I can't believe it, my babies are already 20 weeks old! Here's an update:
- How old are babies: 20 weeks, today!
- How much do they weigh: Last time they were at the dr. Charlotte was 11 lbs, 12 oz. and Ellie was 11 lbs, 7 oz. (10th percentile)
- How long are they: C = 23 inches; E = 23 1/2 inches (50th and 60th percentiles)
- Clothes: They are in size 3-6 months at Gap and 6 months at Carter's
- Diapers: They are in Size 2 of Pamper's Swaddlers. Size 2 of Pamper's Baby Dry are almost too snug.
- What are they eating: They eat 6 oz. of breast milk at 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm. We started rice cereal a couple weeks ago.They eat the cereal with their 8 pm feeding of 3 oz milk/3 oz. formula. They sort of hate cereal. They'll start out okay with it but as soon as they spot their bottle, they want nothing to do with it. Squash is next on my list. I'm going to try making and freezing it this week so they can start eating it next week.
I'm still exclusively pumping. I pump 4 times a day for about 15 minutes and typically get between 13-20 oz each time. I pump when I first wake up in the morning and get the largest quantity then. I would like to try to make it to at least 6 months, if my supply holds out. I just keep pushing myself in the hope that breast milk will keep them from getting Crohn's. Plus, many women would kill for the supply I have and I'd feel awfully selfish for quitting just because I'm lazy.
- How are they sleeping: As long as they are in our bedroom, they'll sleep from 8 pm - 7:30 am. They'll wake up once around 5 am, take their binkie and then go straight back to sleep. Ellie still sleeps in the co-sleeper and Charlotte sleeps in the Rock and Play, though I think she's outgrowing it. We tried them in their room for a couple of weeks, but I think they got cold and would wake up every half an hour from about 2 am on. On those nights, it felt like we were sleep walking up to their room to give them their pacifier. Now that we're getting a solid night's sleep though, it's nearly impossible to get up in the morning! I guess sleep really does promote sleep- even in adults.
- Milestones: Both girls roll from front to back, but not consistently. They also both smile very easily and giggle when tickled. They both have fantastic head control and, I think, are even close to sitting up on their own. If I set them on the floor in a tri-pod position, they sit up for a couple seconds before falling to one side. Of course, mommy is proud! They sit for extended periods of time in their bumbos. In fact, we set them in those to feed them their cereal at night. Ellie has great hand-eye coordination. She'll hold her binkie and can even get it back in her mouth. Charlotte never stops kicking. She is a wiggle worm!
- What they love: They love bath time! They splash and kick- I adore it! Bath time is a lot of work, so we only bathe them every other day. We've gotten into the habit where I'll make up the bathwater for one, bathe her and put her in my lap to dry. While she's in my lap, I'll get the bath water ready for the next babe and then Chris will bathe her while I'm lotioning/dressing the first baby. It's working out really well. They also love their Violet dogs! Their little faces light up when they see her! "Me and my friend [name]. We like to do everything together. Let's jump up and down, jump, jump, jump. Let's wag our tails wiggle, wiggle, waggle. Let's snuggle up, snuggle, snuggle, snuggle. Me and my pal [name]. We're the best of friends!"
- Major events: The girls were baptized on January 29th. One year to the day from the date of my first beta! Charlotte's God parents are Amber and Ryan and Ellie's are Andrea and Mark. Ryan flew in for the baptism. The day went perfectly. Charlotte was pretty fussy during the ceremony but otherwise it went great. Everyone came back to our place for lunch afterwards and surprisingly all fit in our house! And the weather was great.
- Appearances: Charlotte's hair is all grown in. She has the typical bald spot on the back of her head from laying on her back. Her hair is a dirty blonde and her eyes are a beautiful slate blue color like her Mimi's. Ellie's hair is crazy! She has these crazy long tufts in random places. It's hilarious. It's super blonde and her eyes are a beautiful true-blue color like her Uncle Andy's.
- Personalities: Their little personalities are starting to form and I love it! I'd say Ellie is our more mischievous one. She just has the same ornery look to her that her Pappy has. She is so smiley and giggly and does this thing where she'll look at you and smile and then look away like she's shy. She's quite a talker! Ellie does NOT like to burp. She'll cry crocodile tears when you burp her. Charlotte is very laid back- except if she's tired. She gets very, very upset if she hasn't gotten enough sleep. She kicks and squirms all the time and just recently really started talking and smiling. She's a little smile-bug now. She also loves blinking lights and looking in the mirror. She will also try to open-mouth kiss me when I lean in for a kiss. I love it!
- Mom & Dad update: Chris had his cholesterol checked and it's ridiculously high. He's on Lipitor. I am on the mend from my crazy sting of illnesses. My only issues now are hair-loss- it's coming out in clumps- and cavities. I went to the dentist and have 3 cavities. I don't think I've had a cavity in like 10 years. He said it's pretty common postpartum because of hormones and changes to your saliva. Sigh.
- Next doctor visit: The girls go back at 6 months for another round of shots (I think) and a check up. It's crazy to think they're already 4 and a half months old. Where has the time gone?!
