Twin 1 was the healthiest baby. No worry about Down's Syndrome so no need for a CVS, large-sized, robust. Placenta placed perfectly, positioned perfectly, Twin 1 had everything going.
Until Twin 1 moved into my pelvis and Twin 2 decided to squish the crap out of him.
The 4 weeks before I delivered, Twin 2 started catching up with Twin 1, then surpassed him. At birth, Twin 1 was noticeably smaller, coming in at 2540g (5 pounds 8 oz). Twin 1's apgar scores were higher, but the baby struggled.
Enter time in special care.
Now Twin 1 - lovingly known in blogland as Nick - is still working on it.
Nora is a dream baby. Nora is the kind of baby that if you have as your first child, you would be certain to have more. Easy-going, sweet, calm, she only cries when hungry. She downs the whole bottle, sleeps like the dead, and loves the bath once she's finally in it (that whole naked between outside tub and inside tub is not so popular). She has full cheeks that people can't resist kissing, and everyone talks about how beautiful she is. So it's not just me, she's really a lovely, lovely baby.
Nick is more fractious. As a jaundiced baby and a baby born with a poor sucking reflex, he's a hell of a lot of work to feed. It's been a battle to get minimums down him since he arrived-although he starts feeds off enthusiastically, he struggles. We have resorted to tricks (some of them recommended by midwives) to get him to finish feeds. They include actions like stripping him to his skivvies while drinking, tickling his feet, and moving him around during feeds-sometimes he's reclined, sometimes he sits up, sometimes we're standing. I also have a killer Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive" song and dance routine which thoroughly pisses him off. Pissing him off is great-it builds up his energy and he then takes down a bottle. Sometimes we let him cry for a while before feeding him, all because it then means that he will definitely eat.
Nora has a thin crown of dark brown hair. Her eyes are a bottomless blue, and when I look at baby pictures of me as a child, she is my spitting image. Nick, on the other hand, who although has the exact same deep blue eyes (which I know will change color, as will Nora's) has a shock of blond hair. His head is very funny shaped from being squished against my pelvis for so long - based on his position, which didn't change much, he's got the spitting image of a Klingon skull. His jaw on the right side is pushed in a bit. He looks not unlike an alien, albeit a cute alien. He is a cute baby, actually, he really is. His skull will sort itself out and the jaundice will pass.
And indeed on Saturday the midwife came round and discharged both the babies from regular care. They are both still jaundiced, but their weights are up. They're drinking more formula (even if it's a song and dance routine to get his feedinds down him).
This morning I was crawling around the bathroom floor in crampy agony, and Angus helped get me upstairs. I struggled to the toilet and lost a mass of watery blood (sorry about the gore factor there), which a call to the midwives proved to be normal - I'm losing the last of the fluids my uterus had carrying the babies around. It hurts like hell, but I'm on medication, and it's normal and natural. I probably overdid it yesterday with a 5 mile walk with the family, but my body, too, is finally recovering (although I definitely need to take it easier. Even I admit that.)
Twelve days after giving birth to Nick and Nora I am back to pre-pregnancy weight. Even better than that, yesterday I wore my pre-pregnancy jeans and was able to button them all the way up as opposed to the tried and true maternity trick of using a rubber band to hold the top buttons closed (that was needed last week). I'm glad to start getting my body back, while weirdly at the same time I'm mourning the disconnect to some extent. Both babies have lost their cords (no I did not keep them). And now I'm losing the last of my uterine contents. Time is passing so fast.
We're all recovering. They're almost 38 weeks and still in preemie baby clothes, but they're recovering.
And daily I spend time marvelling at them.
Even my little boy, my Twin number 1, the one with the funny shaped head.
I think he's perfect.
Updated-Yup, yet another mommy blogger post. Honestly though I don't have much else on my mind these days. I'd understand if you click off in exasperation, I really would.
1
He is perfect.
And Helen...
I think some mommas out there will be pissed to know your back into your Jeans in less than two weeks.
:-)
Posted by: Angela at October 15, 2007 12:57 PM (DGWM7)
2
Not to be all assvicey, but make sure you get into the habit of switching sleeping sides in the crib. Something someone never told me until it was later in the game. The Mini was born with a funny shaped head too, and while it has sorted itself out some, it hasn't completely and well, you know the inner demons I battle.
Posted by: statia at October 15, 2007 01:21 PM (lHsKN)
Posted by: statia at October 15, 2007 01:21 PM (lHsKN)
4
"Time is passing so fast"
And it just goes faster. Continue to savor every moment.
Posted by: ~Easy at October 15, 2007 01:28 PM (IVGWz)
5
He IS perfect and you are doing amazing and ... 5 mile walk? Holy crap. (That isn't exactly taking it easy.... ) And - 12 days and you're back to pre-pregnancy weight? Incredible!! I hated people like you when I was still struggling to get back to pre-baby weight almost a year later. :-p
Also? I have waited with bated breath for each of these posts, all teasing about being a mommyblogger aside.
I hope the coming week is full of great things and relaxation too.
Posted by: Lisa at October 15, 2007 01:35 PM (EcHBm)
6
He has a beautiful face and his head will gradually regain its shape.
My daughter's twins were exactly like yours. The boy twin was smaller and had to spend a week in the hosp. with breathing issues. Once he was released, he started gaining and soon surpassed his sister in weight and height. It almost seems like the ones who are smaller at birth feel the need not only to catch up - but to better their twin!
Posted by: kenju at October 15, 2007 01:56 PM (TiGru)
7
Will you please sit down and heal? Jeeze!
You are doing plenty just taking care of the babies.
Posted by: donna at October 15, 2007 02:26 PM (+SeV1)
8
That's a handsom, good looking baby!! I don't see any of what you were talking about.
Time does fly...Angel3 is already 3 months old, smiling all the time, and almost ready to flip over. Take lots of videos. We were watching home videos last night and both the Super Model and I were wishing we had taken more. It's amazing how much you can forget over the years.
Posted by: Solomon at October 15, 2007 02:31 PM (x+GoF)
9
He is beautiful! You are doing such a great job, momma! It's amazing as they get bigger to watch them change and see their little personalities come out! It's such a wonderful journey! Enjoy it ... and awesome on being in pre-pregnancy clothes!
Posted by: Erica at October 15, 2007 02:32 PM (UGW6Y)
10
Half the reason we come around right now IS because of the mommy posts. We want to hear about the babies, keep em up!
Just go easy on the mommy and baby gore for us guys, puhleeze?
Posted by: diamond dave at October 15, 2007 02:46 PM (kBUl4)
11
He is beautiful. I'm so glad you are enjoying this time with both of them.
p.s. You're my mommy hero, what with the perfect stretch mark-free belly and the quick weight loss! :-)
Posted by: Kimberly at October 15, 2007 02:52 PM (v57BG)
12
To be perfectly honest, I'm loving the mommy blogger posts as much as anything else you've written. And I'm glad everything seems to be going so well, congratulations!
Posted by: Hannah at October 15, 2007 03:11 PM (KuL2D)
13
As if Statis has any room to talk...
Your babies are adorable.
And yeah, I'm trying not to hate on you about the pre-baby weight thing.
Posted by: Jen(aside) at October 15, 2007 03:16 PM (OopSr)
Posted by: Jen(aside) at October 15, 2007 03:17 PM (OopSr)
Posted by: sue at October 15, 2007 03:31 PM (WbfZD)
16
Helen,
Something about your blogging is just addictive and interesting. I think you could write a blog about the ingredients in toothpaste and we'd all love to read it. Keep up the great work and enjoy the new family additions. Great picture too. I especially love the one of Angus and the babies form the other day; Wonderful.
Posted by: Mr.Thomas at October 15, 2007 03:34 PM (HRp3U)
17
Mommy Blog away, m'dere! I'll keep on reading!
Give them both a sniff from their auntie Sarah.
Posted by: Ms. Pants at October 15, 2007 03:36 PM (+p4Zf)
18
I would never click off your post -- it's always interesting and for a reward we get to see the babe. How lovely he is. Thanks for sharing
Posted by: gemma at October 15, 2007 04:01 PM (B7/Yc)
19
And if you needed some reassurance - go click on any of my Flickr pictures. You know, the ones of that 4 pound, jaundiced, with-a-poor-sucking-reflex baby.
He's now up to aroudn 30-33 pounds.
I agree with a previous poster: you could post your grocery list and I would be highly interested. In fact, I think you DID, once, didn't you? I remember thinking "She writes 'salad stuff,' just like I do!!"
Hugs and love for everyone. Especially your lil' Klingon.
xoxo
Posted by: Margi at October 15, 2007 04:18 PM (wSEpS)
20
he is gorgeous and i love reading about them x
Posted by: Mei at October 15, 2007 04:28 PM (u2u8R)
21
Loving every moment of it - mommy blogger
keep at it ... we'll keep reading it! He's beautiful just as he is ... enjoy both your blessings
Posted by: joy at October 15, 2007 05:33 PM (vk8K/)
22
yet another mommy blogger post. Honestly though I don't have much else on my mind these days, though. I'd understand if you click off in exasperation.
O_o
Do I have to come over there and choke a bitch?
Stop that. If readers don't want to read about this exciting part of your life, fuck 'em. Jeez.
This is your LIFE, hon! Wonderful Life! Being a mommy is your LIFE! Therefore interesting. If others don't think so, you so don't need them reading you. Really. {{{hugs}}}
Posted by: The other Amber at October 15, 2007 06:27 PM (zQE5D)
23
Oh, I agree with Statia-my past few posts have only been about babies, and in that "moony pony starry" kind of way. It's just that most of my day to day is babies these days, and my thought process tends to lend itself to the little ones just now. It won't always be like this. I really hope it won't, actually, as I enjoy the hell out of my little ones but I know that the honeymoon phase does pass, it just hasn't yet.
Posted by: Helen at October 15, 2007 06:55 PM (if4D6)
24
Well, here's the thing - I like to read what you write. So now its about babies. I happen to like babies, but even so, you communicate in a way that just connects. So go with it!
My sister had to strip down her youngest to make him just uncomfortable enough to get him to eat without falling asleep when he was tiny. He didn't care for it either!
Posted by: Suze at October 15, 2007 07:02 PM (0doyF)
25
Honestly, girl, don't you have more important things to worry about than whether you are mommy blogging? You're a Mommy now. Really, it's ok.
And we all wanna hear all about it. Well, except for the gorey bits. But babies. All about the babies is just fine. We're in love with them, too.
Posted by: caltechgirl at October 15, 2007 07:11 PM (/vgMZ)
26
Nick is gorgeous, but that isn't surprising because he looks like Angus to me! Also, quit worrying about the mommy blog stuff. We like YOU and YOU are a mommy.
Posted by: Dani at October 15, 2007 09:16 PM (PA6Tr)
27
I love the mommy posts! Amy had deep blue eyes at birth and despite what anyone said, she still has them even though mine are browny green and her Dad's are light grey! She also had a squishy head after my prolonged labour and favoured her left side. We tried to get her to sleep with her head to the right side but she wouldn't for ages so I would just try to do more fun stuff on her right side to get her looking that way!
Posted by: Super Sarah at October 15, 2007 11:34 PM (rRa5H)
28
So darn cute...he looks like his Daddy!
Posted by: Heidi at October 16, 2007 02:08 AM (yJuBX)
29
He is beautiful!!! And I love the mommy-posts. It's what you've worked so hard for, after all. Revel in it!!!!
Posted by: Amanda at October 16, 2007 02:22 AM (+BjCO)
30
Angela is correct - I'm totally pissed that you are in prepregnancy jeans. My girl is 6 months old and I'm barely squeezing into my fat jeans. Ughhh!
As for the feeding times, I used to do the naked feeding/toe tickling too. I only had to do that for the first month and then she got really good at breast feeding. It's not fair to only give us one picture with the post. They need equal blogger attention.
Posted by: jenny at October 16, 2007 02:43 AM (TT/Ge)
31
I will never be in my pre pregnancy jeans, ever and my baby turns 11 next week.
He is adorable - I think he looks like Angus too!! Not that Angus looks like an alien or anything... :-)
Posted by: Steff at October 16, 2007 03:41 AM (cY0DT)
32
Cool on the jeans— now you know for sure that all of the little weight you put on went STRAIGHT into the babies, who seem to be very healthy. (I put "quite" until I remembered that's often not a positive in Brit-land.)
And I have been
looking forward to your Mommy blogging, and have been hoping for your Mommy-blogging since first stumbling upon this site some time ago and seeing your Mommy-longing. So this is not only expected, it's most awesome, and as long as you write in your inimitable style, any topic is quite enjoyable— especially cute babies.
Posted by: B. Durbin at October 16, 2007 03:46 AM (tie24)
33
He is beautiful! Yay for back in prepregnancy stuff. Now you have to make sure you don't lose any more weight or the prepregnancy stuff won't fit again.
I am still battling to get back into my clothes, but only because I lost too much weight.
Posted by: Veronica at October 16, 2007 08:01 AM (ilNq8)
34
@Jen: Oh I know I don't have any room to talk. But you know, I get to pass the ribbing forward now.
P
Posted by: statia at October 16, 2007 11:36 PM (lHsKN)
35
Great photo. But dang, woman - back in your pre-pregnancy jeans already!! It took me nine hard months to do that! I'm so jealous!
And I like the mommyblog posts
Posted by: Dawn at October 17, 2007 12:04 AM (8LxTj)
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