BOO!! We're bustin out!

The twins busted out early Monday (3:35am), now we're bustin out just in time for tricker treaters..... (3:35pm Friday) Hopefully Greta and Charlie will think Matt and Will are treats :)

Hurry up & wait!

We are sitting in our hospital room, waiting to see if Will & Matt will be discharged today. We met with the pediatrician this morning and she thought they were doing well, but wanted to run the billyrubin test 1 more time (drew at 2:00, Billyrubin levels indicates how well the liver is breaking down red blood cells ?, what creates jaundice...) We should know in a few hours, but have packed up all our things. We are ready to bust out of here!

Day 4 in the World

Matt & Will are going to be spending most of today in the nursery under lights to treat billyrubin/jaundice levels. We saw the Pediatrician this morning and he wants to keep their levels under control and don't spike up. The more they eat and poop, the better that will break down the billyrubin.
Meanwhile, Dad is working to get things ready at home and mom is trying to get as much rest as possible before discharge tomorrow.
It is a day by day call when Matt & Will will be going home. We hope sooner than later! :o)

Who's Who?

Today the boys were taken off of their IVs and antibiotics. (two less cables to manage) This meant we were able to get them together to see who looked more like Mom or Dad. Please leave any comments on our blog as to your opinion. William "Will" is on the right and Matthew "Matt" is on the left. BTW, they are being moved from NICU to the nursery later today. (Hopefully we put them back into the right crib!) Updated by Jon while Sally's asleep.

Charlie meets his brothers!

Charlie came to the hospital yesterday afternoon and met his brothers. He was very excited to come into the NICU, put on his gown and meet baby Matt and baby Will. Charlie and dad had brought "presents" from home (thank you Aunt Betty) he gave them each a blankie toy (horse & cow). He was thrilled to see they brought him presents too!
Although, he may have been must excited to ride up the escalator ramp!

Charlie at Will's bassinett

Charlie, Mom & Baby Matt

As of this morning, babies are doing well. Both are coming off antibiotic IV's which will be much more comfortable and there is a rumor floating around that they may move to Well-Nursery today. We will see - nurses are very tight lipped :o)

Things are still going very well...

Both babies are down to just a regular bassinet although both seem to have jaundice setting in. No big surprise given their gestational age. They are technically 35 weeks today!
Charlie is headed up this afternoon to meet his new brothers. Yeah!

P.S. It may have been a given that we were due to have the twins Sunday. Heard from our friend Beth early Sunday that she delivered her twin boys. They were due the same day as Matt & Will and we seem to be living parallel lives (same treatment plan, same Doctor practices, etc). Her boys are doing well and in the NICU with Matt & Will.

Just back from NICU - 8:00 p.m.

We made it back down to the NICU, both boys are doing really well. Matthew ate about 24 cc's (almost an ounce?) which is really good (so they say). William is off the CPAC machine. We got to hold both babies which was a first for me!!! It was great. Both boys were opening their eyes and looking at us.

Welcome to the World!!!

Wow, what a night! Jon and I had a great time at the Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds concert for Obama and hanging out w/Joe & Elizabeth.
We came home and went to bed - not more than an hour later my water broke and we were on our way to St. Mary's Hospital and Grandma & Papa Wood were back at the house to stay w/Charlie.

At 3:33 a.m. Matthew Bradshaw entered the world at 19 inches, 5 lbs 15 oz.
William Patrick followed at 3:35 a.m. weighing 6 lbs 8 oz, 17 3/4 inches. Both babies are being monitored in NICU. Doctors/Nurses are all very pleased at the baby's conditions at this point. Matthew needs no special care at this point and William is working his way off of his CPAC (breathing help) (he looks like a fighter pilot...)

Keep checking back for more updates and pictures!

hmm... what if

A thought just occurred to me... What if the twins are waiting to see who wins the election? I hope it's not like ground hog day and they decide to stay in for another 6 weeks (or 4 yrs!) if the wrong person gets elected.








Ah, Lordy help me. I might be losing my mind!

done

It's official, I have crossed off my to do's. The nursery is set up, sheets are on the crib. Pack n plays (bassinet) are ready to go for upstairs & downstairs, batteries are bought for all the bouncy seat/swings. Car seats are all over the place. We added a freezer to the basement to stockpile food for our winter hibernation and have started to fill it. Charlie's Jewish Holidays are over at school and he should be able to get back into a routine. My absentee ballot is in the mail, so I think I am ready any day. Would like to make it to 35 weeks next Tues. or possibly 36 weeks but I really have to talk myself into it. I don't know who I'm kidding - the choice will not be mine :o)

I have incentive to make it to Sunday - Dave Matthews acoustic concert (for free!). After that, not much. I guess I could still try and hold out for the holiday birthday. Halloween or Election Day? No to Veterans Day or Thanksgiving. Sanity will be gone by then...

Sitting atop the James River watching Trains go by

Jon and Charlie headed to the Richmond Folk Festival weekend before last... in addition to the music, they took in the scenery while there and enjoyed the bridge from Belle Isle. It is a great event and worthwhile the trip to Richmond!

Pregnancy Syndrome

Well, they say when a wife is pregnant, that her husband also puts on extra weight. In our household, it's even carried over to the dog. Greta had a visit today to check on her fatty tumors and has been put on a diet. She's gained 5 lbs in the last couple of months! ha. Guess we'll all be going on Weight watchers soon enough.

No change...

Had my 34 week appt. today. Both babies are doing well, scoring a 10 out of 10 on scores for movement, lung movement, heart rate, etc. The score is similar to Apgar, but pre birth.
According to Dr. Tate, I am going great - blood pressure is staying even, no change in fluid, etc.

After my appt. I scooted over to the hospital to visit my friend due the same day w/twins. She and I met at "expecting multiples class" and have a lot in common... She has started contractions (therefore put in the hospital last week) and been put on oral medication to hold things off a bit longer, although will be released perhaps tomorrow. She and I both agreed that although WE are READY, it's best for the babies to cook a bit longer.

Today is 34 weeks. After this point, they will not stop labor should it come on, but it is a bit early.

On another note, Jon was able to get tickets for us to see Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds at the VCU Siegel Center (The concert is to raise awareness for Obama) this coming Sunday. Joe & Elizabeth, Laura & Tommy are also going. Now just trying to figure out if I can get wheeled in :o)

It is 34 Days until November 18th!

33 weeks

Just got back from today's appt... it went amazingly fast, no wait today (you never know what will happen!)

During the ultrasound today, they checked for lung motion (preview of breathing skills?) and fluid around the babies. No growth measurements. It is always interesting, you never know what you're getting...

Did the non-stress test again (machine was there & ready, even before my appt time). I had to have a coke as the babies were sleeping to get some movement activity, but everything was fine.

Anyhow, Dr. Tate thought it was very possible I could make it to 38 weeks (Nov 18). And the only way she'd move things up is if something changes (fluid/non-stress test indicators/movement/etc). They said I was smiling too much to be in too much misery... darn.
Ah well, remembering it is all for the best. Once you make it to this point, you are over the long term health issues, but if you can make to 37-38 weeks, the other "smaller" issues such as jaundice/eating problems/sleeping all improve.

Touch a Truck

Papa Wood and Jon took Charlie took to a fundraiser "Touch a Truck." I think all of the boys really enjoyed it. Funny enough, Charlie liked seeing the SPCA's Cats (they had an exhibit) and the caterpillar trucks (b/c they were handing out candy!) the most.

We also enjoyed celebrating GG Aunt Betty's Birthday!

32 Weeks

I had my 32 week appt. this morning. After 3 hrs of ultrasound, waiting and stress test on the babies, I can report that both babies seem to be doing great. Dr. Tate is impressed that I am still up on my feet and not on bedrest, so I'll take that as we're all doing very well.
The babies are 4lb 6oz and 4lb 11oz, so that is a total of 9 lb 2 oz in baby weight!

Happy to hear Dr. Tate say that 34 weeks is our ultimate goal (That is only 2 more weeks, HOLY COW!!!). And although there is nothing telling her that I'll go early, she thinks that I will.
Trying to keep the buns in the oven until they're ready, but boy was that good news. Let's all keep in mind Charlie came at 36 weeks (I think I remember that all too well) and I can't mentally grasp going further than that.

Jon & Charlie are doing pretty good - Charlie woke up w/pink eye this morning, but seems to be feeling good.

2 for 2

Well on Nov 18th we'll be celebrating Laura & Tommy's 2 yr anniversary and 2 babies if they don't come earlier!That is the date they scheduled for C-Section (if we continue down that path or if we make it that long).That will be 38 weeks.

31 Weeks

Today really feels like fall. We are starting weekly appts. come next Tuesday. All with ultrasounds and stress tests for babies. Can't wait for the next ultrasound as it seems like a long time since the last one and curious how the babies have grown.

Babycenter's info for this week:
This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too

Our bigger baby was close to 3.3 the last time! Can only imagine the next visit.