Dry night!!

Mary Louise and David (and Mommy) woke up in a DRY bed this morning!!!! Yeah!! We tried the Target diapers - as we have access to a Target here so it was the easiest option for us...that, and a small package of that brand is $6 - so not much investment there. They are a bit bulkier than our usual Pampers - chosen because they fit the legs of our sweet little babes. They also make me giggle because when the babies walk / waddle, it sound like they are crumpling paper. Having said that, they worked beautifully last night! I thought the legs might be a problem as they definitely aren't as tight as the Pampers. I'm not sure how they'll do with a poop diaper, but Mary Louise and David rarely do that at night anymore. So this seems like a viable option for us.

There are some flushable inserts made for hybrid diapers that I may try - but they must be ordered...so until then, these will do - it seems...

Yay for no more rushed and extra washes of bed clothes!!!! I think we'll keep our morning bath time though. Right now, it warms up the babies and gets them in a good mood to start our day. They are also learning to float in the tub - so most of morning bath time is actually water play time.

On Wednesday, David completely balked at nap time, so I let Mary Louise rest and opted to take a bath (myself). I lay back in the tub to wet my hair and when I sat up, David was standing there, having taken his diaper off, with his leg on the edge of the tub, wanting to get in! Ha! It was his second bath of the day...and he was to have a third before bedtime. But we had a nice time all the same! He kick kick kicked his little legs and splashed with his hands and floated while I held his head. He was so very proud - and I was happy to get a minute of individual time with him.

He has become extremely attached to his froggies as of late. We've never been able to leave home without them (for the weekend, etc.)but, lately, we can't leave upstairs without them. He has one in eyesight or in hand the vast majority of the day -and MUST hold one all night. (If you don't recall what his froggies are, they are NICU positioning aides - essentially bean bags with 2 arms that can be wrapped around the tiny patient). Anyhow, I'm not bothered by his attachment - just observing. During the day, it is more of an inconvenience if we don't have a froggie within reach...at night, it's definitely a necessity if anyone wants sleep!

That's the news for now. This round of Synagis shots went very well - no fever, minimal soreness, a fussy night - but that's a vast improvement to previous months. We're approved for 2 more months and then we're on our own...both exciting and scary!

xo,
Heather

Word explosion!!

Mary Louise has been making great progress with speech!! Some words are much clearer than others, but I don't think I'm the only one who can understand her...

This one is not espcially clear - but I think it will hold a special place in the heart of a particular grandfather we know and love...


and this one - well, see for yourself!!...


We've been working very hard with both of them and the progress is truly amazing. We've had a bit of a rough time today as the weather has been very dreary and Mary Louise and David had their Synagis injections. David has been a little off his feed during the past 2 days as well so he's particularly grumpy. Their teething seems to have slowed - Mary Louise got her last 2 molars in over the past week and a half or so and tolerated it very well.

Their current weights are Mary Louise: 20 pounds!!!!!! 5.5 ounces!!!!!!! We have finally broken the 20 pound weight point with her!! David was 18 pounds 12.5 ounces. As I said, he has struggled over the past few days in particular with eating - but considering the fact that they've both conquered their first colds and ear infections, I'll say we'll just work harder over this month to make up a bit...we'll see - they are definitely in control of this one!

xo,
Heather

Oh - a little P.S. To the mother who commented about 6 month checkup eye exams for her sweet baby - Mary Louise and David have had full eye exams every 6 months since their surgeries. Their history with ROP is the reason they are checked so frequently. I'm not sure of your little one's history - but it would dictate your little one's eye exam schedule (if one is even needed at all). Feel free to email me with any questions about our cases! heatherbowe@gmail.com

Precious Moments

While at Mommom's house, Mary Louise's speech really took off. To date, she's said (more than once and very clearly) Chester, diaper, cat, hot, out, ouch, baba, mama, dada, and she can point to her eyes, nose, mouth, hair, belly, toes, and wave "bye bye" while saying bye bye. Way to go baby girl!!

David repeats sounds and occasional words, can follow all commands above, they both bring me diapers, wipes, throw things away, bring objects to other people (family members by name). David can say hot, out, ouch, cat, Chester, bye bye, baba, dada, and mama on command.

While visiting, Mommom made me a surprise salon appointment complete with hair cut, conditioning treatment and a manicure!! She watched Mary Louise and David while I was shamelessly pampered for 3 hours!! I got to the house, looked around, and asked Kyle if everyone was ok. It seriously looked as if the place had been robbed and ransacked...and it was eerily quiet. Kyle said, "everything's fine - Mom just let the babies play...ha." Mom came out of the bedroom where we'd been sleeping. She smiled, said, "they're both sleeping and I'm going to Zumba!" I picked up the mess and had a glass of wine.

This morning, we woke up at home. Though we miss Mommom terribly, I was antsy to get back into our routine. Morning bath time was wonderful - the babies played and played in the tub...

***an aside: We've resorted to a rather regular morning bath time in addition to our bedtime bath time out of necessity. The babies have out grown their diapers in (uhem) volume, but not size...their hineys are tiny! They regularly have leaks during the night and I don't want to wake them completely for a diaper change. They are very restless sleepers, but usually don't wake fully - just stir loudly...multiple times throughout the night. Anyhow, if anyone has a fix for this, please let me know - I haven't found overnight diapers under a size 4 - Mary Louise and David just made it into a size 2 diaper...***

When they got out of the tub, I massaged and dressed them. Then gave thanks that I can, in fact, stay home with them making moments like "morning bath time" possible in the first place - nevermind a wonderful, relaxed playtime for them. I prepared to pump. Mary Louise and David played in their playroom and found their scoot toys. Mary Louise has been scooting forward for awhile now, David zooms backward regularly...until...today...he went FORWARD!!!! Yeah!! Go little guy go! He was so very very proud. It took an obvious effort for him to coordinate his legs but he did it!! What a moment for him!! I am so very proud!

Sweet babies and I went for a 5 and a half mile run this afternoon. Mary Louise sang almost the whole way. David napped a bit as he'd bucked morning nap time and was in a FOUL mood. It was overcast, so I was able to pull back the shades for a little while and peer down on them...it was so simple and so amazing- we were all smiles.

xo,
Heather

They CAN REALLY see clearly now!!

We made the trek to New Orleans yesterday to see our favorite eye specialist for a 6 month check. We hoped for the best, but as our last check up revealed that David has the beginnings of nearsightedness, I prepared for the distinct possibility that our sweet boy might need glasses at the ripe old age of 20 months.

Bottom line, at least he can see...at one point, Brent and I attempted to make peace with the very good possibility that both Mary Louise and David would have significant sight and hearing damage.

So we muddled through downtown - always fun - parked in the tiny, low ceiling parking garage, I put Mary Louise (my ever-squirmy girl) in the front pack carrier, strapped the backpack diaper bag on, and held David on my hip. I felt as if I was donning army gear and going to the front lines for battle!

We waited our obligatory 2 hours (yes, hours) in the large, but always busy waiting room. We were called "to the back" right about the time I was going to start smashing Gold fish crackers into the chairs and floor MYSELF because that's how nutty I felt after wrestling and corralling 2 wild toddlers away from the strange man in the corner with 2 weeping, swollen black eyes, and the woman to our left with a very thick cotton patched taped over one side of her face...and let's not forget the multiple coughers, hackers, and sniffers who we passed on our way to the fourth floor.

Sweet David has a funny habit of putting his hand out to greet people - who naturally shake it in response. Not in a hospital my friends!!! Momma was on the neurotic prowl for dirty nails, questionable smells, noisy breath sounds - any indication of less than immaculate hygiene and health. Even so, one older woman slipped by my guard and shook David's hand when Mary Louise diverted my attention and let out a concerned yell about our ride on an elevator...

So to the back we went for the eye exams. The doctor's nurse remarked about how big Mary Louise and David are getting, asked about their overall health, etc. The doctor and his intern came in to say hello and after a little more waiting, drops were instilled to dilate the babies' eyes. About 30 minutes after that, the full exam was done.

Is it worth the wait to travel and wait for hours, and plan months ahead to see this particular doctor? Yes. Absolutely. Positively. Yes. He is a pioneer in his field and was head of the original research done in the 80's marking the switch from cryotherapy to laser surgery for ROP. This was and is still quite literally the difference between light and dark for our little ones. The success rate on saving eyesight in preemies soared when this and other changes in procedures were made - in large part by the doctor who did their surgeries and who follows them now. He is totally worth it. Reputation aside - the man actually has a rather delightful bedside manner and his enthusiasm for his work is not just refreshing but almost contagious.

In addition to the praise above, said doctor uses no sedation and does not use a speculum to examine Mary Louise and David. Oh no, he can get in, out and see all he needs to see in a matter of seconds. He'll even examine them while they hug me and glare at him over my shoulder. In short, we kinda like him...

The reviews post check up were phenomenal!! Mary Louise's vision is right on considering her surgical history - there is no sign of nearsightedness. David's nearsightedness seen at the last visit has RESOLVED!!!! So BOTH babies are doing really well right now and have been cleared for a full year!!

We won't really know about peripheral vision limitations until a bit later. We can say that neither Mary Louise, nor David will qualify to be a pilot. We have also been well warned to have them avoid playing contact sports, specifically football, but also anything that would put them at a higher risk to be hit in the head / use their head (soccer) to hit something. They will always be at a higher risk for detached retinas and a contact sport would increase this risk - though the retinas can spontaneously detach as well. They will also always need a minimum of a yearly checkup with a full (dilation) eye exam.

After all was said and done, they did beautifully during a rough and busy day. Most importantly, they remain healthy, vibrant, and happy. I continue to be in awe and in love...

xo,
Heather

Run like the wind!!

Ok - so maybe not quite like the wind - but we did do our best times yet!! Kyle and I completed our half marathon relay - and had so much fun participating! But the biggest surprise...



We won third place overall in the relays!!! Crazy right? (Oh - and if you're wondering, there were actually more than 3 relays - there were 6 to be exact so we did really have to beat a few people to get that snazzy plaque).

It was so amazing to see Brent, the babies and Mommom waiting (and grinning) patiently at the finish line. I ran the first leg of the relay which finished exactly at the half way point. Kyle was driven to the spot, and started from there and I was driven to the finish so they didn't actually get to see my run - but they were waiting just the same.

The babies did well. They were tired - a 7am start time meant we had to get up and going around 5am - that's early, even for the earliest of the early birds! David napped in my arms until his Uncle Kyle came through to the fancy finish line which was right inside the Civic Center!

The day was beautiful, the race, very organized with water stations set up every mile and countless volunteers directing traffic. It was truly a good time.

The route that I completed put me right in downtown. As I passed my pediatrician's office, elementary school, St. Matthew's church grounds, Scarlet Scoops where we used to get the very occasional ice cream cone, Lee's Education supply where, when we were *really* good, my mom would reward us with our choice of "wukbuks" (workbooks)...She used to let us do our letters, numbers, etc for 10 to 15 minutes per day - and the back of the books had stickers!!!(obviously, I thought the stickers were the coolest part!) The time limit always left us wanting to do more...After the education supply store, I grinned as I hit the half way point. It was cool - but not too cold, and sunny enough to be gorgeous, but not too hot. As I thought about coming around to the Civic Center again, my babes and husband waiting there, I knew I'd come full circle.

We did well, but most importantly, we had a boat load of fun out there!!

xo,
Heather

Gearing up!!

We're finally feeling better at Casa LeBlanc. The snot river has slowed to an occasional drip - though it's not stopping Mary Louise from trying out her new "talent" on any piece of clothing or fabric crossing her path. Seriously, that kid joyously blows her nose on just about anything! Consequently, I've had a few extra loads of laundry this week!

The mucous mob exit couldn't have come at a better time - it's RACE day tomorrow!!! Uncle Kyle and I are splitting a half marathon as sort of a warm up to do the full half marathon in a month. So, we'll see how we do!

David has cut some bottom molars this week - Mary Louise is working on her still. David is also working on his shortened frenulum again. He giggles and tries to stick his tongue out pretty regularly now - it's pretty neat to watch him work so hard - and have fun doing it.

I'll have more stories after tomorrow - and leave you with some Christmas photos!!!

From Ma Mere and Pop's cameras...

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 II

xo,
Heather

Here's to...

Here's to us my dear. My best friend, my love...here's to our seventh year of marriage. Here's to our patient and kind love. Here's to more good times than bad, less sickness, more health, here's to more better and less worse...

Here's to our beautiful babies, here and gone. That they may know how much we care for one another, that they may feel and know our love for them and that we may be a solid example as our parents were and are to us.

Here's to our new year together - as a little family - that this may be our best year yet and that we may have many more...

But if we don't, here's to knowing that this, our love, our life, was not wasted. That it's extraordinary beauty has been acknowledged, cherished, loved. Here's to the realization that we are, in fact, some of the luckiest and most blessed - that we have chosen to live this charmed life together - and it is what we make of it...and together, we make it wonderful.

Much love and happy anniversary to my Brent(ie - Poo) - ha!

xo,
Heather