I WANNA ROCK!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The girls are the lucky recipients of some great toys (and also a ton of clothes) from their older twin cousins, Amelia & Greta.  After watching Addison attempt to ride her turtle pillow pet this evening, I thought it would be a great time to bring out these toys.  Previous attempts did not go so well.  They had a great time.  Addison said "rock rock rock" at least a thousand times this evening!

I was even able to get the girls to slow down for a few seconds to pose for a couple of pictures! I'm really loving this age.  The girls surprise me every day with something new.

The Future???

I was listening to some random talk radio show on my way home from work the other night.  The dj was discussing how so many people live in the past and don't focus on the future.  It got me thinking.  I do this almost everyday.  I think about how my girls entered this world early and I focus on the past so much that sometimes it becomes an obsession.  One of my biggest goals in 2011 is to become more relaxed and live in the moment.  I'm really working on this, I really am!!  The dj goes on to discuss the future and what things will become obsolete in the future.  He talks about how children today will never know the following things:

Phonebooks, encyclopedias, paper checks, dial-up Internet, pay phones, disposable or 35mm cameras, floppy disks, land line telephones, vcr's, newspapers/print media, cd/cassette players, movie rental stores, answering machines, handwritten letters, drive-in movie theatres, maps.

This was a small portion of the lists that they were discussing.  One of the things that kind of surprised me was that he said Facebook would be out of commission within five years.  I'm not sure why this shocked me but it did.  So a few nights ago, during one of my insomnia moments, I started looking back at all my old Facebook postings.  Yes, I know that this doesn't really go along with my goal of moving out of the past but sometimes in order to live in the future, you must relive the past to move on.  I went back almost two years and read my updates back to the day Addison and Alexis were born.  Man, talk about a good cry!!

Seeing as how they say that Facebook is going to be obsolete, I want to document these moments for future reference.  Notice I said "future"?  I want my girls to know how much they were/are loved and cared for and how people around the world were praying and supporting them.  I won't share every comment from every person, because this blog post would be a million pages long, but I do want to document my updates.  So here we go!!  We shall begin on Easter Day 2009.....

***is spending Easter in the hospital with her hubby.  My water broke this morning and we are trying to keep these girls inside for as long as possible.  I'm not due for another three months.  PRAYERS APPRECIATED!!! --April 12, 2009 @ 4:22pm

***is still in the hospital.  Trying to get two rounds of steroids in before we decide what our next step is.  I'm hanging in and appreciate every one's kind words and prayers.  The babies aren't supposed to be here for a few more months.  --April 12, 2009 @ 8:33pm

***had two baby girls around 3:30a..m. this Monday Morning!!  --April 13, 2009 @ 6:48am

***has two new baby girls that are feisty and holding strong.  No news is good news right?  We will know a lot more in 48 hours.  Thanks for every one's prayers.  Keep 'em coming!!! --April 13, 2009 @ 6:34pm

***the girls are holding their own.  Brain scans tomorrow a.m. & if all goes well Addison may have her breathing tube removed.  Keep up the prayers, they are working!!  God is Great! --April 14, 2009 @ 8:04pm

***is numb.  Trying to stay positive but it's SO hard.  All I can do is pray.  I feel so helpless!!  --April 15, 2009 @ 11:46am

***was just pee'd on by her daughter Alexis.  How can something so normal mean so much?  Both girls are still in critical condition in the NICU and need your prayers.  Miracles happen right?  --April 15, 2009 @ 8:06pm

***Faith makes things possible, Not Easy!!  Thank you all for all your prayers and support.  Please keep them coming!  Everyday is a blessing from God!!  -- April 16, 2009 @ 2:55pm

***leaving the hospital without my two miracles.  It feels like someone is stabbing me in the heart with a knife over and over again.  Trying to be strong.....  --April 16, 2009 @ 6:21pm

***is asking for extra prayers today!  They are going to try and take my baby girl Addison off her breathing tube today and put her on c-pap.  Keep your fingers crossed!  --April 19, 2009 @ 12:38pm

***has two feisty little girls who are both breathing without the help of respirators!!!  Both babes now on c-pap!!!  Prayers are slowly being answered one by one!!!  --April 19, 2009 @ 5:23pm

***is hoping and praying that the weather is the only yucky thing I have to deal with today!  Praying for some good news!  --April 20, 2009 @ 8:13am

***is wishing my baby girls, Addison and Alexis, a happy "one week" birthday!!!  Too bad they aren't home to celebrate.  --April 20, 2009 @ 9:18pm

***has officially removed the word "why" from her vocabulary.  --April 21, 2009 @ 9:25am

***is the happiest I have EVER been!!!  I just got to hold both my girls for the first time!!!  --April 23, 2009 @ 6:38pm

***is driving to the hospital to see her girls with the sunroof open.  What a beautiful day!  Praying for more good news.  Trying to stay positive!  --April 24, 2009 @ 1:42pm

***is struggling!!!  --April 25, 2009 @ 10:59am

***is once again irritated by people who complain about trivial things.  When you think your life is bad, look around, count your blessings and be grateful for all God has given you!!!  There is always someone worse off than you!  --April 26, 2009 @ 9:53am

***just to clarify, before you decided to have a pity party for yourself, take a look around and count your blessings!  It's the only way I make it through the day lately.  A positive attitude is a lot easier said that done, but it sure helps alot!!  --April 26, 2009 @ 4:53pm

***I'm usually up and at the hospital by 10.  It's almost noon and I just got out of the shower.  I'm pretty sure I'd lose my head right now if it wasn't attached!  --April 27, 2009 @ 11:49am

***Please check the blog for updates on the babies.  Please don't be angry if we don't return your call, text or emails.  We spend 85% of the day in the hospital where phones are not allowed.  The other 15% of the time we are trying to figure out how to function.  Don't judge, be supportive please!!  --April 27, 2009 @ 7:02 pm

***is trying to relax.  That's what everyone keeps telling me I "need" to do.  It's not really working.  --April 27th, @ 11:59pm

***is thinking....current life situation + allergies = I should buy stock in Kleenex.  --April 28, 2009 @ 10:13an

***has not been very fond of Mondays lately, but I'm hoping and praying we get some good news from the doctors today!!  Fingers crossed and praying!!!  --May 4, 2009 @ 9:07am

***is hoping today goes as planned.  Today could be another major milestone in my little girls lives.  --May 6, 2009 @ 10:00am

***loves listening to her hubby talk to our girls.  It's so sweet and their reactions are priceless.  I thank God everyday for our two little miracles.  --May 6, 2009 @ 4:12pm

***is on a mission to find clothes (not onesies) for her daughter's one month pictures and the first time they will actually be allowed to wear clothes! GRRR!!!  You would think a store designed specifically for babies (babies 'r us) would sell preemie clothes???  --May 8, 2009 @ 6:28pm

***can't believe everything that all the doctors and nurses in the n.i.c.u. are doing to try and make my first mother's day so special.  Everyone has been so great to us!  --May 9, 2009 @9:33am

***has used about a half a box of kleenex already today and it's only 1:00.  --May 10, 2009 @ 12:54pm

***is not fond of the metric system or military time.  I'm sure there is a good reason why hospitals have to make things more difficult than they really are?  --May 11, 2009 @ 6:39pm

***is looking forward to getting out of the hospital and going to bible study group for the first time in months.  --May 12, 2009 @ 4:34pm

***wishes she had a magic wand.  --May 13, 2009 @ 8:21am

***is having a good week and hopes it continues.  --May 13, 2009 @ 9:44pm

***is off to the hospital to give the girls their first bath and put them in real clothes.  They are officially off their warmers and can wear real clothes now.  YEAH!!!  --May 14, 2009 @ 11:52am

***is playing the hand she was dealt.  --May 17, 2009 @ 8:33pm

***is looking forward to a much needed date night with the hubby tomorrow....Elton John and Billy Joel concert.  Should be a great time and we can totally use the escape for awhile!!!  --May 18, 2009 @ 9:18am

***is having a fabulous day!!!  The sun is shining and both of my girls got excellent reports from the doctor today.  GOD IS GREAT!!!  --May 18th, 2009 @ 3:53pm

***is driving to see the girls and was singing my face off to some old school Dave Matthews until I realized that a car full of teenage boys were laughing hysterically at me.  --May 21, 2009 @1:32pm

***got to hold both my girls at the same time today for the very first time.  VERY COOL!!!  (pics to come soon!  just waiting on Aunt Sandy to send them to me!!)  --May 23, 2009 @ 10:38pm

***is off to see the girlies....officially six weeks old today.  Man how time flies!!!  --May 25, 2009 @ 11:06am

***is researching pediatricians.  Where to begin?  FUN FUN!!  --May 29, 2009 @ 12:04pm

***is feeling very blessed to have such amazing friends and family!!!  --May 29, 2009 @ 1:17pm

***is off to the car dealership to hopefully get a new family car.  Man, buying/selling cars gives me a headache!!!  --May 30, 2009 @ 12:54pm

***Is blah!  --May 31, 2009 @ 12:41pm

***finally finished the laundry and is off to see the girlies in my new car.  NOTE:  I said CAR....not mini-van.  WE now own a SUV and a 4 door car.  NO MINIVANS!!  --June 1, 2009 @ 1:06pm

***is snuggling with my girls in the nicu.  AWWW!!!  --June 1, 2009 @ 3:55pm

***is wondering how much more I can deal with before I lose it?  --June 2, 2009 @ 12:19pm

***has had a rough day but tomorrow will be better!  What doesn't kill me is definitely making me stronger!!!  --June 2, 2009 @ 11:10pm

***is not sweating the small stuff.  --June 4, 2009 @ 11:04am

***just had a disturbing conversation at the hospital with a 14 year old girl who just had triplets.  Some things in the world just aren't right!!!  ---June 6, 2009 @ 5:16pm

***is actually in bed before midnight, for the first time in 8 weeks.  Just laying here with Jynxie trying to relax....I think I've forgotten how?  --June 7, 2009 @ 10:06pm

***if all goes well (fingers crossed) Alexis should be home by the end of the week and Addison by the end of next week!!!  Keep praying!!!  We want them home soon!!  --June 8, 2009 @ 8:54pm

***I KNEW IT!  I JUST KNEW I WAS GONNA CURSE HER!!  WHY DID I HAVE TO OPEN MY BIG MOUTH???  CRY!  %$^@*))@&!+-+!!!!!  --June 9, 2009 @ 12:45pm

***is teary eyed.  :-(  --June 9, 2009 @ 9:39pm

***my house looks like baby land central.  It's just missing two major things....Addison & Alexis.  Insert sad face here!!!  --June 10, 2009 @ 11:33am

***Yes!  Yes, I am having a pity party.  If you'd been through half the stuff I'm dealing with right now, you would crack too!  If you don't like my status updates then stop reading them!!!  --June 10, 2009 @ 5:16pm

***where is my brain??  If you've seen it, let me know!  I've definitely lost my mind!!!  --June 10, 2009 @ 8:35 pm

***Faith makes things possible.....NOT EASY!!!  --June 14, 2009 @ 10:25pm

***is very nervous!  --June 15, 2009 @ 8:34am

***is bummed once again.  This week is not starting out very well.  --June 15, 2009 @ 8:58pm

***WHAT ELSE???  Seriously are you freaking kidding me?  Whatever it is that I have done to deserve all of this I truly am sorry!!!  --June 16, 2009 3:39pm

***two babies in the NICU costs over a half million dollars for just ONE day!!!  Really??  This is exactly what is wrong with our health care system!!!  ---June 17, 2009 @ 9:53pm

***has a nervous knot in her stomach.  I can't eat or sleep once again.  --June 19, 2009 @ 12:40pm

***I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!  I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!  --June 20, 2009 @ 11:08am

***ALEXIS IS HOME!!!  One kid down....one to go!!!  it was kinda bittersweet leaving Addison behind but we are glad to have Lex home!  --June 20, 2009 @ 9:45pm

***has never been so happy to be exhausted and functioning on no sleep!  It's just the start and I couldn't be more elated!  --June 21, 2009 @ 11:48am

***GOD IS GREAT!!!  ENOUGH SAID!!!  --June 22, 2009 @ 12:55pm

***has already accomplished more by 10am this morning than I usually do in an entire day.  (happy sigh).....the joys of motherhood!  --June 23, 2009 @9:46am

***is taking one kiddo to see the other kiddo.  --June 24, 2009 @ 11:50am

***is sitting on the deck enjoying a muggy evening, but the moon looks really cool tonight.  I have learned in the last few months to appreciate everything God provide for us....and tonight the beautiful evening at home with my daughter is it!  --June 24, 2009 @ 10:34pm

***ok, so now I officially have two car seats installed in my car.  Here's hoping we get to put baby #1 in car seat #2 tomorrow!!!  Fingers crossed!!!  Say a prayer....whatever we want her home!!!  --June 25, 2009 @ 7:14pm

***trying to get myself and daughter #2 (Alexis) ready to go break free daughter #1 (Addison)!!!!--June 26, 2009 @ 11:47am

***driving home from the hospital for the last time with BOTH MY GIRLS IN THE CAR!!!  GOD TRULY IS GREAT!!!  Thank you to everyone for their continue support and prayers for our angels!!!  --June 26, 2009 @ 3:38pm

Ok, so if you have made it to the end of this, I'm very impressed!  Probably my longest blog post ever.  But truly sometimes you have to look back to see how lucky and blessed you are to have made it to today!!!

I leave you with one final thought.....My latest Facebook status:

"just went back and read all my FB status updates since my girls were born.  I was literally moved to tears reading every one's comments and wall posts during our NICU months.  God truly is great and what a great reminder of his handy work through my kids!!!  We've come so far and God can be the only explanation why!!  --January 13, 2011

21 Months!

Man on man how time flies!  It seriously seems like just yesterday we were outside trick or treating with the girls and now we are just a mere three short months away from their second birthdays.  The girls have come so far and it's time for another update.  I just realized that I missed doing updates for nineteen and twenty months.  Oops!  I will add more pictures soon!


Addison

• Height & Weight???  Not sure....thankfully we have not had to make an appearance at the pediatricians office since their 18 month checkup.  I did attempt to weigh the girls on my "grown up" scale the other evening.  I'm guessing she is about 21 or 22 or so pounds.  I have no clue on the height, but she definitely has sprouted up recently.
• Currently still uses Size 4 diapers (Costco Brand)
• Generally wears 18 month clothes.  Ok, this one is tricky.  She wears a 24 month top & 18 month pants.  Addison has a longer torso, but a skinny little butt and shorter legs.
• Size 5 shoe
• Has a billion teeth and seems like she is getting more and more everyday.  I've lost count & I'm not sticking my hand in her mouth to find out anymore.
• Still loves Barney and Elmo.  New to the list is Big Bird & Cookie Monster.
• Is a Chatty Kathy!!  Talks like crazy and will repeat everything you say.
• Gives the best hugs ever!!!  If you ask her for a hug and hold your arms out, she will come running and squeeze you as tight as she can with her little arms.
• Loves to read books.  I can't say that she really has a favorite toy anymore because they are constantly into everything and don't stay content with one thing for too long.
• Starting to count.  She gets one, two & three without help.  The other night I counted to four and she screamed five.  Also, kinda into the alphabet.  She will since along with you kinda.  But she constantly says "E, F, G" whenever she watches Sesame Street.  I'm not sure what happened to A, B, C & D?

Alexis

• Height and Weight??  Again not sure on this.  According to our "grown up" scale she is 23 or 24 pounds.  She also has sprouted up in the height area.  She is just a teeny tiny tad bit shorter than Addison but not much.
• Currently also wears a Size 4 Diaper, but next time we go to Costco she is bumping up to a Size 5.  Baby got back!  :-)
• Generally wears 18 month clothes.  Again this one is tricky.  Alexis has a shorter torso and longer legs.  She wears 18 month tops and 24 month pants.  She has a bigger tushy & chubbier little legs.  (I never thought I would use the word chubby to describe my tiny little preemie daughters! I love it!!)
• Also has a billion gazillion teeth and getting more everyday.  She seems to be a little more crabby with the teething issue.  She's been waking up in the middle of the night and always has her fingers in her mouth.
• Still loves Barney & Elmo.  Likes Big Bird.  Loves Dogs, She can spot a dog a million miles away.  I was clipping coupons out of the Sunday paper and she found a coupon for dog food.  She carried that piece of newspaper around with her for an hour saying "dog, dog, dog, dog".
• Still has her obsession for Santa Claus.  Anytime she sees anyone with a beard she says "ho ho ho".  We still watch Barney's Christmas on a regular basis.  (I wish that dvd would break!!)  I was in the pantry getting something the other day and she started screaming ho, ho, ho.  I couldn't figure out what she was talking about.  I asked her to show me.  She pointed to Chef Boyardee on a can of ravioli.  He has a beard, so it seems only logical that he is Santa too.  Right?
• Still doesn't talk as much as Addison.  She's very curious and into everything.  She just doesn't talk about it much.  Seriously, this girl is part monkey.  If she can climb on it she will!
• Gives the sweetest kisses you will ever get!!  Unlike her sister she won't give you a hug, but if you ask for a kiss, she is right there puckered up.  And she will even come give you a kiss for no reason.  Melts my heart every time I get a kiss out of the blue!
• Likes to read as well, but won't sit still for as long.  This kid has massive amounts of energy!
• Kinda counts as well.  She says one, two.  But that's as far as she goes right now.  Which is perfectly fine.  She will sing the alphabet with us, but she isn't really saying anything just humming the melody.

Mark your calendars!!

Saturday, May 7th, 2011 is our annual March of Dimes March For Babies. 

We ask all of you to join us in walking to help make sure that no family has to endure what we went through.  Please mark your calendars and plan on joining us.  We would love you to be part of our team.  Please visit our personal March of Dimes page HERE to join us or to donate.  Even a $1 donation would be appreciated!  No amount is too small.

I will be sending more information out via email, but I just wanted to get this date on your calendars.

Christmas 2010 & New Years

I can't believe that the first week of January is almost complete and I'm just now getting around to posting about Christmas.  It really truly seems that since the girls came home from the NICU that the days are shorter and that time is flying by quicker than ever!

Since the holiday fell on Saturday this year, I was lucky enough to have Friday, Christmas Eve off work.  Terry and I decided that it had been WAY TOO LONG since we had a date night.  Our last date night was when we were at my parents for Thanksgiving.  So Thursday evening, we hired a babysitter and decided to go check out a movie.  The last time we saw a movie together, in a theatre, was when I was still pregnant with the girls.  We saw Four Christmases in Chicago on Thanksgiving weekend in 2008.  One of our first dates was seeing Meet the Parents.  We've always loved that series of movies, and heck our cat, Jynxie is even named based on the movie.  When we heard there was another sequel, Little Fockers, we couldn't wait to go see it.  Sadly the movie didn't quite live up to our expectations and definitely was not as funny as the previous two, but it was so nice just to spend some time alone on an actual "date".  Focusing on having regular "dates" is part of our 2011 resolutions. 

We spent an amazing Christmas day with Terry's family here in Indianapolis this year.  The girls didn't really know what to think about all their gifts and seriously had no interest in opening them.  They were more interested in checking out their cousins and what they were doing.  I think each girl opened one of their presents and then they were off and running, literally!  Lately the girls are more active than ever and don't stay in one place for too long.  The girls received a bunch of amazing gifts that we are slowly rationing to help get us through these long, cold winter months where we are stuck indoors. 

Sadly I didn't take as many pictures on Christmas as I would have liked.  I would like to believe that I'm busy "living in the moment" but the truth is that I honestly just don't think about it.  I look back and regret that I don't have more "everyday" pictures of the girls.  This is another part of our 2011 resolutions....take more pictures!!  Here are the ones that we did take:

The above two pictures are all the presents.  This picture doesn't really show how high the pile was or show how beautiful the Christmas tree was.

The above two pictures are Alexis playing with the stuffed panda.  Again, she didn't really have any desire to open her gifts she just wanted to pull stuff off the shelves and knock all of Grandma's pictures off the table.

I love this smile!  Ignore the red eye. 

Addison and her obsession with remote controls. 

After opening several of the girls gifts myself, I started sticking the bows on Addison's head.  I think she had four on her head before she wouldn't let me do it anymore.  (notice the remote still in her hand)

Again with the remote.  Don't you just wanna squeeze her?

Oh and the climbing....I seriously think that they girls are part monkey.  Everything they can climb on they do!  They spent a good part of the day climbing these stairs.  (see the remote?)

Alexis having fun with Uncle Keith.  Uncle K was tickling her.

On to our New Year's....

  Once upon a time we used to host the biggest New Year's Eve parties.  Man how things have changed!!!  Terry and I decided that we were going to have a low key NYE since we weren't sure that either of us were going to be able to stay awake until midnight.  We did want to do something a little special to celebrate making it through another year, but we couldn't justify paying tons of money to go out.   We chilled out and watched a few movies, made chili cheese dip, and ordered some of our favorite comfort foods from Chicago.  One of Terry's favorites is Portillo's beef & one of my fav's is pizza from Lou Malnati's....both popular Chicago meals.  We found a website that will ship both all around the world.  So we basically lounged around, ate some great food and were in bed by eleven.  What happened to those days where we could stay out until 2:00a.m. and then get up at 6:00a.m. to go to work?  I guess this is what it feels like to get old?

We hope you and your family had a fantastic Holiday and we wish you a safe, happy and healthy 2011!!

Professional Pics....

A few weeks before Christmas I realized that I didn't have any "acceptable" pictures of the girls for our Christmas cards.  I frantically called around to see if I could get an appointment with a portrait studio that would fit with our schedule.  An appointment after nap time, but before dinner would be great.  Something when the girls would be in a good mood and wouldn't be terrorizing everyone and everything in the studio.  Somehow I thought that I would magically be able to schedule an appointment whenever I felt like it.  NOPE!  Not two weeks before Christmas!  I really should have known better, but this year time seems to be passing so quickly that I didn't even think about it.  So, I called up Zach (visit his website HERE).  Zach took the girls newborn pictures, albeit they were 3 months old when he took them, but they were the first professional pictures we had done when they came home from the NICU. 

I happened to have this Friday off work.  Just like any working Momma.....you try to cram everything you possibly can into the one random day off you get every so often.  I had a doctor's appointment for myself.  The girls had eye exams, which went spectacular by the way!!  They have been officially released from the preemie eye doctor!  YEAH!!! And I had about a million other errands that I needed to get done that day.  I totally spaced that Zach was coming over to our house to take pictures.  YIKES!  I frantically ran around trying to get myself and two little ones dressed.  Terry shockingly takes longer to get ready than it takes me to get myself and the girls ready.  All and all the pictures turned out great.  Here are my favorites.....Ignore the fact the girls still have really dilated pupils in most of the pictures.  I love some of the candid ones the best!!

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!!

Stay tuned for my Christmas post.  I promise to get to it soon.  Right now I just feel like I need a little down time to catch my breath!  Hope your Christmas was great & your 2011 is even better!

HO HO HO!!!

We attended breakfast with Santa this weekend with Terry's family.  I completely expected that the girls would be super afraid of the Jolly Man this year but that wasn't the case.  They wouldn't smile for me, but there were no tears either, so I was happy with our pictures.  Alexis even said "HO HO HO" to Santa when we saw him in the store.  Both girls exclaim "ho ho ho" whenever they see anything with Santa on it lately.  I'm totally loving the holiday season this year with my munchkins.  I'm finding it more difficult to chase two toddlers, carry a diaper bag and still take quality pictures.  But, here is what we got:

Alexis too busy coloring to look at the camera.  Future Artist?? 



Addison also determined not to look at the camera.  I think she just spotted Santa!

I love the look Alexis is giving Santa.

Alexis is done with Santa at this point.

There was a very cool fish tank inside the store that Alexis was mesmerized with.

Love this picture!

Away in a Manger.......

Anyone notice anything strange about this picture?

Somehow Elmo keeps finding his way into our manger scene.  Who knew that Elmo was a vital part of the nativity??  Not me!!



Thankful....

Better late than never with my Thanksgiving post right?  Actually, I have an explanation as to why I'm not posting it until now.  I didn't really feel comfortable with posting on the internet that we would be out of town and that our house would be empty for intruders to easily access.  Yep, that's right.....we were brave enough to embark on our first official road trip with the munchkins.

We decided that it was time for us to make the journey to visit our family out in the St. Louis area.  After two weeks of pre-planning and packing up just about everything but the kitchen sink, we were ready to roll.  We left Thanksgiving day, promptly at nap time, with hopes that the girls would sleep in the car.  Once again, I seriously stressed about the girls being able to contain their little wiggle-worm bodies in their car seats for four plus hours.  And once again, my kiddos surprised me with their amazing resilience and ability to adapt to different surroundings.  About forty five minutes into our trip this was my kiddos....

Sadly these are the only two pictures that I took our entire trip :-(

They slept very well for a little over an hour.  Then it was Barney time.  As much as I despise Barney, he saved us on this drive.  Prior to our trip, we installed a dual screen dvd player in the SUV.  The girls were pretty excited to be able to watch Barney & Elmo in the car.  All but the last twenty minutes of the trip the girls were fairly content. 

Once arriving at Grandma & Grandpa's house the girls were in heaven.  They couldn't decide what toys to play with first, or what picture to rip off the shelf first.  The girls were excited to have free roam of the house and to be free to explore their new surroundings.  Again, I seriously stressed about whether or not the girls would sleep well away from home.  They have never spent the night anywhere except in their own cribs.  And as I should know by now....they amazed me with their adaptability.  Both girls went right to bed every night.  Alexis would cry for all of thirty seconds before going to sleep.

Now the trip home.....UGH, where to begin.  Let's just say the trip home didn't go quite as well.  We tried to follow the same routine that we did on the way to St. Louis, with hopes that the girls would take a nap in the car.  About twenty minutes after we left Grandma's house, Addison started vomiting in the car.  I told Terry to pull over, thinking that I could just clean her up and we would be on our way.  Nope, not so much!  As soon as we stopped Alexis started gagging and throwing up everywhere as well.  I'm not talking just a little vomit.  I'm talking serious projectile vomit covering every inch of their clothes, their car seat, their hair, the seat of the car, etc.  At that point we decided to turn around and head back to Grandma & Grandpa's house.  I gave Terry the option of either (A) Taking the girls into the house, stripping them of their vomit soaked clothes and giving them a bath or (B) cleaning up the car and the girls car seats.  To my surprise, he chose B.  So, long story short, after about an hour and a half delay cleaning the girls, the car and ourselves, we got back on the road.  The girls almost instantly fell asleep and took a great nap.

After nap time, the girls once again showed their excitement to be watching movies in the car.  My crazy sister Paula, was out early on black Friday (no thank you!) trying to score some deals.  She picked up a few dvd movies for the girls, including Beethoven.  The girls seriously were in love.  For about an hour or so, all we heard from the front seat was.....dog, dog, DOG, big dog, and DOOOOG!  All but the last forty five minutes of the drive they were pretty content.  I had to get pretty creative with some of my singing, and tossing of stuffed animals, and pretty much just acting like an idiot to keep them entertained.

After arriving at home, we were pretty much convinced that it was just an isolated car sickness issue.  Well, that was until Alexis woke up about thirty minutes after going to bed.  I was rocking her in our chair and I could see it in her face.  Yep, I got pelted with projectile vomit.  I'm pretty proud of the fact that I saw it coming and that I was able to position her where I took the brunt of the destruction and she didn't need yet another bath. 

All and all most of our first road trip was amazing and my girls yet again continue to impress me.  I'm so thankful for those two little munchkins that I can't even put it into words.  Yes, being covered in puke is super disgusting but I'm thankful that I Addison and Alexis in my life that I wouldn't change a second of it.  They make me a better person, and I thank God everyday for blessing me with those sweet little angels.  I'm also grateful for everyone in our life who continues to support us.  Our parents and families, for constantly being there for us whenever we need them.  Terry's sister and brother in law, for continuing to feed us clothes from their adorable twin girls.  Our friends and neighbors who continue to be an amazing support system.  The mysterious Angels in our lives who randomly drop off boxes of diapers on our front porch.  Whomever you are, thank you! And everyone in our lives who has ever said a prayer or supported our family in any way.  It would be impossible to name everyone individually.  For all of you, we are thankful.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1

Prematurity Awareness Day!

I've really been struggling with writing this post today.  I'm not sure what's wrong with me, but I'm finding it difficult to rehash the past and explain why prematurity awareness is so near and dear to my heart.  I went back and re-read my post from last year.  Those pictures (also shown below) break my heart and remind me how truly lucky my family is.  I owe everything that I am to the nurses, doctors, the March of Dimes, and everyone else who had a hand in caring for my precious little preemies.

Today is Prematurity Awareness Day. 

A half a million babies will be born premature in the United States this year. Some of them can be prevented through quality prenatal care. Other births, like Addison and Alexis', are sudden and unexpected. The March of Dimes is leading the fight for prevention and to find answers as to why.

I’ll never know exactly why, which is something I struggle with from time to time. I always wonder if there was something I could have done differently. And there are times when Addison or Alexis are having moments, and I wonder if this is just their personality or if this is their “preemie” coming through, and making me take notice. Whatever it is, I always notice.  That "preemie mom anxiety" is something that never goes away.  At least it hasn't for me yet? 

Addison---day 3 still fighting for every breath.

Alexis---day 4  (notice the safety pin? Kinda puts the whole size thing into proportion)

I can’t change the fact that my girls were born premature. What I can do is tell their story, and revel in their development. I can support the March of Dimes and their mission: to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  I invite you to join me to support all the tiny miracles. Help make sure that ALL the tiny miracle babies and their parents can call themselves survivors.

We will be participating in the March of Dimes Walk again next year.  I should have the exact date soon.  Once I do, I will pass that along to everyone who wishes to walk on our team or to help with a donation.

I am just one of hundreds of bloggers that is taking time today to help raise awareness about this important cause. Bloggers Unite!

Still teary eyed....

Every fertility shot...

Every day of bed rest...

Every financial hardship...

Every hour spent in the NICU...

Every tear shed...

Every ounce of pain...

It's all been worth it to see my two little miracles blowing me kisses this morning and to hear Addison say

"LOVE YOU"

for the first time, as I was leaving for work this morning.

I'm still fighting back the tears as I think back to those days where we were told that my beautiful baby girl would never leave the hospital.  Everyday I look at my girls and still can't believe how far they have come.  Days like today make me appreciate how far we've come even more. 
God is truly great and has blessed us beyond words.

REVISION: I'm not saying that every day with my girls isn't worth every ounce of heartache that we went through, but days like today melt my heart more than words can say!

PSALM 16:11

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

HALLOWEEN 2010

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the girls from Halloween.  They had a blast trick or treating this year.  A big thanks to my friend Sherri for helping us chase the girls around the neighborhood.  Without her, these pictures would not be possible!  In hindsight, we should have put the girls in their wagon and pulled them around the neighborhood.  Oh well, next year we will be better prepared! 

We attended a small Halloween gathering the Friday before Halloween.  As you can see, Lex was not happy about having her picture taken that day.

My little duckling.  Love those big brown eyes!

Checking out the other people in costume.

Alexis was very intrigued by the costumes.

Alexis running away from us on Halloween night.  She really could have cared less about the blow up pumpkin in one of our neighbors yard.

Addison, my sweet little bug.

Addison checking out all of Trina's candy.

Addison Grace...don't you just wanna squeeze her?

Round 1...not quite sure what to think about the costume.

An attempt to get both girls in one picture.  Didn't work too well!

The best group shot we could get at the party.

Another attempt to get a family picture on Halloween night.  This was the best we could do.