LIFE WITH TWINS

My last post was when I was 34 weeks pregnant with my girls. My babies are now 11 weeks old and the best way to describe life with twins is - CRAZY FUN!!! It's quite a circus at my house most days, but I am seriously LOVING every second with these girls and my sweet 2-year-old.

I think I will rewind a little and catch this blog up with the past few months. I'll start with the story of their birth.

This was the last picture of me before I delivered. This was about 36 weeks.

From 34 weeks up until I delivered at 37 weeks, I had contractions off and on everyday. I finally got to the point where I just stopped counting them because I felt like I would know if I was in true labor. At my 37 week check up with my specialist downtown, they did an ultrasound. Both babies looked healthy and both were head down. I was scheduled for a repeat c-section the next week and the ultrasound tech said they looked ready for it. Next, I headed to the room next door where they did a biophysical profile. They strapped three monitors onto my very, large belly. One for Jillian's heart rate, one for McKenna's heart rate, and one to monitor contractions. After 30 minutes, the nurse came in and asked me if I realized I had been contracting every 3 to 5 minutes. I told her yes, and that I had been contracting like that off and on for 3 weeks. She thought it would be a good idea for the doctor to check me just to make sure these contractions weren't causing me to dilate any more than I already was. At 34 weeks I was dilated to 2 centimeters and when he checked me that day I was about a 3 1/2. He called my OB and she said to meet her at my hospital and we were going to meet our girls. I sort of had a moment of panic because I wasn't sure I was ready for a c-section that day. I mean obviously I had to be ready, but as I have mentioned before, I really was nervous about this surgery. I was thinking I still had a week to mentally prepare myself, but that was not the case. I was definitely ready to meet my girls and not be pregnant anymore, but surgery?? - soooo not ready for that.
My amazing Mom had taken me (and Eden) to my appointment and I am so glad she was with me. She was my voice of reason as I began to slightly panic. We immediately got in the car and headed back to Sugar Land to my hospital. I called Nick on our way and at first he didn't believe me until he sensed the concern and fear in my voice. When I arrived at the hospital, several nurses were there waiting for me and immediately got started getting me ready for the c-section. As soon as they hooked me up to the contraction monitor, I was starting to feel really uncomfortable with contractions coming about every minute. Nick arrived shortly after I did and shortly after that, our baby girls were here. Just like that. It was wild. My appointment downtown was at 8:30am and my twins arrived at 12:37 (McKenna - baby A) and 12:38pm (Jillian - baby B).

Here are pics from July 21, 2010...

Eden waiting to meet her baby sisters.


This picture was actually from my hospital stay at 34 weeks when I first starting having contractions. We thought we were going to meet them that week so my Mom put Eden in the shirt I intended for her to wear the day they were to be born. Since I wasn't prepared the day they were actually born, I just have to include this darling pictures of Eden and her GG (my mom) with her big sister shirt.


Nick ready to go...(I was in the operating room crying, slightly panicking, and really wanting to have Nick in the room with me. They were putting my epidural in and he wasn't allowed in yet.)


Me during the procedure...a little more calm at this point but still had butterflies in my tummy. At this point I was no longer scared of the surgery but concerned about my sweet babies. I just wanted to hear them cry and know they were OK.


McKenna Joy arrives at 12:37pm weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces, & 17.8 inches long.


Jillian Grace arrives at 12:38pm weighing 5 pounds, 5 ounces, & 19 inches long.


I had to have an emergency c-section with Eden after 10 hours of labor with her, so my memories of the c-section were a little blurred due to extra medication and being so exhausted. This time I was much more aware of what was happening and my memories aren't so tainted. Sure you are numb, but the pressure as they pulled the babies out was horrific - especially as they got Jillian out. Two doctors literally pushed from the top of my belly all the way until she came out. Thankfully as soon as they got them out, there wasn't much left to feel - until the meds wore off anyway.

Here we are on our way back to the room. It felt surreal holding two babies.


Shortly after arriving to our room, I was able to nurse both of them. They both did great, however I did notice Jillian's breathing seemed different than McKenna's. The nurses reassured me that she was still trying to get some fluid out of her lungs (they took a considerable amount out of her when she was born) and not to worry. The next time I nursed them, Jillian had a hard time and didn't do very well. Later that night, the girls' nurse noticed the labored breathing as well and took Jill to observe her for a little while. After some time passed, we learned Jilli needed to be taken to the NICU (Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit). Her respiration per minute was way too high and it wasn't improving and her breathing was also still labored. Jillian ended up staying in the NICU for 1 week. That was a difficult week. The hardest part was leaving the hospital with McKenna and not Jillian. I cried a LOT that night, but was so thankful for amazing family who came to help so I could go see her everyday during the time she was still at the hospital. Jill couldn't handle the formula so my STINKIN' AMAZING husband delivered breastmilk to the hospital at least 4 times everyday - even in the middle of the night - so she would have breastmilk at every feeding. She improved each day she was there and was able to come home with us a week after they were born.

Here are some pictures of our hospital stay and Jillian in the NICU. I understand some of these pictures look a little scary, but it was in her best interest for all the tubes, wires, etc...and honestly I was really OK with all of it because I knew it was the best thing for her.

Me and Jillian before they took her to the NICU.


Holding both girls together for the last time until Jill came home.


Hanging out with sweet McKenna.


Visiting my baby Jill...


Getting to hold her for the first time since taken to the NICU.


Nick getting to feed Jillian her bottle. She has the head mask because she had to be put under some bilirubin lights because her jaundice levels were too high. It was there to protect her eyes.


The girls together before we went home with McKenna.


McKenna ready to go home.


Taking McKenna home (right before the floodgates of tears for Jillian opened up!)


Visiting Jill at the hospital.


Jillian ready to come home.


My girls together again!


Eden checking out both of her new baby sisters.


We are having so much fun with these sweet baby girls. It's definitely challenging but each day we are reminded of how blessed we are and how GOOD God is. The girls are sleeping about 9-10 hours each night and that is AMAZING. No complaints here!!

I would like to say a special "THANK YOU!!!" to all the people who helped us by bringing meals, taking us to doctors appointments, watching Eden, getting groceries, and praying for us. A special thank you to my amazing family. Mom, I don't know what I would do without your help, love, encouragement, and advice. I love you so much and feel VERY blessed and honored to call you my Mom. Thank you to my Aunt Cathy who has carved out time to help me with my girls and who has been an asset to getting us through these last 11 weeks. My grandparents too have spent time over here holding and feeding babies and I am so grateful. Thank you to Nick's Mom (Nana) who spent time helping us as we transitioned to a family of 5. You are wonderful, Rose!! Can't forget my Dad who has come to hang out with Eden a few times as I took the girls to their appointments and for my best friend Hayley who has come several times to help me out. You all are incredible!!

Finally, thank you to my husband. I can't express to you how amazing this man is. From the second he got to the hospital, he became this superman who has been completely selfless and definitely the best daddy and husband in the world. I mean he always has been that to me, but since our girls were born it is apparent why God chose us to be parents of twins - just by watching him. He knows just what to do and how to take care of these girlies. The nurses at the hospital couldn't stop complimenting his daddy skills and I couldn't either. I wouldn't want to go through this with anyone else. I love you, Nick!

"From the fullness of his grace we have received one blessing after another." -John 1:16

Thank you, Jesus!!

Recently...

It's been such a long time since I updated. We have been super busy trying to get ready for these girls and I just haven't had time to post anything.

So far I have had a really good pregnancy. However, Monday I started having contractions and had to go to the hospital to get shots to stop them. Thankfully the shots worked and I was able to go home that night. I went in for an ultrasound on Tuesday and was told I needed to be on bedrest for the next 3 weeks. The babies are doing great! Both looked really good and are weighing 3 pounds, 10 ounces(baby A), and 3 pounds, 8 ounces(baby B). I went to see my regular doctor again today and I am now on weekly visits with her and weekly visits with my specialist. I will see my specialist once a week to do a stress test. Basically, they put a heart rate monitor on each baby and observe over an hour period to make sure they aren't under any stress. The only frustrating part about that is my specialist is downtown (a good 45 min drive). All these appointments will make for a busy time, but I bet it will make the time go by quickly until I meet my sweeties. :)

Now that I am on bedrest, I will be able to update more. We can't wait to meet our little angels and neither can Eden. She is so excited. She talks to them several times a day and has been practicing with her dolls. She is going to make a WONDERFUL big sister.

Happy Friday,

Obsessed?? or just Pregnant??

Ok yes, I realize I have been absolutely horrible about updating this blog. I'll try harder. We have been busy with a lot of things lately. We had to have our bathroom re-modeled because we had 5 leaks. It was pretty annoying to have to do it, but on the bright side, my bathroom resembles a spa now which this pregnant lady is pretty happy about! :) I'll get my pictures together and make a post about the bathroom next. Also, being pregnant makes me lazy about blogging. Oh and chasing a toddler around all day makes it hard too. LOL.

SO, lately I have been completely crazy with cleaning. It's weird. I mean I do clean on a normal basis but this is just getting out of hand. I keep finding new things to clean. For instance, my house was already pretty clean but I totally got out some sponges and started scrubbing baseboards and pretty much any hard surface in my bedroom the other day. I remember the "nesting" phase when I was pregnant with Eden, but it was much later in my pregnancy. I am only 23 weeks today and can't stop cleaning. It must be because of twins - maybe it starts sooner?? Anyone know??

I really think it's because of the clean smells. I'm obsessed with them. I also have some other really weird pregnancy things going on to - like I feel the need to chew ice all the time. I've been through like 2 bags of Sonic ice in the last few weeks. (Don't worry - they checked my blood on Friday to see if I was anemic; should find out the results soon as apparently ice chewing can be related to low iron). I also feel the need to brush my teeth like 4 times a day. I'm telling you, it's weird I know but I just can't help it. I think Nick is going to start hiding the Febreze spray soon just so I will stop spraying our house. Haha.

Here is what I have been completely obsessed with lately (brace yourselves it's mostly cleaning supplies):

Swiffer Wet Jet is AMAZING! I used to use a steam mop, but this is way better and smells soooo good!!


Febreze Air Refresher is wonderful. I spray too much but oh well. My favorite scents are Linen and Sky and Lavender Vanilla & Comfort (it's heaven).


Febreze Fabric Refresher. I have been using the antibacterial one b/c I'm a germ freak anyway, but I just saw that they have the fabric spray in the Lavender Vanilla & Comfort and I will be buying that one as soon as I'm out of the other.


Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner w/ Febreze (Lavendar Vanilla again). This makes any room smell good after you clean with it and you can use it on most hard surfaces.


Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It's really magic! Except on colored walls - it takes the color off. But, it gets tough hard surface stains out!!


Bar Keeper's Friend. This stuff is GREAT! My kitchen sink is white and gets black scuff marks on it. BKF takes it right off and makes my sink shiny and clean.


Sonic Ice. There is something about Sonic ice that I crave; maybe it's because it's a little softer to chew on and I don't feel like I'm ruining my teeth?? I dunno, I just know I love it. Just for your info you can buy bags of it at Sonic.


Coke! For some reason I craved it when I was pregnant with Eden and here I go again. It's just so yummy and I don't drink it when I'm not pregnant - so I use the pregnancy excuse to drink it. Plus, diet has the artificial sweeteners which I don't think is good for the babies so why not indulge a little??


Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Crunch. Just try it - you won't want any other kind of ice cream ever again! :)

What is she saying?

See if you can guess what Eden is saying.

What is she saying? from Carissa V on Vimeo.

What are you making?

What is with this weather? It is absolutely freezing here. Just about 3 weeks ago Eden and I were wearing shorts and now it's in the 30s and 40s! Crazy.

Anyway, I am looking forward to making a yummy meal tonight to keep us warm.

Here is what I am making.

Delicious Chili
Peanut Fudge Pudding Cake (in the crock pot!)
Hot Chocolate

RECIPES:

Chili
Ingredients
1 Green bell pepper, chopped
1 Onion, chopped
2 TBSP Olive oil
1 Clove garlic, minced (or a TBSP of garlic from a jar)
1 Pound ground beef
3 Cans diced tomatoes (I buy the HEB brand Chili Style diced tomatoes - makes a yummier chili)
1 Can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 TBSP chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
Fritos
Grated Cheddar

Directions
1. Heat olive oil in a large stock pot (dutch oven) on med/high heat
2. Saute chopped green bell pepper and onion until onion is translucent and pepper is tender.
3. Add garlic, cook for another minute
4. Add ground beef and cook until completely browned
5. Add all cans of tomatoes
6. Add all seasonings (you can add the seasonings to fit your taste)
7. Stir and let simmer 30 minutes or so on med heat
8. Add the kidney beans last
9. Serve with fritos and cheese, YUM!!!

Peanut Fudge Pudding Cake
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups sugar, divided
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2/3 cup milk
2 TBSP vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup boiling water
Chopped peanuts (optional)
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Directions:
1. Coat crock pot with nonstick cooking spray or butter. Combine flour, 1 cup sugar and baking powder in medium bowl. Add milk, oil, vanilla, and peanut butter. Mix until well blended. Batter will be thick so you need to spread it into the crock pot.

2. Combine remaining 3/4 cup sugar and cocoa powder in small bowl. Stir in boiling water. Pour into crock pot over batter. DO NOT STIR!!

3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours or until toothpick or knife inserted into center comes out clean. Allow cake to rest 10 minutes, then scoop into serving dishes.

***This recipe makes it's own fudge topping so be sure to spoon some from the bottom of the crock pot.
This cake is so yummy we don't usually add ice cream and peanuts. The chocolate gooey fudge is just enough!!

We will also be enjoying some yummy Butter Nut or Ghiridelli hot chocolate!!

What will you be making this cold winter night??

Enjoy your cold evening and stay warm!! :)

Update

Wow, it's been a long time since I have really updated this thing.

Eden is just growing up too fast these days. She is VERY vocal and repeats EVERYTHING you say. She is doing really well with putting words together too. She isn't making sentences quite yet but she is getting very close. The longest thing she says is part of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star - she says "How I woner what chu are!" So cute. She knows her numbers 1 through 10 and she knows about 5 colors. I can't believe she will be 2 in just 3 short months!

My pregnancy is going really well so far. I struggled through my first trimester with Eden so I wasn't really looking forward to being pregnant again for that reason, but God has been so wonderful in keeping me healthy. I have had some rough days but not nearly as bad as with Eden. I still take Zofran (anti-nausea) when I need it and that really seems to get me through my days. The babies are doing great. I went in a couple weeks ago and they were both very active and wiggly. They look like little gummy bears. I go in next week for another ultrasound and can't wait to see them again.

In December we had Ryan Price - a talented photographer friend of ours from College Station take some family photos. He is amazing and did a fantastic job. Here is his website if you want to check him out. Here are some of our favorite pictures he took that day.