OOOHHHH I just love them!

Reese backs herself under the couch quite often!

Found a veggie Riley L-O-V-E-S: squash!  

Our God we serve is SO GOOD.   Remember the HEAD CONTROL MIRACLE we were praying for???  Well with a little help from a technician’s finger pushing Riley’s head up, they were able to get perfect pictures for her DOC band fitting and DID NOT have to do the mold!!!  My specific prayer was answered and I am so grateful.  Both Reese and Riley did so well today- it was fast and harmless (for all 4 of us).  We go back on May 5 to pick them up and start this journey.  I’ll keep you posted!  Thank you for your prayers!

The girls tried peas this week… did they like them?  One did, one didn’t… guess who?!

tomorrow’s the day we take the girls back to Cranial Technologies to get fitted for their DOC Bands.  (Click HERE to read more about Cranial Tech and the bands!).  Technology really is amazing- they have 360 degree cameras that take pictures and measurements in order to custom make the bands for each child.  Sounds harmless!  However, Miss Riley- with her tortocolis, doesn’t  hold her head straight (which has contributed to her plagiocephaly), SO… it’s likely that they’ll have to take a mold of her head instead.  Okay, so you know how we call Riley our “Drama Queen?”  Well, I’ll admit it… she got it from ME!  I am praying for a HEAD CONTROL MIRACLE.  That for some reason Riley Grace can hold her head up well enough and long enough so she doesn’t have to do the mold.  PArt of the reason is quite selfish:  the smell of plaster of paris makes me woozy… literally.  Just like the smell of hospitals, Cinnamon gum, and the smell of Bath and Body Works Sun-Ripened Raspberry (which I used in the hospital after back surgery).  I know it’s all in my head, but it’s all connected to getting my back brace or having back surgery in junior high.  Silly, I know, but I still have nightmares to this day.  In 6th grade, I had to get fitted for my back brace in hopes of it keeping my scoliosis from worsening (it didn’t…).  I was chewing “Cinna-burst” gum, had to undress to my undergarments, and was “hung” by my chin to stretch me as straight at can be while holding on the metal bars on either side of me as this creepy old man wrapped me in plaster of paris coated gauze to take a mold of my body– chest to hips.  It was quite humiliating and the smell brings back yucky memories.  I don’t even know how exactly they’d mold Riley’s head, but hope they don’t have to… and if they do, pray that I don’t pass out.  Dramatic, I know…

I’m dreading this helmet thing.  It’s admitting my children aren’t perfect- who wants to do that?!  I know they won’t remember or be scarred or anything like that.  AND I am excited about the results- my beautiful little girls with round heads– even more beautiful, if even imaginable!  But I think I’m worried about what other people will think- stupid, huh?  The Lord has been pulling at me- the word “PERSPECTIVE” keeps popping in my head.  I am SO blessed and so thankful that my babies are healthy– they just need rounder heads and we need to prevent any future problems (depth perception, etc).  My heart is heavy for so many Mommy’s and their babies (and families too)  Will you pray for these:  (Click on their names to read their stories):

Baby Witt (Mommy and Daddy: Mel and Austan)

Baby Elle (Witt’s cousin!  Mommy and Daddy: Lisha and Lee)

Coy’s Baby Sister (Mommy and Daddy: Ann Marie and Chris)

Twins Jones and London (Mommy and Daddy: Kristen and David)– their blog isn’t updated, but they were born at 33 weeks and are in the NICU– I haven’t heard the latest yet…)

It’s convicting, but at the same time I love that God doesn’t think my concerns are silly.  I’m thankful for technology- ways to fix things, I thankful for my precious miracles and their health, and I’m thankful for each of you and your prayers!  We will pick up the DOC bands on May 5 AND… I have some decorating ideas up my sleeve… I will leave you in suspense!!  and with a picture of my cuties!

well… maybe, “yum” isn’t the word… yet…

REESE: 

“What’s this?”

“Mom!  Seriously- WHAT was that?!”

RILEY:

“This smells different…”

“Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!” (shudder, shudder, gag)

April 4- the girls turned 7 months old (Actual age, about 5 adjusted).  I can’t believe it!!  They are so much fun- such happy, happy babies.  

In their 6 month post, I mentioned Reese’s iron level weirdness– good news is after more blood tests, she’s perfectly normal.  She’s off her iron vitamin and just on her multi-vitamin now (and is getting iron from her formula and rice cereal too).  Thank you, Lord!  We took the girls to Cranial Technologies for their evaluation due to their plagiocephaly (flat heads ) and everyone there was just so sweet.  We have decided to go ahead and get the DOC bands for both girls.  Riley’s is more severe, but Reese’s is evident and while we do one, we might as well do the other.  Riley is on Medicade (she qualified through the low-birth weight program– nice- huh?!  for a year), so hers should be covered (what a praise!!!)– Reese’s on the other hand… through our insurance… that’s a different story… oh well- it’ll be worth it in the end.  I’ll update with details as the process continues.  Now on to bragging about my girls!

Riley Grace: this picture just sums my Riley girl up!  She is soooo funny!  She is ALWAYS smiling, sticking out her tongue, and has become quite vocal.  Shy Riley- no more!  Her tortocolis (neck) has improved, but we are still working with OT to stretch those muscles.  She’s spending more time on her tummy (without throwing herself onto her back or putting her face down on the ground screaming ), so her strength has certainly improved.  She found her feet last week and can’t get enough of them.  She is liking her rice cereal eating well and spitting up lots less.  She’s a great sleeper- especially if she has her “pappy” with her.  Riley is SUCH a  joy– she grins so big at everyone she meets and giggles like the pillsbury dough boy (well- girl).  She’s as stubborn and dramatic as ever, but ohhhhh so sweet as well.

Reese Abigail: is all smiles as well.  She has started giggling and it gives me tears every time!  It is just the most sweet music to my ears- and hilarious at the same time!!  She LOVES to scream- with a smile on her face– not mad scream, just scream and squeal so you know she is happy… it’s funny… but makes for some long days- ha!  She’s rolling front to back and back to front (sometimes she gets stuck– we’re working on it with OT) and she is sitting up (for a few seconds) on her own.  She’s very proud of herself.  And… her first tooth is coming in!  The top right tooth is coming- I can feel it.  So our sweet, laid back, silly Reese has been a sleepy, serious, drooly, I want to eat everything and fuss Reese the past couple of days, but mainly just in the evenings.  Poor baby.  She, too, found her feet last week and loves holding on to them (and screaming) and of course bring everything to her mouth- including her paci.  sometimes she gets it in the right way!  She’s a great sleeper, loves her paci, and loves to eat!  She is precious.

I’ll post next about our trip to Houston last weekend.  It was a blast!!  Thanks for your continued prayers for the girls as they get their DOC bands- for easy adjustment (for me too… ), insurance stuff, etc… will keep you posted.