4 Month Photos

Happy 4 Months!

Breathing Update

Took Max to a specialist yesterday.  She was really nice and took a lot of time with us.  She answered all of my questions and was extremely patient.  After a lengthy interview, she had some ideas of what might be going on.  Then, she examined Max, looked at his chest and breathing and said she felt comfortable just waiting and seeing how he does.  She was not at all concerned about the retracting and said it was quite normal in preemies.  She did however hear a bit of a wheeze that we will watch as he grows.

So, my mind is eased.  He's got as clean a bill of health is he's going to get.  Next up, 4 month appointment next week.

Guilt

I'm sure this is just the beginning of years of mommy guilt.  I don't feel like I do enough with the babies.  Am I supposed to be interacting and entertaining them the entire time they are awake?  How?  I do what I can, but I feel guilty when I need to get things done too.  Of course I could get things done when they are sleeping, but....they don't seem to want to sleep at the same time.  

Just needed to vent....  Here's what we've been up to:

We do tummy time in the morning and evening.  It lasts less than 5 minutes because the babies start to cry. Rose is able to hold her head up for quite a long time.  We practice rolling - with help from mom of course. 

 My little cuddle bug loves his doggie.

 Adding to my stress is trying to keep the babies off the back of their heads - difficult to do when you can't carry two of them around all day.  Just figured out today that the boppy helps with tummy time.

Rose is fascinated by mirrors.  She giggles and smiles, but after a few minutes she needs to look away or she cries.  It's just too much for her.

A Birthday

Today, we had our first official outing.  We went to our friends Drew and Greyson's birthday party.  Their Mom and Grandma have been incredibly helpful and supportive over the past year.  It's nice to have someone go through this first.  I can always call Ryan to ask twin questions and I can count on Zondra to be here if we need her.  It is awesome to have such caring people in our lives.  It was also cool to see what one year old twins look like.  The best part was when they smashed their cake - a classic moment in all 1 year olds.  So fun.  The babies are pooped.  Probably because it was 90 degrees and there was so much to see and hear.  They came home, ate and went right to sleep.

In other news....the babies are discovering their hands.  They are beginning to grasp objects, and Max studies his hands intensely.  Rose just sticks hers in her mouth.  We have a thumb sucker for sure.  Here are a couple of pics from the week.

We have a definite bedtime routine now.  Baths, bottles and books.  The routine is relaxing for the babies and it gives us definite family time each night.  By the end of the routine they are both ready to go down for sure.  They are sleeping between 4-6 hours at a time.

 Tummy Time

 Tummy Time

 Our super helper Karen

 I've learned to hold my woobie

Our new friend Coral

Thank You Helpers!

I try and do it all by myself.  That's what a "strong" mom would do.  Most days, I manage pretty well.  But, it's not until I have help that I realize how hard being alone really is.  Thank you Nadia for pointing out that asking for help is strong.  It's not in my nature - at all!  I think I should be able to do everything my self.  I'm sure this is just one of many lessons I will learn being a mom.

Over the past few weeks many of you have stopped by and offered to help hold babies.  Although I didn't think I needed the help, I realize after you leave, just how energizing it is to be with other adults - and to have an extra set of hands.  You may not feel you are doing much, but your company is more help than you know.  I had no idea how quiet things can be when spending 10-11 hours alone.  It's not actually quiet, but without interaction with adults, it can be quite isolating.  

Also - when someone is here to hold one baby, I can actually spend time with the other baby.  Their individual time with me is limited as I am mostly putting out fires all day - putting one down, picking up the other -and within 5 minutes, doing the same thing again.  The gift of your time is allowing me to get to know my kids as individuals.  

That's about as sentimental as I get.

I don't have photos of everyone- You'll just have to come back!!!!!

A Fantastic Weekend

It was a surprise to all of us that it was a 3-day weekend.  Bonus!  It is so special to have David here with us.  He takes all of the stress away and brings so much joy to the babies.  They just light up when he walks in the room.  When he's here, things almost feel normal.

On Saturday - I got a long awaited and much needed nap.  I felt like a new person.  Saturday night, I had fantastic help while David and Chloe went to Chinese New Year.  Chandler had the unfortunate duty (or doody) of staying with me and helping with the babies.  He was awesome.  He rocked, fed and changed both of the babies - all well humoring me and watching my crappy girl shows on TV.  It was a great night and the babies love their big brother.

 On Sunday, I got out and went shopping.  I realized the babies didn't have very many size 6 Carter's clothes (3-6 mo).  I went in and cleaned them out.  It was so much fun.  It's like playing dress up with dolls - only a lot more expensive.  Hey - you only live once and it brings me joy.  We also picked up the canvas photos we ordered from our photo session.  Finally, we have something on our walls!

The best part of Sunday came when Jeff and Marii said they were coming over and they were taking Nittany for a hike!  It was so great to see her get out and be a dog.  The babies definitely know Marii and are super comfortable with her.

Ok, I lied - the best part of Sunday came when the babies slept from 9 pm to 1 am and 1:30 - 5:30.  It was unreal.  I hope it was not a fluke and we get more nights like that!

On Monday, we started off with baths- then the big tragedy of the day.  I had to cut the babies' nails.  With only 4 fingers done, I managed to take off the top of baby boy's thumb.  It bled forever.  I had to throw out a bib.  Of course we don't have any band-aids that are baby sized (my fault - David told me to get a variety pack!).  I felt so badly.  I can't believe I hurt him.  So now, he has a second hand with super long nails and I haven't even attempted to cut baby girl's nails.

We also had the most amazing visitors/helpers come over.  A former student whom I had in 2nd and 3rd grade and her family stopped by.  They rocked, fed and changed the babies.  It was so much help and it was cool to listen to her read the babies a story.  When I first met her, she was still learning to read!  It was also great to see her brother get over his fear of Nittany.  When they first came in, Nittany almost took him down and left a big scratch on his back.  By the time they left he was getting her to do tricks. 

Happy Birthday!

We're three months old!!! Where did the time go?

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

One Month

 Two Months

 

Three Months

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Happy V Day and B Day

I can't believe these guys are 3 months old today!  Where did the time go?  It's also Valentine's Day and they wanted to send some love.  These pix are from about 3 weeks ago.  I've learned photo shoots on your own are almost impossible.  There were lots of tears!

 This is what most of the photos looked like.  It took a long time to get a good one.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM THE VANNASDALL TWINS!

Kids like....

Being naked.  Who would have known?  

Last night I received an email from Baby Center - a website I consult a lot.  For each month they list different "games" you can play with your baby.  I thought I'd try today's game.  You are supposed to get the baby naked and roll it from one side of a blanket to the other.  They say they can sense more without their clothes on.  I wasn't willing to risk the mess, so I stripped them down to their diapers.  It was amazing how much more comfortable, active and productive they were.  

They were smiling, lifting their heads and baby girl even moved a bit across the blanket on her own!  I couldn't believe it.  They are rocking and lifting their legs in preparation for rolling.  Baby girl is almost grabbing her toes and both of them are eating their hands.

 Now I know something new, and I'll try it more often.  

 Max

 Rose - mid spit-up - Damn these high res cameras

Look at me lifting my head!

I

Photo Bomb 2

Not much happened this weekend.  Daddy went to school so we were on our own on Saturday - nothing to do but dress up and take photos.  

 These are the hats big sis Chloe crocheted for us.  We were not happy getting our picture taken.

 These adorable booties are 100% wool from Estonia - Thanks to our good friend Marii

 Look at me!  Just like daddy.

Gym Rats

 Ready for spring

 Little Man

 I love my daddy