Tuesday

Hello friends! I just wanted to share some more pictures of our angels. They are so precious. I am seeing more and more changes daily. They are more playful and even fix their eyes on objects. They will stare at Shannon and I also. It is so much fun getting to know their little personalities more and more. Thomas is becoming more relaxed and comfortable and Madelynn is getting prettier by the day. She is so sweet...despite her struggles with the reflux. Even after choking and spitting up through her nose and all...she will give her sweet and innocent smile. Again, they are a joy! I hope you enjoy the photos!

3 Week Birthday

Madelynn
Thomas

We did it!!!! No more weight checks! No more appointments until our 2 month in December! Thomas is now at 6lbs and 6 ounces and Madelynn is 6 lbs and 4 ounces. I am very proud of them! It has been hard work....we eat around the clock it seems....but it has really been worth it to see their weights up! Dr. Jester was tickled with the progress! It is hard...I admit. We are supposed to get in 8-12 feedings a day and we usually make it to only 8. We eat around the clock. It is easier with 2 people here as you can feed both at once but with it just being me during the day feeding takes around an hour, then you burp, change diapers, rest and then start all over again. I am still nursing, but we are using the bottles so that we can see just how many ounces they are getting. We are also watching Maddy closely with her reflux. It breaks our hearts to see her struggle to keep her food down. I pray that gets easier and she will outgrow it...as there is a chance she will. Thank you all for your prayers and words of support! Our little ones are growing by the day!

Just another quick word...we had a great weekend with our wonderful friends-family, Stephen, Trina, and Maegan Green. They came to visit on Friday and sadly left yesterday. It was a wonderful weekend of fun and grilling! We are looking forward to their return real soon!!!

Blessings!

Saturday

We are getting ready for football here! Our wonderful friends Stephen, Trina, and Maegan are visiting. Thomas and Madelynn have loved their company! This is a picture of them resting up for the Alabama and Tenn game this afternoon! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend as well! Happy Anniversary also to my mom and dad! We love you Nana and Poppy!!!

Wednesday

I just wanted to share the update on weight. Both Thomas and Madelynn were up today! We go back on Monday for another weight check...but overall things are looking good! I have been a bit under the weather and needed some rest so Shannon stayed home today. It was so nice to have him here. He did work...but it was a bit of a break having him home with us. You'll see in one of the pictures his working while holding Thomas. Both Thomas and Madelynn are doing great! They are our angels and a joy to have in our lives. It amazes me that we are at this point in our lives...it seems like yesterday that my belly was full with these two...now our lives are doubly blessed and I am reminded each time I see them that God is so good!!!

More Pictures

I just wanted to share a few more pictures that I took of Thomas and Madelynn. I love the ones where they get all tangled up together....they are so peaceful side by side....that is until Maddy spits up like she did today......it was okay though...nothing a change and Shout spray can't handle! Notice the toes....we think they have Shannon's big toe but my long toes. I have the second toe that is longer than the big toe....as do they. I have heard that is a sign of stubbornness.....not our babies!

Monday

Today was my first official day alone with Thomas and Madelynn. Shannon did come home at lunch, but overall it was me and the babies. It has been difficult but also special. We have had lots of time together. The hardest part is when one is crying and I am nursing the other. It is so hard to hear them cry and try to calm them with words or a touch rather than being able to pick them up due to already having one in my hands. Needless to say, sometimes my tears come out as well. I know as each day passes I'll be able to cope with all that comes with having twins. The biggest thing though is the double blessing they do bring. Thomas and Maddy are angels....and I thank God each day for them! Please say a prayer for their appt on Wednesday as we will get a weight check and see that we are making progress. Thank you all for the prayers, emails, and comments of love and support! Blessings!

Sunday Pictures

Angels.....

Passy...so close yet so far away....

dreaming of puppy dogs....

just a bit of drama....

our angel princess ....check out those legs!

sweet face after a good meal.....

Here are a few more pictures to share. Things are going really good. The feeding is still around the clock and a bit exhausting. We go on Wednesday to get a weight check on both Thomas and Madelynn. I am praying so hard that I am doing things right and that their weight is on the rise! We also meet with Teresa our Lactation Consultant to go over our plan and schedule. Please say prayers and keep your fingers crossed! I hope this finds you well...we are enjoying the beautiful weather! Tonight's menu.....grilled rotisserie chickens, grilled cabbage, and my favorite...red mashed potatoes!

Good Saturday Morning

Thomas

Maddy

I just wanted to share a few pictures with you. We are going to enjoy a nice day at home watching football and eating some wings. Thomas and Madelynn were only up twice last night (about 4 hours total) and we slept until 7:30am...we are feeling good!!! Hope you enjoy your weekend! The weather is just beautiful!

Today's Appointment

Just a quick update.....Thomas' billirubin has leveled off (Yaa!) and Maddy gained a few grams so we are on the incline. We go back next Wednesday for a weight check! Thank you all for your prayers! Blessings!

Had to share....

Mama and I took the babies for a brief ride this afternoon. We wanted to get Thomas out in the sun. Half way into our journey a diaper change was inevitable. This is a picture of Thomas getting his first back of the car change. I loved it....and also thought the outfit was perfect for a post! Hope you get a giggle out of it!

Angels Dreaming

I just had to share these pictures. I was writing in the journals while they were napping. It is so funny to watch their faces as they dream. Thomas is especially active when sleeping. He will pant, make faces and then put out the biggest smile. I love to see him smile as it shows his dimple. It amazes me that his dimple is just like mine. Madelynn is an absolute angel when she sleeps. She looks so peaceful and soft. I don't want to miss a single minute of this. I can't believe it has already been a week and a day! Life is so good!!!! Blessings!

Baby genes....

Shannon

Kelli

Take a look at this! Is it not just too cute for words. This is a picture of Shannon at 6 weeks and a picture of me at 6 weeks. Thomas is Shannon's spitting image and Maddy is mine! Is that not amazing....God is so good! Thank you mom and Grandmother Smith for sharing the pics!!! Though the babies look so much like each of us....they do share characteristics from both Shannon and I. Thomas has my dimple, Maddy has Shannon's chin, they both have my long skinny toes and feet and also my long second toe, and Thomas has his daddy's strong arms and broad chest! It is just too much fun seeing different characteristics each day....I see them growing more and more into their little unique selves.

Update on Doctors Appointment:
We had another appointment today to check Thomas' billirubin for jaundice and Maddy's weight. Maddy's weight stayed the same which is good....it would have been better had it gone up , but at least there was no decline. Thomas' weight also stayed the same. We are really getting more comfortable with feedings so hopefully we are on the incline now. We do go back Wednesday for another weight check and also a jaundice test. Thomas has just a hint of jaundice and the doctor just wants to see it level off and no more increase in billirubin levels. Mama is here so we kept him in the sunlight some today to help. I will be glad when the tests are good....it tears Shannon and I up to see the prick and the nurse squeezing his heel so hard. Say a prayer for an all good on Wed! Other than that...things are great! They are nursing better and sleeping better at night! It is so much fun to just sit and watch them! I am in awe at how healthy they are and also how beautiful they are! Blessings to you all!!!

Week One.....

Well...it is official. As of 8:31 and 8:35 tonight...Thomas and Madelynn will be one week old! I wanted to share a couple of pictures with you of them sleeping this morning. After a 1 1/2 hour long feeding....they piled up in the swing and slept. It is adorable to see how they get so tangled up in each other. They sleep peacefully side by side...even when they punch or hit each other dreaming! Blessings!

First Doctor's Appt.

In the parking lot....

Today we went to our first appointment with Dr. Jester. She is just wonderful. We learned so much! Maddy still lost a little bit of weight so we will go back on Monday to assess her weight again. Turns out she has reflux....just like her mama. The doctor didn't think much of my telling her about Madelynn spitting up until she saw the struggle she was having for herself. She said lots of babies do this at first....however our Maddy is a bit more than most. She wrote us a prescription. I hope it will help her to keep more of her food and also to feel like eating more. On the other hand...Thomas is eating me out of house and home! He keeps me very busy and has even gained weight since we left the hospital. He is now officially 1 ounce more than Maddy.....Maddy weighed more to start. Overall...we were thrilled with the appointment! Thomas has to have a bit more sunlight.....but it is not true jaundice...the doctor just want to prevent jaundice as he is kind of close.
Sorry that it has taken me so long to get the updates out...but with nursing and very little sleep...I have neglected the blog. So sorry....I will try to do better! Hugs!

The Love of Twins

I had to share these photos of Thomas and Madelynn. Jeb and Lacy (The Jones Family) shared their Papysan Swing with us. It was a favorite for Ella. Thomas can get a bit fussy at times so we pulled it out last night. It was amazing the effect it had over them....especially when they could swing together. The swing plays sweet music with lights and a mobile! Thanks again Jeb and Lacy for sharing....we TRULY appreciate it!

Going Home

We were finally released around 1:30 on Thursday. Maddy's weight is still a bit lower than doctors would like.....but they feel the nursing is going well and that things will be okay! We are thrilled to be headed home with both our angels! I am sure Thomas and Madelynn will love riding in the truck as much as Tucker and I do! "Daddy....where are you? We are ready to go home!"

Thursday

Good Morning! We had a pretty good night...lots of feeding.....very little sleep. It is all good though as I am so energized by Thomas and Madelynn. I have already had my shower this morning in the hopes that good news will come soon and we can prepare for home! Everything is going really well. We are hopeful that weights look good today and we can go home! I can hardly wait to take the babies home and also to see Tucker! Life is so very good! I hope this finds you all well also! We will keep you posted!
Blessings!

P.S. I just have to add....I have the best husband imaginable! Shannon has been such an incredible support and husband to me....and now a loving daddy to Thomas and Maddy. What a future we have ahead of us!

Angels among us.....

Brother/Sister Loving....
Thomas eyeing Madelynn

This is just too precious....we had to share. Thomas can be screaming and the moment he is put next to Maddy...it is peace and quiet. We are finding that Thomas requires a lot more pressure and snuggling. Evidently with him being the one at the bottom of the pile in the womb...he is used to pressure where Madelynn is more of a free floater. She doesn't require the extra comfort but Thomas loves to be snuggled and held.....however, it is pure magic to see the two next to each other as they bring themselves so much comfort and love....amazing! What blessings!

Wednesday

Nana and Poppy


We got word a bit earlier that we are staying another night. Madelynn has lost a bit of weight and so they want to keep us another night to watch her instead of letting us go and risking having to come back and be readmitted. We are glad to know they are watching our angels so closely...though our beds and shower would be nice. Everything has been so good here that we are more than happy to stay for the better health of Thomas and Maddy. I am breastfeeding exclusively so we are feeding every 2 hours and monitoring the weight closely. Please say prayers that their weight will pick up and not fall so much again! Thomas has gone for his "boy surgery" and Shannon is with him. I thought I'd take this time to add some more pictures. You will find one of Dr. Holsten....she is truly our angel of mercy! Shannon and I truly believe God's hand was on our finding our way to Augusta so she could see our angels into the world! Hugs and blessings to everyone!

Hello from baby land.....

Thomas (looks so much like Shannon)




Maddy and Thomas


Maddy (Yawning)
Maddy (Yawning again)
Madelynn
Thomas and Madelynn

Shannon and I wanted to share more pictures of our angels, Thomas and Madelynn. What precious angels they are! So far we have noticed that Madelynn has features more like me and Thomas more like Shannon. However, Maddy has Shannon's chin and Thomas does have my dimple on the same right cheek as I do. We don't really know eye color just yet. They also have lots of hair which is just adorable. We truly feel so very blessed.

We want to say a special thank you to all the emails, texts, comments of love and support we have received. Have you looked at the blog counter lately. It has climbed over 800 over night. It is such a joy to us to hear people say things like, "thank you for allowing us to be a part of this special time in your lives"....we truly feel like the ones that should be saying thank you! God bless you all....we truly feel blessed!!!