This past weekend we all traveled down to Annapolis to celebrate my Grandfather Ben's 99th Birthday. Ben has been a bit under the weather the last while, feeling tired. He rallied around and manged to have some nice conversations, eat some cake and sign his book for a few people. After 99 years of living Ben published a book. Wow!
It was lovely for Anna and Alex to be able to be there for their Great Grandfather's 99th birthday. They wont remember it, but pictures were taken that they will one day get to look at, and we will be able to pass on Ben's Yarns to them.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
5 month update a little late
The babies had their 5 month Drs appointment last week. All was well. They didn't need any shots this time, so that always makes the appointments more plesant. They had again gained 1 pound each over the month and are up to 12 lbs (Alex) and 13 lbs (Anna). They are still little peanuts. I worry that they aren't growing quickly enough, but the Dr isn't concerned, so I guess I shouldn't be either.
We discussed things with the Dr and were given permission to stop steralizing bottles, to use powdered formula instead of the concentrate and to start introducing a little rice cereal. What a time saver being able to just wash and put bottles away, no need to boil any more. Also the powdered formula , while also being cheaper, is much more convenient and quick to use. The boiled water is already at room temperature, so it is just a matter of pouring a bottle, adding the powder and giving the bottle a shake and PRESTO, good to go.
I am still pumping a few times a day, so they also get some of that. I have decided to stop pumping gradually over the next few weeks and to pack away the pump in the New Year. Pumping isn't plesant and I am proud to have made myself do it for 6 months. I will not be sad to see the last of the nipple squeezing horned monster though. I will forever be disapointed I didn't get to experience the beauty of real breast feeding with these two, and that my memories of it are of being proded and poked by a series of lactation consultants and nurses in the NICU, and of my babies screaming in frustration.
If I ever do this baby making thing again I know to start on the Domperidone, Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle right away to get my milk supply going (Once I was on these and pumping 8 times a day I had more than enough to feed one baby, just not two) and to yell at any nurse who comes near my baby with a soother or a bottle. I never gave them permission in the NICU to start them on bottles (they both started off being tube fed), but somehow it happened anyway. One nurse said we weren't going to bottle feed them as I wanted to breastfeed, the shift changed, and while I was napping they were given bottles. I will always wonder if they hadn't gotten used to the speed of the bottles if I would have managed to breast feed them. The debate rages on about nipple confusion....
We discussed things with the Dr and were given permission to stop steralizing bottles, to use powdered formula instead of the concentrate and to start introducing a little rice cereal. What a time saver being able to just wash and put bottles away, no need to boil any more. Also the powdered formula , while also being cheaper, is much more convenient and quick to use. The boiled water is already at room temperature, so it is just a matter of pouring a bottle, adding the powder and giving the bottle a shake and PRESTO, good to go.
I am still pumping a few times a day, so they also get some of that. I have decided to stop pumping gradually over the next few weeks and to pack away the pump in the New Year. Pumping isn't plesant and I am proud to have made myself do it for 6 months. I will not be sad to see the last of the nipple squeezing horned monster though. I will forever be disapointed I didn't get to experience the beauty of real breast feeding with these two, and that my memories of it are of being proded and poked by a series of lactation consultants and nurses in the NICU, and of my babies screaming in frustration.
If I ever do this baby making thing again I know to start on the Domperidone, Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle right away to get my milk supply going (Once I was on these and pumping 8 times a day I had more than enough to feed one baby, just not two) and to yell at any nurse who comes near my baby with a soother or a bottle. I never gave them permission in the NICU to start them on bottles (they both started off being tube fed), but somehow it happened anyway. One nurse said we weren't going to bottle feed them as I wanted to breastfeed, the shift changed, and while I was napping they were given bottles. I will always wonder if they hadn't gotten used to the speed of the bottles if I would have managed to breast feed them. The debate rages on about nipple confusion....
Friday, November 27, 2009
Playtime!
Anna and Alex love to play now. They are such fun. They grab toys and chew on them, or stare at them. They love kicking it up on their playmat. Both have rolled over both ways now, from tummy to back, and from back to tummy. They love bouncing on our knees and being tickled. They both have great laughs.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
4 months
Anna and Alex were 4 months yesterday. It is hard to believe that time is passing so quickly. The last month has been much easier. They both sleep through the night now pretty much every night. They go down for the night sometime between 7 and 8:30 and sleep for 9-10 hours. Occasionally they think 4 is morning, but more often than not they make it past 5:30. I felt the haze of sleep deprivation lift, and am doing fine on that front as long as I remember to go to bed early enough. No late nights for us anymore. Sleeping in the next day just isn't an option.
They had their 4 month shots on Tuesday which was crappy They were crying and screaming and just not in good moods for the rest of the day and the next day. Their poor little legs were so sore. Alex threw up all of one of his feeds and didn't want to eat much. It was not a fun experience. They don't have their next shots until January, so we have a while before we have to deal with those again.
Halloween was last weekend, and they got to go trick or treating for the first time. They looked so cute in their little costumes (pictures to come later). We went in their stroller to our neighbours and then took them around in the truck to a few of our local friends. It was a lot of fun (mostly for us- they didn't know really what was going on.) It will be even better next year when they are able to understand a little better.
This month has been a lot of fun watching them change. They are both meeting lots of the 3 and 4 month milestones. They both smile and laugh like crazy now. They have both rolled over from front to back, and Alex is getting really good at it. Anna has great control over her upper body and has been doing pushups for a while. Alex started doing pushups last week. Alex is really vocal and chatty and will have "conversations". They are such fun!
They had their 4 month shots on Tuesday which was crappy They were crying and screaming and just not in good moods for the rest of the day and the next day. Their poor little legs were so sore. Alex threw up all of one of his feeds and didn't want to eat much. It was not a fun experience. They don't have their next shots until January, so we have a while before we have to deal with those again.
Halloween was last weekend, and they got to go trick or treating for the first time. They looked so cute in their little costumes (pictures to come later). We went in their stroller to our neighbours and then took them around in the truck to a few of our local friends. It was a lot of fun (mostly for us- they didn't know really what was going on.) It will be even better next year when they are able to understand a little better.
This month has been a lot of fun watching them change. They are both meeting lots of the 3 and 4 month milestones. They both smile and laugh like crazy now. They have both rolled over from front to back, and Alex is getting really good at it. Anna has great control over her upper body and has been doing pushups for a while. Alex started doing pushups last week. Alex is really vocal and chatty and will have "conversations". They are such fun!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Giving thanks
We just had Thanksgiving weekend, and like many during this time, I found myself thinking of all the things I am thankful for:
My husband, Ian, would be top of my list for things I am thankful for. We have been married for just over 6 years. I still find myself pinching myself sometimes to believe it is true that I met, dated and married someone who is so great. We have our differences, and for sure we annoy each other from time to time, but we love each other. The past few years dealing with the loss of our first baby, trouble getting pregnant again and fears that we never would, threats to this pregnancy, time with our babies in the NICU and life with TWO newborns he has been my rock.
My babies Alex and Anna are high up on my list too. I always wanted kids and after the struggles we went through to get these two here, I appreciate them even more. They are two unique little individuals who brighten my day. I am looking forward to seeing them grow up. (Hopefully not too fast!)
My Mother has always been there in my life, she raised me, encouraged me, cherished me and loved me. Since Anna and Alex have arrived (and even before) she has been there to help and continues make time in her busy life for her Grandkids. I know she will be as important a person to them as she is to me.
Friends and family are really important to me. I am lucky to have many individuals in my life, who brighten it in many ways. People who offer support to us when we need it, celebrate with us when we have something to celebrate, share with us the good times and the bad. Some people I see often , some only once in a while, but I am thankful for everyone who enriches my life.
I am thankful for my health. Although ,like many people, there are things I would change about how I look, I am lucky to have a body that is healthy. The only times I have really had to see a Dr are for things I inflicted on myself by the choices I made (ride horses, have babies, etc) My body was able to grow TWO perfect little babies and to house them long enough to come safely into the world. That is something to be thankful for.
I am thankful I live in Canada. I had always taken the benefits available in Canada for granted until this year. I received wonderful care during my pregnancy, was rushed in for 2 emergency surgeries with great Drs., and had babies in the NICU for 18 days. How much did I pay? Nothing out of pocket. Now to be fair I am sure in taxes over the years Ian and I have paid for all the care I received, but it was wonderful not to have to worry about how we would pay our hospital bills. Also, I will get to spend the first year at home with my babies and will continue to have a pay check. My employers can't take my job away from me because I want to be at home with my babies. Compared to the stories I hear from people living in other countries, living here is really something to be thankful for.
I am thankful for the material things in my life. Ian and I have been blessed with employable skills and good jobs and have been able to provide for ourselves. I live in a warm , comfortable house, my horses have a comfy barn, we drive safe vehicles, and have nice things. Material things aren't that important in the big picture, but they sure do make life easier and more enjoyable.
And lastly, I am thankful that I no longer have a student loan!!!!!! A few weeks ago I made the last payment on my loan, and now they are gone. YIPEEEEE!!!
My husband, Ian, would be top of my list for things I am thankful for. We have been married for just over 6 years. I still find myself pinching myself sometimes to believe it is true that I met, dated and married someone who is so great. We have our differences, and for sure we annoy each other from time to time, but we love each other. The past few years dealing with the loss of our first baby, trouble getting pregnant again and fears that we never would, threats to this pregnancy, time with our babies in the NICU and life with TWO newborns he has been my rock.
My babies Alex and Anna are high up on my list too. I always wanted kids and after the struggles we went through to get these two here, I appreciate them even more. They are two unique little individuals who brighten my day. I am looking forward to seeing them grow up. (Hopefully not too fast!)
My Mother has always been there in my life, she raised me, encouraged me, cherished me and loved me. Since Anna and Alex have arrived (and even before) she has been there to help and continues make time in her busy life for her Grandkids. I know she will be as important a person to them as she is to me.
Friends and family are really important to me. I am lucky to have many individuals in my life, who brighten it in many ways. People who offer support to us when we need it, celebrate with us when we have something to celebrate, share with us the good times and the bad. Some people I see often , some only once in a while, but I am thankful for everyone who enriches my life.
I am thankful for my health. Although ,like many people, there are things I would change about how I look, I am lucky to have a body that is healthy. The only times I have really had to see a Dr are for things I inflicted on myself by the choices I made (ride horses, have babies, etc) My body was able to grow TWO perfect little babies and to house them long enough to come safely into the world. That is something to be thankful for.
I am thankful I live in Canada. I had always taken the benefits available in Canada for granted until this year. I received wonderful care during my pregnancy, was rushed in for 2 emergency surgeries with great Drs., and had babies in the NICU for 18 days. How much did I pay? Nothing out of pocket. Now to be fair I am sure in taxes over the years Ian and I have paid for all the care I received, but it was wonderful not to have to worry about how we would pay our hospital bills. Also, I will get to spend the first year at home with my babies and will continue to have a pay check. My employers can't take my job away from me because I want to be at home with my babies. Compared to the stories I hear from people living in other countries, living here is really something to be thankful for.
I am thankful for the material things in my life. Ian and I have been blessed with employable skills and good jobs and have been able to provide for ourselves. I live in a warm , comfortable house, my horses have a comfy barn, we drive safe vehicles, and have nice things. Material things aren't that important in the big picture, but they sure do make life easier and more enjoyable.
And lastly, I am thankful that I no longer have a student loan!!!!!! A few weeks ago I made the last payment on my loan, and now they are gone. YIPEEEEE!!!
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