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| Caroline serves Uncle Michael a delicious meal at her picnic table. |
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| Mmm...delicious! |
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| Uncle Michael makes me laugh! |
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| Margaret shows off her Moro reflex. |
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| Julia stares in awe of Uncle Michael. |
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Uncle Michael's Drive Through Visit
We were lucky enough to have Uncle Michael come and visit us on his way back home from Atlanta to New Jersey yesterday! He was only in town for one night, but we were excited that he had a chance to meet the twins and hang out with Caroline again. Other than eat and sleep, Uncle Michael didn't have much of a chance to do anything else but hold babies and get dragged into Caroline's countless play schemes. Lucky for us, he's always a good sport and was happy to oblige!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Not Feeling the Love
With all the focus on the twins lately, it's been easy to see that big sister Caroline hasn't really been "feeling the love" for her baby sisters. Maybe it was the "accidental" kick to Julia's head, the white knuckled "hug" that Caroline gave Margaret's arm or the huge bucket of building blocks that somehow got strewn all over our living room and under every piece of furniture in there, but something made me realize that Caroline needed a little extra attention this week.
So with that goal in mind, I made sure that in addition to going to summer camp with her friends three days this past week, Caroline had lots of play time with Miss Claire and also had a few play dates with friends. I went along to all the play dates so Caroline could see that yes, there is life with Mommy after twins.
She enjoyed every moment she had with her friends throughout the week, but I didn't really see her let loose until last evening when we met our friends big Caroline and Miss Annie at Romp n' Roll for open gym.
As soon as her shoes were off, Caroline ran into the gym and wasted no time getting busy on all the different equipment. She had a smile on her face like I haven't seen in weeks. Miss Annie and her friend, Miss Julia were kind enough to hold the babies so I could spend some time playing with Caroline as she ran from station to station. In fact, she was moving so fast that although I got several pictures of her, they are all kind of blurry. I was so thrilled to see her having such a great time.
The good mood continued this morning when she woke up and happily played with her babies (not the real ones...we'll get there...someday) for almost an hour and then got to go grocery shopping with me while the "babies stay here, Momma."
Hopefully, Caroline is feeling better about having to make room in her family for Julia and Margaret. I have a feeling it's going to be a bit of a long process though :)
So with that goal in mind, I made sure that in addition to going to summer camp with her friends three days this past week, Caroline had lots of play time with Miss Claire and also had a few play dates with friends. I went along to all the play dates so Caroline could see that yes, there is life with Mommy after twins.
She enjoyed every moment she had with her friends throughout the week, but I didn't really see her let loose until last evening when we met our friends big Caroline and Miss Annie at Romp n' Roll for open gym.
As soon as her shoes were off, Caroline ran into the gym and wasted no time getting busy on all the different equipment. She had a smile on her face like I haven't seen in weeks. Miss Annie and her friend, Miss Julia were kind enough to hold the babies so I could spend some time playing with Caroline as she ran from station to station. In fact, she was moving so fast that although I got several pictures of her, they are all kind of blurry. I was so thrilled to see her having such a great time.
The good mood continued this morning when she woke up and happily played with her babies (not the real ones...we'll get there...someday) for almost an hour and then got to go grocery shopping with me while the "babies stay here, Momma."
Hopefully, Caroline is feeling better about having to make room in her family for Julia and Margaret. I have a feeling it's going to be a bit of a long process though :)
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| Hanging from the monkey bars |
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| Master of the stairs |
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| Hoopin' it up Caroline (in a self-selected outfit) dancing with her baby dolls this morning. |
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
One Month Well Visit
It's hard to believe it, but the twins turned one month old yesterday! Their one month well visit was this morning and I am pleased to report that both girls checked out just fine. Here are their stats:
Julia:
Weight: 6 pounds, 14 ounces (up 11.5 ounces in two weeks), 3rd percentile
Height: 20 inches, 10th percentile
Margaret:
Weight: 5 pounds, 12 ounces, <3rd percentile
Height: 19 3/8 inches, 5th percentile
At first I was alarmed that neither girl breached even the 5th percentile mark for weight, but the nurse practitioner said that the growth curve doesn't account for their premature birth date or that they are twins and assured me that both girls are growing just fine and will catch up eventually. Makes you wonder why they even use the chart in the first place!
After their exam and weight check, each girl got the second round of the Hep B vaccination and we were all done. Mommy was so proud of the girls that she treated herself to Chick-fil-A for lunch afterwards :)
Julia:
Weight: 6 pounds, 14 ounces (up 11.5 ounces in two weeks), 3rd percentile
Height: 20 inches, 10th percentile
Margaret:
Weight: 5 pounds, 12 ounces, <3rd percentile
Height: 19 3/8 inches, 5th percentile
At first I was alarmed that neither girl breached even the 5th percentile mark for weight, but the nurse practitioner said that the growth curve doesn't account for their premature birth date or that they are twins and assured me that both girls are growing just fine and will catch up eventually. Makes you wonder why they even use the chart in the first place!
After their exam and weight check, each girl got the second round of the Hep B vaccination and we were all done. Mommy was so proud of the girls that she treated herself to Chick-fil-A for lunch afterwards :)
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| Julia at one month. |
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| Margaret at one month. |
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| Side-by-side at one month. |
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| Multi-tasking Daddy |
Friday, July 8, 2011
Photo Shoot Pics
On the morning of our last day in the hospital, we were visited by a professional photographer who calls on every new mother's room and offers to shoot a newborn photo session. I was worried that a photo shoot would be too much for our little ladies to handle, but once I heard it would take about 10 minutes, was relatively cheap, and that we would be left with a CD full of pictures and the copyright to them, I was sold. I was thrilled to have the picture part of the girls' birth announcement taken care of by someone far more talented with a camera than I am.
The photographer got right down to business and in less than 15 minutes, the girls had completed their first ever photo shoot! We left the hospital about an hour later with a CD of pictures in hand and a great sense of relief to have one half of the birth announcement work completed.
Hopefully, many of you have received the girls' birth announcement by now. If you didn't get one and want it, let me know and I'll be happy to send one your way! Here are several pics that I love, but didn't make the announcement.
The photographer got right down to business and in less than 15 minutes, the girls had completed their first ever photo shoot! We left the hospital about an hour later with a CD of pictures in hand and a great sense of relief to have one half of the birth announcement work completed.
Hopefully, many of you have received the girls' birth announcement by now. If you didn't get one and want it, let me know and I'll be happy to send one your way! Here are several pics that I love, but didn't make the announcement.
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| Margaret |
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| It looks like Margaret is giving some sort of gangster sign. |
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| Margaret |
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| Teeny Tiny Margaret |
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| Sisters |
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| Julia |
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| So peaceful! |
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| Adoring parents |
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| Tiny feet (and the baby "Lojack") |
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| Sleeping beauties |
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Going (Mostly) Solo
But as of yesterday afternoon, all that wonderful help is gone. We are now officially on our own....for the most part. Miss Linda will continue to come at night for the next three and a half weeks (or longer if I can convince Paul that you just can't put a price on the 6 hours of sleep I've been getting thanks to her) and of course we have our fabulous babysitter, Miss "Care", to take over some of the Caroline duties.
Most of the time, however, I'll be here at the house with the girls. All alone. And let me tell you, it's not a job for the faint of heart. My household can go from zero to crazy in about 2 seconds and as one of Paul's work colleagues shared with him, a two year old can smell blood in the water when a new baby arrives in a home. Caroline knows just what buttons to push to get me to give in and give her another bag of fruit snacks (the only source of artificial colors and flavors in our house allowed by Paul), let her watch another episode of Dora, or concede to any other whim that strikes her fancy. Thankfully, I have a great deal of patience thanks to my background as an elementary school teacher and although Caroline may win a few battles, she's not going to win the war :)
Wish us luck as we venture (mostly solo) into the world of raising three kiddos under the age of two and a half years old!!
Here are several pictures of Caroline as she enjoyed many adventures and outings with her grandparents over the last few weeks.
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| Grilling with Grampy's outdoor kitchen. |
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| Truck drivin' at the Children's Museum. |
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| Looking tough on her tricycle. |
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| Checking out a tortoise at the Richmond Zoo. |
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| Working in the wood pile at the botanical garden. |
And of course...some twin pics!!
Proud grandmas....
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| Grandma Hepper |
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| Marmee |
...and grandpas.
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| Grampy with Margaret. |
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| Grandpa Hepper with Julia. |
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| Margaret |
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| Julia |
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Getting to Know You
As Julia and Margaret close in on their one month birthday, I'm beginning to get a glimpse of each girl's personality, and at least some of their individual likes and dislikes. And I would like to think that the girls are becoming more aware of and attached to me. As I spend my days completing endless cycles of diapering, feeding, clothing, swaddling, etc, I often hear the King and I song "Getting to Know You" running over and over in my head...
Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.
It's the perfect soundtrack to my days. :)
Of course, the Julia and Margaret will change as they grow, but for right now here is a little snapshot of each girl...
Julia seems to be our calmer twin. She's quick to go to sleep and will stay conked out for a good bit longer than Margaret. When she is asleep, Julia is content to stay wrapped up in her swaddle, but prefers to have at least one arm out and up by her head. When awake, Julia watches the world around her with a quiet concentration. However, she has a hearty cry and she's not afraid to use it when she feels she's not being paid the attention she wants. Julia is a champion eater, and will sleep through an entire nursing session, not missing a beat (or one drop of milk).
Margaret seems a bit feisty in comparison to Julia. When she is awake, she watches the world around her with a hilarious look of shock and awe fixed on her face. She's very active, moving her arms and legs in completely uncontrolled motions, watching her wayward body parts with great interest and surprise. When asleep, Margaret becomes a little Houdini, capable of breaking any swaddle and wriggling her way to freedom. She seems to prefer sleeping unrestrained, often with her tiny toes sticking out from beneath her blanket. Lately, she's also demonstrated an alarming preference in sleeping position: her head completely covered in her blanket. This is terrifying for me! I'm worried she won't be able to breathe, but Margaret seems unconcerned and no matter how many times I pull the blanket down, it somehow finds its way over her face again within a minute.
Both girls have reflux, so they prefer to sleep on an incline. But no sleeping spot seems to work every time, so we play musical beds in our house, rotating the girls through a cradle, a swing, and two pack n plays, all set at varying angles. Regardless of where they sleep though, the girls sound like a herd of goats, bahhing and bleeting their way through a nap. This is yet another reason why I am so thankful for our night nurse. Sleeping soundly with goats is very hard to do.
So far, watching each twin's personality come out has been such a joy. I feel so lucky that I get to marvel at not just one newborn, but two. :)
Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.
It's the perfect soundtrack to my days. :)
Of course, the Julia and Margaret will change as they grow, but for right now here is a little snapshot of each girl...
Julia seems to be our calmer twin. She's quick to go to sleep and will stay conked out for a good bit longer than Margaret. When she is asleep, Julia is content to stay wrapped up in her swaddle, but prefers to have at least one arm out and up by her head. When awake, Julia watches the world around her with a quiet concentration. However, she has a hearty cry and she's not afraid to use it when she feels she's not being paid the attention she wants. Julia is a champion eater, and will sleep through an entire nursing session, not missing a beat (or one drop of milk).
Margaret seems a bit feisty in comparison to Julia. When she is awake, she watches the world around her with a hilarious look of shock and awe fixed on her face. She's very active, moving her arms and legs in completely uncontrolled motions, watching her wayward body parts with great interest and surprise. When asleep, Margaret becomes a little Houdini, capable of breaking any swaddle and wriggling her way to freedom. She seems to prefer sleeping unrestrained, often with her tiny toes sticking out from beneath her blanket. Lately, she's also demonstrated an alarming preference in sleeping position: her head completely covered in her blanket. This is terrifying for me! I'm worried she won't be able to breathe, but Margaret seems unconcerned and no matter how many times I pull the blanket down, it somehow finds its way over her face again within a minute.
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| You don't have to tell me that this isn't an approved sleeping position, but apparently Margaret doesn't care! |
Both girls have reflux, so they prefer to sleep on an incline. But no sleeping spot seems to work every time, so we play musical beds in our house, rotating the girls through a cradle, a swing, and two pack n plays, all set at varying angles. Regardless of where they sleep though, the girls sound like a herd of goats, bahhing and bleeting their way through a nap. This is yet another reason why I am so thankful for our night nurse. Sleeping soundly with goats is very hard to do.
So far, watching each twin's personality come out has been such a joy. I feel so lucky that I get to marvel at not just one newborn, but two. :)
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