The First Year | Birth - 6 Months

When the girls were born, there were a lot of "First" moments I was able to experience.

Seeing them both for the First time. 

Getting to hold them for the First time.

Feeding them for the First time.  

Changing their diaper for the First time.

Giving them their First bath.

First kisses.

First cries.
Everyday always brings a new First.  I think thats the best part of becoming a mom.

I don't think I could have ever been prepared for the amount of unconditional love that would be pouring out through me after meeting these precious girls for the first time.

I remember holding them and thinking, "oh my gosh, you are so tiny!"  and they were.  Lily was as big as the palm of Kurt's hand.  But since then the girls have grown so much.  Each in their own unique way.

I wrote a little something to them as each month passed.  Most of it was written at three in the morning when I couldn't sleep.  Hoping that I wouldn't forget the precious moments these two shared.

July

The girls were born on July 10, 2013.

Lily Sofia was born at 4:06am.
Weight:  3lbs 13oz
Height: 17.75 inches

Lily was sent to the NICU to gain weight.  There were certain requirements that had to be met in the NICU.  Every three hours she had to drink a certain amount of milliliters of milk.  It was a battle with her.  Some feedings she wouldn't eat anything and other feedings she would drink more than the required amount.  When Mia was sent home, Lily had trouble drinking her bottle.  She had to have a feeding tube put in so that she could get her nourishment.  The energy she was exerting from trying to finish her bottle was causing her to lose weight.  I just remember holding her in my arms with tears in my eyes begging for her to eat.  To hurry up and gain some weight so I could finally take her home.  After being in the NICU for ten days, I finally got the call that we could take her home.  More tears!

Mia Grace was born at 6:02am
Weight:  5lbs 3oz
Height:  18.5 inches

Mia went to the nursery after I delivered.  Before she even made it to my room, she was sent to the NICU because she developed a fever.  I'm pretty sure she was looking for Lily.  Her fever subsided within a couple of hours, but once she was in the NICU, she had to meet the requirements to come out.  She had no trouble finishing her food.  A couple days later, she ended up with jaundice and was under the lights for 2 days.  She was in the NICU for six days.

August

1 month old
Lily: 6lbs 8oz; 20in
Mia: 7lbs 12oz; 20.25in

September

2 months old
Lily: 8lbs 3oz ; 20.5in
Mia: 9lbs 13oz; 21.5in

Lily
You are always smiling.  You still have that mischievous look on your face like you are up to something.  You've grown so much.  You even giggled for the first time when Teddy (the dog) decided to jump into the pack and play.



Mia
You've always had such a serious look on your face, but lately, you've been smiling so much more.  You always seem so content in whatever you are doing.  Most of all, you love to sleep on Mommy.

October

3 months old

Lily
You have been sleeping through the night and I know when you are awake because I can hear you kicking and cooing.  When I get up to look at you and your eyes see me, you give me the biggest smile which makes my heart melt.  Every now and then, I get a tiny giggle out of you.  You love sitting in the swing and you love sleeping on your tummy.  You are still my finicky eater.  You drink on your own terms.  Sometimes you surprise me and chug it down and other times you fight me on it. You love it when I hold you in my arms and pat your butt.  But sometimes, you just love to be laid down so you can move your arms and kick your legs.  Lately, you've been playing with your hands and it keeps you entertained.

Mia
You sleep through the night and sometimes I wake up in the morning and I look at you and you are wide awake quiet as a mouse.  But as soon as your eyes meet mine, you give me the biggest, happiest smile.  I love your smile.  You can chug a bottle in a matter of minutes.  You love to fall asleep on my chest and sometimes you need your paci to calm down.  If you don't have your paci, you shove your entire hand in your mouth.  You love to watch the TV.  Sometimes, I can't get you to turn away.

November

4 months old
Lily: 10lbs 9oz; 22.5in
Mia: 13lbs; 23in

Lily
You are such a character.  You love to sleep sprawled out.  Arms and legs spread wide open.  Yet, during nap times, you still love sleeping in my arms.  You get very ticklish when you are being changed and you start giggling like crazy.  Your smile makes everyone smile.  You still love to play with your hands.  Your favorite book is Peek a Who.  You love it when I read or sing to you, especially Christmas songs.  You also love staring at the ceiling fan.  There are times when I turn it on and you just start kicking your legs and laughing.

Mia
When you smile, your whole face smiles.  When you wake up in the morning, as soon as you see me, you give me the biggest smile and it just makes my day.  You love it when I sing to you.  You especially love your monkey Wubbanub.  You are quiet for the most part.  It seems like you are always thinking about something.

December

5 months old

Lily
You have become quite the chatterbox.  You love to just babble and coo and scream whenever you get a chance.  You love to smile and it is very contagious when you do.  You love sitting in the bumbo and being around people.

Mia
You smile and laugh so much now.  You like grabbing things and putting them in your mouth.  You've even begun to hold your own bottle which makes it completely easy on your momma.

January

6 months old
Lily:  12lbs 4oz; 24 in
Mia:  15 lbs 3oz; 25 in

Lily
You are such a daddy's girl.  It seems you always know when he's around and you cry for him to pick you up.  You have become such a talkative little one.  You love to just babble on and on with your high pitch squeal.  And your giggle is so infectious.  You're always a tough one to feed.  Sometimes you just don't want to finish your bottle and you'll always find ways to empty it without drinking it.  You're too smart for your own good!  I love you and I can't believe how much you have grown.  You also finally found your feet.  It's so cute the way you grab your toes.  You are still not interested in eating solids.  One time,  I was feeding your sister and you started cracking up.  Then, the moment I put the spoon in your mouth, you lip locked me and refused the food.

Mia
When you want something, you make it known.  Especially when it is your bottle.  The instant you see it, you reach for it and put it straight into your mouth.  You love your toes and your Wubby.  You also love to eat.  You make feeding time real easy.

Becoming a Mom | My Birth Story

My name is Angela Perine and I turned the big 3 0 this past year.  Well, last year if you want to get technical.  A lot has happened in my life that I thank God for.  He has blessed me with so much.
The majority of my upcoming posts will mostly be flashbacks with the girls.  I have 18 months worth of catching up to do.  There won't be too many.  I promise.  Everyday they are growing and changing in so many different ways.  I don't want to miss what is right in front me.

I met my husband, Kurt, or Burt as I like to call him, in college in 2005.  I was blonde. Oh dear! 

In 2011, he proposed and of course I said yes!  

March 2012, we got married in Hawaii with some very close family and friends.

We had our fair share of adventures.  Here, we hiked San Jacinto to the summit.  My most favorite hike to date.  The 360 arial view was amazing.

November of 2012, we found out I was pregnant and soon enough, we learned they were going to be twin girls!  For those of you wondering, yes, twins run on my mom's side of the family.

There was a lot of concern about my small frame being able to carry these two to term, but somehow I pulled it off.  I worked out almost everyday until I was about 28 weeks pregnant, and I worked at a preschool till I was about 33 weeks.  I was never put on bed rest.

  Somehow, the Rocky theme song plays in my head when I think about this.   

This was me at 36 weeks pregnant.  I delivered at 36 wks 6 days

On Tuesday, July 9, 2013, I went in for a routine non-stress test. And that was the beginning of a very long day/night.

Somehow, during the course of this evening, I was able to update what was happening on my notes app.  In hopes that I would one day put it in a journal.  Duh!  I remember my best friend Maryanne and I were texting back and forth and she was even wondering how I was still able to do that while in labor.  I honestly don't know.  It could have been the lack of sleep along with the anxiety and anticipation for the final show.  Or maybe it was the drugs.  They worked wonders!  Anyway, this is what I logged into my phone.  I was surprisingly detailed.

Went in today, July 9, 2013 at 2pm for my non-stress test.  Was having contractions so they sent me to get my cervix checked.  I was at 1cm, So Dr. Soto recommended I go to the hospital and check in at labor and delivery to be monitored.  I thought for sure it would be a false alarm and they would send me home.  Checked in around 4:45pm and still at 1cm.  Kurt came, we walked for about an hour.  Checked again at 6:45pm; dilated to 2.5cm.  They admitted me.  Checked again at around 9:30pm; at 4cm.  Started on Pitocin to speed up the process.  Got an epidural around 11pm and checked at 11:30pm; at 5cm.  Broke Twin A's water.  Put in catheter around 12 am.  Checked at 12:55am; still at 5cm.  At 1:50am, 8cm.  Nurse says Baby A is ready to come out!  Just needs a little more room.  At 2:30am, 9.5cm.  At 3:00am, fully dilated.  IT'S GO TIME!  Got me ready to go to OR to deliver in case an emergency c-section was needed.  Pushed for 35 minutes and Lily was born at 4:06am.  3lbs 13oz.  She went to the NICU to gain weight.  Waited an hour for Mia to descend.  Pushed for about an hour .  Born at 6:02am at 5lbs 3oz.  She went to the nursery, but developed a fever and was taken to NICU.  Both babies are breathing on their own.

Lily Sofia is on the left and Mia Grace is on the right

All my ultrasounds had the girls measuring around the same size.  5lbs 6oz.  So you can imagine my surprise when I heard Lily's weight.  I truly believe that Mia did not want to be away from her sister and that is why she developed a fever and was sent to be with her. 

Lily looked like a sweet little doll. 

Mia ended up with jaundice and got to lounge in her personal tanning bed.

The nurses who took care of my angels were AMAZING!  Loved each and every one of them.  The added benefit of the girls being in the NICU is that they put them on a schedule which I was able to continue.

After 6 days, Mia was able to come home. I balled my eyes out at the thought of leaving Lily all by herself.  How do you separate sisters who have never been apart?

Lily, managed to do just fine.  When she was ready to come out of her isolate and switch to an open crib, they happened to have run out of the boring clear ones that all the babies get put into.  My little princess got the deluxe suite.  Complete with her own personal mirror and sound machine.  I kid you not, moms in the NICU would stare at me wondering who this baby belonged to.  Clearly this baby must belong to a celebrity.

After 10 days being in the NICU, I was finally able to take this precious little girl home and join her sister.

These girls have changed my life for the better.  I mean, Twins!?! Seriously?!?  How did I get so blessed to experience such a miracle?