Cason John and Avery Marie

As you all can probably imagine it has been difficult to find the time to blog. These updates may not be as in depth as I/y'all would like them to be, but I don't want to miss out on documenting some of these precious moments. I think the hardest part is sorting through all these pictures....two kids=double the photos! Hopefully once things settle in I will have more time to write about our crazy life as a family of five!!

As you all know Cason John and Avery Marie were born on May 10th at 35 weeks. Cason spent 4 days in the NICU at the Methodist Hospital; at their request we all "roomed in" an additional night and then were released to go home the next day. Avery spent two weeks in the care of the staff at Texas Children's Hospital in their level 3 NICU (and yes, she wasn't Avery's physician but I did get to see the doctor from the littlest couple while we were there)! It was the hardest thing leaving her behind, but I know she was in good care and now she is home and healthy!

Here are a few highlights of the birth of both babies to their first few days at home....

Love at first sight

Seeing my baby girl and baby boy for the very first time!

Due to their premature lungs both babies were taken to the NICU immediately after birth. Dave was able to see them initially and take some pictures, but I had to wait until 10 pm that evening before they would allow me to go visit.

First Embrace

As a mother you always will remember the first time that you get to hold your newborn child. It is what you spend nine months waiting for and I cannot even explain how hard it was not being able to. Every situation is different and I am sure every hospital has different protocols, but in our situation due to the babies' conditions we were advised that it was best to wait until their breathing was a little more controlled before we were able to hold them. In Cason's case it was the following day; with Avery it was 4 days later. Still special in every way it is a moment that cannot and will not be forgotten. It was just as special seeing those we love getting to embrace the moment and hold our sweet babies for the very first time too!

Cason John

Avery Marie

Home Sweet Home

We were scheduled to be discharged on Friday, May 13th but when we were told that they wanted to keep Cason for one more night the hospital made arrangements for us to stay. Cason was the first to get settled in at home and had over a week of every ones full attention. My mother and father stayed with us to help out and watch both Cason and David while Dave and I made trips up to Texas Children's. Avery came home nine days later and our lives have been turned upside down ever since!

Cason John

Avery Marie

Reunited

Due to the babies' conditions they were split up immediately and were not brought back together until the day we left the hospital with Cason. Since they've been home we have been keeping them together as much as possible...including sleeping in the same bassinet (unless one ends ups in the co-sleeper in bed with us)! I cannot tell if they acknowledge each other in any way, but he seems to get annoyed when she is close by. Typical boy...

we were ready....

So things are absolutely crazy hectic at the moment and I have a ton to blog about; You all will just have to bare with me while I play catch up over the next week or so. As far as an update goes we have been home for a week with one baby and a three year old who is not adjusting well to change...or maybe it is just that he is not adjusting to mommy and daddy being gone so often. Avery was admitted to Texas Children's Hospital a day after her birth with a collapsed lung. She developed an air pocket that burst, collapsing her lung and putting pressure on her heart. They inserted a tube into her chest and were able to stabilize her very quickly, but she has been with them since recovering and getting stronger. We have been making trips up there everyday; Dave and I have separated our visits so that one of us is there for at least two of her feedings. Needless to say, we are exhausted both physically and emotionally but continue to feel blessed to have two healthy babies and the wonderful support from all of our friends and family.

I planned on posting these on the day that they sent me into labor and delivery for contractions...little did I know we were going to have these babies so quickly but we were definitely ready!

A nursery for two

Final Belly Shots
35 weeks

Our new additions...

Jennifer is still recovering so I am going to attempt to add to this. She was having some pains Monday night so we decided to call the OB on Tuesday morning to see what she wanted us to do. Not knowing what to expect we went to labor and delivery and were told she was having contractions that were ranging from 1 to 10 mins apart. They tried to hydrate her but that didn't help so were told we were having the twins 2 weeks early. Cason John was born at 4:14 on May 10th weighing 4lbs, 15oz. Avery Marie came at 4:15 and weighed 5lbs, 7oz. He was 17 inches and she was 18 inches. Already ruling the roost with her big brother......


Everyone is doing ok though Cason and Avery are in the NICU with premature lungs. He seems to be doing better than her though they expect them to be fine but it looks like we will be heading home without them. Thank you all for your prayers, Jennifer will provide a better update when she's back to full speed.

Cason John Roser

Avery Marie Roser