Baby Updates!

There have been a lot of things going on lately! 

#1) helmet appt-

The orthotist was very nice, but as soon as she sat down she said ooh twins! You will really be able to tell them apart with a helmet! I said not so fast we don't know 100% that she even needs one! :) Ella was awesome! Only fussed a tiny bit because she wanted to play. So we let her play on her belly on the table. She measured her head and facial structure. She said her face is perfect. If it were asymmetrical, a helmet would be recommended. She also measured her head and said it was a 7mm difference diagonally. We went back and forth. She said she wouldn't need to be in it for very long. I asked how long would that be and she responded 6 months. Unmmm... That's a very very long time to me!!! We discussed our options. She said her main concern was her torticollis and not the head shape, so we decided a big fat NO! Hallelujah! 

Also, we have been "testing" Ella's hearings with Bells and whistles, etc. She responds to them all. There isn't much they can honestly do for her at this age and it would be easier to test her later in life. If it's high pitched we won't be able to do anything right now anyways. So- we cancelled that appointment. She can hear. I can mouth something to her face, nothing. But the second I open my mouth with a voice- she giggles and squeals and reaches for Me! 

The girls have a new baby cousin! Avery Morgan! 

She was born in a snow storm, of course. Luckily, my work closed early and we could go visit! The girls aren't quite interested just yet, but it will be so fun to watch them play with her later. I think they will understand it a little more once lylah gets here!!! :) 

Nicknames

So I've seen some girls on IG post their nicknames for their little ones. 

My husband and I were just talking about this. When we were picking out names (boy and girl) we wanted names that were hard to shorten. Andrew was constantly called Andy and hated it. The first time we were pregnant and I was convinced it was a boy- we loved Graham. Until my Mamaw said ohhh my little graham cracker. Nevermind now.

So when we decided on Ella and Bria (knowing I would call Ella, Ellie sometimes) we thought there's no way they could have any nicknames (good or bad) . Wrong. 

Ella Faith- we call her: 

Ellie Faith (momma) 

Ellie Bellie (momma) 

Ella Bella (nanny and pappy)

Ella Isabella (nanny and pappy- they wanted an Isabella)

Ella Girl (momma)

Smelly Ellie (Daddy and Aunt Neena) 

El (nanny/pappy/momma and daddy) 

E (momma and daddy) 

Bria Cole: 

Bria Girl (momma) 

Bria Baby (momma) 

Bri Baby (momma) 

Bri Bri (aunt Neena) 

Bri (momma,daddy, nanny, pappy, Aunt Neena) 

B (momma, daddy) 

Her nickname used to be crazy & drama queen but she's lightened up since. 

How short are Ella and Bria and we have to say El and B?! 

Besides Smelly Ellie- I love them all. Bri doesn't rhyme with much so she gets off easier! 

Why Things Run Smoothly With Twins.... Kinda

There are rare occasions when I count down the hours until 830pm. Actually it was only one occasion- yesterday - when the worst teething speed happened and made a super cranky baby upset and her sister who doesn't nap, a little cranky too. 

There's a reason why there's only been one occasion where I have looked forward to bedtime. 

It's this guy. 

The girls call him daddy. I call him my best friend & husband. 

Things run pretty smoothly when he's here. 

I never have to wash bottles. 

I never have to make bottles. 

* Now that we only have to make 12 bottles for the whole day-we can make them all at bedtime. They are good for 24 hours and it works so much easier that way. So, while I do my evening pump- he slaves at the sink! 

I never have to take out the trash. 

* This isn't always true. I often pull out another trash bag if the trash seems to be overflowing. If I absolutely HAVE to, ill remove the trash bag and replace it and put it out on the back porch. Only when things are looking bleak. I never walk it to the curb. 

I never have to put pellets in the pellet stove. 

* Granted, the bags weighs 50lbs and I probably make more of a mess than help. Still- I never have to do it. 

I rarely clean the litter box or do laundry. 

* both of these chores were a big no no when I was pregnant. The cat litter was exclusively a no. And my big ol belly wouldn't let me reach to the bottom of the washer. We are never even close to being caught up on laundry. Nonetheless, I basically only have to do the girls laundry. Which face it- is the main priority around here. As long as I have underwear and sweats of any kind. I don't need anything else! ;) 

He is an amazing daddy. 

* seriously. If I get frustrated- he takes whichever baby ( usually E) and puts her to sleep or listens to her scream for a minute. He loves them. They love him. The way get light up when they see him- makes me melt. He makes them laugh, plays with them, changes them, still hasn't got the bow thing down, but that will come. 

I picked an amazing man to marry and be my best friend and he turned out to be one awesome daddy to these two miracles. 

One of my favorite besides the other black and white one on the couch! My heart! 

Operation Crib Takeover!

Bria fell asleep last night drinking her nighttime bottle. I looked at my husband and he said he didn't care. Swing or crib. I'm the type that hates to make decisions and totally needed validation. So we but the dust and put her in her crib. 

We had been practicing her naps in her crib which never lasted more than 40 minutes. Ella is a great napper on the other hand. 

I fully expected Bria to be up as we were crawling into bed at 930! Nope! 

No peep until 330am! Which they were both moving and that's about the time a Ella gets up and can't put herself back to sleep. I was trying to deal with a crying Ella and Bria was having play time in her crib so I put her In the swing to deal with Ella. 

Score! I feel pretty good about that. Now of I can just get them both to sleep through the night. Ella must be going through the 4 month sleep regression since they are just now 5 months but 4 months adjusted. 

On another insanely positive note- Bria is trying out new sounds. The first few times I heard it- it was when she cried only. Last night- she Was playing on the floor saying "mamamamama". I died! Bat sound ever. She would say it a couple times then get so excited with herself she would die laughing outloud and kick her legs like crazy and flail her arms! Seriously couldn't be cuter! 

Weigh In Day!

Thankfully not for this momma. She's having an awful hard time giving up bread and cookies, so it's not looking good! 

For Bria! 

She has never gained a solid 2 pounds per month. Almost always gaining only a measly pound. They were always getting one scoop of neosure with their breastmilk but Ella was gaining weight just fine. At 4 months, we switched Ella to regular 2 oz formula (20 cal) mixed with 3 ounces of breastmilk and Bria had to stay on Neosure, which is normally 22-cal. However, now we have to increase it to 24 cal. They believe she wasn't getting the most hearty part of my breastmilk since I was splitting it between both of them. I make about 37-42 ounces a day (44 yesterday!!!) But they eat at least 60 ounces a day combined. :/ 

So we have to strategically make 24 calories. It's 3 scoops per 5 ounces. So we split it between bottles since we make them all at once. It's super annoying but at this point we have it down to a science. And all of Bria's bottles are the white lid/white bottle Tommie tippies and Ella's bottles are abnormal. Haha! Either short, pink or pink lid! Best way to do it! 

We went into the doctor praying she was at least 1.5 pounds more! She was previously 11.15. 

2 days ago- she was 13.13!!!! 

Almost up two pound! So this is the recipe for success for  little miss B! We do this for another month if she gains again we can try to decrease back down to regular 22 cal neosure. 

We had E weighed for the heck of it and she gained 2 pounds exactly! From 13.2 to 15.2! She always gained a little over previously!! So the regular 29 seems to be doing just fine! 

We are super proud of our little ladies!! 

Bri is pretty much a big girl! Sitting up! *sigh* 

We tried rice cereal on a spoon last night and E loved it! B was too sleepy! 

Love Ella's smile! 

My girls are perfect..

I have /had myself so worried about the next two weeks. I'm honestly more worried to have to out Ella through so much testing. I've read a lot about the helmet and I'm praying it's not that bad. 

The more I watch - I 100% feel Ella has great hearing. She has responded to everything. All noises, small coughs, rings, dings, Bells, music,etc. If she doesn't respond right away she is super focusing and Bria usually doesn't hear  it first off either. I'm not thel east bit concerned. I truly want to cancel the appointment but Andrew does have hearing loss so this is a legitimate concern. 

For her helmet. I've been studying and observing her head. It would depend on the degree and I'm truly hoping she doesn't need it, but my guy tells me otherwise. I've researched a little bit and  am hoping we don't have to go full on helmet and can do the DOC bands. We shall see. 

A comment was made to me though that has bugged me. I was told that I didn't have to take any photos or post any pictures of my baby girl in her helmet. Just take pictures during the one hour it can be off.. I replied why. She didn't have an answer. 

This helmet will be part of her life and part of her journey. I'm not embarrassed going through this. It's not my fault. She's a twin, it's common with multiples and her sister was 2 lbs larger than her. She had no room. I had 11.5 lbs of babies in there. Even out side of the womb. We made her lay on her left side. She changed positions at night, she's too strong to stay on her left and immediately rolls to her right. We positioned toys on her left, the TV, her sister. She still preferred her right. As soon as I noticed something we had her enrolled in birth to 3. She's in PT. We are doing all we can. 

Regardless, my girls are perfect. They were made my God for Andrew and myself and they are teaching me skills I never knew I had. They have also taught me the craziest love I will ever know. Everyone said its a different kind of love and it is. I am insanely blessed no matter what and feel blessed that I have not one, but two babies to worry about! 

If it's not one thing... It's another

I am going to have gray hair by the time I'm 27.. Which is a few months away. 

So we ready have Little miss Ella in birth to 3. Her PT comes twice a month and Dev specialist comes once a month. 

PT came and it was a good session! We discussed how she has improved, her strength. What exercises to do, etc. We talked about her head shape. She said going to see an orthotist wouldn't be a bad idea. She may or may not need a helmet. I'm seriously at odds with this. Is it worth it for just a tiny but if correction to out my precious baby girl through that? 

 I posted the question on my multiples twin group and got a heck of a lot of backlash. Instead of flipping out on them, I left that dumb group and moved on. Lucky for them, because I had a lot of choice words I wanted to say. 

We have that appointment jan 28th. 

Our developmental specialist came yesterday. I had no hesitations about his appointment whatsoever. She's far above and beyond Bria so I wasn't concerned. Until she decided to shake a high pitched rattle next to her ear. She didn't move. 

My husband has hearing loss. We have prayed, or I have at least since Day 1- not to pass on his hearing difficulties with any of our girls. And now this. Now- we ae getting both E and B tested jan 31st. Screw the helmet I'm may more nervous about this one. 

I have never noticed her not listening or responding. So this certainly comes as a shock. I have no words and am still feeling anxiety from it. 

I need to let God handle my worry, which I can easily do when I'm with the girls. When I'm away from them, like now, it consumes me. 

We need lots and lots of prayers. I'm hoping the hearing is due to wax build up and nothing else. I just feel so bad for Ella...

They are too perfect for anything to be wrong!