What. A. Week!!

I say this often, but thank goodness it's Friday!!

We had a head lice scare that put me into overdrive. I sanitized everything- from our heads to our house. We were checked by several people and nothing was found, but the mere thought of being exposed to those critters gave me the itchies for days! Head lice isn't a gross thing, it happens. I had it often as a child, and I know it's easy to get. That's why my mom always advised me to never put things on my head at stores, put my head on the movie theater seats (where most head lice is 'shared') and never ever share hair brushes. I'm so relieved to say that this week we are and always were lice free! Whew! 

Now that you're probably grossed out (sorry, this is our life, ha!), let me move on to runny noses and eyes...

Paisley started having a runny nose Monday. It was clear so I wasn't too concerned, but Tuesday afternoon it turned yellow/green. Ew. Poor girl. She woke up from her nap with the same mucus in her eyes. Lesson learned: tear ducts can secrete mucus as well. As much as she has, I guess it has to come out somehow. 

 Here's Mac on the same day:

After that bath, Lilly and I went shopping. We love coordinating and matching clothes! Lilly's holding Paisley's matching dress.

Then Wednesday happened... Mac started having the same crud P did so we called the doctor and spent Thursday morning (their 11 month birthday) at Dr. Stephanie's office.

 

 This is M and P at dinner Thursday night- they had gotten worse during the day :o( And so was I. (cough, cough, hoarse voice, sore throat and ear pressure)

Thursday night was rough for us all... P woke up a few times because she couldn't breathe, Mac was miserable, and I hoped my eardrum would rupture to relieve the pressure and pain. After I got M and P settled back down, I read to take a benadryl and blow hot air on my ears. It was 2:30 am, and I was running the hair dryer. 

Jordan stayed home with us today, though he's threatened to get a hotel room to avoid our germs. He took care of M and P while I went to the doctor and rested. He also cooked two delicious meals for us. We are so thankful for such a caring daddy!

Unfortunately, the plague has hit our home this week, and our refrigerator is in a drought. Jordan asked if we were moving... ha. ha. ha.

This week's developments (besides the yuck), I got a lot of birthday party supplies purchased, and invitations are printed!! Woo hoo! I have been so fortunate to have an awesomely talented helper, Joanne, from Oh Goodie Designs! She's been great at helping me think of ideas, plan, and design birthday decor!

The rascals turned 11 months this week. I can't believe it. We are only a few shorts weeks from their ONE YEAR! As hard as I try to dig my heels in the ground, time doesn't care. I feel bittersweet about them growing. It's definitely been too fast no matter how we look at it. 

I can't wait for the birthday post to share that Mac has another tooth!! He got his first one the day after his 10 month birthday, and his second one came in the day after his 11 month birthday! Crazy, right?! He also went from laying down to sitting on his own today! Big boy!

And Paisley! Well she has FOUR teeth coming in!! All on the top row, and the pediatrician said they must be playing a role in her sickness this week. Two in a row the first time and four in a row this time... notice a trend?? Why, we do it in multiples, of course. ;o)

And Lilly Scott, what a doll?! 

 Have a happy weekend! 

As always, 

Ashley

Weekend Wrap

We had a great weekend visiting family! We went to Nashville for Caitlin's 6th birthday party, and her birthday dinner was a secret surprise birthday celebration for Mimi as well. 

Mac was excited when Daddy came home from his run with Uncle Kyle. 

 Birthday party fun!!

 

 Blake was wiped out after his soccer game and the birthday party.

 Cousin love!

 Paisley and Caitlin

Dinner party time!!
The appetizers were so delicious, Courtney wanted to share her love for them. 

Mimi playing doctor with Lilly and Caitlin

Aunt Lynn came all the way from New Jersey! She even brought all the kids surprises :o)

Mac enjoyed his dinner

The girls are enjoying Caitlin's birthday gifts from Mimi and Aunt Lynn

We were home Sunday with enough time to play on our own play mat. **Notice Paisley's 'prop' here... poor Mac.

Happy baby!

Sweet girl

as always,

ashley

Happy Monday!

We had a fun, relaxing end of the week and weekend. Whew. It's so nice to have a days with no real 'plans' and to kind of go whichever speed we choose. Jordan took July 5 off, and we ventured to the YMCA. I took a break from the treadmill and played with Lilly in the kids area.

 

Jordan fixed our flower toy!! It hasn't had new batteries for a while because we couldn't find the right screw driver. Mac still played with the flowers, and it was kind of pitiful. Thank goodness Jordan fixed it on his day off! 

 

I have shared before that Paisley has an aggressive side. She has a darling side too, which I know is visible in her sweet smiles for the camera. Paisley has no preference who she tackles.

 Okay, I'm speechless about this picture...

Now in the bath. Paisley practices clapping and Mac is watching Lilly Scott.

I've got to get back to cooking dinner! Wild salmon, squash casserole (home grown squash my dad brought us from his Aunt Judy's farm, although I'm the only one who will eat squash), and quinoa. Yumm!

 This week, I'm ordering a crib rail cover and party planning!

as always,

ashley

Our {Almost} 28 Weekers

July 6, 2011 started like any other... I was going to the OB for an appointment, and Jordan would be on his way to work after the appointment. Jordan had missed the last few appointments {I had them every two weeks from the very beginning} so he was excited to see the live ultrasound this time. 

When you're on the multiples journey, the ultrasonographer does an internal view to measure the length of the cervix and to look for any opening of the cervix, also known as 'funneling'. I read A LOT during my pregnancy, and this 'funneling' was scary business. I had been so grateful for a healthy pregnancy, and we were expecting nothing short of normalcy. 

During this July 6th ultrasound, however, the first thing I saw was funneling. I broke into tears. I was anxious and scared of the unknown. What would happen now? What did this mean?

We met with the doctor after the ultrasound, and we learned that I was 1 cm dilated and about 30% effaced. I was one day shy of 29 weeks pregnant. 

He put me on Procardia and bed rest. Jordan stayed home with me that day. We had driven separately {he was supposed to go to work after the appointment, remember}, but Jordan picked up lunch and a movie for us to watch instead. We were watching... well, Jordan was watching, I was trying to wrap my head around all of the emotional and physical changes I was feeling. I kept feeling this tightening that I had experienced daily for the past couple of weeks. {I started having 'Braxton Hicks' contractions the day I turned 27 weeks... Well I thought they were BH at the time.}

I shared with Jordan that my stomach kept getting tight. We timed them, but they weren't painful so I wasn't nervous... Except the contractions were every 4-5 minutes. We called the doctor, and they advised us to head to the hospital. 

We packed a LIGHT overnight bag just in case....

Mary met us at the maternity entrance with a wheelchair, and we waited in the waiting room. About an hour later I was called into triage. Another 30 minutes after {I had to put on a gown, pee in a cup, give insurance information, etc}, I was put on the monitors. The contractions kept coming... some 2-3 minutes apart. Me- no pain. 

A resident came in and labeled me at '3 centimeters, 80% effaced'. WHAT?!?! 

At the OB's office, the ultrasound measured Mac and Paisley around 2 lbs each- about the size of an eggplant.

Immediately I was wheeled to a delivery room and put on magnesium sulfate. No food, no water. I hadn't eaten lunch at home because I was too nervous, and I really regretted that decision at this point.

If you remember or lived this journey with us, you remember that it was only by the grace of God that Mac and Paisley weren't born that day, one year ago today. It was a whirlwind of a day between meeting nurses, doctors, neonatologists, labor, etc. We were surrounded by prayer, and we were at peace with whatever happened. Becca and Susie brought us {well, Jordan}dinner, Jessica, Leslie and Katie brought us clothes and pillows from our house, and Matt and Bart came to pray over my body in turmoil.

We had chosen to tour Erlanger two days before {July 4} because Jordan was off, and I wasn't at peace with the other hospital choice. I can't express enough my gratitude to the amazing hospital that Erlanger is! We feel very blessed to have such an incredible teaching hospital in Chattanooga. We have had friends go through preterm labor, and their babies are doing so well! So should M and P have come into the world that day, we knew we were in the absolute best place for them.

Selfishly, I am happy to say that today we aren't celebrating Mac and Paisley's first birthday. I am glad that they are only {only? ha!} 10 months old. I am thankful for these memories that I can share with you and Mac and Paisley. 

So today, about 10 1/2 months later, here are the nuggets- 

as always,
ashley

Happy Fourth of July!

We started today with a run {we run in shifts these days} with our running partners {Jordan with Becca and me with the Walkers and Coopers}. By the time I got home, my parents were here! I was hot, hungry and exhausted so it took a bit for my mood to improve. Sorry, y'all. 

Jordan grilled a delicious meal of bratwursts, Nathan's hotdogs and bison burgers. Yummmmm!  

Then the rain came {MUCH needed!}, and we played on the play mat. 

Later we all enjoyed homemade oreo ice cream. 

When the rain stopped and the sky cleared, we busted out the new slip n slide! 

Let Freedom Ring!!! Thank you to all of the service men and women {and families!!!} who sacrifice every day! God Bless America! 

as always,
ashley