All This And Heaven: May 2012

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Call Me a Cow!

Pooker, Goobers, and Bear were all bottle fed. Then I heard that breast feeding can help with spacing babies. Considering that Goobers and Bear were only 15 months apart and then Sugar came along 11 months later I really wanted to space the kids out a little more. I decided to try to nurse Sugar. I loved it. Sugar and the rest of the gang were all born as big babies that had no problem eating. I fell in love with nursing. It was easy, it was so easy to bond with the baby, and it saved money. I was not one to continue for very long, my babies only wanted to nurse for about 7 months to a year. I took it for granted, I really did. This pregnancy has been so different. Then to have preemies, again a whole new world.

I didn't care if we nursed or not this time. I just wanted what was best for the babies. I gave permission for formula to be used and then I was shocked when I was asked if I would consider buying breast milk from a milk bank. I told them I was happy to pump if it would help. I have often heard that "breast is best" but how much better could it be? Apparently for preemies, breast milk is like MEDICINE. So the pumping began.

This was not easy for me at all. It was so mechanical and so different from the natural normal process of breast feeding. I have never had a short supply of milk and this time I am just keeping up with the needs of the twins. They are being feed with a tube to the stomachs but will learn how to nurse over the next few weeks. Today we got to practice. Each baby is learning what it is all about. I can't tell you how good that felt. To all my friends that pump out of necessity, I admire your love of your child. I hope to feel the comfort of two babies getting all their nutrition from mom soon, until then just call me a cow!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Memorial Day full of family Memories

So it was Memorial Day, and we are so thankful for the freedoms that we have in this country. Prayers of thanksgiving for all those whose lives have been lost in defense of this beautiful country.

One way that families celebrate the freedom is to have a summer opening party at the pool. I stayed home and rested while Bear with the help of Goobers, Sugar and Pooker had a party with some of the neighbors, his siblings and some friends from church. Dad joined the party to BBQ and bring the younger kiddos. They all had a great morning and mid afternoon,I was very thankful for some time to rest.

Bear

Bagel

Possible with neighbor friends

Sugar with neighbor L

Bear and Pickle

Pickle

Jumba wearing a big boy jammer

Lifeguard Bear

Friends from Church

Lifeguard Goobers

Princess

This time was wonderful and then we all headed to the hospital to see the Twins. This is becoming a very special time in our day.

Twin Beautiful

Twin Adorable

Twin Adorable is the Elephant in the room decor!

My precious Adorable

Twin Beautiful is the monkey.

Beautiful is so kissable.

The kids got a little time to hold the babies. It is so hard because we really want to grab them into our arms and hug and kiss them non stop. Their little bodies just can't register that right now. My children have been so good about giving each other turns and trying to make sure that no one feels left out. Not easy when just one person gets to hold one baby. One thing I see in every single picture is LOVE. These babies are so very loved.

Bear and Jumba watch as Pooker cuddles Twin Adorable

Goobers with Twin Beautiful

Twin B was born second and much smaller but she has been much more alert. She seams to follow voices and her face is expressive.

Beautiful

Twin Adorable has to work harder to breath. We know she will soon be alert and interact like her twin. That face is still too much for me. So precious!

Princess getting a first time to hold Twin Adorable. I think their Adorable will have hair like Princess. At birth Princess had lots of dark hair just like Adorable.

Now to the pictures I could not wait to take. The babies are bedded in separate beds and that it a new policy. I am in no place to question it but I do wish they were allowed some time together. So we grabbed a few shots the two together.

Twin Adorable is on the left and Twin Beautiful is on the right.

I look at them and see nothing but the differences. I even wonder if they are really identical.Then seeing them together I can see how alike they do look. I still wonder how alike they will be as they grow. As Beautiful catches up to Adorable in weight I find they look more and more alike. Adorable still has thicker hair and Beautiful has a thinner face, BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK????? The Placenta was sent off for study so we will soon know if it was two fused together or truly just one placenta from a set of identical twins. Either way I just love my little miracles.

So by looks alone what do you think: identical or not ????

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Just a Few Pictures from the week

Pooker admires Beautiful

Goobers with Beautiful

Beautiful

Adorable

Twin Adorable

Twin Beautiful

I was really bad at taking pictures this week. It was a very hard week. Going home but leaving babies at the hospital is something that you can't prepare for. My body is not healing like it did in past pregnancies and I feel sick. My legs and belly are still swollen and sore with fluid. In that respect it is a small blessing that the Twins are being well cared for. I am pumping my breast milk, but I am not even near babies when pumping so it feels very mechanical. It is best for premie babies so I will continue but it adds to the odd emotions of the week. Saturday The older kids had their swim meet and I stayed home and slept all morning into the afternoon. We all rushed to hospital after swim to spend as much time with babies as we could. Twin Adorable is now off IV and we were so hopeful that we could hug on her. Possible was taking the first turn in holding her and her oxygen levels kept dropping. She remained stable once we put her back in her crib, but that really was hard to see. Poor Possible felt like it was her, it wasn't. Adorable just can't handle all of that stimulation. Twin Beautiful is much more accommodating. We have all held her except for Pickle, who had a cold. She is so tiny but really so strong. Medically they are both doing great and making advances each day. Thank you for reading our updates. I am sure that the babies will be getting bigger and stronger all week. I just ask that you continue to pray in thanksgiving for our health and request that the twins continue to mature so we can bring them home.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Time with Twins- Sunday and Monday

Twin Beautiful

Twin Adorable

Dad and Mom with Twin Beautiful

Dad and mom with Adorable

Mom's room decorated by Princess, Bagel, Jumba

I don't have much to say about these pictures. They speak for themselves. These babies are still in the hospital and will be for a little longer. I plan to update more and more picture. They won't contain many stories but will try to chronical the day by day advances made that can be seen in pictures. I also love all the shots of the with each other. The sibling love in our house is so strong. The kids love the twins and each other so much. Dad and I look over these shots and realize how blessed we truly are. Thank you for all your prayers. Mom is healing and babies are growing. These are both little miracle in and of themselves. Your prayers are being answered and I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart,

What will I see here?

Take a peek into our life as a big family in Houston, TX. Welcome to the electronic journal for the Texas T family. This blog was created to share some moments of our life with you. Often having 11 children (including twins), homeschooling, and being incredibly active in our Catholic faith we are asked “How do you do it?” We invite you to look around, sign up as a follower, and peek into the answer to that question. Remember we are not a perfect family; but I won't post the bad stuff.

Thanks for visiting, Neen

The Nicene Creed

We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help ~ Pray For Us!

Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church you are also our Mother of Perpetual Help. With hearts full of love for you we consecrate ourselves to your Immaculate Heart so that we may be your devoted children. Obtain for us true sorrow for our sins and fidelity to the promises of our Baptism. We consecrate our minds and hearts to you that we always do the Will of our heavenly Father. We consecrate our lives to you that we may love God better and live not for ourselves but for Christ, your Son and that we may see Him and serve Him in others. By this humble act of consecration dear Mother of Perpetual Help we pledge to model our lives on you, the perfect Christian. So that, consecrated to you in life and in death we may belong to your Divine Son for all eternity. Amen

St. Joseph ~ Pray For Us!

NINE-DAYS NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH (Note: This prayer was found in the 50th year of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Sometime during the 16th century, it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. It is said that whoever shall read this prayer or take it with them, shall never die a sudden death or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, or shall be burned in any fire or shall be overpowered in battle.) Say this prayer for nine days for anything you may desire. Then let go and let God. Trust that whatever is the outcome of your novena is truly what is best for you in accordance with the will of God.) O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. O Saint Joseph, pray for me. (Mention your intention)

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote to a couple that had a miscarriage. In response to their question, “What is going to happen to my child? The child didn’t get baptized,” St. Bernard said, “Your faith spoke for this child. Baptism for this child was only delayed by time. Your faith suffices. The waters of your womb — were they not the waters of life for this child? Look at your tears. Are they not like the waters of baptism? Do not fear this. God’s ability to love is greater than our fears. Surrender everything to God.”

St. Jude ~ Pray For Us!

(Novena say this for 9 days) Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly - (make your request here)- and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.

St. Anthony of Padua ~ Pray For Us!

Holy Saint Anthony, gentle and powerful in your help, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were always ready to request for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the Saint of miracles. Gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart is ever full of human sympathy, take my petition to the Infant Savior for whom you have such a great love, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.