Thursday, April 26, 2007

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Bigger now! (finally)

Today the twins had a check up. They are 7 weeks old. Doctor Novak was very pleased! We have been on a 'fattening up" diet this week. And the results are in:

(drumroll please)

Ava is 7 lbs 4 oz
Alex is 6lbs 7oz

That means Ava gained 20 oz in 1 week! Is that possible??? I guess she just had alot of catching up to do! Alex gained 14 oz - almost a whole pound! We're psyched! They had to get a shot, which sucked, but we're over it now.

Ava will need to have her frenulum clipped. Doctor Novak thought that it might rip on it's own, but since she is having feeding issues, he said he'd like to see it clipped. He referred me to an ears/nose and throat specialist. So, the sooner thats done, the better - and we can resume nursing more regularly.

I have a confession to make... I have been nursing Ava alot the past few days. (only to follow up with formula afterwards) I missed snuggling with her. She is doing well in the nursing department, and I hope the tongue snip will only help.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Getting bigger? Not really.


I decided to take the twins to the doctor for a weight check. I really didn't feel like they were gaining weight properly and it was starting to make me paranoid and stressed out.

So, as of last Wednesday Ava was still weighing in at 6lbs even (for the 3rd straight week in a row) and Alex had gained 2 oz - which was good, but not good enough.

Time to break out the formula.


This was a really hard transition for me emotionally. I was really beating myself up that I wasn't able to provide for my kids. I struggeled the next day or two over what I was going to do -how I was going to feed them. I thought long and hard about quitting nursing all together. I was so close to throwing the towel in. Then, I thought maybe I'd just continue to nurse the twins a few times a day and give them bottles in between. Although I wasn't enjoying nursing all too much lately... I was sore and felt like something just 'wasn't right'. Finally, we discovered the true problem...

Ava has a short tongue - some might say she's 'tongue-tied'. Her frenulum (that piece of skin under your tongue that connects it to the bottom of your mouth) is basically located at the tip of her tongue and she was having a really hard time latching, thus making her inefficient in her sucking. It wasn't my fault after all. (and there was finally an explanation to the pain and soreness I have been having for weeks now)


I finally made the decision to continue nursing Alex, and to feed Ava with bottles. She will get my pumped milk, and formula when necessary - right now that's alot since she has some catching up to do!

I'm anxious for these kiddos to put some weight on... they've got a gigantic wardrobe to get into!


I'm relieved and so much less stressed now. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I'm glad I can continue to nurse, and I really feel like I have more structure and more freedom!

Our next doctor's appt is on Wednesday and we're hoping for a big gain.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

we're still here!

Alex after his first bath Ava after her first bath

hanging out in their Easter baskets:

Our apologies for being MIA! Life has been hectic.
Ava and Alex are doing well. They are still peanuts - weighing 6lbs even and 5lbs 7 oz respectively. Mom is still nursing round the clock, and all is going well.

The babies will be christened on May 20th, so that is our next big event. The following week, we head to Ocean City for 2 weeks of fun in the sun! But first comes Easter - I can't believe it's this week already!











Friday, March 16, 2007

Thursday, March 08, 2007

One week old


Some of you may remember Robert's Book of Mondays. For those who don't, you can go back and read the archives from April 2005 where I posted all about it.
Alex and Ava were born on a Wednesday, so naturally they will each have their own "Book of Wednesdays." I will continue to post those pics here each week, just as I did with Robert. That way you'll all get to 'watch them grow' along with us.




Wednesday, March 07, 2007

The birth of Ava and Alex ( It's very long!)


Delivery Day- February 28th, 2007
37 weeks

We arrived at the hospital at 2pm on Wednesday, February 28th. Surgery was set for 4pm. I immediately asked if they were ‘backed up’ with a fear that my surgery might be delayed. The nurse said everything was on schedule, but that could change at any time. I was sent to triage, and greeted by a whole team of doctors, nurses and others. I changed into a gown and was hooked up to a monitor to watch the babies’ heart rates. I was contracting every 1-4 minutes. I hadn’t had anything to eat or drink since about 8pm the night before, so I was super dehydrated, and I was sure that’s why I was having contractions. The babies were moving all over the place (trying to fight the contractions) so I had to have an ultrasound to determine their positions. Both babies were breech.

My nurse arrived around 3pm. His name was Larry…. He was awesome. He walked me through the whole procedure, and answered any of my questions. He was with me until the end. I also met my anesthesiologist, Dr Hart. He gave me the option of an epidural or a spinal. I had lots of questions, but decided to go with the spinal. Doctor Kriner arrived just before 4, and sat down to talk to us. He made us very comfy. I was so happy to see him! He made sure I didn’t have any questions and then we were off to the OR. Larry said I could ride on a gurney or wheelchair if I wanted. I chose to walk.
I was overwhelmed by the bright lights and ‘sterileness’ of the OR. I took a seat on the table and Dr. Hart began to administer my anesthesia. Within minutes, I was numb from the ribs down. My catheter was administered and suddenly everything was happening very quickly, and I was so anxious and excited.
Bobby was waiting outside the room. I was waiting for him to join us.

Suddenly, Ava’s heartrate took a dive. Dr. Kriner said they had to move fast. I looked at the clock – it was 4:29. He said “We’ll have babies in 3 minutes. Lets go.” I asked for Bobby to come in and by the time he arrived, Alex had already been delivered. Bobby thought he’d have a minute or two to get settled before the surgery started. I looked at him and said, “Bobby, they started already – put the camera on!” He started filming, and got the camera on just in time to see Ava being delivered. (the whole video was about a minute long.) Alex was born at 4:32pm and Ava was born at 4:33pm. Bobby checked on the babies and then brought them over to see me. I started to feel sick, and Dr. Hart put something in my IV to make me feel better. Bobby followed the babies and the nurses to the nursery
Within 15 minutes I was all sewn up and being wheeled to the recovery room. While Dr. Kriner finished up we chatted and joked. I heard over a speaker somewhere that Baby A (Alex) was 5lbs 4oz and 17 .5 in. His apgars were 7/9. Baby B (Ava) was 6lbs 6oz and 19 in long. Her apgars were 8/9.
Dr. Kriner was fascinated by the babies’ placentas. He explained to me that Alex’s placenta was ‘not formed normally - Rather than being shaped like a disc with the umbilical cord coming from the middle, his was shaped more like a tennis racquet with the cord protruding from the side. (It has a name- ‘battle something or other’) He said this was the reason for the babies’ significant size difference. He was shocked that it did not show in an ultrasound and he said the longer they stayed in utero, the more risky it was for Alex – he’d never catch up to his sister’s size. The babies were measuring the same (via ultrasound) until about January… Doctor Kriner said that (30-32 weeks gestation is about the time the growth difference begins to show.

My stay in recovery was long and probably the part I hated worst of the whole day. I had to stay until I was able to wiggle my toes, and lift my knees and butt off the table. I ate some ice chips and watched the clock. I just wanted to see my babies. My parents arrived. They watched Ava and Alex have a bath through the nursery window. Bobby took some pics, and brought them for me to see. Larry was still with me. We went over some paperwork and chatted. He took such good care of me. I was very itchy (a side effect from the morphine in my spinal) I didn’t want to take anything for the itchiness (they said I could have benedryl) but I didn’t want to take anything that would make me sleepy.
It was about 7pm when I was able to leave the recovery room. The nurses had to clean me up (I was very bloody) and pick me up to move me to my bed. I was anxious to eat and drink something, but I ended up throwing up about 4 times – on two different occasions -probably from lack of anything in my system.

I was finally able to nurse the babies by 9pm. The night was filled with excitement. Nurses and doctors were in and out of the room constantly. I didn’t sleep a wink the whole first night. I never could sleep on my back anyway – not to mention how itchy I was, still! The babies slept almost 6 hours straight. Must have been a long day for them!

These babies are as different as night and day. Alex is very mellow and laid back. Ava is feisty and dramatic. Almost everyone that sees her thinks that Ava looks just like Mommy, while Alex resembles Robert in his very young days. When they are together, it is very obvious that they look completely different from each other.

Now, one week later, we are home and adjusting well. I have been nursing about every 2 hours and 3-4 hours at night. After a full week, we have finally figured each other out and established a pretty decent milk supply. The babies sleep great at night, and we have to wake them up for feedings!

Robert is a great big brother. He calls them ‘dadies’ and loves to give them their pacifiers and rub their little heads. He plays well by himself, but we like to encourage him to get to know his siblings. It’s amazing how HUGE he looks now compared to the little guys.
There you have it! Hope you enjoyed it! :)


Friday, March 02, 2007

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Ava and Alex have arrived...

Well Ava, Alex, Mom and I are all settled in our room now. Ava and Alex arrived around 8PM from the nursery where they were warmed, weighed, measured, bathed, dressed-n-checked. So here is the desired stats and early photo's as promised:

Alex Thomas Trifiletti
Length: 17.5 inches
Weight: 5 Lbs. 4 Oz.
TOB: 4:32 PM

Ava Louise Trifiletti
Length: 19 inches
Weight: 6 Lbs. 6 Oz.
TOB: 4:33 PM



Alex checking things out in the nursery.


Alex sleeping in his crib in our room.


Ava, with a bit of a furrowed brow, doing some
serious sleeping...



Ava and Alex together in Gram and Pape's arms.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Released... almost

Well, its been another long day and night in the hospital. I really think I was feeling well enough to go home yesterday, but the doc wanted me to stay one more night, just in case. Last night I slept for 5 hours straight, but I'm still sleept, and anxious to be in my own bed.

This morning, the doc told me I can go home, but WITHOUT the medication to stop the contractions - which are seldom now - well, at least I'm not really feeling them anyway. My uterus is what they call "irritable." Who knows what will happen once the meds are out of my system. The babies are champs - they don't get stressed out from the irritability and the doc said they look great. I am waiting to be seen for a scan in the perinatal center, and then I can go.
Once I am home, I was instructed to 'lay around, watch tv, and get up to go to the bathroom.' The doc also said 'no intercourse' I laughed. Was he kidding?
So, unless my water breaks or the contractions come back with the intensity of a few days ago, Wednesday will be D-day. At this point, they won't stop labor if i need to come back before that, tho.
All this excitement is just a precursor of the upcoming week!

Friday, February 23, 2007

A night in Labor and Delivery...

At my growth scan yesterday afternoon, everything looked great. Baby A is weighing about 5lbs 6 oz and BabyB is about 6lbs6oz. The ultrasound tech said they can put on about another pound between now and next week. (Keep in mind, these weights are not accurate, but approximate) The tech was also surprised that I was still able to drive myself around (barely) and that I had even made it this far at all! I then went to have my routine NST (non-stress test) and it wasn't long before the monitors showed I was contracting regularly about every minute. The nurse asked if I was feeling them and when I told her yes, she called my doctor immediately. I was escorted to Labor and Delivery and monitored in triage for hours. My cervix was still 'high and thick' but the contractions were happening regulary and they were strong. I was given Procardia to try to stop them and then checked again about an hour and ahalf later. The Procardia didn't work... I was still contracting - I had 21 contrax in 1 hour! But they weren't doing anything to change my cervix. In real labor, my cervix would change.
The doctor wanted to keep me overnight for observations, I was moved to the perinatal center and monitored through the night. The contractions lessened, but were still happening.
By 8am the doctor checked me again and there was really no significant change. He took me off the monitors and encouraged me to eat and do some walking. Now that I am off the monitors I feel great. My belly is contracting but its not painful,
And thats where we are now... I'll be checked again in the afternoon. And I am thinking I'll be sent home with some Procardia.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

36 week belly shot




36 weeks from the side... and from behind. yikes!
Hard to believe that in one week they will be OUT!

Sunday, February 18, 2007

t minus 10... and counting!

The countdown is on... 10 days until these tiny Trifs make their entrance into the world.
On Friday, we had the most eventful happening this pregnancy. I went to my regular non-stress test and the monitors were showing that I was contracting every 3 minutes for about 45 minutes. The nurse told me to stay put for a bit longer and that she'd call my doctor if they continued. The babies must have heard the threat and eventually, the contractions stopped. She told me to go home, and rest as much as possible and keep myself hydrated. The contractions continued sporadically for most of the day, and I haven't had an episode since. Yesterday I experienced some Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions, but nothing painful or intense, like Friday.

Dr. Kriner leaves for CA tomorrow. yikes! I'd like for these guys to stay put until he returns, however, I have come to terms with the idea that they may not hold off till the 28th. And I am okay with that. This week, I will be 36 weeks. These babies are baked. And right now they are just 'warming.'
On Thursday, I'll have my last growth scan and I will have an idea of about how much they are weighing. I anticipate them to be close to 6 lbs at this point.

I can't wait to meet them. I am anxious and excited... more than ever!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Robert in the snow

Yesterday was Robert's first time playing in the snow. He had a blast! Mommy wished she was out there with him. :(

Sunday, February 11, 2007

This is Robert's new t-shirt... he'll wear it to the hospital when the babies arrive.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

More nursery shots and Going home outfits








Just needed to post these here so I could link them to another page!


Friday, February 02, 2007

February 28th or bust!

There is an end in site - what a relief!

Today's appt with Doctor Kriner was fantastic. He found the babies with the ultrasound. Alex is in position, with his head packed pretty far down in my pelvis. Ava is what they call 'oblique'. She is kind of diagonal across the top of my belly, with her face right on Alex's butt. hmm, interesting.
We are still looking at a c-section, although the doctor would like to see if Ava will move at all in the next few weeks. He said we can schedule a section anytime between 36 and 37 weeks. We are shooting for 37 weeks, which is Feb 28th.

Perhaps you don't know the story with Feb 28th... I'll explain. Bobby and I were married on May 28th, Robert was born on March 28th, Bobby's birthday is October 28th and my birthday is Feb 8th (2-8). I'm hopeful that we'll hang on until then, although Dr. Kriner said that if I can hang on for the next 5 days (34 weeks), anything after that is icing on the cake. Apparently 34 weeks is a huge milestone in twin pregnancies. I'm just about there and have no doubt I'll still be here for awhile after that.
My bloodpressure was a bit high, which was a slight concern, but since this is the first time it was ever high, the concern was minimal. I am showing no signs of swelling, headaches, blurred vision or anything that is cause for alarm. I had it done again at my non-stress test and it was lower, so thats all good.
Doctor also said that my glucose test was very low... which was a shock! In fact, he said that in most twin pregnancies it is usually higher causing an increased risk for gestational diabetes. He said I must be doing something right. I promised him that I have been drinking just as many milkshakes and eating just as much ice cream as always. Still, ironically, I lost 3 lbs. this week. I have been hungrier than ever... especially at 3am! I feel like I eat so much... I guess the babies are hungry... because as you can see from the pic below, "it all goes to my tummy!"

So the end is in sight... It still boggles my mind sometimes that I am going to have 2 babies - at the same time! I am so lucky... WE are so lucky. Now, I really can't wait!

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

I know... it's scary!

This is my 33 week belly! 9 lbs of baby inside... and growing! Hope I didn't gross you out!

Monday, January 29, 2007

The nursery is complete!

Well, minus the valences on the windows... I still have to get a curtain rod. Bobby worked so hard on the molding, and my mom did the painting! I am really happy with how it came out! Check out the fruits of their hard work!!









Thursday, January 25, 2007

BIG Babies!

I had my 32 week appt at the perinatal center in the hospital on Wednesday. The babies continue to look great! Baby A (boy) is breech, and it this point there is not much hope that he'll turn. That means its almost inevitable that we'll be having a c-section. The doctor said its just too crowded in there for them to make a big move like that.
As I suspected, Baby B is measuring bigger than her brother. (Call it a mommy hunch, I guess). She is weighing 4 lbs 5 oz! She is laying with her head just under my heart and her little knees tucked nicely under my rib cage on my right side. I feel her move sooo much, and I see her little knees and elbows poke through alot. I love it! She had the hiccups during her scan, and I saw her belly jumping up and down. She has big chubby cheeks, too.
Baby B is butt down. His head is just below his sister's feet. I feel monements from him, but they are different from hers. He is down lower and that is probably why. He is weighing abour 3 lbs 14 oz - just a tad smaller than his sister.
The doc said the amniotic fluid levels are a tad high - just on the border of the high side, but nothing to be concerned about. and actually common with twins, I'll continue to have my fluids checked every week starting in 2 weeks.
I'll start seeing my OB every week now - starting today.

The nursery is painted (thanks Mom!) and we'll continue to work on it this weekend - we need to put up the molding and border.

This week was better for me...not so depressing! I had some company, and I was able to get out a couple of times. Thanks for your continued support everyone... we're in the home stretch and it's only a matter of weeks until they are here! Can't wait!