Jessie gets a bath

We just shot this video of Jessie getting a bath and, since things are quiet around the house right now, I thought I'd take the opportunity to get it posted to the blog despite the onslaught of vids yesterday.  Enjoy.

Soccer, pinatas & the easy rider

To start, I'll let everyone know that Mark and Jessie are doing very well.  They both are eating much better now, especially Mark who finishes nearly every bottle.  He has sort of leap frogged Jessie to an extent, although Jessie continues to do fine with her bottle feeding.  They both recently passed a retinopathy exam and they will have one or maybe two more of those in the coming weeks.  The exams check the retina which is especially prone to improper development in premies resulting in scar tissue which might have to be removed via laser surgery (I think I'm getting that right).  Anyway, it's obviously good news that they passed.  Arthur is doing well too, this first video shows him at his first night of soccer practice while the second shows him making some papier mache pinatas with his Grammi Bonnie and mommy.


This last video shows Mark enjoying the ride while I pick up after lunch.  I just thought he looked kinda cute laying in my arm while I walked through the house.  Until next time....

Mark gets a bath & Arthur holds his new siblings

This first video shows Arthur holding both Mark and Jessie for the first time.  We're still working on the "be gentle" elements of his interaction with his new brother and sister.  But he does great here as you will see.

This next video shows Mark getting his first bath at home.  Jessie also got a bath but apparently I screwed something up and did not record it properly.  Also, to let you know if you're interested, we posted some new photos to our Flickr site that show Mark & Jessie on the floor together.  You can find the photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/teeohdoubledizzle/sets/72157628916804165/ or by following the 2012_01 link to the right.

Arthur is 3!

We had a little party for Arthur the other day to celebrate his 3rd birthday. How time flies.  We had a great time and Arthur really had fun.  And his new little sister was even able to join us, although his little brother Mark didn't make it.  Here's some video we shot during the party - it's long so be prepared if you intend to watch it.

And below is an older video that it has taken me quite some time to get posted.  This shows Grammi Bonnie and Grampi John on a visit to see Mark and Jessie just after John's and Bonnie's return from Peru.  Enjoy.

Arthur celebrated his 3rd birthday!

Bday_Arthur_2012, a set on Flickr.

We had a little party at our place to celebrate Arthur's 3rd birthday. Three of his grandparents (Grampi John was not able to be here) were able to attend along with his Aunt Jane and cousin Johanna. Importantly, his sister Jessie was here, although Mark could not be with us yet. Arthur got a LeapPad, a soccer ball, a spaceman helmet, a tractor, an alligator and some great looking books. It was big fun.

Mark & Jessie are both home!

2012_01, a set on Flickr.

Jessie came home on January 9th and Mark on January15th. They are both doing well. Here are a few shots we have taken since their move home. Our family is now whole.

Both sets of Grandparents come for a visit

On Tuesday the 27th, Grammi Bonnie and Grampi John arrived to visit Mark & Jessie and, or course, Arthur.  On the morning of the 28th, they flew out of Detroit headed for Peru.  A couple of hours after they left, Gramma Carolyn and Grampa Clayton arrived to visit Mark & Jessie (Arthur had already gone to pre-school).   The video below shows each grandparent holding each baby....I think everyone was pretty happy to get a chance to hold their newest family members.  Mark has gained just over a pound since birth and Jessie has gained a pound and 5 ounces!  Until next time...

Christmas Day 2011

We had a really nice Christmas - gifts in the morning and a visit with Mark and Jessie after that.  Mark and Jessie continue to do well.  Jessie is actually doing a little better than Mark at feeding from the bottle which you will see in the video below.  We were told that girls tend to be a little quicker to take the bottle, so this makes some sense.  They have both pretty much stopped having low heart rate episodes - they are down to one or two a day and they always self-correct. We still have no idea when they might come home.  So, Merry Christmas everyone and thanks so much for all the well wishes and help and gifts that you have given over the last several weeks.  This video is long so settle in if you intend to watch it.  Until next time...

Christmas in Tekonsha 2011

Xmas 2011, a set on Flickr.

Here are a few shots taken during our Christmas gift exchange in Tekonsha. Just think, next year we'll have three kids opening too many presents. It will be fun. Mark and Jessie are doing well. They have both moved upstairs to the pediatric floor which means they are no longer in the NICU. They are sleeping in cribs now and look even smaller in their big cribs. They are both starting to show some promise on bottle feeding, but there is still lots of work to do to get them to actually feed that way. Until next time...