William Anthony & David Austin are here!! Born at 36.6 wks

Yes, it's true!! David Austin and William Anthony are here!!

David was my father's name, William Anthony was Steve's.

So, last week, I'd been having a lot of discomfort. This went on for a few days, but I didn't think much of it. When it seemed not be going away, I decided to call the doc. They said it would be best for me to come in. So, we went up to San Francisco Thursday morning. They put me on the machines and I was contracting quite a bit. The doctor came in and checked my cervix. She told me that I was 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Basically, I was starting early labor and it could have been a day or a week, no way to tell. Under those circumstances, they certainly weren't going to send me home. They decided to go ahead with my c/s that day. We had to wait 6 hours as I'd eaten that morning.

The boys were born at 3:25 pm. and 3:26 p.m. on Thursday, 3/15/07 at 36 weeks, 6 days. David was first, William second. Neither of them needed any NICU time at all. They came out crying and breathing on their own. William had to go under the warmers briefly. They both weighed 6 lbs 7 oz each, 19/19.5 inches respectively. This exceeded my expectations, to say the least!

The past 7 days has been a whirlwind. My recovery has physically been much more difficult this time, but I'm on the mend. Sleep has been scarce around here, but we're hanging in there. The boys are doing great. Sofia is getting used to them and doing as well as can be expected. Her reaction to them is mostly fascination mixed with a bit of fear. She calls them "brudders" or "Dahh-veed" and "Weeyim" She's going to make a great big sis!

I'm kind of still in a daze and feel like I've been hit by a truck. I know that phrase is used quite often, I've used it myself, but I literally feel like I've been HIT BY A TRUCK. They are thus far pretty low maintenance for twins, but the c/s pain has been pretty difficult this time around. Physically, the recovery has been 10 times harder than with Sofia.I have heard this may be due to the added scar tissue.

Nursing has been pretty difficult, not b/c it's hard or haven't had milk, but just being so miserable in pain and also finding the time to do it. William likes to BF but David wants no part of it. He just looks at me like "and what am I supposed to do with that?" lol. So, William has gotten more BM than David, for sure. They are also on formula. I'll keep giving them what I can, when I can, but quite frankly, not sure how if BFing is in the cards for us.

The first night home was pretty rough, I think I got maybe one hours sleep. They don't like to sleep in their bassinettes at all, so they are now sleeping in their baby papasan chairs round the clock. I suspect that this may due to some reflux issues. I am sleeping on the couch with them in the living room and managing to get 4-5 hours of sleep (not consecutively), so this is pretty good! They pretty much wake every 3-4 hours to eat. One will wake and I wake the other one to eat. So far, this is working pretty well.

Here are a few pics of them. They are not identical -- they have different blood types -- but look very much alike. In fact, Steve still can't tell them apart. Thank god I can. David has finer features, looks more Sofia-like. William has a different nose, smaller face. The differences are subtle, but they are there.

Basically, they look like little old men at the moment. See for yourself!!

William (on the left) and David (on the right)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f346/mom...pg?t=1174364129

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f346/mom...pg?t=1174364163

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f346/momlissa/daboys1.jpg

In recovery
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f346/momlissa/daboys2.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f346/momlissa/daboys3.jpg
David
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f346/mom...daboysdave1.jpg

Will
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f346/mom...daboyswill1.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f346/mom...daboyswill2.jpg

Mods -- can you link this to the First Year forum? Thanks!

 

Awww congrats! That is wonderful that they needed no NICU time.
I hope you are feeling better soon!

 

Congrats!! I think your boys look like a perfect mix between you and your DH!! I would have called them ID... but I suppose blood types dont lie!

 

Congratulations! Great job Momma!

Sorry to hear about all the pain, I hope each day is progressively better for you!

Don't forget to take care of yourself!

 

Congrats Melissa, and welcome to "the other side" of twin motherhood! (It is much more the fun side, after the first few months.)

 

OMGosh... what cuties!!

Congrats on your bundles of joy!!

Can't wait to see you over in the FY and hear more!!

 

congratulations! What awesome weights for 36 weekers! So happy yours didn't have any NICU time. For not being ID, they look so much alike, it'll be interesting to see if they continue to as the grow up.
take care of yourself, c/s recovery is tough but after the first week it gets better and you'll be walking upright again!
and if you decide you want to continue BF, you totally can do it. We really struggled through the first month or so, but the boys will "get it" and it makes life so much easier! just be persistent.

good luck!

 

Congratulations!!!!! The boys are very handsome and they definitely look a lot alike. It's wonderful that they did not need any NICU time and that they're both healthy. ENJOY!

 

Congrats on your healthy boys!!

 

Welcome precious baby boys!!!!

They were born on my DD's Birthday And she's a peach!

Enjoy your new little "boyfriends" Mama

 

Congratulations!!

 

Congratulations! Great weights on those baby boys! to the FY forum!

 

Will and Dave! And to FY! Glad that everything went so well and what great pics you posted! Thanks for sharing them!

 

Wow, Melissa, you look awesome! I can't believe you don't feel good, cuz you look great!
Congratulations on your gorgeous baby boys!

 

Congrats to your family!! Welcome to William and David! They are cute little men!! And I can see why your husband is having a hard time telling them apart, they look ALOT alike. Hopefully everything gets better for you in the bf department, and all the best to you and your chunky monkeys!!

Juli

 

Congratulations!!! They are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks everyone. We are slowly settling into a groove around here. Sleep is scarce, but I can't complain too much. They are waking at around 12 a.m., 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. to eat, so I do get some sleep in between. I do have to have them in their papsans for them to sleep, so that is where they spend most of their time. I'm tired, but doing ok. Even managed to get out for an hour or so yesterday, alone. I cranked the music in my minivan and tried to relax. Having a bit of the baby blues, mostly related to my guilt for not being able to devote much attention to my 2 yr old right now. I know that in time, it will all get better. It can just get a little overwhelming right now, having 3 kids overnight.

 

Congrats, and I really like the name William Anthony. Just happens to be my first and middle names as well. And as a kicker, my wife's name is the same as yours.

 

Congrats! They are absolutely adorable! Glad they were both healthy and needed no NICU time. And I can see the difference between them too. I hope the pain eases up some for you. My second c-section was a lot harder on me than my first also. It will get easier, just take things slowly. Hope you feel better!

 

COngratultions on your babies they are gorgeous x

 

Absolutley amazing! Congratulations on your beautiful baby boys. Take care of yourself.

Rose

 

Congratulations! They are beautiful! Good luck with three little ones!

 

Your boys are absolutely gorgeous! Sorry to hear your recovery was tough. I have had four c sections and they each were different. The one with the twins (the last one) was definitely the hardest. I also have a two year old so I can relate to the blues you're feeling. PM me if you want to talk! Glad you're getting a few hours sleep in and a few minutes to yourself. That will work wonders for what you're able to give back to your rapidly expanded family. Congratulations!!

Laura