Catherine Grace and Molly Elizabeth were born Monday, May 24, 2010. Cate arrived at 3:19 pm weighing a whopping 5 lb 12 oz, and Molly at 3:20 pm weighing 5 lb 10 oz. Almost 12 pounds of babies! They were born via C-section since Cate was in a breech postion, and stubbornly refused to flip despite her mother's insistence. Most likely a sign of her personality to come. They do not look identical to us, but they look very much like sisters, and it still takes us a few times looking at them to remember who is who.
Cate definitely looks like her sisters, and behaves like them as well! She is a little slow to get a hang of the breastfeeding, and has lost almost a pound this first week, weighing in this am at 4 lb 14 oz, so she is being supplemented with a bottle at present. She also seems to be a little more active than her counter part, being restless during sleep, and a little more difficult to soothe. Maybe that is because she is still working on the feeding issues, but it is really fascinating to watch them sleep side by side. The differences in their activity level is amazing!
Molly, on the other hand, reminds me more of Ben. Same nose, I think, looking more like Greg than me. She is a champion nurser, and although has lost some weight, is starting to gain. She is a little more jaundiced than her sister, so still has the nice tan, but they both were cleared to get off the bili beds today. Thank goodness, because neither of them really enjoyed being strapped down to a tanning bed! Her temperament as well also seems to be more Greg than me, being pretty easy going and sleeping very peacefully. Hopefully some of her vibe passes to Cate!
Cate definitely looks like her sisters, and behaves like them as well! She is a little slow to get a hang of the breastfeeding, and has lost almost a pound this first week, weighing in this am at 4 lb 14 oz, so she is being supplemented with a bottle at present. She also seems to be a little more active than her counter part, being restless during sleep, and a little more difficult to soothe. Maybe that is because she is still working on the feeding issues, but it is really fascinating to watch them sleep side by side. The differences in their activity level is amazing!
Molly, on the other hand, reminds me more of Ben. Same nose, I think, looking more like Greg than me. She is a champion nurser, and although has lost some weight, is starting to gain. She is a little more jaundiced than her sister, so still has the nice tan, but they both were cleared to get off the bili beds today. Thank goodness, because neither of them really enjoyed being strapped down to a tanning bed! Her temperament as well also seems to be more Greg than me, being pretty easy going and sleeping very peacefully. Hopefully some of her vibe passes to Cate!
They slept together last night in a pack and play, our first night at home, and really did quite well. It is amazing that one baby can be crying her head off, and the other one just continues to sleep right through it. And they are literally laying right next to each other, with their faces almost touching. So cute.
Sophie and Meg are excited to have them home. I was really worried about Meg and how she would respond, but so far, she is just really excited. She wants to help, and loves touching them and watching them sleep. You have to watch her like a hawk though, because before you know it, she is trying to jump into their crib. Sophie seems excited as well, but she is actually a little more out of sorts than Meg. Just goes to show you that you never know how things will go!
So we'll see how this keeps going. I will say that even after a few days, taking care of all of these kids, and feeding two babies at night, is definitely tiring. But who doesn't love getting to snuggle with tiny newborns, and we are blessed with two to snuggle with! I would also like to point out that I much prefer my regular deliveries to the C-section route. Not only are the first few days in the hospital quite uncomfortable, it really does limit, or at least make more challenging, taking care of the babies. It's getting better, but I'll be happy when I'm feeling better!
Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of Ben's passing. Doesn't really seem possible. I am so happy to have the babies here, and healthy. But tomorrow I know will still be difficult. There is no day that passes that I do not think of him, and how hard that time was. But mostly I'd like to be able to remember how cute he was, and that because of him, I have made so many new friends and have two beautiful newborns, one that looks so much like him. This summer should be filled with fun and challenges, and we are looking forward to it immensely, and all because of Benjamin.
