4 weeks old

Well, Pat and I survived our first 4 weeks as new parents. Our world was turned upside down and we learned a whole new routine that we had no idea of what was in store for us. As much as people could research or plan, nothing prepares you for being a parent, especially a parent of twins. Babies do not come with instructions. We learned as we went along. I have to say having twins, you HAVE to be laid back in order to survive. I think we have a good grasp on our routine now. It is all trial and error. Each day is better than the day before. The girls are becoming their own and their personalities keep shining through. I love watching them grow ounce by ounce in these early stages. Their cheeks are filling out and their thighs are becoming fuller and not just sticks anymore. I love these two monkeys with more than I have.

These two little girls are our world. Everything we do now is for them. I can't imagine my life without them. After our IVF journey and wondering why things never worked out earlier or when we wanted them to, I can look at Avery and Hannah and know now they were worth for what seemed like the longest wait. We were meant to have them. The funny thing is I think they were waiting for us. The timing was perfect. It was all meant to be...

After years of trying, countless tears, thousands of dollars, and hundreds of needles, we have the life we have always wanted....we have our family now. It is amazing how once you get pregnant and have your babies, all the pain and experiences from IVF are a distant memory...almost like a fog. Maybe it's a defense mechanism of repression. To be honest, I don't care to remember it all anyways. The one thing of all this I want is to always be able to help other people who are going through it. The rest doesn't matter to me. I don;t care to remember the hard days, pain, and sometimes suffering. Pat and I experienced something the majority of people will never have to go through. However, through this experience we have met some of the most generous and kind people in the world. We want to thank you for showing us what true kindness and love is. You know who you are...We have never seen such a love or sacrificial world as we did in IVF land. Whether it be from fundraisers to help us afford treatment or even egg donation. We will always know to love with our whole hearts always and to give others more than we have. We are going to show our girls the love that surrounded us through our journey so they can grow to be extraordinary people just like you all have showed us. We hope that one day they will read through my blog and through their baby books and truly understand where they came from and how badly they were wanted. At some points it felt as if the whole world wanted them... :)

They are two lucky girls who have a whole world of people who love them. :)  Thank you for always supporting us and being a part of the girls' lives.

Adventures of Avery and Hannah

The girls are now a little over 2 weeks old now. I still cant believe they are here! Once we brought them home we had my in laws stay with us at our home for a week and a half to help with the transition of twins. We will take as much help as we can get! They helped by doing housework, house repairs, yardwork, and caring for our dogs and new babies. It was very helpful. In the beginning it was tough because not only did we have 2 newborns, but I was still recovering from my csection. I was on Oxycontin for the first week and it was starting to make me physically sick, so I settled for the ibuprofen. All those crazy pain meds make me crazy! I am a person who doesnt take any meds EVER! So these strong meds took me for a loop!

It is crazy to think how a person can function with barely any sleep! In the beginning it was tough to adjust to....after the first week, I was able to function without a nap in the morning. I was getting worried how I might function without napping. Dont get me wrong, I am very tired, but can take care of the girls just fine and dandy without feeling super exhausted! The middle of the night feedings are tough, but the girls are most alert at night and it is fun to see them coo and snuggle with each other. To feed them I put them in their smooth motions glider together. They interlock their legs together and sometimes start sucking on each others faces/hands. It is so funny! Pat and I just sit and laugh at them.

As for the topic of feeding...I get asked this by many moms of multiples....I went into this pregnancy wanting to breastfeed 100%. However, I am learning quite quickly that it is such a HUGE commitment to breastfeed multiples. Not only are there 2 babies, but they are still considered pre-term. My #1 priority is for them to gain weight and with continuing to breastfeed it is hard to measure what is being consumed. It is not something I really want to play with. Since I have been home I have been pumping exclusively, but learning that as the girls grow they need more. It is hard to keep a stash in the fridge with growing babies who need more. SO as of right now, I am not sure which is best for us. Pat is very PRO-breastfeeding, but we are not sure how long this can continue. Plus once I start my hormone replacement there is a chance I may start drying up. Only time will tell!

Motherhood is full of new surprises and is rewarding yet very exhausting! I couldnt imagine life without Avery and Hannah. The girls are doing so great! They are becoming their unique selves. They have very different cries and personalities. It is always fun to learn new things about them daily. The girls are both happy and healthy...what more can we ask for!