1st doctor's appointment

Alex and Aiden had their first doctor's appointment Friday. Alex is now weighing 4 pounds 8 ounces (down from 5#) . He did grow from 17 1/2 inches to 18 inches. Aiden is now weighing 4 pounds 15 ounces (down from 5# 6 oz at birth). The doctor said weights are okay since they are increasing their milk intake. We will have another appointment on Monday for a weight check. I understand that these visits may be pretty frequent at first until we see them gaining weight at a good rate.

Alex also had a very low temperature (95 degrees). At home I have been having to take it and it remained above 97 most of the time. If it went below, within an hour it was back up over 97. If it remains lower then 97 degrees, I have to call and possibly bring him into the hospital to be put under a lamp to regulate body temperature. He allowed us to take him home because all other vitals were good. When we got home, his temperature rose over 97 again.

Everything is looking pretty good. we just have to keep increasing their feedings as possible and keep them very warm. When they get cold, they burn too many calories also.

1st bath

Because of the extra help we have been able to keep the boys on the same schedule. Of course when I am by myself later they will be scheduled one behind the other. The nurses and doctors strongly recommended that they remain on a schedule to ensure nutrition and enough rest. They cannot use up too many calories or they will not be able to gain weight, and everything is work for them right now.

We are home!

We were discharged Wednesday afternoon. So far we have been doing great. We are so lucky to have family and friends to help out so much. This would be almost impossible without them.

The boys are eating every 4 hours. I am actually getting more sleep now than on bedrest because I had to wake up every 2 hours for medicine and often could not go back to sleep because it was uncomfortable. I am, however, still somewhat weak from bedrest so the extra sleep is much needed. Each will stay awake for an hour or so 2-3 times a day -- luckily it has been all days and no nights.

We can only hope that things continue the way they are right now.

Family and friends

Godparents

Alex's godparents are Jill and Jodi, and Aiden's godparents are Kaci and Kevin.

Grandparents

Hospital

Notice how the boys always find a way to put their heads together. It is the cutest thing!

Pictures

The pictures on Thibodaux Regional's web site are now posted. Go to the link below and you will see Alex and Aiden's name for July 23 as well as baby which is both of them.

Go to
http://www.thibodaux.com/#
Then web nursery. Search all of July and you will find them.

Plenty more pictures to come soon. Babies are keeping me busy!

Alex and Aiden are here!!

Alex and Aiden have finally made it here and they are very healthy!!!!
I started with regular contractions Saturday night, but I decided I would try to wait until Sunday morning so we did not have to wake up Wesley and send him somewhere. It also gave me some time to get a little more rest. I was still not too sure this would be IT. So I called the hosital Sunday morning and they said to come in. I was 4cm and almost completely effaced -- active labor. Since there was a major brain surgery ongoing down stairs, I would have to wait a few hours for the c-section. I was given Brethine again to stop or hold off labor as long as possible so the anesthesiologist to be available. I was put in the operating room at 12:30 and Alex was born at 12:58, Aiden at 12:59. I think it was truely within 30 seconds though. I could not believe how quick they came.

Alex weighed 5 pounds 0 oz. His APGAR score was 8 (7-10 is normal) at birth and 10 after 5 minutes. Length 17 1/2 in. HE barely cried but was breathing well.

Aiden weighed 5# 6 oz. APGAR scale of 8 at birth and 10 after 5 minutes!! Length 18 1/2 inches.

The pediatrician said they were doing wonderful. Alex did have a little trouble afterwards with body temperature and had to be put in a warmer for a couple of hours, but never had that problem again. Both struggled with feeding at first, but slowly picked up. We were not sure if they could come home with us because of the feedings, but the Tuesday night began meeting minimum requirements, so we were all discharged Wed!!

They have been doing even better with feedings since we came home. They are still a bit below normal but above the minimum requirements. They also have not lost more that 10% of their body weight which shows that they are eating enough for now. They will work their way up in the next couple of weeks.

First night home went great. They slept 4 hours between each feeding and so did I. We will be going to the doctor tomorrow for a check up.

Wesley has been wonderful with the boys and wants to help with everything. He ran past me to kiss them yesterday. And did not want to leave this morning to go to the sitters.

I will have pictures up soon -- between naps.

34 weeks

I went in for my 34 week ultrasound, and SURPRISE, they wanted me to go back to the hospital for observations. Of course I was contracting more since I had been riding in a vehicle and sitting and standing for so long, so I was given more medicine both by mouth and through IV. This slowed everything down again. I could not feel most of the contractions and as I met with my high risk doctor again today (they travel to Thibodaux once a week), he said he thinks it is no more than before. Dr Diebold had me stay in until I met with Dr. Newman (high risk) today and then she would feel confident in him making the decision to go home. When Dr Bloss, who was on call in Thibodaux, came in, he said they would not send someone 3cm and 75% effaced home. Well Newman thought it was safe, so Bloss went ahead (with hesitation) and sent me home after lunch.

Now the fun stuff: Alex weighed 4lb 8 oz and Aiden weighed 4 lb 11 oz. Dr Newman said these were great weights for twins. I really thought it would be both over 5 lb from what I have read (such as twins born at this stage being 6lb) , but Dr Newman said that their weights will slow down quite a bit because they have so little room to grow in there. He was not at all concerned. I will be taken off all medicine on Sunday, so more news should come early next week! The picture is of a baby at 34 week, not one of the boys.

One Week Home

Wes has settled back into the "norm" very quickly. It has been so nice to be home and spend a little time with him before we come home with the boys. He has enjoyed helping in any way possible. Folding face towels is one of his specialties that we showed him before we went into the hospital. He is an expert at making sure they are perfect. He continues to love playing cards. Here he is playing battle with Nanny. He always seems to win. And finally, pancakes are his favorite this week. He asks for them the moment he wakes and for almost every meal. Thank goodness for the frozen ones.

33 Weeks

Yesterday made 33 weeks. I had a doctor's appointment today with Dr. Diebold in Thibodaux. I am now 3 cm dilated! And an section is now scheduled to Aug 14 at 7am. She laughed when she said this because we are very confident I will not go that long. Since I know I need a section, she just needs to schedule one at 38 weeks. Dr Diebold gave us the details of what to expect at the section and when I should be sure to call her. If I can make it to Monday she is pretty sure that Thibodaux Regional will be fine with the babies, but it all depends on how well they are doing. I have another appointment Monday with her and Wed with Maternal Fetal Medicine at the hospital (my high risk drs from Baton Rouge). For now, I am just enjoying being home and trying to continue with lots of rest.

We're Home

We were finally discharged from Woman's Hospital this morning. The doctors opted not to do the fetal fibronectin (fFN) test because it would not change their method of treatment. They believe that I am far enough along and the babies are healthy enough if I deliver now. Granted they would still have some time in NICU, but they would be healthy. They believe that I have been stable enough the past month that I should go at least another week which would mean I could almost definately be in Thibodaux. I have a doctor's appointment with Dr. Diebold, my regular OB this week and another with them next Wed. They will measure the babies then, and if the babies weights start to slow down, which often happens at this point with twins, I may be put back in for a section. At this point a section is 99% definate because both babies are in a bad position and the first is already moving down, breeched. If I do not go in the hospital then, I will be taken off all medicine to stop contractions and usually by 7 days will hae gone into labor. So I guess it is very close now!

32 week ultrasound

I hope everyone had a great 4th. Wesley came spend a few hours with us as everyone ate lunch at Nana's. They brought us some wonderful BBQ when we got Wes. It was wonderful to have something home cooked. I don't understand how people can eat out so much. It is slightly less than a month and I could go without eating out for a long time now.

Everything has been quiet here, which is wonderful news. We are still scheduled for the fFN test on Monday and then possibly home bound.

The ultrasound today was just to check the babies for stress and wellbeing, not measurements. They both did wonderful. Alex is still breeched and Aiden transverse. I never get tired of seeing them on the ultrasound, although I can't wait to see them in person.

I will try my best to have a quiet weekend so we can head home Monday. I know a couple weeks home will go by much faster and easier than in here.

32 weeks

We made it to 32 weeks, only 8 more to go until my due date, Aug 28. Of course we are only hoping for 3 more weeks. The babies are doing wonderful and constantly moving. I had 2 comments only this morning about not having much more room to stretch. It seems as if Alex is still breeched and Aiden is still definately transverse over the top of my belly. I can feel his backbone sometimes and arm and leg bones other times when he flips over. It is definately an awesome experience. I never felt this much with Wesley. OF course, like I said, these babies are already bigger together than he was. Hopefully by the end of the week they will be 4 lb, but we do not measure this week -- only every other week.

Wes is enjoying his summer. He is swimming in his pool (We bought it the day before I came in the hospital so I have not seen him play in it yet.) He is so proud that he is wetting his hair. He thinks it is funny. He has also been visiting a lot the past few days with the extended holiday. He has definately won over the nurses. He is getting a popcycle every time he comes now.