Dare I Say It's Getting Easier?

Our Silly Kiddos.....

Time is a funny thing. At times it seems like the day is dragging on and on and will never end. Then I'll think about something that I keep meaning to do and realize that I've been meaning to get it done for over a month and think "My goodness! How quickly time passes!" I suppose it depends on the "pleasantness" factor of what you are doing at a certain time. The boys turned five months old yesterday. People say "Wow! How time has flown!" I say "Five months? Really? ONLY five months?" I'm actually hoping that the next five months move a little quicker!

Tristan Update: We saw a pediatric gastro-interologist in Spokane a few weeks ago. Although it was nice to have another opinion regarding Tristan's reflux, I didn't learn anything new or get any answers. Basically he'll just have to grow out of it. Since Tristan is on Nutramigen, which is made for babies who have protein sensitivies, the doctor gave us samples of another type of formula which is like Nutramigen.....on steroids. It's only sold through home health companies and is a whopping $50/can, compared to $25/can of Nutramigen and $15/can of general formula. So unless this makes Tristan turn into an absolutely different child, I can't see us changing too much of his diet. Everytime I think we're making progress with him, he seems to regress back to screaming. I don't know if he's just an irritable child or there really is something wrong with him that we just haven't figured out yet. Either way, although I love him to no end, he pushes me to the limit sometimes! He is starting to jabber more and is a pro at rolling over. He seems more content with his new reflux medicine and enjoys playing on the floor and in his jumping toy. At his four month check-up he was a solid 15 pounds, 10 ounces and 24 1/2 inches long. Nobody thinks of him having a reflux problem because he is such a big boy!!  He had a follow-up appointment with our family doctor today and he is now 16 lb 11 oz at five months. He's a chunk to say the least! He definitely has more of me in him than Kevin. His looks and personality are much more like me.....just a little rounder and high strung!

Everett Update: Everett continues to be the happiest baby. Everybody who meets him comments on his constant smiles, adorable coos, and overall cuteness. Although overall Everett is more laid back, he definitely has a temper. And when he's mad, he's MAD!!! He turns bright red and starts sweating. If he cries for too long he'll be soaked. It's comical, yet scary at the same time! I just learned that Kevin was the same way as a baby. Everett focuses on people very well. He's very content and patient. He's very much like Kevin....looks and personality!!

Natalie Update: Natalie keeps us on our toes. In Natalie's mind she rules her surroundings. She remembers EVERYTHING. She still talks about going to Seattle when Grandma had surgery, and how we got a flat tire last November and Uncle Matt had to come pick us up. She knows all of the states, can locate them and identify them simply by their shape. She makes comments about clouds such as "Look at that one, it looks like Vermont!" The funny part is that she's usually right! She's always talking about her baby dolls. She mimics our conversations, as if it were happening to her with her baby. "Baby got me up three times last night! She just wouldn't go to sleep. So I had to feed her and rock her. My back sure hurts from holding baby all the time!" She's hilarious. Tomorrow is her 3 1/2 yr birthday. I know that sounds silly, but Kevin has gotten her an ice cream cake for each 1/2 birthday since she was 6 months old. It's just a cute thing that Kevin does for her. Although today she said that she doesn't know why she's going to be 3 1/2, when really 4 comes after 3. She's a smart cookie!

Kevin and I: We survive. Kevin has been working long hours lately, which is obviously good and bad. We need the money since I'm not working and we have three kids to provide for. It's hard though when he's not here and we have to depend mostly on my Mom to help us. I know my mom enjoys her grandchildren, but I feel bad that she doesn't get much "off" time away from us. It's slowly getting easier to take care of the kids by myself, but simply with Tristan, I still need help. I've been going to physical therapy for my aching back and my therapist/friend Lisa is doing an amazing job of helping me. Although she keeps telling me to relax and I keep telling her that I am....we go round and round! I've also been having some issues with dizziness/light headedness in recent months. I've gone to my general practitioner who sent me to an audiologist who detected something obscure with my left side peripheral vision which may cause some dizziness in stressful times. Stress? What stress? I talked to my doctor again today about the issue because I nearly fell a few times yesterday and last night due to the dizziness and blurred vision. He gave me an over the counter medication and says that if it gets worse I should see a neurologist. I don't know what worse means. Fainting? Falling while holding a baby? I may take matters into my own hands and just make an appointment with a neurologist.

And so on to the sixth month of this incredible journey. Our doctor said it very well today when he said that our life right now is like running a marathon. Yes, you are exhausted, but it's the mental strength that you must overcome until you see that finish line. I'm not sure where that finish line is, but I'd sure like to see it in the distance! Each week/month gets easier, yet harder. Easier in the fact that they are growing and adapting to our schedule. Harder in the fact that they have their own behaviors that continually change that we must adapt to. It's always a give and take!