Manicure & Pedicure NEEDED!!!

So, Mimi is coming over this afternoon to spend time with her grandchildren while I get beautified!

HERE ARE THE FACTS

1. Carson was born with a prenatal tooth
2. Carson & Dean have no immediate first cousins . . .YET
3. They are on different formulas
4. They received a Radio Flyer wagon as a gift and we don't know who it's from???????!!!!
5. They have been to Austin, the Orlando airport (that counts), Myrtle Beach, and are headed to Chicago this weekend. ALOT in their 16 weeks of life!
6. Their mommy goes back to work August 24th and is VERY, VERY unhappy about this. We've hired a nanny to care for them while we are at work.
7. Carson & Dean have 2 great-grandparents, 4 grandparents, 2 parents, 2 uncles, 3 aunts, and 1 older dog brother
8. They've been swimming.
9. A few times a week we go walking or to the gym with our friend Nicole and her twin sons, Blake & Cole, who are 2 weeks older. We look like a circus traveling with both of our double strollers!
10. Daddy nicknamed Carson "Happy Hands" because her hands are always flying around everywhere!
11. They cannot wait to meet their Uncle Anthony and Aunt Courtney.
12. Carson is going to be the first women president.
13. Carson & Dean both have blue eyes
14. Dean is a smiley baby - - loving lights, ceiling fans, and the mobile on his swing
15. Carson has a herniated belly button
16. They were 10 weeks premature -- born at 30 weeks and 1 day
17. Carson was BABY A throughout the pregnancy, Dean was BABY B
18. Dean Jennings will NEVER be a D.J. - - don't ever call him that
19. Meurice love tummy time with the babies
20. Carson & Dean's Dr. Seuss's ONE FISH, TWO FISH bathroom is in need of some artwork
21. They have their first pair of blue jeans washed and ready to go
22. "No, they are not identical" (FYI - BOY & GIRL twins cannot be identical, please spread the word)
23. Dean has reflux
24. Carson & Dean still do not really care, recognize, or react to each other yet. We are waiting . . .
25. They are 2 miracles

To The Preemie Moms - - -

A co-worker of mine who has triplet 1 year olds delivered when she was around 28 weeks along. Like us, her and her family experienced the ups and downs of the NICU and the emotional roller coaster ride of having premature babies. She sent this along and it helps to remind me how strong I was and am.


Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his
instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he
observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.
Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia.
Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to
profanity."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles.
"Give her a preemie." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God?
She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God.
"Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That
would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea
of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it.
I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so
rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own.
She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."
God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect She has
just the right amount of selfishness."
The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally,
she will never survive.
Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.
She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.
She will never take for granted a spoken word.
She will never consider a step ordinary.
When her child says momma for the first time,
she will be witness to a miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--
ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--
and allow her to rise above them.
She will never be alone.
I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life
because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in
the air.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

Wake County Human Services

Since Carson and Dean were born < 32 weeks gestations and under 1500 grams they qualify for free services to help with their development. We figured since it was free, why not. Every 2 - 3 months we'll have a registered nurse come to our home to assess where they are at and if they need any further medical attention to assist with any area of development ( speech, etc ) they can assist us. Yesterday was the first visit and was really just introductory. Truthfully, Carson & Dean are doing tremendous. They are over 3 months old, however, they are considered only 1 1/2 months old based on their due date. However, the actions and behaviors that they are currently doing, are more in sync with a 2-3 month old. We do tummy time, they are great with lifting and turning their heads, loving their tongues, and reaching for things. So, already, great signs. The nurse did have a scale with her so we weighed the babies. Dean came in at 11 lbs 5 ounces and Carson 10 lbs 5 ounces. They are getting big!

Now that we are home . . .

WE HAD FUN - - BUT WE ARE TIRED!!

One fish, Two fish

It was over 100 degrees, so Aunt Nut and I took the babies swimming!

Alot of LOVE

Here's some family we spent time with - - unfortunately we didn't get pictures with everyone. Saturday night my Gran hosted a birthday party for Spike, Les, and me. We enjoyed seeing everyone!


NONNA

T-POP

GREAT UNCLE SPIKE

GRAN

GREAT AUNT COLLEEN

COUSIN BLAKE

Airplane!

Here are pictures from our flight to Austion THRU Orlando!



* They thought we needed lids on our cups because our hands were full! Not a bad idea



* Carson needed to stretch out.



* Margulies Family of Four

Where Have We Been????

IN AUSTIN, TX!

We are on day 7 of our trip to Austin to visit T-pop, Nonna, Aunt Nut, Gran, and Great Aunts, Great Uncles, cousins, and neighbors that Carson & Dean haven't met yet. There hasn't been ONE day cooler than 100 degrees! The babies did such a FANTASTIC job traveling down here with Eric & I. There isn't a direct flight, so we had to connect thru Orlando. They were quite the hit in the airports and on the airplanes! But, as I suspected, nobody sat next to us! (which was a good thing, because we needed that 3rd seat)! Since being in Austin the babies have adjusted well and haven't had a problem sleeping or anything (they are sharing a pack n play). Nonna borrowed LOTS of equipment from the neighbors, which is great. There are 2 swings, 1 bouncy seat, and 1 pappasan chair. So, the babies are completley entertained. They have also been exposed to Archie & Brady their dog uncles (a boxer and viszla). They are starting to get used to their loud barks that Meurice doesn't have! Since it is SO HOT we took the babies swimming. THEY LOVED IT! The pool water is like bath water since its so hot, so they were comfortable and really relaxed in the water. Daddy had to leave on Sunday to go back home to work so Nonna has been doing all the middle of the night feeds with me and Aunt Nut is flying back with us on Friday. Some updates on the babies - - Dean is over 11 lbs (feels like 21 lbs) and Carson is probably under 10 lbs. They are hilarious now. They laugh and smile at everything, which melts my heart EVERY SINGLE TIME. I love it!!! Dean has been intentionally smiling for a couple of weeks now and Carson has just started doing that. She stares hard at you and then will bust into a full smile. Last night and the night before they have given us 5 hour stretches in the middle of the night. Let me tell you, 5 hours is like 5 years. It's amazing! The babies have also gotten some new clothes, some great baby gifts, and have had their fair share of margaritas! MOMMY TOO!!

I have many, many pictures that I will upload when I get home. I can't wait to share them all.

Hope everyone is well!!

PS - Emily & Jason, CONGRATS on Jacob's arrival home!!! We cannot wait to meet him!

4th of July

With 13 week old twins we are starting to realize that holidays aren't a huge deal, because we hardly see them coming! We barely even knew it was a holiday until that day when we were invited to a casual neighborhood BBQ. So, bad mommy that I am, I hadn't specifically bought anything "special" for them to wear. But, really? Does it matter? These babies are growing at the speed of light and have many clothes they wear a handful of times before they simply outgrow them. So, Dean sported a Navy Blue Polo onesie and Carson a navy blue jumper with white polka dots and a splash of pink (close to red, right?) PINK, white, and blue! (Nope, no pictures! Maybe next year!)

We are off to Austin, TX to visit my family on WED July 8th. I can promise you we'll have pictures. If not of Carson & Dean, then of Eric & I proving that we survived the airport. Good luck to us!!

Night, Night

July 3rd marked a milestone for the twins - - they slept in their own cribs! Eric & I have really enjoyed them in the same crib, but they are outgrowing the side by side set up. We'd come in to find them a little too "squished" up against the crib since they were laying side by side. They are just becoming too long. So, I changed the sheets and got both cribs all situated and each baby went to his / her respected crib. They are nice and comfy and seem to not be missing each other yet!