Monday, August 27, 2012

Three months x2

Time is flying by!! I don't even know where the last three months have gone!!
Well actually I know exactly where it's gone-- diaper changes, feeding, pumping, therapy, driving, Ellie's Light fundraiser... It definitely has not gone to sleeping though!!

So the babies turned three months old on the 18th... A quarter of a year- a third of Ellie's life...




Levi

Weight: not really sure- haven't been weighed in awhile

Clothing size: just switched most things over to six months.

Diaper: size one- almost at size two

Nicknames: My Little Fly Guy, Yucky Ducky, Mister

Food: Gentlease formula about every two to three hours during the day. I tried giving him breast milk again but it came back up right away- like almost as soon as it hit his stomach- and he was miserable and pukey for the rest of the night. So formula it is. I hate that I have all this breast milk in the freezer and here he is on formula.- but oh well. He's growing- he's healthy- and he's not writhing in reflux pain so that's the most important thing.

Sleep: Current growth spurt aside- Levi usually wakes up once a night for a bottle and wakes between 6-7am for another. He usually goes back to sleep for an hour or so, but sometimes he's up to play for awhile. Levi goes to sleep at night fairly easily- usually between 8-9pm. He is still sleeping in his rock and play but we really need to get him out of it though!

The Bad: At his two month check up his pediatrician casually mentioned that he might have some mild torticollis. After really looking at him and watching him for about a week, I noticed that his face wasn't really symmetrical and that he was starting to get a flat spot on the back of his due to his preference on what way his head laid. We have also since noticed that he holds his body in a "C" shape. This is all related to being a multiple and the way that he was laying in the womb. So he gets PT once a week, the chiropractor, and lots of tummy time, as well as some stretching. We don't think he will need a helmet to fix his flat spot since we hopefully caught it early enough. Levi is still having laryngospasms from his reflux and I feel so bad for him when it happens. At least he can now handle it and we've never had a episode like the first one!

The Good: The smiles and laughs. Levi has a great laugh and loves to "chat." He can be very loud and serious and I swear that he understands what we are talking about sometimes! My 17year old cousin has been helping me out this summer (actually I don't know how I would have survived without her!) and Levi is rather smitten with her. Anytime we talk to him about his Kaelin he smiles and laughs. He just loves her! It's adorable!

Firsts: Started getting interested in watching his toys at bought nine weeks old. Started grabbing for them at about 13 weeks. County fair at 12 weeks old- he hated it! It was bright and sunny, and the road was bumpy.

Life with Levi: Levi is such a little sweetie. He is generous with the smiles and laughs, and is very vocal. He is very animated and sometimes the faces he makes are hilarious! He can be very serious and concerned but it easily amused! He doesn't really like being outside- not a fan of the sunshine or the wind. He's pretty laid back but usually wakes up crying. His cry is very high pitched and whiny- he sure knows how to get you hoppin'! Although my husband has declared Levi our most disgusting child, I just love the way he smells- it's intoxicating! He loves bath time! He goes insane and splashes like crazy! We get soaked!



Addy



Weight: not sure

Clothing size: I took out the six months clothing but really only the rompers fit her- the rest is still too big. So mostly 3 months.

Diaper size: Ones

Nicknames: Pretty girl, Buggy, Buggers, Little Buggy Boo-Boo, Squeaky

Food: pumped breast milk every 2 to 3 hours except over night. I gave up trying to get her to latch a while ago- it was very stressful for her and she even struggles with a bottle- so enough is enough. I am getting really sick of pumping (and super sore too!) and we have quite the stock pile in the freezer because I was pumping enough for both. Now I think I probably get about enough for 1.5 babies!

Sleep: Once Addy is asleep, she does great. There are still evenings when she is up until 11pm, but those are getting to be less often. She sleeps through the night usually once a week, and otherwise wakes up once to eat and then goes back to sleep. She usually wakes between 6-7am for a bottle and then almost always goes back to sleep until 8-9am. Addy likes to sleep away most of the morning!

The Bad: Addy also has a flat spot on her head and some tightness in her hips (but no dysplasia!) that is requiring some PT and chiropractics. These issues are also related to being a multiple and the way she was positioned on the inside. She doesn't really like her hips to be extended but is slowly getting better about it. The evening fussiness is better- or at least we have been better at figuring out what makes her happy- but sometimes she just screams. After her bath, as soon as the towel is wrapped around her- it starts. Sometimes she cries through her bottle and on and off for a couple hours. Other nights, she goes down just fine. She doesn't coo or babble a lot, which worries me. She does do it- but not very often.

The Good: No hip dysplasia- which is awesome! We switched her to Prilosec which seems to help. We haven't had a power puke in the evening in several weeks! Lots of adorable little smiles!!

Firsts: Laughs- although she is pretty particular about handing these out- she did start doing it around 10 weeks. She has the highest pitched, squeakiest laugh I have ever heard- it's hilarious! Standing- with help of course- at about 13 weeks. She is so strong in her legs! Watching her toys- about 10 weeks. Reaching for them- about 13 weeks. County Fair at 12 weeks- she pretty much cried the whole time. She was so tired and wouldn't sleep in the loud, bumpy and warm environment.

Life with Addy: Addy cracks me up with her little attitude. She is only three months old and I already know we are in trouble! She'll cry and as soon as she gets what she wants- she flashes a smile at you. She smirks like she knows she's a stinker! Addy is very particular and wants to be held a certain way to go to sleep and has a hard time taking a bottle. Sometimes she doesn't want you to sit, or sit in a certain place anyways, when she is trying to rest. She doesn't like to be messed with and doesn't like the pretty headbands I try to put her in! Addy LOVES her toys, especially the playmat, and smiles at the toys and that pretty little girl in the mirror. It's pretty adorable!

Some other pics of the small people...













Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Light Up The Lanes 2012


Tuesday, August 21
6:30- 9:30pm
at
Brunswick Zone XL
In Lakeville

Bowling, pizza, silent auction, raffle and more!
visit www.ellieslight.com for more information!


Proceeds go to

Benefiting bereaved families and those with critically ill children.

Bring the whole family for a night of fun!

Presale $7 each
At the door $10 each

Each ticket includes bowling, two pieces of pizza, unlimited soda and one raffle ticket. 

Visit www.ellieslight.com or click HERE to purchase tickets!


Silent Auction and Raffle items include on the glass Wild Tickets, Wild memorabilia, Twins Tickets, original artwork, photography sessions, restaurant gift cards, one night stay st Grand Superior Lodge, smart phones, massages, show tickets and so much more!!


Join us on August 21 and help shine Ellie's light!!


Monday, July 23, 2012

Two months x2

Two months... It feels like I just had them yesterday but it feels like they've been here for longer than 8 weeks at the same time...





They are definitely growing and getting more fun every day. But I would be lying if I didn't say the last month wasnt stressful. Levi and Addy have spent more time with our pediatrician than with some grandparents! We've had a stomach bug for through the house and left Levi down half a pound. Levi had a high fever just before hitting the 60 day old mark which meant an ER trip, lumbar puncture and another round of feeling yucky from IV antibiotics. Addy has started power puking for no apparent reason several nights a week. We have become very paranoid of puke!

But don't get me wrong, it hasn't been all dirty laundry and co-pays. Both Levi and Addy are getting more interactive each day and are developing their little personalities. The best part has got to be their smiles!!


Levi

Weight: 10lbs

Length: 22 inches

Clothing: 3 months

Diaper: size one

Food: Gentlease formula. We are hoping to re-introduce breast milk and have no bloody stools. He eats about every two hours and 3-4oz at a time

Sleep: wakes up about 6am for a bottle and is up, happily, for a couple of hours. Then sleeps on and off for the rest of the day- usually one good long stretch in the afternoon. Asleep for then night about 8-9pm. Wakes once or twice for a bottle then goes back to sleep.

The bad: the stomach bug which led to an incredible amount of puking and some weight loss. A fever that led to an ER visit and all the horribleness that goes along with that. Reflux- poor guy has it bad, especially in the evening :( doesn't really like being outside- especially if there is a breeze!

The Good: the smiles- holy cuteness! Same with the cooing. He gained his puke weight back to problem is now bigger than Addy once again. They have discontinued his apnea monitor and will be picking it up this week! Levi still has the laryngospasms several times a week but he can now handle them and work his way out. awesome head control and loves looking around! We have started giving him a blanket to cuddle and he loves it! Didn't even cry at his shots- just stuck his lip out.

Firsts: smiling at six weeks. Cooing at 7weeks. Good head control at 7 weeks. Toes in the grass- didn't like, same with the pool water! First Major Holiday- 4th of July

Life with Levi: the last few weeks he has definitely gotten more laid back. He pretty much only cries to eat- but he goes from perfectly happy to hysterical in two seconds! You'll know he's hungry because he'll start snorting! He's a cuddler and very generous with his smiles. Such a sweetie! He has the funniest expressions- whether he is interested in something or terrified, happy or mad, it's written all over his face.



Addy

Weight: 9lb 10oz

Length: 21 inches

Clothing: 3 months

Diaper: size one

Food: since lil missy has what's called a "lazy latch" she is getting all of her liquid gold (breast milk) in a bottle. She never figured out how to latch and sometimes has a hard time, especially in the evening and at night, latching onto her bottle. She eats anywhere from 2-4 oz about 2-3 hours. Often times feelings are a struggle with her... Evenings are awful! She acts hungry and is hungry but resists the bottle and makes herself gag. And she SCREAMS! And if her milk isn't at the perfect temperature- nice and warm- she will NOT eat it!

Sleep: an all-star sleeper! She has slept through the night several times now. If she does wake up, it's usually just once to eat. Although sometimes she doesn't want to be put back down afterward. She's like her Mommy and likes to be up late and sleep in. Addy is up until ten or eleven most nights.

The Bad: Several times a week for the last few weeks Addy has thrown up ALL over everything once in the evening. It started at the tail end of the stomach bug so we assumed it was that. She had bad diapers and didn't feel well from the bug but never puked like the rest of us. But then it continued after she was feeling better. So we stopped the Zantac. Still continued... Hmmm... We are going to try her on Prilosec to see if that helps. Or maybe she is just going to keep puking until we let her throw up on Levi- after all he threw up in her face (rough play mat session!) Hopefully it will at least help her evening fussiness. This coming week Addy has to have her hips looked at via ultrasound to check for hip dysplasia (really?! This too?!). Dr. C says she has some signs and being breech puts her at a higher likelihood... Hopefully if she does have, we can get away with just a harness to correct the problem- otherwise is casting or maybe surgery... I really REALLY hope her little hips are perfect! Casts would really suck!

The Good: she's growing like a weed and being such a good little sleeper! The smiles and how intently she watches her toys! When she plays on her play mat she smiles at the toys- its pretty adorable! Her hair is growing! It's very blonde so it's rather hard to see but it's there and her head is getting all soft and fuzzy.

Firsts: smiling at six weeks. Starting to coo at eight, almost nine weeks. Holding up head very well at 7 weeks. Toes in the grass and pool water- liked them both. Coffee with the ladies. First major holiday- 4th of July!

Life with Addison: our little "Buggy" who was so quiet and easy the first few weeks, has decided to become a little more high maintenance. Besides her evening fussiness, needing her bottle at a certain temperature, she will only go to sleep at night if it's dark and quiet. We bought a portable sound machine for her because during the day she won't stay asleep in there is any noise in her vicinity. When Addy ain't happy, ain't no one happy! But when she is happy, she tosses out those smiles left and right! She wants what she wants and there is no convincing her otherwise. She uses her bottom lip to get picked up quickly and then flashes a smile to let us know that we've been manipulated by a 2 month old. She is definitely a little but of a stinker! But a cute stinker!



*******


Sunday, July 15, 2012

This Guy

Who went to the ER again for a rule out sepsis work up? (yep that makes three ER trips people!)

This guy-


Who has had three IVs, two lumbar punctures, two X-rays and two urine cultures done at only seven weeks old and is still considered a healthy child??

This guy-


Who has slept through the night twice already?

This gal-


Who started swimming lessons again a few weeks ago and tries to drink all the pool water?

This guy-


Who is probably the noisiest baby ever when she sleeps?

This gal-


Who still eats every one and a half to two hours?

This guy-


Who insists on carting around two stuffed Curious George's (Georgie), a smaller stuffed monkey (Cannon), a small blanket (blankie), a large Wonder Pets blanket, a large stuffed Ming-Ming pillow and three nuks?

This guy-


Who has amazing blue eyes?

This gal-


Who is having major Mommy issues these days?

This guy-


Who stares at a picture of this gal?-


 This guy-

Who sounds like a cat when they cry?

This gal-

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Not everyone grows up...

While in line at the post office the other day, a lady looks at Max chattering away and being super busy. After I asked Max for the 400th time to not touch the garbage, she looked at me, smiled, and with the best of intentions said, "don't worry- they all grow up eventually."

She obviously didn't know what I know. I wish I didn't know, but I do. Every single day I am reminded by the empty seat at the breakfast table and in the back of the van....

Not everyone gets to grow up.

So even though it makes me sad to pack away tiny rompers labeled "newborn," I am very grateful to be unpacking dresses and pjs marked 3 months.

Because I know... not everyone grows up...