Lilypie Third Birthday tickers

Lilypie Third Birthday tickers

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Missing my girls

I'm away on an adult trip to Disneyland with my parents. I have already taken the girls 2 times in the last 6 months so it was time for mom to go back without the girls to enjoy a little time away.

I'm having a good time staying up late and sleeping in which is something I rarely get to do. I do find myself missing the girls especially when we go on rides that they like or when we see their favorite characters around the park. Above you can see the pictures I took of Mickey and Minnie to send home to the girls.

This is the longest I have been away from my sweet girls and I am a tad homesick. We come home tomorrow evening after we stop and have lunch with my grandma Barb in Carlsbad. I can't wait to see my girls tomorrow night.
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Thursday, January 27, 2011

Turning 21.....months that is

The girls are now 21 months old. Can you believe it is just 3 short months away from their 2nd Birthday???? I can't understand where the time has gone. We have 2 happy toddlers running around and keeping us busy. They are so curious about their surroundings and they learn new things everyday. They are very into playtime and love going to the park with mama. They don't even need me to go up the stairs and down the slides with them. Sniff Sniff.

Their vocabulary is growing more and more everyday. They love to say all the names of their family members. Addison has to go through the list of family members every day to ask where each member is. She loves to say her Aunt Sara's name which sounds something like "yara" but it is so darn cute. Riley loves to say her sister's name and always asks where Addie is when ever Addie is not in the room. They are attached to each other and follow each other around.

It is great that they can entertain each other for short periods of time and we don't have direct their playtime as much. I can see them getting into trouble with each other very soon. They are understanding right from wrong and when they should not do things but I see Riley leading some of the naughty things and Addison going right along with it. Lord help us when they get older. LOL

Each day the girls amaze me with something new they are doing, saying, or understanding. I just love the changes and the little girls they are growing up to be. I want time to slow down a little bit because it is moving a tad too fast for me, but I can be happy with their progress knowing they are doing so well.

Happy 21 months girls!!! It will be a long time until your real 21st birthday so enjoy the fun you get this month.

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Fun with the girls' tree house tent





Big Addie Smile!!!


My mom bought the girls a tree house tent last weekend and they just love playing in it. The dog even follows them into the tent and they play together. We caught some really cute photos of them playing.

More pics of Bubba




The girls just love their new dog and he is a part of our family now. There is some things to get used to again with taking care of a dog but so far things have been good. Bubba has adjusted to his new house, new cat friends, and his new family. He seems happy and he makes us happy.

Our Newest Family Member

We knew we wanted to get another dog after we lost Matti at the end of my pregnancy. We missed having a dog around the house but we wanted to get used to parenthood and taking care of twins before we got another dog. The last few months, the girls were really interested in dogs and they called every dog they saw "Bubba". Jesse found a dog online from rescue name Bubba and showed the girls and since then, every dog's name was Bubba.

We thought we would get a Boxer because Jesse had one when he was younger and was interested in that breed. We met a dog from the rescue and soon found out that those dogs were too hyper for our girls. While we were in PetSmart visiting the Boxer rescue, another rescue was there with a dog with the best temperament. The dog let the girls pet him and he would roll over on his belly when they were petting him. It was adorable to see the girls with the dog so we put in an application for him.

Later in the week we got the call that we could adopt the dog! We were thrilled and they brought him to our house last week. I had wanted to post about it right away but we lost our camera cord for a little while. I found it this morning so I had to get on here and show you all our "Bbuba"



Saturday, January 15, 2011

Car Seat Safety

I am borrowing this post from a friend (Thanks Kari). I am very passionate about car seat safety as my best friend Brea is a car seat technician and she has educated me to something I probably would have never looked into. My girls deserve the best and that is why I chose to rear face my children as long as possible.

"Everyone asks why the babies are still rear facing and when we are going to turn them. The answer is because it is safer and when they no longer fit in the seats that we have. Here is an interesting article that I have found which will explain the benefits of extended rear facing. We waited far too long for these babies to get here to endanger their lives unnecessarily.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rear-facing for as long as possible for the best protection. This means that children should rear-face to the maximum limits of a convertible carseat...which is 30-35 lbs. (depending on the seat) OR when his/her head is 1-inch from the top of the carseat shell. The rule that most parents know is that children must rear-face to at least 1 year AND 20 lbs. (the child must be BOTH 1 year and 20 lbs., not either or). What is not well known is that 1 year AND 20 lbs. is the bare minimum and it is strongly recommended that they be kept rear-facing for much longer.

When a child is forward-facing, there is a lot of stress put on his/her neck in a crash. The weight of a child's head in a crash causes the spinal column to stretch...the spinal cord, however, is NOT meant to stretch! The spinal column can stretch up to 2 inches but the spinal cord can only stretch up to 1/4 inch before it snaps, which means paralysis or even death. This is referred to as "internal decapitation"...the child's head would be slumped forward and it would look as though he/she was sleeping. It doesn't matter if the child has great head control...that means nothing. Data is showing that a forward-facing child is 4 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed than a rear-facing child of the same age.

Rear-facing seats do such a great job of protecting children because the back of the carseat absorbs the crash forces. The child's head, neck, and spine are kept in alignment, allowing the carseat to absorb the forces. The child's head is also kept contained in the carseat, decreasing the risk of coming into contact with projectiles.

Something I hear often is "His legs are scrunched up, he must be uncomfortable" or "Won't his legs be injured that way?". There has NEVER been a single reported case of hip/leg/foot injury from extended rear-facing. Even if there were...a broken leg is much better than a broken neck.

Children are much more flexible than adults, so what may be uncomfortable for us, is not for a child. If you watch a child playing, you will notice that they choose to fold their legs up...they don't sit with them straight out or hanging over the edge of the couch. My boys fold their legs up in the stroller and squat or sit with their legs underneath them when playing quite often. They have never once complained about being uncomfortable in their carseats...never...the just fold their legs, hang them over the sides, or prop them up on the seatback. That is comfortable to a child.

Just the other day, when we got into the car, my 3 year old got in his brother's seat (rear-facing) and refused to get out. I asked him several times if he was sure he wanted to ride that way and he said yes. After being forward-facing for almost 3 months, he chose to sit rear-facing again and didn't complain once. He's hovering around the rear-facing weight limit though, so I did turn his seat back around forward-facing today.

As far as being harnessed as long as possible, think race car drivers. They wear 5 pt. harnesses, not just seatbelts. A 5 pt harness is much safer in side-impacts and rollovers, which tend to be very serious/deadly crashes. Most children outgrow their carseats (most go to 40 lbs.) before they are truly ready for a booster. The bare minimum for a booster is 4 years and 40 lbs...a child should be in a 5 pt. harness until then and even longer if possible.

Even at 4 years and 40 lbs, a child should only be moved to a booster if he or she can sit in it properly for the entire trip, every trip. It is extremely important for the belt to fit properly and stay in place (lap belt as low as possible, touching thighs, and shoulder belt between neck and shoulder).

The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If the answer is no to ANY of those questions, the child needs a booster seat. A 4-8 year old child in a booster seat is 59% less likely to be injured in a crash than a child of the same age wearing a seatbelt alone. On a side note, a booster must always be used with a lap/shoulder belt and it is also important than any person riding in just a seatbelt wear a lap/shoulder belt, not a lap belt only.

You can't control how others drive...accidents happen, it's just a fact of life. So why not keep our children as safe as we possibly can...that is one thing we CAN control. If I am in an accident, I know that I've done everything I can to make my babies as safe as they can be in the car. I know that any injury they have will not be because I did not protect them and I can live with that!"

On the mend!!

The girls seem to be getting a little better each day. Their fevers are gone and their appetite is improving. They are back to sleeping through the night. It looks as though the worst is behind them and that makes for a happier mama.

This morning the girls were sitting together in the laundry basket and I figured it would be a perfect photo opportunity. Boy was I wrong. The girls think it us funny to run or stop what they are doing if I pull out the camera. So the above shot is what I was left with. at least Addie was giving us a little smile.

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Friday, January 14, 2011

Post From Daddy

When Amy starting blogging, I laughed it off as a silly time waster. However, now that I have the opportunity to look back at our struggles to get pregnant and see my amazing daughters grow up in front of my eyes, I realize I am the foolish one. I have never posted a blog, but I want the girls to be able to look back when they are older and know what their daddy thinks of them.
To Addison,
My darling little Addie. You love your daddy and make my heart soar everytime I walk in the door. From the hilariously goofy faces to the deep belly laughs, you are always making me smile. I love your cautious personality and how it takes time for you to warm up to new people and places. I think most of all I love how you give those big open mouth kisses. You are so much like me already, with your laid back personality and the way you can entertain yourself for hours.
To my spunky little Riley,
I dont know where to start with you. You are a wild daredevil without a care in the world. Your fiesty personality reminds me of someone....oh that's right your mommy. You want what you want when you want it and there is no stopping you. I love your dancing and the way you nod your head when you say "yes". You give the best hugs and look so adorable when you run around sucking your thumb.
And finally, to Mommy,
You impress me everyday with how wonderful of a mother you are. You give so much to give the girls the best life possible. I don't say it enough, but you are not short of amazing, and I am truly thankful that our daughters have such a fantastic mother. I look forward to watching our girls grow up together. I love all of my girls always and forever.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Sick little girls

Our little girls are very sick. Addie was sick with croup a couple of weeks ago. She then started to get better only to take a dive for the worse. Some how along the way she got RSV. We are warned as parents of preemies that RSV is very dangerous. To adults RSV is just a bad cold but for babies and especially preemies it can get life threatening. We got very scared yesterday night when Addison was not breathing properly and she had a temp of 103 degrees. She would cough like crazy if she laid down and you could see her struggling to breathe so I took her right into urgent care. At this point we didn't know she had RSV and it took 3 hours, a breathing treatment, an RSV swab, and a chest x-ray later, we learned she did have RSV. Unfortunately the breathing treatment didn't really help. All it did was put her to sleep. The doctor said we just needed to wait out the cycle of the virus but watch her carefully.

The next morning Riley started getting a fever and a cough similar to Addison's. We then packed up the girls and went to their regular pediatrician. Riley was tested for RSV and she also has it. Luckily, Riley is not as bad off as Addison. Addie has lost 1.5 pounds since she does not want to eat much. Riley has only lost .5 pounds. Riley's chest is a little clearer and both girls temps went down.

I hope that the time will pass quickly and they will begin feeling better soon.

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Monday, January 10, 2011

More Addison and Riley Talk

Boy oh boy are these girls talking up a storm. They went from saying their key 10-12 words to repeating almost everything we say in a matter of a week. It is the cutest thing to hear them try each word. Some they get right to the syllable and others they are way off but they are trying.

Riley loves to say her sisters name. She walks around saying "Addie, Addie". We try to get both girls to say Riley but they both won't even try. Addie is now saying "mommy" instead of just "mama". That just melts my heart.

They are always asking where mommy and daddy are while we are at work. Once we get home they start asking where Nana and Papa are. They are questioning things and I can just see their little minds at work. They are putting two words together often and we can really communicate with them now.

On a sad note, Addie is sick again. She has her congestion back and a fever this time. I hope this is short-lived and she feels better soon. She is on a Tylenol rotation with extra love and cuddles.

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On a note for me, I am getting myself and the house back on a healthy lifestyle. The first of the year I went on a diet and exercise plan. I feel bad because I gained back all but 5 pounds of the weight I lost last spring. I knew it was time for a lifestyle change not just a quick fix. I love all of the advice, products, books, and exercise routines that the Biggest Loser uses. I am following some of the meal plan from the 30 Day Jump Start Program and I doing the workouts from Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred. I just love the way I feel and I want the girls to be active and eating better quality food. So far into the program I am down almost 5 pounds and I know I am gaining muscle at the same time.

This is the Prather report for now. I hope everyone is enjoying the new year and 2011 is a year to remember.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Dominate Twin

For those of you that have twins or multiples, do you have on baby/kid that is the dominate one? My little Riley is our dominate one. Maybe it is the "baby B" syndrome. She was the smaller one, 2nd born, something to prove maybe. She is the little mommy and is super bossy. I look at her and wonder how she could take after her mommy so much. She has a lot of traits that I do and she just loves to tag along and cuddle with me.

Addison is the perfect sister for Riley because she is more laid back and will let Riley do what Riley does best. Addison takes after her daddy and she can just roll with the punches. She doesn't get mad that often but if she does, she lets you know. Sometimes she will even laugh when Riley takes her toys or pushes her down. We try to intervene when necessary to keep the peace but sometimes Riley just runs the show. I have to take special time alone with Addison to focus on her and give her positive attention since her sister gets so much negative attention.

It is so funny to see their differences and to see why they were chosen to be sisters. I hope that they will learn to get along with each other and love each other dearly.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2010 - What another great year!

First of all, I am surprised that it is 2011 already. This last year went by far too quickly and our chubby little babies turned into lean happy toddlers. We love seeing both of their little personalities grow and most of all we love all the smiles, hugs, and kisses they give us everyday! In this last year, the girls have grown out of their prematurity and have caught up in development to their peers. We are so proud of our girls and we encourage them to grow and learn more every day.

I want to say congrats to my online friends who got pregnant or had babies in 2010 after years of infertility. We are looking forward to some 2011 babies as well! Congrats girls! Motherhood is one of the best gifts from God and I try to celebrate and remember that every day....even when the girls wake me up at 4am on my days off of work. :)

January

In January Riley got her first tooth and Addison decided to work on her teeth on her own time. These girls are so similar sometimes but so very different other times.

As the girls got bigger and more mobile, we took them to the mall to visit with their 2nd cousins, great-aunts, and great grandma Jean. This was a tradition to do almost every Friday afternoon since I worked half days on Friday. The girls loved interacting with all the other kids and the family. We will have to start going back to mall here soon, especially now that the girls love to go and play.

Addison started showing signs of crawling as she began getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth. She was taking the lead as the older sister.

February

In February the girls personalities really started to show. They were laughing, saying "Dada", and learning to play patty cake all the time. They also began to sit up by themselves and preferred to play sitting up.

The girls graduated out of their baby baths in the sink into the big tub where they could take a bath together using bath rings. They loved taking baths together and the extra time they could play. Mommy and daddy also liked it because it made bath time so much easier.

The girls also celebrated their 1st Valentine's Day by getting balloons, cards, and toys from the family. They had so much fun eating their cards and playing with the toys.

March

In March the girls made us laugh so much. They had this "scrunchy face" they made and we took several videos and pictures. Riley was famous for doing that face and we died laughing every time she did it. Even now Riley makes us laugh with her many different faces.

In the middle of the month we traveled by plane out to Forth Worth TX to meet with my friend Trinity and her family. Trinity and I met on an online message board for women trying to conceive. We went through all the trials of infertility together and ended up getting pregnant within a month of each other. Of course the girls came early and I had them 5 days before she had her sweet daughter Penny. After all the time of talking on the phone and internet we finally met. We had a blast in TX and we also got to meet up with one of our other online friends Jenny. The girls did great on the plane rides both ways and the trip was a big success.

On March 18th Jesse and I celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary! And finally the girls started saying mama!

April

In April the girls celebrated their 1st Easter. They had pictures with the Easter Bunny and they screamed all the way through. They enjoyed getting their Easter baskets and playing with all the eggs.

We took the girls to celebrate in the March of Dimes walk for premature babies. This cause is near and dear to our hearts and we plan to participate every year to help raise money for more research and help for premature babies.

On the 26th the girls celebrated their 1st Birthday Party. The 1st birthday bash was a big success. So many family and friends came to celebrate with us and the girls made out like bandits with all the gifts! Just one day shy of a year Addison popped her 1st tooth. She really does things on her own time. We love how similar and different our girls are.

At one year, the girls were weighing in at 18 pounds each!

May

In May we went on our 1st big family vacation to San Diego. Growing up, our family traveled to the Southern California area to vacation with the Haasis family. It was time to take the girls and start some of our own family traditions vacationing in San Diego. The girls were great travelers and they enjoyed staying in the condo and visiting the ocean.

At this time mommy was still pumping milk for the girls too!

June

In June we were waiting for the girls to learn to walk. They were cruising furniture like pros but they were slow to start walking on their own. We got them involved in physical therapy to help them learn the skills to begin walking.

We spent time out in the pool to cool off from the Phoenix heat. Riley loved the pool but Addison was not too fond of the cool water. I think she preferred bath water temperature.

The girls practiced hard and started standing unassisted by the end of June. Walking was just around the corner.

July

In July we celebrated the 4th of July by having a yummy BBQ with family. The girls were still going to bed to early to see the fireworks but we had fun just the same.

On July 5th Riley took her first steps and we were so proud. We thought Addison might be the first to walk since she was the first to crawl but Riley found a way to show off and do it first.

On July 23rd Addison took her first steps! In July we finally had two walkers. What a great month!

At 15 months the girls were weighing in at about 20lbs and mommy decided it was time to stop pumping.

August

In August we had a quiet month at home. We spent time visiting with family, working on walking skills, and staying cool. We prepared for the girls 1st visit to Disneyland.

September

In September we took the girls to Disneyland. Daddy was busy at work so the girls and I traveled to Disneyland with my parents and Sara. We all had a blast and the girls had so much fun playing in Goofy's Garden and seeing all the Characters!!!

Mommy celebrated her 29th Birthday...just one more year of her 20's left!

In September we decided we needed more room and so we put our house on the market

October

In October we got the house ready to sell the best we could while living with messy twin girls. We packed hoped that the house would sell quickly.

The girls had fun actually going Trick Or' Treating on Halloween. They went to a few houses and showed off their cute costumes. They also went to the NICU Halloween reunion party where we visited with other parents of preemie babies. It is amazing to know how far the girls have come in 18 months.

November

In November our house sold and we moved into our big 4 bedroom 3bath 2600 square foot home in Laveen. The girls love their new house and mommy and daddy love all the extra space. We like our new area as it is a little further out and things are less busy out here. We even have dairy farms just right down the road.

Jesse got a new job at Grand Canyon University after losing his job as a teacher. He seems to be happier and has new career goals in mind.

We celebrated Thanksgiving in our new house by hosting the family dinner. Nana Linda cooked most of the meal since we were just in the house a few days. Aunt Sara made some yummy food as well. We enjoyed entertaining in the new house and spending time with family.

At just over 18 months, the girls were weighing in at just over 23 pounds.

December

As the last month in 2010 we enjoyed it to the fullest. We took a 2nd trip back to Disneyland and the girls were able to walk around and enjoy things a little more at a couple of months older. They traveled well and had fun in the park. We learned that Riley hates most rides and Addison is our dare devil and loves to ride on anything.

We celebrated a wonderful Christmas and made new traditions. The girls loved seeing all the Christmas lights and all the Santa's out everywhere we went.

At this point their vocabulary is growing every day. They repeat things we say and are putting two work sentences together often. They are still about 23 pounds each because they are busy toddlers and eating is not always at the top of their list. We love how far they have come and we are looking forward to another great year.

Happy New Year!!!