Back to Work

I started back to work Tuesday... I cried all morning! I didn't realize how hard it was going to be. It is sad that I reacted that way when I only have to work two weeks before school is out for the summer. Fortunately for me, David is taking care of Jack and Ella this week. It made it so much easier on me knowing they would be taken care of by their daddy.

As far as daddy goes, he has done phenomenally! He makes me look like a second-rate parent. Not only did he have the laundry done, the house swept, dishes done, trash out, etc., but he went to the grocery store. Yes, David took Jack and Ella to the grocery store stroller and all. He worked out a system where he would push the double stroller with one hand and pull the cart along behind him with the other hand. Can't you just see it?! He said he got several interesting looks!

David has also figured out that Ella does well when swaddled. Once she gets her arms going, it is hard for her to calm down. Swaddling helps her relax. Yeah!!

The last bit of good news is that we have found child care for next school year. Our provider is a former pediatric RN that has decided to stay home with her child. She also watches a couple of nurses' kids and a resident's kid. It's really amazing that we found a provider with a medical background less than 10 minutes from our house. I guess it is yet another pray answered. I hope we're not running out (of answered prayers) because it seems we've had our fair share...

The Crying Myth

Ok, so I read that young babies cry for several reasons:

1. Hungry
2. Colicky
3. Poopie
4. Bored
5. Tired

All lies.... Some babies (Ella) cry just for fun and other babies don't cry (Jack) for any of the above. Hopefully, there's some truth to the rumor that someday they will be able to console themselves...

Other than the crying bit, this week is going pretty well (at least for me and the babies, but poor Kristy got a nice, hot, milk bath from Jack last night.)

Out on the town

Jack and Ella experienced a couple of firsts this weekend.

They put on their first shades to go outside



They went shopping for the first time


And they saw their first bookstore (Finally....)

How old are they anyway?

I'm having a hard time figuring out what Jack & Ella are supposed to be doing (sleeping, eating, etc.) because of the whole prematurity thing.

Is "crying it out" ok since they are 4 months old, or is it too soon because they are 1 month old (adjusted)?

Is 4 ounces every 3 hours enough? Should I try to hold them off for 4 hours and give them more formula even if they are screaming?

Should I "force" them to take their whole bottle if they are not making past the 3 hour mark?

Do I try to refeed them if they seem to have spit-up their entire bottle or wait until the next "scheduled" time?

Should I make them follow a schedule or is on-demand feeding still appropriate?

AGHHHHH... this parenting thing is tough!

No more oxygen

Jack's oxygen support has been officially removed. Yeah.

And, check it out, he finally fits in that onesie from January 26th



Great Grandma Kokoska came to visit as well


Of course, we can't leave out Ella