blessings

Throughout all of the chaos in the last 35 days, you also find many blessings. I am so thankful for the unexpected blessings God gives us.

It is a blessing you were born at 32 weeks and made it so far with Mother's little uterus.
It is a blessing you are in the NICU were there are nurses and doctors to care for and love them.
It is a blessing you were born with no problems and that they are strong and healthy.
It is a blessing you are in the NICU so I can take care of myself and recover from my surgery.
It is a blessing we have great family members who came to help with the moving.
It is a blessing Daddy's current rotation is at North Kansas City Hospital where he can visit you both daily.
It is a blessing July is Daddy's study month where he can stay home when you both arrive home.
It is a blessing we have the gospel in our lives that brings hope, faith, and joy into our lives.

Visiting the NICU has become my safe haven. I crave going there to hold and be with both of you little angles. I feel closest to heaven when I hold you on my chest and watch you dream. you are so innocent, pure, and special. I have been teaching you both to pray and I have been singing Primary songs to you. You truly are children of God. I thank heavenly Father each night for my little miracle babies. What a joy you both have brought into our family. What a blessing you truly are. And I consider every blessing to be a miracle.

Here are some picture of my little angels.

Your baby room

June 25th we moved up the street into cheaper housing. Moving is never fun, but I was excited to put together your baby room. While on bed rest I had made lots of cute decorations for your safari bedroom. Your room was the first room I started to organize. Some of the little girls down the road helped me put your bookcase and crib together. In the end, I was very proud of your room and you both like it too!

before
after

4 - 5 weeks old

It's hard to believe that you are more then one month old.

Savannah you are now 5 pounds 3 oz. You are drinking 45 cc of milk each feeding. All of your feedings are oral and the NG tube was finally taken out. You are still in an open crib and you now are on diaper count instead of weighing each diaper. You take your time when eating and the nurses states that you love to look around instead of eat. Every night you listen to baby lu-lu-by and smile when the music comes on. Your eyes have become so big and open when Mommy or Daddy walk into the room. You truly are a fighter and are growing bigger by the day.

Micah you are now 4 pounds 8 oz. You are drinking 43 cc of milk each feeding and you also are on all oral feedings. You NG was taken out and you also have become a great eater. In fact, you continue to finish your feedings way before Savannah. You continue to love your binky, and you don't go to sleep without it. Most of your day consist of sleeping unless it is feeding time!! When you are sleeping, the nurses say you have a little baby snore and also makes really good pooping sounds. You continues to grow and are truly catching up with sister.



4 weeks old

Savannah you are now 4 pounds 15 oz and drinking 45 cc of milk a day. You are now in an open crib and are keeping up your body heat. You therefore gets to wear clothes and are looking more like a newborn. You are taking 3 oral feeds a day and 2 of them can be from Mommy. You do OK on your feeds, but fall asleep most the time. You most definitely are on your own schedule and picks the days you will eat orally!! Your eyes continue to get bigger as you now will open them more often.

Micah you are 4 pounds 4 oz and drinking 40 cc of milk a day. You are taking one oral feeding a day and normally do OK. When you feed, you always puts your little hands up to your face. It is the cutest thing ever to watch you scarf down your feeds. You also started taking daily vitamins and continuing to grow.

Father's Day

Grandma and Grandpa Kanooth came into town Sunday afternoon to visit you both. We picked them up for the airport and headed right to the NICU. You both are taking oral feedings, and we got there right before feeding times. I was feeling so crappy that I sat in the corner because I didn't want to get you sick. This led to Daddy getting and giving all the attention. Daddy started feeding Micah and then the nurse just placed Savannah in his other arm. This was Daddy's first time holding both of you at once I know Leif liked holding both babies, because I asked him if he was ready to go and he replied, "5 more minutes." It was so cute watching him hold bothof you. And it was a great Father's Day gift from you both. Love and Attention is the best gift ever.



Happy Father's Day Leif, you are truly a wonderful Father.

3 Weeks old

Today is June 9th.. You are 3 weeks old!! The last 3 weeks have flew by so fast. My days now consist of pumping every 3 hours, going to the NICU 2 times a day, and getting ready to move houses.

Savannah you are now 4 lbs 6 oz. you are drinking 35 cc each feeding and starting to breast feed. You get to try oral feedings twice a day. It is so cute when I try to breast feed you. I can't get mad when you never latch but only play around. You are stating to get vitamins daily, and they are turning down the temperature in your isolate. So hopefully in the next couple of days you will be in room air with clothes on!! Mommy is so proud of you.

Micah you are 3 lbs 15 oz and have started taking milk again. You are now up to 20 cc per feeding and do not take lipids anymore. You still gets your TPN but they are being reduced daily and you will be off all fluids very soon. Your new favorite thing is your binky. You are always sucking on it or puckering out your lips. You are also starting to grow into his little body and it is so fun to hold you.

Aunt Lori comes to visit

On June 10th, your Aunt Lori flew up to visit us. We thought that I would be delivering this week and our week would be full of post-delivery activities. But she came out right after my 2 week check-up and I was feeling great!!! We therefore did one adventure each day and spent the rest of our day visiting you both at the NICU. Aunt Lori had never been to Kansas City before so our adventures included; going to Liberty Jail, Liberty Square, Jesse James Bank, Nelson Museums, RLDS temple, Church of Christ Temple Lot, Zona Rosa, taking walks and just hanging out together.
It was a lot of fun to have Lori and little Macy here. Leif and I got a small taste of what living with a one year old will be like. We also got spoiled with Lori's dinners and cookies. She is a really good cook and I learned a lot of new recipes. She also make us cookies 2 different times, in which we finished both sets.
Besides her cookies, having someone to go to the NICU with was also a treat. My favorite thing to do is to hold both of you. And my next favorite thing to do is talk with a family member. So I got to do both each day!! Lori also took some really good pictures of both babies together with Mommy. It was so much fun to have her and Macy here.
Lori, Rachel and the twins
Aunt Lori with her niece and nephew

2 weeks old

Today is June 9 and you are 2 weeks old. Savannah and Micah are truly little miracles. The Lord has blessed your little bodies to grow and your organs to work well. Every day I look at you, I thank Heavenly Father for such a wonderful blessing in my life.

Savannah you are now 3 lbs 15 oz and drinking 30 cc of breast milk. The doctors are letting you root around once daily when we do kangaroo care (skin to skin with Mommy). You are off of your breathing tube along with lipids and TPN. You therefore have very few wires on you and are a lot easier to hold. In fact I get to hold you longer each time, and how I love it!! What I love most about you are your big bjue eyes. Every time (well most times) Daddy or I come into the room, you open your eyes and looks around at us. It is almost as if you are trying to communicate with us and thank us for coming to play.
Micah you are now 3 lbs 8 oz. You are having a harder time then your sister. you havn't been digesting your food and therefore your little tummy became rounded are hard. The doctors stopped your feedings and put you back on lipids and TPNs until your belly goes down. You also got a staff infection in your eyes and have to take antibiotics. Yet, you are a fighter and continues to grows. You are looking more and more like your father each day. Recently you have been sticking out your lips and pouting, in fact you can see your pout in this picture.

1 week old

Today is June 2nd and you are one week old. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. On Saturday Daddy and I came home from the hospital, alone. It was the weirdest feeling not bringing a baby home. It felt like I worked so hard and then left my gold metal at the hospital. Being a mother is not what I expected. Every day Daddy and I visit the NICU and watch you through the glass. We do get to hold you both once a day untill you start to get bigger. But right now the nurses want you to be left alone as much as possible so you can both grow. It is hard for me to only look at you. I so bad want to take you home and cuddle with you every minute. But this whole exsperience has been a huge blessing. The nurses are so sweet and caring. They are each such kind woman who love you almost as much as I do. Today I brought in Hershey hugs and kisses with a note attached from Micah and Savannah saying "Thanks". One nurse even went in and thanked them for the yummy treats.

Savannah is now 3 lbs 10 oz. You are breathing room are and drinking 16 cc of my breast milk through a tube in her nose. When I walk into the room you open your dark little eyes and try to communicate with me. Evey time I look at you my love just grows. I love holding your tiny body and rubbing your little head. you are beautiful to me in every way.

Micah is now 3 lbs flat. You have lost weight but have grown in so many other ways. You are now drinking 6 cc of milk through your nose tube. You also just started breathing room air. Today you got a mid-line put into your right arm so the one in your belly button was taken out. You are starting to look a lot more peaceful and are therefore sleeping more. I got to hold you for the first time yesterday. It felt so great!!! Micah, you look just like your father. Your hair is starting to turn a little red and your nose is a exact copy of Daddy's. I see so much of Lief in you, and that makes me love both of my boys even more.

Cuddle Time

Back on June 4th you guys had a very eventful night. Grandma and I came into you little rooms to find a note on your name boards. Reading the nurses notes made me smile. I know your guys will be great friends.

I really do have twins

I went into the NICU on Monday thinking I would just have another visit with both of you individually. Well, my most favorite nurse was there. Her name is Carmon and she has a set of boy/girl twins herself. She has become my go-to person for every questions that I ever have about raising, holding, feeding, and being a twin mommy.
Today she told me (not asked) that I was going to hold both babies together. I was very nervous. But I was also very excited. Carmon had me walk Savannah over to Micah's room. Then she placed Savannah vertical over my left breast. Micah was then placed over my right breast. And it was the best feeling in the world!!! I was holding both of you for the first time. Holding you guys together made me realize that I really to have "twins". I have two babies!! I have beautiful twins!!
Micah kept his little eyes open for 5 minutes just staring at his sister. When one baby would move the other one would copy. I placed their little hands on top of each other and they just left there. It was the best feeling in the whole world to hold you both together.
I know I have only been a mother for 12 days, but I am starting to understand a "mother's love." I have uncontrollable love for you both. You are both perfect to me in every way.

May 26th...... Your birthday!!!!

May 26th at 4:18 and 4:20 a.m. you were both brought into this world. I was once told that every coincidence in life is really a small miracle. The birth of you both was a lot of small miracles placed together making one huge miracle. I thank the Lord for watching over me and both of you, who are precious little children of God.

Miracle # 1 Your Grandma was in town to attend my baby shower and then go to a church history conference. She kept me company while I was on bed rest. Then on Tuesday night when I started having contraction, she knew they were real. She told your Daddy that I had to go to the hospital, and was there to help me breath through each contraction.

Miracle # 2 Your Grandpa flew into town at 12:15 P.M. Daddy went to pick him up as I was given anti contraction shots along with steroids to help your lungs develop. When Grandpa and Dad got back, I was dilated to a 4 and 100% effaced. Grandpa and Daddy gave me a blessing. Your Daddy asked Heavenly Father to bless me and you. He asked that you both be born healthy and strong. I love feeling the power of the priesthood in my life.

Miracle # 3 By 3:30 a.m my contractions had not stopped and I was then dilated to an 8. I was therefore wheeled into the O.R. room and given a spinal. My toes, legs, and belly went numb then the doctor cut. Miracle # 3 happened when at 4:18 a.m. we heard a cry and Baby A was breathing.

Miracle # 4 Two minutes later Baby B was crying meaning that he was breathing strong. I got to see both of you, kiss your little faces, and the watch you both leave with the nurses.

Miracle # 5 Your Daddy along with Grandma and Grandpa got to go upstairs to the NICU and visit you both. You both needed a little oxygen, and IV's were put in for feeding. Yet, sweet Savannah and Micah had no physical or mental delays. You were both perfect. You were both small. Savannah Jeanne Kanooth weighed 3 lbs 8 oz. Micah Maughan Kanooth weighted 3 lbs 4 oz.

Miracle # 6 Daddy's rotation for May 30 minutes away. His doctor went on vacation during the last week of May, so Daddy was able to stay with me on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. In June he is doing an OB rotation at North Kansas City Hospital which is the same hospital that you are at. He will therefore get to visit you every day after his work.

Leif and Rachel right before they become Daddy and Mommy

Rache with her sweet parents

The first 3 pictures are Savannah.


The next 3 pictures are Micah

Grandmother is in Town

Your dear Grandmother came into town for a visit and attend your baby shower. Grandma arrived on Friday May 21st late at night. She hadn't been her 5 minutes before she opened her suitcase and gave us our baby gifts. Grandma had made both of you two beautiful blankets. The first blankets were twin matching crochet green, blue, and yellow blankets. She also make you both matching ABC's blue and pink blankets. I know you are both going to like them. Grandma was so proud to present them to me. I know she is going to love to see you wrapped inside of them.

Grandma Maughan was so excited to see my big belly. She was constantly touching my belly and asking when you were moving. I told Grandma Maughan every time one of you were kicking and she got so excited to feel your movements. Most of the time you both kick at the same time, so it was a special treat for her.

On Saturday, Grandma escorted me to my baby shower. It was a smaller shower, but we received some really nice gifts and a lot of diapers!! For some reason everyone kept giving me diapers saying that I would need double. After the shower Grandma and I spent the rest of the day making crafts for your bedrooms. We make burp rags, blankets, and hair bows. On Sunday Grandma and I had a very relaxing day. We went to church and cooked together. We ended our Sunday watching a movie together and playing checkers. Then on Monday we spend the first part of the day going to your 32 week appointments. The ultrasound tec said that everything looked normal and that you are both growing at a constant rate. Then we visited with Doctor. He wants me to start doing what is called "round robin". That means I meet with different doctors in case I go go into labor when he is not on call. Doctor said that I am turning into a "normal pregnancy" and am out of the risky zone. The plan now is to just come into the hospital when I am having contractions.

30-31 week picture

I know it is crazy to think that my belly is still growing but it is!!! Sometimes pictures don't really show the truth. I honestly feel way bigger. It is now hard to sleep at night, and I wake up 5 times a night to go to the bathroom.

Thoughts

I just wanted you both to know that I am so excited to be your mother. I love watching my belly grow and love feeling you both kick. It is the best feeling in the world knowing that you are both healthy and well. I feel privileged to be your mother. I know that your guys aren't born yet, but I love you so much already. It is hard to imagine how much more I will grow to love you. Keep growing.

Weeks 25-29

My Belly is really starting to grow. I feel you both kicking all the time. But like I said before, it is the best feeling in the world to know that you are both active and alive. 'Here is how big my belly is getting. I can't believe that I only have 1/2 a uterus and I am this big. I have to walk around with my hand under my belly or else you are both too heavy.

29 weeks

Today is May 3rd, Daddy & I are doing fine. Today Daddy started a surgery rotation and he was so excited. He reminded me of a little boy in a candy store, just so excited about being there. He left at 5:45 this morning to dive to his new hospital or site. I love that he loves medicine. He is going to be a great doctor.

I had an appointment today and both of you were measured and are reported that you are both doing fine. Our little girl is almost 3 pounds and measuring 31 weeks!!! (I am only 29 weeks). Our little boy is 2.6 pounds and measuring 28 weeks. He was squished up just like a basketball in a corner. Yet, doctor says that you are both growing at a fine rate and not to worry about the difference in your measurements.

I love seeing both of you on the ultrasound. You both have such dominate personalities. It is the best feeling ever to watch you both more around (in what little space you have). I honestly can't believe that we are 29 weeks! I truly thought by this point I would be on bed rest and in pain. But I am still walking around and being social. The Lord has really blessed us all. There are so many different people praying for us all. And prayers work. Today I read a letter from Aunt Josett. She is currently in Jerusalem and she said that she prayed for us at the wailing wall. It is no wonder that you are both doing so well. We love you.

Baby A is our little girl. I love your little profile.

Baby B is our little boy. Look how your knees and arms are so close to your head.