A Million Things

Well, there are a million things that I should be doing, not to mention posting about. My little lucky charms are almost one! That's right...they hit the 11 month mark on February 17th. I know...I don't even have their 10 month pictures posted yet. That leads me to the other million things I should be doing like finding a job, selling our house, laundry, cleaning, focusing on basketball. I could go on and on.

Most of my down time I focus on being so thankful for my healthy little guys. There are growing up so fast. I just can't get over it. I look at them each day and they're doing something that amazes me. ALso have to report that they are FINALLY sleeping through the night. They have been consistently for a few weeks now. Thank the Lord! Although I thought I would have so much more energy when this happened, I don't. Also, they can both hold their own bottles. Just a few weeks away from getting rid of them, but oh well. It still saves us time here and there.

Aidan - Just started pulling himself up on things yesterday (2/22/09). The poor little guy was standing by the ottoman for like 10 minutes before he began shaking, I don't think he knew how to get down. He is such a good little eater, even though he only has two teeth still. He cleans his tray (and Brody's) almost every time. I think he's getting bored of what he's eating though, he was really eying up my "hangover hamburger" yesterday. He can say "ma-ma" and "da-da", has been able to for months actually, but now he is finally starting to associate it with us, so I can count it now. He is a great napper and has the most precious smile. He loves the camera, always posing for pictures. He learned how to clap, after his brother taught him about two weeks ago.

Brody - He is a speed walker when using the furniture now. He's been pulling up for a month and a half or so. His teeth count is still at 8, but it looks like #9 is on it's way shortly. He loves to bite things...including mom, dad or brother. It's terrible. He is also into this head butting mode and head butts Atlas quite often. Speaking of Atlas, Brody LOVES to feed him food off his tray. It is so funny. One for Atlas, one for Brody. Too cute. He's starting to becomre more attached to mom and dad. He will cry when we put him down or if he sees us in the room. He's our little snuggler and loves to just sit with us and cuddle. He is also learning to hug...adorable! He also say "ma-ma" and "da-da" although I think his first real word is going to be Atlas...his buddy. He HATES getting his clothes or diaper changed right now. Definitely part of the day that I don't look forward to as he usually screams and cries the entire time. Hopefully that will pass. He is a great clapper and even seems to clap at appropriate times, like when the Pointers score a basket. He almost has waving down too.

Now a few pictures of my cuties!

A photo from our 10-month shoot...Definitely captures their personalitiesHmmm...What's in the fridge??Bath laughs...They LOVE bathtime!!!

Now for some 11-month pictures...It's hard to get them to sit still for a picture these days...A close up of Aidan...Curly-haired Brody...Best Buds...Showing off one of their new tricks...clapping...Brody is anyways...JACKPOT! They dumped the box of Cheerios out EVERYWHERE on Saturday morning. Aidan was shoveling them in his mouth!

Some Very Sad News

You may remember that a while back I posted about two sweet little girls Sydney and Carynne who were diagnosed with Werdnig-Hoffman disease. Our Multiples board received sad news from Brook that sweet little Carynne passed away peacefully yesterday. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. If you would like to donate to their family, you can do so by clicking the button on the right side of the blog. You can share your condolences here.

Close Shave!

Well, we did it! The Pointers, the Stevens Point Community, our coaching staff, and all of our supporters rallied together to raise over $2500. I am so proud of everyone and all that they did to contribute to this cause. Just like promised, I allowed my team and the other coaches to first cut my hair and then shave it off at half court in Berg Gym following our win over Superior. The best thing about the new haircut is it takes me all of 10 minutes to get ready and the boys still love me very much and know who their mommy is (that was my number one concern). I know most of you are waiting for pictures, so here are some before, during and afters! Enjoy!!!

The Family Pre-ShaveMommy and Her BoysLet's get started...a gradual progressionMy awesome team!

Mommy & Her Boys...I think their's is longer and they're definitely cuter!

Two GREAT Cuases

Hello all! I'm back from yet another blogging vacation, but I couldn't resist but get on to post about two great causes that I am actively trying to raise money for right now.

I'm sure if you've been around me at all since the twins have been born you have heard me talk about the "multiples board". I don't know what I would have done without these women (none of whom I have met in real life) during my pregnancy and these first 10.5 months with the boys. I didn't know anyone that had twins that I could talk to, so these women have been my lifesavers! They are just like true friends too! If I can't get on the bump for a couple weeks because I'm too busy with work, the house, etc. I can pop on any time for support and answers and they always come through for me...just like a true friend does.

Brook is on the forum and gave birth to twin girls, Sydney & Carynne, in August. They have both just been diagnosed with Werdnig-Hoffman Disease. It is a rare genetic disease that is untreatable. They have the most severe form. Their lungs are going to slowly give out because the muscles will not be able to help them breath anymore. They are both on feeding tubes, oxygen at night and monitors. They will never be able to sit up or hold their heads up because their muscles just can't take it. They might never talk because they have to choose between using their energy to breath or to do other things and they instinctively know to breath.

It breaks your heart to think of any parent losing a child. It's unthinkable to imagine parents told that both of their children have a terminal disease. She has been told they will be lucky to live past the age of 2. Here's the story and more information about their diagnosis. Click here for a recent update with some pictures.

Our group is raising money for Brook and her family so that it can help with medical expenses and to pay for a professional photographer to take some beautiful pictures of her daughters. If you'd like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking the graphic on the right side of my blog. Thanks so much and please keep Carynne and Sydney in your prayers.

As most of you know I am also trying to raise money for our breast cancer awareness game on February 18th - Pink Zone. In addition to all the work Coach Vivian has done through donations and silent auctions, I am trying to seperately raise $2500 by Saturday, February 7th. If we reach that goal, I will allow my team to shave my head at the conclusion of our game at halftime. We still have $300 to go. Check out more information here.

So again, if you can spare a few dollars for two great causes please do. Every little bit helps...$10 is just going a week without your daily coffee and you can help those who are less fortunate. Please keep Carynne and Sydney and their family in your thoughts and prayers!

It's a Zoo Around Here...

So it has now been almost a whole month since my last post, and I'm such a great mom I skipped "Our Babies First Christmas" post. Come to think of it, they turn 10 months next Saturday (the 17th) and I haven't even posted 9 months pictures. What a great mommy I am!!

Things here are a little chaotic to say the least. Let's go back to Christmas. We had a great time in Barneveld and Lancaster, but 10 days away from home proves to be a lot of work when you get back to Stevens Point. The boys had a great Christmas and so did we. We got to see everyone who we miss so much and cannot wait to move closer to. The boys made out like bandits and it's definitely a good thing that Josh and I each had a car back home.

Since coming back home and after a 10-day layoff, basketball is in full swing. We are now 12-1, on an eight game winning streak and ranked No. 10 in the country. We have a pretty special team this year and go on a three-game conference road swing. They're all important games and we start one at a time with Platteville tomorrow.

Besides staying on top of my current job, it's time to start looking for a new one, but that has been a bit of a challenge, while keeping up with everything else. We've made some tough decisions about the big move on April 1st. It was originally going to be Josh and Atlas moving to Lancaster, while the boys and I stayed behind, but because of daycare costs and all the traveling I will be doing to and from Lancaster (will only be in Point Tuesday-Thursday) my babies are moving to Lancaster with Josh. It is going to be such a hard time for me. I'm not really sure how I'll make it through those days each week, but we'll manage. They have found someone to replace Josh at Allied and he is so excited to start building his practice in Lancaster. It's a dream come true for him and he truly is a much happier person just knowing this change is around the corner. Our house has been on the market for 6 days now and we've already had two showings and have an open house this weekend. It's a tough time to sell, but as long as we sell we're going to be thankful to have that monkey off our back.

Our boys are wonderful as always! I have two all out crawlers. Aidan started crawling (I mean really move...not just a few steps/crawls) on Tuesday, December 30th and it only took Brody two days to catch him. Now they're all over the place having fun and starting to pull themselves up on things. Today we caught them in the bar room, one on each side of the french doors banging at each other and giggling. So cute! We had our first blood incident last night. Aidan face planted on the wood floor and cut the inside of his mouth. Poor little guy! It bled for a good 15 minutes. Brody is now sleeping through the night and Aidan has been battling a cold, so he's still struggling to get there. I think I'm just going to prepare myself that this actually may never happen.

Anyways, as I vow in almost every post, I'm going to try to be better with this. I hope to be able to catch up on all the blogs that these days I only can dream about visiting, reading and looking at all the adorable children. If I can find the time between selling our house (tough to keep it clean for showings with A&B), winning basketball games, raising enough money to shave my head-stay tuned, teaching four credits, finding a new job, and just enjoying the four guys in my life...I'll get to your blog soon! :) I hope all is well with everyone!!!

Here's a few pictures from Christmas. I'll try to post some more later.

Here's a couple of pictures from our 9-month photo shoot...Mommy & her boys...Our first Christmas as a family...Aidan and his cute reindeer hat...can't go anywhere without that paci...Brody...always thinking...

Why Do I Do This To Myself?

So it's been at least a week since I've been able to get on here and blog. I don't know why I let it get so long between posts because now I have so much that I want to post, it just becomes a jumbled mess. UGHHH!

Well, it's here! That much needed time off that I was longing for is here. I am at my parent's house with the boys, snowed in and enjoying every minute of it. Well, except the bad night of sleep last night from their "crazy" day of traveling yesterday. It doesn't matter, we beat the storm and now I get to have some down time and don't have to go back to Stevens Point until December 28th. I went to a basketball game last night (work), shoe shopping today (hopefully), Christmas dinner with friends tomorrow, family Christmas Sunday, shopping Monday, and my hubby gets here Tuesday! We miss daddy already (and Atlas too)!!!

Anyways, we've done a lot since the last post. Seen Santa for the very first time, added two more teeth, started crawling, graduated into their Cadilac big boy car seats and turned 9-months.

The Santa visit went well. I think the boys were too young to be scared yet. I'm not sure. Josh and I felt so bad for some parents who waited in the long line at the mall only to get up there and refuse to see Santa or cried in fear (although I think those pictures are adorable too). Then there were the parents who were fighting because mom was "forcing" Sally to sit on Santa's lap and the dad thought it was absurd. Josh and I just looked at each other and smiled and knew that our time would come soon enough, but for now we would just appreciate this special first and our little guys. So no smiles, but no cries and two babies looking at the camera equals success.

Aidan has also learned to crawl. He's not great yet, but can take two crawls before falling. He can army crawl or back crawl anywhere he wants to go, so it's only a matter of time but we can't believe how mobile they're getting. It's going to be so much fun chasing the trouble makers around the house. He also had two teeth pop through without us even really noticing. I seen two white spots during breakfast one morning and sure enough two popped through on Friday, December 12th. He's only two behind Brody...for now.

The boys have moved on to their convertible car seats. Thanks to my good friend and soon-to-be-mommy, Wendy, her cousin, and Aidan and Brody's grandparents (Wilson and Hodgson) the boys have fabulous car seats at an affordable price. Wendy's cousin was able to get us the Britax Boulevard Sutton, which retails at BRU for $320/seat for $150/seat no tax, no shipping. What's even better is our awesome parents got them for the boys for Christmas. They seem much more comfortable in the new seats, although it brings about a whole new set of challenges.

A&B also hit the big 9-months. We went for their well baby visit yesterday and they got a great report from the doc. Here were their 9-month stats.
Aidan:
Weight - 18 pounds, 9 ounces (25%)
Length - 28 inches long (50%)
Head Circumference - I have no idea on the measurement, but it's in the 95%!!!! What a huge melon!

Brody:
Weight - 18 pounds (10-25%)
Length - 28 1/2 inches long (50%)
Head Circumference - Again, can't remember but 25%

So no 9-month pictures yet, but a few to hold you over for the time being. I hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season and is able to enjoy their family this year...I know I am!

Our Santa Cowboy...Enjoying his first Christmas present from Josh and I All the boys asked Santa for was for Brett Favre to come back and play for the Packers. I don't know if Santa can do that! :( I wish!
The work BFF's came over for a little Christmas exchange. We had fun and Ann and Kelly spoiled the boys (and me). Such great friends...I don't know what I'm going to do without you two next year! Don't ask me how Brody made out so well getting to sit with both of them.

Ann and Brody Kelly helping Brody open up the cute shirts her and Tony bought them...

All May Not Be Silent...But All Is Bright!

Just a few pictures for your today. I don't have time for anything else! I hope all is well with everyone. We won again last night (on a last second shot). We are now 7-1. We're off to a great start. We got home late last night, I have to go recruiting tonight and on the road again tomorrow morning for a long road trip and another late night. I miss these little guys. I cannot wait until things quiet down a little bit for me. One week people, one week!!!!

All smiles...

Brody has the lights all figured out...Aidan is intrigued too!Although this picture is dark...we love the overall look. Look at those two presents! Santa was good to us this year!Same picture...a little lighter.