Home life is keeping us busy- can you tell? We have been so terrible at updating you all, sorry for that. Thanks to everyone for still following the blog, lets us know how much you all support is.
The babies are good! They don't feel so much like babies anymore though- they are huge. 12 month clothing huge. Last we checked (three weeks ago) Reilly was 17 lbs and Chase was 15lbs and they've definitely grown since then. They have been busy going for lots of walks, exercising and eating new things. They have such unique personalities that we just can't get enough of. Chase is happy to laugh and eat all day. Anything you eat- he wants. He loves people and loves to stand. He actually hates any position other than standing! He is working hard trying to roll and sit up. The physiotherapists come and give us weekly exercises for Reilly and we always make Chase test them out too. Reilly is a little peach. She likes to hear herself sing now, and loves any sort of music ( thanks to Mayela for always keeping her iPod in her isolette). Her and Chase are really interacting, playing and sometimes even fighting. It only takes about 2 seconds before chase finds the oxygen on her face. We fill our days with walks, feeds, experimenting with solids, and exercises from the OT and Physio. All the visiting therapists to our place have been so impressed with them both- but especially Reilly. They can't believe how far she has come. They say any prolonged hospital stay can be bad for a person and you can really see just how good it did her to get out of there. She is holding her head up high, loving tummy time ( which used to be such a battle), making lots of sounds, eating solid foods and soaking the entire kitchen during her bath because she loves it so much. It's truly amazing. People always told us hopeful stories and we were always anxious to see how ours would unfold and although we aren't through this patch with her- we know she is going to be just fine. More than fine. She is such a beautiful, happy little girl. And chase too. People don't even believe he is a premie! Reilly's gtube seems to have really helped too- it took the discomfort away from her face. It doesn't come without its own challenges (she absolutely hates the pump- hates when she's being fed and hates the site of it) but she is starting to take more by bottle so hopefully it all gets easier.
We have been so blessed with great help and ongoing prayers. We know so many of you have lit candles for our little ones, say prayers for them everyday and think of us often and we truly believe it is only with your help that the babies are as strong as they are. Your support to us through dinners and lovely cards and phone calls helped us be better for them and that helps so much too. It isn't yet easy, but we are getting better at it. Starting to feel like regular parents now instead of this young couple on this crazy roller coaster. We've even gone out for date night and have our first night away planned for the end of the month! Next week will be our one year anniversary and although at this time last year we knew we were in for a crazy ride, I don't think we could've ever imagined what the road ahead had in store. We couldn't have envisioned these two beautiful, spunky, amazing kids by ourside and a beautiful, ever present angel above us. We are so incredibly blessed to have all of this in our life. Even though the days are tiring and the nights are long- we wouldn't change a thing.
Now for what you've all been waiting for- pictures!!
