Where Oh Where Did That Cute Smile Go?

This will be a short post, but has lots of cute pics. Roslind discovered her smile this week. Marshall discovered that he LOVES the camera!!! Both babies are doing well and growing like little weeds.


Storytime with daddy. Notice how intently Marshall is looking at the pictures. He stayed this way throughout the entire story.

Marshall loving the camera!!!

The twins reading a story with daddy!!!

Marshall in his carseat.

Trying to hold his bottle.


Lovin' that camera from the Boppy pillow!

Resting with daddy:)
Roslind striking a pose. She's very sleepy in this picture.
Discovering her smile...
FOUND IT!!!!


In case you hadn't noticed, I'm playing with the formatting, so things look a little off.

That's it for now folks. Come back again soon!!!!

Two Months Old

Wow! Life is moving so quickly. We're taking time to stop and smell the roses each day along the way. So what's new in our household?

The twins are two months today!!!!! They had their two month checkup today and both received five, count them, FIVE shots!!!! We were prepared for four, but not five. Ok, so I realize that there's not that much difference, but watching 10 needles go into your babies in a matter of minutes is excruciating. They were absolute troopers though and the nurse was fantastic. I asked her if she was quick before she gave the shots and her reply was, "After 35 years, I'm the best!" That was reassuring. And she was. They are both now on the physical development curves in terms of growth and were given clean bills of health. They still have a few areas, such as weight, to continue gaining, but they are making adequate and appropriate growth.


When we got home today they were both still sleeping peacefully. HOWEVER, when they both woke up, they were screaming!!!! They were in so much pain. We gave them infant Tylenol and within minutes they were peacefully sleeping. This wonderfully weird thing happens when you become a parent. When your children experience any pain, you wish and pray that you can feel the pain yourself instead of them. Somehow the wishing and praying doesn't ever work with regards to this and seeing your children in pain, hurts- just not physically. Jermaine and I both just stroked their backs and whispered in their ears until the pain subsided. Next time, they'll get the Tylenol 30 minutes before. You live and learn.

You're probably wanting some stats on the twins. How much do they weigh? What do they like/dislike? Well, keep reading...

Marshall...
is weighing in at 8lbs, 4oz and is 20 inches long
is starting to smile and show excitement when we play with him
can track objects and faces like nobody's business
is eating like a madman (2-4 oz )
wakes up like a siren alarm clock every hour and a half to two hours to eat
has a pudgy little face
is catching up to Roslind in size
started breastfeeding last week (thanks Kristan!)
loves being held while he's asleep (but does very well when not being held also)
loves being talked to even more
loves bath time
is starting to grow out of some of his preemie clothes
wore his first non-preemie outfit to church last Sunday
is discovering his vocal chords can be used for making other sounds besides crying (just a little at this point)
can grasp a toy/object if placed in his hand
is the apple of our eye


Roslind...
is weighing in at 8lbs, 12 oz and is 20 inches long
is still a diva but has mellowed quite a bit
can sleep for four hours at a time or longer if we'd let her
is getting really long hair
started breastfeeding last week (thanks Kristan!!!)
has been growing out of her clothes
LOVES being held at ANY time
won't go to sleep unless rocked and cuddled (hey- we're enjoying it because we know it won't last long)
has slowed down in her eating (1.5-3 oz)
can track faces and objects really well
started enjoying baths this week- hates being undressed though
can grasp a toy/object if placed in her hand
can move from one place to another- we're still not sure how this happens because she mainly does it while we're all sleeping. Example, we'll place her in the middle of the bed at bedtime and somehow she'll end up right next to me by the time we awaken
is the apple of our eye

We went on our first road trip a few weeks ago and the twins did really well. We went to visit our family in Iowa and had a great time. We also had our first play date with Kristan and Emory last week and had a really great time. Wow, as I type this, I realize they have had lots of "firsts" since we last posted.

We're so blessed that both babies are doing so well. We're also blessed that so many people in this world have been praying for them.

On to some pics- there are lots!!!! I'll warn you- they're not sequential- AT ALL!!!!

Did I mention that I'm still madly in love with our niece Caydence? Here she is giving uncle 'Maine some advice on his clothing line.

Caydence and Tee Tee April
Grandma Sullivan with Marshall and Ros
Marshall looking up to daddy and trying to stand up.
Ros in the Boppy pillow after a nice warm drink:) LOL!!!
Grandma showing off her skills at feeding both babies at once. I barely have that skill.

Ros stylin' and profilin'

Grandma with Caydence, Marshall and Roslind

Visiting with Auntie Lecesha and Uncle Joe who came out in subzero weather to meet their niece and nephew

Ros snuggling up to Auntie Cesha. Or is it the other way around?
Caydence trying to rip off Tee Tee's necklace



Caydence: "Hey, I used to be that small." Roslind: "Are we almost finished taking pics because I'm bored with that flashing thingy?"

Uncle Quincey cuddling with Ros
Mommy and Marshall showing off our matching colors
Auntie Cesha and Ros showing off their matching colors



Mmmmm.... mommy loves Marshall kisses (say that fast seven times)

All I have to say is that we didn't pose them like this
Look ma, I can hold my bottle!!! I'm a big boy!!!



Marshall and Ros napping in sleepers Grandma bought them. He is not as small as it seems in this picture- it's just the angle.

Peaceful little angel x 1
Peaceful little angel x 2
Does this need words? Totally candid!
Nestled securely in daddy's arms

Unfortunately, this go around, we didn't get any pics with Tee Tee Tamara, but we'll make sure to do so next time.

We're Baaaaack!!!!

Sorry we haven't done such a great job updating this blog. For some strange reason, we've found ourselves to be quite busy. Hmmmm....

Very quickly, here are the updates:

• As most of you know, both babies are home. Marshall was released from the hospital on, Wednesday, January 16 weighing in at exactly 4lbs!!! When the doctors completed their rounds on Monday of that week, I told the attending physician that we were going home by Friday. He chuckled and asked me if that was so and I told him yes. The doctor said that when Marshall hit 1800 grams (approximately 4lbs) that he'd be ready to go home as long as he continued eating well and maintained his temps. Marshall weighed 1720 on Monday. On Tuesday, he weighed 1775 and on Wednesday... he weighed 1815!!! I told the nurse to go ahead and page the doctor because we were going home that day. She told me that it wasn't quite that simple and I told her to figure out how to make it that simple because we were leaving that day. After she left, I packed all of Marshall's and my things and just waited for the docs to come and do their rounds. When they came, I reminded the doctor that he said when Marshall hit 1800 he could go home. I showed him the chart we'd been keeping on his feedings, weight and temps and he gave the ok for Marshall to be discharged!!!! It's amazing how claiming something often makes it happen. Jermaine, our family and I were all claiming that Marshall would not be in the hospital beyond that Friday!







• Our first few weeks home have been exhilirating and exhausting all at once. Jermaine and I are enjoying each day for the blessings within and are not interested in rushing anything at all. We often marvel at the blessing that God has given us. I wasn't aware that I could stare at anything or anyone for so long:)







• Both babies had their two week checkup. Roslind weighed 6lbs, 7 oz and Marshall weighed exactly 5 lbs. It's almost two weeks later and Ros weighs 7lbs 3oz and Marshall weighs 6lbs, 14 oz. He's definitely catching up. The pediatrician told us that they are eating about twice as much as babies normally do at their size and age. She said it's ok though because they are still in the "catch up stage" which is the time between when they were born and their actual due date (which was Thursday, by the way). We've been reading about developmental milestones in this book my mom bought us (thanks, Mom) and they are meeting about 90% of the milestones for 5 week old babies. This is a cause for celebration because with their adjusted age, we shouldn't technically be looking at milestones until after tomorrow and beginning at week 1, not 5. In order to get their "adjusted age" you subtract the number of weeks early (6 in this case) from the number of weeks they actually are. For example, a 12 week old baby who was born 4 weeks early would have an adjusted age of 8 weeks so those are the milestones you'd expect to see baby making. I hope that makes sense.



• Their little personalities are really developing. Marshall has become our family alarm clock. He wakes up (lungs fully engaged) every two hours almost on the dot. It actually makes Jermaine and me laugh at how timely he is. We figure that means he'll be punctual later on in life. Roslind is still quite the diva. There aren't many times of the day when she isn't naturally posing. Her temperament has mellowed quite a bit though. That is as long as she gets what she wants and when she wants it. Just kidding.

• Enough words already, let's get to some pics!!! Thank you all for all of your prayers. They surely helped bring our babies home sooner. And the docs thought they'd be in the hospital until their original due date. Humph!!!

Roslind sitting in daddy's lap. I think she was telling us to turn the lights down so she can get her beauty rest. She was still in the hospital in this picture. The hat that is clearly too big in this picture, now fits her head nice and SNUGLY.

Didn't I tell you that I'm a real cool cat? Wait, why is this binkie half the size of my head?

Marshall being TOO adorable sitting in his carseat. Again, being mellow and just waiting for us to leave.

The twins lying on mommy's chest.

Ros getting adjusted in her carseat. Again, she'd just rather be left to soaking up some beauty zzzz's.

Daddy and Marshall spending some quality father-son time. What fine men I have:)

Mommy's little princess pondering whether she should stay awake for this picture or not.

The twins sitting in mommy's lap. They often find each other's hands and touch. It always warms our hearts.

The twins sleeping in their pack and play. Roslind: Marshall, I have something to tell you. Marshall: Ahhh, just let me sleep already!!!

This is mommy's favorite picture of Marshall. He's sitting in his boppy pillow. Look at those beautiful eyes.

Are we back in the womb?

Perhaps they are both considering a career in modeling:) LOL!!!

Sweetie Pie!!!!

Completely organic! They already love each other tremendously.

Who me???

The two most important men in my life- making my heart melt:)

Days 8-15 in the NICU

Well folks, a LOT has happened since we last posted. The most exciting news is that our baby girl, Roslind, is home with daddy!!!!!!!!!!

Marshall and I are still at the hospital while he continues to grow (and boy is he growing). Originally, Jermaine and I were going to continue staying at the Ronald McDonald house, but we figured the best thing for Ros is that she go home and that we not expose her to too many people or germs at this point in her precious little life. I have to admit, watching them leave the hospital was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life. I am absolutely positive that she and daddy will be fine, but it's hard as a mother and wife to not be home with your entire family.
HOWEVER, Jermaine and I know that we made the right decision for our baby girl and we know that we will be together as a family again before long.

In other exciting news, Roslind left the hospital weighing 4 lbs, 12 oz and Marshall weighs.....



3lbs, 10 oz!!!!! He is growing so well and his little beautiful face is starting to fill out. I am still pumping milk and both babies will continue to receive through a bottle while they learn to breastfeed (which is something mommy and Marshall will be working on while we're still at the hospital). We're also adding a human milk fortifier to the breastmilk so they can receive even more nutrition. We're supplementing my breastmilk with formula for more fat. My milk production has doubled since my sister visited on Monday and gave me some great tips for pumping. Thanks little sis!

Marshall has also transitioned from the isolette to an open crib. No more plastic box!!!! He will be monitored for the next 3-5 days to make sure he is maintaining his body temperature, which means that we're one step closer to going home. So far, so good.

On early Friday morning Marshall's umbilical cord fell off. A few hours later, Roslind's fell off. Jermaine and I are always amazed at how alike they are, while still being so different. Yesterday, they took their hospital pics before Roslind was discharged. Can I just say that Jermaine and I both understand why every parent thinks they have the most beautiful children in the world? It's because it's true. We've never laid eyes on anyone so precious and beautiful. The hospital creates a website where family and friends can view the proofs online, but it won't be up for a few days. We will post the information here when it is available.

One of the greatest learning experiences from this whole NICU experience is how great a team Jermaine and I are. We work together quite seamlessly and are truly enjoying this blessing of parenting together.

Well, I'm sure that in my (and Jermaine's) sleep deprived stupor, we've forgotten to share something, but we'll keep updating as things progress.

So, on to a few pics.

Grandma feeding Roslind for the first time.

Is my mom glowing with pride, or what?!?

Grandma holding Marshall!!!
Proud father!!!

Look at me, I'm alert!!! The doctors keep underestimating me because of my size and think I'll be here another month. They obviously don't know my mom and dad too well (lol)! I'm blowing this popsicle stand in less than two weeks. Just wait and see!!!!
Don't I look like a sleeping angel?
Daddy, stop with that flash. It's interrupting my beauty rest!

Mommy brushing Roslind's hair. She needs to brush her own.




Daddy admiring his little prince.

Marshall the III enjoying kisses from Marshall, Jr. Or is it the other way around?

...and more kisses.


Auntie Ralanda holding Marshall after a long night's work.

Auntie Tamara feeding her nephew for the first time.

Mommy doting on her little princess.

Daddy doting on his little prince.

Prayer Requests:
Grow, grow, grow for Marshall.
Endurance and patience for mommy and daddy while we're separated as a family unit.