Four Months!

FOUR MONTHS!

Caleb

Christian

The boys are officially 4 months old! They had their check up yesterday and they aced it with flying colors. Christian is 16 lbs 2 oz and 25.3 inchs long. Caleb is 17 lbs 3 oz and 25.5 inches long. Eric and I were both WAY off when guessing how much they would weigh. I had no idea they would be lil chunkers. The Doctor said they have met all of their milestones and that they can start cereal now. I have been waiting for this day. The boys are ALWAYS hungry and never seem to get full. So, with cereal I'm praying that it not only help fill them up but will also help them sleep longer at night. Momma needs some sleep!

So, we ended up trying cereal for the first time yesterday and will be trying it again today. It was the funniest thing! The boys had absoultely no idea what to do with it and it got everywhere. I loved seeing the faces they made once the food hit their mouth. At first they weren't quite sure they liked it but then once they tasted it they rather liked it. The cereal didn't help their sleeping last night, but I know its going to take some time. I'm actually ok with their sleeping pattern right now. We have been bathing them at 6:30 then dressing, feeding and to bed by 7/7:15. They have been waking up around 3:00 for a feed and then will sleep again til about 7. Its nice to know that they will wake up once every night. I'd much rather  have no night feedings but I'll take one feeding over multiple anyday.





















Jumpers...Pretty much the best invention of baby toys ever. Now that the boys can hold their heads up and are pretty sturdy they can play in their jumpers. This is great news for me as it gives my arms a lil break...I can get some stuff done around the house! It's great for the boys too. They LOVE being in them.  The first few times of being in the jumper they didn't know what to do and would just sit there. But they eventually got the hang of it and are jumping fools! The only downfall is that they take up so much room! This just means I need to finish the upstairs loft area so we can move all baby toys up stairs. Lots of room to play up there...And I can have my house back :)

Jumpies!

So long 2012...Hello 2013!

December turned out to be a pretty great month. What a great way to end 2012...a year that proved to be pretty awesome. In 2012 I got pregnant, moved back home to Texas, gave birth to the most amazing boys ever and made several really great new friends. I'm excited to see what 2013 brings!

The boys are three months now and oh so cute! They are finally turning into tiny lil people. This months accomplishments include finding their hands and laughing. They seem to really LOVE their hands...they are always in their mouth! The laughing is the best accomplishment since their birth. Hearing their sweet lil sounds brings me such delight. There really is nothing better than a baby laughing.



Christian

Caleb

This was the boys 1st Christmas and it was pretty fun. We decided to send out Birth Announcements/Christmas Cards. We posed the boys in a giant Christmas Gift in front of the tree. I'm surprised I was able to get a few good shots as neither of the boys were happy about being placed in a box. The cards turned out really cute...It's exciting to know that each year now I can send out a family Christmas Card.


Christian

Caleb

At this point the boys were pretty much done with being in a box LOL!

The boys have their 4 month check up in a few weeks and I cannot wait to see how much they weigh. They are eating so much these days and growing so freakin' fast. It's been fun to see each lil accomplishment as they come. I cannot even imagine the day when they will be walking and talking. 

Two Months!

The boys had their two month check up today and they did awesome! Christian is 12 lbs 11 oz & 23 inches long. Caleb is 13 lbs 3 oz & 23 inches as well. Who knew that lil baby Caleb would out grow his big brother! Along with getting their measurements they got their vaccinations. I was anxious to see how they would react but they both did great! Just a lil cry and it didn't last long. So proud of them! It was great to hear that I have two very healthy growing boys.

Eric and I continue to be VERY sleep deprived. The boys still wake about 3 times a night to eat. The only saving grace is that Eric is still at home on leave. We have implemented a new plan where we rotate who gets to "sleep in" each morning. I swear that's the only reason we are surviving. I have no idea what we are going to do once he goes back to work and neither of us get to "sleep in". Lord help us!

The boys still sleep together in the pack-n-play that's in our room. I have a feeling this will not last too much longer as they are practically sleeping on top of each other. I think we have decided that on Thanksgiving night we are going to make the transition from pack-n-play to big boy crib in the nursery. I'm a little bit nervous about this but have heard that it helps the boys to sleep longer and helps me to sleep better as well.

Sleepin' in the pack-n-play

The coolest thing about two months is that the boys SMILED for the first time! These were no gas bubble smiles, they were real smiles of joy. I was actually able to catch it on camera...melted my heart. I'm in love :)

Caleb

Christian

 

Picture Perfect, Famous Babies

The boys are one month old today! I cannot believe one month has come and gone. That went by FAST!

In their first month the boys didn't do too much, just the usual eat, sleep and poop. One special thing they did do was to have their very first professional photo shoot. One of the moms in my AMAMOM (Allen/McKinney Area Mom's of Multiples) Group emailed to say that a photographer new to the area was looking to do a photo shoot of newborn twin boys for an upcoming expo she was going to be in. She was offering a free photo shoot along with a $50 print credit if allowed to promote her business and pictures at the expo. So...since I was the first of new moms to have twin boys she was given my name. Becky came over to shoot the boys and it was so much fun! She put them in little baskets, cute hats and in blankets. I was amazed at how she knew exactly what to do to keep them asleep so she could mold them into perfectly cute positions. I, no doubt, will have the cutest boys showing at this expo.

My Sweet Sweet Boys

Christian Robert

Caleb David

Other than their first photo shoot not much has happened. They had their two week check up, (which they rocked!) I had my 34th birthday and was able to have a date night with my hubby. I'd say we are still walking zombies and it seems that now we only know how to talk about the babies. What did we ever talk about before they came? LOL!

Welcome Home Christian & Caleb!!!

I would like to officially introduce you to Christian and Caleb!. They were born Sept. 10th, 2012 at 8:50 & 8:51 am. Christian at 6.3 lbs and Caleb at 5.13 lbs. So much has happen since their birth 2 weeks ago, so I will start from the beginning and try not to leave anything out.


Our First Family Photo :)

Eric and I showed up to the hospital at 6 am ready to have some babies. We filled out a lot of paperwork, were admitted and then I was hooked up to a ton of different monitors. Then the waiting began. At 7:00 the nurse came in and said that my C-Section was going to be delayed a little bit because my Dr. had been called into an emergency C-Section. I was a little annoyed but then realized had I been that mom needing that emergency surgery I would want my Dr. there asap. So, we waited a little longer. As I waited I started to get really nervous. Not really about the epidural or surgery but about becoming a mom. Would I know what to do once they were here? Would I be a good mom? You know...the things most first time moms freak out about. Anyway....At 8:00 they came to get us and it was show time! I was taken back to the operating room where they gave me a spinal block and epidural. The great thing about this hospital is that they allow husbands to be there with their wives as they get it. I wasn't too nervous about it hurting, but was happy to have Eric there to hold my hand. The procedure was a piece of cake, the only thing that really hurt was the numbing medication, it was a bee sting followed by a slight burning sensation. The weirdest part was how FAST the medication worked. The nurses had to help me lay back and had to put my legs up on the table for me. It was so strange to see my torso yet feel absolutely nothing...and to have no control over that portion of my body. Once I was laying down and in position, a draped was placed between my chest and the rest of my body. Eric sat on my left and the anesthesiologist to my right. He explained that if I felt uncomfortable or felt anything kinda weird to let him know and he could help. I laid there for a few minutes when all of a sudden the most horrific smell came over me. I looked at Eric and asked if they had started and what the horrible smell was. The anesthesiologist told me they had indeed started and that the babies would be here shortly. I guess the smell was a little more overwhelming as I thought and he kindly gave me something to help with the nausea. Shortly after that I felt as if I were getting a massive headache, so I turned to Eric and told him. The anesthesiologist then again walked over to my IV and gave me some meds for that. I'd have to say I love that anesthesiologist, he saved me from having a horrible experience. The next thing I know, Eric is jumping up with the camera and I'm hearing baby cries. First one cry then two. I remember being in total shock. I couldn't believe I had actually made it through a pregnancy and through my delivery and that the boys were here. I know I started to cry a bit and then I realized I was laying there all alone. I thought...what the heck?! I do all the work and then I'm left here alone? I think I even called out hello because the sweet anesthesiologist said "Don't worry, I'm right here and they are almost done." Eric came over to kiss me and tell me how much he loved me...then he showed me the two most beautifully perfect boys I have ever seen. It was definitely love at first sight. Dang...I'm crying now as I right this. Darn you hormones! lol


Cuddle time with Christian



Cuddle time with Caleb

The rest seems like a bit of a blur. I was taken to recovery with the boys and was able to hold each of them before the nurses came to take them for their first bath and clean up. Then...things seem to get a little more serious from there. My mother came to tell me that Caleb had started having trouble breathing and that they had taken him to the NICU for some tests. He remained there for the next week. It was awful! They didn't know what exactly was wrong with him and seeing him hooked to all of those machines killed me. The only thing that got me through that week in the hospital was that I had Christian to care for. He was the perfect distraction. I do not know how mothers deal with having a baby in the NICU while sitting in an empty hospital room. End the end Caleb was found to have pneumonia and after a week was able to come home. We welcomed them both home on September 17th. It was the best day.

Baby Boys coming home...TOGETHER!

My mom has been staying with us and I think that the three of us, Eric, my mother and I are a bit like zombies. Breast feeding every three hours, pumping, changing diapers, putting down to sleep and repeat. I don't exactly know how much sleep I'm getting and i'm actually quite surprised I was able to write such a lengthy post. I'll try to keep up the writing but Im sure that these boys will keep me a bit occupied :)

False Alarm

37 Weeks...Woah Momma!

I had a bit of a false alarm today....my second one actually. The Braxton Hicks were so strong and kinda close together that I thought it was time. I just got home from the hospital where I was told that I'm not in labor and that everything is just fine. You would think I would be happy with such a great report...I am, but I'm also SO READY for these stinking babies to come out! I have never been so uncomfortable in my entire life! I'm now 37 weeks pregnant and it doesn't look like these boys want to join us anytime soon. I've been in tears a few times at the thought of having to continue on like this. So...I called my Dr. and scheduled a c-section. That's the only way I know for sure that they will come and this will be over. I think it's a better birth plan for me as well...The thought of having to push two 6 pound babies out of my who-ha does NOT sound appealing.

Christian Robert & Caleb David will be joining our family on September 10th, 2012. My C-Section is scheduled for 7:30 am. We have been told to arrive at the hospital at 6 am so that we can fill out paperwork and I can be admitted. I feel such relief knowing that this pregnancy journey is almost coming to an end and that a new one is about to start. I cannot believe in a week I will be meeting my boys. I cannot wait to see what they look like and to kiss their lil faces. I'm actually not even nervous about the delivery. I think because I've had surgeries before and have been in and out of hospitals I feel a sense of peace. Thank the Lord for that! Anyway...The next time I write I will officially be a mommie! WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!

Third Trimester, Baby Showers and...Bed Rest

It's definitely like people say...the third trimester stinks! Along with being large and feeling like a whale a whole new set of pregnancy symptoms have arrived. Sleep is a thing of the past...I get up pretty much every hour to pee and even if I didn't, I'd wake up because laying down is so uncomfortable. My awesome preggy pillow helped for awhile but now nothing seems to help. Another awesome symptom is heartburn. I've never experienced heartburn until now and HOLY COW it hurts...it use to just happen at night but lately it happens all darn day, no matter what I eat! Tums have become my best friend. I also have had very dry flat hair and gross pimply skin...have I returned to Jr. High? Whoever said that pregnancy brings beautiful glowing skin and thick luscious hair lied. HA! I'd have to say the worst of my symptoms is the itching....no one told me about this lil issue. Every afternoon I begin to itch all over my body...its horrible and nothing seems to help. I've taken benadryl, oatmeal baths, rubbed lotion all over my body and nothing helps. I want to crawl out of my skin! I cannot wait for this issue to go away...according to my doctor it probably won't until after the pregnancy, lovely.  As for other symptoms, there is extremely dry skin, gas, swollen hands and feet, night sweats and extreme fatigue. I just cannot for the life of me understand why some women love being pregnant...it's not really that much fun.

Aside from all of the awful symptoms, there are some pretty great things about being pregnant. First, is being able to feel my lil boys kicking and moving all around. It's so amazing to think that in another month I will get to meet my boys. Some days it doesn't even seem real. Another great thing is that people, even strangers, are so nice! I went to the DMV a few weeks ago to get my Texas drivers license. There was a huge line outside and I was dreading having to stand in the heat. The good news is that I didn't have to thanks to this nice man who let me have his place in line and seat inside! If I weren't pregnant I know that would not have happened. I have also loved my baby showers. Yes getting baby gifts is a great thing, especially when expecting twins and needing two of everything. But the best part about them is to see how very loved I am and how lucky I am to have such great friends and family. I had two amazing showers...one was a Thing One & Thing Two themed shower. It was the cutest!! I'd have to say I have some pretty creative friends. Such great memories came from these showers and my boys will now have everything they need once they come into this world.

My Beautiful Hosts

I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my boys. I've heard that most twins arrive early and I'm kinda hoping my boys do as well. Although not too early because I of course want them to be healthy. I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions for awhile now and boy do some of them hurt. Some hurt so bad that I start to time the frequency and duration. I can't imagine how labor will feel if these braxton hicks hurt like they do. Yikes! I'm a little nervous about delivery. I had an appt with my OBGYN last week and I'm still on for a natural delivery at this point. (Natural with drugs that is) She said that the boys are still both head down and look great. She said I was doing well but that I need to go on bed rest. I was a little shocked by this because my blood pressure has been great and I've really been taking it easy. I guess I've dilated a little and am 50% effaced. I'm just thankful that I've had my baby showers and that we finished our childbirth class. Those were the two things I did NOT want to miss. I guess now it's all just a waiting game...tick tock, tick tock...