The last few days

The boys turned 6 months on Friday and Owen is already interested in playing with Logan's toys!!! When Nathan and Owen are near each other they enjoy touching.Preston went on men's retreat this weekend (it was my birthday present to him). He had a great time. The three boys and I had a great time together. My parents came over both evening and brought dinner and spent a little time over here to help out. My brother was able to hold both boys together for the first time. All three of them seemed to really enjoy it.Logan was also able to go to a friend's birthday party. I am very grateful for my friend, Sarah, taking him with her. I know Logan really enjoyed going to Pump It Up. It was good for him to get out of the house for a little while, since his brothers still are not able to leave.

Preston's Dad and Donna came over for their weekly Sunday afternoon lunch. They always bring veggies from Homewood Diner!! All three boys were excited to see their Daddy when he got home.Logan is becoming a lot more adventurous with his eating. He will now eat just about anything we put in front of him. His favorite thing to eat on Sunday afternoon is friend okra, green beans, mac and cheese and bread. Last night we gave him manwhich for the first time. It is not something we eat around here much but it is good every once in a while. Logan thought it was great.

Six month check up

Nathan and Owen had their 6 month check up today. Owen is now 9 pounds 9 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. Nathan is 8 pounds 5.5 ounces and 19 inches long. Their doctor is very pleased with their growth. We plan to start to boys on some rice / oatmeal cereal when they turn 7 months old. Owen also has a pulmonologist appointment on June 14th. She believes they will be able to get off their apnea monitors at that time!!! They boys were not very happy getting their shots, but their Mom and Dad are glad to have all of their immunization out of the way until their one year appointment. They are cleared to not have to go back to the doctor until their 9 month check up. By the way, if anyone is looking for a pediatrician, call me. Ours is the best and will be glad to recommend her to anyone.

Just a few fun images

Here are just a few fun things happening around the house.
This is my Mother's Day bouquet of flowers. It was also accompanied by a donation to the March of Dimes. Here are a few shots of Logan playing tennis. We always have to get in some playground time too. The boys have lots of burp cloths, most of them with their first initial on them. The other day Logan asked if I would make him a cloth with his letter on it for wiping his face. We go through burp cloths like crazy, so while I was at it I made two more for the boys.

Medical Updates

The boys are having some great reports from their doctor visits. Nathan went to the eye doctor on Monday and is now cleared for just routine appointments. His ROP is gone. Nathan had been seeing his eye doctor weekly while in the NICU and then every two or three weeks since he came home. Now, he does not need to see an eye doctor for 6 months!!! We were very excited with this news. Owen is still seeing the retinal specialist. He has an appointment again on May 26th. Right now his ROP is completely gone in his right eye and he has just a little bit in his left eye. We are hoping this next appointment can be Owen's last with the retinal specialist and we can then switch over to the regular eye doctor.

The boys had their first in-home physical therapy meeting with Hand In Hand (their therapy provider). Preston and I were very impressed with the therapists that were in our home. The boys are doing really well. Since their due date was March 2nd, this is the age they measure them for their development. The therapist also told us that a lot of milestones have to do with weight. The boys are still about regular newborn size (I believe weighing in around 7 pounds and 9 pounds). She did lots of playing with them and some little exercises. We just need to continue playing with them, like we do. We also need to make sure when they lay down some of the time their head is to the right. They definitely have no problem doing it - they just favor the left. We just want to make sure they don't favor the left so much they make their muscles tight. I think they heard their therapist because they have already been looking to the right a lot more.

The boys 6 month appointment is Friday. I will be sure to post their new weights. Hopefully we will also be able to begin some baby cereal with them.

Smoothies

Preston has started making these delicious smoothies. They are made up of avocado, banana, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple and some Only 8 vanilla frozen yogurt from Edgewood Creamery. They are delicious!!!!

Fun Stuff

Preston and I were able to sneak away for about 1 hour to go and play tennis together. We had a wonderful time. We joined the Homewood Parks and Rec, so now we are able to do lots of activities. There is a little sidewalk connection from the back of our neighborhood to West Homewood Park. So, in order to save some time, we just rode our bikes over. We played a quick five games, and then headed back home. We like playing tennis, but have not done so in about 6 or so years. Preston's Mom watched Nathan and Owen and Logan was at school. Last week I bought Logan a tennis racket so hopefully we will get him out there soon.
We now have a lot of Logan's old toys here. We are beginning to play with them with Nathan and Owen. Some of them are too big and a little too advanced but we are still working with them. I figure it is better to work ahead of their level and help them reach those goals too.
The boys are both progressing really well. Owen has started rolling over!! Both boys are doing a great job lifting up their chest and getting their legs up too. They are starting to smile in response to us and we definitely get their attention when we talk.

Logan is still enjoying school. He has three weeks left and has learned so much stuff this year. He is shaping up to have a full summer with Kidlife Week at Dawson, swimming lessons, and school T, W, TH this July. We figured it was good for him to go three days a week for the month so we could schedule any follow-up appointments to boys have at that time. We also hope to get in a family trip or two this summer. Logan is enrolled in M-F, 4k at Riverchase Day School next year. We decided not to enroll him at first, thinking we would be back in China by then. Then we decided to enroll him because the boys will probably need until they are one year of age before they will be able to return. I was really glad we were able to get him a spot, with our late decision. Five day a week 4k was available, so we snatched up the opportunity.

Thursday afternoon

The Hites are having a great day. Logan had a great day at school and Preston was able to take the morning to get some work done at the library. Nathan and Owen have been great, though they have been sleeping a lot today. When Logan got home from school we went for a long bike ride, to the library. We spent about 45 minutes at the library and then came home. I have not ridden my bike in almost a year, and well I was a little tired when I got back. This afternoon Logan and I, then adding Owen, decided to take some pictures outside. It took a little convincing to get a 3 year old boy to take pictures, but I basically just snapped as he played.
We had lots of fun.
After Preston gave Owen his bath I was able to take him out for a few pictures. We also let Logan hold Owen for the first time. He was so excited.