cheer up boys..it's CHRISTMAS! (after looking more at this pic, don't they look like triplets?! with the exception of a little age gap on skin and hair tone difference and and...okay maybe not triplets...but VERY similar)

Opening stockings

Starting to figure out that this is suppose to be fun.

Braxton having more fun with Daddy than those stockings

Tell us how you really feel Braxton!

Looks like he's going to like his brother's toy (great thing about their ages...the toys entertain all three)

Love my doggy that my auntie suz got me. (I sleep with him)

Fire truck!

Caden: candy is for later
Andrew: where is it
Caden: it's for later
Andrew: where is your candy
Caden: it's in my pocket
Andrew: sigh of relief to finally get an answer

Let's shake on it.

Watching cousin Baily play with her video game

Day after Christmas...exploring all the new toys.

The Boys were super blessed by freinds and family this year! It was a great "first" christmas for the Carmona family.
Hope it was a very Merry Christmas for all of you too!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

A few proud moments

Although this is not a good picture...and doesn't look like something to be proud of. The moment before the tears was the moment I was trying to capture. Xander has been playing "catch" for the last two days. He totally understands the back and forth concept. Very cute. This moment that you see...is him being very dramatic because braxton came and took the ball. :)
Braxton is munchin' on a ritz cracker. Not a big deal to most moms of 16 month olds. However, this is the FIRST time he has every grabbed a cracker and knew to take bites from it. At first he would smack it away. Or I would have to encourage him to even take the bites I broke off. He looked like a true toddler right here. (xander has been eating crackers like this for just a couple weeks as well).
I asked caden to draw me a circle. I was really impressed with his attempt. He knows how to identify circles orally, but didn't think he could get so close to actually drawing one. Yesterday, phil and I were sitting with him and I asked him who's thumb was bigger, phil's or mine. He chose daddys. Then I asked who's thumb was bigger caden's or mommys. He chose mommys. Then we put all three of our thumbs together and asked, "who's finger is the smallest". He threw his up and said, "caden's!". Maybe no big deal...maybe all 2 year olds do this. But to me it seemed like pretty high level thinking. And as him momma...I was proud :)

okay. brag time is over. :o)
I love my boys!!!

braxton

BRAXTON CAN NOW HOLD HIS OWN BOTTLE!

We have been trying to teach him how to do this for months now (as xander has been holding his own bottle for a while). Braxton, somewhat of a Prince's mentality, didn't think he needed to put forth the effort. Well..times are a'changin'.
Praise the LORD! (for so many reasons)

PIP: Parent Infant Program

The boys, Braxton and Xander have had hearing tests, which have revealed a hearing loss in the high frequency. The audiologist mentioned that early intervention would not hurt at this point. SO I called my old school that I worked at, CSDR, and looked into their Parent Infant Program (PIP). After a few phone calls, an initial meeting to evaluate the boys, we now have an official meeting on Jan. 6th. This is where we will determine the best placement for them and create some goals.

I'm excited about this opportunity, because the boys will be fully submerged into an ASL environment for a few hours a day (M-TH).

Weeks and months to come, we will find out more details about the boys hearing loss...if they will benefit from a hearing aid and if they need to continue with speech therapy, etc. Time will tell....kinda the token phrase of this whole preemie journey.

Braxton's eyes

It's almost been a week since braxton's eye surgery. The first one, done in august, seemed to have a whole different recovery/healing process. This time around has been a lot harder (for him and me!).

His eyes seem to be more red, more swollen, and more irritated. He is constantly wanting to rub them and when he wakes up from any nap it takes literally an hour or so for him to finally open his eyes. He is extremely cranky. That's not to say he doesn't smile. HE has moments where his eyes don't seem to bother him. But for the most part it has been a rough week.

I called the doctor and she's suppose to call me back today. We have a follow up appt tmw, so I want to see if she would like to see him earlier. I fear there's something wrong. The left eye also, to me, looks way more crossed. The risk going into surgery, is that the muscle can detach. Im praying this didn't happen, or he's going right back under the knife as an emergence.

Pray for my little guy...I can't wait till he can just be done with eye issues. I'm learning how to be faithful and trust in God that He is in charge here. But it's been a challenging week for that--i won't lie. I worry way too much....I need to let go. Working on that.

assume the position

I had a rare opportunity to escape upstairs and do whatever it is I WANTED to do...for me. No one else. A time to read, watch tv, catch up on mindless internet surfing...oh and of course Facebook. But all that was ruined....I hesitate to use the word ruin, but yes. I"ll keep that word. All that was ruined because as soon as I propped myself up in bed (you know how you do. A few fat pillow behind your back, one behind you head and your body is slouched just perfectly, looking as if you ate a few too many brownies). Your comfortably sitting with your laptop in place, ready to "play". However, once I assumed the position, a FLOOD of memories came rushing to the forefront of my mind. For one month....four and a half weeks to be exact, I assumed that position.

The truth is...many nights when I get into bed, the first thing I think of is that month I spent cooped up in bed. And I think...no wonder those boys came so early. Look how I was sitting! sitting up. however, slouched. No one told me specifically to lay flat. No one said to basically hang from your ankles. No...I'm not blaming the doctors. And I'm definitely trying not to blame myself. again. But nevertheless, my rare opportunity of solitude has been overtaken by these vivid memories. Memories that will mark the beginning of a huge journey--a journey of which I am still on.