13 Months and Counting!!

All I can think is WOW where has the time gone... I feel like our life is as busy as can be. Two mobile 1 year olds that are in to everything!! This definitely leaves me behind on my blog posting and having the free time to keep everyone caught up. Hopefully I can start making some time for blogging to keep everyone posted on our rapidly growing boys.

Both of the boys are doing great!! We celebrated their first birthday on July 17 and I just can't believe that it has already been a year. The boys had a great party and we were able to celebrate it with lots of close friends and family. They got TONS of gifts and our living room is now more like a toy store!! We are so grateful for everyone that came and helped us celebrate their special day!!

 They had their first check up with Dr. Meyer and that was an adventure to say the least. Ronnie had to work so I took them and needless to say Ronnie will be joining me at all the next appointments to come (or someone will be, lol). They each had to have 4 shots and then blood drawn. We handled the shots okay since I had their bottles waiting for distraction... but once it came down to the blood being drawn there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Between them being upset what was going on and Mommy being upset from having to bear hug them and hold them so they couldn't move we both had tears. I will never forget the looks on their little faces, broke my heart!! Other then those circumstances they both checked out great. We have to keep them on formula till their actual due date and then we will transition to whole milk. They are both in the 90% percentile for weight and height if you adjust their ages back the nearly 3 months. Westyn weighed 21lbs and Wesley 20lbs. Both are the same length 23 inches long.

We also just did another video shoot for March of Dimes and continuing to tell our story in hopes of further research and findings to prevent prematurity. Hopefully once I get the finalized video I will be able to share it with everyone. I always love telling out story even though it never fails to bring back the memories and the tears begin to flow, but I always just hope that it will possible help just one family not have to go thru what we did. It also makes me so thankful for our outcome and that God was watching over us because it could have so easily gone in a different direction.

Westyn is VERY active. He is almost walking and takes a few steps on his own so we are thinking anytime now he is just going to take out. He loves to CLIMB and get on the couch and coffee table. He loves attention and wants to be around you and have your full attention in site. He loves to give kisses. Whenever I am eating or drinking you can guarantee he is right beside me and letting me know he would like some. He is still on baby food, but we are experimenting with table food. He is definitely been my challenge in trying to determine what he will and wont eat. He only has 2 teeth so far and I believe that has a lot to do with not being able to fully go to table food. He is definitely going to be strong willed and keep us on our toes.

Wesley is laid back and just goes with the flow. He is so loving and plays so well by himself... that is until his brother comes and takes his toy away and then it's off to the next one. We did get the cutest video of Wesley deciding to take charge against Westyn and fight back for his toy. I always tell people if I had 2 of Wesley my life would be too easy, lol - but I wouldn't trade either one of them for the world!! Wesley isn't as excited about table food he still loves his baby food and doesn't mind just eating that. He still isn't holding his own bottle. I guess he just likes to be pampered and relax when he has that. He has 3 teeth and we are thinking the 4th isn't far behind. He hasn't taken as many steps on his own. He will walk from the coffee table to the couch some, but not as much as his brother. Which I am totally fine with because the thought of 2 walking toddlers scares me!!

I am now staying home with the boys more as I am able to work from home. I have left Germania and am working for Dwayne. I commute to Austin 2 days a week and then work from home the other 3 so I am able to keep the boys with me on those 3 days and enjoy watching them grow up. I am very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to helping Dwayne grow his business!

We continue to LOVE watching them grow and develop. There is never a day that goes by that they don't do something that amazes us and that makes us so proud as their parents. They both love BATH time and I believe that by the time it's time to get out Mommy has had a bath as well with all the splashing. They also LOVE being outside. The wagon that my parents got them for their birthday is a HUGE hit and we use it daily!! We are so thankful for such healthy baby boys and wouldn't trade them for the world and can't wait to continue to watch them grow and develop. I am hoping to try to update the blog more in the future!! Till next time! :) 

7 Months old - Oh My!!

Boy oh Boy how time is flying right by. I can’t believe the boys will be 7 MONTHS on Sunday. It really is unbelievable how fast time flies with little ones. I always remember hearing everyone say that, but you never think it is true till you experience it yourself. The boys are both doing awesome. I couldn’t be happier. They got their last RSV shot this month and will be getting their 2^nd flu shot tomorrow. Wesley is does not like shots at all – where Westyn takes it like a champ! Westyn cries for a few seconds, realizes his pacifier is in his mouth and is perfectly fine. Wesley on the other hand… Has his moment and it takes me a few minutes to calm him down and then his look is just priceless with his “bug eyes” and his concerned look as to why do you keep doing this to me!! At that appointment the boys weighed in at Westyn: 16lbs 12oz and Wesley: 15lbs 4oz. You can really tell a difference in their weights when you pick them up. Wesley feels like a feather compared to Westyn.

They are both rolling over. Westyn really gets around. We have caught him under a chair and under our coffee table. He also moves from one end of his crib to the other (side to side / tummy to back). Wesley moves just as much as well. He starts on a blanket and ends up turning till he is completely off. They both still love to suck on their fingers. Wesley especially loves to have his fingers in his mouth. He also loves to have a blankie to suck on. His poor cheeks stay chap because of his slobber, so we put Vaseline on them to help keep the moisture off. Westyn has found his feet and loves to hold on to his legs and try to get his toes in his mouth. If Wesley is close he is trying to lick him or give him love. Wesley isn’t too thrilled when Westyn bothers him – he is more content on his own. They are both starting to babble and their crying has gotten louder with time!! They will definitely let you know when they need something or want your attention. They are getting to be so much fun and their little personalities are so different from each other.

They continue to keep us very very busy… between the feeding, diaper changing, and playing we are constantly on the go. They are both eating around 6-8ozs at each feeding. Ronnie and me laughed the other day at how we used to think 2 ounces of milk was SOOO much and now they are triple that!! We have also started them on baby food and they are having no issues enjoying that. It’s fun to see how they react to each food once it is introduced to them. I have started them on just veggies and haven’t done any fruit yet. The only thing we have tried so far that they did not like was avocadoes.  Our next step is purchasing some highchairs so we can get them sitting up instead of using their loungers to eat. They are starting to get harder to feed that way because they want to grab at everything, especially Westyn. I definitely think Westyn is going to be our instigator (like his daddy)!!

I have also started up a team for March of dimes – March for Babies that takes place on April 20^th. The cause is very important to me and my family because it touches on premature labor. Premature labor is a very scary thing and that day plays back in my head all the time of what happened and what caused me to go into labor at just 28 weeks gestation. It’s my hope that being the ambassador family for March for babies helps raise awareness for this great cause and can help at least one person not have to go thru what we did. The whole experience is a scary one and no one should ever have to experience it. I never in my life thought that I would have gone into labor so early and had to experience the whole NICU process. We did meet some amazing people along the way and I have now had the opportunity to be involved in so many things to help raise awareness that it’s a life changing experience. I am trying to get donations to go towards this great cause and help raise awareness.. If you are interested in donating you can contact me direct or visit my team page. My cell (979) 203-0786 or email loreenshay@gmail.com – our team page www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1992032 - any donations are greatly appreciated!! If you are interested in joining my team or creating your own team and walking for a great cause contact me and I can get you in the right direction.

As always please continue to pray for the boys that we continue to make it thru this cold season with no sicknesses and that the boys continue to flourish as they have been doing!!

6-Months Old

The last few weeks have been quite hectic for us. We have been super busy with the new year. The boys are both doing great and continuing to grow at a rapid pace. We enjoy them so much and love all the new things they are beginning to do and the interaction with them.

Westyn has rolled over from his back to his tummy.. and of course once I got the camcorder he decided he wasn't going to do it again, but at least me and Ronnie both got to see him do it. Nawna (Darleen - the boys sitter) said the other week that she had left the room for a short second and when she came back Westyn had rolled from his tummy to his back. So watch out!! Wesley is not far behind. He gets on his side, but just hasn't got that final ump to get over from one side to the other. They are both doing good with tummy time. Westyn can hold his head up a little better and that is why he rolled over first the pediatrician told us. They are both starting to giggle and that is the cutiest thing ever. Daddy can really make Westyn laugh.

They have both found their fingers and love to suck on them and put them in their mouths.  Westyn is going to be our talker and singer and just coos and mumbles while he has his fingers in his mouth. Wesley is determined to see how much he can get in his mouth and then ends up choking his self..

We took the boys on Friday to their 6-month check up and Dr. Meyer said they are really doing great considering that they were born at 28 weeks gestation. I was so pleased to hear that. Everything checked out perfect. I told her we had started them on cereal/oatmeal and she said that was perfect and that we can now introduce them to baby food.. So today I spent time making some sweet potatoes and we will be trying that out this week!! They also graduated to big boy formula!! WOOHOO!! No more Neosure.. we are now on to regular formula. So we are super excited about that. They downfall to the appointment was shots.. of course that is never fun. They got 4 shots and then 1 liquid dose for their immunizations (this included the RSV shot). We are taking them back this week to get their flu shots.

Stats:
Westyn - 15lbs 7oz (25 3/4 long)
Wesley - 14lbs 2 oz  (26 long)

On Saturday we had our free photo session from Preemie prints that was done by Ashley with Fig-Mint Photography. She was awesome and did a great job. She has posted some preview pictures and they are absolutely amazing. They were done at our house and she really captured some awesome pictures. Here is the link to check out what she has posted on her site. http://ashleydsiegertphotography.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/preemie-prints-graduates-twins-wesley-and-westyn-shay-bryan-college-station-photographer/

Awhile back I had posted about my phone interview with Insite magazine and our article was in the January issue. So here is the link so you can read what was written.
http://www.insitebrazosvalley.com/featured-articles/2013/1/6/preemie-promise.html

I really hope everyone is having a great 2013 so far. I know we are truly blessed and we are enjoying each and every moment with our sweet boys. As always, please keep the boys in your prayers for them to stay healthy during the cold season and continue to grow and prosper!  I couldn't get my pictures to upload this time - bummer... but there is some under the website that Ashley took that are the most recent so hope you enjoy!! :)