Here are a couple of pictures of the girls in their fuzzy new houseshoes!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Taking a Break
Things have been fine around here. I just needed a blog break. I have been spending a lot of time playing with my girls and haven't felt like taking the time to upload pictures and type up thoughts on the computer. But I didn't want everyone to forget about us so I figured I better get back on here and post something.
Here are a couple of pictures of the girls in their fuzzy new houseshoes!
Here are a couple of pictures of the girls in their fuzzy new houseshoes!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Let's Celebrate
One Year Ago:
Maddy comes home!
Maddy comes home!
Morgan comes home!
Swaddled babies, Morgan and Maddy!
Today: A celebration
Mommy makes pink cupcakes to celebrate! Yummy!
Maddy waits patiently for more icing ...
Yay, presents! Mommy got us this tent to celebrate
Morgan checks it all out!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Happy Homecoming Girls
Happy Homecoming Anniversary to my sweet baby girls!
One year ago today we were getting everything set to bring Maddy home from the hospital. Oh, it was such a sweet day. We chose to room-in with the girls on that Sunday night. Maddy for sure was scheduled to come home the next day. But when we got to the hospital to stay for the night, we found out that Miss Morgan was one ounce shy of four pounds and since that was the required weight to leave the hospital, the doctors wouldn't even let her spend the night in our hospital room with us and her sister.
That evening the nurses wheeled Maddy to our room in her crib and brought along with her all the monitors and contraptions that she would need. It was the first time we were ever really alone with her. William and I were just enamored with her. We sat in the room just staring at this tiny baby. She was four pounds two ounces. It was quiet. There was no beeping or alarms going off all around us and I think that was the first time we ever had a really quiet moment with our daughter. It was of course bittersweet though because her sister was still in the NICU across the hall from our room.
That night I got up every couple of hours to feed her and after she was settled back in the metal crib, I would walk over to the NICU and feed Morgan. Me in my pajamas and all, sitting in the NICU rocking chair at two a.m. spending time with Morgan, whom the next day I would leave behind all alone at the hospital.
The next morning the nurses knocked on our door. Surprise! They had weighed Morgan that morning and she was four pounds even so they wheeled her bed into our room to be with her sister for awhile. Now they were together again. We took Maddy from her bed and put her in the crib with Morgan. Both girls were side by side for the first time since before they were born. They seemed instantly to be at peace that way.
We played for a while and then we all went back into the NICU to get Maddy ready to go home. We were hoping the doctors would take Morgan's morning weight and let her go home with her sister but they didn't. The doctor wanted us to wait one more night. So sadly we took Maddy home that day and sweet Morgan stayed the rest of the night in the NICU. It was the first time in her life that I didn't spend almost the entire day with both girls.
Luckily the next morning came fast and the nurses called and told us to come pick up Morgan. When I arrived at the hospital I left my mom and Maddy in the car and ran up to get Morgan. They had her all packed up and waiting on me. Finally we were a family. All together. All in one place and for the first time ever, not in a hospital. It was a wonderful moment for me.
Happy Homecoming Maddy (October 10th) and Morgan (October 11th) I have loved every single minute of the last year at home with you. I have loved watching you grow and play together. Your bond as sisters, as twins, is stronger than any I could have imagined. I love you both so much and am so excited to spend the rest of my life watching you grow and mature into the beautiful smart girls I know you are becoming. I love you both very much.
Love, Mommy
One year ago today we were getting everything set to bring Maddy home from the hospital. Oh, it was such a sweet day. We chose to room-in with the girls on that Sunday night. Maddy for sure was scheduled to come home the next day. But when we got to the hospital to stay for the night, we found out that Miss Morgan was one ounce shy of four pounds and since that was the required weight to leave the hospital, the doctors wouldn't even let her spend the night in our hospital room with us and her sister.
That evening the nurses wheeled Maddy to our room in her crib and brought along with her all the monitors and contraptions that she would need. It was the first time we were ever really alone with her. William and I were just enamored with her. We sat in the room just staring at this tiny baby. She was four pounds two ounces. It was quiet. There was no beeping or alarms going off all around us and I think that was the first time we ever had a really quiet moment with our daughter. It was of course bittersweet though because her sister was still in the NICU across the hall from our room.
That night I got up every couple of hours to feed her and after she was settled back in the metal crib, I would walk over to the NICU and feed Morgan. Me in my pajamas and all, sitting in the NICU rocking chair at two a.m. spending time with Morgan, whom the next day I would leave behind all alone at the hospital.
The next morning the nurses knocked on our door. Surprise! They had weighed Morgan that morning and she was four pounds even so they wheeled her bed into our room to be with her sister for awhile. Now they were together again. We took Maddy from her bed and put her in the crib with Morgan. Both girls were side by side for the first time since before they were born. They seemed instantly to be at peace that way.
We played for a while and then we all went back into the NICU to get Maddy ready to go home. We were hoping the doctors would take Morgan's morning weight and let her go home with her sister but they didn't. The doctor wanted us to wait one more night. So sadly we took Maddy home that day and sweet Morgan stayed the rest of the night in the NICU. It was the first time in her life that I didn't spend almost the entire day with both girls.
Luckily the next morning came fast and the nurses called and told us to come pick up Morgan. When I arrived at the hospital I left my mom and Maddy in the car and ran up to get Morgan. They had her all packed up and waiting on me. Finally we were a family. All together. All in one place and for the first time ever, not in a hospital. It was a wonderful moment for me.
Happy Homecoming Maddy (October 10th) and Morgan (October 11th) I have loved every single minute of the last year at home with you. I have loved watching you grow and play together. Your bond as sisters, as twins, is stronger than any I could have imagined. I love you both so much and am so excited to spend the rest of my life watching you grow and mature into the beautiful smart girls I know you are becoming. I love you both very much.
Love, Mommy
Saturday, October 07, 2006
NICU Reunion
Today we attended the girls first NICU reunion. We didn't think we were going to be able to make it at first because the girls had been sick earlier in the week with fever but all turned out well and since they are feeling much better (no fever in 48 hours) we went ahead and went over.
I can't begin to describe some of the emotions I had just pulling into the parking lot again. Looking at the hospital where so much took place, where we spent day in and day out for so many weeks. It was so nice to see all the nurses and staff that were such a part of our everyday life just one year ago. Next week is the one year anniversary of the girls homecoming.
The girls were so excited by all the activity and it was really sweet how everything was all set up. Morgan went crazy over all the colorful balloons. This year's theme was Disney.
We arrived and registered and they gave the girls name tags that said "NICU Graduate", their name, and their birth weight. I looked around at some of the other kids and realized that my girls were some of the tiniest ones there. There were tons of people and tons of multiples. We even saw quads. We met up with our buddies the Hurts. They have triplets and we have kept in touch since meeting in the NICU last August.
We all had a really good time going around to all the "stations" that were all set up. We took pictures with our favorite nurses, we took pictures with Cinderella and Prince Charming. We took pictures with Donald and Daisy Duck. Then we headed down the hall where they had pictures of the girls and other NICU graduates on big posters lining the walkway. In a conference room (the same one we took childbirth classes in) they had a weight station set up. Nurses took the girls weight and height and entered it on cute little certificates that said "Look How We've Grown" and had their birth weight and today's weight. Maddy was 18lbs. 11oz. and Morgan was 17lbs. even on their scale (She had a full diaper and heavy shoes on, she was 16.4 at the doctor's office on this past week). Then they got their handprints made in this colorful foam stuff that is supposed to harden. We saw a video with pictures of babies that were the size the girls were when born but looking at it seemed unreal and impossible for a child to survive that small.
In the cafeteria they had a snack station set up and we ran into one of the girls main nurses, Carole. She took Maddy and leaned in to hug me. She said "We were just talking about you the other day". I looked puzzled and she talked about how her and a couple of the other nurses had been wondering how we were doing. She said "You really had it rough here didn't you sweetie" and all I could say was "yes".
She was referring to the girls bowel perforations at a week old and the news that Maddy was gravely sick just two days after her sister was air lifted to the children's hospital and then they were taking Maddy too. The girls had colostomy bags that near the end began to tear their skin off thier little tummies and cause substantial amounts of pain to all of us, but especially them. She was right. I really had it rough, but look what I gained from it. Sometimes I feel like I walked through fire and out came this wonderful life with two beautiful perfect in every way babies. I wonder if all NICU mommies feel that way. You could tell there was a commraderie there between the parents. The way we smiled at each other and celebrated with each other. Like we were members of a secret club that truly understood the happiness associated with the days festivities.
I can't begin to describe some of the emotions I had just pulling into the parking lot again. Looking at the hospital where so much took place, where we spent day in and day out for so many weeks. It was so nice to see all the nurses and staff that were such a part of our everyday life just one year ago. Next week is the one year anniversary of the girls homecoming.
The girls were so excited by all the activity and it was really sweet how everything was all set up. Morgan went crazy over all the colorful balloons. This year's theme was Disney.
We arrived and registered and they gave the girls name tags that said "NICU Graduate", their name, and their birth weight. I looked around at some of the other kids and realized that my girls were some of the tiniest ones there. There were tons of people and tons of multiples. We even saw quads. We met up with our buddies the Hurts. They have triplets and we have kept in touch since meeting in the NICU last August.
We all had a really good time going around to all the "stations" that were all set up. We took pictures with our favorite nurses, we took pictures with Cinderella and Prince Charming. We took pictures with Donald and Daisy Duck. Then we headed down the hall where they had pictures of the girls and other NICU graduates on big posters lining the walkway. In a conference room (the same one we took childbirth classes in) they had a weight station set up. Nurses took the girls weight and height and entered it on cute little certificates that said "Look How We've Grown" and had their birth weight and today's weight. Maddy was 18lbs. 11oz. and Morgan was 17lbs. even on their scale (She had a full diaper and heavy shoes on, she was 16.4 at the doctor's office on this past week). Then they got their handprints made in this colorful foam stuff that is supposed to harden. We saw a video with pictures of babies that were the size the girls were when born but looking at it seemed unreal and impossible for a child to survive that small.
In the cafeteria they had a snack station set up and we ran into one of the girls main nurses, Carole. She took Maddy and leaned in to hug me. She said "We were just talking about you the other day". I looked puzzled and she talked about how her and a couple of the other nurses had been wondering how we were doing. She said "You really had it rough here didn't you sweetie" and all I could say was "yes".
She was referring to the girls bowel perforations at a week old and the news that Maddy was gravely sick just two days after her sister was air lifted to the children's hospital and then they were taking Maddy too. The girls had colostomy bags that near the end began to tear their skin off thier little tummies and cause substantial amounts of pain to all of us, but especially them. She was right. I really had it rough, but look what I gained from it. Sometimes I feel like I walked through fire and out came this wonderful life with two beautiful perfect in every way babies. I wonder if all NICU mommies feel that way. You could tell there was a commraderie there between the parents. The way we smiled at each other and celebrated with each other. Like we were members of a secret club that truly understood the happiness associated with the days festivities.
Here are some pictures of the girls today:
Morgan goes crazy over this big redbird.
She kept laughing and lunging at it. It was so cute.
We got another picture of him holding her and she is all
arched back trying to grab his beak.
Maddy and Ms. Deloris. She was one of our favorite nurses.She always kept me laughing.
Maddy standing around. Having a good time.
Who could resist a picture with Daffy and Daisy Duck?
Not Maddy or Morgan :)
This is Ms. Lori. She was another favorite favorite nurse.
She would always let me hold the girls when I wanted to. I would cross my fingers everyday hoping we would get her!
This is when we first arrived. Maddy was content just sitting back having a bottle. But Morgan wanted to get out and see everything.
She went crazy over all the balloons and colors.
This was Ms. Carole and Maddy at the snack station.
I could always tell she was a really caring person. Today when she hugged me I felt like she really had sympathy/empathy for all we had been through.
A very good nurse.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Up To
Well things haven't been all bad lately. I know I was bummed with my last post and then with good intentions I promised some new pics, so that is what I am going to do.
We are feeling much better here in our household. We have been up to lots of fun things lately and none of it has alloted any leftover time for the computer so that is why this blog has been so lacking, that and the fact that I am chasing two VERY mobile little girls around and around all day.
Lets see, we've been playing hard . . . .
We've spent some time out on our new swingset in the backyard. That has been really fun. Maddy especially gets a kick out of being pushed back and forth. It seems to relax Morgan more than thrill her but she loves it anyway.
Maddy is up and off all the time now. She is walking everywhere. She stumbles a lot but when she falls she pops right back up and keeps on going.
We've been shopping a little . . . .
We got new booster seats for the kitchen. They are big hits with the girls, especially since they are eating all kinds of yummy new foods now. Just this morning the girls shared french toast sticks cut up into tiny pieces and they have been eating fruit puffs and crackers and soup and all kinds of yummy big girl foods.
They also got some great new clothes. I hit a local consignment sale and really racked up on fall clothes and pjs for them.
We've spent time with family . . . .
We spent all day Saturday with my dad. We visited with my grandparents and really had a fantastic time. Since Thursday is my birthday my dad bought me a new purse and some shoes. It was such a nice low key day.
We also took time to go to the fair twice. The first time wasn't so bad but the second time was nothing to write about. It was so hot and miserable and way too crowded to have a good time. These pictures are from our first trip with Aunt Melissa.
And a few more things that we have done but failed to document with camera . . . .
We took Morgan to the neurologist. He was overall very positive but does want to schedule and MRI and EEG on her sometime soon. Melissa went with me to the appointment to help with Maddy. The doctor took one look at Maddy and called her a firecracker. He said they both looked wonderful for being as premature as they were. He said that Maddy is walking very early and that is really good for her. He said Morgan didn't seem to have any major muscle tone issues to worry about yet and that was extremely exciting news for me.
Also I joined a mom's group. It is for stay at home moms for my area. I went to a "carnival" to meet all the other moms and decided while I was there to give it a shot. It is only $20.00 dues for the entire year and they have activities each week to go to. All of them are child friendly. Some of the more mom geared activities they even provide childcare for and the others are like playdates at the park and visits to the zoo and ect. I think it will do me some good to get out of the house more and be around other stay at home moms. I am really looking forward to hopefully making some new friends.
So that is what we have been up to. Hopefully this week I will be able to find time to update more often and maybe snap a couple of new pictures to post. Gotta go feed the babies now :)
We are feeling much better here in our household. We have been up to lots of fun things lately and none of it has alloted any leftover time for the computer so that is why this blog has been so lacking, that and the fact that I am chasing two VERY mobile little girls around and around all day.
Lets see, we've been playing hard . . . .
We've spent some time out on our new swingset in the backyard. That has been really fun. Maddy especially gets a kick out of being pushed back and forth. It seems to relax Morgan more than thrill her but she loves it anyway.
Maddy is up and off all the time now. She is walking everywhere. She stumbles a lot but when she falls she pops right back up and keeps on going.
We've been shopping a little . . . .
We got new booster seats for the kitchen. They are big hits with the girls, especially since they are eating all kinds of yummy new foods now. Just this morning the girls shared french toast sticks cut up into tiny pieces and they have been eating fruit puffs and crackers and soup and all kinds of yummy big girl foods.
They also got some great new clothes. I hit a local consignment sale and really racked up on fall clothes and pjs for them.
We've spent time with family . . . .
We spent all day Saturday with my dad. We visited with my grandparents and really had a fantastic time. Since Thursday is my birthday my dad bought me a new purse and some shoes. It was such a nice low key day.
We also took time to go to the fair twice. The first time wasn't so bad but the second time was nothing to write about. It was so hot and miserable and way too crowded to have a good time. These pictures are from our first trip with Aunt Melissa.
And a few more things that we have done but failed to document with camera . . . .
We took Morgan to the neurologist. He was overall very positive but does want to schedule and MRI and EEG on her sometime soon. Melissa went with me to the appointment to help with Maddy. The doctor took one look at Maddy and called her a firecracker. He said they both looked wonderful for being as premature as they were. He said that Maddy is walking very early and that is really good for her. He said Morgan didn't seem to have any major muscle tone issues to worry about yet and that was extremely exciting news for me.
Also I joined a mom's group. It is for stay at home moms for my area. I went to a "carnival" to meet all the other moms and decided while I was there to give it a shot. It is only $20.00 dues for the entire year and they have activities each week to go to. All of them are child friendly. Some of the more mom geared activities they even provide childcare for and the others are like playdates at the park and visits to the zoo and ect. I think it will do me some good to get out of the house more and be around other stay at home moms. I am really looking forward to hopefully making some new friends.
So that is what we have been up to. Hopefully this week I will be able to find time to update more often and maybe snap a couple of new pictures to post. Gotta go feed the babies now :)
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