Category Archives: Baby Photos

September 28, 2010

A Stitch and a Prayer

Today marks four months with the muppets. And even though they’ve only been home for half that time, it’s already hard to imagine life without them.

The other day we received a box. Surprisingly, it wasn’t from diapers.com. Inside were two beautifully knitted baby blankets.

The card noted that the blankets began coming to life this past April – when I was first admitted to the hospital at 22 weeks. And with each stitch, came a prayer that the muppets would come home smart, strong, healthy boys.

As we unfolded the cozy completed blankets, they were a wonderful representation of all the thoughts and prayers directed toward the muppets during what can only be thought of as a very stressful entrance to the world.

One always has a general idea of what the completed craft will look like at the start. But there’s always the danger of a dropped stitch – sometimes what you find the finished project to be isn’t what you initially imagined, but you may just find yourself amazed at what you accomplished.

The blankets are beautiful. And much enjoyed by their little recipients. Thank you.

Thank you to everyone for helping us get the muppets home.

And with that, I must sign off. Muppets are screaming. They’re on a quest to keep getting bigger by the day.

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September 25, 2010

Don’t Be Fooled by My Size

Most people who meet the muppets coo in amazement at what tiny babies they are. But don’t let that fool you. We now have jumbo babies.

Today was the NICU Preemie Party. The hospital holds an annual event – inviting all the graduates back for a reunion. Parents get to come and show off their quickly growing offspring, nurses get to see how well their charges are progressing and hundreds of kids get to run amuck at a large-scale play date. I was very excited to bring our own 2010 graduates.

We spent the morning gathering all our gear, then loaded everything into our massive stroller and went trooping down the street to the park. I wasn’t sure where the gathering was going to be, or even how big I should expect it, so the three of us took the long route around the park and weaved our way passed various crowds trying to see if we recognized anyone. I began to notice a higher than average number of double strollers passing me – headed in the direction of the park arbor picnic area. My Encyclopedia Brown powers of deductive reasoning inspired me to follow the three sets of twins and one family of quads.

It was kind of fun to be around so many families of multiples. Even in this era of Kate Plus Eight and Octomom, people still seemed to be fascinated by twins. “Oh my goodness! Twins?! Are they natural?” (And of course, there was the one person who observed our stroller last weekend and inquired, “Are there babies in there?”) But today, nobody gave a second look at twins. All conversations were around ages. How old were they when they were born and how old were they now.

On the other side of the colorful kids play area, bouncy houses rose before us like the fabled Emerald City of Oz. Multitudes of little ones were running toward the gathering, screaming with pure joy. From all sides, nurses were gasping with incredulity at how big all the kids were. (“Is he going into kindergarten this year?!” “Well, no, he’s two…”) Once admitted, I made a circular round of the set-up, taking care not to take out any prior preemies with our beast of a stroller. (Everyone was very understanding. Most of them had equally large units of transportation.) There were booths with spin-art (remember that from the mid-80s!), face painting and a magician with a real-live bunny.

It was so wonderful to see so many big healthy kids running around. I’m sure it was absolutely fabulous for the nurses to see “their” kids. But even though I didn’t personally know the families, it was tremendously heartening to know that the preemie predicament was just a distant memory for the parents – and nary a thought for the little ones chasing each other around. Being graduates of only two months, the muppets were some of the youngest attendees. One ex-preemie was 23!

My favorite part was seeing our nurses in the “real-world.” Far, far away from the sterile hospital. Nurse June and Nurse Susan seemed very excited to see the boys. (And just because he loves them, Search made sure to be just as stinky for them as he was in the NICU.) It was observed that both muppets look the same – just a lot chunkier.

Seriously - no exams ok?

I wonder if Search and Destroy remember their nurses’ voices. Search definitely seemed a little concerned while Nurse June was holding him. Of course, that particular look may have just been the consternation that there was no more milk in his bottle. (Gone are the days of fighting to get them to take an ounce in an hour.) Destroy didn’t socialize all that much – “Can’t talk. Eating. Growing.”

We’ll definitely be back next year. But I’ll likely have less time to chat, since I’m guessing I may be chasing toddlers in 12 months time. So while we’re congratulating our 2010 NICU graduates, go ahead and save-the-date for sometime in June 2028 for their high school graduation.

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September 23, 2010

One Month (Adjusted)

So as you may glean from the previous post, things have been slightly hectic – thus preventing me from posting as much as I’d like. Fear not! I have several posts lined up for your enjoyment. Coming soon to a screen near you.

Until then, I’d like to take a quick moment to share that the muppets are one-month-old (adjusted) age today. Had they followed directions, they’d have a lot less milestones for me to write about. Their adjusted age is where we can expect them to fall in terms of growth and development. And they are progressing just as a one-month-old baby should be. (Slightly advanced, of course.)

How time flies, doesn’t it? One month today, four months next week.

The pictures don’t line up to the dates exactly, but they’re a good reminder of how far we’ve come.

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September 20, 2010

One of Those Days

It is 9 p.m. I sit here, with baby vomit in my hair, lamenting the fact that I’ve stayed up so late. With that in mind, I’d like to take a moment to bemoan the day I’ve had in the spirit of Alexander – he of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

As you know, the muppets got their four-month shots on Friday. This has left them cranky and wide awake. I, in turn, am also wide awake. The middle of the night has become social time, when all I want to do is sleep – the floor upon which I’m currently standing looks perfectly comfy.

I think I’ll move to Maui.

This morning was a circus. I had to get the boys ready and help try to get Gramma J out the door to the airport so she could go back home. I wish my mom could stay longer. She just barely made her flight and then had to sit on the tarmac for an hour while a mechanic “looked at the plane.” That sounds safe. I think I’m moving to Maui.

Today was the first day the muppets spent with the nanny instead of with Mom or Dad. We’ve got a great nanny (peace of mind is vastly underrated), but I missed my boys. It was hard to leave. I think I should go to Maui.

I was running late for work so I had to participate in my 9 a.m. meeting via Bluetooth headset in my car. We’re in the middle of the technology capital of the world, but my phone can’t seem to hold a call. Instead, the plant I was bringing to liven up my cube fell over in the back seat. Now there’s dirt in my nice new car. I want to go to Maui.

When I finally got to my desk, I discovered the hard drive on my computer was dead. The IT guy told me it’d be a while since he had to see if there was anything he could do about it. I went to get coffee while I pondered how to make myself useful without my laptop. The barista called me Patty. I HATE being called Patty. I’m moving to Maui.

I ran to my next meeting, hot coffee sloshing about and over my old-fashioned pen and paper note-taking technique. No one was in the conference room when I got there. The meeting was canceled, but nobody bothered to share that with me. I think I’ll move to Maui.

When I finally got my computer back, all my permissions had vanished. The technician told me “it should work,” but that didn’t magically make his statement true. I’d really like to move to Maui.

Destroy had terrible gas pains and was screaming when I got home. Nothing I did seemed to make him feel any better. Search was crying because he just wanted to be held. I felt like a terrible mother. I should go to Maui.

After a week, Destroy finally pooped. He had a major blowout that leaked through his diaper onto the changing pad. Somehow I got poo on the curtains while I was changing him. As I reached for a new wipe, a fountain of pee drenched me, the kid and the changing table. I think I’ll move to Maui.

As soon as I picked him up, all freshly changed and clean, he vomited all over me. Again. There’s vomit in my hair. And it’s chunky. Now it’s 9 p.m., and I’m still awake. I think I’ll go to Maui.

But, just as Alexander’s mom told him that sometimes people (big or small) have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days – even in Australia – I know people have crazy, hectic, stressful exhausting days – even in Maui.

Although, in Maui, at least I’d be in paradise with the world’s cutest muppets…

9 Comments

September 17, 2010

A Shot in the Dark

Today the muppets had their four-month check-up. I can’t believe it either. (Technically, they have another week before they’re actually four months, but it’s close enough to ooh and aww.)

I arrived shortly after Jon and the boys – just in time for the fun stuff. The muppets slope on the official pediatric growth chart is practically vertical. They’re even almost on the chart! Destroy is only a pound below the first percentile for weight.

So without further ado, <drum roll please> the official weigh-in comes in at:

Search
9 lbs, 2 oz
20.25 inches
15 inch head circumference

Destroy
10 lbs, 8 oz
20 inches
14.75 inch head circumference

Search’s got his brother beat on height/length and head circumference. But he still looks tiny next to Destroy. Destroy continues to live up to his nickname – Pudge.

In a much less exciting turn of events, following the statistical recording of vital signs, we rolled over to the pediatric injection clinic. The muppets were due for their next round of vaccinations. We waited in the small lobby area, watching four toddlers play – obviously unaware of what they were in for.

When it was the muppets turn, Search went first. He sat on Jon’s lap in the cramped exam room. The nurse didn’t waste any time – I guess it’s like ripping off the band-aid. Search got the first of three shots in his leg. It took him by surprise. His eyes widened in a brief moment of silence. Then he let out a heartbreaking wail. His little face turned cherry red as tears streamed down his pouting chipmunk cheeks. Even Jon and I had to turn away for the second two shots.

I got to hold Destroy. Now, to be fair, Destroy has a lot more padding on his tubby little thighs. Of course Destroy screamed as well. But his screams were far less panicked. Rather, he merely sounded hungry.

And the difference in those screams explains the reason for the large discrepancy in weight. At first, I thought it was just easier to identify the various needs expressed by Search’s distinct cries; perhaps Destroy was a bit more nuanced. Nope. I’m pretty sure they really are all hunger cries.

With his fondness for food and generally hungry demeanor, I’ve come to the conclusion that Destroy feels all that ails the world can be solved with a snack. Crisis in the Middle East? Sit them down for a glass of warm milk and a cuddle. Problem solved.

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September 14, 2010

In a Meeting

Work has picked up at a raid pace. Projects seem to be multiplying while I sleep and my calendar is filled with meetings as proof.

It’s nice to keep busy. It would be unpleasant if I sat around bored. I think my job is busy because of the constant planning and development of company announcements and events. But imagine the task of supervising discovery of the entire world. Everything is new and fascinating to the muppets. So Jon has a LOT of meetings.

Working Lunch

The 3 p.m. meeting

Project Manager Destroy

Product Manager Search

2 Comments

September 11, 2010

The Long Awaited, Much Anticipated

Last night I promised you more photos.

Remember the family photo shoot I told you about in August? The full collection has arrived!

These photos are amazing memories for our family. You can peruse them for entertainment or to procure your very own muppet memento.

Step 1: Navigate to the website www.kearydeephotography.com
Step 2: Click “enter” on the left side of the boots photo
Step 3: Click “proofing” – located on the bottom of the screen closest to the right
Step 4: Enter “stream” as the password (all lowercase)

Watch the slideshow and enjoy!

Just a quick reminder for anyone searching out a photographer in California or Seattle – Keary Dee is incredible at capturing the simplicity in our everyday lives. I give her the first ever Double Trouble Gold Star.

Cutest. Muppets. Ever.

4 Comments

September 6, 2010

Little Sheriff

Little Sheriff

In July 2009, I traveled up to Portland, Ore., to celebrate the baby shower of my college roommate. After the shower we braved the wiles of Babies R Us to pick up some last minute staples. My roommate was very pregnant at the time, so I was sent scurrying around the multitude of baby “necessities” to retrieve the required items.

In the chaos that is a children’s store, nothing is where logic dictates you’d likely find it. So in one of my many criss-crosses across the store, I passed a collection of sheriff and outlaw little boys clothes. My girlfriend was having a little girl, so I merely smiled in admiration to myself and returned to my quest for side-snap onesies. (Surprisingly, these are not found with the rest of the clothes.)

In August 2009, our friend’s little monkey had his first birthday. I’ve long felt that overalls are adorable on little boys. So I decided to chance my luck back in the baby warehouse. The sheriff and outlaw collection was still displayed. I was tickled blue (these were for a boy after all) to find a pair of 12-month overalls with an “outlaw” cowdog riding a horse on the back. Success! When I circled the rack, I saw the Little Sheriff onesie with the deputy cowdog smiling back at me.

I wasn’t pregnant. The muppets were nothing more than a dim glimmer – not even a twinkle – in our eyes. But I was in love with the outfit. I rationalized that if we had a girl, I could put cute a brown corduroy skirt with it. I bought the onesie – size 0-3 months. I brought it home, folded it up and put it away in the back of my closet.

The day we got the call saying our pregnancy test was positive I took the outfit out to stare at it. It was so tiny. Jon laughed, saying, “Our baby is never going to fit in that!”

I took the Little Sheriff out again the day we found out the muppets were boys. Since my arfing spells had drastically decreased by week 16, I used my newfound free time to daydream about what my little sheriffs would be like in the first outfit I’d ever bought for them.

Diaper

Three months later, we had very very tiny muppets. When they were born, they were too small for clothes; they only wore a diaper. Size 0-3 months was going to be a long time coming.

Preemie

We got excited when we dressed them in their first preemie outfit. We rejoiced when they were big enough for newborn clothes.

Newborn

One month ago today, on Aug. 6, 2010, little Destroy came home. During this past month, he has demonstrated his love for food. And today, at a hefty 10 pounds, Destroy debuted the Little Sheriff onesie.

The month has gone by quickly. We’re definitely more comfortable with the boys and they’re certainly becoming more like “typical” babies. Destroy has completely outgrown newborn size and is now only wearing the long awaited 0-3 months size. Search is not far behind – his rapidly growing tummy can no longer accommodate newborn size pants.

Watch out world – we’ve got a new sheriff in town.

Size 0-3 Months

4 Comments

August 24, 2010

Keary Dee Photography

You may have noticed that yesterday’s post didn’t have any new photos of the muppets. That’s because there’s no way I could compete with today’s photos.

We had our first official family photo session today. We opted to forgo the hospital mugshots. 1) Because they look like baby mugshots, and 2) we’d had enough of the hospital to last a lifetime and I wasn’t terribly keen on memorializing their infanthood in a NICU isolette.

Photographer Keary Dee arrived at our house armed with camera, lenses and a giant teddy bear and our humble home was instantly transformed into a set for two adorable muppet models.

We decided to set up the shoot after seeing the amazing photos of other families. (Note: this is not a paid endorsement post.) Keary specializes in weddings, senior pictures and family portraits. Obviously, newborn twins are her cutest subjects.

These three pictures are a sneak peak of today’s session. As soon as they’re available, I’ll post the link to the final gallery. You are all welcome to ogle and/or order your very own muppet photo.

All photos courtesy of Keary Dee Photography. Eat your heart out Ann Geddes…

7 Comments

August 22, 2010

My Baseball Glove

Pudge continues his projectile spit-up streak. Perhaps his distance throwing abilities and consistent weight gain will earn him a spot in Major League Baseball as the next great player. Pudge Stream – has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

Yesterday, Destroy successfully puked his way through six outfits. Several of them lasted only through the completion of a diaper change. The second I’d pick him up, BLARF! At one point Jon suggested we wait until before bed before changing him from a cute short-sleeved onesie to long-sleeved footie pjs since it was going to be a cooler evening. No sooner had I agreed than BLARF! Message received. We’ll change now.

The saga of outfits (and beginning to wonder if we’ll have any more to clothe the child in if he continues blarfing at such a rapid pace) reminded me of one of the most infamous childhood stories told in my family.

Camping has always been a classic right-of-passage type of family vacation. (Not for me, my family only ever camped Troop Beverly Hills style). And in the early 1960s, this was just such an outing my mother went on. Since my mom and her brother had reached the wise-old-age of double digits (they were 10ish), G.G. told her offspring that they were old enough to pack their own bags.

Janet and Tommy gathered their necessary belongings. Everything was loaded into the rented RV and the family headed off to the campgrounds. Once there, Tommy began skipping along the stones peaking up from the lake. G.G. repeated warned him to be careful. “You’re going to fall in,” she noted.

“No I’m not,” the all-knowing pre-adolescent assured her.

Splash!

“I told you so,” G.G. calmly reminded him as she looked up from her book. Tommy waded his way back to shore and stood staring at his mother, dripping from head to toe. “Well,” she prodded him, “go change your clothes.”

“What clothes?” he inquired.

“Go change out of your soaking outfit and into one of the dry pairs of pants you brought,” a very exasperated G.G. instructed her son.

“I didn’t bring any pants,” replied a very confused Tommy.

Beginning to grow increasingly concerned, G.G. slowly looked up at Tommy and asked, “Well what did you bring?”

“My baseball glove,” Tommy proudly stated. Tommy was then shuffled back to the RV to change into an orange jumpsuit belonging to my mom.

What a game of catch that must have been. At the very least he would have been an easy target in his big sister’s orange outfit all week.

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