Merry Christmas everyone

I don't even know where to start as we have had so much going on during this past week. The girls turned two on Monday and my sister Kayla and I took them to a lady's house to get their pictures taken. Jordan surprised us and was very good for the photo shoot. Rylee on the other hand was not so good. We then took them to Saint Luke's NICU and it was a very good feeling walking through those doors with two healthy babies. I walked that hallway to the NICU 96 days and walking down it again on Monday sure did bring back some horrible memories. Kayla and the girls helped me keep my emotions in check. We took the nurses and staff some cookies and we got to peek in on baby Olivia. I totally forgot how small a 3 pound baby really is. It was hard to believe the girls were still only half her size when they were born. She was absolutely beautiful. The girls got to look in at her so that was a neat experience. We got to see some of our favorite nurses and even the girls' Occupational Therapist. We had a short conversation and she asked me, "if I would have had a crystal ball during our NICU stay would it of made our life easier?" That would have been so true and I would not have stressed the entire time they were in the NICU. I never would have predicted the girls to be doing so well. They are amazing! We then went and bought some cupcakes and came home to a few presents. Rylee had to go in on Wednesday for her synagis vaccination and I decided to take Jordan in as I thought she has been having some labored breathing. I was a little worried that she might be developing some asthma. The doctor didn't think her symptoms were too concerning and sent us home with some antibiotic as she has double ear infection. I sure am glad I took her in when we did or we would have ended up in the doctor's office this weekend. Rylee suffered through her synagis vaccination and was only purple for a few minutes following the shots. Luckily I took Troy with me and he got to hold her down. We will do the girls' two year check ups next month. Troy and I enjoyed a day out on Thursday and celebrated our five year wedding anniversary. Troy surprised me with a very nice anniversary band. It was quite the surprise to say the lease. We went to Hoyt, Ks on Friday night to celebrate Christmas with my mom's side of the family and Santa came for a visit. I am pretty sure Jordan thinks Santa is following her and she did not enjoy him one bit. We went to Americus, Ks for Christmas Day for a low key Christmas dinner with my dad's side of the family. Christmas morning at our house was priceless. The girls were very excited to see all the presents under the tree. This age is so fun and I look forward to each year getting better and better. We went to LeRoy, Ks today to have Chrismas with my parents, sisters, nephews, and Aunt Peggy and Uncle Fred. We also celebrated the girls' birthday. It was a fabulous day with the family. The girls were very social all weekend and seemed to enjoy being around family. They have been on the road for three days and we still have one more gathering tomorrow with my two best friends and their families. We are going to Osage City, Ks to spend the day chasing our kids. Jill is in town from Colorado and I look forward to spending time with her. I have over 155 pictures on my camera from these past few days so I might not get all the favorites uploaded tonight. I will add a few more later this week. I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year! New Years Day is not my favorite holiday after Rylee's near death experience in the NICU. Hopefully each year gets better and better. I am so incredibly thankful for all my family and friends that have made this Christmas so memorable.

Happy 2nd Birthday to my little miracles!

I think I might have lots of tears tomorrow as my little babies are turning two! I feel like yesterday we were just bringing these girls home. We had a couple friends over tonight for pizza and cake and then Santa came to visit. It was so much fun watching the girls expressions when Santa walked in the door. I will forever have these memories in my mind. I took tomorrow off from work and I am going to go get the girls 2nd Birthday pictures taken and then we are going to the NICU to deliver some cookies. I am so excited because two of our special nurses are working and we will get to see them. We also get to check in on baby Olivia who is doing much better in the NICU.

These little girls have touched so many people in these last two years and have taught Troy and I more than we ever thought we'd learn. I never thought I'd lean so hard on hope, but I have and continue to do so. So with the passing of this last year, the girls have continued to develop more of their personalities. Rylee is kind, helpful, loving, outgoing and of course sassy. She wants to please you and be loved. Jordan is curious, loving, strong-willed, charismatic and of course stubborn. Rylee is the smallest fighter most of us will ever know. I've been looking back at the girl's photos and videos this past week, and am amazed at all the changes that have taken place. As a parent of micro preemies, one of my biggest life lessons have been to look back a few months, rather than weeks when reviewing changes in development or health. Now I can say "years" and feel so proud. We may have some tough challenges still ahead, but we enter into them with strength and so much pride. I've learned that things don't always turn out the way you thought they would, or the way you hoped they would, but you can't plan everything. I'd like to think that even through our story, we still find ourselves to feel beyond blessed. These little ladies are our loves!

Two years ago on December 20th, we welcomed these girls onto this earth with that classic new parent smile that is trying desperately to mask a great amount of fear. For all it took to get pregnant with these girls, they gave me an amazingly easy pregnancy. Now there early arrival on the other hand was not what I had planned for us. They have been the best babies a Mommy and Daddy could ask for. They are perfect still in my parental goggles. I was just thinking today how much joy they bring me. They bring endless smiles and my heart nearly bursts from my chest daily with pride and love when I watch them. Jordan, you take care of Rylee as her older sister, you see she has her blankie and pacifier for bed. You are her second Mommy. And though a time may come when she does not enjoy being mothered by you, I love watching you care for her so much. You are also a girl who knows what she wants. Rylee, you are my baby. You snuggle and you love in a way that isn't thought out at all. You are so kind. Your smile, laugh and everything about you is infectious. So you are big two year olds now! I hope this next year brings just as much love and happiness as the first two. And if it does, I can deal with your sass and tantrums. You little miracles are our lives. We love you. I love you!

Last week they weighed in 22 pounds 13 ounces and were 31 ½ inches long. It is amazing that they both weigh the exact same. They are wearing a size 4 diaper and pretty much all of their clothes are size 12 to 18 months. They are about the size of most one year olds. They are both wonderful sleepers. They go to sleep around 7:00 p.m. and wake up around 6:30 to 7:00 each morning. Rylee will get her 2nd Synagis vaccination of the season on Wednesday and we just got the bill in the mail from her 1st vaccination. These shots are $9305.05 each month. Ouch! I am very thankful for insurance! Tiny K was here this past week and I was once again reminded that are girls are doing an amazing job. Our big focus right now is working on their speech. They both probably say over 30 words and even though we don't always know what they are saying they are really trying to get new words out everyday.

Last week of having two one year olds

I still can't believe the the girls will be two one week from tomorrow. We have had another week of more colds and viruses in our house. Rylee had a pretty bad week so I took her to the doctor on Thursday just to make sure her lungs sounded good and no possible ear infection. She has been really grumpy and that is unlike her so she had me worried. The doctor thought her lungs sounded fine and no ear infection. He was glad I brought her in and she is getting better everyday. I woke up yesterday with an awful sore throat and just felt bad. I am not sure what I have going on with me but it is not a pleasant feeling. We made the trip to the Bass Pro Shop yesterday to take the girls to see Santa. We didn't realize we would have to wait for over an hour to get our picture taken. By the time we got up to see Santa the girls were both pretty grumpy and wanted no part of sitting on his lap. We just did a family photo and called it good. My co-workers 27 1/2 week baby could use some extra prayers during these next few days as she is having some complications. She might have to have the PDA ligation that Jordan had done at 10 days old. I am hoping to go visit her and the baby once I start to feel better. c