What have we been up to?

The past couple of days have been a blur and flown by.  I can't believe our babies are already 8 days old!  They spend most days eating, pooping, sleeping and more pooping.  You wouldn't believe the amount of diapers we have gone through!  Claire is famous for having a poopy diaper and when we go to change she poops while putting her in a clean diaper or the second we get her dressed, she gives us a blow out!  They have played on their play mat, had some tummy time, read books, spent time in their mamaroos, and today we went on our first family walk!

Justin and I spend most of our days staring at our precious babies.  I can't believe both of them were in my tummy!

I have been patiently trying to breast feed.  Max will not latch on, he just plays and Claire is pretty good most of the time.  She usually stays interested for about 10 min. and I don't think that's long enough to get what she needs.  I have had trouble producing enough for both of them so I have had to supplement with formula.
They have been on an every three hour feeding schedule that has been working well.  Claire, my little chunk, is always first to wake ready to eat!  We just upped the mL to 50.  They are good eaters and we haven't had one spit up! ... i just jinxed myself! 
Their first dr appointment went well.  Claire gained 2oz and Max gained 1.5oz.  Max's body temp was low (96.8) so we keep him layered.  They love swaddling and their daddy is the best at doing it!

We have had a lot of visitors!  Claire and Max are loved!  Their Aunt Darcy is coming to spend the day tomorrow, Justin's parents are coming for 4 days in Feb. and my aunts in VA and NY are coming at the end of Feb.  Can't wait for them to see and meet our babies.

Tuesday we are going to get their pictures made.  A local photographer was wanting to do some work with newborn twins and is giving us a free sitting fee. SCORE!  We will buy the cd with their photos.  I am so excited.  Hopefully we will get great shots and have an announcement out soon :)

not sure about tummy time!

Introducing Max and Claire

Proud Parents

of

Max McKinley (5 lbs 13 oz) and Claire Elizabeth (6lbs)

Healthy and Happy!

We are so in love 

More to come.....

False alarm

How many false alarms til it's the real thing?  I mean... damn...!!  Get these babies OUT!
Last night I was very crampy and had few contractions and was uncomfortable the rest of the night.  Today I went to get a manicure and to Target to get a few last minute things.  When I was in Target the pains increased again so I hurried home to lay down.  I was having some more painful contractions about 7 min apart, so I called the doctor's office.  They said to come in, so I did, and it was nothing... still 4cm.  Dr. Cousins was glad I came in and said please call if I need anything... she also said she wouldn't be surprised if she saw me again this weekend! OMG.... I will be a mess all weekend analyzing everything!

Any day now!

Just left my weekly appointment and we are getting very close!
I was 100% effaced and a full 4 cm!  Dr. Cousins said to stay close to home!  I'm kind of freaking out.... I wander when it will happen? 
She measured my belly and it was measuring 44 weeks - HOW.. last week is was 39!  Someone has been doing some big moving in there!!

36 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along?  36 weeks.. Holy cow.. that's 9 months!!

Total weight gain?  36 lbs

Movement?  A lot, along with hiccups!  I love feeling them move and will miss that once they are here!

What I miss?  sleep :)

Sleep?  Up every 1.5 hrs to go to the bathroom...then it takes a while to get comfortable and fall back asleep

Symptoms?  cramping - see below

Best moment this week?  I made it through a MUCH needed mani/pedi!! It was uncomfortable, but looks so good!

What I look forward to?  Meeting Max and Claire

This morning I actually thought it was time.  I had a little bleeding along with cramping and started to freak out.  I called my friend Lindsay, who is a L&D nurse and she said to page Dr. Cousins.  While I waited to hear back from her I packed my bag.  She called and said to go to the hospital to get checked.  She was not on call, but met us there.  They hooked me up to the toco and heart rate monitors.  Babies looked great and I only had a few contractions.  I was closer to 4cm dilated and 90% effaced.  My blood pressure was a little high when we got there (whose wouldn't be after freaking out?) so they made me stay hooked up to check my blood pressure multiple times.   It went back to normal in no time!

I'll have my weekly appointment Wednesday for another update.  I wander when they will make their appearance for real?!

A little bit of food heaven!

Yesterday I made some delicious food!  It was another very cold day in NC so we needed something to warm us up!  I remembered a recipe I made a few months ago in the crock pot and it was the perfect choice, chicken with creamy red potatoes.

Ingredients:

Chicken - I used two breasts

1.5 lbs of red pototates

1 can cream of potato soup

1 envelope of ranch seasoning

1 8oz block of 1/3 fat cream cheese

Cut potatoes in 1 inch cubes and put in bottom of crock pot.  In a separate bowl, mix soup, seasoning, and cream cheese then spread on top of potatoes.  Cut chicken in strips and put on top of spread  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

And the best part is:  

Easy clean up!!

These crock pot liners are awesome!

Then there was dessert!  Actually, double dessert!  Cupcakes and white chocolate hot chocolate!

When I was in the hospital a friend had brought me some white chocolate hot chocolate.  It was one of the best things that has ever gone in my mouth!  I went to buy one the other day and it was $3.34 for a small and was/is loaded with fat.... this lead me to experiment and make it "healthier".  

I started by using google to find recipes.  They all seemed pretty similar:  heavy cream, white chocolate chips, half and half and vanilla.  ALL loaded with FAT!

I splurged and bought 1% milk and used fat free 1/2 and 1/2.

I began by melting white chocolate chips (1/3 cup?) and the milk.  Once the chocolate was melted I added a couple of tbs of 1/2 and 1/2 and a 1/2 tsp of vanilla, stirred until it came to a boil and enjoyed!!

Man oh man was this delicious and you didn't even miss the fat.  Next time I'll try it with skim milk :)

And of course the cupcakes :)

Appointments

Just a quick update after my two appointments!
Yesterday we had a NST (non stress test).  They both passed.  I really dislike doing those. Basically you sit in a recliner for 20 minutes to an hour based on how babies behave.  I am always uncomfortable in the recliner, although nurse says most women like it.  The test monitors contractions and looks for the babies movement and an increase in heart rate.  They like to see the increase twice in 20 min... if not, it starts over.  I had some irritability, but no contractions.  Claire was very active and passed the test in the first five minutes.... Max, on the other hand, made us stay for close to 45 min.  He must have been taking a nap.

Today I had my weekly check up.  Dr. Cousins checked my cervix and we did a strep test.  Oh.. and the dreaded scale.  I gained 3 lbs in a week!  I am really getting close to a number I don't want to see.  She is very happy with my weight gain of 35 lbs... and no stretch marks!  I am 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced.  Overall another great appointment.