stats update :)

Well, I'm going to do some back tracking...while I was pregnant, I did occasional "stats" updates about weights, progress, etc.  I had really enjoyed reading those types of things on other mommy blogs, and plus it really helped me keep a record of it to look back on, so I'm glad I did it.  I never really thought about doing that for the babies once they arrived, but I saw it on a friend's blog (Katy Link you are an amazing blogger and organized new mommy...don't know how you do it!), so I decided to borrow the idea again!  Since they are now over 2 months, I'm doing a quick recap, then promise to be more on top of it and keep up monthly.

Birth Stats

- Londyn 3lbs  11oz   16 ½”

 -Layton  4lbs, 6oz   17”

- Lance 4lbs  17”

Born at 34 ½ weeks….August 10, 2011

Stayed in NICU 11 days (boys) and 8 days (Londyn)

 

One month Stats

Weight/Length:

- Londyn 5lbs 2 oz, 18 ½”

 -Layton  6lbs 7oz,  19 ¾”

- Lance   5 lbs 14oz,  19”

Eating: mostly Formula, some Breastmilk (I’m pumping, but they will never be able to nurse well since they had to be on bottles as preemies in the NICU to gain enough weight)

Bedtime/ Awake: don’t have certain times since they eat every 3 hours

Sleeping:  in their pack’n’plays/ bassinets in the den where we are with them always…makes it so much easier to watch and get to them.  For “naps” after feedings they use their infant chair/rockers or our swings

Diapers:  Preemies (pampers swaddlers). Although I quickly realized I ordered WAY too many boxes…probably enough to last 6 months and they surely won’t be in preemies long….oops L

Clothes:  preemies…mostly onesies, and always swaddled—Aden and Anais gauze ones are the best!!

Favorites:  they are still considered preemies at this point, so mostly love to sleep!, meeting all their family and friends/ having lots of visitors from in and out of town, being held and snuggling

Mommy’s “helpers”:  bottle fridge, our life saver moms—Cee Cee stays days/nights full time during the week, and Granna stays weekend nights. Boppies so I can pump and bottle feed at the same time, LOTS of family coming to help and hold, the Care Calendar that Christi set up…having meals has been an absolute life saver!  

2 month Stats

Weight/Length:

- Londyn 8lbs 10 oz,  21 ¼ “

 -Layton   10 lbs 9oz,  22”

- Lance  10lbs 9oz,  21 ¼ “

Eating: mostly Formula, some Breastmilk (I’m still pumping, but they don’t nurse)

Bedtime/ Awake: not yet…still don’t really have a night and day b/c they eat every 3 hours

Diapers: finally graduated to newborn size!

Clothes: Londyn’s still in some preemies, but they’re mostly all in newborns or 0-3 months

Favorites:  pacifiers (only can do the Soothie kind from NICU, although they still can’t hold them in very well L), Boppy, going on walks, the “big swing” (My Little Lamb FP version…amazing at soothing Lance!!), being held, the Sleep Sheep in bed

Dislikes: getting fed after the other 2 if we don’t have enough hands, losing their paci, having hands inside swaddle

 

Latest Tricks: staying awake/alert instead of sleeping so much, making more eye contact, Layton found his thumb to suck on, Londyn loves her tongue, Lance swats at the turtle on his little chair J

Busy Babies!!

Time is flying by, and the babies are 10 weeks old!  It's been quite a busy past month full of many visitors, family/friend events, and LOTS of growing (probably because we are doing feedings 75% of the day hah!)

On weekends the babies always have lots of fun visits from precious friends and family!
Then this week was especially busy for them:

Monday I took the babies to my old school to meet all my incredible co-workers and sweet friends!! It was a teacher work day (so no kids there), and worked out perfectly to stop by during their lunch.  I loved getting to introduce them to the place and people that meant SO much to me over the past 4 years!

Tuesday was the dreaded 2 months doctor appointment….SHOTS!  Poor babies got 3 in their legs and one orally L  They cried hard right after, but were ok a few minutes later! I'm glad these are done now so we can get out of the house without having to worry as much!
The boys weighed 10.5 pounds wow! Definitely catching up to normal babies..only took 2 months ha! Little Londyn is still only 8lbs, and smaller than 95% of babies her age poor thing...she's gonna be a petite little gal!

Wednesday we had another fun visit from their great-grandparents (love having them so close!!), and from my sweet neighbor.

Friday we took them out to Dee Dee’s house to meet all her bridge friends who have followed their journey from day one with the proud great-grandma! 
Then unfortunately we had to go BACK to the doctor to get another set of shots….this is one we weren’t sure they’d qualify for (have to meet certain conditions as preemies, multiples, etc), but are so glad they did.  It’s to prevent RSV…supposedly if “normal” babies or adults get it, it’s just a bad cold, but if the low birth weight preemies get it, it can be deadly and really scary.

Saturday Londyn and I made our first girls shopping trip J while the boys stayed home and watched the Aggies with Daddy!  Then Tim and I went to a wedding reception and got to have some “grown-up” time away from the babies.  They were in good hands though with their aunts and their beaus.

Overall, we are doing great!!  Babies are getting a lot more active, smiling, and still sweet as sugar J  Mom, Tim, and I don’t get much sleep yet b/c they are still eating every 3-4 hours all day/night,  but it’s well worth all the work…So blessed J J J

 
 

  

He put a ring on it!

Yes, I'm quite a bit behind on my posting (spare time is rare these days...wonder why?), but wanted to share some good news! 

  A few weeks ago, my sweet sister Ashley got engaged!!  Congrats to you and Chris!  I am so happy for yall, and can't wait for all that is to come in your lives! 

It was a really fun day...Mom and Dad hosted everyone at their house where we were waiting to surprise Ash after Chris popped the question!  It was so great to see everyone, and also a perfect excuse to get the babies out of the house and all dressed up!

Here are some more pics from the day...

looking back...

Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers…

This song is ringing true for me right now, as I think back to one year ago today.

 Many of you know,  we miscarried and lost our first baby at 10 weeks last October.  It was quite possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever been through…going from pure joy and anxious anticipation, to wondering why and asking how could this happen.  The worst part may have been wondering how could I possibly go through another pregnancy without extreme fear and worry.  At the time, an amazing song by Natalie Grant played constantly in my head and brought so much comfort in the midst of pain….  Here is a bit of Held:

Two months is too little,  They let him go,  They had no sudden healing
To think that providence, Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we'd be rescued
What has changed, and Why should we be saved from nightmares
We're asking why this happens to us  Who have died to live, it's unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell….. We'd be held

For those that have been through it before, you understand the indescribable mix of emotions you experience, especially watching others around you experience the joy you so badly desired, and wanting to share in it with them.  But like the song says, we have such a beautiful promise from our Lord….can’t even describe how much I have seen His faithfulness since then.

Just a few months later, we were finding out that we not only had been given that precious gift again, but 3 times over!  God obviously had other things in store for us at the time, and I’m so thankful he did!  I can’t even imagine not getting to experience this amazing journey with our precious babies.  Thank you Lord for your timing, and allowing us to hope and trust in you.   Now the song running through my mind is a bit different….

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

held...