Went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and got a couple more comments that made me laugh

8.  You brought a crowd! (always do!)

9. Twins?!  God bless you! (He has!)

10. How do you do it?! (a lot of prayer and a lot of caffeine )

I attempted to make a hair bow yesterday.  Here’s Riley modeling it:

This morning while the girls were playing on their play mat while I drank my coffee (that’s part of the morning routine. ), Reese suddenly was fussy, so I went to pick her up.  She had spit up and it was all over her head- yuck!  See… ha!

She got a bath after this fiasco.  Isn’t she cute in her towel??

Riley is my latest “escape artist.”  She, too, can get from point A to point B just kicking and wiggling- ha!  (remember Reese’s pic like this in the last post?)

And my latest lesson learned is:

Don’t be a scaredy cat about cutting your baby’s nails (even if you’ve practically cut her finger off in the past) because if you don’t cut them… you will suffer the consequences.  

Ouch! (courtesy of Riley Grace…payback, quite possibly)

today’s been a funny day.  not funny ha ha, but funny weird!  Let’s see- it started with me trying to cut Riley’s nails this morning when I accidentally got her skin on her thumb and made her bleed!  yikes- felt like a horrible mommy.  After washing it, I tried to put a little bandaid on it, but it wouldn’t stay on!  She was so funny because she only cried for a minute, but then continued holding her thumb away from her hand– Instead of holding her hand how she normally does, her thumb was stretched out.  She was trying to make me feel bad I think- ha!  I was cracking up at her dramatic antics– I even took a couple pics.

see how her thumb is away from her hand?  poor baby!

see her bandaid on her bib rather than her thumb?  and look at that red thumb!

THEN later this afternoon… I dropped Reese BUT the luckily the couch caught her fall.  I was holding her towards me and was turning her around to sit her on the couch when she arched her back (she’s been trying to roll like crazy and certainly getting from point A to point B somehow!) and there she flew flat on her face into a pillow on the couch.  It was awful!  But I’m pretty sure I said aloud, “Thank you, JESUS!” because really the couch isn’t that bad of a place to do a face plant.  Oh dear… am I glad it’s Friday!

this is Reese yesterday.  I put her in the middle of her play mat, but this is where she ended up!

uh huh- mom of the year- right here.

We ventured to Target today- I think the girls liked their mommy’s favorite store!  Riley was squealing with excitement the whole time (well… until the end, I’ll get to that…) and Reese was just staring sucking on her paci soaking everything in.  They’re funny how they “switch personalities” sometimes!  Have I mentioned that I’m a germaphobe preemie mom???  I am!  I have these on the girls’ car seats:

But does this stop strangers from touching them, lifting up the blanket that covers them, OR getting in their faces? NO it does not.  A lady I saw was asking me about the girls- (keep reading- I have a whole funny list of funny things asked) and was telling me that she had 2 year old twins.  All the while, she was bending down toward Riley (her blanket was half over her, Reese was covered up because she was sleeping) touching her.  So I was sweet but a bit short and began pulling the stroller back and turned it around away from her.  I’m a nervous wreck out with them- ha!  After her questions about if I nursed blah blah blah, it ended with her telling me that once they’re walking I’ll be even busier, BUT it DOES get easier.  Hmmm… was she really an angel?  I needed to hear those “gets easier” words today.  THEN on the shoe isle a cute chubby little boy (probably 2) with the CUTEST dimples and his mom wanted to see the babies.  He was in the basket, so I found it harmless.  It was so sweet- he kept saying “Hi two babies.” and then giggling over and over again.  Then- Riley joined in squealing and giggling- it was too funny.  Twins get a lot of attention! (well maybe it’s just all babies).  It was fun looking around and buying my few essentials (level 2 nipples, diaper genie refills!), but Riley sure let me know when it was time to go with an unconsolable continual scream- the kind that makes everyone stare.  Oh well.  Right when we got in the car- it began raining- we just missed it- thank you, Lord!   It’s been fun slowly trying new adventures.  I’m excited about more to come!

Since we’ve just started getting out and about, I’ve found that strangers say the darndest things!  Here’s a list of questions and/or comments I have gotten (that make me giggle) when we’re out and about:

1* Do you have twins? (duh)

2* Both girls? Or one boy and one girl? (Well the giant bows on their heads would answer that if you glanced their way)

3* Do you get any sleep?  (yes- hallelujah)

4* you have your hands full! (sure do!)

5* You have a matching set?! (yes, yes I do)

6* Do twins run in your family? (No)

7*Do you nurse twins? (I don’t know you and don’t feel comfortable talking to you about my “girls” and I don’t mean Reese and Riley! ha!)

I’ll continue this list later- people crack me up!

I will leave you with my silly girls being exceptionally silly.  They both have started sucking on their lips from time to time and it is hilarious!!!  Riley usually sucks on her tongue or her blanket (if that makes sense?) to soothe herself– we call it “clucking.”  I have no idea why- that’s what my sis did as a little girl and that’s what she called it.  So without further ado… here is ULTIMATE Clucking by Reese and Riley.  Click on the links!

 Silly Riley  (you can hear Reese crying in the background…)

Silly Reese

…bring chilly weather!  

We’re hoping the WaRm wEaThEr comes back soon, but until then- we’ll just wear our warm comfie womfies and take good loooooong naps!  

Happy Spring, yall!

Love,

Reese and Riley O.

We cheated… a lot.  (Flu/RSV season is almost over, so it’s okay!)  AND it was WONDERFUL and full of “firsts”!  My precious friend, Susan (who’s a teacher), spent her Spring Break with us in Houston.  The girls, Susan, and I left around 8:30AM last Sunday to head down to Nan and Pop’s house.  It was Reese and Riley’s FIRST road trip!  They did GREAT in the car– mostly slept and when they were hungry, we stopped and each gave one a bottle in the car and then right back to sleep for those little sweeties.  Such good babies- what a blessing!  

Sunday was a relaxing day- just hanging out at the house and cooked dinner and watched a movie after the girls went to bed. 

Playing at Nan and Pop’s

Riley trying out the new swing (AKA “Lifesaver”)

Reese took Pop’s place while he was grilling out!

Reese has been trying to sit up!

She can sit up for a couple seconds on her own (using her hands to bear her weight) 

Monday was a day full of new adventures.  Reese and Riley accompanied me, Susan, and my mom to eat sushi at Shogun for lunch!!  It was their FIRST restaurant to go to!  Riley slept through it, but Reese insisted on sitting with the “big girls.”  

mmmm!  Edamame!

THEN we walked down the shopping center to the CUTEST children’s boutique: Freckles.  We got some more bows and Baby Legs… what could be better than that?!  We had to dodge a sweet lady wanting to put her head down in the stroller, but with Susan driving the stroller- it was no problem.  She ever so sweetly continued rolling the stroller as Lady bent her head down towards Reese’s face. ha ha!  

Next store to Freckles, was a Nestle Cookie place… so we got a cookie for dessert- shhhh…

We sat outside in the beautiful weather with our cookies!  Here’s Riley sneezing, Mom and Susan laughing (Reese was sleeping in the stroller)

Later that afternoon, R and R got to hang out with Nan while Susan and I ventured to Target, Walmart, and even Sonic!  When we came back… we got to see Carol and Erin who came by to say hello to my girls!!  I can’t believe I didn’t take a picture!  

Getting some lovin’ before bedtime.

Riley with Pop- getting her hair brushed and blowing spit bubbles.

Tuesday was another fun-filled day!  My dad (Pop) took the day off to hang out with us!!!  

Here’s Reese playing that morning:

Little Riley

Swinging away!  The best nap place!

Both Reese and Riley have taken a liking to blankets.  They cuddle with them and put them in their mouths.  

We ate at a great restaurant- The Cypress Station.  Don’t you LOVE Riley’s smile? ha!  She is definitely posing.

Riley and Pop (I cut off his head- oops)

After lunch, the girls accompanied us to their FIRST mall!!!!!  The Houston Premium Outlets (or as mom likes to call is: Nan’s Mall!)  They made it to Ann Taylor Loft and then… were ready to go home!  So their sweet grandparents gladly took them home while Susan and I shopped.  I found lots of cutie outfits for Reese and Riley at Carters and of course a few things for me and Richey too.  It was really fun.

When we got back to the house, my aunt and uncle were there to see the girls!  Here’s Riley with her Great Aunt Sue and Great Uncle Rick.  They were all smiles!!  AND Sue and Rick brought them PRECIOUS outfits and boots from the rodeo (I’ll post pics soon)!

That evening, we played outside in the backyard.  It was  a bit bright for their little eyes!

When the sun went down, it was breezy!  Here’s Reese all bundled up.

We ate Chinese food that night- yum (can you tell our week consisted of a lot of FOOD?!)

sleepy Reesey

Then back home for decaf cappuccinos (Reese helped Pop- oh and the Kahlua was her idea)

Wednesday after going out to lunch (because remember our spring break was all about eating- ha!), Mom and Susan watched the girls while I got my hair done– ahhhh…. I loved it!

Angel and Cali LOVE Susan!

Reese all dressed up and ready to go

Riley’s ready too!

This pic is hilarious to me!  Look at Riley’s delighted look and Reese’s annoyed look- ha!

They love staring at each other.

me and Susan

naked baby 1 eating rice cereal

naked baby 2 eating rice cereal 

Riley petting Angel with her feet. hee hee

Pop and Ri

Riley with her “pappy” (blanket)

KISSIN’ Sisters

smiley Ree Ree

Thursday morning we headed back in hopes of avoiding traffic since we had to go thru downtown Dallas to get home.  It was SAD to leave!  But… we’re going back in a couple weeks to stay and venture to Antique Show!  JuNk GyPsY here we COME!

Pop saying bye to Reese

and to Riley

Reese playing and stretching out before the long car ride.  I LOVE this pic!

Riley stretching out.  Still not all about this tummy time thing!

Saying bye to Nan… Reese was crying

All packed up and ready to go.  We didn’t overpack– did we??

Thank you Mom and Dad (Nan and Pop) for having us!  We had SO MUCH FUN on our trip of FIRSTS!  Love you!

Reese and Riley continue to amaze us (and the pediatrician) with their growth and strides!  Here are the “stats:”

Reese:

Length: 25 1/4 in. (25-50 percentile)

Weight: 15 pounds!!!!! (25%)

Head: 15 3/4 in. (below 3rd percentile)

Riley:

Length: 24 in (3-5 percentile) 

Weight: 13 lbs 9 oz (10%)

Head size: 15 1/2 in. (below 3%)

They both can start rice cereal which is exciting!  (Maybe that means we’ll save some money by buying less formula- ha!)   See some pics below  They sat in their highchairs for the 1st time to eat it!

Reese was kicking and squealing and showing off as usual!  The dr was pleased with her improvement in muscle strength– she’s looking both ways much better (we’re working on that in OT), bearing weight on her feet when held up on them now, holds her head up when pulled to a sitting position, and stays on her tummy very well.  She’s even trying to roll from her back to tummy (another thing we’re working on in OT) and trying to sit up as well.  The dr. also noticed that the back of her head (flat part) has improved quite a bit from 2 months ago– 4 month appointment– which is good news.  Not perfect, but better.  They tested her iron levels because they’ve been low (anemic) since the day she was born.  Remember in the NICU she had a blood transfusion?  Well 2 months ago her levels were STILL low after 4 months– so for 2 months she’s been on her formula that has iron and also a liquid iron vitamin- TWICE a day.  But today it still showed she was anemic today????  Her level was 29 (same as 2 months ago) but they like to see it at 45.  So… the question is: Why?  She’s very “pink, wild, happy, healthy, and FAT” as the dr. said  so it doesn’t make sense.  So the next step is- to bring in a stool sample to make sure she’s not losing blood that way- unlikely because it’s not visible, but good to rule out.  OR… her red blood cells just might be different than most- which is not a problem.  Maybe 29 is good for her– and it means nothing is wrong.  So- we’ll go back next week so they can take more blood to send to the lab to see what they find.  Pray all is well and whatever it is it’s an easy fix or nothing at all.  

Riley was a little fire cracker at the appointment (our drama queen, but she’s ohhhh soooo sweet) because it was during nap time and that girl needs her sleep!  She screamed and hollered at the dr when she messed with her.  ha!  The dr was pleased with her growth and after much work (due to Riley’s stubbornness– really just sleepiness)  she saw how her neck muscles are much looser- she is now ABLE to look BOTH right and left!  She still prefers right, but we’re working on it.  Her concern was that Riley’s plagiocephaly (flat head) on the back of her head and the right of her head has gotten worse since her 4 month appointment despite our best efforts to keep her on her side and tummy as often as possible.  The way her skull is forming- it’s pushing her facial bones forward which could of course cause physical problems if not addressed such as depth perception issues etc. (nothing with brain development or anything).  So… we’ve been referred to a cranial facial specialist at Children’s (not likely to get in to see him though, so  if not, we’ll go through Cranial Technologies) for them to do a consultation thing (for a helmet).  While we’re there, we’ll probably have them go ahead and look at Reese too.  So- y-u-c-k.  They are so good- such miracles- it’s hard to remember that they were born at 30 weeks- laying on their soft skulls 10 weeks before they should have been.  I want them to be 100% perfect, but with preemies (any kid really) things will probably come up.  I know it could be much worse, but I just hate this.  I am thanking God that it’s something fixable and trusting him with both the cranial bands and Reese’s iron strangeness.  

They are precious beyond words, such joy in our lives, and such a testament of God’s faithfulness.  

“I don’t know about this, Mom.”  Reese

“WHAT are you putting in my mouth?”  Riley

“What is running down my chin?  Eww!”  Reese

“Whatever was on that spoon has ended up more on my face than in my mouth.”  Riley

After her 1st go at rice cereal, we wiped Reese’s mouth with this dish towel (it was closer than a burp cloth! !).  She grabbed it from Richey’s hand and fell asleep holding it like a blanket- ha!  oops!  I cut Riley out accidentally, but thought these smiles were precious!

Next post– all about our trip to Houston!!

Reese and Riley were 6 MONTHS OLD on March 4!!!!  I can’t believe how time flies!  We take the girls to their 6 month appointment on Friday, so we don’t have their latest stats, but I will update you asap!!  I’m a bit behind on updates and pics, so here are some of the latest!

Look at us: we’re 6 months old!

Silly girls

look who’s trying to walk: my nephew, Casen!!!

“Blaaaaaah!”

Pop and Reese- look at her belly hanging out- she’s so cute

Reese trying out Casen’s truck -ha!

Riley smiling at Nan

super cute!

The girls love grabbing at each other and smiling at each other- I love it!

I’ll post with the pediatrician updates on Friday and then on Sunday Susan (the girl’s “adopted aunt”) and I will be heading down to Houston to see mom and dad with Reese, Riley, and Cali (the dog!).  Richey is going to get a lot of sleep!