Anthony Joseph- Home One Year!

One year ago today Anthony Joseph finally came home from the NICU. He was the sickest baby. At one day old he had a PDA ligation (valve in his heart closed) performed and then right before he got to come home he caught a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) and had to go back on oxygen. They couldn't find an antibiotic that would take care of it. We waited a long time for little Anthony to come home but we are so happy and blessed to have him here. He is a healthy, happy, growing little boy and we love him so much!

The day he came home.

Jakob Thomas- One Year Oct 14

Our youngest child, our baby boy, came home from the NICU one year ago today. Who would have known that he would have beat his older brother home? Jakey was the reason I had to deliver he was beginning to show signs of stress and IUGR (Intrauterine growth retardation). Little did we know that his big brother was also in distress. Jakey entered this world at 1 lb 15 oz. He was so fragile. His skin was paperthin and pretty see through. What a long way this little one pounder has come. He is now fully caught up physically, mentally and emotionally. We love him so much and thank Heavenly Father every day for this little munchkin.

Jakey in the hospital- one day old
When we had three home. They were so cute and soooo tiny! (Jaileigh, Jakob, Michael)

Jakey's coool hair-do and teething on the remote.

Jake and his tongue

Must have been a rough day! Fell asleep at dinner time.

Jake doesn't know what he thinks about the grass.

Music Time

Our friends the Millers gave us a real music set. The babies love it.

Jakey
Mikey

Anthony


Like father, like daughter- this is Jaileighs new trick

Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, oh what a relief it is. . . . . the babies waiting outside the bathroom for someone to come out and play. They will stick their fingers under the door and knock until you come out.

Michael Huston Came Home

Our sweet baby boy, Michael Huston, came home one year ago today. What a busy and eventful year we have had! Michael is now the bossy bully. When he came home he was so quiet and mellow. We called him "Mellow Michael". He sure tricked us! Now he is full of spice and spunk, and just plain full of it. He definitely keeps us busy. We love him and thank Heavenly Father every day for him.

Just a few days old in the NICU. One of his eyes was fused when he was born so it looked like he was winking at us.

A few days before he got to come home from the NICU. Look how small he was! He was the smallest boy to come home from the NICU and now he is the BIGGEST! This Halloween hat was given to him by one of his primary nurses, Jessica.

Jaileigh welcoming Michael home. She was so glad to have a buddy to sleep with. This was his coming home outfit.
Michael today- doesn't he look like he is planning something?
SO excited to be on the grass. The babies love running around outside. They get soooo dirty though so they don't get to do it very often AND they are hard to keep track of. : )
Michael likes to squeeze into small spaces. Here he is in my cooking pot. He is so proud of himself.

Happy Birthday Thomas Major!

Happy Birthday to our cousin Major!

Today is his 1st birthday.

Hooray!

The Birthday Boy- Major

Major and his daddy, Andy walking down the street looking for their mommy

The whole family- Andy, Tia, and Major

Happy Birthday. . . . We wish we were there to help you celebrate.

Jaileigh Addison & RSV info

One year ago today we brought home our little Jaileigh-bug. She was soooo tiny and she looked even tinier once we got her out of the NICU. She was our little princess and she still is. Only now she KNOWS it! We love her and can't imagine our lives without her. We thank our Heavenly Father everyday for her!

Jaileigh 1 year ago

Miss Jaileigh today- quite sassy



Today RSV lockdown starts and goes until the end of April. No more crowded places for us. It will be a lot harder this year because the babies know when they are cooped up. They like to go places. I thought I would post our RSV letter again. A lot of people don't know what RSV is and why we are so "over protective" with our cute little munchkins! We have to be! Read on . . . .

Dear Family and Friends:

We’re writing regarding a very important matter: RSV. We want to start by saying thank you for the outpouring of support we have received from everyone. So many people have done so much for us, and every bit of help we have received truly is appreciated. We are experiencing the biggest challenge of our lives, and we’re lucky to be surrounded by so many family members and friends who have shown us so much love and support.

Most people have not heard of RSV. Babies born earlier than 36 weeks are at the highest risk for serious complications like pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other sometimes fatal complications(DEATH). Our babies were born at 28 weeks, 12 weeks premature, are multiples, and had low birth weights; these are among the highest risk factors for contracting RSV and developing serious complications.

Preventing the spread of RSV is very difficult. Thus, we must be vigilant about keeping our babies safe during RSV season (October through April). The virus is spread through physical contact, in the air via a cough or sneeze, or by touching an infected object. The virus can live as long as six hours on hands and up to twelve hours on objects.

We ask that all visitors do the following:
1. When you arrive, please wash your hands, use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching the babies and please wear clean clothing.
2. Please, if it is possible, get a flu shot.
3. Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days, if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.
4. If you smoke, we ask that you change your clothes and shower and refrain from smoking prior to visiting, as a preemie’s lungs are very sensitive to smoke. Most RSV sites recommend against passive smoke exposure.
5. If you are parents to babies, toddlers or school-aged children, refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV season.

Unfortunately we will not be attending many events during RSV season. Our goal is to make it through this and the next RSV seasons without the babies contracting RSV or any other serious illness. Their lungs are still very fragile until they are 2-years-old. Our babies are not like "normal" babies. Being exposed to germs is not good for them and will not help build their immune systems.

Please understand that this letter is not meant to offend anyone, just simply to provide an explanation. We hope you understand, and we appreciate your help keeping our babies safe.

Love and best wishes to all!
Michael and Amber
Anthony, Michael, Jaileigh, and Jakob

Little Stinkers

Our kitchen is normally gated off but there are a few times when I let them in to play. They love it. Something about doing something you're not supposed to be doing, I guess. The pictures above are from two different occasions

Playmates

This is why Jaileigh never has bows on. . . Jakob attacking Jaileigh and Michael laughing in the background

The boys stole the cell phone. They love to tag team their mom. Michael, Anthony, and Jakob

Jakob pulling a move, or something?

Jaileigh dancing and Anthony watching. The babies LOVE to play on the couch.

Anthony and Jaileigh holding hands

Anthony being a little cutie

Michael tickling Jaileigh. The boys love their sister. They always look out for her. If she is hurt they all get worried looks on their faces and try to pat her head.

The kiddos playing in their favorite spot- under the table

Mikey- Ha ha mom, come and get me!

Cheese- Anthony and Jaileigh

Uh Oh

She's had enough.

Its Great To Have Family NearBy

Mikey, Anthony, Jaileigh, Jakey and Kelsey

Jakey
Michael and the tubby belly.

Anthony pulling a funny face. He was running.

Jaileigh and her legos. She loves legos and cars, forget the dolls.

The boys club- Anthony, Michael and Jakey

Jakey and his famous grin

Jaileigh just being cute

Anthony mid-tantrum- I think he liked the audience

Attempting family pictures
Not working out so well

Nope still not working. . . .oh well

Our new found cousin Kelsey. She moved here from Chicago and found us. Its so nice to have family close!

Kelsey and Jakey

Michael and Anthony on the couch and up to no good. They are quite the team.

Jakey and Mikey

Kelsey and Anthony

Michaels "I'm cool" look

The adorable Haiwaiian outfits were given to us by our friends the Dunkleys. They went to Hawaii on vacation and brought them back. We Love Them! Thank you!