just to hold you over

So, I was going through so videos yesterday, and I came across this gem.

When Lori and I found out we were pregnant, we decided to go visit Deedahn in Europe because we knew it would probably be one of our last chances to do so. We stayed with him in Paris and did a nice long trip to Germany. Lots of pictures were taken and Lori got pretty used to me turning the camera on her for a quick shot.

In this video, you find us waiting outside one of the castles for a tour. To kill time, I decided to put the camera on video. Lori didn't know that, so, here's the result.

If you have ever looked at our pictures and thought, "My that Lori sure does make some great faces. I wonder how that happens?" Well, question answered. she practices.

happy holidays everyone!

Ian

This blog entry was days in the making...oops

When you are about to have a baby, or when you do have a baby, advice and opinions arrive by the truckload. And for the most part, they're all appreciated.


I think there was one piece of advice we received that honestly scared the poop out of us. Here it is:


"I'm sure either you've been told this or you;'ve already figured it out but things are going to change between you and Lori--some for the best, some things not exactly for the best. Just go in to it expecting some change and know that you'll be in "baby jail" (I had some slightly prozac-ed mom of two explain this to me on a plane one time) for a little while and slowly but surely you'll go from maximum security to minimum secruity to the county lockup to parole."


This made us a little nervous. We sought the advice of another couple, who also knew the couple giving the advice. They said that yes, things change. But you have to start seeing each other and your relationship as a team, and operate that way. They made us feel a little better, but there was still that fear that something about us would change.


Now that we're into it, I'd have to say that there is a bit of a change. The change is that I have realized how much of a great team we are. How lucky I am that Ian is the person I'm sharing this with. How much fun we have (still) laughing at the girls' antics at 3:00 in the morning. How every night before bed, we come up with a new game plan. It's like we have a chalkboard charting our next play in a football game. We strategize and scheme ("so...if you take Jane first and twirl her around 3 times, and I take Sylvie and hop on one leg four times, they'll sleep the full time between feedings").

Our experience so far has been that it's easier than we thought (knock on wood). Ideally, we should be getting around the same amount of sleep--it's just broken up awkwardly into 1 1/2 to 2 hour increments. During the day, the girls sleep wonderfully. And they only do 3 things now--sleep, eat, and poop. So, if they're not eating, they're sleeping. And while they're sleeping, we're cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, Christmas shopping, eating, showering...all the things that our friends told us would be impossible to do.

Maybe it's because they're really good girls. That's my Mom's theory. But I can't help but think it's just a phase they're going through--that they were born so early, they will be sleeping for weeks to come. If we catch them early enough (all the signs of hunger in their sleep), they don't even get to the point of crying.

Another idea which I know to be true is that Ian and I are both home, and we genuinely share in the responsibilities. While Ian tends to be on diaper duty, I'm a one-woman dairy farm (not my favorite, I assure you). We've changed the routine several times, and can actually feed them both, change them, change their clothes, and get them back into the crib within 35 minutes. It used to take an hour to an hour and a half.

The girls do change up their schedule on us, though. We were on a strict 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm, 11 pm, 2 am, 5 am feeding schedule. Right on the nose. But various factors played into the shifts. Two nights ago the schedule shifted to an hour later. Yesterday it adjusted to a half hour earlier than the original schedule. As our pediatrician told us yesterday, the only predictable thing about our babies will be their unpredictability.

Ian's parents have been here since Saturday, and Ian just dropped them off at the airport. It was a great visit, and really nice to have them here. Now we have today to gear up for my Dad's arrival tonight.

It will be funny to return to "normal" after all our guests leave. Our schedules have changed a bit for each round of visitors, and our routine has differed. It's been interesting to see how.

We took the girls back to the pediatrician yesterday. Jane is now 6 lbs 3 oz and Sylvie is 5 lbs 2 oz. We actually have to go back again Monday just for a weight check. She likes them to grow an ounce a day, and the girls fell slightly short of that. Our main task this week is to fatten them up big time. And of course, to give them lots of snuggles.

More later, but love to you all.

Doctor Time!

Since that first night, Lori and I have really gotten the hang off this. If we stick to the routine (every 3 hours it's eat time) they are pretty much set. Right now, basically they eat, do their "business" and sleep. In a lot of ways, they are like a cat, but Lori and I don't really like cats, so in that way, they are NOTHING like a cat.

Everyone is doing great, the girls are happy, and Lori is recovering so well. We couldn't have asked for anything better.

On Thursday, they were almost a week old. we went to the doctor for their first visit and while we were waiting, we had them out on the table just hanging out. This was really the fist time they had been up and not swaddled. It was, and you can probably tell from the video, hilarious. Maybe it was a have to be their experience, but it it was funny to us.

Always good to have an iPhone around for this type of stuff.

More to come!

Day to day...

Every day, every minute brings something brand new. And we're still trying to navigate the waters and figure things out. I imagine it will be this way for years.

We're doing well. We ended up staying in the hospital until yesterday, so we had our first official night alone with the girls last night. I'm not going to lie--it was really tough.

But let's back up.

Jeff was here for Thanksgiving. It was quite uneventful on my side, because of my bed rest. Poor guy. I just sat around day and night, but at least he was able to catch up on sleep (my brother is the busiest human alive).

I saw a sign of labor on Thanksgiving--I won't go into detail, just know it was there. Friday morning, I went to the hospital at 8 for a monitoring appointment. All was well.

Friday night, Ian brought me a plate of Thanksgiving leftovers (he made Thanksgiving dinner all by himself, and it was delicious). As I sat, I had a little feeling. Hm.

Let's just say that it is like in the movies. My water broke. I finished my dinner. We called the doctor. Within the hour, Jeff, Ian, and I had our bags packed and were in the car heading to the hospital.

We arrived, checked into triage. They started monitoring. They inserted an IV (how many of these can I get? My arms look terrible from all the IVs and blood draws over the past 2 weeks). An hour or so later, and I was checked into antepartum--the room right next to my old one from 2 weeks ago. Even recognized all my nurses.

I always wondered how my contractions would get worse--how real labor contractions differed from Braxton Hicks contractions, and how they would feel if you always see women screaming on TV.

Then I found out. It's weird how the minute I got to the hospital, the contractions started to feel completely different--they were even in a completely different area of my body. And increasingly, it hurt.

The nurse advised we walk around the hospital for 40 minutes, to see if labor progressed. If I didn't go into active labor, Jeff would have had to go back to the house (only 1 visitor is allowed after 9pm, due to H1N1 security). So, we walked around the hospital, and holy cow. It was painful. Every contraction (about 2 minutes apart) almost stopped me in my tracks. The whole breathing thing becomes a necessity, not just a cliche of contraction.

After 40 minutes, we returned to the room and the nurse came back in. They checked my dilation for the first time--7 cm already. They ordered an immediate transfer into labor and delivery, and the epidural.

By now, there was so much going on and quickly. Monitoring the babies by hand, then using the head monitor for Baby A, giving the epidural (it took them 3 times....not fun). I just bore down, focused, and got lost in the focus.

The doctor came in, told me I needed to start pushing--there were a few in the labor room before we transferred to the OR (all twin births are in the OR, just in case).

Then, it was just coaching, and I had my eye on the prize. The doctors and nurses were amazing--really encouraging and helpful. They told me I got the best patient AND best pusher award. Even in the midst of all that discomfort, that made me happy.

Twin A was out before we knew it, and how unbelievably amazing is that experience. To see her for the first time. After she was checked out, and they brought her to me--she just looked right back at me, and it's such indescribable love.

And then it was time to start from Ground Zero with Twin B. About 45 minutes later, and she was also out.

By the way, 2 notes about the video Ian posted. One: he wasn't crying. :) He was laughing at how funny it was she was already mimicking one of my habits. Two: She was the calm one (we thought). We've since learned otherwise.

Anyway, it was so awesome that Jeff was there for their birth, and he was able to spend 2 hours with them before hopping his flight back to Charlotte. Uncanny, perfect timing.

By now it's 8:00 am, and Ian and I are exhausted. Why must babies always come in the middle of the night? Why don't they wait until you have a full night's rest, and then come?

Everyone at the hospital was great (OK--except for one nurse. She made me feel very grouchy). But otherwise, you feel like they're really there for you and help you out. The babies roomed in with us, so there was little sleep--we're feeding them every 3 hours, and being checked on in between.

The final night, Jane and I were checked out, but Sylvie was admitted into the pediatric unit--they wanted to monitor her blood sugar and slight jaundice a bit more. That night was like clockwork. Ian and I tag teamed our roles, and while we didn't get much sleep, we had a good handle on our girls.

We have to feed them every 3 hours, but with both girls--well, we have found that it takes between an hour and an hour and a half to accomplish this. So, we're left with an hour and a half of sleep in between each time. It's challenging. I can't imagine doing any of this on my own. And, (no offense to anyone with singletons!) if we ever have another, I think it will be a piece of cake. From the birth itself, to feeding, to changing, to holding. How much simpler it would be with only one!

They are absolutely precious. They're so soft and sweet, they smell good. They're cuddly and snuggly. They make cute faces. They make funny faces. They're tiny. They have loads of silky hair. They make us laugh.

Anyway, so we came home yesterday. And a new sense of pride or awe comes over you. You leave a family of 4. You have 2 newborns. They get in the car with you. Life will never be the same.

Last night, like I said, was a bit rough. Not much sleep was had, and they were awake and fussy most of the night. It was frustrating and exhausting. But I ended up getting in almost 2 solid hours of sleep, and woke up refreshed to a sunny Seattle day, and 2 very sweet and cooperative girls. Today, so far, has been great.

And for the next phase--starting tonight, we will have guests for the next straight month. My mom is on her way now--she'll be here tonight. She leaves next Thursday--the same day Ian's parents arrive. They leave on the 15th, the same day my Dad arrives. He's here until the 31st (and I think Jeff will be back at some point during that time). Lots of guest sheet changing for us! But looking forward to it. We had our one night alone with the girls, and now it will be family filled! What to do come January?!?

Anyway, that's all the updating for now. Will try to post more pictures soon.

Love to you all, and thank you for all the emails, voicemails, and well-wishes! We'll try to answer the phone as we can, or email as we can. But our hands are a little full. :)