Q&A-Answers

1. Did it work on the first try? How many did you transfer? Did you do ICSI?

No, this was our second attempt. We had a failed cycle in Jan '07 and a successful cycle in April '07. In cycle #1, ICSI was not performed & we only had 3 surviving embryos. They were all poor quality, and were all transferred on day 3. We had to start completely over for cycle #2. ICSI was performed this time & we got 6 surviving embryos. Four were frozen & two were transferred on day 5. Obviously both implanted & we were blessed with two beautiful babies! As many times as I wanted to just give up, I am so thankful we were persistant & tried again!

2. How much sleep are YOU getting?

Well, I do have to start off & say, we are getting much more sleep than I thought we would raising twins! We have been blessed with two wonderful babies. After coming home from the hospital, the babies were on a schedule of eating every 3 hours (3,6,9,12) around the clock. Michael & I can get up feed both babies, change diapers, & get back to sleep within 30 minutes...usually. So we would get 2 1/2 hours streches of sleep. As of this week, we have moved to every 4 hour feedings (2,6,10). So now, we are getting about 3 1/2 hours streches. I am so thankful for a helpful husband who is willing to get up throughout the night & help me feed even though he has to get up & go to work the next day...thanks baby!! I don't know how one person could manage & raise two babies alone!

3. How many hours at a time are the babies sleeping?

I pretty much answered this question above. They pretty much sleep in between most feedings, although they are getting more alert for longer periods of time here lately!

4. Are you guys on your own taking care of the babies now or do you have some help?

We pretty much have been on our own, but our families have been here to help whenever we have needed them. If I ever get stressed out, I know they would be more than willing to help out, but I seriously have only been overwhelmed with the two babies once or twice since they have been home.

5. How are you adjusting with two?

We don't know anything else...having two is normal for us! It will be a breeze if we ever have one baby someday!!

6. Do you get out much and how hard is that?

Due to RSV/Flu season, we have been instructed not to have the babies in public or around other children until March, so therefore we haven't been getting out much. The only places we have gone were our family's houses & to the doctor. But from those few outings, I have realized how much longer it takes for me to get myself & two babies anywhere on time. I think it will get easier with time & I am slowly learning the best & quickest way to do things!

7. Are they on the same schedule?

YES...that is the one piece of advice I got from every twin parent that I have talked to since I found out we were having twins. With two babies, if they aren't on the same schedule, you would never get a break!! If one wakes up, we are waking the other up too...they eat, sleep, & poop on the same schedule right now!!!

8. Are you going back to work?

As of today, I am officially a 'Stay at Home Mom'...I have always wanted to stay at home with my kids, but never knew if I would be able to. After problems finding a daycare, we just decided we would sacrifice some things for me to be able to stay at home with the babies! I couldn't ask for a better job!

9. Are you still breastfeeding and if so, do you have a life outside of them eating and pumping?

I really, really, really wanted to breastfeed these babies. While in the hospital, I wasn't allowed to strictly breastfeed due to their feeding issues. The nurses had to know exactly how much each baby was eating at each feeding. Therefore, I pumped & feed my breast milk through a bottle...hoping that when we went home, I could strictly breastfeed. I tryed it & both babies obviously were not satisfied with breastfeeding alone. And at that point, I had had enough of pumping & feeding. It was just too time consuming with two babies & I gave up within the first week home. I knew going in to it, breastfeeding twins was going to be a huge task & other twin moms thought I was crazy for even trying. I gave it my best & the babies got about two weeks of breast milk...better than none at all!!!

10. Are they sleeping well?

They are sleeping well. Like I said above, they are eating every 3 hours & sleeping in between. Don't get me wrong, we do have some nights that one (or both) are a little fussy in between feedings, but neither one has been up ALL night! We have been lucky with good sleeping babies!

11. How is Charlie reacting to his new brother and sister?

Charlie has been great with them...of course, he was very curious what these crying, moving things were that were invading his space & mommy's time! He sniffs them alot & lays by them occasionally, but overall is pretty oblivious to the fact that he isn't the baby anymore!! He is still pretty spoiled rotten!!

12. Do you just stare at them 24x7?

I DO!!!! Especially when they are sleeping so peacefully! I could just stare at them all day long & praise God for blessing us with such sweet babies!

13. What would you say is the biggest helpful hint that you recv'd from a fellow IVFer that you would like to pass along to other couples going through IVF.

IVF is draining...emotionally, physically, & financially. It is a roller coaster of emotions & you must stay strong & positive throughout the whole ordeal. Our unsuccessful cycle was the most tramatic thing I have ever experienced, but I knew that God had a plan for Michael & I and that was for us to be parents. We weren't going to give up...we stayed strong & started all over with our second cycle! Thank God we did!!

14. What is one of the best gifts that you received during a baby shower that you CAN't live without.

At this point, bouncy seats & swings! When they aren't fussy, they would sit in them all day, if I would leave them there!! Cooper instantly falls asleep when he is put in the bouncy seat & Hadley would sit in the swing wide awake watching the mobile for hours! Also, the swaddling blankets have been wonderful for nighttime!

15. Do you plan on having more babies?

We haven't really discussed this, but I can see us having more children. I have always pictured our family with four children, but who knows...I am so happy & content with the two we have right now!! Ask me again in a couple of years!!

16. Do you miss being pregnant?

I miss feeling the babies moving inside of me everyday, but I don't miss the sleeplessness & uncomfortableness! I am enjoying having the babies in my arms much better than in my belly!!

17. How many times a night do you wake up to feed them?

See #2

18. What baby product has been the biggest lifesaver?

See #14

19. How do you get anything done during the day instead of staring at those precious babies all day long? =]

Some days I seriously feel like I have gotten nothing done!

20. Have you posted about the events leading up to the actual delivery of Cooper and Hadley yet? Would love to hear the story...how long were you in labor?, etc.

Yes, I posted their birth story the other day. Click HERE to read all about the day!!