June 28th, 2013

One year ago, I went to the doctor for my first check up. It was that moment when the technician put the monitor on my stomach that i saw it for the first time. Two tiny heart beats. I remember it like it was yesterday. I began laughing hysterically, as I realized what that meant. I was carrying twins. There were two babies in my stomach, not just one. Two good, strong heartbeats. There are no twins on either side of our families. While I never dreamed it would happen to me, my husband had been teasing me since we found out we were pregnant that it was twins. But now I had it before my eyes. I could not deny it any longer. God had blessed me with two more children. This is the beginning of it all. While the memories of that day are ones of joy and happiness, and a little panic. OK a lot of panic, they are good memories. But, they are also the beginning of really bad memories. They are the beginning of the story. Those good memories will soon get drowned out by the horrific memories that will soon come. This day marks the beginning. It marks the beginning of joy, and pain, and hurt, and brokenness. I am dreading this coming year, as I pass all those major days that defined my pregnancy. Soon will come the day my water broke, and the day we were told to abort both of our children. The days of hope that came after as our children hung on to life and didn't give up. Those days of joy realizing I resealed and Jacob had a normal level of fluid again. The day my water broke for the second time. The day I went into the hospital and the days that followed. The day they were born, and the day Jacob died. They are all coming, and coming faster than I want them to come. But time moves on, and I've been told wounds heal. I just pray for healing to come quickly. This pain is just too much, and it is only the beginning.

Summertime and the Living is Good

Summers in Austin, TX are sometimes miserable. With the temperature being in the 105 area, there are few things you can do outside. Just a walk to get the mail can be too much for our little peanut. So, what is a mom to do with 4 kids wanting to play. Get a huge waterslide of course!!! We set it for the first time with weekend and what a blast we all had! Juliet loved laying in the cool shade with just enough water to splash!

Big Brother Jackson, Mommy and Juliet playing
in the shallow end.

Playing Peek-a-boo after our water fun!

A Girl and Her Dog

"Must Love Dogs" is a saying that is very true in our household. When I am not busy with 2 legged children, I breed and train my 4 legged furry kids: My German Shepherds. At the moment, we have 4, and they are all very much a part of our family. The kids grow up around them, learning how to care for pets as well as "help" me train them. All of our dogs are completely safe to be around and they all love children. I was feeding Juliet the other day and one of our females Pixie came to snuggle on the couch next to us. Pixie is 2 years old and just loves babies. She very much has a mothering instinct. Juliet is fascinated with the dogs and just loves to get a hold them any chance she gets. After she was done eating, they decided to snuggle together on the couch. I just love that she will always have a best friend by her side, no matter what is going on in her life. 

Juliet Loves Miss Kelli

  

Juliet has been doing physical therapy for 2 weeks now and we are already seeing some great improvements on her strength and coordination. Juliet loves Ms. Kelli and she is doing an awesome job. Juliet is now working on building the strength in her arms as well as continuing to get her neck stronger. We are starting to work on sitting up on her own and getting her to push up onto her hands. Overall, she is doing wonderful and I could not be happier with her progress! She also went to see her GI doctor this week and we decided to go ahead and up her medication again. While I am not thrilled at the idea of another 3+ months on medication, I hope it will help her continue to grow and improve and I know soon she will be off of it all together. I really cannot complain too much considering all she needs is a little therapy and some medication for reflux. It could be much worse, and if it were not for God answering our prayers, I know it would have been much worse. Her weight is doing awesome as well! She is up to 14lbs 11oz, which is a huge growth increase from last time. At her 6 month check up she was in the 2 percentile for weight on the regular growth chart. She is now in the 10th!! That is a awesome jump for just a few weeks and the doctors are all very pleased with it. She will go to the high risk pediatrition this coming week to get another evaluation, but I can honestly say, I am not the least bit worried about what they will say. I know she is doing amazing!

How Can You Not LOVE This Face??

Just a few of my favorites of our Juju Bug!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Juliet went to her first baseball game! While I'm not sure what she thought of the actual game, she loved laying on the grass and enjoying the time outside. It is these firsts that are so much fun, knowing in the back of my head if it were not for Jacob, she would not be here with us.

She is not amused by the hat.

 

Bring on the Therapy

Tired out after her evaluation

Juliet had an evaluation for Physical Therapy last week. She has a strong right head turn, meaning she always wants to look to the right. We wanted to catch it earlier rather than later. The faster we can get it fixed, the less likely it will cause other problems in the future. Her therapist Kelli, came out the house and did a 2 hour evaluation. Poor Juliet was exhausted, but we got a good feel for where she is developmentally and what is needed to be done. We officially started therapy on Monday and Kelli will be back again on Friday to check her progress. Thankfully, her neck muscles are not shortened, which is a common problem with premature babies, but they are very weak on the left side. Kelli has given Brett and I a few different positions to hold her in order to work those neck muscles. We are also working on her rolling over from back to stomach, as its a great exercise for the entire left side of her neck and back. She is doing great so far and we are hoping it will help her improve faster and close the gap of delay she has from being born so early. She actually enjoys the therapy. She is always such a people person! We are looking forward to seeing her improvement every week. She is continuing to grow wonderfully and we look forward to the years to come with our precious Juliet!