[ 8 Weeks Old ]

It's amazing at how fast time goes and how much they grow. Both girls are doing well with lifting their heads and are becoming more aware of their hands. They are even starting to smile, which I can't get enough of!





How are we doing? Okay I guess!

The girls are staying awake more, but it's in the later part of the afternoon and into the evening. Which is okay. We're wanting to start putting the girls to bed around 8 or 9 and if they aren't tired, we just let them cry in their cribs. They have to learn it's bedtime!

Nursing is getting a lot better, it doesn't hurt anymore. However, I'm finding it hard to "pump and store" for when I go back to work. When you are feeding two babies, you don't really have any left over! So we've tried giving the girls formula at night, allowing me to start storing milk for when I go back to work. The girls seem to like it. I mean, they eat it and don't have any spit ups. However, I think it's giving them tummy aches. They've been extra fussy lately and have had a lot of gas. Let me tell you, I never knew something so small and adorable could smell so bad!! I'm hoping they'll just get used to the formula... because I need that time to store milk. We're even added some breast milk to the bottle to help.

We had a great time in Pine Valley and it was great to see the family! But it's back to reality and trying to get the girls on a better schedule. Their 2 month appointment isn't until August 18th, which they'll almost be 3 months old! I'm trying to see if they have any cancellations for something sooner. I can't wait to see how much they've grown and talk to their pediatrician!

Until next time...

P.S. Like the blog makeover? I have to admit I stole the concept from my cousin Rochelle! I hope she doesn't mind! I just wanted to be able to post bigger pictures, because let's face it... My girls are adorable and deserve to take up the entire screen!

See the resemblance?

We've discovered that Ella looks more like my sister Erica did when she was little than me, her own mother!! Here I put in 36 weeks of pregnancy, all the work and Erica gets the glory!

Whatever!

Erica

Ella

Me

- Identical!! -

Monochorionic twins generally have two amniotic sacs (called Monochorionic-Diamniotic "MoDi"), which occurs in 60–70% of the pregnancies with monozygotic twins (identical twins) . Monochorionic-Diamniotic twins are almost always monozygotic, with a few exceptions where the blastocysts have fused.

Make sense? I had to look up almost every other word! But in the long run it means identical twins in two separate sacs. That's what my Dr told my last Friday when I went in for my 6 week postpartum appointment. So there you have it... Identical! How sure are we? My Dr says he is about 90% sure that they are MoDi. Is that good enough for me? Yes, yes it is! Why?

Because I'm sick of having the "Um, I don't know!" face when people ask me. "How do you NOT know?" or "Well were they in one or two sacs?" are the responses I always get from people. And I really hate going into the whole "well this doctor said one thing and another doctor said this etc etc..." Because people don't care what the doctors say. As soon as I mention that they were in 2 sacs, everyone snaps back.. "Well then they are fraternal." So I'm just done. I'm gonna stick with my doctor! We may have the girls tested later, but for now.. Identical!

The rest of the appointment went well. My incision has healed nicely and Dr Kaelberer says I look great! I'm actually 3 lbs lighter than what I was before I got pregnant!! Who knew? I had to get pregnant with twins to lose weight. He also said that if I continue to nurse, the weight will continue to drop. Of course I have to eat healthy and try to get some exercise. Which I'm going to really try to start doing!

My body type/shape has completely changed since I've had the girls. I now have way bigger boobs and my stomach hasn't tightened just yet. So yes, my stomach is just loose skin that hangs, mega gross!! So none of my pre pregnancy clothes fit or look good on me anymore! It's very frustrating! However, Erica, Kalie and I did hit up Kohl's the other day and they helped me pick out a few new shirts to compliment my new shape! It was a lot of fun! I'm hoping to just keep losing and getting more active so that I'll be able to keep up with these girls...

Our next stop will be the girls 2 month appointment, which is just around the corner! They'll be 8 weeks next Sunday, CRAZY!! I'm very excited to see how much weight they've gained! Hopefully nursing has been enough!

But before their 2 month appointment, we've got Pine Valley over the 24th with my family! Oh I'm so excited!! This is going to be a much needed 4 day weekend! Kelly and I plan on leaving late Wednesday night so we can have at least 3 full days before coming home on Sunday. I'm also excited to see all of the family! Pine Valley is another world! I have so many great memories from childhood and now as an adult! It's a Snow Family Tradition for the 24th of July and I'm happy to continue the tradition with our small family! The girls may not be able to participate in the races this year, but we'll have fun anyways!

SUPER EXCITED for this next weekend!! I'll be seeing most of you soon. But for the rest, have a Happy 24th!!

I want them BACK!

I want my boobs back. That's right, my boobs! T.M.I? Sorry it's how I feel. They are no longer just eye candy. :)

Nowadays, they aren't mine. They belong to the girls. Don't get me wrong, I love my girls and I don't blame them. I just don't like the pain. The cracked nipples, poor latches, engorgement! Will it get better as they get older or worse? Getting older means a better understanding and better latching... however, doesn't that also mean more pain? And what about when they start getting teeth. OMG! I hate thinking about it.

I know I should NEVER wish for the girls to be bigger, because I will regret it. They'll end up growing up too fast. But when can I start with rice cereal? 4-6 months? How long do you nurse? Until about 12 months? I haven't even been doing this for 2 full months and I'm already complaining. Please don't think ill of me... I shouldn't be selfish! My girls need me! And if nursing is the best thing for them... then I'll deal through my problems.

Thank God for the pump. At least I can get a break every once in awhile. My next obstacle is to start pumping and saving for when I go back to work. Because I'm feeding two girls at once, the only time I can pump is after the feedings. However, it's not that much because the girls pretty much take it all. That's my biggest worry right now. Going back to work. Will I still be waking up 3 times a night to feed them? Will I have enough milk to start? Will I be able to pump at work? So much to worry about!!

Alright, I'm done complaining. Sorry about the personal post. I just had to get it off my chest. Ha Ha, CHEST!! :)