Calling all knitters!!! In need of some HUGE favors!

Yea, it's finally December! Which means - CHRISTMAS TIME! I have to admit, I am a sucker for Christmas. I just love all the lights, the decorations, the feeling in the air........ I just love it all. All except the frigged temps that goes along with a Wisconsin December. Ladies and gents.....it hit a high of 18 degrees today with a wind that would knock your socks off, or at least freeze your boogers to your face!

OK, back to the point of my entry. Many of you may read my good friend Michelle's Blog.

Michelle and I have been friend for a short period of time (since late spring, but now feels like FOREVER - love ya girl!) when she started coming to our Mother's of Multiples meetings - Michelle was anxiously awaiting the birth of her twin daughters. We'll in May, Michelle finally delivered her twin girls, but sadly, the unexpected happened. And then, if you cruz through Michelle's blog, you will see that since May, it has been anything BUT a cake walk for her and her family. A few days before Thanksgiving, Karly, Michelle's oldest daughter, who is now 13,

had a mass removed, plus a ovary and her fallopian tube. This family spent Thanksgiving at Children's Hospital. That's just not right. Now, the biopsy of the mass has come back, and I am so sad to say that Karly has cancer. In fact, to make matters worse (if that's even possible) she has such a rare form of cancer, and she has been told that the doctors aren't really sure how to treat her. The doctors at CHW have been contacting doctors in Europe and at St. Jude's hospital to figure this out. How crazy is that?

This family needs to catch a break and it needs to be huge, and SOON!

Karly will be starting chemo with in the next couple of weeks they believe.

Our family participated in a walk for Children's hospital in September, and walked in memory of their daughter Lydia. I also want to help Karly out as well.

I have started a new webpage for Karly - CAPS 4 KARLY to help collect soft, fuzzy, warm, fun hats, for during her chemo period.
Please go here http://caps4karly.wetpaint.com/?mail=1124&t=anon if you are interested in donating a new hat. Or contact me at Ladybug_wi@yahoo.com and we can work out the details.

Like I said earlier - it was 18 degrees here today.

Thanks!

It snowed!!!!

Snow pup! Jake will be 1 on December 21st. Most days, he is crazier than the kids!

Oh Damn!!!

PACKERS - 27

COWBOYS - 37

DAMN!!!! Oh...and who in the hell hit FAVRE????

The PreSchool dad....

Ok, if my husband is like this for Preschool projects, what will 4th grade homework bring?????

(Keegan had to draw himself, I had to do mine, and Mr. Smarty Pants did his! I wish you could see the detail...shoe laces tied, wedding ring, pen in pocket.........)

Picture of the day.....

Aren't HUGE bean bag chairs great!!!

Pictures from the weekend.

A cousin of mine has a little guy who just turned 1 this past weekend. Here are some crazy family photos.

Great Grandma J, Grandpa H, (my grandmother's brother) and Spencer, the birthday boy!

H & J's 4 kids
The girls And the entire gang - minus a few

Birthday pictures

Yet again.....a little late! Happy 2nd birthday Carson and Cooper!

Not as messy as their first birthday, Thank heavens!!

Even our little friend Max showed up for our party!!!

Freaky

Did anyone happen to see the moon tonight - Friday? It was sure freaky lookin'. There was circle that went all the way around it, and then it had a "V" type thing that went from one side of the circle to the other with the moon right in between the "V". Very strange.

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING


FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

Everyone is falling apart

So, I finally heard from our 2ND opinion doctor for Cooper and Carson and it looks like we will be making a trip to UW Children's hospital in Madison. No big deal, it's 2 hours one way to Children's hospital of Wisconsin, and 2 hours the other way to UW Children's. We were told the reason for having to go to Madison instead of seeing him here, is that he wants to run some tests and is only able to do it in his clinic. So we'll see what that brings. We'll go there in early December.

My dear hubby has been having a ton of back pain the past few months and finally the doc sent him in for an MRI. The pain he's been dealing with - a bulging disk and an inflamed nerve. He has had one epidural already and hopes that there won't be a need for any more.

I have been having some pretty intense neck and upper back pain lately. Matt finally talked me into going to see the chiropractor (who is a friend of mine) to see if he could help. After a few adjustments things have been feeling so so. So, I decided to go see our normal doc for the neck issue and a finger issue. For my neck, he told me it's totally stress related (gee, I wonder why that is????) and he put me on Valium!! It's some good S**T! Except, I don't find it working so well. I must admit, I do sleep a ton better though. And for my finger.........I have trigger finger and there is nothing that can be done by him, so I am off to see the hand surgeon. This will be my 3rd surgery by this guy. I'm sure he is tired of seeing me!
So, that's the poop scoop on the Cole family. Isn't it just a barrel of fun? Hopefully the next post will be a tad bit more exciting.

Better late than never, Right?

Sorry I am a bit behind on this. It's been the story of my life lately.

Happy Birthday babes!

Happy 2nd Birthday kiddos!

Cooper: November 15, 2005 - 31 weeks
Born at 4:59pm weight: 3 lbs 13 oz and 16 3/4 in
40 days in the NICU

Carson: Nov. 15th, 2005 - 31 weeks
Born at 5pm weight: 4 lbs .04 oz and 17 in
26 days in the NICU

Also, what a great time to mention that November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Please go over to Julie's blog to read why it is so important to all of us parents with preemies.

My seat belt

OMG - is it just me or do you feel like you are standing still and the world is flying by? Seriously!!!

There are not enough hours in the day for me to get everytthing done. I should not have signed up for NABLOPOMO. I barely have time to wipe my butt!

Tomorrow is the kids birthday, but luckily, the party isn't until Sataturday - I still have a few more days to prepare!

I finally heard back from the Dr. who will be giving us our 2nd opinion on Cooper and Carson. We will be having our appointment in Madison because he wants to run some tests. Tests that he can't do here.
Should I worry about these test? What kind of tests does he want to run??? I dunno. I guess I will wait to see when his nurse calls me back to make the appointment.
Tomorrow Carson also has an appointment with her eye guy. I think it's just to check on the stint.
Since we'll there, I might just ask him to check her vision. So, we'll see what happens with that.

I will post again tomorrow at 4:59 pm and 5pm. The kids will offically be 2 then! Yea!

2 years ago today.....

Blah Blog

Weekend blogging is tough. Not much going on around here. We got up, I made chili, watch the Packers beat the crap out of the Vikings, ate chili ,and now I am ready for bed. We did have friends from New Jersey out for the game. 2 guys are Packers fans and 1 is a Vikings fan, but that's for tomorrows entry.

Until then, Hasta La Nite Nite!

Dear Santa.....

...tis' the season for writing our Christmas list's right? We'll listen up Santa. I am not feeling the love from the toy companies this year. What's up with that? Why are so many toys being recalled? Don't you have someone who watches over those toy companies? Some body isn't doing their job and I feel they should be on your NAUGHTY list. Because of this, I have decided to go all NATURAL! All handmade items for us.

So Santa, I do believe I have been a good girl this past year. (Oh - except for the time when I called Carson's doctor a bad name and then posted here.) I've been pushed to my limits many of times, lost many hours of sleep at night, wiped a zillion noses, changed a GAZILLION poopy diapers........ well, you catch my drift, right Chris?

So, I think it's time I post my Christmas wish list.

For Carson I would like:

1. Quinn - the brown and orange monkey .
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7694159

Or Eleanor:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7514427

2. The traveling chalkboard - Dora
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7748751

3. Care bear swing top - 2T
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7074683

For Cooper:

1. The traveling chalkboard - John Deere
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7758419

2. Crayon Caddy - in Dump trucks -
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5716442


For Riley:

1. The Care Bear pillow case top - size 5
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7074683

2. Pillow Case swing top - size 5T
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6708809

3. traveling chalkboard - Pink and green princess one of course! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7748751

4. Crayon Caddy- In polk a dots
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5716442


For Keegan:

1. The traveling Chalkboard - The movie "Cars"
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7748751

2. Crayon Caddy- In Dinosaurs
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5716442


Ok Santa - I think that covers everyone. Thanks for listening!

Oh, and if there is anyone out there willing to teach me how to make the pillow case tops, I am all ears!

What to do?

It's your lucky day!!! I thought I would take a break from blogging about our medical issues.

So, let's talk about the toys that are all being recalled instead. Nevermind it's almost Christmas time. I can't believe that people are being so careless about checking the toys that our children play with. What's with the regulations, codes, and shit these days? Who's in charge of inspecting all of these item??
I am so tired of hearing about toys that are being recalled, and so sad when my children see things on TV that they want. My oldest kids are 4, and are just to the age where they can tell me what they would really like. The kids and I also started to make our "Santa" list.
How do I know if any of it is safe? I don't, right?? How do I explain to them that they can't have the aqua dots because it has a drug like substance to it that might make them die or fall into a coma. They don't get that, because how can a toy be harmful?
I don't know what to do. I guess the only thing to do is not get them any toys or to only shop at certain places. My friend Michelle pointed out that there are so many stay at home mom's that make handmade items. That might be the route to go this Christmas. She found this ADORABLE doll here that Carson too NEEDS TO HAVE! It's safe and it's supporting a SAHM. What more could you ask for.

I also found this on another site and thought it was fun to do -

~I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?

1. Produce: apples
2. Bakery: bagels
3. Meat: brats
4. Frozen: Edy's peppermint ice cream
5. Dry goods: Quaker oatmeal squares

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?(besides under garments, right?)

1. jeans
2. sweatshirt
3. and my Danskos

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?

1. "Keegan STOP!"
2. "I'm not your maid"
3. "Cooper - no hitting"
4. "Jake, outside."
5. "Riley! Riley! R.I.L.E.Y!!!!."

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you'd probably be in a pretty irritable/bad mood?

1. Shower
2. watch days of our lives
3. read Email / blogs

What are 3 things that you have in your room that have been with you for the longest amount of time?

1. A chair that belonged to my dad's grandmother
2. Our kitchen table
3. A picture of my brother and I with Bart Starr when we very young

~If you were only allowed to listen to 5 of your CDs for the rest of your life, never adding anything else, which 5 could you listen to & be content with?

1. The one Molly and I made
2. The 2nd one Molly and I made
3. The one Molly sent me for my birthday.
4. Jimmy Buffet
5. ABBA

~You're driving down the road, and suddenly you're hit with this sense of road rage. What 3 factors probably contributed to it?

1. someone cut me off
2. someone flipped me off
3. someone is tailgating me

~Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?

1. off to the Bead garden to make some jewelry
2. gone the mall
3. taking a nap
4. gone to Barnes and Noble
5. blogging

~We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?

1. monkeys
2. petting zoo
3. aquarium

~You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?

1. peppermint stick -if they have it
2. cake batter
3. Mint chocolate chip

~Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?

1. Tide stick
2. phone
3. Diapers
5. my drivers license

~ If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high school, and inform yourself of 6 things that you should or should not do what would it be?

1. Don't roll the bottom of your jeans - It looks gay
2. While you are sitting in the student section at a football game, don't ever been involved with "rowing".
3. Don't ever date a football player
4. Don't ever date a wrestler
5. Do not take Latin. Look at you now? Are you really using it?
6. When you lock your keys in the car, don't break a window to try to get in. Call your mother.

Tag - Molly, Michelle, Terri, and Angela - your it!

A little bit of everything

I'm going to start by saying, that in exactly 1 week, my babies will turn 2 yrs old. HOLY CRAP!
2. yrs. old. I can't believe it. Where has the time gone????

Next, we had Carson doctor's appointment for her leg issues. Yes, it is true, her right leg is longer than the left. What does that mean? It means we've earned a trip down to Children's hospital to see the orthopod. Yippy! It's so sad to say, but this will be the 5th specialist that she see's. It is nearly impossible for me not to have any guilt over this. Just what if......we chose to wait to deliver these babes? Would we be in this same position? It sucks!

Moving right along. Carson eye appointment with the vision therapy doctor has been cancelled because they don't accept any form of insurance. At $400.00 plus a visit, we just can't afford it. So, we will keep an eye on it and express any other concerns to her regular eye guy at children's. Lovely.

We still have not heard if our 2nd opinions will be happening here in Appleton or in Madison. I am hoping to hear something by the end of the week.

This afternoon I took all 4 kids to my dad's last swim practice ever. Yes, we swam! It was wonderful!!! My dad has been coaching high school girls and guys swimming since 1972, and today was his last practice - ever! It is so hard to believe that he is really hanging up the towel. Because he has been involved with swimming, education, and so many other things for so long, the school district has decided to name the high school pool after him. It's quiet an honor. I am very proud to say he was my coach, and he's my dad. I can not wait for the dedication.

Oh hummm

No word on the appointment today for the kids 2nd opinions. I did try to make an appoinment, but they are all filled during the time that they are here. The nurse up here was going to contact the nurse down there to see if they can squeeze us in someplace. I sure hope they have room. It would make life just a bit easier on us. Speaking of easier - things don't ever seem like they will ever get that way.....
Tomorrow, Carson has a doctors appointment because our PT believes her right leg is longer than her left. So, I guess we will find out. If so, it should be an easy fix. Then it's off to the eye doctor to see if her eyes are working "together". Carson has been doing alot of side steeping and a few other odd things, so we have been advise to make sure her eyes are ok.

So, after I wake up, get Riley on the bus, hand Keegan over to Matt to take to school, I will put on my sweats, tie up my sneakers, and run like hell.

A go ahead.

I have decided to go ahead with the 2nd opinion. The best thing is about it is, that they are coming here! I won't have to travel for it!!!

I will post more tomorrow when I know more.

To seek or not to seek......

....a second opinion? I'm in need of some of YOUR opinions. Everyday I struggle with the outcome of Carson and Cooper's CVR surgery. Carson is 15 months post op, and this is what her head looks like now. The open spots are where her bone has not healed. I am a bit torn because there is no "cheat sheet" of what it's SUPPOSED to look like after 15 months. Do I seek out another specialist for a 2nd opinion? I hate feeling her head because of the ridges she has formed. Is that normal? Once again, there isn't a "cheat sheet" for that.

Here is Cooper's CT.

What's with the ridge in his forhead? I DON'T KNOW!!! And it is stressing me out!!! Should it be? I don't know - cause I don't know what NORMAL is at this point in the game. I am almost certain it's not this.

"Poppy, I love you"

Tonight my parents were here for dinner. After dinner I gave the little guys a bath and my mom was helping me get them dressed. Cooper is naked standing by my dad, and my mom says, "Cooper, can you say, Papa, I love you"? Cooper walks over to my mom, stands in front of her, and says, I love you, and pee's in my mom's sock and shoe. My mom screams, and cooper walks back over to my dad.

We about all lost our dinner laughing so hard!!!!

Let's hear it!

Ok, I must admit - I stole this from Cameron's Corner!

1. What kind of SOAP is in your bathtub right now? Dove

2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No

3. What would you change about your living room? I would make it bigger

4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? No, and I am the dish washer!

5. What is in your fridge? Food - DUH!

6. White or wheat bread? White.

7. What is on top of your refrigerator? Dog treats, a mini gumball machine, and Halloween candy

8. What color or design is on your shower curtain? Clear with colored circles

9. How many plants are in your home? 1

10. Is your bed made right now? Nope

11. Comet or Soft Scrub? Comet

12. Is your closet organized? For today

13. Can you describe your flashlight? i"d have to find one first

14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Plastic

15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? No

16. If you have a garage, is it cluttered? How did you know?

17. Curtains or blinds? Both.

18. How many pillows do you sleep with? 2.

19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? Just the t.v until hubby falls asleep

20. How often do you vacuum? Every day - Damn dog hair!

21. Standard toothbrush or electric? Electric

22. What color is your toothbrush? teal

23. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? yes but it doesn't say welcome. it has shamrocks on it

24. What is in your oven right now? cookie sheets.

25. Is there anything under your bed? Dust bunnies

26. Chore you hate doing the most? Bathrooms especially toilets!

27. What retro items are in your home? I cannot think of anything at the moment.

28. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? Yes

29. How many mirrors are in your home? 5

30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? Ummmm no

31. What color are your walls? tan, blue, pink, teal, red - which room?

32. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? No

33. What does your home smell like right now? Ham from dinner

34. Favorite candle scent? Cinnamon

35. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? baby dill

36. What color is your favorite Bible? I don't have one

37. Ever been on your roof? Nope

38. Do you own a stereo? Yes, it's the kids now.

39. How many TVs do you have? 5

40. How many house phones? 3 plus 2 cell phones

41. Do you have a housekeeper? Right here, raising my hand!

42. What style do you decorate in? Somewhat country-ish.

43. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Solids.

44. Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yeah, 3.

45. In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? my kids, my husband, the dog, and the diaper bag.

Ok, I am now tagging - Molly, Julie, Michelle, Terri, and Amy W.

Light a little star - the pictures

Well, I seemed to have made it through with semi dry eyes. I followed 2 hard stories. I was tearing up before it was my turn. Riley went with me, and we had a great time. Saw a few new friends, and a few old. Here are our pics:

Riley's glow star.

Our favorite NICU nurse and friendsRiley making a square for an isolate cover that will be sewn.Our friends - Twins, imagine that!

I have to be strong

Saturday night, I will be attending an event for the March of Dimes here in Appleton. I have been asked to share Carson and Cooper's story at the Light a little star event. During this event, little glowing stars can be purchased for $10. At 6pm, there will be a little parade of glowing stars, followed by area families telling their stories. I must admit, I am a bit nervous. I have never been one to jump right up in front of a crowd and speak. I know I have told their story a million and one times, but it always seems like the first time when I tell it. I am not sure if the sadness ever goes away. I'm not sure if I will ever have a total grip on it. Maybe once the craniosynostosis isn't such a open sore, I will be able to put some of this behind me, but still, I'm not sure. I guess all I can hope is that I make it though with semi dry eyes.
Wish me luck.
Please feel free to visit the link and purchase a glowing star. Every star helps a premature baby.

TGIF

Friday Pictures. Enjoy