One Month Old

We can't believe our babies are one month old already!  Time is really flying by and the sleepless nights are all running together, haha.  Here are our one month photos along with a collection of pictures taken since my last post.

 

Elsie

 

 

Leonie

 

Leonie and Elsie hanging out with daddy and giving mommy a little break.

 

A sleepy smile from Leonie.

 

And one from Elsie.

 

Besides their doctor appointments, the first outing we took the girls on was to Kroger for a few groceries.  It was really busy due to people stocking up for hurricane Irma but both babies slept in their carriers for the whole shopping experience.

 

The girls really like to snuggle and often sleep on us during the day.  Here's Elsie with daddy.

 

A milk-drunk Leonie on my lap.

 

 

We haven't been getting a lot of sleep so napping happens frequently around here.  Elsie and daddy catching a few zzz's.

 

The twins have had a few visitors so far, including my dad (Grandpa) who came down for a few days when they were two weeks old. My mom is still here helping out and we never want her to leave!

 

Matthew's sisters Emily (holding Elsie) and Margaret (holding Leonie) also came for a short visit over Labor day.

 

40 Weeks

Today was my official due date so I thought we should round out the Bump photos with an after shot of the babies!  Some day when I'm not so tired I will make a collage of all of the photos.

Home Sweet Home

Our new family headed home on Wednesday afternoon.  Here we are in the room waiting for transport.

 

The girls and I hitched a ride down to the waiting truck.  We got lots of oohs and aaahs as we were wheeled through the hospital!

 

Here we are outside the house on the girls' first day home.

 

We spent the next few days resting and adjusting to our new normal.  And gazing into our new babies' sweet faces, of course!

 

Bagheera wasn't too sure of the new arrivals but she is slowly getting used to them.

 

We decided to use the cosleeper for night time and so far it has worked pretty well.  We aren't getting lots of sleep yet (big surprise!) but it is getting better.

 

On Friday we took the girls to their first doctor appointment.  We love their pediatrician and he posed with each of the girls.  Here is Elsie.  Her weight was a little low but after some weighted feedings over the weekend she is back on track.

 

And here is Leonie.

They're Here!

Our babies finally made their appearance this week!  It all started Sunday the 13th around 11:00 in the morning.  I had painful contractions all day and night but they didn't become regular enough to go to the hospital until about 3:30 Monday morning.  When we arrived I was already 5cm dilated and was able to get some pain relief.  Then we waited!  My mom stayed at our house until we were sure we were going to be admitted.  Here we are around noon on Monday all ready to head to the Operating Room for delivery.  All twin births are delivered in the OR in case of an emergency C-section. 

 

It wasn't long before Leonie Sue made her appearance at 12:58 pm weighing 6 pounds 1 ounce and reaching 19.5 inches long.  Matthew announced to the room that we had a girl!  She had a little bit of trouble opening her lungs initially but only needed a little help to get going on her own.  Then Leonie headed up to the nursery for a while so that we could focus on baby number two.

 

Elsie Jane made us work for her arrival but finally made an appearance at 3:26pm weighing a whopping 7 pounds 1 ounce and measuring 20 inches long!  Here she is in front of the scale.  This girl had no health troubles and stayed with us the entire time.

 

Elsie and I right after delivery.

 

 

While Elsie and I recovered back in our room, Matthew bonded with Leonie in the nursery.  They wouldn't release her to our room because her glucose was a little low.  After a little bit of formula and some time she was fine and we were able to all reunite around 8pm.

 

 

Our beautiful girls, Elsie and Leonie.

 

Our first family photo!  It's hard to believe that they're finally here!

 

 

The next day the girls got a bath in between all of the various visits from doctors.  They also had a hearing test, met their new pediatrician, had a few blood tests, and regularly had their vitals recorded.  Here Elsie is "enjoying" a sponge bath.

 

 

Now it's Leonie's turn.

 

Matthew stayed with me the first night at the hospital while my mom went home to take care of the animals.  The second night they switched so Matthew could get some rest before we all came home.  Here's the proud new Grandma with her girls!

37 Weeks!

Yesterday marked week 37!  I'm happy to have made it this far but am definitely counting the hours, haha. Both doctor appointments went well this passed week.  My mom is here now on Baby Watch and she has taken over a majority of the chores.  I'm getting spoiled! If the twins don't decide to come on their own soon I am scheduled for an induction early Wednesday morning, August 16th.  I can't wait to meet these babies!

34 Weeks

We've made it to 34 weeks!  The babies have really been growing over the last few weeks and as of Monday Baby A was 4 lbs 11 oz and Baby B was 4 lbs 14 oz.  Between their weight and how far along I am we have been able to breathe a sigh of relief that they will be just fine if they are born at any time.  My Dr. wants them to come between 37 and 38 weeks but hopefully they will cooperate on their own!  They are both head down at the moment so that's a good sign.  I am definitely feeling VERY pregnant and am ready to be done :)

 

The nursery is getting a little more organized and Matthew put together the cribs two weekends ago.  Thank you Max and Janet for the cribs!

 

They are a little bigger than we were thinking (although they are a standard size) and they take up a large part of the room.  We may have to rearrange at some point but they are fine for now.  They also convert to toddler beds so we will get a lot of use out of them.

30.5 Weeks

I'm a little late with my bump photo this week, but here we are at 30.5 weeks.  It's getting harder to move around and Matthew is taking on more and more of the household chores.  I'm also getting some carpal tunnel in both of my wrists, which makes my fingers numb and tingly.  Good thing we're getting close!

 

We've been getting some other things set up around the house in preparation for the twins' arrival.  Here we set up the co-sleeper to see how it will work next to my side of the bed.  I think that it will be okay, although a C-section incision may make a difference.

 

Last week we found a used glider chair that I plan to use for nursing.  Right now the cats are enjoying it.

 

Finally, some ultrasound photos from my scan last Monday.  Baby A weighed in at 2 pounds 14 ounces.

 

And Baby B measured right at 3 pounds.  Fingers crossed that they keep growing where they are and don't come early!