We have been working pretty hard on breastfeeding to every 3 hours and the kids have been troopers. We aren't militaristic about the schedule - but we know it is super-important to keep them on a schedule in the daytime so that they would sleep longer at night. So, in the daytime we wake them up for their feedings. At night, we wake up when they do, and don't feed them until the 2 1/2 hour mark. Well, last night - they slept through one of their feeding times - just completely blew through it - and woke up in time for their next feeding at 7am. Merry Christmas to all!!
It still remains to be seen if they will do that again - but it sure was nice of them to do that for Mommy and Daddy.
Happy Jesus' birthday to all!
Marie Armitage
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Our first Dr. Appointment
**warning - this is a rambling blog, I'm really tired. :-) **
On Monday, The babies got to meet their new pediatrician, Dr. Frank McGehee. He is part of the Cook's Children's hospital pediatric group. Great News. Noah is up to 5 lbs 14 oz - gaining on his sister who has gained back her birthweight plus one ounce - 6lbs 9oz.
Both babies are very healthy - I was worried about some yellow crusties in their right eyes - but Dr. McGehee encouraged me that they were just blocked tear ducts. Easily fixable by providing simple acupressure below their eye - close to their nose - at each feeding time.
The babies went home and slept while I went to a second dr. appointment. I went to get the carpel tunnel checked out. The hand doctor gave me some steroid shots to help me regain the use of my fingers and be able to take care of the munchkins. The extent of the pain/numbness on my right hand are all of my fingers except my pinky - and on my left hand my middle and ring finger are tingly/numb. The pain was keeping me awake - even when I was using braces on my wrists when I slept. THIS is why I haven't been able to type blogs or text since getting out of the hospital. The pain is still there, but I've noticed small successes each day as a result of the steroid shots.
Chad has been awesome - changing diapers and swaddling the kids - and of course, taking care of me. I am so blessed.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!
Love
M
On Monday, The babies got to meet their new pediatrician, Dr. Frank McGehee. He is part of the Cook's Children's hospital pediatric group. Great News. Noah is up to 5 lbs 14 oz - gaining on his sister who has gained back her birthweight plus one ounce - 6lbs 9oz.
Both babies are very healthy - I was worried about some yellow crusties in their right eyes - but Dr. McGehee encouraged me that they were just blocked tear ducts. Easily fixable by providing simple acupressure below their eye - close to their nose - at each feeding time.
The babies went home and slept while I went to a second dr. appointment. I went to get the carpel tunnel checked out. The hand doctor gave me some steroid shots to help me regain the use of my fingers and be able to take care of the munchkins. The extent of the pain/numbness on my right hand are all of my fingers except my pinky - and on my left hand my middle and ring finger are tingly/numb. The pain was keeping me awake - even when I was using braces on my wrists when I slept. THIS is why I haven't been able to type blogs or text since getting out of the hospital. The pain is still there, but I've noticed small successes each day as a result of the steroid shots.
Chad has been awesome - changing diapers and swaddling the kids - and of course, taking care of me. I am so blessed.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!
Love
M
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Our Labor Day
I went into the OB for a regular check-up on December 11 and was diagnosed with preclampsia - so I was admitted into Harris Downtown and had a C-section that afternoon.
Naomi Debre was born at 4:19pm - 6lbs7oz 17.8in long
Noah Dawitt (Dah-wheat) was born at 4:20 - 5lbs8oz - 17.1in long.
Little Naomi swallowed some miconium during delivery so she was taken to the NICU and stayed there until 12/15. Noah was put in the room with me. I lost a lot of blood, so I did end up having a transfusion of a couple units of blood and was not released from the hospital until 12/16. I've also had increased pain from my pregnancy Carpel Tunnel in my right hand. My husband stayed in the hospital room with me and took care of visiting and feeding Naomi since I was stuck in bed for most of our hospital visit.
In Him - Marie Armitage (Chad, Naomi, and Noah)
P.S. the middle names are Ethiopian translations of Deborah and David. My Mom is from Ethiopia, so these are a connection to their Ethiopian heritage.
Naomi Debre was born at 4:19pm - 6lbs7oz 17.8in long
Noah Dawitt (Dah-wheat) was born at 4:20 - 5lbs8oz - 17.1in long.
Little Naomi swallowed some miconium during delivery so she was taken to the NICU and stayed there until 12/15. Noah was put in the room with me. I lost a lot of blood, so I did end up having a transfusion of a couple units of blood and was not released from the hospital until 12/16. I've also had increased pain from my pregnancy Carpel Tunnel in my right hand. My husband stayed in the hospital room with me and took care of visiting and feeding Naomi since I was stuck in bed for most of our hospital visit.
In Him - Marie Armitage (Chad, Naomi, and Noah)
P.S. the middle names are Ethiopian translations of Deborah and David. My Mom is from Ethiopia, so these are a connection to their Ethiopian heritage.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Update from Marie
I'm back - Thank you Corinne for updating the blog since the babies got here. I am home - on good drugs for the c-section and the carpel tunnel in my right hand. Both of those should clear up in the next few weeks.
Baby Noah is doing well. He is such a sweet little guy. He has his eyes opened most of the time - curiously looking around and almost always making some sweet baby noises that make his mommy and daddy's heart melt. He eats in smaller portions, but is already back at his original birth weight.
Baby Naomi is also doing really well. She is a little bigger then Noah - growing at a slower pace as if she is waiting for him to catch up. She is very strong for a baby - when she was in NICU she kept pulling her tubes out and tried bending a splint they put on her arm for an IV. Daddy said she had a white knuckle fist while trying to bend the splint.
They are up to sleeping 4 hours or so between feedings. They are sharing a crib in our bedroom - which has helped them immensely. This is way better then separated sleeping at the hospital.
love y'all. thanks for the prayers!
Marie
Baby Noah is doing well. He is such a sweet little guy. He has his eyes opened most of the time - curiously looking around and almost always making some sweet baby noises that make his mommy and daddy's heart melt. He eats in smaller portions, but is already back at his original birth weight.
Baby Naomi is also doing really well. She is a little bigger then Noah - growing at a slower pace as if she is waiting for him to catch up. She is very strong for a baby - when she was in NICU she kept pulling her tubes out and tried bending a splint they put on her arm for an IV. Daddy said she had a white knuckle fist while trying to bend the splint.
They are up to sleeping 4 hours or so between feedings. They are sharing a crib in our bedroom - which has helped them immensely. This is way better then separated sleeping at the hospital.
love y'all. thanks for the prayers!
Marie
Thursday, December 18, 2008
~another very quick note~
While I am pretty much out of the loop right now (due to how much I am currently at work) I will update as much as I know of the family. :-)
Marie and the babies (BOTH OF THEM) were able to come home on Tuesday night. They are VERY MUCH enjoying their own beds.
Chads mom and dad are going to be in town for the rest of the month, and our two nieces Semira and Nieema came up from houston and college station this weekend.
Joes parents are going to be in town for a few days, and then Chads sister and family will be here on Christmas day for a week.
They have much love and plenty of hands in the house for these initial few weeks!
Marie and the babies (BOTH OF THEM) were able to come home on Tuesday night. They are VERY MUCH enjoying their own beds.
Chads mom and dad are going to be in town for the rest of the month, and our two nieces Semira and Nieema came up from houston and college station this weekend.
Joes parents are going to be in town for a few days, and then Chads sister and family will be here on Christmas day for a week.
They have much love and plenty of hands in the house for these initial few weeks!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
~just a quick note~
Hey guys!
I did not get a chance to get a lot of info bout marie and the babies yesterday, but I did find out that little naomi is officially out of the NICU and with her brother and mom!!
YAY!!!
They are still in the hospital as of this morning. The Doctor is keeping marie and again I apologize im not entirely sure why. Joe has said it is continued effects of the pre-eclampsia that caused her to have to have the babies early in the first place. Again we could be mistaken but I will find out more today.
~Corinne
I did not get a chance to get a lot of info bout marie and the babies yesterday, but I did find out that little naomi is officially out of the NICU and with her brother and mom!!
YAY!!!
They are still in the hospital as of this morning. The Doctor is keeping marie and again I apologize im not entirely sure why. Joe has said it is continued effects of the pre-eclampsia that caused her to have to have the babies early in the first place. Again we could be mistaken but I will find out more today.
~Corinne
Sunday, December 14, 2008
~The official WORD of Aunt Corinne~ :-)
HELLO EVERYONE!!
I finally got the info for marie's "baby" blog so that I can stop the daily text fest ;-). Joe and I got home not too long ago from visiting the family Armitage at the hospital. Marie is doing well! She is resting as she can, and working VERY hard with nursing both Noah and Naomi. Her spirits are high as Marie tends to be, I am encouraged by Marie each time I see her! (On a completely personal note....I MISS MY FRIEND! I will be SOOO HAPPY when they come home :-) ).
Noah is amazing! He was born and dubbed "baby B" but has been quite the little trooper. Officially he was born at 4:20 pm on Dec 11th weighing in at 5lbs 8ozs and measuring 17in. long. He is with mommie, nursing and sleeping well, and letting EVERYONE know if he is the least bit uncomfortable. We are all catering to his needs sufficiently I think!
Precious Naomi is quite the strong little lady! She was born and dubbed "baby A" and is showing the world she means it! :-) Officially she was born at 4:19pm on Dec 11th weighing in at a whopping 6lbs 7oz and measuring 19in (they originally thought she was only 17 but that was corrected once they got her to the NICU). Naomi did have some fluid in her lungs so shortly after being taken from mom and dad the first time on the 11th she was brought to the NICU and put on a CPAP to help build her lungs. She HAS BEEN taken off of all of the machines as of today and the IV as well. She is nursing with marie (when we can get her to wake up :-) ) and we are hopeful she will get out of her "baby prison" and join her brother with Marie and Chad tomorrow.
Chad has been the foundation of the family. He has been completely tireless in taking care of Marie, Noah and Naomi. There isn't a second when he can be down with Naomi that he has missed, and at the same time he is shouldering Marie and Noahs needs as well. Chad is a fantastic poppa and I am SO PROUD of him.
Marie wanted to make sure that I tell everyone THANK YOU for all of your prayers and well wishes. Please continue to pray for Naomi as she is getting stronger so that she will be able to come out of the NICU and home with the rest of the family.
We are all hoping they can be home tomorrow, but at the same time want to make sure they are all healthy and strong enough to make the trip.
~Corinne
I finally got the info for marie's "baby" blog so that I can stop the daily text fest ;-). Joe and I got home not too long ago from visiting the family Armitage at the hospital. Marie is doing well! She is resting as she can, and working VERY hard with nursing both Noah and Naomi. Her spirits are high as Marie tends to be, I am encouraged by Marie each time I see her! (On a completely personal note....I MISS MY FRIEND! I will be SOOO HAPPY when they come home :-) ).
Noah is amazing! He was born and dubbed "baby B" but has been quite the little trooper. Officially he was born at 4:20 pm on Dec 11th weighing in at 5lbs 8ozs and measuring 17in. long. He is with mommie, nursing and sleeping well, and letting EVERYONE know if he is the least bit uncomfortable. We are all catering to his needs sufficiently I think!
Precious Naomi is quite the strong little lady! She was born and dubbed "baby A" and is showing the world she means it! :-) Officially she was born at 4:19pm on Dec 11th weighing in at a whopping 6lbs 7oz and measuring 19in (they originally thought she was only 17 but that was corrected once they got her to the NICU). Naomi did have some fluid in her lungs so shortly after being taken from mom and dad the first time on the 11th she was brought to the NICU and put on a CPAP to help build her lungs. She HAS BEEN taken off of all of the machines as of today and the IV as well. She is nursing with marie (when we can get her to wake up :-) ) and we are hopeful she will get out of her "baby prison" and join her brother with Marie and Chad tomorrow.
Chad has been the foundation of the family. He has been completely tireless in taking care of Marie, Noah and Naomi. There isn't a second when he can be down with Naomi that he has missed, and at the same time he is shouldering Marie and Noahs needs as well. Chad is a fantastic poppa and I am SO PROUD of him.
Marie wanted to make sure that I tell everyone THANK YOU for all of your prayers and well wishes. Please continue to pray for Naomi as she is getting stronger so that she will be able to come out of the NICU and home with the rest of the family.
We are all hoping they can be home tomorrow, but at the same time want to make sure they are all healthy and strong enough to make the trip.
~Corinne
Monday, December 8, 2008
Mom and Dad Armitage made it
They came in Sunday night - we had a great weekend. I rested all day Friday then went to see Bolt with Paul and Alberta's family and Joe and Joe and Corinne's family. We were sure to find a reclining seat in the Theater. It was great to see it as a family - I was in a some pain - I pushed it a little but didn't have any regular contractions. Chad was sure to get to take care of me that night.
I slept most of the day on Saturday with similar intentions. We drove over to Anamia's Mexican Restaurant in Southlake and had a triple date with Kerry and Amy, Joe and Corinne. We only get to see them about 2 or 3x a year. I took this night way slower then Friday - I'm glad I slept most of the day. We had such a great time with them. I miss my friends. but it won't take long for me to be burried in baby stuff. I hope to get to see them and the rest of you who are reading this blog in '09.
Oh, then Sunday Mom and Dad Armitage came. I slept most of the day, they came in late so I was resting when they got here around 9. Monday - today - Chad was at work and they spent a majority of the day helping me organize and sleep. Now we are watching Hoodwinked before we head to bed.
Love y'all,
Marie A.
I slept most of the day on Saturday with similar intentions. We drove over to Anamia's Mexican Restaurant in Southlake and had a triple date with Kerry and Amy, Joe and Corinne. We only get to see them about 2 or 3x a year. I took this night way slower then Friday - I'm glad I slept most of the day. We had such a great time with them. I miss my friends. but it won't take long for me to be burried in baby stuff. I hope to get to see them and the rest of you who are reading this blog in '09.
Oh, then Sunday Mom and Dad Armitage came. I slept most of the day, they came in late so I was resting when they got here around 9. Monday - today - Chad was at work and they spent a majority of the day helping me organize and sleep. Now we are watching Hoodwinked before we head to bed.
Love y'all,
Marie A.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Big-er babies
Yesterday, my parents, Chad and I went to see Dr. Tabor for our 36 week checkup. The doctor wouldn't let me schedule a C-section on December 12 because the babies will only be 37 weeks along at that point. He recommended we wait one more week before any sort of planned labor. Of course, if I go into labor, they won't stop it.
I'm still shooting for Dec 12.
My oldest sister has dibs on Dec 8.
Chad thinks Dec 18 (since that is when the doc would induce labor).
The doc also measured the babies.
Noah gained almost an entire pound (+15 oz) now weighing in at 5lbs 9oz.
Naomi gained a little less (+13oz) but still much larger then her brother at 6lb 14oz.
Total? 12lbs 7oz of baby.
Yes. it hurts. No. I can't walk around much - I am utterly dependant on others to take care of me if I expect to make it till the 12.
Marie
I'm still shooting for Dec 12.
My oldest sister has dibs on Dec 8.
Chad thinks Dec 18 (since that is when the doc would induce labor).
The doc also measured the babies.
Noah gained almost an entire pound (+15 oz) now weighing in at 5lbs 9oz.
Naomi gained a little less (+13oz) but still much larger then her brother at 6lb 14oz.
Total? 12lbs 7oz of baby.
Yes. it hurts. No. I can't walk around much - I am utterly dependant on others to take care of me if I expect to make it till the 12.
Marie
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Glazed Donuts and Strawberry Milk
This has been my latest craving. My parents are at the store getting some for me now. The babies seem to like - no LOVE - my mom's Ethiopian food. That's held me together for the past few months. I've literally eaten her homemade Ethiopian nightly.
I am almost always in pain. I figure they are big enough that they are running out of room in there.
Thanks for the prayers,
Please keep them coming -
Marie A.
I am almost always in pain. I figure they are big enough that they are running out of room in there.
Thanks for the prayers,
Please keep them coming -
Marie A.
Monday, December 1, 2008
In Labor? Not so much
I've been having contractions since about 8pm.
Its been over an hour of very painful contractions - 4-6 minutes apart
My parents are took me to the hospital around 10:30 pm. Chad and I were both hoping for a false alarm, but were assured that 36 weeks is fine for twins (Thanks Tiffany).
We did get what we hoped for - no more dilation, fewer contractions once I was put on the monitor and a really nice nurse.
Thanks for your prayers.
Blessings,
Marie (& Fam)
Oh, Chad came from work and made it to the hospital before we got there - he is the most wonderful husband ever. He is doing a great job caring for me.
Its been over an hour of very painful contractions - 4-6 minutes apart
My parents are took me to the hospital around 10:30 pm. Chad and I were both hoping for a false alarm, but were assured that 36 weeks is fine for twins (Thanks Tiffany).
We did get what we hoped for - no more dilation, fewer contractions once I was put on the monitor and a really nice nurse.
Thanks for your prayers.
Blessings,
Marie (& Fam)
Oh, Chad came from work and made it to the hospital before we got there - he is the most wonderful husband ever. He is doing a great job caring for me.
Made it to December!
I am thrilled we make it do December. Now we are on baby watch. God willing, 12 more days. I spent yesterday sleeping. I think I was only awake for about 7 hours. The babies are so active. Its awesome.
My parents got here last night and its nice to have them around while Chad concentrates on work. He woke up a couple of times last night talking about VOIP. That's what happens when you are becoming a Unified Messaging expert and you approach new things they way my DH does. He is throwing himself in and learning so much every day that he is at work. I am really thankful that he doesn't have to worry about me or the babies. He was a little worried when I was at home alone. Now that I have Mom and Dad here, he can concentrate more fully at work.
I was awake today at 11 am. Now, I am ready for another nap. I can only assume they are sucking all my energy and growing. I'm glad - the more weight they gain now, the better their chances are of being healthy and sleeping through the night earlier.
naptime.
Please keep up those prayers. God bless y'all -
Marie
My parents got here last night and its nice to have them around while Chad concentrates on work. He woke up a couple of times last night talking about VOIP. That's what happens when you are becoming a Unified Messaging expert and you approach new things they way my DH does. He is throwing himself in and learning so much every day that he is at work. I am really thankful that he doesn't have to worry about me or the babies. He was a little worried when I was at home alone. Now that I have Mom and Dad here, he can concentrate more fully at work.
I was awake today at 11 am. Now, I am ready for another nap. I can only assume they are sucking all my energy and growing. I'm glad - the more weight they gain now, the better their chances are of being healthy and sleeping through the night earlier.
naptime.
Please keep up those prayers. God bless y'all -
Marie
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