1 Year check up

We were off to see Dr. Cox yesterday for their one year check up and shots. We got a lot of good news. I just couldn't take them on Monday and ruin their birthday so we waited one day.

The first good news we got was that RSV season is closed therefore they did not have to get their RSV synagis. One less shot.

My lil Colby weighed in at 16.9 pounds and is26.7 inches long. He still has not made it onto the growth chart but that's ok too.

As you can see he was very curious about everything in his wagon. He just wanted the paper I think. The boys did help open them and in one hand would be paper and the other the book or toy and every time Austin would look at the paper and say "ooooh".

Austin, our big boy weighed in at 18.3 pounds and is 28.5 inches long. He is still maintaining that two pound difference in weight and two inches in height.

Everything checked out well. Dr. Cox is very happy with their growth, motor development and our progress with early intervention and physical therapy.

We do have physical therapy tomorrow and I believe Miss Lisa is going to be very impressed with the boys. They are doing everything we were supposed to be working on plus more. We were supposed to work on going from the standing position to the sitting position without doing the Nestea plunge, going from the crawling position to sitting and back to crawling. Work on the proper crawling position with Colby instead of the Army lowcrawl. Both boys are doing all of these correctly plus walking around the couch holding on. Colby's big deal now is to let go, clap his hands and then hold on again. I should try to get that on video one day. He is soooo proud of himself when he does it.

Speaking of milk.......Dr. Cox also says we can move onto whole milk if want. Since we are using one can of formula, the expensive one for preemies, every 1 1/2 days I think we'll try the whole milk.

For those of you that saw how much milk I had stored, I used my last bag one week prior to their birthday. I wanted to say so badly that I nursed them for one year but I was one week short. For those that have no idea what I am talking about, we had an entire stand up freezer full of milk and we also had to store milk at Carla's house in her freezer.

This is why our family loves our Nanny, Heather so much. She loves the boys and the boys love her.

Happy 1st Birthday.....our precious lil miracles

Wow! Can you believe Colby and Austin are one year old today. My gosh, where has a year gone? I am so afraid I am getting ready to look up and they will be heading off to college. We had our family dedication at church today. It was great. Pat did an awesome testimony on how God and the power of prayer has touched our lives. It was a proud Momma moment for me to stand up there with my family and know that this is God's plan for me. I wouldn't change it for a moment.

Our lives have been a roller coaster this past year but with the support of family, friends and Southeast Baptist we made it. I wish all of you could have heard Pat speak today. It was very touching and I am very proud of him. He's a great husband and father and I am so thankful to have him. I will say there many tears in the congregation which shows me those were the ones praying for us when times were tough and those tears were seeing the power of their prayer.

As always Pat did manage to make everyone laugh too. I think he told the whole church that Jen called Carla to tell her I had delivered the boys and Carla said, "have you called Pat" to that Jen said oh no, don't tell anyone I called you first. Oh and I don't think he holds a grudge, but he loves bringing it up.

Our Utah Family, the Kellers, the Fontenots, Jen and Jefferson and Abby

We had a wonderful party for the boys. We had a house full and the boys were so good. They weren't wild about their cake. Austin didn't seem to like getting his hands dirty. They finally tasted it after I helped put their hands in it. They did love all their gifts.


They got a lil red wagon from Granny, Grampy, Aunt Alina and Uncle Jason and we filled it with all their gifts and they just kept crawling over and looking. I think they were a little overwhelmed but they handled it great and didn't have a melt down. Here are some snapshots from the party. I'll have a lot more thanks to our photographers, Heather and Nathan.

Happy Birthday Colby and Austin! I love you so much and look forward to many many more birthdays with you.

Mom

Happy Mother's Day

My Twin Boys

Wow, some days I still can't believe I am a Mom. For those years that Pat and I tried and tried to have children we came to realize it was meant to be, but in God's time not ours. I look back at our 1st ultra sound photo and now I look at Colby and Austin who are both trying to help me type and I just want to pinch myself to see if it's all true. Ok we'll Colby just pinched me so it must be true. I am amazed every day at what a joy children are. I never knew this kind of love existed and I am so thankful to God that he has given me the opportunity to be a Mom.

There are so many days while I work that I wonder "am I doing the right thing?" Should I be a working mother or a stay at home mom. Will the boys be mad at me if I'm not with them every minute of every day, will they forget who I am if I have to go away. Then I take a minute and remember my Mom. My mom is my hero. She taught me so much that I never realized that she had taught me until I had Colby and Austin.

Oh how I wish she were here to see the boys and to hold and love them like she did with Ann-Marie and me. How proud she would be to say "she is a mother of twins and a grandmother of twins" I wonder how many people in this world could say that.

I have relived this past year over and over again and most of the time it brings tears to my eyes when I realize just how blessed I am.

This weekend, my 1st Mother's day weekend I have come to realize how much I miss my Mom who died 10 years ago this August. Every year I do the Race for the Cure in memory of her and for it to be held yesterday in Salt Lake made for a weekend of memories for me.

As Pat and I pushed the boys for 5K I took time to think about all my Mom did for me and the fight against cancer that she fought with all she had. I thought about all the ballgames and track meets she attended. Staying every day after school so we could practice and still driving 30 minutes home and cooking dinner for us every night. I realize how much of her time she gave to her family and for that I am so thankful. How many of you remember "Hey ref, you're missing a good game!" That should bring a smile to your face. I plan to be that Mom who is always there to support my boys no matter what path they decide to take and I hope I am always there to show them how to love and to be loved and that as long as they live by what God wants them to do they will never go wrong.

My Mom was a strong Christian lady that taught me I could do anything I wanted if I set my mind too it and worked hard. (I'm guessing after I got into flight school she might have wished I wasn't as strong as she was.) She was always there regardless of the situation. She had a strong but loving hand and it is because of her that I am the way I am. I love when Natalie or Sean ask me "how did you learn to do that or who told you that and I can tell them My Mom taught me". I hope I can be half the Mom to Colby and Austin that she was to me and continues to be.

To all the ladies, who may not be Moms..yet,(Lou, Carla, Jen, Abby and Heather) I believe God has a plan for you and I am so grateful part of his plan is to allow you to love my boys as if they were your own. I want to say Happy Mother's Day to you and to thank you for loving and caring for Colby and Austin like you would your own children. You will always have a special place in their heart and mine.

Her love is like an island

In life's ocean, vast and wide

A peaceful, quiet shelter

From the wind, the rain, the tide.

"Tis bound on the north by Hope,

By Patience on the West,

By tender Counsel on the South,

and on the East by Rest.

Above it like a beacon light

Shine Faith, and Truth and Prayer;

And thro' the changing scenes in life

I find a haven there.

Happy Mother's
Day!

And the chaos continues

To the zoo we go......

I can't believe I actually have time to sit and type. Both boys are asleep for short afternoon nap, Pat's out working and the washing machine, dryer and dish washer are full steam ahead.



The boys have gotten their 2nd haircut. As you remember Austin had the major meltdown. Well look at my big boy this time. He did great. He never shed a tear and in fact sat pretty still so Pat could cut it. He still has his one curl right on top of his reservoir. They just look so much older after a haircut. It's hard for me to believe they will be one in about 3 weeks. Where has a year gone?





We went for what we thought was going to be our last RSV synagis but as it turns out they just admitted two kids to the hospital last week. So we scheduled another RSV appointment in conjunction with their 1 year check up and vaccinations. Colby weighed in at 15.14 and Austin was 17.11. They are doing great. We had early intervention and physical therapy and both ladies were extremely impressed with the boys' progress. They could not believe how well Austin is doing crawling forward. Austin has realized there is a whole new world out there if you can move...especially forward. Austin has learned to pull up on things such as the couch, his chair etc. He now has to figure out how to sit down. Right now he gets totally stiff and will attempt the Nestea Plunge.....straight back. Luckily Pat was there to catch him. We are now working on bending the knees and sitting down.





Colby can pull up on the couch and walk all the way around. He can bend down and pick something up and stand back up. He has had to learn if you have something in both hands you can't hold onto to anything.....therefore you fall. Both boys have at least 2 bruises on their foreheads. It always seems to be the 1st thing that hits. Colby hasn't felt that great this weekend as he has 2 teeth breaking through.



He has been pretty fussy most of the time. We've been giving him some Tylenol to see if it helps. I expect those teeth to be through the skin this week. Seems like we've been waiting forever on them.



















We took the boys for their 1st trip to the zoo. They didn't really focus on any of the animals but really seemed to enjoy being outside. They did however like the rooster that hopped on the rail right in front of them. Colby also liked sharing a snow cone with Daddy.



Here is Colby enjoying the blue snow cone with his Daddy. Austin settled for his bottle.



Well I've saved the most devastating news for last. I got notified on Friday at our commissioning ceremony by my boss that I am on a list to deploy this July (29th) to Iraq for one year. Needless to say it made me instantly physically sick. BYU has responded that they didn't think I needed to deploy right now. I called my branch manager who I happen to know from Fort Rucker. His name is Tom and he and Pat and I all commanded together. He's a super guy. I talked to him and reminded him that the previous assignment officer called me last June while we were in the NBICU and requested that I extend one year to hold my position for a soldier in Iraq who would take the position upon his return this spring. I told Tom had I known they were going to deploy me, I would have refused the offer and separated from the Army this summer as I had planned. Tom asked me to send him the email traffic that I have from last summer and that he will do what he can to find a replacement for me. Because I know he cannot continue to protect me and it appears agreements made last year don't hold water I will be submitting my resignation request tomorrow to my boss at BYU. At this time I will plan to start my terminal leave Jan 2nd and will be permanently separated around March 15th. My original separation was not until the end of the school year but it doesn't look like I would be teaching anyway.

Tom, my assignment officer said I should know for sure within the next 2 weeks if they found a replacement for me. I know most of you are thinking.....tell your boss to call, call your congressman etc. I have faith that my resignation will be accepted and there won't be a need for anything other involvement. I can't imagine leaving the boys right now and especially since Austin is due to have brain surgery sometime in July or August. Just keep us in your prayers that everything will work out and that I can separate the Army with a positive attitude and not with a bitter taste in my mouth. I have faithfully dedicated 17 years to the Army but now I know without a doubt it's time to dedicate my life to my boys and whatever their needs are to make them healthy, happy boys. Pray that all will work for what is best for our family and that these two weeks will go by quickly. I hope we'll get an answer prior to then and that I'll be protected from having to deploy. Deals with the Army aren't always what we think they will be.

Alexa

A day to remember...or not

A happy couple with a healthy pregnancy

little did we know our world was about to change

It was a year ago today that I was closing out the semester at school. I had sat on two thesis defense boards, posted my grades and was planning to commission several new Army officers that Friday. I knew Friday would be my last day at work due to the agreement I made with my doctor to start working from home. Heck I was only 24 weeks pregnant already on a 4 hour work day so I really couldn't go any shorter than that.

As I was driving home something just didn't seem right though I really felt ok overall. I called my doctor and they suggested I run by the hospital on my way home just to have them check me out. I called Pat and told him it was no big deal and I would jsut meet him at home. Being the caring husband he is, he met me at the hospital anyway. I called Carla and Jen but only got in touch with Jen and told her it was no big deal and I would call her when I was done, plus only being 24 weeks I knew I still had plenty of time. She insisted on meeting me there and in fact was standing at the top of the stairs waiting for me as I pulled into the parking lot giving me the look "how could you not want anyone here with you".

Pat, Jen and I sat in the waiting room for quite awhile. We were laughing and joking because everytime they would come tell me I should have a bed soon, another lady getting ready to deliver would be brought in. Pat left to go to coach at Sean's baseball game in North Salt Lake, about 3o minutes away. I didn't mind because I wasn't worried, in my mind I kept telling myself I had 4 more months to prepare for the boys. I finally got into a room and it was only a matter of minutes when I started having cramping and my back hurt so bad! Little did I know they were contrations. Once they started they were quick and painful. It was weird how one minute we were laughing and the next I was scared to death. Jen tried to call Pat but he couldn't hear his cell phone so he had no idea what was going on at the hospital. After the game he said he had like 17 messages telling him to get to the hospital.

The whole situation was crazy and scary. It's amazing how I can remember so many of the details. They started the mag and put me in the head tilt. Head down and feet up. They also gave me a steroid shot for the boys' lungs. My doctor who is always light hearted and funny was totally different, I guess because he realized the severity. He talked to Pat outside and said they planned to send me to the U of U because he felt sure I was going to deliver that night and there was a very good chance the boys would not survive at 24 weeks.



We went by ambulance and it was the longest 20 minute ride of my life. Pat was in the front and I was in the back with the paramedics. Once at the U of U they monitored me and kept me on the mag that eventually stopped the contractions. I was so glad to finally be moved to a normal room and not with my head down and feet in the air. This was the beginning of a month of "bed rest". Today as I relive that day I am just so thankful that God decided to keep Colby and Austin in just a little longer. My miracle boys are so precious to me and I just can imagine if they had come a year ago today.

To all those especially Carla and Jen who were there when things got crazy and scary...thank you.

HAPPY EASTER !!!!

Hippity Hop Hippity Hop, Just wanted to say

Austin loved his basket. As soon as he saw it he headed straight for it. OK well maybe not straight for it since he is still trying to figure out going forward he really kind of rolled to it.


Colby just wanted the grass out of his. He did like the bath toys or at least the wrapper they came in.


We all had a great Easter. If you are wondering why the boys started out the cutest polo overalls with shirts and ended up in khaki shorts well I'll tell you.

There we were sitting at the restaurant eating Easter brunch prior to church when I decided to hand Austin to his Daddy. As I handed Austin to Pat his bottom felt wet. I thought oh no he peed. Well I was wrong about the pee part. So I had to go clean him up and change him into another outfit. He did not even make it to church in his new Easter outfit.

Here is Pat with Sean holding Colby and Natalie with Austin.

When I look at this photo, I just think of how lucky I am to have such beautiful sweet children. I never knew how much you could love a child until I had the boys and now I seem to love them more and more each and every day.

Here is our lil playbunny, Colby. He is now pulling up on everything he can. He loves to pull up on the coffee table and it makes me a nervous wreck because I am always so afraid he is going to fall and hit his head or mouth. I know there are many many bruises in our future but I am not ready for them yet.

Here are their first Easter bibs from Granny Lou Lou and Mikey. They were perfect for today because both boys are droolers. Colby is going to cut a tooth any day. Austin still only has two teeth but he does have his first ear infection. He is on antibiotics and eye drops.

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter.

Alexa and Family