The Big Game- Sleep!

Hadley, Cecilia- 10 weeks

I can become obsessive (in a good way!) about certain things in my life and now I'm obsessed with getting the girls to sleep more at night. I've read countless books- each one offering a different view as to how and when a baby should be sleeping ten or more hours a night. Now that Dr. Kennedy mentioned that I should treat each girl individually during the night hours, I've essentially doubled my night job. But, at the same time, I have the hope that someone will have a break through and miraculously sleep until 6am without waking up. So, with that promise and hope, I attack the night down to each little detail. I feel like an athlete gearing up for a big game. I am superstitious to what pajamas seem to have gotten a bit more sleep for each baby (sad, I know!) and how much Cecilia and Hadley need to eat before going to their crib (ok-- that one is more science!). If I'm overbearing and meticulous with making and daytime schedule stick, I'm worse at night! I'm going to win the Superbowl and I insist that I win it sooner rather than later!

Hadley, Cecilia, and Demi too

So, armed with a kick in the butt from the pediatrician, I decided to let the girls get up when they want to at night. Of course the first night was an utter disaster. Rather that sleeping until 2:30 or 3:30, Hadley awoke promptly at 12:57 for bottle number 1 followed by Cecilia at 2:30, Hadley at 3:30 and Cecilia at 5:15. The second night was much improved with back to back 2:30 and 3am feedings. But I wait-- someone will sleep longer and I will dance around that dark nursery with a smile on my face. Rather, I'll smile when I open one eye from my bed and look at the clock.

But, alas! Last night we had a break through. The girls took their last bottles at 9:45 and were in their crib by 10:30. Hadley woke to eat at 2:45 but Cecilia powered through until 4:40! Mama was happy! I don't have delusions that this will occur every night but at least I know it's possible and things are on the up and up!

2 Months and Preschool Visit

Hadley and Cecilia 9 weeks
Going for a punch!

The girls had their 2 month well check. Cecilia is 9lb 9oz (20%), 22'' (30%), and has a head circumference of 14 3/4 inches (25%). Hadley is 9lb 3oz (10%), 22" (30%), and has a head circumference of 14 1/2 inches(25%). Overall, Dr. Kennedy is happy. I mentioned to her that I think Cecilia would like to sleep longer at night (I feed both girls at the same time in the middle of the night) but I was afraid to try. She responded that I shouldn't be afraid that Cecilia would sleep too long and wouldn't wake. I told her it wasn't that I was afraid of that but that I was afraid for myself to lose more sleep! Haha! Oh Dr. Kennedy-- you are so silly! I was thinking of myself!

Elise continues to play Saturday soccer and even scored her first goal! Go team Revolution!

Elise at school playing at the texture table

I was lucky enough to get to spend the morning at preschool with Elise. They are doing a unit on shapes so I offered to read a book and bring in a snack. It was a nice change of pace to play with Elise during her school day.

It also happened that she had the 'sharing bag' during circle time. That day she had to bring in an item from home that started with the letter 'S'. She opted to bring in her green 'shaker' (AKA maraca). It was so great to see her share and explain her item to her her teacher and classmates. She's grown so much and I cherish seeing her growth and development.

Elise, her 'shaker' and Miss Gail

I continue to find my way with the twins and Elise each and every day. The girls aren't usually on the same napping schedule so most days I'm like a ping pong ball bouncing back and forth between them. But I know each day I'm a step closer to having them take the sharing bag into Miss Gail's class and I'm  a step closer to sleeping through the night. Until then, I remain patient and optimistic.

YMCA and First Colds

Hadley, Cecilia- 7 weeks

Elise has been busy with new activities on her 'non' school days. She is playing soccer at the YMCA with weekly Saturday games (no practices!). She's on team Revolution and much to our disappointment, they were given brown shirts. Elise was hoping to get to wear a rainbow colored shirt instead- however I haven't yet seen a team that is sporting that color scheme.

The team is made up of 3-5 year olds. If someone would have told me years ago that I would enroll my daughter in soccer at such an early age, I would have laughed. But now I see that playing soccer lets her run and burn off some steam while playing with a group. There isn't any goalie so anyone can find an open shot. And the coaches run along with the pack of little kids...

Elise had a blast during her first game. She didn't kick the ball much but was happy to run around with everyone else. And, she enjoyed stopping near us to pose for photos... I didn't keep score but apparently Elise thought that they won.

Big sister Elise is also taking a dance class at the Y called 'hip hop peeps'. It meets for 30 minutes every Friday. Everyone knows that Elise is always up for a dance party and this class is no exception. I wish I knew what music they were listening to as the parents had to stay outside. There was one little girl who kept coming in and out of the room so I could hear snippets of dance music. It sounded like a lot of fun!

(This is a quick video looking through the classroom door. Elise is wearing the blue pants. Don't you wonder what's going on in there too?!)

Last weekend was nice and warm so we took the opportunity to take our first family walk with our stretch limo length stroller. Our friends who gifted us their old stroller also gave us a seat for big sister Elise to ride upon. I'm sure the seat is more for tired children rather than kids who just want a free ride around town. Next time we will have to insist she take her bike or scooter instead!

But of course the weather was short lived... as it's snowing right now!

Cecilia, Hadley- 2 months
A few days before getting their colds

The girls are now 8 weeks old and have just come down with their first cold. It's hard to watch them struggle with their snotty noses as we can only provide palliative treatment-- there aren't any drugs available. After giving Hadley a warm bath and using the nasal syringe to suck up some yuck in her nose, she gave me a big smile. Even with sleep deprivation and such hard, never ending work, I know that we are pretty lucky to have such wonderful girls- big and small!

Friends of ours, who also have twins (now 5 years old), told us that twins aren't twice the work-- but rather 1.5 times the work. I'm still waiting to feel that 1.5 times the work as so far it's about 5x the work! Maybe next month! But throw in a few smiles from any of our girls and I forget all about it.

Floortime

Hadley (top) and Cecilia (bottom) - 6 weeks

Now that the twins have gotten a bit older and more stable, they've been enjoying some stretching and kicking time on the floor. We even throw in a bit of tummy time too although they still lack strength in their necks and become frustrated after a minute or two. Regardless, they love the freedom during the workouts.

Elise and Demi don't mind all the fun either and join in too-- rainbow capes and all! I think Elise is starting to see that her sisters do a bit more than sleep, eat and cry. 

But inevitably the fun is over when the crying begins...

Cecilia (right), Hadley (left)- 6 weeks

At times it seems as if they have started to notice one another-- as if to say, 'So, you are the loud thing that punches me during the night!'.

'Hey, who are you?!'

Cecilia

Bath times still continue to be a hit. It will be nice when I can plunk all 3 girls in the tub together.

Night times still show no improvement. The girls are 7 weeks old now and still get up once a night between 2:30-3:30. I don't mean to be impatient but I hope that little by little they squeak out more sleep time. I've read several books that promise that by 12 weeks a baby can and will sleep 10 hours if you do this and that during the day. Holding on to the hope that Cecilia and Hadley have read the same book, I try to structure my days like a textbook. Fingers crossed! Of course it doesn't help that my friend's 9 week-old baby goes to bed at 8pm and sleeps until 6:30. If I get 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night a feel like I have won the lottery!

But never mind sleep-- I guess I should be happy that while gaining 60 lbs, I've miraculously been able to fit into my old jeans now. And while my right hand is still numb, I have squeezed my wedding rings back on!