Praise from the Heart!

 

So the girls, had their final check up with their Cardiologist today.
At Birth the girls had 2 open heart valves. Their PDA and Their PFO valves. This was a little scary to me for many reasons but also because my mom was born with an open PDA valve and it never shut on its own and at age 2 she had to have open heart surgery.

That was such a scary time for my grandparents that even until just recently my grandma would still cry when she told that story.

So when my girls were born with the same issue, I couldnt help but have some hesitations about it. But today when they followed up with their Cardio Dr he said that their valves had closed all on their own and that he would not need to see them anymore!!

I am SO proud of my babies and all they have overcome. They were born without a breath in their lungs, and here there are today and you would never ever know all the struggles they went through to be here.

I absolutely love them with everything inside of me.

I tell them every single day that they are "Mommy's Special Baby" And they truly are!

I take so much pride in them, and it warms my heart to see other people melt over them like I do! I love when people ask for me to post more pictures, more often, or when they claim to be facebook stalking me for updates,And when they brag about how much they love our blog and such.

I mean what Momma doesnt like to brag about their kids?! :)

My girls to me just seem Extra Special because of the fact that I was told more than once, that these amazing moments I have with them, I would probably never have.

And because I know how excited it makes me that I DO get to share these moments with them, it makes me that much more excited that so many of you guys love sharing these moments too!
So thank you for the love you show to my sweet girls! They totally deserve it, and I am not even going to be modest about it! haha :)

Today my chunkster Em weighed 15lbs 6 1/2 oz!!!
And My Molly weighed 14lbs 6 1/2 oz!!!

Only a pound difference between them but it feels like much more than that when you are holding them. Or atleast to me it does!

My girls are having some constipation problems. Especially Molly. Pray for them. I know that it doesnt sound as serious as the other issues they have had but it pains me to see them so uncomfortable and in so much pain.

This has happened many times before, but today when Molly was trying to go potty she was straining so hard that milk literally started coming out of her nose and also very thick saliva and milk started draining out of her mouth.

She was having a hard time catching her breath and I have no choice but to stay calm for her but everytime I see this happen on the inside I am wanting to freak out.

I hate seeing her struggle so much to go potty. The Dr said give her prunes. And I do, and it seems to work for both of them but if I miss a day without giving it to her then she struggles all over again. And I do not feel it is normal for a baby to need prunes EVERY single day in order to be able to poo. So, I am going to give this a while longer to work itself out before I expect their Peditrician to do something more about this.

I am a little concerned because when they were in NICU it was stressed how important it was for the babies to have breast milk because there is a bowel disease found only in premature babies and it is said that breast milk helps prevent them from getting that disease. So the past couple days, I have been kinda beating myself up over the idea of maybe I should have gave them my milk longer?

I did the best I could for as long as I could, but maybe it wasnt enough because now my babies cant seem to poop without help! :(

Just pray that this is minor and will pass!

Well that's it for now!

Thanks for reading and there are more pics in their 8 month Album.

Until Next Time...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day is always a day that is suppose to remind us about the things in life we should give Thanks for.
This year has been one of the hardest years I have ever had, yet I still have so much to be Thankful for.

Molly and Emma were so close to not being apart of our every day lives, and the fact that they are able to be here to share in this holiday with us, means more to me than I could ever explain.

This year, I am especially Thankful for my sweet, beautiful,healthy baby girls!


Our 1st Thanksgiving as a Family of Four!
 

Daddy and Molly! Love that sweet smile on her face.
Emma is making that same face in the next picture.
 

Me and My sweet little blessings! So thankful for them!
 

Molly would not eat for Mommy, but she would eat for her Granny cause Granny lets her feed herself! And what a big girl job she did too!
 

Every one of us tried to get Emma to sleep because she was fighting it SO bad and Granny was the only one to succeed! Thank you Mom!
 

My friend Christine also spent Thanksgiving with us. We were so glad to have her join us! We are very thankful for you Ms. Christine!!
 

Thankful for my husband on this day, and every day!
 

My Grandma's Famous Pecan Pie
 

As a child,Thanksgiving and Easter were the 2 holidays we spent every year in Florida with my Grandparents. As an Adult, Rick and I would still go to Florida and spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with them. Last year, was an exception to that rule because I was what felt like deathly ill when I was pregnant with the girls. I could barely get out of bed to take a shower, no way I could have made that long 9 hour trip.

Every year, it was known that whereever Thanksgiving was being held, you could count on My Grandma to show up with her Pecan Pie!
To my knowledge, I am the only that she gave her recipe too.
I couldn't dare, sit at the table this year and not have my Grandma's special pie there with us.

So in her loving memory,on Thanksgiving Morning, I made my very 1st pecan pie! And did my best to follow her recipe step by step.
I cried the entire time I made it, and cried even more tears right before it was time to eat it but I am so glad that I was able to do it.

I know that for my family, eating pecan pie this year, was so much MORE than just a pie for dessert. Every bite was full of so much love and also so much pain.
But sharing it together, brought us all so much closer this year than ever.

We Love you Forever and Ever Grandma, and While you are not physically here, your legacy lives on in each of our hearts.


We Hope That All of You also had a Very Happy Thanksgiving!

New Pictures are in the girls 8 Month album!

Happy Birthday Savannah!

Happy 2nd Birthday Savannah!
 

Today my neice celebrated her 2nd Birthday! Her Birthday Party was held at My Gym.
Molly and Emma had fun playing in new territory.

It really feels like yesterday that I rolled my sick pregnant self out of bed to attend Savannah's 1st Birthday party. :)

And a year later, with 8 month old twin girls, it's already time for birthday number 2!

Time sure flies, it's so hard for me to believe that in 4 short months Molly and Emma will be having their 1st birthday party!!

Uncle Rick and Savannah on Day 1
 

Uncle Rick, Aunt Erika, and Savannah on Birthday # 1
 

Savannah on Birthday #2 with Uncle Rick,Aunt Erika,Emma, and Molly!
 


Such a ham, that Molly is!
 

Molly taking her 1st trip down the slide! :)
 

 

Emma not so sure about that bouncy thing lol
 

Daddy and Emma being silly
 

Molly trying to balance while gripping.Daddy laughing cause she didn't quite have it down pat yet. haha Bombs awaaaaay she went! lol
 

Molly and Emma playing on the gym mat.
 

What a fun birthday party Savannah had!

Happy Birthday Big Girl! We Love You!

You can view more of the birthday party fun in the girls 8 month photo album!

59 Years

My Absolutely Beautiful Grandma

 

Today My Grandparents would have celebrated 59 years of Marriage.

I feel so honored to say that I have the kind of husband that my Grandma has.

My Paw Paw is the most humbled, gentled spirit, honorable man. And he served my grandma faithfully for almost 59 years.

When I look at my husband, I feel safe. I know that if there ever comes a day that I can't take care of myself, he would take care of me. Just like my Paw Paw took care of my Grandma.

My Grandma was so proud of me for many things. But she was especially proud of the marriage I have. She loved Rick dearly, and I know that love for him rooted first from the respect she had for him for the kind of Man and husband he is to her granddaughter!

My Grandparents Anniversary is the day after my birthday. So it was nearly impossible for me to ever forget to put a card in the mail for them on their special day.
But this year, My Birthday didn't remind me to put a card in the mail for them. Instead, it was just a sore reminder to me that my Grandma isnt here.

But even in the midst of my grief, I still managed to have one of the best birthday's ever! Rick used vacation that day so he could spend the day with me and on top of that he got us a sitter!

It was our very first time going on a date together without the girls! Rick had prayed for me that morning and asked God to help me have a great day and then he told my Grandma to help watch over me so that I wouldnt be sad on my birthday.

He is such a wonderful man. I love Him so much.

He opened car doors for when I was getting in and out of the car,We went shopping and to dinner, held hands, laughed, and talked about so many things. Really just a great time together!

We had dinner at Longhorn. I LOVE longhorn. I could eat there every day if I was able too. And Rick usually ALWAYS gets a burger wherever he goes, but this time he ventured out and tried something a little different for him. He got a parmesean garlic chicken sandwich and he loved it! I tasted it and it was very good. Had a nice rich and creamy sauce all over it.

I also ventured out and did something new that day. I bought my very 1st pair of skinny jeans!!! I was so proud of myself. And I owned them for all of 17 minutes before I marched right back in the store and returned them. haha

Who am I kidding? I could've never pulled that look off!


Whenever you think of us, please think to pray for me in dealing with life without my Grandma.

I wish that all of you could have known her. Words can not sum up the beauty of her soul. She is definitley a remarkable lady, and I miss her so very much.

In talking with someone a week or so ago, she was telling me how she tried for 3 years to get pregnant and also how her Dad was her life.
Well her son was born and her dad did get to meet him, but then he passed away from Cancer. Now her dad isnt here, and her life is all about her Son. She said that she felt like God finally gave her a baby because He knew He was going to call her dad home.

I had to walk away from the conversation at that point because I felt the tears starting to stream down my face, because that is exactly what I have felt.

My Grandma was my world. The beat of my heart. And if I did not have my children who are now my world, and also the beat of my heart, I seriously would not know how to get through this. There is not a doubt in my mind that God blessed me with my girls at the time He did, because He knew I would need them (just as much as they need me) when He called my Grandma Home.

I would give anything to pick up the phone and hear "Erika, It's Grandma" just one more time...

59 years....

Families who pray together, really do stay together.

My Grandparents are Prayer Warriors who serve God with their entire lives. Even as sick as my Grandma was, she never missed a Sunday. And in her home, Praise music was always on, and she read and studied so many devotionals along with the Word...every single day.

I look forward to celebrating "59" years with my husband, and I hope that our children can marry God fearing men, who lead their families in the ways of righteousness so that they also can one day celebrate "59 years"


What an amazing example my Grandparents have set for those of us who come behind them to follow.

I love you Grandma, Forever and Ever.

Happy Anniversary!


* On 11/15/10 the girls weighed as follows:

Molly- 14lbs 2.5oz
Emma-14lbs 14.5 oz

Creepin' but not yet Crawlin'

Look who I caught trying to pull up on their knees tonight!


My sweet Emma Gracie trying so hard to get up on her knees!
 

And she was So proud of herself when I made a big deal about it too! :)
 

And here is Molly on the same night, trying to do the same thing!!!
 

I am very proud of the progress my girls have been making developmentally. To be so early, I really felt like they were pretty much on target where they should be. However, when I recentley took them to story time at the library with other babies their age, I noticed that they were not doing what other babies could do.

Clapping, reaching for you, sitting independently, crawling, pulling up on things, etc...

I talked with my mom and with the Early Interventionist that comes once a week to work with us, and both of them told me that my girls are right where they are suppose to be for their Adjusted age.

And I know that my girls are early, and technically they are only suppose to be 5 1/2 months old but other parents dont know that. So I feel like when they look at my girls they wonder why my kids aren't as advanced as theirs.

Unless you have a baby that was born before what is considered "fullterm" at 36 weeks, then it probably doesnt make sense to see my girls and lable them as a 5 1/2 month old when they were born 7 1/2 months ago.

But when I find myself feeling discouraged that they haven't met certain milestones, I try to keep reminding myself that when other 7 1/2 months old were growing on the inside of their mommy, mine were growing on the outside in an incubator. So, those 7 1/2 months old...are 7 1/2 months old AFTER being in their mommy for 9 Months....mine are only 7 1/2 months old because they couldn't grow in me for 9 months and had to finish their growing on the outside.

So I would say for babies that weren't suppose to be here until just 5 1/2 months ago, they are doing exactly what they are suppose to be doing and a little more. And for every little new thing they learn to do, I get so excited for them.

One thing I have noticed that my babies do have...that not a lot of babies have...is PERSONALITY! They are the happiest, giggliest, little girls.

Unless they are ready for bed of course! :)

I am so very proud of my little ones. Not a day goes by that they just dont Melt My Heart!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Today my Husband turned the Big 3-0!!
With the help of some friends and family, I threw him a suprise party for his birthday. We had a pretty nice turn out.

We walked in and everyone yelled "Suprised" and had a birthday cake lit singing to him, he was quite embarassed!

Infact, it worked out for him because when walking in, the noise startled Emma and she started crying...and since he was holding her, he got to hide his face behind her while everyone sang to him. haha


Emma Signing Daddy's Birthday card :)


Molly signing Daddy's Birthday Card. Can you tell by her hair that she just woke up?



Here we are walking in!


Some of the guest yelling "Suprise!" When we walked in!


Daddy Blowing out All 30 Candles!
 

Finally a somewhat grin from this embarassed birthday boy! :)
 

For Rick's birthday present from the girls, I took them to get their pictures made in their USC Cheerleading Dresses and then made a collage out of the pics for him.

Daddy was very excited about his birthday present from his girls!


Some of the Guys...
 


Love My Sweet Husband! Happy Birthday Baby! I look forward to spending many more Birthdays with you!
 

Daddy with his babies at the end of a long birthday celebration weekend!
 


Thank you for being the kind of Daddy every woman wants for her children!
And Thank you for being the kind of Husband, I always dreamt of having as a little girl. We love you so very much!

You can see more Birthday Pictures under the girls pictures link!

Fall-tivities!

Here are some of the "Fall-tivities" we did with our girls last week!

For those of you not from here, our Zoo has what is called Boo at the Zoo every halloween for kids. And at night the zoo is all lit up with halloween lights, booths set up for candy, games, entertainment, etc...so we went on Thurs (10/28) with my mom, and my brothers, our cousins, etc...


The Pumpkin Reads Boo at the Zoo but our heads are covering it. :)
 

The Girls Sportin' their Boo shirts at Boo! :)
 
I had to share this picture below because when we were walking around "Boo at the Zoo" they had booths set up where kids could trick or treat and YES we took our girls to every booth. haha But the story behind this picture is that Molly, as you can see here held her bag all by herself to EVERY booth! I couldnt believe it! And Emma, well she just tried to eat her bag. LOL
 

PUMPKIN PATCH

On Friday,(10/29) We took our girls to the Pumkin Patch. We got some GREAT fall pictures of the girls.

This is my FAVORITE one of Molly!
 

And This is my FAVORITE one of Emma!!
 
 
 

Miss Molly
 

Emma Grace
 

And I absolutely ADORE this picture of them together!
 

Happy Halloween!

Well if you have spent 5 minutes alone with my husband you would know that he is a HUGE Carolina Gamecock Fan! So it should be no suprise that for the girls 1st Halloween we dressed them up as Carolina Cheerleaders! :)

Emma Grace
 

Molly


For Halloween we went to what is called The Hallelujah Hoedown at my sisters church.
We walked around while her kids "Trunk or Treated". It was a cute set up every one passed out candy from the backs of their trunks and each "Trunk" was set up as a different theme. There were Flintstones, Alice and Wonderland, etc...Very Cute!

Here is me with my girls and their cousins. I LOVE these kids!


Since Molly is way too cute to be scary, she is giving every one her Scary face for Halloween! haha


Aunt Toni Loves her some Emma and Molly!


Emma and Molly with their cousins Megan and Emilee. Megan and Emilee LOVE my girls too death. They are always wanting to hold them :)


Hope All of you had a Great Halloween as well! I have updated their 7 Month album with tons of pictures. Check them out!

And just a side note-on 11-3-10 the girls weights were as follows:

Emma- 14 lbs 9.5oz
Molly-13 lbs 8.5oz

Have a great Weekend!