The Blakes

Surprise!!

2010-09-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

Well we have some exciting news! Baby Blake #3 will be here the end of march! We are excited and scared all at the same time. I found a new doctor and she is wonderful! There are going to be lots of changes this pregnancy including weekly progesterone shots and a cerclage, so hopefully this little one wont make an early apperance! Well just thought that we would share our exciting news with our blog friends and once I figure out how to put pictures on here from our new computer I promise to post some!!

March for Babies!

2010-04-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Well I guess it's about time I give everybody an update. Brady is finally home!! He came home on April 1. We are so happy that he is back. The kids are doing excellent, Aiden had another eye appointment and his doctor is very please with how his surgery went and he said that he has excellent vision! WooHoo!!

We wanted to let everyone know that we will be doing the March for Babies walk again this year. We were one of the biggest teams in Utah county last year and we raised over $650!! We are so excited for the walk this year it is going to be on May 22 up Provo Canyon. We want to invite everyone to join us again. We are hoping to beat last years fundraising amount. Even if you cant make it to the walk we would greatly appreciate any donations, just see the widget on the side of our blog. It is such a great organization and one that is very dear to our hearts. We had awesome support from the volunteers during our stay at the U. I know I'm late at getting out the info but its been pretty busy around her lately. I will update with pictures soon!!

Crazy Weekend!

2010-02-07T19:55:00.000-08:00

This weekend was super busy, the babies and I were able to go to Cedar and visit some of our friends. Brandon was nice enough to fix our car while I hung out with Tangi and the babies played with Kassi and Karson. On saturday me and the babies along with Brady's little sisters and parents, went down to St. George to visit Brady's aunt Merilee and uncle J.R.

While we were in St. George I went shopping and got some awesome deals using my coupons!! Ok so here is a run down of what I got.

3 family size boxes of Grape nuts flakes

4 boxes of Ritz Crakers

12 Sobe Life Waters

6 packages of Goldfish

6 packages of Keebler cheescake cookies

6 boxes of Toaster Strudels (I already put them in the freezer)

1 package of Nut Clusters (gave to uncle J.R.)

I also had to buy whole milk and a box of oatmeal for the babies breakfast.

And my grand total for all of this food was just under

$ 10!!

I love Coupons!!

Aiden with Saige.

Kassi holding Aiden. She is so cute with Aiden and Addi. Karson was really cute with Addi but he didn't like Aiden to well. I think Addi has a little crush on Karson, they kept blowing each other kisses!!

This was my first doll when I was little. I found her in my moms storage room and gave her to Addi. She doesn't want to put her down, she kisses and hugs her all the time. This is the only baby she wants to play with (she is definitely my child). She even tries to get uncle Clay to kiss her baby.

Just a couple random pics!

Looking Back!

2010-01-29T15:21:00.000-08:00

I was looking through the pictures that were on our camera and decided to show everyone some of the fun things we did this past year!

Trying to get a cute Valentines pic

With daddy the night before he left for Virginia

With their favorite OT's. We miss them so much!

At their first baseball game. Not a great pic of Aiden

Adien playing during one of his therapy sessions.

They decided to practice of aunt Bailee's b-day cake. Her birthday is the day before theirs.

Taking pics at Gardener Village

Uncle Ryan fell asleep holding Aiden. I woke him up taking this pic!

Aiden LOVES aunt meggy!! This is his favorite position with her! So funny!

Daddy and Addi

Me and the babies with great papa McDougall

Crazy aunt Erika

With uncle Tyler

Addi with great grandma McDougall

papa McDougall holding Addi

papa with Aiden

Uncle Tyson holding Aiden. He is such a proud uncle!!

Just hanging out!

Grandpa Eric holding Aiden

Me and Aiden after the march of dimes walk

First trip to the zoo

Naked babies!!!

DENTIST!

2010-01-18T11:24:00.000-08:00

Today I have to go to the dentist and I am super nervous!! You would think I wouldnt be such a baby about it since I used to be a dental assistant, but I think that made me even more paranoid. The last time I had a check up was a couple of weeks before the babies were born. I know Im a total slacker. I hope I dont have any cavities!! Well wish me luck!

Missing Daddy! - Looking back!

2010-01-14T10:49:00.000-08:00

I hate when Brady has to go away for the Guard. He went to Canada for 3 weeks last april and to Texas for 3 weeks in October. This time he is in Virginia for 3 MONTHS!!! He just left on the 11th and we are so ready for him to come home. I think this trip is going to be harder because the babies have realized who mommy and daddy are. Every morning I wake up to Aiden and Addi yelling da da da da. It breaks my heart that every time they hear a door open or somebody making noise in the other room they run over to the baby gate and start saying da da and looking for him. We decided to come down and stay at my parents house for a couple of weeks. It has helped alot- they really love grandma! Aiden started to get another cold and he has been waking up really early in the mornings. The sad thing is he used to be a complete mamas boy, but lately, especially when he doesn't feel good, he cries for his daddy- now why couldn't this have happened when Brady was still here? I know I shouldn't be whining about him being gone for 3 months but when you have two little ones that always want their daddy its hard. Im just dreading when he has to be deployed- his unit is scheduled to leave Nov 2011. I've already told my mom that she might as well just move in with us! We are so proud of him, he is a great husband and daddy!

On a happier note, Addi has started walking!!! She can take up to 10 steps at a time!! Woo hoo! I am so proud of her! Aiden is doing really great also, he is cruising furniture much faster than he use to, he is even brave enough to hold on with only one hand and move from the couch to the chair. All of their therapist's are so surprised at how well they are doing. Its hard to believe that only a year ago Addi wouldn't even take a bottle and she was completely fed through her g-tube. They have both made such amazing progress, we are so blessed to have both of them with us.

As I was unpacking some of our stuff the other day I came across a little book that my grandma made for us. It is full of pictures of the babies and also posts from the blog we had when they were in the NBICU (aidenandaddison2.spaces.live.com). I couldn't stop myself from crying. I think about what a rough start they had and how all the odds were against them. I must have been crazy but I can honestly say that when they were in the hospital I never once thought that we wouldn't bring both of them home and that they wouldn't be just as perfect as they are today. I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood and all the wonderful blessings that Aiden and Addi received during their long stay. I don't think we would be where we are today without them.

More Pics!!!

2010-01-13T16:49:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from the past few months. Oh and I forgot something in my last post- Aiden has hearing aids!! He HATES them with passion. He would rather chew on them.

Getting into grandmas cupboards

She was a sick little girl.

Daddy and Aiden christmas morning

Halloween. Aiden was a dinosaur and Addi was a ducky.

They love uncle Clay!

Uncle clay calls him little slim shaddy.

Im pretty sure she has uncle Clay wrapped around her finger!

The babies with Grandma Honey. Her first time meeting them.

They love Grandma Frankie!

WERE STILL ALIVE!!

2010-01-12T20:37:00.000-08:00

Wow I have been a total slacker! We have been so busy the past few months. Here is just a quick recap of whats been going on in our busy lives.

No more oxygen!!
Aiden and Addi turned 1 year old!!
Aiden had H1N1 in July-In hospital for 7 days
Addi got her gtube out in september
Brady went to Texas for 3 weeks! No fun!
Aiden was the 1st case of bronchitis at Primary's in october-we are big over acheivers!
Aiden had eye surgery in November
Aiden got his gtube out right before new years!
We bought a HOUSE!!!!
Brady just left to Virgina for 3 months!! He wont be home until April- SUCK!!

Well thats just a really quick review. Here are some of the babies 1 year old pics. I will try to update more frequently. More pics to come!!!!

Girls Weekend!!!

2009-04-05T15:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend was so fun!! Friday my mom and Jerrika and Bailee came up to see us. On Saturday we went shopping and out to lunch with my sisters (Nikki, Shantel,& Jenny) and two of my nieces (Zoe and Ava). Poor Aiden was the only boy. We spent most of the day at Gardener Village and we ate lunch at Archabalds. It was so YUMMY!!! I decided that I wanted to BRIGHTEN UP our house a little. I got new dishes, kitchen rugs, hand towels, washcloths, and of course a few decorations. I also got us a new bedroom set- I wasn't able to find decorations for our room yet. It was so fun to be able to see everyone this weekend.

Here are a few pics of our weekend.

He was tired of shopping

Zoey

Ava

Zoey & Ava

Tired Boy

Sleepy Girl

Tired Babies

New Dishes

New Bedspread and Pillows

Some of my new purchases

So Exciting!!!

2009-04-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

Ok I can't believe I forgot to post this earlier!!! Before the babies were born we had started the temple prep class. Well we only got to go to one class and the next sunday our little miracles were born. We are not able to attend church beacause the babies can't be around people yet, so our dear friends Dave and Julie Trotter are going to start coming over every thursday and teach us the Temple prep class!!!! YAY!!! Also exciting news--- They are going to start bringing the sacrement to our house!! We are so grateful for our wonderful bishop and ward!! They have been so great to us. We love all of them!!!

Finally Pictures!!!

2009-04-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

Little cuties!

Amazing little ones!!

Happy Boy!!!

Sweet baby girl!!

So cute!!

What a nice brother.

Addi was sad so Aiden was rubbing her head.

She loves the new toy!

My two sleepy boys.

He is always so happy.

Addi fell asleep in the Bumbo seat.

We have had quite an eventful week. This past friday we took the babies to get their RSV shots for this month. It is so sad to hear them cry. They are so brave. Aiden weighed 14 lbs 8 oz. Addi weighed 12lbs 4 oz. After they were weighed we went and waited in the room. The nurse came in and asked us if Aiden really gained 3lbs in a month, apparently he DID!! Wow!! What a little Chunky Monkey!!! On saturday Brady's parents and little sisters came up. We made stuffed french toast YUMMY!! That night me and Brady were able to go out to dinner and a movie. We went to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack- it was fantastic. After dinner we went and saw I love you man. It was so funny. Then we went to Chilies and ate dessert. We went back to the movie theater and watched The Last House on the Left. Sunday was a lazy day. We just hung out with the fam and relaxed. The babies have been doing awesome!!! They are sleeping in their own cribs now. That is exciting but the bad thing is that Brady and I have to sleep on the floor in their room. Aiden has come down a little on his oxygen. He is now on 1/16 liter per min instead of 1/8!! YAY!! What a big boy!! Addi's oxygen is still the same (1/32 liter per min) she is still struggling with eating. She isn't even interested. We had a feeding specialst come to the house yesterday so hopefully things will start to look up. Brady has guard this weekend and he will be going out of town so my mom and hopefully Jerrika and Bailee will be coming up on friday to hang out.

Weekend at grandma's

2009-03-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

Gosh sorry I have been such a slacker at blogging, we have had alot going on. This past weekend we were able to go down to Monroe and visit our families. On friday we were able to go and watch Brady's little sister Jerrika at prom. She looked BEAUTIFUL!!! Saturday me and my mom took Brady's sisters, Jerrika and Bailee to watch south sevier's prom. We stayed a little later than we usually do on sudays because we got to watch Twilight at my parents house. We finally got home last night at about 7:30 and our power was OUT!!! It turned on and off for about an hour then it went off for good. With all of the babies equipment we have to have power!!! So we threw all of our bags back into the car and went to a hotel. Brady still had to be to work at 6 this morning so me and the babies stayed at the hotel until around noon when Brady came and got us. It was a fun little adventure.

Help Prevent Prematurity

2009-03-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

Addison

Aiden

Hey guys, I'm sure that everyone knows that our twins Aiden and Addison were micropreemies. At the NBICU the March of Dimes was a huge support system for us. After our experience and seeing how willing the March of Dimes was to support us, we feel that is it only right to give back. On Saturday May 16 there will be a March of Dimes fundraiser walk. It starts 1.5 miles up Provo canyon and the walk is 3 miles long. It is because of these fundraiser that the March of Dimes is able to provide education and support to families like ours. If anyone is interested in walking with our family please let us know. Thanks!!

Out On The Town!!

2009-03-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day! This morning I was able to go and get a massage!!! It felt wonderful!!! Then Brady and I decided that we needed to get out of the house, so off we went. We took the babies to USA Baby and we bought a double jogging stroller!! Yeah!!! It was on sale - how can ya beat that? Then we just walked around to some of the stores- Bed, Bath & Beyond, Famous Footwear, etc. It was so great to get out of the house for the day. Hopefully it will warm up so we can go for walks. Maybe tomorrow Brady will put some pics on here so everyone can see how big the babies are getting!!!

Another long day

2009-03-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

Well today has been just another long uneventful day. But I can't complain, it's better than having an exciting day at another hospital. This week Brady started working an extra two hours a night, just so he can save up comp time for when he goes and plays army man. So this means that me and the kiddos are by ourselves until about 7 o'clock at night. Man we sure do wish grandma was here to entertain us. Aiden and Addi are doing great today. They have been playing together under their toy for a while now-that's pretty impressive since they really don't like to be next to each other.Addi has been kind of crabby lately but I think she might be getting teeth soon. She has been so slobbery! I can't believe how big they are getting. My mom was up here last weekend and we took the babies shopping, they are already getting into the 3-6 month clothes CRAZY!!! They are almost 8 months old and they are both close to 13 lbs!! I know that most people think that that is still little but to us they are getting huge. I will post some pics as soon as figure out how to do it.

Little Miracles!

2009-03-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Okay so I'm going to try this whole blogging thing. I wasn't very good at writing on the twins blog when they were in the hospital so hopefully I will be better at this. Alot has gone on in the past 8 months. Aiden and Addi were born on July 20, 2008. They were born at 24 weeks gestation (scary!!) Aiden weighed 1 lb 6 oz and Addi weighed 1lb 3 oz they were both only about 12 inches long. During their hospital say they both had their ups and downs but they are doing great now. Aiden came home on oxygen and with a g-tube (feeding tube) on November 28, 2008. Addi also came home with oxygen and a g-tube on December 18, 2008. Aiden eats like a champ now but Addi still struggles. Everything has been going great since the babies came home. Aiden has been back in Primary's twice but luckily he didn't have RSV so he only had to stay over night both times. We are so lucky to have these beautiful little miracles in our lives. I don't know what we would do without them.