April Showers

On 4/18, I had a very elegant baby shower in my hometown with such a variety of people throughout my life... high school friends, college friends, grad school friends, family, in-laws, and family friends.  It was perfect despite the thunderstorm.  My sister-in-law, Amy (pictured here) was the official photographer of the day & has much better pictures than mine... Hint, hint, Amy.  Click on the link below and then "view album" then "play slideshow."

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Friends Baby Shower

Here are pics from my shower with my college friends, held on 4/25.  We had a lovely luncheon at the Crumpet Tea Room.  As usual, I got too busy and didn't take pictures until the end and unfortunately some had already left.  I can't believe I was that big!  It feels like a lifetime ago.

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Family Baby Shower

Here are pics from my family baby shower on 4/19.  My cousins, Lauren and Karen, spent months planning this marvelous day.  I had so much fun that I forgot to take pictures so unfortunately I don't have many to share.  The decorations looked like something out of a magazine, and the food was delicious.  I saw extended relatives that I hadn't seen in years.  It's amazing how the anticipation of two little ones can bring a family together.  Get ready Lancaster's, because we are planning another big celebration this summer when the girls are formally introduced to everyone.  Here is the link...  Again click on "view album" and then "play slideshow."

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Work Baby Shower

I'm catching up on my blog entries...  Here are pictures from my work baby shower on 4/16.  It was so much fun having my co-workers and patients celebrate the twins' upcoming arrival. Please click on link to view pics of the cute gifts including adorable matching outfits.  After clicking on link, just click "view album" and then "play slideshow", and it should work.  I'm still experimenting.  

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Geneva Looking Like Her Cousin?

Geneva on 5/26/09 on top and Luke ~8/2001 

As I awoke from a brief nap, somewhat foggy I glanced at my nephew, Luke's baby picture and thought to myself, "Look at my beautiful baby, Geneva." Then I realized that I don't have any framed pics of my girls. Don't they look alike?  Although Luke had dark hair for several months, he is now very fair and blonde.  I have noticed the past 2 days that my dark-headed princess' hair is already lightening up.  It's amazing how fast babies change.  All reports are still great from the hospital.  Both girls received their first bottle early this morning and tolerated well!  Geneva drank half, and Lexa polished it off.  Lexa is closing the gap, originally weighing 8 ounces less than sister but now only 1 ounce behind.  Both have their IV lines removed and are enjoying the freedom of moving their right arms.  We are so blessed.

Su Su Holding Lexa

As my mom's only child, she has waited a long time to have grandchildren and now gets 2 at once. However, she does not want to be viewed as a grandma so has invented the name Su Su (her name is Susan) for the girls to call her.  Patrick & I aren't crazy about the name, but I figure the girls will call her whatever they decide.  The girls continue to do well.  I spoke at length with the doctor yesterday who is amazed by their progress.  You can tell that the nurses and doctors are trained not to set time tables as it gets parents' hopes up, but he did say they are ahead of schedule and progressing much faster than they originally projected.  They are "85% there on feedings" meaning they are still increasing their amounts daily and will soon achieve the highest amount given through feeding tubes.  So, the next step is oral feedings which he thought Geneva would begin as early as Thursday and Lexa a day or two later.  He said "the only thing keeping them here is learning to eat orally."  "As soon as they learn that, they can go home."  I have really seen a change in the past two days with their feeding.  Instead of sleeping through them, they are beginning to understand the suck/swallow combination and are sucking their pacifiers and making little noises as their feeding tubes are going so I am confident that they will quickly learn to eat on their own.  They continue to gain 1-2 ounces daily and just look so much healthier.  Geneva no longer uses her IV line, and today is Lexa's last day of hers.  They no longer have to get daily bloodwork as all of their labs continued to be normal.  They continue to have normal heartrates, oxygen levels, and blood pressure.  We are so happy and hope they can move to the least restrictive bedding soon-- an open twin crib.  We can't wait to see how they interact with each other as they have been separated since birth. 

Always Thinking About Our Babies

Daddy made an observation in the elevator on the way up to see the girls... "G" and "L" side by side, not for ground and lobby but for Geneva and Lexa.  Look at my sweet baby dolls. I know all mothers think their babies are cute, but come on aren't they like porcelain dolls?  [Lexa pictured in close-up & Geneva in mommy's arms].  Don't know much of an update today yet. Libby is taking me to the hospital about 1:00 since I can't drive yet and Patrick is at work.  The nurse said they did well last night and continue to eat well.  We will update soon.