One Year Ago

One year ago today my EVERYTHING changed. My life changed. Who I am at the very core changed. And my eternity changed. I am unbelievably thankful for it! Today Keagan and Riley turn ONE! It has been the longest, most challenging, most exhausting, and stressful year of my life. But they have brought more joy, happiness, and love into my life then I ever hoped for. And that kind of change is priceless!

I can't say that they are so big. At 14.4 lbs and 18.5 lbs. they are not the biggest one year olds on the block. I can't say they haven't had their challenges. They both were so sick in the beginning-plus so tiny. Keagan had her leaks in her lungs and her heart surgery, and of course Riley still has her serious battle with her heart disease and is developmentally delayed. But there is SO much I can say. Like they are so dang cute! And they are tough girls who fight through their obstacles with a smile. I can say they both love to laugh and make everyone else around them join in and just have the best spirits about them. Most of all I can say I love them inside and out, top to bottom, unconditionally.

To my sweet Keagan on your birthday, I cant believe you are getting to be such a big girl. You are so independent, on the go, busy, curious and smart. I hope that continues to grow- but don't go too far from your momma. Thank you for watching over your sister like you do and for making me laugh so much!

And to my sweet Riley, I love your smile and what you say to me without talking. I am so proud of you for being such a fighter and please continue to fight each day and the Lord will help you as I will and all others who love you. Thank you for being so sweet!

Happy happy birthday to my little angels! I can't believe it came so fast! We are off to ride the carousel and then a big huge cake here we come!!!

Nine Months!

Its amazing to say that my little angels are 9 months old! I can't believe how big they are and how much they continue to change each day. They both still fill my life with so much joy its overwhelming sometimes! They are alot of work but they are beyond worth it.

Right now I am celebrating something much bigger then the girls turning 9 months. At her last Cardiology appointment, Riley and I discovered that all of my hundreds of hours of prayers and many of yours I'm sure (thank you for those) have been answered and her heart has slightly improved! The size of her heart is the same, but the function, or the pump has improved. Her doctors are thrilled and we are beyond elated! Its just a small improvement and she still is under going alot of treatment, but we are so thankful for answered prayers! We are also starting the long process of looking into some developmental delays for Riley. With her heart, her prematurity, and her extremely low birth weight she has alot of cards stacked against her. But the girl is so tough and is strong willed which will always pay off for her. She is also such a happy baby. Wherever we go we get comments about what a happy baby she is- and gorgeous of course! Keagan is a curious crazy little girl who is army crawling all over the place and grabbing everything she sees. She loves to growl and scream at the top of her lungs at any toy she can find. Her favorites being the spring door stopper on the wall or the tv remote control. Every one that knows her says that Keags is just a funny little girl and she makes everyone laugh.

They are both so different but so amazing. I love watching each of their strong little personalities develop and seeing them learn new things all the time. They are still really close and love to be touching or at least near each other. I'm so thankful that they have one another and especially thankful that I have both of them! I can't believe it's been 9 months. Before I know it, their whole first year will be over!

Laughing

Army Crawling

Almost Seven Months!

Almost Seven Months!

On Thursday the girls will be seven months old! Its hard to believe.

Riley came home from the hospital for the first time when she was seven weeks old and I was so thrilled we had made it to that point. That seems like yesterday but yet so much has happened since then. They are both getting big and changing everyday right before my eyes. They just act like such big girls now that it makes me worry that Pre-School is going to come too fast. Keagan is a little ahead of Riley (as to be expected) but even she still has a little catching up to do from being so premature. Keagan is just recently sitting up on her own. She loves to roll all over the place and sits and plays with her toys. Lately Riley has become much more vocal and is constantly really telling me something. I just wish I knew what that something was! They are both still very smiley and such happy great babies.

Two weeks ago Riley was back in the hospital. They were just monitoring a virus as anything can really set her heart over the edge and it is difficult for her to get rid of things. After eleven hours in the Emergency Room before we were admitted and having every possible test in the world including an IV in her scalp, we were happy that we only had to stay one night! It was a little scary as the children's hospital that we go to was where the baby died from the Swine Flu. So Riley was in an isolated room for extra precaution. Also because of that stinky bug we haven't been anywhere but my sisters house and long drives in the car for at least three weeks! Brutal but worth it especially when you have a critically ill one. I think I am going to end that torture soon.

On Mothers Day this past Sunday I couldn't stop thinking about how lucky I am that the Lord sent me these two precious girls. I am so blessed to be their mom! And even though it is REALLY hard and exhausting work I can't wait to see what the rest of their first year has in store!

The girls today:
After their bath which they love, can you tell?

In their big girl outfits:

In the Texas Bluebonnet fields on Good Friday:

In their Easter dresses. They were just excited for their Easter Baskets which was mostly books, pajamas, teething rings and of course carrot baby food. But the best present he Easter Bunny brought was their Grandma and Great Grandma from Hawaii for a really great 5 day visit!

After a Long Walk