Yay! It is Friday! I thought I'd celebrate by posting a few videos of the babies dancing/laughing with Chad.
The other afternoon Chad was singing random things to Chloe and dancing around the living room with her when we discovered she had a particular liking for the Aaliyah song "Are You That Somebody?". So we pulled up the song on the ipad and commenced more dancing.
Our friend Phillip pointed out that there is a baby cooing in the background of that actual song. Apparently this song is very popular with the babies. Even Brady liked it!
RIP Aaliyah, I think it would make you happy to know that your music lives on and is still enjoyed by everyone, including the little ones!
Chloe Dancing:
Brady Dancing:
Have a great Friday everyone!
Lilypie First Birthday tickers
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Videos from Today
Recently Chad asked me how I've been liking staying at home. I told him that lately I've really been enjoying it because the babies are reaching an age where we are interacting a lot more and they seem to be learning something new everyday. I feel so lucky to be able to watch them experience more of the world and acheive different milestones from day to day.
I try to catch as much of it as I can on my Flip Video camera for Chad and also for family and friends that live far away. For new parents or anybody really, I think this is an amazing camera. It is the size of a cell phone, records up to an hour of HD video at the push of one button, and easily downloads unto your computer via a USB port. It makes taking videos a breeze and is really easy to grab quickly when the babies are doing something.
Over the last two days Brady has picked up a new skill. He can hold his bottle himself for a few seconds on his own. I let him practice at the end of his feeding if he reaches for it.
Brady in action:
The next video is just another quick one from today of Chloe rolling from tummy to back. I know I posted one of her doing this yesterday, but I think the video quality is a little better on this one and so it is easier to see. Plus, I am just so proud of her! She is doing this on a daily basis now.
Chloe in Action:
Hope everyone is having a great day!
I try to catch as much of it as I can on my Flip Video camera for Chad and also for family and friends that live far away. For new parents or anybody really, I think this is an amazing camera. It is the size of a cell phone, records up to an hour of HD video at the push of one button, and easily downloads unto your computer via a USB port. It makes taking videos a breeze and is really easy to grab quickly when the babies are doing something.
Over the last two days Brady has picked up a new skill. He can hold his bottle himself for a few seconds on his own. I let him practice at the end of his feeding if he reaches for it.
Brady in action:
The next video is just another quick one from today of Chloe rolling from tummy to back. I know I posted one of her doing this yesterday, but I think the video quality is a little better on this one and so it is easier to see. Plus, I am just so proud of her! She is doing this on a daily basis now.
Chloe in Action:
Hope everyone is having a great day!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Rice Cereal and Rolling: Beginnings
Our pediatrician recommended starting rice cereal at 4 months, so we started experimenting with it last Sunday. We have incorporated it into only 1 feeding per day to start and we still mix it so that it has a very runny consistency.
There is a debate about the best time to start rice cereal, either 4 or 6 months, but I have read that 2 good indicators that they are ready are:
1. If they are good supported sitters
2. If they have doubled their birthweight
Brady and Chloe have achieved both of these prerequisites so we have gone ahead and taken the plunge.
To say that it isn't their favorite would be an understatement. A picture is worth a thousand words so I'll let them speak for Brady and Chloe:
"What in the world are you doing, Mom?"
"Yuck!"
We are going to keep at it and hopefully they will eventually become more receptive.
In other news, since Brady and Chloe have achieved such great head control, we've been spending a lot more time on the floor playing and doing tummy time. This has encouraged them to explore rolling a little more. Here are a couple videos:
Chloe Rolling from Tummy to Back:
Brady Rolling from Back to Tummy:
They are definitely only in the beginning stages, but over the next few weeks I am betting they will become pros!
There is a debate about the best time to start rice cereal, either 4 or 6 months, but I have read that 2 good indicators that they are ready are:
1. If they are good supported sitters
2. If they have doubled their birthweight
Brady and Chloe have achieved both of these prerequisites so we have gone ahead and taken the plunge.
To say that it isn't their favorite would be an understatement. A picture is worth a thousand words so I'll let them speak for Brady and Chloe:
"What in the world are you doing, Mom?"
"Yuck!"
We are going to keep at it and hopefully they will eventually become more receptive.
In other news, since Brady and Chloe have achieved such great head control, we've been spending a lot more time on the floor playing and doing tummy time. This has encouraged them to explore rolling a little more. Here are a couple videos:
Chloe Rolling from Tummy to Back:
Brady Rolling from Back to Tummy:
They are definitely only in the beginning stages, but over the next few weeks I am betting they will become pros!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sadie and Sophie: A Love Affair
So Brady has been teething on and off for a while now, and I have tried just about every toy or product known to man to help. So I decided to try a very popular baby teething toy in the shape of a giraffe known as Sophie. Babies are supposed to adore it. I am sure you are wondering what this has to do with our dog Sadie, so I will tell you.
The problem with Sophie is that it looks and sounds exactly like a dog toy. Sadie is convinced it is NOT the babies' toy, but HERS. The strange thing is that Sadie isn't normally possessive of her toys and usually shows little interest in them. But not Sophie. She is OBSESSED.
Please observe:
So if anybody wonders how I spend my day, the answer is 95% looking after the babies and 5% keeping Sadie away from Sophie, LOL.
The problem with Sophie is that it looks and sounds exactly like a dog toy. Sadie is convinced it is NOT the babies' toy, but HERS. The strange thing is that Sadie isn't normally possessive of her toys and usually shows little interest in them. But not Sophie. She is OBSESSED.
Please observe:
So if anybody wonders how I spend my day, the answer is 95% looking after the babies and 5% keeping Sadie away from Sophie, LOL.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Conversations with Chloe and Brady
Both babies are getting to the point where they are experimenting with babbling, chattering, and making sounds. Chloe is typically the more vocal of the two, but today Brady was in a talkative mood!
The first video is from Memorial Day weekend when Chloe and Chad had a morning chat:
The second video is from my conversation with Brady earlier today:
Finally, I will leave you with a few pictures of the babies in their Bumbo seats:
Having a meeting:
"Do you mind Mom? We're kinda busy!"
Have a great day everyone!
The first video is from Memorial Day weekend when Chloe and Chad had a morning chat:
The second video is from my conversation with Brady earlier today:
Finally, I will leave you with a few pictures of the babies in their Bumbo seats:
Having a meeting:
"Do you mind Mom? We're kinda busy!"
Have a great day everyone!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Top Ten Baby Items Under $30 (for 0-3 Months)
When I was expecting I was always asking parents for their favorite baby product recommendations because there is SO MUCH out there to choose from that it can get really overwhelming. I wanted to get real, practical answers from parents who had "been there" instead of getting lost in the hype.
Having "survived" the first three months of twin parenthood I decided to make my own list of items that made our lives easier as a new family. My criteria for picking these items was as follows:
1. Must be something that was used frequently.
2. Must be something that made life easier and more efficient.
3. Must be under $30.
4. Must be for infants 0-3 months.
Disclaimer: These items are just from my family's experience with our babies. Obviously every family is different, so these may not work for you...but it is my 2 cents for what it is worth.
1. Sleepy Bee. This is a portable sound machine that comes with or without vibration. It is small enough to fit in a purse or diaper bag and can attach to the arm of a carseat or stroller. It is perfect for drowning out the noise of a loud restaurant or mall, etc. It is wonderful when you need a baby to nap on the go. There are some downfalls: It eats AAA batteries. There is no automatic shut off, you have to press it off yourself. It is loud. This sounds like quite a few drawbacks but when you see the almost immediate calming effect it has on a fussy child, you will think this product is worth its weight in gold. I use it to help with bedtime too, not just on the go. Link
2. Boppy Loungers. These are the Boppy pillow, but with a center. They are a perfect safe and comfortable place to set a newborn when you need a free hand. They seem to be molded in the perfect shape for newborns to lounge comfortably unlike other products that are often too big and the babies get all slouched over or scrunched down. Also very machine washable and will hold their shape. Link
3. SwaddleMe infant wraps. These are fool-proof swaddle blankets for infants. They are secured with velcro and make for a snug swaddle. No fuss swaddling for parents, and babies love them. Link
4. Fisher Price Precious Planet Whale of a Tub. Simple, straightforward infant tub. Best part about it is the green insert in the middle that props up baby's bottom and keeps its upper body out of the water. Very comfortable for even very small babies. We started bathing Chloe and Brady in this tub at two or three weeks old and never felt like they were uncomfortable or unstable. Has a drain in the bottom for easy clean up. Link
5. Medela Quick Clean Micro Steam Bags. These bags are used to sterilize bottle or breast pump parts, as well as pacifiers and nipples. Very easy to use, just rinse what you want to sterilize in warm soapy water, then put 2 ounces of water in the bag with your items and microwave for 3 minutes. The first few weeks we were sterlizing things several times a week and these bags were a lifesaver. I believe a pack comes with 5 bags and each bag can be used 20 times, so you get 100 uses per box. A great deal and a real timesaver! Link
6. The Mommy Hook Stroller hanger. Hanger stays in place on your stroller and holds lots of bags. We learned quickly under-stroller storage is at a premium and is not always easily accessible. We actually use the Mommy Hook to hold our diaper bag (with a cajillion things in it). Inexpensive and great product. Link
7. Babies R Us Multi Use Pads. These are waterproof pads that come in packs of three. They are great for putting on top of your changing pad to protect your cute (and probably expensive) changing pad cover you bought to match your decor from the inevitable accidents. Also can be used in the crib or bassinet. Only irritating thing about these is that they have a tendency to bunch up in the dryer. Since they really aren't meant for aesthetic value, I let it slide. Link
8. Johnson's Bedtime Lotion. Disclaimer: Per our infant care class at the hospital, it is not recommended to put any type of product on an infant under 6 weeks old. So we didn't start using this lotion until they were 6 weeks old. The big selling point of this lotion is that it is supposed to help babies sleep better. We use it every night as part of our bedtime routine and so far we've had a lot of success with sleeping (crosses fingers big time since I am going to totally jinx myself now). Regardless of whether it helps with sleeping or not, it keeps the babies' skin soft and smells wonderful on babies and mommies too. Link
9. Gum Drop Pacifiers. Pacifiers are really a baby by baby preference type of thing. Brady will pretty easily accept any kind of pacifier. Chloe rejected every pacifier we tried with the exception of these. They seem to be the pacifier for the picky pacifier baby. They are the same nipple shape as the Soothies that are used in the hospital, but the outer shape seems to help babies hold it in their mouths easier. Comes in packs of two in all different colors. Link
10. Zip Up Pajamas. There is not a specific brand (but I do know that Carters does sell zip ups). Most baby pajamas come with a million snaps. Not fun trying to find all the snaps, especially during the 2 AM feedings/diaper changes. If you can find pajamas that zip up, get them! My link is for a set from Carter's but honestly it is more about the zipper than what brand it is. Link
Well, that's all folks. I hope maybe this list will help a new parent or maybe will be a good gift guide if you know someone who is expecting.
Having "survived" the first three months of twin parenthood I decided to make my own list of items that made our lives easier as a new family. My criteria for picking these items was as follows:
1. Must be something that was used frequently.
2. Must be something that made life easier and more efficient.
3. Must be under $30.
4. Must be for infants 0-3 months.
Disclaimer: These items are just from my family's experience with our babies. Obviously every family is different, so these may not work for you...but it is my 2 cents for what it is worth.
1. Sleepy Bee. This is a portable sound machine that comes with or without vibration. It is small enough to fit in a purse or diaper bag and can attach to the arm of a carseat or stroller. It is perfect for drowning out the noise of a loud restaurant or mall, etc. It is wonderful when you need a baby to nap on the go. There are some downfalls: It eats AAA batteries. There is no automatic shut off, you have to press it off yourself. It is loud. This sounds like quite a few drawbacks but when you see the almost immediate calming effect it has on a fussy child, you will think this product is worth its weight in gold. I use it to help with bedtime too, not just on the go. Link
2. Boppy Loungers. These are the Boppy pillow, but with a center. They are a perfect safe and comfortable place to set a newborn when you need a free hand. They seem to be molded in the perfect shape for newborns to lounge comfortably unlike other products that are often too big and the babies get all slouched over or scrunched down. Also very machine washable and will hold their shape. Link
3. SwaddleMe infant wraps. These are fool-proof swaddle blankets for infants. They are secured with velcro and make for a snug swaddle. No fuss swaddling for parents, and babies love them. Link
4. Fisher Price Precious Planet Whale of a Tub. Simple, straightforward infant tub. Best part about it is the green insert in the middle that props up baby's bottom and keeps its upper body out of the water. Very comfortable for even very small babies. We started bathing Chloe and Brady in this tub at two or three weeks old and never felt like they were uncomfortable or unstable. Has a drain in the bottom for easy clean up. Link
5. Medela Quick Clean Micro Steam Bags. These bags are used to sterilize bottle or breast pump parts, as well as pacifiers and nipples. Very easy to use, just rinse what you want to sterilize in warm soapy water, then put 2 ounces of water in the bag with your items and microwave for 3 minutes. The first few weeks we were sterlizing things several times a week and these bags were a lifesaver. I believe a pack comes with 5 bags and each bag can be used 20 times, so you get 100 uses per box. A great deal and a real timesaver! Link
6. The Mommy Hook Stroller hanger. Hanger stays in place on your stroller and holds lots of bags. We learned quickly under-stroller storage is at a premium and is not always easily accessible. We actually use the Mommy Hook to hold our diaper bag (with a cajillion things in it). Inexpensive and great product. Link
7. Babies R Us Multi Use Pads. These are waterproof pads that come in packs of three. They are great for putting on top of your changing pad to protect your cute (and probably expensive) changing pad cover you bought to match your decor from the inevitable accidents. Also can be used in the crib or bassinet. Only irritating thing about these is that they have a tendency to bunch up in the dryer. Since they really aren't meant for aesthetic value, I let it slide. Link
8. Johnson's Bedtime Lotion. Disclaimer: Per our infant care class at the hospital, it is not recommended to put any type of product on an infant under 6 weeks old. So we didn't start using this lotion until they were 6 weeks old. The big selling point of this lotion is that it is supposed to help babies sleep better. We use it every night as part of our bedtime routine and so far we've had a lot of success with sleeping (crosses fingers big time since I am going to totally jinx myself now). Regardless of whether it helps with sleeping or not, it keeps the babies' skin soft and smells wonderful on babies and mommies too. Link
9. Gum Drop Pacifiers. Pacifiers are really a baby by baby preference type of thing. Brady will pretty easily accept any kind of pacifier. Chloe rejected every pacifier we tried with the exception of these. They seem to be the pacifier for the picky pacifier baby. They are the same nipple shape as the Soothies that are used in the hospital, but the outer shape seems to help babies hold it in their mouths easier. Comes in packs of two in all different colors. Link
10. Zip Up Pajamas. There is not a specific brand (but I do know that Carters does sell zip ups). Most baby pajamas come with a million snaps. Not fun trying to find all the snaps, especially during the 2 AM feedings/diaper changes. If you can find pajamas that zip up, get them! My link is for a set from Carter's but honestly it is more about the zipper than what brand it is. Link
Well, that's all folks. I hope maybe this list will help a new parent or maybe will be a good gift guide if you know someone who is expecting.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Almost 15 Weeks Old!
Time is flying by and it seems that these days the babies are doing or learning something new every day! I try to post pictures frequently on facebook but it might also be nice to write down a few things about what we've been doing lately!
Let me start with a few together pictures of the babies:
Here they are before we went to the Aquarium to meet some friends from Oklahoma:
Here they are before going to their friends' First Birthday party:
Here are a few facts about BOTH babies at 15 weeks:
* Are sleeping through the night and have been since about 10 weeks old. Usually they will go down at around 9 pm and wake up between 5 and 6 AM.
* Eat 4 ounces at every feeding and we usually do 6 feedings a day at 6 AM, 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, and 9 PM. This schedule can sometimes be shifted up an hour but this is the most common one. They have been known to eat 5 or 6 ounces especially at the 6 AM feeding after sleeping through the night.
* LOVE a bath and will kick and spash with delight in the tub. They especially love to have water poured over their heads. Chad is the chief bather and they really enjoy that time with him. If they see the cup of water go behind their heads they start to sqeal and laugh and kick with anticipation of the water being poured on their head. It is so cute!
* Are sitting up in their bumbo seats! This is a very recent thing but they both enjoy being able to sit up and look around the room.
* Have excellent head control and can hold their head stable unassisted about 85% of the time now.
Now I will do a few facts about each individual baby starting with our first born, Brady:
At 15 weeks Brady is:
* VERY active. He can turn himself from his back to his side at will and I have seen him turn himself all the way from his back to his tummy twice so far. At night I put him in his crib with his head under his mobile, and often in the morning I find him completely scooted around with his feet under the mobile!
* Both longer and heavier than his sister. He is bursting out of his 3 month clothes but the 3-6 clothes are still too big just yet. He is transitioning to a Size 2 diaper now.
* Cutting his first tooth! Last week he was fussy and unusually needy (awake and wanting to be held during the day more often than usual) and I couldn't figure out why. I kept taking his temperature and he was always fine. Over the weekend he was loudly letting us know he was ready for the afternoon feeding when I saw in his open mouth a white tooth beginning to poke through! I wish I could get a picture but it is in the back side of his mouth so very hard to take a picture of!
He is getting so big and we are so proud of him!
Now for our 2nd born, Chloe:
At 15 weeks Chloe is:
* VERY social. She is smiling at everyone, laughing out loud, and chattering often. She will now smile at you when she sees you are going to pick her up. She will smile or chat with most people, but especially for her Daddy. He tickles her and can get her laughing like crazy.
* VERY observant. She notices her brother and is intensely interested in him. She loves to stare at him, touch him, pull his ear, etc. You can see in the picture above she is busy staring at her brother off to the side. As far as we can tell he has shown little to no interest in or recognition of her, LOL.
* Our little girl. She still fits comfortably in her 0-3 clothes and her Size 1 diapers. She is petite but so precious! She still likes to lay on my chest and curl herself into a little ball on her tummy with her legs and arms tucked under. This weekend she took a nap with me that way for about two hours. I treasure this time with her because I know soon she will be too big and into too much to want to cuddle like that.
She is such a sweet baby and we are so proud of her!
That is what is going on with us! I promise I will try to get better at posting!
Let me start with a few together pictures of the babies:
Here they are before we went to the Aquarium to meet some friends from Oklahoma:
Here they are before going to their friends' First Birthday party:
Here are a few facts about BOTH babies at 15 weeks:
* Are sleeping through the night and have been since about 10 weeks old. Usually they will go down at around 9 pm and wake up between 5 and 6 AM.
* Eat 4 ounces at every feeding and we usually do 6 feedings a day at 6 AM, 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, and 9 PM. This schedule can sometimes be shifted up an hour but this is the most common one. They have been known to eat 5 or 6 ounces especially at the 6 AM feeding after sleeping through the night.
* LOVE a bath and will kick and spash with delight in the tub. They especially love to have water poured over their heads. Chad is the chief bather and they really enjoy that time with him. If they see the cup of water go behind their heads they start to sqeal and laugh and kick with anticipation of the water being poured on their head. It is so cute!
* Are sitting up in their bumbo seats! This is a very recent thing but they both enjoy being able to sit up and look around the room.
* Have excellent head control and can hold their head stable unassisted about 85% of the time now.
Now I will do a few facts about each individual baby starting with our first born, Brady:
At 15 weeks Brady is:
* VERY active. He can turn himself from his back to his side at will and I have seen him turn himself all the way from his back to his tummy twice so far. At night I put him in his crib with his head under his mobile, and often in the morning I find him completely scooted around with his feet under the mobile!
* Both longer and heavier than his sister. He is bursting out of his 3 month clothes but the 3-6 clothes are still too big just yet. He is transitioning to a Size 2 diaper now.
* Cutting his first tooth! Last week he was fussy and unusually needy (awake and wanting to be held during the day more often than usual) and I couldn't figure out why. I kept taking his temperature and he was always fine. Over the weekend he was loudly letting us know he was ready for the afternoon feeding when I saw in his open mouth a white tooth beginning to poke through! I wish I could get a picture but it is in the back side of his mouth so very hard to take a picture of!
He is getting so big and we are so proud of him!
Now for our 2nd born, Chloe:
At 15 weeks Chloe is:
* VERY social. She is smiling at everyone, laughing out loud, and chattering often. She will now smile at you when she sees you are going to pick her up. She will smile or chat with most people, but especially for her Daddy. He tickles her and can get her laughing like crazy.
* VERY observant. She notices her brother and is intensely interested in him. She loves to stare at him, touch him, pull his ear, etc. You can see in the picture above she is busy staring at her brother off to the side. As far as we can tell he has shown little to no interest in or recognition of her, LOL.
* Our little girl. She still fits comfortably in her 0-3 clothes and her Size 1 diapers. She is petite but so precious! She still likes to lay on my chest and curl herself into a little ball on her tummy with her legs and arms tucked under. This weekend she took a nap with me that way for about two hours. I treasure this time with her because I know soon she will be too big and into too much to want to cuddle like that.
She is such a sweet baby and we are so proud of her!
That is what is going on with us! I promise I will try to get better at posting!
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