Birthday Presents from Daddy!

Happy Corrected First Birthday Ladies!

Adam simply could not resist himself when he found out his favorite hat (Stormy Kromer) made mini hats for babies ~ Lil Kromers!!  The girls seemed to enjoy them - Ok, everyone but Isabelle seemed to enjoy : )

Cecilia - I love my Daddy!

Perfect Hunting Profile

Zoe - I cannot wait to go hunting with Daddy!

Iz "Ba ba Momma - Ba Ba!!"
Isabelle was preoccupied with getting her
bedtime bottle  : )

Iz standing still not happy to not have her bottle!!
Zoe just chilling, enjoying the drama caused by Isabelle  : )

Happy First Corrected Birthday Ladies!!

We're Supposed to be Turning ONE Today

That's right - today is the girls' corrected first birthday.  This means the girls should be turning one, instead they are 15.5 months old.  

It is a strange day for me as a parent.  I am having a difficult time putting into words how I feel because everything I feel contradicts itself.  I am proud yet disappointed.  I feel blessed yet robbed.  I wish things were different yet I don't want to give up the moments we've had together.  It is bittersweet.

Our family has gone through so much together and apart that it is hard to believe where we have been to where we are now.  A year ago we were still in the NICU - Zoe and I had just returned from Michigan, Isabelle was being a monster (ok not much as changed there) and Cecilia was struggling to survive. 

Cecilia (in pink), Isabelle (in purple),
and Zoe (in leopard) 

Today, well so much is different.  This morning Adam and I walked into the nursery to find Cecilia smiling in her crib playing with her toys then scrambling to pull herself up to stand to say hello to us.  Zoe was laying on the changing table pad, which she had pulled into crib, and trying to hide it from us.  And Isabelle was pretending to sleep and then giving us a mischievous smile as she joined her sisters' voices to say good morning.  

We have come so far and yet have so much further to go.   But today we walk hand in hand, heart in heart, together.  

So Happy Birthday Girls ~ Today we celebrate you.  

We love you.

October 15, 2014

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

A day meant to remember.  Yet those of us who have been touched by this will never forget.  We have been robbed of life's most precious gift.  We have lost our breath, our world, our meaning - In some cases we have lost our hope.  We have lost a child.

When we became pregnant with Madison, I was scared.  I knew bad things could happen and I was scared.  As it turns out, I had a right to be scared - however our loss did not justify my fears.  If nothing else, my fear of sharing my pregnancy and later having to explain a loss is nothing compared to having to explain to people that we were pregnant before the girls and suffered a loss.  

Some people think we should just "be over it" or "move on" or simply never discuss it because they do not get it.  And truthfully, unless a person has been touched by this tragedy, they do not understand that there is simply no getting over it or moving on.  We lost a piece of ourselves.  We have lost a child.

Many do not understand.  It is a sisterhood that no one intends to join, a sisterhood that does not willingly extend invitations to join.  It is a sisterhood that exists sometimes in hushed voices, as if talking about it the loss may increase the membership.  Yet talking about it helps, it helps remove the stigma and self-guilt felt.  

Madison was quite possibly the most perfect being Adam and I could create - She taught us so much about ourselves, about strength and about love.  Everyday we miss Madison but we know she is always with us - in the wind that ruffles the leaves or our hair, in the sunshine that warms our faces, and in each rainbow we see.  

There is no forgetting ~ We always remember...

Where Has the Time Gone?

Finally . . . 

Adam and I apologize to everyone who has been "patiently" awaiting a new post - Our lives have been incredibly busy finally having our family home together.  

Cecilia has officially been home for 3.5 months and life couldn't be better!  Everyone loves playing together and talking and laughing.  The girls are hilarious together - constantly teaching one another new skills and going on adventures together.  

15 Months Old, 11.5 Months Corrected

On October 1, 2014, the girls turned 15 months, adjusted to 11.5 months.  It is hard to believe that the reality is they still shouldn't even be one!!  So much has happened these past 15 months!  

On Thursday, October 2, 2014, the girls had their 15 month wellness check up with Dr. Haigh in Eau Claire.  Thank you Nanny Erika for helping at the appointment!!

Cecilia Hope

Cecilia enjoying an afternoon outside!

Miss Cecilia still has her G-Tube but she is working really hard on taking more food by mouth.  Unfortunately she still needs to take the "stinky" formula - she doesn't remember ever having anything else so at least we do not have that battle to fight.  However, lately she has been eyeing up her sisters' bottles!!

The G-Tube still gives us trouble and we end up having to change it on average once a month, but we are learning.  Cecilia also has had some trouble with granulation tissue, which requires a cauterization therapy with silver nitrate to heal.  This is painful for Cecilia but she just sticks out her bottom lip, cries for a bit and then holds on tight to Adam or I afterwards.  She is one tough baby!!

"I can now sit up all by myself!!"
Cecilia proudly exclaims.

For those of you who haven't seen us, Cecilia was able to come off of her required oxygen in July and follow up echos on her heart in August showed she could stay off of it!!  As Cecilia grows and gets bigger, her pulmonary hypertension naturally resolves itself.  This was a huge victory for everyone!!  Without the oxygen Cecilia was free from tubes (with the exception of her G-Tube) and free to finally start exploring her surroundings.  

Cecilia works with an Occupational Therapist every week and with a Physical Therapist every other week.  They have provided us with additional resources to help Cecilia.  But truthfully, Cecilia has been helping herself.  She is simply amazing.  

When Cecilia came home she was like a sack of flour - unable to move, hold herself up, or provide any substantial support with anything.  Now, Cecilia is a completely different baby.  

Cecilia can now not only sit up completely unassisted, but she can put herself into a sitting position.  Cecilia has also started crawling and loves to explore.  Her favorite thing is to go from one side of the room to another attacking Isabelle or Daddy as she goes.  It is fabulous to see!!  Cecilia has also started to pull herself up on larger items and is trying to climb.  We are so proud of her!

I crawled into the basket and decided to play!

So cute!

15 MONTH STATS:

Weight = 15 pounds, 3 ounces

Height = 26 inches

Head Circumference = 41.8 cm

Clothing/Pajamas = 6 months - Wahoo!!

Diapers = Pampers swaddlers size 3 with the occasional size 4 overnight

Animal = Elephant (Ele)

Color = Pink

Such a big little peanut!

"Why have a box if you can't
play in the box?"

Isabelle Grace

Oh Iz!!  Talk about a girl after my own heart - If there is a hard way and easy way, Isabelle will choose the hard way.  She is stubborn, tough, strong, and simply wonderful!

"I got my foot ~ I walk on my feet!!"

Isabelle has not only discovered her legs but loves to use them.  That's right - We have a walker!!  Iz has finally decided she would prefer to walk rather than crawl.  It is so bizarre!  Here is this little baby walking around and she's ours.  Our hearts burst with pride as she confidently took her first steps and then leaped into our arms. 

Isabelle also loves to clap (finally), blow kisses and most recently give the touchdown signal.  Iz also loves to eat - mixed veggies and pears are her favorites.  She is also exploring people food and enjoys making a mess.  Gus loves this too!

I bet I can make you smile  : )

15 MONTH STATS:

Weight = 18 pounds, 7 ounces

Height = 28 inches

Head Circumference = 43.0 cm

Clothing/Pajamas = 9 months

Diapers = Pampers Swaddlers Size 3 daytime, Size 4 overnight

Animal = Giraffe (Geoffrey)

Color = Purple

Zoe Elizabeth

Stretching!!

Zoe has such a wonderful heart.  Don't get me wrong, she can be tough and mischievous, but overall she is just sweet.  Such a fabulous "sharer."  Zoe always wants to please you and hear "good job."

Zoe still bear crawls but she has found her legs and has been standing up in the middle of the room unassisted for awhile now.  As her confidence grows, she takes more liberties and is very close to walking.  We cannot wait for her to start - Yes I said it.  We cannot wait.  Every milestone, even those that make our lives a little more difficult, are fabulous in our eyes.  And let me tell you, Zoe's need to climb is definitely problematic!!

YUMMY!!!  Lasagna!

Zoe absolutely loves to eat!!  Baby food and people food - She will try almost anything.  Her favorite so far has definitely been lasagna - she had two helpings the first time we had it!!  And I just made the stouffers frozen one - imagine if she had Auntie Belle's lasagna or Godmomma Di's!!

Zoe also claps like a champ, blows kisses and talks up a storm.  It is amazing how many words and phrases she says - though she does like to tease Adam and has refused to say "Dada" lately.  

15 MONTH STATS:

Weight = 18 pounds, 8 ounces

Height = 28 inches

Head Circumference = 44.3 cm 

Clothing/Pajamas = 9 months

Diapers = Pampers Swaddlers Size 3 daytime, Size 4 overnight

Animal = Monkey (George)

Color = Orange (sometimes yellow)

Tunnel Time!!
Thank you Aunt Andrea & Uncle Tony

Nannies

We hit the nanny jackpot!  

The girls require two people at all times, meaning we employ 6 nannies with two back ups!!  Yes you read that right!  Our nanny schedule is color coded and given out every month.  

With as many nannies as we have, the girls are socializing wonderfully.  They love the nannies and our nannies love them!!  On Monday mornings the girls squeal when Erika arrives ~ It is wonderful to know that the girls are in such great hands when we cannot be there.  

Thank you Erika, Nicole, Sarah, Ashley, Savanah, Courtney, Nikki and Allison!

Go Bears!!  

The girls love sporting their Chicago Bears gear despite the fact that it's been a rough season!!  

Clockwise from the left:
Cecilia, Zoe
Isabelle, All three

Bears Tutus!!!  Thank you Auntie Amy &
Uncle Bobby!!  The girls are beyond excited for
these and keep pulling on the tutus!!

Thank You!!

We want to thank everyone for your love and support these past fifteen months.  Our girls are growing into fabulous, loving individuals.  If you haven't met our girls yet, know we cannot wait for you to but unfortunately we are going back into hibernation mode for the winter.  Mark your calendars for a large birthday party this summer!!

Zoe Rocking & Iz Playing with her dress

All our Love

Adam, Daneille

Madison, Cecilia, Isabelle, Zoe

& GUS