For MoMs By MoMs-Bringing Home Babies

Today I am linking back up with some of my favorite twin moms about bringing home those little bundles.

After becoming pregnant this is the day that you have dreamed of for so long, when you get to be wheeled out of the hospital into the real world with your little bundle of joy.

However like with everything else, with twins this is totally different-well at least it was for me. The day I was discharged was filled with tears as it was the first time I had to leave my tiny Jackson and Riggs. I think with being a MoM it is important to have realistic expectations of the challenges you might encounter so you can try and prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. I was told the day we had our ultrasound that showed us two little heartbeats that with twins all of your risks are doubled. I knew throughout the entire pregnancy it was likely I would deliver early and the twins would have to stay in the NICU after I went home. While I knew all of this it was still very difficult and emotional. But I will tell you there are many MoMs that carry to full term and are able to have that magical moment of going home together.

Going home without the twins was extremely difficult, but you know it is what is best for them long term so you figure out how to manage. Looking back on this I have come to realize their NICU time was a huge blessing in the long run. When they came home they were healthy on a great schedule and this momma had had time to rest and recover from their delivery. Aaron and I had been able to ease into the every 3 hour feedings, we would get us when they were eating so I could pump. By the time they came home this was our schedule as well.

If your babies do end up in the NICU do the best you can to take some time for you. As one of my nurses told me, you are paying for some very expensive baby sitters-use them! Now don't get me wrong we were at the hospital a lot but not all the time. We decided to be there for their 9 am, 3 pm and 9 pm feedings everyday. Somedays we would be there more, but for the most part this worked well for us. The babies need to sleep and grow and being held a ton actually can hinder this since they are burning more calories and energy.

By giving ourselves sometime to adjust when we were finally able to bring them home things actually went really well. Riggs came home a day before Jackson, which once again brought on the water works. I was so sad to leave him all alone, this is the only night the two of them have ever spent apart and I felt like we were deserting him. But the next day our JackJack was discharged and our family of 4 was finally sleeping under one roof.

Riggs' homecoming!

Jackson's homecoming.

Home together!

 I think for everyone those first few days and weeks your needs are different. Since the twins had been in the NICU we did not have family here to "help". I think for me that was best. I know I am very independent person who does not need a ton of help. Actually when we had "help" it stressed me out. We had figured out our schedule that worked for our family and when others would try and enter it caused more stress for me than anything. Aaron and I are pretty laid back with the twins and life in general which is not a trait shared by our families. I know for others they want and need an army to help and that is great just not for me.

I think the biggest factor in having an easy transition was a SCHEDULE!!!!!! The twins ate every 3 hours no matter what, always at the same time. I was actually called a baby Nazi by my mom. But it worked and was how we had sanity in those first few weeks.

Bringing home multiples is fun and crazy. Everyone's experience is different but find what works for you and your family.

March for Babies 2012

On Saturday our family was blessed to participate in the 2012 March of Dimes March for Babies with my Moms of Multiples Club. This was our families first year participating, but I hope this is the first of a long tradition for us. This is an organization that plucks on my heart strings. Their mission is to fight for babies and their families. Our formal introduction to them came last year when Jackson and Riggs were admitted to the NICU. Being at this event reminded me how fortunate we truly were during this time and continue to be today. This day was extra special I felt because we were celebrating the one year anniversary of our twins coming home from the hospital!

My cute little redheads!

Other twin families.

More twin families

Riggs & Staci warming up for the big walk!

Twins and donuts, what could be a better combination?

Our littlest twins walkers!

My family ready for the big event.

The March of Dimes did a great job of putting together a fun event for all. They had a band playing in the tailgate area, a bounce house and other fun things for the kids to do. The walk started at 9 and was 4 miles. The kids did pretty well most of the walk but Riggs did get restless and have to be carried some. They then had an after party with more music and FOOD!

Starting Line!

Twins in motion.

Our family after the walk-Riggs was tuckered out.

 I am excited to learn more about this organization and find ways to be a part of the good they do!

March for Babies!

Today our family is Marching for Babies with March of Dimes. I can't believe it has been 1 year today since our sweet Riggs was discharged from the NICU with big brother Jackson following the next day. Please take a moment to consider supporting the March of Dimes and the great work they do for all babies! You can click on the button in my side bar if you would like to make a donation!

March of Dimes March for Babies 2012

From the day we found out we were having twins we knew our risk of complications during pregnancy was doubled. However the twins’ pregnancy went perfectly until April 12^th when I went in for my routine 34 week appointment. I went through the normal check in procedures and quickly knew something was off when they took my blood pressure. I was sent back to the waiting room and after a quick text to my sister (who was admitted for high bp with our niece Grayson) and a little Google on my phone we knew my numbers were way too high. Once I got back to see the doctor and they retook my pressure and we were told that I was being admitted to the hospital for symptoms of preeclampsia. We rushed home got packed and head to GHS not knowing what to expect. That day they began monitoring and running test that would confirm my preeclampsia diagnosis. I settled into my new home in the highrisk OB not know how long I would be there. The next morning my OB came by reviewed the information and told me I would not deliver that day but probably would be soon, he also was going to refer me onto a high risk OB for consultation. About a half anhour later they came by and talked through a few things with me and decided that their recommendation was not to wait for the final test results as my BP was continuing to rise and that I should deliver as soon as possible to do possible complications I could encounter. At that moment we knew my easy pregnancy was over and one of our worst fears had come true-the twins would be born premature. We were thankful I was past the 34 week mark a vital milestone in their development but still had many fears of what this meant for our babies.

At 4:30pm on April 13^th I was wheeled to pre-op for my c-section that was to begin at 5pm. Due to their prematurity we knew once they were born they would immediately be taken to the NICU to be cared for by a special group of doctors and nurses. At 5:23 and then again at 5:25 we heard the most amazing sound in the world-first the cries of our Jackson and then of Riggs. Aaron and I were able to quickly hold and kiss Jackson before he was taken away, however Riggs was having a little more trouble breathing and was vented and quickly shown to us as they took her away for extra care.

Jackson

Riggs

 

 

 

Holding Riggs for the first time.

Holding Jackson for the first time.

First picture together at 6 days old.

This started our 16 day stint in the Greenville Hospital NICU.  After about 12 hours Riggs’ breathing had improved and she was taken off the vent and from that moment on their main purpose was to grow and learn to eat so they could come home. While this time was met with a roller coaster of emotions Aaron and I were always very thankful for those who attended to the twins. On April 28^th Riggs and April 29^th Jackson graduated from the NICU and finally came home.

Welcome Home Riggs! (Thursday 4.28)

Welcome Home Jackson! (Friday 4.29)

Reunited kisses!

 This year on April 28^th exactly one year after we brought them home, our family will be participating the March for Babies with my local Moms of Multiples Club. March of Dimes is an organization that is very special to our family as we got to see first hand how they care for the babies and the families in the NICU. We know we have been abundantly blessed with our twins and know that there are many families who go through many more trials due to premature birth. We are hoping you will help us celebrate Jackson and Riggs first birthday by honoring them with a donation to the March of Dimes Walk for Babies. You can click on the button in my side bar to help support this charity as they continue to fight for these little babies!

Rewind to The Twins Time in NICU

I realized recently that I never documented about our time in the hospital. Many of these days were a blur and very repetitive but I want to capture what I remember from the first 16 days our our sweet babies lives.

First time holding my sweet Princess.

First time holding my handsome Prince.

Jackson was our Baby A the Big Brother. He was born first weighing 5 pounds 2 ounce and 17.5" inches long. Riggs, Baby B, was our sweet little sister weighing 4 pounds 9 ounces and was 19 inches long-dainty from the moment she was born. Since they were only 34 weeks 2 days gestation the twins were taken immediately to NICU to be cared for by a group of amazing nurses and doctors.

Jackson hanging out in his Isolate.

Burping Riggs after a feeding-so tiny.

The first two days they spent in NICU 1 which is the more critical section-I think this is where all NICU babies go at first. Jackson was strong from the beginning and Riggs needed a little help breathing she was on a ventilator for about 12 hours-once that was removed she never looked back and has became such a strong little girl. On Friday they were moved down to NICU 2 since they were such low maintenance babies. NICU 1 it is a large room with sectioned off areas, they were in a quad with a baby between them each way-in NICU 2 we pretty much had a private room to get to know and love on our sweet babes.

Jackson's Isolate.

A partial view of their room.

In the NICU there are 3 things the babies must accomplish to be discharged. 1-Breathe on their own 2-Take all meals from a bottle for 48 hours (no tube feedings) 3-Maintain their body temperature for 48 hours in an open air crib.

During the entire pregnancy we though Riggs was our bigger baby-I think it was due to how they calculate weight and since she was so long they thought she should be bigger. Also "Whimpy White Boy Syndrome" this is really what the doctors call it. For some reason white baby boys seem to be the least developed when born prematurely, however as you can see from above we had the opposite at birth.

Both babies just spent most of their days sleeping Aaron and I got into the routine that we were mainly there for their 9am, 3pm and 9pm feedings. They were on a 3 hour schedule so they ate every three hours which meant I got to pump every three hours to supply their liquid gold. We felt this gave us a good amount of time to spend with them but we were not over stimulating them or over tiring ourselves. As one of the nurses told me we were paying for some really expensive baby sitting. Also until the last 2 or 3 days they were in the isolates to regulate their body temperature so the more we had them out the harder they had to work and the more calories they burned.

Riggs was always a little behind Jackson due to her delayed start at the beginning so we were sure that she would be in the hospital longer than he was. But our sweet girl is such a fighter and actually beat him out by one day. Once she started getting all of our liquids through the bottle and not an IV she only had to be tube fed once or twice. Jackson decided that he wanted to prove us right with the Whimpy White Boy Syndrome. He figured if they would give him his food through a tube why should he wake up to eat. Because of they started feeding him by a tube every other feeding and then once he did well with that 1 out of 3 feedings were with a tube until he showed he was strong enough and willing to eat from a bottle. With these delays Riggs by-passed Jackson on the the discharge countdown. We were very fortunate however that they were discharged just a day apart.

It is amazing how quickly something becomes your norm. We both remember feeling like we would break them in the beginning and then by the end the nurses didn't have to do much of anything when we were around. All of the nurses were amazing and we especially loved Dr. Brown. He was the resident neonatologist. He was so easy to talk to and was able to quickly put away any concerns we had about the babies. He has now finished his residency and is off to Kentucky to do ER pediatrics. I know every sweet child he treats is in great hands!

Thursday April 28th we got to bring our sweet Riggs home. It was such a flood of emotions. We were excited, nervous and sad all at the same time. This was the day we had waited for for so long we were finally bring home a baby. You were so little, I remember the nurse putting you in your car seat I was so afraid we were going to crush you. All of you stuff was packed up you were put on a cart and it was time to go. This is such a happy time but also one that made Mommy sad. Jackson was still laying there in his bed as we walked out the door. I was finally bringing home a baby but we were supposed to have two at home. We put you in the car and Mommy sat in the back with you as we drove home. Finally you were home little girl.

Riggs ready to go home.

Daddy carrying Riggs into the house.

Nothing sweeter.

Dressing Riggs for her first night at home.

You had your first baby sitter your first night home. Aunt Siri came over so we could go back and feed Jackson and make sure he was still doing ok at the hospital. While he missed you he was as sweet as ever. It was strange when we went back in many ways. We were there to see only one baby and Jackson had a new roommate. He was a sweet little boy that was much sicker than the two of you-it made me and daddy realize how lucky we truly were. We gave Jackson his bottle tucked him in and told him we would be back the next day to bring him home.

Jackson's last night in the NICU.

On Friday Riggs and I had our first mommy-daughter bonding moment. We got to watch the royal wedding together. You feeding times were perfect. We woke up at 6am and Kate was just getting to the Abbey we watched the ceremony and went back to sleep. We then got up at 9am for your next feeding and to see Will and Kate arriving at the Palace where the first kiss would take place. It was such a sweet moment that I will never forget. You then had your second babysitter. Auntie Staci came over to watch you so daddy and I could go get Jackson discharged from the hospital.

Riggs in her British babylegs ready to watch the Royal Wedding.

When we first got there he was gone to get his circumcision. We were hoping that it would have been done the day before but the doctor got backed up. You were brought back soon after we got there. You did not seem too upset. You were going to town on the sucrose water. After the nurse checked everything we gave you a bottle and then left to run a few errands while you crossed you later hurdle of having a wet diaper after your procedure.

We came back an hour or so later and you were ready to go. We loaded you and your stuff up on the cart just like we did your sister and we were on our way out. While we did not get to come home as a family of 4 we finally were going to have everyone home together. This was the moment we had been waiting for for so long. Our entire sweet little family home.

Jackson ready to come home.

Home at last.

Our sweet boy is home.

Showing Jackson around his house.

Reunited.

Our sweet friends Sandy, Ethan and Blake came to visit you guys that night they were so excited to finally meet the "twins".

Sandy, Blake & Ethan checking out Riggs with Staci.

Jackson, Blake and Riggs. Blake is 3 months older than the twins.

While I have missed many of the details of these weeks I am now glad to have small parts documented to help us remember how it all began.

Mr. Jackson Everett & Miss. Riggs Ainsley

Last Wednesday I woke up in the hospital wondering what was in store for the day. My blood pressure was still extremely high so we were playing the wait and see game. Tuesday I had be put on no food for water after midnight in case they decided the next morning they needed to deliver the twins. Around 8 I saw the doctor and he felt it would be soon, but probably not today-we was going to consult the High Risk OB so once they decided to deliver they had the right people lined up. At this point I was given the green light to eat breakfast and continue my day of relaxation.

Breakfast came-it was terrible-I literally ate a corner of a hash-brown and called Aaron to bring me something from Panera since I was starving. 30 minutes later the High Risk OB came by and game me more insight into pre eclampsia and stated based on my current numbers she was going to recommend to my doctor that they deliver me as soon as possible. However since I had "eaten" breakfast they now had to wait 8 hours and I could not eat or drink anything during this time.

From what we could tell we would be meeting our little ones around 5pm that evening. Wednesday was a day of waiting and talking with different doctors and around 4 pm they finally wheeled me down to the OR. Since Jackson was breech and he was baby A so a C-Section was they only option for delivery.

At 5:23 PM Jackson was delivered quickly followed by Riggs at 5:25. After they cleaned him up Aaron was able to hold Jackson for about 30 seconds and I was able to give my son kisses for the first time, before they took him to the NICU. Riggs was having a little trouble breathing on her own when she came out so they inserted a breathing tube and we were only able to see her as she passed by to go to NICU.

After 2 hours in recovered I was finally taken back to my room on Magnesium this was to help with my blood pressure. It made me feel terrible-the best description I was given was that if feels like you have concrete running through your veins, but I was assured that once I was taken off this drug in 24 hours I would feel like a new person.

While I was resting Aaron was able to take a trip down to see our precious babies and bring back some pictures so I could finally see my little ones. A few hours later the nurse and Aaron wheeled me down to meet my babies for the first time. They were perfect! I really don't remember much of this but I know it was the moment my life changed forever. I could only stay for a few minutes as I felt as though I might pass out from the medication so we headed back to my room where I dreamed about our sweet family of FOUR!