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.....