The Crazy Life of the Mill's Family

Happy Birthday Kelsey & Kaley

2012-01-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

9 years ago, I was laying in the hospital on bed rest, just praying the twins would stay put just a few more weeks. I had had a complicated pregnancy from day 1 and was ready for the pregnancy be be over, but I knew they needed to stay put if possible. I had hyperemis the entire pregnancy and was in and out of the hospital so much, the nurses knew me on a first name basis and kept tomato soup on hand. I wore a Zofran pump, that allowed me to function in daily life without living in the bathroom floor. Even though, I still got sick, it wasn't as frequent. Of course, the pump had its effects too. Shane changed the small catheter that went into my leg daily, and my legs were swollen, black and blue. I had a personal nurse I had to call every day to let her know what I ate, how much I ate, if I had keytones in my urine (had to check every morning), how much I weighed, how many times I vomited, etc. I am thankful for the pump though, because life without it was almost unbearable, to the point they had ordered TPN for me which would have required surgery to place a port in my neck to feed me. Yeah, it was BAD! So, with all of this, I get the news I have pre-eclampia and was put on bedrest. At 32 weeks I was put on hospital bed rest. On Jan. 29, 2003 things turn a turn for the worst. MY BP was 220/110 and my labs were all over place. My nose started bleeding (never had a nose bleed in my life) and I was vomiting blood (sorry if TMI). So the doctor told me, "Ok, I think it's time to have these babies." I was wheeled to get prepared for the surgery and needless to say I was TERRIFIED and very emotional! At 3:36 and 3:37 pm I heard the tiniest, most precious cries in my life born 7 weeks before their due date.

I have some "just out of mommy's belly photos", but I didn't want to post because I know some just don't want to see that type of stuff. I love looking at them, mainly because I didn't even get to see them until they were several hours old.

My first ultrasound when I heard the doctor say, "OK Mom, here is Baby A (my reaction was huh??? Baby A??) and here is Baby B"

NICU team working with one of the girls.

Our first family photo

You can tell how tiny they were by looking at her compared to Chad's hand

Happy 1st Birthday

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old

8 years old

9 years old

A house too big

2012-01-27T19:57:00.000-08:00

Growing up, I always lived in a small house, after getting married, we lived in a small house, apartments, and another small house. I was always happy in our small house, but something inside me always wanted a bigger house and hoped we could one day we could provide a good size house for our kids to have friends over, host events, etc. So, in January 2011, when we finally started really looking for a new home to purchase or build, we of course had our criteria in mind. The first was to live in the girls school zone. That of course narrowed the choices down quite a bit of homes to buy. We were looking at around 3000 sq foot(+/-), 5 bedrooms, and an open living room. We searched and searched and found one home we really liked. It was 2900 sq ft. and in the neighborhood we are currently living, but another family already had a contract on it and unfortunetly, the neighborhood did not have the same builder anymore. So we went to plan B, Building. We LOVED the neighborhood, but none of the plans they offered at the time were really what we were looking for. However, a few days later, the sales rep. emailed us a plan called the Bridgeview. We fell in love with it immediately. The only downfall, is it was 4100 sq ft, 6 bedrooms (we made it 7), a huge game room and 3 1/2 baths (we have 4 1/2). We really didn't need or want a house this big, but after thinking about it for a few weeks, we decided to write up the contract. We changed the game room into an additional master bedroom with a walk in closet and big bathroom for my Mom, in case she decides to move in with us. So we have 7 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, a formal living room (our playroom), formal dinning room, and of course the normal family room, breakfast room, and kitchen. We were very excited needless to say. My dream of having a "big house" was finally coming true.

So, just imagine going from 1400 sq ft, 3 BR, 2 BA to 4100 sq ft. WHOHH! Huge difference. So, let me tell you, some days, I really wish I could go back to my 1400 sq ft. house. Well, maybe not that small, because with 3 kids, we do need more room. 3000 sq foot would be perfect I think. The demand of cleaning 5 toilets, 4 tubs, mopping floors, vacuming floors, keeping the finger prints off the stainless steel appliances, on top of the demands of 3 kiddos all alone is sometimes more than I can handle. It's just way too much house!! So my dream of having a big house is being shot down very quickly. Don't get me wrong, I love my house, it's just way too big. Sometimes I wish I had my white appliances, floor covering, and carpet back too. I never thought I would say it!

A Rare Moment

2012-01-17T13:24:00.000-08:00

These moments are few, far, and inbetween. Kaley's phone happened to be laying beside me and I grabbed it and caught it before they even realized it. HA HA!

Where or Where Did my little sleeper go?

2012-01-16T20:14:00.000-08:00

I know for those of you following me on facebook know of the sleep issues my sweet little Kinsley has been having. For about 2 months now, Kinsley has slept through the night maybe 5 times. I have still yet to figure it out and maybe I never will. My twins never went through this. If they woke up during the night, they were usually sick. Yes, Kinsley has been suffering with pretty yucky allergies, but I'm still not sure that's why she is waking up. Maybe it all started with her waking up from being sick and got use to Mommy coming in her room and rocking her back to sleep and now it's become a habit? I seriously have no clue what's going on with her. The past couple weeks she hasn't been waking up as frequently, but when she does wake up, even if its 4 am, it's impossible to get her back to sleep and stay asleep. She was waking up at least once an hour but now it's a couple times a night, but she's awake way before her normal time. Here are things we have tried.

*Humidifier runs at night
*fan runs for white noise
*music
*pillow
*benedryl
*letting her cry it out
*rubbing her back
*I've become desperate at times and "GASP" even let her lay in my bed, but still doesn't work. She thinks getting in my bed means it's time to play on Mommy's i phone.
*warmer PJ's w/ cooler temps in the house
*warmer PJ/s with normal temp in house
*normal PJ's with warmer temp in house

If it's separation anxiety, then laying in my bed should fix it, right? But laying in my bed doesn't. She still squirms, cries and doesn't stay asleep.

Night Terrors? I don't think it's that because she is fully awake when she wakes up crying. From what I have researched, when a child has night terrors they are not fully awake.

Nightmares? Maybe

Hot or Cold? I've tried different things on that one, but still no results

Can't breathe? Possibility!!! We do use a humidifier in her room. I have been experimenting with and without nebulizer treatments and the few nights I have her the treatments, she slept through the night. So, did it really help or was it just coincidence? She hasn't been suffering as much with allergies the past week or so, but still breathing through her mouth.

Thyroid Levels out of wack? POSSIBILITY! We are scheduled for labs soon.

Maybe it's just one of those things that will hopefully pass. I have insomnia as it is, and add a restless toddler to it, makes nights very frustrating and makes me one tired Mommy.

I really hope my little sleeper that sleeps until 10:30 (when I don't have to get her up to take big sisters to school) comes back soon!! Any advice, suggestions, or ideas???

More Christmas pictures

2012-01-16T13:53:00.000-08:00

The girls enjoying their first electric scooter ride

Kinsley loves watching Big sisters ride their normal scooters, so she got her very own.

OOpps...Santa Mommy didn't do a very good job and putting the stroller together..LOL

We ended the night with a little game of Disney trivial pursuit.

Christmas

2012-01-16T13:33:00.000-08:00

Santa has arrived! The big girls don't believe in Santa anymore, but they still like to play along. They are such "realist" and have never had an imagination, so no kidding, at 5 years old, they were questioning me about Santa. They have to know all the facts and details about everything.

The twins were SO EXCITED to see the electic scooters they have been begging me for for YEARS! I had them convined they were not getting them because they were just too dangerous. HA! SURPRISE!!!

They quickly ripped through their wrapped gifts and on to the stockings. Another surprise...A CELL PHONE! That is something I had convinced them they couldn't have until they were 12. Some people may think I'm crazy for getting my almost 9 year olds cell phones, but as much as they go out in the neighborhood and play, at least I can keep up with them at all times. When we were 9, we used our landline to talk, right? We don't have a landline, and I was tired of them using my phone all the time.

Kinsley loving her new baby stroller

Kinsley excited because she found candy in her sisters stocking. This child LOVES LOVES LOVES sweets!

Christmas Eve

2012-01-13T06:11:00.000-08:00

Shane and I had our families over for a big dinner on Christmas eve.

My girls and my brothers girls

All the kiddos are snuggled and bed and Santa has made his arrival.

Speech Therapy

2012-01-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

At Kinsley's 2 year old well child visit I expressed my concerns to her pediatrician about her speech. At the time, she wasn't saying nearly as many words as she should be, not talking using 2 or 3 phrases, and 99% of the words she was saying, she wasn't saying correctly. She was leaving the first consanant sounds off of almost every word and sometimes the ending as well. She agreed with me that, without a doubt she was not where she should be, so she sent in a referal to be evaluated by a speech therapist. I took her in for her evaluation a couple weeks ago and recently got the report back.

On the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation, she scored a 59. A normal score is 73 which put her in the 8th %ile. The report said based on this test and observation, she has a "moderate-severe phonological disorder. She uses the following phonologial processes: Initial Consonant Deletion and Final Consonant Deletion . Her speech was juded to be moderately-severely decreased. The following sounds were also noted to be misarticulated: /p, b, w, m, n?." On the Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language scale she scored as an 18 month in Language Expression, but in play she scored as a 30-33 month old. She understand everything you tell her, but has problem is mostly with articulation.

Examples: jump= ump
bath= baf
cup= up or bup
cat= at
dog= og
Mickey Mouse= Ickey Douse
feet=beet
Phone= hone

She has started to say a lot more works and will repeat everything you say. The problem is, not just anyone knows what she is saying. I know most of what she is saying or I can figure it out by looking at whatever is around her for the most part. She still isn't talking in phrases. She will say a few phrases such as "Mommy's on(phone), "Nana's car", "More pease", etc.

The twins never had a problem with speaking so this is all new to me. They were early talkers. They seem to think is from her congenital hypothyroidism (speech delay is a common trait of children with this disease), or the numerous ear infections she had last winter.

She will start speech next Friday. Right now, the plan is for her to go once a week for a year.

2011 in Review

2012-01-09T19:06:00.000-08:00

Since I have been such a slacker in blogging over the past year I thought I would just try and to a reacap of some of the events that took place during 2011. Most of the post will be pictures, considering I don't remember all the tiny little details. Hopefully soon, I can jump back into the blogging world. Who knows...maybe I will, maybe I won't.

Kinsley at 18 months

From 2011 in review

The twins at 18 months and Kinsley at 18 months

From 2012-01-09

Trip to Charleston in April (I think)

From 2012-01-09

From 2011 in review

EASTER EGG HUNT

From 2011 in review

EASTER
I didn't get any good pictures of the girls in their matching dresses because Kinsley was an ill pill that day and not wanting her picture made.

From 2011 in review

The girls with my Mom's cousin, Karen.

From 2011 in review

My grandparents

From 2011 in review

Kinsley's first time dying eggs

From 2011 in review

Spring Fling at Abner Creek Academy

From 2011 in review

My girls and one of my best friends kids

From 2011 in review

Just cuteness

From 2011 in review

Kelsey and Kaley's first percussion concert.

From 2011 in review

Golfing with friends

From 2011 in review

New house

From 2011 in review

Disney World

We enjoyed a short visit to Charleston for sweet Colby and Parkers birthday and the loaded up the Tahoe with 5 kiddos (3 car seats and 2 big girls) for an adventurous week at Disney. Even through the heat, crowd, and ER visit, we had a wonderful time. It was definetly an experience navigating through Disney all week with 3 kids alone. HA! The kids all did great though. I was one tired Mommy at the end of the week.

From 2011 in review

Olaying in the rain

From 2011 in review

These two could definetly pass as twins, huh? We were asked that on a few occassions, but in fact they are distant cousins 3 months apart.

From 2011 in review

Happy Birthday Colby!

From 2011 in review

On the second morning (I think), I woke up at 5 am, after being in the park until around 2 am. to a loud bump and Kaley crying. She's stopped crying and I went to put her back in bed. Something told me to turn on the light, so when I did, I was shocked to find a yucky gash on Kaley's forehead. She had no clue it was even there. I still don't know exactly what she hit it on, I'm guessing the bed rail. So off to the ER in pj's we go. They first said stitches and thankfully the very nice doctor gave her the option of glue of stitches. Of course she said glue. So, we get her all glued up, and thankfully, we were able to enjoy the rest of the week at Disney.

Water Park Days

From 2011 in review

Kinsley's first dentist visit

From 2011 in review

NUMEROUS trips to Carowinds

From 2011 in review

Back to school for the twins

From 2011 in review

First time ridding the school bus

From 2011 in review

Bath time fun

From 2011 in review

Kinsley first day of preschool

From 2011 in review

Dollywood Trip

From 2011 in review

Kinsley's first ER visit from falling down an entire flight of stairs

From 2011 in review

Kinsley turns 2

From 2011 in review

Another Carwoinds trip

From 2011 in review

New accessory

From 2011 in review

Girls 1st 9 weeks honor roll celebration

From 2011 in review

Fall Fun and Halloween

From 2011 in review

Weekend at Palmetto Bible Camp

From 2011 in review

Veterans Day

From 2011 in review

GO GAMECOCKS

From 2011 in review

My girls and our neighbors on Carolina vs Clemson game day

From 2011 in review

Kinsley's first time on skates. She looks scared in this picture, but she had a great time.

From 2011 in review

Family pictures and Christmas post to come...STAY TUNED!

Missing in Action

2011-10-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

I know I've been MIA in the blogging world lately. Life has just been too busy to sit down and type about my busy life. Maybe soon, I'll get back into it. Until this, here are a few tidbits of info of what we have been and are up too.

Kinsley just turned 2.
*28 lbs 13 oz
*37 in tall
*such a delightful, funny, polite, independent baby girl.
*will start speech therapy soon (just another thing to add to my busy schedule)
*attends pre-school 2 days a week
*Thyroid levels are finally leveling out and getting situated on the correct synthroid dosage (for now anyway)
*Loves books
*Loves Mickey Mouse and Barney

Kelsey and Kaley are enjoying 3rd grade. Both made Honor Roll for the past 9 weeks of school. Here is their schedule:

They start their day at 7:10 am helping with the "Gator Patrol" at school. Well, this month one has Gator Patrol and the other is on the "morning show"
*Mondays- percussion
*Tuesday- Lyrical ballett
*Wed- church
*Thursday- chorus & Gymnastics
*Fridays- drive mom crazy day because they have nothing to do....LOL

As for me....I'm just being Mom and going along for the ride:)

Kinsley's surgery

2011-04-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

Kinsley's surgery went well! Her adenoids were big, as expected, so hopefully once she is healed up, we will see some improvement on her breathing and ear infections. She didn't want to wake up from her anesthesia, but after about an hour she finally woke up. There was a baby in recovery beside us that came out after her, but yet went home a good hour before us. My little beauty needed her rest. We had a rough evening Friday, and a bad day Saturday. I think her throat is sore. Today, she hasn't been as irratable, but still not wanting to eat. Hopefully soon she will be back to normal! Thanks for all your prayers

Before Surgery

After Surgery in Recovery

Prayer Request

2011-04-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

Miss Kinsley will be going in the morning for her adenoidectomy. Pray all goes well and it will help with ear infections, breathing, and to just stay well for a while.

Day 4 of no rocking

2011-04-05T18:32:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my sweet girl and hope I'm not jenxing myself. She went right to sleep tonight without even a whimper:) I must say though, I sure do miss rocking her.

Nights like these

2011-04-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

It's 1:30 in the morning and I'm sitting here wide awake hoping this horrible thunderstorm passes soon. I DO NOT like storms and these are the moments when I wish Shane was here. For some reason, having someone else with you makes it not so scary. LOL! I guess I'm just a big baby. I just don't do high winds, thunder, lighting, to top it all off hail hitting the windows. I remember as a child, my brother and I would go into our parents room, and sleep in the floor by their bed when it was storming. Thankfull right now my girls are still asleep. Hopefully they stay that way so we don't have 3 scaredy cat girls sitting here in the bed.

Day 1 of no rocking...SUCCESS!!

2011-04-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

I have been pondering the thought for some time now, but tonight I made the decision to put Kinsley is her crib to fall asleep. Rocking has worked great for us up until the last couple of months. She has really started fighting sleeping, fighting me and just having a fit when it came time to rock to sleep. I would fight her her sometimes an hour before she finally gave it up. Tonight was no different! I told myself tonight, "this is just ridicuolos sitting here fighting my 17 month old for an hour". So I went and put her in the crib. Tonight I stood right by her crib, singing to her and rubbing her back and face, and laying her back down when she got up. Of course, she cried, but not as long as I expected. It took about 20 mins. and she was out. Hopefully tomorrow will be shorter, and adentually I will be able to just lay her down and go out of the room. No turning back now:)

17 months

2011-03-22T20:15:00.001-07:00

*STATS*
Somewhere between 25-26lbs
not sure of height

*Love to dance
*Favorite songs are Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus, and This Little Light of Mine. She also knows the hand motions.
*Loves to be outside, slide, and climb
*She can climb her sisters bunk bed ladder
*Developing a temper
*Loves to give hugs
*LOVES her Na Na
*We are learning shapes and she had a circle down pat
*Loves to play peek a boo
*Has had fluid in her ears for 4 months now so we will be seeing the ENT next week
*She has such a friendly and outgoing personality and doesn't meet a stranger. When we are out in public, she trys her best to get everyones attention and tells everyone Hey.

*WORDS*
Hey
Cracker
Done (Da)
Da Da cool (Da Da school)....since her sisters go to school she thinks her Daddy is at school too

GIGI (sissy)
Down
Ahh (out)
KuKu (Mickey)...yeah I know it's weird, but that's what she calls him
Goo Gurl (Good girl)

*These are some of the words she can say. I'm sure I left some out. The only ones she says plain are Hey, Craker, Ma Ma, Da Da, and Na Na, but hey, she's trying!

A Single Tear

2011-03-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

Notice the single tear under her left eye (your right). She had been very upset because she wanted to feed herself.

Contest

2011-03-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

Please click the link below and vote for Kinsley in the "Most Huggable Baby" Contest by our local radio station. The winner wins a $500 gift card to Bi Lo! Thanks so much!

Click here to vote for Kinsley

Doctor's Visit (Updated with Video)

2011-03-11T18:49:00.000-08:00

I took Kinsley to see Dr. D today because after a week of having a "cold" she just wasn't getting any better. I'm not one to drag my kids to the doctor for every little sneeze and cough and usually try to let it run it's course. Enough is enough though. So, here we go again. Just as I though, another ear infection, tons of fluid in her ears. That is four straight months with fluid in the ears, and 4 or 5 different types of antibiotics. We also discussed Kinsley's breathing and she mentioned the "Tracheomalacia" that the ENT dianosed her with at about 9 months. I have always been kind of skeptical about that diagnosis and knew her breathing was not just "noisy breathing." The poor baby gives out of breath so easily. So, about a month ago I videoed her and showed it to her doc. today. She said, "Wow, she sounds like my Dad breathing." The thing is, her lungs sound great. So she seems to think her adenoids are blocking her nasal passages, which makes since, because she always has her mouth open and her tounge hanging out. So, we are being sent back to the ENT for ear tubes and adenoids removal consulation. I know it's a pretty quick and simple procedure and I know it will make her feel so much better. She also added singulair to her long list of medications. YUCK! I'm still not sure I'm going to give it to her. Any one out there had any experience with singulair? Here is a short video and Kinsley's everyday breathing with any sort of activity. This is after crawling up a flight of stairs. She gives out of breath so easily, even when she's not sick.

American Tears

2011-03-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

This is one of the songs the twins, along with the Drama Club/Honors Chorus sang in last night's perfomance of The American Dream. I definetly had tears in my eyes during this one. THis is a BEAUTIFUL song. The soloist is their music teacher. She is so talanted!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-02T19:58:00.001-08:00

Wow...are they really all looking and all smiling? Do you know how close to impossible this is?

Work Out

2011-02-28T08:28:00.000-08:00

I started going to the YMCA a little over a week ago every morning (except weekends), to start trying to get some of the 50+ lbs off I've gained over the past several years. I've always heard it makes you feel so much better, but I never believe it. But wow...it's amazing how much better I feel, how motivated I feel, and how it seems to help me cope with things better. Hopefully soon, with the workout and cutting out the hundred Pepsi's I would drink per day, I will start seeing the inches and lbs come off too:)

Sisters

2011-02-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

I was going through some pictures and found some of the twins at 16 months old. Kinsley doesn't look like her sisters. I think they look more like Shane and Kinsley more like me. What's your opinion?

From Feb 26, 2011

16 months

2011-02-22T18:23:00.000-08:00

Miss Kinsley turned 16 months on the 22nd. Where does time go?

STATS:
24 lbs 3 oz
33 in.
18-24 months clothes
size 5 & 5 1/2 shoe

MILESTONES:
*Loves to climb anything and everything, including her sisters bunk bed ladder.
*She is fascinated with flushing the toilet & the opening the dishwasher, pulling everything out and then climbing on it. Why don't they make dishwasher locks? They have locks for everything else, why not dishwashers? I bought some refridirator locks to put on it.
*Her temper is really starting to show. She stomps her feet when she doesn't get her way.
*She LOVES music. Her favorties are "If you're Happy and You Know it", "This little light of mine" and "I'm yours" by jason Maraz.
*She likes to dance
*She is started to repeat more and more words.
*Her favorite words are:
*Cracker
*Da Da
*Ma Ma
*Na Na
*No No
*Hey
*Ba (bath)
*cool (school) When you ask her where her sisters are she says, "cool"
*Da (done)
*Bye Bye
*She says Hey DaDa, Hey Na Na, and Hey Kitty

The Start of Something New Part 2

2011-02-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

We finally got our options, lot, and all that fun stuff chosen. We narrowed our almost $38K worth of upgrades down a little, made our offer, and they accepted:) YAY!! They should start building within the next few weeks and it will take about 3 months to build. It is a slab home so they throw those things up so fast. Here is the floor plan we have chosen and the lot:) We opted to "upgrade" the game/bonus room to a 2nd master bedroom for more than reason, and we will have a side entry garage but otherwise things should be as they are listed. We are very excited about this new journey.

Some of the options we did away with:
*Tile in Bathrooms/laudry (can do later)
*blinds (we can get cheaper)
*upgraded sink and tub faucets
*tile shower (we are going fiberglass)

Some things we stuck with:
*Hardwood all downstairs except in the office/den/living or whatever you wish to call it.
*Upgraded lighting because the house we live in now has TERRIBLE lighting
*Upgraded carpet and carpet pad upstairs (should last longer)
*Stainless steal applianaces (we went back and forth about this one, but the day we signed the contract, they started new promotions and one you could choose from was a free "dream kitchen" package which included the upgraded appliances.
*2nd master bedroom upstairs

What are things you can or can not live without. What do you wish you did have or did not have? We have 10 days to "change" our minds so any opinions would be helpful!

From New Home

Here is what it will look like. Of course, we picked our own brick, etc.

From New Home

Kelsey and Kaley's "boyfriends" whom also happen to be twins live in the house you see in the picture so needless to say they are all very excited!

From New Home

The Start of Something New

2011-02-10T20:03:00.001-08:00

After months of waiting, we FINALLY got our loan approval yesterday to purchase a new home. Mortgage companies fear giving loans to "contractors" becuase and that was exactly what Shane was/is. We started the process back in Nov. and thankfully, the company Shane is working for was in the process of switching their "contractors" over to actual "employees" and the transition took place mid Jan. After getting all of that paperwork to the lender, they finally sent us our approval letter yesterday. WHOOOO HOOOOO!!! I'm so excited!

If numbers work out and the builder agrees with our offer, we are building a home in a neighboor hood not too far from where we live now. I never knew when building a house that EVERYTHING seems to be an "upgrade" Seriously, when we got finished with our wish list of upgrades, it added $37,000 to the price. Geesh! Needless to say, we are cutting back on our "wish list" . Some of the things we can upgrade at a later date, such as tile in the bathrooms, laudry room, etc. We have an appointment tomorrow with the builder/sales rep once again, and hopefully we can all come to an agreement on numbers and options and we can get the ball rolling.

I NEED Sleep

2011-01-15T21:04:00.001-08:00

Kinsley is once again going through a "stage" of waking up crying several times a night. Sometimes she goes back to sleep on her own, but I usually have to get her atleast once a night. I thought it was because she was sick, but now that she is better, she is still waking. In fact, I think it's worse. She is teething, so I've tried Tylenol before bedtime, I've tried putting her on a blanket sleeper instead of a cotton one in case she was getting cold, tried running a humidifier, tried letting her cry (doesn't work because she will keep screaming and I can't stand it), etc. The twins never did this. Once they started sleeping through the night, they pretty much slept unless they were sick. After I put them in toddler beds they started getting up more, and climbing in the bed with me, but this is all new to me. Seriously, she wakes up more now than she did as a newborn. I can't remember the last time I had a good nights sleep. It's been months I know. The joys of being a mommy, but I wouldn't change a minute of it:)

"Dottle"

2011-01-14T19:54:00.001-08:00

Kelsey or Kaley had one of Kinsley's bottles playing with it with their dolls. I was busy doing something and did not realize they had put milk in it and Kinsley found it. The child was so excited. I wish I could have gotten first first reaction to the bottle but atleast I got a little of it. At first, she would take one drink, look at me, smile real big, and say "DOTTLE" "DOTLLE", drink another drink, smile and say "DOTTLE". She was so excited! Bless her little heart. Thankfully, it didn't cause a setback. She is drinking milk from a cup much better now.

Bottle Free

2011-01-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

Today was my first day not giving Kinsley a bottle and it was a success, for us both! I honestly think I am having a harder time than she is. I know she is my last and I wanted to keep her a baby as long as possible. She also has been refusing to drink milk (even flavored) from a cup and it was much easier to put her thyroid medicine in her bottle. Yeah I know, excuses!! So what led me to finally do it?? Yesterday evening, she was tired and ill and when I tried to give her a sippy cup, she threw it down. She then looked at my Mom and said, "Dottle". The child was asking for a bottle. Right then I knew, ok, when a baby is old enough to ask for a bottle, I guess it should be taken away. I knew the longer I waited the harder it would be. She has only asked for it twice today. This morning when I gave her a cup, she once again threw it down, and said, "Dottle!" Then tonight she kept saying it. But I was not going to give in so after Day one, we are bottle free. No turning back.

14 months

2010-12-29T21:11:00.000-08:00

From Christmas 2010

Kinsley had her 12 month checkup today. Yeah I know we're 2 months late so i guess I win the bad mommy award.

*STATS* BIG GIRL
Weight: 23lbs 6oz (70th %ile)
Height: 33 in. (off the chart)
Head: 18.5 in. (80th %ile)

At 9 months she was 20lbs 6oz so she has definetly started slowing down a little.

*VOCABULARY*
MaMa
NaNa(my mom)
Goggle (Bottle)
Cracker
Da (Dog)
Ca (Cat)
go

She has just in the past week started trying to repeat words. It's the cutest thing.

*MILESTONES*
-She started walking good around 13 months
-She has mastered climbing the stairs
-Loves books, music, water, and her stuffed dog that's bigger than she is
-Knows what a dog, cat, and duck says
-Knows where her eyes, ears, nose, mouth and belly button are.
-Her bottom 2 molors are coming through and giving her a real hard time
-Gives Hugs and kisses
-Learned to blow kisses
-loves to see her Daddy on webcam
-She has the sweetest, most loving personality
-She is not a big fan of milk
-She loves her big siters but sometimes she lets them know she has had enough
-She is jelous of her big sisters. If they sit in my lap or hug me, she trys to push them away and starts crying.
-she doesn't want me to get out of her sight.

Santa Pictures

2010-12-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

Photo's by Monica Parkkonen

Kinsley never knew Santa was in the room until the very end. It was really amazing how the photographer kept him a secret. Even though it looks like he is holding her, he isn't. She is sitting on my legs. Monica does amazing work.

From Santa Pictures

Thumb wresteling with Santa

From Santa Pictures

The Reveal!

From Santa Pictures

Cousins

2010-12-23T22:12:00.000-08:00

We had our annual family get together at my Grandparent's house this past weekend.
4 children
11 grandchildren
18 great-grandchildren

Here is Grandma and Papa with 14 of the 18 great grandchildren.

From Christmas 2010

Back Row:
Sarah (4 1/2), Brooklyn(4), Lauryn(4)
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Rylan(9), Carlyn(17 mths), Kelsey(7), Kinsley (14 mth), Stevie(14mth), Rachel(20 mth),Abigail(6),Kaley(7), Lily(3 mth), Tyson(10), Avery(11 mth)

MISSING:
Jimmy Jr., Hunter, Choloe, and Marley (20mth)

*Brooklyn & Lauryn are only 2 days apart
*Marley & Rachel are one week apart
*Stevie & Kinsley are one week apart
*6 great grands were born in a 9 month period

LAST YEARS PICTURE

From Christmas at Grandma's

Way back when

2010-12-16T07:55:00.000-08:00

I was going through some boxes the other day and came across this. Boy did it bring back not so good memories. This was the infusion set I had to use that connected to a pump that pumped Zofran into my body 24 hours a day when I was pregnant with the twins. Shane had to stick the needle in my thigh everyday and change the "catheder". Just thought I would share.

This is the kit

He stuck it in and pulled the needle out and a small catheder was left in my leg.

Pampers vs Huggies

2010-12-13T06:21:00.000-08:00

When the twins were babies and in diapers, Huggies were the only diapers that worked well with them. They were always very small and for whatever reason, the Huggies just fit them best and didn't leak. So when Kinsley was born, I had already stocked up on Huggies. At first they did okay. Then it got to where every night she would wake up and her clothes would be soaked. At first, I tried a bigger size but still didn't help. I finally switched to Pampers and guess what...no more waking up at night with wet clothes. Normally, I but the giant boxes at Babies R Us or Toys R Us, because of the coupons, gift cards, and free box after you buy 9 boxes, but I have not had the chance to go so I had to go by our local CVS and buy a small pack of diapers yesterday. They had Huggies on sale, so I though, what the heck, I would give them another try. What do you know....Kinsley woke up at 4 am and her clothes were soaked.

Which do your prefer? My thoughts are maybe Huggies work on smaller babies and Pampers on chunkier babies. Pampers never worked on the twins and Huggies don't work on Kinsley.

Final Day of Vacation (Sea World)

2010-12-10T21:17:00.000-08:00

We could not make the journey home without visiting Sea World. After staying in a cheezy motel the night before, we got up and headed a couple miles up the road to Sea World. After all we didn't have to pay a dime because Military families get in for free. Not to bad, huh?

The girls getting their faces drawn.

The Crazy Life of the Mill's Family

Happy Birthday Kelsey & Kaley

A house too big

A Rare Moment

Where or Where Did my little sleeper go?

More Christmas pictures

Christmas

Christmas Eve

Speech Therapy

2011 in Review

Missing in Action

Kinsley's surgery

Prayer Request

Day 4 of no rocking

Nights like these

Day 1 of no rocking...SUCCESS!!

17 months

A Single Tear

Contest

Doctor's Visit (Updated with Video)

American Tears

Wordless Wednesday

Work Out

Sisters

16 months

The Start of Something New Part 2

The Start of Something New

I NEED Sleep

"Dottle"

Bottle Free

14 months

Santa Pictures

Cousins

Way back when

Pampers vs Huggies

Final Day of Vacation (Sea World)

Disney Day 7 (Hollywood Studios)

Disney Day 6 (Bippity Boppity Boutique & Cinderella's Royal Table

Disney Day 5 (Animal Kingdom & Downtown Disney)

Disney Day 4 (Hollywood Studios and Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner)

Disney Day 3 (EPCOT)

Disney Day 2 (MAGIC KINGDOM)

Disney Day 1 Continued

Disney Day 1 (Oct 22) & Kinsley bday

House Hunting

Lots of catching up

Image Center - Olan Mills Portrait Studios

Proud Mommy Moment

Talking with Daddy

Like Mommy Like Daughter

11 months

My South Carolina Gamecock Baby

Standing

Preview

Laptop vs Desktop

Random

Curiosity

Look at what I captured...

Catching up

10 month pictures

Our mini vacation to the lake

Golf with Daddy

BFF

No more headbands

10 months

Shoes

Do you want a good laugh??

2nd graders

Pool Party

9 months

Happy Birthday

Our new ride

Hope

He's home

Still no "Confirmed" Answers

I am thinking it's time...

First Bee Sting

Sleep

7 more days...

Kinsley's first "Boo Boo"