Whew!!

What a crazy couple of days. Christmas is a lot different when there's 2 infants.

Addison had an eye doctor appointment on Christmas Eve. His eyes are looking great and there's some scar tissue from where the blood vessels grew but they're pretty much to where they should be. His next appointment isn't until APRIL!!!! The opthamologists next concern is that the scar tissue will cause some near-sightedness so he'll start to monitor his vision at the next appointment.

They're both starting to focus and rarely go cross-eyed. They've also started to laugh. They coo and babble with a huge smile on their faces.

Anyways, after Addison's eye doctor appointment, I decided I'd take my chances and brave the mall, on Christmas Eve, with all 4 kids. I had promised Skylar a visit with Santa and he was supposed to be at a smaller store near the house but he didn't show up because of the ice. It was Christmas Eve, I was just down the road from the mall, and I had dressed them all in cute Christmas outfits. We were able to park close to the door closest to where Santa is and there were only 2 people in line ahead of us so we were in and out fairly easily. It was only 10am so the mall wasn't very crowded. Skylar was stoked, the boys didn't even realize what was going on, but Leah was terrified. I had to kneel down next to Santa's chair so Leah could sit on my leg. That was as close to Santa as she was going to get. I got a cute picture though (please excuse the glare, it's a picture of the picture):

We had a fun Christmas Eve, the big kids and I made cookies and I found foam craft kits on clearance at Michael's so the kids were building those. All of the kids had matching pajamas and we read some Christmas stories and let the big kids each open 1 gift. Skylar really wanted to sing the babies Christmas songs so he held Riley, who was wide awake, and Riley LOVED it!

Christmas day was fun but crazy. We had Ian's parents over in the morning for pancakes, eggs, and bacon and then we opened gifts. We had a small snack and then went to my moms for an early evening dinner. My grandparents (who are visiting from Florida), my aunts, uncle, cousins, sisters, nephews and nieces were all up. It was chaotic but great to see everyone. We then came home and had a small dinner with a good family friend. Everyone slept well.

Yesterday, we had to make our house look like Christmas didn't happen since we had our first showing this morning. The lady loved the house but didn't like that you have to walk from the parking lot, down to the front door. We have an open house next weekend so we'll be trying to touch up things all week.

I'm about ready to head to bed. Ian is out with one of his good friends and all of the kids are sleeping. This is the most quiet time I've had in a long time.

6 months old

It's hard to believe that they're 6 months old already. It's been half of a year, full of many ups and downs.
The boys went for their 6 month check-up this past Thursday. Addison weighed in at 7lbs. 6oz. and 19.75". Riley weighed 6lbs. 11oz. and was 19" long. They both gained 11oz. in just 13 days!! They both eat all of the time and it seems like they're finally taking off.
They're both smiling and starting to laugh. We went to visit the NICU nurses and bring them Christmas bagels and cream cheese and they were both loving the attention. All of the nurses were gathered around and the boys were smiling and cooing at them.
I also have to share an awesome ebay seller with everyone. I found an adorable Christmas ornament on ebay and it's just too cute.
Here's a link to her store http://stores.ebay.com/Carolyns-Clay-QTs
And here's a picture of the ornament for the boys

Weekend pictures of Riley

Riley was being such a ham this weekend. They're always so happy but Riley was even more awake and happy then usual so I had to pull out the camera and snap a few shots.

And here's a few that I took of the boys last Thursday. Addison is in the dragon outfit and Riley has the green stripes.

A new picture

So, it's a little bit late but I was starting to fall asleep at 8pm last night so I wasn't able to post. While Ian was at a football party and I made sure the kids all had on their Steelers clothes so we could take a picture and send it to Ian. It actually turned out better than I thought it would.

Leah is holding Addison and Skylar is holding Riley.

It's been a while

Life has me so busy lately that I haven't had time to write. The boys are FANTASTIC! They had a great first Thanksgiving and were nice enough to let me cook. They only decided to cry when we all sat down for dinner.
They've been really alert over the past few days. They smile all of the time and you can't help but to laugh and smile back. They love to be talked to and they're happy to just lay there and watch your mouth move. Two days ago I was nursing Riley and Addison was lying in his carseat, wide awake. I looked down and saw him staring at this toy that was dangling from his carseat handle. He was staring at it with this huge smile on his face, and he was squeaking. I'm sure he was trying to laugh but he was making the cutest little squeaks. They continue to blow my mind every day.
They got their second Synagis injections today (to protect them from RSV). The power in the hospital went out shortly after we got the boys weighed and the poor nurses were using flashlights. We had to take the boys into the hallway, under one of the few back up lights, and one nurse held a flashlight while the other gave the injections. The big kids were kind of bummed that they couldn't watch but the boys only cried for a second and we were on our way.
Addison is up to 6lbs. 11oz. and Riley was 6lbs. even!! That means that, in a little more than 3 weeks, Addison gained 10oz. and Riley gained 12oz.! They go for a regular pediatrician visit on the 18th and I'm excited to see how much they gain.
Riley had another opthamologist appointment yesterday to check his ROP. It looks a lot better and the doctor didn't need to see him back for another 6 weeks. He said he thinks Riley will only need a few more appointments until he's given the all clear!
Another exciting thing is the boys have been approved for medical assistance because of their prematurity. It will pick up everything that our primary insurance doesn't cover except for our pediatrician co-pays. The ped. I take them to doesn't participate with state insurance and he's too awesome of a doctor for me to switch. Having to only pay pediatrician co-pays is nothing compared to the thousands of dollars we've spent on other co-pays so far.
We've got a busy couple of weeks. Our house went on the market last week and we've got to get out the Christmas decorations and try to put out enough to make the kids happy but not so much that it's too cluttered for showings. We've got at least 3 more doctors appointments before Christmas and physical therapy once a week.
I will try to put a new picture up this weekend. They starting to look more and more alike!