4 to 5 Months: Giggles

February 12, 2014

Dear Alice and Evan

You're five months old today and our activities consisted of loading you up in the car to run errands and buy Crave cupcakes for a friend's Birthday. Someday you will know all the glory that a cupcake can be.

THE FOOD SITUATION: Until then it's still formula and breast milk for you guys. This month it was getting harder to fill you up on one breast each so we are now alternating feedings of breast and formula so you can be more satisfied. This works quite well as long as you guys (Evan this month) are not on some kind of food strike... Maybe due to teething but it's hard to tell. Your growth is slow and steady. Perhaps next month we will start solids but all my research has said that your stomachs aren't ready to digest such things, even though you have tried wee tastes of banana and prune/applesauce. So far you are very messy with such things so I'm not sure your tongues are ready either.

We have tried to get out for walks once a week. Most of the time it happens but its still pretty cold and pushing the stroller through the snow banks has not been easy. It's a good work out for Mommy. I thought you guys might like to look at the world but usually you just fall asleep, despite the crazy jostling. Same with car rides and errands, best to do during nap times because you guys are just gonna sleep anyway.

THE SLEEP SITUATION: Although we still don't have an established nap time you guys sleep so well at night I just give you free reign throughout the day. With bedtime somewhere between 9:30pm and 10pm and mornings around 6am we are getting 8.5 hours each night. For that, and as well as no inconsolable crying, we know we are blessed.

The best thing, by far, this month and overall was been the development of your giggles. Both of you decided, within days of each other after turning 4 months old, that you were now ticklish and enjoying silly noises to the point of laughing. I love making you guys laugh, and so does Daddy. 

 

EVAN, you have ticklish toes (even just when cutting nails) and like it when Mommy pretends to eat you. This usually gets a giggle. You also spend time standing on our laps and dancing, and this makes you laugh too. You still like it when we say "boggity boo" so we have started to call you Mr. Boogie. Another nickname for you is Slug because you still haven't rolled over. Although you can get your hips over you still don't want to lift up your head on your own to get into full on tummy time position. We have to help roll you up, but at least you are more tolerant now. You play a lot of superman with Mommy and rocket ship with Daddy. The Winkle or Crinkly Monkey are your favorite toys, but really you'll chew on anything you get your hands on. Other than your frustrating food strikes (Mommy wants you to eat and grow!) you have been a good boy. You do seem to be getting longer and we upgraded you guys to 6 month clothes which I feel like you will grow into quickly. Just waiting for you to fill out a bit so you're not so lean. We have also dabbled a bit in real clothes, eg. jeans and shirts and overalls, thanks to Nana. I guess one can't wear pjs forever. And you have started to sprout some hair on that bald little head of yours. It's much darker than your birth hair and very soft. My fuzzy, happy little guy! So eager to smile, even when you are a little cranky or sleepy, you can always squeeze one out. It lights up the room every time. Oh yeah, and you officially outgrew your sister! Good job, little guy!
 

ALICE, you are mostly ticklish around your ears and neck and love slobbery kisses there, and your tummy as well. You are a pro at rolling over and get frustrated because you can't go any further now that you've accomplished that. In time, my girl. You are always on the go and get bored easily. You love making noises and every couple of days you find new sounds to experiment with. This month you learned how to blow bubbles, then buzz your lips and spit, and now squealing is your favorite, sometimes rolling your tongue when you do it. It is loud but you have so much fun doing it all we can do is laugh. You have also been a good girl though sometimes you get so bored of the same things all you want is to be carried around and look at things. We started story time and your favorite book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear. You love to cuddle with Pink Monkey during naps. You have begun to note your brother more and most of the time decide that he is something to chew on... Often this is his head. So, yes, Mommy has actually said, 'Alice, don't eat your brother.' You are often a little Zombie baby and will try to eat Mommy and Daddy as well... in addition to anything else that you can get your hands on. You too have grown a lot in length and are wearing 6 month clothes as well. Nana bought you some cute overalls dresses and shirts so we've had a couple dress up days for you too. You are long and lean, and getting big girl hair. All your baby fuzz is gone and thicker strands are coming in. Sometimes it looks blonde and sometimes more brunette but we are not sure what you will be at this point. 
 

We love you both so much. Keep smiling!

Weights: Evan 13.1lbs Alice 12.8lbs

3 to 4 Months: The Happiest Holiday Season

January 12, 2014

Dear Little Ones

Yeah! Your first Christmas! Ok, so second Christmas is going to be way more fun because you guys were just too little to enjoy anything and your bedtime conflicted a bit with our previous adult only Christmas routines. There will be some adjusting for 'the fam' but I have to admit that I am excited for the new breath of joy you guys will bring to this wonderful season! I hope you will grow to love the spirit of Christmas and enjoy, and carry on, old and new traditions. We have so much planned for the years ahead. 

We did manage to take some pretty cute Christmas shots and you guys are getting really used to the camera. Nothing depicts the joy of this Christmas better than cute babies wrapped in lights! It really was A Baby Christmas in the house. The tree was packed with so many presents for you guys from all our far away family; lots of first Christmas ornaments, cool hats and clothes, toys you can grow into, and your very special teddy bears, from Nana and Grandpa, of course! Christmas Eve was a late one at Auntie Lindsay and Uncle Dave's and it threw us all off. Despite a later night we were all up bright and early for a fireplace cuddle the next morning. We had a quiet Christmas morning at home and then went to Nana and Grandpa's for the rest of Christmas Day. You guys were very good for this; sleeping, nursing, and just hanging out while the family opened gifts. Doing things with you in the day is much easier than in the evening. We are learning this the hard way by pushing you guys during the witching hour, which is around 7:30. Then we had another late night for Christmas Eve dinner. We tried very hard to play Auntie Lindsay's game but I had to go upstairs and feed you guys and then we had to duck out early again as it was way past bedtime. However, this was not before Mommy found the Christmas pickle (second place). Glad I bought such a big pickle for our own giant tree or you guys would never spot it! Then, Uncle Kevin came to meet you guys between Christmas and New Years! I'm so glad you guys got to meet him so early. It was really great to see him during the holidays, even if it was quick. For New Years we had Jen and Dave over and you guys went to bed at your regular time and slept while we played quiet board games and missed the countdown by accident, oops. Happy 2014! So that was your first Christmas Holidays in a nutshell.

You also had a quick visit with your first baby friend, Astrid. It's the first baby you guys have seen. Evan and Astrid shared a couple smiles and then you guys squirmed around on the play mat and let her play with your jingly octopus. What nice babies to share your toys! 

THE SLEEP SITUATION: So we've found if we don't mess with your schedule you are consistently sleeping 8 hours. This is good. I feel like I can tackle any day as long as I can get 8 hours too. Sometimes I feel like Alice would sleep even longer if little Even didn't get us all up in the morning. You are still the last to bed and first to rise, little guy. A few days before you guys turned 4 months we moved you to separate cribs. Not only were you getting too long to lie in them perpendicularly, but Evan wouldn't sleep unless Alice was sleeping first, and we want you guys to be independent! You guys made that transition without so much as a hiccup. Nights are going very well. The only problem with this long sleeping is that by the time the morning rolls around  Mommy's boobies are super duper full! I have taken to sleeping with a beach towel over them as the breast pads just don't contain the mess and I was tired of changing bed sheets. I've said it once and I'll say it again: Breast feeding is messy!  

At 4 months old we decided to buy you guys a Bumbo. It's a little red rubber chair to help you guys sit up. Mostly this was to help get you guys off the floor and have gravity help with your heads. Alice has been to physio a couple times to make sure she has no neck tightness making her always turn to one direction. We have worked hard to even you out little miss; always wanting to look tot the right. I blame your womb position. Being off the floor should help. Evan has the same problem, just more on the back of his head so we are taking the same measures with him. Being on your backs to sleep is great to reduce SIDS but not so good for perfectly shaped heads. Anyway, you guys seem to enjoy sitting up for short periods, but it's obvious your heads get heavy and you need a break. Someday you won't have to work so hard to hold your heads up! Imagine that! 

 

EVAN... You are ever more a charmer. You have mastered smiling in an 'aw shucks' kind of way that melts our hearts. You still love the letter B and singing... Almost any song works but Morning Train and Cheers are still high on the favorite list, and We Built this City and Teddy Bear Picnic as well. Thanks to your awesome core strength we have mastered the double pick up as Mommy can scoop you with one arm while holding Alice. You still like to look up and stay stiff as a board, and your planking is top notch. The mirror on the play mat finds you often staring intently at yourself while holding your fists out, sometimes a few words are even exchanged. Every now and then your hands catch your eye and you stare at them intently instead. My little boxer, keep your hands up! You have started to make some sounds and have a grumbly way of conversing, which means you usually have to furrow your brow when you do it. Every now and then we get high pitched squeals of delight or attention seeking. Still for the most part you are the strong, silent type. Your favorite toy is the Winkle Grammie sent you for Christmas; it's the best for grabbing and chewing. You also like to chew on your striped monkey when it's sleepy time. And sometimes your hands. If you could fit both fists in your mouth at the same time I'm sure you would.

 

ALICE... You are a little cutie pie and so very curious. We used to think you were the lazy baby but our minds sure have changed about that. You've become a pro at tummy time and can lift your head up quite well. Just before you hit four months you surprised Mommy one day and just rolled over on your own! So so proud! You also are more aware of the other little person in the house and look over at your brother from time to time to check out a sound he is making or something else he is doing. You love babbling with anyone who will listen. The sounds you make are adorable! Your favorite toy is sometimes the Winkle (there's only one) but usually you like your pink striped monkey, it's better for chewing. Sometimes I think maybe you are teething, but most of the time i think you are probably just being a baby. Your hand eye coordination is spot on, mostly because for the last month you've decided to be a thumb sucker! I will admit that it drove me a little bonkers at first because I will give you a nice meal and then you immediately suck your thumb after, making me think you are still hungry... Perhaps you were. You can never really tell how much breast milk you guys are getting. At least formula drinking is quantitative. We will know next time you weigh in how the eating is going. This is the only anxiety I have right now, that somehow you guys just aren't getting enough to eat. Oh that you would talk and tell me! Finnigan has become Alice's fun morning time buddy and he has started to let you pet him. My hope is for him to be a best friend to you guys. I always loved my cats growing up and hope you will too!

 

As the weeks go by you guys are slowly looking less alike, and your individual personalities begin to emerge. Can't wait to see where your curiosity will take you Alice. Or to watch Evan quietly take everything in and work his charms.

 

Weights: Evan 11.0lbs Alice 11.2lbs

2 to 3 Months: Christmas Visits and Tradition

December 12, 2013

Dear Babies

As you turned 3 months old we were just saying goodbye to Grammie as she was going back to Nova Scotia. She came to visit you guys just before Christmas. It was very special to have her here and although we were stuck inside the whole time due to brutally cold temperatures, everyday was lovely and relaxing. Both of you guys loved being rocked by Grammie and listening to all her songs. Alice, you especially liked having long chats with her and usually had a lot to say! You guys will miss her, and so will Mommy and Daddy.
 

So Christmas will soon be here. Your first Christmas! Someday you will know what a crazy Christmas lady your Mommy is. I was determined to put up both our trees and have our party as per usual. And we did! With help from Nana and Grammie and Daddy we did it all. Decorating was done before Grammie got here and Mommy had lots of time to bake and cook all our traditional Christmas yummies! Next year you guys can actually help! We also had our usual open house. It was a little crazy to organize the food and the cookies AND visit with everyone but you guys were in a lot of good hands. Probably our turn out was so good just because people wanted to come see you guys. It was a nice little holiday gathering despite the feeling of chaos. 

 

You also made an appearance at Grampa and Grams' Christmas party. We had to keep it short so you guys wouldn't turn into little green monsters and become instantly less fun! You guys did well and just hung out on Mommy and Daddy's laps while numerous people oohed and awed. 

 

You had a huge outing at the Christmas market with Nana and Mommy. We loaded everyone up, stocked up the diaper bag, and headed off to Spruce Meadows where the market is always held. We did ok until you guys got hungry and we ran out of bottles. Then Nana found the Mommy Room behind a curtain so we were able to breastfeed and change everyone; taking turns while Nana showed the other one off between the vendor stalls. It gave us a whole new burst of energy for another couple hours to shop some more. In totally it was 6 hours out. I was very proud of you guys for your market endurance as this is already a family tradition.

We also went to see Auntie Kendra in A Christmas Carol while you guys had your first babysitting with Nana and Grandpa. We also took Grammie out to Banff for another outing that needed babysitting. It was a nice to get out but I felt bad and missed you guys. 

Auntie Michelle visited you this month from Toronto. Alice showed her appreciation by spitting up all over Auntie's shirt. Maria and Jennifer Keller also came from Edmonton to visit and bring you special ornaments. What lucky babies to have so many exciting visitors!

We hit the 6 week peak of crying and didn't notice much difference either way. You guys seem to be pretty average in that department and still only really cry when you need or want something; and can usually be consoled quickly if someone is around and free to do it.

THE SLEEP SITUATION: We have developed a bedroom routine of putting Alice down first, then Evan right after. You both like to nurse and cuddle almost an hour before bed so it is a process. But by the time you guys turned 3 months we had you sleeping from 10pm to 6am, most nights. I also credit this to shutting the blinds so the room is dark. Before we had them open so you guys could learn what day and night was but as soon as we shut the blinds you guys had your first long night. Thank you for being good sleepers! Most of the mornings I am woken up by full boobies or the cats. Ergh, the cats! They have decided since we are up early to ask for breakfast sometimes at 5am. I told them they have to at least wait until 6 but this doesn't stop them from asking. I hope you guys have pets that can be free fed! At least Finnigan has decided to become your friend. He especially enjoys mornings and sandwiching you against Mommy while he sleeps on the nursing pillow. It keeps everyone snugly warm.

You guys have both started to wiggle and squirm a lot and Alice almost rolled off the pillow one day! You both are also starting to reach out and whack at things that are in front of you. So, this month we retired all the pillows and cushions for a proper play area set up with foam pads and quilts and the baby gym where there is a mirror and lots of hanging toys. Starting to have some fun with toys!

ALICE, just after turning 2 months old, 3 days after Evan, you rewarded Mommy with a big goofy smile! You are so cute and coy about it, it's beautiful! You still are making a lot of fun faces in addition to smiling, especially when you are waking up. Nana is having lots of fun trying to capture pictures of them all. Alice, your favorite part of the new play area is the hanging mirror and you enjoying long conversations with yourself. When we join in on the conversation your favorite word is "O" or "ho ho ho." Everyone loves talking with you! You are grabbing things on your own now and seem to enjoy chewing on your pink striped monkey the most. This month you are officially out of newborn clothes and in the 0 to 3 month ones. Some of these sleepers are so cute and pretty on you. I wish you could stay this size longer so you could keep wearing them. Nana has been buying both of you the most stylist sleepers ever! Lucky kids! She has just finished knitting you some outdoor hats, and thank goodness because it is cold! We always get lots of compliments when we wear our hats out and about. Can't wait for our stylish matching sweaters!

Once you turned two months old, EVAN, you were able to hold your head up during tummy time. You still don't really like to be on your tummy but manage ok once we put you there. For a short time that is. You are also into 0 to 3 month old clothes and are catching up to your sister in the weight department. You look especially cool in whites, kind of like a wise old Sensei with your Captain Picard head. You are a master at planking and standing up when someone holds you. Your legs are very strong! You have also enjoyed spending time on the play mat and like to just quietly look at yourself in the mirror. Either that or swatting at the rattlesnake over your bouncer.  Also, now that your vision has improved you really like to watch your mobile or stare at the monkey with the orange eyes over the change table. You even crack a smile now and then at him. You also like to smile at words that start with "B" and like it when we say boggity boo! You are in love with the theme song to Cheers! Where everybody knows your name! We love you and all your smiles; they brighten everyday!

Weights: Evan 10.1lbs Alice 10.7lbs