The Ups and Downs of Twinfancy--Part 1

This week has been a bit rough, a relapse if you will. Both boys have reflux and we had some long days this week with babies who just didn't feel good. What that means is that they cried all day and could not be consoled. This would be fine if there was only one baby to take care of, but when there are two, it is nearly impossible to maintain your sanity.

The only spin we can put on this week is the mind-blowing quantity and audible range of FARTING that comes from two babies with reflux (either its reflux or their mommies gene pool...). WOW - every stretch, twist, sneeze, even sleeping provides sweet sounding horns from their tushes. Aside from the unending humor and laughs, they really seem relieved with each thundering rip.

Kristi has ramped up from 2 hours of sleep per night to a mind blowing 4 hours EACH NIGHT! Unfortunately, none of these hours are consecutive - Andy has assumed the role of transporter - a mindless task (thank god) as he lumbers out of bed 7-8 painful minutes after one baby begins crying, picks up the baby who is crying (hopefully - you would be surprised that this task is blundered from time to time) and takes out to the living room for a diaper change. Once changed, said child is ready for feeding and the sleeping ogre wanders back to the bedroom to sleep until the next baby begins to stir - and then the process starts over and the babies are switched out and put back to bed. In a given night, Andy sleeps (6) 45 minute intervals, while poor mom sits on the couch hooked up to a pump or a baby, accruing a whopping 4 hours of sleep between 9pm and 7 am. twins are amazing, but very very difficult.

Meanwhile, the boys have made a new friend. As a matter of fact, other than each other, he is clearly their "best friend". They could spend hours staring, smiling, and kicking their little legs with him. His name is Frank, and we have come to LOVE Frank, and Frank doesnt judge them for farting.

The boys staring at Frank



A few smiles for their new friend



And here he is......


Yes, it is Frank the fan. Who would have guessed that a ceiling fan could provide so much enjoyment. Frank babysits during showers, lunch time, mental breakdowns even weekends. Even though we could realistically get away with a $59 fan entertaining our children for 4 hours, we have yet to take full advantage. In our biased opinion, they are smart boys, but even we take a step back and wonder if any of the lights are on in those little (giant) heads - because they could really stare at that damn fan for hours.

When we were able to pry the boys away from Frank they enjoyed watching some TV with Uncle David - the boys are too young to evaluate the quality of programing provided by xena warrior princess - but it was a cute photo - how is that show still on?
Ethan gave Andy's sunglasses a try and practiced his tummy time skills, he finds all this hilarious

While Ethan was having fun and fooling around, Shawn turned to Jesus and asked for a smaller head.
And one last picture of the boys together, I couldn't resist, they are just too cute.

8 weeks already

The misfortune of inheriting the Hesse head - in four parts:
head, getting, heavy...
oh s%&@ - i cant hold it up any longer!
no matter how bottom heavy shawn gets, he may always bear the burden of a ginormous head.


What are you looking at?





it is official, we have proven that 2 hours of sleep each night over 5 weeks severely deteriorates your health, patience, social skills and will to live. We have gotten to the point where we have both agreed that anything muttered or shouted between the hours of 2am - 4am is forgotten by 6am - its the only way we can make it through the first 6 months... please tell me they start to sleep longer than 2 hours at some point before 6 months.

The boys in their "Chick Magnet" shirts - yes Grandma Phyl, thats a "chick" not a duck. "Duck-Magnet" does not make sense, even in bizarro world...

meanwhile, while mom and dad aren't sleeping, the boys have been storing up fat in preparation for winter, as you will notice, we did not swap out kids, thats just ethan in his fat suit. the boy has doubled in weight in just 8 weeks. perhaps this is normal, but we were just getting used to describing our twins as the short, chubby one (shawn) and the long lean one. it was easy - now we have two little goombas that breathe like tony soprano scarfing a plate of ziti (its a chubby joke - they are so fat that they have become mouth breathers - its quite funny.)


Shawn is now 22 inches long and a mini-sumo-sized 10lbs 10 oz.

Ethan is now 23 1/4 inches long and a whopping 10lbs 14oz.


As the twins get bigger and older, they use their magic powers of cute on Mom during the day. they both want to eat at the same time, patience from either of them is non-existent, and their lungs are very, very strong. we find about 14 minutes a day without crying, and Mom is actually keeping up with both appetites with breast-feeding. Kristi will be pushed to the breaking point daily with the constant feedings, poopings, and screaming contests from the boys.

While we are all tired and a wee bit stressed, there have also been some great highlights this week. First, the boys are officially out of Newborn diapers. This was very traumatic for Kristi as it was the last shred of tiny Newborn babydom that she had to hold on to. They are growing so fast.....here is a comparison pic from earlier in the blog (3 weeks and again at 8 weeks). What a difference 5 weeks make.



The good news is that as they get older, they are starting to look at you and actually see you, at the end of this week we saw a smile from each of the boys. And it was not because of a fart, it was because they were smiling and interacting with us. It makes all the sleepless nights a little less painful to see those two smiling back at you!!