Christmas Eve at Rod's

First Family Photograph

Our first picture with our large family. Neither one of us ever foresaw this in our future.

Life is unpredictable to say the least. Got to love it.

Boy oh Boy are they growing!

This is great news, after the first four days of life they had lost over 12% of their birth weight, which for Rhys that put him at 4 lbs 6oz. We had fears that the doctors would choose to keep him there in the hospital. They just put the boys under close watch. It put all of us at home on high alert and concern. We became diligent on waking Rhys up and feeding him every two hours, often needing to use a syringe do to his lack of interest in eating. It was very scary to see him so lethargic with so little energy that he couldn't even suck on a bottle. All the work has paid off. From our Doctors appointment on Dec 21st to their appointment on Dec 27th they had gained a lot! In one week Jack had gained 1 pound and Rhys had gained 10 oz. As of the 27th Rhys weighs 5lbs 10oz, and Jack weighed in at 7lbs 1oz. Rhys had taken notes from his older brother and is now latching on and getting food right from the source.

First Sponge Bath

Until their umbilical cords fall off, we can only due sponge baths. The real fun begins when we can do a real bath. We'll keep you posted.

Jack and Rhys all clean

Jack is very calm and matter of fact

Rhys has no trouble telling you what he thinks. Including the fact that he did not enjoy the bath.

The Twins first week.

Rhys pondering in slumber land

Jack showing off his guns


Daddy duties! And done with a smile. Ryan has taken on to fatherhood like a Pro as I knew he would.

Ty and KayLeigh are very excited about the new additions to the family. Ty can't seem to hold them enough, it is just great.

The boys were born in the wee hours of Saturday morning, we were home by Sunday evening. There was something so surreal about bring the boys home. In some ways I don't know if I actually grasped the reality of two, but seeing them in front of me, both so uniquely their own, it's just amazing, I just can't explain.

We had the most wonderful help, Ryan's mom Vickie, stayed with us from Sunday to Sunday (today). I honestly don't know if Ryan and I could have kept our cool without her help. Getting the boys into a routine was key, and in a lot of ways we are still working on it and will be for the next 18 years.

Vickie feeding Rhys. Thanks again for all your help Vickie!

Visitors at Hospital

During our short stay at the hospital we received some very excited company that couldn't wait to get their eyes and hands on Jack and Rhys.

Vickie, Ryan's Mom, also came to visit and help us leave the hospital. With all the last minute hubub I forgot to get a photo. Opps!

Rhys and Jack are here!

We did it!

12/08/2007

Jack Justin Tallman was born @ 12:26 am

He weighed 6 pounds 7.5 ounces

his little brother followed 5 minutes later

Rhys John Tallman was born @ 12:31 am

He weighed 5 pounds 2 ounces

The middle names are after Justin Tallman (Ryan's Paternal Grandfather) and John Pacholka(Melissa's Maternal Grandfather)

Both are healthy and were able to come directly into the room with mom. The delivery was so smooth, They were delivered within four contractions, and only ten minutes of actual pushing.

As you can imagine we are beyond tired and I will edit this entry later, I can't seem to keep my eyes open.

Updated 12/16/2007-

So who wants more detail? If you're not one for birth stories skip this last bit...

Ryan and I arrived at the hospital at 7pm on Friday. The day before we were 3cm and 75% effaced, so we knew it was close. Our doctor informed us that she would be on call Friday night, so we made a mental note of it and thought, "that would be great timing". Thursday night I had some major cramping, at about 1am I took a hot shower hoping to distract from the pain. It worked and I was able to go back to bed, hoping to make it until the evening. Throughout the day I was having contractions but didn't want to make the call until I knew it was time. When we arrived at the hospital at 7pm I wasn't in any great pain, but things were happening. When I was checked I was 5cm and 80% effaced. The doctor asked if I was ready to have babies tonight, and we were as ready as we would ever be. Because of all the complications that can accure with a vaginal twin birth I had agreed to an epidural, just in case an emergency C-Section was needed. At 8pm the anesthesiologist arrived and started by informing me of how it works and what to expect. I was more worried about the epi, then I was birthing twins, don't ask me why. They were done by 9:30pm and Patocine sp?(a drug used to speed up contractions) was started at 10pm. At 11:45 I was 10cm and by Midnight I was wheeled into the O.R. (another precaution, due to the risk of C-Section). They took a few minutes setting us up and when my doctor said "K we are ready, on your next contraction push and Baby A will be here" I really thought she was just trying to be a positive cheerleader,but sure enough, one push, Jack was born at 12:26am. During the next contraction, she broke Baby B's water. The next contraction, Rhys was born at 12:31am. One more and both Placentas were out. Or so I'm told, I was so in awe at the site in front of me. I was later told "that was the most boring twin births the docs had ever attended", there were twenty some odd docs and nurses in the room waiting and ready for anything that could happen. This is one time boring is good.

Celebration of Twins Dinner at Rod's, Nov 25

Rod's House all decked out for the celebration.

KayLeigh and Hannah

Gampy and Noah

Kim (one of Ryan's Sisters) and I getting captured by the budding Photographer in Ty.

Teaching Ty how to do a self portrait.

Rod and Silvia, Silvia and Tina, Mary, Greg and Melissa, Mary and Melissa

Mary and Rod - great hostess and host

Rod... We can't thank you enough for the amazing and thoughtful gift.... Thanks again and thank you for the great evening.

Happy Thanksgiving! Nov 22

Kim and Greg hosted a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner. We had an amazing time and were very grateful to spend Thanksgiving with many of Ryan's family.

34 weeks- Nov 21 They are still in the Oven!

We had a checkup today and all is well. I am starting to dilate, I was at about 1cm. But I had started dilating four weeks prior to having Ty and KayLeigh so this doesn't really mean that it will be anytime soon. I'm getting so big now that people are doing a double take. I just don't think of myself being that big until I get a glimpse of my reflection or see a photo of myself. Then I can't get over how big I am, and it makes me wonder how much bigger I will get. These boys are gaining at about 1/2 pound per week. At our last ultrasound Nov 15Th, Baby A was nearly 5 pounds and Baby B was nearly 4.5 pounds. So that was two weeks about, that puts them at 6 and 5.5 pounds now. WOW, I have 11.5 pounds of baby in there, no wonder I'm huge.

Jaime & Troy's Wedding August 25, 2007

Just Married

Jaime, Ryan's little sister was to be married the day Ryan returned from his 3 week trip down the Colorado River. (I'll write about that another time) It was a perfect day, here are a few shots.

Proud Mother and Father of the Bride

Hannah was a Beautiful Flower GirlIt was great to have Ryan back home.

I had grown a bit since he had seen me last:)

KayLeigh and Hannah doing what all girls should do.

Ryan riding back in June

This seems like forever ago but here is a great photo of Ryan jumping in the background with his buddy Chris in the forground.

Ty and KayLeigh First Day of School - Sept 4, 2007

I just can't believe how big they are getting. Ty started 2nd Grade, and KayLeigh is a big 1st Grader now.

32 weeks

And to think I have 4-6 more weeks!
The boys are doing great and are very active.

My last day of work was Thursday with a couple of half days scheduled over the next few weeks. It is such a strange feeling, but once I start thinking of all the things I need to do before these two boys arrive, I'm not sure I have enough time. I'm now going into the doctors once a week for normal checkups. My team of specialists keep a close eye on me. You can tell everyone, including ourselves feel like we are nearing the "safe zone". By our guess they are over four pounds and possibly bigger. We will find out this Thursday when we go in for our two hour ultrasound.

Halloween

Ty and KayLeigh had a great time on Halloween. Ty was pumped up from workout, wow what a six pack! KayLeigh was all dolled up like a fairtale princess.

Ryan took the kids around the neighborhood until the kids asked to go back home.

Brachs and I hung out on the porch and handed out the candy. Brachs wasn't quite sure about the werewolf that visited but beyond that she was a trooper.