It is officially the start of RSV season on November 1st. They have moved it back from the month of October, so we had an extra month to actually be able to get out and enjoy the weather. This disease is a very dangerous one in premies. It is the leading cause of pediatric intensive care stays in the hospital during November until February. It isn't dangerous in adults and most of us either suffer from this at some point during the winter months with just cold symptoms or are carriers. Even though our boys don't look like premies anymore, they are still at a higher risk. Just like they are at a higher risk for any type of infection…and sometimes even I forget that because they are such big babies.
So, that being said, for all adults and children alike, if you or your child feel like the sniffles are coming on, or a catch in your throat or are beginning to sneeze or cough - stay away from all little babies. Their mommies will thank you. Though we want you to hold and gawk over our babies, we are not going to be happy with you in the aftermath when we are up all night with babies that can't breathe and sleep and may have to rush them to the emergency room. This is, also, why it is SO important to wash your hands frequently and DEFINITELY wash your hands or use sanitizer before touching or holding a baby. And though we all love those little hands and feet of a baby, please refrain from touching them with yours or their faces because it is just an instant way of germs to get into their mouths and increase their risk of being sick.
One thing I love that the NICU did at Centennial where the boys stayed was give classes for the parents during the week every other week. One of those classes was a RSV class. At the end of the class we were handed out "Stop" signs to put on the carseats that read "Please wash your hands before touching mine." If you have seen us out and about, then you have seen these on their carseats. Thankfully it helps some with people doing just that, but other times it doesn't. So, before you touch any baby, please step back and take a moment to think. Think about how you feel (physically), if you've been around someone sick recently or someone in your home is sick then be extra careful in being around babies, think about if you've washed your hands, and then go ahead, if you are clear in all of those areas, love on the babies.
All of that being said, we have gotten to experience the past 4 days our first sickness in the Swartwood household. The boys have come down with the dreaded GI bug that has been going around. It is so sad to see these little ones dealing with it, though I have to admit they are taking it like champs! So, since we are back in town and at our house, we are sitting in quarantine and riding it out at home. Trying to fill up on some Pedialite and plenty of rest! It just reminds me that I can't go out and do like we used to do (though we have cut back quite a bit) and even though I want to be social in all events, sometimes we just need to stay home.
Lessons we can all learn this time of year to help everyone.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
12 Weeks Old
It's so weird to think that 12 weeks ago today, these two precious little boys were born into this world. It has gone by way too fast! To think we waited to what seemed like forever to tell everyone the news we were pregnant at 12 weeks, their first twelve weeks of life has flown by way too fast. They are amazing little guys.
Their little personalities continue to come out and shine through. So, for my recollection in years to come, I am going to talk about them :)
Oh my sweet Zachary Barrett. In utero, he was my laid back child. I hardly felt him move and he let me lie on my left side to sleep without pitching a "fit" like his brother. He was always asleep in ultrasounds and was not easily bothered. This trend continued in the NICU. He was the laid back "lazy" boy. Not much startled him and he could finish a bottle without even opening an eye. He slept all of the time and we hardly heard anything out of him. Bring him home, and he blossomed! He found his voice quickly and became quick to let us know when he is hungry, that he doesn't like to be naked, and he definitely doesn't like to be laid on his back! He is my first child to start "cooing" and on a regular basis. He talks to us every day and about so many different things. He is quite the snuggle bug, too. He loves lying on your chest and I believe would be snuggling up to someone 24/7 if it was allowed. He smiles when seeing his Daddy and loves those cuddles. He is such a sweet baby. That being said, my mom says he is like me because he is sweet but has quite the temper. He is QUICK to let us know he isn't happy and learned quickly how to kick his legs, scream, hold his breath, and arch his back in revolt against whatever he doesn't like. He loves his paci and usually goes to bed really easily (hopefully that will continue). No matter how hard we try though, he does not like lying on his back, so he is a belly baby. He is really good at self-soothing, as well.
On to my Ayden Jackson. In utero, he was quite temperamental. He was quick to kick and punch when there was pressure on his "side" of the womb. He was continuously kicking his brother in his head and always on the move. We had to chase him around on ultrasounds. He did not like me to lie on my right side (which was his) and made this known nightly! In the NICU, he continued to be temperamental. He was quick to let all the nurses know when he was wet, hungry, or just needing attention. He is one that loves to be awake and doesn't want to miss a second of life - he continues this today. At home, he loves to lie on his back and watch the butterflies and lights of his play mat. He has yet to vocalize when he is trying to talk to us, but he sure knows how to smile and has started to socially smile. He thinks he is hilarious and in the middle of the night one night after feeding, he began chuckling laughing in his sleep. Alan and I loved it. He has developed a best friend in the fan in our living room and barely looks away from it when he is in the vicinity. His Lolli has determined if he talks to it before her, he is in trouble. He has become quite the laid back child. He will let you lie him down to get something done (as long as it isn't when he is hungry). He isn't as good at self-soothing, but is learning to pretty well and he is not as in-love with his paci as his brother. He loves to cuddle, as well, but would much rather look at you then lie on your chest.
It is just amazing how quickly they grow and develop. We saw a newborn the other day and I noticed how big my boys really are. It is bittersweet! They both are in 0-3 month clothes and quickly growing out of them. They are past double their birth weights and seem to be gaining quickly towards triple. I am trying to slow down the time, but we all know that isn't possible. We are truly blessed by our Savior for these boys. They are such miracles and we are so grateful.
Twelve weeks….it's amazing how much changes in pregnancy and in the first twelve weeks of life. The miracle of God is seen in each of these scenarios. We are looking forward to the next twelve weeks and praying it doesn't go by too quickly but that our boys continue to stay healthy through it all.
Their little personalities continue to come out and shine through. So, for my recollection in years to come, I am going to talk about them :)
Oh my sweet Zachary Barrett. In utero, he was my laid back child. I hardly felt him move and he let me lie on my left side to sleep without pitching a "fit" like his brother. He was always asleep in ultrasounds and was not easily bothered. This trend continued in the NICU. He was the laid back "lazy" boy. Not much startled him and he could finish a bottle without even opening an eye. He slept all of the time and we hardly heard anything out of him. Bring him home, and he blossomed! He found his voice quickly and became quick to let us know when he is hungry, that he doesn't like to be naked, and he definitely doesn't like to be laid on his back! He is my first child to start "cooing" and on a regular basis. He talks to us every day and about so many different things. He is quite the snuggle bug, too. He loves lying on your chest and I believe would be snuggling up to someone 24/7 if it was allowed. He smiles when seeing his Daddy and loves those cuddles. He is such a sweet baby. That being said, my mom says he is like me because he is sweet but has quite the temper. He is QUICK to let us know he isn't happy and learned quickly how to kick his legs, scream, hold his breath, and arch his back in revolt against whatever he doesn't like. He loves his paci and usually goes to bed really easily (hopefully that will continue). No matter how hard we try though, he does not like lying on his back, so he is a belly baby. He is really good at self-soothing, as well.
On to my Ayden Jackson. In utero, he was quite temperamental. He was quick to kick and punch when there was pressure on his "side" of the womb. He was continuously kicking his brother in his head and always on the move. We had to chase him around on ultrasounds. He did not like me to lie on my right side (which was his) and made this known nightly! In the NICU, he continued to be temperamental. He was quick to let all the nurses know when he was wet, hungry, or just needing attention. He is one that loves to be awake and doesn't want to miss a second of life - he continues this today. At home, he loves to lie on his back and watch the butterflies and lights of his play mat. He has yet to vocalize when he is trying to talk to us, but he sure knows how to smile and has started to socially smile. He thinks he is hilarious and in the middle of the night one night after feeding, he began chuckling laughing in his sleep. Alan and I loved it. He has developed a best friend in the fan in our living room and barely looks away from it when he is in the vicinity. His Lolli has determined if he talks to it before her, he is in trouble. He has become quite the laid back child. He will let you lie him down to get something done (as long as it isn't when he is hungry). He isn't as good at self-soothing, but is learning to pretty well and he is not as in-love with his paci as his brother. He loves to cuddle, as well, but would much rather look at you then lie on your chest.
It is just amazing how quickly they grow and develop. We saw a newborn the other day and I noticed how big my boys really are. It is bittersweet! They both are in 0-3 month clothes and quickly growing out of them. They are past double their birth weights and seem to be gaining quickly towards triple. I am trying to slow down the time, but we all know that isn't possible. We are truly blessed by our Savior for these boys. They are such miracles and we are so grateful.
Twelve weeks….it's amazing how much changes in pregnancy and in the first twelve weeks of life. The miracle of God is seen in each of these scenarios. We are looking forward to the next twelve weeks and praying it doesn't go by too quickly but that our boys continue to stay healthy through it all.
Sentimental
As I sit here holding the boys on my chest as they sleep, I decided to write this blog that has been streaming through my head throughout this week. Hopefully I can remember what has been running through it! I'm a sentimental person. Always have been. I would rather spend time with people or have something homemade than any worldly possession. Needless to say, my love language is quality time.
That being said, my heart has been overwhelmed with joy and love when people give up their time to come and visit us and see the boys. It is the biggest gift anyone can give me. This week, my Uncle Billy and Aunt Joy came from south Georgia to meet their great, great nephews. It meant more than they knew. We got to have our "Breeden shower" from the remainder of the family. It was so sweet and overwhelmed me how much our babies are loved by their family. It was a sweet time and I just so enjoyed them sitting here holding our boys. It is so wonderful, too, that they have their Lolli, Pa, and Aunt Tara right here most days to hold them and love on them. For me, this shows true love.
Now, back to my sentimental state…..see, I long for these relationships for my children. That they are so close to their family and value the important things. Not what they get, but the time they get with the people they love. This whole pregnancy/birth has brought our family closer. I am so grateful for the sacrifice of time from mostly, my mother. She has sacrificed her weekly life to sit with me during bed rest and NICU days and helped so much since the babies have gotten home. My father-in-law has sacrificed his time to come watch the boys and give me a nap or minute of solitude since the babies have come home (and not to forget to mention that he is an AMAZING cook!). Alan's sister has been such a blessing, as well, with snuggles of the boys, food, and conversation. These boys have brought us into a relationship that I am cherishing and seeing her and her husband and son cherish these boys and hold them brings a joy to my heart I never knew was possible. And this is only some of the people. I cherish each person holding my children. I cherish the moments of time with family.
Then just the sentiment of holding my boys. I know these will most likely be my only two biological children and I am trying to just breathe in and soak in every moment with them. I just think with every sleepless night or every cry or smile or coo, this will be the only ones I get, enjoy them. I couldn't take enough pictures to document every moment of their lives, and yes, I will be "that mom" who documents it all. I don't want to miss a moment. So, I'm sentimental, and I love it. These children have truly shown me what's important in life - the love of the Lord and family.
That being said, my heart has been overwhelmed with joy and love when people give up their time to come and visit us and see the boys. It is the biggest gift anyone can give me. This week, my Uncle Billy and Aunt Joy came from south Georgia to meet their great, great nephews. It meant more than they knew. We got to have our "Breeden shower" from the remainder of the family. It was so sweet and overwhelmed me how much our babies are loved by their family. It was a sweet time and I just so enjoyed them sitting here holding our boys. It is so wonderful, too, that they have their Lolli, Pa, and Aunt Tara right here most days to hold them and love on them. For me, this shows true love.
Now, back to my sentimental state…..see, I long for these relationships for my children. That they are so close to their family and value the important things. Not what they get, but the time they get with the people they love. This whole pregnancy/birth has brought our family closer. I am so grateful for the sacrifice of time from mostly, my mother. She has sacrificed her weekly life to sit with me during bed rest and NICU days and helped so much since the babies have gotten home. My father-in-law has sacrificed his time to come watch the boys and give me a nap or minute of solitude since the babies have come home (and not to forget to mention that he is an AMAZING cook!). Alan's sister has been such a blessing, as well, with snuggles of the boys, food, and conversation. These boys have brought us into a relationship that I am cherishing and seeing her and her husband and son cherish these boys and hold them brings a joy to my heart I never knew was possible. And this is only some of the people. I cherish each person holding my children. I cherish the moments of time with family.
Then just the sentiment of holding my boys. I know these will most likely be my only two biological children and I am trying to just breathe in and soak in every moment with them. I just think with every sleepless night or every cry or smile or coo, this will be the only ones I get, enjoy them. I couldn't take enough pictures to document every moment of their lives, and yes, I will be "that mom" who documents it all. I don't want to miss a moment. So, I'm sentimental, and I love it. These children have truly shown me what's important in life - the love of the Lord and family.
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