Why You Sweatin Me???

UPDATE: Well all girls are home now. Allie and mom stayed at the hospital last night so Allie could get an IV drip and be monitored for a "liver condition." We will know more in a week. Dad and Brooke stayed at home since Brooke got an IV "head start" on Monday. Both are now full of fluids and have not vomited in almost 24 hrs. Brooke actually drank over 40 oz. of Gatorade by herself today. I wish I could say the same thing for the other end of the twins...I was not aware that a human could make that much stink! Now for the icing...Mom n' Dad both have it! Mom is in bed with a very upset stomach and no appetite and Dad in watching TV with a few "upchucks" under his belt today. And to top it all off...our pediatrician forgot about us at the hospital and went home without releasing Allie. The charge nurse had to call him and remind him!

ORIGINAL POST:
For those selfless souls out there that are serving our country in war time...or those families that they leave behind...or for the thousands that have paid the ultimate price for freedom...A Vs. B thanks you with a big two sided kiss!

As for all the rest of us...how was your Memorial day weekend? If it did not include the following items then it was more fun than ours: "IV Fluids", "vomit", "diarrhea", "ER", "5 sticks and still no go with the IV", "blown veins", or "no solid foods since last Thursday!"

Keeping count it goes something like this:
1 - number of girls that are in the ER as I currently right this.
2- number of times Allie threw up in my lap this weekend. And also the number of girls in the ER earlier today.
3 - how many people it takes to hold the girls down while they are administered IV's
4 - days without solid food
5 - times that Allie was poked today trying to find a vein...they all 'blew out' before fluids could be given.


Wrap it up: Girls have been vomiting since Wednesday night. Have have little or no solid food since then...and if so, thrown it up. Only thing that can keep down in Gatorade and that just started today. They both were taken to the ER this morning and spent the next 4 hours hanging out there. Brooke getting IV fluid and Allie, well, just being stuck with needles. She is now with mom at the ER again trying for an IV, which I just got word that they were successful. After 8 tries...Allie is finally getting much needed fluids.

You might ask how it got this far? Well you know that 24/7 phone line that your pediatrician and or insurance company gives you? Well, their advice is what we followed for the last couple of days. Heck, they are Ped's, RN's and other medical professionals. But there is one key element...they can't see our girls, they only can go off what we tell them and then they take the lowest common denominator (they are insurance based after all!) and go from there.

Your Kiss, Your Kiss Is On My Lips...

I just read a quote that is so true they should add another book to the Bible and call it Dads: And Dads 33:17 would read, "Beautiful daughters are the Lord's punishment for the Father's misspent youth.You clearly were a bad boy!" With two BEAUTIFUL daughters and one EXTRAORDINARY wife...I must have been really bad in my formative years!

Sisters being sweet...

They love the couch. every chance the can they get up on it and run from side to side like some wild pack of tennis ball wranglers! Brooke brings her little chair over and uses it as a step to get up there, while Allie still needs the lifting arms of a "willing" accomplice to be elevated.

Besides "Mine," "No" has become Allie's favorite word. And she knows the meaning as well. We ask her if she wants to sleep. "No", she says. Very convincingly I might add!

Illusions...

OK this post goes out to all the TMZ watchers, paparazzi supporters, no news "news" readers. This is a brief sampling of celebrities and athletes that have twins. None as special as mine...but with all this multiples in the news daily you would think I could get a free seat at the trendy restaurant, don't you!?

Marcia Cross
Brendan Morrow
Patrick Dempsey
Rodney and Hollie Peete
Sean "diddy" Combs
Diana Krall
Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Antony Julia Roberts
Dennis Quaid

Cleopatra (played here by E. Taylor)
Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Dave Matthews
Denzel Washington

I know there is more than this...but this project gave me tired head quickly. I don't understand the big deal on celebrity in the US. Is is reality TV that did it...if so, we all need to blame Julie and Eric from the first season of MTV's Real World for starting it all. When a daughter of a now dead lawyer on the OJ Simpson's defense team is more famous and recognizable than the Secretary or State..."Houston, we have a problem!"

You Spin Me Right Round...

Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there...well not everyone, just the women who have dropped a calf or two...unless you are this guy...gross! Here is to all the women out there that do the hardest job in the world. And to my wife, I know that I can be a jerk, a hothead, a slob, a hardheaded goon and a dork...but you gave me the best presents in the world in the birth of our little angels and for that I am forever grateful! You are awesome, and don't let any stupid thing I do or say tell you any different.

Our girls are doing well. The daily Zyrtec is doing wonders. We have been ear infection free for a week. The first week in a LONG TIME! We are still figuring out how to eat out with the girls. They love sitting there and eating the hard boiled eggs and hot dog...but when it comes to banana pudding and chocolate mousse - forget it. You would have thought we placed molten lava on their tongues by the way they reacted today. Good for us...don't need them craving sweets anyhow.

Brooke does this spin thing now for fun, see video below. And it serves for much entertainment for us! Allie enjoys it at well and cheers her on each time.

Allie still has her shoe inserts, they aren't doing anything just yet. We pray that it just clicks with her someday soon and she just stands and walks. She can stand supported with her knees locked out, and methodically - almost robotic - scoot across the furniture. Brooke helps her out a ton by bringing her toys, sippy cups and other things to her. She also steals things and takes off! Funny, until Allie yells out "Mine Sissy!" and attacks!

WHEN PEACHES (juice) ATTACK!

This is how I roll!

Why walk when I got this cozy chair and MILK!

...baby, right round. Like a record player! Right round, round, round!

Hole Hearted...

OK, it has been a long time since I just rambled...but with the one hour of calm I call nap time let me spew some of my cerebral-ism's on whomever shall read:

1) I am this guy, and I will not apologize for it! What would you do if Texans decided to take back all the Dr. Pepper and Blue Bell ice cream and keep it to our "Remember the Alamo" quoting selves? What would you do if we got the mythical 51% vote and became our own country (again) and immediately became the 4th largest oil producing country in the world with the one of the largest fighting forces? You would WALK...that is what you would do!

2) I know some family and friends view this blog to check up on us and see what is going on from time to time...leave a note and say howdy every now and again. It's like getting a phone call and that person not leaving a voicemail. I saw that it was you TIM JOHNSON'S CELL because I have caller ID. It wasn't like I was ignoring you...Seriously people, delurk sometime and say hello!

3) Speaking of family and friends...for those that have children that are making the dreaded decision soon on what college you will owe an arm and an leg to for the next 5 years...I can not endorse Texas A&M University enough. Besides my family and my Lord, nothing has influenced me more than being an Aggie. Some good, some bad - but all worth it. Kyle Field in Fall full of 80,000 swaying fans sawing varsity's horns off...Northgate...Aggie Bonfire...12th Man...Reed Arena getting "Turgeowned"..."Howdy"...maroon and white What-a-Burgers...Aggie Muster...the list goes on...There is a saying down in Aggieland, "From the outside looking in, you can't understand...from the inside looking out, you can't explain!" Nothing could be closer to the truth than that.

4) I am seriously outnumbered in this house. I close my eyes at night and all I see is pink! I walk into our living room and there are more toys than carpet! The little two...with the assistance of Mom and GranJoy have picked up the slack and then some with the loss of Bailey Dog. (NOTE TO SELF: Get Male Dog next time) You can not go two steps without some sort of mechanism spouting out the ABC's or singing some whacked out version of "She'll be comin' 'round the mountain!" Seriously, as the risk of sounding old...whatever happened to dolls, cars, and imagination. Why use your brain power thinking up how a soup can, pipe cleaner and a nickel can become a robot when you can go to ToysRus and buy...not only a robot...but one that walks, talks, fixes you breakfast and entertains you with dancing! A robot doing the robot...UPON FURTHER REVIEW: I am old!

5) My girls can say: Cookie, Cracker, Light, Mom, Dad, and other simple words. All meticulously taught to them by mom, grandparent or myself. AT NO TIME did we ever teach them the word that Allie uses the most. MINE! At the risk of trying to sound hip, but keeping my mother happy...WTH? She says it all the time. If one were to actually listen to her, everything in this house would be Allie's. Toys, couches, food, and yes even one size 11 New Balance shoe all have been claimed at one time or another! What's next?

6) I saw a t-shirt today that said, "Bank of Dad." I wept at the thought. How true a statement...I just hope my bank is FDIC insured!

7) I also saw a woman tonight lugging her hockey gear into the local StarCenter. And at no time did I want to call her Helga or curiously look at her-head cocked to the side like a confused puppylike-as I scanned for a mustache. She was petite and feminine. There is hope for my girls after all. I REFUSE to EVER buy a pair of these: YUCK!

8) I watched my daughter pick her nose...wait for it...it's gonna be good...EAT HER BOOGER! Now part of me was like, "gross!" But the other half of me cheered her on...that is the half that was outwardly expressing itself...I forgot to grow up! Now before you judge, there are two types of people in the world: A) Those who have eaten a booger and B) Those that have lied about eating a booger...what camp are you in!? Hmmm!?

How would you like to have this as your wake up call???

I'll Stand By You...

We actually made it through the 5 miles on Saturday for the March for Babies walk. The weather was perfect! There were tons of people there, which was so great to see so many people coming together for a great organization. Of course, there were lots of animal rights activists there too. Don't even get me started on that. I mean, seriously. I LOVE animals as much as the next person. But, there is a time and a place.

The girls enjoyed the walk much more than last year. We only made it one mile last year and had to turn around because they were screaming their heads off. This time they slept for about the last hour or so. A little excercise for mom and dad, a little nap for A & B, and all for a good cause. Win/Win/Win.

The girls are sick...AGAIN. Getting pretty tired of saying that. They have been off antibiotics for about 3 days now, and Allie spiked a 104.3 fever last night. She should be able to fight off just about anything with all the antibiotics in her system. Maybe she's immune by now. Ironically, we checked Brooke’s temperature around 11:00 last night b/c she started feeling pretty warm too, and wouldn’t you know: 104.3! Exactly like her sister. Guess they really are identical! I thought the tubes that we got back in December were supposed to help with ear infections, but we've had about 3 since then. So much for expensive surgery! Both of the girls are hacking and have runny noses. Hopefully this is just the end of sick season, and we are coming upon a summer time full of wellness. One can dream :) EDIT: It is now 10:40pm and Mom is taking Brooke to the ER due to a 105 fever! When will this ever end?


Enough rambling. On to the real reason why you’re here….pictures !!!

Mom, dad, and the girls after the 5 mile walk.

Allie looking oh-so-cool on her bus ride to White Rock Lake for the walk. She NEVER lets us put anything on her face or head, so the fact that she kept these on for about 5 minutes just shows that she was a little scared of the new surroundings.

The girls getting ready for their 5 miles of sitting.

Brooke and Allie hanging out in their PJ's



The girls sitting in their chairs enjoying some Blues Clues

The girls' class picture from daycare. Allie is flashing her belly - how nice!

Okay, it's a little dark, but this video is so funny b/c the girls are so captivated by the TV.

Allie showing off a little standing skills. Okay, she is leaning against the window, but still...

I Can't Dance...

...what do you do when your legs don't work as well as you want them? You employ your "little" sister to push you around the house on your fancy bicycle!

Raise The Roof...

The girls enjoying a few moments in Dad's chair. Thinking about it now, I should have soaked their britches in leather conditioner while they frolicked around!

"whatcha talkin' 'bout Mom?"

Allie deep in thought...or watching Noggin...same look either way!

Some pics of the storm damage from last week's pseudo tornadic* experience!

* not confirmed at this time that there was actually a tornado on the ground but as you drive around the neighborhood and see the 30 year old trees uprooted and 80 foot electrical transmission towers twisted down on themselves...one has to think that wasn't just wind. My family and I are very grateful to only have suffered minor cosmetic damage. We lost some roof, a fence and a days worth of electricity...but we are all safe. Much better than what we thought was going to happen at 3:30am! If you live in "Tornado Alley" and you do not have a weather radio, please go and get one. They operate on battery backup and send out a loud alarm when threatening weather in imminent. Our alarm went off a good 4 minutes before the outside sirens blared letting us know to take cover. That extra 4 minutes could mean the difference in getting to shelter and not. Please go to a store and ask for a NOAA Weather radio...

Springtime in Texas...

For those of you not native to this fair land called Texas...more importantly...if you never received the "Tornado Alley" lesson in physical science class...this is for you! You see, every Spring in "TA" you go through what some would call a right of passage. Where does this continual "under the gun" threat lead you...well for you 45-60 days of "Is it going to rain?" to "When is it going to stop raining" to "I think the tree just blew away" to "my car looks like a golf ball" to "is that a freight train I hear!?" You get the picture. Someone in Oregon is reading this going WTH, but us "alley dwellers" know this:


1) If the fence is dry - your grass is dying and your water bill is about to go UP!

2) If the fence is wet - there is a chance for a flash flood, hail, or severe weather.

3) If your fence is gone - Tornado!

Do you see the hail? We actually go out in this stuff and get a big old handful and put it in the freezer...come on now...you know you have done it!!

Our gutter after about 90 seconds of rain and hail

Just a Swingin'...

Sisters holding hands! And together they have one pair of shoes on!

"Word to your mother...wait...she's my mother too!"

I have tried to explain that the milk tastes that much sweeter on the other side of the bottle...

"Pull my Finger!?"

The girls taking in a beautiful day at the park and swinging... Some loved it...

...some, not so much!

Not sure what Brooke is eating here, but I am sure it wasn't supposed to be in her mouth!

The girls chilling for an evening of Noggin Television. I saw these chairs at TR'Us and had to get them. They look so innocent sitting in them watching some tube. Hopefully we will get to take these chairs on vacation with us....ss;aldjfsdeiAUWERPA[SDFPO ASDFASD....sorry I just busted a gut laughing so hard at the thought of being able to take a vacation....