Graham

Graham has been home for 3 weeks now & is doing great. Of course, he gets me up every 3-4 hrs to eat. He has grown 2.5 inches since birth & gained over 2 lbs since being at home. The doctors are pleased with his progress & he has been such a joy.



We are learning about the differences between preemies & full term babies. So many things to be aware of and things we can do to help get them on track. It can take preemies up to 2 yrs to catch up.


Graham is anxious for his twin brother to come home. We don't know that for sure, but we assume he shares our thoughts. Graham has the cutest amount of peach fuzz on the sides of his face, the top of his arms & the tops of his legs. The NICU nurses could not get over how cute he looks with it. It will eventually disappear.

He is wearing newborn sleepers, but they continue to be big. Notice how we have to roll up the sleeves. He'll be wearing these for months.
Graham loves to be held. He sleeps so well when someone is holding him. Spencer & Kate are always wanting to hold & cuddle with him. Spencer lays him on his chest or next to him & they watch sports together. Spencer talks to him & shares all his sports knowledge.

Kate has become quite the little mother to Graham. She helps change diapers (even dirty ones), holds & cuddles him, helps with bath time & is always checking on him. She loves to give kisses and thinks the "baby" smell is the best.

Graham is Home!

Graham loaded in the car seat

The kids & Graham at home


On Monday, January 4th, we got to bring Graham home. He left the hospital weighing 5lbs 1oz and has no health issues. John & I went to pick up Graham & did not tell Spencer & Kate that he was coming home. They were quite surprised when we came in the house with their new baby brother. They were so excited that he was home & couldn't wait to get there hands on him.

We have kept him at home for 2 weeks now and he has done well. He went for a check-up/weight check & now weighs in at 6lbs .25oz. He has grown 2 inches since his birth day too! He is a noisy baby. He doesn't cry much, just grunts and makes lots of funny sounds. The kids think he is funny & love the faces he makes when he sleeps too!

Carson is doing well. He has moved into his own little suite in the NICU & today was taken out of his isolette. Hopefully, he will be able to keep his temperature up. His oxygen level continues to vary, but is normal based on his heart condition. He is up to 4lbs 5 oz and is more alert every day. We are hoping he will be home by the end of January. It will be so nice when both boys are home together.

Christmas 2009

Despite our trips back & forth to Indianapolis, we did need to celebrate Christmas with our families & two older children. Spencer & Kate are getting harder to buy for each year. I love that Spencer is a sports junkie & loves to read anything sports too! Kate still loves her dolls & enjoys playing with her American Girl stuff. However, she does have a love for clothes & lip gloss!

Spencer got some new sports games & a new basketball hoop for his room. We do have to restrict the play times because our bedroom is right next to his room. Both kids have been playing Rock Band since they have more time on their hands. They do a much better job than I ever could do! Kate has been hanging out with Maddie (cousin) and playing dolls, coloring, baking & watching movies. Kate has become quite the baker. Aunt Nessa got her a cake decorating set & she can't wait to use it.

John & I did not buy gifts for each other this year. We did each decide on something we wanted & purchased it for our gift. He got a hands-free phone toy for his car. I thought he already had one, but I guess this one is better. I decided to get a Moby Wrap for my new babies. I am so excited & want to thank my niece, Jill, for her blog post that sparked my interest. Thank you!

We don't need anything. We both just want our family together and our boys to be home & healthy. We are looking forward to the New Year! John is worried about getting old & I am hoping to have time with our twins before I have to go back to work. We are hoping that we will be able to take a family vacation this summer & share our twins with everyone we visit. I know, we are just very proud parents! It has been a wonderful year & are so thankful for our many blessings. Look out 2010....Here we come!

Brothers Together...part 2

Carson & Graham Downing ...Carson weighs 3lbs 3oz & Graham weighs 4 lbs 10.5 oz

Tuesday, Dec 29th ...We finally got the boys together.
I can't believe the difference in size. They are doing well
& we are so grateful for the prayers & the progress they
are making each day.

John & Rae with the boys

Brothers Together

Graham in his new bed

Mom holding Graham & Dad holding Carson

John & Carson

Rae & Graham

Day 2 Baby Photos

Graham on Day 2

Carson on Day 2

Carson on Day 2

Where do I start? It was a whirlwind of unplanned events that brought us to delivery day for our twin boys. First, I had to go to my doctors for a glucose test that morning. Unfortunately, when you ask a pregnant woman to fast for 12 hrs, then drink a bottle of orange sugar water, it just results in vomiting & cancellation of the test. I went home and ate a blueberry muffin & some milk. I was feeling fine until I had a debilitating back spasm. After being on the floor for some time in excruciating pain, I got the pleasure of vomiting again. John helped me to bed & I napped for about 2 hrs.

I decided to get up and had quite a surprise. I immediately called the doctor & they sent me straight to labor & delivery. After my arrival & an examination, they confirmed that I had ruptured, but the babies were fine. I was given medicine to stop my contractions & a steroid shot for the babies lung development. I am only 33 wks & 2 days so the decision was made to care flight me via helicopter to St Vincents Womens Hospital in Indianapolis. Based on our prior visits, we had planned on delivery there. Unfortunately, John had to drive over & didn't get to ride with me. He was a little bummed & I also had envisioned my first helicopter ride being much more enjoyable & breathtaking than viewing the cornfields of Indiana.

Upon arrival in Indianapolis (a 35 minute flight), the goal was to stop my contractions & get another steroid shot in me for the babies lung development. After 2 hrs of consistent contractions & little pain relief, they had no choice, but to do my C section. I took a turn for the worse, and everything went very quickly. I was wheeled to surgery & the babies were born.

On December 16, 2009, at 11:02pm Carson Keller Downing was born weighing 3lbs 1.5oz and measuring 15 inches in length. Then at 11:06pm Graham Edward Downing was born weighing 5lbs 1oz and measuring 17.5 inches in length. Both babies were whisked away immediately after delivery without any sound of a cry. As a mother, it was very alarming & frightening. John was able to find out the babies were doing fine & being taken to the NICU.

I was wheeled to recovery & after 1.5 hrs, I finally got to see my babies. The pictures above show the oxygen they are receiving & all the other monitoring lines that are being used to help our babies.

As of today, both boys are off of oxygen and breathing well on their own. They are eating small amounts and we are taking one day at a time. We are dealing with minor issues and time will help them grow strong. Carson will continue to have heart monitoring and will have surgery when he is around 15 lbs.

We are so grateful for prayers & warm wishes that family & friends have shared with us. We are truly blessed to have our twins here before Christmas and pray for a steady & healthy recovery. Heavenly Father has been watching over our family & we know that our faith & prayers have blessed us well. Thank you & we love you all!