I'm Dying, or Sleep PLEASE!

So, the cribs in the same room idea was good. It turns out I sleep a lot better with no babies making little (or big) noises in my ear. What is not so good is that my children hate sleeping. Luckily they have been pretty good about not waking each other up, but perhaps that is in part because I go running in at the slightest noise to keep whoever is the noise producer quiet. Which is approximately EVERY HOUR.

Somehow my babies come out sleeping well enough, and by months have learned that waking up every hour is the best idea in the world. I think Harmon was at 2-3 hours by 4 months and waited until 6 months to do the hourly thing. Sammy is so advanced. I realize that Sammy is suffering teething pains, but most of the time she just wants a little snack and to be put back to sleep. The times when Sammy has been sleeping 2 or more hours, Harmon favors us with a teeth pain induced waking, or perhaps just an "it's-5am-I-want-to-be-cuddled-and-rocked-while-you-stand-up-don't-you-even-think-about-sitting-or-laying-down" waking which we enjoy so much.

All this sleep deprivation leads me to say awful things to my kind husband who asks yesterday morning: "what can I do to help?" My reply? "Don't get me pregnant ever again!"

But seriously. One baby is ridiculous if you like sleep. Two babies? I think I may die.

The Same Room Experiment

Since Sammy had decided to start waking up every hour for fun I decided it was time to start the kids sleeping in the same room earlier than I had planned. She had been sleeping in our room in a co-sleeper, but it seemed being so close to me made her want to wake up and play/eat every hour or so. Which of course left me feeling like death all day every day.

So, two days ago we set up crib #2, and last night I put her to sleep in Harmon's room. It went like this:

7:30 feed Sammy and put her down in her crib, turn on sound machine
8:00 read books with Harmon in our room, bring him into his room to sing and sleep
1:30 Sammy wakes up, feed her for 15 min
3:30 Sammy wakes up, feed her for 15 min (panic that this is going to be the pattern for the rest of the night)
6:30 Harmon wakes up, turn off sound machine
6:31 Sammy wakes up

Although this was only night #1, it went WAY better than expected. I slept 3 1/2 hours in a row and got 8 hours total. It was amazing. I can only pray that it continues.

Teething x2

Dear Parents of Twins: how on earth do you survive? Harmon is getting all four painful I teeth, and Sammy is working on (at least) her bottom front two. They get up alternately about every hour all night long. Seriously. Not cool.

Double Stroller Mistake

The mistake was not bringing it to go shopping at the outlets. I thought: oh, I will put one child in the single stroller, and the other in the pack. Also the aisles are so narrow, our doublewide won't fit. [it will, just not on busy days when there are 100 people. today was not a busy day.]

With Harmon in the pack on back and Sammy in the stroller we make it through one store, sort of. Sammy screamed most of the time, and Harmon tried to dive from the pack whenever a rack was within his reach.

Then it was back to the car to feed Sammy and switch the setup. Round two was Harmon in the stroller. I may or may not have given him a lollipop. Ok, I did. But it was only a dum dum. Sammy in the pack, screaming bloody murder. We make it to zero stores.

Take Sammy out of the pack, hold her under my arm. Crying stops. We make it to two stores. I should point out that these are quick trips, under 5 min apiece.

In the next store they have adorable coats for Harmon for $12.99, but only in 18 months, not 2T. Maybe I will just try it on him? [This move cost me the game.] I take him out of the stroller and set him free for a minute while I put Sammy into the stroller. She screams. I try on the coat. Oh it is ever so cute but will only fit for a little bit... I decide it's a no-go. Pick up Harmon (who begins to scream) and push Sammy (who is screaming) towards the door. Receive sympathetic looks from all. Shopping over. Kids: 1 Mom: 0

On the plus side, at least I didn't spend too much money?

The First Official Bad Day

Today we all cried at the same time. It was awful. But then we all got better. And it's sunny, so maybe it's not a bad day after all. Two sick babies is pretty junky though. I don't recommend it.

Yes, Please!!!

Sammy is quite taken with her older brother in the last week or so. So much that she will watch him play, and when he is gone from her limited eyesight she cries.

Also Harmon seems to be quite fond of his little sister as well. He brings the pacifier when she cries, gives her [not very] gentle pats to make her happy, rocks her in her car seat, and gives her many wet smooches.

Please please please please let it continue in such a fashion.

Age Difference?

Ages 2 months and 16 months:

Lady at Costco: "Are they twins?" [Seriously?]

Lady at Group Health who was taking her two kids aged 2 yrs and 4 months to get shots: "How do you manage?" [Uh, just like you?]

Lady at Walmart: "So, is he 2 yet?" "Not yet." "How old is she?" "Two months." "Oh, so they are close!" "Yep."

I love it.