Well, of course I have to talk about this photo of Parker first! His head is so big that every time I take a shirt on or off of him, it sticks on his head! Not Tyler...usually always Parker! So of course it happened again and I just had to crack up when Parker started laughing and smiling as his shirt was still on his head like a nun's habit! These guys are such daily entertainment for me...the best reality show ever!
So we've had a busy week at the Thompson household. After the Easter extravaganza, Auntie Christine and cousins Alyssa and Lindsey came for a visit from Southern California! The boys had so much fun playing with their cousins for the first time. They read books, sang songs, did the baby hold/pass around and even snuck in some sleep. The boys had such a blast and didn't possess any "stranger danger" at all! See fun pics of the girls visiting below!
Right after the So CA
Schrupps left, cousin Jillian flew in from Oregon! It was Jillian's second time to come visit the boys - she came back in November when John was on a trip and stayed with me to help with the babies. Well, they must have remembered Jillian because they were immediately taken with her and she became part of our "process" right away (dirty diapers, feeding babies and coaxed into reading/singing time). The interesting thing about Jillian's visit is that she could clearly see the boy's progress and also got to experience their ever-changing personalities. She witnessed their jealousy, figured out their "fake" cry, and could almost determine the difference between a
poopy diaper and stinky toot! But the best part of her stay was seeing how much the boys love her - they treated her like she was also their caretaker. That's a big compliment from the boys - we were sad to see her go today!
Last week was our first appointment with a feeding specialist. She saw Tyler's terrible reflux (from watching his behavior while we fed him) and told us that until it's better, he most likely won't increase his volume (thus, needing the feeding tube). But what we can do in the meantime is introduce him to a variety of tastes and textures to prevent an oral aversion (which happens often with micro preemies). So John pulled out their new high chairs this weekend (because our house needs two more HUGE pieces of baby furniture in it) and the boys had their first food play session. As you can see from the pictures below, the boys enjoyed it. Now I wasn't as thrilled because I see a new daily mess added to my schedule -
doh! Parker has been referred to the feeding specialist as well, so we will be following up with him in a month or so. Unfortunately I've talked to a number of moms across the U.S. who have micro preemies and MOST of the babies have eating issues. Some of the issues go on for many years - eek! We're hoping to be proactive and hopeful that the boys will soon desire food!
Okay, enough chit chat - here are some fun pics below!
The boys had their first play date with the Campo Twins! It was just too fun watching the babies bounce around in their activity centers while looking at each other curiously. The pic below is great because it shows the babes up close. Tyler is playing with Logan (or trying to steal froggy) while Parker and Sam play by themselves contently.
Boooooo hooooo! It HAD to happen, but what a SAD time for me! With the boys on an elemental formula and not able to take my breast milk, I stopped pumping a while ago. But I just couldn't bring myself to throw away my months of labor - the left over breast milk that's been stored in the freezer for months. Well, John convinced me that the freezer was more valuable than my denial so he took the final step and tossed the little bottles of dedication. As he dumped the little white gems, I sobbed inside remembering the 3am pumpings and the drives to and from the hospital where I'd "extract" in the backseat - had to make the most of our daily traveling, right? Ugh, what a time!
I tried to donate the milk to a bank but because I wasn't screened ahead of time and didn't freeze the milk using the bank's procedures, it didn't qualify. Too bad - I would've gladly given the milk to someone in need. And to support Salma Hayek, if I were traveling in Africa and came across a starving baby, I too would feed it - if I had the ability. Good for you Salma!
This is typical Parker...bottom lip out, paci stuck on thumb!
...and typical Tyler, smiley with tongue out!
Well, of course I have to talk about this photo of Parker first! His head is so big that every time I take a shirt on or off of him, it sticks on his head! Not Tyler...usually always Parker! So of course it happened again and I just had to crack up when Parker started laughing and smiling as his shirt was still on his head like a nun's habit! These guys are such daily entertainment for me...the best reality show ever!
Happy Easter from "Bunny Boy" Tyler...
Tyler is a little "sitting up" champ! Danielle, our infant development therapist, had Tyler sitting up almost the entire session! He either sat or stood up (with help of course) the entire time. Good job buddy! The last couple of days Tyler has been able to sit up for quite a while without tipping over. The only problem is that he doesn't know how to get "out" of it so he'll sit there and cry when he's done. I tried to show him how he can lean over and lay down but he's not quite getting it. I think he needs more practice!
