First zoo trip

Last Sunday we took the babies to the zoo for the first time. We stopped in the Garden of the Senses - lots of flowers, water fountains, animal statues. It's really pretty and it was a little less quiet so we got the babies out to take a few pictures.

Parker grabbing a handful of Aunt Bo's hair

Payton and Aunt Bo

Parker and grandma looking at flowers

Parker and Payton with the elephant statue

Daddy and Uncle Dave with the kiddos

Mommy, Aunt Bo and the kiddos

they are getting a little hot, can you tell :)

Family picture

Our fist sickness

So, here it is. The first time one of the twins is sick. Ugh.

A week ago Parker got a little snotty but things weren't too bad and nothing was a bad color. Then by Monday afternoon, it was turning that terrible green when you know something is wrong. Luckily, we already had an appointment with the pediatrician scheduled for Tuesday morning for a weight check.

He was having a little problem with his O2 sats, was very congested, pulling a little when breathing and had fluid in his ears. Yep - sinus infection and ear infection. Then we were sent from the office to Children's Hospital for blood work and chest x-rays just to be on the safe side. I appreciate the doc wanting to be certain but that isn't a fun way to spend the afternoon.

His blood work was normal, chest x-rays are clear, although there is a clear agrivation of his CLD. Over night Tuesday he had more pulling when breathing and was working pretty hard. That is not how I want him burning off his calories! So back to the doc on Wednesday morning. We are now the proud owners of a nebulizer. He does ok with the breathing treatments but he HATES the antibiotic.

It's been a few days and things are better. First illness down. Mission accomplished.

I needed this...

 I needed this when I was shown it by a preemie mom friend. And it's now hanging on our fridge.

How Preemie Moms Are Chosen
(Adapted from Erma Bombeck)

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger. "Beth Armstrong, son. Patron Saint, Matthew. Marjorie Forrest, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia. Carrie Rutledge, twins. Patron Saint ... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity." Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a preemie."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel."

"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."

"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just the right amount of selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says 'mama' for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see – ignorance, cruelty, prejudice – and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air. God smiles.

"A mirror will suffice."

Goofballs

Hidden jewel

About 3 weeks ago we went and toured The Children's Respite Care Center - http://crccomaha.com/

It is a beautiful facility. I couldn't believe it. It is staffed with educators and nurses. They have classrooms separated by age groups. They specialize in providing care to kids who can't go anywhere else because of medical reasons. Since we have monitors, oxygen, and a feeding tube to deal with we more than qualify. They have a very low ratio or teachers to students - usually 1:2 - which means that the twins get their own personal companion for the day. :) They get all kinds of stimulation while they are there, people that aren't afraid of their equipment and can work it, and very minimal but still some interaction with other kids. They are also going to be evaluated for therapy they might need and can have while they are there. Wonderful! (a few less appointments that have to be made outside the house).

It is a wonderful place that I'm so glad we found. I can only see positive things for the babies while they are there. For however long we qualify to go there, I'm grateful.

Another milestone

Sunday is Mother's Day. It's my first Mother's Day. For my 1st Mother's Day I get -

Both babies at home
No major health issues for a whole winter season (even if we were on lockdown)
A few less doctor appointments this month
Babies that like to go for walks with me in the jogger
A new house with pictures of my little kiddos and my big kiddo up on the wall
A new group of preemie-mommy friends that have all "been there, done that" (or are doing it now like me). It is different with preemies. It's nice to find that.
Babies that both in the last week have laughed for the first time and usually get smiley when they see me
One baby that is rolling on her side by herself, the other is reaching out and grabbing stuff on his own
Babies that are almost on the growth curve for the actual age
Babies that will be 7 months old on Sunday

Through the exhaustion, life is good

Happy Mother's Day!

Super cute

Interesting

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36703301/ns/health/?ns=health


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36746855/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/