Hey everybody! I am excited to be guest posting over at 3 Little Men & a Mommy today. Krystle and I "met" through the blogging community when we were both pregnant with our twin boys. Her boys are a month older than mine so she has been a great resource for me to figure out what I should be expecting in the following month with our little duo.
Krystle needed people to write guest posts because she went on a media fast for the entire month of August. I gotta say that I really admire her and her family for doing that. It is not easy to do in this era of smart phones and wifi. With all that in mind, when Krystle said she was looking for guest posts I thought about my own struggle with social media--how it can cause me to judge others prematurely or condemn myself based on false standards. The post is about being a Heart Led Mama. Please check it out and as always, I love feedback!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Extended Breastfeeding and Weaning Twin Toddlers
Well, I think we have reached another milestone. My baby boys are weaned. Okay, they are definitely not babies anymore but rather jib-jabby, getting-into-everything toddlers. Nonetheless there is so much finality to being done breastfeeding this duo. It definitely pulls at this mama's heartstrings.
We have been ever so gradually heading this direction for the last few months. I have previously written about how learning to breastfeed twin newborns was very difficult. We were blessed to finally establish a great breastfeeding relationship and once I stopped working and started staying at home with the boys full time, they quickly fell into a pattern of nursing four times a day--after awakening in the morning, after their morning nap, after their afternoon nap and before bed. At thirteen months there were absolutely no signs of the boys losing interest in breastfeeding despite what so many people said would happen. I dropped the after morning nap session and the transition was pretty smooth. Winston is such a creature of routine that he got frustrated but after the second day was totally fine. At fifteen months I dropped the after the afternoon nap nursing session and again it was a smooth transition. At sixteen months I dropped the before bed session and was pleased that the boys had no trouble with going down to bed without it. They seriously did not care. So that left us with only the first thing in the morning session.
I have not discussed it on the blog but I have not been feeling well the last several months. I have had quite a few blood tests and might have been fighting a recent Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis) infection. I was also diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis. I have not had a great immune system for most of my life. I already knew that I had adrenal deficiency and a weaker immune system may just be part of my disposition. When the boys were about nine months old I finally hit the wall again and was just in survival mode for the next six months. Which aren't all new parents of twins already in survival mode? I have been on antibiotics three times in the last eight months which was really abnormal. My primary care doc is very pro-breast feeding but was concerned that it was draining my body and also trying to figure out a treatment plan that would not affect the boys through my milk supply. It came down to feeling that that boys would benefit more from a healthy and active mama as opposed to a lethargic, grumpy one that was still managing to breastfeed them.
Yet I was not feeling ready. I tried last month to go cold turkey and I made it a week. I did not feel at peace with it and Winston was acting out. I talked the talk like I was committed to weaning them but my heart was not there. I would go into the boys' room in the mornings with their sippy cups but Winston very clearly wanted something else. Then I just realized that I am their mama and I had to do what worked for them and me...no outside input needed. I decided to still bring in the sippy cups and let them drink from that before I offered to nurse them. Winston was automatically interested again and Abraham was interested because his brother was. Then in a matter of a couple weeks the boys started communicating so much better. Please, thank you, thirsty, drink, cup, etc. became normal everyday words. I was physically feeling better and therefore I believe emotionally more ready for them to be done nursing. I stuck to the "don't offer, don't refuse" principle. Winston was starting to go several days without asking and then would ask again. The big difference this time was that Abraham did not care anymore that his brother was nursing. I think he is on day twelve of not having nursed so I think he is completely done. I think Winston's issue is more of emotional security. He needs lot of lap time and snuggling in the morning. He is just a slow to wake type person and I am learning that if he can just sit with me for a while he drinks from his cup then he is a content little guy. I believe Winston is on day five or six so I think he is done. He has even seen the "Magical Pillow that Feeds" and has not asked to nurse. To be honest, it was getting a little difficult to try to still tandem nurse them. They are just getting so big!
We are done with another aspect of babyhood. I am so thankful that we made it past a year and were able to do some extended breastfeeding. It was good for my boys' immune system and it had the added benefit of decreasing my chance of breast cancer. And seriously, seventeen months? That is a pretty awesome breastfeeding career for twins. I feel really accomplished in that.
To any expecting mama of twins, yes, you can breastfeed. It may not be easy but I can tell you it is definitely worth it.
We have been ever so gradually heading this direction for the last few months. I have previously written about how learning to breastfeed twin newborns was very difficult. We were blessed to finally establish a great breastfeeding relationship and once I stopped working and started staying at home with the boys full time, they quickly fell into a pattern of nursing four times a day--after awakening in the morning, after their morning nap, after their afternoon nap and before bed. At thirteen months there were absolutely no signs of the boys losing interest in breastfeeding despite what so many people said would happen. I dropped the after morning nap session and the transition was pretty smooth. Winston is such a creature of routine that he got frustrated but after the second day was totally fine. At fifteen months I dropped the after the afternoon nap nursing session and again it was a smooth transition. At sixteen months I dropped the before bed session and was pleased that the boys had no trouble with going down to bed without it. They seriously did not care. So that left us with only the first thing in the morning session.
I have not discussed it on the blog but I have not been feeling well the last several months. I have had quite a few blood tests and might have been fighting a recent Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis) infection. I was also diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis. I have not had a great immune system for most of my life. I already knew that I had adrenal deficiency and a weaker immune system may just be part of my disposition. When the boys were about nine months old I finally hit the wall again and was just in survival mode for the next six months. Which aren't all new parents of twins already in survival mode? I have been on antibiotics three times in the last eight months which was really abnormal. My primary care doc is very pro-breast feeding but was concerned that it was draining my body and also trying to figure out a treatment plan that would not affect the boys through my milk supply. It came down to feeling that that boys would benefit more from a healthy and active mama as opposed to a lethargic, grumpy one that was still managing to breastfeed them.
Yet I was not feeling ready. I tried last month to go cold turkey and I made it a week. I did not feel at peace with it and Winston was acting out. I talked the talk like I was committed to weaning them but my heart was not there. I would go into the boys' room in the mornings with their sippy cups but Winston very clearly wanted something else. Then I just realized that I am their mama and I had to do what worked for them and me...no outside input needed. I decided to still bring in the sippy cups and let them drink from that before I offered to nurse them. Winston was automatically interested again and Abraham was interested because his brother was. Then in a matter of a couple weeks the boys started communicating so much better. Please, thank you, thirsty, drink, cup, etc. became normal everyday words. I was physically feeling better and therefore I believe emotionally more ready for them to be done nursing. I stuck to the "don't offer, don't refuse" principle. Winston was starting to go several days without asking and then would ask again. The big difference this time was that Abraham did not care anymore that his brother was nursing. I think he is on day twelve of not having nursed so I think he is completely done. I think Winston's issue is more of emotional security. He needs lot of lap time and snuggling in the morning. He is just a slow to wake type person and I am learning that if he can just sit with me for a while he drinks from his cup then he is a content little guy. I believe Winston is on day five or six so I think he is done. He has even seen the "Magical Pillow that Feeds" and has not asked to nurse. To be honest, it was getting a little difficult to try to still tandem nurse them. They are just getting so big!
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| One of my favorite cell phone pics-- Winston (left) and Abraham when they were eight months old. When they were really tired before bed, they would crash right there on their nursing pillow. |
We are done with another aspect of babyhood. I am so thankful that we made it past a year and were able to do some extended breastfeeding. It was good for my boys' immune system and it had the added benefit of decreasing my chance of breast cancer. And seriously, seventeen months? That is a pretty awesome breastfeeding career for twins. I feel really accomplished in that.
To any expecting mama of twins, yes, you can breastfeed. It may not be easy but I can tell you it is definitely worth it.
Friday, August 24, 2012
FAQs #4
Your children's names are very distinctive, strong, old fashioned, etc. Why did you choose names like that? Are those family names?
Thanks...I think. Most of the time people make positive comments about the boys' names but sometimes the tone and wording leans a bit more towards the critical. The reality is that no matter the name a couple chooses for their child, some people will not like it. I am quite alright with that. All that to say, Abraham and Winston are not family names. We wanted names that were readily recognizable but not common. In our circles we did not know any children with the name Abraham or Winston. We also wanted names that connotated strength of character and leadership. With Abraham we thought of the patriarch of the Old Testament, Abraham Kuyper the theologian and Abraham Lincoln the president of the United States. The name Winston immediately brought to mind Winston Churchill, the so called Lion of England. It was also important to name our children with the idea that one day they were going to be men as opposed to naming little babies. Hopefully that last sentence makes sense. We were looking to the future and hope that our sons would be out in the world and no matter their vocation that they could be be proud of their names and identities.
We personally did not want rhyming or alliterative names for our boys. Since we knew that our boys would be monozygotic (identical) twins we did not want their identities to be entirely about their twinhood. We wanted stand alone names that were entirely separate from one another and to help us keep from mixing the boys up. Please understand that is our personal preference and I am not criticizing people that choose similar names for their mutiples. It was just not our way of doing it.
I am personally also really into the meaning of names and liked the meanings of Abraham and Winston. When we decided to have the boys' middle names after their great grandfathers, we liked how Abraham worked with another biblical name, Simon, and how Winston worked with another English/Germanic name, Carol.
Abraham- Father of nations
Simon- Listening, has heard
Winston-Joyful stone
Carol-Free man
It is our prayer that our little boys will one day be strong, independent men that love the Lord and will be bold in proclaiming His name.
Thanks...I think. Most of the time people make positive comments about the boys' names but sometimes the tone and wording leans a bit more towards the critical. The reality is that no matter the name a couple chooses for their child, some people will not like it. I am quite alright with that. All that to say, Abraham and Winston are not family names. We wanted names that were readily recognizable but not common. In our circles we did not know any children with the name Abraham or Winston. We also wanted names that connotated strength of character and leadership. With Abraham we thought of the patriarch of the Old Testament, Abraham Kuyper the theologian and Abraham Lincoln the president of the United States. The name Winston immediately brought to mind Winston Churchill, the so called Lion of England. It was also important to name our children with the idea that one day they were going to be men as opposed to naming little babies. Hopefully that last sentence makes sense. We were looking to the future and hope that our sons would be out in the world and no matter their vocation that they could be be proud of their names and identities.
We personally did not want rhyming or alliterative names for our boys. Since we knew that our boys would be monozygotic (identical) twins we did not want their identities to be entirely about their twinhood. We wanted stand alone names that were entirely separate from one another and to help us keep from mixing the boys up. Please understand that is our personal preference and I am not criticizing people that choose similar names for their mutiples. It was just not our way of doing it.
I am personally also really into the meaning of names and liked the meanings of Abraham and Winston. When we decided to have the boys' middle names after their great grandfathers, we liked how Abraham worked with another biblical name, Simon, and how Winston worked with another English/Germanic name, Carol.
Abraham- Father of nations
Simon- Listening, has heard
Winston-Joyful stone
Carol-Free man
It is our prayer that our little boys will one day be strong, independent men that love the Lord and will be bold in proclaiming His name.
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| Winston Carol (from left) and Abraham Simon |
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Four Years
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| Photo Credit- Bobby Earle Photography |
Since our anniversary was on a weekday, it was a normal workday for Eric and a normal day at home for me and the boys. I did make Eric's favorite meal for dinner however and we had a nice evening at home. We exchanged gifts, talked about memories from our special day and where the Lord has brought us in the last four years.
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| Keep back ladies! He is all mine! |
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| Our little romantic dinner after we put the boys down to bed. The angle is a little crooked because the camera was set on the kitchen counter with a potholder. We are fancy like that. Also notice my keen fashion sense in my velour sweat suit. |
Celebrating our wedding anniversary over the weekend coincided with another special date from our past. On August, 18, 2007, I was in Gardnerville visiting Eric and meeting his family for the first time. He took me on a dinner cruise that night and told me that he loved me. He said it was a promise for the future and had really thought about what it meant to tell that to me.
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| M.S. Dixie II dinner cruise--August 18, 2007. |
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| First dance as man and wife. We married just shy of a year of that dinner cruise moment. Photo Credit- Bobby Earle |
We got to have a great day out together on Saturday celebrating two special days in our history. A&W were left in the very capable care of their grammy and grampa. We drove up to Tahoe, had a coffee and walked around the shops and acted like tourists. Later we drove back down the hill and had dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. Again it brought a wave of nostalgia because we had a gift certificate for that restaurant that had been given to us by a dear friend of Eric's that passed away two years ago this month. His widow had given us the gift certificates after Monty had passed due to a directive given to her. Eric's friend Monty had wanted to thank Eric for helping him and his wife go to that same restaurant to celebrate their last anniversary before he passed away. His widow told us that if Eric had an issue with it then he would just have to take it up with Monty in heaven. Monty was in a wheel chair at the time of their last anniversary and Eric had helped get him all situated in the corner booth so that he and his wife could have their nice quiet evening together. As providence would have it, when we arrived they sat us in the exact same booth. We did not mention it was our anniversary or request a corner booth but that was how it worked out. Eric naturally felt a little overwhelmed when that happened and we discussed how it was all good memories that were bringing on the emotions.
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| Our traditional "we are going somewhere" pic. |
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| I love him. |
This was our best anniversary yet. We had so much to rejoice in--our beautiful boys, Eric's new job, my ability to stay at home with A&W, loving friendships and family and the list could go on and on. Last year we were very new parents and still overwhelmed with adjusting to life with two babies. We are loving this stage though and are so excited for the years to come. I can only imagine what God could do in our lives in forty years. He truly delights in giving His children good things and we praise Him for it.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Seventeen Months!
Are our bubbas really seventeen months old already? Well, they are indeed. We are cherishing this age and it has been so amazing watching their communication develop with each passing day. In this post I am going to brag about how awesome and smart my kids are, so unless you're family this will probably be pretty boring. Our kids have lots of words and they are gaining more by the day. I really do not take for granted that they are doing so well in language development. It has been a point of concern for me and I have prayed about it and sought to be very consistent in how I speak to the boys. Just thinking about twin boys, most people assume there will be some language delay. I take no credit for how well the boys are doing and I believe it is God's grace that has allowed them to progress accordingly. All that said, I really do not like when people infantilize their language when talking to young children because I know it only hinders and hurts them. I got in the bad habit of saying doggie in referring to our little dogs Scooter and Suzie and fortunately within a couple of weeks the boys corrected their language when I started saying the word appropriately. Many of the words they say are not said perfectly but I understand what they are trying to say and they use their words in the appropriate context. I will often repeat the word correctly and we will repeat it back and forth 2-3 times as they are trying to say it more clearly and learn new letter sounds e.g. door with an 'r' sound instead of a 'y' sound at the end.
A&W's Words and Phrases:
*Since I started writing this post, Abraham has said sock, towel and outside. I can hardly keep with these kids!
The boys have been great sleepers lately and generally sleep a full twelve hours from 7:30 pm until 7:30 am. It has been such a blessing for this mama! They will wake at 5-6 am occasionally but then fall back asleep because they are still tired. They are still taking two naps a day although I am seeing some small signs that they are getting ready to transition to only an afternoon nap. They are great eaters and are starting to request foods they like. They excitedly say "dee-ya, dee-ya" when they want a quesadilla for dinner. They are really beginning to understand the concept of names. They recently played with our neighbor boy and after he left said his name, Tucker, excitedly. They are beginning to say each other's names as well. These boys have lots of fun together giggling and making farting noises. They can also bicker like crazy and get frustrated with one another. Some days it is like I am a referee!
Abraham is incredibly affectionate. I will be on the floor changing Winston's diaper and getting his pajamas on and Abraham will come by for hugs and kisses 2-3 times. I love that about him. Abraham has a sensitive spirit and he desires approval from people. He will cry if we need to scold Winston and we have to encourage him that he did not do anything wrong. He is still Mr. Take Away because if he sees something he wants he just grabs it out of impulse. Often the item in question was in Winston's hands and Winston has a melt down. We are working on the whole sharing concept.
Winston is very analytical. He is obsessed with lids and caps and gizmos and gadgets. He wants to understand how things work and when he cannot replicate how something works he can get so frustrated. We praise him for his determination but seek to help him understand that throwing tantrums is not appropriate. He is my singer and dancer. The other day I heard him singing and realized he was trying to sing "Jesus Loves Me." He even sings in his sleep! Winston is my extreme extrovert and says hi to practically everyone he sees. If someone does not respond he gets this puzzled look on his face as if to say "What's their problem, mama?"
They are seriously awesome little kids and we love them to pieces. It can be hard to explain having twins how we love our children individually and uniquely yet equally. So much of their development is the same and they can be so similar at times but we see their individual personalities and try to nurture them accordingly. We love our Abraham and we love our Winston. We really cannot imagine loving these kiddos anymore.
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| Winston (left) and Abraham watching the Olympics. |
A&W's Words and Phrases:
- Hi
- Bye-bye
- Ball
- Leo- Abraham's stuffed Lion
- George- Winston's stuffed monkey
- Bread
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Bananas
- Beans
- Peas
- Broccoli
- Juice
- Milk
- Avocados
- Apple
- Cookie
- Cracker
- Cheese
- Sandwich
- Quesadilla (only pronounce the dee-ya part)
- Pizza
- Drink
- Cup
- Cooking
- Please (generally sign as well as saying it)
- Thank you
- More (sometimes just the sign)
- Uh-oh
- Ow
- All Done (sometimes also signing)
- Diaper
- Bubbles
- Bible
- Jesus
- Teeth
- Gentle
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Shoes
- Trees
- Leaves
- Airplane
- Truck
- Car ride
- Keys
- Phone
- Up
- Mama
- Papa
- Bubba (my pet name for them and what they call one another)
- Mimi (my mom)
- Opa (my stepdad)
- Grammy (Eric's mom)
- Lights
- No
- Okay
- Sorry
- Dog
- Suzie
- Scooter
- Door
- Baby
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| Snack time! |
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| Apples! |
*Since I started writing this post, Abraham has said sock, towel and outside. I can hardly keep with these kids!
The boys have been great sleepers lately and generally sleep a full twelve hours from 7:30 pm until 7:30 am. It has been such a blessing for this mama! They will wake at 5-6 am occasionally but then fall back asleep because they are still tired. They are still taking two naps a day although I am seeing some small signs that they are getting ready to transition to only an afternoon nap. They are great eaters and are starting to request foods they like. They excitedly say "dee-ya, dee-ya" when they want a quesadilla for dinner. They are really beginning to understand the concept of names. They recently played with our neighbor boy and after he left said his name, Tucker, excitedly. They are beginning to say each other's names as well. These boys have lots of fun together giggling and making farting noises. They can also bicker like crazy and get frustrated with one another. Some days it is like I am a referee!
Abraham is incredibly affectionate. I will be on the floor changing Winston's diaper and getting his pajamas on and Abraham will come by for hugs and kisses 2-3 times. I love that about him. Abraham has a sensitive spirit and he desires approval from people. He will cry if we need to scold Winston and we have to encourage him that he did not do anything wrong. He is still Mr. Take Away because if he sees something he wants he just grabs it out of impulse. Often the item in question was in Winston's hands and Winston has a melt down. We are working on the whole sharing concept.
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| "Oh, I am NOT supposed to stand on the couch? My bad." |
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| Abraham wrestles with Leo. |
Winston is very analytical. He is obsessed with lids and caps and gizmos and gadgets. He wants to understand how things work and when he cannot replicate how something works he can get so frustrated. We praise him for his determination but seek to help him understand that throwing tantrums is not appropriate. He is my singer and dancer. The other day I heard him singing and realized he was trying to sing "Jesus Loves Me." He even sings in his sleep! Winston is my extreme extrovert and says hi to practically everyone he sees. If someone does not respond he gets this puzzled look on his face as if to say "What's their problem, mama?"
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| Handsome Winston |
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| Managed to get a wee smile. |
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| Mr. Winston was getting an ear infection so he kept sucking his thumb and pulling on his ear. Thankfully, he is doing better now that he is on antibiotics. |
They are seriously awesome little kids and we love them to pieces. It can be hard to explain having twins how we love our children individually and uniquely yet equally. So much of their development is the same and they can be so similar at times but we see their individual personalities and try to nurture them accordingly. We love our Abraham and we love our Winston. We really cannot imagine loving these kiddos anymore.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
(Almost) Wordless Wednesday
This past weekend we had a chance to visit with Eric's aunt and uncle and cousins. We do not get to see one another nearly enough. Eric's cousin Amy and her husband Jon have a little girl that was born the same month as Abraham and Winston. The boys had fun playing with little Lorelai. We are all looking forward to going to Sunriver and spending more time together.
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