Baby Shower for Alyssa & Katelyn

Since the girls arrived early (at 35 weeks), the missionaries here in El Salvador didn´t have a chance to throw a shower for them until after they were already here. I thought it turned out better this way though...everyone got to welcome them into the world! Our missionary friend from Canada, Melissa, planned and hosted the shower at her house. Thanks Melissa!!!

Beautiful roses that Melissa used to decorate for the shower

Cakes that Melissa made for Katelyn & Alyssa

Alyssa next to her cake

Katelyn next to her cake

Opening gifts at the shower - These dresses were handmade for the girls by Karen (missionary from Montana) who is a fraternal twin herself! I thought that was really special.

Melissa (party planner/host) posing with Katelyn & Alyssa

Our family!

Watch Them Grow!

Watch our little guanacas grow next to their little guanaco friend.

Here´s Katelyn:

Here´s Alyssa:

October 27 - Alyssa & Katelyn Come Home!

Our babies are home finally! Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!


Katelyn & Alyssa´s first car ride - Headed home from the hospital!


Finally resting at home!


Our little angels!


They love to cuddle!


Bathing in the sun!


Little Monkey

Before & After the Twins´Arrival

Here I am 35 weeks pregnant with Alyssa & Katelyn! This was actually taken on the same day that my water broke and I went in to have them. Little did I know!


Here I am about a week after having Alyssa & Katelyn:

October 24

My mother (Granny Brooks) got to hold both babies today! (Alyssa on left, Katelyn on right)


Granny Brooks holding Katelyn and me holding Alyssa:


The girls with their pediatrician/neonatalogist, Dr. Salguero. He is our hero! He worked with Alyssa for 3 long minutes until she started breathing and he has given excellent care to both of our girls!


Our family!


Everything is going great with the girls and the pediatrician still thinks that they will both be able to come home either Monday or Tuesday of next week. Praise the Lord!

October 23

They are going to take Alyssa off the light treatment for jaundice today! The doctor is going to let them gain a little more weight and then hopes to be able to release them BOTH to go home on Monday or Tuesday of next week! We can´t wait!!! It is so hard to go to the hospital every day to see them and then have to leave them.

October 22

It was wonderful to be able to hold both girls again! The pediatrician is going to take Alyssa out of her incubator today, but she will still be receiving light treatment for her jaundice for a little while longer. He hopes to be able to release Katelyn to come home next Monday or Tuesday! Keep up the prayers!

Katelyn & Alyssa look so peaceful snuggling with one another.


Mommy with her girls!


Daddy with his girls!

October 21

We are excited that Katelyn can come home once she gains 6 oz. more!

Alyssa will be there at least one more week. Her bilirubin levels have decreased with the phototherapy (she has jaundice). Her oxygen saturation is staying in the 96-100% range. Praise the Lord! They also have her on medication to help with sleep apnea (normal in preemies). Thank you for all your prayers!

Kelly holding Alyssa for the first time today!


Alyssa smiling big for her mommy!


Jeremy holding Alyssa for the first time!


Alyssa smiling big for her daddy!


Alyssa very sleepy and very cute.


Katelyn very sleepy and very cute too!


Kelly holding the twins at the same time for the first time.


Jeremy holding the twins at the same time for the first time.

October 20

I was so happy to hold Katelyn today and help bottle feed her! Hopefully she will be able to nurse and come home within a few more days. The doctor is just waiting for her to gain some more weight. Alyssa is doing better every day and hopefully the light will be removed for the jaundice in a few days. I go this afternoon to get my outer stitches from the C-section removed.

Jeremy holding Katelyn:


Big yawn from Katelyn:

Alyssa being treated for jaundice:

October 19

The pediatrican told us this morning that he will be taking Katelyn out of the incubator this afternoon! I am still not able to nurse her though because of her having problems keeping the milk down. Alyssa´s jaundice is improving and they hope to be able to remove the light in a few days. They will take her off the monitors and remove her IVs tomorrow, but she will still be in an incubator for awhile.

October 18

I finally got to hold Katelyn for the first time today! The doctor will be testing Alyssa's jaundice again tomorrow and hopes to be able to remove her from the light treatment on Tuesday, so hopefully we will be able to hold her soon too! We are totally in love with the girls! They are just perfect.

Taking breast milk to the twins:


Holding Katelyn for the first time:


Jeremy holding Katelyn:


Look at the size of Katelyn next to Jeremy´s hand!


Alyssa relaxing in her incubator:

October 17

I was discharged from the hospital today! Pray for Alyssa & Katelyn as they will probably be in the neonatal unit for another week or so. Both babies are still in incubators, but breathing on their own now and feeding on breast milk through a tube. Alyssa is being treated for jaundice, so please lift that up in prayer. We still can´t hold them, but all things in God´s timing. We are anxious to bring them home and spend lots of time cuddling with them! Thanks to everyone for all your prayers!

Checking out of the hospital...the missionaries that we work with here, Don & Terri Triplett, sent the beautiful flowers!

Alyssa under the light treatment for jaundice:

Katelyn:

October 15

2:18 a.m. - I can't sleep with all my girls at the hospital!!! My mother-in-law got here today and she is staying with Kelly tonight. First time in a year and a half to see her. We're so glad she's here!

Kelly and her mom with Alyssa:


The proud parents with Alyssa:


Alyssa in her incubator:


Kelly and her mom with Katelyn:


The proud parents with Katelyn:


Katelyn in her incubator:

10:11 p.m. - Praise the Lord that Alyssa is finally breathing on her own! She has developed jaundice and is under a UV light now, but her oxygen saturation is great. Katelyn is eating through a feeding tube and was able to take some breast milk from Kelly via the tube this afternoon. Alyssa is on an IV for nutrients. Kelly is up and walking around and able to pump milk for the babies. Praise God! He is so faithful!

-Jeremy