First Christmas As a Family of 6!

This was such a special Christmas for our family!  At this point Andrew had been home for a month and we were finally into somewhat of a groove and a new normal as a family of six.  This was also our year to spend Christmas Eve at our own home together and our first time to wake up at our new house on Christmas morning.

On Christmas Eve I took the big boys to church.  The service was wonderful- James's favorite part was that they had glow sticks for when we sang Silent Night and Harrison was obsessed with watching the band play. I was a little nervous if they would be able to handle sitting through a whole service but they did great. My favorite part was during communion when James said, "No thanks. I take my juice in a cup." We had some good family time together after and soon it was time for bed so I tried to get a picture of the boys in their Christmas pjs. 

At the very last minute my parents decided to come on and spend the night. I think they knew we were going to need some help! The boys were so excited to see them. 

Santa has come!  Look at all those stockings!

Even on Christmas the rule is no one out of their room before 6:30. Well at 6:31 this kid was ready to go!  Me on the other hand after being up all night with the babies...not so much lol. 

Checking out their stuff

Harrison was excited about his new guitar 

And his finger cymbals, lol

Trying out the new scooter 

Harrison wanted to do his too of course 

Then it was time to open presents from each other!  I'll be honest it was pretty chaotic.  Trying to juggle nursing babies, opening gifts,  taking pictures, etc.  Whew! I felt like I was running a mile a minute. Christmas has really changed from the past, lol. 

Each boy got a new game.  I chose Connect 4 for James because we played it together in the Ronald McDonald room at the hospital while the babies were there.  It was a special memory for me during that time. He loves it!

James had made his grandparents Christmas cards 

Helping Andrew open his gift 

James giving Harrison his present from him. James wrapped up various Lego people from his stash from everyone and put them under the tree. It was so sweet and funny. 

Thanks James!

This day was also significant because it was Andrew's LAST day on the heart monitor! The doctor told us we could take him off it after Christmas and watch him for another week and then be done with it. What a wonderful Christmas gift! 

Pappy has his hands full!

My gift from Harrison 

Soon after we opened presents Nana and Pop arrived. The boys were so excited to show them their gifts. 

We also loved having both sets of grandparents there to eat breakfast with us

I didn't manage to put on makeup or dry my hair but at least I got a shower, haha! Maybe by next Christmas I will have it more together...doubtful. 

During breakfast I got a special Christmas present.  While the babies were at Vidant every day I would walk past a wall of "fish" at the children's hospital.  The whole children's area is decorated with an underwater theme and people had made donations in honor or memory of people and these fish represented that. I had mentioned to Ryan that I would really like for our family to one day make a donation in honor of the babies and to give back to a place that was so instrumental in helping our babies be okay.  Little did I know on Christmas morning that Ryan, my parents, and the Hollands had all chipped in to buy a fish for the babies.  I was so overwhelmed!!!  My favorite Christmas present this year by far! It was even more special to me that both sets of our parents participated. They have done so much for us this year! 

A picture of the babies' fish

After breakfast we had a photo shoot 

We also had a singing performance. 

Merry Christmas! 

Before long the grandparents were all packing up to go

The rest of the day was spent just hanging out together.  James and Ryan worked on building a new Lego set. 

That night I fixed dinner and we had birthday cake for Jesus for dessert. Normally we bake one but this year my mom thankfully brought this for us. I think she knew I was a little busy. :) 

What a wonderful day!

Parades, Santa, and Cookies!

Our town does a parade that goes right through our neighborhood and the boys were thrilled to be invited to ride on the junior firefighters' float this year.  

Our wonderful babysitter was willing to go along for the ride to make sure H didn't jump off 

We stuck both babies in one stroller bassinet. That way they would be cozy and we wouldn't attract so many people. I know that sounds awful but I have no desire for strangers to be touching and breathing on my babies, especially considering Andrew had been home for less than a week.

We love Ms. Angela!

I was really sad about not having pictures with Santa this year with all the kids. One thing I have learned is that having babies who were very premature is just not the same as having full term babies. Our NICU doctor was clear that places like the mall definitely needed to be avoided and we have known if the babies got sick this winter there was a high chance of them being hospitalized again. Needless to say we have been keeping them in a bubble! Thankfully Santa graciously decided to come to our house to say hello to the boys and to take pictures.  We were upstairs when suddenly we heard jingle bells!  We raced downstairs to see who was here. :) 

Harrison was a little nervous but then he realized Santa had candy canes in his bag. Then they became best friends. 

We had a two week break from preschool and we decided to start it off by making Christmas cookies. We invited some friends in to join the chaos, I mean fun! 

I had the foresight to get Jami to come help out.  Josie and I have six kids five and under (five of which are boys)- we were a little outmatched! 

Josie had the job of creating colored icing

They were delicious! 

3 Months Old!

3 Months Old- 2 Weeks Adjusted

Andrew: 10 pounds 6 ounces!  Wears newborn and 0-3 months, size one diapers

Kate: 8 pounds 2 ounces, our petite princess! Newborn sizes are still plenty big on her.

The best thing about being 3 months old is that we finally got to take our pictures at HOME!!!  Since Andrew got home a couple of weeks ago my main goals have been to work on getting him nursing (vs taking pumped bottles), getting him and Kate back on the same schedule, and getting into some kind of routine with all four kids (still working on this one).

Both babies eat every 3 1/2 to 4 hours depending on how good of a nap they get and what else is going on.  They normally do well the first half of the night but then the second half can be brutal. They love to tag team me- one wakes up and cries, get that one settled, a few minutes later the other one is up.  Sleep deprivation with two babies is no joke, not to mention having the two older kids as well.  It takes me a good hour or more to feed and get them both back to sleep and right now they have to be fed separately while Andrew is on the heart monitor.

Andrew, this has been another big month for you! We had a super scary episode with you at the hospital where you had a bad brady, turned blue, and you had to be bagged with oxygen.  My heart dropped when the doctor called to tell me and I rushed over to give you extra cuddles.  After that rough day you turned a corner and surprised us all when you got to come home a week later!  We were all so thankful! Before you were discharged your dad and I were trained on how to use your heart monitors and it was definitely nerve wracking. Thankfully you only have had two real episodes at home and only one that really scared me. Of course that happened when I was home alone with all of the kids!  The monitor also always seems to malfunction whenever you are asleep which means even less sleep for your mama.  It has taken us a few days to get to know your likes and dislikes and to get into a rhythm with you but we seem to be figuring it out now.  After you had been home for a bit the doctor gave us the go ahead to start nursing again. I was a little skeptical that you would be able to pick it back up but after a lot of work you got the hang of it.  You and your sister are both still on two bottles a day of a special preemie formula with extra calories and nutrition. You are also still on reflux meds and you are both on vitamins and iron because you are both anemic.  Trying to measure it all out along with dealing with the monitors makes me feel like a nurse sometimes.  You and Kate are worth every bit of time and effort it takes though! 

Kate you have surprised us this past month in that you have become much more laid back. You and Andrew seem to have switched places. You go with the flow and are mostly content but when you are unhappy you have an extremely loud and shrill cry.  Another thing that is different about you is that you love taking a bath while Andrew hates it.  You also do better nursing and are more tolerant of tummy time.  James and Harrison are completely enamored with you and though you are the youngest and the tiniest you definitely rule the family! For the most part we keep you and Andrew home as much as possible to stay away from germs and because it is also just easier. Neither of you seem to mind. :) 

Our 3 month photo shoot. I have quickly learned that getting a decent picture of both kids is just about impossible...

It's Always Better When We're Together

A glimpse into our first few days home with both. :) 

Hugs from sister. She was so glad her brother was home. 

Bath time!

Twin tummy time

Checking out the mobile together 

Another BIG hug from Kate, lol. Ryan is the person behind this photo op!

Neither is a fan of being undressed 

Bath time!