Okay, this is going to be a bit rushed as we have very *little* time to even sit down these days!!!  So Avery and Addison were born almost 3 weeks ago - and we've been home with them for 2 weeks now.  Neither of them ever had to go to the NICU which was great news!  They had some transient issues that have kept us completely overwhelmed...but none of them are 'permanent' or ultimately damaging.  One was jaundice.  Another was their inability to stay very warm on their own (due to no body fat.)  And the worst has been feeding.  They have a very weak suck/swallow ability so we had to do finger feeds the first 2 weeks of life which was GRUELING.  You literally hold a syringe with a tiny tube stuck to it - put it in their mouths - and drop 1 droplet of milk into their mouths at a time.  It takes FOREVER.  Now they've graduated to bottles which is the only reason I have a second to sit down and write this.  The bottles are not without issue - we have to feed them laying on their side veeeery slowly.  But they still beat finger feeds hands down!  They are slowly gaining weight which is great!  Breastfeeding it a long way off - probably a few months as their mouths are so tiny and their suck/swallow is so weak.  That's what I'm told at least.  So in the meantime I'm pumping every 3 hours, round the clock.  Lack of sleep has been the hardest - they eat every 3 hours day and night.  And Don went back to work last week so I am managing this day by day - with a few tears - and a lot of fatigue.  :)

But we love them to death and are so filled with joy.  Casey is doing GREAT with his new sissies - he helps feed them, change their diapers, and hasn't shown one iota of jealousy or frustration. He is just a happy camper who loves life.  Cody is pretty oblivious which works well too.  Don and I are 1) still alive, 2) still married.  Those are two things we acknowledge every day to encourage ourselves!  It has been 1 crazy ride....and promises to continue to stay crazy! 

Thanks for checking in - I know it's been awhile.  I hope to keep this updated regularly from now on.  We covet your prayers as we get used to this new life of ours! 

with love,

shawna, don, casey, cody, avery and addison!