The Fam

The boys finally got to visit Maggie, well, actually they did before for like 15 seconds. We didn't have the camera either. This time they got a picture with her. It is nice that they can come back and visit, with major hand washing and a mask!

The picture above didn't look blurry until I put it on, but I like it because of her hand. I love to see how tiny and perfect they are. I think it is so amazing to see her and all the other kiddos in the NICU and how small they are. It is amazing to me how they develop and grow so much. I met 2 people today who have babies in the NICU. One of them is a little boy born at 23 weeks. He was 1 lb. Now, 9 weeks later he is the same size as Maggie. His mom told me how his skin was transparent when he was born, and he has even gone through a major heart surgery last month. She drives an hour each day and leaves her 4 year old at home with her mom. She said she has never missed a day. I thought that was amazing also. She said it has been neat to see him grow and develop literally before her eyes. The other was a man who 2 weeks ago, his wife gave birth to twin boys at 20 something weeks also. I can't remember exactly. His boys are doing great also. They talked about all the stuff that is going on with them, I am so grateful again for the second time for the inspiration of modern medicine. The first with Seth and his surgery, and now with Maggie. I feel so blessed to live in this time.

Maggie is growing!

We don't have any new pictures ready but I wanted to let you know that Maggie is growing!
She has added 2 oz a day to her weight! As of this morning, she is now 3 lbs 11oz. She is almost to what she was at birth. She was 3 12 then. (I can't believe she is 1 week old now!) She gets to wear clothes now too! No more IV or being under the lights for beliruben (I am not sure how to spell it Jaundice is what it is.) I have brought a couple things that I had. The nurses say she is a different baby now that she gets to have some clothes on. She is still quick squirmy, but she doesn't fight to have them poke her as much, or complain to them if they put her in a position she doesn't want to be in. She just moves there instead. The nurses are doing a good job.
She is fun to hold, and likes to peek one eye open to see if your still there.
I love to hold her little hand too. That baby reflex that grasps your finger.

Visiting Maggie

Mom and Dad were able to visit Maggie in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) today. And Dad remembered the camera. She really liked being kissed, looked around to see from where voices were coming, and was eventually calmed down after giving the sweetest squeeks of complaint about being moved.

Our girl arrived early!

Maggie Michelle was supposed to wait until Dad's birthday, but she decided to come on her aunt's birthday, November 22nd! She weighed 3 lbs and 12 oz and was 15 1/2 inches long. Mom had a C-section and as soon as Maggie arrived she started crying. Mom and Dad started crying, too. She'll be in the NICU for awhile, but is doing really well for being born at 32 weeks. I'll post more pictures and stories soon.

Halloween!!!

This year Spencer had the hardest time picking a costume out for sure, until a friend of Seth's gave us a Jedi costume that we used for Luke Skywalker. He was happy to be Luke! He really wanted to be about 10 other things, almost all of them having to do with Star Wars. He had been counting down for like 3 months or more for that night.

Seth came up with his own costume. He wanted to be a robot, and make up the snap circuits to beep and light up. He said that at school some kids thought he was a bomb, but he would correct them and tell them he was a robot. I was impressed that he came up with this costume himself. We went up to the Truck or Treat and then home to go around the neighborhood. Oh, I almost forgot, Derek was a football fan!

Spencer that night I guess decided that he was done trick or treating and took off for home without telling Derek, I was home passing out the candy when he came running in. I said, oh, where is Dad and Seth, he says, they are out there still. Does he know you came home? I think so, Okay!

A few min. later, Derek came in the door huffing, is Spencer here? Yes, I said, did you not know that he came home? No! I leaned down to help Seth with something and looked up and he was gone. Needless to say, Spencer has a problem with just going where he wants and not telling anyone. It reminds me of my older brother taking off when he was a little kid on his own to see the toys at the store. Silly kid! Here is a fun picture of them all.

A really yummy birthday cake and the leaves

One of my friends here, was so kind, she brought over a yummy birthday cake from cold stone ice cream. It was so good. Here is a picture of it. The ice cream was the green peppermint chocolate chip kind and the the cake was chocolate. It had Oreo cookies on top. The frosting was a whip cream, can you tell we enjoyed it, I just was describing it in almost detail.

I loved these picture of the boys playing in the leaves too. All of the leaves on our trees are off now. It is sure fun to rake them up into the pile and then jump in them!

The pumkin patch

My Birthday

I love having a birthday. It isn't just my birthday, but every one's birthday. I guess it is because I love the fact of having a day to just have fun and everyone around you is having fun also. It is fun to celebrate! This year, we went to the pumpkin patch in the morning, on the way we past one that was extremely packed with people. The one we went to was like us and 3 other families. It was great. They had the tractor ride, the maze with no left turns allowed, bikes to ride, butterflies and caterpillars to see, and of course, pumpkins to pick. The kids loved to play also in the huge bin with corn. It was fun for Derek and I too. We came home, carved the pumpkins, watched the football game, at pizza, and then Derek and I went on a date that night. It was a good day. Here are some pictures of the pumpkin patch.

Seth earns his bear!

Seth earned his Bear award in Cub Scouts while Grandma and Grandpa were visiting! We are so proud of him!

The Grandparents came

We had so much fun with Derek's parents when they came. We went bowling and played around, cleaned, painted, and got the car all ready to sale. Someday we will sale it! They were a huge help and we really had a good visit with them! Here are some pictures to share!