Twins: Who wants to discuss and share experiences?

[rypell1985]

Hi ladies! So quiet around here! It's been 2 weeks of hell over here. Started with twin colds, then diagnosed with bronchitis, then D ended up in the ER and diagnosed with RSV. He was wheezing bad, his oxygen levels were below 90 and he was miserable! We r finally on the mend and looking forward to their first Easter hope you're all doing well!

[blairwh58]

Ryann- I am sooo sorry to hear about the colds and sickness. Poor Dylan!! Did you manage to keep Bella from getting RSV? We're still a little worried that the girls could catch RSV and remain pretty overprotective about handwashing. They haven't been around kids much as a means of avoiding potential sickness. Hope everyones feeling better! We all need to post new pics!

[rypell1985]

Thanks Blair. Yes, we managed to keep Bella from getting the RSV, even though we were warned about how highly contagious it is. We basically sterilized and put away all the toys the share, like the exersaucer, jumper, play mat. Then we pulled certain toys to designate for each baby. In our case we had blue toys and pink toys and never let them switch. We washed our hands between babies and they slept in different rooms.

We are also vigilant about hand washing, but I'm a teacher, so things come home Luckily we made it to 8 months before encountering their first illness, so any worries that they have with preemies and RSV are pretty much gone by now. All I can say, is be your own advocate. We took 6 seperate trips to the pedi in 8 days because I just couldn't believe that they just had colds. He could have gotten worse if I had just listened and let it "run it's course". He was coughing so hard he was vomitting all his food up, and he just wasn't himself. So glad I took him in.

Update on the kiddos: they have their 9 month check up on Wednesday (can't believe that!), but since they were both just so sick we have recent weights. Dylan is topping the scales at a husky 23lbs and Isabella is 18lbs. We just moved D into 12month clothes! They aren't crawling yet, but they log roll everywhere to get what they want.

[rypell1985]

Happy Easter to those who celebrate We do Easter with my side on saturday, so here are a few of our Easter pics!

[blairwh58]

Ryann- you all have such a great looking family!! I cannot believe how big they are getting!!! Dylan is such a handsome little guy and Bella such a beautiful little girl. Hope you all have a very Happy Easter.

[rypell1985]

Thanks Blair! I need pics of your girls!

[margi26]

Sorry ladies for my being MIA!! Life has a way of getting VERY busy with two little ones in it!

Stephanie: The boys are so cute!! Love the pic with them in the swing together.

Blair: How is Harper adjusting to her helmet? How are you with it? We went to have Levi evaluated for one, but they said his asymmetry is so slight that it should all adjust on its own. I think it is good to get it taken care of while they are so little. Did your husband’s letters budge the insurance company?

Ryann: Gorgeous photos...hope that you had a wonderful Easter holiday. The babies looks so adorable!! I am so sorry about Dylan's bout with RSV...so scary I am sure. Glad that you pushed and pushed and got him the care he needed. I love all the photos you post and personally (and selfishly!) love to hear about the milestones of your LO's as it helps me know what to expect in the upcoming months! LOL.

Alexis: Congratulations! You are more than half way there! Sorry no pointers on the nanny--I ended up deciding to stay home because for us, the cost of the nanny/daycare wouldn’t make it worth it for me to continue working. I think checking with the local MOM group would be the best because it would be great if you could find a nanny with twin experience if possible. Have you had your 20 week scan? Did you get to see the perinatologist? All ok with the girl's weights?

Dallas: Sorry about those sleep issues. Likely a growth spurt, IMO. Hope that things have settled back down. Mine went through that and are now teething which has totally messed with sleeping as well. Photos of your sweeties?

Maria: Perhaps you have already made a crib decision. As you can see from my question below, we went with two cribs but have only been using one so far. I think a lot depends on space issues and personal preference. How are you feeling?

AFM: Babies are doing well! 6 month check up was yesterday. Sofia is a whopping 15lbs 6 oz and Levi is 13lbs14oz! They have surely come a long way from those tiny 3 pounders I brought home from the hospital. Wow. Time has surely flown by. I am busy putting a veggie garden in for the first time which is lots of fun--we shall see if we actually produce anything. I just this week started solids with babies: Brown rice cereal, and then avocado. I waited the full 6 months before starting....what did you other ladies do? Who else is/did breast fed up to a year? I am finding that it has FINALLY gotten so much easier--I even was able to balance nursing them both after their shots the other day at the pediatrician which I feel was a bit of a feat in the armless chair! Still not quite sleeping through the night, but sleeping longer lengths and since I won't CIO, I will not complain, LOL.

Question: Anyone else keeping their babies together? My initial plan had been to keep them together in one crib for just a few month, but that has extended out. They don’t seem to bother one another and sleep more soundly together. Levi is a bit of a mover and sometimes whacks Sofia in the head, but she doesn’t seem to mind much. Do you think I should just keep things as they are since they aren't fussing about it? Or should I move one into the second crib? Anyone with toddlers keep them together? Or will that end up as craziness in a few months? Here is a photo of how they love to sleep:



And LO's out in the sun!

[DALLASTWINS]

Marg- I separated mine 2 wks ago. It was the best decision for me. The last couple of mornings they were together I noticed each of them with a scratch on their face and were laying almost on top of one another! They are sleeping alot more soundly now. I had thought they would stay together longer, but 3 months was it.

I am having some guilt about planning to stop breastfeeding. I had to return to work last wk and I have had a hard time finding the time to pump while I am there. I can tell my supply has gone down. It is a real hassle carrying all of my supplies to work and then having to rush to pump and sometimes Im even interrupted and have to stop. Anyone else have this problem? But I have done it for over 3 months so that makes me feel better. On the up side.. maybe once I stop bf'ing I can loose the last 5 pounds of baby wt that my body has been holding on to with a death grip, lol!

I am attaching our attempt at a cute Easter Pic. Avery was not a happy camper. I guess all pics cant be perfect!

[blairwh58]

Margi- we separated our girls about 2 months ago because they were starting to move around a lot more. They seem to sleep much more soundly now that they have their own beds. They usually go down around 9 and wake up about 6 or 7. At this point I don't think they could sleep together because they both wake up having spun all the way around. Emory likes to do bicycle kicks to move around (since we still swaddle them- they won't sleep if we don't) so they would end up trampling each other. As for Harpers helmet, she really doesn't seem to mind it much. They first few days were a struggle because we had to take it on and off so much due to the transition period. I've gotten used to it but it is awkward sometimes and really digs into my arms. We already went back to the orthotist and she went from having a 10mm difference (between the right and left sides), to a 6mm difference in less than 9 days of full use! So hopefully she will only have to wear it a month or two. We are still working on fighting the insurance co. As for your bf question, I think for now I am going to try and shoot for a year but am already proud of my 5+ mths. I do feel a little guilty that emory doesn't get as much breastmilk right now since she can take formula and harper can't. I can't believe your little ones are getting so big!! They are absolutely adorable!!

Dallas- i think 3 months is definitely worthy of a pat on the back. I can't imagine how stressful pumping at work would be so I wouldn't get down on yourself.

Ryann- I am going to try and post pictures as soon as I get done pumping and can go to the other computer.

Is anyone on Facebook? I post pics there more frequently and thought I would check.

[blairwh58]

Ok...here is my first attempt trying to use photobucket. Its been awhile so I'm going to try and post quite a few pics.
Harper:


Emory:


5 Months Old:


Harpers Helmet:


Family on Easter:


Suggestions on how to make the pictures smaller???

[rypell1985]

Margi and Blair!!!! So stinking cute!!!!!!! Margi I can't believe how cute they sleep together! Ours never did sleep together because my diva Bell likes her space

Dallas-I love the pic in the basket! I've found with twins you just can't always get them both happy!!!

[rypell1985]

Twins had their 9 month visit yesterday. D is 22lbs and 30" tall and Bella is 18lbs and 27" tall. We got referred to a pediatric orthopedic doc for D because is still wont really bear weight on his feet. When he does his hips are uneven and he turns his feet outward. We see him next week and hopefully everything is ok

I feel like a photo hog, but here is the twins' 9 month photo from yesterday.

[blairwh58]

Ryann- they are getting so big! Isn't it hard to believe your little babies are 22 and 18 lbs! Dylan's really trying to chunk up so he can protect his sister. Don't feel like a photo hog...I love seeing the pics. The outdoor ones are great! Once the girls can sit up I can't wait to try some. Hopefully Dylan's appt goes well. Keep us posted.

[DillysGirl]

What an adorable bunch of LO's!!! I seriously can't get over how cute they all are!

Ryann- Looks like you and DH each got a mini! Glad your babes are over their illnesses that sounds like it was an awful ordeal to go through. I super love the name Dylan, my DH's name as well.

Blair- your girls look soo happy! Harper is rocking her little helmet, hard to even notice it with that big ol grin!

Margie- I love that your babies are still sleeping together. Adorable! Our never really shared a crib so I can't help you much there. We also waited the full 6 months before starting solids. Never did any cereals, just started with avocado and added a new veggie each week. Wholesomebabyfood.com is an excellent website for food information. I made all our babies food and that website was far more helpful than any of the books I got. Great job on the breast feeding!! I BF for about 9 months.

Dallas- breast feeding twins is something to be proud of in general! The first 3 months are the most difficult so GREAT job Mama! Super jealous that you only have 5 lbs to go! I did not lose weight BF ing and am still clinging onto about 10 extra pounds!

I will try to upload a pic later from my computer. I'm on the iPad now and don't know how to from here. My boys are getting soo big. We are coming up on our second birthday this May. Hard to believe its been that long! We started swim lessons a couple weeks ago and that's lots of fun! Our instructors kid is 18months old and swims all over the pool by himself, it's rather amazing and just about the cutest thing to watch.

Well I'm off to go shower and get myself ready for the day while the boys are napping. It's our 4th anniversary today so we got a sitter and are going out on a date this evening! Yah!

[rypell1985]

Hey ladies-I hope no one minds me doing this, but I'm reaching out for a little help. My husband and I are walking for the March of Dimes in a couple weeks. We just registered and dont have much fundraising time, so I'm pulling out all the stops! If any of you would donate, anything, even a dollar, please go to:
Http://www.marchforbabies.org/rpellizzari
That's my personal page and I would totally appreciate anything (so will all the preemies!)!!