Here is a run down of the past few weeks:
Both babies got terrible diaper rash, which has been linked back to the "new and improved" Pampers diapers. It was really more like a painful chemical burn on their bums. Thankfully it has finally cleared up- but not without a new diaper brand, prescription, lots of TLC and a couple messages for the doctor.
The babies had their check up last week. Madelyn looks perfect. Jackson has a hydrocele in his scrotum (a fluid filled sack around testicle) that may or may not require surgery. We are hoping for the later. It may have a hernia attached, which would require repair. We are recheck in June at the next dr. appt.
Evy had her dance recital and it was absolutely adorable. She really wants to do Jazz now, even though she really isn't into "touching her booty" She is pretty excited about summer dance and I hope that she can take the hip hop class they offer.
My dear, sweet, strong friend Chrissy and her husband Michael have been in the NICU for several weeks taking care of her premature daughter Lily. Lilian was born April 23- 9weeks early. The doctors discovered through genetic testing that Lily has Trisomy 18 or Edwards Syndrome. Babies with her condition, usually don't survive birth, much less days or weeks of life. They are very lucky to have this precious time with her. She is journalling her life here. Please pray for them. Right now they are doing remarkably well and are living under God's will. However, eventually Lily will take her last breath and go be her Father in heaven leaving her Mom and Dad to grieve.
I have been very blessed to have help with the babies and making dinner from several friends from church. It has been nice to have the conversation and a little pampering. Thanks ladies!
Wednesday I started a new Bible Study at church. I really couldn't decide what I was going to do about the time, but with Michael's encouragement I decided to go for it. I took Madelyn with me- as it is a woman's study. It was kind of precious to be there with my daughter and know that I have the great privilege and responsibility to grow her up in the Word. After that I realized that we haven't done a great job of growing Evy in the Word. We have started to read Bible stories from her bedtime bible devotion book and have spent time praying together as a family. I hope that we can continue this each night. Last night we read about the Widow who gave everything as an offering to Jesus. One of the questions to her was "What is the hardest toy for you to have to give up?" She wasn't too sure what would be hard- if you were giving it to Jesus- she didn't mind. It got me thinking about what in my life would be hard to give up. I am glad that my answer wasn't an earthly possession. I think the whole journey with my friend has made me realize that life is too short and precious to be concerned about the things that will not last. I would give away every possession, picture, garment of clothing, to save Miss Lily's or any member of my families life.
Evy and I also started our garden. We planted pumpkin, green and purple beans, squash corn, watermelon, lettuce and carrots. Michael is planning to get someone to till the ground so that we can plant soon. I will purchase tomato and okra plants once we get the ground tilled. I am so excited to see how they grow and to be able to give Jackson and Madelyn homemade baby food from my garden. I am also planning to learn to can- so we will continue to feed ourselves from the garden during the winter months. I am also thinking of planting more lettuce and carrot seeds in the front flower bed instead of flowers.
I have been very blessed to have help with the babies and making dinner from several friends from church. It has been nice to have the conversation and a little pampering. Thanks ladies!
Wednesday I started a new Bible Study at church. I really couldn't decide what I was going to do about the time, but with Michael's encouragement I decided to go for it. I took Madelyn with me- as it is a woman's study. It was kind of precious to be there with my daughter and know that I have the great privilege and responsibility to grow her up in the Word. After that I realized that we haven't done a great job of growing Evy in the Word. We have started to read Bible stories from her bedtime bible devotion book and have spent time praying together as a family. I hope that we can continue this each night. Last night we read about the Widow who gave everything as an offering to Jesus. One of the questions to her was "What is the hardest toy for you to have to give up?" She wasn't too sure what would be hard- if you were giving it to Jesus- she didn't mind. It got me thinking about what in my life would be hard to give up. I am glad that my answer wasn't an earthly possession. I think the whole journey with my friend has made me realize that life is too short and precious to be concerned about the things that will not last. I would give away every possession, picture, garment of clothing, to save Miss Lily's or any member of my families life.
Evy and I also started our garden. We planted pumpkin, green and purple beans, squash corn, watermelon, lettuce and carrots. Michael is planning to get someone to till the ground so that we can plant soon. I will purchase tomato and okra plants once we get the ground tilled. I am so excited to see how they grow and to be able to give Jackson and Madelyn homemade baby food from my garden. I am also planning to learn to can- so we will continue to feed ourselves from the garden during the winter months. I am also thinking of planting more lettuce and carrot seeds in the front flower bed instead of flowers.
Hopefully the next weeks will afford me more time to blog. I have pictures and videos to share!
The Lord has blessed us with two beautiful babies on April 12, 2010! Madelyn Lillian was born at 9:15a. She weighed 6 lbs 4 oz and was 19 1/4 inches long. Jackson Ryan was born at 9:16a. He weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 19 3/4 inches long. Jackson was transverse and his arms were crossed against my back and he was a little "stuck". He did have sticky lungs and had to have some canal oxygen and eventually a CPAP for a couple hours the first night. Madelyn was able to be in our room from the very beginning. I was unable to get up for several hours due to the spinal block and did not see Jackson until about 11:30 Monday night. I was able to hold him for about 3 minutes. The next morning he had a chest x-ray which turned out clear. The doctor wanted him monitored through his first bottle on Tuesday morning- to make sure that his O2 stats stayed in the 90s and his breaths didn't increase. The step up nurse didn't want to send him back to our room and wanted to keep monitoring him, although everything was going good. I talked her into to bringing him in to meet Evy when she came from school Tuesday about 11:30am. She brought him in on a "trial" basis and eventually they determined that he was fine and he was able to join his sister in our room. Since joining his Madelyn, he is perfect They enjoy sleeping closely to each other and touching. I really have enjoyed being a mom of twins. Sometimes it is a little difficult when they are both wanting to be fed or changed.