Everyday Life!

Today, the babies are six weeks old. In a way, I can't believe that it has been six weeks already. In another way, it feels as though I have known these sweet angels forever. They have taught me so much. For one thing, they are completely individuals. Their pediatrician reminded of this at our first appointment. I, of course, had to learn it the hard way. I have changed both their formulas to try to help the reflux to only quickly put Ella Harper back on what she was on before. I learned that just because Ella Harper likes to be swaddled tight to go to sleep, Tripp likes his arms free. He will fuss and struggle until he gets them free. My nap and his was compromised one day to learn that one! Tripp likes to lie on the floor on his baby gym and look at the hanging mobiles and Ella Harper likes to be in the bouncy or the swing. As different as they are, they also are alike too. They both love for mommy and daddy to rock them. They both find holding on to mommy's hair comforting. They love taking rides in the stroller and the car. I know this isn't earth shattering, go tell it on the mountain news but it has been so cool to see their little differences and similarities.
In mommy news, I am learning to let people help me and I am learning to try to be "ok" when things aren't done exactly as I would do them. Both are really hard for me. I am very independent and I tend to do things myself to ensure that they are done to my specifications. In one way, I feel as though it has helped me tremendously to be schedule and detail oriented when raising two newborn twins. We have them eating every three to four hours. They go to sleep at the same time and wake up the same time. We feed them at the same time too even if I am by myself. This has been key to my survival as a new mommy. Not to mention, it has ensured that I get sleep at night (when the reflux isn't causing problems). Can you imagine what it would be like if I did not do this? I would be feeding babies for two hours, then with diaper change and getting them back to sleep, that would leave no sleep for me. It would be a continuous circle. So I don't feel as bad being insistent on these details. It's the little things that I need to let go. For example, like what they wear or how they are held when being fed....those things are unimportant.
I have also been brave enough to get out on my own with the babies. The key to making a quick run to store or anywhere else (by yourself) with two newborn babies is to make sure you do it between feedings. I get them and me ready to go, then feed them, and leave immediately. I only have about 2 hours and 45 minutes (to be safe) to get in and out before the starving shrills begin. So far I have been successful. However, I have learned to avoid Walgreens on Mondays. I went a couple of weeks ago and saw that senior citizen ladies like to go then to redeem those coupons. They love to stop, look at the babies, and reminisce about when they had little babies. Some have told me all the people they know who have twins or just had babies in general. Don't get me wrong, I love showing off my babies and talking to anyone that wants to stop us. It's just that talking too long could potentially lead to a disaster if it gets into feeding time. So Tuesdays it is, Walgreens!
I hope everyone has a great weekend! Enjoy your family and friends!

The Votes are in!

The votes are in! I wish I agreed with you! Majority voted that Tripp and Ella Harper both look like me. I happen to feel strongly that both my children look like their daddy in their own way. You are at a disadvantage. You only get to see their picture. I get to see their facial expressions. Their eyes are even turning blue like his. I tell them all the time that "mommy was just the incubator for little mini-daddies"! Thank goodness he is very good looking! I am hoping that as they grow up, maybe just a little of mommy will be visible! At this point, I will happy if they have my toes! It did make me feel good to see all those votes for "mommy"!

Witching Hour?!?

I have heard moms talking about a newborn syndrome called the "witching hour". This is when a newborn baby cries or is fussy at a certain time at night. It can start anywhere from 4:00 in the afternoon and last until 10:00 at night. The baby is almost inconsolable. (To find out more, google "baby witching hour"). I always wondered what caused it and how you "fix" it. I also wondered if all babies do this or if it was just a mild exaggeration from sleep deprived mommies. My sweet angels will be one month old this Friday. For the past two weeks my little Tripp starts getting really cranky around 7:00 pm and usually calms down around the 9:00 feeding. We discovered that he has some reflux problems and I thought initially that his fussiness was his reflux acting up. Our pediatrician prescribed medicine to help that and he is still super fussy. It dawned on me today that maybe what is going on with Tripp may be what some moms call the witching hour. Some nights are better than others. Sometimes he just whines and squirms and wants to be held. Other nights, he screams as if he is in pain and starving (even after he has just eaten). So now I am left wondering...is Tripp experiencing the newborn witching hour or could it be his reflux making him uncomfortable? It is weird to me that while he is pitching fits his sister, Ella Harper, is usually fast asleep nearby. If it is the witching hour fussiness, what can this mommy do to help? What has worked for you or do you even believe in the whole "witching hour" tale? Also, answer my new polls...inquiring minds want to know!

WAKE UP!

The babies are two weeks old today. I have to say that I have learned a lot about my babies as a new mommy already. One thing I am mastering is the night time feedings. Robbie started back to work this week, so night time duty became mine. The babies sleep in a cradle together right beside me so I can get to them quickly. Some nights have been better than others but I know immediately which way it is going to go by how my babies choose to wake me up. A feeding that is going to go smoothly starts with one of the babies (usually Ella Harper) waking up and making noises. I lovingly call them little bird noises. Then you will hear them sucking on their hands and stirring around in their cradle. I have time to get up, get my robe, get their bottle ready, and then take them to the den for their feeding. Now, a night that is what I consider "rough" looks much different. It starts with one of the babies (usually Ella Harper...lol but Tripp has done it to me too) waking up for a feeding. Now imagine this. You are in a semi-deep sleep enjoying the last few minutes before the next feeding. Then all of a sudden you hear a screeching, ear piercing cry. Talk about a way to wake up. I am pretty sure that I go straight from laying down asleep to feet on the floor in full motion. It feels like a fire alarm has sounded and you wake up in a complete frazzle. I manage to knock anything in reach on the floor while searching for my robe in the dark (baby still screaming). I then finally get to the screaming baby and run out of the room before Robbie's peaceful sleep is totally ruined. (After all, I get to take a nap the next day and am home with just myself and babies. He has to actually go to work and be nice to people). I am then in the kitchen with the screaming baby trying to one handily prepare two bottles and console the apparently starving baby. After retrieving the other baby who has started to stir, I am ready to began feeding only to realize that the baby who started this whirlwind of a moment is sound asleep again. I can only say that it makes me totally appreciate the feedings where my babies lovingly coo to wake mommy up.

Welcome to the World!

My name is Carlyn Duncan. A year ago, I started writing blogs for a popular Florida website called http://www.sunshinemamas.com/. I wrote about my husband Robbie and my journey to have a baby. On January 14, 2011, we were blessed with the most adorable twins. Their names are Tripp Halen and Ella Harper. They were born at 37 weeks by way of c-section. Tripp weighed 5 lbs 8 oz and 18 inches long. Ella Harper weighed 5 lbs 13 oz and was 17 inches. These two little miracles were prayed for by many and we are so happy they are finally here. I am starting this blog so that friends and family can keep up with what the twins and our family are doing. Thanks for checking it out and please vote in the poll of who the babies look like!