Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Getting Better!

I am so happy the boys are finally getting better! They slept about 12 hours straight last night. Dylan got up at about 1:30am to "go to the washroom" but he fell right back asleep after that. They are super cheerful and happy and hardly every crying! They go to the washroom about every 4 hours now! Just wanted to update you all!!!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Spoke too soon...

After their afternoon nap, the boys seemed pretty "calm". They were just laying there after they had their bottles. They usually roll around and play. So, I took their temps. Sure enough, they both have fevers again. Only low grade for now. Plus, Kennedy started crying when he pushes again. So for now we will watch the temps and go from there...


On the mend...

Each and every day the boy get better and better! Yesterday, there was no blood at all in their stools! They are still going about every 3 hours or so but that is a lot better than every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. We moved them back into their rooms 2 nights ago as well. The best part is that they are actually happy again! No more screaming when they push! They went "to sleep" last night at 730pm. Kennedy woke up at 9:30pm and was up for an hour or more.. Dylan woke up at 10:45pm and was up for a while too. They both woke up at 2:00am and didn't go back to sleep until 3:30am. There were crying pretty bad at this point so I moved them into our bed. Then, we all woke up at 8:40am.

They didn't have the best naps yesterday so that is probably part of the reason why they woke up so much...aside from the diarrhea of course.

On the agenda this week is a call from Alberta Health. Our doctor told us to expect a call regarding the salmonella. They will make us do another stool sample (from both boys this time) to make sure the salmonella is gone. They will also ask questions to try to determine where the salmonella came from. Good luck Alberta Health...if you can figure it out, please let me know! In all honesty, they need to make sure the salmonella is an isolated incident and not part of an outbreak. I get it. They are worried about the public and they don't want it to spread. I totally agree... 100% I am just bitter because it is not fun trying to get a sample. It was hard enough getting one from Kennedy, let alone Dylan as well. We have to put a bag with stickers over their "man parts" so they don't pee in the sample. Then we have to wrap their butts in saran wrap and throw a diaper over it. After they go, we have to "un-stick" the saran wrap and try to scrap off a sample. The problem is that it is LIQUID. Not to get too graphic (thanks if you have stayed with me so far) but it is nearly impossible to get a good sample when the saran wrap is squished against their skin and the sample you are trying to get is liquid!!! Last time, I took the saran wrap and taped it to the inside of the diapers.  I put them on Kennedy then waiting in the middle of the night for him to push.  I knew when he was going because he would cry at that point. Once he went, I picked him up into a standing position and opened the diaper and pretty much just let it fall to the ground. That way the sample was not spread out all over his butt. It worked ok but now they don't make noise when they are pushing so I will have to be  really sneaky and really quick. Plus, they aren't just laying there anymore because they are feeling better. They have turned into pretty fantastic "army crawlers" (moving their bodies around with just their arms!) so I will have to battle against that.

Anyways, that is just a bit of me feeling sorry for myself! We will get the samples and make sure the boys don't contaminate the public!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Update on Kennedy and Dylan...


The boys seem to be feeling ok today. They still have diarrhea but no fevers so far today. We still have to watch for signs that the salmonella has gotten into their blood (fever higher than 102, them being lethargic, not eating, unresponsive behavior, bellies starting to bloat and/or inconsolable crying for more than an hour) but so far they seem to be healing. They are going about 3 hours in between diarrhea episodes. This is a big change from every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Last night was awful again. They were both screaming until 2am. They woke again at 4ish, went to the washroom  then went back to sleep. I think they may be overtired. All the doctor visits and hospital tests have royally messed up their schedules. They went a few days without having good naps. So, that is our mission today. To get them to have good long naps so hopefully they will sleep good at night (aside from waking up with bum issues).

 I have been racking my brain to try to figure out where they got the salmonella from. I know I will never know for sure but I feel like I have done something terribly wrong. I feel it is my fault that this has happened to them and in reality, it is. If it came from food or from meat being on the counter or from the lizards, the bottom line is that all of those reason are 100% preventable. They don't leave the house except for a shopping trip once a week, so it must have come from inside.  Moving forward (that is all we can do at this point) we will be more careful. 

We will update again tomorrow or sooner if something happens. In the meantime, here are a few "sick baby" pictures. 


Here is Dylan and Dallas sleeping on the couch. Dylan only falls asleep with his daddy right now.
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Here are the boys snuggling in their Pack N Play....the first time since they were newborns.
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They still manage to smile when they are sick...
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Just hanging out....relaxing and trying to figure out why they are enclosed in the playpen in the living room.
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Friday, March 26, 2010

Finally an answer...damn you Salmonella..leave my babies alone :(

The results came back today and the boys have Salmonella. It may have come from food in the house or maybe even the lizards. The doctor has recommended that we do not treat it with antibiotics. If we were to treat it, it will make the boys feel better but it will take a really long time for the salmonella to get out of their systems which means diarrhea. The doctor feels the boys will start to get better tomorrow. There is a chance that the salmonella can get into their blood (it is not there as of now). If this happens, they will get a lot sicker (we know the signs to watch for) and we are to take them to the ER so they can be hooked up on an antibiotic iv. The doctor feels this will not happen but there is always a chance.  


So, we finally have an answer. It is nice to know that I was not overreacting. I know my boys and I know when something is not right. I just wish all the other doctors who thought I was crazy can see that as well!

Will update more if something else happens. Hopefully the boys will start to get better soon!

Update on our sick boys :(

So, we went to the pediatricians again this morning after a horrible night. The boys were screaming from 11 till 2am then form 4 till 5am. Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep. The results are still not back. The doctor thinks it is one of 3 things. He thinks it may be Salmonella, Shigella or Campylobacter. From the research I have done (only a bit) it seems that Shigella is the worst of the three. We have the option of starting antibiotics that may help 2 out of the 3 diseases or waiting until we get the results back on Monday. There are pros and cons for starting the anitbiotics now. We have not decided what to do. Our pedi asked us to call him back at 3pm to see if the results are back again. At that time, if we decide to start the antibiotics then we can get a script. There is a long list of things to look for in the boys that would warrant a trip to the ER. 

Once again, we will keep you updated.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Our poor sick babies :(

Just wanted to update everyone about what is going on with Kennedy and Dylan. They have both been really sick. Kennedy has been sick for 8 days now and Dylan for 4. They have bad diarrhea (with a lot of blood) and fevers on and off. We saw 4 different doctors over the last week and none of them found anything. We went to the walk in clinic a couple times and the the ER once. They did blood work at the ER on Kennedy and they found nothing. We finally got an appointment with a fantastic pediatrician today. I actually feel that someone is listening to me now. He ordered tests for the boys and had some of the results within an hour. They STILL found nothing, but we go back to see him tomorrow again. The stool sample results should be back tomorrow or Monday so hopefully that would shed some light. They act somewhat ok until they have "to go". They cry and scream because it hurts them so much. They have diarrhea about 12 times a day...it is like they are newborns again. They wake every couple of hours at night to go to the washroom as well. We have been keeping them super super hydrated (feeding every 2 hours again...no solids) so they don't have to be hospitalized because of dehydration. I am an emotional wreck. I just want my babies to be healthy again.

I will update everyone once we find out more. For now if they stop eating, get a really high fever, or become lethargic we have to take them to the ER. Other than that, we are to keep feeding them their formula and pedialite, keep their little bums clean and offer tons and tons of snuggles. Luckily, they are awesome little men and 95% of the time they are still in high spirits. 

Dallas is still home from work for now and I thank God each and every day that he is here with us through this. He knows how to calm the boys down when their hysterical mommy is making matters worse. Dylan will only fall asleep on his chest and Kennedy's eyes sparkle every time Dallas walks into the room. 


We will update you all once we find some answers. Until then, we are accepting positive thought and prayers :) 


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Our blog plan...

In only 3 short months our boys will be turning 1! Our plan is to turn this blog into a book for them for when they are older. As I have not kept up their baby books (who has time for that!) , this blog will act as their baby books for their first year. So family members....please please please leave comments! I have removed all the "steps" you have to go through to add a comment so you should be able to just leave it without having to do anything else. I know for a fact that the boys will love to view all your comments when they are older! Also, you can go back through our archives and add any comments you wish to on older posts.

Thanks!

Monday, March 22, 2010

9 months old! (a Daddy D blog entry)

After finishing my 3rd year of electrical school I came back to realize that there was no work left. So instead of rushing to find a new job, Corinne and I decided that staying home and enjoy the babies (while they are still babies) would be my vacation. So I'm taking this opportunity to write an informed update of the blog.

9 months already! One word explains it...!!!!wow!!!!. It seemed like only yesterday that I was holding them in the hospital both at a size no longer then my forearm. Now their torso's are bigger then the better part of my arm. I guess this thought came to mind because a few nights ago we returned to a dreaded hospital room. The first time since they were released from Grey Nuns. Kennedy began screaming so loud that it woke me up (now that's loud) in pain from diarrhea. A typical problem according to the doctors but as a new parent all I could do is watch him breathe and hope Corinne didn't see the fear in my eyes. After the blood work came back it was confirmed that the doctors were right and that I am one of those parents. You know...the kind that takes an infection and turn it into a life threatening disease (UPDATE - Click here to see the final outcome of their illness). I never understood why people reacted that way until I had children of my own. So Kennedy has his first illness and now we sit and wait for Dylan's turn.

On to more enjoyable experiences of their growth. Our boys can now sit up longer then I can count. When we can get them to stay in one place, that is. The last time I was home this much all I wanted them to do was anything other then cry or need a diaper change. Now all I want them to do is stay still!! I can 't clean or go get the other twin without one army crawling to anything their not allowed to play with. Their favorite thing is making the TV controllers nice and slobbery. I may chew on the remote but never leave it wet. Boys will be boys I guess. I would have to say their ability to move around has been the most exciting part of the month.

What other developments did we have???? Hmmm.. they can almost get as many cheerios in their mouths as they do on the floor. The stealing of the suckie is now a two way battle. I can change a cloth diaper in less then 5 minutes and each baby eats about 8oz's of formula at a time.

In closing I would like to thank my better half for all she does everyday. I've been on baby duty for two weeks and find it much harder then finding a volt drop in RLC circuit. So boys...always respect your mother because without her you would have been in cages above the sink!!!!!


Daddy D

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Sitting up!

Rolling around on the floor to play can get boring after a while. The boys now SIT and play! We are so very proud of them! It may have taken a bit longer for them to sit unassisted then other babies but I feel they are developing at their own rate. They have overcome so much since they were born at 34 weeks! Here are a couple of pics! I am such a proud momma :)

Sitting wearing their fire truck Babylegs :)
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ALWAYS doing the same thing!
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Monday, March 15, 2010

SUCKIE STEALING!! (pics AND video!)

I swear these boys make me laugh so much! When they are within arms reach of each other, they steal whatever the other baby has. It doesn't matter if it is toys or blankets or even SUCKIES (pacifiers). I caught them in the act on camera.  First, here are some pics. Kennedy is on the left with the blue suckie and Dylan is on the right with the green suckie!

Each baby has the right suckie. Kennedy has blue and Dylan has green...
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This time, Kennedy goes in for the steal first...
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Soon after, Dylan realizes it and decides to steal back!
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Silly babies :)
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Dylan trying to get BOTH suckies lol!
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After I took the pics, I thought it would be interesting to get the act caught on video! I swear, it didn't take long to see them stealing again! This time, it was Dylan who started it all!


Thursday, March 11, 2010

The best part of being a mother...

is going in to get your babies after they wake up and being greeted by two huge happy smiles. Kennedy and Dylan melt my heart each and every day. We are so lucky to have such amazing boys. Here is a little video of me going to get them after a nap.



 

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Playing in their room!

8 1/2 months have gone by and the boys have NEVER actually played in their bedrooms! I figured it was time. I moved their cribs around and "baby proofed" it so they can roll around and now get into too much trouble. They love it! Here are some pics of them playing away! 

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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Twins :)

The more the boys grow, the more they look alike. Most days, I can easily tell them apart. I dress Kennedy in blue and Dylan in green. But, some days I dress them the same and even I have to do a double take! All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS for Dylan`s birthmarks :) I mean, we would still be able to tell them apart by their personalities, but in a pinch the birthmarks settle the "which baby do I have?" argument! Here are a few pics of the boys dressed the same. Have I mentioned that I love my little men more than words can describe?

Dylan on the right Kennedy on the left. Dylan's head looks way bigger then Kennedy's in this pic. In real life it isn't like that lol!
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Look up! Wayyyyy up!
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My loves...
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Friday, March 5, 2010

Boys eating toast!

The boys are starting to eat some table foods. The one thing the absolutely love is toast! They would eat it all day if they could. I took a little video of them eating some tasty toast for breakfast so you all can see them. It is not very exciting but I love it anyways :)

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Olympic Fun!

It is pretty cool that the Olympics are in Canada this year.  The boys received the Olympic 2010 Mens Hockey jerseys as Christmas presents and they wore them with pride! Here are some pics of them enjoying the experience!

Daddy D watching the game while posing for a pic!
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Seriously...look at Dylan and Dallas! Definitely his son!
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Mommas boys :)
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Proud Canadians!
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Here is a video of the boys and Dallas watching the mens gold hockey game!


Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Teeth update!

A couple hours after I found Kennedy's tooth, I checked Dylan again and I found his bottom left one coming in! A couple hours after that, I checked Kennedy again and saw that BOTH his bottom teeth are starting to cut through! So, of course I had to check Dylan again and sure enough, both his bottom teeth are there as well! These boys sure are identical!!!! I have stopped looking in their mouthes now! They were getting pretty mad at me yesterday. Kennedy was up last night from 10pm to 12:30 with a fever. Dylan woke up a million times last night as well. Dylan has all the symptoms of a cold (runny nose, coughing, sneezing like crazy). It may actually be a cold or it may also just be part of the teething. I have a feeling it is a cold. Kennedy is starting to cough too but it is not as bad as Dylan. The boys have NEVER been sick! They are 8 months old now and this is the first time they have had any cold symptoms. They each had a random fever in November that lasted about 3 days each but that is it. It sucks so very  bad!

Here are a couple pics of the boys from when they  had their fevers in November. Yes I took pictures of them. I want to remember everything! Even their first fevers!

Here is Kennedy. Yes those are socks over his hands!
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Here is baby Dylan! Again, with the socks over his hands!
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Monday, March 1, 2010

After 5 months...,

We FINALLY have a tooth!!!! Kennedy woke up this morning in the WORST mood! He was crying non stop! I couldn't figure it out until I checked his mouth! His bottom right tooth is just starting to cut through!!! I am so proud of my little man!! It is so funny because Dylan was the one up ALL last night. Dylan was the one who had a fever over the weekend...but Kennedy has the tooth! Funny boys! Once it comes through I will get a picture of his new pearly white!!