouncer!!

-She’s such a sweet heart and wins the heart of everyone around her (so does her sis!!).

-We LOVE our Reesey sooooo much!!

We are SO blessed.  Tomorrow we go to cranial technologies to get the girls’ Doc Bands… pray that they adjust well (and we do too!).  Excited for round heads.  

OOOHHHH I just love them!

Reese backs herself under the couch quite often!

Found a veggie Riley L-O-V-E-S: squash!  

Our God we serve is SO GOOD.   Remember the HEAD CONTROL MIRACLE we were praying for???  Well with a little help from a technician’s finger pushing Riley’s head up, they were able to get perfect pictures for her DOC band fitting and DID NOT have to do the mold!!!  My specific prayer was answered and I am so grateful.  Both Reese and Riley did so well today- it was fast and harmless (for all 4 of us).  We go back on May 5 to pick them up and start this journey.  I’ll keep you posted!  Thank you for your prayers!

The girls tried peas this week… did they like them?  One did, one didn’t… guess who?!