First Family Photo Shoot

We got a sneak peek of our photos from Sundays photo session...and I really love them! This photographer was worth every penny! I could have bet good money that we would have had maybe one or two decent (not even good) photos. It was hot, there were nats EVERYWHERE (I'm sure she had to photoshop them off my face!) and the boys (mostly the lil one) were not in the mood! You would think after all the million photos we take of them everyday, they would be used to a camera in their face! Not so much!

Don't know how or when she got some of these shots, maybe I was too busy dancing like a fool to get the babies to smile or running away from the damn bugs that I missed them...either way, I was pleasantly surprised.

So without further ado, here are some of my favorites:

Changes...

We had an appointment with our pediatrican on Friday and he suggested we start mixing rice cereal and breastmilk a few times a day and slowly progress to oatmeal, solids, etc. The boys are 6 months old but again, with the adjustments for their early arrival, we are just getting to the fun parts!

So far so good with the rice cereal. I am pumping extra milk for their two snacks each and that is working out pretty well also. Everyday I thank my lucky stars that we still have enough milk for both babies. I don't think I'd be able to keep up if I had gone back to work as originally planned.

I'm hoping to breastfeed for a year, but I'm not writing that in stone. Since I will be going back to work in January, and the boys will be 9 months old, it will be 3 LONG months of pumping at work. Hopefully we can make it that long at least, longer if possible. I'm thinking they will be eating more food by then so their milk requirement won't be so high, but with their delays, who knows! I may have to pack a few milk gallons to fill up while I'm gone, cause I swear that is how much they eat!

One of the benefits of adding in this twice daily snack, is that it allows the big guy to practice drinking from a bottle again (since its been 3 months of exclusive breastfeeding and he swears the bottle is now some alien object!). He has been pretty good about it though... now if only I can get him to stay asleep without having to keep me within arms distance. That boy has some sort of radar going on!

In other news, the pediatrician also agreed that the boys DO need their full 6-7 RSV doses and that the nurse who told us otherwise was "misinformed". That is a one way of putting it! Whatever, as long as they get them.

Healthwise our pajarito is doing awesome in every way, and is now growing right along with his brother. They weigh approx. 14 lbs and are 23.5 and 24 inches long. Pajarito is getting better at tummy time, has now found his feet and is working on getting them to stay in his mouth. Now I get to look for 4 socks everytime they go down for a nap. =)

As for life with twins, it is finally getting to be more manageable. Its a ton of work, and somedays I'm not sure I'm gonna survive, but we do and at the end of the day, I'm grateful I've been able to stay home with them this long. Aside from the endless loads of laundry, things are definitely looking up!

P.S. I love Halloween jammies!

Photo Shoot

Today we took the boys to a park (which had A LOT of bugs, not the point but worth mentioning- did I ever say how much I hate bugs?) for a professional photo shoot. We found a photographer and I really loved her work, so we hired her for a family photo session and to get the boys at 6 months. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be to get the boys to cooperate, but I hope she got some good shots (hopefully some where my boobs are not hanging out of my blouse).

We will get the proofs in a few weeks, so for now, here is the first shot of the day, this was actually taken by my lovely wife who is not a professional (although she thinks she is) but at least I didn't have to pay for it!

We were in the car waiting for the photographer to get there since the big guy was sleeping (see the mirror in the back seat). We do have two children, but the lil guy was outside wandering around with grandma.

By the Bullets...

• The little guy had his Echocardiogram last week and his little holes in his heart are still there and still very small. So far not causing any problems and will hopefully close up in a year. For now, we wait.
• The little guy also had his pulmonlogy appointment yesterday and is doing great! He is off all his meds and is growing enough to show the doctor that he isn't using up too much energy trying to breathe. For the first time ever, he hasn't been breathing fast and the doctor noticed right away. He was very happy with his progress and the fact that he hasn't been sick in his 6 months of life. Looks like my craziness IS working!
• The boys had their first RSV shots last weekend and it was NO FUN! So far one of the more painful shots, and we have to do this every month for 7.more.months. UGH! (RSV season is October through April-May)
• Our pediatricians office tried to jip us for 4 of our RSV shots and only wanted to give the boys 3. They said something about cost vs. benefits (They cost $1100 each shot and they need a total of 7-8 shots each) I told them we are getting our damn shots if I have to pay for them myself! (I really don't want to pay for them myself!)
• I told the little guys pulmonologist about the RSV shot issue and he said if our pediatrician wouldn't give us the full 7-8 to transfer to his clinic (Children's Hospital) and he would make sure we get every.single.one. I love him! They take breathing very seriously at CHOC!
• I've been shopping like crazy. I won't be going back to work for another 3 months but I have no clothes that fit me, I never would have imagined I'd lose so much weight breastfeeding! Finally a positive to having my boobs sucked on or pumped all damn day! I am down 71 pounds from delivery day...amazing!
• Of course, I got the boys a bunch of clothes and some beanies while I was shopping! Everytime I go into their drawers to pull an outfit (apparently not very often since we only ever go to the damn doctors office!) they outgrew it! Good thing they mostly wear jammies since we don't leave our bat cave! They have a million jammies in all sizes!
• I'll be 29 in two weeks... how did that happen?

6 Months

Half way through your first year of life...wow, time sure went by. Its been a crazy and wonderful all wrapped together, and I've learned so much about you, and even more about myself. Being your mama has been the most amazing gift, and I love it more than anything in the world.

Watching you wake up and realize I'm there, is the best part of my day. You have both grown so much and are making some fun discoveries. You have also hit some big milestones, and while I look forward to those yet to come, I am holding you close for as long as I can.

Lukey, you are healthier in so many ways, and have been catching up to your brother in both height and weight. I wish so much for you to be all better, and you are making your way there. You have rolled over, and have started grabbing things, you love your star, and are patient when you want to be. You have found your voice, and sometimes forget your brother is still sleeping! You love your baths and always splash around! You have been nursing regularly, mostly when you are sleepy. I love cuddling with you, and your sweet smelling breath. Your smile and your excitement melt my heart. I love you so much my lil Pajarito.

Drew, my honey papa, you are rolling over, trying to sit up, grabbing things, and yelling at me when I take too long to feed you! You sure are our spunky little one! You smile all day and have started laughing so adorably. You found your feet and they are making their way to your mouth, you pull off your socks when you are supposed to be napping, and you love going for our afternoon walks. You won't sleep without me, and that's ok. I can't think of a better way to sleep then cuddled between my baby boys. I love how you hold on to me while you sleep and I love you my honey papa bear.

Having you both has been the greatest adventure of my life, and I truly cherish every minute.

With all my heart, Mama

Who put this hat on me??

My wife wasn't happy about the outfits the boys had on for one of our walks the other day, more specifically, she wasn't happy with the hats they had on. Apparently, they weren't very happy about them either, and here is the proof! If his jibberish could be understood, my wife swears he was telling me: "WHO put this hat on me??"

He is going to give me trouble, I just know it! He is our spunky little one!

On the other hand, Pajarito looks like he is saying: "Ok Mama, I will wear this stupid hat if you want me to...lets just go already!"

Awww my cooperative, Mama pleasing, son.

Anyhow, I am no longer allowed to take them out in their jammies, and they are never to wear those hats again!

In my defense, it was nap time and it was a test run. I did eventually change them because it was warmer than I thought outside, but I liked the hats. They have a cute little monkey on them, and it was big enough to keep their faces shaded since they are so light.



My wife is putting her foot down on this one though, so I guess I will have to add them to the yard sale pile. :(

She's Back!

Yesterday was my moms first day back after taking a week off to recuperate. It was bliss!

Of course the boys were easy breezy! They napped for like 2.5 hours straight (a rare event) and were just so happy and playful! It also seems like all of a sudden they have gotten more patient and more independent. They didn't even cry once ALL DAY yesterday (another rarity), although I did get squawked at once or twice. I think they just missed grandma!

I was able to pump several times a day, without interruption, eat, clean and SHOWER! You wouldn't believe how nice it is to shower during sunlight hours! I even made dinner, oh and did I mention I took a NAP! *sigh* I love my mom!

As we do everyday, we took more pictures of the boys in their new jammies. We have been buying them different halloween jammies since they won't be going trick or treating this year, and while they do have costumes already, we decided we'd just take pictures of them all month long in their different outfits.

These pictures were right before nap time so the boys weren't amused, but I love the blue/brown combo and if you don't get a picture fast enough, you may miss your chance! They go through more outfits than JLo!

The fun parts...

Now, after that seemingly "all work and no play" schedule, I thought I'd highlight one of the many plus sides to having twins.

When the weather permits, and the boys are fed, changed and tired of playing, we go for a walk. Now that they are older, they love to go for walks and look around. We usually walk within our gated community and always make a pit stop at my moms house. Since she has been home resting for a week, she has been having "baby withdrawals", and when I mentioned we'd be swinging by, she and Nana were outside waiting with camera in hand!

The boys were excited to see them, and were chatting up a storm. I love to see them interact with her, and they love them some grandma! Its cute to see their little faces when they recognize someone. They just stare for awhile and then it hits them like "hey, I remember you!". I love it!

Walking serves several purposes but most importantly, the sun makes them sleepy which usually means we all get a little nap when we get back. (and nap time is another one of my favorite activites!)

Here are some more pics from todays walk.


Getting ready to go!

Back home: a little sunshine always puts them in a good mood!