2 months old!

Stella and Lucia celebrated their 2 month birthday yesterday!  We had a nice relaxing day to play with our new presents and take a nice nap. Talia and I did another photo shoot--it is not very easy to photograph them at the same time...but it is very funny!

                                           here's Lulu-

                                           here's Stella-

                                 we've been calling them "twisters"-twin sisters!

We had our 2 month doctor appts. today.  Stella weighs 7 pounds, 5 ounces and Lucia weighs 6 pounds, 10 ounces.  Both girls are gaining weight nicely, but Dr. Chen wanted to see Lulu gaining a bit more rapidly, so she moved her up to 24 calories too.  (I need to add "preemie protein"-which adds calories-to my breast milk.)  I was a little disappointed as I wanted her to tell me that I didn't have to fortify anymore and that I can solely nurse, but that was not the case this month.  We'll see her again at 3 months and we will go from there.  I also need to see a pediatric dermatologist for Stella, as her birthmark on her forehead is getting bigger.  Dr. Chen said that it would probably get worse before it gets better. :(  Both girls got 3 shots, but handled them very well.  They have been fairly crabby, so we have been giving them tylenol.  Poor babies!

At 2 months, the girls are officially out of preemie clothes and into newborn clothing.  They are on the same schedule for the most part, which has been very nice. They have more periods of being alert and awake.  They only cry when they wake up and want to eat, or when they vomit out of their nose because of their reflux. :(  Otherwise, they are the sweetest and happiest babies.  I am very lucky!

                                       Talia, Giana, Stella and Lulu's feet!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Although Talia and Giana were pretty congested and sick, we had a wonderful holiday.  It was so great to celebrate Stella and Lucia's first Christmas, and be together as a a family of six!

                                         How cute are these matching pj's???!!!

                                                 opening presents        

                                                       me and Stella

We headed to my brothers house in Lemont for a wonderful Christmas lunch.  By the time we got there, Stella had a diaper blowout, so I didn't even get any pics of her in her dress. I was very disappointed!

I heart my family!

Happy Due Date Baby Girls!

We've reached their due date!!!  Although they are 7 (!) weeks old, their due date was officially today, Dec. 16.  (It had changed to 12/12/12 due to the size of the ***baby*** at my 2nd ultrasound, but then moved back to the 16th once we all found out it was actually twins!)  Before they were born, I was told that they would probably not leave the hospital until their due date, but we have been so lucky and blessed!!!  It is amazing to be at this date and to have had both of my sweet baby girls here at home with me for the past month.

(aren't their hats so cute?! thanks, Marj!) :)

Stella and Lucia are wonderful and happy babies.  They really only get fussy when they are hungry or because of their reflux, when milk comes out of their noses.  It is so sad to see. :(  They are having more and more alert times, and are getting stronger lifting their heads back when they are on their tummies.  I finished the last of the preemie diapers, and I think that we are ready to head on to newborn size.  Last week, Stella weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces and Lulu was 5 pounds, 13 ounces.  We will see the doctor again for their 2 month check up.

Stella has developed a little birthmark over her right eye, which makes it much easier to tell them apart.  Kenny is so thankful!

Talia and Giana seem to have adjusted well to their new sisters--readily happy to help and there are a lot of hugs and kisses going around!  We've had some really wonderful moments with all 4 of them.  So nice!!!

Here are some close ups that I took of my little Lulu:

 And here's a few of my sweet Stella:

The babies are the softest, cutest, tiniest things and I am so thankful for them and for what the journey has taught us.  Each and every time I hold them I still cannot believe this happened to me, that my body created them, that God chose us, and that I have twins!!! I am so excited and thankful for my life with the twins, and with all my girls! I look forward to watching them grow and spending every day loving them.  I look forward to sleeping through the night again too!

I will try to update more frequently...but no promises! :)