Wow, six months already!

Clara and Wilson were six months old on Saturday. We planned on commemorating this occasion by reflecting on our journey to this point. Unfortunately, Clara and Wilson had other plans for us this weekend. We will (and want to) talk about our experiences, but for now the pictures will have to do. The first two pictures were taken the day they were born, when Clara weighed 1.5 lbs and Wilson weighed 1lb, 15oz. The last picture was taken yesterday. In between the pictures chronicle their growth - they both weigh over ten pounds - and their growing pains (especially when Clara contracted MRSA and had to be placed in a special sterilized wing of the NICU).

Clara was born 14 weeks early and started out life with the assistance of a ventilator.

Wilson was born after Clara and never needed a ventilator.

Clara and Wilson met each other for the first time on their one month birthdays.
This was the last time they would see each other until Clara came home from the hospital.

Wilson at two months old. He had shed his breathing apparatus by this point,
but still relied on a feeding tube for most of his nutrition.

Clara contracted MRSA and was moved to a sterile part of the NICU.
We were not allowed to take things into the MRSA ward
so she didn't get her "birthday hat" back until she arrived at home.

Wilson was home for his three month birthday . . .

. . . but Clara was still in the hospital. However, she was starting to make
big strides and was finally free of any breathing assistance.

Clara and Wilson together at home!!!

They were getting bigger and starting to look much more "normal" babies.
By this point, they were close to two months old developmentally.

Merry Christmas! Clara and Wilson at six months old.
Do you have any idea how long it took to get both of them
somewhat smiling and looking at the camera!?!
We literally stood on a step ladder waving our hands and smiling like
lunatics for the better part of half an hour.