Chowin'

The girls had a weigh-in on Wednesday and both are working hard to set some records, especially Sawyer who gained 11 oz in 6 days! The goal was 1/2 oz a day...Rylee also did a great job, gaining 5 oz and is now over 6 pounds! We are now cleared until their 2 month birthday....I also had a Dr. apt on Tuesday and got cleared to do "anything that doesn't hurt"...not sure the doc knew who he was talking too, but I'm happy with that report and don't have to go back until the end of October for my final check in.
So on Thursday we took advantage of the beautiful fall day and did our first family outing that didn't involve a doctor's appointment. We had a great walk/bike ride and all were happy. Definitely a success and a wonderful way to get smilin'

This week...so far

Yesterday (the 25th) was supposed to be the girls' birthday, if they had gone full term. They have been working hard these last 3 weeks trying to make it out here in this big world before they were supposed to, and doing a pretty good job. However, there are some things that we will need to be working on, such as sleeping in places other than Dad, Grandma, or Mom's chest, especially at night! Getting stronger latches and nursing for longer periods of time and Mamma getting the hang of simultaneous nursing and managing 3 kiddos who all need some TLC. Thankfully we have an amazing and wonderful support system of family and friends to help us get there, and Chad and I help each other remember that this is just the briefest of phases. Before we know it they'll be running and jumping, just like their big sister. Here are some of my favorite pics of this week so far...
Us girls sticking together and figuring it out

Rylee

Sawyer

Cassidy has been an amazing big sister, being very helpful to me and wanting to be involved in all aspects of her sisters' care

She helped decorate their room with butterflies she made

Pushing them in the swing to help settle an upset tummy

Learning how to help burp is her new favorite thing to do...Love those beutiful eyes!

We also had some firsts...the girls first fresh air and sunshine. Rylee was not happy being on her own, but Sawyer seemed very comfortable outside

First baths...definitely a team effort. The twins were NOT impressed!

Cuddle time with Daddy and his girls

Cassidy getting a kick out of being too big for her sisters' gear

We are a little busy around here, but doing our best to support each other and enjoy all the little moments that make up the good stuff

Milestone

While some times I may feel like we are loosing a battle, we are definitely winning the weight gain war. Rylee was up another 4 oz weighing in at 5.14 (just 1 oz shy of her birth weight) and Sawyer gained another 2 oz weighing in at 5.3, (2 oz over her birth weight) and now able to sit in her car seat! It's still amazing to me that we are celebrating ounces, but I'm getting used to the idea. The doc also said we could wait a week before coming back, so our next weigh in will be Wednesday. YAY! Thank you for all the prayers and support!Rylee, Sawyer

A Good Day

Today was a good day, and a bit busy!

First things first, the most important thing is that the babies are growing. Tomorrow they will be 2 weeks old and Sawyer has broke 5 pounds and is back up to her birth weight of 5.1 oz! YAY...Rylee has also gained another ounce and is up to 5.10 oz, just 5 oz from her birth weight. So we don't have to supplement with formula, but we are going to start adding an ounce of expressed milk after two feedings a day and keep at the 3 hour feeding schedule. It is a lot to manage, but it's working and I know temporary so for now I just say Moo! Our next weight check is Thursday.

Another event today was to have the dead tree in our yard taken down. This is the first tree on our place that we've hired out, and after watching the process and how unstable that tree was, I'm very glad we did and that we did it before winter and the big winds hit! It was amazing to watch the crew of 5 work, they were here, set-up, and cleaned up in an hour....WOW!

The trickiest part seemed to be getting the big bucket truck into position

Topping the tree without it falling into the septic drain field was tough, but they handled it well and were impressive to watch

To finish off the day, Cass and I took advantage of me feeling better/stronger and the sunshine to get Ziggy out and about. We were both having a blast and it felt soooo good to be outside!

Whew, what a day! But a good day that we are so very thankful for.

Date Night

Cassidy and Chad had a special Date Night and went to a fellow officer's wedding. Cass was thrilled to go with her prince...

Cassidy's friend Kiersten was at the wedding too, and the girls made quite the pair on the dance floor...one more glimpse of the trouble that lies ahead!

Weight Check

We had our second Doctor's apt today for a weight check on the girls. It went ok, Rylee is up 3oz to 5#9oz but Sawyer stayed the same...she hasn't lost or gained. Everything else continues to look great, no jaundice or any other complications and we had our first twin funny moment while getting them dressed after their weigh-ins. Both girls were naked and Chad and I were putting on their fresh diapers and both started peeing at the same time. Now I know boys have a reputation for having a "water fountain" effect when peeing without a diaper (they even make little pee-pee covers; they look like tee-pees hahaha) but let me tell you, little girls have the same effect! We left with an extra bio-hazard bag (they said that was all they had in the plastic bag department, but I think they were just trying to be funny) filled with 2 blankets and 2 outfits and we'll be back on Monday for another check-in. If Sawyer still isn't gaining (the doc would like to see at least .5 oz per day) then we'll have to start supplementing again.

No words needed.....

Coming home, Staying home

I'm sorry I've been a little delayed in getting new pictures and keeping you posted with the updates. Yes, we are home, as of Saturday the 10th. After 24 hours of feeding non-stop and supplementing with formula, both girls started to gain some weight. Rylee came back up to 5. 5 (from 5.3) and Sawyer up to 4.10 (from 4.8), so we started the process of going home. The next tests came with the actual transportation part. Sawyer, being under 5 lbs, could not ride in her car seat and we had to buy (yep, buy, not rent) a car bed for her to travel in. Rylee, being under 6 lbs, had to undergo a 90 minute car seat stress test measuring her oxygenation level (staying above 90%) that had to start over if she cried or moved to much...YES, 90 minutes! Thankfully, after having a chat with the first brisk and somewhat unfriendly nurse, I was able to fill Rylee's tummy and get her to drift off to sleep while hooked into her car seat....she looked SO little, and the test is a good thing as her neck muscles aren't very strong and the concern comes from her not being able to support her head and then not being able to get enough oxygen. However, my girl is already strong and passed with flying colors. WHEW! Then it was on to getting dressed in the traditional going home outfits, packing up, settling into the carseat/bed and heading home. Cassidy was very excited and full of help...when she saw her car seat in the middle of the twins she gave Chad a huge hug and said "Thanks daddy, now I can hold both their hands!" Oh, my sweet lil' peanut!

Sawyer

Rylee

Finally at home, the girls got to meet the rest of the family. Echo was great, no big deal she said. Mossy was surprisingly (and thankfully) very good as well, although much more curious about those little toes, noeses, and ears! She has not been bothered by the fussing or jealous with the lack of attention all of a sudden and continues to be very curious and gentle. Another big WHEW!

I wanted to throw in a little comparison....The order goes Rylee (white), Sawyer, Cassidy...any family resemblance?

Cassidy helping Rylee get settled in...I love that proud big sister smile

Chad getting comfortable with the girls and catching up on some sleep

My 3 girls and one lucky Mama

Another comparison....Sawyer showing off the frog pose, passed down from Cassidy


Grandma's have been wonderful and so good to Cassidy, making sure she she is still getting the attention she needs...Grandma Margie and Cass have been making butterflies to decorate ALL the rooms in the house (thank you Lori, she loves the!), and Grandma Kit came down to give her some 1:1 time while the rest of us went to the twins' first Dr. apt on Monday...


At the appointment we found out the crazy feeding schedule is working. Sawyer is now up to 4.14 and Rylee is up to 5.6. As long as the girls keep growing, I'll keep making it work. My day is pretty much nursing for 45 minutes every 3 hours, pumping at least 4 times a day and feeding on-demand in between...the girls sure do make pretty accessories though and it will slow down soon. It's not too hard to remember that they should still be in the womb and need a little extra TLC....no problem, I love that skin-to-skin cuddle time and this is for sure the Good Stuff! We also found out that the girls are IDENTICAL twins...I'm still not convinced, but we'll see! Our next Dr. apt is Friday and by then hopefully both girls will be over 5 lbs.

Big Sister

Cassidy came in today with gifts for her sisters. "I brought babies for my babies!" and was very excited to give them to them. She even had picked which was for which, the pink for Sawyer and the purple for Rylee...she is so sweet!

She got some good Mamma time too, starting to feel more comfortable the better I look (no more extra tubes or poor color). She told me yesterday "Mamma, your tummy is getting smaller"...I love that girl!

Cassidy and Rylee..she is so proud and was very helpful telling me her sisters are hungry when they woke up crying

The other "big sister". Sawyer getting back at Rylee for all those months she spent sitting on her! We'd move her away and she'd go right back, and the funny thing is that Rylee never moved away or protested!

We have such sweet girls and I know Cass is going to be a wonderful big sister. She has been a little overwhelmed coming to the hospital but is definitely "quietly excited" about her new sisters. She loves to see them wearing the shirts she made them and then wore the t-shirt they gave to her with hand prints to preschool, making sure her teacher saw. She is amazing.

Day 3

This morning, the decision was made to keep the girls (and me) another day, mostly due to their weight. Sawyer started off at 5#1 oz but has dropped to 4#8 oz and Rylee who started at 5# 15 oz is down to 5#3 oz. Unfortunately, that is over 10% of their body weight and while it is normal for all babies to drop weight the first few days, our girls just don't have that much to spare. So, we started on a new feeding routing that includes pumping and supplementing with formula in hopes to at least stabilize their weight and then to start gaining and growing. The rest of their numbers look really good, including their jaundice, respirations and body temp so as soon as the weight turns around, we can go home.

Rylee getting some formula supplement from a cup

Chad snuggling with the girls (while I'm updating the bolg). Rylee is on the outside, Sawyer is next to Daddy.
I am mostly upright and the soreness is being easily controlled with the pain medications. Chad and I even took a short walk outside in the sunshine today and it felt great! My doctor decided to keep me admitted just to help me continue to get stronger. I can't wait to get the girls home and our whole family together to start the next chapter in the Good Stuff.

Happy Happy Birthday Girls

Our adventure started at 5am when Chad & I left for the Hospital for the "C" section scheduled at 8am to welcome our twin girls.

Rylee Elizabeth was born at 8:22 am weighing 5 lb. 15 oz. and 20 inches long. Sawyer Ann was born at 8:24 am weighing 5 lbs. 1 oz. and 19 inches long. Both healthy and strong.

Mom is back in the room at 10 am to get the first good look at my beautiful girls.

The verdict is still out on weather they are identical or faternal. Should know by the end of next week. For the record, Chad says identical but I say faternal...Feel free to place your bets!

Getting skin-to-skin time with Mom and eachother.

Cassidy getting used to her new job as a big sister and adjusting well.

Our first new family of five photo!

Thanks to all our amazing family and friends for their support and encouragement whether in prayers, phone calls or in person. We are very Blessed to share the Good Stuff with such a wonderful village. HERE WE GO!!!!!