Finally!!

We finally have progress on the health care drama. Yesterday I was just fed up with waiting so I called the office (and after being on hold for 30 min) I spoke with someone who was completely unhelpful. So I decided I just need to talk to the caseworker in charge (of course getting the caseworker information is top secret). The woman I was speaking to informed me that she wasn't allowed to transfer my calls but she would leave a message, and wonder of all wonders that actually worked.

The case worker called me this morning, I faxed over one last piece of information and by the afternoon I learned that we didn't qualify for the month of September, but who cares since October is half way over, but the babies do qualify for medicaid going forward. Finally, it only took 2.5 months of nonsense but the babies are covered.

Although I did have to laugh because my next question was how the whole thing worked, finding providers etc. Her answer, "I have no idea." Good lord woman that's your job, so our next task is to find the babies a pediatrician. Yay for progress!!

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We had an appointment with a nutritionist this morning to talk about Eli since we still have concerns about his eating and making sure he's getting enough of what he needs. It was a really helpful session since feeding the babies is such a stressful thing for me. Most of the advice has been, "Feed the babies what you feed yourself" except that doesn't work since I'm among the pickiest eaters in the world. I know they need to eat way differently than I feed myself.

She gave us several specific ideas that we had never thought about and she was really affirming of what we've already been doing. Eli is small for his age but still on his own growth curve and nothing to be concerned about. He weighed a little under 22 lbs today which was at the very bottom of the chart. Although his head is in the 97%, our Eli has always had a rather large head.

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And just because they crack me up some pictures. They're obsessed with baskets and they like to try and sit in them (even though the baskets are too small) and then Emerson who lacks some of her brothers coordination gets stuck and screams. Fun times.

Eli sitting in his basket.

Emerson trying to get in hers.

Emerson looking at her brother for some tips on how to get into the basket. 

Emerson deciding that Eli's basket must be better than hers. 

Emerson finally got into the basket but then Eli decided he needed to stand in two. 

Marcus and I were really entertained watching the whole thing unfold. It's also funny because Emerson needs to hold onto something in order to step into the basket. So she'll pick the basket up and place it where she thinks it needs to go, but she can't judge distances, so the basket is usually really far from the object she wants to hold onto. She repeats this process 4 or 5 times before her basket is finally close enough to the couch or coffee table. 

A day of Appointments...

We had a busy day around here especially since it was my day off and I still don't feel well (more whining from me just a warning). I had the first appointment of the day at the insane hour of 8 AM Marcus had to force me out of the bed because I did not sleep well last night and I was exhausted.

Luckily I mustered up some energy and went off. I actually really like this doctor. She was very thorough with my medical history (which can be a little bit ridiculous). She gave me are referral for a G.I for my Crohns, gave me the name of a therapist in town, and wants to reexamine the fibro. stuff since it all got kind of sidetracked with the pregnancy and all that followed.

She however was not so helpful with my current illness. I've had the worst headache for the last 5 days to the point that I literally cannot function. I can't move, it hurts to stand etc. She told me it was probably muscular?? and it should go away and I was probably still fighting a viral infection. I don't know what it is but it needs to go away right now. It's unlike any headache I've ever had (and I have heads all the time).

After my appointment Eli had two appointments. One for his speech evaluation and an evaluation with an OT. So that took two hours of our day. They both were really well behaved though considering the amount of time it took.

Then they wouldn't nap, and Emerson learned how to take off her diaper. When they finally fell asleep I found Emerson without a diaper and found the diaper in Eli's crib. I'm not so impressed with this new skill. Then after nap time Emerson had here E.I appointment but luckily that one was in our home so we didn't have to go any where.

I'm so exhausted and wish I felt better. Not a very relaxing day off.

Baby Sitting...

Last night we watched my two month old nephew. I was a little bit nervous about the whole thing because last time I held him and he started screaming I had a weird flash back/anxiety thing (PPD/PTSD or something I don't know). Luckily all was well.

There was a moment when Eli and Emerson were both yelling for dinner and Isaac was crying and I was thinking of all of the MoM's who actually have twins Eli & Emmy's age and a new baby and can't imagine how they do it.

Eli and Emerson are so intrigued by their cousin. They both would walk up to him and say, "Hi, hi, hi" and Eli kept wanting to touch his head.

Marcus is so cute with babies. He used to be so nervous before Eli & Emmy and now he's just a natural. He would have more kids in a heartbeat (although he adds the footnote that we should have one at a time).

And of course we had to get some reading in while Isaac was over.

I will say that I have absolutely no desire at this moment in my life to have more kids. Isaac was fun for a few hours but I just can't imagine doing all of it over again. Maybe in 5 years I'll feel differently. He's a really good baby though. 

17 Months!! (One day late)

My babies are 17 months already. Honestly there's not too many new developments in their lives since 16 months. No new teeth, no new words. They are insanely active, the laugh and play together, and argue over things.

We started doing some baby sign language at the request of EI and they can both sign "more" and "all done". Eli is making a lot of progress in the eating department but he still doesn't really chew his food which is concerning.

They're crazy, adorable kids, and we love them.

Emmy wouldn't smile for the camera (Marcus did her hair he's improving). 

Where as Eli loves it. He's starting to learn that a camera means smile.

And they are actually both facing the camera for once. 

Story time attempt...

This morning I was feeling a little bit ambitious and decided we should try out story time at our new library. The ages for toddler story time are 18 months - 3 years and since the babies are 17 months today I figured close enough.

There were so many kids and Eli & Emerson were by far the youngest. It seems like most of the others were closer to three. At first they both hung back nervously. Emerson clung to us and Eli just stood right by his dads feet looking.

It started okay because they were both willing to sit on our laps but then Eli decided that it wasn't so scary and he didn't want to be contained. Since most of the other kids were sitting by themselves we just let him go. Eli marched right up to the lady reading the book, in front of all the other kids and parents and reached up and tried to take the book right out of her hands. I was holding Emerson so Marcus had to go to the front and get him, and if you know Marcus you realize that walking in front of a room full of people is really not something he enjoys and his face was bright red.

Although in Eli's defense when we read books at home he gets to hold them, help turn the pages, and touch the pictures. So he was just trying to do the same at story time. Haha it was hilarious especially Marcus' face.

Then it was time for some musical numbers and each kid was given a shaker with bells on them. Eli and Emerson both loved this, except Eli decided he needed more than one, so once again off he marched to the front of the room, reached up onto the chair, and tried to take another shaker out of the box. I was able to pry him away with only a mild screaming fit on his part.

Things were okay for a moment (except Eli got hit in the face by another kids shaker) but those things happen. Then it was time to return the shakers. Well Eli and Emerson were not having any part of that. They wanted to keep them. So Eli proceeded to throw his very first public tantrum, while Emerson just screamed with huge tears running down her face.

Marcus and I decided at this point just to call it a day and as soon as we made it to the parking lot we both just burst out laughing. Holy cow taking these babies places is a lot of work... and Eli... well he certainly isn't shy.

Maybe we'll have better luck next week if we're brave enough to try again.

Everyone is better...

except me. However, since I'm the only insured member of my family maybe that's for the best, and better me than the babies. I came home from work today and just slept and yesterday I left early and slept, and tomorrow... well tomorrow I HAVE to go to work I don't have a choice and I'm just hoping for some strength to get through it.

I did bite the bullet and call a doctor, she can't see me until Monday. Okay great. I'll just suffer for 4 four days no problem, the most annoying part is they had openings for tomorrow just no openings for new patients. I swear, insurance, doctors, etc. etc. I'm not a fan these days.

I feel horrible, thank goodness for Marcus, and that the babies have slept through the night the lasts 5 days.

And I do have other things to blog about I just haven't felt well so all you get is health updates and me whining about our health care. Seriously my senators are so getting letters from me.

Oh, and I was hired for the tutoring position. So I'll do training sometime next week, get assigned my students and add more to my already full schedule, such is life.

Emerson cried when she was born...

random title I know. I received copies of Emerson's medical records to day and learned that she cried at birth. Until this morning I never had that information and it always bothered me. (I was under general anesthesia) and I forgot to ask during all the NICU stuff because frankly it wasn't the most pressing issue.

When I read that this morning I almost started crying. It gave me such a sense of peace and relief to know that even though neither Marcus or I were "there" to witness her birth or hear her cry when she was born she was okay. I also learned she had APGAR of 9 and 9, and that she had renal ultrasounds because of her two vessel cord. This is all new information. I wonder why the NICU never shared that she was getting renal ultrasounds done. I was always curious why the 2 vessel cord thing was always part of the nurses report when they changed shifts. Guess I now know. Luckily, it seems all was fine (not that they ever told us).

I didn't get to read much before going to work but I'm glad to see and read the records and I'm eagerly waiting for Eli's to arrive.

On a more annoying note also in her records is a note from the doctor who did her hip ultrasounds. In this note it states that, "Emerson is a healthy baby boy." Um... yeah except she's not a boy. Seriously?? He took her diaper off to do the ultrasound not to mention the yellow dress she was wearing (yes I remember what she was wearing), and the rest of the records that indicate she's female.