What a great day #2

So I thought that yesterday was a good day. Today turned out to be an even better day. I was able to hold Emily for the very first time. I also got to Kangaroo "cuddle" Emily as Andy was doing the same with Ellery in a rocking chair right next to me. It was amazing! If all goes well we should be able to do this at least once a day, I think that will definitely be one of the highlights of our days going forward. Proud grandma's with Ellery Holding Emily on my lap for the very first time. Holding Emily

Andy and Ellery kangaroo care

kangaroo care with Emily for the first time

What a great day!

I can't believe the girls are almost a week old. This last week has been the scariest and craziest week I've ever experienced. Ellery is doing well and may be off her Cpap machine sometime soon, meaning she can breathe on her own. Emily's progress has been a little slower but she's looking better each day. She probably won't be off her cpap for a little while and is still a little smaller than her sister (They are both now under 2lbs becuase of the typical weight loss in infants). In just a few days we've had some great steps forward and a few tiny steps back, but so far so good. We try to go visit them multiple times a day and trust me there's no other place I'd rather be, but at the same time I'm still so exhausted and need to get a lot of rest...it's a balancing act that isn't so easy to master.

Holding Ellery for the first time ever! It's called Kangaroo Care. The skin to skin contact even for just a few minutes is very beneficial for baby and mom. Ellery was off of her Cpap machine for over 30 minutes, which is a huge step in the right direction. Emily isn't ready yet, but hopefully very soon.

Emily all wrapped up
Ellery without all her cpap gear

What a great day!

I can't believe the girls are almost a week old. This last week has been the scariest and craziest week I've ever experienced. Ellery is doing well and may be off her Cpap machine sometime soon, meaning she can breathe on her own. Emily's progress has been a little slower but she's looking better each day. She probably won't be off her cpap for a little while and is still a little smaller than her sister (They are both now under 2lbs becuase of the typical weight loss in infants). In just a few days we've had some great steps forward and a few tiny steps back, but so far so good. We try to go visit them multiple times a day and trust me there's no other place I'd rather be, but at the same time I'm still so exhausted and need to get a lot of rest...it's a balancing act that isn't so easy to master.

Holding Ellery for the first time ever! It's called Kangaroo Care. The skin to skin contact even for just a few minutes is very beneficial for baby and mom. Ellery was off of her Cpap machine for over 30 minutes, which is a huge step in the right direction. Emily isn't ready yet, but hopefully very soon.

Emily all wrapped up
Ellery without all her cpap gear

Emily & Ellery 2 days old (Feb 18th?)

Emily in her first outfit and her C-pap machine

Ellery next to Dad's hand. She loves to sleep on her tummy. It looks like she's about to get a massage.

Heather changing Emily's diaper. (Press arrow 2 times to get video to play)

Emily & Ellery 2 days old (Feb 18th?)

Emily in her first outfit and her C-pap machine

Ellery next to Dad's hand. She loves to sleep on her tummy. It looks like she's about to get a massage.

Heather changing Emily's diaper. (Press arrow 2 times to get video to play)

Better late than never belly pics

So I've realized that for some family and friends that I don't see often - you may have never seen me actually showing. I've added a link to show that yes, I did have a pregnant tummy for a while. The last picture is from 24 weeks so it's smaller than what I really was before Emily & Ellery were born. I kept forgetting to take that 26 week picture. Now I really wish I would have.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=12fss1oo.2lw5buw0&x=0&y=-37pomf

Better late than never belly pics

So I've realized that for some family and friends that I don't see often - you may have never seen me actually showing. I've added a link to show that yes, I did have a pregnant tummy for a while. The last picture is from 24 weeks so it's smaller than what I really was before Emily & Ellery were born. I kept forgetting to take that 26 week picture. Now I really wish I would have.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=12fss1oo.2lw5buw0&x=0&y=-37pomf

Emily & Ellery both off of ventilators

Both girls are now off of the ventilators and are on the Cpap machines. Still a long road ahead of us, but they are making improvements every time we see them. I was able to change their diapers today, take their temperature, and rub lotion on them. They are smaller than any doll I've ever seen, but they are adorable. They have the dainty fingers and toes, both have my nose, and have dark heads of hair. Can't wait to post new pictures!

Thanks to all for the love and support. Every nurse and Dr here at St. Vincent's has been incredible. I'll actually be going home tomorrow....can't even believe what's happened over the last few days.

Emily & Ellery both off of ventilators

Both girls are now off of the ventilators and are on the Cpap machines. Still a long road ahead of us, but they are making improvements every time we see them. I was able to change their diapers today, take their temperature, and rub lotion on them. They are smaller than any doll I've ever seen, but they are adorable. They have the dainty fingers and toes, both have my nose, and have dark heads of hair. Can't wait to post new pictures!

Thanks to all for the love and support. Every nurse and Dr here at St. Vincent's has been incredible. I'll actually be going home tomorrow....can't even believe what's happened over the last few days.

Move in delay....Emily and Ellery are here!

Ellery Rae Singer
Emily Elizabeth Singer

So the big move into the house was supposed to be this weekend. The house was all ready, I had taken an extra day off so I'd have four days to help do what I could normally do in two days when I wasn't 6 months pregnant. Then at 4:30 am on Friday Feb 15th my water broke. 30 minutes later we were in the ER and told that I would be on bed rest at the hospital until the babies were born. I was only 26 weeks along a the time so this could have been as long as another 12 weeks in the hospital. We thought things were slowing down and I was stable but then at 4:00am on Saturday Feb 16th I started having horrid pains. Found out that I was 8 cm dilated and within minutes was in the OR getting prepped for a C-section. At 5:09am Ellery Rae Singer was born weighing 2lbs 1oz and 14 inches long and at 5:10am Emily Elizabeth Singer was born weighing 1lb 13oz and 13 3/4 inches long. Not at all how I thought my extremely easy and smooth 26 weeks of pregnancy would turn out.


One day later, I am doing great recovering from my surgery. Both babies will be in the Nicu for at least 10 weeks and are doing pretty good. It's a day by day waiting game, but they are little fighters and oh so cute. I can't wait to one day be able to pick them up. For now, just a few quick visits and lots of love will have to do.

Move in delay....Emily and Ellery are here!

Ellery Rae Singer
Emily Elizabeth Singer

So the big move into the house was supposed to be this weekend. The house was all ready, I had taken an extra day off so I'd have four days to help do what I could normally do in two days when I wasn't 6 months pregnant. Then at 4:30 am on Friday Feb 15th my water broke. 30 minutes later we were in the ER and told that I would be on bed rest at the hospital until the babies were born. I was only 26 weeks along a the time so this could have been as long as another 12 weeks in the hospital. We thought things were slowing down and I was stable but then at 4:00am on Saturday Feb 16th I started having horrid pains. Found out that I was 8 cm dilated and within minutes was in the OR getting prepped for a C-section. At 5:09am Ellery Rae Singer was born weighing 2lbs 1oz and 14 inches long and at 5:10am Emily Elizabeth Singer was born weighing 1lb 13oz and 13 3/4 inches long. Not at all how I thought my extremely easy and smooth 26 weeks of pregnancy would turn out.


One day later, I am doing great recovering from my surgery. Both babies will be in the Nicu for at least 10 weeks and are doing pretty good. It's a day by day waiting game, but they are little fighters and oh so cute. I can't wait to one day be able to pick them up. For now, just a few quick visits and lots of love will have to do.

Less than a week left....

Carpet will be installed on Monday. Carpet will run down the center of the stairs with the stained wood on the sides.

Less than a week left....

Carpet will be installed on Monday. Carpet will run down the center of the stairs with the stained wood on the sides.

Update

Sorry.... I don't have any new pictures to add. For the last few weeks the house has been taken over by the painters who are busy painting & staining all the doors and woodwork in the house. I've only be in twice in the last two weeks because of the paint fumes, but it's looking great. I'll post more pictures as soon as I'm allowed back in.

Update

Sorry.... I don't have any new pictures to add. For the last few weeks the house has been taken over by the painters who are busy painting & staining all the doors and woodwork in the house. I've only be in twice in the last two weeks because of the paint fumes, but it's looking great. I'll post more pictures as soon as I'm allowed back in.

The counter in the laundry room
My kitchen sink!

Master shower floor. Still needs grout!

Also, this week many of the closets were installed. My master closet looks so amazing, I can't wait to go shopping to fill up all the extra space I'm going to have. Sorry Andy!

The counter in the laundry room
My kitchen sink!

Master shower floor. Still needs grout!

Also, this week many of the closets were installed. My master closet looks so amazing, I can't wait to go shopping to fill up all the extra space I'm going to have. Sorry Andy!