Ramblings of a Quasi-Academic

Negotiating that space between student and professor.

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The promise of a new and better year to come. My favorite thing to do with an awesome pen set! Happy (early) New Year everyone!

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Today is World Prematurity Day. As most of you know, my twins were born early. They were born at 28 weeks gestation. For the first 27 weeks of my pregnancy, I'd had a very easy time (other than there being two of them). Then it very quickly went from bed rest and monitoring to an emergency c-section with Baby A's placenta abrupting. I was fortunate to learn that my preemies were on the bigger side for their gestation and that would hopefully help them in the NICU. Eleanor was born at 2lbs 13oz and 16in long. She spent 69 days in the NICU. We almost lost her that first weekend. She was given a 10% chance of pulling through. Once the medication got her heart functioning properly she took off, with only an infection and hydronephrosis at the end of her stay stopping her. She was caught up to her actual age by 9 months. Our Edward was born at 2lbs 11oz and 14.5in long. His NICU journey was 6 weeks longer than his twin's at 112 days. He had a more rough journey, spending almost an entire month intubated, developing a respiratory infection, and having to be resuscitated a handful of times. He developed the nickname of "Slow and Steady Teddy" in his development. It took him 2 years of OT and 3 of PT to help him come within 6 months of his peers. He's had 6 surgeries to help with his birth defects (cleft lip and palate, heart valve defect, heart murmur, and hypotonia), and will see a series of specialists the rest of his life to monitor these conditions once they have all been corrected. It has been a long journey to get them here, but they turned 6 Sep 1 and started First Grade this year. Academically one is functioning at a second and third grade level in reading and writing and the other the same in math skills. While they struggle with other things, and are very susceptible to respiratory illnesses, today is a great day to reflect on the journey. Food for thought. They were born on the first day of school year. By this time 4 years ago, Eleanor had only been home a week and Edward would still be in the NICU another 5 weeks. #worldprematurityday #lifeafterthenicu #preemiepower twins #twinlife #twinstagram #cleft #cleftstrong #cleftpalate #cleftlip #bgtwin

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Mmmmmm BRAAAAAAIIIIINNNSSSSS! #zombiefrappuccino

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Some days you just want peace and quiet and pizza. ✌🏻 🤐🍕

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While Irish Fest 2017 may have ended, my kids are still practicing. Teddy is the judge, and Tank, Eleanor, and Kirsten are practicing their jig. #AmericanGirl #AdventuresofTank #IrishDance #KinsellaProud #IrishFest2017

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How Tank enjoys dinner in the Dells. #AdventuresofTank (at B-Lux Grill & Bar)

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A two-Feis weekend for Eleanor. Saturday she didn't place, but rallied for Sunday. She took 4th in the jig. In her reel she fell, but got right back up smiling and didn't miss a beat. I was so proud she didn't cry or bust our giggling. #irishdance #KinsellaProud #CreamCityFeis (at Pettit National Ice Center)

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Double (radius and ulna) buckle fracture of the right wrist with possible fracture at distal end of the humerous. Jackson Storm colored cast. #AdventuresofTank #Cars3

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Wait for it…#AdventuresofTank

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Someone is very happy with her fourth place ribbons for reel and light jig. #irishdance #KinsellaProud #wisconsinspringfeis (at Wisconsin Center)

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We had a great time at Kinsella's Valentine's Day Party and family ceili yesterday. #irishdance #KinsellaFamily (at Kinsella Academy Of Irish Dance)

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Tank made his Irish Dance debut tonight at Kinsella's annual winter Jamboree. Needless to say he's officially hooked. #KinsellaFamily #irishdance #AdventuresofTank (at Greenfield Park Pavilion)

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Still one of my favorite pictures my twinkies. #twins #bgtwins #twinstagram

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Happy homecoming anniversary to my Teddy! Five years ago today we reunited the wonder Twins after Teddy was finally discharged from the NICU after 112 days. It feels odd to be taking him back to physical therapy today. Almost like a step in the wrong direction. Such is life. #twins #bgtwins #preemielife

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Lunch with Santa! Teddy was brave and talked with Santa while holding my hand (hence no pic). (at Light Palace Pub & Grill)

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Dropping bombs! #ToolboxCreations #FBomb #Crochet #crochetersofinstagram

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Final product, "turkey legs" for Tank's picnic snack completed!