Bath Time

Well, I figured out a way to get all three babies in the tub at the same time while putting limits on how far they can get from me. Hailey does a great job of just sitting and playing nicely, but Andrew is an animal and wants to be all over the place. Molly still isn't ready to be in the big tub, so I worked it out by putting her in the baby tub, leaving just enough room to close Andrew and Hailey in at the other end. Take a look!

This certainly makes bathtime a bit easier! And funner for the babies as well!

Wagon Ride

The other day the physical therapist brought this cart to show how it can be used for practice with walking. She usually puts a sack of potatoes in it to keep it from tipping, but Molly seemed to work just as well. Although Hailey and Andrew aren't quite ready for walking, it was fun just giving them rides.

One of Hailey's newest tricks is letting go while in the standing position. She is getting closer to standing without assistance. The cutest part is that she knows she's doing something special, because she gets this big grin on her face!

I think having one of these carts just for pictures is necessary. Look at this priceless pose!

Sunny Days

Well, finally some sunshine! We found a nice spot in our backyard where there is a good amount of shade in the evening, so the other night we took the babies out and let them play on a blanket. We got some cute pics!

Isn't he a handsome fella!

Molly has to wear a sun hat even in the shade! Her eyes are very sensitive to light.

Hailey is pretty sure she's ready for the play toy. She may be a future gymnast!

Wheeeeeee!

Look how nicely they play together :-)

Megan is using dirt, water, and weeds to create hamburgers! She has a very clever mind :-)

Congratulations Aunt Tee Tee

This past Monday Megan and I braved the elements and attended my sister Tori's graduation. She took on the nickname Aunt Tee Tee when Megan was little because that is how Megan pronounced it. It was very cold and blustery at the ceremony, but thankfully the White River Ampitheater has a roof. Tim stayed home with babies and all went well. Here are a few pics!

The graduating class...look closely, Tori is looking right at me. Her dad was texting her to turn around so I could get a picture. Of course, I took the new camera and used the telephoto lens.

Here is my mom, stepdad Jeff, brother Ben, brother-in-law Tom, sister Elizabeth in the furry hat, and sister Brandi way to the right.

Elizabeth, Brandi, and Megan

Tori on her way to get her diploma!

It's official....she's a HS graduate!

Now it's on to Life Pacific College in San Dimas, California! Way to go Tori!

The Farm

Today I took the kids down to my sister and brother-in-law's place where they are building a new house. Megan has always loved going there and often calls it "The Farm" because they have lots of animals. She hasn't been down for a while because they haven't been living there during construction. Plus, they have 10 new ducklings that Megan just had to see. So, we ventured out and I thought I would share a few pictures.

Meet the ducklings....

Molly was very curious about this little moving thing.
Hailey was quite eager to pet the duckling!
Just as with the zoo, Andrew was enthralled with the animals.
It's not very often that Molly sees things smaller than her that actually move!
Meet Bubba, the goat...
Megan always wants to feed Bubba when she goes to Auntie Brandi's house.
Molly isn't quite sure about this.
Andrew wants to be Bubba's friend. They share a namesake, sort of!
Meet the resident criminals....let me share a sad story!
These two ducks are former ducklings of the former mother of the new ducklings. I say former mother because she is no longer with the Gwin family. They aren't quite sure exactly what happened, but shortly after the babies were born, Angel, the mother, passed on due to injuries thought to be inflicted by the above suspects. The suspicion is that these two hoodlums were trying to get to the babies and Angel did what any good mother would do....she sacrificed to protect her children. Well, when Mr. Gwin returned home and found the victim, the two suspects were quick to make their exit. Given the facts surrounding this unfortunate event, it isn't hard to draw the likely conclusion! Tell me, what do you think? Fortunately, the ducklings have a safe home under a nice warm heat lamp and doing just fine. As for the suspects??? Their fate is yet to be determined!

....two steps forward

Well, in true Molly fashion, she is proving to be quite the champ. I may be jumping ahead, but I think she is doing wonderfully well and has recuperated very nicely. Not only is she back to her spunky, joyful self, but she is currently eating better than she was before she got sick. We'll see if she can keep it up. She pulled her tube out at 2 this afternoon, but it turns out it wasn't a problem, as her last 4 feedings have all been by mouth, and were 90 mL, 105 mL (x2), and 115 mL. That's more than she was taking per feeding before the pneumonia. Anyway, she gained another 2 1/2 oz. from yesterday, so something is working. I'll keep the news coming!

Molly Molly

Well, I'm very excited this evening so I had to get on and post. Some of you know that Molly had to go back on her feeding tube because she wasn't eating well and was losing weight. The pneumonia really wiped her out and she basically had no appetite. Needless to say, things around here have been a bit tense on that front. However, tonight we have reason to be happy! Maybe it's a learned response from having babies that clung to life on a day to day basis, but the little things can really be cause for celebration. Molly has gradually been increasing the amount she takes by mouth, about 60 mL, but tonight, she finished her whole 3 oz. bottle! Even though she was tired and ready for bed, she pushed through and came out a champ! So, though a small event to most people, for us it's a huge step in the right direction! Not only that, but twice yesterday she ate a little more than a teaspoon of pureed mango and applesauce! She's becoming quite curious about how things feel and taste in her mouth. Keep praying and sending positive thoughts that this re-visit with the NG will be short term!

Thanks everyone :-)