The 13th Month...

Has been fillled with sickness!

  If you recall Quinn and Riley were both sick at their birthday party and it literally HAS NOT STOPPED since!  Quinn was first diagnosed with his ear infection on Monday March 2nd and Riley with hers on Sun. March 8th.  We've been to the doctor once a week and after 3 rounds of antibiotic each...They both still have ear infections!  This past Mon. the doctor decided to try one more round of antibiotic and if that doesn't work he said we would have to do the antibiotic shots where you get them 3 days in a row. 

Well, as if that wasn't enough on Wed. Quinn, Riley and myself got a stomach bug!  If you are squimish stop reading now...these details just have to be recorded.  Geoff was working late (driving back from NC) so our neighbor, Cricket, was coming to watch the kids so I could go to Bible study.  My stomach started feeling funny but I didn't realize I was sick.  Shortly after Cricket got here I started throwing up.  It was awful and violent and soon was coming out both ends!  Geoff got home and Cricket went home and about 7:45 we discovered (video monitor) that Riley had thrown up in her bed (and yet was sound asleep in it).  Geoff got her up and changed her and her bedding (I was too sick to help) and she quickly threw up again in her bed.  So he just held her and each time she was about to throw up she would let out this pitiful cry and he would run and hold her over the sink while she threw up.  She would just wimper and cry!  This went on for awhile, she and I were competing to see who could throw up more...no idea who got that honor, to many times to count.

It get's worse.  About 10:30 we discovered that Quinn had thrown up in his bed.  He was still sound asleep in it!  We discussed what to do but with Geoff already holding Riley and with me too sick to hold anyone we decided to leave him, thinking that he would wake up at some point and cry and we would go to him.  He did sleep through the night, which was amazing because his room smelled so bad the next day it took most of the day to air out!  We finally put Riley down sometime around 1am and she slept.  Geoff got some sleep and I was sick a little more throughout the rest of the night.  On Thursday Geoff stayed home and we thought we were recovering.  The kids both had diarrhea but that was to be expected.  We got some pedialyte and were keeping them on the BRAT diet.  If the story ended here it wouldn't be sooo bad.

Unfortunatly about 6pm Geoff started to feel sick.  This bug seemed to be very contagious, my sister and 2 of her kids had it and Cricket got it as well, so it was probably inevitable that he get it.  He went to bed and I got the kids fed and in bed.  Geoff was sick through the night but we had some medicine that he took and it seemed to help his sickness pass a little quicker.    The next day, Friday, Geoff stayed home again to recover.  Quinn developed an awful diaper rash but we thought we were all now on the mend.

That was not so!  About 11pm on Friday night Geoff and I were almost asleep and we hear Riley cry.  We look on the monitor and discover she has thrown up again!  We go clean her and her bed up and I take her to my bed to hold her and see if she's going to be sick again.  She starts coughing and throws up...all over me!  We eventually get her back to bed but Geoff and I don't get to sleep until about 1:30 am.  Sometime in the night she threw up again in her bed and both Fri. night and Sat. morning I noticed she was hitting at her ears a lot.

I had talked to the nurse on Thurs. about if I should give them their antibiotic (which can be tough on their tummies) and she said if they ate something, then they could take it.  Riley didn't really eat on Thurs. so she didn't get antibiotic but on Fri. she did eat a little so I gave her the medicine.  We weren't sure if the throwing up Fri. night could have been because of her coughing or having the antibiotic on her stomach or just the stomach bug.  So with her hitting her ears I decided to call the doctor's office on Sat. and we went to get her seen. 

It turns out that now both her ears are infected (on Mon. it was just the left ear).  So she is getting antibiotic shots.  She got the first one today and it was not fun!  They both still have a little diarrhea (Quinn's diaper rash is also still pretty bad) but we are praying that we are actually now on the mend.

I'm ready for April and for well children!

So the kids did turn 13 months yesterday.  Happy 13 months Quinn and Riley!  I love being your mommy and while I prefer you well, I am thankful for you everyday, even the sick days!

They both are continuing to grow and change this past month and when I am more rested and can think I will write more.  For now Quinn is walking more and more everyday and Riley got her final helmet scan yesterday and is officially done with her helmet.  She is enjoying that freedom, but will have to be more careful that she doesn't bump her head the way she could with the helmet.  Sorry for no pictures, I'll work on that when I can. 

Prayers are appreciated as Geoff and I are learning even more about sacrifice and selflessness and putting others needs above our own!

Walk this Way!

Quinn is hard at work preparing to help us in a charity event this spring. The event is the March of Dimes annual March for Babies. Yes, I'm referring to the walking Quinn has been doing :)

The March for Babies will be held on the morning of April 24. We will be walking with a team from Geoff's work.  On Sat. March 13th we celebrated the 1 year anniversary from when Quinn and Riley came home from the NICU by taking donuts up to see the nurses.  We got to see two of the nurses that helped take care of them and had such fun showing off our one year olds.  The nurses shared that they will be walking  in the March also, and we can't wait to reconnect with more of them. The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We were first exposed to the March of Dimes when Quinn and Riley were born premature. We were very impressed with the work they do to provide financial support for research and programs to prevent and treat preterm birth. Geoff has also recently started serving on the board for the Midlands Chapter of the March of Dimes so we are very excited to stay involved with this organization.

If you would like to sponsor our family in this worthy cause, you can donate online by visiting http://www.marchforbabies.org/GeoffOsborn.

Your gift will support March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.

Below are a few images of the amazing care Quinn & Riley received in the NICU.

Thanks for supporting us as we walk!

Lately

Lately we've had lots of sickness!  Quinn had to have 2 different antibiotics to clear up an ear infection, Riley is on her 2nd antibiotic for her ear infection. We've been to the doctor once a week since Feb. 21st.  So we go back on Monday and my hope is that everyone is well, ears are clear, and Quinn can get his 12 month shots.  We've also been very busy enjoying the spring weather with picnics a trip to the zoo and lots of walks!  We are all loving this time of year, except for the allergies we all have, we could do without that. 

Lately Quinn's been so cute loving his froggy!

Lately we discovered a size 3 month shirt in Riley's drawer from last summer...and it still fits! (barely) 

Lately this is about the only way to get a picture of the two of them together...strapped down!

Lately we had a baby dedication at our church where we dedicated Quinn and Riley to the Lord!  We had a wonderful time being supported by family and friends. (Thank you Nana for the adorable outfits you made for us!)

Lately we spent an afternoon at the park and loved it!

Lately we tried to get all the children to pose together :)

Lately Quinn and Riley are enjoying snack time with daddy when he gets home from work!

Lately they found a new use for the exersaucer :)

Lately Riley has enjoyed our friends coming to visit! No she didn't bite him, but she did bite her brother and leave a bruise.

Lately they are playing so well together, until they make each other mad that is.

Lately I couldn't find Riley...until I looked under the table.

Lately Quinn has decided the banannas go better on his head than in his mouth :)

Lately Quinn has started to walk, just a few steps at a time but he's so proud of himself!  Riley has also been pulling herself up to a stand on her own!  They are doing so many cute things that I want to write about too, but it will have to wait til I have more time because lately there just isn't enough time :)

Birthday Party!

Cousin Ford came over the day of the party to help us get ready and play with Quinn and Riley!  Such a good cousin!  Quinn loved pushing this small chair all around the house.  Amazing how they play with everything but the toys :)

We had a Prince and Princess Party!

To the right is my grandmother who came from Pennsylvania, and met the kids for the first time!

They both had colds and of course we found out later Quinn had an ear infection so they didn't feel the best for the party, poor babies!  However, they were very cute!  Handsome Quinn and Beautiful Riley!

We had so much fun with sweet friends and family, such a special day! 

They both loved these rubber duckies :)

Crowns for the Prince and Princess (Quinn wouldn't keep his on :)

They didn't love the cake!  Riley got upset when she got her hands messy and Quinn wouldn't even try his.  He also wouldn't try an oatmeal cookie, not sure if he doesn't like sweets or just doesn't like new things.

Riley would eat the cake if I fed it to her, then she stuck her hand in it again and got very upset :(

Here's the other 1 year old in the family.  Evan was born 6 days before Quinn and Riley.  We missed his party the weekend before because Geoff and Riley got the stomach bug.  No fun!  So glad we were recovered for their party.  I think they enjoyed their party, at least mom and dad enjoyed it!

 

They love all their aunts and uncles :)

I am so amazed that a year has already passed, it seems time is just flying by.  They are such blessings!  I am loving motherhood and each new day with my precious children.  I wrote a poem for my babies I thought I would share.

For Quinn and Riley on your First Birthday...

I Never Knew

By Brenna Osborn

I never knew just how it would feel to be a mother,
until there was the two of you.
I had hoped and prayed to be a mother for so long,
and it has been worth every moment of that wait.

I never knew I could love someone so unconditionally,
from the very moment I knew you existed.

I never knew love at first sight,
until I saw the two of you.
Tiny babies, taking your first breaths of air,
me just wanting you to know I was there.

I never knew how my heart would melt,
simply holding you for the first time.
Riley at 1 day old and Quinn at 4 days old,
holding you together at 5 days old...perfection.

I never knew joy, pure joy,
bringing you home after 15 days in the NICU,
on the very same day...together.

I never knew exhaustion, tired to the bone,
until you were home and eating every three hours around the clock.

I never knew that my heart could exist outside my body,
but it does, it dwells inside each of you.

I never knew I could love your daddy even more than I did,
watching him holding you, loving you, playing with you,
I love him more everyday because of the daddy he is to you.

I never knew how incredibly blessed we are,
family and friends that love us, pray for us, support us,
grandmothers who came to help take care of you,
when I couldn't yet do it on my own.

I never knew I could learn so much from you,
being your mother has taught me about sacrifice,
selflessness, unconditional love, contentment,
trusting the Lord and seeking his wisdom,
to be the best mother I can be for you.

I never knew this new job - motherhood,
would come with payment far beyond any monetary value,
hugs, cuddles, smiles, kisses, and laughter,
how your laughter melts my heart.

I never knew how right it would feel,
when you are hurt or sad or feeling bad and just want to be in my arms,
it's exactly where I want you as well.

I never knew I could find so much joy in this day - your first birthday,
seeing you now and how far you have come in one short year,
pride for you both and all you are learning,
and sad at the same time, wondering where the time went,
and how it is that you are no longer my little almost six and three pound babies.

So thank you my beautiful son and daughter,
for making me a mother,
all these things I never knew,
until there was the two of you.

12 Months

12 months, Wow! I cannot believe how much they have grown this past year.  This past month they seem to be into any and everything.  They hear a lot of "no touch" these days!  We went for their well dr appointment on Monday.  Unfortunately, Quinn was not well.  On top of a cold he also has an ear infection in both ears!  Poor boy!  He's on antibiotic and will have to go back in a few weeks for his shots.  Riley has a cold too, but no ear infections so she had to get her shots. Poor girl!  Quinn weighed 21 pounds 9 ounces and is 28.5 inches long.  Riley weighed 16 pounds 2 ounces and is 27.5 inches long.  She's not even on the charts for weight so we are trying to add a few more calories and fat to her diet. 

Quinn is still in size 3 diapers and 12 month clothing.  Riley is kinda in size 3 diapers.  I had moved her to them but when she got a stomach bug she kept leaking out of her diapers.  We went back down to size 2 and it helped. She is mostly in 9 month clothing.  They are eating pretty much the same things, but we now get to start trying some new foods like eggs!  I gave them a little of my eggs today, Riley loved them and would have eaten more!  Quinn would not even put a bite in his mouth, when I stuck it in his mouth for him, he coughed, turned red, gaged, and threw up a little.  It was drama and I'm thinking he's a picky eater who doesn't like new things.  I know he's my child because I was a pretty picky eater when I was younger, so we'll just keep trying!  I dropped one nursing, so they nurse 3 times a day and get some whole milk with a snack in the afternoon.  They are taking it pretty good, but sometimes don't drink much at all. 

Riley has also started crawling up on her hands and knees.  It seems on the hardwoods she still likes to army crawl/slide, but on the carpet she is getting around on all fours!  Quinn has started standing without holding anything and a time or two has taken one step into someone's arms without holding anything.  He also loves to climb, is trying to climb anything he can.  He isn't quite tall enough for most of it yet, but I can't take my eyes off him! 

They do play well together...most of the time.  They definitley make each other mad when one takes a toy the other was playing with.  We are working on this, I'm sure we always will be :)  They also do funny things that just make me laugh.  The other day I went to get Riley after her nap.  She was in her crib with her head and her feet touching the mattress and her bottom up in the air, I guess working on a head stand.  Quinn got into Haley's food bowl the other day and I had to get 3 pieces of dog food out of his mouth.  The child won't eat eggs, but dog food he wants to eat?!?  This is where the "no touch" comes in! 

Riley also has been getting in all 4 of her first year molars!  If I thought teething with the front teeth was difficult, it's nothing compared to these.  They are big teeth, the first broke the surface about 3 weeks ago and they just keep coming.  I'll be happy when the last one gets in enough that they stop hurting, I'm sure she will be too!  Quinn's not getting his molars yet, I'm sure about the time Riley's are done, his will start :)  They both babble a lot, and say mama and dada, although Riley says dada most of the time and Quinn says mama most of the time.  At least Geoff and I each get one calling our name! 

Happy 12 months sweet babies! 

My babies on their 1st Birthday!

They play together so well, who needs push toys when you can push a box around!

Riley bites sometimes, she's not mad, just playing.  I have to watch her!

Playmates

"Here we come!"

jungle gym

Love those cute legs!

Happy girl!

They love play time with daddy!

Good use for a diaper box, I push them around and they LOVE it!

Riley sits like this all the time!

Quinn makes funny faces all the time!

Here is their 12 month puppy picture!  Such a big boy and girl!

*Thank you Geoff for making the background and header changes on my blog!  He's such a good hubby!