2 months already!

This pAst Friday the twins turned 2 months old. It's crazy how fast that came and went! Since I see them everyday they look as though they haven't grown much but I know they have. We go to the doctor tomorrow for an official weigh in but I would assume they are right around a normal newborns weight of 7 to 9 pounds.
Life has gone back to the normal busy days for the Bardos bunch. Now we just have a stroller and two car seats in tow. The : babies have been to the ice rink for big brother Matt's hockey, honor roll awards for big brother Dillan, the dance studio for big sister Lyndsay's dance class, the park for big sister Devyn's track and field and had time to hang out with big sister Ryleigh and her boyfriend! These babies are loved by so many, kissed on all the time and smothered with excitement still from their siblings. I'm sure it will all wear off eventually but for now I'm just absorbing it all.

Milestones and Memories

Kamdyn and Andrew, you are still sleeping side by side in the your twin pack n play from GG Ellen. When one of you cries the other stays sounds asleep next to the other. Kamdyn you have found your voice with a bloody murder screeching cry. Both of you are the messiest eaters, we go through bibs and burp cloths like crazy. It drives daddy crazy how much of a mess you guys make, lol. Andrew you are spitting up almost always after you eat. We haven't had any voluntary smiles yet but you are awake a little more these days. Sleep is still happening in about 3 hour intervals, if I'm lucky I get one four hour period at night! For the most part you both stay on schedule together, eating at the same times, it makes my life easier but I'm already trying to teach you patience, lol! When it's mealtime I change each of your diapers before and boy do you love to scream while waiting, I tell you both to be patient and wait for the other to get changed. So far neither of you are being very good listeners! LOL! Daddy and I love you so much and are enjoying watching you grow!

Kamdyn and Andrew...2 months old, yes she's usually awake more then him!

I think she is thinking, get off me dude!

This was the attempt before they ate, don't know what I was thinking because they are "hangry"

Seriously mom!

Dedicating the twins to God

On Saturday February 7th, we participated in a ceremony at our church, Grove Community Church, called a baby dedication. This ceremony is to signify that we will raise our children in a christian home, teaching them about God, the bible and his amazing unconditional love and forgiveness. With these teachings it will be our hope that they make the choice to be baptised one day and continue to grow in their faith. We invited our closest family and friends. We know that it takes a village to raise kids and all of these people we wanted here to know how important their roles are in the kids lives. We shared in the ceremony, dinner at the house and then a fun night at Matt's hockey game. He loved having so many supporters that night!

Now we know we aren't perfect people or Christians but we do try our best each day. And in our life we know the most influenced individuals are our children, all 8 of them (I'm still not used to saying that yet)! We will continue to strive to better our faith so that the children see this and do the same. My hope is that each of the kids will be strong enough in their faith to share it with others, not necessarily with words but instead with actions. It is the things we do for others without looking for gratification that truly show the character we portray. I know that this is not easy each day but when we are able to do this with God's love behind it. We then learn more about him and ourselves. Now for me, I need to grow in my faith with daily reading in the bible and turning toward his plan each day. Easier said than done but like I said we aren't perfect. Guess what....He loves us anyway! What a mighty and powerful God!

In the ceremony we were to choose individuals we want to help us guide these babies in their faith. We asked all of our family members here to help with that however we also asked our mother's to be the matriarchs to truly lead them. You'll see beautiful pictures of my mom, Sandi, holding Kamdyn and Phil's mom, Anita, holding Andrew.

Photo session with Milisa...Love with Flare Photography

We are so fortunate to have a great friend in our life that has an amazing talent for photography. Milisa came over to the house and did an all day photo shoot with the twins. The best part was just hanging out with her all day, then having her husband Chad and son Jaxson come over after! We are so blessed to have them as some of our best friends.

This was the first time Milisa had shot twins so we both pinned some ideas from pintrest and tried them out. I really wanted to get some of those adorable crochet outfits but it didn't work out so we went with things we had! Here were the awesome results! There were so many more but these are my favorite...

One month old!

These precious babies turned one month on this day, January 27. We spent our first eek at home with them getting to know their little personalities a little more. Their amazing siblings were all able to meet them in person and help take care of them. Each of the kids have been so helpful with everything and amazingly loving each day to our beautiful new additions.

3 week...better late than never

I just wanted to post pictures for all of the weeks that I took! Here are 3 week photos.

This was an extremely eventful day...we visited babies in the morning to get my 3 week picture. Then we ran a few errands and next thing we knew the hospital called to say we could take them home. The most exciting thing was they both got to come home! They graduated from the nicu together.

We are so extremely grateful to the nicu staff at Parkview community hospital. We learned a ton from these amazing nurses and doctors. They helped us get through a difficult time. Most of all they fought just as hard for or babies as we did. They challenged them to reach milestones, encouraged them and touched our hearts forever. Thank you to each of you that had a shift with the Bardos Twins!

What a beautiful day

I am sitting outside on a simple plastic table at our new home just loving my view and life! Life for most is very stressful. I know that's the case for us almost everyday. Between renovating our new house, dealing with a contractor, a budget, then stresses of kids, homework, school projects, getting our oldest home to finish college things, and newborn babies on top of that, life can get the best of us at times. But lately, I am just amazed at how truly blessed all of those things make us!

As I am sitting here I am watching my dad working on our backyard. He is truly a man I admire, he works hard everyday of his life, he enjoys it and he lives to give his family the best. Then there's my mom, she works just as hard everyday, it's a different work but she gives 100% to each part of her life and balances it all amazingly! Today my husband called me a princess because as we renovate my parents keep telling him she wants, or she said. I don't believe I'm a princess but I do know that I'm very well taken care of by all. My parents worked hard all of their lives to give us everything and today they continue to do the same. To say they only do it for me is a lie, they enjoy giving to me, my family, their grandkids and others. You ask how do I know this, because I'm the same way and I learned it by watching them. Thank you mom and dad for continuing to bring daily joy into my life and working hard on our home that your family will enjoy for so many years to come!

Now the beauty of my day doesn't stop there. Inside I have an amazing husband that does his best to provide me with the best life, not only from a financial perspective but also adoration perspective. He adores me so much that he sits next to me to feed the twins, he takes the older kids to and from school without complaining, he goes to a fafsa meeting to help our daughter get funding for college, he keeps in contact with our oldest and her husband to guide them in life. I am truly blessed to have a man that is so willing to be my partner in this crazy thing we call life.

Once again...What a beautiful day it is! And I didn't even share about the 9 miracles I call my children, each unique and loving in their own ways. I have grown to truly enjoy their quirks, laughter, tears and love they share with us!

Take the time today to stop and thank God for your blessings, I know I'm going to!

Our 2 weeks old preemies

I can't believe that it's already been 2 weeks since giving birth to these two! They are just extremely precious and never cease to amaze me! Each day they get stronger and stronger, bringing more joy into our lives. 

Kamdyn went from struggling to catch up with her brother to passing him by in a flash. She came off of her oxygen and never looked back. Their goal for this past week was to come off of the iv fluids and nipple from a bottle at their feedings. She took to it right away which allowed for me to start breast feeding her right away as well. That first try of nursing was just prefect. It's been 10 years since the last time I nursed and I had forgotten just how special it is. Her eyes looking up at me, creating a bond like no other. For being premature she is nursing really well. If I am available for a feeding at the hospital she usually nurses for 15 to 20 mins, and takes half of her bottle or more. I try to get in at least one feeding per day but have been there for 2 most days. Kamdyn is now up to 4.6 lbs and we were told there's a chance she can come home this week.

Andrew is still just a chill little guy! This has made it a little more challenging for him at this stage. He has the same goal as Kamdyn to nipple each feeding. Now, because premature babies are so small what happens is the energy it takes to nipple, swallow and breathe burns a ton of calories and exhausts them. This is what is happening for him. He will take a bottle for his first feed then feeding tube the next because he's so tired he doesn't even wake up to eat! He's just chill! Drew is still gaining weight up to 4.1 lbs and taking more and more each feeding so he's moving in the right direction which we are so proud of.

This week we were able to hold them side by side for the first time and the older kids were able to come to the nicu window to see them. It's funny since having them we go in to visit everyday but you forget they are twins because they are away from each other. Phil and I just think of them as two babies. We are so excited too bring them home to really experience this crazy journey! The older kids were amazed at how small they are. Each of them said in pictures they don't seem that small. They are dying to love on them and be helpful big siblings!

That's the update so far! Phil and I are holding up well. He is back at work for now which he says is hard because he thinks about them constantly. I spend my days at the hospital and my evenings with the kids at home, my nights are spent pretending like babies are here pumping every 3 hours. Our freezer has turned into a milk factory! I am staying unusually strong for most of the week and then I have one night of tears. It makes it hard to talk about because of course I know the twins are doing amazing and will be home soon but there is still a void in my life right now that I don't know how to fix. Soon enough they'll be home and the tears will be coming still because twins I have heard will do that to you, lol! Whatever the case I'm ready to bring my babies home. Hopefully next week their 3 week pictures are side by side in our home!

Kamdyn Louise 2 weeks old, going to town on her hand looking for more food. A heifer just like her sisters, lol!

Kami

Andrew Randall 2 weeks old, precious angel!

Love this blankie he has on.

First picture together

Those sweet eyes that stare up at me as I nurse

Isn't this outfit adorable!