Back to work

I started back to work last week! It's really weird, working from home with the babies just in the other room, having to ignore them when they cry! I have a very understanding manager, so still able to nurse them during the day, which is nice. They seem to be adjusting just fine... :)

They are down to eating 6 times per day now. They take their bottle around 7 or 7:30pm, and typically in bed around 8pm. They are getting up around 2 or 3am to eat, then back to sleep until 6 or 7am (actually went to 8am this morning!). We're loving this schedule! Now, if we can just eliminate the 2/3am feeding, we'll be in heaven! Will now weighs 12 lbs 4 oz, and Liv weighs in at 10 lb 13.5 oz. Each day, they seem to be a little less fussy and a bit more interactive. It's so much fun when they "talk" to us!

Oma and Papa chatting it up with Will.

Aren't they the cutest babies you've ever seen?!?!

Liv, with her "determined look".

Daddy spending some QT with Will and Liv.

We love bathtime!

Sleep!

I think it's happening. Everyone please knock on wood. They are getting closer to sleeping through the night. We're down to getting up only once in the night. It might take awhile to get rid of that one, but it's much better than the 3 times per night we used to have! It took a couple of weeks of trying a new schedule with them, and it seems to be working. I go to bed early and take the early morning feedings, and Brent stays up later to do a bottle late night and then can sleep in a bit. I'm so thankful for Brent doing that late feeding...I'm finally sleeping, and feeling like a human again!

They are down to eating 7 times per day, although I think it might move to 6 very soon because they are not seeming as hungry for the next feeding as they used to. Will is now up to 11 lb 8 oz, and Liv is 10 lb 3.5 oz.

Will is starting to spend a few minutes a day in his bumbo seat. Early Intervention said he was big enough to start short sessions to strengthen his neck. Liv still has a little growing to do, but she'll get there!

They are both cooing and smiling just a little more each day. I still feel like a lot of the day is about preventing/calming a fussy baby, but that's getting less and less all the time. It feels like they should be further along by now, but I have to keep reminding myself that even though they are 3.5 months old, they're really just about 5.5 weeks adjusted age.

Marie can handle it all!

First walk of 2010!

3 month update

Will is now 11 lb 2 oz, and Liv is 9 lb 13.5 oz. She has not been eating as well as she used to, but I think she's starting to get a bit back to normal. Will is just destined to be a defensive tackle, I think. They turned 3 months old on Jan 6th, but just 4.5 weeks adjusted age.

They are just starting to smile and coo. It's not a regular thing yet, but we are so excited when it happens. I think in a couple more weeks, it should be the norm. It's so fun to see this, rather than just fussing all the time! Remember, with the adjusted age thing, I've been dealing with newborns for a lot longer than most people do, so it's seemed like an eternity to get to this point.

The au pair, Marie, started January 1st. She's adjusting to US living, and doing really well with Liv and Will. I feel confident they will be in good hands when I return to work, which is coming up quick...Jan 25th! I will be working from home, so it will be a nice transition. I'm not sure how I'll do it after a night of little or no sleep, but millions of people manage it...I'm sure I can too!

We'll be heading to Indiana for half of February...very excited about this! I'm lucky to be able to work from anywhere, and I'll be bringing Marie with us to watch the babes during the day. For those of you out that way...looking forward to seeing you all and for Liv and Will to meet you!

Will in a milk coma!

The dogs think they should do tummy time with Liv.

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.