Today's The Day...

...the teddy bears have their picnic. No, No, sod the bears, today's the day that Lucy comes home. Finally we can be a complete family. Now although I say she's coming home, I won't believe it until she's finally in the car seat and gurgling on the journey back home. She was meant to come home yesterday. The doctor gave the all clear, but the nurses felt that as she still wasn't eating full feeds all the time, it could prove a burden on Sherri, with one already at home. Anyway the nurses had their way, but the doctore said "one more day only." So their you have it.

We got home last night from the hospital and Sherri took the girls to Walmart to pick up some stuff for Halloween. This left me some quality time with Sarah. I changed her and gave her her feed which she drank at a fair pace. I then snuggled up with her on the sofa for nearly an hour. This is what being a Dad is all about. I realise it's going to be hard on us with two, but I think it's going to be a lot less stressful than constantly going back and forth to the hospital.

Anyway time for me to pay a few bills online and get some work done. TTFN.

Still No Lucy!

We are still awaiting word that it's OK to take Lucy home. We were geared up to do this yesterday, but unfortunately she had a rough night and didn't eat as much as the doctors would have wanted. So the waiting game continues and we wait to see if today is the day.

Just a Quick Update!

We went to visit Lucy last night and she now has her feeding tube removed. Touch wood, if she continues to feed well, we could have her home as early as Wednesday. That's great news for us and means we will be able to settle down into some kind of normal family life. Well as normal a life as twins will allow :-)

It's Official, I Am A Baby Bore...

... and I don't care. The only worrying thing about having babies is all the different terms, colours and adjectives you discover to describe Poo Poo. I just feel a little sorry for Pee Pee. No one seems to care about him. Nappy wet? So What. Pooey Nappy? What Colour? What Consistancy? Does it Smell? Oh well they tell me that's just the early days I know. No doubt we'll have something else to discuss, to replace the Poo Poo dialogue.

Fo an update on Lucy, she managed to take some full feeds by bottles yesterday and is still doing pretty well otherwise. I'm sure that if she continues the way she's going, we'll have her home by next weekend.

Even with one baby at home, things are pretty hard, but that's just cos Sarah is feeding every 3 hours. Sherri and I have managed to cook up something between us, so we are both at least managing to get 6 hours sleep each.

How are we doing?

We are doing very well thank you. However we have found sleep to be a very valuable commodity. It's all just a matter of setting some kind of regime and we'll be fine. Last night was a good example. Between Serri and myself we manage to get a good 6 hours sleep each, which I can tell you was badly needed.

Today is just a put my feet up and relax day. I'm currently watching over Sarah, while Sherri visits Lucy. It's hard not going in, but sometimes a rest is very much needed. Sherri is however under team orders to make sure the first hug and kiss are from me :-)

My Mum is now back on English soil. It was so great to se her again after 2 years. It's amazing how time flies. She was just great with Sarah and Lucy and is totall in love with them. Hopefully it won't b too long before her and my Dad are over to visit.

Anyway time to make another cup of tea and watch the rest of the Brazilian Grand Prix Qualifying.

Parenthood, the final frontier.

These are the voyages of the Parents Meeks.
Their continuing mission:
to explore strange new poos,
to seek out new life and diaper rash,
to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Now don't get me wrong, parenthood has nothing to do with Star Trek, but I couldn't resist plagisrising the open sequence. Anyway I digress... (don't I always)

Sarah is now safely at home and sound asleep, well in 3 hour bursts she is. I can't remember feeling this tired in a long time. However I have it easy, it's Sherri who is the star. How she's managing to pump and feed every 3 hours I don't know. With any luck Lucy will be home later this week, or early next, then the fun really starts.

Poor Kosmo doesn't know what to make of it all. He's really confused I think. He's going to be really dumfounded when Lucy comes home too. He's been really good though. We introduced Sarah, pretty quickly after bringing her home and he's settle down really well. In fact he was even guarding her bassonet while she slept.

The next few days are going to be really tiring, but nothing worth anything is ever easy.

Sarah's Coming Home!

Today is an exciting day for us, if a little bitter sweet. We were informed on Sunday that Sarah would be ready to come home today. This is excellent news, but at the same time a little sad, as Lucy is still not feeding totally without the tube, so she will be unable to come home at the same time. There's no cause for concern, she's puting on weight and has no IV, so it's just a matter of time. We are hoping that she will be ready to come home at the end of this week or early next week at the latest.

Apart from that, we still have my Mum with us, hence the lack of posts over the last few days. She's thrilled to death to see her grandchildren, both big and small. I've made a copy of the birth video on DVD, so she has that to look at when she gets home. I've also had printed some digital photos which she'll be getting a copy of. The wonders of science. Our babies will either love that their early years are so well documented, or hate it. It all depends on how we blackmail them when they are older ;-)

Anyway hospital later today and one addition to the family home tonight. It's going to be interesting to see how Kosmo reacts. We have been putting their dirty sleepers in their swings and chairs and he's been prett good with that, so with any luck he will welcome them with open paws.

My Muvver!

Today is kind of exciting for the Meeks household. Tonight at 5:50, I pick up my Mum from Ottawa Airport. This will be the first time in 2 years that I've seen my Mum, and 2 years and 4 months that everyone else in the house has seen her. I just wish we had Lucy and Sarah at home, because otherwise we have to adhere to hospital visiting hours for my Mum, which is between 3pm and 7pm. Oh well at least my Mum will get to hold them and change a nappy or two if she wants ;-)

Anyways I gotta dash. I have a big client appointment this morning and another one in the afternoon, so have to get into work early to prepare.

Hugs and kisses to my baby girls.

First Day Back at Work!

I'm writing this at work, the first time I've been here since Thursday. I'm not doing a full day here, just sitting in for the weekly meeting and then off to the hospital to be with my girls.

I had some really good news today. My Dad is sending my Mum across the pond to see her new grand daughters. My Dad would love to come as well, but unfortunately when you run your own business, it's not always that easy to drop things at a moments notice. Hopefully he'll be able to make it in the next few months.

It's funny, my Mum hasn't been in Canada since 2002, and for us a lot has changed since then. This will be the first time she's seen our new (almost a year ago) house. I'm sure Kosmo will be excited as will Mandi and Ally to see their Nan.

Time to dash. I'm a man on a mission :-)

Daddies Girls!

At long last, here's a nice picture of my little girls together for the first time.

They are now at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and will probably be there for only a couple of weeks (knock on wood). The Special Babby Needs section there is great and a whole lot lighter in atmosphere than the General, but both place offer excellent care.

Sherri is now home, after being dispatched this afternoon. It's so hard still having the babies in hospital, but they are in the best place, getting the care they need to enable them to come home to us, safe and well. The two weeks can't pass too quickly.

Finally a Pause for Breath!

As you can imagine, the last few days have been pretty hectic. I still haven't managed to get much sleep, but I'm doing OK. My appetite has also gone out of the window, but I'm managaing to eat when necessity dictates.

Both my little girls are doing well, as are my medium girls and my big girl :-) In fact Sherri is being discharged from hospital tomorrow, or should I say later this morning. It's a bitter sweet pill, as the babies are still staying in hospital, until they are a bit bigger and able to eat and keep their food down.

Sarah is no longer in an incubator and is doing great. She's lost a little weight, but that's to be expected in new born babies. She's such a contented little thing and loves nothing more than to sleep on my chest. Lucy is still being carefully watched. She had her first bowl movement in the early hours of yesterday morning and followed that up with a full nappy when I changed her yesterday afternoon.

Both Sarah and Lucy are being fed by gauvage, which is a bottle by gravity through a tube directly into their tummies. Sarah has managed a little from a bottle, but the poor thing wears herself out. Both are trying to breastfeed, but Sherri is still waiting for her milk to come in, in plentiful supply.

So far I'm like a rabbit in a cars headlights, dazed and confused, but it's all beginning to make sense and the nurses in the hospital are great and very willing to point us in the right direction.

The next week is going to be interesting. It has been hinted at that Sarah could be home very soon, we sure hope so.

Welcome to Our World!

Yesterday was the most amazing day of my life. Not only did Sherri and I celebrate 4 wonderful years of marriage, but we also welcomed our twins to the world.

We originally had a planed c-section of November 5th. Yesterday was our pre-op appointment, where the hospital prepared us for what we could expect. Sherri dropped me off at work and came home. Now what stared the ball rolling, really sounds a bit off, but it started by her mucus plug freeing itself. This lead to slight contractions, that had Sherri a little concerned. She called her Mum, who used to be a nurse and she said not to take any chances and to call the hospital. When Sherri did that, they said not to take any chances and come on in.

We arrived at the hospital around 4ish, by which time Sherri's contractions were every 3-4 minutes. The doctor performed an internal exam and said for us to come back in a couple of hours to be re-examined, or earlier if things got any worse. We managed to hold off for the two hours before returning, by wih time Sherri was fairly dialated and contractions were now ever 2 minutes. Thi was enough for the doctor to re-arrange all planned c-sections for the night and to place us next on the list.

We eventually got into the operating room around 8:30-9:00pm. The first order of the day was for Sherri to have a spinal injection to freeze the bottom half of her body. Unfortunately this was asier said than done. Sherri must have had 8 freezing injections and numerous spinal injections, before they decided a different approach. Finally with Sherri's body frozen the c-section was underway around 9:45pm.

I was in the fortunate position to be with Sherri all the way through the delivery and was even able to see things that would make some men faint. After much cutting and slicing, Sarah Elizabeth Meeks was born at 10:20pm weighing 4lbs 6.5oz. She was soon followed by Lucy Ellen Meeks at 10:23p weighing 4lbs 15oz.

Lucy had a slight difficuly with breathing. Secifically her little lungs were unable to effectivly expell the carbon dioxide that was being created in her body. Thanks to an apparently new drug called Bless she is now breathing without the aid of an air tube and is doing well.

Yesterday was such an incredible day, that I had very little sleep and am consequently feeling very, very tired. My body aches all over, but I have this warm glow inside. I really can't believe our babies are here already.

We can expect Sherri to be released from hospital on Sunday or Monday. As for Sarah and Lucy, the timeline is not so precise. Depending on which doctor or nurse you talk to, we can expect to have them home anywhere between 10 days and 7 weeks. Personally I'm thinging they'll be home in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to hold them both in my arms.

I'm going to sign off for now. I have lots of pictures and a video to prepare for the web. I'm hoping to have something up in the next few days, but don't hold me to it. Sorry for any typos in this entry, but I really don't have the energy to re-read everything and correct it.

Rest well Lucy and Sarah. Thank you Sherri for giving me 2 more wonderful daughters.

All my love.

Daddy XOXOXOXOXOXO

Happy Anniversary Honey!

Four years ago today is a very special day for Sherri and I. Today, 4 years ago the Senators played the first game of the season........... oh yeah and we got married :-) I'm just kidding of course, 4 years ago, was a wonderful day and it's hard to believe that 4 years has passed already. I must say that it's bena rollercoaster of a ride, but I wouldn't change a single minute (well apart from the lack of money bit).

I was fortunate to have my Mum and Dad and one of my close friends Allen Maloney, who also stood as my best man, over from England. A fun day was had by all.. a fun night was had..... well you get my drift :-)

It's seems strangely ironic that today of all days is our appointment at the hospital, to run through what is required when Sherri is admitted to have the twins. They're doing some tests and maybe an ultrasound. Any excuse to see the babies is fine by us.

So again, Happy Anniversary Honey, thank you for making me the happiest man in the world.

Patient Report

Even though I worked from home yesterday, the day was pretty productive. I managed to get quite a few things done and also keep an eye on our wobbly puppy. It's so bitter sweet to watch him wobble while he walks. He had what would be a really funny incident, if it wasn't so sad. He was walking towards me and his legs just gave way under him, so they were splayed out either side of him. We're not too concerned as we are used to this welcome home sequence, especially when his dose of medication has increased by so much. That is the only thing that concerns me. It also concerns the dotors as they want another blood test in just over a week.

Phenobarb is a fairly powerful drug and can have real adverse effects on the liver and other organs. So far though, his body has been handling it well, in fact a little too well as it can't keep a consistant level in his body. We may have to take him in now and then for booster shots, but that's a small price to pay. Mandi is off school sick today, so that's good for Kosmo, at least he has someone ese around, as does Sherri if Kosmo is taken ill. I am also only 10 minutes away in case of an emergency, so all the bases are covered.

He's home

At long last our home is complete with our little man. I picked him up last night after leaving work a little early. It was so good to see him and the feeling was clearly mutual. It's funny, the person who brought him to me, took his car harness to put on him. I didn't notice it was on upside down, until I got outside and noticed that it was dragging along the floor.

He was a little groggy last night, no surprise considering he's been so pumped with drugs. His dose has doubled since we took him in there, but they assure me it's only until his levels can be maintained. I've taken the opportunity to work from home today, so I can keep an eye on him and to ease the burden for Sherri should something happen. So far he's been his usual into everything "little git", but it's good to have him home.

Still Kosmoless!

Another working week begins and yet our house is still without Kosmo. We were due to pick him up yesterday, but he had another seizue at 2am and they ideally want him to go 24 hours without a seizure before releasing him.

It's really hard not having him at home. Every now and then we hear a little tinkle, just like the sound his collar makes, but alas it's not him. Our house just isn't the same without him.

With any luck he'll be coming home later today. I can just envisage his excited face when he sees me for the first time. We hate to leave him in the hospital, but sometimes ou have to do what's best for him.

My Beautiful Wife and Babies!

Today I'd like to dedicate a blog to my beautiful wife, as pictured to the left carrying our two babies. At 32 weeks, with little under 6 weeks to go, things are starting to get rather exciting. The picture was taken on Thursday at my Wifes work. They had a baby shower for her and two other co-workers who are also due around the same time.

As pregnancies go, this one has been pretty good (so the wife tells me). Apart from a couple of scares, which were only us being over cautions, Sherri has had it realatively easy. That is if you can call back ache, sore hands, aching hips, tiredness, the occasional bough of crakiness easy.... but it's all normal according to our OB/Gyn. It's funny, no matter what symptom, or worry we raise with the OB/Gyn, we get the same reply "It's normal". We keep saying we're going to invent something to see what she says :-)

The video camera is now on standby, ready to leap into action at a moments notice. Although we're ready and eager to have the babies now, we realise then longer they are in Sherri's belly, the better off they will be in the long run. November 5th seems a lifetime away, but before we know it, we'll be celebrating their first birthday.

We're Thinking Of You Mate!

Last night was awful. Or rather the early hours of this morning were awful. Poor Kosmo after weeks of no seizures had a string of four within an hour, starting at 3am. For him to have say 2 in the morning and 2 in the night is usually his regular pattern, but 4 in such quick sucession does begin to worry me. By the time of his fourth seizure I was dressed and had him safely secured in the car and got to the animal hospital around 4:30am.

Now I love that the hospital has an emergency wing, but I could have had a heart attack when they told me the estimate for a couple of days was over $800. Don't get me wrong, we love Kosmo just like a member of the family and no amount of money is too much, but even with pet insurance, you have to still pay first and then wait for the cheque in the mail. Fortunately for us, he hospital agreed to a post dated cheque, so that takes the heat off things a bit. The animal insurance usually has a cheque for us within a week or so, so we're not out of pocket long.

I can't say enough, how much of a good idea getting pet insurance is. It may seem like a lot of money (in our case over $60 a month), but without it, the financial burden would have been massive.

Hopefully we can pick Kosmo up tomorrow around noonish. It's hard not having him around and we all miss him lots, but the way he greets us when we pick him up is priceless. Night night Komo, sweet dreams.

Phew, Glad That Ones Out of the Way!

After yesterdays huge post, as you can imagine there is no way today's is going to be as in depth. Reading it back yesterday was quite funny, it was almost like it happened to someone else. I suppose history is like that. The next in the series will cover my leaving Systematic and ending up here in Canada. I imagine the series will get to be around 10 parts, which will make quite a start on a book, if I decide to take it there. Now who in the world is ever going to want to read a book about me... I could probably count the amount on one hand, but I'd do it for me and nobody else. It would also be quite an interesting item to leave behind when I'm long gone. Time will tell.

Our appointment with the OB/Gyn went well yesterday. We're back in 2 weeks, so she must be really happy with our progress, as we were expecting her to ask us to start coming in weekly. Sherri is looking great, and apart from the usual aches and pains, she is doing remarkably well. She's also looking remarkable hot, I think it's that pregnancy glow you often hear about :-) We got to hear the babies heartbeats, which is always reassuring. They're both in the 140s, which is great.

After work yesterday we had to go get a repeat prescription for Kosmo. It's amazing how long it takes to fill a bottle with 100 pills. You normaly have to phone 24 hours in advance. Don't get me started on getting a prescription for Bromide liquid... Anyway he's doing really well too (touch wood), and is due for a checkup soon, just to check his blood levels. Another $100 bites the dust :-)