It's Hard to Believe

It is hard for me to believe that my babies are 4 months old.  Yes, they are 1/3 of the way through their first year.  This makes me sad some days because I know they are my last children but most of the time I am so happy that they are getting bigger and more interactive with us.  I neglected to put up a 3 month post so here are some pictures that I took at 3 months.  I don't have official weights or lengths but I think Zach was around 14 1/2 pounds and Jake was close to 16 pounds.

Zach

Jake

Uncle Danny was able to make it out for a quick visit and Olivia had a ton of fun with him.  They bonded over jumping on the bed and decorating her brothers with stickers.  Now, if only I could have gotten him to get up with the boys at night it would have been a perfect visit!

Never know what is going to happen when Uncle Danny comes!

Zach always stops smiling as soon as I raise the camera so I kind of caught a partial smile here.  He has the best wide open mouth smile ever.

Jake looks as if he's planning something here.

My boys

They are both really happy boys. Jake, in particular, wakes up with a huge smile on his face which sticks around most of the day as long as he is fed and gets adequate sleep.  For a stretch both boys slept through the night (7:30 to approximately 5ish) but now Jake is getting up at 3:30 which I suppose is better than 1 or 2.  He is usually up for good at about 6 or 6:30.  Zach, on the other hand, is getting up around 5 to eat and then wants to stay up.  Not fun.  He'll usually go back to sleep around 6:30 when Jake is getting up.  They have impeccable timing.

Both boys are still eating a ton but luckily I am still keeping up.  In fact, after having to defrost about 1 bag a day for about a week and a half after a clogged duct about a month and a half ago, I've actually been able to freeze a bunch more milk in the last couple of weeks.  I am so glad that I have been able to exclusively give them breastmilk though we do cheat and put some rice cereal in their bedtime bottles.  I think it helps Zach more than Jake.

I won't have their heights and weights until the end of next week at their check-up but here are some things they are doing.  At 4 months both boys are getting used to the Bumbo chair as they practice sitting up on their own.  We attempted giving both boys some rice cereal over the weekend without success.  Zach about gagged and Jake started screaming.  We'll try again in a few weeks but at least we have video to blackmail them in the future. 

Jake is blowing raspberries and talking up a storm both to himself and to others.  He's becoming very proficient at reaching out and grabbing at the toys that hang on the toy bar on his bouncy chair and he loves grabbing fingers and playing with them.  He has start belly laughing which is the best sound.  He still loves his sister - she was the first thing we ever heard him laugh at - and his pacifier.  Another paci kid.  Great.  You all know how I feel about that but whatever.  He is still the smiley one and is still a mama's boy.  He is a load and when he wants to be held all.the.time. my arms ache.  He has much better control of his head now but is still kind of spastic with his movements.  He scratches his forehead and the back of his head all the time to the point where he has scratch marks and irritated skin even though I keep his fingernails clipped as short as I can.  Jake also loves his baths.  Water in the face doesn't bother him in the least and I think he'd spend a lot more time in the tub if he could.

Jake, our happy boy

Zach started blowing raspberries before Jake and will still talk a lot but not as much as his brother.  He is kind of laughing but not the belly laugh yet.  He is close though.  Turns out that Z is our thumb sucker.  It has to be his left thumb though.  He has seemed to favor his left side so I'm wondering if he is going to be our southpaw.  He is trying to reach out for stuff but isn't quite there yet but you can see him concentrating so hard on it.  One major physical milestone that he has passed is rolling from front to back.  I walked into their bedroom one morning and he had rolled to his back.  It happened again a couple of nights later and now he does it all the time.  You can tell that he is so proud of himself but it becomes a problem when he pushes himself into a corner of the crib and can't roll out of it so starting the whining and crying for mom and dad (this inevitably happens at the most inopportune time).  He is drooling and gnawing like crazy so I wonder if he is going to be getting a tooth sooner than later.  Plus, he sports a sweet mohawk.

Zach getting ready to blow a raspberry.

"Hello there!"

Olivia is 3!

Olivia turned 3 a couple of weeks ago and we had a party for her with several of her friends able to make it. We had a lot of fun and her brothers enjoyed their first birthday party even though they both slept through part of it. We had lots of extra hands to hold them and I don't remember even seeing either one of them for a couple of hours. It was odd but kind of nice to have a break and let everyone else enjoy them. 

We opened presents after everyone had left and I didn't think to get pictures.  She got several Zhu Zhu pets and the Zhu Zhu pet princess castle and carriage, lots of stickers and activity books, one of those sit on bouncy balls (that she adores) and several other things.  We really need to get rid of some stuff to accommodate all the new items she received.

We got a bunch of balloons and pink and purple decorations

My sister and parents were able to come out for the party



The set up for our ice cream sundae bar!  We had chocolate, strawberry and caramel sauces, mini chocolate chips, marshmallows, whipped cream and sprinkles to top the ice cream as well as fruit and marshmallow cream dip to go along with the cake.

 

We were singing to her.  She wasn't quite sure she liked that.

She wanted a cake with pink and purple horses on it but the best I could come up with were My Little Pony decorations.  She picked out the other Minnie Mouse decorations to add to it.  It was kind of a strange themed party with a My Little Pony and Minnie Mouse cake, and Backyardigan, Tinkerbell and Minnie Mouse balloons.



At 3, Olivia is going on 13.  I went into a lot about her in the previous post but some days the things she says make me wonder where she came from! I'll "blame" some of it on her father.  I can only imagine what she is going to be like as a teenager with the attitude she throws at us at times.  But all in all she is awesome.  She is a good kid and a great big sister.  I can't wait to see the girl/teenager/woman she will turn into.

The other big news in Olivia's world is that she is now pacifier free! Woohoo! I hated that thing. The Paci Pixie came a few days after her birthday and left her a present for giving up her pacifier. We put the pacifier in a bowl and left it just outside her bedroom door for the Pixie just like we left treats for Santa and the Easter Bunny. When O went to bed she didn't whine or ask for it once and hasn't since. It's been awesome. I didn't think it was going to be this easy! I think it helped that she could understand what was going on and was (kind of) ready for it.

One last picture of her with her pacifier.  We also removed the barriers on her bed so now she is in the "day bed" set up.

The day before O's party our friends Andi and Kyle had a 2nd birthday party for their son Landon.  It was at our local splash pad and we had a really fun time.  O loves going to parks but still isn't quite sure about the water.  We can't get her to get her face wet at all.  I am not looking forward to ever getting her into swimming lessons!



Landon got Elmo and Cookie Monster cakes.  He loved the singing and wanted us to sing more so we sang "Happy Birthday" twice.

Ashlee enjoyed her Elmo cupcake!

So did Olivia.  She even had some Cookie Monster cupcake too.  She has a sweet tooth just like her mom.



Can't Forget Olivia!

My little Liv is going to be 3 soon and I can't believe it.  She has turned into such a wonderful little girl.  Most days.  She has her moments as all children her age do but she really is a sweet kid.  She LOVES her baby brothers so much and always wants to hug or kiss them and rub their "wubby" cheeks.  We assume she means chubby but who knows.

Before her first dance class which also became her last dance class because she decided she wasn't going to have anything to do with the teacher or the class.  We'll wait until she's a little older and try again.

She is becoming a lot like her mother in personality and in looks.  She is quite orderly as evidenced below with how she lined up her pillows and dolls on her bed.  She loves books and will sleep with several in her bed at night.  I can only hope that her love of reading continues as she gets older.  She is incredibly smart with a brain that forgets nothing.  She is constantly reminding us of things we said we would do or that we said she could have.  Nothing gets past her, which can be a problem for John and I sometimes.  It is not easy to distract her when she has her mind made up that she wants something.

Right now Olivia likes anything pink, purple, butterfly, Tinkerbell, Minnie Mouse or Disney Princess. Once she latches onto something, whether it be a toy, lovie or item of clothing she doesn't want to let it go. She would probably wear the same pajamas or outfits every day if we let her.

This is a dress from my friend, Sara's, daughter, Mia, that Olivia will wear over and over again.


My Aunt Barb came out to visit for about a week last month and she and Olivia bonded.  Liv loved her and still talks about her fairly often.  It helps that Barb is Bobcat Busha's sister I think.

The boys couldn't have asked for a better big sister than Olivia.  We have been very lucky in that she hasn't had any problems with the boys.  She told me the other day that she loves her baby brothers and that she is glad she has them.  There were a few weeks there were we saw some jealousy but she didn't project it at the babies.  John and I got the brunt of the whininess and neediness but it's starting to even out as we're getting more into a routine now that I'm back at work and we have set times every day where it is just her and us.  We're probably going to take her to the circus in a few weeks for some one on one time that I think she'll really enjoy.

With "Zach Attack" as she calls him.  Jake is "Jake the Snake".

Having fun in the bathtub with Daddy.  I do not endorse the messages he writes on the sides of the tub.

I have to admit that I am glad that it is just Olivia and I as the only girls in the family.  It's us against the guys and I couldn't think of a person I'd rather have in that situation.

Sometimes I Just Need a Little Encouragement

Since going back to work I've been struggling with taking care of the babies, Olivia, and John (and myself!) while also working full time and making sure the house is clean (it's not) and that dinner is on the table (it gets there though its not what I'd call a "real dinner" most nights - I'm lucky if I can get O a hot dog, vegetables and milk).  Taking care of two babies is no cake walk and I'm really feeling the effects of sleep deprivation and frustration.  I'm constantly having to remind myself that all of the struggles are temporary.  The boys will start sleeping through the night and things will get easier.  My mom forwarded me some stuff to encourage me and remind me of this (thanks Mom!).  I highlighted the ones in the first e-mail that I found particularly relevant for where I am right now.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.33. Believe in miracles.34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

I have to remember that the babies aren't always going to be the size they are now forever.  I got a link to a friend's pictures of her twins and I realized that I was already forgetting what mine were like when they were only a few weeks old.  I don't want to waste my time being upset while they're this little because they are only this little once, and like it said above, they only have one childhood.  Plus, with them being my last babies I want to enjoy every age.

The other e-mail she send has to do with asking for help.  Specifically asking for God's help.


There, before the throne of God, is a huge multitude of people, and they're all shaking their fists at him and complaining about this situation and that, and each person ends his complaint with "Why didn't you do something?" And then God says to all of us, "Why didn't you ask?"

— from Dion the Wanderer Talks Truth
 
I really thought I'd be able to handle the twins without much help.  Boy was I wrong!  Two babies isn't just two times the work.  It's way more than that.  I have been extremely lucky though in that both boys are incredibly healthy and normal and so many people have come out to help us out.  My family is the best and I know that when I need help they, and He, will be there for me.  I just need to ask.

Easter

My parents and sister were in town for Easter this year and it was really nice to spend a holiday with family.  It doesn't happen a lot for us being so far away from everyone.  Olivia had a wonderful time with her Busha and Dadu coloring eggs and participating in our annual egg-cracking contest on Easter morning.

Ready to dye!

Checking out the results - let's just say we had some interesting looking eggs

The Easter bunny was great to Olivia this year and the favorite thing she got this year was a metal monkey water bottle and green monkey jammies.  Plus she got some new Tinkerbell underwear that she loved.  It's the little things that impress her.  =)  We didn't do baskets for the boys this year because, really, what do you get 2 month olds?  Diapers?  We do have baskets for them because a family friend got all three kids personalized baskets with their name on them.  The boys look like Olivia's but the bunny has a bow tie, not a flower, and instead of pink lining it's blue.  They are really cute!

The chocolate went fast (thanks to sneaky mom and dad) but we are still finishing all the jelly beans that she got.

Laundry

Alright, I know I posted this last week but for whatever reason it didn't save.  Anyway, I'm not going to try to remember everything I posted so I'll just say that this is 5 days worth of laundry.  Pre-twins I did laundry once a week on Sundays and normally only had 5 loads (4 before Olivia).  Now I easily have 6-8 depending on how pukey the boys were.  Now I am doing laundry on Fridays when I work from home so that I don't have the kids distracting me and I can get it all done in one day.

The wall is about 3 feet high so you can kind of get an idea of the size of the pile. The pictures really don't do it justice.

These are the boys' sheets and burp cloths only.

2 Months Old!

The boys turned 2 months old on April 17th so as of yesterday they are actually 11 weeks old.  The time has flown by.  They are continuing to grow like weeds.  At their check-up Jake was 13 lb 10 oz and 24.5" (90th and 92nd percentile).  Zach was a little smaller at 12 lb and 24" (50th and 80th percentile).  Jake is trying to keep up with his sister who was always in the 95+ percentile range. 

I just realized as I was putting these pictures in that I put the wrong lovie with each boy.  Oops.

I love this because it looks like they're saying "Holla!" and are ready to party.

Jake and Zach started at daycare this week.  Yes, I am back to work.  I officially return to the office on Monday but I did work from home a couple of days this week.  It sucks but its what we need to do right now.  John is going to be responsible for getting all three of the munchkins ready to go in the morning so I'm anxious to see how that goes.  Not because I don't think he can do it.  I know he can.  It's just a lot, especially with two infants and a very headstrong almost 3 year old.  Luckily they are able to go to the same daycare as O and we are so comfortable sending them there so I have no qualms about that part of it.  Do I wish that I could stay home with them?  Sure.  Most days.  They are a lot of work and my job is easier than staying home but its not nearly as rewarding.  But, I will admit, it is nice to have a break every now and then.

They are not sleeping completely through the night yet but Zach essentially is.  He'll sleep from 7:15 or so to about 5.  He'll then get up, eat, and go back to sleep for several more hours.  John or I have to wake him at 7:30 to get ready for daycare.  If only Jake were the same way.  He still gets up a couple of times a night and occasionally doesn't want to go back to sleep after his 4:30 or 5 feeding because it is already starting to get light outside.  It's killing me!  Especially now that I am really going to have to be up after that feeding to get ready for work.  Unfortunately, I think that if we'd let them sleep on their stomachs more they would sleep better.

Jake is still our smiley one.  He will smile and try to be all coy.  He's our ladies man and is going to be a flirt.  He is also extremely high-maintenance.  He will whine and moan when you put him down.  Not really crying, just making noise and doing the lip thing.  It's pretty funny.  Once you pick him up, he's good.  He also absolutely loves Olivia.  He will smile when she's around and watch her as she runs around.  I think he'd rather watch her than be with John and I.  O calls him "Jakery" (because we call Zach Zachary fairly often) and "bobblehead" because he doesn't quite have total control of his huge noggin.

Zach, as well as being my awesome sleeper, is my talker.  I love it!  He will sit and talk to you for a long time.  The best is when he's eating, looks up at me, smiles and coos.  It doesn't matter that it might be 2 a.m.  He's quite a mover too.  He's all over his bed, especially when he naps on his stomach.  I'll come in and he'll be turned perpendicular to when I laid him down and pressed up against the end of the crib.  Just yesterday I was watching him on the play mat and he was getting onto his side from his back.  He will be rolling over first. And I think he'll be doing it soon.

Just some more pictures of the boys together.

I really wish this weren't blurry!

Love the looks on their faces.

Trying to hold hands.