11.29.10 ~17 months

Each month that goes by continues to be my favorite with the girls. They are so smart and are learning every minute. I love to watch them experience something for the first time...the initial fear and uncertainty then the sheer joy that follows. A first this month was snow, and lots of it. We had about 6" here for a few days and although it was really cold, I took the girls out to play in it for a few mintues. Avery's cheeks are still chapped from the cold. It took about 30 minutes to get them bundled up (Dan was at work so I was flying solo on the snow adventure) because each time I got one dressed and moved on to another one, the first one was undressing faster than I could dress the next one. Trying to get on the coats, hats, mittens, and boots you can imagine me running around like a chicken with my head cut off! They loved the snow and tried to eat it, roll in it, and really enjoyed it for the five minutes I let them play on the deck. Then it was time to come in, undress, redress in warm dry clothes, and have a little hot cocoa in sippy cups (another first). Surprisingly, Camille didn't like cocoa but the other two sure did!

We're back to sleeping at night for the most part and I would really like that to continue. Teething is rough on Avery especially, but the last two weeks have been better. They're routinely combining words and signs to say 2 word/sign phrases. We have very occasional luck using the bathroom, usually about one of them every other day or so. A fun thing to report is that Dan & I are playing in a volleyball league on Sundays. The Grandmas have come to watch the girls for the few hours that we're gone and it has been wonderful to have a break and do something that we used to do together.

Other than that, we ventured out into the woods of Index for a Ray Family Christmas Photo and you won't be disappointed! Dan has such an amazing ability to think of a photo and then capture it. I was very reluctant to put the girls in their Christmas dresses, tights, and black patent leather shoes, then get myself dressed up and hike in the cold, damp woods just to get a picture. Dan convinced me it would be fun...and adventure, and I caved in. I have to admit it wasn't bad until the girls got cold and then got cranky. Christmas cards are on the way but below are some other photos we got that day.  

Avery

Brelynn

Camille

11.3.10 ~ Quarantine

As we head into cold and flu season we are preparing for our second, and hopefully last, quarantine period. Here's some information to hopefully help answer some questions you may have.

What does 'quarantine' mean? Quarantine basically means that we will be trying to keep the girls healthy this cold and flu season. We will do this by avoiding anyone that is sick, has been recently sick, or has even been in close contact with someone who is sick. Even if you think you 'just have allergies' we ask that you stay away until you are feeling better. We need to keep the girls away from other kids, especially kids that are in school or daycare, since they are little germ factories even without knowing it. We will also be avoiding large gatherings, possibly even family holidays depending on the above factors. If we are around people or having visitors, we ask that you wash your hands either with soap and water or use a gel based sanitizer like Purell (which we will have in abundance) as soon as you enter the house. Even if you don't touch the girls, you touch their environment and then we touch the girls. The few colds that we had last year came after visits with people who "weren't sick."

Why do we have to do this? Since the girls were born eight weeks premature, their lungs haven't fully developed. Even now at 16 months old their lungs are still immature. Even a seemingly mild illness could have serious consequences for the girls. The main concern is a respiratory virus called RSV. For premature babies, RSV can often lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, the need for a ventilator, and in extreme cases death. I don't mean to scare anyone, I just want you to understand why we take this so seriously. The other issue we do this is because I don't want to deal with one sick child, let alone three at the same time. And I'd end up with it, too, so I'd be sick and taking care of three sick kids. To learn more about RSV, visit http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv_resourceshtm.htm. 

When does quarantine start? This is a tricky question. I watch information provided by Seattle Children's Hospital about the number of cases of RSV and different flus each week. As the numbers start climbing, we will get more serious about isolating the girls. As the numbers drop down in the spring, we'll become more adventurous. We have already started avoiding most children and asking if people are sick before they visit.

Thanks to everyone for understanding how important this is for us and our girls. As long as they stay healthy and out of the hospital this year we shouldn't have to do this again. At least nothing as strict as this. I still don't want to deal with three sick kids :)

11.2.10 ~ Brelynn's walking

I told you in the 16 month post that it wouldn't be long until Brelynn decided to walk...well, tonight she did. She stood up in the middle of the room (a first) and took 7 steps. She's very proud of herself and has been standing and walking a few steps for the last 30 minutes. She laughs when she falls, and sometimes falls deliberately and then laughs. I got a video, but of course I don't know how to post it. I'll try after the girls go to bed. Yay, Brelynn!

Now we're really in trouble...three walkers!

11.1.10 ~ Potty Training?

What? Potty training already? The girls are only 16 months old!!! No, we aren't officially potty training yet, but the girls are starting to ask to have their diapers changed throughout the day and are becoming more aware of their need to go potty. So, I got the crazy idea to pull out a little potty chair on Friday. They took turns sitting on the potty and playing with toys while I read books about using a potty. They were a little timid at first (okay, Camille was downright scared of the thing), but I tried to make it fun and they get a mini marshmallow for just sitting on it. I take them up to use it once a day right now just to get them used to the idea of this pink chair and to teach the vocabulary of going potty. I'm not expecting much at this point except that they sit and then we wash hands. If they sit and wash hands then they get a marshmallow.

Well, wouldn't you know it on Saturday (just the second day of sitting on the potty) Avery decided to pee in the potty! I know it's a total coincidence and she didn't know what she was doing, but she was pretty excited at my reaction. Plus, if they pee in the potty they get TWO marshmallows. Sunday they all sat. Then Monday Brelynn peed in the potty. Yay! We are a long way from being out of diapers, but this lets me know that they may be a little more ready to get started than I thought. Now, how to potty train three at once? Three chairs and have them all sit at once or one after the other? For now we're going one at a time. I can't keep them on the potty and entertained if there's more than one. But as they get better at this, we may go gang busters and do all three at once. Pray for us!