Today was another checkup - Addyson weighs 7 pounds 13 ounces and Braden weighs 13 pounds 10 ounces. They are both continuing right at their normal gain per day so that is good! No changes to our meds or routine.

Let's see - what have we been up to? Sometimes it's hard to remember what we did yesterday - other than feed babies and try to get some sleep! It's been a while since I posted but here's some of the things we've been doing.

Last week both kids had routine audiology checkups since they were preemie. We got to go back to Wesley and both of them can hear so no more scheduled hearing checkups. Yeah! While we were there we got to see some of our favorite daytime NICU nurses and show how big we're getting! We also went to see the high risk office where we went weekly and eventually daily for sonograms. We caught both our sonogram techs - Michelle and Tara - and got to take a picture of them with the kids. They had taken so many pictures of Addyson and Braden - we thought it was only fair to take a picture of them. And we saw Dr. O'Hara also.

It was also a big day because it was the kids' first trip to Famous Dave's - our favorite barbeque spot in Wichita. After their last round of shots our pediatrician said we could start easing into taking the kids out in public. So we're slowly doing that - we are still paranoid of germs but are trying to do our best to be brave . . and smart all at the same time! It is still a ton of work to get two babies and their bottles and everything else we have to get to go anywhere for a few hours so our outings will still be limited just for that reason. Plus Ryan is busy with summer farming things and it's just not too much fun for me to try to get them many places! But slowly we're re-entering the world outisde our house and dr. offices!

Ryan and I have gone out a few times and left the kids . . . which by the way was much tougher than I ever thought it would be! But it has been good for us to get out. And we've been able to manage to find some time for ourselves at home as we're getting more adjusted to the kids sleeping and eating schedules! Who knew an hour on the back porch by ourselves watching a sunset while both kids slept in the evening would be such a treasure!

Addyson and Braden are cooing a lot these days - Addyson some times sounds like she's singing. Addyson rolls from her back to her sides so you never know how you'll find her! Braden is starting to reach for things above him - it's fun to watch him learn and realize he can grab and make things move! They are both getting so much stronger. Braden still loves to be held and Addyson loves for you to talk to her. She is also starting to smile more. Both kids started to laugh last week - and within seconds of each other which was fun!

That's it for now - just some some pics for your viewing enjoyment!

Summer Pics

So here's what we've been up to. We're pretty much staying inside because it is way too hot to be outside! Addyson is up to her old tricks of wiggling and escaping. The other night we woke up and she had totally turned herself upside down in her Moses basket that they sleep in at night.

Addyson has learned to LOVE her baths - especially when daddy gives them to her. He makes sure there are plenty of bubbles.

Braden is full of smiles. Here he is sleeping with daddy. Their hands were not placed for this picture. They both just fell asleep like this.

Braden really loves to watch his mobile. Addyson has started to enjoy it too. These provide hours of enjoyment!

At their last appointment Braden weighs 13 pounds and Addyson weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces. Not too much else to say - we're just enjoying them and watching them grow day by day. They are starting to interact and coo so much more and that is so fun to be a part of! We are still working on both of their eating skills - Addyson is being a stinker lately and is a struggle to feed and Braden is seeing a speech pathologist to help with his suck-swallow-breathe because he is still struggling to get that down. But things are going well!

4 months old!

Today Addyson and Braden are 4 months old!!

They are both smiling more as you can see in their pictures! They are also so much more attentive and responsive. They are so much fun to play with!

Addyson is doing much better with her spitting up overall; we still have our days but all in all she is doing much, much better. She now eats 75-80 mL's every 3 hours or so. She weights 6 pounds 12 ounches. The pediatrician was happy with that at her last checkup and after their shots in a couple of weeks he said we could space her visits out more. So that means improvement. He said he is seeing another IUGR baby and she is slow growing too. So he's not very concerned which is good to hear! Addyson loves to sit up and look at the world. Just like she has since the very first days in NICU when the nurses took her picture with her wide eyes. She loves to be talked to and is starting to smile more. She is really starting to like the swing and of course her very own girly bouncy seat. She is starting to coo also.

Braden continues to pack on the pounds! He weights 12 pounds 2 ounces. He loves to eat and is hammering 140 mL's every 3-4 hours. Braden has a big heart - he is really happy most of the time and has plenty of big smiles to share. But the minute Addyson starts to fuss he cries too; he really worries about her I guess :) Braden loves to watch the mobile above his crib and listen to the music. He also likes to watch the bear mobile on their swing. His new hobby is pooping out his pants. Out the sides, up the back, you never know where - but I have been pooped on more times than I can even count. But he gives big smiles so you can't be mad. He also likes anything close to his mommy - he HATES to be left by himself. But he's learning to deal with it. Braden is also cooing a lot.

We're having lots of fun with them and watching them grow so fast!!