Sleep Follow up

See previous post "12 Hours".

So it seems that it may have been a fluke that Emily slept 12 hours, or possibly it was the stellar swaddle job. Last night she slept her standard 7ish hours (which is great too...not complaining!) and then I could hear her moving around, kicking the bassinet, and finally starting to cry. I think she could have slept longer if it wasn't for the annoying swaddle blanket. I've posted before on how I've found the girls with it up around their faces....well this was the case again. They are so good at breaking free from the swaddle, but if they just stayed put they'd sleep so much better.

I've got to think of a way to keep them from getting their hands down around the bottom of the swaddle and stop them from flipping it over their faces.

I've posted these pics before. This is what a swaddle looks like at the beginning of the night....

And this is what the girls look like when they wake up.

Sleep Follow up

See previous post "12 Hours".

So it seems that it may have been a fluke that Emily slept 12 hours, or possibly it was the stellar swaddle job. Last night she slept her standard 7ish hours (which is great too...not complaining!) and then I could hear her moving around, kicking the bassinet, and finally starting to cry. I think she could have slept longer if it wasn't for the annoying swaddle blanket. I've posted before on how I've found the girls with it up around their faces....well this was the case again. They are so good at breaking free from the swaddle, but if they just stayed put they'd sleep so much better.

I've got to think of a way to keep them from getting their hands down around the bottom of the swaddle and stop them from flipping it over their faces.

I've posted these pics before. This is what a swaddle looks like at the beginning of the night....

And this is what the girls look like when they wake up.

Born to Shop

The girls are going to take after mommy!

Watch out Andy.....you are going to be in a house full of shopping women one day!

Ellery

Emily

But not if Daddy can help it.

Here's daddy telling Ellery that she only really needs a few pair of shoes.

Poor Emily wasn't too excited when Daddy told her she wouldn't be getting his credit card for shopping any time soon.

Born to Shop

The girls are going to take after mommy!

Watch out Andy.....you are going to be in a house full of shopping women one day!

Ellery

Emily

But not if Daddy can help it.

Here's daddy telling Ellery that she only really needs a few pair of shoes.

Poor Emily wasn't too excited when Daddy told her she wouldn't be getting his credit card for shopping any time soon.

Month Five Weigh In

The suspense was killing us so we used a baby scale this weekend to see how much the girls have gained. It's been hard going from the hospital weighing them daily and knowing exactly how many ounces they weighed to waiting for Dr appointments to find out.

Drum roll please...................

Ellery is now 12 1/2 lbs and Emily is 10 1/2 lbs!!

Emily Ellery in the new bouncy chair. She's loving the lights and toys now!
Ellery sleeping on the boppy. Finally they are big enough to use a boppy.

Month Five Weigh In

The suspense was killing us so we used a baby scale this weekend to see how much the girls have gained. It's been hard going from the hospital weighing them daily and knowing exactly how many ounces they weighed to waiting for Dr appointments to find out.

Drum roll please...................

Ellery is now 12 1/2 lbs and Emily is 10 1/2 lbs!!

Emily Ellery in the new bouncy chair. She's loving the lights and toys now!
Ellery sleeping on the boppy. Finally they are big enough to use a boppy.

12 Hours!!

Now, I'm probably jinxing myself but guess who slept 12 hours straight last night???

Sweet little Emily!!!! I kept checking on her to make sure she was alright...and she just kept sleeping, and sleeping, and sleeping!

12 Hours!!

Now, I'm probably jinxing myself but guess who slept 12 hours straight last night???

Sweet little Emily!!!! I kept checking on her to make sure she was alright...and she just kept sleeping, and sleeping, and sleeping!

Two Months "Adjusted"

On Sunday the girls were officially two months old based on their due date. Everyday they are more alert and awake and we notice changes almost daily. I remember when all the lights and toys couldn't even keep their attention, but now they are so mesmerized by everything. I love to watch them take in their surroundings! Ellery & Emily "nice sister"
Emily sitting like a lady
Last week you saw Emily in the butterfly swing. This week it's Ellery. I have almost the same video of her so instead of making you watch it again here's a still of her and those butterflies. I also noticed that both girls happen to be wearing butterflies on their clothes in these pictures. Definitely didn't plan that.

Two Months "Adjusted"

On Sunday the girls were officially two months old based on their due date. Everyday they are more alert and awake and we notice changes almost daily. I remember when all the lights and toys couldn't even keep their attention, but now they are so mesmerized by everything. I love to watch them take in their surroundings! Ellery & Emily "nice sister"
Emily sitting like a lady
Last week you saw Emily in the butterfly swing. This week it's Ellery. I have almost the same video of her so instead of making you watch it again here's a still of her and those butterflies. I also noticed that both girls happen to be wearing butterflies on their clothes in these pictures. Definitely didn't plan that.

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Well they aren't exactly short shorts - more like long shorts, but you get the idea. These are Emily & Ellery's first pairs of denim shorts. Emily & Ellery
Emily

Ellery

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Well they aren't exactly short shorts - more like long shorts, but you get the idea. These are Emily & Ellery's first pairs of denim shorts. Emily & Ellery
Emily

Ellery

New Set of Wheels!

Em & El have a new set of wheels. They can't wait to take this thing around town for the first time.

New Set of Wheels!

Em & El have a new set of wheels. They can't wait to take this thing around town for the first time.

Emily loves butterflies!

This month the girls have become so much more alert. Now all the lights and sounds that most of their swings, bouncy seats, and play mats have actually entertain them instead of annoying them. Here's a video of Emily watching the butterflies in her swing. She is also coincidentally wearing a butterfly dress....maybe this is a early indicator of things she will like. Hopefully this won't include Mariah Carey's butterfly cd.

Emily loves butterflies!

This month the girls have become so much more alert. Now all the lights and sounds that most of their swings, bouncy seats, and play mats have actually entertain them instead of annoying them. Here's a video of Emily watching the butterflies in her swing. She is also coincidentally wearing a butterfly dress....maybe this is a early indicator of things she will like. Hopefully this won't include Mariah Carey's butterfly cd.

Daddy's Little Helpers

The "daddy's little helpers" were Andy's outfit choice today....of course!

Ellery is excited to start work!
Emily is ready to use the hammer.

Daddy's Little Helpers

The "daddy's little helpers" were Andy's outfit choice today....of course!

Ellery is excited to start work!
Emily is ready to use the hammer.

6 Week Growth Spurt

We affectionately call Ellery "the tank" because when she is drinking a bottle she latches on and won't let go. If you have the nerve to try to burp her or put the bottle down she gets VERY angry and will scream....not cry (I already have visions of the teenage years!) She can take down her bottles in minutes. Emily on the other hand likes to take her time eating, dribbles it out of her mouth, and coughs quite frequently so it takes twice as long to feed her. However, lately we've had some feeding changes and Emily is now referred to "Tank Jr."

My biggest fear is that the girls will start refusing bottles and lose interest in eating and at this point - gaining weight is still one of our main goals (and not getting sick!!!). I love it when they eat, so I am excited to find that the girls are going through a growth spurt. They usually drink about 3 ounces for Ellery and 2.5 for Emily, 6-8 times a day. Plus or minus 10 cc's depending on the day and their moods. We've been at this amount for a while and I started to worry that they weren't getting enough. All the averages say that babies at their age should be drinking so much more. However, each time I try to up their amounts we end up with a lot of the bottle contents coming back up. In the last few days the girls have been very upset once they finish their bottles so we upped the amount and hope for the best. For the last four days the girls have had 4 ounces 6-8 times a day. That is at least 6 to 10 MORE ounces a day!!! I can only imagine how that will affect their weights! I can't wait for our next weigh-in.

In reference to my title about the 6 week growth spurt we've found that the girls' adjusted/corrected age is really holding true. With the smiles the last few weeks and the alertness they are definitely on par with what a 6 week old should be doing, definitely not a 4 1/2 month old. Every day they amaze me with how much they have changed and the new things they are doing!!

6 Week Growth Spurt

We affectionately call Ellery "the tank" because when she is drinking a bottle she latches on and won't let go. If you have the nerve to try to burp her or put the bottle down she gets VERY angry and will scream....not cry (I already have visions of the teenage years!) She can take down her bottles in minutes. Emily on the other hand likes to take her time eating, dribbles it out of her mouth, and coughs quite frequently so it takes twice as long to feed her. However, lately we've had some feeding changes and Emily is now referred to "Tank Jr."

My biggest fear is that the girls will start refusing bottles and lose interest in eating and at this point - gaining weight is still one of our main goals (and not getting sick!!!). I love it when they eat, so I am excited to find that the girls are going through a growth spurt. They usually drink about 3 ounces for Ellery and 2.5 for Emily, 6-8 times a day. Plus or minus 10 cc's depending on the day and their moods. We've been at this amount for a while and I started to worry that they weren't getting enough. All the averages say that babies at their age should be drinking so much more. However, each time I try to up their amounts we end up with a lot of the bottle contents coming back up. In the last few days the girls have been very upset once they finish their bottles so we upped the amount and hope for the best. For the last four days the girls have had 4 ounces 6-8 times a day. That is at least 6 to 10 MORE ounces a day!!! I can only imagine how that will affect their weights! I can't wait for our next weigh-in.

In reference to my title about the 6 week growth spurt we've found that the girls' adjusted/corrected age is really holding true. With the smiles the last few weeks and the alertness they are definitely on par with what a 6 week old should be doing, definitely not a 4 1/2 month old. Every day they amaze me with how much they have changed and the new things they are doing!!

The Top 15 Things People Say to Parents of Twins

15. “I could never do it.” (Oh really. What would you do? Are you suggesting I put them on the curb with signs around their necks that say, “Free to a good home. My mom can’t do it.”?)

14. “Do they have different personalities?” (No. They are the same human being divided into two parts.)

13. Said by a stranger, “They’re identical, right?” Mom answers, “No. They’re fraternal.” Stranger response, “They are NOT!” (OK. You’re right. I have no idea what I’m talking about. These are not my children. I thought it would be fun to borrow them from a mom down at Baby Gap. It’s been more than an hour. I guess I should return them.)

12. “Are they ‘paternal’ twins?” (Yes. They have a father. There was only one virgin birth.)

11. “Just wait till they’re older. It only gets harder.” (Thank you. I woke up this morning hoping I’d receive a word of discouragement while pushing a cart of preschoolers down the cereal aisle.)

10. “When one cries, does he wake the other?” (No. Twins cannot hear each other’s cries because they all communicate with their special telepathic language only.)

9. From a perfect stranger: “Were they in the same sac?” (Hello. Nice to meet you, too. Will you be sharing your gynecological history with me as well?)

8. “Are they developmentally behind?” (Well, let’s see. They’re 3 years old and thus far, all their graduate school applications have been denied. We’ll get back with you on that.)

7. “How do you do it?” (Haven’t you seen the Nike commercials?) (I didn't even have to add this!!)

6. "Which one is the 'good' one?" (other variations of similar comments - "This one is prettier." "Which one cries more?" (Do people hear themselves when they speak??)

5. “You must be SO busy.” (Are you volunteering to clean my house?)

4. Said to a mom of fraternal twins who are different sizes, have different eye color and different face structure: “How do you tell them apart?” (I just look at them.)

3. “What do you do when they both cry at the same time?” (Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I go to Starbucks.)

2. Said to a mom of boy/girl twins: “Are they identical?” (Uh. Not exactly.) "Well how do you know they aren't?"

1. Only one comment could be voted No. 1. The choice was clear. Drum roll, please. After a stranger had been informed that the toddler boys were twins, she asked a simple question: “Are they brothers?” (Enough said.)

REALLY #1 (added by Heather) "Are they natural?" Um, well they aren't supernatural... and tying into the same comment above "did you use drugs". I think what you are asking is are they spontaneous twins or was there medical "help" involved. No, we did it all by ourselves. Unless you know a person very well...do you think it's appropriate to ask such a personal question? :)

The Top 15 Things People Say to Parents of Twins

15. “I could never do it.” (Oh really. What would you do? Are you suggesting I put them on the curb with signs around their necks that say, “Free to a good home. My mom can’t do it.”?)

14. “Do they have different personalities?” (No. They are the same human being divided into two parts.)

13. Said by a stranger, “They’re identical, right?” Mom answers, “No. They’re fraternal.” Stranger response, “They are NOT!” (OK. You’re right. I have no idea what I’m talking about. These are not my children. I thought it would be fun to borrow them from a mom down at Baby Gap. It’s been more than an hour. I guess I should return them.)

12. “Are they ‘paternal’ twins?” (Yes. They have a father. There was only one virgin birth.)

11. “Just wait till they’re older. It only gets harder.” (Thank you. I woke up this morning hoping I’d receive a word of discouragement while pushing a cart of preschoolers down the cereal aisle.)

10. “When one cries, does he wake the other?” (No. Twins cannot hear each other’s cries because they all communicate with their special telepathic language only.)

9. From a perfect stranger: “Were they in the same sac?” (Hello. Nice to meet you, too. Will you be sharing your gynecological history with me as well?)

8. “Are they developmentally behind?” (Well, let’s see. They’re 3 years old and thus far, all their graduate school applications have been denied. We’ll get back with you on that.)

7. “How do you do it?” (Haven’t you seen the Nike commercials?) (I didn't even have to add this!!)

6. "Which one is the 'good' one?" (other variations of similar comments - "This one is prettier." "Which one cries more?" (Do people hear themselves when they speak??)

5. “You must be SO busy.” (Are you volunteering to clean my house?)

4. Said to a mom of fraternal twins who are different sizes, have different eye color and different face structure: “How do you tell them apart?” (I just look at them.)

3. “What do you do when they both cry at the same time?” (Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I go to Starbucks.)

2. Said to a mom of boy/girl twins: “Are they identical?” (Uh. Not exactly.) "Well how do you know they aren't?"

1. Only one comment could be voted No. 1. The choice was clear. Drum roll, please. After a stranger had been informed that the toddler boys were twins, she asked a simple question: “Are they brothers?” (Enough said.)

REALLY #1 (added by Heather) "Are they natural?" Um, well they aren't supernatural... and tying into the same comment above "did you use drugs". I think what you are asking is are they spontaneous twins or was there medical "help" involved. No, we did it all by ourselves. Unless you know a person very well...do you think it's appropriate to ask such a personal question? :)