Indigo vs. the Nebulizer

Little man got a little cold, and then started coughing a rather lot, and wheezing a bit. Fearing the dreaded croup, I brought him to the doctor last week. Apparently it's bronchiolitis, aka a cold gone bad. He was prescribed nebulizer treatments, which seem to be helping. Unfortunately, he's not a big fan. While he fell asleep in my arms during the first treatment at the doctor, ever since he tends to whine and try to look away from it. Or eat it.

As a result, he hasn't been as into the baby-led weaning lately. He'll eat applesauce or yogurt off a spoon, but he's not as enthusiastic about holding his own food. Although last night he did quite well with the banana I gave him. He also enjoyed a pancake over the weekend.

He has also rolled over from back to front twice! He's trying to keep up with Periwinkle, who will roll across the floor, or her brother, if you let her. We find her sleeping on her tummy nightly now.

We had a lovely Mother's Day at the in-laws. The kids got me some flowers and a sweet card, and Blue got me chocolate and a card. Stupid me had thought he'd forget, but of course he didn't!

Periwinkle also has decided lately that she loves to stand. Here she is showing off:

A Year Old!

This blog, not the babies, of course! A year ago I posted about finding out about twins, and the slew of ultrasound photos and drawings of fruit soon followed.

This has been such a great outlet to connect with other moms and moms-to-be, as well as a way for family living far from me to keep tabs on everything going on.

And of course, now I use it to inundate you all with adorable photos of the kiddos, along with the ups and downs of sleep training, baby-led weaning, and just general day-to-day life.

Thanks for sticking with me over the past year. I definitely plan on continuing blogging, and I hope to branch out a bit and make some posts a bit more universal for other moms. Are there any topics you want me to discuss? Any burning questions about raising twins? About baby-led weaning or baby sign language (I'm still new at those so those might require more time to answer)? Ask and I shall try to answer!

Also, the DietBet now has 29 participants and the pot is over $1k! It's not to late to join in over here!!

Here is Periwinkle enjoying her hamburger for dinner!

Also, a wreath I made tonight because Zumba was cancelled and I found myself finally having the time to do it. The stuff has been sitting in my car for two weeks. It was super easy. I bought three flowers from Michael's that shared a color scheme (green, pink, white) and jammed them into a premade stick wreath, also from Michael's. I added a ribbon that came on a stack of goodies my dad sent me for Mother's Day (awww...need to call him and thank him tomorrow!) and voila! Springtime wreath! How's that for crafty?

Six Month Doctor Visit and Progress with Solids

We finally got to the pediatrician this week. She tried to really push mushy food on us, but other than incorporating oatmeal into our baby-led weaning, we're sticking with our plan. We won't serve them anything mushy unless we'd eat it the same way (mashed potatoes, soups, oatmeal, etc). So this week they tried chicken and rice soup. Indigo was all over it; Periwinkle just looked offended.

I was getting the feeling that she didn't like spoons at all, as she'd rejected yogurt previously, but tonight we tried natural applesauce. The spoon finally clicked for her, and she got very excited about it. She definitely got some down. I committed a BLW faux pas by holding the spoon for her, but by the time I got to Indigo I got with the program. I fed him one spoonful so he knew what was going on. Then I put the spoon in his hand and guided it to his mouth. The next spoonful I loaded up for him and handed him the spoon. He exuberantly aimed it toward his mouth and missed spectacularly. I helped him out, then placed his hand closer to the spoon end to help with his aim. He then went for it again and made it into his mouth, but way too far in. Cue gag reflex. The next spoonful he seemed to get right. I would say applesauce was a hit for both of them.

Tomorrow we will try some oatmeal (from plain oats, not the sugared up packets I enjoy). We're focusing on the spoon foods for a few days because I'd like daycare to give them solids at at least one meal a day, and I highly doubt they'd feel comfortable giving a hunk of meat or cheese to the babies, which I understand. So we'll let them deal with the mushy solids and we'll keep trying with the solid solids at home.

Indigo is getting two teeth in, so I'm hopeful he'll get the hang of biting off a bit and chewing soon. Periwinkle seems to be lagging behind him a bit, although she did enjoy sucking on an orange slice this morning.

But the great thing with BLW is there's no rush. The motto is "Food is fun until 1!" Then we'll start worrying about making sure they are getting certain amounts of solids. Until then, it's about learning how to deal with the solid foods they are presented with, and letting them feed themselves. Indigo is obviously going to do just fine with that, even with the spoon! I was really very impressed with his hand-eye coordination at his first meal with a spoon!

So the rest of the doctor's appointment went better than the solids discussion. Indigo is 27 inches long (65th percentile) and weighs 16lbs14oz (35th). His head circumference seemed a bit more in line although I can't remember what the exact number was. His percentile went down so he's more average now.

Periwinkle is 25 inches long and weighs 15lb 4oz. She's my little lady. She enjoyed rolling around on the table while waiting for the doctor, which is something she's been doing like crazy this week. She even slept most of last night on her stomach, although she did eventually cry for us to come turn her over. I'm confident she'll figure out rolling the other direction soon enough. She even scootched forward a bit on the table in a pseudo-crawling motion! Crazy!

So she's rocking the movement, and Indigo is rocking the eating, and we're just so excited to see their progress.

I've also begun trying sign language. The kids have really started noticing our cats, so I try to sign the word for cat when I can get their attention during their cat-baby staring contests. I also try to sign "mommy" when I am holding them, "all done" when they seem ready stop playing with whatever they are playing with or when the bottle or applesauce is gone, "more?" between bites of solids, and my made-up sign for "bedtime" that might actually be the real sign but I'm not sure. I also want to start signing "diaper" but as that sign happens at the waist it's hard to do it when I'm holding them. It'll take several months but soon they will understand what I'm signing and soon be able to sign back, hopefully eliminating some communication frustration before they learn to speak.

So lots of fun stuff going on here! Here are some cute pictures from the past week or so:

A DietBet!

I started a DietBet! This is a really cool concept called social dieting. You pay the bet amount ($35 for this one), betting that you'll lose 4% of your starting weight in 4 weeks. If you do NOT meet that goal, your money stays in the pot for the winners to split. Motivating, right? I just did one with A Beautiful Ruckus and unfortunately I didn't "win," but I DID lose nearly 4 pounds, so that's a success to me! Feel free to join in!! The more the merrier (and the bigger the pot!)

Sitting Up

When Periwinkle is in the boppy, she totally tries to sit up. She looks like she's doing crunches. This is brand new today and so cool. So proud of her! Just had to update everyone on her progress.

Indigo continues to be in no rush to move other than thumping his legs like crazy and sometimes ending up on his side, but I have the feeling that one day I'll turn around and he'll be crawling. He's just waiting for the opportune moment, to quote a certain pirate we all know and love.

A Letter to Periwinkle at Six Months

Dear Periwinkle,

It's so hard to believe that it's been only six months since you were hooked up to little tubes so you could eat, monitors checking all your vital signs, stuck in the NICU for two weeks while we waited for you to get the all-clear. Now you are thriving, downing 8oz bottles like nothing, eagerly reaching for the cheese and apples we started giving you this week, and talking to anyone who will listen.

Chatting away

I call you my little clone because you look so much like me. It seems your personality is a bit like mine as well--you never shut up! We hear you in the morning, pretty much at 6am on the nose, chatting away, sounding so happy. You also sometimes carry on like this in the middle of the night, and I really wish you'd stop that. You should be sleeping, little lady!

Yummy apples!

You rolled over front to back again, and one night I checked on you to find you on your tummy, so you must have managed rolling back to front. When I put you down you roll to your side, and I can just picture you rolling across the floor soon.

On your side, adoring your brother

You absolutely adore your brother. We separated you for an afternoon, and when we all got back home, you just stared at him, so happy to be back together. I love watching how much you love him. I know he loves you too, but he's trying to be a cool guy, I think.

So happy to be together again

You sit up in the Bumbo seat so well, I think you are not far off from sitting up on your own. You discovered your feet this month, as it's been warm enough to have you without socks. The expression on your face was priceless.

What are those?

You love crinkle books, both to play with and to eat. When we put you in your crib at night you grab onto Sara, your pink bunny, and hug her tight. I often find you still clutching her hours later.

Hanging out with your BFF

You behaved very well during your visit with Grandma and Grandpa, until the day we went to pick you up. You knew we were coming. But I'm glad you trust us enough to show us your moody side, to let us know when you are unhappy or bored. We'll keep trying to figure out how to keep you happy. You definitely cry a lot less than you used to. I think the earlier bedtime and better napping help with that. But whether you are crying or smiling, we love you all the same. Your smile is so addicting. People who see pictures of you smiling can't help but smile themselves. Keep smiling like that and you'll make the world a better, happier place.

All smiles in the morning

You've certainly made my world a brighter place. I can't wait to see what the next six months bring!

Love,
Mama

Hey, Mom!

A Letter to Indigo at Six Months

Dear Indigo,

Six months. Sometimes it seems like they've flown by, and sometimes I struggle to remember what life what like before you arrived. In either case, they've been a fun six months, full of discovery and smiles. I think that this past month has seen the most change in you. You're sitting up so much better, although not entirely on your own. When you're in the jumperoo, you are actively playing with all the little toys and you can easily jump up and down to make the noises start up. You grab at things without hesitation, including things your sister might be playing with.

You don't complain so much at tummy time and you are SO close to rolling over. We help you sometimes, to show you how it's done, but your arm always seems to be in the way. When we put you down in your crib on your back, you sometimes seem like you're trying to roll onto your tummy, and we find you in funny positions.

Snoozing

You love snuggling with Sam, your bear lovey. Sometimes you gnaw on his ears, sometimes you prefer his blanket bottom, and other times he's tucked under your arm. Lately you've wanted a blanket at night, simply for the weight of it I think, which  makes me nervous. I let you have it until we go to bed, and then I just hope that you don't notice when I take it away. You're not quite old enough to untangle yourself if you get stuck.

You and your sister have taken to chatting in the middle of the night, and I have to admit, it's driving me bonkers. I simply can't sleep through it. I'm hoping it's a phase you'll outgrow soon. You've also taken to yelling just to hear your own voice. Sometimes you'll grab your feet and let out a victory yell. It's awesome.

Testing out your voice

Last week you spent a few days with Grandma and Grandpa while Daddy and I went on a little vacation. We missed you but we knew you were in good hands. You got lots of tummy time, time in the Bumbo seat, and lots of spoiling hugs and kisses. Grandma also bought you new clothes, some of which are in the 9 month size. You are getting so big and tall already! You'll be in 12 month stuff well before your first birthday.

Three month clothes don't fit anymore

We started solid foods this week, although right now you are just exploring and learning about new tastes and textures. You seemed to enjoy the carrots and apples, and were a bit curious about the cheese. Bread was another big hit. I know mealtimes are going to get messier from now on but I am looking forward to it! Soon you'll be able to chew and swallow all these yummy new foods. Having you guys eat what we're eating will certainly help us cook healthier, which will be great too.

Curious about cheese

You're still my chill dude, and you seem to have a great sense of humor. You've outright giggled a few times, which is hilarious. Your smile lights up my day, and Daddy swears you've said, "Daddy." Even I have to admit it sounds like you are... I love when you try to talk, no matter what you are saying.

My snuggle bear

You still kick your legs like crazy, my little Thumper. The other day I was sitting between you two on the couch, and you were both kicking my stomach in excitement for your bottles. I realized Periwinkle was kicking my left side, you my right. Was it really only six months ago that you were kicking those sides from within with scrawny little legs? Now you have chubby baby rolls and I can't even remember why we called you chicken legs.

Your chubby legs

Happy Six Months, Little Man. I can't wait to get to know you better as you continue to discover the world around you!

Love,
Mama

Plotting. Totally plotting.

Edited to add this photo, just because it cracks me up: