HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY

Today was Brian's birthday. So tonight his parents came over for a visit and they brought dinner. It was so nice not to have to cook. I did though make him a cake today for his birthday. I'm not the greatest of Baker's as most people know, but I still try.

The girl's really enjoyed looking at the candles, but their favorite part was having a little taste of daddy's chocolate cake. Soon after the cake, the sugar set in because these girl's were bouncing off the walls! Serious sugar overload going on . Next time I should probably not give them any type of sugar close to bed. Another lesson learned.

Posing for a pic, daddy & his girl's
Olivia having a taste
Avery having a taste

SHE'S BACK!!!!

Over the last two day's Olivia seems to back to her old self again. She's actually eating better now than before she got sick. I know she's feeling better because today she was right back into her old routine of chasing Avery around the kitchen, and climbing all over the couch. Which of course comes along with not listening when I would tell her to get down.

The best part of her feeling better is having her smile back.

We finally got some snow yesterday afternoon. Actually more ice than snow. Olivia didn't get a chance to see it because she was napping. While Brian was outside trying to shovel the ice off the driveway Avery watched him in awe. She was so excited first of all to see the snow, that when I put her up on the couch she looked outside and said "WOW" then she was even more excited to see daddy out there.

When he saw that she was watching him from the window, he took a little break to play peek-a-boo with her.

Olivia is doing much better today, the course of antibiotics has really helped a lot. She's almost back to herself again. When she saw the snow outside this morning, she stood at the back door forever trying to figure out what happened out there.

ANOTHER DAY AT THE DOCTOR

This afternoon I packed Olivia up and headed over to the walk in clinic. Last night while we were getting her ready for bed, we noticed some little red spots on her chest. I hate the walk in clinics because usually you end up waiting forever. But today we were home within an hour of going there. Olivia's new diagnosis.... Infection in her throat and the doctor noticed that her eye was a little weepy. So now we are on antibiotics for her throat and eye, along with drops for both eyes. I feel so bad for her, she tries to play with her toys, but she's so worn out from being sick that she drops to the floor and lay's there. The good news is the fever is finally gone, and Avery is still o.k.

But then again tomorrow is a different day.

MY LITTLE LIVIE

I don't know how this has happened but somehow the flu bug has made it's way into our house. So far only Olivia has been bit by the nasty little critter. What surprises me even more is that both of the girl's had the flu shot. Go figure!

Wednesday night she started to get a fever and by Thursday morning it had reached 40.5, I had been up with her most of the night so that was it, I figured it was high enough to earn us a trip to the doctor. Her Pediatrician says's she has the stomach flu and it should pass. I just have to make sure she still gets enough fluids which she is. She told me that if she gets worse I'm to take her to emerg where they will probably admit her. Whatever is going around is really bad from what she tells me. She has already admitted a handful of children for the same thing. Well I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she doesn't get any worse, and that Avery doesn't get it. She hasn't thrown up today so I'm taking that as a positive. So far today she has had lots of water some dry toast and a couple bites of banana. More than I expected.

This picture is of her the day before the little bugs invaded her little skinny body. I haven't had a smile from her since

MOMMY'S LITTLE HELPER

Today was tidy up day at our house, so when the girl's saw me pull out my swiffer they were all eye's. I usually clean the house while they are napping so today was a whole new adventure for them.

Avery started to give me her little growl that she gives when she wants something so I handed her the swiffer and she was off! She knew exactly what to do with it. She walked around the house for about 10 minutes sweeping the floor. And of course she had the biggest smile on her face the entire time.

Olivia stayed in the background watching. I think she was trying to figure out what she was doing.

We are now officially off of all baby food. The girl's have made it quite clear they no longer want anything to do with it. So... this mean's a lot more work and planning on my part. My dilemma is not reflux anymore it is texture. Olivia is and always has been a real texture baby. So if something doesn't feel right in her mouth, it and everything else comes right back out. If anyone has any kid tested and approved recipes I would so appreciate it if you could forward them to me.

In case not everyone has noticed I have added a few new links on the right hand side of the page. These are some other preemies who were also born at Mac. They are all absolutly amazing! The other site is "Growing Your Baby". Lisa does a fabulous job at keeping this site updated. Everyone should take a look.

BOY'S BEWARE!!

Over the holidays Olivia started kissing everything. She kisses her dolls and any stuffed animals she has. Even her blankie gets a kiss every once in a while. Yesterday I asked her to give Avery a kiss. When she kissed her, Avery thought it was so funny that the more Avery laughed the more kisses she got.

It is so sweet because she doesn't do the typical baby opened mouth kiss. She actually puckers up!

Over Christmas she also started to put two words together. Her new thing to say now when she is finished her bottle is "that's it". Yesterday Avery put her first two words together as well. She says "all done" when she is finished her bottle. She is not as clear as Olivia is but I can still understand what she is saying.

They are progressing in their development so quickly these days. Every day when Brian comes home from work I have something new to tell him.

It's hard to believe that our little micro preemie babies are actually toddlers now.

CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE!!!

We all had a great Christmas this year. The girl's were absolutely spoiled. On Christmas eve we had everyone over to our house for dinner and gift exchange. Grandma & Grandpa Schiller were here from Florida. Baka & Deda and Auntie Nancy, Uncle Roberto, and Nicholas. This place looked like a toy store when the kid's were finished opening their gifts.

Santa must have found his way because Christmas morning there were even more gifts to open. I actually had to put some of the toys they got away. Once they start to get a little bored of what is out for them then I'll bring them out.

Christmas night we headed over to Baka & Deda's house to visit.We had a nice quiet night there. Auntie Nancy, Uncle Roberto, and Nicholas came over later to visit.

We hope everyone's Christmas was just as great as our was.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning

One little santa

Two little santa's
Christmas night

18 MONTH CHECK-UP

Today the girl's had their 18 month check-up with their Pediatrician. Olivia weighed in at 19 lbs & Avery at 21lbs. This now puts Olivia in the 25th percentile group for children her age, and Avery jumped up to the 5oth percentile.

The doctor didn't have any concerns nor does mom or dad. I was so happy when our appointment was over. She said she didn't need to see us again until the girl's were two year's of age. We do have to go back though next month for their second flu shot. Needles.... I think I hate them more than they do.

ANOTHER MUSICIAN?

The girl's love to listen to music. Any time a song plays on one of their toy's, or even if we sing a song to them they instantly will start to dance. While I was changing Olivia, Brian had Avery in the other room listening to his music collection from the computer. You can't tell from the picture's but she's bopping away to the music.

Brian is also a musician. His band mainly plays weddings. So I'm wondering if little miss Avery has picked up the musical talent from her dad.

I came across this poem yesterday while surfing other preemie sites. While reading it, I sat in front of my computer and cried. This poem could not be more true of how life is for the parents of a preemie baby and for the child themselves. All the other moms out there of preemies can relate to this. This is our lives on a day to day basis. So much uncertainty.

I remember during our 3 months in NICU many nurses telling me how one day I will forget about all we were going through. My memories are still very strong. I actually don't want to forget. It only makes me appreciate every tiny breath the girl's take that much more.

The Preemie Experience

by Sandra D Moore

The preemie experience is the shattering of all your dreams For a normal, healthy delivery,Of the ability to carry home a beautiful squirming bundle After a short stay in the hospital.

It is lying there in your hospital room listening to The happy sounds of whole families joined Together by the birth of a grandchild, cousin, niece,Or nephew, and knowing that your Child is miles away and may not survive long enough For you to see or simply touch.

It is that first glimpse of a skinny, scrawny, not much bigger Than a Barbie doll child And feeling, fear, awe, and joy for such a fragile soul.

It is sitting by your baby’s “bedside” day after day,Week after week, month after month,Alternating between the emotional high of “Look, her eyes are open,” or “She’s crying!”And the lows of “I’m sorry, Mrs. Moore. Something has Shown up in Lauren’s ultrasound,”Or even “There is nothing we can do…”

It is hearing the alarms go off for the twentieth time in less Than fifteen minutes because your Child’s heart rate keeps hitting zero.

It is watching children dying around you, wondering if Your child will be next.It is hearing your child’s cry of distress as the nurses Insert yet another IV and do another Round of daily blood tests.It is meeting other parents of children who are doing far better And wondering, “Why me?”And meeting parents of children who have just died,And praising God for His mercy To your child and feeling guilty because your child is alive And someone else is grieving for theirs.It is days of nightmarish testing and coping with less Than positive results to the tests.It is days of joy at seeing the first eyelash appear,The child gain a whole ounce in one day,And two bright shiny eyes look at you and into your soul,And knowing that your child now recognizes you as Mama or Dada;Or perhaps looks at you and does not see you at all…

It is that final hurdle before coming home!It is the sorrow of waiting for the monitor company Representative to show you what to do If the alarm sounds when your child is choking,Gasping for breath, or simply dying.It is the joy of just being away from all those nurses And tubes and wires and beeps, and Walking into the nursery you hastily prepared because, after all,The child wasn’t due for another three months!

It is thinking the nightmare is over…only to realize it still Continues in the form of Such acronyms as PVL, RSV, BPD, CP and numerous others.

It is the final realization that those developmental delays Have to be dealt with,That reflux is a normal and unfortunate occurrence in most preemies,That the constant fight to gain weight is in direct proportion To a preemie’s ability to do so.

It is watching a child struggle to pick up his or her head, sit,Crawl, or walk.It is witnessing only silence when the child should be babbling,Because the child cannot hear.

It is the mental images of a child running and playing And communicating with others in a perfectly normal manner that are marred when you face years of therapy In order to simply get the child to eat by himself or herself,To talk or walk and then run.

The preemie experience is a journey…A journey through your soul in order to find the faith and strength to cope,A journey of the mind when you face the emotional weariness,A journey of the heart…to accept that, no matter what,This child is yours, And you will love this child no matter what.

GRANDMA & GRANDPA VISIT

We have had such a busy week. On Wednesday Grandma & Grandpa Schiller came from Florida for a short visit. The girl's enjoyed spending time with them. We got in some Christmas shopping, and an afternoon at the library. They were only here until Saturday, but we'll see them again soon in a couple of weeks for Christmas. We also had a visit from the girl's cousin's Robbie, Krisalyn and Auntie Krista. It's so nice to see them playing together. The love playing with other kid's.

I can't believe we didn't get any picture's with Grandma. We'll have to just take more at Christmas.

Today we had an appointment with the Audiologist. Both girl's had their hearing tested and I am happy to say they both passed. We had to test Olivia twice because we gave her a bottle so she would sit still but it just relaxed her to the point where she just would not pay attention to any sounds. Once she finished her bottle and was re-tested, she passed. We'll go back in another three months when the girl's are 18 months corrected age for another test. I knew they would pass because the only time the don't hear me talking is when they are into something they shouldn't be. They just ignore me. Kids!

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY

Saturday afternoon Brian's company had their annual children's Christmas party. Last year we weren't able to go because the girl's were just too small. The two of them had such a great time.They were showing off their new walking skills to everyone at the party. We were so surprised at Olivia, she would not sit still for a moment, and she only started walking on Friday. She also surprised us when she sat with Santa to get her present. She didn't cry. But she did refuse to look at him as everyone can see from the picture. I guess she remembered her last encounter with the white bearded man.

The other night I turned my head for a second from the girl's. When I turned around the two of them were pulling everything out of my kitchen drawers. They haven't figured out how to open the cupboards yet but these two are so smart that I'm sure I'll turn away again soon and all my pots & pans will be on the floor.

MEETING SANTA FOR THE 1ST TIME

On Friday afternoon I decided to pack up the girl's and head over to the mall to meet Santa for their very first time. I wasn't sure how they would react. Lately at times they both act a little shy around strangers so I just never know what they will do. As everyone can see from the photo, Avery was fine but the moment I placed Olivia on Santa's lap she looked up at him and was all tear's. It actually broke my heart. As soon as Santa gave her a candy cane she calmed down. I guess this is one of those classic photo's. We all have them.

GIRL'S DAY OUT!

This afternoon we went to visit Allison & the girl's cousin Tori. As soon as we got there Olivia must have had her "toy radar " on because she found Tori's toys right away. We didn't get a chance to see Lexi because she was at school today. Maybe next time. Tori and the girl's played so nice together that I can't wait for our next playdate.

A TRIP TO MAC!

Today the girl's had an appointment at McMaster hospital with Dr. Harvey. She is the girl's eye doctor. She check's their eye's now once a year to make sure everything is still the same. Today they both checked out fine. Babies born prematurely have a 30% chance of having problems with their eye's.

She told us that they both are far sighted which is normal. We are still not 100% out of the clear until they are about eight year's of age. That's when she will be able to tell if they are near sighted, because at that time she will have them read off an eye chart.

The picture posted here are of the girl's pushing the kitchen chair's around the kitchen. This week they were standing at the chair's hitting the seat, when all of a sudden Avery started to move the chair. Of course Olivia had to follow what she was doing. I just let them go and have fun with it. I figure it will help them with their walking.

PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH!

November is prematurity awareness month. I have added a link on our blog so everyone can access more information on premature births. Over the past 16 months I have done quite a bit of my own research on prematurity.

This year half a million women will give birth to a premature baby. If everyone takes a little time to educate themselves a little, hopefully your knowledge will help someone else. Although doctor's do not know why premature birth's happen, nor do they really even know why a baby is born at 40 weeks. If we educate other's by making them aware of what could happen, maybe the number might be reduced.

I have come to believe that all mother's of premature babies were chosen for a reason. We can take our knowledge and experience and educate other's.

I hope everyone will take the time.

PLAY DATE WITH ELIZABETH

Today we went to visit Angela and Elizabeth. The girl's had lots of fun as everyone can see in the photo's below, playing with Elizabeth's water table. We had to take the girl's shirt's off because of all the splashing they were doing. By the end of it the girl's, Angela and myself, as well as Angela's kitchen was soaked! But they had fun.

Elizabeth is another miracle baby. She was born at 25 weeks gestation. I first met Elizabeth and her mom at the hospital about a month after the girl's were born. When I saw how well she was doing for being born so early, I knew then there was hope for Olivia & Avery. For the three months the girl's were in hospital, whenever I would feel depressed, I would think about Elizabeth and remember how far she had come. She is the sweetest little girl. A true miracle.

This weekend we decided we would paint our house. It was a little difficult at times with the girl's, they wanted to join in on the fun.

When they woke up from their afternoon nap and discovered the ladder in the kitchen, right away they wanted to climb. Lately all they want to do is climb everything. Including the stairs! Over the past couple of days, Olivia has figured out how to climb up on the sofa. Which means I have to keep an eye on her even more.

Avery is standing by herself all the time now, and will take about two steps towards us. Olivia just starting to stand on her own. It's very cute because whenever she is standing, it doesn't last very long, she thinks it's so funny that she falls over. She also just started taking about two steps. We figure by Christmas these two will be all over the house.

Not to worry everyone, although it doesn't seem like it by these photos, Brian was very close by while I took these pictures. We also helped the girl's up on the ladder.