It's the eve of our daughters' 1st birthday and guess what arrived this morning!?! The unthinkable has arrived and when you have POI/POF (especially for as long as I have), you really don't think one will actually arrive naturally EVER again. Without taking my Prometrium, my period has arrived!!! My first since 2005!!! (I've been on HRT for so long, my periods come within days of taking Prometrium...no surprises!) However, today was a HUGE surprise. I had some mild cramping last night, but I didn't expect my period.
Questions arise now. Can I actually ovulate on my own? What would cause me to ovulate this past month? Is it possible to ovulate again? I can't help but feel a little excited.
Definitely an interesting start to 2013! On another good note, after 2 weeks of flu symptoms in our household, we are all on the mend. Not too shabby for the start of the year.
Off to party planning for the girls' birthday party this coming Saturday! Can't believe they will be ONE tomorrow!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Thursday, December 6, 2012
11 Months
This update is more for me, so I can remember this stage in their lives. :)
Weight/Height: At 10 months, Sera was weighing 19 lbs even and Matilda was 20 lbs 5 oz. Matilda was an inch taller.
Eating: They eat about 8 oz of solids a day along with 4 bottles (6oz with cereal) each. Also, some finger foods are mixed throughout the day.
Foods They Like: They LOVE sweet potatoes!!! Applesauce and bananas are also faves. We started shredded cheese and ground beef--definitely makes a mess of the kitchen floor! They love baby flavored puffs too.
Foods They Don't: Matilda is not a fan of green foods (i.e. sweet peas and green beans). Sera is not as picky.
Favorite Things: They love to play in the carpeted room because they have room to roam and crawl around. (The rest of house is off limits when it comes to crawling--not baby proof yet. :( ) They like to laugh at their big sister's funny noises and screams. They enjoy playing in their cribs (when they are well-rested and not hungry) and laughing at each other. Chewing on toys, making noises with toys, looking out the window, breaking through our barriers (little stinkers!), electronics, and music.
Favorite toy: They like to play the music button on their horse. When the music plays, they dance. It's so cute to see them excited about music.
Dislikes: They get upset when they can't touch/play with our cell phones, sister's ipod. Of course, they get crabby when tired and hungry.
Their Accomplishments: Sera is starting to balance on her feet with no assistance. She'll try to take a step and fall. Matilda mimics me. I started to teach them sign language and she's doing very well with it. She's been telling me "no" by shaking her head. I wish she didn't learn that so quickly, but she's super cute shaking her head "no." Both girls are crawling and moving fast. They walk around their cribs and other furniture.
First words: Momma and Dada or Dadee (~7 months), Matilda seems a little more advanced with her words or we just understand her better. She says Hi, Diap (for Diaper), Bye. Sera has her own language--she's talking but I have no clue what she is saying.
Teeth: Both of them have two bottom teeth (been there for about a month or two now). Sera's gums just started bleeding this week and I see a top tooth coming through. It looks painful and probably relates to her sleeping issues lately.
Sleep: They were doing great until about two weeks ago. They WERE sleeping at least 10 hours through the night since they were ~4 months. As of lately, they are waking up for an extra bottle during the night and getting up too early (5:30am). The rough part is when they both wake up during the night but at different times. It's like having a newborn again. I'm thinking it's their teeth that are bothering them. Or maybe a growth spurt? Naps are another story as well. They slept fine at my mom's house because they slept in different rooms, but since we've moved, they sleep together in a room. One wakes the other up and they don't always want to sleep at the same time for naps. Sera seems to require more sleep (with naps). They take at least two naps a day. Sometimes together and sometimes schedules are just off.
Looking forward to: More communication and more mobility. I can't wait for the teething pains to be gone. Looking forward to everyday with them--teaching, holding and loving them and enjoying their every milestone.
DE Mom musings: I don't think of our donor much, but I'm very grateful for her. I see so many traits of my husband in our girls, so every now and then, I think if it's not his, it was hers. She must have been an extraordinary baby. :)
Weight/Height: At 10 months, Sera was weighing 19 lbs even and Matilda was 20 lbs 5 oz. Matilda was an inch taller.
Eating: They eat about 8 oz of solids a day along with 4 bottles (6oz with cereal) each. Also, some finger foods are mixed throughout the day.
Foods They Like: They LOVE sweet potatoes!!! Applesauce and bananas are also faves. We started shredded cheese and ground beef--definitely makes a mess of the kitchen floor! They love baby flavored puffs too.
Foods They Don't: Matilda is not a fan of green foods (i.e. sweet peas and green beans). Sera is not as picky.
Favorite Things: They love to play in the carpeted room because they have room to roam and crawl around. (The rest of house is off limits when it comes to crawling--not baby proof yet. :( ) They like to laugh at their big sister's funny noises and screams. They enjoy playing in their cribs (when they are well-rested and not hungry) and laughing at each other. Chewing on toys, making noises with toys, looking out the window, breaking through our barriers (little stinkers!), electronics, and music.
Favorite toy: They like to play the music button on their horse. When the music plays, they dance. It's so cute to see them excited about music.
Dislikes: They get upset when they can't touch/play with our cell phones, sister's ipod. Of course, they get crabby when tired and hungry.
Their Accomplishments: Sera is starting to balance on her feet with no assistance. She'll try to take a step and fall. Matilda mimics me. I started to teach them sign language and she's doing very well with it. She's been telling me "no" by shaking her head. I wish she didn't learn that so quickly, but she's super cute shaking her head "no." Both girls are crawling and moving fast. They walk around their cribs and other furniture.
First words: Momma and Dada or Dadee (~7 months), Matilda seems a little more advanced with her words or we just understand her better. She says Hi, Diap (for Diaper), Bye. Sera has her own language--she's talking but I have no clue what she is saying.
Teeth: Both of them have two bottom teeth (been there for about a month or two now). Sera's gums just started bleeding this week and I see a top tooth coming through. It looks painful and probably relates to her sleeping issues lately.
Sleep: They were doing great until about two weeks ago. They WERE sleeping at least 10 hours through the night since they were ~4 months. As of lately, they are waking up for an extra bottle during the night and getting up too early (5:30am). The rough part is when they both wake up during the night but at different times. It's like having a newborn again. I'm thinking it's their teeth that are bothering them. Or maybe a growth spurt? Naps are another story as well. They slept fine at my mom's house because they slept in different rooms, but since we've moved, they sleep together in a room. One wakes the other up and they don't always want to sleep at the same time for naps. Sera seems to require more sleep (with naps). They take at least two naps a day. Sometimes together and sometimes schedules are just off.
Looking forward to: More communication and more mobility. I can't wait for the teething pains to be gone. Looking forward to everyday with them--teaching, holding and loving them and enjoying their every milestone.
DE Mom musings: I don't think of our donor much, but I'm very grateful for her. I see so many traits of my husband in our girls, so every now and then, I think if it's not his, it was hers. She must have been an extraordinary baby. :)
Friday, November 23, 2012
Truly Thankful
It's been so long...I had to attempt my password three times to log in! So much has happened in the past couple months, and it really makes me sad that I haven't been documenting here lately.
Of course, we are thankful for our beautiful girls and the joy they have brought into our lives. At this time last year, I was huge and uncomfortable, barely able to eat a Thanksgiving meal. This year, we ate as a family of 5 (plus one--my mom joined us) at our NEW home. We fully moved into our new place in September, and we are still working on the house. I have to say we've made tremendous progress on the house even though 2 rooms are still non-livable. DH (with the help of family) has done all the work himself including gutting the kitchen, replacing floors, rebuilding walls, painting the exterior/interior of the house, etc. I have to bite my tongue when friends say how busy they are (off taking vacations) and we are juggling jobs, house stuff, and 3 children. Amazingly, we also lived in the house for the first month without a stove and refrigerator. It hasn't always been easy, but I'm so thankful for what we have and how far we've come. Overcoming obstacles really make you appreciate what you have.
Baby girls and a new home in one year--it doesn't get much better than this!
Of course, we are thankful for our beautiful girls and the joy they have brought into our lives. At this time last year, I was huge and uncomfortable, barely able to eat a Thanksgiving meal. This year, we ate as a family of 5 (plus one--my mom joined us) at our NEW home. We fully moved into our new place in September, and we are still working on the house. I have to say we've made tremendous progress on the house even though 2 rooms are still non-livable. DH (with the help of family) has done all the work himself including gutting the kitchen, replacing floors, rebuilding walls, painting the exterior/interior of the house, etc. I have to bite my tongue when friends say how busy they are (off taking vacations) and we are juggling jobs, house stuff, and 3 children. Amazingly, we also lived in the house for the first month without a stove and refrigerator. It hasn't always been easy, but I'm so thankful for what we have and how far we've come. Overcoming obstacles really make you appreciate what you have.
Baby girls and a new home in one year--it doesn't get much better than this!
Thanksgiving Day 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Where Does Time Go?
As I go to bed at night everyday, I ask myself that. It's amazing how much time is required to take care of two babies (and their sister). To add to my plate, we decided to move this summer! What were we thinking, right? So we are living temporarily with my Mom until our place sells and until we can move into our new house (which is taking almost 4 months to purchase...long story). It looks like we will be able to move into the new house just in time for our older daughter to start school...whew, let's hope so!
Moving in with my Mom. Wahoo, instant babysitter! Wrong! Not so much the case when my Mom is a busy senior citizen (and she's the one who labeled herself that). It's been an adjustment--living in boxes/suitcases, cluttering up my Mom's home which was already heavily populated with her things, getting used to stairs with babies (we lived in a ranch), having my Mom tell me what she would do to discipline my older daughter, and the list goes on! All I can say, I love my Mom but there's a reason we don't live together permanently.
Enough about my Mom. The girls...they are doing amazing. Last appointment at 6 months, they were officially in the 90th percentile for weight (without their 4 week handicap)! I know I couldn't believe my ears when the doc said that. Seraphina is a little shorter (about 2 inches) and Matilda is in the 90th percentile for height too! I have myself some big girls! They are starting to sit up on their own and interact more with each other. Their big sister is still in love with them--just not when they scream. :)
I hope to start posting more in the Fall--maybe when settled in the new house. There's so much to say, I can't believe these girls have entered my life. They make life so much sweeter.
(Photo to follow soon!)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Last Year
Last year at this time:
I was nervous but excited.
I was skeptical and hopeful.
We returned home from our second DE embryo transfer.
Relieved that the transfer went smoothly.
Then, we waited...for two long weeks.
Now:
I am tired but happy.
I am amazed and grateful.
We hold our two miracles.
Knowing how far we have come.
Now, we are in love...forever.
I was nervous but excited.
I was skeptical and hopeful.
We returned home from our second DE embryo transfer.
Relieved that the transfer went smoothly.
Then, we waited...for two long weeks.
Now:
I am tired but happy.
I am amazed and grateful.
We hold our two miracles.
Knowing how far we have come.
Now, we are in love...forever.
Friday, April 6, 2012
3 Month Update
The girls are 3 months and 4 days today, so I thought I'd document their progress at 3 months. I can't believe the twins are already 3 months. I'm taking the format from Michelle at :http://hearts2match.blogspot.com. Love your updates, Michelle.
Weight: I'm estimating their weights based on our scale at home. The girls did not have a 3 month appointment. Seraphina is about 13 lbs and Matilda is about 13.5 lbs. Matilda is about an inch taller.
Eating: They eat about 4 oz every 3 hours. Sometimes, Matilda will eat 5 - 6 oz and she'll be able to stretch for 4 hours with that amount. Unfortunately, Seraphina usually can't eat more than 4 oz--though she wants to. She devours her bottle while Matilda takes it slow. Seraphina was spitting up quite a bit, so we started to add rice cereal to her bottles, which seems to help with her spit up. I've added cereal to Matilda's bottles too but not as frequently.
Favorite Things: They love attention! Sometimes, I think they are already fighting for attention. They love when we talk and sing to them. Seraphina likes to be tickled. It's so cute when she chuckles. Matilda loves her paci, especially when she is tired. Of course, they love to listen to their big sis who can be quite the drama queen.
Dislikes: Being hungry and gas. They also dislike the hours between 5 pm and 8 pm...can't figure out what's up with that time of day, but they are moody then.
Their Accomplishments: They smile like crazy! They are amazing with their neck control, especially since I've started putting them to sleep on their bellies. They are grabbing things and following our movements now. They found their hands and they like them very much, especially Matilda who will almost gag herself with them.
Our Accomplishments: I officially can juggle things a lot better now. I've learned to make dinners when I can because I can't always make dinner at dinnertime, especially if I have a needy baby. DH has even gone out of town for 3 to 4 days for work, and somehow I've managed to keep things running smoothly at home. I've learned to feed two babies at once. Just last week I started to really get the girls on a schedule; however, it's not perfect yet. I was the crazy mom when DH and older DD were sick with the flu--I wouldn't let them near the twins. Fortunately, the twins and me were able to stay healthy during that time. Thank goodness!
Sleep: Well, the trick to sleep was having them sleep on their bellies. Around 10 weeks, I started putting them to sleep on their bellies and I've seen a great improvement in their naps and sleep at night. That being said, I watched them like a hawk with their belly sleeping (started with naps) until I was confident that they could move their head/neck well. Just like our older DD, these girls love their bellies. I especially think this is the case for acid reflux babies. I know, I know...the "back to sleep" campaign would cringe at my actions. Before you know it they'll be saying babies should sleep on their bellies. Look at all the head conditions out there now because of back sleeping. From just 9-10 weeks, our twins already have a flat area on their heads from back sleeping. At night, we are getting 6-8 hours of sleep straight from the girls. Not bad, in my opinion. Sometimes, I wake on my own because I can't believe they are still sleeping. Last night, Matilda slept from 8:45pm until 4:30pm and Sera slept from 9:15pm until 6am (wahoo, almost 9 hours!) The girls are so cute. We lay them down in the same crib at separate sides of the crib for bedtime and within a couple hours, they are sleeping right next to each other, touching. They do sleep in separate cribs for naptimes, though.
Weight: I'm estimating their weights based on our scale at home. The girls did not have a 3 month appointment. Seraphina is about 13 lbs and Matilda is about 13.5 lbs. Matilda is about an inch taller.
Eating: They eat about 4 oz every 3 hours. Sometimes, Matilda will eat 5 - 6 oz and she'll be able to stretch for 4 hours with that amount. Unfortunately, Seraphina usually can't eat more than 4 oz--though she wants to. She devours her bottle while Matilda takes it slow. Seraphina was spitting up quite a bit, so we started to add rice cereal to her bottles, which seems to help with her spit up. I've added cereal to Matilda's bottles too but not as frequently.
Favorite Things: They love attention! Sometimes, I think they are already fighting for attention. They love when we talk and sing to them. Seraphina likes to be tickled. It's so cute when she chuckles. Matilda loves her paci, especially when she is tired. Of course, they love to listen to their big sis who can be quite the drama queen.
Dislikes: Being hungry and gas. They also dislike the hours between 5 pm and 8 pm...can't figure out what's up with that time of day, but they are moody then.
Their Accomplishments: They smile like crazy! They are amazing with their neck control, especially since I've started putting them to sleep on their bellies. They are grabbing things and following our movements now. They found their hands and they like them very much, especially Matilda who will almost gag herself with them.
Our Accomplishments: I officially can juggle things a lot better now. I've learned to make dinners when I can because I can't always make dinner at dinnertime, especially if I have a needy baby. DH has even gone out of town for 3 to 4 days for work, and somehow I've managed to keep things running smoothly at home. I've learned to feed two babies at once. Just last week I started to really get the girls on a schedule; however, it's not perfect yet. I was the crazy mom when DH and older DD were sick with the flu--I wouldn't let them near the twins. Fortunately, the twins and me were able to stay healthy during that time. Thank goodness!
Sleep: Well, the trick to sleep was having them sleep on their bellies. Around 10 weeks, I started putting them to sleep on their bellies and I've seen a great improvement in their naps and sleep at night. That being said, I watched them like a hawk with their belly sleeping (started with naps) until I was confident that they could move their head/neck well. Just like our older DD, these girls love their bellies. I especially think this is the case for acid reflux babies. I know, I know...the "back to sleep" campaign would cringe at my actions. Before you know it they'll be saying babies should sleep on their bellies. Look at all the head conditions out there now because of back sleeping. From just 9-10 weeks, our twins already have a flat area on their heads from back sleeping. At night, we are getting 6-8 hours of sleep straight from the girls. Not bad, in my opinion. Sometimes, I wake on my own because I can't believe they are still sleeping. Last night, Matilda slept from 8:45pm until 4:30pm and Sera slept from 9:15pm until 6am (wahoo, almost 9 hours!) The girls are so cute. We lay them down in the same crib at separate sides of the crib for bedtime and within a couple hours, they are sleeping right next to each other, touching. They do sleep in separate cribs for naptimes, though.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Just Some Thoughts
Since I can't seem to find much time to post lately, I thought I'd share some of my current thoughts/events lately.
I love our girls (all three of them) more than anything.
Seraphina needs an MRI when she reaches 4 months and I know I will be a nervous wreck when they have to put her under for that. (update on that later)
I finally got the twins on a schedule today until we reached the dreaded 6:00 hour in the evening. What's with the evening hours where the twins just go crazy crying for no reason? I'm convinced they are just tired.
The twins were weighing in at 10 lbs even and 10 lbs 12 oz at their 2 month appt and had their first shots since the hospital. They were not happy at all with the shots and the entire event really wore them out. They slept almost all day.
The girls are cooing and smiling like crazy, even at 5:00 in the morning when I want them to go back to bed.
I have had stretches of 6-7 hours of sleep from each girl, but it's not consistent yet. Of course, they both don't have their long stretches of sleep at the same time. I've had 5 hours of sleep straight a couple of times. Yay Mommy!
The girls have been eating 4 oz every 3 hours lately and I swear, they are on a growth spurt. They rather eat than sleep lately.
Naps are still a challenge. I have to separate them during naps. Otherwise, they wake each other up. They do sleep in the same crib at night and seem to do okay then. We do have to use a white noise to help them sleep; they hear every little thing.
Speaking of sleep, I started sleeping them on their bellies lately (as I did with my first daughter) and they are sleeping better since. I know my Mom used to put me on my belly and she said that's what was recommended when I was a baby.
It's difficult to believe that I used an egg donor for our twins. It really doesn't cross my mind much, and if it does, I have no negative feelings about using an egg donor nor do I have any regrets about our choice to use one.
I feel so incredibly lucky for my family.
I love our girls (all three of them) more than anything.
Seraphina needs an MRI when she reaches 4 months and I know I will be a nervous wreck when they have to put her under for that. (update on that later)
I finally got the twins on a schedule today until we reached the dreaded 6:00 hour in the evening. What's with the evening hours where the twins just go crazy crying for no reason? I'm convinced they are just tired.
The twins were weighing in at 10 lbs even and 10 lbs 12 oz at their 2 month appt and had their first shots since the hospital. They were not happy at all with the shots and the entire event really wore them out. They slept almost all day.
The girls are cooing and smiling like crazy, even at 5:00 in the morning when I want them to go back to bed.
I have had stretches of 6-7 hours of sleep from each girl, but it's not consistent yet. Of course, they both don't have their long stretches of sleep at the same time. I've had 5 hours of sleep straight a couple of times. Yay Mommy!
The girls have been eating 4 oz every 3 hours lately and I swear, they are on a growth spurt. They rather eat than sleep lately.
Naps are still a challenge. I have to separate them during naps. Otherwise, they wake each other up. They do sleep in the same crib at night and seem to do okay then. We do have to use a white noise to help them sleep; they hear every little thing.
Speaking of sleep, I started sleeping them on their bellies lately (as I did with my first daughter) and they are sleeping better since. I know my Mom used to put me on my belly and she said that's what was recommended when I was a baby.
It's difficult to believe that I used an egg donor for our twins. It really doesn't cross my mind much, and if it does, I have no negative feelings about using an egg donor nor do I have any regrets about our choice to use one.
I feel so incredibly lucky for my family.
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