Monday, September 20, 2010

The Shirt Says it All...


My wonderfully animated husband is wearing this shirt because today we found out that Eric is a CANCER FREED REED!!!

E completed chemotherapy on September 8th and recently followed up with a scan last week.  After one hell of a nail biting weekend, we received the great news this morning!  E will continue on with a round of radiation and oral chemotherapy soon, because...why not?  In fact, E's new favorite analogy about the doctor is... 'Well, you reacted pretty good when we stabbed you, let's see what happens when we shoot ya." 

So here we are 7 months later... What a ride, Reeders, what.a.ride.   Just you people wait for the sappy post in regards to this whole ordeal.  But for now, we just wanted to share the news.

What's next for the Reeds you ask?  Vacation.  More timely blog posts.  Lot's of smiles and a ton of gratitude.



P.S.  Thanks to Leslie for the shirt :)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

One Year Down...

We made it!  Pardon me for not being more preapred with a year in review post quite yet, but I DID get their 12 month photos done the day BEFORE their birthday.  Only took me a year to catch up.   For now, photos will have to do.


Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Eleventh Month

These should curb your appetite for babies.

Olivia's big news is that she managed to grow 4 teeth in 2 weeks.

This month's Ethan photo was taken by special guest, Daddy!

Do you know what's coming?  Brace yourself....

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

We Made It!

Twins Day.  Considered it conquered.  For those that are not aware, identical things, especially people...creep me the eff out.  After the initial shock of finding out that I was incubating two people, I had to realize that one day, I would have to attend Twins Day.  Well equipped with E, me, Meghan, Brent and Melissa-- Olivia and Ethan had their entourage for their special day. 





Cuz ya know, pimpin' aint easy for Olivia.


It was a pretty hot and humid day.  Luckily, we were able to seek refuge in one of the tents.   Did I mention there was a polka band?




Grass?




On our way out, we stumbled upon some twin Woodys.  Can you sense Ethan's excitement?


I did manage to capture some amusing twin photos, but I don't want to be labeled a stalker.  All in all, we had a great time and the abundance of delicious fair food made it totally worth it.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Mayday, Mayday. We've Been Hit!

I apologize for the lack in posts, especially since I had been on quite a roll. Well, we made it 11 months sans major illnesses for the babies other than some pewp eye and sniffles.

That was of course, until about two and half weeks ago. It started off so simple, Olivia cut her first tooth and therefore, was having some typical teething “symptoms”. I put that in quotations because there are apparently some arguments that some doctors believe that all teething brings is a tooth and nothing else. Grain of salt much? But then Ethan started to get the symptoms and no teeth. Uh oh. I think the kids got themselves a little bug gigantic a-hole insect.

So let me put this nicely. Two sick kids and trying to keep a husband healthy sucks hard. Thank goodness for our team of help that were able to keep E out of the loop so that he didn’t get whatever the kids had. As of this morning, I really think we are on the mend and god-willing the kids and I will catch up on some sleep.

By the way, Olivia has cut three teeth in the last two weeks. Guess that is our payback for having late bloomer teethers.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Hospital Necessities

Having a baby or babies soon? I started thinking about the items I wished I had in the hospital after Olivia and Ethan were born. Despite the fact, that we were in there for 5 days, I can finally look back on it 11 months later. I suppose my baby brain is finally starting to dissipate, if that is possible. Obviously, there will be some no-brainers included, but you’d be surprised as to what you forget or don’t even think about.


1.) Baby wipes. I didn’t bring these and really, one would think that hospitals would provide some. However, all they have us were paper towel-esque sheets and told us to wet them. Poor Ethan had a small irritation on his face by the time we went home. This was something I could have told E to bring from home during our stent, but it just didn’t cross my mind.

2.) Baby clothes. I had 2 outfits ready for the babies to wear home, but didn’t bring anything else. Nothing worse than having boy/girl twins and having to tell people which one is which. Hell, who am I kidding? ‘Til this day, we can still be out with the babies, dressed head to toe in color-specific clothing and people still ask, “Which one is the girl?”

3.) Camera. Or cameras in our case. Since I knew I was having a c-section, I didn’t want E to have to take our larger camera into the delivery room. So our first pictures of the kids were on our annoying point and shoot. I seem to remember E and me complaining about the refresh rate while I was getting sewn up post delivery.

4.) Your “you can’t have that during pregnancy items”. Caffeine. Artificial sweetener. Items that caused heart burn. Someone MAY have even brought me a beer during a visit. Just sayin’. * Ok, I turned it down considered my blood was still getting checked and I didn’t want the nurses to think I was some addict. The thought was greatly-appreciated though.

5.) Pack your layers. I had babies at the end of August—one would think you would be warm. Well, my c-section brought on an array of different body temperatures.

6.) Car seat and base. Make sure you have these installed before you are due or even a month before you are due. Luckily, we have a friend who is the car seat bully, so we were all set. Since Olivia was under 6 pounds at birth, our hospital required she undergo a one-hour car seat test the night before they would discharge us.

7.) Mid-pregnancy clothes. I dropped 32 pounds of baby, water and supposed weight before we left the hospital. I only had my super, OHMYGAWD you haven’t had those things yet clothes and my pants were sliding down my butt when we left. By no means was I slender, but definitely not as rotund as my arrival. Also include in this, different shoes. My feet dropped 2 sizes from Saturday to Wednesday.

8.) Comfy sleeping clothes. Namely ones with a soft midsection. Because this will be the last time you will ever be able to send your kid to a nurse for the night (well, when it is your choice). I will also put it this way; the night nurses are there for a reason. Don’t be a hero, get some sleep.

9.) Baby books. A GREAT idea, to make sure you get all those “firsts” in there. I, however, just let mine sit on the nightstand. Like I said a GREAT idea in theory.

10.) Cell phone charger. Because you all know you will be blowing up.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Happy Blogiversary

to me!

One year ago today.

Man.  We had no idea of what was ahead of us.