One Month Old!!!

Well, the boys turned the big 1-month last Sunday. It's so hard to believe...it's all gone so fast! We think they made a little mistake at the doctor last week when they said they weighed 6 pounds each. We took them back in this week and they were 5.11 and 5.14. The doctor said that was actually more like what they should weigh for being 4-weeks old, so we're throwing out their old weights. Yesterday they weighed 5.15 each, so I'm hopeful that they'll finally be over the 6 pound mark by Monday. I can tell they're gaining weight in their faces and legs. They're getting much chubbier now--& cuter too, might I add! (If that's even possible!)

When they're asleep they look so much alike! When they're awake though, they look totally different. What do you think??

(The first two pictures are of Ben. Then we have Eli & (Screaming) Ben and B&W Eli & Ben. The last picture is of Eli.)

3 weeks old!

Here are some pictures of Ben and Eli that we took over the past week. They're changing so much already! We had another doctor's appointment this week and found out that they now weigh a whopping 6 pounds!! That's a pound and a half more than they did 3 weeks ago at birth. Way to go boys!!!

Grandma & Grandpa Psota came to visit last weekend as well as Aunt Jenn and Nana & Grandpa Terkhorn. We've also had lots of visits from friends and neighbors as well. We love visitors!!!

To answer the infamous question: yes, we can definitely tell them apart. We're 99.9% certain that they're fraternal. Eli is wrapped in his cute little frog towel (Thanks, Meko!) and Ben is the one below in the sleeper. I've noticed an adorable set of dimples on my little Ben and his face is much fuller and longer. Eli has a wider face and chubbier cheeks. He also has a mole on his left leg, just in case we decide later on that we can't tell them apart again!

The other day Eli found his thumb! This helps when the pacifiers fall out, but getting him to remember that it's there has been a problem. Both boys are eating very well now. Mommy and daddy are hoping the doctor tells them they can drop one feeding during the night very soon!!!! We've learned that they don't like for us to wake them at night to feed. If they wake on their own they're much, much happier! Nights have been a little crazy, but that was to be expected. Dad and I have a system down where we can usually get them both changed, fed and back to sleep in 45-60 minutes. That leaves 2 hours of sleep before we have to wake and do it all over again!

Both boys are asleep in their swings right now. Not sure how long that will last so I'm going to catch a shower (and maybe a nap) while I can!!!

Thanks for visiting our web page. If you haven't stopped by the house to see us, please feel free to come by anytime!!

Homecoming!!

The boys were released from the NICU yesterday and, after 2 weeks and 1 day they FINALLY got to come home! Upon release, they both weighed exactly 4 pounds, 14 ounces. Both are feeding well and should continue to grow into healthy, big boys now. We're so excited to have them home!!

(Christy is to the right, Karen to the left)

It was really hard saying goodbye to our favorite NICU nurses though. Christy was their primary day nurse and Karen was there at night. They were both so helpful and sweet. Matt & I and the boys were so attached! We're happy to have them out of the hospital, but we will miss everyone there so much. We promise to keep in touch and share pictures though!

PS. Just in case Christy and Karen are reading this, we wanted to let you know that our trip home was a smooth one and our first night was pretty uneventful. Matt turned his hazard flashers off once we passed Greenwood on the southside of Indy, but the grip marks from his hands are still present on my steering wheel. He was also the first to get initiated (ie. "Sprayed") by one of the boys. No really, he's doing a great job at being a dad. He's holding Ben right now, who is a little fussy at the moment. I think he got him to calm down though. Eli is asleep in the pack-n-play.

The boys will have their first outing tomorrow, as we have an appointment with their pediatritian in the morning. Wish us luck!

Ben & Eli 1 week old!!

Wow, what a difference a week makes! Ben & Eli have both been thriving very well over the past week. It's hard to believe it's already been a full 7 days!

Both boys are off all of their breathing devices and are breathing normal room air. Ben's lungs still have a little more developing to do compared to Eli's, but he's the better eater. Both boys are eating breastmilk through a tube and will probably start to bottle feed within the next few days.

Eli was the first to show signs of jaundice so they put him under the billi-lights for a couple of days. He's out from under them now, but Ben still had one on last night. He should be out from under his soon as well. (Pictured left is Eli)

Other than that, things are going really well and the boys have shown remarkable progress! We still have no definite time frame as to when they will go home, but we're hoping within the next two weeks or so. They need to continue to gain weight consistently for 5 days in a row and show that they can bottle/breastfeed before they're released. Keep praying for no new setbacks and we should be on the road home soon!

Most importantly, daddy and I have had lots of chances to hold the boys now. We're bonding very well and just love the little buys so much!!! We still don't know if they're identical or fraternal, but we can definitely tell them apart. We'll post more pictures over the next few days so you can decide for yourselves!

(Pictured right is Ben)