Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
First Celebration of the Boys 1st Birthday
Today we celebrated the boys 1st Birthday! We started the birthday outing by having the boys one year pictures taken. They loved it and were so happy through the whole session. Even the photographer was impressed. We got to pick out the pictures right there on the spot and we are so happy with them and can't wait to share them.
After the boys photo session we went and bought them each a cupcake, and one for mommy and daddy too, and then we went to lunch at Rooster's. The last time the boys went to Rooster's they ate mac and cheese but they passed out in the car and didn't even wake up when we moved them from their car seats to the stroller, so mommy and daddy enjoyed a quiet lunch (which never happens).
The boys woke up right when our check came so we decided to take them to pick out their birthday presents. They each picked out a bath toy, with mommy and daddy's help. Both play music but one blows bubbles and the other squirts water like a fountain.
We hurried to make it to Gnomeo and Juliet. The boys bounced up and down and danced to the music until they wore themselves out. They fussed a little so we had to walk out of the theatre but then they passed out and we were able to finish watching the cartoon meant for the boys.
Once we got back home the boys were able to enjoy their very first cupcake. We sang them Happy Birthday and then the cupcake smashing began. The made an absolute mess of the cupcakes and they had frosting and crumbs everywhere. They loved it! We had to give them a bath just to get the frosting out of their hair, but it gave them the opportunity to play with their new toys.
Braylon and his cake face
Kaden and his cake face
Braylon making a mess
Kaden enjoying his birthday cupcake
Messy Birthday Boys
After the boys photo session we went and bought them each a cupcake, and one for mommy and daddy too, and then we went to lunch at Rooster's. The last time the boys went to Rooster's they ate mac and cheese but they passed out in the car and didn't even wake up when we moved them from their car seats to the stroller, so mommy and daddy enjoyed a quiet lunch (which never happens).
The boys woke up right when our check came so we decided to take them to pick out their birthday presents. They each picked out a bath toy, with mommy and daddy's help. Both play music but one blows bubbles and the other squirts water like a fountain.
We hurried to make it to Gnomeo and Juliet. The boys bounced up and down and danced to the music until they wore themselves out. They fussed a little so we had to walk out of the theatre but then they passed out and we were able to finish watching the cartoon meant for the boys.
Once we got back home the boys were able to enjoy their very first cupcake. We sang them Happy Birthday and then the cupcake smashing began. The made an absolute mess of the cupcakes and they had frosting and crumbs everywhere. They loved it! We had to give them a bath just to get the frosting out of their hair, but it gave them the opportunity to play with their new toys.
The boys passed out at their birthday lunch
Braylon and his cake face
Kaden and his cake face
Braylon making a mess
Kaden enjoying his birthday cupcake
Messy Birthday BoysOne Year Ago Today
This time last year our little miracles entered the world. It was one of the most terrifying, and most of all, most blessed day of our life.
I can remember the moment Dr. Berg said it was time to go like it was only a few months ago. After being air lifted to Spokane there were several hours before Bryan and my family arrived. The nurse and the doctor had completed their assessment and Dr. Olson sat in the rocking chair in front of my hospital bed where I sat in complete silence. I remember him just staring at me which was making me uncomfortable. I think he was just waiting for me to break. After a few minutes of silence and staring he asked, “What are you thinking?” and I responded, “If you’re going to do this just get it over with, don’t make me just sit here and worry about it.” He explained that they got the labor stopped but my water had broke so if it started again there was no stopping it. No sooner did he walk out the door and the contractions started again. By then Bryan and my family had arrived in time to find out that we were headed to surgery and the babies were coming at only 29 weeks 6 days gestation.
It was then that one of the most exciting events of our lives turned into one of the most frightening events in our lives. The time that it took to prep the operating room felt like a lifetime and all I could think about was there was no stopping this, the babies were coming and there was nothing I could do about it. I had no idea if they would make it or not. I kept asking the nurses, “Babies born at this gestation do ok, right?” They would tell me, “Babies this age generally do well.” I just wanted them to tell me everything was going to be ok, that our babies were going to be ok.
Once the babies were delivered the first glimpse I got of them was of Braylon’s leg sticking up as the nurses wheeled them off to the NICU. My first look at the boys was the pictures Bryan had taken on our camera. It was hours before I could see them in person. All I wanted was to see them and see that they were ok. Dr. Egger came down into recovery and gave me an update but I needed to see them for myself.
It wasn’t until early the next morning that I finally got to meet my babies for the first time. Although it might be hard for some to have seen, I thought they were the most beautiful babies in the whole world, despite all of the tubes and wires. I just wanted to hold them but all we could do was put our hands through the little holes in their incubators and hold their tiny hands and touch their tiny heads. Having them home where we could hold them, cuddle them, kiss them, whenever we pleased seemed like it would take an eternity.
Now one year later here we are and it feels like our days in the NICU are a distant memory. We have two healthy beautiful boys who we get to hug and kiss whenever we want. We get to enjoy their giggles and laugh as they try and say their first words and play with one another.
This time last year it felt like this day would never come and now it is here and it has been one of the most amazing years of our lives. It has been a rollercoaster with its ups and downs but it has been worth the ride.
Braylon and Kaden, Mommy and Daddy love you so much. More than words can ever describe. You have brought us so much joy this past year and we are so excited for all the joy you will bring us this coming year and all the years to come.
Happy 1st Birthday Boys!!!!!!!
The size of the boys first diapers on the left and the size they are in now, one year later, on the right (size 3).
I can remember the moment Dr. Berg said it was time to go like it was only a few months ago. After being air lifted to Spokane there were several hours before Bryan and my family arrived. The nurse and the doctor had completed their assessment and Dr. Olson sat in the rocking chair in front of my hospital bed where I sat in complete silence. I remember him just staring at me which was making me uncomfortable. I think he was just waiting for me to break. After a few minutes of silence and staring he asked, “What are you thinking?” and I responded, “If you’re going to do this just get it over with, don’t make me just sit here and worry about it.” He explained that they got the labor stopped but my water had broke so if it started again there was no stopping it. No sooner did he walk out the door and the contractions started again. By then Bryan and my family had arrived in time to find out that we were headed to surgery and the babies were coming at only 29 weeks 6 days gestation.
It was then that one of the most exciting events of our lives turned into one of the most frightening events in our lives. The time that it took to prep the operating room felt like a lifetime and all I could think about was there was no stopping this, the babies were coming and there was nothing I could do about it. I had no idea if they would make it or not. I kept asking the nurses, “Babies born at this gestation do ok, right?” They would tell me, “Babies this age generally do well.” I just wanted them to tell me everything was going to be ok, that our babies were going to be ok.
Once the babies were delivered the first glimpse I got of them was of Braylon’s leg sticking up as the nurses wheeled them off to the NICU. My first look at the boys was the pictures Bryan had taken on our camera. It was hours before I could see them in person. All I wanted was to see them and see that they were ok. Dr. Egger came down into recovery and gave me an update but I needed to see them for myself.
It wasn’t until early the next morning that I finally got to meet my babies for the first time. Although it might be hard for some to have seen, I thought they were the most beautiful babies in the whole world, despite all of the tubes and wires. I just wanted to hold them but all we could do was put our hands through the little holes in their incubators and hold their tiny hands and touch their tiny heads. Having them home where we could hold them, cuddle them, kiss them, whenever we pleased seemed like it would take an eternity.
Now one year later here we are and it feels like our days in the NICU are a distant memory. We have two healthy beautiful boys who we get to hug and kiss whenever we want. We get to enjoy their giggles and laugh as they try and say their first words and play with one another.
This time last year it felt like this day would never come and now it is here and it has been one of the most amazing years of our lives. It has been a rollercoaster with its ups and downs but it has been worth the ride.
Braylon and Kaden, Mommy and Daddy love you so much. More than words can ever describe. You have brought us so much joy this past year and we are so excited for all the joy you will bring us this coming year and all the years to come.
Happy 1st Birthday Boys!!!!!!!
The size of the boys first diapers on the left and the size they are in now, one year later, on the right (size 3).ONE YEAR AGO
NOW
We took weekly pictures of the boys with their bears while they were in the NICU. At the time of their first picture with their bears the boys were small enough to use the bears as a bed. Now the boys are much bigger than their bears.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Our deepest appology
To the Stuffed Animals in Braylon and Kaden's Cribs,
We would like to sincerely appologize for the torture you indure during your time with the boys in their crib. It was not our intent to place you there so you could be swung around by your tail, legs, or ears; or your heads banged against the matress or crib railing.
We can only imagine the pain and fear you must feel when you are one-by-one suspended over the railing, above the floor, and then dropped to the floor only to land on your heads.
We are unable to bring this torture to an end, as you provide so much entertainment to our sons. We hope that one day you will find it in your fluff filled hearts to forgive us.
Our deepest appology,
Bryan and Ashley
We would like to sincerely appologize for the torture you indure during your time with the boys in their crib. It was not our intent to place you there so you could be swung around by your tail, legs, or ears; or your heads banged against the matress or crib railing.
We can only imagine the pain and fear you must feel when you are one-by-one suspended over the railing, above the floor, and then dropped to the floor only to land on your heads.
We are unable to bring this torture to an end, as you provide so much entertainment to our sons. We hope that one day you will find it in your fluff filled hearts to forgive us.
Our deepest appology,
Bryan and Ashley
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Where the Wild Things Are
These picture were taken by Papa George during the boys visit Tuesday evening. As their hair gets longer it just gets crazier (although, I think it may have had a little help here :) ) Kaden's manages to stay pretty tamed but Braylon's looks like this most of the time.
Braylon left, Kaden right
Braylon
Braylon left, Kaden right
BraylonLately we have been working on weaning the boys. They will be one year old soon and can start having whole milk. It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be but I do find that they tug on my shirt at some pretty awkward times.
The bedtime battle continues as we try different stratigies to get the boys to fall asleep and start sleeping through the night. Nothing has worked so far.
We have also been busy planning the boys first birthday. I cannot believe how fast this first year has gone by. I have to be honest, it makes me a little sad and I have shed a few tears over it.
Another busy part of life these days is the decision to put our house on the market. Although our house has been a great starter home. We out grew it the day we found out we were having twins. We currently have an offer in on a house that would be ideal for our family, but do not know if they will accept our offer. In the meantime, while we wait, we will be showing our house in hopes of speeding up the process if the bank decides to accept our offer on the other house. Keeping a house clean enough to show has been a very difficult task when you have babies.
Our ultimate goal is to find a home that allows for single level living and the ability to grow. This house we have an offer out on fits that perfectly so we are keeping our fingers crossed.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
We are 11 months old today!
Pictures of the boys from this past weekend's visit with Grammie B
Kaden Strong Baby Contest
Kaden
Braylon Strong Baby Contest
Braylon's 1 arm pull-up
Boys at play (Braylon left, Kaden right)Friday, January 14, 2011
Howlands vs. Insurance Company
After over a month long battle with our insurance company we got approval for the boys RSV shots, FINALLY!!! They originally denied coverage of their shots because they said they were “too old”. I think they were hoping that we would just accept it for what it was and not challenge them, but they were wrong. They obviously don’t know how persistent Bryan and I can be when we feel strongly about something.
I got fed up enough that I called the nurse whose name was on the denial letter myself. I don’t think she realized she was speaking with someone who has a medical background at first. She kept rambling on about how the boys didn’t meet all of the criteria and I politely explained to her that I didn’t really care about their criteria, the shots had been ordered by three different doctors who have a pretty good idea of whether or not they are necessary and if they denied them they were going against three different doctors orders. And to make a long story short we both got off the phone pretty frustrated with each other and I was told my statements were going against 5 different physicians, who made up this criteria, expertise.
I have to say that if Bryan and I didn’t feel that the boys needed these shots we would not have pushed the issue because they are very expensive and we will pay a decent chunk of money for our co-pay for these shots. We feel so strongly about this that we are willing to put forth the money in the best interest of the boys.
I then called our pediatricians nurse and explained my conversation with the insurance company to her and she agreed that the boys should have qualified for the shots regardless of their age because they were diagnosed with Respiratory Distress Syndrome when they were born and Kaden has what they call Chronic Lung (which after reading their list of qualification should have automatically got him qualified) which means that his lungs would be more sensitive to illness and he would not tolerate a respiratory illness as well as a full-term baby and could have lasting effects as a result of a major illness like RSV.
After many phone calls and help from the pediatrician’s office, who had to resend all of the boys documents, from the time they were born to now, to our insurance. The insurance company called on Wednesday and told us we had been APPROVED for 5 doses each baby!!!
For those who are not familiar with the Synagis shots, they are administered once a month for several months during RSV season. This year RSV season started in December so the boys missed out on the first round but the season usually lasts through March or April so they will be covered for the rest of the RSV season. We will have to take the boys to the pediatrician’s office every month for their shots until RSV season is over.
I am not looking forward to the extra pokes for the boys but we can rest assure that we have done everything in our power to keep them healthy.
I got fed up enough that I called the nurse whose name was on the denial letter myself. I don’t think she realized she was speaking with someone who has a medical background at first. She kept rambling on about how the boys didn’t meet all of the criteria and I politely explained to her that I didn’t really care about their criteria, the shots had been ordered by three different doctors who have a pretty good idea of whether or not they are necessary and if they denied them they were going against three different doctors orders. And to make a long story short we both got off the phone pretty frustrated with each other and I was told my statements were going against 5 different physicians, who made up this criteria, expertise.
I have to say that if Bryan and I didn’t feel that the boys needed these shots we would not have pushed the issue because they are very expensive and we will pay a decent chunk of money for our co-pay for these shots. We feel so strongly about this that we are willing to put forth the money in the best interest of the boys.
I then called our pediatricians nurse and explained my conversation with the insurance company to her and she agreed that the boys should have qualified for the shots regardless of their age because they were diagnosed with Respiratory Distress Syndrome when they were born and Kaden has what they call Chronic Lung (which after reading their list of qualification should have automatically got him qualified) which means that his lungs would be more sensitive to illness and he would not tolerate a respiratory illness as well as a full-term baby and could have lasting effects as a result of a major illness like RSV.
After many phone calls and help from the pediatrician’s office, who had to resend all of the boys documents, from the time they were born to now, to our insurance. The insurance company called on Wednesday and told us we had been APPROVED for 5 doses each baby!!!
For those who are not familiar with the Synagis shots, they are administered once a month for several months during RSV season. This year RSV season started in December so the boys missed out on the first round but the season usually lasts through March or April so they will be covered for the rest of the RSV season. We will have to take the boys to the pediatrician’s office every month for their shots until RSV season is over.
I am not looking forward to the extra pokes for the boys but we can rest assure that we have done everything in our power to keep them healthy.
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