Update on Twins and New Pictures!

Here is an update on the twins from my brother-in-law Kyle:
At this point, there is not too much to report. The girls are both oing great and continue to astound the NICU that they require such little help. Abigail's IV was removed Friday night. It is unclear whether she took it out herself or it just fell out. We would not be surprised if our feisty girl just determined she did not need it any longer. Hailey's IV was removed yesterday. They are both tolerating their feedings well. The breast milk they've been receiving has been fortified with 2 special "preemie" cocktails to help them grow faster. They are nearly back to birth weight. Both girls still have the nasal cannulas for air pressure only. Neither requires oxygen, just standard "room air." They are also both still receiving caffeine to help treat their apnea of prematurity, which we've been told could persist until they are 35 weeks or older. They had their 1-week head ultrasounds on Friday, and both were negative--no hemorrhages or other problems were noted. Abigail did have some issues with skin breakdown that have now resolved.
We continue to thank God for these little miracles and how well they are doing. Please continue to keep us all in your prayers, not only for the continued health and growth of these girls but for the sanity of their parents as we attempt to keep life "normal" for McKayla and handle the daily visits to the NICU.

So, all in all, things are going extremely well, which is such a great blessing! I get to see the girls again tomorrow, and I can't wait. I unfortunately came down with a sinus infection, and could not visit all last week =(! But, I'm all better now, and am looking forward to seeing them tomorrow!

In other life news, this week my ASL camp was canceled (yeah!). I was actually very happy because I was just getting run down and needed a break. So, this week I get to have McKayla for two days! I took her today and will have her again on Thursday! Today we read "Mouse Paint" and "I'm a Big Sister" about 20 times =) and went to the Build a Bear Workshop store where she built an adorable pink and white bear which she promptly named "Abigail". Apparently she has been naming many of her toys and "stuffies" Abigail and Hailey. Too cute. I snapped a couple of pictures of her while she was 'resting' with Abigail the cute pink bear, so I will upload those. Kyle also sent some good pictures of the twins when they had them out together this past weekend.
Other than that, I am preparing to fly to NE on Friday evening for my ten-year high school reunion. It is still hard to believe it's been 10 whole years since we graduated. I'm looking forward to seeing those friends I've kept in touch with, and those that I haven't seen in 10 years! It should be a good time. Plus, my sister will be coming home as well, so I get to spend time with her!! I'm also starting to prepare for my three weeks in St. Louis. I fly back from NE next Wed and then fly out to St. Louis that Sunday. Yikes! A week and a half and I'll be headed to graduate school. Exciting...yet scary too! I really am looking forward to it...mostly =)!

Well, that's about it for now. Hope you're all doing well!




Hailey is in purple...Abigail is in pink...you can really see how small they are compared to Andrea's hands!!!

Happy, Exciting News!!!!

YAY! My brother and sister-in-law (Justin & Katherine) have decided to take the leap of faith and move to Dallas!!!!! WOOHOO! Not that I'm excited to have some of my family down in the Lonestar state or anything--haha! I know this was a tough decision for them, but am so happy that God is giving them this opportunity and so happy that I will be able to spend more time with them. It will be fun to see Katherine more often and get to know her better, and it will be fun for Justin and Justin to get to know each other better too.

Also, I met Abigail and Hailey last night...they are SO tiny and precious! Andrea was able to hold Abigail for 30 minutes, which was really neat. I won't be able to hold them for a long time, but I was so glad that Andrea was able to. Hailey is still on some breathing assistance (no oxygen, just something that helps inflate her lungs or something), so they cannot hold her yet. But, Andrea was able to help the nurse by changing her diaper and taking her temperature. They are both just adorable, and again, so tiny! I am going to remember my camera next time! It was also amazing to see that Abigail is a spitting image of Kyle, it was crazy! Even the nurses knew which baby was his just by seeing his face! Hailey definitely favors Andrea and McKayla, so it will be interesting to see how they change and if they continue to look so strongly like one parent or the other!

Anyhow, just wanted to share my fun and exciting news!!!

The Twins have made their entrance....

On Friday evening, Friday the 13th =), Abigail Leigh and Hailey Marie made their entrance into this world. Abigail weighs 2lb 4oz and has been breathing all on her own since being born. Hailey Marie weighs 2lb 10oz and has been receiving minimal assistance in breathing. Justin was able to meet them last night in the NICU, and I'm looking forward to meeting them this afternoon! We won't be able to hold them for a couple more weeks, so that will be tough, but we can stick it out. We're just so happy and feel so blessed that they made it to 28 weeks. Their outlook is very good and though the doctors know that there will be more ups and downs, they will hopefully be headed home by their due date, Sept. 4th. I know it will be a couple of long months for us all, but these miracles are worth waiting for! Kyle has recently sent photos, which I've emailed to many of you, but in case I missed you on that list, here are some pictures of them....


Abigail Leigh


Abigail Leigh


Hailey Marie


Hailey Marie

Andrea is recovering well and will probably be discharged on Tues or Wed. I know that it will be tough for her to leave her little ones, but they have good friends in the hospital, and even a good friend who is a nurse in the NICU, so we all know the girls will be well taken care of. Anyhow, thank you to all of you who have been praying for the girls, Andrea, and the whole family. God has been working through all of this, and has blessed us all with these little miracles. It will be such a joy to watch them grow and be their aunt!!!!

No other news...yet...though I did enjoy a fun day in Dallas with Justin (my brother) and Katherine (his wife). Justin was offered a job here with his company, and they are in the process of deciding. Of course I'm jaded and biased and would LOVE to have them SO CLOSE to me down here, but it is their decision to make and they have been thinking and praying about it for a few weeks now. Justin must decide by early tomorrow morning, so they have a tough day ahead. I will let you all know how that all pans out. Even though I would love to have them here, I want them to do what is best for them and what is in God's plan for them. If that means living 3.5 hours from me, COOL, if not, I'll have to keep planning vacations to MN =).

Thanks again to all of you who have been praying for Abigail and Hailey and I look forward to posting more about these little jewels!

Schools Out for the Summer....Yay!

Happy Summertime is here! I've made it through another fun and exciting school year at TSD! This, I think, was overall one of my best years here, mainly due to my awesome and super smart seniors that were so much fun to teach. I had my moments with my freshman, but without those seniors I would have had a horrible year, they definitely kept me sane and made me remember why I became a teacher! Anyhow, now onto the fun and exciting events of this summer...could I just sit back and relax-heck NO! Here's the plan for this summer, big-deep-breath now....
Next week, teach an afternoon "Surgeons in Training" biology/dissection camp to six 8-10 year olds....FUN!!!!!
Week after that, teach an afternoon "American Sign Language I" camp to (not sure how many) 6-10 year olds
Week after that, teach an afternoon "American Sign Language II" camp to (again, no idea how many) 6-10 year olds...phew, then on that Friday night I fly off to NE for my 10 year HS reunion---holy cow----has it really been ten years? I will spend 5 days in NE and then fly back to TX on the 3rd...just in time to do some laundry and re-pack for my trek to St. Louis!
On July 6th I fly to St. Louis to start my masters degree at Washington University. I stay for three weeks this summer and three weeks next summer with online coursework, etc during the school year. Should be fun, I'm looking forward to being a student again for awhile! Plus, while I'm there I get to see Lindsay and Sara, my two awesome friends from ISU!! YAY!
When I return on July 26th I prepare for one more week of afternoon camp, repeating the "Surgeons in Training." Then, on August 2nd I can finally breathe and relax for a couple of weeks....then it's back to TSD for another school year.

Hmmm...wonder if my summer will fly by too quickly?!? =)

In other news, Justin has hit busy season at his job, which means the doggies and I don't get to see much of him. Kind of sad that our schedules don't mesh and he's so busy when I'm (sort of) slowing down for awhile. At least I'll be around to keep the house and yard in order though--except for the almost month I'll be in NE and St. Louis! Poor guy! Anyhow, he's doing well and enjoys his job (most days), but of course would prefer not to work 12-14 hour days and then also work on Saturday! Ahhhh...the life of a state budget analyst preparing for fiscal years 2010-2011.

In other, other news, Justin's sister Andrea hit 27 weeks yesterday! Praise God! She is doing very well, considering that she is on strict bed rest at the hospital. After next week (28 weeks) the chances of long term issues from pre-term labor are reduced greatly. Of course we pray she makes it to at least 34 weeks, but it's one step at a time! I told the babies today they had to wait to make their appearance until I get back from St. Louis! I'll be so sad if they come while I'm gone!

Well, that's about it for now...we may have some exciting news from my side of the family (and NO, no one is pregnant), but I'll wait another week or two to see if all works out.

Hope you're all doing well, and to my many teacher friends---let summer begin!!!