More backyard fireworks fun at G'ma and Paka's

It seemed like all the fireworks did was squeal!?!?!?!

Aunt Di came for a visit too!!

Connor being held by (great) Aunt Di. She came over to Grandma and Paka's for the 4th of july cookout on Tuesday!

4th of July Pix

Logan, Trevor, Connor
The whole gang (Jake, Jordan, Simon, Hayden, Lauren holding Connor, Trevor, Alanna holding Logan)
Trevor enjoying a sparkler!

Scenes from our Jellystone weekend....

Aunt Diana (with Logan) and Cousin Jordan (with Connor)
Our first Golfcart ride!!! Logan has the blue seat.
Hanging out with Brother in the hammock ( and not really having any fun)!

This was our first Jellystone weekend overnight. It was the 4th of July clebration and there were big fireworks that night. We slept through them.

Logi and more Logi

Logan is on the left

Jess, I couldnt resist the title! These little shirts are from Auntie Alexandra in New Jersey. She sent them when the boys were just born and they could have completely covered up in them. Now they fill them out so nicely! Ears are acting up again, but we are in the process of switching pediatricians, so we have to wait a couple days to get in. We just medicate for pain. Both must be growing again because they are eating like piggies and sleeping a great deal. This weekend, Logan slept through the night twice. We spent the weekend at the campground and the boys went tooling around on the golf cart with me. We had fun and a lot of fresh air. Will update more later...

Rollin, rollin, rollin....

The boys officially rolled from tummy to back on Wed June 21. Now they do it all the time. They are very close to rolling from front to back, so sit on the edge of your seats!!! Also, we think they are starting to do some teething stuff. They drool constantly, always chew on thier fists, and munch on thier pacifiers. I dont know if we are ready for that nightmare X2!!!

Running up the statistics...

Both boys had to go to the Dr (AGAIN!!!!) on Friday and each have yet another ear infection in one ear with fluid in the uninfected ear. They are on thier 4th antibiotic now (Augmentin) and this is now the 7th consecutive week with ear infections. We are tired of it. Poor Connor is having a rough time and running a fever and they both just wont eat much. Weights: Logan 9lb 6 oz and Connor 10lb 9 oz. Anyway, pray they get over this. The next step is and ENT specialist to evaluate. We dont want the boys to have hearing loss.

P.S., Logan and Connor have a new palymate!!!! Harris was born yesterday weighing in at 7lb 14oz. WE get to meet him on Monday!!! Congrats to Jodi and Brian!!!

Hi all!! Logan had a good report from the cardiologist! 3 of the 4 holes in his ventricular septum are closed. He has one left and a PFO, patent foramen ovale (like Connor). There is no ASD, just the PFO, which is really good news!! There was one problem with a vessesl outside the heart from the PDA surgery that is narrowed, but they will watch it. Oh and he weighed in at 9lb 2 oz.
His ears are acting up AGAIN, so we will call the doctor in the morning. I will let you all know what he says!

I dont know why, but this thing wont display my picture right!!! Oh well, you get the jist of it. These little outfits are from Grandma and Paka. they bouth themin Florida. They are just too cute and nice and summery! This has to be the funnest part about having twins is dressing them alike!!!
Here the boys are showing off their astoundingly good head contol. They absolutely love tummy time on the Boppy pillows!

Connor and Logan!

My three Sons

Logan, Trevor, Connor
Connor Left, Logan Right
These shirts are from Aunt Jill. She brought them the day after I went into the hospital after my water broke with Logan. She always was positive and just knew the boys would always be OK.

4.5 months

Logan left, Connor right
Connor left, Logan right

What a week

Lets see, It has been so long, I need to recap. Connor had his bilateral inguinal hernia repair on the 31st. He was released after a short stay in peds ICU on Thursday morning. He goes today to have those sutures removed and the one from his little thumb. Then on Friday, both boys had to go back to Dr Obrien (pediatrician) for coughs and both were diagnosed with viral bronchiolitis. They were prescribed a five day course of prednisone (steroid) and breathing treatments via nebulizer every 4 hours. By Tuesday, both boys were screaming uncontrollably so Wednesday they went back to Dr Obrien and now they both have ear infections again. Logan in both ears and Connor in one. Now they are on their 3rd antibiotic (Zithromax) in 5 weeks. We looked back and we have been at the pediatrician once a week since Logan has come home. This is getting so crazy. Logan seems to be doing better, but hasnt gained any weight for 2 weeks and is remaining at 8 and 1/2 pounds. Connor is hanging at just about 10 lbs and he just cant seem to shake the rattle going on in his chest. I think next we will be adding an ear nose and throat specialist to our roster of doctors (as if there arent enough!!!). This has been a tough week. Saying goodbye to Aunt Jill was the hardest. I feel confident she is looking over the boys now in ways she couldnt before. We miss her so dearly. I will post some new pix here soon.

With love Aunt Jilly

This picture was taken at the NICU when the boys were there. Aunt Jill and Uncle Jay drove up from Indianapolis for a day visit to see how the twins were doing. Aunt Jill brought two matching gowns for the boys and this little dog for Trevor (holding in the picture). Aunt Jill had a huge heart with lots of love to give. She thought of others constantly. She surrendered herself over today and we will greatly miss her. I love you Aunt Jill!

Recovering from surgery

Connor is recovering from surgery well except for some pain control issues and swollen scrotum. We have to ice his guys for 20 min at a time and he is getting Tylenol every 4 hours. Along with the bilateral hernia repair (leaving 2, 1 inch incisions) he also has some adhesions trimmed around the foreskin of his penis which requires ointment at every diaper change. His thumb has 2 sutures and is covered with 2 steri strips. WE go back in a week to have the sutures removed from all of the incisions. It is going to be a long night as he is getting very cranky.
Logan has developed a bad cough. He has a lot of mucous and gets hacking so bad his whole face turns red. He has had a low-grade fever and is very cranky as well. So now that I got the update types, time to run as I have crying in stereo again!!

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Connor left, Logan right.

Couldn't resist these cuties!

Connor
Logan

Goodbye "lil extra".....

Today is the day and Connor has surgery to fix his hydrocele and hae "lil extra" removed. We are glad we have lots of pictures so one day he can see his small guy. Sadly, Connor will no longer be able ot give "2 thumbs up" with just one hand. Good luck today buddy and Mommy wil be there when you wake up. We love you!!!!!!!

The boys were able to sport these matching short outfits today as the temperature got in the mids 80's. They even sweat today!!! We had a nice day out, helped Nanny move, and got more use out of the new double snap and go stroller. I will post pix later of that as I havent taken any. It is the greatest twin invention ever!!

In the picture, Connor is on the left and Logan on the right!!

Smiley happy people (at least for five minutes)...

Connor
Logan

The boys were enjoying the Boppy gym for a bit. It does seem they are going a bit longer at stimulating themselves and smiling at the overhanging toys before resorting to crying (sigh). Connor is trying hard to roll himself, but needs a bit more practice.

We take all the help we can get!

Aunt Sue came over to reliev Daddy for a bit so he could do some things around the house. She is brave to take on both boys at once! Luckily they were fast asleep!

honesty

People often ask what it is like to have twins. Well, If it is a moment like now where I am writing to purely keep my sanity, I would have to say it is like someone is holding your head under water and only occasionally lets you up for air. Colic and illness are not things you bargain for when you find out you are pregnant. You dont think about hours of crying (in stereo!) and as soon as one is calm, you put them down to deal with the other and it is a vicious circle with no end. Often, when we are out and about, John and I encounter ignorant people who giggle with excitement at the thought of twins, comment on how cute they are, make small chit-chat about whether they are identical or not, how old are they. Then comes the dreaded comments and questions like "do you get any sleep?" and "Boy you sure have your hands full." It is this point where we cringe. Miss manners would surely agree that these comments are not kosher amongst new parents of twins. People!, No, we do not sleep! Yes, we have our hands full!
I am freaking out and I am with them only for a couple of hours. John is with them 16 hours a day. He must have nerves of steel, because I would surely be clinically insane! He deserves some serious props, because he is raising twins. It is harder than any job you could go to. So, yes, John does work hard- very hard, and he deserves to hear it once in awhile! ( I am very bad about this) John you are an amazing Father to all of our boys and a wonderful husband for taking on the responsibility to raise the twins!
Then there are the days when they feel well and they are smiley and sleep well and eat well and we stare in wonderment and amazement at the miracles bestowed upon us. WE think, "Wow, we were chosen". They are amazing little beings and so adorable. (see pictures below)
So, for our sake, for the parents of twins sake, next time you are out and about and you see new parents (or old parents for that matter) of twins, simply say "i admire you", "you are doing a good job", or simply "you are blessed" and if you know them well, "can I help you with anything?"
So, to sum it up, This is the best and worst thing we have ever gone through. It is mentally and physically draining, yet fulfilling at the same time.

new pix

connor (left) and logan

Quick update...
Monday, Connor had a follow-up echo and visit at the cardiologist. Good news, one VSD has closed and he now only has the one VSD and a PFO in the atrial septum. As he grows, these should close. He doesnt have to go back for 6 months.
Logan had a follow up for his retinopathy of prematurity and it has resolved. He wont need to go back until he is a year old.

Today, the boys had to go to the Dr and both have ear infections agian. The dr is talking about tubes in the future. For now we will continue treating with antibiotics.

Weights:
Logan 8lb 7.5 oz
Connor 9lb 13 oz.

Promise more pictures later! They are too cute and their hair is coming in on top finally!

SMILES!!!!!!!

Logan
Connor

Bath time is so fun....

Logan
Connor

Thanks for the privacy, Mom!!!

Big boys!!

Logan is on the left, Connor on the right. (Logan's smiling!!!)

These little outfits are from Aunt Judy and Jessica. Thank you!! They are so comfy and soft!

Connor is all smiles...

Caught on camera...one of Connor's first real smiles!

It is one of our first developmental milestones and he is at least 2 weeks ahead by his corrected age. His corrected age is one month and smiles are at 6 weeks. We are so proud. Logan does little smiles, but not as reactive as Connor. He just lights up! Logan is getting there, though.

We went to aunt Diana's yesterday and she weighed both boys.

Logan: 7lb 7oz

Connor 8lb 13 oz

Just a week ago, there was 1lb 9oz difference in thier weights and now just 1lb 6 oz. This means Logan is finally beefing up and hopefully closing the gap.

We have some upcoming follow-up consults. This Friday,5/19, Logan has a follow-up appointment to rule out retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). His retinas were immature at the last visit in the NICU. On Monday5/22 , Connor has a repeat echocardiogram and follow-up with Dr Ghazali, the peds cardiologist. He is going to check on the status of Connor's VSD's and branch pulmonary stenosis. All seems well there since the pediatrician could not hear a murmur anymore on Connor. On Tuesday, 5/23, the boys have thier 4 month check-up and (gulp) round 2 of immunizations. 4 months!!!!! I cant believe it!!

Milestones:

Both boys turn thier heads to hear a voice, when laying on thier belly's lift thier head up and turn it from side to side, track objects with thier eyes, gaze at the person feeding them, and smile. They are either right on or a smidge ahead for thier corrected age. Yay boys!!!!!!!!

By the way- we will refer a lot to corrected age vs. chronilogical age. To get corrected age, you subtract from the chronilogical age the # of weeks premature. This concludes todays math lesson!

15 weeks today...reflecting back

Logan 2lb 2.5 oz
Connor 2lb 7.1oz

It is so hard to believe that we are blessed to have gotten two wonderful babies on our long journey. It is so hard to look back at these times, knowing the boys had to struggle to live, breathe, eat, going home empty handed, and the 3 months of back and forth trips to the NICU.

Wow, we are 15 weeks today- almost 4 months old. As far as milestones go, they are right on for thier adjusted age. They are able to pick up thier heads when on thier belly, track with thier eyes, calm when picked up, and gaze into my eyes when feeding them. They are even starting to smile a bit and "talk" in thier little cooing voices.

We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people who have helped us out and have prayed every step of the way.

Thank you to our wonderful nurses who helped us throught the long and winding road...

Aunt Korrie to the rescue!!!!

Logan left, Connor right

She heard my plea and the desperation in my voice! Tonight Korrie came and offered us some relief so I could throw in a load of laundry and dishes in the dishwasher. She helped the boys get baths and helped feed. John was able to clean and it just felt so awesome for him to be free of the babies for a bit. Cousin Hayden came to keep Trevor occupied. I couldnt help but snap a couple pictures of Aunt Korrie holding both babies for the first time. We love you Aunt Korrie!!!!

Logan is in orange and Connor is in blue.

For Wendy

My blankie comforts me when nothing else will, thank you...love,Logan.

another entry in the book of illnesses..

After 24 hours of pure hell, the crying has ceased (if only for the moment). John took the boys to the pediatrician this morning after explaining the 24 hours of crying and not eating. Turns out Logan has a double ear infection and Connor has it in one ear. They have thier ibuprofen and their antibiotics and peace is restored on the homefront. If we are idle on the posting for a couple of days, it is because John and I need to catch up on about 2 days of lost sleep. We feel terrible that they were suffering, but we were in a bottomless pit and were helpless. We didnt know what to do for them, they just cried and cried. Hopefully that is all behind us now.

Sorry it has been so long!

Well, things are still a little hairy in this corner of the world. Connor still continues to have his crying fits that go for several hours. The guys went to see the surgeon Dr. Smith about thier hydroceles (water in the scrotum). Logan looked fine and he doesn't have to be rechecked for 3 months. Connor, though, has gotton worse. He will have surgery by late this week or early next week to repair the opening that is causing the fluid to accumulate. Poor guy just looks so uncomfortable. They will also remove the little "extra" thumb then as well.
We went for a weight check on Logan yesterday and he is now 7lb 0.5oz and Aunt Diana weighed Connor on Sunday and he was 8lb 6 oz. So they seem to continue to gain weight-a little slow- but gaining nonetheless. If I get a minutes peace tonight, I will try to post a few new pix.

some playtime

Connor bottom, Logan top
This has been a particularly challenging week. The boys cry ALL THE TIME. They are very colicky and will go several hours of crying. I have to be honest, but it is a little nerve-racking. Both are waking up at the same time, demanding to eat, then crying for hours after eating. I am hoping this is short-lived and we get past this soon.

Me and the guys

Summing it up!

90%
10%

Good news

The boys were tested fro RSV, Pertussis and had a CBC done. The RSV test was negative and the CBC (complete blood count) was good. The white blood cell count was normal, so it looks like the pertussis should come back negative as well. The boys seem to be doing better and are less cranky!!! We can just chock it up to our first sickness!
Weights- Logan 6lb 12.5 oz and
Connor 8lb 1 oz!
Connor gets to graduate to regular formula now that he is gaining so well. They are starting to look like just regular babies!