Send Good Thoughts

I will be embarking on a courageous attempt (well, at least I think it is) tomorrow-

My husband is going on his first hunting trip since our twins were born. It will also be the first time he's spent the night away from Sam and Anna.

I will be solo-parenting all weekend long- with two 6 month old babies that have learned how to roll and wiggle to move where they want to go, to boot. (This makes stepping out of the room for "just a second" for the bathroom or whatever else virtually impossible unless all babies are contained, just FYI)

Please keep in mind that a.) I do not have a backup support system where we live because our families all live across state lines. b.) my closest local friend will be on the other side of the country for the weekend. c.) I've never experienced solo parenting with one child, so this will be a little bit of a boot camp for me, multiple mom style. It's one thing to watch multiple babies during the day and it's a whole different level to watch multiple babies by yourself for 48+ hours without the option of help or a break.

Gulp.

On the positive side- at least it will be the weekend and I don't have to get them ready for daycare at dark o'clock to be at school on time. It will also be good practice for the WEEK he will be gone 7 days from now. Ick. I don't even want to think about THAT right now.

Please send good thoughts our way that, although I will be outnumbered for naps, bottle feedings, mealtimes, baths, bedtime and nighttime sleep, things go well and we have a good weekend!

Growing Up So Fast! (Photo Post)

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Sam and Anna are growing up so quickly! What we've been up to lately:

Swinging!

(The token twin crab swing photo)

First Finger Food!

(Sam and Anna love their Mum Mums)

Sippy cups!

Sitting! (Anna was a little cranky from her cold this day)

Standing!

This is a photo from our 6 month pictures last Saturday. For those of you who do not know, A.R.T.=Assisted Reproductive Technology. It was too cold to wear them for our Miracle Baby Picnic, so since I couldn't find something I thought would work well for the jean picture, I went with these!

A Great End to a Not-So-Great Week

My week blew chunks. I don't want to even get into it, and I'd rather just forget the crapfest that it was (and hope it doesn't return next week).

But today was glorious. Today was Saturday and I got to spend all. day. long. with my babies. I got to change diapers. I got to play with the loves of my life for hours. The week long rainy dreary weather slipped away over night, producing a bee-u-tiful crispy fall-like day. I "let" my husband sleep in and selfishly kept Sam and Anna all to myself for a few hours. During their first nap, I ran errands and treated myself to a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I didn't worry about what I should be doing that I can't get done during the week (if my house has been dirty this long, what's one more day?). Later we went for a nice walk as a family and went for ice cream. Sam and Anna had their 6 month photo shoot, so I can now stop obsessing over what they are going to wear. After they were snug in their cribs for the night, I went out for dinner and margaritas with a friend.

But most of all, I got to see these faces from (almost) sun-up to sun down. A glorious day, indeed.

Wordless Wednesday

Miracle Babies

Last weekend was our Fertility Clinic's Miracle Baby Celebration picnic that I mentioned being super excited about. I did not realize until we were there that NICU graduates of the hospital were also invited, so the crowd was a lot bigger than I had imagined. It was fun to be a part of this year's picture. I hope the 2010 picnic picture inspires hope in someone waiting and trying for their own miracle when they see it on the wall like the pictures from past years gave me hope during our IVF.

(With our RE)

Sick

My poor little baby boy has his first cold. Which means my poor little baby girl's first cold is on it's way. Which means what little sleep I get now will be wishful thinking for a while.

I am thankful that we made it over 6 months before either one got sick. I knew it was only a matter of time and I am hopeful that this means I'll have two well babies when my husband is out of town for two trips in October and two trips in November.

Crap. Do I try to reschedule 6 month photos since they will both probably look and feel sick this weekend?

6 months! (over a week ago)

6 months! Half a year old- time has flown by so fast that I'm typing this post over a week late (picture me looking a little sheepish).

Anyway....

At 6 months, Anna:

Is in size 2 diapers
Wears 3-6 month and 6 month clothes (outgrew 6-9 month Gerber onesies though)
Weighed 13 lb 1 oz - almost 10%ile
Length and head circumference were both 50%ile
Drinks 5-9 oz a time, 4-5 times a day - typically over 25 oz total daily (bedtime bottle is usually 7-9 oz)
GERD seems to be under control with 3 daily doses of prevacid via baby buffers and is finally not affecting her eating *knocking on wood*
Eats one solid meal a day for dinner at 5 pm, over 1 oz at a time
Was not a fan of rice cereal
Has enjoyed these food in this order: avocado, sweet potato, banana
Sleeps ~7 pm-6:30 am most nights- 11 1/2 hours in a stretch
Still swaddled, or sleeps 1-2 hours in a stretch at night
Has a very difficult time sleeping anywhere but swaddled flat. To get her to sleep in her carseat while traveling, I had to mimic swaddling by pinning her arms down with a blanket while singing a lullaby, holding her pacifier in and brushing her eyes closed with the carseat canopy blocking her view as much as possible. And then I pulled a rabbit out of a hat.
Is transitioning to a 4 hour schedule and consolidating 3 about an hour long naps into 2 longer naps and a catnap in the evening.
Is a pro at standing with an object for support
Would still rather practice standing than sitting
Still dislikes being on her tummy and rolls over instantly
Has zero interest in rolling from back to front (duh- because she hates being on her tummy!)
Has amped up the teething and must have something in her mouth at all times
Loves to rub whatever she's chewing on her bottom gums, but still no teeth!
Drools a lake daily
Is proficient at passing a toy from one hand to the other
Turns and manipulates objects in her hand
Can often insert her pacifier into her mouth on her own but likes to chew on it more than suck it
Cries while playing when an adult leaves the room
Poops a lot- on average 4 times a day (more breastfed-baby-like)
Smiles and talks to her brother
Likes to play with mom's hair
Likes to be carried on mom's hip
Says "dadadadadadada"
Still a shrieker and grunter
Will fake cough to get attention
Favorite toy right now seems to be our little bee finger puppet
Loves neck kisses (always a giggle inducer)
Likes tummy tickles
Enjoys pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo
Loves to smile and talk
Turns when you say her name
Likes to pull her socks off
Is showing much more interest in our dog, Bella

At 6 months, Sam:

Is in size 2 diapers
Is growing out of 3-6 month and 6 month clothes (wearing 12 month Gerber onesies)
Weighed ~15 lbs - almost 10%ile
Length and head circumference were both 50%ile
Drinks 4-8 oz a time, 5-6 times a day - typically over 30 oz total daily (bedtime bottle is usually 7-8 oz)
GERD seems to be under control with 3 daily doses of prevacid via baby buffers and is finally not affecting his eating *knocking on wood*
Still not a big morning drinker, though- more due to distractability and overnight feedings
Eats one solid meal a day for dinner at 5 pm, over 1 oz at a time
Was not a fan of rice cereal
Has enjoyed these foods in this order: avocado, sweet potato, banana
Seemed to really figure out how to open his mouth and eat while eating banana (he loves it so much you can't get it in there fast enough)
Sleeps ~7 pm-6:30 am most nights- with one MOTN feeding on average (sometimes none, sometimes wakes twice)
Sleeps in a sleepsack at night
Seems to have lengthened waketime to 2 hours and still naps better than his sister
Is transitioning to a 4 hour schedule
Likes to stand assisted
Has sat unassisted for a short time
Still rolls very quickly from front to back and has rolled from back to front but doesn't like to often, although he knows how
Is a HUGE wiggle-worm, especially when needing to be changed. It's a little like being in a rodeo and trying not to get bucked off!
Likes bouncing in our jumperoo
Has gotten much more drooly lately
Is a very content car rider
Enjoys splashing during baths
Passes a toy from one hand to the other
Turns and manipulates objects in his hand
Likes his pacifier more than his sister and will suck on it usually whenever offered (although we stick to mostly before naps and bedtime).
Seems to be more content self-entertaining lately
Poops once a day
Rounded out his flat spot on his head so it is no longer "something we need to watch"
Likes taking his sister's toys
LOVES his Sassy flip book. So much so that grandma bought two more of the exact same one for Sam and Anna. If he's fussy, give that book to him and he'll be content to look at it, turn it, chew on it, "read" it, etc for hours. Seriously. We actually tested the "hours" qualifier on our 4 hour road trip and it is true. He doesn't get bored of it- ever.
Likes to be carried on mom's hip
Loves going for a "ride" in the Ergo carrier
Says "mama" sometimes when he cries
Has very quiet period and very talkative periods
Loves neck kisses (always a giggle inducer)
Likes tummy tickles
Enjoys pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo

Help!

I have been struggling for weeks to decide what Sam and Anna should wear for their 6 months professional photos. We are getting them done next weekend (a little late, I know- but we were busy the two other weekends after they turned half a year old, and I really didn't want to do them early or on a weeknight). I wanted two outfits- one dressier, and one with jeans and basic tops (I envision a cute photo of mom and dad in jeans, each holding a baby's hands so they are standing in front of our legs which is the only part of us you can see- Sam and Anna also in jeans). I also considered getting apple hats or pumpkin hats from etsy to wear with jeans (but had no clue what tops they'd wear).

My first quandary: I don't know what tops to put with the baby jeans. I wanted something basic, and coordinating. But I don't want Anna to look too boyish. Long sleeve white T? Long sleeve gray Ts (Carters has a boy one and a girl version with a scalloped neckline and a little pink rosette so that would add a touch of girly-ness to it)? But would white wash them out? Would gray wash them out? Some sort of handcrafted Ts (maybe from etsy?)- but if that, what? I was thinking maybe solid red or something like that- but I just can't find anything that goes together girl/boy. Don't even get me started on the jeans either- it is so hard to find baby boy jeans and baby girl jeans that are in the same wash. What's with that? I can't find two jeans in different genders that match (except Circo from Target, but Circo's waists are too big for my skinny minnies). HELP! What do I do???


Second quandary: The dressy outfits. I'm big on coordinating but not being too matchy-matchy. Our 3 month professional pics had blue/pink outfits, so I'd rather stay away from that this time (which is, again, so hard to do!). And their 9 month outfits are already picked out (LOL, I know) and are blue and pink. Ideally, I wanted fallish colors for the outfits without any pictures like animals on them (so hard to find!) . Maybe a plaid or stripped collared button shirt for Sam. (side note- what is it with every place boycotting warm cozy fallish reds, oranges, etc.?) But that has been proving difficult. I've checked Gap, Old Navy, the Children's Place, Gymboree, Kohl's, Target, and a few online places. Nada. This is the best I've come up with that sort of fits what I want. (Click on them to see them larger) I don't love the bear face on front. I don't love that the dress is off white (hard to find tights) What do you think?

With this sweater over it to make it more "fall-like" and coordinating with Sam's outfit:

Please give me your two cents- what do you think? If you don't like it, be prepared to give me some other ideas of where to look! I'm all out of ideas.

Wordless Wednesday

This one cracks me up- you can just tell what's going through her head, "how on earth do I get this big thing in my mouth???" Plus, look how BIG her mouth gets!

And photo #2- it looks like they are sharing in this one, but in fact, we are now in the not so fun what-ever-toy-my-sibling-has-I-want stage. Sam gets more annoyed of his sister's toy stealing, but unfortunately, Anna's more persistent too.

A Solids Adventure

First off, I suck. I have been a bad, bad blog buddy and haven't routinely commented on blogs in who-knows-how-long. Here's my usual priority list: 1.) Sam and Anna 2.)Work 3.)Laundry 4.) Blog posts (because it is important to me to have a record of their baby days) 5.) Sleep 6.) Whatever else I can fit in (which includes commenting and housecleaning, so if I'm not commenting, you can imagine how my house looks right now!) I'm going to make a big effort to get better, I promise!

Secondly, I also feel a little crummy that I'm late with the big 6 month (half a year!) old post. I've never been late on a monthly milestone. But I had never been teaching kindergarten full-time while parenting twin babies during a monthly milestone before. The post is brewing, but it takes more mental energy than I've got right now to do it.

So instead, I'm recapping our solids adventure so far (typing one handed while holding a sleeping Sam so I can get my baby fix in since I was at work all day):

First, we started out with Earth's Best rice cereal. I had read that Gerber has hidden dairy and soy in their rice cereal, and didn't want to risk a problem with that, considering Sam and Anna were on a formula made for milk/soy protein intolerance for awhile so that's why we went with Earth's Best brand. We attempted a morning solids "breakfast" about an hour after their first a.m. bottle. We started like this because our babies aren't great morning drinkers especially, and we thought that extra stuff would help tide them over until their next bottle. Also, I had heard that when introducing a new food, a morning feeding is better so that if your baby has issues with it, it will be through their system before bedtime and thus not causing sleep issues at night. We quickly abandoned the rice cereal, because it tasted like formula and let's face it- Sam and Anna have never really been too fond of formula. They weren't too keen on the rice cereal, either, understandably. Plus, it doesn't have a huge amount of caloric benefit and our babies needed extra calories, not something to satisfy a big appetite.

After 4 days of rice cereal, we quickly moved on to avocado , since it is a higher calorie food, and because it was a pretty "safe" food for GERD babies. We also decided to move their once daily solids meal to the evening (about an hour and a half before their last bottle) so that we didn't have to try to cram it in before going to work and we could feed them together, rather than have our daycare provider give them their one solids meals. Avocado is so easy to make- we cut up half of one, blended it in our food processor, and then divvied it up between both babies (so each one got a fourth). It was so simple, we just made it on the spot each day before giving it to them. At first we added a little water to it, but then gradually used less and less water and eventually just gave them 100% avocado. Sam and Anna loved avocado. This food seemed to be the one that helped them learn how to eat pureed food from a spoon (although they are still learning!) I think they enjoyed the fact that it tasted nothing like formula. The evening dinner solids meal seemed to work well for Sam and Anna, so we've been sticking with that.

After a week with just avocado, we bought some sweet potato to try. I cubed 3 peeled sweet potatoes and steamed them for about 15-20 minutes. Then I blended them with a little cooking water, and put the puree into baby food cubes to freeze. It was easy-peasy, as I often say to my kindergartners. Sam and Anna thought they were okay. Each day they ate a little more than 1 oz of sweet potato. Forewarning: that stuff really stains, though! I was just relieved that so far we hadn't had any major food fails.

We stayed on just sweet potato for a week, and then alternated sweet potato and avocado for a while. We didn't want to start something new right before our trip to Minnesota in case they had problems. Plus I couldn't decide between bananas and squash for the next food to try!

I ended up getting organic bananas because the squash needed to be baked, and I didn't have time to do that since we were out of town for a few days. Today was day #1 of bananas, and OMG, we couldn't shovel it in Sam's mouth fast enough. Anna downed her half of a banana faster than she's eaten before too. My husband blended it in our food processor, but mushing it up with a fork would work just as well.

Since we've been on a fruit, veggie, fruit pattern so far, we'll probably just continue that until we run out of options. We'll do squash next. I plan to make as much baby food as I can and as much as my free time allows. I'm not going to beat myself up over feeding Sam and Anna store-bought food though. It's just cheaper to make your own, and since they have reflux/eating issues, I just feel more comfortable feeding them things without hidden ingredients.

So questions for you been-there-done-that (or doing it) parents- What foods have your babies liked best so far? How old was your baby when you added in a second daily meal? Our pediatrician suggested at 7 months, but I'm thinking we might before then and have our daycare provider give that one in the morning. Any tips on how to feed two at once by yourself (My husband is going on four trips in the next 2 months-eek!- and I need some advice on how to accomplish that)? The bibs get so nasty, I use stain remover, but still feel like I need to wash them at least every other day. This is really hard for me to fit in. What do you do to keep clothes and bibs stain free?

And also- Any other random solids advice for us? I kind of feel like we're flying by the seat of our pants on this one, and just taking our babies' unique situation (low weight, small appetite, possible oral aversions, reflux, etc.) into account. So far so good, but I'm terrified we'll choose the wrong food and pay for it for days!

Day 1 of Bananas

(doggie bibs in honor of Benelli)

Whirlwind Weekend

This weekend we took Sam and Anna on their first road trip across state lines- we headed to our home state, Minnesota. It was their second long car ride of their lives, and the longest yet.

Anna continues to be unable to really sleep while driving, while Sam can, but not well. On Saturday Anna had two 30 minute naps, and that was it. The only way I could get her to fall asleep (after being awake for over 3 hours) was to tuck a blanket around her, pinning her arms down to simulate being swaddled, hold in her pacifier, and continuously brushing her eyelids closed. She woke up from her last crap-nap at 2 pm and we were unsuccessful in getting her to take another one. She ended up going to bed for the night at around 6:30 pm- which means she had been awake for just under 5 hours.

Getting them to drink in new environments was a bit of a joke too- geez, you'd think they'd be used to distractions because their sibling is always drinking at the same time and inevitably making noise too. That is not the case, however. We had the hardest time getting each of them to buckle down and focus on drinking every bottle. Let's just say I am maybe a little glad they are going to daycare tomorrow so she be the one to work on getting them back on their typical eating/napping schedule!

We headed to Minnesota for an old college friend's wedding. My MIL babysat while we attended the ceremony and reception. It was the first time someone else fed them solids (which didn't go so well) and the first time someone else did bedtime (which also did not go so well). I didn't expect it to though, especially after the day of naps (or lack of napping!) they had. I had so much fun at the wedding regardless of how "off" they were. It was fun to hang up my mommy hat for a night, have a few drinks and dance the night away. Well, dance for a few hours at least- we left the reception at 10 pm so we could relieve my MIL from baby duty!

We also managed to visit my parents, my husband's grandmother (one of Sam and Anna's great-grandmothers), and my FIL while we were in Minnesota. Seeing 1 great-grandma, 5 grandparents and college friends in just over 24 hours made it a pretty successful trip, I think (even if the naps and eating was less than stellar).

Wordless Wednesday

We're big on practicing standing around here- practicing sitting is too boring to Sam and Anna!

(Dad's nearby as a spotter, although Anna can go quite a while standing with something as support)

(I was so excited that the weather got dramatically cooler this week, so I could finally put them in these so-cute and cuddly fleece outfits!)

So Not Inspired

I am so not inspired to create a blog post. I'm down in the dumps and grieving. But, I need to push my last post farther away, so that I only need to see Benelli's pictures when I want to see them. It's been hard to check up on any new posts of the blogs I follow with seeing that old familiar, lovable face every time. Plus, Sam and Anna turn 6 months old (!) on Thursday, and I need to work back to to the level of cheeriness worthy of being half a year old.

I was never a dog person until I met my husband. My family didn't have pets growing up, so I didn't know the joys and challenges of having a pet like a dog. While we were engaged, my then-fiance convinced me that we should get a lab- to use as a hunting dog for him while duck, goose, and pheasant hunting.

I never knew what I was getting myself into- on both ends of the spectrum. Puppies (especially hard-headed and rambunctious ones like Benelli was) are not easy to take care of. One person I work with told me that her puppy was more work than her infant. While I don't agree with that statement in our case at least (two infants at the same time is a whole different ballgame), puppies take a lot of time and effort. But I also didn't know that I would be opening my heart up to a realm of love that had never existed in it before. Until you've had a dog that you care for as it's main provider and see it grow up from puppyhood to old age while you go through major life changes as well, you cannot comprehend the love that you can have for a animal. While Benelli was a part of our family we got married, moved away from our families to a different state, bought our first and second homes, started professional jobs, endured IF, and expanded our family by another puppy and two babies at the same time among other less-major changes. While we had Benelli, my husband and I grew up.

I know very well that most people probably don't understand how I am feeling right now. Benelli wasn't just a dog for me- he was my first child- albeit a furry one. Considering a dog like a person or a child used to make me roll my eyes before- Now I get it. We have a sign hanging in our basement- "All dogs are pets- Labrador Retrievers are family." And in our case, it is true- Benelli was a part of our family.

I am glad that we chose to make the last 24 hours of his life filled with his favorite things. Friday night, I took just him for one last long walk, ending at the woods so he could explore without the confinement of a leash, we walked at his pace; stopping as often as he wanted and for as long as he wanted to sniff. We let him sleep on the bed that night (a treat usually reserved for when my husband was gone hunting or on a work trip). My husband was able to take him goose hunting one last time Saturday morning as well. We played fetch in the yard and he laid in the sun for awhile. He got lots of treats- cheeseburgers from McDonald's and an entire bowl full of buttered popcorn- his favorite treat of all. There's nothing I would have changed at all leading up to his appointment. I will always be thankful that he was able to do those things instead of being in too much pain to do anything.

Although I'm still ridiculously busy with twin babies and working again full time, his absence is still painfully obvious. It's there when I realize I don't have to walk carefully in the dark to avoid stepping on him as he sleeps in the most random of spots. It's there when all is quiet in our house and I don't hear his sighs, snores, or farts. It's there when I wake up in the early morning hours to get ready for work and now I'm all alone in the kitchen without a furry beast begging for good-morning-butt-scratches by going between my legs. It's there when our other dog sniffs things that belonged to him as if to show she's wondering where he is. It's there when I notice his usual hiding spot under the stairs is painfully empty. It's there when I realize we have to change our way of phrasing things- it's no longer "let the dogs out" but "let Bella out" It's there when we go for a walk as a family.


(Eh- that wasn't even remotely happier, was it? Oh well- I guess I have tomorrow to work on it. )

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... (Author Unknown)

Benelli

August 13, 2002 - September 4, 2010

School started. I seriously have no love for my current class of students. Why is it that no one warned me that besides simply not wanting to come back to teaching, I would not enjoy it that much anymore, because all I want is to spend time with MY children, not other people's children who were woefully not taught appropriate direction following and listening skills? (Don't even get me started on the academic side of things!) I feel like I'm already at that crabby mid-year teacher stage when you daydream about spring break. Tomorrow is Friday, and I can't wait for it to be over.

Except, for the first time in my life, I'm dreading the Saturday after it. Right now, I just want time to stand still. I want to stay in this moment where I am at home in pjs with my hair in a ponytail, spending time with my family- all the members- my husband, my two children and my two dogs. Because, you see, after Saturday morning, my family will be missing one important part.

Benelli's appointment is at noon.

Right now, I just want time to stand still.

Kinda Wordless Wednesday

Avocado was a big hit around here
(the green faces were fun for Mom and Dad)

Sam instantly enjoyed sweet potatoesWhile Anna took some time to warm up to them