Dual Nursing

Alrighty, this post is a long time coming (almost three weeks to be more exact). I decided that I would nurse the twins as long as was manageable. Nursing Rocky was awful. I frequently pumped pink milk (TMI) and I would cry when Matthew would bring him to me to feed. Needless to say, this did not encourage a strong mother-son bond between he and I. If it weren't for "breastfeeding bullies", I might have had a stronger bond with Rock a lot earlier. Not to say that I didn't love him, but it was hard when I was in pain whenever he nursed. He was a puker. He would throw up after every feeding.

I decided to give it another go with Kolbe. This time, he latched perfectly. But, after two weeks, he started projectile vomiting. I tried getting rid of dairy and soy but nothing worked. I continued to nurse for 6 months (along with some supplementing during school-teachers cannot pump and come home at a decent hour to their families). This time was a dream come true. I loved nursing him and cried when I stopped.

 

Now comes the twins. I nursed them individually for the first week to make sure that their latch was correct and to get them used to nursing. Then I started tandem nursing. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it came to me. They latched better because they had to work a little harder for it. I also found that they usually burped right during feeding! This was an amazing discovery since I HATE burping but for my pukers it is quite necessary and even the difference between a clean feed and a messy, need-a-new-shirt feed. The only weird thing is that Molly needs less than Zoe. It makes sense because of how active Zoe is compared to Molly but it still surprised me. I wish I could post a video but I find it quite inappropriate considering my occupation (I can just see it... "Mrs. Reynolds, I saw your boobs online"... No, thank you!). But if anyone is curious or interested, come visit around 3, 6, 9, or 12... It is something of a miracle. After all, we are given two... Lol. I have always produced massive amounts of milk. I think God was preparing me. This fact, thanks to my good Nurse friend from college, might be the reason I have pukers. I may be giving them too much! We shall see!

 

Wish me good luck and keep those prayers coming. Matthew starts twilight shift soon so he can be with me at night and I start back to work in a month. Matthew is still working third shift and it helps my mindset when I know I am in charge of everything. I organize things so feedings go smoothly. I am hoping Matthew and I do not kill each other when he switches. Co-parenting is a lot harder. When I am by myself, I get a lot more done and I know I HAVE to do everything. Sharing responsibilities is just not an option. We still won't see each other (I will get home from school at 4 and he will go immediately out the door to work until 11), but I will have my hubby by my side at night and in the morning to help with getting the kids situated with breakfast, diaper changes, and brushing teeth.

 

I love my bigger family. I love that I have given my children the gift of built-in best friends and shoulders to cry on. I am blessed beyond measure... just don't ask me to hang out for two or three years! ;)

 

 

12 Takes for 2012

1. This year I was able to accept others kindness and love with an open heart. I was able to accept help and gifts from generous people without thinking their help and gifts were because I "needed" it.

 

2. My husband is amazing. Whether he was planning/implementing my Baby Moon, taking over with the boys and the house, he did it with love and this showed me that he knows how hard it was for me to let some of these things go and let him take over. It helps that he knows my love language of acts of service! ;)

 

3. My boys are becoming best friends who choose to hang out with each other. Sure they fight, but usually they show really care for one another.

 

4. Zoe Darlene

 

 

5. Molly Maria

 

 

6. My wonderful siblings who are So caring. It is so good to have such a big family so that when you are mad at one of them, you have others to lean on.

 

7. My sister, Katie, who has taken on the role of mentor for me. She has helped me let go and realize that accepting others' kindness is allowing them to act on behalf of the Lord. My sister, Mary, for her constant support. We are VERY similar (with home/financial/marriage/children). This helps us to encourage one another and be a sound board for complaints and compliments. My sister, Annie. She is such a bright light of joy. Her caring and understanding personality makes her accepting of all and helps teach me to do the same.

 

8. My parents for their help this year. They helped us to buy our new van because of the generosity. They will never know how much I need them (even though I don't show it) or love them. I am amazed by their life together and they help me to make positive decisions in regards to my marriage and family.

 

9. My in-laws. They have done so much to make sure our transition to twins was positive and easy. They made sure that we did not have to worry about the unimportant things in order that we focus on what truly matters most... our family.

 

10. My job. I have a true family in the school I work at. They are amazing. They even cared enough to set up a "diaper fund" for us because we have 4 under three and they are all in diapers! Not to mention my awesome 4th grade teammates who have taken the reigns while I baked the twins. I did not EVER have to worry about school while I was off work.

 

11. My church. For encouraging me to make hard decisions because they are right. To always allow me to make my own decisions but reminds me to NEVER make excuses to justify making the wrong decisions. I have a church that has withstood the test of time. I have a church that I am in love with and that makes COMPLETE sense. It doesn't change with the times and it is not popular. Anything worth doing is probably going to be difficult.

 

12. Dave Ramsey. He has made an impact on my family's mentality of money and debt. He has made me a financially responsible person who is prepared for things to not go as planned (i.e. pregnant with twins!). Now it is difficult to walk into Target knowing that I cannot even buy the top on sale for $5.98, but it is good to know I have control over knowing what is truly a need and what is most definitely a want.

 

Happy New Year!

The TMI Labor Post...

Well, it has officially been 6 days since the birth of my little miracles. Zoe Darlene was born first at 1:36 pm weighing in at 5lbs. 7 oz. and 18 in. long. Molly Maria was born second at 1:51 pm. She was the exact same weight and length as her sister.

I got my epidural early (Oh, yeah!). At around 1:15 my midwife (Nancy Shirey=amazing) told me I was 100% effaced and 7 cm. dialated. She said she would come back in a bit after she made arrangements for her appointments and did a couple of things. Two minutes after she left the room, I turned to my mother-in-law and asked her to get Nancy because they were coming... and VERY fast!

Nancy came back in and we started to the operating room. I had to give birth in the OR because of the potential to have a c-section (something that might break me with a two year old and one year old at home). We got in the room and I started to get prepped to push. My amazing husband stood by my side calming me and telling me how amazing I was. My epidural was allowing me to feel. This made pushing a bit easier because I could feel more of what I was doing. I pushed little Zoe out after she got stuck for what seemed like an awfully painful eternity. Then came Molly. She had turned breech while Zoe made her way out. My midwife knew that I did not want a c-section if I could help it because of the recovery I would face. She called in another doctor (Barry Campbell) who does breech extractions. He was about to go into another surgery but popped in to save my LIFE! He used the ultrasound machine to grab Molly by the feet and pull her out. This one was scary and could have been bad, but, thank God, things went well. The AMAZING news is that I did not need an episiotomy so my healing was insanely different. Although I had immense contractions after the birth (my uterus shrinking to its once small size) this only lasted two more days after we were released. God is good and knew that I could only handle so much. Throughout this whole pregnancy, even with everyone telling me how insane we were for having 4 under three, I knew God would provide. I have such faith in my God and I know he will provide, if I do my best and pray for guidance.

Matthew and I took advantage of the nurseryso that we could enjoy going home and be comletely well rested and ready to make Christmas memories. We came home and the boys reactions were priceless. My mom and mother-in-law were there and I couldn't have been happier.

These past three days at home have been a blessing. The ease at which we made this transition is unbelieveable. My husband is the best swaddler is the world and participates 100% because he WANTS to be involved and share this gift of crazy responsibility. I am overcome and my cup runneth over. He is, in SO many ways, like St. Joseph. Providing for the Blessed Mother and Jesus without any regard to himself.

Reflections On What It Is To Have Twins

1. Being able to buy your children things does not guarantee they will be good people. This is hard for many to understand. In our society, people think if you don't pay for college for your children, you are not a good parent. Being a parent means nurturing and loving your child. Teaching them how to be loving and encouraging to ALL. Teaching them to never judge others and to instill in them patience. Putting food on the table and clothes on their backs is a must but going out to eat all the time and eating brand name food is not.

2. Cooking two is WAY different than cooking one. It is VERY painful toward the end. I am complaining more (which I have been very diligent about not doing this pregnancy). I can barely walk. When I do feel only a little pain, I tend to be too active (which I pay for the next day). I have terrible restless leg during the night and can rarely sleep.

3. It is VERY humbling. I have had to accept a lot of help that I normally would rather die than accept. I am a firm believer in taking care of things on your own and only asking for help when you absolutely NEED it. Asking my husband to get the roll that has fallen at my feet because I am in too much pain to bend down is humbling to say the least. Not being able to go anywhere with the boys (walks, the mall, over to their cousins' to play, etc.) is terrible. Having to deal with a messy house or laundry piling up is not fun either. It makes it easier when your kind hearted mother-in-law or sister come over to bring a meal and a conversation.

4. If you have a GREAT husband, it is easier. Luckily, I was blessed with an amazing man. One who consistently talks about how wonderful I am (even though I am crazy). One who chooses to drive our family van instead of our car because he likes it. A man who gets upset at me when he thinks I do too much. Someone who does his best to take on ALL of the household responsibilities because I am worthless. And a guy, who chooses to fore go his activities (watching football, making music, hanging out with friends) because he genuinely likes his family best and wants to be with us.

5. I have the most AMAZING sons. They keep themselves entertained while Mama relaxes (or tries to) on the couch. They keep fighting to a minimum because they know Mama is not doing well. They comfort me by asking "You okay, Mama" and scratching my back while I am bent over a toilet. They offer me water when I am sad and then ask "You feel better, Mama". My sons comfort me when I am whining about how sore I am or what pain I am in.

6. I cannot wait to have these twins so that I can get sleep (sounds crazy but from cramping to restless leg, I get almost none) and be able to walk in the land of the living and not stay couped up in our house during gloomy and dark winter months!

7 Quick Takes at 34 Weeks

1.

We went to the doctor yesterday because the previous night I was having HORRIBLE cramping. Everything looks A-Okay... Good for the girls but sad for me! I also found out that I passed the 20 lbs mark for weight gain... always a fun experience.The girls are head down! This means that my chance of a c-section is smaller! I am so happy because giving birth is interesting and awesome.

2.

I am so thankful to my family. I can count on them for ANYTHING! My sister and mother-in-law have been taking turns making meals for our family. This has been unreal and extremely helpful considering my control freak, perfectionist atiitude and the fact that I need to be resting on the couch ALL DAY.

3.

This brings me to my husband. He has had to take over with the boys, house, and taking care of me, as well. This is not an easy task. It is especially hard when he knows what a control freak I am and that I am thinking about how much faster I could do things or how much more efficient I could be. This is sometimes the case (because, again, I am a control freak, perfectionist, ungrateful person soemtimes) but, mostly, it is NOT TRUE AT ALL. I cannot believe all he has done for us.

4.

I love that my child wears the dinosaur hat that his cousin let him borrow ALL DAY long. He looks so sweet!

5.

I need to get more prayer in during this Advent season. I notice that I am more judgemental and irritable when I am not praying the way I should (also, I am 3985 weeks pregnant and EXTREMELY uncomfortable). Time to crack down and get some Jesus in my life! lol.

6.

I am embarassed at how much I play the Facebook game "Bubble Witch".

7.

I hate the Kroger giftcard commercials SO MUCH because I cannot get it out of my head and this contributes to my insomnia.

33 Weeks

Dear Babies,

This month has, by far, been the hardest. You are running out of room quickly because Mama is so short. Your brothers are starting to get really excited! Although Kolbe doesn't really understand, Rocky is excited to hold his "sistahs".

You are probably weighing in at about 4-5 lbs. I am hoping 5 because I want you chubby and healthy and able to leave the hospital with you! I am a bit nervous for that. If you come too early, you will be hooked up to machines and need to stay longer than Mommy and Daddy. This is just unacceptable!

Your hiccups come and go but you both are getting so big that Mama is in A LOT of pain and can rarely sleep because her legs feel like they have a mind of their own!

Grammy and Grammy Sherry are hard atwork making your nursery something special. All of your Bell County relatives wanted to do something special for you so they are planning some fun and practical things for your room (including PINK CRIBS!).

You both scared Daddy this week when you moved. His hand was on my belly and you moved and he jumped up out of his seat! It was hilarious!

Your lungs are finishing developing so you should be able to breathe on your own if you come next week or after!

I love you both and pray for you faith in God. NEVER WORRY! It is like paying interest on a loan you have not taken out yet. Thank you for coming into our lives when you did because I needed you!

The Start of Week 32

It has been a while and a whirlwind of events. Since it is Thanksgiving, I thought it appropriate to focus on my thankfuls.

Being a parent is so difficult... But, not really, if your mantra becomes, "There is no me, only you". When we became young parents, we made the decision to live life a certain way. We chose to live out God's Plan for our family and we know what that means. It means that we will not ever be rich but we will be financially responsible. Afterall, NO ONE on their deathbed talks about how much money they wish they had, but they wish for more family and more time with their family. We will always be busy and sometimes have to leave things undone. We will always be overwhelmed so it would be easier to smile and laugh about misfortune and NEVER make it anyone else's problem. We knew people would judge us and have rude comments to say about the size of our awesome family behind our backs and to our faces. We also know that our kids are the ones people are going to want running things in the future because of how we raise them. And we know that at the end of our lives, they will be there along with their kids giving us a glimpse at our legacies.

I am thankful to my girls. This is the first pregnancy that I have accepted with open arms. The first pregnancy that I have not been scared. The first one where I am completely and totally on God's side. It feels good.

I am thankful to my boys for making me chill out and stop being such a control freak. Showing me the joys of wrestling and that cuddles from your sons are monumental experiences.

I am thankful to my husband for literally ALL that he is.

Pregnancy Update: The girls hiccup constantly and Zoe's bottom is on Molly's head. I can barely walk because I am so sore. I stopped working last week because I knew that I was trying to "make it through" the day and my students deserved more. Good thing I stopped working because my boys and I had TERRIBLE colds all week and are just now getting over them. Three more weeks and we should be good to pop these babies out safely.

Picture to come later!