Seymour General Contracting

So as you may know Andy has been doing some general contracting work in addition to his day job AND two days of Daddy day care (ended last week). We decided it's time to get out there and really go after business so I've take it upon myself to add a little flair. Logos, websites, new fancy business cards....and advertising! Hopefully business takes off so Andy doesn't have to continue going to work at 4am anymore.

He's done a lot of residential remodeling, of course built our new house (by the way, I still need to post final move in pictures), and his new passion is excavating. He's got the track hoe and a operator with 20+ years of experience. They've just built the most enormous retaining wall so we could extend our yard. We have over an acre, but the yard piece just didn't seem big enough around the house so we had 20 dump truck loads of boulders brought in to get the job done. It is quiet impressive!

http://www.seymourgc.com/

Seymour General Contracting

So as you may know Andy has been doing some general contracting work in addition to his day job AND two days of Daddy day care (ended last week). We decided it's time to get out there and really go after business so I've take it upon myself to add a little flair. Logos, websites, new fancy business cards....and advertising! Hopefully business takes off so Andy doesn't have to continue going to work at 4am anymore.

He's done a lot of residential remodeling, of course built our new house (by the way, I still need to post final move in pictures), and his new passion is excavating. He's got the track hoe and a operator with 20+ years of experience. They've just built the most enormous retaining wall so we could extend our yard. We have over an acre, but the yard piece just didn't seem big enough around the house so we had 20 dump truck loads of boulders brought in to get the job done. It is quiet impressive!

http://www.seymourgc.com/

Ahhhh Chenille!

The girls have had two decent nights of sleep this week and I think I owe it to the new chenille crib sheets I bought. The original sheets felt like sandpaper, but I figured "these are babies, would they really know the difference in sheet thread count?". I think that is a yes! As soon as I switched them to new sheets I swear they both gave me a thumbs up! Hopefully they don't develop a taste for the finer things in life otherwise we could be in big trouble! Andy's already afraid they'll want designer jeans by the time they are in kindergarten. :)

In other news we're off the Enfacare formula specifically for preemies. We've been on this formula for quite some time and we've also been modifying it to have more calories...think of it as a protein shake or weight gainer drink! Our Ped. called and said that the girls' last blood tests showed a few things that came back higher/lower than they prefer. So we're now on regular old full term baby Enfamil and hopefully this corrects any elevated/low levels in their blood. We go back in two weeks for a follow up.

Ahhhh Chenille!

The girls have had two decent nights of sleep this week and I think I owe it to the new chenille crib sheets I bought. The original sheets felt like sandpaper, but I figured "these are babies, would they really know the difference in sheet thread count?". I think that is a yes! As soon as I switched them to new sheets I swear they both gave me a thumbs up! Hopefully they don't develop a taste for the finer things in life otherwise we could be in big trouble! Andy's already afraid they'll want designer jeans by the time they are in kindergarten. :)

In other news we're off the Enfacare formula specifically for preemies. We've been on this formula for quite some time and we've also been modifying it to have more calories...think of it as a protein shake or weight gainer drink! Our Ped. called and said that the girls' last blood tests showed a few things that came back higher/lower than they prefer. So we're now on regular old full term baby Enfamil and hopefully this corrects any elevated/low levels in their blood. We go back in two weeks for a follow up.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Andy and my 3rd wedding anniversary! Wow times flies, I can't believe it's already been three years.

Almost Hitched! And just minutes before the infamous "wine glass" incident!

The new Mrs. Singer is all smiles now that her groom is back from the ER!

You mean the crutches didn't come with the tuxedo?

Happy Anniversary Andy! Here's to MANY MANY more!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Andy and my 3rd wedding anniversary! Wow times flies, I can't believe it's already been three years.

Almost Hitched! And just minutes before the infamous "wine glass" incident!

The new Mrs. Singer is all smiles now that her groom is back from the ER!

You mean the crutches didn't come with the tuxedo?

Happy Anniversary Andy! Here's to MANY MANY more!

Our Life Measured in Diapers

Super tiny, tiny, size 1, and size 2

When we were in the NICU the girls were in the smallest diapers I have ever seen. Even the tiniest one looked big on them. Ellery in her months of life has been through 5 sizes of diapers already. She started out in microscopic, moved on to minuscule, then to pampers swaddlers newborns, then swaddler 1's and now onto the big swaddler 2's. Emily is still in the 1's but not for much longer.

To put the sizes into perspective - here they are next to a normal pair of household sizzlers.

Poor Emily! She now has enough hair that mom can torture her with crazy styles!

Our Life Measured in Diapers

Super tiny, tiny, size 1, and size 2

When we were in the NICU the girls were in the smallest diapers I have ever seen. Even the tiniest one looked big on them. Ellery in her months of life has been through 5 sizes of diapers already. She started out in microscopic, moved on to minuscule, then to pampers swaddlers newborns, then swaddler 1's and now onto the big swaddler 2's. Emily is still in the 1's but not for much longer.

To put the sizes into perspective - here they are next to a normal pair of household sizzlers.

Poor Emily! She now has enough hair that mom can torture her with crazy styles!

On the Charts!

This week the girls had their 6 month check up. Things are still going great and the Dr was so excited to see their progress. We haven't been in for two months and things have definitely changed since then. Ellery now weights 13lbs exactly and is 23 3/4 inches long. Emily weights in at 11 lbs 6oz and is also 23 3/4" long (although I don't believe that they are the same heights). Every time the girls go in they are compared to the full term baby growth charts and we are told that we are in the -5th percentile. I think this is the lowest you can possibly be. But, I also don't think it's fair to compare them to full term babies considering they are 3 1/2 months behind. Well, after today Ellery & Emily are now on the charts. Ellery is in the 5th percentile for weight, height and 10th percentile for head circumference. Emily is still -5th percentile for weight but her height and head are also 5th and 10th respectively. This is the best news ever. Just to make it onto the growth charts used by full term babies is so great!

September will be a busy month for us as far as Dr. appointments. We've got a follow up for eyes, a follow up developmental OT/PT, and a cardiologist appointment. Hopefully all goes well at each of those.

On the Charts!

This week the girls had their 6 month check up. Things are still going great and the Dr was so excited to see their progress. We haven't been in for two months and things have definitely changed since then. Ellery now weights 13lbs exactly and is 23 3/4 inches long. Emily weights in at 11 lbs 6oz and is also 23 3/4" long (although I don't believe that they are the same heights). Every time the girls go in they are compared to the full term baby growth charts and we are told that we are in the -5th percentile. I think this is the lowest you can possibly be. But, I also don't think it's fair to compare them to full term babies considering they are 3 1/2 months behind. Well, after today Ellery & Emily are now on the charts. Ellery is in the 5th percentile for weight, height and 10th percentile for head circumference. Emily is still -5th percentile for weight but her height and head are also 5th and 10th respectively. This is the best news ever. Just to make it onto the growth charts used by full term babies is so great!

September will be a busy month for us as far as Dr. appointments. We've got a follow up for eyes, a follow up developmental OT/PT, and a cardiologist appointment. Hopefully all goes well at each of those.

Swaddel-less Night #2

Was a complete bust!! The girls didn't sleep for longer than an hour at a time last night, until early this morning when I finally moved them into our room and they slept for a few hours. Even when they were sleeping in their cribs I could see them moving around and sleeping very restlessly. Not sure if that has to do with the missing swaddle or what. I'm hoping tonight goes a lot better. I'm starting to dread our bedtime routine or lack there of.

Swaddel-less Night #2

Was a complete bust!! The girls didn't sleep for longer than an hour at a time last night, until early this morning when I finally moved them into our room and they slept for a few hours. Even when they were sleeping in their cribs I could see them moving around and sleeping very restlessly. Not sure if that has to do with the missing swaddle or what. I'm hoping tonight goes a lot better. I'm starting to dread our bedtime routine or lack there of.

6 Months Old....Can You Believe It?

We're how old????

On August 16th, the girls turned 6 months old! I can't believe that time has gone by so quickly after their early entry and time in the NICU which seemed to go so slowly. I also can't believe that in 6 more months they'll be a year! Augh! I have to stop thinking ahead because it just stresses me out. We're going in for professional pictures this week, so I'm excited to see how that goes. I'm fairly sure that there will be tears from one, both, or actually all three of us. And I'm hoping the photographer has the magic touch because I can NEVER get both girls to look at me and smile when I'm taking their pictures. Mind you, they'll be looking at me and smiling all the time until I bring the camera out. Darn flash!!!

We go to the Dr this week so we'll have official weights, length, and hopefully an overall wonderful report! The Dr is going to be impressed considering the last time we went in was over two months ago. These girls have great head/neck control and are just so much bigger and stronger.

You know Emily is a true Singer when the phone isn't far from reach

Ellery's typical nap position. She likes to relax and be comfortable.

Emily & her belly! She's looking more like Ellery every day!

"I think I can, I think I can..." Ellery trying really hard to sit in the Bumbo. Not ready yet, but close.

Mom & Ellery Self Portrait\

Finally! We can sit out on the deck. Thanks Andy! To celebrate we had our first drink as a family out there last night. Ok, two bottles of formula and Diet coke, but still....

6 Months Old....Can You Believe It?

We're how old????

On August 16th, the girls turned 6 months old! I can't believe that time has gone by so quickly after their early entry and time in the NICU which seemed to go so slowly. I also can't believe that in 6 more months they'll be a year! Augh! I have to stop thinking ahead because it just stresses me out. We're going in for professional pictures this week, so I'm excited to see how that goes. I'm fairly sure that there will be tears from one, both, or actually all three of us. And I'm hoping the photographer has the magic touch because I can NEVER get both girls to look at me and smile when I'm taking their pictures. Mind you, they'll be looking at me and smiling all the time until I bring the camera out. Darn flash!!!

We go to the Dr this week so we'll have official weights, length, and hopefully an overall wonderful report! The Dr is going to be impressed considering the last time we went in was over two months ago. These girls have great head/neck control and are just so much bigger and stronger.

You know Emily is a true Singer when the phone isn't far from reach

Ellery's typical nap position. She likes to relax and be comfortable.

Emily & her belly! She's looking more like Ellery every day!

"I think I can, I think I can..." Ellery trying really hard to sit in the Bumbo. Not ready yet, but close.

Mom & Ellery Self Portrait\

Finally! We can sit out on the deck. Thanks Andy! To celebrate we had our first drink as a family out there last night. Ok, two bottles of formula and Diet coke, but still....

No Swaddle For Me Thank You

Last week I wrote about Ellery's ability to move down a hallway while swaddled and the week before about Emily flipping on her stomach while swaddled & sleeping. They girls also fight being swaddled, and early on I knew it was necessary because they had crazy arms all over the place. Because of those little incidences we tried only swaddling one arm in and leaving one arm out last week. I thought that this would maybe help the girls soothe themselves since they LOVE to touch their hair, face, suck on their hands, arms, basically anything that is within reach. Good news is it didn't cause them to sleep any less than they have been, but I don't really think it made a difference. Emily still rolled over and Ellery still put up a fight every night. So last night I decided to be brave and swear off the swaddle. We put the girls in a sleep sac and said good night. To my surprise they both slept a few hours longer than we have been lately (note - not as well as they had been sleeping prior to moving to cribs (sad)). I checked on them a million times and they always had their hands up or in their mouths. They didn't fuss any more or any less and the actually slept. I even found Ellery (not Emily) on her tummy at one point (I've never seen her roll over that way!). They say that once they can roll over by themselves it's not such a SIDS risk, but it still makes me nervous so I politely rolled her back over. We're trying it again tonight....wish us luck!

I'd post a picture of the cuties swaddleless, but I don't want you to frown upon my non-SIDS prevention related items in their cribs. Emily has a sleep positioner that I started using last week to keep her from rolling over...guess what...it works! Yes she does push it around her crib, but it usually ends up around her feet. I have a nice fuzzy blanket tucked into Ellery's crib in hopes that when i give her a bottle at 3am I can actually put her back to bed there and not in the pack n play. I think the girls think the mattresses are cold and hard (which they are!) and when they aren't in such a deep sleep as their first portion of the night, there's no tricking them! So far not working, but I'm not ready to give up. GASP! Baby Mommy! (Yes I do know you are not supposed to have ANYTHING in a crib but a tightly fitted sheet over the mattress. I'm desperate, OK!) I do use a breathable bumper and I find the girls with their faces pressed into it almost daily or I hear them smack their heads into the wooden crib slats over the baby monitor. I'm picking my battles. :)

No Swaddle For Me Thank You

Last week I wrote about Ellery's ability to move down a hallway while swaddled and the week before about Emily flipping on her stomach while swaddled & sleeping. They girls also fight being swaddled, and early on I knew it was necessary because they had crazy arms all over the place. Because of those little incidences we tried only swaddling one arm in and leaving one arm out last week. I thought that this would maybe help the girls soothe themselves since they LOVE to touch their hair, face, suck on their hands, arms, basically anything that is within reach. Good news is it didn't cause them to sleep any less than they have been, but I don't really think it made a difference. Emily still rolled over and Ellery still put up a fight every night. So last night I decided to be brave and swear off the swaddle. We put the girls in a sleep sac and said good night. To my surprise they both slept a few hours longer than we have been lately (note - not as well as they had been sleeping prior to moving to cribs (sad)). I checked on them a million times and they always had their hands up or in their mouths. They didn't fuss any more or any less and the actually slept. I even found Ellery (not Emily) on her tummy at one point (I've never seen her roll over that way!). They say that once they can roll over by themselves it's not such a SIDS risk, but it still makes me nervous so I politely rolled her back over. We're trying it again tonight....wish us luck!

I'd post a picture of the cuties swaddleless, but I don't want you to frown upon my non-SIDS prevention related items in their cribs. Emily has a sleep positioner that I started using last week to keep her from rolling over...guess what...it works! Yes she does push it around her crib, but it usually ends up around her feet. I have a nice fuzzy blanket tucked into Ellery's crib in hopes that when i give her a bottle at 3am I can actually put her back to bed there and not in the pack n play. I think the girls think the mattresses are cold and hard (which they are!) and when they aren't in such a deep sleep as their first portion of the night, there's no tricking them! So far not working, but I'm not ready to give up. GASP! Baby Mommy! (Yes I do know you are not supposed to have ANYTHING in a crib but a tightly fitted sheet over the mattress. I'm desperate, OK!) I do use a breathable bumper and I find the girls with their faces pressed into it almost daily or I hear them smack their heads into the wooden crib slats over the baby monitor. I'm picking my battles. :)

How Funny!

Recently I've seen a lot of posts about other people with blogs who have had photo's and text stolen from their site and used on other sites. For example, one blog that I read has been around for 4 years. Apparently someone has been stealing the pictures of one (not both) of the twins featured and passing it off as her own child complete with the story of the babies journey on some other website. The original blog author found out and exposed this fraud. But, there were many people who had been following this fraudulent story for almost 3 years. Someone has that much time that they'd blog for 3 years about a child that isn't their own? So strange.

So every once in a while I do a little Google investigate work to see what pops up. Today I actually found something that even had mom mom's name mentioned along with E & E in the little Google blurb listed on the page. I was a little nervous to see what it was, however...it's completely harmless. And in fact, it's a product I would highly recommend. We loved these onsies and the hats that went along with them. The fit was amazing and they were so darn cute! Our Dr's office especially appreciated them because every time we brought the girls in we'd put them in their personalized outfits so there would be no confusion.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Personalized-NEWBORN-baby-onesie-bodysuit-twin-infant_W0QQitemZ170250292718QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20080813?IMSfp=TL0808131053r18204

How Funny!

Recently I've seen a lot of posts about other people with blogs who have had photo's and text stolen from their site and used on other sites. For example, one blog that I read has been around for 4 years. Apparently someone has been stealing the pictures of one (not both) of the twins featured and passing it off as her own child complete with the story of the babies journey on some other website. The original blog author found out and exposed this fraud. But, there were many people who had been following this fraudulent story for almost 3 years. Someone has that much time that they'd blog for 3 years about a child that isn't their own? So strange.

So every once in a while I do a little Google investigate work to see what pops up. Today I actually found something that even had mom mom's name mentioned along with E & E in the little Google blurb listed on the page. I was a little nervous to see what it was, however...it's completely harmless. And in fact, it's a product I would highly recommend. We loved these onsies and the hats that went along with them. The fit was amazing and they were so darn cute! Our Dr's office especially appreciated them because every time we brought the girls in we'd put them in their personalized outfits so there would be no confusion.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Personalized-NEWBORN-baby-onesie-bodysuit-twin-infant_W0QQitemZ170250292718QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20080813?IMSfp=TL0808131053r18204

Good bye 20's.............Hello 30's!

As Andy so kindly put it......I'm now 3/4 of the way to being over the hill.

Good bye 20's.............Hello 30's!

As Andy so kindly put it......I'm now 3/4 of the way to being over the hill.