7 to 8 Months: Busy Babies No Time to Sleep

May 12, 2014

Oh Babies!

These past few weeks have felt very busy! You are growing and learning so much everyday even I have a hard time keeping up. And best of all... Spring is here! Ok, yes it did snow the first week of May but once that heavy layer melted it definitely has felt more spring-ish. Both Mommy and Daddy are really looking forward to spending the summer with you guys.

We kick started it with Easter, as usual. I can't wait for the days when you guys get excited about such holidays. It's going to be awesome! In honor of your first Easter, and much to Daddy's horror, we took a fun bunny photo shoot... Which we had to repeat because Evan did not like being surrounded by all the fun eggs. You guys made the cutest bunnies and by the second photo shoot both of you were having a ball playing with the eggs. Anything new to chew on is a-ok in your books. We spent Easter Sunday here with Uncle Dave and Auntie Lindsay (Nana and Grandpa were in France) and had a small buffalo roast. You guys also made a trip to see Grams and Grandpa up north, your first birthday party (Soleil and Sensa), your first visit with Camila (who you guys kind of freaked out
 because Alice wanted to play with her dress and Evan her hair), and brunch for Nana's birthday at Uncle Dave's (uncle kind of freaks Evan out). Some other fun first... Finally understanding how to play the piano and Alice is a natural. Evan is a percussionist and likes rattles, shakers, and the bongos. Your first WHOLE day with just Daddy as Mommy went to work at the garden show. Graduated to a basin in the big bath tub! The sink was getting small and Alice kept spraying water everywhere. Graduated to the big stroller seats! Good for walks on the ridge and to the zoo. Now sporting new beautiful Nana-made spring sweaters as well! Also you guys are wearing more real clothes, maybe not everyday, but a lot of days now. That one was a big step for mom. AND you survived a measles outbreak and were superstars for the extra vaccine. 

THE FOOD SITUATION: So, Mommy finally decided to stop being anal about recording ALL your activities and we are now app free. It was super helpful in its time, but for everything there is a season. Now is the time to stop being anal! Besides we have finished with the breast feeding (your guys choice and dwindling supply) and solids are much easier to keep track of. We try to get in three meals of solids a day and sporadic bottles. For the most part you guys are ok eaters. Alice is usually pretty eager as long as your patience lasts the whole meal. Evan is not as adventurous with change and usually less enthusiastic, but still has been ok most days. Your favorites right now are yams, pears, and bananas. You guys have also started practicing to chew. After being kind of freaked out by some baby led weaning episodes we have decided that toast is the best practice food and you guys love toast time and can manage it quite well. You just got to eat a little more Evan guy because your sister outweighed you this month. Even so, Your growth percentiles have increased and the Dr was very pleased.

THE SLEEP SITUATION: Oh Evan, my son, you have been a bit of a challenge this month and have made Mommy change up the sleep plan. Yes, you were right that it was about time to make bedtimes earlier but that doesn't mean you have to keep getting up earlier and earlier. Maybe it`s teething, or growth spurts, or wonder weeks, or separation anxiety but you have been sporadically waking up in tears around 3am to 4am. It`s not every night and sometimes it`s for food and sometimes for a snuggle so it`s been a little hard to rectify. After much reading we started to shift to earlier bedtimes from 9:30pm to more like 7:30pm. We got a really great bedtime routine happening of solid dinner, bath time, bottle, snuggle and bed. This worked so well you guys usually went to sleep within the first 20 minutes. However, it didn't change your wake up times any. We tried a night of cry it out... but my resolve was weak and it didn't work very well. My thought now is that it`s just a phase and I am hoping you will eventually grow out of it. Alice hopes so too. She`s a fantastic sleeper and can fall back to sleep pretty easily when you decide everyone should wake up. Providing that you actually go back to sleep yourself. If Mommy can`t get you back to sleep by 4:30 we just get up and start the day. Ah early mornings make for long days. Luckily, I am on maternity leave and have spent many daytime hours napping in the reclining chair while I bounce you into nap time in your favorite bouncy chairs. I am now a pro at sleeping while sitting up.

THE HEAD SITUATION: Oh yeah! And after two months of waiting to see the specialist we finally got in for a head shape appointment. Evan barely qualifies but since it is covered by insurance we will get you a helmet and make you a better rounded kid! Thanks to Alice sleeping on her side, sitting up a lot, and doing tummy time so early she worked out her head issues on her own. You were just a couple months shy little buddy and have only now decided to start sleeping on your stomach. Oh well, we will get measured in another months time and fix things that way instead.

EVAN... Other than the sleep issues and your reluctance to try Mommy`s awesome food experiments you are a wonderful little baby. You are so happy during the day and love to smile and laugh. The conversations you have with your toys are priceless and you have started babbling Ms, Bs, and some Ds. My favorite sound is when you say 'mymum.' It always brings a big smile to my face. You have gotten much better at sitting, and with less bruises too. You are obsessed with rolling over and use this as a way of getting around. Daddy's been calling you Rolly Napoleon these days. You also like to go crazy by trying to jump your jumperoo apart and flipping out in your crib after a diaper change. Sometimes you are a very crazy baby! But you also have your serene mellow side where you like to watch the leaves blowing on the trees, or you fall asleep on our walks, or you lounge like a boss in your highchair. Your favorite games are still peekaboo and being surprised, and also 'drop the baby,' 'tickle tickle tickle,' and flying from floor to ceiling. You are amazing at growing teeth! Your top four incisors pushed there way out this month. It was long and painful compared to the bottom two and you needed a few days of extra cuddles and Tylenol to get through, but they are almost all out now and you have quite the toothy grin. We love doing anything that will cox that smile out of you, my happy little boy.

 ALICE... My clever, silly girl. You love to do things that make us laugh, like making funny faces at dinner and scrunching your nose and snuffing intently. I think you do this more for our amusement than anything else. You are always looking for something new to explore and so eagerly curious. Everything new pretty much goes straight to your mouth without too much thought. You like almost any toy your brother is looking at as well as the foam letters that make up the play mat. Everyday you pull the mat apart and Mommy puts it back together; Wreck It Ralph and Fix It Felix. I think you may be thinking about crawling as you have started to bounce on your bum but sometimes you can just scoot to where you want to go and that's usually satisfying for now. Besides, if you can't reach it you just kick at it. You like stomping your legs on all different types of things to see what new sounds you can make. You still like to talk up a storm, like yelling yaya loudly in the Walmart. Bath times in the basin with your brother is your favorite time of day, where you get to splash at Evan and drink from the squirty boats. Favorite games are 'shakin baby,' daddy kisses, being upside down, playing the piano, and trying to undo your diaper when Mommy`s not looking. Even though there's no sign of upper teeth yet your hair is growing like crazy. It has turned very blonde and is so soft and lovely. Even you appreciate it and like to stroke it when you have a sleepy time bottle. You are so very precious.

I give you guys 2 more months before you are on the move but I know it`s coming and both look forward to and dread the day. More changes ahead my dears. Exciting things always on the horizon.

Weights: Evan 16.3lbs Alice 16.4lbs

6 to 7 Months: Baby Steps to Big Changes

April 12, 2014

Dear Babies

Oh my gosh! You guys have teeth! After so many months of gummy smiles it seems like a very strange concept. Actually, teeth included, this has been a very big month for you guys! All your exciting changes are just in time for spring. Unfortunately, true to Calgary, it does not feel like spring but it will come eventually. Ignore the snow storms in the meaning time... More snowfall today. Everything is brown and mucky without the snow anyway. At least the huge snow banks are gone so we can go for easier walks. We found out that the Sobeys is only 20 minutes away and this makes grocery shopping a little more fun and manageable instead of trying to load you two into the car and then juggle a stroller and a cart.

We also took our first trip to the zoo and that was a super fun outing. We walked around and saw the animals that were out, though I think if anything caught your guys attention it was the fish tank in the gorilla house. Half way through the outing Evan passed out in the stroller and missed saying goodbye to the elephants (as they are moving to a new zoo) and exploring the butterfly house, where Alice enjoyed looking at all the green. This is a new color for you guys as you arrived in fall and have suffered this very snowy winter. I am excited for you to see more green. And now we have an active zoo pass so we can go lots! Best shower present ever!

Ok, let me see if I can cover all the new things you guys did!

 EVAN... On March 17th you surprised everybody by popping out your first two bottom teeth. I honestly did not expect them to come in so suddenly; we couldn't really tell that you were even teething. I was putting you to bed and was shocked when I felt this sharp, hard nub in you mouth. It was very exciting! You have also started to experiment more with sounds and right now you mostly are enjoying spitting/farting noises, much to your Dad's amusement. You often do this as you play in your jumperoo or are on the change table. And perhaps you have finally grown tired of your Slug-O nickname as you started to do more sit ups while you are reclining in your bouncer, you became very proficient at getting off of your tummy, and finally, the day before you turned 7 months old, you figured out how to roll on to your tummy! It was the most exciting thing and I was so so proud of you!! I think you

knew it too and seemed very pleased with yourself. There has also been some assisted sitting and now you can tripod sit quite well as long as you stay focused and don't try to pick any toys up. Mostly you like to play with your crinkle book or a good teething ring, but your favorite thing is a snuggly blanket... Any blanket will do. You love to hug and suck on them, any time really, you even pull up your play mats and quilts. You have even learned how to play peek-a-boo by covering your eyes with a blanket by yourself. You think this is great fun and also enjoy it when we just look away and then back at you with a 'boo.' You are easily startled but really seem to enjoy the surprise. You have decided Mommy's boobs are no longer satisfactory and will only breast feed in the morning and just before bed, and sometimes not even then. You prefer bottles and love eating solids. Banana and yam flavors are your favorites so we hide greens in them. Sneaky Mommy win!
 

 

ALICE... You love to sit up! Rolling over and laying down is so yesterday. I am slowly beginning to be less nervous about you falling over, and two bruises later you seem to have mastered balancing. Even when in your bouncy chair you want to sit, making strapping you in very necessary (one bruise was from tumbling forward in this chair) even though you can still fold yourself over to play with the legs of the chair while tied down. You are super flexible and like folding yourself in half this way to play with your toes. Meal times are even more fun when toes are involved. I mostly still feed you guys in your bouncy chairs because the incline keeps most of the food going in your mouth but we are slowly doing more meals at the table. Dinner time with daddy is pretty fun. We just increase to three meals a day and so far you guys are still pretty eager for the solids. Alice, you will taste anything and everything. I don't think there's a flavor you don't like. You really enjoy handling your own food but since this is counter productive to consuming food we are trying to get you use to letting us handle your spoon. You are so quick and strong at grabbing things and then we have to wrestle the spoon from your hands. It's still a rather messy business, but we are getting better and don't always need a bath after every meal.
That's good because it was a lot of baths! We still get to use the sink but you love to play with the faucet and have even sprayed Mommy a couple times, much to your delight. The big bath is coming your way soon! Now that you have such good balance you are getting better at reaching for the things you want... Which is either what your brother has at the time, or your crinkle book or plastic keys. You love exploring new toys and like to sit in your high chair watching the making of dinner or your baby food while you get to play with fun kitchen things like whisks and measuring spoons. Sometimes you even get to chew on an apple, yam, or broccoli stick. That's the best! Your favorite sounds this month are Ds for dadada (Daddy loves this), humming, and wrinkling your nose while snuffing and pursing your lips to show displeasure. It's really hard to take you seriously when your angry face is so cute! You also are not keen on breastfeeding during the day, but you still occasionally do it. Oh yeah, and on April 4th you got your two bottom teeth! Also, you finally figured out how to consistently get off your tummy. Got to keep up with your brother, right?

THE FOOD SITUATION: Mommy's milk supply is dwindling these days... Use it or lose it I guess. It is bittersweet because I really did enjoying feeding you guys. It was a nice time to sit and relax and it made you guys so happy (most of the time). However, I will not deny that is was stressful when you guys didn't want to feed and I was always worrying about whether you were consuming enough or if I was making enough, and the in between times of engorgement or leaking was a real pain. So for good or bad, all that business is coming to an end.

I'm such a creature of habit and the shift from breastfeeding to solids has really made me see that motherhood is going to stretch my adaptability to change. It seems every month we lose something, like putting away tiny baby sleepers, only to gain the next step, trying all different flavors of food. And although I will miss each month that we leave behind I am so excited for all the things ahead. Soon there will be crawling... Haven't baby proofed yet but at least I installed the cat door!

Weights: Evan 15.3lbs Alice 15.3lbs

5 to 6 Months: A Solid Start on Solids

March 12, 2014 

Dear Babies

You turned six months on a Wednesday, which these days means yoga class. So far we have alternated who gets to go because Mommy is too nervous to take you both. Besides, one of you gets to go to Nana and Grandpa's house where you always have lots of fun. And thank goodness this was the case because Alice was up first and turned into a wailing banshee within the first half hour. Yes, yoga was the worst thing Alice had ever experienced. It was strange to have you inconsolable. Neither of you has ever cried like that and I will admit I was ready to pack it out of there. But eventually you calmed down enough to walk around with the teacher for the rest of the class because you were so mad at Mommy. Well, it made me so nervous to take Evan. But we persevered and Evan, you were so good; played for most of the class and even giggled when we did some baby stretches. The teacher thought you were so adorable! It was totally a 36o degree experience from the first class. Anyway, today was our third class and Alice's turn again. I am proud to say you were amazing! No banshee babies this time; you played, babbled, did some tummy time, had some baby massage. You definitely had more fun than the first time so I feel much braver to continue with the classes. Now you are both little yogis! 

Can't believe it's half a year already! Where have the days gone? I already miss those tiny little babes that stretched from my finger tips to my elbow. But, these days you guys are so much more fun and loving! Every morning I get to wake up to smiling, babbling babies and I don't mind when sometimes it's closer to five than six. It's truly the best way to start off the day. And the cats like the early mornings too because it means sooner breakfast! We still spend most days at home, watching movies (lots of Disney), practicing tummy time or sitting, jumping in the new jumperoo, taking pictures, reading books (you guys love touchy-feely books and to help turn the pages, but I have to remind you that books are not for chewing), visiting with Nana (you guys love Nana and usually can't be bothered to eat or sleep when she comes to visit as you may miss out on the fun), AND eating... Actually we spend A LOT of time eating. 

THE FOOD SITUATION: Besides 50/50 breast and bottle feedings you guys started solids a few weeks ago (Feb 21st at 5 1/2 months) At first it was just for fun, but now you guys can't wait to eat your cereals, yams, or bananacado mush. Alice is more 'hands on' with the feeding process. She wants to control the spoon, or help shove the food in her mouth, or pretend to drink from Mommy's glass, or chew on a carrot stick or green bean. Evan, our little slug, prefers to recline, relax, and let the spoon do the job. A little neater but still just as excited  to eat. You guys usually eat in just diapers and a bid so we don't make a mess of our outfits! So far Evan likes bananas and Alice likes beans the best. We also just recently got high chairs so we could all have dinner together. Alice thinks this is great fun but Evan gets a little tired of all the sitting. 

Our other event this month was our twin group get together. There were 6 moms and that means 12 babies! Gah! It was just a short hour but still fun. Evan got to show off his standing (who needs rolling over) and Alice got to show off her supported sitting. And you guys were definitely the most stylish babies there! We'll meet everyone again in a couple months.

 

ALICE... You have gotten very cavalier with tummy time; it's just another way to hang out and play. Most days you want to practice sitting and you can almost balance on your own. Your favorite sounds have been squealing, sticking your tongue out and spitting, and yelling yaya while you chew on something. We have started calling you Yaya because it really is fun to say! You love to smile and giggle and are quite ticklish, especially from 'raspberries' on your tummy. You like flying games and jumping in the jumperoo and playing with anything your brother is holding. You like going to sleep with your monkey hanging off your crib so you can chew on his feet when you wake up in the middle of the night. There have been a couple times Mommy has had to get up with you and then it takes a whole day of super napping to get you happy again. A good night's rest is best! You also love bath time. I'm pretty sure you just get messy at food time so you can have a bath. You still fit in the sink but once you are good at sitting up we will move to a little tub. You dislike wearing clothes and fuss a bit whenever it's outfit changing time but other than that are a happy baby. And, oh my gosh Alice, do you ever like to chew on things! Your teething rings are a favorite, but you chew Mommy or Daddy when you have the chance (just like a little Zombie - too much Walking Dead). You chew your toes now that you've discovered them and I think you might have chewed a hole in the foot of your sleeper! You chew any toy that comes into your possession. You try to chew your brother's head and you try to get at the phone when we facetime your Auntie Kendra. Even so, still no teeth... though we think they are coming! We also switched to disposable diapers this month mostly for you. The cloth service didn't want us to use diaper rash cream any more and we spent a couple months fighting off your yeast infections and irritated sores. This month your bum has been very happy with a dollop of cream and just regular old diapers. I feel mildly guilty about the non-greenness of this but I want what's best for you guys! 

EVAN... You are still working on a lot of things these days and have retained your Slug status for the most part. Still haven't rolled over though you can sometimes get off your tummy if you really try. Still dislike tummy time even though you do smile for the first two to three minutes. Working on sitting a bit but usually end up reclining. Your conversation skills are really growing and you like to debate topics with the Winkle, or your bottle, or yourself in the mirror. It all sounds very matter of fact! You are really a happy little guy as long as you have slept and been fed. You love to giggle, or squeal in delight, at the silly things Mommy and Daddy do - like pretending to eat your hands, flying through the air and landing akimbo, playing peek a boo with the clean laundry, big smoochy kissing noises, silly or sleepy songs, or just when someone says hi to you. On your dislike list is wet diapers and we are still changing you 7 - 9 times a day. Also, sometimes at bedtime you get a little grouchy and distract Alice from going to sleep. Daddy has been keeping you quiet downstairs while Mommy feeds and puts Alice to bed, then you get your turn. Though, overall you are not too bad to put to sleep and most mornings, even if you get up early, you usually hang out in your crib for another half hour or so, until 6am if Mommy can help it. You have also become a quick pro at eating. The first day we tried solids I wasn't sure if you were ready, you were not half as enthusiastic as Alice. This has proved to be better in the long run. Instead of lunging for your spoon and grabbing at it you let us do the work and within a couple days you really had the hang of it. I think you probably consume double what she does AND you don't need half as many baths, which is good because you are not as keen. Mommy usually sings silly songs so at least you smile a bit during the bathing process. Although a little bit behind with the physical skills I can tell you are very bright and always evaluating things. You examine new objects in a quiet, careful way which is fascinating to watch. When you have nothing to hold you clasp your hands pensively... "What shall we do tonight, Brain?" And you are definitely getting to be a hefty little guy. Can't even plank anymore your body is too long and legs are too heavy! Growing up!

Well, half a year, my dears, has come and gone so fast! I can't wait for the exciting, although troublesome, things to come... Oh yeah, we still have to baby proof the house! Eek! 

Weights: Evan 14.0lbs Alice 13.7lbs

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

1 to 2 Months: Nothing Like a Good Snuggle

November 12, 2013

Dear Evan and Alice

The day you turned two months old was spent at home with Mommy and Daddy just hanging out. We spend most days this way because with the one hour time frame between feedings it's just so hard to get out. But that's ok because you can't focus more than a few feet anyway so there's not much out there for you to see yet.

THE SLEEP SITUATION: Now that you guys fit in your bouncy seats you love to come down early in the morning for fireplace snuggles after an early breakfast. Sometimes Mommy can even nap a bit on the couch, sometimes snuggling with one of you if you're in the mood. It's a cozy scene with the winter getting closer. Once you guys got use to the vibration in the chairs it was a life saver to put you to sleep when we were busy with 'the other one,' and the heat of the fireplace kept you so cozy that you were able to have lots of really good naps. Sometimes I worried that I was cooking you guys... But you didn't seem to mind and we never ended up with baby for dinner. At night you guys are still in the same crib and we have modified some pillows to hopefully help with your crooked heads. 

THE FOOD SITUATION: You guys are still eating every 3 hours. Sometimes I thought Alice could go longer but we are trying to feed you both on the same schedule. Evan, you demanding boy! You usually get priority due to your tiny size, loud voice, and smaller stomach. Alice is usually patient and good. As you got closer to turning 3 months old the night time feedings have started to spread out. Initially, Daddy was suppose to do the midnight feed and then Mommy to do the 3am feed (because at 3am the boobies were ready to explode with milk.) When you started sleeping past midnight Mommy had to fight Daddy and hide the monitor so he wouldn't get up and feed you too close to my turn when I REALLY needed to empty my breast. If not then they exploded in bed while I slept. Yuck! Breast feeding is messy! There is always milk everywhere, and that's not including the actual feeding time. Two months in and my body still doesn't seem to have it under control, but I feel like we may be getting there. Both you guys use a shield for most of the feedings just because you prefer it and we decided that if it meant you'd be less confused when we bottle fed you then it was worth it. Still, sometimes giving you bottles is not the easiest. You have a tendency to route frantically for the nipple and squirm a lot. Now we are phasing out the midnight bottles and starting to introduce an extra formula feeding once during the day just to give Mommy's boobies a little rest to reload. Another anxiety with breast feeding is just not knowing how much you guys are eating from it. The only indication is weight gain... So far so good, I guess. 

 

You are still looking like newborns, but growing by the second it seems. At the end of October we retired the borrowed preemie clothes for Evan. It was good that you were growing but sad to put away the tiny little outfits. Now you fit into the same clothes Alice is wearing, and she is outgrowing some of them. This was good for laundry as you guys can now share some of them. And no Evan, we never made you wear pink! You still have those newborn faces, but your eyelashes are starting to come out and the milia and acne are beginning to fade. Soon you will have beautiful baby skin, which I suggest you appreciate because we did not give you guys good skin genes. Evan decided to shed most of the blonde fuzz you had from birth and are sporting a sleek Captain Picard look. Alice, your hair has just thinned a bit. Mommy loves it best right after a bath when it is fuzzy and smells so good. We also took your hand prints and footprints in clay this month. You were much more cooperative than I thought. I wish I had done them just a little sooner as you already have grown so much. 

ALICE, you are still a cuddly little marshmallow that loves to sleep with your hands above your head or suspended in air like you are stuck in jell-o. Your repertoire of funny faces has grown and they are at their best when you are hungry and rooting for food with a funny scrunched up nose. So cute! You have started to coo a bit, sometimes squeaking like a little squirrel (sometimes we call you that), and even mimicked an ooh sound back at Daddy. You really like low pitched oohing sounds the best. You seem to enjoy puj tub baths in the sink and like watching the running faucet. You've noted your hands a bit but still are not sure what they are good for. However, you can hold things if we help you. Tummy time often disintegrates into floor eating time these days but you were finally able to prop yourself up on your own just shy of turning two months.

EVAN, you are still a super stiff little guy who loves arching your head backwards to check out ceilings and light fixtures. When you stretch your neck you look like a little turtle (sometimes we call you that) poking his head out of his shell. You are not in love with baths but tolerate them if Mommy sings "Hippo In The Bathtub" to you. We have discovered that you are an expert at planking when we hold you in the air by your chest; perfect for superman poses! However, you are learning to bend better at your waist which makes burping a little easier (It's hard burping a board). Although you can get your head up a bit you're still not a big fan of tummy time and we often have to prop your arms under you. You are getting to be quite the charmer and I think you like having your picture taken as long as you can pull out your Blue Steel look. Right before you turned two months you showed Mommy your first smile! I cant even remember what I did to make you smile, but its was very exciting and made me so happy. 

So, it has been busy and we had a few events this month as it was both Halloween and Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving was low key and Grams and Grampa came to make dinner at our house. If that hadn't happened we might have skipped it all together. You guys were... needing attention for most of it. So we all kind of ate in shifts and took care of you guys in turn. Nana and Grandpa came to help too. So that was your first Thanksgiving. It will be better next year when you guys can actually eat.

For Halloween Mommy did manage to decorate the house as usual but was only able to carve one of the usual five pumpkins. I don't know if I will ever let you guys carve boring jack-o-lanterns, but maybe I might give in... We will see. I also never found you any newborn Halloween costumes. Cool things in your sizes just weren't out there and I was just too busy to be crafty. Besides, as you know, I am not that crafty anyway. If you had been 3 months older we could have found something. But don't worry my darlings, there are plenty of fantastic Halloweens ahead of us! Also, we failed at the Halloween photo shoot and I never bought a pumpkin large enough to stuff you in. I guess if those are my only regrets we are doing ok. As for Halloween night... Answering the door before Daddy came home during your guys' dinner time was another matter. First time I tried interrupting the feeding to give out the candy and was dribbling milk into my house coat unbeknown to the children. Gross! So the next few times I just carried whoever was eating to the door, still attached. That worked better, I just hope I didn't freak out any children. When Daddy came home we were saved and the rest of the night went like clock work. I'm more excited for next Halloween, it's gonna be a blast!

Next up we had another big dinner for Grandpa's birthday. This time at Nana's house. First trip to another home. This one went slightly better except Daddy and Mommy had to take a big time out to super feed you guys before the dinner and we hid up in the library so Mommy could breastfeed. But we survived it thanks to towing along your bouncy chairs... Again, these have been awesome for you guys. Mommy and Daddy bounced you all through dinner. But we found out that even two babies at a family gathering is not enough for everyone to share!

Auntie Kendra came in from Toronto this month especially to meet you guys! She visited a lot and you guys loved being carried up and down the stairs and when she sang to you, especially 'Lets Go Fly A Kite.' She will be here until after Christmas acting in the Christmas Carol! And she's also been good company for Mommy! 

You have so many more people who want to see and meet you. There's so many more aunties and uncles and grandparents to meet! We love you both and can't wait to show you off to the next round of visitors over the holidays. And you will have your first Christmas! Very special times. 

Weights: Evan 8.2lbs Alice 8.8lbs