Changes

The twins will be 3 years old in just a couple more months. It’s amazing how much can happen in just 3 short years…how much they’ve changed. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a fairly sentimental and nostalgic person, so reflecting on how much has happened in our lives led me to pull out some of the twins’ mementos as a reminder of how much they’ve grown and what a difference a couple of years makes from when they were such tiny little babies in the NICU.

Paige’s first knit hat:

And, now, just big enough to fit one of her little baby doll's heads:

Taylor’s first knit hat:

And, now:

Paige’s shoes then, roughly the size of a small AA battery:

Taylor’s shoes then, roughly the size of a small AA battery also:

Paige's first pair of sunglasses (in the NICU) and her first "binky". That green binky and those sunglasses are bigger than her head!

Taylor's first everything (in the NICU)...first IV, first breaths of oxygen, first assisted breathing. She was a sick little girl:

The leg bands the babies wore in the hospital NICU. These fell right off their tiny feet all the time…I don’t have pictures of these since I gave these as gifts to the grandparents but trust me, they were TINY, TINY leg bands! And, the diapers too. From XS Preemie sized 3 years ago to today's size 5's!!!

And, now just look at them today...

Favorite NICU Memory

We never really thought about the fact that our babies could be born too soon. We thought that prematurity was something that was unfortunate, but rare.

Only God knew what was best for us and what was best for our twin girls, and so it was time to meet them on Sunday, December 11, 2005.

A favorite memory for our family occurred in the early days when Taylor and Paige were still in the hospital nursery.

The girls were “co-bedded” - placed together (in their womb position as identified by previous ultrasounds) in their isolette. It was a special moment when for the first time, we witnessed Taylor and Paige, previously agitated, settle down once they were placed together. Their heart rates stabilized, their temperatures regulated and they fell asleep peacefully.

It was just so cute seeing Taylor and Paige snuggled together. During the first few weeks after their delivery, it made it much easier to leave the hospital – and them - knowing they were together.

From Small Beginnings

Born 7 weeks premature on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - Taylor Mackenzie, weighing 4 lbs, 8 oz, and Paige Trinity, weighing 3 lbs, 0 oz - our daughters are living proof that thanks to many prayers from near and distant family and friends, new breakthroughs in medicine, advances in research and the dedication of doctors, miracles do happen to the tiniest of babies.

Taylor and Paige “co-bedding” in the isolette at the hospital nursery.

Born too soon, both girls spent some time in the hospital’s NICU nursery immediately following delivery.

Taylor in the NICU

Taylor experienced respiratory distress requiring assisted ventilation for 3 days, continuous positive airway pressure for 3 days and supplemental oxygen for 8 days. During her stay at the NICU nursery, Taylor was also treated for jaundice. She was discharged from the hospital nursery at 23 days old.

Paige in the NICU

Paige’s stay in the hospital NICU nursery was fairly benign with treatment for jaundice and difficulties feeding due to acid reflux for which she was placed on medication. She was discharged from the hospital nursery at 45 days old.

As we reflect over the early arrivals of Taylor and Paige, their stay in the hospital NICU nursery and the months that followed, we know we have been truly blessed!