Back on Track

Last night, the twins slept through the night again!!!!! (Insert hugely loud cheers from mom and dad!!) I didn't even realize it until I went into the fridge this morning and there were two bottles there. Hopefully this means that they are back in their groove and no longer sick. That would be fabulous! Eric fed them mac and cheese yesterday which they liked. And today they had peaches chunks, so we are moving forward.
Last night, after they were fed and changed and ready for bed, they were making each other laugh! It was so much fun to watch! Addison was in the jumper from Marcus and Shelly and Jackson was in the exersaucer. They laughed until Addison smooshed Jackson's finger between the two....but it was so much fun while it lasted.

Christmas Tradition

So, Eric, the twins and I were doing some Christmas shopping yesterday and as we were driving, with Christmas music playing on the radio, I turned to Eric and asked if he had any traditions that he's like to start with our family. He said, "Mmmm. Good question." I was thinking of something sentimental, of course, and then Eric said, "Each Christmas morning, before they open any of their gifts, they have to run down the block in just their shorts."
The look on my face must have been as shocking as I felt, because Eric said, "What?"
Strangely, I thought he would have said something else.

Incredible Infants

Yesterday, Eric started and ECFE class with the twins called Incredible Infants. It's two hours each Wednesday and they loved it! Eric said it was a mecca of toys and the twins had a ball! Jackson crawled all over the place and Eric said he would go up to other kids and look at them like, "Hmmm. You're not my sister...and then crawl away." They sang songs and Addison looked at herself in a mirror, pointed and giggled. She was a daddy's girl for the most part, though. She stayed on his lap. Eric enjoyed the time with the "ladies," as he's the only man, and he got some tips on where to hang out in the winter months.
******
Addison had her worst night ever last night. She SCREAMED when we set her down in her crib. She was fine if we were holding her up, but not when we laid her down. The moms I work with think she has an ear infection. Hopefully we'll find out and she can get better. This whole sick kids thing is taking its toll.

Croup Baby Croup

So....I had to take the day off from work on Friday because both twins were sick. Eric and I took them to the doctor and they have croup...great. What can we do about it? Nothing! No medication. Our doctor thinks it's better for them if they can fight it off themselves with their little immune systems. So, we are giving them juice and we had a sauna with them in the bathroom each night and they are so cuddly. Jackson takes a shower with Eric and just lays his head on Eric's shoulder. I think the worst of it is over...I hope...cuz it ain't no fun for noone! Grammona came over on Saturday and helped with bedtime because Eric went to the Timberwolves game. They slept really well Saturday night, except for when Eric came home and woke them up. Their noses are so raw and Jackson, who has it much worse, is hoarse....poor baby boy. He's beginning to smile again, which makes me think that he's getting better. He fights sleep so much already....and now he's coughing himself awake. Doesn't help that he has six teeth now....4 on top....Addison still just has the two on the bottom. But she is talking like there's no tomorrow. In church she was "singing" so loudly that Grammona had to take her out of the sanctuary.
It was a tough weekend, and just as I was leaving for work this morning, about 6:20, both kids were up and screaming.....here's to a happy Monday!

Update

So, Jackson woke up on Saturday with a rash on his chest and the whole front of his torso. It freaked me out, obviously. But Eric said not to worry about it, cuz it was probably from his wet diaper. Why did I believe him? Probably because I wanted everything to be fine. Well, later that day, I was changing his clothes and found that the rash was on his entire back and face! At this point it was snowing wildly and Eric was out getting his haircut. I called the nurse line and she suggested that we take him to Urgent Care. I called Eric's cell phone a few times and he didn't answer. So I found the number of the place where he was getting his hair cut and called. I said, no lie: "Is there a bearded man there getting his haircut? This is his wife and I need to talk to him."
The woman was like, "Um, does he have a name?"
It didn't even occur to me to use his name. That's how stressed I was.
He came home, with some Baby Benadryl, and we gave it to him and we watched him and he went to sleep and woke up on Sunday with the same rash, no worse, but no better. He and Eric stayed home from church and later that day, he got a fever....so I got even MORE freaked out and I realized that I just should have taken him in.
Fast forward to this morning: Eric said Jackson woke up and was much better. No fever and he's smiling.
Addison is doing something new that is bizarre. Whenever you lay her on the changing table, she arches her back and SCREAMS at the top of her lungs! Obviously, the first time she did it, I thought something horrible was wrong....so I picked her up and as soon as I did, she stopped screaming. So now, I think we've just learned to change her diaper at the speed of light. I'm going to need some ear plugs soon, just to preserve my hearing!
I'm noticing that Eric and I are definitely a team. Every set of parents is a team. Parenting is such a strange thing. You really can never truly be prepared for it, and when it's multiplied by two, as in our case, you realize that there aren't any "do overs" with the next kids, cuz we aren't having any. The decisions Eric and I make, will effect the twins so readily and instantly. It's a bit odd how great a responsibility it is. It seems some people are just more equipped than others.
I'm constantly impressed by Eric and I learn more about him, through his parenting, everyday. I'm impressed by myself too. I've learned that my insane organization is a both a blessing and a curse, but it's truly who I am. I've learned that Eric's patience is a blessing and a curse, but it's who he is. And I think we've both learned how much our senses of humor attracted us to one another...we make each other laugh several times a day and that's been a saving grace.
So....the journey continues.....Addison and Jackson, I hope you understand the depth our our love for you and that we are consumed with thought of you each day. We always want to do the best we can for you and maybe you won't understand until you have your own children, but even in the worst of times, when all you do is cry, we always want the best for you.