Pictures from our visit to the NICU at Shawnee Mission. They were excited to see GraceAnn and how much she has grown these past few months. 

Thanks to donations from our friends and family in honor of Ethan's memory we were able to donate money to the NICU at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.  One of the gifts was the glider pictured on the right with an inscription in Ethan's memory.  Justin, GraceAnn & I got to visit the NICU last week and sit in Ethan's chair as well as visit with the nurses and doctors who took such great care of GraceAnn.

I'm a little angel

Yes, that's me, GraceAnn, in daddy's arms, my favorite place to be!

We had our monthly pediatrician's appointment to get GraceAnn's third RSV shot on the 19th.  She weighed in at 8lbs 3oz.  Our doctor gave us the good news that if GraceAnn decides she wants to sleep all night we can let her. That was music to mommy and daddy's ears. Now someone just needs to convince her to sleep all night long!

I'm a big girl now!

Aren't I cute all dressed up for my doctors appointment?  Mommy took me in to get weighed today and guess what I am now 7lbs 13 oz. Pretty soon I'll be out of these newborn clothes!

Mommy and Daddy love to dress me up anytime I get to leave the house. Lucky for them I look good in anything.  Keep the pictures coming daddy!

Happy Valentines day Ethan, we miss you.

XOXO GraceAnn

Daddy's Girl

This picture was taken last week, can you tell GraceAnn is going to be a daddy's girl? 

We had a doctor's appointment at Children's Mercy on Tuesday the 3rd and GraceAnn was weighing in at 6lbs 14 oz and was 18 inches long.  The doctor said that she was only about a week behind developmentally and her eye doctor gave us the great news that her eyes are mature!  

Even bigger news is that on the 5th she officially rolled over from her tummy to her back without any help from mommy or daddy!  We were so excited to see her make this big step.  

All in all things have settled down here at home and we've gotten into a routine.  She is sleeping and eating like a champ...what more could we ask for!  Justin and I will be walking in the March of Dimes Walk for Babies in May in memory of Ethan and in honor of GraceAnn. If you are interested in walking with us or know someone who might want to make a donation just send them to this website:  

First Doctors visit

Miss GraceAnn went to see the doctor on Thursday and is weighing in at 6lbs 2 oz.  She is doing fabulous and we are slowly adjusting to our new routine at home (her routine, she's the boss now).  Justin took a few pictures before we left so enjoy!

 Well it's official we are home!! We made it safe and sound and are now trying to get into some sort of a routine. What I am discovering is that Miss GraceAnn has her own ideas about what her routine should be!  She enjoys sleeping more during the day then at night, when she's hungry she means feed me now, and she does not I repeat does not like to be naked when bathing!  I'm sure Justin and I will be learning all the new "rules of the house" from our little girl.  

Justin got some great pictures of our first week at home which I will post soon.  The dogs are doing a fabulous job with her and Tesia seems to think that GraceAnn belongs to her! Can't wait to see them with her  when she gets moving around.

Loved the angel kisses Ethan, keep them coming, Mommy and Daddy can't wait for more!

Our Miracles...

3d Pic (29 weeks)

We have reached another milestone, 29 weeks (raise your OJ to another week closer - thats Orange Juice as i figured some of you are reading this in the morning).  We visited the doctor today (if you didn't know they let Jenny come home late last week with strict bed rest) and received good news, our little girl is now weighing a whopping 3lbs. 1oz. and our little boy is weighing 2lbs. 13oz.,  The doctor said both were big for their age (taking after dad and packing on the muscles).  Our goal is to reach 32 weeks at which time our risks of complications drops dramatically, but until than we take it one day at a time.  (Double click the image below and it will get bigger for better viewing)  As we watched, the lil girl was trying to put her hand in her mouth (notice the finger next to the lip) and the lil boy was pretty scrunched at the bottom which is why his picture wasn't more clear.  It was a pretty amazing experience to see them at this stage in development...  Jenny is doing good, getting a little tired of the bed, but having me around to entertain sure makes the time go fast (those are her words:).  Hope to sneak a picture of the belly (when Jenny isn't looking) for the next post.. 

No Wheelchair Privileges...

One week ago today we thought our kids we’re going to be born into the world, but because of all the prayers we have made it to 27 weeks (and counting). Last week Jenny started having complications with the pregnancy and was rushed to the hospital where we learned she had a tear in one of the placentas which was causing preterm labor. The Doctors gave her high doses of Magnesium and after 8 nerve racking hours the contractions started to slow down. Not being able to turn back the clock on preterm labor Jenny has earned herself a stay in the hospital until she reaches 28 weeks (possibly longer if I have any say). Each day seems to present a new challenge, but with all the support from our family and friends we are confident we can get through anything.

One may ask why this is titled “No Wheelchair Privileges” and its because a nurse said Jenny could earn a 30 minute joy ride in the wheelchair if her condition improved. She was all ready to ask the doctor for permission (I thought she was going to pee her pants she was so nervous waiting to ask), but than the contractions started again and my romantic plans of pushing her around the hospital came to a screeching halt (oh how she would have enjoyed a nice romantic dinner for two in the hospital cafeteria). Oh well, maybe in another week she will earn her dream ride…

Jenny and I would like to thank all our co-workers at Sprint and Spofford (thanks for being so considerate with work), friends, family, and those individuals who have taken a moment to think about us this week. It’s truly a blessing to know during the challenges of life we have the support from all of you. We believe it’s because of each one of you that we will get through any upcoming hurdles and deliver two healthy babies. May God bless you all for what you have done for us, your prayers have been felt.

Is this the Hyatt?

For your next stay away from home may I recommend the Shawnee Mission Maternity Ward, it has all the amenities you could need; flat screen tv, refrigerator, whirlpool bath (oh yeah), luxury bed for one (I think you can fit two), room service, and a comfy recliner. We took an unofficial tour (not planned), but I made the most out of the opportunity and took a few pictures for all to enjoy. Friday night was our first experience with contractions and the doctor advised us to go in for monitoring because of our high risk status. After 2 hours of observation and a IV of fluids they concluded she was dehydrated and needed to quit pushing herself so hard (amazing how much water these little squirts demand). On Saturday it seemed the kids we're demanding a little more attention because the contractions returned, but only stronger and more frequent, again the Dr. recommended we go back to the hospital. I told Jenny next time we need to bring some cookies for the nurses, hate to keep showing up unannounced. This stay was a little longer (6 hours to be exact), they concluded her insides we're stretching because of the lack of space from the kids and put her on some meds to help relax the muscles and demanded bed rest until we see the doctor this week. I'm happy to report the contractions have subsided today (Sunday), but with the demanded bed rest I have been forced to take over laundry (this could be fun, hopefully everything fits on Monday morning).

22 Wk Baby Bump

Numerous individuals have requested an update to the baby bump section, so here is the 22 week bump, enjoy!

Lost Her Marbles...

I leave town for 3 days and come home and see two traumatized dogs, I think they are ready for the kids to get here so Jen stops dressing them:)

Sneak Peak...

Hopefully everyone was able to figure out we're having a boy and a girl!!!  If not, I might suggest you go ahead and turn off the computer (just kidding:)  We're both extremely excited and anxiously awaiting their arrival.  And just in case your wondering, no names will be released until their arrival (it will take us that long to agree on them).  The attached picture is of the babies room, sorry its not finished so you only get a sneak peak...  (now you know why I haven't been able to post in a while, Jen has had me busy)