8 Weeks Old

Today Emma and Addison turned 8 weeks old. Both babies are growing and doing well.

Emma in yellow and Addison in green.

Emma smiles and tries to talk when she is not too hungry. Mostly she makes an “E” sound and sometimes the “A” sound. I think she is working on the “O” because she shapes her mouth into an O a lot. She still likes to grumble when she is hungry. She also likes it when her mommy sings to her. Tummy time continues to make her fighting mad, but we will keep trying.

(Emma tolerates the Bumbo for a few minutes.)

Addison still seems to be more laid back than Emma. She does not make a whole lot of noise, unless it is between the hours of 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. She started smiling at us on Christmas day! Addison likes tummy time better than her sister. She actually fell asleep on her playmat yesterday. Addison seems indifferent to me singing to her. She is more responsive when I talk to her.

Addison does not like the bumbo much either.

(Unfortunately, every time I take a picture the flash makes the girls close their eyes. When I turn it off the picture looks yellow.)

Both girls eat every 3-4 hours, and they eat about 3.5-4 ounces. We have started taking them out with us on errands. They do really well, and get a lot of attention from strangers. So far they have only been mistaken for boys once. However, I am sure that will happen again. I have not been brave enough to take them out on my own yet. Both girls also like their pacifier a lot. I know it is a bad habit, but when you have two babies you will do whatever works to maintain order. Their eyes are still blue, and seem to get bluer each day.

Brian and I have worked out a routine. We bathe the girls when he gets home from work, give them a bottle and then try to put them to bed between 6:30 and 7:30 (time usually depends on when Brian gets home from work and when they ate last). Emma is adjusting nicely to this routine and typically falls asleep and stays asleep until time to eat again. Addison fights sleep at this time. We can’t really figure out why. Brian’s shift is from 8-12 so he gets worn out putting Addison back to sleep over and over again. I go to bed sometime around 9 and usually do not have to get up again until 1 or 2. We both help each other out as needed. I wish they would start sleeping more at night. It is really hard to be up so much during the night. I am dreading the days that Brian will be traveling for work.

The girls’ two month appointment is next Monday. Emma will also see the cardiologist that day. I am dying to know how much they weigh!

Guest Post by Grandma (Robin's Mom)

This post is written by my mom. I scattered some recent pictures of our family throughout the post.

(Chief and Addison)

(Emma checking things out.)

My Mom’s response to her visit:

This is just a brief account of meeting my granddaughters for the first time. I was so glad to finally get to see them. I knew that they were small but you really cannot grasp how small until you see them and hold them. It is a little overwhelming to see your grandchild, but two at once really tugs on the heart strings and you don’t want to start bawling when you look at them for the first time. Robin and Brian would have thought I was crazy or something was wrong with the girls.

(Above is Addison on left, Emma on right. Below is Addison.)

I only had two weeks to spend with all of them so we had to make the best of it. I had forgotten how time consuming a new baby is so you can imagine how it would be with two. We tried to work out a schedule so we could all have some sleep, the babies fed and changed. They are good babies, they are not screamers but they are grumblers. They have a fussy time at night, but they just grumble. They don’t really cry a lot, but they can get loud.

(Christmas outfits were a special gift from our friends, Jenyne, Jeff, Gavin & Liam.)

We found out Emma is kind of like Robin, if she goes too long before she thinks she should be feed, she will definitely let you know. Addison seems to be more laid back than Emma.

Robin and Brian are really doing a great job being new parents. They have to learn as they go and are willing to try new or different things to see which works best for the babies and them. Brian even seems to be able to control his gag reflex now when he changes diapers.

Emma in Grandma's Christmas outfit. Addison got her's a little messy!

I was very upset that I was not there when they were born but the timing turned out to be a good thing because they were starting to stay awake more. They were both really looking around and checking us and everything around them out. It was very hard to leave them, I wanted to call Robbie and tell him I was moving but I knew he would come and get me. I can’t wait to see them again and for Grandpa and her uncles and cousin Layla to meet them. Layla already calls them her babies.

To Mom (Grandma) from Robin:

Thanks for that post, Mom. We sure do miss you. Everyday the girls do something new and exciting. I have to stop myself from calling you every 5 minutes. I love you very much and thank you for all your love and sacrifices throughout my life. You are the best!

Home Alone

My mom left Sun. morning, so I am officially home alone with the twins. Since I am finding the time to blog you probably figured out that it is going well today! While my mom was here we had one nice day of weather so we took the girls on their first walk. They really liked it, and slept peacefully the whole time. It was quite an adventure to figure out the best way to get two babies in the stroller and out the door for the first time. Our house has stairs at every door to the outside. I put the girls in their infant seat and attached them to the stroller, then worked my way down the stairs. I accidentally slammed the stroller down too hard and Emma startled a little. My mom was watching carefully. She thought I should try it by myself since this is the way it will be most days. Well, I guess we learned some short cuts because I took them out again today and it was much easier. Oh, I forgot to mention that on the first walk I had the front brakes on the entire time! Ooops!! No wonder it was so hard!

Look at this stroller. I am going to get some major muscles pushing this thing around and lifting it in and out of the car!

The girls are really getting better about sleeping longer at night. They have had three nights in a row that they have slept for 4.5 to 6 hour stretches. Brian and I are thrilled! We hope they will start doing this during the day too.

Here is Addison on her best behavior during dress up time. She refuses to take pictures during dress up time without her pacifier.

Here are the girls and their daddy. Look at Addison crying. I hope she gets use to playing dress up because her mommy does not plan to stop that activity!

Take a look at Addison's mohawk. Her hair is so crazy. Emma's would probably be crazy too is she still had some on top.

Emma had fun today trying to get her wrist rattle. It was the first time I got those out. Addison could have cared less about the one I attached to her wrist.

The girls and I are looking forward to Christmas. We will be spending the holiday at home. It is the first time Brian and I have not traveled for Christmas. I will miss all of our family.

6 Weeks Old

The twins turned 6 weeks old on Weds.! They have changed a lot since we brought them home from the hospital. Both girls have gained weight, although, I am not sure how much. They are out of preemie clothes and can wear most newborn or 0-3 months cloths. They have been successfully drinking formula during the day for one week now. In fact, yesterday all of their bottles during the day consisted of formula only. Emma has started to smile in response to the people she loves. Addison smiles, but I am not sure it is on purpose yet. Emma seems to have a bit of a temper. She doesn't cry very much, but she grumbles quite loud when she is unhappy. It sounds like someone grunting. Emma will definitely let us know what she wants...loudly! Addison appears to be a bit more laid back. However, Addison can cry very loudly. She has done so 3 times since we got home from the hospital. The 3 times were due to a tummy ache, being hungry after her baptism,and one time we are not sure why.

The girls are also noticing each other more. They stare at each other in the crib. When one makes a noise the other opens their eyes or responds in some way. When they sleep together they are always touching. Usually one of the girls' hand is on the other's face. They are definitely becoming more aware. They love to stare at our faces, follow objects with their eyes, and they like to listen to music. They are eating every 3-4 hours, 3-4 ounces at a time (or as Brian says 100 cc). Both girls have also lost some hair since they were born. The new hair coming in looks lighter. Their eyes turn bluer every day. They love to be held, but also do very well in their swing, boppy, or bouncy seat. As you can see we also tried the bumbos! They are not quite ready for extended time in the bumbo.

Addison on left, Emma on right (notice Emma touching Addison's face)

I also think the girls are looking more alike then they did when they were born. What do you think?

Emma is in the green bumbo, Addison in the lavender. Can you tell they are losing their hair?

Last Sunday we went on our first outing to church for the girls' baptism. It took about two hours to get them both dressed, fed, and to get ourselves dressed and fed before leaving the house. They did well at church and I was glad to have them baptized while my mom was here.

Here is Emma waiting on her sister to get dressed.

We are second from last in this picture. I have on a green cardigan and Brian has on a tan blazer.

This is me and Emma.

This is Brian with Addison.

The pastor at our church also has twins. He was excited to see them!

This photo was taken when we got home. Me and the girls were worn out! Emma had part of a bottle at church, but Addison decided to wait. This photo was followed by Addison screaming her head off as I changed her before she ate! The church will give us a DVD of their baptism. If I am feeling adventurous I will try to post it on the blog.

I had my 6 week check up this week too. The doctor says I am recovering from the c-section well. I am cleared to exercise and diet. Now the hard work begins! After Christmas I am going back to weight watchers. Yippee!

My mom also leaves on Sun. morning. I am so sad that we live so far apart. There is nothing that can replace the comfort and support your mother can provide. I hope I can be that for my girls!

Hooray for Help! Twins are 5 Weeks Old!

My mom has been here helping us for almost a week now. It makes a world of difference to have an extra pair of hands, and it's extra special when those hands are your mothers! Unfortunately, I am missing my sister-in-law's wedding this week. The babies are too young to travel. They have not had any shots yet and the doctor thinks it is best to not travel yet. Since my mom is here Brian was able to go, and I know that he was happy to be able to attend.

The babies are doing well! They turned 5 weeks old yesterday! They are starting to smile when I talk to them. Emma smiles more often than Addison. They both are gaining a lot of weight. Their legs have fat rolls on them now. They also fit into most of their newborn clothes. They are starting to spread some feedings out 3.5 to 4 hours. I am also decreasing the pumping sessions and introducing more formula. I have decided that sleep is more important than providing breast milk. I know many people have opinions about this, but I hope they will not pass judgment on me for this decision.

Here are the latest pictures of my beautiful twins.

Addison

Addison was not happy with the gator's performance at the SEC championship. Her face is saying this game stinks!

Emma agrees. What happened Gators?

My mom and I decided to play fashion show with the babies. They only tolerated one outfit. Emma seems to like it much more than Addison.

Addison was patient for a couple of shots.

Shortly after we put her with Emma this is what happened!

As you can see, Addison is planning on being a thumb sucker. Right now she can't always find her thumb, but she is working on it!

The girls are still tiny enough to fit in the bouncy seat together. Aren't their faces funny in this picture! Addison is on the left and Emma is on the right.

Pacifiers are great inventions!

Addison and Emma love their boppies. I call them baby recliners!

My mom and I will be on our own for a couple of days. Brian will be back Sat., and on Sun. the girls are being baptized! The girls should look really sweet in their new dresses!