6 months -- say what!?

We are officially 6 months old! A LOT has happened since my last post. I thought I was so much better at recording milestones -- I'm not and it sucks. I'm just so busy (said every other mom out there). Anyway, we went to our 6 month check up and everything checked out great! They are getting so big! It truly blows my mind how fast time flies.

They are all rising on the percentile scales. YAY... our pedi goes over them so quickly I don't have the exact percentages. I remember that Madilynn is in the 70th percentile for head circumference (LOL) and Mason is above 50th in height. Goooooo babies!

Madilynn weighs 13lbs and 11oz! She is so funny! She really started laughing during the last few weeks. Blowing on her bare belly, playing peek-a-boo, she giggles so much. I.love.it. She's definitely my little sensitive girl. She gets startled easily, unlike her brother. She's very curious and loves touching faces. I tell her what she's touching and then I touch hers back. She also is such a squirmer! Bedtime is comical most nights because she moves all over her crib, I don't know what the heck that little girl is doing in there half the time. She's coming around to being more of a cuddle girl. At first, she didn't like anyone or anything all up in her face (Mason on the other hand has always EATEN UP kisses and me loving on him). She loves to give her momma smooches right on the lips. She gives me the cutest little looks and starts "talking" to me. She's still such an intense talker, she really has important things to tell me, at least that's how she looks! She's so mobile I'm just WAITING to see her up on all fours to start crawling all over the place. She tries! She's sitting up assisted well, almost unassisted. I can't completely trust her on her own just yet but she seems to be sitting up straighter and straighter every day!

Mason weighs 14lbs 14.3oz! Momma's big boy! He's consistently stayed about a pound

bigger than his sister since their 4 month check up. Mason is such a little lover. He loves to be snuggled, held, babied. He's also such a flirt. He does this funny noise where he almost gargles at people (if that makes sense) and laughs and smiles. He's more of the nosy one. He wants to know what's going on at all times and he makes it difficult on himself at times because he will fight his sleep. He sits up so well and so straight. Still can't FULLY trust that he won't topple over, but he's really close. Mason is all over the place, too. Can't keep him in one place for too long. He loves to play peek-a-boo, get tickled...he loves to laugh. Mason is the kind of baby who has to have a change of pace, often. He gets bored if we do the same thing over and over again. 

They are both eating solids and THEY couldn't be happier. In my last blog I talked about attempting rice cereal in bottles -- that didn't happen. I think I tried it twice and that was that. Around 5 months I could really take their cues in wanting to start food. My pedi said to hold off until 6 months but I finally broke down when they seemed interested in the food I was eating. They would watch us put our food in our mouths and acted like they wanted it. So, we started with one meal a day for about a week. We would do a veggie (sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, green beans, peas, etc) and they would share a fruit. Then we upped them to two meals a day -- oatmeal with a fruit mixed in the morning and then a veggie and their own fruit in the evening. They are all about food. Madilynn was able to get the hang of eating a little quicker than Mason but now they are both really good eaters. We are adjusting our feeding a little bit this week to incorporate a lunch feeding to make it 3x a day. They are so much happier eating food than eating a bottle, although we know the importance of them continuing to get the right amount of nutrition from their bottles. 

When my husband Jeff and I first brought the babies home and had decided we would put them in separate rock'n'plays next to our bed, we also decided that we would move them into their own cribs by 6 months. So, along with taking their cues (getting too big for the RNPs, rolling almost all the way over in their RNPs, sleeping in their cribs for all naps) we decided to move them to their cribs (in the same room) at 5 months and 3 weeks. This transition hasn't been all that bad, but it was sure a lot easier when they were within an arms reach if they woke up in the middle of the night and needed their pacis!

The first night I can't deny, I cried. Every single time they moved I stared at the monitor. As the days have gone on it doesn't quite seem like we are getting up less. I wonder(ed) if we are doing something wrong. So, we decided last night to see what happens if we let them stir/whine/cry and see what they do. Madilynn is a DEFINITE stirrer at night. She moves like CrAzY and fusses but eventually goes back to sleep. Jeff got up once to give Madilynn her paci after fussing for a few minutes but as soon as he walked into their room she stopped, since he was up he gave her the paci anyway (so I don't count that one). Mason on the other hand. I am unsure of how to approach him. He slept great from the time we put him down around 9:30pm until about 2:30am. He started fussing and so we let him go, then he started crying. Gave him his paci and rubbed his back, he fell back asleep. Then around 3:30 he fussed, and then cried, gave him his paci he fell back asleep. 4:00am rolled around, cried, fussed, SCREAMED. So we got him up, held him, put him back to sleep and I slept with him on my chest until about 6:15am -- thanks goodness for my comfy recliner. Bad habit, I know. But I don't know how to tell if he's teething, being needy, or if I should let him cry a bit longer to see what happens. At the point of when he was picked up he cried long enough he completely woke himself up. Maybe this was a needed vent session? Sorry. I guess what I meant by all of this is that we thought having them in the same room would be of a good benefit and we are slowly quickly realizing that we may have to do separate rooms for everyone's sanity. The lack of sleep is nothing compared to what others have to go through and I realize that little big things can throw off sleep schedules. I'm not trying to sound like a complainer I genuinely just hope we're doing the right things to benefit our babies and help them become good sleepers again.

I'll wrap up this blog by showing a few pictures from their 6 month photo shoot. How amazing is our photographer?

 

 

 

Happy 6 months to my beautiful babies! You guys are the most precious amazing beings on the face of the planet!!

We rollin'....

Four months hit and what a difference it's been! I've learned that Mason loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and gets a little upset when Mickey or Donald aren't talking. Mason and Madilynn are grabbing and playing with toys. At four months and one week we attempted to spoon feed both of them rice cereal. It went okay. Madilynn seemed to do much better than Mason did, I thought it was going to be the opposite! We tried again the following day and they had a few bites and then were done. I think I'm going to wait a week and try again.

I do have to admit I'm getting a little bit frustrated with my little man. He keeps waking up early morning (and I mean like 2:30am-3:30am) for a bottle. I would assume that he's going through a growth spurt and needs more to eat -- or needs something more to keep him full. We've tried to up their bottle intake to 6oz instead of 4oz... and sometimes they drink it and sometimes they don't, it's really hit or miss. So last night, although the subject is quite controversial it seems... we tried giving Mason rice cereal in his bottle. At first I used a "Y" Dr. Brown's nipple and it came out way too fast. Then I tried a number 2 Dr. Brown's nipple... he seemed to like it and then he stopped eating after 1 ounce and passed out on my lap and would not eat anymore, woke up at 2:30, hungry. Maybe last night was an off night so I'm going to try again tonight. I just want him to feel satisfied so that he will sleep through the night again... these early mornings are killing me when we once had such flawless nights. (when I say slept through the night I mean up between 5am-5:30am)

At 18 weeks and 5 days, at just over 4 months, on May 8, 2013, BOTH of my lovelies rolled over!!!! It was so funny because when I went to pick them up from their grandma's house, I was playing with Mason on the floor. I rolled him over from his back to his belly a few times as I was talking to my mother in law. One of the times I rolled him over I left him on his belly and all of a sudden we both looked down and he rolled from his belly to his back. We started laughing so hard! I was so proud of him! Then, later that evening, brother was taking a nap and Daddy and I were playing with Madilynn on her play mat. I started playing the "roll the baby over game" again with her this time and all of a sudden she rolled over, too, from her belly to her back! I rolled her back over on her belly and she did it again, in which case I caught it on video!

 

I love seeing them hit milestones! It's probably the most rewarding experience I've ever felt in my entire life... not that I have anything to do with it but it just made my heart so happy! 

Oh...to see what 5 months will bring!

 

4 months... almost!

We had our 4 month check up on Monday!

Let's start with my big boy Mase-a-Mason (twin A). This little one started his life at a whopping 4lbs 3oz... and at 15 weeks he's at 11lbs 9.2oz and 59cm long! Way to go big boy! It's obvious that he's got his eating down. He has really changed in a short period of time. His facial expressions are SO.ANIMATED.NOW! He smiles, "talks", makes funny noises, laughs, plays, and holds his head up really well! The only concern I pointed out to the pedi is the shape of the back of his head. It looks flat compared to his sister (always has). His pedi said that when we lay him down just try to turn his head. So I'm glad that she didn't think it was too much of a concern. I wondered if it was helmet worthy and am hoping that by adjusting his head and being more conscious of how he lays we can avoid that. As far as milestones, our pedi was looking to see if they smile/laugh when spoken to, and Mason (though he was beyond tired) was being so cute smiling and cooing at her. He does this thing with his eyes now where he blinks extra long like he's batting his eyes at you... it's adorable... the little flirt! Also, she wanted to know if they attempt to roll over and if they grasp/touch toys. He does all of those. I can say that he holds onto things more than his sister.

Now on to my gorgey (short for gorgeous, I don't know why that nickname stuck) little Madilynn. She started her life as the bigger twin (twin B) at 4lbs 7oz. She now weighs 10lbs 7.7oz and is 57.8cm long. Pedi said it's typical for boys to grow faster at first and it's apparent by their comparison (even in the picture above you can really see that Madilynn is smaller than her brother). She is just the sweetest little girl. She "talks" to you when you look into her eyes and she has the most serious looks on her face when she starts cooing and "telling me about her day". I mean it, if she could convey what she was thinking, she would be a riot. I have a feeling when she can start talking it's going to be nonstop! She was being adorable with our pedi, too. Dr. was talking to Madilynn and she was smiling and being so happy with her. The Dr. said "you kids sure make some cute and adorable babies". The only concern I had about Madilynn is that sometimes she gets very gassy and shows signs that her tummy hurts her. The pedi said to give her an ounce or two of water to see if that helps and if not to give her an ounce of prune juice. I tried giving her water that day and she did not want it! I think it was too cold, but we haven't tried it since because she's been fine. As far as hitting the milestones -- Madilynn does all of them. Compared to her brother though, she attempts to roll over much more than he does.

 

It's so interesting to have twins and see their differences as far as development. I'm so happy that they are both on track as far as our pedi is concerned... and they are in a percentile for almost all of their measurements.

His sister is pretty cozy!

Bumbo, Bumbo!

We love our bumbos! I can't believe they are big enough to use these already!!!!

This week has been a real eye opener with how big they are really getting. I have two babies that are three months old today! This growing up stuff is serious business and I'm not sure I approve with how time is seriously flying by. I'm pretty sure it's for the birds. They are holding their heads up so well lately and I know that it's only going to get better. They both love laying under their play mat and swatting at their hanging toys. They also really love light up things that make noise. It's crazy to me that them swatting at their toys instead of just staring at them started what seems like over night. It's SO MUCH FUN watching them grow and learn new things each day. Mornings are a hit with these babies and I love evenings with them. We have a very consistent bedtime routine. Mason loves... L-O-V-E-S, LOVES bath time. Madilynn gets over it, she likes it at first but then she's done. Every night between 7:30-8 we start their bed time routine with whoever is ready to eat sooner than the other. Bath, pjs, feed, put them to sleep. Then we do it all over again with the next one! Mornings are happy. They both love their sleep, like their momma! For about a week, both of my precious babies have slept through the night. YEA!! I'm afraid to get too excited, because it seems too good to be true. But don't get me wrong, I'll take it! Last night Madilynn woke up at 2:00 to eat but let's hope that was a fluke! =] 

I am sure this is a typical 'mom' feeling but I every time I look at my children, I have an overwhelming feeling of joy. Absolutely, positively, the purest joy in the world.

 

Baby Gruber Twins

 

On December 28, 2012 at 34 weeks and 5 days, we welcomed Mason and Madilynn into the world. Seeing them grow every day is such an amazing gift. They are constantly surprising us with new things. I'm hoping to start this blog to document their growth, share our journey, funny stories and just life in general with twins!