Sleeping Babes

After two months of an erratic schedule with no rest for the weary-worn Mama, I decided to get the babies on a sleeping schedule.  For the past week, Gilana had gotten into the habit of waking up about 6:30am, and also had late night episodes of crying.  After some research, I concluded that the night-times wakings were due to growth spurts and began giving her a whole banana daily for potassium.  The morning mayhem was treated in much the same fashion as we had previously taught her to sleep in her own room... patience and persistence.  After 5 minutes of crying, I checked on her and left the room.  After ten minutes the same and then 15 minutes after that.  She would eventually fall asleep and then at 8am, without a tear to beckon me in, I arrived in the nursery with Camelia in tow to be nursed.

Breakfast and a (nearly) structured playtime ensued, followed by outdoor activies and a noon lunch.  Naptime was set for 12:30 or 1pm and Gilana was encourage to sleep as long as possible.  Camelia was also settled down for a nap on her belly at this time.  She loves to sleep on her belly, and since the doctor's are all in cohorts to denounce it's appropriateness, I conclude that if she sleeps that way while I can check on her periodically, then all is well.

Afternoons consist of more playtime, dinner prep, occasional afternoon walks, and dinner at 6 or 6:30 depending on Daddy's arrival.  Gilana' bedtime routine begins about 7:30 with her sleeping at 8pm. 

We have only been on this routine for several days, but all is well thus far.  My hopes are that it does not all fall apart tomorrow! 

Appreciating some R&R,
The Mom

Who says motherhood is a thankless job?

This morning presented itself in just the same fashion as nearly every other morning.  The babes awoke, hungry for food and attention.  Of course a diaper change was also in order.  Gilana told me so by pointing to the changing station and reciting "die-da," commonly referred to as a diaper.  I proceeded to lift her up to the pad where she selected a diaper and waited... patiently (!!!) to be changed.  Upon completion of this project my little one gave me a gracious "tank two" for my services. 

Of course, thanks or not, the goodness of the Lord is most obvious in the sweet (and at times difficult) duties of motherhood.  I love my beautiful little blessings!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Dr's Appt

Our girls both had checkups with their doctor yesterday with some impressive results.

Gilana at 15 months:
Height: 32" 88%
Weight: 23lbs 1oz 52%
Head: 19.25" 97%

Tall and skinny!

These numbers mean that Gilana can now have 3/4 teas of Children's Tylenol, 1 teas of Children's Motrin/Advil, or 2 ml of Children's Benadryl.  Good to know!

Camelia at 2 months:

Height: 24" 90%
Weight: 14lbs 11oz >97%
Head: 16" 85%

BIG baby girl with her weight not even registering on the chart!  My sweet little [big] chunk.

Her numbers indicate Melly can have 0.8 ml of Infant Tylenol.

Dr. V. let me know that we should start giving the girls some vitamins.  Polyvisol for Camelia and some yummy Flintstones chews for Gilana.

I love our little monkeys!  Poor Camelia had a bad reaction to the shots she was administered.  She went off her food for most of the day and seemed to be in pain whenever I held her close in her favorite position.  It was heartbreaking!  When I went to get her some Tylenol, I discovered that the front door had blown open and Sushi was gone!!  After trying to feed Camelia some more, we all loaded in the car and searched for beloved Sushi.  My calls for our family dog were faithfully echoed in the backseat by Gilana.  "Ish-ish!!  Ish-ish Woof!"  No Sushi discovered until Byron received a call from a neighbor who had taken her in.  We were so grateful!   All the driving had put Camelia to sleep and she felt much better after a good rest.

The day ended well.

Gilana the Janitor

Our sweet toddler is making daily strides in her vocabulary and yesterday noticed trash on the floor which she proceeded to pick up and deposit in the nearest trashcan.  Tonight, Gilana spotted some trash in the bathroom and pointed at it, saying "trash" to her Daddy.  She then deposited it in the trash receptacle.  Smart girl.

2 Month Camelia

Our sweet little cuddle-bug turned two months old yesterday.  She has been such a delight and treasure to our family.  Below are some photos of her to mark this most excellent occasion. :-)

Sleepy Babe

Sweet Gilana had a very exciting day yesterday with some little girlfriends who came to play, but after all the excitement, slept only an hour before getting back up to play again with some of Erin's piano students. This morning Gilana had a hard time staying awake, so we took a stroll and played at the park for a bit with Camelia sleeping in the stroller.  After a light lunch, Gigi was ready for bed and slurped down her bottle while nestled in my arms during our usual naptime routine.  She actually fell asleep curled up there and I got to enjoy the loveliness of her tender beauty before setting her into the crib to go get Camelia. Motherhood has some lovely tender moments, indeed!

Momma!

Today marks the first day Gilana has called out for me by name.  She yelled out "Mamma" on several occasions when I went downstairs without her.  Then again went I went back upstairs and hid from her in hopes of the same response.  It worked!  My heart got goose pimples.  ;)

She's so Cute and Cuddly

 

  

 

Gilana Makes Excuses

Gilana is not allowed to throw food off her tray while eating in the high chair.  Last night I spied her drop some food down and confronted her about it.

The question:
"Gilana, did you drop food on the ground?"

The response:
A shake of the head and "Woof, woof!"

(The interpretation:  No Momma, I did not drop any food on the ground, I gave it to Sushi!")

Camelia's Smiles

Camelia first started smiling about 3 days after birth, but those weren't yet a cognitive response to the outside world. Those smiles were more of a response to flatulance internal functionings.  Just this week, though (5 weeks old) Melly smiled up at me as I was singing to her.  She did the same thing the next day, so it looks as though she understands! 

She is a very alert and bright little girl, so wonderful to hold as she is content to just cuddle up with me and enjoy the world from my arms.  Precious grace! 

Kissable

Even at 10pm, 11:30 pm, 2:39 am, 3:50 -5:21 am and all times in between when we should be sleeping (but aren't), Camelia has the most lovely kissable and smell good cheeks on the planet!!  Love this little munchkin!

Camelia is One Month Old!!

And what a big girl she is!  Her stats from her check-up with the doctor are as follows:

Weight:  12lbs 5.5oz  >97%
Height:  23in 93%
Head Cir.:  15.5in  88%

The last two nights we have introduced the bottle to her with great results!  After feeding her the bottle at night, I nurse her one last time and have gotten 6 hours of sleep after.  Marvelous indeed!

Camelia is already changing so much this first month.

2 Days Old

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4 Days Old

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2 Weeks

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3 Weeks

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4 Weeks

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Gilana has enjoyed getting to know her little sister (who she calls "Baaaby"). 

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Gigi is not so sure what she thinks about this big sis thing

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Family Time

Thankfully, we have had the opportunity to enjoy some time together as a family. 

First pictures with all the girls

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Trip to the doctor's office

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Here is our recent outing with the wagon the girls recieved from Aunt Lizzie for Christmas.

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Daddy with Camelia

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She's rather suspicious

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Mopsy gets some grandma time

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A Dog and a Baby

It appears as though Sushi (our Pit Bull Lab mutt) has a mothering instinct for little Gilana.  Tonight Gigi had a very explosive diaper that I didn't notice at first.  Sushi, apparently did notice and thought it was a serious problem that needed attention.  I noticed the dog following Gigi around and licking her, with Gilana lavishing the attention.  Several minutes later I noticed a mess where our little Miss had been sitting (with Sushi very attentive to Gilana's movements).  I called Byron for damage control (I was holding Melly) and went to get disinfectant for the mess.  The area I intended cleaning and commenced to wipe down, appeared eerily spotless.  My guess was that Gilana, too, was cleaner upon leaving Sushi's presence than would be otherwise.  Without detail, may I relay my reaction?  GROSS!

3 Years and 2 Babies

Byron and I have been married for three years now and are so much more in love now than then.  God's grace just allows our relationship to bloom into sweeter moments and memories, times have allowed us greater understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses.  It is so beautiful to love my spouse with deeper and more lovely emotions.  I cherish our marriage greater than any other earthly thing and see our children as a reflection of that sacred marriage relationship. 

I sit here watching Byron cradle little Camelia in the cleft of his arm, embracing her tiny frame with tender fatherly affection and care.  During the days of our engagement and early marriage I so dearly wished to see him as a father.  Now those visions I had are a reality twice over, and I see a man so perfectly suited for fatherhood that of course my heart swells with gratitude to the gracious Lord who turned our hearts to Him.  His plan is miraculous; turning two unlikely sinners to a Savior and then to each other.  Grace upon grace indeed.