Picture Overload!

With twins, it’s hard to find time to blog. It’s 2 days shy of being a month. And infants take a lot of my time. I’m not complaining. I love every moment of it. I finally feel like I have a moment that I can update everyone. Be prepared for a picture overload! I promise to try and do a better job now that Colt and Cora are 5 weeks old. We had professional newborn pictures taken this morning. I cannot wait to get the proofs back next week.

I can’t believe how popular the twins are when we are in public. It’s amazing how many people stop to see them. We get the questions, “Are they twins?” “Are they boys, girls, one of each?” It takes us twice as long to get through a store, but I don’t mind.

Colton and Cora had a 2 week weight check. The Dr. said he wanted them back to their birth weights at 2 weeks. Colt was 5lbs 1oz at birth and was 5lbs 2oz at 2 weeks. Cora was 5lbs 7oz at birth and was 5lbs 9oz at 2 weeks. At their one month wellness appointment on Monday (they were 4 weeks 3 days old) they were both 6lbs 9oz. I’m not sure how they were the exact same weight. Both babies are healthy and growing.

The neatest thing happened after their one month appointment. Shawn had to work, so my mom went with me. We went to Applebee’s afterwards. As usual, they drew a crowd of people. One lady leaned across me and checked out the babies. Later she walked by our table and went to the restroom. When she came back by, she checked out the babies and gave me $20 to spend on them. She said when she walked by, God told her to do something for them because they were a blessing from God. I didn’t explain our infertility, but she has no idea how right she was about them being a gift from God. I thanked her. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before.

October 15th is pregnancy and infant loss awareness day. We lit a candle for our baby we lost. I miscarried January 10th 2012. My eggs were retrieved January 10th this year and our twins were fertilized and created that day. We will never forget the baby we lost. I didn't know if we would ever get to have a baby after that. Thankfully, God had other plans and gave us 2. Although we will always miss our first baby, we are blessed with 4 amazing kids!

I’m so lucky. A week after having the twins, I could wear my jeans from pre-ivf/pregnancy. I am currently 2 pounds under my pre-ivf/pregnancy weight. I’m not sure how I got so lucky, but I’m not complaining! I hope you enjoys the pics!

~Sam

12 Days Old and already rolling.  They could roll from back to belly at 12 days.  They could roll from belly to back at 16 days old.

13 Days Old

2 Weeks Old

15 Days Old

18 Days Old 

5 Generation Family Pics

This is my great grandma who is 96.

3 Weeks Old

 3 Weeks 1 Day Old (My due date, Oct 3rd)

16 Days Old 

16 Days with Aunt Sara 

18 Days Old 

Watching Football with big sis! 

Family Visiting 

4 Weeks Old 

1 Month Old! 

4.5 Weeks Old 

5 Weeks Old

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8 days old

I finally googled the med they gave me after labor.  It was hemabate (carboprost).  http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/hemabate
"Carboprost is used to treat severe bleeding after childbirth (postpartum)." The Dr. used hemabate and pitocin to stop my bleeding.
I can't believe the babies are 8 days old already.  How did that happen?  I'm starting to get a little more sleep.  Not at night, though.  I'm just trying to catch a few more zzz's in the daytime when the babies are sleeping.  It helps!  A lot!

Cora's jaundice levels peaked on Tuesday.  Yesterday's labs showed that they are starting to go back down.  Luckily, they didn't go up high enough that she needed a bili blanket or under the bank of lights again.

The babies had their 1 week check-up yesterday.  The Dr. said they look healthy, other than the jaundice, which is worse when breastfeeding.  I found out its more common with breastfeeding than formula fed babies.  He said that jaundice usually peaks at a week.  When he examined Colt, he said his jaundice looked worse than he thought it would, so we ended up having labs on him after the appointment yesterday and then again this morning.  His levels were higher yesterday, so they are going back down as well.  Whew!  Neither one had to be back on lights.  The Dr. said we don't need to do any more labs unless they stop eating.  That's not a problem.  They are still sleepy eaters, but they still take a bottle after nursing to finish filling up.  They are starting to stay awake longer and are able to nurse for longer periods of time now.  They are both nursing right now.

At birth, Colt weighed 5 pounds 1 ounce.  3 days later (Saturday) he was 4 pounds 10 ounces.  Yesterday he was 4 pounds 12 ounces.

At birth, Cora was 5 pounds 7 ounces.  3 days later (Saturday) she was 4 pounds 14 ounces.  Yesterday she was 5 pounds even.

We are headed back in the right direction.  A 7%-10% weight loss at birth for breastfed babies is normal.  Colton had a 7% weight loss.  Cora had a 10% weight loss.  I'm so glad they have both gained 2 ounces!

Changed into my gown at 6am.  Getting ready to start pitocin.

Getting ready to be wheeled into the c-section room.  I was ready to push here.

I didn't get to hold either one after they were born.  They had to be checked out first.  This was the first time I held them.  <3

Settled in my new room.  I look so pale compared to the 6am pictures.  Blood loss, I guess.

2 Days Old 

1 Day Old with big brother and sister. 

Cora under the bank of lights and on a bili blanket. 

Colton on a bili blanket.

Cora soaking in the sun wearing her protective eye wear.

Sleeping much better back together.

4 days old.  Finally home!

1 week postpartum.  I gained 28 pounds during pregnancy.  I have not lost 26 pounds since giving birth.

Last Door pic

Colt - 1 week

Cora - 1 week 

Snuggles - They love to lay close and touch each other. 

Have a great weekend!  

~Sam