Here are some pictures of the brothers. Thanks Dan and Shyla for borrowing us the neat seat!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Ethan Update
Last week we took Sophia and Ethan to the doctors to figure out Ethan's eating/sleeping and to ask some questions. We also found out that Ethan is now 13lbs 1oz and Sophia is 12lbs 6oz. They are both growing very well. Ethan probably has some reflux issues so we are now in the process of finding the right formula for him. It is a process of trial and error. Last night I got 2 hrs of sleep so maybe it's getting better. . . we'll see.
Here are some pictures of the brothers. Thanks Dan and Shyla for borrowing us the neat seat!
Here are some pictures of the brothers. Thanks Dan and Shyla for borrowing us the neat seat!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Ethan is Sleeping!
Ethan's sleep schedule was getting worse and worse. It seemed as though he was having colick but didn't quite fit the description. Instead of crying or screaming for three or so hours at a time, he was crying or complaining all the time. He'd only sleep for about twenty minutes - day or night. In order to make it work I have gone into night shift mode. Then around 7 or 8 in the morning Mark takes over and I sleep until 3 or 4pm. It's crazy but it works. You do what you have to.
Then a couple of days ago, I thought, well it's probably colick but I'm going to try another formula just in case. At first I wasn't sure which one to try since there are so many out there. Then I remembered the hospital had used Enfamil A+ and he seemed fine with it. We started three nights ago and I am very happy to say that it seems like it's working! The first night he actually slept two hours. Believe me, even two hours is a blessing. And it's getting better! Thank you God! It is now 2:30am and I am just waiting for him to fall back asleep after his feeding of which he slept for 4 hours! As he sleeps more at night, I am going to have to switch back to sleeping at night. It will sure be good to be awake during the day again! Ethan seems a lot more relaxed now - night and day! Yeah!
Last night I also got a bit of a break and got to go out to a concert of Carolyn Arends with my Mom and Sister. Thanks to Steve for an early Christmas gift! I had a lot of fun. After the concert I picked up two of her CDs, one Christmas. The deal was buy two, get one free, so I also picked one of the guy who took stage before her, Greg Szchebel. He is pretty young and from Salmon Arm. But has a lot of talent. It's not quite my style but I do like it. I love the CDs. It was also nice to run into Kathy Klassen there.
Well, I should go make up a couple more bottles. Have a great day!
Then a couple of days ago, I thought, well it's probably colick but I'm going to try another formula just in case. At first I wasn't sure which one to try since there are so many out there. Then I remembered the hospital had used Enfamil A+ and he seemed fine with it. We started three nights ago and I am very happy to say that it seems like it's working! The first night he actually slept two hours. Believe me, even two hours is a blessing. And it's getting better! Thank you God! It is now 2:30am and I am just waiting for him to fall back asleep after his feeding of which he slept for 4 hours! As he sleeps more at night, I am going to have to switch back to sleeping at night. It will sure be good to be awake during the day again! Ethan seems a lot more relaxed now - night and day! Yeah!
Last night I also got a bit of a break and got to go out to a concert of Carolyn Arends with my Mom and Sister. Thanks to Steve for an early Christmas gift! I had a lot of fun. After the concert I picked up two of her CDs, one Christmas. The deal was buy two, get one free, so I also picked one of the guy who took stage before her, Greg Szchebel. He is pretty young and from Salmon Arm. But has a lot of talent. It's not quite my style but I do like it. I love the CDs. It was also nice to run into Kathy Klassen there.
Well, I should go make up a couple more bottles. Have a great day!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Almost three months ago . . . How it all began!
Wow! I was looking through the blogs that I have posted and realized that I haven't posted our story of how Sophia and Ethan came to join us in this big world. So here goes:
On August 30, I had a blood clot when I went to the bathroom, just before eight in the morning. I was a little worried, but I had a doctors appointment scheduled later that day at 11 am so Mark thought it would be okay. I was still worried so I decided to call the doctors office for some advice. They said that it was probably nothing but I should come in and get it checked out. I got there at about 8:15 am. When Dr. Driedger checked me out, I was already 2 cm dialated! He sent me to the hospital, mostly to try bed rest as he thought that might slow the process down or stop it completely. I went home to get Mark and we drove Drew to his grandparents. On the way to the hospital, my contractions started and soon were 2 to 3 minutes apart. Then we got to the hospital and were settled into a room to get checked out. I was also given a shot of steroids in the butt just in case the twins were born, to help their lungs develop faster. I was given a suppository to help the contractions to slow down and maybe stop the labor. It didn't work!!
We had been at the hospital for a little over an hour. My doctor and the medical staff were trying to arrange us to be transported to Vancouver because the nursery at MSA was quite full. I was getting worried because my last labor was really short and I didn't want to give birth in the ambulance on the way over, especially because I new I would need a C-section as both of them were breech! Then my water broke!! That was the deciding factor to stay in abbotsford! A nurse checked me out and Baby A (now known as Sophia) kicked her! The nurse jumped back, surprised, which made me jump. Mark and I wondered what was wrong! It was all quite funny. At that point there was no going back.
Soon my doctor arrived and the process began for my C-section. My labor was getting worse but not unhandable. I was more worried about getting the babies out before it was too late for a C-section. In the operating room, people were a buzz getting ready (Mark said later that there were about a dozen other people there - doctors, nurses, anest., etc. for me and for the babies). I felt more calm once they did the spinal. I was told this was better than putting me totally under, plus I'd get to see the twins right away. Mark really didn't want to be in the room as I was being cut open, but he was. He held my hand through it all and came close to my face . We talked about names for our children. It was a great distraction. We were told that they were probably two girls, but when they came out the second one was a boy! I was right! More about that later. And just like that we were a family of 5! We were quickly handed the babies. Mark showed them to me, and then they were whisked away for testing etc. But we were told they were doing okay. Sophia Grace and Ethan Brian were born at 11 am, weighing 4lbs 3oz and 4lbs 5oz!
A couple of weeks before they were born God had given me a dream. It was in a park like setting and Jesus was sitting on a bench holding my babies. One wrapped in pink and one it blue. He told me that he was holding on to them, taking care of them until it was my turn. That picture has given me a lot of peace, especially during the next weeks that they had to stay in the hospital. So when we were told 2 girls, I was a little disappointed because I was sure that Jesus had been holding one of each. I still had the feeling that it was one of each. Then I knew that God had given me that message. It is amazing how he takes care of us. At the time I thought it was related to dealing with a hard pregnancy, but now I know that it was meant for more than that.
Sophia had to stay in the hospital for just under a month and Ethan just over a month. It is sure good to have them both home with us now. What a great gift to bring them home! Now they are growing so fast, and at 3 months old are about 12 lbs each. Now I better head to bed as they are both sleeping :)
On August 30, I had a blood clot when I went to the bathroom, just before eight in the morning. I was a little worried, but I had a doctors appointment scheduled later that day at 11 am so Mark thought it would be okay. I was still worried so I decided to call the doctors office for some advice. They said that it was probably nothing but I should come in and get it checked out. I got there at about 8:15 am. When Dr. Driedger checked me out, I was already 2 cm dialated! He sent me to the hospital, mostly to try bed rest as he thought that might slow the process down or stop it completely. I went home to get Mark and we drove Drew to his grandparents. On the way to the hospital, my contractions started and soon were 2 to 3 minutes apart. Then we got to the hospital and were settled into a room to get checked out. I was also given a shot of steroids in the butt just in case the twins were born, to help their lungs develop faster. I was given a suppository to help the contractions to slow down and maybe stop the labor. It didn't work!!
We had been at the hospital for a little over an hour. My doctor and the medical staff were trying to arrange us to be transported to Vancouver because the nursery at MSA was quite full. I was getting worried because my last labor was really short and I didn't want to give birth in the ambulance on the way over, especially because I new I would need a C-section as both of them were breech! Then my water broke!! That was the deciding factor to stay in abbotsford! A nurse checked me out and Baby A (now known as Sophia) kicked her! The nurse jumped back, surprised, which made me jump. Mark and I wondered what was wrong! It was all quite funny. At that point there was no going back.
Soon my doctor arrived and the process began for my C-section. My labor was getting worse but not unhandable. I was more worried about getting the babies out before it was too late for a C-section. In the operating room, people were a buzz getting ready (Mark said later that there were about a dozen other people there - doctors, nurses, anest., etc. for me and for the babies). I felt more calm once they did the spinal. I was told this was better than putting me totally under, plus I'd get to see the twins right away. Mark really didn't want to be in the room as I was being cut open, but he was. He held my hand through it all and came close to my face . We talked about names for our children. It was a great distraction. We were told that they were probably two girls, but when they came out the second one was a boy! I was right! More about that later. And just like that we were a family of 5! We were quickly handed the babies. Mark showed them to me, and then they were whisked away for testing etc. But we were told they were doing okay. Sophia Grace and Ethan Brian were born at 11 am, weighing 4lbs 3oz and 4lbs 5oz!
A couple of weeks before they were born God had given me a dream. It was in a park like setting and Jesus was sitting on a bench holding my babies. One wrapped in pink and one it blue. He told me that he was holding on to them, taking care of them until it was my turn. That picture has given me a lot of peace, especially during the next weeks that they had to stay in the hospital. So when we were told 2 girls, I was a little disappointed because I was sure that Jesus had been holding one of each. I still had the feeling that it was one of each. Then I knew that God had given me that message. It is amazing how he takes care of us. At the time I thought it was related to dealing with a hard pregnancy, but now I know that it was meant for more than that.
Sophia had to stay in the hospital for just under a month and Ethan just over a month. It is sure good to have them both home with us now. What a great gift to bring them home! Now they are growing so fast, and at 3 months old are about 12 lbs each. Now I better head to bed as they are both sleeping :)
Baked Beans
I got this little story in an email and thought it was cute so Ill share it with you all . . . Have fun :) !
(This one is much too cute not to share. Enjoy! Be sure to grab a tissue; I think you'll be laughing so hard you'll cry!)
One day I met a sweet gentleman and fell in love. When it became apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans.
Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home from work. Since I lived in the countryside I called my husband and told him that I would be late because I had to walk home. On my way, I passed by a small diner and the odor of baked beans was more than I could stand. With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner and before I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans. All the way home, I made sure that I released all the gas.
Upon my arrival, my husband seemed excited to see! me and exclaimed delightedly: "Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight."
He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang. He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and went
to answer the call.
The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously.
Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more. The stink was worse than cooked cabbage.
Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes.
The pleasure was indescribable. When eventually the telephone farewells signaled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself.
My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband returned, apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I had peeked through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not.
At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests seated around the table chorused: "Happy Birthday!"
I fainted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(This one is much too cute not to share. Enjoy! Be sure to grab a tissue; I think you'll be laughing so hard you'll cry!)
One day I met a sweet gentleman and fell in love. When it became apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans.
Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home from work. Since I lived in the countryside I called my husband and told him that I would be late because I had to walk home. On my way, I passed by a small diner and the odor of baked beans was more than I could stand. With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner and before I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans. All the way home, I made sure that I released all the gas.
Upon my arrival, my husband seemed excited to see! me and exclaimed delightedly: "Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight."
He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang. He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and went
to answer the call.
The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously.
Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more. The stink was worse than cooked cabbage.
Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes.
The pleasure was indescribable. When eventually the telephone farewells signaled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself.
My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband returned, apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I had peeked through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not.
At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests seated around the table chorused: "Happy Birthday!"
I fainted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Long time no hear . . .
Well it has been quite a while since my last post but there hasn't been much time to post. It seems that I'm either tending to a baby or having a nap. Hopefully things will get better soon. The last couple of nights the twins have taken turns with having fussy periods and not sleeping. So I have been getting between one and four hours of sleep during the night, before Drew wakes up at any where between 6:30 am and 8:30 am. Thank goodness for all the help from my family. I'm not sure what wee'd do without them. Seriously, I don't know how some parents do it, especially the single parents. Well, I hope to post sooner next time but we'll see. Please keep us in your prayers as we try to balance everything here and keep sane in the process. I keep being told that it will get better, so here's hoping!
I thought I would also post these pictures. It is the first time Sophia and Ethan are wearing "real" clothes. It makes them seem so much bigger. (And, really, I can't believe how fast they are growing!) And they look so cute! The pictures don't show how cute they really were. Sophia got this dress from her Aunt and family. Before you know it, it will be too small, so I wanted to get her into it quickly! I know the tights are a little big but she needed to wear them on these cold days.
Untill next time . . .
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Growing, Growing, Growing!
Yesterday was the first set of shots for the twins. Can you believe it? They are already 2 months old. Mark came with me and Drew stayed with Tina and Luke. Thanks Tina! It was Mark's first time to see one of his children get shots! And I do agree that it is an evil thing to go through. But they were really troopers and made it through. In the evening they got a bit of a fever, had a bit of Tempra (Tylenol for infants) and then they were good. Sophia tried to sleep it off and Ethan tried to eat it off. The good news is that they got weighed. Ethan is 9lbs 15oz and Sophia is 9lbs 5oz. Wow! I couldn't believe how much they had grown! I knew they had grown but didn't realize that it was that much. They are doing really well. Now, if only Ethan could sleep longer at night!!
Drew, on the other hand is sleeping well at night but has regressed in the potty training department :( ! Very frustrating! I was hoping to avoid that by starting his potty training early on. But the twins came early. Now it feels like we are starting from the beginning again. I'm thinking about trying a sticker incentive program. Any other ideas?
This morning/early afternoon I was having a rough time with stuff. Just getting a little overwhelmed and a little sleep deprived. Drew's bathroom escapades and independance were getting to me, as well as life in general. Then Mom brought Drew back home and he told me that he had bought me something. He gave me this little pouch and then opened it up himself. It was a necklace from House of James! (By the way, it looks better than the picture, it's actually silver.) Mom came in quickly and said that it must be a message from God. The "necklace" was actually a dog tag with a picture of a football on one side and on the other side it said these words: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. I think it was from God. It is also my first piece of Jewlery from my son, and I love it and I will treasure it always. Even though he is sometimes a hard kid, he is sweet and lovable and God works through him. And that touches my heart.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Are We Crazy?
Yes, yes we are! Yesterday, while Mark was at work, Mom and I thought we would head out with all three kids! Need I say any more?
Okay, picture this: Superstore with two shopping carts. Drew is at the top of one and Ethan, in his car seat, is at the bottum of the same cart. In the next cart is Sophia in her car seat. Drew's legs are dangling down and linked into the bottum of the second cart so we only have to push or control one cart. Drew called it a train and DID NOT want it to be seperated.
All was okay until a couple minutes into our shopping experience when Sophia started to cry, so Mom picked her up. Then Ethan started to cry and I picked him up. By the time we were at the check out Ethan was in an all out panick for his food. So I took Ethan and Drew to the van. Drew didn't want to go yet. We got to the van, got Drew in his seat and then started breastfeeding Ethan in the back of the van. Then Mom came back with Sophia. At that point Drew had to go pee, so Mom took him back into the store. By the time they got back I was breastfeeding Sophia! Finally we were done and on our way. Wow! Tiring! It's good I can laugh about it now.
Next errand . . . !
Okay, picture this: Superstore with two shopping carts. Drew is at the top of one and Ethan, in his car seat, is at the bottum of the same cart. In the next cart is Sophia in her car seat. Drew's legs are dangling down and linked into the bottum of the second cart so we only have to push or control one cart. Drew called it a train and DID NOT want it to be seperated.
All was okay until a couple minutes into our shopping experience when Sophia started to cry, so Mom picked her up. Then Ethan started to cry and I picked him up. By the time we were at the check out Ethan was in an all out panick for his food. So I took Ethan and Drew to the van. Drew didn't want to go yet. We got to the van, got Drew in his seat and then started breastfeeding Ethan in the back of the van. Then Mom came back with Sophia. At that point Drew had to go pee, so Mom took him back into the store. By the time they got back I was breastfeeding Sophia! Finally we were done and on our way. Wow! Tiring! It's good I can laugh about it now.
Next errand . . . !
Friday, October 27, 2006
Time for some more pictures!
Well, I thought it was about time for some more pictures so here they are.
This evening Mom, Drew, Ethan and Sophia picked up my brother, Steve from work. Stopped for some Tim Hortons and headed off to IKEA, one of my favorite stores. There we met up with my sister, Debbie and cousin Tim. It was a real family affair. It was a lot of fun. Our first big outing! And it went pretty good. Drew had a little nap in the van on the way there so he did really well throughout our shop. We got home after 9, way after Drew's bedtime, good thing for that little nap, and then it was time for stories and bed (you can't mess up a two year old's routine!) and feeding time for the twins. I think it was a long day but really great. Now everyone is in bed and hopefully I get a chance to sleep too!
Tomorrow Mark and I are going to a Casino Party so I'll see how that goes. We'll let you know.
A Prayer Request . . .
Well this week seemed long and yet quick at the same time. One day always seems to lead into the next and here we are at friday again. The end of most people's work week but the beginning of Mark's. Unfortuneately, this week we were also introduced to the fact that Mark's work wants to change his shift again but this time it is to the graveyard shift. 7pm to 7am! This does not work for us!! The only other option is for Mark to demote himself (or let the company do it) and go down drasticly in his wage. I guess the good part is that he'd have weekends off again! It is really trying on us. We are trying to trust God in this. Sometimes it is easy for me and other times, especially when I'm really tired, I worry. Especially now that we have three children, two being twins - it's a lot of work! But God is good, and our children are all healthy and we are happy. He has blessed us. It seems like God is trying to teach us a lot this year! At least this way Mark can come to Church with us again! And in fact we can all go to Church. It was looking mighty impossible for me to go to Church with three kids, two in car seats and a two year old that needs supervision and a hand to hold.
Also in two weeks, we are going to a get together for cousins and second cousins. And just to let you know, Barb, I am excited to come! Who else is coming? Sonya? See you soon!
Also in two weeks, we are going to a get together for cousins and second cousins. And just to let you know, Barb, I am excited to come! Who else is coming? Sonya? See you soon!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
How Much Sleep Does A Person Need?
Well, Mark and I haven't been getting a lot of sleep lately. The last two nights have been the worst. Here's how it's been going: Feeding time around 11pm, then Ethan and Sophia take turns fussing until two which is there second feeding time. Feeding lasts until 3am. Drew wakes up between 3:30 and 4 am, for about an hour. Maybe he's having bad dreams. We're not sure. Then the twins are back awake around 6 am for their next feeding! Then Drew wakes up for the day between 6:30 and 8am. Wow! Hopefully tonight things go a little better. Now I am just waiting to see if they fall asleep before I can go back to bed.
Tomorrow is Church, but with the above sleep schedule I am often napping at the time Church starts. Mom and Dad have taken Drew in the mornings so I can "nap". Thank goodness for them! And maybe one day soon we'll be able to go to church again! We'll just take each day as it comes, and have faith. :)
Tomorrow is Church, but with the above sleep schedule I am often napping at the time Church starts. Mom and Dad have taken Drew in the mornings so I can "nap". Thank goodness for them! And maybe one day soon we'll be able to go to church again! We'll just take each day as it comes, and have faith. :)
Friday, October 20, 2006
A Fluke? But Still Amazing!
Guess what Ethan did this evening? I had laid him down on the couch to pose him for some pictures. After I got a coulpe shots I stood back and watched Ethan turn from hi stomach to his back. Sure it could be a fluke but Mark and I were still amazed. They aren't due until Saturday. Ethan is about 7 lbs now and Sophia is right behind him!
I've also included a picture of Sophia in her swing. Today was her first time! We brought it out after Drew went to bed so I'm sure he'll have to check it all out tomorrow morning!
Good night to you all, Andrea
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! . . . A Little late.
We had a busy but great thanksgiving. Family came out from Salmon Arm and the twins kept us hopping as they got their first cold. Even as I write this Ethan is sqauking through his stuffed nose and congested breathing.
It is feeding time again so I will continue this later and hope to add some pictures. See you later :)
We had a busy but great thanksgiving. Family came out from Salmon Arm and the twins kept us hopping as they got their first cold. Even as I write this Ethan is sqauking through his stuffed nose and congested breathing.
It is feeding time again so I will continue this later and hope to add some pictures. See you later :)
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