I'm sitting here nursing you girls on my amazing new twin nursing pillow from Double Blessings and I'm just staring at you both realizing how beautiful you girls are. Whenever we go anywhere, we're always stopped and people are constantly saying, "look at that hair!" and "they are so beautiful!" You girls really are beautiful. Today is our last day together before mommy goes back to work. It has been a tough day, too! Not just has it been tough because I know we won't be able to spend every moment together tomorrow, but you both have been quite fussy. It's like you sense that it is our last day and you don't want me to go. I don't want to go, either. I'm going to be very sad when I drop you off at Spruce Lodge tomorrow to be with Janer and have to drive my car with two empty car seat bases in the back. I've never been away from you girls for more than an hour and it is going to kill me to spend 5 hours without you.
Resting After Your Shots
You girls went to your first Well Child check up with Dr. Monroe on Friday and got 3 shots each. I think that is part of why you are so fussy right now. Your check up went very well though and you both are exactly 2 lbs heavier than you were at birth. Sophie is 7lbs 3oz and Stella is 7lbs 10oz. Daddy and I keep saying that you are definitely gaining weight, cause we can see it with how your clothes fit now. Stella is starting to grow out of Newborn and starting to wear 0-3 months clothes. You both are definitely long and thin because the newborn is fitting you perfectly around, but is getting too short for you. Your footsie sleepers are too short for you now and it seems you just started fitting in them a week or two ago!
Yesterday you went to your first family reunion on daddy's side. It was out at the Old Wheel camp on ADK Loj road and everyone finally got to see you! You were both really good while daddy played in his annual softball game. It was really nice to see everyone and for everyone to meet you. We all see each other once a year if we're lucky so it was great we got to bring you and you were both good! Next year will be totally different as you will most likely just be starting to walk.
Sophie having a fit with her Cowgirl Hat on
This morning you were both a little fussy after nursing, so daddy and I put Sophie in her new bouncy rocker and Stella in the Nap Nanny. Mommy and Stella were looking at each other and I finally got my first "Social Smiles" from Stella! You were all smiles and trying to giggle...it really made mommy's day. It also makes me sad that I may miss some of these milestones now that I'll be at work. Stella and Mommy kept smiling back and forth for a while and then we went and laid on the activity mat. Stella played on the mat for a good 30 minutes, batting at the dangling toys. It was great that you were content because Sophie was not this morning. It seemed we couldn't do anything to calm her down; all she wanted was to be held.
Daddy with his "Crying Muffs" on
Last night was a very similar story. Fussy time came later than usual, about 8pm and it only lasted about 2 1/2 hours this time (it is usually closer to 4), but it seemed extra fussy and Daddy & Mommy were already tired from being at the reunion all day. Mommy & Daddy tried everything to calm you girls down. Once one would calm down, the other would start crying. Mommy found out that Stella calmed down when she looked at the black and white photographs on the wall, so we did that for a while. Once Stella calmed down a bit, I traded with Daddy and took fussy Sophie. Mommy put Sophie in the Bjorn and she finally settled down. But...as soon as Sophie settled, Stella started fussing again. This is probably the hardest part about raising twins: it is hard to keep you both calm when you are fussing. If you fuss at the same time, the crying is in stereo and both mommy and daddy are trying to keep you calm. If you fussing alternates, it seems one parent never gets to relax! Finally, we put both of you in front carriers and you calmed down so mommy & daddy could eat dinner. We finally got you to sleep at about 11:00 and mommy & daddy were exhausted and falling asleep too!
Some milestones that we have been noticing this week:
Stella gave mommy Social Smiles - July 31
Sophie & Stella are both picking their heads up and turning them from side to side when on tummy
Sophie & Stella are both making new noises
Sophie & Stella are both making eye contact and following objects
Your "Wubbies" seem to help calm you down when you are fussing
Wish me luck tomorrow when I go back to work. I can't wait for the 5 hours to end so I can be holding you both in my arms again, snuggling and kissing you and watching you grow.
Good morning to you girls. It is definitely a good morning, because last night was the first night you slept through the night!!!
Yesterday was your first day spent at Spruce Lodge with Janer. Mommy is going back to the office on Monday, and so this week we are spending the mornings at Spruce Lodge so you can get used to being there and being around people other than me. I spent the day with you and did my work from Spruce Lodge. This also gives Janer a chance to get comfortable with your routine. It seems like you girls are adjusting just fine to the new environment and we actually found two rockers/bouncers that you really seem to like. One was at Spruce Lodge and your cousin Jacob had one too that we had to talk him into letting you girls borrow! As soon as we placed you in the rockers, you feel asleep almost instantly. I couldn't believe it! I think part of it was that they are at the perfect angle for you to sleep but not spit up so much. Mommy loved the rockers so much, she overnighted two more for home! These Fisher Price baby rockers are amazing and I love them so much, as do you!
Sophie & Stella,
Happy 1 month birthday to my two cute little dumplings! Mommy and daddy have had so much fun watching you girls grow up. Mommy bought a CD of baby music called "Daybreak." When Aunt Juji was a baby, we played this CD every morning when we got her up and ready, so I bought it and have been playing it every morning with you girls.
This week was the first time mommy left you home alone with someone other than daddy. Aunt Juji babysat you for a half an hour while mommy went for a run. I was a little nervous leaving you alone with anyone so soon, but Aunt Juji has been helping mommy out every day with taking care of you, so I knew she would do a good job! You girls slept the whole time anyway.
Daddy and I have noticed that you are sleeping better this week. We've started getting into a routine at night. When it's time for your last feeding, mommy nurses and burps, and then we get you changed into your swaddles, turn on your Lambie noise machine, and read a few books. Sometimes we have a bath before nursing and we always end the night reading "Good Night Moon."
Tummy time has become enjoyable to you both and you are really liking your Activity Gym that Noel and Jake bought you. You both are starting to lift your heads and turn them from side to side, showing how strong you are! Here is a video of Sophie playing on the activity mat for the very first time.
You girls are starting to notice black and white patterns whenever we put them in front of you. Your activity mat has a lot of black and white on it and so do your crib bumpers that I made you. Everytime I catch you looking at the patterns, your eyes get all big and you look like you're in a distant daze. It is so cute.
Inside of Bumpers with Houndstooth pattern
Speaking of your crib bumpers, I finally finished one set. I still have to sew together the second set, but I haven't found the time and you're still sleeping in one crib for now. I got the pattern from this great site and the bumpers were really easy to make. At first I was a little intimidated because I hadn't sewn in quite a few years and it seemed that sewing on a binding/piping would be more than I could handle, seeing as I like everything to look professionally done. But, the bumpers turned out really good and I'm so happy with them. I also finished your toddler bed comforters. Everything matches now and you have some beautiful patterns and fabrics in your nursery now. The last piece to do is just hanging up the ribbon mobiles I made.
First Trip to the Jumps!
This week was Daddy's first day ski jumping this summer. Daddy has been a ski jumper since he was 6 years old and got to jump in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT as a forerunner. Daddy likes to jump in the summer and tries to get out a few times each year. He is planning on jumping in the Lake Placid Saturday Series this summer with all the young athletes.
Mommy brought you to the ski jumps for the first time this week to watch Daddy jump. Everyone was so excited to meet you! I'm sure you will have hundreds and hundreds of trips to the ski jumps over the years. Everyone is asking which one of you will be a future jumper, especially now that Women's Ski Jumping is an Olympic sport! I guess we'll have to see if either of you end up doing it or taking up something else instead. Uncle Casey votes for Golf or Tennis!
I can't believe you girls are already 1 month old. It seems like yesterday I was holding you for the very first time and now you are a month old! I can't wait to enjoy the next month.
