Over the Christmas break, Kate learned how to wave "hello". She's even starting to make a sort of "hi" noise when she does it (though not in the video below). The voice you can hear in the background is Kate's great grandpa RB, talking politics. You might want to mute the sound if you're a Bush backer! : )
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
5 months
Today marks five months since Corey left this world. Literally more than a lifetime, in her case. There have been a few opportunities for us to attend "grief and the holidays"-type meetings, but they didn't seem quite right. Most people there would likely be dealing with the memories of Christmases past and how to cope without that person being no longer in the picture. I imagine that's very difficult. I lost my dad a few years back, but since we hadn't celebrated Christmas in Wisconsin for several years (and by then, most of the fun and tradition had been sucked out of the occassion, at least in my mind), I don't really miss him at Christmas. Corey and Christmas is more about what we were looking forward to. You can imagine. Maybe time has painted everything rosey, but I remember this time last year as being very joyful. The excitement and anticipation of our coming twins was electric. This year, I feel unstable, at times overcome with sadness, other times its anger that seems to come from nowhere. Still, Kate keeps us smiling. Each day she's the ray of hope and sunshine.
Monday, November 26, 2007
post-Thanksgiving blues
Whenever we finish with Kate's diaper, we tell her that we have to wash our hands, so we don't have any germs, because germs make you sick, and being sick is no fun at all. Well, we've had a "no fun at all" Thanksgiving vacation. Starting Thanksgiving afternoon, she was feeling feverish, with the puking following soon after. We'd get the fever down, try feeding again, cross our fingers that it'd stay down, then wind up entirely disappointed that it didn't. A trip to the pediatrician ruled out the flu and RSV (?)--something that was apparently going around one of the rooms at the daycare, and Austin in general. Eventually, we were able to keep food down her and her fever down, but she has been mostly snotty and uncomfortable. Hard to eat and breathe at the same time, you know. On top of that, Daddy also got sick (new rule--do NOT let sick babies stick their hands in your mouth!). Each day has been a new experience. It all started Saturday with the Mother of All Hangovers--if you've ever had one of those doozies, you know what I mean. I had the screaming headache, queasy stomach, sore joints--all without the consolation of having had a wild night the night before (unless, of course, staying up most of the night with a sick, crying baby is a "wild night". If so, they're just not the same anymore). Yet unlike a hangover, no amount of sleep, Advil, or Tylenol, or water would settle it. My mother (Gladys) was in town until Sunday morning, so Kate and I did our best to be troopers. Not until Sunday did that hangover feeling go away (hmmm..was it mom-related?), to be replaced with heavy fatigue and weakness, sore throat, usualy cold symptoms. Most of the day was spent in bed. Monday, Kate was still very snotty, and since I was in a new head-packed-with-cottonballs, painful stuffy eared, dizzy phase of my cold, I stayed at home, we kept Kate home from daycare, and Tessa took a day off to play nurse. All in all, though, it made me so happy to see how Kate dealt with her illness. You could tell she was miserable, having trouble breathing, yet (for the most part) she kept working hard at being a baby. She crawled all over, played with her things, smiled and laughed a lot with us, pulled up on everything she possibly could, and chatting up a storm--sometimes I *swear* it was like she was telling us all about how she felt. She's such a great spirit. Twice this weekend, I've seen her fall, probably because of fatigue in her arms, and whack herself full in the face. She'd start to cry a little, but I'd talk to her to soothe her, and she'd settle almost immediately, making me think that she'd only scared herself, not really hitting herself like I'd thought. But then her face would turn red where she'd hit it, and I knew she really had hurt herself, but just shook it off. Crazy, amazing stuff. Hopefully we'll all have a good night sleep and get back to work and the day care tomorrow. We'll see...
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Giving Thanks
Yup. It's that time again. The Holidays are upon us. The lead up has been difficult. Since Corey's death, even on the happiest of days, the thoughts always come around to our lost little one. Then, like the Buck Owen's song says, "it's crying time again."
Now they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder,
And that tears are only rain to make love grow,
Well, my love for you could never grow no stronger,
If I live to be a hundred years old.
It's probably hard to imagine being thankful for anything this year. How do you thank God when there's been so much pain? I'm still trying to figure out the "faith" answer to that. No, he didn't take Corey from us, but he didn't do anything to keep her with us, either. I try to take consolation in the thought that she could have been lost to us at many points along the way. He didn't have to give us twins; He didn't have to let both come full term; He didn't have to let her live and thrive for nearly 4 months. Still, we'll always wish we'd had more time.
And yet, there is a lot to be thankful for this year. The time we did have with Corey. Her very happy life. She never experienced all the pain that the world has to offer. Her world was small, but totally filled with love. We should all be so lucky. We're thankful for Kate. She's got us through it all. She constantly amazes us. She wakes up everyday, happy and smiling. It's a reminder to us to be thankful for the new day, thankful that we're together. We are thankful for our loving, strong marriage. We hold each other together. We're thankful for our friends and family, who have supported us through along the way. We're thankful for our church, and the people there who have helped us keep Corey's memory alive and her spirit with us through Kate's baptism and beyond. Thankful that we have the promise that Corey is safe, and we'll see her again. We're thankful for our nice house, good jobs, great pets. Nearly everything we possibly could want. There's nothing we need--truly need--that we lack in life.
Like I often say, "All things aside, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?" We really lead a charmed and blessed life, but it has been touched with a great tragedy this year. But, we have to pray for those others who've lost. We could live in Darfur, and this year we could have watched our kids get raped and murdered before our eyes. We could be in Iraq and have had our kids blown up when they went to get free candy from US troops. We could have been in New Orleans, have lost our home and all our possessions to Katrina, then lost our child, our new hope for the future. Damn, there are a lot of people who have it a lot worse than us.
The sadness sometimes feels like self pity. But still, hurt is hurt. We're going to miss Corey terribly during the holidays. We'll force-feed Kate some turkey and sweet potatoes (baby food); but we'll wonder how Corey would have reacted to them. We'll smile as we dress Kate up in her cute Christmas dresses, but cry when we think of how Corey might have looked. We'll hang the "baby's first Christmas" ornament, but feel sadness at how there's only one. The best of times, the worst of times.
So, be with us during these holidays. Help us be happy for what we have. Share our sadness at what we've lost. Visit, call, or send a card. We'll appreciate it.
With love, from us to you.
Sean & Tessa + 2 -1
Now they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder,
And that tears are only rain to make love grow,
Well, my love for you could never grow no stronger,
If I live to be a hundred years old.
It's probably hard to imagine being thankful for anything this year. How do you thank God when there's been so much pain? I'm still trying to figure out the "faith" answer to that. No, he didn't take Corey from us, but he didn't do anything to keep her with us, either. I try to take consolation in the thought that she could have been lost to us at many points along the way. He didn't have to give us twins; He didn't have to let both come full term; He didn't have to let her live and thrive for nearly 4 months. Still, we'll always wish we'd had more time.
And yet, there is a lot to be thankful for this year. The time we did have with Corey. Her very happy life. She never experienced all the pain that the world has to offer. Her world was small, but totally filled with love. We should all be so lucky. We're thankful for Kate. She's got us through it all. She constantly amazes us. She wakes up everyday, happy and smiling. It's a reminder to us to be thankful for the new day, thankful that we're together. We are thankful for our loving, strong marriage. We hold each other together. We're thankful for our friends and family, who have supported us through along the way. We're thankful for our church, and the people there who have helped us keep Corey's memory alive and her spirit with us through Kate's baptism and beyond. Thankful that we have the promise that Corey is safe, and we'll see her again. We're thankful for our nice house, good jobs, great pets. Nearly everything we possibly could want. There's nothing we need--truly need--that we lack in life.
Like I often say, "All things aside, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?" We really lead a charmed and blessed life, but it has been touched with a great tragedy this year. But, we have to pray for those others who've lost. We could live in Darfur, and this year we could have watched our kids get raped and murdered before our eyes. We could be in Iraq and have had our kids blown up when they went to get free candy from US troops. We could have been in New Orleans, have lost our home and all our possessions to Katrina, then lost our child, our new hope for the future. Damn, there are a lot of people who have it a lot worse than us.
The sadness sometimes feels like self pity. But still, hurt is hurt. We're going to miss Corey terribly during the holidays. We'll force-feed Kate some turkey and sweet potatoes (baby food); but we'll wonder how Corey would have reacted to them. We'll smile as we dress Kate up in her cute Christmas dresses, but cry when we think of how Corey might have looked. We'll hang the "baby's first Christmas" ornament, but feel sadness at how there's only one. The best of times, the worst of times.
So, be with us during these holidays. Help us be happy for what we have. Share our sadness at what we've lost. Visit, call, or send a card. We'll appreciate it.
With love, from us to you.
Sean & Tessa + 2 -1
Monday, September 10, 2007
Happy Girl
We've got such a sweet, happy little girl!!
The photo is Kate and Mommy in the shower after going for a swim at Deep Eddy pool.
Not screaming, just being silly!!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Holidays
Coming up on Labor Day weekend had me thinking about holidays, especially the upcoming ones of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and how Corey won't be wearing the costumes, eating mashed potatoes, or unwrapping presents with her sister. Our last holiday, Independence Day, was 2 days before she died. We didn't go to the fireworks (figured they might be scary for them), but we did go for a hike (their first--her only) and a stop for BBQ (she slept through the whole stop). I had to think, but yes, she did get to celebrate some holidays with us. So, here I present St. Patricks' Day, Easter, and Independence Day. I'm sure we have Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and Father's Day photos, too--what day goes by without at least one photo being taken?--but I need this to be a quick post. Wow. She sure did grow! Interesting note: St. Pats was a 3 days after she was born, July 4th was 2 days before she died, Easter wasn't quite right in the middle--so I guess here's the full range of her life!
We've got plans for Kate's Labor Day--another BBQ, of course! :)
We've got plans for Kate's Labor Day--another BBQ, of course! :)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
5 Months
Tuesday, August 14th was a day of great happiness and equal sadness. Kate turned 5 months old; Corey did not. We are amazed every day at how Kate grows and learns. She keeps us smiling and laughing. It was also a sad day because Tessa's mom, Maureen, went back to Minnesota. She's been a great help and comfort for the last month and a half. We'll miss that.
I came across this "wish list" for greiving parents the other day. Each point rings true. I think what we most notice is that many people avoid talking about Corey, probably because they don't want to upset us, but as the wish list says, we'd rather talk about her than ignore her. She means so much to us.
1. I wish my child hadn't died. I wish I had him/her back.
2. I wish you wouldn't be afraid to speak my child's name. My child lived and was important to me. I need to hear that he/she was important to you also.
3. If I cry and get emotional when you talk about my child, I wish you know it isn't because you have hurt me. My child's death is the cause of my tears. You have talked about my child, and you have allowed me to share my grief. I thank you for both.
4. I wish you wouldn't "kill" my child again by removing his/her pictures, artwork or other remembrances from you home.
5. Being a bereaved parent is not contagious, so I wish you wouldn't shy away from me. I need you now more than ever.
6. I need diversions, so I do want to hear about you; but I also want you to hear about me. I might be sad and I might cry, but I wish you would let me talk about my child, my favorite topic of the day.
7. I know that you think of and pray for me often. I also know that my child's death pains you too. I wish you would let me know those things through a phone call, a card, a note, or a real big hug.
8. I wish you wouldn't expect my grief to be over in six months. These first months are traumatic for me, but I wish you could understand that my grief will never be over. I will suffer the death of my child until the day I die.
9. I am working very hard in my recovery but I wish you could understand that I will never fully recover. I will always miss my child, and I will always grieve that he/she is dead.
10. I wish you wouldn't expect me "not to think about it" or to "be happy". Neither will happen for a very long time, so don't frustrate yourself.
11. I don't want to have a "pity party", but I do wish you would let me grieve. I must hurt before I heal.
12. I wish you understood how my life has shattered. I know it is miserable for you to be around me when I'm feeling miserable. Please be as patient with me as I am with you.
13. When I say, "I'm doing okay." I wish you could understand that I don't "feel" okay and that I struggle daily.
14. I wish you knew that all of the grief reactions I'm having are very normal. Depression, anger, hopelessness and overwhelming sadness are all to be expected. So please excuse me when I'm quiet and withdrawn or irritable and cranky.
15. Your advice to "take one day at a time" is excellent advice. However, a day is too much and too fast for me right now. I wish you could understand that I'm doing good to handle one hour at a time.
16. Please excuse me if I seem rude, that's certainly not my intent. Sometimes the world around me goes to fast and I need to get off. When I walk away, I wish you would let me find a quiet place to spend time alone.
17. I wish you understood that grief changes people. When my child died, a big part of me died with him/her. I am not the same person I was before my child died, and I will never be that person again.
18. I wish very much that you could understand - understand my loss and grief, my silence and my tears, my void and my pain. BUT, I pray daily that you will never understand.
I came across this "wish list" for greiving parents the other day. Each point rings true. I think what we most notice is that many people avoid talking about Corey, probably because they don't want to upset us, but as the wish list says, we'd rather talk about her than ignore her. She means so much to us.
1. I wish my child hadn't died. I wish I had him/her back.
2. I wish you wouldn't be afraid to speak my child's name. My child lived and was important to me. I need to hear that he/she was important to you also.
3. If I cry and get emotional when you talk about my child, I wish you know it isn't because you have hurt me. My child's death is the cause of my tears. You have talked about my child, and you have allowed me to share my grief. I thank you for both.
4. I wish you wouldn't "kill" my child again by removing his/her pictures, artwork or other remembrances from you home.
5. Being a bereaved parent is not contagious, so I wish you wouldn't shy away from me. I need you now more than ever.
6. I need diversions, so I do want to hear about you; but I also want you to hear about me. I might be sad and I might cry, but I wish you would let me talk about my child, my favorite topic of the day.
7. I know that you think of and pray for me often. I also know that my child's death pains you too. I wish you would let me know those things through a phone call, a card, a note, or a real big hug.
8. I wish you wouldn't expect my grief to be over in six months. These first months are traumatic for me, but I wish you could understand that my grief will never be over. I will suffer the death of my child until the day I die.
9. I am working very hard in my recovery but I wish you could understand that I will never fully recover. I will always miss my child, and I will always grieve that he/she is dead.
10. I wish you wouldn't expect me "not to think about it" or to "be happy". Neither will happen for a very long time, so don't frustrate yourself.
11. I don't want to have a "pity party", but I do wish you would let me grieve. I must hurt before I heal.
12. I wish you understood how my life has shattered. I know it is miserable for you to be around me when I'm feeling miserable. Please be as patient with me as I am with you.
13. When I say, "I'm doing okay." I wish you could understand that I don't "feel" okay and that I struggle daily.
14. I wish you knew that all of the grief reactions I'm having are very normal. Depression, anger, hopelessness and overwhelming sadness are all to be expected. So please excuse me when I'm quiet and withdrawn or irritable and cranky.
15. Your advice to "take one day at a time" is excellent advice. However, a day is too much and too fast for me right now. I wish you could understand that I'm doing good to handle one hour at a time.
16. Please excuse me if I seem rude, that's certainly not my intent. Sometimes the world around me goes to fast and I need to get off. When I walk away, I wish you would let me find a quiet place to spend time alone.
17. I wish you understood that grief changes people. When my child died, a big part of me died with him/her. I am not the same person I was before my child died, and I will never be that person again.
18. I wish very much that you could understand - understand my loss and grief, my silence and my tears, my void and my pain. BUT, I pray daily that you will never understand.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Heads up!
Kate and Corey are getting really strong! They hold their heads up quite well, as you can see.
Kate's on the top, Corey below.
Friday, May 25, 2007
May 25
No time to blog.
Grandma Henry, Aunt Carol, Uncle Gus, and cousins Christian and Autumn are coming down from Dallas for their first visit with the girls this weekend. Here are Corey and Kate dressed up to meet the family. I do believe this is also the first photo we have of both of them smiling at the same time. Can they get any cuter??
Grandma Henry, Aunt Carol, Uncle Gus, and cousins Christian and Autumn are coming down from Dallas for their first visit with the girls this weekend. Here are Corey and Kate dressed up to meet the family. I do believe this is also the first photo we have of both of them smiling at the same time. Can they get any cuter??
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Back to Work
I (Sean) am going back to work this Friday (May 27) and will work half days for about two weeks. Tessa is going back Friday (June 8), working 3 days a week, hopefully through the end of July. Then the girls will be in daycare full time. I'll be hard, but I guess it's got to be done eventually. Wish we could stay home with them or afford a nanny, but c'est la vie.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
The joys of parenthood
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Yesterday was a first--
Kate pooped such a massive amount that it not only leaked out onto her clothes (past the diaper, past the onesie, soiling the sleeper she had on) but also *my* clothes. I coped quite well, I thought. Got her all changed and washed up (while she screamed bloddy murder all the way) and got most of the stuff off my jeans with a wet washcloth. Once the incident had passed, and Kate was settled down, I decided that I needed to change myself. Tessa was feeding Corey, so I figured I'd haul Kate upstairs to the bedroom with me and let her lay on the bed while I changed. That's when the massive spitup happened. Not just on my shirt, but down the front of it. I have no idea how much it was, just that it was wet, warm, and enough to go neck to waistline. Ewwwww!!! Now if we ever hear Kate using the F- word, we'll know *exactly* where she picked it up, down to the date and time!! Maaaannnn!! I think that *may* have been the exact moment where I hit the lowpoint in my fatherhood. Not that I yelled at the baby or anything like that, just the low feeling of "so my life has come to this . . . covered in poop and puke . . ." and knowing that quite likely it wasn't going to be the last, or possibly even the worst. Even on the saddest binge drinking college days, I don't think I ever wound up soaked in someone else's puke, and I don't recall having poopy pants since I was in diapers myself. Ah, well, after a nice shower and a bit of a cry, Kate and I cuddled up a bit and all was good in the world again, even when she started pulling on my chest hair. Yowch!
So, all you parents out there, let me know--what's the worst you've had?
Yesterday was a first--
Kate pooped such a massive amount that it not only leaked out onto her clothes (past the diaper, past the onesie, soiling the sleeper she had on) but also *my* clothes. I coped quite well, I thought. Got her all changed and washed up (while she screamed bloddy murder all the way) and got most of the stuff off my jeans with a wet washcloth. Once the incident had passed, and Kate was settled down, I decided that I needed to change myself. Tessa was feeding Corey, so I figured I'd haul Kate upstairs to the bedroom with me and let her lay on the bed while I changed. That's when the massive spitup happened. Not just on my shirt, but down the front of it. I have no idea how much it was, just that it was wet, warm, and enough to go neck to waistline. Ewwwww!!! Now if we ever hear Kate using the F- word, we'll know *exactly* where she picked it up, down to the date and time!! Maaaannnn!! I think that *may* have been the exact moment where I hit the lowpoint in my fatherhood. Not that I yelled at the baby or anything like that, just the low feeling of "so my life has come to this . . . covered in poop and puke . . ." and knowing that quite likely it wasn't going to be the last, or possibly even the worst. Even on the saddest binge drinking college days, I don't think I ever wound up soaked in someone else's puke, and I don't recall having poopy pants since I was in diapers myself. Ah, well, after a nice shower and a bit of a cry, Kate and I cuddled up a bit and all was good in the world again, even when she started pulling on my chest hair. Yowch!
So, all you parents out there, let me know--what's the worst you've had?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
4 week check up
To the left: mom is quite the baby juggler! Kate is in the snuggli carrier sleeping while Corey is being fed. Isn't she great?
The girls had their four-week checkup on Wednesday. All was fine. Kate now weighs 8 pounds exactly, while Corey weighs 6 pounds 1 ounce. They had a hep B shot, which they didn't like. Right before leaving (just after getting dressed), Kate spit up an astounding amount of milk. Had to change everything plus give her a baby-wipes bath before going.
Tessa had her 1 month check up today with the obgyn. All is well with her, too, and she's free to do anything she did in her pre-pregnancy days. She's down to about 10 pounds over her pre-pregnancy weight already! Nursing (pumping, actually) for two has really taken it out of her.
Dad's really happy. Trying to decide whether to go back to work at the 6 week date or 8 weeks. We could use the money, but this is really a precious time that we'll never get back. And as my old boss (and Tessa's current boss) often has told me in the past: no one ever looks back on their life and wishes they spent more time at work and less time with their family. (My dad *may* be the exception to that, but I'm trying not to be a workaholic.)
Monday, April 9, 2007
The forgotten baby
Well, it finally happened--my sleep deprived brain made forget the baby. Kate, Ringo, and I walked down to the post office today. I tied Ringo outside and Kate and I went in (her in the stroller) to find a box for mailing the stuff I had to send to a friend in NYC. Since the place was packed, I parked the stroller at the edge of the mob and went the final 15-20 feet to the spot where the Priority Mail packaging was. From there I went outside and sat with the dog while I addressed the box and got it ready to go. I decided to call Tessa before going back in to stand in line. That's when she asked "How's Kate?" and I realized I'd left her inside!! I ran back in, and of course she was crying. I didn't dare look anyone in the eye to see what kind of "unfit parent" stares I was getting. All was safe, though, and she settled down quite quickly once I got her back outside. But, man, what a panicked feeling!! Of course, while Kate and I stood in line waiting to mail the package and Ringo was tied up alone outside, I was thinking "unfit pet owner". To top it off, after waiting 20 minutes in the self-serve postage line, the person ahead of me used up the last of whatever it is that allows the machine to work--stamps, labels--because it said I couldn't print postage, but I could weigh my package. At that point I gave up, handed $10 to the person behind me in line, and asked if she'd mail my stuff when she got to the front of the line with hers. And keep the change please. It was only afterwards that it dawned on me that she had no idea what I was mailing--coulda been meth, guns, terrorist plots--and I hoped that the postal employee didn't wind up questioning her about the contents. I guess we'll know if the friend in NYC ever gets the package!
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
pictures
We've put some pictures up on shutterfly for you to view.
http://sandtplustwo.shutterfly.com
http://sandtplustwo.shutterfly.com
Thursday, March 29, 2007
To blog or not to blog
Since this was set up as a pregnancy progress blog, I'm thinking that I'll take it down now unless I get enough posted comments saying that you'd like to see periodic updates on the girls. So, give me your "yea" or "nay" and we'll see where it goes from there.
Here's an update--
The girls had their 2 week check up yesterday. They’re both doing very well. They both gained 9 oz in the last week, which means they’ve now regained their birth weight and then some. That’s good because now instead of having to feed them every 2-3 hours (which made for hellish nights), we only need to feed them when they want it (though 4 hours is the max between feedings). Last night, though, they were both being fuss-muffins and didn’t let us sleep more than an hour or two at a time. I don’t think they were both asleep at the same time (allowing us to sleep) until after 3:00 am. Kate's lost her umbilical cord stump, but Corey still has hers.
Tessa’s mom and dad were in town for a week, having left yesterday morning. It was a good visit. We didn’t go anywhere or do anything, just stuck around the house. They helped out a lot with cooking, cleaning, errands, and feeding/changing/holding the babies. A couple of times they watched the girls while we took naps or ran to the store, once while Tessa and I went to her obgyn. Now we’re on our own again! Eeek!
Here's an update--
The girls had their 2 week check up yesterday. They’re both doing very well. They both gained 9 oz in the last week, which means they’ve now regained their birth weight and then some. That’s good because now instead of having to feed them every 2-3 hours (which made for hellish nights), we only need to feed them when they want it (though 4 hours is the max between feedings). Last night, though, they were both being fuss-muffins and didn’t let us sleep more than an hour or two at a time. I don’t think they were both asleep at the same time (allowing us to sleep) until after 3:00 am. Kate's lost her umbilical cord stump, but Corey still has hers.
Tessa’s mom and dad were in town for a week, having left yesterday morning. It was a good visit. We didn’t go anywhere or do anything, just stuck around the house. They helped out a lot with cooking, cleaning, errands, and feeding/changing/holding the babies. A couple of times they watched the girls while we took naps or ran to the store, once while Tessa and I went to her obgyn. Now we’re on our own again! Eeek!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
They're here!!
We’re very happy to announce the birth of our daughters—
Katherine Grace
6lbs 14oz
Cordelia Faith
5lbs 4oz
On the enclosed photo close-up, Kate is on the left and Corey is on the right.
They were born on 3/14 at 2:50 and 3:00, respectively, via C-section.
Mom is doing great! Her stomach hurts, as can be expected, but other than that, she is just as happy as can be!
Of course, we’re both sleep deprived, but it makes us just feel punch drunk most of the time.
Katherine Grace
6lbs 14oz
Cordelia Faith
5lbs 4oz
On the enclosed photo close-up, Kate is on the left and Corey is on the right.
They were born on 3/14 at 2:50 and 3:00, respectively, via C-section.
Mom is doing great! Her stomach hurts, as can be expected, but other than that, she is just as happy as can be!
Of course, we’re both sleep deprived, but it makes us just feel punch drunk most of the time.
Monday, March 12, 2007
March 12
Tessa's rash stumped her obgyn, so she had to go to a dermatologist this afternoon. She set her up with some steroid ointment, which seems to have helped the itching.
Unless something happens in the next 33 hours, inducement is Wed. at 8:00.
Unless something happens in the next 33 hours, inducement is Wed. at 8:00.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
March 9 & 10
Definitely our last weekend as a two-person family! Friday I pushed like crazy to finish another part of my project at work--a milestone since the other two parts remaining are quicker, simpler, and could be picked up and worked on by someone else if the need arises. Tessa's not doing very well. The babies are fine, but she's broken out in a bad rash. It started off small and extremely itchy, but has spread to most of her body (and has remained extremely itchy). Apparently it's not uncommon in late stages of pregnancy, according to the books and the nurse she called. She did get some prescription-strength antihistamines, but they only work so much for so long (definitely not the entire 6 hours she's supposed to wait before the next dose). I got her some oatmeal bath stuff, which also seems to help, but only (again) so much for so long. It's uncomfortable for her to do much, so we haven't done much this weekend. We did go out for dinner Saturday night, though. None of the movies out right now really held that much appeal, so we didn't do that. The car was acting up Saturday--transmission was shifting really roughly. Great timing, huh? Don't know whether to take it in to Firestone today and hope Tessa doesn't go into labor while it's being worked on, or let it go and risk a problem on the way to the hospital if she goes into labor. Bleh.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Mar. 8
Less than a week to go, tops! Tessa says the girls are really pushing on her today, so they may come sooner. We're pretty much as ready as we're going to be. There are a few things I'd like to finish at work--and I'm aiming to get them done by the end of the day Monday or mid-Tuesday at the latest. It'd be nice to have one more weekend for just us--maybe catch a movie or go out for dinner. We'll see what happens. The weather's been so beautiful, just sitting outside for an afternoon would be nice. I'm really looking forward to working on the Spring garden with the girls and the pup, even if none of the three is much help!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
March 7
Last sono today! The girls still look great! Now it's a week until inducement day (3/14), but we're hoping they'll come before that!
Been working little by little on the room, as you can see in the pictures. We had the Degas pictures from an old calendar 
and the frames used to hold the 8 1/2 by 11s of our wedding photos (before I had them framed properly a few years back). We picked up a few shelf/cube units for storage. The Cheshire Cat that is on the shelf (center square) is Tessa's Christmas present from me in '88. The heart mobile hanging from the ceiling is something she's had since before we met. Lots of neat little things we get to put in the girls' room. 
(And yes, that's a pink trimmed diaper thingy in the right bottom corner of the photo over there--------->
Been working little by little on the room, as you can see in the pictures. We had the Degas pictures from an old calendar 
and the frames used to hold the 8 1/2 by 11s of our wedding photos (before I had them framed properly a few years back). We picked up a few shelf/cube units for storage. The Cheshire Cat that is on the shelf (center square) is Tessa's Christmas present from me in '88. The heart mobile hanging from the ceiling is something she's had since before we met. Lots of neat little things we get to put in the girls' room. 
(And yes, that's a pink trimmed diaper thingy in the right bottom corner of the photo over there--------->Tuesday, March 6, 2007
March 4, 5, 6
Wow, quite a jump! Missed a few days there. Not much to report. OBGYN visit on Monday was nothing exciting. The babies could come any day, or they could wait until the 14th and get induced. Either way, little over a week is our max waiting time. We've been able to go for short (4-5 block) walks in the neighborhood, but it's pretty slow going and Tessa is worn out pretty quickly. Still, it's nice to get her out in the sunshine.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
March 3
All seems to be fine with Tessa. I think she's feeling very much like a normal 8-month pregnant woman, rather than a "high risk pregnancy" anymore. She's always had a great attitude about the whole thing--keeping her hope, faith, and calm (letting me be the freak-out of the family)--but, still, now she seems much happier and relaxed.
Saturday was very productive. We went to the Mothers of Mulitples garage sale (HUGE) and a few second-hand stores looking for more nursery stuff. We found a nice dresser which can double as a changing table. Our friends Kathryn and Michael helped us pick up and set up the crib and dresser and we all went out for a nice dinner at Evangeline Cafe. Now that we have the crib and dresser set up, we feel much more ready. There are many small chores to work on, but those don't feel nearly as important. We'll probably spend the day whittling away at that list. Does it LOOK like a nursery now? Of course, this is all an illusion since once the babies come, we'll haul the crib into our bedroom.
Saturday was very productive. We went to the Mothers of Mulitples garage sale (HUGE) and a few second-hand stores looking for more nursery stuff. We found a nice dresser which can double as a changing table. Our friends Kathryn and Michael helped us pick up and set up the crib and dresser and we all went out for a nice dinner at Evangeline Cafe. Now that we have the crib and dresser set up, we feel much more ready. There are many small chores to work on, but those don't feel nearly as important. We'll probably spend the day whittling away at that list. Does it LOOK like a nursery now? Of course, this is all an illusion since once the babies come, we'll haul the crib into our bedroom.Friday, March 2, 2007
March 2
Tessa may or may not have been having contractions in the night and early morning. Nothing painful, though. We were on the ready, but nothing materialized. By the afternoon she was fine enough that I could take off from the house for a couple hours on a business trip (40% business, 60% socializing with an old work friend--you know who you are!!). After that, we went out for a lovely dinner for two at Subway (Tessa was hankering--not craving--a tuna sub), then had a fruitless search for dressers at the RoomStore, USA Baby, and Target. Babies-R-Us was already a miss earlier in the week. Our crib did come in today and we're hoping to pick it up and set it up tomorrow!
Thursday, March 1, 2007
March 1
Alllllriiiiighhhtttt! We made it to March! Last night at midnight was the last dose of the meds Tessa was on to keep the contractions away (no signs of them coming back, yet!) and tonight was the last class we were signed up for (breastfeeding for multiples). So, we are set!! (OK, not really, we still don't have a crib or dresser and there's still 30+ boxes of comics in the nursery, but that's neither here nor there!!)
Still got a lot of work piled up (work work, not house work or baby work). I honestly know I'm not going to finish the high priority stuff and someone is going to get stuck finishing it off--and yet it's still keeps coming!! I just wish we could take assignment #1, focus all my energies on that, and *if* I finish, then give me something else. The piling on is just stressing me out.
Bought Tessa some nice "nursing jammies" for the trip to the hospital and postpartum. I thought it'd be nice to get her something special. I may just post a photo once I take one.
So, any day now. (and the "induce" date has been set for March 14, so hell or highwater, we're going to be parents in less than two weeks!)
Still got a lot of work piled up (work work, not house work or baby work). I honestly know I'm not going to finish the high priority stuff and someone is going to get stuck finishing it off--and yet it's still keeps coming!! I just wish we could take assignment #1, focus all my energies on that, and *if* I finish, then give me something else. The piling on is just stressing me out.
Bought Tessa some nice "nursing jammies" for the trip to the hospital and postpartum. I thought it'd be nice to get her something special. I may just post a photo once I take one.
So, any day now. (and the "induce" date has been set for March 14, so hell or highwater, we're going to be parents in less than two weeks!)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Feb. 26
The weekly trip to the obgyn today--will it be the last? Nothing has changed. Still no contractions, no further dilation. They even went so far as to schedule an inducement for March 15 if nothing happens before that. (I'm trying to switch dates since that days' the anniversary of my dad's death.)
Ordered a crib from Babies R Us. Nothing fancy, but not the cheapest, either. They may get one on tomorrow's shipment, but if not, it may be a week or two. If we don't have a crib before the babies come, what's the worst that can happen? They sleep in the carseats, I guess!
Trying to wrap up the various assignments at work. Very tough going.
Ordered a crib from Babies R Us. Nothing fancy, but not the cheapest, either. They may get one on tomorrow's shipment, but if not, it may be a week or two. If we don't have a crib before the babies come, what's the worst that can happen? They sleep in the carseats, I guess!
Trying to wrap up the various assignments at work. Very tough going.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Feb 24
Been a few days since the last post, mainly because I sent a lengthy report in an email to the "baby announcements" distribution list as a test run. And since then? Well, we've had two baby showers, which were wonderful. We have nearly everything off our list, and what we don't have we'll probably be able to cover with our gift cards. Lots and lots of cute, cute, cute girlie stuff!! One problem is that the crib we liked at Target.com, which the site says is available in stores, is not in the one near us. Shipping is heartstoppingly expensive for something like that. Still, I don't know if I want to drive all around Austin, wasting time and gas looking for it. Maybe we'll let our fingers do the walking. Or, head up to Babies R Us and see what we can find there. The selection and prices on Craigslist have been pretty lousy the last couple of weeks.
Tonight we're heading back to the Paramount for Madeiline Peyroux. Never thought we'd make it this far. Now we're having dreams of a March birth. It could happen! March less than a week away! (Though going off the procardia is only 2 days away!)
:)
Tonight we're heading back to the Paramount for Madeiline Peyroux. Never thought we'd make it this far. Now we're having dreams of a March birth. It could happen! March less than a week away! (Though going off the procardia is only 2 days away!)
:)
Monday, February 19, 2007
Feb. 19
Today's trip to the obgyn went very well. No further dilation, and the babies are still in the perfect head-down position for birthing that they've been in for months. We've got such good girls!
In the evening I washed a load of baby clothes (mostly just gifts we've gotten so far), just so we'd have some nice clean clothes for the girls when they come. So, I guess today was the first in an endless cycle of baby laundry! Everything seems exciting the first few times, eh?
While that was running, I dyed some things we'd bought for tie dying (baby caps, baby shirts, crib mattress covers). Started with the pink base color. Next round I'll put some purples onto it. After YEARS of tie dying clothes for neices, nephews, and friends' kids (which we've LOVED doing), we finally get to do some for our own kids! We always liked seeing the kids (or photos of the kids, depending on where they lived) in their S&T tie dies, so you know our kids will have a very bright and funky wardrobe. (I hear you parents out there shaking your heads and saying "When you have time! Ha!")
Tomorrow we've got a perinatologist appointment, followed by a lunchtime shower with Tessa's old collegues in the Math department. Should be another wonderful day, like today (sunny, mid 70s). I'm really looking forward to Tessa being off bed rest and the whole clan going out strolling and hiking this spring. Am I being unrealistic? And bluebonnet photos!! Until just now, I hadn't even thought of that. And, of course, that leads to . . . Easter dresses!!! Yipee!!
Tomorrow we've got a perinatologist appointment, followed by a lunchtime shower with Tessa's old collegues in the Math department. Should be another wonderful day, like today (sunny, mid 70s). I'm really looking forward to Tessa being off bed rest and the whole clan going out strolling and hiking this spring. Am I being unrealistic? And bluebonnet photos!! Until just now, I hadn't even thought of that. And, of course, that leads to . . . Easter dresses!!! Yipee!!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Feb. 18
Last night's ballet was wonderful, we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, and the girls behaved themselves perfectly. We even stuck around for the Q&A with Stephen Mills (director), Gina Patterson (choreographer), and Frank Schott (danseur). People were very good to Tessa, not making her get up to enter/exit the row (they went the other way) and even letting her go to the front of the line at the restroom.
Today is Babycare Basics class. Thankfully not another 5 hour class (only 2 1/2).
Today is Babycare Basics class. Thankfully not another 5 hour class (only 2 1/2).
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Feb. 17
Still nothing new. Going to tempt fate by going to the ballet tonight. I should be able to drop Tessa at the door, then go park. Our seats are only a couple off the aisle, so we might try to switch with the couple on the aisle, for a quick exit, if needed. The ballet is "Director's Choice", so it's actually three one-act pieces, which means two intermissions. I think we'll do just fine. It's at the Paramount, which is one of our favorite Austin places, so it'll be nice to see it and the ballet one last time before the girls come.
Next week should be pretty busy, relatively speaking, for someone on bedrest. Tomorrow we have a babycare basics class. Doctors' appointments on Monday and Tuesday, a lunch shower with the Math department on Tuesday, and afternoon shower at work with the Language Arts and Special Projects departments. And, if we make it to next Friday, we've got Madeleine Peyroux tickets (again, at the Paramount--maybe we'll get to see the place twice, huh?)
I think we're definitely feeling less stressed at this point. The babies are at a good stage of development, I've gotten into a good groove with working from home, and though the nursery isn't ready, we're getting close.
Next week should be pretty busy, relatively speaking, for someone on bedrest. Tomorrow we have a babycare basics class. Doctors' appointments on Monday and Tuesday, a lunch shower with the Math department on Tuesday, and afternoon shower at work with the Language Arts and Special Projects departments. And, if we make it to next Friday, we've got Madeleine Peyroux tickets (again, at the Paramount--maybe we'll get to see the place twice, huh?)
I think we're definitely feeling less stressed at this point. The babies are at a good stage of development, I've gotten into a good groove with working from home, and though the nursery isn't ready, we're getting close.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Feb. 13
The trip to the perinatologist was very good. The girls are "fabulous", according to the ultrasound. He's allowing Tessa the much-hoped-for "day passes" from her bed rest. She's free to go to all the baby classes, visit pediatricians, attend baby showers, and even go to the ballet on Saturday. She just needs to limit activity, whatever she does. Still, he says, they could come today, next week, or a couple weeks out. It's all up to the girls. He'll probably have Tessa stop taking the medication in a week or two, since at that point the girls will be fine to come and he worries more about extended use of the medication than he does about the premature births at this point. All very good news!!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Feb. 12
The obgyn appointment went well today. There's no further dilation and everything looks fine. Tomorrow we get a better idea because we have an appointment with the periontologist (fancy name for high-risk pregnancy doctor), who is going to take an ultrasound. He will give us a better idea of how the kids are growing and what our chances are that they'll be born any time soon. When we made this appointment about two weeks ago, we didn't have high hopes that we'd even make it--but here it is! Might be able to go to the infant CPR class tomorrow night, even. Tessa's going to try calling some pediatricians tomorrow during the time I'm working. Tomorrow starts week 34.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Feb 11
Tessa's still not feeling great. Lots of pressure lower in the uterus, I guess. She wonders if maybe one of the babies dropped. Usually this would be accompanied by the mother being better able to breathe, which isn't the case with her. She thinks maybe the one dropped and the other hopped on top for a better view. Tomorrow is a trip to the OBGYN, Tuesday to the high-risk pregnancy doctor.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Feb. 10
No babies, but there was a bit of tightening--could have been contractions, could have just been babies pushing extra hard today. Tessa attributes it to wearing pants (instead of a dress) and sitting in the birthing class for 4 hours (we arrived half an hour late and were let out half an hour early!) Keeping the fingers crossed that this was just a fluke and not the beginning of anything.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Feb. 8
Another day, another ounce each. That's based on the idea that they're gaining about half a pound a week now. I've done very little to get the house in order for when the kids come. Between work, tending to Tessa, and doing all the housework, I just don't have the time or energy.
What you see to the right is the nursery. What you see in the nursery (aside from one bouncer and umbrella stroller on the top left and two Pooh lamps at top center) is about 30 years worth of comic books. I'm sorting them out alphanumerically so that I can sell most of them on eBay. Believe it or not, this chaos is probably at the 3/4ths done stage. Once they're sorted and put in those boxes, then they go into the guest bedroom and we can start moving the babys stuff we have into the room and figure out where everything can go.
On top of this, we have a cracked windshield, the DVD player went out, we need the carpets cleaned, wills written up, and tax returns filled out (first, gotta sort the medical reciepts--the comic books are probably easier!). Rome wasn't built in a day, and the babies aren't going to care what the house looks like when they get here. We won't have time for DVDs, the babies will just re-mess up the carpets, we won't die, and we can always make stuff up for the taxes (or pay an accountant to go through the receipts, right?) Que Sera Sera.
I just have to refuse to work any overtime this weekend. Gotta keep the priorities straight.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Feb. 7
The girls were being very active today, but no indication that they were ready to get out and see the world, yet!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Monday, February 5, 2007
Jan. 5
Today's trip to the doctor gave us only this bit of news--there's been no additional dilation. So, as long as the contractions stay away and there's no water breaking, she's in good shape. The doc was even hopeful that Tessa would make it to 37 weeks (36 being the average gestational time for twins). Knock on wood!! The girls are still very active. "A" had a heartrate of 150 and "B" was around 160. Tomorrow begins week 33!! Keep sending those positive vibes and prayers our way!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Feb. 3
Went to a FIVE HOUR birthing class yesterday. And believe me, it was a long 5 hours! Four of the five hours was going around the room and each couple telling "their story". I've never been to group therapy, but I imagine this was pretty similar. It got downright uncomfortable when the "single mother" in the group had to share the teary story of her soon-to-be ex-husband who dumped her when she got pregnant because his teenaged daughter from another marriage threatened to kill herself because the new baby was going to take her dad away from her. Maybe it was theraputic for her, but I certainly wouldn't want my problems exposed to a room full of strangers. What information did come out interspered with the stories was mostly limited to parents of singletons (i.e., everyone else). I don't know how many times we heard "well, this won't apply to you." The teacher wasn't very subtle in her dislike of epidurals and daycares. I know, some of you have gone the drug-free route, and I'm glad it worked out for you, but our ob/gyn has said that with twins, it's very dicey--if anything goes wrong, and they have to do an emergency C-section past a certain point in the labor, then they have to put Tessa totally under and I get kicked out of the room for the procedure. As for daycares, for some people, having a stay-at-home parent is just not a feasible financial option.
Oh, dear lord, this is turning into a rant, so I'd better stop now.
On the positive side, Tessa got to leave the house for an extended period. She's still doing well. The babies are kicking around and having a great time in there. It's really nice to be able to spend the last few weeks of her pregnancy together, even if I am having to work at home and she's stuck either in bed or in her fancy new recliner/rocker.
Five more hours of class next weekend!
Oh, dear lord, this is turning into a rant, so I'd better stop now.
On the positive side, Tessa got to leave the house for an extended period. She's still doing well. The babies are kicking around and having a great time in there. It's really nice to be able to spend the last few weeks of her pregnancy together, even if I am having to work at home and she's stuck either in bed or in her fancy new recliner/rocker.
Five more hours of class next weekend!
Friday, February 2, 2007
Feb. 2
Babies have decided to spend at least another day in the womb. Tessa actually gets to leave the house tomorrow! Her doctor gave her a day pass from bed rest to go to birthing classes! Not the most exciting date, but we're just glad to have made it far enough to have the class (well, the first class--there's another 5 hours next Saturday)! It sort of feels like cramming for the big test the night before, but it beats walking into the classroom for a surprise final! Now I ask you--if we can have a day pass for a 5 hour birthing class, why couldn't we get a couple for our 1.5 hour baptism classes? As for Tessa, she's just about finished her HUGE Team of Rivals book on Lincoln. Need to find her another big book to help her kill time between sudoku and crotchet!
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Feb. 1
No January babies for us! Everythings really quiet right now. I may be getting the hang of working from home, but it's still slower than working at work. Not because I'm not putting in the hours, but because I have limited space in which to work and I'm not used to laptops. Tessa points out some good things: I don't have the commute and I don't have to shave! At home I can work in my jeans and t-shirt (yes, I hear you can work in your pjs, but I want to maintain some sense of decorum!) and I listen to Napster all day long. So, I'm behind in my work, but I am hearing lots of new music!
Nuff said!
Nuff said!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Jan 31
Looks like we may NOT have January babies after all! All is still stable. I'm still holding out for March babies, but I do think two babies would be the best Valentine's Day present ever!!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
It's a start
Going to try this with just a couple people first before driving everyone I know insane with repeated failures to launch. Now you must wonder whether I think that much or that little of you to have selected you as a test subject! :)
OK, seems I've been bad about keeping everyone up-to-date on what's happening with Tessa and the (yet-to-be-born) babies. The problem is, I don't know who really wants daily updates, who wants to know when big things happen, and who really only want to hear when the babies are born. So, you can choose your level of info with the baby blog--subscribe if you want a day-to-day report (hopefully 9 out of 10 blogs will merely say "no news is good news"), or you can just bookmark it and check when you feel like it. And, if you don't need to know until they're born, then you'll probably hear it through the grapevine from one of the blog readers or get a separate birth announcement, so you really don't need to do anything.
OK, seems I've been bad about keeping everyone up-to-date on what's happening with Tessa and the (yet-to-be-born) babies. The problem is, I don't know who really wants daily updates, who wants to know when big things happen, and who really only want to hear when the babies are born. So, you can choose your level of info with the baby blog--subscribe if you want a day-to-day report (hopefully 9 out of 10 blogs will merely say "no news is good news"), or you can just bookmark it and check when you feel like it. And, if you don't need to know until they're born, then you'll probably hear it through the grapevine from one of the blog readers or get a separate birth announcement, so you really don't need to do anything.
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