Thanksgiving With Pictures

The girls have been in such great moods for the last few weeks. Full of smiles, giggles, and just super happy. Ellery has recently learned to say "da da da da da da" over and over again much to Andy's delight. And our little Emily is getting up on all fours and looks like she's ready to crawl...only once she's up she isn't sure what to do so she screams. :) The girls at daycare!

Emily on all fours....or just getting out of it.

Who needs turkey when I can just eat Emily's foot?

Ellery's new favorite toy....da da da da's cell phone

Emily
Em holding the bottle all by herself!

Thanksgiving With Pictures

The girls have been in such great moods for the last few weeks. Full of smiles, giggles, and just super happy. Ellery has recently learned to say "da da da da da da" over and over again much to Andy's delight. And our little Emily is getting up on all fours and looks like she's ready to crawl...only once she's up she isn't sure what to do so she screams. :) The girls at daycare!

Emily on all fours....or just getting out of it.

Who needs turkey when I can just eat Emily's foot?

Ellery's new favorite toy....da da da da's cell phone

Emily
Em holding the bottle all by herself!

Thanksgiving....

E & E at three month old (May 08)

This year we have a lot to be thankful for!



Two amazing little miracles who are growing bigger and getting stronger every single day. We are so lucky to be their parents and to watch them grow up.



Supportive family, friends, and even strangers. I know our girls are doing as well as they are because of everyone's thoughts and prayers. We couldn't have made it through without you!

Thanksgiving....

E & E at three month old (May 08)

This year we have a lot to be thankful for!



Two amazing little miracles who are growing bigger and getting stronger every single day. We are so lucky to be their parents and to watch them grow up.



Supportive family, friends, and even strangers. I know our girls are doing as well as they are because of everyone's thoughts and prayers. We couldn't have made it through without you!

9 Month Check Up

Today the girls went in for their 9 month well baby check up. Overall everything is looking great. Our Dr. said we won't need to come back until 1 year - unless we have the little winter colds and such that need attention. Emily weighs 14 lbs 4 oz and is 26 3/4 inches long. Ellery is 16lbs 6oz and is 27 1/2 inches long. Emily's ear infection that was diagnosed on Monday appears to be better. The girls also got the second dose of their flu shots and another Hep B. Then I took them to the Children's Clinic in Tualatin for their first RSV shot. I felt bad that they had so many shots, but I actually thought because of the 9 month immunizations they'd have more. So really we lucked out....although I don't think the girls feel that way. :)

9 Month Check Up

Today the girls went in for their 9 month well baby check up. Overall everything is looking great. Our Dr. said we won't need to come back until 1 year - unless we have the little winter colds and such that need attention. Emily weighs 14 lbs 4 oz and is 26 3/4 inches long. Ellery is 16lbs 6oz and is 27 1/2 inches long. Emily's ear infection that was diagnosed on Monday appears to be better. The girls also got the second dose of their flu shots and another Hep B. Then I took them to the Children's Clinic in Tualatin for their first RSV shot. I felt bad that they had so many shots, but I actually thought because of the 9 month immunizations they'd have more. So really we lucked out....although I don't think the girls feel that way. :)

A Haircut....It's About Time Sister

Heather & her scraggly hair on Sunday

Heather's hair on TuesdayEllery & Mom!

A Haircut....It's About Time Sister

Heather & her scraggly hair on Sunday

Heather's hair on TuesdayEllery & Mom!

9 Months Old

Both girls sleep with their little bums in the air. I never remember to take pics because I'm so happy they are finally asleep. But last night I was brave and took some of Ellery.

The girls turned 9 months yesterday and I can't believe how fast time has flown. I know I say that every other post...but where did the time go? I've been looking at pics from our NICU stint and I can't even remember them being that small. Even when I see pics of them at home in the early days I can't remember them being small. I do remember that they used to sleep all day long and could sleep through anything. Augh....those were the days. Kidding. I'll take the laughing, talking, and endless supply of smiles any day! Oh, and Ellery's newest thing...she blows raspberries. Emily has been trying for weeks and isn't quite there, but Ellery just started this week and within days has mastered it and does it over and over and over..... The girls have their 9 month well baby checkup on Friday so I'll be sure to update ya'll on their new stats!

Emily's been eating her solids for a month and a half, while Ellery has only been semi taking them for two weeks. They think rice cereal is boring and are liking oatmeal a little better. They both LOVE sweet potato's though!

These are their faces when I tell them they are getting sweet potato's.

And these are their faces after they've eaten sweet potato's!

Ellery "the messy one"
Emily "usually not as messy as her sis"

9 Months Old

Both girls sleep with their little bums in the air. I never remember to take pics because I'm so happy they are finally asleep. But last night I was brave and took some of Ellery.

The girls turned 9 months yesterday and I can't believe how fast time has flown. I know I say that every other post...but where did the time go? I've been looking at pics from our NICU stint and I can't even remember them being that small. Even when I see pics of them at home in the early days I can't remember them being small. I do remember that they used to sleep all day long and could sleep through anything. Augh....those were the days. Kidding. I'll take the laughing, talking, and endless supply of smiles any day! Oh, and Ellery's newest thing...she blows raspberries. Emily has been trying for weeks and isn't quite there, but Ellery just started this week and within days has mastered it and does it over and over and over..... The girls have their 9 month well baby checkup on Friday so I'll be sure to update ya'll on their new stats!

Emily's been eating her solids for a month and a half, while Ellery has only been semi taking them for two weeks. They think rice cereal is boring and are liking oatmeal a little better. They both LOVE sweet potato's though!

These are their faces when I tell them they are getting sweet potato's.

And these are their faces after they've eaten sweet potato's!

Ellery "the messy one"
Emily "usually not as messy as her sis"

Emily's First Ear Infection

Well, we just got back from our first unscheduled trip to the Dr's office. The girls have had coughs all week and Emily's breathing was sounding rattle-y. You could feel it when you had your hand on her back. Both girls are super happy, sleeping well (at least at night), and eating like formula is going out of style. But the rattle got me thinking about RSV and pneumonia and all the things we want to avoid. I've mentioned RSV before, it's basically a virus that a healthy adult would get over in about 1-2 weeks and it's passed like the common cold. Almost all infants will contract RSV by the time they are two, but preemies, children less than 2 years of age with congenital heart or chronic lung disease, and children with compromised (weakened) immune systems due to a medical condition or medical treatment are at highest risk for severe disease. Those with severe disease have a good chance of ending up in the hospital. Since we are in daycare and the girls were considered mirco preemies we are approved for the Synagis shot for the next six months (our first one is this Friday!). RSV outbreak season various by what part of the country you are in. In Oregon RSV season is Nov - April but in Florida it's July - February. Yikes that's a long time! Synagis gives your baby a dose of virus-fighting substances called antibodies to help prevent serious RSV infections. It doesn't completely protect a baby from RSV but it lowers the chance that an RSV infection is serious enough to end up in the hospital. It's VERY expensive and I am so grateful that my insurance covers it. Not sure if they will next year, but I think the older and bigger the girls get the better they will do at fighting off these infections.

Now that I've just written a book on RSV...the girls DO NOT have it. Turns out it's just a normal cold but Emily does have a very mild ear infection. The Dr. told me what else to look for, but based on the wiggling & laughing & playing, he said he sure didn't see sick babies in the room. :) That's a relief, but I'm glad I decided to go in. Having preemies is a whole different ballgame. The common cold scared the crud out of me just because of the RSV factor - but we've been so lucky and healthy thus far I'll just keep my fingers crossed we finish out the winter the same.

Emily's First Ear Infection

Well, we just got back from our first unscheduled trip to the Dr's office. The girls have had coughs all week and Emily's breathing was sounding rattle-y. You could feel it when you had your hand on her back. Both girls are super happy, sleeping well (at least at night), and eating like formula is going out of style. But the rattle got me thinking about RSV and pneumonia and all the things we want to avoid. I've mentioned RSV before, it's basically a virus that a healthy adult would get over in about 1-2 weeks and it's passed like the common cold. Almost all infants will contract RSV by the time they are two, but preemies, children less than 2 years of age with congenital heart or chronic lung disease, and children with compromised (weakened) immune systems due to a medical condition or medical treatment are at highest risk for severe disease. Those with severe disease have a good chance of ending up in the hospital. Since we are in daycare and the girls were considered mirco preemies we are approved for the Synagis shot for the next six months (our first one is this Friday!). RSV outbreak season various by what part of the country you are in. In Oregon RSV season is Nov - April but in Florida it's July - February. Yikes that's a long time! Synagis gives your baby a dose of virus-fighting substances called antibodies to help prevent serious RSV infections. It doesn't completely protect a baby from RSV but it lowers the chance that an RSV infection is serious enough to end up in the hospital. It's VERY expensive and I am so grateful that my insurance covers it. Not sure if they will next year, but I think the older and bigger the girls get the better they will do at fighting off these infections.

Now that I've just written a book on RSV...the girls DO NOT have it. Turns out it's just a normal cold but Emily does have a very mild ear infection. The Dr. told me what else to look for, but based on the wiggling & laughing & playing, he said he sure didn't see sick babies in the room. :) That's a relief, but I'm glad I decided to go in. Having preemies is a whole different ballgame. The common cold scared the crud out of me just because of the RSV factor - but we've been so lucky and healthy thus far I'll just keep my fingers crossed we finish out the winter the same.

November is Premature Baby Awareness Month

And today is specifically Premature Baby Awareness day...although the marketing around this campaign is very limited. I'm a little surprised that the only reason I knew today was preemie awareness day is from a magazine article. The March of Dimes site doesn't say it and they barely mention that it's awareness month.

The March of Dimes have just completed a report grading the US and each state's rate of premature birth to the nation's objective of 7.6 percent or less. Overall the nation earned a D grade and Oregon earned a C.

To sign the petition please click here: http://www.marchofdimes.com/padpetition/index.aspx?a=1&z=1&c=1&l=en

November is Premature Baby Awareness Month

And today is specifically Premature Baby Awareness day...although the marketing around this campaign is very limited. I'm a little surprised that the only reason I knew today was preemie awareness day is from a magazine article. The March of Dimes site doesn't say it and they barely mention that it's awareness month.

The March of Dimes have just completed a report grading the US and each state's rate of premature birth to the nation's objective of 7.6 percent or less. Overall the nation earned a D grade and Oregon earned a C.

To sign the petition please click here: http://www.marchofdimes.com/padpetition/index.aspx?a=1&z=1&c=1&l=en

Go Ducks!

Thankfully the ducks pulled it off this weekend! I'm sure it was because of the support of our little duck fans.

Look at Em's little thigh rolls! Love it!!!

Go Ducks!

Thankfully the ducks pulled it off this weekend! I'm sure it was because of the support of our little duck fans.

Look at Em's little thigh rolls! Love it!!!

Eye Appointment Update

Emily is excited because she doesn't need an eye appointment for a YEAR!!!!

On Friday the girls had their brutal eye appointment to check on their ROP - one of the few preemie issues we've had so far. The girls have a very mild case, but it was supposed to get better by their due dates in May and for us it just never went away. The Dr said it's very minimal and in the least risky part of the eye.....so we got the Ok to not come back for an entire year. That is fabulous news because these appointments that we've been going to every 5 or so weeks are horrible. Screaming babies being held down while their eyes are poked and prodded. Not a pleasant task for me or the girls. Now when we go back in a year it will be a normal eye exam...not the torture methods we've been used to.

The girls go in to their ped. in two weeks for their 9 month well baby appointment. 9 months!!!! Where did the time go??

Eye Appointment Update

Emily is excited because she doesn't need an eye appointment for a YEAR!!!!

On Friday the girls had their brutal eye appointment to check on their ROP - one of the few preemie issues we've had so far. The girls have a very mild case, but it was supposed to get better by their due dates in May and for us it just never went away. The Dr said it's very minimal and in the least risky part of the eye.....so we got the Ok to not come back for an entire year. That is fabulous news because these appointments that we've been going to every 5 or so weeks are horrible. Screaming babies being held down while their eyes are poked and prodded. Not a pleasant task for me or the girls. Now when we go back in a year it will be a normal eye exam...not the torture methods we've been used to.

The girls go in to their ped. in two weeks for their 9 month well baby appointment. 9 months!!!! Where did the time go??

Jail Birds

"Baby Jail"

The much anticipated "Baby Jail" arrived this week. To my surprise the girls actually like it. I put down a floor mat that has different textures all over it and the girls love to touch it. Ellery is now pivoting 360 degrees on her tummy on the mat and working so hard on crawling. Emily is perfecting her flipping to the left and then to the right.....over and over and over.

Emily
Ellery

Learning to Share....

Jail Birds

"Baby Jail"

The much anticipated "Baby Jail" arrived this week. To my surprise the girls actually like it. I put down a floor mat that has different textures all over it and the girls love to touch it. Ellery is now pivoting 360 degrees on her tummy on the mat and working so hard on crawling. Emily is perfecting her flipping to the left and then to the right.....over and over and over.

Emily
Ellery

Learning to Share....

Prayer Request for baby Joey VanderMeide

We met Joey & his family while Emily & Ellery were in the NICU. Joey is such a fighter but he is having a hard time. Please send good thoughts and prayers for a speady recovery for Joey and for Erin & Jason to hang in there.

Prayer Request for baby Joey VanderMeide

We met Joey & his family while Emily & Ellery were in the NICU. Joey is such a fighter but he is having a hard time. Please send good thoughts and prayers for a speady recovery for Joey and for Erin & Jason to hang in there.