Eating, Eating, and Eating.....

I took Emily in for her big weigh in last week and in 1 month she has gained 1 lb and 1 inch in length! Yeah Emily! Fortunately our regular ped agreed with my middle of the road approach to the high fat/high calorie (add butter to everything) diet that our developmental ped suggested last month. When we went to the dev ped for the weigh in I told her what I decided to do and while she was a little reluctant, once she saw the numbers on the scale she was happy. We think that it was actually the transition from 4-6 formula bottles to all table food that really did it. I thought that by giving them all that formula in addition to table food it would bulk them up but really it just filled them up so they didn't eat as much table food. So now the girls that I had originally thought ate a lot are really eating a lot. They still only have two bottom teeth, but they don't seem to have a problem eating anything! Love it!!

Ellery and her spaghetti

Emily likes it too!

Em likes her black bean as well!

More please!
Em & Elle eating animal crackers. I have no idea how many Ellery shoved in her mouth but I know its more than one!

Emily

This girl will eat ANYTHING!

Eating, Eating, and Eating.....

I took Emily in for her big weigh in last week and in 1 month she has gained 1 lb and 1 inch in length! Yeah Emily! Fortunately our regular ped agreed with my middle of the road approach to the high fat/high calorie (add butter to everything) diet that our developmental ped suggested last month. When we went to the dev ped for the weigh in I told her what I decided to do and while she was a little reluctant, once she saw the numbers on the scale she was happy. We think that it was actually the transition from 4-6 formula bottles to all table food that really did it. I thought that by giving them all that formula in addition to table food it would bulk them up but really it just filled them up so they didn't eat as much table food. So now the girls that I had originally thought ate a lot are really eating a lot. They still only have two bottom teeth, but they don't seem to have a problem eating anything! Love it!!

Ellery and her spaghetti

Emily likes it too!

Em likes her black bean as well!

More please!
Em & Elle eating animal crackers. I have no idea how many Ellery shoved in her mouth but I know its more than one!

Emily

This girl will eat ANYTHING!

Lipizzaner Stallions

Last week, we met a bunch of friends at the Rose Garden to watch the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions. Everyone and their kiddos came and had a great time. The show was interesting and definitely a new experience but for the most part we just tried to keep up with all the little ones. Luckily we were in the suite so we could lock the door and let em loose. Future Chi Omega Girls!!

Alex, Emily, Avery, Ellery - Best Friends!
We'll have to teach them how to pose for a pic like a sorority girl. "Find your window".

The girls range in age from 8 months to 16 months but they are all the same size for the most part.

Lipizzaner Stallions

Last week, we met a bunch of friends at the Rose Garden to watch the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions. Everyone and their kiddos came and had a great time. The show was interesting and definitely a new experience but for the most part we just tried to keep up with all the little ones. Luckily we were in the suite so we could lock the door and let em loose. Future Chi Omega Girls!!

Alex, Emily, Avery, Ellery - Best Friends!
We'll have to teach them how to pose for a pic like a sorority girl. "Find your window".

The girls range in age from 8 months to 16 months but they are all the same size for the most part.

15 Month Well Baby

Last week the girls had an appointment to see the developmental Ped and the PT. Overall they were impressed with the girls and thought they were on track and doing well. However, the Dr. seemed surprised at Emily's poor weight gain. Ellery is now a 20lb-er and Emily is 18lbs. The same two lb difference that we've had for what seems like forever. When you plot their weight out on the growth chart it seems to be moving at the same pace for each girl. I was caught a little off guard by the Dr's concern. Yes, she's small but she's still gaining. After 3 weeks of poops I was glad to see that she gained quite honestly. The Dr suggested that we start to fatten her up by adding butter and oil to every meal and increasing fat wherever we can. I'm all for the healthy fats but to be feeding her milk shakes, ice cream, and butter.....while it sounds WONDERFUL it just doesn't sit right with me. Luckily we had an appt with our normal ped a week later.

Fast forward to that apt, our ped was totally excited about how much the girls have changed since our last appt. 3 months ago. She had no concerns and when we discussed weight she said that she'd prefer Emily to gain a little more but that she wasn't overly concerned. I told her about our suggested diet plan and thank goodness she is getting involved. She wants to speak to the dev ped to get a little more background before giving us to ok to start the high fat diet. We've added pediasure to Emily's diet and the girls are now drinking mostly whole milk. We are trying to drop a few bottles but it's kind of hard. I think we finally found a rhythm but if they see a bottle it's all over. The girls are eating solids like maniacs though. They eat so much and refuse any purees. Ellery is on the full term baby growth chart in all areas but poor little Emily is just hovering under the minimum. However, her head is in the 50th percentile. Super smart??? I think so!

I haven't been impressed with the dev ped and PT appointments but I've been assured that we should keep going. Our next appt isn't until Dec but between now and then some developmental issues could possibly arise and it would be best if we were seeing someone. I'm still not sold, but I also don't have a medical degree so I'll stick it out for one more appt and make up my mind at that point.

Both girls are walking more and more each day. Ellery is walking everywhere and can stand right up rather than having to stabilize herself in front of something first. Emily is still at that point where she has to pull up on something first but the girl seriously has no fear and is trying her hardest to walk all over.

In other big news, the girls are going to be adding 1 more day to their daycare schedule. They'll be at the Nike daycare 3 days a week. I'm very excited for this because the girls really thrive on the interaction and activities at daycare. They love watching the other kids and just playing and doing all the fun activities. They also love the food. I sweat the menu is more elaborate than what I serve at home. Apparently they love lentil stew....not something you'd find us having for dinner. ;) I know they are in fabulous hands, so I'm very excited to add that extra day.

15 Month Well Baby

Last week the girls had an appointment to see the developmental Ped and the PT. Overall they were impressed with the girls and thought they were on track and doing well. However, the Dr. seemed surprised at Emily's poor weight gain. Ellery is now a 20lb-er and Emily is 18lbs. The same two lb difference that we've had for what seems like forever. When you plot their weight out on the growth chart it seems to be moving at the same pace for each girl. I was caught a little off guard by the Dr's concern. Yes, she's small but she's still gaining. After 3 weeks of poops I was glad to see that she gained quite honestly. The Dr suggested that we start to fatten her up by adding butter and oil to every meal and increasing fat wherever we can. I'm all for the healthy fats but to be feeding her milk shakes, ice cream, and butter.....while it sounds WONDERFUL it just doesn't sit right with me. Luckily we had an appt with our normal ped a week later.

Fast forward to that apt, our ped was totally excited about how much the girls have changed since our last appt. 3 months ago. She had no concerns and when we discussed weight she said that she'd prefer Emily to gain a little more but that she wasn't overly concerned. I told her about our suggested diet plan and thank goodness she is getting involved. She wants to speak to the dev ped to get a little more background before giving us to ok to start the high fat diet. We've added pediasure to Emily's diet and the girls are now drinking mostly whole milk. We are trying to drop a few bottles but it's kind of hard. I think we finally found a rhythm but if they see a bottle it's all over. The girls are eating solids like maniacs though. They eat so much and refuse any purees. Ellery is on the full term baby growth chart in all areas but poor little Emily is just hovering under the minimum. However, her head is in the 50th percentile. Super smart??? I think so!

I haven't been impressed with the dev ped and PT appointments but I've been assured that we should keep going. Our next appt isn't until Dec but between now and then some developmental issues could possibly arise and it would be best if we were seeing someone. I'm still not sold, but I also don't have a medical degree so I'll stick it out for one more appt and make up my mind at that point.

Both girls are walking more and more each day. Ellery is walking everywhere and can stand right up rather than having to stabilize herself in front of something first. Emily is still at that point where she has to pull up on something first but the girl seriously has no fear and is trying her hardest to walk all over.

In other big news, the girls are going to be adding 1 more day to their daycare schedule. They'll be at the Nike daycare 3 days a week. I'm very excited for this because the girls really thrive on the interaction and activities at daycare. They love watching the other kids and just playing and doing all the fun activities. They also love the food. I sweat the menu is more elaborate than what I serve at home. Apparently they love lentil stew....not something you'd find us having for dinner. ;) I know they are in fabulous hands, so I'm very excited to add that extra day.

Bathing Beauties & Little Helpers

The weather here has been beautiful and warm - perfect for a little outside playtime...fully covered in SPF 70 for the babies of course! We decided to take our first dip in the baby pool/water mat apparatus on Saturday. Water fills up around the perimeter and then throughout the middle of the pool. There are holes all over so there is a constant stream of water shooting up in the air. You have to be careful where you sit because you will either get a stream of water in the face unless you are in one of the few "safe" spots or just plugging on of the holes. So far the only water experience the girls have had is the bathtub so I wanted to start slow. They also wore their bathing suits for the first time. So hilarious!!! Chloe loved the pool too. She didn't ever get in thank goodness, but she did use it as her water bowl for a bit.

First dip. The "jets" aren't on just yet. Both girls not too sure about the water or the outfits they are wearing. Love those bellies though!Here come the jets! If you aren't careful you'll end up with one in the face.

Now we're liking pool time!!

After I finished folding a basket of laundry Emily decided to help me unload it. Technically it was old clothes that were being packed away, but I still had to refold.

Emily just relaxing in her wagon.

Bathing Beauties & Little Helpers

The weather here has been beautiful and warm - perfect for a little outside playtime...fully covered in SPF 70 for the babies of course! We decided to take our first dip in the baby pool/water mat apparatus on Saturday. Water fills up around the perimeter and then throughout the middle of the pool. There are holes all over so there is a constant stream of water shooting up in the air. You have to be careful where you sit because you will either get a stream of water in the face unless you are in one of the few "safe" spots or just plugging on of the holes. So far the only water experience the girls have had is the bathtub so I wanted to start slow. They also wore their bathing suits for the first time. So hilarious!!! Chloe loved the pool too. She didn't ever get in thank goodness, but she did use it as her water bowl for a bit.

First dip. The "jets" aren't on just yet. Both girls not too sure about the water or the outfits they are wearing. Love those bellies though!Here come the jets! If you aren't careful you'll end up with one in the face.

Now we're liking pool time!!

After I finished folding a basket of laundry Emily decided to help me unload it. Technically it was old clothes that were being packed away, but I still had to refold.

Emily just relaxing in her wagon.

Playtime!

I always thought that twins were born being the best of friends. For many months it seemed like E&E wanted nothing to do with each other. If they touched even just a finger tip to each other they would both cry and when we used to hold them up together or sit them together they acted like there wasn't someone right beside them. Finally in the last few months the girls have begun to interact a lot more. They play together all the time but it usually ends in one baby taking the other's toy or Ellery trying to body slam Emily. They are actually pretty rough with each other - I've had to make sure they aren't like that to other kids. Thankfully they aren't...but still! They also kiss each other and the dog - and mom & dad on a few occasions. Now if they touch they bust up laughing.

Ellery and Emil think this is the best view of the house. Things are nice and quiet!

At least until Emily decided to brutally attack Ellery. (In almost every case it's Ellery attacking Emily every day, so this is kind of allowed retribution)

They think the whole thing is hilarious!

Had to include this picture so you could see they both sit!! I blogged a while back about how we needed to work with them to sit because they refused. Well we kind of did, but the girls actually did it at their own pace.

Emily playing with the door to baby jail and Ellery being a ham. They love baby jail. The now swing on on the door all day long. I actually think it's helped Emily take her first steps. They go in and out and out and in....all day long. Taking turns on who is closed out or who is allowed in.

Ellery