As promised I am updating on how we are doing right now! I plan to go back in time on a few posts and share the beginning of our journey with our girls, but for now I will update you on our current state.
The girls turned 5 months old on May 21st. Ella is fitting into 6 month sizes like a pro. Ava of course is still sitting pretty in 3 month sizes. We are still in size 1 diapers; this is great because we got a ton from the diaper party. I'd love to give you weights but we haven't been to the doctor in a month.
Currently, we are in the midst of sleep training the girls and it has been hard!! Hard, but I really think it has started to pay off. We have to lay the girls down somewhat awake for nap time and bed time, then they cry...
We have to let them cry to learn how to self soothe and fall asleep without us. It has been nothing short of torturous, but it is working! The first night we tried this they cried for 45 minutes straight. I thought I was going to loose my mind! I felt like such a terrible mother--but then they slept. They didn't wake up every hour, I didn't have to go in and hold them to fall back asleep... Each day got better and better. Now we are to the point where at night we have little to no crying at all. We have managed to "train" them to only need one feeding through the night!!! This is BIG stuff guys! Just a month ago we were up 2-3 times a night just to feed, that doesn't include getting them if they woke up!
**ATTENTION**
I do go in to check on them when they are crying to calm them in intervals, sometimes its makes it worst though. Just so you don't think I let them cry for 45 mins or 1hr without anything. :) We are using the Babywise methods.Napping is a different bear in this household. Our girls have NEVER been good nappers! They would only fall asleep in their swing, chair, or in someones arms. The second you put them in bed they would wake up and go bananas. We are still working on napping, they still cry for about 5-8 minutes before they are totally out. I know that sounds horrendous, but its crazy better than 1hr straight of crying and missing almost a whole nap. So again this is BIG news! :-)
For their age they should be taking two, two hour naps a day. My girls were lucky to get a good 30 minutes prior to sleep training. The problem was the minute they made a peep I was in to "rescue" them. Now when they let out a little cry or wake up, I leave them and they generally put themselves back to sleep on their own!!! Crazy right??
Well, sometimes this brings on a little bit of crying like 5 or so minutes again, but totally worth it for them to get a good two hour nap!
I know you are all asking yourselves; don't they then wake up the other twin? (they share a room) Yes they generally do. At first I would put one in the other room in the cradle. I quickly changed that because they need to get used to each other, they will be sharing a room as long as we are in this house. They are already getting used to each other, especially at night.
I am currently watching the monitor looking at two girls fussing a little in their beds. They woke up 40 minutes into their nap, no-one is freaking, so I won't go in. I want to see how they do on their own. I do not get them up when they wake up in the middle of a nap like that. They need to learn that this is nap/resting time. (Update, 3 minutes of crying both back out!)
Quick update on a few other fun things now:
They are both rolling over from back to tummy and tummy to back. Ella is quite the pro at this. They are also holding their heads up much better. They love sitting on your lap now like little people. They really enjoy listening to music with a good beat and "dancing," smiling, and laughing. If I had Meghan Trainor's song "Better When I am Dancing" on repeat all day, I might never hear crying!
We are still on formula but are starting to eat cereal and fruit in the morning and in the evening. They are both getting the hang of the spoon. Ella just started opening her mouth for us when the spoon comes close. So far we have tried carrots, pears, apples, bananas, and peas. Pears are currently their favorite!
We have bought some fun new toys that they are really getting into. Ava still loves her Minnie Mouse and dolly. Ella is more interested in anything she can chew on or pound on.
That was quite a LONG post, so I think I am done for now. I do not anticipate all of my posts to be this long. I just had a lot to fill you all in on since we are just starting! Now you're all caught up! :-)
We might have a "special guest" blogger tomorrow...Joshua Barnes!! Have a happy Monday!
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