Twins: One month update

Our babies turned a month old today! What??!!! It's still hard to believe that they have been with us for that long especially when you consider that they should have been born only last week.  Since our last update with their birth story we had Vera at home by herself for two and a half weeks while her sister stayed in the hospital until she was consistently eating out of her bottle. We were making daily trips to the NICU to visit Laura which was complicated since we also had another newborn at home. Those twoish weeks were some of the most frustrating and stressful of my life. 

Laura in the NICU with feeding tube

We couldn't bring Laura home until she was able to complete almost all of her bottles consistently. When she didn't she was fed through her feeding tube so she wasn't losing weight or becoming malnourished. It was difficult as a parent to see our little baby hooked up to monitors and with a tube in her nose. The nurses kept reassuring us that one day things would click with Laura and that she would start eating. There was nothing for us to do except be patient. We would go to the NICU each day hoping that that would be the day but for a while she just seemed tired. It was heartbreaking. We weren't able to be there for all the visiting hours because Jose went back to work and I was at home with her sister Vera. There were days when I only saw her for an hour at a time. Believe me that it's not how you want to spend the first weeks of your newborn's life. 

Vera enjoying being an only child for a while

We had taken Vera home after a week at the hospital. She has always been a good eater and put on weight quickly. Now she is a little chunker. I think she enjoyed all of the attention and the few weeks we had just her at home were a good adjustment period for Jose and I. We started adapting to a baby's schedule with feedings every three hours, waking up at night, changing diapers, baths, etc. The one positive I can think of with having your twins in the hospital is that you learn a lot. We weren't clueless before having the babies but we learned a ton from the nurses in the NICU and have since maintained the schedule the girls were put on. Bringing home only one baby first also helped us adapt before being thrown in with two. We have been lucky in the sense that we have step by step gotten used to having our girls at home and have had a lot of support.

The girls' stroller

About a week and a half ago Laura started to eat much better and we were pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call saying we could finally bring her home. It was just in time for my parents to arrive from the U.S. (they flew in the next day). We were very happy to be able to start living together as a little family with both girls. Going to the hospital to pick her up was one of the best days. We brought Vera and they got to be together again. I am not sure if they liked it much but we did.

Jose with both girls

First family selfie

Getting ready to go home!

We have had Laura at home with us now for almost two weeks. We are of course exhausted but happy. My parents have been here visiting for a while and have been a big help. Both girls are eating well and gaining weight. We have had lots of follow up doctor appointments and it seems like everything is going well even considering how early they were born. In the end Vera spent 7 days in the NICU and Laura spent 20 days. They are both healthy and adorable.

Snuggling

Since several people have asked I figured I would also mention that the girls look NOTHING alike. Laura's hair is thicker and darker and her eyes are more blue (for the moment, I think they will probably change). Vera has lighter colored hair and less of it. Her eyes are darker and she is much chubbier and more round in general. They have different shaped noses and ears. Laura has long eyelashes and distinct eyebrows. Her sister's are much lighter. Laura tends to be more expressive with her face and both girls have been involuntarily smiling (I melt). Their baby personalities are different, too. They only thing that is similar is their big feet and lips. I think they are equally adorable and appreciate that they are different. 

Not sleeping momma

Since bringing the girls home we have been cautious about having people over to the apartment and taking them out in public. Because they were in the hospital they don't have great immune systems yet. We are excited in the next month to introduce them to more people as they get bigger and stronger. I appreciate everyone who has been understanding and respectful of our situation and hope they continue to do so.