Twins...One Month...

...It is hard to believe an entire month has already flown by for our twins...

Hazel and Scarlett,

You entered this world earlier than we had anticipated, but now we can't imagine having had to wait longer to meet you both. You little ladies are just perfect. God has already written your stories and everything about your birth and NICU stays were perfectly orchestrated by Him. Life is so much easier and fulfilling when you trust in Him, His timing, His plan- we pray you learn and live by this.

We cannot imagine life before you. Mommy, Daddy, and Grey all adore you.

Highlights and Pictures:

• 1 month old on the 24th, and 37 weeks adjusted...all percentiles are based on your adjusted/preemie ages- you are obviously <1 actual="" age.="" comment-1--="" for="" your="">
• Hazel: Height: 18.8 in. (25%tile), Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz. (8%tile), Head 33cm (25%tile)
• Scarlett: Height: 18.5 (17%tile), Weight: 5lbs 8 oz. (8%tile), Head 33.5 (38%tile)
• Both of you are now over 5 pounds!
• Preemie diapers and preemie clothes. 
• You're definitely IDENTICAL. Down to your birthmarks. It will be hard telling you apart and I'm thinking we may pierce your ears early to help with this. I think your heads have a subtle difference, but as you fill out and your head settles into place (not medical terms I know!) I think it will be less obvious. It is the craziest thing looking at two little girls who are replicas of one another! What an amazing creation by our maker! 
• We are not sure who you look like yet, we're thinking maybe daddy? And maybe red hair?
• Scarlett, you spent 20 days in the NICU for feeding and growing. You were on room air from birth, with no major issues. 
• Hazel, you spent 31 days in the NICU for feeding, growing, and oxygen. I joke that sister took all the steroid benefits for her lungs. You came out and needed help breathing with the cpap for the first 24 hours, then you moved to the cannula until day 8. You went back on the cannula from day 17-day 27 after you failed your car seat test.
• Eating: Both of you are eating every 3 hours- and we will work to tandem feed over this next month. You both work at nursing 1-3 times a day with the help of a nipple shield. You then top off with a bottle. You are both great latchers and have gotten so much stronger with nursing, but are still not quite big enough to get a full feed at the breast. It takes a lot of work and energy for you to nurse. We hope you will continue to get stronger and better at nursing. You eat around 60 ml of breast milk fortified with 22 calories/ounce of Neosure per feed. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Mommy now pumps 7 times a day and gets around 200-300 ml per pump session. Yay for lots of milk! You're both champs at eating and growing!
• Scarlett- you started Zantac for reflux at your first pediatrician appt. Hazel, you also started at your first appt. (Scarlett's 2nd). Hazel, I wish we could've started you in the NICU, but that's a different blog post in itself. Both of you will try Nexium next, as the the Zantac helps, but doesn't quite do the trick. 
• I was worried you girls might not remember being snuggled in so tight with each other, but there is already a sweet little bond between the two of you. When you were all worked up at the dr. office (and when mommy forced you to take 1 month pictures), all we had to do was lay you close to each other and you both became calm.  
• I must note how much your big sister ADORES you. She cannot get enough of you two. She's still trying to figure out who is who!
• You both love bathtime. You currently take "swaddle" baths so that you do not get over stimulated. This just means you are swaddled and we take out on limb at a time and wash. Bringing you both home and giving you your first bath and smothering you with lotion was THE best. The sterile hospital smell took away the sweet baby smell you were supposed to have!
• We are starting to learn more about your little personalities. 
• You both LOVE to snuggle and (due to reflux) prefer to be held after feeds...and just in general. It's so nice to have you home and hold you whenever we want!
• Hazel, you are a fast eater. You don't waste anytime taking your bottles. You also burp much easier.

There so, SO many pictures to share- and some are just too personal from the NICU to share publicly. I tried to pick some of my favorites.
*All NICU pictures were taken through a plastic bag on our iPhone. Due to germs we had to have them in a bag, hence all the grainy NICU pics.

One Month Photo Shoot Pics...

 

A couple from birth...

 NICU Pics from Touch Times...

First time to hold each of you...

 Scarlett

 Hazel's first time to wear clothes.

 Sweet snuggles

 Taking your temp (Scarlett)

 First time to hold you both

 You both still managed to poop on me in the NICU.

 Scarlett's first bottle. Mommy had to learn to give a bottle! I had never given one to Grey because she exclusively nursed with me (only bottles with others). Preemies have to be bottle fed a "special" way.

 Daddy's first time to hold you both.

Hazel

Scarlett

Scarlett

 Holding you both before Scarlett came home.

 Scarlett's first car seat ride

 Big sister finally meets you! (Scarlett)

 First Pediatrician Appt.

 Hazel girl. Soaking in her one on one time in the NICU.

 Scarlett- wide awake!

 One of many sweet sister moments.

 Hazel's car ride home!

 Finally both in the pack n play!

 Bringing Scarlett home.

 Gigi finally gets to hold Scarlett

 Scarlett with Papa Bob

 More big sister/family pics with Scarlett

 Grey helps feed, holds hands, watches diaper changes, snuggles, holds...these are "my babies".

 And Hazel's obligatory coming home pics!

 The Grandmas with the girls.

 And Papa, he's got this twin thing down!