The girls also visited the doctor this week. They're both over 8 pounds and are well on their way to catching up with full-term babies born at the same time. They each got a shot too. Nothing too interesting to report. But on the flip-side, feeding has gone downhill in the last few days. I have been using a nip-shield to help the girls eat since their mouths are so tiny. But they were starting to suck too hard and cause problems, so I am trying to wean them off of the shield. I think I gave birth to piranhas. All 3 of my kiddos have not been natural breastfeeders... they don't open their mouths very wide and have painful latches. Needless to say, my left side is out of commission, so I'm alternating the girls between breastfeeding on the right and giving a bottle. Once I get the girls on either side of me on the couch, I position one to my left with her head propped up and burp cloth tucked under her chin. I get the other girl latched on to my right side, then use my left hand to bottle feed the other. The trickiest part is burping them throughout the feeding (usually one of them has to wait to keep eating while her sister is getting burped). And then when I'm done feeding them (which takes 30-45 minutes [they are slow eaters too]), I burp them again then they take turns getting their diapers changed, being put in bouncy seats, and eventually put back to sleep. And then somewhere in there I have to pump some milk for the next feeding from the left side, which takes another 20 minutes or so. I haven't quite figured out yet how I'm going to do all that and keep Christian occupied at the same time.
Christian had a busy week. He played at some friend's one day, stayed with Simon one day, went to MOPS without me one day, and was watched by Lauren one day. And after each of those things, he came home and would sleep for 3.5-4 hours. NICE! What a perfect time for him to start taking such long naps, but to me they seem to fly by, kept busy by the above feeding routine and a quick nap, and then another feeding before he wakes up.
And then Simon gets home and helps lighten the load. How do single moms do it? A husband walking through the door is a stay-at-home mom's favorite sight. Simon is also still helping me feed the girls for the middle of the night feeding. He's a life saver.
Just to backtrack a little, we went to my parents for Easter and had a super weekend. Simon and I got to go out twice without any kids: lovely! We got a double stroller that will hopefully soon be put to use now that it is getting nice out. Christian also had his first egg hunt and loved eating the Yogos inside (a decent alternative to jelly beans right?).
Getting ice cream: isn't this the creepiest ice cream man you've ever seen?
We thought it was so cute that he was laying on his belly coloring!
Love my kids!
Every once in a while we let him sit here... so far nothing has happened...
A few weeks back when Luke got to meet the girls:
I have to go feed my babies now. TTFN.
4 comments:
Rach - Thank you so much for your encouragement! You are a trooper. Seriously you are super mom! I don't know how you do it! Yes I do - it's Jesus and a supportive husband! :) I have a couple Medela cooling gel breast pads that I haven't used if you would like them! If you hang in there, I will hang in there :) Love you friend!
Not sure if I'm any help cause I never had issues with breast or nipple infections... but I will say that it took a good 8 weeks before nursing stopped being painful. I am almost certain that if you can make it that long, it will get easier. The girls will be able to stay latched on easily and you won't have to burp in the middle of feedings. I was able to get the hang of tandem feeding at that point.
Precious pictures! I am going to miss you all this summer!!
Oh Rach- they're getting so big! All three of them. Christian on a toilet is the cutest thing ever- he looks so pleased with himself. Hope the feedings get easier- and quickly. You're such a great momma! Can't wait to visit again, sometime. Love you.
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