Not too little to Giggle

Elizabeth loves her brother!

"Baby Andrew"

Andrew after bath

These pictures crack me up :)

Just out of the tub

"seriously mom...do I really have to sit in this thing"

No Girls Allowed

baby brother

Having a little fun with the camera!! I love this baby boy!

Andrew at 3months

Silly daddy!

I just want to kiss those cheeks!

two preemie girls vs one strong boy

Today Drew is 3 mo old and I am still amazed by the completely different experience we have had between his birth and the girls

Their Birth:
Twins- Unexpected at 34w2d. I was very nervous. Born at night. Saw both girls cry momentarily, they were taken straight to NICU and we didn't see them again until the next day :(  Elizabeth was 5lbs1oz, 17in long
Olivia was 3lbs 13oz, 17 in long

1 day old olivia

Elizabeth 1 day old

First day to hold girls!

Both had to receive surfactant but otherwise were doing pretty well.
I spent 4 days in the hospital and we went home without our babies. even though we knew they were being well taken care of, it was a very sad day :(

Drew - Born a week earlier than expected at 37w5d. Again nervous since now I knew what to expect! Born in the afternoon. 7lbs9oz, 19 1/2in. From the moment he was born he was by our side!! I couldn't believe that even in recovery he was there with us. We spent 4 days in the hospital and went home TOGETHER!

hours old

Super Bowl Sunday (3 days old)

THE FIRST TWO WEEKS
Twins - The girls were growing gradually everyday and getting stronger. They were both tube fed and in single isolettes for about a week. By the second week we attempted nursing but it was too much work for them. They were taking a bottle fairly well though. Only taking about 1oz at each feeding. They were now able to be together in one big bed. When the girls were able to hold their own body temperature, take all feedings by bottle, and pass a carseat test, they were able to come home. Elizabeth came home on day 13(4lbs 13oz) and Olivia day 15 (4lbs 12oz)!!

1 week old. My favorite picture!

first time to hold both girls together

first bath

10 days old

Drew - Slept a whole lot the first week! nursing going pretty well but I did not feel well at all. By the second week we were finding a better routine. My mom was a huge help when Brandon had to go back to work. Papa Mickey and Kathleen came to stay with us for a few days as well. Really helped me out a lot and kept the girls busy. Recovery was a little harder the second time around (an infant and two toddlers doesn't allow for too much rest).

First bath (1 week old)

Hair after bath (2 weeks old)

ONE MONTH-

Twins - EXHAUSTING! very little sleep!!Took a little adjustment not knowing all the girls stats ALL the time. Never thought that would bother me, but after two weeks of constant monitors beeping and telling you every detail of every second it was certainly an adjustment to not have alarms constantly going off. Lots of daytime help from my mom (thankfully we lived down the street at the time!).every feeding each girl took approx 2-3oz. We had to take temperatures before unswaddling and changing diapers and feeding. This process took about an hour per child which left only an hour (or less before starting all over again) between feedings! Brutal routine. Nursing still not going well so exclusively pumping and bottle feeding. Several occasions of temperatures dropping which made it very difficult to wake them up and for them to eat. Once warm again came to life. It was 90 degrees in our house to keep them warm (Daddy was not happy about this!). Both girls roughly 5.5lbs.

3weeks old

This picture was taken in october 2007. who knew it was 85degress outside and at least 80 degrees in the house??! you sure wouldn't by what they are wearing! ha!

Life with twin babies

Drew- Nursing going really well. Eating consistently every three hours. Very calm baby. so different not having to worry about temperature and how much he was eating. I'll admit having to do so much with girls the first time has made this time seem so much easier. I never wanted to put him down.

So strong and alert!

TWO MONTHS

Twins - Still quite exhausting but learning to cope with VERY little sleep. Luckily caught some naps at my moms every few days. both girls around 7lbs, still wearing preemie clothes. Holding temperature now but both have reflux. Not the acid kind that burns but if you moved them at all during a feeding or after they would spit EVERYTHING back up. Most feedings done in their bouncers. Also sleeping in their bouncers for this reason (and did until 4months). Found a sleeping schedule where I slept from 8p-12a. without interruption and then Brandon would sleep from 12-6a. It worked for us. Both of us being up all night was not good!!

They are wearing spurs shirts from build-a-bear!!

Halloween 2007

Thansgiving 2007

Drew - starting to be alert more during the day. Starting to smile and giggle! up to almost 11lbs! He is growing like a weed. By 8 weeks is sleeping in his own bed at night roughly 3-4 hour stretches. Starting to recognize his sisters, especially elizabeth. wearing NB/0-3m clothes.

THREE MONTHS

Twins - Not even close to sleeping through the night. Up at least 4 times every night. girls not on the same schedule so of course were always waking a different times. The days are a little easier. roughly 9-10lbs. Now wearing newborn clothes. able to get out and about with both girls. Staying in the house for too many days would cause some major cabin fever! During the girls first three months they had their first Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!! What a wonderful and exhausting holiday season 2007 was for two brand new parents!

We love Santa!

Drew- roughly 9 days of sleeping 8-9 hours at night in his crib! wahoo! usually with a few nights mixed in of every three(but luckily not too many of those nights anymore. hope it stays that way). Focuses very intently on people's eyes. If you talk to him, it usually makes him laugh. He also loves looking at his reflection in the mirror. He's been able to enjoy the Tigger door jumper and exersaucer already too. He also really enjoys his playmat on the floor. He tends to talk to all the little hanging animals. He is so strong and in CONSTANT motion! I truly think that he sleeps so well because he never stops moving when he is awake. weighing between 13-14lbs! Loves his big sisters. He can usually track the sound of their voice and enjoys watching them play.

We are certainly so very blessed to have all three of these little monkeys!! We are in for some wild adventures I am sure!

lil' aggie

Thanks to our friends Christina and Jonathon, Drew has several A&M outfits! Of course, I love it!! but we all know Daddy would prefer him in LSU gear. But today he's an aggie :-)

12 weeks old