Just a little recap...

For those of you visiting from Kelly's Korner, our family thanks you so much for your prayers!

To read more of a description of Quinn's "special heart" and upcoming surgery, click here for a recent post. Kelly, thank you so much for posting about our sweet and fiesty little girl!

My cup runneth over,

8 Years, Really?

To My Mississippi,

Yes, it's been EIGHT years. Eight years since Matt and I said "I do". It's actually a little hard to believe. In so many ways, it has literally just flown by. Yet, I still remember so many of the small details of our "courtship" (yes, I am still Southern to the core). It has been such a ride - many of the details which I have shared on this blog for the past few years. With that being said, and in an effort to not be incredibly sappy, here are my top 10 reasons why I am so in love with my husband:

1. He is hands-down the BEST father ever. I know there are so many great dads out there - but I can't imagine another father for my children. When we first met, I just knew that he would be that kind of dad, but he has blown me away by his love, patience, kindess, gentleness, and just complete unselfishness with them.  He comes home from work, immediately goes and changes his clothes, and hangs with the kids the rest of the night. Blessed.

2. He loves unconditionally. Whether I am clad in a cocktail dress and actually have make up on (so rare) OR more often, in my same shorts and tshirt that he left me sleeping in, he loves me and thinks I am beautiful. And tells me so. Anyone who can think frizzy hair, a 2 days old ponytail, the same ole burnt orange baseball cap, and 3 year old robe is beautiful is beyond me --- but I am, oh so thankful.

3. He buys me new Soffe shorts (the kind we all wore when we were "sorority girls") - mine were about 8 years old - yes, they survived the hurricane - and were worn to pieces. He knows my love for them and so he came home one day a couple of weeks ago with a big bag of new Soffe shorts. They need about 100 washes to get to the comfy stage but how sweet it was.

4. He thinks anything (well, mostly anything) I cook is just about the best thing ever. I totally lucked out in this department. While I like to cook and love the process, I am not gourmet by any means. But whether it's taco night or an attempt at a new recipe, he thinks it's just about the best thing ever --- and then he raves about the leftovers the next day. I could give him cereal and he would say it was awesome.

5. He is so quick to want to end a disagreement --- so quick to say "I'm sorry". I am less so. It takes me awhile to let go of my pride, but for Matt... well, he just is able to say "I love you, and I was wrong" (ha!). Love that. I need to take lessons because the fact is, most of the time I am in the wrong.

6. This really should be number one, but he has put up with me for EIGHT  years. I am not easy. I am not always affable, lovable, agreeable, or sweet as much as I would like to be. I often have deep emotions that either lead to moments of long silence or just plain being ugly without reason. I am not proud of it, but being honest. Yet, he loves me throughout. I don't know how, but he does. Thank God.

7. He teaches me new things everyday. Whether it's something about work, or something about me - I learn something new every day. And everyday, I learn something new about him. After so long of being together, you would think we would know almost everything, but we don't. I love that.

8. Going back to parenting --- he has bathed the children about 90% of the time since they've been born. If he's home and available, he is cleaning, bathing, lotioning, soothing, playing, loving so that I can have a break. If that's not love for your family, I don't know what is.

9. He is such a man of God. He loves Him powerfully - and shares his faith openly and honestly. And beyond speech, he lives out His Word. So often, he will leave me with little devotions in the morning that spoke to him and so often, they are just what I needed to hear. I am so grateful for his spiritual leadership in our household.

10. He has held my hand through so much. Through Katrina, the death of my father, infertility battles, the blessing of twins (and challenges of two toddlers!),  and now the "special" heart of our daughter --- he has been there with his full support the entire time. I can't thank him enough for his love, his special notes (emails : ) ), phone calls during the day to check up, little love letters, and everything else he has done to support our marriage and family. There isn't a day that goes by that I question his love for us or for our children. He would do anything, anything to make sure we never were in pain, never wanted for anything, or never suffered. He can't protect us from all of that, but he sure does try. He goes above and beyond every single day to be the best husband, father, provider, lover, and best friend.

Matty, I love you. Thank you for a wonderful 8 years. It's been such a ride, but one that I wouldn't replace for anything in this world. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband, an amazing father, a great son, and a loving friend to so many. You are so loved. Our marriage is by no mean perfect, but each day our love grows deeper. Thank you for putting up with me for this long. Here's to so many more amazing moments, memories, stories, trials, tribulations - and surviving it all with laughter and love. I love you more than words can say (even though I tried!). September 13, 2003 will always be the best day of my life and luckiest day without question. How we knew back then that this was meant to be is beyond me. But I am truly grateful for every single moment with you and know this is a love that was meant to last a lifetime.

Love,

Your Louisiana



"Normal" Heart vs Q's "Special Heart"

Hello, friends!!

I've tried in the past to describe a bit about Q's particular defect. I am definitely not a science person so even though I have studied her anatomy, most times it still doesn't make sense. I am such a visual person so people describing it to me all sounds like "blah, blah, blah. And more blah".  And there are so many variations of "different" hearts, that it's near impossible to find an accurate and simple drawing that I can make heads or tails of. Long ago before Q was born, our fetal cardiologist drew us several pictures but I have to say that at this point, they are buried away somewhere. So whenever people ask me to describe what's going on with her heart, I always refer them to my engineer hubby for a more accurate description :).

Anyway, a fellow heart mommy was kind enough to send me this link to Quinn's defect and have a comparison of a "normal" heart. Thank you, http://www.heartbabyhome.com/!

Quinn's heart image:

http://www.heartbabyhome.com/2011/05/double-outlet-right-ventricle-dorv-with-pulmonary-stenosis-and-vsd/

Normal heart image:

http://www.heartbabyhome.com/2010/07/normal-heart-image-light-background/

1 week until the big cath day and 2 weeks and a day until SURGERY day. Please continue to pray for God's timing --- I am almost waiting for the other shoe to drop and for us to be rescheduled again. If that is His plan, then let it be. But help us continue to prepare our hearts and minds as we count down these days. We are now on what I fondly refer to as "lock down", meaning Quinn cannot have visitors or go anywhere. We want to keep those germies far, far away so that her surgery does not have to be postponed due to illness. Thankfully this little one has been incredibly healthy since she came home from the hospital, only running one low grade fever for a day and a couple of normal sniffles. What a blessing that has been!

Now we just need to keep the streak going for a few more weeks. She was able to get her flu shot a couple of weeks ago, so we are good in that department too. So for the next week, we'll hole up at home --- which really isn't a huge deal considering we are back in the TRIPLE DIGITS AGAIN. This is truly the summer that will not end. I am convinced that we will still be in the 90s come Christmas. Drive-thrus are our best friend right now - not for the food but just so we can get in the car and get OUT OF THE HOUSE for a moment.

Anyway, just a quickie update - we're doing well. Thank you for everyone who continue to cover our little girl in prayer. Let's GEAUX Team Quinn! (Had to throw my LSU reference in there now that football season is finally here - and goodness, if you have prayers to spare, throw in a couple of extra for our big game Thursday night vs Miss St. ha!)

,

Productive Parenting - "You Can Say No Too Often"

A few months back after scouring websites for age-appropriate activities for the twins, I came across Productive Parenting (http://www.productiveparenting.com/). They have so much helpful information and each morning they automatically email me with simple things I can do with the kids. Some are sensory activities, others work on gross or fine motor skills, etc. I don't always have the time to complete them but I often stockpile them away for a rainy day. If you have young kids, I HIGHLY recommend signing up for their free email updates. Most of the activities require little or no money and usually can be done with just normal household items. Score!

Well, they also have blog where they regularly feature "everyday" moms. I feel honored they chose an article of mine to feature today. Take a peek when you get a chance and take a minute to scroll through and read other helpful parenting advice!

http://productiveparenting-emily.blogspot.com/2011/09/turns-out-you-can-say-no-too-often.html

(*Please note, I was not paid to endorse any aspect of PP or write the article. I am letting you know about PP because I believe in it and my kids enjoy it :) *)

Change of Plans...

Well, I had planned to catch up on some bloggy things this weekend but didn't plan on THREE posts. I am crazy today.

Anyway, this is short and sweet for everyone rooting for Team Quinn.

We received a call this a.m. from our surgeon's office. We were "bumped". Awesome.

New surgery date is Tuesday, September 27th. We will check in on Monday the 26th at 8am for pre-op work up, so I assume the time will be early on Tuesday.

Catheter procedure remains on Monday, Sept. 19th. We are unlikely to be bumped that date so that seems firm at the moment.

For the rest of it, I am going to start writing in pencil in my planner because now it looks like a preschooler got a hold of it and scribbled in it with all of my scratch-outs and "redos".

But I'm not going to complain - remember my last prayer request? That the timing of the surgery be of HIS time, not ours. So if the 27th is His day for her, then let it be. Please just keep praying for His hands to annoint the scheduling and all of the medical staff that will come together that day for our little girl.

Love y'all,

Turtles

Ok, onto turtles.

Both kids talk up a storm. But we just can't understand what they are saying most of the time. Of course, we can understand the requisite "Mama, Dada, Hi, Bye, Axxx (Max), App (Nap), Nack (Snack)" and a few others. But most of the time it's just babbling as usual. And half of the time, I think it's twin language anyways.
As mentioned before, Ryan loves anything musical. In fact, if he is being super whiny, I can just turn our TV to the country music station and even without picture, he will just sit and clap and sway his butt. It's fantastic. And here's where I fully divulge where I fail as a mother: I absolutely stink at singing them "children's songs". We have the books & CDs out the wazoo for them, but half of the time, I don't remember the words and can't get the hand motions right, so I don't even try.

The other day I was trying to use this hand puppet thing for "Old MacDonald" - and for the life of me could not get the words right - and then just the coordination required to put the right hand puppet up at the appropriate time -- well, it was just beyond my mothering skills. I thought the first time I tried it and failed was because I had indulged in my glass of pinot grigio before their bedtime, but no. I am just bad at it. One more reason why I have a special respect for preschool and mother's day out teachers.
And mommy fail admittal #2: those songs drive me CRAZY anyways.
So, instead we listen to a lot of country and a good bit of worship songs. And my kids will probably go to school knowing every word to Blake Shelton's "Honeybee" and Jason Aldean's "Dirt Road Anthem" - but not one word of the "Wheels on the Bus." Awesome.
My point is that Ryan always has music in his head. A lot of his babbling is very sing-song and he repeats it over and over. I have no idea what he is singing, but he's very passionate about it. Quinn on the other hand, does a lot of exclamations and yelling her words, but doesn't sing them. She toddles over to me multiples times throughout the day to bring me something (a piece of string, a stray bean from lunch, a toy, a shoe, or anything else she can carry) and proudly exclaims some words. I think she is asking what it is, so mostly I just say "shoe", "book", etc and she toddles away happy with the answer. But she doesn't usually repeat it in full. She just will make the first sound of it "Baaaa" or whatever.

Lately, she has been obsessed with turtles. A few months back, the twins were given some little bath books, one that came with green turtles and the other came with pink pigs. Obviously the pigs were more for Quinn, but I'm pretty sure I am raising a little bit of a rough & tumble tomboy, so she loves the turtles. Whenever Matt bathes her, that's what she goes for first. So for a couple of weeks, he has been repeating the word, "turtle" over and over and over in the tub.
The other night he yelled for me to come into the bathroom during her bath. I was a little irritated because it was the final wheel on "Wheel of Fortune" and I was pretty sure I could solve and win my imaginary mini-cooper or thousands of dollars. I am nothing but cool these days.

 But he never asks for me during bathtime so I figured it must have been pretty important.

I walked in and he was "Listen...she can say "turtle"." Ummm ok. I think not. The child doesn't say big words - she doesn't even say "bubba" or "Ry" or anything for her brother.
To my great surprise, Matt held up the turtle and said, "Quinn, what is this?". She looked at him, looked at me, looked down, and in the sweetest, tiniest, but most grown-up sounding voice, she said "turtle." Clearer than a bell. Apparently she had said it 3 times before that as well.

I couldn't have been more proud. That is a BIG word for a little girl. I may have cried over that darn turtle. So there you go, Quinn - your first "big" word - "TURTLE". Good job!

Haircut & Shoes

Those two words really have nothing to do with each other, except that they are each a little milestone for the babies. And we like to keep things fair around here when recording milestones.

Let's start with haircuts.

For at least a month or two, I kept saying that we needed to get Ryan's hair cut. He was starting to get this overhang around his ears, a little tail (a VERY becoming look), and longish bangs that wouldn't do anything. And because his hair is super baby-fine, it didn't even curl or make a little cute frat shag. Although I don't think frat shags are that cute either.

Anyway, for one reason or another - perhaps because I really didn't want to have to cut his hair - we kept putting it off. Well, finally this past Saturday, we decided to pull the trigger. Of course, we just had to decide to go when everyone was getting their back to school 'dos, so we landed at Great Clips at about 5 in the afternoon to avoid the crowd. This was, of course, after Matt signficantly made fun of the outfit I put Ryan in for his big day (a precious smocked jon jon - which I found adorable).

Matt is not on the smocked bandwagon. In fact, I have been given a countdown to the last time Ryan will be allowed in anything smocked/monogrammed/custom made/anything but a jon jon. I am sad to say that once he turns 2, all things smocked are out. I blame this partially on a conversation we had with a couple we hang out with regularly. Her husband set the 2 year timeframe so "the kids won't get their butts kicked" and Matt thought it was a great idea.

To be honest, I don't think it has so much to do with what Ryan wears, as much as it does with the price of smocked anything. However, thanks to the regular auctions I frequent on Facebook, I have SAVED him tons of money. He just has no clue. But I will respect the 2 year timeline, mostly because I was not given a timeline for Quinn, so I still have the opportunity to play dress up with her. I guess Ryan will just sport the boring polo shirts and khakis for the rest of his childhood. Much like his daddy dresses now. So easy being a guy - not having to follow trends. Nice shirt, pants, shoes, done - classy. Must be nice.

I digress. As usual.

Anyway, with little sister along with support, we trooped into Great Clips with camera in hand and took over the place. I was a little nervous on how Ryan would do - I knew he would either be a rock star and take it like a man or go 180 in the other direction and have a complete freak out. Since he hates the sound of my hairdryer or the vacuum cleaner or anything loud, I thought it could be the 180. But I would be wrong. We set him on a little booster seat, they strapped a fun cape around him, and the hairstylist (barber?) went to work. Not one tear was shed. He moved around a bit which was to be expected, but mostly just sat like a big boy and did so well. He didn't exactly look thrilled - I don't believe he cracked a smile the whole time - but he didn't look devestated either. He was in classic "Ryan chill" mode. Quinn was way more into the whole experience and flashed huge cheese smiles the whole time. I think she really wanted to have her turn. Sorry baby girl, your peach fuzz probably doesn't need a trim for a good 3 years.

But because we like to keep everything fair & square, after the big cut, we headed out to purchase Quinn her first pair of big girl shoes. The kids haven't owned a pair of shoes since winter, and that was mainly for cuteness and not for necessity. And after I got tired of constantly putting back on shoes and socks that were haphazardly thrown off and discarded - we abandoned them both all together and have gone barefoot all summer. And who needs socks in 100+ degree weather? I figured if I was most comfortable in my flip flops or bare feet, then the kids were too.

Yet with Quinn walking proficiently now and the kids getting heavier, it's a whole lot easier to just carry Ryan and have Quinn hold my hand if we go out anywhere. So shoes seemed like the appropriate purchase since trooping your daughter across hot pavement in bare feet is probably frowned upon.

Because she's having surgery so soon, we did not go the expensive route and get the "good walking shoes" like Stride Rites or anything. We figure by the time she has the surgery and has recovered enough to be in public, she will have outgrown those. So we headed to Children's Place. Which most of the time I can find some pretty cute basics and matching outfits for the kids for super reasonable prices, especially since I usually have a coupon.

But their shoes? Ughhhh. Everything was glittery, sparkly, and just plain ugly. All I wanted was a basic pair of little slip ons or ballet flats in just a basic color like black, white, or brown. Apparently I was asking for too much. Even their black shoes had glittery stuff on it and a big fat shining heart. Yuck. We finally ended up with a pair of a decent color dark pink suedish-type shoes and then a pair of silver flats that I had to comprimise on, just because we can't wear pink shoes with everything. Or maybe we could. Maybe I just thought she should have 2 pairs.

And while I knew Q had some tiny feet, I thought for sure by now, she would have moved into the big girl sizes - but no. Not at CP. She still wears the 6-12 mo baby shoes with tons of space at the end. How she walks in them is beyond me. Actually, once we got home, we made her practice, and she was so amazed by these sparkly things on her feet that she kept looking downward and tripping over herself. I am kicking myself that I didn't videotape that little gem because it was hilarious. But she's worn them a few times now, and the newness of the glitter seems to have worn off.

Anyway, here are a few pics from the big haircut day:



About to get started!



First cut - right off the top

A little more...

See, cheesey smile! Love that girl!

Quinn supporting her big bro

Where did the hairstylist go? (To go get the clippers, aggghhh - that made me nervous but R did great with them!)

Yikes, Mommy!

I just love her big ole eyes in this pic

Precious boy showing off the sides. To be honest, I think some of it was a little short but hair grows and he doesn't care!

All done!

Handsome boy!