Turned a corner in feeding

 

Right around five months, Lucy and Benjamin figured out how to feed themselves!! I put handles on their bottles and they love their new found independence. Lucy tends to be a little more independent than Ben right now--guess she takes after her mom! So far they couldn't care less about solids. We've offered rice cereal about 4 times and they each had three bites or less and were looking at me as if to say, "Don't see much point in this." I'm not disappointed. I don't mind waiting a couple more weeks before we enter the messy stage of spoon-feeding.

Ben & Lucy 3 month portraits

Ben & Lucy 3 mo. portraits

So here are the portraits we had taken at Target in January. Just trying to post little by little! I'm looking forward to their 6 month portraits in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping they will be more smiley! If you click on the photo it will take you to a site where you can see lots of our pictures. How fun for you!! LOL!

Rolling Babies

So, there are just a FEW things that I haven't told you about our babies. (tee-hee!) First of all, you should know that Lucy wasn't really colicky. Once we switched her to soy formula, she was a totally different baby within 12 hours or so. We did figure that out a long time ago, but as you know I don't post very often.... Secondly, both babies now laugh and are quite ticklish, although Ben is probably more ticklish. And, today, both babies rolled over from their back to their tummy. They've been rolling from tummy to back for quite a while, but it's a little trickier to go the other way. Ben just did it once today, but Lucy rolled over and over and got pretty far away from the blanket on the floor she started out on. I know, good thing she was on the floor! She will probably be scooting around on her tummy soon and crawling, as she already likes to push herself backwards and is quite adept at pulling her legs up under her, although she doesn't sit on her hands and knees and rock yet. But it can't be too far off. She looks like she's going to be quite a mover and shaker. She still likes to kick her legs a lot and when you hold her she's always trying to climb up you and over your shoulder. We sure love her red hair and hope it will be as pretty as Hyrum's.

PICTURES!!!

Here's a slideshow for your enjoyment. :)

My Twins Philosopy So Far

A parent of twins often gets the same questions from curious friends and family, and often complete strangers. Here are some of my answers and thoughts on the matters at this time in my journey with twins.

How do I like boy/girl twins? I'm thrilled to have boy/girl twins. It took a little adjusting to the idea at first, but now I agree with what so many folks told me when I found out we were having boy/girl--that they are the best kind! Thanks to those who were so positive, by the way, because it did make me think, and open up my mind. I was surprised to hear so many people be so happy that I was having boy/girl twins. Anyway, I love it now.

Do I dress them in coordinating outfits? Only when we go out. I really like playing up the twins aspect. I feel like the attention you get while you're out with both babies, and the fun of having them match, etc., helps to offset all the work and hard parts of having two babies. When my sister had twins 3.5 years ago, I told her, "I'm not jealous of all the work you'll have, but I am jealous of all the attention you'll get." I never thought I'd have twins, but it still holds out that the attention is a positive side effect for me.

Do I wake one up to eat at the same time as the other one? I don't. My favorite sleep book says to never wake a sleeping baby, especially in the first 4 months. It might be different if I was nursing. But so far, it's worked out for us. I'd rather have them staggered by about 30-60 minutes (and often they are without my help), than both be hungry at the same time. I guess the books on twins that suggest waking them up mean to wake one up after you've put the other one down, thus staggering them, but anyway, I've let them sleep until they wake up, and as you know from my previous post, they're developing EXCELLENT sleep habits!

Have I felt overwhelmed yet? Of course, at least once a day, if not the whole day long! For me, it's usually when they won't sleep for more than 20 minutes during the day and I have a baby in my arms all day long. Another time is when one or both are wailing (full-throttle crying) and I don't know why or how to help (I know, this is colic, but I've never had a colicky baby before). It's very unnerving for me to not know what my baby needs. My three singletons (all boys) were very easy babies. In fact, they were so easy, I tried not to talk about it because other moms didn't want to be my friend if I told about it (just kidding, but almost serious!). I pretty much always knew if they were tired, hungry, bored, etc. They all slept very well, and through the night early on (did I mention that sleep book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child yet?!). I really couldn't relate to friends who had difficult babies or didn't know why their baby was crying. BUT I SURE CAN RELATE NOW!
Isn't it interesting how our own experience shapes so much of our perception? I could agree in theory that some babies cried for no reason, or liked to be held facing out, or wouldn't take a pacifer, or would only take a certain brand of pacifier, but inside I just thought the parents hadn't read the right book (yes, I LOVE to read books on whatever I'm doing) or tried other options. But now that I've experienced a baby that resists calming, and that prefers a different pacifier than the one I like, or that only sleeps 50 minutes (Ben sleeps 50 minutes for most of his naps, which is long compared to some babies, but not as long as I'd like, and yes, not as long as "the book" says a nap should be).

Ok, so this is long, but it is a philosophical post! I guess I should stop for now, since Lucy is tired of her plug and is ready to eat. I'm hoping to get back on later today to post recent photos.

Catch-up

So, if you've checked my blog in the last 3 months, you'll know that I'm only consistent in NOT posting! Of course, we have been pretty busy, but so is everyone, right? Anyway, I'll try to play a little catch-up here and post Ben and Lucy's 3 month portraits as well.

Things are GREAT, except when they're OVERWHELMING. I've been blessed to have so much help from my family, friends, and church members, which has offset lots of stress. I do enjoy having twins, but it is definitely much different than a singleton. Even Spencer can tell the difference. He recently told a friend of ours, who has a baby just six weeks younger than Ben and Lucy, "You're lucky you only have one baby. Two babies is a lot of work!" He was so serious, said my friend. He and Thomas and Hyrum do help out a lot with both babies. They're all very good at "plugging" the baby who is crying (meaning to go put the binky back in). And all three boys like to make the babies smile, coo, and laugh. Spencer will often hold a baby who is fussing, and of course, they can all repeat with me, "Quiet! Ben and Lucy are sleeping!"

Benjamin and Lucy are 14.5 lbs and 12 lbs respectively, and both healthy, happy babies. Lucy does have a tendency to cry more, and we've even reluctantly admitted that she is colicky. When she's feeling well, she likes to coo and interact with us. She doesn't hand out smiles as readily as Benjamin (he'll just sit and smile to himself!), but when she does smile it's a winner. Both babies are excellent sleepers, and once we get them down at night (after hours of crying from Lucy) they sleep for 9-11 hours! Naps are not long and regular yet, but the sleep book I love (Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Marc Weissbluth) says that you'll see the longer sleep at night first and then the brain will organize daytime sleep, so we're confident they're developing right on schedule that way. Benjamin has really been studying his hands and working at grabbing things. Lucy likes to kick a lot, and is also starting to reach for things with her hands.