NEWS
03.31.2007 9:49 pm
First update since AUGUST??!!!!??!?!?! Ugh. For the two of you who still look at this site, here's the scoop - Dad is busy. But we have been continually updating our FLICKR PAGE (click to visit) with photos. Be sure to check that one, as it will get more updated.
We took the girls in for a ONE YEAR OLD photo shoot. Their birthday is Friday, thie party Saturday. You can go to FLICKR or check out this nifty photo spread I made to see the shots:
Hard to believe a year has gone by - and easy too. So much waiting, praying, and hoping became a flurry of activity trying to raise two of the most creative, active, hilarious, beautiful girls I have ever seen (I'm biased - but I'm allowed to be). Today Janae and Corinne both were standing unaided for several seconds and taking steps when we hold their hands. Just a matter of days or weeks now and they will be running around the house. Crazy!
I am stopping tonight to be thankful. Specifically to be thankful, because I am constantly in awe, and aware every second of what a miraculous gift they both are. The best part of my job is that I work from home most days, so I can pop out of the office and see them whenever I like - and I like to often :-).
Corinne was the first born. I suppose with twins birth order doesn't mean a lot, but she was first by a minute. She is mostly gentle and sweet and quieter than her sister, but she is also very kinetic - always in motion, likes to crawl and climb and be constantly moving. She likes to be social, but she also needs time to herself to play on her own. If she doesn't get that, she gets a little frustrated and will let you know she has had enough of sister. Recently she has begun to talk a lot, a VERY cute ga-ga kind of baby talk that adds syllables, intensity, frequency and volume every day. I am convinced I have taught her to say "hi kitty" when our cat comes around. She can stand up unaided now, and was the first to crawl by about a month. She's still almost three pounds lighter than her sister. She has figured out most of the activities on the play house we got for them - including turning the radio on, which she likes a lot.
Janae has been vocal from birth. That, I think, will never change. Her "happy sound" is a high, piercing scream of joy that can break glass. I can always hear her from a distance. I am quite sure she says "daddy", though you could also say it's "duh." Let me have my fantasy. Janae needs constant interaction - she isn't happy if there aren't people talking directly with her, and will jump into the middle of whatever her sister is doing - sometimes violently. Crawling was optional in her mind - she spent a lot of time rolling from one side of the room to the other with great skill. She also love the cat, and she and her sister have been learning to pet him nicely (rather than grab handfuls of hair). The funniest thing about the cat is that he lets them grab at him, chase him, corner him - he is very gentle with them. Lucky for him. If he wasn't, he would be getting to know life in a barn again. Janae is also rapidly figuring out toys - especially those that involve putting balls or blocks into holes.
They both love new experiences and the outside world. They especially love speed and motion and we haven't found anything they're particularly afraid of yet, except maybe being left in a nursery - still trying to work that out :-). They have also been remarkably healthy - only one major cold, one major stomach virus, and all the other normal maladies (teething, throwing up...stuff from the other end...). They are hilarious, and I think they know it. they love to laugh - all you have to do is start llaughing and they will join you.
It's been a great year, the first of a lifetime. we are amazed, blessed, proud, and loving llife as parents - well worth the wait! Pray for Corinne and Janae's health, safety, and spirits as we do, and we'll see those of you who can join us for their b-day extravaganza this Saturday!
08.20.06 6:02 pm
Flickr, don't pickr.
A major update - we are using flickr.com to organize and share our photos - hopefully
this willmean more update more quickly. Two ways to access:
- Through links on our photos page... go
there.
- Direct link to our flickr page ... go there.
06.29.06 1:10 pm
Ground control to Major Tom...
Back on the website. And after such a long absence, it seems necessary
to add MAJOR updates. Here they are:
05.04.06 8:30 pm
MAJOR UPDATE!!
As you may have guessd, it has been difficult to get to updating the
website, what with the feedings and all. But for those of you still
reading - here's a little reward - PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS!
CLICK HERE FOR 1 MONTH
ALBUM
04.10.06 7:30 pm
Home.
It took all day, but we finally made it home! The day started with
feedings, a hearing test for the girls, and lots more
I can't remember. They told Stacey she would be released
as soon as the doctor came by, so we packed up her room
and I took twelve trips to the van. To get the four bouquets
of flowers out, I loaded them in the stroller. I got
lots of comments on the way out. Make up your own ("Mom
had flowers instead of a baby, huh?").
The girls were finally released after we were given and taught to use
a think called a Bili Blanket, which is basically a bili
light attached to the baby's back (24 hours a day) and
plugged into a machine and then into the wall. The effect
is that they have this Matrix-looking tail coming out
of their pajamas, and they can't go anywhere until they
are off the lights. This is to get the jaundice out of
their system. Could take a day or maybe longer. We will
have a visit from a nurse every day to get a blood test.
So, after being properly trained and getting a lot of gifts of supplies from
the Special Care Nursery folk, we were realeased. I looked
at my watch as we were driving away - 4:00 pm. I have
just finished settling everyone in, unloading the van,
feeding the girls and us. Special thanks to the Arments
for bringing us a WONDERFUL dinner - saved a lot of time
and energy!
The girls are sleeping away in their cribs, happy as clams. I hope
to take some pictures later - the bili blankets are something
to see - but until then, I will sign off and try to get
a little work done. Thanks to the three of you still
reading this. You know who you are. Dad out.
Jon
04.09.06 8:00 pm
Almost home...
The girls have passed all their "tests" so far today. Some
are blood tests, some are funny tests - like the "premie car seat
test," which is basically putting the twins in their car seats
for an hour, hooking them up to a monitor and seeing
if they keep breathing okay. To the lovely folk who bought
us the car seats, we'd like you to know they have passed
the hospital's scrutiny and are approved :-)
There is a list of "going home" items with stars for each one completed.
Only a couple of stars left. Today I applied for their
birth certificates and filled out loads of other papers.
They are still in bili beds, and we should know soon
if they will need these at home. But they are eating
well and in good temperature shape, so they will go home
regardless of that. Stacey is in good spirits and ready
to go home - walking, eating, nursing - ready!
We hope to be home tomorrow night. I will update then - maybe with
video of their home coming - if I can still hold a mouse...
Jon
04.09.06 11:00 am
The girls are out of their
Isolettes! For those of you who haven't
seen those, they are basically what
most people call and inubator - a clear plastic house that
keeps the temperature controlled. They are on "bili
beds" ,
which is a special light that treats jaundice. Jaundice is caused by extra
red blood cells leaving the body. They aren't jaundiced
now, so this is just a precaution in case they get there.
The final step is temperature regulation - they seem to be holding
their body temp just fine - and are eating tons! Stacey
has been going over to help with feedings and getting
more milk production herself. Turns out Corinne just
needs mom to feed her and she scarfs it down!
Stacey is getting much better. Her stomach is not distended and the
gas is improving. She is able to eat and is taking control
of what she eats - requesting specific foods that she
knows will work better for her, not just what's on the
menu.
The doctors on both sides say tomorrow is the day. Stacey needs to
be on cummidin (anti-coagulant - same deal as the drugs
she's been taking all pregnancy, but a pill instead of
a shot - yay!), so the holdup for her will be word from
the anti-coag. clinic, which doesn't open until Monday.
As for the girls, they will be watched all day for jaundice and temperature,
but they should be released tomorrow (if they need more
photo-therapy, there is a group that sets the billy beds
up at your house).
Pray for the transition to happen, and for strength as we make the
shift to a whole new life! And check out the "mom meets
the twins" video - CLICK HERE.
Jon
04.08.06 2:20 pm
I am now full-time superdad (well, maybe just
Dad).
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS INFORMATION WELL-KNOWN TO PARENTS OF
CHILDREN. IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN, THIS MAY BORE YOU TO
TEARS (BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME THING YOU WENT THROUGH).
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN, IT MAY ALSO BORE YOU LIKE
A COMMENCEMENT SPEECH, SINCE IT CONTAINS NO INFORMATION
REMOTELY APPLICABLE TO YOUR LIFE. CONSIDERYOURSELF WARNED.
The twins, of course, have to eat every three hours. We have weaned
them off of the IV fluids, and the IVs have been removed!!
That's STEP ONE to going home. STEP TWO is being able
to eat. Stacey's supply is still coming in, so we are
bottle feeding. Yesterday they asked me if I would like
to feed them (I thought they'd never ask), so i have
been doing the bottles every three hours. Janae is an
oinker - she sucks down over an ounce in less than 5
minutes. Corinne takes more coaxing - mostly because
she likes to fall asleep during the feeding. But once
you get her going, she does the whole thing. They have
been eating over their required amount, urinating, and
both have had bowel movements (yes, I am changing the
diapers. Yes muconium is a pain. Yes, I have had detailed
instructions fromt he nurses on how to do all this. And
they think I'm doing a pretty good job).
The doctor came in to the girls room this morning. He said he was ready
to start getting them out of their Isolettes (LAST STEP).
He began by taking the oxygen sensor off them. Now we
are working to get them to regulate temperature, then
they can be discharged from the special care nursery
- probably tonight or first thing tomorrow.
Stacey is improving. She has been walking a lot today and trying to
get all the body functions normalized. She is in a tremendous
amount of pain from gas and some cramping, so pray that
she gets relief in those areas. Doctors are thinking
she could go home Monday.
If I had to guess, I would say the girls will be joining us in the
room tomorrow and everyone will be ready to go home Monday
- let's pray that is so! I took a little video of Stacey
with the girls, so I'll try to get that up - look for
a link on the front page when it is ready - or check
the video page (click here) for updates.
Jon
04.07.06 4:20 pm
Some folk have been on me to update - sorry - long day with no breaks - I have
a few quiet moments so I'll give you the skinny...
Everyone is doing well - Mom, Corinne, and Janae. Lots of visitors
- it's been so great seeing you all - thanks so much
for stopping by to encourage us. It's a little like they're
belong to all of us!
Corinne and Janae are breathing normally. The doc told me this morning
his last concerns were temperature regulation and feeding.
The goal is to wean them off their IVs. Stacey was able
to get into a wheel chair and go over. She was even able
to nurse each of them for a full meal (using formula
in a syringe in addition to colostrum). In my opinion,
they are learning to eat like champs - I will wait to
see what the doc has to say.
That adventure took a lot out of Stacey. She came back and was in a
lot of pain. Turns out this was because they had taken
her catheter out and her bladder was 98% full! She is
now off the IV but back on catheter and resting well.
Pray for babies who stay interested in nursing, doctors who believe
in their abilities, and strength for Stacey. Dad out.
04.06.2006 - update 4 - 6:30 pm
VIDEO IS UP - CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!
Stacey got to go to the nursery and see the girls - she even got to hold
Janae for awhile - lot of pain, but well worth it!
04.06.2006 - update 3
The girls will be in the special care nursery overnight - we can still
visit them and have guests in there, but they are hooking
up IVs and observing. Still difficulty breathing, but
they ARE improving. This will give Mom a day to rest
up :-).
04.06.2006 - update 2
Girls are still in the nursery - breathing is hard for them. The doc
says they will be given an IV to eat if they aren't better
in an hour or so. Stacey is resting - lots of meds.
04.06.2006
It's a girl...and a girl (whew!). After a sleepless night and a trying
surgery, Stacey delivered two healthy baby girls - stats
AND PHOTOS - click the links below for photos.
The c-section went fairly well. We got in sometime after 9:00 am and
the girls were born without incident. the bottom placenta
was growing into the uterus, which required much more
surgery for Stacey. They think they got it all out, but
more tests will be required - please pray as this will
make the recovery more difficult.
As for the girls (drumroll please)
CORINNE (maiden) GABRIELA (God
is my strength) Arnold (no relation to Benedict) was
born first at 9:47 am. 5 pounds 14.3 ounces. 18.5 "
long. Apgar 9.9.
Janae (God has answered ) Elizabeth (God is my
oath)
Arnold (no relation to Tom ) was born second
at 9:48 am. 5 pounds 10 ounces. 18.5 "
long. Apgar 7.9.
They were taken to the nursery, where they are now, for observation
for at least four hours. They were having a little trouble
breathing, but that seems to have cleared up mostly -
just keeping an eye on things...
VIDEOS LATER TODAY - PICS UP NOW.
04.05.2006
The doctors say it's a go - the amniocentesis came out "mature." C-section
scheduled for 9:00 am April 6th, 2006
The moment we've all been waiting for... we went in today for a final
non-stress test and amniocentesis to see if the twins
were "mature" yet (they should have done that test on
me - I think I would have failed). The amnio was tough
- two big needle, but Stacey survived it well. Then the
waiting. Finally, this afternoon we got the word - the
results are positive! We will go in tomorrow at 7:00
am to be admitted. The c-section itself will be at 9:00
am. As many of you know, one of the baby's placentas
is fully covering the cervix, so a c-section is necessary.
Please be praying that all goes well - it's a slightly
more risky delivery because of that. We will be delivering
at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. Many have wanted to
stop by - feel free. But be warned - you will have to
say something into the video camera - sort of a digital
monument for their 18th birthday or wedding or something...
The bags are packed, the car seats are in the car, the room is ready,
and Dad is just a little excited at the moment...
A WORD OF THANKS - thank you to all of you who have prayed with us,
cried with us, and rejoiced with us. Thanks for all the
wonderful gifts - people ask me what I need, and the
answer is "I don't know." There is so much stuff - I'm
sure we have two of everything ever made for babies.
We are blessed, and we are overwhelmed by your kindness.
For those of you who have been pestering us about the names - you're
only 16 hours away...
"...the LORD remembered her. So
in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth..." - I Samuel
1
Tomorrow we receive the answer we have been praying for 9 years. |
