The Rest of the Story

Ok, as you all probably heard this morning....I just had to add this to my blog to get the "rest of the story" told. The Octuplet story.....Mother already had 6 children at home all under the age of 7. She lives with her mother so that grandmother can help take care of the kids. The husband is a contractor and will be returning soon to Iraq. It is reported the pregnancy is a result of fertility drugs.

I am amazed by the entire story!!!!!! NUFF SAID!!!!! What do you think???

3 New Awards ***

I have received these award from my friend Sharon at A Second Helping. If you haven't been by to visit her, you should hop on over there and read about her adventures. She is happily planning for her retirement in May. I'm so jealous!! HA!! tee-hee.... Also, she has the cutest little dachshunds!!!

The first one is a triple award and it is called the Sisterhood Award. Here are the rules for the recipients:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 5 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

The next award from Debbie is Proximadade Award. This award translated from Portuguese means, "This blog contributes to and supports or believes in close friendships." "This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I'm listing 5 of my bloggers friends below to receive these three awards. That way, if one of them already has one of the awards they don't have to take this one - unless, of course, they want to. There are so many that deserve this award, but since I am new to this it will take a lot of time for me to get this done.....so if you want this blog and I didn't list you, just help yourself....Have a great day!!!

lavenderchick

washwhendirty.com

Rhoda @ Southernhospitality

Debbie @ simplycherished

Connie @ connie49

TOOTSIE TIME: It's About Time!!!! Let the Games.....BEGIN!

TOOTSIE TIME: It's About Time!!!! Let the Games.....BEGIN!
Check out this girls awesome gardens. I hope to learn alittle from her.

Octuplets

♥


NOPE... there is nothing wrong with this picture. Yes, 8 babies, 8 babies
I just had to post about this today. When I first heard this news I thought ," OMG you've got to be kidding me"...at this point I thanked God for our "twins"...we only THOUGHT we had our hands full. Like our twins these babies were born 9 weeks early. Second time in history for this to occur in the United States. 48 doctors and nurses present at birth and all 8 babies born within 5 mins....can you image the hustle and bustle getting that job done! Another amazing bit of info....mom plans to breastfeed!! So lets calculate this...1 baby for 15 mins on each breast= 30 mins x 8 babies=4 hrs x 3 feedings=12 hrs per day breastfeeding....OMG An incredible super-woman. What would you do with 8 babies?? All I can say about this is.....as we say in the south, "Bless ya heart"!!..... ♥

Happy Birthday, Little Daddy

Today is "little Dad"s birthday. Happy Birthday!! He is a big "29" years old. "A child himself"...of course, that is his Mama talking. I remember not too long ago he was being held and cuddled just as these little precious babies are. My how time does fly. Of course, I'm NOT getting any older.....and as you know I had him when I was in kindergarten !!! HA!!! ;) wink, wink!!!

Since it was his birthday, I VOLUNTEERED to baby sit while they went out for a little while this afternoon. They went to eat and do a little quick shopping. I think they only called home about 3 times....which I thought was pretty good considering....the first time leaving them. Did you notice what the bibs say? I think they are wearing these just for Dad.

Well, we managed just fine with feedings, medication, changing diapers....Uncle J and Auntie K came by, then Pappy came by.....they just couldn't stay away !!!

I guess I have rambled on enough....I just wanted to recognize my younger sons birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON. I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH....MOM

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush

PRESIDENT BUSH and MRS. BUSH,

Enjoy your new home in Dallas as you begin your private life together again. There you can go to bed early, as you are want to do, without having the very weight of the world on your shoulders, and just savor the company of the beloved mate whom God has graciously and lovingly given to you.

How blessed you are...and how blessed we have been to have you leading us and providing such a wonderful example for us all! We will miss you more than words can say.

This country will not fully realize what you have done for us until you are gone from public view, but some of us DO understand what we have had, and we will mourn what we have lost when you are gone.

We can never fully describe what you have meant to us, but know that we admire and respect you in a way that is inexpressible and rare. You have blessed and enriched our lives,and we will be forever thankful to God for loaning you to us for these past eight years.

********as of Tues, Jan 20, 2009 we now have a new President Barrack Hussein Obama.....thus allowing former President George W and Laura Bush to "retire". The above statement came in an e-mail...couldn't have said it better!!

Lemonade Award

This award was given to me by my sweet sister in law at The "Deare" Diary
Now I am new to this, never have been given an award. I just started bloggin less than a year ago. So, we will see if I can "make this happen" HA!!

Thanks so much for the award. The Lemonade Award is for sites that show gratitude and a wonderful attitude.

Rules for the award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Nominate your favorites and link to this post.

My Choices for the Award:

Baba's Blog...Babies are Special...

toowonderfulforme

A Second Helping

Needled Mom

Cochran Quads

Chris's Corner

Raxx-A day in the life

Gatherings

Connie's Turning 50!

PamperingBeki-The Blog

I enjoy reading your blogs and am thankful for all your prayers for our twins.
Have a great day!!!

Full Day

Yesterday was a full day. We went to the pediatrician for 2 month check-up and shots. It is certainly a challenge to get yourself and two infants dressed, meds prepared, formula prepared and put in car seats....all to be done on a schedule to see the doctor. We got another good report for which I thank God. Prentiss weighs 8 lbs 4 oz and Luke weighs 7 lbs 15 oz...can you believe that!!!??? Last night was a "rough" night or so Little Mama says....one sleeping, one awake. I think they were probably restless from the baby shots. She swaddles them in their little blankets and puts them on their boppie pillows....they LOVE those pillows...and go right to sleep. They really do prefer to be put down and go to sleep on their own.






PRENTISS

LUKE


We can hardly wait to get a little stronger then we are going to have a "day trip" to our great-grandmothers house....yipee yipee!!!! We will have them "wrapped" in no time at all....HA!!!

Prentiss and Luke are home!!

Prentiss was discharged from the hospital this morning. He is doing well. Eating and keeping it down... no vomitting. WHEW !! We're all doing the "happy dance". The next attempt will be to establish a routine for "Little Mama and babies". It's interesting how we love our routine or "ruts". I finished up the baby laundry this afternoon and took home. Leaving there without baby in tow felt strange. I have to admit I am tired and will probably go to bed tonight very early. Got to work tomorrow. It is such a relief to see the boys all fed, happy, sitting in their swings watching the mobile go "round n round".
Doesn't take a whole lot to make them happy. Prentiss medications remain the same: Captopril, Lasix, digoxin, and Zantac. He has gained up to 7 lbs 1 oz. It is truly a miracle!! We don't have a current weight on Luke but I bet he is close to that. He had lost several ounces and was dehydrated before it was established that he had pyloric stenosis. He is a fighter also. They are adorable if I have to say so myself. I will post more pictures as soon as I get a chance. Once again thanks to everyone for holding us all up in prayers. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME....HE IS NEVER SURPRISED AND IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL.

Hugs to everyone.

Prentiss hangin in there

I "just had to borrow" this picture from dear sweet Lisa at Lisa Shaw ministries. I hope you don't mind. This is my prayer today.

Prentiss remains hospitalized. His oxygen saturation has not maintained as it should earlier today, however, this evening it has stabilized. The doctors just want to monitor him another night.

Luke was in the care of Uncle J and Auntie K today. I will be leaving work shortly to "pick it up" again so that they can get some rest for work tomorrow.

Those little boys will never understand how much they are loved and what Uncle J and Auntie K did for them. I just want to say they have been a great support. The only draw back is they are now saying....."thanks, but no thanks...no kids for us..." HA!! Maybe they will change their minds. HA!!

Got to finish up so that I can boogey on out of here. Love to all.

Update #########

Just ran home long enough to change clothes and "do something with this hair". Talk about a bad hair day. I would post a picture but it might scare too many people!! HA!! Prentiss had his surgery very early this morning and it went well. Little Mama said he seems to be hurting more than Luke. She is getting ready to feed him 15cc of Pedialyte. He had no problems during surgery with his heart. They both were intubated....how they can do that with the babies being so small.....it's difficult to wrap my brain around....though right now....just anything is difficult to think about...HA!!!!... I was suppose to work today, but a friend volunteered to work in my place for which I am so thankful. Not sure if Prentiss will come home tomorrow....the thought is he may not at this point. Will have to wait and see how the day goes. Luke is a little champ. He is eating or rather sucking his bottle like a "big boy". He is taking 90 cc every 4 hrs....we had to call Little Mama this morning because he acts as though he is starving so she up it to 105cc....he sucked that down like it was nothing. Thank God no vomitting or spitting up even.
Well, got to get going again.....will let you all know how it goes.
Again, thank you so much for all your prayers. We just could not have walked down this path without your help.....THANK GOD for friends like you all.

It Continues

Tonight Prentiss is in the hospital with Little Mama and Dad. Uncle, Auntie, and I are taking shifts with Luke at home. Prentiss has got to have surgery in the morning for Pyloric stenosis, just like his brother. We are told he should be ok considering his heart condition. Luke seems to be doing well. They both are seeming to enjoy all the "attention".....we all are so tired and exhausted.
GOD IS STILL GOOD ALL THE TIME.
Will let everyone know how Prentiss does. I just came home long enough to shower and return to take up my shift. More later.

Update

"MY FIRST TRIP WITH YAYA"!!!







Just got home from the cardiologist. We got a good report. Prentiss is doing well. MD sts if he continues doing well on meds he wants to wait on having the surgery until he is one year old then both, PDA and ASD can be corrected at the same time instead of having two separate surgeries. Gaining weight well. I'm sure you can see the chipmunk cheeks! tee hee!!!!
Luke's surgery was a success. Doctors made a small abdominal incision. We said Luke did not want Prentiss to have something he couldn't have...they will probably be comparing "war wounds" HA!!! GOD IS GOOD!!! Luke was able to hold down 45 cc formula this morning. If he can tolerate 60cc this afternoon he can come home late this evening. Maybe then Little Mama and Dad can get more than 30min sleep periods. Luke will have to be fed every 3 hrs.
As I type this Prentiss is snoozing on the couch with me....it was a "hard day".


A picture of Dad feeding Luke this morning in the hospital. He tolerated it well. Thank God.



OK, more later....I'm doing baby laundry. It never ends....

Gone to Surgery

I am at my sons home with Prentiss while Little Mama and Dad are with Luke at the hospital. I was just called by Dad and told Luke had been taken to surgery to correct the pyloric stenosis
At this point this is all I know, will keep you updated.

Back to the Hospital again, this time it's Luke

It has been a long past few days. I went to work Friday morning and got off at 7:00pm then went by to see how the boys were doing. Little Mom had one hr sleep the night before so I told her to go to bed and I would stay up with the boys. Saturday morning at 4:30 I went home after she had had some sleep. Luke began to spit up....as you read on previous blog.....anyway, after seeing the pediatrician we were at it again. Increasing cereal in his formula, it did not seem to help and by last night he was projectile vomitting. This morning Little Mama and Dad were on their way to pediatrician's office. They were told Luke probably had pyloric stenosis and he was admitted to hosp to be work-up and if positive would have surgery in the morning and spending about 4 days in the hospital. Little Mama's mother leaves this afternoon to go back home to Michigan and of course Little Mama is upset about that as well. So, Uncle and Auntie are going to help me out with shifts to care for Prentiss and of course everyone is a little uncomfortable about giving him his meds that he takes "around the clock".....So, this is where we stand at this point.

IICor 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:for my strength is made perfect in weakness".
Jeremiah 30:17
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord.

Please continue to pray for us.

Need For More Hands

This is what I needed on my first time out baby sitting while little Mom had a brief outing with her mother to "Wally World". I gave Prentiss his medications waiting 30 mins then fed Luke
for 30 mins by this time it was time to feed Prentiss....then feeding him and burping I had to go back to Luke to give him burp time cause he's "not in to that" so he takes longer......OH>>>MY>changing diapers. The next day I got off work and went by before doing home and learned little mom had only had one hr of sleep the night before. I told her I would stay the night so that she could be some sleep. She quickly agreed. HA! So about 11:15 she went to bed.....I went to work.....meds for Prentiss, changed Luke diaper, feed Luke, burp Luke.....hold him "up" to settle his stomach...change Prentiss, feed Prentiss, hold him "up" for awhile....change Luke again....try to settle both down for a few hrs.....NOT.....grunt....wiggle.....suck passey......wiggle....grunt.......stretch...groan.......Luke finally settled down.....Prentiss grunted and wiggled most of "morning".....little mom got up about 4:30a for next feeding round........I went home about 5:30.......skip forward to 11:30 Little Mama's mother calls and asked me to come over....911 had been called because Luke was choking and little Mama was having difficulty
getting airway open.....after paramedics left Luke was taken to pediatricians and was told he had reflux and was prescribed ZANTAC...and will have to be fed every 2 hrs and given this med twice a day.......Prentiss was quiet and slept all the while everyone was gone. Now it is 8pm.....I'm back at home telling Little Mama to call if she needs me. Little Mama's mother said these kids scared her ****less.....WHEW!!! Lord help us all.....GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME>

Our First Shots

Remember Luke is on the left and Prentiss on the right. Oh by the way, "little Mama" is in the center. I could never tell she was sleep deprived. Looks good to me!!HA!! They went to the pediatricians yesterday and got their first official visit with first round of "baby shots". Prentiss did not get all of his at the same time due to his heart problems. They are doing great!! I thank GOD for His work. They both weigh 6lbs 6oz and both are 19 1/2 inches long.
Prentiss is getting a formula with higher calorie content to "fatten" him up for his surgery. Mom and Dad got more sleep last night because they decided they would go to bed earlier whenever the boys decided to sleep. (They're figuring it out) HA!! Prentiss was awake quite a bit today, Luke wanted to sleep all day. How do you get them on the same sleep schedule?? Anyone have any ideas???? We are desperate..... Look at these little angels....awh

Appts next week are cardiology and ophthalmology....all in the same day. Whew!!!

Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches

I decided to post this to honor my commitment to "Cook It Blog It". I found this recipe in our local paper. The family tried it Christmas and it was a "hit".


HOT ROAST BEEF PARTY SANDWICHES


Ingredients: one-half cup finely chopped walnuts
2 (9.24-ounce) package dinner rolls
two-thirds cup peach perserves
one-half cup mustard-mayonnaise blend (I used dijon honey mustard)
one-fourth pound thinly sliced deli roast beef chopped
one-half pound sliced Havarti cheese
salt and pepper (optional)


Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Heat walnuts in a small non-stick skillet over medium to low heat, stirring often for 5-6 mins or until lightly roasted and fragrant. Remove rolls from package (do not separate).

Cut rolls in half horizontally, creating one top and one bottom per package. Spread preserves on cut sides of top rolls, sprinkle with walnuts. Spread mustard-mayo blend on cut side of bottom of rolls. Top with roast beef and cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with top half of rolls, preserves side down, and wrap in aluminum foil. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minsutes or until cheese is melted, slice into individual sandwiches. Serve immediately.

They are so yummy, just enough...would be great to serve when finger foods are served.

First of Many

Last night was our "first official full body bath". I think "we" decided it was not an activity we were interested in. Our thoughts were to sleep so that we could keep our Mom and Dad up all night and "party".....they say we have got our days and nights mixed up....but we have got to"show" everyone who is in control!! HA!! We sure do like that nice king size bed Mom and Dad have....we think we may take it over tonight!! or maybe we could "swing" all night...you know everytime the swing stops they get up and start it back. HA!! tee hee!!! They say they are tired and sleep deprived....they "just don't know we are just gettin started" HA!!!! TEE!! HEE!!!!

We wouldn't do that 'cause we're little angels....at least that is what YaYa says anyway!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing all my bloggin friends a Happy New Year! May your year be filled with God's blessings!

Good Report

We have been sooo busy. I had planned to blog yesterday, but never "made it".
Prentiss saw the cardiologist yesterday. We got a good report. He is doing well on his medication. Doctor said if he continued well on meds then the heart surgery can be delayed until he is 6 months old. If it can be postponed, then the surgery can be done through cardiac cath instead of open heart making the risk less and the rehab quicker. Cardiologist wants to see Prentiss again in ten day. Doctors are not concerned about Luke's murmur. Good news to me....God is good all the time.

Luke is on the left with green pacifier. Prentiss is on the right with blue pacifier. "Little Mama" brought the nail polish. Prentiss has Sapphire blue toe nails on the right foot. She said she is so sleep deprived this would help her in the wee hours of the morning to give the right baby his heart meds.

Yaya and Prentiss are tired. (I'm not really asleep....just resting the eyes). Luke Austin

"ARE WE HAVIN FUN YET???? YOU BET WE ARE!!!!!
Prentiss William