Adventure!

Today I took all three boys out on our first outing solo. We spent it at Walgreens and Walmart. Exciting, I know...but we got that first one out of the way. I ran into my good friend Kim (Bessa) at Walmart. She had her four kids and the two babies she sits for with her and made it look effortless. She told me that I'll get there too in time. Actually the trip went very smoothly. Tyler and Brody slept the whole time and Hunter was...well, Hunter (very well-behaved). That double stroller sure is hard to maneuver through the aisles though. My arms were getting a workout just trying to turn it. It was nice to get out of the house. I've prolonged this journey because I have been fearing a double meltdown due to hunger and nursing twins in public is not my idea of fun. The timing went well though. We left shortly after they ate and just as we were pulling up back home they started crying because they were hungry again. Someday they will not be eating every two hours and we can venture out somewhere further I'm sure.

Sleeping is still scarce around here. The only one getting any is Hunter. I envy him and all that energy he has. They did both sleep four straight hours at the same time about a week ago. I got very excited thinking that we had made "the turn" but I guess it was a fluke. As I type John is crashed out on the floor of our living room trying to catch a nap before he takes over for the night shift. He gives one bottle of formula to them a few nights a week so that I can get a good 4-5 hour stretch of sleep. It helps my mood tremendously on those days! I’m getting ready to head off to bed here in a few minutes after the boys are finished eating (nursing right now) and then I’ll be up again at around 3 a.m. to nurse them again. They are 12 weeks old now and I’m wondering when that magical night will happen when we will all be well-rested upon waking.

Life with the boys

Life with three boys (plus John) is a lot of work but lots of fun too! I love sitting down together as a family at the dinner table. It's my favorite. I don't know why it seems like more of a production with three kids vs. one but it does. What I mean is, Tyler and Brody are not eating with us yet but I still feel like it's more meaningful when we are all at the table. Well, T&B are usually in their bouncy chairs or pack 'n play but oftentimes one of us is holding at least one baby while trying to eat at the same time.

I've managed to figure out how to carry both at the same time somewhat comfortably. I put one in my baby wrap and have the other one cradled in one of my arms. The thing is that they are happiest when they are being carried around. I have had to resort to this technique while John is at work and it's just me at home trying to soothe both of them at once. Anyway, I should get a picture of this and post it somewhere. I have been so bad at sending out pictures this time around. The few on this blog are pretty outdated. I'm blaming it on lack of time. As it is it is 4 a.m. and I'm online trying to catch up with this blog and emails. I got up to feed the boys and pump and the computer was calling my name. I really should be sleeping though. I'm going to try to send out pics and update the ones here soon!

I think I've mentioned this already but Hunter is the BEST big brother EVER! He is so proud and gives them hugs and kisses lots of times throughout the day. He really loves babies and helps out with them tremendously. Oftentimes he will (unasked) go over to one of them while they are crying and stick a nuk in, bounce their chair or play music for them to try to get them to calm down. It's so sweet to watch.

2 month appointment

Tyler and Brody had their two month doctor's appointment today and are both doing very well. Tyler is now 21.5" and weighs 10 lbs. 1/2 oz. Brody is 21.75" and weighs 10 lbs. 5.5 oz. They are still only sleeping 2.5 hours at a time, waking from hunger. Their Pediatrician says this is completely normal considering they were supposed to be born on July 25th so we should think of them as 3 weeks old instead of 10. As frustrating as that is I know that this too shall pass and John and I will not be sleep-deprived forever.

They got their first series of shots today. They, of course, cried for about a minute and then settled down and fell asleep.

Hunter continues to be the greatest big brother ever, helping even when not asked. I catch him bouncing their seats and talking to them saying, "it's okay" when they are crying and he gets to them sooner than I am able. He gives them hugs and kisses at least five times a day and is very fair about it (always giving both equal love). It's so sweet.

When will they sleep?

Okay, I'm a little bitter. A friend of mine who had twins several weeks AFTER Tyler and Brody were born has just reported to me that hers are sleeping four hour stretches at a time. UNFAIR!!! T & B are sleeping only two and a half, which means that I get two hour stretches by the time I feed, burp, change them and fall back to sleep myself. Eight weeks of this makes for one cranky mommy. When will they sleep longer? Good thing they're so cute...that makes up for it a little bit!

On a happier note, Tyler's goopy eye has cleared up. YAY!

Disconnected

I feel pretty disconnected from the world lately with being at home so much with very little time to spend online checking email and such.

My sister came from Arizona for six days to help us and boy did she ever work herself to the bone! She even vacuumed our house and weeded our garden on top of preparing meals and caring for the boys! She also got in some serious bonding time with Hunter. He really enjoyed all of the attention. We all squeezed in a trip to the Renaissance Faire while she was here and had a great time. Brody and Ty slept the majority of the day and Hunter was thrilled with the jugglers, fire throwing, jousting and rides. He is at a great age for it (four).

I've been on my own for the past several days while John is at work. It's challenging. I will leave it at that.