The Chronicles of Kerrick and Cullen

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-22T22:40:00.003-05:00

The family is good and it is nice to slow down for the holiday break. School has required more time than a day allows, so a break is a nice change of pace. We are staying busy and keeping ourselves out of trouble. Currently, we are battling illnesses at the house and we are trying to get better for Christmas. Cullen is army crawling and is due to be on all fours any minute now. Kerrick is tearing it up. He has broken multiple land speed records and is working on his certification for water bowl tipping right now. Kerrick has a certain fascination with everything dog, so he is naturally drawn to the water dish and dog tails. Zora loves Kerrick and I think that they may be best friends. Albee is barking up to the idea that the boys will one day be bigger than him, and Linus is Linus. Linus is still warming up to the idea that there are miniature people that will one day boss him around. We hope that this message finds everyone well and we would like to wish you a Festive Festivus, a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year. Let us hope that this new decade brings about the change that we all could use.

Pictures are in!

2009-11-29T16:32:00.002-05:00

It's been completely wacky around here. We closed on our house two weeks ago and just had the internet hooked up yesterday. Uploading Cullen and Kerrick's 6-month pictures would probably take all day, so check 'em out here.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=124733&id=545992682&l=d1b32158ac

Sorry I'm such a slacker!

Andrew Turns 30!

2009-10-06T08:55:00.003-04:00

Andrew turned 30 yesterday, so this past weekend I suprised him with a party at our favorite local Irish pub. Good friends and family came out, and I think he was actually suprised.

Things are good but hectic on our end. We are in the process of bidding on a house, plus I'm working the two jobs and Andrew was hired at a local public middle school. The boys are in daycare (I call it "school") and are finally on a routine and are sleeping all the way through the night. We miss everyone down South and we want to hear from you.

Kerrick, eating a banana from that contraption.

Cullen, trying to get the camera.
Andrew and his friend, Scott.

A true suprise.

Aunt Candace.

Separate Cribs

2009-09-05T22:49:00.004-04:00

As sad as it is, we had to finally put the boys in separate cribs. They were really moving and kicking around in there and waking each other (and me) up in the middle of the night. The monkey quilt was made by my "aunt" Maryann and the banana bumper pads were made by my mother-in-law (and Andrew). Cullen likes his new digs!
Kerrick's happy to have his brother gone!

Random Photos @ 6 Months

2009-09-05T22:27:00.010-04:00

Grumpa's birthday dinner with Uncle Glen and cousin Caleb.

Cullen.
Kerrick

Cullen

Kerrick

Cullen

Kerrick.

Yay!

2009-08-16T14:11:00.002-04:00

I have a job! It's been a whirlwind of a week, but I have a job. I was hired exactly one week before school started, so it's been chaos around here. I'm working as a journalism and creative writing teacher at a middle school that's only 10 minutes from our house. I'll also be adjuncting at a local university two nights a week.

Cullen and Kerrick are doing well. They went to the doctor this past week and are deemed, once again, perfect! Cullen's in the 90th percentile (meaning that 90% of babies are smaller than he is). Kerrick is in the 75th percentile; he weighs almost a pound less than Cullen. They are happy and healthy and Andrew is lucky to be able to spend his days with them.

I feel bad not posting any pictures, but we haven't uploaded any for a while. We're thinking of everyone in Florida and hoping the tropical storms leave you all alone!

We've "Gone Kentucky"

2009-07-30T21:14:00.006-04:00

Hello, all! Cullen and Kerrick are growing like weeds. They are almost five months old and we hit a few milestones this past week. Kerrick cut two teeth, and Cullen cut one. On top of that, both the boys are sitting up unassisted. It's been really fun around here--the good part about being unemployed is the fact that Andrew and I get to spend this crucial, quality time with these guys.

Kerrick.

Cullen.

Kerrick, playing with his cousins' guns.

Cullen takes his firearms seriously.

Kerrick is ready to rope some steer.

As you can see, we really need jobs before we do more damage to these two.

Our Lazy Summer

2009-07-30T21:01:00.009-04:00

Cullen, in his jumper.
Cullen, being silly. (Okay, we know it wasn't his idea!)

Playing nice together.

Cullen.
Kerrick in the bath.
Kerrick

Kerrick
Kerrick and Cullen.

Kerrick.
First parade at Oldham County Day. They actually watched the whole thing!

More Summer Fun

2009-07-15T14:52:00.006-04:00

Here I am on my birthday, visibly bummed that I'm not as young as these two.
Uncle Andrew and Thomas.

Braden, dancing.

Thomas and Braden helped me with my candles.
Kerrick.

Cullen.
Braden, wanting to share his ba-ba.

Uncle Andrew and Thomas riding four wheelers.

My Birthday Party

2009-07-12T13:54:00.004-04:00

The blur on the picture is from a sticky fingered Braden.
Me and Brittany.

Braden loves his "baby bubbas" (cousins).

Holding hands.

Kerrick, left. Cullen, right.

Swimming at Aunt Brittany's

2009-07-12T13:48:00.003-04:00

Kerrick.

Big Chillin' Cullen.

Kentucky Boys Doing Kentucky Things

2009-07-06T10:20:00.002-04:00

Kerrick.
Cullen.

The boys in their box at Churchill Downs. This was their first visit of many, I'm sure.Mommy and Cullen.

Daddy and Kerrick.

Hanging with Mason

2009-07-01T11:33:00.002-04:00

Cullen and Kerrick are making a ton of friends. For photos, here's the link to Mason's blog:

http://thelifeandtimesofmasonmiller.blogspot.com/2009/06/hanging-out-with-my-friends-kerrick.html

Tornado Chasing

2009-06-14T14:00:00.005-04:00

It's that time of year in Kentucky. Though the pictures look pretty scary, the clouds weren't rotating. Good thing I watched all those episodes of Storm Chasers when I was pregnant...

The Big Move

2009-06-14T12:28:00.009-04:00

Sorry it took so long to update, but as you can imagine it's been pretty hectic around here. The move was not half as bad as I thought it would be.

We left a lot later than we wanted to, because Andrew lost the truck keys and we spent hours looking for them. After partially unpacking the truck and opening boxes, the keys were found on the floor of my car. And when we were finally ready to leave, my keys came up missing--only to be found days later in Glen's (Andrew's brother) backpack. Good thing we had a spare set. Needless to say, it was a chaotic start to a long trip.

Here are Andrew and his brother, Glen, feeding the boys in an almost-empty apartment and then they walked to Quizno's for lunch.The drive with my sister was nice. It was good to have another mother in the car, because she knew exactly what to do. We only made it to Valdosta, Georgia, the first night because of the late start. I really wanted to find a hotel with a heated pool, so that we could all relax and so the boys could splash around. After miles and miles of billboards advertising an indoor, heated pool at a hotel we decided to stay there. We overlooked the seedy strip club next door and the mysterious stain on the sheets. We even overlooked the fact that you had to pay for a remote and the dead cockroach on the floor because we all wanted that pool.

But, as I scoped out the scene I soon discovered that the "indoor" pool was a carport covering an outdoor pool and that the temperature of the pool was too cold for me, nevermind Kerrick and Cullen. I asked for a refund, which the hotel clerk gave me without much of an argument, and went back to the scary room. My sister and I were sitting outside and polishing off a bottle of champagne hours later when the clerk told us that we had to leave--that a refund meant that we had to leave the premises. Because the boys were asleep and the cats were finally out of their carrier, I sucked it up and paid for the room again.

The moral of the story: Don't ever stay at the Briarwood Motel in Valdosta, Ga.
Here's Kerrick, taking a break from the drive.

We have how many more miles left?

And, as many of you know, one of the many reasons we moved back "home" was for the opportunity for Cullen and Kerrick to be able to grow up with their cousins. Here is Braden meeting the boys:

He loves the babies, steals their pacifiers, and gives them kisses.

Here is Thomas hanging out with his cousins. He's even pitched in and changes a couple of diapers. It's really good to be back. We still don't have jobs, but I had a promising interview this past week and we're sending out resumes like mad. We miss everyone in Florida and are thinking of you guys often. The dogs, by the way, love their new digs and are excited to have a yard.

Thanks for all the thoughts and well-wishes--Hillary.

Family Bath Time Fun

2009-05-30T12:22:00.004-04:00

We had to re-locate bath time from the sink to the big bathtub because the boys are splashing way too much, and our kitchen was becoming flooded after each bath. It's great for Albee, though, because he gets to be part of the action now. He jumped right in the tub with Cullen:

Go Cards!

2009-05-28T13:48:00.002-04:00

Kerrick's ready for the move to Louisville!

11 weeks

2009-05-24T13:36:00.004-04:00

Cullen after a bath.
Nap time with Finn.

Kerrick during "tummy time."

Look at what came in the mail today

2009-05-22T22:33:00.002-04:00

I suppose I really did graduate!

Getting ready to go out in the rain

2009-05-22T12:39:00.005-04:00

Kerrick.

Cullen and Albee.

There's a mini-hurricane down here and it hasn't stopped raining for days. I'm going crazy, though, and am plannning on heading to the mall or Target or something--just to get out.

Recently, everyone is commenting that the boys are starting to look more alike. I attribute this to their duel bald-headedness and the fact that they are both getting pretty round. I think they look like night and day, but I'm with them the most.

From this morning

2009-05-21T13:15:00.003-04:00

A good day

2009-05-17T13:24:00.004-04:00

Me and Kerrick

We went to a birthday party yesterday and had a nice time. It's really great to get out of the house these days.

Mother's Day and Etc.

2009-05-12T18:08:00.007-04:00

Here are the beautiful flowers my sisters and mother sent me for my first Mother's Day.

Kerrick on Mother's Day.

Kerrick and Cullen wore special "mommy" onesies for the occasion.
Kerrick's telling Cullen a secret. They never fill me in.
Cullen on the left and Kerrick on the right.
This is how they wake up in the crib--all sideways and snuggled up next to each other. Love it!

Two Months

2009-05-09T11:13:00.005-04:00

The boys went for their two month appointment yesterday. They are both 10 pounds and 15 ounces; they both have the same head circumference; and are a half inch apart in length. Cullen is 23 inches long and Kerrick is 22 and 1/2 inches long. The doctor said they are perfect!

And then they got their vaccinations. Bad. Not fun. Last night was awful, but we finally got them to sleep at about 10:00; woke them up at 1:00 to eat and they've pretty much been asleep ever since. I feel so bad for them and I've taken it really hard. I just feel that two months is too early to be giving painful shots.

Here's Cullen sleeping it off:

And Cullen after a bath this past week:

And Kerrick after his bath:

Look Ma, No Hands!

2009-05-04T13:45:00.003-04:00

In an effort to prepare for the drive to Kentucky, I thought I'd try out Podees. They are these really cool, self-feeding bottles invented by a mother of twins no doubt. My life just got insanely easier. Here are Cullen and Kerrick at eight weeks, feeding themselves.

Now if they'd only get a job...

Hamming it up for the camera. K on left, C on right. Big ole' milk bellies.

In the crib. I wanted to show a before and after picture, but I forgot to take one this morning. They usually end up sideways and all snuggled up together.

Kerrick and Cullen and their buddy, Finn.

Graduation

2009-04-30T15:55:00.006-04:00

I graduated from Florida Atlantic University today with my MFA in creative writing. At least I think I graduated today, because I didn't walk and I really have no physical proof that I graduated until I get the diploma in the mail in about six weeks.

I don't think I missed out on anything by not walking. I was home with these two today!

Cullen is on the left and Kerrick is on the right.

And Kerrick was trying to eat Cullen AGAIN!

Here are the boys in their new jungle gym. Cullen really loves it and Kerrick just likes to look at himself in the mirror. I wonder if this is a sign of things to come...

Kerrick's the one with the binky. He loves his pacifier, while Cullen could care less.

From today:

2009-04-24T15:45:00.003-04:00

Kerrick

Cullen

Caught in the act...

2009-04-22T23:51:00.003-04:00

The boys had a play date today with Rylin. Here's what transpired:

Cullen and Kerrick are doing really well and have had some real adventures lately. Last Thursday, they schlepped all over campus with me to finish necessary paperwork for my thesis and graduation. Then, on Friday, we went to Glades Day School to see everyone. Kerrick even attended psychology class! On Saturday, we went to a friend's birthday party and today was a doctor's appointment for me and a play date for the boys. Whew! We'll probably just hang in for the next couple of days. I have some writing I want to do and we should probably start packing...

As the moving date gets closer, I'm getting bummed. It's really bittersweet: we've made some great friends down here and are truly going to miss everyone, but we want so many friends and family back home to be an integral part of the boys' lives, too.

It won't be an easy move, logistically or emotionally.

The boys at five weeks!

2009-04-12T21:12:00.004-04:00

Cullen is on the left and Kerrick is on the right.

Kerrick.

Cullen.

Albee and Cullen.

Baby Bunnies

2009-04-08T15:01:00.002-04:00

I couldn't resist...

One month update

2009-04-05T15:36:00.009-04:00

It was four weeks ago today that the boys arrived. They hit a growth spurt last week and finally surpassed their birth weights, so we don't have to go to the doctor again for another month. Cullen weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 oz. and Kerrick was 7 lbs. 11 oz.

They boys also had their first friend over last night. Rylin is two weeks older than Kerrick and Cullen and I think she was a little overwhelmed by the boys.

We are doing great and getting out more. We've also set a loose schedule and are trying to follow it; therefore we're sleeping a little better these days. I like that they are staying awake for longer periods and are more alert. Sometimes I push their little Boppy pillows together and let them kick each other's feet. They seem to really like that.

The twin thing, I've discovered, is not half as demanding as I thought it would be. But, then again, I don't know what it's like to only have one baby...

Zoogled

2009-03-23T11:43:00.008-04:00

Yesterday we needed to get out, so we went to the zoo and it turned out to be kind of awkward. We got so much attention having twins that I began to ignore people's comments toward the end of the outing. Maybe it's the fact that they are so little, or that there are two, but people just seem to want to stop and talk and I'm not one to want to carry on a conversation with a stranger. We saw four sets of twins at the zoo, though, and were able to commiserate with a couple with two month old twins. Anyway, enjoy the new pics.

More pictures

2009-03-18T22:07:00.002-04:00

Kerrick is easily fooled by Cullen's ear. Cullen is on the right in the pajama picture. Cullen is the top of the picture where no one is eating the other. Albee is taking it all in.

More pictures

2009-03-13T19:42:00.005-04:00

The boys are doing well and went for their first walk with the dogs last night. Today we went to the pediatrician where we got tons of attention. The boys are healthy and happy (unless it is 4 a.m.) and Andrew and I are loving it all.

How it went down

2009-03-11T11:09:00.009-04:00

I thought since the boys are content in their swings and I had a few minutes, I'd tell everyone their birth story: We went in on Sunday at 5:30 to be induced and we were waiting for the ultrasound tech. to confirm that both boys were still head down. While waiting, we filled out paperwork, I got my IV, etc. in preparation for a vaginal birth on Monday. Kerrick had other plans. The ultrasound revealed that he had flipped around (how I missed a 6 lb. baby flipping in utero, I have no idea) and was breech. My biggest fear all along was that I'd have one vaginally and one by C-section and have to recover from both, so the doctor was sympathetic and ordered a C-section for Sunday night. The time between the ultrasound and the surgery was about an hour--it happened so fast. The surgery was a lot easier than I thought it would be and I was surprised that they were out within a matter of minutes. The whole thing lasted less than an hour and I got to watch them get cleaned up from my recovery bed. The only thing I missed was Cullen peeing on his footprints paperwork.

Recovery went quicker than expected and both my doctor and the pediatrician thought we could go home early--less than 48 hours after delivery. Now we're home and figuring it all out.

The boys are awesome. They have very distinct personalities: Cullen loves to eat and has a tendency to get fussier quicker than his brother. I think he looks exactly like Andrew, so we're calling him "mini-me." We're calling Kerrick "the Professor" (a nickname the nurse came up with) as he gets really serious looks on his face and seems as though he's always contemplating something important. He totally figured out the answer to the economic crisis yesterday, for example. I don't think he looks like me, but maybe a mix of us both.

The dogs are responding well to the babies, but there is a dominance struggle between themselves. They are very curious and protective and tend to run the cats off.

Today we have an appointment for circumcisions and then their first pediatrician's appointment is on Friday. In the meantime, we're hanging out and enjoying every minute. Here are some pictures from yesterday. The close up is of Kerrick.

Pictures of the boys together

2009-03-09T17:36:00.002-04:00

On the right is Cullen or "Mini-Me" and Kerrick "The Professor" is on the left. Pictures are better than words.

They're here

2009-03-09T00:23:00.002-04:00

Cullen 7 lbs 5 oz 19 inches
Kerrick 6 lbs 15 oz 19.75 inches

There will be pictures in the morning.

Finally: News!

2009-03-02T17:17:00.002-05:00

We're going into the hospital on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. to be induced. The first thing that will happen is an ultrasound to determine if the boys are still head down. If not, I'll have a C-section on Sunday night. If they are still head down, I'll be given Cervidil, a medicine to "ripen my cervix" and then I'll be given Pitocin on Monday morning to really get things started. So...by this time next week, we should have our boys.

I'm a Freak of Nature

2009-02-27T18:28:00.003-05:00

I belong to this baby website (babycenter.com) which sends me weekly e-mails describing what is going on with the baby for the particular week. Because twins are almost always born before 37 weeks, I am no longer getting my e-mails and I feel short-changed. Here is the last graphic they sent me.

You mean birth isn't like this?

2009-02-25T11:46:00.004-05:00

I've been looking everywhere for an SNL sketch which depicts Will Ferrell being born as an adult, like smoking a cigarette and drinking brandy or something. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I wanted to post it because that's how I feel: I'm going to give birth to two adults. These babies are never coming.

Instead, though, I'm going to post the best birth scene ever. Enjoy!

These babies are never coming

2009-02-23T17:08:00.001-05:00

Andrew suprised me today by leaving work early and meeting me at the doctor's office. Too bad there was no news for him. Nothing has changed since last week except the size of my belly. The doctor did say that if nothing had happened by the week of March 9th, he'll re-evaluate. This is actually a week later than I thought he'd let me go, so I am back to pouting.

Also, Finn the cat has really taken to the baby equipment. The other day I was at that end of the house when I heard a weird noise coming from the nursery. Finn was asleep in the baby bouncer, had apparently selected the jungle noise option, and had turned the vibration on. This was completely intentional, as you have to push the music button twice in order to get to the jungle noise.

I go to the doctor again next Monday, though I am not anticipating much difference then either. In the meantime, I'm thesising during the day and not sleeping at night. My insomnia has led to some fantastic television watching, though. In the past week, I saw a documentary about children growing up in Calcutta whorehouses, the Kate Winslet/Harvey Keitel movie, Holy Smoke, and several episodes of The Jeffersons and Three's Company.

We'll keep you posted if anything changes. I promise.

Boo...

2009-02-17T10:39:00.006-05:00

We went to the doctor yesterday and were disappointed to hear that nothing had changed. The doctor kept saying "I can't believe you aren't contracting." He did promise me that he wouldn't let me go past 38 weeks, which gives us some kind of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. That is two weeks away, so I need to wrap up some loose ends.

On a side note, when the doctor was measuring my belly (47 weeks) he said the same thing everyone else says: "At least it's not eight." I was kind of nasty in response to this remark. Of course it's not eight. I didn't unethically impregnate myself because I have some Angelina Jolie complex and need large numbers of children to fill a void in my sad, media-hungry life.

So...I'm obviously really grumpy, uncomfortable, and ready for this to be over. I've pretty much stopped going out in public because I don't like the attention. We did, however, make it to Lion Country Safari this past weekend so that I could sit in the air conditioned car and watch the animals. We also made it to dinner and a movie because we acknowledge that our days of freedom are limited.

No news...34.5 weeks

2009-02-09T13:22:00.003-05:00

When I went to the Dr. last week, there was no major weight difference in the boys. In fact, it was only an ounce. Cullen was weighing in at 4 lbs 13 ounces and Kerrick was a hefty 4lbs 12 ounces. I was actually disappointed that Kerrick caught up in weight. I was ready to meet these two...

I go to the doctor again in a week (sigh).

Hopefully the last pregnancy pictures

2009-02-01T16:30:00.005-05:00

Hillary at just under 34 weeks. The boys are losing room, and the H-asauras is losing mobility. I offered to build her a platform to rest her belly on a couple weeks ago and she laughed. I bet if I offered again she may take me up on the offer. The new response to her size is just be glad it's not eight. To her I am sure this is just as uncomfortable. -ab

32 week update

2009-01-24T16:35:00.002-05:00

I guess I was wrong in my last post--the weight difference in the babies is kind of a big deal. The ultrasound technician is the one who was not very concerned, but yesterday when we saw my doctor, he ordered another ultrasound for Feb. 5th and said that if there is still a 10% weight difference in the babies they'd want me to deliver (at 34 or 35 weeks). Essentially, Cullen is hogging all Kerrick's food and he'd do better outside the womb where the feeding is left up to me and not his brother.

31 week ultrasound

2009-01-15T12:42:00.002-05:00

We went to the doctor today for an ultrasound and it was nice to have Andrew with me. The babies are getting big. Cullen is 4 lbs. and 5 oz. and Kerrick is 3 lbs. and 12 oz. The weight difference, I am told, is not an issue. Both babies are head down, which I think is pretty unusual for twins and I may be able to avoid the C-section that way. They are looking good, but really cramped. I think it's cute how they are face to face. If we'd gotten better pictures, we'd post them but I can barely make out what's what.

On Being Ginormous

2009-01-12T17:46:00.002-05:00

So...the fun of pregnancy has officially worn off. I'm in my 31st week and, according to the Dr., I'm measuring at 38--meaning that my uterus is the same size as someone about to give birth. I know I've got two in there, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I am measuring 4 FEET in circumference (actually, I'm 44 inches around).

Another thing. There are 8 baby limbs in there. That is equivalent to an octopus in movement. Sometimes, like yesterday, it can be nauseating.

Things I miss:
Tying my shoe
Shaving my legs
Seeing my shoes
Seeing my legs
Sleeping on my stomach
My stomach (which was never really that flat, but I'd give anything for it now)
Eating without heartburn
The ability to bend over and pick something up
Beer
Sushi

I'll stop complaining. Andrew's sick of hearing it, I'm sure. I have an ultrasound on Thursday to make sure the boys are growing concordantly. I'll post something after that.

Oh, and we're still up in the air about middle names. Bren (Brenn, Brynn) is looking good for Kerrick, but we're open to suggestions...

Cats and car seats

2009-01-11T21:11:00.003-05:00

The car seats seem to be a hit with Finn and Mageetah. Especially during prime sunning hours.

The monkey nursery

2009-01-11T19:16:00.007-05:00

We decided to go with a monkey theme. Judging from the boys' activity in utero, we chose wisely.

This is where all the children will sleep. Finn called the bouncy chair.

Dog Park Baby Shower

2009-01-11T18:59:00.007-05:00

Andrew playing charades.

Our friends, Dan and Patricia, threw us a baby shower in November. Most of the attendees were from our dog park, but some people came from school. It was a fun day and we really are thankful for the friends we've made here.

We had a surprise baby shower at school, too, and hopefully we'll get those pictures up soon.

Some back posting

2009-01-11T18:41:00.004-05:00

Me, trying not to have a pregnant face.

The flamingos liked me.

Andrew doing his best America's Next Top Model pose.

At the zoo in Nassau.

We decided that we needed a vacation before the boys came. Who knows when we'll get one again. We went on a cruise to the Bahamas in October. I was about 16 weeks pregnant here.