Martin Party of Four

So CUTE from Kay Lea

2009-10-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

This is an outfit that was in the running for the babies' first birthday pictures. A very special family friend got Rider and Josie really cute sailor themed outfits, but Rider outgrew his before Josie's fit. THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN KAY! We loved these outfits so much and Josie has been wearing hers to church (even after labor day), and Rider wore his ALL Summer!

Aunt Lisa's Birthday

2009-10-10T09:26:00.001-07:00

We went to Stillwater on the Friday after Aunt Lisa's birthday for dinner. The cousins played well together and had a great time!!

September 17th is a big day at our house because it's Aunt Lisa's birthday and our friend Michael Schiesel's too! This year (and from now on) it was EXTRA special because a new best friend was born! Evan James Neurohr was born at 9 lbs 7 oz! WOW!

First OSU game

2009-10-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

We took the babies to the first OSU game to tailgate and see some friends. They didn't stay to see the Cowboys beat Georgia, because Mia was sweet enough to take them home after the pregame.

This first picture is Uncle Steve and cousin Luke with Rider. I didn't pack Rider any pants to go with his jersey! We had to borrow some hand-me-downs. Luke LOVES his cousins! The cheer uniform Josie is wearing is also a cousin hand-me-down. Claire was sweet enough to pass down her first suit!

They don't look very happy here. We had just gotten there, and had to wake them up...And their eyes hadn't adjusted to the sun.

They were SO GOOD in their stroller!!

Older Posts

2009-09-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

I did it again...I updated the blog and added so many posts on the same day that the first ones got pushed to the second page. Please check those out as well. Some of them are special pics!

Parents' First VACATION

2009-09-04T09:43:00.001-07:00

So, I don't have any pictures of my vacation to post, but I thought I would update you about what's been going on.

Jeff and I went to Cancun for 5 days WITHOUT the babies! I did as well as I expected...I cried all the way from Sallisaw to Owasso after I initially dropped them off. Then the next morning when we were in the airport in Tulsa I got anxious and a little teary, but other than that I didn't cry again until Grammy and Grampaw brought them to us when we got home.

It was a great vacation with great friends and Jeff and I really enjoyed it!

We bought a BOAT

2009-09-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

So those of you that have spent any time with Jeff and me over the last 4 years or so...you know we have talked to death the possibility to buying a pontoon boat. Well, we finally did it! We are so excited. I know the timing seems strange since we have one fewer paying jobs than we did this time last year, but my parents went it halvsies with us. Grampaw (I THINK that's what we are going to call Nelson, and I spelled it just like we have been pronouncing it...is that a little country or what?) was ADAMANT about the babies staying out of the lake this summer. We even stayed off the water on the Fourth! We had to do some sweet talking, but these pictures are from our first outing on the new boat. I will try to remember to take pics of the actual boat since lots of people have asked, but we were just SO excited to get out on the water we didn't think about it.

Playing in the GRASS and in the AIR

2009-09-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

This is one Sunday after church in Sallisaw. They had been in the yard before, but always on a blanket. This is their first time to REALLY get to play in the grass.

First Biter Biscuit

2009-09-04T09:18:00.001-07:00

Sweet Miss Vicky

2009-09-04T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is Miss Vicky. She comes to the house to help me with the babies a couple mornings a week. We all love her so much, and she is a Godsend!

First Trip to Bass Pro

2009-09-04T09:13:00.001-07:00

This was our first trip to Bass Pro shop, and Rider is lovin' it already!

First "Cheeto"

2009-09-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

This is Josie when she had her first Gerber Lil' Crunchy, but I call them all Cheetos even when they aren't cheese flavored. She loves them now, but she wasn't sure what to think at first.

I think this was July 27th. :)

Four Martin Generations

2009-09-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

I am SO far behind on my posting, so I'm not going to give a whole lot of narration on my pics. If I ever really get caught up I will go back to my "journaling".

This is Grampa Champ and Grampa Dave with Daddy and the babies! Then Grampa Champ and Rider--two Martin MEN! Such a special day!

Mommy's Mistake

2009-08-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to post this picture on the blog, because I am just SO embarrassed. But GRAMMY already put it on facebook so I might as well tell on myself.

I let Rider fall out of Kanon Huhnke's high chair and he hit is head on the floor. SO sad and I cried for three hours. Jeff took him to the ER just to be safe and all was well. He worked up an awesome black eye and here is a picture of it at it's best. :( I never thought their first big mishap would be TOTALLY my fault.

I'm not saying anymore about it. :(

Father's Day

2009-08-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

Here are Jeff and the babies on Father's Day in Stillwater. We celebrated by eating his birthday cake that Mia had frozen from last October. There was so much hubub with the babies that we didn't really celebrate Jeff's 31st birthday. The cake was awesome and it was fun to see a picture of Jeff holding the babies in their first Halloween costumes. They have changed SO much! Thanks Mia for the great cake!

7 months old

2009-07-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

More pictures from Aunt Kimberly! Help us decide what to order! Oh my GOODNESS!

Sweet Aunt Kimberly

2009-07-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Kimberly spent an entire day with us taking our pictures. These were supposed to be the babies' six month pictures, but we were somewhere EVERY weekend in April and May so they are 7 months 10 days old. That works just as well for me. :) We had a great day taking pictures and cooking out. Andy and Kimberly cooked for us and let us enjoy their beautiful home and back yard. Ava helped entertain take our picture and entertain Rider and Josie. We had lots of fun! Thank you AGAIN Aunt Kimberly!

Here are just a few of my favorites.

Cousin's Birthday

2009-07-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

Rider and Josie attended another birthday party. Luke turned three! He and his friends rode their "bikes" all over the place. They also drove his brand new "Gator" (from Auntie Sheri Lee) until the battery died. This is Daddy and Rider the first time we could figure out how to get the Baby Bjourn around Daddy's broad shoulders.

My Second Mother's Day

2009-07-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

Last year on Mother's Day, after Jeff and I found out we were pregnant, he bought me beautiful earrings. He said we better enjoy gifts like that while we still could. :) He fibbed, because this year I got a MUCH NEEDED massage.

This year on my first Mother's Day that the babies could smile at the camera we went to Sallisaw. We stayed home all weekend because Rider and Josie were still trying to get over a bug. You can kind of tell in the picture that they have that glassy eyed stare going on.

Grammy (we think that is what she is really going to ask the babies to call her, weigh in with your opinion) and I got some pictures anyway to record our first Mother's Day as a new mother and grandmother.

Bow Head

2009-07-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Those of you that watched me grow up, know my mother and my Auntie Jo had bows in my hair ALL the time. I had a bow to match every outfit. Needless to say, we are off to a very familiar beginning with an obsession with Josie's hair. This is a picture of the very first bow she was able to wear without a head band. It didn't last long, but in the beginning she was working it out in the jumper!

Four Generations

2009-06-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

I am so proud Rider and Josie have so many people that love them. I was glad to finally get our picture taken with my Daddy and his parents with the babies and me. I don't know why we didn't get it done at Christmas when we were all dressed in our best. Even though my Daddy and Pepaw worked hours in the heat on the lawnmower, I am still happy to post this great picture.

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-06-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

I am working a little out of order, but I wanted to get these pictures up ASAP.

Memaw and Pepaw came to Sallisaw to see the babies on Memorial Day weekend. Jeff and I were supposed to be at the lake, but we got rained out. We also were a boat short for our crew, so I stayed in Sallisaw most of the time. Here is a picture of the babies with both of their great grandmothers. I love it!

Twin Update

2009-05-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

Rider and Josie are 7 months old! I can't believe how fast the time has gone already. They had their 6 month check up a little late because of their immunization schedule. The doctor was pleased with their development in every area except their weights. They are really doing well in spite of their "preemie" status.

Rider at 6 mos 3 wks

27 inches--55% :) yea!

14 lbs 12 oz--5 % :( boo!

43.5 cm (head circumference)--30% good brain development gonna be smart

Josie at 6 mos 3 wks

25.25 inches--20%

11 lbs 14 oz--<3%

42 cm (head circumference)--30% another smart one ;)

Since they aren't moving up on the growth chart in the weight category Jeff and I spent an extra 30 minutes at the pediatrician working on a new feeding schedule. PRAY for me as I am now feeding the babies every 1 1/2 hours unless they are asleep. I am still only nursing every three or so hours, but in between each of those scheduled feedings I am spoon feeding three times a day. Not only that, the food they are getting is quite the concoction...for breakfast and supper they get two table spoons rice cereal, 2 oz formula, 1 tea spoon olive oil and half a jar of fruit. Lunch is much easier, they get a jar of vegetables with a tea spoon of olive oil. I added a table spoon of rice cereal on my own because I felt sorry for them that they were eating veggies with olive oil sitting on top! YUCK! The cereal at least soaks up the oil a little bit. :(

We don't go back to the doctor until their 9 month check up in July. I have only been on this schedule for two weeks and already feel like all we do is prepare to eat, eat, change diapers and prepare to eat again!

Rider is really "creeping" and both grandpas say it's crawling. But he really isn't using is hands and knees in a coordinated manner. He CAN get where ever he wants to go at a top speed. Josie is sitting up all on her own and pulling up to her knees in her crib when she is ready to get out. It continues to amaze me how differently they are developing. We are doing the same things all together everyday, and yet there skills come in no particular order.

Older Posts

2009-04-30T06:40:00.001-07:00

I just realized I posted so many times last night that they aren't all on the same page. If you want to see ALL the pictures you'll have to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of the page.

Hangin' Out

2009-04-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

I was so proud I caught this picture because both Rider and Josie use each other as a pillow from time to time. I hadn't been able to get it on camera until this weekend. We were in Stillwater hanging out with the fam and watching TV.

Babies' First Easter

2009-04-29T19:46:00.000-07:00

By the time we got home we were too late to get both Rider and Josie to pose for a picture, but here is the princess in her first Easter Dress.

Rider and Daddy in their Easter outfits too! Aren't they handsome!

Everyone happy in their Easter best!

Outfits from the OTHER Martins

2009-04-29T19:28:00.001-07:00

These cute striped outfits were a gift from our good friends the Martins. Greg and Michele and Maggie, Kelsey, Allie and Jake Martin are friends that go back to my parents college days. I love the outfits and took these pictures especially to send to the Martins. Of course I haven't done that yet, but I LOVE these pictures and couldn't wait to post them.

Can you believe I had a baby that has eyelashes like these? I think Josie will be jealous unless hers really catch up as they get older. She didn't really have ANY eyelashes when she was born, and hers are beautiful now so maybe they'll keep growing. I have always complained about my stubby eyelashes, and I'm proud my kiddos won't have to. :)

I love how enthralled they are with their Daddy in this picture. Mia loves to watch both babies when Jeff and I come in the room because they really are paying attention to us these days. We feel special!

Cousins Visit

2009-04-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

Uncle Steve and Aunt Lisa brought Luke and Claire (and Mia) to Jenks to go to the aquarium and then to see us in Owasso. We had a great day and enjoyed our family time!

Mia stayed the night, and then Rider and Josie and I took her back to Stillwater and spent the day there. It has been difficult this winter for all four of the cousins to be well at the same time so we took advantage of our time together.

First Veggies! March 30th

2009-04-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I put the pink bib on Rider, but I do remember being a little nervous trying something new.

First Birthday Party

2009-04-29T16:52:00.001-07:00

Rider and Josie attended their first birthday party. It wasn't our first invitation, but it was the first one we were able to make. Ava turned two and invited us to her house for the big day. The picture is Ava and her mother, Kimberly, me and then Chloe holding Josie and her mother Lindsey. We had lots of fun, and lots of our friends got to meet Rider and Josie for the first time.

Four Generations

2009-04-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to take this picture the day before when I had makeup and "real clothes" on, but it didn't work out that way. I am just proud to get to take this picture so it's going on the blog. I haven't gotten to take one with my Dad and his parents yet, but it is on "the list". :)

Spring Break in Sallisaw

2009-04-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

We went on a walk with Nana. and this picture was taken in front of Cousins Bill and Rhonda's house.

St. Patrick's Day

2009-04-29T16:13:00.001-07:00

We had a big day that day. Rider and Josie had their NICU follow-up appointment and then we went to Sallisaw. I waited too long in the day to take their picture, but I just HAD to have them in their pretty green outfits.

First Spoon Feeding

2009-04-29T16:04:00.001-07:00

Kimberly's Pictures March 14th

2009-04-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

My friend Kimberly took these pictures at her house just for fun! Isn't she good? They look prefessional! And aren't these babies CUTE!

Don't Go Away

2009-04-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends and Family!

Please do NOT give up on me and my blog. I do have plans to update the blog with pictures of my precious babies. They are growing SO FAST. They just celebrated their first "half birthday." You may not get a full blown update with all our activities, but I am going to add pictures ASAP. We are so busy living--I just don't have the time to post pictures and information very often. Please bare with me, and don't stop visiting our blog.

Also for those friends and family that haven't received thank you notes and/or announcements...PLEASE know it isn't because I don't appreciate you and your gifts! I am DESPERATELY trying to get the notes written and sent before Rider and Josie's first birthday--NOT FUNNY, and I know some of you are laughing at me RIGHT NOW!

Love and HUGS

Super Bowl

2009-03-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to update my blog in order, so I would have it like a journal. I, of course, dropped the ball in February.

We went to a Super Bowl party at the Huhnke's house. It was the first party with "the boys" that the kiddos were included. We had so much fun and almost all the babies were there. We missed Kyle and Lindsey and Keegan because she was so sick with RSV.

I had the BEST intentions with my camera, but I failed as the photographer. Kimber took some pictures, but we didn't get one of everyone. I really wanted to. I am going to remember to ask Kimber to email me the pics to add to this post.

We had fun!

Valentine's Day

2009-03-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

Rider in his Camo

2009-03-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

I love this picture because I was just able to catch these babies smiling! This was taken on Valentine's Day. Frank and Brenda Sullivan got Rider this cute camo outfit with the hat and shoes. Of course it's Jeff's favorite.

He also puts Josie in this outfit from the Sullivan's as often as possible. You can't see it in the picture, but the pink onesie has camo trim. :) Grandmother decided to get cute with Rider's hat. Josie took longer to cooperate for the camera. She still saves her smiles for when the camera isn't around. This is also her first time sitting in her bumbo chair.

Josie in her Mother's dress

2009-02-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

This is my little yellow dress. My Memaw and Pepaw bought it for me to go home from the hospital. My Nana kept is safe for us all these years and Grandmother had it dry cleaned to get it ready for Josie.

I have been waiting...and waiting...and waiting...for Josie to weigh as much as I did at BIRTH! Just before three months Josie hit 8 lbs. 2 oz. I didn't get her picture that day, of course. But I did finally get her in the dress for a photo opp.

I can't believe how big Rider and Josie are getting and Jo showed off her neck strength for the camera.

Three Months Old

2009-02-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

Rider and Josie were three months old on January 21st. I took them on the adventure of their short little lifetime. We went to Wal-Mart to the portrait studio. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING.

Grandmother and Grandaddy met me at Wal-Mart at 5:00. Our appointment was for 5:00 and I was just walking in the door. I won't go into all too much detail, but I will tell you we took so long that I let another little boy's mother cut in front of us before we finished taking pictures. They schedule 30 minute slots and we weren't done until we had taken up three. Jeff and I had birthday dinner plans with the Murtaughs and the Caughmans and were 30 minutes late.

We did get some cute pictures, but Josie looks grouchy in this one. :)

Rider weighed 11 lbs. 3 oz. and Josie weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz.

Turning 30

2009-02-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

I turned 30 on January 15th. I usually start celebrating right after Christmas and continue through Valentine's Day. Saying that my priorities have changed might be the understatement of my thirtieth year. :) I always imagined I have a big party with everyone I know invited, but after we finally got pregnant and then Rider and Josie got here I barely remembered that I usually have a "birthday month".

We DID celebrate, and we had a few "birthday dinners". The first one was on my actual birthday which was also, at the time, the coldest day of the year. Mia stayed with Rider and Josie, and Jeff and I went to dinner and a movie.

Many of you have heard this story, but I feel like I need to record it for posterity. ;) Jeff made reservations a McGill's in Tulsa. I very rarely order appetizers at "nice restaurants" because I always eat so fast and drink so much pop that I don't really get to enjoy my entree. Since I am still nursing two babies, I have been eating like a man. We ordered an appetizer that we didn't completely finish, but it was outstanding. I did have two wonderful pieces of bread that slowed me down a little. I ordered the special--steak and lobster tail. The steak was wrapped in bacon, and it was served with new potatoes and asparagus. (I have to insert here that asparagus might be my least favorite vegetable.) I ATE EVERY SINGLE BITE OF FOOD except the bacon the steak was wrapped in! THEN I ordered a dessert! I only ate about 3/4 of my piece of cheesecake, I probably could have finished it, but I thought I would stop before it was too late.

I have never enjoyed food as much as I did on my 30th birthday. The food was wonderful, I was able to eat it all, AND I didn't at all over eat! I was so PUMPED, and I am sure you can tell in this post that I talked and talked and talked about that meal for the next two weeks. I couldn't tell that story without someone laughing at my enthusiasm.

I think Jeff enjoyed his meal too, but he didn't eat as much as I did. He had Alaskan crab legs and they were as thick as my arm. I had a couple of bites of his as well, but I was nice enough to trade a bite of lobster. ;) We had a wonderful time and actually got to visit with each other. We kept thinking we were missing something since there were no babies crying and we didn't have arms full of stuff or babies.

We didn't take any pictures of ourselves that day, but we should have because I had on real clothes and fixed my hair and put on make-up! The picture above was taken of Rider and Josie on my birthday. I hate posting another picture of an angry Josie, so I am going to explain. I had tried two other times to take their picture in their SUPER CUTE Nike outfits. (Thank you Emily and Scott!) Rider spit up all over his the first 5 minutes they had them on--NO picture. The second time they wore them Rider had a diaper leak as I was getting my camera--NO picture. This is the third time they had worn the outfit and Josie was sitting in her own poop and it was ALL OVER the back of her outfit! SO SAD, but I gave up and took the picture just so I could have one. I am going to continue to try to catch them both happy before Rider out grows it.

The Weedon Girls

2009-01-21T11:17:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures of Kennedy and Sydney meeting Rider and Josie for the first time. They were so disappointed when they didn't get to come to the hospital. We enjoyed getting the kids together and taking lots of pictures and video.

Rider slept the whole time they were at Grandmother and Grandaddy's house, but he was awake the next day at Uncle Ken's house.

New Friend

2009-01-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

One of my dearest friends had a baby boy on December 26th. His name is Luke Davis. We caught these pictures of the three of them in their camo after Luke's 2 week check up. Julie and her mom, Nancy, brought Luke to Owasso.

Sad Start

2009-01-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

We started out 2009 with a very sad event. My Auntie Helen passed away on New Year's Eve, losing her battle with breast cancer.

Rider and Josie and I were in Sallisaw spending some more time with my family so Jeff could get a duck hunt in during this crazy time in our lives.

I was glad to already be in Sallisaw when my Mother got the call, and Jeff came to be with us right away.

We had lots of visitors, lots of food and lots of flowers and plants. We really appreciate all your thoughts and prayers and thoughtful gifts.

Babies' First Christmas

2008-12-29T16:09:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas week. Yes, I did say week. We started in Sallisaw at Grandmother and Grandaddy's house on Saturday the 20th. I had Grandaddy and Daddy both mixed up pretty badly since we started celebrating so early. They couldn't figure out why the Christmas music kept playing on the radio.

Our second Christmas was with the Woods family on Sunday the 21st. There were 28 people there with 8 under 6 years old. It was lots of fun! It was the first day many members of our family had met Rider and Josie. We were ready to show them off. Here is just a taste of the action.

It was also their 2 month birthday that day, and we didn't take ANY pictures of just the two of them, so I am posting the only one I have of that day. That is Grandaddy holding Rider and my first cousin Mark James holding Josie in the background.

We stayed in Sallisaw until Christmas Eve, and then went to Owasso. We started our own Christmas tradition there, where Santa had already visited Rider and Josie while we were gone. We MUST have just missed him! My first cousin Rhonda James bought them these cute Christmas onesies.

We traveled to the Bewley Christmas in Chandler on Christmas Day, where Rider and Josie met more of their great Aunts and Uncles as well as some second and third cousins! I relied on my Aunt Jeannetta and my Memaw and Pepaw Bewley to take pictures with their camera. This is Memaw and Pepaw Bewley with the great grandkids, from left Wyatt Bledsoe, Colton Stone, Braden Stone, Rider and Josie, and Jaybre Stone.

We then headed to Mia and Grampa Dave's house for Christmas night fellowship, dinner and gift opening. Luke and Claire were so helpful in opening Rider and Josie's presents. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the time with our family. It was a little bit crazy there as well, so my pictures are all action shots. The Christmas outfit that Mia bought for Josie fit her perfectly for Christmas Day. She was excited to match her cousin Claire on such a special day.

We stayed in Stillwater until Mia and Grampa Dave left for San Diego. We spent Saturday the 27th with Aunt Lisa, Uncle Steve, Luke, Claire, Luke and Claire's Googie and Papa (Dan and Cindy Cummings) also came over to meet Rider and Josie and to help me while Daddy worked a hunt in Perry. I was able to take a bath AND eat lunch since I had so much help!

Cousins

2008-12-16T14:23:00.000-08:00

This is a picture from Thanksgiving Day. Rider and Josie met Luke and Claire for the first time. We were all pretty excited. Lisa and I were thrilled to get even one picture of all four of them together. We can't really see their shining faces, but they are all in the frame and that is what counts for now! Mia bought Claire and Josie these matching outfits for Christmas and we got a couple of shots of just the girls too. I will try to add those later.

First Outing

2008-12-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

We ventured out of the house for the first tim with the entire family on Sunday afternoon, December 7th. We had gotten each baby out individually to go to the doctor, but this was a little different.

I wanted to get out first thing after the early morning feeding, but I was SO TIRED. I couldn't get fired up to get myself out of the bed. So then we decided we would feed them at 11 and leave at noon. We finally made it out the door at 1 pm. I ended up proud that we were only an hour behind schedule on such a huge undertaking.

We went straight to Auntie Helen's house and got to see Grandmother and Grandpa, Bill and Rhonda, Mark and Auntie Helen and Uncle Ken and Nana. Later Aunt Addie Mae came over to see us for the first time since Rider and Josie got here.

The kiddos seem to like the car at this point so it will make the next couple of weeks much better with all our Christmas traveling.

Here is a picture of some of us at Auntie's house.

Ready for Bedlam

2008-12-02T16:51:00.000-08:00

We got the kiddos all geared up in their OSU stuff. I said Rider must have had a premonition about the outcome of the game. His reaction to being photographed is always how I feel when we lose to the gooners. ;)

1 Month Old

2008-12-02T16:39:00.000-08:00

These are pictures from November 21st. The babies one month birthday. I obviously need more practice getting their pictures together. Rider didn't mind pictures tonight but Josie wasn't interested at all. :)

Grandparent Pictures

2008-11-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to post these pictures for a while. I thought I had it done yesterday, but I somehow keep getting interrupted. :)

We have had lots of great visitors. People have been wonderful bringing food and treats. Aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents have all visited or called to check on us or sent great stuff!

All the grandparents in Oklahoma have been to visit and have had their pictures taken with Rider and Josie. The only grandparent the babies haven't met is Grampa Champ because he is in Iowa.

Josie is HOME

2008-11-20T16:48:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry for the delay in posting. We are experiencing a whole new kind of sleep deprivation. :) My internet has also been down and I haven't had the time/energy/motivation to go upstairs and try to fix it.

Josie didn't pass her sleep test again on Sunday, but the doctor thought she would do well at home as long as she is monitored. We haven't had any scary alarms, but her high heart rate alarm has gone off a couple of times when she gets really fired up. :) Jeff keeps saying she gets that from me, but I just am not quite ready to take credit for that.

She weiged exactly 5 lbs on Monday when she was dismissed. The entire process went so much faster since we had done it all the week before with Rider. We were all home together by 6:15 pm. Here is the first picture of the two of them at home with Daddy.

Rider is HOME

2008-11-11T14:32:00.000-08:00

We came home with Rider last night at about 8:00 because we had to wait for the person to bring his monitor and train us on it. He passed his sleep study as "borderline normal" so that is the reason for the monitor. He had one Brady where his heart rate drops lower than it should, but he is always able to recover on his own. He weighed 5 lbs 10 oz at discharge.

Josie had a couple of episodes of apnea in her sleep study so the doctor thought it would be best for her to stay one more week. She has consistently been developmentally one week behind Rider so it isn't too surprising. The doctor also reiterated that she is doing great and is only showing her immaturity with the breathing struggles. She will continue to improve and catch up with her brother. She weighed 4 lbs 6 oz yesterday. It was more difficult to leave Josie there by herself than it had been leaving them both, but Jeff and I feel really good about doing what is best for both Rider and Josie according to their doctors.

Jeff and I were on our own last night and managed just fine. My mother came this morning and I took quite a few naps already. :)

Another Update!

2008-11-06T17:56:00.000-08:00

I wanted to add an update again today because a lot happened last night/today. Josie is no longer on ANY meds and they removed her feeding tube. She has "nippled" all of her feeds in the last 48 hours. She is more than half-way to the amount she needs to eat to be dismissed. She weighed 4 lbs. 2.9 oz. and needs to gain about 7 more oz. She stayed all night in the open air crib and maintained her temperature well. They administered the hearing test and she passed that. The nurse on duty thinks Rider AND Josie will get to come home sometime next week!They have to wait 3 days from the last dosage of medicine for Josie to have her sleep study so that will be sometime after Sunday morning. Rider's sleep study is already scheduled (not sure if it is tonight or tomorrow.) I met with the physical therapist today to learn how to put Rider in his car seat. Here is a little side note/public service announcement: The additional pieces or supplements in car seats have been safety tested and do not perform well. The physical therapist asked us to take ours out to leave the hospital, but said it was our decision what to do when once we got home. Part of the car seat lesson was adding receiving blankets to the proper places so that Rider fits perfectly. I also learned the physical therapy we will need to do at home to help develop his motor skills. We went over "Back to Sleep" rules and why they are important in preventing SIDS. We will go over all the same information again on Monday just for Josie.

We are anxious for our family to be home all together. We appreciate so much your thoughts and prayers and encouragement!

2 weeks 1 day

2008-11-05T18:44:00.000-08:00

Well..I have already dropped the ball as the family photographer. I took the above pics today, but I was planning to take pictures of Rider and Josie on each week. I couldn't catch Josie awake, but Rider was nice enough to keep his eyes open for the camera. Grandma and Grandpa Bewley came to visit today and brought Mother and Daddy some roast beef salad, crackers, preserves and jelly and Mother's very favorite--pumpkin cake! We got some pictures with them too. :) I have some excuses for my lack of pictures, yesterday was a big day for Rider (and for Mother and Daddy). At 8:00 am he was circumcised. Jeff and I sat outside the room and listened to him squawk. At 11:30 he and Josie had physical therapy evaluations. They both passed, but they get so tired afterwards they don't eat very well.

We were excited again to see that Josie had another day of growth for her 2 week birthday, AND she "joined the 4 pound club" as her Daddy put it. She weighed 4 lbs. 1.5 oz. She moved into an open air crib today and was able to maintain her own temperature well. It is another thing to check off our list. They have left the Isolette in the room just in case her temp drops a little tonight. Rider also continues to grow. He weighed 5 lbs. 3.5 oz. Josie is eating 40 ml and Rider is eating 45 ml. Today both babies nursed, and Rider took his entire feeding. Josie took about half and then finished the rest from the bottle. She has been doing better with her feedings this week, and that is another milestone that brings her closer to dismissal.

There is a list of things that have to be done before Rider and Josie can come home. Jeff and I took infant CPR on October 30th. Rider took a hearing test on Monday and passed that. We have an appointment with the physical therapist tomorrow at 11:30. She will teach us how to put Rider in the car seat safely. Because he is so small he can't just sit in the seat. They will also schedule a sleep study to make sure we don't need to take a monitor home with us. (One of the nurses told us that sometimes even full term babies go home with one.)

Josie will have to take the hearing test and do the sleep study as she gets closer to coming home.

Happy Birthday Daddy and Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today is Daddy's "golden" birthday and the babies' first Halloween so we took lots of pictures. They wore two different outfits today. Yesterday we put on their "Baby's First Halloween" onesies that Mia and Grampa Dave bought them and took pictures. Neither one really wanted their picture taken, but we made it through. :) They wore them last night and until we got there today. Then we changed them into their first costumes that Jeremy, Bridgette and Carter Caughman bought them. They look so cute and we had a pretty good day.

Rider Jeffrey

Both babies grew quite a bit last night. It's always exciting to see a gain on the board when we get there, but today was quite a surprise. Josie gained so much weight that the nurse weighed her twice just to verify it wasn't a mistake. She gained 96 grams, and that put her back up to 3 lbs. 12 oz. Rider is back up to 4 lbs. 15 oz. They continue to get closer and closer to their birth weights. Josie didn't take her bottle very well, but the nurse reiterated that it is normal for her to need some help sometimes since she is so small. Rider took all his 40 ml in about 6 minutes.

Josie Nell

They turned Josie's Isolette off last night, but she got a little cold so they are leaving her heat on for a while longer. The nurse thought Rider might be in an open air crib as early as tomorrow.

They haven't said so, but it is looking more and more like we will be bringing Rider home before Josie is ready. Please pray that Mother and Daddy will be able to handle leaving sister at the hospital by herself and learn to care for Rider at home.

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers and your encouraging emails and comments!

1 week old

2008-10-28T15:20:00.001-07:00

Today Rider and Josie are 1 week old. Mia (Toni) picked me up this morning and took me to the NICU, and Jeff met us there after he worked in Miami, Vinita and Grove. Mia and I got there just after the babies had physical therapy. Josie took her bottle great again today, but Rider was TOO tired to eat. They both worked really hard.

Rider is really doing well, and is back up to 4 lbs 12 oz. This picture is right after PT when he was so tired. They bumped him up to 35 ml of milk today. He no longer has an IV, they took out his feeding tube, he isn't taking any medicine, and he is currently maintaining his own body temperature. The temperature is the newest developement, so they will continue to monitor him. If they need to turn his Isolette back on they will. If he is able to continue maintaining his temperature on his own, they will move him to an open crib.

His sister is improving quickly as well. In the picture above she is getting mad at Daddy as he tries to convince her to open her eyes for a picture. :) She is up to 3 lbs 10 oz. Josie is taking 30 ml of milk, she is working hard to keep up with her brother. She still has her IV because they are still giving her fluids. She takes an oral medication that helps with her digestion, but the nurse told us today that she won't need that much longer at all. Josie also got to get rid of her feeding tube, which is outstanding for her because she is still so small. The nurse said that statistically she is way ahead of where she should be. They are continuing to drop the temperature in Josie's Isolet and she is doing well with that as well.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and your sweet comments and emails.

2008-10-26T14:31:00.001-07:00

Jeff and I visited Rider and Josie in the NICU this morning, and we had a couple of "firsts". I got to change my first diaper. Josie had a good heavy one that the nurse said shows improvement in her digestive system. Jeff is already a pro at the diaper changing, he has been taking care of that duty since day 1. :) Jeff got to hold both babies at the same time for the first time as well. I took a few pictures. I am hoping maybe I am becoming a better and more consistent photographer now that I'm a mother.

Josie is up to eating 15 ml and Rider is eating 20 ml. To get to come home they will need to consistently eat 2 oz. in 15 minutes or less. They both took their 2 o'clock bottles quickly as we cheered them on!

Twins

2008-10-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from Birth to Day 3! Rider and Josie were born on October 21st. Rider was born at 12:32PM--he was 17 inches long and weighed 5lbs 1oz. Josie was born at 12:33PM--she was 16 1/4 inches long and weighed 3lbs 14oz. Everyone is doing great!

Josie was allowed to join Rider in the NICU so we could all be together. Both babies are breathing well on their own and are learning to take a bottle. When they are able to eat on their own they will get to come home. Robbi is doing well and going home on Saturday in time to watch the Cowboys on TV. Thanks for all of your love and support and enjoy the pics! Some of the pictures are graphic, Jeff got really excited. ;)

Click on the link below to see pics!!!

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Rider & Josie Pics