Baby's 1st snow storm

As many of you know the snow started on 12/19/09 around 11 pm and didnt stop until the end of the day on 12/20/09. According to the news we recieved approximately 18" of snow!!! Too bad the little ones cant go play in it. Enjoy the pictures...

Mikey smiles for the camera!!!!

On Decemeber 18th, 2009 Mikey smiled for the 1st time! Daddy and i were sitting on the couch after a feeding. I was holding Mikey man and daddy had Michaella girl. As usual after the 1 pm feeding the M&Ms tend to be awake for a bit. I sat smiling and talking to Mikey while he sat on my lap looking at Mike and I. For a while now he makes this funny "ooooo" face where he purses his lips and stares at you. Then he statrted mimicing you when you made that face. So i sat on the counch making the "oooo" face at him waiting for him to do the same and when he did i started laughing and thats when he did it... he cracked a grin!!! It was so awsome b/c dad was here to witness it.

Today at the 1 pm feeding Mikey was in a good mood so i thought we would try again for the camera... its fast and you can miss it but he is definately cracking a smile!!!! Take a look for yourself.

More pictures by the tree...

I could't resist the urge to try more pictures by the tree!! Having learned a bit from the last attempt I revamped my plan... I hope you liked them!

Christmas picture attempt... hahaha

So like every 1st time mom i was excited to take pictures of my little ones under the tree. I set up the blankets and pillows got the babies dressed in a Christmas outfit and that's where things began to unravel hahaha!

Michaella was great she slept the entire time... whew 1 kid cooperating. Mikey was great for about 2 minutes when he saw the lights on the tree but quickly unraveled. He was over tired and still a bit gassy from dinner. Dad consoled Mikey while mom took pictures of Michaella then it was Mikey's turn. It was now no longer a matter of getting the right shot but how fast can mom take pictures between screams and cries?? I think i faired pretty well all things considered!!! I think they look pretty darn cute!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

"Merry Christmas everyone"

Mikey looking cool for the camera

Mikey trying his best GQ look

Sleepy girl!

Michaella hamming it up for the camera

and it wouldn't be the holidays w/o a picture of the pups!!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!!

Love,

Mike, Sammi, Michaella & Mikey

More pics...

Took some resent pics and wanted to share the cuteness!!


the M&Ms bonding...


i love my sister... kisses!!


ummm.. mom where is lunch?


daddy mastering the tandem feeding while watching football

1 month old!

The M&M's were 1 month old on Nov 27, 2009... I can NOT believe how time flies!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa were in town for Turkey day so we decided to get the M&M's dressed up for some photos. We got them cleaned and dressed just for them to fall asleep while we were taking pics hahaha! None the less they are cute and getting big FAST! Daddy had to work but couldn't resist the urge to get a pic with his baby's.

Today the M&M's are 5 weeks old and doing great. They were taken off breast milk and milk based formula due to some gas and vomiting. The pediatrician explained that their digestive systems are still immature (from being preemies) and milk can be hard on their bellies. We have switched them to a soy based formula and in another 2 months or so when they are more mature we will reintroduce the breast milk i have stored in the freezer or a regular formula. Other than that little hiccup we are all doing great. They are growing fast and waking more often. Its fun to see the little milestones such as them focusing better and using their arms even if its just to swat at a toy on their bouncy seat.

Here are some pics of grandma and grandpa with the M&M's....

Some Pictures!!

These last 2 weeks have been pretty busy so i havent had much time for updates. The M&M's are doing well and growing fast! They are smiling more (still not at us but probibly b/c they have gas hahhaa) They seem to be tracking objects and able to focus in on our faces more and seem to be waking more often during the day. Its truely amazing how they grow and change every day! Here are some pics from the last week or so... enjoy!

The M&M's on thier play mat

Mommy playing with her M&M's

Mikey concentrating on his trippy mobile...

"Now if i can just will my paci into my mouth" (Michaella)

Mom with her sleepy little M&M's

Mikey diggin' his new swing

tummy time is not just for the kids anymore...

The rugrats rockin' the boppy pillows while they watch thier trippy mobile.. (note thier cool matching monster outfits!!! too cute.. thanks Mark and Claire)

some one had a full diaper.. but at least he feels better!!!! (Mikey)

Michaella chowing down...


Mikey chowing down...

Mikey loves his tummy time car.. before we know it he will be asking for keys to a real car ahhhhh!!!

Mommy attempted her 1st tandem feeding.. woohoo go mom!!

More updates soon to come!!!!

xoxoxox

Mom, Dad and the M&M's

2 week check up....

The M&M's had their 2 week check up today. They both gained about 8 oz which is almost 1oz per day since Dr. S saw them at their 1 week check up. Dr.S said their weight gain is the perfect amount! Mikey is back to his birth weight (6lbs 15oz) and Michaella finally broke 6 pounds (6lbs 4oz)!!! I'm glad to see they are doing well with their weights... that means switching to bottles (of pumped breast milk) is working out just fine and i don't need to feel like a bad mom for not having them on my boob hahaha! Dr. S said to keep up with what we are doing its working!

Dr.S also suggested we start forcing them awake every 2 hours during the day (even if its for 10 minutes) b/c then they will sleep longer at night and not to worry if they go 5 or so hours at night w/o stirring. Dr. S said as long as their weights are good no reason to wake them at night. I like the sound of that!!! That might make for long days of playing with two babies... feeding... pumping then back to playing but if it means i might get a 5 hour stretch of sleep i will do what i have to since as it stands now mike and i aren't napping anyway. Looks like house work will have to wait! Better stock up on more bottles doesn't look like i will have time to wash them during the day.

They don't have to go back to see Dr. S until after x-mas. So now we can just get into the groove of things and try to get an assembly of a normal life! HAHAHAHA!!!

Well off to try and grab a snack before the M&M's have to eat again!

xxoxox
Sammi

They are here!!!!

Sorry for the delay things have been very busy!!! The babies are home safe and healthy!!! Here is our story....

On Oct 26, 2009 Everything was as normal... fat and pregnant hahaha. I had felt very uncomfortable all day and felt as if the babies had "dropped" but didn't think much of it since i was just 36 weeks 5 days pregnant. I went to bed as normal in the guest room with my 300 pillows and tums. A short time later Mike came home from work (around 12:30 as usual). Before he went to take a shower he came in to check in on me. Since I was still awake we chatted for about 5 min when all of a sudden I felt a strong contraction. Trying not to worry Mike (or myself) i just listened while he talked. The next thing i knew i was making a mad dash for the bathroom b/c my water had just broke. The whole time Mike and dogs chasing me down the hall wondering what the rush was for! As i ran down the hall praying my water wouldn't come gushing out on the carpeted hall way i was yelling to Mike "I think my water just broke!!!!!!!!!". As i stood in the shower Mike ran for the phone and called the OB/GYN. He told us to come in right away. (Good thing i had my bags packed!!!) As calmly as we could we gathered my things and got in the truck. The whole ride to the hospital thoughts rushed through our brains. Nothing would be as we know it from this day forward!!!

1:10 am (10/27/09) We arrived at the hospital. We were taken to triage and my OB/GYN(Dr. M) informed me we would be staying. We were brought to our labor room and introduced to our nurses. Joy was our 3rd shift nurse and was very good at making the scariness of the situation bearable. I was attached to the many monitors and left to labor.

6:00 am (10/27/09) I labored till about 6 am with very little pain and even less sleep from excitement. When Dr. M was doing rounds he came by to check on me. I was 2cm dilated when i got to the hospital and at 6 am i was barely 3 cm dilated!!!! Dr. M suggested we start some pitocin to jump start the labor. He explained that my water broke due the the mass of the babies but my body was still thinking i was 36 weeks pregnant and was in no rush to go into labor. For the safety of the babies and myself i had to get on with the delivery and pitocin was the way to go. Our day shift nurse Patrice was very nice and got my pitocin started. I was again left to labor.

9 am (10/27/09) the contractions were stronger and more noticeable. Dr. M again came to check on me i was now 3-4 cm dilated. Dr. M said i could have an epidural any time i would like one but i needed to know that the on call anesthesiologist had a scheduled c-section at 10 am so I needed to get the epidural soon or wait until the scheduled c-section was done. Seeing how fast the contractions got painful once i was on the pitocin i was nervous to loose the anesthesiologist so i opted to start with a light epidural.

9:30am (10/27/09) The anesthesiologist was called in. She was extremely nice and understood my nerves regarding an epidural. I have a previous spinal injury leaving my L4 & L5 in very bad shape. The anesthesiologist opted to insert the epidural a bit higher to avoid interfering with my injury. This is when things started to go bad!!! Once the meds were inserted i began to notice my hands were getting cold. By the time they had me go to swing my legs back around and on the table i couldn't move them. After a few minutes and the numbness continuing to spread up my body. It had become clear to the anesthesiologist and the nurse i ended up with a spinal!!!! The spinal was quickly moving up my body and before i knew it i couldn't move my arms. They quickly propped me up to use gravity to keep the immobility from spreading. This caused my blood pressure to dip drastically and they had to administer large amounts of blood pressure drugs. Once my BP was settled they repeatedly check to see if the numbness was spreading. Thank God it didn't spread any higher b/c by this point i was numb from the top of my breast to my feet. I was extremely scared and was getting nervous about being able to breathe. The anesthesiologist immediately stopped the meds and said that i would have to just wait for the effects to wear off!!!! After 1-2 hours I could finally start to move my arms again. I was certainly glad things were coming back to some amount of normalcy but was terrified to get an more meds!!

3pm (10/27/09) The "spinadural" (as Patrice and i were affectionately calling it) had finally wore off!!! But now i was in pain again. The anesthesiologist came back in and gave me 1 cc of the meds as apposed to the normal 10cc. This took the edge off for about 1 hour... but the pain was back. The new anesthesiologist had come on duty and ensured me he felt the catheter that was administering the "spinaldural" was back where it belonged and he could now hook me up to the machine and give me a constant stream of meds. I let him go ahead and do so and i was extremely thankful that he was right. I was numb in all the right places but could still move!!! Thank you Lord!!!!!!!

7:15pm (10/27/09) Labor progressed and despite the epidural i could feel a lot of pressure and back discomfort. That was what i had wanted all along, i wanted just something small to take the edge off but i still wanted to feel the contractions and labor as drug free as possible. Dr.M came in a checked me again...i was finally fully dilated and i could begin pushing!!! YEAH!!!!!

9:15pm (10/27/09) Pushing i did... for 3 hours!!! Dr. M walked in and informed me that they don't let mothers push for more than 3 hours (it was too risky) he suggested we try to use the vacuum to remove Baby A. By 9:30 pm Dr. M was set up to use the vacuum. According to Mike once Dr. M inserted the vacuum he was shaking his head in a not so happy manner. I gave it two good pushed but the vacuum came off each time. At this point everything started to move extremely fast!!!! Dr. M stood up (this is when i knew what i was dreading was about to happen)and informed Mike and i that i would have to go in for a c-section! Nurses swarmed the labor room and began moving machines, prepping me and coming in and out of the room. Dr. M whisked Mike away and said if he had to make phone calls now would be the time and he had to quickly get in scrubs and wash up! I was wheeled down the hall and got to meet Mike at the OR door where he gave me a kiss and said he would be in soon. Thank God the anesthesiologist who fixed my "spinadurla" was with me. He was very sweet talking to me the entire time. The entire time i just kept asking if the babies were ok....Dr.M ensured me numerous times the babies were just fine and so was I, but that we needed to get them out ASAP. Many emotions over took me. Feelings of fear, failure and excitement flooded my mind. Once on the table everything continued to move very fast. The anesthesiologist was extremely sweet and sat at my head and talked to me until Mike was allowed in the room. Due to my anesthesia problems earlier he started with a low dose and said i had to let him know if i felt anything. Talk about scary. Knowing they are starting at the absolute lowest dose! I was terrified that once they got in i would feel everything but trusted that this anesthesiologist was very good it calmed some fears.

Finally with Mike by my side Dr. M proceeded. Thankfully i felt very little and other than nerves i was doing ok. With in a matter of minutes i could feel Dr. M pulling Baby A out (10:34 pm) and before i knew it her little head popped over the curtain and she started crying as did I. One minute later (10:35pm) Baby B was out and his little face popped over the curtain as well. The were both whisked away out of my line of sight, but I could hear them both crying (it was a life changing moment to realize they were two beautiful babies just on the other side of the curtain and they were mine!!).

A few minutes later Baby A (Michaella Lynne) was in Mike's arms and i was kissing my baby girl for the first time!!!! Sadly baby our son (Michael Vincent) was whisked away. We could hear him cry but the pediatrician said he was having a little bit of a hard time breathing and needed to be taken care of right away. With my husband and our baby girl at my side is when things got a little scary again. I turned to Mike and said "i don't feel good... like i am getting all spacey" The next thing i knew i went to look around the room to try and regain my bearings and Mike stopped me from looking to my right (at the time i didn't know why but according to Mike the machine that's suctions the blood filled up rather quickly and he didn't want me to see it and freak) The next thing i knew i hear the anesthesiologist say he was going to give me something to make me sleepy. I awoke as they were wheeling me down the hall to recovery.

11:30pm (10/27/09) I was in recovery with my two beautiful babies at my side. The pediatrician was working with our son and a nurse was cleaning our daughter up and swaddling her. Still semi out of it from the drugs all i could do was observe. Mike and i watched as they assessed the babies and took my vitals. I still didn't know what my son looked like and according to the pediatrician he needed to be taken back to the nursery for the night to be observed so it didn't appear i was going to get to hold him. We attempted to get our daughter to breast feed but with my grogginess the nurses decided they would take her to the nursery as well and syringe feed her for the night so i could recover. About 2 hours after entering recovery we were finally sent to our recovery room where we would spend the next few days getting to know our babies. It was a long night staring at the clock until i could really see my babies for the first time!

7:00 am (10/28/09) I was awoken by the nurse to check my vitals and get me some more pain meds. About an hour later our babies were finally wheeled into our room!!! What an exciting moment getting to hold both my children at the same time. Our little family was finally all together!

The next few days were filled with many trials and scary moments. Talk about crash course in taking care of two babies. But somehow Mike and I survived.

4pm (10/31/09) I was cleared by Dr. M to go home and our pediatrician informed us that our son was also cleared to come home. Unfortunately our baby girl had to stay!!! Nothing major but her Bilirubins had yet to come down and she would need to spend at least the next 24 hours in the nursery. It was a hard choice and after many hours of crying and feeling like a bad mom i decided to leave her at the hospital where she was safe and could get the care she needed and bring our son home (but not with out a nice long visit to the nursery to feed and cuddle w/ her).

Once home it was nice to finally get some alone time with my son. He wouldn't breast feed at the hospital so Mike was doing all his feedings and i had very little time to bond with him. As concerned for our daughter as i was... i was enjoying the time with my son. Thankfully 24 hours after being released from the hospital we received the call saying our daughter could come home too!!!!

5pm (11/01/09) Our new family was complete and all home safe and healthy!!!

Now after being home for about a week everyone is starting to settle in nicely and i cant wait to share many stories and pictures of their many firsts!!! More to come...

Michaella Lyyne rockin' her paci!!!

Michael Vincent w/ his daddy (Mike)

XOXOXO

Mike, Sammi, Mikey and Michaella!!!

36 week check in!!

Sorry for the delay... i haven't been feeling so hot and we have had minor Internet issues. I can NOT believe we have made it this far...thank God!!! We had another ultra sound on wed. The babies looked good and my fluid levels were still really good. Baby A was weighing in about 5lbs. 11oz and Baby B was 6lbs 3 oz. Over all the tech said by what she could see they looked healthy. Both are head down and Baby A is defiantly making certain her brother is NOT the first one out. She has been parked pretty low for some time now and has moved even farther down ensure the #1 spot.

Thursday we had our 36 week OB/GYN appointment and NST. Dr. M said that he was extremely happy with our progress and said i am one of the healthiest moms of twins he has seen in some time. He is very happy with how the babies look and expects a smooth delivery. He checked my cervix to see if i was dilating at all yet and i was not (whew!!) but he did say that Baby A was right there and he could feel her head so i must be starting to efface. Over all he is happy with what he sees and is looking forward to me going into labor (as am I haha). Dr. M informed Mike and I that from here on out if i go into labor they wont stop it and we will proceed as if i were full term. Mike and i are both very excited to know the end is drawing near!

While I have you I might as well share a 36 week belly pic!! Look at it in all its glory hahaha...

As far as how everything else is going... This staying at home thing is not nearly as fun or easy as i thought it would be. The reason i am home is b/c i cant do anything and i am left to sit on the couch or lay in bed and get my daily exercise of walking to the mailbox and back everyday!!! Mike has been wonderful with my many needs and requests. He has really picked up the slack and wont let me lift a thing. Most days when he leaves for work he sets me up either upstairs or down stairs so i don't need to get up unless its to go potty or eat. Then when he calls and catches me trying to clean or do something in the nursery i get yelled at. He is going to be a great daddy!!!

Your probably asking yourself.. well if your in such great health why cant you do anything for yourself....1) take another look at the picture above!!!! Moving around with well over 12-14 pounds of fluid and moving objects in front of you can prove a daunting task after 5 min and 2) take a look at the picture below... swelling is an understatement!!!!

I never had nice legs to begin with I have always been on the chuncky side... but I use to have cute feet!!! The swelling has gotten so out of control that the fluid/swelling starts at my thighs and ends at my toes!! Compression socks don't help... ice doesn't help any more.. mike can rub my feet for hours and nothing makes it go away. I never thought swelling could be painful but it makes the simplest of tasks such as getting in and out of a chair difficult! Other than the swelling and heartburn i have very few complaints. I have been very blessed with a great pregnancy and CAN NOT wait to meet our little ones!

Hopefully we will get another week or two of updates... if not I cant wait to share pics of the babies!!!

xoxoxox

Mom and babies