Snuggle Buggles

The twins are making excellent progress! They are breathing freely on their own (the tubes in their noses are actually for feedings), and they are learning to nurse and getting better at every attempt! If they can continue to transition from tube to oral feedings, gain weight, and maintain their body temperatures, then they can go home! I haven't received a definite time line of when all this will happen...it is up to the twins and how fast they want to go.

We had an interesting day today, since the weather gave us a scare and a tornado warning was issued for our area. All babies were moved to a safer location in the hospital, and the twins were able to be in the same bassinet for the first time! I took a picture, since they were just too cute! I thank God every day for my
TnT Dynamite Duo! ;-)

36 Weeks + 1 day

God has blessed us with the safe arrival of our twin boys! Thomas Allen was born on June 17th, 2011 at 9:02 a.m. and weighed 6 lbs. even! Troy Alexander was born a minute later, and weighed 5 lbs. 7 oz. They are both doing well, although they had to go to the NICU for assistance with their breathing since their lungs are still slightly immature. I just got a good report from the NICU that they are both off of the CPAP breathing machines, and are able to breathe mostly on their own! Eric and I should get to hold them and help feed them when we go down later this morning. What a blessing that everything is working out! God is with us, even when are afraid and unsure of what is going to happen!

36 Weeks!

Due to popular demand, I have decided to share a picture of myself 36 weeks pregnant with the twin boys! Eric said that the skirt and shirt really didn't show my size as well as some of my other outfits, so you can only imagine what that means! Notice the fashionable hospital bracelet on my wrist that I received this evening after having my blood work done...I think it goes well with the outfit! Also notice the empty decoration cabinet next to me...a testimony to my inability to get much unpacking done over the last few weeks. Oh well, at least the babies didn't come too early due to me over-achieving! ;-) Now I have to figure out how to get a good night's sleep even though I am a little anxious about tomorrow. This is my first c-section, so I'm apprehensive. I am hoping and praying that everything works out, and that both babies are born healthy and able to come home with me when I'm discharged from the hospital! Please pray with us!

Deer in Our Backyard!

Eric and I were enjoying breakfast together this morning before my appointment, and we saw this beautiful deer walking along the trail in our backyard! We love living here, where we see so much wildlife thanks to the many acres of woods and fields behind our house!

Water Attraction

We have had some unusually early days of hot, humid weather that normally only happens in July or August! Thankfully, we found our box of swimsuits and water toys to help the kids to cool down and enjoy the weather instead of being cooped up inside where the air conditioner was running (that's where I was ;-). We put the famous "Elmo Sprinkler" in the front yard this time, and attracted some of the kids from the neighborhood who wanted in on the fun! It has been great to see my kids making new friends, and I'm glad to see that the kids in this neighborhood are kind and respectful to both children and parents. I am thankful that God led us to a nice area, on a cul-de-sac where the kids can all play outside safely and are watched by many caring parents and neighbors.

Healthy Twins

I had my big check-up today to see how the twins are growing, and the doctor said that they are doing SO WELL that they will let me continue to carry them until I go into labor on my own. Or, if the next check-up shows any signs of distress in either twin, then I will be scheduled for either an induction or c-section, depending on the position of the babies at the time. If all continues to go well, there is a possibility that they will let me continue to carry the twins until week 37...which is about 3 weeks from now. I want the babies to be healthy and as close to full-term as possible, but I really can't imagine getting bigger (or more uncomfortable) than I am now!

Fun Surprises at our New Place

We are discovering something new and wonderful at our new home every day! Now that everything is starting to bloom, we realize that we have some lilacs and another flowering tree in our backyard! They are beautiful, and smell great! We also found a garter snake who likes to hang out by our air conditioner, and we've decided to let him make his home there. Some red-headed finches made a nest above our downstairs light, and two baby birds have been making lots of noise for us! ;-) Also, I was up late at night (thanks to the twins putting pressure on a very vital organ), and happened to look out our window to see a fox sneaking stealthily through our backyard. There are plenty of little critters around here for him to stalk! What fun it is to learn about our new environment, and all that God has blessed us with!