All together

6 babies and one on the way in 5 1/2 years! This is the first time we have had all of them together. It's been so fun watching them play. We have many photo shoots planned so check back!!

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Christmas Eve

I was so happy we could continue our Christmas Eve tradition this year. Last year we couldn't leave the house. Camden and Ailyn were angels (ha,ha) in the pageant. This is the first year Camden participated, all the other years he was too shy.
"Baby Jesus" was a 23 day old baby, how sweet??? Camden and Ailyn were in love and stared at him the whole time.
Our next stop is to our "family" here. I nannied for the two boys above for over 8 years. I met the family when we first moved here. Ben was 3 (now 14) and Jon was 7 weeks (now 11). We have always been very close with their family and consider them our family down here.
YES, that is Jon! Amazing, huh? He is such a great kid. Camden thinks the world of Jon. When I was pregnant with Camden, I told Jon that he was going to be like a big brother. Jon took me serious because he is exactly like a big brother to Cam!
I gave Julia and Evan a photo album of the boys from the very first week I started with them. I had to have Julia open the gift right away because I had tears in my eyes just thinking about how crazy time flies and the boys are SO old now! Ben is a teenager!
"Aunt Julie" loves the nuggets. She loves to get her baby fix ;)
Every year I take the same picture of the boys tracking Santa's journey. This was the year Camden got really into it, it's fun to watch him get so excited!
The men chatting away for hours.....
Then back home with two very tired babies. Ailyn really wanted to get at the milk carton here!
And, Camden was making sure Santa was not going to go hungry!

Have a WONDERFUL Christmas!!!

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Ailyn met Santa!

Santa came to Ailyn's class today. She really enjoyed him! She sat on his lap for awhile.

I wonder what she was thinking? I love this picture, I love how she is looking at him and holding his hand. So sweet ;)

She is getting to be such a big girl doing what the bigger kids are doing! She always wants to be where the kids are.

Her new game is handing you a toy over and over.

And, taking Legos apart and putting them back together. Ailyn loves her class. I chose to allow her to go to this class without having the RSV shot. They are very big on washing hands before walking in the door. And, since there are other preemies and children with disabilities, I think the parents are better about keeping their kids home if they are really sick. I want Ailyn to be with other kids and make friends.

We are busy trying to prepare the house for the feeding tube. I want to make sure the whole house is cleaned before the surgery. A friend had me over to show me her sons G-tube. To be honest, it scared me at first! I drove home all worried if I was going be able to do it. I am nervous about the care part of it. I am worried that Ailyn will pull it out, I am worried about so many things!! But, each day it's getting easier to accept. Early next week is our GI appointment, so check back for an update!

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Bows and Things!

When I was a little girl, my Grandmother made all my dresses. In the summers that I lived with her, I would watch her make my sisters the cutest outfits. I now wish I took her up on her offer to teach me to sew. So having my children wear custom clothing is very special to me!

I have been able to find very talented people to make Camden and Ailyn some handmade outfits. If you follow my blog faithfully, you know that my friend Tina has made Ailyn many adorable dresses and skirts. I have her button on the side of my blog. Check her out!

The outfit below was made by Bows and Things. Becky is one of my friends, friend. She makes the cutest outfits! You can find her on Facebook, just put in the name Bows and Things. Becky made Malia and Ailyn an adorable Christmas outfit to wear for the first cousin photo shoot with all the cousins. She also embroidered 6 shirts for me for another planned photoshoot...AND made Ailyn an adorable diaper bag from Santa ;) So check her out also!!

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Once again

Our insurance denied Ailyn's RSV shot. We had been "on call" to go to the doctors as soon as they got the shots in. We got the call that they were in but our insurance denied it. This is normal for an insurance company to do with the second year shot. Since Ailyn has not had any lung issues and has been healthy, she is not considered a risk.

Thank goodness we have great doctors that want to push to get her the shot. We have 3 doctors that will help appeal the decision. I feel pretty confident that the doctors will be able to help.

So this means we are home bound once again. And, have to ask our friends and family to get their flu shot and let us know if you or your child is or has been sick. We don't have to be stuck inside like we were last year.

I am not sure what exactly we are going to do yet. The class we go to once a week is very good about washing hands. I can't keep her isolated. Last year she didn't need the socialization like she does now. I am thinking we will limit her trips to stores, malls and germy playplaces. I will have to also limit our playdates.

So I guess.....we will see everyone in the spring!

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Blah Day

When I say today was a bad day, I sit back and think "No, it really wasn't, we have been through 100x worse" Yet, I can't seem to change my mood.

Today Ailyn had an appointment with her developmental pediatrician. I will start by saying I LOVE the doctor. Having to go to so many doctors and have them evaluate Ailyn in every possible way is tough to hear all the time. Even though Ailyn in our eyes, will always be perfect.... we realize that it's not always going to be that way with her doctors. They are going to point out every bad point....and not because they want to stress me out....because they care about Ailyn.

Todays appointment was just that. Ailyn passed most her her "tests" that she did with her, like putting a toy in a bucket or moving a blanket to get to the toy she wanted. She would not color (we have been working on this) or say a word on demand.

The doctor said Ailyn's cognitive age is at 12 months (she is 19 months actual, 16 adjusted) She is on a 9 month level for speech. She is progressing at each appointment by 75%. She said Ailyn is extra active and this is "normal" in micropreemies. She said Ailyn will be walking soon and will not walk....but run.

The PT came in and worked with her. She was happy with Ailyn. She did notice some high tone in her right foot and told me how to massage her to help. She also agrees she will be walking within 4-6 months.

The bad news.... Ailyn has always been on this doctors preemie growth chart at 5%. Ailyn has fallen off that chart now in all areas (weight, height and head).

We said when Ailyn fell off the growth chart and was developmentally behind then we would reconsider the feeding tube. So it looks like we will be doing the Gtube asap. Aaron and I feel strongly against the feeding tube BUT both know it's the best choice for Ailyn at this point.

So I called her doctor today and expect a call tomorrow to talk about surgery. Ailyn can be fed by the tube all night and eat normal during the day.

The day was hard because I feel like I have failed as a mother. I know that is not true but I can't help thinking the thought. I have tried everything to get Ailyn to put weight on. Feeding her during the day is not easy. Every day is different. There is no tricking her. She has jaws of steel and will hold her mouth shut. On a good day I can feed her yogurt, stage 2 veggies, applesauce.....on a bad day she will suck on cheese curls and that will be her meal. So basically I am breaking down, asking for help.....help I can not give Ailyn.

** Our preemie friend, Callie is having eye surgery tomorrow, please say an extra prayer for her! Thank you! **

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A cold morning!

My photo shoots seem to be getting colder and colder. I prefer to shoot in natural light and as long as no one cares, I am up for the challenge! Two thumbs up for this family, they were troopers out there in the 30 degrees!

Enjoy your preview D Family! I enjoyed spending the morning with you and your children....who were VERY cute and VERY well behaved ;)

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Ailyn update!

Happy December! I can't believe we are already at the end of the year! This is going to be a crazy busy month with photo shoots, present shopping, Santa wrapping, traveling and much more! But, I welcome the crazy busy.....

Ailyn is continuing to amaze us every day! She is really a toddler now! TROUBLE for sure! I remember a NICU nurse telling me that when Ailyn throws a fit or gets in trouble, just remember what she went through to get here..... and let me tell you...... I have to think of that every time she eats cat food, spills cat water, eats an ALIVE stink bug, plays in the toilet water, BITES us all day and night. She is stubborn that's for sure! There is no telling this little girl "no", she will laugh in your face and do it over and over and over again! So thank you to the nurse that gave me that advice! It really helps when I am frustrated!

I get asked all the time to post how much Ailyn weighs now. She is 16 pounds and 1 ounce.....yes I have to add that ounce! Still tiny yes..... but we are really working with her with solids. She won't start the feeding clinic until January so I have to do it on my own right now. She had stopped letting me feed her from a spoon but since has started letting me feed her stage 3 foods.....and only when she wants too. There is no "making" her eat. She can lock her jaw up very tight. It's frustrating because I want her to eat more solids and less Pediasure. At the same time, she LOVES food! She will beg you for anything you have. She chews it, sucks on it, and when she is done she takes it out of her mouth and throws it on the floor. I welcome ANY advice you have! I do have a few tricks to get her to swallow. She will choke or gag but she can swallow.

Ailyn has been doing so so well for her therapists. She is trying to cruise furniture and walk with a push toy. She can understand many directions. Her new favorite game is handing you something (over and over). She loves her therapists and enjoys "playing" with them.

We went to the Pulmonologist a couple weeks ago and she put Ailyn on a low dose inhaler. She had had croup back in August/September and still had a lingering cough. The cough is now gone and the inhaler will help with any future colds. We are STILL waiting for the RSV shot to come in!!

Ailyn started a class once a week with other toddlers. We have only been to one class but she really enjoyed herself! It's a free class offered through infant and toddlers. They sing, do gross motor play, bubbles, parachute and much more, and the best is that we get a chance to see her therapists again!

Ailyn now has a teacher come to the house once a month. We are working on some signs, so far she has "all done" and "more" down pat.

Her speech is really starting to take off. It's still very simple and no where near her adjusted age of 16 months, but I notice a huge difference in the past few weeks. Her new word is "Ba Ba". She even woke at 4am to say it over and over! She is also putting two sounds together and can imitate the sound when I say a two syllable word.

And, sniff...sniff.....I put Ailyn on the waiting list for Two & U. It's a great class I did with Camden. I can't believe she is already going to start school next year! This class is so nice. It's two days a week, I go with her. We play, sing songs, do art projects, play outside. In January, the Mom's stay behind and they go outisde with the teacher all by themselves. Miss Sally is one of our favs! She is looking forward to having Ailyn in the class. And, a 3's teacher already has dibs on her! I am excited to be back in the school! I miss everyone!

She has a few big appointments coming up this month, so check back for hopefully a great update!

*** The adorable guinea pig is our Sarah! Our Daddy thinks she is too fat. Dalia was in her cage ;)

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Conference Day

Today we had our conference with Camden's teacher. I have to admit I was a tad nervous! I was afraid to hear he was behind his peers academically since I homeschooled him last year. I never wanted to push Camden to learn, I let him learn at his own pace. We worked on lessons that interested him and I snuck in some letters and number lessons in there. But, was very happy to hear that Camden is caught up and in some areas, ahead. So 3 pats on the back for Miss Mommy!
His teacher wrote :

It seems as if Camden has been here with us from day 1. He jumped right into
our classroom routines and has made several friends. Camden seems to enjoy coming to school each day and is eager to learn.

Camden came to Kindergarten with a great foundation of basic skills. He can identify all capital and lowercase letters and is starting to identify and produce the sounds that go along with each.

Camden can count from 1-29. He is able to write numbers 1-20, sometimes backwards. He can identify most basic shapes and has some trouble identifying a rectangle.

Camden tries very hard in class. He sometimes needs to reminders to stay on task in order to complete his work.

I look forward to watching Camden's progress in the upcoming months! I am glad that Camden is in our class.

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Miss M

I photographed Miss M about 6 months ago, it's crazy how much older she looks now! And, as usual she is a natural behind the camera! The location was great! So many places to capture that perfect shot.....except with my own children..... that is another blog post. I took their Christmas card photo ;)

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