Update

I have been meaning to post for a couple of days now but have not had the time. There are so many things to talk about that I don't know where to begin! Last week I started weaning Thomas and Elizabeth from the breast. Just when I had decided I would nurse until they turn one they -- once again -- showed me things don't/won't always go as planned. My decision to start weaning was based on several things. E has become so busy that she is not interested in the breast. She might nurse for 10 minutes and then wants to talk or get on the floor and play. Also, the size of the twins has become an issue. They are getting so big that they seem uncomfortable after nursing for awhile and begin to fuss rather than eat. I suppose I could nurse them separately, but that would take ALL DAY. Besides E being so busy, and the twins getting so big, T and E have learned to aggravate each other -- not sure if it is intentional yet but the end result is the same. T likes to "play" with his sister's head by scratching it or pulling her hair. Needless to say it is not so much fun for E. On the other hand, E likes to try to put her hands in T's mouth while he is nursing. His usual response is a yell. Obviously, nursing has become quite an ordeal, and it is not as pleasant for the twins or mom as it should be. So, last week I took away their supper time feeding and gave them a bottle instead. I wasn't sure how it would go since E has been refusing to take the bottle. It went surprisingly well. After fighting me for a short time E took her bottle. I did this for five days and then this past Monday I took away their lunch time feeding and substituted a bottle. They seem to be adjusting fine -- probably better than I am. E is still pretty busy and not completely interested in the bottle, but at least now I know how much she is getting, which is comforting to me.

Besides weaning we have been working on "acceptable meal time behaviors". Both T and E have started throwing the BIGGEST fits during meal time. David and I have endured several of these episodes and have decided there is nothing wrong with them -- not in pain, not wet/dirty, etc. We both think the fits are behavioral issues. Anyway, I have tried using some sign (the sign for stop) along with my words to stop the fit. I also do not give them a bite while they are screaming. That is actually impossible -- they won't swallow it but just keep right on screaming. We will see how it goes. A wise man recently told me, "There is no right way to be a parent. What works for one child might not work for another. Some decisions you make will be right and some will be wrong. As long as your heart is in the right place at the time of the decision is all that matters."

On a lighter note, Thomas rolled over from his back to his stomach for the first time on Saturday! We were giving T and E some naked time, and they were loving it. In the heat of the moment, T rolled over but was immediately unhappy about it (he hates being on his stomach). I was so happy to see him finally roll to his belly!

I met with a photographer today to discuss having some professional pictures taken of the twins. She will come to the house for the session which will make it so much easier for me and the twins. We discussed some possible places in the yard and what times of the day will be best for the babies. She will come twice in one day if she needs to -- so flexible! I am really excited about it! I have seen her work on her website, and her pictures are phenomenal. She is young and seems to have a lot of experience with babies.

That is all for now. Nap time is almost over.