Santa Claus is coming to town!

He was at Dillard's to be exact. I was fully expecting the girls to cry (well, at least Reagan), but neither one did. It was a Christmas miracle! Reagan did try to jump off Santa's lap though, so as soon as the camera clicked he set her on the floor! Santa is not germ conscious like some of us. Bailey sat still but she wouldn't smile. I don't think she was impressed with the big guy. So even though they didn't smile in the pictures, I'm still happy we went. Maybe next year will be better. After Santa's visit, we went to Pottery Barn to say hi to my Mom's coworkers. That store is so gorgeous at Christmas time (and every other time) so we took some pictures in front of their tree. We were getting the weirdest looks, but at least my Mom actually works there. The manager told us they had random families come in last year to take family pictures! I've also been doing a lot of baking and decorating this year. The picture above is my first attempt at making "pretty" cookies. Some turned out pretty good, others... not so much. Anyway, we are really looking forward to Christmas and hopefully we'll have some more pictures to share soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This was my first time holding both girls at the same time and I was a little nervous!
These photos are all from last Thanksgiving. I'm sharing them again to show how much we have to be thankful for. I know it has taken me a long time to realize that, and I apologize. It's just when you're in the situation we were in, it's hard to look past the present and think about a happy future. But we're finally there. These two little miracles are our whole lives. They are healthy and perfect. I promise, I am not writing this to get sympathy or anything. We were given so much of it at the time. I just really needed to let everyone know that I know how blessed I am, and that I am thankful for it all. I'm grateful that we had such an awesome NICU team, because without all of their hard work and dedication, they would not be where they are today. I'm also grateful that Michael and I have such amazing families who have been so supportive and helpful since the girls arrived. They sat with us during surgeries, fed us, took me to visit the girls (we only had one car at the time) and just engulfed us in love. I am so thankful for my friends who snuck (good) food and ice cream into the hospital, who showered us with love and support and who love our girls more than we could ask for. I am also thankful for the support, strength and guidance from my church and it's leaders. I hope everyone can be as blessed as we are in this coming year. As soon as Michael uploads the pictures from his camera, I will post our pics from yesterdays Thanksgiving.

Happy 1st Halloween!

Okay, so I know this technically wasn't the girls first Halloween, but Michael and I agreed that since their first one was spent in the NICU it didn't count. This year the girls went to two Halloween parties, one at my parents ward and the other at our own. They had so much fun seeing all the other costumes and sharing our food. I decided to get some more use out of their birthday tutus so I added wings, tights and wands and voila!, fairies! They were pretty darn cute! Of course they couldn't go trick-or-treating, but we figured they deserved some sort of Halloween treat. So we let them lick the beaters covered in chocolate frosting. They loved it! Also, Nov. 3rd was the one year anniversary of Reagan's heart surgery. Look at that little peanut now! Bailey's one year mark will be on Saturday the 7th. She has to do everything her big sister does! We are so proud of them because they have worked so hard to get to where they are today. Here are some pictures, enjoy!

I love the look Bailey is giving us!

You can tell that Reagan was very enthusiastic about her treat.

So cute! She wouldn't let me put her hair in a ponytail though :(

She'll make all your wishes and dreams come true!

I love how it looks like she's smelling the flower!

Such a cute happy girl!

Our cupcakes turn 1!

This year, October 16th was a happy day; a day for celebration. We threw a cupcake themed party for the girls on Saturday, and I have to admit, it was really fun. We celebrated with family and close friends with presents, ice cream (home made by my Dad) and of course cupcakes. It was so much fun watching the girls dig into their chocolate cake. They had so much fun that Bailey even fell asleep before she opened presents. But she woke up just in time to play! There are a lot of pictures here, but I just couldn't narrow it down! For some reason the pictures are in random order and not from beginning to end. Hope you enjoy them anyway.

Close up of the cupcakes. I made pink and purple fondant flowers for them.

A cutie tutu bootie!

Poor Bailey Bug was tired!

She was such a ham that day, which is not her usual style.

Reagan was digging the chocolate.

Bailey was a little less sure of hers.

So cute!

Reagan and Grandma.

Silly face Bailey and Papa.

Our good sweet friend, Grandma Jackie.

Look at all those cupcakes, yum yum!

Little stinker would not leave her headband on!

Apple Hill

I adore fall. I love everything about it: the cooler weather, the leaves changing color, wearing scarves and hats, hot chocolate, apple cider, baking, and above all, our traditional trip to Apple Hill. For anybody who has never heard of Apple Hill, it is a collection of farms that grow apples (obviously), pears, berries, pumpkins and more. There are also crafts, candy shops, animals and pie houses. It is amazing. I have gone every year since I was little and even as an adult I still look forward to it. Let me tell you though, this year was the first time I have gone with my own children and it was by far the best ever. I loved watching them take everything in. Their were constantly looking from side to side seeing what new thing was waiting for them. Each farm held new treasures. Bailey loved the ponies and would squeal in delight when we saw them. Reagan was fascinated with the rabbits. We discovered that they both love pumpkins about a month ago when I picked up to mini ones at the store for them. Imagine their delight then at seeing pumpkins as big as they are! It was nice to spend time with family and eat delicious treats. We didn't get to go last year because I was in the hospital, but the trip this year more than made up for it. I'm trying to find a way to squeeze in a second trip before Halloween! So here are some pictures for you... (Oh and a big huge thank you to my amazing and wonderful husband for taking these gorgeous pictures! Love you honey!)

Bailey hanging out in the pumpkin patch at one of our favorite farms.

Such a happy loving family!

Reagan kickin' back with the pumpkins.

They enjoyed eating the hay and giving Mommy and Daddy heart attacks.

Our cute little pumpkins.

I love that messy face.

Reagan and Papa enjoying some lunch.

Look at all those yummy apples!

Our sweet and pretty Bailey Bug.

Nerd alert

Oh yeah. I'm a total nerd. Check out the new addition to the side of my blog. Obsessed much?

Blah

That's how I've been feeling lately. I guess I'm just having a pity party for myself. I don't know. So I haven't really felt like updating the blog. I'm such a slacker, I know. We went to Vegas during the middle of June and stayed at our timeshare, Tahiti Village. We always have fun there and it was nice to get away. All six cousins were there so it was pretty hectic at times. One night Michael's parents watched the three youngest while the adults and three older ones got to go out. Michael and I went and saw The Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian. It was absolutely fantastic. The costumes and sets were amazing! I saw it in California when I was little and I don't remember much of that show, but I would go see this one again in a heartbeat. Plus tickets are half off for Nevada residents. Score! The girls and I have gone swimming once a week at a friends house. They are becoming quite the little water babies and I like to joke that they are half mermaid. For the first time in my life I'm actually getting tan too! July brought many birthdays, including my own. I got a new ipod touch which is awesome! The girls have finally started sitting and are pulling their knees up underneath them when they're on their bellies. I think they'll be crawling by their first birthday. They have also taken off on eating solids. They love it, well, except for chicken with chicken broth. They both sat there gagging and spitting until they finally threw up. It was awful. So as usual, here are some pics to sum up the post. Sorry to those who have already seen these on facebook!

I just like Bailey's face in this one

Bailey is such a happy girl

Reagan doing her thing

Reagan loves sweet potatoes

Nana and Papa with all six granddaughters at the forum shops in Caesar's palace (in September they will be getting two more granddaughters and their first grandson when Uncle Chris gets married!)

Babies chillin in the pool. Everyone kept coming over to look at them. They are quite the attention getters.

Our life

Life has been a little hectic lately. Two weeks ago we took the girls up to Ogden Utah for the first time to visit Michael's sister and her little family. We had a lot of fun playing with cousins and friends. We went shopping in Park City and four wheeling in Little Moab with Michael's friend Andy and his girlfriend and kids. We had a great time with all of them and can't wait to see them again in August. We came home right as the girls were getting sick and of course I caught whatever they have. They have also learned to roll, Reagan being quite the master doing three rolls in a row, and with their stuffy noses leave little slime trails wherever they are. The girls are quite active now and love to people watch and observe what's going on. They are no longer content being infants on the couch. They are big girls and love to be up and about. I'm so glad that they waited until Daddy was out of school to become so active because I need all the help I can get. Michael is so great at taking care of the girls in the morning so I can sleep in. He is such a fantastic Father and Husband.

Andy's turn

Michael trying not to give us a heart attack since he had Katie's kids in the car with him!

Katie and I with the girls. It was windy, so please excuse the hair!

Bailey and Reagan in the hammock at Aunt Nicole and Uncle Brian's.

What's new?

We went on a picnic to Dog Valley and it was really windy. Every time a big gust would come through the picnic site Bailey would stick her tongue out!
Reagan holding her bottle

Not much has been going on in our little family. The girls are right on track developmentally for their adjusted age which is a huge relief. We've been told since day 1 that our micro babies were going to face so many challenges and that they were really going to have to struggle, but we have been blessed that they have not. They are at such a fun stage grabbing everything they see and trying to sit up. They talk to each other and hold hands and get so excited when they see one another. They have each rolled a few times from tummy to back and Reagan held her bottle on her own the other day for about 30 seconds. The physical therapist and developmental specialist are so pleased with their progress. Mom and Dad are pretty proud of their little fighters too! After 6 and 1/2 months of giving the girls breast milk only I decided to stop pumping (sorry about the subject!). I couldn't keep up with them anymore and was having to feed them more often. My supply was decreasing because of the stress, so I stopped. They have to take a special preemie formula and they don't sell a lot of it at the store so every time we go in we buy every can that they have, usually 3 or 4. Our pantry looks like we're hoarding baby formula! The only other thing that is new lately is that I have taken up a new hobby. I am learning to quilt and so far I love it. Michael says he doesn't know how I can stand to sit there and cut out all those little squares perfectly, but I like it!

A day late...

And don't they look happy about it! I should have posted this yesterday, but I got busy and forgot, so it's a day late. The other exciting thing that happened yesterday was that my brother Skyler got his mission call! Unfortunately, the stinker is making all of us wait until tomorrow night to hear where he's going! He swears he's not going to peak, but I don't think he can do it. You can see a video of him getting it in the mail on his blog to the right. I'll let you know where he's going tomorrow! I can't wait. I can't believe my baby brother is leaving us for two years!

Sometimes no news is a good thing

Yay! Bailey bug is off her oxygen. She's so cute when she sleeps!
Playing at the park. They were so worn out when we got home.
I love that sweet little smile!
Even the baby size bunny ears didn't fit :( 

It seems like so much has happened the past 6 months, that it's nice to finally kind of settle down. The girls both recovered quickly from their bronchitis, but not before passing it on to Daddy who ended up getting pleurisy from it. The infection got into the lining of his lungs and he was in excruciating pain all the time. He would wake up at 3 am doubled over in pain. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do for it except wait it out which can take over 2 weeks! He's finally feeling better.

Bailey has been off her oxygen for about 2 weeks now. I love having portable babies! We've gone shopping, to church, to the park, on lots of walks and to dinner with a friend. And it is sooo much easier bathing them. Because they are both off they finally sleep in their own room. They absolutely love sleeping in their crib and will sometimes cry until we lay them in there. They calm down immediately. Daddy and the dog are also sleeping better with them in their own room. I am the only one who is getting even less sleep than before. I am constantly getting up to check on them, and I get paranoid when they don't make any noise.

Easter weekend was so much fun. A very dear family friend (she's been part of our family for almost 23 years!) came to visit. The girls loved her and were always smiling and giggling with her. She went shopping with my mom, sister, me and the girls on Saturday. We had the girl's picture taken with the Easter bunny. We all went to church together on Sunday and then had a big family dinner. She left Monday and we all miss her already!