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 :)

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.

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....

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.

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.

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.

Happy Blogiversary

to me!

One year ago today.

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

I Will Share My Secrets

As much as I know you all enjoy short, little blog posts with pictures. Today, I decided to share some of the knowledge we have acquired in the past 11 months. So future moms, future moms of multiples—listen up. The following information COULD change your life. Even if it doesn’t, just tell me it did.

Bottle feeding. It’s going to happen. We happen to be a formula family and it works just fine for us. Over time, E and I like to think we have “mastered” our bottle routine. Now, I took these photos before we started to wean the babies off formula, so you are about to witness Operation Twins with Bottles in full effect.

It goes something like this….

At the end of the day, there are 10 bottles to wash…by hand. Santa Paws keeps forgetting to drop a dishwasher off at our house. Be jealous.

Once all the pieces are parts are washed, I allow them to dry on the rack overnight. Back in the day (like, 5 months ago), we used to dry them and assemble at night. Yes, it took us 6 months to realize that we were making more work for ourselves than necessary.

Then, I move out onto measuring out the formula scoopings for the next day. Now, I am not going to name drop, but we use a generic brand formula. It happens to rhyme with Barget. I suggest it if your baby and/or babies have no real formula issues. I don’t remember who thought of it (E, I am sure), but we decided when the babies were newborns that if we had the formula pre-measured, it would make those delirious 3AM feedings better. Pure genius. Who wants to scoop out formula while rubbing one eye? Wait. Do I hear you snickering at my pink kitchen? Came with the house, it is the bane of my existence. Am too lazy to fix it.

Speaking of being one step ahead of the game. During one of her first visits after our release from the hospital, my mom noticed E and I frantically filling bottles with our filtered water. In another stroke of genius, she recommended pre-filling the bottles with water too. Since we didn’t heat or cool the bottles anyway, the babies were used to room temperature water. So alas, we pre-measure the water too.

Now, I am sure you’re asking, “What’s with the rubber band?” That, my friends, is a perfect way to tell bottles apart especially when one person is feeding both babies at the same time. Also, at one point, Olivia would take more formula than Ethan, meaning she had different measurements. Of course, now that the babies are mobile, they will help themselves to any bottle they see bringing the rubber band to a moot point I suppose.

Instead of standing at the sink and precisely measuring water from the filter for each bottle, we fill a jug. Made with real babies.

At this point, I am done for the evening with bottles.

Bright and early the next morning, my helper joins me to finish the bottle process. Cute, isn’t he? Alright, he’s really only there for the Cheerios, but he’s pretty good company.

Then, my friends, the process is complete. Life feels pretty good when there aren’t any bottle duties hanging over my head. The angels sing softly in the background…..

Now, you may be noticing the numbers affixed to the lids of some of the bottles. That is because the babies take different amounts at different feedings. They take 7 ounces each in the morning, 6 ounces during the day and 8 ounces at bedtime. Yeah, I know. Crazy. A lot of trial error with those numbers, but these seem to keep the kids the happiest.    This also leads to separate formula container for special sized bottles of course.

So that’s it. It’s probably the most organization in our lives at the moment, sadly enough. Does anyone have anything to add? Leave a comment! Oh and if you’re an aspiring kitchen remodeler….call me.

Once last glimpse of my helper because I just love his bed head.

Our Fourth of July Sparklers

10 Months and Counting.....

I like to keep you all on your toes... At least I got this one in just a shade under the 11 month turnover.  As you can imagine, since the kids are getting more and more mobile, our little monthly photo sessions are getting quicker and quicker.  Must.move.on.to.trying.to.catch.Kori's.tail.

Olivia is all sass. 

Whereas Ethan is all about the master plan and mischief.

And... my favorite outtake EVER!

I know.  Holy jawdropping-ly adorable, Batman! 

Beware

of baby buttness cuteness.

Happy Weekend!

A Special Day

June 26, 2010 was a big day for the Reeds! Olivia, Ethan AND E all were baptized in the church where we got married. I can hear the collective, “Awwwww.” All three participates were very well -behaved all day and I was so proud of these three amazing people.   For those that were wondering, I was baptized many moons ago, otherwise, I would have joined them.

E had his own ceremony before guests arrived.

Then came the kids' turn.

Olivia with her godparents Deana and Nick

Ethan and his godparents Lisa and Joel

The whole entourage

Finally, their "formal" shots.

Like I Would Forget

9 Month Pictures...

Confessions from a First Time Mother

• I still cringe when I hear someone say, “preggers” or “preggo”.

• Before August 29, 2009, I probably changed three diapers total in my lifetime.

• Olivia’s name was supposed to be Morgan. But once we confirmed the boy/girl status, we decided Morgan and Ethan sounded like two boys’ names.

• I have turned off the monitor.

• The babies never slept in a bassinet in our room.

• I upgraded to the “good” TV channels while I was in the hospital after the kids were born.

• I opted for a caesarian section and would do it again in a heartbeat. Pretty sure they don’t give out medals for awesomeness in the delivery room.

• Yes, I realize my previous comment makes me an awful mother in some people’s eyes. They must have received their medals in the mail.

• I forget to trim my kids’ nails.

• I have Googled things like, “how to swaddle”, “how to sanitize bottles”, “what causes diaper rash?”.

• I cannot stand it when other moms compare their kid’s weights to my kids. And we wonder why so many kids have self-esteem issues.

• I am adamantly against the whole “twin matchy-matchy” crap.

• I often wonder what having just one baby would be like. Then again, I couldn’t imagine not having either of the babies.

• I have paid other people to take my kids’ pictures.

• I use generic-brand formula. Enfamil sucked us in for the first five months though.

• I have walked away.

• I tried to braid Olivia’s hair once.

• I once tried to soothe Ethan for two hours one of the first nights we were home. E came in and gave him a binkie and Ethan fell asleep immediately.

• Speaking of which, the first three months of the babies’ lives are a huge blur to me now.

• I don’t turn down help and ask for it often.

• I haven’t gone to a movie theater since the Fourth of July…last year.

• I avoid trips to the store with the babies.

• We have become that family that leaves a restaurant and the floor is covered in Cheerios and baby cookies.

• I still want a cigarette. Every.day.

• The time put into picking out baby bedding is useless. Go have an ice cream cone instead. By the time the baby is 9 months old, all that will be left is a fitted sheet because you’ve had to hide everything else.

• I have asked for advice on Facebook.

• I have left the house with the kids and no diapers.

Edited to add the biggest one of all:

* I wake sleeping babies.

I wrote this today as a dedication to all the new moms or expectant moms out there. It’s ok to not have all the answers.

Shake that Booty

I love the internet, I really do.

Olivia and Ethan have had some diaper rash for over a week and we can’t seem to shake it. Before this, Boudreaux's Butt Paste ALWAYS did the job and cleared it up within 24 hours. Well, when that didn’t work- I cut out the babies’ yogurt intake and switched to A & D Ointment. Another failure. So I did what any mom in 2010 would do, I asked for help on Facebook. Imagine my excitement to find 21 responses this morning. I didn’t even know I had 21 friends. It was great to read everyone’s advice and I decided to copy down the suggestions and so now, I have an easy reference guide… So do you.

• A & D Ointment

• Nystatin ( 2 recommendations. Both from nurses…Hmmm)

• Boudreaux's Butt Paste (2 votes)

• Oatmeal Soap in the tub

• PINXAV (By far the most popular recommendation with 5 votes)

• Wiping with warm washcloths instead of baby wipes (2 votes)

• Warm washcloth with salt water (from a Floridian… Go figure!)

• Naked heiney time (2 votes. Godspeed on this one. )

• Maalox (2 votes)

• Equal Parts Maalox and Aquaphor

• Equal Parts Maalox, Desitin and A & D Ointment

• Equal Parts Maalox, Desitin and Aquaphor

• Aquaphor

• Vicks

• Vaseline (2 votes)

• Udder Cream

• Windex… I kid.

What about you, the rest of the Interwebs? What do you use to relieve diaper rash??? Stay tuned to see what works for the Twins of Reed as I tried the Aquaphor this morning since I had some stashed, we shall see. I know you are all entirely interested in the status of my kids’ bottoms!

Update # 3 = Ethan

Buddyyyyyy! Poor kid will probably have issues answering to his name because he almost always gets called Buddy. But doesn’t he just look like a Buddy?

I still think that Ethan is going to be the family Sensi. But really though, he is such a sweet and loving boy and any girl will be absolutely lucky to have him in like, 40 years when I let him get married. He’s always looking for his sister and usually gravitates towards Olivia in any room.

Rarely does this boy sleep past 6:00 AM, but then, we get our one on one time. Although, it would be superb if he could “accidentally” over sleep on say…..Saturdays?? Perhaps a Sunday?? In the long run though, I am a sucker for these brown eyes.

We thought that Ethan would take his time crawling as he really did not show any interest when his sister started. Well, we got a 10 day break. He’s sneaky in that way and has really enjoyed being mobile since the kid hasn’t stopped moving since the day he was born. However, with mobility comes trouble and this Ginger sniffs out trouble.

As a proud mama and photographer, I have to say that this kid just eats up the camera.  Doesn't he just look so sweet?  Trust me, he will snuggle with you if you want!

Ethan’s Quick Stats

• He started to crawl on May 28, 2010. One day short of his 9 month birthday!

• He is an inch taller than Olivia, but weighs less at 18 pounds 9 ounces. I hope he’s tall and skinny. Donahues don’t really see that too often.

• Again, no teeth. I can’t say I am upset about this as I love little toothless smiles.

• Out of all the heart-felt handmade blankets he has, he loves to snuggle up with a burp cloth that I have named his Shy. As my first blankie was called a Shy.


• His favorite movie is Star Wars.   Not really, but I am sure it will eventually be on his "Must See" list.

Update # 2 = Olivia

Ooooooooo-livia. When we moved into E’s parents’ house in the beginning of March, Olivia was a pudgy little girl that was barely sitting on her own and barely had any hair. I mean, look at this picture taken the week before E’s surgery.

Six months must have been the turn-around for Liv, because she started to develop her little personality. I firmly believe that Olivia has some sort of agenda in life. What it is, I haven’t figured out yet. It’s like she was born cynical. Where she got that from, is truly beyond me. ::insert sarcasm:: But for real, look at this face. You tell me she’s not up to something.

However, once she gets over her “Stranger Danger” phase with people, she really is filled with smiles and giggles.

Olivia is probably the funniest baby I know. I know you’re thinking I am a loon for calling a baby funny, but trust me. Her facial expressions are enough to turn anyone’s bad day around. The most recent funny story I have is from the other night. Ethan woke up in the middle of the night and took awhile to calm down. I heard some stirring coming from Olivia’s crib and thought to myself, “Oh crap.” (thinking she was going to wake up too). But no, I turn around and see her standing in the crib with a look on her face that said to me, “Do I need to be up for this? Are we eating? Shut up Buddy.”

Obviously, a “you-had-to be-there-moment”, but it truly describes Olivia’s mostly laid back personality. She has developed a face that she uses when she’s having a really good time. We lovingly call it, “The Bunny Face”… Enjoy…

So we moved out of E’s parents’ house when Olivia was still pudgy (and we love every ounce of it), but had since learned to crawl and grew more blond hair. Really? Blond hair?

Some quick stats for the most frequently asked Olivia questions.

• She started to crawl on May 18, 2010. Her dad tempted her with the remote and later with my cell phone. What is it about babies and electronics? And how do I get the smell of baby slobber out of my BlackBerry?

• 9 months old and still no teeth. I am starting to think she is going to need dentures. She has been gnawing on her hand since she was 4 months old and everyone says, “Teeth are coming,” Lies. ALL LIES.

• Yes, she seems to be the boss out of the two.

• She weighed 19 pounds 6 ounces at her check up last week. I have to say I am a bit shocked because I thought for sure she’d be over 20 pounds.

• Yes, she sleeps through the night. Does she go to bed when her brother does? Naw…. She has a habit of wanting to play for a bit longer after her bottle. It’s nice to have some one on one time with her though.

She's our little girl!  Some may call her a princess ;)   And she still hates the camera.