Giving Thanks

It seems as though the ladies are on the way to being "wake up once a nighters". Last night they both had their final Thanksgiving feast around 8pm, Hannah woke up for her first black friday breakfast at 2:30am followed by Leah at 3:30 am. We did not however stay up for shopping. Right back down to bed and then up at 6:30 for Hannah and 7:45 for Leah. While some of you may cringe at these times...this is pretty amazing for 6 week old babies. Let's hope I'm not jinxing myself by writing about it! One thing that hasn't been as easy this week...bedtime for all three kids. It's as though they all huddled together and decided that 8pm was no longer a time that they were willing to be in bed by. Thankfully we are in Winona and there are some extra hands to deal with three simultaneous screaming children (and sometimes four...baby cousin Oliver is here too!) And it's not crazy insane like you would think...everyone was able to have Thanksgiving dinner at the same time, take showers, play games together...again, some of you may not realize how truly amazing this is. We are very thankful!

Little Ladies and Big Boogers

Perhaps you will disagree, but the girls don't look identical to me. Can you tell Hannah from Leah? I'll give you a few seconds to think about it....
Hannah is in blue, and brown/cream stripes and Leah is in pink/brown stripes and cream. They are both pretty cute. And they both get a ton of boogers. Huge ones. I remember the first big booger....it came from Leah's tiny little nose. (we probably won't be able to say that forever, assuming she ends up with one of our noses!) Leah was freaking out one afternoon, breathing in and out super fast and crying off and on. I actually called the doctor, and while I was waiting for them to call back I decided to give the booger tool one more try (more commonly referred to as a "nasal aspirator", but that just sounds ridiculous. Booger tool is much more appropriate). After five attempts, the most ginormous booger came out of her nose. And then...happy Leah returned. Since then, I have become an expert with the booger tool. I didn't have to use it much with Joseph, but I've been pulling big boogers out of both little ladies for a few weeks. I feel a proud sense of accomplishment after extracting a 1/2 inch glob of snot out of a teeny nostril. Something that doesn't make me feel quite as proud....a toddler informing me in the car that he extracted his own booger and ate it.

Here We are!

Here we are, one month into being a family of five! And without even realizing it we even got Leah on the left. ;) And strategically captured the shot right after Hannah's bottle, just after Leah woke up, and right before Joseph went down for his nap. How's that for timing?

Just Joseph

Joseph Dominic is...
named after his Italian great grandfathers on mom and dad's sides
getting pretty good at going to the bathroom on the "potty" and brushing his teeth (still going in diapers too of course, we're not that good!)
into the zoo and playing tackle in the yard and in the basement with his dad
counting things and recognizing letters
teaching us which leaves are from locust trees, bumpy oaks, and maples
perfecting his toddler attitude and the art of "no"
still our little man, no matter how big he gets!

About Leah Rose

Leah is...
named after great great grandmother on Jessica's side,
a chatty eater, makes all kinds of noise while having a bottle,
excited by what she sees, opens her eyes as wide as they will go,
usually on the left side in pictures,
the one with a more oval shaped face (sleeps with her head totally to one side)
a baby that sometimes squawks like a bird!

About Hannah Lu

Hannah is....
named after great great grandmother on Jay's side,
affectionately called Hannah Bear at times,
sometimes calmed down by singing,
the baby with her big toes painted red,
usually on the right side in pictures,
very observant, often appears as though she is thinking,
easily startled into peeing while getting changed!

Halloween

Weight Gain and Hunger

Hannah and Leah had a weight check today at the doctor's office. Hannah weighs in at a whopping 7lbs 7oz and Leah hit the scale at 7lbs 4.5 oz. Good weight gain for twins and a look of surprise from the doctor when he joked about how calm they were and that they must be like that all the time and I responded with "actually, they are". It's big brother's mood's that aren't very predictable. Joseph had a bit of a meltdown yesterday which Jay thinks was due to hunger. (Apparently the girls are getting plenty of food and we only starve Joseph on occasion) I can't disagree with hunger as a root cause for bad behavior since I tend to get the same way if I go too long without eating....though I try not to stomp my feet and scream and cry at the top of my lungs. The fit didn't last too long though, during and after dinner Joseph was about as perfect as a toddler can get, and amazed us by reciting his own version of "Panda bear panda bear, what do you see?" at the table. And this morning he was pretty happy as he left for school in his pirate costume ready for his field trip to the zoo and halloween celebration with his mates. Tonight should be more good times with trick or treating in the hood with a few bottles and drinks at the home!

Frankenstein and Football

Joseph has spent most of the past three days either dressed up as Frankenstein or barreling over his "tackle buddy". They were playing with masks at daycare last week and Jay thought Joseph looked hilarious as the green monster so he got him his very own mask and gloves at walgreens over the weekend. Best $3 ever spent...it's provided hours upon hours of entertainment (for all of us, as you can't really look at the kid without cracking up everytime he puts it on). Whenever he wasn't parading around as Frankenstein he was tackling his buddy down in the basement (with either football or handy manny on in the background of course). Though we did get him to take a break long enough to decorate his pumpkin. Then back to tackling.

Can I Get Just One Good Picture of the Girls?

You would think, that would not be my biggest challenge. But it is. One birth announcement worthy picture of the girls. It is ridiculous how hard that is to obtain. The best photo by far is the one Jay first took at the hospital, pictured on the right here on our blog. Of course being the person that I am, I want a different, and better one, for our announcements (yes, I know I have a problem, and I completely blame my mother). ;) Other than this, things are going pretty good. Joseph had fun making his faces with Jay for the camera the other night (this one is either happy or excited, we also did tired, scared, and surprised) and I used the day to try and capture the girls on film. No award winning pics as a result, but also no injuries (I only bonked their heads together once). Can you tell who is who in the picture above?

One Week Old!

Hannah & Leah are one week old today! And if someone tested me, I think I could tell them apart fairly quickly. Even without Hannah's big toes painted red (but don't worry, the nail polish is staying on). I thought Leah had a birthmark on her backside the other day, but it turned out to be poo. And speaking of poo, Joseph played with play-doh at daycare the other day, and when the teacher asked him what he was making he responded with "dog poo". We're very proud.

The Story of Hannah and Leah

It was a long journey, but quick and easy arrival for our little ladies. According to hospital records my labor was 242 hours since I spent 10 nights at the hospital, but that doesn't exactly tell the story leading up to Hannah and Leah's entry to the world. Here's a breakdown of the timeline:

Labor Limbo
Oct 2 - 4: Contracting and dilated 6-7cm, everyone debating if I should stay at the hospital or go home
Oct 5: Decision made with our obgyn to stay at the hospital on bed rest (due to high blood pressure, threat of quick delivery, and hope of getting me past wk37 and keeping the babies out of the NICU)
Oct 7: Agreed on a date with the obgyn to get induced...October 12th it is!
Oct 8-11: Contracting off and on and still dilated at 6-7 cm

Actual Labor
Oct 12 9:00 AM: Started IV
Oct 12 9:45 AM: Received epidural and pitocin
Oct 12 10:30PM: Doctor breaks water on Hannah and puts monitor on her head
Oct 12 12:30PM: Measured at 8.5 cm. Increased pitocin and decreased epidural (things were finally moving, but not fast enough and I wasn't feeling enough)
Oct 12 2:00 PM: Finally at almost 10 cm! We head down to the operating room (OR 2), and Jay puts on his scrubs
Oct 12 2:10 PM: Our crew of 12 doctors and nurses are ready, and pushing begins
Oct 12 2:36 PM: Hannah arrives!
Oct 12 2:42 PM: Leah arrives!

And so the actual labor itself was closer to 5 hours, during most of which I didn't feel much do to the wonder and amazement that is the epidural. We brought the girls home on Oct 14 (Wednesday), and since then have been trying get organized and get things done around the house before they turn into "real babies". For now, they spend most of their time sleeping, eating, and pooping...but mostly sleeping. They wake up every three hours or so, though last night I bolted awake just before 2AM and realized it had been over four hours since they last ate so I actually had to wake them up. (like I said, we're still waiting for the real babies to arrive). Joseph is doing good, and so far hasn't noticed a change to his world other than the awesome present that his baby sisters gave him on their first day home. The Home Depot Deluxe Workstation has been a big hit with big brother, and each morning when he wakes up he asks if he can "go to work" (translation: Can I go to the basement and play with my new toy?) Jay and I are doing good too, getting back into the swing of washing bottles and swaddling newborns. It's still a bit difficult for me to move around due to all the swelling in my feet (none of my shoes fit) and muscle pain in my back (something Jay can totally sympahtize with) but I'm hoping in a few weeks that will all go away. And the girls are doing great...they had their first appointment with the pediatrician today with Leah weighing in at 6lbs 2oz and Hannah at an even 6lbs.

Welcome Hannah Lu & Leah Rose

Hannah Lu was born Oct. 12 at 2:36 PM
6lbs 3oz and 19 inches

Leah Rose was born Oct. 12 at 2:42 PM
6lb s 4oz and 19 inches

Leah is on the left (light pink hat Leah), Hannah is on the right (hot pink hat Hannah).

Final Belly Shot

Final belly shot at week 37 the night before we get induced! The minivan is in the parking lot and the husband is on the pull out bed at the hospital. My time at the hospital hasn't gone by as slow as you would think actually....visits, tv, and the computer have all helped the time pass. My mom even found someone to come do a manicure and pedicure for me in the room. One of the time's that Joseph was here, Jay was able to get a shot of him standing outside the room he was born in. Two and a half years later a lot has changed! (with more coming!)

Hospital Thoughts Continued...

Yes, we will in fact be here all week (or at least I will)
Milkshakes are not supposed to be frozen solid
Did I make it clear that I want an epidural?
What do you mean I may not be able to get an epidural in time? I'M ALREADY HERE
Travel size toiletries are not meant to last this long
Law & Order is on all day, every day (The question is, who, other than me, is watching this?)
If you stay at the hospital long enough, you get "employee menu" privledges (which actually seems cool for the first day or so)
I'm still capable of wasting hours on end playing computer games...I've already created two families, three houses, and birthed two Sim babies.
Should it be this quiet in a maternity ward? Where's all the screaming and crying? Maybe the atomic bomb sized toilet flushes are covering up all the other noises.
YES I would love to get induced on Monday. October 12th sounds like a fabulous birthdate.

Thoughts of a Pregnant Woman at the Hospital

Leave the stuff in the car, we're not staying (2PM Friday)
Why aren't we going to a triage room?
We're actually going to have two baby girls soon!
Maybe I don't want a c-section (never watch medical dramas while pregnant)
Red Jello really has the best flavor
Holy loud toilet flush batman
Dominos delivers to the hospital, how nice for Jay
Yea! There's a new law and order on tv
Clear liquid diets suck
Ambien......good stuff
Epidurals should be offered before cervix checks
How can I be at 7cm and not be in labor?
Could the bed be any more uncomfortable? (seriously)
I wonder if we'll be here all week? (4PM Saturday)

No More High Risk Visits?

The high risk doctor was surprised to see me on his schedule yesterday....everyone seems amazed that the babies are staying put as long as they are. But as far as I can tell, I'm not having any contractions, though I do find this a difficult question to answer. I am very familiar with the "holy cow get me the flippin epidural!" kind of contraction, but not so sure I would recognize the "hmmm what was that?" sort of contraction. Since the girls are doing good and I am nearing the finish line, I won't be seeing the high risk doctor anymore. I must say, I will miss the frequent growth checks and his quirky sense of humor. Yesterday Twin A was 5lbs 8oz and Twin B was 5lbs 11oz (+/- 15oz) and he made me promise to go to the hospital if I feel a hand reaching out to shake mine. :)

Arrrr Matey

On football days we've found something that will amuse Joseph indoors - costumes! He spent several hours dressed up as a pirate last sunday, even rode around the neighborhood on his tricycle and took a walk with Jay in his festive attire. I don't remember how we convinced him to take the outfit off, but I do remember that it took some convincing. He watched some football before going down for his nap today, so we may bust out superman later this afternoon.

34 Weeks, 4 days, 48 inches, and 4cm

I'm officially scheduled at the hospital now for a c-section the morning of Friday, Oct 16th....but if I were a betting person I would bet that the girls end up with a birthdate sometime before then. I've progressed a centimeter since last week, which again, means almost nothing other than confirming that I am in fact going to have babies sometime in the next three weeks. (I was at 1cm when my water broke with Joseph, one week before his due date). And my belly is 48 inches around, which is clearly exceeding the limit that my body is meant to support. But other than being uncomfortable, things are going good and I'm just waiting to wake up in the middle of the night due to something other than a full bladder.

Say What?

I'm 3cm dilated and 70% effaced?
We're trading our sporty Lexus in for a Honda minivan?
The Bears beat the Steelers?

What the heck is going on this weekend? ;)