We Survived Our First Week
The boys have been home a little over a week now. So far, it’s gone pretty well! It’s not been near as hard as I had expected (based on hearing from other twin moms). Skip was home with us for the first 5 days and I’ve been on my own with the boys and sometimes Calista, too, since Monday.
The hardest times are definitely when Calista is home, as she is demanding attention and I can’t give it as much. She’s also taken to lying recently, which is driving me nuts! Not big lies, but things like, “Calista, did you finish your milk?” and she says “yes” when the glass of milk is still there. Or “Calista, did you wash your hands?” and she says “yes” but the sink is dry and her hands are dirty. Then she tells me the water wasn’t working! Augh!
But, she’s also a helpful and doting big sister and she loves her little brothers very much. She likes to give them pacifiers, help with diapers and pick out clothes for them to wear. :)
The boys are doing great, and gaining weight well. On Monday, they were 5 lbs 6.5 oz (Ace) and 6 lbs 6 oz (Nate) and today they were 5 lbs 8.5 oz (Ace) and 6 lbs 9.5 oz (Nate). They are getting big! They are also starting to hold up their heads, which just amazes me, because they are still so small and not even 37 weeks gestation yet.
Other than a few minor things, like Nate’s clogged tear duct and Ace’s herniated belly button, they are perfectly healthy little men! We couldn’t be happier.
We are still working on breast feeding. Right now, I nurse one and bottle feed the other, then switch next time. I pump after every time I feed them, so still 8-10 times a day, but somehow, it’s not as exhausting now. We’ve got enough milk for their bottles as well as some for the freezer, so that is great. And they are slowly breast feeding more and more… hopefully in a few weeks I won’t have to do the bottles. I may not actually have to do them now, but I’m not confident enough in their breast feeding yet to wean from the bottles.
We have started getting statements from the hospitals and all I can is say is thank God we have insurance. And hopefully, it’s good insurance. Their helicopter transports were $16,000 each. Nate’s 11 days in Seattle cost $53,000 and Ace’s cost $51,000. That doesn’t even include the doctor’s portion yet, nor does it include the transport to Bellingham and the additional 20 days they spent in the hospital in Bellingham! I also don’t have totals on their birth or my subsequent surgery and hospital stay. Ouch. But, these boys are worth every penny. Too bad we’ll never be able to pay for college for them. Guess that’s why they have work-study programs. Ha!!!
Anyhow, I am a bit sick at the moment (sore through, congestion) so I need to try to rest a bit (Ha!!! again) so I don’t get too bad. I will try to update with new pictures soon!
I’m glad they’re doing well! Ouch on the bills!! Thank goodness for insurance!
Eeeek!! I remember getting the hospital bills from our girls’ NICU stay- roughly $25,000 each when the dust settled. And we didnt have any transports like you did. Ditto what you said about having insurance!!
So glad you are doing well at home and the boys are gaining so well! Absolute kudos to you for being vigilant in your commitment to breastfeed. I hope you get feeling better and are able to rest as much as possible.
Sommer they are gaining nicely! Sounds as though you are doing great with them at home. Great work with breastfeeding too!
Yay for them continuing to gain! You are amazing to be keeping up with the intense feeding and pumping schedule. I hope things continue to go smoothly and I can’t wait to see some new pics.
I’m so glad you everyone is doing well. It sounds like you are doing a fantastic job! Way to go mommy! It’ll keep getting easier too… well, at least until they hit the terrible twos, but you have a while until that comes. ;)
Sounds like a wonderful time at home :)
Oh and Jack’s lying, too. Frustrating to say the least.
I am glad to hear everyone is doing so well. I wouldn’t worry to much about Calista’s little white lies…its her own way of getting attention at this time. SHe sees your busy with the boys and he only way at the moment is to do that. My son did that as well as wetting the bed again at times….and he was 5 yrs old…it did last more than a week but it was his way in getting the attention on him and not the twins. It will pass …it may take some time but eventually when things settle down quite a bit and they get older and on a better schedule you’ll see she’ll stop the lieing and what ever else she may do to get mommys attention…she may even favor daddy for a little while but don’t get too sad….just their way.