2 Weeks Old

Charlotte & Ruby had their 2 week appointment with the pediatrician today. Both girls are doing extremely well. Charlotte now weighs 7lbs (6lbs when we left the hospital) and is 19 1/4 in long. Ruby is now 6lbs 4oz (5lbs 1oz when we left the hospital) and is 19in long. The doctor is very pleased with how much weight they are gaining and the way they are on track with full term babies' milestones at this point, so we do not have to go back until their 2 month appointment.
Here are more photos for everyone to enjoy!

Waking up to eat:

"Waving" to each other:

Charlotte in the crib:

Ruby in the crib:

Siouxsie babysits Ruby:

Orange sleeps over Ruby:

Charlotte swaddled:

Charlotte in one of the Boppy pillows:


As for me, I have been recovering relatively quickly from the c-section. I have lost 40 of the 56lbs I gained during the pregnancy already, though I still cannot wear my wedding ring. My personal highlight of the day was being able to fit into regular shoes when we went to the doctor's office this morning, instead of the slippers I had been cramming my swollen feet into since the birth.

Photos!

Charlotte yawns:

Ruby yawns:

Both girls love having their hair washed, it leaves them very content.
Charlotte's 2nd bath:

Ruby's 2nd bath:

In the amazing vibrating chairs that Crazy Uncle Trevor installed batteries with precision to save the evening:

Charlotte in her cute cat pajamas:

Ruby and her snazzy frog feet pajamas:

Bob and the girls after a feeding:

Charlotte awake:

Ruby awake:

Crazy Uncle Trevor and Charlotte:

Grandpa Jay and the girls:

Not One of the Babies

I awoke in the middle of the night apparently trying to burp the dog. I am told the dog was not amused. All I remember was trying to pick up a particularly squirmy baby that needed to go to the crib. Slowly I came to my senses and realized it was the dog and not one of the babies. I declared loudly in dismay, "WHAT AM I DOING!?" As far as I can remember, this is the closest to madness that I've been. Hurray for lack of sleepings! Nicole wisely decided I might be a tad less insane with a bit more sleep, so Nicole's mom kindly stepped in for me the rest of the night. I am very grateful!

bob

Parents for a Week

Charlotte and Ruby are 1 week old today. The girls are starting to have longer awake periods randomly throughout the day where they look around solemnly and seem to observe the surroundings. And by longer, I mean about 20 minute increments before feeding time commences instead of starting to cry upon waking for food.
Charlotte has outgrown preemie size clothing, and Ruby fits in them just right. I expect that she will be too big for them within the next week.
Bob and I are in awe every time we look at them. Even though we wake (well, become almost coherent) every 2 hours a night to feed and change them, the overwhelming happiness of having our daughters with us makes the lack of sleep worthwhile. Learning the differences between the girls is easier as the days go by and they spend a little less time sleeping, like Ruby being the more high-pitched vocal one and Charlotte less likely to accept the pacifier while the bottles are prepared. We are extremely fortunate to have them on a fairly regular schedule almost from the beginning, with very few incidents that veer from the cycle. They have started drinking 2-3oz per feeding the past couple days, a big increase from the first 5-10ml feedings in the hospital. Hopefully we will start to see chubby babies soon as a result.
My mom, dad and brother have been staying with us the past few days. My mom will be here until mid-October to help, and then Bob's mom will arrive to meet her grandchildren shortly thereafter. My brother and dad are leaving tomorrow morning for a road trip back to CA before Trevor has to go to Hawaii, where he will be stationed for the next 3 years.
Below are a variety of photos from the past couple of days.

Profile view of Charlotte:

Profile view of Ruby:

Grandma Doreen and Charlotte:

Grandma Doreen and Ruby:

Grandpa Jay and Charlotte:

Grandpa Jay and Ruby:

Crazy Uncle Trevor and Ruby:

Charlotte's first bath at home, given by Bob:



Ruby's first bath at home, given by Bob:



While bottles are being prepared:

Bob the multi-tasker:

Charlotte making a funny face:

Ruby making a funny face:


Many, many more photos to follow!

Nelson Twins Arrive!!!

Charlotte Sueli and Ruby Lee Nelson were born on September 16, 2008 by c-section. Charlotte arrived first at 5:01pm, weighing 6lbs 6oz and a height of 17 1/2 in. Ruby followed right after at 5:02pm, weighing 5lbs 5oz and a height of 17 in.

Charlotte:

Ruby:

From left - Charlotte, Ruby and the new mom (that would be me):

First family photo (taken in the recovery room shortly after the births):


The c-section went well, though I did lose twice as much blood expected but no harm came of it. Bob took many photos in the OR so that I would be able to see the surgery afterward. It looked like a bloody torture scene from a B-movie, but extremely interesting overall. I was released from the hospital a day early (Friday) since I felt well enough to go home (and showed it) and the girls are doing so great.
Below are a variety of photos from the past 5 days - enjoy!

Sleeping together in their isolette at the hospital (Charlotte on left, Ruby on right):

Ruby (yawning) and Charlotte on the hospital bed:

Charlotte at home:

Ruby at home:

Crazy Uncle Trevor and his nieces:

Siouxsie meets the girls:

Charlotte:

Ruby:

Nap time (how the majority of time is spent here at home):

Still nap time:


As we get more of a routine here at home (though at this point we truly cannot complain, the girls are on a fairly set schedule already), I will post photos and updates more frequently. Be prepared for a gratuitous amount of photos featuring Charlotte & Ruby!