I think "Crazy" is the only way I can describe things right now. Emma and Olivia are getting into EVERYTHING!!!!!! So if I accomplish anything during the day, it is a miracle. It seems like we are going through a phase right now where they are all very much needing attention. For example, if I'm sitting down where the twins can sit on my lap, they will sit and then they will go about their business and venture off...however, if I stand up, they will cry. So even though I'm not holding them or for that matter, doing anything, I have to be sitting down just in case they want to come back over and sit on me. Olivia also does the thing right before she gets to me where she'll turn around and then walk backwards until she gets to my lap and then sit down. I seriously would love to get a back-up beeper for her.

Emma is much quieter but still demanding. She soaks her shirt daily drooling. Her and Olivia are cutting their last 4 mollars. Olivia has 2 to go and Emma has 3. It's so much fun!! O.k. so maybe not. : )

Alyssa likes school but she doesn't like office time. I guess this is where they have to put up these barriers so they can't cheat off the others papers. I don't think she wants to cheat, she just wants to socialize. Who knows??

Loren is regressing some with her talking...she is talking more baby talk and I know it's cuz she thinks it's cute and she wants some more attention. How much attention do these people need?????????????????? Aughh!!

Loren is very close to being potty trained. We might go and try to buy some big girl panties this weekend. She has some at home but I think it might mean some more for her to pick them out herself. We'll give it a try.

Mike and I are so done with traveling. We have overdone it this summer and we seriously need a break!!! But I have a feeling that won't happen until January.

As far as health goes, I meet with my urologist tomorrow morning to hear what is going on. I know he wants the surgeon who aspirated my cyst to take over until we know that it hasn't grown back but I don't know much more than that. In my opinion, if there is a chance this will turn into cancer, I say we just take it out. Then we won't have to worry. I have a feeling that the chance of that is smaller so they'll prefer to just watch it. We'll see what he'll say tomorrow.
Emma seems to be doing well. We have transitioned her over to just liquid. That is fun! She does very well drinking it. She is eating well. I don't know how much she weighs so I don't know if it has affected her. Last weight we had was 14 lb. 9 oz. I'll be anxious to see what her next weight is. She is one strong girl I just say. The H1N1 scares me for her. I don't know that her lungs and weight can handle getting that. So we'll see...

Everyone else seems to be pretty healthy. We will be going to Alyssa's yearly Cleft Clinic November 12th. She hasn't been for 2 years though. I'm anxious to see when they will start working with her mouth. She has lost 2 teeth and I know that might affect their decision as to when she will have her bone graft and oral surgery. Also, she will need to have her hole in her ear closed soon too.

I think I'm at a stage where I'm tired of everyone evaluating Emma because there is obvious pressure with that. For the most part, I feel that she needs more time. But by feeling that way, I wonder if I'm right and therefore, am I doing the best thing for her? It's just how it is. I don't think that feeling can go away. I think it's probably just part of being a mother.

There is a doctor I've thought about taking Emma to in Florida. He is a homeopathic doctor. We will be getting closer to the possibility of Emma getting growth hormones. This is a shot every single day for years. This is also $20,000 a year. It is looking like insurance will not cover it. Which leads me to possibly taking Emma to this doctor who is my best friend's dad. His visit, which I think involves 3 days), would be $1,200. But I think it would be worth it. The twins are 17 months and we will start talking about these growth hormones as we get closer to 2 years old. So...it's just something that is in the back of my mind.

I am to the point where I need a break but I need it in my own home. I know that sounds crazy but I have so much to do here and so many little people trying to help me out that I might as well sit down and forget it. : )

Well, Alyssa and Loren are fighting over candy so I must go break it up. I love what sugar does to these people. Aughh!!!!!

Love to you all!!
Bethany

I'll make up by posting pictures...

So I'll try to make up for being a not-so-good blogger anymore by posting some pictures. Enjoy!
The Barbie picture is actually Alyssa's birthday cake. She just turned 6 and is growing up fast!
Mom and her twin are from a conference we went too. That is also where we took the picture of us sisters with mom.
The picture of Mike and I is at a Colts game back in September.

Test results..

My test results came back from my cyst basically saying that it was infected. The cloudiness in the fluid that was drained from my cyst was not cancer cells but blood and cells that were trying to fight off the infection. I meet with the dr. on the 30th to discuss where we go from here. If he is concerned that it could go into cancer or the infection might come back then we might talk about going in and taking it out. If he isn't concerned then we will probably just continue monitoring it. But overall, great news!

The girls are getting over a sinus infection. Lovely!!!! I'm so ready to be done with this. We have a crazy, busy month traveling and busy, busy!!!!! I'm be ready for November. : )

This was short but I need to go see what Olivia is tearing apart. : )

Fewer and fewer....

Well, these updates are getting harder for me to keep up with. Things are just crazy!!!!! I'll try to give you updates on each of us.

Emma - had a viral infection which then her skin had a bad reaction to it - broke out in hives or something. She is doing much better now. But two weeks of not eating well hasn't done her weight any favors. She is at 14 lb. 9 oz. So I'm praying we get back on the uphill climb. She has a cookie swallow Wednesday. They will x-ray her while she eats to see if she can have non-thickened milk so we can transition to a sippy cup or at least have the freedom to do what we want. She is almost walking. She walks holding onto things. She is becoming louder by the minute. She is still very sweet and I love watching her grow.

Olivia - is a character. She loves to play and have fun. But she also has a temper like Loren had/has. She swings her arms around and throws herself on the floor and is rather humorous to watch. She is very loving and like to snuggle. She is doing very well.

Loren - is currently sick with a fever. Lovely! She has started talking so much since Alyssa has started Kindergarten. It's very cute! She is also calling the shots as far as potty training is concerned. It is only when she innitiates it. So today she has gone pee pee twice and poopy once. I'll take whatever I can get. : )

Alyssa - is thriving and doing so well in Kindergarten. She scored third highest in her class on one of her testing with letters and sounds/reading. Very cool! She is also behaving very well. Today was pajama day and they had popcorn and had a great time. She loves to beat up/wrestle with daddy.

Mike - working hard. Putting in long days. He has lost 43 lbs since the girls were in the NICU. He loves to go mountain biking when he can. We try to hike with all the kids on Sundays. It's been fun.

Myself - I just had surgery on Friday to aspirate the cyst on my left kidney. There were some unexpected issues but I think it went well. We sent out some stuff to get tested and we'll know more tomorrow. Just trying to get myself better now that my kids are getting there.

I'm exhausted most of the time but I'm keeping up. Obviously not with this blog but I'll do what I can. : )

I'm off to sit and have some down time before bed. Hopefully I can get better with this and posting pictures. Love to you all! Bethany