More Thankful Than Ever...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, hope your travels to be around family and friends have been safe and rather uneventful - especially those that have had the pleasure of a full-body rub down by airport security, but who knows, maybe you enjoyed it. 

Anyway, as for the twins, the biggest issue they've both had is constipation, which has made for some interesting noises at times (out of both ends) and resulted in some adventures in anal stimulation.  That's right, after both of them went 72 hours without a poop (in her case 96 hrs), we decided to take matters into our own hands to provide them some relief.  Can't say this is all that surprising given that they are still on the high-calorie formula with a higher consistency that I imagine just packs up (and backs up) their system.  At first we took others' suggestions to add some Mylicon to their bottles, but turns out that is more for gas - which isn't really the problem, they both can be quite the little noisemakers when it comes to that.  What they need, but apparently doesn't exist (or at least isn't recommended for babies) is some good 'ole fashioned Ex-Lax to get things on the move.

But since that isn't an option, rectal stimulation was the next best alternative...The first attempt with the thermometer didn't "produce any results", so then I had the idea to step it up and try the turkey baster-like bulb intended for use in their nose (needless to say, we now have a designated one for the nose and then one for the rectum).  Well this had the magical touch, especially with it already squeezed down before insertion which added an element of suction to the matter.  So I'm proud to say that this procedure worked like a charm to "open the flood gates", especially hers.  

Ok, on a day when eating is the focal point, I'll leave the talk on this subject at that.  But I will soon be posting some highlights videos to show the struggles they have trying to pass this diet of heavy formula.  I could try to describe the moans, grunts, gyrations and even giggles after they squeeze out some gas providing some temporary relief, but I wouldn't do it justice so I'll have to let the videos tell the full story (stay tuned). 

In the meantime, I'll offer up a story from this past summer about a rather harrowing middle-of-the-night incident and the massive ordeal that ensued afterwards...so as you fill up on turkey, watch some football and relax among family (I know, easier said than done in some cases), fill free to read this over and give thanks that this didn't (and hopefully never does) happen to you.   In order not to take up so much room on this blog, I've given this story it's own blog site, click here to read. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all, obviously this one certainly lends new meaning to what being truly thankful is to us.  Rather surreal and remarkable that given where we were last year at this time that this year's Thanksgiving dream has become a reality.  So extra blessings of thanksgiving will be offered up by us today, and not just for the two little ones, but all of those around us who helped us get to this point.

Here are a few of our favorite recent photos, more can be found on the photo site.

Logan returning the favor by getting a lick in...

Our street this time of year, very pleasant to admire, but not to rake up...

Cheers,

Trey, Catherine, Logan, Cate, and Baxter

Settling In...kinda, sorta

Sorry, for the delay since the last update…needless to say, it’s been a little crazy since coming home and getting settled.  Well I shouldn’t say settled as I don’t think we’ll ever be that, but we are settling into somewhat of a routine.  But that’s not to say we’ve figured things out, we're still trying to come up with the winning game plan as to how to tackle the feedings.  We can easily (well I shouldn't say easily) run a man-to-man defense for the feedings, but when we try to go on the offensive (i.e. trying to take on the double-team by feeding them solo) it all falls completely apart - like when teams think they got the game under control and go into a prevent defense way too early, then feel the momentum beginning to shift, but can't switch back to the normal defense that was working before it's too late. 

As a result, we can't trade off on the middle of the night feedings or take turns alternating from night to night...unless we get the night nurse, which basically allows us to get a full night's sleep, (or at least Catherine does because she'll go to bed shortly after they get there, whereas I still can’t force myself to go to bed before midnight).  However, we're really trying not to get addicted to the drug that is the night nurse (for various reason$).  Although I will confess that the other night, or was it the morning (it all runs together, I think it was around 4:00 AM, which makes me wonder, is 4:00 AM considered night or morning?) we looked at one another, each of us holding a fussy baby that refused to eat, and without saying a word we both knew it was time to order up another ‘fix’ and schedule the night nurse for another night or ten.  

Another difficult aspect about feeding two versus one is that it takes twice as long.  So until we get more efficient, it seems like as soon as we get done with one feeding it is time to turn around and feed them again.  Literally, right now the full feeding process, which includes mixing formula/preparing bottles, waking them up, changing them, actually feeding them, burping them, usually changing them again (because apparently feeding gets their systems moving and they go while eating) and then getting them to settle back down, takes an average of an hour and a half…and they’re supposed to eat every three hours, so you do the math as to how much time we have in between each session (then consider that this happens eight times a day, or in our case sixteen!). 

So much for stockpiling supplies taken from the hospital carts…We’ve blown through all of the formula and are quickly depleting the diaper inventory.  We mostly have Cate to thank for this, not only does she eat (or drink really) more than he does, but she is already for notorious for waiting until she has a fresh diaper to really “relieve” herself.  Seriously, she seldom will maximize a diaper by doing both acts in one; she usually waits until we’ve changed a wet diaper before totally soiling another one.  We’re almost to the point we need to back off from going with an “all-you-can-eat” feeding strategy with her.  The higher calorie formula is thicker and must clog up their digestive systems a bit, thus causing some major gas issues.  They both do this, but she will strain and strain (I’m talking moaning, grunting, red-faced, and sometimes put both feet in the air) to get something out down there, but usually all it results in is a rather audible flatulation.  However, it is kinda funny in that as soon as she relieves herself, she’ll let out this satisfied sigh/giggle.

Otherwise, she is staying true to form as her low maintenance self, and he's starting to find his way a little bit more...helped by him realizing it hurts to haul off and hit yourself in the face, and it knocks your pacifier out, go figure!  Besides, he's got his sister to do that for him...

I’ll do my best to try and get an update on here every week…but be sure to check the photo/video website for pictures:  www.mixeddoublesmatch.shutterfly.com 

Home Sweet Home

Got an extremely pleasant and totally unexpected wake-up call this morning from Catherine after the doctor had been by her room to say that no longer the standard response as to when they'd dismiss her was "maybe tomorrow", but rather it was "definitely today".  Hallelujah! 

"Free at last", she exclaimed..Just when we thought the earliest we would be coming home was Wednesday, they tell us this morning we can check out around noon today.  Apparently at one point a nurse that hadn't checked the days' records to see she was leaving came to take her blood pressure but Catherine quickly corrected her and refused to allow it since the discharge orders were already processed and didn't want to allow them to do anything that could jeopardize it.

Driving home today with them in the car I started to ponder how many times I had driven that route the last month.  I really wish I knew (or maybe I don't), but I would guesstimate it to be 50.  Regardless, I know for sure that today it took the longest it ever has as I went at least 5-10 mph below the speed limit compared to 5-10 mph over, came to complete stops, and slowly crept over speed humps.  

So after 28 days momma has finally returned home to a lonely, confused dog, a relatively clean house, and a relieved, as-ready-as-he's-ever-gonna-get husband.  Ahhh the comforts of home... feather-bed mattress for her, HDTV for me, and playing DVR 'catch up' for the both of us.  I really was starting to have HDTV withdrawal, and my channel surfing reflexes never got used to not having a DVR at my disposal... constantly I found myself reaching for the 'pause' or 'rewind' button on the hospital remote with nothing of the sorts to be found.

The nursery, having been ready since Catherine got admitted, has been eagerly awaiting its inhabitants.  One positive aspect about being in the hospital so long is that it gave us more time to "stock up" on diapers, formula, and baby wipes by raiding their crib carts.  Furthermore, with having twins there are two carts to swipe the surplus supplies from...I almost think the nursery nurses know this is common practice and in our case they sympathize with the fact we're still there and thus overstock our carts even more so.

The big wild card about coming home was how Baxter was going to react to his new little brother and sister.  While I had brought home some of their blankets for Baxter to sniff out to get used to their scent, we still were unsure about how he would react not only to their arrival, but also Catherine's return.  Baxter has been known to hold a grudge on us if we're gone from him too long and although I had taken him to visit Catherine a couple times at a courtyard at the hospital, those visits didn't go over so well so we had no idea what his reception to them would be.

Turns out he was great, not only did Baxter greet both of them with a big lick across the face (which his mother didn't necessary approve of, but I thought why stop him from showing some positive affection we'd hoped for), but he also seemed to enjoy laying on the nursery floor while we were in there tending to them.  Then again, he usually responds this way when we return from a vacation by just laying contently on the couch, relieved to have all of us back in one place and a return to a normal way of life.  So we remain cautiously optimistic about how he'll relate to them going forward...He hasn't always been the best with kids, or at least not kids on bikes or playing with balls since he thinks it is his birth right to take possession of any ball he ever lays eyes on.

Although, there was one minor sign of Baxter's rebellion to them today when I had to go run out for some errands and leave Catherine alone with all three of them for the first time.  My errands run took much longer than expected as had to go to three different pharmacies in rush hour traffic to get her medication...So after about an hour she calls to check on my status and how much longer I thought I would be.  Basically, it was the first of what will surely be many calls to the essence of, "Where the h*ll are you? I got my hands full here and need some help asap!"  Apparently she was in the middle of calming down El Nino (that's what I'm calling the storm that is Logan right now), while at the same time hooked up to the breast pump machine when in walks Baxter with a Q-tip hanging out of his mouth.  One of his signature rebellious acts done mostly to clamor for attention is eating out of trash cans, particularly bathroom trash cans.  So when Baxter came strolling into the nursery with the Q-tip in his mouth there wasn't much Catherine could do...But it shouldn't be a big deal though, Baxter has eaten much worse out of a bathroom trash can (yes, those) and under the circumstances this was nothing worth worrying about at the time.  We just hope he doesn't escalate this to other, more major acts of tyranny to get our attention.  Stay tuned, sure to be continued...

Here are a few shots from our momentous day (more photos can be found on the shutterfly site here)...

Still here...(heard that before?)

Back to playing the waiting game, this time not on babies but rather Catherine's blood pressure to go down enough for them to let us leave.  They don't really seem worried, but because of that, which in some ways makes matters worse, each night they come in and tell us "maybe tomorrow" - or even sometimes "probably tomorrow".  Despite our contention that getting her back in her own home, amongst the lovely "nest" she designed, and laying in her own bed would be the best relaxer, they still want to keep her here 'til it lowers to a range of "comfortability"...And yes, I've asked if I couldn't just measure it at home and report it three or four times a day like it seems that's all they're still doing here.  (Other than watching and feeding the twins whenever we ask, which I'm already starting to really appreciate so I don't want to sound too negative about being here). Yes, I will say that having the nursery there to drop off them off to on occassion or, sometimes even more convenient, call and have them come pick the twins up is quite a luxury we are quickly learning to take full advantage of (particuarly the middle-of-the-night- feedings). 

Logan and Cate are great though...Their existence pretty much consists of eating, sleeping, and pooping - sometimes all three simultaneously.  I know, you say how could they do all three at the same time, particularly sleeping and eating?  But literally each one is known to fall asleep in mid-stride while taking down a bottle...then we have to jostle them in various ways (blow on them, tickle them, take off more of their clothes, etc) to wake them up to continue - which is also remarkable how they will come out of a deep sleep and go right back into full gurgling rhythm.  

So we don't load this blog up full of pictures (and to let you take a better look at them, since plenty have been asking), here is a link to a ShutterFly share site we created to see more pictures and occasional videos...

http://mixeddoublesmatch.shutterfly.com/

Over and out for now, hopefully the next post will come from back at base camp (aka center court, aka our house).

-TW

The Match is On...

Sorry, hadn't had a chance to get to this (or much else for that matter) since they were born...Obviously our hands (and hearts) have been rather full.  From what I hear though, there isn't a shortage of  information on them elsewhere in cyberspace thanks to some text/email happy grandparents.

I'm short on the time, energy, and brain power to try and poetically string these together, but here are some highlights from the first 48 hours...

• Logan had his first "water spout" as we're calling it and would have claimed his first victim had my mom not ducked out of the way just in time.
• Speaking of projectile surprises, Cate then one-upped her brother by blowing out a green grenade on one of the nurses while she was trying to change her in our room.  Not only that, but this was after she  already pooped on her once in the changing process.  The second blast literally splattered against the plexi-glass crib wall 8-10 inches away, full of sound and fury!  Looked as if artist Sydney Pollack was now incorporating purée'd collard greens into his wall art collection.
• Contrary to gender stereotypes and taking after his morther I guess, HE is actually the more high-maintenance of the two.  Logan will always let you know rather emphatically when his diaper is the least bit dirty, whereas Cate will contently sit in it for hours if left unchecked (which if she doesn't mind, then I don't mind and it's one less diaper I have to change).  Case and point, last night I got blamed for trying to avoid changing her diaper when it was discovered after I gave her up how dirty she was, but I really had no idea...seriously, she didnt make a sound and I didn't pick up a scent.  Going into this I had always teased Catherine that I would either plead ignorance on a diaper being dirty and/or hold off on reporting anything until the diaper was more 'dirty' than just wet (also meant to reduce the amount of diapers we blow through), but really this was neither of those diabolical plots.  Thankfully, later on I did get let off the hook when the same thing happened to Catherine after giving her up.
• They both are feeding ok, sometimes better than others...we did have to make the call to mix in some formula during a 3am reckoning the other night, just as much for our sake as theirs.
• Logan has his "nip/tuck" procedure in this morning...Having mixed emotions about this one, while I'm definitely in agreement to have this done, I'm having flashback to the feeling I had Baxter's jewels got chopped off.
• There is a chance of us being dischaged today (they're kinda leaving it up to us), but there is a lot to get done (and a lot to pack up) before that happens, so I say why rush it.  Plus, with me bouncing back and forth to the hospital for the last three weeks, let's just say I need a little more time to get the house back in order for Catherine's triumphant return.  Furthermore, with the round the clock nursing attention (for mom and twins), in-room meal service, and endless stream of baby supplies (diapers, formula, clean laundry, etc), we'd be wise to take full advantage of this and to stay until they kick us out.

Here are a few of our favorite photos from the first couple days...look forward to having them back in our nest, so we included a picture of the nursery that awaits, or "centre court" as I'm calling it given the title of our blog.

Thanks for all the well wishes, sorry we haven't been able to get back to many of you but your messages have been received and greatly appreciated.

A Picture Says a Thousand Words...

Stubborn Little Rugrats Already

Woke up this morning with full intentions of having these babies naturally (and by that I mean with meds but not by c-section), but after 12 hours of labor with little progress it's looking like c-section is going to be the course of action...Even more to her credit, she decided to stay the course after hearing the woman in the next room screaming at the top of her lungs in the middle of the night as she went through labor without medication (which would have been plenty of reason for me to call an audible, but I would have already been lined up in the c-section formation so to speak).

After 12 hours of labor, two epidurals, one water broken, numerous and frequent contractions, and them being right at the doorstep, the babies still just don't have enough room to come through the door. So we're giving it another hour or so before we hit the crossroads of c-section decision.

The good news (not that any of it is bad really) is that the babies have done really well all day and momma has been a real trooper despite dealing with all the complications, frustrations and cords and cables hooked up to her. It's just a little disappointing, but we always knew this was a possibility, or I'd even say probability. Catherine (and I) wanted to give it the best shot to do it normally first - which she really has done. After all, and this is what we kept reminding ourselves of when she got admitted a few weeks ago, it's not like they were going to come easy, given what it took to get them here. But either way, the end results should be the same - two healthy babies and mother.


So please send good thoughts as the next 3-4 hours will be rather important and at the same time rather remarkable...be in touch soon, perhaps w/ photos!

-TW

Game On!

Well earlier tonight we got moved out of Advanced Base Camp (special maternity area) to the Hillary Step (labor-delivery area) as I call it to continue the Everest references.   To most people this where the summit takes place, but in our case it is the "on deck circle" since she'll be moved to an operating room for the actually delivery in case of immediate c-section.

As much as I complained about the comforts, or lack thereof, of our last room, I miss it already.  This one has a smaller, less comfortable bed for her, no refrigerator, and no longer even an imposter bed for me - just a club chair that supposedly reclines.  I keep fooling around with it thinking that it will recline more, but all it does is come apart in places leaving major crevasses and uneven cushions (if I can really call them that since they're certainly not "cushiony").  Not sure how I'm going to sleep on this thing, but hopefully we'll only be here one night.

Ironically this clip from America's Funniest Home Video's came on the TV just as we got in here (link)...Other than passing out during delivery, this embodies my biggest fear with fatherhood, or should I say the thing I look least forward to - and for us it is x2 with twins coming!

Not that I'm thinking going into it that there is a strong chance of me passing out - although I do have a weak stomach for needles and definitely any blood.  But that was one of the main things I was looking to gain out of the birthing class, just enough knowledge/warning to keep from passing out when the first one is born...or at least enough so that if I did pass out, I could wake up in time and make it through the second child being born.  So much more from that classes to expound upon, but for another time.

We'll do our best to keep everyone updated tomorrow, but doubt I'll get around to any blog posting...But perhaps, as tonight I'm going to sleep with dreams for tomorrow night of sitting back in a post-delivery room enjoying the sunset from our sky-line view while administering a baby his/her bottle as I administer to myself a celebratory bottle of something else.  Should this pipe-dream actually come to fruition, it truly will be my quintessential happy place...baby in one arm, beer in another, and jogging the days thoughts on the iPad in my lap. 

But enough about me, tomorrow's all about what's best for the babies and babies' Momma...Catherine has been incredible thus far (and I don't just mean over the last two weeks while here), and I have no doubt will be even more remarkable tomorrow as she brings these two highly-anticipated, tirelessly-pursued treasures into the world.  Much sincere thanks to all for your prayers and support in the past, present, and future.  While at times over the past three-four years we seriously doubted if this day would ever come, well here it is, and we really couldn't have gotten to this point without the love and support of so many around us.

Baby A and Baby B look forward to meeting all of you, and also ready for the world to come to know them by their proper names!

Coach, cheerleader, publicist, and Sherpa-

Trey