9 months

It's been awhile since I've blogged...and for good reason-we've been quite busy around here.  We all survived the holidays-thank goodness!

Now it's February and the year continues to move on...quicker than I would like.  Don't get me wrong, I want warmer weather, but the girls are growing up so fast.  3 more months and they will be 1 year old. 1!  I can't even believe it!

They both enjoy bathtime-especially when they take a big girl bath without the baby tub!

And, they celebrated their first Valentine's Day!

They are busy rolling around on the floor, not yet crawling, but soon.  They still enjoy jumping around in their exersaucers and sitting on the floor, playing with their toys.  They are busy and learning more and more everyday.  Both girls can feed themselves finger foods, especially Puffs and Cinnamon Maple  bites, and are drinking from sippy cups!  They babble and scream and cry when they aren't getting what they want.  This week I am off on Winter Break and am just soaking in the time I get to spend with them.  :-)

6 months!

I truly cannot believe that the girls are 6 months old now.  It feels as though I just had them!  At their 6 month check up Cali weighed 16lbs. 15ozs and was 24 3/4 inches tall.  Adison weighed 16lbs. 2.5ozs. and was 24 1/4 inches tall.  I can't believe how fast they are growing!  You would never know by looking at them, that they were premies! 

Both girls are busy learning new skills.  They are both babbling and laughing a lot.  They definitely let you know how they are feeling, glad or mad!  The both also enjoy watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Junior.  Cali can roll from her stomach to her back, and has started to sit up for a few seconds independently.  She is not too fond of the baby food that we are giving her, especially the cereal portion of it.  She does like apples and sweet potatoes though.  Cali would much rather eat what you are eating and will stare at your plate of food or whatever you are eating.  She is also very curious and likes to play with toys that she has to "figure out", like things that spin or move.  Adison on the other hand, has figured out how to roll from her back to her stomach and vice versa.  She is constantly on the go and just wants to move, move, move! She has loved every kind of baby food we have given her- sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, apples, bananas, pears, and peaches!  Adison loves to jump in her exersaucer and just be crazy!

The holiday season is coming upon us-a bunch more firsts in store for the girls.  Next week is Thanksgiving...and then it's not long until Christmas.  We want to take the girls to see Santa at the mall.  It'll be interesting to see if they actually sit on his lap for a picture. 

Well-more updates in the near future.  Stay tuned!

10 weeks!

Yup, the girls are 10 weeks old today! They are growing so fast and are movin' and groovin'...their arms and legs!  At their 2 month check up, Cali weighed 10lbs. 1oz, was 21 inches long, and had a head circumference of 14 7/8 inches.  Adison weighed 8lbs. 13ozs, was 20 1/2 inches long, and had a head circumference of 14 1/2 inches.  They have both found their hands and are kicking their feet like crazy.  They need one of those play mats where they can kick things.  They are both starting to grab onto the toys hanging from their Baby Einstein play mat more and are watching their mobiles move.  Cali is very much an observer and is constantly taking in her surroundings.  Adison likes to look at herself in the mirror-she smiles at herself, which is super cute.

They are continuing to nap quite a bit during the day, but are definitely up more than they used to.  While they are up we sing songs, read books, play on their play mat and do some tummy time.  I lie them on their Boppy for tummy time and you would think they were going to take off.  They like to push with their legs-so I constantly need to be right in front of them so they don't push off the Boppy!

We are also sleeping every night in their crib.  They are doing very well with it and seem to enjoy being in their with each other.  I try to give them room and separate them a bit, but when I come back to check on them, they are right next to each other!  I caught Adison reaching her arm out to touch Cali the other night.  I guess I put her too far apart from her sister!

On another note, to prove that they are growing, they no longer fit in their newborn clothes :-( The girls have moved on to 3 month size clothing...which means they get to wear all of their adorable summer clothes I received at my baby shower!  That also means I have to pack up their newborn clothes.  I can't believe how tiny they were!

Well...until next time...here are some recent pictures of the girls.

Adison

Cali

Adison- birth to 2 months

Cali-birth to 2 months

The girls

Adison

Cali

7 weeks

...Yes, the heading says 7 weeks! Amazing how fast they are growing.  I was looking back at pictures yesterday from when they were born.  They were soooo tiny! They look like giants now compared to those pictures.  In development news, they are making more eye contact with us and with things around them.  They love to look at the painting over our couch!  Cali enjoys laying in her crib, watching the mobile, and looking at the owls & flowers on the wall.  Adison doesn't really enjoy the crib too much, but little does she know, she is going to have to like it soon.  I think we are going to try to put them in their crib next month to sleep.  We will see how that goes.

Both girls are holding their heads up better and enjoy being held and looking at their surroundings.  They enjoy playing on their Baby Einstein play mat and listening to the music it plays.  They also enjoy being outside and riding in the car.  They fall asleep as soon as the car starts moving!

On the sleeping front, the past week or so they have been sleeping 3 hours or so between feedings at night.  It's getting better.  The pediatrician says that by the time they are two months old, they should sleep 6 hours at night.  I am not holding my breath! Keep checking back to see what else is up in the world of our little monkeys.  We are excited to see what else is in store before they turn 2 months old!

Cali and Adison- 7 weeks old

Newborn Photo Shoot

On June 1, we had a photographer, Crista Acosta, come and take the girls' newborn photos.  This week, we got all the prints and I am blown away.  They all came out amazing...below are just a few of my favorites.

Cali Maria

Cali Maria

My little monkeys (Adison and Cali)

Adison and Cali 

Adison Ellie

Adi

Taken just for Richie

Other news with the girls...they are much more vocal as of late...making cooing noises all day and night! They have begun to hold their heads up more, are making better eye contact, and reacting to our voices more.  They enjoy snuggling with us (especially at bedtime) and are continuing to eat 2-3 ounces of formula every 2-2 1/2 hours.  The pediatrician says that they'll begin to give us longer stretches of sleep at night...we'll see about that!  The girls are also beginning to stay up more during the day, which means more funny faces and expressions! 

Yesterday, we had their 1 month well visit at the pediatrician.  Cali now weighs 7lbs. 7oz. and is 19 3/4 inches long.  Adison is 6lbs. 11oz. and is also 19 3/4 inches long.  It's exciting to see that they are making great strides with their weight and the pediatrician said we can have them outside more and take them places in moderation. We don't have to go back until July 12th, so I will be interested to see how much they grow in the next month!

Baby Updates...

In 4 days, our little monkeys will be 1 month old.  Wow! How time flies when your having fun-or a lack of sleep!  We are still working on feeding them every 2 hours...last night though they actually gave me a stretch of 2 1/2 solid hours of sleep.  For someone who could sleep until 8-9 am, I think I am fairing pretty well with the lack of sleep I am getting.

Good news...
The girls are still packing on the pounds! On Monday, I brought Adison to the pediatrician because she had a rash on her face (happened to be heat rash...heat rash? It hasn't even been warm!).  When she was weighed, she finally hit 6 lbs!!  We go back on the 14th for their 1 month check up, so we will see how much they both have grown then.

On Friday, June 1st, Crista Acosta, a photographer, came and took professional newborn pictures of Cali and Adison.  The sneak peek of the pictures went up on her blog yesterday (Crista Acosta Photography) and I love them! BTW- just click on Crista Acosta Photography in the parentheses, and it will take you to her blog where the pictures are posted.  Here is one that I saved...

Cali and Adison (3 weeks old)

And here is a group of the pictures...I couldn't save them separately, but if you go on her blog, you can see them bigger.

collage of pictures

A look back at the past 3 weeks...

The past 3 weeks have been a whirlwind experience...3 weeks ago, I went for my weekly doctor's appointment (36 weeks).  My blood pressure was high and I had high levels of protein in my body, so they decided to do a blood test.  Before the results came back, the doctor decided that she wanted to keep me on 24 hour observation and informed me that we may be meeting the girls earlier than expected.  About an hour or so later, I was told that the girls were being born that night!  I was nervous, scared, freakin' out, anxious...all of the above!  Richie showed up at the hospital and no lie, about 45 mins later, the girls were born via c-section.

May 10, 2012- our lives changed forever!  We now had 2 beautiful little girls to take care of...born at 6:22pm and 6:23pm. Cali Maria was born 5lbs 5oz and 18 inches long, while Adison Ellie was 5lbs 2oz and 18 inches long.  They were taken off to the NICU for a short amount of time (I saw and got to hold them the next day)...Cali because she was wheezing and Adison had low blood sugar.

Richie with the girls right after being born

Cali Maria

Adison Ellie

We spent 4 days at Norwalk Hospital.  The nurses and doctors were great-very helpful and knowledgable.  I ended up being a mother for Mother's Day! 

The next few weeks were filled with doctor's appointments, lots of feedings, lack of sleep, snuggling, cuddling, loving, and trying to get into some kind of routine.  I would not change it for the world.  As of this week, Cali is now 6lbs 1/2oz and 18 3/4inches long and Adi is 5lbs 4oz and 18 1/2inches long.  They continue to grow and change every day...

Adison 

Cali

snuggled in their bouncy seats

35 weeks

I can't believe I have hit the 35 week mark already.  I feel like time is flying...technically we have a couple of more weeks before the little princesses make their appearance. Saying that I am uncomfortable at this point in time is an understatement.  Sleep would be nice-and I mean NON INTERRUPTED sleep! Yes, I know this is something I need to get used to, but getting a good night's sleep now would be lovely!

I go tomorrow for an ultrasound at the hospital to get all the girls' measurements done again and to see if Baby B is still breech.  If she is, then they will schedule a date for a c-section (bc I am not really all about a breech delivery).  I guess we'll see what the verdict is tomorrow!

pictures

the belly @ 27 weeks

cribs

pics Shana found on Etsy.com

the color scheme

27 weeks

Went to the doctor's today and Baby A weighs 2lbs.7oz. while Baby B weighs 2lbs.3oz. I think it is safe to say that they are not going to be preemie size if they stay cooking until 38 weeks or so. Unfortunately, Baby B is breech and I don't think that she is going to be able to turn. It's pretty tight in there. All else is going well though. My glucose test came back normal, which is great! I'm so thankful that I don't have to go through the 3 hour glucose testing...that would be horrible! I'm feeling pretty good health wise, besides the wonderful start of allergy season. I think I am going to have to invest in some more maternity clothing though...my clothing is just not stretching over the belly as well as it used to! Oh well...until the next appointment or piece of news!

almost 24 weeks

23 week ultrasound (if you look at Baby A's pic, you can see Baby B's foot in her face)

This past week I had 2 doctors appointments....one at Yale-New Haven for a fetal echocardiogram and one at my regular doctor's office. The fetal echo came back normal and all of their measurements are right on point. They are both above average for their height and weight already, which is crazy! Baby A- 1lb 6oz and Baby B 1lb 5oz. Also, we found out that both babies are girls...yes 2 girls to add to the household! Boy are they going to be little princesses. Poor Richie is outnumbered, 2 little girls, 2 girl dogs, and myself! Yes, we have names picked out, but we are not sharing those right now...so for now we will still have to call them Baby A and Baby B.

The nursery is coming along. The floor is complete and looks great! I love the darker floors. Now we have to work on the wainscoating and chair rail, and also paint around the window purple. Then the fun part comes, decorations!

I also have to start my registry. Yes- I know, I am behind the ball on this one. My shower isn't for 6 weeks or so, so I still have time! At least I have a little bit better idea of what I want to register for now. I just have to go do it.

22 weeks

22 weeks and counting...

Here's what's happening at 22 weeks....

How your baby's growing:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

20 weeks

Here are some pics of the babies from 2 weeks ago...

Baby B 18 weeks 2 days

Baby A 18 weeks, 2 days

Here's the belly @ 20 weeks today...crazy how time flies!

Here's some info on what 20 weeks brings from babycenter.com:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

19 weeks 3 days

Well, last week (Thursday, January 5th) we went for our ultrasound at Norwalk Hospital to check the gender of the babies and to get their measurements taken. Unfortunately, Baby A did not want to show us his/her gender so we have to wait to announce it to the world. Baby B is a...sorry you have to wait! We are going to reveal them both at the same time when we are sure. Everything else with them checked out well. Baby A weighed 9 oz and Baby B weighed 8 oz. I also have an AFP test to check for Spina Bifida...which thankfully came back normal. So far so good with double trouble. I go fora fetal echo cardiogram on February 8th to check the babies' hearts and make sure they do not have a heart murmur like myself. There they will do another ultrasound, so keep your fingers crossed that Baby A is cooperative!

I am now 19 weeks and 3 days, and time is flying. I can't believe I am just about half way there. Richie and I (mostly Richie) have emptied the guest room so that we can start getting it ready for the nursery. Richie pulled up the carpet, and we will be replacing it with hardwood flooring. My mom and sister painted the room over the weekend, and now we have to get the wanescoting on the walls, put down the floors, build a window seat, and get furniture. It's coming along. Here is an update from babycenter.com on what goes on at 19 weeks:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

17 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

What twins look like at 16 weeks (click on the link)

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.

How your life's changing:

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

from BabyCenter.com

Here's what's going on at 16 weeks...

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skincontribute to an overall sense of well-being.

How your life's changing:

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

The belly...

Well, I am being told to embrace the belly...so here is the first belly pic at 16 weeks.

...my first 2 babies (puppies)

Just some pics to share....

Riley hiding under the blanket!

* Would of been a good pic except for the red eye*