April 28th - My Due Date

Daddy and Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Tayden

20 tiny toes

Tayden

Tayden

Today was my official due date if I had only been carrying one baby.  Had the twins not come so early Dr. White would have taken them at 36 or 37 weeks.  Tim's time as a stay-at-home dad is coming to an end and he will be returning to work Friday or Monday.  This makes me extremely sad.  We have had so much fun these past few weeks getting to know our children together and developing an even stronger bond with each other that I didn't know was possible.  I cannot say enough about how wonderful he is as a father.  I knew he would be great, but he has far surpassed my wildest dreams.  He washes bottles, makes formula, changes diapers, cleans the house, feeds the babies, and most importantly - he lets me sleep.  This morning I woke up at 5:30, quickly realizing that I had been asleep since 12:30.  I had slept for five straight hours!!!!  In this time Tim had fed both babies and gotten them to sleep in their bassinets.  I did the early morning feeding and then he took over again, letting me get another four hours of sleep.  He is so amazing and I am truly blessed.  Brooklyn and Tayden have the best daddy in the world!!!  My good friend Ann Marie came over on Monday to take pictures of the babies.  I worked with her two years ago and she has turned her passion for taking pictures into a side job.  She does GREAT work and made things so much fun.  It was a very eventful photo shoot.  Both babies started out asleep but quickly woke up and were starving, so we had to take a break to feed them.  After that they both decided to tinkle on our bed.  She burned all of the pictures (over 500) onto disks and we should be getting them in the mail in the next few days.  She posted some of them on her blog http://beautifullyblessedphotography.blogspot.com/  We will be posting more once we have the disks.  We were inspired by Ann Marie and took some pictures ourselves today because Brooklyn was sound asleep - which is extremely rare.  We can't get enough of these two!!!

Two Months and One Week Old - Great News!!!

Today we made the hour long trek to Plano to follow-up with the pediatric opthamologist that first examined the twins in the NICU about a month ago.  When babies are born premature they are at a greater risk of their retina not developing completely.  When the doctor first examined the babies, everything looked good, but he wanted to see them again.  We started getting the twins ready about an hour before we were supposed to leave.  We fed them, gave them their meds, changed their clothes, and packed the diaper bag with plently of diapers and formula to get us through the day (this is quite a task).  We got loaded in the car and then halfway to Plano I realized that we did not have the diaper bag!!!  We were hoping for a quick visit so that we could get home in time for the next feeding, but knew that if necessary we could stop at Wal-mart and get all of the supplies we would need.  When we finally arrived, the nurse came out and dialated the twins' eyes.  We then went back and waited for the doctor.  The nurse described what would happen during the exam.  They would place numbing drops in their eyes and then use a device to hold open their eyelids for the exam which was conducted with the round side of a sterile paperclip - yes I said paperclip.  They warned us that the babies would cry, not because of pain, but because of the bright light shining in their eyes and gave us the opportunity to step outside.  We decided to stay in the room and Tim even stood right by the table to watch the whole process up close.  I strongly believe that years ago this exam was used to torture the harshest of criminals.  It looked so painful and the babies did cry, but only for a little bit.  The doctor finished his exams and declared the prognosis as GREAT!  Their eyes have developed properly and were not impacted by their premature arrival.  Another answered prayer!!!!  We headed for home at 3:00 on a Friday in Dallas traffic - ugh.  The babies were worn out and slept all the way home, so we did not have to stop to pick up supplies.  We fed the babies and then Brooklyn decided it was time to poop.  I went in to change her and found poop all the way up her back to her neck.  It was all over her outfit, the changing table, her, and eventually me.  Tim came in and helped me clean up and we decided it was bath time.  Never a dull moment in our house.  We have adjusted to having two babies at home, but haven't quite adjusted to the lack of sleep.  Just when we finish a feeding it seems like it is time to feed them again.  As soon as we lay them down in their bassinets, one of them will reflux and spit-up, which wakes them up and upsets them.  Many of their naps take place in their swings to prevent reflux.  They will outgrow this eventually, but I hope it is sooner than later because I know it hurts them so badly.  We hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Tayden's 1st Doctor's Visit

Tayden at the doctor

Tayden and Nurse Laura

Getting his shots - ugh!

Stop sign

Such a cutie

Pretty in pink

Tayden had his first doctor's visit yesterday and he weighed in at 7.6 lbs.  This was good because when he left the NICU he weighed 7.2 lbs.  We weighed Brooklyn with her clothes and diaper on and she was 7.2 lbs.  One week before she weighed 6.2 lbs. without clothes or a diaper, so she has almost gained a full pound in her full week at home!  Tayden is a great sleeper which has been a blessing.  We are able to feed him and put him down and he will sleep for a full three or four hours.  Brooklyn on the other hand has had tummy problems.  She will eat a lot and then spit-up and have terrible gas.  The doctor upped her Prevacid dosage and we have started giving her Mylicon drops.  Hopefully this will help her start getting some more sleep at night.  We layed them on the bed together last night and Brooklyn was fussy, but Tayden just looked at her like - Who are you and what is wrong with you??  It has been so nice to have them at home and have the time to get to know their personalities.

We Survived Once Again

Precious baby girl

Sweet baby boy

Brooklyn after her bath

Tayden after his bath

Getting sleepy

Just a swinging!!!

Our first night with both babies went pretty well.  Tim and I alternated feedings so that we were able to get a little bit of sleep.  Both babies are eating about every three hours.  My mom came over this morning to help out so that we could get some sleep.  She also prepared a delicious roast and potatoes!!  We gave both babies a bath tonight, which was interesting to coordinate.  They were both fussy and hungry, but we made it.  Tayden has his first doctor's appointment tomorrow.  We are eager to see if he has gained any weight since being home. 

Home Sweet Home

Double trouble

Tayden making himself comfortable

Two carseats - YIKES

Tayden ready to head home

SueSue and the twins

SueSue and Tayden

We are officially home as a family of four!!!  We picked Tayden up today and had the twins' pictures taken by the hospital photographer.  It was so fun to lay the babies side-by-side.  Tayden was uninterested, but Brooklyn wanted to grab his ear.  We drove home in the rain and my mom came over with some much needed groceries - thank you mom!!!  Tim cooked out hamburgers and we got everything from the hospital put away.  Tayden is now fast asleep and Brooklyn is snuggling with her daddy.  We were able to see Nurse Stephanie today and say our goodbyes.  Words fail me when I try and express my gratitude for the doctors and nurses at Baylor who took such good care of our babies for so very long.  We were absolutely impressed from start to finish.  I also want to thank everyone that has sent cards, emails, gifts, texts, and prayed for our family without ceasing.  We made it through the most difficult of situations because of you and your love and support for us.