Scenes from the Weekend

   I've said it before, I'm going to say it again. I LOVE the weekends! We get to have to much more fun now that the twins are almost 2.  They love exploring and constantly asking "Wha's dis"? Adorable and exciting all bundled into two packages! 
   Most of Saturday was spent at Yuba Lake.  Just an hour or so South of us. It was sunny with a chilly wind, but that didn't stop us from having so much fun. The girls spent most of their time playing with their cousin Tyson and running around with the dogs.  We took a walk down to the lake and of course they had to play in it. Obviously everyone got a bit wet. 
   The view was so amazing from the camp site. Overlooking the lake and the valley below.  Watching the kids play in the water and all around made me so excited for our camp outs and road trips this summer.  
                         PS. Yes, K is showing crack. :) Couldn't help but giggle she couldn't keep her pants on.

{Happy Monday!❤}

What they're up to

   This coming month will count the 2 year mark these two have been in our lives.  Can you believe it?  TWO years! I sure can't.  Pretty sure we have fallen more and more in love with these gremlins as the months go on.  

    Oakley is still a little bigger than her sister.  But not by much.  We are guessing they weigh about 25lbs now.  They both have most of their teeth in.  Those vampires are just finishing.  

They still sleep in cribs and have yet to try and climb out. We are in shock really at the fact they have yet to attempt to do so.  Naps are still a regular thing.  Generally every day from 1:30-4:30.  I don't know what I'll do when they refuse to do so.  It's my time to get things done I need.  

We thought they would never talk, but now it seems we can't get them to be quiet. ;)  
They copy and say almost everything we do.
If you never believed that twins had their own language. Come spend a few hours with these ones.  The use complete sentences, usually only to each other.  Most the time we can't make sense of it but most the time it's the best part of our days.  
Aussie Bear has become their best friend.  He lets them hold on to his fur and drags them around the house.  They often use him as a pillow or to sit by and read to him.  
Books are still their favorite thing to occupy their time.  They love to be read to, but are definitely OK with just sitting together and reading by themselves.  


Kenzington has shown us she is the adventurous one of the two.  She will jump off the couch first, climb as high as she can first, and try out new things first.  I imagine most mothers would be worried or nervous to have a kid so willing to take risks.  In all honesty it makes me so excited to get her going on bikes, motorcycles, snowboarding and more!  


Oakley isn't against being out there but she will sit back and watch to make sure "sissy" doesn't end up hurt. Even then she often just takes a leap of faith, ha!  She has shown us how motherly she is towards others.  Making sure to gives hugs and kisses if anyone is upset or crying.  Even just on the drive by she'll stop to give a hug and smile.  It's something that pulls on those little heart strings.  


             Call us crazy, but we started potty training about a month ago.  K was showing all the signs of being ready.  She would hide in the corner, get mad when her diaper was wet or messy or even just tell us she went potty.  We went for the Naked Butt potty training.  Keeping them naked from the waist down for a solid three days and consistently putting them on the potty.  They still run around in just undies or nothing at all if we are at home to keep it easy for them to run to and from the potties.  
One thing I do want to address is that ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN!  We have been told so many times even after having just one accident, that we should give up.  That doesn't make sense to me.  They love running around in their undies now that it's warmer.  They also love telling us and showing us they can use the potty themselves.  So why on earth would we put them back in diapers just because they couldn't run to the bathroom in time once and a while?  It's a work in progress, Dr's and books even say that depending on the kid it could happen over night or it could take years of training.  
To us it's about being positive.  Letting them know "Pee Pee goes in the potty", if they do make a mistake.  But positively reinforcing them when they are successful. We are down to 0-1 accidents a day and have yet to have any accidents while out on the town.  They do wear diapers or pull ups at night or nap time.  Even then their diapers have been getting drier and drier at night as the weeks go on.  

I can't even express how proud and happy they make me.  They have been through some amazing things in their short 2 years.  I can only imagine the ones they have ahead.  Every day they show us something new and simple things we should all sit back and enjoy!  
I'm lucky enough I get to spend most my day with them before heading off to class at night. It's hard to leave at dinner and not come home till they are fast asleep.  But in the long run it is what is best for our little family.  I am just so thankful that from 8am-5:30pm I get to share all the new things they are experiencing each day.  I get to hear those adorable voices as I go to wake them saying "mommy! Momma!".  That's something I don't think even words can describe.  

Running with Angels and a NICU party

This last Saturday was the day for the Running with Angels 5k run.  If you're an old reader of this blog you know my reason for running from this post last year. I was there in hopes of being some support for our amazing friends.

What is so amazing about this day and the fact that the race actually fell on this day May 21, was that it was little James first birthday.

(These were the back of our shirts, designed by his mom herself)

This was such a touching run and the opening ceremony was just so beautiful.

The couple was able to release white doves in memory and dedication for their little guy along with 4 (I think) other families.  

To me this couple just Shines with love and joy in their hearts.  I really love this couple they have been so strong and loving through all their hardships and am so glad that I was able to build a friendship with them.  What's even better is that these gorgeous people are expecting a little girl in a few months!  I couldn't be more happy for them!

It was heart warming to just watch the families hug as they followed the birds as they flew away.  

Hundreds of people had come to support families, friends, and loved ones that have been lost.

Soon after the race was ready to begin and as the runners took their mark we all really just talked and prepared for a nice little Speed Walk through the Thanksgiving Point Gardens.  

I'm not sure if many of you have heard of this place, but it is probably one of the prettiest gardens I've ever been through.  Pictures could never capture how large and beautiful this place was.  Full of tulips, greenery, several waterfalls, water fountains, numerous places to just sit back at look over the entire place and it's beauty. It was just the perfect scenery to be taking during something like this.  Showing us how blessed we are to be and live on such an amazing planet and to be surrounded by love and beauty.  (Did I say beauty enough?)  

This just gave me even more memories I'll always get to cherish and remember.  

Speaking of being blessed and cherishing things-

the annual NICU reunion party just happen to run a couple days after the girls birthday and on the same day as the race.  In fact I remember being in the hospital on my first trip up to the NICU and hearing them talk about the party.  

We really didn't know what to expect and figured at the least we would get to see some of the great nurses that helped us through our 6 weeks in the NICU with the twins.  

They had blow up toy thingys a bunch of tents with games, face painting, foods, candy.  It honestly was a perfect place for a toddler.  Unfortunately the girls weren't able to really enjoy any of it yet so we simply sat in the grass had some dinner while the girls people watched just enjoying what was around them.

We were able to show off the girls to a couple of the nurses that we remember from our stay, but didn't see many others.  It really was a blessing to have people who cared so stinking much about us and the girls while we were there.  I know that I wouldn't have been able to make it through those longs weeks without their support.  Constantly having to tell me that they will be ready on their own time and that everything will work out like it's supposed to.  

I remember a couple days before the girls were released the nurses had to force the dude and I to go to a movie and dinner.  Our last night out on the town with no kids at home to worry about, hehe.

We will really never forget the amazing doctors and nurse staff that were there.

I really hope everyone takes a second and looks at all the great and wonderful things they have to be thankful for.  Sometimes we ( i know i do) get caught up in the crazy fast pace of life and forget all that we are given and are blessed with.  We are so lucky to have two happy and healthy little girls even after all the little complications. 

I hope everyone has a safe and awesome weekend!  

{Happy Friday!}❤

Getting through

As some of you have already seen from yesterdays post, little Ms. O is sick.  We are thinking it was caused by her sister having the croup a week or so back, but unfortunately Oakley got the worst of it.

They are certain it's bronchiolitis, with signs of it being RSV.  They didn't test her for it though considering they would be treated the same.  

The last few days have been a little crazy and stressful.  Monday she was acting tired, coughing and mostly just laying around not wanting to participate in playing much.  Tuesday while I was in class I got a call from my mom who was watching them saying she needed to be seen right away.  She wasn't eating, sleeping, and her breathing was very labored.  

So I left school early to come home and see her in such a condition it brought tears to my eyes.  She just looked so unhappy and miserable.  Their regular doctor had recently broke his leg and was going in for surgery so we had to schedule an appointment with another ped in the same office.  

We took her in as soon as we could and as they checked her oxygen levels and monitored her for some time, they were certain she was going to need to be seen at the hospital.  Mostly to be suctioned in hopes of helping the situation but also because she is a preemie and these things escalate quicker for them.

It was hours of waiting before the hospitals pediatric and respiratory therapist were able to come and get her.  They finally came, and we were taken up to a room on the Mother Baby floor for her to be assessed and suctioned.  The pediatrician came in and pointed out her retracting stomach-something we saw when they were born and needed oxygen- as well as explaining her whining she was constantly doing.  They had a check list that would determine how severe she was.  

The first assessment she was graded at a 5/6 which was moderate.  They then suctioned her-which was probably one of the things I have always hated see them go through.  Little was removed except for enough for the therapist to hear more clearly.  The second assessment after the suction she was graded a 7/8.  Which was severe.  Her stomach was retracting not only in one position but two, and her wheeze was no longer masked by the build up of mucus.  They decided to give her a albuterol treatment right there, afterwards trying to get her to drink some juice.  

After the treatment she was assessed at a 6.  Back in the moderate range as well as she was able to get down about 2oz of liquid.  Their main concern was her being able to eat.  With treatments it was obvious improvement  and they didn't want to admit her unless absolutely necessary .

We were sent home 7 hours later from our leaving the house with a prescription for albuterol and a nebulizer.  With orders to watch her closely because of how border line she was, giving her treatment every 4 hours as needed.  As well as to get as much liquids down her as possible.  The great thing about having connections in the medical field was that she was seen by the doctor rather than just by the stand by suction lady who was just filling in.  The respiratory therapist also mentioned he recognized us and remembers them when they were in the NICU.  It was great to know we were in good hands.  They put orders to the day staff that if we were to come back in that they would make sure the doctor on the floor would check her.

The poor thing was exhausted and to our relief she slept the entire night, once we had her home in bed at 11:30pm.  The next day she was showing signs of improvement.

I gave her a morning treatment since she was not eating well and suctioned her the best I could.  

I couldn't help but think how cute she was with her Bubbles the Fish mask which to me looked more like a dragon due to every time she would breath out the mist from the medicine would steam out the sides, like she was angry. 

Luckily she started to show signs of being hungry and actually wanted to play with her toys. 

She still took several naps and didn't move or eat as much as normal BUT it was better than before. 

We took her in for a follow up Wednesday evening and were told she is still not in the clear and to be good about getting her to drink and if she is needing treatments more than every 2 hours or unable to breath with the treatments to bring her to the ER.

That night was pretty rough, she couldn't sleep and didn't lay down till nearly 11pm again.  Waking up at 4am needing a treatment.  

They were going to be blessed this coming Sunday but that has been postponed until she is in good health, which will hopefully be within the next week or 2.  

From what I'm hearing today while I'm at school she is doing much better than Tuesday but still unable to rest very well.  We are trying to keep things separated from her and her sister because Kenzington is still likely to catch the same thing. 

Oh the stress and joys of being a parent.  

I am just glad and thankful for all the support we have had from friends and family!  I love you all!

From sending your love and prayers to even dropping off some foods for the little one while we were at the hospital.  (Yes we were not expecting to go there and didn't have any formula or even enough wipes, lol)   Everyone has been great! 

<3