1 year ago

While the people, including my family, remember the events that took place 8 years ago, today is also a reason for my family to celebrate. Last year, on 9-11-08, Riley was discharged from the NICU and for the first time, our whole family was able to be together. I remember all of the memorials that were taking place and everyone talking about remembering 9/11 and I was filled with joy as I marched out of that NICU for the last time.
It certainly feels like our family has been complete for more than a year. So much has happened. A clothes company, Little Me, sent me 2 outfits for the babies over the summer. When I opened them, I began to cry. It was 2 of the same outfits that they had worn in the NICU, only in 6/9 month size. They're finally fitting into 6-9 month size clothing and 2 days ago, I put Riley's outfit on and cried. I was sad when we unpacked all of his NICU stuff and realized that this outfit wasn't there. I mean, it would have gone back to the NICU when they outgrew it but it was an outfit that Skylar had picked out and just looked so incredibly adorable on my little guy. Back then, we had to roll up the sleeves on his preemie sized outfit and his legs barely reached into the leg holes. To think back then, that they would fit into something bigger was a stretch of the imagination.
It's funny how something as simple as an outfit can bring out so many emotions but for me, it did. This was the only picture I took, and of course you can't see it, but next time he wears it, I'll be sure to post a picture. I laid them down in the co-sleeper to take a shower and when I came out of the bathroom, this is how I found them. Addison is on the left and Riley is on the right.

It's quite a difference from a year ago:

They're both doing so well. Addison is working on his one upper tooth, just on the opposite side of Riley's. They're both rolling all around the floor and pushing themselves up. They can both get onto their arms and knees but as soon as they try to get anywhere, they kick out their legs. Addison is able to sit again, as long as he has his hands down in front of him.

They go back to the pediatrician on the 22nd. I can't wait to see how big they are! They have the whole evaluation team coming out on the 29th to do a 1 year evaluation. I know they'll be considered very delayed in a wide range of stuff and possibly need more therapists, but I'm ok with that. They're making progress and they're taking their time. As long as we know there's no known reason for their delays, other than being early and still very small, we know they'll get there when they're ready.