Kaitlin has officially welcomed Mom to motherhood in the past day with some wonderful demonstrations of her diaper filling skills....Here is a look at her cuter side :)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Twins on Father's Day
Avery and Kaitlin are so thoughtful, so far they have each spared me anything messy with their diapers in celebration of my first father's day!
The Twins Are Here!
As I realize this was an international event of epic proportions, I suspect you've already heard the news, but the lovely and talented Fishman twins burst onto the scene last Friday, June 5th, at 10:21 am!!!
It was one of those expected, but unexpected, moments in life where something you've waited for, or dreaded, for a very long time seems to happen in an instant. I left Jenny on Thursday night, feeling pretty normal. I got up on Friday, prepared for a busy day at work, planned for the weekend ahead and headed over to the hospital for a "routine" weekly sonogram. About an hour later, I was watching my baby girls arrive into the world! It was both surreal and incredibly, tangibly real at the same time and like nothing else I've ever experienced.
Avery Leigh (aka Baby A) arrived first and was 16 1/2" long and weighed 3 lbs & 15 ounces
Kaitlin Victoria (aka Baby B) came about 20 seconds later and was 16 1/4 " long and weighed 3 lbs & 14 ounces
We won't know for sure if they are identical or fraternal until the DNA results are in, but they appear to my untrained eye to both be girls :) So far, the consensus is definitely fraternal, but its a little hard to tell at this age so you never know.
Both girls are doing exceptionally well under the circumstances...
Kaitlin has developed about a 10,000 word vocabulary in English and is a fair conversationalist in both Spanish and Italian. Physics seems to be a bit of a struggle thus far, but she did grasp relativity theory the first time through, so there's still hope.
Avery has a lovely singing voice, plays classical piano by ear and has the basic chords down on guitar, violin and cello. Her 36" vertical leap was a newborn record to my knowledge, but we'll need to work on her 4.6 second time in the 40 yard dash.
Okay...not quite the truth, but figured I might as well get the bragging off to a ridiculous start and prepare everyone early for how unsufferable I'll likely be in the coming years. I already have the basic outline of my 2010 update letter about their amazing ability to consume strained peas :)
In all seriousness, things are going very well with both Mom and babies, but we are not without complication, because that is just how we roll. Jenn has certainly been through a physical and emotional experience for the ages, and everyone continues to be impressed with how well she's doing. Her bond with the girls is already so strong, I know its going to be really special for their whole lives (Disclaimer: Ages 13-22 not included in above statement). Its going to take some time for her to heal from the surgery and the complications of bedrest are showing up in her muscles, but she has been up and around and walking more in the past 3 days than the previous 90 and that is very positive. Jenn will be officially released from the hospital on Tuesday, but we'll be staying on site in a "hotel room" available to parents with newborns in the NICU so we can be close to the girls and participate as much as possible in their care. Current plan is to stay there through the weekend and then re-assess from there. The girls are both breathing independently, which is excellent for their gestational age and all their vital signs are good. They are receiving round the clock care from excellent nurses in the NICU and are currently receiving IV fluids and have a feeding tube for their seemingly constant eating. We're spending a lot of time just watching them sleep, but we've also had opportunities to change a few diapers, take a few tempatures, and get in a little quality snuggling. Jenn and I will start meeting with the doctors to discuss plans in more detail over the next few days, but we're hopeful for them to come home in early to mid July at this point.
As you can imagine, our lives are a bit hectic and between our 8 daily "pumping" sessions and 8 daily feeding and care sessions with the girls, it seems that every minute of the day is spent moving from one scheduled activity to the next (I can hear a collective "get used to it" from all the parents out there).
Thanks again to everyone for their love, support and friendship, without which none of this would have been possible
It was one of those expected, but unexpected, moments in life where something you've waited for, or dreaded, for a very long time seems to happen in an instant. I left Jenny on Thursday night, feeling pretty normal. I got up on Friday, prepared for a busy day at work, planned for the weekend ahead and headed over to the hospital for a "routine" weekly sonogram. About an hour later, I was watching my baby girls arrive into the world! It was both surreal and incredibly, tangibly real at the same time and like nothing else I've ever experienced.
Avery Leigh (aka Baby A) arrived first and was 16 1/2" long and weighed 3 lbs & 15 ounces
Kaitlin Victoria (aka Baby B) came about 20 seconds later and was 16 1/4 " long and weighed 3 lbs & 14 ounces
We won't know for sure if they are identical or fraternal until the DNA results are in, but they appear to my untrained eye to both be girls :) So far, the consensus is definitely fraternal, but its a little hard to tell at this age so you never know.
Both girls are doing exceptionally well under the circumstances...
Kaitlin has developed about a 10,000 word vocabulary in English and is a fair conversationalist in both Spanish and Italian. Physics seems to be a bit of a struggle thus far, but she did grasp relativity theory the first time through, so there's still hope.
Avery has a lovely singing voice, plays classical piano by ear and has the basic chords down on guitar, violin and cello. Her 36" vertical leap was a newborn record to my knowledge, but we'll need to work on her 4.6 second time in the 40 yard dash.
Okay...not quite the truth, but figured I might as well get the bragging off to a ridiculous start and prepare everyone early for how unsufferable I'll likely be in the coming years. I already have the basic outline of my 2010 update letter about their amazing ability to consume strained peas :)
In all seriousness, things are going very well with both Mom and babies, but we are not without complication, because that is just how we roll. Jenn has certainly been through a physical and emotional experience for the ages, and everyone continues to be impressed with how well she's doing. Her bond with the girls is already so strong, I know its going to be really special for their whole lives (Disclaimer: Ages 13-22 not included in above statement). Its going to take some time for her to heal from the surgery and the complications of bedrest are showing up in her muscles, but she has been up and around and walking more in the past 3 days than the previous 90 and that is very positive. Jenn will be officially released from the hospital on Tuesday, but we'll be staying on site in a "hotel room" available to parents with newborns in the NICU so we can be close to the girls and participate as much as possible in their care. Current plan is to stay there through the weekend and then re-assess from there. The girls are both breathing independently, which is excellent for their gestational age and all their vital signs are good. They are receiving round the clock care from excellent nurses in the NICU and are currently receiving IV fluids and have a feeding tube for their seemingly constant eating. We're spending a lot of time just watching them sleep, but we've also had opportunities to change a few diapers, take a few tempatures, and get in a little quality snuggling. Jenn and I will start meeting with the doctors to discuss plans in more detail over the next few days, but we're hopeful for them to come home in early to mid July at this point.
As you can imagine, our lives are a bit hectic and between our 8 daily "pumping" sessions and 8 daily feeding and care sessions with the girls, it seems that every minute of the day is spent moving from one scheduled activity to the next (I can hear a collective "get used to it" from all the parents out there).
Thanks again to everyone for their love, support and friendship, without which none of this would have been possible
Jenn Pregnancy Update - May 2009
Its time for another exciting installment of The Chronicles of Bed Rest!
We crossed another threshold last Wednesday with the passing of week 28, and I’m thrilled to say the girls are still doing wonderfully. The sonogram last Friday indicated that Jenn’s cervix continues to be stable and the girls are healthy, happy 2 ½ pound bundles of joy. The docs seemed pleased with their progress and the plan remains unchanged for the foreseeable future. Jenn and I are obviously thrilled to have reached this milestone, but still feel we have a ways to go and are hoping to maintain the status quo as long as possible.
As has been the case throughout this process, week 28 came with its own set of new procedures, tests, treatments, and aggravations. The doctors started Jenn on a new medication that helps slow and control contractions as a mitigation against the onset of pre-term labor. Jenn has only had a few isolated contractions and shown no significant signs of labor to this point, but we are definitely glad to have the extra insurance. She and the girls also received another round of steroid shots to help speed up lung development and better prepare the girls for “life on the outside”.
As time progresses and the weeks of bed rest accumulate, things are getting exponentially harder on Jenny physically. There aren’t any major new issues or serious concerns at this point, just the growing physical burden of carrying twins and the inevitable aches and pains that come from lying in bed for weeks on end. I think we’ve entered the phase where physical discomfort will start becoming a bigger factor than emotional distress.
Last Friday, we spent part of the afternoon visiting with the doctors, nurses and patient support staff from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It was very informative and quite re-assuring to know our girls will be in such capable hands, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t pretty emotional and a bit scary. No matter how many US Weekly Octomom stories you’ve read, nothing quite prepares you for getting up close and personal with a 2 pound baby. It’s certainly going to take some time to adjust to the sights, sounds, and emotions of the NICU, but I feel confident that our sneak preview will help ease the transition.
On a more comedic note, Jenn was visited this week by both the “head chef” and “VP of cafeterias” to discuss her food service “issues”. Apparently, her outrageous requests for sliced apples that haven’t gone bad before they arrive and peanut butter on bread required executive level attention. In a delightful stroke of irony, their solution was to offer the woman who can’t leave her bed a gift card for free meals in the cafeteria 2 buildings over from hers :)
Let me end this note the way I normally begin, by showering praise on my beloved bride
In case I haven’t mentioned it a thousand times before, I’m really, really, really proud of our Jenny and how well she’s handled this emotionally and physically draining situation. While the ordeal is clearly hardest on her, she goes out of her way to put on a happy face and try to make it easier on me and everyone else around her. Selfless and putting the feelings of others in front of her own…I don’t think you can define being a Mommy any more simply and perfectly than that J
We crossed another threshold last Wednesday with the passing of week 28, and I’m thrilled to say the girls are still doing wonderfully. The sonogram last Friday indicated that Jenn’s cervix continues to be stable and the girls are healthy, happy 2 ½ pound bundles of joy. The docs seemed pleased with their progress and the plan remains unchanged for the foreseeable future. Jenn and I are obviously thrilled to have reached this milestone, but still feel we have a ways to go and are hoping to maintain the status quo as long as possible.
As has been the case throughout this process, week 28 came with its own set of new procedures, tests, treatments, and aggravations. The doctors started Jenn on a new medication that helps slow and control contractions as a mitigation against the onset of pre-term labor. Jenn has only had a few isolated contractions and shown no significant signs of labor to this point, but we are definitely glad to have the extra insurance. She and the girls also received another round of steroid shots to help speed up lung development and better prepare the girls for “life on the outside”.
As time progresses and the weeks of bed rest accumulate, things are getting exponentially harder on Jenny physically. There aren’t any major new issues or serious concerns at this point, just the growing physical burden of carrying twins and the inevitable aches and pains that come from lying in bed for weeks on end. I think we’ve entered the phase where physical discomfort will start becoming a bigger factor than emotional distress.
Last Friday, we spent part of the afternoon visiting with the doctors, nurses and patient support staff from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It was very informative and quite re-assuring to know our girls will be in such capable hands, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t pretty emotional and a bit scary. No matter how many US Weekly Octomom stories you’ve read, nothing quite prepares you for getting up close and personal with a 2 pound baby. It’s certainly going to take some time to adjust to the sights, sounds, and emotions of the NICU, but I feel confident that our sneak preview will help ease the transition.
On a more comedic note, Jenn was visited this week by both the “head chef” and “VP of cafeterias” to discuss her food service “issues”. Apparently, her outrageous requests for sliced apples that haven’t gone bad before they arrive and peanut butter on bread required executive level attention. In a delightful stroke of irony, their solution was to offer the woman who can’t leave her bed a gift card for free meals in the cafeteria 2 buildings over from hers :)
Let me end this note the way I normally begin, by showering praise on my beloved bride
In case I haven’t mentioned it a thousand times before, I’m really, really, really proud of our Jenny and how well she’s handled this emotionally and physically draining situation. While the ordeal is clearly hardest on her, she goes out of her way to put on a happy face and try to make it easier on me and everyone else around her. Selfless and putting the feelings of others in front of her own…I don’t think you can define being a Mommy any more simply and perfectly than that J
Jenn Pregnancy Update - April 2009
Another update from the land of bedrest J
Jenny and the girls hit the week 26 milestone this past Wednesday and we’re thrilled to report the girls are still doing great and continuing to gain weight, they are nearly 2 pounds now, and develop on schedule! They are really active and I got my first taste of that magical moment when you feel your babies moving this week…it was awesome to say the least.
Jenn, enjoying her new status as “senior” patient on the floor as she approaches day 50, continues to amaze us all with her stamina, perseverance, strength and most of all, love for our girls. Things keep getting a little tougher on her emotionally and physically with each passing day, but she keeps rising to each new challenge and making me feel luckier and luckier to have chosen so well for my partner in life and love.
Jenn is developing more lovely curves, see the attached pictures, and dealing with all the trials and tribulations of being confined to bed. She’s experienced first hand that getting a hospital meal delivered warm and correct is a problem for the ages, on par with Universal Health Care and World Peace from what I can tell J
Her condition remains generally stable and her daily routine of resting, meds, shots, and monitoring continue on until further notice. She endured a pretty intensive Glucose test today, but she passed and it appears she’ll be spared a special form of diabetes that is common in multiple pregnancies. Shortness of breath is still the biggest physical issue right now, but just rolling over is starting to be a chore in itself. Text and email are the best ways to stay in touch with her at this point.
Once again, thanks to everyone for their thoughts, prayers, love and support…We certainly couldn’t get through this without y’all!
Jenny and the girls hit the week 26 milestone this past Wednesday and we’re thrilled to report the girls are still doing great and continuing to gain weight, they are nearly 2 pounds now, and develop on schedule! They are really active and I got my first taste of that magical moment when you feel your babies moving this week…it was awesome to say the least.
Jenn, enjoying her new status as “senior” patient on the floor as she approaches day 50, continues to amaze us all with her stamina, perseverance, strength and most of all, love for our girls. Things keep getting a little tougher on her emotionally and physically with each passing day, but she keeps rising to each new challenge and making me feel luckier and luckier to have chosen so well for my partner in life and love.
Jenn is developing more lovely curves, see the attached pictures, and dealing with all the trials and tribulations of being confined to bed. She’s experienced first hand that getting a hospital meal delivered warm and correct is a problem for the ages, on par with Universal Health Care and World Peace from what I can tell J
Her condition remains generally stable and her daily routine of resting, meds, shots, and monitoring continue on until further notice. She endured a pretty intensive Glucose test today, but she passed and it appears she’ll be spared a special form of diabetes that is common in multiple pregnancies. Shortness of breath is still the biggest physical issue right now, but just rolling over is starting to be a chore in itself. Text and email are the best ways to stay in touch with her at this point.
Once again, thanks to everyone for their thoughts, prayers, love and support…We certainly couldn’t get through this without y’all!
Jenn Pregnancy Update - March 2009
I wanted to drop y’all a quick line and give you an update on another exciting week of bedrest J Jenn continues to soldier on and I just couldn’t be prouder of her. We all knew she would be a great mom, but in true Berryhill style, she’s really going the extra mile to prove it! Her great attitude and toughness is an inspiration to me each and every day.
We’ve just wrapped up milestone week #24 and the girls are active, healthy and growing right on schedule based on our last ultrasound this past Friday. Things continued stable and constant with Jenn’s situation and we’re hopeful for more of the same with each passing week.
Unfortunately, the weeks of bedresting are getting tougher on Jenn. Week #24 brings a round of steroid shots to speed the girls’ development and more extended monitoring of the babies heartbeats 3 times per day for 20 continuous minutes. Given the girls’ small size and the difficulty that brings in getting the heartbeat locked in, the monitoring process can sometimes last 90 minutes or more and it takes a pretty big physical toll.
Last Thursday, she began to have trouble catching her breath at intervals throughout the day. The docs reacted quickly and ran a whole series of different tests on her heart, blood and legs to make sure there weren’t any significant issues. Good news is that the tests confirmed suspicions that her condition was pretty much just a wonderful side effect of lying on your back with two babies for a month. They did start her on some daily blood thinning shots as extra insurance against any clotting that could develop.
I wanted to share the details with y’all since its becoming difficult for Jenn to talk on the phone for extended periods (I wonder if there is a withdrawal treatment for phone addiction J). She enjoys emails and messages and is quickly becoming “teenlike” in her texting skills, but she may not be quite the normal conversationalist. With the monitoring she’s also got more periods throughout the day where she can’t get to the phone.
All in all, we’re both doing quite well under the circumstances and couldn’t be more excited about our girls!
We’ve just wrapped up milestone week #24 and the girls are active, healthy and growing right on schedule based on our last ultrasound this past Friday. Things continued stable and constant with Jenn’s situation and we’re hopeful for more of the same with each passing week.
Unfortunately, the weeks of bedresting are getting tougher on Jenn. Week #24 brings a round of steroid shots to speed the girls’ development and more extended monitoring of the babies heartbeats 3 times per day for 20 continuous minutes. Given the girls’ small size and the difficulty that brings in getting the heartbeat locked in, the monitoring process can sometimes last 90 minutes or more and it takes a pretty big physical toll.
Last Thursday, she began to have trouble catching her breath at intervals throughout the day. The docs reacted quickly and ran a whole series of different tests on her heart, blood and legs to make sure there weren’t any significant issues. Good news is that the tests confirmed suspicions that her condition was pretty much just a wonderful side effect of lying on your back with two babies for a month. They did start her on some daily blood thinning shots as extra insurance against any clotting that could develop.
I wanted to share the details with y’all since its becoming difficult for Jenn to talk on the phone for extended periods (I wonder if there is a withdrawal treatment for phone addiction J). She enjoys emails and messages and is quickly becoming “teenlike” in her texting skills, but she may not be quite the normal conversationalist. With the monitoring she’s also got more periods throughout the day where she can’t get to the phone.
All in all, we’re both doing quite well under the circumstances and couldn’t be more excited about our girls!
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