tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199019742024-03-07T13:23:21.465-05:00Shades of GreenBecause life just isn't black and whiteLauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comBlogger297125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-70088021781482298582011-09-14T14:57:00.002-04:002011-09-14T14:57:40.699-04:00Let's Play Catch Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So it has been several months since I last wrote here, I know shocker right?! Anyway, a lot has happened since my last post. We have all recovered since Maddie's surgery. We have been on our annual family vacation to Maine, which, was as usual, a wonderful time! We got to catch up with my whole family which is always chaotic, but fun. The girls have started preschool again.<br />
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This year they are going three days a week, and it is great to have them learning and it gives me time to spend with just Tanner, one on one. In the few short weeks that they have been going they have already learned to write their names, they could do part of them last year, but now they can write the whole thing! Tanner has sprouted two teeth and it appears that about four more might be trying to make their way out, I know one more for sure is because I can see it starting to cut through. He has also started to think about crawling.<br />
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He scoots a little and rolls, but more recently he has started getting on both knees and rocking a little and then if he can't reach he will just dive at whatever object he wants. It won't be long until he is fully mobile, something I am NOT ready for. I don't know why parents get so excited to have their children start crawling. For me it is a stress to make sure he isn't eating a littlest pet shop piece or a critter tool. Grabbing trash of the floor, etc. But it is a stage we will get through just like all the others. I will say on the plus side of his mobility he can now crawl/wiggle into my lap when he wants me, that is pretty cute!<br />
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The girls finished playing their first season of T-Ball and we are on to soccer again. This season I think they are having fun, because two of their friends are the team and I am coaching them. Soccer is nothing new to me, but coaching 8, 4-5 year olds that is a little something new. Getting them to understand and to listen are a challenge, but I think we are all having fun!<br />
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In a nutshell that is what has been going on here. </div>
On the horizon stay tuned for a 9 month update on Tanner and the girls 5th birthday update, I know how can they be turning 5? I am not sure, but they are so I will be enjoying their last few weeks as four year olds! :-)Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-67514907330555923272011-05-17T13:48:00.000-04:002011-05-17T13:48:07.228-04:00Just a small break please<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Things have been a tad hectic here lately, thus the delays in any posts. Last week Maddie had her tonsils and adenoids removed, new tubes put in her ears and her nasal turbinates shaved down. The goal here was to help her breath better and hopefully help with her snoring and sleep. She has always been a restless sleeper and always seemed tired. We are hoping this surgery will be the fix we have been looking for. The surgery in itself was easy and over within an hour. The recovery has been more than I ever anticipated. I knew she would be in pain, I knew it would be hard to watch and I knew it would take at least two weeks for her to heal. What I did not know, was the extreme pain she would be in. That she wouldn't have much of an ability to eat anything, (lately she has started to eat pretzels and will only drink water and chocolate milk from McDonalds...at least she is eating) I didn't realize how much weight she would lose. She initially lost 4-5 pounds, but has put 3 of those pounds back on now that she is eating, hopefully the other two will come back quickly since she only weighed 33 pounds to begin with and we have fought hard to get her to that weight. I also did not know that her nose could get clogged with some of the thickest, hardest, grossest snot I have ever seen. We had to go to the doctor twice to have it manually removed. The first time some long tweezers were used to extract it, the second time I had to sit and hold her head while she screamed that she wanted it over and wanted to go home and the doctor literally used a small vacuum to suck the stuff out. The things that have come out of her nose are beyond gross and I had no idea things like this could come out of a person. We also had to make a trip to the ER because she couldn't keep anything down and we thought she was on the verge of being dehydrated. Luckily the were able to give her some Zofran and they changed her pain medication and she has been better since. We are currently on day nine after the surgery and she is finally starting to come around. Is trying to eat more foods and is up and playing more and her nose is clear!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie trying out Maddie's Glasses</td></tr>
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Natalie on the other hand has an ear infection and pink eye...good times let me tell you! So for now, I am hoping that Maddie continues to heal and Nat gets better fast and that the rest of us don't get the stinky pink eye.Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-21002148066399817102011-05-07T16:08:00.000-04:002011-05-07T16:08:56.391-04:00Wow, Four Months Already<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYESLL7QnFB-wUFt2M1H6I5vHGiSB2icrTIwkgVWMXIzHTiuSfwiC4of9lFTbnKIVJt8kldPFjBB65yzOFbYb_s65ydQOZgAM5ECOaPh3nYs8PXbRjakQ7ITVO0URIcLnAJeq/s1600/IMG_0544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYESLL7QnFB-wUFt2M1H6I5vHGiSB2icrTIwkgVWMXIzHTiuSfwiC4of9lFTbnKIVJt8kldPFjBB65yzOFbYb_s65ydQOZgAM5ECOaPh3nYs8PXbRjakQ7ITVO0URIcLnAJeq/s320/IMG_0544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The last month has been crazy and most of it was spent travelling. We went to Florida in the beginning of April and then a mere week after returning from there we went to Ohio for Easter. Tanner is an excellent traveler and follows well in his sister's footsteps, which is a good thing since we travel several times a year. I always get a lot of looks when I travel alone with all three kids, some are looks of pity, others are awe. Travelling with children is really an art, and luckily I have this art down to a T. I am also lucky that all three of my kids are good travelers!<br />
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In other news Tanner is four months old already and a big four months at that! He is officially 17 pounds 13 ounces. Just 3 ounces shy of 18. He is 26 inches and is in the 90% for both height and weight and is wearing 12 month clothes already, but at least he is one happy and healthy boy! This month he has started to talk a lot, he coos and yells and laughs. He is very ticklish and his giggles, when we are dressing him are too cute. He is close to rolling from his back to stomach, but hates being on his stomach, so tummy time is a challenge and he hasn't shown many signs of going from his belly to his back. He has found his thumb, but still prefers his pacifier for sleeping, much to my dismay because sometimes he needs it in the middle of the night and finding it in the crib can be a challenge. We are still working on the sleeping "through" the night, and some days are better than others, but we are getting there to say the least.<br />
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The girls are still in love with their brother and it is really fun to watch the three of them "playing" together. They like to show Tanner his toys and now that he is able to sit in his exersaucer they like to show him the toys and laugh with him and it is nice to see their relationships growing. We also seem to have finally found a balance and more of a routine. The first few months were a little hard and I had immense guilt over not being able to help the girls with certain things and bed time was a challenge, but we seem to have found the balance we need and I am looking forward to the next several months and what they have in store for us as he starts to move and hit other developmental milestones. I am not wishing this time away though and even when I don't sleep I try to cherish every moment I have since he is our last and he is so fun and lovable!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3dCQXk1Qhox2kPj4FzJ5NVocoUSli_2vTck4plVHWvarKqgWA_4mgidixh3jDnyDBzSAQ_jvNgLmfdkqZJZwXFJeWfSt7nDX6_d6SDP_7o77LMrf6gPIPMEQVRbvBMZoC8ZO/s1600/IMG_6268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3dCQXk1Qhox2kPj4FzJ5NVocoUSli_2vTck4plVHWvarKqgWA_4mgidixh3jDnyDBzSAQ_jvNgLmfdkqZJZwXFJeWfSt7nDX6_d6SDP_7o77LMrf6gPIPMEQVRbvBMZoC8ZO/s320/IMG_6268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-77562964206823735802011-03-30T09:07:00.000-04:002011-03-30T09:07:23.803-04:00MIA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3une57XYmWGHBkuhjr05Ayp_hXQwrJbXZvoiMBI2FiriSGsTcM6aprTT4PmbYsAlhWtjZGKkAIXJF1jVJ6CYz-Y0eQp4fjWH1h0QNyZqAoidB99L45a2-BmViktwyDQC-Z2vz/s1600/IMG_5937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3une57XYmWGHBkuhjr05Ayp_hXQwrJbXZvoiMBI2FiriSGsTcM6aprTT4PmbYsAlhWtjZGKkAIXJF1jVJ6CYz-Y0eQp4fjWH1h0QNyZqAoidB99L45a2-BmViktwyDQC-Z2vz/s320/IMG_5937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So, I realize I have been MIA lately, but really what is there to report? Let's see the kids were sick, I was sick, we all were healthy for a day or two, the kids were sick, I was sick, we were healthy and repeat. I thought after this last round of sickness we would be able to make it until we got to Florida next week and we could air out, but nope, Maddie has another cold, and it seems like Natalie might be coming down with it as well. Now most people would think okay a cold no big deal, but it seems whenever Maddie gets a cold she also gets either an ear infection or a sinus infection so it is never just a cold. We are hoping this will all be remedied when she has her tonsils, and adenoids out in May. She will also be having tubes put back in her ears. A routine surgery, but one I am not looking forward too, because the recovery is a good 7-10 days and she has to limit her activity, which will be super hard on Natalie. At least Nat will have soccer and school to keep her occupied a few days. I am also not looking forward to it, because Maddie tends to be a little bit of a drama queen, not sure where she got that from :-) But she makes everything worse than it is, so I am sure she will milk this one for all it is worth. From what I understand she will have a pretty bad sore throat and some joint pain in her neck and around her ears from having her head tilted back, but hopefully we will be able to keep it down with tylenol and keep her comfortable and keep Natalie entertained.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Girls at the St. Patrick's day parade</td></tr>
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Other than being sick and visiting the doctor on a regular basis, Tanner has hit all of his three month milestones, which he isn't officially even three months until next week. He holds his head up pretty well and really likes to sit up with assistance. He even tries to pull himself into a sitting position sometimes when he is laying down. He has found his hands and sucks on them all the time, I keep encouraging him to find his thumb because I am not a huge fan of the pacifier, which he enjoys when he sleeps, but for the rest of the time could really care less about, which is good! He continues to grow steadily and is over 15 pounds 8 ounces, it has been a few days since we weighed him.<br />
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He does NOT like tummy time which is not the best because he is getting a nice little bald spot and it is supposed to help him strengthen his arms and neck, not sure if he will hit the rolling over around 4 months milestone since he doesn't like his belly, but we keep trying and some days he tolerates it better than others. All in all though the kids, all of them, continue to do really well and we are ALL looking forward to playing on the beach next week with their YaYa, that will be another post since I am travelling alone with all three kiddos, call me crazy if you want, but it shouldn't be too bad, the girls are great travelers and it is a short flight! Anyway, a belated Happy Spring and look for travel reports next week!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-84547821343640414552011-03-12T12:05:00.000-05:002011-03-12T12:05:15.967-05:00I'd say they are siblings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not much to report, but I did find some pictures of the girls when they were about Tanner's size and I would say that my kids are siblings for sure! If they weren't captioned could you tell them apart? :-)</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGZa6IH5KuGh_M1lhe3BIPnJgziJmPy53p9_oYMfTr07-UldORRzAX549o_o1XogLxnygrKHEnxj6f-r6eYyBmg_L60eRbzPYYdloChq1jPDfjFfaDcR1LBrybZ8eszfSle1g/s1600/Maddie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGZa6IH5KuGh_M1lhe3BIPnJgziJmPy53p9_oYMfTr07-UldORRzAX549o_o1XogLxnygrKHEnxj6f-r6eYyBmg_L60eRbzPYYdloChq1jPDfjFfaDcR1LBrybZ8eszfSle1g/s400/Maddie.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3JihFGt62vSZ6uuzJzL6HAc_wSWhinzHne9u3uZZE27jY5eTV8mp1QU9paRqkK161VD_VtpiFMPyAE3Uayp7i6VbpecLz8x_vOL8UNd5RTpN0rJOj5ANDcEgD_wR9t5vnocb/s1600/Natalie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3JihFGt62vSZ6uuzJzL6HAc_wSWhinzHne9u3uZZE27jY5eTV8mp1QU9paRqkK161VD_VtpiFMPyAE3Uayp7i6VbpecLz8x_vOL8UNd5RTpN0rJOj5ANDcEgD_wR9t5vnocb/s400/Natalie.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRWu6tdeDmER4Ph8pye7-1X_Xq0NLhzpduhF_LlDGgcLLf25los7TaizpjJjb5Zq8KzI3iHatoAzx4zL-pA26vJKpwSWJfP856HnH-W7VH0_qHI0YP1lKBl1XQDf441-dWieX/s1600/Tanner.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRWu6tdeDmER4Ph8pye7-1X_Xq0NLhzpduhF_LlDGgcLLf25los7TaizpjJjb5Zq8KzI3iHatoAzx4zL-pA26vJKpwSWJfP856HnH-W7VH0_qHI0YP1lKBl1XQDf441-dWieX/s400/Tanner.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-23050593263109009982011-03-06T10:58:00.000-05:002011-03-06T10:58:49.892-05:0062 Day Stats<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIPezJzYEc2Q4AzG7XYfeLGlUEZTktlFMdpE-3-ik5FbyQTT4j7G5h82l9j9DrIPNeJE61PPPBl66DGC9knMki-2JnC-v0AX_hyVQi8Kja-Mz1n0D9udojzGP5fnPt60HNMbp/s1600/IMG_5898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIPezJzYEc2Q4AzG7XYfeLGlUEZTktlFMdpE-3-ik5FbyQTT4j7G5h82l9j9DrIPNeJE61PPPBl66DGC9knMki-2JnC-v0AX_hyVQi8Kja-Mz1n0D9udojzGP5fnPt60HNMbp/s320/IMG_5898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too cute for words really!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Today, actually marks Tanner's 63rd day in this fine world, but since this is his "2 Month" status report, I am going with 62 day stats. On Friday Tanner went for his 2 month check up. He was a trooper for his shots, which he luckily only had to get two of! His official stats were 13 pounds 12.5 ounces and 23.5 inches tall. Putting him in the 90% for weight and 75% for height. He is a growing bean and we love it. Maddie weighed 9 pounds 15 ounces and was 21 3/4 inches, putting her in the 25% for both height and weight and Natalie was 9 pounds 8 ounces and 21 1/2 inches putting her in the 10-25% for both, so this a big change for us, but a positive one all the same!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlj9T8s2sYIdzQLfUse3S7sJVJtmhQfapnkdHlziQ_Y33Tb11Ipol20ipOOZQp74f1OonKgnwNLiowV6z9YCpDhWq5ct9iDx9dZ1cw1jvwdqmzzZ-5pYy5cBrk3mjuJjJph7T6/s1600/IMG_5903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlj9T8s2sYIdzQLfUse3S7sJVJtmhQfapnkdHlziQ_Y33Tb11Ipol20ipOOZQp74f1OonKgnwNLiowV6z9YCpDhWq5ct9iDx9dZ1cw1jvwdqmzzZ-5pYy5cBrk3mjuJjJph7T6/s320/IMG_5903.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting him reading at a young age.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We are finally past the RSV and are over breathing treatments, which while he tolerated them really well, he would usually fall asleep, it is nice to not have to extend the night feedings or put him through them during the day. I was happy to find out that he shouldn't have any long term residual effects, like asthma or other lung problems, because of the RSV and hopefully he won't get sick again. It was a scary time and while it was nice that he slept a lot at night for those first few days, I didn't sleep, because I was terrified he would have problems breathing or would start to choke on the mucus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwTg2pYSo7zl_Wq5alhKth5O2pZUpdmJV90LuQso5d90TKUzza2fRXBIUe4fqlvHYwJZfIxsWPBMPVn-sK3e2krLM8wS3uCtFxNaEd_us9x78qlVd59DeBNCK8xZzHj0ayJ8t/s1600/IMAG0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwTg2pYSo7zl_Wq5alhKth5O2pZUpdmJV90LuQso5d90TKUzza2fRXBIUe4fqlvHYwJZfIxsWPBMPVn-sK3e2krLM8wS3uCtFxNaEd_us9x78qlVd59DeBNCK8xZzHj0ayJ8t/s320/IMAG0086.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another little Colt's fan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Since, lasts month's report, aside from the RSV and growing like crazy Tanner has started to smile and make cooing noises. It is pretty cute, he will just lay there and smile and smile and then start talking. I love it! The girls continue to be great help and they LOVE picking out what he will wear each day or each hour depending on the amount of spit up we are having on any given day. Tanner continues to be an angel and just goes along for the ride, usually literally as we are shuttling girls to and from school or to play dates, he just goes with it. Wednesday and Friday mornings are "our" time when the girls are at school, so it is nice that he gets a little individual attention. Tanner has also attended his first book club meeting and also has seen a movie. Yes, I was "that" person bringing my baby to the theater, but I sat on the aisle and was ready to run out if he started getting fussy, but he didn't make a peep and slept through the entire show, allowing me to have a little quiet time to myself.<br />
Other than that we are still looking forward to warmer weather and our upcoming annual trip to Florida. That one should be interesting since I am flying solo down to Tampa to meet my mom with all three kids, but honestly I am not to worried. The girls are old hats at travel, so hopefully little bean will do well too! More to come soon I hope, I know you can't wait :-)Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-40456556720637735172011-02-22T15:06:00.001-05:002011-02-22T15:08:36.092-05:00Declaring this the longest winter EVER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNF9FkvGrqSHw4o8herZreg-lghlrLzbMAGLqvSz1X_ywwCycep9RQuvE9Hw_yi5Z1w8PiN7nf3ZNSuzNJeXyNa1SOblP3GmSY7BXlPWbgpRH1V4WOlzpXpnynDpVMzEXOebb1/s1600/IMG_5875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNF9FkvGrqSHw4o8herZreg-lghlrLzbMAGLqvSz1X_ywwCycep9RQuvE9Hw_yi5Z1w8PiN7nf3ZNSuzNJeXyNa1SOblP3GmSY7BXlPWbgpRH1V4WOlzpXpnynDpVMzEXOebb1/s320/IMG_5875.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I have officially decided that this winter came be declared the longest winter EVER and I mean EVER. Between being pregnant and not being able to go outside at the end, for fear of falling and because I wasn't able to stand for long periods of time. To the cold, cold, brutal cold weather that is now keeping us indoors. To all of the sickness we have been suffering I am beyond over this winter. The girls have been sick for a better part of 2 weeks and now Tanner has RSV. We discovered this after a trip to the ER last night. He was a real trooper and let them do all their tests and what not without a fuss. They diagnosed him and then released us home. Today we went to his pediatrician, where they said, he was doing okay, but sounded a little wheezy. So now he is on breathing treatments every four hours, which he tolerated well in the doctors office, he fussed for a few minutes and then he actually fell asleep. Needless to say I am exhausted and ready for some fresh air, the bad germs to be kicked out and for everyone to be healthy and able to go outside! In other news Tanner is gaining weight at an amazing rate, he weighed 13.5 at the doctor today, he did have a diaper on that was probably a little wet, as well as his clothes, so he is probably closer to 13 pounds, but still that is at least a 5 pound weight gain in 7 weeks, he is a great eater and hopefully an eater that gets to feeling better soon!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-78891220806244204472011-02-07T13:10:00.000-05:002011-02-07T13:10:16.722-05:0034 Days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NJ_1EZtLMo0lVruH4h7Kmq3_EnIFB3lOf5uprzPMLXP34RZM-0JHtHSe6nhWEiK7LAJDTpfrlZkVDG9Z2RKRxdBo2AHtZsa6eN-LW76kFZ_n7K4nvOGbmEOzjG-epX1YtSpr/s1600/IMG_5845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NJ_1EZtLMo0lVruH4h7Kmq3_EnIFB3lOf5uprzPMLXP34RZM-0JHtHSe6nhWEiK7LAJDTpfrlZkVDG9Z2RKRxdBo2AHtZsa6eN-LW76kFZ_n7K4nvOGbmEOzjG-epX1YtSpr/s400/IMG_5845.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So 34 days is actually the one month update, but I thought 34 Days was a tad more creative than one month, I know not really! Tanner is a growing machine. He currently weighs 10 pounds 15 ounce, yes he has gained 3 whole pounds in one month. The doctor said the average weight gain is 2 pounds a month at this stage, so he doing great. He is now 21.5 inches as well, so an inch in a month.These measurements put him in the 75% for weight and 50% for height, both of these I am not used to...the girls have NEVER been above the 25% for anything so this is a good difference to have. We joke that at his one year appointment he will weigh more than the girls do at their 5 year. He is outgrowing some of his clothes already, including all the new body suits I bought him, he barely got to wear them and a lot of his 0-3 month clothes don't fit either. We wake up a lot at night, but that is okay since it means he is growing and staying healthy. The longest stretch has been 4 hours, and he usually gots 2.5-3.5 hours at a time. I know that the bigger he gets the stretches will also get bigger, something I am looking forward to, at night at least. That is one thing that has been the hardest really is the night feedings and that adjustment of not sleeping, but we are making it through.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT8FkiHPN7hgbRaL-NV_IqLkOTMRMYC09xXpZx0_sIKN_jYeKmMFLFzSO1kZ7aIMbL5ENs8fqkMKvUP2TiJqns62BqtCqMQ3QGatiMYwdNQhpuLnEV_VbJXaVVNa1vXpSW4Q4/s1600/IMG_5850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT8FkiHPN7hgbRaL-NV_IqLkOTMRMYC09xXpZx0_sIKN_jYeKmMFLFzSO1kZ7aIMbL5ENs8fqkMKvUP2TiJqns62BqtCqMQ3QGatiMYwdNQhpuLnEV_VbJXaVVNa1vXpSW4Q4/s320/IMG_5850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Other than that there really isn't much to report. We had a huge ice storm last week, that made us home bound, and then that was followed by about 5 inches of snow this weekend, so we hadn't been out of the house for over a week, which meant today's doctor appointment was a much needed excuse to leave and was followed by a trip to the craft store to get some activities. The girls continue to be great big sisters and they have been very helpful in getting things for me when I need them, hugging and loving on Tanner and just overall being great little girls. So that is all there is to report for now, more soon.Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-19361861290481535372011-01-27T13:07:00.000-05:002011-01-27T13:07:43.738-05:00Three Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpt9Wj0FdkiC2U5A8RJ8d-kT5l2e-CC8KdJ1gnlgURuAzUxhztsH98XkBFopJWfbzxTZex_0kAn09N09gFbfr3miVKJARpErnsPByAeMhAWmnrRRZdAmlN3L_eV4EsvQyvKYj/s1600/IMG_5822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpt9Wj0FdkiC2U5A8RJ8d-kT5l2e-CC8KdJ1gnlgURuAzUxhztsH98XkBFopJWfbzxTZex_0kAn09N09gFbfr3miVKJARpErnsPByAeMhAWmnrRRZdAmlN3L_eV4EsvQyvKYj/s320/IMG_5822.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanner<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We have made it to the three week mark. Actually, time has gone by really fast and I am sure it will only continue to do so. I have found that my desire to blog lately just doesn't exist, perhaps I have better things to do. I mean I do have three kids now and all :-) Speaking of which, the transition from 2-3 has been pretty easy, the lack of sleep has been difficult, but the actual balancing of the three kids hasn't been that hard. I am pretty sure that this transition has been easy, because the girls are at the same stage/same age. If they were not the same age, forget about it. I honestly do not know how or why people would have more than two kids if they did not have a set of twins in there somewhere. I think it would be a lot more difficult to balance and adjust if the girls were different ages, so I consider myself lucky. I also do not know why anyone would ever want to be pregnant more than twice! Thankfully, this is something I don't have to think about or worry about anymore since we are done. As for Tanner, he is an angel baby. I was always told I was so lucky with the girls, that they hardly cried, I could put them down and do other things and again, I have been blessed to have another little one who is just like that. He only gets really angry if he is hungry and that is when he turns into "angry Kitty." He gets so upset and yells so loud he sounds just like my crazy cat when she is freaking out, so we all call him angry kitty when he acts like that. Some of his other nicknames, are bean and monkey toes, both given to him by Maddie. I think bean is my favorite just because it is cute. He continues to grow and at the end of his first month I think he will be bigger and weigh more than the girls did at 2-3 months. Yesterday he weighed 9 pounds 5 ounces, he is an eating machine, but that is what he is supposed to do, so that is a good thing. After a few rough nights of him sleeping on me I solicited advice from my facebook friends and the resulting advice was to start swaddling him at night. This has worked like a charm and he is now sleeping 3-5 hour intervals give or take in his swing, one step at a time, but at least it isn't on my chest where I have restless sleep thinking I am going to drop him!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxcljnTTVJtoNvq6ONtlbCyI-H_MFMktWImqQIeabhIjCC4MlW6I4Tyq5TFI4lBM96vEZFm_cQA6_U7W7dYujAbPfMz4APXc1G-H8JNofLZKGncEPQWWZNeJSVsuczt3BqXsO/s1600/IMG_5828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxcljnTTVJtoNvq6ONtlbCyI-H_MFMktWImqQIeabhIjCC4MlW6I4Tyq5TFI4lBM96vEZFm_cQA6_U7W7dYujAbPfMz4APXc1G-H8JNofLZKGncEPQWWZNeJSVsuczt3BqXsO/s320/IMG_5828.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie, Tanner and Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The girls continue to go to school, which has been a good thing since this winter is lasting forever and has been so cold. They get to get out of the house and have a break from our every day lack of activity. I am looking forward to nicer weather when they can play on the swing set and we can go on walks and they can ride their bikes. I also look forward to summer swimming and picnics at the park....summer please hurry! So for now that is what is going on here. Look for a one month update in a little over a week after we have visited the doctor, official stats will be provided then :-)Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-40216633416121750582011-01-11T12:55:00.001-05:002011-01-11T12:56:57.157-05:00Introducing Tanner William Stahl<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsZipbNrVOyO_ZQTS4hDOEu21USNbwKPDoOST8VhbUxc6eBGrMOabEsjsf88MecHkg-oUveA1fewb_WdaM8D18_QbgpbXKKUKxt1MTfsAZPL7iICLozXUGZ0qqOa4Om6swV_Y/s1600/IMG_5781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsZipbNrVOyO_ZQTS4hDOEu21USNbwKPDoOST8VhbUxc6eBGrMOabEsjsf88MecHkg-oUveA1fewb_WdaM8D18_QbgpbXKKUKxt1MTfsAZPL7iICLozXUGZ0qqOa4Om6swV_Y/s400/IMG_5781.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanner</td></tr>
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Here is the post you all have been waiting for...just kidding, but really here is the story of Tanner's arrival. Last week was a crazy week of final preparations and waiting. On Monday January 3 I started going into labor around 4:00 at 6:00 I had met my 6 contractions per hour limit and called the doctor. Even though I had an appointment at 8:00 they told me to go to labor and delivery. Tom and I both thought for sure that was it and we would be having a baby that day. My doctor had told me that she wouldn't stop labor once I had reached 37 weeks. Once we were at the hospital they gave me fluids and then a shot to stop the labor. I was a little upset, but at the same time I understood, he was still not "full" term 40 weeks or whatever, but still. So the labor stopped and I was sent home to rest. Wednesday I had an appointment with my doctor for my usual weekly visit. I hadn't been feeling very well for a couple of days and had a headache. Well my blood pressure, at the office was really high for me 158/104 or something crazy like that so they sent me over to labor and delivery again to monitor the baby and to do some initial tests to see if I had pre-eclmapsia. All of my tests started coming back normal and my blood pressure at the hospital was completely normal and level, not elevated at all. Very weird I thought, how is this possible? We began making arrangements to have someone come stay with the girls, because they decided they wanted to monitor me over night...THANK YOU Krissi for helping us out, you were a life saver! Well, shortly after Tom got back to the hospital I started having regular contractions again, I had been having a few, but they were getting more painful. Finally I asked for something to ease the pain because while they were irregular they were painful. At that point the nurse called my doctor and the next thing I know there are 4 nurses and the anesthesiologist<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span> standing over me prepping me for the c-section. It all happened very quickly, and since it wasn't an emergency I thought this was odd, but my mom thinks that they probably use non-emergencies as practice for emergencies, which makes since. So we were all prepped and taken back and at 11:17 pm on January 5, 2011 Little Tanner William Stahl entered the world 8 pounds, 20 1/4 inches, pissed off screaming and urinating on all the nurses and doctors. He has a full head of hair and very healthy lungs! The rest of the procedure was over by midnight and we were wheeled back to my room to recover, always a pleasure! We spent three days in the hospital and were released on Saturday to go home. We are making the adjustment, the not sleeping is of course painful and Tanner does not like to lay on his back at night, he does during the day though go figure. The girls have been wonderful big sisters. They do not like to hold him, but they sit with me while we are feeding and they cover him up and bring him is pacifier and other things big sisters do. So for now that is the report and story and while he wasn't set to come for another week, I am sure glad he is here and healthy and we can move onto the next stage!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-88912235023768161842010-12-27T10:10:00.000-05:002010-12-27T10:10:36.557-05:0036 week update<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA3AcMiI2YHSR6ah0IPzMgmNajxdmNAIW1GeW7ryzY3w5B8mhllg8Y3CknBOEvL4hi5MjKDGRcTR9uaXOTH7IVaRdfk6NukSSR_pUZg5szXbUvkO1o0Qlx0EhXyBJjadsjmcz/s1600/IMG_5718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA3AcMiI2YHSR6ah0IPzMgmNajxdmNAIW1GeW7ryzY3w5B8mhllg8Y3CknBOEvL4hi5MjKDGRcTR9uaXOTH7IVaRdfk6NukSSR_pUZg5szXbUvkO1o0Qlx0EhXyBJjadsjmcz/s400/IMG_5718.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">36 weeks, extra large</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Well, here we are at 36 weeks and two days. The longest I have ever been pregnant and wow I am huge! Today I had my doctor appointment and I am measuring 40 weeks, yes 40 weeks. I got to measuring 42 with the girls so if this one doesn't come early I very well could be just as big with one! The doctor said it is long, it grew a lot in the last week. I am also starting to retain water, and my fingers and ankles and feet have started to swell a little, which could be the beginning of pre-eclampsia, the reason the girls had to be delivered. So I am now on the look out for more swelling, and headaches. I am hoping to make it another week even though I am beyond uncomfortable and ready, but I know it is best to make it at least to 37!<br />
So really, no other news, which in this game, no news is good news!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-78067900203278694582010-12-17T12:32:00.000-05:002010-12-17T12:32:53.285-05:00We've made it to 35 weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrL29hd0o3UZho-u9TbV12ETuCYV2G8ZncxLAPIj0-MCbrlcd_wwkGwvwjK-1JKf-rXk3_cbReEJi-wTqlpNbsuRXXh7B-UQPzT6R5ZmHlZDSN_EIAO1pVCey_7kPk4lmxKNQ/s1600/35_weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrL29hd0o3UZho-u9TbV12ETuCYV2G8ZncxLAPIj0-MCbrlcd_wwkGwvwjK-1JKf-rXk3_cbReEJi-wTqlpNbsuRXXh7B-UQPzT6R5ZmHlZDSN_EIAO1pVCey_7kPk4lmxKNQ/s400/35_weeks.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">35 weeks with the girls...3 Days before delivery<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61rZ_Yu59KY_3heTReH1Xx0zlkYb_7iAJaQkrWkKPAmdOGHsx5yP21HAMrILkO_dvcnk_fWOk2KXgZFQPELWBqM9DvsNULiNp0C3en5lZUyzvYuV0Fls357o-cp4yiLf4e6Zq/s1600/IMG_5628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61rZ_Yu59KY_3heTReH1Xx0zlkYb_7iAJaQkrWkKPAmdOGHsx5yP21HAMrILkO_dvcnk_fWOk2KXgZFQPELWBqM9DvsNULiNp0C3en5lZUyzvYuV0Fls357o-cp4yiLf4e6Zq/s400/IMG_5628.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">35 weeks now, not as big, but still pretty large!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We have officially made it to 35 weeks. Part of me wants to say it has taken awhile to get here, but at the same time it feels almost like time has flown. 35 weeks was a critical point for us. I can now deliver at the hospital where my doctor delivers, they do not have a high level NICU, so if I had gone into pre-term labor I would have had to go elsewhere and had a different doctor deliver me. I have also made it to the point I made it with the girls, so I know what a 35 weeker looks like and how to respond emotionally if it is an early delivery. Baby is currently measuring 37 weeks, so it has slowed down a little in growth, or was laying weird. Either way, my doctor thinks that in about two more weeks my body will decide it is done, that would be New Years...not sure how I feel about having a New Years baby, but what can you do, it would be better than having a Christmas Baby. I will now start going every week to my doctor, which also helps alleviate some of the anxiety I have been experiencing lately and it is just reassuring to hear the little heart beat. Baby is still breech, but it isn't a concern since we will be having a c-section anyway. The girls are starting to get excited, I think, and they ask when baby will be coming out. I am sure they will be excited until they realize how much it will cry, but you never know, maybe it won't cry and maybe they will be able to tune it out. Other than that we are just passing the time playing games and building tents and doing lots of crafts. It is hard for me to be up and about a lot, because my back hurts and I worry about falling outside in the snow and ice. The girls have been very patient and understanding and really it has been pretty dang cold out to be outside long anyway, so they get their outside time in when Daddy comes home and I get a chance to just relax. So here we are with really not much to report, which is really okay and hoping that I don't have any other baby posts until December 27, when I have my next appointment. Goal, make it one more week and get through Christmas then I am fine with whatever happens!</span></div></td></tr>
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</div>Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-47907961426721779662010-12-14T15:34:00.001-05:002010-12-14T15:37:31.349-05:00It didn't even cross my mindFor the last month or so Maddie has been battling one nasty sinus infection. She has been on two different medications and as of last Thursday there was no sign of the infection left, good deal! Then late Saturday evening she came into my room burning up, fever, sore throat. Here we go again I think. So I treat the fever Sunday hoping it is just a cold with an elevated temperature. Enter Sunday night at 2:00 am, she comes in again fever is 103.4, cold compress to the head snuggle up to my little heating pad. Outside the wind is whipping and howling and I start having contractions. Really? Natalie comes in, because she realizes Maddie isn't in their room. I can't sleep, Maddie can't sleep and Natalie won't sleep. I wake Tom up and ask him to handle Natalie, because Maddie has finally fallen asleep and I need to lay back down and hope the contractions stop. After about 4 in 40 minutes and a lot of water the contractions stop, luckily! Maddie still wakes up with a fever, headache and sore throat. Strep I think, yup okay off to the doctor again. So we are treating her for strep and last night we notice a few little bumps on her bottom, I think it is from her pull ups, she still has accidents at night. Then this morning she has more bumps everywhere, not just on her bottom. Then this afternoon after gymnastics I am changing her and the rash is everywhere, good lord I think what could that be from? Poor thing is itching and scratching and it just looks painful. So I call the doctor thinking she has Scarlet Fever, because it comes from a strain of Strep. A few questions from the nurse and she checks with the doctor and low and behold she is having an allergic reaction. Good to know I say, as I am glad it isn't Scarlet Fever. Then I sit back and start thinking, wait allergic reaction, can't that be really bad, do I need to worry, what if she stops breathing. So I call the doctor again, thankfully, they inform me that she would have already started to have breathing difficulty if it was going to happen and that if she takes the medicine in the future her reaction could be worse. Okay, I am relieved now and we can concentrate on helping alleviate the pain from the current rash and she gets a new medicine for the other symptoms. What amazes me most is that an allergic reaction didn't even cross my mind. I thought for sure it was something else and the sad thing is I read the little drug reaction pamphlet and still didn't think about it. So to all you parents out there, make sure you double check the side effects and allergic reaction symptoms for all medicine, because even though they may be rare, they can be scary and they can happen to you!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-786689205554898692010-12-09T09:04:00.000-05:002010-12-09T09:04:21.016-05:00WaterIt appears that water really is the key to a healthy pregnancy. When my blood pressure went up over a month ago I think it was because I was dehydrated. I couldn't drink enough water and once I was re-hydrated my pressure went down, my headache went away and I felt much better. Same thing this week with the weird cramping and contractions. I again think I was dehydrated. When I left my doctor on Tuesday she told me to drink lots of fluids and rest. So I drank lots of water and again the contractions subsided and I am feeling better. So I guess the morale of this story is, drink lots of water. If something is wrong or doesn't feel right, drink some water. I am going to try to drink as much water as I can over the next few weeks so I can stay away from the doctor and out of pre-term labor!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-77773665597902676702010-12-07T20:52:00.000-05:002010-12-07T20:52:52.957-05:00JinxedSo I jinxed myself by saying this pregnancy had been a piece of cake. Today I started having cramping and some contractions so I had to go be monitored for a little while at my doctors office. Luckily, the doctor thinks I just picked up some kind of viral bug. I was having some other symptoms that I shan't discuss here, but I was told to go home, drink plenty of fluids and to just relax. So that is what I am doing, relaxing while I watch Glee and taking in lots of fluids.Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-11587248277180044872010-12-06T22:11:00.001-05:002010-12-06T22:32:11.948-05:0033 Weeks and CountingSaturday marked 33 weeks! I can't believe we have made it here without much drama. At this point with the girls I had been to the hospital a few times for monitoring, gone into early labor, spent a weekend trying to have the labor stopped and then being sent home to enjoy the rest of the pregnancy on bed rest. So we are doing pretty good compared! Also, with the girls I was pretty dang big. At 30 weeks I was measuring 36 weeks. Now I am 33 weeks and showing 36 weeks. So I think I will take 3 extra weeks of growth over 6 weeks. Although I am getting pretty uncomfortable, it is no wonder. Really everything is looking good. Knock on wood my blood pressure went down and has remained down, not exactly sure what caused that little spike a few weeks ago, but whatever it was I have been able to manage it by not eating fast food, boo and drinking lots of water and getting rest. My doctor has said we need to hold out hope that we can make it past Christmas. She said I really need to get to 36 weeks, which would be Christmas Day. So of course my goal was to get through Christmas anyway. It wouldn't be very good if Santa was in the hospital so that is what we are crossing our fingers for. I am taking it easy the next few weeks, at least that is the plan and trying to keep the bun baking. All in all I am healthy and baby looks healthy and we are just trekking along enjoying the holidays and the girls who are absolutely loving that it is Christmas time. The Elf on the shelf returned and he has been helping them count down the days to Christmas by bringing them little surprises each morning instead of us doing an advent calendar. We have one that counts down the days, but he brings little treats as well. The Elf has also helped keep their behavior in check, which has been really nice! They have truly become little helpers though and will do things without being asked. Like clearing their places when they are done eating or picking up without being asked. We still have some battles, but they are really coming into their own and are becoming very independent and helpful. More to come later as well as a belly picture!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-47634293136284671772010-11-19T19:22:00.000-05:002010-11-19T19:22:34.990-05:0031 week update with pictures of then and now<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsRq-dTuKhVSP4ctv8u1FND3M0eMeI0_CiYCB1JsCh9vNE6qXQRDun43cb3m2yYL0UBrClYcamkE3JQE5dcNLIY_EIYSxS152zHQWQns-tRrL6B1iqz-wLlHcXstFJfFPMs9C/s1600/sep2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsRq-dTuKhVSP4ctv8u1FND3M0eMeI0_CiYCB1JsCh9vNE6qXQRDun43cb3m2yYL0UBrClYcamkE3JQE5dcNLIY_EIYSxS152zHQWQns-tRrL6B1iqz-wLlHcXstFJfFPMs9C/s400/sep2006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">31 weeks with the Girls and I still went 4.5 more weeks :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoSVJVrUlnoEd05ubtXo4OxD7BaNU1xCiBMs7S8BkcU5UlZE8CRqmJQ2OrogwD0I19dcQVwROklozoapWHQ2RUSiatVEUOhvtrbNLulK56ncTAtMq0e0hNO4lGf68zYtjRPsd/s1600/IMG_5492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoSVJVrUlnoEd05ubtXo4OxD7BaNU1xCiBMs7S8BkcU5UlZE8CRqmJQ2OrogwD0I19dcQVwROklozoapWHQ2RUSiatVEUOhvtrbNLulK56ncTAtMq0e0hNO4lGf68zYtjRPsd/s400/IMG_5492.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">31 weeks now.<br />
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Well, we have made it to 31 weeks, our goal is to get to 37 or 38. The doctor said she doesn't like 37 weeks and would much prefer 38, but if labor starts then I am done. As long as we get to 35 everything should be pretty good though, with the steroids, the lungs should be developed pretty well, but there are never any guarantees so the longer we bake the better. The crazy news is baby is already big. It is measuring 4 pounds 12 ounces, 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Baby is 3 ounces shy of what Natalie weighed when she was born. She was 4 pounds 15 ounce at 35 weeks 3 days. Here we are at 31 weeks and baby is 4 pounds 12 ounce. When my doctor saw the ultrasound scans and the results she flat out started laughing. Not just a smile, but a full on laugh. Saying, "and you thought that this would be a an easy pregnancy, because you only had one." So looks like I will be big and uncomfortable at the end, but hey the health is all that matters right? Baby is measuring in the 97th percentile, so that is a change for us, when Natalie is still struggling in the 4th percentile 4 years later, but again health is all that matters. Other good news is that my placenta moved up so that isn't an issue anymore. Baby is frank breach, which explains why it feels like my bladder is being tap danced on all the time and why my stomach feels hard sometimes, because the head is way up by my ribs. The pain under my rib has also been a little hand punching me or pushing on the ribs. Already there isn't much room for the little one to turn over, so I reckon it is good that we are already having a c-section, because I don't have to worry whether or not baby will flip and be in the right position for delivery, it simply doesn't matter. So overall we have a big one, but a healthy one and we are excited to welcome it into our lives hopefully after Christmas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-49184252354135238692010-11-12T12:05:00.000-05:002010-11-12T12:05:17.781-05:00I Love Christmas, but Really?!Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I absolutely love everything about it. The music, the decorations, the trees, cookies, all of it. But, there is a time and a place for Christmas and that does not start the day after Halloween. I get that the economy is in the popper so Christmas commercials are to be expected on TV, displays in the stores typical, but individuals who have all their decorations out, not really okay. There is a house in the adjoining neighborhood that has their garland around their door with lights on, you can see one going up their banister and they have their tree in the window...really?! Then there is another house that has candy canes up the walk and lights on their outside trees. Finally, the kicker, there is another house that has icicle lights around the house, a Turkey hanging on the door that says Happy Thanksgiving and pumpkins on their porch. Three holidays in one...I think not. Again, I must say I love Christmas, but really is it okay to skip over Thanksgiving like it doesn't even exist? Shouldn't we still be giving thanks and spending time with family. Do you really need to put up all your Christmas stuff two months in advance? Our tree will go up the weekend after Thanksgiving like it always does, as will the other decorations inside and out. We will celebrate Thanksgiving with family and we will give thanks. I wish others could remember to be thankful and not go totally crazy the day after Halloween. Remember folks there is another holiday in there between the two!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-8049938188787916622010-11-08T08:16:00.000-05:002010-11-08T08:16:09.785-05:0029 week updateWell, we have made it to the 29 week mark! We had a bit of a scare on Friday, but for the moment everything seems to be okay. I had a regular appointment scheduled, which was good because I had had raging headache since Tuesday. I just knew when they took my blood pressure it was going to be elevated, I just was hoping it wasn't. As I suspected it was high for me, but not dangerous. My doctor was worried about pre-clampsia so I had to do a blood test and a 24 hour urine sample test to make sure everything was okay. My doctor certainly freaked me out though, because she said if the blood work came back abnormal I would have to go to the hospital that afternoon for evaluation and possibly to stay until little one is born...that could be 5-6 more weeks if they could keep me pregnant that long. Luckily, the blood work came back fine. This morning I found out I have small traces of protein in my urine, but they said it is nothing to raise alarm yet so I am just to take it easy and watch my symptoms. If the headache comes back or I start to swell I am to call them right away. The worst part about this whole situation was that I was totally worried and freaking out about being away from the girls for possibly such a long period of time. It is one thing to be laid up on the couch or in bed, resting and taking it easy because I can still play with the girls and interact and hug them, but at the hospital not so much. I admit I had a mild break down on Friday when I got home from the doctor because it was just almost to much, since my whole thing has been keeping their lives as normal as possible. I am pretty sure mom being in a hospital for weeks does not constitute normal! So, for now, everything is okay and I am going to take it easy and poor Tom is going to have to do more housework than normal, but we want this one to say inside and for me to stay home! So, other than that everything is still going well. My weight gain is still good, I am sure trying hard on that one and I am measuring at 31 weeks, so there must have been a growth spurt a few weeks ago and the growth has leveled out a little. So my next appointment is in 2 weeks, assuming all goes smoothly this week and we get to have another ultrasound so that will be extra nice to see the little one going into the Thanksgiving holiday. So for now, nothing to exciting to report and lets hope it stays that way!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-94867849348949652010-11-04T12:56:00.000-04:002010-11-04T12:56:30.773-04:00No Sick DaysI must preface this post by saying that I love my "job" as a stay at home mom and I never want any other job, ever! With that said, I must say that there are no sick days when you are a stay at home parent. If you work out of the house and you are sick you take the day off and stay in bed. When your job is to stay home you have to keep "working" and somehow make it through the day. For the past three days I have had a headache from hell. It started on the left side as a migraine on Tuesday my medicine wouldn't touch it. Moved to a migraine on the right side yesterday, again nothing would touch it and today it is again on the right side, mild migraine with the mixings of sinus stuff. Not sure what is going on, that is for sure. I went to the chiropractor and she cracked and pulled and did all sorts of things that broke up some of the tension I was carrying in my shoulders and neck, which helped a little, but the dull ache behind the eye is still there. I would love to curl up in bed and sleep, but you can't do that when you have two, four year olds who don't understand mommy doesn't feel well and they want to keep on moving. I will admit on days when I am just not feeling up to par there is more tv watching going on than I like, but I am okay with that if they are happy and safe. Today I pulled out the craft bucket and they have been practicing cutting. Lets just say, the hubs is going to have a nice paper mess to clean up when he gets home, but again they are at least learning and having fun. They have "cut" out dinosaurs, turtles, a cheetah, hair and various other animals. But again things can't be that simple. Maddie chose today to have an accident, lets see, last accident she had was over 6 months ago, so today would be a good day for that right?! At least she was in the bathroom, which I admit did need to be cleaned, but still, when your head is throbbing the last thing you want to be doing is getting on your hands and knees and scrubbing urine off the floor. (She waited to long and couldn't get her pants off fast enough) but we have almost made it to "rest" time which means I get at least an hour and a half where they are in their room either reading or sleeping and I can surround myself with ice packs and lay down myself. It is days like today when I have small goals, after breakfast it is make it to lunch, then make it to rest time and finally just make it until Tom gets home. At this point I will retire to my room and again ice and try to relax. So, so far today we have made it through goals one and two and goal three is mere minutes away and at this point we can basically consider the day a success and hope that tomorrow the headache is gone and we can go back to loving staying home!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-23482980998724702512010-11-02T18:30:00.000-04:002010-11-02T18:30:15.339-04:00The honeymoon is definitely over!They, as in researchers, book writers and other people, say that the second trimester of a pregnancy is the honeymoon period. You aren't so big that you are really uncomfortable, you don't have to use the bathroom as much, because the baby has moved off your bladder and isn't so big that it is constantly sitting directly on it, morning sickness is over etc. Then enter the third trimester, for me the honeymoon is definitely over. I have reverted back to the first trimester again. I have morning sickness, can you believe it, I wake up nauseous and have been experiencing actually getting sick. My aches are more apparent, I am clumsy, forgetful and using the restroom constantly, especially at night. All of these annoyance I can deal with better than others, aches, okay, you can stretch, see a chiropractor, take Tylenol if they are horrible and rest. Bathroom, annoying yes, but you can still function. It is the morning sickness all over again that is really driving me crazy. I wake up more nauseous now than I did in the first trimester. I usually would feel bad after eating in the first trimester, but now I can lay there in the morning and just feel yucky and know that it is going to be an interesting morning. Alas though life goes on and I know in a about two months it will all be over and worth it, but boy o boy I hope I find the strength to push through the morning sickness or that it passes and I go back to the "honeymoon" period, because honestly, this is rough and just when you think you are done you go back in time. Two steps forward and one step back I guess.Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-81637380963296624922010-11-01T19:19:00.000-04:002010-11-01T19:19:43.527-04:00Identical, I think yes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Maddie & Natalie</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Having identical twins has always been interesting to me. Yes, they look a like, some days more than others, they have the same DNA, yes, but at the same time it is different. Different you ask, how can it be different? Well, somehow it is, there must have been some mild mutations in the womb while the girls were developing, because while they are identical in theory they are not identical in reality. Maddie seems to have had the most mutation or she just inherited the crummy genes. She has to wear glasses and while her eyes are getting better, she will most likely always have to have some form of help in that department. She also seems to have gotten the worst allergies, she suffers year round, where as Natalie's are more mild. She also seems to have GERD, the poor thing had been "sick" since August and we took her last week to the Allergist, her pediatrician thought it was her allergies still and he scoped her and said her throat is raw and her adenoids are totally swollen. This would explain her restless sleeping and awful snoring. (She was snoring so bad on night that Nat came into my room and said she couldn't sleep because Maddie was snoring to loudly) She is now taking prevacid, which seems to be helping, thank goodness, because if it didn't then we were going to have to look into having her adenoids and tonsils out. I asked their doctor how they can have such different problems and she said she just couldn't explain it, it is just something that happens. The whole different personalities, different likes and dislikes, I totally get, they are after all two different people, which we have always treated them as such. The medical issues though still alludes me and probably will continue to do so. So for now, we go with the flow and handle each issue as they arise and enjoy our little girls each day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Natalie<br />
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</tbody></table>Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-20617955620093438592010-10-25T10:28:00.000-04:002010-10-25T10:28:12.476-04:00For the recordFor the record, steroid shots HURT! I had a vague memory of the shots I received with the girls, but again, I was on a lot of different drugs trying to stop the labor and that memory was dim. I recalled it hurting a little, but in all honesty, it is painful. There is the usual pinch when it goes in, but wow there is a burn as the medicine enters the body and an ache long after the needle has been removed. I am sensing that I will be achy later and I get to do it all over again tomorrow. I know it is worth it though, keep little one strong in case there is an early arrival, which we hope there won't be, but you never know, so better to be prepared than not!Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-22189272364265477232010-10-23T11:45:00.000-04:002010-10-23T11:45:06.095-04:0027 weeks then and now<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7x9A7ZvodqbPOo_rcNhyphenhyphenCgh6wnTv_oEFqcBpcz8SMtfOG0bMiWvPYgdicZMXTGp4hyphenhyphen_zN2We7NI7eHcB-pkyrAppjvIx2JAP2xKpeaZ-tME6MEeLFhhYtzKHFi4Mn_nS91e4/s1600/aug2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7x9A7ZvodqbPOo_rcNhyphenhyphenCgh6wnTv_oEFqcBpcz8SMtfOG0bMiWvPYgdicZMXTGp4hyphenhyphen_zN2We7NI7eHcB-pkyrAppjvIx2JAP2xKpeaZ-tME6MEeLFhhYtzKHFi4Mn_nS91e4/s320/aug2006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">27 weeks then...2006.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkiE3gQ1ziNXA5WJxtLxxvONtxy1r4iSU2tLd4xr6Yn2-izBBltc71OPblm0W1KIa5C6w6oR43dQYfOAD3alHh5UGNVibsQrT010pVyy-XdC8A26-5IJPkXbZ1GRmaSu9MLfQ/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkiE3gQ1ziNXA5WJxtLxxvONtxy1r4iSU2tLd4xr6Yn2-izBBltc71OPblm0W1KIa5C6w6oR43dQYfOAD3alHh5UGNVibsQrT010pVyy-XdC8A26-5IJPkXbZ1GRmaSu9MLfQ/s320/IMG_5427.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">27 Weeks Now<br />
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</tbody></table>Today marks 27 weeks for me and the beginning of my third and final trimester. I couldn't be more thrilled be be 2/3 of the way done. I am not sure what it is, whether it is because I am short, or because I carried twins or what, but my body and pregnancy just don't agree. I get tired easily and I have been pretty sore and stretched out. But alas we are almost there and this little one just needs to keep cooking. My doctor thinks we may be looking at a big baby, but we will have a better idea of that at my ultrasound in a month. For now, she has moved our "goal" to 38 weeks. I told her I was fine with 37 and that mentally that is what I am trying to achieve. She said she may be okay with that, but would like to go for 38, but that if things are really stretched she would do an amnio at 37 and if the lungs are mature than deliver. Today I was measuring 31 weeks, so still 4 weeks ahead, but other wise healthy. I had my glucose test as well, that is one nasty drink to say the least, but I passed without any problems. Which is great, because if I had had to give up sweets and sugar this time of year, I would have been miserable. I did find out that I have anemia, which may explain my excessive tiredness, my occasional dizziness and some of the other things that I have been suffering from. Hopefully a nice iron supplement will help clear up some of that and the anemia can be controlled. Monday, and Tuesday I will get my steroid shots as a precaution to help the lungs mature in case I go into early labor that can't be stopped. A benefit the doctor and I both think is well worth the small amount of pain and soreness that I am going to experience. I had steroids with the girls at 32 weeks when I went into preterm labor and I recall the shots being pretty painful, but I was also on a lot of other drugs attempting to get the labor to stop, so we shall see how painful it really is unmedicated. All I know is that the shots go into the hips and my hips already ache at night, but you gotta do, what you gotta do to help the little one arrive safely! So, as you can see, I am big, but still not as big as I was with the girls and all is still growing and stretching well!</div>Lauren Stahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342335993437185054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901974.post-41637955400667063452010-10-16T08:47:00.000-04:002010-10-16T08:47:40.923-04:00Happy Fourth Birthday Beautiful Babies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WdHdUjvXOss7PbFD9T-BfpL49LdhfjyV5NWn9M8URNqOnJPeBDPlczb78QU2LIJVoxu5ct9LTGn83f3I7nVu54w1Sh4-TMCo5AbxViMVp9VjNFz2Jvvw804VCLS89-BnG0WK/s1600/DSC_3158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WdHdUjvXOss7PbFD9T-BfpL49LdhfjyV5NWn9M8URNqOnJPeBDPlczb78QU2LIJVoxu5ct9LTGn83f3I7nVu54w1Sh4-TMCo5AbxViMVp9VjNFz2Jvvw804VCLS89-BnG0WK/s320/DSC_3158.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Maddie 2 months.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Maddie 4 years.</td></tr>
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To my beautiful baby girls,<br />
Today, you turn four years old. I am not sure where time has gone or how it is possible for you to be four years old already, but here we are. Four short years full of laughter, crying, temper tantrums, hugs, laughing and most importantly fun. You two are two of the funnest and funniest kids I know. You may be identical twins in DNA, but you have such different personalities and you are definitely individuals, yet you are both so carrying and gentle. Maddie you are our little sports girl. You love playing soccer and swimming without your life jacket and of course your gymnastics. Natalie, you are our artist. You spend time drawing pictures and you prefer ballet over aggressive sports like soccer. You take care of each other and are for the most part so sweet and loving. You have gotten very self reliant and you can do so much for yourself and by yourself. Your imaginations are amazing and the way you two play together is unbelievable. You started school this year and you go two days a week. One day a week you go to the new school at the Children's museum. You love this school and you have learned so much already. The opportunities you are getting at the museum are amazing and you get to see a new exhibit each week and you do crafts and they are teaching you how to do design on the computer. Some of the pictures you have brought home are pretty amazing for a four year old! You spend your other day of school at a nice church school near our house. You enjoy this school as well, but in a different way. This school is more structured, but the things you are learning are amazing. Maddie, you love dinosaurs and my favorite thing is when you ask me what kind of dinosaur something is and I answer and you usually say, "no mom, it is a..." correcting me and telling me what the correct dinosaur is. Natalie you like to create, whether it is drawing or singing or building things out of books or blocks or whatever you are both creative. Smart, beautiful and amazing. We are beyond blessed to have two sweet little angels to bring such joy to our lives on a daily basis and I can't wait for the two of you to become big sisters in a few months. I know your life will change when little peanut joins us, but already you are so great with it. You enjoying laying on my belly and hugging it and kissing it. You like to make the baby kick and you tell it you love it. I can't wait for you to have another sibling so you can teach it all of the things you have learned and look out for it like you look out for each other. My beautiful babies I am so pleased and blessed to have you in my life and I can't wait to see what the next year brings. I love you so much and I hope you have such a wonderful birthday. Happy Fourth Birthday Baby girls, I love you, Mommy<br />
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