the good thing

The good thing about fabulous friends is that they call you and ask to take all four kids on a Friday night so you can get out for a bit.
The good thing about your other fabulous friends is that despite the short notice and several indecisive texts they agree to meet you at a mediocre restaurant, which means you can enjoy adult conversation that doesn't involve the words diapers, nursing, or bottles.
The good thing about 6 week old babies is that despite staying up until midnight, they sleep for almost 6 hours.
The good thing about a 9 year old is that he volunteers to make pancakes for breakfast.
The good thing about a 6 and 9 year old is that when babies wake just while you are settling in to cruise the internet with a fresh cup of coffee, they offer to feed the babies.

tough stuff

I am not proud of myself but I am going to admit that I lost it today and found myself yelling at 5 week old twins. It is a vicious cycle for me. The girls and I were up at 8:30 enjoying a Monday morning viewing of Downton Abbey during which time I would nurse one, put her down, nurse the other, put her down, change a diaper, nurse, change, put down, and on and on. During this time and anytime I am sitting on the couch I start to notice dust, dust balls, dirt, and then I start a list of all the things that need to be "done". I know I shouldn't worry about it but it just isn't in me to not worry. (And for the record, it isn't the the house is in horrible shape but when you sit and stare at things all day, you notice.)  So when it hit 12:30 and we were still on the routine, I had yet to shower,  I was hungry for lunch, and had a mental to do list a mile long, I lost it. I threatened them with no prom dresses, told them they were making me go mad, and some other really sweet things.

I took them and their bounceys to the bathroom and let them cry while I showered and then finally after a few rotations between bottles and holding, they both got drowsy enough to put down. The fought the nap at first but slowly they drifted off and this is how I found them (when I dared go back in to my room).

Yes those little buggers opted to go for 100% cuteness and sleep in the same position. To help out that is Lizzie on the left and Kat on the right. So I stood there for a while, watching them sleep (instead of cleaning) and took this photo. It was at this moment that I decided that we really need to figure out how we can add a cleaning lady to our budget especially when I return to work. I may also change my mind on the prom dresses but we've got lots of time before we have to have that discussion.

The Things People Say

Prior to the chickens arriving, you will recall that I met up with a woman at Old Navy who was carting around newborn twins. I was so ecstatic to see someone out in public with twins, I actually spoke to her. She was the first parent to tell me that the one crazy thing about twins is that when out in public people will always want to talk to you and will ask dumb questions. I heard this from other twin moms and read it a few times in various books and articles. I am here to tell you, it is true. Twins bring out some dumb questions from strangers.

I am leaving the best story for Rick to post on his blog (I promise to nudge him again to get it done) but here is the start of my list, which I will no doubt add to when I get a worthy question.

The top two most obvious stupid questions:

• Are they twins?
• Are they girls? (I could give people a pass on this one if they were older but right now they ride around in pink and black car seats and all of our good going out blankets contain a high amount of pink.

The real dilemma is how to respond. I am building up to tell someone that they are not twins or at the very least that they have two different dads. I'll let you know if I ever pull it off.

While out at Target earlier this week, I got the the first two questions and then I got the follow-up question (which isn't a dumb one but her commentary was).

Stranger: How old are they?

Me: One month.

Stranger: Well, they look too small to be 1 month old. Shouldn't they be bigger?

Me: They are bigger than they were. (Yes, I did say that. I was bruised especially since I have spent countless nights nursing to help these girls grow and based on my scientific method of weighing myself holding a baby, they are about 8-9 lbs right now.)

In other chicken news, they both had ultrasounds on their hips and now have to go to orthopedic surgeon to see if we need to get them in little baby hip harnesses. This is all apparently very normal for twin girls especially born breech. We go in on Thursday to meet the ortho and I will update everyone once we know more.

Boys are doing well. They are both super busy at school right now and baseball starts in the coming weeks.  Things are about to get interesting.

Finally, Rick and I both celebrate our birthdays this month. We are both too tired to get too worked up them but we got a nice surprise from some friends the other day. They asked us to bring over all 4 kids on Sunday so Rick and I can go out and have dinner. We are both giddy and exhausted and therefore unsure where we will go. We do know we are lucky to have such fabulous friends.

sleep

Sleep deprivation is a known form of torture. I strongly suggest our military enlist newborn twins for training. A month in and we are trying to adjust still as the lack of sleep is catching up and making for some grumpiness. I recall this feeling with JT. Late at night  I would walk the house with him crying and cursing Rick for getting to sleep (he had to be at work in the morning). As much as I try to manage night feedings, there are nights when they are up together and I have to enlist help. It is hard to remember that this will pass and soon we will experience at least 4-6 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

I think Rick struggles with the lack of sleep more than I do most likely because pregnancy prepared me with my constant trips to the bathroom and moments of insomnia. Although I have to admit that the lack of sleep is getting to me as the other day I went to Joann's sans babies and while waiting at the counter for my fabric I started to doze off.

In other baby related news, they are officially one month old. Hard to believe. And an important tid-bit, I estimated during a 2 AM feeding that we use roughly 26 diapers a day. Thrilling stuff, huh?

Kat modeling improper use of a bouncey and why parents should buckle in their babies.

Cute little elf hats that a friend knitted for the girls.

Above is Kat (I think - I can't recall who wore which outfit)

Lizard in her cap.

Helper #1 put himself and Kat to sleep while I finished taxes.

Helper #2 was singing and working on dance moves with Lizzie.

My naughty mommy trick of getting a few moments of not holding babies and maintaining my sanity when home alone. I  know it is hard to see but I have bottles propped up in bouncey seats so they can "feed" themselves.