Friday, September 28, 2012

3 months



Emma Cate and Holden,
You are three months old!














What our life is like:
You still wake up between 6:00 and 7:30 for a morning feed. We've figured out that bottle feeding at this time is much easier on all of us. :) I try to get up a little before you both and do my morning pump. You normally go back to sleep until 9:30 or 10 and I get up, take my shower and get our home ready for the day. If I need to get anything done it pretty much has to happen between 7-9am. You both take around 4-4.5 ounces when you wake up and then we change diapers and play! You are now to the point where we are playing more! You both are starting to enjoy tummy time more and are champs at holding your heads up. It's amazing to see your little bodies getting stronger. You both like music and love to sit in your boppys and watch me play musical instruments for you. The dogs normally join in on our little band with their barking. Both Boomer and Sophie like to lay down and snuggle with you guys. I put you both in the pack n' play and y'all love to flail your arms around, hit each other in the face, chew on each others' arms and ears, and kick kick kick! You have both started to reach for objects and like to bat at the toys that hang above your crib. You've both really started noticing your mobiles and love when we turn them on. After the 9:30 feeding we either stay home and play for about and hour before you go back to sleep or hop in the car and head to the park to walk with friends. You both eat a bottle at 12-1. Our routine pretty much consists of eat, play for an hour and then nap for an hour before it's time to eat again. We count the minutes until 2pm when Gigi gets home from school. She loves to play and sing with you guys. Unfortunately, we learned that Gigi is sick this month. She has breast cancer. Gigi has had lots of doctor's appointments so you guys have been joining mom at cheer practice :) You take a bottle at 3 and both of you are great a taking a bottle whenever from whomever. We get excited to see Daddy when he gets home around 5. Both of you love to be held by your Daddy. He throws you up in the air and plays airplane and zooms you around. You both take another bottle around 6pm and then the fussy period begins! Around 7 or 8 you both will fall asleep in our arms and we enjoy the cuddles. At 9pm we start bathtime. Daddy is the official bath giver while I nurse you. Once you finish nursing, Daddy puts you both in your swaddles and puts you down for the night. About a week before your 3 month birthday you both started sleep through the night, 9:30-6 or 7am. Mommy and Daddy are SOOO happy! We also put you in separate cribs. Emma Cate was a wiggler and would end up getting kicked in the head by Holden and waking up. So far you've (and us!) enjoyed your own space in your own cribs.

You are both smiling when prompted. You started music together class this month and love it! You both love the tambourine and all of the musical instruments  I like to sing all the songs to you and I can tell you enjoy it by the huge gummy smiles you give me! We've even gotten Daddy to sing a few rounds of the hello song. Towards the end of month 2, you both have been making more noise (besides crying). I love listening to your developing language skills. It is so fun to interact with you both! One of my favorites is when one of you screams, the other will smile and coo.

Emma Cate:
Nicknames:  Emma Tate, Taters, Sweet Pea (especially by your daddy), P 
Weight: around 9lbs
Height: unknown
Hair: girlfriend is sporting a major horseshoes and bows are a must to adorn your pretty little head. Emma Cate is taking after Pop Pops in the hair department. Good think this mama loves little bald babies :)
Eyes: Blue
Clothes: We just packed up all of your newborn clothes and are officially wearing 0-3 months. Your 3 month onesie was carter's size 3 months
Diapers: Using the Bumgenius 4.0 and Freedom. We LOVE the freedoms. You are still on the smallest size setting.
Eating: Takes 4-4.5 ounces every 3 hours, 6 feedings daily. Nursing once a day before bedtime.
Likes: watching tv (especially football she sneaks it while she's in the pack n play), mornings when I get her from her crib, laying next to/cuddling with Holden, her soft pink blanket, swatting at the baseball in the pack n play, being sung to, diaper changes, nuk pacis
Dislikes: falling asleep on her own (but she's getting better), tummy time, dirty diapers 
Development: starting to do baby push ups in tummy time, standing when held, learning to sit (still far from it),  is very alert and looks at the person speaking
Words: not yet!
Teeth: not yet!

Extra: You are the sweetest baby but girl, you have the most attention getting cry! I think that people think I'm being mean to you! You let out these wails and in between you turn beet red and don't breath. It scares me a little. You love to be held and that normally stops the tantrum. You are just so sweet. You love to smile and I love receiving those smiles. You adore storytime at the library and music together. You love to read books and will pay attention to anything that catches your eye. You have started to deliberatly reach out and grab things. It is so fun to watch you grow and learn! You are a very pretty little girl and I love how you look in hairbows! I think you love it too! You are growing long but still are skinny. You have little thighs that only touch when you stretch out really long on the changing table. Your legs are definitely straightening out after being cramped in mommy's tummy for so long. You are mommy's sweetie!



Holden

Nicknames: Holdy, Holds, Handsome Holden, Golden Holden, Franklin, Fwankwin, Fwank
Weight: around 10.5 pounds
Height: unknown- 
Hair: blond. Slowly its growing longer. Very slowly.
Eyes: Blue
Clothes: Just packed up all of your newborn and your 0-3, and 3 month fit you well. You've got some 6 months but they're pretty big on you.
Diapers: Bumgenius 4.0 and freetime. They are set one snap bigger than the smallest size.
Eating: 4.5-5oz of breastmilk every 3 hours by bottle, around 15 minute nursing session at night.
Likes: sitting up, looking around, being held, the mobile in the crib and pack n play, seeing what's going on, tummy time, being naked, bath time
Dislikes: being strapped in your car seat (before the car gets moving, but you're getting better), being hungry (boy likes his bottle!)
Development: You continue to be our strong boy, you've got great neck control and like looking around, you like to flail your arms but aren't necessarily deliberate in your movements. You do great at tummy time and give us lots of baby push ups!
Words: not yet!
Teeth: not yet!

Extra:
Holden, you are so fun to be around! You make awesome faces and are just plain cute. You get fussy and your lip quivers and you snort and it is hilarious. I try not to laugh! You still like to stand up and dance. You let me move your arms around. Your cry sounds like a little girl (we need to work on that). It is super high pitched! Your tummy has been feeling sooo much better recently, you hardly spit up anymore. You can still let out some monster farts (yuck!). Your dad is very proud of you... You have a long neck and like to stick it out (hence the nickname franklin, as in franklin the turtle!)



Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Cancer

We learned yesterday that my mom has breast cancer. She found a lump, had a mammogram, had a biopsy and the doctor called with the results yesterday morning. They biopsied two lumps in her breast and a lymph node in her armpit that was swollen. All three were positive for cancer. She will meet with her surgical oncologist on the 18th to learn how they are going to treat it and we will know more information about the cancer, how far it has spread, etc. Luckily we have been referred to one of the BEST oncologists in our area and are praying for him and his team. We are very fortunate to have good friends in the medical community :)

Surprisingly, I am very at peace with this. I KNOW that she will beat this and that cancer will be small dot on the timeline of her life. I'm struggling in how to keep her confident that she can beat it. I know she has doubts and that she is scared. I have never been through something like this and I've never seen my mom so visibly nervous. I'm not sure what to say, but know that I need to stay positive. Do I talk about cancer, do I avoid talking about cancer, do I act like things are normal, do I treat her like she is sick, am I burdening her if she watches my babies (she normally does this 2-3 afternoons a week while I'm at cheerleading practice), or am I taking something away from her if I get someone else to watch them? Where is the manual to dealing with your mother's breast cancer?!

I am lucky I have my sisters. We are all positive and ready to do anything we can to support my mom as she fights this. We are also very lucky that my mom is back in Charlotte. She has sooo many friends here and people that care about her. I believe that God knew this was coming and sent my mom back to Charlotte and had them buy a house in a neighborhood where tons of her friends live (and is 3 miles down the road from me!), he did it at a time where I am not working so that I can care for her. He gave my Dad a new job where his boss is very understand and he can work from home and will be in Charlotte whenever he needs to be. My mother in law is now retired and can help watch the babies while we help my mom. I believe that God set this all up so that my mom can beat this disease.

I'll continue to update as we know more but please pray for my mom, that she knows she can beat this, and for her doctors and those that care for her, for my Dad who is by himself right now and so worried about his wife, and for all of the women that are suffering from this terrible thing.

Thank you!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Guess what

Guess what these sweet little babies did?

Slept through the night! We put them down at 9:45 and besides a little emma cate swaddle readjustment by daddy around 3am, they didn't wake up until 5:45. Hoping this is not a fluke!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

I can’t believe it’s been a month!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've last blogged! Month one was definitely crazy.

For starters, we just learned about 6 days ago that both babies have allergies to dairy and soy. That's right, this mama has been soy and dairy free for 6 days. Its been hard but as of the 5th day my babies were feeling so much better and I know that I can do it for them. I'm excitedly meeting with a health coach soon to help me navigate my way around Earth Fare and Whole Foods to select the best products for this type of diet. Stay tuned for my dairy and soy free recipes!

Here's our month in pictures and stories:

Shortly after turning a month old we brought the twins out to dinner with friends. Its so great to have friends to hold and feed your babies while you enjoy a hot meal!

7-21-12

We visited Freedom Park for the first time! It was HOT! We hung out in the shade and enjoyed a picnic lunch. We decided not to go for a walk like originally planned and headed back home for some playtime in the AC.

7-22-12

Holden

Emma Cate

Daddy and his babies

Emma Cate at playtime

Daddy decided to put his beloved Jeep up for sale. Unfortunately it had not been driven all summer and we had no plans of putting two little babies in that thing! We've decided to buy a new Jeep in the spring that has all of the modern safety features that we'd feel comfortable putting car seats in.

7-23-12

We hung around the house a lot and I took lots of cute baby in boppy pictures. Our weekdays are pretty much spent hanging out while I try to keep the house tidy. This is the first week I used my stove in a LONG time! We hosted several playdates (none of which I took pictures of!) Liam, Cora, and Sutton all came by for visits this week!

7-24-12

7-25-12

7-26-12

mini peanut butter chocolate brownie cups

finally made it out to trader joes and enjoyed my favorites!

peanut with a gas smile

We took another trip to Asheboro to hang out with our Carroll/Caviness family. Papaw Marvin is always so happy to see the twins. When we're at home, he'll have Jay's mom (Gran) call so that he can sing lullabyes to the babies before they fall asleep. So sweet.

7-28-12

We took the babies to church for the first time this month! You can tell that it's summer because the service was empty and we didn't get to see any of our friends! We enjoyed a great sermon though and Pastor Tracie welcomed the twins to their first service during our prayer section! After the service, they were able to meet so many of the people that had been praying for them while they were still in my tummy.

7-29-12 

This may be a little tmi for most of you but I wanted to remember this day (don't ask me why...) Jay and I decided that since none of our friends were at church on Sunday we would just go home instead of our normal out to eat Sunday lunch. Shortly after leaving church we decided to take the babies out to eat by ourselves anyway. We pulled over to a parking lot so I could pump, we could feed babies and change diapers before heading the restaurant. Everything was going great, I was done pumping, and went to the back of the car to change Emma Cate (Jay had already fed both of them and changed Holden). Emma Cate unleashed her infamous explosive poo and it got all over me, the car, and Jay who was standing over my left shoulder. We couldn't do anything but laugh. After the explosive incident, she also peed on two diapers as I was putting them on and we ended up going through 4 cloth diapers in one change and settled on a disposable. At the end Jay said, "If I was wearing darker colored pants I'd still go out to lunch" to which I responded that we were the parents of twins 6 weeks old and I didn't care if I did have poo stains on me I was going out to eat anyway. He agreed and after some major cleaning and sanitizing off we went!

Laughing because what else can you do 

The many faces of Emma Cate

7-30-12 

Our chest freezer is FILLED to the brim with milk. I'm hoping that the babies get over their allergy by some point so that we can use this milk. If not, I'm hoping there is a bank I can donate to.

7-31-12

Gigi and Emma Cate 

bath time for Emma Cate

Hanging out around the house in our NC State socks!

8-1-12

Go Pack

We took the babies for their first long weekend and headed to Atlanta to visit Gigi and Pop Pop. I think I spent two days packing! We tried to drive straight through from Charlotte but had to stop about an hour outside of Atlanta for bottles and diaper changes. The weather was terrible and it poured most of the drive down. We are a little nuts and took both dogs with us. Probably won't be doing that anytime soon! We had a CRAZY visit. We arrived late Thursday night and didn't get much sleep. Friday was spent laying around the house and running errands. We had a cookout Friday night with my mom, dad, aunt allie, and brett. Aunt Bo flew in later that night. 

After dinner we got a called from my parent's realtor that their house was going to be shown the following morning and we needed to be out between 11-3. The messed up our plan to go to the aquarium early in the am, come home and rest before the braves game that evening. We figured that we'd take the dogs to doggy day care and just go to the aquarium later and straight to the game after. Turns out our dogs' shots had expired the month prior! We ended up taking 4 dogs, 2 babies and the whole family to the park for the morning only to have torrential rain at the park. We scrambled to figure out where to take dogs and stay out of the rain and ended up eating our picnic lunch in the parking deck of Phipps Plaza! What a sight! It was crazy but a fun memory none the less. We ended up still making it to the aquarium and the braves game! Such a fun weekend hanging out with family.

8-2-12

LOVE this chair for our fussy baby!

packed and ready to go to Gigi and Pop Pops!

Ready to go

I'm not so sure about this mom!

8-3-12

lazy morning with daddy

Brett cooking his green beans

finding a quiet place for EC to nap in the sunroom

Pop Pop and Emma Cate

8-4-12

family aquarium pic

snoozing through the exhibits

loved this little creature!

overhead aquarium

Pop Pop pointing out fish to the babies

I had to pump for the first time in a public restroom... anything for my babies :)

Gigi scared everyone at the exhibit by dangling Emma Cate over the edge for a closer view! We DIED laughing at everyone's faces. It appeared that she was going to dunk her in!

Holden at the Braves Game 

Daddy and his little man

take me out to the ball game!

family pic at Turner Field

We headed back to Charlotte on Sunday morning but not before finishing up some laundry (pics of Holden helping... don't mind the purple paci) and getting in some last minute cuddles with Gigi

8-5-12

Holden has been LOVING tummy time! I think it's the only thing that really relieves his tummy pain. Emma Cate... not so much!

8-7-12

More lounging took place this week. Looking at this post, that really seems like all we do! In actuality, the twins and I are on the go! Everyday we get out of the house. Usually we run errands, head to the mall to walk in the AC, have friends over to play (sleep), or have lunch with Gigi. I just don't really take pictures when we're on the go! I need to be better about that!

8-8-12

sleepy Emma Cate. I feel like this girl is always posing!

i feel like they really look like twins in this side by side comparision

passed out after bottles

Holden hanging out in my bed

I started back coaching this week and the twins came with! Its been busy and I've been carting them everywhere but they've adapted well. They got sooo spoiled at cheer camp and were held all the time by my former students and cheer moms.

8-9-12

Jay loves posing the babies with the dogs... good thing the dogs are sweet!

8-12-12

Waking up from morning nap

8-14-12

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