tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69028453500423278272024-02-07T19:38:24.347-05:00a splendid endeavoradventures in raising twins, dealing with infertility, and everything else along the wayMariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-33411765785862387482012-04-02T16:19:00.001-04:002012-04-02T16:19:10.303-04:0035I turned 35 a couple of weeks ago. The age factor didn't upset me at all, I'm totally fine with 35. Excited, even. What I realized though, is that I AM getting older, and it's a lot harder to get away with not taking good care of yourself. <br /><br />When I don't sleep; I feel it a lot more than I would have 10 years ago. When I don't eat enough, I get irritable and tired. When I don't drink enough water, I feel sluggish and headachy. And when I don't exercise, the pounds pile on a LOT faster than they used to. Sadly, since the babies were born, I am quite guilty of neglecting all of these areas.<br /><br />What I'm saying is this: 35 didn't make me sad about getting older, but it did make me really realize that it's time for some changes. I need to take a lot better care of myself. <br /><br />This does not just mean exercise and weight loss, though those are a big part of it. I need to try and go to bed a little earlier (always hard since I relish the 2-3 hours of baby free time in the evening); I need to make sure I eat and drink enough water. And eat WELL, not just grab a granola bar. I need to try and find some more "me" time opportunities, even if it's just 30 minutes on the weekend; and finally, I do need to start exercising. <br /><br />This will be my biggest change by far, but I think it's the most crucial. I need it for my physical and mental health. And I need to make it a priority. So, this week, I'm committing to exercising 3 times. Even if it's just a good long walk. <br /><br />I want to be a good example to my girls. I want them to have a healthy, happy mom. <br /><br />So here I go. Time to start making myself a bit more of a priority, so that I can be the best possible mom to these cuties :)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/02/2553.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/02/s_2553.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-75699192071870429922012-03-17T02:04:00.001-04:002012-03-17T02:04:56.213-04:00acceptanceToday, I accept that I didn't have time during the day to blog, and that this evening, I chose to watch Grey's Anatomy curled up on the couch instead. <br /><br />So, since I didn't, here are some pictures to tide you over. :)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/16/3771.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/16/s_3771.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/16/3772.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/16/s_3772.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/16/3773.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/16/s_3773.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/16/3774.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/16/s_3774.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/16/3775.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/16/s_3775.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/16/3776.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/16/s_3776.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />More soon!<br /><br />~ M<br />Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-75794732501320145922012-03-16T01:05:00.000-04:002012-03-16T01:05:28.807-04:009 months<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today I have two babies that are 9 months old. I can't believe this! They have officially been outside longer than they were inside!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm so excited by all of their developmental milestones and all of the things ahead for them, but also a bit sad that time is going so quickly! In 3 short months they will be one year old. It just boggles my mind. It wasn't THAT long ago that I was sitting at my desk at work in New York, reading about fertility and just hoping and wishing that I'd be pregnant soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And now, I have the loveliest daughters a girl could ask for. Happy 9 months, my little loves.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog"><img alt="Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/top_baby_blogs_150_an.gif" width="150" /></a></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-85876803284560064712012-03-15T00:13:00.001-04:002012-03-15T00:18:15.424-04:00the trouble with sleep<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll just start this post out by saying- I love my girls. I pretty much want to spend every second of every day with them. They're adorable, sweet and just so fun to watch; most of the time it doesn't feel like a job to watch them all day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Until nap time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nap time is the bane of my existence lately. I mean, it's never really been easy, but I think before I thought, "Oh, they're only 4 (or 5 or 6 or 7) months old, so the napping just isn't consistent yet". Well, tomorrow they are 9 months old; and I'm ready for some reliable napping, dammit. Just even one nap per day that I could count on even MOST of the time would be nice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">his is generally how it goes: Around 9:30-ish they start rubbing their eyes and seeming sleepy. So, I check their diapers and get ready to put them down for a nap. Now, my girls still have to be rocked to sleep (sigh. that's a post for another day), but I can't take them both in the bedroom at once, because while I'm rocking one, the other one will cry, or babble and keep the other awake. I used to just leave them on the floor playing with toys, but then they learned to roll over/sit up/scoot around, so that was no longer an option. Once they started being able to sit up, they stopped enjoying their swings at all. Then I started putting them in their activity chairs, but they would cry after being out here a few minutes by themselves. So, I now put them in their activity chairs, with a bunch of toys, right in front of the running washing machine. Laugh, but it works. They love watching the washing machine go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ANYway, so one of them (usually just the least cranky one) sits in front of the washer playing in her chair, and I rock the other one to sleep. Usually takes between 5-10 minutes. I keep the door cracked so I can hear if activity chair baby starts crying at all. Once the first baby is down for her nap, I go get the second. If all goes well, that baby will quietly let me rock her to sleep. If all DOESN'T go well, that baby will cry and fuss and not WANT to go to sleep, and then will subsequently wake the first baby. Then I sigh and try and start all over again, this time with the second baby in the room, hoping she keeps quiet long enough to get the first baby back to sleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once they're finally asleep all the books say, "oh, yeah, your babies will totally take two naps a day. One should be an hour long and the other should be two hours long. If they don't sleep that long, your baby is NOT getting enough sleep!" So, yay! The first nap will be an HOUR? Great! I'll get some breakfast and maybe take a shower and tidy up a bit and.... oh. I hear crying over the baby monitor 20 minutes in to the nap. I RUN down the hall to try and stop it before the other baby wakes up and NOPE. They are both awake. End of nap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Second nap goes pretty much the same, except they are MORE cranky and MORE tired, so yay! This will probably be the 2 hour nap! Just like the book says! No? 40 minutes? And not even 40 minutes straight through. 40 minutes with me rocking one of the babies after they woke 25 minutes in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, if this second nap ends early enough, I usually try and do a third nap. Sometimes I just take them for a drive, because honestly? I'm tired of the nap game for the day. But, if their second nap ends too late, and they aren't going to be tired for a third nap until 4:30 or so, then it's too late. We can't give them a nap too late, because it will interfere with their bedtime of 7pm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I really don't quite know what to do about all of this. Most of the problem with the naps lies with them waking each other up. We could separate them, but ultimately, we want them to be used to the other baby and their noises. I'd also like to stop them from waking up 20-30 minutes in to the nap and having to rock them back to sleep. Because even just one hour that I could have for myself during the day to get things done, would be great.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have the book "The no cry nap solution" and I have read some parts of it, but methinks it's time to just read the whole damn thing cover to cover, because mama needs a SOLUTION. And also, a shower.</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFYLnL5xeyzJcX6K_JkhTuo8Y3Nna8aPsbUudvHBGZRnKQrQRyViugvSaQAIL6x9McIcht3Dt6vdUiEQ2iQ7Cu1_jzDrTOyVgvr1pGa9-H4Xpm3aAlXTXiEp0x511NDkRkfmwh-5rMLEJ/s1600/sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFYLnL5xeyzJcX6K_JkhTuo8Y3Nna8aPsbUudvHBGZRnKQrQRyViugvSaQAIL6x9McIcht3Dt6vdUiEQ2iQ7Cu1_jzDrTOyVgvr1pGa9-H4Xpm3aAlXTXiEp0x511NDkRkfmwh-5rMLEJ/s320/sleeping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(old picture. back when they fell asleep pretty darn easily.)</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog"><img alt="Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/top_baby_blogs_150_an.gif" width="150" /></a></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-18231640946687402362012-03-13T19:34:00.001-04:002012-03-13T19:35:59.496-04:00sew cute<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For Christmas, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law gave me a whole bunch of sewing stuff, and lent me a machine so that I could try my hand at sewing! I don't think I've sewn anything since 7th grade when I made a duffel bag in home ec. I think I got a B on it, so it wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, The girls have these really cute onesies that were given to me as a gift, and I thought, hey, I might be able to make something like that! I mean, not as good of course, but just sew something simple on the front of a onesie.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkId3YDXu0DUt6wzOe_4sSD83CCkwHHlgqzvePihMofElorHt1HRDe2M3JE7o_ed6lzWujtDywhGGmY4j29nLCKtMyAPDP4IvVasUpDIx5NaZPyYhAPDFtyl0aK1b5MQfxwpZGBwUt1WCF/s1600/pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkId3YDXu0DUt6wzOe_4sSD83CCkwHHlgqzvePihMofElorHt1HRDe2M3JE7o_ed6lzWujtDywhGGmY4j29nLCKtMyAPDP4IvVasUpDIx5NaZPyYhAPDFtyl0aK1b5MQfxwpZGBwUt1WCF/s320/pic.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> So, the above are the ones I got as gifts, and here are the ones I made:</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkQhnYZNYxV7t5ChLxeo_0Ah0zJsFeRupLr9SkxD6KqauACwsDPZfbrFxP4hFNvz61VIUxBb6lmM372YJA4QHpqE4WR1bzqHCLADF5RJ_2wsvs5oLbxLQQeiyucwXM9LdYd0SpCKtMe1n/s1600/photo+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkQhnYZNYxV7t5ChLxeo_0Ah0zJsFeRupLr9SkxD6KqauACwsDPZfbrFxP4hFNvz61VIUxBb6lmM372YJA4QHpqE4WR1bzqHCLADF5RJ_2wsvs5oLbxLQQeiyucwXM9LdYd0SpCKtMe1n/s320/photo+14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PFQc1yGo9KcaEfe_xXqBZ-1M8qLwwWScSWn8YuU93nHBYlqy_SNrkrBUOkmWtFfYO461FNvoJMmuoTVc1obxL9qgWB-Un-olhnH6ydUABiGgTNANroyw9GGkTpup1zpc4p6_Ws6CVG_1/s1600/photo+29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PFQc1yGo9KcaEfe_xXqBZ-1M8qLwwWScSWn8YuU93nHBYlqy_SNrkrBUOkmWtFfYO461FNvoJMmuoTVc1obxL9qgWB-Un-olhnH6ydUABiGgTNANroyw9GGkTpup1zpc4p6_Ws6CVG_1/s320/photo+29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They turned out ok! I mean, not spectacular, but cute enough. :) Also "made" by me are the girls' leggings. I just chopped the foot part off of a pair of girls' long socks and hemmed them. They are ok, but they fall down too much, so I think I'll add some elaastic for the next pair I make.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have to say, I really liked making these little things! I have a few patterns that were part of my Christmas gift so I might try my hand at those next. Or, I'll just keep sewing stuff on to the front of onesies. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></a></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-24435107049076094602012-03-12T14:11:00.000-04:002012-03-12T14:11:36.591-04:00mommy guilt<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I thought about just calling this blog post "guilt", because really, I had all sorts of guilt before I was a mom; just different kinds. Sadly, I think many women do. Society/media often paints this picture of what women "should" be; beautiful, intelligent, kind, tough, humble, maternal, strong, sensitive, independent, home maker, sexy, career woman and of course- thin and well dressed. And sadly, though we all know it's pretty much impossible to be all of those things, we often put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to attempt to achieve it all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then if you become a mother, add on top of all of that: Do everything you possibly can to have the healthiest, happiest baby possible at all costs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lately I'm constantly riddled with the mommy guilt. If I am playing with them and I stop to check my iPhone for something- guilt. You should be paying attention to them all the time! If one of them tips over and bonks their head- guilt. Oh- you're so neglectful! Even if I go to the store and my husband is watching them; I feel guilty if I take too long. He doesn't make me feel guilty of course. No, I do it all to myself. And yes, before you all say, "That's silly. Babies need to play on their own, and they WILL fall and bonk their heads, and for the love of GOD woman; just go to the store! Jeez!" I know all of this. But you know; your brain isn't always in line with what your heart feels.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most recently the biggest guilt burden I've carried has been surrounding breastfeeding. I won't get in to the ins and outs of all of that in this post, but BOY has it been a roller coaster ride. I love breastfeeding. So much. But the girls are starting to show signs of wanting to wean- especially Poppy. And while I had planned on breastfeeding them for a full year, there's part of me that just wants to say "OK, 9 months- close enough!" But, then the guilt kicks in. Breast milk is best for babies. Nothing wrong with formula (they get probably about half of their food from formula now), it's just that breast milk is easier to digest and has all those great antibodies and magical fairy dust. ALSO, the cost. Full time formula feeding two babies is expensive. As I said, they're only getting about half of their food from formula now, so we'd be doubling the cost. Ouch. Anyway, for now, I will probably just keep doing what I'm doing, and let them slowly wean naturally. Because even though the small desire to just quit is there, so too is the knowledge that I shouldn't rush their weaning. This may be the only time I get to do this, so I should soak up every minute of it. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, I'm trying to be more aware of the things I feel guilty about. Most of the time I realize I need to cut myself some slack. I'm doing my best, and that's all I can do. I'm a smart gal, so realistically I know this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But then I look at these two faces, and all that flies out the window:</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyNW5lWQ3Ns7L4hnMU235kFtLH2vgyWjpewMVmEJDT_VUh-uF8j3gFQS3qIBG1BUXJPNif-nNog0urqm7kGQTX9kRomkMMWIrHG98ztDvWdMDDVQj8lIcxeFYC1uxGy_AKUgeBy5eHBe6/s1600/photo+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyNW5lWQ3Ns7L4hnMU235kFtLH2vgyWjpewMVmEJDT_VUh-uF8j3gFQS3qIBG1BUXJPNif-nNog0urqm7kGQTX9kRomkMMWIrHG98ztDvWdMDDVQj8lIcxeFYC1uxGy_AKUgeBy5eHBe6/s320/photo+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6SwaHhhnAlzplzVv4odzJxgQsV3LE9iqdNJeuAcfy0B8yyad_yKDGJ_J4Dh-enNqhmfPnB3FauWgFbwKp9jYiwFK-YF8XiRbDKx2cLkJ2zQZrtkVqtg18jWW217PdxqIgw_mPkPIFj8U/s1600/photo+23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6SwaHhhnAlzplzVv4odzJxgQsV3LE9iqdNJeuAcfy0B8yyad_yKDGJ_J4Dh-enNqhmfPnB3FauWgFbwKp9jYiwFK-YF8XiRbDKx2cLkJ2zQZrtkVqtg18jWW217PdxqIgw_mPkPIFj8U/s320/photo+23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Because, come ON. Who wouldn't want to do just about anything for them??? :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~ M</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></span></a></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-73671059198759496992012-03-11T19:27:00.001-04:002012-03-11T19:27:27.426-04:00rainy afternoon walkIt wasn't a long walk, but yesterday we took the girls out for a short walk and change of scenery. It was raining and cold, so we made it quick. <br /><br />Also, frog and monkey hats from Grandma. Insanely cute. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/11/3068.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/11/s_3068.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />~ M<br />Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-15710854001459540262012-03-10T16:01:00.000-05:002012-03-10T16:01:07.290-05:00I'm back, babies!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hi, all! Well, it seems as though this whole "first-time-mom-taking-care-of-two-babies" thing has been a bit of a time suck. A good time suck, don't get me wrong. But time for blogging? My goodness; I rarely have time to shower. I bet you're anxious to hang out with me now! Covered in spit up and drool and not showering daily? Hot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But today, I am sitting at a Starbucks, drinking my coffee while it's STILL WARM, and taking an hour to do some blogging! My sweet husband is watching the girls, and it's kind of crazy having this kind of free time right now. I almost don't know what to do with myself!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I certainly don't know where to start! Let's see, we left off when they were </span><a href="http://www.asplendidendeavor.com/2011/09/3-months.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 months</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and now they're almost NINE months??? whoa. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How about we start here:</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eUgobP3fCldu4GVUrKKSJbZLRIeU3NXd7xCv1ShlJGFK-7d56M8QG1jfmy-2FhVKRR3PFADM8frAxLkYEnjZ4Nynxa_8CJ06q_Waban6U5kL15FncKOHu-y9PLediTvexW7JYIWC9NEu/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eUgobP3fCldu4GVUrKKSJbZLRIeU3NXd7xCv1ShlJGFK-7d56M8QG1jfmy-2FhVKRR3PFADM8frAxLkYEnjZ4Nynxa_8CJ06q_Waban6U5kL15FncKOHu-y9PLediTvexW7JYIWC9NEu/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Amelie L, Poppy R)</span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and here: </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvZ7V7l2Spx0jYBRZIbRZrgGu0IBmWz3efIc54A1Z8TZeEp-nmENEsXjDKKggzbx51FVjLFGGrEhtEL0krVOh3U7DJsGP289jKRw41m_c2DwVH-CbSc3wutcMSiwS0KZIs64xxGMgjezj/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvZ7V7l2Spx0jYBRZIbRZrgGu0IBmWz3efIc54A1Z8TZeEp-nmENEsXjDKKggzbx51FVjLFGGrEhtEL0krVOh3U7DJsGP289jKRw41m_c2DwVH-CbSc3wutcMSiwS0KZIs64xxGMgjezj/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> (Poppy L, Amelie R)</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and also here:</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6iW1HMd2e3XLOHXIp1FIZiRjqWQJLk_ncJyC2D42oZCxF2uB-rtS1iXOAs1KlU81qGUtw9BuskJGI49j24O4sSIYiH6JuIcw8lbvwxkoVb_8XpQOuPk5X16MLdFPOwbUtQ1al4izJzCS/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6iW1HMd2e3XLOHXIp1FIZiRjqWQJLk_ncJyC2D42oZCxF2uB-rtS1iXOAs1KlU81qGUtw9BuskJGI49j24O4sSIYiH6JuIcw8lbvwxkoVb_8XpQOuPk5X16MLdFPOwbUtQ1al4izJzCS/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> (Poppy L, Amelie R)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know what you're thinking. They're ridiculously cute. So cute, it's almost not fair! :) I might be biased, but I don't care. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These girls are the joy of my life. Every day I wake up very , very tired, and reluctant to get out of bed; but when I see their big smiles first thing, it makes everything easier. They are just the sweetest babies, especially in the morning or any time they wake up from a nap. All smiles and super excited about life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have so much I want to talk about! So much has happened in the last 6 months that I don't know where to begin. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My life is so drastically different than it was 9 months ago, it's just unbelievable. My day is filled with baby smiles and cries, drools and diapers, fussing and giggling, exploring and learning and seeing things through brand new eyes. Even on the worst day (and there have been some pretty bad ones) I wouldn't trade it for the world. These girls are my heart and I love them more and more every single day. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, I am going to make a commitment to doing a daily blog post again; even if it's just a picture or a few sentences. I started this blog as a place to vent and to let out my heartache about my fertility issues. Now I'd really like to keep it up to have a little virtual baby book to track all of the goings on of my cute girls. And to also possibly continue to vent from time to time, as I know every day isn't an easy one. Topics I plan on discussing in the upcoming posts; feeding, sleeping, crawling, teething, making time for myself, struggles with being a stay at home mom, trying to maintain a small portion of your normal life while parenting, tons and tons of cuteness, and much, much more. There will always be pictures because of course. The aforementioned adorableness. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">like this:</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxYsaVgoozuxNwZ5bU606rzxMGYSVnhxNJJsN6lwz4Mu0PzMUSwxwIR0f-Uu6XbZMtdUR85DXWH8kzrTlLUkDRTwwSUAW8LQ0NmLetopFlT7HWXYCKAvVXSHIrzY9_phNoDsvxFEpVGwn/s1600/PoppyAmelie8months3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxYsaVgoozuxNwZ5bU606rzxMGYSVnhxNJJsN6lwz4Mu0PzMUSwxwIR0f-Uu6XbZMtdUR85DXWH8kzrTlLUkDRTwwSUAW8LQ0NmLetopFlT7HWXYCKAvVXSHIrzY9_phNoDsvxFEpVGwn/s320/PoppyAmelie8months3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Poppy L, Amelie R)</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More soon! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~ M</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">P.S. So, I list my blog on topbabyblogs.com, and I used to be in the top 20! I now am down around 400. Oops. Guess that's what taking a 6 month hiatus from blogging will do to ya. Would you mind clicking on the below link? You don't have to sign up for anything. Just click and vote for me. And you can do it once a day! So if you felt so inclined, you could do that! I know! So exciting, right?? I promise that if you vote for me, I will keep the posts coming. Thanks! :) </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></a></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-67681032283183232932011-09-16T15:46:00.000-04:002011-09-16T15:46:37.983-04:003 months!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My babies turned 3 months yesterday! So cliche, but my how time flies! :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NM5Z5zgKUugpkQ16u1vggZi-wXgER84q60DCYWbR5ckpXM7gVU-i6Em5jB7Y1sB1qv486ezJ0CqeU9lPEAge0c7bXjDRQjrjAeA_NCCT0l28-v-XmggwIMCAwJTkSu_vzZEWsUNPIrJx/s1600/3+months+Amelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NM5Z5zgKUugpkQ16u1vggZi-wXgER84q60DCYWbR5ckpXM7gVU-i6Em5jB7Y1sB1qv486ezJ0CqeU9lPEAge0c7bXjDRQjrjAeA_NCCT0l28-v-XmggwIMCAwJTkSu_vzZEWsUNPIrJx/s320/3+months+Amelie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEx9ojCS68xYGfacn-S3p2QNSwVoAgRdryUyVm1o2O9xfs7iwZYO6QeMpsoBgu_B_TvakEYP4plVI7cAXC2wGevrJc3iICqEaeESMpx8BDqtxESn9vuOKlAJU1DBU34Eys9h4Dc0PMHfs2/s1600/3+months+Amelie-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEx9ojCS68xYGfacn-S3p2QNSwVoAgRdryUyVm1o2O9xfs7iwZYO6QeMpsoBgu_B_TvakEYP4plVI7cAXC2wGevrJc3iICqEaeESMpx8BDqtxESn9vuOKlAJU1DBU34Eys9h4Dc0PMHfs2/s320/3+months+Amelie-+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDurWgRgX-aMnI2d5ZH1ZAen0EynZtHTSX0Sczl3YdTH_CsaXj99NzUxaMFsoBKlM-FE4gkXOwnOefKUIcx4b31g9Nsg3E8wtvAGbiBL7l1EYS-MeXF54L8ADhdcy3iXEZkf2tfzF_UMiN/s1600/3+months+Poppy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDurWgRgX-aMnI2d5ZH1ZAen0EynZtHTSX0Sczl3YdTH_CsaXj99NzUxaMFsoBKlM-FE4gkXOwnOefKUIcx4b31g9Nsg3E8wtvAGbiBL7l1EYS-MeXF54L8ADhdcy3iXEZkf2tfzF_UMiN/s320/3+months+Poppy-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ1oW5MREIZl1qxWcQmCafHm_7L_Er3O77V4vyj9POvInlJ_WznMqrZQrRklvWM6nM-_WnbwcnVupLxIhHKWPn_gw-uBUv1ulyFkDgKKfadRz9WsGvpBwIIdw6N_y0mY4T3SOvi2eKM5Y/s1600/3+months+Poppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ1oW5MREIZl1qxWcQmCafHm_7L_Er3O77V4vyj9POvInlJ_WznMqrZQrRklvWM6nM-_WnbwcnVupLxIhHKWPn_gw-uBUv1ulyFkDgKKfadRz9WsGvpBwIIdw6N_y0mY4T3SOvi2eKM5Y/s320/3+months+Poppy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlJWF3rCpHzwizsVXU47Bv_CnB9_TToa47GwizNyJE4C8UUox1jrYi7iBPIUNL-l3a0l14ZYzTALkG3WsnPkR3lceKiSc7GJPdcY7qG9ZbRmaZZC7s8Nyp4HOykXOetDeF1HEqWBEYeqL/s1600/3+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlJWF3rCpHzwizsVXU47Bv_CnB9_TToa47GwizNyJE4C8UUox1jrYi7iBPIUNL-l3a0l14ZYzTALkG3WsnPkR3lceKiSc7GJPdcY7qG9ZbRmaZZC7s8Nyp4HOykXOetDeF1HEqWBEYeqL/s320/3+months.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-34057690412322416352011-09-15T00:53:00.000-04:002011-09-15T00:53:05.882-04:00bad blogger.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok, I'm a bad blogger. It's been way too long since I've written anything here; but I have a good reason. I just moved across the country with my 3 month old twins. So, yeah. Hectic, stressed, displaced, whirlwind; doesn't even begin to cover it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have so many posts in my head that I am going to write SOON. So many things I want to talk about, and I will soon. Very soon. I've missed blogging and I feel like I really do need it! It helps me vent, or just reflect on certain things/events in my life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyhoo, to tide you over, here are some pics we took on my last day in NYC:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TokhaEWjeFx7kNoPSe6m-0_V0dvxOcSLWP1TfqJ2KL6Au4vFh7Bz_wEv2Nns9VKmMApVJCB-7Yq161SymCB7VfvHALC4XdEKnsvgJGQzHDeqhx8H_eMKv7jy4YK9peQ55eSLuM07yVW1/s1600/amelie+nyc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TokhaEWjeFx7kNoPSe6m-0_V0dvxOcSLWP1TfqJ2KL6Au4vFh7Bz_wEv2Nns9VKmMApVJCB-7Yq161SymCB7VfvHALC4XdEKnsvgJGQzHDeqhx8H_eMKv7jy4YK9peQ55eSLuM07yVW1/s320/amelie+nyc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxP0vZGMyZ5CX1FqgeQVdCsbTYFfgBpRfccqxAQEP19Gum07XklFSohFV6jEbUHzXqY31ol3G2CrIi1ay8i_zFlrKDnJbp9xIR0xd7oKJaf7Je4BxPJQEB0P9Ckmyo855IU7Qv1195NdT/s1600/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxP0vZGMyZ5CX1FqgeQVdCsbTYFfgBpRfccqxAQEP19Gum07XklFSohFV6jEbUHzXqY31ol3G2CrIi1ay8i_zFlrKDnJbp9xIR0xd7oKJaf7Je4BxPJQEB0P9Ckmyo855IU7Qv1195NdT/s320/family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ian stayed behind two weeks extra to pack up. There was just no way we were going to be able to pack up our 1 bedroom apartment with the babies there. It was hard enough for me to pack my suitcase! When I wasn't feeding them, they were napping in the bedroom, and that's where all my stuff was.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I arrived in Seattle on August 31st, and Ian just arrived today! We are SO happy to be back together again; all four of us. He swears that the girls grew during the two weeks we were apart. They certainly are changing! They are both making more noises (cooing, etc,.) and are just smiling all the time. They also are getting way better at holding their heads up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My mother-in-law and I started house hunting before Ian arrived. So far we haven't found anything, but we sure had fun dressing the girls up for our house hunting adventures:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzCVbMKycpnW2EuXbHz5Qzqt9t8-DQ0YYyPoxAXG_o9akZNuxLiCieYtZoh6ygmDlVenXa1iP6hv6gQ9t4KA7b-OrEqc60h-VeC-toqdWHuICDWoKCVSPps6sljcdBB6xg528AHSKXAfR/s1600/househunting1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzCVbMKycpnW2EuXbHz5Qzqt9t8-DQ0YYyPoxAXG_o9akZNuxLiCieYtZoh6ygmDlVenXa1iP6hv6gQ9t4KA7b-OrEqc60h-VeC-toqdWHuICDWoKCVSPps6sljcdBB6xg528AHSKXAfR/s320/househunting1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, that's all for now. I promise I will be better from now on! Pinky swear!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-13789635311944211442011-08-25T20:01:00.000-04:002011-08-25T20:01:11.325-04:00head above water<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ian and I knew that moving across the country, just weeks after having our twins would be tough, but I think in the back of our minds we thought it wouldn't be THAT bad. Well, it is. It's really hard. We are dealing with so much at once, it kind of just feels like we're barely treading water. We keep saying to each other "It will all get done one way or another..." but lately even <em>that</em> feels like a stretch.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I'm home all day with the girls, it's really hard to get much of anything done. I can get a few things done here and there, but not a lot. I mean, mostly what needs to be done for my departure (I'm leaving two weeks before Ian, so that he can do the majority of the packing without two babies to take care of) is just packing my suitcases with stuff that the girls and I will need. But I can't really do that yet, because well, we're still using a lot of that stuff.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, we went to the pediatrician yesterday for their first shots, and she said she wanted us to "keep an eye" on how quickly Amelie's head size was growing (it shot up a lot between the last visit and this one) and also to just keep an eye on both of their head circumferences in general. (Poppy is in the 95th percentile). And of course we made the mistake of googling all the things that a large head or quick head growth could mean. Also, they are both favoring turning their heads to one side, which we need to try and correct. Most likely, we're going to take them to a physical therapist once we arrive in Seattle so that he can do some exercises to get them to be ok with turning their heads to the right. Amelie's head is a little uneven because of how she always turns her head to the left, and they both don't like turning it to the right.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, all of these worries about the girls on top of the move stress is a lot to handle right now. We both know there will be a light at the end of the tunnel; it just might be a little while.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> For now we just have to hang in there, love each other and love our girls.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">~M</span>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-67251442260840217762011-08-18T11:36:00.000-04:002011-08-18T11:36:58.618-04:00breastfeeding update<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, I figure that as my girls grow and they start eating more, I'll continue to update on how the breastfeeding is going; since it has changed so much already- it's bound to keep changing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As of right now, things are going really well. (knock on wood.) When I first started breastfeeding they were still really little, and since they were premature, the pediatrician didn't want them to breastfeed for longer than 10 minutes at a time, since it was so much work for them. Basically, it was so hard for them that they'd be burning all the calories they ate if they breastfed longer; so it would be counter productive.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, in those first few weeks, they breastfed for no more than 10 minutes, and then we'd give them a bottle of either pumped breast milk, or formula (if we were out of pumped breast milk). I HATED giving them formula. I know that there's nothing wrong with it- because the first rule is feed your babies- but there's such PRESSURE out there to only feed babies breast milk.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I pumped after every feeding. It sucked and was exhausting and painful, but I was trying to do everything I could to increase my milk supply. Usually I pumped just enough to give them their bottles for the next feeding. However, if they ever wanted more, that was when we had to supplement with formula.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I started reading everything I could online about increasing milk production. I bought a book on increasing milk supply and a book about breastfeeding twins. I started taking Fenugreek (an herbal supplement that is supposed to increase milk supply) and eating oatmeal almost every day (which is also, strangely, supposed to increase your supply). I tried to eat plenty and drink a lot of water.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fast forward to today. The girls are 9 weeks, 1 day old. It has now been over a week since they have had any formula. I have a stockpile of about 10 ounces in the fridge. It seems as though I'm finally keeping up with them, and have a little extra to boot! I still pump after ALMOST every feeding (I occasionally give myself a break when it's 2am and I'm just TIRED), still take Fenugreek, still eat a big 'ol bowl of oatmeal almost every day. Who knows which things are helping? It also could be that the girls just breastfeed a lot more now that they're bigger. Or, it could be a little bit of each thing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm just hoping my body continues to keep up with them. Since we're moving, I can't really keep a stockpile of milk in the freezer, because it won't obviously stay frozen on the airplane. I think we might use up a lot of the stockpile though (wow. I'm saying "stockpile" a lot) next week, as I'm going in to work for two half days to train my replacement. I plan on bringing my pump so that I can pump a few times while I'm there, and Ian is going to stay home with them. I'm hoping that even if we use up all the extra, we'll still be able to avoid formula; but who knows.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At this point, I'm pretty proud of the progress (whoa. alliteration alert.) I've made. I'm hoping my body can keep up with the growing girls, but if I still have to occasionally supplement with formula from time to time, that's ok. Right now though, breastfeeding them is pretty much my number one priority (though....as it seems I have about fourteen days until I'm moving, I probably should start focusing on that a little more...). </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did anyone else out there breastfeed twins and have some tips for me? Or anyone at all have particular success about increasing and maintaining your supply? Any tips welcome! I'll keep updating on how it's going as time goes on.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For now, it's time for another feeding! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog"><img alt="Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/top_baby_blogs_150_an.gif" width="150" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-75527513605121325452011-08-16T08:23:00.000-04:002011-08-16T08:23:37.365-04:00on the move<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It has been a little hectic in our household lately; and not just because we have two, two-month-old girls to take care of. It's also because we have decided to move back home! You see, we live in New York City now- and have for almost 5 years- but we're both originally from the Pacific Northwest and we've decided to move back; specifically to Seattle.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We couldn't be more excited because all of our family lives in Washington and Oregon, so we'll be much closer to them, and most of our friends live there, too! (Though we've made a few very dear friends here in NYC that we'll miss greatly.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When we first get back, we'll live with Ian's parents for a while until he finds a job and we find an apartment. We've decided that for now, it doesn't really make financial sense for me to go back to work, as I'd pretty much just be handing over my paycheck to cover two kids in daycare.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm both excited and nervous about not working and being a full time mom. Excited because I love taking care of Poppy and Amelie, and think we're going to have so much fun together; and nervous because I've worked my whole adult life! I started working when I was 15 years old, and have always had a job since. It will be an adjustment for sure.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seattle is a beautiful city, and we're so excited for this big change in our lives. I'm so thrilled that the girls get to grow up there, though I do think it will be totally cool that they get to say they were born in NYC. We'll certainly take them back for visits though, to show them where they started their little lives.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm leaving in about two weeks, so there is a lot to do; and not much time in my day to do it! I'm just trying to slowly chip away at it all, and realize that one way or another; it will get done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Big changes on the horizon for us, and we couldn't be more thrilled!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c2gobuEkfiCMJg1ZzilLGNAjkfSb4GQwoyJYa856QjPMWFLA-BZP4Z0ALZWA30UTgGq_s0d0M3wRE_n2b0kR5zQ1cynRLPNRclsMhpVTwfT3dlvNGWGQ-NroXqhtvYK9oJuWSG3WSSJx/s1600/seattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c2gobuEkfiCMJg1ZzilLGNAjkfSb4GQwoyJYa856QjPMWFLA-BZP4Z0ALZWA30UTgGq_s0d0M3wRE_n2b0kR5zQ1cynRLPNRclsMhpVTwfT3dlvNGWGQ-NroXqhtvYK9oJuWSG3WSSJx/s320/seattle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*photo found </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/papalars/2575135046/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">P.S. We've slipped a little in the numbers on Top Baby Blogs. Would you mind clicking below to vote for us? No need to register for anything and you can vote once a day! Thanks! :)</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-52967627698436110902011-08-15T23:59:00.000-04:002011-08-16T08:45:03.001-04:00two months<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Amelie and Poppy turn two months today! Happy two month birthday, girls! The time is going by quickly, but I'm enjoying it so much! We love you more than words. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Amelie</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPBdna1uEp4kSkTPbOtmg2KnAKMe487-TLu5y5WhqXQA6BdSZuDl3nghCP6ZSTdZ9SmQvMwqu5-dsqGNdOfn2Ot9UDs-gPkbFuSonx4g3VzdkyIZs6OL2pOLA12S092gNUXjaVO078SRL/s1600/2+months+Amelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPBdna1uEp4kSkTPbOtmg2KnAKMe487-TLu5y5WhqXQA6BdSZuDl3nghCP6ZSTdZ9SmQvMwqu5-dsqGNdOfn2Ot9UDs-gPkbFuSonx4g3VzdkyIZs6OL2pOLA12S092gNUXjaVO078SRL/s320/2+months+Amelie.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Poppy</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKpITsEOQrl0jwUahg6iCLo6_XyCrcRjviEfGSWhM3e0p0-e1LhoUqAqbsYD95bbVWT2JzMGf1juG-zk_osYrry_Y3FIi5vTuPUqb5GxrRvIEHTv3Ls-Ar42BmFLQ_edFw6CLL3CYaXZ1/s1600/2+months+Poppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKpITsEOQrl0jwUahg6iCLo6_XyCrcRjviEfGSWhM3e0p0-e1LhoUqAqbsYD95bbVWT2JzMGf1juG-zk_osYrry_Y3FIi5vTuPUqb5GxrRvIEHTv3Ls-Ar42BmFLQ_edFw6CLL3CYaXZ1/s320/2+months+Poppy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8pVCj0YZEzFMyGLmRmxc8-cJtRanAeOFOSIh_AzCQq_5LANUPxc4G_tKV51iIEwKXv2bJ_nUTPZPsY9jO4993YiGM7gMWs83NrY3dHBln679GGmL87z7b1_ccqhf5pcJngM-YsMO0bl5/s1600/2+months-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8pVCj0YZEzFMyGLmRmxc8-cJtRanAeOFOSIh_AzCQq_5LANUPxc4G_tKV51iIEwKXv2bJ_nUTPZPsY9jO4993YiGM7gMWs83NrY3dHBln679GGmL87z7b1_ccqhf5pcJngM-YsMO0bl5/s320/2+months-+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-51449381263735754042011-08-15T13:24:00.003-04:002011-08-15T13:46:45.971-04:00birth story (part 3)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(You can read parts one and two <a href="http://www.asplendidendeavor.com/2011/07/birth-story-part-one.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.asplendidendeavor.com/2011/07/birth-story-part-2.html">here</a>).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When they were rolling my bed down the hall towards the operating room, I honestly felt like I was in a movie or a television show. It still didn't feel real. Ian had to wait outside until I was all prepped, and my mom wasn't allowed in the room.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I remember in our childbirth class our teacher said many times, that you can't worry about being dignified during childbirth. It's primal and messy and raw. Now, I've never given birth vaginally, but I think there's a whole different kind of undignified for a cesarean birth. I was laying there on the operating table, completely naked except for a hairnet thing on my head. I'd say there were 10 people in the room, at least. Then I had to be lifted, naked, from the bed I was rolled in on, to the operating table. But of course I couldn't help at all, because I still had an epidural, so I was pretty numb. You just feel so helpless and exposed in every way.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once I was on the table, they began prepping me. Gave me more epidural so that I was completely numb. Then they put up the blue curtain thing in front of my face. My arms were each stretched out to the side. One had an IV and the other had a blood pressure cuff so that my blood pressure could constantly be checked. The anesthesiologist was at my head, explaining things to me; I THINK trying to make me feel better, but it wasn't really helping. I got so nervous, because they never asked me "can you feel this?" while poking my leg or something, so I was SO freaked out that I was going to feel them cutting. I should have probably realized they do these all the time and knew what they were doing. Finally, I was all prepped, numb and ready to go, so Ian was allowed into the room.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As soon as I saw him and heard his voice I got really emotional. It had been a long 30 hours, and a much longer journey to get to this point. All of that rushed through my head; the fertility tests, the ups, the downs, the miscarriage; all of it leading us to this point. We were about to meet our girls. It was finally time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dr. Leipzig asked me if I was ready, and off they went. It really only took a few minutes before she was telling me that Baby A was here and she was big! They had a little trouble getting her out, because of how she was positioned. I didn't feel any pain, only lots of tugging and pressure. Then after several minutes, I heard a beautiful little cry. It was so amazing. I remember being too afraid to look at Ian, because I knew I'd start crying; and not just a little, but the kind where you sob and can't stop. Baby A was whisked off to be cleaned. Ian tentatively went over to try and see, and the mean nurse- (remember Ida?) shooed him away. When I think about that now, it pisses me off. He wasn't in their way at all; just wanted to see his first born! Really makes me mad. Anyway, Baby B came out a lot quicker, and after we heard her cry, she was whisked away as well. A few minutes later, they brought Baby A over to us. She was a little bruised up since it had been a little difficult to get her out. But she was beautiful. SO AMAZING. So unreal. There was a tiny person laying there on the table staring up at us, and we made her!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then they took Baby A back, and brought over Baby B. She looked a little smaller and very different from her sister, but just as beautiful. We had our names picked out, but hadn't yet chosen which baby got which name, so I asked if we could please see them side by side. As soon as they laid them down next to each other, we quickly chose their names. Baby A would be Poppy Lorelei, and Baby B would be Amelie Violet. Our two beautiful girls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are the only pictures we were able to get in the OR:</span> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciVYhLTNa_oHpr1gQ1vAq4CBrIFOqSaQezWl_fRxQKmN17QQZ7xv-1wE4EDIaoKkJ-TNXAP6bkaMNlxuWuinRx2gT3-CPgIgeULF8vB5GA0rHxI42i_BuVqywggfJ5uLZ-gwlOi5k1tTi/s1600/Poppy+and+amelie+in+OR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciVYhLTNa_oHpr1gQ1vAq4CBrIFOqSaQezWl_fRxQKmN17QQZ7xv-1wE4EDIaoKkJ-TNXAP6bkaMNlxuWuinRx2gT3-CPgIgeULF8vB5GA0rHxI42i_BuVqywggfJ5uLZ-gwlOi5k1tTi/s320/Poppy+and+amelie+in+OR.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Amelie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HMIx66yP_oUMSY-7DGZYzjUbH1j6JiKiKN_G1Kq4bFgxjdp0fWmZUaI70mnVS4CsiBxddLM3vDpbDg3KE2LrctpasK5EBCd9quVwMr1Hcyf8ldW0eCURa4GPh7RPIQYykYzOh57MhRQv/s1600/amelie+or.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HMIx66yP_oUMSY-7DGZYzjUbH1j6JiKiKN_G1Kq4bFgxjdp0fWmZUaI70mnVS4CsiBxddLM3vDpbDg3KE2LrctpasK5EBCd9quVwMr1Hcyf8ldW0eCURa4GPh7RPIQYykYzOh57MhRQv/s320/amelie+or.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Poppy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68AeCPV3JRLGgA99b-W6FZkEBHHEdQ2jGC2pMjtIS5yt4mOGlhQwnOuq1ZDZNGZGePVzutPYflejUSazqjMDfbaMUGp2P5dZ1N_BsbdlnfMKXCEn0mptthegnTuOxDa5GULWZl0D-3AMe/s1600/poppy+or.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68AeCPV3JRLGgA99b-W6FZkEBHHEdQ2jGC2pMjtIS5yt4mOGlhQwnOuq1ZDZNGZGePVzutPYflejUSazqjMDfbaMUGp2P5dZ1N_BsbdlnfMKXCEn0mptthegnTuOxDa5GULWZl0D-3AMe/s320/poppy+or.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We got to sit there with them for a few minutes, but then they had to take Poppy to the NICU. She had been in the bag of waters that ruptured 30+ hours ago, and since she was also premature, they had to take her there for observation because of a higher risk of infection. Once they had finished stitching me up, they wheeled me to recovery with Amelie. Ian went to make some phone calls to our families.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Amelie was with me for a few minutes. We attempted breastfeeding for a bit and then they took her to the nursery. I had to stay in the recovery room for about two hours (well, that's what they said then). However, two hours turned in to 6. After six hours, they said I could probably go to my room soon. However, they realized that even though I was being given lots and lots of fluid, my urine output was REALLY low. Not good. So, after 9 hours, Ian and my mom went home, and I was still in recovery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The time in recovery is SUCH a blur. I was so exhausted and still not able to eat anything. It was a super hectic place to be during the day. I saw so many new moms come and go, and I just stayed. Some people from the high risk OBGYN team came in to see me, and let me know that they were concerned about the fact that I was so dehydrated and holding on to all of the fluid they were pumping in to me, therefore, until that improved, I had to stay in recovery. They hooked up bag after bag of fluid, and I drank apple juice and water as much as I could. I wasn't really scared, but I could tell that the doctors were worried. Finally, things started to improve in the early morning of the next day, and after about 24 hours in recovery, I could finally go up to my own room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Poppy had to stay in the NICU for longer than they first expected. She ended up being in there for a full 48 hours. I was able to visit her once while she was in there, but it was difficult to get out of bed with a catheter in. We figured it out with a wheelchair though, and I got to hold her after not seeing her for over 24 hours. It was so hard to see her in there all by herself. I knew she was fine, and a lot better off then most of the babies in there, but it was still sad.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMu5QkjeCyaQPOn6HpVBKnXAIyHyXYhbGRAfuueGoOJMVfrPFVcVkoILiHGIW1xgDQOwKpP8WF_0JJPlDjqlvOEvXz7oHaGac8YiXAcvv3A9cm4qfR6A6zosiHGbqO09GLQgGdyapd3Wio/s1600/poppy+nicu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMu5QkjeCyaQPOn6HpVBKnXAIyHyXYhbGRAfuueGoOJMVfrPFVcVkoILiHGIW1xgDQOwKpP8WF_0JJPlDjqlvOEvXz7oHaGac8YiXAcvv3A9cm4qfR6A6zosiHGbqO09GLQgGdyapd3Wio/s320/poppy+nicu.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I won't bore you with all of the details of my stay in the hospital. I won't lie though; it was rough. First of all, they don't let spouses spend the night, so Ian had to leave every night around 10pm. Also, the first night I attempted to have Amelie in the room with me, and it just didn't work. I still had a catheter in, so I was stuck in bed, and I wasn't able to move her in and out of her bassinet on my own. So, she went to the nursery. I pumped as often as I could and saved the colostrum to feed to them, but it still wasn't how I had wanted it to happen. I had really wanted them to stay in the room with me, but with one baby in the NICU and the other in the nursery, it just didn't work out that way. I cried a lot that first night, feeling like I had let my baby down. It turned out to be just fine though. I got some sleep, and my babies were well taken care of.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And.... that's pretty much it! I hope you weren't bored to death by all of the detail. Writing out this story was just as much for me as it was for the blog. I don't want to forget any part of our experience. It didn't turn out the way I had pictured and hoped, but I think that's pretty much what happens to everyone. You can't plan these things. There are times I still get really sad that I didn't get to have a natural birth. But when I look at these sweet faces every day, it really matters less and less as time goes by. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhG-rZFjHDceNAIBxkG6-5grA5-c0msb4Qd9OIcB2p2eT3_U8JhicgvZfZBNYRSawWO21SiP3Emp24-3qVUNrTWOB31nkTGqwqOuVnJoPU0vyWXwZfajCF9QrP7Eci2KgZEXgd1H6Wzpe/s1600/11-0618-Fraser-79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhG-rZFjHDceNAIBxkG6-5grA5-c0msb4Qd9OIcB2p2eT3_U8JhicgvZfZBNYRSawWO21SiP3Emp24-3qVUNrTWOB31nkTGqwqOuVnJoPU0vyWXwZfajCF9QrP7Eci2KgZEXgd1H6Wzpe/s320/11-0618-Fraser-79.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizWchcIITaPJvLDn_eOQvsynsmPhWo7BkbWKnguyygG9lZ97iqsTsDLnG0cVXy4qOmOhgmHPIfNPEKeUkPOkzYOLxWvWHVvNUbOjRkpdEFHXJDhyHDzEffMFSrC-V_fvih12UGy2KAi79/s1600/251561_2163806048256_1039760482_4396335_3158725_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizWchcIITaPJvLDn_eOQvsynsmPhWo7BkbWKnguyygG9lZ97iqsTsDLnG0cVXy4qOmOhgmHPIfNPEKeUkPOkzYOLxWvWHVvNUbOjRkpdEFHXJDhyHDzEffMFSrC-V_fvih12UGy2KAi79/s320/251561_2163806048256_1039760482_4396335_3158725_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~ M</span></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-61344817218321537442011-08-10T16:21:00.000-04:002011-08-10T16:21:47.746-04:00my how we've grown....<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the girls near their two month birthday, I can hardly believe how much they've grown! Poppy is over 9 pounds and Amelie is nearly at 9.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For a little comparison, here they are on the first day we brought them home, (on June 19th) in their coming home outfits:</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_pVnJISsxCdL6Up75YvYSUiIkX2S0gfcSYxqe2BsPHbdqOcYnxhAwLrqGR4J6b5-3XjJTrD-3M0QUxUO3XbSopNCFfxPNonyJBdB7-gvdFpXgKE2JOnRfCg6GPzEEr43DmZ9rZ7ch8ge/s1600/IMG_1384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_pVnJISsxCdL6Up75YvYSUiIkX2S0gfcSYxqe2BsPHbdqOcYnxhAwLrqGR4J6b5-3XjJTrD-3M0QUxUO3XbSopNCFfxPNonyJBdB7-gvdFpXgKE2JOnRfCg6GPzEEr43DmZ9rZ7ch8ge/s320/IMG_1384.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There were little pants that went with them, but I only have a picture of Poppy in hers:</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDiv3CizA1nj3V3LycYVOvzCxpge6EF_1A0-K9TLXrZ_YlsAwl2GPY0rhxDp2HxYoOoxbecVW8gGPhPhVfIYdvKxuZ2Qhw00_lxe3ZHN_-LJhvoQjWBMkWEW8nosoD7ewpFm-HJPI5Jhv/s1600/IMG_1341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDiv3CizA1nj3V3LycYVOvzCxpge6EF_1A0-K9TLXrZ_YlsAwl2GPY0rhxDp2HxYoOoxbecVW8gGPhPhVfIYdvKxuZ2Qhw00_lxe3ZHN_-LJhvoQjWBMkWEW8nosoD7ewpFm-HJPI5Jhv/s320/IMG_1341.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, this is them today:</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZic1LNTnBz550gka16Z0tEFaWc213DNhyphenhyphenrjP1VKmmjuPBgiTgUc2l8O-xOTIccW26U7wDKvtIq6sBU3TSP5pB8kSS0SHHcEprlosqnkxqTVWZU_4dPpVCOSpEbm_uh_PMqGgWiDlcC-Oo/s1600/IMG_1903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZic1LNTnBz550gka16Z0tEFaWc213DNhyphenhyphenrjP1VKmmjuPBgiTgUc2l8O-xOTIccW26U7wDKvtIq6sBU3TSP5pB8kSS0SHHcEprlosqnkxqTVWZU_4dPpVCOSpEbm_uh_PMqGgWiDlcC-Oo/s320/IMG_1903.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The onesies really don’t fit Poppy anymore (well, they do, but they’re snug) and Amelie is also pretty much grown out of it. Also, the hat won't even stay on Poppy's head anymore, and it is really snug on Amelie. It’s so crazy how baggy everything was on them, less than two months ago!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm so happy they are so healthy, but I'm already getting nostalgic for those first couple of weeks! I know that time will only keep plowing ahead though, so I'm glad I have these photos to look back on!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">~M</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog"><img alt="Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/top_baby_blogs_150_an.gif" width="150" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-10397216324109940442011-08-04T17:31:00.000-04:002011-08-04T17:31:31.565-04:00i know....<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm so behind in posting, it's not even funny. But, have some pity on me; I've lost my grandma helpers. You see, for the first two weeks of the babies' lives my mom was here helping, and then right after that, my mother-in-law. So for 6 weeks, I had a mom with me all the time. They were AMAZING. They cooked for us, cleaned, held babies, let us take uninterrupted 2-3 hour naps; it was great. But, that couldn't last forever, and now I'm on my own. Ian is at work, so it's just me, Amelie and Poppy, holdin' down the fort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most of the time its been amazing. I love spending this time with them. However, that's not to say it's without challenges. With only one person, if both babies are screaming crying at the top of their lungs, you can really only attend to one at once. So, one baby is left to cry for a moment while you finish diapering or changing the spit up covered onesie of the other. It's kind of stressful, and of course, you feel horrible that you can't pick up your baby as soon as they start crying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the most part, we hang out in the bedroom. Sounds boring, but I think for the first bit it's going to be helpful. First of all, it's hot here, so we keep the AC on in the bedroom and shut it off in the rest of the house; save a little $$ that way. Also, it helps that I can keep everything I need in the bedroom and don't have to schlep it from room to room. Boppies, breast pump, water, burp cloths, swaddles, etc. I have a little station set up for me; my water, my laptop, my breast pump and my phone. So, we're all set up in here for now. It also doesn't help that it's REALLY hot outside, so that makes going out a lot more difficult. We went on little outings while my mother-in-law was here, but sometimes it seemed to really be hard on the babies. They would be REALLY thirsty when we got back home. So, for now, we're hunkered down in the cozy bedroom. :) We'll venture out soon enough, but for now, I like the special little baby room we have going on.</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuTiRqFkMjftZjavckhL-O-DYf_UumObFccPvq58eahsDcVMlhhYOv6BhV0zgbuR3b8PlMTHchlNkXJC7tlv9LuB40jwjtdg_pkm3PyVLYuS2MI0rRZeXvMM0ZuD24jSu_TtHGyWCY8et/s1600/amelie+lap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuTiRqFkMjftZjavckhL-O-DYf_UumObFccPvq58eahsDcVMlhhYOv6BhV0zgbuR3b8PlMTHchlNkXJC7tlv9LuB40jwjtdg_pkm3PyVLYuS2MI0rRZeXvMM0ZuD24jSu_TtHGyWCY8et/s320/amelie+lap.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~ M</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></a></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-44600319943877961262011-07-26T23:54:00.001-04:002011-07-27T00:08:02.279-04:00birth story (part 2)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok, now where did I leave off? (for part one go <a href="http://www.asplendidendeavor.com/2011/07/birth-story-part-one.html">here</a>). Oh, that's right; my first contraction at 1:42 pm on June 14th. I remember it really barely hurting at all. It was just like they say; it felt like a mild menstrual cramp. It was a different story a couple of hours later though. It definitely started being painful enough that I had to do some deep breathing and serious concentrating. They were still bearable though. I wanted to know how far dilated I was, but because my water had already broken, they were minimizing how often they checked to avoid infection. Plus, they said the contractions needed to be no more than 3-4 minutes apart in order for my cervix to be really dilating, and that wasn't happening at this point.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was around 2:30 that a nurse brought in these "boot" things that went around my calves. They basically were like blood pressure cuffs for your calves that squeezed and released every 30 seconds or so. I had to get these to keep circulation going due to the fact that I had all the fluid retention and the factor V leiden. It felt fine; didn't hurt or anything, but it was one more thing I had to unhook when it was time to go to the restroom. I had two baby monitoring things strapped to my belly, along with one monitoring my contractions, my fluid IV and now these boots. It was quite a process to get out of bed!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Around 6:45 they decided to give me a bit of pitocin to jump start things. I was quite nervous about this, because of the stories I'd heard about the contractions coming on quickly. They gave me the smallest dose possible though, so I was hoping that would help ease me in to things. By 9:30, my contractions were about 4-5 minutes apart, and I was feeling really restless. An hour later though, they were really getting painful and I decided I needed an epidural then. I was a little sad about it, but I knew I'd have to get an epidural eventually, so I went as long as I could without it. My doctor said it was really the safest bet to get an epidural given the fact that I was having twins, since she may have to manually turn one of the babies (OUCH!) and also the increased chance of an emergency c-section with twins. Anyway, the decision was made and I anxiously awaited the anesthesiologist to come and numb me up.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He arrived about 30 minutes later, and I immediately was nervous. It sounds unfair, but he was quite young, and I worried about his experience. I got all these fears into my head about the risks (being paralyzed the one that worried me the most) and thinking, "um, I wonder how many of these this guy has done?" I longed for the really funny, older anesthesiologist that had put my IV in that morning, but alas, his shift had ended. Anyway, I had to scoot to the edge of the bed and lean over and round my back; my nurse supporting me. At this point, a resident came in to observe my young anesthesiologist, which made me feel better in some ways, and more scared in others. He was so inexperienced he had to be observed??? Oh well. Just breathe. Anyway, they first numbed the area with local anesthetic, and then told me I'd feel some "pressure" from the needle going in. Um, they need to find a new descriptive word. It friggin HURT. A lot. Which caused me to panic; because um? You said pressure, so is it bad that this is hurting?? I said "Ow! It hurts!" to which they replied "well, you are going to feel some pain" in a sort of "duh" way. Well, I thought, then say "this is going to hurt a little" instead of "you're going to feel some pressure"! Big difference in my book. Anyway, it was finally in, and I laid back. They handed me a little clicker button and told me that I could push the button up to once every 15 minutes. They gave me a fairly low dose of epidural, so it took about 15-20 minutes to kick in, but when it did it was SO much better. I was able to just relax and rest a bit, which was really nice. I still felt the contractions, but barely. Another plus; a catheter. I mean, ok, not really a PLUS, but no more unhooking of 8 million cables to get up to go to the bathroom. Ok, also, no more getting up at ALL, but oh well. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My mom was still en route (she had several delays and it wasn't a non-stop flight) during all of this, but she finally arrived at 1:30am. It was so great to see her! No matter how old you get; it's always nice to see your mom when you're a little nervous or scared. She hung out for a while and visited and we got her all caught up, but about an hour later we decided it was best that she head to our house to get some sleep, and that try to do the same. She was reluctant to leave, but I promised her not to have the baby until she was back the next day. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My mom arrived shortly after we awoke, and we were all pretty excited. The nurse shift changed at 7am, which was a bummer because I had really liked our night nurse; Tocin (pronounced just like pitocin). Our new nurse was Ida, and she left quite a bit to be desired. More on her later. Anyway, my doctor arrived somewhere around 7:45 am, and checked my dilation. I was at 6cm, and she said that it could be merely a couple of hours before I started pushing! Whoa. My mom and Ian headed out to breakfast (so HUNGRY! mmm. apple juice.) and at 8:45, the upped my pitocin to keep things moving along as my contractions had slowed a tiny bit however, I had reached 7cm. Getting closer!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, my nurse; Ida. She was a piece of work. At first I thought I liked her, because she was super chatty and friendly. BUT; not so great at her job it turns out. Now, to be fair, they were implementing a new computer system in the hospital and it was only day 2 or 3 of it being in place. Anyway, she was spending SO much time at the computer trying to make sure she did everything right, that she kind of kept forgetting about me. My doctor had made explicit orders for her to do blood pressure every 30 minutes, and check my urine output that frequently as well. But, Ida was distracted. This annoyed my doctor greatly, and Ida got annoyed right back. This made for some awkwardness in our tiny little hospital room. Luckily, my doctor is AWESOME and she kind of straightened Ida out- well, as much as she could. At this point I was kind of hoping that maybe I wouldn't have the baby until the next shift change so that maybe I could get a better nurse, but I knew I wouldn't make it until 7pm. So, Ida it was.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, once my pitocin had been turned up, the contractions came fast and furious. And the epidural? Not helping as much anymore. I pushed that little button as often as I could but they still hurt pretty bad. I got checked again though at 10am, and- 9cm! Huzzah! Getting so close. But, I was checked again at 11:15am- and still at 9cm. Stalled. Checked again 45 minutes later, and still at 9. BLARGH. I am now informed that if in one hour I am not at 10, it will be a c-section.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At this point I'm starting to panic. The contractions HURT you guys. And I have an epidural. I'm starting to panic about the pain. I confide in my mom and Ian that I am sort of wishing for a c-section because I'm scared to push. I feel bad about wishing for that now, but at the time, it sounded easier. Sadly, I got my wish. at 12:30, we are informed that my body is stalling out at 9cm. It could be for a variety of reasons; my severe fluid retention, or just the fact that I'm having twins often causes your body to stall out. Regardless, I was not going to have my vaginal delivery I had hoped for. In that moment, I was slightly relieved, but looking back, I get really sad about it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A little after 1pm, we roll in to the operating room. Our lives about to change forever.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrdchQHSuVQCbJ8ijySv358rJBfxJa8t5MEhue67hRC-lIOWcKDb9oE-PSvNrJgnPz4YjzIR2BGjzKMLtmHNM7CarJq5Eas7tgeUYTZqzvluh0JV4DECKuC-eX3UCYlTmCdpiLUDHEBGz/s1600/ian+operating+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrdchQHSuVQCbJ8ijySv358rJBfxJa8t5MEhue67hRC-lIOWcKDb9oE-PSvNrJgnPz4YjzIR2BGjzKMLtmHNM7CarJq5Eas7tgeUYTZqzvluh0JV4DECKuC-eX3UCYlTmCdpiLUDHEBGz/s320/ian+operating+room.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Ian, in his operating room gear :)</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">P.S. Part 3 coming soon! I'll be faster than I was with part 2, I promise!</span> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-35619521309355230432011-07-21T23:47:00.002-04:002011-07-21T23:54:44.187-04:00the doubts<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It stands to reason that when you're a first time parent, you're bound to have questions as to whether or not you're doing things right. Questioning your methods for feeding, changing, soothing, dressing, and burping them. I started having my doubts right away.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Recently, my doubts have mostly surrounded around breastfeeding and sleeping. I've always wanted to exclusively breastfeed my girls, but from day one there were hurdles encountered. Poppy had to spend a couple of days in the NICU, and she was fed formula while there. I was breastfeeding Amelie, but when they did some standard tests on her, they found she had low blood sugar, so they gave her some formula as well. Also, I tried to do rooming in with Amelie, because I wanted her to be with me all night, but because I was stuck in bed (more on that soon when I recap part two of my birth story. soon- I swear!) I was unable to lift her in and out of her bassinet. So, one night, in tears, I called the nurse and had her take Amelie to the nursery to sleep, where she was fed formula. With all of this happening;, right out of the gate I kind of felt like a failure. I was pumping and saving my colostrum to feed them, but it just wasn't enough with everything that was going on.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since they have been home, I've done a combination of breastfeeding, pumping and supplementing with formula. Until the last few days, they really couldn't breastfeed for much longer than 10 minutes (usually shorter) before they fell asleep. So, the routine was: Breastfeed for 10 or fewer minutes, feed them my pumped breastmilk pumped from the previous feeding, then pump for 15-20 minutes afterwards. Sometimes this was enough, but quite often at first, (especially when my milk was still coming in) they also needed some formula. I really never wanted to feed them formula, but it's just how it worked out. I didn't feel TOO bad, since I was still giving them all of my breastmilk, but it still wasn't how I planned it. Nowadays, they can nurse for quite a long time, and it's evident that they're getting more breast milk, because when I pump, there isn't a lot left. However, they still are hungry afterwards, so I still have to supplement. I've purchased books on increasing my milk supply and am doing all I can to help this out, but for now, supplementing is necessary. I have worries occasionally that giving them formula is "bad", and that I should be able to feed them only breast milk. But it's just not possible right now, so I hold out hope that someday soon we can cut the formula out of the picture.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, sleeping. Well, they honestly had been doing pretty well. Actually, since they were premature, the pediatrician told us we needed to wake them every two hours to eat. And this was honestly hard sometimes; they'd be so sleepy. Once they surpassed their birth weights and were a few weeks old, we were told they could go 3 hour stretches, and 4 hours at night. They did this for probably 1 1/2 weeks (though I think they only lasted 4 hours once), but now? Not so much. Poppy is having some sleep issues now and has been waking up after less than two hours, or just not going to sleep at all. It's so confusing, because in all of the books they say that they are approaching a time (6 weeks) where they will start staying awake a little longer. BUT, it also says, if the babies are premature, it would be 6 weeks AFTER their due dates. Which wouldn't be until late August. So, not sure what the deal with Poppy is nowadays. I realize that things with babies don't always go by the book, and that there are things like growth spurts to factor in, but when you're sleep deprived and exhausted, you start to doubt things. Is it something I'm doing? Does she need to eat more? Less? Sigh. Sadly, since Poppy can't talk yet, there's no real way to know for sure. And who knows; tomorrow she could stop doing it and move on to something else.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That said, I'm trying to embrace my doubts a little more, and realize that they're just part of being a parent. I feel good about the fact that I do research, but that I don't live by what I read. I take it in and consider it, but we don't just do something becuase a certain book says so. Especially considering the next book you read will say something completely different.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know that my doubts will grow and change as they get older. One thing I am absolutely positive of though; we love these girls more than anything, and will always be doing whatever we can to take the best care of them. Even if we doubt ourselves from time to time along the way.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrcyN2KKsx3hWbA1c8x41hL3mRmWT4uxsJEGjnoj5zle81jrEidWvT6ojTCv6-GDhSYCUju-1Slx1U1cm1Je5pmqaAy0CzdiDLkrf4bmH0A0_rPmNx17QNGnCuv9iAluPF227oFojiljV/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrcyN2KKsx3hWbA1c8x41hL3mRmWT4uxsJEGjnoj5zle81jrEidWvT6ojTCv6-GDhSYCUju-1Slx1U1cm1Je5pmqaAy0CzdiDLkrf4bmH0A0_rPmNx17QNGnCuv9iAluPF227oFojiljV/s320/IMG_1618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog"><img alt="Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/top_baby_blogs_150_an.gif" width="150" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-46430797118171071572011-07-15T17:36:00.000-04:002011-07-15T17:36:33.303-04:00one month<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can't believe it; today my girls turn one month old! It honestly seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital delivering them; and then in some ways it seems like I can't really remember what it feels like to not have them around. They are just the best thing to ever happen to us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy one month birthday, my sweet girls. We love you more than words.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrFdtOOlhsZQRrkCLdBGgTpwx8fY2tG7fByQMyr9r6GRIToLjcaFX7kRNH8WWb_NOjj0h64MhPyufHS0R1LfWOCAPrvQCGvLCi7yfvq206QuMHjScDqMul1pK1koPL8WHMV6LKylTMuTo/s1600/1+month-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrFdtOOlhsZQRrkCLdBGgTpwx8fY2tG7fByQMyr9r6GRIToLjcaFX7kRNH8WWb_NOjj0h64MhPyufHS0R1LfWOCAPrvQCGvLCi7yfvq206QuMHjScDqMul1pK1koPL8WHMV6LKylTMuTo/s320/1+month-+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibArC6SZCqe5YEQ5AX_7dGBgFTAtjqzo0TuZ6wyqhGn49B4kd7FANiM1uDeQr_xsxn_kkAhTbIvRWJSwv1s3KFJhBMiJmbDhq5MQha78iTJboYDBxncyBWr_qab2hh3S7AWBLIF6CMk7Rr/s1600/1+month+Amelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibArC6SZCqe5YEQ5AX_7dGBgFTAtjqzo0TuZ6wyqhGn49B4kd7FANiM1uDeQr_xsxn_kkAhTbIvRWJSwv1s3KFJhBMiJmbDhq5MQha78iTJboYDBxncyBWr_qab2hh3S7AWBLIF6CMk7Rr/s320/1+month+Amelie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi290wjzVHxb9RQqi_xpTHsWnvJOJkjLM-6G_Ap1wpP3UraWFJE09MXHyfHdTUI8aiFB0l2JXPOjPbIWjDrkNPu_3n-otRhRMCeYaU_ikIC_xWdGR_fX1QelusEHXD_gFP1e-iDHDzFjz1u/s1600/1+month+Poppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi290wjzVHxb9RQqi_xpTHsWnvJOJkjLM-6G_Ap1wpP3UraWFJE09MXHyfHdTUI8aiFB0l2JXPOjPbIWjDrkNPu_3n-otRhRMCeYaU_ikIC_xWdGR_fX1QelusEHXD_gFP1e-iDHDzFjz1u/s320/1+month+Poppy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">P.S. Poppy and Amelie would love it if you'd click the banner below to give us a daily vote! It's all they want for their one month birthday. :)</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-12824689844774327262011-07-13T21:11:00.001-04:002011-07-13T21:12:42.703-04:00the little things<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sometimes it's the little things that make up a very nice day....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a yummy treat breakfast scone:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI46M-cdw0iRjMmsRYI-OjUh2aNoUx34Nm0KyaRHHZvl14qLVPB41fxHdB5Beqyv-Q21hr5ZHgBTrBj0ryUvrTIWVqCVspWgF1vf5CtzKIG9w4W2-g9i6FmynmaPetHuotTimqeoDFIGpu/s1600/scone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI46M-cdw0iRjMmsRYI-OjUh2aNoUx34Nm0KyaRHHZvl14qLVPB41fxHdB5Beqyv-Q21hr5ZHgBTrBj0ryUvrTIWVqCVspWgF1vf5CtzKIG9w4W2-g9i6FmynmaPetHuotTimqeoDFIGpu/s320/scone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">an iced coffee on a warm day:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLthr77-zTjO8MJz-_7AtjAp24D28YzOhKtWimf7PMoIaabTs-bt3tBAkU-DOZ7vo8hmUyg2YwteswzRRm9yNrm-C-7-YH_O8eL3sWQs8J0KX5uEbqFWdu-UtHCPYVinsyvIho_pOCcuyH/s1600/iced+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLthr77-zTjO8MJz-_7AtjAp24D28YzOhKtWimf7PMoIaabTs-bt3tBAkU-DOZ7vo8hmUyg2YwteswzRRm9yNrm-C-7-YH_O8eL3sWQs8J0KX5uEbqFWdu-UtHCPYVinsyvIho_pOCcuyH/s320/iced+coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">losing enough fluid in your feet that you can finally tie your shoes (hooray!):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfU4Aa2Y5Che3FTTRbh-Apty0FQmDvigOV0BA-Y9ozeW7FPM-JuK0x9etVMkhO7diWKQGfhFqrrBUcATg0GOYxHHVFvkWArv3CCYhDutmeFt6z0-b8-GY2pu8BUYmYKo5QgqQaEDXpyNM/s1600/shoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfU4Aa2Y5Che3FTTRbh-Apty0FQmDvigOV0BA-Y9ozeW7FPM-JuK0x9etVMkhO7diWKQGfhFqrrBUcATg0GOYxHHVFvkWArv3CCYhDutmeFt6z0-b8-GY2pu8BUYmYKo5QgqQaEDXpyNM/s320/shoe.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">sleepy babies in a cozy coffee house:</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75dPuWH8ofZjsSSqg-I-CU5aevysM2SThUkckkut8XvLihaOw86gxao1v38qu3evcRDYHvHXFZ4atiN11JW0jDAnW0XvxXwd5k43Yct6sLIvjLj5q759NOqr70daxwGnpjrVF5kt1msl0/s1600/sleepy+poppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75dPuWH8ofZjsSSqg-I-CU5aevysM2SThUkckkut8XvLihaOw86gxao1v38qu3evcRDYHvHXFZ4atiN11JW0jDAnW0XvxXwd5k43Yct6sLIvjLj5q759NOqr70daxwGnpjrVF5kt1msl0/s320/sleepy+poppy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CFlEzxfgTbq7hPfjvaeN7yUNntPZjmRi-WCGZjqpvxeJuhtFCjWadrh7qK2rBTFMwH0budUCqvOP7bgDMDnrZST6qVUOh_Ouo7Qc3xl4JZJko96YsoIY01yuKOOo94F2_l7JppN-l9LL/s1600/sleepy+amelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CFlEzxfgTbq7hPfjvaeN7yUNntPZjmRi-WCGZjqpvxeJuhtFCjWadrh7qK2rBTFMwH0budUCqvOP7bgDMDnrZST6qVUOh_Ouo7Qc3xl4JZJko96YsoIY01yuKOOo94F2_l7JppN-l9LL/s320/sleepy+amelie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">spotting a cool bird on a nice walk through the park:</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFExjVhwf0gA4FV__qEINWXeBPlNUm0SBveM4EY3WNl5h7mW-bzUEJRmnuB_3CD9cl8mY1gRQK4vl1APOBtB0QHOXlViFkRRsuGNDLqO2h10D2Z2D7j4JVtvaHRKMI07rP4pqXajXq_FS/s1600/egret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFExjVhwf0gA4FV__qEINWXeBPlNUm0SBveM4EY3WNl5h7mW-bzUEJRmnuB_3CD9cl8mY1gRQK4vl1APOBtB0QHOXlViFkRRsuGNDLqO2h10D2Z2D7j4JVtvaHRKMI07rP4pqXajXq_FS/s320/egret.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">sweet babies: </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX5rdtkdJrf2V6Lc_UMh5txfugpumkv_hGqbmBkheVJVGIMnFmD0_Mv6K9Pbi7YmQRfm7-6kap4EXVpd4ILtzat1ftj_7MpEsRoj7T7ZFW2OKssGghvUk0Ghb9s83PbKsywokMcbsGBkL/s1600/poppy%2527s+eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX5rdtkdJrf2V6Lc_UMh5txfugpumkv_hGqbmBkheVJVGIMnFmD0_Mv6K9Pbi7YmQRfm7-6kap4EXVpd4ILtzat1ftj_7MpEsRoj7T7ZFW2OKssGghvUk0Ghb9s83PbKsywokMcbsGBkL/s320/poppy%2527s+eyes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xck-JOhH68bl-E5Fy7mLACAzSul2OzavgoUp6yODxTP42tW4P0SvIFUNVPfOJkcVCtsO8mVNLoBO4aRbxOh_MI5O_dsdgMXutX34_P8Nd4PB987FWOVIMCLwuQy_3susmfsZ0AgTSEOl/s1600/amelie+sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xck-JOhH68bl-E5Fy7mLACAzSul2OzavgoUp6yODxTP42tW4P0SvIFUNVPfOJkcVCtsO8mVNLoBO4aRbxOh_MI5O_dsdgMXutX34_P8Nd4PB987FWOVIMCLwuQy_3susmfsZ0AgTSEOl/s320/amelie+sleeping.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Topped off by a wonderful home cooked meal and a small glass of wine. Lovely day full of lovely little things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-28963099013367939392011-07-12T17:42:00.002-04:002011-07-12T18:05:48.100-04:00outings<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the most part, since the girls have come home, we've stayed at home with them. It's pretty much necessary, because 1) they're really little and young! and fragile! and 2) it's really hot out in NYC right now; not the best time for traveling with two newborns. and 3) We don't have a car, so it's either the subway or a car service, and both have their pros and cons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So far the only places we have gone have been doctor appointments of some kind, and then once, down the street to the corner deli. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The first outing was to the pediatrician the day after they arrived home- just to check to see if they were gaining weight properly. The next outing was the pediatrician again- a follow up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The trip to the deli was mostly to get a little walk in, since I was feeling the need to get out of the house, and also an excuse to use our ergo carriers. Here's us returning home: </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgL9DNCWE3xYHXDF9AZ_j5tlzO7XToExAnAHJ4rHE-LmGEaZVUVApVCaN-d4WLsa8_Y6CicnWex3ycEiILzyeYjujrJJFPshiW_UvZ2zZ5H69o73r2PElvG_dDFh2LWmMQGZ5JgTkWJR2/s1600/first+outing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgL9DNCWE3xYHXDF9AZ_j5tlzO7XToExAnAHJ4rHE-LmGEaZVUVApVCaN-d4WLsa8_Y6CicnWex3ycEiILzyeYjujrJJFPshiW_UvZ2zZ5H69o73r2PElvG_dDFh2LWmMQGZ5JgTkWJR2/s320/first+outing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then, last week my mother-in-law and I took them to my OBGYN appointment. It wasn't necessary; she could have just stayed at home with them while I went to my appointment- but we decided it'd be fun if we all took a little trip. For this outing, we decided to take a car service since it was on the east side and we would have had to transfer trains if we took the subway. Not ready for that! My appointment ran a little late, so I had to breastfeed Amelie in the exam room before we headed out, because she started crying. But after that, we walked 2 blocks to a nearby Starbucks and fed them both a bottle while we had a little coffee. Amelie was WIDE awake the whole time, taking it all in:</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz3BZYnQBaQux5HInTv9L27nI_NZtb2R32a-oL3r7mS9etnc7QbqtN8ZUsDMsDiKqt2qWPqpR0lAUENfmkFJjX5bBex-1ptqyCAYJPU8lPI_92PJ7tkY2wjcvf5oTgLOEYI2zY1ntCywq/s1600/Amelie+Starbucks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz3BZYnQBaQux5HInTv9L27nI_NZtb2R32a-oL3r7mS9etnc7QbqtN8ZUsDMsDiKqt2qWPqpR0lAUENfmkFJjX5bBex-1ptqyCAYJPU8lPI_92PJ7tkY2wjcvf5oTgLOEYI2zY1ntCywq/s320/Amelie+Starbucks2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">while Poppy just napped the whole time: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yK1GDrVNQ0wwxiOLVGbxAtCKfyUR7im2bMCjDhhX6mJGEW452aOqmMTUVE4Sy1uMmCCg6D0XjE5u2f_H1kygeLyRBuXkFmJctpMrCXsTcwnw4n23LloeA_Dn9sSQyOPZcNlh_BrC_3xv/s1600/Poppy+Starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yK1GDrVNQ0wwxiOLVGbxAtCKfyUR7im2bMCjDhhX6mJGEW452aOqmMTUVE4Sy1uMmCCg6D0XjE5u2f_H1kygeLyRBuXkFmJctpMrCXsTcwnw4n23LloeA_Dn9sSQyOPZcNlh_BrC_3xv/s320/Poppy+Starbucks.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then today we had to go to Children's hospital at Columbia Presbyterian for an ultrasound of Amelie's hip. She was delivered breech, so it's standard procedure for them to do an ultrasound to make sure their hips are ok. She was just fine. :) Today we took the subway, which was an undertaking, but it worked! We had to make sure the stop we got off at had an elevator for our stroller, which it did. It was REALLY hot today, but the girls were fine- they wore the new sundresses that their Aunt Jody gave them; so they were nice and cool:</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKUviw7qPRfqX1O0J0177RMQF6XimSkcO0XzHehJFRyOaQA6ZIf54TXaXEPd8agzQKUX5RkKUYvk4g0B3OGtsWp_iF9vAVo7b2l_mohi3gYtqaaGj_LZ4G-KYcEbirHlXA3OFZFZDmIMl/s1600/sundresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKUviw7qPRfqX1O0J0177RMQF6XimSkcO0XzHehJFRyOaQA6ZIf54TXaXEPd8agzQKUX5RkKUYvk4g0B3OGtsWp_iF9vAVo7b2l_mohi3gYtqaaGj_LZ4G-KYcEbirHlXA3OFZFZDmIMl/s320/sundresses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And here's them in their cool ride on the subway: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnieKXgOwonn7VKGBahM5JW98Hzs_N_m7FxkQsQw6FW9sUNwi2QuYNhg8huV8JUcyT0KBar9RrVokHJ00-Sww6pMer0EwCNjhSl7aBs55lsjq9VobVlfxLZMQHPQgmg3cuOb7upCzQlPWb/s1600/subway+riders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnieKXgOwonn7VKGBahM5JW98Hzs_N_m7FxkQsQw6FW9sUNwi2QuYNhg8huV8JUcyT0KBar9RrVokHJ00-Sww6pMer0EwCNjhSl7aBs55lsjq9VobVlfxLZMQHPQgmg3cuOb7upCzQlPWb/s320/subway+riders.jpg" width="174" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So there you go! We've already had many adventures- and all before they're four weeks old! I can't wait for more little trips ahead; and maybe a few that don't involve the doctor's office. :) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-11316008881304877832011-07-09T11:03:00.000-04:002011-07-09T11:03:44.843-04:00birth story (part one)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here we go! I'm finally attempting the birth story, 3 weeks after the fact. I hope I remember enough, because honestly while parts of the day are clear as crystal; other parts are just sort of a blur. Luckily, my husband tweeted the whole thing (no really; he did) so that will help me fill in the gaps. I apologize in advance; it's going to be a long story, because I want to make sure I document it all for posterity. So, it will most definitely be in a few parts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tuesday, June 14th- 6:15 am: I slowly wake up, and realize I have to pee. Again. Nothing new. I'm working from home this week which is good because my legs are so swollen with fluid they're hard to lift. Getting in and out of bed is a major effort. As I attempt to roll my gargantuan stomach over to get out of bed, I feel a small rush of fluid between my legs. "Oh great," I think. "I've finally reached that point in my pregnancy that they talk about where I'm incontinent. Guess I should have done my kegels like they said to, because I totally just peed the bed." I finally am able to stand up and the fluid just doesn't stop. "Whoa, that's weird. I'm REALLY incontinent." (Laugh all you want; it really did feel like I was peeing!) I get to the bathroom and go pee, and realize I can't stop peeing no matter how hard I try. Hmm. Maybe I'm NOT peeing. (Betcha didn't know that so much of my birth story was going to be about pee, didja?) Maybe my water is breaking? But how could that be?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Walk back in to the bedroom, still leaking fluid everywhere. Decide that this is definitely SOMETHING, so I tap Ian on the leg. He wakes up startled, because I've turned the lights on, and am standing up by the bed; not a normal occurrence for 6:15 in the morning. "I think my water broke." Instantly he is WAY more awake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was pretty darn excited, because honestly; I never thought we'd get to have the "honey; it's time!" moment. My doctor seemed pretty much certain that I'd have to be induced to deliver. But here we were; at 35 weeks, 5 days and it seemed as though it most definitely was "time". I still had my doubts though, because hey; I'd never had a baby before- what did I know? I called my doctor and spoke to her answering service. She called me right back, and once I explained what was going on, she said "Yes, it sounds like your water broke. Head to the hospital, and I'll meet you there later this afternoon." Holy crap! This IS it! I mean, probably!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next up to call was my mom. She was flying in for the birth, so I needed to give her the head's up. I called her and I think she knew what was up, as it was 3:30 am her time. I told her that I was PRETTY sure my water had broken, but that she should wait to buy her ticket until it was confirmed. She said she'd start looking for flights and stand by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, had I packed my hospital bag? Nope. It was on my "to do" list for that week. I figured I had time; plenty of time. I had a whole list of things I was going to get done that week that obviously weren't going to happen now! Whoops!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I kind of was just standing in my room, (over a towel- as I was still just making a mess everywhere I walked) in a daze, not really knowing where to start. Luckily, Ian pulled up our "hospital bag" list and just started packing. I decided a shower was probably in order, so I went to do that. As I stood under the hot water I started crying a little. Not out of sadness, but excitement and a little bit of overwhelmedness. "I'm going to have babies soon! Holy crap! This is actually happening! I'm going to be a mother!" To me, honestly, that was the very first moment it all felt very REAL. Yes, I realize that sounds silly, since for almost 9 months I'd felt babies kicking, seen them on ultrasounds, heard their heartbeats, etc.; but this was the first moment I really, really realized that I was going to give BIRTH, and it was going to be soon. I was going to finally meet my girls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once my shower was over I came back into the bedroom and Ian was making great progress on the hospital bag. I all of the sudden felt very anxious that we had to get to the hospital SOON. I wanted to make sure the babies were ok. Ian headed off to shower and we decided that the bag was packed enough; it was time to head out. We called the car service around 7:45am and were off to the hospital!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It only took about 15 minutes to get to the hospital; very little traffic which was good. Our driver was nice and didn't chat with us at all, which was good. We asked him his name when we got out of the car, so we could have it for posterity. I think he thought we were going to report him for something, because he seemed worried after we asked him. I kept a list in my iPhone of names of people we encountered; but unfortunately, I've since ruined my iPhone by dropping it into the toilet on one of the sleep deprived nights in the hospital- so that list is gone. :(</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once we arrived and checked in, it was about another 45 minutes to an hour before I was in a room and getting checked. They had a resident come in to do a check to see if my water had officially broken- and lo and behold it had! Officially in labor. :) Wahoo! No contractions at this point, but it was good to know that I was officially on my way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First point of business was to set me up with an IV to get some fluids going. I had read that you could refuse fluids so that you didn't have to be hooked up to an IV right away, but in our childbirth class we learned that if you were going to have an epidural (which my doctor said was pretty necessary for me since we'd probably have to manually turn baby B or I may need an emergency csection) that you should get fluids because you needed to have a certain amount of fluids before you did the epidural. Anyway, the nurse tried once to find a vein and couldn't (this is always an issue for me; I have really hard to find veins) and decided to call the anesthesiologist on call to find one. He arrived a few minutes later and was really funny and kind; which made things less stressful. It took 4 tries in total; lots of poking, bleeding and bruising, but he finally got one on the back of my left hand. Which by the way, is a very uncomfortable place to have an IV.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once the fluids were in, we just kind of hung out until my doctor arrived around 1pm to check me. I was 1 cm dialated and still not having contractions, so she administered a pill called Misoprostol to start contractions. It kicked in about 30 minutes later at 1:45pm when I had my first contraction. About 30 minutes after that, they were about one minute long and 10 minutes apart. So, a ways to go, but progress nonetheless.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFkH6BFnO92TT_A5X8piqC6_tSc-nlv2LwRClFG15V_akFb1sgzu4CKKG2TFoyO2-Th9uj6pttJ7KLBfOWK05ItUsKC6V-0PVXLSp9dBmD2Xz1CQn8NuzFHrsU6Q46sqeTZkzqd6e65ht/s1600/hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFkH6BFnO92TT_A5X8piqC6_tSc-nlv2LwRClFG15V_akFb1sgzu4CKKG2TFoyO2-Th9uj6pttJ7KLBfOWK05ItUsKC6V-0PVXLSp9dBmD2Xz1CQn8NuzFHrsU6Q46sqeTZkzqd6e65ht/s320/hospital.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok- stay tuned for part two! (And possibly 3 and 4.... depends on how long winded I end up being.) :)</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog"><img alt="Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/top_baby_blogs_150_an.gif" width="150" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-41005644869265257462011-07-06T20:12:00.002-04:002011-07-07T00:35:19.452-04:00(the last) weekly wednesday update<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>How far along?</strong> 38 weeks 6 days! (aka- the babies are 3 weeks old today!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Total weight gain/loss:</strong> Weighed in at the doctor today; I'm 5 pounds UNDER my pre-pregnancy weight! So, last time I was weighed, I was up 41 pounds, so now I'm down 46 pounds. This really shows how much fluid I was carrying around! The fluid/swelling isn't completely gone from my legs, but it's much improved and well on its way to being all gone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As for the babies, Poppy now weighs 6 pounds 13 ounces (birth weight was 5 pounds 11 ounces) and Amelie weighs 6 pounds 6 ounces (birth weight was 5 pounds 3 ounces). Over a pound each gained in 3 weeks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>S</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>tretch marks?</strong> Yes. But somehow I just don't care as much anymore. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Maternity clothes?</strong> Yep. Even though I'm back down to my pre-pregnancy weight, I still have a bit of a tummy, so pants don't fit the same. That's ok though; these days with all of the sleep deprivation, I'm pretty cool with staying in cozy, stretchy pants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sleep: </strong>Ha. Sleep. Not seeing much of that these days. The girls are up every 2-3 hours to feed and then I also have to pump after every feeding. So, not much sleeping happening, but that's ok. I know this time won't last forever so I'm really trying to just cherish them being so tiny.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Best moment this week:</strong> Really pretty darn hard to pick one. One wonderful moment was the first time I breastfed both of them at the same time. It's just the sweetest thing. They look across the pillow at each other and up at me and it's just the best thing ever. But again; hard to choose a best moment, because there have been so many.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Movement: </strong>Ha ha. Yes; all the time. Especially Amelie; she's a super wiggly baby, which makes sense because she was baby B, and I felt the most movement from here in the womb.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Food cravings: </strong>I am now always hungry. Breast feeding twins burns a lot of calories (my book says up to 1200 per day!) so I just am always feeling like I can eat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Genders: </strong>Still two girls! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Labor Signs: </strong>That ship has sailed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Belly Button in or out? </strong>It's back in. Not the prettiest it's ever been, but maybe someday it will look a little closer how it started out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>What I miss: </strong>I do miss sleep, but again; it's so worth it. I also sometimes miss being pregnant, but having my girls with me now is much more fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Weekly Wisdom:</strong> If you're pregnant, and can get help from your mom or mother-in-law, sibling or friend; do it! My mom was here for a little over 2 weeks and my mother-in-law is here now, and it has been a godsend. They have been so helpful and wonderful and I don't know what we would have done without them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>What I am looking forward to:</strong> More fun times with my cute girls!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Milestones:</strong> They got their social security cards yesterday! They're official!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And here's me, 38 weeks, 6 days (aka 3 week old babies!)</span> Not the prettiest picture of me, but oh well. :) </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD5_fO0uNAARrspSgJBnH0qtdIN-tRhUvyDoE2o_-lWlRBGDM0mrv39qES6bUIK-sB4cPCEsuczyH1YW1o3KAy-CEov-GhG8wJ3EN_v9hhw-n8_jM1JsyTnwvX1I_so4VxD-VzVh8u8rJ/s1600/38+weeks+6+days-+with+babies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD5_fO0uNAARrspSgJBnH0qtdIN-tRhUvyDoE2o_-lWlRBGDM0mrv39qES6bUIK-sB4cPCEsuczyH1YW1o3KAy-CEov-GhG8wJ3EN_v9hhw-n8_jM1JsyTnwvX1I_so4VxD-VzVh8u8rJ/s320/38+weeks+6+days-+with+babies.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And here's another cute picture of the girls:</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZBaMee5ng8ArYGfShQjuTflBijiOTeW6ZiVcTnzAqo2PUbFSW4aqZwu9K1B__D1wWQEh3wqKdbA5RWRjzOZW4IRBolcSmLRv4Fwfo41U-Wno-Mj2Zt7ikvdLdeUU4jAmYRpc-HWsLX24/s1600/kissing+babies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZBaMee5ng8ArYGfShQjuTflBijiOTeW6ZiVcTnzAqo2PUbFSW4aqZwu9K1B__D1wWQEh3wqKdbA5RWRjzOZW4IRBolcSmLRv4Fwfo41U-Wno-Mj2Zt7ikvdLdeUU4jAmYRpc-HWsLX24/s320/kissing+babies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~ M</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog directory"><img alt="Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/best_baby_blogs_125_an.gif" width="125" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902845350042327827.post-55417878941343975982011-07-01T16:15:00.005-04:002011-07-01T16:24:03.495-04:00got milk?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, I mentioned in my last post that we were having some latching issues and that I had decided it was probably for the best to reach out to a lactation consultant. I knew that they'd be able to help, and I really needed it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After several days of incredibly frustrating feedings (two babies, both crying/fussing/wiggling because they aren't able to latch on properly), I just couldn't take it anymore. Coupled with the sleep deprivation and my crazy amounts of love for my girls; I realized I needed some help. Our pediatrician had suggested a lactation consultant that was in our neighborhood, so I gave her a call. Not only was she in our neighborhood; but she was right across the street! She told me she'd be able to come over the next day, and I was thrilled.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She brought a digital scale with her and weighed the girls before they fed so that once they latched on and fed, she could weigh them again, to see how much milk they had gotten. (By the way; Poppy has reached 6 pounds and Amelie is at 5 pounds 15.5 ounces!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> She showed me how to correctly position the babies in the football hold (at your side) and as soon as we had the right position- BAM! BAM! Successful latches. Amazing! Seriously, she just changed a few things, and they latched on right away. Since then, we've had successful latches about 98% of the time. If anyone lives in the New York area, I highly recommend you call Beverly Solow (www.bevsolow.com); she's amazing!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My milk supply still isn't as high as I need it to be every time, but I'm hoping with all of the feedings and pumping, that it soon will be. Beverly suggested I try an herb called fenugreek to help increase my supply; so I think I may do that. I gotta be able to feed my girls, and right now I'm having to supplement with formula about every other feeding or so. They are eating more than they did last week, so until my milk catches up, it's what I have to do. I always said I didn't want to have to do that, but what can you do? They have to eat!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, things in the land of feedings seem to be going smoothly, and I hope they continue to. We're still waking them up every 2 hours to feed and every 3 in the middle of the night. We'll see the pediatrician next week again and maybe she'll tell us we can spread that out a little bit; though who knows.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm just so happy that I contacted the lactation consultant and that she was such a big help. Yay for experts!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am working on writing my birth story out, so I should have that in the next week or so (though it's likely to be in 2 or 3 parts); so stay tuned for that! I promise I'm trying to get better about posting more frequently, but if you had these two cuties to look at all day, would you be in a hurry to sit in front of the computer?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalC4IzjJJVtV9Ek7kaZvsGuaNUELI_56KJInEJRNmGDBTU1lt87RCO8elwjLTdsKdBxaOlE8M4To7yA_Sl4TgOxB8JZMhrim_hhuXkybyKb3k9Y4TzR9QlgWc4eix2DkmH8IyqM5fY8lV/s1600/IMG_1418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalC4IzjJJVtV9Ek7kaZvsGuaNUELI_56KJInEJRNmGDBTU1lt87RCO8elwjLTdsKdBxaOlE8M4To7yA_Sl4TgOxB8JZMhrim_hhuXkybyKb3k9Y4TzR9QlgWc4eix2DkmH8IyqM5fY8lV/s320/IMG_1418.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~M</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=mariahf" target="_blank" title="baby blog"><img alt="Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.topbabyblogs.com/topblogs/images/banners/top_baby_blogs_150_an.gif" width="150" /></a>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476293830201384586noreply@blogger.com3