Two Therapists

Dearest Blessings~

So, this morning we had a 1:45am feeding and a 4:45am feeding.  Daddy changed Grace's diaper both times, so it was nice to get some help.  Especially since we went to bed around 11pm last night.  :-P  I forgot to tell you all, but I was so tired last friday that I actually put the wrong diaper on Grace!  I changed her and then grabbed one of Joshua's diapers!  So, for a few hours you two were in the same size diaper!  Joshua wears a size 3, so it was pretty big on Grace (who wears a size 2).  ;-)

Joshua, you were so cute this morning.  You kept hugging me after breakfast so I cuddled with you until I needed to feed Grace.  You were so sweet and I enjoyed that time together.  :-)

Once we were all fed, we headed over to Joshua's appointments.  We saw Michelle (the occupational therapist) and Kim (the speech therapist).  Michelle was very nice.  She did an initial evaluation with a sensory profile.  She recommends weekly appointments (as was expected), so we now have 10:15am OT appointments and then 11am ST appointments right after every tuesday.  We're going to have busy tuesdays!

Michelle had you play in a container of dry rice and beans, stack blocks, tested your fine motor skills, your balance on a big swing and trampoline .... you were hesitant about some of the things, but overall you did pretty well.  She also tested you on different textures.  Grace, you had a big poopy diaper while we were in Michelle's room .... good thing I had a change of clothes for you!  Also, I ran some laundry when I got home because I had to wash part of the carseat!

Joshua, you did well for Kim!  I actually did the feeding and you ate peas for me!  You had 14 positive trials out of 17!  Plus, you did well with the open cup.  You had no spillage and took multiple sips.  You had no coughing or choking, though you did bite the cup.  ;-)  Kim assisted you with keeping your head up and with the control of the cup.

I nursed Grace once we were home.  It was after 12pm so I ate something too.  I changed Joshua's outfit since he was hot from the car.  I need to get a fan for the backseat.  It's only going to get hotter as the summer goes along.

I also got two pumps in and almost have two fresh containers of mommy milk for wednesday.  I will only need to thaw two others, but we have lots in the freezer.

Joshua, you now have a visible bruise/cut on your upper lip from last night.  But, I don't see any intraoral bruising or damage. 

I asked Joshua where things were (kept him occupied while I was pumping) in the play room.  He correctly brought me the stuffed bird, dog, and bear.  Also pointed to the door, fan, window, guitar, mandolin, tv, and pillow!  How amazing for a 30 weeker!  I'm so proud!  What a blessing you two are in our lives!  You two never cease to amaze me.  God is so good!  :-)

We made eggs, toast, bacon, and veggies for dinner.  Then, I washed Grace's head because of the cradle cap.  Your hair was so fuzzy afterward!  ;-)

We played upstairs this evening and daddy read to us before bedtime.  I head back to work tomorrow so you all will be with Penny.  I'll miss you two so much!  

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!

~Mommy

Bloody Lip

Dearest Joshua David and Grace Elizabeth~

This morning Grace and I were up at 2am bonding over a nursing session.  We then took a little break to take a nap, but were both back up again at 4:30am.  I could barely keep my eyes open.  :-P

As Grace slept in longer, I took Joshua downstairs for breakfast once he emerged.  He ate some cheerios with me which is the first time in a while! 

Joshua, you had two great therapy sessions with me today.  You almost ate an entire yogurt container between the two!  Good job little man!

We had some pest people come to our house and spray this morning.  We've noticed some 'bug' problems recently around the house.  They sprayed upstairs and downstairs.  Also, they went around the outside of the house and removed cobwebs.  I'm hoping this will help .... I hate bugs!

This afternoon we played and organized some things.  Joshua took a nap and I listened to Grace try to talk.  We also did more tummy time.  :-)

We all had leftovers for dinner.  After dinner, I got a quick third pump in (I did two this morning) and now have one whole bottle ready for wednesday for Grace!  Woo hoo!

This evening was spent in the play room.  We all played on the floor as Grace did her tummy time.  I put some CDs on in play room and we had some music and play time after dinner.  Daddy left to go play soccer.  The three of us played together and saw more fireflies out the window.  Grace and I also amused ourselves by watching Joshua try to put his toes in his mouth.  :-P

As I was nursing Grace around 9pm, Joshua fell while playing and hit his mouth and lip on a toy.  He cut his lip and started to cry and cry as it was bleeding.  I picked him up and held him to calm him.  I got blood on my shirt, which actually was daddy's shirt that I was just wearing.  :-P  Since I was in the middle of nursing Grace and had to quickly put her down, she immediately started to cry!  So, I then had two crying children .... both wanting to be held!  And, I wanted to hold them both!  I had Joshua sit next to me on the couch (once he was calm) as I picked Grace back up.  I had to clean some blood from his wrist.  I checked his teeth and there was no damage there!  Joshua eventually did some unwinding on the couch as he started to yawn and rub his eyes next to me.

After Grace ate, I moved everyone to the bedroom.  Grace went into her bassinet, and I put Joshua next to me to help him fall asleep.  He eventually fell asleep in my arms!  :-)  By then, Grace had woken up and I was up feeding her again.  :-P  Daddy didn't get home until after 10pm.

Tomorrow Joshua sees Kim and has an evaluation with the OT.  We'll be spending our morning at the therapist's office!  

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!

~Mommy

100% Positive

Dearest Precious Gifts~

What a day!  I think everyone was grumpy at some point and we all just needed a good nap!  Here's how the morning went:

1:43am - Grace is awake and hungry.  I change her diaper and then nurse her
3:?? am -  Wake up call again from Grace.  Too exhausted to even put on my glasses or change her, though she had a new diaper put on at 1:43am so I wasn't worried about that
5:20am - Back up again!  I let you noodle and make noise to see if I would get some help (ie- if someone else would at least change your diaper) but nope!  I was so exhausted!  You are really blowing our weekly averages on number of nursing sessions out of the water this morning!

7am - Up again .... daddy and Joshua finally wake up.  I was too tired to pump this morning so I'll try to pump tomorrow to build up some milk for wednesday
9:30- Fifth nursing/pacifier session- wow!  No rest, huh?  

Daddy made pancakes for breakfast (Joshua actually tried some!) and I prepared and started the crock pot for dinner tonight.  We're making a simple chuck roast.  So, I cut up some onion, sweet potatoes, corn, carrots, and apples. 

At 12:30pm I was back nursing Grace.  Joshua ate some hotdog and gold fish for daddy for lunch.

Everyone finally took a nap at 2:30pm!  I held Grace against my chest since I was too scared she'd wake up!  She slept on my chest as I was on the couch, and I was able to doze for about an hour and a half!  Yeah!

Once awake, we all ate dinner.  The crock pot roast was good .... and healthy!  :-)

Joshua, you had two therapy sessions today.  Daddy did the morning one and just used a dry spoon. You opened your mouth every time for him!  So, I did mine with peaches on the spoon since you ate them for Kim.  You finished the container!  You had a 100% positive rate with both sessions!  I'm so proud of you!  

Also, your rash looks better.  It's still a little pink, so we keep putting ointment on it.  But, it's nothing like the red that it was yesterday!

We all walked to park after dinner and played around.  I just held Grace vs putting her in the stroller.  We were only out for about 30 minutes.  Then, you both got a nice bath before heading to bed.

Tomorrow we're getting some company .... we've been having a 'pest' problem recently so we're having some people come out to spray our house.  I hate bugs so I hope this helps!

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  

~Mommy

Growth Spurt?

Dearest Blessings~

Well, I managed to get to bed at 10:45pm last night.  Grace, you then woke up at 1:40am!  Daddy got up and changed you (woo hoo!  I got some help!) and then I nursed you.  You finished eating around 2:15am.  I leaned back against the headboard and closed my eyes.  I ended up falling asleep with you on my chest until 3:18am when I startled myself back awake.  :-P  I put you back in the bassinet but was back up and feeding you at 4:08am!  Are you going through a growth spurt, or do you just not want me to sleep?  I went back to bed at 5am, but you woke me up at 7:30am with a big poopy diaper.  I was so tired!  I had some hot chocolate with breakfast to help wake me up.  ;-)

Grandpa Jim came over mid-morning to help with our garage.  We had a lot of boxes and bags in there that we wanted to donate to Good Will so other families can be using the items.  But, we haven't had the chance or resources to move everything.  Grandpa Jim drives a truck, so he came over and he and I moved everything that needed to go.  Whew!  Our garage is already looking better.  ;-)  There are a few more 'bigger' items that need to go, but that will wait for another weekend.

We manged to get out around lunch to Target to get some groceries for the house.  We also picked up some extra supplies so we can bake some homemade bread this week, make a lasagna one day, and do a crock pot dinner tomorrow.  Also, we picked up a new trash can for the kitchen with a lid since Joshua likes to throw toys in the other one, or just play with the bag!

We ate a quick lunch once home and then everyone relaxed.  We ran you all's laundry and I vacuumed the downstairs.  Daddy marinated some turkey breast and then grilled them outside with hotdogs for Joshua.  I did the veggies and couscous inside.  It was a great and healthy dinner!  Joshua even ate a lot of hotdog!  We got him the 'turkey' hotdog since that's what he ate before.  :-)

This evening we turned on the Wii video game machine.  Joshua's seen it before, but Grace never has.  We all have little 'Wii characters' so we made one for Grace.  It has spiky hair since your hair sticks up!  So cute! 

We put in a workout game .... the Wii Fit .... and it told us that it's been exactly one year since we used it last!  Ha!  That makes sense though since this time last year we were getting ready to move and packing things up.  And, I didn't use it while pregnant with Grace. 

Anyway, we put you two on there and it said that Joshua was 22 lbs and Grace was 13 lbs!  It also said that I had lost 2 lbs since I was on there last time!  Too bad it didn't see me 4 months ago when I was big and pregnant!  Ha!  

Joshua, I can see a little molar breaking the gingiva!  I was wondering when you were going to grow some more teeth!  

You poor little thing .... Joshua, you had a poopy diaper with huge red rash this evening.  You cried and cried as I cleaned you and daddy coated your bottom with desitin (a diaper rash cream).  I cuddled with you in bed as you fell asleep and you were so sweet.  I hope it looks better in the morning, or we might have to see a doctor.  

Sleep tight you two!

I love you both!

~Mommy

Purple Triangle

Dearest Miracles~

My oh my little lady .... what a way to start the day.  We were up at 2:30am for a nursing session.  I was still so tired from yesterday.  I literally could not keep my eyes open last night and Joshua was still awake after 10pm.  :-P

Once our 2:30am wake up call was over, I managed to get 2.5 hours of sleep before we were up again at 6am nursing.  Daddy and Joshua snored through both feedings and diapers .... I was soo exhausted.  :-P

Joshua, you can now climb onto the upstairs couch and then climb back down all by yourself!  Wow!  Also, I asked you where your hands were and you pointed to them correctly!  I asked you where different things were and you correctly pointed to your hair, toes, nose, ears, hand, tummy, and mouth this morning!  We were playing this game as Grace was doing some tummy time.  :-)  You two are so smart!

Grace, you like to suck on two fingers now .... the index and middle .... at the same time.  You also had fun playing with a plastic purple triangle.  It was too funny and cute!  You didn't want to let go of it, even though Joshua kept trying to grab it from you.  :-P  You even held on to it as I was nursing you this evening!  Ha!

It was hot today but not like it was earlier this week.  We were able to spend time in the play room and it felt comfortable.

Our therapy session went well today.  I only managed to get one in, so we need to get better at managing our time.  Joshua, I put peaches on the spoon and we got about 50% positive!  Then, you threw a toy in the cat's litter box.  Ugh!  I think we need to find a different home for this cat so you all aren't walking in cat poop (he still doesn't hit the litter box every time), but your daddy wants to keep him for some reason.  I know more toys will just end up there, and Joshua keeps walking over to it like it's a sand box.  It drives me crazy.  :-P

Joshua, you have been spitting out your prevacid pill when we give it to you in the syringe.  Ugh!  We're trying it in a sippy cup now.  :-P

I was thinking earlier how amazing life is and how your perspective on things changes as you get older.  When I was in college, I went to the movies a lot (there was a cheap theater on campus for the students), and I even tried to go when I could while in DDS school with my friends.  I even had a little punch card to get free popcorn.  ;-)  Now, I couldn't even tell you the last movie I saw in the theater, but I don't even miss it!  I would much rather be with you two than to 'go out' for the evening without you all.  Time flies and before you blink, you two will be in school .... I don't want to miss a precious moment!  :-)

I made some baked chicken and veggies for dinner.  It was still cooking as daddy came through the door.  Joshua ate some chicken!  Woo hoo!  Daddy clipped Joshua's nails, but he was uncooperative with the toes.  I guess we'll have to wait until he's asleep.  ;-)

We relaxed in the play room this evening.  Joshua finally fell asleep a little after 10pm and daddy was soon snoring too.  Grace, you and I were still awake .... why are we always the last ones to bed and the first ones up every day and night?  :-P

Tomorrow's saturday!  Woo hoo!  Hopefully the weather will be nice enough for us to get out of the house some.

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Size 2

Dearest Blessings~

Well, I got to sleep a little more .... thanks Grace!  You didn't wake up until 4:30am for your feeding!  I changed you and you're now officially in size 2 diapers!  Wow!  I pumped before I headed to work, so you definitely have plenty of mommy milk in the fridge and some to spare!

You all had more fun with Penny again today.  She put up a sign on the door to the screened in porch that reads 'Watson Beach .... no shirt or shoes required' .... it's cute!  You all have a little sand box and a little water table out there.  Of course, you have to be careful with the water table .... we don't want anyone getting hurt around it.

Joshua, you ate pretty well for Penny.  You had some pasta, gold fish, and ice cream.  Grace, you had three 5 oz bottles.  You average three bottles when I'm at work.  And, you average eating 7 times a day.  So, on a typical week, you and I will likely average 6 bottles, 43 nursing sessions, and 10-12 pumps!  That's a lot of work for both of us!  ;-)

I couldn't wait to get home and see you all!  We had some excitement at work.  We had a patient completely throw up all over the operatory.  I mean, it was everywhere .... the chair, the wall, the floor, the trays .... ew!  I wasn't in the room (it wasn't my patient).  I was with another patient doing a restoration.  :-P

Daddy was making dinner as I walked in the door.  We had some chicken and veggies!  Yummy!  

Grace, you had lots of milk to spare .... plus, I had some milk that I had pumped at work.  With all that I was able to freeze a few containers of milk for another time!  Woo hoo!

This evening Joshua looked out the window in the playroom and saw our neighbor's dog.  We also have lightening bugs out there, so it was fun to see them light up on the other side of the glass.  :-)

Joshua, you also fell this evening.  You was darting down the hall with a big ball and didn't see where you were going.  You fell back and started to cry.  I held you but you got over it within a few minutes.  ;-)

Seeing your smiling faces means the world to me!  It's the best part of my day and miss you all when I'm not there.  I love spending time with you all.  When I'm at work, I have pictures of you all on my desk and show videos of you all to my coworkers!

Tomorrow is friday and it should be cooler than earlier in the week (the 80's vs 90's).  I'm sure we'll have fun hanging out!

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you!  :-)

~Mommy

Water Table

Dearest Amazing Miracles~

Welcome to June!  For the next few months the weather forecast will be hot with a chance of thunderstorms.  :-P

Grace, you were noodling around in your bassinet trying to talk at 3:35am.  So, I changed and nursed you.  Joshua, you were so cute.  You had noodled into our bed (which is more often the case these days) and were sleeping next to me as I was nursing.  I looked over and your eyes were closed and you started to smile and laugh in your sleep!  How adorable!  What were you dreaming about?

I then nursed Grace again at 6am.  I was still tired from the early morning session, but I managed to get ready for work and pump once before leaving.

You all had fun with Penny today.  She made a 'water table' on the screened in porch for you all to splash around with!  Joshua, you splashed your hands around in there while wearing your bathing suit!  And, Grace, you weren't left out!  You sat out there in your little bathing suit too watching your big brother!  But, from what I heard, you didn't like it when he splashed you and got your hair wet!  ;-)

Grace, you took a 6 oz bottle for Penny today!  Whoa!  The other two bottles were 4 ozs, so I guessed right on how much milk to leave (I left 16 ozs total this morning).

Penny was impressed at Grace's tummy time!  She let you play for up to 20 minutes at one point since you weren't fussing!  Good job little lady!  Joshua, you also had story time with Penny when Grace went down for a nap.

When I got home I kissed you all!  I had missed you while I work.  I was able to leave a little early and was home by 6:15pm!  Grace, you didn't fuss with any of your bottles and I was still able to nurse you when I got home!  You are a smart little girl!

I was almost 8pm before we had our chores done and were ready to relax in the play room!  We switched the dishes over and ran them so Penny would have sippy cups and bottles for tomorrow.  Daddy fed Joshua some hotdog and he actually ate a lot!  I then pumped once more and took a shower (Grace, you should have enough mommy milk in the fridge for tomorrow, but I thawed a little just in case you take more 6 ozs bottles).

Once we were settled, Joshua ate a little ice cream with us before we all headed to bed.  Oh, almost forgot .... Grace, you're in your last size 1 diaper this evening!  By tomorrow you'll be in size 2!  I wouldn't be surprised if you're 13 lbs now.  You're just a couple of pounds shy of doubling your birth weight!  Did I ever tell you that your Uncle James was also 7 lbs 7 ozs at birth?  I was a tad bigger at 7 lbs 9 ozs!  ;-)

Sleep tight you two!

I love you both!

~Mommy