One Week Check-up

Today we had our one week check-up at the pediatrician to see how the boys were doing. They still aren't up to their birth weight, but the Dr. said that's still OK. We go back in a week to check their weights again and they should be back up by then.

At 8 days old Charlie weighs 6lb. 11oz, measures 19 3/4" long, and has a head circumference of 13 3/4".

At 8 days old Ethan weighs 6 lb. 9oz, measures 20 1/4" long, and has a head circumference of 13 1/2".

When I look at them together I still can't believe they fit inside my belly!!

Here's Dad getting ready to head to the Dr.

Nothing could have prepared me...

For the insanity of having two babies. I have taken care of a lot of singleton babies and no matter how many years I did that nothing could have mentally or physically prepared me for being the mother of twins. Don't get me wrong, I am so in love with my little boys and I couldn't imagine only having one baby, but this is tough! I am running on empty, but very grateful to have help from my mom who is staying with us for the first 6 weeks of their lives. Currently, the boys are not on the same schedule and are feeding on demand. I will be changing this soon as it is pretty difficult in the middle of the night. An example of a portion of our night... Charlie is up form 2am-3am, Ethan wakes up on cue at 3am-4am, I go to sleep by 4:20 and Charlie is up again at 5. Sometimes they wake at the same time so I get a little longer stretch of sleep, but we are not on any sort of pattern yet so it's a toss up every night. The boys are very good and don't usually fuss unless something is wrong so I can't complain.

Although this is tough, it's never boring! :)

A few pics of the first few days home...

First test in the pack n play

They were put in the crib far apart but Charlie (left) moved closer to Ethan.

Going Home!

After four nights in the hospital it was finally time to go home! I was wheeled out of the hospital with the boys as Phil went to get the car. We met at the pick-up and Phil strapped them into the car seats, which was new for him. I've never seen him so worried driving home, since he thought maybe the straps were too tight. As soon as we got home he installed the mirrors in the car so we can see their faces while we drive and he re-read online how to safely strap an infant in our car seats.

Here we are getting ready to leave... please excuse my swollen body. It was amazing that I didn't swell when I was pregnant but after all the fluids in the hospital I had elephant legs for almost 2 weeks after!

Phil loading up!

All in!

In the hospital...

During our hospital stay we were able to start getting used to being parents of two babies and Phil was able to change his first diaper and probably 100 by the time we left. I was pretty much in bed the entire time, other than when I needed to walk to help my recovery so I wasn't able to do much baby care.

When Charlie and Ethan had to go to the nursery with daddy for a bit they came back with these cute hats. The volunteers at the hospital make them for the babies. They also bring chocolate chip cookies to the moms during their hospital stay daily :)

Ethan (top) Charlie (bottom)

Throughout our stay our families came to visit, along with cousins Noreen and Paige and family friends, Randy, Nancy, cousin Shawna and Laurie Beth.

Here's some pictures of our visitors!

Uncle Bill, Aunt Sarah, Cousins Jake and Sam

Grandma Losie

Grandma Prunty and Ethan

Grandpa Prunty and Ethan

Grandpa Losie and Charlie

The boys hanging out together :)

Overall, the hospital stay was OK. We got our first doses of not sleeping through the night and the demands of two babies. The worst part was whenever the boys had to get blood drawn, which was more in the beginning since they feared their blood sugar was dropping since they weren't feeding too well. We supplemented with formula in the hospital but have not needed it since we've been home. It's still a learning game for me and the boys, but it's getting easier every day.

Birth Day

On Thursday, March 22nd we were scheduled to have the c-section! We were 38 weeks pregnant and I was getting REALLY uncomfortable so I was definitely ready, but terrified to have surgery. My parents came into town on Wednesday and we all were ready to leave for the hospital at 1:00 for our 3:00 surgery time. Here we are just before heading to the hospital...

When we got to the hospital I was taken straight to pre-op and hooked up to an I.V. and monitors to monitor the babies' heartbeats and contractions. While waiting for the doctor to get there I started having a lot of contractions, so I am convinced I wouldn't have made it much longer than that date anyway. At about 3:30 (the doctor was late) the doctor came in and said there was an emergency C-section they had to do so we would be doing the surgery around 6:30. That was disappointing to say the least, as I was contracting and I already hadn't eaten for 8 hours, which is torture for a pregnant woman my size!

Finally, at 6:45(ish) I was taken back to the O.R while Phil waited in his scrubs outside. I got prepped and received my spinal block. Once my legs were numb they started surgery and Phil was able to come in.

Charlie was born at 7:03, weighing 6lb 15oz and measuring 18 in. long.

Ethan was born at 7:04, weighing 7 lb and measuring 19 in. long.

Proud Papa

All four of us

They both scored 9 on their Apgar score and came out screaming. After they were born, Phil was able to take them to quickly see our family in the waiting room on the way to recovery. I was still in the O.R. getting sewn back up...ew.

Phil introducing the boys...

Everyone