Michelle

posted from sis-in-law Tammy (Michelle's second favorite aunt next to Tino)

Nothing new to report on Michelle-they are waiting for the swelling to come down and for her to recover from surgery and all the meds she needed. She is such a trooper. I am amazed at how happy she is despite all that she has been through.

Here is her surgery scar. She is slowly healing.

up close look.

We were able to spend some time with her and helped Tory give her a quick bath. It was great to comb through a little girls hair!!!! She has the softest hair and it was fun to play with it. Glad that she's slowly getting better. Hope she gets to come home soon.
We love you Michelle!!!!

1 month!

Taken from my blog--sis in law Tammy

We went up to the hospital on Sunday to visit Michelle and the boys. They are now one month old!!! I brought home a piece of paper with stats and info on it, but for the life of me can't find it anywhere. So, maybe Elizabeth can fill in the details.

They are doing well and working on getting nursing down. They hope to have the tubes out by this week and *maybe* head home towards this weekend or early next week. They are still super small (I think Luke is only 5 something and can't remember if Max has even hit the 5 lb mark!) but are strong little boys. It was so fun to see them. They are starting to look more like babies rather than little old cute men. :)

Here are some 1 month photos.

Luke

Max

Both Boys Max is wrapped in yellow, Luke is wrapped in blue.

Best buds already. Love how they're holding hands.

Waiting for some milk!

Such TINY hands!!!

Leave us alone!!! We want milk or sleep.

Their little home away from home. Cute name tags, a few stuffed animals and some books.

Recovery

Guest Writer: Mommy

Again, I will start off with Max and Luke. They are doing phenomenal, they are still so little but doing so well. They are deciding that they like the whole eating thing, they just get tired quickly. They are small, soft, sweet, and a huge source of joy.

Ryker is our comic relief. He is learning new things everyday, especially things that make his Mommy and Daddy laugh. He has the best smile, and the happiest laugh. Both of which Mommy and Daddy need large doses of everyday.

Michelle is now recovering. She had surgery Wednesday, January 26. It was supposed to be 3-4 hours long, it was actually 7 and 1/2 hours long. It was complicated, but that is no surprise. Because of the complications, she is being heavily sedated and paralyzed to help her heal quicker and more easier. But we are okay. The medical staff in the hospital know her and know what to do to help her. They have been very proactive in caring for her and preventing anymore problems from arising. We are hopeful that this will help prevent anymore of these crazy respiratory and gastrointestinal problems we have been having for the last year.

We thank everyone who thinks and prays for us. We are finding out daily that there are people we have never even met that are doing this and we feel the strength that comes from it.

We can't wait to see where this crazy adventure will take us next.

When you are this cute

The world is good to you.

You get lots of sleep.

And full bellies. Life couldn't be better.

It's a Wonderful Life!

Guest Writer: Mommy

Sorry we have been MIA from blogdom, things have been a bit busy (but you would never have thought that, would you).

First off, Luke and Max are doing fantastic! Just have to figure out the eating thing and everything will be great. Nursing two babies at once is definitely challenging, but we like challenges in this family.

Secondly, the day after I was able to come home, Michelle got sick. We were able to keep her home until Monday, January 17. She was then admitted to the PICU after an appointment with her Pulmonologist. It has been crazy trying to juggle the needs of all four of our children, three of which are hospitalized, but what can we say...we like crazy.

Last off, Michelle is now scheduled for surgery yet again. (Ryker is jealous, he still remembers the awesome toys and the yummy popsicles.) They are having to repair her fundoplication. Not something we had our list of New Year Resolutions (honestly we haven't had time to even make out a list, but I am positive that would not have been on it if we had). Things are definitely difficult. But that is okay, because we are finding out during these difficult times that we have some wonderful people surrounding us, supporting us, and holding us steady. Life is challenging, life is crazy, life is extremely difficult, but life is wonderful!

p.s. Don't worry, someday (hopefully before Luke and Max turn 29) we will catch things up, you know like the Christmas post, and let you all be amazed by more of our wild adventures.

You know you have been here too long when...

They give you your own name badge and the charge nurse phone.

Night-time Bath-time

Our first tub bath, and Daddy made sure it was done right.

This isn't that bad. I think I remember Mommy talking about spa days when we were still baking in the belly, this must be it.

Daddy is pro at this bathing thing.

Hey! Let me snuggle like Luke!

Aaaahhh, much better.

No, SNUGGLE!

Sorry dude, it gets better soon.

This is not my idea of better.

Getting closer. And Luke, thanks for giving me your fingers to suck on.

Now we are talking. This is the best part of the bath, the nap afterwards.

Cuddles and Snuggles

Cuddles and snuggles are the best.

Especially when they involve Daddy.

3 Weeks Old and Back Together at Last

When you share a space as cozy as we did for as long as we did, you miss each other when you are not together, and you are really happy when you get back together.

Here again

Haven't been feeling top notch, trying to get healthy, so here I am again. At least I so many friends here in the Pediatric ICU.

A Special Announcement

Something important happens when you keep growing and getting bigger.

They let you sleep in the big kid crib.

15 Days Old

We keep getting bigger. What can we say, we are happy healthy baby boys.

Luke and Max

Ten Days Old

This is what happens when you let babies grow, they just get bigger, cuter, sweeter, and...uh....bigger. Mommy doesn't like the bigger part.

On Top of Spaghetti

How do you like to your eat Spaghetti?

A First Bath for Max

Luke warned me about the whole bath thing. I was prepared, and barely survived.

And then Mommy told me how proud she was and how much she loved me. So I decided that all will be forgiven.

Glow Worm

Beginning to wonder what was in the "special" IV medicine they gave Mommy while we were in her belly, hm....

A First Bath for Luke

I come to this world and anticipate snuggles, hugs, and kisses...

What do I really get?

A Bath! Whose idea of fun is this.

One Day Old

Here we are the new addition to these wild adventures!

This is me, The Lukester.

And don't forget me, Max-a-million.