From 2 to 4

 Birthday - October 20, 2012

On October 20, 2012, our lives changed forever!  Jovie and Bennett were born at Vanderbilt Medical Center.  They both weighed 6lb. 3oz.  Jovie was 19 inches long and Bennett was 19 1/4 inches long.  We prayed for these babies for so long and were so thankful that they were healthy!  We spent 3 nights in the hospital and brought them home on October 23, 2012. 

 First Week

 The first week at home was a whirlwind!  It was filled with visitors, learning routines, healing from a C-section, a tons of laundry!  The first night was a very long one with only 1 hour of sleep.  MeMe was here for the first week and was a tremendous help!  They had their first pediatrician appointment.  Jovie was 6lbs. and Bennett was 5lb. 14 oz.    They had their first bath, which they both hated!  Bennett went through more clothes than Jovie the first week as he peed through every outfit!  Jovie was very attentive and loved to look around.  We loved seeing all of their face expressions when they were sleeping.  MeMe went back home after the first week and Grandma Cathy arrived.

Week 2

Jovie and Bennett were beginning to be awake more during the day.  Playful noises started when they were playing in the play yard.  They started tracking and noticing toys.  Grandma Cathy was a big help with everything!  The first Halloween was uneventful, however they wore their cute 1st Halloween outfits from Carmin.  Our offer group cooked meals for us and brought them on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Jared had to go back to work this week, which was an adjustment for all.  We had to take Jovie to the doctor as her right eye tear duct was not draining well, so Dr. Shepherd told us to do a warm massage from the tear duct down the nose.

 Week 3

Aunt Cindy and Aunt Dana came for a visit this week from Illinois!  They brought outfits for the babies.  Grandma Cathy left on Saturday morning, which then left Jared and me to have a weekend by ourselves for the first time since the babies were born.  Sheri Young, a friend from church, came to take pictures of Jovie and Bennett. 

Week 4

Bennett had his first bottle as we transitioned to some bottle feeding due to mommy being sore.  He took it like a champ!  The transition began from alternating breast feeding and bottle feeding for both babies.  I had wanted to wait and do this after a month, but that plan changed.  MeMe came back to help us this week.  We practiced some things to help me when Jared goes back to work and I am taking care of them by myself.  That meant, learning to breastfeed both at the same time without help, getting up after the morning feeding and getting things done around the house while they go back to sleep.  Never thought I could breast feed twins at one time by myself, but it can be done! We had their first Thanksgiving over at cousin Niki's house. Jovie and Bennett experienced their first Iron Bowl (well they and mommy slept through most of it!)  Alabama won 49-0!  Roll Tide!  Both Jovie and Bennett are visually tracking well, especially the fan! MeMe and I took a photo shoot for their one month old pictures.  They cooperated well!    We also went for our first stroller ride. It was 70 degrees in November!

 

 

 

Month 2

December 6 - Jovie and Bennett have been smiling a little when we talk to them.  They are awake alot more during the day.  Bennett is aware of when mommy leaves the room and starts to cry.  They track where we walk in the room.  They love to look at the Christmas tree as well as the fan!  Newborn clothes are starting to not fit anymore.  They went to the doctor on November 29th for their one month follow up and Bennett weighed 8 lb. 3 oz., Jovie weighed 8 lb. 2.5 oz.  They received their second Hepatitis B shot and did as well as expected!  Only cried for a minute.  Carmin helped me get them to the doctor since Jared was not home.  Starting this week (December 3) I was by myself during the day with no help.  It has definitely been a learning experience and exhausting all at one time! I alternate breastfeeding one and bottle feeding the other.