A Place to Lay My Head.......eventually!

We are all so very blessed to have amazing people in our lives.  I've got an amazing friend who spent many hours away from her family helping me design and decorate the boys nursery.  If we are going to be completely honest, she did most of the work while I was "resting".



My coworker, Marisa, made this for the boys :)



Isn't the scoreboard cute....



The curtains were Courtney's first sewing project



So many toys and books already!

Kim Reile painted these letters for the boys

Rodney and Chinh, my brother in law had their first experience putting up a chair rail.  I think it turned out great!  I feel so blessed to have all of these wonderful people in my life.  The nursery turned out amazing and at some point the boys will be enjoying playtime and sleeptime in their new digs.

Many, many thanks to Courtney, Kim, and Chinh...you are such a blessing to all the Stonemans. 

Two Months Old Already....

I can't believe how time has flown by...Brady and Owen are two months old and growing so fast!

Current Stats:  Actual age 8 weeks 1 day old
                       Gestational age 2 weeks 3 days old
                       Brady 7 lbs 13 oz
                       Owen 7 lbs 5 oz

They are starting to getting little fat rolls and rounded cheeks.  It's going to get harder and harder to pick them both up with one arm :)

Here's some photos of the last couple weeks.



Doing a little tummy time



 



I just love this thing :)



What did you say?!?

   My mom (Grammy) came to stay with us for a week when Rodney went back to work.  It was a relief to have another person around during the day for that extra set of hands.  You don't realize how stressful it can be when you have you hands full with one boy and the other one is screaming at you.



Thanks Grammy!

Even with the help it was still exhausting to be up a couple times a night and still go to work....as the boys at work would say "Poor Rodney"

Grandpa even came over and cleaned the carpets one day.  Now we can put the boys down on their playmats and only get a few dog hairs on them as opposed to all of Ike's winter coat!  He even managed a little snuggle with Owen.  Thank you so much!!

When the weather got a little warmer I managed to get the boys fed, dressed and out the door for a walk around the neighborhood.  I didn't realize how much I had missed the outdoors until we were in the sun.  It's been at least 3 months since I have been able to get around so it was a wonderful change!  It only took us 20 minutes to get prepped for our 30 minute walk :)  I guess it will get easier somewhere around age 15....

It's been an exhausting month getting everyone settled and trying to establish some sort of routine.  We are by no means in a routine yet but we are loving every moment of having our boys home!  I'm getting anxious for the end of RSV season so we can get out more and begin to have every one meet Brady and Owen.  Time to sign off and feed someone or change someone or do some laundry or pump or.....well, you get the idea!

Finally asleep after a VERY LONG DAY!

Bothered by the paparazzi already!!

The boys had their first official photo session before leaving the hospital.  When the nurses told me to bring a "picture outfit" for the boys as part of our discharge checklist, I admit that I was a little skeptical of what that meant.  All hospital pictures that I have ever seen are of a confused looking baby swaddled in the hospital blanket with the gender neutral striped hat.  This was completely different!

The pictures are absolutely amazing and were done right at their bedside in their NICU crib!  The company really has it figured out because they put together a slide show right after to show you the pictures and it has this great music that just brings tears to your eyes.  They have got to be making a killing!!

Owen's home!!!

After 5 long days of separation the twins have been reunited!!  Owen John came home on Tuesday, January 25th!  It was much less fanfare as we just walked into the NICU, packed up their stuff and took our son home.  I was glad that we didn't have to room in again and it was an easy discharge.



So very lonely in my crib alone....




It's time to blow this joint!  I'm going home!


It's been an adjustment for everyone getting used to two different baby noises (they sure are loud when they sleep), how much time can they cry when  you are feeding their brother, how long can they really go between feedings in the middle of the night, etc.

Even Ike is having to make some adjustments.....So far the 85 pound puppy is doing well with the boys.  He is very curious with all their noises and wants to be in the same room as they are.  He now wants to spend much more time on the couch with us and will actually climb up into an open seat without an invitation (and quite gently I might add).  He will be a great friend for Brady and Owen (once they realize he is there).



He sat really still but just can't help himself from licking the baby....
they taste SO GOOD!



All tuckered out from keeping watch...he runs to their side when they cry

We've had a couple outings to the doctor which has made me realize that staying home right now isn't a terrible thing.  Both boys are gaining weight and are looking good....I think being at home together is good for everyone's health.

Getting ready for our first family outing...the doctor!

We are so blessed and grateful for our two tiny miracles.  Thank you for all your prayers!  We are so happy to be all home together.  Much more to come on our adventures at home!!

Brady's Home!

Things have been quite exciting around here so it's been a while since our last post.  Brady was scheduled to come home on Saturday, January 15th but decided he didn't want to leave without his brother...He had an apnea epsidoe and had to stay in the NICU for at least 5 more days.  We were now hopeful that both boys were going to come home together.  We got all discharge elements completed...shots, pictures, car seat tests....with a new discharge date for BOTH boys on Thursday, January  20th.  Unfortunately the day before our "rooming in"night in the NICU Owen decided to have a fairly severe apnea episode and could not be released.

With all that drama, we brought Brady home on Thursday without Owen and have been settling in with Brady.  Owen is scheduled to come home this coming Tuesday or Wednesday so we are praying that he doesn't have any more issues!



Twins discussing discharge plans...



Brady testing out his new bottle



Owen enjoyed his new bottles...thank you Aunt Martha!








Last picture together in the NICU

 We "roomed in" at the NICU the night before bringing Brady home.  That means we stayed in a room like a hotel suite inside the NICU with Brady to practice being at home with him.  The nurses would come in every 3 hours to check on us and then in the morning Brady got one last check-up from the pediatrician and was discharged.  Nobody slept well that night....the boys were upset about being separated and the parents were getting used to all the noises that a newborn makes!

Getting ready to go home!

Enjoying the swing...Thanks Dan and Nancy!



My first visitor....Meeting Uncle Chinh for the first time

 We are slowly figuring out how to care for a newborn and still visit the NICU at least twice a day.  We are ready to have both of our boys home and begin some sort of normalcy (whatever that means with 2 newborns)!

Love to all!

Premies LOVE to wear hats!

Now that the boys are in their crib they have to maintain normal body temperature in order to go home.  One way to keep their temps up is to wear a hat....

A gift from Labor & Delivery

One of Grammy's teachers made these for the boys

Doesn't that just melt your heart?

We know that Christmas is over but they just look so cute!

Current Update:  Brady 4 lbs 14 1/2 oz

                          Owen 4 lbs 3 oz

Brady is now getting all 8 feedings via bottle.  His feeding tube was removed on Sunday so he now only has his monitor leads on anymore.  He is fairly close to going home and we are getting excited. 

Owen is taking 6 of his 8 feedings by bottle.  He is still struggling a little bit with apnea issues so we need to continue to monitor this situation before he can go home.

Both boys have very strong good appetites and are eating like champs!  I was able to start breast feeding both boys on Sunday and was pleased with our success.  We are hoping that both boys are able to come home together but know that the NICU staff is providing the best care possible for the boys.  We know that God is watching over Brady and Owen which provides us comfort.

My first time to hold both boys!

Another exciting moment -- Rodney and I were both able to hold both boys at the same time.  It did require assistance from a nurse to get them in our arms and put them back to bed.  Luckily we have alot more years to perfect the art of holding and balancing both boys!



Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and kind words.  We can't wait for you all to meet them!

Moving in together!

Brady and Owen have now been in the NICU for 2 weeks and 4 days. 

Our first family photo



Current Update:  The boys are doing really well.  They are no longer on any medications and have moved into the "feeding and growing" stage.  They are taking 2 of their daily feedings by bottle.  Rodney and I try to give them one feeding a day....we all need the practice!

Biggest News of the week......Brady and Owen were moved to an open air crib TOGETHER yesterday, January 2nd.





The boys also had some good quality time with the family during touch times in the NICU.  Everyone pitched in with driving me to and from the hospital since Rodney had to go back to work and I wasn't able to drive.



Aunt Martha and Brady



Grammy and Brady

Grammy and Owen

 Grammy and Owen even took a nap together during their visit.

Aunt Rachael and Brady