Variety is...

Whatever it is, it seems a necessary part of our lives here lately. I have found that switching back and forth between whole grain cereals with probiotics is the the current key to keeping Mary Louise and David's digestion on track.

Between teething, digestion, and Heaven knows what else, the 4 of us have gotten very little sleep lately. It sounds good in theory that they are at a weight to be sustained and calm "through the night", that they are getting older and can "cry a little more", that they should "self-soothe" more effectively...and that over a year of not sleeping would be enough time to "get on a schedule". Unfortunately, that simply has not been the case. They make regular progress in all areas. They are far from keeping us up as they did in the beginning when we were feeding them every. 2. hours during their first 6 months (yes. 6 months). But, they are also far from acting (in this area) as "regular 1 year olds". Their growth is still that of an infant. They gain an average of 1 pound per month - this is incredibly fast compared to their full term counter parts. Their appetites are simply amazing - and increasing.

Today has been particularly rough for me. Mary Louise and David have been ravenous the past few days- but not for solids mind you, and this morning's climate was nothing short of frantic. I started pumping every 2 to 3 hours again during the day in an attempt to keep up with their demand. But the fact is, I was barely keeping up before this latest influx. So, this morning, as we were all sitting here at the end of our ropes, I gave in and allowed them to try some whole milk. I was nothing short of hysterical about this decision. I realize how ridiculous that sounds to some...but to me, this is the one thing I have, by the hardest, been able to do for them. Obviously, my reservations were centered a bit more in my own inadequacies than in their health or hunger...

They seem ok with the whole milk really. Of course I am continuing with pumping - I have been able to maintain them on about 20+ ounces each per day. They are also making progress with solids. Tofu has been a success. They've also tried (or played with really) some steamed broccoli and veggie pasta pieces. So, things are constantly changing in the diet arena.

When I gave Mary Louise her whole milk, she took a swallow, made a mildly concerned face, grinned really big while looking up at me, then stuck her finger through the nipple shoving it into the bottle thereby spilling the milk all over. I have to say, it was a little funny - and a much needed comedic break after our (or my) neurotic and stress filled morning trying to pump every. last. drop. I had available with 2 fussing babies climbing my legs.

Mary Louise's milk snafu was after David's complete fumble...I was making his bottle. He was throwing a fit. I was holding him. My last 3 ounces of breast milk was slapped into a brand new container of brown rice cereal. My heart sank. The whole milk saga ensued.

If variety really is the spice of life, I am hopeful for a bland day tomorrow. We've had enough spice here to last at least 2 days I think.

xo,
Heather