October Update

We have had many developments and changes on our journey through life this month. Aaron had a vision evaluation in our home yesterday. He obviously tracked toys horizontally, vertically, and circularly. We are very encouraged. A month ago, he was not tracking. We are still waiting on his custom glasses. Hopefully they will come in soon, so check back for pictures. Aaron is enjoying sitting up in the bumbo seat and chewing on toys. He had a neurology appointment this morning. The Neurologist indicated again that no one can know Aaron's outcome, but that he looked great for all that he has gone through.

Hannah is adjusting more and more to having the boys in her life everyday. She has begun to try to interact with James. She was even trying to discipline him yesterday. Life with the twins is still an adjustment for her. We are daily tweaking how to balance taking care of the boys who have become infants, requiring more care and sleeping less, and giving Hannah the proper amount of attention.

James is doing well. He is large for one of our children and very flirty and lovable. I think he is close to 15 lbs. Aaron weighed in at 10 lbs 5oz (4 pounds since his August 10th discharge). Believe it or not the boys are almost 8 months old.

It is increasingly difficult to stay cloistered in the house, yet we are thankful the weather is finally becoming cool enough to be outside. Mart and Den (Cory's parents) found some trails to walk on nearby that offer a nice escape from the house, as well as good exercise. I spoke with our neonatologist today, she indicated that sometime in January or March we can take the boys "out". For those that don't see us this means we can not put our kids in a nursery or childcare facility of any kind nor can we have are children near children who do attend childcare. This eliminates socializing with pretty much everyone.

Thanks for dropping by. We are so thankful for God's continued work in us and our children. Thank you for you prayers, God is at work.

September Update

We have kept busy throughout the past month with primarily doctor appointments and adapting to life with three small children. We are thankful for all of the help our parents give us. Hannah is beginning to be sweet to the boys, but still misses being the center of attention. James is growing and is quite the charmer. Nicknames he has picked up are "little Hoover" (due to his desire to suck anything near his mouth and throw down a 7 oz. bottle in 5 mins), "the Magnificent" (Grandpa Middel affectionately named him), and lately "Beef cake". He really isn't THAT big in comparison to most babies, but he is our "Beefcake" baby. I think he is about 14 pounds. James is rolling over (both ways, albeit one way more than the other), smiling, and maybe even laughing. He is very friendly and loves being held. Aaron is growing. Last week I decided he is no longer a "one hander". Anyone around micro-preemies knows this means I can no longer reasonably hold him with only one hand. He is smiling and cooing. Aaron had picked up the nicknames "Wonderboy" and "tiny" (he is still pretty small, hopefully about 10 lbs).



Last week we found out that Aaron has Cortical Visual Impairment (www.blindbabies.org/factsheet_cvi.htm). It turns out his eyes "work", but his brain does not. Since he is so young his brain is changing rapidly. Cortical Visual Impairment can improve. We do think he sees some, but not well. As a result of the ROP, he is extremely nearsighted. I will be getting him glasses this week, so that we can optimize anything he may be seeing. Since eye sight is crucial to development, he will most likely be pretty delayed since his vision is impaired. Please pray that his vision is optimized and that his brain changes in his favor. At the end of the month he has a hearing test which will indicate if he is in fact "hearing" with his brain. I have no doubt he hears, but your brain processes your hearing as well. He may not be hearing as he should. I am a little anxious about this. Aaron is a very sweet little boy and nothing changes our love for him. Thank you for your prayers. All in all, we think he is doing well.

New Pictures

Settled In

We are doing rather well. Sometimes too little sleep catches up to me, but otherwise we have settled in. It is a wonder to see the boys interact. They smile and "talk" to each other. It is quite sweet.

Aaron's eyes look great. The opthamologist has marveled at how abruptly his severe ROP has cleared up. We are almost completely out of the danger zone and on to being fitted for glasses. We are thankful for such an awesome outcome. This week I anticipate Aaron will weigh over 9 pounds. James is well over 12 pounds. We are still headed to doctor appointments 2-4 a week, but that should die down soon. Aaron is catching up to James and looking more and more like himself (and James) everyday. I will post pictures later! Thanks for dropping in! Thank you for your prayers and support!

Quick Update

Enjoy the pictures. We are glad to have lots of help. Twins and a toddler is a challenging bunch! We are so thankful for our parents help. God has good timing as James did his first 9 hour sleep last night! Aaron was quite the needy baby last night; feeding 3 times, suctioning required, and a change of a pulse oximeter. Good thing Cory did not have to work today! Getting the boys together and seeing them interact and talk was AMAZING.

Thank you for your prayers!

153 Days and HOME!

Aaron came home last night! We are thrilled, tired, and trying to figure out our instant family. I will write more when I gain my footing. I will probably post pictures before I write again.

I wanted to share with you a song I sing to Aaron frequently.

Jesus, Lover of my Soul
Jesus, Lover of my soul all consuming fire is in your gaze. No one else in history is like you and history itself belongs to you. Alpha and Omega you have loved me and I will share eternity will you.

It is all about you Jesus and all this is for you, for your glory and your fame. It's not about me, as if you should do things my way, you alone are God and I surrender, to your ways

Awake and hungry

The surgery was successful. Aaron was extubated (off of the vent) before leaving the OR! I feed him once he was set back up in the NICU. He is doing well. I will write more later!! Thank you all for your prayers!