Our Three Kids!

We are now officially the Rude family of FIVE!! We are so happy that Rex and Myla are here and doing so well. They are now 5 days old. They are in the NICU but every day they seem to be growing and changing and overcoming different challenges that they face by being so early. Dan and I are so thankful that they were able to make it to 32 weeks.

They were both started on oxygen when they were born and after 4 days they are now breathing all by themselves, a huge feat for such little ones. They have increased their feeding every day through a feeing tube. Little Miss Myla was eating only 3 ml every 3 hours and is now up to 12 ml and Rex is at 15 ml every 3 hours. All of these little things are huge milestones for our little babies. They both had jaudice and their levels have dropped and today they were doing well enough to be off their lights. All around they seem to be exceeding expectations.

One of the things that Dan and I have really enjoyed is "Kangarooing" It is when we get to hold the babies skin to skin. The nurses have told us that it is very beneficial to our babies and Dan and I melt every time we get to hold them that way. They have stolen our hearts.

Rex is modeling a hat from his Great Aunt Sue!

Miss Myla getting to snuggle with Nana. Check out her beautiful face!

Myla Jane also modeling a hat from her Great Aunt Sue! Stylish already!!

Every nurse that we have had has made comments about Myla's "SPUNK!" They all say that she has quite a personality and is pretty sassy. She hates things on her face and pulls her hat down over her eyes to try and get ride of it and would pull her oxygen tubes out... very fiesty but so fun to see her personality coming out already. I think that she will add some fun to our family, she will definitely be able to keep up with her brothers.

Rex on the other hand has won us over with his mellow sweet spirit. He is almost always content and calm and very go with the flow! They say that boys almost always have more trouble in the NICU but Rex seems to be holding his own and keeping up with his sister. His dark hair and big eyes melt my heart!

Rex Michael

Rex is in a three way tie for the best looking boy I know!!

Sassy but Sweet!

So Precious

Looks a lot like his Daddy!

"Kangarooing"... can't you see how this is our favorite thing!

Quinton is doing wonderful! He is still totally unaware that his world is about to be rocked. Dan and I both agree though that we think he is really going to love Rex and Myla a lot! He has enjoyed more time with his Nana and Papa and doesn't seem to upset that Dan and I keep running back and forth to the hospital.

He has taken on a huge love of shoes and daily we try on every pair of shoes that he has. He discovered his winter boots the other day so he decided to model them for us and enjoys clomping around in them. He looks less and less like a baby to us and more and more like a big boy (although he is still my baby!) He is quite the explorer and keeps us all on our toes. He does not sit still for a moment but keeps going and going and going and going!

Aunt Dana and Uncle RyRy were supposed to be in Arkansas over Labor Day weekend but Rex and Myla decided to steel the show instead so they went to see Ryan's family in Ames and came to visit their new niece and nephew and play with Quinton.

He LOVES ice cream... especially the cone!

Having fun with Nana!

Thank you all for your continued prayers. We are truly blessed to have three amazing children. Keep praying for the growth and development of Rex and Myla. We desperately want them home with us. It is still a long road ahead and many more things they have to overcome. Dan and I need a couple more hours in our days as we try and figure out when to get up to the hospital and when to take care of Quinton and Dan has a million different responsiblities with the church. We hope and pray that it is only for a short while that we have to go up to the hospital. We are fully aware that when they come home we will be busier than ever but we cannot wait to all be under one roof. We recognize though that we really are so blessed. We cannot wait to share them all with you! All three of our children are truly wonderful!