My hat is officially off to all mommy bloggers, everywhere. Seriously, HOW do you do it?? I've been writing posts in my head for days now, and never seem to find the time to actually write them out. During the time that I don't have babies attached to my boobs, I'm not elbow deep in diapers, and I'm semi-conscious, all I want to do is sit on the couch and stare at the tv. Or the wall. I'm not too picky.
Taken at about a week old. They already look so different to me now. (Annabelle left, Charlotte right)
So, our babies are almost two weeks old. Two weeks. That's already half of a month! They're gonna be FORTY! The days are just flying by in a big blur. I have no idea where the time goes, one minute it's the middle of the night and I'm trying to get a baby to eat. the next thing I know it's night time again. My days revolve entirely around feeding babies.
I am pretty proud of myself, because we're getting the hang of simultaneous feeding and so far, my supply has been excellent. I was able to get a hospital grade pump on loan from my hospital, and we're hoping to start bottles soon so that I can get a break from the round the clock feeding marathons. It'll still require pumping at feeding time, but I can pump, then go to bed and get some sleep before the next feeding.
The girls are absolutely amazing. They're still in the sleepy phase, in part due to being born a few weeks early, so they're pretty zonked out most of the time, but they're starting to be a bit more alert and taking in more of the world around them. Night time has been something of a challenge, but so far not nearly the nightmarish experience I've heard from a lot of my friends.
Annabelle is the most placid baby I have ever seen. She is quiet as a little mouse--even her fussing is barely audible. She can sleep through her sister's screaming fits like there is nothing going on. Charlotte is my spicy baby. She makes sounds like a baby velociraptor, grunts and whimpers in her sleep, snorts, and when she's upset, her temper flares up and she screams with the rage of a Banshee queen. But she's only had a couple of marathon screaming sessions, and for the most part, she'll calm down within a few minutes. The hard part is that she really just wants to be held and cuddled 24/7, which is really a problem at 1 am. And 2 am. And 3 am...
We actually had to move the girls out of our room and into their nursery at night their third day home with us, when they were only five days old. Charlotte is just too noisy, even in her sleep. I'm such a light sleeper, and it's already so hard for me to fall asleep with the perfect conditions, I couldn't fall asleep between feedings and came this close to a total breakdown. I had my very first experience with an anxiety attack. I felt like I was going to throw up, like I couldn't breathe, like I had no control over my body. It was horrible. I'm still having trouble sleeping at night, but overall, I think we're all doing much better with the current set up.We're going in tomorrow for their two week appointment and to do a weight check, but I think that they've been gaining pretty well. At last week's weight check, the doctor was concerned about Charlotte's weight gain. Annabelle had been gaining about 60 grams per day, but Charlotte was only at 25 grams per day and the minimum they want to see is 20. So, even though she's meeting the minimum, the doctor, in his blunt English Second Language way informed me that her weight gain was "no good... it is lousy". So, of course, I spent the next hour crying and feeling like a total failure. I'm optimistic about better results tomorrow. It kills me how tiny they still are in their clothes though. They're still swimming in a lot of their newborn stuff, but they are starting to fill it out a bit better. SOB!!

First of all...I totally started singing Aladdin in my head just after reading your post title. Secondly, your baby girl's are seriously precious! I'm so happy everything is going so well...minus the usual tiredness and sorting out this whole new parent thing. Looks like you're doing great! GO MAMA! :)
Posted by: Casey | November 15, 2012 at 03:39 PM
They are darling! Also, you totally kick bloggin' behind for taking a few of your precious free moments to update all of us readers on the first couple weeks of your twins' lives. Mad props. :-)
Posted by: To the Nth | November 15, 2012 at 03:41 PM
Angela! They are so precious! Congratulations :)
Posted by: Ashley | November 15, 2012 at 03:46 PM
They are amazing.
I was amazed by how loud Hannah could be sleeping, and I'm deaf! I'm sorry about the anxiety, but so glad you're finding something that's working for all of you.
Posted by: Elizabeth | November 15, 2012 at 05:53 PM
I totally remember feeling like I spent my whole day feeding babies or dreaming about feeding babies and I only had one! I can only imagine how crazy it must be. You are doing great that you could get online and post at all - I was barely conscious the first 3 weeks so I applaud you. :))
Posted by: Anne | November 15, 2012 at 06:23 PM
So true!!!
Posted by: Solange | November 15, 2012 at 06:28 PM
They are beautiful! I'm sorry about the nervous breakdown thing...but I am SO impressed by the way you are handling twins. Twins! TWO babies at the same time. I am tired and I only have one baby right now. I am seriously bowing down to you right now! :)
Also, that doctor is a meanie. There are tactful and much more gentle words than "lousy".
Just remember that you are doing the absolute best you can for your girls. No one can dispute that.
Posted by: Solange | November 15, 2012 at 06:39 PM
LOL...me too. I have the song stuck in my head now.
Posted by: Solange | November 15, 2012 at 06:40 PM
They are just so beautiful Angela. You say you don't know how we do it? I could barely manage one at some points and you're doing a GREAT job with two! Just amazing!
Posted by: Miriam | November 15, 2012 at 07:14 PM
Glad you're getting at least a little more sleep! With the girls in their room. :) They are beautiful & am happy for you!!! :)
Posted by: Melissa | November 15, 2012 at 08:20 PM
They are gorgeous, just lovely. Charlotte sounds a little like my Chip! I can't even begin to imagine two- you are just amazing!
Posted by: Hotpotatokate | November 15, 2012 at 10:12 PM
They look as if they are growing like crazy to me! (And growing in cuteness.) I hope you are able to get a little bit more rest in now with your new strategies in place.
Posted by: Kate P | November 16, 2012 at 05:27 AM
they are just so adorable! and that is awesome that charlotte can sleep through her sister's noises! hope their doctors appointment goes well! that picture of them on the blanket is just so cute!
Posted by: erin - heart in ireland | November 17, 2012 at 03:59 AM
precious! loving the updates! my friend had her baby girl twins on thursday! they'll hopefully go home on t.giving.
Posted by: ellesees.blogspot.com | November 18, 2012 at 02:03 AM
I can't believe how absolutely adorable they are! You are so blessed! A whole new world indeed.
Posted by: Brittany | November 19, 2012 at 03:13 AM
How do mommy bloggers do it? How do YOU do it? TWO BABIES. TWO NEWBORN BABIES!
They are adorable and I'm beyond delighted for you guys. (Especially the no NICU part! And that your boobs are making milk! Go boobs!) (Are you taking a moment to revel in having bigger boobs? Cause I did. Haa.)
Thanks for the update!
Posted by: Ashley // Our Little Apartment | November 19, 2012 at 07:02 PM
They are beautiful. OMG the two of them together in the green blanket is the cutest thing ever! Congrats on your new, adorable family!
Posted by: Jessica | November 20, 2012 at 04:37 AM
eeee they are just the cutest!! hope the check up went well and you guys are getting some sleep! xoxo
Posted by: katelin | November 21, 2012 at 01:47 AM
Whew, I need to catch up on my blog friends!
Oh my goodness they're so adorable :) I agree with the other gals, how do YOU do it, you have TWO. I can't imagine even with just one but the fact that you even put up posts since they came along is amazing. I love the two of them together all cuddled up, precious.
And awwh the outfit I sent :) Looks like they'll get more use out of them to grow into! Hang in there girly---we're thinking about you and sending smiles!
Posted by: Sara | November 29, 2012 at 04:43 PM
Oh my WORD, they are precious! Keep it up - I know you're doing great!
Posted by: Lynn | November 30, 2012 at 09:39 PM
They are so bautiful. Congrats, and I am sure you are doing great!
Posted by: erin | December 01, 2012 at 08:48 PM
I am late, but just wanted to say a big Congratulations!!! They are beautiful girls.
Posted by: jen | December 10, 2012 at 03:28 PM