Friday, July 30, 2010

Family Pictures

As usual things around the Stansel household has been busy. The girls are now getting some type of therapy everyday (OT, PT and Speech). We have been working on the things the therapists suggest everyday. They girls are still not sitting unsupported or crawling, but that will happen eventually. They will sit up, crawl and walk one day. It will just take some time. Even though they are almost 1 year old they are adjusted for prematurity to about 8 months old. We have also been working on getting the girls to eat baby foods. They are very slowly getting the hang of it, but its going to take more time. Rachel does have some oral aversion since she was not allowed to eat anything for awhile. Haley is doing OK with the bottle feeds, but she is not consistent. She knows how to do it and has done it, but she has a mind of her own and doesn't always want to cooperate.

So we decided to purchase the cranial remolding helmet for Rachel. Despite the denial of the helmet due to it not being medically necessary, we wanted to get the helmet to improve Rachel's head shape. The helmet will be totally worth it and I look forward to the end results when she is done wearing it. I appreciate every one's advise on getting the helmet covered by insurance. We will work on it and see what happens, but Rachel needs the helmet now and that is why we are going to buy it initially. At this time we are waiting for the helmet to be made. She will most likely get it next week just in time for her birthday. I can hardly believe Rachel and Haley are going to be one on August 4!

We had family pictures taken about 6 weeks ago by Christina McKinney photography. I wanted to share some of them with everyone. Again thank you Christina for the lovely pictures!













20 comments:

  1. We were thinking we would end up with a band but ended up need reconstruction on our 25 weeker ( who is NOW 5!!) The cosmetic result helped me so much. I figure if I could cosmetically take ONE thing away from the rest of the stuff that we knew we would be facing it would be worth it.

    Keep working with them. It is a long process but soon or even later, they will be bringing milestones and stepping stones to your feet and you will be LOVING it. Cherish every moment of our miracles

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  2. Your pictures look beautiful! I love them. And it's so nice to have them done in your home--I'm sure it made it easier on the babies to cooperate :)

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  3. First time to comment, but had to say the girls look great! What preicous miracles! I am a mother to G/B twins born at 28 weeks. Of couse they did not go through what your little ones went through. Many thoughts and prayers sent your way.

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  4. Don't worry too much about the babies not sitting independently yet. Remember they are probably about 8 months or so adjusted age. Even some full term babies do not sit unsupported at 8 months. The therapist are well trained and if they are telling you they will eventually sit independently, then believe them, they know what they are doing. The Early Intervention therapists are always encouraging but straight forward and they would not steer you wrong. Just be patient, sitting will come.

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  5. Your pictures are awesome! Your daughters are so adorable!

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  6. LOVE this pics!! Such a wonderful looking family!

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  7. Your girls are getting so big and beautiful. Love the foot picture. :)

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  8. The pictures are great! We ended up shelling out $3000 for my daughter's helmet, but I'm so glad we did it. So worth it. I decorated it by putting a little stick-on velcro on the helmet, and then making (or buying) bows that I stuck to the other piece of velcro so I could change them out to match her outfit without trouble. They were a big hit!

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  9. Great pictures! Your girls are beautiful! Love Love Love the picture of everyone's feet! Super cute!

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  10. I'm so glad to see the pictures! The girls are looking so happy and beautiful! Don't worry too much about sitting or crawling, they will eventually catch up. They are precious and have a wonderful family to support them. Lucky girls!
    Love,
    Claudia

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  11. I find it appalling that insurance won't cover that. I would definitely continue to fight them over this. Also, I live in Houston, also - if you wanted to start up a fundraiser or something of that nature, I would love to assist!

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  12. Great pictures :) What an amazing family you have!!

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  13. Beautiful!

    And, while it can be frustrating to not have things on our time, I fully believe we all develop at our own pace in God's time. Your girls are doing GREAT!

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  14. It's Wednesday 4 August here, so:

    Happy Birthday Haley
    Happy Birthay Rachel

    (and your brothers and sisters who are no longer with us).

    Hope you have a lovely day!

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  15. These are such wonderful pictures of your family!! I always enjoy updates on these little girls!! They have made amazing strides!! Their smiles are infectious and I am sure their laughs are just a delight to hear!!

    Happy 1st B-Day Rachel and Haley!!

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  16. Happy Birthday Haley and Rachel! you are like stars in our heavens. thank you mom and dad for sharing your journey with us - lots of mountains, lots of valleys, what an experience! pictures are lovely, but then, look at the subjects!
    babies have their own time frame so don't waste a minute worrying about when they sit or stuff..
    Hugs..
    Erma

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  17. Happy Birthday Haley and Rachel! I have enjoyed watching your grow, eat lots of cake! Hugs from Fort Worth!

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  18. Happy Birthday Haley and Rachel....you both have come so far!!!

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  19. I am so glad to see the girls are doing so good. It is hard to believe it has already been a year. Happy Birthday to your precious girls. I love your pictures. Christina does mine as well. She does such an awesome job!

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