I've had this blog post written in my head for several weeks, but I think about writing it when I'm holding babies and my arms are always too full to type. (Which is an amazing problem to have!)
It's been a little over 8 weeks since the twins made their grand entrance into the world after the longest induction process I have ever seen! Marisa went into the hospital on the morning of Thursday, March 18th. A medication was started to soften her cervix further. We all thought the boys would arrive on St. Joseph's feast day, but Friday came and Marisa needed more meds to continue the cervix softening process. We were all convinced that Saturday must be the day.....WRONG! The doctor determined that Marisa still wasn't ready for pitocin on Saturday am. It was a VERY long three days in the hospital for Marisa and Jon...and quite the emotional roller coaster to psyche yourself up for labor only to be put off day after day! Because of Covid rules, no one could visit her in labor and delivery. Jon could be with her, but he couldn't leave. And because Marisa was carrying twins, they wouldn't let her go home for a night and sleep in her own bed.
It was a loooong three days! (For the grandparents, too! It's hard not to worry and it's hard to be on the outside just receiving information and not able to do anything.)
Finally(!). around 3am Sunday morning, the doctor gave the green light for pitocin! Labor progressed slowly, (I repeat, slowly), the entire day! Marisa loved getting the epidural and declared that it was the best she felt since before she got pregnant! So clearly it worked well for her.
Finally(!!), about 8:30pm Marisa was 10cm and it was time to push. It was the longest 45 minutes of my life. It's so hard to wait to find out that everyone is ok!
And, FINALLY(!!!), at 9:17, Leo Jason was born! Leo was healthy, Marisa was good and, only 7 minutes later at 9:24, Ambrose Thomas joined his brother!
For the entire pregnancy, Ambrose was "Baby A" and Leo was "Baby B"....then, right before delivery, Leo snuck ahead of his brother and was born first! I think that's going to be a big part of his personality-a tease just like his daddy! Luke commented that Leo was going to hold it over Ambrose's head that he is the oldest. Then Kate, who has empathy for being the youngest child, said that when they play board games and the rules say that the youngest goes first, then Ambrose will have the upper hand!
Leo was 6lb 4oz and Ambrose was 6lbs 7oz....which are great sizes for twins! Marisa is glad they were born almost three weeks early! Both boys were 20 inches long.
Adjusting to life with twins has been challenging! Sleep deprivation with two babies is no joke! Thankfully, they have lots of people willing to hold babies so they can take naps. It's given us extra opportunities to snuggle the boys...which is an amazing experience.
Marisa and Jon are great parents! The boys are thriving. At their one month appointments, Ambrose was 9lbs and Leo was 8lbs 14oz. And they are definitely bigger than that now!
Now that they have hit the 8 week mark, you can see them starting to slip into more of a routine with sleeping and awake time. They are starting to be content to sit in their swing or bouncy seat for half an hour or more and they are starting to fall asleep without needing to be held all the time. (Marisa and Jon are very excited and hopeful! It's amazing what you're able to get done when you can use two hands!) They are looking forward to their sleep blocks to extend a little longer...which I'm sure will be soon at the rate they are growing!
Being a grandparent has been a joyful experience. There is just nothing like holding and snuggling a baby...and getting to hold and snuggle two babies is even more amazing! We are so blessed that they live close by and we get to see them frequently. Most week days since Jon went back to work, I get to spend some time with the boys so Marisa can shower and get ready for the day. Although, I don't think they will need me for that much longer now that the boys seem to be happy to be in their seat/swing for an extended period of time. But I'm sure that Marisa will still want a break...or a nap!...most days, so I shouldn't miss out on too many baby snuggles!
How many pics have we taken....too many to count! But here are some of my favorites:)
Jay and I are thoroughly enjoying our adventures as Pupa and Grammy!
