9 months old

Matthew and Emily went for their 9 month check up and here is how they measured up:

Matthew: 16 pounds 2 oz; 27 inches
Emily: 15 pounds 9 oz, 27.75 inches

We have sitters!

As of tonight, both Matthew and Emily can sit alone... no mommy or daddy assistance and no boppy. Pics to come.....

Playtime!!

Daddy took some pics

Mardi Gras 2012

We could not attend Mardi Gras this year but we still showed Matthew and Emily what beads were all about.

March of Dimes - March for Babies

After Matthew and Emily were born, I joined The Woodlands Mothers of Multiples (WMOM), which is a nonprofit support group for mothers and play groups for kids. I was asked to co-chair the WMOM Team for the March for Babies. It is something that I feel strongly about being that Matthew and Emily have benefited greatly from the research done by the March of Dimes during their 62 day stay in the NICU. Matthew and Emily will participate in walk on April 28th and would appreciate any amount of money that you can donate to their team!! Every penny counts! The picture above shows them practicing for the walk. Click the link and it will take you to Matthew and Emily's page: http://www.marchforbabies.org/halliebier

Here is a little more info about the event:

WMOM has formed our March for Babies team to raise money to help all babies be born healthy. Please join us in this important endeavor.

More often than not, a multiple birth results in prematurity. And, in a multiple birth, you double, triple or even quadruple (or even more!) the babies effected by prematurity. Therefore, the March of Dimes is an especially important cause to the Mothers of Multiples. We know, through very hard experience, just what prematurity can do to a child. A lot of multiple birth children had to be treated with surfactant at birth to help them breathe, which is one of the major medical innovations brought about by the research funded through the March of Dimes. Surfactant helps save the lives of thousands of preterm babies every year. Together we can help find even more ways to save the lives of the most vulnerable babies of all.

The money we raise helps fund research to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. Premature birth is the #1 cause of newborn death and the biggest threat to babies' health today.

Can you think of anything more important than the health of our babies? If you can't join us, please donate to our team from this page. It's fast, easy and secure as well as tax deductible.

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Raising money is hard work!!

My view from behind the wheel!! Love those chubby legs!!

7 months

At the 7 month appointment, Matthew has taken over in the weight race. He is 14 pounds 1.4 ounces. Emily is 13 pounds 15.4 ounces. She loves being on her tummy for play and sleep and sits up with propping. It won't be long before she is going to be a "sitter." Matthew prefers to play and sleep on his back and loves his exersaucer (now that he is tall enough to reach the bottom when he is standing.) He hits the music buttons like he is a DJ.

Matthew is on the Mend

On December 30th, Matthew had surgery to repair bi-lateral inguinal hernias that he had since birth (common in preemies) and was also circumcised at Texas Children's Hospital. He was all smiles before and a little tired and fussy after but by day 2 post surgery, he was a happy boy again.

Before surgery, hanging out with Mom and Dad in the waiting room...

After surgery, resting...

Day after Surgery.... Silly Boy!

Mimi and Dagger came to stay with Emily so she wouldn't have to hang out at the hospital and we weren't sure if Matthew would be there overnight.

Babies' First Christmas

We went to Louisiana and spent time with our families for Christmas. Many of them were meeting Matthew and Emily for the first time and it was a great feeling to see how excited they all were.
The trip to Louisiana was great. We made 2 pit stops for diaper changes and one of those times we had bottles, puppy pee break and coffee. We were loaded down on the way there and twice as bad on the way back. I (over)packed to make sure that we had everything that a baby might need (like there are no stores in La).... They got some great presents... Puzzles, clothes, bath toys, books, car DVD player and highchairs; just to name a few....
Here are a few of the people that we got to see and meet:

Cousins, Lily and Thomas

Great Grandparents, Ma Goldie and Pa Ferd

Maw Dee

Uncle Mark

Mary Margaret and Aunt Rachel

Nanny Natalie and cousin Reese

Cousins Hayes, Tate, Eli and Carter

and Soon to be cousin-in-law, Tuoi Thi, who will be marrying my cousin Spencer!! Yay!

Christmas Card 2011