Wyatt & Grayson: 5 Months Old & a Giveaway with Little Standout

The boys are changing so much!!!! They are both super close to rolling over. We've found both of them on their sides in the rock n plays. Hence project transition to cribs started last Friday. Last nite (Friday) was the first time they slept through from 11-6:30 without me having to get up and put a binky in mulitiple times. The daily schedule usually looks approx like this: 

Bottles at 6:30a 

Nap 7a-8:30a

9:30a 

Nap 10:30a-12p 

Bottle 12:30 

Nap 2p-4p 

Bottle 7p 

Bed  

Dream feed around 10pm.

At their appointment Wyatt (L) weighed 14.11 lbs and is 25.5 in. Grayson (R) is 14.3 lbs & 25 in. Their heads grew quite a bit making the growth curve a little wonky. The doctor said she wasn't super concerned bc their heads had been very small since birth (normal for twins) so she thinks they are just catching up with their bodies. She also pointed out that Grayson has a Simian Crease, which I had NEVER heard of? Have you? Any thoughts? If you Google, it seems a little scary being linked to some chromosomal abnormalities. The doctor didn't mention anything we should worry about but I've even read it can be linked to autism. Or it could mean absolutely nothing. Trying not to worry and love on these perfect beauties every minute I can!

They are both grasping like crazy and are putting everything in their mouths.I've been obsessed with these Little Standout teethers since I saw them on my friend Planning For Paris Erin's blog!! Not only are the stinking adorable but they are also non-toxic, made of 100% silicone and are free of BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Lead, Cadmium, Metals and all that other yucky stuff you don’t want to see your baby putting into their mouths. I reached out to Little Standout & she sent the twins each a  teether and offered to gift a reader the teether of their choice. Head to my instagram, follow me & leave a comment!! I'll announce the winner Tuesday nite!!!

These chunky monkeys are still getting 3 bottles of breast milk and 3 bottles of formula/day. We switched from regular Enfamil to the Sam's Club generic version and they tolerated it perfectly. Holy savings Batman, its HALF the price! It's funny bc with Mia I NEVER would have even thought about buying generic formula. With Wesley I tried to buy fancy organic formula, but it made him fussy. Baby 3 & 4???? A DIFFERENT STORY FOR SURE!!!

The joy & smiles these two bring to our family is off the charts. The open mouth, gummy baby smiles are golden rays of sunshine that can brighten any day. How, how, how did we get SO LUCKY???

Changes

Dear Mia,
I signed you up for pre-scool this week. It was scary, exciting, sad & happy all in the same breath. This describes most days being your mama.  When you were 18 months old you wanted me to sing You are my Sunshine, every nite as we put you to bed. Now you say, don't sing mama.  That's ok because no matter how you change & grow you'll always be my sunshine.

Love you tons.
Mama

A Big Girl Bed & a 1st Haircut

We've had some big milestones this week & I've been so busy at work/tired from vacation I've slacked on sharing them:( While we were in Vegas my parents decided they wanted to buy Mia a big girl bed. I was super hesitant at the idea since bedtime has been a nightmare recently. I thought for sure she would NEVER go to bed. The whole time we were in Vegas, I didn't text my parents at all. I honestly didn't want to know if she wasn't sleeping or if he was crying all the time. I figured they would call if there was an emergency!  To my surprise my mom said Mia was perfect. She slept in her new big girl bed perfectly every nite. Sooooo, Damon decided to convert her crib at home into a toddler bed. As you can see she's in heaven. She loves it & has slept perfectly every nap & night since. No hour long battle, screaming & whining. The 1st nite I said," Ok Mia, it's time for bed," she crawled in, covered herself up & said, "ok you guys can leave now, just turn out my light." Both our jaws dropped!

Next up, Wesley Crush got his 1st haircut. Damon's always been in charge of the haircuts at our house. Both kids were Shaggy so off w Daddy they went. I was at the gym and Damon sent me a pic of Wes screaming & crying big crocodile tears. It was all I could do not to get in my car & drive to the hair place. poor guy:( It turned out perfect. It doesn't even look like he got it cut, but its actually WAY shorter all the way around. So handsome.

Finally, a big dose of sibling love.!! When they were in the tub she said, "Mom, guess what? I think we're going to be friends forever!!" 

Mia Isabelle: 30 Month Update

Last week we went for Mia's 2.5 year check up. I didn't even know this existed until I called the pediatricians office to beg them for a flu shot this week & they told me we needed to come in. You bounced between excitement & nervousness. It went from,  Let's go see the fish tank to I don't want to get a shot. That seems to be a classic representation of your mind set right now. You 'll ask for a glass of milk, we hand it to & BAM, shrieking, thrashing, I don't want milk. I can physically see you trying to control & manipulate situations.

You are 35 inches & 24 lbs, in other words suuuuper skinny!!! You are starting to wear some 3t, size 6-7 shoes.As much as you like to do things independently getting dressed isn't one of those.  You don't have much interest in picking out or putting on your clothes, unless its pjs at night.  I've been teaching you Right from Left by Saying, Rightie, Leftie, get into your home, when we put on pants. You can almost count to 20 perfectly. Usually around 16 there might be a mistake. You know our address by heart.

For the most part you are well behaved & extremely polite, great with thank yous. It has been amazing watching you become a big sister. Even after 7 months you're still obsessed with Wesley, constantly squeezing and chatting with him. It cracks me up when you say, "my little chunky Wesley, you're so cute & chunky." HAHA You've had 3 hair cuts, daddy has taken you every time.

There isn't much to say about your vocabulary, since you can basically converse like an adult & repeat any word we may try & teach you. You still sleep through the night amazingly well, although this past month getting you into bed has looked like a bad episode of Super Nanny. Screaming, thrashing, hitting your hid against the back of the crib.  Thank goodness you are still in your crib or you may never have gone down on those nites. With any difficult situation my inner voice always tells me , this too shall pass. Just like all the rest of your challenging behaviors (like crying 8 hours a day as an infant) the nite time battles seem to be waning

You love Dora, Diego & Daniel the Tiger.  You know how to use the ipad, better then I do & bring up Netflix like a pro.  You have several different apps that you play, Endless Alphabet is one of our favs.  Your most favorite thing in the world has to be playing outside.  You love splashing in the puddles, rock collecting & racing around the playground making friends. If you see a new friend you'll say, Mom, ask her name. I try to encourage you to ask.  It amazes me how you thrive in every new situation and remember details months later.   

Potty training is not happening & I know its my fault. I need to spend three days putting you on the potty every 30 minutes but I'm too lazy.  I keep hoping I'll wake up one morning & you'll be all about the potty but so far you r content with pull ups. #momfail  I have no idea how much I should be pushing you, the pediatrician doesn't seem concerned so I'm really not either.

You're super affectionate lately, especially with me. I get like 20 unsolicited I love you mamas (melt) every day. You've been waking up between 630-700, & getting into bed w me. You'll say, Let's snuggle in this cute raspy voice. I don't ever want to forget.

We love you so much Mia. You are the storm cloud & the sunshine in my every day.

Mickey & Minnie Birthday

My awesome husband gets the credit for these big beautiful birthday smiles. He splurged on the 4 foot Mickey & Minnie balloons & they were the hit of the party.   Relief for this sleep deprived mama who was not up for crafting:( I was up for eating some Mrs. Goodman's & helping my girl open all her beautiful gifts, though:)

Our family from New York & Dayton plus my mom & dad & tons of friends came to celebrate our lovely girl turning TWO!!!!!!   It was a magical day filled with oreos, gifts & love. Happy Birthday my sweet love. You are AMAZING.

24 Month Milestones Here

1st Birthday Funtimes Here

So Lucky

I wanted you more

than you ever will know

so I sent love to follow

wherever you go.

It's high as you wish it. It's quick as an elf.

You'll never outgrow it...it stretches itself!

So climb any mountain...

climb up to the sky!

My love will find you.

My love can fly!

Make a big splash!  Go out on a limb!

My love will find you.  My love can swim!

It never gets lost, never fades, never ends...

if you're working...

or playing...

or sitting with friends.

You can dance 'til you're dizzy...

paint 'til you're blue...

There's no place, not one, 

that my love can't find you.

And if someday you're lonely, 

or someday you're sad, 

or you strike out at baseball, 

or think you've been bad...

just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.

That's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass...in the smell of the sea...

in the clouds floating by...at the top of a tree...

in the sound crickets make at the end of the day...

"You are loved.  You are loved.  You are loved," they all say.

My love is so high, and so wide and 

so deep, it's always right there, even 

when you're asleep.

So hold your head high

and don't be afraid

to march to the front

of your own parade.

If you're still my small babe

or you're all the way grown,

my promise to you

is you're never alone.  

Photos: Ashley West Photography

Quotes: Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman

24 Months

This will be the last post that I refer to your age in months. You are now my BIG 2 year old. At your two year well check up you weighed 22lbs & measured 33 in. tall. You grew 2.5 in 6 months, jumping into the 50% for height & weight. You were in the 10th%!!!! Your still fit a  few 18 month things, mostly jammies, but primarily you wear2t. 

 You can tell people your're 2 & just this week you learned to spell you name!!! We are also working on spelling mom & Dad.  Daddy thought it would be cool to let you pick out the theme for your birthday party. So yesterday we took you too Party Outlet & you picked a ton of Mickey-Minnie decorations. 

My most favorite thing to hear you say is, "Mama, brother smile at me!!" Omg, it melts my heart into a mush puddle. Another sweet moment is a new bedtime ritual you created w Daddy. You give him FOUR kinds of good nite kisses, saying out loud before each kiss, Eskimo, Butterfly, Mooches, Scratchy face. I don't ever want to forget the sweet sweet innocence that you bring to each day.

Your most FAVORITE things to eat right now are bagel thins w cream cheese & apples w the skin peeled. You love having mini marshmallows for a treat. You have done an amazing job becoming a big sister. You adore Wesley & give him 100 smothering hugs & kisses everyday. We're dying for the weather to get nice. Not gna lie, I've been feeling guilty since brothers arrival at the amount of TV you've been watching. You love Super Why, Go Diego Go & Mickey's Clubhouse.

You are definitely going to be labeled as our willful, high drama child. Anything we tell you to do, immediately garners an opposite reaction. Lately you have been waking from our naps inconsolably screaming/crying. It takes a long time to settle you down. When your at Nana's she says you cry for mama, but when I am here you still wake up in a horrible state. 

Hearing you say, "chase me mom" & dissolving into giggles when I catch you makes me smile. Seeing your tender heart when brother cries & you say "pick him up mom!"  You make everyday an adventure Mia Isabelle!!