Squew ... How are you?

[kappy]

Hi Sue!
How are you and the twinnies doing??? I'm not on the boards much these days, and I assume the same for you (especially with two). How's motherhood? How is Alexander and Evie doing?

Life is good here. Hannah is just the best! I always wanted to be a mom and now I know why. It's just so rewarding. Hannah had her 4 mth wellness exam last week. She weighed in at 16.5 lbs. and is in the 95 percentile for weight and 90th for length. Her neck is really strong, and she loves standing with some support. The best thing is that she's sleeping thru the night. I put her down at 9:30pm and she's out until 7am! Wow ... getting a solid nights sleep is such a treat =) But of everything I'd say the smile and laughing is my favorite. I'm loving this age, and wish I could slow it down a bit.

Enough rambling! I saw your name and just had to pop on to say hello. I look forward to hearing how you and the babies are doing =)

Much love,

[SQUEW]

Hi Kelly

Lovely to hear from you! Am so glad to hear that you and Hannah are doing so well, and yep getting a nights sleep is a real bonus. Mine arent quiet there yet although they are sleeping 9hrs its not at the right time They feed and are down by 7.30 and go til around 5am,then feed and are back down til 8. I can live with this for the time being as I have a few hrs in the eve 2 myself and then go to bed early enough to cope with my early start. I must admit I am naughty as I take them back to bed with me and cuddle them til 8, but its the only time I get to cuddle them both together! I am hoping that once they start on solids they will extend the 5am to 6am or later

Alex is much more touchy than Evie, but he is also laughing more, he is either really happy or winging! She is much more mellow and even tempered. On the whole though they a true delight. I still have to pinch myself as I cant believe I am a Mum at last.

Alex is very advanced for his age and has been wanting to stand since 11weeks , like Hannah he can hold his weight, its hard with two not to compare and I have to remind myself that shes not behind, its him thats ahead! Last weigh in was at 11wks, and Evie was 11lb 130z and Alexander was 12lb 9oz. Taking them again this week so will let you know what they are.

So are you in that lovely new house yet? I cant believe how quickly they grow, and you are right it would be nice to slow it down, but I also love seeing them do new things. Rob put two boxes full of outgrown baby clothes in the loft today. I looked at those tiny baby grows and couldnt believe 13wks ago they were wearing them

Are you giving Hannah solids now, and if so how is it going?

Lots of love
Sue xxxxx

[kappy]

Sue,
So glad to hear things are going well with Alex and Evie! What a treat to have a little boy and a girl! Although I must say I can't imagine how you work a schedule for 2 =) I'm impressed you can get in an hour or two to yourself in the evenings! I'll bet it's great to see the differences between the two. It's amazing how early you see their personalities develop.

Can't say I blame you for cuddling. I sneak in a nap with Hannah sometimes during the day. When we moved into the new house I had her in bed with us for a few weeks. Things were just too hectic and unorganized, and mainly I just wanted her close. The down side was that it's a really tough habit to break. Happy to say that she's now in her own room in a crib.

The new house is great. We're still trying to make it our own (painting, buying furniture, etc.), but that's an on-going process.

My doctor gave me the green light to start Hannah on solids, but I must say that it's Jason and I that aren't quite ready yet =) I bought a box of rice cereal a few days ago, so I have it on hand. She's really interested in anything we eat these days. When we eat in front of her she stares and smacks her lips. But I've also heard that sometimes it's better to wait a bit longer (having to do with food allergies). Either way - she will let us know when we must start. A friend told me that she will get to the point when milk isn't enough. Not sure if we will wait that long, or just start her in another month. Have either of your two shown signs of interest?

Funny you mentioned boxing up some clothes already. I just did the same thing. I miss those itty, bitty little socks! I'm amazed that she's wearing clothes for a 9 mth old! Time does go by fast.

Much love,
Kelly

[kappy]

Oh ... one more thing Sue. For Christmas we bought Hannah the Fisher-Price Jumperoo. I'd always heard of the jumpers you attach to doorways, but this one has it's own stand. Wow is it great! She just loves bouncing around in it. The stand is extremely sturdy and the seat is really deep so there's plently of back support. I wanted to mention this since you said little Alex also loves standing with some support. I usually put Hannah in hers when I get on the treadmill. This way both of us are getting a workout =)

Love ya!
Kelly

[SQUEW]

Hi Kelly,

Interesting that you say Hannah is showing signs of being interested in your food, I have heard that this is a sign that they are getting ready for solids. In the UK the advice seems to be wait til 6 months if you can, but not before 17wks, as you say it can bring on food allergies if you start them too young. Let me know when you do, and how Hannah takes to it!

I had mine weighed last wk and Alex is 14lb 2 and Evie is 12lb 15 so they are coming along nicely

Evie has discovered her voice and is soo noisy!! I dont know what she is trying to say but its obviously something pretty important!! Her little eyes look like they will pop out of her head she gets so excited!!

Funny you should say about the baby bouncer, we went to see a friend of mine who has twin girls last week and I bought one from her! Alex is a little young for it as yet officially, but we put him in it yesterday and he loved it! Its shaped like a plane, complete with propeller on the front!! He looks so cute. I could do with the treadmill like you have though!! I have managed to swim a few times, but I still have a stone to loose before I am happy, mind you I did put on 4 and a half!

My two have just started to notice each other, its lovely, they smile at each other and 'talk' aswell! Do you mix with other Mums and babes and if so does Hannah notice the babies? I dont know if its a 'twin' thing or if they are just getting to the age where they would notice?

Better go and wake mine up or else they wont go down tonight!

Lots of luv
Sue xx

PS, Alex discovered the TV last week, he is now transfixed!! Typical Man, all he needs is a beer and an armchair!

[kappy]

Hi Sue!
How wonderful to watch your babies interact. I was wondering if they notice one another. Wait till they start talking =) Have you exposed them to other children? Do they notice others as well? We had a 14 mth old over our house a few weeks back. Hannah definitely was interested in him. Just staring though. She was as facinated with him as she is with our ceiling fan =)

As for solids ... no we haven't introduced any to her just yet. My doctor said to go ahead, but we're going to try to wait another month at least (when she's 6 mths.). Seems like most Americans like to introduce cereal earlier. Not sure why. I have a feeling when we do start cereal or veggies she'll take to it quickly. Just a gut feeling though.

Is Alex talking to you too? Isn't it great when they go on and on like they are telling you something so important and exciting! And the eyes just kill me. Hannah has her most interesting coversations with me while she's on her changing table. She just goes on and on. Maybe it's because I'm closer to her face? Not sure. I'll bet it's great to see them talking to each other.

Good to hear Alex is liking his bouncer too. What does Evie think ... or are you waiting to put her in it when she's a bit older? Hannah is almost 5 mths and seems to be handling it well. She giggles more in that thing than anything else. So fun to watch.

Well ... must go wake her from her nap. Hope you're having a good one!
Much love,
Kelly

[Smita]

Kelly and Sue,
How I love to read these posts.. sorry for butting in, but had to say something and i cant wait to get there!
Enjoy your little ones!
Sue,
i'm worrying about losing the weight I've gained too.. Have put on quite a bit.. but that'll come later I guess

smita

[kappy]

Hi Smita,
Don't be silly ... you're not butting in at all. Sounds like you will be holding your little one any time now! What a journey it is! I found that I loved every stage ... being pregnant, having a newborn and now a very alert and active 5 mth old. I have to admit that I sometimes miss being pregnant. I was at the doctors the other day and there were several pregnant women in the waiting room. I found myself missing that feeling. It's funny how it all works.

As for the weight ... it will eventually come off. You lose a lot just having the baby, and then if you breast feed it really comes off. I also found that I was SO busy that finding time to eat was hard. I definitely still have some to lose, but feel it will come off in time. I was considered a thin person prior to my pregnancy, and gained about 35 lbs. by the end. I think the hardest part of getting rid of the weight is changing your eating habits. I ate relatively healthy prior to my pregnancy, but found most of my healthy habits went right out the windown while pregnant (especially at the end). I still find myself eating "comfort" food, which is something I had control of in the past. Ending that habit as been quite hard, and I'm still working on it. It's the "busy" factor that makes it tough. I tend to go for the quick fix when it comes to food, and that's usually the bad food =( Oh well ... again ... it takes time.

Enjoy the end of your pregnancy! Wishing you a safe, speedy delivery!

Sue --- I'm dying to know how much a "stone" is equivalent to =)

Love,
Kelly

[SQUEW]

Hi Kelly, and Smita!!

Not long to go for you now Smita, I remember the last few weeks, they were torture for me as I was soo huge, hope you are coping ok. Rest as much as you can!
Kelly, sorry I didnt think re the weight thing! A 'stone' is 14lb! I lost a couple of pounds last week so am hoping it starting to shift. I lost over 2 stone at the birth, but I was carrying over 13lb of baby and another stone and a half came off once I got back home after the first few weeks. I must admit I wasnt good over Xmas so now I am doing my best! If I dont shift it I will have a wardrobe full of clothes I cant wear so am pretty focused at the mo. I agree with you Kelly, in the first few months you are so tired that anything will do to eat, and its very easy to go for the quick sugary fix! I am hoping my size 10s will be back on in the summer, with the amount of times I run upstairs they should be!!

Kelly, Alex is the same as Hannah re the bouncer, he starts smiling as soon as you pick him up tp put him in it! Evie has been in, but she just stands there, where as he goes mental , I think the spring will need oil! She doesnt dislike it but is happy just laying on a playmat with her toys. I do think the bouncer is wearing him out though as last night he slept from 7.15pm until 5.45am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Evie was still asleep although she didnt go down until 7.45pm. I am soo impressed, bless them. They normal wake between 3.30 and 4.30, but the previous night it was 4.50 so heres hoping!

I giggled when you said about Hannah and your ceiling fan!! Evie loves smiling at overhead lights! She also took to smiling at doors at one stage too?! I have taken them to post natal once where they saw other babies but they seem far more interested in each other. Alex was talking to Evie the other day, but she ignored him! Evie has taken to shouting! She is really really loud, so much so that she makes Alex jump. Its ok if he is expecting it, but he has burst in to tears a few times as she frightens him!

I miss being pregnant too, the early bit anyway!! It is so lovely and I felt so proud of my bump, enjoy Smita. Do you think you would ever try again Kelly? We have 6 frozen blastocysts which we are undecided about. I am reluctant not to use them though as there could be another Alex or Evie in there. The minus is my age, but I know they wont age and will always be 39yr olds embies but I am going to be 41 in May. Oh well we dont have to decide yet. I count my blessings every day for the two beautiful children that I have.

Better go Alex is winging!!

Lots of love

Sue xxxx

[kappy]

Good morning!
Thanks for explaining what a stone is =) I've always wanted to ask, but never did. Sounds like you're doing great considering you had twins! I can't imagine having 2 in there ... but you did so great during your pregnancy and birth. It's no wonder you think about having more at times.
As for me ... I would like to but right now it's just a thought. DH and I will consider it more in a few months. Originally we were thinking one would be enough. Just yesterday we were talking about how fast Hannah is growing and how we wish we could slow it down a bit. J annouced that he wants another one b/c he misses her being small and easier to cuddle with =)

Wow ... it's got to be so much fun watching Alex and Evie and noticing the differences in their personalities. Funny how he likes the bouncer and she prefers the mat. Same with the talking. From what you said in an earlier post is sounds like they are really close in weight. Hannah used to enjoy her mat, but that ended about a month ago. She has to upright and touching something. Whether it's standing or sitting. She's really coming along with the sitting up though. Her balance is great front to back, but the side to side is still developing. That's when the boppy comes in handy. Right now she's really into stretching to touch things. When she's in her crib she rolls on her side and stretches her whole body up to touch the mobile. Unfortunately I think b/c of this it's days are numbered.

How about the toes??? Are either of yours fixated on their toes. Hannah just can't get enough of hers. Once her socks or sleeper comes off they are in her mouth. I swear she could lay there for hours playing with them. This has definitely made changing her a bit challenging. It's like a wrestling match to get the diaper on snug.

Good going on your weight loss. Sounds like you're really coming along. I'm starting to get there. Once summer is here it will help a lot. The winter months make it easy to hunker down indoors and wear bagging clothes. If Hannah was a spring baby it would have been a little easier (or at least that's what I tell myself).

Must run and pump (how exciting). Glad to hear that Alex is sleeping so well with all his exercise =)

Love,
Kelly

[SQUEW]

Hi Kelly,

My two have had a cold (present from their Daddy!) It has not been easy as they have been keeping me awake at night and Im not as used to it now!! Thankfully they seem to be getting better now poor little mites, but they are due the 3rd lot of jabs in a few days so I might delay this until they are fully recovered.

How are things with you? Is Hannah still facinated with her feet? Mine arent at that stage yet, although Alex does keep putting his feet in the air and twisting them to one side, I think he is trying to turn over The other night we couldnt believe how much he had moved around in the cot, Rob said he had been breakdancing! He was upside down, diagonally!! They sleep in gro bags so no danger of him getting under covers thankfully! Its great hearing what Hannah is up to as I get to know what to look out for next with my two

Has Hannahs mobile had to go yet? I am dreading the time mine does as they stare at it long enough for me to get showered, guess I could become a bit smelly!!

Whats a Boppy? I am wondering if it is like a Bumbo, this is a moulded chair that they can sit in once they can control their heads? I got 2 last week and they look so cute, yet scarily grown up in them. They are trying to pull them selves forward now in the bouncy chairs so I think they may be on the way out too!

My Mum is moving house tomorrow and will be about an hour nearer to us which is good, at the mo she is 2 and a half hrs drive away. Have you flown with Hannah yet? If I remember correctly your relatives are in Florida? We have booked a holiday for early Oct, they will be nearly a year old, its just to southern Spain so only a short flight but Im sure it will be an experience!!

Going back to having another try and me worrying about my age...I was out shopping the other day and got talking to a lady who was trying to buy something for twin girls her friend had just had at the age of 48!! I thought I was ancient til I heard that!

Right I had better order some flowers to be delivered to Mum whilst I think of it, hope all is well with all of you.

Lots of love
Sue xxx

[kappy]

Hi Sue!
Hope your babies are feeling better. It's terrible when they have a cold. Their little noses get so stuffy. I always wish I could blow Hannah's nose for her. The little suction bulbs do the trick, but I swear it's torture to her.

Hannah still LOVES her feet. I usually "free them" every evening after her bath so she can suck on her toes a bit. Seems to make her really happy =) That is how she started rolling over. She would stick her feet in the air to roll onto her side, then she would go from her side to her tummy. Sounds like Alex might be getting there soon. Look out ... once they roll over all kinds of new worries begin. I nearly bit off all my nails the time I put her to bed knowing that she would roll over at some point and I wouldn't know it. But like every thing else you work through your fears, and the babies end up fine =) Putting Hannah to sleep in a grow bag definitely helps. She still rolls over, but isn't quite as active.

Yes ... unfortunately the mobile is gone. She was able to reach up and grab it. As her grip got stronger I had fears of her pulling it down in the middle of the night. I might put it back up after I lower the mattress, but by then she'll be able to stand. Who knows! Maybe it is gone for good.

A Boppy is a little different than the Bumbo. The boppy is just a pillow that is U shaped and wraps around the baby when they're sitting up. Helps keep them up-right, but isn't 100%. I always sit next to her when she's in it, but it does give her a sense of independence. Lots of moms also use the Boppy for breast feeding. I personally didn't like it, but know lots of women who do.

Great news about your mom moving closer! Do you have a lot of family nearby, or are they all far away? Unfortunately most of our family lives out of state. Many of them came to visit a couple months after Hannah was born, so that was nice. We haven't been on a plane yet, but plan to this summer. Might as well fly as much as possible while Hannah flies free. Spain sounds wonderful! Are you visiting anyone or just going for a holiday? I think we're going to make the trip out to Hawaii in August to see Jason's parents. Then I might make a short trip with Hannah to Florida to visit with my Dad. Unfortunately both flights are rather long, but hopefully it will go okay. I'm a bit nervous about the idea of flying too. I just hope she's good and doesn't scream the whole flight.

I think Hannah is going to have a tooth come through soon. She's been drooling a little more than normal lately and chewing like mad. She was also a bit cranky today, so I'm thinking it must be her gums. A friend warned me that it might be coming, and I tend to think she's right. I just can't imagine Hannah with teeth! Not yet at least! I don't think I'm ready =)

Well ... I just put Hannah down for the night, so I'm off to make dinner! Again ... hope Alex and Evie are feeling better!!!

Much love,
Kelly

[SQUEW]

Hi Kelly

I saw you had posted on another thread and wondered how you and little Hannah are doing? I am so useless at getting on line these days, there always seems to be something else to do

Alex and Evie are doing really well. Evie has 2 teeth and Alex is becoming very good at bum shuffling! He is also walking backwards if you hold his hands, a 7month old that can moonwalk Michael Jackson eat your heart out Last weigh in was nearly a month ago and Alex was 19lb 10 and Evie 17lb. They are such characters now its lovely to see. Evie is a real little princess and if she doesnt want to do something I have a real battle on my hands...I can so see her on the floor of the supermarket throwing a tantrum in a few years Alex is a real giggler, last night he was laughing so loud on the monitor I thought Rob was in with him, when I went upstairs to see what was going on, Rob was in the other bedroom and Alex was laying in the cot pulling his dummy in and out of his mouth. He giggled every time he did it Bless!

What is Hannah doing, is she crawling? Must admit that I am not looking forward to mine becoming mobile, life has just become easier. I know I am gonna need eyes in the back of my head once they are!

Would love to hear how you are.

Love Sue xxx

[kappy]

Hi Sue!
Good to hear that the twins are doing so well! Isn't it fun watching them grow and seeing their personalities develop! How great it must be to have a little boy and a little girl =) Sounds like they are getting big! Can you believe their one year birthdays are right around the corner???

I haven't been on the boards much lately. Just so busy between multiple projects going on with our house, summer vacations, and Hannah. Speaking of ... she's doing really well. Just had her 9 month check-up. She weighs 22 lbs., still only has 2 teeth (but we think her top two are coming in), only had 2 ear infections to date. I still can't believe she's already 9 months! Time sure does fly! Enjoy Alex and Evie while they aren't moving =) EVERYTHING changes once they become mobile! Hannah's a little maniac. One minute she's in front of me, and the next she's across the room. She laughs when she knows she's a good distance from me. She knows I'm coming after her so it's some sort of game. Pretty funny ... she's definitely keeping me fit =)

Are Alex and Evie babbling a lot? Hannah is calling everyone da da these days. We were leaving the doctors office last week and I was telling her to say "bye-bye" to everyone (we wave her arm and say it all the time). Well ... she shocked me by waving her arm and saying bye-bye to the nurses. I nearly fell on the floor.

Now that summer is here she loves to be outside, but lathering her up with sunscreen is a challenge. Unfortunately it's a must (especially where we live), b/c the sun is just so intense here.

I'd love to see pics of the twins. I'll try and post of picture of Hannah on the photobucket post. The trick is finding the time to figure it out.

It was great hearing from you. I understand how busy it gets (multiplied by two for you). Try keeping in touch now and again, and I promise to do the same =)

Love,
Kelly

[kappy]

Hey Sue ... I checked out the photo bucket IVFGroup Album. Very easy to use site! I uploaded a couple pics I took of Hannah today. There are some great pics on there. So much fun to see everyone's little ones. All the different ages too.

Hope to see a pic of the twins. If not I definitely understand. Looking forward to your next post though.