Pictures (and a video) of the twins

I took some pictures this afternoon at lunch time, I'm not quite as good of a photographer as Suzi is but at least you get the idea of things.

What you can't see is Charlie trying to kick his sister in the head... sure they look innocent but really they still are brother and sister.

all I have to say is awwwwwwww

Charlie surprising loves getting is picture taken... must be the side effects of eating carrots then staring into a flash.

She's really a lot happier than she looks... normally she is the one smiling like Charlie is.

I thought you would also enjoy a quick flick of them rolling around... they are on the verge of crawling, or at least Charlie is Scarlett is still content to just sit there any play with toys around her.

New Home & New State

Wow how time flies - well, our home only lasted about 3 weeks on the market. We sold our house, closed in mid July and moved up to Illinois. That about sums up a whirlwind of activity over the past three months that I have no idea how to explain all that has happened.

I've been asked many times for pictures of our new home, here's a few.

We've listed our home

It seems like a long time coming but we put our house on the market last week. We just had our first showing today and another scheduled for tomorrow. It's listed on several websites but realtor.com is the best one out there.

Luckily working for a good company like the American Heart Association I'm able to work from pretty much anywhere in the nation so relocating to Illinois so Suzi can be close to her family is not a difficult sale. Because of my position I'll have to travel back to Dallas fairly frequently so I'll be able to stay in touch with my family as well.

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The twins continue to do really well. Charlie and Scarlett are sleeping very well at night and Suzi and I are starting to get more sleep. Now that the house is mostly finished we're not up doing projects after the twins fall asleep either.

FINALLY, an update

Yes, we're still alive.... sort of. We greatly underestimated what it would take once the twins came home and to say the least updating our blog has not been the highest priority. Trying to get our house ready to put on the market has not helipad much either.

On that note I should be cleaning stuff up now since I took the day off of work to do that.

I added a couple photos to the album for you to check out - yes, Charlie has now outgrown Scarlett - they are 12 lbs and 11.8 lbs respectively (or they were a week ago at the Dr.) Charlie gained 4 lbs in a month!!!

Thanks everyone for your support and prayers!

Just pictures

WE'RE HOME!

♪♪♪ We're all together again we're here, we're here.... ♪♪♪

Charlie passed his car seat test last night and the final test to be released. We were able to go pick him up this morning and were back at the house about noon. It's been really interesting having them side by side sleeping, for the first time you can really see their similarities. Also changing two diapers, making two bottles, and watching Suzi trying to figure out how to nurse both babies at the same time has been an interesting experience. I can't wait to see what the first night a home will be! (actually I can wait, I'm being really sarcastic because I would rather sleep than get up 3 times a night to feed/change./etc)

Coming Home

Finally! The twins are coming home. Scarlett is coming home this afternoon and Charles is scheduled to come home on Friday as long as he passes a couple more tests like his car seat test.

Scarlett resting peacefully (Picture taken on 2.23.09)

Charlie right after eating... notice the really content smirk

This is a picture of Scarlett's car seat test... she looks so small in the car seat, I just love how peaceful she looks (probably because we know it won't last)

FIVE Pounds

It's been quite a while since we've posted an update - that because there's not much new going on! The babies are doing really good, Scarlett is up to four bottles a day as of this morning and Charles is up to three (they can breastfeed 2x's a day now).
The big news is that we've hit the 5 pound mark. (sort of) Scarlett is 5 lbs. 3 oz. Charlie is hesitant and is 4 lbs. 15.3 oz. (close enough, if you weigh him right after feeding he's 5 lbs)

Other than lack of sleep Suzi and I are doing really well, we get to hold the babies as often as we are able to get there for a feeding, and most of the time they will finish their bottles. The nurses are impressed with how quickly the twins are progressing and have made offhand comments that it will only be another couple of weeks until they are home (of course we're not getting our hopes up yet)

Nipple Test

Today Charlie and Scarlett had their first test with a bottle... and passed with flying colors. Both of them took their full feeding amount on the first try! Scarlett picked it up a little better than Charlie and paced herself pretty well. Charlie had to be paced as he was trying to suck down the entire bottle at once! We're now going to start them on bottle feeds twice a day and try to work in breast feeding as soon as possible!
This is the last big hurdle to teach them before they can come home... they just need to get up to 6-8 bottle/breast feedings a day and go without a 'brady' for 5 consecutive days. (a couple other smaller things but those two are the big ones)

I failed to get pictures of Scarlett with my phone, but we got pictures of both with the disposable camera's that we have in the room, but it will be a while before those pictures are posted.

Jump Rope for Heart!

Henry is participating in his school's "Jump Rope for Heart" activity again this year. Last year Henry led his school in setting a school record for fund raising, and we would like to beat last years amount as well. With the economy the way it is, this is going to be a challenge but with your help we're sure we can make it. If you are financially able and willing below is the link and blurb from AHA on this years activities. Thanks so much for all your help.

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Did you know Jump Rope For Heart has been around for 30 years? I am so excited to be a part of this special celebration at my school. I am jumping rope and raising money to help the American Heart Association fight heart disease and stroke in Jump Rope For Heart. Can you please help me by making a donation that will help save lives?

The American Heart Association's online fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. If you want to donate less, that's ok. You can just send the check right to me and I'll make sure the American Heart Association gets it.

Thanks for your support and helping me save lives!Support research, education, and community programs leading the fight against America’s No. 1 killer, cardiovascular disease by donating to American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart.Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support American Heart Association

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If the above link does not work, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://www.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=284645&u=284645-246747015

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Out of the isolette

The babies have finally graduated from their isolette's and now are in regular newborn cribs (hospital edition of course). They've learned to regulate their own temperature enough now to not have the protection of the isolette.
Suzi has been able to nuzzle them a little and on Monday they are going to do a 'nipple test' where they will see if they will eat from a bottle. If all goes well we hope that they will start eating from bottles next week.

They are continuing to gain weight, yesterday and now are above their birth weight and continuing to gain weight consistently. Scarlett is eating 38 ML and 22 calories (every three hours) and Charles is sipping on 36 ML and 24 calorie! Scarlett's feeding is over 90 minutes and Charles over 60.

Scarlett

Charles

Scarlett's new Bed

Charlie's new bed

The emotional roller coaster

I’m sure many out there are anxious for an update, but to be honest I’m not sure what to say. The babies are doing great, they are eating well and are almost back up to their birth weight. Other than that it’s been an emotional roller coaster for Suzi and I as we figure out how to deal with everything right now. We’ve got people wanting to help everywhere we turn and it’s SO appreciated, but we’re not sure how to take advantage of all the offers, nor are we sure what’s appropriate. The difficult things to deal with are not something we would want to let others do, i.e. Dorothy decided to start potty training this week – which is great, but how do you fit that in between trips to the hospital, and pumping times, and work… Ahhhh, the age old dilemma of parenthood, things rarely happen when or where you want them to!

Other than that the only news I can think to report on the twins is that they had a brain ultrasound yesterday that showed no evidence of any bleeding in the brain. Apparently that is common (and fairly serious) in premature babies. They are still on their heart rate and breathing monitors and they alarm every so often when their heart rate drops below 100bpm. It’s not that serious as they usually self recover, but the beeping and flashing lights are enough to drive any parent to stress out! That is something they say will not happen as they grow bigger and bigger, and they won’t do it at all by the time they go home.

Thank you to everyone that has helped out so much with the family to this point, and thank you to everyone that wants to help. Please forgive us if we can’t think of anything for you to do right away – we do want and need the help but most of the time we’re just not sure what everyone can do at this point in time!

Dotty is thrilled with her new potty

Weiging in - Charlie is now 4.05 lbs

Weiging in - Scarlett is now 4.2 lbs

Scarlett's room (I'm standing in front of Charlie taking the picture)

Charles' room (I'm standing in front of Scarlett taking the picture)

Picture Album

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jeff.Clines/CharlieScarlett

Update as Suzi comes home

Suzi is coming home today, we're anxious about leaving the babies here (obviously). Suzi's excited to get home and see the other kids and just be at home, but then we know as soon as we get home she's going to be thinking about the twins and want to be back here. Just something we'll have to deal with!!

The twins are doing really well, they are now off their IV's and now all they have on them are their heart and breathing sensors and their feeding tubes.
We're now holding them much more during feedings and afterwards, which is very nice. The only worry we have now is that they get really relaxed from time to time (usually around feedings) and their heart rate drops very low and sets off alarms everywhere. It still freaks me out, but Suzi is used to it and takes it in stride.

Jeff Holding Scarlett while feeding (trying to work in the pacifier)

Jeff Holding Scarlett while feeding (trying to work in the pacifier)

Jeff Holding Scarlett while feeding (trying to work in the pacifier)

Suzi holding Charles (Charlie) trying to show the size of his feet

Charles just chillin

..... and the babies names are...

More Pictures

The twins are doing great. The doctor is increasing their feeding and hoping to take them off of the IV's later this week.

Suzi was allowed to hold them earlier today and she loved that.

Charlie haning in the crib... notice one eye slightly open because I'm bugging him!

Here's a picture of the babies room - they've now been moved to covered beds (as seen in the picture)

Suzi holding Scarlett

Suzi holding Scarlett

Suzi holding Charles (Charlie)

Suzi holding Charles (Charlie)

Suzi holding Charles (Charlie)

Great News about the twins

The babies have been taken off of the NCPAP (Ventilator) and are now breathing on their own!!! They have also taken formula (and a little breast milk that we were able to get to them) Of Course this justifies more pictures!!!

Comparison of Baby Girl's Size to my hand (I'm not supposed to touch them at this point)

Who me, Cute?

Baby Girl's Profile

Baby Boy's Size Comparison

Nice hair

Baby Boy Profile