mama update

I've gotten a few inquiries as to how I'm doing, so I figure there are probably at least a few others out there just as curious.  You'll be happy to know that the cankles are gone.  It was miraculous, really.  They swelled up even bigger post-delivery and every day were quite a sight to see.  Then, pretty much overnight, they decided to go back to normal again.  Never to be seen again, I hope. 

I have ALMOST gotten back to my pre-pregnancy size.  I was bold enough to try on some of my regular pants.  They made it on, but we still have a ways to go to fasten them.  OK, so maybe I'm not really that close, but I'm much happier thinking that I am.  It's just another wow moment in this whole process about how incredible the human body is.  In case anyone has forgotten, this is what I looked like 3 days before delivery:

I have lost about 35 pounds since then.  Of course, a significant amount of that was in the form of 2 beautiful babies.

On the emotional side, this is definitely a roller coaster.  There are days when I'm really blue and just think this is really hard and I feel really isolated and tired and don't know how to make it through another feeding or another crying spell.  But, then there are days when I have full confidence that I can do this and am ready for whatever new challenge the day brings (today it's their first cold and cleaning out their noses).  I'm really fortunate that I have had friends and family her supporting me through each feeding and helping me get through the days.  I would definitely have more blue days without you!! 

look at those legs

Bath time for Miss Sylvia.

I got inspired

Polling the audience:

Whom do they resemble? Mom, dad, or milkman? Do you think they look like siblings?

L'shana Tovah

In celebration of Rosh Hashana, D took today off (along with his boss).  It was nice to have him home for the day.  Last night wasn't the best night.  Sylvia decided to have some uncomfortable gas that kept a few of us awake for many hours.  That made me not such a happy camper today, so having D home helped keep me from throwing in the towel on the breastfeeding, pumping, and everything that seems to make this more difficult.  Of course, switching to alternate methods will likely have challenges of their own. 

Fortunately, today has been a good day.  The kiddos have been relatively calm with not too much gas.  I have been able to sit through the whimpers and whines and am getting better at not feeling heartbroken every time I hear them and I don't always automatically assume that they are experiencing the worst tummy pain imaginable.


It's hard to believe that we haven't yet had them both home for a full week.  It feels like it's already been a month.  Both in that I'm exhausted and in that I think we're starting to get in the swing of things.

Please keep the prayers coming that the gas doesn't turn into colic.  So far, I think we're steering clear.  Miss Sylvia seems to get uncomfortable almost exactly 2 hours after we start her feed.  She goes through about 6-10 wailing sessions where she tends to soothe herself right when we get up or get to her door to go try to calm her down.  Rafael doesn't want to be left out and plays the same ruse a few times, but doesn't seem to be quite as bothered by Sylvia.  Hopefully, we'll learn and stop getting up at some point.  Then they both go back to sleep for 30-45 minutes until it's time to feed again.

We might get around to snapping some pics one of these days, although they mostly just hang out in their burrito swaddles and you can only see their little heads peeking out the top.  They are super cute little heads, though, and definitely warrant some photos.

we can do this

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple days, it's been a little bit of a whirlwind for the past couple days.  We have been very good about staying on the 3-hour feeding schedule started by the hospital.  We've only had to do an extra mid-feed twice, both for little Sylvia who seems to be trying really hard to catch up with Rafael.  Unfortunately, since he's such a good sleeper, he's not burning any calories in between feedings and doing an excellent job in putting on weight.  She, on the other hand, is a fussy, little baby and we would appreciate prayers for her (and for us) that her fussiness doesn't turn into colic.  Please God.  Rafael got to visit his pediatrician today and here are the latest stats from their visits:

Sylvia (as of 9.23.11) - 19.5", 5 lb. 5.2 oz.
Rafael (as of 9.26.11) - 19" (although that means he's shorter, so the doc said that's probably user error in measuring him), 6 lb. 10.7 oz.

We have had a night nanny come for the first couple nights.  She'll be here 4 nights a week for a few weeks helping us and the twins adjust to life together.  I was sort of a crazy mom the first night a little uncomfortable with her "method", but we discussed it all and worked out a compromise.  I'm now settling more into trusting her with the kiddos and her methods and realizing that there are plenty of people around the world breaking the "rules" and plenty of generations that did things that are now discouraged.  It will definitely be a lifesaver having her help out with the twins and taking some of the burden off until we get better at all of this.  Not to mention D's being able to sleep most work nights and my being able to rest more since I only get up to pump and she takes care of the twins throughout the night. 

I haven't yet tried a feeding on my own, thanks to Mom and Miss Candy who both have come for a couple daytime feeds.  I might get my chance tomorrow at noon before D's mom arrives for the 3pm feed.  Depending on how the kiddos are doing, I might tandem feed, I might feed them one at a time, or I might bottle feed.  In that order of frustration.  Pray for me.  Tonight I feel up to the challenge, but we'll see how I feel when actually faced with the situation.

our 4-family

Heading home. At last.

Sylvia goes to the doctor

She's now up to 5 pounds 5 ounces. That's over 1/2 pound weight gain since birth!!