Survivors & failures in our health system

In quoting the Peri that preformed the surgery... there are "failures in our health system". Until it is generally accepted please question and tell mothers you meet to question. Early ultrasound in multiples pregnancies saves lives.    "Today, I don't feel very good because the patient got to me too late and she's going to lose her 22-week-old babies today. That is the failure of our health system."Publish Post

Part of that failure is that many mothers don't know if they are having identical or fraternal twins and that's a big mistake. An identical twin pregnancy is more likely to have complications, Moise says. When women who are pregnant with twins don't go to specialists and get ultrasounds often enough, TTTS can be found too late." 

4th

While enjoying the Freedom Festival, we had a few early days. I know you're not supposed to wake a sleeping child but when you do it is kinda funny. As she was getting up she mentioned she just went to sleep. It may be partly true because she had been up late "packing a few things". She had her swimsuit and some Polly's ready. On the morning of the balloons ,Grace was excited to "beat the sun" up. I really don't want to make a habit of getting excited about beating the sun...it's too early.

But it was worthwhile. Aside from the bursts of scary flame the balloons were very entertaining...did I mention there were dozens of "ba yoons". 

We went to a mock Ellis Island and Grace passed her citizenship test and took the oath. We got stickers, certificates, a foam Lady Liberty's crown, bracelets, and popcorn so now I guess we are official! We attended the festival and found a spot for the parade.

 

Dad attempted to make mom a cake but learned stacking a hot cake, and trying to ice said hot cake, turns into a cakewreck. It was good and also followed by a trip to Outback {win/win}. Grace and Kate earned free joey steak from their reading program so we had to take advantage of them. 

We (G, K, & I) were out the door again before the sun (5:45am) on the Fourth to claim our spot. Daddy and the boys, Charles and his boys, and Abby showed up later and we enjoyed the parade together. 

Today was my actual Birthday and everyone wore what I wanted! Nice huh. Daddy wore a white shirt, the girls wore new Grandma dresses, and the boys wore their golf sweaters.

And it's not even over, tomorrow is meat treats with my sisters. Yayhoo!  

{this post is best read while this song is playing in your head}

Not on here

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here

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or here

All ya single ladies...If ya love something so much ya gotta put your name on it, please do so on paper...like here. We now know these are Grace's crackers {and mess} and no one had to scrub it clean with Mr Clean Erasers or wipes.

Fruits of our labor!

or vegetables! Real carrots! From our real garden! It's like we are self sufficient or something!

Monday as we were getting ready to take James in for double ear infections, Miles grabbed dad's razor and started squeezing it & in the process cut off more of the tip of his finger than he should. After four band aids, three wipies, toilet paper, a sock, and a pipe cleaner we were off. We even got it rewrapped twice while at the pedia and got a big ol sticker just like James (the actual reason for going to the dr in the first place). That didn't slow him down from getting in to trouble.

And this was just cute...swimming all day and leftover ribs  for lunch.

Your monthly dose of TTTS Awareness

"Twenty-two weeks into her pregnancy Kim’s ultrasounds appeared normal, but her gynecologist recommended that since she was expecting identical twins, she see a specialist. A second ultrasound revealed that the twins were in trouble."

"The disease can be fatal but prevention and being proactive with a pregnancy can ultimately prevent complications.

PS: Shreveport is in the Houston area. It's worth the drive once diagnosed.

More Carnie Fun ala Lehi

We went to Lehi Days and barely got to the parade before it started. Thankfully Aunt Kelly, Abby and Manda got there early and we were in a rockin spot {aka 1.5 block from the van}. I think Lehi is under skilled in proper parade excitement. Because we made those float people feel extremely appreciated, we came home with a boat load of candy, shirts, keychains, popsicles, coupons, and got many of them to put more passion in their moves. It's fun.  

Then over to the quarter-carnie...

 

we got sunburned, spend $10 in quarters, smelt a bit too much farm smells, got some great backyard ideas, and took some good pictures.

Caught Jared letting Sammers enjoy being thrown at a bounce house toy. Really he {Sam} loves it.

Josh and Grace were buddied up most of the time and raced several times unbeknownst to her. I didn't get a picture, but Beano helped Katie up this 'hill' and tried to get her over before she slid back down. He went back down and helped her again to get over it. Afterwards, I asked her if she thanked him and she said "I told he he's my prince", I guess that works.

Grace being a cheese.

Childhood defined...

just carefree and barefoot.

And I love this one. James took his shirt off because his Tylenol was wearing off (fever) and Miles needed his off too. 

I think it's much more fun to have a bunch of little memories than one big vacation memory. Hopefully they think the same way too.

I thought I said not to get in the pool?

guess I need to clarify next time. 

Katie got a new swimsuit. Isn't it so cute. (here for a still version) Note James in the potty training positioned onesie. We're rocking at getting poo in the potty. How do you get boys to pee in a potty versus sit there and giggle and say "ssssssss, all done" ?

Oquirrh Temple

We played with friends Monday and they had this awesome toy. We need one stat! Imagine that, they sell it at Costco.

Tuesday & Wednesday Dad did a two day production and brought home 4, 5, and 9 foot cardboard tubes. We played with them for hours. We have a ornery Grace in a tube.

And a crazy Kate in the tube.

Thursday we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. It was beautiful. The girls wanted to be twins and the boys...well are. Grace and Kate loved the chandeliers. They were beautiful. One similar to the one in the Celestial room was hung at the 2nd floors eye level, over handing the stairs of the first floor. To be level with it, and to see how big it was, interested Grace. She later mentioned that "that thing was bigger than my mom". {Thanks Grace}

Then this little grouping is just for fun...from the van you can see the Oquirrh Temple,

  

then turning, faintly see the SL Temple.

Turning a little more you can easily see Jordan River Temple,

and a bit more and zoom lens, you can see the Draper Temple. 

Four temples from one spot isn't too bad.

Brother bridge

We started off trying to get a little video of them singing Twinkle Twinkle.

They are so proud of themselves.

We got a little Head-Shoulders.

And some Head-Shoulders form Kate.

But then got this...It's better than Twinkle Twinkle. Kinda reminds me of this but in their own way.

I need a sodie.

Grace has croup. 

After a night of seal coughing she received a blessing and we called the pedia. We held of because she said she "felt fine". Later it comes out that she fees "fine" because she doesn't "want to have a shot". Last time she went was her Kindergarden visit and I think it was 5 shots in the bum so I understand. 

We called. The nurse diagnosed her over the phone, waa. I promised she would not have a shot. {dumb mistake} We get there with 9 out of ten shoes {J is missing one}. In my book that's  a 90%, so still an A. We rearrange {K,M,J} the chairs in the foyer to get better views of the fish and fight {me} to get the back against the wall, then get distracted {J&M} and bark at the dogs across the street, while standing in chairs {I do try}. I try to have everyone sit but this isn't a double stroller friendly {aka narrow} office. We get called back. 

There are four kinds of croup... something something.. {peel Miles off of James and get Kate out the the office cupboard}  three get oral meds... something... {bribe K,J,M with cheese, popsicles to SIT} the one Gracie has can have a pill or a shot. She doesn't swallow pills. 

She darts to the corner and I try to explain I didn't know they would do a shot. She replies "Mom, I'll cry like a baby". I know, I would too. I embrace her so the nurse can do her stuff and between screams and cries Grace yells "I need a sodie." So, after her shot that was promised not to happen, everyone picking out a sticker, and getting everyone buckled, we got a 22 oz fountain pink lemonade. I'm not creating an emotional drinker, right?