Twin's Routine

Alot of people are asking how I put my girls down to sleep and what I'm doing for a routine so I thought I would do a blog.  Hopefully people find this helpful!

1st Step - Observe Your Babies, how do they like to nap, when do they tired, and when do they get hungry??
How I established my routine was observing how, when and where they liked to nap.  I noticed that my girls liked napping in the stroller, in the carseats, and when I'm out walking in their snugglies when I'm running errands.  They like movement and some noise.  I also tried remembering how they liked napping when they were newborns, they liked being held, patted, swaddled and white noise.  So I combined all of these methods into my routine.  AND I logged their routine for about a few days and realized when they started getting tired approximately two hours after they woke up so I consistently made them nap two hours after they fed. I  feed them at the same time too so that their schedules aligned.

2nd Step - Read books but only use what works for you!
I read a lot of books and used bits and pieces from them to understand where they are developmentally, sleep methods, soothing techniques to establish my routine. Do you want to do on demand feeding?  I realized my girls were ready to be put on the four feeding schedule at four months.  So I started transitioning them to a four feeding schedule.  I also realized that they are ready for longer naps, and longer activities.

3rd Step - What works and is it realistic for you?
I realized that a lot of the books are targeted to mothers with one baby and alot of the soothing techniques don't work on my babies (ex. they don't like soothers, they don't like being swaddled anymore, I can't rock/bounce nor hold both babies, etc.) Be creative, do what works for you.  My girls like getting their bums patted when they sleep.  They like being wrapped in blankets and love listening to stories before they nap.  They also like their sleep sacks before they go to bed. The pick up/put down method doesn't work for me.  I also don't let them cry it out.  I read them stories before nap time, pat them on their bums, place their fists near their mouth when they fuss a bit but then they eventually fall asleep.  My babies do a bit of fussing, an occasional cry but they do fall asleep within 10 - 20 minutes. 

Anyhoo...
So here is my routine (Eat, Activity, Sleep, Your time, Activity):

7/7:15 AM - girls wake up and play a bit in their bassinets or bouncers
8 - Feed
8:45 AM - Activity (Burp, Diaper change, Activity time)
9:45 AM - Wind down/Sleep for 1.5 to 2 hours (Wind down is Storytime  followed by placing them in their bassinets/crib or bouncers then bum patting and white noise)
10:45AM - Pat them on their bums again if they stir to get them napping longer
11:30/45AM - Activity (tummy time)
12 - Feed
12:45 PM - Activity (Burp, Diaper change, Activity time)
1:45 PM - Wind down/Sleep for 1.5 to 2 hours (Wind down is Storytime  followed by placing them in their bassinets/crib or bouncers then bum patting and white noise)
2:45 PM - Pat them on their bums again if they stir to get them napping longer
3:30/3:45 PM - Activity (Tummy Time)
4 PM - Feed
4:45 PM - Activity (Burp, Diaper change, Activity time)
5:50 PM -  Wind down/Sleep for thirty to forty five minutes (Wind down is Storytime  followed by placing them in their bassinets/crib or bouncers then bum patting and white noise)
6:30 PM - Feed
7:00 PM - Activity (Burp, Diaper change, Bath time)
8 PM - Feed
8:30/9PM - Sleep (Change into sleep sacks, pat them on the bums and white noise in the bassinets, usually they do not fuss nor cry before sleeping at this point because they are really tired)

So far, the routine is working very well and helping with their night wakings.  They goto bed around 8:30/9PM and wake up between 5 AM - 6:30 AM for a quick feed and fall back to sleep right away.  Sometimes they wake up in the middle of the night  or early morning babbling but then they fall back asleep by them selves, its very cute.

Of course, at six months or when I travel, this routine is going to change again!!

Babbling Giggling Rolling

BIG CHANGES!!!  Girls are almost five months old!!  They love to babble and giggle now.  Our house looks like a playground, there's jolly jumpers, exersaucers, bumbos, playmats and rattles everywhere.  They also like watching baby einstein and listening to stories.  They are also experimenting with rice cereal and sippy cups.

I thought I had a rhythm going,but then the girls are changing sooo much that I've been making them cranky. For example, when the girls were between three and four months old, I was able to read their cries using baby dunstan language , I could tell if they were hungry, tired or gassy just by listening to their whimpers. BUT since they've been babbling this past month, I've been unable to read their cues and they've been cranky! Soooo after a chaotic month of overfeeding, getting them to nap after eating, trying to bottle feed, and another crazy growth spurt, they've decided to start waking up in the middle night for the past two and half weeks and killing my daytime groove. Last weekend, I decided to start all over and read every book I can find on routines and sleep/nap solutions for single and twin babies. I realized that I got the entire routine wrong and they are ready to start a four feeding routine!!  Developmentally they are four month olds with bigger bellies. Then I felt sooo much better about life with the girls. Soooo...almost a week ago, I've been able to get them on 3.5 hour - 4 hour routine (eat activity sleep method), getting the girls to fall asleep in their bouncers/cribs at the sametime with little whimpering and putting the girls into bed at a decent hour, around 8 to 8:30pm. The girls like sucking on their fists and fingers before they sleep, they hate soothers. Hopefully this routine helps with their nightime waking.  ALSO I can't wait to go to the spa, get a haircut or go with Rick/friends after the girls go to sleep:)

Rick and I are having fun with the girls.  I'm still a little sleep deprived but much much better than the first two months.  I've also lost over 70 pounds...I can't believe at one point I was 180 lbs...and that was two weeks before I gave birth!!  I can't believe its already been a year that I found out I was pregnant (on my birthday!!)!!

Here are some videos of the girls, enjoy!

A Twin Twin Update Update

The girls are growing so fast now!  They're 19 weeks old (~4.5 months) now, and at our visit to the pediatrician on Wednesday, Naomi was 14.5 lbs and Keira was 13 lbs.  Naomi is maintaining that 1.5 lb lead on Keira.  At their corrected age (14 weeks), Naomi is 90th-percentile and Keira is 50th.

We've been so lucky with our babies.  Tracy is doing an amazing job at getting the girls to nap during the day and sleep through the night.  Both girls have had their turn at sleeping through the night for some time now, but about a month ago both of them slept from 11pm to 8am!  Most of the time the girls seem to take turns sleeping through the night, but we still get the odd night where they both sleep through.

Another exciting this is we're starting to let them play in their Jumperoo and Jolly Jumper.  They're head control seems stable enough and they really like bouncing around for a few minutes at a time.

The only real complaint that we have right now is that it would be nice to be able to bottle feed every once in a while.  It'd be nice to bottle feed them when we start traveling with them in a couple months.  It's getting better every day, but they still cry a lot when we try it.  We've had a nurse come to the house for a consultation and training on how to get them to bottle feed.  She suggested many gentle approaches to getting them to do it.  We also talked to our pediatrician about it, and she feels that the only way is the "tough love" approach, i.e. Tracy leaves the house and doesn't come back until I've fed the baby with a bottle.  We'll let you know what we end up doing.

Playing with the girls is so much fun, but they're getting a little competitive:

Already more than 100 days!

 

Rick threw a 100 day celebration party for the girls.  It was a success!! Despite heavy blowing snow, slippery roads and foggy conditions, we still had a great turnout!  Lots of kids came and dogs too! The girls wore their chinese dresses and were very smiley. Keira and Naomi are gurgling and kinda talking now, especially if you start talking to them. They are alot of fun! 

I can't believe its almost been 4 months with them!!   Its getting easier to take care of them because they are going back to their normal feeding schedule. I've been able to go out on walks, mall and for groceries all by my self.  But I recently acquired some help for sanity purposes! I have a nanny that comes in one day of the week who helps around the house and Rick alternates between working at home and taking a day off every week. Our biggest challenge right now is trying to get them to bottle feed so we have an appt with the lactation consultant this week.

Rick and I are doing great, we are sorta going back to doing normal activities like going out to restaurants.  I lost 60 lbs already.  I can't believe I still have 15 lbs to go!! However, I recently wore my xxs canadian goose jacket!  As for jeans...I can fit into them, but I don't like the snug feeling, esp around my thighs:)  Rick hasn't gotten fat or bald yet (he commented that he's just a liitle fatter and balder)...so thats good news.

Here's some more quick tips for new moms:

- Lactation consultants can help with bottle feeding challenges.

- Lecithin is great for blocked ducts, you can get them at natural foods stores...I stopped having them once I started taking it.  Its great for lowering your cholesterol too!

- My clusterfeeding sessions lasted more than a month, it's normal around 6-8 weeks post due date...the babies were tanking up so that they can sleep longer at night...it does get better, just hang in there!!  Currently, the girls are on and off with their clusterfeeding, BUT they are getting shorter!  They sleep for long periods at night now.

- Work out, do dishes or laundry when the babies are playing on their bouncers, they love watching mommy.  Don't wait until they nap...in fact, you can do everything except napping when the are awake!!

2011 Already?? What an adventure!

Naomi

Keira

 I've been super fortunate to have family visit in the past two months helping me out with laundry, cooking, burping the babies, changing diapers and bottle feeding.  It was heaven!!! My father in law came over and helped with my outstanding minor renovations.  I actually have a beautiful shower to use in my master bedroom now thanks to Rick and Steve!!  I also have a fabulous new walk in closet for my Christmas present :)  I will post pics of all my new renos very soon including the nursery !

Wow, everytime I look at Naomi, she keeps changing in width!  Haha.  She's well over 12 pounds, approaching 13 pounds very soon.  Keira is now over 11 pounds and eating up a storm just like Naomi!  Since 6 weeks post due date, the girls started to sleep through the night (at least 5 hours straight).  BUT the girls love to cluster feed for several hours in the evening before they go to sleep, so I've accepted this transition and just plunked myself in front of the tv  with my big tandem pillow.  

Taking care of two babies as a new mother alone is NOT EASY. I wish someone told me how crazy life is with two babies.  Here are my feeding tips for all you twin mothers and new moms:
- Feeding: Babies feed more often when breastfed.  Breastfeeding sucks up all your time and energy.   My girls eat every two hours starting at noon!  Then they cluster feed almost non stop around 8 pm till midnight or 1 am. Just accept it.  Your breastfeeding pillow is now your best friend, your main food source is water, and facebook is your new social life. With two babies taking up to 45 -60 mins to feed each, you have no time to fart around.
- Breaks: Pump when you can shortly after you finish feeding and at least once a day, feed by bottle.  Otherwise the babies get so use to breastfeeding that they refuse the bottle.  Trust me, we are experiencing this right now. This way you can go out with two babies alone for long periods of time and be able to nurse discreetly in public yet bottle feed the second baby.
- Nightfeedings: Learn to feed lying down asap.  You will feel a LOT better if you can do this.
That's it for now!

The last two months....

Well, I have a new profound respect for all mothers!  Being a mother is SUPER hard.  For the last two months, the hardest thing I've had to experience is their feeding schedules (or lack of) and sleep deprivation.  For all twin mothers, you are not alone!! I've had to experience constant non stop feedings lasting days,  hourly feedings during the daytime and hourly feedings during the nighttime.  NO downtime whatsoever.  Exercise is out of the question, eating is not even a priority anymore.  AND of course, during these cluster feedings, I've had zero sleep.

The girls are continuing to grow super fast, Keira is nearing 10 pounds and Naomi is nearing 12 pounds already!!  At corrected age, Keira is 50th percentile and Naomi is 90th percentile in terms of weight!!  The girls like to stand, do squats, kick and starting to hold their head up.  They are also more awake during the daytime. AND best of all, they are starting to sleep through the night (at least more than five hours in the middle of the night), YIPPEE.  Sleep is overrated anyways.  

As for me, I'm recovering super well.  You can barely tell I have bells palsey, I've already lost over 50 pounds, so only 24 pounds to go, I no longer have high blood pressure, my PUPPs is almost all gone and I don't take any more medication for hypertension!!  Woohoo.

Enjoy these pictures!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Keira and Naomi had their first visit with Santa last week.  It's funny how the photographer was able to catch both the twins striking a pensive pose.  Two months old, and they're already thinking about what presents they want from Santa :)