Thursday, February 19, 2009




We've had a good past couple of weeks with all the boys.  Ben and Alex celebrated their 5th birthday at the bowling alley.  They led their friends to the Cha Cha Slide with the party hostesses and had a great time.  Dorian slept through the whole entire party while Wynn was wide awake the entire time.  

About two or three times a month we have therapists from ECI visit the babies here at home.  Our doctors recommended enrolling into the ECI program - a home therapy program for families with developmental and physical special needs.  Kris is our physical therapist for the babies, and Joy handles their cognitive development activities.  Joy came over and Ben and Alex were still home and Ben kept on circling around her while she was holding Wynn very protectively like "who are you and what are you doing to my brother?".  At the same time, Alex was telling her which baby was which just in case she felt confused.  It was funny. 

We did an introductory appointment with Dr. Brown, a pediatric orthopedic specialist who has had experience working with kids with storage disorders.  I was touched by his story on how he got into this specialty.  He was born with only fingers on his left hand, so he'd volunteer at Scottish Rite with for the physically challenged kids.  As a volunteer, one of the hand doctors took him under her wing and encouraged him to pursue medicine.  

Both babies have bounced back from a respiratory infection they had last week.  Between the antibiotics and the nebulizer (for breathing treatments), it took them about a week to get better.  

Wynn is a big ham and likes to smile alot now ... I guess he didn't want Dorian getting all the cheers from us every time he smiles. 

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Priceless!



We've been very grateful on how generous our friends have been to us.  We are so blessed to have so many great people in our lives.  I realized today as I looked around during this 1st half of the Super Bowl game.  Dorian and Wynn are wearing new outfits given as gifts, Ben and Alex are watching a Tom and Jerry dvd that were given last week, I drank a sip of Kahlua shipped from friends in Maryville (yes... they know my kryptonite), and Chris is enjoying the company of one of our neighbors who invited him over to watch the super bowl.  

From our friends that have been to visit (both our friends in town and also those that have come from far away), the Phi Mu's that continue to spoil us with yummy dinners, the play dates friends have arranged for Ben and Alex, and all the thoughtful calls, emails and cards that we receive on a weekly basis -- you all have made us feel that we are the luckiest people on earth.  You all are priceless.  

Everyone has had a good couple of weeks since the last update.  Dorian has done well enough with eating his thickened formula that we pulled the feeding tube out of his nose earlier this week.  Dorian has become quite the crowd pleaser -- he loves to smile and make puppy dog eyes to Chris and I.  About a week and a half ago he started intentionally smiling so that is a fun milestone to be a part of.  He also does a great job with following objects.  He looks like he is itching to start grabbing things.  

At our last Scottish Rite appointment -- Wynn's hands and wrist flexibility had improved quite well according to the doctor.  Dorian's hands and fingers are stiffer than Wynn's, but she did see a little improvement, so we're happy.   Wynn loves to coo and he is very sociable. He likes to be talked to and cuddled as often as possible.  

The babies have been busy busy busy with their firsts.  They went to the park with their big brothers yesterday for the first time, they went to the mall when Hayley, Jaymie and Stacy came to visit, and I started prepping them for their first TV appearance they'll be doing for an interview the boys, Chris & I will do for work stuff (my work stuff) with Univision (the Spanish language channel).   I guess there is not much prepping a 3 month old needs to be on TV... just be as cute as they normally are.  So that won't be hard for them. 

So as I watch the super expensive commercials during this super bowl game, it makes me thankful that our friends make us feel like one in a million.