Summer 07' Baby's.....

[buckeyegal]

Colleen--thanks for the tip about the aspirator. I'll check on it. I love how your boys try to entertain Gavin! You must enjoy feeding time so much these days! Good luck with the washer. the timing stinks....

As for us, today was our 6 month b-day! We celebrated by going to the doctor for vaccines! Yeah! The kids did pretty well this time compared to last. Ellie is 16 pounds 14 oz and 26 1/2 inches long. Braeden is 15 pounds 11 oz and 27 5/8 inches long. He's our long, lean machine! Poor Ellie, she's going to be my chubby one, I think! It's all good for now...I love her chubby thighs!

We're supposed to get slammed with snow this weekend. I hope it's not that bad....

Tasha--how's that Christmas party coming along? Is Pam working you too hard?

[elliecat]

Hi Buckeye to stew fruit i cut it into chunks and add a bit of water then slowly cook it until it is soft enough to blend. I then freeze it but before i use it i mix it with baby milk. I have also given Izzy mashed banana this week that i have mixed with her milk and baby cereal. If you are not sure what foods to cook you can always look at the jars and see what they use. Here in Spain they use citrus fruits but in the uk it is not recommended at such a young age due to citric acid but the diets are different.
I got our aspirator here in Spain however i had not seen them in the uk, i am going to get one for a friend of mine who is due in Feb and cant get it in the uk. I have looked after lots of babies in the past as part of my job and think that this has been the best thing i have used to help with colds. I love your photos the twins are so cute and getting so big.
Colleen with you on the washing situation, our pump for our well has broken and we are running out of water so a friend is doing our washing at the moment. I am going to go onto photobucket to see your pics. Izzy has taken to blowing bubbles when eating which she finds funny.
Hope you havn't got snowed in yet
take care Ellie

[buckeyegal]

Ellie--thanks for the tip. I actually made some carrots, peas, and green beans last night. I'll attempt other things later...Until then, Gerber will just have to do.

Tasha--haven't heard from you in a while??? I hope you're hanging in there!

Racheal--how's Makayla? I bet you're super busy right now with the holidays coming. When do you leave for Florida?

As for us, we're going through lots of changes right now. ellie has become a rolling pin this weekend! She keeps rolling everywhere--it's so funny! Braeden isn't as motivated as she is, so he's quite content where he is. We're also trying to get these solid foods in. We literally have to sneak cereal into them because they hate it! I'm sure it's not "good" that we're doing it this way, but I am hoping after lots of times being tricked into trying it, that they'll get the idea. Each baby is a little better with some veggies. Ellie doesn't seem to mind sweet potatoes, while Braeden seems to give green beans a go. Of course, when I say that, they'll switch their minds! They're both seeming to like their high chairs too, so I'm hoping to ditch the bouncy seats very soon! Yeah--more room for the junk they'll get for Christmas! Seriously, my house is completely overwhelmed. IT's like TOYS R US.

hope you all are well!

[cmoscar]

Kim - I am glad to hear they are liking their highchairs. We have had Makayla at the dinner table from day one. We started off with her in her car seat and once she could hold her head, we put her at the table in the highchairs that attach to the table. She loves it and it is her signal that it is time to eat. The only time she gets food is at the table. I am still breast feeding on demand, but she has fallen into a routine and seems to enjoy being apart of the family dynamic. I did this with my boys and they are much better at eating at the table then some of their friends .

Ellie - I do the same thing for Makayla. I do not freeze the food, but I do can it. My grandmother had tons of cans (mason jar style) that are small enough to can babyfood in. I love it because as I make extra food, she will have quick snacks to munch on when I am busy.

Colleen - I know your are going crazy getting ready for Santa this year! I have been less crazy since we had a family meeting about Christmas. We decided that since the boys know about Santa already (the eleven year old told the seven year old), we would do something new. We are doind Secret Santa. In fact we are all finished doing our shopping and the packages are already in Florida! We spent less money (we all voted and agreed on $50.00 per person) and I only had to shop for two (mine and Makayla's). I think it will work out nicely and everyone is excited about seeing if the other person likes it!

Tasha - I hope Aubrey and you are well.

We are okay. Makayla and I have strep throat and are on antibiotics. She has been miserable! On top of that, I am working on my last week of class (final is on Thursday). We are leaving Friday afternoon for our trip to Florida and Makayla still hates the car with a passion. So, I am packing and pumping with hopes she is okay by Friday. We have found that she is not able to tollerate any of the OTC formulas and we have decided it is better to just stay with breast feeding for now. Come January, I will be looking to go back to work and I am worried bout my supply, so I am now trying to pump in advance. We'll see what happens! Merry Christmas to everyone in case I am not able to post again.

[buckeyegal]

Racheal--once again, you amaze me! That was smart of you to have Makayla at the dinner table from the beginning. I have to laugh at myself now, but looking back to June, we didn't eat at the dinner table ourselves for quite a while because it had been turned into a baby station--extra diapers, bottles, my pump, and all kinds of junk! That first month is all a blur now...I honestly don't even remember eating?

I have to admit, although I am a bit ashamed...our babies usually take a late afternoon nap around 5. It's usually about 30-45 minutes. Well, DH and I (once again in survival mode), had gotten into a routine of eating while they napped....cause that was our only chance! So, needless to say, our babies hadn't really gotten to see us eat much. DIdn't they ever wonder when we ate? ha ha! Well, now, we are being proper, and we are all eating together. It's been quite a challenge for me to time dinner prep, their naptime, and other disruptions in order for us to ALL sit down and eat together, but it's been working so far, and I actually quite enjoy it! The kids seem to be eating better too, so we're all winning, I guess!

I do have a question for you gals, though? My kids are just learning rice cereal and veggies right now. We're safe on carrots, sweet potatoes, and green beans so far. How much variety and how much food should I be looking at giving them? They still take a bottle at every meal too. Should I be cutting that back? So far, I've been giving them a bottle, a little cereal, and a veggie at 2 or 3 meals. Then they get one more bottle before bed. Does this sound right? They don't seem stuffed, and they don't seem hungry later on. I'm guessing we're okay?

Racheal--I hope you feel better before your trip. I hope that Makayla will manage to sleep in the car for you! good luck!

[cmoscar]

Kim,

You are doing fine. As the babes get used to eating food, they will demand more food and less milk. They are really the best indicators. As for variety, Makayla has a fairly large variety at the dinner table. She now get a meat, a veggie, and once finished with those she is given a fruit mixed with cereal. All in all, she eats about 2 oz at a sitting and she get cereal with fruit for breakfast. She seems to be content with this schedule and it fits with ours. Last night she had butternut squash with homemade potatoe noodles and chicken broth. She enjoyed it and the noodles were a little chunky which she liked to play with in her mouth. Tonight she only wanted her veggies and so she got green beans and rice (yes the real one). I just blend them in my powershot blender and she eats parts of what we eat. This allows her to smell the same foods and provides her with the same flavor we eat. Whatever you do, do not worry. The babes will grow up and they will eat food and be normal functioning children (whatever that means!).

Relax and go with your children's clues. They will teach you a ton from here on out!

[crasmus]

kim- it seems like rachael says all the same things that i would... we too have had gavin at the table from the get go. He has always loved being a part of what we were doing... take it, in the begining i was BFing and eating at the same time, but i looked at it as BFing was his dinner.. as for foods, they will tell you what they are up for... gavin usually starts spitting and playing, and that is my clue as when he's done with food... every day is not the same...
one thing is, i found that if you give the bottle (or BF in my case) after the meal, they will start to learn to take in more food, and less formula... just as long as they are not starving when you sit down for dinner..
i too give gavin a bit of what we are eating... i think i told you that before.. it gets them used to eating what you make,and the season that you use... so as you do not make 3 different things each meal.... the kids eat what we eat, no special foods...-THAT IS A LESSON TO START NOW, AS GETTING IN THE HABIT WILL ONLY BRING MISERY- i have a girlfriend that is like a short order cook at meal times... she has 4 kids and makes different things for almost all of them...

rachael- hope that you have a great trip.... we are counting down the days till christmas.... your secret santa sounds good... i love the idea that the kids and santa, it's just a pain, as my 6YO notices EVERYTHING.. and is asking all the questions... you know... how can santa get to everyones house, why do we not see raindeer prints in the snow, ect... i hate not telling the truth, but i want him to be little just a bit longer... and god forbid he knew, he would tell his little bro, and caden is only 3... strep throat SUCKs.... there are so many kids is my DS class that have it.... hoping that we make it to winter break with out getting it...
Gavin hates the car too... i was told that position makes the GERD worse... they told me to put him in cloths that had no waist band when we were in the car seat... it has helped a little... i try and avoid waist bands as much as i can.... he's been living in the onepice romper type outfits.. and it has made a difference with him.. when i put him in jeans or pants he has an episode almost every time...

ellie- hope that your pump is getting fixed.... we finally got our washer and i've been doing laundry every since.... actually i caught up... we have gotten a bit of snow.... much more then we typically get... and out winter does not officially start till this weekend... we have 6-8 inches on the ground...the kids do love the snow... i like it too... but gavin is a bit to young to enjoy it... maybe next year....

tasha-hope that you and aubrey are doing ok...

we are doing good... gavin is loving more and more food... we are still BFing and i'm getting him to play with a sippy cup with juice, he'll get a little, but nothing great.... slow process... so we'll BF as long as i need to... it's less often now that he is eating more and more... so that's good... if im ever in a pickle DH can give him a little food to hold him off.. we've tried meats, but they seem to make him even more constipated.... poor kid needs him fruits to keep his BM moving.. we are on fruit (with some cereal mixed in) in the AM, Veggies with cereal mixed in for lunch , and bowl of cereal and a veggie for dinner... plus i throw in anything that we are eating that can be mashed or is appropriate... he watches us all eat, and what to eat like all of us...

well happy holidays to all
colleen

[buckeyegal]

THanks for the tips, colleen! I feel your pain about the constipation...ever since starting cereal, mine have been PLUGGED UP! So, we started some apple juice and prune juice. They also like their sippy cups, but again, most of it dribbles out! I think I'll feel more comfy giving the kids what we're eating, once we've tested out the "main things' for allergies. Maybe in the next few weeks? THey ARE getting much much better at eating food. Yeah!

Tonight my MIL is coming over to visit with the kids, so I'm getting the heck out of dodge and taking care of me!

[buckeyegal]

Hey ladies! How are you? How was your holiday? I'm sure Racheal's still in Florida. Thought I'd see how the big day went!?

[cmoscar]

Kim - Merry Christmas! I see you survived with the twins! Did you have a memorable day? Did they open their gifts on their own?

Makayla and I are basking in the Florida sun. We had two wonderful Christmas parties (one with each grandma). My Granny died and was buried on Friday. I was not able to make it in time for the funeral, but I was able to enjoy all the family that came for it. Makayla open her boxes (I wrapped boxes because she loves paper). She did get a play cube that is soft and firm. She is now officially pulling herself up and standing. She even lets go for a few seconds before she falls down and does it all over again. She is really fun to watch. I know most of you are frozen, but I am roasting. It is in the eighties and we have the ac blaring. I cannot wait to go back to Houston and enjoy the early winter type weather. I find I enjoy the cooler weather.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

God Blessed Us With Babies, Now Bless the Babies!

[buckeyegal]

Racheal--I'm glad Makayla made it to Florida okay. How was she in the car? Already pulling up? She's amazing! (as if I had to tell her mommy that!) I'm sorry to hear about your Granny. Was she the wife of the grandfather you lost a while back? I am glad you got to see so many family members, though. It's sad to see someone go, but it is a good way to get family together, huh? I also wrapped our gifts...Ellie LOVES paper, and Braeden helped her a bit. Of course DH and I had to get them started, but I think the paper was the best part for the babies!

Our Christmas was nice and a nightmare all at the same time. Everyone loved having the kids around, and it was nice to get some time with relatives. The babies had trouble napping at the different grandma's houses, which made the family celebrations very exhausting. It's taken us a couple of days to recuperate sleepwise! The kids got some fun toys--their own car keys, a cell phone, and some musical instruments. I swear, I'm going to start a band called double trouble! I'm just glad to have gotten some new toys to add to our mix, cause I was getting a bit bored with what we had! ha ha!

Good news on the food front--both babies are deep into their veggies, meats, and cereals--can't get it into them fast enough!

Quick question for you gals who've switched to convertible car seats--I know RAcheal had recommended the Eddie Bauer to me a while back. What are the rest of you using? I've been doing some research and the Britax is rated the best safety wise, but it's PRICEY! Of course, multiply times two for us. We don't want to seem cheap, but I was wondering if any of you had found a car seat you'd recommend--even if it's Britax? We were at Babies R Us tonight, and we were trying the kids out in several brands. Ellie, the diva that she is, really seemed to enjoy her time in the Britax--made us chuckle! Braeden seemed happy in nearly everything. Any helpful tips would be appreciated.

[cmoscar]

Kim - Colleen recommended the Eddie Bauer. I actually bought the Evenflo that has a bar and is only a three point harness. I have to fight Makayla, so it is hard to buckle three things. This one only buckles in one place. They are hard to find, but are inexpensive and easy to install. I used the same car seat for both of my boys and they are still considered up to code.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.js ... Id=2739372

I am glad to hear they are well. Makayla is not sleeping well, but she will once she is home. I think I mentioned that we had a very small Secret Santa Christmas and it was a huge hit! Everyone was happy and we only spent $300.00. I think we will continue to do this next year.

I will write more later!

[crasmus]

kim- i got the cosco alpha omega elite car seat... it's the same as the eddie bauer, but 20.00 cheeper... the same maker cosco makes them... i like it, i've use the same kind for my 3YO DS , and it's good... he will be 4 next month, and it still works great for him... he is not close to the 40lbs for a booster so he'll be in the straps for awhile... i tried a ton of them, but ended up gewtting the same kind as my 3YO DS seat.. if you look at amazon, you can usually find a deal, plus supersaver free shipping... neighbors have a britax, and the thing takes up a lott of space they said.... same thing as the evenflo triumph big and takes up a lot of space... also seemed like a pain to work

rachael- i'm jealous of your secret santa idea.... we spent way too much money. sorry that she is not sleeping well... gavin was not sleeping good either the last few days.. he was up alot and didn't get to bed till late..... we are taking the next few days to chill out.... ... sounds like makayla will be on the move, walking... good luck with that... we are bad enough with the crawling.... i'm not ready for the walking yet....you are nice and warm, and we are expecting snow... sorry to hear about your ganny....

happy holidays... anyone doing anything great for new years??
colleen

[buckeyegal]

Colleen and Racheal--thanks for the advice. We're heading back out to Babies R Us sometime this week to make our purchase--we're between 2 or 3 now, so we'll try the kids in them again and see what wins! We got several large gift cards to babies r us for Christmas, so we want to use them towards a big chunk of the car seats...

Sorry to hear Makayla's not sleeping all that well...traveling at this age is hard, isn't it? I hope she gets into her groove soon.

Not much going on here. We've had lots of visitors stopping by to visit the babies, which has been nice (and exhausting). I'm hoping to take them to the mall tomorrow--with my sister there as backup! I'm not brave enough to take them shopping on my own!

As for new years, still not sure what we're doing. My vote is to sit my butt down on the couch with a bottle of wine. BUT, my folks did offer to babysit, so we might head out? Whatever you gals do, have fun!

[nic4]

HAPPY NEW YEAR,to you all and your families,i know we were all blessed with our gorgeous babies in 2007,but i hope life continues to be good for us all in 2008...xxx

We just stayed in last night with a bottle of wine,we actually played dominos(my first time ),it was a very enjoyable evening knowing Jack was asleep upstairs in his cot. Did anyone,do anything more exciting...

Much love to you all as always,Nicola..xx