My / our days have consisted of driving the 20 mins to the hospital, in time for a feed (Both Annabelle and Dominic are now on three hourly feeds), me nursing one or both of them (depending if the nurses have started cup or tube feeding, or if they need to rest. Breast feeding burns a lot of calories, and the nurses carefully ensure the babies don’t over tire – also, Dominic is smaller and struggles more, so he often gets tube fed so he can rest. (Tube feeding means my breast milk is fed directly into their tummies via a teansie tube that goes down their throat through their noses.  Annabelle no longer has hers in, as she’s strong enough to be cup fed, or breast fed)

After, and during feeding they need to be burped (Annabelle pulls the funniest faces when she’s got a wind!) and then we start with the same process on the next baby, and then (or sometimes before a feed) their nappies are changed, and then finally after some cuddling, they’re left to sleep.

– Dominic and Anabelle cuddling with Mum –

This cycle can take about an hour and a half, each time! And the nurses / paediatrician want me to nurse as much as possible now, so most of my day is and will be spent with them.

But fortunately, at the speedy rate the babies are gaining weight now, they may only be in hospital for another 7 or 8 days!  They’ve both been through the ‘losing weight’ phase, and now Dominic weighs 1.71 kgs, and Annabelle weighs 1.92 kgs! Annabelle graduated from a closed incubator when she reached 1.8 kgs, and now sleeps wrapped up like a bug in a cot, next to her brother’s incubator.

Last night my sister and her hubbie came to ‘meet’ Annabelle and Dominic.  This meant they stood outside the NICU’s glass door and the babies’ dad and I each bundled up a little one and showed them to their aunt and uncle through the glass. We’ll do the same for the grand parents and other aunt and uncle too.  Soon everyone will get to enjoy Annabelle and Dominic, when they’re bigger and stronger.

– Rob cradling Dominic –

Tomorrow is our Baby Shower!!!! We had to wait till after the birth, since my c-section got moved so much earlier than expected. We’re doing a non-conventional picnic, where ladies AND their guys are invited! My wonderful sister is arranging it, all while recovering from Lasik eye surgery! She’s such a star! Thanks Jo!

I better get on with the day. This afternoon we’re being taught how to bath our babies! Should be fun!

Our babies are now 4 days old! I’ve also been in the hospital with them, and was technically discharged as a patient on Thursday, but have decided to stay on as a Border Mum till the end of the weekend. This being, because our bathroom will still be a construction site till about Tuesday, so I get to avoid most of that unpleasantness. And of course I get to be with, and feed my little ones at any time of the day or night.

Speaking of the most gorgeous babies on earth.. On Tuesday evening we finally decided on names: Annabelle and Dominic!!!!!

Annabelle suites her name beautifully – she’s VERY girly, a tad demanding, and terribly pretty!
We’re still getting to know Dominic’s personality (and face, for that matter), since he only came off his ventilator thingy this morning, so hadn’t had any ‘face time’ with us yet. But I think he’ll grow into his rather big name in no time!

Up until a couple of days ago, both Dominic and Annabelle had been receiving air with oxygen at a percentage higher than air, and which was being pushed into their lungs, as they found breathing too difficult by themselves.

As the hours/days passed the slow effort of wheaning them from the high oxygen level (at max they got to about 48%), down to atmosphere (21 %) continued. Annabelle reached this around day 2 / 3, and was soon able to get that scary looking contraption taken off her face! And this of course meant that we would be able to have some skin to skin time with her!

Wow! It was so incredible!!!!! to be able to kiss her soft little head while holding her teany body on my chest as i lay back in the feeding chair! I could have dosed there with her all day! And, if i recall correctly, we got to try a bit of breast feeding the next day! We both still have alot to learn in that regard, but we’ll get there. What’s so awesome is that her Dad also got some skin to skin time with her, and she was SO chilled – lying there hanging out cradled in his arms, and he looked totally in his element. A very happy Dad!

And yesterday afternoon Dominic’s oxygen levels came down to atmosphere levels, and this morning he came off all those tubes too! So i got a suprise call to my room, to ask if i wanted some cuddles with Dominic! I shot down the corridor, and was so pleased to get to even try breast feed (we two also have a lot to learn in that department) so again we just hung out. Then the nurse wanted to change both thieir beddings, so Anabelle joined us! Ah!!!! It was so cute. I’d say this is
the first time they’ve touched eacher other since birth. Unfortunately. With all the drip splints and monitor wires it wasn’t as comfy for them as it could be, but that’ll change soon enough.

Now Annabelle is under the lamps for jaundice, shame! And she has a bit of a rash! But those should both clear up in the next day or two.

Interesting facts: Did you know that when doing ‘skin to skin’ / ‘kangaroo care’, (where you hold the baby right on your bare skin on your chest, so you’re both in direct contact), when the Mum does it, her temperature regulates baby’s temperature and both stay at a stable temp. But when Dad’s do it, Dad’s temp climbs and they get hotter! So it’s important for Dad not to be hot and flustered, and to try do the care in a cooler part of the day.
(. . . Watch out for my next post for the latest, and some fab pics! . . . to be continued)

But today, I’ll get to visit them properly, and there’s even talk of getting some skin-to-skin contact time! Oh what a thought! I think that’s when it’ll all sink in. I’ve been too distracted with pain and trying to sleep until now. I just want to hold them!!! Thank goodness for our little miracles – the next few days will be bumby, but I trust they’ll be just the start of this long and incredible journey we’re all embarking on. (Ok, enough cheesy metaphors! Let’s get this day started!)

Looking at us, you’d never think we were about to welcome our gorgeous little ones into the world, in less than a day!  I’m grateful for the normalcy of our Sunday; I’m trying to burn it into my brain, to make sure we always try remember to keep our lives balanced, and ensure our, and our children’s lives are always filled with loved ones, family, fresh air, and happiness!

To my Little Ones,
I feel like I know aspects of your personalities already, but I can’t wait to get to know your unique characters and quirks, and watch you grow and become the incredible beings we’ve been blessed with! Thank you for all the wonder, happiness, love and beauty you’re bringing to our lives.  We’ll be honoured to meet you.. Soon, soon!

In the mean time, our bathroom has been taken over by a fabulous team of plumbers, builders, tilers and electricians in an effort to upgrade it by the time the babies come home.  Soon after we bought the house last year, we realised the bathroom was completely impractical. Next to no storage, very slippery floors, and a bath that was cracked and leaking. Not to mention the waste of space caused by the wall between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom.

Bath, and the basin unit which is the only storage

Original bath and towel rail area

But, as of yesterday, this is what we have instead:

Rubble from day 1 of bathroom demo

The wall is gone!

So excited for the end product – which should happen in the next 10 days!  Will post updates as much as possible – (when I’m not giving birth, that is).

And finally, we’re off to our final doppler (where they check blood flow, I believe) at the OBGYN this afternoon.  Hope the little ones are still ok.  I can’t help feel very protective towards our little boy, who is smaller and more squashed up than his sister.  I’m even more uncomfortable on that side – so I keep thinking “Just three more days, little ones – then you can stretch your cute little arms and legs!”

Today was my first day of maternity leave! The majority of the day was spent sorting out and following up on admin – health insurance authorization, nanny recruitment, baby room accessories, foreign birth registration enquiries etc. Also managed to squeeze in a much needed physio visit, and was lucky enough to get a visit from a friend sporting tiny baby and 0 – 3 month baby clothes for us. So grateful.

Yesterday we had our parents and my sister and bro’in-law over for lunch, and my MIL brought boxes and bags of baby stuff she got from a friend.

I really have my work cut out for me going through all these donated second hand goodies. But we’re very grateful.

And on top of all this, we have builders coming tomorrow, for the next two weeks, to reno our bathroom! Much needed – but certainly a tight squeeze in the Babies Timeline.

Wish us luck.

Our scan yesterday (32 weeks) showed our little girl doing beautifully (about 2.3 kgs) but our boy’s growth has slowed significantly ( only about 1.7kgs), his fluid levels are way down, and he’s also all squinched up, whereas she’s beautifully stretched out. Poor little angels. So that sinched it – it was time to decide on the best caeser date.

After consulting the stats and giving it much thought, my doc finally decided to deliver on the crucial 34 week mark. Meaning we’ll be proud new parents on Monday the 16th Jan! Yikes! And wow!!

I’m surprised at how shocked and ‘slightly’ freaked out I suddenly am, but thanks to writing lots of lists and all the support we’re getting, I’m sure we’ll be fine!

Just in time then. . .  cause I’ve arranged a photo shoot for my gorgeous hubbie and I this coming weekend, to capture the special experience of us, expecting twins, on camera. I’m so pleased photographer Tiffany Burnham has agreed to help create this lovely keepsake for us.

Better get to bed now! Resting is meant to help these little ones grow lots!
I’ll blog every day in the run up to the big day, so watch this space!

To illustrate – Firstly, at Maestro’s on Woodbridge Island – I ordered a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich, and when the lady brought the food, she asked “Should you be eating raw fish?”!  I looked confused, and said “well it’s not raw, its smoked” and she said “Oh”, and walked away. (I must say I didn’t enjoy the meal as much as I could have -as I started doubting whether I should have ordered it in the first place – eek) .

Then at Woolworths at Willowbridge, I ordered a honey nut late, and when that waitron brought it, he said “they made sure to make it a decaf”!  To be honest, I was feeling so parched, with stupid pregnancy brain, that I didn’t have the energy to protest, and just accepted it. (Probably not a bad thing to have had decaf that day anyway – but still – my point stands).

So the question is – Are waitron’s infact trained to make suggestions, or infact change orders, based on their customer’s  ”condition”, or did I just come across two strongly opinionated members of the restaurant industry?

Your thoughts?

Not sad tears mostly – but tears of empathy and happiness!

What an amazing support base!!

I’ve learnt that, much to my surprise, there are women out there who have a man in their life that is “ALMOST” as amazing as mine  ;-) !!  And I’m reminded to show my guy how much I appreciate his unflinching support, the  ’brave face” (although this process can’t be easy for him all the time either), and his infinite patience and love!   I also really appreciated the very frank portrayal of a birth that didn’t go quite as expected – but still turned out wonderfully. Very re-assuring!

• http://themommyjourney.wordpress.com

I’ve been learning so much from a mum of twin girls born just a few months ago, as she shares her experiences and photos (such CUTE clothes !)

• http://smilingwatermelon.com/

I’ve laughed so hard at the very honest posts of a mum who laments the not-so-romantic or pretty side of having babies – although clearly her heart is full of love – and a sense of humour

• http://reasonsmommydrinks.com/

And one of the most adventurous blog reads I’ve encountered (including using Google Translate frantically to understand the French posts). This couple have had such a roller-coaster of a pregnancy and birth experience with their two little ones – and finally seem to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!

• http://usplus3.com/

This is by no means the end of the list of blogs that I’m enjoying or learning from.  Just wanted to say, this beats joining any stuffy Twins support group, or trying to glean all this wisdom from books!

To all of you – thank you!  I can only hope that the experiences I share on this blog help, or at least re-assure other parents that they’re not as crazy or alone as they might feel.

* I’m nearly 32 weeks along – and our twins are still growing well, it seems!

* Today was the last work day of 2011

* I finally went for a great hair cut and colour:

     –  Hubbie tells me the twins are gifting me my fab new hair! (I’m not complaining – just wondering where they’re stashing all this cash!)

* I get to rest and put my feet up now that the new year’s long weekend is here!

* Only four more days at the office till my maternity leave starts!

The only down side of the day: I’m feeling more preggies than ever, and my ankles are suddenly so swollen it hurts:

Thank goodness for all of the previously mentioned happy facts then!

Happy new year! And check back for our next scan update after the 6th Jan! Can’t wait!