Rolling, rolling, rolling

As Dave Barry once said, "Taking care of children is laughably easy, provided you don't try to do anything else." Laundry, dishes, make a phone call, take a shower, add to the blog, you get the point.

M and SB (SB is now the baby boy S and SG will be the big girl S - it just happens that their middle names are B and G too) have learned to roll over, on purpose. I love those first few times where the look of their faces was more like, "What the heck just happened to me?" Now SB has even realized that he can roll several times to get to the other side of the room. M still seems to be content to get to his tummy and try to scoot by pushing with his feet, which amazingly he's getting somewhere but very slowly.

SG turns 3 next week and all she can talk about is her princess party. Her one request was a princess bounce house which we found to rent for the whole day for a little over $100-includes delivery, setup, cleanup. We've invited some friends over to jump and play. It should be a fun day. That will be another blog.

C is now a "millipede expert." We have 100s of them running around outside (they are the tiny 1 inch guys). He likes to pick them up and let them crawl on his arms. It seems to me that despite the girls best efforts to make him like dollhouses, My Little Ponies, and tea parties, C is finally acting like a boy.

H just lost her two top teeth- the second one just today. She's lost 4 on the bottom and only two have come in. Now she is missing the top two. She looks like a jack-o-lantern with the opposite teeth. I don't know how this kid is going to eat. I'll have to take some pics soon of her empty mouth.

That's the brief version of what's going on around here. Now for some pics (the captions are below the pictures).

Fourth of July

Boys first trip to the pool - 3.5 mths old. B has M and D has SB. Since this time they've been completely in and seem to like it a lot.

Based on my understanding of the genetics of fraternal twins, H and SG have a greater chance of having twins. We're just doing our part to make sure H is ready to handle it. M is on the left and SB on the right.

The boys in their new high chairs. The bouncy seats were great until they started trying to sit up in them. They haven't actually started cereal and solid foods yet but needed a safe place to sit so they don't get squashed by the big ones running around. SB on left, M on right

The boys - C, SB and M (left to right)

M on left, SB on right - 4 mths old

We went to the beach a few weeks ago and I just love this picture of SG with her happy smile.


I don't know why, but I just like this pic of H. I think she look seriuos, but D thinks she looks sad.


Showing off their new rolling skills - M on left, SB on right -5 mths old.

All the boys

Pictures

The boys at 3 mths (S on left, M on right)

So I'm quite the slacker and haven't posted anything in over two months. All I can say is I'm sorry. My excuse is I've been really busy, and we did have some family come visit. Aunt H and Grandma and Papa all came. We had a lot of fun.

The boys are doing great. At two mths, M weighed 8 lbs 8 oz and S weighed 8 lbs 4 oz. At 3 mths, M weighed 10 lbs 1 oz and S was 10 lbs even. They are both laughing now and S is so close to rolling over. M is super observant and even notices when his favorite toy is missing from his carseat handle. They've decided bedtime is immediately following their 7:30-8 feeding but the sleep until about 2 am! Then they may go another 4 hrs after they eat and get up around 6-6:30.

There's so much to say about the last couple of mths but I think I'll just get to the pics. I must have some more pics on another camera card that I haven't downloaded yet. I'll work on that and post some more soon.

Mother's Day

S at 3 mths

M at 3 mths

M smiling

With B's parents at luau

1 month old!

Already?! D and I are guessing that time seems to go by faster when you are sleep deprieved. That's the only way we can explain that a month has already gone by. I apologize for taking so long to post again. I admit that if I had a free minute I took a quick shower instead of posting pics. But, since they are a month old, it's high time I gave an update.

The boys are doing great. M is no longer yellow and didn't have to spend any time under the "bili-lights." They are both gaining weight well now, S more so than M. At 3 wks, S weighed 5 lbs, 10 oz and M was 6 lbs, 12 oz. S is trying hard to catch up. We actually didn't need to go to the dr this week. It was a relief to not get up early Thursday morning to take them to see the dr like we've done every Thursday plus a few other days since they were born. They do go back this week for their 1 mth (5 wk) checkup. I'm anxious to see how much they've grown. Both boys gave us some little smiles this week. Of course once you pull out the camera they stop smiling and look at this weird thing you're holding now. Oh well.

It's interesting to me to see how the boys interact/react with/to each other. You would think that someone screaming their lungs out 8 inches away from you would wake you up. But not with these guys. It actually seems the crying from one puts the other to sleep. If you pick up the crying one from the crib, within 30 seconds the other one is awake and crying. However, if both boys are awake and crying, they cry in unison. Their cries are the same and even take a breath at the same time. I had weekly heart rate monitoring during the last few months of my pregnancy, and every time the boys' heart rates would be in sync. One might go up, then the other would go up too. They always leveled out the same. Amazing.

As for the rest of us, it's a quest for daily survival. D has been pulling late nights studying and catching up with work. We're still up a few times during the night with the boys. One night they went 4 hrs between feedings and it was wonderful! Of course they woke up just 2 hrs later for the next feeding. I'm feeling so much better, only take a single dose of Motrin once in awhile, and took the kids for 2 long walks yesterday. I plan to attempt the driving thing soon. I'm ready to have some independence back. H is learning to budget her time with school - I give her assignments on Monday to be finished by Friday. So far she's plays a lot early in the week and then spends all day Friday stressing out. Hopefully we'll learn the value of not procrastinating. C is doing all he can to find some independence. Unfortunately that means doing his own thing and not what we want him to do. He's sweet, but definitely challenging right now. Big girl S has learned how to take her clothes off and spends 80% of the time naked. She constantly wants to put on clean clothes so that by the end of the day she has 16 dirty outfits of clothes. Like I don't have enough laundry to do already! So enough of the writing, time for pics.

Proud big brother!Sleeping in the cradle Grandaddy made.

We put the boys to bed parallel to each other probably 10-12 inches apart. This is how they were an hour later. Even swaddled they find a way to touch each other.

Proud big sis!

Easter morning

All 5 after Easter lunch at Outback. Remarkably, we ate our meals and no one cried the whole time!

S hates to wear dresses. She screamed for about half an hour when we insisted that she wear her Easter dress.

But give her some time to forget she's in a dress and she'll be happy again.
Baby toes - I just love baby feet!

Falling down tired

I guess that's what you call it when you try to get out of bed and your legs don't seem to obey what your brain is saying. We have reached a new level of exhaustion this week beyond any I've ever known (and I went to college!). However, we have made it through the first week with 5 children! Baby M and Baby S are doing well. Preemie twins do require a bit more doctor's appts, heel sticks, weight checks, etc. than full term babies. M's skin looked a little yellow at the beginning of the week which required quite a few trips to the dr for bilirubin checks. Each day we were waiting to hear if his number had reached 18. 18 would have required rehospitalization. Thankfully he hovered at 16 all week. The dr finally decided this must be his plateau, and we've been issued a reprive from heel sticks until next Thursday (if he doesn't look yellow next week he won't need one). It's a good thing too, poor M has about 8 marks on his heels! They both began an upward trend on their weights by Thursday which was another thing that kept us going back and forth to the dr.
Some things we've learned about our new boys this week - M is pretty stubborn. He will eat on his terms and will not be forced. He also seems to every once in awhile spit up through his nose! This, much to Mommy's dismay, causes him to stop breathing momentarily. But we've learned to handle it and thankfully it's only happened a few times. He also likes to wait and poop while you are changing his diaper. He likes baths, especially having his hair washed. Baby S is pretty easy going. He's great with an eating schedule, although I do believe he would eat any time he's offered. He also has an incredible set of lungs! Newborn diapers are a bit too big for his little body and we tend to change his clothes often. He hates baths. They both seem to have a brother radar and will wake up if we pick up the other one. Baby S will turn on his side so that he can touch M. It's really cute how much they want to be together.
The other three are adjusting pretty well for the most part. We've had a few more temper tantrums than usual (but I'm sure D and I will get a handle on our emotions once we've had a bit more sleep!). H is incredibly helpful when she's alone with me and the twins. Otherwise, there's a lot of arguing over who's going to help. C is just anxious to start teaching the boys about John Deere. Big S is obsessed that one of the boys is always spitting up.
As for me, I'm beginning to heal. My incision is still very tender and in fact painful depending on how many trips up the stairs and how much motrin I've taken that day. The most frustrating part for me now is my total dependence on others. I can't even lift big S up to use the potty. Driving is still weeks away. Standing and walking for more than 10 minutes at a time can make me want to sit for the rest of the day. D has one more week off of work. I'm thinking he'll be happy to get back to work so he can get some rest! So hopefully all of my insides will soon begin to feel like they are back on the inside. We thank you for your prayers for our family. Please continue to pray for the health of the boys, my recovery, D's incredible list of responsibilities with work, school, and home, the kids' adjustment, and of course, more sleep!

The boys are here!

We are proud to introduce Micah John Kelly and Seth Benjamin Kelly! After my regular Wednesday appt, my dr instructed me to meet her at the hospital in an hour. At least I made it to just a day shy of 36 wks. I had dilated to almost 4 cm and once we got to the hospital and hooked up to monitors, we realized I was actually having contractions. I was scheduled to have the c-section (one boy breech and the other sideways) at 7 pm, but with my contractions building and getting closer together, it was moved up to 5 pm. All went well with the c-section, D even watched it and took pictures. Micah was born at 5:26 pm, weighing a hefty 6 lbs, 10.5 oz, measuring 18.5 inches long. Seth was born at 5:27 pm, weighing 4 lbs, 15 oz, measuring 17.5 inches long. Both boys were breathing on their own and neither one went to the NICU. They did a lot of monitoring on them before they came to our room. But seeing as how my recovery from the c-section was going slowly, it was probably for the best. They put a dose of morphine in the spinal which sent me into nausea, vomitting and shaking. It lasted for about the next 12 hrs. If I moved even slightly I was reaching for the bedpan. The boys are both nursing well. Actually Seth picked it up immediately - I guess he knows he has some catching up to do. Micah had some problems with amniotic fluid in his stomach and it took him a little longer to get the hang of it (who wants to eat when you tummy feels yucky). Now that they are latching on well, we'll work on nursing together.

We came home from the hospital yesterday. I quickly realized that I would not be going up and down the stairs at least for a few more days. D and I slept downstairs on the sleeper sofa with the boys in the bassinet. Last night was long between feedings, diaper changes, and clothes changes b/c the diapers leaked. Now today we've been waking them up to eat. Hopefully tonight they will sleep better.

We feel very blessed and are so thankful that God watched over these guys. We'll try to update the blog often. Enjoy the pics!

Ready to go home from the hospital

Snuggling together their first night at home

35 weeks

Here we are again. I've made it to 35 weeks and the dr reported yesterday no changes. My little heart to heart with her didn't go so well and she sent us to a specialist today, mostly because she was irritated with us if you ask me. D went with me yesterday because I had such a bad migraine I couldn't drive. That's the 5th or 6th one in a couple of weeks. They did some bloodwork to check for preeclampsia since headaches can be a sign. My blood pressure has been slowly creeping up in the last month or so, but since it started so very low, it's still not considered high. The blood work all came back fine so that's good news.
My dr and the specialist gave us an option today - have an amniocentesis to check the babies' lung development. If it showed that their lungs were mature, we'd go ahead with a c-section now. If it showed they were not mature, wait another week or two or more. Of course there are risks with the amnio. Without the amnio, we wait. So I felt cornered. But my gut said no amnio, D agreed, so we are waiting. Unfortunately the original comments from the dr (twins are full term at 36, she won't let me go past 37) are no longer accurate. Now the comments are no plans until 39 wks unless a problem develops or I go into labor on my own. Of course I'm not comfortable waiting until something goes wrong, or I go into labor with a breech baby A. I think what's so hard is thinking I was so close to the finish line and then having it moved. And after she told me two weeks ago that I wouldn't go another two weeks. She just keeps rubbing it in. The specialist thinks I'll go into labor before 39 weeks. He also thinks Baby A still has time and room to turn head down. We'll see. I told him that I've always had to be induced which adds more fear. I sometimes doubt if my body even knows how to go into labor by itself. I just can't imagine another 4-5 weeks with the stress and pain that my body is in already.
So now is an incredible time of faith and trusting in God for me. I know He can turn this boy around. I know He'll take care of everything in the right time. I just need to rely on Him for strength and comfort - and try not to think about Baby B's shoulder that is pushing into my ribcage right now and making it difficult to breath!
We appreciate all your prayers. Please continue to pray for the boys to turn head down, arrive in God's perfect time, and my patience. I sure need it!

34 weeks

Well we made it to this milestone. After the doctor's comment the week before, this week she said I might go another 3-4 weeks! I told D that if the boys are considered full term in 2 weeks, they will be out or someone will be hurt! Not to complain, but the leg cramps, varicose veins, heartburn, shortness of breath, Baby B getting his hand caught in my ribs, and other unmentionable "irritations" I'm ready for them to be on the outside (okay maybe I'm complaining a little bit). I've half jokingly said that at the 36 week mark I'm going for a run around the block. D can follow me in the van with the hospital bag because a run would be certain to put me into labor. But since the boys are still breech and sideways, I think this week the dr and I will have a chat about setting a date. So we'll let you know, once we know.

Belly pics!

Pictures, there have been numerous requests, so here they are! We'll have to keep taking pics since my stomach actually is growing on a daily basis now. But with these two putting on roughly half a pound a week EACH, it grows quickly. H was my photographer today (with the exception of the one she was in which D took). The kids love to pat my tummy or rest their heads on it. We had to get at least one of them all patting my tummy. The boys actually got quite active during these few pics. They can't wait to join the 3.

I would have done this next one with their names, but well, we still haven't finalized. We think we've made up our minds and then one, or both of us, decide we don't really like it. So for today, A and B it is.

Here's a pic taken at my shower last week. We played the "let's guess how long a string will go around her tummy" game. It's a good shot of my tummy too.

33 weeks!

We're making it day by day! Dr appt, non-stress test, and ultrasound have all gone well this week. I haven't dilated anymore; the boys' heart rates, fluid levels, and movements are good. The ultrasound measurements proved these boys are big. Baby A is still breech. As of last Friday he was measuring (estimate of course) 4 lbs 10 oz. Baby B is still sideways and measured 3 lbs 13 oz. Twins usually run around 20th percentile so I've been told, but Baby B is 45th percentile and A is 62nd percentile! In fact that put baby A measuring more like a 34 wk single baby! If he were to continue at that rate until 40 wks he would be over 9 lbs! Thank goodness that's not going to happen. You could see both babies "practice breathing" on the ultrasound. Their little chests would rise and fall. That's a great sign that their lungs are near maturity. My doctor did say this week that I look pretty close to max capacity and she will be surprised if I make it two more weeks. So, we'll keep taking it one day at a time and see how much longer I can hold them in! Please keep praying that they will turn head down. Dr said unless they turn by next week, we'll be looking at a c-section (which I'd rather avoid!). Thanks for your prayers. Maybe I'll post some belly pics this weekend. I should be taking daily pics now to make a flip book!

No change!

Thankfully my doctor's appt went well. I figured there were 3 things that could have happened: 1-no change and I get to go back home, 2-little change and she would admit me to the hospital to be monitored, or 3-lot of change and the boys would have made their arrival today. I will still have my standard weekly monitoring tomorrow and the monthly ultrasound is tomorrow also. I don't have to see my ob again until next Wed. Of course I'm under strict orders to go immediately to the hospital (Do not pass GO, do not collect $200) if anything on this long preterm labor list happens (which I've heard so many times now that I have it memorized). And I get to go back to the pool tomorrow. I've been missing swimming so much! It also looks like I'll make it to my own baby shower on Sunday too. Yea! Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray.

Short day at the hospital!

Thankfully, today we only spent 2 hrs at the hospital. The boys cooperated with the monitors and didn't try to run away, although they continued to kick them for the duration. No change in my status and no contractions so I was able to go home. I received my second steriod shot so that can only help the boys, even if they don't come early. I was just told to take it easy, and I go back to my ob on Wednesday. Now it will just be a day at a time. As long as I'm not having contractions, I don't think the dr is in any rush either. After all, I was even further dilated and effaced with S at least a month before her birth and still had to be induced! Thank you all for your prayers, we'll keep you posted!

31 weeks and counting

Or at least hoping to keep counting. Today I spent a few hours hanging out at the hospital labor and delivery triage. I was monitored for contractions. The babies heart rate monitors were fine, size wise they are actually measuring a few days ahead of their gestational age, and I wasn't having any contractions. All good things.
However, I've already started to dilate and efface (which is why I was sent to the hospital in the first place). Not good things. Baby A is breech and baby B is horizontal. I was given the first of two doses of corticosteriods to help their lungs develop if they are born sooner rather than later. I go back to the hospital tomorrow for the second dose. I've obviously been instructed to take it easy, but full bed rest would actually cause problems with the varicose veins and might cause a blood clot in my legs (I had one with my pregnancy with S). How could I have full bed rest with these other 3 at home anyways?! My dr must realize that too b/c she said rest in quotes :) So, please keep praying with us that these boys will hang out on the inside for a few more weeks. God's timing is perfect and we have to trust that. Honestly the stress of constantly wondering if that was a contraction, do I call the dr, am I doing too much, going back and forth to drs appts, and figuring out what to do with the kids is exhausting. 36 wks is the ultimate goal, 34 wks would be okay too - just a week or two in the NICU. Besides, we still have decided on names! Thank you for your prayers!

Annual New Year's update

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy 2009! 2008 was a busy year for us. Actually, it was a pretty ordinary year until about June when the movers showed up at our house and packed everything we owned into wood crates. We left San Diego only a few days after H finished kindergarten and headed off on almost a month of traveling before setting foot in Honolulu, Hawaii in mid-July. Here are a few of the highlights from our year…
In May, B finally had the opportunity to visit the Embry-Riddle campus in Daytona Beach, FL when she walked across the stage and accepted her Master’s Degree. It was a moment she’ll never forget! We also got to visit lots of family in south Georgia and relax a little. H learned how to kneeboard on Uncle R’s boat, and the kids even got to sit in a real fire truck at Meme and Grandaddy’s. C’s favorite part was riding on and driving (with Daddy’s help of course) Grandaddy’s tractor. It was a great trip!
In June, we flew to Alabama to visit Grandma and Papa, B’s parents. We drove all over the state to see lots of old friends and even went up to Indiana for our B's family reunion. It was wonderful to see and meet so many from her family. We also went to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati (awesome – check it out!) and to A Day Out with Thomas where we rode on a train pulled by Thomas!
Then in July we flew to Hawaii with three kids and two cats, and spent the next 11 days in 3 hotels (actually we couldn’t count if we wanted to the number of different places we stayed during the year!). Thankfully we moved into housing on day 12 and finally had a bed to sleep on about 2 weeks later when those same wood crates showed up at our new driveway (unfortunately many things didn’t look the same as they did when they were packed in San Diego)! D began his new job at the Chapel. Five months later his job keeps him very busy, but he gets to be home most nights to tuck the kids in bed. Such a blessing compared to the few nights he was home in 2007!
So then in September, our “baby” S turned two! She blows us away with her silly jokes and laughter. Her favorite thing to do is balance on Daddy’s hands as he lifts her high in the air (I can’t believe I don’t have a picture of this!). She seems to love the look of shock and fear on people’s faces. About the time she turned two, we discovered that we were having two more! An 8 week ultrasound confirmed what my friend Stacy already knew – we were having twins (she has twins too)! Talk about shock! Now at 26 weeks, we know they are fraternal boys and both are growing well. We’ve also learned that God is serious when He says He will bless you beyond all that you can ask or imagine! Now we just have to decide on names!
The next couple of months were spent trying to find a fit here in Hawaii, finish unpacking, homeschool H and try to make it through the day without a migraine or vomiting – all which proved to be challenging! H loves homeschooling, and it really has been a blessing to us. Sure, some days are harder than others, but I love the relationships that have developed between the kids as well as getting to spend quality time with her myself. The years are slipping by so fast. Sometimes I think if I blink she’ll be headed off to college.
We just finished December. C turned 4 and looks like such a big boy now. It’s funny to watch him turning into a small version of D – complete with scrapes from jumping off things and his sense of humor. B’s parents as well as her sister and brother-in-law came for a visit too. We did so much around the island, but by far the favorites were the kids’ presents from Aunt H and Uncle P. Aunt H took H on a dolphin encounter, and P took C for a helicopter ride! They both are still talking about it!
We had been planning a trip back to San Diego (H desperately wants to go snowboarding!) in January, but the doctor put an end to B’s overseas travel. We don’t have too many plans for next year. The twins will probably arrive around the beginning of April (hopefully no sooner or no later!) and traveling with 3 kids and 2 babies just sounds overwhelming now. I’m sure we’ll get the hang of it before too long! And while we don’t have much room, we do have a sofa sleeper (as well as the floor and sleeping bags!) and would welcome any of you for a visit. We wish you all a wonderful new year!

January 08 - Building a fort

H snowboarding at Big Bear in January

H and C camping with Daddy in April

Spring pics by our friend Susie - we miss you Susie!

B's graduation in May

C and D riding a tractor at Meme and Grandaddy's in May

A Day out with Thomas in June

4 generations taken at our family reunion in June (left to right - B's Grandpa with S, B's Dad with C, and B with H)

Twins at 25 weeks

The boys are looking good! I'm now 26 weeks (these pics are from last week). Besides the fact that both were breech at the ultrasound, they are growing well. Baby A is measuring just over 2 lbs and Baby B is just under 2 lbs. Actually Baby B is measuring where he should be and A is just an overachiever! Please pray with us that these boys will turn head down. If they are breech and a c-section is required they will most likely make their appearance earlier than if they wait on their own timing.

It's hard to tell from all the arms, legs, umbilical cords, and the membrane separating the two, but it looks like you can see Baby B's face in this last picture with Baby A. Just out from A's nose and mouth it looks like another face staring straight at you. Drs said the next ultrasound won't be near as clear since it's starting to get crowded in there. Starting to get crowded?! It's felt crowded to me for weeks!