Little Berries of Sweetness

Leslie's Aunt Barbara made little berry hats for the babies.  Can you handle all that sweetness?

Together at Last

Monday was a big day.  Leslie was able to breast feed Miles for the first time.  And we also were able to get both babies together with Mommy.

The money shot

And here is the first Fox family photo of the first Fox family trip.  We left the Special Care Nursery as a family of four.  All together and all heading to the same place for the first time (this side of the uterus).

And the other big news for the day is that Leslie's milk production is increasing.  We still have a long way to go, but we have also come a long way ... so every little Mile-stone (pun intended) is something to celebrate!

Precious Ones

We promise to post the labor and birthing story sometime in the future, but for now we are just trying to keep up with feedings.  But the short version for Miles is that even though he was 36 weeks and 4 days and 6 lbs 10 oz, he still had a little trouble with breathing when he came out (something all the docs here are saying is completely normal for premature boys).  After his 4 hour observation period (apparently standard at this hospital for premature births) he was still having erratic breathing, so a chest X-ray was ordered.  The X-ray confirmed that he had some fluid retained in his lungs and it would just take some time for his body to work it out.  They put him on a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) overnight.  Monday morning was the first time we really got to hold him ... almost 23 hours after his birth.

Mom and Miles together at last

 Here is an adorable shot of Vivienne.  She is just the cutest little thing.

 

Vivienne gazing into Daddy's eyes

Around 11 AM on Tuesday we are going back to the Special Care Nursery and will attempt our first breast feeding for Miles.  If all goes well, he'll be coming back to our room soon ... where he belongs ... with his family.

A few pictures for all those in suspense ...

The full labor story will be posted in the coming days, but for now we present this little teaser ...

 

Miles Vincent was born at 10:51 AM (after one hour of pushing).  He weighed in at a stellar 6 lbs 10 oz and is 19 inches long.

 

 Miles Vincent Fox ... and a full head of hair!

 

 

Vivienne Isabel followed closely behind at 10:54 AM.  She is 5 lbs 14.5 oz and is 18.5 inches long.

 

 A very tired mommy and precious little Vivienne Isabel Fox

Happy Birthdays

Just a short post (via the daddy-to-be) to let everyone know that the babies are on their way and should be here by day's end.  We were admitted to the hospital around 3:30 AM.  The doctor's best "guess" is sometime between 10 AM and 10 PM we'll meet the newest members of the Fox family.

 One last belly picture before hitting the road

Getting comfortable in the labor room

What My Nights Look Like

• 11:30 - finally go to bed after trying to delay it because I know I won't be able to sleep
• 12:30 - fall asleep for the first time
• 1:15 - wake up with aching shoulder/back, pee, roll over (the rolling over alternates the aching from one side to the other and provides temporary relief)
• 1:20 - fall back asleep
• 1:45 - wake up with aching shoulder/back, pee, roll over
• 1:50 - fall back asleep
• 2:15 - wake up with aching shoulder/back, roll over, fall back asleep
• 2:45 - wake up, pee, roll over
• 2:50 - fall back asleep
• 3:30 - wake up, pee, roll over
• 3:35 - fall back asleep
• 5:15 - wake up, celebrate that I actually slept for almost 2 straight hours (but don't get too excited, because it might keep me from going back to sleep again!), pee, roll over
• 5:20 - wonder why there are birds outside chirping even though the sun has not come up?  what kind of birds are these?
• 5:30 - start getting annoyed that I'm not falling back asleep
• 6:30 - decide that I'm just not going to fall back asleep and get up, eat some breakfast, drink a big glass of water, watch television in the recliner
• 8:45 - try going back to bed
• 8:50 - fall back asleep
• 9:45 - wake up, pee, roll over, fall back asleep
• 10:45 - wake up and stay up (at least until my 2 o'clock nap)

Jason actually started sleeping in the guest bedroom this week because he can't get any sleep with all of my rolling over (which involves multiple pillows and lots of complaining grunts) and my snoring (because I apparently have insane pregnancy congestion).

At least once the babies get here, I will be somewhat used to sleep deprivation... maybe.

And, yes, they are still worth every sleepless night.  =)

Vertigo

Tonight is probably the first night since Wednesday where I actually hope the babies will not come.  Jason had a bout of vertigo last night and then it hit him again today at work.  At one point, it was literally bad enough to basically drop him to his knees.  He went to the doctor and they ran all the tests (including an EKG) and said that everything looks ok.  They suspect that it's a simple inner ear problem that will go away on its own.  I offered to pick him up from work, but he drove himself home.  When he walked in the door, he looked like he was about to throw up or fall over.  After some OTC motion sickness meds and an hour or so nap, he seemed to feel a little bit better.

So I'm hoping that the babies come after Daddy has overcome his vertigo problem.  It would not be good if we got stopped by the police on the way to the hospital because they think he is driving drunk.  =)