Welcome to Tyler and Parker Thompson's Blog

Tyler and Parker Thompson arrived on June 23, 2008 at only 26 weeks and 4 days old, weighing 1 pound 6 ounces (Parker) and 1 pound 10 ounces (Tyler). Parker spent 129 days (home 10/30/08) in the NICU, while brother Tyler spent 143 (home 11/13/08). We are thrilled to have our family complete with both boys home!

This blog was created by John (the daddy) to inform family and friends (and now new acquaintances) of the twins progression. Below is the blog archive dating back to the week Heather (the mommy) was admitted to the hospital. We try to post weekly updates, but on occasion the week gets the best of us.




Saturday, January 30, 2010

Allergies, Shots, Dehydration and Weight Loss - Oh My!

Yes my dear Parky, you have EVERY right to whine! You had a hard week - let mommy tell everyone what happened.

We've had quite a week, filled with those fun little "challenges" that come with being a parent. Our first hurdle was during "eating time" when Parker began breaking out all over his face after eating cinnamon apples. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I've given him the SAME apples with the SAME spices on them before without incident, so what happened? I quickly cleaned him up, removing all of the apple and cinnamon remnants from his skin. Slowly the red, puffiness began going away. He finished by eating some macaroni & cheese and even had some apple juice (which Parker loves). Obviously I discontinued the apples & cinnamon until I talked to someone about his breakout. A couple days later I consulted the Feeding Therapist who immediately responded that she's seen a number of kids break out from DIRECT contact with cinnamon powder. He might be fine if it's mixed into items, but she's seen breakouts from direct contact on the skin. Good to know!

On Wednesday the boys had their next dose of Synagis, the shots for RSV. These shots are hard for us and the boys because there are TWO shots, one per leg, with HUGE needles! Tyler bruises after these shots and I think they're painful because both boys cry longer than they do with flu shots. Poor guys! The dosage is based on their weight, which we were anxious to see because the last time we weighed the boys BOTH had lost weight! Well, to our surprise, the boys HAD lost weight in the three weeks since weighing in on the Pediatrician's scale. ARHG!

On Friday we were scheduled to go in for a weigh-check at our GI's office. I got the boys up from their night's sleep and could smell that wonderful, sour throw up smell just rolling off Parker's sleeper. When we got downstairs, I noticed that Parker was acting lethargic and tired. As I got the boys ready for their appointment, I noticed that the tube directly connected to Parker's button was dry - this is odd because it should be full of formula from the 500 mls that pumps through the tube all night. As the morning progressed, Tyler ran around like a happy, well rested baby while Parker laid on the floor. My mind began racing as I had flashbacks of his summer Rotavirus scare - this was looking a little too similar for my taste. I called John and explained what I was seeing - clearly Parker couldn't go to the GI for a weight check, he was in no condition to be in that office. BUT what happened and why was his tube empty? Rather than meet us at the GI's office, John came home. Upon further investigation he noticed that the medicine port on the feeding tube was open - and was most likely open ALL night. He went upstairs to find Parker's bedding soaked with formula. We've started taping down the medicine port on their tubes because they do periodically come open and the boys have started playing with their tubes. We concluded that Parker not only missed his 500 mls of formula, but probably lost ALL of the contents in his stomach, draining him DRY. Thus, what I was smelling was not throw up but stomach fluid. Nice, huh?

As John took Tyler to the GI for his weight check, I held Parker in my arms and rocked him. He wanted his momma - poor guy was so sad. We hooked him up to the pump and put him on a continual drip to give him 500 mls throughout the day. At night we gavaged a couple of bolus feeds and by the end of the day he only missed about 125 mls for the day. As the day went on and Parker got more liquid in his system, he began to bounce back. This morning Parker woke up looking and acting like himself again - running around with brother, screaming, whining, playing...whew! What amazes both John and me, is the fact that in such a short amount of time Parker went downhill. The boys seem so strong most of the time, but they are still so very fragile. Their little lives are so precious.

Oh...and yes, Tyler lost weight! Doh! We've been putting extra calories in Parker's bag at night, but both he and Tyler are still losing weight. I know that when babies become more and more active they can lose weight - I hope this is what the Pediatrician concludes when they have their 18 month well baby checkup in a couple of weeks. We'll see!
Below are some pics of Parker's adventures! Poor guy - this was not his week!


Parker's allergic reaction: you can see red puffiness around his mouth and even on his nose where food landed.


Visions of Rotavirus consumed me as I watched Parker sleep. That nightmare will haunt me forever.

We hooked Parker up to his pump and fed him formula all day long. He slowly came back to life and by the next morning was completely back to "normal"!

Parker's "get that camera out of my face" look!


Tyler looking sweet and innocent!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

John came home and chased the boys around the house tonight. As you can see in their birthday message to their grandpa, they are VERY tired. Maybe they'll sleep well tonight?

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Baby It's Cold Outside!

The conditions are tough outside - whipping rain, gushes of wind once again blowing over our Queen Palm. I'm not sure there is room around its base for more stakes! I actually love looking out of the warm house as the rain pounces down. The downfall to this blustery condition? The boys "cabin fever". "Where's our daily wagon ride daddy?" The boys have now discovered how to climb up on the couches and look outside. It's another dangerous conquered obstacle (both have fallen off), but I know they're building on a new skill set - AND have something else to occupy their attention during the day (mommy likes this).

So here are some random pictures - how we spend our indoor time! ;o)

Tyler playing with Plex!

Parker discovering life as a plant.

Oh the days of daily wagon rides with daddy!


Mommy and Parky doing some big-time cuddling!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Into and On Top of Everything!

As the boys grow bigger and stronger, they do the most amazing things. The most scary, amazing things sometimes. I turn my back and Tyler is standing on our coffee table, Parker is sitting on the dishwasher door, Tyler is elbow-deep, digging into the Diaper Genie, Parker is opening all of the doors and getting into ANYTHING that isn't locked down! Would I notice as much if there were only one culprit? Is the fact that these are almost daily occurrences a good sign of growth or a sign of future insolence? And the fact that upon discovery I immediately think, "Where's my camera?" - I must take partial responsibility for these discretions (bad mommy). But when faced with a mixture of pride AND shock, what is a mommy to do?

Here are just a few fun pictures of the boys from the last few weeks:

Parker: "Where's the silverware basket? You know I love pulling out the knives!"


The boys are always together - for their almost daily wagon rides...

...or when we want that perfect "shot". The boys are often forced to be together.


But capturing moments when the boys choose to be together is such joy. Of course the boys can no longer play around the table, they must play on top of the table.


And when they choose to be sooo close, you can't help but feel your heart warm with pride and love. They really do love each other, don't they?

Monday, January 11, 2010

First Wagon Ride!

Here's a funny clip of John taking the boys on their first wagon ride. I believe this happened Christmas Day, so we bundled them up with thick jackets - of course this doesn't prevent daddy from wearing shorts. The boys have never had such freedom and spent their first ride looking around in awe at the neighborhood and all it has to offer. What I love most about the wagon is that daddy has been taking the boys on wagon rides almost daily (giving mommy a good 45 minute break - to blog, take a shower, check my email - you know, those EXCITING things).

I love this video because it shows a tiny peek into John's mind. WHO would ever try to make a wagon go any other way but to PUSH it? Well...if there's a will...

Sunday, January 3, 2010

FIRST Haircuts!

Saturday started with a big bang when we took the boys for their first haircuts! It was a painful but needed task. Both heads needed a good "all over" trim so to be safe, we left that task to the experts. We went to this salon designed for and set up for children - "Jack and Jillybeans". It was clean, cute and truly delightful! The boys were actually VERY good - we were surprised at how well they sat in their cars and allowed themselves to be distracted by toy cell phones and videos! Ha ha! That's all it takes!
Here are some pics and a little video!

Tyler looking thrilled to be in the car!

Parker with hair in his eyes for the LAST time (at least until it grows out again)!

Parker sits in Police car while brother sits in the next vehicle over, a fire truck!


Tyler's first cut - not bad...


...until she pulls out a shaver to clean up his neck and around his ears!


Final Tyler results - can you even see a difference? Not much - his hair tends to naturally grow like a little boy haircut.



Parker was fine as long as he could push buttons on his nifty cell phone.


Parker looking at himself...what does he think?


Final Parker results! A little shorter then I wanted, but plenty of room to grow! We can actually see his beautiful eyes now!

FIRST Haircuts - the video!