Longest day ever

Today was a long day. We started our day at 10 am when we left Vicksburg for Jackson. Hank's neurosurgeon appt was at 11:10 but the dr was behind, and we didn't get seen until after 12:30. We saw Dr. Parent, and he said that Hank's middle and lateral ventricles are definitely dilated (overly filled with fluid), but his frontal ventricle is not. This leads him to believe that there is some sort of blockage between the lateral ventricles and the frontal ventricle, prohibiting a steady flow of spinal fluid to the frontal and out and around the brain. It doesn't seem to be bothering Hank developmentally, and Dr. Parent said that Hank's brain "looks like a happy brain", so he's not too worried right now. He did order an MRI for Oct. 18, and we'll see him again on the 25th for him to go over the results. If the MRI confirms what he thinks is happening, Hank will need surgery to implant a shunt. Mom is not excited about this, nor am I excited about Hank being put to sleep to have the MRI--it just makes me nervous. Anyway, we left UMC at 1:30 to head over to Baptist for H&H's appointment at the developmental clinic. We fed the kids in the car in the parking lot, but Princess Hayden's bottle was too cold, so I had to go into Baptist in search of a microwave to heat it up. I fed her in a waiting room while Hank finished up with Jay in the car. We had a great visit at the clinic. The therapists played with them on the floor, testing various skills. Both kids scored ahead of schedule developmentally. Their corrected age (since their due date) is 4 months, 28 days, and they scored anywhere from 5.2 to 6.8 months in different areas. They were very pleased with them and want to see them back Feb. 24. After we finished up there, we went upstairs to the NICU to visit all of the wonderful ladies who took care of them for so long. It was great to see them all again. We are so thankful for everyone who nursed them during their 94 days in the hospital, but we are even more thankful that they are home and healthy and happy. We finally made it back home at 5 pm, and we were all exhausted. Jay had soccer practice, so the kids and I went promptly to sleep for a couple of hours. What a full day--we can't wait for the weekend! Please keep Hank in your prayers. Pray that the MRI will show that there isn't any blockage. But if it does, pray that we are prepared to accept the news, and that Hank will come through the necessary procedures with flying colors--not that we don't already know that he's such a trooper! Thanks so much for your continued support of our family. We couldn't do it without you! p.s. Hank weighed 15 lbs. & Hayden was 13.4 lbs.

I know, I know...

I've been MIA for a while. Would you believe it if I said I'd been slightly busy? :) Everything is going great around our house. It seems like the kids are doing new little things every day. Hayden is about to roll over from back to belly. Hank is holding his bottle pretty well. They are both on the verge of sitting up alone. It's a very exciting time for us. We have our appt with Dr. Parent (the pediatric neurosurgeon) on Thursday. We also have an appt at the developmental clinic at Baptist that day. The neonatologist that helped deliver the twins along with one of the nurse practioners who took care of them while in the NICU will be working with them on Thursday to see if they are on-track developmentally. Of course, I think they're doing great, and our pediatrician also thinks so. But I guess we'll find out this week. And after our appt we'll head upstairs to the NICU to visit all of the nurses we loved for 94 days! We are so excited about that! We took Hank to the dr on Wednesday. He had a little rash on his head which turned out to be eczema. A little hydrocortisone cream has solved the problem. She also started both kids on Zantac for their reflux. It seems to be helping already, but boy, that stuff surely does smell bad. And H&H hate the taste of it. They took their first trip out of state today. We went to visit my good friend Susan and her family in West Monroe, LA, today. They had a great time, and of course, I enjoyed showing them off. Please remember our dr appts in your prayers this week. I promise to update Thursday evening with news from the dr's office. Check out the Sept gallery for new pics!

Jay's Christening

I added one new pic to September from an incident that happened last night between Jay & Hayden. ** Yuck factor: 8 **

Sorry about the delay.

New pics are in the September gallery! Enjoy!

Labor Day weekend

I hope everyone had a good Labor Day holiday. I know we enjoyed the day off. We spent the weekend in McComb and had a great time. Hank talks up a storm now. He just babbles on and on. Hayden won't take her feet out of her mouth long enough to try to say anything. She is constantly pulling off her socks and sucking her toes. She is the early bird--waking up first each morning. She wakes me up by talking and playing in her bed about 7:30. The toes of her footed PJs are usually soaking wet from being in her mouth. Hank thinks everything is funny now. He laughs and smiles all of the time. We are practicing using the sippy cup now, and Hayden loves it. Hank isn't quite sure about it. Hayden also loves to "feed herself". She holds my hand while I'm holding the spoon, and she guides the spoon to her mouth pretty well. This is how I keep her interested in eating--otherwise, she fights the spoon. She'd eat 4 jars of baby food if I let her feed herself--Miss Independent! Hank doesn't want to help feed himself. He just sits with his mouth wide open waiting for the next bite. He's so laid back. I weighed them at my Nanny's--Hank was 14 lbs. 7 oz. and Hayden was 12 lbs. They are really close to sitting up. They do very well with a little support. I took some pics this weekend and I hope to have them uploaded by Tuesday afternoon, so y'all check back. Please continue to remember Hank's neurosurgeon visit on the 23rd in your prayers. Thanks for checking in!

Better late than never

There are new pics in the August gallery. Yes, I know it's September, but I just got the film developed, and the pictures are from a few weeks ago. Enjoy!

I know, I know...

It's been forever since I've updated. We've been super busy, and I'm sorry I haven't found the time to update. I found out yesterday that Hank will see Dr. Parent at UMC in Jackson on Sept. 23. I'm not sure exactly what he's going to want to do--if he'll want to do his own CT scan or what. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Hayden & Hank both suck their thumbs now--only when they're sleepy, though. And Hayden loves to suck on her toes. Hank's not as limber as she is, and his feet don't quite make it to his mouth, but he tries. They've moved on to green veggies and love their peas. Hayden has become a great eater. She really likes the spoon now. Hank has discovered that he can suck on his bottom lip and chooses to do so when he's tired of eating. That way we can't get the spoon in. We are headed to McComb this weekend, and we'll weigh them on my Nanny's scales, so we'll have some weights for you on Monday. I hope to take some more pictures while we're down there, too, so check back next week for new pics. Have a great holiday weekend!