3 Quarters... That's Almost a Dollar

Our little miracles have reached 3 quarters of a year. No one would recognize them from the 2 lbs 5 oz and 2 lbs 6 oz they started at. They are large and in charge from sitting, rolling and trying to stand.





Zad is now 15 lbs and 3 oz attempting to stand at 27 inches tall. Yes, you read that right, when holding on to something he will try and stand. Doesn't mean he is sitting, but he likes to practice standing. He is doing everything he can to feed him self as he builds up the strength to hold up his own bottle and grab food and put it in his own mouth.




Zeke is now at 16 lbs 9.5 oz, and stretching at 27.25 inches. Zeke is rolling around, and when I say around, I mean he is leaving the room he starts in... By rolling. He is also getting to where he grabs things and is moving them around intentionally.

Mommy & Daddy are so proud of them and are getting excited for their first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Birthday in the next 3 months. We thank God every day for our growing miracles.

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

2/3 of a Year

Today is September 1st which means the boys are 8 months old.




BatZad has gotten 2 teeth, both very sharp and is rolling over and laughing all over the place. He is eating 3 baby food meals a day and trying his hardest at holding his own bottle




SuperZeke is rolling his way around and is full of laughs. He is starting to figure out how to crawl, he just needs to figure out that he has to plant his limbs on the ground to propel himself. he is enjoying his 3 baby food meals a day also.




Both boy are sleeping anywhere from 10-14 hours a night and have just been awesome little superheroes.

Daddy has become insane and has started Grad School for School Counseling.

Mommy has been adjusting to working for the first time since the boys have been born. Thankfully our awesome nanny Marquita has made life a little easier.

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

Happy Semi Birthday ZZs

Yes we are a couple days late, but here we go.



It's hard to imagine that 6 months have passed by. From the 12 weeks 6 days early birth to the 14 1/2 weeks in the NICU.

Zad is at 24 1/2 inches and 12 lbs 1 oz.

Zeke is at 24 inches and 12 lbs 14 ozs.

They are both sitting up with assistance and getting oh so close to doing by theirselves. They have gotten "g" & "c/k" sounds coming out along with the vowels. Last week the boys had a conversation with one another, and when they see each other they have big grins on their faces. Today we are going to start baby cereal!!!

Mom & Dad are excited to be at half a year and are looking forward to advances that are coming.

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

6 years and still going

Wow, I guess with all the fun we've been having with the boys, I forgot to do the anniversaryy blog. Never done it on time any way. Ok so let's look back at the last year.

Last summer had its up and downs. Both Lauren and I were asked to help write curriculum for our perspective subjects, that was a lot of work, but we were well compensated.

On fathers day we found out we were pregnant, we were so excited, but it was not to be. A week later we found out we had a miscarriage. This was the 2nd time we lost a child, we were starting to lose hope. Well, a week after that we went to go try fertility treatment one more time. After a few weeks of waiting we found out we were pregnant with our 2 wonderful little boys. What a great way to end our summer.

We started off the school year well. We were at the same school for the first time, and we had just recently got some great news. (read paragraph above) I did notice how protective I am of my wife, especially when she is pregnant, and being a teacher is very stressful.

December came around and there were some issues that gave us a little scare. The boys were in a hurry to come out, but we were only at 5 months. Well, the Monday starting Christmas break, the doctor said Lauren needs to go on bed rest immediately, it's no longer about if the boys will come early, but how early, so let's slow it down as much as possible. Well on January 1st (12 weeks and 6 days early) the boys decided to come into the world. Our two beautiful boys were now visible without a sonogram.

Thankfully our director allowed Lauren to take the rest of the school year off. With the boys being born so early, they were rushed to Cook's Children where they spent the next few weeks. Eventually Zad came home. Thanks to mothers and friends, Lauren was able to be at the hospital with Zeke for the next 2 1/2 weeks, when he got to come home too.


I would spend 2 weeks at home with the boys (which was awesome) and then had to go back to work. For the remainder of the school year I would got to work while Lauren stayed home with the boys.

As we celebrate 6 years together as husband and wife, this past year has had a lot more ups than downs, but as usual, it's still a roller coaster of a life. Gotta love it though, makes appreciating those ups so much greater, and it's awesome to see how God is going to get you through the downs.

Well now we get ready for the next year. 8 weeks until Lauren and I go back to work. I've gotta a couple of projects to work on around the house and lots of play time with the ZZs. And we even have our nanny lined up for when we go back to work.

God is Awezomesauce, and has given me an awesome family.


Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

The Kids Stole Our Faces

Well to start off after 102 days both Zeke & Zad are home.

Now that both boys are home we could not be happier.  It's nice to have the complete clan in the house.  We can't help but spend hours staring at their faces, free from wires and tubes.  From these observation we have decided they are showing certain features that we will share with you.

Zadok Harvey (Harvey is his Great Papa's name from his Daddy's family)

Zad is sporting his father's hair line, poor guy, that is thick like his mother, with some darkish red hair, that could come from either side of his family.  He has an angular face like his mother.  His eyes come from his father, and his nose from his mother.  With his fathers lips above a chin that came from his mother.  At this time it's too early to tell where the ears come from, or what his eyes color will be. (Brown could be either, blue from father, green from mother.)
Zad is a little Lauren.  Complete with strong will and ambitious attitude.  He is the go getter.  His schedule IS the schedule. 

Ezekiel Clemons (Clemons is his Mommy's maiden name)

Zeke is sporting his father's hair line, poor guy, and the fine texture of his father, it is a lightish red hair that could come from either side of his family.  He has a more oval face like his father.  His eyes come from his mother, and his nose from his father.  With his mother's lips, above his father's chin.  We have been told that when he wrinkles his brow, he looks like Great Uncle Barto from his DiDi's family.  At this time it's too early to tell where the ears come from, or what his eyes color will be. (Brown could be either, blue from father, green from mother.)

Zeke is a little Shaun.  Cannot be rushed, extremely social, and a flirt.  He'll go along with whatever Zad decides, including schedule.
As you can see, the boys each have a nice balance of their Mommy & Daddy, which means we have our hands full.  Welcome home Super ZZ Bros.

Dia, Teaghlaigh , Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

NARF!!!

(To the tune of Pinky & the Brain)
They're Zekey and the Zad,
They're Zekey and the Zad,
One is a Goofball, the other is Rad.
They're Babies and they're Cute,
They love to go Poo.
They're Zekey, They're Zekey and the Zad, Zad, Zad, Zad, Zad, Zad, NARF!!!

Zeke: Zad, What are we going to do tonight?
Zad: The same thing we do every night?
Zeke: Try to find rubber pants in our size?
Zad: It is true we outgrew the ones we had, but no. We're going to try to escape the NICU.

For the official update:
Zad is at 20 inches long, and 6 pounds, 8 ounces. He is off of all breathing assistance and eating 58 ml of milk 8 times a day.
Zeke is at 20 inches long, and 6 pounds, 7 ounces.  He is working his way, closer and closer to being off air, he is currently at 3 liters of pressure of air flow, and eating 58 ml of milk 8 times a day.
These two are getting closer and closer to getting out of the NICU and going home.
Mom & Dad are thankful for the MANY prayers for these two, and ask that they continue to be prayed.

Dia, Teaghlaigh , Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

Zad Saves the World; Zeke Gets the Girl

So the boys reached 7 weeks old yesterday, and there have been some upgrades.

Zad, the go getter, adventurous, willing to try new things, and prefers not to be told no... In other words, a strong willed child :)  He is willing brave new worlds and slay the dragon.  Zad is at 5 pounds 2 ounces, and is down to 1 liter of pressure of air, and up to 48 ml of milk per feeding (plus nursing).

Zeke, mild mannered, quick to smile, can't be rushed, and loves to snuggle.  He is willing to save the damsel in distress, and charm away the ones not in distress.  Zeke is at 4 pounds 10.5 ounces, is currently off all breathing apparatuses (we are praying it stays this way) and is up to 42 ml of milk per feeding (and decided he wanted to start nursing as well)






Mommy & Daddy love their little super heroes, and can't wait to bring them to their secret lair to continue their super hero training.

Síochána a bheith agat le,
Tillotson Clan