Lincoln and Dr. Edralin

James had to go to Utah for work within a week of the twins' birth. One of the days he was gone (May 22nd) was the day of Lincoln's circumcision. So it was up to me to get it done. (the dr asked, "so what's dad's excuse for not being here today?") Here's Lincoln with our amazing pediatrician, Dr. Edralin. Lincoln did well through the procedure, although at times he cried harder than I've ever heard him cry, even though he was given a local anesthetic. It was so sad to see, but the Dr was really great and it's all over now!

Haylee's New Lonni-Purse

So Haylee uses the little purses I've made her over the years and I guess her family calls them Lonni-Purses. Because of all the great help Nicki and Haylee gave me, I had time to make Haylee a new purse to her specifications. Here she is modeling it. It was fun to make and I'm so glad I was able to give Haylee a little presant. It wasn't easy for her to be away from her dad and brothers for such a long time and she put up with a lot from Miles!

Sewing and gifts from Haylee

Haylee made these adorable hats for the twins! She is so sweet and loves to learn to make new crafts. While she was here she got a pot holder making kit and made 4 pot holders. I attempted to teach her how to sew. She helped me with the blanket I've been making for Julia until the sewing machine started acting up. She did get a lot done but was dissapointed we didn't get to finish it! Sorry Haylee!

Fun helpers Arrive!!

Oh, cute. Haylee with Julia, Nicki with Lincoln.

Haylee making watermelon balls, and Miles eating them! "This is delicious!" says Miles.

Haylee carrying Miles around.

Nicki and Haylee drove a whole 16 hours from Eugene, Oregon to come stay and help with the tiwns!! When I told our friend Stephen he said, "oh That is pure love!!" he's right!
Nicki took care of everything, all the washing and cooking and shopping so I could keep my big elephant legs and feet ...they were sooo swollen... elevated and rest my c-section wounds. They took Miles to the park and to the store, usually coming back with a new present for Miles! Haylee was a really great to play with Miles, even though he doesn't share very well and scratched or hit her more times than I can remember. Miles really needed someone to play with and did love having them here. Haylee liked to carry him around, even though he weighs a ton! They stayed nearly two weeks and it took 2 days each way to drive. Wow!! Thanks so much guys, and thanks to my brother and his boys for living without the girls for so long. That was a real sacrifice! Now Miles goes around the house looking for them. He'll say "hey, where's Mickey? (Nicki with a congested nose sounds like Mickey!) Wheres Hay yee??"

Decorations

James surprised me with a clean house and fun balloons welcoming the babies. He also set up the porta crib in the livingroom. It think that'll be my new bedroom, at least until the twins start sleeping more than eating in the night.

Car seats

First try with a binky, she cried when we put her in the car seat. The binky helped!

This is how they look in their car seats! We went to the hospital to have their blood tested for the jaundice. It was the frist time we had everyone together to go somewhere. All 5 of us in the minivan. It was so fun. I am loving the van!! So nice to have plenty of room for all of us!

Awesome friends

Bridgette adoring Lincoln.

Afton holding Julia

Isaac and Alyssa holding Lincoln
Living far from family required us to lean on our friends for support througout my pregnancy. I had several friends from the ward that helped tremendously taking care of Miles for me while I went to my many doctor appointments. Alyssa (mom of Afton and Issaac) and took care of Miles for us countless times and had him all day the day of the delivery and the day we were discharged from the hospital so that James could be with me and also get a break! She is beyond amazing and with 2 kids of her own I know it wasn't easy. Miles just loves to be with them - when he's home with us he's always asking to go to their house.

And Bridgette, she with the help of our friend Karen came to our house with a laundry basket full of tiny clothes and other necessities she noticed we needed when she visited us at the hospital! Bridgette and Alyssa also hosted a baby shower for me one week before the babies were born. (photos to come) We're getting meals from friends and so many gifts. We're so grateful for all our amazing friend here in Palmdale, we feel so blessed!

Hospital fun

Miles getting a lift to have a good view of his siblings.

Lincoln on the window ledge. Both babies have a little jaundice. Julia. Ooh, so sweet!

Miles and the hospital room were not a good mix. Keeping him entertained was hard. He was constantly getting into trouble. His favorite mischief was pulling the emergency cord in the bathroom causing the nurses to run into the room! When he wasn't doing that, he was pushing the baby cribs around the room and usually crashing the two together. Luckily the babies were not in the cribs when the crashing happened. James let him bring playdough one day. That entertained him for a while. Unfortunately, daddy didn't get to spend much time with the twins in the hospital because Miles would just be too much and he'd have to take him home. Mommy missed Miles! Ok, she missed Daddy too!

Lonni just before leaving for the hospital

One last photo! Here's how big my belly got.

The twins are here!

A family of 5! Miles doesn't look too happy in the photo, but believe me it's not because he's mad about no longer being an only child.
Julia and Lincoln sharing a tiny hospital crib. I think it looks like she's talking to him and he's a little annoyed because he wants some peace and quiet.

On Friday May 15th, just 35 weeks and 1 day pregnant, labor surprisingly began. Lincoln Kofi Liggison Dzineku and Julia Afi Dzineku arrived at 2:18 pm. He was the first to come and she was born within the same minute. He was loud. She didn't make a peep.

Here are the stats: Lincoln was 19.5 inches and 5lbs 4oz and Julia was 19 inches and 5lbs 5oz. (at their 2 week check up with their dr we discovered the hospital got their lengths mixed up - Julia was really 19 1/2 inches and Lincoln was really 19 inches. Way to be thorough hospital people!)We left the hospital on Monday May 18th and have loved every minute of caring for them. Miles is an adoring brother and is learning to be gentle with them. They sleep through all the noise Miles makes and are eating and sleeping quite well. Both have a little jaundice but nothing to be concerned with.

Hospital Hat

I've been going through Miles' baby clothes in preparation for our new arrivals and came across the Hospital issued hat Miles wore at birth. Just for kicks I had him try it on. It fits! well, a little! When he saw the camera he ran away and hid in the cupboard so I wouldn't take his picture but I did get him! Here's one of him in the hospital wearing it. Oh, he's so big now.

Ultrasound update

Today we had our last ultrasound. Everything looks great. It estimated that she weighs 5lbs 8oz and he's not far behind at 5lbs 3oz. That's 2 lbs heavier per kid in the last 4 weeks. No wonder I'm ready to end this now! I'm 34 weeks now and if nothing changes, the twins will be delivered as scheduled on June 5th.