Welcome Home Girls

Cecilia, Hadley and I were discharged from the hospital on Thursday January 17th. We arrived home right after big sister Elise was down for her afternoon nap. Our dog Demi was super excited to have me home-- but couldn't care less about the new little ones (sorry girls!). 

(Hadley above and Cecilia below)

One of my first orders of business was a hot shower and a change of clothes. It was good to be home after all those days. It was also nice to see that everyone helped to hold down the fort while I was away. We couldn't have done it without our family and friends!

The best part of all was getting Elise up from her nap. She didn't know when we'd be getting home and she was happy to see that Mommy was back. Now it's time to settle into a routine and enjoy our family. We are so blessed to all be healthy and home together. 

Party of Five

I made it 37.5 weeks with twins... a mere few days short from my scheduled c-section date that had been on the calendar since August! That in and of itself is a miracle in so many ways-- especially since I had had Elise at 34.5 weeks and the average pair of twins is born at the 35-36 week mark.

My water broke on Sunday night when Jeff and I were a mere 1.5 episodes away from finishing up a season of Boardwalk Empire with our free HBO from our cable provider. After a few comedic events getting out the door (I'll spare the details), we headed to Toledo hospital.

We made it into the OR several hours after arriving, giving enough time for the grandparents to all make it in (even Nans and Pops with a 2-hour drive). Our wonderful neighbor and friend Kevin was our anaesthesiologist. He insisted that we call him day or night. It was so nice to have a familiar face in there with us! He helped to calm our nerves and gave our parents an update afterwards. Ironically the doctor on call was the same one who delivered Elise. So, even in the sea of the 2 NICU teams and other nurses, we knew our doctors were the best.

On Monday January 14th, Cecilia Anne was first born at 12:41am. She weighed 5lbs 2oz and was 18 inches long. Next born was Hadley Katherine at 12:42 am. She weighed 5lbs and was 17 inches long. Unlike Elise's c-section, they were born crying and upset like all babies should. It was a welcome sight and was extra touching. Being feisty and healthy, they weren't sent to the NICU!

Tape on hats "Baby A" and "Baby B"

After a longer than expected time in recovery due to a few minor complications, we got to our room at 4:30am. It was nice to get some rest. The grandparents were happy to go home and sleep too!

Elise woke up on Monday morning with us missing. In our place, Aunt Amy, Nans, and Pops were there to get her up and out the door for school. Jeff came home from the hospital so he could get a bit of rest and get her ready to come up to meet her new sisters after naptime.

Elise was all smiles coming into my room. She was excited to meet her new sisters- to hold them, kiss them, hug them and feed them. 

 

                                       Something in those eyes seem so sparkly.... so happy.

It must have felt like an eternity that she waited on her sisters to come.

After the second day I was here, they no longer allowed visitors under the age of 18 to come and visit because of the flu outbreak. I'm not sure who was more sad- me or Elise. But, tomorrow we will all be discharged-- ironically on the day of my scheduled c-section

I know that we will be super busy settling into a new routine but we have the love and support of so much family and friends. Like most mothers, I worry mostly about Elise. She will be a fabulous big sister but I also want to make sure she knows that I still love her all the same. I also worry about her adjusting to sharing the spotlight. Afterall, it's been four fabulous years of being an only child... there will no doubt be drama. But in the end, I know we will be fine. A new family of five.

Snapshot of a 4-year old

When we look back to Elise's childhood, I'd like to remember all the 'little' things that are important to her. What better time than now-- as a big 4 year-old! The babies will be here before we know it and it'll be fun to look back and remember our days of having any only child!

Favorite Movie:
     Lady and the Tramp (AKA 'The Demi Movie'.. even though Demi and Lady look nothing alike!)

Favorite Song:
     Psy- 'Gangnam Style' (AKA 'Daddy's Song')
   
Favorite TV Shows:
     Go, Diego, Go!

Favorite Color:
     Rainbow.
           Is that really a color?! I asked Elise about the color green (up to this point it was her  favorite
                    color). I was informed that green is in the rainbow so therefore it's covered!

Favorite Food:
     Chicken and Fries (Wendys followed by BW3) Don't forget the BBQ sauce!

Favorite Bedtime Guy:
     Rah-- Yep, that nasty little lovely we've had since almost day one. He's in two pieces and no matter
          how many trips through the washing machine, he still has some smell to him.

Favorite Snack:
     Boston Creme Pie Yogurt

Favorite Day:
     Thursday. I know this is kind of random but for whatever reason Elise thinks she loves Thursdays.
          I also think any day she is allowed to stay in her pajamas is a favorite day too
         (Jammie Day). Who doesn't love a day with nothing to do?

Least Favorite Food:
     Broccoli. However, Elise can power through most 'gross' meals should she find out that we have
          a special dessert on the other end.

Favorite Dessert:
     Cookies. Chocolate Chip. I could have sworn that the answer would have been ice cream.

This is Elise before school when she knew she was going to be the 'Special Helper'. 

I'm not sure why she is making a #1 with her finger except that maybe she's extra

excited about going to school. The Special Helper gets to sit in a rocking chair

during circle time, feeds the class fish, passes out the mail at the end of the day,

tells the class what the weather is for the day, 

and is the line leader. Basically, it means you are the Big Kahuna!

Elise Turns 4!

Our little girl is 4 years old! What a party we've had celebrating Elise's birthday! Jeff and I wanted to make things extra special since soon she'll be sharing the spotlight with her new sisters. Frankly I'm just relieved that her little sisters weren't there for the momentous occasion- more importantly, that I could be there to ring in the festivities!

The day before Elise's birthday she took in a birthday snack (because on her actual birthday, there was no school). She and I made chocolate dipped pretzel rods slathered in rainbow star sprinkles. It must have been a hit as not one pretzel made the trip home. Elise was a star at school-- getting to wear a sticker saying she was a birthday girl and she even got to sit in the rocking chair during circle time. Trust me, this is a huge deal!

That evening, when daddy came home from work, we opened up a few presents. Our fabulous babysitter, Jessica bought Elise owl socks and a bug memory matching game. We all know Elise's love of all things bugs!

She also opened up our gifts-- as not to be too overwhelmed from family gifts at her birthday party the next day. The biggest hit was her Crocodile Dentist game. We scoured the Internet to find the original game as you get to actually extract teeth (a newer model doesn't have removable parts... what's the point?! Who cares if a couple of kids choke on a molar or two!).

After a couple full mouth extraction cases, we called it a day. Afterall, we all needed our beauty sleep for Friday's birthday and family party!

The birthday girl woke up and insisted she help make the cake. Not wanting to disappoint Elise, we whipped up the cake-- but left the decorating to me as a surprise.

While Elise napped, we (me, daddy, Nans, and Pops) transformed our dining room to Tony's from Elise's favorite movie- Lady and the Tramp. The boys made the sign while the girls decorated the table.

We had drippy candles, streamers and dog bowls set for the dinner party. The menu was to consist of spaghetti and meatballs, bread sticks, and salad. Not wanting to act like humans, we thought it would be fun to eat out of the dog bowls--

Elise was excited to see the transformation!

Then it was party time!

Right before the guests arrived, our neighbor and Elise's friend, Annie, dropped by with a present. Annie comes over a day or two a week and plays with Elise. They've gotten to be good friends and we hope that Annie will officially turn into the twin's babysitter in a few years. 

We played Lady and the Tramp on the tv while Elise's guests arrived- Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Amy and Uncle Chris.

We first started with presents. Uncle Dick and Aunt Jean sent a ukulele from Hawaii complete with a grass skirt and coconut bra.

Then it was dinner time. The birthday girl had so much fun opening up her presents that she didn't have much of an appetite for dinner as it meant she had to postpone playing with her new toys... Of course we listened to Lady and the Tramp soundtrack while we ate.

But no need to worry, as usual, Elise had room for cake and ice cream! 

"I'm four!"

Afterwards we retired to the family room for our annual dance party. 

Who doesn't enjoy a little synchronized dancing on their birthday?!

It was a perfect party for a perfect birthday. Happy 4th birthday Miss Elise! We love you so!