Wednesday, December 29, 2010

6 month check up

So we headed out for our 6 month check up today after a LOOOOONG night.  For the past week or so Vivian has been waking up in the night, which she hasn't done in about 2 months!  I racked my brain, could it be this, could it be that...have I messed up a good thing by letting her sleep on her tummy?  Is she growing, does she need to eat?  I haven't fed her in the night for 2 months and she has always been my better sleeper.  So after she was up last night from oh say 2am - 4am "partying" I thought to myself, "perfect timing" we are headed to the doctor anyways, maybe she has an ear infection?  She hasn't been super cranky or anything and I even tried to feed her during her "party" last night...she really wasn't interested.  She was just thrilled I got her out of her crib and was all smiles!  During the night I attempt to make no eye contact so as to not encourage her wakefulness, but how can you resist that gummy grin?  Matt and I even noticed she's been touching the back of her head a lot but not her ear???  So let me just get to the point.  After explaining all this to the doctor and almost hoping she had an ear infection to explain her "partying" ways over the past week, she looked in her ears and said they looked just fine.  Darn I thought to myself...that would have been such an easy fix?!  Then she opened her mouth using her tongue depressor and there they were....TEETH!  She has not one, but TWO teeth that have broken through her gum!  Ok, so I'm not winning any mommy of the year awards but I couldn't have been more excited and sad...my baby is turning into a little girl (sorta :))!  I've been inspecting Oliver's mouth for weeks (all to find nothing), due to some fussiness and the drool that will soak his shirt down to his belly button if he's not wearing a bib!  She has her 2 bottom middle teeth coming in!  At least I have a likely culprit to her "partying" ways!  So after 3 more vaccines for each baby, they both got a dose of Ibuprofen before bed tonight!  Fingers crossed, tonight cannot be as bad as last night and if so at least I know why! 

So onto the more important stuff like stats...
We'll start with Vivian
14 pounds 0 ounces, in the 14th percentile (which is down a smidgen from the 22nd percentile)
25.5 inches long, in the 43rd percentile

Oliver
18 pounds 15.5 ounces (could he get any closer to 19 pounds...I think not!), in the 77th percentile (which is down from the 83rd percentile....I told you he was thinning out!)
27.25 inches long, in the 79th percentile (I always tell people "Oliver forgot he was a preemie!")

The doctor was pleased with their developmental progress and gave me a few things to work on over the next few months but I tell you my babies are truly advanced (doesn't every mommy think so?), remember...they were born 6 weeks early!  Vivian had her hips x-rayed due to being breech and the doctor thought the x-ray looked fine but we'll wait to her the official results from the radiologist.  She was not concerned her head was getting too flat (I'm a mom, I worry) so I'm going to try and release that worry from my day to day worries!  She also told me Vivian should be taking more like 5 ounces per bottle, 4 times a day....and I thought..."thanks Doc, me too, we are doing are best here!"  Both of my babies are doing wonderful and again as I count my blessings each night my happy, healthy, thriving babies are at the very top of the list!

 A play date with our friend Alice and her mommy Erica, photo take #1...hello Vivian and Alice.  Oliver, Oliver over here!  (so maybe there is a little drool on Vivian's shirt?  Ok, ok so you are teething!)

Hello there Vivian and Oliver, Alice is no longer interested she is looking at her Mommy, photo take #284 (2 babies looking at the camera outta 3 is not so bad!)

Aunt Amy is whipping up some green beans for the babies!

Isn't she just about the sweetest??  Right behind my two babies, of course!  Ok, we'll settle for a three way tie!

Oliver trying out the new stroller his Granny got him for Christmas!

Josephine says "let me push you Oliver"!

The best Daddy in the world and his happy babies!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

This could be a long one folks....


So I haven't updated in a while because we've been pretty busy with the holidays!  With the end of 2010 coming upon us, I have been thinking about a lot of the changes our family has had this year.  With that being said I want to put some of it down on "paper" (so to speak...seeing as though I'm really typing it out on my blog).  As I've mentioned before this blog is mostly for myself, and my ever forgetful memory, and it just a bonus that I get to share it with my friends and family.  So forgive my ramblings...

  • This time last year I was convinced I was having just one baby, it wasn't until Jaunuary (after multiple ultrasounds) that I REALLY knew we were going to have 2 babies!
  • having 2 babies I gained 43.5 pounds and have now lost 47.5 pounds!   All due to lack of sleep, poor eating habits and lack of exercise.  There have been multiple times I've asked myself "did I eat lunch" and times when Matt and I have been too tired to eat dinner.  
  • I had friends tell me, and I too share the feeling, that the first 12 weeks of the babies lives is kind or a blur....good thing I have this blog!
  • I turned 30.  I really wanted to be 30 and pregnant (once I found out my due date was about a month after my birthday) but instead I had my two beautiful babies a week before I turned 30.  
  • my house has turned into what looks like a daycare...2 swings, 2 bumbos, 2 bouncy seats, 2 exersaucers, 1 jumparoo, 2 cribs, pacifiers littered everywhere, no less then 8-16 burp rags scattered around the house at all times, and the ever growing amount of books, light up toys and teething toys!
The babies turned 6 months a few days ago...unbelievable, right?

Here's what happening....

Vivian is wearing size 2 diapers.  She is eating 3 to 6 ounces of formula 4 times a day (averaging 15 - 18 ounces) and sleeping 11ish hours at night.  Recently she's been waking up a few times in the night and because she doesn't love the pacifier she's a bit more of a challenge to get back to sleep.  Hopefully, this is just a brief phase.  Vivian is still wearing 3 month clothing.  Last time I weighed her she weighed about 14 pounds, she has worked hard for each.and.every.single pound!  Vivian can roll from side to side but has yet to swing her little body onto her belly.  I think she is just too smart to do so because of her distaste of tummy time.  She can roll from her tummy to her back in a blink of the eye and is very graceful at doing so.  Vivian sits happily in her bumbo for 5 to 15 minutes at a time but not quite interested in "flying solo" quite yet.  Vivian has been sleeping on her tummy for naps and a little bit at night because I'm afraid her head is getting flat in the back...I'll keep you posted if it helps!

Oliver is still wearing size 2-3 diapers.  Oliver is taking 7 ounces of formula 4 times a day (28 ounces total) and sleeping 11ish hours at night.  He still wakes up a few times throughout the night but is quick to go back to sleep with the reinsertion of his pacifier by mom or dad.  He can find them in his bed now and is able to put them in his own mouth every so often.  (remember...I've been scattering them in his bed for months now just waiting for the moment he'd like to reach over and grab one and it's finally staring to pay off!) Oliver is still wearing some 6 months clothes but is quickly growing out of them into 9 month clothing.  The last time I weighed him he was 18.5 pounds.  Oliver can now roll from his back to his tummy proficiently but due to his "rolls of love" he is unable to get from tummy to his back too often without becoming frustrated and then a little assistance from mommy or daddy.  When laying too close to Vivian he prefers to use her as a launching pad to increase his swift transition from back to tummy.   Vivian...not such a fan of said approach.  Oliver can sit up unassisted for a minute or so at a time and for much longer with a boppie snuggled safely around him.  

The number one comment we get is WOW Oliver is so big compared to Vivian.  Yep, we know and we love them just the way the are!  My sister swears God sent Oliver because she needed a chubby little guy to love on since she already has a dainty little girl of her own.  Don't worry she spoils them equally!  Tomorrow we are headed to the doctor for their 6 month check up and more shots...another sad day for all 3 of us! 

The babies are still eating solid foods once a day but in the next week or so I'll probably be increasing that to twice a day.  This is a list of the foods they have tried (listed in order of preference by both babies) sweat potatoes, squash, pears, applesauce, prunes, sweat peas, green beans (although my sister made some home made green beans today and they were a hit!)  They love to eat Mum Mums and feed themselves.  Oliver is getting pretty good at holding his own bottle but only out of necessity, he'd much prefer someone to do it for him.  Vivian would like to feed herself her own bottle but it might take her all day to eat as she like to take it in and out, in and out. 

We all had a wonderful Christmas which included: napping on the go, napping in mommy and daddy's arms, working, sleeping, working, opening packages, trips to Grandparents' homes, changes in traditions and new traditions.   With all this said, I hope my children will grow up knowing what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. 

Here are a few pictures to enjoy! I haven't been that great at taking pictures...it's enough just trying to manage two babies while we are out and about...let alone remember to take photos!

 The pacifier bandit is back (all 17 pounds of her)...tutu and all!  She just likes to "take a drag" off of them and then offer them to their rightful owner...we're all family, right?

 A close up of my beautiful little girl. 

Napping Oliver in Daddy's arms...his preferred sleeping arrangements.  

Grandma Pam feeding Oliver!

  Well, hello there Great Grandma Bea!

Squeeze, squeeze, snuggle, snuggle... 

Holding these two little ladies at the same time...no problem for Aunt Amy!

Zoe "dressed" for the holiday having a holiday treat!

Old friends, Cay (my sister's dog) and Bella...they all got dressed up for the holiday!

Oliver ready to go see Santa!

They sat on the big guys lap no problem, no tears...this year!

Coordinating outfits with Granny!

Granny and her grand-babies!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

How can I resist?

How can I resist posting pictures of these beautiful little babies?  Not much new to report but I had some cute pictures to update so I thought I'd share.  The one piece of news I do have is that Vivian officially moved to her own room.  It was kinda sad and go figure the last night they shared their room together, they slept soundly the entire night making me second guess my decision.  But my dad was armed with his tool box the next afternoon and he and I (well mostly him) took down and rebuilt Vivian's crib just down the hall.  She had her first evening nap in her own room and then my sister babysat later that evening, putting her to bed in her new room where she happily slept....all night.  Oh, I did weigh them again today and Oliver weighed in at 18.5 pounds and Vivian at 13.5 pounds.  In 2 weeks we head back to the doctor for their 6 month (can you believe?) well baby check and for an official weight and more vaccines :( We are excited for the holidays and excited to have Matt home a handful of extra days.  I love the weekends with both of us home to love and snuggle our babies.


Matt's co-worker from Japan brought these "jeans" over from Japan for the babies.  They are stretch cotton (thank goodness or Oliver wouldn't have fit in them)!

I posted this picture just for myself (because this was one of those moments I never want to forget) so disregard my post-work looking self, but Vivian fell asleep in my arms just before I laid her down in her crib.

You can find her in this bouncy seat all throughout the day.... thankfully the babies rarely use them anymore!

The onesies say it all... 

Big and lil....

The babies 1st ornaments....

Outside to experience one of their first snow falls!

Oliver and Vivian in their winter coats...

Oliver wasn't a fan of the cold, or maybe it was the hat??   Vivian where are your eyes?
 Oliver is sill mad (but you know I love the mad faces) but now I can see Vivian's eyes!

 Back inside where it's warm!

Daddy warming Vivian up!


Here are a few things we are thankful for....
  • Vivian snuggling and falling asleep on me before bed
  • Homemade baby food by Aunt Amy
  • 24 hour grocery stores
  • Zoe's new love for sleeping in the bouncy seat
  • a large enough house to give both babies a room to call their own
  • snowy days
  • a big basement so we can make a "play corner"
  • baby Bjorn's (Matt and I have been "wearing" the babies around the house for a half hour or so each evening!)
  • MumMum's

Thursday, December 2, 2010

5 months old!

Yep, that's right 5 months old!  Who let this happen?!?  Time is flying by!  So here's a brief update on each baby.  

Vivian...my older, yet much more petite little lady...This morning I weighed her on my home scale and she weighed in at 13.5 pounds!  She is still in size one diapers (apparently I had a lot more then I thought but soon will be in size 1-2) She is very good at rolling from her tummy to her back so much so that squeezing in our tummy time each day becomes harder and harder because she just wants to roll over.  She's wearing 3-6 month clothing still.  She is eating 4 times a day taking 3 - 5 ounces with each bottle!  She is eating very well from a spoon one time per day and has tried pears, applesauce and sweet potatoes (homemade by Aunt Amy!)   

Oliver...my younger, yet big boy...Today on our home scale he weighed in at 17.5 pounds (which is just about the same as my 14 month old petite little niece)!  I do have to say he is getting longer and leaner in his old age...haha!  He is still fitting just fine in his size 2-3 diapers, they look like a bikini briefs on him under his big belly :)  Oliver is not too good at the whole "rolling" thing yet.  He can do it, just has to get his momentum going a little more then his sister!  He's wearing size 6-9 month clothing.  He is also eating 4 times a day taking 6 - 7 ounces with each bottle.  Oliver is eating very well from a spoon and has also tried pears, applesauce and sweet potatoes.  

They love to stand on their feet (with assistance of course!) but are not sitting up independently yet.  Everything, and I mean everything, that is in their hand goes right to their mouths!  They love the Jumparoo and are just starting to like the Exersaucer a bit more.  Both babies love light up toys that make silly sounds.  They are still sharing a room at night but I am pretty sure that's coming to an end.  Some nights are great, some night they are up "partying" and feeding off of one another.  When that happens poor Vivian has to be moved out back to the pack'n'play.  I feel bad for her and think it's time she has a permanent place to call her own.  So I told Matt today as soon as we get time I think it's time to move her out.  It would be just as "easy" (read that has "hard") to move Oliver out but he's been in "their" room a bit longer and she seems to be more versatile when it comes to sleeping arrangements.  Speaking of sleep....the napping thing has gotten MUCH better in our house!  They were taking 4, 5 or 6  30 - 45 minute naps a day for about a month.  Just in the past week they been taking 3 naps lasting 1 to 2:30 hours!  I'm sure it's just part of them growing up!

We attempted to get some "professional" photos done at JC Penney's over the past weekend....major bust!  My mom, sister and I took the babies and Josephine to try and get a group shot to make a cute holiday card.  There were tears, snot, drool, bottles and blankies everywhere and not a smile to be found.  My mom pieced together 3 head shots of each baby with the most serious faces you can imagine...which was just a slight upgrade from the mad faces that were a plenty!  So below are some of my attempts to snap some shots at home...these are just a very small sampling of the hundreds I took....I thought I send out a card with these photos that says "tis the season" for a good laugh but after 3 home photo sessions and more tears and drool I think I've come up with something a little cuter.....I'll post that later! Although, their mad/sad face do give me a little giggle!








and because we are in the season of Thankfulness...here are few things we are thankful for recently....

  • giggles and laughs from both babies
  • our new "faux" pre-lit Christmas tree (we've always had real and will again someday when we can all go to the Christmas tree farm and cut one down together!)
  • Matching Christmas sleepers
  • a low census at the hospital which is allowing me to work one day a week temporarily!
  • large fountain Diet Cokes from McDonald's
  • survived 3 days and 2 nights of Mommy duty while Daddy's been out of town
  • hair gel to hold Vivian's bows in place
  • hand-me-downs from cousin Josephine
  • family time

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Oliver Speaks

Vivian Feeds Herself

Everyone survived...including me!


This past weekend Matt and I had our first trip away from the babies.  We went to Austin, Texas to help one of my bestest friends from college celebrate her wedding!  My mom stayed with the babies with help from her friend Joyce Anne, my dad, my sister and Grandma Pam!  Everyone survived!  We were supposed to be  home before bed on Sunday night but due to a flight delay which caused us to miss our connecting flight we weren't able to get home to shortly after 11 Sunday evening.  So I thought I wouldn't be able to see my beautiful smiling babies until Monday morning...wrong!  They were up "partying" from 2:45 to 5:15!  They have seriously never done that so as pleased as I was to see them, it was a bit of a long night and sleepy day for this mommy yesterday!   I have posted just a few pictures from our weekend and a video my sister sent me of the babies while we were away!
Allison, Lesley the bride, Lisa and myself

Stacey and Lesley are twin sisters!  

 Me, Colleen, Allison and Lisa
My wonderful husband and I

Since my kids weren't there I played with Lisa's adorable children, Avery and Wyatt...also known as the flower girl and the ring bearer! 

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Just some pictures....

 Vivian loves to fly!


Aunt Amy and Josephine help celebrate my moms retirement celebration.

 Vivian is partying!

Vivian got partied out!

Oliver taking it all in.

Granny Bender is retired!

Oliver loves to jump!
 
Let's give this "food" stuff another try. 

Oliver really liked what he actually kept in his mouth.

Vivian got some good tastes in too!

 Photo shoot..Oliver wasn't too interested in giving up any smiles. 

But aren't we CUTE!?!?!

They love each other too!