Gigi Visits

Today was a very busy day filled with firsts.  It was my first day back at church and the first time "Gigi" (my grandma) was able to visit Piper and Phoebe.

Being back at church was wonderful!  Oh how I have missed my Rancho church family.  It was so nice to be welcomed back with such a huge outpouring of love, smiles, well wishes and a TON of great hugs.  I can hardly wait to bring Piper and Phoebe to church with me when they are big and strong enough. :-)

The other first for today meant the world to both James and I.  My grandma, who just turned 94 in April, is a very special person in my life.  When I was a baby she watched me 4 days a week while my mom was at work.  I have such wonderful memories of spending time with both her and my papa.  One of my favorite things to do at my grandma's house was playing with her toes or trying to eat everything that was on my papa's plate.  There was just something so appealing about his food.  Why should I eat mine when he made everything look so good.  

Watching my grandma interact with my babies was so incredible.  I never got to meet my great-grandparents and I feel so blessed that my children had that opportunity.  I look forward to more family gatherings where Piper and Phoebe will get to know their Gigi much better!

*On a side note I just had to add these pictures to the post because I am SO proud my amazing husband James.  He has taken to fatherhood so effortlessly.  He was meant to be a daddy!  I can't wait to celebrate his very first Father's Day with him this month!*

Is that a smile or a tummy rumble?

Today I had the opportunity to hold Phoebe and Piper together after they ate.  It was such a joy to watch them sleep right next to one another.  Phoebe was making some of her super funny faces while she was sleeping.  I think the rumble in her tummy helped contribute to the "smiling" face in the picture.  Piper and Phoebe are both growing so big and eating so much more on their own.  I could not be more pleased/proud of their progress!!

Our nurse today made a check list of things James and I need to do before the girls can come home.  It involves watching videos and a few other things.  One big thing I have not done yet was get a pediatrician!!  This is a big decision and I want to make sure I make a good one.  I think this list means we are getting closer to have at least one baby (Piper) come home.  This makes me very excited and nervous all at the same time. :-)

2 Weeks Old

Today was yet another wonderful day at CHOC with precious Piper and Phoebe.  Both girls took three feedings in a row from their bottle.  This has never ever happened before!!!  Most of the time the girls will take half or a little over half of their feedings from their bottle and then need to have their feeding finished off in their tubes.  I attribute this ENORMOUS growth to the amazing nurse today.  She has been a NICU nurse for over 30 years and it showed.  The nurse was not only great with the girls but she was a wonderful teacher, giving me lots and lots of baby great tips.

In addition to feeding growth Piper celebrated another milestone today...she is in a big girl crib!!!  This move means that Piper is able to maintain her own body temperature.  Maintaining body temperature is one of the criteria that Piper and Phoebe have to reach in order to come home.  Phoebe is still a bit smaller & needs to stay in her isolate just a little bit longer.

          Piper loves her new crib          Piper the super hero      

Big mommy news....today was my follow up appointment with my doctor and he said that I am healing great from my C Section and that I can drive now!!!  I never thought I would be so excited to be told I could drive again.  I have really missed being able to take myself places.

Three Valencia Girls

I feel like I have said this before but today was an AMAZING day at CHOC.  Not only did Phoebe and Piper have a very, very sweet nurse today but she assisted me in breast feeding both babies.  Both girls did an amazing job.  It was such a wonderful bonding experience.

Just when I thought things could not get better the nurse had me hold both girls skin on skin AT THE SAME TIME!!!!  I loved seeing the girls next to one another.  I could really see how different their skin tones were.  Piper is for sure tan like her daddy and Phoebe is lighter like me.  Piper was dead asleep when the nurse handed her to me but Phoebe was awake and very curious about her sister.  She was making smiling type faces at Piper.  My mom and I were cracking up at Phoebe.  At one point they were even holding hands.  The three of us girls got to spend over an hour cuddling together!!  It was truly a magical experience.  I was so glad that my mom was there to capture the moment.

Gaining Weight

Today when James and I were visiting Phoebe and Piper we happened to ask what their current weight was.  Now weight is not a factor in the girls coming home, but even so we want to see steady weight gain and growth (obviously). :-)  I was shocked when the nurse said that Piper was almost 4 pounds and Phoebe was nearly 3 pounds 13 ounces.  This was music to our ears.  It means that the around the clock pumping I am doing is paying off.  Even though it is an exhausting challenge there is nothing I wouldn't do for our little angels.

I was also surprised to see that the night nurse finally dressed the girls in some clothes that we brought from home.  The outfits they have on in the pictures are from my sweet friend Erin.  Thank you Erin, the girls look adorable!  The ruffles on the booty are too cute.  I can hardly wait until the preemie clothes are too small and no longer fit.

(Phoebe is on the left and Piper is on the right)

More Pictures...

Ok, so I have totally turned into a CRAZY picture taking mom.  I seriously can't help myself.  Everything they do is just so cute! :-)

On Friday, my dad aka G-Dad, got to see the Piper and Phoebe for the very first time.  I loved watching him look at the babies.  I could tell he was in love with them in an instant!

Here are a few more pictures from Friday as well.  Beginning with the babies is so calming and relaxing that James fell asleep.  SO cute, I had to take a picture of two of my "babies"! ;-)

                  

                                

Today (Saturday) was amazing!!  My mom and I went to the hospital to see Piper and Phoebe.  When I got there I met our nurse for today.  She was INCREDIBLE and a lactation specialist too.  It was my lucky day.  She suggested that I try to breast feed for the very first time.  Both girls were super tired for their morning feedings so we were nervous that they would not be awake enough to feed.  To our surprise both girls were wide awake, hungry and ready to go.  With the help of the nurse I was able to feed both babies.  Phoebe went first and did a great job.  Piper was second and she was a ROCK STAR!  It was such a wonderful experience for all of us. 

Piper is on the left, waiting patiently for her food.  She figured her fingers would be the next best thing. Phoebe is on the right and worn out after her very first breast feeding session.

One Week Old!

Today was another great day for little Piper and Phoebe Valencia.  When I got to their room I found them both sleeping away in their cozy isolates.  Since I was not prepared for them to be wearing clothes last night the hospital provided them with some super cute little outfits.  I LOVED the monkey's on Phoebe's outfit!  My nickname growing up was monkey so it was perfect.

The doctor stopped by and told me that he upped both of the girls feedings in order to give them more calories each day.  Phoebe and Piper have been labeled as "grower and feeders".  Which means that they are both doing great, health wise, they just need time to grow more and learn how to feed better.

James got to the hospital just in time today to feed Phoebe and learn how to burp her.  Daddy was a great student and he did a super job.  I am so lucky to have such a great husband!  In addition to feeding and burping James changed his very first poopy diaper.  Yes you read that correctly.  He jumped right in and got to work.  Pretty impressive, huh?  This is only the beginning of feeding and diapering.  James and I are going to be doing that a TON once the babies are home!