Bath Time

I have the sweetest girls to ever grace the earth. They have been in the bath tub for 45 minutes now and during that time they have played games and sung all the songs from their repertoire. They have not fought one time and are using good manners. I love sitting out of their line of sight and hearing them play.

BTW...adorable outfits are thanks to Aunt Linda.

Oops

At the end of the night as we were putting stuff away, Carl goes to the 4th level and discovers the "big" gift.  Crack up.  We forgot it.  Never even crossed my mind after bringing them in the house earlier in the day. What did we forget - their bikes with training wheels.  Major deal.  Carmel has wanted this bike for forever and every time we hit a store with bikes - we have to ride them - I end up chasing them down the isles.  Big fun for them, a little annoying for me and my fellow shoppers.  This summer they should be thrilled, we will have the bikes at our house and the trikes at my moms.  Fun everywhere we go.

Party Favors

I went all out and even created a party favor bag for the girls, Nathan and Lauren.  It included a lime green (watermelon flavored) rock candy sucker, a toy frog (gender appropriate), candy necklaces, princess and the frog finger puppets, a toy ring, and a a princess wand.

Birthday Cake and Singing

The girls were thrilled with their cakes and loved being sung to.  Carmel is having issues with smiling these days and then add embarrassment to it and you get a lot of funny faces.  She's a piece of work.  Then I loved that Claire joined in on the singing to her.  Such a sweet preschooler.

The Pinata

The girls watch a Barney video in which they learn what a pinata is and how to get into it.  I knew it would be great fun to have one this year and was able to find a frog.  I also knew the girls and Nathan would not be able to hit it open so we saved Lauren for last.  Each of the little ones got two turns, one with a blindfold and one without.  They did surprisingly well.  Then we let Lauren at it - my friend Sally wondered out loud if Lauren would be able to hit it hard enough to open it and I said yes - little did I realize how violent she would go at it.  She took to that poor frog like it had done her wrong for her entire life.  It was scary and hilarious all at the same time.  She has some major anger in that body of hers.  I have it on my video camera and not on my camera camera so there is not video of it to post at this time.

Presents

This year the girls were able to tear into their presents and as at Christmas, Claire was always ahead as in onto the next gift while Carmel was still opening the one.  It was pretty funny because we had to slow her down.  They were troopers and like all kids - the current gift is much more exciting than the ones not opened so we did stop every so often and let them explore what they got.  

Poor little Nathan is didn't quite get it and really wanted to participate in the opening of the gifts.  Granny and Nana were on top of it and had a couple of gifts for him.  He is a bit on the pathetic side when he is sad.  Anything to wipe the sadness off his face. :)  

They got a ton of neat stuff and are throughly enjoying all of it.  

Meal

We do birthday's big at our house and you usually get to choose the meal and the desert and the entire family comes.  The girls favorite meal is breakfast which is what we had.  French toast, eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit, orange juice.  I cooked up 4 lbs of bacon the night before and the smoke alarm in our house which is very sensitive kept going off freaking the poor girls out.  Then Frieda was kind enough to cook up the sausage while the decorating was going on.

The girls woke up and Carl brought them to my mom's house and of course they were hungry and since it was their birthday bash - they got to eat an hour before everyone else.  Lucky.  They wolfed their food down which made my mom happy - she thinks they don't eat and really don't eat at her house.  It was a win win situation.

Cake

I didn't have time to decorate a cake this year - working full time on Friday and Saturday prevented me from attempting which was just as well since I was able to chat Sam's Club bakery person up and they were willing to decorate the cakes the way I wanted them - swamp and lily pads with a mound to place the cake topper on.  Of course they each got a cake - one got chocolate and the other vanilla.  Funny thing - Claire likes the frosting and Carmel likes the cake.

Party Decorations

Sunday we celebrated the BIG '3' and it was so much fun.  The morning was calm and not much went on - as soon as the girls went down for naps I headed over to my mom's to get the house decorated for the party.  I was lucky enough to have Granny and Kristen to help with the decorating.  They did an excellent job and it didn't take near as long as I knew it would by myself.  Team work - it is the way to go and I've got the best team .  This year I decided to invest in a durable Happy Birthday banner which we could use year after year.  I love it.

Party Theme

This year we decided on Princess Tiana to be our theme for the birthday party.  There were several reasons for this - 1 - they can celebrate a princess who looks like them; 2 - it was their first movie in a theatre; 3 - they dig her.

I thought it was going to be easier than it was to find stuff to decorate with - I was way off on that.  When I was shopping for the party - there was nothing to be found in the local stores and the online ones were hit and miss.  

After some thought I decided to get the girls reusable dinnerware and skip buying paper products with Tiana's image on it.  The girls are big into balloons and I found these "bubble" balloons of Tiana on line which are suppose to last 3 weeks and then found a place that would blow them up for super cheap (Zurchers wanted $1.50 per balloon to blow up - insane).  

Birthday Party

Just a little teaser - today we celebrated the girls birthday with a big family birthday party. It was a lot of work involving many a person and to say I am exhausted from it would be an understatement. But to say it was a little fun is also an understatement - it was great fun!!! I took over 400 pictures. :) Overboard! You don't need to tell me that, cause I already know it but I can't stop.

3 year old Pictures and Stats

My babies are no longer babies or toddlers but are now preschoolers. I cringe when I hear that word yet when you see them and spend time with them, they are definitely preschoolers.

 Some of the changes from 2 to 3 are:

• the ability to converse with you.  They were talking in sentences at 2 but were unable to carry on a conversation. 
•  Something major and promised to me by many a person with multiples is: they are finally playing together and giving me some alone time. It is heaven and just started about 1-2 months ago. I L.O.V.E.  it!!!! 
•  are big enough to follow directions and attend gymnastics. During the summer, Claire was not able to attend to it for 30 min, she can now do it for 50 min. Amazing. 
•  vocabulary is astounding and I can't or am to lazy to attempt to count it.  
•  imaginations have taken off  - it is fun to sit back and watch/listen/participate as they play.  
•  are potty trained - something that was extremely easy 
•  learned to hop on one foot  
•  learned to ride a trike
•  reads/recognizes signs
•  memorizes books and able to "read" them out loud
•  got their one year molars in and a few of their 2 year molars
•  had their first black hair experience and it wasn't pleasant
• able to say simple prayers without assist 
• moved into their own rooms and got big girl beds
• learned there are words they aren't allowed to say, ie. crap - crud is our family's word of choice
• able to participate in simple crafts 
• got their own bedrooms - they do NOT like to sleep with each other or in the others room
• went from 2T to full on 3T and sometimes 4T clothing 
• learned to count to 10 in Spanish
•  Claire is able to buckle herself in her carseat as long as she doesn't have a coat on and zip up her coat/jacket
• recognizes their letters and knows each letter's sound

                                                                      
                                                                        
Carmel:
             Weight: 30.6 pounds, 51%
              Height: 38 inches,  64%
              Head:  20.25 inches, 97%

Claire:    Weight: 33.5 pounds,  77%
              Height: 38.75 inches, 80%
              Head: 21 inches, greater than 97%

It has been another joyous year.  One full of growth, change, learning, experimenting, and a lot of love.  Everyday they come running into my room shouting "Mommy" and jump on my bed to give and get hugs and kisses.  They astound me with their knowledge and desire to learn.  I'm amazed when they will spontaneous think of and ask for someone to be blessed in their prayers.  Their level of compassion for me and others brings tears to my eye especially when I think of the way they hugged and kissed on me when I miscarried last spring.  They are very forgiving of their mommy when I make mistakes, and I make a lot of them.  They sing to me - that makes my heart swell.  They give out to me - most of the time it is funny (there are times when it isn't so funny).  They love each other - for this I am eternally grateful.  As we embark on their 4th year of life I can only look forward to what it will bring and be grateful for what the past 3 have brought.

Happy 3rd Birthday Carmel & Claire

Labor Day Celebrations

Today Maren and Sabrina came over to celebrate the girls birthday a day early or as I like to call it "Labor Day." Since I got the call at 3pm and we truly expected them to come before midnight - today has it's own name.  Maren started the day off with cinnamon rolls and chocolate milk.  Sabrina and Maren both had gifts for the girls which they opened and were thrilled with.  Then we were off to the store - I'm looking for beads to put in their hair.  Then we headed to Wingers for lunch (we had eat free bday cards).  After lunch was nap time.  Once up we headed to Jungle Jim's for hours of fun, their daddy even came for the last 45 min's or so and we are able to have a blast in the bumper cars.  Maren got them their first ring pop to enjoy - the beginning of weird candy in their lives... Maren finished off the day by getting pizza for everyone.  Thanks Maren!!!  We had a great day and look forward to more festivities throughout the week.

Claire was going to sing a Barney song and broke out into an impromptu rendition of happy birthday.

Off/On

The hour or so before nap, Carmel vacillated between keeping her eyes open and being sad, complaining of pain in her eye. She got all dressed to go out and sled with her dad and then broke down in tears wanting the clothes off and needing to curl up in a blanket on the couch with her eyes closed. While her sister was outside sledding, she then started to cry and wanted to go out and sled saying she was all better. At this point her cousin Kristen was coming over to see her and once here offered to take her out to build a snowman. She was in the keeping the eyes closed stage as you can see in the first picture and was about to run into the deck. While outside she kept her eyes closed most of the time but I think that was due to the fact it was light outside. They came inside ate some and then she played hard for 30 minutes keeping her eyes opened and laughing up a storm. Then she went down for a nap - I had decided at this point how she was after nap would determine where we were headed. She took a long nap and as she got up I knew she would be whiny and she was. She spent the first 45 minutes with her eyes closed and a bit on the sad side but she would open them every so often. She got some rootbeer at Costco and from then on has kept them open and there hasn't been complaints of it hurting however she was putting her hand over the L (affected) eye while watching TV so I know it is still bothering her. And the eye is still swollen.

All this says to me we aren't done with it but we are out of the woods. It has been an intense 48 hours. I feel like I've aged 10 years and am worn out. Having a unemployeed husband, no insurance and a hurt child could send a person over the edge but I also know we are blessed beyond imagine and am very grateful for the blessings my family receives.

Snowsuits

For Christmas and their birthday the girls Aunt LaLa got them much needed snow coats and pants.  We were still wearing our 1st year snow coat.  :)  We haven't had much snow since Christmas and so we haven't been able to take pictures in them.  Last night we got dumped on and since Carmel was feeling better - they were able to go outside and play.  We love them and I got them big enough to enjoy for one to two years more.  Yay!  Thanks so much Aunt LaLa.

Miracle?

After the post earlier, I went into the playroom and noticed Carmel keeping her eyes open - she did this for 30 minutes so I called the doctor, family and friends and cancelled the surgery.  Soon after I did that, she closed her eyes again and complains for pain.  I called the doctor's office back and it is too late for today but they want us to call in the am.  It is so difficult to know what is right - I'd hate to be put under if she didn't need it.

No Miracle

So, the night was not the miracle we where hoping for.  Carmel woke up today still complaining of her eye hurting and unwilling/unable to open or sustain them open.  She is allowed to have clear liquids until 10 am and then will be checked in at day surgery at 1:45.  That is a long time without food - especially since she didn't have much to eat yesterday.  On a good note, she is willing to attempt to navigate the house but with this comes a lot of running into stuff and chance of more injuries.

Heartbreaker

Carmel did ok last night.  She had some bad moments but overall, she was able to get some sleep.  She woke up at around 4 and was able to take some meds and then got up for the day about 2 hours later.  Unfortunately, she still wasn't able to open her eyes and had a odd demeanor about her.  Around 8 am we got in the shower since I didn't know what time our appt would be today and I wanted to be able leave right away if they were able to fit us in first thing in the morning.  Well, the poor thing got out of the shower and crawled into bed and slept for about 2 hours.  She woke up and was still unable to open her eyes.  She wasn't hungry and needed to be held with her head burrowed into my bosom.  She seemed to take little cap naps but it was hard to tell because she wasn't saying much or interacting even though Mandy, Nathan and Molly were here not to mention Maren and Sabrina.

Our appt was at 1:15 and I have to say - we got in and out by 1:45 - this is amazing since they have signs posted to be prepared to be there for 2 hours.  She still wasn't opening her eyes and napped on the way to the hospital.  She looked like a pathetic specimen.  The doctor had me hold her down while sitting in and chair and the poor thing is crying hard and fighting me even harder.  I don't know why he didn't numb her as it would have been painless and much easier....I'll never understand doctors.  Anyway, he got a good look and said it was almost healed and she should not be in this state of keeping her eyes closed and "odd".  He informed me that if she was in the same state come the early am on Thursday that he wanted her in the OR to see if there was something else going on.  Talk about making my heart skip a beat.  I was also given a new prescription for ointment for her eye.

On our drive home I promised Carmel some curly fries with the hope that she would try to open them.  She ate one fry, told me she couldn't and went to sleep.  Once home we tried everything I could think of to get her to open them but not luck..she was still complaining of pain.  Granny came over and brought a treat - still no luck.  Then I tried chocolate and we got a glimmer of her beautiful brown eyes but it was gone in a nano second.  After my mom left, I wanted to try it again but she didn't even want the chocolate which if you know my girls, chocolate is never turned down so it was a bit of a shocker.  Then a genius idea hit me and I offered her gum if she would open them...she accepted my offer.  The genius part of the gum was I was able to tell her if she didn't open them, I would have to have the gum back.  This sounds mean, but I wasn't wanting, nor expecting her to be able to keep them open, just try repeatedly.  You have to have the lights dim or it is too painful for her to even attempt.  Anyway....it work!!!  She was able to repeatedly partially open them.  The left eye tears a lot and that bugs her, they are sensitive to light and I am sure it still hurts but at least she is finding out it isn't as painful as she anticipated.  It is WONDERFUL news and a HUGE blessing.  I don't think we are 100% out of the woods yet, but we made major progress tonight.

It has been some very stressful, worrisome, and sad hours.  To see my baby stop interacting, needing assist for everything and anything is scary.  Especially since the ER acted like it was no big deal and that she would wake up and be her normal self.  She is running a slight fever which I hope is gone in the AM.

A lot is riding on this short night of sleep.

Ouch!

At 5:30 Carmel and Clarie were play together in the family room one minute not more than 6 inches from me when all of a sudden Carmel let out screams and began crying. Claire was rubbing her foot like they had some how collided. They play, one gets hurt, she cries for a few, she is fine.... normal. Unfortunately, Carmel never seemed to get over the injury and would not let me look at her eye. She kept crying and could not open her eye for the life of her. This went on for about 30 min, so I gave her the Motrin/Tylenol mix...15 min later I called the on call doc to see if I should be taking her in. The on-call doc said yes and to take her to the Kids Care.

Kids Care said they could see her at 6:45 so I gathered the girls up and headed out. They got us back relatively quickly and when the doc went to put the numbing drops in her eye - the doc and I saw a cut across her upper inner eyelid. She said she wanted us to go up to Primary's and have a opthamologist look at it. Luckily Carl works across the street from the Kids Care so he picked Claire up and Carmel and I headed up to Primary's. We got to Primary's and they also got us back relatively quickly. To make it easier on Carmel, they had all the docs come in at once. The cut the doc and I saw at Kids Care wasn't there but the dye they put in the eye did show a cut on her actual eye.

The doctors walked out and 15 minutes later the doctor came back in and said it was a scratch and that they heal fast and they would send us home with a antibiotic eye drop and some liquid tear drops. We waited for the nurse another 20 plus minutes and then headed up to the pharmacy where we waited another 20 plus minutes. We got out of the hospital 2 hours after arriving. We arrived home 3 plus hours after we left home.

Carmel was miserable the during our stay at the ER and would lapse into sleep but then wake up crying. She slept the entire car ride home but woke up as I turned into the drive and now won't let me put her down - she is laying across my lap. She is so miserable that she would not eat the popsicle they gave her nor the Sprite I offered her at home.

We are suppose to go to the Moran Eye Center for a follow up tomorrow and will update.