We did it! All three of my girls took part this year and what fun we had. It was nice to walk and not be concerned about Adeline's health, the temperature or when the babies' next feeding should be. This year, we headed out with three very happy and content little girls.
I was amazed by the number of people walking this year. I was also struck by the sizable teams walking without in children. Lucky! Blessed!! There isn't a word that can describe how we felt. I think it is safe to assume that Adeline was one of the smallest babies born taking part in the walk. But there she was, standing alone at the starting line, eating the Goldfish like all the other kids at the checkpoints and enjoying the music show afterwards. Anyone looking at her would have no idea of her start in life. The same is true for Lila as she went running off the starting line and was the first dancer in the music show. She was so cute standing in front of the crowd dancing.
Here is a little clip of our photos. We had a really nice time and look forward to participating in many more March of Dimes events.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Never Underestimate Your Children
That was the lesson I learned after spending three hours in the ER with all three girls this past weekend. Oddly enough, Savannah was the cause for the trip with a 104.5 fever, high heart and respiratory rate and listless appearance. After battling it all morning, I finally gave into my motherly instinct and took her in. All of my "go to" people were otherwise occupied which meant the twins were in for the trip as well.
Luckily, the ER wasn't crazy busy as it usually is on Sunday afternoon. Savannah was triaged and we were taken directly too a room (sympathy for the "you've got your hands full" mommy). As I carried Savannah and two bags while pushing the stroller with the girls, I realized that this is what being a mother is all about. You somehow find what it takes to do something that you thought impossible. Taking all three kids to the ER was on my list of impossibilities until Sunday.
First, Savannah was extremely calm, mature, and agreeable. No tears, no fuss just plain cooperation. She laid on the stretcher for three hours with no pillow or blanket and no mommy by her side for the most part. She was patient and told me about every fifteen minutes that she wanted to go but seemed to understand that a departure wasn't going to be in her immediate future.
The twins we amazing as well. Not thinking, I put them in the car about the same time I should have been feeding them lunch. I grabbed Cheerios but nothing more. After their initial complaints of being in a hospital - worrying that they were going to be the ones poked and prodded, the girls just sat in their stroller. I never took them out! I keep feeding them Cheerios and walked them back forth in front of Savannah's room. During the times that Savannah needed my help, someone else walked them or they just watched. No cries, meltdowns and no sleeping, of course, but who's complaining.
We were finally discharged with the intention of hydrating Savannah and bringing her fever and heart rate down at home. That didn't work as well as it was said to have. The anti-nausea medicine didn't work and after hooking her up to Adeline's monitor I watched her heart rate spike to an all time high of 175. Her sats weren't great and her fever was 104 again. Needless to say it was a sleepless night for both of us but we managed. Between the baths and vomiting, we caught a couple of hours of sleep.
Although, it was a stressful situation and I wasn't completely confident in my decision to care for Savannah at home, I feel I did the right thing. I am so proud of all three of my girls. They all rose to the occasion just when I thought things might become disaster. Thankfully, Savannah is better now and we have all caught up on sleep (thanks to Daddy's return home for a few days). We can just add this illness to the long list of nasty viruses we seem to pick up during the month of April.
Can I just say, April is my least favorite month?
Luckily, the ER wasn't crazy busy as it usually is on Sunday afternoon. Savannah was triaged and we were taken directly too a room (sympathy for the "you've got your hands full" mommy). As I carried Savannah and two bags while pushing the stroller with the girls, I realized that this is what being a mother is all about. You somehow find what it takes to do something that you thought impossible. Taking all three kids to the ER was on my list of impossibilities until Sunday.
First, Savannah was extremely calm, mature, and agreeable. No tears, no fuss just plain cooperation. She laid on the stretcher for three hours with no pillow or blanket and no mommy by her side for the most part. She was patient and told me about every fifteen minutes that she wanted to go but seemed to understand that a departure wasn't going to be in her immediate future.
The twins we amazing as well. Not thinking, I put them in the car about the same time I should have been feeding them lunch. I grabbed Cheerios but nothing more. After their initial complaints of being in a hospital - worrying that they were going to be the ones poked and prodded, the girls just sat in their stroller. I never took them out! I keep feeding them Cheerios and walked them back forth in front of Savannah's room. During the times that Savannah needed my help, someone else walked them or they just watched. No cries, meltdowns and no sleeping, of course, but who's complaining.
We were finally discharged with the intention of hydrating Savannah and bringing her fever and heart rate down at home. That didn't work as well as it was said to have. The anti-nausea medicine didn't work and after hooking her up to Adeline's monitor I watched her heart rate spike to an all time high of 175. Her sats weren't great and her fever was 104 again. Needless to say it was a sleepless night for both of us but we managed. Between the baths and vomiting, we caught a couple of hours of sleep.
Although, it was a stressful situation and I wasn't completely confident in my decision to care for Savannah at home, I feel I did the right thing. I am so proud of all three of my girls. They all rose to the occasion just when I thought things might become disaster. Thankfully, Savannah is better now and we have all caught up on sleep (thanks to Daddy's return home for a few days). We can just add this illness to the long list of nasty viruses we seem to pick up during the month of April.
Can I just say, April is my least favorite month?
March for Babies
We are looking forward to participating in the March of Dimes, March for Babies this upcoming weekend. This year, the girls are older and more active and will be a lot of fun to have with us. Who would have thought that these girls could do some of the "marching" themselves (more later on Adeline's first steps).
I remember feeling so proud of our girls last year. They made it, they were with me, we were on the road to recovery!! We are still on that road to some degree but what a great place to be. We will most likely walk with many families who lost their baby and are still working through their grief. I feel fortunate that I am a walker celebrating my girls and their success.
As this weekend approaches, we ask those of you who follow Adeline and Lila's blog to pray for those babies still fighting in the NICU, those babies who are fighting to stay in the womb just one more day, and for those babies who are home and working to overcome their start "behind the 8 ball."
If you would like to walk this year, you can use the March for Babies link on the side of this blog to direct you to our website and the March for Babies homepage.
I remember feeling so proud of our girls last year. They made it, they were with me, we were on the road to recovery!! We are still on that road to some degree but what a great place to be. We will most likely walk with many families who lost their baby and are still working through their grief. I feel fortunate that I am a walker celebrating my girls and their success.
As this weekend approaches, we ask those of you who follow Adeline and Lila's blog to pray for those babies still fighting in the NICU, those babies who are fighting to stay in the womb just one more day, and for those babies who are home and working to overcome their start "behind the 8 ball."
If you would like to walk this year, you can use the March for Babies link on the side of this blog to direct you to our website and the March for Babies homepage.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
What about the chickens?
As the four of us were enjoying chicken strips for dinner, my oldest asks,
"When do the chickens get to go somewhere else?"
"What do you mean?"
"When are they put back together?"
I get it, when do they move on to their next life, kind of like the way Savannah views moving from this life to Heaven.
"Uh, I don't know sweetie. Daddy knows a lot about chickens." (yes, I left out that many young chicks were the victims of Daddy's science endeavors.)
"Oh - pause - Were they scared?"
Clearly, she is on to the turning the chicken into a chicken strip.
"No, they really didn't know what was going on."
"Why?
"Chickens aren't smart like people. They don't think about everything like you do."
"Oh, Did it hurt?"
After successfully changing the subject, I could breath a sigh of relief. I hesitate to get into death or killing chickens with Savannah. She doesn't really understand what dead means. She just thinks that you get to move onto Heaven. Since Heaven is this wonderful place, she assumes she can take everything and everyone with her that she loves.
What to do with this girl? She is just too deep!
For those of you who were wondering, yes, Adeline ate the chicken and pumpkin bread for desert!
"When do the chickens get to go somewhere else?"
"What do you mean?"
"When are they put back together?"
I get it, when do they move on to their next life, kind of like the way Savannah views moving from this life to Heaven.
"Uh, I don't know sweetie. Daddy knows a lot about chickens." (yes, I left out that many young chicks were the victims of Daddy's science endeavors.)
"Oh - pause - Were they scared?"
Clearly, she is on to the turning the chicken into a chicken strip.
"No, they really didn't know what was going on."
"Why?
"Chickens aren't smart like people. They don't think about everything like you do."
"Oh, Did it hurt?"
After successfully changing the subject, I could breath a sigh of relief. I hesitate to get into death or killing chickens with Savannah. She doesn't really understand what dead means. She just thinks that you get to move onto Heaven. Since Heaven is this wonderful place, she assumes she can take everything and everyone with her that she loves.
What to do with this girl? She is just too deep!
For those of you who were wondering, yes, Adeline ate the chicken and pumpkin bread for desert!
Monday, April 14, 2008
One More Reason Why I Love Costco
Their meatloaf. Yes, I said meatloaf. Sounds a bit strange coming out of my mouth, the one who still hasn't fully come around in the red meat department. But really, who cares what I think? I love it because my girls love it.
After work yesterday, I dropped by Costco's deli and picked up their prepared meatloaf and mashed potatoes for under $9.00. Can't beat the price. For the past two nights all THREE of my girls have happily consumed their meatloaf dinners. Even Adeline. She ate about a tablespoon last night and tonight she upped her intake to a whole slice. She even happily took the mashed potatoes. This is completely new territory for me. I have served my girls the same lunch and dinner for the pasts two days. No baby food, plain pasta or cheerios, just regular table food. It almost makes me giddy. The best part is that we are going to get a third round out of this meatloaf. Anything, to avoid cooking!
In addition to eating meat, Adeline is starting to stand more frequently and for longer periods of time. Her physical therapist was very pleased with her performance this morning and commented on how well her left leg did. We are both excited to see if she really takes off once she gets her orthotics. Last night she took one step a couple times going from me to daddy. She is so scared. Once she realizes she is doing it, she bends her legs and sits right down. She doesn't even give herself the chance to fall.
Finally, Miss Belle used sign language consistently tonight. Lila Grace uses the sign for "more" but Adeline has never picked it up. One of her therapists has worked on "I want" but I never really followed up with it. Tonight, I thought I would give it a try. Low and behold, Miss Belle knows how to use her sign! For each cheese puff she had after dinner, she signed "I want." Not bad for a day's work!!
I can't resist adding some of these pictures we took of the cranky one. Looks can be deceiving!!!
After work yesterday, I dropped by Costco's deli and picked up their prepared meatloaf and mashed potatoes for under $9.00. Can't beat the price. For the past two nights all THREE of my girls have happily consumed their meatloaf dinners. Even Adeline. She ate about a tablespoon last night and tonight she upped her intake to a whole slice. She even happily took the mashed potatoes. This is completely new territory for me. I have served my girls the same lunch and dinner for the pasts two days. No baby food, plain pasta or cheerios, just regular table food. It almost makes me giddy. The best part is that we are going to get a third round out of this meatloaf. Anything, to avoid cooking!
In addition to eating meat, Adeline is starting to stand more frequently and for longer periods of time. Her physical therapist was very pleased with her performance this morning and commented on how well her left leg did. We are both excited to see if she really takes off once she gets her orthotics. Last night she took one step a couple times going from me to daddy. She is so scared. Once she realizes she is doing it, she bends her legs and sits right down. She doesn't even give herself the chance to fall.
Finally, Miss Belle used sign language consistently tonight. Lila Grace uses the sign for "more" but Adeline has never picked it up. One of her therapists has worked on "I want" but I never really followed up with it. Tonight, I thought I would give it a try. Low and behold, Miss Belle knows how to use her sign! For each cheese puff she had after dinner, she signed "I want." Not bad for a day's work!!
I can't resist adding some of these pictures we took of the cranky one. Looks can be deceiving!!!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
She Ate What for Dinner?????
For those of you who don't know about the girls and their likes and dislikes of food, here is synopsis. Lila Grace will eat just about anything when she wants to. She is primarily drinking out of a sippy cup but takes a bottle when she wakes up and goes down for the night - Mommy can't give it up, not her.
Adeline is a completely different story. She is drinking primarily from a bottle and is on Pediasure (high calorie baby milkshake). She finger feeds cheerios, veggies sticks (like chips), Ritz and PB&J. I can usually get her to take yogurt and baby food as well but it is quickly batted away and flung onto the walls after five bites. We have worked hard at the sippy cup but she chucks it across the kitchen. Lately, she will drink a smoothie from straw (maybe an ounce or two at the most).
Given Adeline's feeding issues and strong dislike of most anything I put on her tray, you can appreciate my astonishment when I saw her pick up a piece (teeny tiny) of short ribs and put it in her mouth. I expected her to gag, cough and get pretty angry but she didn't. SHE PUT ANOTHER PIECE IN HER MOUTH!!!!! I was shocked. The funniest part is that she smiled back at me like she has been secretly keeping her ability to eat meat from me for months. We will see if it is reproducible tomorrow.
While Adeline was experimenting with meat, Lila was showing me each piece of food before putting it on her head and then in her mouth. It made for a nice hairdo. She also insisted on using my fork until Adeline swiped it from her. Savannah was on the sidelines playing peekaboo with napkin. All in all, this was one of our most successful dinners. I was able to eat my meal while it was still hot which is VERY rare. We all ate the same thing and it was all made from scratch.
Finally, at the end of the meal Lila takes on the role of our family dog and eats the food off of the floor. This probably sounds disgusting to many but it keeps her quite, helps me get things up off the floor allows me the five minutes I need to get the dishes in the dishwasher.
Keep your fingers crossed that Adeline continues down the road of solid foods!
Adeline is a completely different story. She is drinking primarily from a bottle and is on Pediasure (high calorie baby milkshake). She finger feeds cheerios, veggies sticks (like chips), Ritz and PB&J. I can usually get her to take yogurt and baby food as well but it is quickly batted away and flung onto the walls after five bites. We have worked hard at the sippy cup but she chucks it across the kitchen. Lately, she will drink a smoothie from straw (maybe an ounce or two at the most).
Given Adeline's feeding issues and strong dislike of most anything I put on her tray, you can appreciate my astonishment when I saw her pick up a piece (teeny tiny) of short ribs and put it in her mouth. I expected her to gag, cough and get pretty angry but she didn't. SHE PUT ANOTHER PIECE IN HER MOUTH!!!!! I was shocked. The funniest part is that she smiled back at me like she has been secretly keeping her ability to eat meat from me for months. We will see if it is reproducible tomorrow.
While Adeline was experimenting with meat, Lila was showing me each piece of food before putting it on her head and then in her mouth. It made for a nice hairdo. She also insisted on using my fork until Adeline swiped it from her. Savannah was on the sidelines playing peekaboo with napkin. All in all, this was one of our most successful dinners. I was able to eat my meal while it was still hot which is VERY rare. We all ate the same thing and it was all made from scratch.
Finally, at the end of the meal Lila takes on the role of our family dog and eats the food off of the floor. This probably sounds disgusting to many but it keeps her quite, helps me get things up off the floor allows me the five minutes I need to get the dishes in the dishwasher.
Keep your fingers crossed that Adeline continues down the road of solid foods!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sick Turns to Cranky
I don't know which is worse. The 103 fever and just wanting to lay on Mommy (both at the same time of course) or the cranky/plain mad that has since emerged. Somehow sick turned into angry. I am not talking about a bit more needy or fussy, this is full blown crying and mad. Where did my girls go? They used to play, laugh and be remotely independent. Now we are clawing at my legs and frustrated by every last toy we play with. They aren't sleeping well, eating much of anything and didn't even like their bath tonight. Yesterday, out of frustration/desperation, I lined them up in their high chairs hoping Daddy would entertain them while he aerated the lawn.
Lila's face pretty much sums it up.
On a different note entirely, Adeline was fitted for her orthodics today. Her left hip is externally rotated which places her foot in a sideways position. We are hoping the orthodic will help reposition the foot and strengthen the hip. The jury is still out as to why her hip isn't behaving. We have taken x-rays, seen specialist and continue to check her range of motion. Although it is reminiscent of Cerebral Palsy, we are not convinced. More than likely she will be clumsy and not a star athlete. I am hoping a normal gait is in her future. Like everything else, only time will tell.
Worth noting but unrelated, Savannah asked today,
"Will Elmo be in Heaven?"
"Yes," I reply.
"He is going to go to OUR Heaven Mommy?!!"
"Yes Sweetie Pie."
"I can't wait to go to Heaven!"
A beautiful smile overtakes my oldest girl and is followed by clapping. I am still struggling with the thought of her learning Elmo is a puppet. I am also a bit disturbed by the desire to go to Heaven because her fictitious friend will be there.
Heaven and Elmo. . . two things that continually find their way into Savannah's everyday list of of questions.
Lila's face pretty much sums it up.
On a different note entirely, Adeline was fitted for her orthodics today. Her left hip is externally rotated which places her foot in a sideways position. We are hoping the orthodic will help reposition the foot and strengthen the hip. The jury is still out as to why her hip isn't behaving. We have taken x-rays, seen specialist and continue to check her range of motion. Although it is reminiscent of Cerebral Palsy, we are not convinced. More than likely she will be clumsy and not a star athlete. I am hoping a normal gait is in her future. Like everything else, only time will tell.
Worth noting but unrelated, Savannah asked today,
"Will Elmo be in Heaven?"
"Yes," I reply.
"He is going to go to OUR Heaven Mommy?!!"
"Yes Sweetie Pie."
"I can't wait to go to Heaven!"
A beautiful smile overtakes my oldest girl and is followed by clapping. I am still struggling with the thought of her learning Elmo is a puppet. I am also a bit disturbed by the desire to go to Heaven because her fictitious friend will be there.
Heaven and Elmo. . . two things that continually find their way into Savannah's everyday list of of questions.
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