Christmas Party 1

Well it's almost 10 o'clock and we just got home from our Christmas celebrations. I am absolutely exhausted! Tom is currently rocking Abs, she fell asleep briefly on the way home and then woke up when we pulled into the garage. So the good news is that we were able to put her pj's on and give her some milk before bed. On that note we are on our last can of formula for her... does this mean I actually have to try and get her either onto milk or soy milk? Ugh....

The Christmas party I think went pretty well. It wasn't as hard for me to let people hold the babies this time. Though to be honest I trusted every single person that was there this time so that is always helpful! It also helps that the girls are a little older and a little bigger. My Grandma's house WAS really crowded with everyone there but the food was great and everyone seemed to be in a pretty good mood. We even managed to take a family picture... everyone was CRAMMED into it but we accomplished it. I think everyone enjoyed the presents. The babies got a package of diapers and a few cute outfits, Abs got some Duplos and I got a picture frame that has Family on it. Tom got a gift card so hopefully we can use it to go out to eat soon! We both miss going out to eat.

One of my relatives, a PA, says that she thinks that one of the girls definatly has reflux. Something I've suspected now for a few days. They are puking violently out of their mouths and noses, mostly at night. I feel so bad for both of them. They aren't nearly as angry as Abby but there couldn't be another Abby.... lol. My only other concern is that at times when I'm feeding them they choke and cough and cough and cough. I'm just curious if they are aspirating like Abby did way back.

I probably won't call the doctor unless they get sick from it because well... we've been down this road before. I don't think medications will work and I don't think the tests will do much either. So for now we'll just wait it out. I think that is causing a few of our sleeping problems at times. I'm going to buy another swaddling blanket, I still have a gift card from when they were born. It works so well because they don't kick out of it!

Well I need to feed Kiley again, she is fussing. I just got done with Kara.... PLUS I'm really craving some hot chocolate right now!!!

Victory!!

I'm not sure if it was because of the humidifier, the gas drops, or the fact that I started swaddling them... but Kiley and Kara slept from 11pm-3am... were up until 4:30am and then slept till 7:00! This means I got ONE chunk of 4 hour sleep and another of 3 1/2. I feel amazingly refreshed today. Perhaps all of our shopping yesterday was exhausting and they decided to sleep.... or the fact that they cried the entire hour that I was taking my last Sociology test...(Tom couldnt figure out why they were crying but my test was on a timer so I had to finish it)

So shopping yesterday. Wow did we get swarmed! A double stroller with two carseats, with two little pink baby girls is apparently quite an attraction. It was interesting trying to maneuver the giant thing through packed holiday aisles. Everyone loved them though. My youngest brother was along because he had a dentist appointment, and he pushed Abby in a little stroller. I did manage to find 2 presents while we were there. JcPennies had some sales and I managed to pick out an outfit (shirt & jeans) for 18 bucks! I was excited because I was told this little girl that I bought it for doesn't have a lot of nice clothes. The limit was 15 but I think it's ok that I went over a few dollars. I also managed to find something for Tom... though I need to get something else to go with it.

Abby loved all of the Christmas lights and the Christmas music... she kept bouncing and jumping around in her stroller to the beat. She did REALLY well shopping I was so proud. Kiley was the only fussy one and I had to find a dressing room to feed her... and even after she wanted to be held a lot. My mom didn't mind! While I took Kiley to the dressing room my mom went to the food court to get Abby and my brother a mid afternoon munchie. Well the lady at the counter was very concerned as to why there was a baby missing in one of the carseats. (my mom told me this later) I thought it was pretty funny!

But I've learned one thing... shopping with twins you cannot go into a store and get out unnoticed! I had so many people talk with me yesterday! It almost made shopping hard. When we got home I drove Abby and the girls around town and we looked at the lights. It's becoming a tradition lol. Abs just LOVES the preeeeties. She kept calling the lit up reindeer "puppies" :)

I'm not sure what our plan is for today. I think we will go down to my moms so that Abby can play with her uncle and wear out some of this energy. I'm going to wait until after her nap though first because I'm waiting for a Christmas present to come in the mail... eek I hope it comes today or tomorrow! I need it for a family Christmas party tomorrow!

Who needs sleep anyways?

How many hours of sleep can someone survive on... and for how long? Isn't it amazing that more new mothers don't go crazy? Now perhaps my experience is a little biased... I did after all have Abby who woke up every hour for the first 6 months of her life and I now have twins that seem to be teaming up to see how much sleep they can cause their mother to lose.

Last night I snuggled into bed, relaxed, sprawled out... turned off the light and .... wam! Kiley starts choking, I mean really choking. So I hurry up, turn on the light... Tom groans and I see milk spewing out of Kiley's mouth and nose. Poor dear is just trying to breathe and I spend the next two hours trying to get her back to sleep. I snuggle back down into the sheets, completely exhausted, Tom is dead to the world.... flip off the light annnnnd wam! Kara starts choking, this time on her boogers...

Thats how my entire night went. Except for one stretch at 5am where they were both laying wide awake in the bed with me. (I sent Tom to the couch so he could sleep, at least one of us should be rested...) I was so tired by the time I got out of bed at 9am that I was shaking. I hopped into the shower hoping that the hot water would redeem a little of my strength but I couldn't stay in there long because I was afraid I might fall. Eventually a little coffee and some prayers got me moving but I was dreading the long day ahead.

Abby was a little terror earlier this morning but I eventually was able to calm her down. We had a pretty good afternoon for the most part. I laid down around 2:30 on the couch just to rest and she went 'ni night' with me for a bit, snuggling. Then a baby started fussing, I was just going to let her fuss a bit but Abby was very concerned. She took my hand and kept pulling and pulling until I finally got up to get the baby. So much for resting!

My mom picked up a humidifier and we are going to try that to see if that helps the babies sleep a little longer. I hope so! I dont know if I can take another night like last night...Tom is home now and Abby is playing with him. I will probably give Kara a bath a little later. I gave Kiley a bath last night. It's nice to have that bonding time with each one individually. :) My mom ALSO picked up a 'baby sling' so that I can 'wear' the babies when they are fussy and still have free arms. I'm excited to try it out.

Tomorrow we are going shopping!!! With my mom of course... it should be interesting! Hopefully we can finish up our Christmas shopping.

The New Normal

I was thinking about this the other day... our new normal. Sleeping in snatches, eating when I can, cuddling with two babies and a toddler :) It's funny how the moment you think you have things 'figured out', and plans are set in stone... God says... "Nope! I'm still in charge up here!" Not for a moment would I ever trade what I have, I love all three of my girls and my wonderful husband and couldn't imagine life without them. But never in a million years could I have imagined God would bless us in this way... or that we would travel this road...

The other day I was listening to the song "What Faith Can Do" by the band Kutless and it made me tear up. Especially this bit....

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Because I HAVE had hope that doesn't end when the sky is falling... and I HAVE seen miracles just happen, silent prayers (and expressed prayers) get answered....

And I realized... That's what Faith can do.....Isn't it amazing?

Kiley and Kara had their weight check this morning. Kiley is 6lb 15oz and Kara is 7lbs!! Yay! They are both growing well despite their nasty colds. Poor Kara really has a nasty nose and she is very clingy. My poor hun. It makes sleeping hard for me though because I'm constantly trying to clear their noses the best that I can so that they can breathe at night. It makes them so mad when they can't breathe! My mom is watching Abby this morning so that I can get a paper written, so I had better start on that! I can't wait until I'm done with my classes for this semester. It will be nice to just enjoy Christmas :)

By the way.... The answer to the "Which Baby Poll" is...... *drum roll* ..... KILEY!

Congrats to those of you who got it right! Those who didnt... better luck next time!

Blessings

I have a little pink snowbaby curled up on my chest. Kara is so sweet and making little baby noises. Her eyes are wide open and she is looking at my face with her big beautiful eyes. I wonder if their eyes will be as beautiful as Abby's are? Everyone always comments on Abby's eyes. Kiley is snuggling with Dad and trying to nurse from his arm, I wonder how long she will be content with 'searching?'

They slept fairly well last night. I decided to try and give them both a few drops of the Mycloin (sp?) gas drops. It seems they wake up and cry and strain. Something doesn't like their tummies. It seemed to help a little so perhaps I will have to keep trying them. Granted I was still up quite a few times but at least they wouldn't fuss and fuss and fuss.

Tuesday we are going in for another weight check to see how big they have gotten. They will be 1 month old on Tuesday. It's hard to believe how fast time is flying by. Soon they will be dancing around with their older sister and I will really wonder where time has gone!

Today we are probably going to go and visit my Grandparents on my mother's side. I really need to get out of the house. The last 2 days have been really hard around here. The night before last I really struggled and probably cried quite a few times during the night. It does get kind of lonely at home and Abby and I have been home a lot. I did talk to one of my neighbors and we are going to try and set up a play date where we can let our kids play and we can visit. She had a baby girl the week before I did so we both have itty bitties too. She has two older boys too.  We also are going to try and get our family picture taken today. A good friend of mine is going to take it for us. I am excited. I hope we can get a good picture!! Now if only I can find something to wear...

As Christmas nears and my girls snuggle deep into my arms, I ponder on the absolute joy that Mary must have felt. That surging joy and love that envelops you those first few moments and that first cry pierces the air. Honestly I cannot think of a more joyful sound than that of a baby's first cry. If you have ever experienced it you know what I mean. I wonder if Heaven will be like that... this hard struggle and pain and discomfort... though also happy moments and suddenly this amazing burst of joy and love so deep you hardly have words to describe it. :)

Well laundry is calling my name, I have three pj's soaking in the tub with stain remover and two laundry baskets full of dirty laundry. (it never ends...) And since I am feeling ambitious I should get it taken care of. Have a great day!