3-22-09 Update 7 weeks old, 35 weeks gestation

Zachary's 1st Bottle What a big boy!

Aria's 1st Bottle What a big girl!

Bother and Sister after bath.

Zachary

Aria

Sorry the pictures are not as clear as the previous pictures. Previously I had been using my mom's really nice camera. These past weeks I had to use mine which isn't quite as nice, so they are a little bit blurry. They have done really great this past week. Zachary weighs 4 lbs 4 oz and Aria weighs 3 lbs 4 oz. Zachary is gaining almost an ounce a day and Aria is gaining a 1/2 an ounce a day. I asked the doctor why she isn't gaining as fast as Zach is and she said that little girls usually burn more calories as they are more active. They seem to move their arms more then boys I guess. But she is strong as ever. They both have started taking a bottle once a shift. (twice a day) But probably will move up to twice a shift because they have mastered the one feeding. It was so fun to hold them and feed them. They burped good too. Probably on Tuesday they will put both of them into an open crib together so they can keep each other warm and be together like they were in the womb. I'm very excited for that. Samuel has been sick for the last couple of days so we have been unable to visit them. We don't want to pass anything on to them but we miss them very much. We feel confident in the care they are receiving with their nurses and that helps out. We are starting to see their little personalities coming out. It is so much fun to interact with them. We are so very excited to bring them home. Hopefully in a few more weeks.

3-14-09 Update

Zachary after a bath. 3-3-09 (look at the matching outfits)

Aria after a bath. 3-3-09

Aria loves to be in the warm water. 3-3-09

Zachary loves to be in the warm water also. 3-3-09

Grandma Rasmussen took Samuel to play at the park with his cousin Londan and Aunt Shea one day while I was with the twins. He had a great time. Thanks Grandma

I thought this picture was so cute of Samuel and Londan.

Proud Daddy. He finally got to hold both of them at the same time.

While Travis was holding them they were holding hands. They have been missing each other. I'll have to remind them when they get older that they use to like each other. Ha Ha 3-8-09

Sorry I didn't get an update last Sunday. Things got a little crazy so I was unable to take the time to update my blog. My mom has gone to be with my new niece (Mae) in WA with my sister Maria. She was born March 8. She is the 1/2 sister to Marlee and they will also be adopting her. It is very exciting. Maria and Roger now have 6 kids. YIKES!! 4 boys and 2 little girls.

Zach and Aria are doing great. Zachary has moved into and open crib and is keeping his body temperature up to where it needs to be. He weighs 3 lbs 13 oz. He is just a sweet boy. When I talk to him he just stares at me. It is actually looking like he has some auburn coloring in his hair. He is such a handsome boy. Aria is finally starting to put on the ounces. ha ha She is now 2 lbs 14 oz. They say they can't hear her heart murmur anymore so they feel the PDA has closed. That is great news. Once she gains a few more ounces they will put both of them in a bigger open crib together and they will be able to keep each other warm and finally be back together again. I'm so excited for that. We finally got the coveted window seat at the NICU so Lori, Bret, Amy and Shea came to see their niece and nephew. I brought them right up to the window so they could get a better look. Samuel loves to look in at them. He will blow them a kiss. He is always asking questions about them and if they are still on oxygen. He is very worried about that. ha ha I was talking to one of the doctors there and they thought that they might be able to come home in another 3 or 4 weeks. We are so excited to have our little family together. We thank all those who have helped take care of Samuel while my mom has been gone. It is comforting to know I have many places that I'd trust Samuel to be at and also to have a great time.

Update 3-1-09

Aria after her bath. Daddy will keep me warm.

Zachary and his first out fit. 2-27-09

Aria 2-27-09 another pink outfit

Grandpa and Grandma Rasmussen with the twins. I was unable to go to see the twins on Monday so my mom and dad went and spent a couple of hours with them. They got to hold them for 1 hour and 45 minutes. My dad's arm was falling asleep. Grandma with Zach and Grandpa with Aria.

Grandma Porter went with us on Sunday (22nd) to see the twins. She has been here lots of times to see them but I hadn't got a picture until now. Aria is getting sleepy in Grandma's arms. What a big yawn for such a little girl.

Zachary and Daddy 2-22-09

Samuel and Dad playing.

Samuel and Dad playing again.....



The twins are 4 weeks old today. (32 weeks gestation) Aria is 2 lbs 8 oz and 15" long. Zachary is a cubby boy at 3 lbs 3 oz and 15 1/2" long. ha ha They are both doing wonderful. They got moved out of the critical POD and moved into POD 2. I got to give them a bath in a little tub on Friday and Sunday. It was so much fun. They loved being in the warm water. Not so much getting in and out of it. They only had their feeding tubes in their noses with no other wires on them. They have both been off oxygen all week. Zach had to go back on a little bit of oxygen on Friday but is doing so well that he'll probably be off of it tomorrow. This is very normal to go back and forth. We are just amazed at the progress they are making. They are smiling and responding to us which is a exciting to us. We are so thankful for all of your prayers. We know the Lord is listening and answering them. We are so thankful for all of those who have helped us out in anyway and for all those who have offered. Samuel has enjoyed those who have watched him. He is doing great with this big change in his life. He is such a good boy and understands so well. The doctors say that now the twins will just be eating, sleeping a growing. They say the date to plan for them to come home is there actual due date (4-24-09). If they come earlier then we will be pleasently surprised. We thank the Lord for the many blessing he has bestowed upon our family at this time.