Welcome to Our Blog! Our Story Starts Below...

Welcome to our blog! We set this up as an information hub about the progress of our little twin boys who were born on January 5, 2010. We along with our little boys first thank you so much for your love and support, and hope that this blog will give you an opportunity to follow their progress as they grow in the NICU at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton.

Our little boys had a harrowing journey to get here. They were born at 25 weeks and 6 days, which is needless to say, very early. Jared William, was born at 10:49 a.m. feet first, and on the bathroom floor of the delivery room. Anthony Michael was born at 11:30 via C-section after he decided that he wanted to come out hands first.

Our story started on Monday, January 4 after a doctor's appointment with Dr. Gray. Danielle had been feeling generally, "crappy" the day before and reported what sounded like some contractions. The doctor decided to send us across the street to the hospital just to make sure everything was okay. After a couple of hours in labor and delivery the staff confirmed a few contractions, but very far apart. Her cervix was not dilated and the babies were fine.

The doctor sent us home and told us to keep track of the contractions, and so long as they weren't less than 7 minutes apart there was no need for concern. The next morning Danielle started feeling contractions again, but this time they were about five minutes apart. She called the doctor who said to wait another hour and see if they went away.

I was just getting ready to walk out the door to work when Danielle had a contraction that just about doubled her over. Deciding something wasn't right, I called the doctor and said we were coming to the hospital.

On our way to the hospital Danielle was having severe pains in her lower back every three minutes. When we arrived at the hospital Danielle was hooked up to the machines which registered no contractions at all. The doctors and nurses did not think her pains were contractions but constipation. After several attempts to alleviate that Danielle went into the bathroom still having severe lower back pain.

After a minute, I heard a scream, and Danielle was screaming that her babies were coming out. The nurses came rushing, as did the doctor, but Jared was too impatient to wait. He was born on the bathroom floor. After Danielle was moved to the bed, Anthony wasn't so cooperative and an emergency C-section was performed.

The NICU unit was quick to respond and help the teenie little babies breathe and fight for life. Jared was 2lbs. 1oz. and was 13 and 1/2 inches long. Anthony was 1lb. 15oz. and was 13 inches long.

The whole thing was totally unexpected, and frankly more traumatic than happy. But we are blessed with two gorgeous little miracle babies!

Our boys came home to us on March 26, 2010, after spending 81 days or about 12 weeks in the NICU at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. As you may note from our previous posts below, the journey was not without its bumps in the road.

There were highs, and there were lows. We and the boys braved two laser eye surgeries, and countless other obstacles and scares. But, we never lost confidence in the medical team in the NICU, and always kept our faith that God would lead us through this time.

Our steadfastness paid off, because now the boys are happy and healthy at home! This of course brings with it a totally new set of challenges that we are exicted and eager to experience. The task of caring for twin newborns is a daunting one, but a welcome one.

So, just because the boys are now home, don't think the blogging will stop. It may not be as consistent as before, but we will do our best to keep you all updated on their progress, and give you a window into our lives raising twin boys.

Enjoy!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

9 Months Old - - WOW!

Jared feeding himself a rice cracker
Anthony enjoying one too!

Anthony (Left) Jared (Right)


The boys celebrated their 9 month birthday on Oct. 5th, we can hardly believe it. They are both getting so big and changing every day.


Last week, we went to the pediatrician for their 9 month check up. Jared weighs 17 lbs. 9 oz and Anthony weighs 17 lbs. 12 oz and both are 26 inches long. They are moving up on the growth chart and are both in about the 10th percentile for a 9 month old baby...Can you believe it? No immunizations ordered this time, but of course, they did each get a flu shot. Neither of them cried, we were there to comfort them as soon as they got the shot, so not even a tear. I think it is actually harder on Jason and I then it is on them when they get a shot. They have no idea its coming, but you do, then to see their little face frown and begin to cry...it breaks our hearts.


Their doctor is pleased with their growth and development. She thinks that they aren't too far behind where they should be at this age. They are both rolling all over the place and if they could just get their tummies off the ground, they will be scooting and maybe even crawling soon.


One area of concern it Anthony's head. Although it has evened itself out significantly since he began rolling over and sleeping on his tummy, the doctor wants it to be checked out. She is referring him to a Neurosurgeon at CHOC to make sure his skull bones have not prematurely fused and there is still room for growth and movement. She said she isn't too worried about it since there has been even growth since the last appointment, but she would rather be safe than sorry. If in fact, any of his skull bones have fused early, it could cause his head to grow lengthwise instead of equally all around and surgery would be needed to separate the bones.


Jared is the first to say "Dada." It happened last Monday night and Jason and I looked at each other puzzled...Did he really say what we thought he said? Sure enough...it was "Dada." Jason is so excited and tries to get him to say it every chance he gets. Anthony likes to babble a lot and by the way he is going, it seems like his first word might actually be "Uh-oh," but we'll have to wait and see.

We started attending a Kindermusik class on Mondays. It is a Mommy and Me class where the boys play and interact with other babies their age and there is lots of music and fun songs. They seem to really enjoy it and Anthony seems to have a crush on Miss Annette (the teacher). Jason had this past Monday off so he was able to go with us, and of course, he had fun too.


The only real struggle lately has been nap time. Some days are great and other days, not so much. I've been working on it the past 3 weeks, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Both boys are sleeping much better at night, but apparently don't like sleeping when the sun it out :) Jason said the other day, it is so funny how babies and kids fight taking naps but teenagers and adults can't ever seem to get enough sleep, funny how the tables turn.


The boys are starting to enjoy finger foods now and are still adding many new fruits and veggies to their everyday menu. Most recently, they have tried (and loved) watermelon, cantaloupe, blueberries and yogurt. Jason and I are most looking forward to switching them to milk once they are 12 months old. Formula is ridiculously expensive! Their doctor even gave us the green light to introduce milk a few weeks early if they don't have an adverse reaction to it.


All in all, things are going very well. I can't believe I've already started to plan their 1st Birthday party...time flies.

Thank you again for all of your love an support,
Fight On! Little Fighters!! - Love Momma