Dax and Barrett

Alright folks, they made their arrival! Stats:
Name: Dax Cody Winterholler
Date of Birth: April 4, 2012
Time: 9:45am
Weight: 5.0 lbs.
Height: 18.5 inches
Born at 38 weeks




Name: Barrett Joel Winterholler
Date of Birth: April 4, 2012
Time: 9:46am
Weight: 5 lbs. 12 oz.
Height 19 inches
Born at 38 weeks


Let me just start with LOVE. We are so in love. We feel so blessed. Honestly, we can't even believe that they are ours. It is so overwhelming to know that our Heavenly Father trusts us with these two boys. I haven't cried of frustration, (yet) but I have cried of JOY. It is amazing the joy that has been brought into our home. Cody loves them. He was so so sad to go to school on Monday. When he got home he just wanted to hug them and love them! Barrett REALLY likes to be held, and that makes Cody love him even more:) Daddy loves to just rock the boys all the time. And believe me, they love it. They don't make a peep in daddy's arms!
Delivery day was great. Believe it or not, I had the exact same nurse as I did on the day of Warner's delivery. This was a miracle. She was the 2nd on call nurse and just happened to be working that day and just happened to be assigned to us. She said when she saw our names she just bursted into tears. When I walked into labor and delivery and saw Jody I literally jumped (yes 9 months pregnant!) in the air and gave her a hug. She is the most amazing nurse, AMAZING. It was such a blast from the past sitting and getting my spinal block while she was holding my hand. I cry just thinking about it. I love her! She took amazing care of us.
We got all prepped for surgery, then headed to the operating room. My OB, the anesthesiologist, 1 nurse for each baby, and assistant surgeon, and a student were all in the room. All of the Dr.'s were awesome. the anesthesiologist was out of this world! Constantly checking on me and chatting with me. It was such a happy room.
I feel like it took a while to get Dax out, probably because I was so excited! They took him out and peeked him over the curtain, and immediately I was like, "That's Dax." I just knew that was his name right away! We had debated so much so it was nice to have that revelation:) At first he didn't make a peep until they got him to the baby station, but then he screamed and screamed! O how I loved that noise! He literally came out wanting to eat, so I was so excited to breastfeed him!
Then there was soooo much pushing and pulling. It kind of made me sick! Not actually sick, just uncomfortable. Within 1 minute, Barrett was out. He didn't waste andy time and screamed and screamed and screamed! (He is still the noisy one now, at 6 days...must be a sign!) Cody went over and took some photos, which I need to upload off of his phone. Those will come soon! Both boys were screaming like mad.
I was so surprised when they said that Dax only weighed 5 lbs! I thought he would be so much bigger from the ultrasound measurements...guess it is good they stayed in there for 38 weeks! Barrett looked chubbier so I knew he would be a bit closer to 6 lbs. But I was surprised that they were both so tiny. Holding them both at the same time, I am glad they aren't 10 lbs. a piece! That would be hard work! (or will be!)
When I looked at both my boys being cleaned up I was so overwhelmed with joy. I bursted into tears at the love I felt from our heavenly father. O how I knew that Warner was looking down on us at that very moment. He probably had some tears too, for he just said goodbye to his brothers for a while! I can't wait to all be together again after this life! We do feel like a family of 5! Whew that is crazy to say.
We got wheeled into recovery and they continued to check the boys. Barrett's blood sugar was a little low so Cody gave him a bottle right away. It boosted quickly so that was his one and only bottle thus far. Both boys looked great so I just held and cuddled with them and loved every second.
We then got changed to another postpartum room and began our life as parents of twins! O my amazing husband. Seriously I can't even tell you how good he is at this. He is a total natural. So patient, so loving. I didn't even change a diaper until we got home from the hospital. He just took care of all 3 of us 24/7. What a man. The boys love love love just rocking with their daddy in a recliner. And Cody loves it just as much as they do! He can't get enough of them. He is such an amazing man. I can't believe I get to have him! I am so in love with my husband, and this week just made it even better.
For the next 4 days, well, we fed, slept, changed diapers, and, um, did it again! The first day I nursed 1 baby at a time. THAT DIDN'T LAST LONG! It would take each of them 45 minutes to eat, so by the time I was done I could sleep for 30 minutes to an hour, then get ready to feed them again. I jumped on the opportunity to tandem breastfeed, and it worked! Thank heavens! I feel like a cow, seriously, but who cares! Less feeding time equals more sleep, and, well, I like to sleep. Cody was a pro helper, I think he could pretty much be a lactation consultant by this time. Really, he worked just as hard as I did to feed these boys!
Dax honestly loves to eat. He is a pro, and pretty much does it all on his own. Good thing, because Barrett is the opposite! He needs lots and lots of attention. He would rather sleep than eat, unfortunately. He just couldn't get the hang of it and lost 8 ounces in the first couple of days. After that, something clicked and he gained 2 oz. in 1 day. Go him! He is still really hard to get started, and I have to pay attention to him the entire time, but he is eating, and well. Thanks, Dax, For just feeding yourself over there while Bear gets all the attention:)
At their 1 week appt...
Dax: 5 lbs. 1 oz.
Barrett 5 lbs. 6 oz.
So, Dax has gained 3 oz. since we left the hospital and Barrett has gained 2 oz.! They are both doing great!

My mom got here last Sat, the 7th. She has been on the night shift and it is amazing how much of a help she is. We think she should just move here for good... hehe!
A friend came and did the boys newborn photos, and I can't way to see them! The boys were soooo good and she did so great. Yay for photos! I have been taking 1 photo each day and I will start posting them on my photography blog. Need a little more time first:) hehe.
Overall this is going great and we are loving every single minute of our lives! Can't wait for the weekend so daddy is back at home with us all day! Enjoy the plethora of pictures!

Me and Barrett right after delivery

Barrett's first bath

Proud Daddy with Dax

Dax's first Bath

Barrett being cute

Getting ready to give Barrett a hickey...seriously Dax sucked on his forehead!

First family picture on Cody's birthday, April 6th!

Dax just chilling

This is how Cody holds them, they LOVE it.

Someone's cute feet

Going home

Dax

Barrett

Dax sucking on Bro's head