11.28.2012

Chapter 42: Post Pregnancy Update!


After you were born....

I saw a post similar to this on a blog and I thought it was a great idea. I know there will be many things that I will forget as the weeks, months, and years pass by. Therefore, this post will be a great way to document the facts, funnies, and let's forget!

How Far Along? We made it to 36 weeks! Wahoo- praise the Lord! I was admitted into the hospital for a week of bed rest due to high blood pressure. The 5 nights in the hospital was one of my "let's forgets." There was one good thing that came with my stay... heartbeats! We were able to see our little girls heart rates multiple several times a day! You may think I got bored.. not really! Thankfully, I had many family members, friends, and nurses to help pass the time! TV's shows, magazines, Pinterest tagging, and Facebook browsing were among the things that kept me busy. We were fortunate that my blood pressure didn't cause any worry to our little girls. They were trucking along just great. I think if it wasn't for my blood pressure, we could have gone to our 37 week goal. (Dr. Ann Marie has a theory about the high blood pressure.. but, Michael says that I am not a Dr. so, I won't bore you with that story. Ask me in person! Let's just say, my blood pressure was back to normal once I got to the hospital.)

Size of of babies? On October 11th,  Layton weighed 4 lbs 12 oz and Hadley weighed 4 pounds 15 oz. One of our worries was that they would lose weight once we were home. At their two week appointment both were over their birth weight and our pediatrician was pleased. Both of the girls have continued to gain in weight and length.

Maternity Clothes? By week, 3 post babies... I was done with maternity clothes! Well, almost. My non-maternity shirts and pants fit, but some just didn't fit the best! For now during the day I wear comfy clothes! Workout pants and tank tops are what I live in most of the time.

Weight Loss? I gained 30 pounds while I was pregnant. At my post 2-week appointment I'd lost 20 pounds. By my 6th week check-up, I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight! I now understand the whole "your body will never look the same." This is true!! The second I look at Hadley and Layton.... they are absolutely worth it. I was very fortunate to not get any stretch marks during my pregnancy and feel very thankful! I just have to remind myself that this belly carried two babies for 8 months. It will take a few months to get back to normal. Normal....yeah, probably never going to happen but for now, bring on the running!! Our running stroller is set up and ready for the girls! (I can't wait for Spring time!)

Milk does the body good! (GIRLS read only...a little T.M.I for boys) My breast milk slowly came in while we were in the hospital, a few days after we left hospital it arrived! While in the hospital Michael and I had a fabulous feeding system. The girls nursed, I pumped and gave them my milk by a syringe, and then we did a little bit of formula (due to not having enough milk from me for twins) Repeat, repeat, repeat! We continued this while in the hospital and once we arrived home we continued! MAN... talk about exhaustion! We continued with "snack time" (nursing), pump, Michael bottle feed, repeat, for the first week. Then around week two- IT happened.. sweet Layton was a hard sucker... which caused some bleeding on my end. OUCH!! OUCH!! As this was very painful and brought tears to my eyes... I began to pump breast milk and to begin complete bottle feeding. This in a way was a God send, as now Michael can help with each feeding. I knew that I wanted them to have my milk and was bound and determined NOT to give up. I took it week by week. It was hard at first, and still is, but I CAN and WILL do this!

Sleep? Let's just say it was (very) rough at first. We felt like walking zombies. We have since then adjusted. We knew we wanted to start out doing the night feedings on our own. Even though my Mom was with us for the first week, we wanted to try the night feedings just the two of us. It wasn't that bad... since the girls are such great sleepers. Mommy brag moment- The girls have done fabulous since night one home with us! (it was Michael and I that had to get used to the lack of sleep!) The girls have done great with getting their nights and days correct. This was something I worried about at first, but our strict routine of having a dark room with a sound machine/lullabies at night seemed to work wonders! The wonderful part is how fast they fall back asleep once we have changed their diapers and have laid them back in their cribs. They will lay there wide eyed... yet, fall asleep after a few minutes. 
THANK YOU, LORD!

Post Pregnancy: What I Miss? Feeling Hadley and Layton move while in my belly was wonderful! I do miss that, yet seeing them kick and move here at home makes everything better! I have to say that I miss being pregnant as I truly loved each week! God blessed us with a wonderful experience.  

Pregnancy was a blast and post pregnancy can be difficult at times but mostly wonderful. I can't help but remind myself that these two girls are gifts that we were given and intrusted to raise!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 
{As a family we can do it}
Michael and Me
Layton and Hadley

Chapter 41- 7 Weeks Old

{7 Weeks Old}
You are both getting so big!
You continue to, oh so cutely, stretch out your legs and arms once we un-swaddle you.  You are also both grasping at objects with your hands much more! Watch out ladies... you may want to pull up your hair before grabbing a baby! 

swing, swing, swing
You both have a strong love for your comfy little swings. 
ZZZzzz.... You are both still on a 4 hour sleep schedule.
Grub Time: You are both taking around 4 ounces of milk at each feeding.
Weight:  You both seem to growing wonderfully! You are starting to have a few lovely rolls/creases on your upper thighs.  I can't wait for your cheeks to plump up.
While you are awake, I enjoy talking and singing to each of you. I try and describe things that I see.  I can't wait for you to talk back. (we have a while!) I know when I am talking to you, alone in the house, I may seem/sound crazy but I know that sounds and sights are all learning opportunities.  
We are looking forward to welcoming December with our 8 week old twins! You both have your Christmas stockings hanging at the end of each of your cribs! Welcome Santa!
We will be going for your 8 week check up next Thursday!

Chapter 40- Oh the Joy...

Having twins has been a blessing! I am so grateful for these two additions to our family. 
We thank God daily for each of them and as much as we love them, the first few weeks with new born twins can be exhausting, enjoyable, and funny!! Funny? Oh yes!

One morning, I decided that blueberry muffins sounded great. I gathered the ingredients needed and poured the mix into a bowl.  Right about the time as I was about to start mixing the ingredients, one of the girls started to wake.  One feeding led to another feeding and one diaper change led to another. The day continued on...
My Mom came over that evening and as we were standing in the kitchen we both laughed as my blueberry muffin mix and ingredients were still sitting on the counter.. not mixed or made.
Oh, the joys of being a Mom of multiples.
Diapers... who would think different brands would truly be THAT different.  Momma's to be... let me just tell ya, THEY ARE!

Pampers VS Huggies  
Newborns have interesting and all types of poopy diapers. Gross, I know!  Michael was helping me with the 6am feeding before he headed to work.  He feed, changed, and put down sweet Hadley.  Off to work he went.  About an hour later, I received a phone call from him. Yeah, you guessed it! Hadley had pooped while eating and it had come out of her diaper and onto Michael's pants. :( Poor Michael spent the work day with baby poop on his dress pants.
Oh, the joys of being a Dad of multiples!
P.S.
 Pampers.. you ROCK!
Huggies.. you did the opposite of hugging sweet Hadley's bottom. YUCK!

11.21.2012

Chapter 39- Thankful

We have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. When you have a child (or 2!) your holidays seem to mean more, much more!
Thanksgiving is all about family, friends, fun, and turkey! Try and enjoy all of these things as the holidays fly by so very fast.
My 10 "Thankful's"
1 wonderful husband
2 precious baby girls (6 weeks old)
3 day weekends
4 loving parents (now grandparents)
5 wonderful siblings (2 sisters, 2 brother in laws, and 1 sister in law)
6 week old twins
7 hours of combined sleep :)
8 months of a healthy pregnancy
9 months till the summer (I can't wait for the girls to splash in the pool)
10 kisses (or more) on the forehead of each baby makes life more enjoyable.
God has blessed Michael and I with two of the most precious gifts this holiday season. I was talking with Michael about how easy it would be to feed just one baby, diaper one baby, snuggle one baby, put to sleep one baby, the list could go on.  We just laughed at the thought of that! Then it made me realize that if that were the case, we wouldn't have one of our girls.  The thought of not having one of their sweet faces doesn't seem right. Therefore, double the work is worth it!  As I sit here and look at both of them, I couldn't feel more blessed.
Thank you Lord for the blessing of Hadley and Layton.  You knew we could do this before we did... we'll keep truckin' along. Keep your hand upon us as we transition from Michael and Me to Michael plus 3.

Thank God in everything no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks, for this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus .
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Enjoy your holidays with all of your "Thankfuls".



11.09.2012

Chapter 38: 1 Month Old

11/10/2012
Happy 1 month birthday!


{One Month Check Up }
Layton Aaron
11/10/12
Weight: 6lbs 9oz
Height: 19 1/2in
Head Cir: 13 3/4
Vaccine: Hep B

{One Month Check Up }
Hadley McKee
11/10/12
Weight: 7lbs 1oz
Height: 19 3/4in
Head Cir: 14in
Vaccine: Hep B

The weather is beautiful here in McKinney!  I am soaking it in as long as I can! (If you consider taking the dogs out in the backyard for a few minutes counting!) It has been in the 70's this past week. Next week it is supposed to get into the upper 60's, which is still wonderful!

**What have we been up to this week?**
On Thursday, we went on our first outing! Well.. you stayed in  the car in your car seats, but it was still nice. We went through the Chick-Fil-A drive through and I enjoyed my first sweet tea in I don't know how long! It was wonderful. We then headed to Ashley Elementary to see my friend, Becky. She got engaged this week and I couldn't wait to hug her neck and see her beautiful ring. She ran outside to show off her bling and other staff members made their way outside to take a peak at the two of you. We then made one more stop to drop off your car seat covers to get monogrammed. Fortunately, they are being done by my friend, Michelle, and she came out to the car to get them and see you! You both stayed cozy in the car. To top off the week, we went to your 1 month check up appointment. It was a fun week and you both are growing and doing great!

Your Great Great Grandma's and Grandpa are coming in town on Monday to visit you two! I can't hardly wait until they arrive.

You are so loved by so many!

11.01.2012

Chapter 37: Our Cinderella's




The thought of watching these two baby girl's grow up with Michael as their Daddy makes my heart burst. This afternoon, while Hadley and Layton were sleeping soundly, this song was playing and it brought me to tears. The thought that they are ALREADY 3 weeks old and knowing that they will continue to grow up fast makes me sad. I just want them to stay little! One day, Michael will be dancing with his little Cinderella's. As much as I can't wait for that day, I'll sit back and enjoy every moment with these two precious girls!
You are our little Cinderella's!