A Collection of Firsts

What an adventure it has been to have our two boys at home with us! We are all learning together about the difficult challenges, and also the amazing joys, of raising two new little ones. It has certainly been a blessing to have both Grammy & Papa (Amy's parents) here to help. Even with four sets of hands, Jaden & Cody still keep us hopping! During the boys' first week at home, we have enjoyed experiencing many FIRSTS together...

FIRST BATH: Jaden, our firstborn, had bath #1. He handled it much more calmly than we expected! The snuggle time at the end of the bath quickly became a favorite bonding time for both Mommy and Daddy.

Cody also handled the bath fairly well, with only a few more screams than his older brother. Mommy and Daddy especially enjoyed the post-bath, good-smelling lotion time. We ended our dual bathtime with a celebratory fist bump-- what an accomplishment!

FIRST TIME MEETING PAPA: Papa arrived in Billings only a few days after our return home. We quickly put him to work feeding and burping little Cody.

When it came time to put Cody to sleep, Papa got a bit confused... Perhaps all these baby duties are a little exhausting!

FIRST PEDICURE: After the boys' bathtime, we removed all of the remaining hospital tags. It scared us a bit to know that there were no longer any identifying marks on either twin. Although we feel like we can usually tell the boys apart, we wanted to be 100% confident. So... on went the toenail polish!  As our firstborn, Jaden became the lucky one to have his big toe painted. He didn't seem to mind the process too much.

Mommy also had her first post-labor pedicure. Grammy pulled out all the stops-- even massaging Amy's tired feet with lotion. Amy loves the fact that her swelling is finally beginning to decrease and that her long-time swollen feet are starting to return to normal.

FIRST 3-COURSE MEAL: At our first pediatrician's appointment, we were concerned to learn that our boys, particularly Cody, were not showing a healthy weight gain. The boys seem to tire quickly as they feed, with neither showing a consistently strong sucking reflex. To boost their weight, we started on a more advanced feeding system. At each feeding time, we feed each boy 3 courses: breastmilk with Mommy, pumped breastmilk, and then a formula supplement. Although this regimen is a bit more exhausting for all of us, it's exactly what they needed! Both boys showed a positive weight gain at their next appointment. Here, Jason is feeding Cody and Papa is feeding Jaden. Please continue to pray with us that their weight gain would continue.

As the first week at home with our boys comes to an end, we continue to marvel at God's handiwork of creation! We love our two little boys and look forward to all the adventures of FIRSTS yet to come.

Our Homecoming

The two of us were very pleased with the care we received at the hospital-- kind NICU nurses, knowledgeable doctors, helpful lactation consultants, and necessary painkillers ;). And yet, it was such a glorious feeling to hear, after 5 1/2 days in the hospital, that we were finally headed home to begin our adventures as a family of four. While we were finishing paperwork and final checkups at the hospital, Grammy was busy preparing our home for Jaden and Cody's arrival.

On Wednesday afternoon (June 6th), the hospital employees cut off our security bands, and we were headed out the door. The nurses double-checked our carseats and sent us on our way. What a strange, scary, and exciting feeling it was to be alone with our 2 precious boys, knowing that they were now fully under our care. Neither boy made a peep the whole way home.

We all smiled at seeing Grammy's hard work on the welcome home sign. What a fun thing to see while pulling into our cul-de-sac! Thanks, Grammy!

The boys, now fully tuckered out, posed for their first of many pictures in the Schleicher home. (Jaden-left & Cody right) We love you, boys. Welcome Home!!

Our Remaining Stay in the Hospital

Hospitals are places often filled with deep concern, hope for healing, and lots of prayer.  Our stay was no different.  Some hours before our C-section, Amy developed a fairly serious infection that, according to our doctors, could have killed her or the babies 50 years ago.  We are very thankful for improvements in today's modern medicine and God's merciful protection and healing.  Both of our boys contracted at least part of Amy's same infection, so they were cautiously held in the NICU for two days to receive antibiotics and be monitored constantly.  Our hospital's NICU allows parents to visit their children for all but two hours of the day.  We were thankful that our boys were under the care of wonderful NICU nurses who helped establish "caring times" every three hours.  On day 2 (Sunday), Jason went to most of the non-late night caring times and learned some very important father-of-twins roles.  The pictures below are of Jason caring for Cody.  The kind nurses taught Daddy how to CHANGE DIAPERS...
   

...FEED FROM A BOTTLE (for needed nutrition until Mommy's infection cleared up and could start breastfeeding)...

...and BURP A YOUNG SON.

We were blessed to have some special visitors come see us in the hospital.  The hospital staff was caring and kind.  They could not replace seeing friendly and familiar faces from our immediate family and church family, however.  We didn't get a picture with each person who came to visit, but here are a few we did take.  Our close friend, Jenn, joined Amy for a Day 2 visit to hold the boys in the NICU.  Amy is holding Jaden.

Jason's brother, Jonathan, (and Jon's sister-in-law, Lindsea) drove through Billings on their way back to Nebraska.  Jonathan is wearing a cute shirt he doctored up with a sign to read "Holy Twins".

Uncle Jon was pretty happy to be the first family member to see the boys.  Here, he proudly holds Jaden.

After spending their first two days of life receiving important antibiotics and care in the NICU, our young sons were released to our room on Monday morning, Day 3.  Our identical boys seemed pretty content and rested well after hearing the great news about being healthy enough to move, too.  For those of you who are still considering their "identical-ness", Cody is on the right.

Days 3-5 in the hospital were filled with many blessings and one main challenge.  Any guesses on what challenge we all faced together?! :)  Two words:  SLEEP DEPRIVATION.  Enough complaining.  Some of the many blessings we experienced from God's gracious hand and the care of other special people were...

-Having Grammy (Amy's mom) arrive in Billings to be a huge support and a needed extra set of hands.

-Welcoming a few more visitors from Church including our dear friends, the Bolls, who even brought us yummy non-hospital food dinner. :)

-Receiving some out-of-town love and support from various family members.  We were able to talk with all of Jaden and Cody's grandparents, aunts, and uncles during our hospital stay which was a great encouragement to us.  The first picture is a special gift of flowers and balloons from Grandpa and Grandma Schleicher.  In the second picture, the boys are showing off a special gift of "Snuggle-Mes" from Uncle Matt and Aunt Kim.  Thank you, family, for your support of gifts, words, prayers, and love!

-Learning a system of organization to track the boys' feedings and other bodily functions.  Here, Jaden looks on as Daddy tries to keep things organized.

-Seeing the boys MOSTLY enjoy a special Bella Baby photo shoot which gave us very professional pictures for future use.  You may see some of these on a baby announcement soon. :)  These first three cute pictures are of Cody.

These next three adorable shots are of Jaden.

These final two precious photos are of our beautiful double blessings from God.  Cody is on the left in both of them.

On our 4th day in the hospital (Tuesday), it was hard for us to think about coming home.  As of our 5th day (and after one more night of people coming in at all hours to poke, prod, monitor, and wake up Amy and the boys), we couldn't get in the van fast enough.  After five days in the hospital, we praised God for Amy's significant progress and recovery from major surgery and a concerning infection.  We thanked Him for His providing good health for our little boys.  We asked Him to be glorified in our family which doubled in size from the time we checked in and was finally heading HOME!  Cody is on the left and Jaden is on the right in these fun going-home pictures.       

Welcome Jaden Michael and Cody Andrew!

Our God is faithful, and we praise Him for His strength and blessings.  June 1-2, 2012 will go down as two of the most memorable days of our lives.  Amy taught the last day of the school year (a half day) in the morning, came home to take a nap in the afternoon, got ready for the Trinity 8th Grade Graduation, and had her water break on the way to the Church.  She labored for 9 hours or so and progressed well.  Our doctor was called in, and then things slowed.  After two more hours of labor and an assessment that Amy had a slight fever, potential infection, and "labor arrest" (cervix would not quite dilate fully), our doctor strongly suggested (and we agreed) to a c-section delivery.  We were exhausted after pulling a very challenging all-nighter, but we were thankful for our delivery team's patience and wisdom.  Shortly after 5am on June 2, Amy and Jason were prepped for a c-section and were beyond ready to see their boys.   

 Jason and Amy were overcome with emotion and joy at God's powerful miracles in the operating room.  Jaden Michael Schleicher was born first at 6:02am, but Daddy Jason was more focused on rejoicing and crying with Mommy Amy rather than remembering to be ready to take his picture.  Cody Andrew Schleicher was born two minutes later, and Daddy didn't miss that prime photo opportunity.  Here's Cody right after being delivered. 

 Once Daddy got the hang of taking pictures, he snapped one of each of the boys while they were being "cleaned up" right after birth.  Jaden, whose name means "God has heard", was 6 lbs. 5 oz. and was 18 1/2 inches long.

 Cody, whose name means "comforting", was 6 lbs. 10 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long.

 While the big blue sheet prevented Amy from seeing her boys delivered, it couldn't prevent her from kissing her firstborn before he went to the NICU.  Both boys were admitted quickly to the NICU to receive antibiotics to ward off any potential infection from Mommy's fever.  Even though the boys are just 36 weeks in gestation, they currently are both breathing well on their own.  They need to stay under the care of the special NICU nurses at least overnight until we get their lab results back early on Sunday.

Jason was able to walk down to the NICU a few times throughout the day while Amy slept and recovered from major surgery.  He cherished the time to hold, sing to, and thank God for these precious gifts of healthy babies.  Here, a proud Daddy sports a funny shirt he recieved from a friend as a gift.  If you can't quite see the words, Jason's shirt says, "REAL MEN HAVE TWINS". :)

 Amy was feeling well enough by the afternoon to be wheeled down to the NICU to see her boys.  Here, a proud Mommy figures out what it will be like to hold two amazing gifts from our Heavenly Father.

 In one 24 hour span, our family doubled.  Our blessings are beyond mathematical terms, however.  We praise God for our little boys, and we ask that He be glorified in their lives.  Here is our joyous family of four spending some quality time together in the NICU. 

 Rejoice with us as we celebrate "God has heard" and answered our prayers for a child through Jaden Michael Schleicher!

 Praise God with us for His "comforting" additional blessing of Cody Andrew Schleicher!