After a whole month of being apart, the girls were finally reunited over the weekend. The nurses were able to turn Sophia’s incubator around, so now the girls face each other and when we get them out, we can hold them at the same time. On their first meeting they slept during most of the momentous event, but they did get to cuddle and touch each other a little bit. We know they were comfortable with each other’s presence because they were very calm and content while they slept side by side.
Personally, I got my first taste of what my future will be like with twins. Holding two babies at one time sounds and looks easier than it is. You have no spare hands! I had to have Tom scratch my nose and had to sneeze so bad but there was no way to cover it from the girls, so I held it in and nearly choked and my eyes started to water! I definitely need more practice at this.
Recent milestones:
- Both girls have surpassed the 3 lb mark and continue to be neck and neck during every step of the way, a slight competition in a way to see who can get healthier first.
- As of today, Sophia is officially off any means of additional breathing assitance, no cannula, no tape, just a pretty face! Kathryn is off “hi-flow” and is now only on a nasal cannula for breathing assistance, but should be off soon.
- Both girls got their one month head ultrasounds and everything looked normal.
- They both were born at 15”and are now 15.75” long. Almost an inch in a month, how tall are they going to be?
Personally, I got my first taste of what my future will be like with twins. Holding two babies at one time sounds and looks easier than it is. You have no spare hands! I had to have Tom scratch my nose and had to sneeze so bad but there was no way to cover it from the girls, so I held it in and nearly choked and my eyes started to water! I definitely need more practice at this.
Recent milestones:
- Both girls have surpassed the 3 lb mark and continue to be neck and neck during every step of the way, a slight competition in a way to see who can get healthier first.
- As of today, Sophia is officially off any means of additional breathing assitance, no cannula, no tape, just a pretty face! Kathryn is off “hi-flow” and is now only on a nasal cannula for breathing assistance, but should be off soon.
- Both girls got their one month head ultrasounds and everything looked normal.
- They both were born at 15”and are now 15.75” long. Almost an inch in a month, how tall are they going to be?
- Today they started working Kathryn towards every 3 hours feeds instead of every hour. If she tolerates that change well then they can introduce the breast milk again. Yeah! You all should see our deep freezer – I could start a breast milk factory.
- Sophia is still taking breast milk every 3 hours and she tolerates it well.
- They are having more bowel movements on their own without the need of suppositories.
- They are having minimal amounts of “episodes”, (reduced heart rates or apnea spells).
Our babies are growing up slowly but surely!
From Dad:
It seems most of the updates come from Emily, I have her type up her thoughts and I post them when I can (with slight additions from me). I finally got to give Kathryn a bath on Monday during my after hours visit and she seemed to take it pretty well, couple of whiny moments, but we got through it. Their little bodies and skin are SO soft, you just want to hold them as close as you can. I have limited time with them during the week, so most of my time is spent just staring at them in amazement and kissing their little forheads. The poor quality, no-flash, pictures do not do them justice and I must say I've got some pretty good looking girls in my family! They are so absolutely beautiful, I seem to get lost in the moment every time I see them.
I also wanted to say how proud I am of my wife. She has been a trooper from the very beginning and surely gets the woman and mom of the year award. Her dedication to her daughters is unmatched and I am honored to have her in my life. I watch her handle and bath them, change their diapers and outfits, take their temperature, and hold them. It simply amazes me how natural all of it is to her; it's as if she was an NICU nurse in a former life. Thank you Emily!
During this time, Evelyn and I have become very close, and this past weekend we went on a little adventure in the woods across from the hospital. For hours, we had a blast walking through the leaves, climbing hills, and feeding french fries to the squirrels. Because of our situation, she obviously has had less attention from both of us, but I finally understood how much our time together means to her. As we were driving back to the hospital to pick up Emily, completely out of the blue, she says to me, "Daddy, I love you..." As I nonchalantly wiped the tears from my eyes, I thought, "Does life get much better than this..."
Anyway, thank you for letting me share my thoughts and enjoy some more pics!
Can you see the look on Em's face? Only slightly nervous!
Sophia in this Fall's hottest styles and colors...
Kathryn too, but she prefers to accessorize (pacifier)
Two peas in a pod (well, two pods) 
Relaxed?
"No dad, we will not open our eyes..."
Our nature adventure in the park
Wave so we can show mommy our adventure
5 comments:
I'm not sure what to say...I have so many words and they are just all running frantically through my mind. From excitement to well, just overloaded with excitement I guess you can say! Can you see how fast my little fingers are typing! LOL...What big steps your girls have taken within the past week it seems! To be able to hold them together for the first time. Can you imagine what is going through their little minds? Probably something like "Man oh man..where have you been? You have no idea what just happened to me" I love the way they are keeping up with fashion also. As a girl, it is very important. Such little trendsetters they are! Evelyn, Kathryn and Sophia are so lucky to have wonderful parents like you. But in the picture of Emily holding both of them together is just amazing. Congratulations to everyone reaching and surpassing another stepping stone. Each day that passes is another day that they are closer to being home. Luv you guys! Shawnie
Prayers must be working because it's amazing to see the progress the girls are making. Thanks for the beautiful pictures. It's so nice to put faces to the words. I agree with you Em...it will be fun to watch them grow and see their differences and similarities. You look like a natural holding the girls, and will be amazed at how well you learn to navigate with both of them (even while Evelyn is tugging at your pant leg)HAHAHA!!! You all seem very well adjusted and happy - keep up the good work! I can't wait to hold little Kathryn and Sophia so you tell them to keep growing and doing well so they can come home soon!! Love you all! Kari
What an nice update - you two make me cry. The babies are so beautiful and what incredible parents they have! Evelyn is going to be such an awesome big sister. I can't wait until you share with us the time that she gets to see Sophia and Kathryn for the very first time in person.
Still hoping and praying for those little bundles to be posing with Evelyn under your Christmas Tree on Christmas Day!!!
Love you guys, Laurie
Tom and Emily,
Those girls are so beautiful...like little china dolls! Tom, how important to be spending such quality time with Eveylyn, you are such a great Dad.
We think of you often and pray for the girls to just get bigger and stronger.
Love Cyndy
Em, Tom and Girls, The following comment from a higly respected - loving "family first" friend with 20 yr old twins. He commented after seeing and reading your blog. "How very very cool. What memories.... for us.... and for them. God Bless them all, and I know I don't have to tell them to enjoy EVERY MOMENT, EVERY GLIMPSE, EVERY 'ONLY WITH TWINS' EXPERIENCE, EVERY DAY..... it won't be long at all before they are saying.... "I want them to be babies again!" (I do, all the time)>
Everyone acknowledges this to be true, but thinks "for us, that's still so far, far away".... no, it isn't. Enjoy the twin miracles God has blessed their lives with...."
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