Tuesday, September 30, 2008
In the Sky (ballad for Roman & Zoe)
Mark Knopfler - In the Sky
I'm actually posting this draft in 1/1/09.
I just want to make sure we remember this song - one your Dad played in the car on the way to and from the hospital after you were born. It was a special time and the song fit. Your dad had been listening to the cd it was on the week before you were born and when you came he shared it with me. We'll always associate it with when you were born.
I said I'd cry when we play this later on, when you're grown up. And I'll remember driving down Highway 100 in Dad's Dodge Magnum, holding his hand.
Tuesday's triumphs
Today when I got to the hospital both Zoe and Roman were out of the isolettes and in open cribs. Hurrah!
Roman merits two photos to make up for yesterday's imbalance...I caught him with his eyes open.
Of course both were pretty sleepy today, at least until they were being held and needed to be awake to breast of bottle feed. Once that happened, sleepy time.
Yesterday G-Maw got to hold both for the first time and today the Mom of Stillwater (i.e. Mary's Mom - here nom de blog may change) had her chance and helped bottle feed. They weren't having it, too much work. Although Zoe did get 2/3 of an ounce in her at 9am (she was weighed pre and post feeding).
Roman merits two photos to make up for yesterday's imbalance...I caught him with his eyes open.
Of course both were pretty sleepy today, at least until they were being held and needed to be awake to breast of bottle feed. Once that happened, sleepy time.
Yesterday G-Maw got to hold both for the first time and today the Mom of Stillwater (i.e. Mary's Mom - here nom de blog may change) had her chance and helped bottle feed. They weren't having it, too much work. Although Zoe did get 2/3 of an ounce in her at 9am (she was weighed pre and post feeding).
Progress
Our little one week olds are making progress. Both have their ivs out and yesterday both started the process of being weaned off the isolette and into an open crib. This step ensures that they can keep their body temperture up and not expend too much energy doing so. We've certainly learned a lot about premie care!
Roman is about a day or two behind Zoe as far as milestones, which is a narrowing of the gap from the first days. Yesterday Dad had to go back to work, but he drove Mom in and came up to say hello. By 9 o'clock both were alert and looking around. We're lucky in a day if we get to see them alert, those little eyes open. Dad got to see Zoe active last night for the 9pm feeding, but Roman just wasn't having it. Let me sleep! I don't blame him.
Okay Roman, we're counting on some alertness today so we can get a good photo!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
They're Here... September 22 2008
Roman Wesley was born a short 2 minutes after at 5:48pm. He weighed 5lbs and 5oz, 19" long and had a 13.25" head.P-Mama could not wait to post , and I have had just too much to do, so here is my introduction.
Roman was named after P-Mama's father's father. The Wesley comes from my mother's father.
Zoe just kinda came out of left field. It means "Full of Life" in Greek, and in the womb she was very lively. Both Mama and Daddy liked the name, but the middle name proved to be more of a challenge, and Mama had suggested Cate after Roman's wife Catherine. It fit perfectly. We loved it. So we now have 2 very beautiful babies. A bit early mind you ... but I guess thats them making up for all the times I have been late!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Too much content, too little time
Roman, 9/27/08
I've got about a million things to say and a bunch of photos and video to publish, but I've got time that seems to be slipping thru my fingers.
Very soon I'll realize I can't do it all, but in the meantime I will try to fill in some details. I told Mike I didn't want to lose it. He told me okay, we'll just have to do this blog the George Lucas way (Star Wars reference! Not to be forgotten - that would be Dad's input in case you didn't notice). We might have to put the prequel after the end. Cart before the horse. Something like that.
Maybe I'll start with today. Your dad and I made it down to the hospital for the 9am feeding. You're on a 3 hour cycle, the nutrition fed via a tube that runs from your nose to your tummy. Mom's been practicing breastfeeding on Zoe, who has been up to it in spurts (so to speak). She kind of looses interest and falls asleep after a couple of attempts. Not unusual. You too are using all your energy to grow and develop some more. Lucky for Mom and Dad. We get to hold you for 45 minutes or so. On Friday little Roman came out of the oxygen tent and spent a few hours with just tubes, which he quickly didn't need either. So now we can hold him. Dad's been there every step of the way, so we take turns holding each of you.
Zoe, 9/24/08
My favorite part is just watching your faces - the range of expressions the cross on thru as you sleep. What looks like little grins, a few scared moments, and surprise. The last is my favorite - the eyebrows go up and sometimes the mouth opens as if you just were startled. It got me laughing good today.
Tuesday, September 23 2008
On Tuesday (Mom and Dad's second anniversary by the way, a better present couldn't have been planned!), Mom remained in bed, getting medicine and getting better. Dad spent time going back and forth between Mom and our two little wonderful additions. (Can you tell I'm happy? Can you tell how much I love you already? :)
I'd hoped, and we'd all hoped, that I would feel good enough to make the trip down to see you at the Special Care Unit down the hall, but it just didn't happen that day. Zoe was at the stage where she was ready to be held, but Dad wanted to wait until Mom was there. Little Roman was doing his best under the oxygen hood, trying to get those little lungs to function at 100% on their own. Grandma and Grandpa Baltes made there was down to visit that day, Grandpa with his video camera on the ready... Very lucky for us he was able to put something together by the next day (Thanks Grandpa! - Blog or You Tube):
The dinging you hear - the monitors hooked up to each that alert the very caring nurses to 'blips' in their oxygen levels (mostly), pulse and respiration.
(We've since learned their skin is very sensitive, but how hard is it to not reach out and touch the people you've been waiting for for these 34 weeks?)
I'd hoped, and we'd all hoped, that I would feel good enough to make the trip down to see you at the Special Care Unit down the hall, but it just didn't happen that day. Zoe was at the stage where she was ready to be held, but Dad wanted to wait until Mom was there. Little Roman was doing his best under the oxygen hood, trying to get those little lungs to function at 100% on their own. Grandma and Grandpa Baltes made there was down to visit that day, Grandpa with his video camera on the ready... Very lucky for us he was able to put something together by the next day (Thanks Grandpa! - Blog or You Tube):
The dinging you hear - the monitors hooked up to each that alert the very caring nurses to 'blips' in their oxygen levels (mostly), pulse and respiration.
(We've since learned their skin is very sensitive, but how hard is it to not reach out and touch the people you've been waiting for for these 34 weeks?)
Arrival!
This was Mike's first view of either one of the babies. He'd been waiting in the hallway without much word. Zoe arrived first, but Roman needed to be brought to the nursery for care before her.
He had time to get this video, but not much more!
Just 34 weeks
Now is the time to catch up on blog posts – you two caught us unaware! The Thursday before you were born mom went to the doctor, who decided it was a good idea for Mom to stop working for awhile. A little thing called blood pressure, and it was going up. The doctor wanted to see Mom on Monday, so after a long weekend of reading books and trying to stay rested, Mom was relieved when she and Dad went to the doctor and her blood pressure was down. Although obviously that isn’t the end of the story if we’re talking about September 22, 2008, is it? Nope. The doctor called back and wanted me to go the hospital – you were just 34 weeks, but she thought it best for you to arrive a little early. We got there around 1 o’clock and watched your heart beats on the monitor – they kept telling us they looked good (“we wish they were all like that” – we’ve heard that a lot about you two so far). We waited until after 5pm until all the doctors, staff and supplies were ready for your arrival.
At 5:46 pm Zoe arrived. Head down and in the ready position, your Mom wonders if you’re the planner…
At 5:48 pm Roman made his entry into the world, a little less eager as you were legs down and had both arms crossed above your head. Just hanging out – and really it is a little early…
Your dad was waiting outside the operating room, eager for the news.
Meanwhile mom was in recovery mode.
(Note I feel obligated to make: finally- access to the blog...The hospital didn't let us log on to post anything, which was probably good, except Mom here was itching to share our wonderful news with anyone who'd listen)
At 5:46 pm Zoe arrived. Head down and in the ready position, your Mom wonders if you’re the planner…
At 5:48 pm Roman made his entry into the world, a little less eager as you were legs down and had both arms crossed above your head. Just hanging out – and really it is a little early…
Your dad was waiting outside the operating room, eager for the news.
Meanwhile mom was in recovery mode.
(Note I feel obligated to make: finally- access to the blog...The hospital didn't let us log on to post anything, which was probably good, except Mom here was itching to share our wonderful news with anyone who'd listen)
Monday, September 22, 2008
before delivery...
posted quite a bit later, but scheduled to show here at about the time it happened
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Babydaddy...he's just full of compliments
A couple of months ago Mike looked at me and said "they always say women look good pregnant" (or something to that effect). I was waiting for the other shoe to drop on that one. Then he says "you look cute pregnant".
Huh. Nice.
That was a couple of months ago, or it could have been a month ago, my timeline is way out of whack. I've said many times that this year has been incredibly long. Reminds me of the line some comic said: If I had one year to live I'd move to Iowa because it would feel like forever. Get pregnant. Might have the same impact, or maybe it's just me.
At any rate my feet have been swelling the last several weeks. It gets worse as the day goes on, as I sit at my desk. By the end of the day: P-Mama. And I don't know if it's wishful thinking, but I'm going to say it extends up my leg because OMG my calves are huge. And tonight I'm going with the thought that I can feel the weight when I lift my foot. Heavier and definitely harder to move around and/or bend my legs. I can feel the puffiness- extend the toe and...a pillow.
Back to babydaddy. Last night we did a little straightening up in the basement, just some reorganizing. After about an hour I had enough. Babydaddy followed me up the stairs, me plodding slowly. I make the turn into the kitchen and he says "how much do you weigh?" (well he actually gave a number that I'm sure I'll hit, but am horrified to think I will; I'm already a good 45 pounds up- which is the total recommended for twins, I'm only at week 33). I ask "why?" and he says (remember: babydaddy....he's just full of compliments") "I saw the floor buckle".
I saw the floor buckle.
Babydaddy: just full of compliments.
Huh. Nice.
That was a couple of months ago, or it could have been a month ago, my timeline is way out of whack. I've said many times that this year has been incredibly long. Reminds me of the line some comic said: If I had one year to live I'd move to Iowa because it would feel like forever. Get pregnant. Might have the same impact, or maybe it's just me.
At any rate my feet have been swelling the last several weeks. It gets worse as the day goes on, as I sit at my desk. By the end of the day: P-Mama. And I don't know if it's wishful thinking, but I'm going to say it extends up my leg because OMG my calves are huge. And tonight I'm going with the thought that I can feel the weight when I lift my foot. Heavier and definitely harder to move around and/or bend my legs. I can feel the puffiness- extend the toe and...a pillow.
Back to babydaddy. Last night we did a little straightening up in the basement, just some reorganizing. After about an hour I had enough. Babydaddy followed me up the stairs, me plodding slowly. I make the turn into the kitchen and he says "how much do you weigh?" (well he actually gave a number that I'm sure I'll hit, but am horrified to think I will; I'm already a good 45 pounds up- which is the total recommended for twins, I'm only at week 33). I ask "why?" and he says (remember: babydaddy....he's just full of compliments") "I saw the floor buckle".
I saw the floor buckle.
Babydaddy: just full of compliments.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The Players:
Ok, P-Mama is telling me I have to tell why I am using these names and the story behind them. So here it goes:
P-Mama/Puffy Mama - nickname for Mary as her ankles are puffy and reference to P-Diddy or Puff Dadddy.
babydaddy - Me, or Mike or Thor or TacoChucker, depends on Mary's mood. Mary overheard a story on the bus ride home from work involving the question "Who your baby daddy?" Been a running joke since...
G-Maw - My mom, Candy or Maw as I call her. I sensed a theme going on of rapper slang, and it just fit for Grandma Candy. Kinda like "What up, G?"
Others will get screen names as we go along here...
P-Mama/Puffy Mama - nickname for Mary as her ankles are puffy and reference to P-Diddy or Puff Dadddy.
babydaddy - Me, or Mike or Thor or TacoChucker, depends on Mary's mood. Mary overheard a story on the bus ride home from work involving the question "Who your baby daddy?" Been a running joke since...
G-Maw - My mom, Candy or Maw as I call her. I sensed a theme going on of rapper slang, and it just fit for Grandma Candy. Kinda like "What up, G?"
Others will get screen names as we go along here...
Easter bunnies? I thought it was storks......
The reason for this blog is to document and preserve our story of the twins. To keep record of events and anecdotal stories of them coming into this world and tales of their journey through life. So I bes' put something in here of the like. Lets start from the begining, shall we.
I got home from work on Tuesday, March 18th of 2008, and P-Mama had some news for babydaddy. She gets that way, where she cant wait. She told me she was pregnant, and I was like "Are you sure?" She showed me the test stick and sure enough, it read positve. She wanted to take another test to be sure, so she waited till morning as the test recommends. Now I dont get up that earlier in the morning for many things, but I was up bright and early for that. Second test confirmed it. We are having a baby! I was pretty excited, though I think P-Mama didnt think so at the time. I couldnt wait to tell people. P-Mama said "NO!!!" We have to wait till she goes to the doctors office and finds out from them. Ok, fine, I suppose I can wait for that. I am not one for keeping secrets, especially one of this magnatude. Though I did tell my coworker Kitty the next day. Sorry cant help it. We decided not to tell the rest of the family till Easter weekend, which would be Sunday March 30th, as we had reservations on the reservation - Black Bear Casino near Duluth, MN. Our friend, Liz - who played cupid and brought us together 5 yrs previous - always goes to casinos on Easter and her eldest son Andrew went to university in Duluth. So we all met up there for the weekend. Thats where we will tell my mother and Liz.
So, try to come up with some clever way to tell your mother that she's gonna be a grandmother in a casino on Easter weekend. Hmmm. "Dont lose all your money, you need it for an Easter basket for your grandchild" ....no, not quite what I had in mind. "Oh, you just won a hundred bucks? Not bad for a Grandma..." still not quite right. So all day we go back and forth waiting for the right time to say something. Finally G-Maw, P-Mama, and babydaddy go to the buffet to get something to eat. We get seated at a booth. The table is shoved a little to close to G-Maw's side. She makes a comment about sliding the table our way because she cant fit behind it. So I make a comment that "It wont be long before P-Mama wouldnt fit behind the table either." Shoomp, right over her head. It took her like 3 minutes to figure out what I had just said. And then the water works came. She couldnt wait to tell Liz. We hurried up and ate, then found Liz and G-Maw didnt even get the words out and Liz knew. G-Maw was amazed that Liz knew right away while it took herself a few minutes to figure it out.
On the way back from the casino we stopped at P-Mamas parents for Easter Dinner. Again trying to be clever in delivering the news, P-Mama had to wait for the right moment. But she balked everytime. After her eldest brother and sister in law left, then the next brother left. "Ok Mary, are you gonna say something?" Finally she just blurted it out. "Very interesting" was about the only thing said for the next 5 minutes. I think it took a minute for it to sink in. They were very excited and we went home, now having half of the family in the know. P-Mama will have to add her side of the story as we go along here. Especially the next segment of announcements.
I got home from work on Tuesday, March 18th of 2008, and P-Mama had some news for babydaddy. She gets that way, where she cant wait. She told me she was pregnant, and I was like "Are you sure?" She showed me the test stick and sure enough, it read positve. She wanted to take another test to be sure, so she waited till morning as the test recommends. Now I dont get up that earlier in the morning for many things, but I was up bright and early for that. Second test confirmed it. We are having a baby! I was pretty excited, though I think P-Mama didnt think so at the time. I couldnt wait to tell people. P-Mama said "NO!!!" We have to wait till she goes to the doctors office and finds out from them. Ok, fine, I suppose I can wait for that. I am not one for keeping secrets, especially one of this magnatude. Though I did tell my coworker Kitty the next day. Sorry cant help it. We decided not to tell the rest of the family till Easter weekend, which would be Sunday March 30th, as we had reservations on the reservation - Black Bear Casino near Duluth, MN. Our friend, Liz - who played cupid and brought us together 5 yrs previous - always goes to casinos on Easter and her eldest son Andrew went to university in Duluth. So we all met up there for the weekend. Thats where we will tell my mother and Liz.
So, try to come up with some clever way to tell your mother that she's gonna be a grandmother in a casino on Easter weekend. Hmmm. "Dont lose all your money, you need it for an Easter basket for your grandchild" ....no, not quite what I had in mind. "Oh, you just won a hundred bucks? Not bad for a Grandma..." still not quite right. So all day we go back and forth waiting for the right time to say something. Finally G-Maw, P-Mama, and babydaddy go to the buffet to get something to eat. We get seated at a booth. The table is shoved a little to close to G-Maw's side. She makes a comment about sliding the table our way because she cant fit behind it. So I make a comment that "It wont be long before P-Mama wouldnt fit behind the table either." Shoomp, right over her head. It took her like 3 minutes to figure out what I had just said. And then the water works came. She couldnt wait to tell Liz. We hurried up and ate, then found Liz and G-Maw didnt even get the words out and Liz knew. G-Maw was amazed that Liz knew right away while it took herself a few minutes to figure it out.
On the way back from the casino we stopped at P-Mamas parents for Easter Dinner. Again trying to be clever in delivering the news, P-Mama had to wait for the right moment. But she balked everytime. After her eldest brother and sister in law left, then the next brother left. "Ok Mary, are you gonna say something?" Finally she just blurted it out. "Very interesting" was about the only thing said for the next 5 minutes. I think it took a minute for it to sink in. They were very excited and we went home, now having half of the family in the know. P-Mama will have to add her side of the story as we go along here. Especially the next segment of announcements.
What's the difference?
Here is a fun game that everyone likes to do. Much to P-Mama's chagrin, I made 10 differences to the above photo, can you find them all? Answers to be posted sometime this week. Look for more of these to come once the twins are born!!Saturday, September 13, 2008
Baby A and Baby B first pictures
Not exactly current, but for posterity's sake here are the first photos of A & B. Dated April 21, 2008
Interior of Chez Deux
Here is Crib#1, gotta love CraigsList. The room is done in a Winnie the Pooh theme with rolling hills and big skies - as the room is quite small - we felt the big open skies would open up the room. All the Pooh characters are frollicking up and down the hills to give a playful mood.Welcome to ChezDeux!
Welcome! We have a new addition to the "Chez" family! This blog shadows P-Mama's (Puffy Mama) blog Chez When. But this blog will be strictly for the new addition to our family - The Real Minnesota Twins. So stay tuned for pictures, fun and games, updates, and other items of multiples nature.
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