Cabin Fever

We love our swim diapers that Mrs. Patty (a.k.a. Warner's Kissy) gave us

Bryant sleeping in the pool

Maybe next year we can go to the big pool

See why I had to buy it, it is so cute!

Mrs. Vernita with the babies

I woke up yesterday morning and had major cabin fever. We got the babies out early and went for a stroll, I went for a run, and we got the baby pool out. It was so cute and I had to buy it! I just held the babies in my lap while I sat in the water and they were falling asleep. Mrs. Vernita is helping me out during the days and it is great to have help, I couldn't make it without her. She loves Lucy Kate and Bryant so much! Anyways, the cabin fever was bad but it is much better since we spent most of the day outdoors.

10 Weeks

Strange Thing

Yesterday I was finishing up with my run and I saw my neighbor Val out talking to some guys in a van. They had a bunch of stuff in the back and I had to walk over and see what was going on. They were from Southaven and they were selling meat out of their van. I have never in my entire life bought anything out of a van, truck, car, etc..... Val and I bought beef, chicken, and pork from these guys, we were suckered in! This staying at home could be a bad thing if I continue to get suckered in to buying food out of a van. Hope all of it is good!

Mommy and Bryant

Lucy Kate did a lot of sleeping yesterday, so Bryant and I had an opportunity to play! We are working on tummy time to strengthen those neck and back muscles. He loves to lay on my legs and look at himself in the mirror. He also loves his new activity mat that Kammy bought him, Lucy Kate got one too!

We Love Aunt Emily

Emily out in the car feeding Bryant

Aunt Emily trying to make Lucy Kate happy!

My sister, Emily has been the biggest help with the babies. She went with us to the physical therapist and helped with everything. She also came over this past Sunday and helped me so I would not go crazy! We just wanted her to know how much we love her and we are ready for her to come back.

Bryant sleeping in Mommy and Daddy's Bed

Just wanted to share this cute photo of Bryant

Physical Therapy Visit

The babies had an appointment in Memphis to follow up with a pediatric physical therapist. When they were in the NICU at Baptist they were seen by physical therapy because it is protocol for preemies and babies in the NICU. Our appointment was at 10:30 and we left Clarksdale around 8:00. My wonderful sister, Emily met us and went with us. She was such a big help and I even managed to get a pedicure while we were in Memphis. Emily stayed out in the car with the babies and let me relax for 30 minutes! We did all the paperwork met the physical therapist, and got started with all the questions. To be so young they sure do have a lot of medical history. Therapy went great and the babies were such good sports about it. Bryant was a little fussy because he does not get out a lot and he was uncomfortable in a new setting. Lucy Kate was happy during the whole session, she is used to being in a million different places. The therapists said that the babies looked great and we just had a few things to work on and to come back in a month. After the appointment we met my cousin for lunch and the babies were great once again. We love aunt Emily and we want to thank her for helping us out so much.

Bryant is not real sure about what is going on

Lucy Kate is showing them what she can do

Hold that head up strong

Emily said that Bryant looked like a sloth!

4 Year Anniversary

Thursday marked our 4 year anniversary and even though we did not get to go with our initial plans it was a great day. Charles woke me up early with a gift, an awsome Burberry watch with a huge face. I have been wanting a new watch that was big and tacky, yes tacky (thanks Jennie and Mary Evelyn for shopping). Charles called Jennie and ask her to please find me a watch and I am so thankful the girls did the shopping because it is exactly what I would of picked out. After he left for work I started working on getting his gift and suprise dinner ready. I bought him a flat screen for our bedroom, so Ms. Vernita helped me move out the old t.v. and get the new set up. After that I got the living room all set up like we were at a restraunt and I ordered dinner from Rust (great restraunt in Clarksdale). Charles was so suprised about dinner and the t.v. We had originally made reservations at the Alluvian and appointments at the spa, but with everything going on with Bryant and Charles being so busy at work we had to cancel and stay at home. It turned out perfect and I love that man more and more everyday.

9 Weeks

Here are the 9 weeks photos posted late of course. They were 9 weeks old on May 21st and they are doing so well. I am enjoying that they stay awake more than they used to. I know one day I will be wishing that they will sleep more, but it is fun for now.

Happy Birthday Warner

Warner Lively turned two today and Lucy Kate and I went to his birthday party. Bryant stayed home with Kamey because he can't be around a bunch of people. The party was so cute and the kids had a camp fire and a hayride. Chris and Ginger are great friends and we feel like Warner is ours, he is so special to us!

The Birthday Boy Enjoying his Cupcake

Mason and Warner loving Lucy Kate

I can't believe he is 2 years old

Lucy Kate slept through the birthday party

8 Weeks Old

Bryant and Lucy Kate were 8 weeks old this past Wednesday and they are doing great. I was a little late taking these pictures because it is not the easiest task. It is hard to get them together when they are both awake or have on matching outfits. I did catch them awake for these photos but they are not in matching outfits. We were whatever is clean and actually fits!

What Bryant and Lucy Kate have been upto

On Tuesday we went to the ENT for Bryant's checkup. You would of thought we were going on vacation. I packed up the typical baby things x 2 for a typical outing and then all of Bryant's medical supplies. We left at 8:15 and arrived in Memphis just in time for our 11:30 appointment. Traveling is very different when you mix kids into it and everything takes forever to do. Dr. Thompson said that the trach site looked great and he would see us back in 3 months. He placed the catheter in each side of his nose and the right side is slightly open and the left side is still closed.

We also went to see the pediatrician for a check up and the babies are doing great! They each weigh 8 pounds and there measurements were great. We love our pediatrician because she is so caring and takes her time with the babies.

Things are going well with Bryant's trach and we have found some ladies to help us. We have to have eyes on Bryant 24 hours so we had to hire help. It is so important that he has his humidifier on all the time and if I were to sleep and not watch him he could knock it off. If he goes without his humidifier the mucus could get thick and clog his trach. So far nothing like this has happened and the Lord has been watching over us.

The babies are eating every four hours and they are upto four ounces. They still sleep a lot but will stay awake a little more that they used to. Lucy Kate enjoys tummy time and her bouncy seat and Bryant loves to kick things with his feet and watch anything with lights. They are such a blessing and we thank God each and everyday for these precious miracles.

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful mother's day! As I celebrate my first mother's day with Bryant and Lucy Kate this is not my first mother's day. I considered myself a mother the day I found out I was pregnant with Avery and Bryant Parks. Those precious angels were not with us long but I truly new the feeling of being a mother when they were born. Enduring the past few mother's days has been difficult but God has blessed us again and I celebrated this wonderful day for the first time. All I wanted for mother's day was to go to church and Charles filled this request. My dad and sister came over to help watch the babies and my dad cooked us a great lunch. Mom is gone to my grandmothers and dad is going to cook a mother's day dinner for her tonight. We have spent the day hanging out and it has been great!

We are so blessed to have Bryant and Lucy Kate

One Happy Mom!

Aunt Emily and Lucy Kate

Papa D with Bryant

7 Weeks Old

Bryant and Lucy Kate were 7 weeks old on May 7th. I know the point of the weekly picture is to see how they are growing. I would love to put them by the same pillow or stuffed animal but it is impossible. You just have to understand I am glad I even remember to take the picture. They are both gaining weight and growing in length, they have actually outgrown a few things in their closet.

Around the House

Just a few photos of the babies hanging out at home. We are so happy to be back home and plan on staying for awhile. They will be 7 weeks old this week and of those 7 weeks we have spent 3 at home and the rest in the hospital. It has been so crazy and we really appreciate home more than ever.

Charles after a long night with the babies

Getting in a little time on the floor

Bryant trying to hold Lucy Kate's hand

He is so sweet and growing so fast

Enjoying some playtime

Strolling

We went out strolling for the first time and we only made one lap around the neighborhood but it was nice. Lucy Kate really was not in the mood and Bryant slept the whole time. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to do this daily. Next time we go hopefully we will be using the jogging stroller if Charles gets it put together.

Lucy Kate screaming her lungs out and Bryant is just snoozing

Bundled up for 80 degree weather!

She must not like the hat

Here we go on our first stroll

Doctor's Visit

Lucy Kate went to the doctor today for a check up and she weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces. This was great but the pediatrician wants her to gain a little more weight a little quicker before we return in two weeks. She is changing her formula that she gets at night to 24 calorie, but said I could still nurse her. Some things Lucy Kate has been doing lately, led Dr. Pillow to diagnose her with GERD (reflux). Lucy Kate now has 2 medicines she will be taking daily and one is 3x a day. I couldn't help but laugh because my life revolves a round a daily check list and now we need to add this to the list. Things are going well with Bryant and he is such a laid back baby, which is great because Lucy Kate is not.

MeeMaw's Visit

This is a late post because the week that Charles' mom came to visit us was the same week we ended up going to the hospital. Kathy also know as MeeMaw came to see her grandkids from North Carolina and stayed for a week. She was able to help take care of Lucy Kate and Bryant and we are so glad she came to see us!

6 Weeks Old

Bryant and Lucy Kate are 6 weeks old and they are growing so fast! Bryant weighs 7 pounds and 3 ounces and Lucy Kate weighs 6 pounds 11 ounces. They are eating well and Bryant is adjusting to his trach very well. We thank God everyday for these wonderful blessings in our lives.

Home Sweet Home

We were finally discharged from the hospital after 14 long days. We had a little trouble trying to get out of there because they wanted us to do this 24 hour care thing and we needed one piece of equipment from home to complete the training. Charles an I were upset because it was all miscommunication between us and the respiratory therapists. After speaking with lots of different people they told us we could not leave because it was against hospital policy. We finally spoke with Dr. Thompson and he signed us out of that place. Don't get my wrong I am very thankful for the care they provided Bryant and the nurses were so nice, but we were very ready to get home and back to somewhat of a normal life. We have all of Bryant's medical equipment set up and all the supplies order. I just thought we needed a lot of stuff before, this trach business adds new meaning to that. My mom is staying with us until Sunday and hopefully by then we will have found someone that can start helping me during the day. Bryant needs to be watched 24 hours a day and I can only do so much. Anyways, we are so excited to be home and I am so grateful for Rachel, Julie B. and Ginger for coming over and cleaning the house before we got home yesterday, thanks girls!