Misses Mom

July 4, 2012

Ruthie had a hard day today.  She cried a lot.  After being sent to her room multiple times I went in and talked to her.  I laid down on her bed and asked what was wrong.  Here is our conversation:
Ruth: I'm grumpy.
Me: Why are you grumpy?
Ruth: I want mom.
Me: I'm mom.
Ruth: No, the other mom.
Me: You mean Gigi?
Ruth: yeah, Gigi mom

 Ruthie had a very special month with Gigi.  Ruth's behavior changed.  She didn't have as many melt downs, or bite, throw, hit, scratch or push.  Ruth needed a gigi mom.  She devoured the attention and responded well.  It was neat to see Ruth and Gigi bond.  I know Ruth will always remember her time with Gigi.  In fact, Gigi left her pillow here and it is on Ruth's bed.   I tried laying on it tonight, Ruth piped in, "that's gigi's pillow not yours."

                   I am so pleased to be Ruth's mom.  I'm also so pleased she loves her grandma.   

David

Gigi has been with us for a month.  She left today.  What a sad, sad day.  She spent special time with each of the children.  Gigi understands David.  She relates to his energetic, sensitive and friendly spirit. 

31 years old

I celebrated my 31st birthday last week.  It was the best day.  I went to breakfast in the morning with Paul.  Then all afternoon my mom and I went shopping.  We brought home a pizza, opened presents and had cake.  Everyone went out of their way to make the day special.  I was spoiled.  31 years old with 5 children.  That's a good place to be. 

Brave

                     Gigi took Eden to see Brave this month.  Eden was excited for this much anticipated date.

                           Since they were the only ones in the theater, Eden danced to the credits at the end.

                                                   After the movies Eden choose to get a treat at the custard shop. 

2

                                                         What could be cuter than 2?

2 weeks

Benjamin Durban has intense eyes.  When he is awake he looks at things carefully.  He is calm and patient.  He seems to understand the world around him.  He knows he is a twin.  He knows he will be feed, changed and burped - he will wait for it.  Ben is attracted to light.  He usually sleeps longer than Sam but both are great sleepers.  Bless you Ben-jam-in.   

                                        
Samuel Richard has black hair.  It has started to stick up.  His face turns red when he cries.  He no longer has grey/purple feet and hands.  Sam seems to live in the moment.  If all his needs are met, he is content.  Sam smiles in his sleep.  He seems to be the boss, or at least the one to demand to be first.  He loves his brother, when I lay them together Sam is usually the first to smoother Ben and start crying in his ear.            

                                     My very talented BFF took these precious pictures.  Thank you dear friend. 

One week

David & Benjamin

                                    We have been home one week.  One long week...look how cute they are though.

Sam & Ben

 The boys have both lost their cords, sleeping 4-5 hour stretches, nursing and taking bottles.  Tandem nursing is not going so well.  I nurse them one at a time...which means all I basically do is nurse.  I am trying to find a balance of nursing, pumping and bottle feeding which will actually work once my mom leaves.  It is still surreal to have twins.  I have twins!

Sam & Ben

Sam is a hot head.  He gets mad quickly and his whole body turns red.  When he wakes up, he wants to eat!  Ben is more calm and patient.  He sleeps better and doesn't stir as much as Sam.  Ben looks like an old man.  He has no fat to fill all those wrinkles in.  We think Sam looks likes Eden as a baby and Ben looks like David as a baby.  They have different cries. They obviously look very different, so it has been easy to tell them apart. 

                 Both are very good babies.  I cannot complain.  They eat, poop and sleep well...what more could I ask for.     

Arrival of twins

Going to the hospital * 38 weeks 2 days*

I went to the hospital on July 6, 2012 to be induced.  It was time.  I was having a few contractions but nothing consistent.  I was admitted at 7:30am, given an IV at 8:30am, an epidural at 10:00am, pitocin at 10:15am, water was broken at 10:30am.  At 11:20am I was dilated to a 5, then at 12:30 I was fully dilated  at a 10.  The nurse left and came back in scrubs.  She tossed Paul some scrubs and a team of nurses wheeled me into the operating room.  They moved me onto the operating table, gave me some oxygen and the doctor came in.  I was calm, there were lots of people busily working.  In a few minutes everyone was situated and  3 pushes later Sam was out.  Ben turned sideways once Sam was out, the doctor was able to help turn him head down by pushing on my stomach.  He broke Ben's water and 3 pushes later Ben was out.  Done.  I laid there calm and patient.  I thanked Heavenly Father for epidurals.  I was relieved they were out and crying.  I heard the nurses talking about calling the NICU but then minutes later it was dropped.  The boys were fine.  Everything went smoothly and so fast.  Only a few stitches.  3 1/2 hours of labor.

Seeing the boys for the fist time

                                            Sam was born at 12:43pm  &  Ben born at 12:49pm

Benjamin Durban 5 lbs 9 oz, 19 inches & Samuel Richard 6 lbs 14 oz, 19 inches

                                     

Gigi meeting the twins

Proud dad

The boys are all cleaned and wrapped tightly.  I can't believe they were inside of  me earlier that day.  I can breath easier and that sharp pain in my stomach is gone. 

Eden & David meet the twins

Going home

                                                                        All five kiddos

Big brother

Everyone loves the babies.  Ruthie calls them Sam & Benjamin.  The other day Sam was in the bouncer.  Ruthie came in the room and said, "where's the other Sam?"

                                                                      Home and asleep.

So far, they have been good sleepers and nursers.  They sleep 5 hour stretches at night.  Ben is more calm and patient.  He is easier to pacify.  Sam gets mad fast and takes awhile to calm down.  They both like to cuddle and are so small.  Such little birds.  They make squeaking noises and like to be swaddled.  My recovery is coming along.  It has been much more painful then the others.  Thank goodness my mom is here.  If the pain of engorgement, uterus contractions and back aches calm down...I think I can do this.  It is just crazy.

                      We love the boys.  They  look different.  We are curious to see if that changes.  We are so thankful that they are healthy and here.  We are so blessed.  We really do feel the prayers and love from everyone.  Thank you so much.    

38 weeks

Gigi is here

                                                                    Babies you can come now...please.