Questions For The Peds

We have our 2 month check-up this week, which means I've made a list of question to ask the pediatrician. Here's what I've got so far:

1. Right now Mirabelle is 1 lb. heavier than Finn, will this emotionally scar her later in life?
2. Finn can already roll from his tummy to his back, when can we sign him up for soccer?
3. Why is Mirabelle's tongue white? Should we brush it?
4. Finn tends to tilt his head to one side in his sleep. Does he have torticollis and is that named after turtles?
5. How much do you think we can sell these babies for on the black market? My sister says $60K but we think that's too conservative.
6. What's the deal with rice cereal and why do all grandmothers swear by it?

We'll let you know how the appointment goes.

A Week Of Firsts

There's a first time for everything, and last week we did a bunch of new stuff. We went grocery shopping by ourselves. The key is using metal shopping carts, the plastic ones (at Target) don't work well with two infant carriers. Another tip, don't try and buy a weeks worth of groceries but do buy your husband's favorite beer (he'll come straight home after work).

We also visited Chuck E Cheese (yes I know, why on God's green Earth did we do that?). I'm trying to make friends with other mommies in the area. I was invited to a play date with a group of mothers who have school aged children (Chuck E Cheese is right up their alley).

The benefit of meeting mothers with older children, they've been there and done that. All had wonderful advice on places to take the babies and activities they enjoyed doing when their children were infants. Plus, they all seem to LOVE babies so there were plenty hands on deck to help feed my crew.

Interestingly enough, the twins slept through most of the visit at Chuck E Cheese (the loudest place on Earth). Clearly I can stop tip toeing around the house during nap time.

Table For 12

Yesterday Mirabelle and Finn had 'coffee' with my twin mom friends. There were four of us and eight babies/toddlers (we couldn't fit into the coffee shop). It was chaotic and only lasted for 45 mins. but we still had fun exchanging advice.

My babies were the most well behaved . . . of course they were the youngest and lacked teeth. Once the weather cools off we should be able to meet at the park (the way God intended).

8 Weeks Update

Well, is it easier? A little (+1 point for mommy). Someone told me once the twins started smiling and laughing it would become worth it. This was also the same someone who believes babies strategically begin smiling at this stage so parents won't disown them (+1 point for babies).

It's also a little easier now because the whole 'meet and greet' period has passed. Collectively we are learning how to communicate with one another better (+1 for both mommy and babies). I'm getting better at understanding their needs, which honestly aren't that varied (eat, sleep, poop, stare, repeat). And it seems the twins are getting better at not being SO needy (20-minute stare sessions at the ceiling fan are nice breaks).

However, I have a sneaky feeling this is the calm before a new storm such as teething, crawling, walking, talking, etc. It would only be fair that once mom and dad have a good routine established the babies should change the rules (+1 point for babies . . . babies are winning folks).

Sleep is still being bartered in our house. Friday is followed by Saturday morning which means Mommy gets to sleep just a wee bit longer in the mornings (cause Daddy is a wonderful man).

We are still using our sleep strategies and bedtime routine. It's not perfect. Finn woke up at midnight and again at 2a the past two nights. Mirabelle slept till 4a (do the math . . . feedings every 2 hours still). However, in exchanged we have a few hours from 8p - midnight of 'free time' to do laundry, watch violent TV and blog to you fine people.

Mirabelle is 10 lbs. 11 oz.

Mirabelle will sleep steadily through nap time and enjoys watching Mommy do chores around the house. She likes tummy time and usually falls asleep after her mini pilates session.

Finn is 9 lbs. 12 oz.

Finn does not like nap time and would rather cry. He loves tummy time and can lift his upper body up with his arms (he may be small, but he sure is mighty). He's teaching Mirabelle how to use her arms during tummy time.

Smitten At First Sight

Last weekend was very special for the twins. Not only did they get quality cuddle time with their 'Aunt' Meighan, but they also got to meet Uncle Dan (Dave's identical twin brother) and Aunt Tracy.

Meighan spent most of her visit demanding to hold a baby at all times, often insisting on holding two babies (not counting her 'little pumpkin' in the oven. . . which would technically make it three babies). It's safe to say she was quite smitten by the twins.

Uncle Dan was equally smitten (in his own special way . . . case in point, he cheerfully used the Boppy pillow).

Dave and I enjoyed playing our special 'morning-wake-up game' with Uncle Dan and Aunt Tracy during their visit. Between the hours of 6a - 7a we liked sending one crying baby up to the guest room for an early morning feeding (just keeping parenthood 'real' for the uninitiated).

We miss the company and the help! This week I've been going it alone during the day. After this post, I plan to research Nanny services.

Lucky Little Ducks!

A few weeks ago we took the twins to the local farmer's market. Public outings with the babies attract a lot of attention ('Oh, look! You have two!!' . . . yes, I can count). While the actual farmer's market was lame, the outing was very fruitful.

A woman approached us and asked to look at our babies. She was a professional photographer and wanted to gain experience photographing infant twins. She offered to take their pictures for free in exchange for time with the babies (mama didn't raise no fool, of course I said yes!!).

She came over to 'play' with the babies last Monday. On Friday we received a sneak peek of the proofs. In a few weeks she should have the rest of the photos ready and posted to a special website for family and friends to order prints.

I'm completely smitten with these pictures (not sure if it's because my babies are in them or they are free . . . ). Here's some of our favorites:

Mirabelle

Mirabelle

Finn

Finn

The 'Fertility' Gang

The babies got to meet more of their 'Aunties' this weekend. My girlfriends, whom I've known since junior high, came to visit. For some reason we called our circle of friends 'the gang' (I know, very original).

Our new name should be 'the fertility gang'. In the past year we've all either had babies or gotten pregnant! Finn and Belle had a blast meeting Cullen for the first time and getting a thousand kisses from Meighan (whose due in January).

On Thursday the twins went for a walk on the beach and watched all the surfers catch waves. Mirabelle was very intrigued by everything. Finn was a little grumpy (already starting to take after his Papa).

On Friday they had their little feet painted for footprints. Then went to high tea at the Wilmington Tea Room. Finn had his first public diaper change and gave an encore 'pee' performance in between diaper replacement (already exhibiting Daddy's sense of twisted humor).

It was a wonderful visit! Hopefully there will be many more in the future. Finn and Belle have decided Meighan and her belly should move back to the South so everyone can play together more often.

7 Weeks Update

Sleep update: Mirabelle slept from 9p to 5:30a. Finn slept from 9p to 2:30a (Finn, why can't you be more like your sister?). An earlier bedtime was wonderful for Mirabelle and okay for Finn. We'll stick with it and hopefully both will eventually sleep through the night. Apparently we have one more month before that happens.

Yesterday I had my 6 weeks post-delivery appointment. I'm back down to my pre-pregnancy weight (though still wondering where my pre-pregnancy body went). I've been given the green light to resume all 'suspended' activities (swimming, bath tubs, fornicating, etc.).

The doctor also asked if I wanted to go on the pill. I'm the mother of multiples!!! Of course I want to use birth control. Folks, if you've been reading this blog from the beginning then you know the road to parenthood was challenging. Odds are it will be equally challenging to get pregnant in the future. Regardless, at this exact moment I'd rather use 12 methods of birth control to avoid getting pregnant (I'd like just a little bit of time to enjoy the first batch of babies).

Enough about me, the babies are doing great. Mirabelle is 10 lbs. 3 oz. and Finn is 9 1/2 lbs. Dave even captured some smiles on camera yesterday! He babysat while I was at the doctor's office. Here's some photos from his Mr. Mom experience:

Mirabelle smiling

Finn smiling

Sleeping babies

Not so sleeping babies

Healthy Sleep Habits

A fellow twin mom recommended I read 'Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child' (or children in my case). Apparently beginning at 6 weeks infants start to show signs of getting sleepy earlier in the evening. They can sleep for a little longer during the night hours and their bodies begin to understand day vs. night sleep.

If there is a lot of crying at night then it means they are overtired and should be put to sleep at an earlier hour. The past two nights there's been a lot of crying between the hours of 8p - 10:30p. So tonight we decided to start the bedtime routine at 7p and put the babies to bed at 8p instead of 10:30p.

Both babies were finally asleep by 9p (just in time to watch BB11 . . . guilty pleasure that has infested our household . . . I heart the Jeff/Jordan showmance). Of course, it's only 10:30p as I sit and write this. There's no telling how the night will unfold. One thing is for certain, two-handed typing is a beautiful (highly underrated) thing.

PS: There seems to be a book called 'Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins' also by the same author as 'Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child' . . . nice to know that NOW.

VIP's In Da House

It was a special weekend for the babies. My grandma, aunt and her husband came to visit! Dave got to play golf and I got to go shopping (clearly it was a good weekend). Not to mention the babies were reunited with Oma-ma (whose new mission in life is getting Finn to weigh more than Mirabelle).

Four generations all together

Grandma & Aunt Sharon with the twins!

It's always a treat when Grandma is around! During this visit, I learned some important family history. Apparently my father was a very colicky baby (this explains so much). The family doctor instructed my grandmother to take a bottle of liquor, give the baby a teaspoon and drink the rest for herself. While I don't have any colicky babies (thank you, Jesus) this does seem like sound advice even for an overwhelmed twin mommy.

The babies already miss everyone (who wouldn't miss all that cuddle time and free kisses?).

6 Weeks Update

We're starting to get some nice smiles out of the babies. Unfortunately they happen at random non-photographic moments. They enjoy sitting (briefly) on their play mat. Finn likes staring at his handsome self in the mirror and Mirabelle just takes it all in.

Mirabelle currently weighs 9 lbs 7 oz and Finn is 8 lbs 15 oz. They are starting to notice their hands, mainly that they taste good (Mirabelle might turn into a thumb-sucker).

I Had A Craving For Lettuce

Something magical happened last night. . . both babies slept for 6 straight hours!!! We put them down at 10p and they slept till 4a.

Of course, I woke up at midnight when SOMEONE turned the light on in the living room (thanks, lil' sis). When I asked her what she was doing she said 'Oh, sorry. I had a craving for lettuce.' (wtf?)

We Miss Oma-ma!!!

Yes folks, the summer has officially come to an end . . . Oma-ma packed her things and headed home yesterday. I'm one of the luckiest ladies on the planet to have such a wonderful mother willing to give up her ENTIRE summer to take care of me and the babies (Thank you, Mom!!).

On the bright side, Aunt Quinnie is here for the week providing her special kind of nanny care. Photo shoots are our favorite afternoon activity and today AQ helped us document Matching Twin Outfit Day!!

Mirabelle & Finn are wearing their Cancer zodiac onesies that say:

'Born Romantic. Loves To Be Thoughtful'

Rotten Dog

Well, it was bound to happen. We've been putting the dogs out on our screened-in back porch during the day. This is only temporary until we get a fence built for the backyard.

Looks like we are getting a fence built sometime in the next week or two. Lavender (it pains me to say her name right now) just couldn't resist whatever was in the backyard (either a cat or rabbit . . . no squirrel sightings at this house). Needless to say, she clawed a rather gaping hole in the screen.

Nothing like a phone call from an agitated wife to motivate oneself to get fence quotes (I hear someone is coming to quote us on Saturday).

So, to make myself feel better, I took some photos of my baby girl (baby boy was resting peacefully . . . and we all know NOT to wake a sleeping baby). This is my new meditation:

5 Weeks Update

The babies look so much bigger to me than they did a few weeks ago! We weighed them last night after their bath time. Nana and Pap Pap bought us a baby scale (we also weighed Mirabelle's diaper this evening . . . 5.5 oz of pee!).

Finnlay: 8 lbs. 3 oz.

Finn doesn't care much for sleep. We're willing to overlook this character flaw since he's so cute and entertaining.

Mirabelle: 8 lbs. 11 oz.

'Little' Belle is a champion eater. She's clearly making up for lost time.

We are absolutely thrilled they reached the 8 lb. mark. They're big enough for size 1 diapers (for some reason they're cheaper than newborn diapers) and they now fit into their 0 - 3 month clothes (morning dress-up is more interesting).

An Article Worth Reading

A few of my girlfriends told me to read this article from The Atlantic about breastfeeding. I finally found the time to read it. Folks, I believe every new mother should read this article!! I'm still trying to breastfeed and I do supplement the twins but this article relieved a tremendous amount of emotional strain and guilt because I'm not 100% breastfeeding the babies.

Basically, the article explains there is a discrepancy between what popular media reports about the benefits of breastfeeding and what the actual medical research states. In a nutshell, the studies are either inconsistent or inconclusive on whether breast milk is the magical elixir popular media claims it to be.

Don't get me wrong, the article by NO MEANS advocates women to stop breastfeeding. It just simply gives some really valid reasons why women should not feel guilty if they can't or don't want to breastfeed exclusively.

So here's my public service announcement for the week:

If you know someone who is pregnant or just recently gave birth, do them a HUGE favor and print this article for them to read at their leisure.

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200904/case-against-breastfeeding