Wednesday, April 27, 2011

19 Weeks Old

By Cyndi
April 26, 2011

This will be short ...

The boys had a great visit with the pediatrician last week.  Weight gain has been good.  Zach gained more than Tyler and their gap in weights is now 11 ounces.  We weren't surprised with this, since Zach, on average, eats 2 ounces a day more than Tyler.  Here are their weights:



Tyler Zachary
Birth 4lb 1oz 3lb 14oz
2 Months 8lb 8oz 8lb 15oz
4 Months 12lb 9oz 13lb 4oz

Passover ended last night with a successful dinner out with the Isaacs.  Yes, four adults, one high chair & two slings for T&Z's carseats, lots of bread and no melt downs.  It was hopefully the first of many dinners out as a group!!

That's it for now. 

Tyler

Move it brother, I'm trying to roll over!

Zach enjoying some tummy time










Tuesday, April 19, 2011

18 Weeks Old

By Cyndi
April 19, 2011

Where has the past week gone? We had two rough sleeping nights where one of them woke up every hour or two. Why? Well, it was hot on Monday eve, so we didn't use their sleep sacs (babies should not use blankets due to suffocation, so this is a "gown" that zips up and keeps them nice and warm). The next night or two were the rough nights, so we went back to using them again on Thursday night and they were good again! Let's just say, sleep is a requirement for me to function. I truly hope they continue to be good sleepers because it helps me to be a better, more patient, more kind mom. (ummm ... still weird that I'm a mom, just throwing it out there.)

Finally on Sunday, we had some time to take the boys' 4 month pictures. Since they can roll over now, I have to have a second set of hands nearby to help ensure they aren't going to fall off the couch.

Zachary

Tyler

4 months old

Don't forget about Meigs
The boys were able to meet some of the Gimpel NJ cousins as they drove back from a college visit. As some of you may know, I have only a few first cousins. On my dad's side, we consider 2nd & 3rd cousins, like first cousins. I've been to all of the weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc. It's quite extended, but we've stayed so close because my Grandpa Max (who we are trying to go see in July in Pheonix) is their great uncle. The good news is my cousin Seth picked James Madison University in Southern/Central Virginia, so they will be driving near us more frequently!! The entire Kuller family (even Val from University of Delaware) came to visit Friday night into Saturday which was awesome. Of course, the boys were smiley. Seth was happy to have a few more boy cousins around (Girl cousin count: 8, Boy cousin count: 3).


Daniel & Jill, Todd, Stacie & Lincoln all joined us for the first night of Passover. We had a full house!! Oh, excuse me, I must also include Atticus, Dan & Jill's puppy. Let's just say, Meigs and Atticus had a great time. The boys have also survived their first Passover seder! Sadly, they were not able to complete the mandatory Four Questions, but we allowed a pass this year.
Meigs' future one year from now, he will be in heaven! Lincoln gave a great belly rub.
Happy Passover!

Over the next two weeks, we have 4 month check-up with the pediatrician, two follow-up visits regarding the boys' head shapes, Matt & Todd bottling beer (Matt's anniversary present from me; I have yet to cash in my afternoon at a spa), Roslyn BBQ (a friend's bbq that he holds a few times per summer that we've been attending since 2006), and possibly an out of town friend's visit. I also need to find the time to fill the chest freezer with easy to prepare food. We are starting to run low and and as we've found out, trying to cook a dinner that takes more then 10 minutes to prepare won't happen, at least not right now. Life is busy, but being able to get outside is awesome.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

17 Weeks Old - 4 Month Memories

By Cyndi
April 13, 2011

Today, the boys are four months old. It's hard to believe how much our lives have changed in the past 4 months and how much they will continue to change. Since we don't want to forget the small things, today's post will focus on how the boys have grown ...
  • At 2 months, we were feedings 7 times per day, we are now at 5 times, with Tyler averaging 23.5 oz & Zach averaging 25.5oz daily. We are still using the 22 calorie formula.
  • With 5 feedings, the boys go 12 hours between night time feedings. We feed at 7pm and by the time they are put down, it is close to 9pm and they last until close to 7am. Zach sleeps very well, but Tyler wakes up from time to time fussy and needs a little love to fall back asleep.
  • I breastfed until 15 weeks. I was extremely realistic about breastfeeding and took it day by day. Although it was a tough decision to stop, I am happy I made it as long as I did, with all the struggles & supply issues.
  • Both boys started rolling over from their tummy to their back at 12 weeks (one day apart - Tyler was first).
  • At 12 weeks, we had consultations for their heads. Since those appointments, we have been doing neck stretches 5 times per day and at least an hour of tummy time per day.
  • The boys loved flying! Who would have guessed? No screaming, just a little fussing when it was time to eat.
  • I have returned to work. Ugg. It is stressful, extremely busy, but there's a paycheck and I do enjoy it, sometimes!
  • I'm stock piling diapers and Matt hasn't killed me yet for it. We have close to 1500 diapers right now in the house, since I got a deal on them. Sadly, the Amazon 20% off diapers coupon is taking a vacation, so I stocked up before they were gone.
  • Clothes: Still wearing 3 month, but some outfits are too tight already. Pretty soon we'll be unpacking all of the 3-6 month clothes!
A few other quick things from the past week-

We took our first walk with the BOB stroller ... LOVED IT!!! The boys were fussy but as soon as we strapped them in and started walking, they were quiet! They love movement :) Wonder if that's because I was on my feet so much while pregnant.
They enjoyed it so much, they fell asleep!
And on Monday of this week, it was 80+ degrees outside and this is what I came home to ...
Two kids, hanging out in their bumbo seats, wearing a bib and a diaper only!


Second, a sadder topic, two of our couple friends have moved. Ashley & Michael moved from Chicago back to where she is from, Dallas, TX. While we aren't in Chicago, it was always fun to see them on our visits. And, my fellow twin mommy Stef & her husband Jason moved to PA near Philly for his job. She has been a wealth of knowledge and knows what life is like with twins. I was lucky to have met her at an SDT alumni brunch in 2009.

    Tuesday, April 5, 2011

    16 Weeks Old - We're leaving on a jetplane ...

    By Cyndi
    April 5, 2011

    We returned last night from Chicago.  We had a great trip and the boys enjoyed flying!  We scheduled our day around feeding them right before boarding and had the next bottle ready for the landing.  Besides all of the additional baggage, it was so fun!  We will be back in November for Thanksgiving.

    I will summarize the week with pictures ....

    Rob & Debbie .... can't wait to meet your little one!

    Emily & I

    Most of the Purdue crew ... missing a few

    Saba & Nana

    Great Uncle Jim

    You don't think we missed out on Portillos .... it was so good!


    Poppa & GG

    Nana & Great Aunt Barbara

    Annie & Nana (Sorry Lynn ... you'll meet them soon)



    Kristen & I