July 19th Update

**Pictures are of Suzanne&Luke and Pam&Jacob. We'll have pictures of "G" (Gayle) and other family members next time.

The boys are doing so well! Both babies are back to their birth weight! Jacob is right at 4 pounds and Luke will probably be at 4 pounds by today! There aren't a lot of fun things about having two of your children at the hospital at the same time; however, we are astonished at how much they change every day --- their faces, body types, eyes, etc.

Also, just a quick reminder to call me at (214) 632-3254 if you would like to come and meet the boys. The reason I ask for a heads-up is because the boys feed every 3 hours and Suzanne puymps every 2 hours. I would hate for someone to come all the way to the hospital and have us not be there. For those of you new to the whole premature/NICU/SCN concept, here are the following rules for getting in the Special Care Nursery (SCN):

1. Suzanne and Jack can go in anytime
2. Gayle & Darrell and John & Pam can come in anytime, with the exception of 6:30-7:30 every twelve hours in order for the staff to change shifts and give report.
3. Any non-parent or non-grandparent must have Suzanne or I escort you to see the boys. Obviously, this is done for many reasons, mainly HIPAA and other privacy policies.



We are enjoying being parents very much! The thing that's the toughest to deal with is that they can't come home with us right now. No one could have explained (in the right words) what it means to be a mother and father. All we can do is cherish the hour or so we get to spend with them each day outside of their incubator.

This week, some people from the Operations department at Southwest Securities (where I work) threw me an impromptu diaper shower. It was so much fun being able to listen stories of their own kids, as well as nieces and nephews. In addition to the plethera of diapers, they also presented me with a HUGE gift certificate to Babies 'R Us. Between the shower my co-workers in HR threw me and the Ops shower, it just cemented for me what a great place our company is that all of us at SWS care for one another as a family.

Also, our switchboard operator, Ivy, has been so interested in the boys' progress that she brought them two gifts! The first gift was a very neat pillow for them to use. The second gift sack had two of the most adorable, softest teddy bears you can imagine. Also, with the risk of sounding like an interior designer, the teddy bears were also made of the same color as the boys' nursery at home.

Thank you all so much for remembering Luke and Jacob in your prayers!!