Happy Birthday my loves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WARNING* The following post is about the twins' birth so there are also pics! :) So don't read if you don't want the details! 2 years ago, you were born. You were not supposed to arrive until November 21st (but if you were not born by Nov. 7th I would be induced since 38 weeks for twins is full term). I had been in the hospital going through hell, just to keep you inside. Something I would do all over again in one heart beat. One day when you are my age, I will tell you all about it. I hope one day you'll realize just what I had to go through to get you here and I hope you'll realize that your Heavenly Father was with me every step of the way. He placed his hands over us and protected us. On September 30th 2008, I was on my 3rd day of bed rest at home after being in the hospital for 60 days. I did one activity the whole day and it was taking a shower. I was allowed to shower every other day and besides that I was allowed to get up to use the rest room (I barely had that many privileges in the hospital) and that was it. Other than that I had to be lying down (as with the hospital, sitting up wasn't permitted). So your Dad helped me shower (I could barely move, I was so weak from my muscles atrophying in the hospital, and my belly was so big I couldn't reach everywhere. Plus is needed to be quick and I just couldn't move fast). Then I was back in bed until dinner. I was only allowed to half way sit up to eat and so I was, as I ate the delicious beef stew your Daddy made. We were watching t.v and I just felt very wet. Could it be my water breaking, was my first thought. I went to go check and since there was no gush like I have always heard about, I was in denial that that's what it was. But this had never happened before so it just didn't seem right. Your Daddy and I debated for a few minutes about weather that's really what it was. I was scared out of my mind bc I knew you were 2 months early and I just knew you were not ready to be born. At 32 weeks your lungs were not fully developed and I knew by you coming this early, it would inevitably mean NICU. But when I got put in the hospital at 23 weeks and 4 days, they told be that 32 weeks was the biggest mile stone ahead and you would be so much better off if we could keep ou in unt il then. That was 9 weeks away and very daunting. I didn't know how you would stay in so long when I was already in labor. Had you been born the night or even the week I got admitted, your chances of survival was 5%. Devastating news. But we never stopped praying during those 9 weeks. And as each week past and I hit 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 weeks, we were just beside ourselves falling on the knees of our hearts praising God. So the fact that I made it to 32 weeks and 4 days was something to be proud of and to praise God for. Randy called the hospital and told them we thought my water broke. They of course, remembered us and our situation and said get here right now. I was so devastated at the thought of going back. There for 8 and 1/2 weeks and only home for 3 and 1/2 days. But we had no choice. We threw some things together as fast as we could and I called my Mom to come over and to see if she believed my water broke. She did. She rode with us to the hospital which is about 15 minutes away. As we drove on the freeway my contractions started. That confirmed it, you were on your way. I was sent to triage and checked right away. I was 4 centimeter dilated in less than an hour of my water breaking. I'd say in less than 45 minutes. I changed into a gown and was wheeled into a delivery room. Family was all being called and starting to come to the hospital. My contractions were full blown and hurt terribly. But I didn't have to endure them too long bc I was checked again (about 30-40 min after I arrived) and I was dilated to 7 centimeters, I progressed fast! I got an epidural and finally felt a little better. My situation is not like most mothers. I wasn't full of joy and anticipation, just dying to meet you. Only because, for your safety, you should not be being born yet. It was too early and I was so worried about your survival and health. Do not get me wrong, your Daddy and I were excited to meet you and see your beautiful faces, but we just weren't ready. Again, we were in fear bc of you be in premature. But we knew you would be in great hands in the NICU and continue to be protected my God. One of the Dr.'s who would be delivering you came in and discussed with us wether we wanted a vaginal birth or a c-section. I, for a few reasons, wanted to give birth to you naturally. I was already recovering from the best rest and I really didn't want to have to go through surgery and have to recover from that too. Also, as a mother, I wanted to experience true child birth. The way women have been doing it for thousands of years. So my Dr. (who was not working that night) called our room and we discussed it. Kaden, you were Baby A and you had always been head down. All along I was told that if Baby A was head down, I could do a vaginal birth. So that is what I hoped for. Kaleiah, all along you were what is called transverse meaning almost horizontal. As you grew you became breech. Knowing that, my Dr. said it would be risky to do a vaginal birth bc they may not be able to get you to flip to head first. And that I could deliver Kaden but then might have to go back and have a c-section for you. Also, because you were premature, labor would be extra stressful on you. And Lord knows I did not want that. I wanted you to to be born the way that was best for you. I would go through anything as long as you were safe. So we decided that a c-section was best. Family started coming into my room, including both sets of Grandparents, your Aunt Molly (my twin sis), and your Aunt Kristi. We took some pics and then soon it was time to go in for surgery. I was wheeled in the O.R around 10:00pm. Daddy had to wait outside while they prepped me. Then he came in and they started cutting me open. The actual c-section is so hard for me to describe. I assume just as birth is, a c-section is different for everyone. Mine was pretty horrible. I had never felt so much pressure, it felt like an elephant was walking on me. It was so hard to breath! Just tons of tugging and pulling and m body was jerking back and forth. It seemed like it took an hour but it was only about 10-12 minutes! It was also so weird not to be able to feel my legs. I remember Randy stood up to see Kaden being born and I was just waiting to hear his cry just know he was Ok, at least at first. His cry was so precious. Then less than a minute later Kaleiah was born and she didn't cry right away but a few seconds later. And there they were! They were actually in this world, and we were parents! After everything we had gone through the 2 months prior, it was surreal and miraculous. When c-sections are scheduled, you are told not to eat after midnight. Well, we surly did not expect or plan for the babies to be born that night so unfortunately, I came in on a full stomach. I think that is what made my experience so horrible bc I was vomiting (lying down mind you) the entire rest of the time until I was sewed up and taken to my recovery room. A few minutes after you were born they brought you over to me so I could see your precious faces!!! First was Kaleiah and you were sooooo beautiful! I wanted to just hold you so bad. I cupped your head and kissed you and then you had to be taken away :( I wouldn't even get to hold you for 9 days. Then they showed me Kaden and Buddy, you had a black eye and a black and blue ear. We learned this was from being kicked the whole time in the womb :(. Interestingly enough, Kaleiah's heel was completely black and blue as well! You were soooo cramped in there! Recovery was ROUGH!!! I was almost completely out of it. I was on the strongest medicine they could give me and they had trouble stopping my bleeding and getting my uterus to contract back up. I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything and my mouth was so dry I thought I was going to die. I couldn't even swallow because I had zero saliva in my mouth. I had to beg and beg for a least some ice. They said I could eat a piece every 10 minutes. I had a nasal cannula for oxygen and I could NOT STOP SHAKING. My teeth were chattering. They covered me in hot blankets. I remember the nurses had to come in about twice and hour and with a fist, push super hard on my stomach (that was JUST cut open!) and see if I was still bleeding. It was soooo painful, I can't even describe it. And I remember one of the nurses saying "Your stomach is already practically flat and you just gave birth)! By now it was nearly 1am. I remembering being so sad that the rest of the family was in the NICU looking at you and I, your own mother, barely got to see you. I was sad that other people were getting to look at you and see all the details about you and not me. But I was so tired and so drugged up that I just wanted to sleep. I remember your Dad coming in and saying "Honey they are SOOO cute!!!" He asked me if I wanted to see pictures he had just taken but it was just too much for me at the time. I was finally given a little button to push to release the medicine as I needed it. I was in a lot of pain. It would only release a certain amount an hour even if I pushed it a trillion times. I finally got some sleep. That night was and will always be completely surreal to me. I am so grateful for all the people God placed in our path that helped us get your here safely. It was God's Divine plan for you to be created and born. You were made for a reason by a loving Creator and I will always remind you of that. You have brought more joy to our lives the past two years than I thought my heart could EVER contain. Just when I think it can't get any better, it continues to. I know the reason I am so overly protective and so appreciative of EVERY little moment in your life is because had one thing been different, you may not be here at all. So that is why I never take a single second for granted. I will praise God the rest of my life that you are complete healthy and such happy little babies. Your Daddy and I love you more than we will ever be able to write. I can't wait to teach you and tell you about God's love and how special your story is and how many people we have been able to talk to and encourage bc of what we went through. You are amazing and I thank God for gifting me you two. My life has so much meaning and purpose bc of you! I love you Kaden and Kaleiah!!! *HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!* Love always,
Mommy

*

Here is the video. We only had 5 minutes of battery left so this is what we got! I am so thankful I have this video!

coming home video

My last post was the post from 2 years ago, about the day I finally got to go home from the hospital. I just came across the video of me coming home and thought I would share the brief video from that day. That day was surreal. After exactly 60 days of lying in the hospital trying to keep me from having the twins, they finally let me go home to finish my bed rest. I honestly began to feel that if I had already been there 2 months, I would probably have to stay the next 2 months until the babies were due. I was full of so many emotions that day. Relief. Happiness. Worry. Thankfulness. Fear. Hope. Anxiety. As you may know, the baibes were born 3 and 1/2 days after this video was taken. And Glory be to God for all of his protection!!

This is a video from right when we were driving away from the hospital. It's a glimpse of how emotional I was.

Waddling up to our house. Had not walked that much in TWO months. Crazy!

Sep. 26, 2008...finally left the hospital after 2 mo!

September 29, 2008
We're Blowin this Pop Stand
On Friday Megan began her 32nd week of the pregnancy and as a "congratulations" for making it to this milestone the hospital felt that with Megan's track record in the hospital, her stability and the gestational timing, that she could go home and finish bed rest there. Now, while we have the luxury of being in our own place, Megan is not allowed to really do anything different than at the hospital. She can lay in the bed or on the couch or (if we get a padded lounge chair) she can even lay outside on the lounge chair for about an hour a day for some vitamin D. So if anyone has a padded lounge chair that we can borrow for a few weeks that would be great!
Megan is still only allowed to get up to use the restroom and shower, but at least we are in our own home and she can hang out with our cat! One of the main difference is that while she was in the hospital she had a TOCO to monitor the contractions24/7 and now that we are at home it is up to us to pay attention and track how many contractions she has. She can easily start contracting too much (the criteria is 2 hours in a row of 8) and we could be re-admitted to the hospital, so please keep praying that things stay calm for our little babies and Megan's uterus! Megan is on two oral medications for contractions both of which she was taking while in the hospital.

We are on day 4 at home and it has been pretty great! In total we spent 60 days in captivity at the hospital and it was amazing to see how God worked in our lives, and in the lives of our babies. We truly can attribute the fact that she still has these babies cooking, to Him!

Since we have been home, I, along with help from my mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law started to work on the babies room (we are so blessed to have such an caring and helpful family). We painted over the past two days and i think it is looking good!All we need are decorations and bedding, putting the cribs together, and getting a rocker for the room and we will be good to go! The help was amazing especially since i was at work half the time! Megan says the ONLY thing she misses at the hospital is the ice. They do have the best ice!

Thank you all again for your prayers and support. Every time you prayed, we felt it and God heard it. "Thank you" doesn't seem like enough. Megan and I both can't believe those 2 months are behind us.
Oh, one last thing...we won't be 100% sure on the names until we see their faces but here is what we have been calling them for about 6 weeks.................
Kaden William (William after William Randall and also after Randy's father) and Kaleiah Hope (pronounced ku-lay-uh).

WEEK 32:
This week is a milestone of sorts: Babies born after this time tend to do well even if they are premature. Nearly 10 percent of babies are born before week 37, when they officially come to term. At 32 weeks, all major organs are functioning except the lungs, which may need further time to develop. But your little one doesn't exactly look like a rosy cherub--she weighs about 3 pounds, and her thin, wrinkly skin hasn't filled out with the layers of fat that develop later. Luckily, in many cases, all she'll need is some time in an environmentally controlled isolette to become the chubby angel you imagined.

Approximately:
Length: 18-19 in.
Weight: 4 lb.

We will find our the weight and see how they are doing on Oct 8.

catching up!

I have not done an update on the babies for months 21, 22 or 23 yet! I don'i even know where to begin!!!!!

My babies, you have changed so incredibly much since the last update. It's pretty insane. I am constantly in a state of awe and amazement with how much you know, learn and understand. Your thirst for knowledge is incredible and it's is my privilege and honor to be the one to stay home with you and teach you!

Miss Kaleiah:
It's truly hard for me to describe you in words. Every mother thinks their child is the smartest and brightest but you honesty blow me away. You know things that most 2 years old no not. Aunt Molly who is a teacher says you know things that some of her 4 years old know. It's obvious you are advanced in some areas :) Maybe I'm just a proud Mommy :) By 20 months you knew your colors and shapes, could count to 10 and started learning your ABC's. By 22 months you could count to TWENTY and had your ABC's down pat! Along with the shapes you knew at 20 mo (square, star, circle, heart, triangle, moon) you learned octagon this month! When we are out, you are constantly shouting out shapes on everything you see.
You talk in nearly complete sentences and so far the most words you have used at one time is 7! You, at not even 2 years old, said a 7 word sentence, clear as day with out even pausing. I was pushing you on the swing and you said "Mommy push you so high right there?" You normally speak in 4-5 word sentences and are unbelievably easy to understand. Since you started talking, you have always been able to repeat words back perfectly. Even strangers know what your saying. It has been so nice because you can completely and totally communicate with us and tell us what you want and need. People often ask me how old you are when they hear you jabbering away bc of the fact that you talk so well. They are always surprised that you aren't even 2 :) You have a gift for remembering things which I think is part of the reason you love to learn and know so much. Your memory is just amazing to me. You always want to know every body's name and it's so cute. You love to draw and you have recently started to pretend! You will feed your baby or change her diaper. At the beach you love to pretend cook! I will ask you what you're making and you will say "Pizza!" or "Pancakes!" And then you'll make a pretend eating sound :)
You are still a wonderful sleeper. You are your happiest when there is food involved...just like me :) You can be in the crankiest or stubborn mood but I can offer you something to eat and you'll perk up and say "OK!" and get excited. You have something in our hands almost every minute that you are awake. I'm not even joking. You eat your 3 meals but you also graze all.day.long.
And you usually have to have food in both hands. You are still a petite little peanut though. You definitely have your Mommy's genes. We have really fast metabolisms!
I just cant believe how much you talk! My favorite is when you coming to me and say "look Mommy!" with something you drew or a book. You say things like " I can do it" when you are trying to do something and I try to help you, you say "I can't reach!" when something is too high. You say "I'm ok" when you fall. You'll tell me things like "not working" if you're headphones aren't on or the pen isn't working. When I fix it you say "that's better." When Daddy gets home from work both you and Kaden say "Play games Daddy's Ipad??" :) You play lots of learning games on it and you love it. It's hard to recall all of the things you say, just know you talk A LOT!!! :) This month your hair got long enough that I can now put it in a tiny ponytail on top of your head!! This is so exciting :) It's actually almost long enough for tiny pigtails!
You love to help me cook and I find that adorable. I told Daddy that we HAVE to get you a little pretend kitchen for Christmas!!
You had your first time out this week because you threw a ridiculous tantrum. To most people it would have probably been nothing but since you never act that way I was not going to let you start. I had given you a few warnings telling you that's not nice behavior and that we need to listen to Mommy when she says "no." But you started to cry and flail all over so I put you in your crib for a few min. When I came in I told you that we need to listen to Mommy and to act nicely and you immediately said "ok." I know you are just testing your boundaries and learning your limits but I also need to teach you that you may not act however you want and have no consequence's, little Missy! :)
We had another check up with your eye Dr. about your Strabismus and he was happy that it had not gotten worse. He did say that the next step will be surgery though. Daddy and I have very mixed feeling about this. While the Dr. thinks it's best in order to keep your eye from loosing it's vision, we obviously do not want you to have to go through surgery. The thought of you being put under and me not being able to sit there and old your hand terrifies me (I'm crying as I type this just thinking about it). But Dr. Wright said that he works with a very renowned and well known pediatric anesthesiologist and that he'll will ONLY work with him. He thinks very highly of him which was reassuring. It's also reassuring that Dr. Wright has performed this surgery on his on baby. Daddy says, he must believe his is the best of the best in order to perform the surgery on his own child, because you want the best doing that. The surgery is minimally invasive and you will come home the same day. We're putting it in God's hands and trusting that He'll protect you like has always has. He has had His hands over you and Kaden before you were born and he kept you alive, safe and healthy all of those weeks in the NICU as well. We know God will protect you and be with all of us. You'll most likely have the surgery next month.
As we approach your 2nd birthday I am just overwhelmed with my love for you! I honestly, 100%, can not comprehend that you are already 2. The second year went by so much faster than the first! You are the sweetest, most intelligent, animated, little girl and it as been a true joy watching you go from baby to toddler. You keep us laughing all day and I love watching you grow! I love you my little sweetheart!!!!!!


Mr. Kaden:
Oh my goodness where do I start? :) You are the definition of a Mamma's boy! I pray it always stays that way!!
You are still just the SWEETEST little guy!!! I could squeeze you you are so sweet. You are talking so much more than even a month ago! You have said up to 6 words at a time. It's just so fun listening to you and actually having real conversations with both you and your sister! You learned your colors probably about 2 months ago as well and you have just really gotten your shapes down!!! You also love singing your ABC's and twinkle twinkle little star and you can also count to twenty but you leave 2 or 3 numbers out :) You can be a picky eater which is sometimes tough. But I know you'll never refuse yogurt or corn :) You recently started love grapes and mandarin oranges. You absolutely love to draw an can draw perfect circles! You hold the pen exactly right and I honestly would not be surprised if you got Daddy's artistic genes. He's a phenomenal drawer! You have gotten so much more hair in the past few months. You LOVE to play drums. You will use almost anything to play drums!
My favorite things you say are "I found it!!!" when you found something you were looking for, or "ni night love you!" when you are laying down. You are becoming more outgoing and less reserved. You'll say hi and wave to strangers now where as a few months ago would get shy. You and your sister crack each other up and my favorite is hearing you talking with and laughing at each other when you don't even know we're watching :) You have recently started to LOVE the movie Cars and Tow Mater. Daddy had been wanting to buy yo that movie for a while bc he knew you would love it but you saw it at Grandma's house and usually watch it every time you're there. Thursday for your birthday we're taking you to see the huge Tow Mater at Disneyland!
As sweet as you are, you also have the true characteristics of a boy. You love to be rough, throw things and be aggressive with your toys which is hilarious to see. You love to make a mess and throw sand. Sometimes you will push your sissy but I know you don't actually have bad intentions. You're learning your boundaries which is natural. Yesterday I put you in your first time out though because you clonked her on the head with a toy, I had you say sorry and give kissed and explained we don't do that and if you did it again you would get "time out." A few minutes later you did it again so I put you in time out. Since you have never been in T.O you didn't know what was going on. But I left you in the crib for 2 min and closed the door. You were not happy. I came back in and explained why you were given a time out, which again, I know you don't really get yet. I asked if you were going to play nice and you said yes. So we hugged and I let you out :) I hope we don't have to have many time outs. You two are both always so well behaved that I think we'll be fine :)

I love you more and more everyday and am loving watching you grow into a little boy! You are so sweet and ful of life and still so easy going. You are simply the best!! <3


It's super hard for me to describe your personalities in words and to recall all the cute and smart things you do daily but I wish I could! Just know that you are literally the most amazing little people in the whole world, to us and we thank God for you every single night. I catch myself thinking every day, I am so blessed that this is my life. That my world revolves around these two amazing little gifts of life. I cherish it and will always thank God that I get to me your Mommy.

Darling!

I'm obsessed with these crocheted owl beanies for K&K!!!! :) Birthday present from us? I think so!! :)

2 years ago 9.20.08

SEPTEMBER 20, 2008
31 Weeks!
Quick updates from week 29- had a growth ultrasound on September 10th and found out that the babies weights are Baby A: 3lbs 2oz and Baby B: 2lbs 14oz. Also, they took her off of a medication that she had been taking all along for contractions because the babies fluid in the amniotic sack was getting way too low-a side affect of that med. We learned this week that the fluid had increased since being off that med and it was such good news!
We also had a cervix ultrasound and we found out that her cervix has lengthened to 2 cm from 0.7cm when Megan arrived at 23 weeks. Anything above 3 cm is what its supposed to be but we'll take 2! Progress is progress! Also Megan had a Fetal Fibronectin test that week (the test we took our first week here that came back neg.) Megan says it's very painful so she doesn't look fwd to them. That test came back skewed and they had to throw the test away... Isn't God funny... we were praying it wouldn't be positive...and it wasnt. It wasn't negative but it wasn't positive either :)

Week 31-
Yesterday we had another Fetal Fibronectin test yesterday and it came back positive (not the desired result of this test). That means last night Megan had to have the first steroid shot and tonight was her second and final. The steroids are to help develop the babies lungs to develop a bit quicker in case of pre-term delivery.
Also starting about 4 days ago Megan started complaining about lower back aches that persisted pretty much all day. The Dr.'s and nurses said it was pretty common and unless it came WITH stronger contractions it was pretty much nothing to worry about. As each day passed it got worse, messages, heat packs didn't work. 2 nights ago and yesterday she was in so much pain she didn't sleep for more that about 4 hours. I have never seen her in so much pain, it was excruciating. She was drained from the lack of sleep. Finally yesterday they gave her a concoction of meds that really did the trick. A muscle relaxer, Motrin and vicodin. Thank God she was finally out of pain and finally slept last night. Also, she woke up this morning to no more pain! The pain was most likely caused from a pinched nerve, the growing babies therefor a growing stomach and or just the result of being bed ridden for 2 months now. We are just so grateful the pain is gone.
I tell you, there is never a dull day here. She goes through so much! Weather it be tests, shots, new things happening to her body that can cause a scare, tons of contraction...everyday there is something new. But, we are getting closer and closer to the end and the important thing is that the babies have stayed put! That's all we can ask for.

Oh, some great news for Megan is she was granted bathroom privileges (now she can use a real toilet like the rest of us! AND she gets to take a shower (sitting down of course) twice a week! Things we for sure take for granted.


My Babies
They're entering a growth spurt. For the next eight weeks, they'll gain weight faster than he increases in length, at the rate of about half a pound a week. The bigger they get, the harder it will be to "see" them on ultrasound and get a good estimate of his size--the margin of error increases to 15 percent by the end of the third trimester. But they're definitely growing fast, and you'll notice that his kicks will start to feel more like squirming as they runs out of room to roam.

APROX WEIGHT: 3.5 LBS

APPROX LENGTH: 17.5


Thank you for your continued prayers. Here is a pic of her belly at 31 weeks (fresh out of the shower :)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2008

brunch

This morning we had an all you can eat brunch with Randy's family. It was delicious and fun!

catching up!

I have not done an update on the babies for months 21, 22 or 23 yet! I don;t even know where t begin!!!!!

My babies, you have changed so incredibly much since the last update. It's pretty insane. I am constantly in a state of awe and amazement with how much you know, learn and understand. Your thirst for knowledge is incredible and it's is my privilege and honor to be the one to stay home with you and teach you!

Miss Kaleiah:
It's truly hard for me to describe you in words. Every mother thinks their child is the smartest and brightest but you honesty blow me away. You know things that most 2 years old no not. Aunt Molly who is a teacher says you know things that some of her 4 years old know. It's obvious you are advanced in some areas :) Maybe I'm just a proud Mommy :) By 20 months you knew your colors and shapes, could count to 10 and started learning your ABC's. By 22 months you could count to TWENTY and had your ABC's down pat! Along with the shapes you knew at 20 mo (square, star, circle, heart, triangle, moon) you learned octagon this month! When we are out, you are constantly shouting out shapes on everything you see.
You talk in nearly complete sentences and so far the most words you have used at one time is 7! You, at not even 2 years old, said a 7 word sentence, clear as day with out even pausing. I was pushing you on the swing and you said "Mommy push you so high right there?" You normally speak in 4-5 word sentences and are unbelievably easy to understand. Since you started talking, you have always been able to repeat words back perfectly. Even strangers know what your saying. It has been so nice because you can completely and totally communicate with us and tell us what you want and need. People often ask me how old you are when they hear you jabbering away bc of the fact that you talk so well. They are always surprised that you aren't even 2 :) You have a gift for remembering things which I think is part of the reason you love to learn and know so much. Your memory is just amazing to me. You always want to know every body's name and it's so cute. You love to draw and you have recently started to pretend! You will feed your baby or change her diaper. At the beach you love to pretend cook! I will ask you what you're making and you will say "Pizza!" or "Pancakes!" And then you'll make a pretend eating sound :)
You are still a wonderful sleeper. You are your happiest when there is food involved...just like me :) You can be in the crankiest or stubborn mood but I can offer you something to eat and you'll perk up and say "OK!" and get excited. You have something in our hands almost every minute that you are awake. I'm not even joking. You eat your 3 meals but you also graze all.day.long.
And you usually have to have food in both hands. You are still a petite little peanut though. You definitely have your Mommy's genes. We have really fast metabolisms!
I just cant believe how much you talk! My favorite is when you coming to me and say "look Mommy!" with something you drew or a book. You say things like " I can do it" when you are trying to do something and I try to help you, you say "I can't reach!" when something is too high. You say "I'm ok" when you fall. You'll tell me things like "not working" if you're headphones aren't on or the pen isn't working. When I fix it you say "that's better." When Daddy gets home from work both you and Kaden say "Play games Daddy's Ipad??" :) You play lots of learning games on it and you love it. It's hard to recall all of the things you say, just know you talk A LOT!!! :) This month your hair got long enough that I can now put it in a tiny ponytail on top of your head!! This is so exciting :) It's actually almost long enough for tiny pigtails!
You love to help me cook and I find that adorable. I told Daddy that we HAVE to get you a little pretend kitchen for Christmas!!
You had your first time out this week because you threw a ridiculous tantrum. To most people it would have probably been nothing but since you never act that way I was not going to let you start. I had given you a few warnings telling you that's not nice behavior and that we need to listen to Mommy when she says "no." But you started to cry and flail all over so I put you in your crib for a few min. When I came in I told you that we need to listen to Mommy and to act nicely and you immediately said "ok." I know you are just testing your boundaries and learning your limits but I also need to teach you that you may not act however you want and have no consequence's, little Missy! :)
We had another check up with your eye Dr. about your Strabismus and he was happy that it had not gotten worse. He did say that the next step will be surgery though. Daddy and I have very mixed feeling about this. While the Dr. thinks it's best in order to keep your eye from loosing it's vision, we obviously do not want you to have to go through surgery. The thought of you being put under and me not being able to sit there and old your hand terrifies me (I'm crying as I type this just thinking about it). But Dr. Wright said that he works with a very renowned and well known pediatric anesthesiologist and that he'll will ONLY work with him. He thinks very highly of him which was reassuring. It's also reassuring that Dr. Wright has performed this surgery on his on baby. Daddy says, he must believe his is the best of the best in order to perform the surgery on his own child, because you want the best doing that. The surgery is minimally invasive and you will come home the same day. We're putting it in God's hands and trusting that He'll protect you like has always has. He has had His hands over you and Kaden before you were born and he kept you alive, safe and healthy all of those weeks in the NICU as well. We know God will protect you and be with all of us. You'll most likely have the surgery next month.
As we approach your 2nd birthday I am just overwhelmed with my love for you! I honestly, 100%, can not comprehend that you are already 2. The second year went by so much faster than the first! You are the sweetest, most intelligent, animated, little girl and it as been a true joy watching you go from baby to toddler. You keep us laughing all day and I love watching you grow! I love you my little sweetheart!!!!!!


Mr. Kaden:
Oh my goodness where do I start? :) You are the definition of a Mamma's boy! I pray it always stays that way!!
You are still just the SWEETEST little guy!!! I could squeeze you you are so sweet. You are talking so much more than even a month ago! You have said up to 6 words at a time. It's just so fun listening to you and actually having real conversations with both you and your sister! You learned your colors probably about 2 months ago as well and you have just really gotten your shapes down!!! You also love singing your ABC's and twinkle twinkle little star and you can also count to twenty but you leave 2 or 3 numbers out :) You can be a picky eater which is sometimes tough. But I know you'll never refuse yogurt or corn :) You recently started love grapes and mandarin oranges. You absolutely love to draw an can draw perfect circles! You hold the pen exactly right and I honestly would not be surprised if you got Daddy's artictc genes. He's a phenomenal drawer! You have gotten so much more hair in the past few months. You LOVE to play drums. You will use almost anything to play drums!
My favorite things you say are "I found it!!!" when you found something you were looking for, or "ni night love you!" when you are laying down. You are becoming more outgoing and less reserved. You'll say hi and wave to strangers now where as a few months ago would get shy. You and your sister crack each other up and my favorite is hearing you talking with and laughing at each other when you don't even know we're watching :) You have recently started to LOVE the movie Cars and Tow Mater. Daddy had been wanting to buy yo that movie for a while bc he knew you would love it but you saw it at Grandma's house and usually watch it every time you're there. Thursday for your birthday we're taking you to see the huge Tow Mater at Disneyland!
As sweet as you are, you also have the true characteristics of a boy. You love to be rough, throw things and be aggressive with your toys which is hilarious to see. Sometimes you will push your sissy but I know you don't actually have bad intentions. You;re learning your boundaries which is natural. Yesterday I put you in your first time out though because you clonked her on the head with a toy, I had you say sorry and give kissed and explained we don't do that and if you did it again you would get "time out." A few minutes later you did it again so I put you in time out. Since you have never been in T.O you didn't know what was going on. But I left you in the crib for 2 min and closed the door. You were not happy. I came back in and explained why you were given a time out, which again, I know you don't really get yet. I asked if you were going to play nice and you said yes. So we hugged and I let you out :) I hope we don't have to have many time outs. You two are both always so well behaved that I think we'll be fine :)
I love you more and more everyday and am loving watching you grow into a little boy! You are simply the best!! <3


It's super hard for me to describe your personalities in words and to recall all the cute and smart things you do daily but I wish I could! Just know that you are literally the most amazing little people in the whole world, to us and we thank God for you every single night. I catch myself thinking every day, I am so blessed that this is my life. That my world revolves around these two amazing little gifts of life. I cherish it and will always thank God that I get to me your Mommy.

30 weeks!

I love re-reading these posts. Helps me to never forget the journey we went through, keeps the details from getting lost and blurred over time. Still so grateful for my time in the hospital because it kept my babies alive. 9 weeks in a bed, hooked up to tubes and wires, heavy meds,fluid restriction, no "real" showers or a "real" rest room for weeks on end. Etc, etc, etc, etc etc...ALL WORTH IT.



Sept 12, 2008
We've made to the 30's!
PRAISE GOD. We have now made it into the 30's! I am 30 weeks exactly, today.And I've been in the hospital for 6 and a half weeks. All I can do is thank God. We are praying for 5-7 more before we meet these miracles but would even be grateful for 2-4 more.
We have quite a bit to update (and will do so in the next few days) but I usually leave the blogging to Randy as it's very hard and awkward for me to type laying down and on my side. To all of you I haven't written back to via email, myspace etc please know it's not bc I don't care or don't want to...it's just very hard. Anyways, here are a few pics of my belly at 30 weeks. I got a few minutes today with my monitor off so we seized the moment.Also, my awesome Dr. was SO thoughtful and brought me cupcakes to celebrate.Not just any cupcakes but Sprinkles! AND my two favorites, carrot cake and coconut :)She is so great. THANK YOU as always for your prayers, just look how they are being answered. Our God is amazing.
Love, The Crafts

fun at church

Kaden and Kaleiah love getting doughnuts at church and playing in the nursery. Today they even got balloons :)

Caribbean Rain

Back in July when we were on our Caribbean Vacation, I experienced something that is now one of my favorite memories. My Dad an I decided to take K&K out to walk around and explore where we were staying. We were having fun looking at the pretty flowers, the iguanas etc when all of a sudden is started raining. At first we just kinda stood there thinking it was pretty cool and then it started POURING within seconds! The rain drops were huge and so warm! We each grabbed up a baby and ran for cover. Kaden and I stood under a big plumeria tree and I could see Grandpa holding Kaleiah across the way. I stood there, holding my little boy and I remember looking at him and he was just starring out at the rain wonder in his eyes. He looked back at me with the biggest smile like, "Mom, this is so cool". It was priceless and a sweet moment that I have tucked away in the pocket of my heart :)
We ran back to our condo and we looked like we had just gotten in the shower wit our clothes on! And that's what it sure felt like, too! That tropical rain was so warm and it was over as quickly as it came. Such a fun memory, I can't wait until they read this :)

details

Some of the little things around the twins' room :)

Twice the love

Twice the laughs. Twice the love. Twice the kisses and twice the hugs.

My Things :)

Thing 1 and Thing 2. Best friends forever. LOVE!

"Big Orange Balloon"

There's this big Orange ball that you can see from certain parts of the freeway. I never knew what it was. The babies love to point it out from the car and today Kaden spotted it and just kept talking about it! We were driving with no real place to go and my hubby suggested we go to the orange ball so off we went! Turns out it's in the beginning stages of becoming a "Great Park" and it's actually located at an old military base. I had no idea you could ride in it almost like a hot air balloon!
So as we waited for our turn, the twins played at the little park area they had and had a blast!
I am not the biggest fan of hieghts so as soon as we got up there I was sort of frozen. It was cool to have such a clear view of the surrounding cities though! Kaden and Kaleiah loved that we "rode the big orange balloon" :) And the best part is, it was a new adventure which we love (and it was free)!