Lots to catch up on...

Hi everyone -
Brian and I were blessed with two precious baby boys on January 27. Everyone told us our lives would never be the same, and we completely understand now!
Lincoln Joseph arrived at 12:43 p.m., weighting 6 lbs. 5 ounces, and was 20 1/4 inches long.
Jackson Thomas was close behind at 12:44 p.m., topping the scale at 6 lbs. 10 ounces, and was 20 inches long.
I know two boys was in the minority for the blog poll, but we LOVE our boys!
Both boys were healthy...the biggest concern being a little bit of jaundice, but that's all better now!
We had lots of visitors in the hospital...Maw-ma and Paw-pa, Uncle Rodney, Uncle Aaron, Aunt Lyn and Uncle RJ, Dick, Brenda, Uncle Bryce, Jenny Tallarigo, and Katie Balogh. Thank you all for coming and spending time with us!
We left the hospital on Saturday, January 30 together as a family, which was another prayer answered for us.
On Sunday, cousins Lylah and Knox got to meet us - they were at the hospital on Wednesday, but weren't allowed in to visit us. We expect to have lots of fun in the future with our cousins!
Our first week home was spent learning a lot about the babies (and they learned a lot about us).
Brian and I worked hard to try to get the babies on the same schedule, and to figure out the best way to organize things around the house. We are all doing pretty well, but we know that we'll continue to work on these things as the boys needs change.
The boys had their first visit with the pediatrician on February 4th. The doctor was a bit concerned that they weren't back up to their birth weight, so he asked us to supplement feeding, and come back in a week. When we returned on February 12th, Lincoln gained 15 ounces and was up to 6 lbs. 12 ounces (from 5 lbs. 13 ounces the week before), and Jackson was up to 7 lbs. 5 ounces (up over a lb. from 6 lbs. 4 ounces). We return for their one month check up on March 1. The boys continue to eat well, and seem to grow bigger each and every day.
We've spent a lot of time at home for a multitude of reasons - wanting to protect the boys from the cold and all the germs outside; it's snowed a lot and the roads were horrible; and also - it's difficult to take 2 little babies out!
However, we did take the boys to church for the first time on Saturday, February 6. We wanted to do a trial run before their baptism. The boys were great - not one peep out of either of them throughout the entire mass. We got a lot of double takes - but I guess we should expect a lot of that!
The boys were baptized on February 13 at St. Susanna Church during the 5:00 mass. They were again perfect angels throughout the entire mass - never even shed a tear during the actual pouring of the water. Thanks to Aunt Lyn, Uncle RJ, Aunt Lori, and Jay for being Godparents for the boys!
The baptism day was a big day...filled with more visitors for the first time. The boys met Aunt Rachelle, cousins Peyten and Addison, Great Aunt Pam and Great Uncle John, Great Aunt Shirley, Grandma Hart, Aunt Beth, Uncle Sean, cousins Joey, Katelin, Alissa, and Seth, Barb and Pat, Jay, Tracy and Ashley, and Donna. It was a really great day spent with family and friends. The boys are very lucky to have so many people in their lives.
This past week, Brian returned to work, but Lyn and the kids stayed behind to help out with the boys. We really can't thank Aunt Lyn enough for helping with feedings, laundry, diaper changes, and bottle washing. We were sad to see them all leave to go home, and look forward to seeing them in a few weeks for Lylah's birthday.
This coming week will be filled with catching up on many things - writing thank you notes, and getting the nursery all set up. We promise to write more soon!
Love, Kate, Brian, Lincoln, and Jackson

12 days to go!

Hi everyone -
I know that for the past 30 weeks or so, you've been patiently awaiting our arrival, and many of you thought that we would be here by now. However, as you see, it is really nice and warm where we are, and we've heard that it is very cold outside! So, we really aren't in any hurry to come out yet!
Mommy and Daddy went to the doctor today for their weekly visit. They did an ultrasound to see what position we are in, and to ensure we are still growing. The doctor told them that we are both still breech - or right side up when they really wanted us to be upside down. So, unfortunately they are going to have to come in and get us cause otherwise, we may not ever come out. The C-section is scheduled for 1/27 at 12:30 p.m., so probably by 2:00 or so that afternoon you should all know if we are boys, girls, or one of each.
They measured us today, but they aren't sure their estimates are very accurate for Right. They are estimating Right is 5 1/2 pounds, but they had some difficulties with the head measurement, so they think the weight may be a bit underestimated. Left on the other hand is still winning the weight battle, and is estimated to be 6 pounds 3 ounces - exactly where Mommy was hoping.

Mommy and Daddy got some other good news today as well...Maw-ma is getting out of the hospital either tonight or tomorrow morning! This is very good, as she should be able to travel down to be here with us on our birthday! She was very worried she wouldn't be able to make it. Mommy and Daddy have been telling us both to just hang on, which is the other reason we haven't come out yet.

Mommy has been slowing down a bit over the past few weeks, but everyone continues to tell her how great she looks - especially for having twins! Her feet and legs are very swelled, and she gets tired very easily, but overall, she's doing well. Please pray for her over the next 12 days that she can find some comfort!

Thank you all for continuing to think of us. We look forward to meeting you all soon!

Love,
Left and Right Hart

What does it mean to be rich?

My entry today is inspired by my dad. :-)

Many people think that being rich is about how much money or how many possessions they have. However, in my eyes, my parents are the richest people on earth, and it has nothing to do with money or possessions.
In December, my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Throughout those 40 years, my parents have endured many life challenges. They have lost jobs, but still found a way to pay the bills . They have lost parents, and found a way to grieve while keeping the memories of their parents alive. They have watched their children grow up and move away, but still find time for weekend visits. My parents have survived, because they've always faced things together.
The month since my parents' anniversary hasn't been any different...they have faced their next struggle together.
On December 7, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer.
When they shared the news with us on their anniversary, Mom assured all of us that she didn't feel sick, and that the doctor was very confident that they had caught this early. She never said "if"...always said "when she beats this". I believe this was as much for her as it was for us, and it was definitely the attitude that we all needed to tackle this obstacle.
My mom had surgery on January 7, with my dad, my sisters and my brother at her side. She also knew that Rod and I would have given anything to be there with all of them, and we sent our love and prayers.
The day of the surgery was a stressful day for all, but we all survived by leaning on each other. Friday mom was talking a bit, sitting in a chair and making progress. Saturday she took a few steps. By Sunday, she was definitely on the road to recovery.
However, the best news came last night (Monday), when the doctor shared the results of the pathology report with mom - it was Stage 1. No chemo. No radiation.
God continues to bless our family with all the riches that we need. He's given my parents the opportunity to continue through life together, and to look forward to all that life has in store for their children and grandchildren.
For us, that's what it means to be rich.
How rich are you?

What did the doctor say this week?

Today, I am 35 weeks and 2 days into my pregnancy!
We had our weekly appointment today, and the doctor told us exactly what we wanted to hear (well, some of what she said was what we wanted to hear, and some of it was actually kind of mean when I think back on it).
First, they did my strep test today, so we'll need to wait to find out the results of that. Nothing major if it comes back positive - just need to take a bunch of antibiotics before delivery.
Next, she said - wow, you are big! (This is the part that looking back was kind of mean) However, considering I am ALL belly with these babies, she is right. My belly has gotten quite big. She measured my belly, and we checked for the heartbeats.
Doctor asked about movement...I'm still feeling these little boogers moving everywhere, so that's a good thing.
Lastly, she checked my cervix, and the babies are still very high (they haven't dropped) and my cervix is still closed...so then she said these babies may stay in there till they are adults! We were really hoping they would tell us that these babies weren't coming any time soon, so this made us very happy.
Right now, the 27th is looking like the day. 20 more days...and that's really what we want. Hopefully Maw-ma will be fully recovered and able to come and meet our little wonders on the 27th. Plus, the doctor said today that judging by the size of my belly, we have good sized babies. She's very confident that both babies will be able to stay in the room with Brian and me after delivery, and will not have to go to the NICU. This also means that we'll all get to come home as a family. This is all that we have prayed for over the last 35 weeks!
So, our next appointment is Friday January 15th. We'll have an ultrasound to check the growth of the babies, and see the doctor. Hopefully, we hear what we heard today again, and we'll continue waiting to welcome our little ones on the 27th.
Please pray that these babies don't decide to come before the 27th, and please pray for my mom's recovery so that she is able to be here with us soon after the babies arrive.

Thank you all for your love and support over the past 8 months!
Love,
Kate, Brian, and the babies

Week 35 comes to a close...

Hi everyone -
Week 35 is coming to a close today, and week 36 is just beginning. Making it this far is such a milestone in our journey! At this point, each day is something to celebrate.
We've made a lot of progress over the past week. We finally ordered baby furniture for the nursery. We have almost all of the baby clothes, blankets, burp cloths, etc. washed up and ready for our little bundles of joy. We also made a trip to BabiesRUs to purchase some of the last remaining items we think we need.
We have a few things to do yet - like pack our bags for the hospital, put the car seat bases in the car, and pick out names. However, these seem like very small tasks compared to some of the things that were on our to-do list a few weeks ago!
We have an appointment scheduled for Thursday to see how things are going, and they are planning to do another ultrasound next Friday (1/15) to check on the growth of our little miracles. We are hoping that our journey continues for a few more weeks so we can iron out those final details, and have 2 very healthy babies enter this world.
We'll post more information once we have it.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Kate

Cruising at the start of week 35 - who would have thought?

Hi everyone -
Yes, we have successfully completed week 34 and are cruising at the begining of week 35! Well, cruising may be a bit of an embellishment, as the extra weight is taking its toll on my hips, and making it harder to get around, but we are surviving!
Months ago we set a goal to make it through the holidays. Some had their reservations (mom), but here we are...on the verge of the new year, and everything is still going very well for a multiple pregnancy!
Brian talked at the beginning about how cool it would be to have one baby just before midnight on NYE, and the other just after midnight...that way they'd have their own birthdays, and even be born in different years (and decades)! However, now I think he is really hoping that we make it as far along as possible to ensure that we have 2 healthy babies that we can bring home once they arrive. So, after we make it to Friday morning, then we strive to make it to January 12th (the end of my 36 weeks), then after that, our target will be January 27th!
Since the new year is upon us, it is only fitting to reflect on 2009, and for us, specifically the past 34 weeks. I realized today that so much has changed, and these babies haven't even arrived yet! So many people have told us that "things will never be the same" - usually in the context of not sleeping, chaos, and learning to be completely unselfish. However, I see how many things have changed already - in a very good way.
For example...Brian. 36 weeks ago if someone would have asked me what my biggest concern was with having a baby, I probably would have told them...

1. Brian would panic at the first sign of a contraction and want to rush to the hospital. However, our childbirth classes were very beneficial in educating Brian that this is a process - and these babies aren't coming after the first contraction. Now, I'm concerned that he'll want to watch the end of the football game/tv show/whatever and put off going to the hospital for as long as possible.
2. Brian would probably be on a gurny in the delivery room next to me, as he would faint at the first sign of blood/fluid, etc. However, again, the childbirth classes were pretty graphic, and he survived them. Now, he is disappointed that he won't be able to cut the umbilical cord because we'll have to do a C-section.
3. Brian would not change a single diaper. But now, he has changed 1 1/2 diapers of Lylah's, and he watched as I changed one of Knox's diapers. He's pretty sure that if it's his own kid, he can do it! (I'm really hoping he can, cause otherwise, I'll be doing nothing BUT changing diapers for the next few months!)

In all seriousness, 34 weeks ago I was fairly certain that Brian would be an amazing dad. Now, I KNOW without a doubt that he will be. He is already concerned with their safety (and mine), and he loves us all so much. He can't hide his excitement when we go through the baby clothes, or try to figure out the toys that we have for the babies already. He beems with pride when he talks to the babies (wishing them a good morning or telling them goodnight, which are always combined with hugs for all of us). And the look of amazement on his face when he puts his hand on my belly and gets to feel one of them roll over or struggle with the hickups - it's priceless.

We still have much to do to prepare for the babies, but someone told us along the way that as long as you have two arms to wrap your baby in, they really don't need much else. And we definitely have a lot of love to give these two little babies!

So, we ask for your prayers that our journey continues for a few more weeks, and remain uneventful and healthy. Thank you all for your love and support during this time.

Love,

Kate, Brian, and the babies

32 week update - from last Thursday 12/17

Hi everyone -
We had our 32 week ultrasound last Thursday - time just continues to fly!
The babies and I are all doing great still. It's a little hard to make things out on the ultrasound now as the babies are getting bigger and they are running out of room. However, everything still looks good, and they are ACTIVE babies!
Measurements last week estimated Baby A at 4 pounds, 4 ounces, and Baby B at 4 pounds 9 ounces - so most likely I have around 8 pounds of baby I'm carrying already!
My blood pressure is still normal, and no sign of protein, so little risk of pre-eclampsia. My cervis is still closed - which makes ALL of us very happy.
I've had a bit of an issue for the past few weeks with swelling in my feet - only shoes I can get on are my tennis shoes. So, I look like a dork, but overall, still feeling well.
The one bit of bad news that we received is that Baby A didn't get the memo, and is breech (butt down). So, right now the doctors are plannign a C-section to deliver these babies. :-( Not what we were hoping for, but all things considered, we'll deal with it.
The doctor indicated that they will not let me go past 38 weeks, so we currently have a C-section scheduled for Jaunary 27th at 12:30 p.m. Of course, anything could happen before then (go into labor, my water could break, etc.), but right now that's the plan! That should give us 2 very healthy babies that we can bring home from the hospital, and we should still be able to have the baptism on 2/13!
I have an appt. this afternoon, so another post will follow later.
Please continue to pray for all of us - we'd really like to make it to January 27th!
Love to all...
Kate, Brian and the babies.