Christmas Pictures

Yes, we are crazy! We are in St. George for Christmas. The trip to St. George usually takes 5 hours, it took us 9 hours. We stopped in Las Vegas at Mikes brothers house to feed the babies. This added a few hours to the clock. We are dreading the trip back. The babies are loving all the spoiling they are getting from Grandma and Grandpa and aunties and uncles.

Rori, Andy, Tia and Major, Grandma and Jaileigh, Grandpa and Anthony, Mike and Michael, and Amber and Jakob


Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Rori

Uncle Andy, Aunt Tia, and Cousin Major

Jaileigh, Michael, Anthony and Jakob

Jakob being cute as always

*** Special thanks to Tia's sister, Tonya, for taking our Christmas picture. She did a great job!

Christmas Time and December Visitors

We went back to the GI doctor this week. The babies still have reflux. Their meds were increased and because they are gaining weight, no new actions. So, we have projectiling, fat babies.

Here are their new weights:
Anthony- 10 lbs 4 ozs
Michael- 10 lbs 8 ozs
Jakob- 10 lbs 10 ozs
Jaileigh- 8 lbs 8 ozs

December has been a fabulous month for visitors. We have been so blessed to have so many family members and friends come help. When they come visit this gives our church a break. I'm sure that the church members are happy to have a break.

With the Christmas and flu season it has been harder to get help. One day Mike and I survived 16 hours without help. It was pretty traumatic actually. I really don't know what I am going to do when Mike goes back to work. We have been so blessed and lucky to have so much help so far.


Aunt Julie came back again. She flies in from Salt Lake every 2-3 weeks to help out. She is holding Jaileigh and Michael.


Anthony, Michael and Jakob in their Christmas outfits from Auntie Diane

Aunt Linda came out with Aunt Julie this time. She is the only guest to successfully get a picture with all four babies on their lap. Anthony, Jakob, Michael, and Jaileigh.

Anthony and Jaileigh having a little bonding time.

Mike and Anthony- bonding time. They have become buddies lately. Anthony is a high maintenance eater. He still hasn't figured out how to burp so you have to work with him.

Sweet Michael

Jaileigh
Anthony sleeping



Jakobs feet and Jakob sleeping

Michael being cute.

The Proofs Are In

Jaileigh's Weight

Jaileigh now weighs in at 8 lbs 8 ozs.

I started just breastfeeding her a couple of weeks ago and it has really helped her weight gain. I pump first and then let her nurse. This makes her eat a lot slower so she is able to hold it down a lot better. This helps a lot with her reflux. She still pukes a lot but not nearly as much. She is still a little peanut but she is trying hard to catch up.

Here is Jaileigh in the buff. You can see she has rolls on her thighs. She is such a flirt.

New Weights

Jakob- Chunk #1 is now weighing 10 lbs 4 oz
Anthony- Chunk #2 is now at 9 lbs 15 oz
Michael- Chunk #3 is now weighing 9 lbs 14 oz

We still have to weigh Jaileigh. She is sleeping and we have learned to not wake her.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCI! We hope you are enjoying and recovering from your visit. We love you!

Silent Night?

Mike went to Chicago for a very short trip last weekend. I had two of my good friends stay with me while he was gone. While he was there he went on a shopping spree, not for us, but for the babies. They came home with all kinds of new clothes. The Santa Hats were part of their new loot. Our friend Heather gave the babies these cute onesies. Thank you Heather!

Jakob was not happy about taking pictures again. Michael is being mellow.


Jakob trying to eat Michael's hat- check out their thighs!

Anthony, Jakob, Michael, and Jaileigh

Trying again for a better shot but no one seems to be too happy about things.

and another . . . . . .

My friend Marci came to visit from Wisconsin. Her husband gave her a ticket to see us for her birthday. She is amazing! She is 20 weeks pregnant and did everything I do and more! Thank you Corey and Marci! We miss you and look forward to your next visit.

While Marci was visiting she learned about Michael's secret weapon. He can pee multiple times in a diaper change. It doesn't matter how careful you are, he will get you. He got her 3 times in one diaper change. By the end of the day on Monday she had been peed on 7 times. When Michael pees he doesn't just pee on you, he pees on his own face, so then you feel even worse.

This is a picture of Marci and Jaileigh. I'm sad I didn't get one of her and Michael.

Here is my first video attempt. Marci actually took this. She is so smart. She taught me how to use our camera to shoot video. Hopefully there will be more for all of you who keep requesting it. This is of Anthony laying on the changing table.

Blessing Day- The Babies Are Named

On November 30th we blessed the babies in our church Relief Society room. Because of RSV season we weren't able to do the blessing on Fast Sunday in the chapel. We were going to do the blessing in our home but there were so many visitors they wouldn't all fit in our house. So, we decided to do it privately in the Relief Society room at church. All of the babies were on their best behavior. Jakob was a little fussy but over all very good. They were all little angels!

Andy and Michael, Amber and Jakob, Mike and Jaileigh, and Rori and Anthony

Amber and Michael, Mike and Jaileigh, Uncle Joe and his favorite- Jakob, and Aunt Katherine and Anthony. Joe and Mike are brothers.

Grandpa Tom and Anthony- his favorite. They had many hours of bonding time.
Amber and Michael, Mike and Jaileigh, and Grandma Mitzi and Jakob. Tom and Mitzi are my (amber) parents. This is a picture of a few of our helpers. They spend many, many, many hours at our house holding babies, folding laundry, washing bottles, etc.

Aunt Rori (ambers sister) and Michael, Amber and Jakob, Mike and Jaileigh, Aunt Tia and Baby Major, and Uncle Andy (ambers brother) and Anthony

The Whole Family

The WHOLE Family

Lets see if I can do this right

Grandpa Tom and Anthony, Amber and Michael, Andy and Jakob, Tia and Major, Rori, Grandma, Joe and Katherine

Mike and Jaileigh- she wore my blessing dress. Luckily my mom saved it.

Bishop Merrill Mike and Jaileigh, Granpa, Andy and David Ricks

Mike and Michael- Big and Little Mike

Mike and Big Jake

Bishop Merrill, Mike and Anthony, David Ricks, Grandpa, Andy

Mike and Anthony- he was being so cute. He is starting to be a real flirt.

Bishop Merrill, Mike and Jake, Grandpa, Andy, and David Ricks

This is a collage that one of our NICU nurses made for us. What a wonderful gift! We love it and display it in our home. Thank you Sharon (Nurse LEE-LEE)

Christmas Pictures

Our Primary Nurses got together and gave us a gift that will last forever. The gave us a professional photography sitting with Allison Hays. Today she came over and took pictures. What an amazing lady she is! She is so creative and fun. And the babies behaved. We took some pictures with our little camera to tide us, and you, over until we get the real pictures from Allison. Thank you primaries!!!! We love you and miss you.

As you look at the pictures you will notice that the babies are VERY CHUBBY! We have new weights for Jaileigh, Michael, and Jakob. Amazing how these babies are growing. For those of you who hang out here you will know its all the Frosty Floats I eat. They make the milk very rich!

Anthony- 8 lbs 11 ozs (this is an old weight not up to date)
Michael- 9 lbs 2 ozs
Jaileigh- 7 lbs 14 ozs
Jakob- he is the winner at 9 lbs 8 ozs


MIcHaEL HuSToN- was not happy about taking pictures

JAkOb THoMaS- Very happy baby, fell asleep half way through and we had to wake him for his pictures.

ANtHoNY JoSEpH-Was an angel. Not his grumpy self. He melted hearts.

JaILeIgH AdDIsOn- Tricked everyone into thinking she was an angel. No one would think she was a spoiled little princess.

Michael

Jaileigh

Anthony

Jakob "Chunk"

Jakob- 1st time in his big boy bath. Jaileigh, Jakob, and Michael got their 4 month immunizations and Jaileigh and Michael got their synagis shots on Wednesday- thats 5 shots!!! That night I let them soak in the tub and massaged their legs. They loved it.

Jaileigh

Jakob and Jaileigh in their matching Disney outfits given to us by Kate at San Gorgonio. We finally fit into them!

Jakob and Anthony- Sad moments for Anthony, jakob is happy as normal

Life is entertaining everyday. People ask if it is getting easier and no it is not. I don't think the lack of sleep is too bad because the babies are so precious. I try to treasure every moment with them. I tell people to hold them as much as possible because I feel bad for the things they went through. Today I was looking back at pictures from when they were in the hospital and I was amazed. Amazed at what we have all gone through and amazed at how well the babies are doing. We believe in miracles!