CHANGE HAPPENS

Whether we like it or not change happens.  Three years ago I was racing around the world as one of the top female Xterra athletes and now I find myself surviving parenthood (and I thought battling Cancer was tough!)

Once again, it has been awhile since I last updated my blog . . . the joys of being a mom.  I haven't slept since the boys were born.  They spent two weeks in the NICU.  I was there every day all day long.  I would have stayed in the evenings if I didn't need the rest!  Both boys started out on bubbles but were taken off in less than a day.  They needed feeding tubes for about a week and a half and they had some trouble regulating their temperature.  Besides that, they were doing well. 

Being in the NICU was beneficial to Courtney and me.  The nurses (especially the night nurses) were awesome.  They taught us so much, from bathing to feeding and burping.  I even took a baby basics and Infant CPR class to make sure I was ready.  Many of our friends who were first time parents said it was a little scary being sent home with a newborn and having no clue what to do.  I didn't have that problem because I watched the nurses very carefully and did most of the daily stuff myself.

Once the boys were able to feed on their own they got to come home.  We stayed at my in-laws for a week to be close to the hospital in case something went wrong.  Once we were comfortable we headed home.  This is where we have been for the last two and a half weeks.

The boys were circumcised a little over a week ago.  The boys survived it (and so did I.)  Then Ryder was having trouble gaining weight.  We discovered it was because he (and Christian) are tongue tied.  That is where the front of the tongue is connected to the bottom of your mouth by a piece of skin.  We started bottle feeding him and he quickly put the weight on.  Now I need to decide whether or not to clip the piece of skin or just bottle feed him and see if it stretches down the road.  I'm leaning towards the clipping!

I am happy to say both boys have reached and passed the 6 pound mark so they no longer fit into their preemie clothing.  They are still a little small for some of the newborn clothing but I have a feeling they will outgrow it in a month.

The boys like to be awake at night which means I never sleep . . . thankfully Courtney and my Dad have been a huge help.  My mom and in-laws have also been extremely helpful with things like buying diapers and fixing dinners.

Recently Courtney brought home a cold and passed it on to everyone even though I had him wearing a mask.  I believe it is because I caught him a few times holding Christian without a mask.  Now poor Christian is really congested.  It kills me to hear him breathe.  I try to suck out all the garbage but I can only get so much!

As hard as life has been the last two years I continue to feel blessed.  How often do you become a World Champion, Survive Cancer and then become a parent?  In a million years I would have never seen myself where I am today.  It is a constant reminder that God is in control and I am right where I am supposed to be.

Powered By God,

Jamie