Picture fun

Match the caption to the picture:

1. "There's something in this hat that is so itchy. And I'm not in that place, what's it called, Alaska?"

2. "You're cramping my space, dude."

3. "That pulling on my arm is enough already. Whoever's doing that should stop. And what's with the bright flash out there?"

4. "I don't authorize the use or distribution of this photo. I am boycotting these types of photos from now on."

I've got skills

Over the last couple of days, I have come to realize that I am skilled beyond wonder, really. I can feed and burp 2 babies at the same time. In finding this skill, I have created positions that need to be patented and sold. You will get insider information right here and now.

Feeding:
1. The single pillow position - the feeder (me) sits cross-legged with a pillow in their lap. Both of the ones who need feeding are simply laid on the pillow and given their bottles. This position is primarily dependent on the long pillow. Skilled feeders can even incorporate the single hand, double bottle move wherein the feeder has a FREE hand. It involves the babies' heads facing each other and positioning one bottle upon another. Pros - comfortable, easy to manage both babies and bottles. Allows for a free hand. Cons - babies aren't cuddling the feeder's skin and the position is prone to cause spit-up.

2. The double pillow position - same as the single, but with 2 regular-sized pillows. Cons - managing 2 pillows can be a challenge.

Burping:
1. The double cross-chest - the feeder (me) props both babies on the chest, 1 below each shoulder. Cradling their bottoms in the crook of the feeder's inside elbow, the feeder is able to effectively pat each baby by criss-crossing their arms in front of their chest. Pros - comfortable, effective and fun. Cons - difficult to tend to spit-up.

I am sure that as the day goes on and certainly the week, I will find more unrecognized talent.

On our own

Today has been a day of our own. It is the first time the newly-expanded Cearley family has been in our house by ourselves since January 25. We no longer have 1 of the moms with us. Teddy left this morning. What a blessing she has been. I feel like she really held our home together over the last couple of months. And the sacrifice both she and my mom have made (everyone for that matter) - well, we can't say Thank You enough.

We have been chillin all day long. I was in my pajamas until 20 minutes ago. Had to put my contacts in too. Now, I feel like I am operating in this day.

The boys are sleeping. They're doing well. Except for this 1 thing - we got a call from the pediatrician's office yesterday afternoon saying they just received a questionable screener back on Max. Apparently, he is 'borderline' in his results for these metabolic disorders. Can't really tell you what all 'metabolic disorders' includes, but I can say that not all are treatable. This made me feel a bit uneasy. The doctor said that typically 'borderline' means 'test them again and you'll see the first one was a false positive'. My doctor said 'false negative' yesterday and didn't correct himself. That made me uneasy too. Laugh all you want, but if you're telling me that a test, albeit very unspecific, is coming back positive for my son, I don't want to hear you talk like you don't know what you're talking about. We get the results in a week. He's assured us that we really shouldn't have anything to worry about. We're trying to treat it as such here. On a positive note though - we weighed both of them and they are either at (Nick) or have exceeded their birth weight (Max). They're just chugging along and growing. That is very good. The boys are no longer sleeping and need my attention.

Sleep is valuable. But we couldn't do it this afternoon. So, we watched Dan in Real Life. It is such a sweet and unassuming movie. We both really enjoyed it. Hopefully, next sleep cycle we will be able to sleep. If not, we've got I am Legend.

1 week old

The boys are 1 week old now. Actually 1 week, 1 day. Everything can be summed up pretty clearly:

-- They eat or sleep. Nothing else. They are on a 3-hour schedule.

-- We eat, sleep and play with Gracie. And just about everything else. We are on a 24-hour schedule.

-- Tired. Very tired.

-- Teddy leaves Saturday. We will be alone as a family for the first time. Scary and exciting.

-- Boys went to the doctor today. Both are back up in the 5 lbs.

Good night.

Homecoming

March 21

We came home today. It is such a blessing that 36-week-old twin babies can come home with mommy 3 days after they were born. Everything that Dr. Jan did and advised us to do throughout the pregnancy, especially from the end of January on, played a large part in this being able to happen. She is great.

Gracie was very excited to bring the boys home and show them their house. She’s been wonderful with them. She’s gentle and loving, talking up a storm, letting them know what’s up.

They’ve both fed, kept it down and slept well all day. They continue to look healthier.

Max now needs attention, so I must go. Steph is trying to get as much sleep as she can in between feedings. Enjoy the pics.

Day 3 of life

March 20

Today was one of those roller coasters. It was a doozy. First off, it was a big day for the boys - they got their procedure done. First thing this morning. What a way to start your 3rd day of life, right? The good thing is they won't remember it too long. They might have already forgotten if it weren't for the changing of the diapers.

They didn't eat and keep it down well this morning, particularly Nick. We dealt with insurance and case managers and nurses and all sorts of stressful nonsense in the midst of really worrying about Nick and his gastrointestinal problems. This morning he just looked so weak and helpless. We kept him (and them) close by and made sure we all got to spend time together. It was good and bad because the more time we spent with him, the more concerned we got. But as the day grew on, he did better.

Teddy went home around noon and we haven't had any visitors today so this has been a great bonding day for all of us. This afternoon, the boys had skin on skin time with mommy and that really cured everything. They both ate well and kept it down for the first feeding after that. And just now, for the second one, they did the same. They are now in the nursery and Steph is eating a little something. March Madness started today so it had to end up being a good day one way or another.

There have been many humbling days throughout this whole pregnancy, today being the latest. Looking at these little guys, their bodies doing their thing to stay alive, you realize not only that life is so fragile, but that healthy life is such a miracle and blessing. And there's nothing better than seeing your boys in only their skin snuggled right up to their mommy's chest. That right here was worth gold. In so many ways.

Chapter 2, Take 2

Alright everyone - sorry about the mix-up. I thought I was being very creative in sending you all on a fun, little interactive adventure, but something like that gets flagged as possible spam and I'm now waiting on Google to let me know if the other blog can be re-published. So, I'm not going to wait on all that to happen and actually will probably just continue on this one blog. We'll make do. Anyhoo, for everyone who missed the 2 posts on the other blog, I'll give them to you here:

March 19

Man o man. These boys. Plural. The naked one is Max. The one wrapped up is Nick. Then, I got wise and created name tags for them. From now on, at least for the immediate future, they will be tagged.

Max is doing great. Nick is still having some problems with his digestion. He gave us a good scare tonight with constant spit-up. We altered his feeding schedule and hopefully that will help. Steph's mom came in today and my dad and Alanna also got a chance to meet them for the first time. Teddy and Steph are at the hospital. I am getting some rest. Boys get circumsised tomorrow. Big day.

Chapter 2

AS OF 3.29, DON'T FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS. I JUST DON'T WANT TO COMPLETELY ERASE THE POST. EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO KNOW IS RIGHT HERE IN THIS BLOG.

To read the next chapter, go to: http://www.cearleytwins2.blogspot.com/

I will hoard this URL and just keep adding numbers to it, as I decide to go on to different chapters. They don't call this interactive media for nothing.

Healthy boys

I am happy to report that the boys are healthy and happy and they are munchkins.

Nick had some breathing problems today, but they now seem to be better. The cord was wrapped around his neck and he ended up swallowing quite a bit of fluid. So, the little guy was just having some issues today.

Max, now, this dude is ready for the world. He came out, calm, cool, collected, all healthy like and just treated everything like it was old hat. People poking and prodding, sticking, pulling, everything was just ho-hum. He even fed for 20 minutes on the first try.

We are all going to sleep and ready or not, will begin the next chapter.

Enter twins

2:23 AM – Steph’s activity in and out of bed wakes me up.

Me: “Are you OK?”
Steph: “Yeah, just have to go to the bathroom.”
Me: “Contractions?”
Steph: “Yeah, a little bit.”
Me: “More than before?”
Steph: “A little.”
Me: “How often?”
Steph: “I don’t know, I’ve had 4.”
Me: “In how long?”
Steph: “Um, since 2?”
Me: “OK, tell me when you have another one.”

2:28 AM – Steph tells me she’s having another one, her breath taken away a little bit by the contraction.
2:34 AM – Steph tells me she’s having another one, still takes her breath away.

I rub the sleepies out of my eyes.

Me: “Does this feel like it’s it?”
Steph: “Maybe.”
Me: “OK, well, to me it feels like it’s it.”
Steph: “Let’s wait 30 more minutes.”
Me: “OK.”

2:38 – Another one.
2:45 – Another one.

I get up from the bed to go get the bag and start coffee.

2:50 – Another one.

Me: “It seems like it’s it. Maybe you should call Dr. Jan.”
Steph: “I don’t want another false alarm.”
Me: “It seems like it’s it.”
Steph: “OK,” her breath is taken away from another contraction. When she catches her breath, “I’ll call her.”

Dr. Jan and Steph agreed to ‘monitor’ for 30 more minutes.

2:55 – Another one.
3:00 – Another one.
3:05 – Another one.
3:10 – Another one.

Me: “OK, we don’t have to wait any longer, right? They’re not going away.”
Steph: “You’re right.”

3:30 – We board the Cearley Express en route to the hospital.

9:00 AM Status – 6 cm dilated, epidural in, Steph asleep. Babies are on their way.

9 - 1 - Break in the action

1:07 - Steph is declared 'complete' and she cries.
1:12 - Mike dresses in scrubs to go back to the OR.
1:15 - Steph is wheeled back to the OR, Mike following behind.
1:26 - MAX MICHAEL is born. 5 lbs 8 oz. 17".
1:38 - NICHOLAS ROBERT is born. 5 lbs 3 oz. 17 1/4"
1:40 - My camera's battery craps out.

Lots of general hoopla ensues for all of us, me, Steph, the docs, my mom and my sister (she was able to be here!!) over the next hour.

2:47 - The twins are rolled into our room.

Welcome to the new URL

I had to change URLs due to privacy concerns. Yes, I know I am publishing this on the World Wide Web, but in order for this house to remain content, we had to take some measure of privacy.

Today was actually a difficult day for Steph. Her body was shot after the past 2 days of active over drive. So, she just chilled for most of the day. But around 4:00 PM, after her Tylenol set in, she was a new woman. She even claimed tonight, 'these babies aren't coming any time soon. Certainly not before Wednesday.'

Wednesday, we will see Dr. Jan again. I don't think Dr. Jan anticipated seeing us after last week's appointment. But this new active regimen that Stephanie has been on lately seems to have allowed the boys to settle in. Things are just moving right along, status quo.

My mom finished the boys' nursery organization today. I did our taxes last night. We watched No Country for Old Men, too. Very good movie. As with all Coen Brothers films, I get them better after I watch them a second time. It was wicked, this crazy dude walking around with an air compressor. How freaky is that? And you should see this gun that he uses. Jeez. But it was good. Definite recommend.

Today's to-dones

1. Ikea - check

2. Babies R Us - check

3. Central Market - un check

4. Boys' nursery - half check

5. Easter Bunny - check

Then, we added some:

6. Oil change/detail for van - check

7. Best Buy (for Turbo Tax) - check

8. Walk in neighborhood - check

Funny that the more active she is, the more her symptoms vanish.

Today's to-dos

1. Go to Ikea (look at bench for table and bed for Gracie)
2. Go to Babies R Us (exchange burp cloths for hooded towels)
3. Go to Central Market
4. Finish organizing boys' nursery
5. Take Gracie to see the Easter Bunny and get her picture taken

If all that doesn't conjure anything up inside Steph, I'll come up with 5 more.

This parenting thing aint easy

Parenting is such a difficult thing. And once you have kids, it's not like it ever goes away. I see my mom and Teddy, each time they're here, they're still parenting to me and Steph. Gracie and the amount of attention that she has been or will be getting when the twins come is obviously a concern. We want to be mindful of the fact that she needs just as much of our attention as the boys do. Not having ever gone through this before, it is difficult for us to recognize all of the moments, good or bad, and then of course feel like we're doing the right thing. These past 7 weeks have been long and it has been a stressful transition on everyone's lives, not the least of which is Gracie's. The balance between not caving in and just going with the 'easy' solution is hard. She is very fitful when she doesn't get what she wants, be it a toy or a Dora plate or to play at the park or three people patting her to sleep at night. Now, I personally don't think it's just the fact that she's not getting what she wants that is causing her fits. There has been a lot going on and who knows what kind of impact the last 9 months have had on her. So, the question always is when do you give in and when do you not? To me, these are mostly rhetorical questions and I have no doubt that Stephanie and I have a handle on the right thing to do, the right way to parent without raising a little brat/hellion. It's all about being consistent. Consistent in our messages, in our love, in our punishment, in everything, I believe it's all about consistency. But that is hard. This whole thing is hard.

Impatient

Growing.

And growing.

Steph must walk around the block.

And again.

BIG boys

Babies = 5.11 & 5.13. BIG boys.

Steph is still 3 cm dilated.

There is no end in site. Just growing.

35 weeks

Flash back 3 weeks ago tomorrow, after Dr. Koster's visit, she says, "well, I'll see you at 35 weeks."

I looked at Steph and her mom and smurked. Inside, I said, "Right. 35 weeks. We won't be in this office again."

Cut to today. 35 weeks. We're going back into that office tomorrow. Then, Dr. Jan. Then, if everything holds true to form, according to the last few days, we'll come back home.

Yawn, I know.

Kyle (my mom's husband) is coming in tomorrow for a day. That will be nice.

Maybe we'll all party. Get wasted.

Contraction update

Contractions every 5 minutes from 6:30 - 7. Then a bath. Now, contractions every 10 minutes from 7:15 - 7:35.

We shall see what the night holds in store for us.

Gracie time for a minute:

Me: "Gracie, say something."
Gracie: "Huh?"
Me: "Say something."
Gracie: "What's coming on next?"
Me: "More Wonder Pets"
Gracie: "Oh."
Me: "Say something Gracie."
She laughs.
Me: "What do you have to say?"
Gracie: "I don't know."
Me: "Come on."
Gracie: "I don't want to."

Of course. She wants to watch Wonder Pets. They're saving the baby mouse inside the saxophone. Poauh baby mouse.

Movie update too: Into the Wild - directed by Sean Penn. Very well directed, well shot, well acted. The story was a DRAG! Especially the last 30 minutes of it. If you want a downer of a movie, this one is for you. Emile Hirsch was good. Hal Holbrook was better.

Intuition

Nothing new has happened, but we are getting close. I know it.

What is everyone doing?

Teddy is gone.

Mom is writing a grocery list.

Stephanie is drawing icons for the boys' room art project.

Gracie is sleeping.

I am working.

Poor Steph

Poor Steph is big.

Poor Steph is uncomfortable.

Poor Steph has two little babies trying to punch and kick their way out.

They are not doing a good enough job. They are only making their mom more uncomfortable. How dare they?!

Poor Steph has had no contractions today.

You guys can stop this whole thing, you know. We're waiting on you. Help your mother out already.

Status quo

At the request of Steph's Nouna, I am writing to say that things are status quo. We're sitting here watching American Idol. Stephanie is laying on the couch. Teddy is right there with her. My mom (she came in this morning) is reading Gracie a story good night. Chikeze is now hugging Danny. That's about it.

Hospital time

Stephanie spent the night in the hospital last night. Let me back up.....

She had an appointment with Dr. Jan yesterday. She was 3 cm dilated. Dr. Jan sent her home with the request to 'please call me if you show any symptoms of labor (i.e. - regular contractions, strong contractions, this, that, the other thing) immediately'.

So, about 7:30 PM, we started keeping track of the contractions. They persisted for a few hours at about every 10 minutes. At 9:30, Steph complied with Dr. Jan's request and called her. Dr. Jan then summoned us into the hospital.

She was still 3 cm dilated last night with regular contractions. Dr. Jan gave her a shot of Dimerol and kept her overnight on the monitor. As of this morning, she's still 3 cm dilated, still has the same contractions, but is showing no other signs. So, she's getting released.

Even still, I don't imagine we'll be playing this game for much longer. :)

34 weeks and snow

Today is 34 weeks. I never thought we would get to this point, babies still in belly. This is the original day Dr. Jan told us Steph would be able to leave the hospital. So much for that.

We woke up to snow on the ground this morning. I thought it would be a magical day to have the twins. It's almost too early to say, but.....so much for that.

You can see a glimpse of the progress we've made in the nursery. And isn't that an awesome piece of art that Gracie is creating. It's for her, um I mean 'their', bathroom.

One more weekend without babies

Teddy was wiped out by the Wylie Stomach Bug on Saturday. It got her good. In fact, she still wasn't herself yesterday. But she was well enough to get her hands dirty in the nursery.

We cleaned that baby up yesterday. The shelves are up on the wall. The stuff is in its place, for right now. Once we start accumulating, the stuff's homes will undoubtedly move. We have so much more storage space for this room than we did with Gracie's.

Gracie is still simply amazing. She is talking more and more each day. Like conversing. She seriously thinks about stuff and seems to be very thoughtful when sharing her thoughts with us. She even pulls up her rocking chair when we're all sitting around and says, 'let's talk about your day.' Where she got that, we don't know, but it is such a good habit to instill. The only problem is she's not too hot on listening to our daily detailed routines. We'll have to work on that. But I'm telling you, she is not short on words, this girl.

Stephanie had a really good weekend. She was more active than she has been (don't read this Dr. Jan!!). It's not like she was helping out around the house, but she wasn't confined to the bed or the couch 24/7. Tomorrow is 34 weeks. It's hard to believe that we're at 34 weeks, especially considering the way things looked that Friday night of 28 weeks.

Movie time: We Own the Night - recommend. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - can't decide because the thing is soooooo slooow. We only made it through the first hour. I bet we don't finish it. So there's some insight.

More words and pictures later.