Just when you think you see a light at the end of the tunnel...

....this happends - you find a bone in a place where you think it shouldn't be. I can't tell you what it is or how it happend, but I am thinking.....It's not good. I believe that her skull is shifting. The left side of her head is "normal" feeling, but the right side has this huge ridge that runs along the side of her head.
So, the first thing Monday morning I called her Cranial facial team at Children's. I talked to one of Dr. Jensen's Nurses and she wanted me to email pictures of this bone. Ok, well, to actually see this bone would mean I would have to give this poor little girl a hair cut.
not the easiest task in the world, but we got it done. I am hoping to hear something from Dr. Jensen today or Wed. Meanwhile, I will be having a nice chat with the man upstairs.

Out for a long weekend.

Ok, I know I am behind on blogging, so bare with me while I play catch up.
A week and a half ago we started our trip to Indiana to see Matt's family. This time through, we decided to go a night earlier and make a stop at our friends house. My girlfriend Molly, aka LOST A SOCK, was kind enough to take our family in for the night. Molly lives in btwn our house and Matt's mom's so it makes for a nice break. We arrived at the Ray household at 11pm. I must admit, it was a nice, cozy, quiet house until my family showed up. This is a picture of what 3 crazy kids look like at 1:30 am - doesn't look like they are ready for bed to me.

It is always nice to see the Ray family. Thank you Molly, for letting us screw up your nice, cozy, quiet home.
This trip is always to short, but we try to make the best of it while we are there. Matt's mom had moved into a new (old) house and it was our first time seeing it. VERY NICE! It was expecially nice because she no longer needs to drive to work - it's across the street. Kathi works for a company that repairs big trucks - Semi's etc, so it was very exciting for the kids when she would take them over to work. Keegan had a great time. He was offered a couple of time to get a short ride in the trucks, but he wouldn't go unless Nana would go with him. Needless to say there were no semi rides this time. Maybe next time. Riley also had a great time. Down the street, a block each way from nana's house were parks, so on days they got a bit restless, Matt would take them to play on the sildes - their favorites. Keegan also had a great time on the mary- go- round. We even got a chance to go to Nana 2's house (great grandma). Thanks Nana 2 for the wonderful meal and all the goodies.
On our way home last Sunday we hurried our buns to get to Milwaukee. My parents, Mike, Sue, Devon, Matt and I all got tickets to see the Blue Man Group. So, my girlfriend Erin, who has twin boys Riley and Keegan's age, and who we also miss very much, has moved to Milwaukee. She and her wonderful husband Brian had offered to watch all 4 of my kids while we went to the show. Thanks Erin, Brian, Jacob and Tyler. You guys ROCK!

I must admit, the show was terrific. You you ever get a chance to see them, please do. It's a great time. It was a jam packed weekend, but we loved every minute of it.

Thanks everyone for such a great trip!

Only in Wisconsin can it go from Fall to Winter in 2 days flat!

Ok, so I may not be the smartest cookie in the jar, but damit - I'm doing the best I can! My kids are addicted to their bikes and today they wanted to go for a bike ride. I told them not today it's to cold out. But they insisted. So, first I wanted to get everyone out for a fun picture in the leaves before they are covered with snow. Yes, I said snow. It snowed here yesterday so I know accumulation is just around the corner. So, I send all kids out with no hats, coats, or mittens for a lovely shot in the leaves. Keegan and Riley both start complaining about how cold it is outside - SHHHHHH I say, "I want to get the picture taken". As they are all shivering, I snap one picture and get everyone back inside. Still, they complain about a bike ride. So - Me, myself, and I bundle everyone up and off we go on a bike ride. Did I forget to mention that we are all sick with a nice cold????

He get's it!

Today is the 11th day of preschool and I think Keegan gets it!!! We are on day two of him not crying....AT ALL when I drop him off!!!
Congrats Keegan!!!!

Big changes around here.

Thanks to lost a sock, I got the itch to paint. Riley had been buggin' me to have a princess room and to have Carson move on up. Do you know how hard it is to paint with 4 children at home? Oh my...... and all the extra help I recieved???? Needless to say, a day job had turned into a week job. But, it is finally finished and Carson is all snuggle in up in the "girls" room! Riley couldn't be happier!!
Sweet dreams my Princesses! Enjoy! I love you!

P.s The Boys are enjoying their Spiderman room as well.

Granny "in training"

Not sure why, but I blogged twice today. Maybe it's because I have nothing else to do??? Nope, that's not it - seen my house lately??? Because I had 2 blogs I just couldn't wait to get up!

Here is picture of the kids training our friend Miss Shelley. Her daughter Meghan is getting married next summer and we decided it's not a minute to early to start training to be a grandma. Meghan may disagree, Shelley may disagree, but not my kids! They love her. We had a girls (and tiny tots) dinner Friday night while all of our husbands were together on a guys weekend away. So, we ordered Chinese, Shelley brought dilly bars from Dairy queen and we had a blast!
After dinner Shelley stayed for our nightly routine - baths, jammies, and storytime. PLUS the occasional piggy back ride that she was handing out. By the time bed time came around, I wasn't sure who need to rest more, the kids or Shelley. (We won't mention that she had only been at our house since 5pm). It's ok Shelley. We'll get you whipped into to Granny shape by the time your fist grand child is born!
Thanks for everything Miss Shelley!

My Girls

Who could ask for anything more???

Pictures of the day

I've been tagged

Tag - I'm it

Thanks to youngest of twelve

Three people who make me laugh:
Riley, Keegan, Carson and Cooper. Ok that's 4.

Three things I hate:
dieting, infertility, and brussle sprouts.

Three things I don't understand:
Why god gives you more than you can handle, why babies are born prematurely, and why President Bush keeps sending more and more soldiers to Iraq.

Three things I am doing right now:
Talking to my husband on the phone, listening to Cooper cry himself to sleep (bad mommy, I know) and typing.

Three things I want to do before I die:
Watch my children get married, play with my grand children, and go whale watching

Three things I am able to do:
Be a good mom, friend, and advocate for my children.

Three things I am not able to do (yet):
Buy a bigger car, buy a bigger home, and meet Molly's mom

Three things I think you should listen to:
A newborn babies first cry, children laughing, and the sounds a hurricane makes (hurricane Katrina survivor)

Three things to describe my personality:
Outgoing, fun, spontaneous

Three things I would like to learn:
How to make a picture perfect pie, scrapbooking, and photography

Three favorite foods:
Gyros, Taco salad and taco dip

Three beverages I drink regularly:
Diet Mt. Dew, Water, Orange juice

Three shows I watched as a kid:
The Bozo show, The Brady bunch, and Fat Albert.

Three people I tag...
Cherry blossom baby, Pastore Villa, and Riley's Journey with cranio.

What I live with and why I have 2 sets of twins

I have polycystic ovary syndrom (PCOS)

PCOS is a health problem that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. Women with PCOS have these characteristics:
high levels of male hormones, also called androgens
an irregular or no menstrual cycle
may or may not have many small cysts in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.
PCOS is the most common hormonal reproductive problem in women of childbearing age.

An estimated five to 10 percent of women of childbearing age have PCOS.

No one knows the exact cause of PCOS. Women with PCOS frequently have a mother or sister with PCOS. But there is not yet enough evidence to say there is a genetic link to this disorder. Many women with PCOS have a weight problem. So researchers are looking at the relationship between PCOS and the body’s ability to make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body’s use or for storage. Since some women with PCOS make too much insulin, it’s possible that the ovaries react by making too many male hormones, called androgens. This can lead to acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and ovulation problems.

Why do women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) have trouble with their menstrual cycle?
The ovaries are two small organs, one on each side of a woman's uterus. A woman's ovaries have follicles, which are tiny sacs filled with liquid that hold the eggs. These sacs are also called cysts. Each month about 20 eggs start to mature, but usually only one becomes dominant. As the one egg grows, the follicle accumulates fluid in it. When that egg matures, the follicle breaks open to release the egg so it can travel through the fallopian tube for fertilization. When the single egg leaves the follicle, ovulation takes place.

In women with PCOS, the ovary doesn't make all of the hormones it needs for any of the eggs to fully mature. They may start to grow and accumulate fluid. But no one egg becomes large enough. Instead, some may remain as cysts. Since no egg matures or is released, ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not made. Without progesterone, a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular or absent. Also, the cysts produce male hormones, which continue to prevent ovulation.

Here are some of the symptoms of PCOS:
infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating
increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
acne, oily skin, or dandruff
pelvic pain
weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
type 2 diabetes
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
sleep apnea―excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep

Treatment:
Fertility Medications-
The main fertility problem for women with PCOS is the lack of ovulation. Even so, her husband’s sperm count should be checked and her tubes checked to make sure they are open before fertility medications are used. Clomiphene (pills) and Gonadotropins (shots) can be used to stimulate the ovary to ovulate. PCOS patients are at increased risk for multiple births when using these medications. In vitro Fertilization (IVF) is sometimes recommended to control the chance of having triplets or more. Metformin can be taken with fertility medications and helps to make PCOS women ovulate on lower doses of medication.

1 hurdle at a time

Team B is now 10 .5 months and Cooper has yet to find his legs. He is doing a great job rolling, and a great job sitting, but try to get him to stand - never. This kid is killing me. Team B had their Physical therapy appoinment today (in home) and things didn't go as well as I would have hoped. Our PT is great. She's the same one we've had since Riley and Keegan we born. She did a lot of work with Riley and not so much with Keegan. Same with team B. She works a lot with Cooper, but does not need to be with Carson. Riley was measured today for the orthotics she needs. A whopping $30.00 a foot, and Lisa thinks the Keegan will also need them. Swell.
Carson got a big A+ today. Lisa was able to get her up on her knees and to start rocking back and forth. I'm not sure I am ready for a true crawler yet! And Cooper.....He got an A+ for his sitting and his rolling but a F in standing. We were told that if he does not find his legs by 11 months, he will need leg braces. These braces will force him to keep is legs straight. He will have to learn to put weight on them. So, we'll see. I'm not sure I can get him to find them in a few weeks. Maybe it will be good for him, who knows....I'm just tired of putting this kid through everything on god's green planet. I guess this is to be expected since they were preemies.
Oh well. I'm sure it won't be as bad as I seem to be making it, but come on man, I am still coming down from a very busy past 2 months.
Anyhow......thurs far they are healthy - that's all I can ask.

The beginning of a new season

Maybe it's just Wisconsin, but fall is here. It did not sneak up on us this year, it down right slapped us in the face! But, we are having a blast with it. Being this is Carson and Cooper's
first fall, there are many new things to explore. Like grass for one. Now that they are sitting, they have become more interested in the long green pricky stuff. Oh, and Carson can't get enough of the leaves!!! She is too funny! She tested 4 leaves out before she figured out that leaves are not to eat.


















Yesterday we made our first batch of "fall" cookies. I think the wrapper actually said "Halloween" on it but either way, Cooper loved it. He's got the "now you see it" picture and the


















"now you don't and where in the hell did my cookie go?" picture.



















I love this time of year. Time you can snuggle up in a nice pair of comfy jeans and a heavy sweater and head out to a Friday night high school football game, or a nice stroll with the stroller on a crisp cool afternoon. Why can't it be like this all year round?



















I know I stared this blog last January to help me cope with the second set of twins early arrival, but I haven't been very good about keeping up with the first set; Riley and Keegan. Riley and Keegan started pre school this year!!! I know, Pre school!!!! What a big step. They go Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:15a - 11:45a. It's great. We'll, Riley and I think it's great. Keegan, well, if he could overcome his issues with me leaving him, I think he would like it better too. They have been in school 7 days now, and 7 days he screams his head off when I get ready to leave. Even today - I stayed to volunteer in their class room and he just about had a stroke when I left the classroom to help another little girl wash her hands. Hopefully he will adjust soon and enjoy school a lot more. This kids have never been away from our family. They have either been with Matt and I or with my parents. Am I shooting my self in the foot now???? I don't know. I am glad we are getting it out of our systems now, so by the time they reach kindergarten they will be fine. I know deep down inside that they will be fine, but it breaks my heart everytime I drop them off. There is nothing like the sound of your child begging you not to leave him. Hopefully one day this to will pass.

Hero

Happy Sunday~

Go Packers!

Say cheese Dr. Jensen

We love our doctor!!!! He is the bomb!

If for some reason- god forbid- your child needs a cranial facial surgeon - this is the man!

Both kids are doing great. So great that we don't have to go back for another 6 months!!!

Thank you for everything you have done for our kids! You're the best!

And then they were round

A few days ago I gave up both Carson's and Cooper's caringbridge sites. I figured I didn't really want to be running all three sites all at the same time. And when would I have time to keep all three going??? Because you know with having 2 sets of twins that I have sooooo much extra free time!!! So here is a new update on both kids. Cooper is healing extremly well. He is a bit cranky, but I am not sure that it's is surgery related. I can see and feel both of his top teeth. Both teeth have popped the skin so I know that must be the issue.
Here is a picture of Cooper 2 weeks post op.
Carson is also doing extremly well. I would say 80% of her stiches are already gone. She looks great. She also is popping teeth. She has 3 on the bottom and is ready to pop a forth.
Here is a picture of Carson a little over a 1 month post op.
Tada- Our new trick!!!! They both can sit now for more then a split second - actually it's like 10 minutes or so. They love it. It's the next best to formula and the bottle.
Cooper has such a "boy" look to him now that is head is wider and Carson is still a cutie! Even more so now.
Am I a baby? Or a chipmunk packing nuts? We are off to Milwaukee today to see Dr. Jensen for Cooper's 2 week check up. We will report more later.

A lump in my throat

As we get ready for bed tonight, like normal, Keegan helps me get Riley into bed. He starts her music for her. She gets tucked in and gets 5 kisses. Next, I get Keegan into his room, I tuck him in and he gets his 5 kisses.
As I return back to Riley's room to get her clothes out for school tomorrow, she sits up in bed and says, " Mommy, you are the worlds best mama." My eyes swell up, I lean over to give her a kiss and tell her I love her. She wispers quietly, "I love you mommy".
Sleep tight my princess, sleep tight.

Brigg's and Al's walk part 2

Yea.. Finally, the rest of our pictures. Here is a semi group shot of the Children's Champs. Our 2 are in the stroller, and 2 to the right of them is Tom Crean - the Marquette men's basketball coach.
Keegan sporting his new MU hat.
Carson, Cooper and their new buddy Ashley. The Cranio trio.
Riley, keegan and papa out for a morning stroll.

Brigg's & Al's run/walk for Children's hospital of Wisconsin

Yea - We finished! Ok, so it was only 3 miles. But it was hot, partially up hill, and we were pushing strollers. That's got to count for something right?
When Cooper and Carson's were released from the NICU we were asked by a nurse to be part of the Children's Champions program. All we needed to do was to tell our story, but our story seems to keep going and going.
So, we had been asked to do a few things lately to help raise money for Children's Hospital. A few months ago, I was asked to tell our cranio stories live on the radio for a radio - a- thon. That happend on friday. Prior to that, I thought it would be fun to participate in a walk honoring all NICU and PICU patients.
So, I set up my fundraising page, collect thoughtful donations, and today we walked our 3 miles for Children's hospital. It was great. The kids had a blast!!!! It was great to see how many people showed up. I believe they said they had just under 19,000 people for this event. WOW!
The Marquette men's and women's basketball teams came to the Children's champions breakfast area and handed out bags with goodies in them. I have a pic of Carson and Cooper sporting their new MU hats. Too funny. The really went above and beyond t make these kids feel special.

The most amazing part of the whole thing was that a friend of mine who I had been chatting with on a Cranio message board (www.cappskids.org), mind you, we have neever met, never spoke on the phone, but our 3 children all had their cranio surgeries done within months of each other (Cooper and Ashley even had the same Neurosurgeon) picked us out of a crowed of 19,000 people. I guess when you have 2 sets of twins, 2 singles and a dbl stroller, you kind of stick out. It was amazing to finally meet my "online cranio chat friend".

I have to say this will be on our "to do" list for years to come.

Ok, so blogger is being a poop tonight - I can't get the rest of my pics up. Stay tuned.....Hopefully I will be able to add them tomorrow!

Everybody Hurts

Ok -I made it!!! I did my duty by going to the radio - a - thon and telling our story for Children's Hospital.
I made the mistake of listening to the show on my way up. I was a crying fool by the time I got there. I didn't know how I was going to make it through with a dry eye. Suprisingly, I didn't cry, but I sure had a lump in my throat. I don't know how those guys sit there and listen to all the stories from Children's. Not me, no way!!

I know how bad it hurts. I think it stings a bit more when you've been though it.
I know I still hurt - and I know I am not the only one. Hugs to all the families out there that have had to use Children's Hospital.

To Comment or Not to Comment - that is the Question

Over the last couple of days I have been recieving emails on how to "COMMENT" on my blog.
If you scroll to the bottom of each entry, you will see a COMMENT section. It will say
" 0 comments" or how ever many comments have been left. Click it, and it will bring you to a comment page. Write your comment - be sure to leave your name and the bottom, then if you don't have a username or password, click the ANONYMOUS button. Do the word verification and then click LOGIN AND PUBLISH.

That's all there is to it!

Good luck!