Story Time

At my shower in Florida, we received so many great children's books.  We have finally been able to sit down and start reading some.  Hopefully the girls will grow to love reading as much as I do!

4 Months Old

I cannot believe that it has been four months since our sweet babies surprised us and came into the world! We definitely got a sweet 2-for-1 deal this past Black Friday!!

Here are some 4 month stats:
Anna -
Weight: 10 lbs. 15.5 oz (5th percentile)
Height: 22.5 in. (5th percentile)
Head Circumference: 15.5 (10th percentile)

Kate -

Weight: 11 lbs. 0.5 oz (5th percentile)

Length: 23.5 in. (15th percentile)

Head Circumference: 15.5 (10th percentile)

Our pediatrician had nothing but great things to say about how well they are doing!  I know those who are experienced mommies are used to the "what to expect in the next few months" talk from the doctor, but I can't believe he told me to expect them to be rolling over and starting on cereal in the next 2 months??!!

They are FINALLY starting to nap a little bit better!  I have been putting them down awake and it usually takes them less than 10 minutes to fuss themselves to sleep:)  It seems longer when Phil is home, because he is such a sucker and wants to pick them up every time they cry!  

They have been doing really well at night.  I usually feed them for the last time between 9:45 and 10:30 and they wake up once during the night!  Their first morning feeding is typically between 7:00 and 8:00. 

I wouldn't say that they have "turned a corner" yet (regarding their fussiness and lack of napping), but I MIGHT say that I can see the corner on the horizon!

Bobble Heads

We tried out the Bumbos yesterday and the girls looked like little bobble head dolls!  They did pretty good though:)

Anna (L) & Kate (R)

Round 2

After getting home from the hospital with Anna on Saturday afternoon, we all tried our hardest to keep the girls separated so that Kate didn't get sick.  We all wore masks, and while I nursed Anna (and simultaneously pumped the other side), mom fed Kate a bottle.  All seemed ok until Monday.  Kate started acting lethargic and irritable, but at least she was still eating (unlike Anna, who had refused to eat while she was sick). I had a follow-up appointment with the pediatrician for Anna in the afternoon and decided I should take Kate in as well.  While at the pediatrician, they took Kate's temperature three different times and each time it was normal. She did, however, test positive for RSV.  Because of their Neutropenia, the doctor told me that if Kate started to run a fever, we should take her directly to the ER at Children's.  Wouldn't you know it, as soon as we got home from the doctor, she seemed warm and had a fever of 101.5!  Seriously??  Thankfully Mimi was still here, so she stayed with Anna, while Phil and I headed to CHOA.  I informed the receptionist in the ER of her compromised immune system and they did an excellent job getting us into an exam room.  After that....things didn't go as smoothly.  After 7 HOURS (yes...that's correct) in the exam room, they confirmed that Kate was Neutropenic and that after consulting with the hematologist, they wanted to admit her and do some blood tests. We finally made it to a room at 2 am and were able to get to sleep around 3.  Thankfully, there was no bacterial infection and she was released on Wednesday afternoon.

Please excuse the poor quality photos...in our haste to leave for the ER, we forgot our camera!

Kate getting her hearing screening...she didn't pass in her right ear :(

Will you pray for us?  We have an appointment with the Hematologist on April 17 to get the genetic test results for both the girls' blood work.  Please pray as we wait.  Pray that we won't grow anxious, but that we would rest in the peace and assurance of God's ever-abundant grace.  Pray for the girls.  That they would remain healthy and that we won't be visiting CHOA again any time soon!  Pray for us as Mimi leaves tomorrow.  I don't know how we would have gotten through the past weeks without her.  She is a ROCK and an amazing SERVANT for CHRIST!

Under Attack

On Tuesday, Anna was admitted to Northeast Georgia Hospital after I took her to the pediatrician because she was lethargic and refusing to eat.  The next morning, they transported her to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta because they wanted specialists to see her and review her case.  After sending in the infectious disease doctor and the hematologist, the doctors have given us a diagnosis for Anna.  We are thankful to have an answer, but unfortunately, the diagnosis affects both of our girls.  They have antibodies that are attacking the white blood cells in their bodies (specifically the neutrophils).  These are one of two types of antibodies: 1) I produced the antibodies while pregnant with the girls and passed them on to them ("antigranulocyte antibodies").  If this is the case, the antibodies will continue attacking their white blood cells for the next 9-12 months or so before they die off completely.  OR 2) They have "congenital neutropenia" which means their bodies are producing the antibodies.  If this is the case, it is a permanent condition that we will have to deal with their entire lives. They have taken blood samples and have sent them off to test for certain genetic markers that will tell them which situation we are dealing with. Since the white blood cells are your first line of defense when fighting an infection, the girls are very susceptible to any bacteria or virus.  In fact, Anna had what began as a pretty minor ear infection and it landed her in the hospital!  She is doing better, but now has a cough and has developed a mild case of RSV.  We are grateful because it could definitely be a more serious diagnosis, but are saddened that they will have to be secluded for the next several months at the very least. 

On top of it all, Anna's hearing test confirmed that she has profound to severe hearing loss in her left ear and moderate hearing loss in her right ear.  They will repeat the test in 6 weeks to see if any of the fluid she has in her ears from being sick is affecting the test results.  The audiologist did say that she didn't think that the fluid was affecting the results from her left ear.

We are exhausted and have a bit of information overload, but find peace resting in the reassurance that God is in control and that He has both of the girls in the palm of His hand.  Please continue to pray for us and our sweet babies...we covet your prayers.

I know it looks like she is yawning here, but she is actually moaning...poor sweet baby!

Anna with her "boxing glove" on...it is her IV wrapped in a diaper so she can't hurt herself when she hits her face:)

On Thursday night, Staci came all the way to visit.  She stayed with Anna while Phil and I went to a quick dinner and then she stayed with me and Anna all night so Phil could go home and sleep!

All snuggled in for a nap:)

Mimi, Aunt Katie and Aunt Melissa sent Anna a surprise!

The bear is from Mimi, Aunt Katie, and Aunt Melissa and the Lamb is from Bobby and his family (a friend of Phil's from work)...and of course her princess blanket from Miss Staci!!

Precious Pictures

A sweet friend from school (who in addition to teaching does photography) gave me the gift of a photo session with the girls! I am amazed that even though this was during their "screaming weeks", she was still able to get some great shots! Thank you Julie (and her sister Marianne) for capturing such precious pictures of our sweet babies.

Kate (L) & Anna (R)

Anna (L) & Kate (R)

Anna

I think Kate (L) & Anna (R)....but I can't quite remember!

Our first family portrait!

The Girls' Birth Announcement...3 Months Late!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Little Athletes

Daddy is intent on his little ladies being athletes, so he likes to give them plenty of tummy time and exercise time!

Anna (L) & Kate (R)

Aunt Katie

Aunt Katie came to visit us for a few days and we had such a great time!  Both of my sisters are such servants and always go out of their way to help whenever they can.  I am spoiled rotten and am so thankful for them.  I am especially thankful that I have two such amazing examples of what wonderful mothers look like!

Aunt Kate and Kate :)

Auntie Katie and her twinkies!

These aunties sure do love their nieces!

Kate (L) & Anna (R)

The girls are starting to look so alike that we decided to play it safe and paint one of Anna's toenails