all things OWEN & ETHAN: 1 month

To understate it, we live in a state of exhaustion.  I often thank my lucky stars we didn't have triplets (though I'm sure moms of triplets feel truly blessed).  The tiredness aside, the twins are such happy additions to our family.  Wow, we are a family of FIVE.  Crazy.  

Stats

Owen  6 lbs 6 oz, 20 1/2 in, HC 13 3/4 in | Ethan  7 lbs 5 oz, 20 1/2 in, HC 13 3/4 in

Here's the first of monthly chair pictures (click here to see Ryan's first year on the chair).  Let me just say, it's no easy task getting two floppy babies to cooperate.  This is the best we got.

Sleep
Currently we suffer through nights.  There is no routine.  The babies eat roughly every 2.5 to 3 hours.  I feed one, then the other, then pump.  This process, including getting the babies down, cleaning the pump supplies, putting the milk away, etc.), takes at least 1.5 hours.  That means they will be up AGAIN in 1 to 1.5 hours!

Ethan or Owen (I'm not sure which one but I'm certain its one of them) napping with Daddy

I've been saying I but I have to give credit to my baby daddy.  Chris takes the first round.  And though I take the other two, Chris is often up for a few minutes here and there to bring me a baby or get me something when I need an extra hand.

They alternate sleeping in the bouncy seat and the rock n play sleeper.  I need to get another rock n play sleeper (love these things) for when they are to big to sleep in the bouncer.

Owen

Eat
Most days I feel like all I do is feed these guys.   I recall being stressed about feeding Ryan when he was this age because I was breastfeeding and he was slow to gain weight.  That isn't a problem with these guys.  They are gaining weight just fine.  However, my feeding related stress comes from other problems.  First are my breastfeeding woes.  They both latch on but they don't get their mouths open wide enough which in the long run causes me immense pain.  I've seen a lactation consultant for assistance...

In the meantime, the babes are getting supplemented with formula.  This brings me to problem #2.  Owen has a milk protein allergy.  This means the babies are on different formulas, Owen's being a third more expensive.  It also means I can't have dairy.  No ice cream!  I typically eat at least a gallon of ice cream a week so this is a travesty in my book.

To top it off, both boys suffer from reflux.  Spit up isn't much of a problem but the pain is.  It's so sad to watch.  Hopefully the meds kick in soon.


Poop
They both excel in this category.  Add this to Ryans abilities, and, well, you get the picture.

Owen vs Ethan
Ethan continues to be the larger of the two.


Owen is more demanding when it comes to feedings.  His scream is unreal.  Ethan, on the other hand, is a bit more patient.


Ethan likes to sleep with his hands near his face (like his big brother did as a baby).


At the moment, Ethan seems to be a better sleeper.  


Both boys, as do most babies, love to be held.  They both also seem to enjoy the bouncy seats (whether it's together or not).  

And who wouldn't love a Wubbanub?  One of Chris's patients gave him 2 when the babes were born.  I would have never thought this would have been so handy, but now I highly recommend these for any little ones who take a soothie.  Why, you ask?  Well, they help keep the paci in their mouths by putting gentle pressure on it, they prevent frequent drop and loss, and they are so much easier to locate in the house or bag.

Owen

These twins, along side their big brother, are the most loved little boys in all the world!

Big Brother

In the months leading up to the twins birthday Ryan heard, repeatedly, how he was going to be a big brother.  A big brother to two babies.  At times he completely ignored our conversations while at other times he seemed to understand.  He would kiss my belly, twice, and say hi to the babies.  And we knew he knew what babies were because he pointed them out wherever we went...and he had a baby doll.  Of course, we couldn't tell what he actually thought was happening, but I'm fairly certain he didn't realize the impact these babies would have on his world.

Perhaps I'm biased but I've always thought he'd be a great big brother.  And I was right!  He is an awesome big brother.  He always wants to kiss the babies.  He's asked for the babies to sleep with him in his bed.  He goes willingly into the tub when a baby will be joining him.  He helps care for the babies...washing their feet in the tub, burping them, holding their bottles and throwing away their diapers.

The first time we took the babies to the doctor, Ryan stayed with Nonna.  He cried as we left because he thought we were taking the babies back.  It was so sad yet so sweet.  He gets so concerned when he sees only one baby in a room, as if one's missing.  He's simply the best big brother ever.  I digress.

First attempt at a family photo.  The beginning of chaos.

First time meeting his brothers, the first of many kisses.

So proud!

Greeting Ethan as he arrives home for the first time.

Holding Owen for the first time.  He was so excited.

Diaper change line.

So gentle.

So happy to share the tub.

And two of my favorite pictures from the twins hospital newborn photos.

So handsome.

NICU Stay

Although the twins are now perfectly healthy and steadily growing, their first couple weeks weren't so smooth.  Born 6 weeks early, they spent 2 very long weeks in the NICU.  Fortunately, I was able to keep my hospital room after I was discharged until the twins were discharged.  I split my time between the hospital with the twins and home with Ryan.  I was home after Ryan's nap, until he went to sleep.  I slept at the hospital, going to feed and check on the babies every couple hours.  It was an exhausting.

During that time we choose to limit the communication about the babies health.   For starters we didn't want to needlessly worry people.   Their health changed so fast, so keeping people informed would have been a daunting task for 2 very sleep deprived parents.   

And though I'm happy to put their NICU days behind us, I do want to remember.  So, here are my random notes of what happened during their whirlwind stay.  Please forgive the medical jargon and shorthand.

OWEN

5/11  off CPAP, on high flow NC with minimal oxygen O2, increased feeds from 5ml q 4 to 11 ml q 3, breastfed for the first time, kangaroo care for an hour with mom, dad held too, scalp iv


5/13 IV out, TPN/IL off, feeds up to 23 ml q 3hrs, O2 decreased to 1L, had one great breastfeeding session, didn't care for the bottle much today


5/15  Taking breast and bottle well.  Trial off NC.  Feeds up to 32ml q3.  NC back on after 12 hrs off (some desating).  Open crib.


5/17  NG removed.  First 30 min BF session with no bottle f/u.  Isolette d/t low temps, briefly on O2 for desats.  


5/20  Back to open crib.  Car seat test.  Hearing test.


5/22  HOME

ETHAN

5/11  dad got to hold for 20 minutes before work- E loved it, reaccumulation of pneumo causes repeat tap then chest tube, then put on jet vent, got art line, scalp iv


5/12  chest tube to water seal, first attempt at feeds fail and sump put down to decompress belly full of air


5/13  mothers day.  Jet (high frequency vent) off, conventional vent for only 10 minutes to check tidal volumes then put on a NC at 30% O2, chest tube removed, resumed feeds at 5ml q 3hrs


5/14  Increased feeds to 12 ml q3.  Took 2 ml by bottle


5/15  Took 4ml by bottle.  Then 7ml.  Then 12ml.  Trial off NC.  Open crib.  First couple BF attempts.


5/17  First successful BF (10 mins).  IV out.  TPN/IL off.


5/19  first and only night mom stayed home and dad stayed at the hospital


5/20  Carseat test, hearing test


5/21  5 lbs 8 oz, HOME

If you were able to follow that, you may have noticed Ethan's stay was more intense yet he was discharged a day earlier than Owen.  Go figure.  Having been a NICU nurse (in what seems like a previous lifetime) I did have the advantage of understanding their medical courses.  On the other hand, knowing all that can go wrong can be overwhelming.  I would take the nurse side of the NICU over the mom side any day.

Party of Five

Our first outing as a family of 5 was to an outdoor mall.  It was more of a test to see how to get 3 kids under age 2 out of the house, than an actual need to shop.  That's right.  I have THREE children under age TWO.  Well, at least for the next month at which point I will have 3 kids under age 3, that'll be much better right?  Ha.  As for the trip, it was a success.  We strolled around the mall, Ryan and Chris rode the train, we fed the babies and then ourselves, then back home we went.

.

I was stunned by the amount of questions, comments, and stares we received.  Are they identical?  How old are they?  You must have your hands full.  And my favorite, will you be trying for a girl next time?  

I particularly like the sweet glances towards the twins, followed by the 'how crap' look when they realize Ryan is also part of the pack.  With my eyes I say "Yes.  Yes, it is hard having 2 newborns and an active toddler".  Of course, we wouldn't have it any other way.   

My Three Boys

Before the twins were discharged, we took advantage of the hospital provided photographer.  Here are just a few pics...

Click here to view these pictures larger

They're Here!

At 9:30pm on Tuesday May 8th, as Chris and I were getting ready for bed, I started to bleed.  We were in the ER just before 10pm.  Do you know what scares an ER nurse?  A women in labor.  Even scarier is a women in labor, bleeding.  They had me in a wheelchair and on my way to L&D in less than 30 seconds.  As I waited with Chris in our room we overheard the doc tell the nurse to get me ready for a c-section.  What!  I hadn't even been seen yet!  But yes, that was the plan.  The bleeding necessitated a c-section (not to mention baby B was breech, he flipped just hours before).  I was 34 weeks and 2 days pregnant.

The c-section was surreal but more on that later.  Now to the good stuff.  At 11:30pm, we heard Owen Cabe (baby A) cry his first cry.  Followed by the cry of his brother, Ethan James (baby B), at 11:31pm.  We were aware that hospital policy dictated babies under 35 weeks go to the NICU for evaluation.  So, it was no surprise, that after the babies were brought to me for a quick glimpse, they were whisked off to the NICU.  

Owen Cabe

May 8th, 2012

11:30pm

4 pounds, 14 ounces

19 inches long

Ethan James

May 8th, 2012

11:31pm

5 pounds, 11 pounds

19 inches long

They are absolutely amazing, just like their big brother who is anxiously awaiting their homecoming.  Three boys.  Talk about surreal.

- 34 Weeks with the Twins -

Four weeks ago, at 30 weeks, I was admitted to the hospital in preterm labor.  Fortunately, they were able to stop the contractions and a week later I was discharged home.  At that time my doctor told me the same situation was likely to reoccur and he'd be happy if I made it to 32 weeks.  Well here I am at 34 weeks with no signs of these babies coming anytime soon.

Well, I did have one little hiccup.  A few days ago I started having contractions every 3-4 minutes and after a couple hours the doc made me come in to be checked out.   Of course it was late at night so I had to go through the ER and to L&D, but after a couple tests (which said I wasn't likely to go into preterm labor) I was sent on my way.  The same doctor who admitted me last time was there.  He said he was certain I was going to have delivered my babies when he last saw me.  Glad we could prove everyone wrong.

Below are a series of pictures taken at exactly 34 weeks.  Note my legs and feet in the last picture.  Holy canckles Batman.  They are so incredibly painful.  Keeping them up is proving to be very difficult for me, but I am wearing my compression stockings quite a bit (oh la la, I know).

I've gained about 28 pounds.  While I was expecting to gain more by now, the babies are not being affected.  In fact, baby A is estimated to be 5 lbs even and baby B 6 lbs 1 oz.  That's 11 lbs 1 oz of baby inside my belly!  Baby A is right on target and baby B would be considered a large baby even if a singleton.  I guess eating all that ice cream has paid off.  In addition to their amazing growth, I'm constantly told the babies look great on both ultrasound and non stress test.  Go boys!

Don't laugh but I now ride the electric chair if I go out.  Without it there is no way I could make it through big stores like Walmart and Home Depot.  No way.  However, it's so embarrassing.  Especially when your mom is following you with a camera!