Newborn Pictures!

We were lucky enough to take two sets of newborn pictures. I'm probably in love and biased, but I think Clayton and Chloe are absolutely beautiful! The pictures turned out amazing. I especially love the family picture.

Clayton and Chloe will be 8 weeks old on June 30th...time truly does fly! They are both getting so big and so alert. It's incredible to see the world through their eyes now. Chloe is a total doll. She's a happy, sweet, quiet little girl. Ryan calls her is Pretty, Pretty Princess. Clayton is a mommy's boy for sure. He has mastered the "no breathing" cry, but stops instantly once he's picked up. Just a typical little man!

I am adjusting better than I thought, especially on the days Ryan is working. I'm getting up at a more normal hour now (not sleeping in until 11!), getting out and about with Clayton and Chloe, and just really enjoying every minute with them. I'm so proud to be their mommy.

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On Saturday, June 5th, Clayton and Chloe were 1 month old! I can't believe they are already 1 month old...it's amazing how fast time really does fly. They are both doing incredible. At their 2 week appointment, Clayton was 6 pounds 12 ounces, 19.5 inches, and Chloe was 5 pounds 8 ounces, 19.5 inches. We don't go back again until they are 2 months old.

Clayton is our little milk man. He eats a ton, rarely burps, and gulps as he drinks. It's so cute! He already has a double chin and a chubby little belly. Chloe has definitely caught up to her brother. She eats 4 ounces too, but is such a dainty little eater. She takes her time and does the sweetest little sucks. Her skinny cheeks have totally filled out too. They take turns deciding when it's time to eat, but most of the time Clayton lets out the first hunger cry. They are still in newborn clothes, but can wear some of their 0-3 month clothes. It's so fun dressing them each day...I'm going to need a second job to pay for all the clothes shopping I "have" to do!

Clayton and Chloe sleep in our room in their own snuggle nest in one pack and play. They have an "awake" time from about 10-midnight, so we are working on adjusting that. Otherwise they wake up every 2.5-3 hours, eat, and go back to sleep. Every night is a little different, but for the most part they are sleeping really well. Once Clayton eats, he's pretty much out, but Chloe is our little squeaker. She makes the highest pitched little squeaks all of the time...when she's awake and sleeping. We put them in their cribs after the 5-6 am feeding and I think we will be transitioning them to their cribs for the whole night pretty soon. It seems to be more comfortable for them. Clayton tends to wake up around 6 or 7 and the only thing that calms him is sleeping face to face with me. He loves to touch my face.

Roxi is adjusting, but is definitely feeling the change. She follows us everywhere. We still make time for her, but it is definitely harder now. Roxi still is a big part of our little family, though.

Ryan and I are loving being Clayton and Chloe's parents. We truly are in love with our precious little miracles. All of the challenges we experienced were worth every heartache and tear as Clayton and Chloe were always meant to be our babies. We never lost faith and couldn't be happier!

We survived the first week!

Wow the first night was crazy! We were pretty much up the entire night, which I know is to be expected. We went to Babies R Us the next day (Ryan stayed in the car with Clayton and Chloe) and made the best investment ever...we bought two Snuggle Nests and the best swaddle blakents! Since then the Clay Man and Chloe Bug sleep great! They get up to eat every 2.5-3 hours and then go right back to sleep. We are keeping them on the same eating schedule, which is definitely helpful. Ryan and I have developed a little routine which allows sleep for both of us. I am so thankful he has the entire first month off with us. I couldn't imagine doing this alone!

Here's our week 1 highlights:
- Mommy and Daddy are getting some sleep!
- Went to the pediatrician, Dr. Kramer...babies are doing great! Chloe is now 5.4 pounds and Clayton 6.2 pounds and they're coloring is perfect.
- Went on our first walk as a family
- Went to the park with Roxi
- Went to a friend's house for 2 hours

Clayton Joseph and Chloe Grace are here!

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After what seemed like forever Clayton Joseph and Chloe Grace Carlos are here! They arrived on May 5th. Clayton was born at 7:38am, weighed 6.2 pounds, and was 17.5 inches long. Chloe was born at 7:39am, weighed 5 pounds,and was 17.5 inches. Both babies are perfect! Chloe did have to spend 2 days in the NICU for observation because she was grunting, but she needed no assistance and was able to join us on Friday.

Here's the story...

For the last week I had been doing all sorts of silly things to induce labor like walking the massive hill by our house. I spent so long trying to keep the babies inside of me and now I was trying to hurry them into the world!

I had an OB appointment on Tuesday, May 4th. It was the first appointment that Ryan had to work, so my mom came with me. I was determined to not come home, so I got everything ready. I dropped Roxi off at Ryan's parents' house, got my hair done, and ate a good lunch. I was 37 weeks and 1 day, which is full term. I would be induced in 5 more days at 38 weeks. I was so ready! Unfortunately my OB, Dr. Clayton was not really feeling my pain; however he kept asking me about my contractions. I had been having very painful contractions and back labor for the past 10 days, but it was never consistent enough to go in to the hospital. While at the appointment, though, I had several contractions that were 5 minutes a part. During the internal examination, Dr. Clayton stripped my membranes, which was extremely painful. Once he did that and heard about my contractions he decided to send me over to labor and delivery "just to see how things were going." By the time I got there I was 4 centimeters dilated and 100% effaced. Contractions weren't quite as regular, though. He called the nurse after about 30 minutes of me being monitored and based on what she said decided to admit me! I was so excited...I just knew I wasn't coming home again without my little peanuts!

Poor Ryan had to race to the hospital from work during rush hour traffic. I decided to hold off on getting the pitocin, epidural, and water breaking until Ryan got there. While we waited my contractions picked up and were coming every 2 minutes. He finally got there after about an hour and a half. The pitocin was started first, then the water breaking, and then finally the epidural! Oh my goodness that is a wonderful drug! My weeks of back labor disappeared and I was a happy girl! Right about that time the whole family arrived, both sets of grandparents and siblings. Since it was going to be a long night we decided to announce the babies' names. Everyone was so surprised. We attempted to get some sleep, but I was way too nervous and excited to sleep! Unfortunately, my labor stalled at 8 centimeters, so Dr. Clayton decided to do a c-section.

Once that was decided, everything happened so fast. I was brought into the OR to be prepped while Ryan waited for me. It must have felt like an eternity for him. There seemed to be a million doctors and nurses in the room getting everything ready. Once things were set, Ryan came in and the procedure started. Ryan got to watch the entire surgery. He says it was the coolest thing he has ever seen (you will have to ask him for details). The anesthesiologist held a mirror so I could see both babies be born...it was so incredible! Once Clayton and Chloe were born and I was sewn back up we went to a recovery room. I was extremely nauseous, which really stunk because it was hard to enjoy the whole experience. Chloe was then taken to the nursery for observation and then to the NICU to be more closely monitored. Poor Ryan was a mess as he ran from her side to mine to make sure we were both okay. She did great, though, and joined us 2 days later. Clayton was able to be in the room with us the whole time. I never imagined that I would be able to have my babies in the room with me...God is so great!

I started moving well right away, but was extremely anemic. Dr. Clayton thought my body would recover, but it didn't, so I had to have a blood transfusion on Saturday. Once I had the transfusion, I started to feel like myself again!

We came home on Sunday, May 9th...Mother's Day! I couldn't have dreamt of a better gift!

Ryan and I are so in love with Clayton and Chloe. They truly are a gift from God that we waited for for so long. We sometimes just stare at them in total awe of the lives we created. Thank you everyone for your support, love, and prayers!

Oh my goodness...I have TWO FULL TERM babies in me!

We are officially 37 weeks today! I can't believe it. I truly never thought it was even a remote possibility for us to make it full term. As long as nothing unexpected happens, these little peanuts will be coming home with us. I am so excited and cannot wait to meet them. My discomfort level has definitely hit a peak and my emotions are running wild, but it will all be worth it when our two little miracles come into the world. I go to see doctor tomorrow and we will definitely be discussing induction. I am hoping things have progressed enough since last week taht he just sends us over. What a happy Mother's Day this is going to be for all of us!

Wow...36 weeks!

By the grace of God we have made it to the point where my OB said I could start dancing again! Yeah right now that my feet are huge along with my ever growing belly! On Thursday I measured at 42 weeks, was 2 cm dilated, 90% effaced, and baby boy is pressed firmly in my cervix at -2 station. I get pretty regular contractions every evening for a few hours, but then they stop. I'm hoping at our appointment tomorrow (Monday) I will be even more dilated and he'll just send us over! I'm totally amazed and so grateful that we made it this far. I truly never imagined it would be a possibility. According to my doctor we should be able to bring the babies home with us! We started this baby journey in January 2007...3 years later we are days away from meeting our precious little miracles! Thank you everyone for your love, support, and prayers.

We made it to 34 weeks!!!!

Yesterday we saw our perinatologist, Dr. Azarat, for the LAST time! We officially graduated! The office couldn't believe we made it to our 34 week ultrasound. Baby boy is weighing 5 pounds 2 ounces and baby girl is weighing 4 pounds 5 ounces. He's going to be big like his daddy and she's going to be petite like her mommy. Even though she's a bit smaller, Dr. Azarat said she is perfectly fine. He loves making fun of how small I am. He was so proud of how far we made it as are we! His goal is for me to make it to 35 weeks.

We also saw our OB, Dr. Clayton, today who is equally as happy with everything. Per my request I am continuing Procardia, which is the contraction medication I've been taking. It seems to be working really well. So, if I make it to next Monday, I will continue on the same dosage and then he will ween me off starting Monday. I measure at 39 weeks. I now don't have to call him until my contractions are 7 minutes apart. His goal is for me to make it to 36 weeks, but he definitely won't let me go past that. So we will for sure have babies in less than 2 weeks! I will be absolutely shocked though if we make it that far, but who knows at this point!

Both doctors would prefer for me to continue bedrest because they want me to bring the babies home with us, but I was given permission to move a little more and to just listen to my body. So, I am doing a little bit more here and there around the house and going on an outing a day or a little walk...never thought I'd be so excited to walk into a store as I was to go to Michael's the other day!

So, I imagine our next update will be to share that the babies have arrived, but you never know...we could actually make it to the 36 week mark!

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers this next week!