Sweet Dreams

Sorry, it's been awhile. Things around here have been busy and I've been tired or haven't felt much like writing. I guess that's just how it is sometimes. The girls are both tired and want to go to sleep. Kiley is being held by Tom and is doing the angry pacifier munch. Kara just got done eating and has a half sleepy/milk drunk look on her face. Hopefully she will keep this feed down.

This morning we went over to the neighbors house. Ahhhh the coffee there was amazing. I need that creamer!!! It has opened my eyes to the draw of an entire pot of coffee... wait... do I really need more caffeine? (Some days.. yes) It was a little difficult getting all three girls bundled and across the street alone, especially when Abby decided that the snow looked quite 'munchable' and that I wasn't nearly as interesting. Soooo I handed the twins off to my neighbor and went back for Abby who in my brief run to the house and discovered I was leaving her and promptly planted herself in a snow drift. I then carried a wet, cold and angry Abby into the house. There were 4 infants around the same age, 1 (abby) and 2 older children there.... oh yes and three adults. The coffee was great, the company was fabulous. Kara threw up twice while we were over there, of course she threw up all over the neighbor's couch and kitchen floor. Ugh...

When we left I first ran the babies over to our house, dropped them off, then came back for Abby. By the time we left the snow equipment were out and scooping up snow. I was too afraid Abby would wander off and get hurt by the big machinery so I made for the extra trip. My cell phone was forgotten in the process and my neighbor came by later to drop it off.

Bedtime thus far is not going well. Kara wants to be up and talking, Kiley is cranky and wants to go to sleep but the pacifier keeps plopping out. My friend came over and we had a great time but I'm just exhausted from everything. Thankfully I was able to get my homework done during Abby's nap. My throat is a little sore, I'm tired, cold and achy... I really really hope I'm not getting strep. My brother had it earlier this weekend :(

Maybe I'm just tired....

Kiley and Kara are both holding their heads up very well now. They get tired and will get cranky after so long but they are really working on it. Kiley is my sleeper. She just loves to sleep during the day (and usually at night) She must be going through a growth spurt or something! Kara is my vocal baby. She loves to have interaction and to talk and smile.

Lately Abby has grown more and more attached to me. My mom, sister and I went shopping the other day and she really had a hard time with the knowledge that I was gone. Tom tried everything but just couldn't calm her down. I really enjoyed shopping though and getting out. We had a great time at Hobby Lobby. Kara was a little fussy but did ok. At one point I put her in a basket that was on a shelf and she just sat there, sucking on her pacifier as happy as can be. I took her out of the basket and she started crying again! I found some great deals for my photo taking. I love it. I need a great big tub to store everything in it I think!

We got some finger paints. I'm really hoping that we'll have some time this week to do that. I think Abby will have a great time with that. We made cookies today... we ate far too many of them (mmm they were good though!)

Well I'm tired and the girls are finally falling asleep. Time for me to run. Hopefully they will have a good night. (We've had off and on experiences with this lately) I don't mind if they end up in bed with me as long as they sleep and I sleep! Night :)

Rice Krispees & Snow

Wow Abby is still napping! We are working on 3 possible hours of nap time. I should go wake her up soon but I figured she was probably worn out and needed the longer nap. So we'll see :)

Yesterday was a hard day. I'm not sure if it was the weather or if the girls weren't feeling very good but wow they were all crazy. The day did feel longer because Tom had a work meeting that lasted until 9:30 so he wasn't home until 10. Thankfully there aren't many days like this. I was emotionally and physically drained by the time I fell into bed. Then... I remembered that I had homework. (ugh)

BUT! The girls are sleeping VERY well now! Never never never did I have this experience with Abby. They are literally sleeping for 6-7 hour spans at a time. Praise God! Now, granted usually at least one of them ends up in bed with me around 5-6am but that is still pretty good!  Because this is the 3rd night that they have had very good nights (crosses fingers) and so I'm dropping the MSPI diet. I just don't think it's worth doing! If they start to have issues I will start over again but for now I don't feel the need to starve myself. Hopefully this will continue. When I run all day with the three girls it really helps to have a good night!

Abby and I did a few fun things yesterday. We went outside with Feebee and played in the backyard. Oh Abby and her snow. She loves to eat it. We played for about 30 minuets but it started to rain and we were soaked. I coaxed her back inside with the promise of cookies and juice. :o) We also made Rice Krispies yesterday... I'm not sure if they actually turned out because the Krispies were a little old... but she sure had fun.

Well Kiley is stirring and I should get Abby up before it is too late. We might drive down to my mom's house if I hear back from her. It would be nice to get out a little and the roads aren't as bad as they were saying they might be. Silly weathermen.

SeVeN is the number

Tom is off changing Kiley's diaper... but he'll want the computer back soon so I'll make this quick.

Our morning started off with Tom changing Abby's diaper. I'm not sure of the exact turn of events, all I know is that they were in the bathroom, Abby came out naked, pee'd on the floor, and went back INTO the bathroom to sit on her potty chair. She refused to let Tom put her diaper on for awhile.

I cleaned up one bodily mess.

Naptime. Kara, Kiley and Tom are sleeping in the living room. I hear Abby crying off and on so after 45 minuets I decide to check on her. (I'm wearing Kiley in my Beco) so as we open the door just a crack I catch a wiff of... poo. Ugh... seriously. I saw the diaper in the corner of the crib. Poor Abby woke up with big tears streaming down her face saying "Mooommy" So I called up to Tom who promptly pulled Abby from the crib and gave her a warm bath. I of course ...

cleaned up bodily mess number TWO.

****
But onto the fun news. Kiley slept SEVEN hours straight from 11:30 pm- 6:30am. Kara had me up every two hours so I had plenty of opportunities to check Kiley and make sure she was still breathing. Because as if there aren't enough worries about SIDS, when your baby goes from waking up every 2 hours to not waking up for seven... you worry. So, she slept for seven hours straight. I certainly did not.

I'm wondering if....

• Kara might have MSPI worse then Kiley which gives her tummy aches
• The Prevacid might be starting to work for Kiley (it's been a week
• If I will get a night where they both sleep that long in one shot ever again?

It's hard to know....

******
Abby's corner: (As if she wasn't having enough fun today already) The other day when I had run out of entertainment ideas for Abby, I took a small bowl and filled it with freshly fallen snow. She sat and ate it for 15 minuets. Then splashed in the rest of it. She loves her snow.

I've also discovered that different sized cups make for fantastic toys.... as long as there is water involved. Again, I placed her in her highchair with several different cups, a spoon and one cup filled with water. She loved it and I loved the break from craziness.

We are working on colors right now. She can say orange but yellow seems to escape her. Right now she enjoys letters and numbers more than anything. The other day she knew that when we spell her name y came after the second b. She makes us write it for her a lot.

Kiley's corner: 
Kiley rolled over the other day. Well... sort of. She was laying on her tummy and kept flipping over onto her back like a little turtle, waving her arms and legs in the air. While she isn't as apt to smile as quickly as Kara she will give you plenty of sweet smiles when she is in the mood.

Kara's corner:
Lately whenever Kara gets excited she draws her knees up to her body and flings out her legs. There are so many times that I look at her and I see glimpses of Abby when she was a baby. She loves to smile and coo at us, especially as we put her to bed. I hope that she will sleep better tonight... or maybe she just knows that if she wakes me up enough she'll end up snuggling with mom and dad. :o)

(P.S.... I'm naughty and cheated a little on my diet. I ate a candy bar... I just couldn't resist the call of the Milky Way... I promise I'll be better tomorrow)

BECO!!!

IT CAME!

And I love it....  So does Kiley. She's sleeping in this picture.

Day 2 MSPI diet... Status: Hungry

Kara is propped up on my chest, pacifier in her mouth, swaddle blanket snug. Kiley is right next to the bed in the bassinet with the pacifier in and out and in and out of her mouth. Every time it falls out she gets upset and then Kara gets upset and we start the whole thing over.

There are times I seriously think that having one baby was a piece of cake compared to two. Because having two babies is like having 100.... and I can't imagine having three or even eight. Don't get me wrong they are an amazing blessing and I love them to pieces but it really is an entirely different style of parenting. Especially with a toddler in tow too! Those clowns juggling balls up in the air.... I think I'll give them a break for a bit and they can come juggle my life for awhile!

Someone asked me the other day why I blog. Why... hmmm. Well part of me does it because it is a way to document those little things that my children do during the day. How we are coping. What little things matter during those times. Another part of me wants to share things with family and friends that I don't get a chance to talk with or meet up with often. And finally the other part of me does it just for myself.

I have officially decided that: it is a lot of work to take photos of the twins. Which shouldn't surprise me that much, everything else has been more work! Every time I got Kiley propped up on her tummy, Kara would roll down the pillow I was using to prop them up. Then Kiley would roll down. So I would hold them up, quick pull my hand away and snap the shot. Most of them at the end involved two babies rolling away. But I got a few good pictures. (This is what I do with my free time that I should be cleaning, or doing homework or *gasp* showering.... hmmmm)

This afternoon around 2 I decided to go check on Abby and see if she was awake. A few times I had caught glimpses of sound but she hadn't started screaming at least. Well she wasn't screaming... because she was bouncing--- in her crib. But oh was she having fun. The diaper stayed on with the help of the onesie!

I finally put Kara down into her bed next to Kiley and finally Kiley kept her pacifier in and went to sleep. She made this contented little sigh as if she were telling me that she had been waiting for her sister to come. I can't wait to see their bond grow and develop. Abby has already become such a good sister and helper. It's hard to believe she has grown up so much already herself!

Well everyone else is asleep and that is my cue. Tom is home tomorrow and I'm so excited. I love having him home!

MSPI Day 1

Abby and Feebee are chasing eachother around the house. Abby has an orange ball that Feebee wants and they take turns playing. It's pretty cute to watch, though a little hectic. I had been thinking about getting Feebee a new home because I thought she would just be too much work. This probably won't happen now, her and Abby entertain each other too well. Abs likes to be chased... and I don't always have time to be the chaser.

We are on day 1 of the MSPI diet.

Breakfast: Quaker Oatmeal with frozen blueberries and a tsp of brown sugar; rice milk
Lunch: Fish Fillets and a cup of applesauce
Snack: Apples, Carrots & Fritos (had to have at least ONE good junk food) oh... and of course my coffee with a little rice milk and sugar.
Supper: Sweet Scrumptious Skillet Chicken , Rice and Peaches.

I attempted to make some home made, bread machine ... bread... but I'm not sure if my yeast was old... or if the recipe I used just wasn't good... but it didn't really rise as well as it should. It has been awhile since I made fresh bread so it's possible I just 'messed it up'... it couldn't possibly be because I was taking care of 2 infants & a toddler... while getting supper ready...

My mom came and watched the girls this afternoon while I went and got my oil changed. My brother works at a local shop and he did it for me. It was nice, we were able to have a decent, uninterrupted conversation for 20 minuets. I haven't had such a nice chat in a long time. Guess I should get my oil changed more often!

When I came home I went to get the mail and GASP! New mailbox! Tom hadn't told me that he bought & installed a new mailbox. I literally did a double take and had to check to make sure I was looking in the correct mailbox! The mailman was probably equally pleased. Our old one had a nasty habit of opening up and blowing in rain, snow and other things into it. I once found my CPR recertification card a block away... eep.

***Drumroll***................ I got my Beco!!!!! I haven't been excited about something I've purchased in so long! I hope it gets here soon! I managed to find one on sale for 100 dollars (shipping included in that price) ... a whopping 50 bucks cheaper then  the original price. (if you don't know what a Beco is... it's an infant/toddler carrier) It will help me feel closer to each baby, and the best part is that we can use it with Abby too if needed! It can hold up to 45 pounds and is a back and front carrier. The print below is what I got. As soon as it comes I will take a picture of us using it so that you can get a better look.

Well babies cry... as Abby says. I might have to continue this little entry after Tom gets home. I think Kara is done eating and wants to go to sleep now.

Peek!

For a moment I thought to myself "If only there were more hours in the day"... wait... am I crazy? I'm tired enough as it is already! Things around here these last few days have been a little tough and though I came on here to write I just couldn't seem to put a few thoughts together. I know there will be hard times with this journey, and I guess that is how we appreciate the good times.

We have a new garbage disposal and programmable thermostat! (How is that for rough transitions...) No more leaking nasty, stinky water into a bucket under the sink! Tom installed both of them last night and he did a great job. Abby kept bringing him tools so that she could 'help.'

My mom and I had taken the girls shopping yesterday afternoon. I didn't get much but oh was it nice to just browse around the mall, show off my twins... spend 20ish minuets in a dressing room trying to get the babies fed. You can about imagine how funny it was to see me shove a double stroller in a tiny dressing room. But I got the door closed! (victory) The small victories are important. We also stopped for a quick snack in the mall food court and we enjoyed Moolattes while Abby munched on a hotdog. I tried to enjoy mine as it will be my last one in awhile.

Yeah .... I admit it. I went on a bit of a dairy favorite food binge. I had 2 cups of coffee, several glasses of milk, cheese... butter on my pancakes... you get the picture. Tomorrow I start the dreaded diet.

Well K&K are crying and it's after 11. I should get to bed so I can get some sleep. They've been sleeping with us the last few nights which can get quite crowded. It's allowed me a little more sleep though which made for a better day today for me. But... it's bedtime...

Abby was playing peek a boo in the car with me on the way home...she was so cute... and even with how tough things have been at times. Being a mom is the greatest job ever.

Feeling Trapped

I wish I were stronger.

It's just hard right now.

Badgers Badgers Badgers

Well here is the 2nd go around on this update thing. Yesterday I was just so exhausted from lugging around two 10 pounders around in their car seats and not getting a good night's rest.

I'm working hard on trying to get myself excited about this MSPI diet thing. I found two great blogs where other moms have posted recipes without soy, dairy and even options for other food allergy mommas. Right now I'm making a list of Main Meals, Breakfast, Snacks... etc that I can make. Then I'm making up next weeks meals so that I can go into the grocery store with my list, grab exactly what I need and then work on making those meals on Sunday when Tom is home to help me with the kiddos. At Walmart we found some containers that Ziploc makes with separate compartments where I can put together whole meals and then put them in the freezer if there is something we like!

The positive outlook: We will be eating hardly any processed and/or junk foods.
The negative outlook: I have to be very careful that I eat enough calories to provide enough milk for the girls and so that I don't lose too much weight myself ,AND the foods that I buy will be more expensive and harder to find.

Kiley found her fist the other day :o) She was sucking away on it and had this excited look on her face that screamed "Look what I can do mom!!" They were both just completely exhausted from all of our adventures yesterday. We tried the Neocate formula bottle last night. Kiley fell asleep before she could get her chance at it and Kara only drank an ounce. They aren't as happy with the Dr. Brown bottles as they were with the Soothie ones (The Soothies are shaped like their pacifiers). I hate to throw away the extra formula because the cans cost 50 dollars a piece. Dr. D wrote me prescriptions for each girl so that if we decide to move them onto the formula our insurance will help pay for the special stuff. We would be in trouble if we had to pay for it ourselves. It could cost 200 dollars a month per girl! (How do people do it?)

I even managed to get their Prevacid down into them this morning... of course it's a tricky timing issue. They need to take it on empty stomachs, and not eat 30 minuets after they take the medication. Kiley & Kara eat every hour to 2 hours usually so finding that time gap in the morning is hard. We need to give them the Prevacid twice a day. It could take up to two weeks before we see any real results with it either. *sigh*

They are both a little more fussy today, perhaps they are getting back at me for messing up their schedules yesterday. Hopefully they won't be fussy all day! I need to get some work done around here. I have homework that is due tomorrow, baptism invites to send out, cleaning to do... plus I need to get next week's food schedule done. Phew!

Well I suppose I should get a few things done while Abby is napping. Grandma Renae brought Feebee home and I need to give her a bath and a slight trim. I think Abby will enjoy having her home to play with. If she gets to be too much she might go back to the farm again... but we'll see. Right now she is laying on a rug by the door and is being good. At least we have a backyard fence!

Cute Abby Story:  Abby has a little pink pig that walks, snorts and wags it's tail. She was playing with it like it was her best friend today. Calling to it "Here piggy piggy!" and carrying it around with her all over the house. She probably played with it for 20 minuets! (which for Abby is a loooong time)

And for some strange reason she always wants me to play this song for her... I caught a few of her dance moves... she also sings to it but wouldn't do it while I had the camera on her.

GI Appointment

Well I just got back from the GI specialist that Abby had seen when she was younger. The girls both passed their Video Swallow Studies (VSS). I'm SOOO happy with this! The Upper GI study showed reflux, which I knew it would. The girls are both 21 inches and 10lbs!! Kiley was 3 ounces heavier at 10lb 5oz. So they are growing great and we have no issues with that.

Dr. D thinks that the coughing and choking is stemming from the girls trying to drink the milk down, the reflux coming up and trying to breathe. He said that otherwise they should be ok. We are going to start them on Prevacid twice daily to see if we can cut down on the acid coming up into their throats. He also wants them on a vitamin supplement.

Annnnd.... the icky part. I need to start on the MSPI (Milk, Soy, Protein Intolerance) diet. ICK. To give you an idea of what I need to look for on labels....

Ingredients that mean contains soy:

• hydrolyzed soy protein
• miso
• shoyo sauce
• soy flour
• soy grits
• soy nuts
• soy milk
• soy sprouts
• soy protein concentrate
• soy protein isolate
• soy sauce
• tempeh
• textured vegetable protein (TVP)
• tofu
• soy lecithin
• soy oil

Other possible sources of soy or soy products:

• flavorings
• hydrolyzed plant protein
• hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• natural flavoring
• vegetable broth
• vegetable gum
• vegetable starch

(most babies will not react to soy oil or soy lecithin, but the very sensitive baby may still react)

Ingredients that mean contains dairy:

• Acidophilus Milk
• Ammonium Caseinate
• Butter
• Butter Fat
• Butter Oil
• Butter Solids
• Buttermilk
• Buttermilk Powder
• Calcium Caseinate
• Casein
• Caseinate (in general)
• Cheese (All animal-based)
• Condensed Milk
• Cottage Cheese
• Cream
• Curds
• Custard
• Delactosed Whey
• Demineralized Whey
• Dry Milk Powder
• Dry Milk Solids
• Evaporated Milk

• Ghee
• Goat Milk
• Half & Half
• Hydrolyzed Casein
• Hydrolyzed Milk Protein
• Iron Caseinate
• Lactalbumin
• Lactoferrin
• Lactoglobulin
• Lactose
• Lactulose
• Low-Fat Milk
• Magnesium Caseinate
• Malted Milk
• Milk
• Milk Derivative
• Milk Fat
• Milk Powder
• Milk Protein
• Milk Solids
• Natural Butter Flavor

• Nonfat Milk
• Nougat
• Paneer
• Potassium Caseinate
• Pudding
• Recaldent
• Rennet Casein
• Skim Milk
• Sodium Caseinate
• Sour Cream
• Sour Milk Solids
• Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Sweet Whey
• Whey
• Whey Powder
• Whey Protein Concentrate
• Whey Protein Hydrolysate
• Whipped Cream
• Whipped Topping
• Whole Milk
• Yogurt
• Zinc Caseinate

Is that enough??? Can you see why shopping might be a little exhausting? I'm going to try it for two months and see if it works. This time I'm going to be better prepared though. I'll look some good MSPI diet meals that I can make, devote one day where I will make a bunch of food and then freeze them. This way it will be taken care of and I won't need to stress about it or devote a bunch of time to the diet. I'm not going to start today, I'll probably start this weekend on Sunday so that I can start at the beginning of the week.

Well I have to go... I'll write more on this when I have a little more time.... But thats the update for now