charm city twins

Happy Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:26:00 +0000

Raiding the candy bowl

Watching the hurricane

Cupcakes!

10 months

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 01:46:00 +0000

Time flies! Emily and Madeline are 10 months old. At their 9 month check-up they were a little over 15 lbs. each. Still little peanuts!

Madeline

Madeline is proving to be the more adventurous of the two and is more physical. She crawls very fast and is now standing unassisted for about 30 seconds. We're sure she will be walking pretty soon. Madeline is pretty goofy, and she she makes a funny growling sound and a fake cough. She is getting a little better with solid food, but still is picky about it and can't really handle a lot of it.

Emily

Emily is more timid than Madeline. She is not yet standing without holding on, but she has been been quickly learning some communication skills. She can wave hello and goodbye and can do sign language for "more." She loves to eat and begs for any food being eaten. She likes most everything but especially chicken, blueberries and sweet potatoes. She likes to dance to music too!

7 months - Movin' and Groovin'

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:39:00 +0000

In the last few weeks, Emily and Madeline have made some truly amazing advancements. It's incredible to see how quickly they change and develop. They are so engaged with everything they do and their surroundings. They are both sitting and crawling - Madeline was first and Emily was soon after. And Madeline is now able to pull herself up and stand. Babyproofing is in full-effect.

Here are some of the fun things they have been doing:

Emily swinging at the park

Emily finger paints

Madeline loves the pool!

Day trip to Kent Island

Sitting (and crawling)

Madeline standing

6 months!

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 01:30:00 +0000

Madeline and Emily are already 6 months old! They both are now about 13 pounds and little Baby B, Madeline, has slightly pulled ahead of Emily in weight.

The girls are not crawling yet, but have become very mobile by rolling around and pushing off of things with their legs. If you look away for a few minutes, they can almost get all the way across the room. Crawling will be not too far away.

Madeline now has two teeth poking out of her lower gums.

Emily going out for ice cream

Madeline

4.5 months

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:16:00 +0000

Emily and Madeline surprise us every day with the new things they do. They have gone from giving us occasional glimpses of a smile a couple of months ago to grinning from ear-to-ear all the time. We also get some gigging and laughing, especially from Madeline when she is tickled.

They are also able to move around pretty well. When put down on their backs, they can scooch around so that they are completely upside down. They have also gotten very good and picking up and grasping things.

We have just started introducing cereal. Emily seems to like it, but Madeline hasn't quite warmed up to it yet. We are hoping this helps fill them up enough to sleep through the night (please?!)

Madeline is skeptical about solid food.

We have also seen our first glimpses of sibling rivalry. In this video, what started as gentle rubbing of Emily's head turned into hair pulling. (If you are reading this in email, you may need to go directly to http://charmcitytwins.blogspot.com to view the video).

3.5 months - catching up

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 02:11:00 +0000

It's been a while since the last update. We've been busy! I returned to work full-time on March 5 and Pat also started a new job the following week.

The girls have been thriving. We recently packed away all the newborn-size clothes that Madeline has now outgrown. Both girls are getting more vocal, especially Madeline who like to carry on conversations. We are still waiting for that magical night where they sleep through the night. Hopefully it's not too far away.

Helping blow out the candles

Madeline (left) and Emily (right) looking sporty

Sharing a joke

Emily

Madeline

2 months old

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Madeline and Emily had their two-month check up on Thursday and are doing great. Emily is now 9 lbs. 3 oz. and Madeline is 8 lbs. 2 oz. Emily is half an inch taller than Madeline. We all survived their first round of vaccinations which left them pretty sleepy and a little cranky but otherwise they did well.

They are smiling more and more and enjoy playing together in their baby gym and sleeping together in their crib. They are changing so much, it seems like we can't keep up with photographing them at all their different stages. Here are some recent photos:

10 weeks old

Playing in the gym

With new friends from Grandpa

we have smiles!

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:02:00 +0000

In the past couple of weeks, the girl have started smiling. It helps make the every 2-3 hour feeding schedule that they are still on a little more tolerable.

Madeline

Emily

we're ready for our close up

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:09:00 +0000

We had some professional photographs taken of the girls when they were 3 weeks old. Here are some of the favorites:

one month

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:59:00 +0000

Emily and Madeline are one month old today! We've already seen so many changes in them. They have both been eating well and putting on weight. Emily is now 7lbs. 2oz. and Madeline is up to 5lbs. 3oz. They also have been working on their head and neck movement and are able to lift their heads when lying on their stomachs. They are also starting to notice each other and interact when we put them together which is lots of fun to watch (see the video below).


Emily very serious about demonstrating how she can lift her head

Madeline

Madeline checking out her big sister

2 weeks old

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:29:00 +0000

We've been home for about a week and half now and are starting to get the hang of things. Madeline and Emily are changing every day and are both becoming more alert and aware of their surroundings. The adults haven't been getting too much sleep between the feedings every 2-3 hours, but we are making it work with taking shifts overnight.

We had been concerned about the girls' weights, especially Madeline who dropped to under 4lbs. before leaving the hospital. She had a lot of difficulty getting the full amount of food she needed and staying awake through a feeding, but she is eating much better now. Both girls had gained a healthy amount of weight at their two-week pediatrician appointment and are now above their birth weights. They also each grew 3/4 of an inch.

Here are some pictures from when the girls were first born and their first couple of weeks.

Happy Grandma

Uncle Mike and Aunt Laurie

Proud Grandfather and Aunt

Madeline and Emily

Amy and Emily, Anna and Madeline

Daddy's girls

First family picture

and then there were four

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:39:00 +0000

Amy in the early stages of labor.

Dressed from head to toe in scrubs, I stood alone in a room at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on a Saturday night. Down the hall, behind two sets of secured double doors, Amy lay on an operating table, fully dilated and experiencing strong contractions. She had been wheeled into the operating room moments earlier when, after a 23-hour induction, the decision was made to proceed with a vaginal delivery. I was instructed to change into scrubs and wait.

After a few minutes, I spotted a familiar looking nurse walking by. “They are still preparing the room. We’ll come and get you soon,” she explained before disappearing behind steel double doors. Time seemed frozen as I waited, pacing under fluorescent lights, realizing that our lives were about to forever change.

Finally the signal came. I followed a nurse into the operating room where Amy lay on a table, surrounded by eight or nine doctors and nurses. She was already pushing.

I took Amy’s left hand and began counting aloud in unison with two doctors positioned near her feet. “One – Two –Three – Four – Five – Six – SEV-en – EIGHT – NINE – TEN.” And a big push. Then another 10-count on top of the push. We watched the monitor, waiting for the next contraction to begin. This process repeated with increasing intensity until the top of a baby’s head could be seen. We were getting very close. I leaned over the table, looked at Amy and said, “I’m not going to hold your hand through the next one because you’re going to do it this time.” With that, I scooted to the opposite end of the table and watched as our first baby was born at 11:27 pm. I will never forget the amazing sound of her rapid gasps and cries upon first breath.

Within minutes, “Baby A” was lying in my arms, pressed close to my chest. “Does she have a name?” a nurse asked.

“This is Emily,” I replied, locking eyes with our daughter. It was the best feeling in the world, like looking deep into another universe. I turned to Amy, who was quickly back at work, and introduced Emily. Amy’s face lit up. But there was more to come, and Amy was getting distracted. The doctors told her to focus.

I held Emily as I watched her sister Madeline arrive at 11:35 pm. And just like that, in a span of eight minutes, our family of two became a family of four.

Thank you, Amy. I love you.

Emily Claire Redgate

Born on December 10, 2011 at 11:27 pm

Weight: 5 lbs, 8 oz

Length: 18 1/4 inches

Madeline Ida Redgate

Born on December 10, 2011 at 11:35 pm

Weight: 4 lbs, 3 oz

Length: 16 3/4 inches

In the recovery room, one hour after the birth. Emily on the left, Madeline on the right.

38 weeks - the end of the line

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:15:00 +0000

Amazingly, we have made it full-term! So now, the twins are getting evicted. I am scheduled to be induced starting Friday night (December 9th). We will go into the hospital around 7pm and they will start the induction process. This may take 2-3 days depending on how fast things progress with labor and how things go. We are hoping we can avoid a C-section if possible, but it could still happen if labor doesn't go as fast as it needs to, or if a baby is in distress, etc. I should get some kind of award for this, I think!

It's very exciting but we are also nervous! We are as ready as we can be though.

Here are some pictures of the nursery for those who have been asking. We still need some finishing touches, but it is coming together.

36 weeks

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:12:00 +0000

Things are still going smoothly at 36 weeks. We had our last measurement ultrasound on Wednesday and the babies' estimated weights are now 4 lbs. 13 oz. and 4 lbs. 2 oz. Baby A is bigger than Baby B but this is nothing to be concerned about. If I don't go into labor on my own, an induction will be scheduled for December 8th or 9th at 38 weeks. So within 2 weeks, the girls will be here! If only we could decide on names...

34 weeks

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:57:00 +0000

We are in the home stretch! 34 weeks is a big milestone, especially for twins. If they were to be delivered now, although premature, they would most likely be in good health and would need little or no medical intervention. The average delivery age for twins is 36 weeks.

Since Pat is usually the one behind the camera, we realized we had very few pictures together and took some time to get some photos.

Grandma, Aunt Riley, and Uncle Dudley

Finally, here's some proof that pregnancy brain can be contagious (sorry, Pat):

Amy Redgate 10:32 am
        your key is probably in the bin in the kitchen

predgate1 10:33 am
        i looked
        it is not there
        please check ur bag

Amy Redgate 10:34 am
        i did
        i know i saw it

predgate1 10:36 am
        i saw them too
        idk what happened
        i know they are in the house if u did not take them
        because i unlocked the door to get in last night

Amy Redgate 10:36 am
        you probably put them in the fridge

predgate1 10:37 am
        i opened the fridge
        and they fell out

Amy Redgate 10:37 am
        for real?

predgate1 10:37 am
        thank you!

Amy Redgate 10:37 am
        i think you have pregnancy brain

33 weeks

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:39:00 +0000

Things are still going well! I had fetal monitoring twice last week and things are looking good for both babies. They have good heart rates and movement. We are taking it day by day, but hopefully things will continue smoothly for the next month.

My company really gets into Halloween so I went with the obvious costume choice...

And here are some photos my resident photographer took of me at 33 weeks. The bare belly photo is one you won't see on Facebook!

32 weeks

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:59:00 +0000

We had an ultrasound this week, and while the babies are doing well and appear healthy, they are measuring small for their age. Baby A is 3lbs. 2oz and Baby B is 3lbs. They should be closer to 4lbs. each. The doctor said this is nothing to be concerned about, but as a matter of practice, if babies are in the 10th percentile for weight they recommend fetal monitoring twice a week. I will need to go to Hopkins twice a week for a couple of hours at a time going forward so that they can monitor the babies heart rate and movement.

31 weeks and aunt laurie's visit

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:34:00 +0000

At almost 31 weeks, I'm still feeling pretty good. I'm going to work every day and aside from some swollen feet, heartburn and general discomfort, I can't complain. The babies' growth (and mine) is pretty apparent week over week. Going forward, the babies will be entering a growth spurt and will be gaining about 3 oz. per week per baby. I'm a little nervous about what these means for my body!

Laurie came to visit this weekend and saved the day by helping assemble the cribs, changing table/dresser and baby swing. Once we get the nursery painted and the bedding and curtains arrive, we should be in good shape with the room.

29 weeks

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:13:00 +0000

I'm just about 29 weeks along. Since the babies will be delivered at 38 weeks (at the latest) that leaves only about 8-9 weeks longer. We hope they decide to stay in there that long since we still have a lot to prepare before then...and we obviously want them to be big and healthy! We can see and feel a lot of action now as they have been moving around a lot in the past few weeks.

I'm now going to the doctor every 2 weeks with ultrasounds every 4 week to measure the babies' growth and to make sure they are both developing at a fairly equal pace. At last week's appointment, Baby A weighed 2 lbs. 3 oz. and Baby B weighed 2 lbs. 1 oz.

We didn't get any good pictures of Baby B as her hands were blocking her face. We did get this fairly good 3D picture of Baby A. Since no one can ever see actually tell what the pictures are actually of (except the parents), I labeled this one to make it a little easier. She is facing to the right, her arms are up and her hands are in front of her face.

boston and connecticut visit

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:41:00 +0000

We had a great visit to Boston and Trumbull with wonderful friends and family who celebrated our growing family with us. We are so thankful and grateful for everything! Here are some pictures from the weekend.

nesting

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:04:00 +0000

It's been while since the last update. We haven't had cable or internet since we moved, but just got it yesterday. We moved into our new home on August 25 which was just two days after the earthquake, and just in time for Hurricane Irene. Luckily, we didn't get any damage or even have to deal with power outages like other parts of our town. There was just a lot of leaves and branches down which was new for us to have to contend with.

We have been settling in and gradually getting things set up. At 24 weeks, I don't move as fast as I used to, but Pat has been doing all the physical moving of things. We are looking forward to having visitors once we get settled in.

last weekend in little italy

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:36:00 +0000

This is our last weekend living in Baltimore's Little Italy before we move out to the greener pastures of suburbia. We've loved living down here and being able to walk a few blocks to the harbor, Fells Point, a block from Whole Foods and Pat's gym, and my 10 minute walking commute to work (which has become more like 15 minutes lately when I do walk). We won't miss the weekend night noise, smelly restaurant dumpsters on hot summer days, and random garbage left on our steps. Overall, we will really miss it and are glad we had the experience of living here for the last 10 months.

To celebrate our last weekend here after a long day of packing, we went out for a Little Italy dinner.


Vaccaro's delicious Italian pastries

Ciao, Little Italy

stop kicking your sister

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:45:00 +0000

We had our big 20-week anatomy ultrasound last Friday and we have two girls who are growing right on track! During this ultrasound, they take measurements of all the body parts, examine the chambers of the hearts, and, of course, confirm the genders. They are able to determine from the measurements that Twin A is 10 ounces and Twin B is 9 ounces.

Although I can't feel them moving yet, the twins were very active and moving all around. Twin B was kicking Twin A in the head repeatedly which we captured on this video of the ultrasound monitor. It's a little hard to see, but you'll see Twin A on the left and Twin B on the right. Twin A is facing to the right. Twin B is lying on her back curled up with her legs over her head. You can see her kicking Twin A in the head a couple of times and kneeing her in the nose towards the end. They are actually in separate sacs but the sacs are so thin, that it really doesn't cushion anything. It's a little easier to see if you click the icon on the bottom right of the video player to view in full-screen mode.

Here are some other photos.


Twin A's head on the right looking downward with Twin B's legs crossed to the right.

Twin B's profile (laying on her back with her head on the right) and Twin A's foot above her head.

halfway there

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:21:00 +0000

I'm more than halfway now at about 20 weeks.

Coincidentally, I cracked open an egg this weekend to find a double yolk. Very symbolic!

birthing facts from the multiples clinic

noreply@blogger.com (charm city twins) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:35:00 +0000

Today was our first appointment at the Multiples Clinic at Johns Hopkins. The staff in this clinic specializes in multiple pregnancies and births so we are really happy to get into this practice. We loved the doctor and nurses there and we learned a lot of information about what to expect for the births:

Here are some interesting things we learned:

38 weeks is the maximum time that they will let the babies be inside. This pushes our "official" due date to approximately December 8th at the latest
All multiples are delivered in the operating room rather than a birthing room even if you are having a natural birth. This allows the doctors to be especially prepared if extra intervention is necessary
In the case of a natural birth, the first baby (Baby A) needs to be delivered head down, but Baby B can be delivered breech (unless Baby B is significantly larger than Baby A)

We also had a quick ultrasound and were able to see what looked like one twin pushing the other -- the rivalry starts early. One twin also flipped around and we got an indication of what the sex may be of that one, though we are waiting until the official anatomy ultrasound on August 5th to confirm it. Stay tuned!