Well, we made it through the week on our own. It was long, but I know it can be done. The babies had a couple of rough nights, then they did a little better. I think I even got them a little on "mommy schedule" as Chris would say by the end of the week. Julian had a busy week at school. He is mister social. I don't know if he likes going to learn or just to talk to other kids. He keeps getting notes home to talk less to his friends. That wasn't a big surprise. He is my little talker. It is never dull while he is at home. Alex has been a little fussy this week. These teeth are taking forever to pop through. That's the only thing I can think of. He is also a lot like his brother. I found that he loves sleeping in mommy's bed. I let him fall asleep laying there and then usually carry him to his bed. Lilly is doing good. Chris actually thought she looked a little bigger when he got home this week. I don't know if it is the new medicine or what, but she is eating better and what she eats seems to be staying down. She is still eating about the same quantity, but she at least is hungry for what she is eating. That is a definate improvement. We did have a speech pathologist come to the house to evaluate her eating and she thinks she could use some assistance to get her to eat better. I will take any outside help that wants to give it to me.

Well, we have another busy week ahead of us. The babies have a follow up eye doctor appt, to make sure their eyes have developed appropriately. Sometimes, preemies have eye problems due to the prematurity or as in Alex's case, severe lung disease and needing oxygenation on ventilator. Hopefully they will say they are good and no more f/u is needed. Lilly also has other appt with the speech pathologist about her eating.

"God sends children to enlarge our hearts and to make us unselfish and full of kindly sympathies and affections."

Lillian at 6 months old:

Weight: 10 lb 7 oz. ( mommy deserves points for every oz, it sure has been work for that)

She loves to smile and laugh and is a little more independent than older brother Alex. she does let you know when she thinks it is her turn though. She tends to have a little attitude when she needs to be heard. She is a mover and shaker at her little 10 lbs. She rolls over and I bet in no time will be crawling. Being little doesn't mean she's behind.
Alexander 6 months old:

Weight 15 lbs

Alex loves his bottles and we are starting to learn how to eat solids. He loves to be held, and is such a cuddler. He loves to be around mommy, daddy, Julian and Lillian. He's very affectionate. He still sleeps poorly at night. He is just like Julian when Julian was a baby. We'll get there one day.

alex and Lilly playing with each other. Alex is at a disadvantage since Lilly is more mobile than he is. She was wall over him.
Alex eating applesauce.
Lilly getting a taste of apple sauce. I don't know if she like it or not. I don't know how much she actually ate or spit out.
Yes, Mom he still looks like a red head.
Julian after school playing with his animals and cars. I think he really might be an animal scientist as he says.
Lillian in her cute outfit Aunt Jess bought her.

Well, today is the first day Chris is gone on his marathon travel. It was a great day until about 6 pm. I don't know what is wrong with Alex. I am assuming he is teething again, but it was a rough evening. He just cried and cried. Every time I would get him asleep and lay him down, about 30 sec later he was crying again. Poor Lilly had to wait about 1 hr past time to get to eat. I know she probably didn't care, but I did. I gave Alex everything I could think of to make him feel better, tylenol, teething tablets, oragel, and pepcid and mylanta(just in case it was reflux). You know me, there is a drug for everything, and the babies are no exemption to that. Thank goodness I have Julian when Chris is gone. He really is a big help. He will try to entertain the babies or fetch things for me. He also gives me someone to talk to. He may not like to talk to family on the phone, but he sure does talk in person. He even keeps getting weekly reports from school that he needs not to talk too much to his friends. He had another soccer game yesterday. He is so cute to watch. He loves the socialization part more than the actual sport of it. But he hangs in there, and chases after the ball. Have to admit he does run just like his mother. My family will get a kick out of that. Hopefully Alex cried so much earlier, that he wore himself out for tonight. I could use a little sleep tonight. (Not that I sleep great with Chris out of town)

Yesterday, Lilly had her regular follow up at the ped GI doctor. She as usually has gained the exact same 14.3 gm/day since her last visit. It's really impressive, that no matter what changes we do, she gains the exact same amt of weight. She has continued to grow, we haven't started to "catch up" weight from being so small at birth, but she stated she's doing just enough to get by. Like she's treading water. Doing enough to stay afloat. Now we are going to try an appetite stimulant. Don't we all wish that was our problem. She also ordered some blood work and a head u/s to make sure we aren't missing something for the poor weight gain. As I was there with her, and thinking of what things could have been like, all the problems preemies can develop, I'm extremely lucky that this is the only thing we have to deal with. We didn't even think she was going to make it until we could deliver her, and now the only problem she has is that she is small. I would say that is pretty good for the baby I was told wouldn't make it and I needed to think about the other baby I was carrying. I am blessed that my preemies are doing pretty good, considering what the other problems could have been. So, we will try this other med and see how it works and keep doing what we are doing. I know it isn't her fault, I just want her to grow and be healthy. It does get very frustrating though when she doesn't want to eat. Alex continues to do well. He eats like a horse compared to Lilly. He is so cute and smiling all the time. He has filled out and loves being around Julian and Lilly. It always gives him a smile. Hopefully he will always feel like that. Julian is doing good in school. We had his open house the other night and he was so excited to show me around. All the teachers seem to love him and they all know him, even the librarian. The art teacher told me she loves sitting beside him and listening to his stories. He is such a good boy. We are enjoying a nice weekend together before Chris leaves this week for a trip. It's just going to be the 4 of us. Pray we all survive. I am getting used to being alone with all the kids. For the most part it is very manageable. Once everyone sleeps better at night, it will be a breeze.

Just read a posting from a girl that had 25 wks twins and all the struggles they are going through right now. Their boy's have been touch and go for the past couple of days. It truly makes me thankful for my babies and how lucky I am my babies are growing and thriving. We have some little issues, but when I think of what could have been, I am so thankful. I was determined to keep the babies in until 32 wks and we did. Everyday inside was a blessing. Little Lilly was meant to be here, I can't wait to see what she becomes. And Little Alex was dealt a rough start, but he is such a little fighter and shows great strength. My family is now complete. I pray that julian, Alex, and Lilly will grow up together and have a great bond and affection toward each other and that they will always be there for each other. I always wanted Julian to have a sibling and now he will have 2. Family is so important to Chris and I, and I am glad my children will always have each other to lean on. That is, I guess, a mother's greatest wish that she will raise children that will love each other and be strong for each other in time of need.

pictures

Julian's first soccer game
Lillian
Alexander

stanford family

I'm really going to try to post what's going on with our family on a regular basis. I always say I'm going to start and life gets busy and this stuff gets left on the back burner.

We are still getting settled into our house in PA. It definately isn't South Carolina. I am used to having great neighbors that love being outside with everyone, and that's not the way it is here. I'm lucky to just meet the neighbors here. Julian has an open house at his new school tonight so we can meet the teacher. I've already gotten a report saying we need to practice not talking to our neighbors so much during class. I was wondering how long it would take Julian to get in trouble for talking too much. Don't think he picked that trait up from his dad.

Lilly and Alex are doing good. Everyone still getting over a cold. I think that's going to be the story of our winter. Alex eats like a horse and Lilly eats like an ant, but other than that they are doing great. Early intervention was here the other day and said developmentally they were great and didn't qualify for any additional resources. Good news for them that they are progressing as they should.