Week 2

Our first walk as a family on Easter Sunday!

Week two with the twins went by too quickly.  I cannot believe they will be three weeks old on the 28th!

We had our first infectious experience this week.  Aiden's eyes were completely matted shut when he woke up one morning.  Though it is common for newborn's tear ducts to be immature, we treated him with an ointment for pink eye, and within a few days, his eyes were clear again.  I am so thankful, too, because as a new mom, it broke my heart to not see Aiden open his eyes fully for a few days.  Now, he and Owen both are staring and checking out the world around them more often.  Since Aiden's eyes were infected, we laid low this week and had fewer visitors (thanks for understanding!).

Both boys gained weight: Aiden joined the 5 lb. club, and Owen is in the mid-high 6 lb. range.  Kyle and I finally have a decent sleep schedule down; the first time I slept about four hours consecutively felt amazing!  Sometimes, we fall off our "routine," but we are just trying to take everything day by day.  We do not want to become too flustered that we miss any opportunities to fully enjoy each day with these boys as little as they are now!

Celebrating Easter with our twins was an absolute joy!  Uncle Cole made it home for the weekend, too, which was extra special.  With warmer temperatures, we managed to go on our first walk as a family - something I have been looking forward to for a while!  Our little family looked pretty good strolling around the neighborhood with the awesome double stroller my aunts gave to us at my shower!  Earlier this week, Kyle managed to get me out of the house to catch some fresh air and to walk for the first time in months!  It will take me a few more weeks to build my endurance back up, but I am thankful to be able to move again.

My love and appreciation for Kyle has grown on a totally new level.  To no surprise, he has been the most supportive, hands-on dad.  With two little bundles, my mommy role is nonstop, and every diaper he changes and blanket he swaddles gives me an extra moment to breathe.  Kyle and I have one more week together before he goes back to work, so I am going to enjoy his time at home as much as I can before I am "on my own."  Thank goodness summer is right around the corner!

Waiting at the doctor's office!

Sweet Aiden after his eyes cleared up!

Play time!

Owen sporting his baby Converse!

We love how the boys will sleep in the exact same positions!  They were definitely wombmates!

Hospital Pictures!

Our pictures from the hospital finally came this week!  These are some of the first photos of our new family!

Week 1!

Hard to believe Aiden and Owen are already a week old!  The Storrer boys are anxiously gearing up for March Madness!

A precious moment right here!  You can really tell their size difference in this picture!  Aiden was 4 lbs. 13 oz., and Owen was 6 lbs. 2 oz.  With fraternal twins, they are two totally different pregnancies just going on at the same time, and Aiden and Owen's sizes and looks clearly verify this!

Nana and Grandpa Patty with Aiden!

First bath at home!

First Outing: To the doctor!

Dr. Music, our wonderful doctor who took care of me and the boys during the pregnancy, was so excited to finally meet the boys.

Aiden and Owen's Birthday!!!

Monday, March 7th, 6:50 a.m.!  Our last picture as a family of two!

We arrived at Toledo Hospital at 7:45 a.m., and by 8:00 a.m., we were right on schedule!  Everything went smoothly, and I went into the operating room right on time - 10:00 a.m.  As instructed, I entered the room and announced who I was, and before I knew it, Kyle was by my side.

The cries of one baby erupted at 10:30 a.m., and for our first surprise, we heard "IT'S A BOY!"  I was able to take a quick glimpse of our first baby - Aiden Kyle.  At 10:32 a.m., another burst of cries filled the room, and for the second surprise, "He's a boy, too!"  Owen Eric joined the world with his brother!  The boys continued screaming, but when the nurse put them side by side, the cries and screams ceased.  It was truly an amazing moment.  By 11:10 a.m., I was back in recovery.

Throughout the entire pregnancy, I said I would be most surprised if I had two boys.  While I cannot say it was a greater surprise than finding out we were having twins in the first place, this was definitely the second greatest - and probably, the best surprise of them all.

Our first picture as a family of four!

Aiden and Owen's Birthday: The Prologue

Going to the hospital at 36 weeks 1 day to discuss delivery!

As an English teacher, I am constantly reading and researching... E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.!  Knowledge, of course, is power.  Therefore, I was well-informed about all of the risks associated with a twin pregnancy, some of which would keep me up at night.  During the last 38 weeks, I learned how to truly be anchored in hope and faith and to face each day trusting I would thrive.

Overall, my pregnancy was smooth despite the issues I experienced during the last five weeks.  Throughout nearly the entire pregnancy, my OB kept telling me, "You look great - just keep doing what you are doing.  Don't take up horseback riding now."  Weight gain was important to keep the babies growing well, so I continued week by week to put on about 1.5-2 pounds.  Other than that, I commonly had bloody noses during the second trimester, which can be very normal and common.

At week 31, my doctor and I decided it was time to wave the white flag and to go on modified bed rest.  During those first two weeks, my mom helped me nest while also ensuring I put my feet up and took care of my body.  During week 34, I began experiencing headaches, and a quick trip to the doctor confirmed by blood pressure was high - near or around 140 at times.  I began taking medication for my diagnosed gestational hypertension.  At 35 weeks, my bloody noses returned, and some trips to Toledo confirmed that I was also iron deficient with low hemoglobin and platelet levels.  Kyle and I went to Toledo Hospital on Monday, February 29th, not knowing what was ahead of us.  Taking into consideration the hypertension, low blood levels, and iron deficiency, it was determined we would deliver at 37 weeks, and by Friday, we knew that our twins would be born on Monday, March 7th!  With faith and perseverance and love and support from doctors, nurses, friends, and family, we did it!  We made it to 37 weeks! All we had to do was to try to sleep and rest as we anxiously prepared for Monday to come!

The Storrer Family of Four is Home!

At 6:50 a.m. on Monday morning, Kyle and I left home as a couple for Toledo Hospital.

At 3:50 p.m. on Friday afternoon, we returned home, walking through the door as a family of four!

We cannot be any more thankful to have our twin boys, both healthy and (relatively) happy (Owen can be a stinker :) )!  Many doctors and nurses told us we could have gone home on Thursday, but we did not want to rush out with all of the great care we received.  It ended up being the best decision, too, as it gave time to ensure Owen's bilirubin's level evened out.  We loved our nurses and doctors at Toledo Hospital, and they were so kind to us when we left.  Almost all of them made it a point to see us and hug us as they sent us off!  Our twins were born at 37 weeks and 1 day (a big goal for me was to make it to at least 36 weeks), and we only spent four nights and five days at the hospital.  I cannot believe how blessed we are!

Coming home of course has been emotionally overwhelming for me.  I could not be happier to be home, but taking care of two newborns without the help of the nurses felt intimidating to me.  With great help though, I can say honestly the first night, despite my new mommy concerns, went very well, and Kyle and I are definitely adjusting this afternoon as we've spent time truly just the four of us.

We are so thankful to our wonderful family and friends for their love and support!!!  Thank you for the messages and most importantly, the prayers!  Godmother Meggan and Godfather Jason did an awesome job making our Homecoming beautiful and memorable with the nautical boy decor!  Our sweet neighbor walked in with dinner at 3:30 this afternoon, and so many friends have given us wonderful gifts or been sure we have been well-fed over the last few weeks or are prepared to be in the weeks to come - Katie Harmon, Kate Zimmerman, Haley Mealer, Caitlin Roth, and the Just family.  Of course, the four new grandparents have gone above and beyond to ensure we are comfortable!

For tomorrow's post, I will share more on our journey that led us to the hospital on Monday morning, and throughout the week, I will share more about the birth story and hospital stay!

Kyle and Owen taking their first nap together at home!

Holding Aiden and soaking in the moment!

Leaving the hospital!