Sweet Caroline

Holy moly. Breastfeeding twins is no joke.  But, we are doing it and we are doing it well! I had NO expectations going into this which I think has helped so much. They both had to have formula in the hospital so that helped me mentally, realize giving them some formula every once in a while is okay. I have enough supply where I do not have to supplement (at this point anyways, that may very well change when I go back to work). But, I do every once in a while. This go round I don't stress about pumping much because you know, I kinda have my hands full;-) And pumping on top of nursing and having three kids 2 and under by myself all day is just something that I ain't got time for!! So, if I want to drink several alcoholic bevs one night, they get formula and I just pump and dump, no tears shed over wasted milk. With Collins, I would have pumped so she still had breastmilk... She had breastmilk exclusively for five months, which I was pretty proud of considering I went back to work...

Goodness gracious!!! What a month it was! Between our 4 night hospital stay, Thomas being in NICU for 6 more nights, trying to finish renovations and move in our new house, and you know.... Adjusting to life with TWINS and going from 1 child to 3.... I would say this qualifies as one of the busiest months of our life! But, without a doubt, also the best. Every day brings new challenges but we embrace them whole heartedly. We are so thankful for these boys and this wild, chaotic, loving life we have been blessed with. The boys are doing great. We had a doctors appointment on Monday August 4 and Graham weighed in at 5 lb 14 oz and big boy Thomas weighed in at 7 lb 4 oz. (they will be five weeks on Tuesday August 5).   The boys are doing so good at night (with a hiccup here and there) and go straight back to sleep after feedings. For that I am very thankful. They have given me a couple of five hour stretches but generally can only go about 4 hours at night in between feedings....

Oh my little girl. What a diva she has become. I've said it time and again but she's sweet as sugar one minute and a defiant, independent two year old the next.  But, I'll say she has been the absolute BEST big sister so far. She adores her baby brothers and wants to kiss and hold them constantly. She hasn't gotten jealous of them once and always tries to help soothe them if they are crying.  She hugs on them all the time ( so much I have to remind her we DON'T do that when they are sleeping!) and helps hold their pacis in if they are fussing. She has yet to pitch a fit or get mad if I'm feeding them and can't help her or play with her right that second. She truly has amazed me at how well she's adjusted to her new role as a big sister.  Her new role as a 2.5 year old toddler (almost) ..... No surprise there, she's living up to the toddler potion!! Seriosuly. There are so many times a day I just want to smother her in kisses... And then others when i...

If you read my previous post regarding my 35 week update you probably know how this all unfolded. Anyways... This is the story of how we met our boys.  Like I said earlier, on my 35 week appointment my BP was up for the first time. My doc wasn't overly worried at that point hoping it was my cold medicine doing it... But I went back that Friday and it was even higher... Womp womp. Thank goodness the doc at that time wrote me a RX to get rid of the cold, it was the sickest I have ever been from a head cold... I coughed so much i strained a muscle in my stomach. Ouch. That was especially nice with a c section recovery. Ugh. Anyways.... I was basically forced to rest all weekend Bc of how bad I felt and I was due back at doctor on TUESDAY JULY 1 for my 36 week appointment.  I worked all day Monday and half day Tuesday until my appointment... I felt so much better from the head cold I wasn't as focused on the BP, it was just nice to feel kinda normal.  Sooooo, ...

We welcomed two precious little boys to the world on July 1... We could not be more smitten, especially big sister!! Thomas Putnam (top) was 5 lb 8 oz and is getting a little extra love in the NICU, we pray that he gets to join us at home soon. His brother, Graham Malone (bottom) was 4 lb 13 oz and is doing great at home. This past week has been an absolute whirlwind, but our hearts couldn't be more full. Thanking God for these babies.  Full update and details to come, life's a little hectic with one newborn at home, one in NICU...mama can't drive... Newborns not allowed in NICU.... Nursing and pumping to get both babies breast milk... A toddler to give attention to... And oh yeah, we are in the middle of moving. Ha! I'd say we are a little busy....  Xoxo

So....it happened.   I knew all along it would, it was just a gut feeling.  My 34 week appointment was GREAT….I was still the “poster child” for twin pregnancy according to my doctor.  Not really, he’s just extremely enthusiastic and is good about making his patients feel good about themselves:-) My 34 week appointment was Thursday June 19; again….everything still rolling right along.  On that Sunday I got sick….  And started taking Tylenol cold on Monday (the options for pregnant women are pretty low).  Anyways, I worked just a half day Monday because I was just feeling crummy….worked all day Tuesday and then was due back at the doctor Wednesday morning  for my 35 week appointment.  He had bumped me up to start coming weekly at this point.  So, Wednesday morning  rolls around and ….. WOMP WOMP, my blood pressure was elevated for the first time.  It was elevated twice when the nurses took it, and then after I laid on my si...

As I’ve mentioned a million times…I LOVE summer.  LOVE it.  It’s what I need each year to regroup, if you will.  I absolutely LOVE the longer days (even the sweltering heat only because that means its summer) and the care free attitude that we adapt on so many of our summer nights.  We are fortunate and get to go down to the coast a LOT, which is fantastic; we are generally down there 1-2 weekends a month in the summer and for a week vacation.  The beach, the boat, lazy summer nights, it is all perfection to me.    And….well, this year.  This year is different.  And it’s hard for me.  Hard to accept and hard to know I won’t get my normal “summer.”  I’m dealing, and I know it’ll all be worth it when these boys get here, but it does kind of stink giving up such an important part of my life this year.  We have gone to Beaufort several times and even took a three day weekend two weekends ago…I’ve been on a girl’s weekend in  E...