Our Due Date.

Yes, I have been MIA since my little boy, Mason has come home. In fact, as I write this I will be taking frequent breaks to feed him, change him and pump. I also just arrived home from where little Christopher still resides. He's not so little, he now weights 7 lbs, 3 oz!

Yesterday, 11-27-11 was their official "due date". That means they are now 40-week (full term) gestational babies!

Yet, it is bittersweet. I feel so blown away by the fact that they could have still been in my belly until a few days ago. I have heard of Mothers that make it that far with twins. Crazy, but true.

My boys are now more than 11 weeks old and amaze me with how big AND STRONG they are getting. At this point I am saddened that Christopher is still in the NICU for feeding issues. He may have a milk allergy and therefore they have stopped all EBM (Expressed Breast Milk) until I have gone on a completely milk-free diet for two weeks. It may sound easy, but we are not just talkin' no milk on your cereal. This is "No" to almost every thing! Even my breads and vegetarian burgers contain milk in one of its forms! So for now, he is strictly on Neocate, which he was on back when he first started feeds. He is often taking many of the feedings from the bottle (about 50cc's) but he still has issues coordinating his breathing, sucking and swallowing. Hopefully thr jump in his Hematocrit today will help. (Now up to 31!!! :)

Mason has been doing well at home. He is such a joy to watch each day. He keeps me up all night since he barely sleeps for 45 minutes to an hour at each feeding. He is currently on a 3 hour schedule-- I spend most of it breast feeding him directly. He hates having his diaper changed most of the time, screaming "bloody murder" ad DH says. However, over time I feel he is getting somewhat better. He hasn't pee'd on me all day today; he saved it up for Dad :)

He had his first bath at home on the 20th before DH went back to work for the two days before Thanksgiving break. We had looked forward to the break since we knew Mason was coming home the week before. It figures that DH got sick the very first day of the break. He has now been sick every day since then. Today, he even lost his voice. We spent the afternoon since he got home whispering to each other.

This means I am on my own during the days and during the night. DH does what he can for now. He takes Mason from 6-10pm when I go to visit Christopher 45 minutes away at the NICU. But I have been letting him sleep through the night in our bed, hoping it will help him get over his cold and be more rested for work. Yes, it's tiring. But I know Friday and Saturday night I will be asking for him to return the favor :)

Getting to go through the experience of feeding Mason at all hours, seeing his face each 'morning' and having the precious one-on-one time makes me feel even worse for not having Christopher at home as well. I realize exactly how much I am missing with him being in the NICU for almost 12 weeks now. With no end in sight for when he might come home, it's hard to stay sane.

I love them so much it seems impossible. Today, I can't help but think how our lives would have been different if they were born just over 11 weeks later. I would've taken all of the extra pounds, back aches and in the world to have Christopher home with us today.

Can't wait until our whole family can be together!!! (And DH can then take his paternity leave!)