Busy February

This has been a VERY busy month for the Wonder Twins. The grandparents did another tag team hand off. We started off with Paco helping us out January and into February and Grandma H came in for the last 3 weeks of February.

The twins had their 4 month check up the beginning of the month, but because Ben was starting to get sick and had a slight fever their shots were postponed two weeks. Then Miss Audrey caught her brothers cold and we postponed their shots another week. Everyone ended up getting sick, but for some reason the Cold Gods were good to me and I was able to dodge the cough, stuffy nose, aches and fever!

(click on pic to enlarge)

In the meantime I took them to the polls for the history making primaries. I held Audrey as I voted, being very proud as a registered voter, woman and mother. We also celebrated their first Valentine's day and more importantly, prepared ourselves for their nanny.(click on pic to enlarge)

I go back to work in a week and we decided to go the nanny route instead of daycare. Leila, who is Persian and lives the next town over, started this week. The babies love her already, which makes my going back to work a little less stressful knowing they are in such good hands.

The twins are more and more active. They are both on the verge of rolling over, they babble - (especially Miss Audrey, who I'm afraid will take after her father with the gift of gab!), they are intentionally grabbing objects and tracking everything in their sight. Ben raises his right arm for high five at every opportunity. In a week or two we'll introduce solids - can't wait for that fun :P!

We are now getting ready for another Grandparent hand off for the month of March as Grandma C gets her second tour of duty!

Here's some more pics from the month:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/90777815@N00/QNq8N2

4 months and a year

The twins went for their 4 month checkup this past Friday.
Audrey weighed in at 13 lbs. 9 oz. and is 24 inches long. This put her in the 45th percentile for 4 month old girls. Good job Audrey!
Ben weighed in at 13 lbs. 15 oz. and is 24 inches as well. And although he weighs more than his sister, he's at the 25th percentile for 4 month boys. Still, his growth chart looks great as he wasn't even on the chart when he was born!
It was a year ago at this time that these babies were conceived and we found out I was pregnant. What a year it's been!
A friend commented that our lives have changed more than anyone she knows this past year. That is true TWO fold!

Here's some video of Audrey chatting and Ben Smiling...

Another month older

In a few days the twins will be 3 months old. They are continually growing by the minute and starting to really recognize voices and take notice of their surroundings.
Ben is continually smiling and cooing and has learned to grab things while Audrey is more serious and would rather let you do the work while she soaks in all the sights and sounds around her. It's amazing the differences in them at this young an age. Ben is solid, a true boy through and through. He moves with conviction and squirms like mad when you hold him. Audrey is light and dainty to the touch and will gladly let you cuddle without any struggle. Both must be closing in on 12 lbs. by now.
We dressed them up for Christmas and had a little fun - something that I'm sure we won't get away with in years to come! Here are the latest pics:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/90777815@N00/8DBXB2

Two Months Old

We went for their two month check up today. Can't believe it's been two months!
I'm happy to tell they are both healthy and growing fast.

Ben surpassed his sister weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 oz and 21 3/4 inches long! He doubled his weight, while his sister Audrey is pacing herself and weighed in at 8 lbs. 4 oz and 21 1/4 inches long. They got their first round of shots - seeing them poked and prodded and the ensuing crys were heartbreaking. But we got through it.

Many of you haven't seen the twins in action - so I uploaded some video to show their talents... which at this point consists of burping, crying, pooping and squirming... enjoy!

The many faces of Audrey:



Audrey and Ben at Thanksgiving. You can really see their personalities in this one - Ben: calm and collected, Audrey: active and boisterous!

Two week Checkup

Went for our two week checkup on Tuesday.
I'd like to say time is flying by, but the fact is, with very little sleep and so much to do, the days are dragging out and blending into one another. Personally I will sigh a bit of relief when they finally get out of primi status and can fit into newborn clothes. Maybe then they will be able to sleep more than two hours at a stretch.

But a good portion of relief came as their two week checkup went great. They surpassed their birthweight by leaps and bounds. Audrey weighing in at 5lb. 15 oz. ( almost 6lbs!) and growing a whole inch to 19".
Ben weighed in at 5lb. 4 oz and keeping up with Sis growing an inch as well to 18 1/2 inches.
Phew! Stuffing their faces paid off! Now if we can just figure out this sleep thing!
:)

Here's some pics from their first week:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/90777815@N00/2n1061

I'll try to post more, but can't promise anything as I have to give up my precious nap time to do anything other than feed, change and comfort them back to sleep.

JOY!

Welcome Wonder Twins!

They have finally arrived!
And their secret identities are now revealed:

Baby A: Audrey Inez
Born 10/02/07 at 1:27 pm
5lb. 12 oz

Baby B: Benjamin Joseph
Born 10/02/07 at 1:28 pm
4lb. 11 oz.

The doctors said that Benjamin was a gentleman in the womb and let his sister have more of the nutrients, ergo the one pound difference. They were identical weights all through the pregnancy, but it seems the last two weeks took it's toll. After an initial scare of low blood sugar on his part, he recovered quickly and both were able to come home with us.

We can't be more thrilled and excited on this next adventure!

...And away we go!

The date has been set!
I had two more blood tests taken this past week and both came back with some abnormal levels indicating preeclampsia. Even though my blood pressure has remained normal, the Doctor doesn't want to take any chances and these guys are coming out tomorrow at 37 weeks.
I'm scheduled for Tuesday October 2nd at 12:30 pm PST.
In less than 24 hours Our Wonder Twins will be here!
Can't wait!!!

Stay of C-Section

Went to the OB yesterday. I thought I'd get an official date for the birth, but no such luck. Shows how much I know!
My blood pressure was high again at the office - 145/75, but at home it stays normal as long as I lie down and rest. They took a stress test again and the babies are doing well, considering the cramped quarters. So the OB wants to evaluate me again in a week and we'll go from there. Hopefully, I'll get a firm date at the next appt.?
At this point, I just want to make it to week 37 (Tuesday the 2nd) and I'll be happy!

One might wonder what the weight gain of pregnant women of twins entails...here's some statistics I found interesting...

Babies - 12 lbs. (currently)
Amniotic Fluid - 4 lbs.
Placentas - 3 lbs.
Uterus - 3 lbs.
Breasts - 2 lbs.
Body Fluids - 4 lbs.
Blood - 4 lbs.
Maternal Stores
of Fat, Protein &
Other Nutrients - 10 lbs.

Total: 42 lbs.

36 weeks

Went to the specialist last Thursday and all was well. My Dad and Dave both went to witness the detailed ultrasound. It was a great relief to hear that both babies are hanging in there and doing well. They are pretty much on track for twins, with Baby A - the girl still a bit ahead of the boy in weight. She is really stuck down low and a bit behind the boy, it's difficult to get a proper measurement of her head, so her weight may be a bit off.
I've been on complete bed rest for a little over a week now, and I'm grateful that it won't be much longer. Lying on your butt all day is tiring! :(
Fortunately I've been waited on hand and foot by Dave and Paco. Don't know how I'd manage without!
I should find out when these little guys are going to come out at my OB appt. this Wednesday Sept. 26. I'm sure he will perform a C-section given my condition and the fact that Baby B has turned a bit and no longer is head down. Odds are it will be at 37 weeks, which is next Tuesday.
Stay tuned...

Baby A - 5lb. 11oz.
Baby B - 5 lb. 3oz.
Weight gain to date: 45 lbs.

Slammer Time

At my Doctor appt. on Friday I ended up having slightly elevated blood pressure reading and was admitted into the hospital for overnight evaluation. The doctors wanted to make sure I didn't have pre-eclampsia and had me stay overnight where they tested my blood pressure every half hour. (oooo fun)
Fortunately my bp came down quickly and stayed down for the duration and I was allowed to go home the next day.
But, as a result I'm on complete bedrest until these guys come out. According to the OB, they are going to keep a close eye on me and deliver at the first sign of distress. Looks like the longest they are willing to push it is week 37 which is in 2 weeks. We are all hoping that I can last that long!
The good news is that they did a stress test on the babies on Friday and again in the hospital and they both were doing great - hearts beating in synch so much that it mystified the nurses.
We'll keep you all posted!