Thursday, February 25, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Long overdue
I am long overdue for pictures...Apparently my camera cable wasn't missing as Kirk found it within 30 seconds of looking, I could find it for over a week..hmm guess I didn't look that hard or I just got confused with the 1000 other cords in the office that look exactly the same...
Things here are good, loving our little life...its busy thats for sure, even with help there is always plenty to do around here...Alyssa has been a handful a few days the past few weeks. I think she is wanted some more individual attention. I am home with her all day, but she is forever being told not now, or after the babies eat. She always has to magically pee or poop when my hand are full of crying babies or at feeding time. Yesterday she insisted she had to pee while I was pumping and couldn't do it herself. She has done it a million times on her own so I told her I couldn't help her, she proceeded to pee on the floor...dohhhh guess I should have stopped pumping to help her, but really by the time I stopped and got over there my guess is she would have done it anyways...She has had 2 days out this week with her Mama's and it makes the world of difference when she gets out of the house.
Babies are great, they are still doing 1, 4 or 5 hour stretch at night but the rest of the time its every 3 hours still. They are eating about 2.5oz now. Blake has become a problem eater, he takes forever to finish, I think he's holding out to be breastfed as he is acting similar to Alyssa did when she started refusing the bottle...I CAN'T let that happen, there simply isn't enough time for me to exclusively breastfeed him, plus if I did that it would seriously hamper my pumping efforts as the pump just isn't as efficient as the babies, it would be too hard to pump out any extra milk...I am still pumping 40-50oz a day for the babies...I am noticing though that I don't have as much to freeze so there will come a time when they won't get just the fresh milk...Oh well I think I've done reasonable well so far...Gosh I'd sure like to throw my pump out the window but I figure I've got about another 10-12 months to go :(
Weights yesterday were Leah was 7 pounds 12 oz and Blake was 7 pounds 6 oz...They are just about out of their newborn sleepers and into 0-3 months stuff which is great because we have received some adorable outfits that I can dress them in soon instead of just sleepers.
Thats about it for now, here are some pictures...Enjoy! I will certainly try my best to keep blogging so keep coming back so I know you're out there!! Its becoming increasinlgy more difficult to squeeze it in,
Here is Alyssa enjoying some snow making snow angels on a packed snow pathway..funny they didn't turn out ;)
Dying to get out side and play in her new playground we put the swings on and played outside, the snow was melted enough for her to run around outside a bit...
Little Blakey with an almost smile...the babies are full fledged smiling now, its adorable they still seem too small to be smiling...melts my heart!
Alyssa being a goofball at dinner time..note the no pants...for some reason this kid insists on running around the house without pants, she's be totally naked if we let her...
This picture is for "Gunkle" Kris who loves pictures of babies with things on their heads...
Princess Leah most of the time being a good girl...
Don't be fooled she can cry when she wants to!! Although its this tiny kitten like cry that is almost hard to take seriously...
Blake has this strange water blister thing on his gum...see the bottom right...No one has any idea what it is but its the weirdest thing....any ideas?
Leah playing on her mat, they both reach out for their toys now...I am actually really bad at tummy time and play time...they spend a lot of time in their bouncy chairs or neglectomatics as Kirk calls them..
Daddy and his babies, a common sight these days...I believe he really was as tired as he looks in this picture.
Little Leah loving her bro, she is forever snuggling up to him, its so precious.
Daddy and babies again...
Alyssa LOVES LOVES being a big sister, she can't get enough of Leah who she thinks is So cute!
Awww
Sleepy Blake
More Play time...
Blake not enjoying play time that much
Papa Erv and Leah
Cousin Mate and Blakey
We recieved a few weeks ago the most thoughful gift ever. A friend of a friend who I've only met a handful of times made us this beautiful book. She took everything I ever wrote on my blog and all the pictures for babies entire hospital stay and made us this hard cover book...I can't properly describe how beautiful and touching this book is. It has all our memories and our 7 week stay in the NICU documented in a real book that she designed and compiled...It will be treasured forever! Ask to see it when you come over and you can see how gorgeous it is for yourself! She works for Heriage Makers as a consultant who makes story books... check out www.myfamilykeepsakes.com, they are amazing books, I've made a few already...I highly recommend you try it!!! Thank you a million times over Heidi!!! I LOVE my book!!!
Heidi and the babies!!!
Things here are good, loving our little life...its busy thats for sure, even with help there is always plenty to do around here...Alyssa has been a handful a few days the past few weeks. I think she is wanted some more individual attention. I am home with her all day, but she is forever being told not now, or after the babies eat. She always has to magically pee or poop when my hand are full of crying babies or at feeding time. Yesterday she insisted she had to pee while I was pumping and couldn't do it herself. She has done it a million times on her own so I told her I couldn't help her, she proceeded to pee on the floor...dohhhh guess I should have stopped pumping to help her, but really by the time I stopped and got over there my guess is she would have done it anyways...She has had 2 days out this week with her Mama's and it makes the world of difference when she gets out of the house.
Babies are great, they are still doing 1, 4 or 5 hour stretch at night but the rest of the time its every 3 hours still. They are eating about 2.5oz now. Blake has become a problem eater, he takes forever to finish, I think he's holding out to be breastfed as he is acting similar to Alyssa did when she started refusing the bottle...I CAN'T let that happen, there simply isn't enough time for me to exclusively breastfeed him, plus if I did that it would seriously hamper my pumping efforts as the pump just isn't as efficient as the babies, it would be too hard to pump out any extra milk...I am still pumping 40-50oz a day for the babies...I am noticing though that I don't have as much to freeze so there will come a time when they won't get just the fresh milk...Oh well I think I've done reasonable well so far...Gosh I'd sure like to throw my pump out the window but I figure I've got about another 10-12 months to go :(
Weights yesterday were Leah was 7 pounds 12 oz and Blake was 7 pounds 6 oz...They are just about out of their newborn sleepers and into 0-3 months stuff which is great because we have received some adorable outfits that I can dress them in soon instead of just sleepers.
Thats about it for now, here are some pictures...Enjoy! I will certainly try my best to keep blogging so keep coming back so I know you're out there!! Its becoming increasinlgy more difficult to squeeze it in,
Here is Alyssa enjoying some snow making snow angels on a packed snow pathway..funny they didn't turn out ;)
Dying to get out side and play in her new playground we put the swings on and played outside, the snow was melted enough for her to run around outside a bit...
Little Blakey with an almost smile...the babies are full fledged smiling now, its adorable they still seem too small to be smiling...melts my heart!
Alyssa being a goofball at dinner time..note the no pants...for some reason this kid insists on running around the house without pants, she's be totally naked if we let her...
This picture is for "Gunkle" Kris who loves pictures of babies with things on their heads...
Princess Leah most of the time being a good girl...
Don't be fooled she can cry when she wants to!! Although its this tiny kitten like cry that is almost hard to take seriously...
Blake has this strange water blister thing on his gum...see the bottom right...No one has any idea what it is but its the weirdest thing....any ideas?
Leah playing on her mat, they both reach out for their toys now...I am actually really bad at tummy time and play time...they spend a lot of time in their bouncy chairs or neglectomatics as Kirk calls them..
Daddy and his babies, a common sight these days...I believe he really was as tired as he looks in this picture.
Little Leah loving her bro, she is forever snuggling up to him, its so precious.
Daddy and babies again...
Alyssa LOVES LOVES being a big sister, she can't get enough of Leah who she thinks is So cute!
Awww
Sleepy Blake
More Play time...
Blake not enjoying play time that much
Papa Erv and Leah
Cousin Mate and Blakey
We recieved a few weeks ago the most thoughful gift ever. A friend of a friend who I've only met a handful of times made us this beautiful book. She took everything I ever wrote on my blog and all the pictures for babies entire hospital stay and made us this hard cover book...I can't properly describe how beautiful and touching this book is. It has all our memories and our 7 week stay in the NICU documented in a real book that she designed and compiled...It will be treasured forever! Ask to see it when you come over and you can see how gorgeous it is for yourself! She works for Heriage Makers as a consultant who makes story books... check out www.myfamilykeepsakes.com, they are amazing books, I've made a few already...I highly recommend you try it!!! Thank you a million times over Heidi!!! I LOVE my book!!!
Heidi and the babies!!!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I lied....
I didn't post my pics, I'm still looking for that darn cable...its got to be around here somewhere...I'll try my best to post something new soon!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Too tired...
Ok this 2 babies plus a 3 year old is definitely catching up to me...I am soooo tired! There is no down time during the day with Alyssa running around and there is no down time at night with 2 babies up at all hours...
The babies are going through a growth spurt and wanting to eat every 2 hours during the day, I try and hold them off as long as possible but that just leads to crying...
Thank goodness for Julie my new mommy's helper, she has taken care of all the household chores so thank goodness I don't need to worry about that...She also makes a days worth of bottles and does all the bottle washing etc...hallelujah for that!!
We've had our first real smiles this week...Leah the little delightful baby is full of smiles when you talk to her, and our Blake is smiling lots now too! He is officially off his caffeine now to...Weights this week were 7 pounds even for Blake and 7.4 for Leah...
I promise to try and find that damn cable this weekend so I can upload some cute new pictures...its a long weekend here for family day so I should be able to sneak in some time to post the pictures..
Anyways, goodnight! Enjoy your sleep for me!!! Hmmmm sleep :)
The babies are going through a growth spurt and wanting to eat every 2 hours during the day, I try and hold them off as long as possible but that just leads to crying...
Thank goodness for Julie my new mommy's helper, she has taken care of all the household chores so thank goodness I don't need to worry about that...She also makes a days worth of bottles and does all the bottle washing etc...hallelujah for that!!
We've had our first real smiles this week...Leah the little delightful baby is full of smiles when you talk to her, and our Blake is smiling lots now too! He is officially off his caffeine now to...Weights this week were 7 pounds even for Blake and 7.4 for Leah...
I promise to try and find that damn cable this weekend so I can upload some cute new pictures...its a long weekend here for family day so I should be able to sneak in some time to post the pictures..
Anyways, goodnight! Enjoy your sleep for me!!! Hmmmm sleep :)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
3 Months Old!!!!
Ohmygosh!!! I can't believe the babies are 3 months old! Thats just blows my mind that the time has gone by so fast they are already 3 months old!!!
We had and eye appointment yesterday and weight check...Eyes are good! The vessels are finally are where they need to be, since they've been born they've had eye checks every 2 weeks. They use this barbaric looking metal thing that kind of looks like a bent paperclip and the it goes inside their eyelid to pry their eyelids open, it horrendous to watch even though they say it doesn't hurt them, the babies scream at full capacity during their exams...its heartbreaking to hear them cry like that. Anyways they finally passed the last of the Retinopathy of prematurity checks and we don't have to go back for 4 more months, AND they won't need the aweful metal contraption..yeah!!
Weights are good! Leah was 7 pounds and 0.6oz which is exactly what Alyssa weighed when she was born, its seems crazy that she was that big...Leah seems so big to me now compared to her down to 2 pounds when they were born...Blake is trailing a little at 6 pounds 11oz...Both have grown in length but the measurment escapes me at the moment..I think 47 cm which I have no idea in inches..
Both of the babies have really become a lot more alert this past week. They seem to have a long awake period right at about 9-11pm...which is funny because we all seem to get a second wind around here at about the same time...leave it to my kids to be up playing at 11 pm at night...We have pulled out some baby toys now. Blake surprised me last week reaching at his little hanging toy and touching it, I thought at first he did it by accident but he continues to do it so I know it is a concious effort. Leah gets so excited now lying on her mat looking up at the toys, she smiles a lot when she's sleeping but she is on the verge of cracking a real smile when you talk to her. We have to expect the babies to reach milestones based off of their January 10th due date which puts them at 3.5 weeks...So they are doing very well!!
Sleep is still a little to be desired around here. They are still eating every 3 hours, they do 1 4 hour stretch in the night which sounds ok but add in pumping and bottle heating and bum changes its really not fantastic...I think little Leah could go longer but brother Blake can't go longer than that so I wake her up and keep them eating at the same time...I can only imagine how little sleep we would get if we just fed them randomly when they were hungry...All my twin mom friends say its critical to keep them on schedule together, so that is what we are doing!
We still have great help from our moms, but we know they can't help out all day everyday forever before burning out. This week we had a Nanny/mothers' helpers start. Her name is Julie and she is going to come every week day for a few months to help do whatever needs to be done around here, everything from helping with the babies and Alyssa, to laundry and cleaning...I am very much looking forward to the extra help which will hopefully give me some more time to spend one on one with Alyssa and also with the babies...
I guess thats about all for today, the hours and days are still all just melding together...I am always shocked at the end of the day how fast it went by...
Oh a big congratulations to my friend Lil who just had her twin boys Dawson and Logan this past Sunday. They were born at 34 weeks and were both around 4.5pounds and doing well!!! I'm not sure how long they will be in the NICU but my guess would be about 2 weeks or so...Congrats Lil!!
Updated pictures to come as soon as I can find the silly cord to plug into my computer!
We had and eye appointment yesterday and weight check...Eyes are good! The vessels are finally are where they need to be, since they've been born they've had eye checks every 2 weeks. They use this barbaric looking metal thing that kind of looks like a bent paperclip and the it goes inside their eyelid to pry their eyelids open, it horrendous to watch even though they say it doesn't hurt them, the babies scream at full capacity during their exams...its heartbreaking to hear them cry like that. Anyways they finally passed the last of the Retinopathy of prematurity checks and we don't have to go back for 4 more months, AND they won't need the aweful metal contraption..yeah!!
Weights are good! Leah was 7 pounds and 0.6oz which is exactly what Alyssa weighed when she was born, its seems crazy that she was that big...Leah seems so big to me now compared to her down to 2 pounds when they were born...Blake is trailing a little at 6 pounds 11oz...Both have grown in length but the measurment escapes me at the moment..I think 47 cm which I have no idea in inches..
Both of the babies have really become a lot more alert this past week. They seem to have a long awake period right at about 9-11pm...which is funny because we all seem to get a second wind around here at about the same time...leave it to my kids to be up playing at 11 pm at night...We have pulled out some baby toys now. Blake surprised me last week reaching at his little hanging toy and touching it, I thought at first he did it by accident but he continues to do it so I know it is a concious effort. Leah gets so excited now lying on her mat looking up at the toys, she smiles a lot when she's sleeping but she is on the verge of cracking a real smile when you talk to her. We have to expect the babies to reach milestones based off of their January 10th due date which puts them at 3.5 weeks...So they are doing very well!!
Sleep is still a little to be desired around here. They are still eating every 3 hours, they do 1 4 hour stretch in the night which sounds ok but add in pumping and bottle heating and bum changes its really not fantastic...I think little Leah could go longer but brother Blake can't go longer than that so I wake her up and keep them eating at the same time...I can only imagine how little sleep we would get if we just fed them randomly when they were hungry...All my twin mom friends say its critical to keep them on schedule together, so that is what we are doing!
We still have great help from our moms, but we know they can't help out all day everyday forever before burning out. This week we had a Nanny/mothers' helpers start. Her name is Julie and she is going to come every week day for a few months to help do whatever needs to be done around here, everything from helping with the babies and Alyssa, to laundry and cleaning...I am very much looking forward to the extra help which will hopefully give me some more time to spend one on one with Alyssa and also with the babies...
I guess thats about all for today, the hours and days are still all just melding together...I am always shocked at the end of the day how fast it went by...
Oh a big congratulations to my friend Lil who just had her twin boys Dawson and Logan this past Sunday. They were born at 34 weeks and were both around 4.5pounds and doing well!!! I'm not sure how long they will be in the NICU but my guess would be about 2 weeks or so...Congrats Lil!!
Updated pictures to come as soon as I can find the silly cord to plug into my computer!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Images of Hope
Images of Hope is an annual volunteer-coordinated fundraising event & exhibition featuring photographs and stories about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) conceived children and their families. It is a fund that raises money for those who can't afford to do fertility treatments. It is very near and dear to our hearts so everyone can have a chance to have their own Blake and Leah. This year I am on the commitee of 7 and have been in charge of the stories and images which is just one part of the event. Images of Hope 2010 is on Friday March 5th, at Hotel Arts.
To date the fund has raised about $500,000 and their are close to 20 babies born as a direct result of money raised by Generations of hope I would like to invite anyone interested in coming. If you have friends or anyone you think would be interested in attending please feel free to pass the invitation along.
We also want to bring awareness to the importance of why fertility treaments should be covered under provincial health care. One of our featured families this year is a young woman and her husband who recently faced breast cancer and underwent the IVF process before starting chemotherapy and froze her embryos, in hopes of one day being able to have her own children. Imagine having to deal with the demands of In-vitro and the cost ($12,000-$15,000)that is not currently covered by provincial or private health insurance all while dealing with a new Breast Cancer diagnosis.
For the ladies there is also a custom piece of jewelry we got to design, it is to mark the 5th Anniversary of the event...All the proceeds go directly to the fund. You can pre-order it here http://www.pinkorblue.ca/ioh-2010/ or at the event.
The emerald green heart pendant has a special significance to Generations of Hope. The colour green is associated with fertility and growth; hope and endurance; healing and abundance. As the global symbol of love – the heart – takes on this green colour, they together encompass what Generations of Hope means to many people.
The handmade lampwork heart pendant can be worn on this gorgeous sterling silver, Full Persian bracelet; also available in two lengths; 7" and 7.5". $150.
If you are interested in making a donation or would be interested in donating anything for our silent auction, please let me know!! Tickets can be purchased here : http://www.regionalfertilityprogram.ca/fertilityfund6.php
To date the fund has raised about $500,000 and their are close to 20 babies born as a direct result of money raised by Generations of hope I would like to invite anyone interested in coming. If you have friends or anyone you think would be interested in attending please feel free to pass the invitation along.
We also want to bring awareness to the importance of why fertility treaments should be covered under provincial health care. One of our featured families this year is a young woman and her husband who recently faced breast cancer and underwent the IVF process before starting chemotherapy and froze her embryos, in hopes of one day being able to have her own children. Imagine having to deal with the demands of In-vitro and the cost ($12,000-$15,000)that is not currently covered by provincial or private health insurance all while dealing with a new Breast Cancer diagnosis.
For the ladies there is also a custom piece of jewelry we got to design, it is to mark the 5th Anniversary of the event...All the proceeds go directly to the fund. You can pre-order it here http://www.pinkorblue.ca/ioh-2010/ or at the event.
The emerald green heart pendant has a special significance to Generations of Hope. The colour green is associated with fertility and growth; hope and endurance; healing and abundance. As the global symbol of love – the heart – takes on this green colour, they together encompass what Generations of Hope means to many people.
The handmade lampwork heart pendant can be worn on this gorgeous sterling silver, Full Persian bracelet; also available in two lengths; 7" and 7.5". $150.
The handmade lampwork heart pendant is available on this sterling silver snake chain (necklace), available in two lengths; 16" and 18". $50
If you are interested in making a donation or would be interested in donating anything for our silent auction, please let me know!! Tickets can be purchased here : http://www.regionalfertilityprogram.ca/fertilityfund6.php
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