Great Grandma Arenz and the babes!

We had a nice visit today from Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Arenz. Emmet was quite the sleepy head (as usual) and Ada was wide awake for part of the visit and even had her legs and arms movin' around for Great Grandma. I didn't get a picture with Great Grandpa but I will eventually! Thanks for coming G Gma and G Gpa!

Bittersweet

We had a doctor appointment today for both Ada and Emmet because mommy is paranoid. Ada had been extra fussy lately and appeared to be pulling at her ears and had a couple of days when she just wanted to be held all day. She also has developed a new cry which I haven't figured out yet but it sounds like "mommy hold me something doesn't feel good". Emmet seems to be so congested at times, keeps spitting up a lot of his food and hasn't been eating as much as he used to. He also seems to be extra sleepy lately - when he's not doing his "drama cry", which entails the ever so pleasant silent scream and blue face. They are both fine, no temperatures, ears look good, lungs sounds good. The doctor said their bellies feel a little gassy but that's normal. She suggested that we try Ada on soy formula to see if that helps with the fussiness/gas. She also mentioned that she will keep a close eye on her head. Ada had an enormous hematoma after birth, which has since gone down dramatically but her head is still uneven. Apparently blood from the hematoma can "calcify" and can require surgery to scrape it off. Something to think about, nothing necessary and not urgent by any means. Anyway - the big news is their weight. Ada is now 8 lbs, 5 oz and Emmet is 7 lbs 14 oz. This is wonderful news of course but I am feeling sad as well. I was looking at pictures from the hospital and when we brought them home and I just cannot believe how big they've gotten, how much they've changed and it became all too clear to me that although the days are long the weeks and months are incredibly short. They are no longer wearing preemie clothes and are quickly outgrowing the Newborn diapers. As much as I look forward to the next new development and the next stage I'm already missing my 5 lb peanuts that I brought home just 5 short (and yet extremely long) weeks ago.

Nap time!

Emmet thinks nap time is so much better with Daddy!

Ah, fresh air and a change of scenery!

Our first hike! Today we went to Cam Rock County Park for a hike. The weather was a little breezy but beautiful! We tested out our Baby Bjorns...Ada fits much better but Emmet will grow into it eventually! Matdie was happy to get out of the house too. I was again reminded how very out of shape I am as this short hike was about all that I could handle! I'll get back to my old self some day! I had the fabulous idea of bottle feeding the babies on a bench over looking a beautiful view, listening to the birds etc...the breeze was quite chilly and it ended up not being such a great idea after all. It was nice while it lasted though! In the pictures Roger has Ada and I have Emmet.

The best

This picture of Emmet and I sums up the best part about being a mommy. I cannot put into words the way my heart melts when Emmet and Ada snuggle up on my chest and fall asleep so soundly with a big sigh. It's amazing!

Great Grandma Flynn and Ada

Great Grandma Flynn and Emmet

A visit from Great Grandma!

We had such a special visit with Great Grandma yesterday. The babies were such charmers for her! Ada must have put on a zillion little precious smiles for her Great Grandma and Emmet just looked longingly into her eyes. They both loved listening to her talk and of course snuggling. I believe they both even christened her with her first great grandchildren spit-up! We can't wait to see her again!

Mommy & Me (Emmet)

Mommy and Emmet...so sleepy!

Mommy & Me (Ada)

Mommy and Ada, who is not happy because I snatched the pacifier away! Boo hoo!

This picture cracks me up! They both look so serious, like they're threatening the camera..."don't come any closer or we'll take you down!" Too funny!

Happy 1 month birthday!

HAPPY 1 MONTH BIRTHDAY TO US!!!!!
I cannot believe it's been one month already! They've gotten so big already and are beginning to be much more alert between feedings, which is so much fun. Their little personalities are shining through too...they are definitely different! It's so much fun to watch them change and grow. We are finally able to start putting them in non-premie clothes. They are still a little big but it's exciting that they don't fall off of their tiny bodies anymore! There are the things that haven't changed too - lack of sleep, screaming fits, non stop laundry and a disgustingly large production of garbage! This routine (if you can call it that) has gotten much less intimidating and seems easier somehow. Roger and I are starting to get the hang of it...still missing our sleep though - that one is hard to get used to. We can't wait to see what the next month will bring!

We had a great weekend. Great Aunt Barb came for a visit on Saturday, along with Nana and Pops. They were spoiled rotten by all and even received Easter baskets from Nana. On Sunday we all went to grandpas for Easter. The kids loved being held all day and again were spoiled rotten and received Easter baskets from Kirby and Anna!

Time for mom to get some breakfast before the babies wake up to eat again!

Daddy doing a dual feeding!

And again a few hours later!

Ahhhhh! So comfy with Pops!

Day by day

It's the little achievements that count. So, I managed to feed both babies, eat breakfast and shower today all before 11:00am. What an accomplishment! We also went to the pet store to pick up dog food and a new chain for Matdie. I managed to push the stroller and pull the cart with the 40 lb bag of dog food and other items all by myself. I thought I would have to ask for help - but I didn't! Now I'm exhausted and waiting for the munchkins to wake up for their next feeding...really wanting to take a nap.

Oh! A funny story. Yesterday I had both Ada and Emmet in the bouncy seat as usual, although they were squirmy and not fitting as nicely in there together as usual. I heard Emmet do his infamous squeal/scream and I look over to see Ada latched onto his nose and sucking away. I could do nothing to remedy the situation as I was trying to keep from peeing my pants from laughing so hard and poor Emmet, all he could do was squeal! Hysterical

Time to get ready for a feeding...let the screaming begin!

Outing

I'm literally falling asleep while working on the computer...Roger keeps having to wake me up but I wanted to post tonight....

It was quite the day today! Mommy and the babies had their first outing. I managed to go to the grocery store today with both babies in tow - all by myself! Okay, so the dog came with us too. I have been going on walks almost every day but going to the grocery store is a whole other adventure all together! I was so proud of myself for 1) attempting and 2) successfully accomplishing the task!

Time for bed - ha ha ha!!! The babies will be up to eat in an hour...time flies when you're having fun!

Walk with Nana

Happy Birthday to Nana!
We had such a good day with Nana today. We went for a walk in the beautiful weather and had bath time...pictures to post later. We're so lucky to have such a great Nana!

Family Photo

Against my better judgement I decided to post some pictures that include me - larger than life...quite literally! I still don't look like myself but that really is the last thing on my mind these days. I look about as exhausted as I feel! Here we are - the Marcin family! Daddy has Ada and Mommy had sleepy head Emmet.

I have a moment (I think) before the babies wake up to eat so I thought I would try to post a quick update and some pictures. Aren't they adorable? It's a good thing there are moments like shown in the pictures - otherwise the 3am, hour long screaming fit from both would put us over the edge for sure!

On Monday the babies will be 3 weeks old! We cannot believe it, of course it seems like we brought them home a year ago! This scares me as this means that I have to go back to work in 5 weeks and I know that will go by so fast! I'm not ready to leave these two! At our last pediatrician appointment Ada was weighing in at 5 lbs 15 oz and Emmet weighed in at 5 lbs 13 oz. We couldn't be happier - they are growing and gaining...that must mean we're doing something right?!?!?

We're trying to figure this all out. We're exhausted and take turns trying to keep eachother awake in the middle of the night...and during the day too! The babies are eating about every 2-3 hours. Latching for breastfeeding is not working too well at the moment and causes lots of screaming and crying from babies and mom too. I'm assured to keep at it - that they are so little, not even supposed to be born yet and they will catch on. Some days I'm not so sure...bottle feeding is so much easier at the moment. I'm pumping and we supplement with formula when we need to. For now we'll keep working at it...I'm dreaming of the days with easy latch ons and quick feedings!

As for me, my incision is healing very nicely and I'm feeling much more human and normal being off the pain meds. I have been dealing with a nasty urinary tract infection that doesn't seem to want to go away, I'm starting my second round of antibiotics today. I am able to recognize my feet now and put them in my shoes without pain! I still can't fit my rings on my fingers but expect to soon! I've lost 33 pounds so far - half way there although I expect the rest will be a little more difficult to get rid of...UGH!

Will try to post again soon - TRY being the key word here!

Thank you all for the support, cards, flowers and prayers!

Look how nice we share!

Tuckered out

Now we're pooped!

Face Time

We love our "face time" with mommy and daddy and eachother!