The Denny Family: 2012

Friday, October 19, 2012

Peace

While the boys were in the NICU I was introduced to the "pink people". One afternoon, after a quick lunch break, I walked into the babies room to find an older gentleman, wearing a pink shirt, holding Michael. At first, I was scared, but he quickly changed my mind. He said, "Hi, my name is Harold and I'm a pink person. We volunteer here to comfort any baby that is crying. Truth be told, they comfort me, though". Harold was probably in his early 70's and had the nicest smile. He told me that at first this was on his bucket list and had only planned on volunteering 500 hours. After completing those hours he felt so lonely and he had to come back because the babies brought him so much peace. As I sit here rocking Trey I can't help but think of Harold. There is something so therapeutic about holding a baby. It's as if all of your stress and woes magically melt away. You know, the world would be a better place if everyone snuggled up with a baby each day.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Two Months

The boys were two months old on August 28th, and once again, I'm a little late posting. Life is starting to get back to normal as the boys are settling into a nice routine so I will be dedicating more time to blogging.

Mr. Trey

Height: 21 inches (1%)

Weight: 8 lbs 2.8 oz (1%) Officially out of newborn clothes!

Feeding: 4 oz in the beginning of the month and now up to 6 oz

Sleep Schedule: Doesn't like to nap during the day mostly 30 minutes at a time but is sleeping 4-5 hours at night

Milestones: Lots of eye contact and smiles this month. He loves holding onto anything, very tightly too! Trey loves his snuggle time in the afternoon and evening, especially on Daddy's chest.

Mr. Michael

Height: 21.5 inches

Weight: 8 lbs 9 oz Even though they are both close in weight, Michael feels as if he weighs about 10 lbs more than Trey. He's our little porkchop:)

Feeding: Same as Bubba, started out the month at 4 oz and now 6 oz

Sleep Schedule: Michael needs extra snuggle time in the morning and normally takes his naps on me for about 1-2 hours. This is my most favorite time of the day. Its so hard to hold the both of them and luckily they like to cuddle at different times of the day. At night, Michael is the first to fall asleep and usually stays down for 5 hours.

Milestones: Michael is so strong and is holding his head up very well.

Bubba Time

Sunday, September 16, 2012

One Month

Well, I'm almost 2 months behind in this post but thank goodness I wrote down all this information and took their pictures when they were a month old (big thanks to Aunt Corey for being photographer and the boys' fashion director...hence the adorable onsies). So, without further adieu, our precious babies at one month old.

Mr. Trey

Height: 20 inches (4%)
Weight: 6 lbs 2 oz (0% didn't make the charts on his weight)
Feeding: 2.5 to 3 oz
Sleep Schedule: Pretty much sleeps all day and just wakes for his feedings every 3 hours
Milestones: Loves his bath, holds his head up on his own and, when awake, is very alert

Mr. Michael

Height: 19.75 inches (2%)

Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz (0% didn't make the charts on his weight)

Feeding: 2.5 to 3 oz

Sleep Schedule: Loves to sleep and even snores! Still waking up every 3 hours for feedings.

Milestones: Also loves his bath, holds his head up on his own and alert like his Bubba.

Brotherly Love

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Life in the NICU

While we would have loved to have our babies home right away they had to spend a few days in the NICU to recuperate. The boys made lots of new friends among the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and snugglers (yes, snugglers...volunteers that hug and rock babies all day, my dream job). From day one they were on a strict schedule (feed at 12, 3, 6 and 9) and I've pretty much kept them on this schedule since then. Our typical day in the NICU was:

11:30 am pump
12 pm take temperature, diaper change and feed Trey
1 pm take temperature, diaper change and feed Michael
2 pm pump
2:30 - 3 pm take a break
3 pm start over again with Trey

At home I don't have to deal with all of the lines, leads and breathing tubes so their feeding times are much shorter, thank goodness.

Some pictures...

The boys stayed in the Elephant Pod 42 for 10 days

The green tower is for the more serious babies and all of the rooms are dark and quiet to simulate mom's womb

Holding Trey for the first time Saturday, June 30th

MWD

SRD III

Rog holding Michael for the first time Saturday, June 30th

"Trey Charles"

The boys in their "spaceships"

MWD

SRD III

Family Photo

The last seven days were spent in Koala Pod 67

The yellow tower is where babies go right before they go home. The rooms have windows and are nice and bright.

Bubba Time

Monday, July 23, 2012

A Beautiful Day

I will never forget June 28, 2012. On this day, Roger and I welcomed our sweet babies into this world. I was admitted to the hospital the night before due to high blood pressure and was induced at 11 pm. At 10:00 am the next morning it was time to make our way to the operating room to meet our little men. Steven Roger Denny III was born at 11:11 am, weighing 4 lbs 15 oz and 19 inches long. Michael Wright Denny was born 11:19 am, weighing 4 lbs 13 oz and 18.5 inches long. Soon after the delivery the boys were taken to the NICU where we spent 17 long days to recuperate and work on lung development. I know that 17 days doesn't seem like a long time and many parents have children in the NICU for months but it was the most difficult time I have ever experienced. Our babies proved to be fighters though and made a quick recovery. We are home now and in the next couple of days I will post on their hospital stay and our daily life settling in as a family of four.

Roger has vowed to take a picture of each of the boys, every day, for their first year. Here are their first 6 days...

SRDIII

MWD

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Dad, I know you are celebrating in Heaven telling jokes and stories with all of the other dads or perhaps, singing with Elvis, your favorite. Today isn't a sad day for me, I have my memories to hold on tight to and looking at these pictures brings a huge smile to my face. Dad was always cutting up and I remember a conversation we had when he showed me the suit he bought for my wedding day..."Baby, this suit is so sharp, all the ladies are going to love it. I was thinking about going with a different tie but I don't want to upstage Roger on his wedding day."

Thank you for the memories, countless vacations, never missing a dance recital, patience and most of all telling me you loved me everyday! You are greatly missed but never forgotten!

Happy First Anniversary

One year ago, today, I married my very best friend. We exchanged vows and partied pretty hard at the place of our dreams, Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The Ocean Course Clubhouse was our venue and couldn't have provided a more beautiful atmosphere. I don't want to forget a thing so here are a few highlights from our big day:

Favorite Memories: Seeing Rog for the first time and grabbing his hand as soon as I made it down the aisle, the kiss, signing our marriage license, our first dance, watching all of our friends and family breaking it down on the dance floor and Father Jay driving the golf cart at the end of the night:)

Venue: Ocean Course Clubhouse, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Flowers: Sandy Denny (Rog's Grandma)

Invitations: Serendipity Beyond Design http://www.serendipitybeyonddesign.com/

Menu: Appetizers- Fish Tacos, Pepper Jack Hushpuppies & Sliders, Meal- Lowcountry BBQ with all the fixin's, Dessert- Red Velvet Cupcakes & Aunt Judy's Lemon Cake