Happy New Year-and Newborn Pics!

Last New Year's Eve certainly was different from this year's, and we love it so much more. Last year Dan and I were sad we hadn't been able to start our family yet, and this year we were blessed to start a new decade with our two loves of our lives.

We spent last new years at a friends house-Lisa and Dan. We were there again this year, but the biggest difference is we were out numbered by kids! They had their little boy Anderson 3 weeks before Luke and Olivia were born, and other friends Jay and Beth have 3 girls of their own. So instead of beer and wine flowing this year, it was formula and breastmilk (the guys still stuck to beer, though)! The babies did great once again, and were barely awake to ring in the new year with us. Why are they just fussy at our house? =)

We left their house not long after midnight, and decided to just stay up until the 2am feeding. We stopped by our neighbors house (Lynn and Tim) on the way home so Tim's sister and brother in law could meet the babies, and it would help us stay away until the next feeding. Dan and I didn't end up going to sleep until about 3:30am. We knew we would be so tired the next day, but that is what naps are for, right?

Here are a few pics of the babies ringing in the new year. Here's to a wonderful 2010, and a wonderful new decade with our family. The next 10 years are going to be the best yet!




We also had their one-month newborn pics taken earlier in the day at JC Penny. It was quite the adventure for us new parents! Lesson learned...feed MUCH closer to the picture time. We are probably going to have some more taken next week because we didn't get all of the shots we wanted, but here's one of the pics they were able to capture. We ordered the CD with the rest of the pics, but it won't be ready until next Friday.

Aren't they the cutest babies ever? =)

Distinct Personalities

I had to share this picture of Luke and Olivia sleeping. She ALWAYS sleeps with her hands up like someone is robbing her and Luke has his hands by his side relaxing. We laugh at them sleeping all of the time...who or what is scaring her so much in her sleep she has to put her arms up? =) And Luke will curl his lip like Elvis just before drifting off to sleep. They may be twins, but they sleep completely differently.

They also make very different sounds. Olivia has a lot to say, and once she learns to talk the house will never be quiet again! Luke makes the funniest faces, and snorts when he is hungry. One baby will cry their lungs out, and the other baby will sleep, sleep, sleep, oblivious to the noise. I can't wait for them to begin interacting with one another.

Solo Feeding

Today I conquered a complete feeding/changing session all by myself. While this doesn't sound like a major accomplishment, I was very proud! I think the babies were easy on me as they barely cried at all. Usually Luke cries when you take his milk away to burp him, but I think he felt sympathy for me! They were great, and fell asleep pretty quickly afterwards.

Unfortunately the same can't be said for the night-time. Olivia has colic (so we think) and refuses to sleep after the 8pm and 11pm feedings. I guess she is so tired after the 2am feeding, she crashes. That is when Luke takes over being fussy, preventing us from getting much sleep at night. We are SO looking forward to a 4 hour schedule, but it doesn't seem like it will happen very soon. Luke wakes up after 3 hours like clockwork. We are seeing Dr. Mona again on Monday the 4th, and we'll discuss feeding schedules, amounts, etc with her then. For now, we are thankful to get 4 hours of sleep a night!

Non-Maternity Pants! Yay!!!

Today is the first day I haven't had to wear maternity jeans. Whoo Hoo! I won't say they aren't a little tight =), but it feels great to be able to wear pants with belt loops again! It is also nice to be mobile again and to be able to go for a walk around the neighborhood. I look forward to getting the go-ahead to begin running again in a few weeks. Eventually the babies will have me running after them, but for now we are enjoying them just the way they are!

Merry Christmas!

Our first holiday! And what a great one is was! After much (much, much) consideration and contemplation, we decided to head to NC to spend the holiday with our families. We decided it just wouldn't be the same to be in GA without family for the babies first Christmas. So we left GA after the 11am feeding on Christmas Eve, and returned after the 8am feeding the day after Christmas. We were originally going to leave Christmas night, but it was so cold and rainy we decided to wait until the next morning. Plus, Oma and Opa were helping out during the night feedings. We would feed and change diapers, and they would comfort and rock until the babies fell asleep. So Dan and I were able to get about 2 hours of sleep straight in between feedings, a rare treat!

We were hesitant to make the trip for many reasons. First, they don't have their one month vaccinations and we would hate to expose them to too many of the winter cooties. Also, the prospect of a 4 hour car trip each way with two 4 week olds seemed daunting. But in the end, we decided it was worth the trip, and the grandparents were happy for the surprise visit! The babies did great, and really love the car. We stopped at the GA/SC border rest stop to change them and feed them, and we got quite the looks from strangers as we sat in the car doing dual feedings. Dan would then stay in the car with one baby as I took the other baby inside to change diapers. Someone asked me "weren't you just in here?" Yes...same mom, different baby. I look seeing people expressions as they register we have twins.

Dan's parents came over to my Dad and stepmom's house Christmas day, and my sister met the babies for the first time Christmas Eve. We didn't see any other family this trip, as we will be back in mid-January and we'll make the rounds of brothers/sisters then. The babies were too little to "open" their presents, or really know it was a special day, but they were thankful for their ornaments, outfits, and other goodies. We also started their college fund, and we know they'll thank us for that once they are older!

Hope you enjoy some of the pics. Merry Christmas, Luke and Olivia...we love you so much! And Merry Christmas everyone!

Full Term Babies

My original due date was yesterday, December 21st. Once we found out we were having twins, we knew we wouldn't make it to that date, but it's still a special day marked on our calendar. It is hard to believe Luke and Olivia are 3 weeks old today. Where do the days go? It is amazing how quickly time flies each day, and how Sunday and Monday are the same! Weekends as we knew them are a thing of the past, but it is a good change, and we are so thankful they are here with us...happy (especially after eating!) and healthy and ready for their first visit from Santa!

A Visit from Aunt Lara

My friend, Lara, came to visit last week and help us with Luke and Olivia. She and I have been close friends since college, and we talked about how crazy it was that she was now here helping me with my babies! Life certainly has changed since our days at NCSU!

Her help was invaluable as she helped with the feedings some during the day so Dan could get some work done, and was there to "assist" as I tried to conquer doing the feedings by myself in preparation for when Dan starts to travel. She also helped wrap some Christmas presents, cooked some yummy dinners, and kept an eye on the babies so I could run some errands without having to take them out into the cold.

Thanks, Lara!

Pictures with Santa

We decided to venture out with Luke and Olivia to have their pictures taken with Santa. We got very lucky in that there wasn't a line at all, so we were able to get in and out pretty quickly. They both did great as we took them after a feeding so they were nice and relaxed. It was funny how everyone ooh'd and ahh'd over them!

And talk about a small world. There was a lady in front of us with a tiny baby as well. We started chatting and realized our babies were all born on the same day, in the same hospital, and in fact, she was next to me in the recovery room! She said she heard one of the nurses mention there were twins waiting next curtain over, and we figured out that they were talking about Luke and Olivia. You never know who you'll meet!

Weight Check

We went to the pediatrician today for a weight check, especially for little Olivia, to make sure they were gaining weight appropriately. If not, we would have to go to 2 hour feedings. The goal is they should be back to or over their birth weight by now. I know they have to grow up, but part of me is sad with each ounce they gain because it reminds me how quickly they are growing up already!

The good news is Olivia and Luke both gained a good amount of weight. Olivia weighs 5.6 pounds now, and Luke is 6.13 pounds. Dr. Mona was very pleased with their progress, and said hopefully by their 1 month check up we can go to 4 hours feedings (as long as they don't wake up beforehand). Right now, 4 hour feedings sounds like heaven!

Wish us luck for a restful night between feedings...we need it!

Finding a routine

The new feeding schedule seems to be working out, but the babies have been very restless at night. We have tried to imitate the day feedings as much as possible (natural light, etc) and it seems to be getting better. For a couple of nights in a row, it seemed like every time Luke would fall asleep, Olivia would wake up, and the cycle would start again. We were managing about 45 minutes of sleep between feedings. Now we keep the lamp on all night and prop them up in their boppies (one of the greatest inventions every, by the way!) for about 10-15 minutes until they start to doze off. The 2am feeding is still the most difficult, but slowly improving. We figured once we get a routine that works for them, they will change it on us anyway!

A new feeding schedule

We are trying to change our feeding times today (moving from 9am, noon, etc to 8am, 11am etc), so it will be another day of transition. We tried to stretch one feeding time out 4 hours to get on track, but little Luke was having nothing of it! So we will ease them into it throughout the day. It will probably mean one less feeding today, and maybe a little more rest for us! Wish us luck!

A week of many firsts

It's hard to believe Lucas and Olivia are already 1 week old. Technically, one week and one day, but who's counting! From their first day in the world, first time leaving the hospital, first car ride, first time coming home to join our family, first trip to the pediatrician...too many to list. Even though we are tired, we loving every minute! Sleep is SO overrated! I wish I could freeze time and their little faces forever! There is a special bond to having twins for us as parents and them as siblings, and it brings tears to my eyes to see how comforted they are by being so close to one another. I wonder how long we'll be able to swaddle them up and lay them beside each other in their pack and play before they learn how to break free!

Today will be our first full day on our own without family visitors or doctors appointments. Just us and our house all day, and I can't wait! I think things will go a little smoother since we don't have to rush out of the house for an appointment. It is so nice that Dan works from home because he can help me out sometimes, but I am already dreading his first trip away in January. I don't know who it will be harder for...him, me, or the babies! For now, we are taking it one minute at a time and loving our perfect family.



Here are some pics from their first baths:

First Trip to the Pediatrician

Lucas and Olivia had their first visit with Dr. Mona at Kennesaw Pediatrics yesterday. Dr. Mona mainly wanted to check on their weight progress, and answer any questions we had. Lucas has gained 1 ounce since we were discharged on Friday, and now weighs 6.1 lbs. She was pleased with this and said it was still within the 7% loss variance she likes to see after birth (5%). Olivia lost 2 ounces and now weighs 4.10 lbs, still within the variance (6%). We will follow up next Monday to see if they are putting weight on steadily.

I am trying to nurse and supplement with formula as needed. It takes a lot of milk to feed two babies! Right now we have to set an alarm for every 3 hrs, and eventually they'll wake themselves up hungry once they put on some weight. We feed at midnight, 3am, 6am, 9am, noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9m, and start over again. The feedings take about an hour from start to finish, and then I have to pump for 20 minutes, which leaves about 1 1/2 hours between feedings to sleep or get anything else done! Not a lot of time, but we are enjoying the time with them because we know it will be over so quickly.

We are meeting with the lactation consultant today because Olivia is what we have deemed a lazy eater. She wants the instant gratification of the bottle, but she is also small and I think she'll get it eventually. They have already changed so much over the past week, and it's hard to believe they are one week old today!

Welcome Home!

We came home from the hospital on Friday, December 4th with Lucas and Olivia. Our goal the entire pregnancy was to do whatever we could to ensure we came home as a family, and we are so happy our dreams came true. All those weeks and weeks of bedrest was worth every single second and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Dan has been the best daddy and biggest help ever. He has changed almost every single dirty diaper, and he is a swaddling pro! The nurses were so impressed they said he should teach a class. I am still healing from the c-section and trying to learn to nurse as well, and his help has been invaluable. The real test will come tonight when we are on our own for the first time without the help of the nurses and nursery if we need it. We took advantage of the nursery for about 5 hours the second and third night to get some much needed rest (we only got 2 hrs the first night). It was the hardest thing ever to see them leave the room, but Dan and I knew we should get some rest while we can.

We were delayed leaving the hospital for a couple of hours because Olivia's umbilical cord tore a little right before we left. She was bleeding some and the pediatrician wanted to make sure all was well. Luckily all was well (our first scare of many, I'm sure) and we left the hospital at rush hour on a Friday. Not good planning!

It took us awhile to get home, and we had to stop and get some prescriptions filled as well. By the time we finally made it home, it was about an hour past their feeding, so it was a bit of a hectic homecoming. We came into the house (after our wonderful neighbors Jerry and Sally took some pics for us) and went straight to feeding. Piper didn't know what to think when two little screaming people came into his fortress of solitude! Once we finally got them settled, we got the basics we needed from the car and crashed, for a few hours anyway! We are feeding them every 2-3 hours right now to help them get their weight up, and each feeding takes about an hour right now. That doesn't leave much time for sleep, but we know it will only get easier from here. We are trying to enjoy every minute we can because we know it will go by all too quickly.

It is surreal to see these two little people sleeping beside each other in their pack and play. We have looked at it empty for weeks, and imagined them being there, but now it is real! No amount of planning and nothing you read in books compares to reality, but Dan and I are in it together and we are learning as we go. We have such an even stronger bond now, and we are so happy to be a family of four. I just sit and stare at them all the time, and never get tired of seeing their little faces. We love them so much!

Happy Birthday, Lucas and Olivia!

On December 1st, Dan and I held our beautiful babies for the first time and it was the most wonderful experience in the entire world! Lucas Cole Bartlett was born at 11:13am weighing 6.5 lbs and 18 inches long. Olivia Rae followed one minute later (feet first!) at 11:14am weighing 4.15 lbs and 17 inches long. Both babies were perfect and have not left our side since they were born. Lucas had to go on oxygen for about 5-10 minutes, but other than that, we were beyond blessed that there were no other complications. Little Olivia was smaller than they had predicted, but she is one strong girl. Her sugars were a little low for awhile, and they had to stick her foot every 3 hours until midnnight. The levels have to be about 40, and the lowest she got to was 45 and then they started going up. I'm sure she's relieved to no longer have her foot pricked all the time!

We are already learning their different cries and sounds, and they LOVE to be together. They have not left the same isolet since their birth. They are so used to us talking to them in my belly, and it is great to be able to comfort them when they are upset when no one else can.

Our first night Lucas was really fussy, and we later learned that it was because he was hungry. I am trying to nurse, but needed to supplement in the meantime. We got so many conflicting suggestions from the pediatrician and nurses. Finally, about 4am, our wonderful night nurse Alice (a mother to 3 yr old twins herself) strongly suggested they go to the nursery for 2 hours so we could get some rest. It broke my heart to have them leave the room (I may have even cried), but I knew we would be no good to them if we didn't have any rest.

The day was a whirlwind, and it is amazing how quickly time passes now. It is hard to believe they are finally here, and how much you can love two little people so instantly. We hope to get some pictures posted soon.