I am next!

Olivia is very close to going home. Notice there is no feeding tube.
The girl about town, Clara, is sporting a big floppy hat to keep her face out of the hot Fresno sun. She visited her sister today and was a real trooper.
Praise and thank you to our Lord. Give us all patience and stamina.
They have started the paperwork to discharge Olivia. It will happen in the next 24-48 hours.
Quote of the Day:
In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our
past, bridge to our future.
Alex Haley

Olivia is next!

Clara rode home in her new carseat.
Olivia drank all 3 bottles that Katie gave her today.

Olivia is resting up to come home.

No feeding tubes, it is all up to Clara.

Uncle Jon and Clara

Grandma Jannita and Grandma Linda each get to hold a baby.

Today was joyous and hard at the same time. Joy for Clara's homecoming but very hard to leave Olivia at the hospital. Olivia should be coming home soon.
Quote of the Day:

Little girls are precious gifts wrapped in love serene.

Their dresses tied with sashes and futures tied with dreams.

Unknown

Another Big Day

Clara seems happy about her inpending homecoming.

Olivia says I am right behind you.
Olivia's little monkey pacifier gives her comfort.

Nice to see her eyes open.

"Are we there yet?"

Last night in the hospital (God willing)
Katie said I think I did all my nesting in one day. One important stop was to get plenty of diapers and wipes. Olivia is not far behind, she is doing well with her feedings, too. It will be hard to leave Olivia but Clara will come to the hospital with Katie and Jeremy and visit all day.
We praise God for this day and all the days with the twins. Family and friends love to all of you.
Quote of the Day:

Sometimes the smallest things take up the

most room in your heart.
Winnie the Pooh

Homecoming for Clara

Like most newborns, Clara and Olivia do a lot of sleeping. They look so precious together.

They look so much alike.

Katie and Jeremy will be able to bring Clara with them when they visit Olivia.
Great Grandma Opal was so happy to have a chance to hold her great granddaughters.
Clara was given her walking papers today. She needed to be able to drink her bottle at every feeding for 24 hours, which she is doing. She will be going home on Saturday and we expect Olivia to follow her shortly. This is a big step and we need God's help and mercy. Exciting!!!!
Quote of the Day:
Home is the nicest word there is.
Laura I. Wilder

Starring Oscar

Here is Oscar with his new bandanna courtesy of Steve and Sondra. He is a Salty Dog.

The girls got cute outfits, too. Thank you.
Sleep tight, Clara
Nighty, night, Olivia.
Much love, respect and prayers for working moms everywhere! It is not easy.
Quotes of the Day:
It is not until you become a mother that your
judgement slowly turns to compassion and understanding.
Erma Bombeck
The phrase "working mom" is redundant.
Jane Sellman

A happy day

They love to be together.

A day off for Dad.

Jeremy enjoying his twins.

They love to sleep touching each other, it is a twin thing.
Katie is going back to work tomorrow. She will be working at the same hospital where the girls are staying. Please pray for all concerned. She is on the main floor and they are on the second floor. I am sure she will keep the elevator hot.
Quote of the Day:
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy
the scenery while on a detour.
Author Unknown

Memorial Day 2009

"Let's be twins today!"
Clara drank her whole bottle at 6:00 p.m.

Olivia looks like she is saying please stop.
They are both getting better with their bottles.

Here are a few items for the win column:
Olivia is 17 1/2 inches long and 6lbs. 3ozs.
Clara is 19 inches long and 8lbs. 3 ozs.
They both passed their first hearing test.

Quote of the Day:
Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.
Lady Bird Johnson

A Baker Invasion

Clara and Olivia

Olivia weighs 6 lbs. even.
Clara Hoff's fighting weight is 8 lbs.
Love surrounds the girls.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Jon Baker.

He was born 28 years ago on Memorial Day, May 25, 1981.

Here he is with Katie and Clara. He is a great joy and an excellent uncle.

The Baker Boys and the Hoff Girls

Pops and Olivia
The girls are continuing to work on their 'breathing and eating at the same time' skills.. It is getting better each day. (They do have a reputation around the hospital for being quite gassy. Sorry if that is offensive but we do need a good laugh sometimes.)
It is easy to get wrapped up in this world of babies, hospitals, weights, etc. but we love you all and pray for you.

Poem of the Day:

In Flanders Field

We cherish too, the poppy red,

That grows on the field where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

Moina Michael

Don't worry, be happy

The girls are celebrating cherry season.

They look so natural laying side by side.
Olivia has a sly little smile.
Sweet.
A kiss for my sister
Now that the rooting reflex is kicking in, when they get hungry they will suck on anything close to their mouths. That includes each others hands, noses, cheeks, elbows, etc. Katie and Jeremy say it is very funny. They are making good progress with their feedings.
Quote of the Day:
Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.
Mother Teresa

My sister and I

Sisterly love

Side by side is where they belong.

You lean on me, I will lean on you.

God's angels are on duty.

Beautiful!
I am having a hard time keeping myself together with this posting. I never thought I would see these babies so round, with pudgy fingers, with contented looks, without breathing tubes, just like average newborns. God never let us be discouraged even when we could see through their skin, even when they were so covered with equipment we could barely see their eyes, even when we returned from lunch one day and eight doctors and nurses were surrounding Olivia's isolette, even when they were both setting off their monitors like dueling banjos, even when the news delivered from the PNP or doctors was hard to hear and I could go on. Everyday was filled with God's love and hope. Katie and Jeremy are people of extreme strength and faith. Katie's mantra was always 'that is one for the win column.' Together they stood strong and determined and prayed for God's blessing for their babies. What extraordinary parents! Our family and friends have been our rock. Their prayers and support have made the difference. The medical personal everywhere has been unbelievable, caring, loving and understanding.
As for Clara and Olivia, you just know they are tough little cookies-a force to be reckoned with.
This sounds like the end of something but you know it is just the beginning!
Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Quote of the Day:
That is one for the win column.
Katie Hoff

P.S.

I failed to download this picture of Clara in her matching outfit. I couldn't resist.

Patience is a virtue

Olivia

Again.

Olivia weighs 5lbs. 10 ozs.

Don't worry "Bee Happy"

This is Clara, with her Teddy pacifier.

The Teddy Bear is nice but I would rather be with my sister.

The stars are out and it is time to sleep.

Clara weighs 7lbs. 9ozs.
Katie and Jeremy would love to take their beautiful babies home but they have their own timetables. (as we all know) We leave that to God and the twins. They need to perfect their eating styles. We are delighted with all of you following our "real reality show." God bless you all. Quote of the Day:

All good things to he who waits.
Proverbs