Avery's visit

Avery came to town to meet her cousins for the first time in person. Prior to her visit, we would Skype with Avery every couple of days. On Skype, Avery would watch us feed, burp and play with the babes. We would talk about what she wanted to do with them when she finally got to meet them. The babes heard her voice, so they were familiar with her when she arrived.

The moment that Avery walked into the house, she immediately washed her hands in the kitchen sink, without being asked. Within moments, she was holding Cora in her arms. She was able to spend the next few days with the babes. She learned how to feed them, burp them, change their clothes, change their diapers, put them to sleep and give them a bath. The fun part of playing with them during tummy time was a bonus.

It was really fun to have her here. Come back soon!

Where does the time go?

Yes...where does the time go? I'm talking about my time. We had a pretty good schedule working there for a bit. They were up in the morning for a feed and promptly went down for a nap. At that time, I can sneak in a few extra winks, have two cups of coffee and eat a little breakfast. Before the next feed, I would pump and get ready for them. With each subsequent feed throughout the day, I was able to get them to go down just after a bit of awake time. However, these last few days have become more unpredictable which means less me time. Perhaps the other mother's reading this would laugh at the expectation of me time, but I treasure it.

During me time, I usually order groceries online, perhaps order dinner to be delivered if we don't have leftovers, take a shower, answer emails, make calls to find a nanny, and start a load of laundry (to be finished 8 hours later). These moments happen in the morning, as the afternoons are slipping away these days. I realize now why people were suggesting to get a nanny or some help sooner rather than later.

Enough with the whoa is me. I love that I'm a mom and I get to experience each of these milestones, even if they make me a little crazy at times. Here is a belated set of photos from the last two weeks.

The babes are growing about a pound a week. You can really see it in their cheeks. Again, please excuse the lack of editing. I'm just psyched to be able to share some photos with you.

Highlights include: Sutter's first sneak peak at his smile. Cora's ability to smile almost all the time, and it really looks like she is smiling at you. Cora is eating nearly 105ML and Sutter is eating 110ML (which is nearly four ounces each). Tummy time is coming along really well, partially due to the cuckoo crazy hours between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. each night. During those hours, the babes are fussy and sometimes nothing will get them to calm down. They both seem to hold their heads up for longer periods of time, possibly in anger, frustration, or over-stimulation. The result is that they are getting stronger. Finally, they are both out of their newborn outfits. They are officially wearing 3 month outfits now.

It's a smile. We have seen them while he sleeps, but they're starting to make their way to awake hours. Apologies for the blurry photo. 

The only song that I know all the words to is "Take me out to the ballgame." It's their lullaby right now. And yes, we are "root, root, rootin' for the GI--ANTS"

Cora during tummy time, looking straight ahead at the carpet.

Sutter attempting to get his head up off the ground. 

We have lift off!

See Mom...I am strong!

Just after a feed, Cora is happy to be wearing her party girl clothes. 

Happy baby

Well, her eyes are a little crossed in this photo. That is normal for this age. She is happy!

Cora...10 weeks old.

Sutter 10 weeks old.

Please let me take a nap, Mom.

We took our baby Bjorn's out for a walk! We've been waiting for this day.

2 months old!

The babes had their two month check up on Wednesday. They are continuing to gain weight and grow as they're supposed to for a 2 month old baby.

Cora weighs 9 lbs, 6 oz and measures 21.5 in. She has gained nearly 5 lbs since birth.

Sutter weighs 10 lbs, 7 oz and measures 22.5 in. He has gained 5.5 lbs since birth.

Cora is cooing during her awake time. She is smiling more. As much as I would like to think she is smiling at me, I think it might still be a reflex. But I'll take it. She has rolled over from her stomach to her back - twice in one tummy time session. Her cousin Avery and Granny were there to see it.  Her neck muscles are getting stronger. She can nearly hold her head up at a 90 degree angle for at least 10 seconds at a time. Cora is also more fussy now in the early evening. We're working on understanding what we can do about that now. She feels like a feather in weight compared to her brother. When she cries out it sounds like "gheeeeee." We often call her kitty cat or ghee as a nickname.

Sutter is able to focus better this week. His eyes were mostly darting around the room for a bit, but he has tuned his vision into voices and music. While he once was our most fussy baby, he is now pretty calm. I believe his digestive tract has matured. He has a more manly cooing, which is a combo of grunting and a bass-like coo. When he cries out, it starts off with a few grunts. When he finally cries, it sounds like a billy goat "whaa."He has flipped over from his stomach to his back a few times now. During tummy time, he is getting stronger and is able to hold his head up at a 90 degree angle for a few seconds at a time. His legs are also becoming stiffer such that he can stand up for a second or two when we hold him on our stomachs.  While he is only a pound heavier than Cora, he is meatier.  Frank & I call him chunk-a-monk. He is definitely all-boy!

Here is a random assortment of unedited photos from the last week.

tandem feeds sometimes call for tandem cuddles.

Post BF, on the night of the two month shots, they passed out together. They were breathing in tandem, too.

I'm learning to smile!

I was born smiling. Smiling is my favorite.

ah- gooooooo

This post was brought to you by a full night of sleep and a strong cup of coffee.
xo

Cry it out - not just for the babes

When I heard that to sleep train an infant you need to let them cry it out, I thought that it would just be something easy to do. But after a very long day of sleeping, eating, burping, repeat, having them cry it out in the early evening is tough to do. I found myself crying as much as they are. Maybe that's what it is all about?

We are on the plan to let them cry it out for 10 minutes, to begin the process of self-soothing. It works most of the time, but not all of the time. I find that it will work for Sutter, but Cora requires some holding and rocking to get her to calm down. Our goal is to develop these habits now, as a family, so that when we're training for longer periods of sleep in the future that it will be easier.

I just wish it was easier right now. In the meantime, I'm going to cry it out on my own.

While that is only a small portion of my day, I am finding time to develop a routine with them. At the second feeding of the day, we spend time listening to music and playing on the mat. I noticed that Sutter responds to the music. His eyes and head turns towards the lullabies playing on my iPhone app.  During the time on the mat, I find that they both are cooing and flailing their little arms around. Sometimes Sutter's fingers wind up in Cora's mouth. She likes anything that lands near her mouth, so that is fun to watch. They are both getting much stronger with their necks, as they turn their heads from side-to-side on the mats when they are on their tummies. It's great to watch them develop.

We are two days from their two month birthday. Here are some random highlights from the last few days.

7 week milestones

This last week has been filled with milestones - for me. Frank went back to work full-time. My mom went back to the OC. And I was faced with a new schedule of doing the day time on my own. I was mostly concerned about how long I would spend feeding them. Up until this point, we had them scheduled 30 minutes apart so that one would get changed, fed, and burped before we started the other one. When I thought about doing that alone throughout the day, and needing to take care of other parts of my life, I was overwhelmed.

I posted a note on the San Francisco Parents of Multiples forums to find out what other mother's did to feed in addition to understanding how they got through the day alone. I received a few responses from supportive mothers who suggested I start tandem feeding, meaning feeding both of them at the same time. This would require me to prop the bottles, which is frowned upon in the single baby world. However, when faced with a day with twins, the other mothers and some books, just say "go for it." One woman went so far as to send me photos of how she propped her kids up on the couch or in their vibrating chairs and fed them. That gave me the confidence that I could do it, too. I wasn't so sure about tandem breastfeeding, but some women just make it happen. In either case, I just wanted to be sure that the doctor was ok with it, too.

So, during the appointment last week, I asked the doctor and she said, "go for it." I started that afternoon. My mom sat there while I set both babies up on their boppy's, had some rolled up blankets nearby for bottle propping while I burped one at a time, and then I just watched them enjoy their meals. It was an odd sensation to not hold them while they ate, but they didn't seem to mind.

Day 1 of tandem feeding - July 1st.

7 weeks old and we made it through the week tandem feeding!

Now, over a week into it, I get the bottles warmed before I know that they are going to be awake. One is usually awake first, so I will change that one and put them on the boppy. They are propped with the bottle and I'm off to get the other one started with changing. Once I put that one down with a propped bottle, I start burping the first one. Then, I put that one down, adjust the bottles for both of them, and prepare to burp the second one. It continues like that until they are both fed. At that point, I switch between holding them on my shoulder and putting one in my lap. That way, they both get the warmth from my body. I can usually rub both backs at the same time, so they know that I'm there. It works out pretty well.

Vikki, our night doula, was also thrilled at the prospect of the tandem feeding. Given her experience with twins, she was familiar with tandem feeding. She also mentioned that the babes would start to naturally go four hours between feedings at night. And...voila...that started happening, too. It's starting to become a little more consistent. During the day, they eat about every 2.5 to 3 hours. If one is eating, then we wake the other to eat. Same goes for naps, if one goes down, they are both going down. We are working on their sleep and feed training now.

I've also had a full day on my own. I decided that my only goals for the entire day was to just focus on the babes. I managed to get a few other things done for myself in the morning, but that was just bonus. I  just wanted to see what it felt like to be completely on my own. I chose to walk in the afternoon instead of taking a nap. There was no dinner made, but thankfully we had some left overs. By the time that Frank walked through the door and said, "I'll take over," I thanked him and jumped in the shower before he even had time to change his shirt. I napped for 20 minutes, ate dinner, and was back in bed by 9:15. Phew! There is something to be said for having help.

On that note, let me know when you'll be coming to town.

xoxo

4th of July

Most American's celebrated their freedom on the 4th. At least that is what you're supposed to be celebrating. I had a mommy milestone (MM) on the 4th. I left the house for longer than three hours. Frank and I were invited to our friends house for a BBQ in the afternoon. We made it there 30 minutes later than I expected and I thought that was terrific.

We fed them, burped them, and put them in their spirit outfits. I made deviled eggs, and put my make-up on while I pumped. We were out the door with a carefully planned amount of food and supplies to make it through at least two feedings. We did it. 

Thanks to my supportive friends and husband, I was able to enjoy a delicious meal, some good conversation and a fair amount of time away from the house. I was on a high when I got home that night because I was so proud that we did it. It will only make it that much easier (supposedly) next time we leave. 

Now why didn't I get a photo of the four of us? Next time....

xoxo

My sister...Auntie Sara

A few weeks ago, my sister came to town to help out with the babes. Frank picked her up from the airport. She walked in, pushed her sunglasses on top of her head, washed her hands and immediately took over the duties. She still had her backpack on while she was receiving instructions on how to prepare the bottles. She fed the first babe with the sunglasses holding her hair back. She was not messing around with wanting to help out, and we appreciated it.

I treasured those days that she was here. Since I am a new mom, I have a whole new perspective on what it takes to get through the day. Sara had her kids 13 years ago. At that time, I visited her in Orange County every six weeks or so, depending on my work schedule. Looking back, I was very disconnected to the world of motherhood. I contributed to her life by photographing her kids, spending my time getting to know them, and being the best Auntie that I could. I never felt a love for children like I did with her three babies. It was always tough to leave them after a weekend.

In those early days, my sister and I connected through her children. I saw how much she had to change her life, adapting to each child, moving twice during that time, and learning to balance work and motherhood. It wasn't always an easy road, but she made it through. Our conversations were very brief between having to balance the little ones and her sister who lived 500 miles away. Reflecting on those times, and looking up to her as a mother and a sister, I know what I can expect in the next few years. And I know I can do this.

When she was visiting, I relied on her recent experience to understand what I am going through during this new experience of motherhood. She was so compassionate and empathetic to my life right now. I cried. I asked questions. I looked for clarity. It was such a relief to hear her comforting words and often humorous stories of how she survived her first years. Her words felt like that hug that you really need at the end of a tough day. Her visit was just what I needed. She also promised to come back for a visit in Jan-u-ly - which is July...or is it January? Whatever month it is, we are excited.

She brought her traveling companion - her camera. As most of you know, she has her booming photography business in Southern California - Sara Ancich Photography. She and I love to take photos, but to have her help and eye on our babes made it that much more special. She was able to capture the babes alone and together. She snuck a few photos while I was taking a nap, and I thought the babes were, too. She also took a few special moments of Frank and I as a family with our babes.

Enjoy.

xoxoxox