There's a new concentrator in town! On Monday, January 20, we had a change of oxygen concentrators in the house.

Old Concentrator

New Concentrator

That's right...Makaio is officially off of oxygen and oh what freedom we are experiencing! It is so nice to pick him up and walk around the house freely. However, the best thing is that I no longer have to carry around two car seats and two oxygen tanks when we go to doctor's appointments.

I was nervous to take him off at first but if the doctor says he is ready then I guess he is ready. Kekoa is scheduled to get off of oxygen on January 21 and I am already counting down the days! Let's just hope his transition goes as smoothly as Makaio's did.

The Monkey and The Frog

My sister Jaycia got each of the boys a little stuffed animal for Christmas. Makaio got a monkey and Kekoa got a frog. They seemed to really enjoy looking at and touching the stuffed animals once we had opened them.

After enduring a full fifteen minutes of opening presents, the boys and Papa George snuggled up on the recliner for some quality time and a little nap.

I promise that we didn't stage these photos. They really did fall asleep in Papa George's arms with their stuffed animals right in front of them.

Dear Family and Friends,

As the end of the year approaches we often contemplate the many blessings that we have received. We love this time of year and the opportunity that it provides to ponder the giving and receiving of gifts. In our family we have a tradition of giving three gifts to each family member. These gifts are representative of the gold, frankincense and myrrh that the three wise men brought to the baby Jesus. Each family member receives a gift of worth, a useful gift and a gift of spirituality or healing. Thinking of our many blessings this year, we decided to pattern our Christmas letter after our gift giving tradition.

A Gift of Worth

On January 4, we discovered a plus sign on something more permanent than an etch-a-sketch and celebrated being pregnant with our first child. A couple of weeks later two heartbeats graced the ultrasound screen and our previous feelings of excitement quickly turned to panic. On June 1 our lives were forever changed when at 25 weeks gestation Makaio and Kekoa made their grand entrance into this world. The addition of twin boys to our eternal family is the most precious gift we have received this year

A Useful Gift

In December of 2009, Sterling was offered an externship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. On August 2 our family was temporarily separated when Sterling moved to Minnesota to begin his training. We were reunited on September 22 when Kekoa was finally discharged from the hospital. The experience at the Mayo Clinic has provided Sterling with a great deal of experience and preparation for a successful career. Sterling will finish his externship in June 2011, at which point we will move again in order to pursue a PhD.

A Gift of Healing

Immediately after the delivery of the twins, we were introduced to some of the most talented, capable and loving people we may ever know. We will be forever indebted to the NICU staff and nurses at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. With their knowledge and expertise they took two very fragile and sick infants and literally healed them. They altered feedings, adjusted ventilators, monitored a variety of health related issues and willingly gave of their time, talents and love.

We are thankful for all of the blessings and gifts that our family has received this year. Above all, we are grateful for the life and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever given.

Happy Holidays!

Love,

Sterling, Cylynn, Makaio and Kekoa Sheffield

Differences

I have been sick lately which means that the Sterling is in charge of tending the boys. As I was dozing off to sleep the other day I heard the following dialog thanks to our monitor.

"Makaio, do you need your diaper changed?"

"Okay, let me give you the play by play on how to change a diaper."

1. "Remove pants. You can leave on the socks."

2. "Set pants aside."

3. "Unsnap the long sleeve onesie and the regular onesie."

4. "Put new diaper underneath the old diaper."

5. "Undo the velcro."

6. "Get wipe."

7. "Remove old diaper and set aside."

8. "Wipe tush."

9. "Breech all crevices."

10. "Set wipe inside of old diaper."

11. "Secure new diaper."

12. "Sanitize hands."

13. "Snap onesies."

14. "Put pants back on."

15. "That's how you change a diaper."

I was laughing so hard during the entire conversation. I found it funny that he decided to talk to Makaio about the diaper change and all of the steps that are required for a successful change.

It's funny how we talk to the boys about different things. I notice that when I am changing diapers my conversations are usually guided by the expressions on their faces. If they are smiling I ask them "What is so funny?" If they are crying, I usually tell them to tell me who did it so that I can take care of it. I think you get the idea. We're different and that's okay.

I love watching Sterling take care of the boys! He does such a great job that sometimes I wonder if I should be the one working while he stays at home and takes care of the babies.

Dear "Mother" Nature,

I'm not sure who gave you the title of mother, but it doesn't seem fitting. I do not see evidence of love, kindness or nurture in the gift that you gave to us yesterday! The picture was taken to show you what we woke up to this morning. I just have one question, how do you sleep at night?...evidently you don't.

Not Love,

Cylynn

Visitors Welcome

So far the boys have met my mother, father, brother and two of my sisters. Our most recent visit was from Auntie Josie and oh how the boys loved it. I wrote a poem for Josie from the boys.

Ode to Josie

by Makaio and Kekoa Sheffield

We love Josie a whole lot.

She holds us when mom does not.

If we cry or if we smile,

She holds us 'cause that's her style.

Josie was here for just three days,

And we were sad to see her go away.

Come again soon but if you can't,

We would welcome another aunt (or uncle).

It has been so fun to have visitors and to show off the boys. We love having visitors and we are always sad to see them leave but it gives us great joy to see more visitors come. This month the boys will be be happy to get acquainted with the first cousin to make the trip out here. Christmas is going to be wonderful with my mother and father and our sweet niece Michaelee.

So to Josie and all of our other visitors, THANK YOU for your love.

Getting the Hairs Cut

Makaio was the lucky recipient of a haircut this past weekend. Auntie Josie came to town and luckily we were able to squeeze in a haircut.

When he was born, he was blessed with a natural mohawk. He only grew hair in the middle of his head and it grew quickly. As time passed, the rest of his hair tried to catch up but with a three month head start, it wasn't going to be easy. So we decided to cut off the long curly/girlie locks and give everything a fresh start.

He wasn't really excited nor did he sit still, but in the end I think the two adults managed to come out on top.

Happy 1/2 Birthday

The boys are 6 months old today. I can't believe that the past six months have gone by so quickly. I try to think about what we did during the summer and of course it was spent in the NICU. I think about the fall and I can't actually remember what I did besides spend most of my time meeting different doctors that will be in charge of the boys' care while we are here for the next year. And here we are at the beginning of winter and it looks like we will be inside for the next 5 months.

It is already getting chilly here and I've heard that the worst is yet to come. I spent some time here three years ago (around this time of year) and I remember thinking that I would NEVER live here. Well, there you have it, all I have to do is say I would "never" do something and low and behold it happens.

The boys have been eating and sleeping a lot lately. I like to think that it is because they are growing but every now and again I suspect it is because I am just not entertaining enough to keep them awake. Makaio has finally taken over the heavy weight medal in the household and outweighs Kekoa by an ounce. I don't know how long he will retain the medal considering the fact that Kekoa has been eating every 2 1/2 - 3 hours for the past two days and he usually eats around 5 ounces each time.

I never would have imagined how much fun it is to be a mother even when your children do nothing more than eat and sleep. I love spending time with them, watching them sleep and seeing them smile each time I pick them up. I can't believe that I love two human beings as much as I love them after only being together for six months. They make each and every day worth living.

I love you boys so much!

Moments like these are priceless!

Captured

As you all may remember, the boys started smiling some time ago. I was able to get a picture of Makaio but Kekoa has managed to successfully avoid a smiling picture until today! I was trying to take a picture of Kekoa's outfit because it seems like I call my mother every single day with another question. Perhaps Kekoa thinks my lack of motherly knowledge is funny or it also could have been the fact that I was willing to act all crazy just to capture a smile. Unless he decides to start talking we will never know.

Like Mike

Makaio: "Hey Mommy, I think when I grow up I will be a basketball player like Michael Jordan. I already have the tongue thing down!"

Joe Cool

Kekoa: "Hey Mommy, I bet you wish you were as cool as me! And another thing, will you get that camera out of my face!"

Sleeping Beauties

The boys seem to be going through a rather large growth spurt lately. They eat and sleep all day long, which isn't very different from what they usually do, but they eat about 5-6 oz with each feeding and they sleep around 4-6 hours in between feedings. Sadly Kekoa's reflux still causes him some pain and that is why they are usually sleeping in their bouncy chairs.

There is something extremely peaceful about watching them sleep. Here is what I get to look at and admire each and every day.

This is Kekoa taking a rest on the farm after a long day of work. He sleeps in the craziest positions and always has to have his hands outside of the blanket. Since the weather has changed and the house seems to be a little cooler I usually try to cover his hands when he falls asleep. However, this little guys has figured out how to uncover them (even if he is swaddled) or he puts them by his face, probably knowing that I won't cover his face just to keep his hands warm. Sneaky little bugger.

Makaio on the other hand was busy playing with his friends in the arctic when sleep overcame him. He is my little ice box. It doesn't matter how many blankets I put on this kid or whether or not I put socks on his hands he is still cold. Wait, I forgot to mention that the reason he is always cold is because he hates to be covered up and so he will wiggle or grunt non-stop until he is comfortable, according to his liking. I generally have to put the covers on him after he is long asleep or else there is just no point to it. He also likes to turn his head to the left and rest it upon his shoulder which looks extremely uncomfortable but if I try to readjust his head he opens his eyes, gives a grunt and puts it back in the same place.

I guess the lesson I am learning is that even though they are little they know what they want and they know how to get it. It probably doesn't help that I am a pushover and will give them whatever they want. I really need to get this under control before they are spoiled rotten and the type of kids that I swore I would never raise! Resisting the wants and needs, but specifically the wants, of your children is a little harder than I had ever suspected. If any of you ever meet my children and they are rotten, please don't blame them, blame me!

It is so amazing to look at the boys and think that they are so huge (especially compared to where they were at birth) and then immediately following the thought of how big they are I think that they are so small. If I think of them as five months old, they are tiny but if I considered them as two months old, they are right on track.

They have really started to interact with me as when I talk to them. I love waking up to them crying in the morning because I know that as soon as I pick them up and start talking to them, I WILL get a smile. I generally try to capture the smiles with the camera or video camera but by that time their patience is gone and they only have one agenda...eating. Perhaps I should try a different tactic and feed them before I go sticking electronics in their face and talking in that dorky baby voice!

Anyway, here are some pictures and stats for the boys. Enjoy.

Real Age: 5 months 10 days

Adjusted Age: 2 months 1 day

Makaio

Weight: 10 lbs 9 oz

Height: 24 inches

Seasoned Skills: eating, sleeping, squirming, urinating and defecating

Newly Acquired Skills: smiling, cooing and slicking his hair back for the ladies

Kekoa

Weight: 10 lbs 12 oz

Height: 21 inches

Seasoned Talents: eating, sleeping, grunting, urinating and defecating

Newly Acquired Talents: smiling, smiling while crying and melting hearts with his dimples

We've Started Smiling

The boys have started smiling this past week and though I haven't been able to catch Kekoa on camera yet, here is Makaio's first smile caught on camera. Thanks to Tutu for assisting in the capture.

Dear Grandma Donna,

We miss you so much already! We miss how you would constantly hold us and even let us sleep with you on occasion at night. Mommy never lets us do that now. We miss how you would clean and cook so that mommy could take care of us. (Maybe that's just mommy who misses that). We miss all of your singing. We miss your laugh. We miss your tender hands and loving heart.

What we are really trying to say is WE MISS YOU! Please come back soon because Mac-n-Cheese doesn't really make the most nutritious or delicious milk and that's all our mommy seems to be eating these since you left.

We thought we would leave you with a couple of remember whens...

Remember when:

1. You drank your weight in Insta Juices (Inta Juices)?

2. You went grocery shopping every day for who knows what and mommy got frustrated?

3. You renamed Cub Foods, Chubs?

4. The grown-ups ate gallons of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream?

5. You accidentally bought Mint Cookie Crunch and then refused to eat it?

6. You did laundry every single day and mommy didn't understand why but now that you are gone she does?

7. You brought your sewing machine? (Who does that?)

8. You watched Pride and Prejudice (the 5 hour version) four times in one week?

9. You hogged all of the phone time with Papa George and so mommy never got to talk to her dad for almost a month?

10. You loved us unconditionally and gave us memories for a lifetime?

We'll never forget you!

Love,

Makaio and Kekoa

Wiggle Worm

Makaio is such a squirmer that I already have to be really careful about where I put him down because I could come back seconds later and find him in a completely different position or place. Even though I know this sometimes I think I can move faster than he can and accomplish my task before he moves an inch.

After his bath the other night I put him in his chair without strapping him in so that I could run and get something. When I came back into the living room, this is what I found. I can just hear him saying, "Mom, I promise I didn't move at all while you were gone."

Gratitude

Before I feed the boys, I usually take a minute to pray and give thanks for all that we have been given. I think Kekoa was trying to nicely tell me he was hungry before he started screaming his head off.

Tubby Time

No matter what kind of madness is prevailing in our house, I can always count on bath time to be one of rest and relaxation for all of us. Since the boys have their oxygen on all of the time, I decided that it is okay for it to be removed while they are in the bathtub. Perhaps this is not approved by the doctors but to that I say, "How would you like to have that thing in your nose all day every day?"

So here we are, the first pictures (I think) of the boys without anything obstructing the cuteness of their faces!

Makaio

Kekoa

Kekoa has snatched the title for heaviest baby right out of Makaio's hands without any of us suspecting it. This week Kekoa is a whopping 9 lbs 15 oz and Makaio is 9 lbs 8 oz. Although they both continue to grow, Makaio is growing longer and leaner and Kekoa just keeps packin' on the pounds (as if you couldn't tell by simply looking at the pictures).

For any of you that know us, know that we are very different, at least in temperament. The following pictures are an illustration of how Makaio takes after his daddy and Kekoa takes after his mommy.

Often, not always, Makaio will wake up and look around in his crib, squirm a little bit and patiently wait for me to realize he is awake and ready to eat. He is patient and because of his patience he often eats when Kekoa finishes. He rarely cries but if he does it is because his diaper is wet, his belly is upset or because his patience is slowing diminishing. What I am trying to say is that just like Sterling, it takes a lot to get Makaio worked up.

Kekoa on the other hand lives a life of instant gratification. If he makes a little peep in attempt to inform me that he is hungry and I do not immediately respond, he will begin screaming within seconds. Once his needs are met, he is happy. A happy belly corresponds to a happy baby. Like me, Kekoa gets frustrated easily but is as happy as can be once his problems are resolved.

P.S. Yes, that is a mohawk.

Just so you know, this is what happens at our house when daddy gets home. The boys lay around and enjoy each other's company while mom takes a break and enjoys some alone time. The twins love spending time with Sterling and it seems like they can never get enough of him.

Milk...

it's what's for dinner (at least for the twins)!

I haven't really talked about the breast feeding or pumping since the very beginning of this journey but I think I must at this point. I was talking to one of my best NICU friends and she was telling me that I should be commended for sticking with pumping for so long. I never realized how many NICU mothers find it to be one source of stress of which they can rid themselves. I wouldn't rank pumping amongst my favorite activities but I had to do it for my kids and that kept and keeps me going even today. I didn't like it but I knew two things:

1. I wanted to nurse my children.

2. If I wasn't able to produce enough milk, I wanted to be able to supplement with breast milk.

So here you have it, overwhelming proof that hard work pays off. These are the fruits of my labor.

This is the first freezer that I filled with breast milk.

This is the second freezer that I filled with breast milk. Luckily we managed to save a little bit of space in the bottom drawer for some food for us.

If there are any dairy farmers reading this and you need a milk cow...I'm your gal!

Only Once

I always said that I would never dress the boys in the same exact outfit. Well, that all went out the window the other day when my mother found a 3 month outfit and a newborn outfit that were the same. Since Makaio is wearing 3 month clothing and Kekoa is still wearing newborn clothing, I decided that it would be okay because I wouldn't be taking them in public.

This will probably be the first and last time that this happens so I will post some pictures for all of you to see.

The woman that made this all possible!

My Chaos

With two children to take care of, sometimes things don't go as I had always planned. The boys and I slept in the living room for a little longer than a week once we got home. I was too worried that one of them would pull their cannula out or that I wouldn't hear them when they cried. I was also nervous that I wouldn't be able to meet the needs of both of them all of the time.

It turns out that all of those things happened! I don't know how many times I have walked into their room only to find that one or both of them have successfully removed the cannula from their nose. I have been so tired that I haven't heard them cry right away and Sterling has had to either wake me up or on occasion kick me to get me to wake up. And I have finally realized that meeting both of their needs all of the time is not possible. I would have to be a supermom to get that done and well...I am just their mom and that is enough!

The other night I was so tired that I must have just picked Kekoa up off of the floor next to me and put him on my pillow because this is what I woke up to.

This is what happened to Makaio while I was feeding Kekoa. He managed to pull the burp rag over his face and then suck on it until I could get to him. Thanks buddy for soothing yourself until it was your turn.

Twinners

I love the fact that every now and again the boys will basically do the same thing. Here are a couple of pictures of just that.

Dear Kaili,

I am sorry that you got so upset when you saw the videos of me letting the twins cry when they were hungry. I hope that you know that the boys aren't starving and that they only cried for a minute before I fed them. I promise you that it makes me just as sad to see them cry and I don't usually let them cry for long before I pick them up and comfort them or feed them.

Here are some videos for you of the boys being happy and saying hello to their cousins.

Don't Judge Me

My life hasn't been what I expected at all! I thought that I would be married by the time I was 23...didn't happen. I thought I would have children by the time I was 25...didn't happen. I thought my children would be born at term or at least close to it...didn't happen. I thought that being a mother would be natural and easy...not happening. I thought I would be able to keep a clean house and tend to two children...not happening.

Question: Mom, how in the world do you keep the house clean and still take care of all the children in the day care? Can you please share your secret with me because at this point I am beginning to think that you are superhuman!

Taking care of two kids and trying to clean and organize a house just doesn't happen. I am going to put it out there and let you see what I am dealing with right now. This is proof that I should be cleaning instead of blogging!

This is what you see upon entering our house

The boys' room

Our room

If you're one of those people that keeps a clean house, cooks, takes care of the children and manages a shower, well I said kudos to you! I still haven't figured it out but I am desperately trying. Tips and secrets are welcome! Where do I start? My conscience tells me that it is by getting off the computer and getting to work. So to all of you blog stalkers out there...Peace Out!

Is This For Real?

So we were home for six days and things were going great until Makaio decided that breathing while eating was not a necessity. This caused us to be admitted to a new hospital for observation and fun! Perhaps Makaio decided that it was unfair that Kekoa's stay in the hospital was longer than his so he did what he could to get back in there.

It was crazy to have the roles reversed and to be living in the hospital with Kekoa and visiting Makaio. We have since been discharged and things are going okay. My sister Chelsy and my mother are on their way out here to give this new mother and father some relief! The hours can't pass fast enough...I seriously need some help.

The Other Side

Generally we post pictures of the boys sleeping since that is what they usually do. Today I decided to make a video of what they do when they aren't sleeping. For the most part, the boys are really good and don't cry but when they get hungry, watch out!

Sorry about all of the moving around in the videos, I was trying to do more than one thing at a time.

Be Ye Humble

Today while I was changing K's diaper I was thinking of how proud I was that he has never urinated on me or himself during a diaper change. As I nonchalantly turned to grab a wipe I suddenly felt a stream of warm liquid running down my leg. I quickly looked back at K and with a smile on his face (literally) he was urinating on my leg.

THE PROUD ALWAYS FALL!

113 Days Later

We are finally at home! It is nice to be here and things went well on our first night. The boys slept really well and so did their mama. I slept on the couch and Sterling slept in the bedroom. I figured that it is more important for him to sleep well through the night than it is for me.

I was thinking that I would take naps while the boys were sleeping throughout the day but that didn't happen. I was too busy putting away everything that we acquired while living at the hospital. Perhaps tomorrow I will get a nap! It's only 8:30 and I feel like I am done for the night.

So I will leave you with a few pictures from the final day at the hospital and the boys relaxing when we finally got home.

Last Morning in the Hospital

Learning to share again

Back in Business

I didn't sleep very much last night. You might think it was because I was worried about Kekoa and his surgery but you would be wrong. Makaio enjoys the night life and so I get to stay up and play all night. Luckily he is my child and cute or else it would be a lot harder.

Anyway, Kekoa's surgery is over and he is doing well. He is already extubated and resting comfortably. Once he wakes up he will be able to start eating and then we will be back to working on getting home. He still has a couple of medications that the doctors don't want to send him home on but by next week he should outgrow them and we can possibly be on our way home. Oh Happy Day!

Mommy trying to put on a happy face before surgery.

The calm before the storm

This is him on morphine. (If only I could get that kind of rest!)