Addison and Emily are lucky enough to have 5 Grandparents and 3 Great Grandparents to love them!
Great Grandma Hicks with Emily
Great Grandma Nicoll with Addison
Grandparents and Great Grandparents
Grandma Dee Dee
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Bubblegum Cigars
Chris bought pink bubblegum cigars to give out when the babies were born. Here he is with Emily and Addison sporting two cigars for his two little girls.
One wrap, two babies
The Moby baby carrier allows for twins! :)
Addison and Emily peek out to say hello!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
First Sponge Bath!
Addison and Emily had their first sponge baths last Tuesday. Dad did all the major work while Mom, CeeCee (Grandma Sue), and DeeDee (Grandma Debbie) took pictures.
Addison got to go first for this experience. Here she is looking at her tub, she's ready to go!
Is that bath for me?
A nice hair wash with scalp massage.
Scrub a dub dub
There was an audience for this show!
Getting dressed up after the bath.
All dressed and ready to go!
Now it's Emily's turn!
Washing your hair...
Getting all clean! This is fun!
Scrub scrub!
And here's Emily's cute monster towel!
Emily gets a new outfit too.
Precious girl!
Here's a family shot...
And here we are...Emily and Addison all fresh and clean!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Welcome Emily and Addison!
Addison and Emily Palte
They're here! We were scheduled for a c-section on Monday, February 28th at 9:30 am. On Sunday afternoon, my friend Jennica called the phone tree, letting people know they could light their candles the next morning. (I gave out candles at my showers, with notes asking people to light them when they heard I was in labor, to keep us in their thoughts.) Turns out, these girls decided to come early!
On Sunday evening around 6:15 I started having contractions, and they didn't start out slow and far between like we were expecting after learning about labor. The contractions I experienced were very strong and consistent, 5 minutes apart from the start.
Luckily, around 5:30, I had had a strong desire for Chris to put the suitcases and car seats in the car. He had been working on taxes, and thought we had all night to get the car packed, but I insisted that he stop what he was doing and get everything ready. Soon after, I began having contractions, which Chris timed, wondering if I could actually be going into labor only 15 hours before my scheduled c-section.
My mom stopped by to drop off an extra pack 'n play, unaware of my condition until she came into the house. She sat with me and timed contractions while Chris finished packing the car. After almost two hours of steady contractions, we left for the hospital. I sent a text to Jennica, telling her to re-call everyone to let them know they'd need to light their candles early.
On a side note, in Michigan, Chris's cousin Liz was unaware of the fact that we were heading to the hospital. Her power went out, and with her candle on hand for the next morning, she lit it so that she could see where she was going. Shortly after, she got the news that I had gone into labor.
When I was admitted to the hospital, my cervix had already dilated to 3.5 cm. I was offered medication, but I turned it down as I was feeling so fortunate to actually be experiencing labor, something I had been very disappointed to miss when I was told I would need to have a c-section. I ended up getting to experience labor for longer than expected when another woman ended up needing an emergency c-section. While we waited for the operating room and doctor to free up, Chris and I got to put into practice several of the techniques we had learned in our birthing class. It's all a blur now, but I am so thankful that I got to have that experience!
A couple hours later, I was told I would be going to the O.R. soon to get my spinal block for the surgery. The nurse checked, and my cervix had dilated to 6 cm.
After the anesthesiologist prepared me for surgery, it wasn't long before the girls came into the world! Emily (Baby A, Buttercup) came first at 11:29 pm and her sister Addison (Baby B, Bubbles) followed her at 11:30 pm. Chris was with me and actually got a couple great shots of the girls coming out. He got to trim the cords when they were placed in their warmers, and then after they were all cleaned up, he went with them to the nursery. My mom was prepped to enter the O.R. and as Chris left, she took his place to be with me while I was stitched back up.
Please help us welcome our sweet little girls, Emily Christina...
and Addison Marie!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Update
Yesterday we had a doctor's appointment to have a non stress test (NST) done on the babies. Their heart rates are looking good, and movement was good. I had a couple of contractions during the monitoring, and I am currently dilated 1/2 cm (you need to get to 10 to have a baby, and generally they won't admit you to the hospital if you're under 4). My blood pressure is still low, and because the babies are looking happy and healthy, my doctor still recommends waiting until the 28th to have them.
The shingles are getting better, but have not cleared up entirely. Because of the shingles and because of the size difference in the babies, I am still being told that a c-section would be the safest way to go. I have had a traditional birth, along with the experience of labor and pushing in my mind for so long that it is taking quite a bit of thinking and praying to come to terms with the thought of a c-section, but I'm getting there.
I have another NST scheduled for Friday, and if the babies are still looking happy, we'll wait until Monday for the c-section. If anything happens between now and Monday (I notice less movement, the NST detects stress in the babies, etc.), we will go in for a c-section before Monday. A part of me is still hoping that the shingles will completely clear up and I can still shoot for a traditional birth, but we also have the babies' size difference to look at. Because Baby A (who could come first) is smaller than Baby B, it is more likely that after giving birth to Baby A, Baby B would flip into an unfavorable position and I would need a c-section to deliver her. Although I have told the doctor I would be prepared for one traditional birth and one c-section, it still sounds like it will be in the babies' best interest to have a c-section for both.
The shingles are getting better, but have not cleared up entirely. Because of the shingles and because of the size difference in the babies, I am still being told that a c-section would be the safest way to go. I have had a traditional birth, along with the experience of labor and pushing in my mind for so long that it is taking quite a bit of thinking and praying to come to terms with the thought of a c-section, but I'm getting there.
I have another NST scheduled for Friday, and if the babies are still looking happy, we'll wait until Monday for the c-section. If anything happens between now and Monday (I notice less movement, the NST detects stress in the babies, etc.), we will go in for a c-section before Monday. A part of me is still hoping that the shingles will completely clear up and I can still shoot for a traditional birth, but we also have the babies' size difference to look at. Because Baby A (who could come first) is smaller than Baby B, it is more likely that after giving birth to Baby A, Baby B would flip into an unfavorable position and I would need a c-section to deliver her. Although I have told the doctor I would be prepared for one traditional birth and one c-section, it still sounds like it will be in the babies' best interest to have a c-section for both.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Birthdays
Well, we've had lots of guesses and bets about when these girls are coming. Chris guessed 2/8, Britney guessed 2/12. Those days came and went....and no babies. Then there were a whole bunch of us who guessed the 18th because it was a full moon, which would surely pull these girls out into the world. But that full moon is now waning, and still, no babies.
As we've talked with friends and family about possible birth dates, we've discovered a few things. If the babies had been born before February 3rd, they would have been born in the Chinese year of the tiger, whereas at this point, they will be born in the year of the rabbit.
If they had been born before Saturday, they would have had the sign of aquarius, but now they will be born with the sign of pisces.
Most likely, they will have an amethyst as their birthstone.
We have had the 21st in mind almost since the beginning as our planned due date. Grandma Hicks's birthday is on the 20th, so we knew they would be born close to when their great grandma was born. The new due date is the 28th, which means if they wait until then to come, they will share a birthday with their uncle Eric.
As we've talked with friends and family about possible birth dates, we've discovered a few things. If the babies had been born before February 3rd, they would have been born in the Chinese year of the tiger, whereas at this point, they will be born in the year of the rabbit.
If they had been born before Saturday, they would have had the sign of aquarius, but now they will be born with the sign of pisces.
Most likely, they will have an amethyst as their birthstone.
We have had the 21st in mind almost since the beginning as our planned due date. Grandma Hicks's birthday is on the 20th, so we knew they would be born close to when their great grandma was born. The new due date is the 28th, which means if they wait until then to come, they will share a birthday with their uncle Eric.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
37 Week Ultrasound
On Monday we went in for our last perinatologist appointment. Honestly, we didn't think we'd make it this far, so it was a little bit of a surprise to even make it to the appointment. Dr. Gagnon is great at getting good profile pictures, and even though the girls are getting pretty crowded in there, she was still able to get a couple good head shots of each of them.
Here's Baby A, Buttercup, whose head is a little further down than Baby B. She is on my right side and has consistently been a little further down, so if I were to give birth naturally, she would come first. She has always been a little smaller and I've felt her movements more throughout the pregnancy. Her measurements on Monday put her weight estimate at 5 pounds, 13 ounces.
Here's Baby B, Bubbles, who is on my left side and has always been a little bigger. Her movements were harder to feel earlier in the pregnancy when her placenta was on the back of my uterus, but as my uterus has grown, both placentas are on the front and I have been feeling a lot of movement from Bubbles in the last few weeks. Her measurements put her estimated weight at 7 pounds!
While the girls have a pretty big weight difference between them, it is still under a 20% difference, so it isn't a concern.
The plan up until recently was that I was going to be induced on Monday, February 21st at 11:00am unless I went into labor on my own before then. In the last couple of weeks, I have started walking around more, trying to be more active. My goal has been to give birth naturally, and I was hoping not to need to be induced because it makes the birthing process so much more intense.
This weekend, I was diagnosed with shingles, which has complicated the plan. As of right now, my doctor wants me to try to go an extra week (to week 39, 2/28) to give the virus more time to get out of my system. At that point, she would like to do a C-Section to guarantee the babies don't come in contact with any of the shingles lesions.
I have an appointment with an OB on Monday, 2/21 so that a non-stress test can be done on the babies and my vitals can be checked to make sure we can go another week. Honestly, I am feeling so huge and stretched right now, it is very hard for me to imagine going another two weeks.
Thank you so much to all of you who have offered us so many kind thoughts and prayers.
Here's Baby A, Buttercup, whose head is a little further down than Baby B. She is on my right side and has consistently been a little further down, so if I were to give birth naturally, she would come first. She has always been a little smaller and I've felt her movements more throughout the pregnancy. Her measurements on Monday put her weight estimate at 5 pounds, 13 ounces.
Here's Baby B, Bubbles, who is on my left side and has always been a little bigger. Her movements were harder to feel earlier in the pregnancy when her placenta was on the back of my uterus, but as my uterus has grown, both placentas are on the front and I have been feeling a lot of movement from Bubbles in the last few weeks. Her measurements put her estimated weight at 7 pounds!
While the girls have a pretty big weight difference between them, it is still under a 20% difference, so it isn't a concern.
The plan up until recently was that I was going to be induced on Monday, February 21st at 11:00am unless I went into labor on my own before then. In the last couple of weeks, I have started walking around more, trying to be more active. My goal has been to give birth naturally, and I was hoping not to need to be induced because it makes the birthing process so much more intense.
This weekend, I was diagnosed with shingles, which has complicated the plan. As of right now, my doctor wants me to try to go an extra week (to week 39, 2/28) to give the virus more time to get out of my system. At that point, she would like to do a C-Section to guarantee the babies don't come in contact with any of the shingles lesions.
I have an appointment with an OB on Monday, 2/21 so that a non-stress test can be done on the babies and my vitals can be checked to make sure we can go another week. Honestly, I am feeling so huge and stretched right now, it is very hard for me to imagine going another two weeks.
Thank you so much to all of you who have offered us so many kind thoughts and prayers.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Curtains, Silly Chris, and a 36 week belly, Oh my!
So the big window curtains finally got finished and hung a few weeks ago, here's a shot:
Chris has a favorite pose with the boppy. He likes to dance around with this look to cheer me up when I'm in a pregnancy-induced grumpy mood.
And here's the 36 week belly. I wish I could somehow convey the itchy, stretched, about to pop feeling in these photos, but I decided to smile for the camera. After all, we have made it to 36 weeks! The girls' lungs are ready to breathe and they have the sucking/swallowing reflex down. Life is good!
Chris has a favorite pose with the boppy. He likes to dance around with this look to cheer me up when I'm in a pregnancy-induced grumpy mood.
And here's the 36 week belly. I wish I could somehow convey the itchy, stretched, about to pop feeling in these photos, but I decided to smile for the camera. After all, we have made it to 36 weeks! The girls' lungs are ready to breathe and they have the sucking/swallowing reflex down. Life is good!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
34 Week Belly
I got up before Chris left for work on Tuesday so he could take these pictures, and then went right back to bed. As you can see, I'm a bit tired here. I've been sleeping a minimum of 15 hours a night/day these days and have been doing little else other than laying around the house. My new name for myself: The Human Incubator.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
34 Weeks!!
We made it to 34 weeks, which is very exciting because it means the babies' lungs are ready to breathe! At last week's doctor's appointment, Buttercup weighed 4 pounds, 6 ounces, and Bubbles weighed 4 pounds, 13 ounces. The doctor said that these weights put the girls in the 90th percentile! Nice big babies!!
Bubbles has had hiccups daily since the beginning of the month. Sometimes it is only one round of hiccups, but usually she has two rounds. We're seeing a lot of movement, here, and it often seems like we could just about hold them through my belly.
Our bags are all packed and ready to go for the hospital, so now all we have to do is wait.
The doctor said my uterus will probably hold about 11 pounds of baby, and we'll probably reach that point within a couple of weeks, so get ready to meet these girls! :)
Bubbles has had hiccups daily since the beginning of the month. Sometimes it is only one round of hiccups, but usually she has two rounds. We're seeing a lot of movement, here, and it often seems like we could just about hold them through my belly.
Our bags are all packed and ready to go for the hospital, so now all we have to do is wait.
The doctor said my uterus will probably hold about 11 pounds of baby, and we'll probably reach that point within a couple of weeks, so get ready to meet these girls! :)
Monday, January 17, 2011
32 Week, 40 cm Belly!
When I went to the doctor last week, my belly was measuring 40 cm - so now I truly look like I would look if I were full-term with one baby.
It was decided that a smaller top would help you truly see the bigness of the belly in these shots! :)
It was decided that a smaller top would help you truly see the bigness of the belly in these shots! :)
2011 Updates
Chris and I spent New Year's Eve in the hospital because I was having frequent but not patterned or painful contractions. I was put on the monitor and spent a good four hours having my contractions tracked and drinking lots of water. Several tests told the doctor that I wasn't anywhere near labor and wouldn't go into labor for at least two weeks, so I ended up getting a shot to relax my uterus, which stopped the contractions, and we went home. We did get to watch the ball drop on the hospital tv, a New Year's Eve I'm sure we'll always remember!
I went back to work on January 3rd, and on the 5th, I had a doctor's appointment with my OB. After checking my cervix (still closed but shorter than it was at the hospital) and hearing about how work was affecting my contractions, she put me on modified bed rest. She said I could still walk around the house a little, but mostly I should be laying or sitting down. No shopping, no cleaning,
just taking it easy. I tied up most of the loose ends I had at work through email and have been resting at home since the 6th.
Luckily, I have some great friends and family to come help out around the house and keep me company. I am really just overwhelmed at the outpouring of meals and visits. Also, I had another doctor appointment last week and the modified bed rest has treated me well. The babies are healthy and my body is cooperating with keeping them safely inside.
I went back to work on January 3rd, and on the 5th, I had a doctor's appointment with my OB. After checking my cervix (still closed but shorter than it was at the hospital) and hearing about how work was affecting my contractions, she put me on modified bed rest. She said I could still walk around the house a little, but mostly I should be laying or sitting down. No shopping, no cleaning,
just taking it easy. I tied up most of the loose ends I had at work through email and have been resting at home since the 6th.
Luckily, I have some great friends and family to come help out around the house and keep me company. I am really just overwhelmed at the outpouring of meals and visits. Also, I had another doctor appointment last week and the modified bed rest has treated me well. The babies are healthy and my body is cooperating with keeping them safely inside.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
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