Aren’t We Adorable?

Alex and Dom (front): Exploring new frontiers

Both Dominic and Alexander continue to fascinate us with just how adorable they can be. It makes it much easier to forget their fussy moments. They are both enjoying their swing now, and Tranquility Base (Dad’s chest) is a coveted spot to hang out and fall asleep. However, their all-time favorite place is The Changing Table. Their love for this oasis of joy started with their Twin-daddy playing games with them whenever he whisked them away to wipe their little mustard butts, and soon they also discovered the wonders outside the window. Now, this magical table has the power to dry tears, hush cries and call forth smiles. (Our friends Jim and Wendy didn’t mention The Changing Table’s mystical qualities when they offered it to us after several years of loyal service in their household.)

Alex: The peace following a draught from the elixir of life

Nursing

Nursing continues to go fairly well. While the breastfeeding versus formula controversy tends to be intense, we have found a middling ground that works well for us. Mom nurses the boys (or provides breastmilk) 90% of the time with usually 1-2 bottles of formula out of 10-11 feedings a day. Sometimes Dom and Alex show a preference for the bottle and other times only Mom will do.

Dom: Conversations with the Master of Bottles, Burps and Bottoms

Out-of-Diaper Experiences

Our boys have the occasional out-of-diaper experience with ensuing mayhem. I remember one particular night when Dom had a truly impressive poo that managed to shoot up out of his diaper and up his back. We quickly decided it was bath night, but as soon as his wiped bottem settled into that warm water, a stream of pee arched out of the ducky tub in the sink and hit the lines of freshly washed bottles on the counter with precision aim!

The Family: Ready to go out on the town (or around the block)

Stroller Joys

We returned from a recent meeting of the Sacramento Mothers of Multiples with a Snap-n-Go stroller that another twin mom had generously offered to us since her little ones had just outgrown it. We immediately came home and took the whole family out for a walk together. The stroller makes our whole family unit much more mobile, and with the boys getting bigger all the time, it is much easier to take them out and about.

Alex: Dreaming of milk fountains and afternoons on The Changing Table

Sleep

A few hours of uninterrupted sleep have become a truly precious commodity for Mom and Grandma. The Twin-mom tries not to wake up Grandma Myrtle for the first night feeding (shhh, little ones), and the Twin-daddy and Grandma conspire to give Mom some extra hours of shut-eye in the mornings and on the weekends by keeping the boys quiet, contented and well fed. Dad even took the boys to fencing practice one morning and stayed out until the afternoon!

Dom: Enjoying the calm of Tranquility Base

Back to Work

The Twin-Dad and Mom headed back to work at the end of September. While I’m only out of the house for a few hours each day to teach, Puck is back on an 8-5 shift. Every day when he comes home, he immediately comes to see his boys and to whisk one or both off for some daddy time. He is so good at coming up with new games and at inspiring them to give him their biggest, happiest grins. We are all so fortunate to have Grandma Myrtle here too. She cuddles, cradles, diapers, feeds and sings to Dom and Alex, plus she does so much to help Mom and Dad too. I have truly enjoyed getting to learn to mother from mom – singing lullabyes together, late night chats while Alex or Dom nurse, and facing new challenges with her advice and experience as a guide.

Alex: On The Changing Table

Dom and Alex

Alexander and Dominic engage a lot more with Dad, Mom and Grandma – smiling, laughing and cooing at us, and they’ve continued to work on holding their heads up high and looking around, especially while being burped. They’ve each had some fussier phases in the last few weeks, and the lessons from “The Happiest Baby on the Block” video and the Miracle Blankets have been a life saver for soothing them. Dom and Alex have been getting some tummy time every day, but we’re having to work on convincing them that tummy time is fun.

Dom: On The Changing Table

Both Alex and Dom enjoy walking Shakti around the block, but they let us know if we stop and dawdle too long chatting with the neighbors. They also like the backyard and outings to see new places – though they often sleep in the car and sometimes don’t wake up until we’re back home again. We’ve even managed to go out to eat a few times with the boys. If one starts to fuss, Dad heads outside with him to swing or rock him in his carseat. The plan is that as soon as Grandma or Mom finish, they can relieve him, but so far, Dad has always returned quickly with a quiet and happy baby. We are enjoying our adventures in parenthood and loving on our two little angels.