Randomness

This post is a bunch of random stories and pictures from this week... It's actually pretty realistic to my mindset these days. :o)

Monday I had to get pictures of these sleepy babies. On Mondays I try to stick around the house to let them get extra good naps to make up for our busy weekends. Look at these sweet sleepy babies.

Paisley woke up with crazy hair on Tuesday. I laughed at her and sent pictures saying "cock a doodle doo!"

Even a bow didn't hide the fun hair :o) Paisley said her prayers at nap.

Paisley's teeth have rubbed a blister on her tongue. It doesn't bother her most of the time, but if the spoon rubs the blister, she cries. :o( This was the worst day of the blister. It's healing now and looks much better.

Wednesday we had a play date with Heidi and Ryley (4 weeks old) and Mary and Emory. I failed at getting pictures (agh!), but I did get a cute video of Em and Mac "talking". Whatever Emory was saying, Mac was cracking up.

Today we had our weekly play date with Casey and Mary, and we walked around the north shore. I love our city.
I had to get a picture of Mac and Paisley in their outfits today because these are the first outfits I bought after we found out we were having a boy and a girl.

It's a Wrap... WW

WW... What I'll call our "Weekend Wrap" to share what we did during our weekend.. and because it's easier than coming up with a post title for each weekend. 

Saturday we got to meet Miss Stella and visit with the new family of 3!

We went to church Sunday, and Mac and Paisley's Mimi and GeeP came to visit that afternoon. Mac and Paisley were loved on while I cooked lunch. Mimi fed them their sweet potatoes while Jordan and GeeP went to Home Depot to get shelves for the garage.

I learned that Paisley is NOT a fan of cinnamon, which I put in the large batch of sweet potatoes I made last week. She actually gags and vomits. If I add a bunch of applesauce, she will eat the mixture. Good thing I have several jars of applesauce. Mama doesn't like to waste food. 

Mac and Paisley had fun playing with the tissue paper that came in my Mother's Day gift from Mimi. (It's a new cook book from Taste of Home... I'm super excited about trying these new recipes!)

It's my fault Paisley isn't wearing her bubble in the next picture. I had blackberries on my hands and picked her up so her outfit went in the sink with our friend, Oxyclean.

 Thanks for visiting, Mimi and GeeP! 

-ashley

For MOMs by MOMs- Introductions!

I follow a blog of a mom who delivered boy/girl twins the same day Mac and Paisley were born, August 19, 2011. (I've posted about her blog before, and you can click here to follow yourself.) Megan and other MOMs (moms of multiples) are starting a blog link up where we will all discuss the same topic once a week. This week is introductions! 

My name is Ashley, and my husband is Jordan. We have been married almost 5 years, together almost 10 years. Woah. 

I always get anxious when sharing our story, because it's emotional, and I don't want our journey to define me, us, or our family. I don't like labeling myself due to a condition we may or may not have or an obstacle we've faced. So in spite of my bundle of nerves, Jordan encourages me to share because we could help and encourage someone else. In this isolating journey, it's important to not feel alone. So here we go...

We learned in 2009 that starting a family wouldn't be as easy as we thought. It had been over a year, and we met with my OB in December 2010. I am a planner, and I didn't handle this "plan" not coming to fruition well. I went on Clomid in January, doubled the Clomid in April, had hcG shots, underwent 2 IUIs, a pelvic laparoscopy, the dye test to look for any blockages, tried acupuncture, and lots and LOTS of hot flashes and emotional roller coasters. 

In August 2009 we met with a reproductive endocrinologist (RE). We found a large cyst in my ovary, and he recommended us come off all meds until this healed. We actually got pregnant that month, found out weeks later that it was an identical twin pregnancy, and that the pregnancy stopped developing. I had a D&C October 1, 2010. It was a devastating time for me, but it also grounded and shaped my faith in our Creator and His plan. 

After a cycle, I went on Letrazole and we did and IUI. I actually didn't test because I hated putting all of my energy into a "stupid stick". So I just pessimistically waited for my cycle to start. It rarely did because my cycles are all over the place so I took a medicine to induce a new beginning for the following cycle. 

I asked that we try something more invasive for the next cycle, for I knew that the best way for me to overcome the incredible loss we had experienced was to have renewed hope in a new pregnancy. Like a gambler, we were all in. I have always said that in an infertility journey, you hit a wall... the wall where you'll do whatever it takes, spend whatever amount, anything to have a baby. 

In December 2010, I began the cycle with increased Letrazole and began giving myself the follicle stimulating hormone shot, Bravelle. We did an IUI on December 31, 2010....

January brought us a positive test, two heart beats, and an incredible journey that we still live today. :o) We have boy/girl twins! Read here about our January 2011. 

After a 23 day hospital stay from preterm labor, I was discharged and on bed rest another 3 weeks. (A post on the pregnancy is next's week topic!) My water broke on August 18, 2011, and McKinney (Mac) Graham and Paisley Grace were born on August 19, 2011. 

Mac joined us later that afternoon, and Paisley was in the NICU for the first 24 hours.

 Their first time together since birth :o)

 The day we came home from the hospital- "Allen, party of 4!" :o)

I am a SAHM and love every minute.. okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. It's hard, super hard, and I don't know how I do it sometimes, but we make it! I have such fun learning M and P's personalities and we are incredibly goofy. I dance daily, and they have learned which songs (like the ABCs) make me dance the most. I laugh and think I'm the puppet here, haha! 

I love running (actually I 'love' the feeling after I run), E!, shopping, and meeting new friends :o)

-ashley

C25K Race Day!

It's here: our couch to 5K race day! It is actually a relief to be running a 5K and not having to mentally prepare for a half marathon or sprint triathlon. I still want to continue doing those types of races, but we're starting small. 

We got Mac and Paisley up at 6 am in time to change and eat, then we left at 6:40 for the race in Dalton, GA. (Jordan's goal was to leave at 6:30, but if you know me, you know all times are an 'ish'.) It was fun meeting with Jordan's co workers who came out to represent Shaw and cheer or participate. Here's a pic we got before the race:

Group Shot! Ben (in the yellow) actually pushed the stroller for us so we could focus on getting me across the finish line, haha! It really wasn't terrible. The weather was humid, but we finished! I actually sprinted at the end and passed the 5 people who were in front of me. That's right. I'm coming back. ;o) Hardly.

My dear friend Mary- Our first post baby race!

 Mac and Paisley's friend, Emory, and his dad Zack

M and P were worn out after the race.

 We celebrated Cinco de Mayo with Mary and Zack and Emory this evening. Real party animals we've become... dinner at 4, haha. 

Mac and Paisley sat in the high chairs.. I asked Jordan when our kids became old enough to sit in restaurant high chairs..? They were so intrigued they wouldn't look at me for a picture. Stinkers.

 They have grown up so much just this week!! Paisley has started scooting all over the place, she now says "Dada" (not sure why "mama" got skipped..?), and the two teeth still shock me! Sweet Mac has outgrown his closet! His belly is in a 12 month, but his length is a 9 month... so basically he wears capris (should be jon jons) or bubbles. Both babies are handling the milk formula well! No signs of reaction yet! (Read here for the info on their protein intolerance and here for our experiment this week.)

Happy Cinco de Mayo, y'all!!

-ashley

Tooth Watch 2012

We have not one, we have TWO teeth budding from Paisley's bottom gums. Here is a pic from Monday next to a pic I took this morning:

Big girl!! She's handled teething pretty well. She does seem more sensitive, though. If I walk by and she thinks I'm going to pick her up, she melts. Normally Paisley will just cry and console herself. Not while teething. She has been waking up in the middle of the night to talk for about 20 minutes. She ends up being at the opposite end of her bed during her solo "conversation". 

Yesterday Mac pulled her hair. This didn't help her new sensitivity. Notice the frazzled hair. :o(

 Look how sweet these babies were during nap :o) I just love them.

 

Feeling better and ready for small group :o)

We went to the GI today, and I get to try introducing Mac and Paisley to dairy! Eeeek! Dr. Devoid said that at 8 months it's a 70/30 ratio of babies with protein intolerance. So I'll give them 2 oz tomorrow, 4 oz the next day, and continue this trend for a week and test their stool on day 7 to check for blood. Let's hope it stays clear, and that Mac and Paisley don't have any adverse reactions. 

Paisley's liver enzymes remain elevated (I posted earlier that they were normal, but the other liver tests were normal- the tests for something seriously wrong). We will go back this month for labs again. If the enzyme levels remain high for the next few labs, we will be having a biopsy. :o(

We have the race this weekend! Big race, a 5K, ha! 

Today's highlight is the birth of Stella Paige McKaig :o)

Welcome, sweet girl! 

-ashley

Weekend Wrap Up

It's a wrap! As predicted, our weekend was busy busy. My mom and Lilly came Friday. We were hanging out in the driveway with our beloved neighbors when they arrived. Our neighbors, Blake and Jessica, have a little boy named Eli. Lilly loves playing with him, and they played together pretty much all weekend. 

Saturday morning we had a neighborhood yard sale, but Goodwill benefited more than we did, ha! Most often I'd rather just give something away than be offended by the price a "yard saler" would bargain. Jordan loves this kind of stuff, and he actually sold cold bottled water. He cracked all of us up as he sold bottle by bottle, then a whole case! 

Saturday afternoon we had 3 birthday parties. We all went to the first party at Pump It Up, and Jordan went to the third (adult) birthday party while the rest of us visited the second birthday celebration. Here are a few pics... Lilly is posing with her party favor from Aubrey's birthday, and Levi and Kai's faces were my favorite at Kai's birthday. I would probably have the same chocolate face had I been able to enjoy one of those delicious cupcakes. Thankfully Kai's mom has been on the same "diet" as me so she made special foods (for those of us with protein intolerant children) to eat :o)

 Annnnnd look what all the festivities did for Mac and Paisley :o)

Any spare time on Saturday and most of Sunday we busted our chops getting the house ready for an open house. Needless to say, last night we were all kaput! We are grateful for Mac and Paisley's Nana and Lilly to come and spend time with us! 

 And guess what?!! PAISLEY HAS A TOOTH!! Jordan and I noticed white buds just under her gums yesterday, and this morning I felt a tooth! It's her bottom right tooth :o) I think by the end of the week she will have 2 teeth popping out of her bottom gums.This is also what she has been up to lately:

She gets on her knees and rocks back and forth. The day is near! And I don't think I'm ready for their mobility! Eeeek! 

Another random note, someone recently asked if Mac and Paisley have been outside the womb longer than inside... well I counted weeks and YES! They turned 36 weeks Friday, and they were born at 35 weeks. I can't believe it!!

Jordan had a class today so he is home early! LOVE these days!!!!

-ashley

TGIF!!

We're wrapping up another week, and we are looking forward to an eventful weekend! This week we've had 2 playdates, tried summer squash and zucchini and blueberries, had a few upsets and blow outs, Mac and Paisley have opened their first (one year) birthday gift, and gotten ready for this weekend! 

On Wednesday we went for a run and had a picnic with our "twin friends" Presley and Kensley and their mom Sheena (who forced me to keep running when I was ready to quit... It was actually a good thing because we ran 45 minutes!)

 

When we got home, we found two big boxes on the front porch... Mac and Paisley's birthday presents! I had planned to order these for their first birthday, and when I saw that they were on sale this weekend, I couldn't pass them up! Plus I had an extra 15% off code and a gift card (thank you, Uncle Scott and Aunt Deb).

Here they are in their new furniture, and they are so proud :o) 

 They weren't crazy about the summer squash and zucchini combination, but when I served the squash by itself, they seemed to enjoy it. Of course I add some rice cereal because in my mind it makes it more like a casserole, and who doesn't love a casserole??! In my opinion, just about any veggie tastes good in a casserole! That's how those of us in the South do it... veggies in a casserole and fruit in a cobbler :o)

Yesterday we tried blueberries. P doesn't look like she enjoyed it, but she did-- promise! She wouldn't smile for anything... And look at Mac's sweet smile.

Yesterday's playdate was with Emory. I love watching a "singleton" with Mac and Paisley. M and P are so used to another baby, but when we are around an only child, it's very fascinating to see them react to one another. Pretty cute :o) Emory's mom, Mary, is behind me being silly so they'll look at us and not each other, ha!

Mary, and I have been friends for about 4 years. We've had SO many fun memories together, and raising our babies is also a special bond we're sharing. We've traveled a lot with Mary and Zack in the past, and we look forward to our future adventures.

 

 As always, THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY! 

-ashley