Our first outing

Having twins makes everything doubly fun, but also doubly challenging! We had our first out of town outing yesterday and Mom is so proud of us all! Mom and Dad wanted some different food for New Year's, so we ventured to Whole Foods in Nashville.
We tolerated the car ride well- taking a small nap. Hung out in the Baby Bijorn (a baby tote) and baby sling without much complaint. We visited our first public restroom AND we nursed! It was a very full and exciting day. We were so tired at the end of the day. Camden fell asleep without much supper and Miles shortened his dinner too- we just couldn't stay awake. It is possible and hopefully we will try again soon.
Happy New Year to everyone!

What a great idea!!

I don't know if you all have heard of this, but I thought it was an awesome idea. St. Jude's recycles old greeting cards- just look at this:
http://stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

I hope you have one just like you

Newborn pictures- Who is Mom and who is Camden?



Poor Kid.

First Christmas

Busy, Busy, Busy! I thought the holidays were hectic before I had kids.... Things have been going very well and the boys (and parents) had an awesome Christmas. Auntie Emily and Auntie Mary came over for Christmas brunch and pleasantly enough the boys slept through the whole thing. As a Christmas present to Mom and Dad, the Aunties spent the afternoon with the boys while Mom and Dad saw "Sherlock Holmes" and pigged out on popcorn and candy at the movies. Regardless to the fact that they won't remember a thing, the boys were completely spoiled- toys and clothes abound. Santa brought them an "exersaucer" that will be wonderful in a couple of more months.
We regularly go 6 hours (usually from 7-1) between meals- so we are slowly growing up. Mom and Dad try to keep us on a little schedule, because in less than a month, Mom will be back at work.

Camden cooing

Camden "exercising"

Miles "exercising"

I love my Daddy!
We are trying to get the boys to nap- but they prefer to play (especially Miles). BUT if we lay with them they will sleep 2+ hours- what a way to spend an afternoon! Miles is "paci-impaired." He cannot keep a pacifier in his mouth (although he loves it if you hold it for him), even though it soothes him greatly. As you can see Miles holds his head up nicely, and can roll over from front to back. Camden is increasing his vocabulary daily (n-gee, n-goo, and has a wider vocal range) and in general is the patient one of the two.
We hope you all had an excellent Christmas and hopefully Mom will have more time for posting in the future.

All I want for Christmas

I suppose this may get old, but all I want for Christmas is for them to sleep at night! I had them ask Santa for me.

first smiles

It isn't a consistent thing yet, but both boys are learning how to smile. They are both very charming. Miles tends to be more free giving than Camden (unless your name is Emily Kovar : ) ). They are occasionally sleeping more (anywhere from 3-6 hours) and take somewhat regular naps (3 1-2 hour naps daily). They have finally outgrown their newborn clothes and even some 0-3 if they run a bit small. Both are above 10 pounds.
Mommy and Daddy have been having some "practice" days for when Mommy goes back to work in February. It has been a challenge for Daddy because the boys prefer Mommy to the bottle. I remember the days when the boys couldn't wait for Aunt Emily and Aunt Mary to come over because then they got bottles and didn't have to work for their meals! It is nice to feel wanted.

12 days of Christmas

12 days of school left (yay, Greg will be home more)
11 minutes to eat
10 loads of laundry
9 pounds each and growing
8 daily feeding sessions
782-8700 the number to the pediatrician's office
6 soaked peepee teepees
5 golden poops (in practically one diaper change)
4 hours of sleep
3 weeks until we are officially 6 weeks old (I hope things start to smooth out by then)
2 little turkey butts (that's what I call them when they are being stinkers)
for 1 precious smile (Miles smiled at Greg right after peeing and pooping on him at 3 a.m.)

6 weeks old

I was beginning to wonder if the babies were going to be like my pregnancy. Everything I read and was told was that my nausea was probably going to go away- needless to say they were wrong. I even vomited most the day that they were delivered. Anyways, 6 weeks was supposed to be a landmark age and fortunately it was! Things have been slowly improving. Breastfeeding is going better. They are no longer causing me as much pain, and feedings take about 40minutes as opposed to an hour and 20minutes. We found out that an afternoon nap is imperative to their functioning. For the last couple of days, as long as they get a 2+ hour nap, their afternoons are much better! For this to happen, someone has to sit in the rocker with them, but hey small steps. Miles has officially smiled- granted to appears that it was at the couch and then at the lights, and once more to the TV. He is working on it. Camden has overall become a much more pleasant baby- we don't know whether it is the nap, the Gripe water or that I have decreased my milk intake, but who cares! They are now sleeping in separate beds. Camden demanded this in his own way and nights have been much smoother since then. I think Camden will be much happier when he can communicate by other than crying. For a while, Miles was our little T-rex. Although we thought that Camden had the worse reflux, Miles' reflux caused him to be persistently hoarse. He has been on Prevacid for 4 days and is much improved. Hopefully with this new leaf, I will be able to post more consistently... but you'll have to take that up with the boys.

Uncle Daryl should love this one

Auntie Em with Camden at Thanksgiving. He was such a charmer! The boys love their Auntie Mary and Auntie Em.

Family snuggle time.

Grandma Goodrich

Grandma Goodrich came to help out in the week(s) before Thanksgiving. She did in an excellent job at calming the boys and helping me learn to 'read' them. I suppose with 9 other grandchildren to practice on, she is a pretty good expert.


This is a close up of Miles-

And one of Camden-

They are a month old today!

Our first grandparents visit.

Grandma and Grandpa Farnbach came for their first visit when we were 2 weeks old. After a rough start (Grandma got sick and had to go away for a couple days- don't worry we all stayed well), they got to spend soem time with us.

Some close ups...
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We all have been doing well. Feeding is going better and better. After some very hard work from Mom and Dad (as well as patience from us), we no longer need formula. We are sleeping in somewhat longer increments, usually about 3 hours and we even have some awake time!
We are now "term" and carry some baby fat. At our last lactation visit, we weighed 6#9 oz (Miles) and 6#6oz (Camden). Miles finally "beat" his younger brother in weight. We are growing up fast!

Our first halloween

We may not have gone trick or treating, but Mom and Dad got a real treat- Auntie Mary and Auntie Emily came over and stayed the night and let them sleep! How sweet!

Week 38- or We are 1 week old tomorrow!

It has been very eventful around here to say the least. I'm sorry I haven't had too much time to post- I think you'll all understand why.



We were discharged on Thursday.

Our first bath was Saturday night! It was fun- not too bad. Mom and Dad did it before we ate. So Camden spent a lot of time trying to eat Miles's arm. We are looking a little less alike (at least to our parents) everyday.



Camden

Miles

We would have been 38 weeks this week, so we are still premature. Feeding has been a challenge for Mom and Dad. We are eating well, but it takes considerable time.
Maybe a couple more weeks (when we are full term), things will be easier?



We want to thank everybody who has been around to help us out! All of the babysitters (for Mom and us, while Dad shops), cooks and elves. Our gratitude cannot be expressed enough.

Day 1

After trying to breastfeed and overall being a little tired after going through the birthing process, Miles and Camden had a restful evening.
Mom's system was a little stressed and definitely did not care for the anesthesia, so it was a long night of vomiting for her (but truthfully I have gotten somewhat used to it after all the morning sickess). It was "easy" vomiting.
Regardless of all this, Day 1 went well. We did a lot of suckling and learned how to "hand express" breast milk. Miles and Camden really enjoyed some of the breastfeeding sessions and therefore, so did Mom and Dad everyone else. I must admit, I did not realize how busy that first day would be.
Mom continued to recover from the anesthesia and Miles and Camden did have to be put under the warmers twice. Although breastfeeding continues to be a priority, maintaining a temperature and blood sugar for the boys is top priority, so with guidance from the nursery staff, we are supplementing with formula until Mom's milk comes in.

Happy Birthday!

Camden and Miles have joined the ranks of Chris Kattan, Evander Holyfield and Amy Carter. They were born via C-section at 2:17 and 2:19 p.m. on Monday October 19, 2009 at the Medical Center Bowling Green, Bowling Green Kentucky.
Miles Gregory weighed 5 pounds 13 ounces and is 19 inches long.
Camden Raines weighed 5 pounds 13.75 ounces and is 19 inches long.
Honestly, at this point I am not sure if they are identical or fraternal. The only true difference we can see is that Miles has the Goodrich ear (it is a little flatter and has a bump).
Mom and babies are doing well (Dad's not half bad either)...

Nesting

It shouldn't be long now. Aren't I supposed to be nesting? We were so prepared for them to come early, but we were fortunate that they did not. We will be 37 weeks on Saturday- officially not preterm.
I am sure that if I didn't have the nursery done, the house somewhat clean, food in the freezer, work "under control," they would have came weeks ago. Unfortunately, things that are left to do, I can't really help with (mow the grass, pull up the garden). Poor Greg is doing more nesting than I am.
It wears me out just to take my morning stroll. I wouldn't even call it a walk at this point I am so slow. It amazes me at my capability to sit. Every move is cumbersome. I am still not what you would call a large pregnant woman, but I sympathize with anyone who is or was. Every move is effort with 12+ pounds of baby inside of you. But as I put it, I am all the more to love.

what's missing

We've had the showers

Tried on the clothes....

Endured an expanding waistline...

Gotten the nursery ready...

What are we missing??? Oh, yeah.

cravings

I really have not been craving much of anything during the pregnancy. But this week I have found something that I would really like to have- Advil (or Aleve). I have been sick with a cold for about 2 weeks. Plenty long if you ask me. The boys should be completely immune to this by now. It is not unusual for me to get a cough with my colds, and this one was no different. What is different now is that I have 2 heads pressing continuously against my right ribs. So in addition to rib pain from their heads, I have rib pain from the cough. I have not been sleeping well, I practically cannot move.

After being to the CNM, I either have a cracked rib, a pulled muscle or pleurisy. In other words, pain. Narcotics are "nice," but there is nothing like an anti-inflammatory when you need one.

Just keep smiling- it's almost over.