Did you know that twins keep you busy?

Mama and Daddy are really busy with three children. Pippa and Jasper are growing like crazy. They had their baby shower yesterday and really stole the show. They got some really cool gifts and will look really cute in their new clothes. Great Grandma Mimi and Great Aunt Phyllis got to come to the shower. The food was great - it was made by several people. Grandma Laurabeth made chicken salad and pimento cheese. OoooooWHeeeee.......the eating was GREAT. The babies were relatively unimpressed with all the hoop-la, but Mama had a great time.

The Weight Is Over!!!!

In the pink corner, weighing in at 5 pounds 13 ounces with a record of 13-0 and 5 knockouts is the "Thrilla From Vanilla (Extract)". Piiiiiiipppppppaaaaaa Rhooooodddddeeees!!!!!!!!

In the blue corner, weighing in at 6 pounds 11 ounces with a record of 14-0 and 6 knockouts is the "Wood From The Hood". Jaaaassssppppeeerrrr Rhooooodddddeeees!!!!!!!!

Here Are The Cookies!!!

Pictures of those fabulous cookies.....

Grandma sent me pictures of those GORGEOUS cookies I told you about, but due to my technical web administrating difficulties, they have not been uploaded. I will try to get them loaded by the weekend.

Mama tells me that she thinks that the babes are approaching 6 lbs. I will give an official report when I talk to her. She was taking them to the doctor and I haven't talked to her since she went. I can't believe that their original due date still hasn't arrived. They were supposed to be here around Labour Day and yet here they are and they are just wonderful.

I got to see them on Sunday night. They were sleeping together and just really being cute.

WOW!

Oops!

Somehow, the picture at the top of the page got erased. I will work on fixing that! Did you enjoy the photos? Aren't the babies getting big? They look just wonderful with those fat cheeks and double chins. That is exactly what we want from them.

Another quote this time from Charles Dickens: "It is not a small thing when those who are so fresh from God, love us."

Don't you just LOVE babies?

Twins..........

"My sister and I, you will recollect, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two souls which are so closely allied. (The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” The Adventures of Sherlock) " Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

NEW PHOTOS!!!

These are some new pictures of those SO cute twins !!!!! I love the yawning one of Pippa!!! There are pictures of the first bath and also of them in their crib together. Ah, bliss........it just makes me happy to look at the pictures.

Mama reports that all is well on the homefront....a little daunting when it takes an hour and a half each time for eating and all that comes with eating. Lots of wet diapers and lots of love are keeping this house busy!!

Silas is enjoying this new role of big brother as you can see by the smiles in the pictures. And he will get to celebrate his 5TH birthday with Pippa and Jasper. That is very exciting. Let me know what you think about the new photos................

Happy ONE MONTH Birthday!

They visited the doctor this week and have grown!!! Jasper was ( I think) 5 lbs. 4 oz. and Pippa was 4 lbs. 11 oz! Then on Friday, they went to the eye doctor. Preemies have to have their eyes tested since they are "preemies". They did splendidly there as well.

Charlie was able to be home last week and so the first week with both babies was with Mama and Daddy. Mama reports that the twins are acclimating to life at home. They are adjusting to "un" hospital life. They are both eating well and sleeping well. Every time that Aunt Tese gets to see them, they are asleep.

Today, Grandpa and Grandma Rhodes and Uncle Frank were over for a visit. There was lots of love being passed around. In just a few weeks, Aunt Amy and Cousin Abigail will come for their first visit. And by the way, Aunt Amy made INCREDIBLE cookies when the babies were born. They looked like they had been made by one of those special cookie bouquet places. They were pink and blue and just were just beautiful.

Twins........

Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.

Aristotle

Today, Jasper and Pippa were lying next to one another in the Mama's bed. They were swaddled and making small sounds....grunts, sighs, squeaks.....baby language. When I told Uncle M about going to see them, he asked if they were next to each other. I said yes, but they weren't facing each other. I told him about all those sweet baby sounds and he said, "I wonder if that is their way of talking to one another?" Could be farfetched, but maybe not so farfetched. They know one another. Why wouldn't they be making sounds to each other? Okay...I am no philosopher..mostly just an enamored aunt who can't get enough.

Confession: I did go in the house today for just one second to kiss that Pippa on the head. Jasper isn't left out....he has gotten LOTS of head kisses.

PIPPA IS HOME!!!!!

The nurses called Mama right when she returned home from visiting with Pippa and told her that she needed to come back. Pippa was being discharged from the NICU!!! So, Aunt Tese and M headed down to keep Silas and that crazy Jasper while Mama and Daddy went to get wee Pippa from the "joint".
Aunt Tese told Jasper several times that his sister was on her way home, but he really just didn't seem that interested. Mama was thrilled to have Jasper's "older" sister home from the hospital. Now, the fun begins. Will you pray that this transition will be good. It will have moments of frustration and tiredness, but they will be good, blessed moments. Praise God with us that Pippa and Jasper are home with Mama and Daddy and Silas.

New pictures are now uploaded on the slideshow and at the bottom of the blog.........and the very dark baby in the photos was our practice baby for CPR class!!!!!

Jasper is HOME!!!!

Jasper arrived home last night around 11 pm. Silas was THRILLED to get to see him. Jasper did great all through the night. Mama didn't get much sleep because she was taking care of Jasper. This morning, Aunt Tese and M got to babysit Jasper and Silas while Mama was at the hospital with Pippa.

Also, last night, Deda, Mama, Daddy and Aunt Tese took an infant CPR class. One of the upcoming photos is a picture of our practice baby. We all passed with flying colors.

Jasper is eating and pottying with the best of them. He sucks his bottle dry very quickly. His burps are very manly.

Keep praying for Pippa that she will eat and grow and get to come home.

More photos hopefully tomorrow.

More weight gain.....

Jasper is just gaining, gaining....he is now 4 lbs. 2 oz. As for Pippa, she also is gaining - 3 lbs. 14 oz. - she just isn't in a rush like Jasper is. Different staff members have suggested that Jasper might be able to go home soon, but once he is released, he can't visit Pippa for any reason. Mama and Daddy will have to have childcare for Silas and Jasper each time Mama goes to the hospital. She needs to go two times a day to feed and do kangeroo care. Pray that God's hand will be in this decision. Mama and Daddy are going to be taking CPR courses so that they will be prepared for anything. Others around them who will be taking care of the babies will also probably take the CPR courses.
Both babies will come home with monitors and so the folks who babysit will need to know what to do with all the monitor "stuff".
Mama and Daddy are both thrilled with the progress that Pippa and Jasper are making. Pray also that the staff members will be kind and caring in each situation. It is difficult when Mama is weary and is trying to take care of her family and also visit the hospital twice each day and recuperate from pregnancy.
Will be posting more pictures as soon as they are available.

Gaining Weight is GOOD!

Mr. Jasper is about to hit the ........4 lb. mark!!!! Mademoiselle Pippa is 3 lbs. 12 oz!! That's incredible! The twins are sleeping well and eating well. Mama reports that several times when she has visited, the babies have slept while she was there. Monday, she got to hold both babies at the same time and she just really rejoices in being able to do that.

Pray that Pippa and Jasper will continue to grow steadily and that Mama and Daddy will get the rest that they need. Pray for Silas as he has to wait to get to know his new brother and sister. Also, be in prayer for the family to be prepared when Pippa and Jasper come home.

From the Bible, an appropriate thanks.....

For all who continue to pray for Charlie, Elisabeth, Silas, Pippa and Jasper....and for all of you who have blessed them in SO many ways...............

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

Great news..........

Both Pippa and Jasper sailed through their brain ultrasounds!!! That is wonderful news. Also in the good news department......Jasper now weighs 3.10 lbs. and Pippa is between 3.6 and 3.8 lbs! GO BABIES!! Also, good job MAMA for all that milk you are providing!

Daddy sent more photos, so check out the bottom of the blog or click on the slideshow at the side of the blog to see those beautiful faces.

Did I mention that the twins are wearing CLOTHES? The clothes are very big - do you know where to find clothes for 3 lb. preemies??? The hospital provides onesies that snap down the front. They really don't want clothes from home because the clothes get lost in the hospital laundry. This way, if something gets lost, it is no big deal. But, Aunt Tese is working hard on the "home from the hospital" preemie clothes.

Do you know the difference between a Stage One preemie and a Stage Three preemie??