Sometimes I have to remind myself that things could be a whole lot worse.  Three years ago my twins were tiny premature babies in the NICU.  Now they are big three-year-old girls with a large vocabulary and energy to spare.  That's an amazing miracle if you stop to consider how they started out.  Thank you, God, for all of my blessings in life thusfar.  (is "thusfar" a word?  if not, it should be...)

I submitted a story to the "Spoonfuls of Stories" New Author contest. Here's hoping I win--$5000 and a published book to boot!

Times Two: A Story About Twins by Amy Harris, 2010

When you get into the kitchen cabinets, you make a huge mess—times two!

When you splash in the bathtub, the bathroom is dripping wet—times two!

When you eat spaghetti, your high chair is covered in sauce—times two!

When you play in the mud, your clothes are brown—times two!

When you throw a fit in the grocery store, it is loud—times two!

BUT…
When you see your baby cousin, you give her lots of hugs—times two!

When you hear Grandpa or Grandma come in the door, your little feet run to see them—times two!

When you finish singing your favorite song, you smile and clap your hands—times two!

When you put on your own shoes, you are proud of yourself—times two!

And when you say, “I love you,” you make me so happy—times two!

Enjoying some fun in the sun before the wind hits later today.  I am a huge believer in sun hats, so my kids are, too.  About twenty minutes after these pictures, the wind blew in and we went inside.  It was fun while it lasted.

Dandelions are the perfect flower for a two-year-old.  You can pick 'em and no one minds!

Taking a picture and getting it right the first try is a rarity around here. After at least five tries I got a shot of both girls smiling with eyes open. It was worth it!

Take 1:  Only one girl

Take 2:  Both girls, one in front of other

Take 3:  One sleepy eyes, one closed eyes

Take 4:  One small smile-eyes open, one large smile--eyes closed

Take 5:  Success!  Love those girls!

On a lighter note, here's a video shot a couple of days ago. Hadley is checking Harper for poop--down her shirt! They are starting to talk and make a lot more sense. So funny and so darling!

I woke up this morning to the girls just laughing their heads off! They were tickling each other and laughing so hard. There's something I'll miss next week!

Both Harper and Hadley are really starting to put words together. It's starting to make sense, and I can understand it!!! It always amazes me when babies learn to talk! Some of the latest phrases:
-Hunter's shoes (and they WERE his shoes)
-hat! go outside! (they know they have to wear a hat to go outside, so they want a hat on)
-who is it? (when someone comes in the front door)
-Hello? (when talking on the play phone they have)
-drink sippy (sippy cup with milk in it)
-I have poop (and unfortunately for me, she did! They also have a "baby sign" to go with this one)

Harper and Hadley are officially graduated out of the SoonerStart program! They are no longer considered "delayed" or developmentally behind. What a relief! They are both doing most things at 18 months (and they turn 18 months old tomorrow), so they have definitely caught up and progressed.

Hadley said "clean dipey" which is what I say when we're getting on clean diapers each day (I actually have a song...don't ask!). Harper said "my puppy" yesterday (and it wasn't her puppy, it was Hunter's). I can't believe how all of a sudden they're talking! They do Baby Signs for a few things, but now I think they're talking more than signing.

Harper got two more teeth, and Hadley's trying to get hers to work their way through. Then they'll both have 12 teeth. Just as they're getting their teeth IN, Hunter is going to start losing his. I dread the "loose tooth" stage! Teeth just gross me out! I think my idea of Hell is something involving me and other peoples' teeth!!!

Hunter is still very anxious about Big Nick coming down the street in the parade (in four days). I wonder if we're even going to get him out of the house! Prayers requested!

I gave my presentation yesterday in Young Adult Literature--the semester's officially over! Summer school starts June 1, and I have to be in Ada May 31st...that's coming up soon (I'm dreading that more than the teeth issue!). Hopefully it's a smooth three weeks for my whole family!

The girls are now 17 months old--and into everything! They're growing out of the 12 month clothes (which is good because most of their summer wardrobe is 18 month size).

I'm working on getting my masters degree in education with a library media specialty. I'm done about a year from now (after I make it through the summer program living in the dorms again for three weeks).

I just heard my old classroom from last year will be vacant again (I would love to go back to work, but who would watch the kids, pay for their medical insurance, and have enough energy to play with them in the evenings?). I wonder who'll be there in the fall...

Here's a video from back before the girls were born until they were about six months old. Such precious angels, and we got to keep both of them! After such a crazy roller coaster ride of a pregnancy, we weren't sure if we'd come home with even one. God is good!

Dec. 4, 2007 at 7:24 PM

I ended up having an emergency c-section at exactly 28 weeks (12 weeks early) on November 11th. The girls (we named them Hadley Sue and Harper Kate) are doing well for their age, and they are both in NICU for at least another 8-10 weeks. The pictures are from about 11 or 12 days after they were born.

Oct. 17, 2007 at 6:02 PM

Well, I found out why I was feeling so very crummy! I went to the dr. on Monday (Oct. 8) and the dr. wouldn't see me (saw the midwife). She thought I was exaggerating my symptoms, and she advised Tylenol PM and a visit or two to the chiropractor.

I went back to the dr. on Tues (10/9) because my husband called them and said they WOULD be seeing me that day. After some more talk of hot packs and ice packs for my ever-aching back, I asked the dr. to feel my stomach where it was tightening up painfully again at that moment. By the way, it had been doing that for days! He felt my tummy and sent me directly to the hospital. That was the first time I had ever seen the real dr. (not the midwife) at 23 weeks into a high-risk twin pregnancy!

At the hospital, it was confirmed I was in full-blown labor (at 23 weeks!). After spending an entire night in the hospital with NO dr. checking on me (and the midwife was next door delivering a baby that night!), my husband finally managed to get the dr. to "peek in." They had words (in MY ROOM in front of me and my dad) because the dr. had not been in (he was "busy"). I was given Magnesium Sulfate and a shot of something else (Terbutaline?) to stop or ease the contractions. I was then sent on a 5 hour ambulance drive without lights or excess speed--per my doctor (I live in the middle of nowhere) to OKC to OU Medical Center. I was there for a week.

I was diagnosed with Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and an insufficient cervix. I was given more Magnesium Sulfate and LOTS of fluids. The babies had an amnioreduction (about 2 1/2 liters of amniotic fluid were drained), and they are looking much better now. The dr. said he hopes they will both make a full recovery to appropriate size (one was too small and one too large). I had a cerclage put in on Friday (10/12). I am now on modified bed rest, stuck in OKC away from all of my family, and living with a generous friend and her family. I have been instructed to not leave the metro OKC area until after delivery. I have been put on full disability, so no more work for me. My new dr. is hoping I can reach 34 weeks (9 1/2 weeks from now) until I deliver.

If you ever feel like something isn't "right" with your body--demand to be seen and checked out. If my husband hadn't forced the dr. to see me, we would not have twins anymore (possibly not even one baby).  I may have a laser procedure at a later date in Houston to divide the placenta--not sure though.