Multitasking Mother of Multiples

Addison

Emma

I just realized when I started this post that I had no idea what day of the week it is today! Don't worry I figured it out. This is the third day I have been at home alone with the twins (Brian is at work and all the extra help is gone till this Sat.). Monday went well. I thought, "Wow, I made it through the day with everything still under control!" However, I have found the past couple of days that it is not possible to nap when I do not have help. Even as I type this my girls are attempting to fall asleep in my favorite baby accessories, the bouncy seat and the swing. Thank God they love both! I suppose I should be attempting to nap instead of type this, but it seems to help me relax a little when I can vent.

Emma and Addiosn

Tuesday I thought I might have a mental breakdown. I am sure every mother experiences this at some point. Since I made it home with the girls I have been pumping every 3 hours. Making sure I pump near the right times presents challenges to sleeping, but I know it is best for the girls. (Warning: this may be TMI for some of you.) Unfortunately, I seem to get a clogged milk duct every other day, which is extremely painful. This also seems to decrease my milk supply on those days. So in fear that I would not make enough milk I tried to introduce some formula into my babies’ diet. In theory this should not be a big deal. The girls had many bottles of formula in the hospital because I spent the first 12 hours after delivery throwing up and could not breastfeed. They also had low blood sugar for a few days, which resulted in them receiving formula after I tried to nurse. Both times I have tried to reintroduced formula two hours later they both throw up what appears to be the entire feeding! Yesterday this happened when I was on the phone with the lactation consultant, needing to pump for the next feeding, while the dogs escaped out of the backyard. So there I was trying to finish a conversation about how to best feed my babies and get my dogs back in the house while I dealt with two babies that were throwing up. Meanwhile, the lactation consultant is telling me the solution is to pump even more frequently. All of this on a few hours of sleep caused me to break down in tears! It makes me feel awful that I may not be able to maintain an adequate food supply for the girls.

(This morning in their crib: Addison and Emma, BTY: They were Throw up free!)

I am sure Brian is sick of seeing me break down in tears every other day. He thinks it’s the fatigue, which I am sure is part of it. Last night I fed Emma and Addison at 12:30 and 1:00 am, changed a diaper 4 times, pumped for 25 min., rocked babies to sleep, cleaned up Emma’s projectile puke once on my own, changed her outfit and by the second time she threw up I yelled for Brian. I did make it back to my own bed by 2:30! I don’t mean to complain. I love these babies with all my heart, and I am so thankful they are here and healthy. I just hope that everyone who tells me this does get easier is not lying!

Brian has been a wonderful support! He has no idea how much it means to me that he completely takes over when he gets home from work. Not only does he take excellent care of the babies, he takes care of me so I can get some much needed rest. Thank God I have him because I could never do this alone. I hope he knows how much I appreciate and love him (even through all my tears)!

PS: If you see lots of typos I did not bother to edit this post.