Question of the Day

Grant & I are wondering: Why is it that when we are finally sleeping thru the night again (well most nights anyways) we feel more fatigued than when we were getting up in the night? Too many nights/months of running on 4 hour increments of sleep perhaps? Or maybe it's just one of life's little jokes?? Hmmm.......

Merry Christmas To All.......

Warmest wishes on Christmas Day 2011! It seems like forever since I blogged last and I am going to try my hardest to keep this updated. I actually use this as more of a journal/baby book of the twins since I am much more efficient at typing than I ever would be at writing.

Christmas 2011 has been wonderful! We have had two action packed days with the family and enjoyed every minute of it. It warms my heart as a parent to see how much my kids are loved! Baron had no interest in opening any presents but Grant did get him playing in the discarded wrapping paper tonight at Gram & Grandpa Websters and Elliot & Maverick were quite impressed. It was the most giggling I think I have ever heard out of Maverick :)

Baron: Our Big Boy! He is now 21 1/2 months old and got a big boy haircut on Tuesday. It was time for a cut since it was hanging in his eyes more times than not but as Grant put it "I am going to cry myself to sleep tonight". He looks SO different, so much older somehow. His eyes seem so big and dark. Still my handsome boy......but I do miss his baby curls. He is cutting at least 3 of his eye teeth currently and that seems to be uncomfortable for him. He had a doctor appt on the 12/15 and weighed in at 29 1/2 pounds and 34 1/2 inches tall (75th percentile for both height and weight). He is learning and saying new words every day and his new favorites are up, pop, Ty and Katie. This is a good thing because Grant and I are getting tired of trying to decipher his baby babble and fits when we don't know what he's saying. Terrible Two's perhaps??? He is in love with a pair of yellow rubber boots he got from Gram Websters house and he wears them all the time. Over his footie jammies, with nothing but a diaper, to the grocery store, etc. Only place he hasn't worn them are to bed :)



Elliott: Our Little Princess! The twins are now a little over 7 months (6 months adjusted age) and Miss Elliott is such a happy girl. Smiles at everyone, baby chatter, rolling over, eating solids and sleeping thru the night. She is growing up so fast already. She had a doctor appt last week with Baron and she weighed in at 15lbs 10ozs (45th percentile) and 24 1/2 inches (25th percentile). No teeth yet and I am perfectly ok with that while Baron is cutting 3 of his own ;) She is a snuggler, hollers at me when I leave and she wants me (and I mean yells at me, full on "hey I want you" yell but not crying), hates to be on her belly but constantly rolls over from her back, has more blow outs of any baby I have ever known and adores her brothers. She has the lightest hair of the three and eyes that seems to be turning hazel.

Maverick: Our Sweetheart! It's funny how time changes people especially babies. I remember blogging a few months back about Maverick being my high maintenance/fussy baby. My how that has changed. He is still high maintenance in the sense that he has a feeding tube and doesn't like to eat orally but he has the sweetest personality. He loves to cuddle, has a smile that melts a person, eyelashes that should be illegal and sleeps thru the night (thank you feeding pump!). He was 10lbs 6ozs and 22 inches as of 12/20. He rolled over the other night, has been sitting in the exercauser & bumbo and has bites of solids too! No teeth here either but loves it when I rub his gums which makes me think we are not far off. He also has a mohawk. Not due to a haircut from us but a natural mohawk. Poor kid has 2 cowlicks (one going clockwise and the other counter clockwise) and as a result the hair meets in the middle to form a mohawk. I am sure as his hair grows it will lay down but for now.....

Grant and I are doing well. We have really come to appreciate sleeping thru the night since we are finally getting a taste of it again :) Grant has been doing some winter steelhead fishing and I had my first full day trip away since the twins were born (technically since I went on bedrest). I went shopping with my sisters, sister-in-law and Tia's friend for a winter formal dress for my little sister. We had a great time and not surprising, I was ready to get home because I missed my family. We also had another date night a few weeks ago and are hoping to get out again soon!

http://youtu.be/Ywu3svfXJlI

Grant and I laughed harder each time we watched this.

My favorite of the week.

Relaxing together before bed with a little Baby Einstein video.

For Uncle Tyler

He is a sweet pea!

Cutest Tiger!

The only decent shot....

That's more like it....

And the grand finale!

I don't know if I have mentioned before but I am one of 5 kids. We are all really close and so it makes it hard with my younger brother living in southern California. He loves my kids (as do all their aunts and uncles) and was slightly traumatized when I told him I probably was not going to dress Baron up for Halloween. We were just planning on staying home to hand out candy and the idea of dressing up 3 little kids for a photo opp doesn't sound very appealing when I am the one taking the pictures. His thoughts were the kids would like to pictures to look back on and I figured he was probably right. So thank goodness Aunt Katie came to the rescue and hooked us up with a costume.

So here are your Halloween photos Uncle Tyler dear. We all love and miss you so much it's ridiculous. Counting down the days until we see you at Christmas.....xoxoxoxo!

Who Doesn't Like To Eat???

Maverick.....that's who!

This all started when we went in for the babies 5 month check on 10/13. Maverick was only weighing in at 8lbs and the doctor said that was not enough! Let me give you a little history first. Maverick has been "self" feeding for the past 2 months. What I mean by "self" feeding is that he wanted to eat his bottle while in his bouncy chair and the bottle propped in his mouth so he could eat at his leisure. Normally he would fall asleep eating and liked it that way. I think I knew in the back of my mind it probably wasn't ideal but when you have 3 kids under 19 months, are pumping every 3 hours (ish), holding the other baby to eat and haven't slept thru the night in 5+ months, you do what you can to survive.

So the doctor wanted us to make him eat 3ozs every 3 hours with one 6 hour stretch at night if he slept that long. He had been very sporadic in the amount & times he would eat while "self" feeding and doc said he probably is a lazy eater as well. He cries when hungry and will eat whatever he feels like which can be anywhere from 10ml at times to 2 ozs at other times. For 8 days we force fed him whatever he wouldn't eat independently. I had the question asked many times "how do you force feed a baby?" and basically we had to squeeze the bottle to squirt milk down his throat. This was traumatic on so many levels! Maverick hated it and would cry and cry and cry. He would cry so hard that he would end up choking and/or spitting up.....a bunch. Mama hated it and would cry at times as well. Daddy hated it. As a result the house was full of tension and we finally gave up on day 8. We just couldn't keep doing that to our little man.

I made an appointment and went to the lactation specialist on Monday 10/24. At this appointment Maverick weighed 8lbs 1oz. Seriously??? 1 oz in 10 days?? Although I guess I shouldn't be that surprised since he cried so much he probably was burning more calories than he was taking in! The lactation nurse basically stated we were doing everything she would have recommended and called Dr. Salisbury in. After talking and watching Maverick eat, it was decided that Maverick needed to be admitted to the hospital for observation and tests. Thankfully my wonderful mom-in-law and sister were able to help with Baron and Elliott. I didn't get home until 9:30 that night and Grant stayed with Maverick. I didn't want to leave him but between pumping, taking care of the other 2 littles and the fact that Grant feeds Maverick at night anyways, it just made the most sense. I was back to the hospital by 7:15 am on Tuesday morning so Grant could get to work. At that point, Maverick's blood and urine came back normal. We had a head ultrasound and barium swallow test which both came back normal as well. The barium swallow did show a "severe" case of acid reflux which we already knew he had and are treating him for. We were finally discharged around 7:00pm with a feeding tube in Maverick's nose and instructions to let him eat what he wants orally and then gavauge him the rest. He has to eat 2.5 ozs or 75 ml every 3 hours (goal of 17ozs in 24 hours) with a 6 hour stretch at night and we have increased the calorie count of his milk to 27 cals/oz (this is so it is like he is getting 3 ozs every feed). Breastmilk is 20 cals/oz and we are fortifying with high calorie formula. We have been referred to the feeding clinic at OHSU and are waiting for a call back to make an appointment. Even though we have a feeding tube in, we still want to figure out why he isn't that interested in eating.

We went in for a weight check on Friday 10/28 and little man was weighing in at........8lbs 8ozs! 6ozs in 3 days!! Everyone is happier at the Webster House with this temporary solution and Grant & I are feeling much better knowing our little guy is getting the calories he needs. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers from our family and friends! We know we will get through this but it's a comfort knowing we have love and support from so many caring people!

I Love My Kids!

Maverick ~ How cute is he?!?!

Elliott ~ My happy girl!

Baron ~ entertaining himself on the iPad!

Weight Update

Quick weight update as of 10/13/11:

Elliott: 13lbs 5ozs and 22 1/2 inches. Doing well and doctors have no concerns

Maverick: 8lbs and 20 1/2 inches. Dr Salisbury said Maverick has to gain more weight! He has to start eating 3 ozs at every feed when he has been eating closer to 2 ozs. Not super fun to force feed a baby but we are doing what needs to be done. We created a lazy eater when we let him feed himself in his bouncy chair....oops! Sorry little man :(

Pumpkin Patch

Ventured out for our first trip to the pumpkin patch as a family today (we skipped last year since Baron was 9 months old and sick with a cold). It was eventful to say the least. I think I need to just accept the chaos because I'm pretty sure that is how life is going to be for us from now on. We went with the Neuschwanders (Nate, Nicole, Reid & Reece) and the Youngers (Uncle Trav & Aunt Katie). Katie loaded Elliott up in the front pack and I strapped on Maverick while Grant had Baron and Gunner. My poor brother ended up on Baron duty and Gunner duty (at different times) for a good portion of it....thanks Trav! Grant and Baron went on the hay ride and Baron came home with muddy jeans from playing. Elliott ended up throwing a fit and when we took her out of the pack she had pooped through. She ended up with no pants at the pumpkin patch! Maverick was a trooper......once he got out of the front pack and could see the world around him. He likes to be in the middle of it all :)

Grant & Gunner = Priceless

Baron the scarecrow

Shoulder Ride

Hay Ride (sorry I cut your head off Grant)

Cute Babies ready for some pumpkins!

Baron vs Elliott

Baron @ 3 months

Elliott @ 4 & 1/2 months (a little over 3 months adjusted age)

Twin Love

Slippers

For those of you who know Grant and I, you know we love slippers. For those of you who don't, we love slippers and wear them whenever we are home (weather permitting). We have decided it was time to pass the love of slippers to our little man. Ever since I put them on he has been walking around, will pause to look down and stomp his little feet. I think he loves them already!

Date Night

The Mr. and I got out last Friday evening for a date.........an actual just the two of us, no kids or kid errands date. We went to dinner and then to have a drink. We had a great time! Of course the kids came up in conversation but we actually talked quite a bit about other things too, amazing I know! Thank You to Tara for staying with the twins and Nancy for having Baron.

House Happenings

We were well on our way in the house projects earlier this year when I was put on bedrest and well you can probably figure the rest out yourself. Who has time to grout tile when you can't even find the time to sleep, right?? Anyhow, we started back up on the projects and in August we tore out the old deck and poured a patio. We love it! Clean & big it has provided a place to put our table/chairs and is big enough for Baron to play on.

Currently we are in the middle of putting in can lights in the living room. It's the biggest room in the house and really has never been utilized. We used to have a big sectional that I loved in there and then Gunner came along. As a puppy he decided to chew it up while we were at work and needless to say we have not replaced it. Now that I am home we want to make that room the living room and turn the TV room into more of a kid area. So many plans, so little time!

Sand Between Our Toes

We stayed in beautiful Yachats the beginning of Sept for a night with Uncle Trav and Aunt Katie. Baron's 1st time walking in the sand. Didn't enjoy the cold wind at first but once he had his hands on the dog toy, he was happy! It was also the twins first time to the beach and they did great!

Three Little Websters Update

I know I've said it before and am sure to say it again but where has the time gone?! Is it really the end of Sept already? I wanted to give a quick update on my three favorite little people. No weight or height yet on the twins as we will visit the doctor next month but updates on what I am seeing that is different.

Baron: I am sure it's the 1st child thing and all but this kid continues to amaze me daily. He is 18 months and literally changing before my eyes. Yesterday he said "toy". Grant had something Baron wanted and told him it was not really a toy to which Baron repeated "toy" plain as day. We looked at each other and then him in awe and needless to say, he got the salad spinner back. How could we deny him this when he had displayed such brilliance?! I know, I know......Parents of the Year right here folks. Anyways, his vocabulary now consists of toy, no no, all done, Tia, uh oh, hi, buh bye and mama/dada. He sleeps great at night and still takes a good nap during the day. Loves to see and touch everything, very curious my boy is.

Elliott: Who knew a little girl could be so much fun?! The twins are almost 19 weeks (13 gestation) and starting to become a little easier. Elliott eats well and is a good little sleeper. We have been working on going to bed by ourselves and so far we are doing pretty dang good. As long as we have a little bottle right before bed to get her sleepy, I can put her in her crib and she might fuss a bit but falls asleep pretty fast. Last night she went to bed at 9pm and didn't get until 7:00am. Then she ate and right back to bed & slept until 10:00. Yay!! She has the best disposition and smiles all the time. Not a big fan of tummy time but likes to lay on her mat and look up at the toys. She sits in her Bumbo and is starting to take a liking to the TV. Needless to say there is alot of Baby Einstein being played at the Webster House.


Maverick: Oh my littlest man, how I adore you! He is by far my fussiest/high maintenance child, although to be fair the doctors did tell us that the little ones like him are the most "spunky". He is smiling all the time (when he's not fussing) and talking like crazy. Started watching TV too but not as into it yet as sister. Definitely at the stage where he wants to be up and facing out to see what is going on and you can tell he is taking it all in. He is really starting to have good head control which is pretty impressive since his head is still larger than the rest of him. He too dislikes tummy time but will lay on his back and look at toys for awhile. He is good about going to bed on his own but he likes to have a bottle to fall asleep.....hoping this won't be a huge problem down the road. He is getting up usually once or twice at night. It seems to me that he is about 2-3 weeks behind Elliott as far as development goes.

State Fair

Bailey and her lunch of choice....a giant turkey leg. It's as big as she is!

Went to the State Fair yesterday with my kids, my sisters, niece Bailey, Aunts Sarah & Kathy and cousins Jason & Lindsey. I had fun watching Baron see the horses, cows, sheep and (my favorite) piglets. He is still pretty young (17 months) and was tired since our time there overlapped his naptime but overall he did great. I have fond memories of the fair because as a kid my parents would take us for my birthday. I realize now that the fair always fell on the week of my birthday which is why we would go but as a kid I felt pretty special!

Vacation 2011

Loving their time on the water

1st time swimming

Hudson, Baron & their dads

Grace rocking the paddle board

Sweet Ava

My little dude Finn

Our family had the opportunity to join my sis-in-law Shannon and her family (plus my in-laws) on their new boat for a week in the San Juan Islands. We hit up Friday & Roche Harbors, ventured into Canada and ended the week out at Stewart Island. The Webster crew used to vacation there every year for quite awhile, so I think it was fun for Grant and Shannon to reminisce together :) We all thoroughly enjoyed our time with everyone especially Grace, Ava, Finn and Hudson. Baron and Hudson make quite the pair, one with dark hair & brown eyes and the other blond with blue eyes. Shannon and I are quite certain they will be partners in crime in the coming years and Hudson will enthusiastically agree when asked! Thank You Rapers ~ We love You!