Visit to the NICU - Week of April 26th.
Babies Situation:
This week we took the Girls back to the NICU to visit some of their old friends. We saw many nurses, doctors, and therapists who saw the Girls on a regular basis. It was a nice to see everyone and to catch up. Everyone looked great and their smiling faces once again brought comfort. They will always be heroes to us and we are so thankful for having them apart of our lives.
The Girls are doing great. They are so close to walking. Both will stand without holding on to anything. Trinity does it a little more than Kinsley but Kinsley is very fast at moving around her activity table that is about 12 inches tall. She’ll go half way around it and then turn around quickly heading the other way. These Girls are so active!! They explore every inch of our living room and hardly ever take a break. I like sitting on the floor with them. They will crawl over me and go behind my back as they cross the room. A few times they will run into me with their shopping cart but they are usually in a hurry to get to the other side of the room so I will get a few quick kisses and then they are off again. They also like to go in behind the chair where we can’t see them and they just giggle. There’s a lot of belly laughing going on in our house. They really enjoy each other!
We did change up their feeding schedule. They are now getting bottles and solids at separate times of the day. Since the schedule change, their intake on solids has increased while they seem to be maintaining the same amount of formula. Yeah!!
Parent's Thoughts:
The visit to the NICU brought back a lot of memories. Even just parking in the parking garage. I parked in that garage at least 140 times (since the girls spend 135 days in there and I was in the hospital myself for 5 days). Most days, I made 2 trips to the NICU so that number is most likely double. I did see a few moms pass through to visit their brand new baby and my heart sunk for each and every one of them. I almost felt guilty for being in there with my healthy babies just knowing how they felt and knowing what road lies ahead. To everyone out there – If you think about it today or this week, please pray for all these NICU babies and Parents. They need it!!
Our Encouragement:
For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
Psalm 71:5
This week we took the Girls back to the NICU to visit some of their old friends. We saw many nurses, doctors, and therapists who saw the Girls on a regular basis. It was a nice to see everyone and to catch up. Everyone looked great and their smiling faces once again brought comfort. They will always be heroes to us and we are so thankful for having them apart of our lives.
The Girls are doing great. They are so close to walking. Both will stand without holding on to anything. Trinity does it a little more than Kinsley but Kinsley is very fast at moving around her activity table that is about 12 inches tall. She’ll go half way around it and then turn around quickly heading the other way. These Girls are so active!! They explore every inch of our living room and hardly ever take a break. I like sitting on the floor with them. They will crawl over me and go behind my back as they cross the room. A few times they will run into me with their shopping cart but they are usually in a hurry to get to the other side of the room so I will get a few quick kisses and then they are off again. They also like to go in behind the chair where we can’t see them and they just giggle. There’s a lot of belly laughing going on in our house. They really enjoy each other!
We did change up their feeding schedule. They are now getting bottles and solids at separate times of the day. Since the schedule change, their intake on solids has increased while they seem to be maintaining the same amount of formula. Yeah!!
Parent's Thoughts:
The visit to the NICU brought back a lot of memories. Even just parking in the parking garage. I parked in that garage at least 140 times (since the girls spend 135 days in there and I was in the hospital myself for 5 days). Most days, I made 2 trips to the NICU so that number is most likely double. I did see a few moms pass through to visit their brand new baby and my heart sunk for each and every one of them. I almost felt guilty for being in there with my healthy babies just knowing how they felt and knowing what road lies ahead. To everyone out there – If you think about it today or this week, please pray for all these NICU babies and Parents. They need it!!
Our Encouragement:
For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
Psalm 71:5
OT to end??? - Week of April 12th.
Babies Situation:
The Girls are getting stronger at pulling up and moving between furniture. They got their first set of tennis shoes which seems to help. I also got them some new toys from the AMOM (Austin Mom's of Multiples) consignment sale. They now have a table with activities on top of it that requires them to stand while playing, a shopping cart that they push back and forth across the living room, and a talking mirror with lights (it's like a karaoke mirror).
Trinity loves the push toys and goes back and forth all day. Kinsley isn't as strong so she'll push a toy if encouraged but it's rare for her to start it on her own. Julie, the OT, says that Kinsley is a perfectionist so she will walk when she has it mastered. Trinity is the opposite. She'll go for it, fall, pick herself back up, and start again.
Julie has now moved her visits to every other week. She said the Girls are doing great developmentally and they seem to be ok with eating different textures which can be a problem with reflux children. She'll come a few more times and then she thinks they can be released from her care.
Trinity has had a rough week of teething. She has been up throughout the night all week long. She has been able to put herself back to sleep without our assistance. Hopefully, Keith and I can recover on our sleep this weekend. Kinsley was slobbering pretty bad too so she might be entering a bad teething stage now. Oh, a quick update on our first trip to church with the Girls. We decided to try one of the morning services which happened to fall at nap time. From what we were told, Kinsley cried most of the time and Trinity cried out of sympathy for Kinsley. We'll be trying a different service time next week.
Parent's Thoughts:
I cannot believe OT is talking about releasing the Girls. It's a great milestone to hit but honesty, it scares me not having the safety net of someone in the medical field checking on them weekly reassuring me they are where they should be at this point. It was nice having Julie come weekly to show me what the Girls should be working on next. Now I have to figure it out on my own!!! I already do this but I will continue asking God for wisdom as I raise these special little Girls. They bring such joy to our lives!!!
Our Daily Encouragement:
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he sustain you.
Psalm 55:22
The Girls are getting stronger at pulling up and moving between furniture. They got their first set of tennis shoes which seems to help. I also got them some new toys from the AMOM (Austin Mom's of Multiples) consignment sale. They now have a table with activities on top of it that requires them to stand while playing, a shopping cart that they push back and forth across the living room, and a talking mirror with lights (it's like a karaoke mirror).
Trinity loves the push toys and goes back and forth all day. Kinsley isn't as strong so she'll push a toy if encouraged but it's rare for her to start it on her own. Julie, the OT, says that Kinsley is a perfectionist so she will walk when she has it mastered. Trinity is the opposite. She'll go for it, fall, pick herself back up, and start again.
Julie has now moved her visits to every other week. She said the Girls are doing great developmentally and they seem to be ok with eating different textures which can be a problem with reflux children. She'll come a few more times and then she thinks they can be released from her care.
Trinity has had a rough week of teething. She has been up throughout the night all week long. She has been able to put herself back to sleep without our assistance. Hopefully, Keith and I can recover on our sleep this weekend. Kinsley was slobbering pretty bad too so she might be entering a bad teething stage now. Oh, a quick update on our first trip to church with the Girls. We decided to try one of the morning services which happened to fall at nap time. From what we were told, Kinsley cried most of the time and Trinity cried out of sympathy for Kinsley. We'll be trying a different service time next week.
Parent's Thoughts:
I cannot believe OT is talking about releasing the Girls. It's a great milestone to hit but honesty, it scares me not having the safety net of someone in the medical field checking on them weekly reassuring me they are where they should be at this point. It was nice having Julie come weekly to show me what the Girls should be working on next. Now I have to figure it out on my own!!! I already do this but I will continue asking God for wisdom as I raise these special little Girls. They bring such joy to our lives!!!
Our Daily Encouragement:
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he sustain you.
Psalm 55:22
Small Sips - Week of April 5th.
Babies Situation:
The Girls had another great week! They are talking up a storm and getting into everything that they shouldn't be getting into. Oh, and how could I forget teething!! They each have 4 teeth now - 2 on top and 2 on the bottom and let me tell you they are sharp!! The Girls have been interacting with each other a lot more lately. They smile and belly laugh at each other all throughout the day. There is nothing better than sitting there watching them communicate like this. What a joy it is to hear them laugh like they do.
Our newest challenge this week is getting the Girls to take their milk from a sippy cup. They do not like it at all!! Nancy tried for the first time yesterday and there was lots of crying. We tried last night and it didn't go over so well. Keith was trying to feed Kinsley and she threw a fit. She kept trying to crawl over to me hoping I would help her. Hopefully, Nancy will have better luck. This weekend is going to be a long weekend if not.
Parent's Thoughts:
We are so excited! We are starting back to church this Sunday. It will be another learning experience for the Girls but a very good one for them. We have not been able to attend church regularly since the Girls came home last July so this is one step closer for us to getting our lives back on track.
Our Daily Encouragement:
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Proverbs 4:12-13
The Girls had another great week! They are talking up a storm and getting into everything that they shouldn't be getting into. Oh, and how could I forget teething!! They each have 4 teeth now - 2 on top and 2 on the bottom and let me tell you they are sharp!! The Girls have been interacting with each other a lot more lately. They smile and belly laugh at each other all throughout the day. There is nothing better than sitting there watching them communicate like this. What a joy it is to hear them laugh like they do.
Our newest challenge this week is getting the Girls to take their milk from a sippy cup. They do not like it at all!! Nancy tried for the first time yesterday and there was lots of crying. We tried last night and it didn't go over so well. Keith was trying to feed Kinsley and she threw a fit. She kept trying to crawl over to me hoping I would help her. Hopefully, Nancy will have better luck. This weekend is going to be a long weekend if not.
Parent's Thoughts:
We are so excited! We are starting back to church this Sunday. It will be another learning experience for the Girls but a very good one for them. We have not been able to attend church regularly since the Girls came home last July so this is one step closer for us to getting our lives back on track.
Our Daily Encouragement:
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Proverbs 4:12-13
1 Year Old - Week of March 15th.
Babies Situation:
It was a big week for the Girls. They are officially 1 year old!! We had a very intimate celebration with my Parents, the girls Nanny (Nancy), her daughter, and one of the girls NICU nurses (Andrea). It was perfect! We were able to focus on the Girls all day long! A big party is soon to come!! The girls also celebrated St. Patty's Day in style! Grammy O'Brien (even though she is more Italian than Irish) sent the cutest outfits that the girls wore all day.
Developmentally, the Girls are doing great! They pull up on everything and are cruising back and forth across the baby gate and couch. A few days ago, we got them a toy that they can hold onto while walking. As they get bigger, they will be able to ride it. Julie, the occupational therapist, says that they are doing so well that she is ready to decrease her weekly visits to twice/month but our pediatrician has asked that she continue to see them weekly until we know there are no issues with eating solids.
In 3 weeks, Julie will re-evaluate to see if every other week is the right call. Some new things the Girls are doing...We have caught Trinity licking the wall a few times and if Kinsley hears the word "no" it only motivates her to move faster at what she plans to do. Trinity's favorite toy right now is the piano and Kinsley is loving baby dolls!!
Parent's Thoughts:
I have to admit, I was somewhat afraid of what emotions would come with the Girls actual birthday. For sure I would be thankful and happy that we made it and that the Girls were doing so well but part of me was afraid that some of those other memories would creep in of how I felt throughout the NICU stay. With God's Grace, I woke up the morning of their 1 year birthday feeling as if I was free of those memories. Thank you God!! Ever since, I have not thought once of them. I am thoroughly enjoying every minute I get to spend with my babies. They are growing up so fast that I don't want any of it to be taken for granted. Happy Easter!! I hope everyone remembers the true meaning of this weekend!!!
Our Encouragement:
From the fullness of his grace we have received one blessing after another.
John 1:16
It was a big week for the Girls. They are officially 1 year old!! We had a very intimate celebration with my Parents, the girls Nanny (Nancy), her daughter, and one of the girls NICU nurses (Andrea). It was perfect! We were able to focus on the Girls all day long! A big party is soon to come!! The girls also celebrated St. Patty's Day in style! Grammy O'Brien (even though she is more Italian than Irish) sent the cutest outfits that the girls wore all day.
Developmentally, the Girls are doing great! They pull up on everything and are cruising back and forth across the baby gate and couch. A few days ago, we got them a toy that they can hold onto while walking. As they get bigger, they will be able to ride it. Julie, the occupational therapist, says that they are doing so well that she is ready to decrease her weekly visits to twice/month but our pediatrician has asked that she continue to see them weekly until we know there are no issues with eating solids.
In 3 weeks, Julie will re-evaluate to see if every other week is the right call. Some new things the Girls are doing...We have caught Trinity licking the wall a few times and if Kinsley hears the word "no" it only motivates her to move faster at what she plans to do. Trinity's favorite toy right now is the piano and Kinsley is loving baby dolls!!
Parent's Thoughts:
I have to admit, I was somewhat afraid of what emotions would come with the Girls actual birthday. For sure I would be thankful and happy that we made it and that the Girls were doing so well but part of me was afraid that some of those other memories would creep in of how I felt throughout the NICU stay. With God's Grace, I woke up the morning of their 1 year birthday feeling as if I was free of those memories. Thank you God!! Ever since, I have not thought once of them. I am thoroughly enjoying every minute I get to spend with my babies. They are growing up so fast that I don't want any of it to be taken for granted. Happy Easter!! I hope everyone remembers the true meaning of this weekend!!!
Our Encouragement:
From the fullness of his grace we have received one blessing after another.
John 1:16
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