Sisters

Here are some pictures from the past week and a half.  It is hard to believe that the girls will be a month old on Monday.  We are getting along well and have been enjoying our time with them both at home.  Of course, having Ed's mom, MaryAnn, here to help with feedings, housework, entertainment of Jack and Molly, general encouragement and adult company sure helped!  I hope we are able to enjoy the coming days just as much, despite holding down the fort on our own.

I love this picture of Ed and Caroline, as it gives perspective on her small size.  She isn't much bigger than his hand!

This picture shows Abbey's special feeder.  It is called a SpecialNeeds Feeder and used to be called a Haberman Feeder.  That top part is soft, so you can squeeze it into her mouth as she sucks.  You can see that MaryAnn is holding her close to upright.  You have to do this, rather than letting her lay back in the crook of your arm.  If you don't, she is more likely to have some come through the hole in her palate and out through her nose.  It doesn't happen often, but it is certainly unpleasant when it does.  She cries and sometimes decides she doesn't want to eat anymore.

Here they are together.  Caroline is on the left and Abbey on the right.  They look different when you have them together.  But, sometimes it is hard to tell when they are separate.  We have had some trouble identifying pictures.  I think they look more similar at some angles.  

Sweet Caroline!  We took them to the doctor yesterday.  Caroline has now surpassed her sister in weight.  The doctor was very pleased to see that she is now 6lbs. 4oz, up from her birth weight of 4lbs 13oz.  

Precious Abbey!  She is gaining weight well, too.  Her current weight is 6 lbs 2 oz.  It takes her longer to eat, and she doesn't eat as much.  Plus, she cries more so that probably expends more energy than her sleeping sister.  She is getting better about her sensitivity to too much sensory input, but she still gets overwhelmed more easily.
Can you tell who is who?  Abbey is in the hat.  Just kidding, that is Caroline.  
And, here is the big sister sporting her new dress from Mimi.  Isn't she precious?  She is really loving her sisters and still wanting to help.  
I could write more, but I need to run.  They will both be awaking for food in just a few minutes.  I need to head them off at the pass.  :o)