Life has become a lot busier

As I posted my earlier post, I realized that the last time I posted to my blog was MONTHS ago. Holy smokes does the time fly by!
I guess I'll begin with Terran. He came home on August 5th, after a 68 day NICU stay. He came home weighing 5lbs. 12oz. and is now a whopping 13lbs.! All breastfed. No fortifiers or formula. This kid can eat. He's still on the apnea monitor and we're hoping to be rid of that in the next week or two. He smiles and coos and is adored by his siblings.

Now..onto the boys. So much has happened since their 3rd birthday.
They are no longer getting in home therapy. They continued therapy until the end of the summer and they were supposed to transition into a preschool setting through the BCIU. They were placed in a class that was rented out of a daycare setting in a horrible part of town. I voiced my concerns to the coordinator there and was told "well...that's where they were placed, so...". So, they refused to place them in another classroom and I ultimately decided against sending the twins there. Since they're not potty trained, they can't go to a traditional preschool class which left me with few choices. Luckily, I was able to get them into a 2 year old preschool class at the preschool my daughter used to attend. It's only one hour, every Friday, and it's a mommy and me style classroom setting so I stay with them. including the twins, there's only 6 kids in the class which is perfect because it's not overwhelming to them. They get free play, circle time with songs and games, arts and crafts, and snack. It's a really good intro into a classroom setting and even though they're not getting specialized therapy, they're gaining much needed social skills while still having to do fine and gross motor skills and speech. Riley has really started to come out of his shell at school. He stands up and tries to participate in the songs and is starting to play with other kids. He also loves arts and crafts. He is always coloring and painting. Addison is a bit more stubborn and he's still really overwhelmed with his new classroom. The one downside.....germs. They've had a runny nose since the 2nd week of school.

First day of school

The boys were recently at the pediatrician for their 3 year check up and they're both just shy of 30 pounds. Addison has a never ending vocabulary and shows almost no physical delays. Riley is still struggling to talk and he still walks like he's had too much to drink. His delays have resulted in a referral to a pediatric neurologist for an MRI and possible CP diagnosis. His appointment isn't until April but according to the office, a second neurologist should be starting in January and our appointment date will likely be moved up. Does this referral scare me? Of course. I never want my kids to have to grow up with labels or a special needs diagnosis. But, it's been a suspicion of mine all along and if we can get some sort of diagnosis, hopefully we'll be able to get him specialized therapies and help that he needs.

They have both had their yearly check ups with the opthamologist. I'm happy to report that they both have perfect vision. There's no lasting issues from their ROP or their Strabisus. They still might need glasses down the road but for now, you'd never be able to tell they had problems. We don't have to go back for a whole year.

The boys have finally moved out of their cribs and into toddler beds. They have these awesome race car beds and Addison doesn't sleep in his. I will lay them down in their beds and Addison will quickly move all of his stuffed animals and blankets into Riley's bed and fall asleep at the opposite end of Riley.

They are transforming into such bright kids. They're definitely toddlers now. They are mischievous, charming, sneaky, happy, and lovable toddlers. They team up with each other for both good and bad. They give the best hugs and have the sweetest smiles. And they love books. They could have books read to them all day and nothing would make them happier.

October 21st

I'm looking forward to the holidays. They know who Santa is now and they're very much looking forward to his visit.

I've got to start wrapping this up because they're now teasing the cat...which is a nice change from teasing the puppy. Yep...we have added a puppy too. Yes, I am crazy. I wouldn't have it any other way :)

At a local dairy

Prematurity Awareness Day

Today is National Prematurity Awareness Day. Anyone who has visited this blog before knows my twins story and more recently, the premature birth of my newest son, Terran. My oldest son, Skylar, is also a preemie. He was born at 32w3d, weighing 4lbs. 1.6oz. While a 32 weeker pales in comparison to 25 and 28 weeks gestation, it was just as frightening as my other NICU experiences. He only spent 21 days in the NICU but he was my first. Despite all of my boys being early, they're all doing well. They each have problems which may or may not be linked to their early entrance into the world, they're healthy, wonderful children that have made my life remarkably better.

So, please take a moment to visit http://www.marchofdimes.org/ and find out what you can do to raise awareness about premature birth and how you can help to ensure that all babies are born healthy and on time.

Stationery card

Family Bliss Holiday Card

Shutterfly always has unique designs for our holiday cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Yesterday, my amazing little boys turned 3!! We had a little family party for them, filled with Mickey Mouse everything and they were beyond thrilled. We got them a t-ball set, mickey puzzle, and a 4 pack of sports balls (which was the clear winner of their gifts).
Last year, I couldn't take them outside and put them down because they hated the grass. This year, they were outside, hitting the ball, running through the dry grass, in bare feet and they loved it :)
They have come so far and they are so amazing. They impress me every day. Yesterday, I asked Addison whose birthday it was and he would say "Riey Addin" (Riley and Addison), and then I'd ask how old Riley and Addison are and he would say "free" (three). And then I asked him where his ba-ba's (bottles) were and he said "bye bye". Yep, we're getting rid of their night time bottle. And they got a cool new potty seat with Elmo and Ernie on it and hopefully they'll start to get excited about sitting on the toilet.
I sat in the nicu last night, holding my new little boy, remembering how terrified I was 3 years ago when the twins were given a 50% chance of survival. They not only beat those odds, but they beat and continue to beat even more odds.
They've officially been discharged from their in home therapy and are now going through BCIU therapy to help transition them into school. They're going to start going to a classroom in August. I'm so excited but scared for them. I know they'll eventually love it but it will be really hard to put my babies on a bus and send them to preschool.
Anyways, today I am taking them shopping at Toys R Us so they can each pick out a new toy. Should be exciting!
I'll add pictures later tonight. My camera battery is charging.

Addison on the left, Riley on the right

Addison

Riley

I'm happy to announce...

Addison and Riley are big brothers (3 months early). Little Terran Conner was born May 29th, 12 weeks early. He weighed 2lbs. 3oz. and was 15 inches long. Yes, another itty bitty baby, and it's my last.

He's in the NICU, being cared for by some of the same amazing nurses that took care of Addison and Riley, and he's doing remarkably well. He is getting breastmilk through his tube, his PDA valve closed on it's own, he's already down to 2 litres of oxygen on the high flow cannula, and we've been holding him every day since Thursday. He's going to grow and learn to nurse, and hopefully be home with us in 8-10 weeks.

What a difference 3 weeks and 1 pound make. His apgars were 7 and 9, and he came out feisty, pink, and crying.

in the delivery room

Proud papa, holding his son for the first time!

My sweet baby boy

Another successful March for Babies!

Ok, so maybe it wasn't as successful as last year when we raised somewhere around $3,000, but we did what we could and raised just shy of $1,000. More importantly, the twins WALKED instead of riding in a stroller. To me, that was worth more than any money I could have raised. We only walked about a quarter of the walk but they walked the whole thing and I couldn't have been more proud to turn around and cross the finish line.

On the trail

Stopping to get a picture with mom!

After crossing the finish line and having a yummy lunch
The boys are doing more and more every day. Riley is finally fully walking, Addison is jumping and running, and they're saying new words every day. Addison can put 3 words together to make some sort of toddler rambled sentence.
It's so unbelievable to me that in just a few short weeks, they'll be turning THREE!! Where in the world did all of that time go? They'll be transitioning from in home therapy to BCIU therapy which is a preschool type setting. They'll be bussed to school and have classmates and all of that fun stuff. I'm terrified for them to head out on a bus without me but I'm making sure they stay together so they'll at least have each other.
Now that it's been nice outside, we're spending a lot more time outside and they twins love it! We planted a garden and they sat forever just playing in the dirt. You know, like normal toddlers should do! And, we were out a few weeks ago and you'll never know how good it felt when someone came up and said "how old are they, about 2 or 2 and a half?" For a stranger to guess their age and be so close felt amazing. I don't get people asking if they're 1 or why they're not walking. I think they might soon not be able to pass for "under 2" when we go out and I'll have to start paying for them. haha.
So, they're getting a baby brother. Poor Leah will be so outnumbered but I'm excited for another boy. Unfortunately, this pregnancy has been tough. I've been getting progesterone shots every week to help my uterus from contracting and just this past week, I had my first cervical length ultrasound which ended up with me being in the hospital for 2 days to be monitored. No contractions but my cervix is short and soft and so I've already had my 2 rounds of steroid shots for the baby's lungs and I'm all but on bed rest. No lifting, no driving, no working, etc. As much as it sucks to have another difficult pregnancy, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to avoid another preterm birth. When I was in the hospital, they wheeled me past the NICU and I just started crying. I don't want to have to do another blog for another micro-preemie. And, hopefully I won't have to.

Addison
Riley

Being cute

Easter egg hunt, Riley in grey and Addison in blue.

It's been a while

I never seem to have enough time to sit and update and I end up needing to set aside an hour (like now) to update months worth of news. Hopefully I can finish this before the big kids get home from school.

So, my last update was in October. I can't believe it's really been this long.

Halloween and Thanksgiving, the kids spent with their dad. I heard it was wonderful but aside from that, I don't have much to talk about.

Christmas was wonderful. The twins were finally able to open their own presents and they loved all of the excitement.

Addison helped the big kids decorate the tree

Addison was so proud of himself for getting stuff out of his stocking

Yes, Riley really was that excited to get Mickey keys

Aww :)

Addison is now walking like a champ. He's even running! He climbs, talks, and acts just like a toddler. He has a vocabulary of probably 50 or so words. He loves books, Mickey, Sesame Street, balls, and food.

Riley has recently (like within the past 3 weeks) started walking a lot more. At first, we called it a Frankenstein walk. He would keep his legs stiff and his arms straight out in front of him. Over the past week or so, he's become a lot more comfortable and is starting to walk more "normal". He has a much smaller vocabulary but he is able to communicate fairly well. He also loves books, Mickey, and bubbles!

They both love being outside and it's finally starting to be nice again. They're still getting all 3 therapies every week but as of their 3rd birthday, they won't get in home therapy anymore. They'll start to go to a preschool to help get them ready for real school. Just thinking about my babies going to school shocks me.

A friend of mine is an extremely talented photographer and we were lucky enough to be able to have family pictures taken by him in the fall. He did an amazing job and these are only a few of my favorites.

Addison

Addison on the left, being a goofball

So, in a nutshell, they've gone from way behind babies, to toddlers in what seems like no time at all. They're in 2T clothes and are comparable in size to some other 2 year olds we've met. Do they have more catching up to do? Of course. But, they're progressing every day.

And...can I say without jinxing us....NO hospital visits this winter! It's March 1st and we've avoided the doctor and the hospital all winter long! Heck, I didn't even take out the nebulizer. They did catch colds but they eventually got over them. Sick season isn't over yet but I think we've made it through the worst part.

And, lastly, this is probably the biggest news to report. Addison and Riley are going to be big brothers! I met a wonderful guy at the end of the summer and, after the shock wore off, we're happy to be expecting baby in the fall.

One more thing before the kids walk in the door. For the 3rd year in a row, team Macomber Miracles is walking in the March of Dimes March for Babies. There's a box on the right hand side of the blog that you can click and donate directly to our team. This is the one big thing I do every year and I feel like it's a very small way to give back and give thanks to the many people who have helped my boys not only survive, but thrive. Without research that the March of Dimes has done and funded, my twins may not be alive today. Our walk isn't until May so there's plenty of time to donate! Remember, no amount is too small. Every donation is needed and very, very much appreciated!