My how we've grown! Thursday - March 20, 2008

The boys are 10 weeks old today!

Just to do a little compare/contrast - check out how different they look now versus during that first week of life.

Rocco during his first week in the world:

Doesn't this photo of 2 day old Gabby look a lot like newborn Rocco?

Rocco today:

Matteo during his first week in the world:

Matteo today:

And, kudos to big sis Gabby who's given lots of hugs along the way!

To see more photos of the kiddos from January and February, visit: http://martino.shutterfly.com/

9.5 weeks old! Monday – March 17, 2008

The twins hit 2 months last Monday. My how time flies when you’re so busy you can’t think straight.

We visited the pediatrician for their 2 month appointment on Thursday and the boys have clearly been busy growing. Both are now on the percentile charts for height and weight… quite the accomplishment for preemie babes. And, Matteo has already more than doubled his birth weight… CRAZY!

Two month stats are:
Rocco: 11 lbs and 22 inches (30th %ile for weight & 25th %ile for height)
Matteo: 11 lbs 10 oz and 22 ¼ inches (45th % & 25th %)

Mornings tend to be the craziest time of day for us lately as the boys seem to have shark-like feeding frenzies. They just can’t decide how much food makes them happy. Then, Gabby… well, I’m lucky if I can get her to eat something in the morning. I usually consider it a super-successful morning if the following has happened by 1pm:
* contacts in (glasses off!)
* twins have had 3 feedings and are down for nap #3
* Gabby has eaten breakfast and/or lunch
* night dishwasher load emptied* bottles prepped for the afternoon & evening
* nobody has thrown-up on me
* mommy has eaten breakfast (or ANYTHING with calories)
* mommy has brushed teeth & showered
* Dan & I have smiled at OR talked to each other about something other than babies

On Thursday night, Matteo decided to gift us with 9 straight hours of sleep! That’s right… the little fella’ decided to sleep from 5:45pm – 2:45am. HALLELUJAH! Too bad I wasn’t in bed until midnight… sigh.

As a result of Thursday, all day Friday I was so excited… thinking we had finally started to turn the sleep corner. Both boys were in bed at 6:30pm and I was envisioning jumping into bed early… maybe even with an US Weekly magazine (they’ve been calling out to me and I just haven’t had the time to read them… I know… pathetic!), and sleeping undisturbed for a nice long stretch. Stupid me. Seriously. Both boys proceeded to wake up around 9:30/10pm... and there I was up with two unhappy babes until 2 a.m. DANG! And, for the past few nights they’ve been so ornery at night… as if to say “mom, you SO didn’t think we were going to start a sleep schedule, did you?” Blech!

The boys look so different now – I’ll post recent photos soon side-by-side with photos from the first week home.

In Gabby news… Thursday - March 13, 2008

Gabby’s been busy lately.

Tuesday’s & Thursday’s: School from 9am – 5:30pm
Wednesday’s: Gymnastics with her friend Livi AND a special weekly visit from Grandma Leo & Grandpa Kenny who come to watch the twins while we tumble.

Gabby started school in February and seems to really like it. Daddy dropped her off on the first day and there were no tears – she just ran off to play with the other kids. Apparently she cried when it was naptime and continues to do so (shocker!). The house is VERY quiet when Gabby’s not around… but it gives me the chance to spend some quality time with the boys AND breathe, eat and think.

Gymnastics class is a total hit. I’ve been going to class with her (it’s “Tumble with your Tot”) and I’m having just as much fun. However, I know I’ve gotten old when I get a head-rush after spinning around the bars. Gabby seems to think that’s pretty funny… so whatever… I’ll continue on with the head-rushes. Maybe this is proof that life is one big cycle… you spin around bars as a kid… then you get spins AT bars in your roaring 20’s… and then you go back to spinning around bars and getting spins, both, at the same time. Hmmmm…

We’ve also entered into the world of time-outs. This may be apparent when visiting our home and Gabby puts a baby in time-out. Yes… her dolls do in fact get sent to the same corner she gets put in for time-outs. However, the dolls sometimes spend a whole night in the corner. Clearly the dolls must have done something real bad...

There is also a very real fascination with the potty chair. Watching her little friends successfully use the potty is always reason to celebrate. Oh… and we were at Target checking out the other day and Gabby yells out “Mommy, do YOU have to use the potty?” Me: “No, Gabby, I don’t have to use the potty.” Sorry teenage guy checking us out…

Since when is it ok? Monday - March 10, 2008

So… I’m in the kitchen fixing a bottle… both babies are laying on the playmate and big sis Gabby is playing with dolls nearby. Then, Gabby calls out “Look mommy, I’m sitting on Rocco’s tummy!” Ummmm… clearly, this is not ok. And, I of course bolt over to Rocco’s rescue… and find that his big sister is indeed sitting on his tummy. Gabby was in trouble, of course. But… oddly, Rocco didn’t even seem bothered… maybe he really is “the rock”… I mean, that is what the meaning behind his name is. Strange.

But honestly… since when is it ok to torture your little brothers this early in life. Good lord… I have a feeling it’s just going to get worse from here on out.

Who knows… I mean, maybe Rocco asked for it… he is constantly signaling those arms and hands. Maybe it was misinterpreted by Gabby as “hey, I want to lose my lunch… can you sit on my belly?” or “hey, I’m feeling a little fat in the mid-section today… can you see if you can squash my belly back down a bit?”

Clearly, I’m losing it… I’ve spent way too much time thinking about babies thoughts this morning.

Turtle’s sick… Friday – March 7, 2008

Well, Matteo was diagnosed with his first ear infection. He was so abnormally fussy since Thursday morning. Very unlike his normal, mellow self. Honestly… this kid likes to chill.

After he threw up on me this morning I was suspect of the ear infection but hoping at the same time he didn’t have it… does this mean Rocco will soon get one too? They’ve both had the snuffalupagus noses all week. Ugh. Oh well. Two kids sick with ear infections still isn’t as bad as the flu we battled with Gabby in January 2007. Yup… we were being attacked from both ends… and it’s not like you can put a plug in their mouth OR butt. It was a vicious, month-long battle. Dan still has fond memories of flying *squirts*.

Anyway, I can tell Turtle (Matteo) was already more comfortable this evening. He was down for bed at 7:30pm... very unlike the other Martino kids, but true to what Matteo likes best (sleep!!).

Turtle, btw, is Matteo’s nickname thanks to his father. He always opens his mouth and eyes real big when he’s hungry. Dan thinks it’s very turtle-like.

Snuggles & loves. Wednesday – March 5, 2008

How CUTE is this!?!

We often catch the boys snuggling each other… sometimes they’ll be holding hands or one will have his hand on the other’s face. It’s SO cute to find them like this!

Hopefully, they’ll always be good buddies!

8 weeks:

3 weeks:

Tipping Point. Wednesday – March 5, 2008

Two weeks ago I woke up with back pain… it felt like an elephant had slept on my back. I couldn’t figure out why. Lord knows it wasn’t from sex. I finally realized it was from loading all 3 kids into the Sequoia the day before.

It takes a small miracle to load two big babes (10+ lbs at the time) into the back row of seating in that vehicle. No sexy jeans should be worn (for fear of what bystanders might witness). And, core muscles are essential… which I of course have absolutely NONE of right now since my belly was stretched to China and back.

I love the Sequoia. Honestly. BUT… it is absolutely impossible to fit 3 car seats (2 being infant car seats) across in one row. Not to mention the fact that our second row of seating just has 2 bucket seats (seemed like SUCH a great idea pre-kids). Then you ask – oh, so why don’t you just put the infant car seats in the second row of seating so you don’t have to break your back, right?! GREAT IDEA… BUT… because infant car seats have the bases that stay in the vehicle, you can’t flip the seats forward to get access to the back row. And, I would need access to the back row to buckle Gabriella in. Realistically, she’d probably think it was fantastic if I threw her over the second row of seating. But yeah… that would be a bad parenting moment.

The boys will only continue to get bigger. They’re pushing 12lbs… and there are TWO of them. Gabby, mind you, was only 15lbs 8oz at her ONE YEAR appointment! Yes… you see where I’m going. Situation isn’t going to get better until at least one child isn’t in a car seat. And, with the rate at which Gabby gains weight… her brothers may just beat her out of a car seat.

Dan’s analysis of the situation:
We’ve hit the TIPPING POINT, my friends. Having 3 kids under 3 pretty much means we’ve entered the mini-van market. Yes. I know. I was never a fan. Suddenly – it’s calling to me… “No more back pain!”

Stay tuned…

Is it possible? Monday – March 3, 2008

Is it possible that I was a cow in a former life?

I’ve been wondering this a lot lately… I’ve been pumping massive amounts of milk. Is it strange that I can sit down after not pumping for 6 hours and get 17oz? That is not the average scenario, of course… but I can easily get 12-14oz at one sitting, several times a day. CRAZY, right? No?

If you’re a mom who’s breastfed a child – feel free to leave a comment either confirming I am cow-like OR telling me that, no, I am not a cow… and this is all very normal.

Stroller central... Sunday – March 2, 2008

Ever wonder how many strollers you end up getting when you start out with a singleton baby and round 2 ends up being twins?

Welcome to stroller central:

What to do when… Saturday – March 1, 2008

Ever been in one of the following situations:
1. You have two hungry 7 wk old babies screaming AND a hungry 2 year old (and no husband in sight)?
2. You have two hungry 7 wk old babies AND a two year old who just poo'd in her diaper... and she's now walking around telling you her dipey smells and asking if I smell it too (no husband in sight)?
3. You have two hungry babies AND the two year old just spilled milk or OJ all over the kitchen floor and is about to begin playing slip and slide (she visualizes fun; you visualize a trip to the ER; husband is out chatting up the neighbors)?

Here's what I do...

Yes, I know it's so NOT *politically/baby correct* for the 21st century. But, c'mon... I didn't grow up in a baby-safe bubble and I survived, right?! Sometimes it's all about survival... mommy-survival, that is!

CHEEKS! Sunday - February 24, 2008

Hey, look mom - we've got cheeks!

Friend turned make-up artist. Sunday - February 24, 2008

Gabby had a few friends over for dinner last night...

Tables were danced on, pretend food was cooked, strollers were pushed, chocolate cake was eaten... and well, Livi decided to take a shot at being a make-up artist... on Gabby's face. Good times. Gooooooooooooooood times.

Gabby was clearly a happy client, running around to the adults saying "I look PRETTY!" Livi was well compensated for her work with LOTS of hugs.

CoOkIe CrAzE!!! Tuesday – February 19, 2008

Since Gabriella missed the cookie making festivities over the holidays in Minnesota with all of her cousins, Gammy decided to teach Gabby how to do cut-out and sugar cookies while she stayed with us.

Quick summary of the cookie bake-a-thon:
* Gabby probably ate more cookie dough than was baked. The child was crazy… not only was she stealing dough from the bowl and eating it, she’d transfer the cut-out cookies to her mouth instead of the pan for baking. True hints of her daddy living in her…

* Gabby must have been wearing a ½ pound of flour by the time the cookie cut-outs were finished. See photo.

* When making the sugar cookies… Gabby had more fun squishing the balls of dough in her hands than rolling them in the sugar like she was supposed to do.

* The REAL kicker to the cookie making was a true sugar-high. We discovered she had been eating handfuls of sugar. She kept running over to papa licking her fingers and saying “This is REALLY good, papa!” Papa thought she was pretending and not really licking anything… until Gammy busted her eating a handful of sugar. I then had the wonderful pleasure of being kept awake until 2am by a child on a 100% genuine SUGAR HIGH. Silly me… here I thought sugar highs were an old wives tale.

Growing strong! Thursday - February 14, 2008

We took the boys in for their 1 month pediatrician appointment today. Both are growing strong and are now on the growth percentile charts (they weren't big enough at birth). They are now in the 30th %ile for weight and 8th %ile for height. We're proud of the little guys for all the growing they've been doing!

One month stats are:
Rocco: 8lbs 14oz and 20"
Matteo: 9lbs 2oz and 20"

Rocco was the larger baby by 4oz at birth... but now is the smaller baby by 4oz.

Twins are 1 month old! Sunday – February 10, 2008

The twins are 1 month old! The past month flew by... and I'm still trying to remind myself it's 2008, let alone mid-February. Oh well... I guess it’s all about survival (parental survival, that is).

First month in review:
* 25 diapers per day, minimum, for the twins alone.
* 8-10 diapers per day for Gabby (although, she’s beginning to potty train).
* 3 eye infections (Rocco, both eyes; Matteo, 1 eye).
* 3 nasty diaper rashes (Matteo – 2, Rocco – 1).
* 2 colds (Gabby & Rocco).
* 8 planned feedings for the twins per day (16 bottles).
* 2-4 unplanned feedings (snack sessions) per baby, per day (4-8 bottles).
* 3-4 meals to prepare for Gabby per day (2 of which she may actually eat).
* 2-3 loads of laundry per day.
* 2-3 dishwasher loads run daily; consequently also needing to be emptied (LOVE the dishwasher… but good lord, I’m so not a fan of emptying it!)
* 1 trip to the pediatrician (2nd trip is 2/14 for the 1 month appt).
* 2 calls to page the pediatrician on a 2 separate weekends.
* 6 times daily I sit down and do what I hate most… pump milk.
* 0-2 times I’ll nurse the babies per day. I have little to no time to be a snack bar on top of everything else.
* 38 days we were blessed with having Gammy live with us. She provided the twins with love and the family with much needed support… not to mention endless hours of help. THANK YOU, MOM!!
* Endless = amount of time papa spent entertaining Gabby with puzzles, games of “hide & go seek” and “get you”, etc., and most importantly, his love and attention.
* 3 Dan, Gabby & Jodi dinner date night while Gammy babysat the twins.
* 1 Dan & Jodi dinner date night while Gammy & Papa babysat all 3 little monkeys.

In addition to all of the above chaos, Gabby decided that it’s cool to start mimicking the babies’ cries… WHILE they’re both crying, mind you. So, just as you begin to lose sanity because two babies’ screams are echoing in your ears… the 2 year old chimes in with her version of it. Lovely. However, I can't complain... the boys are GREAT babies. Again, much easier than a baby with colic.

Oh - and daddy started a new job in 2008 that keeps him VERY, VERY busy. Honestly... the timing of moving back into our house, the arrival of the babies and the new VERY BUSY job for daddy couldn't have been more perfectly timed to coincide!

Welcome to our life.

But... we've got it EASY compared to "Jon & Kate plus Ei8ht"! Ever watch that show? Good humor...

It’s funny to think... Sunday – February 3, 2008

Three weeks ago today I sat down on our bed to take a nap by myself for the first time in 36 weeks. And by myself—I mean without babies in my belly. It was so quiet in the bedroom. My mom was watching the twins downstairs, and Dan had taken Gabby to the park. Instead of immediately falling asleep… as soon as my head hit the pillow I couldn’t help but start crying. I felt so incredibly lonely without those two babies in my belly.

It’s funny to think that I can pinpoint two of the loneliest times in my life to exactly 3 days after the birth of the twins and exactly 3 days after the birth of Gabriella. It sounds crazy—I know. And, it’s also crazy to think that before each child was born I was so incredibly uncomfortable and excited to get my body back that I could hardly wait for labor to begin.

Once again, I find this to be just the start of letting go and letting the little ones grow. They’re doing a fine job of it. Sometimes – it’s not fast enough. Especially in sleep deprived moments… or when I have 3 kids crying at me simultaneously. And, sometimes it’s too fast… like when I see the twins starting to fit into newborn clothes and cheeks filling out, or when the two year old is playing dress-up and getting into my make-up.

Life sure is sweet, short and crazy, isn’t it?

A summary of week #1 with twin boys! Saturday – January 19, 2008

Here’s a summary of our first week with the twins:
1. One nasty diaper rash (Matteo).
2. One newborn rash (Matteo).
3. One eye infection (Rocco).
4. One scare of possibly having jaundice (Matteo).
5. One little guy battling reflux while in the hospital (Rocco). It seems to now have passed and the doctors think it was more to do with the fact that he had swallowed amniotic fluid and just had to spit it all out before his tummy would settle.
6. Two umbilical chords have fallen off.

7. Number of dirty diapers per day (not including Gabby diapers)? 20-24
8. Number of times we’ve been peed on while changing diapers? We’ve lost count.
9. Number of times we’ve had poops shot at us? 3
10. Number of bottles used per day? 12 at minimum
11. Number of times I’ll nurse the babies per day? 2-4
12. Number of times mommy has to pump? 4-5
13. First baths.
14. Number of squishy kisses and hugs received from big sister? Countless…
15. Two long walks with Mommy, Gammy and big sister Gabby.

16. One trip to the park (to watch big sister Gabby go down the slide). 16.

17. Big sister, Gabby, took her first poo poo on the potty chair! Hooray!
18. First pediatrician appointment. Both boys checked out wonderfully and they are both within 2 oz of their birth weights. Both babies are not yet on the percentile charts, but their 5 day stats are:
Rocco: 5lbs 11oz, 19 ¼ inches
Matteo: 5lbs 7oz, 18 ½ inches

Life right now is one big 3 hour cycle for the Martino family. It takes at least one hour to change and feed both boys. Then you have two hours to use wisely… this is where you prioritize taking care of and tending to Gabby’s needs, eat, shower, brush teeth, dishes, laundry, pump, check email, cook, run errands, etc.
So far, the twins have been much easier than Gabby was as a newborn (knock on wood!). They are so quiet and such good little eaters. They seem to only fuss when hungry, if they have a dirty diaper, or if they’re not swaddled tight enough. They sleep wonderfully through the night… Rocco actually slept for 8.5 hours straight the other night and Matteo had been sleeping for 5 hours. I was able to get a 4 hour stretch of sleep in (yippie!!). Had I not been so sleep deprived I would have never let that happen while they’re so little. We’re trying to wake them during the night (if they don’t choose to wake us first) every 3-4.5 hours.

Gabby is adjusting well to being a big sister. She is now much gentler with her hugs and kisses so we no longer really fear her squishing the boys. She also talks about her brothers, is very proud of them and loves to see them and what they’re doing. But, she does have the uncanny ability to start crying and demand that we “hold you!” right as the adults in the room are tied up with the two boys. Go figure. Gammy babysat the boys on Friday night so Dan & I could bring Gabby on a special date night.

Also, the boys have officially melted and won the hearts of both their mommy and Gammy. We are so in love with these little guys! I already know they will truly miss their Gammy when she leaves. She gives them so much love and it will be hard to make up for not having her around anymore. Oh, and Gammy has also given the boys nicknames–Matteo is often lovingly called “Tiger” and Rocco, “Max”. We feel so lucky to have her here with us to enjoy our two newest miracles!