Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
the five of us
The five of us go for a walk every day. Two dogs, two kids, and me. Everyone in the neighborhood has something to say when they see us coming:
"You've got one of everything, don't ya?"
"Looks like you're a busy mama!"
"Quite a circus you've got there!"
Yea, yea, yea.
I walk as long as the twins will let me. I just keep going, and hope they keep sleeping; I'm convinced this daily routine keeps me sane. Sometimes we walk for thirty minutes, sometimes a couple of hours. But with the unrelenting summer humidity, it can get pretty unpleasant for my fur babies. Poor little China, a 10-year old Yorkie, would love to keep up with us, but neither her age, nor her four-inch legs are in her favor, so sometimes she just gives up - all paws out, pink tongue dangling. "No more, mom. No more."
Before the twins, I used to pick up China, and carry her home. But now, my hands are filled with a double-wide stroller.
Then, I found the answer . . .
And check out China now riding first class in the cargo room below!
"You've got one of everything, don't ya?"
"Looks like you're a busy mama!"
"Quite a circus you've got there!"
Yea, yea, yea.
I walk as long as the twins will let me. I just keep going, and hope they keep sleeping; I'm convinced this daily routine keeps me sane. Sometimes we walk for thirty minutes, sometimes a couple of hours. But with the unrelenting summer humidity, it can get pretty unpleasant for my fur babies. Poor little China, a 10-year old Yorkie, would love to keep up with us, but neither her age, nor her four-inch legs are in her favor, so sometimes she just gives up - all paws out, pink tongue dangling. "No more, mom. No more."
Before the twins, I used to pick up China, and carry her home. But now, my hands are filled with a double-wide stroller.
Then, I found the answer . . .
And check out China now riding first class in the cargo room below!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
new noises
We got home from the lake last Thursday. We cut our trip a little short because Owen came down with a cough. We took him to the pediatrician, and he was diagnosed with a cold.
It was probably good that we came home early though. Eliot bottomed out on her bottle feedings, and refused to take anything by mouth at the lake. It was good times all around. I decided it couldn't get much worse, so on Thursday night, I switched her bottle nipple to a totally different brand. (They do not recommend ever switching anything on a baby with feeding problems; it is just undue stress.) I guess the change was good because she took the whole bottle. The whole damn thing. She hasn't taken an entire bottle since May. :) She was doing great with her new NUK nipple until Saturday morning when she woke up with a cough.
Behold the joy of having twins . . .
Luckily for everyone, the twins have managed to fight this little cold, and not let it turn into anything serious. Because of their undeveloped immune systems, preemies can't fight off what a normal baby can. The fear of any parent of a premature baby is the common cold - that turns into pneumonia - that turns into another hospital stay.
I worried. But, it looks like they are both recovering well.
In other news, we took Eliot for an ENT appointment yesterday. Her left vocal chord is still paralyzed, but her right is compensating well, meaning she should start getting more of a "voice." She has begun to make some fun, new noises in the past few days. You'll have to turn up the volume, but here's little Elie enjoying her baby crack. I mean, her bouncy seat.
(There is a clear "uh-ooh" in this video. That's just Owen trying desperately to get some camera time.)
It was probably good that we came home early though. Eliot bottomed out on her bottle feedings, and refused to take anything by mouth at the lake. It was good times all around. I decided it couldn't get much worse, so on Thursday night, I switched her bottle nipple to a totally different brand. (They do not recommend ever switching anything on a baby with feeding problems; it is just undue stress.) I guess the change was good because she took the whole bottle. The whole damn thing. She hasn't taken an entire bottle since May. :) She was doing great with her new NUK nipple until Saturday morning when she woke up with a cough.
Behold the joy of having twins . . .
Luckily for everyone, the twins have managed to fight this little cold, and not let it turn into anything serious. Because of their undeveloped immune systems, preemies can't fight off what a normal baby can. The fear of any parent of a premature baby is the common cold - that turns into pneumonia - that turns into another hospital stay.
I worried. But, it looks like they are both recovering well.
In other news, we took Eliot for an ENT appointment yesterday. Her left vocal chord is still paralyzed, but her right is compensating well, meaning she should start getting more of a "voice." She has begun to make some fun, new noises in the past few days. You'll have to turn up the volume, but here's little Elie enjoying her baby crack. I mean, her bouncy seat.
(There is a clear "uh-ooh" in this video. That's just Owen trying desperately to get some camera time.)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
vacation, all i ever wanted
Home from our "couples-only" California trip, and now packing for a few days at the lake. This time, the babies are coming with us. This will be our first family vacation!
Mike and I were up late last night packing, then packing some more, then adding in a few more things, just in case. And one thing is for certain: we need a minivan.
Mike and I were up late last night packing, then packing some more, then adding in a few more things, just in case. And one thing is for certain: we need a minivan.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
spit-up
Eliot spits up every day. EVERY DAY. We expect it; we anticipate it. Owen never spits-up. He hasn't, in fact, in over two months. And then there was Tuesday night . . . after his 5pm bottle and an easy burp, he looked into my eyes, smiled, and spewed his entire undigested bottle all over me.
(Shame on Mike for taking this picture. Shame on you for laughing.)
What you can't see in this pic is spit-up dripping from my eyebrow, nor can you see two inches of spit-up pooling in my sports bra. Yes, this was the end of a very, very long day . . .
Mike and I leave for a weekend trip to Napa this afternoon, and judging by my face in this photo, I definitely need it.
(Shame on Mike for taking this picture. Shame on you for laughing.)
What you can't see in this pic is spit-up dripping from my eyebrow, nor can you see two inches of spit-up pooling in my sports bra. Yes, this was the end of a very, very long day . . .
Mike and I leave for a weekend trip to Napa this afternoon, and judging by my face in this photo, I definitely need it.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
progress
Four weeks of feeding therapy behind us, and Eliot is starting to show signs of progress. After watching her behavior for the past month, the therapist does not believe Eliot has an oral aversion, but instead is showing signs of disorganization. That's her diagnosis:
D-I-S-O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-E-D.
She never had enough practice with a bottle, and would therefore get stressed at the sight of one. Her tongue didn't know what to do, so her arms would begin to flail; then her head would thrust from side-to-side; and then she would break out in hysterics. If we swaddle her tightly, take her in a quiet room, dim the lights, and do some warm-up work with a pacifier, she usually attempts a bottle without problem. For the last few days, she has consistently been taking at least one ounce at most of her daily feedings (we need to work her up to twenty-eight ounces a day, so we've got a climb in front of us).
So, that's it: disorganization. I can deal with that. For Mike, however, "an everything has its place; all of my shirts face the same way in my closet; making Excel spreadsheets IS fun!" kind of guy, the news was shocking.
"Disorganized? That can't be possible."
"It can if she's my kid!"
Which she is, and boy does that explain it.
Always eager to rise to the challenge, however, Mike put his "Type A" skills to use, and became a master swaddler overnight. He now makes the best El El Bean Burrito this side of Atlanta.
D-I-S-O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-E-D.
She never had enough practice with a bottle, and would therefore get stressed at the sight of one. Her tongue didn't know what to do, so her arms would begin to flail; then her head would thrust from side-to-side; and then she would break out in hysterics. If we swaddle her tightly, take her in a quiet room, dim the lights, and do some warm-up work with a pacifier, she usually attempts a bottle without problem. For the last few days, she has consistently been taking at least one ounce at most of her daily feedings (we need to work her up to twenty-eight ounces a day, so we've got a climb in front of us).
So, that's it: disorganization. I can deal with that. For Mike, however, "an everything has its place; all of my shirts face the same way in my closet; making Excel spreadsheets IS fun!" kind of guy, the news was shocking.
"Disorganized? That can't be possible."
"It can if she's my kid!"
Which she is, and boy does that explain it.
Always eager to rise to the challenge, however, Mike put his "Type A" skills to use, and became a master swaddler overnight. He now makes the best El El Bean Burrito this side of Atlanta.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
pics of owen - finally
Owen Michael. Owie. Cooli-O. Speed-O. Big Man. Little O.
A montage of sweet, baby Owen.
A montage of sweet, baby Owen.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
reason
You cannot reason with a 5-month old.
I told Eliot that she has no choice; she has to eat. "There are very little options in life if you refuse to eat." That's what I said.
"On some level, I'm sure eating can be a very scary experience." I told her that I understood her fear. (I don't really, but I told her that.)
I told her that eating will get easier, and that she just has to practice. She will need this mentality when she starts playing the violin. Or soccer. Mike made me add "soccer."
I lectured her about focus; about persistence; about the joy of attaining a goal.
She looked at me intently, confidently, and then proceeded to close her eyes, and fall asleep in my arms - her untouched, full bottle sitting lonely on the coffee table.
And I learned one thing from my lecture with Eliot today: you cannot reason with a 5-month old.
I told Eliot that she has no choice; she has to eat. "There are very little options in life if you refuse to eat." That's what I said.
"On some level, I'm sure eating can be a very scary experience." I told her that I understood her fear. (I don't really, but I told her that.)
I told her that eating will get easier, and that she just has to practice. She will need this mentality when she starts playing the violin. Or soccer. Mike made me add "soccer."
I lectured her about focus; about persistence; about the joy of attaining a goal.
She looked at me intently, confidently, and then proceeded to close her eyes, and fall asleep in my arms - her untouched, full bottle sitting lonely on the coffee table.
And I learned one thing from my lecture with Eliot today: you cannot reason with a 5-month old.
Monday, May 26, 2008
play date
We had our first play date over Memorial Weekend. Friends from our NICU days, Lauren and Paige, brought their son, Jesse, over on Sunday. A group photo on the couch had all of the adults laughing, but the babies didn't find it quite as amusing.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Elie McBeal
We've renamed our daughter Elie McBeal because she won't eat anything. Nada. A total hunger strike. Eliot's oral aversion is back with a vengeance, and she has decided that eating isn't so fun after all. Come on, El! Everybody's doing it!
We start feeding therapy with her this Thursday. I'm looking forward to learning how to help Eliot enjoy her bottles again. Since she is now taking very small amounts by mouth these days, the dreaded feeding tube is back, but thankfully, her cheerful personality hasn't diminished much. I've never seen a baby so happy to have a tube down her throat.
The twins had a G.I. appointment last week to check on their reflux, and after the doctor saw Owen's dramatic weight gain, he said that "the moose" was just there for a social visit. He weighs just over 13 pounds now, and is already on the charts for a normal 5-month old (chronological age). Amazing. For his adjusted age (2 months), he is in the 95th percentile for height and weight. This kid does not mess around when it comes to growing.
I am trying to get a montage together with pics of the little guy, but it's hard to catch him without a bottle in front of his face. Still working on it!
We start feeding therapy with her this Thursday. I'm looking forward to learning how to help Eliot enjoy her bottles again. Since she is now taking very small amounts by mouth these days, the dreaded feeding tube is back, but thankfully, her cheerful personality hasn't diminished much. I've never seen a baby so happy to have a tube down her throat.
The twins had a G.I. appointment last week to check on their reflux, and after the doctor saw Owen's dramatic weight gain, he said that "the moose" was just there for a social visit. He weighs just over 13 pounds now, and is already on the charts for a normal 5-month old (chronological age). Amazing. For his adjusted age (2 months), he is in the 95th percentile for height and weight. This kid does not mess around when it comes to growing.
I am trying to get a montage together with pics of the little guy, but it's hard to catch him without a bottle in front of his face. Still working on it!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
pics of eliot
Eliot Makenna. Elie. Elie Mak. El El Bean. Big Mak. El-Train.
A montage of sweet Eliot.
A montage of sweet Eliot.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
mother's day
I celebrated my own mom today. It's hard to believe that one day my twins will celebrate me. (For now, they are happy just to use me for food.)
Friday, May 9, 2008
life is good
Eliot's tube is out. We don't know if this was the right thing to do, but it's the thing we did. :) That's the explanation I gave to the pediatrician. I'm sure she was impressed.
Feedings are still a struggle for Elie, but she is gaining weight - a good sign that she is getting what she needs.
Owen continues to eat and sleep beautifully. His butt says "Life is Good," and we believe it.
Owen caught reverting to his old ways and sucking on Elie's head!
Don't they look alike in this pic?
Feedings are still a struggle for Elie, but she is gaining weight - a good sign that she is getting what she needs.
Owen continues to eat and sleep beautifully. His butt says "Life is Good," and we believe it.
Owen caught reverting to his old ways and sucking on Elie's head!
Don't they look alike in this pic?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
desperate attempt
We are still trying to get Eliot up to full feedings. Things were going so well last week, and she was up to six full bottles a day. Then she decided she was done with her feeding tube, and she pulled it out. Just pulled it out. Right there - lying on my chest - pulled it out, smiled, and looked at me like she was in front of the class at "show and tell."
I thought she knew what was right for her, so I left it out. I was so desperate to see her taking all of her feedings by the bottle, and selfishly, I wanted to see her face without a taped tube across it. She was so beautiful.
She did well without the tube at first, and then started to slow. She went from taking six full bottles a day on Thursday, to only getting down two full feedings on Sunday. Out of sheer panic that she wasn't getting enough calories, we replaced her feeding tube Monday morning at 5am. What a wake-up call.
But, her little vacation downhill continued. From six full bottles, to two full bottles, to only finishing 1/4th of a few bottles throughout the day today. She has since started squirming, kicking her legs, and pulling away from the nipple. She is crazy- stubborn. I don't know where she gets it.
Tonight, there was a glimpse of hope, as she took almost all of her last bottle. When I tried to give her the teaspoon she had left, she gagged on her feeding tube, and threw up everything - all over me. Regurgitated breast milk pooling on my legs. Awesome.
The worst thing about this cycle is that it starts all over tomorrow, and right now, I don't have any next steps or great ideas to help her. I'm desperate and disappointed, and I just want Eliot to eat.
I thought she knew what was right for her, so I left it out. I was so desperate to see her taking all of her feedings by the bottle, and selfishly, I wanted to see her face without a taped tube across it. She was so beautiful.
She did well without the tube at first, and then started to slow. She went from taking six full bottles a day on Thursday, to only getting down two full feedings on Sunday. Out of sheer panic that she wasn't getting enough calories, we replaced her feeding tube Monday morning at 5am. What a wake-up call.
But, her little vacation downhill continued. From six full bottles, to two full bottles, to only finishing 1/4th of a few bottles throughout the day today. She has since started squirming, kicking her legs, and pulling away from the nipple. She is crazy- stubborn. I don't know where she gets it.
Tonight, there was a glimpse of hope, as she took almost all of her last bottle. When I tried to give her the teaspoon she had left, she gagged on her feeding tube, and threw up everything - all over me. Regurgitated breast milk pooling on my legs. Awesome.
The worst thing about this cycle is that it starts all over tomorrow, and right now, I don't have any next steps or great ideas to help her. I'm desperate and disappointed, and I just want Eliot to eat.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
march for babies!
Mike and I walked in the March of Dimes, March for Babies! walk on Saturday. We left the twins at "Granddaddy Daycare" and proudly walked five miles with thousands of other Atlantans.
We want to thank all of our friends and family who donated money in honor of Owen and Eliot. The March of Dimes does some extraordinary work for premature babies, and we were very proud to support their efforts.
We want to thank all of our friends and family who donated money in honor of Owen and Eliot. The March of Dimes does some extraordinary work for premature babies, and we were very proud to support their efforts.
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