Spotlight on Preemies...Preemie Grandparents 2

A Grandparent perspective from my mom...

My preemie grandchildren are Addison and Blake. Addison is the one we like to call our "wild child" she never sits still, is always on the go and has no fear of nothing and is a bully to her brother, lol. Blake is the cry baby he is fearful of everything but will overcome it all with just a little guidance. To me they are the sweetest babies I have ever met.

My expereince with these preemies has affected me to say that all things are possible with prayer and God although I had no fear about this one. Somehow I always knew in my heart these two would survive and strive, I knew all they needed was to hear their Mommy and Daddy's voice to give them strength. I was able to handle the NICU experience because I knew I had to be strong for my daughter, my son in law and my grandbabies. I knew I could fall apart later in my own space and believe me I did. I learned that time is most precious and enjoy ever day, try not to miss a thing. My advice to another grandparent would be to follow the wishes of the parents as they know best even though you may not agree with it, don't cause more stress on the parents. To other parents I ask them to be mindful of the grandparents as we have feelings also and although these may not be our babies they are our grandchildren and we love them just as much.

Spotlight on Preemies...Preemie Grandparents

Up next is the perspective of Grammy & Pop to preemie twins...

THE PARENTS OF THE DAD OF TWIN PREEMIES:

It all started at 20 weeks of pregnancy and this started the difference in Grammy and Pop Pop handling of this situation, I wanted to read and see everything I could about preemies and what week was the magic number of survival was and when I tried to talk to Pop Pop about this info and pictures he would not participate in any such subject, and I starting praying to the Dear Lord and DAD'S GRANDMOTHERS IN HEAVEN TO PLEASE NOT LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO THESE BABIES. Then at 26 weeks the phone call came that Addison and Blake were coming into this world. I CAN NOT RELAY THE FEELINGS THAT THIS NEWS BROUGHT BECAUSE FROM ALL I READ 27 WEEKS WAS THAT MAGIC NUMBER SO I WAS SCARED LIKE I HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE. When my son came out of the OR with the news that they had survived birth, OVERJOY of being a grandparent crept in for a second, then the fear hit. The pictures even though I had looked at so many trying to prepare myself completely surprised me as they looked like beautiful tiny babies. Then the next day MOM AND DAD DECIDED TO LET US SEE THEM, NOTHING CAN DESCRIBE THE FEELING OF SEEING THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME, INSTANTLY I BECAME A GRANDMOM, WITH VISIONS OF ROCKING THEM ASLEEP, GOING TO SCHOOL EVENTS AND TAKING THEM PLACES AND SHOWING THEM OFF, ETC. AND A FEAR LIKE NO OTHER HIT ME AND THE SILENT PRAYERS STARTED AND THE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR KEEPING THEM SAFE STARTED AND REMAINS TO THIS DAY. IT ALSO HIT ME THE FIRST TIME I SAW THEM THAT FROM THE LOOK IN MY SON'S EYES HE WAS A DAD. The only advice I could give any friend, , neighbor, family member is to always take the time to let mainly preemie mom's talk, men just don't talk it all out like women do, You may not know all the medical stuff and what they are going thru but sometimes they just need to talk.

Miss Us Much??

Sorry I know it's been over a week or more since my last post. Things got a little busy around here, and I lost my camera...DOH. Pretty sure I know where it is but, it's not within reach right now. So until then, it will be "crappy camera phone photos", sorry  in advance.

First off, send some prayers for my father in law "Pop-pop". He had to have surgery on Monday and has a rough recovery ahead of him. He is doing well all things considered and was very pleased with a visit from his grandbabies earlier today. Pray that he comes home soon, and also say a prayer for my mother in law "Grammy" that she can keep right on going and continue to do an amazing job taking care of him. I know she is anxious to get him back home too.

Second, there is something else in the works that I will not share right now :p But it will be keeping my busy off and on for the next few weeks until Dec or a little after. Yes that's right you will have to wait close to two months to find out this little secret. And if you do know...shhh... don't tell :) I will say this, we are very excited about this new beginning of sorts and seeing where this leads.

In the meantime, here's what we have been up too ...

For literally ONE day it got cool enough for hoodies and sweats...

We went to Pirate Day storytime

Went to a fall festival ...

Where Grammy bought us pumpkins to paint

And they got to pet a pony.

I love this pic. Blake's face is priceless! If only we knew what he was saying.

Smile!

The fall festival overlooked a river where my dad and I once spent days fishing. As many know he passed away 5 years ago on Oct 2nd. As we were leaving the festival a butterfly flew by. Chinese legend believes butterflies are a sign of "long life" and the Greek believe its the spirit of a person who has passed. In any event, it took my breath away and gave me a peace that I was looking for. He was there to let me know it would all be ok. He knew the matters of my heart. <3

To the DC Zoo...

On a fall like Thursday we packed up the car and adventured to our Nation's Capital to visit the zoo with Grammy, Pop-pop, Aunt Na, Uncle R. I am pretty sure both babies were more then excited, because they woke up at 7 am (instead of their usual 9 am), and the first words out of Blake's mouth was "Bye bye get Poppy?"

Before we could leave we had to work thru OT with Addison first so we had a wait ahead of us. Blake would hear none of it. He insisted he need a "sirt" and "tants" and "sues". And threw a huge fit when I made him wait. But finally we were on our way. They napped in the car so they were ready to go when we arrived...

We saw cows that go "Mooooo"

 

And goats....

 

And wild boar too...

 

And otters (or maybe it was a seal?)

And the elephants too..

And tropical birds...

And a lizard (or gecko) too...

Lions (but no bears)

 

And alligators...

 

And who could forget about our Pop-pop...

And Grammy

 

And Aunt Na (and the turtles) too!

 

(Daddy & Uncle R dodged the camera most of the day...there's always next time.)

 

 

I am pretty sure we all enjoyed ourselves. The weather was perfect, not hot at all. We enjoyed a pinic lunch and the babies just loved their new wheels. The air was so nice out that they also enjoyed a nap in their stroller again. They talked most of the way home and while it wasn't in Adult English I am sure they were recounting the the adventures of the day and telling us just how much fun they had. 

 



Happy Grandparents Day!

"Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child's growth as vitamins." - Joyce Allston

A very Happy Grandparents Day to our babies grandparents and great grandma (Mom-Mom, my Grandmother.) Each of them holds a special place in our hearts and have done so much in the last two years for us and our babies. We couldn't have made it without them. (Fun fact: It was Grandparents Day 2010 that we revealed that we were pregnant to our parents...different "date" but same "day", more on to come in a later post.)

My own Mom-Mom, a woman who helped raise me and mold me into all that I am. Wise and graceful, full of elegance and charm. She is strong, courageous and brave. And if you'd see her interact with her great-grandbabies you would swear she wasn't a day over 30. I love watching her sit down on the floor and play cars or babies or showing them how to make their toys play music. Or when she sits them on her lap and them climb all over her, and lets not forget those tender moments when they snuggle up with her and take a cat nap (or pretend to snore, because she showed them how). I'll never forget the joy in her eyes when she witnesses them do something new for the first time. The pride in her grandchildren and great grandchildren is always clear. Blessed beyond measure to have her in my life still and glad that our children have gotten to know her as well.

Jake's parents, Grammy and Pop-Pop. Two years ago we handed them a card on Grandparents Day, I think they half heartedly thought it was from their furry grandbabies, but SURPRISE, it was signed "Grandbaby " little did we know a year later their cards would read Grandbabies! Addison and Blake. Instantly they were placing bets on one baby or two, a boy, a girl, one of each and they have loved these two ever since. They way Addison and Blake smile when they walk in. The sly look Blake gives his Grammy, knowing he is about to get away with whatever it is he is plotting. The way Addison lights up whenever her Pop-Pop is near. How they sing them songs, or read them books and speak of days when Jake was younger and just how much Mr. Blake is like his Daddy. Lets just say we are in TROUBLE ;) if he follows his daddy's ways lol. You can tell that Addison and Blake are their pride and joy, especially when you make a surprise visit to Pop-pop's work and his co-workers know all about them, or his boss sends them shirts from the beach, or when you meet one of Grammy's long time friends for the first time who knows all about them too. They are loved, and as a child who grew up with only one set of Grandparents and Great Grandma, I never take a moment for granted. My babies are blessed to know their daddy's parents for sure.

My own mom and my stepdad, Nana and Pappy. How Blake and his Pappy are always into something and building forts in the living room or playing with a talking parrot on his cell phone. And how they both love Nana, in fact often Blake request "I talk Nana" and takes my phone. He does not give in until he hears her voice on the other end of the phone. I am pretty sure the biggest reason Blake loves his Nana is because of her ability to "Rock-a-bye-Blakey". One thing is for sure, whenever Nana and Pappy are around there is fun for Addison and Blake to have. I have to admit I am a little scared for all tech toys they will both want because "Pappy has one". That is ofcourse when Blake conquers his fear of things that move and make noise or when Addison understands that she is a little bit too big to ride on top of a remote control car. Things could have been a lot different but we are blessed to have them both in our babies lives too.

To all the grandparents out there, may you all know what a blessing you are to your grandchildren.

What a weekend...

This weekend was pretty nice and probably one of the best so far, why? Because we've had Jake for two whole days. We spent part of the day yesterday frolicking around town and hitting up a few stores looking for supplies I needed to help the twins with a special project. We also (gasp!) bought our first Christmas gift for the twins today, it was too good of a deal to pass up.

Here is an out take from our shopping trip...

This is what Daddy and Blake get in to in the toy department!


Today was extra busy too, we went to a service for one of my friends from high school (C), C's father passed away suddenly Friday night. I am all to familiar with that pain and wanted to be there for her.

After that we came home to get dinner together and wait for Grammy and Pop to arrive. Today is Grammy's birthday and Blake and Addison made her an extra special gift. (This would be what we needed supplies for lol.) Take a peek at what we worked on...

That's not the "finished" product but close to it. We let it set over night to dry and harden, but it's a garden stone for Grammy's Garden. Addison and Blake are talented aren't they?

And of course, this has become the staple in this house... A birthday photo for the special birthday person...

As they get bigger it's getting harder to keep them still and keep them from ripping the paper to shreds lol. This is one of the best pictures I could get.

Wanna know the coolest part of Grammy's birthday? The suprise she had for Addison and Blake! Grammy said she asked for a sliding board for her grandbabies...that's what she wanted for her birthday. Blake is a little scared of it, but nothing holds back dare devil Addison. I'll have to grab some pictures of them sliding soon!

And last but certainly not least... We got a heck of a rain storm in the middle of dinner. After dinner Pop took Blake outside for a walk and to look at some the cars... He poked his head back in to tell us there was a rainbow... How peaceful right? God's promise to us. Addison & Blake's first rainbow.

"If you only know what the future holds, After a hurricane rainstorm, comes a rainbow."