Happy 1 Month Birthday S & S!!

Everyone always says that time flies, and boy, are they right?! The follow-up nurse came by on Tues. & checked them over & said they're doing really well. Sara, aka Piglet, is now 7 lbs. 1 oz. Siena, the Peanut, is trying her best to catch her younger sister & is 6 lbs. 8 oz!!! She's been through so much in only 1 month of life & it's obvious she's a little fighter. I'm so proud of her. They've really only been able to fit into little sleepers so I'm soooo excited to start dressing them in all their adorable clothes. :)

Daddy hanging out with his girls

I actually get 2 fun nights out this week! We had Wine Club on Tues. (For those that don't know what it is: my girlfriends & I meet once a month & have dinner, chat & each bring a bottle of that month's theme.) There were 5 of us this month & it was so nice to sit outside, have "girl talk" & relax. Then on Fri., there's about 15 of us that are going to get dinner & Cosmos, then go watch "Sex and the City". I'm sooooo excited. Mom offered for her & Dad to watch Sara so Jeff could have an easy time with Siena & I think I may just spend the night @ Double S's & really whoop it up! :) I only pray Sara is good for them or they may never offer again! lol

Mom & I are going to attempt to get the girls pictures taken today. It'll be the their 1st adventure out of the house other than going to the Dr. Wish us luck!! haha

God Bless Our Troops!

I think a lot of people just think of Memorial Day as a 3-Day Weekend & don't think about what it really means. I'm so grateful for the men & women who serve our country in order for us to have all the freedoms that we have. THANK YOU!!

Update on Siena & her breathing issues: her alarm has only been going off every few days or so. (Thank God!) We've taken notice that it seems to only be around the time that we're feeding her. You can see that she's perfectly still & not breathing & the alarm's about to go off so we just pat her on the back & she starts again. Her appt. with the CHOC NICU Dr. is in 3 weeks so I'm very interested in what he sees on the computer chip & what he has to say. I'm praying that we can take her off the monitor @ that time. Although it's not as big of a deal as I had thought, it is kind of a pain. You can't just pick her up & carry her into another room (or even more than about 8 feet away) without having to unplug & carry the monitor with you as well.

My dear friend TK & Little Miss E came over for a visit on Sunday. She's 3 mos old & we just had to put her next to her new friends to see how much bigger she was. (S & S will be 4 weeks on Tues.) She's absolutely adorable & I was so sad I had a cold & couldn't hold & kiss her. It'll be so fun to watch these girls interact. (And I can't imagine their conversations to be any less funny than their Mommy's have been over the years! haha)

DATE NIGHT!!

I love the weekends. Jeff's home & we both get to take care of the girls and take turns in each doing something solo. Typically for me? A nap. Jeff? A workout. So happy I'm not "allowed" to work out for another 2+ weeks. :)

We had a few helpers today. Lucky us. Scott & the boys came over to watch the girls while we took a much needed nap. As always, Jake was so sweet with them. Siena had just spit up so he was rubbing her belly & with Sara, he just layed next to her & kept patting her head. Josh lost interest after a while & told us he was "really ready to go home". lol

After they left, Mom & Dad came over so we could have our Date Night. We decided against Laguna due to weather (and the fact that my favorite restaurant, Cabana, closed. :( ) Ended up going to the Spectrum (yes, we're crazy for going on a Sat. over Memorial Wknd.) and went to PF Changs. I had a very-much-missed Mojito & we had a great dinner. (I have to admit we talked about the girls most of the time- we missed them!) After dinner, we went to Bacchus Wine Bar & had a couple glasses of wine & listened to a great 3-Man Blues Band. Thanks Mom & Dad for some much needed time alone!!

I don't want to jinx anything but Sara has slept really well the past few nights. Ironically, Siena's been very whiney starting about 5-6am. I swear they're already plotting against us! LOL

ANOTHER Thyroid Treatment??? Grrrr....

Okay, since this is essentially my journal, I need to vent.....

Just when I finally started to feel "normal" again- no fertility treatments, not pregnant, no more cancer issues, I go see my Endocrinologist for a post-pregnancy check-up & he reminds me that I need to go have another body scan & Radioactive Iodine Treatment. He's been keeping an eye on a couple "spots" via ultrasound & wants to make sure that they're either scar tissue or cancer-free lymphnodes. In a matter of weeks, I have to start the God-forsaken low-iodine diet that I did 2 years ago- one of the worst parts of my treatments. It's 2 weeks long & I can barely eat anything, for almost everything has iodine in it. (The "no dairy" alone will drive me to drink!)And since you never know what restaurants put in their food, I have to make all my own food at home (like I have time for that). Then, after 2 weeks, I go in for an injection 2 days in a row. On the 3rd day, a Nuclear Medicine Specialist will administer the Radioactive Iodine. Fortunately, I don't have to be quarantined at the hospital this time, but the worst part is this...... I cannot hold the girls for 2 days. :( We're trying to figure out a way that my parents/Jeff can take care of them without me.

Not to mention I'm coming down with a cold & my stomach's been upset too. Ugh!! I don't have time to be sick!! Plus, my Mom & Dad offered to watch the girls for a while tomorrow night so Jeff & I could go to dinner. I'm dying to go to Laguna- haven't been since December. Nice weather for it, huh? I hope I feel good enough to go.

The Girls' snuggling during naptime.

Siena's 1st time in the swing. She loved looking at the bees moving around above her.

Amazing What a New Day Can Do

Last night was rough & fortunately my melt-down has passed. Grandma happily helped all day today so I could get some things done around the house. Sorry for the repetition but..... I don't know what I'd do without her!!

Sara & I were not getting along last night. All she wanted to do was cry when she was awake & when it was feeding time, all she wanted to do was sleep. (This went on til 12:30am) This is seriously what she did while I was upset with her.

Too funny! She already reminds me of me as a teenager. We can tell this one's gonna be trouble- already nicknamed the Drama Queen.

Grandpa came over yesterday to hold Siena- he hadn't since she was sent to the NICU. (Notice the matching hairline?? lol)

She's doing great, by the way. Our little peanut is really starting to fill out- she has a double chin, little chubby cheeks & starting to get some thighs! We got a call from CHOC & they're sending out a complimentary nurse to check on their former patient. Very nice. She's gonna bring a scale so we can see how much the girls are (they don't go back to their Pedi for 5 weeks). Very curious to see how we've been doing tryin to pack on the pounds (or the ounces. haha).

Having a very nice (quiet) time tonight. On my laptop upstairs, watching the American Idol finale with a glass of wine and a Night Nanny on the way! :)

Happy 3 Week Birthday S&S!!!

I can't believe that it's their actual due date too! I cannot imagine it having been a single pregnancy & having to go another 3 weeks!!!! :O

We went for our first walk tonight. Siena was wide awake, just lookin around, while Sara slept through the whole thing. Despite how short it was, it was so nice to get outside. I think I've only left the house 3x in almost a week & I'm going a bit stir crazy. Plus.... I haven't been able to go for a walk since before January!!!! I may take them for a long one tomorrow. We'll see if that happens.

Thanks to everyone that has signed up to bring us dinner. And especially Jen for organizing. :) It's such a huge help & we really appreciate it! XOXO

The past few nights have gone well & we've been getting some sleep. (Not the 8-9 hrs like we used to tho!! lol) But this evening has been challenging. It's already 11:30 & I'm still up feeding babies (while typing) so I'm worried how the rest of the night's gonna go..... I'm trying to be a nice wife by letting Jeff get some sleep, but I'm countin the hours til the Night Nanny comes tomorrow night!!!!! I think I'm doing a good job, but it's nights like these that I just have to cry a little & repeat "It will get easier. It will get easier."

Who Would Have Thought a Trip to Babies R Us & Target Would be Rejuvinating?!

Not me, but it was!! I blared my work-out CD (that I obviously haven't heard in 4-ever!), sang along & just felt plain normal again. Unfortunately, when I called Jeff @ home to see how he was doing, he had 2 crying babies, both of them hungry & Sara inconsolable. We spoke to her Pedi yesterday & she also thinks she has Reflux so we started her on meds tonight & are gonna see how it goes over the next 2 weeks. I suppose if it's going to make her feel better (and help us sleep more), the meds are fine.

Can I just tell you all how wonderful it was to have 2 glasses of wine last night? I'm officially done pumping (yeah!) and Jeff & I opened a bottle of Pinot he had bought me in Oregon & it was fabulous!!!! :)

Jeff's Dad came down today for a quick visit. He drove almost 3 hrs. just to see the girls together. When he met them the 1st time, Siena was in the NICU, so he just had to get a picture holding the 2 of them. If only Sallie could have been here too. :(

Siena apparently having a good dream tonight. LOL

I May be Losing my Sanity, but I Still have my Vanity!

I had my follow-up with my OB today and for some CRAZY reason, I've already lost 30 of the 35 lb. that I gained!!! :) Boy, did this make me happy.

Another rough night in the "G" house last night. I was sooooo beyond exhausted that when Jeff got home from work, I had the front door open, upset baby in arms & sitting on the stairs waiting for the hand-off. Sara was soooo upset that Jeff took her upstairs so I could get some sleep. Little did he know that HE wouldn't get any! She was beyond consoling from 10-3 am!!! I finally took over both of them about 4 & poor Jeff only slept for 3 hrs. then had to go to work. The Night Nanny said she thinks she may also have Reflux but I don't want to automatically put her on meds just cuz she had one bad night. She'd been doing so great for about a week. We'll see what's in store this weekend.

As for Siena, she did have a little issue today. While I was burping her, I noticed she was perfectly still & didn't look like she was breathing. Just as I questioned it, her alarm went off & I patted her back & she took a breath & the alarm stopped. Fortunately, I had been watching her so it wasn't too terrifying, but still a scary thing to see your daughter go through. I cannot wait til she outgrows this!!!!!


The girls both had their 1st real bath today. Both hated it!! Hopefully that'll change. It tired them out so much,they crashed.

Me and my Girls.

I'm 2 Years Cancer-Free Today!!!!

Wow. When I think about it, it's crazy. If I hadn't been trying to have a baby, who knows if I would have found out I had cancer?! At times, there's definately blessings hidden within sadness.

Lord help us! They're already gossiping! lol

Joan, the Night Nanny/Nurse, was great. Very personable, friendly, had great advice & she loved the girls. She told us to get upstairs, not to worry & get some well needed rest. This morn she said they did really well. Siena's alarm did go off briefly (we must have been sleeping like rocks cuz we didn't even hear it!!!!) but she said she was fine. Could have just been a false alarm. She left when Jeff got us @ 6:30 & I took over. I did have a mini-meltdown about 11, then again after Mom left. It's A LOT of work taking care of 2 babies. I keep repeating that it will get easier & a little cry once in a while is normal. Thank God for Grandma. Without her coming over every day, i don't know how I'd do it!! Right after G-ma left, another alarm went off. Fortunately, I was holding her @ the time so I knew she was okay, but still a little scary. We are not looking forward to the middle of the night alarms!!

Kyrstyn, you are my HERO!!!! Taking care of twins by yourself, what- 75% of the time? I think of you constantly & soooo wish you lived closer. ;)

The Little Peanut

Night Nanny to the Rescue!!

This is how Sara felt about her first "tummy time".


We had our delayed family Mother's Day celebration (Grandpa had been sick.) The Boys brought Grandma & I flowers and they also picked me out a gift card from Pizza Hut. (They had remembered that Uncle Jeff & I had brought it over to their house last month.)





We had told the boys that they could only touch the babies feet & top of their head. How could we say anything when our loving, sweet natured Jake was giving her lots of kisses?

Thanks to Mom & Dad, we have 7 nights with a Night Nanny! We're gonna space them out, but our 1st one is tonight & Jeff & I are looking forward to a full night's sleep with no interruptions. :)

We Survived Our 1st Night w/ Two Infants!!

Since their feedings didn't end up coinciding, we thought it might be easier if we each "tackle" a baby so we could get some sleep. So Jeff stayed with Siena upstairs & I stayed with Sara down. Didn't quite work out as great as we thought. haha Jeff barely slept cuz the entire night he was scared the monitor might go off. I didn't sleep well cuz I had a very fussy Sara. We learned yesterday that we've been feeding the little Piglet way too fast so it was making her tummy upset. Ever since we slowed her down, she seems to be doing much better. Knock on wood.

Grandma & I took them to their Pediatrician today. Boy, what an adventure!!! It took us about 40 minutes just to get us all packed up & in the car! lol And then we got there & I realized I forgot all Siena's paperwork I was suppose to bring the Dr. (Yes, I still have "baby brain".) Dr. said they're both doing great and doesn't need to see them again for 6 weeks. Yeah!

Siena finally hit the 5 pounder club!! And Sara??? She gained 10 oz. in 1 week & is 5 lbs. 10 oz. :O Fortunately, Siena's monitor has not gone off yet and we're praying it won't. It's definately a little sad to see her w/ wires attached to her @ all times & having to carry around this monitor bag, but at least it's temporary. They'll look at the computer chip in 6 weeks & determine if she's had any true episodes & is she needs to continue to be on it for another 6 weeks. Pray she doesn't!!!! I'd love for this to be over by the end of June.

By the time my Mom left, I was exhausted!! I tried to nap with them but one started crying, then both. This is now my life..... But I love it. :)

Reunited..... And it Feels So Good

Have 2 babies now so only a few seconds to write, but I wanted to show off a couple pics!! We're so happy our family is all together. Seeing them together sleeping so soundly made my heart melt.

Here's Siena sleeping in her 1st non-hospital bed. Wish us luck tonight!! lol

Happy Mothers Day to all The Mommies!!!

I can't believe I'm finally included in this special group. And how lucky am I that I've had such an incredbile role model to emulate. Although the 3 generations of women couldn't be all together today, knowing we will be as of tomorrow makes this 1st Mothers Day incredibly special. Jeff & I had a nice dinner @ home together last night (and Sara cooperated by sleeping!), and we got to go to lunch today while G-ma watched her. He bought me beautiful roses, is sending me shopping & with everything we've gone thru together, we're closer than ever. :)

The NICU nurses made me this special sign & also gave me a rose- so sweet. Grandma & I played with Siena's faux-hawk. (She's got Grandpa's receding hairline! lol) I'm soooo excited for my sweet girl to come home tomorrow.

Monday's the Big Day!!

"Today my nurse dressed me up in a cute hat."

Our little fighter is comin home!! We get trained on her monitor on Monday and should be comin home in the afternoon. I'm starting to be more excited than nervous and just can't wait for our new family to all be together @ home. The girls haven't seen eachother since they were 2 days old so it'll be nice to see them together again. :)

The girls both got a visit from Auntie ST today also. She drove me to the hospital and got to spend a little time with both of them.

I'm also happy to announce the winner of the pool is..... My very special Adopted-Godmother HS!!! I'm so happy she won (and so is she!!). :) Yeah!!

"YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!!"

Our Little Peanut May Be On Her Way Home

Siena & I had such a sweet snuggle session today.

The pneumogram game back abnormal. They noticed that while she slept there were times she stopped breathing, then would start back up. It's called "Periodic Breathing". Here's an explanation I found: What one observes about the very young is that in sleep, a newborn tends to maintain rapid & shallow breathing for a period of maybe 15-20 seconds & then she pauses. The pause lasts just a few seconds & then the breathing starts again. This phenomenon is simply a reflection of the baby's immature breathing control center in the brain. It is over-responsive to CO2 concentrations in the bloodstream. The shallow rapid breathing "blows off" or flushes the CO2 from the bloodstream, & the brain's automatic respiratory drive shuts down temporarily until the CO2 level rises again. Then the cycle repeats. This reminds us of the immature nature of newborn breathing regulation & serves as a good reminder why back sleeping is so strongly recommended for infants. Interestingly enough, they are given caffeine for this. It doesn't make them jittery- it's just suppose to increase breathing frequency. Dr's say it's something she'll outgrow within 1-6 months. She'll also continue taking the Reglan for her reflux. The Dr's want to send her home with a monitor. We will have to go through a training on how to use it. She'll have sensory wires attached to her chest that measures the chest movement & breathing rate. An alarm will go off if there's no breath for a set # of seconds. Unfortunately, there's a lot of false alarms- just to give us already-scared parents numerous heart attacks.

I have such mixed feelings about her coming home. On one hand, I hate only being able to see her 2x a day- I miss her terribly & want her with her sister. On the other hand, seeing my daughter turn blue on more than one occasion & the fact that she seems so small has made me a bit uneasy with her. I'm sure this will just take time. Especially the being so small- she's eating soooo good & as of tonight, she's back up to 4 lbs 11 oz!! (Born @ 4-13, got down to 4-5)

Sara got a visit by her cousins today that think she's "sooo cute"!

Got Milk??

My sweet friend JF captured this cute pic of Siena while we were visiting her. I have such great friends! SB came over to watch Sara, while JF took me to the Dr. (I have a horrible rash from the tape & iodine they used for my surgery. UGH!) We then went to see Siena & watched her get her hearing test done- she passed!! :)

I'm bummed to report that Siena had another episode last night that she did not "self-resolve" from this time. She started to turn a little "musky" & so the nurse had to help her levels go back up. She hasn't done this since Sunday so it's pretty dissapointing. The nurses were acting like she was on her way home- the CPR class yesterday, carseat inspection, etc... I think she's telling us she's not quite ready yet. We're waiting for her test results that she had last night- a 12 hr. test called a Pneumogram. It's an overnight recording of her breathing effort, heart rate, oxygen level and air flow to the lungs as she sleeps.

Daddy went back to work today- hopefully he'll find something permanent soon or can stay on his contract job for a while longer. This is not the right time for us to be unemployed!!! We worked in shifts last nights so we could each get some sleep & it seemed to work well. Sara's been sleeping well since we put her in her carseat after she eats. (Knock on wood!)

We also had visitors from Auntie EG who brought me lunch (and Jeff a cookie! lol) and Auntie LG who brought us a yummy dinner & lots of cookies!! Thanks so much everyone for all your help. Especially Grandma!!! XOXO

Happy One Week Birthday Sweet Girls!!

We still aren't positive what was wrong, but poor Sara was up crying on & off (mostly on) from midnight til 5 am!!!! Daddy and I were crying too! lol We each took turns going downstairs to sleep for a while and once again tried everything to make her feel better. Fortunately things finally settled down and we "slept in" til 9ish. Then, Sara had her very first appt. with her Pediatrician! We're so happy that she's back in the 5 Pounder Club! She was 5 lbs, 1/2 oz (up from 4 lbs. 13 oz. when she left the hospital). She was such a good girl in the Dr's office and the Dr. said she was doing great and to bring her back next week.

Siena had another 4 episodes today, but again, corrected herself. The nurse said they increased her reflux meds and really thinks it's all related- that she hasn't been digesting her food well which makes her heart rate & oxygen levels drop. She said she's super sweet and she "fell in love with her this morning". Apparantly, she's been eating even more than her sister at home, so I guess we'd better increase Sara's intake! lol It will be funny if Siena ends up bigger than her. As of now, she's gone from being born @ 4 llbs. 13 oz to 4 lbs 5 oz. The nurse said she'd be shocked if doesn't weigh more tonight! Grandma & I got to go visit her & in the afternoon and Uncle Scott came over @ night so Daddy and I could go back. Tomorrow we go to the hospital and take an infant CPR class.

Siena got moved to a Big Girl Bed!!

(Since I haven't been able to post since they were born, I'm gonna go backwards & act like I did a little @ a time.) Went and saw Siena this am & she was moved into a Big Girl Bed! Thank God- I hated seeing her in that isolette & only being able to put my hands in through those openings- too sad. Daddy fed her (she loves her hands up by her face!) & she's continuing to eat great. We know the more she eats, the stronger she gets. Spoke to the Dr. & he said she had thrown up a few times last night so he put her on meds for reflux. He also said until she doesn't have any more heart-rate episodes for 3-5 days, we won't even discuss when she'll come home. Fine with us- we want her there until she's as healthy as can be. She also got visits from Grandma & Grandpa and a volunteer that is part of the hospital's Cuddle Program- so sweet. We also got to see her again this evening. Thank God for the help of my family to be able to watch Sara so we can go see her.

Auntie SS came by for a visit & brought us a few meals & adorable dresses 4 the girls! We're all so spoiled & well loved.

Her sister Sara is being an angel- just eating, sleeping & looking around quietly. After a tough 1st night home, she slept great last night!! :) Daddy took over & I stayed downstairs so I could get some much needed rest. I've been doing far too much for someone that had major surgery less than a week ago. (Is anyone surprised?!) To see my hubby with our daughters is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

What an Introduction to Parenthood!!!

We had our 1st night at home & we had only ONE of them!!!! lol Sara definately gave us a crash course in the No-Sleep Club!! So far since she was born, she's barely made a peep. Until now. Besides having to wake up to feed her every 2 1/2 hrs, she was crying on & off from 4-6 am. We tried everything!!! Rocking, pacifier, swaddling, etc.... We had to chuckle through our 1/2-slit eyes. Then? I cried. How am I possibly gonna do this with TWO & Daddy back @ work?? Holy ----!

Fortunately, G-ma came over to let us nap & go visit Siena. We were very sad to hear that she had 2 more "episodes", where her heartrate dropped really low. She hadn't done this for 2 days & we had hoped she had already gotten past this. The nurses told us the good news is that she self-corrected & didn't need any help. We'll talk to the Dr. in the am & find out more. I was so happy to be able to feed and snuggle with my little Peanut today.

Had to take this adorable picture of the little Piglet tonight. Snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug. (She loves her Miracle Blanket!) I swear all her food is going straight to her cheeks! :) (Am I really just biased or does she have the sweetest face?)

Such a Bittersweet Day

Grandpa A & Auntie Cherie came down today & met the munchkins. It was so nice to see them. I just know A was thrilled to meet Sara, who reminds us so much of Jeff's Mom.

We were finally released from the hospital today but having to leave Siena was heartbreaking. I know she is in the best hands, but I want her home healthy and safe. Hopefully soon.

Sara missed older little sister in her pretty bassinet. Looking so cute in her Boppy pillow. Let's hope our 1st night as parents goes well!!

Get well soon, Sweet Siena!!!

I never thought in a million years that I would be visiting my daughter in the NICU. Siena had two more "episodes" today, meaning her heart rate & oxygen levels dropped & she needed to be stimulated to get them back up. They also had to pump her little tummy & do a ton of tests. We talked to one of the NICU Dr's & he said they ruled out anything major wrong with her- something in her brain, her heart, lungs & stomach. Thank God for this. Now, we just wait and see how she does. She was put into an isolette, which broke our hearts to see her in. She looks like a little bird, although she's one of the bigger babies in the NICU. I feel beyond blessed that she's so much better than some of the other little babies in there. We love you Little Peanut!!!!

On a happy note, Sara is doing great! She seems to be really peaceful- just sleeps, eats and looks around. Here's a great pic of her & Grandma. We had fun dressing her up with little headbands (although only 1 was small enough!)