Magic Sleep Suits, Helmets and Glasses... Oh My!

We have a breakthrough! As of two weeks ago Hallie is finally sleeping through the night! I was reading a post in a multiple moms site I frequent and ran across a picture of a sleep suit that was said to help babies who woke frequently, sleep through the night. I read the reviews and ordered (as fast as I could). Thank goodness for Amazon Prime two day shipping, otherwise known as my best friend, since becoming a mom. It was delivered two weeks ago today and really, truly is magic! We suited her up before her nighttime bottle and she was immediately relaxed and drowsy. We put her down, looking as snug as a bug in a marshmallow snowsuit... and would you believe she woke up the next morning at 9:30am?!?  I could lt believe it either. This was my little girl who rolled around waking herself up all night; making for one tired mommy. Grayson has been my better sleeper and typically wakes once usually between 2-5am. Of course I would prefer to sleep all night, but I need to pump so it works out just fine.

                   Here is little girl in her suit the first morning she woke up. Happy as can be!

Now that I am rested I've been much more active, hitting the gym and walking with the babies on nice days. I feel like a new person with sleep and exercise. I am working my way back towards pre-pregnancy weight and hoping to be (somewhat) bathing suit ready for our Costa Rica trip in less than 30 days. I am excited for QT with Aaron, SLEEPING IN and the adult time, but also anxious to be away from my loves for several nights. I know they will be in great hands with their grandparents, but I know I will miss them like crazy. I feel parenting and life in general, is all about balance, and being away from them is part of having balance, as much as a will miss being with them.

In other news, we are working on physical therapy for H&G to help with the flat heads that have developed overtime. Both babies have it on their right side. Our goal is to correct the issue with a serious of exercises and stretching to avoid wearing helmets. We will meet with ECI therapists three times monthly and also see a cranial specialist to get his or her opinion. Helmets are very expensive and would have to be worn 23 hours per day so we will work hard at home in hopes that we don't need them.

Hallie had her last eye appointment this past week and won't go again until she is a year (YAY!). She won't go again until she is a year (double yay!). The original issue has cleared up with the blood vessels around the retina, but he did see a big difference in the power of prescription between her two eyes. He hopes to see her eyes improve before her year appointment, but of not she will need glasses. The good news is that if glasses are necessary we will have caught this early and can correct the problem overtime. We would prefer no glasses, but if she has to have them she will be the cutest little
four eyes in town!

I can't forget, we broke the rules and went out to eat with the babies and they were perfect. It was a beautiful spring like day and we just couldn't resist enjoying lunch on the patio. Hallelujah! Getting
out of the house as a family has been good for all of us! We look forward to our freedom come spring when flu season is over.

Perfect angels during our first outing. As always, G is snoozing in his car seat and H is wide awake. 

In 8 more days these two will be 6 months old. Half of a year!

First Christmas

I'm not sure why this post is after the 5 month post, but I don't know how to fix that. Anyhoo....

Mr. and Mrs. Clause

And just like that, it's already over! We had a perfect first Christmas with Grayson and Hallie. The weeks before Christmas they were sleeping 5-7 hour stretches and I was starting to feel normal again, but 3 days before Hallie hit a growth spurt so we were back to waking a few times each night. So it was a perfectly, exhausting Christmas. I'm told next year will be even more fun and even more exhausting. I believe it.

We kicked off at the Thomas' annual family get-together. It's one of my favorite days of the year and is always made to be so special. This year times two! We shared our most impactful moments of the year, which was accompanied by lots of tears. In a year full of blessings beyond imagination, there were some scary moments in between. While I was on bed rest and in and out of the hospital, Andrea was treating Melonoma. She had several spots removed and tested. Thankfully, after surgery, none of the cancer had spread to lymphnodes or other areas. Praise God! Her doctor said the type of cancerous moles they found were extremely dangerous due to the fact that they often went undetected until it was too late. Again, Praise God she found these early while they were still treatable. Shortly after, Grayson and Hallie were born way too early, but by the grace of God, healthy and strong. We have so much to be thankful for as a family and are especially excited for Miss Olivia's arrival in June! Yes, Andrea and Josh are having a baby girl! After reflecting on a great year Grandpa asked Ryan to read the story of Jesus birth. Aaron said this was symbolic of him passing the torch and was a bit emotional for him as it was the first year Grandpa didn't read the story himself. We sang carols while Ryan played guitar and then played Dirta Santa with an especially sad bunch of gifts this year. As usual, Grandma went all out for the kids and the adults, swearing, like she does every year, it's the last time for the adults. Love her.

Mom, Mike and I went to Christmas Eve service early. As always, it is the perfect way to start of Christmas Eve, reminding us what we are truly celebrating. We missed Aaron, but he was home on daddy duty.  I CANNOT wait for G&H to climb up on stage next year while Miss Janeene reads the Christmas story. It's already cuteness overload, but with my two littles I just might die.

After church, we left the babies with Mom and headed to the Clarks for dinner and gifts. It was great seeing the family, especially, Rob, Megan and Cade in town from Oregon. Never a dull moment and always lots of laughs. Johnny won the traditional game of CLR. We all act like the pot is like hitting the lotto, but in actuality it's about $40 give or take. Winning is fun either way. I just never seem to.

At home we watched Elf and exchanged gifts with Mom and Mike. Mom always makes everything so special, right down to our stockings. We hit the hay early and went to brunch at the in-laws. I'd venture to say, no one has a better breakfast than Karlos prepares. She goes all out and we eat like its out last meal. For dinner, Mom fixed a yummy tenderloin. Needless to say, we were completely wiped out after the festivities, but each part was so special to us as we celebrated our first Christmas with our blessings.

Next year we are going to have to little stinkers running around the Christmas tree and will see Christmas through new eyes, and as always, I can't wait.

My little Christmas sweeties. 

5 Months Old!

As expected time is flying by, and with each new facial expression and babble we fall more in love.  As their individual personalities emerge we notice how they are similar and even more, how they differ. In the last month we had our first night away for NYE. It was easier than I thought it would be and we enjoyed our time away with each other and friends. The little people started sleeping in their own rooms as of January 2nd. It is so nice to have a bedtime routine for them and to have our room back! Both babies are nearly 10 pounds over their birth weights!

Here are what Grayson and Hallie are up to this month.

GRAYSON
14lbs (just under at their last checkup so we assume 14 plus!)
24 inches long
Eyes have stayed a beautiful bright blue and his hair is dirty blonde and thickening up.
Smiling all the time and starting to laugh at faces.
Cooing and babbling constantly and even squeals.
Sleeping in his own bed from 9am - 5am, that is, when I don't wake him to keep he and Hallie on the same schedule.
Eatting up to 8 ounces at once... Big boy!
Reaching for toys but not yet grabbing, almost!
Holding objects if placed in his grip.
Laughing and responding to Mickey Mouse Playhouse.
Loves to listen to music with mommy.
Happy (or sound asleep) in the car seat.
Cries (really) hard when he wants food or attention (this makes daddy and mommy laugh).
Smiles, laughs and talks at his sister.
G has discovered his tongue and we see it often when he smiles.
Sits up in the Bumbo chair for a few minutes at a time and holds his head up like a big boy!
Naps well after a walk in the stroller... This is our new routine on nice days so I can have a few minutes to clean, rest or pump.

HALLIE
12lbs (11.4 at last check up so assume she is up to 12)
Inches
Eyes are getting a little darker and may be changing to a hazel or brown.
Smiling all the time, but not quite laughing.
Cooing and babbling (softer and quieter than brother).
Sleeping in her own crib from 9-2 or 3. She has gone longer a few times, but we can usually count on a 2am wake up call.
Eats up to 6 ounces at once. Trying to catch up with brother!
Loves looking at her hands and folding them together. It's so sweet.
Can hold objects if placed in her grip.
Has a soft cry unless she's really tired or hungry.
Laughing and responding to Mickey Mouse Playhouse.
Smiles, talks and laughs at her brother.
Sits in a Bumbo chair for a few minutes and holds her head up.
Naps well after a walk in the stroller... and not well, otherwise. Little stinker.