Birthday Playgroup celebration

Wednesday, July 23rd 

Abby celebrated her 2nd birthday with her friends from playgroup at Memorial city mall.  The kiddos loved it they got to play in the indoor play castle, ride on the chop choo train and go on the carousel.  
Their favorite part was chick-fil-a lunch and cuppy cakes!

Abby running around the mall 

Abby and Clark BFFS

Cuppy cakes….yummy 

We are at what weight…..really?!

Sunday, July 20th 


When we came to visit the girls Sunday evening---we were very pleasantly surprised to find out that Katie weighed 3 lbs, 14 oz and Lauren was 3 lbs, 13 oz.  Our babies girls were almost at 4 lbs or 1800 grams which is a huge milestone in the Nicu.  

It is my understanding that when the babies reach 1800 grams they transfer them from the isolette into an open air crib.  Once they are in the open air crib if they are able to go 48 hours and be fine and regulating their own temperature then they are discharged to go home!!  I knew that we were getting close when I saw the numbers today.

My sweet Katie 

Mommy and Katie selfie 

My little Lauren modeling her froggie PJs

Saturday Night Snuggles

When we got home from the party Abby conked out, she was so tired.  Turning two is quite tiring!
We all went to visit the girls.

Katie 

Lauren 

Aunt Bridget holding her goddaughter Lauren 

Mommy feeding Katie a late dinner 

Mommy feeding Katie

Katie meeting Uncle Matt 

Our little sleeping beauty 

Abby's 2nd Birthday!

Saturday, July 19th

Our little Abigail Micaela turned 2 this past weekend.  I can't believe she's such a big girl. One of the things she specifically asked us for her birthday was a bicycle.  Ed and I had so much fun picking out this pink radio flyer toddler bike, we also got a matching Minnie Mouse helmet.  Abby LOVED her bike and is currently getting on and trying to ride all over the house.  

Abby and her new bike 

We had a beautiful birthday celebration for Abby with both of our families at my parents Papa and Gigi's house.  The festivities including swimming in the new pool, breaking the piñata (which Papa had fun setting up) and eating lots of yummy mexican food.  Thank you to Papa and Gigi for hosting!   Thanks to Papa for making the beans, Eva for the rice, Auntie Melissa for the 7-layer dip that was devoured in about 20 min and Caroline for the cookies.  Here's a pic of Abby and her cousins Gregory and Stephen (I bribed them with cake for a picture) 

Abby enjoying herself in the pool with Aunt Bridget

Someone was very sleepy

Cousin Pic

Aunt Mimi helping Abby open her gifts 

Piñata was a little scary for Abby, she did not care for beating her friend Elmo with a stick.  

(We forget sometimes that piñata was originally meant to be a star shape and not your fav pal)

Abby and her awesome birthday cake!  (Thank you to Melissa's friend Randee)

I know we have some more pictures Melissa took where we are actually looking at the camera, here's a family shot. 

Abby and Aunt Angela and Uncle Matt---we were so excited these 2 came to the birthday party.  They literally just got back from Europe, including Paris where they got engaged.  They have asked Abby and her sisters to be flower girls in their wedding, can't wait for next fall!!

My Abby had a wonderful birthday.  Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate !

A look back at being Inpatient

Saturday, July 19th 

Looking back two months ago when I first became inpatient at CMH (Children's Memorial Hermann).  

Monday, May 19th I was admitted into CMH for strict bedrest and monitoring of the babies.  Here I am waiting to get admitted 7 waiting for my room assignment. 

Brought my own pillow and blanket and several things from home.  

Me and Gigi

I don't look very happy here as I was being monitored.  What that means is I was hooked up to the fetal heart monitor so they could see the babies heart rates.  They used to hook me up to the monitor every 6 hours or so, it was kind of annoying but it was always so reassuring.  

Me and my beautiful Abby taking naps on Mommy's bed.  

Abby wearing her adorable pink scrubs that say 'Big Sister'---thanks Aunt Bridget! 

My beautiful wreath that Aunt Martha and Cousin Caroline made.  Thank you guys---its gorgeous.  It used to hang outside the door of my room in the hospital, now it hangs outside our front door at home.  

Family picture!

Best surprise ever---Daddy snuck a mini-grill into the hospital to make hot dogs and hamburgers.  He brought a Memorial Day BBQ to my hospital room.  

Proud Chef =)

Me at about 27 weeks pregnant, I'm in front of my Duffy Girls countdown calendar

Abby playing Nurse on the computer 

One of the best things about being Inpatient was I got to be there up close when Baby Andrew was born.  We were roommates, my room was right next to theirs on the 5th floor. 

My Blessingway.  Thank you to such amazing friends of mine for putting this together.