December 22, 2012 and today...

At 3:30am on December 22, 2012 I woke up in horrible back pain followed by the fear I was losing my twin boys. Less than six hours later my first two boys were born and within minutes they were gone.  I never in my dreams thought I would survive that day. This year has been nothing but trying to get the family we lost back. After a five months of treatments we were blessed again not only with twins but our twin boys again. We never intended on replacing Chase and Cayden, but the thought that we were given a second chance to do everything we had to do to bring them into this world alive and healthy was our mission.

After finding our new team of doctors and fighting weeks and weeks to get into the hospital we needed we were on our way. A lot of bumps along the way this past 8 months with modified rest, to strict hospital rest for 4 weeks and being told we want to get to 32 weeks in order to get passed the preemie hump and we did it!!  They need help, but they are doing soo good!!! 

Last night Mike and I decided to deliver some milk to the NICU at 11pm and why not spend midnight with our boys telling them about their brothers who not only changed our lives, but gave us them :)

Last night was another amazing night! Not only did I get to hold Maddox when he was breathing in room air, but the nurse told me to let him explore breast feeding.  Preemies don't start breast feeding until around 34 weeks, bc they don't develop the sucking motion, but they are encouraged to explore and taste what they can at this point. So, we tried it out and my little guy did his best and was interested, just unsure what to do with the breast...lol. It was the most amazing feeling to know I can be their for him and his brother in a way no one else can and to give them the best possible nutrients!  In good time, he will learn what those bumps are for, but for now he just wanted them as pillows...lol!

Mason, had time with Daddy yesterday and had the chance to do skin to skin without the machine and Mike let me know he was also ready to "explore," however, daddy let him know he will be having no luck in that dept and to wait for me! Lol  

Can't wait to see what is in store for us today. 

shannon and mike!