SacMomsClub.com

What a beautiful morning for our first Cycling with your Kid(s) monthly event sponsored by SacMomsClub.com and Mad Cat Bicycles.  Before our ride we made sure everyone had their bike trailers attached appropriately, gear packed, and kids loaded.  Our group of moms, pulling 3 trailers started our ride at the Guy West Bridge.  From there we rode at a leisurely pace up river along the American River bike trail to the Watt Avenue access.  Here we crossed the Watt Avenue Bridge, and then rode the bike trail down river back to Guy West Bridge, logging just over 5 miles.  We enjoyed the scenery along the trail.  The leaves on the trees were a vibrant green.  Both sides of the bike trail was high with tall lush green grass.  We could see and hear the American River as we rode along socializing.  Most of the kids fell asleep to the gentle forward motion of their trailers.  We stopped a couples times to check the kids, take pictures, and visit the restroom.  Everyone had a great time!  We hope you will join us next month!  Watch the SacMomsClub.com event calendar for the date of our next Cycling with your Kid(s) event coming in April.  

Last Sunday while playing with my twins on the floor, an interview on TV caught my attention.  The question was "What have you done for your relationship today?"  One man's response was "I hold my wife's purse for her."  The funny thing about his comment was that he was not only holding her purse, he was also holding their child.  His wife did not have anything in her arms. 

I believe this is a question that each partner should ask themselves daily.  A relationship takes teamwork.  Just taking a moment to answer this question each day, can make a positive difference in your relationship. 

Today I made my husband's lunch and a smoothie for his breakfast, while he got ready for work. 

My husband woke up at 3 AM this morning to help me with the twins.  He held one twin, comforting him,  while I changed the diaper on our other twin.

What have you done for your relationship today? 

Brodie was naked and ready to take his evening bath.  Then I remembered I wanted to take pictures.  So I carried him into the family room to look for the camera.  That is when I felt the warm wet sensation on my stomach, down both legs, and onto my feet as the pee splattered on the floor.  That's when I panicked.  All I remember is Brodie staring at me with a calm serene look on his face, as I stepped quickly into the kitchen.  He kept right on peeing.  When he finally stopped, there was pee everywhere.  All over me and all over the floor.  I needed some adult help, but the only other person in the house was Lucas, playing in his exersaucer.
Some how I managed to clean the bottom of my feet off with a paper towel, walk down the hall to the bedroom, take off my wet pants and top, all with one arm, while holding Brodie in the other. 
I did finally give Brodie his bath while only wearing my bra and underwear. 

After returning from a mountain bike ride last Thursday, I nursed my twins, and then rushed to get ready to leave for a lunch date.  My friend and I had planned lunch with our moms to thank them for watching our kids while we rode our mountain bikes at Granite Bay.   As my mom and I packed up the kid's gear and loaded them into their stroller, I noticed Lucas' face.  It was all red and is eyes were swollen, and beginning to ooze.  I asked my mom what she thought was wrong with his face, and she said he was rubbing it on her shoulder while she burped him,  Without much thought, I quickly wiped the drool off his face and gently wiped his eyes with a baby wipe.  Once we arrived at my friend's mom's house for lunch, I noticed his face wasn't getting any better, and his eyes were still oozing.  But I didn't give it much thought because everyone was having a nice time visiting and playing with the babies.  My friend had her 7 month old baby boy there as well.  So the grandma's and other lunch guests were taking turns holding and playing with the three babies.
Later that evening, once we were home and settled, I took a good look at Lucas.  His face looked like he had a bad case of hives and his eyes were still oozing.  I put eye ointment in his eyes that we had when he had a plugged tear duct , hoping this would help.  The twins were exhausted and went to bed early. By the next morning, his face was almost back to normal.  His eyes were no longer oozing.  I decided not to go into the Urgent Care Clinic.  Instead, I continued using the eye ointment the next day and didn't put anything on his face.  He has very sensitive skin.   I called and asked my mom what she thought went wrong with his face.  I knew rubbing it on her shoulder would not have caused such a reaction. She said she had not put anything on his face while I was bike riding and she had not idea.  Then I realized that the only thing I had done different was wipe his face and eyes several times after our bike ride with a baby wipe.  I had never used a baby wipe on his face before.  I also spoke with a lactation consultant (LC) about his reaction, and she thought it sounded like an allergic reaction to something. I think it was an allergic reaction to the baby wipes.  The LC suggested that if he has a repeat reaction again, to call the Urgent Care and request he be seen ASAP so the doctor can see the reaction while it is happening.  Luckily, he has been fine ever since.  And I am definitely going to avoid using baby wipes on his face again. 

It's 5 o'clock Easter Sunday.  My twins have already had their baths, they are in their PJ's, and have bellies full of milk.  My husband asks, "What is wrong with them?"  My reply, "They have the 5 o'clock fussies."  I further explained that every day at around 5 o'clock they are fussy.  They are tired from their day.  My husband misses out on "all the evening fun" because he isn't home from work until usually after 7 PM.  By that time they are usually already asleep. Now was my chance to thank him again for the evenings he gets home early to help with their bedtime routine.  With his help, everyone is a lot happier!

The twins ate rice cereal mixed with banana again...kind of.  Brodie never actually opened his mouth.  If by chance he tried to put his spoon in his mouth, then I would slip a bite of cereal in before he closed it shut.   Lucas just keeps his mouth half way open at all times.  His technique allows food in and out at will.

Today was the first time I gave the twins the mesh hand held eaters with a banana chunk inside.  Brodie thought it was a toy to swing around.  Lucas chewed on it a few times, then thought the handle was a good thing to suck on.  They both drank some milk out of a regular cup.  So we made a little progress.  That ends this mornings summary of "Another breakfast with the twins!"

Friday March 14th, was my first visit at the free weekly breastfeeding support group meeting hosted at Busy Bees Studio, lead by Lactation Consultant Jaye Simpson. Jaye has a wealth of knowledge to share, and she gave advice in a relaxed, comfortable manner.  I enjoyed listening to the moms ask questions, share their experiences, and suggestions in a variety of areas.  We discussed breastfeeding concerns, problems, and successes.  This included ways to increase breast milk supply, prevent and heal clogged milk ducts, mastitis, and thrush.  We also discussed pumping, weaning from the breast, feeding solids, and the pros and cons of drinking from cups vs sippy cups.  As I listened to the moms, I was reminded of my breastfeeding adventure, which began August 15, 2007 with the birth of my twin boys.  It started out rough, but over time has become a wonderful experience.  I gave birth at Sutter Memorial Hospital.  Even though I requested a breast pump immediately, the nurse did not bring one to me until sometime early the next morning.  I had a c-section, and my twins were in the NICU, so I wanted to start pumping as soon as possible.  Then first nurse I had poured what little colostrum I had pumped down the drain, telling me there wasn't enough to bring to my twins.  This was very disheartening and upsetting.  Thankfully, every nurse I had the rest of my stay in the hospital helped me collect every drop of colostrum, which was then brought down to my premature twins in a syringe until the amount increased.  My milk came in before I was discharged from the hospital.  I dealt with terrible engorgement issues, but luckily with the help of Sutter Lactation Consultants and the support of my husband and family, I stayed motivated to make breast feeding work.  But it took several more weeks for my supply to increase enough to feed both twins only breast milk.  I pumped every two hours, with one 4 hour break at night while my twins were in the NICU.  My first twin latched on the day after being born and was discharged home after 1 1/2 weeks.  Breast feeding came  naturally for him.  While my second twin remained in the NICU, I was breastfeeding one twin and pumping breast milk to bring to the NICU so my second twin could be bottle fed every three hours, 24, 7.  My second twin was a slow feeder.  He was fed by gavage, eventually every other feeding was by bottle, until he finally fed by bottle every time.  We visited the NICU 3-4 times per day to hold him skin to skin, allow the twins to spend time together, and to help with his feedings.  I met with a lactation consultant several times while in the NICU.  She helped us learn how to help my second twin latch properly.  While in the NICU, he did not have very much energy.  Most of the time, he was only awake long enough to finish his mandatory feeding every three hours.  The best time to practice breast feeding was when he was gavage fed.  This way he was able to get all of his milk by tube, yet use his energy to practice latching on.  When my second twin finally came home from the hospital, it took close to three months of continued breast feeding practice until he finally made the transition from bottle to breast.  Practice involved having him latch on every time he was hungry.  And it seemed like forever until he latched on without screaming and throwing a fit.  For 4 months post partum I was breast feeding, pumping, and bottle feeding, while we worked on transitioning from bottle to breast.  By the end of the 4th month, I was exclusively breast feeding both twins.  The 5th month, I took a month break from pumping.  But by the 6th month, I introduced solids, and started pumping again so I could use breast milk to mix with their food.  My twins still prefer breast feeding.  They are now 7 months old and still breast feed just as often as before, approx every 2-3 hours.  They aren't very interested in eating solids.  They like sitting in their high chairs and holding a spoon.  But most of the food that goes in, still comes right back out.  But they do like drinking breast milk from a cup.   I continue to feed them solids each day, so they can practice.  I know eventually they will develop an interest in solids and make the transition from breast to solid food.  I feel so fortunate that breast feeding has become an enjoyable experience for all of us. 

This week I saw three of the oddest sites in my neighborhood.  My twins missed all three, as they were asleep or just paying attention to something else.  I look forward to when the three of us can share what we see together.  I know this time will come soon enough, as they are growing so fast.  They each a lot to say, but it is all baby talk.  They are starting to understand some baby signs.  I hope within the next couple of months they will start to sign back.

First:  While running with my twins, a rather confused woman driving a mini van through the neighborhood was pushing a large pile of branches under her front bumper.  She came to a stop at the intersection, while myself, along with some other onlookers couldn't help but stare, as it was a funny site to watch her continue driving through the intersection, speeding up and slowing down, obviously trying to figure out what the loud noise was coming from the front of her van.  She eventually pulled over, stopped and got out to get check the noise.  At that point, I proceeded on my run through the neighborhood.  Chuckling occasionally, when I realized she had left a trail of the debris pile from her driveway all the way out to the intersection where I first saw her.  Well, I hope the rest of her drive to her final destination was uneventful. 


Second:  While driving with my twins on La Riviera Drive, I was nearing a crosswalk and traffic had to slow way down to allow a wild turkey to cross.  The turkey was using the crosswalk as if he knew that was the safest way to cross the busy street.

Third:  While rolling the garbage and recycle containers out to the side of the street, I just happened to look up and saw two crows.  One following the other.  The crow flying behind was laboring under its load.  It was carrying a large twig in its beak.   The twig must have been over a foot in length.  It finally came to rest atop a power pole. 

I feel like I can take on THE WORLD when my life as a twin mom is going smoothly.  But something snapped in my brain last week, and ever since I feel like I have lost control.  The laundry piles have become art forms.  The kitchen sink and counter tops are over flowing with everything from dishes, newspapers, several days of mail, and who knows what else is buried underneath.  There are dust bunnies hopping around the hard wood floors, in addition to sand, dirt and actual pebbles in the family room from the running stroller.  I feel like my house is caving in on me.  Each day I've been feeling increasing anxiety and less motivation.  I've been using any reason to get out of the house, yet the longer I'm away, the worse it gets.  I'm shutting down, not wanting to talk to or socialize with anyone.  All I have been able to do is take care of my twins and sleep when possible.  Tuesday this week, I called my mom in the late afternoon to talk.  When she asked me how I was doing, I told her I felt like I could no longer handle anything, but just to take care of my twins.  I explained I was overwhelmed and stressed.  She said she was going to drive over right then to help me.  I told her I would be fine, I didn't need her help.  I would see her the next day.  About 30 minutes later, both my parents showed up at my house.  Each took a twin, played with them, and helped me with their baths.  My mom knew I needed help, but I just couldn't ask.  Moms always seem to know best.  I can't help but ask myself, why is it that as a mom I can take care of everyone else, but not take care of myself?  In retrospect, I learned the most important thing I can do is to enjoy my life as a twin mom.  Time is precious.  My twins keep right on growing before my eyes each day.  I have to maintain balance by taking on only what I can handle.  So the next day when my mom came back over, she played with the twins, while I unburied my house.  Now I am refocused and ready to take on MY WORLD:  keeping my family and myself happy and healthy one day at a time.    

I smelled it and knew before I even picked him up a blow out had occurred.  As I carried him to the changing table I could see the oozing, sticky, deep mustard yellow slime seeping through his onesie and pants.  I left my other twin safely playing on the floor in the other room, while I carefully started the removal of the baby hazmat he had created.   A few minutes later my other twin decided he no longer wanted to play by himself and started crying which quickly escalated to screaming.  I had to let him scream.   I continued with the diaper change.  As I removed his pants I realized I wasn't dealing with just a simple dirty diaper.  The poop had made its way around his waist to his belly button, up his back, and all the way up to his shoulder.  Some how I managed to remove his onesie without getting poop on his head.  As I removed the diaper, little curious hands kept trying to check out the status down below.  His kicking feet made the situation even more difficult.  After using way too many wet wipes, and poop now on my hands, the changing table, and still on my twin, I gave up and we headed to the bath.  There's nothing a good bath won't fix.  Needless to say, I did not give my twins their evening baths that night.  I needed a break after all that!

Who knew taking a bath after nursing would result in a Big Spit Up Burp!  Well, it did.  As I turned the corner, preparing to set my twin down on the floor to play, out came a fountain of spit up.  It covered his check, filled his entire right eye, and dribbled down my right shoulder and arm. 
We were back to the bathroom in a flash splashing water from the sink on his face to clear out his eye.  The cold water on his face did not go over too well.  Such is life.  I got his eye flushed, and face cleaned up, then we were back playing on the floor as if nothing had happened.  Mental note to self,  avoid giving a bath after nursing.

My two little grumps!  I can't blame them.  They just got over their first colds, and then their first two teeth appeared.   They are officially teething with a variety of symptoms:  drooling, low grade fever, slight runny nose, ear pain, and fussy.  All they want is to be held, both at the same time.  I continue to put them down for their naps, but they are too grumpy to fall asleep.  They take turns screaming, one then the other, until I can't stand it any longer and pick them up.  Since I can't hold two kids safely for extended periods of time, we've been playing on the floor, a lot.  While they play, I keep the peace by preventing unnecessary kicking, hair pulling, and grabbing.   Twin A practices rolling to his belly and gets stuck, while Twin B practices rolling from his belly to his back.  Honestly,  there are frequent tears of frustration.  One twin is stuck on his belly, the other is tired of lying on his back.  Some how each day flies by, and before we know it's time for bed.  Thankfully, they sleep well at night. 

I am frequently asked, "Is it difficult having twins?"  My response is, "I don't know any different."
In reality, I know being a twin mom is more difficult, but it is also TwinTastic because everything comes in twos!  

Two laughing babies.
Two crying babies.
Two smiling babies.
Two teething babies.
Two sleeping babies.
Two talking babies.
Two rolling babies.
Two crawling babies.
Two hungry babies.
Two breast fed babies.
Two healthy babies.
Two happy babies.
Two brothers, Two playmates.

I do have to mention that two of everything also equates to double the laundry, double the diapers, double the baby gear.  However, the positives always out weigh any negatives.  I love my twins!   I wouldn't want it to be any different.    


 

We finally did it!  We ran around Lake Natoma this morning...logging 12 miles.  I ran pushing my twins in their Double Ironman Bob running stroller, weighing at least 60 lbs with both kids, their gear, and my water and snacks.  They slept the entire time!  It was a beautiful morning, partly cloudy and cool.  By the time we finished, just over 2 hours later, there was a nice breeze and the sun was shining.  I saw butterflies, hummingbirds, a red tailed hawk, and many other birds.   There were lots of friendly people out on the trail including three other moms running pushing their single babies, several riding their bikes pulling kids in trailers, and numerous other cyclists, walkers, and runners.  I have to admit I was quite tired the last 2 miles, but overall  the run was great!   I hope to do it again soon.  Is anyone else interested in joining me?