Oddly familiar...

My blue-eyed babies

Last week, Mark called me from work and told me to get on the computer and watch a video he was sending me.  The video was of a news story about a couple who were keeping their twins in a yearlong quarantine.  As I watched the video, I cried because their story seemed strangely similar to ours.  I guess, in a way, knowing that some other couple out in the world had made the same decision that we made somehow made me feel better.  Is that crazy??  Their twins were given an 85% chance of survival, where, our sweet Henry was given no chance at first.  I somehow want to contact these parents and just to say, "Hey, you're not alone!!"

This yearlong quarantine for us is almost coming to an end.  At times, it has been very tough.  Like, when you have a construction crew working on your house and you're stuck in one room for 4 days, but that's a whole other story for another time! Ha!  There have been times this year, when I have felt extremely isolated myself, and sometimes just plain lonely.  But, please don't get me wrong.  I wouldn't take back this year for ANYTHING!!  For every moment I have felt isolated, God has blessed me with twice as many moments of just pure joy.  I think the first year for any new mom is hard.  It's an adjustment that you really can't prepare for, even if you have a perfectly healthy child.

We all feel like once Henry and Harper receive their last RSV vaccine, it will be safe to get out and about this summer.  And boy, are we planning on getting out and about.  Outside of doctors and medical staff, and of coarse Mark and me, my parents and Mark's parents are the only people that we have felt comfortable letting come freely and visit with the twins.  (As long as they're well, of coarse!)  So, we've got lots introductions that we need to make this summer.  Mark and I started talking about their first birthday party and trying to make tentative plans.  I have a feeling that it will be on the "ridiculous" side, but I really don't care.  If there was ever a time to celebrate, I think their first birthday party would most definitely be that time! ;)

As I watched this video below, I was also struck by just how supportive and loving our friends and extended family have been.  I know there are probably some people who think we are CRAZY for not getting the twins out, but you know, I'm sure those people have never had truly sick children, and I pray that they NEVER do.  We have been blessed with such sweet encouragement.  I am so very grateful for our loving family and friends who get it, and have supported us 100%!

For some reason the video won't post to the blog, so to watch it, you will need to copy and paste the link in to your address bar above.

Below is the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MtT4nEtGGo&feature=youtu.be

If the one above doesn't work, try this link...
http://www.wgal.com/r-video/30443912/detail.html

Going to the Chapel...

I thought I would post a few pictures from the past few days.  We had a very sweet Valentine's day.  Mark brought home Harper's very first bouquet of flowers and he even cooked me dinner.  Any time he offers to cook, I request his chicken.  I think he may put "crack" in the marinade because it's so good. (Joking, I think!)  It was a very sweet day because it was spent with the 3 people I love most in this world.  

 Harper looking at her first Valentine's gift from her daddy.

 It was so funny.  She kept looking at me like, "Am I supposed to eat this??"

 Mark didn't forget flowers for me, either.  

 Roses from my parents, and tulips from my father-in-law.  So sweet.  

 This is where Harper and Henry hang out while mommy gets ready.  They love it, although, it doesn't seem so in this picture.  Ha!

 My sweet little man

Then, the day after Valentine's Day, my sister got engaged!!!!  To say that it's about time would be the understatement of the year!!  I know she was completely surprised and not expecting it AT ALL!!  Nate did everything himself and it was THE sweetest, most romantic proposal.  Next to mine of coarse! ;)  On Valentine's night, he called the family and asked us to meet him the following night at a restaurant that is just a block from my sister's apartment.  So, we were able to celebrate with the newly betrothed couple right after he proposed.  I would tell how he did it, but I feel like that is their sweet story to share.  We had a wonderful night celebrating.  Mark was sweet and stayed home with the babies so I could go and celebrate.  I couldn't be happier for my sister.  I love Nate.  I should say, WE love Nate.  I'm very proud to "officially" add him to our family.

 Nate's mom Cathy had this banner made.  

 My nieces Ava and Ashley, beautiful girls

 Nate's precious niece, Hattie.  Isn't she adorable!

 The newly engaged couple

Happy Love Day

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34 NIV)

Happy Valentine's Day!!


Our first Valentine's Day with Harper and Henry!!


They really do love each other! Henry has started giving Harper kisses. It's precious!



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9 Months

 I promise Harper has more than this pair of pajamas.  It's just, they're my favorite! :)

 Just hanging out with daddy.

Henry and Harper turned 9 months old this past Saturday.  It is amazing how fast their first year is going.  I think I might say that every time I post, but it's the truth.  Even though they are technically 9 months old, their "corrected" age is 7 months.  I've had several people ask me what "corrected" age means.  Corrected age just means the age in which they were supposed to be born.  Even though technically they were born in May, they weren't supposed to arrive until July, so they still had lots of developing in utero that they missed out on.  Since they were premature, we go by their "corrected" age when it comes to reaching milestones.  I hope I'm making sense.  Anyway, we will stop going by their "corrected" age when they hit 2 years old.  Our doctors have told us that most premies catch up to their actual age by the time they reach 2 years.  We still count May 11th as their official birthday.  I've had people ask me that as well.

We went to Dr. Fowler today for our 9 month check-up and to get their RSV vaccine.  She said they are doing great.  They are actually right on target for their actual age as far as their growth is concerned.  We were all happy to hear that.  They checked Henry's O2 SATs and it was perfect.  I still cry every time they have to get a shot.  It just breaks my heart.


Harper, sweet girl, you are just growing and changing on a daily basis.  Just in the past few weeks you've started saying "mama!"  I'm not sure if you realize that I am "mama" or if you're just mocking what I say, but I really don't care.  It's the sweetest thing I think I've ever heard.  You now have your two front bottom teeth.   You weigh 18 pounds 4 ounces and you are 28 and 1/4 inches long.  You love your food and you really like puffs.  You like watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (don't judge) and you hate having socks on your feet.  Your favorite doll is "Baby Doll."  You will clap your hands and scream when I give her to you.  You give her kisses and then chew on her head.  We can't decide if you are a daddy's girl or a mama's girl.  You are so, so, so close to crawling.  I've already started baby proofing the house because I know it's going to happen any day now.  But, if it doesn't, I'm not worried.  I know you will in your own time.  Your mommy has quit letting books, and people, freak her out.  God made you so special.  You are going to do great things with your life, I just know it!  I love you with all my heart.


Henry, sweet bear, you get funnier and cuter every time I look at you.  You are such a flirt, and you are definitely a mama's boy, although, you are crazy about your daddy, too.  You aren't saying any words just yet, but you love to "roar" and squeal.  You are all boy right down to your stinky feet, and I love you for it.  You have one of your front bottom teeth and you are working on your second.  The only way I can get you to take your bottles is if Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is on.  So, I'm thinking we'll be making a few trips to Disney World when you're older.  You weigh 18 pounds 5 ounces and you are 28 and 3/4 inches long.  You outweigh your sister by one little ounce.  You don't care a thing about crawling, but I know you will crawl one day.  You, my dear, are going to be mommy's picky eater.  As much as your daddy and I love food, I'm not really sure how we'll manage, but I'm hoping and praying you'll come around to liking food one day.  Whenever anyone meets you (mainly doctors, nurses, or PT's) they comment on how alert and "inquisitive" you are.  Daddy and I know you're just taking everything in.  God made you special, too!  I can't wait to see what great things you will do with your life.  I love you more than you will ever know.

 Getting ready to go see Dr. Fowler

 We are currently under a winter weather advisory here in North Mississippi.

Goodbye, So long!

We are currently hitting a HUGE milestone this morning!! Henry's doctor has written orders for us to discontinue having oxygen in our home!! Hooray!! Home Health is on its way as I type! I pray that we will NEVER have to have oxygen tanks in our home again!




Adios, oxygen!!




Henry wasn't as excited as his momma!




Harper thought mommy's happy dance was funny!



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Playing Catch Up

Happy February!! We're still here! I realized today that I haven't updated the blog in a while. Everything is good, we're just dragging a little. Harper and Henry are still teething and it's about to kill Mark and me. Harper has two little teeth on the bottom that finally cut through. We're still waiting on Henry's. Between the two of them, Mark and I are getting up just about every hour through the night. Our friends keep telling us to just let them cry it out. So, last weekend Mark and I were on a mission to do just that! Well, we lasted all of maybe 10 minutes and then we caved. I just can't stand to hear them cry, especially now that Harper is saying her first word!!! That's right, Harper said her first word last week! I thought maybe it was just a coincidence, but any time she's in her crib and wants something (mainly to be held) she starts saying this word! Ugh, melts my heart every time! I'm posting a video of her saying it below. I'm also going to post a video of what Henry likes to say! For our friends and family who still check the blog, I promise to do a better job of updating!!

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