UTI - Take 3

Oh, Penny. How it pains me to see her struggle through another UTI. This time, it took me by surprise. I was going with the 95 percentage rate of recovery from the STING operation she had in December. I hate the ER full of sick kids. The anticipation of the unknown diagnosis. My happy sweet girl about to be sad and confused.

After we were assigned a room, there was only one thing to do. Collect urine via catheter. Really, the only way after her history. It took the nurse two times to find her bladder and then I was told, "Mom, just for the future, her bladder is to the left." Right. Got it.

I was hoping the fever was from teething. Although, she doesn't have any teeth yet. But, it sounded good. I was wrong. White blood cells. And the dreaded news, time for an IV. It was brutal. BRUTAL. The nurses couldn't find a good vein. They tried and tried and tried.

Then I was asked to "go on a walk". Whatever. Nothing had changed while I was at the cafeteria guzzling my diet coke.

After five attempts, there was nothing else to do but change to a medication that could be given in the muscle.

And, I was sweating like I had just finished a marathon. But there is something so wonderful, even after an event like this, of being the one your child wants to be close to when it is all over.

I swept away her tears, kissed her a million times, and we both survived it. I love you Penny Love Bug.

K is for King

Kingston.

King.

Dragon.

Hard to describe this big eyed boy of mine. I guess what's really hard to describe is the pain turned joy for a child I wanted so badly and nearly lost.

I remember in the midst of doing IVF, wanting with every part of me, to have another boy. I feel like I knew Kingston long before he was born. And when he was born, it was like being reunited with him instead of just meeting him. I know he was my son long before this world. He was mine and I was his. I deeply love this child.

And, there isn't a day I don't think to myself, I would have missed this moment had he not lived. And that's the truth. Because he has so many moments. His perfectly white two bottom teeth, his beautiful soft skin and two handsome dimples. The way he kicks his legs with every ounce of strength, and rolls and rolls and rolls. I love this boy's big brown eyes. They are so shiny and bright and I could stare at them all day.

I will always be grateful, every day of my life, for him. He is my miracle man, who fought hard to live, and I am his lucky mom. And I am so lucky to be his mom.

My King

8 Months

Eight months of life with my two amazing babies. Oh, how I love them.

Some days are harder than others. Most nights I fall into bed with my clothes still on and my teeth unbrushed. But, my life is so much fuller and they are the reason.

Kingston:
21.1 pounds and 29.5 inches long (95th percentile for both)
2 big white beautiful teeth
Flipping over from front-to-back, back-to-front like a crazy man
Reaching for toys
Pulling my hair always!
Snores sometimes and it cracks me up
Loves hanging out on his tummy
LOVES his bottle but eats anything also
Just started wearing 12-18 months
Has his first freckle on his back
Can pick up his little puff treats and loves to eat them
Light sleeper, always rolling around, driving me crazy
Always yelling at me, such a crazy baby

Penny:
20.9 pounds and 29 inches long (95th percentile for both)
No teeth yet
Has the wildest tongue and it constantly playing with it
Hair like you have never seen on a baby
Still has big blue-gray eyes
Loves to hang out on her back and hold her feet
Babble Babble Babble
Sometimes gives "huggies"
Has been in 12-18 months for a while
Great sleeper, hardly moves, sleeps with her arms over her hear and always has
The most perfect baby, always smiling and wondering why her twin is yelling

Lucky me.

Starting to notice?

18 bottles

This is at the end of a very busy day of playing babies.

Bieber Fever

Oh yes I did.

I took my 6 year old to his first concert. Justin Bieber. And, it was fun.

Oh, how I love Grayson. I wish I could freeze him in time and enjoy every ounce of what 6 is made of. He is smart, kind, creative, handsome but most of all FUNNY! So, when suddenly I started hearing him singing from his bedroom, "Baby, baby, baby...ohhhh!" I knew we were in for it. First it was the CD. And non-stop playing of that. Then, it was watching you tube videos online. Geez. So, for fun I thought I would see if Bieber was ever headed our way. Sure enough.

Thanks to Devaughn for scoring us VIP tickets and letting me take Grayson when he so wanted to have Grayson's first concert memory.

Home Sweet Home

Life around here couldn't be any better. Both Kingston and Penny are home. Although, Penny was admitted for the second time to Children's a few weeks ago for another UTI. But, for now, they are both home. And, they are amazing. I love those babies so much.

Kingston is so serious. And considering what he has gone through, I don't blame him. He loves his milk and takes feeding time very seriously. He has the most handsome face. He's starting to wiggle around a lot and last week I found him on his stomach in his crib. He's been batting at the toys above his head when he's under his activity mat and he smiles all the time. He still has his 6 beautiful dimples. I'm so proud of this boy. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't tear up thinking of his time in the NICU. He was so strong and had such will to live. I love him so.

Penny or "poopsie" is just perfect. She is such a fun loving sweetheart. Always smiling. Always happy. She just makes everyone around her happy. Her hair is so amazing. It looks like a perfect wig. When she wakes up in the morning, she has the most spectacular bed head. She loves to lay on her back and swing her legs in the air. We also call her motor boat because she is always chatting and making all sorts of noises. She is a gem.

Grayson started 1st grade a couple of weeks ago. I am so proud of him. He is such a wonderful son and I treasure him. He has been so wonderful with the babies. Especially, since we have spent so much time at the hospital when they have been sick. I am so excited for tomorrow night, I am taking him to his first concert, Justin Bieber. We have VIP seats so he received a fancy bag in the mail with all sorts of Justin Bieber stuff. Can't wait to hear him singing, "Baby, baby, baby ohhhhh!!"

Life is good. Except the weather really sucks.