Seven Months-November 13th, 2011

Seven months quickly snuck up on me and here we are over a week late finally documenting all you have done this month.

You both are developing more and more personality every day. You are so different and it is so neat to watch how you each grow and develop on your own schedule. This month we don't have any official stats since it is not a doctor's visit month but you are both growing and becoming such big babies. The other night we got out a preemie outfit and just stood there in wonder of how you were ever that small.

This month we have been working on solid foods. Riggs you picked up on this a lot quicker than Jackson as you have most things but now you are both eating 2 meals a day so far your diet includes green beans, carrots, squash, oatmeal, apple sauce and Riggs you have had sweet potatoes. You are both into 6 month and 6-9 clothes but can still wear some 3-6. You are both long so you seem to outgrow the length first. Jackson you still have a pound or two on your sister which is funny because she tends to eat more than you but I guess she burns more calories since she is more active.

Jackson you have started rolling over or so I have been told. You are not like your sister who when she learned this trick could not be stopped. You can roll over but choose not to must of the times which goes hand in hand with your laid back personality. I however have not see this trick so I just have to trust everyone else. Riggs you are on the move nonstop. We have to watch you or you are into something that you shouldn't be-your new fascination is computer cords. You are not crawling yet but I am sure we will be putting that in your 8 month post.

Jackson you still have two teefers and Riggs yours has not broken through yet but I know it will any day. Jackson you are a bit more needy but we love you just as much. You don't like to be left alone and are a bit of a pill to get to bed. You used to do so well but I think with your reflux flare up last month we are going to have to work on your sleeping habits. Riggsy you are miss independent just like your momma you will go right to bed with no help and you can play for hours by yourself. For the most part you are going to be around 7:30 or 8 and getting up maybe once during the night and sleeping until around 7:30.

 

Your daddy and I are so blessed by you everyday and love you more and more with each one that passes.

So Proud

Today my husband started a new job. He is on his way to be a CPA! We are so proud of him and can't wait to watch him grow in this new career. He arrived to work at 8am and was almost at his first client by 9am-they did not waste any time putting him to work. I can't wait to hear all about his first day on the job!

Pinning Me Over!

Last week I had two meals that came from pins. They were both really yummy!

The first was Parmesan Chicken Bake. I had pinned this a few weeks ago and had been wanting to try-I love Chicken Parm, it was super tasty and easy to make. We will definitely have this meal again.

                                                                          Source: foodwishes.blogspot.com via Cindy on Pinterest

The next was one that Staci made for our girls night. It was Chicken and Cheese Lasagna Roll Ups. They were a crowd pleaser and one I plan on making for the family at some point.

                                                                                            Source: ivillage.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Have you made anything yummy from Pinterest lately?

A Love/Hate Relationship

When the twins were born I had all intentions of breastfeeding or at least trying my best. I knew I had to be flexible in this plan for multiple reasons. When they were born 6 weeks early they were admitted to the NICU which meant this plan had to quickly be altered. Starting the day after they were born I was pumping 8 times a day-every three hours with hopes that this would eventually lead to breastfeeding. Once they came home we continued this process until they were mature enough to latch on properly. Jackson was able to sooner and Riggs did ok as time progressed but it seemed best for us to continue pumping and bottle feeding. This decision had many layers-One daddy could help with feedings this way, Two it was much more efficient for all of us-I could pump and feed both at the same time being doing in about 20 minutes and Three I knew I was returning to work so pumping would be a big part of their feeding no matter what. Over the last few months I have gone from pumping 8 times a day to 6 to 5 and to 4 once I returned to work. As it was harder and harder to find time at work I went down to 3 and then eventually decided to only pump in the mornings and evenings. At 7 months I have decided the effort is no longer worth the amount of milk I was producing. So now I say goodbye to an item I have come to love and hate with equal passion...my pump.

Pinterest Baking

With fall in the air there is nothing more I love than baking with pumpkin. Recently I have made two different recipes from Pinterest using pumpkin.

The first was the box cake mix with canned pumpkin. It was super easy to only have to use these two ingredients, the cake was moist and colorful. I thought it was ok. I don't think I will make this again while it was super simple I would prefer to either make a standard box cake or put in a little more effort and make pumpkin bread. 

                                                                       Source: sweet-verbena.blogspot.com via Cindy on Pinterest

My second pinterest baking adventure was Mini Pumpkin Pie Croissants. These were supper yummy and simple. I made these while I was making baby food purees. I will definitely make these again!

               

                                                                            Source: shakentogether.blogspot.com via Cindy on Pinterest

What is your favorite Pinterest find?

Reflux

Since Jackson was about 2 months old he has struggled with Reflux issues, it has come and gone over time and through this we have learned some information that I thought might be useful to others that have to go through this journey. 

We started Jackson on Zantac at about 2 months seemed to work pretty well and we actually thought he was/had out grown the reflux so we were actually weening him on our own. At around 5.5 months ago it flared up big time so we went back to the doctor and they upped his dosage. We did that for a week and then went back for the 6 month well check and decided he was still having some pain and switched to Prevacid.

Zantac is a liquid he gets 3 times and day and Prevacid is a pill that is dissolved in liquid and he gets once a day. Well after this switch he has been worse than ever. Crying all the time and not taking his bottles well at all. My husband started doing some research and we found out that the two medications work completely different and the Prevacid needed time to really start working. Zantac ultimately makes the acid less acidic so when they do reflux it is not painful. Prevacid actually causes the stomach to produce less acid so hopefully they do not reflux. Since they are different we were able to determine that you can take both at the same time. So now we are giving him the Prevacid and hoping that is the long term solution but also giving him Zantac in the short term until his body adjusts to the medication. In about a week or two we will try and ween the Zantac. We talked to his pediatrician and he said this was a good plan.

A few other things we learned in my husband's research. They build up a tolerance to Zantac pretty quickly also the dose is figured by weight so as they grow their dosage will need to increase. Prevacid is best taken on an empty stomach and not eating right after-so in the middle of 2 feedings. It is broken down by the acid so if there is a lot of milk it will not be as effective.

Once we got J on both meds he was a completely different baby. Smiling and laughing and being completely adorable unlike the little boy who has been crying for the week prior. Please note we did not make any changes to his medications without consulting his pediatrician. We just acted as his advocate by educating ourselves on the medications he was taking and how they worked. Always consult your doctor first.

Story Time

I love this.

I am so lucky to have such a great friend watching my kids while I am at work and what makes it even better she sends me videos and pictures like the one above!

We Have a Bully!

Having twins has been fun to see how different each of their personalities are. Jackson is so laid back and Riggs is feisty and all over the place. Jackson can roll over but chooses not to most of the time Riggs never sits still. With this we have seen Riggs take advantage of the situation. When the are on their play mat she will roll over and take Jackson's toy or even attack him. The boy has two pounds on her and two teeth he has plenty of defense mechanisms but just lays there and lets her do as she wishes. I am sure one day he won't just lay there anymore and little girl better be ready but for now we have a little bully on our hands.

Thing 1 & Thing 2

This year for Halloween the twins were Thing 1 and Thing 2. I had originally gotten them a tiger and a duck costume but I kept coming back to the Things. While it might be a little cliche what is more perfect for twins? I loved how their costumes turned out. I got some red onesies and sewed on the appropriate applique for each. Jackson was really easy he just needed some red pants and his blue helmet was the perfect hair. For Riggs I wanted to priss hers up at bit so we went with a giant teal bow, some cute red with white polkadot tights with a red tutu.

We had a full weekend of activities centered around Halloween. On Friday my office had Trick or Treating for the kids. It was fun to bring them in and show them off to everyone. We did learn one very important lesson always take the stroller especially when you will be traipsing through 7 floors in 3 different buildings. Aaron and I were completely exhausted by the end of this adventure.

On Saturday our church had Trunk 'r Treat for our kids and those in the community. I think it was a huge success. We had 38 Trunks and approximately 150-200 little Treaters come through and we know of at least one family that was at church on Sunday that came on Saturday. The kids of all ages had a lot of fun the only down fall was that it was cold and windy. The twins ended up spending a good bit of time inside to stay warm.

On Sunday night was went to our friends church that we used to frequent on Sunday nights and had another round of Trunk or Treat. The twins racked up on some good candy which I guess means mommy and daddy did as well.

The twins and some friends. Last Halloween there was only the Star. What a difference a year makes!

 On Monday we decided the twins had had enough Halloween festivities and we went out to dinner with some friends for pizza.

I think they had a fun first Halloween!