Christmas is over :(

We had the best week with my family in town! It was so wonderful! I can't thank them enough for all the help with calming crying babies, feeding, burping, diaper changes, help around the house...the list goes on. I'm incredibly sad to see them leave today! Papaw (Melissa's step-father) had amazing calming abilities for Liv. Amanda and Christine (Melissa's sisters) were complete naturals with them - they will both be wonderful mothers someday. Amanda's boyfriend Justin was a huge help with various projects around the house. We missed our brother Matt and his wife Maggie - wish they could have been here too!

Liv and Will are 12 weeks old now. They are really growing! Will is 9 lb 12.5 oz, and Liv is 9 lb 1.5 oz. They are both becoming much more aware of their surroundings, especially Liv...you can talk to her for a long time with her listening quite intently. She especially like listening to Mamaw (Melissa's mom). Will is proving to be a bit of an easier baby, but time will tell, I'm sure.

Bathtime...Will decided I needed to get a little wet too.

Liv and Will enjoying the quilts made by their Mamaw Edwards.

Is she adorable or what?

How many chins do you have Will?

Christmas is near...

Liv and Will are 10 weeks old now. They are past their due date, so I've told them in no uncertain terms that they have no preemie excuses anymore...time to think about sleeping longer at night! I'm not asking for all night, just waking up once instead of 2 or 3 would be a great Christmas gift. I'm not going to hold my breath though. :)

We no longer have the nurses coming to the house, as they do not qualify for continued home care since they are doing so well! That's a good thing, but I miss having them weighed and checked so frequently. We went for the 2 month pediatrician visit last Friday, which went very well...he said they were perfect, which I already knew. At that time, Liv was 7 lbs 13 oz, and Will was 8 lbs 3 oz. They seem to be gaining about 1.5 oz per day, so I'm sure they are well on their way to 9 lbs by now!

They are really starting to act like newborns now. It's pretty amazing how it just switches. They are really focusing on our faces, especially when I'm feeding them, and make the cutest faces! I love this one from this morning...it's just like me and Brent in the mornings. I wake up happy, and Brent takes awhile to get going.

We've started doing tummy time and getting them to focus on small toys. Early Intervention officially starts Friday, so they will be getting their "training" on strengthening their necks and tracking objects. Fun!

My family arrives next week to visit for awhile over Christmas...we're so excited to have them here! Brent and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas (we probably won't post again until after)!

Love to all!

Two Months Old!

Can you believe it? They are 2 months old now (9 weeks today). Their due date is Sunday, December 13th, so they are almost full term newborns! Will now weights 7 lbs 12 oz, and Liv weighs 7 lbs 9 oz...more than doubling their birth weight!

They had their follow-up eye appointment, and both are in the clear! Their eyes are maturing well, so they don't have to go back for 6 months for a follow-up. They have their pediatrician 2-month check this Friday. They also qualify for Early Intervention (see previous post) - had their assessment last week, and will be meeting with them on Wednesday to develop a plan for them moving forward...I intend to take as much advantage of the program as possible!

We've decided to get an au pair for the first half of 2010. Her name is Marie; she is from Switzerland. It will be odd to have someone else living in our house, especially an 18 year old, but we're excited to give it a try! It's a very affordable option, and will keep them out of day care during the flu season.

They are eating 9 times a day now. Seriously, where is that 6/day schedule they were on in the hospital??? I'm still missing sleep desperately, but at least starting to get used to the sleep deprivation. Good thing they're so cute! :)

Do you think we'll catch them holding hands like this when they're older??

Grandpa Nemo came to visit after Thanksgiving.

Oma took them for their first walk.

Sleep, Health Care Reform, and other updates...

Wow. No one ever really tells you how hard it is to have newborns at home, especially preemie twins. They are eating on demand, which is anywhere from 8-11 times a day...each. By the time I feed both, burp both, change both...it's almost time to start again! Needless to say, I've had very little sleep. Thank God for Brent...if he didn't help as much as he does in the evening, I'd be in the loony bin by now! Last night, they went on a 3 hour eating schedule, which allowed me two periods of 2 hours of sleep in between, and I feel like a new woman! In the past, a total of 4 broken hours would not feel good...amazing how that's changed!

Brent and I feel so lucky to have so many great friends and family. My mom stayed with us the first week (oh, how I wish she was still here!!). Brent's mom has been making many great meals and taking our dogs for walks - she's also great at calming Liv with a German lullaby. Our local friends - all whom have families and jobs of their own to take care of - are all pitching in and offering to help...you all know who you are...we can't say enough how much we love and appreciate you.

They are doing great! They were just weighed today by the visiting nurse: Will is 6 lbs 11 oz, and Liv is 6 lbs 10 oz. They are growing a very fast rate, so we must be doing something right! They're actually getting chubby cheeks, double chins, and round bellies...looking more like newborns than preemies. Their official due date is December 13, so they are just 2 weeks away from being considered full term newborn!

Healthcare: I admittedly know nothing about the health care reform issues, but I know for sure that I don't want anything about my healthcare to change. The babies have such amazing care - all through the NICU, special care nursery, pediatrician, eye doctor, visiting nurses, and early intervention. All covered through insurance. Will's eyes are still a bit immature, so we'll be seeing an eye doctor every 2 weeks for a couple of months to ensure they are progressing okay (if not, he may require laser treatments). The visiting nurses come 2 x a week (for one month) for their vitals and general well-being check, so we don't have to take them to the doctors as often. And, early intervention is a state program that they automatically qualify for as preemies...they come to our house and assess their development, and work with them as required. The first assessment is a week from today, which will include 2-3 people (physical therapist, developmental specialist, etc.).

Their Grandpa Nemo (Melissa's dad) is arriving today for a few days - first time he'll be meeting Liv and Will!

Will loves the doggies!

Liv chills in her swing.


Hangin' with Mamaw!

Lieselotta and Waltraud visit

Snoozing with Daddy.

Homecoming

Sorry it's been awhile since I've updated this. It's been an exhausting few days!

Liv and Will came home on Thursday!

The first night was hard, as expected. Being home is quite different than being in the hospital. We didn't really sleep that night...actually, I haven't really slept since they've been home. I think I got a total of 4 hours last night (non-consecutive), which is better than the previous nights! I'm trying to take naps when I can.

I'm so grateful that my mom is here to help so I feel comfortable taking those naps, along with everything else she's doing...I'm so sad that she's leaving Wednesday!

Beyond the lack of sleep, things are going great! It's so nice to have them home! They're eating up a storm, and gaining fast too. Will is 5 lbs 11 oz, and Liv is 5 lbs 10 oz! They are 36 weeks gestational age now, 6 weeks "real" age. And, they are the cutest little kids that ever existed.

Brent is an awesome Daddy! You wouldn't know that he didn't have any experience with babies before this. He gives them their bottles, changes diapers, and handles them like a pro. I'm very proud of him!

We gave them their first bath at home. They loved it!

The dogs have adjusted very well...they love the babies! They always come running when they cry!

I will try to update again soon, but no promises! Sleep comes first!

Some disappointment

A few days ago, Liv and Will decided to team up and have very minor "spells", related to eating. This delayed their homecoming to Thursday instead of today (Tuesday). I was pretty upset, but in the scheme of things, 2 extra days are minimal, compared to the 5 weeks they've been in the NICU. Plus, we'd rather err on the side of caution!

Besides this, they are doing great! They are each ~ 5 lbs 2 oz. They are really filling out, and looking more and more like term babies (although they are still 5 weeks away from that!).

Their "Mamaw" (Melissa's mom) is coming to help out for the first week they're home, which will be so helpful as we try to figure out what sort of schedule we will have! They will be very busy little babies for their first few days here...pediatrician appointment, visiting nurse, eye doctor appointment, early intervention appointment, etc.!

I'll post more pictures once we get them here. Everyone please keep your fingers crossed that there are no more delays!!!

How I'll spend my time for the next few weeks...

Such little peanuts! This is exactly how I want to spend my days...