Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The "Just Us" League Chronicles

Okay so thanks to our friend James we have a new weekly blog title.  I plan on asking my nephew Gabe to name each baby with a superhero moniker when he visits tomorrow.  I am secretly hoping Jax becomes Batman. Why? Because given the opportunity everyone should have a chance to say "I am Batman."

Things that have happened on Planet Owens in the past week:

1. Grey got a haircut/trim.  Sad huh! My baby had old man hair.  Now I do not claim to be vain but I am also the woman who color codes the entire family to blend for church on Sundays. Luckily for Grey, Gram did the cutting.  If you know me, I cannot cut a straight line. A friend of mine did my cutting assignments in elementary school. How am I a pediatric OT? Simple, those who can not do teach!!!!!!
Before

After
 2. Adley Grace started rolling from her back to her tummy.  She was really proud of herself.  Chris also developed his own game with Adley called Dancing Baby.  Adley cackles and laughs the whole time they are playing this game.  She is the child that will melt your heart with her smile.
Motivation for rolling: Attacking your siblings!

"Dancing Baby"


3. We had two very special outings last week with Mommy and Gram.  We braved Lowe's, a Farmer's Market and Sam's.  The kids like to be moving so shopping is sometimes difficult. However Gram and I are becoming pros and maybe the kids will start to like outings more. Oh well, I can dream. 

4. Friday we had a very special visitor. Mrs. Colleen came to see us and brought each baby a very special blanket.  They are the greatest LSU blankets any Alabama fan could ever make.  They are gorgeous! I cannot wait till game day for the best photo op with their new blankets. Thanks my friend you are the best.  Jax was quite smitten too, I may add.

5. The kids rediscovered their bouncers this week.  Needless to say Grey likes the bouncer the best and spends time each night in it while the other two tolerate it.
Grey
Adley and Jax


6. Grey went to the eye doctor today and we found out that her ROP has completely resolved. We do not have to go back for three months! Thank you for all your prayers!

We often get questions about raising multiples so I thought I would answer a few:
1. Do you get any sleep?
Yes, the kids are scheduled.  We feed at 8:00 pm and then they sleep until between 6:30 to 8:00.

2. How many bottles do you go through a day?
Currently between 18 and 21 depending on the needs of the day.

3. How many diapers do you go through a day?
At this point 18 to 24.  That is down from 30 to 36.

I will answer more questions next time, so feel free to leave me any in the comments.  I hope you have a great week.  



Sunday, July 21, 2013

The Insomina Chronicles

So I feel like I need to start blogging again for three reasons. Reason #1 I have insomnia tonight. Reason #2 It is cathartic. Reason #3 I can have a reason to talk about my kids.

So let me start by apologizing now for not keeping the blog updated.  I feel partly I have not had a lot of time and partly because I wanted to "hoard" my kids.  For the first 63, 65 and 67 days of their lives someone was always around who was not family (however most of those nurses became like family) so Chris and I have enjoyed having them all to ourselves. We do not ever discourage visitors we just don't invite people to feeding time at the zoo. So once again I am ready to start sharing the details of our miracle babies lives.

I had grand plans to describe in detail the days, weeks and months of their lives.  One day I may actually go back and write that information down. However this is not the day and I will only write a quick catch up piece and then hopefully start writing a weekly piece.  It will be published on Wednesdays each week.  That way you can keep up with each of the kids and we can share our lives. 

Let's start in March:
Grey ended March in a bang with eye surgery.  Her ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) was not resolving and she had to have laser surgery on both eyes.  Best part about this story was that I was in Deville for my baby shower (which was beyond amazing) and I had decided to stay an extra day to attend my Uncle RD's funeral and sort through the gifts.  We had just finished lunch when I got the call that they were doing surgery at 5.  This is at 2:30.  Needless to say thank goodness God takes care of children and fools.  He took care of my child and this fool made it to Shreveport with time to spare.
Our first Easter was excellent! Chris and I got each of the kids baskets and they had books and toys in them.  I know it is silly, but I got carried away so much so that the kids had two baskets apiece.  Cut me some slack it was a rookie mistake from a new mom (does the fact my kids were in the NICU at approximately 5 pounds and one had already had surgery, cut me any more slack?) The Monday after Easter we received a call from the ophthalmologist that Grey's retina had detached and we were being sent to Dallas Presby to have it fixed. This set off a whirlwind of emotions and planning that I will save for sometime later. 

April:
Grey was sent to Dallas where she spent her two month birthday with Gram and I in tow.  She had her right retina reattached and was given more laser treatment on the left.   Chris stayed in Bossier with the other two, who were still in the NICU there.  Did I mention Chris had LASIK done the same day Grey had her surgery? Eventful day in the Owens' family.  Gram and I got the privilege of staying with Grey in her hospital room at Dallas Presby. (I think this is where she got her Diva complex.) I will forever treasure learning how to be a full time mommy with my mommy by my side.  It was an amazing experience.  Grey came home with us from Texas and I only checked her 7,598 a few times on the ride home to make sure she was still breathing.  Chris and I laugh because we can actually say remember the time we only had one baby home.  Adley came home two days after Grey and just as we were use to having two, Jax came home. Thank goodness my mom never left us alone for more than a couple of days.  Chris's family helped out a lot
as well.  Our wonderful Sunday School class cooked for three weeks.  That is all I remember of April.

May and June:
We moved at some point! My kids started sleeping through the night at some point.   We went to an awesome wedding! It is a blur and my meds are starting to help me get so very sleepy.

July:
Chris started his new job and the kids turned 5 months.  We went to NICU follow up clinic and everyone is progressing in their developmental milestones (rolling, grasping, tummy time, etc.) The month deserves a more detailed post later when I can add pictures.


I just want to say thank you once again to everyone who has spoiled our kids and us with presents. It has truly been a blessing to see what God has done for us. Please know we are working on some thank you cards but due to the timing of everything it has been hard to get those done.  Please keep praying for us. Grey has an eye exam Wednesday and we need everything to continue resolving.  Oh think of a name for my weekly blog post (needs to be something related to superheroes).

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