The girls went to the doctor today. They have been very congested and have had me a little worried, so off we went. Abby in particular seems miserable, Ella may be at the tail end of it. Sure enough, they have head colds, poor little darlings! So, no visitors or outings for a while, I am sad to report.
Good news is, that they got weighed again and they have gained big time! We were a little concerned about Ella, who now weighs 5 lbs 9 oz!! She has gained over an ounce a day. No more worries there! Abby is 5 lbs 11 oz! I am so happy!
They are all off schedule on their eating however. Ella is eating like an absolute horse and Abby, not feeling so hot, has been eating less. This has them eating at completely different times, despite my best efforts to keep them 45 minutes apart.
Mom is not getting much sleep as a result. I want to send another SHOUT OUT to Grandma who comes and relieves me so I can get some nap time in. Daddy too, has been awesome, taking most of the morning - early afternoon feedings on the week-ends. It is amazing, really, how little sleep you really can get by on. But it does start to take its toll.
My feet have improved a little bit, but are still painful. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday. It's okay for now, because I doubt I would be getting much exercise in anyway, but it is bothersome. I am continuing to pray for a good outcome, so that I can do all the things I used to before this happened. But if that is the price I have to pay for these beautiful little beings, so be it.
All in all...I have never been so tired, true, but so happy at the same time. Connor continues to be a good boy and a super duper helper. We are cooped up but are making the best of it. We are looking forward to this Spring, where we can get out a bit and to the girl's blessings, which will be in April. Mainly, we are just happy to be together and be a family!!! We are so blessed!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
One Week At Home!
Wow! What a week it has been....so much! We are so happy to have the girls home, but have been working very hard. We have done our best to continue the feeding schedule that the NICU set for them. They are eating about every 3-4 hours. It is not easy because Abby is starting to eat more so that could seriously effect how long she sleeps versus Ella, but that's okay. I wish I could feed them at the same time (you have no idea how badly) but with preemies, feeding involves both hands. Maybe as they get older!
Mostly, they sleep, get held a little while and go back to sleep. I alternate between choosing a nap, doing laundry or cleaning bottles. And trying to take pictures here and there. I have had great help from my hubs, who went back to work this week, and my maw-in-law who has been coming over in the daytime to give me some naptime. However there has been some activity as well. They took their first steps into the world of modeling this week. The fabulous Ginnie of Ginnie J Photography came over to the house and took some pics. They are going to be TO DIE FOR. I can't wait to show them to you.
Friday night, they had their first baths at home. Daddy had the honor of bathing duty with me taking pictures and being Chief Bathtime Assistant. He is so clever, he rigged up the "bath cam" on top of the fridge so we were able to video tape all the action as well. They receive what is called a "swaddle bath" where they are wrapped up in a blanket and then put in the water. It helps keep them warm and feel secure. Both girls really seemed to love the experience, no crying, no screaming. It was fun for us all!
Abba-Girl in the tub:
Bathing Beauty Ella:
The girls got another check up today. Abby passed with flying colors! She now weighs a whopping 5 lbs 6 oz...that means she has gained just shy of a full pound since being home. She is absolutely thriving. Her lungs are in great working order as well as her tummy timer. Neither girl can fit in her preemie clothes anymore. And the newborn stuff is a little big so they are in an in-between stage, one I suspect they will be out of soon. Abby is a charmer, no doubt about it. She is very alert after her bottle and just looks around and takes it all in. She has long graceful little fingers, piano player fingers, maybe harp? She gets very restless if she doesn't get the full swaddle or what I call the Aunt Shelly treatment. (I learned all about the swaddle from my sister in law Shelly who clearly missed her calling as a burrito wrapper). Example: One night Abby was squwakin' and squealin' and once in a while letting out a blood curdling little girl scream. Mom, fed up after an hour of this, stumbled out of bed and said "Okay, missy. You are getting the full Aunt Shelly treatment". Worked like a charm and has ever since. Heeeeere's Abby (not in burrito binding):
Ella's check up went well too. She is weighing in at 5 lbs 2 oz. Big sister has overtaken her! The doctor would like to have seen Ella gain more weight, so we will have to really chub her up this week. This wins her a trip back to the doctor next Wednesday for another weight check. She has been a little congested, and we have had to turn the "booger sucker" loose on her a few times (My pediatrician had never heard it called that and laughed his head off when I referred to it as such). Only strengthens my resolve, as difficult as it is, that she stay in the house away from a lot of people right now. We truly are in the height of RSV season. While it's a bummer, it's what's best. I will try to be better about posting pics. She is absolutely darling. Much more patient than her sister, and seems to like the binkie a bit more. She loves to sleep with her precious little hands thrown up in the air. For your viewing pleasure, I present Miss Ella Bella:
The Ella Bum, just for Aunt Steph:
For being such a great big brother, Connor received a camera as a gift from his sisters (shout out to Aunt Steph for the great idea!). Hopefully, he will feel like he is part of the action and can take pictures of the babies or whatever he wants. Before you say it, and I KNOW you're thinking it, we know it might be slight lunacy to turn a 4 year old loose with an actual camera. All I can say is, he has been admonished that whipping open a door at any given time, particularly the one to the bathroom, shouting "Surprise" and clicking away, would NOT be considered, well, cool. Fingers crossed that he does not become an annoying paparrazo and start documenting EVERY moment of our lives, as I have been accused of documenting every moment of his.
Having babies at home, means we are pretty much housebound. This has forced one little cow poke to use his imagination with a step ladder for a horse (whose name is Thunder):
Unfortunately, it kinda means Mom and Dad have been cooped up for too long as well:
Needless to say, we are all a little crazy, but completely blissed out!!!
Mostly, they sleep, get held a little while and go back to sleep. I alternate between choosing a nap, doing laundry or cleaning bottles. And trying to take pictures here and there. I have had great help from my hubs, who went back to work this week, and my maw-in-law who has been coming over in the daytime to give me some naptime. However there has been some activity as well. They took their first steps into the world of modeling this week. The fabulous Ginnie of Ginnie J Photography came over to the house and took some pics. They are going to be TO DIE FOR. I can't wait to show them to you.
Friday night, they had their first baths at home. Daddy had the honor of bathing duty with me taking pictures and being Chief Bathtime Assistant. He is so clever, he rigged up the "bath cam" on top of the fridge so we were able to video tape all the action as well. They receive what is called a "swaddle bath" where they are wrapped up in a blanket and then put in the water. It helps keep them warm and feel secure. Both girls really seemed to love the experience, no crying, no screaming. It was fun for us all!
Abba-Girl in the tub:
Bathing Beauty Ella:
The girls got another check up today. Abby passed with flying colors! She now weighs a whopping 5 lbs 6 oz...that means she has gained just shy of a full pound since being home. She is absolutely thriving. Her lungs are in great working order as well as her tummy timer. Neither girl can fit in her preemie clothes anymore. And the newborn stuff is a little big so they are in an in-between stage, one I suspect they will be out of soon. Abby is a charmer, no doubt about it. She is very alert after her bottle and just looks around and takes it all in. She has long graceful little fingers, piano player fingers, maybe harp? She gets very restless if she doesn't get the full swaddle or what I call the Aunt Shelly treatment. (I learned all about the swaddle from my sister in law Shelly who clearly missed her calling as a burrito wrapper). Example: One night Abby was squwakin' and squealin' and once in a while letting out a blood curdling little girl scream. Mom, fed up after an hour of this, stumbled out of bed and said "Okay, missy. You are getting the full Aunt Shelly treatment". Worked like a charm and has ever since. Heeeeere's Abby (not in burrito binding):
Ella's check up went well too. She is weighing in at 5 lbs 2 oz. Big sister has overtaken her! The doctor would like to have seen Ella gain more weight, so we will have to really chub her up this week. This wins her a trip back to the doctor next Wednesday for another weight check. She has been a little congested, and we have had to turn the "booger sucker" loose on her a few times (My pediatrician had never heard it called that and laughed his head off when I referred to it as such). Only strengthens my resolve, as difficult as it is, that she stay in the house away from a lot of people right now. We truly are in the height of RSV season. While it's a bummer, it's what's best. I will try to be better about posting pics. She is absolutely darling. Much more patient than her sister, and seems to like the binkie a bit more. She loves to sleep with her precious little hands thrown up in the air. For your viewing pleasure, I present Miss Ella Bella:
The Ella Bum, just for Aunt Steph:
For being such a great big brother, Connor received a camera as a gift from his sisters (shout out to Aunt Steph for the great idea!). Hopefully, he will feel like he is part of the action and can take pictures of the babies or whatever he wants. Before you say it, and I KNOW you're thinking it, we know it might be slight lunacy to turn a 4 year old loose with an actual camera. All I can say is, he has been admonished that whipping open a door at any given time, particularly the one to the bathroom, shouting "Surprise" and clicking away, would NOT be considered, well, cool. Fingers crossed that he does not become an annoying paparrazo and start documenting EVERY moment of our lives, as I have been accused of documenting every moment of his.
Having babies at home, means we are pretty much housebound. This has forced one little cow poke to use his imagination with a step ladder for a horse (whose name is Thunder):
Unfortunately, it kinda means Mom and Dad have been cooped up for too long as well:
Needless to say, we are all a little crazy, but completely blissed out!!!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Sisters
Abby and Ella....shhhh? Did you hear that? That is the sound of my heart singing and my tears of joy falling.
Ella's Homecoming!
Ella is home and WE ARE FINALLY ALL TOGETHER AS A FAMILY!!!!
Ella came home to us on Tuesday, January 18th. That date will forever stay in my mind! Ella weighed 4 lbs, 14 oz upon leaving the hospital!!! (I am going to miss having them weighed nightly). Again, we did not have one of our primary nurses (I am wondering if they do this on purpose?) and again, it was Lonny, Connor and I off to the hospital.
Ella did great! She needed to be fed before she left, and of course, decided to take her own sweet time. Abby, meanwhile was sleeping back home and being tended to by Grandma (who is Ella's first official visitor!) We are all doing great and so happy to be together. My RS President and friend, Teri, said that it must feel an awful lot like the Celestial Kingdom around here, with us all being reunited. It certainly FEELS like Heaven! 
Connor helps Ella out of her carseat!
Sisters reunited at last...
Grandma with Ella (see Kate doing happy dance or falling over dead because we brought home another new baby, you be the judge)
"Hello Little Sisters! I'm your brother, Connor" Followed by "I'm in charge of the babies, right Mom?"
Lonny's first time holding the girls together!
There just aren't words to express how happy this picture makes me:
Ella came home to us on Tuesday, January 18th. That date will forever stay in my mind! Ella weighed 4 lbs, 14 oz upon leaving the hospital!!! (I am going to miss having them weighed nightly). Again, we did not have one of our primary nurses (I am wondering if they do this on purpose?) and again, it was Lonny, Connor and I off to the hospital.
Ella did great! She needed to be fed before she left, and of course, decided to take her own sweet time. Abby, meanwhile was sleeping back home and being tended to by Grandma (who is Ella's first official visitor!) We are all doing great and so happy to be together. My RS President and friend, Teri, said that it must feel an awful lot like the Celestial Kingdom around here, with us all being reunited. It certainly FEELS like Heaven! 
Connor helps Ella out of her carseat!
Sisters reunited at last...
Grandma with Ella (see Kate doing happy dance or falling over dead because we brought home another new baby, you be the judge)
"Hello Little Sisters! I'm your brother, Connor" Followed by "I'm in charge of the babies, right Mom?"
Lonny's first time holding the girls together!
There just aren't words to express how happy this picture makes me:
Abby's Homecoming!
Connor is a big brother!!!Abby came home to us on Friday, January 14, after 5 weeks at the NICU! She is only 35 1/2 weeks gestationally, and this is rather impressive to all! Her last weigh in showed her at 4 lbs 6 oz and every ounce is pure feisty fighter!
Lonny, Connor and I all went to the hospital with video camera in tow (in fact, most of the footage is on video). I went in and got all the information, signed paperwork and gave Abby one last bottle. It was very exciting, but I also had tears because I didn't want to leave Ella behind. It was bittersweet to say the least. I was assured that Ella wouldn't be too far behind.
The nurse (not one of our primaries) walked us to the door where Lonny started filming Connor as he saw his little sister for the first time. He wore his "I'm the Big Brother" tee shirt and didn't have much to say. I think he was just amazed (and maybe a little shy). He immediatly grabbed the handle of the car seat and "helped" our nurse carry Abby to the car. He was very informative in the car, keeping us abreast of even the slightest movements of his sleeping sister.
It was a little alarming getting back in the groove of having a baby in the house. Abby slept in our room the first night, but as it so happens, Abby is ONE NOISY BABY!! She grunts, she groans, she squwaks, she squeals...this my friends, is when she is ASLEEP!! So she was evicted from our bedroom after one night. To your crib, Darling, monitor in tow (with volume control!) She is a little angel though. She went to her doctor's appointment and was proclaimed perfect and handled it like an old pro.
She had visitors the other night, her first! Our friends Mike and Marcie came to marvel at the newest wonder of the world. We expect there may be a few more...just a few.
Welcome home Sweet Abby! We are almost complete!!!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Here it Is...
The first official photo of the twins together, or at least in the same shot!
For more details, visit our other blog, http://www.abbyellahomewardbound.blogspot.com - I am sorry this isn't linked, I have no idea why I have so much trouble witht that...anyway, you can also scroll down the page and click on Abby & Ella.
Tomorrow, Connor and I are going on a secret date! It is sooooo secret, even HE doesn't know about it! I am picking him up from school early for a little Mommy and me time. I am really excited! Next to his Dad (who actually picks up the tab), he is my favorite date!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Christmas with our Kids
Oh, how I love to say "kids"...plural!
Unfortunately, we had to spend our Christmas with our children apart....Connor at home, the babies in the NICU. How I cried! But I just kept thinking how next year will be sooo different!
The babies had a special visit from not only Mommy and Daddy, but SANTA! We were so lucky to have been there and that we had the babies out. Most babies had just pictures of Santa next to their isolettes! We brought the girls their stockings and hung them by their little beds and each girl got her own Teddi Bear...Ella's is ballerina and Abby's is a princess (descriptions provided by Connor). We got to snuggle them and then had to kiss them goodbye...how hard that was. I pray for the day that they are healthy and strong enough to come home. There is a big chunk of my heart that gets left behind every time I leave...and lots of tears too. They are making progress every single day though. Ella is more beautiful every time I see her and her facial expressions are just adorable!! And Abby, I can't even think about Miss Abby without my heart bursting with pride. She is beautiful and plucky and I am saying it now folks (because NO mother has ever felt this way, I'm sure), I believe with all my heart she is going to change the world!
Connor with some of the loot which included "Happy Feet" - his Penguin Pillow Pet, his art easel (also with smock and tons of arts supplies) and his Smart Cycle!
Mommy with Baby Ella and a special guest to the NICU.....Santa Claus!
Daddy with Abby and the Jolly Fat Guy
So grateful for all three incredible miracles. Because of them my life will never be the same again. I love you my darlings!!!
Unfortunately, we had to spend our Christmas with our children apart....Connor at home, the babies in the NICU. How I cried! But I just kept thinking how next year will be sooo different!
The babies had a special visit from not only Mommy and Daddy, but SANTA! We were so lucky to have been there and that we had the babies out. Most babies had just pictures of Santa next to their isolettes! We brought the girls their stockings and hung them by their little beds and each girl got her own Teddi Bear...Ella's is ballerina and Abby's is a princess (descriptions provided by Connor). We got to snuggle them and then had to kiss them goodbye...how hard that was. I pray for the day that they are healthy and strong enough to come home. There is a big chunk of my heart that gets left behind every time I leave...and lots of tears too. They are making progress every single day though. Ella is more beautiful every time I see her and her facial expressions are just adorable!! And Abby, I can't even think about Miss Abby without my heart bursting with pride. She is beautiful and plucky and I am saying it now folks (because NO mother has ever felt this way, I'm sure), I believe with all my heart she is going to change the world!
Connor with some of the loot which included "Happy Feet" - his Penguin Pillow Pet, his art easel (also with smock and tons of arts supplies) and his Smart Cycle!
Mommy with Baby Ella and a special guest to the NICU.....Santa Claus!
Daddy with Abby and the Jolly Fat Guy
So grateful for all three incredible miracles. Because of them my life will never be the same again. I love you my darlings!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
