Four and a half Months Old

I can't believe the babies are already almost five months old! They're so different, it's unbelievable!

At their four month well-baby check ups a few weeks ago, Hunter weighed in at a whopping 16 pounds 4 ounces and Tucker weighed 12 pounds 2 ounces. Hunter is on the big side for their age, while Tucker is on the smaller side - even smaller than Cooper was!

Their personalities are completely different, as well. Tucker is such a happy little guy - always smiling and happy to see you. If he's crying to eat and we just walk past him, he gets really excited and smiles, coos and kicks his legs. Hunter is a happy baby, too, but he takes much longer to warm up. He has to study your face for a while and once he finally realizes that he's getting attention, THEN you'll get some smiles and coos from him.

Please enjoy a few photos of the babies that I took this morning. They're just growing up so fast!

HUNTER






TUCKER

16 Weeks - Pictures!

12 weeks ago

Can't believe the babies are 12 weeks old already. They sure have changed!




TUCKER






HUNTER

smiley Hunter

finally got a little smile from Hunter on camera!



and here's a nakey photo of Tucker, just so you can see how chunky he's getting! (Don't worry, Tucker, Mommy blurred out the embarassing parts!)

Baby Tucker's Squeaky Cry

Just wanted to share this funny little squeak Tucker does!

8 Week Appointment

The babies had their 8 week appointment this week and I'm proud to announce that it went very well! They're growing so nicely and the Doctor was very pleased that they're still exclusively nursing - no formula here! Tucker weighs 9 pounds 11 ounces and Hunter weighs 10 pounds 10 ounces. Definitely some big boys. Each is 22+ inches long, and they have the same head circumference. They got three shots each and it broke their hearts - but they recovered quickly. = )

Also, I decided to brave the grocery store by myself with all three kiddos yesterday and guess what? I SURVIVED! Granted, I only got a couple of things that we needed for dinner last night so I was only in the store for about 15 minutes but still, I did it! I'm sure I looked hilarious pushing a cart with a three year old in one hand and steering a double stroller with two infants in the other. Oh, well. Gotta do whatcha gotta do!

Just a few new pics

Let me say - it is SO HARD to find time to take these babies' pictures! I'm doing the best I can, though, so here is a few new pictures of the twins. They'll be eight weeks old on Tuesday!

Tucker





Hunter

Six Weeks Old!

I can't believe the babies are six weeks old tonight! How unbelivably fast it is going already!

The boys are doing wonderfully. Tucker started showing some colicky signs a few weeks ago, and would scream unconsolably from about 10pm - 4am. Fortunately for us, our good friend, Preston, is a chiropractor and offered to adjust Tucker for us in hopes it would help with the colic. I am happy to report that after the very FIRST treatment, Tucker slept through the night only waking to eat and then right back to sleep. In fact, he hasn't had ONE MOMENT of colic since that first adjustment! Thank Goodness for good friends like Preston and Jeannie!

Here are a few new pictures of the boys. They're really changing quickly now, and starting to fill out. They're both getting chubby cheeks and chins, and little rolls in their thighs. I think they're both going to be chunky little guys!

6 Things About Me

Thanks to my wonderful cousin, Tina, with Belle Adorn Jewelry for tagging me! Love You!

Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged you
2) Post the rules on your blog (this is what you are now reading)
3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below)
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry or post is up.

6 Random Things About Me:

1.) Six weeks ago, I gave birth to twin boys and ended up with a drug-free vaginal birth AND an emergency c-section. Talk about a double-whammy!

2.) I was born and have lived in Kansas my whole life. Some may find the state of Kansas quite plain and boring, but I, for one, love it here, and wouldn't want to raise my family anywhere else!

3.) I have never been on an airplane. Sad, I know, but I hope to someday soon change this fact!

4.) I am a cancer survivor. In May 2003, I had a mole removed from my thigh that turned out to be melanoma. To date, I haven't had any other suspicious-looking spots pop up, and I hope to keep it that way!

5.) My favorite hobby is photography and digital creations. I love making beautiful, custom party invitations, birth announcements, thank you cards, etc. All my friends love my work, so feel free to inquire! I have lots of examples.

6.) I married my best friend. Dan is not only my husband, but my best friend, as well. Most days, I feel like I have the best husband in the world. He works hard as a State Trooper and feels as strongly about my staying home to raise our kids as I do. When he's not on duty, he's at home with me trying his best to help me in any way that he can - and NEVER, EVER complains! I'm so blessed. = )

I am tagging:

* Kathleen, mother of Baby Tyler, a special heart baby

* Kim, my favorite writing friend, and a fellow SuperMom

* My friend, Rebecca, who is more special to me than she knows!

* Mindy, a former co-worker and one of my most cherished role-models and mentors

* Jenn, a fellow twin mom and valued friend!

* Annie, who I miss talking to! We need to catch up, Annie!

A Couple Baby Smiles

Okay, Tucker's smile is definitely a sleepy-time (gas? haha) smile, but Hunter is very much showing the beginnings of social smiles! Yay for baby smiles!

Sleepy Pictures - FOUR WEEKS OLD!

The babies are four weeks old in a matter of minutes - I can't believe it's been four weeks alreaady! Wow, talk about time whizzing by.

Please enjoy a few sleepy time pictures from today. I tried to get some 'open-eye' pictures, but, I had to take what I could get and Tucker and Hunter were just TOO TIRED!

The Birth Announcement

I know everyone has seen this by now, but I just love it so much!

New Hats!

The babies got new hats made for them by a terrificly talented crocheter, Jessi, at etsy.com (check out her shop at TwoSeasideBabes.etsy.com). Just had to share how adorable they look in their new beanies!

Hunter is in blue and Tucker is in yellow.

Pediatrician Visit Yesterday

I'm THRILLED! I was so anxious to get the boys weighed. I think I just needed some reassurance that they are getting what they need and that I am, indeed, making plenty of milk for them. A week ago, Hunter was 5 lbs 10 oz and Tucker was 5 lbs 2 oz - NOW, Hunter is 6 lbs 1 oz and Tucker is 5 lbs 9 oz - they both gained 7 oz in a week! YAY!

New Pictures of the Babies!

Just wanted to share a few new pictures of the babies. I'll update about life at home tomorrow, after we have our check-up at the pediatrician's office. We can't wait to see how much the babies weigh after a week of being home!

In the meantime, enjoy the new pictures of our little blessings.

Monday Morning Update

Yesterday was a good day. Both boys got their circs in the early morning and then we were given the news that Tucker was being discharged at noon. There was just no reason for him to stay any longer.

We were also told that if Hunter did well with his temp over the next 24 hours that he would be discharged today. I spoke with his nurse this morning and he did great all night - so we'll be heading up there to TAKE OUR BABIES HOME this afternoon!

I cannot tell you all how happy we are to finally be going home. As of two weeks ago, I went into unexpected labor and haven't been home since. We've been extrememly lucky to be able to stay with Dan's parents and they've been more than generous to us these past two weeks. But it will feel so nice to be home. And more than anything, Cooper needs to go home. He is so home-sick it's heartbreaking. He tells us everyday how he just wants to go home.

I'll keep you all updated. I probably won't be around for a while as we get accustomed to having TWO newborns to nurse and care for around the clock. Developing a good routine will be my next venture!

Love You All.

Saturday Night Update

Well, we're currently rooming-in with the boys in the antepartem ward at the hospital. This is just sort of a 'trial run' for our first overnight with the babies. That way, if we think of questions or run into things that might occur when we get home, we have the nurses nearby to get questions answered.

The car seat tests were performed today and both babies passed with flying colors. In fact, Tucker was sleeping so well in his, that we just left him in there for two hours. haha. They had no problems proving that they can handle the hour drive home.

The pediatrician will be here first thing in the morning to get our consent for the circs and then will do them immediately.

We are scheduled to be discharged on Monday at noon. The only "issue" that could hold us up is Hunter's temp. He's still having some problems keeping himself warm enough and they may look at that and decide he needs another day or two.

Hunter is also not gaining weight very quickly, which we've been told can be very normal for early babies who have some issues already. Tucker on the other hand is gaining at lightning speed, and weighed in tonight at 4 lbs 15 oz. Hunter weighed in at 5 lbs 8 oz, so now Tucker is 1 oz OVER his birth weight, and Hunter is 3oz UNDER his birth weight.

Please, please cross your fingers that Hunter gets this temp thing under control and starts gaining weight so we can ALL GO HOME TOGETHER. I am so SICK of visiting my babies in the hospital and being under the nurses watchful eyes!

Love you all.

Thursday Evening Update

I'm going to be brief because, quite simply, I'm EXHAUSTED and need to get to bed!

Here are the updates from today:

* Hunter is no longer in the isolette and is holding his temperature quite well.
* Tucker decided to pull out his NG tube so he is taking ALL his feeds through the mouth and is doing GREAT with it!
* Hunter is finished with his pneumonia meds and no longer has the IV line in for it.
* Both boys are in the same room now.

And the biggest news: we were advised to bring our carseats in so that they can do the carseat test on the boys tomorrow. When we questioned the nurses about it, they said we may be home as early as THIS WEEKEND! WOOT! HUGE PRAYERS THAT WE CAN GO HOME WITH OUR BABIES!

As promised to many of you, here are a few pictures I snapped from today:

TUCKER RAY



HUNTER DANIEL



TUCKER AND HUNTER

Wednesday Morning Update

It's official - the boys are now a week old. Time flies so fast when you're watching your beautiful children grow - but this week has sped by like lightning. Hard to believe a week ago I was recovering from one of the most painful, but rewarding tasks of my life, well, two, actually. : )

The boys are doing well and are now in rooms right next to each other at Overland Park Regional Hospital NICU. It was hard leaving the hospital where Tucker and I roomed together and I could hold him and snuggle him at my discretion, but having them together really does lessen the stress of trying to divide my time between two hospitals. It was so nice yeterday being able to nurse one baby and then walk a few feet to another rocking chair and nurse the other.

Hunter is showing us everyday that he is a strong little baby who wants nothing more than to keep growing and developing. He is taking a bottle now with many of his feedings and eats like a CHAMP. Some of the nurses can't believe how wonderfully he is doing in the eating department. I just look at all his chub and tell myself I'm not surprised though. = ) He had a little trouble with his temperature and was put inside an isolette to help maintain his body temperature and it proved to be extrememly helpful for him. He ate every drop in his bottle last night, which he's never done before. He's always eaten about half of it, and then had the other half given to him through his NG tube. Basically, the Doctor said that by helping him regulate his temperature, he doesn't have to work so hard doing it himself and can concentrate on using his energy to learn to eat. He will stay in the isolette for a day or two and then we'll challenge him again by seeing if he can regulate his temp in an open crib. He doesn't have his canula anymore and is doing just fine breathing room air - he know longer works really hard trying to breathe to distribute oxygen throughout his body, so we're not seeing anymore retractions in hi chest. He also doesn't need anymore fluids, so his IV has been removed. Everyday Hunter seems to overcome a little bit more and it's so nice to show up for a visit and find one less tube/wire coming off of him.

Tucker is doing well, too. There was actually talk yesterday of putting him in an isolette for a few day as well, but as of last night he seemed to be regulating his temperature just fine. The Doctor said sometimes that's common when a baby is put through the stress and trauma of a transfer from one hospital to another, so they weren't too concerned, really. Tucker's only task at this point is to keep eating well, and show that he can be weaned from his NG tube and eat every meal by mouth. Once he can eat every meal through his mouth for 24 hours, he can go home. Probably looking at about 5-7 more days in the hospital before that takes place.

Everyone has asked whether or not the boys are identical or fraternal. At this point we just don't know yet. They do have the same blood type, AB+, which is one of the more rare types, but that isn't proof of anything.As far as physical appearance, there are certainly similaritie between both boy, but there are a lot of differences, too. For instance, Hunter is a whole point heavier than Tucker, so he looks much more filled out and has a lot more fat on his body. Also, Tucker was shoved through the birth canal while Hunter was a c-section, so that could attest to different head shapes. Dan and I aren't in any hurry to find out. We think it will be really fun to watch them grow and see if we can tell in the next coming months. We really couldn't care less if they're identical or fraternal. Actually, Dan is a bit hopeful that they're identical because he thinks that would be really neat, but I'm more hopeful that they're fraternal because then it's as if I get two completely different and wonderfully beautiful boys for the price of one. In the end, all we want is healthy babies who can come home!

As for me, I'm doing okay. I'm getting around a little better each day and starting to experience less and less pain. I have to remind myself to take it easy and not to do too much, which is so hard for me. I love spending time with Cooper when I can, and find myself wanting to be at the hospital every moment in between. I have a new respect for anyone who has to leave their baby at the hospital - it's the hardest thing I have ever done, and leaving there each day gets more and more painful. Luckily, we're able to stay at Dan's parents house which is literally just 10-15 minutes away from the hospital so we can visit often. My parents are just around the corner from Dan's parents, so it's nice to know they're there for help, too.

I'll take the camera today and try to get some updated picture of the boys. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and I hope you'll continue thinking of us and our precious babies.

If anyone would like to come see us and the babie at the hospital, PLEASE don't hesitate to! Just email me at trishwills@gmail.com and I'll tell you where we are and how to find us. We love having company and anyone who wants to come visit is alway welcome and encouraged. Please feel free to come anytime!

Love,
Trish

Pictures of Hunter

I got the BEST gift today - a visit with Hunter! I got to nurse him and he latched on and nursed for over 15 minutes - a HUGE success, especially considering he has never had any food through his mouth - just through his NG tube to his belly! He's doing extremely well, and we're planning on him coming home about the time his antibiotics are finished for the pneumonia. He has about a week left of meds, so hopefully he'll truly have the hang of nursing by then and CAN come home!

Enjoy these Hunter pictures, everyone! Before this visit, I had only seen him two times, very briefly, in the nursery at Olathe Medical Center before he was transferred to Overland Park Regional. So, this was a real treat for me - I basically met Hunter for the first time today - and it was WONDERFUL! It was the pick-me-up that I needed. :)