Two Weeks Old

George and Clara are two weeks old today and we are so lucky that they are home! We picked them up from the hospital yesterday evening. The car ride home was a little nerve racking. Because the babies are so small the car seats swallow them up. They did not look comfortable at all! Once home we fed them and put them to sleep. Which gave us just enough time to have the enchilada dinner that the Hall's brought us before the next feeding. Yum! We also celebrated the babies homecoming with a glass of champagne. We made it through the night without any mishaps waking up every three hours for feedings. Honestly I didn't mind waking up to those to beautiful faces. We got about five hours of sleep which isn't too bad. I have to thank the NICU nurses for getting George and Clara on a schedule for us! Today John and I will enjoy more bonding time with the twins and will welcome family over tomorrow for Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this year!!! I am so content having our whole family home.

George ready to go home

Clara ready to go home

A very excited Daddy

A very happy Mommy

Home at last!

So happy to be home!


Bailey loves George and Clara

Goodnight Sweethearts

We made it!

Coming Home!!!

We got the call this morning that we can take the twins home this afternoon. John and I are so excited and we can't wait to go pick them up. We are so proud of our little ones for working so hard the past few weeks. We are so thankful to the hospital staff for caring for them and teaching us so many great lessons. As first time parents we are walking away with a wealth of information and will be better for it. There is always a silver lining in every dark cloud. We will post pictures soon.

Patience is a Virtue

The twins have hit some great milestones in the past few days. They are both in open air cribs. They had a little setback with their bilirubin levels but hopefully after the last phototherapy session they won't need it again. They no longer have feeding tubes and are eating like champs! George is almost back to his birth weight and Clara's weight is on the rise too. We are so happy and thankful for all of their growth and development. While spending time with the twins I find myself just staring at those beautiful faces and smiling. They just amaze me.

Clara Sleeping

George Sleeping

Update

The twins have been in this world a little over a week and they have made so many gains. They went from the level 3 NICU to the level 2 NICU, which means all they have to do to come home is grow. Both babies are eating really well and finally gaining weight. Hopefully within the week they will be out of the incubators and into cribs. I am spending a lot of time at the hospital so I can feed them twice a day. John comes to the night feedings since he has returned to work. He is saving up his days off until the babies come home. The hospital staff are wonderful which makes this whole experience a little more bearable. We are so blessed to have these two little miracles in our lives. Their personalities are already shining through. George is very laid back and goes with the flow. He has a big appetite and loves to cuddle. Clara is a little more sensitive to what is going on around her. She is very inquisitive and is constantly looking around the room. We can't wait to bring them home with us! We are also very lucky to have such amazing friends and family. It's been a tough week and we couldn't have made it through without them. Keep the prayers coming for continued development of our twins.

Clara cuddling with daddy

A sleepy George holding onto mom's finger

Together again

George David and Clara Elizabeth are here!

John and I welcomed our two little angels into the world on November 11. After a little over 16 hours of labor George was born at 8:26 am and was followed by his sister Clara at 9:03 am. George weighed in at 5 lbs 6 oz while Clara weighed 4 lbs 14 oz. When those babies were placed on my chest, it was one of the most amazing and emotional moments of my life. We are so blessed! Four hours after delivery the twins were moved into the NICU due to a quick respiratory rate. Once there they also had difficulty regulating their temperature and feeding. We were finally able to hold them at about 6:00 that evening. I melted the minute I looked into those eyes. The next few days were rather hectic trying to recover from the delivery while spending time in the NICU with the twins. I was discharged from the hospital on Saturday and had to leave the twins there. While having these two babies was the best moment of my life, leaving them was one of the hardest moments of my life. I know that they are in good hands and are receiving the best care. Now John and I spend our time driving back and forth from the hospital for feedings and bonding time. They are improving every day. I know it will only be a matter of time before they come home. I can't wait to be able to take care of them. Please keep the babies in your prayers for a quick and full recovery. We appreciate all of the support from our friends and family. We can't wait to introduce you to the twins!

George relaxing under the bilirubin lights

Daddy and Clara

Mommy and Clara

George after eating

7 weeks down

I turned 30 this past week and on my birthday I enjoyed dinner with my parents, John's parents, and one of my best friends Ashley and her husband. It was a relaxing evening for me since the guests brought dinner. John gave me the most beautiful necklace for my birthday. I am one lucky girl and will cherish it! I am literally laying down all day long now trying to hold these babies off for a few more days. The 36 week mark is this Saturday. Only 4 more days...Yay! I went to the doctor this morning and I am already 2 cm dilated and 65% effaced. Now I really think we will have these babies before Thanksgiving. I am beyond excited and can't wait to see them!

On my 30th

6 weeks down

I had my doctor's appointment this morning and it looks like the babies are about ready to make their entrance into this world. One of them has descended so the pressure is causing me to dilate. My doctor wants me off my feet even more. I am not quite sure how to do that since I've been basically glued to the bed or couch for the past 6 weeks. She really wants me to hit the 36 week mark which is a week and a half away. Send prayers and positive thoughts our way that we make it!

This past week I've become even more uncomfortable and am getting less sleep. Our good friends Jake and Maria came by with their little girl Allison. It was great to see them and see how much Allison has grown. I also enjoyed a visit from my friends Molly and Angela. It was great catching up with them and hearing everything that is going on at work. And of course my dad brought me lunch again this week. He has been such a great support! This Saturday I turn 30 and look forward to a visit from my parents, in-laws, and best friend Ashley. I can't believe we are in the final stretch of our pregnancy. It is just amazing how quickly it has gone. I can't wait to hold these babies!