The Spencer Girls

I feel like I have some catching up to do. There have been many events that have been "blog worthy" and not enough time or energy to write them down.

Last week I got home fairly late one evening, around 11 p.m.. I decided to enter the house through the garage. I had not done this much lately because our garage had been filled with trash. The way my schedule worked out I was always missing trash day and we were on about the third week of trash accumulation. Since the cans were full the trash bags began to pile up in the garage.

At any rate.

I punched the opener and proceeded to get my bag from the back of the truck. As I rounded the back of the truck and headed for the garage I glanced up. The sight stopped me dead in my tracks.

As you might imagine, a family with four kids in diapers can fill a diaper pail in no time flat. Those diaper pails must be emptied and the bags placed with the rest of the trash - in the garage.

I can't imagine what would be attractive about a bag of smelly diapers. You would have to ask a pair of Labradors to get an expert opinion. Aren't they supposed to have a keen sense of smell? Apparently human feces is not totally objectionable to man's best friend. They dug in to those diapers like they had not eaten for weeks and this was a prime rib buffet.

There were shredded diapers and excrement strewn from one end of the garage to the other. The smell was overpowering, to say the least. I should have gone around to the front door at that point but I don't believe that I was thinking clearly. I tried to tip toe through the disaster until I slipped and almost went down into that stinking mess. I gave up being dainty and shuffled toward the door. I entered the house shoeless and went in search of my wife.

"Did you see what those &*%$#@ dogs did?" I asked without any sort of greeting.

She smiled.

She did apologize for not cleaning it up, she was having trouble keeping the vomit down and had kids to deal with. I can understand that and she did get the dogs cleaned up.

The dogs had been making a fearsome racket outside and since the nurse was coming over to administer the monthly RSV shots to the twins, the dogs where put in the garage for safe keeping. Apparently they got bored.

I took me from 11 p.m. till 3 a.m. to get it all cleaned up. Have you ever seen what they put inside diapers to absorb the pee pee? It is some kind of powder I think. When it gets wet all that powder swells in to little translucent beads. Those beads are really sticky and even a hose on full blast will not remove all of them from a garage floor. I considered firing up the pressure washer.

I originally thought that the dogs had just tore the diapers up and left it at that. I found out the next morning that they had ingested quite a lot. Those pee pee beads are not digestible and will pass right through a Labrador Retriever. The deposits that I found looked remarkably like big brown snow cones, left in the yard to melt in the sun.

I try harder to get the trash out on time now.

That is all I have to say about that...

Rylee is really doing well with the potty training. Much better than I could have hoped for after day number two. On the first day she was very excited and responded well to all the praise. On day two, however, she wanted nothing to do with sitting on the potty and there were several accidents.

Now she is running to the bathroom and doing her business without even telling us until she is done. "I did it! I did it!" is sometimes our first indication. The bribery with candy certainly helped. I am very pleased with how this is going. Kari is really the one who got us on track with the potty training and I impressed with her creativity. She has really gotten Rylee to perform.

The Law of Unintended Consequences: On the down side, Rylee now takes off the night time pull-ups that she wears to bed. This morning there was a little puddle on the carpet. We are talking about buying another potty for upstairs.

Thank you Kari for acknowledging the plight of the only male human in the house.

It can be difficult at times being the only guy. I do appreciate good advice if it might make my life easier, but I feel like I some times get constant direction from all the experienced women instead of just friendly advice.

I am sure that it is well intentioned, but Hilda relays to Kari everything I say and do with the girls while Kari is sleeping. Any nonconformity or indiscretion is duly noted and recorded. I feel like this information is dissected and analyzed by the prosecution for use against me. I realized recently that I am a little standoffish around Hilda because I feel like she is always watching me, waiting for me to slip up so that she can add more to her report, thinking "That is not the right way to do it. I will have to tell Kari about that so she can straighten him out." Big Brother is always watching.

I hope this isn't taken the wrong way. Hilda is a great help and I do like her. I also agree that our girls are lacking discipline in some areas and it will be much easier on Kari (and me) when the nannies are gone if we have them under control. So I am trying to conform to the rules that Kari has set forth and I agree with all of them. I think that we are making progress.

Kari has really been a trooper the last week. She has been dealing with a severely sprained ankle and it has not really slowed her down. Although it has not been fun, she has kept the household under control. You just do what needs to be done and Kari has stepped up to the plate again.

There were a few times over the last week where the added stress of less nanny help have shown through for the both of us. There were a few moments were I was glad that she was hobbled, because I thought I may have to make a run for it. It is nice to know that you will be able to outrun the person who wants to strangle you.

I think that many relationships would have crumbled if subjected to the stress that ours has been and I thank God that we have a strong one.

I have some more pictures to add, but I am not sure yet how to use the new slide show that Kari put on here. So look for them in the near future.

First of all welcome to Kari's need for change every so often. Yes I got tired of the background and had to change it up. I also wasn't paying attention to what was being deleted as I changed the template. So I had to redo the chatbox and the photo link, etc. I do like the new slide show though. You should be able to click on it to enlarge and get better views.

Madi and Jo Jo got the second to last dose of Synagis today. ( To protect against RSV) The medicine really burns going in to their little thighs, but they were both troopers. Madi weighed in at 14# 4oz, and Jordi weighed in at 13# 5oz. Madi has been a little fussy still, but overall feeling much better. Her last dose of antibiotics is tomorrow evening. Jori has been drooling like a faucet, and her bottom gums are soft.

This morning I heard Rylee say "I did it!" so we proceeded with the ritual of wiping, flushing, washing hands, sticker, and of course the M&M. I then tell her go get her panties on and I walk into the kitchen. I'm getting bottles ready. Rylee comes in with panties in hand saying "here momma!" "Big brown poop!" So we started the discussion of what to do when we need to big brown poop.

Edited: Rylee poo-pooed on the potty the following day no problems!

Today my beautiful spirited child went pee - pee in the potty all on her own accord three times today! Barbie Mariposa looks on above her potty and bestows magic upon Rylee as she sits on the potty. Rylee gets a star on her chart for sitting on the potty. If she tinkles or actually pees she received an M&M. Oh the magic of M&M's. The first time we got a prompted full on pee session, there were praises, dances, M&M's, a miniature fairy doll, special "Tinkerbell panties" . Great excitement. There on became a non prompted pee-pee! Whoo Hoo! Of course she got the star, the M&M and now the coveted "Dora" panties. I think we only had two "uh ohs" today, but quite an increase in "I'm a big girl now!" Or as Rylee says, "I did it! I did it!"

I see great progress in pee-peeing in the potty. The only concern is it has been three days with no " big brown poop" . I truly believe she is a little scared to poop in the potty and is making herself constipated. She had a skid mark today, and oh what such horror! I told Hilda tonight that tomorrow no B.R.A.T. diet include some prunes or other stool softening foods. I want to be very careful with her feelings, but I don't want her totally discouraged and regressing on the progress we have made.

On another note, Miss Reagan wants to sit on the potty too! We do have two. No tinkle or pee yet, but she also gets stars on a chart for sitting nekkid on the potty. Side note: Reagan loves to be nekkid, hmmmmm.

So anyway when Ry poops on the potty she gets the "Prince" of Mariposa. Waiting on the day. We decided that since Rylee has started role playing she needs a "man" kissing the girls. Right now Snow White and Cinderella have a great relationship. And when we get solid weeks of very few "uh ohs" she will get the coveted Mariposa with butterfly wings who bestows magic upon her.

Oh the things we do for less dinero going out, things that should have been done, and things that "will" make life easier for all. Hey we are even talking to the twins about pee - peeing in the potty. It is quite amusing watching Mark do the "Pee pee ~I did it dance!"

So I know it has been awhile since I, the momma, has posted. I'm a little intimidated with Mark's writing expertise. Although, I must say I do correct his spelling and edit and initiate some postings.

Rylee Hope~ it's all about pee-pee right now.

Reagan June ~ No! No! No! her favorite word. So, saying " Yes" or "Yes, momma is the boss" does absolutely nothing except receive more fervent " No's"! Now Momma says " No way Jose!" with of course the arms at cross position and as saying slowly spread the arms apart. So now I get a giggle, a meek "No" ,and redirection. Oye!

Madison Kate ~ She is my laid back "kissy" girl. First of all she loves just to lay on the blanket ( my Daddy's 1976 Christmas American Pie quilt - yes it has lasted for 31 years, even though I'm only 29 I remember it!), anyway, she is in love with Diego! She smiles so vividly every time she sees him! She is my kisser, she loves receiving and giving. She now has caught up and rolls on to her tummy and side. She is such a sunshine in my life. She is now feeling better. No more fever, no more breathing treatments, we just need to ride the antibiotic out. She is drinking and eating very well.

Jordan Lane ~ Spirited, in a different way. She is my "Go-Go girl" I need to get her some white boots. She loves playing games. When I'm not expecting it she is trying to play peek-a-boo with me. So cute! She is also trying and succeeding in pulling her legs up into crawl position. Believe me, the girl does not need to crawl, she gets to where she wants to go by calculated rolling. She is going to give me grey hair!

We have the NICU reunion on March 29th, I am so excited and a little nervous. This will be really the first time we take all four girls to an outing that does not involve doctor appointments or being fumigated! I'm really excited to finally show off my 4 girls under three. But more importantly to show the wonderful doctors, nurses, and fellow bedmates, how far my blessings have come. Side note: " Yes I get distracted easily! I found my beautiful twins photos at two days old. Wow! What a change! Actually their weight now is almost equivalent to there actual age! How amazing is that!

Mark ~ My darling husband! He has been nagged on and protected. The nagged part: He has Rylee's hands wrapped completely around his entire soul. Reagan has her hands, cuz she is second in place and a little bit more independent, around daddy's hand and heart. The twins wrapped daddy around their little fingers. We have needed a little more discipline and boundaries with daddy. The protective part: He has three grown ladies telling him what to do. Of course from their experience, but also from their generation and culture. They have either raised six or more children of their own, been a part of 10 to 12 siblings, or had mothers who have taken care of multiple children. They also have experience with children of other couples and/or nursing backgrounds. Their intentions are welcomed, considered, and grateful at times. But with all this it is a new experience. They have a father who is in this a new generation who cooks, cleans, changes diapers, and truly misses them. He is not the typical father who is home every night, he misses a complete 96 hours with them at times. There is guilt and love and frustration involved. He is a great father, a great husband, and a great man. We just need him to be on the same page with Momma - Queen "King" of the home to make things blend and be easier.

Momma ~ Anxiety! Imagine you are at a great weight, but you have what is called twin-skin and it keeps you from fitting or feeling comfortable into your favorite jeans. Oh and you have had post-partum depression. You canceled an appointment and rescheduled. Your doctor canceled did not reschedule, nor did he follow up with you to see how you are doing. Honestly my post -partum depression is either non-existent or under hormone control. My anxiety is a different story. I'm not 21 anymore, but I refuse to be the "soccer mom" with a pouch or any icky feelings for her body. I'm having issues, closet issues. Clothes thrown all over the floor, because they don't fit at all or just not right. Can't breathe! Can't get "help" because I don't feel comfortable with my doctor anymore. One, guilt - hey I quit the pills, hate putting pills into my body. Two - Why hasn't he checked on an anti-depressant patient? I have finally gotten motivated to do some fun body building routines. Funny thing - The warm-up routine that keeps you from injuring yourself has hurt my body tremendously. Okay, forget the constant back, neck, knee pain--- ha! ha! whole body pain! What do I do, day two of motivation I sprained/bruised badly my ankle stepping out of my truck! Okay, talk to me next week, when I am some what healed.

Okay - so this is a little into my mind, be kind to me. I promise I'll be back later.

Just keep saying it a it will be true, right?

Since the 22nd I have been home for less than five full days and it is wearing on me a bit and Kari too. We are trying to reduce our dependence on the night nannies. On Saturday and Sunday we had no nannies at all, it was Hilda's days off. On Monday Hilda worked but we had no night nanny. Boy is it a lot of work. I feel like, with the exception of sleeping, I have had a child in my arms or have been listening to one cry almost constantly. Madison is still having a rough time and is not sleeping very well.

Things were very tense yesterday. Kari twisted her ankle the other day and is having a hard time getting around. Constant pain, coupled with constant crying, will set your nerves on edge. We all seem to feed on each others moods. When one of us goes down we tend to drag the rest of the household down with us and when that happens, this is not a fun place to be.

I would say that this whole episode of my life has been the most difficult thing that I have ever experienced. But it is rewarding too.

Rylee's potty training continues and there was some progress yesterday. She made it to the potty twice and was quite pleased with herself. Reagan might get trained at about the same time. She insists on sitting on her potty when ever Rylee does. The potty training, however, has been a huge addition to the workload. I guess we are at the point where it just needs to be done.

We plan to go with out the night nannies whenever I am home this month. That should reduce the financial burden a little, but it sure has raised the stress.

I think that Kari and I are both disappointed that we are having so much trouble doing this on our own. I do feel like I have bitten off more than I can chew in every aspect.

Things went pretty well yesterday till about 5 p.m. That is the bewitching hour. Parents are getting tired, kids are getting tired, and dinner has not been cooked yet.

Kari had just gotten Madison to sleep in the swing. Which was quite an accomplishment since Madison is still under the weather and very fussy. The big girls had just been released from their high chairs, having just eaten dinner. Well, Reagan ate dinner and Rylee pushed hers around with a spoon and cried. I was trying to fix some chicken for us big people while Reagan followed me around, arms out stretched in the "Up!" position, screaming for attention.

5:46:32 p.m The Meltdown: This is when it all really fell apart.

Jordan was crying, Reagan was crying, Rylee was whining, Kari was grumpy, I was grumpy, and the chicken was burning. I got a little frustrated and raised my voice to Reagan, "Reagan! Thats enough! You have to wait till dad is done cooking."
Reagan replied "NO!" and continued crying, only louder. This interaction aroused Madison, the only one who was quiet.
"Thanks!" Kari said as she put Jordan down and went to fetch Madi.
Then Rylee upped the ante by wetting her pants and having a major conniption fit. Now every one is crying, I am trying to prevent Rylee from running to a carpeted area, she is slipping around in her own urine and the dogs rush in to investigate. Reagan has a hold of one leg of my shorts with both hands, howling at the top of her lungs, while I am holding Rylee, who is squirming like a greased pig, by the back of her shirt and fending the dogs off with my free leg. I paused for a moment, wondering which action should be taken first.
"Take her to the potty!" Kari said, her voice just shy of a yell.
So I took her to the bathroom and she sat on the potty for a bit and calmed down. Sitting on the potty was kind of moot at this point since all the pee was on the kitchen floor, but I guess you need to reinforce that the potty is where you run to when you have to go. Kari was trying to clean up the pee before Reagan and the dogs got into it with Madi in her arms and Jordan crying in the background.
"What is that burning smell?" is what I started to wonder as I was wiping Rylee's legs off.

"Chicken!!"

It was a little overdone. I don't know what I was thinking, trying to cook with all four kids awake is not a sure way to prepare the perfect meal. It was still edible, however we didn't get around to eating it for several more hours.

So the potty training is not going as smoothly as I had hoped. After seeing how excited Rylee was about going potty the first time I figured that this was going to be a breeze. But now, for some reason, she doesn't even want to sit on it. So we have some work ahead of us.

Kari said that the twins did pretty well last night. They slept a little bit more that they normally do. Kari still didn't get to bed till about 6:40 a.m. at which point we switched and I was back on duty.

I heard the big girls out of bed and playing, but they were still quiet enough that I had time to make coffee. At 7:19 Rylee really let out a scream, it was the "I'm hurt!" cry, and I wasted no time getting up to their room. When I opened the door I saw Reagan standing knee deep in clothing that had been removed from the chest of drawers, again. I could still hear Rylee crying but I could not see her. I took a couple more steps into the room, searching for my oldest daughter. I knelt down and looked under the bed. Nothing. I followed the crying to the chest of drawers that Reagan was holding shut. It took a little maneuvering to get the bottom drawer open and reveal Rylee's tear stained face. I do wish that I could have seen how all this came about and I do wonder if Reagan was holding that drawer shut or if she was trying to help. At any rate, Reagan didn't seem too concerned.

It was a busy morning for me. Even on her days off Hilda will come down stairs and help out a little. Even someone to distract a child for a few minutes is a big help. But, Hilda went to the Rodeo with Mary Ellen yesterday and spent the night with her, so I was on my own till Kari got up about noon. Now I know how she felt when I was doing the night shift.

7:17 a.m.

Just a quick post.

I got home late last night. Madison was the only one still up. She is doing better, the antibiotics seem to be kicking in.

Both twins are rolling over all the time now. They don't get blankets in their cribs anymore because they keep getting tangled up in them. It is fun to see them trying to figure out how to roll to reach something that they want to get their little paws on. You can see the trouble shooting going on in their little heads. "Well, that didn't work, what if I roll this way?"

Rylee went pee pee in the potty for the first time yesterday. She and Kari called me. Rylee just kept saying "I did it! I did it!" and proceeded to tell me about her big girl panties.

There will be no nannies today or tonight, it should be interesting. A good test since we are on the verge of going without the night nannies, due to the financial strain that it is creating.

The kids are up...