A Few Pictures From December 2008

Sorry I haven't had much time to blog, between the holidays and the hospital I just hadn't found the time...but I wanted to share with you a few pictures!!!

Above: McKenzie's 1st Day in the Crib!! Yay Kenzie!

Above: Lillian...napping ... her favorite past time!

Above: McKenzie and her Daddy... "what you looking at sucka?"

Above: McKenzie (Left) & Lillian (Right) ... Neither one of them wanted to open their eyes...but this is their FIRST picture together!! yay!! As you can see their feeding tubes have been moved from their mouths to their noses! It's Nippling time!!

Above: Lillian Showing her pretty little face ... taking a break from the cpap and the tubes! (this was before she was on the nasal flow)

Above: McKenzie's last day in her incubator...showing of her pretty face! :) I love these eyes!

I hope you all enjoyed...I will be posting... the Christmas pictures next... hopefully!!!

-The Momo Momma

"SHOWER ME WITH YOUR LOVE!"

On December 13, 2008 I was the guest of honor at the MOST FABULOUS baby shower any girl could hope for!!

Here are the people that made it all possible

"We Work for Lillian & McKenzie"

To the Shower Committee: Thank you all for all your hard work and dedication to making the Sands shower the best it can be. I feel so fortunate to have family and friends that will go above and beyond to make something so grand just for "lil ole me". You all have been an important part of "the process" that it has taken to get our little girlie's here and watching them grow. Your support and your prayers have helped our "new" family remain faithful and kept our spirits strong when sometimes we felt a little weak. The day could not have been more perfect, I wanted to "shout from the rooftops...I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!" So Again, Thank you Jernee, Nadia, Karimah, Melissa, Sacha, Jibri, Christy, Towanda, Mom J, Ryeshia, Mum & Temika.

Here are some pictures from the Fabulous Shower!

This shot is from the Parenting 101 game... apparently Everett and I have some talking to do about how we are going to raise the momos!! lol :) He is all about "tough love" but we all know he is a big teddy bear inside!! Check back in 18-24 months to see what actually happened! ha!

The YUMMY CAKE!!! By NANA (ask me how you can get a cake from Nana's Cakes) The food and the Decor was WONDERFUL! Loved loved loved the Asian Theme!


GIFTS GALORE!!! I swear we have the best family and friends! Thank you to everyone who came to "shower us" from near and far! You all ROCK! I am loving the Twin Elephants...What Do you See in Their future?! hee hee!

What is a shower without the embarrassing "bow & ribbon hat" ... And what a good sport my lover is for putting it on! :) Check out his shirt, "Super Dad of the Momos" the back says "Lillian & McKenzie's Daddy"

I cannot thank everyone enough for this special day! It was like a "MTV Super Sweet 16" Party!

With Love,

-The Momo Momma

Today would of been the day....

... that the momos came into the world... Today our sweet little girlie's are 2lbs 12 oz (Lily) and 2lbs 14oz (McKenzie) at 32 weeks gestational/4 weeks old. (Below- Lily in Clothes at 31 weeks and McKenzie not in clothes 31 weeks)





Sooooo... we have come a VERY long way in the past 4 weeks!! Our little girlie's are growing ever so nicely. I am so proud of their progress. Right now they are both on the CPAP machine, McKenzie is at room air (you go girl!!) and Lily is almost at room air (yay!)...On Saturday she switched from SIPAP to CPAP which is a step in the right direction. They are both wearing clothes now!!! Their preemie outfits swim on them...but they look adorable in them!

I was hoping that they would take McKenzie off the CPAP and put her on a Nasal prongs so we could see her pretty little face, however they are going to keep her on CPAP till she doesn't need anything... so they are both keeping their "snorkels" on for now!(Below McKenzie in her snorkel & Lily on "snorkel break")

Last week Everett and I were able to snuggle our little muffins with "kangaroo care" loving, we put them directly against our skin and let them feel our hearts and our heat. It was amazing, I had Lily snuggled down my shirt and Everett held McKenzie. They did really well out next to us, I know they know we are their parents, they show us their love through their monitors! "beep..beep...beep"

Below are pictures of our Kangaroo Care session, it was great, they were so warm and soft! I love how McKenzie has her hand on Everett's chest... like she was patting him saying, "It's okay Daddy!"







I used to be so nervous about holding the Momos now I can't get enough of them! I never want them to be in the isolettes when I'm there, I just want to snuggle them in my arms. BUT I know they need their rest, so they can grow and get nice a chubby (nobody wants a skinny baby! hee hee). When I hold them I sing to them, talk to them and just listen to them breath, it is an amazing feeling. I was fortunate enough to get to hold both the Momos as the same time, It was one of those moments where I felt my entire life was complete. I wanted to cry...but I had to remember my rules "no crying in the NICU"! It was such a treat...the nurse was sweet enough to capture the moment for me...(Lily on the Left, McKenzie on the Right)

I have been reading all the posts from everyone! I truly enjoy the messages, words of inspiration and encouragement! I am so grateful to have wonderful family and friends following on our NICU journey...our girls will be home before we know it thanks to all your prayers!

-The Momo Momma

Let Me Upgrade You!

I never thought I could fall in love with someone like I fell in love with Everett...but boy was I wrong...While Everett is still my #1...I have two new little lives that I have only known for 16 days, but I am in love with them as if I have known them my entire life...


So It has been a week since my last post…and the girls have been UPGRADED…from the NICU to SPECIAL CARE! It was a total surprise for us to come to see them and them be in another environment. They are with the “grown up” babies now.

Both Lily & McKenzie are weighing in at 2lbs6oz. They have been doing well off the breathing tubes…they have had some “naughty days” where they need a little more help from the c-pap machine, which is to be expected with them still being so small.

They are 30 weeks and 3 days old, I feel like we have come a long way since November 10th at 2:21am & 2:23am. They are on continuous feedings eating almost 6oz of my milk a day. Lily has had calcium/calories added to her milk so they can fatten up faster. McKenzie will probably have that added tomorrow.

This past week has been an emotional roller coaster for me…I have had my ups and downs. I was actually having a “pity party” for a few days…I even sent invitations out to my "pity party"…but no one showed up! Good thing…I didn’t need the encouragement for pity. What I have had is never ending support from wonderful family and friends. It is so great to see how people step up when they know you are really in a rough place; it is exactly what I needed!

The weekend really helped me over my “hump”. I was able to go and hang out with friends and just be out of the house doing “normal” things. Chris and Carletta came down from NY to visit the momos (THEY NEVER COME TO MD JUST TO VISIT!) but they did for us…and for that I am so grateful! Hanging out with them, Jernee & Dave this weekend really gave me a good boost.


On Sunday, the 23rd we were able to hold our little McKenzie for the first time (see pictures above). It was something I had been putting off for a while, just fear because they are so small. Now I know I was also putting it off because once you hold them you never want to let them go. I guess I didn’t want an additional attachment. Monday the 24th we were able to hold Lily too...I am so happy to have held them both. Leaving the hospital every night knowing that I am walking out empty handed breaks my heart, However I know they are in God’s hands…and those hands can do way more for them then mine can do.

I attended my first NICU support group meeting on Monday; it was very informative and very personal. I was happy to have my Mum and Yasmin there with me to just be a family support system. I definitely needed to go to the meeting; I just wish there were other Moms there that could give advice on how they are handling the NICU stay so I don’t feel so crazy! I walked out of there feeling refreshed and feeling positive about the path Lily and McKenzie are on right now. I know they are a long way from home, but they are a long way from where they started.



I find myself sitting up all hours of the night wondering what the momos are doing…or if they need me. I can’t wait till I’m off driving restrictions. I will probably sneak out of the house in the middle of the night just for a quick peek.

Today...Auntie Melissa & Uncle Leon came to see the momos...we were able to see Lily have a bath (see pictures below)...she was alert and crying...lol. Don't think she liked the hair washing...but it was sweet to see her active. The nurses are all saying how much "spunk" they have...they are just like their momma!

I have fallen in love again…and it feels great…

-The Momo Momma

Everyday is a Victory!

Yesterday 11/17/08 I heard our babies cry for the very first time...It was the sweetest sound I have heard...God bless those little vocal cords!

Each day we get a little further away from their first day of life...which means we get closer to them coming home. Today they are 29 weeks and 2 days. Here are the Victories we had in the last few days

* Lily & McKenzie both came off their Breathing tubes on Sunday 11/16/08. Lily had hers taken out in the afternoon (we were able to see them do the procedure, as well as get a look at her sweet little face with no mask or tubes!). McKenzie had hers taken off that evening. They are both progressing well on the Si pap breathing machines, for the most part they are breathing on their own

*McKenzie finally came off the Billy Ruben light on Saturday 11/15/08, Lily came off on 11/14/08. Their levels have gone down and they are actually picking up a little "brown" coloring! :)

*Hearing our babies cry...I cannot explain the feeling that came over me when I heard the little voice from inside the incubator. It was like a kitten. I wanted to cry, but I have stuck to my rule... NO CRYING in the NICU...I can't have our babies see me cry.

*Lily & McKenzie are both gaining weight!!! as of 11/17/08 Lily weighed in at 2lbs2oz and McKenzie weighed in at 2lbs4oz.

*Feedings...the momos are accepting my milk and have been put on continuous feedings taking in about 8cc's a day.

*Today 11/18/08 Lily & McKenize both had on little tops. They are so cute, they are working on helping them keep their body temperature, they have turned down the heat in the incubator so to encourage them to keep their own bodies warm.

*Today I had my staples removed! Yay! It feels about 50% better...

We couldn't be happier with their progress...God is truly blessing us abundantly. I Pray they stay on this path of positive growth and progress.

The picture above is of McKenzie holding onto her Dad's finger...she was having a bit of a fit, and he was keeping her calm and got her back to sleep...she would NOT let go of that finger...it was the sweetest thing ever.

-The Momo Momma

The Hardest Day

Nobody could of prepared me for the feelings I would have, leaving the hospital without our babies...

November 14, 2008, was the hardest day ever. I thought the first day of being in the hospital was going to be the worst...but that did not compare to the feelings I had when I woke up on Friday morning.

After 2 nights of sneaking over to the NICU at 3am and 4am, I couldn't imagine going home and not being able to just sneak up the hall to see the momos. Just as I was getting "comfortable" at the hospital it was time to go...without the momos.

I know they are in the best care possible better care than I could give them at home right now. After 5 hours of tears, it was finally time to leave. Such a bitter/sweet feeling. Mom and Melissa helped me pack up my "suite" and Everett carted it all out. We went to say our goodbyes to the Momos.

They look so comfortable snuggled up on their bellies. They have had their belly feeding tubes removed...YAY! So they can sleep on their backs and their bellies now and comfortably snuggle their hands under their chins while they are sleeping...it is a sight to see! So cute.

After taking a walk out of the hospital to the rainy cold...and seeing I was missing nothing...I wanted to turn around and run back into room 175! The "outside world" doesn't seem that great anymore...cheaper gas and hot McDonald's fries just don't cut it!

Life at Nana's house has been good to me so far...and we are close to the momos!

-The Momo Momma

Pumping Ain't easy...but it Sure is FREE!

Tonight marks our last night in the hospital. It is a bitter sweet feeling...Happy to be leaving the hospital...sad to be leaving the momos...

Life has truly changed these last few days. In a matter of 30 minutes, I went from a wife to a wife and a mother. It is an amazing feeling that I am still not over. I LOVE going to see the momos in the NICU during the day and sometimes in the wee hours of the night. This will be what I miss the most about being here...knowing they are right up the hall from me even if it is 4am, I can just go peek in on them.

I have yet to hear our babies cry because of the tubes they have, and a few months from now when they are home with us, I will probably be wishing for these silent moments, but right now I need that little cry from them.

The Momos are doing very well in the NICU they are growing and changing each day. Everett and I have been able to take their temperatures and change their diapers. At first it was very scary because they are so fragile, but now I look forward to those moments, just to have skin to skin contact with them. Daddy did a great job today changing Lily, she was a little fussy, but then she realized it was her Dad and calmed down. It was very sweet...I will post pictures as soon as a find the camera cord!

PUMPING....

Pressure

Unlimited supply

Milk me like a cow

Pain

Increased bra size!

Nutrition

Growth

...So those of you who know me know that I am ANTI breast feeding...I know, I know shake your head and judge me all you want! It took having these sweet Preemie babies to get me to pump, knowing this would give them the best chances at growing and getting healthy.

I will not lie...this is really hard...it is very demanding. The lactation nurse told me that I wouldn't have milk till the end of this week, maybe a few drops...well boy was she WRONG! I have pumped enough milk for the momos to eat for a month! --right now they are only eating about a tablespoon per feeding! hee hee! But still I am flowing like a river!

Before I log off to go to sleep...oops...I mean go pump then pretend to sleep for 3 hours then wake up and pump again...(Ahhh the Joys of Motherhood)...Let me highlight a few of my favorite moments here....

*Starting this blog and the wonderful comments, I read them all at least 3 times! Keep them coming!

*The love and support from my husband...being here each and everyday for us.

*Visitors galore!!! Each and everyone of you made each day go by faster. My surprise visitors (Kameela, Porsche & Marg)...what a treat...your support speaks volumes...thank you.

*Nana's dinners, cakes and Pies

*The birth of the Momos 11/10/08...

-The Momo Momma