Napping

Lunch time, Emma above, Addi below eating carrots

Emma above

We have been trying to get the girls on a napping schedule for a while. It has been hard determining when they are sleepy and for how long they should sleep. Mainly the problem has been that they will sleep for 30-45 min. and wake up crying. I know they are still tired. For a few weeks I tried to soothe them back to sleep, and if they were not asleep within 15 minutes I would just get them up. This was not working at all and the results were two extremely fussy babies who needed another nap every hour, and one stressed out mommy! My friends and Brian gave me lots of support and advice. I decided to give Babywise a try. I know it is controversial, but I’ve reached a point where something had to change. For the past four days we have tried putting them down for their naps at the same time everyday and when they wake up 30-45 min. into the nap we go in soothe them briefly and leave. I try very hard not to go back in over and over. So far they have gone back to sleep a few times. Both of them have had a couple of 2 hour naps! I am taking them in for their 6 month checkup and shots this afternoon. I am going to ask the pediatrician her opinion on this method just to make sure I am not expecting too much of them. Plus it breaks my heart to hear them cry so I want confirmation that I am not harming them! Brian tells me we are teaching them when they need to sleep, and I should not feel bad. I know he is right, but it doesn’t make it any easier.

Our friend, Chris, gave us these outfits. Aren't they cute!

Addison was trying to get out of the chair. They arch their back all the time if they don't want to do something.

Tearing up my magazine. Can't say I have time to read it anyway.

A Better Few Days

Boy do the days go by fast when you have 2 little ones. But these little rounders are worth it and Robin decided we are for sure keeping them both. No chance we are taking one back. The past couple days they have really been getting the hang of this nap thing. Or at least part of it. The are both going down to sleep really well. Typically, they only fuss just a little and only for a couple minutes before they soothe themselves to sleep. Now we just need that 45min nap monster to quit raring its ugly head. Today, he showed up once as a dirty diaper and once without cause. But during one nap, both girls slept for 1.5hrs. And during another nap, Addi slept for 2hrs. Do you know what that translates to in mommy time? Shower, cocktail, taped Oprah show, cocktail, nap, shower again... And daddy got to do laundry, vacuum, yard work, bathrooms... Well, it didn't allow for all of that but it does make a huge difference in how the right amount of sleep really helps them get through the day happy! Hopefully we are on the right track and continue to build on this.

Here are some pics from an enjoyable weekend as a family.


Emma on left, Addison on right


We went outside to take some pictures in the yard since the Azelias are blooming.

Addison
Emma. I picked these flowers for them.
Addison on left, Emma on right.
Addi
Emma
Addi on left, Emma on right, bumble bee in middle, back, front, side, under...

While mommy went to Weight Watchers for her weekly moment of zen, daddy got to spend some one on two time with the girls. We had a lot of fun playing on the couch - practicing sitting up, playing with crinkle book, and smiling away.

Somehow I even managed to take this picture of myself holding Emma


Addi
Addi on left, Emma on right


Love you girls.
Love Daddy