Presenting, for your approval . . .

[Cutiepie]

Please help me welcome Danny Pie and Tommy Pie to this exciting and wondrous world of ours. They join our family of Honey Pie (my sweet husband), Liam Pie, and of course me (Cutie Pie).

After having to go into the hospital five times to try and stop contractions, the twins decided they had enough and arrived at about 9:30 pm on Saturday, March 22. This placed them at exactly 33 weeks gestational age. They were delivered via C-section because I had already delivered Liam that way and my doctor didn't want to risk tearing the old scar.

Danny was born first, and weighed in at 3 lbs. 14 oz. Tommy came second, but not without a fight. He apparently liked his "built-in pool" and twisted himself into an awkward position to stay there. It took some tugging to get him to come out, and that sure felt weird while under the affects of a spinal block. I can still feel the results of that tug-of-war, even now! He weighed 3 lbs. 6 oz. Both boys are 15 1/2 inches long.

Thanks to the "advanced warning" of Tommy not seeming to be growing properly, I was able to get steroid shots about two weeks before they finally came. That meant that their lungs were pretty well developed, they didn't require ventilators, and have been on "room" air from first breath onward.

Now, they are in the cycle of gaining enough weight that they can maintain their body heat (which burns a lot of calories), and still have enough calories left to maintain the added weight. Kind of tricky, but they can do it.

They are little darlings (what else would a mother say?) and I hated to have to leave them behind in the NICU when I was discharged. It isn't any easier to leave again now, after a visit, but I know that is the best place for them to be right now. I take in breast milk for them every day, and get to hold them for about 30 minutes each, then they have to go back into their Isolettes for warmth. I usually manage not to cry when I let the nurse take them.

Tommy, who was the one we were actually most worried about (being the smaller) is actually quite feisty. He eats better than his brother, and is frequently in motion. He has returned to his birth weight and gained a bit beyond that. He weighs 3 lbs. 7 oz currently.

Danny wiggles his fair share too, but he needs to be woken and burped BEFORE he will finish his bottles. He hasn't yet managed to regain the bit of weight he's lost since birth (down to 3 lbs 11 oz) but he's working on it. **As of Mar. 30, Danny has regained his birth weight! He is now 3 lbs 15 oz. **

They are NOT identical, and Danny actually looks just like Liam did at birth (with the exception of being four pounds lighter). Tommy resembles my favorite Uncle more than his twin, but there will never be a doubt that they are brothers.

**Edit** I have changed my mind and decided that it is just too early to decide if they are actually identical or not. Since they are so very tiny, the 8 oz difference in size is a HUGE difference, and so I just can't be certain.

I had to re-attach the pictures, so there are "new" ones included. The one of me in profile is to show just how tiny the boys actually were. It's Tommy that I'm holding there. Otherwise, it is Danny in my left hand and Tommy in the right one.

[stripe]

Congratulation. They are adorable. Praying you get to take them home real soon.

[sdevries]

Hi,

How adorable they are!!!!!! Welcome to this world sweeties.
Congrats to you Cutiepie and to your DH!!!!!!!

Hugs for the twins and yourself,

Simone

[Sonje]

So glad everything turned out so well. They are real sweetiepies. Look fighting fit. They will be home soon. Hugs for the whole family. :)

[kathilynne]

Beautiful babies!! Remember to find time for you, kick your feet up and relax. Congratulations to your family.

[ScreenBags]

Welcome! And best wishes to the entire family.

Thanks for sharing your news. We look forward to hearing more in the near future.

Susan

[marji]

Cutiepie, how beautiful they are!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to show us!! Oh, I'm just so happy everybody is ok!! Now the old Auntie who doesn't even like kids is gonna go cry for joy, see what you did, LOL LOL. Love you,

Marji

[godiva89123]

They don't even look extra small, just newborn. Keep sending photos.

Congrats!
Godiva89123
Dea Ann

[Silver]

With so many loving people behind you can you feel our cyber-hugs!?

They are beautiful little boys. I am most certainly thrilled to hear you are all doing well too.
We are right there with you in heart and spirit.......

Hugs
always-
Silver

[quiltersblock]

Congratulations! And welcome to the beautiful boys!
Thank you for sharing and hope you'll update us on their progress.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Hugs and Smiles,
quiltersblock

[mumbeeni]

Congatulations on being patient, following your doctor's orders and managing to keep this handsome pair "inside" until they could breate properly.
Hugs to the whole family.
Love from mumbeeni in Surrey, UK

[cordura5]

How cute!

I understand what you are saying about it being hard to leave. My daughter was in NICU and I was going everyday and staying ALL DAY. I was so caught up in her that I forgot to drink water all the time and barely remembered to eat. After a week, my husband had to take me to the ER because I was so dizzy I couldn't even open my eyes without it making me sick. They had to give me two whole pints of fluids just to get me back to normal!

So to make a long story short, DON'T FORGOT YOUR WATER BOTTLE! Oh, and keep pumping girl. Stick with it and it pays off in the end. I did for a whole month before my little girl could nurse. Now she is almost four and smart as a whip! They say that the longer you breastfeed, the more it boosts their IQ. A little incentive for ya.

Best of luck to you and keep us posted...

Heather

[Stacylynn]

YAAA!!!
i was just thinking of you fri, while waiting at the cutting table at jo-ann's i started chatting with another women who was a week over due with twins and my thoughts immediately went to you!
so glad you're all well, stay strong they'll be home before you know it
stacylynn

[twinsplus1]

How precious! Congratulations x 2!! I am so happy for you and your family. I know they will grow fast and stay healthy, and in no time they will be running around with Liam! Enjoy them every single day, because they grow oh so fast, but don't forget to take time for yourself.

They are adorable; so glad to hear that everyone is doing well.

Take care of yourself and keep us posted when you get a chance.

By the way, they were born on my birthday!! I'm honored to share the same birthday with them!

Best wishes to you and your family!
Twinsplus1

[gailalston]

What beautiful babies!!
Thank you for sharing your joy with us.

[grannyof9]

I didn't notice this obvious post earlier, as i would just run in to the forum to see who to vote for!

Congratulations, Cutiepie on the two new cuties. Even though I didn't notice the thread, I didn't forget about you and your growing family. You have all been in my prayers. I am just thrilled to read how the boys are gaining weight!

Ann
(Granny of 9 - which includes 2 sets of twins.)

[Cutiepie]

Well, they are now five months old, and I thought I ought to give everyone a peek at how much they are growing and how cute they are now.

By the way, we know for sure that they are fraternal and not identical because they have different blood types.

I had to reattach pictures and couldn't locate the originals, so the pictures in my posts are "new" ones. Hope you like them.

[twinsplus1]

How adorable! Thanks, Cutiepie, for posting a new pic. They are just precious! They do grow soooooooo fast! I know, my twin girls just turned 13 last week, and I can still remember when they were that small.

To me, they look like they are identical, but one is bigger than the other, so the difference in weight makes them look different.

Hope everything is going better for you now, glad to have you back!

Take care!
Twinsplus1

[marji]

Oh, Cutiepie!! How adorable they are!! I love the look in their eyes, full of ginger. Caption for the picture: "Just wait till we can walk, brother, then we'll show 'em!!" So much personality in just one camera click. You must be so proud & happy, what a wonderful gift you have given to the world. Thanks so much for the update!!
Much love,
Marji

[Silver]

It's been 5 months?????? Gee they are just darlin'!
Hugs and kisses for all!
'Auntie' Silver