1st Grade

Carter & Trey meeting their 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Carpenter, for the first time. It's so interesting how different these two boys are. I guess it shouldn't surprise me but it continues to. Carter was so excited and seemed so confident in his ability to find his classroom and way around. Trey on the other hand was quiet and more timid. I feel for him though since I'm like that in a new place and when things change. I love that they have each other and that I know Carter looks after Trey when he needs it and Trey does the same for Carter. What a special bond they have and will always have. I sometimes am jealous of their connection with each other. They truly have a built-in best friend forever. 

I did not think that I would get emotional on the boys' first day of school but I was wrong. As we knelt down to say our morning family prayer Cody asked me to say it and I lost it. I can't believe that my little miracle babies are growing up so fast. Although I was looking forward to the break I knew that they would never spend as much time with me ever again. They were starting their school age years and would spend more time at school than with me. It scares me when I think about it and just reminds me how important the time that they do spend at home is. I worry every day that I'm raising them right and that they will make good choices. It actually scares me. I try not to think about it. Ha. 

Oh school pictures crack me up! I literally buy them so the boys will have embarrassing pics for their wedding montage video one day. haha

Year 4 and 1

 

Thank you to Audrey Layne Photography for the beautiful pictures!!

Super Trey

One day at lunch time I used the disposable bibs since their normal bibs were dirty and they were "starving". After lunch I got Trey down from his highchair and he ran off. I forgot about it until I saw him running around and playing with a "cape". Soo stinkin cute! It inspired the boys' Halloween costumes.

Super Trey to the rescue

Up Up & Away
He ran so fast the camera couldn't catch him

Maybe we should call him Alphabet Super Trey

Stinky Breath

Yes that's an onion. No I didn't try to get him to eat it. I was chopping up the onion and Trey decided to eat an ENTIRE half. Yuck. Let's just say his breath was pretty stinky after.

What's the Look for?

Caught Trey giving me this look the other morning.

Every day, all day long, I find myself wanting to know what my little boys are thinking. What do you think he's thinking? Leave a comment and let me know what the caption should be! Then later on Cody and I will pick the best one and add it underneath the photo! How fun right... K Go!

Goose Egg

Trey got his first goose egg on Friday night. He was on his way up the coffee table when his hand slipped and hit the corner of the table with his head on the way down. Immediately the bump was huge and thankfully Trey only cried for maybe 30 seconds.

As first time parents, Cody and I were worried and looked up what exactly a goose egg was. Pretty much it's a scalp injury where fluid and blood from the blood vessels pools. We just couldn't believe how big it got so fast. This will definitely not be the last we see of goose eggs and bruises.

It stuck out so far!

About a minute after cuddling with mom, Trey was back to his normal silly self.

Trey and his goose egg three days later. He had just woken up can you tell?

Just for Fun

Been having lots of fun with these two. More to come.

Two Weeks

Carter Bug

6 lbs 8 oz - 6 percentile
19.5 inches

Trey J

5 lbs 13 oz - 2 percentile

19.5 inches

So our little guys are two weeks old today. I can't believe it! They have grown so much! It is nice to see that all the feedings are doing something but at the same time I'm a little sad. They aren't going to stay newborn for very long! I've always heard to cherish every stage my boys go through because they grow up so fast.

Nothing really new at our house! Just feeding, burping, changing, and trying to get as much sleep as possible. We are so thankful for Super Gram (my mom - Grandma B). She has been here since they boys were born and I don't know what I would have done without her. She leaves on Sunday and Grams (Cody's mom - Grandma W) will step in for some long nights for a while! We are very grateful for all the help.

Enjoy some cute pics of the boys! Since we all know that's what you really want to see.

Carter & Trey - first time in matching outfitsCarter soothing TreyFirst walk in the strollerTrey and Daddy - so cute they sleep alike

C & T Birth Story

{Short Version: The boys were born May 22nd at 36 weeks and 6 days, just one day shy of full term. Friday morning my Peri induced me due to growth restriction of Baby B. Started pitocin at 11am and wheeled into the OR at 6pm. Thirty minutes later the boys were born six minutes apart healthy and happy. Received an epidural and a nasty episiotomy which made recovery difficult but doing tons better. Breastfeeding tandem now that milk is in and doing great! Couldn't be happier and enjoying life with our two little miracles.}

Everyone loves a good birth story, so I'll try to make the twin's story interesting. It all started on Friday morning when I went to see my Peri. They did the usual ultrasound and when the weights/measurements came up on the boys, "Baby B - Trey" was measuring very small for his gestational age. He was measuring 5 lbs which is in the less then 10th percentile. The Peri told us we would be having the babies that day and I was ecstatic. I had stayed up all night trying to come up with a persuasive speech to make her induce me. I was so happy I didn't have to although I started getting concerned about Baby B. 

I was admitted to L&D at 9:30 am and they started the IV and Pitocin at 11 am. After 3 hours of the pit not doing much the nurse stripped my membranes since I was only dilated to a 5. That helped things along as well as turning up the pit every thirty minutes. At 4pm I was a 6 and the nurse decided it was time to break my water. She recommended getting an epidural before the doctor broke my water so I agreed. My contractions were painful but nothing that I couldn't handle. 

I was mostly scared of getting the epidural. Cody didn't help ease my nerves by making scary faces and noises while the doc placed the epi. The doc that placed it was great though, it was in my back in less then 5 minutes and his own special dose was wonderful.  I couldn't feel anything but I could still lift and move my legs. So the doctor came in and broke Baby A's water and things really started going. I pretty much just laid there in no pain happy as could be. Everyone in the room kept commenting on my big contractions they saw on the monitor but I didn't feel them. 

At 6 pm I was wheeled into the operating room in case of an emergency c-section. There was a little room next to the OR where two stations were set up for the babies. Each baby had two NICU nurses and a bunch of other nurses. It was crazy how many people were there for my delivery. 

Once in the OR we tried a couple sets of "practice pushes" and then the doc came in and we started! After three sets of contractions Baby A - Carter arrived at 6:32 pm weighing 5 lbs 15 oz! I was hoping they would place him on me or at least show me him but they whisked him away to the little room in front of me. My doctor broke Baby B's water and after a couple of pushes out he came six minutes later at 6:38 pm weighing 5 lbs 8 oz. I was done!!! I was so glad that I didn't have to have a c-section and that Baby B didn't flip in my stomach, what a relief! Again, they took Baby B away right after he came out and there I was all alone in the OR while my doctor stitched me up. I guess I started to tear so he just cut me, thankfully I didn't feel a thing! Love epidurals!!  

Cody was in the room with the babies while I was getting stitched. He told me Baby A was doing great but Baby B was having a hard time breathing and they were about to take up to the NICU when he started to breathe on his own. Cody said it was so sad to watch him struggle. 

It was time to go back to my room and they finally brought the boys to me. It was the most amazing feeling ever! I couldn't believe that these two little miracles were mine and they were finally here. They are the most adorable babies I have ever seen! 

Overall, labor wasn't bad! Loved the epidrual and pushing for thirty minutes wasn't bad either. I was so exhausted after though and very overwhelmed with so many different emotions! The worst part has been recovery from him cutting me but I'm doing a lot better. Breastfeeding these two little ones was very frustrating until my milk came in but now tandem feedings are going great! We are so happy that we have these little guys and can't picture our lives without either of them. We are very happy parents and grateful the boys are doing so well. 

{Disclaimer - I know that I'm missing more details and things but I'm too tired! I don't recommend blogging while drowsy! This post took me forever :) Oh, sorry no pics of the delivery and what not, it is all on video which Cody will take and make a birth video for the boys. Watch for that sometime in the fall - Daddy is sleep deprived as well }

Bringing Home Babies

Tuesday morning the Doc let Trey and Carter go home. Amanda was well prepared with matching "going home" outfits to celebrate the day. Dad had a completely different approach to driving that day; suddenly the gas pedal was harder to push, turning became not so menial, and defensive driving seemed much more appropriate. We all made it home safe and sound. We can look back now and see many positive things and very few negative things that came from our three-day stay in the NICU. We are grateful for the hope and peace that come from knowing who is watching out for our children from above. I love having two little sons and all that has come with them.

***UPDATE***

Trey and Carter have been with us for one whole day now. They are doing exceptionally well. They wake up on their own every three hours like clock work and feed for 30 minutes. Their diaper count is perfect but dad's diaper changing skills are not. With one boy feeding before the other and the pumping session that follows, Dad and Mom have the chance to sleep for about an hour maybe an hour and a half if they crash right away.

Amanda has been in quite a bit of pain from the episiotomy. From what I can observe she is in more pain now than at any point during labor or delivery. Hopefully the next day or two bring some relief. She will post her delivery story when she gets the chance--watch for it in about 9 months or so...

Rooting to go Home

Amanda, Trey, Carter, and I are still in the hospital. After the anticipated final feeding in the hospital C & T's glucose levels dropped below acceptable. The pediatrician decided that he wanted to continue to watch them until they were more stable. Furthermore, their bilirubin levels were on the high side causing concerns of jaundice.

What this all amounts to for mom and dad is that we get to stay in a sleep room in the NICU.  The nurse calls us every three hours to feed. After each feeding we come back to the room to pump for 10-15 minutes, clean up the pumping equipment and try to get some rest. We are very anxious each time to hear the boys progress and current status. 

We are very thankful to Mom and Dad Budgett for running around to get food, clean clothes, new post-partum clothes, and all the little nice-to-haves we didn't bring to the hospital.  

As of now the boys are doing very well. For four, maybe five, continous feedings their levels have all checked out great. Dad B. and I gave the boys a blessing which will most definately help them progress to go home time.

Congratulations to Amanda. At about 10:00pm she successfully completed her first tandem feeding. Both of mom's hands were busy, both of dad's hands were busy, and milk was everywhere. I love this stuff.

Carter Christopher and Trey James

Carter Christopher (formerly known as Baby A above right) and Trey James (the former Baby B above left) were born yesterday, May 22, 2009. Trey was born at 6:38pm weighing 5 lbs. 7 oz. and Carter was born at 6:32pm weighing 5 lbs. 15 oz. Both boys were 18 inches long.

Mom is and was awesome. She and the boys will be released on Sunday.

More perfect moments caught on camera and the details of the labor and delivery to come but we wanted everyone to see our cute little boys right away.

P.S. - We both got about two hours of sleep last night. Hopefully that's not the best night of the next couple months.