Weaning

I was very determined to nurse both my babies. I really enjoyed nursing E even though we got off to a very rocky start. I did nurse Peanut and Squeakers in the hospital but also supplemented with formula. I just wanted them to gain weight so they could come home. M helped me with the babies for their first two weeks home. He would ask me who he could feed and more times than not I told him Squeakers. So I blame myself for him not nursing like Peanut did. I do wish I could go back and do things differently. It's affected me more than him. I continually tried to nurse him but after a few months he would turn his head away. He's very content to drink out of a bottle. And now so is Peanut. He's becoming so independent. He likes to hold his own bottle and take a swig. The only time he really nurses is at night. Then you have E who loved her boobies and nursed until 2 1/2 years old. I really thought my nursing relationship with my babies would be like that. My children are all their own person with their likes and dislikes. What makes them move.
As a parent you do the best you can for them. Even though they may not understand or like you for it at the time. E has a hard time understanding why we are more strict with her than the other kid's parents in our neighborhood. Why we don't tolerate being mouthy and having an attitude. It is my job to be the best parent I can be for them, not their best friend. I just want them to grow to be happy, healthy and respectful of people and their world. I think that's what any parent wants. Right?

Catching up

Squeakers

Peanut

Peanut & Squeakers


Peanut and Squeakers turned 11 months on Sept 29. Walking along furniture, standing for a few seconds at a time, pointing to things, doing sign language (for light and ball) and letting you know what they want. They both loving feeding themselves (Peanut loves drinking from a bottle--so different when he only wanted to nurse). Squeakers will play by himself for a while. He will sit and intently look at a toy, take it apart and play with it. Peanut meanwhile is scaling the gates and falling into the toy chest. They are so different. Not that I expected them to be exactly alike because they are twins. I really try hard not to dress them alike because they are two separate people. I took them to school last week to pick E up and one of the moms asked me if they are alike and I said no. That they are both their own person. Peanut is more outgoing and quickly warms up to people. Squeakers is my cuddle bug and takes some time to check things/people out before he lets loose.
E started karate about 2-3 weeks ago and now she wants to quit. M told her to think about it. It seems like she likes it but she told me she wants to play with her friends. The neighborhood kids aren't involved in anything now. So she sees them playing. I think it would be good for her. I let her play with them when we get home from karate. M told her she has to decide by Monday. We'll see.
We are currently planning a trip to D.isney for the end of March with M's sister and her family. I must be out of my mind to travel with two babies that will be almost 1 1/2 years old. We met with the travel agent today. We want a separate bedroom so that the babies could sleep in there without being disturbed. They call it a suite. None of the moderate resorts have it. So we have to go with the value resort or spend a lot of money on a villa. I think it's so silly that they can't make suites on all resort levels. When M gets home from the gym we're going to look at the rooms together. Do you have tips/suggestions for D.isney?
I was doing p90x but I stopped. I wasn't happy with the cardio and other workouts. I thought I would see changes but not so much. I'm still at my pre-pregnancy weight but I'm not where I would like to be with my body. I take the babies for a walk almost everyday. I know to lose weight I have to workout for about an 1 1./2. All in due time I guess. I wish I had a magic wand ;-)

Ten

Happy 10 months to Squeakers and Peanut! Big changes this month: standing up on their own, walking along furniture, each getting their first teeth (bottom two) and waving hello. They really notice each other now--they chase each other around the living room and stand up in their cribs and "talk" to each other. It's hard to believe their first birthday is just around the corner.
E is starting 3rd grade tomorrow. Holy smokes! She's getting so big too. Another good note--her cast comes off this Friday. Hooray!
I've also been working on getting back into shape. I started week 3 of P90x. It is hard but not as bad as I thought. I'm starting out slowly and taking my time.
The house is getting organized. One day at a time I take a room and organize and clean it. I do this during their afternoon nap. It feels good to see the house coming together.

Bump in the road

Sunday was supposed to be the start of our vacation at the campground. Not even 1 hour there and E fell off her scooter and broke her thumb and wrist. We found a way to make her cast waterproof--gore tex liner. Now she can go swimming and shower. I feel so bad that her summer is ending this way. But on a good note she only has to have it on for four weeks and she can go swimming.

The kids

Today is the babies 9 month birthday! Time is flying by and so are they. Peanut is super fast with pulling himself/crawling and Squeaker rolls around. The dogs even know to get out of the way!
Last Friday was E's 8th birthday. We celebrated with friends, cake and swimming. This year I finally got on the ball and had games. We used water balloons to have relay races, volleyball & squish the balloon on the metal chair-my personal favorite. E has a surprise guest-her teacher for the past two years-Mrs. M. E really enjoyed her party.
We will be leaving for the campground for two weeks this Sunday for Vacation Bible School. The campground is a throw back to days of yore. It really is a dream if you are a young. Tons of other kids to play with, VBS, a pond to swim in and a boarding hall where you can get three square meals a day. I'm a little intimidated to have the babies by myself for two weeks but my Dad will come out and I believe my friend who owns the cottage will take some vacation days to spend with us. Crossing my fingers that I maintain my sanity ;-) The only downside is no internet. We read and watch plenty of Seinfeld on dvd.

Peanut


Squeakers




Miss E 8 yrs old

There's a birthday in the house!

E and Kristie at the Furry Tails Reading Program
Don't you just love the book she picked out?

Today is Miss E's 8th birthday! We are celebrating with ice cream cake and plenty of pool time (temps to go well over 95). She is super excited for her special day. Me too. I love birthdays because it's a day to celebrate the person. She has basketball camp and then we are having Chinese food and cake. Tomorrow is her party. People will either be in the pool or in the house because it's going to be another hot one.
I am very excited to say I started working out again. The babies are going down for somewhat regular naps. I did the 30 day shred yesterday. I was comfortable with doing just 30 mins of exercise to: a. get back into the swing of things and b. I could shower after I was done. Gradually I would like to increase my work out time to one hour. My legs and arms are a little sore ;-)
The babies are doing well. Peanut is pulling himself and getting ready to crawl--he pulls himself through the bottom of the exersaucer. Squeakers is in love with Kona. He squeals when he sees her. It's the cutest thing. And they both like her one toy.
I am going to start breakfast. I have a special request for chocolate chip pancakes.
Stay cool!

8 months

E, Peanut and Squeakers (eating the 8 month sign)

Wow! I can't believe my babies are 8 months old. They have sure grown a lot. Peanut is spinning himself around and getting ready to crawl forward. Squeakers rolls all over the place and has discovered his voice. They both love the puppies and squeal with delight with Kona or Logan enter the room. They light up when they see E. Nothing is safe because they grab whatever is closest to them.

Squeakers

Peanut