Due Date Anniversary- 3 years later

3 years ago on the 27th was my actual due date. When I look at Abigail and Elizabeth, it is so hard to believe that 3 years ago they were still in the hospital. Sometimes I think to myself - how in the world did you go to the NICU every day for 125 days?  

Abigail and Elizabeth are doing a lot of the same things a typical 3 year old toddler can do, and because of that I feel totally blessed.

When I look back at the last 3 years I can hardly believe what we have overcome:

-feeding tube and feeding issues 

-oxygen 

-4 hernia surgeries

-ear tubes twice

-adenoid removal surgery 

-a CP diagnosis
-an Ehlers-Danlos diagnosis

-frequent ER visits

-RSV and a week in the hospital

-a week in the hospital with a feeding tube malfunction 

-lazy eye

-5 Sleep studies 

-Torticolis

-MRI

-allergy testing  

-orthotic fittings

-ABR and other Hearing tests 

-hip X-rays 

-and tons and tons of OT and PT
-EEGs
-3 endoscopes
-stigmoidoscopy
-rectal biopsy
-2 rounds of constraint therapy
-Botox

hmmm... I feel like I am still missing something!  We have been through a bunch... But we fight on!

Here is a cute picture that Abigail's primary nurse from the NICU sent me 3 years ago on my due date. They have always been so beautiful!  

These shoes are made for walking

We have had a ton of snow here and schools have been closed. I took advantage of the snow day and took the girls shoe shopping at our favorite place Shoe Train in the Cabin John Mall.  

Elizabeth recently got a new orthotic because she out grew the other one. Since she got a new orthotic she needed new shoes too. Abigail on the other hand has new orders from her orthopedic to start wearing her orthotics a little less to help build up her foot strength. I needed to get her shoes that she could wear with her orthotics or sometimes without. 

I know driving over an hour to get some shoes seems silly, but the place is amazing! Her Orthopedic recommended the store to us because they are so knowledgable about fitting children with the appropriate shoes. This trip was our third trip there.  

Shoe Train is just like any other kids shoe store but they are experts in fitting kids that have orthotics. You have a child or know someone with a child who wears orthotics in the area you have to tell them about this place! I seriously don't know what we would do without them.  

You can check out their website at 

http://shoetrainpotomac.com

Elizabeth's new orthotic

Elizabeth's new shoes

Abigail's new shoes 

Cabbage Patch Preemie

Did you know that in 1985  Cabbage Patch Kids actually came out with a preemie doll? 

I recently came across an article about odd toys sold in the 80s. I was truly shocked when I saw this toy and just had to share it with all of you. 

The preemie doll was three inches shorter than the regular Cabbage Patch Kids and came complete with tiny diapers and very little hair. They also smelled like baby powder like the "regular" Cabbage Patch Kids.  

According to the article, The Preemie packaging boxes even listed information from the March of Dimes on the definition of a premature birth, along with details of complications and how to care for a Preemie. I would love to get the chance to see the information that was listed on how to "care for your preemie."

The Preemie Cabbage Patch brand even had accessories like additional preemie clothing you could purchase, sewing patterns to make your own clothes, paper dolls, and even a preemie cake pan. -Seriously a cake pan. Strange right?

This whole marketing idea was truly strange. I'm just glad they decided to stop the idea all together.