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!

The Girls Blessing

This Blog post is a bit late, but you know what they say better late than never. I (Thomas) had the privilege and sacred honor of blessing my beautiful little girls on June 6, 2010. It was an awesome day. It was obviously my first time to ever give a child a name and blessing. It was one of the most spiritual days of my life. The Spirit was so strong that day as I held each girl in my arms and placed our hands on their heads. I had an extremely difficult time holding back the tears. I didn't think I would ever get through it. I don't remember everything I was prompted to say, but I do remember the feelings that overcame me. I know that Rachel and Haley are here for a distinct purpose. I know that they continue to bless Amanda and I. They looked so pure that day dressed in their beautiful white dresses. Most of my Family was able to attend except my older Brother Mike and his Family in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We do wish they could of been able to be there with the family. I was so grateful to have my best friend Jason come and stand in the circle. He made the sacrifice to come all the way from Dallas. I couldn't ask for a better friend. He is a true friend, I love and appreciate him. Amanda had her Mom and Dad come in from Austin as well. We wish her Brother Darren and his family could of made it to complete her side of the family. After the blessing of the girls our families got together and had a nice meal and cake.

Pictures courtesy of Christina Mckinney Photography - Thanks Christina!

Family picture the day the girls were blessed



Rachel and Haley





Haley in her blessing dress



Rachel in her blessing dress



Big Family picture



The cake was so delicious! We used the same cake maker that made our wedding cake.

The latest happenings

Despite it being a while since we last blogged, all is ok. Its amazing how busy we get each day. The girls keep us busy! The girls are doing good though they are both recovering from their first colds. I'm surprised the girls had not gotten sick with a cold sooner. We are glad that they have gotten a little older and stronger before getting sick with their first colds. They are getting better.

Both Rachel and Haley need a shaping helmet due to the back of their heads being so flat. Rachel's is more severe than Haley's. Both the girls laid on their back for so long in the NICU that the back of their heads became flat. We are having problems getting the shaping helmets covered by insurance and don't expect it to be covered no matter how hard we fight it. Those helmets are so expensive ($1600 each, that's with a discount). We are trying to figure out a way to afford to get at least one for Rachel since her's is more severe.

At the girl's last doctor's appointment, Rachel weighed 15 pounds 8oz and Haley weighed 14 pounds 6oz. They are growing!

Rachel now has 2 bottom teeth!



Haley is always trying to get her glasses off her face. Her glasses have a stretchy band on the back so its hard for her to get them completely off. I love this picture of her asleep with her glasses on the side of her face.



Rachel just loves her toy links. She fell asleep in the swing still holding them.

11 months old and Happy first 4th of July

The girls had a great first 4th of July and I can't believe they are 11 months old!!! We are getting closer to their 1st birthday. I can't believe it was just a year ago I was admitted to the hospital with all 6 babies still safely inside me. Time sure has flown by! For the 4th of July weekend, we traveled to Austin. We visited with Grandma and Grandpa Benedict (my parents) as well as Thomas's sister MaryAnn and her husband Mark their children (the girls cousins). We enjoyed eating good food, having fun with family and watching fireworks. Rachel was asleep during the fireworks show because she consistently goes to bed at 8pm. Haley got to enjoy them, well she may have not been able to see them, but she could hear them. She wasn't scared of the loud fireworks at all. She is such a trooper. We and the girls had a great 4th of July together.

The girls looking cute after church.



The girls with their cousins (Ryan, Nathan, Kate and Lindsey)



The girls in their 4th of July outfits.



A couple of pictures of the fireworks we saw.

Enjoying the Girls

The girls are doing good. We don't have a lot to report. They continue to get bigger though we don't have updated weights since we have not been to the doctor's office in a while now and are not scheduled to go again until next week. I'm glad the trips to the doctor have slowed down considerably. We are just enjoying life with the girls doing normal everyday things.

Rachel and Haley enjoy rolling over. Whenever we put them on the floor they are rolling. I like this picture of Rachel taking a nap on her tummy.



Rachel giving us a big smile.



Haley giving us a big smile. This was a good time to take pictures of Haley since she pulled her tube out. Unfortunately she still needs the tube since she is still not drinking enough formula to keep her growing. I can't wait for her to get to the point when she doesn't need it.



Haley loves those fingers. She either is sucking her middle fingers or her thumb. Her daddy used to suck his thumb when he was a baby, so I wonder where she got that from.



Just me and the girls.



Rachel and Haley after church. They always look so pretty in their dresses.

Daddy's first Father's Day!!

This has been a great day for me. As today is my first Father's Day. It is such a blessing and honor to be a Father. I have waited a long time for this day. I have truly been blessed by a loving Heavenly Father, for He has allowed my two beautiful Daughters to remain here with us on this earth. I am so grateful to have my sweet little Rachel and Haley. They have blessed my life beyond measure. I love and cherish every second I have with them. They bring such joy and happiness into our home. Being a Father is a sacred privilege to me. I desire to be the best possible Father I can be to my little girls. I know that our Heavenly Father has given me the responsibility along with my wife to raise Rachel and Haley to the best of our ability. To teach them correct principles and to help them become what the Lord wants them to become. I am so grateful also this Father's Day for my own Father. He has been a great example to me through out my life. I love and appreciate him for the sacrifices he has made for me in my life. He has always been there for me. My Dad is a true example of what a Father is. I am so blessed to have him as my Dad. Happy Father's Day Dad. On this Father's Day I also recognize the greatest Father of all our Heavenly Father. He is real, He loves me and all of us more than we can comprehend. I am grateful that He loves me enough to have sent his Holy Son even Jesus Christ to atone for my imperfections, sins and sorrows. He know perfectly what we all go through. He is always there to lift us up when we fall and to love us unconditionally when we don't quite make the best choices. I am so grateful for all that He has given me. I have a beautiful wife and two sweet little girls whom I love and cherish more than any thing else beside the Lord and our Heavenly Father. Happy Father's Day to all who are blessed to be Father's.

Videos and pictures

Its been an uneventful past week. The girls did not have any doctors appointments this past week. Rachel and Haley are doing well. I was able to get some videos, one of which Rachel is rolling over. I also snapped some cute photos. Rachel and Haley are growing up so fast and are continuing to make progress. Both Rachel and Haley are about to get their first tooth. Rachel has one bottom tooth that has just started to break through the gums. Haley is not too far behind. I can see where it will come in when it does. They have both been drooling and biting on anything a lot lately. We figured they were teething.

The Girls together



In this picture, Haley is sucking on Rachel's finger. Rachel didn't seem to mind it at all.



Haley trying rice cereal. It got all over her, including her glasses. She hasn't quite got the hang of eating rice cereal yet.



Haley playing with the spoon.



Rachel and Haley holding hands. How cute!!



Video of Haley playing with Rachel's ear.



As promised here is a video of Rachel rolling over.