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