Now THAT takes talent!

Now that we are in the third week, we are discovering our twins have some amazing talents, especially when it comes to bodily functions. For the second time, Peter has managed to pee on his OWN face during a diaper change. This is usually preceded by the diaper changer making a comment such as "I guess I need to cover you up, little boy..." You know danger is lurking around the corner when you don't have a spare diaper handy! (Little girls are also capable of spraying, by the way!) After Peter did that, Steve said, "Wow, I don't think I could do that even if I tried!".

Both babies have been known to spit up like fountains on occasion. It always seems to happen right after they have a bath or have a new, clean outfit on. Just when you think they're done, it's usually only the beginning! Therefore, we are learning not to really care what we put on them...if Joy is wearing a blue blanket or one of Peter's sleepers, oh well.

At Oma and Opa's on Thanksgiving Day, Peter and Joy were SO alert the entire day. We thought for sure they'd be exhausted and give us a great night's sleep, but no such luck! It was one of the worst nights yet! But they more than made up for it the next night, when we were able to get 7 hours of sleep (in 2-3 hr increments). It's amazing how much better you feel after a good night. :)

Week 2: On Our Own

At the beginning of week 2, we began doing overnights with just Steve and I. The babies are basically on the same feeding schedule, and we get a couple 2 1/2 to 3 hour stretches of sleep at night. Family is still helping out with cleaning, so we are grateful for that.

We can visibly see the babies gaining some chub. We were anxiously awaiting the results of the weigh-in at the pediatrician's office, since both babies needed to be back up to their birth weight. The results were fantastic--Peter gained 12 ounces to put him back up to 6 lbs 7 oz, and Joy gained about the same amount, which put her OVER her birth weight, at 5 lbs 4 oz! We are praising God for this victory. The doctor was pleased (and I think a little surprised) that the babies gained this much weight by strictly breast feeding. We are praying for continued growth.

We've begun to venture out. Steve and I took an outing to the grocery store (I never thought I could get so excited about THAT!) while grandma stayed and looked after the cherubs, and we also took a trip to Newaygo to visit Oma and Opa. Saturday, we have a wedding, so I'd say we're doing pretty good. We just have to stay within the limits of the feeding schedule.

Yesterday we noticed Peter's eye was a little goopy, so it looks like he has some type of eye infection. I've never felt so bad about something that seems so small! We are waiting for the doctor to either prescribe something or have us take him in. This is a good reminder for us to make sure everyone (ourselves included) practices good hand washing before holding the babies and in between holding one or the other.

Adventures in Week 1

Above, both babies love being close to each other
Above, Steve holding one of Joy's socks (it's even too big on her yet!)
Above, Joy's "naked bird" picture
Above: This little scowl is a typical expression for Joy
We LOVE it when they open their eyes!
Great Grandma holding both babies...how special!
Above: Mom and Dad surprised us with these cute signs in our yard.
Above: Hospital discharge--just 2 days later, and no NICU!

Above: Oma and Opa Van Wyk with Peter (Joy was being cared for by nurses because of a little fluid in her lungs and low blood sugar)
Above: Grandma and Grandpa Breuker with Peter

Above: Proud papa Steve with Joy!

At the risk of sounding cliche, it's quite hard to believe we already made it through the first week. We are loving being parents of twins, and we are pleasantly surprised at how relatively painless it's been! Thanks to the help of friends and relatives, we have had plenty of food and either one of the grandma's has stayed over every night. Neither baby is terribly fussy, although, Joy is quite the gourmet eater when it comes to appetite, and Peter is exactly the opposite--he just gulps it all down and can't get enough, while Joy won't even take a sip unless the latch is absolutely perfect to her standards (whatever they are!!). Feeding time is a huge ordeal and involves tons of pillows and cloths, and at least two sets of hands to get the babies latched and feeding. We are so proud of both babies for the progress they've made at feeding, and especially for Joy, who finally is done having to drink the formula supplements they gave her in the hospital, and is sucking well enough to eat on her own! In my opinion, breast feeding is much easier than bottle feeding, since there are no bottles to wash or heat up. Dinner is ready to go at any time!

We are thankful that we've been able to laugh at the blowouts, pees on daddy as he changes them, huge burps, and even a THREE-diaper change!

Joy has become renowned for her funny "old man" expressions. I think she will be quite a diva! We think she looks like a naked little bird when she's just in her diaper because of how skinny she is. Peter just kind of goes with the flow and rarely complains unless he hasn't gotten enough to eat.

Mommy is feeling well, and has lost a total of 37 lbs since pre-labor weight! She is glad the weight seems to be dropping despite her huge appetite!

Twice as Nice!

The Van Wyk twins officially made their debut on November 6 at 6:02 and 6:10 p.m.! We are so thankful to God for these beautiful blessings! Peter James came first at 6 lbs 7 oz and 18 inches long (MUCH bigger than predicted :) ), and Joy Cornelia came just one push later at 5 lbs even, 17 inches. The weight difference was surprising, since they had predicted all along that they were only 1-2 oz. apart. The names are all family names: Peter for Steve's and my grandfathers, James for my father, and Cornelia for Steve's dad and my great grandmother, and we liked the name Joy because we were'nt expecting TWO babies, but she was just an extra bundle of joy! Babies and mom are both healthy, and that's all we care about. If you'd like to visit, just call first :). Here are some pictures of our bundles of joy (literally!).


Peter James below
Joy Cornelia below

37 Weeks: Part 2

At our dr. appointment today we were informed that my blood pressure has remained high despite the bed rest I've been on. Despite my reluctance about inductions, one may be imminent. According to the doctor (who is normally a great advocate of non medically-induced labor), with twins, sometimes there is greater risk of something going wrong by keeping them in than just taking them before major complications arise. As she explained it, babies develop much quicker under stress, and the fact that there are 2 babies is definitely a stressor. So, both babies are surely fully developed, and we have done well to make it past 37 weeks! I am now at least dilated to somewhere between 2-3, so we have progress, and contractions have definitely gotten stronger. Come babies, come!

37 Weeks--Bedrest!

Yes, I know! How can I be on bed rest at full term??? My sentiments exactly. It started with an insane amount of swelling in my legs over the last week and half. (I really need to take a picture of my sausage feet and marshmallow legs...that's exactly what they look like.) Then, Sunday night I was having all kinds of contractions--like 3 and 4 minutes apart. But the last time that happened, it was a false alarm, and they told me I shouldn't come in until they got painful, and they never did. So, I ignored them, and Monday morning I went in for my usual NST (non-stress test). At the appt, my blood pressure was 154/114 (this is HIGHLY unusual for me, because my blood pressure is usually very low...even during the pregnancy). The babies seemed to be doing fine and had normal heart rates, but the nurse seemed quite concerned and called my doctor right away, and mentioned that they may have to schedule an induction that day. I thought for sure that would be it! But when my doctor checked for dilation, there was nothing! So an induction would be long and miserable, especially since the babies didn't seem at all ready to come. They told me to rest there for the next 10 mins or so, and re-took my blood pressure...which had returned to semi-normal: 128/70. SO, here I sit, watching movies, reading, and mustering up my strength to flip my whale belly over every so often. Thanks to all the nice friends and family who have brought me movies, food, and helped with cleaning...you are SO appreciated. We'll let you know as soon as the babies decide to make their appearance!