Oregon Coast

We took our first family vacation to the Oregon coast. Although the weather was a little chiller than we had hoped for it was a very nice trip. The boys did great with the long drive and we only had to stop twice going over and back for feeding and diaper changes.
Daddy got his “dream” truck about a week before, bye-bye gas guzzling tahoe, so we were able to put it to the test and it was very comfortable. My brother rode over with us and so I rode in the back with the boys and there was plenty of room. We are very happy with our purchase.
My mom’s side of the family met us over on the coast and it was such a nice visit. We rented a house close to the beach where we ate dinner most nights. My mom and aunt Lynette cooked surf and turf one night to celebrate my grandma’s birthday and Bryan and I’s first anniversary (both on the 18th of July). Bryan, my dad, brother, uncle John, and cousin Shane went fishing the morning before and caught the fish and crab for our meal. Both Bryan and my dad provided the chum for the fishing trip, since they both got seasick. I guess the other guests on the boat thought it was pretty funny and made fun of them until one made a mess in his pants. That’s karma for you.
We took the boys to down on the wharf at Newport where Bryan had his first visit to the wax museum and Ripley’s Believe it or Not. We also bought lots of salt water taffy and ate at the Rogue Brewery. We enjoyed going to the shops at Depot Bay and also took the boys to the aquarium. Braylon slept through the whole visit at the aquarium while Kaden was awake most of the time (he is the curious one).
The weather cooperated one day and we were able to spend an afternoon down on the beach. Here are some of the pictures from our trip.

Technical Difficulties

The video's should work now. I had to fix a setting on YouTube.

Courage is not afraid to weep, and she is not afraid to pray, even when she is not sure who she is praying to.
--(Makataimeshekiakiak)Black Hawk

I have finally mustard up some strength to watch some of the videos we took while the boys where in the NICU. Although the boys are healthy, I still find the videos difficult and a little painful to watch. I posted one of each of the boys when they were first born. These videos were taken on March 2, 2010 when the boys were not even 24 hours old.

As I am able to watch more, I will post more. I really would like to share what life was like for us and the boys in the NICU. These were some of the most terrifying yet most miraculous times in our lives and although many of you have kept up on the blog, nothing puts it into perspective like watching it with your own eyes. I think this is why it is so difficult for me, because it shows just how fragile our little guys were.

As I look back I am reminded of how blessed we are to have these beautiful boys in our lives. It is amazing what beauty can arise from the scariest of times.

Look How Far I Have Come--Braylon

Look How Far I Have Come--Kaden

First Visit to St Maries

The boys got to spend their first weekend in St Maries this past weekend. They had lots of fun at Grammy B’s house. They got to meet Max, swing out on the porch, and go see the green house. The boys got all dressed up for their first wedding. After the wedding they spent the evening socializing at the reception and even got to dance a little. Both Braylon and Kaden had the pleasure of dancing with the beautiful bride and even scrounged up cash for the money dance.
Yesterday was the boys 2 month “Well Baby” visit with Dr. Ambrossen. Kaden weighed 9lbs 3oz and Braylon weighed 11lbs (with a wet diaper). Dr. Ambrossen says that they are doing great. They got their shots yesterday also. They did really good with their shots and only cried a little. We were so happy with how well behaved they were we treated them to IHOP afterwards. They fussed a little off and on throughout the day but felt better after a little infant Tylenol.
Today the boys got their first infant massages. Our therapist from the Infant Toddler program came to the house and taught us how to massage the boys’ legs, feet, and tummies. This was one of their recommendations for the boys to help relieve some of the stress they had encountered in the NICU. There are some things that still stress the boys to this day from their medical course. For example, Kaden does not like his feet touched because of the multiple lab draws he had taken and Braylon doesn’t really care for the tummy massage because he has had trouble with reflux. Our goal is that the boys will eventually feel relaxed with massage. Massage also helps them to become aware of their extremities. We are learning to follow their cues to know when the boys are receptive to touch and to also teach them that they have more control of their situation now. If they begin to fuss while massaging, for example, their feet or tummies we follow their cue and stop. We are hoping that by working on this the boys will learn to enjoy their massages. Next time we will learn chest, arms, and maybe their faces.
Here are some pictures from their visit with Grammy.





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Monkeys See Monkeys Do

I think the boys have been spying on me while I do my work out. I try and do it while they are napping but they must sneak a peek. I caught Braylon doing the reverse crunch in his basinet at three this morning. He was kicking his legs straight up in the air in a rhythmic fashion. He must be watching the lady on the DVD because he had a big smile on his face and I know I don’t smile. It’s probably a look of pain on my face. Kaden decided he would do it too, except when he kicked his legs up in the air he let out an adult sized fart, he must have gotten that from his dad, because he sure didn’t learn that from me. I think they might be mocking me, because I am sure I look pretty ridiculous to them swinging my arms around and kicking my legs up in the air. But, as ridiculous as it may look, I think it is working.

Where the Wild Things Are

I sleep next to wild animals. I put peaceful little babies to bed at night and wake up next to the zoo. There is no sleeping in past 9 am, if that, anymore, even if you are up every three hours feeding the little piglets. The boys have found their voices and enjoy using them. They both coo up a storm. Kaden has discovered that he can scream. Although, it’s not real loud (yet) it can be quite startling in the early hours of the morning. Braylon makes growling noises. We lay awake laughing, because they just start cooing and kicking their legs so hard they get the whole bassinet moving. I am hoping that I can capture it on video some time and post it on the blog. I would really like to catch it from the point of view of my pillow. Sometimes, if you are lucky, they will fall back to sleep for a few more hours, but once 9 am hits and they are busy cooing away, you better be ready to move out into the living room. The boys are good at getting their point across that, “Hey Mom, we’re bored, get up!” They are happy once you move them from the bassinet to their swings. I thought that I might get bored being a stay at home mom, but these boys are very entertaining.

4th of July BabyQ

The boys had a festive 4th of July. They spent the afternoon BBQing with friends. There were a total of five babies at the BBQ. We decided that we would call it the “BabyQ”.
After the BBQ was over and the sun had set we headed over to some friends house and watched the firework show on the river. Braylon was awake until the show started and then he fell fast asleep. Kaden woke up during the fireworks and stared at the bright sparkles in the sky.
We are sure enjoying our little “firecrackers” and watching as they discover the world around them.
The boys in their 4th of July attire


Braylon


Kaden


Braylon, Savonni, and Kaden


Braylon, Kaden, Savonni, Brynnlea, and Bailey






Braylon waiting for the fireworks to start


Kaden


Braylon