Rowan and Kieran had their 4 month checkup this past Thursday. Our munchkins are round, plump and healthy. It amazes me to think we have been caring for two babies for four months now. Surprisingly for me the time has flown, Patrick on the other hand feels as if it has been four years. Before the doctor visit Veronica and I were talking on the phone, she proclaimed me brave for taking both boys to the doctor alone. I of course thought nothing of this, I can't imagine not having to do everything twice. Well this visit I wished I had another pair of hands, Kieran had a meltdown while being weighed. He started to scream bloody murder to the point he was turning blue. Rowan decided to chime in with his equally loud screams. There was nothing I could do, I couldn't console both at the same time. It got so bad the doctor had to call in a nurse to pick up Rowan. It's funny how each boy ignores the others normal cries, but a bloody murder cry apparently requires the other to chime in. When we walked out after 40 minutes the entire office was backed up and people were actually looking out of their exam rooms to see what was going on. I sheepishly apologized and quickly exited the office. Their weights are excellent, but I am not sure the lengths are correct, since the screaming seemed to make everyone nervous.
Kieran weighs 13 pounds 8 ounces with a length of 24 3/4 inches
Rowan weighs 15 pounds 4 ounces with a length of 24 1/2 inches
The boys have changed so much in the past four months, they no longer eat, poop, sleep. Instead finding ample time to play, eat, poop and sleep. Entertaining them has proven to be more difficult, they know my bag of tricks now and pretty much let me know when they want something more. The doctor gave me the okay to try the exersaucer and jumpy. So two more circuits have been added to our daily baby curves workout.
We have fallen into someting that resembles a schedule. It's not one that I like but hey I'll take it. It goes something like this....
Bedtime 6:30-7 pm
Pacifier reloads 11pm-1 am
Time to eat 2-4 am
One baby wakes up crying wanting to be held 5 am
The second baby wakes about 10 minutes later.
Out of Crib for playtime at 6 am
Mini feeding 7 am
Big bottle 9:30-10 am
Big bottle 1-2 pm
Snack 4-5 pm (Usually just Rowan)
Dinner Bottle 6:30-7:00
By my count the sheer number of bottles has decreased drastically from when they were little. This does vary quite a bit during the week. The only set time is bedtime. Both Rowan and Kieran become very agitated if they are not in bed by 7pm. Now if we can just figure out a good nap schedule. Most of the time we just like to hang on the couch when we should be napping!
The boys are starting to really notice each other. It is so cute. Rowan tries to talk to Kieran. Kieran just laughs and smiles at him. Each one will reposition themselves to get a better look at the other especially when they are being burped. I now position them to look at each other during tummy time.
We have taken out some new toys for the little guys to play with. Both boys have finally warmed up to the baby "Lazy Susan". They aren't to sure how to use it, but don't mind laying on it for about 5 minutes looking around. Rowan usually has a baby meltdown afterwards, but he has gotten better.
Kieran and Rowan are getting pretty good at picking up their small toys. They like anything that has rings on it, easy to grab. Every toy goes into their mouths of course.
The boys finally had the chance to meet Grace, Ali and her brother Eric. Nicole joined the party, quickly pitching in with the boys. Rowan enjoyed a nice morning nap on her lap. It was like old times visiting with the girls. We briefly reminisced of our old days. Oh how things have changed. We no longer get in at 5am, instead getting up at 5am. Rowan liked looking at Grace. She was so kind to push him in his swing and replace his paci whether it came out or not. Patrick and I got a glimpse of our future. Grace was ALL over the place. I'm not to sure how we are going to handle 2 little people all over the place, we thought twinfancy was hard. We'll just have to be creative or buy a very large swing set. I suggested tying a rope around Grace and attaching her to a dog lead, but Ali told me it was a worth while idea but probably not too safe. I love this last photo of Ali holding Grace and Rowan, the look on her face is so typical Ali...
The boys and I had a low key day. We hung around the house in the morning. Kieran took a power nap in the am after his breakfast and Rowan was very playful. By mid morning they had switched places. Rowan was down for the count napping in his swing and Kieran was all smiles. We decided to go to the library to return books and browse for new ones. Rowan was very upset that his swing nap was interrupted so he was a bit fussy, but Kieran was wide eyed in the library. Next stop the grocery store which is always a feat with 2 infants and a cart. But we managed and made it home just in time for their afternoon bottle. We were all set up for a nice story time, but Kieran was to tired from being awake all afternoon. He was having a baby meltdown. Off to the swing he went while Rowan and I enjoyed an afternoon read. This afternoon we read a great book given to them by Uncle Alex and Aunt ShaSha, Walter the Farting Dog. The series is an excellent read especially for little boys who fart all the time. I love children's books that have more than 3 words to a page and colorful pictures. Rowan enjoyed Walters adventures, but he laughs at pretty much anything right now so who knows.
Rowan and Kieran had a big day today, they attended Uncle Mike's 30th Birthday at a restaurant. There were lots of friends and family present and both boys did great! They alternated sleeping, one would sleep while the other was awake. It's uncanny how they wait until the other one has closed their eyes, then suddenly feel the need to wake up. Rowan especially liked all the people. He was his usual jolly self laughing and smiling at people. He really liked the waitress and her red hair. Kieran on the other hand was content to snuggle his face into dad and take a nap there. Overall a successful day out, we both were able to eat our dinner, albeit Patrick had to eat his with one hand but we ate. Desert was another story, Rowan had enough and wanted to walk around looking at new faces. He is so funny.
I am also proud to announce that Kieran is finally smiling on demand! I will have to try to get some photos this week.
The other day we noticed Rowan trying to roll over. Patrick did his best teaching, but well I let you see for yourself. Please excuse my high pitch voice. I always told myself that was one of things I would never do as a parent and as you can see I can't help myself. It is the only way to get Kieran to smile.
Here are some of the GREAT photos Shannon took while she was here for the christening. They were taken at the beach by the house after the boys bedtime. I can't believe how pleasant they were, even though Kieran threw up all over himself in the car. This required a quick pants change before we even left the driveway. But you would never know by looking at the beautiful photos.
The boys had some special visitors yesterday. Uncle Alex and Aunt Shannon were in town for a day and decided to spend it with the boys. Kieran and Rowan love sitting on Uncle Alex, probably because he entertains them so well. While the boys took one of their now famous 30 minute naps, Alex decided to find a new use for the boppy pillow. All the men in the house napped.
I think Rowan is trying to roll over. After placing him in the play gym, I went to make some bottles. When I returned his head was on the other end of the mat. At first I wasn’t sure how he did it. After watching him, he throws his body over, thus pushing himself around. Tomorrow I am going to get some video of it. Our serious baby Kieran is trying to smile more. He does talk to his toys a lot, but no big smiles yet.
Off to fold the endless laundry we have. Thank god for Veronica’s care package, she sent us her boy bibs and burp cloths she no longer uses. They came just in time we were all out.
If you had asked me two years ago about Mother's Day I would have never thought I would be celebrating the day. I am so incredibly thankful to have my two boys. There has been so much growth in the last three months, and I am not thinking just in their size. They have started to develop personalities. Rowan is going through a stage where he thinks everything is funny. The simple act of feeding him a bottle is funny to him. Patrick was especially tired the other night after a 4 am feeding and then having to get ready for work at 5am, but he said his whole day turned around when he walked into the nursery and Rowan was looking up at him with a BIG smile. It's amazing what a little smile can do for you. Kieran has become a little more attached to me. He frightens easily and refuses to stop crying unless I hold him. It's so cute to watch him bury his little head in my chest as he calms down. Now we just have to work on that smile. It's coming, I bet in another week or so he will be smiling like his brother.
This past Saturday the whole family ventured out together for the first time. Patrick has never been out with the boys, so we decided to run some errands together. Off to the mall we went. Patrick got to experience the lovely world of twin shopping, where everyone and anyone will feel free to approach you and give advice on how to raise your twins. I know people mean well but it cracks me up. Many times when you ask them if they have twins, the reply is "no". I do like getting comments from parents of older twins, they are always reassuring that it will get easier and offer kind words. I love the look on their faces, it's almost as if they are going down memory lane. Our last stop of the day was the grocery store, which is so much nicer when you have someone there to push the cart for you while you push the stroller.
Sunday we were off to the in laws. It was a nice "First" Mothers Day. We enjoyed a family BBQ with the grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Maybe we should have taken that class. This past Friday Patrick entertained the boys for me while I tried to straighten up the house. His mode of entertainment was playing guitar hero while they watched in their chairs. It was so funny to see Kieran move his head back and forth as if he was rocking out, while Rowan laughed and raised his hands up. I didn't get the best video of it but I am sure there will be more opportunities.
Then this morning while we were eating breakfast, we placed Rowan in the Bumbo on the TABLE. The very reason it was recalled. I figured we were responsible enough to watch him and it was the only way we could eat in peace.
I’m not sure if it is a twin mom thing or if every mom suffers from stroller mania. It seems my strollers have multiplied faster than my kids. I currently own five strollers, yes folks I said five. One double snap and go, which all the moms tell me I will cry when I have to get rid of it. It is by far the easiest to use when traveling with the boys, but the sheer length of it makes it hard to maneuver on bumpy roads. This leads me to my next stroller the double jogger, our newest addition to the fleet of strollers. The boys like riding in it, and it is great on the roads, bumpy and smooth. The manufacture claims it will fit in any doorway but I am not about to try it at the mall. So for mall use we have a variety to choose from depending on your mood. I have a classical front/back stroller that I have never used since I am still in the snap and go. This will probably get lots of use once I out grow the snap and go. And finally to round out the group I have two umbrella strollers, just incase a baby get ornery and needs to be walked around the block alone. Or we want to travel and have one person take a baby. The divide and conquer method. I am not sure when this happened but somehow I have acquired a fleet of strollers. Now comes the problem, where to store them all in this tiny house.
I often wonder if I am doing the right things for the boys. Are they getting enough individual time with me, enough mental stimulation, enough sleep, etc. In the past few days both Rowan and Kieran have had a fondness for the television. Not sure why, I think it's the lights on the TV. Rowan will sit there and laugh at the TV if there are bright colors on the screen. So today we made a trip to the toy store. It was the first time both boys were awake for the entire time we were in a store, they usually sleep. (I think I am in trouble) Anyway I wanted to pick up A video for them, I feel bad enough that they like to watch T.V. but letting them watch the Hills and Survivor all day seems inappropriate and irresponsible. To ease my conscience I decided to purchase a Brainy Baby DVD which was recommended by some other moms. While I was browsing the DVDs my mother was holding different boxes up to Rowan to see which ones would make him laugh. Long Story short we left with 4 DVDs, I don't even own 4 DVDs for myself. When we got home the boys played for a bit in the gyms and then we had some educational TV time. Rowan and Kieran both liked the video, laughing and talking to the TV.
