4 Months Old

Sean and Evan are doing good. They celebrated their four month birthday a little while ago. Last week they had their doctor's appointment where Evan weighed in at 13 lbs and 9 oz (22.5 in long) while Sean was 14 lbs 13 oz (24 in long). They are a little behind in length but their weights have caught up. Their cheeks look nice and healthy! Developmentally they seem to be progressing - lots of smiles, cooing, grabbing at the jungle gym... Evan even laughed this past week (sweet music to our ears). They may be teething already as well. We are very happy and relieved.

With the onset of colder weather, our entire house has been fighting a cough at the very minimum including the boys (who are the most healthy ones right now). Since they were premature and it's cold season, Sean and Evan get RSV vaccine shots every month to ward off that icky virus (Gretchen had it last year and it was miserable). I have never washed my hands so much.... Poor Gretchen is not allowed to touch the boys until she washes her hands and then if she coughs we make her wash them again. I'm not a germaphobe but I don't want these boys to get sick! I don't think I can do any more hospital visits this year!

Thanksgiving was really nice - we have got the turkey down to a science. We had Steve's cousin and his family in addition to his mom, sister and aunt. It was very festive having more people at dinner - a tradition I would like to keep every year. We're looking forward to Christmas. Gretchen is really into this year and her enthusiasm is contagious. We decorated the house the day after Thanksgiving and started the Advent calendar to help count down the days! We're going to try to do a letter to Santa this week now that Gretchen wants everything for Christmas!

Thing 1 and Thing 2

For Halloween Gretchen was the Cat in the Hat and the boys were Thing 1 (Evan) and Thing 2 (Sean). They were so cute!

Getting Big

Well, our little boys are getting bigger! Last week they had special shots for RSV so they were weighed at the doctor's before the shot. Evan is 10 lbs 13 oz and Sean is 12 lbs and 1 oz. They are starting to fill out their clothing as well. I am putting them in 3 month stuff (it's still a little loose but their three month birthday was a few days ago). We had a nice open house last week - we appreciate everyone who could make it. Now that I am back to work, we are readjusting our schedule. Steve and I are both getting up at night in hopes of each one of us feeding one baby and getting back to sleep faster. If one person feeds both, it could take over an hour sometimes. The boys are still eating every three to four hours so we are getting up a lot. Since they are off the apnea monitors (that happened at the end of Sept), we have them sleeping in their room now instead of in the pack n play in the living room. Gretchen shockingly sleeps through most of their nighttime crying. I hope that lasts.... We are seeing more smiles and cooing than before so hopefully their development catches up as fast as their weight! They definitely have different little personalities surfacing. Evan is more laid back while Sean is a little more vocal. Anyhow, they are doing well. We are very, very sleep deprived right now but other than that, I have no complaints! Looking forward to the week I have off at Thanksgiving! As always, recent pictures are at Flickr.

Came up for air

We are getting close to the end of maternity leave. I miss work but I will miss my babies too. It is challenging to say the least to have twins - someone is always needing you so you feel like someone else is getting shorted a little. I pray that it all balances out in the end as I desperately try not to favor one child over another (this includes Gretchen). We have had to rearrange the structure of our lives - every activity seems to take a lot more planning. I remember that from when Gretchen was a baby but it seems worse with twins. We have given up on some of our extra activities or causes since our family needs more attention. It is hard for me to admit I can't do everything but I don't have much choice I think... At least I'm done with school!!!

My sisters came last week to visit which gave me an opportunity to do things I miss like cook, run errands, etc. It was nice to feel a little carefree and run out to the store when I needed to. I even made my first batch of smoked ribs last week (Steve trained me well). I have been getting out more this week with the boys now that my sisters are gone. One weird thing that I have noticed - wherever we go, people will go out of the way to look at the babies. Many tell me they know someone who has twins. I don't think I was prepared for the natural curiosity over twins but I am trying to get used to it since it happens everywhere. For example, at the pediatric eye doctor yesterday I counted six different people or groups of people who came over to inspect my boys. I don't like the extra attention but I am taking it as a compliment and trying to tolerate it as best as I can. After all, they are cute.... Hee!

Here are some pictures from this fall... look how big the boys are getting!

Feeder and Grower

There is a preemie term "feeder and grower" for babies who just need to eat and gain weight to get out of the NICU. My boys seem to be doing just that at home.... They are eating four ounces at every feeding and seeming to be growing extra chins. Sean is up to 8 lbs and 6 oz while Evan is at 7 lbs 6 oz. Evan is still a pound lighter and an inch shorter after their two month appointment with the pediatrician. The schedule is still pretty rough - they sleep at the most 4 hours at a time but usually not. Steve and I are splitting it so I can keep my sanity. He lets me sleep from 9pm to 11pm or 12am and then I take the rest of the night so he can sleep (he is back to work and I am not). I am hoping they sleep longer by the time I go back to work but I am not holding out too much hope. The doctor says they are doing good for their age and seem to be thriving. We are relieved.... My sisters are coming to visit in a few weeks so I am excited.... It is good to have visitors at least for a little while!

Still Standing

I know I haven't posted lately because well, frankly, I have been trying to sleep when we are not taking care of the babies and Gretchen. Finally today I figured I need to get back to reality (what day is it?) and post some pictures. Both boys are doing good - gaining weight, sleeping, etc. They are still eating every three hours and now that Steve is back to work, I am doing nights with them. If it were one baby, it would be so easy but it takes an hour to feed two babies. Only Sean has got the hang of nursing but sometimes I don't have that kind of time if Evan is crying his heart out to get fed at the same time.... I feeling more myself - that first week was a doozy! I don't know when a family of five will feel "normal" but I am looking forward to Halloween when Gretchen will be The Cat in the Hat and the babies will be thing one and thing two... Hee!

The House Time Forgot

What a homecoming! I knew it would be a lot of work but really the main problem is sleep deprivation. Steve and I are feeding the babies in shifts. He gets the 11pm to 3am, I get the 3am to 7am. We have swapped with each other but neither shift is all that easy to do. I am going to miss Steve when he goes back to work. Steve's mom said she could come over so I can get a nap once Steve goes back to work. I will be taking her up on that! Hopefully they will be sleeping longer when I go back to work next month... While we are trying to "enjoy this time" (that is the advice everyone gives you about babies), having twins really complicates that advice. People also advise to "sleep when the baby sleeps" which we try to do but with twins, you are usually feeding the other baby while one is sleeping. We are thankful however to have them home so we can get on with our lives even if that means no sleep. We are really trying to get to know the babies and get down their rhythms and routines.

Anyway, the boys are doing good. The monitors are cumbersome but we are happy to have them. Sean has had a few episodes mostly around feedings (which the NICU told us to turn them off during feedings). We are adjusting to a family of five, especially Gretchen. She is giving them kisses and pats but she doesn't understand how delicate they are so we cannot leave her unattended for any amount of time with the babies (which can be exhausting). I think we were all relieved to get her out of the house this weekend for a birthday party for one of her friends.

Speaking of birthdays, Steve's birthday was yesterday. I got him twin boys! Can't take them back..... Hee!

Sorry I have been late to respond to phone calls and emails. Obviously I have my hands full. Just know that we appreciate all the kind words, meals, emails and gifts.

Check out the most recent pictures....