So I am able to type some stuff since the babies are both napping at the same time. We had the belly button stumps fall off two days before the two week mark for Michael and the following day for Malia. Today marks that they are three weeks old. Our multiples class said the first six weeks are the hardest, so we are halfway through the hardest part. I think the first two weeks were the hardest because we didn't know what we were doing. It's better now, and the babies aren't really doing anything different, we just know more about how to be mom and dad.
The next pediatrician appointment is Jan 6, their one month birthdate. That is the day I hope he tells us that the babies can sleep through the night, waking when they want to feed instead of us waking them up after 4 hours from the last feeding (usually 1 or 2am). We bought a baby scale for our home and this morning Malia weighed in at almost 8 pounds. Michael didn't get a weigh in this morning. That's just how it goes, take what you can get and be happy with it.
Jason and I are so happy with these two. We love them more than we could have ever imagined. When we are away for even the shortest period of time (grocery run, doctor appt) we miss them like crazy. Jason is working one day a week right now; he'll go back full time mid-January. I'm a little nervous for that part - being home alone with the babies. But I've got to learn sometime. Hopefully when they are 6 weeks old they will be easier and we'll have a system/schedule in place somewhat, so I feel like we aren't winging it all the time.
Feeding is getting better with the babies. I am still not producing enough to satisfy them completely so we have to supplement with formula. I'm reading up and doing lots to try and up my supply. We are now tandem feeding for all feedings but one. We have the 1/2am feeding which is pure formula to give me a break. I pump during that feeding after the babies go back to bed (and Jason goes back to bed, I'm a little jealous when I hear him get into bed). I'm getting enough to feed one baby and then a little more, when I pump, but that's not enough since I don't have 1.5 babies. :) Hopefully the tandem feeding, fenugreek pills, bread, and tea will all lead to more milk supply.
Each kid definitely has their own personality. Malia is quiet and subdued. She has a muffled cry which starts quiet and then slowly gets louder, but never is unbearable. Michael has a temper. He gets mad and shows it immediately. He goes from 0 to 60 in a second with his cry. His face turns bright red and then he just wails. There is no ramping up. Unfortunately, he gets himself so worked up, it's hard to get him to calm down. When it's feeding time, he cries so hard, he doesn't realize the food is touching his lips. He also is our gassy baby, which might be why his is the fussy/cranky one most evenings.
I really hope to get these kids off formula soon. Nothing against people that choose formula only, over breast milk. I don't like it because it smells, it stains, and their poops smell worse than I could have ever imagined. Jason and I describe it as rotten peanut butter. And it is a lot when they poop. They don't do it everyday, but when they do - it fills the diaper completely. We have only had one "blow out" so far. Unfortunately Michael was wearing white pants when it happened, so I'm trying to figure out how to get that stain out. I might have to resort to bleaching those pants. That brings me to the cloth diaper situation.
Since we had such a difficult time getting the kids on the breast successfully, we stuck with the disposables sent home with us from the hospital. When those were running low, I wasn't ready to make the switch to cloth yet, so I bought some more diapers from a website. We just opened the last box, so by the end of this week we should be out of diapers for these guys (we go through about 30 diapers a day). Then we will start cloth diapers. I'm excited, but also really nervous. Jason just installed the sprayer on the toilet, so we can spray out those mega poops when they occur. I don't have a wet bag though, so I have to figure something out where to put the diapers that are waiting for washing. I have special detergent for the cloth diapers, so I can't just through them in the washing machine. Or maybe I can. I would just have to remember that I am storing up for a diaper load. We'll see how it works once I get going.
So that's the update. I think that's pretty much all that's been going on. We are super thankful for all the items people have given us or let us borrow. The baby clothes, the swings, the bouncy chairs, the playmat, the swaddle blankets. All of these items are getting daily use. I'm excited for the kids to be able to hold their heads up so we can get into the next set of stuff - bumbo seats, jumperoos. But I won't rush them. They are only 3 weeks old!
So I'll keep posting random pictures, but a text entry won't come until I have time to sit down again. It's about time for the next feeding, so I am off to get Jason and wake up these sleeping babies. I can't wait to not have to wake the sleeping babies. But it's been 4 hours since their last feed and that's the rule right now.
4 comments:
Chrissy, I only have one wetbag. And I use it when it's clean, but sometimes it's in the wash:) I would love to have more than one, but just haven't gotten around to it. So this is what I do. I keep plastic (like dollar store or target dollar bin) buckets in all of my storage places. One on the changing table. One in the bathroom with the sprayer on the back of the toilet, and one in the laundry room. That way, when I have a wet or soiled diaper I have a place to put it until I have time for a load. Also, keep in mind... once you get them on breast milk alone you don't need to rinse out the diapers at all. Breast milk poop goes straight in the wash!
That system works really well for me and it's easy. It doesn't hide the smell as well as a wetback, but 3 or 4 1 dollar buckets are much less expensive than 3 or 4 wetbags.
OxyClean! Hot water + oxyclean & soak for a few hours. Jackson had a massive blowout all up the back of a brand new WHITE outfit and I soaked it in OxyClean and it all came out. I also use Dreft stain treater, but it's kind of expensive so I only use it if it's going to be a long time until I can do the OxyClean soak.
You guys are doing so well. It sounds like you are on the right track BFing wise. I hope all of the extra pumping and pills help asap!
Cant wait to see you guys.
Even better -- I discovered that Palmolive dish detergent with Oxyclean was even better than just Oxyclean -- degreasing agent with the oxyclean works perfect, especially for breastfed babies. Squirt some on the poopy spots and let set for a minute or two. Then run hot water over it, possibly even using a brush (set aside just for that purpose)to brush it off the rest of the way. It works amazingly well and has saved so many clothes for us! I use the spray Oxyclean stain remover for everything else, including spitup, because although something might look clean now, put it away for a few months and pull it back out and you'll see the stains. Seems you're doing wonderfully with everything. Love being able to follow along!
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