The Mountain Millers

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Introducing...

Howard James Miller and Caroline Christine Miller.

Born January 1, 2016, Howard (6lb 9oz) at 8:41am and Caroline (6lb 0oz) at 8:46am, these were the first two babies born in our Valley in 2016. Mother and babies are doing very well and hope to be home soon.

Here are some fun details:

The Miller twins couldn’t wait to greet the New Year and were born at 8:41am and 8:46am. Parents Chris and Brooke Miller, of Rifle, arrived at Valley View hospital around 3:00am when Brooke was in early labor. Once checked in, things progressed quickly and with some notable excitement. When dialated to 7.5 cm, in active labor, the fire alarm began to squawk. Reassured by the hospital staff that there was no imminent danger or need to evacuate, labor quickly progressed to 9.5cm when Brooke was preparing to push.

Standard hospital policy for delivery of twins is for a mother to deliver in the Operating Room just in case an emergency arises. However, when the labor and delivery staff reported to the operating room to prepare for the Miller delivery, they discovered the reason for the fire alarm – not a fire, but a flood. A water main had broken in the hospital and the operating room was flooding. These New Year twins would be birthed in the labor and delivery room.

Instructors of The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth, Brooke and Chris were very hopeful to labor and birth their twins naturally without medication or an epidural. Both twins were in an excellent position for a natural vaginal delivery, and Obstetrician, Dr. Katie Mang-Smith of Women’s Health and Associates assessed the situation and was able to honor the couples’ desires for a natural, unmedicated delivery. For many of the nurses present, this was the first twin delivery without an epidural they had ever seen.

Brooke and Chris did not know the gender of either twin before delivery and with great joy, at 8:41am, father Chris announced to the room “It’s a Boy!” followed five minutes later at 8:46am with, “It’s a Girl!”

Howard James Miller (6lbs, 9oz, 20inches long) and Caroline Christine Miller (6lbs, 0oz, 18.5inches long) were healthy, happy, and, to their parents’ delight, here in time for the Michigan Wolverine’s kickoff in the College Football Citrus Bowl, which occurred later that morning.

Howard and Caroline will join big sister, Tracey Ann, who will be two years old later this month, at the Millers’ Rifle home in a few days. Although their parents missed the 2015 tax deduction, Howard and Caroline were the grateful recipients of a lovely gift box from Valley View Hospital and Women’s Health. Brooke and Chris remain incredibly thankful to the exceptional staff at Valley View Hospital and Women’s Health and Associates for their wonderful New Year delivery experience.

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Approved

Our double-bassinet for the twins has been Tracey Ann approved:

Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Pre-Twins Bucket List

A few days ago I called a friend of mine who has twins this past summer to talk about the final few weeks of pregnancy. She made it all the way to 38 weeks, plus one of her twins was smaller than the other, so they actually changed her 38 week due date mid-pregnancy to account for the smaller twin. So, she was induced at 38 weeks, but about ten days later than her original 38 week due date.

As I mentioned in the post yesterday, I seem to be a little bipolar these days and some moments I feel like I really can hang in for the duration of this pregnancy, and I am really am sincerely glad that the babies are still growing and developing... and then a few minutes later I am full of self-doubt and overwhelmed at the idea of carrying the twins for a few more weeks. This is a lot like running a marathon -- physically, I can do this. Physically, if I couldn't do this, I would have give birth already. The battle is mental.

So, I called my friend to ask how she, mentally, made it all the way to her 38 week induction date.

She recommended that I spend these last days or weeks really enjoying the time I have before two babies are in the picture. She said I should do things I really enjoy and just cherish the time before my time is not my own.

I thought this was good advice and so I began to think about things that would be on my "Pre-Twins Bucket List." Then, a few minutes later, I was doubled over in laughter because most of the things on my "Pre-Twins Bucket List" I cannot do because I am pregnant with twins.

My Pre-Twins Bucket List:

Go for runs
Make the most of the my time with Tracey Ann as the only child by building forts, playing out in the snow, getting down on her level to play, and doing special activities
Frantically settle into our home and move and unpack any and all of the boxes left to be unpacked
Go up to the new Glenwood Springs hot springs pools that opened over the summer and I haven't seen yet
Sleep soundly and through the night and sleep in every morning
Cook lots of meals for our freezer
Stay up late with Hubby watching fun movies and staring at our beautiful Christmas tree

The truth is, that would have to be my bucket list if I were not pregnant, and twins were just going to show up on our doorstep in the next few weeks.

Most of those things I cannot physically do these days, despite my desire. So, my bucket list has become a little more modest...

My Realistic Pre-Twins Bucket List:

Treasure time with Tracey Ann as the only child -- whatever we are doing (lots of play-dough, books, playing doctor, and cuddling with cartoons)
Making sure my parents feel comfortable in their routine with Tracey Ann so that when the twins do arrive, Tracey Ann will have some consistency
Enjoying bedtime with Hubby without nursing two babies -- our end of the day cuddling and pillow talk
Trying to do a few house projects each day with the help of my mom -- unpacking a few boxes here and there, hanging a few pictures here and there and trying to have things ready for the twins
Enjoying the ability to say when I'm tired and then get off my feet or take a nap
Treasuring this Christmas break where all of Hubby, Tracey Ann, my Mom, my Daddy and I are home together without the responsibility of two newborns... we are nesting, watching football, doting on Tracey Ann, and enjoying this time together as a family. This time really is a gift.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

1915

I found this interesting...

Monday, December 28, 2015

Preggers II -- Twins: 35 Weeks

How far along? 35 weeks... on Christmas Eve... so today, Monday; 35 weeks 4 days.

How I am feeling? A little bi-polar, to be honest. Some days I feel great and I'm so excited about all that we're getting done around the house and how much time I'm spending with Tracey Ann and the fact that the twins are still growing and devloping in utero. Other days I have a much harder time keeping my eye on the prize and remembering what good news it is that I am still pregnant. The twins are not ready to come out yet, and so in the womb is exactly where they should still be. Although, I will admit, I don't think it has helped me that the doctors have had us on high alert to expect the twins since mid-October. Really, I shouldn't really have been anticipating the twins until 36-38 weeks gestation... but the doctors had us ready and anticipating them since 26 weeks, so it feels like we've been on edge expecting labor for a really long time.

How big are babies? The size of coconuts... between 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and 17.2 to 18.7 inches long according the internet.

Sleep: Pretty normal given that I'm 35 weeks pregnant with twins. So I'm up about 4-6 times a night... which I guess is great practice for being the mother of newborn twins and a toddler under two.

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions: I'm not sure... but we're getting excited to find out.

Babies Nicknames: Babies, or Twins

Best moment this week: I think the whole family is nesting... since Christmas Eve all of Hubby, my Mom, my Dad and I have been working very hard on the house every day getting as many projects done, boxes unpacked, and organization in place knowing that the twins could arrive any time and that each day we spend organizing could be our last before life is very different.

Food cravings: Just food.

Missing: Oh, let's not go here... instead let's say that, when the babies arrive, I will miss the feeling of them moving, squirming, and kicking inside my belly at the same time. I will also miss Tracey Ann hugging my belly and using her new doctor kit on my big stomach. She uses her stethoscope, tweezers, and gives me shots in the stomach. It is really fun and sweet.

Movements: Yes, and I love them. Sometimes the jabs get a little rough, but for the most part, I absolutely love them and will miss them when the babies are born.

Labor Signs: Well, yes but just enough to make us wonder each and every night if tonight might be the night... but so far the babies are still hanging in and loving live in the womb.

Comparison: Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 35 weeks... and by the way, I tried on this green dress to try to wear to church on Christmas Eve -- it did not fit. Neither did the second Christmas maternity dress I tried on...

and here I am 35 weeks with the twins... in one of the few church outfits that did fit on Christmas Eve.

and a comparison shot, just for fun...

General Attitude: I'm trying to focus on one day at a time... I get overwhelmed when I think about another two and a half weeks of growing. Usually when I think about one day at a time I can stay positive and encouraged.

What I am looking forward to this week: All the college football that happens in the week between Christmas and New Years... and hoping that if and when I do go into labor that it doesn't conflict with some of these great games. I know, it's silly to think about... but at this point, the babies have waited this long to be born... could they give me a nice quick labor in between bowl games, please?

Milestones: Hubby and I toured the hospital again... not really because we felt we needed to -- we had Tracey Ann at this hospital less than two years ago, but we went by the Family Birth Place to drop off Christmas cookies. While we were there, we met with one of the nurses and she familiarized us with the nursery and neonatal intensive care unit, should we need them. We had been so focused on the good news of making it to 34 and 35 weeks in my pregnancy, that we were kind of naive not to realize that we might still be dealing with premature babies. Tracey Ann was never in the nursery during our stay at the hospital... but depending on the needs and sizes of the twins, that might not be the case this time. It was nice to learn the policies and procedures just in case we find ourselves with a baby or two in the nursery... although I am operating under the strong mindset that none of that will be necessary.

Thank you for your prayers in this journey.