So Happy Together

 1.)Dad finally holds both girls 2.)leaving St. Marks 3.)final Barbie picture 4.)strapped in for the plane ride 5.)5 in all 6.) leaving Children’s Mercy 7.) mom and Marys 8.) spooning! 9-15.) so happy together!

Dearest family and friends,

I am so sorry we have fallen behind on our blog.  You know what…….twins is alot of work!:)  But all of our out- of- towners deserve to know what has been up since we got home; after all you have been such  faithful readers and such prayful loved ones . So I am truly sorry for ‘slacking.’

The girls are doing great.  All the doctors that we have followed up with (and that has been ALOT) have commented on how good they look for 25 weekers.  Ellen is….ready for this…..NINE pounds! and Elizabeth is EIGHT.  Still staying within that one pound of each other.  They are gaining about an ounce a day!  That high calorie formula is really doing its job.  Elizabeth is staying strong but really struggles with her breathing.  She came home on oxygen and a feeding tube.  This makes is very hard to get around, especially around the house.  Having two is hard enough, but having one ‘attached’ to a big tank is a little more difficult.  She is very talented at pulling her tubes out and then I have to reinsert.  Not a fun job and she hates it too.  I tell you, this is not for the light hearted and I can see why some choose to wait in the hospital; but 125 days was long enough for us, so we just carry on.  We are still concerned about her eyes.  The laser surgery was just a couple of weeks ago and the doctors are not totally satisfied with the results.  The left eye is going to be fine but the right eye may need additional surgery.  This one would be much more complex and would require us to go back to the hospital and stay…..also, put her back on the ventilator for the procedure.  We are really hoping this does not happen.  They are watching her close and will decide in the next couple of weeks.  Ellen has reached ‘diva’ status and continues to let us know who is boss.  She will scream at the top of her lungs and her face will be bright red; but as soon as you pick her up she is fine.  We have created a monster, but I can’t help it.  She was barely held for four months and I want to make up for lost time.  Meanwhile, Elizabeth sits quietly and sleeps soundly.  The last few days I feel like she has finally ‘woken up.’  She is awake more during the day and has started to look around.  Ellen lays next to her and screams and flails her arms around, while Elizabeth sits quietly and stares.  I wonder…..is she saving her strength for her teenage years?!

I have been struggling to ‘take back my life.’  I am trying to find everything in my house again….lots of people and lots of help = lots of ideas about where things go!:) I am also adjusting to everyones’ fall schedules and ‘back to school’ events.  Its been quite hectic, but don’t think I am complaining.  I am so thankful to be home and so thankful to be a family again.  One look around at all my ‘gifts’ and it quickly brings a smile back to my face. 

To add to our ‘eventful’ life, Bo is starting his own agency.  Govea Insurance Agency will be official in the next few weeks.  He is going out on his own and will be selling personal lines and small business insurance.  He is very excited and is ready for this new venture…….wish us luck!  And let us know if you need a quote on your home or small business.  The website is still under construction but has contact information  www.goveainsurance.com 

Lastly, we are going to have the girls baptized next weekend!  I know this will not happen without many tears, as I am still so emotional from this journey.  But these will be the happiest tears shed thus far and perhaps I will finally feel that ‘relief’ I have been waiting for.  Throughout this journey I have had many daydreams about this special day and I cannot wait for them to meet our gracious and loving community.  The ceremony will be Sunday September 28 at the 10:00 mass at Ascension and ALL ARE WELCOME!

Love to all and I will try to do better on my updates!

Stacy