Cute as can be

Ella on left, Emma on right

Hanging around the house...

...still! Since the girls can't go out or have vistors younger than 16 (don't ask why that is the magical number, no clue), we are still just hanging out at home!!

Miss Emma

Emma is a laid back baby, which she was in my belly as well. She is very content with a pacifier and seeing the world (well, you know!). She also likes her blanket up over her head when she sleeps, but rarely is the one to say when she is hungry. She is doing ok on her monitor, with a few alarms here and there. We hope to get it off at the first appointment, but have no idea how long she will need it.

Miss Ella

As best as I can, I believe these are all Ella. It's hard to tell them apart in pics right now, but in person, you can see their differences more. Ella is our fiesty child. She is a little harder to please right now, but still a good baby all in all. She loves to eat! If it weren't for her, her sister would never get woken up to eat! Ella likes to have a blanket on her head when she sleeps, loves to lay on dad's chest, and is a grunter like you wouldn't believe!

First pics at home!!!

Going Home!!

Our first real pics of them together came when they were getting ready to go home (they were never in our room during our stay in the hospital. Always had someone else around and those darn cords. What a happy day getting rid of those and taking them home all by ourselves, Lord help us!!). All three of us went home on the 4th day, Tuesday the 15th. Miss Emma is going home on a monitor to monitor her breathing. She doesn't think she needs to do it all the time!! That's what you see on Travis' back in the last pic.

Misc. Pics in NICU

Second to last pic is Ella, Last pic is Emma, of course!!

First encounters in the NICU

After delivery, both girls were taken to the NICU for respiratory issues. Both were on oxygen for about 12 hours. They also had infectious type issues which put both on an antibiotic. Then came the heart, both have a small hole, which is not too much of a concern right now. It will just be monitored over the next couple months hoping they will close on their own. (Notice how often the word BOTH is used there, they are twins through and through!! The nurses got a kick out of how they always did things together!) First two pics are right after they were born and my first time seeing them (other than the brief moment before they went to the NICU). I would not see them again until the next morning due to my inability to get out of bed due to medications in surgery. Third pic is Ella, fourth is Emma. Second to last pic is Saturday morning (date is wrong on the pic) for our first time holding them (actually Travis snuck in earlier that morning and when he came back and told me he held one, I made myself, pain and all, get in to see them. That's why I look so darn good there!!). But all worth it!! The last pic is still of Travis and I holding them. Don't they look alike!! But the test results are in, they are non-identical girls!!

Happy Birthday Ella and Emma!!

Friday, January 11, 2008-Ella Renee Eilers, 12:18 p.m. 6 lbs 9 oz. 18 3/4 in. AND Emma Grace Eilers, 12:19 p.m. 6 lbs 6 oz. 19 1/4 in.

First pic-Getting ready for c-section, having a contraction, Thanks Travis for taking that shot!! Third pic, Dad cutting cord of Emma Grace. Second to last pic is Emma right after birth, and last pic is Ella right after birth.

The final belly shot

Not a clear pic, but this is the night before the birth. I look pretty happy here, don't I?

What are their names you ask?

Alright, alright...here are their names (first pic)!! We hung up their names in the nursery, but you STILL have to wait for the unvailing!! Travis is in his own little nesting stage this week, fixing up the girls' room, and running around the house and actually getting things done!! I ask him daily now, "who are you?" We are very excited as you can imagine. Nerves are present too though!!

10 days and counting!!

No babies!! And it doesn't look like it's going to happen soon. After seeing the doc yesterday, I learned that these babies are nice and comfortable in there!! With Twin A being breech still, Twin B can't get into position to make my body go into labor. So, it's looking like we will "probably" have these ladies on the 11th at the scheduled c-section. Hard to hear, but you never know AND it's 10 days left to a healthier family!!

We made it!

Well, our goal all along was to make it to Christmas, at which point I would be 35 weeks...here we are!! So, come already!!! I want my body back!!! Whew, needed to get that out today! Grandma and Grandpa Moore came on Sunday before Christmas to celebrate with us homebodies!! As you can see by the first picture, the twins already have their outfits for next year!! Not much more of an update yet...no babies, increased contractions and pain, and more miserable each passing day!! Pray for my husband!!! We go in every Monday and my goal was to not go back this next Monday, the 31st!! We shall see!!

It's the final countdown...(THANK GOD!!!)

All four of us went in today for our ultrasound, nonstress test and to see the doc. I'm glad it is probably our last ultrasound because that about kills me laying on my back like that. Can't handle the pressure and now I know why! Baby A is weighing in at 4.12 lbs and Baby B is weighing in at 5.5 lbs!!! That's over 10 lbs of baby in me!!!! They are still doing excellent, lots of movements and good strong heartbeats. They are both still breech, with Baby B doing lots of moving around still though. I think she is a bit of a bully in there being she is a tad bigger. Baby A was a little uncooperative during the stress testing, which makes me think she is still a little passive-aggressive! I've started to dialate (fingertip worth) and have been having increased contractions and a tad more painful ones at that! Doc says we could go in 2 days or 2 weeks, who knows! We have entered the waiting game now, as they will not stop labor if and when it starts at this point due to their size. Ideally, we will still not go until at least end of December (better chance of developing those lungs a bit more). They were calling the twins "take home babies," as their size and development thus far has been so good, they aren't thinking they will have too long of a hospital stay, which makes mom and dad pleased and thankful!!! Merry Christmas everyone!!!

"How's it going?" you ask?

I've had a lot of people call or email asking for updates, how we are doing, etc. Then yelling at me for not updating the blog...so here you go!! All three of us are doing well. I think we are all getting a little restless and wanting the next step to happen (but not yet ladies!!!). Bed rest hasn't been that bad, I feared for nothing!! It is actually a blessing at this point, especially with this weather!! Our non-stress testing is going well. Their heartbeats are strong and encouraging at this point. They are still trying to "create" room to move around and are now BOTH breech, with both heads right by my sore rib (of course, where else would they go, right?). However, my stomach is often deformed as to show their movements...."Enough already....there is no more room....I get it!!!!" We go in on the 19th for another stress test and ultrasound. I can't wait to find out how big they are now, and what position they are in. It has changed every week if you can believe that. More to come later...I will do better I promise!!

Bed Rest Day 1

December 1st, I offically started bed rest at 31 1/2 weeks. Thought a bare belly shot was in order to capture the moment....yep, it's heavy, uncomfortable, and in the way!! We also started our weekly non-stress testing, which went well yesterday. Baby A is currently breech and Baby B is still head down and kicking my sore, sore rib often. The window that has been defined as "ok to deliever" is Dec. 26th to January 11th. My doc has promised to end my misery on Friday, January 11th we hope (we moved it up from January 14th due to Travis' time off schedule). I really hope to make it to January, but I asked the doc yesterday if I'd make it to that date and he said, "No." Pretty straight forward guy!! It is nice to know my sole job right now is to take care of us three. I no longer have to fight the sleepless nights and aches and pains during the work day, which has helped already! We are all hanging in there, and I'm looking forward to catching up on all those movies over the past several years my husband never took me too!!! Love ya babe!!