It finally happened...

I've been saying all week to Kevin that our first ER visit for stitches was right around the corner. Last week Anderson hit his head on the corner of the train table causing a goose egg and giant bruise. On Sunday Jake fell at Grandma's house and cut his cheek pretty bad so I knew it was just inevitable. There have been too many close calls and the odds were against us.

Today it finally happened. Anderson stepped on some train track that was on the floor and it lunged him forward right into the edge of the wall. Blood was everywhere, spilling down his face and pooling in his ear. We got him calmed down, bleeding stopped and bandaid applied but I still had an uneasy feeling. After a few hours it was clear that the gash was too wide to close on its own so we took him to the ER. They cleaned it up and glued his little forehead back together.

A little of this and a little of that

Reading before bed.

Jake showing Anders how to brush in the tub.

Having fun together.

Anderson and Claire cuddling before bed.

Jake reading "Don't let the Pigeon drive the bus!"

The boys are trying to make the best of this cold and wet weather we've been having. We are expecting another 5 inches tonight! They don't get to leave the house much but they have escaped here and there.

On Sunday we headed to Grandma's house for her birthday. The boys enjoyed exploring the house, eating cake and ice cream and performing for the crowd. Today we took them for haircuts and they did pretty good. They have been going twice a week for music/storytime at the library and loving it. They understand the whole routine now and are excited participants. I get the biggest kick out of watching them, they take it so seriously. Anderson is definitely the conformist and Jake likes to do his own thing.

We booked our trip to Disney World today. We have already been twice with Grant and Claire before the boys were born and during those trips I daydreamed about what our first trip to Disney would be like with our own children and now that day has come. The eight of us will be going in August for a week and staying at Shades of Green. It is still a ways off but we are super excited but I must admit I'm a little scared as well. The boys have never spent a night outside of their crib and we NEVER skip our nap....EVER. Should be interesting to say the least.

25 random facts about me

I did this on Facebook and had fun with it.

1) I met Kevin while working at Major Magics in 1994.

2) I once scored five 3 pointers in a basketball game.

3) My boss is my old 6th grade teacher.

4) I really regret not going to Europe before the boys were born.

5) I hate handling raw meat..that is what Kevin is for.

6) I cannot swallow pills. I have to chew them.

7) I cheated in school more times than I can count..YIKES!

8) I have a masters degree in Bilingual/Bicultural Education

9) My son Anderson is named after Anderson Cooper...I lurve em both.

10) Two things that I am most proud of are carrying my twins to term and breastfeeding them both if only for a short ime.

11) I wish I were more thoughtful.

12) I'm extremely cheap.

13) I eat dessert almost everyday.

14) Kevin suprised me with a proposal while I was in Toronto with Jared and my aunt and uncle.

15) I'm not good with pets.

16) I have fallen away from church and I'm not sure if I want to go back.

17) I'm crappy at small talk.

18) I spend half my waking hours chasing Anderson and Jake around begging them to sit with me so I can smother them with hugs and kisses. My heart hurts when they are too busy for me.

19) I would fall apart without Kevin in my life, he is my rock and I love him.

20) My BFF has been my BFF since we were 5 and met in Kindergarten.

21) I gained 65 lbs. while pregnant.

22) I'm married to a certified genius.

23) I love my sister to pieces.

24) I had a nose job in 2002 and I'm not embarassed....its one of the best things I have ever done for myself!

25) I love being a MOM..mom of multiples.

Saturday afternoon pics and an update

Mommy and Anderson

Mommy and Jakey

Jake in all his cuteness.

Yesterday I called to find out if I could pay to get benefits through my work even though I only work part time. The good news is that I can, the bad news is that it will be expensive and I can't enroll till open season which isn't until next fall. I'll take it, it is better than no surgery at all or having to wait till 2010. Thank you to my friends Mary and Maggie who both called yesterday to show their concern and support after reading the blog. You are both so wonderful and thoughtful !!!

I want to cry

Anderson is deciding which stamper to use next.

Jake got a little carried away.


Anderson figuring out the cap.


Jake was drawing all over...paper, hands and face.

sorry the above pics have absolutely nothing to do with the below post...

2009 is not starting off well for the Edgar elders. Kevin had his lasik done the first week of January and so far it is a no go. Could things improve? Maybe...but maybe not. He is barely legal to drive right now and he suffers from daily headaches from staring at blurry print all day. IF he has enough cornea left then he could possibly have a revision done. If a revision is not an option or successful, we might as well have burned the money.

As if that wasn't bad enough, I received a phone call yesterday from my surgeon's office. The insurance person called my insurance company to gain pre approval for my surgery which is/was tenatively set for late June. She was informed that some of the benefit changes that were made for 2009 now exclude my multiple diagnosis of TMJ, Arthritis of my jaw joints and congential anomalies. WTF? Basically anything short of trauma or injury to one's jaw is no longer covered and considered cosmetic.

I have freakin metal in my mouth and paid someone 3,000 dollars to put it there. For what? If I can't have the corrective jaw surgery then there is absolutely no point in wearing the braces that I paid for. The pain, the money, the embarassment has all been for nothing. I have no idea what to do next. I tried calling the insurance company myself to see if there has been a mistake or someway I can appeal but of course I can't get a freakin human on the phone. It is all automated and after trying every option available on the menu it was clear that there isn't anyone to answer the phone. I have no other number to call. The benefits book and website only list that phone number.

I was up all night last night trying to figure out what in the hell I can do so that the money spent on these braces isn't a total loss. The best I could come up with is possibly switching to a different insurance plan but the earliest that could happen is January 2010. That means wearing the braces for 2 plus years instead of one year as originally planned and who knows if I could find a policy that covers the surgery. I was told that due to the economy a lot of companies are finding loopholes to not cover medically necessary procedures.

All I can do right now is remind myself over and over that I have two healthy and happy boys and at the end of the day that is all that really matters.

Our Weekend

We had a long weekend that was too short. The boys were excited to have Kevin home for a 4 day weekend. On Saturday we took the boys to Somerset to do some shopping. I wanted to go to Aveda and have my face made up to try some new makeup. I actually went to Somerset with no makeup on...that is kinda huge for me. BUT we got there right when the mall opened so it was pretty dead and parked as close to the store as possible. I'm so tired of spending money on makeup products the I end up not liking so this worked out perfectly.

While I was makeup shopping Kevin took the boys to Starbucks for a hot apple cider and a stroll through the mall. We met back up again and let the boys run around the common area. They quickly made some little people friends and had a great time. The snow was starting to get really bad on the ride home so we skipped the lunch we had planned and just came home.

In the evening Kev and I got out for dinner and a movie. We saw Slumdog Millionaire and it was disturbingly good. I love any movie that temporarily pops the little bubble I live in. 48 hours later and it is still haunting me.

Yesterday we stayed home most of the day. I did go out for a couple hours to attend a baby shower. The boys played with their trains, read books and hung out with their favorite guy...daddy.

Today we met up with Grant and Claire for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. The boys haven't been there in almost a year so we were a little afraid that they might be scared of the animals but they did great. They enjoyed the rain storm, the elephants, monkeys and most of all the other kids. They seem to make friends wherever they go. They ate like little piggies...strawberries, blueberries, chicken nuggets, quesdillas, cheese, fruit grain bars and half a bottle of ketchup between the two of them.

Afterwards we did some shopping for next winter, taking advantage of all the end of season clearances. I'm floored that we bought size 4T clothes for them. They are already somewhere in between a 2T and 3T and Children's Place runs small so 4T it was.

Anderson performs

Anderson wearing his sun hat. Wishful thinking.

Jake wearing his sun hat while holding onto Frosty.

Anderson James sings Frosty the Snowman

It is so damn cold around here. The boys have barely left the house this past week because of the sub zero temps we have been experiencing. We did manage to go to music and storytime at the library. Anderson has really caught on to the routine. He obediently follows directions to sit, wait his turn, and can dance with the best of them. Jake has some different ideas. He prefers to wander the room, check everyone out and participate when he feels like it. On Thursday he thought it would be fun to crawl under the teacher's easel again and again. When I tried to put a stop to it he made me pay in the worst way possible...an embarassing tantrum.

I wouldn't say the twos have been terrible thus far but certainly a challenge. This morning I was woken from sleep at 5:30 a.m. by Anderson repeating some kind of non sense over and over. He is a pretty relentless little fellow so I knew ignoring him was not going to work. I went into his bedroom to see what was the matter and that stinker told me "I got boogers". I told him to nevermind the boogers, it was too early to get up and everyone was sleeping. He then said "poo butt". He'll try anything.

33...

Kev, me, Jared, Brian, Erica, Josh, TJ, Jackie and Scott

Jen, Jackie and me

Is my lucky number? Yesterday was my birthday and I have decided to embrace the fact that I am 33. I'm too busy loving on my three favorite guys to care much. Live in the moment I must. If the next 33 years are anything like the past 2 years with the boys then blink and I'll miss it.

I had a nice birthday which included a pretezel from Target, "happy to you" sung to me many times throughout the day, 6 inches of snow delivered to my doorstep and dinner with friends.

Despite the snow we still managed to get together with friends. Jared planned a small gathering for me at Sangrias in Royal Oak. We had some delish Sangria, tapas and paella. Afterwards we trenched through the snow for a night cap down the street.

Today I'm dragging. I had big plans to cook/freeze for the next 2 weeks and get some housework done but that is looking highly unlikely. Kevin and I have spent the morning laying around with the boys in a big pile of blankets and pillows on the floor. They have been especially generous with kisses and hugs so I'm too busy soaking it up to attend to the busy work.

Somebody stop us

Sleepy Jake discovering his trains.

Anderson was happy too.

I love pics of them in their sleep sacks aka dresses. It is so funny to watch them shuffle around in them.

I was able to finally dress and feed them but right back to the trains they went.

Jake sending Thomas down the hill.

We bought the boys a train table for all of their trains and accessories. They just love, love, love their trains and playing with them on the floor just wasn't going to work out. So last night after they went to bed we set up their table and tracks.

When they woke this morning they were so happy to find the table. I had a difficult time getting them to do anything else today. They did take a break to go to storytime at the library. Storytime was a lot like Music class and I am happy that Anderson and Jake are starting to catch on. They were much more in rhythm this time and remembered much of what they learned on Tuesday. Jake started randomly singing Baa, baa black sheep at dinner, I melted. This whole music and storytime thing has me so excited for them to start preschool. It's a ways off but I know they are going to love it.

Music and Movement Class

Bubbies trying to figure things out

Jake with his rhythm scarf


The boys were loving their shakers and scarves

Today we took the boys to their first Music and Movement class at the local library. Now that they are 2 they are old enough to attend. They are the runts of group, most of the tots are 3-3.5 years old. Being the little guys also means they are the most uncoordinated and hilariously lost in their own world.

They loved every second of it despite the fact that they were always behind the group. They would watch the instructor and the other kids and by the time they figured out what they were supposed to be doing everyone else had moved on to the next thing. Kevin and I just laughed and encouraged them. Thank goodness I don't have to worry if they'll make company at the dance studio. It's hockey all the way for these guys.

Birthday Party-Part Two

Anderson about to take the plunge.

Jake looking like he's been overserved.

Grant and Claire help the boys with opening their gifts

I adore this picture! Jakey is blowing out the candles with his hands clasped and Anderson just has a huge grin for him!

Anderson and Mommy before we sang Happy Birthday

The boys wearing their Mickey ears and opening their envelopes.

The boys second birthday went great. We had about 30 family/friends over for a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse bash. When the boys woke from their nap they were ready to go. They saw the balloons and got so excited saying "happy day, happy day". They played with their balloons as we waited for our guests to arrive. We took them down to the basement and they were happy to see all the decorations and set up. They honed right into the m& m's, they were allowed one each and the good boys that they are they left them alone the rest of the day.

They had fun playing with their cousins and friends. Each one of them enjoyed the company and attention. When it was time to sing and blow out the candles they were ready. I think this was the part they liked the best and had been looking forward to the most. We've been practicing for weeks.

The gift opening went much like Christmas. As soon as they opened some new Thomas trains it was over. All they wanted was to play with and examine Salty and Diesel. Grant and Claire basically opened the rest for them while the boys obediently called out obligatory thank you's directed from me without looking up from their trains.... "fank you, fank yoooouuu".

Today was spent relishing in the new toys and getting the house back into shape. Grant and Claire came over for a few hours while their parents had dinner and they enjoyed that time immensely.

I'm left baffled by the fact that my beautiful sons have been with us for two amazing years. Every minute, milestone, challenge and joy has been an incredible journey. I appreciate every ordinary and extraordinary day I have with them never taking a minute for granted.

Birthday Party-Part One

The boys' day started off with Mickey Mouse pancakes made with love from their Daddy.

Jake biting off an ear.

Anderson showing off his Mickey Mouse shirt.
He was so pysched about wearing it!



Mommy and Jake

Daddy and his bubs

The boys had a wonderful day. I'll get into more details tomorrow as I'm too tired to think straight tonight. Once again too much food, spoiled with presents but most importantly LOTS of love and laughs.

Gearing up for the par'te

Jake with his Mickey ears on backwards

Anderson with his

Whatever works

Happy guy

We spent the day telling the boys that tomorrow was their special day. Their "happy birthday day" and that they were going to be 2 years old. They finally caught on and by the end of the day they were talking about Mickey, Minnie, happy day, presents (oddly we never mentioned this), and they pretended to blow out candles.

Their friend, baby Simon, scored them some Mickey ears with their names sewn on straight from Disney World. They got them a day early in hopes they would wear them tomorrow for their party. As you can see from the above pics, they LOVED them but unfortunately they also loved taking them off and on, off and on.....

New Years Day Part Two

Uncle Kevin helping Anderson with Rock Band

Little sweet hoodlum

All the males were glued to the TV


After the boys awoke from their nap we took them to "Claire's house". That is what they call the McBride's house. Looks like all the attention Claire gives them has paid off for her....they are completely enthralled. My sister made a faijta dinner complete with mexicali dip and bumpy cake. YUM!


After we ate, Grant got out the Wii and fun was had by all. Anderson helped me sing with Rock Band and Papa even got in on the Mario cart action. Tomorrow will be a work day. We have so much to do to get the basement party ready. Groceries to buy and lots of food to prep. This years theme is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Say "cheers"!

2 days to 2

Playing with the trains at IKEA

A and J in the home goods

New Year's Eve was pretty uneventful for the twinks. They headed to bed at their usual time and snoozed right through it. They are both still moving a little slower with a touch of cranky so there was no point in keeping them up late to make things worse. My parents had offered to babysit which was a really great treat. We kept it low key with dinner and movie and were home by 10.

It was really nice to enjoy a quiet dinner where I could actually chew my food and not search the diaper bag for my next trick to keep the peace. We saw Doubt and I was really impressed. It was dark and at times creepy but I was pleased nonetheless. Anytime Kevin and I talk the whole ride home about the movie we just saw that is proof positive it was thought provoking and entertaining.

I haven't made any resolutions for 2009. Not to say I wouldn't benefit from any but I just haven't had the time to ponder much between the Christmas recovery and birthday party prep.

Today we got an early start and headed to IKEA. We haven't been there in several months and it was just time. We bought some useful and non useful items. Things are so reasonable there that I don't feel guilty buying something we could live without. We certaintly don't need hanging lights for the playroom with hippos on them but for 2.99 each...why not?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00143419

The boys enjoyed their shopping cart rides. We are lucky, they are pretty content in the shopping cart. They got to play with the train set they had and that allowed me to browse the kiddie stuff without interruption. Of course when it was time to leave the trains behind they were madder than hornets at us. Jake even attempted to take a swing at me he was so ticked. You don't get between that boy and his trains.