I went away for a long weekend, and left the twins home with Mike. Before I left, Eliot was very close to crawling. But now, after a rigorous three-day Daddy Boot Camp, I am thrilled to say that Eliot is full-fledged MOBILE.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
valentine's day
Valentine's Day 2008 in the NICU
Valentine's Day 2009 at home (UNBELIEVABLE, right?)
Eliot and daddy time.
Elie after I told her that daddy was actually MY Valentine.
Elie proving me wrong. Look at the "nah nee nah nee nah nah" on her face. She is trouble, this one.
Owen just happy to be here, and thrilled that he still has one strawberry cereal bar left. It is Valentine's Day, after all.
Me escaping momentarily from dear Saint Valentine (and the two fourteen-month olds that ran me around like crazy all day).
Monday, February 9, 2009
tupperware party
Owen is hosting a Tupperware Party to earn extra money for strawberry cereal bars. Please let me know if you would like to place an order.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
clap, dance, peek
Sorry the blog has been all about "home movies" lately, but the twins are doing so many cute things right now, I can barely see straight.
This clip features Eliot, and it's got it all: clapping, dancing, and the cutest peek-a-boo in the history of the world.
This clip features Eliot, and it's got it all: clapping, dancing, and the cutest peek-a-boo in the history of the world.
Monday, January 26, 2009
new wheels
Since Owen is now crawling everywhere, we bought this walker so Eliot could be mobile, too.
BUT sweet Elie doesn't quite understand that the walker has wheels, so she just sits in it, and plays with the keyboard.
And then there is Owen - who figured out in three seconds that he could roll ALL over the house, chase the dogs, AND run over mommy's ankles - all with one new toy.
Cool.
BUT sweet Elie doesn't quite understand that the walker has wheels, so she just sits in it, and plays with the keyboard.
And then there is Owen - who figured out in three seconds that he could roll ALL over the house, chase the dogs, AND run over mommy's ankles - all with one new toy.
Cool.
Friday, January 23, 2009
bed head
El El Bean woke up with the best bed head yesterday, after her g-tube leaked in her crib, and she rolled around in it all night.
I gave her a bath shortly after these pictures, I swear.
I gave her a bath shortly after these pictures, I swear.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
promise
I will always love 2008 for so many reasons:
first smiles;
first hugs;
first eskimo kisses (Owie is the best at these!);
first sits and stands and rolls over.
But already, 2009 has so much promise. Owen is now crawling all over the house, which has opened up a new world of chaos that I was completely unprepared for. Though not mobile quite yet, Elie has made great strides in the past few weeks. She is finally putting her feet on the ground and standing up. (For whatever reason, Eliot had great sensitivity in her feet, and would pick up her legs as soon as you picked her up. I think it was because her little heels were pricked a million times in the hospital for blood draws.)
And . . . drumroll . . . Elie is actually opening her mouth for food. OPENING her mouth! That is something she has never done - not in a year. I don't think she is ingesting much, as her swallow is still very awkward, but come on! Swallowing has to be the next step, right?
Here are some pics of the beginning of our wonderful new year . . .
first smiles;
first hugs;
first eskimo kisses (Owie is the best at these!);
first sits and stands and rolls over.
But already, 2009 has so much promise. Owen is now crawling all over the house, which has opened up a new world of chaos that I was completely unprepared for. Though not mobile quite yet, Elie has made great strides in the past few weeks. She is finally putting her feet on the ground and standing up. (For whatever reason, Eliot had great sensitivity in her feet, and would pick up her legs as soon as you picked her up. I think it was because her little heels were pricked a million times in the hospital for blood draws.)
And . . . drumroll . . . Elie is actually opening her mouth for food. OPENING her mouth! That is something she has never done - not in a year. I don't think she is ingesting much, as her swallow is still very awkward, but come on! Swallowing has to be the next step, right?
Here are some pics of the beginning of our wonderful new year . . .
Saturday, January 3, 2009
here crawls owen!
Look what the little man started doing on Christmas Eve (nine months adjusted).
Lock up your refrigerators. At 24 pounds, this kid goes for food first.
Lock up your refrigerators. At 24 pounds, this kid goes for food first.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
the 17th
I will never forget it. Ever. The doctor walked in solemnly on the morning of December 17 (after I had slept through at least twelve hours of contractions), and told me the babies might have to be born today. I went blank.
They sent me down to triage to start an IV of Magnesium Sulfate - a drug used to slow down the system, mainly my uterus. I had been "magged" for four days the week prior. "It worked last week; it will work again." The OB returned after only ten minutes, not acting hopeful. She looked sad, and she said she was sorry.
The doctor discontinued the Mag, and a nurse scrubbed the epidural site. They gave me another IV. I think it was my ninth in two weeks. I complained; I complained about a freakin' IV. Mike and I asked for a minute alone, and we escaped into the bathroom. We held hands and cried, and I remember watching tears fall into the sink.
They wheeled me into the OR, and it was silent. They asked Mike to step outside while they pinned me down to a bed like high school students preparing to dissect a frog. No one said a word. I didn't even know they had made the cut.
Owen entered the world first, with an indignant cry. Eliot fought off the rude intrusion, but cried within seconds. I asked the doctor whose babies were crying, and she said they were mine. "My babies can cry?"
The NICU delivery team held my tiny, new twins in front of me, and I kissed one of them. I don't even know which one I kissed. They were rushed to intensive care, where they would remain for the next few months. I begged for them to fight.
I was wheeled into recovery with a bunch of women who all had their babies. I listened to them ogle all over their new bundles, while I wondered if mine were still alive. I sent Mike to check. I sent Mike to check if our children were still alive. Why should anyone ever have to do that?
Lying groggy and sore from surgery, I was in the middle of the worst moment of my entire life. And, to make it worse, I had to watch and listen to other mothers basking in their best. I doubt it could ever get more depressing than that.
When we made it to our post-natal room later that morning, Mike and I stared at the ceiling. "Should I call our parents?" he asked.
"No," I said. "I don't want anyone to know." What . . . did I think I was going to hide it?
That morning Owen defied all odds by breathing on his own, and we felt a sense of hope. That evening, Eliot's breathing started to struggle, and we were once again consumed with fear. (This was the beginning of a long series of emotional "up and downs.")
Around 5am on the morning of December 18th, I woke up in a panic. "Call the NICU nurse," I said shaking. "Please call to check." We both held our breath as we knew Mike wasn't calling to "check" on the twins, he was calling to see if Eliot had made it through the night.
When Mike told me Elie was doing "okay," I smiled. It was one of the first smiles I remember after giving birth, and it didn't happen until almost 24 hours later. The nurse just said that Eliot was doing "okay." And I was so happy. "Okay" was so much better than what I had prepared myself for.
The first few days after the 17th are blurry. I know I prayed a lot, and hoped a lot, and wanted - so badly - to be celebrating the birth of my children. But last year, it just wasn't so. We had too many mountains to climb.
But TODAY. Today is a different day and a different story. Today is Owen and Eliot's birthday. And we will gladly smile and celebrate it by putting cupcakes in our hair instead of in our mouth (nice, Owen); by eating our birthday party hats (nice, Elie Mak); and by ripping open wrapping paper, only to ignore the new toy for the giant empty box in which it came.
And while tomorrow will undoubtedly bring Eliot's stubborn refusal to swallow pureed peaches, and Owen's mind-splitting, loud scream, we still have today. And THIS December 17th is a great day. Today my babies are one, and one is so much fun. Happy Birthday to my strong, amazing miracles.
They sent me down to triage to start an IV of Magnesium Sulfate - a drug used to slow down the system, mainly my uterus. I had been "magged" for four days the week prior. "It worked last week; it will work again." The OB returned after only ten minutes, not acting hopeful. She looked sad, and she said she was sorry.
The doctor discontinued the Mag, and a nurse scrubbed the epidural site. They gave me another IV. I think it was my ninth in two weeks. I complained; I complained about a freakin' IV. Mike and I asked for a minute alone, and we escaped into the bathroom. We held hands and cried, and I remember watching tears fall into the sink.
They wheeled me into the OR, and it was silent. They asked Mike to step outside while they pinned me down to a bed like high school students preparing to dissect a frog. No one said a word. I didn't even know they had made the cut.
Owen entered the world first, with an indignant cry. Eliot fought off the rude intrusion, but cried within seconds. I asked the doctor whose babies were crying, and she said they were mine. "My babies can cry?"
The NICU delivery team held my tiny, new twins in front of me, and I kissed one of them. I don't even know which one I kissed. They were rushed to intensive care, where they would remain for the next few months. I begged for them to fight.
I was wheeled into recovery with a bunch of women who all had their babies. I listened to them ogle all over their new bundles, while I wondered if mine were still alive. I sent Mike to check. I sent Mike to check if our children were still alive. Why should anyone ever have to do that?
Lying groggy and sore from surgery, I was in the middle of the worst moment of my entire life. And, to make it worse, I had to watch and listen to other mothers basking in their best. I doubt it could ever get more depressing than that.
When we made it to our post-natal room later that morning, Mike and I stared at the ceiling. "Should I call our parents?" he asked.
"No," I said. "I don't want anyone to know." What . . . did I think I was going to hide it?
That morning Owen defied all odds by breathing on his own, and we felt a sense of hope. That evening, Eliot's breathing started to struggle, and we were once again consumed with fear. (This was the beginning of a long series of emotional "up and downs.")
Around 5am on the morning of December 18th, I woke up in a panic. "Call the NICU nurse," I said shaking. "Please call to check." We both held our breath as we knew Mike wasn't calling to "check" on the twins, he was calling to see if Eliot had made it through the night.
When Mike told me Elie was doing "okay," I smiled. It was one of the first smiles I remember after giving birth, and it didn't happen until almost 24 hours later. The nurse just said that Eliot was doing "okay." And I was so happy. "Okay" was so much better than what I had prepared myself for.
The first few days after the 17th are blurry. I know I prayed a lot, and hoped a lot, and wanted - so badly - to be celebrating the birth of my children. But last year, it just wasn't so. We had too many mountains to climb.
But TODAY. Today is a different day and a different story. Today is Owen and Eliot's birthday. And we will gladly smile and celebrate it by putting cupcakes in our hair instead of in our mouth (nice, Owen); by eating our birthday party hats (nice, Elie Mak); and by ripping open wrapping paper, only to ignore the new toy for the giant empty box in which it came.
And while tomorrow will undoubtedly bring Eliot's stubborn refusal to swallow pureed peaches, and Owen's mind-splitting, loud scream, we still have today. And THIS December 17th is a great day. Today my babies are one, and one is so much fun. Happy Birthday to my strong, amazing miracles.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
1st birthday party
Happy Birthday to two . . . Happy Birthday to two . . .
What a great party. Four grandparents, four cousins, two aunts, one uncle, and a mom and a dad . . . Add to the mix "almost one-year old" twins, and, well, Mike and I are tired.
The twins had so much fun; I'll post some video footage later. They turn one this Wednesday. ONE. I can't believe we all made it through the first year; surely the Axt family is due for a little less drama in 2009 (can I get an AMEN?).
Are there calories in that hat? If so, give that girl another!
Owen on his new rocking horse.
Elie Mak playing at her new music table.
Celebrating with cousins!
What a great party. Four grandparents, four cousins, two aunts, one uncle, and a mom and a dad . . . Add to the mix "almost one-year old" twins, and, well, Mike and I are tired.
The twins had so much fun; I'll post some video footage later. They turn one this Wednesday. ONE. I can't believe we all made it through the first year; surely the Axt family is due for a little less drama in 2009 (can I get an AMEN?).
Are there calories in that hat? If so, give that girl another!
Owen on his new rocking horse.
Elie Mak playing at her new music table.
Celebrating with cousins!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
play date II
Another play date with our good NICU friends, and look how all of the babies have grown!
May 2008
December 2008
May 2008
December 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
ignore
So, Owen has entered the "screaming" phase. Screaming for attention, screaming for the dogs, screaming for food. I read in one of my "what do do with baby" books that parents should try to ignore screaming.
Ignore? No problem. I was a middle school teacher. I can ignore anything.
Except when the anything sounds like this . . .
Ignore? No problem. I was a middle school teacher. I can ignore anything.
Except when the anything sounds like this . . .
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
tortilla
So, Eliot doesn't eat, right? Right.
BUT, she is making some progress with putting new foods in her mouth. Behold the flour tortilla . . .
BUT, she is making some progress with putting new foods in her mouth. Behold the flour tortilla . . .
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
sandbox
We made our own sandboxes today: two laundry baskets, a bag of peas, a bag of lentils, and two babies that thought it sounded like a great idea.
"Hey babies! Do you want to play in a sandbox?"
More peas, please!
Eliot in Lentil Land.
Owen trying to escape. (Where does he think he'll have more fun than a makeshift sandbox?)
"Hey babies! Do you want to play in a sandbox?"
More peas, please!
Eliot in Lentil Land.
Owen trying to escape. (Where does he think he'll have more fun than a makeshift sandbox?)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
family pics
My good friend, Nadine, took some beautiful photos of our family last week. I couldn't pick just one to share, so here are a few of my favorites . . .
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
teeth!
After MANY weeks of drooling, chewing, and crying, Owen has finally cut his first two teeth. (Eliot has cut one bottom tooth so far, but it's too tiny to capture in a picture.)
Too much spit to see them clearly . . .
Nope. That's your thumb, Owie.
There they are! Two bottom baby teeth for the O-man.
Too much spit to see them clearly . . .
Nope. That's your thumb, Owie.
There they are! Two bottom baby teeth for the O-man.
Friday, November 7, 2008
to suck, or not to suck
As most of you know, Eliot lost her suck reflex a couple of months ago. No pacifier, no bottle, nothing. This led us to give up the bottle for good, get a g-tube, and move on to eating solids and drinking from a cup (both of which she has done very, VERY slowly).
It is important for Eliot to put all kinds of things in her mouth to continue to stimulate her tongue, cheeks, and palate. We work with her constantly throughout the day with different toys and textures, so that when her acid reflux subsides, and she begins to enjoy the cup and solid food, she has the oral-motor capability to progress quickly.
This is how I found Elie Mak this morning. It is not exactly what Mike and I had in mind when we encouraged her to explore with her mouth.
That thing she is biting down on? That's her g-tube. Niiiiccce.
It is important for Eliot to put all kinds of things in her mouth to continue to stimulate her tongue, cheeks, and palate. We work with her constantly throughout the day with different toys and textures, so that when her acid reflux subsides, and she begins to enjoy the cup and solid food, she has the oral-motor capability to progress quickly.
This is how I found Elie Mak this morning. It is not exactly what Mike and I had in mind when we encouraged her to explore with her mouth.
That thing she is biting down on? That's her g-tube. Niiiiccce.
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