Chowing Down on Peaches and Other Random Happenings

Addison on left, Emma on right

This past weekend the girls got their first taste of peaches! Addison loved them! Emma seems to like them too, but her face did not light up the way Addi’s did when she ate them. We mixed the peaches with some rice cereal. I think most of it ended up on their chin. They are starting to open their mouth when the spoon comes, but they haven’t quite mastered swallowing. Next they will try apples, and then we are moving to sweet potatoes. We are trying each food for 3 days in a row.

Addison

Emma

Addison

The girls have also been working on sitting up. Emma has started to try and pull herself into a sitting position when I am feeding her. She likes to look around while she eats. When we put the Boppy behind them they can stay up by themselves for a few seconds.

Addison

Emma supported by pillows and the Boppy.

Last blog I mentioned naps were becoming a challenge. We were going to try and start a routine and place them down in their cribs, but we abandoned that for now since we are going on vacation this weekend. Instead, we just tried putting them down earlier. That seemed to work a little better. It did eliminate a lot of crying on Sun. However, Monday they cried from 11:00 AM to 2:15 PM. I have been trying to keep them awake for too long, but sometimes they refuse to sleep. I am bad about reading books and trying to execute my day based on what “experts” recommend. Right now what I am reading says that babies this age should be taking 2-3 naps a day. Well, my girls take more like 3-5 naps a day. They sleep best in the morning (1-3 hours) and all the afternoon naps are short (as in 20 min.).

Brian came home early Mon. and Tues. to let me get out of the house. Monday I was so stressed out from all the crying I just needed to get away for a little while. Tues. I went to a Lifetime Fitness Club to take a tour. I ended up joining. They have childcare for 1.5 hours for infants per day for members. I think it will be good for the girls and for me. I need to get rid of my “twin skin”. If you don’t know what that is Google it. I will spare you the details…it’s gross!


On a positive note, they are still sleeping through the night!!!! Yippee! We put them down sometime between 6 and 7:30 PM and they wake up anytime between 5:30-7:30 AM. We are trying to fit in a family walk right before bedtime routine begins. The weather here is still unpredictable. One day it will be beautiful and 70 and the next day it will be rainy and 38. Once the weather is a little more stable that should work fine.

Addison (She scratched her face up in her sleep earlier this week.)

Addison on left, Emma on right

This is what Brian and I get to wake up to every morning! Emma keeps turning sideways. It might be time to put them in separate cribs.

4 Months Stats

Addison left, Emma right

Yesterday Brian and I took the girls to the doctor to get their 4 month checkup. It was a few weeks late since they are actually 19 weeks old now. You will not believe how much these babies have grown!

Addison left, Emma right
(P.S. I know Christmas is over, but these PJs fit Emma and they are warm. Gotta love Target clearance items!)

They love to smile now! Emma let out a real laugh last night, and again this morning! It was probably the best sound I have ever heard! Until Addison does it too, then it will be a tie.

Look at how Addison is looking at Emma. She loves her sister.

Let’s start with Baby A: Miss Addison Margaret

I just love how blue their eyes are getting!

Addison started her life out at 5 pounds and 4 ounces and was 18 inches long, which is below the 5th percentile in weight and height. Now she weighs 14 pounds and 8 ounces and she is 23.5 inches long!!! She has jumped to the 62nd percentile in weight and 26th percentile in height! Wow!!! We call her Little Buddha now because when she sits her belly is round and plump. She looks so cute.

Now on to Baby B: Miss Emma Grace

Emma started her life out at a tiny 4 pounds and 12 ounces, and was 17.5 inches long. She was also below the 5th percentile in weight and height. (Drum roll please) She now weighs 13 pounds and 4.5 ounces and she is 22.5 inches long. She is in the 39th percentile for weight and 5th percentile for height. Okay, so she is still tiny, but she is catching up to her sister. We love our little fuzzy head comedian!




Apparently my babies are big eaters! The doctor asked me how much they were eating, and when I told her they drink 7-8 bottles a day (42- 54 ounces total) she said, “Okay let’s get them on some solids!” If you keep up with the blog you already know we have tried rice cereal. The girls don’t seem to care for the taste. The doctor told us we could mix in some fruit, so I think we will try that and then move on to some baby food like sweet potatoes. Per our doctors suggestion we are going to work them up to two meals of food a day and one bottle in between or with each feeding for the next couple of months. We hope that will cut down on the formula bill too.

I have also been advised to start getting them into a nap routine. I mentioned to the doctor that they mainly sleep in their swing, bouncy seat or pack and play. She said now would be a good time to start working on that transition to 2-3 naps a day in their crib. I have been avoiding this because I know it is going to be a battle. I have tried putting them down in their crib before and they cry, then end up being sleep deprived and super fussy! So this weekend Brian is going to help me work on this. I know it is going to involve some crying so I am mentally preparing myself for the challenge. Any tips from other moms out there are appreciated. I need suggestions on a nap time routine for twins. Having a bedtime routine seemed to work wonders. Now after they have their bath at night they start closing their eyes soon after we dress and swaddle them. That took a couple of weeks to set in so I guess the nap thing will too.

Happy Birthday Brian!

Thank you for the cake Badura family!

Me holding Addison, Brian holding Emma

This weekend we really got out a lot! Friday night we interrupted the girls’ bedtime routine to go to Costco and out to dinner. The girls did great at Costco. They did okay at dinner. By the time we got there it was pretty close to their bedtime so they were sleepy. Emma started to fuss as soon as we sat down. We were able to calm her down pretty quick and she went to sleep for most of dinner. Addison, who is generally harder to settle, wanted to get out and look around at everyone. She cried a little, and Brian and I had to take turns holding her while we finished eating. Overall, it was not that bad and no one gave us the stink eye.

Me and Addison

Saturday was Brian’s birthday. We had plans to go to Target and go to dinner at our friends’ house. The girls did well most of the day. Brian watched them while I got my haircut. He had a little trouble with them crying while I was gone, but he said it was not that bad. When we got to our friends’ house it was close to their bedtime. They were fine for about 30 minutes. I guess they were overtired because shortly after being there they cried harder than I have ever seen them cry for about 30 minutes. We tried feeding, rocking, taking them into a dark room, and pretty much everything else you can think of until I decided to take them home. My friend suggested that we try driving them around to see if they would sleep instead of going home. After about 10 minutes of driving they went to sleep, and we were able to go back to eat dinner and cake. Around the time when we finished dinner both girls woke up. They were quiet for a little bit, but started that crying business again so we had to go home. Unfortunately, it was very stressful. It is so hard when they cry and we have no idea what is wrong with them! At least we got a couple of cute pictures. And thanks to my friends for understanding and trying to help! They all have kids too.

Addison on left, Emma on right
They really like to look at each other and "talk"

They also love to hold hands now! It is so sweet.

Addison

Me and Emma

Brian and Addison She was all tuckered out after the babysitters left.

Sunday was awesome! Two sweet ladies that I work with volunteered to babysit for us! Addison took a 4 hour nap before they got to our house so she was ready for company! Emma also took a pretty good nap before they arrived. We went to lunch and to one of Brian’s favorite stores. The girls were great. Emma was sleeping when I got home, and Addison was smiling and playing. My friends even volunteered to come back once a month! We have not been out alone since my mom was here and we went to a Christmas party. I missed the girls while we were gone, but Brian and I also enjoyed that time alone.

Addison on left, Emma on right

Emma thought something Addison did was funny. They are still working on getting a laugh out. When they try to laugh it sounds like a little chuckle or they yell.

Pictures

Here are a few pictures of the girls. We don't have a lot going on this week. We lost our internet connection for 4 days! I guess it really gave me a lesson on how addicted I am to the computer! I really have a clean house this week without the internet distracting me. Anyway, here are the pictures of the babies. They are having fun with their new toy!

Emma

Addison

Addison on left, Emma on right with bib

Emma

Addison is doing a good job covering me up. One day I will try to get dressed and put some make-up on so I can get a picture with the girls. Do any other moms stay in pjs an no make-up all day? To be fair, this was taken at 6:30 AM during their first morning play session.

Emma

Addison on left, Emma on right

I love Emma's face here!

Addison, She is so serious!

Addison practicing sitting up.

Emma. Look at her fuzzy new hair!

Emma tasting an apple.

Emma

This weekend is Brian's birthday. We are planning to hang out with some friends Sat. night and Sun. we have two ladies I worked with coming over to babysit! I think we are going to see a movie and then go have an appetizer and a drink some where! Should be lots of fun.

4 Months Old

The girls turned 4 months old this week! Here is a glimpse into how much they have changed. This picture was taking in Dec. when they were 6 weeks old. The next picture was taken this morning.

Emma, Addison

Addison, Emma

I thought I could give a little description of what each baby is like at this age.

Emma, Addison
(Don't you just love baby blue jeans!)

Emma, Addison

Addison (formerly known as Baby A)

(You can kind of see her new hair coming in.)

• Eats 5-8 ounces at each feeding. Most often eats about 6 ounces each time.
• Eats every 2-3 hours during the day and takes her last bottle around 6:00 PM
• Sleeps 8-11 hours at night before waking up to eat again (11 hours just happened last night!)
• Naps 3-4 times per day, longer morning naps, short naps in afternoon
• Loves to cuddle with mommy, she snuggles her face into my chest. I have no idea how she breathes, but she likes it
• Favorite books: Snuggle Puppy, Touch and Feel Farm Animals and Touch and Feel Pets
• Weight is unknown since we don’t go back to doctor until 3/14/10
• Loves to grab and shake toys
• Learned to roll over today! She only did it once. She looked up at me as if to say, “Hey! Look what I just did!”
• Learning how to laugh, sometimes she shouts and squeals
• Likes to look in mirror
• Loves a bath
• Likes country music and baby lullabies
• Sweetest smile you’ve ever seen, but saves it for when she really means it!
• Lets you know when she is not happy by screaming! May have a slight temper (and when I say “may”, I mean “does”)
• Nicknames: Addi, Addi Bumbo, Peanutbutter or Nutterbutters (her sister is Jelly), Turkey (her sister is Dressing)
• Looks like her daddy
• Has blue eyes, long eyelashes, lost most of newborn hair, more hair coming in (kinda looks like an old man)

Emma (our little Baby B)

Emma on left

• Eats 5-7 ounces at each feeding
• Also eats every 2-3 hours during the day, takes her last bottle around 6
• Sleeps 8-11 hours at night
• Naps 3-4 times per day, same as her sister!
• Very social, loves to see what everyone is doing. When we take her to friends houses she doesn’t want to miss a minute of socializing
• Talks a lot
• Favorite books: Touch and Feel Farm Animals and Pets and I Love to Laugh
• Weight Unknown, but probably a bit less than her sis
• Bats and grabs toys
• Rolls over from stomach to back, and is really close to rolling over back to stomach. Can really support her weight and push up on her arms.
• Likes the dogs
• Whole face lights up when she smiles! She will smile at everyone.
• Also likes to look in the mirror
• Loves a bath and is really starting to use her legs to push off on the walls of the sink during bath time
• Likes music
• Likes to watch TV (Yeah, I know that is frowned upon. But, I have twins. She can watch TV if it keeps her quiet when I am feeding Addi). Not sure if her favorite show is Sportscenter or Oprah
• Nicknames: Em, Jelly, Dressing, Rutabaga
• Looks like Mommy and Daddy
• Also has blue eyes, long eyelashes, lost her newborn hair, new hair coming in sticks up like her dad’s hair

Sister Love: Kisses in the morning

They are so stinkin' cute! I love how they lounge in these chairs.