Birthday Boys!

Joseph and Benjamin will be one year old on August 31st! We can hardly believe how fast the year has gone by. Especially since some days seem to drag on forever ;-)

Watching the boys grow and develop has been such a joy. And we were particularly blessed this past Sunday to have so many of our friends and family over to help us celebrate the first year of their lives.

Here are a few photos of the event.

A Visit to Magee Rausch & Shelton

It is not often in business that one finds people who really care about people. It seems that mostly the bottom line is the only rule of business. However the Partners, Managers and Staff of Magee Rausch & Shelton are the exception to that rule. Throughout the last 12 months of difficulties and joys the good people of MRS have been there supporting us, praying for us and helping us in whatever ways they could. This kind group of people have given us such great and overwhelming support it is hard to express our gratitude.


When we needed food, they supplied our needs (especially when I was a batchelor at home while Renee was in hospital). They furnished our boys with two wonderful cribs that can convert to day beds and last for many years to come! Not only that but specific individuals (Who I shall not embarrass here) provided us with toys, hand made blankets, gifts of all kinds, clothes and also the gifts of freindship and support during all the most difficult days. And of course who could forget the gift of a portable home that we had up at the Hospital while the boys stayed in the NICU. I am of course refering to a certain partner and his family who allowed us to use their RV for over 2 months we will never forget that kindness.

It was therefore a great blessing for us that our boys could drop in on these great friends and show off their smiles and determind attempts at walking. They didn't get to see everyone so we will of course drop by again soon for another visit. We thought you might like to see some pictures of the visit and also so you know what kind and generous people look like!

Tricia holding Joseph

Nila amd Benjamin

Dad, Benjamin, Joseph and Mr. Shelton

Nila and Mr. Cunningham with the Boys!

I noticed that somehow Joan and Louann managed to avoid geting their picture taken but they also got to visit the boys.

A special thanks also to Heather for taking the pictures.

New Pictures!

We hope you enjoy the new pictures. But before you ask, the bandaid like tape on our sweet Joseph boy is used in his physical therapy to help support his muscles. This process helps him to right his head correctly as he tends to lean to the left (physically you understand not politically!). But either way we think he has 4 sweet cheeks!

Growing Boys!

Since our last post we have celebrated my first Mother's Day (photo at top), Joseph has surpassed the ten pound mark, and Benjamin is just over fourteen pounds. Our boys are growing and we are more and more in love with our "little monsters" every day.

I hope you enjoy the updated photos. The two close up shots of the boys were taken today. Don't you love those smiles?

Photos from March

It was darby day last Sunday which means Liverpool and Everton football (soccer) clubs were playing one another. Always a big match when that happens. Benjamin was determined to show his colors in support of the mighty reds. "You'll never crawl alone" is a baby version of the Club motto "you'll never walk alone".
























We have been blessed with good health this past month and have felt comfortable getting the boys out and having more visitors in. Here are some photos of our very special friends we wanted to share with you.

This one is Cathy Henderson from Half Moon Bay, California. Doesn't it look like Benjamin is patting her back too?


















Our friend Ofie Cruz from San Antonio, TX ws also able to visit and Joseph allowed this shot to be taken. He has been a real "Daddy's Boy" lately so it was quite an accomplishment for her to hold him without him getting frustrated.























Ryan Pickle is the pretty auburn haired lady holding Benjamin here. She is a labor and delivery nurse at St. Francis and the one who was on her way out of town the day my doctor decided we needed to deliver. I called to tell her and she turned around to come back to the hospital and be a part of the delivery team, even though it wasn't even her shift. An incredible young woman in many ways, and she was an especially important element in our hospital story this past summer.

Matthew and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on March 24th. This photo was taken that day. Joseph looks as much in love with his dad as I am! At this point in time Matthew had been singing to Joseph to calm him and Joseph was absolutely engrossed. Joseph really loves music and especially when it comes from his Dad.

Ruth Amelia Williams, July 27, 1919 - April 1, 2008

The boys will certainly miss their Grammy. On March 31 Joseph and Benjamin turned seven months old and on April 1 my grandmother passed away. She spent seven months holding, rocking, singing and playing with them and I will tell them about her for years to come.

Saturday morning, April 5, at 9:30 will be the memorial service at the Rosewood Chapel of Moore Funeral Home for anyone interested.

This remarkable woman lived to be 88 years and 8 months of age and has left an enviable legacy. Her kindness and self sacrificing nature will not soon be forgotten.

Joseph and Shiloh have a secret!!

I am not sure what the secret is, as neither one is saying but you can tell by the eyes there is something going on. I suspect that Joseph slipped Shiloh a treat when nobody was watching and neither one want to give the other up. (I won't tell if you won't - oh hi mummy how are you!!)




















Renee and the boys, its a trick but Mom's can do amazing things entertain one boy while feeding another.

























The boys special and until April 1st their last surviving great grandma. Grammy was a beautiful lady and loved our boys so much. She did so much physical therapy work on the boys that we will be able to see her loving care whenever Joseph and Benjamin jump, run and play. I look forward to the day when she will be able to see how these boys have grown up, when we will all see her again in Gods Great Kingdom.

New Photos

Just a few photos to share...Benjamin wearing the sweater Matt's mom made, both boys doing their best James Dean impersonations, and Joseph intently playing his little keyboard.

The boys are such a joy. I can't begin to recount all the ways they make us smile, laugh, sigh, and think about God every single day.

Up Close and Personal

I wanted to add these photos so you might get a feel for the developing personalities of the boys. I wish you could see more of Benjamin's smile (sitting on Matt's shoulders). He has so much fun playing with Dad. So does Joseph (above). It's funny on the weekends when Matt is home during the day because the boys seem to know there is a different rhythm to things and they both want Dad's attention. Matt says it's because Mom is meat and potatos and Dad is the yummy treat. I think it's just because he is an awesome Dad and the boys know it!

Six Months Old

This week the boys turned 6 months old, chronologically speaking. When adjusted for their 9 weeks prematurity, they are actually at about a 4 month old level of development. Both are growing quickly and their personalities are becoming more vivid by the day.

Joseph is a little reserved, emotionally intuitive and seems wise beyond his years. Benjamin is very physically active, outgoing and generally has a happy disposition.

Despite the overwhelming craving for sleep, we are thoroughly enjoying every day with them. It is especially fun to get them both on the floor playing together. Benjamin is trying to sit up by himself now. Joseph rolled over for the first time unassisted yesterday.

March should be the last month for the RSV season so in another four weeks we will be out and about a lot more. Hope to see you then!

Birthday Week Photo

Well, maybe I should call it conception week photo. This week a year ago Matthew and I were in Oklahoma City for the embryo transfer which was on February 12, the day before Matt's birthday. Today we were reminiscing about the past year, all the IVF protocols we went through, and feeling grateful for having these two beautiful boys at the end of it all.

This has been a pretty stressful week. I picked up a cold and have been really under the weather. The boys also have runny noses. Although we haven't been getting them out for anything other than required doctors visits, last week we had one at the hospital and I think we all got exposed. So Grandma has been staying over to help ease the burden. TGFG. Thank God for Grandmas!

Joseph is approaching 8 pounds and Benjamin is not quite 12 pounds yet, but both are growing every day and we are falling more in love with them every minute. Thanks for checking in on our blog! We appreciate your interest.

Armpit Prayer

Benjamin has such a sweet disposition. So his crankiness this week has been out of character. He has been fighting a cold, so to help comfort him I have been spending a lot of time in the Lazy Boy. As we settle in for a rocking session, he nestles into the crook of my elbow, comfortably positions himself within the softest blanket I can find, and promptly inserts his right fist under my left armpit.

Now, this would have taken me by surprise and seemed a bit odd had I not had a friend whose eight year old son did the same thing as an infant. There must be something comforting to babies about that intimacy, and maybe even the pheremones that eminate from the glands under the arm. Consequently, any quiet time I get lately is spent with a fist under my armpit.

As we were rocking the other evening, I was praying and began thinking about prayer itself. I have been a praying person for as long as I can remember. But somehow I have often felt guilty making all the requests that I do, as if I need to be giving something to Him in exchange for what I ask. But what can I give God?

It's natural that I think of this in terms of the boys now, since to them we are their provider, sustainer, comforter, their god in a sense. So I asked myself, "What is it I would want from them?"

The answer has been brewing in my thoughts all week and I think it has to do with intimacy. Just like how I love it that Benjamin wants to be so close to me that he sticks his fist under my arm. It thrills me that he kicks his legs in excitement when he recognizes my presence. And I know Matt's heart sings when Joseph talks to him in all his extravagant baby language, even though it doesn't make a bit of sense.

God is our loving parent and His love is unconditional. I don't think there is anything I can say or do to cause Him to answer a prayer a certain way. But I can present my requests, delight in His presence, and trust that He is supremely good and has only my best interest at heart.

Hello Everyone,

As you will be able to see from the pictures below, the Steel Boys are growing and doing better every day. Joseph's jaundice as you can tell is much better which seems to indicate that his liver is also funtioning better. He is still having a hard time with bowel movements which causes him quite a bit of pain sometimes so prayers for him in this regard would be very much appreciated. These problems seem to be mainly related to him being so small.

That was from Dad. Mom here now. I just had to pass Joseph to Matt to finish his feeding because sometimes Dad has the magic touch.

The photo of all three of my boys was taken tonight. Every evening when Matt gets home he plays with the boys and tonight it was especially fun watching the babies vie for his attention. I took this photo because with his glasses off it is easy to see how much the boys resemble their Dad.

We have been working hard to get the babies on a schedule where they sleep more at night. Benjamin is doing well, with only one feeding in the early a.m. and last night he slept nine hours straight for the first time! Lucky for Dad since he is the one doing Benjamin's night time feedings.

Joseph is still needing to eat more frequently and as he is getting over the thrush infection in his mouth his feedings can be difficult so I am up with him every three hours or so through the night.

Other than the yeast infection (thrush) we have been blessed not to have any sicknesses. The boys are both getting their RSV antibodies injections through March but we are nontheless keeping them in the house as much as possible just to be safe. Matt and I try to take turns going to church while the other stays home with the babies. We can't wait for April to get here so we can get out and about as a family.

Meanwhile, keep the emails coming. We sure appreciate the communication. And if you are healthy and feel like stopping by just give me a call, I would love the company!

Pooh Boys

Just to get an idea of how much these boys may look alike, I took an identical photo of Joseph today, similar to one we have of Benjamin from Nov. 7.

In both pictures the boys are each around the 6 pound mark. They aren't identical by any means, but we think the similarities are obvious. We are having so much fun watching these boys grow and develop and start to explore their environment.

Joseph is working hard to close the gap between himself and his brother. We will keep you posted on his progress.

Dressed Like Twins!

Although they are each unique, there is no doubt these boys are brothers. Grandma bought them matching outfits in different sizes for their "twins" look.

Today they each got their RSV shots from the home healthcare nurse so they were a little sore but have slept well. I am still up most of the night with Joseph and nap during the morning and evening. Matthew takes care of Benjamin at night who still needs a 3 a.m. feeding.

Joseph weighed 5 lbs. 6 oz. today and Benjamin was 10 lbs. 3 oz. S it looks like Joseph is trying to close the 50% gap in their sizes! Joseph is now roughly the size Benjamin was when he came home from the NICU.

We are starting to see more of their personalities. Joseph seems to have a high level of emotional IQ and is acutely aware of those around him, and is especially sensitive to his brother's cries. Benjamin is very physical and wants to be moving all the time. Both boys adore their dad and seem to vie for his attentions. He is the one they are focused on in the photo.

Mommy Strong

The Army used to have a slogan, "The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love." This morning I told Matthew this should be the universal motto for all Mom's. He laughed and said, "So, instead of 'Army Strong' it should be 'Mommy Strong'?"

Honestly, nobody can ever prepare you for parenthood. It is grueling. And I sometimes quake in my boots knowing that this is only the beginning! On the positive side, however, I am learning so much. For instance, I really had no idea how much my own parents loved me. Until now.

Also, every single day I recognize something beautiful about my Heavenly Father. Whether it is in the brilliance of one of the boys' smiles or a twinkle in their eye, I am reminded of God's glory and to be grateful for His blessings.

But even more than that, I hear myself talking to the boys and it sounds like the same words He might be saying to me. Things like, "I know what you need and I'm right here preparing it for you." Or, "This may not be comfortable right this minute but I promise you will be better off for it later."

It is during these moments that I close my eyes and whisper a prayer of thanks. Because even though being a Mom is a tougher job than I ever imagined it could be, I know I don't have to do it alone.

Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Older Brother Hits the 5 Pound Mark!!

Hello Everyone,

Well he might still only be a little guy, but don't tell that to Joseph as he might beg to differ. Four months to the day from his birth our little fighter has weighed in at 5lbs!! We recorded the moment for you all to enjoy pictured below. While he is still small he has come a long way from his 1lb 9oz birth weight. He is getting stronger all the time and at long last the jaundice has really begun to drop, he is looking much better every day.





Benjamin is continuing to do well also. He has slowed on his feed intake, it has leveled off at around 4 to 5 ounces but is generally taking more during the day and sleeping longer at night. This longer night time sleep is very welcome as it allows me to only have to get up once to feed him and leaves Renee to be awake more with Joseph. Grandma and Great Grandma then help out during the day and evening. It is such a blessing to have help from family, especially with twins!!


Your prayers and continued support for our boys is still very much appreciated. At the end of one year and the start of a new we all reflect on what has happened to us and what the next year will bring. For me it has been an astonishing journey of every kind of emotion possible. Ups and downs, hopes and fears all wrapped into one but I can honestly say that it is with God's protection and help that we have endured the challenges thus far. And also it is with the support of all our friends known and unknown that we have had the strengh to arrive at happy times as this.

We pray that each one of you will have a wonderful and blessed new year and that in a few more months our boys can meet more of you in person.

God Bless,

Matt, Renee, Joseph and Benjamin