TWO LITTLE MONKEY'S

JUST BECAUSE THEIR CUTE!

WHAT WERE YOU DOING 2 YEAR'S AGO TODAY?

Two year's ago today, I was excited, nervous and had a lot of anxiety because as the girl's were now around the 3lbs mark and it was time for them to start to learn the suck and swallow technique. They were both doing really well with their breathing, only needing to be on a little oxygen at this point so it was time to start preparing them for their homecoming. I always said from the start I would breastfeed, and from all the reading I had done, I wasn't planning on it being easy. Every article I read reminded new mother's of the importance of it as well as the difficulties they may have. What I didn't plan on was how difficult a time emotionally I would have gearing up for the moment when I would actually get to bond with my children like all mother's do. I was so nervous the girl's wouldn't latch or that they just wouldn't be physically ready. Which would mean we were not going to get to go home anytime soon.

Avery was such a trooper right from the start ,she caught on almost instantly so I was able to alternate breastfeeding and gavage feeding's with her. Olivia on the other hand was not so easy. I called her my "lazy baby". She preferred to sleep and be gavage feed rather then breastfed. I remember getting so frustrated at times because I knew that if she didn't catch on, Avery would be coming home and Olivia would have to stay in hospital.

This was also really stressful on me because Avery had tested positive for the Psedomonas bacteria and Olivia tested negative. Which meant that in between feedings I had to drive back to Oakville, shower then drive back to Hamilton to make it in time for Olivia's next feed. A lot of driving and a lot of showers!

During this time I was also putting together the girl's birth announcement for the newspaper. I figured we had waited long enough, things were heading in the right direction so now was the time to share with everyone we knew and the rest of the City the birth of our two precious girl's.

This is what the announcement said....

TWINS

Barcic/Schiller- Brian and Shannon Barcic are proud to announce the safe arrival of their precious twin girl's.

Olivia Donna & Avery Ana

On June 15th 2005 at 7:06 & 7:07a.m. weighing 850grams & 907grams

Olivia and Avery are the first addition of grandchildren to Matt & Ana Barcic and the latest addition to John & Donna Schiller.

A special thanks to both our families for all their support. Many thanks to the staff at McMaster Hospital for all their hard work. Especially the girl's primary nurse Janice, who has shown sincere compassion from the day the girl's arrived.

"Thank you Auntie Janice"

To Brian my husband, best friend and sole mate, in all the panic you were amazing. You are my rock. The tears you shed when our girl's were born made me fall in love with you all over again.

You are the greatest husband, and will be the perfect father. Our girl's are so lucky to have you as their dad.

Cheers to us, and our beautiful daughters.

EXCITING NEWS!!

We had our two year check up today with our new Pediatrician. We have had A LOT of doctor's appointments over the past two years but, this by far was the best. Our previous pediatrician would always brush off any concerns I ever had with the girl's which was extremely frustrating, or would dance around a question I would have which would then leave me completely confused and always asking myself why I bother taking the girl's to her.

Well different outcome today. Our new doc listened to everything I had to say, answered every question I had. Gave me some great suggestions on where to go from here now that the girl's are two years of age, and most importantly made me feel confident and comfortable with him looking after them medically. VERY IMPORTANT.
So for the exciting news.... Avery weighed in at 27.5lbs 34.5 inches in length. Olivia weighed in at 24.5lbs and also 34.5 inches in length. WOW my girl's are finally in the 50th percentile for height but are still in the 25th percentile for weight. I actually don't pay much attention anymore to the charts, I stopped worrying a long time ago about that. I am just so happy that they are both gaining weight and are healthy.

Now for more exciting news, when he was going over what the "typical" two year old (term) should be doing, one of the questions he asked me was are they saying at least two words? I told him they are talking to me in sentences now. He kind of looked at me a little strange until Olivia looked up at me and said "Look mama, a lady bug" he was in complete shock. Of course I just started laughing because of the expression on his face. He was really impressed with all the things they were doing and told me he had no concerns about them developmentally. YIPPEE!!!

Once again girl's we are so very proud of you!!!

FINALLY....A FUN FILLED & SICK FREE LONG WEEKEND!!

This has been our first long weekend this year that not one of us was sick.

We first have to wish our nephew Nicholas a BIG Happy 2nd Birthday. He turned two yesterday. His birthday celebration had to be put off until next weekend since he has a little bit of a cold. See you next weekend buddy!!

We also have to wish Cole a BIG Happy 2nd Birthday!!!! He also turned two yesterday.

Saturday we headed over to Meredith (Mimi) & Courtney's (Coco) house for some play time and a barbecue. All the girl's had a great time playing together as well as Mimi & Coco's older sister Kaitlyn.

Courtney and Olivia are so sweet together. Courtney is giving Olivia a push on her swing.

Courtney (Coco) decided she was going to indulge in some butter for an after dinner treat. Too funny!!

Anyone who has ever had a preemie knows the feeling of letting your child eat just about anything to get the extra calories they need. I guess you could say we'll take them any way we can get them.

Mimi & Coco sat very patiently with Olivia & Avery while they had their bottles. They even helped them out a little by holding the bottle for them.

Having their spaghetti dinner & dessert together.

Silly Girl's

Sunday afternoon we headed over to Baka & Dida's house for another barbecue dinner. The girl's were so exhausted from being out the night before and all day Sunday that on our way home from Brian's parents, they fell asleep as soon as they got in the car.

Playing catch with Baka

On Monday Grandma & Grandpa came over to visit for the day. They brought the twins some real fruit popsicles, which they loved!

I only took a few picture's of the girl's. Didn't manage to get any of the girl's with Grandma & Grandpa. We'll have to make sure we get some next time.

Too much talking and chasing the girl's around.

Enjoying their Blueberry/Lemon popsicles

THANK GOODNESS FOR WASHABLE MARKERS!

EVERYONE LOVES MARINELAND!

Well once again we headed out this past weekend for another family adventure. I figured since the girl's are learning so much about different land animals, why not expose them to some marine mammals as well. It was a great day, we saw some incredible things and the girl's were really in awe with seeing these creatures so up close.

This was just one of the many highlights of the day. There is a area with baby deer that are so tame. They wander over and let the kids touch them and feed them. The girl's got a big kick out this. I was also very impressed with how gentle the girl's were with the deer.



























We managed to get a show in of the Dolphins, Walruses, and Sea Lions. They are so incredibly amazing to watch. While Brian & I were on our honeymoon I had the opportunity to go swimming with some dolphins. Which was an experience I will never forget and hope the girl's will get to experience one day themselves.
Avery & Olivia sat through the entire show perfectly still. They would join the crowd in some clapping and cheering here and there. It was really very cute to watch them taking it all in.

Marineland does a great job of letting people get involved with the animals. Along with petting and feeding the Deer, they also sell food to feed the Bears as well.

Behind bars of course!

Daddy & Avery checking out some fish

This was the best part of our entire day trip. Avery & I got the opportunity to feed and touch a Beluga Whale! Isn't it beautiful!!

Unfortunately Olivia had passed out by this time so she missed out. I must say I was really impressed with how hygienic everything was. Before touching the Whales they made everyone wash their hands, as well as after.

Avery feeding the Beluga Whale a fish all by herself!

Our Beluga waiting for another fish

Marineland is one of the more expensive places we have taken the girl's but so worth it. We all had a great time.

Of course the day would not be complete without a Dolphin & Whale of their own.

RANDOM PICS...

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN BLESSED?

This was the question Lisa asked to many of her faithful blog readers a couple of weeks ago. I didn't even need to think of my answer, it was simple. I was blessed to find out I was pregnant, and I was double blessed to find out I was pregnant with twins. Out of 64 responses, Lisa chose two of them to receive a free "Blessed" necklace that is handmade and inspired by her sweetheart of a son David. I was shocked to check back and see that I was one of the winners!! I have never won a thing in my life, so this was pretty exciting.
I have been trying to paste a picture of the necklace here on my blog, but for some reason my computer is not co-operating. So go over and check out Lisa's blog (It's The Little Thing's) to get a good look at a beautiful necklace that is only $38.00 and, $10.00 of each purchase is going towards the cdls foundation.
I am unsure if she will be selling these necklace's after July, so hurry on over to her blog and check it out. While your there, check out her beautiful boys as well.

TORONTO ZOO














I know a lot of people have been waiting for this post about our trip to the zoo. I apologize for it being late but after spending hours outside everyday playing with the girls in this heat, I'm pretty exhausted by the end of the day.

Saturday we took the girls to the Toronto Zoo. I had expected to have just as much fun there as we did at the African Lion Safari. We all did have fun, but I found a lot of the people were a little inconsiderate at times of other people like ourselves with strollers. Which surprised me because pretty much everyone there has children. It was difficult to get close to some of the exhibits of the animals because there were either too many people or it just wasn't "stroller" friendly. We would definitely take them back, but probably wait a couple of years.

I was so excited to find out there was a splash pad for the kids. Our girls just love the water so I figured they would have a blast. Unfortunately the splash pad was geared up for much older children. There weren't any wadding pools just a lot of water spraying everywhere. Which was a little harsh and very cold.