The Joys and Not So Joyful

Week 2: Enjoying The Kiddy Pool..he spent 3 hours in it.

This past weekend we got some time with just Ian to take him over to Zurich and enjoy the nice HOT summer weather while my Mother-in-Law watched Gabriella and Vanessa. Since when I took him a couple weeks ago and he was pointing at the pedal boats, we decided to rent one and take him out on the Lake. He really enjoyed it! While Andy chilled in the front pedaling to make sure we didn’t hit the hundreds of other boats out there, Ian and I hung our legs off the back splashing around. Of course that makes a two year old have the munchies, so we let him finish his bag of chips while pointing at the scenery around us, ducks being his favorite.

Playing with his friend

After an hour of water bliss, we grabbed some ice cream at the grocery store and headed over to his favorite park. Andy ran around in the sand and water with him. Ian had sand in every little nook in cranny after that! It was so nice to able to spend that time with just the 3 of us, and I am sure Ian felt like a star. He hadn’t really had a day like that since his sisters were born.

"Don't leave my playhouse"

Now it is back to a normal week, with the exception of my friend Sobia leaving to go back to her “home” country. Tears were almost shed Monday as we had our last time of letting our little ones play together. I am hoping to be able to go visit her a couple times a year. This is the life of an expat, you make expat friends and they usually have to move back home at some point.

The Official Gabriella and Vanessa Labor Story

On May 18th 2009, 35 weeks pregnant, and at about 9am in the morning I was taken off the IV machine that pumped contraction stopping medications into my system for a little over two months. I felt great and wasn’t feeling any contractions for two hours. The doctors wanted to give me one last ultrasound before they would send me home. I was taken down only to see that my girls were doing great in the belly. I then started to feel a small ache in my belly and asked if they could check me for contractions. Using my smarts, I knew I didn’t want to go home just to have to come back.

The machine showed I was having some but nothing significant. Afterwards I was checked for dilation and their was some. “Go walk around for and hour and come back to get checked.” So I did, and was feeling more pain with every step. The walk showed more dilation and this is when I knew it was time.

I was brought in the Labor and Delivery room where I was monitored more for contractions and changes in my cervix. It was going so much faster than with mylabor for Ian. They decided to break my water. Right after that the pain became worse and worse and I knew it couldn’t be too much longer.

With experience from my last labor, I asked for the epidural about midway. My Husband was such a trooper, holding on to me while they gave it. Not long after that they said the girls would be arriving soon. For precautions with twins, women are hooked to a monitor and ready to be wheeled off to get a c-section. Most twin births end in a c-section.

They had to rush to put the wires on because I already had to push. A few really good pushes later at 8:47pm Gabriella Catherine arrived looking as healthy as ever weighing 2370g. I didn’t know what I was going to name her until I saw her face, but I knew it was Gabriella at first glance.

The midwife had to then squeeze my belly (I remember she was a petite woman and she was holding so hard she was shaking), to hold the next baby in position so she wouldn’t turn. It was time for me to push again. It was strange to me to be pushing another baby out while I was holding one I birthed just a few minutes before.

Gabriella after she just arrived

Out popped Vanessa Lynn at 8:51pm weighing 2440g. They took her away to another corner of the room and put an oxygen mask on her. I was so worried because many people were crowded around her and I couldn’t see what they were doing. I was repeating over and over, “What is wrong with her? Is she okay.” All she needed was a jumpstart of some oxygen since she was born early. I found out after the fact, that it is typical for the second baby.

Vanessa getting oxygen

I was now officially a mom of twins, two pink little baby girls who couldn’t be anymore perfect. My Husband and I spent the rest of the night holding them tight, even though I was sick with a fever and chills after labor.

My labor could not have gone any more perfect.

Ian kissing Gabriella the next day

Happy 3 Months Girls!

The Reality is..

Just me doing my photo thing

Over a month has gone by and my little girls are almost 3 months old. Wow how time has just flown for me. Yesterday my Uncle left and reality of being a mom of 3 has set in. My life now is really all about my kids, and at first I thought one was sorta tough. I love it though! I wouldn’t change this for the world.

Ian is my loving silly typical 2 year old whose favorite word to say is no even when you just look at him or who loves to wave “hello” at his own shadow. My mom brought over a sprinkler ball and he has grown to love it. He pops on his Winne the Pooh rainboots (put on the wrong feet) and runs into it or hides from it like crazy.

The bucket hat, swim diaper, and rain boots outfit by Ian

He is such a loving brother too. He is mostly over his jealousy and likes to get diapers or wipes for them and also enjoys giving them goodnight kisses. These girls are so lucky!

Ian "reading" to Vanessa

The girls have been smiling for a few weeks now and are working up to laughing. They get so close! By two months they were rolling from belly to back. Also, sleep is getting better. They usually are up to feed once a night and wake up from 6-8 for their morning feed. I am still exhausted from being hooked to my pump “all day” and being up with them at night but I realize it is for the best. I know I can’t keep up being the milk source for much longer because school is starting again soon and I need a little bit more of my life back to get everything done, also I am barely able to keep up with them now. I am glad to have given them the best start possible and saving us some money because formula for two isn’t going to be cheap!

Vanessa and Gabriella enjoying their mobile

One of my favorite pictures, Gabriella wondering what is up with with Vanessa being a Diva

That’s all I have for now..see you all soon!

*I started a one photo a week of Ian and myself. I thought it would be a great memory for him to have of the things we did together. Here is week one from last week.

Watching Blues Clues before lunch

Thanks to my Uncle for all his help while he was here. I really enjoyed your visit and will miss you!

I Joined a Photo Club!

Ian and my Mom

Summer is officially here but it isn’t feeling like it here in Switzerland. Today was a jacket, long pants, and umbrella type of day. My mom made use of the sort periods of sunshine to take Ian out to feed the ducks by the creek here. It was nice to get a few minutes to myself. Perfect time to edit my new photos.

My Mom

Yesterday I was able to take sometime out alone to an expat photography club. I brought my mom along with me to enjoy snapping photos. The theme of this shoot was urban/construction. I, for the first time, was able to get one-on-one advice with some pros! I think I did get some pretty decent shots for a person who doesn’t know much of what they are doing.

Part of the Photo Group

A Weed in the City

I can still see there is a lot of room for improvement so here is to wishing the lovely dear Husband will watch the kids again so I can head out to another meet. The next one is a nice walk up a lovely Swiss mountain, too bad it is in the middle of the week!

As always, the rest on flickr.

They're Home, For real!

Life with two newborns and a 2 year old is hectic! I haven’t really had time to indulge in the blogging world recently as you can notice and I miss it! All I have time for right now is a quick update, so ready, set, go…

We brought the Girls home on June 5th because they started drinking like pros, 65ml and gulping it down. Visiting everyday was a challenge but so worth it. They are a joy to have home now but a handful. Ian isn’t adjusting well to the change. The little man has major jealousy issues and loves to tell us “uppa uppa”, meaning put the Girls back in their bassinet. He throws tantrums at dinner, bedtime, and anytime we don’t react immediately to him. Bedtime really is the worst because he will scream and cry if someone isn’t there to fall asleep with him. I really hope that we can get him adjusted soon.

Vanessa 4 weeks old on the playmat

Gabriella 4 weeks old on the playmat

The Girls had their one month appointment this week and have gained weight like crazy! They now are over 3kg each (about 6.5lbs), but they sure love to eat so I am not surprised. They drink 3oz or more ever 2.5 to 3hrs. Breastfeeding really has come to a standstill because they just never seem full and I have to give the bottle afterwards. It has been rough on me to stop but if I give the bottle I know they are getting what they need. I still offer the breast in between meals if they seem fussy (I just can’t fully give it up).

Gabriella and Vanessa

My mom arrived yesterday (yes!!!). The help is so needed because I am a complete zombie. I actually slid on my Husband’s shoes to go out of the house today.

My Mom, Gabriella, and Vanessa

Vanessa and my Mom's hand

Time for the little boogers to suck down some more of my milk!

....As always more pictures on my flickr.

Gabriella under the Blue Light

Gabriella under the Blue Light
Originally uploaded by mrs.steiger

A Quick Update

This will just be a quick update because I just have so much to do! The girls are doing the same. They tend to gain weight, lose a little, gain a little more. It is a slow process, but they are going up. The doctors think it may take them another week at the least to another three weeks. They both get my milk through the bottle and then what is left is put through their feeding tubes. I have noticed in the past couple days they have been just a little more awake during the day.

Vanessa Under the Blue Light

I decided it was best that I go back home to be with Ian and try to get life a little back to normal again. After two and half months I was feeling a little depressed. Yesterday we brought the girls to the hospital in the center of Zurich. They were placed in the Neonatal Care Unit. Next to it was the room for the intensive care babies. I saw one little one born at a little over 800g, so sad. I am just glad my girls are doing as well as they are.

The procedure now is going to visit them everyday and bring my milk over. It was so hard to leave them yesterday. I felt like I was being pulled in two directions, one towards my son and the other towards them. I feel that this is what is right for us now. Ian gets to spend time with us as a family again before the big change of the girls comes and I also get to see the Girls everyday. So now all of my children get to have time with their parents everyday.

4 Days Old- Gabriella and Vanessa

It is stressful no matter which way you do it, but I hope soon for them to drink well so we can be home all together as a family. For those who have to go through this, I really have a new respect for you!

I hope to have another update with fresh pictures soon. As for now, there is so much to do around the home! I didn’t realize how many baby clothes I have to go through and Ian’s clothes still need to be sorted through and fixed up in his new room. Busy Busy…