The twins are now 5, going on 6, weeks old. They say this time goes by so fast, and it truly does. At their appointment this week, Chase was up to 7lb, 10oz and Alexis was 7lb, 12oz. It's funny how they weigh pretty much the same, but for some reason she looks so much bigger. I attribute it to Chase always wanting to be scrunched up, and therefore doesn't look as long.
I'd like to say the sleep deprivation has gotten better, but it really hasn't. I've just become more use to it at this point. It also helps that Jeff and I decided we need to start being nicer to each other during those wee morning hours. Can't say it always happens, but we're trying....
I don't have much to write about as far as milestones go. The babies are still pretty much just sleeping, waking about every 3 hours to eat. They do have times where they are awake for a period of time, but nothing consistent. I'm still at a loss as to what to do with them when they are awake. I put them under their play gym, talk to them, and do tummy time. I feel like I should be doing more, which makes my insecurites as a mother creep in already.
One thing we are struggling with right now is Alexis' acid reflux. She has this "episodes" where she arches her back, foams at the mouth, and cries in pain. They only last for a couple minutes, and she only has them maybe once or twice a day, but they scare the crap out of me because she always appears that she is choking/can't catch her breath. Luckily I've always been there to pick her up and pat her on the back to try and help her. The pediatrician swears up and down there is no way she can choke. However, it still makes it hard for me to sleep at night - I'm scared to death of taking my eyes off her for one minute. The babies sleep in their Rock 'n Plays right beside my side of the bed so for now I'm okay sleeping because I can hear if she starts doing this. However, we feel like we need to start transitioning them to either their cribs or Pack 'n Play, and I'm reluctant to do so until we get this reflux under control. We started her on Zantac last Monday, but it doesn't seem to have helped. The pediatrician said to give it two weeks to kick in, and if it still isn't working she will switch her to Prevacid. It's so frustrating though having one more thing to worry about.
poor guy always seems to end up wrapped in pink or purple :)
Other than that we're doing well. I will admit being home with them all day long gets pretty tiring and makes for some long days. I hope this doesn't make me sound like a horrible mother, but I don't think I'll be too upset when it comes time to go back to work. I miss interaction with adults and feel like I'm so out of touch with the real world at the moment. It would help if it was summer and warm outside so that we could get out for walks. I have decided that I need to force myself to start getting out - at least to walk around the mall or something. I've been too scared to venture out by myself with them, but know the more I do it the less scary it will be. So that's my goal from here forth - to get out and go somewhere at least a couple times a week.
That's it for now - I'll leave you with more photos:
my handsome little guy
Bathtime fun!
seriously, these rock 'n plays are a Godsend
i've been thinking about you all, jenny! love the family photo. i'm so sorry to hear about alexis' acid reflux...i hope it starts to improve very soon! omygoodness, your babies are beautiful. they look so peaceful sleeping. all my friends swear by the rock n' play. we plan on baby sleeping in it next to our bed for the first few months. we have one for my mom too. they should make 'em for adults. ;)
ReplyDeletei hope the weather warms up for you...it certainly isn't pleasant lately. sending love and prayers your way. <3<3<3
maria
ADORABLE!
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about going back to work. Don't let anyone tell you it means you're a bad mom!
OK, my boys are now 4 months old and I feel like I could have written this post myself 3 months ago. What to do with them while awake? Really, they don't do much, so don't worry yourself over it. Do the tummy time, cuddle with them, and they're back down to sleep within an hour. It's not until they are like 3 months old that they start to get interesting, so don't worry about this right now. And cribs? Totally overrated. Keep them in the Rock N' Plays as long as you need to. You have to do what you need to do to get through this time. It's OK. Really! Alec slept in his bouncy chair till he was 3 months and Desmond still sleeps in the Rock N' Play when he's having bad reflux. They will take to the cribs eventually, I promise. And the Zantac really does take 2 weeks to work, Des has been on it for like 3 weeks now and I can really tell the difference. And do not feel bad that you are kind of looking forward to going back to work! I was also ready to get back to a normal routine and have a break from the babies after 3 months of being with them 24/7! I also missed adult interaction. You are not a bad mom for feeling this way. You are a normal person! Oh, and the part about needing to be nicer to each other in the middle of the night? That doesn't get any easier so YES, work on that NOW. Communication is key and just gets harder as the sleep deprivation wears on. From what I can tell you are doing a fabulous job and I can tell you it will get easier, very soon! Hang in there, mama.
ReplyDeleteSO CUTE!!!
ReplyDeleteThe reflux meds really do take a little bit of time to kick in. Our little guy did a really scary seizure/foaming at the mouth bit when he was having a reflux episode.... uh, no thank you... he had a couple more after starting the meds, but it really did get better. The kid can STILL spit up like nobody's business, but I can live with that as long as the episodes stay away. Not to mention once the medication starts working you will likely notice a big difference in disposition! Try not to worry about what you are/aren't doing with the babies during their awake time, do what feels right, and it if that means just snuggling them and talking to them THAT is plenty.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are doing a great job, your days (and nights!) will eventually get easier. Do try to get out of the house more, I know it helped me realize that I really could do much more than I gave myself credit for. AND, it helps that every person you come into contact with will tell you how amazing it is that you are out of the house with infant twins :)
My husband and I used to be pretty mean in the middle if the night. we finally had a talk where we just decided to be a team I'm the middle of the night and if one woke up we got the other one and fed them both. It helped being up together. It does get easier but it was really hard at that age. I went back to work at 6 weeks which was too early but it definitely gave me a break and made me really enjoy the rest of the time at home and even getting up in the middle of the night. Hang in there! They are adorable!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I could have written this myself! My girls are about a pound lighter - born the same day as your two- but are up every 3 hours and awake sometimes and I'm not sure what else I should be doing with them (Besides tummy time, etc. like you wrote!) This makes me feel so much better!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you made it through your PCOS and have two beautiful twins. So many people work through fertility issues and end up without much but heartache. I'm glade that this isn't you, and that your fertility clinic has helped you through it.
ReplyDeletejust wanted to send some love your way...i hope you and your beautiful family are doing well, jenny! thinking of you! thanks for all your well wishes!
ReplyDeletexoxox
maria