Saturday, September 20, 2008

September 20 Update

Earlier this week (Sept 16), the twins finally hit their official due date! They are now 6 weeks, 4 days old, but only 4 days by adjusted age (based on their due date). Cameron is becoming the feisty one, letting us know when he wants something, although we can't always figure out what that is and he just keeps screaming at us! Cameron is also the resident pig, as you can tell from his weight gain....already almost doubling his birth weight! Isabel is the quiet and contemplative one, with a lot more alert time where she takes in her surroundings with a look of awe on her face. She is more dainty with her feedings, since she is trying to keep her trim figure :-)

Below are some photos of the twins' first weeks at home.

Cameron has three typical states. Sleeping, eating, and the one shown below.


Let's hope they always play this nice together.


Baby Mama learning how to cuddle with two babies at once
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Duchess checking in on her new family members. Both Duchess and Dixie are very excited at the additions to the family. The dogs like Cameron and Isabel so much, we are constantly trying to stop them from licking their faces!


Isabel posing for the camera.
"Oh my gosh" said Meghan. "Cameron is awake and not screaming. Quick, take a picture!"

Monday, September 1, 2008

Happy Homecoming!!

After close to 4 weeks in the NICU, both Cameron and Isabel have finally come home!! Cameron was discharged on Saturday, August 30, and enjoyed one day at home as the "king of the roost." Because on Sunday, August 31, Isabel was discharged...and the adventure of caring for the Darling Twins has begun!!!

Prior to his official discharge, Cameron was supposed to come home on Monday, August 24. But then he mysteriously developed issues with eating and occasionally stopped breathing while he was eating...so this placed him on a "3 day watch", which meant that he needed to go three days without a problem before he could come home. We think he intentionally sabatoged his ability to come home so that he could wait for Isabel. Or, he enjoyed all of the attention from the female staff of nurses. Either way, his eating issues conveniently subsided just in time for Isabel to come home :-) We're going to be suspicious in several years when Cameron tries to convince us that he is too sick to go to school...

So after waiting for many weeks to unite our family, we have enjoyed having Cameron and Isabel home with us. Meghan's parents are visiting and are providing lots of help, and so far the twins have slept well (only one wake up during the night), and we are knocking on wood trying to keep them on such a great sleep pattern. Below are some photos to capture the events of the last several days.

Cameron and Isabel a few days before coming home. Isabel says "Hey Cam, are you gonna wait for me before going home??" Cameron replies "Sure Izzie, I wouldn't want to leave you here all by yourself!!"


Meghan trying to burp Cameron...this picture gives you a good idea of scale. The twins are still both less than 7 lbs!

Busting the twins out of the NICU! This was taken in front of the exit to the NICU, right before we passed through the doors to start our lives as the parents to the twins!

Cameron all snug in his carseat, getting ready for his first walk around the neighborhood.


Isabel also ready for her first walk, in a matching polka-dot blankie. Did somebody throw-up "pink" all over Isabel?? :-)

Mommy Darling pushing the "stretch limo" double snap-n-go down the Minuteman Trail in Arlington.

Cameron and Isabel, all tuckered out after their walk!

Grandpa and Grandma Bahler enjoying some time with their grandkids!
The Darling Family, Labor Day 2008. (minus the dogs, but we couldn't figure out a good way to get them in the picture...a task for our Christmas Photo!)