Give Thanks

Our little man...I promise Mommy did not pose him...

Caroline brought Kate a hair bow just like hers

This weekend they met more cousins! Will's sister Traci and family came into town with his parents. Caroline loved feeding Kate!

After a long day...daddy and Wright napping

Little angels enjoying an afternoon nap in their swing

Beautiful Thanksgiving Day!!

This year we have so much to be thankful for! Not only the healthy birth of Wright and Kate, but our wonderful families and all their support. We have been so lucky these past two weeks to have our parents helping us with our precious little ones. It has allowed us to get some sleep! Jennifer came to visit this past week and was a tremendous help. Kate and Wright love her and miss her already! My parents were in town this past week and we had a great week preparing for my first Thanksgiving meal at my house. My mom did a fantastic job! We also went back to the pediatrician Wednesday and got another great report.

Wright now weighs 5lbs. 5oz

Kate now weighs 5lbs

I was so happy to see them finally past their birth weights and then some. They are now eating 2 oz at each feeding and have progressed to their bottles! They are now eating every 2 to 2 1/2 hours which makes the night really long, but that won't last forever (thankfully). Both of them tinkled on the scale as soon as they got on which was comical. Thank goodness my mom was with me to dress and console Wright while I had Kate. The doctor is very pleased with their weight gain and I am so glad that they are growing and eating well!

They will be 3 weeks old tomorrow which amazes Will and me. We love being parents and so love this amazing journey!

First week home and pediatrician appointments

Most of our pictures are of them sleeping together. She doesn't sleep as well without him in the moses basket with her. Even when we move them apart they end up right beside each other again. It is so sweet!

Our first visit to the pediatrician was on Monday for a weight check and they had grown, but not as much as they wanted so we headed back on Thursday. I am very nervous with them in their car seats since they are so tiny so our car trips are few and far between at this point. They both did well and are not quite back to birth weight, but we are close.

Kate is 4lbs 10oz and has grown 3/4 inch to 18 1/2 inches

Wright is 4lbs 11oz and has grown an inch to 18 1/2 inches

I feel like they change so much everyday! They are becoming more alert each day and enjoy their time awake with Mommy! Today we went on our first walk...didn't get too far because it was getting chilly, but it is a start. They really hate to be changed and that is the only time they get really upset...so far. I know there are many, many changes to come! Will's mom was with us this week and a tremendous help. Thanks Gran! My mom comes in tonight and will stay through Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for and I am so glad my little blessings will be here to celebrate with us.

Tomorrow we cheer on the Tigers against Virginia!

Happy Birthday Wright and Kate

November 9, 2009

Happy Birthday Wright and Kate!

Well Monday started like most others with restless sleep and frequent trips to the restroom. I had been more tired than normal on Sunday, but thought it must be due to the enormous size of my belly! One of the trips to the restroom was a bit different than any other when I realized my water was breaking. I can't describe the emotions I went through within 15 seconds...fear and excitement and a strained call to Will started the day we would meet our precious children. We waited another hour or so to "make sure" it was my water and around 6am realized that I was definitely in labor. My contractions became much stronger so I naturally jumped in the shower and we started hastily getting bags packed, car seats in the car, batteries for the camera etc. I had started this process, but being one day away from 35 weeks thought I definitely had more time. We called our parents who immediately jumped on highway 20 and 26 to head down and we were off (after a few last minute pregnancy photos). Once we arrived at the hospital it all started to sink in and Will and I both became a bit worried about the prematurity of my labor. An ultrasound confirmed that Wright was ready, his membrane had burst and he was in the birth canal...on the flip side Kate was still laying tranverse across the top of my stomach not ready to come out. The doctor let us decide how to proceed with labor and after prayer and consideration we decided to have a C-Section. Kate was breach and would have had to be manipulated out and we felt like due to how early I was we may need to make things a bit less traumatic for baby girl.

So shortly after I was whisked away for my spinal tap (so thankful...contractions are PAINFUL) and prep for C-section. Will was great through the process. His parents and our sister in law Kirsten were all at the hospital prior to delivery. William "Wright" was born at 10:35 weighing 4lbs 14oz and Kathryn "Kate" Hastings was born at 10:36 weighing 4lbs 12 oz. I was able to see both of them briefly before they were whisked away to the nursery. As soon as I was released from the recovery room my mom arrived (record timing from Athens, GA) and Wright was brought to my room. Understand that as happy as I was to finally see my baby boy I was also concerned about why my baby girl wasn't with him. Since Kate was not ready to enter the world she had some immaturity in her lungs and needed some help at the beginning. We were worried, but new we had some of the best doctors in the city with her and they were very reassuring. Each nurse said she was extremely fiesty and a fighter and she progressed through the day/night. I was able to see her Monday evening, hold her Tuesday early afternoon and finally she came to our room off all monitors on Wednesday afternoon. What an answer to prayers; to have two healthy, precious babies! Will and I are overwhelmed with love for them! We are so thankful for our family and the help they have and continue to provide for us and all our or friends who are praying for our family!

Finally the nursery is complete

34 weeks and 6 days...on our way to the hospital

Ready to meet our little ones!

Our First Family Photo!

Finally I had both babies in my room with me!

They sleep cuddled together..it is the sweetest thing.

First time in their swing. Kate was more alert than Wright..he really likes to sleep!