February 8, 2007
Our best news is I am working from home this summer!!! I am so excited to spend all that time with you all. We have potty training to tackle this summer – fun fun.
We went to Fort Myers last month and stayed with Nana and Papa. Our trip was great – but never a dull moment with you boys. I would not call vacations the most relaxing things these days – but we always enjoy all the time with you. We went swimming and to the playground in the community. We shopped and went on an airboat ride in the Everglades.
We are really enjoying the finished basement – it is an awesome play area especially when we are stuck inside on these cold days.
After a long battle with nap and bed time we decided to split your bedrooms. I wanted to keep you all together for bonding reasons. You all were just keeping each other up so much – it became quite a chore to put you all to bed. We moved Aaron to the front room and moved the guest bedroom downstairs. It is working out great and the change did not faze you all. We did it over a few days – moving a piece of furniture each day. Of course we really talked it up – like it was the coolest thing ever that you would have your own rooms. I am glad we made the move – it is really working out great.
You boys are really talking so much. Aaron always tells me ‘no bye-bye’ when I am going to work. But Aidan broke my heart the other day when he said ‘no work mommy’. You are staring to say your ABC’s and Mrs. Debbie said you really are picking up on shapes and colors. She said Aaron knows all his shapes.
April 12, 2007
Once again – it has been months since I last wrote. On February 15th we leaned we would be welcoming another Lord into our house. We began considering another child during our trip to Florida in January. Dad has been ready for quite awhile, but you are still such babies to me I did not feel I needed another yet. As we watched you develop your independence and verbal skills over the past few months I decided we could start THINKING about another one. Well we were quite surprised to learn our thoughts were closer to reality a little sooner than expected. I have to admit I had torn feelings when I learned of the pregnancy. You all already have to share our attention, now we will have to share to share it even more. I knew we wanted another child but then I questioned if it was too soon. And – what if it was another set of twins. The next day I called the doctor to see when I could get in for an ultrasound. The chances were slim 1 in 100 pregnancies are twins and we are twice as likely to have anther set, so we were looking at odds of 1 in 50.
We are now three months into the pregnancy and we are over the shock and we are ready to welcome baby Abby or Cater. We moved you all to the front room and you all have big boy toddler beds now. The baby will get your old room and your crib. We used the least chewed parts from each of the cribs to make one partially chewed crib (ha-ha). You all understand that your old room is the baby’s room and we talk about the baby in mommy’s tummy often. In fact Aaron also thinks he has a baby in his belly. It is very cute if you ask ‘do you have a baby in your belly Aaron?’ and you lift up your shirt and show every one.
You all talk non-stop now. I have to admit my favorite phrase now is when Aidan says ‘he hit me’ and Aaron says ‘me hit me’. I am sure I will learn to despise those tattling words, but for now it is the cutest thing ever. It is still hard to understand some things you all say, but for the most part you all communicate well. And yes I do believe you all have your ‘twin language’. It is so cute to hear you all babbling to one another at bed time.
Bedtime – we are getting closer to perfecting it. We have managed to break you of sitting in the room at bedtime. Now we sit in the living room and respond to ‘mommy’ ‘daddy’ every thirty seconds or so, but we are making progress. We did have to put a gate up at the door for night time because you all were waking so much to wonder into out room. It is working amazingly well and we only have to get up maybe twice a night to console you. Aidan sometimes seems to get a little scared at night and I am very sympathetic to that because I slept on my parent’s floor probably until I was 10 or so. Aaron is pretty good at night and if you do wake up you usually just want some ice in your drink. You all are ice fanatics especially Aaron.
We had the most awesome weather a few weeks ago but it got really cold and rainy the past two weeks. You all absolutely love to play outside. Aidan practically wakes up every morning asking to go outside. I don’t dare mention outside before nap – I shot two nap times by mentioning that and playground. You all love to play with your sidewalk chalk and bubbles. This summer is going to be so much fun – only 5 more weeks until school is out.
April 12, 2007
To my baby Abby or Carter:
We learned of our pregnancy on February 15, 2007. I have to admit it was very much a surprise since we had just decided a month earlier we were ready to start thinking about another baby. Of course the first thought that crossed our mind was another set of twins. Not that we could not handle it – but wow that would be a hands full. So the day after I found out I called the doctor to schedule my first visit and to request an ultrasound. My first visit was March 20. I had all my lab work and we had the ultrasound which showed just one baby – what a relief! Dad and I looked at each other and said “this is going to be so easy!” When we told the ultrasound tech your brother’s weights she questioned just how large you would be. I think you will be 8lbs 8oz. Nonnie is saying 9lbs 7oz!
I went back the doctor on April 5 for my first appointment with Dr. Grider. We received a clean bill of health and we were able to hear your heartbeat (sometimes it is too early to hear). My due date is Oct 22 which is a Monday. Since the due date falls at the beginning of the week we will schedule the c-section for the week of the 15th. As soon as Dr. Grider’s schedule opens up we can schedule – just the was I like it – perfectly planned.
I have had a great pregnancy again so far. There was about a three week period toward the beginning that I felt very tired and not 100%. The prenatal vitamins are very hard on my stomach so I started taking them at dinner time. I feel great – a little more tired than last time, but last time I was not chasing toddler twins around. We are in the 12th week and I am really ready for maternity clothes. Your brothers left me with a little extra skin, so I am probably showing a little sooner. But not sooner than with your brothers - I had already been in maternity clothes for about a month with your brothers at this point in their pregnancy.
We had another ultrasound on Tuesday for part of the integrated screening for chromosomal defects. You looked great – right on track for size. You had your little arm raised over you head – just like Aidan sleeps. They could not tell if you we an Abby or Carter yet. I think we should be able to find out at the end of May.
June 19, 2007
We found out early this moth that we will be adding another boy to our family in October. Mom will really be out numbered, but another boy is just fine with me. I have decided I must learn to play golf and REALLY like sports. Not that I have much of a choice in the Lord family, but I will have even more of a reason to like them now.
According to Aaron, Mom, Aidan and Aaron all have baby Carters in our bellies. Aaron touched my belly the other morning when I was getting dressed and said “Awe baby Carter… Mommy ate Carter.” It was the cutest thing and I suppose a very logical explanation in your mind. Shortly after we found out who Carter was Aidan was lying in bed and rolled over and patted my stomach and said “Baby Carter in Mommy’s belly.” I am hoping all the talk of Carter will ease the transition.
Mrs. Amanda who we know from Discovery Time Daycare started to sit for you all at the beginning of this month. It is working out wonderfully and it is so nice that you all get to stay home. Lydia, who is 9 months, is Mrs. Amanda’s newly adopted little girl. It is really nice that you all are getting some exposure to an infant. You all love to help feed her and Aidan has tried to pick her up a few times. She is really laid back and enjoys playing with you all.
Amanda is very active with you all and gives you plenty of outside time. She has taken you swimming and to the mall playground a few times. I would still rather be home with you all, but Amanda is the next best thing.
We were going to start potty training last month, but Dr. Harper said you were probably not ready since you were not staying dry over night. We were all really disappointed. We had already bought Thomas underwear so we had to wear them over your diaper for a few days. I still think you all are ready to train. You always want to use the potty and have no problem going when we take you. If for some reason you do not have to go you both say ‘not workin’ – it is so cute.
You all sure love to talk now. Aidan does a lot of the talking but if for some reason he takes a break, Aaron picks right back up. When we drive in Mommy’s car we always have so much to talk about. The diggers, the cows and horses eating and sleeping, the construction of the new fire house and so much more. Sometimes I actually get worn out from responding – but that’s ok – everything is just so new to you.
About three weeks ago you learned to pedal your bikes. Aaron learned first and Aidan learning shortly after. A few nights ago we took our first ride around the neighborhood – and boy was that cool. You all are quite the little fish too. You really impress everyone with you swimming skills and you lack of fear for the water. I am hoping by the end of the summer we can have you all swimming on your own.
Some challenges we are facing right now is still the sleep issues. We are trying to break the habit of sitting in your room at bedtime. Aaron sleeps all night, but Aidan LOVES mommy and daddy’s bed. You are such a big boy during the day, but you need so much comforting at night. This is funny because it is totally opposite during the day. Aaron actually just went through some severe separation anxiety when I went back to work.
November 9, 2007
Well I suppose it has been since spring since my last entry –how time flies. We welcomed Carter into out family on October 17, 2007. Despite all the preparation it has been quite an adjustment for you all. I suppose the adjustment actually started just as we returned home from vacation. Aaron got a head cold on the plane trip to FL in August. Aaron had it in FL, and Mom and Aidan got it when we returned. Aidan got over it in about a week, but Mom’s held on until Carter was born. I also caught a stomach bug, and had preterm labor about two weeks before Carter was born. Needless to say I could not keep up with you all, so Dad really stepped up. You all spent a lot of time playing at the Nursery, which you totally love!!! Now Carter is just over three weeks and I am getting back my energy, and boy do we need it to keep up with you all. I have to admit I doubted my parenting skills the first time I was home with the three of you for a few hours. Before dad was out of the driveway I was already in tears. Aaron peed on the floor when I sent you to get a diaper and as I was cleaning that up Aidan shredded an entire box of tissues. Later that day I sat down o feed Carter after making cookies with you all. I accidentally left the sprinkles out and you all dumped them all out. Wow – that was quite a day. We have had a few better days since then – I just have to learn to multi-task EVEN MORE than before.
We vacationed to FL in August. We really worked on swimming this trip. Aaron is quite the little fish. You swam about 8-10 feet with your head under water and no wings. Everyone was very impressed. Aaron also jumped off the side with no wings and continued to swim a few feet to whoever was catching him. Aidan was also brave and gave it a try – but you decided you preferred to keep your wings on. Aidan told us ‘no want to sink’.
Aidan gave us all quite a laugh during dinner one night. Aidan was misbehaving and when I went to get you out of your highchair you hit me. So we walked to the lobby to discuss your behavior. I asked you if it was nice to hit people and you responded ‘no way Jose’. I could hardly keep from laughing out loud.
You all started school just after we retuned from vacation. You have a new teacher this year, Mrs. Tiffany or Mrs. Tipany as you all say. You all really seem to like her and she said you all are doing well this year.
We trick-or-treated for the first time this year. You all really did good and had very nice manners. I thought it was going to be torture keeping you out of the candy while we trick-or-treated because you all are obsessed with candy, but we had no problems at all.
As for your development you all are turning into little boys. We NEVER have a silent moment – especially in the car. Aaron is good at counting – you can almost go to ten but you miss 5 and 6. Aidan is good with colors. But you are way more interested in ‘working’ outside. You all could spend 24/7 playing outside with your diggers. Oh and you all have no problem identifying the different types of diggers such as backhoe, excavator, front loader and so on.
The ‘threes’ should be a busy year to come. Last time we spoke with Dr. Harper he assured us that it was not the ‘terrible twos’ it was the ‘terrible threes’. I can already see it coming because you all are developing quite a mind of your own.
November 9, 2007
The pregnancy:
Up until September we had a great and fairly uneventful pregnancy. I always tired, but that was from trying to keep up with your brothers all day every day. We all caught a cold during our vacation in August and while everyone seemed to get over it in a week or so I did not get rid of the cold until you were born. I also got a 12 hour stomach bug, but it wiped me out for days. During the 37th week of pregnancy I went to the doctor for contractions. The weekend before your birth we completed a lot of projects around the house including painting the last of the bedrooms. That night I was feeling very sore and achy but I thought it was from painting. I stated having contractions that morning and about one hour into work I was in tears. I went to the doctor a few hours later with contractions every 3 minutes. The contractions were the only sign of labor so they sent me home with pain medication (which I did not take because it makes me so sick). On Friday of that same week I went to the hospital with a fever of 102. They did not find anything wrong and you were doing well. The last few weeks of the pregnancy I tried to take it easy, but that was torture. I missed the boys and I missed feeling good. You would have thought a single pregnancy would have been way easier than a win pregnancy, but this was not the case.
Your ‘birth’ day:
We arrived at the hospital at 9:00 AM with the c-section scheduled at 11:00 AM. Everything was pretty routine, and yes the IV was once again the most painful part of everything. Nana, Papa Lose and dad joined us at the hospital. We were wheeled back to the OR right around 11:00. Dad could not come in until I was totally prepped for surgery, which seemed like forever. The spinal block was not painful, but it sure caused me to feel pretty icky. Some of the spinal went into my chest and although I was breathing ok I could not feel my lungs filling, that was a really bad feeling. With your brothers birth I got very nauseous and they gave me and IV of anti-nausea. For your birth I received 3 IVs for nausea. The surgery took longer because they had to go through scar tissue from the last c-section. During recovery I was much more alert than with your brother’s birth. I actually felt pretty ‘normal’ the entire day after the surgery.
At 11:21AM you were born. After such a few hard last weeks I the pregnancy I was so relieved to hear those first cries. And of course they brought tears to my eves. My first thought when I saw you was how little you were. We were all expecting at least 8 lbs since your brothers were such big twins. My next though was the hair – wow was there a lot of it. You were the perfect combination of your brothers - Aidan’s hair and Aaron’s face.
The remainder of the hospital stay was enjoyable. I did miss your brothers, but I really enjoyed the one-on-one time we spent together. We did not have as many visitors this time and with dad going back and forth we really got a chance to bond. Your brother’s really enjoyed visiting at the hospital; it was a big field trip for them. Our visitors included Nan, Papa Burner and Lose, Michelle, Lindsey, Jordan, Kristen, Ryan, Amanda and Lydia. Grandma Lord came to visit our first day home. We did have a little adventure on our second night at the hospital. Dad had gone home to get the boys when the nurse came in and ordered all mothers and babies to their bathroom because of a tornado warning. So we got to sit in a chair in the bathroom for 45 minutes looking at the bathroom door.
We decided to only stay three nights time so we cold get home to see your brothers. During your last checkup with the Neonatal Associates, Jaundice showed up. This was not surprising since your brothers had it. We went home with a bili-blanket, which was much better then the big suitcase of lights Aidan and Aaron had to use. You were on the light until Wednesday.
November 10, 2007
Now 3 ½ weeks old you have been such a good an easy baby. I suppose this is somewhat due to the fact that there is only one of you. You hardly ever have a chance to cry because you are always in my arms. Nights are pretty much those of any with a newborn at home.
