Both twins are over 8 pounds each.  Emmie is still taller and heavier.  They both are smiling a lot.  Emmie has learned to yell at us when she wants something, but Zeke is still laid back and patient.  Typical boy and girl :)  I also added some new pics in the twins gallery.  I hope everyone is doing well.

Chris

Here is the link to a video from today. You need Quicktime to view it. For those family members with video ipods….it’s already formatted to store on there to view whenever you want :)  You may want to right-click on the links and save the files because they are pretty big and may have trouble streaming on slower connections.

Here is the link:

http://www.ourwelchfamily.com/video/Twins.m4v

For Windows Media:

http://www.ourwelchfamily.com/video/Twins.wmv

I know it’s been a looooong time since our last post, but I tell you what…life is busy with twins and a four and a half year old! Life is good though. The twins are really growing and filling out, and coming into their own personalities. Zeke is Momma’s boy, and Emmie is turning into Daddy’s girl. That’s not to say that we don’t get lots of cuddle time with both equally, at least you try to make everything equal with two babies. Ha! They are still eating every three hours, but starting to spread it out sometimes to 4 or 4 1/2 hours, which is nice, especially at night.

They are a complete joy, and we’re enjoying every minute with them. They have now gone to church with us twice, but I’m quick to tell anyone who comes near not to touch. You just have to be seriously careful, and can’t care too much with what others think. It’s nothing personal, but you have to do all you can to protect those little babes.

Eli is really enjoying being a big brother, and he does a great job at it. He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES his babies. He kisses and “hugs” them (hugs mean gently cradling their heads with his hands), and would tell anyone and everyone as we pass about his babies, announcing them as we walk along. He’s also our little soccer star now. He’s had four games, and has two more, and is doing great!!! The first practice he didn’t want to really move away from the seats, but now he’s one to be reckoned with. Chris has added new pictures of Eli playing soccer online as well. Very cute!!!

I am going to be going back to work in just a little over a week, and I am completely bummed out. Honestly, I’ve been literally sick for weeks just thinking about leaving the babies, and I cry whenever I even think about it. We are very blessed to have family close by that will help care for them, but it still kills me to leave them. God has a plan though, and we’re leaving it in His hands.

Ok, I promise to write more!!!

Have a great day, and if I don’t write before then…HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!!!

Rachael

http://www.ourwelchfamily.com/video/zeke.mov

Just messing around last night

First off, let me apoligize for not updating in a while. As you can imagine, things are pretty darn busy. Things are going really well though. The babies turned three months old this past Wednesday, which was really hard to believe. They have had lots of Dr’s appointments, and today was no exception. I had to go because Emmie has some reflux problems, and over the weekend, I had to change her formula twice. That was no fun, and she did not do well with it. Today the pediatrician wanted to weigh them both, then prescribed her some Zantac for the problem.

Ready for their weights? 5lbs 10oz EACH!!! Amazing, huh?!!!

The Dr. said that they both look great. They are both still getting their Synagis shots to prevent RSV, and Zeke will have to go back on Wednesday for his. Hopefully only a few more weeks before we can start getting out with them. I am so ready to show them off, but we will have to be extra careful for many months to come.

I can hardly believe how completely blessed we are with these precious babies. Eli is still in love with them, and he is a great helper.

I will try to be better about posting updates.

Have a great night!
Rachael

Chris watched the twins this morning, and Eli and I went to Sunday school and church. It was so nice to go. I have missed it sooo much!!! We got all dressed up, and left early to go get some breakfast on our way over, and then afterwards we ate lunch with my family. This was Chris’ first time alone with the babies, but he did great! I left my cell on vibrate just in case he needed me, but I got not frantic phone calls. He took care of them in stride, and I’m so proud.

Once the babies wake up from their naps, I’m going to dress them in their Easter best, and get Chris to take some pictures. Emmie has an adorable little poofy yellow dress with lots of ruffles, and Zeke is a little cutie in a navy plaid shirt and shorts. He’ll match his big brother Eli with his blue plaid shirt too.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Easter, and remember the real meaning of the day. We thank God for giving His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, and for Jesus rising from the tomb three days later, giving us the hope of salvation. He loves us so much.

God bless you all!

Rachael

Yesterday was a very big day for us. I took the twins to TC Thompson hospital for our two appointments, which were spread out big time…9am and 1pm. Thankfully I had the new double stroller, which helped tremendously. The babies did great, though I felt like the walking dead after a long night with the twins, but we got there on time. They slept through most of it, and spread out their feedings, and were really quite perfect. They both had their eye exams with the retina specialist, getting their eyes dialated, which they didn’t care for. But, fantastic news, the Dr. said that they do not have vascular prematurity, which is what they were looking to see. Yea!!! He said that we are cleared, and that we don’t have to come back to see him anymore. Woohoo!!!

We had time to kill, so I loaded us all back up in the minivan (yes, I really do love it), and we picked up daddy from work, and went to lunch together. The next appointment was for Emmie’s next synagis shot (2nd RSV shot), where she was also weighed. She weighs 5lbs even!!!! It’s funny that they are almost three months old, and just now getting to 5lbs. Pretty incredible.

Oh, and another little milestone for us… We are out of preemie diapers and into newborns!! The preemies still fit them great, but we were going through multiple outfits a day because they continued to wind up wet, so I switched them to newborn size last night, and we’ve not had one problem since! It’s hard to believe that they are out of preemie diapers already, but it’s just another sign that they really are growing well. It will be a long time beore they are out of preemie clothes though. Ha!

Everyone have a great night!

Rachael

It’s been a few days since I’ve posted an update, and I had a moment now, since the twins are sleeping, so…I’ll type fast. You just never know how long they will sleep. We are still doing great. The babies are filling out, developing their personalities, and we are learning all about them. For example, Emmie is a big time burper. There is no doubt when she needs to stop and burp, and a lot of times all you have to do is lift her up, and she’ll let out a huge burp all on her own. Zeke, on the other hand, you have to really spend some time with to get him to burp, and when he does, they are quiet, and usually in groups of threes. Emmie spits up sometimes, and HATES it when she does. She will scream…loudly…more like a shriek really…and stiffen up her little body until she’s cleaned off and can relax again. Zeke doesn’t ever spit up, but he wets all over himself a lot. Two nights ago we went through five outfits. Yes…five. And then I made the mistake of not getting to do laundry yesterday, and we literally ran out of clothes and blankets. It was bad. I’ve learned now that I have to find time to do baby laundry daily. We go through so much.

They continue to love to sleep together, and will wake up within a few minutes of one being moved. Chris and I have pretty much figured out how to break up the night feedings to help one another out, and having his help is a tremendous thing. Zeke has learned to nurse as well, and he’s a good little nurses. I’m still working on my supply, as it has really diminished, but I’m not giving up.

Tomorrow is another day at the hospital, and with the way our appointments are spread out, it truly will be a full day. Thankfully I have the double stroller now, which will really help. No more stroller and sling for me. Woohoo!

Eli has turned into such a big boy. He’s a good helper, and really hasn’t shown many signs of jealousy. The only times he acts out are when others come to visit and see the babies, but that is understandable. He’s even started going to bed on his own, which is amazing, and starting to dress himself. He’s becoming such a little man. Oh, and he keeps on talking about his next birthday party when he turns 5. I can hardly believe that will be this year. He also got me a beautiful ring, that he picked out all on his own, for my birthday yesterday. I love it! He’s a precious little boy.

Chris and Eli have been going to church together, while I stay home with the twins, but next Sunday (Easter) Chris has offered to stay home, while Eli and I go together. I’m really looking forward to that. I have missed church desperately, and it’s been so long since I’ve been able to go.

So, we are doing really well, and just enjoying time at home with our family. It’s so nice to finally be all together…whole. I’ll often just sit and stare at the babies, and just fall completely in love with them all over again. They are so precious, and we are so completely blessed. I can hardly believe how God has turned all of this around, and used the situation for His glory. Nothing is impossible with Him.

Have a great day!

Rachael

Yesterday, after a VERY long night with the twins, I took them to the hospital for their first checkups at the NICU Clinic. They both were checked out by the Physical Therapist, Nurse Practitioner, and the Neonatologist. Also, Emmie had her follow up cranial ultrasound today, and she slept through the entire thing. Then we got the results….. The brain bleed is GONE!!!! Just to clarify, I asked “so, has it completely regressed?” and was told YES! The Neonatologist even went on to say that she has “a valedictorian’s brain.” Woohoo!!! That is a huge blessing, and answered prayer. Praise God!

You should have seen me loaded down with the babies and gear. I wasn’t sure how long we would be in the hospital, so I took lots of supplies. I had Zeke in his carseat in the stroller, then had Emmie in the sling, and the huge diaper bag stuffed into the stroller as well. I looked like a packed mule. I was glad that I was able to handle them by myself though. They did great, and it was good to see some of my friends from the NICU again. They came out to see us as we were in the waiting room between appointments. It’s funny, but I really do miss them. I don’t miss being without my babies, that’s for sure, but I do miss my friends there, the nurses, the doctors, and the parents that I met along the way. I’m so glad that I’ve exchanged contact information with many of them so that we can keep in touch.

So, we’re settling in, the babies are doing great, and life is good. Sleepless…but good. We are truly blessed.

Have a great day!
Rachael