News

It turns out my husband is a pretty smart guy. I tried his recommendation -- giving the twins milk before their solids today at lunch, and it worked. Both T and E drank a little over 3 ounces of very cold cow's milk Yay!

They have actually tried many new table foods so far. Here is a list:

Turkey (deli meat) T liked, E did not
Ham (deli meat) T liked, E did not
Cheddar cheese T liked, E did too
PBJ sandwich T liked, E did too
Whole wheat bread T liked, E did not
Biscuit with jelly T liked, E did too

I plan on trying cantoloupe this evening. They are ever changing little people.

Chocolate Chip Cookies!

I made cookies yesterday during the twins' afternoon nap. It was the first time I have baked since they were born. David had hinted several times for me to make CC cookies, and we were going to a cook out last night so I thought I would bake. They turned out really well! When David got home from work he shared his cookie with T and E, and they LOVED it! Not really such a big surprise to me. CC cookies before birthday cake....had not been my plan but who cares? It was funny listening to their "more" sounds, especially Thomas' sounds.

Gotta go! Pack and play time is over.

Two Refusals!

Neither T nor E would drink their milk after lunch today. They had green beans and rice and strawberry yogurt -- shared about 14 oz. Maybe they were too full? I'm not sure because after they ate I had a sandwich and a banana. Thomas wanted some turkey and did well eating it. He and E both had some banana with me so I am thinking they couldn't have been too full for milk. David suggested we try giving them the milk first and then giving them solids....I don't know....

Gym -- Milk Update

I took the twins to My Gym this morning, and they both had a better day. They still cried some, but Thomas more willingly tried new skills even laughing during some of them but crying a little after each was over. Elizabeth tried as well but cried during each try. She cried again during separation time....practice, practice. Thomas has done well with the separation time ( I should mention here that Thomas loves women and is surrounded by pretty girls during separation time) but doesn't like the clean up afterward. He doesn't want to put the balls up......LOVES THEM! I was exhausted when we got home..so out of shape! Thought about napping during the twins' afternoon nap, but decided against it.. would be a waste of time. I cut foam for my dining room chairs instead -- fun fun!

Neither T nor E drank much cow's milk today, but they ate more solids than usual. I did not give either one a bottle of formula but did try formula in a cup for E. She refused so I thought I would go with it....see what happens. The worst case scenario would be waking up early from nap wanting something to eat. So far that has not happened. I'm guessing that now is the time that food will become more important than fluid intake? I talked to Daddy about it this morning, and he said some babies just don't like milk.... give her water or juice and make sure she eats well. Of course, he encouraged me to keep trying the milk.....sometimes it just takes time. I don't like milk myself, but I don't want to impose my likes or dislikes on my children.

I got the twins' birthday outfits in the mail today, and they are just precious! I'm not sure if Thomas' will fit so I will have to try it on as soon as he wakes so I can exchange it if necessary. I spent more than I should have, but you only have one first birthday, right? It's only money, right? We can't take it with us when we go...Besides, I plan on having A LOT of things to sell at the twins club consignment sale in the fall.


Birthday party countdown.... 1 week and four days.

New Experiences.....New Refusals

We had a great weekend with Aunt JoJo and Poppy. It was hard to see them leave this morning as is always the case when I have to say good-bye. They will be back in two weeks though for the birthday party. Thomas and Elizabeth had a good time with them both, and David took some outstanding pics. He never disappoints, that husband of mine.

Yesterday we tried giving the twins cow's milk in their cups following their lunch. Thomas drank a little bit, but Elizabeth kept spitting her milk out. So, I ended up giving them both a bottle of formula. I tried again today, and Thomas drank a little over 3 ounces (yay!) Elizabeth spit hers out again and drank a bottle of formula. Our baby girl is remaining true to form...she refused the bottle at first and now cow's milk. She takes her juice really well from the cup so I know the cup is not the issue. We will keep trying. I guess we may have to try soy milk if she continues to spit her cow's milk out. No worries at this point.

Any advice from those who have been there?

Birthday party countdown....two weeks.

Another day at the gym...

I took the twins to My Gym again this morning, and there were three sets of twins there counting Thomas and Elizabeth. Weird, huh? There were lots more kids present today than there were Tuesday. It went a little better for Thomas. He cried less and seemed a little more comfortable. He could not take his eyes off Mr. Travis, the teacher. Both T and E enjoyed the opening circle time which included some silly warm up activities and songs. They both clapped, grinned, and giggled a little bit. Elizabeth had a tougher day today. She cried almost everytime I put her down. No worries though. It will just take some time for them to get used to it all. Again, I was exhausted and sweaty after the class. T and E were so tired neither of them made a sound on the ride home. I was afraid they had fallen asleep, but they had not. They had a great lunch and are napping at the moment. When they wake up they will have three big surprises... Daddy will be home (he has been out of town since Wednesday), and Poppy and Aunt JoJo will be here too.

I can't wait!

Big Day

The twins had a really BIG day today! I took them to a place called My Gym which I am assuming is a lot like a Gymboree. David and I have been recently discussing the twins' need to get out around other kids and adults and my need to do the same. So, today was the day. We were in a class for 23 months to 2 1/2 year olds because the class for the twins' age group is during their morning nap. I think it went well considering it was their first time, and there were ten other children present along with their moms. They did cry quite a bit....when "performing a skill" with the teacher or when another child screamed with delight.....all things they need to get used to and will I am sure of it. There was a portion of the class designated to working on separation anxiety in which the moms went to the lobby area (still in the same room...it is all one huge room). The teacher sat Thomas in a turtle sandbox that was full of plastic balls, and he never even knew I was gone...he loved it. Elizabeth screamed, and I do mean screamed the entire time. Again, something they need to learn. I told Elizabeth upon my return that "mommy always comes back." I was thrilled with the program and the teacher though completely exhausted after the class. I plan on taking the twins at least twice a week. I would like to take them on some Saturdays so David can go as well.

Once we got home from My Gym the twins were ready for their lunch which included some new foods. I gave them some really soft bite size carrots to try. Thomas liked them but got frustrated trying to feed himself. He squeezed them to bits in his chubby little hands. Elizabeth did not like the carrots but had a great time squeezing them and trying to throw them in the floor....a behavior I need to address quickly. They also ate some graham crackers for the first time and both loved them. Of course it was easier for T and E to feed themselves the crackers so there was no frustration. Unlike his sister, Thomas does not like it when food hits the floor. He stares at it and vocalizes as if saying, "hey mama, pick that up....it is supposed to be in my mouth."

I think all of these new adventures in one day has made T and E so tired. I bet they have a good afternoon nap.....I hope.

New play area....new favorite game

Until recently the twins play area was a large quilt in the living room floor. That worked out well until E started crawling everywhere. Gone are the days of sitting her down and being able to walk out of the room without worrying about what she can get in to. We have a sitting area in our kitchen that has been empty since we moved in. My plan has always been to buy a rug and move the twins' play area into the kitchen since that is where we (David, me and babies) are most of the time. David surprised me with a new rug Monday night (yea!) On Tuesday I moved everything into the "keeping room" which is what I have been told is the proper name for the sitting area. I love it, T and E love it, we all love it! The twins have found a new game since their play area has been moved. E will get her round blue block and toss/roll it around and chase after it. T loves to watch her and now joins in. Of course, I chase his block for him at this point. It is great fun for all of us though I suspect crawling on the hardwood is harder on my knees than E's.

I will try to get it on video.

T has a tooth!

T has a tooth barely poking through!

l.////////////////////////d says E


b says T

Happy Father's Day

Ten years ago I took my father out to dinner to celebrate Father's Day. A short time later, I received a letter from him. In the letter he thanked me for dinner, offered me some fatherly advice, and closed with this:

"Someday I hope you have a son to love as much as I love you."

I came across this letter a few weeks ago while re-arranging my closet. I didn't even remember saving it but I'm sure glad I did.

You see, eleven months ago my father's hope was realized when my son Thomas was born. On the same day I was blessed to not only have a new son to love but a beautiful daughter as well.

The meaning of Father's Day has changed forever for me now. Now I know that there is nothing in the world more special than being a father. I strive to be as good a father to Elizabeth and Thomas as my Dad is to me.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Someday I hope my son loves me as much as I love you.

Rest in peace, sweet Liam

My blogging friend lost one of her twins this morning. He recently had a shunt put in to relieve pressure off his brain from hydrocephaly. The doctors found he had much more damage to his brain than the ultrasounds had shown. Little Liam fought as long as he could...it was just too much for him. He passed away while lying on his mother's chest next to his father. May he feel peace as well as his family.

Another sweet angel in heaven....

I am thankful for Kate allowing us to share in her story and have been touched by her and her sweet family in an indescribable way. To read her story go to http://ingliseast.typepad.com/

11 Months Old!

Yesterday, Thomas and Elizabeth turned 11 months old! They had a pretty good day though they have been a little puny. I took them to the pediatrician on Monday because they have been REALLY fussy and playing with their ears. I thought they might be teething, but being a speech pathologist I was worried they might have an ear infection. Their ears were clear, no new teeth emerging, but they both had really red throats. They were negative for strep (whew!) so it may be viral. The doctor said to watch them and bring them back in if they get worse. Here's to getting better!


The twins went swimming for the very first time on Sunday! Our friends Marcus and Ann invited us over to their house for the afternoon to swim with their girls. They have a beautiful pool area in their backyard. Thomas and Elizabeth loved it! They didn't even seem to mind being coated with sunscreen. Their sun hats stayed on for most of the swim....they are not too fond of them but are learning. I fed them their supper poolside, and all went well until bottle time. That is when Thomas started having a "come apart". That was the moment that I felt like something was wrong with him and possibly Elizabeth.


Let's see....at eleven months what have they learned?


Elizabeth is crawling EVERYWHERE, clapping her hands and pulling to her knees consistently. She has pulled to stand a couple of times now. Bless her heart, she falls and hurts herself all the time now. E has two teeth but chews on everything...maybe more are coming? The bumper pads are out of her crib so she doesn't have anything to snuggle with as she did before. E seems to be doing ok with this but not sure mama and daddy are. It just seems so cold and hard without the bumper pads. Blankets aren't an option -- David says no...he is afraid of suffocation -- besides the fact that Elizabeth sleeps all over the place. There is absolutely no way she would stay covered up, and the blanket would wind up in the floor along with her pacifier. The other day I realized I only had one of her pacifiers in the "clean container".....I found three or four under her bed :) Elizabeth loves to play with shoes especially my tennis shoes and gets so excited when I put them on. She loves my birkenstocks as well, but I don't like to let her play with them because they are 13 years old....who knows what could be on them?! E loves her bed and is so good about waiting for me to come and get her whether it is from her nap or in the morning, and she is always so happy to see us when she wakes up. She is a happy baby and thinks funny faces are hysterical! She sounds like a grown-up when she laughs at our funny faces....such a cute cackle...reminds me of her Poppy. Elizabeth looks exactly like her daddy, and people notice it right away whenever he is holding her. She still clings to me and likes me in the room with her. Now that she is crawling she will follow me whenever I leave the room. I love to hear her hands patter on the hardwood floors....such a sweet sound. Her favorite food right now is strawberry bananas, and she doesn't seem to have a "full spot" when eating them. I recently tried giving Elizabeth formula in her cup, but she refused it. I decided to continue formula in the bottle and introduce whole milk in her cup in a couple of weeks. She does well drinking juice from her cup. Her favorite toys include board books and a duck from a farm puzzle/toy.

What about Thomas? He is really pullling away from Elizabeth in terms of their sizes. He weighs a little over twenty pounds while she weighs 17 pounds and 4 ounces. He drinks around three more ounces than she does per day though their solids are about the same. Thomas has started rolling over to sleep on his stomach which is SO weird! He has always preferred his back until recently. One morning I went to get the twins up from their morning nap, and Thomas was on his tummy looking as if he were swimming in a pool with his legs and arms kicking and moving at the same time. Since then he seems to roll onto his tummy after kicking on his back for awhile. He ABSOLUTELY LOVES his bed and squeals with delight whenever we lay him down. That is so comforting to both of us. Thomas no longer has his bumper pads either, but he was never one to cuddle up to them. He just recently started moving around in his bed while sleeping. Thomas likes to be put in Elizabeth's bed whenever he wakes up. He will sit up in her bed and just laugh and talk. She likes to go into his bed as well. Thomas continues to prefer standing up and has not shown much interest in crawling. He is reaching more for toys that are out of his reach and gets frustrated when he can't reach them. Thomas loves to pat his own belly while playing and continues to clap his hands. His favorite food? He likes most food -- HaHa!-- I don't think I can pick just one favorite for him. He likes bananas, Blueberry Buckle, vanilla custard, sweet potatoes, etc. I have started feeding them my yogurt instead of mixing baby food with plain yogurt. They like it better -- I'm sure because it has more sugar in it. It has bits of fruit in it so I figure it is good for teaching them how to move food around and begin to learn to chew. So far they seem to be tolerating the lactose. He is doing quite well drinking juice out of his sippy cup. I plan on trying whole milk in a couple of weeks. Thomas' favorite toys are board books, a farm puzzle/toy, and blocks. He screams at Elizabeth whenever she takes something from him, but she usually screams back. It is quite fun to watch.

It is amazing how much babies grow and develop in their first year of life. Thomas and Elizabeth have certainly come a long way since their birth. They are very happy babies who make us laugh every day, and we can't imagine life without them.

We are gearing up for their first birthday party and plan to have lots of family and some friends. More on that later.

We need an eleven year old...

Last weekend we had a bustling household....more so than usual. On Friday, Amanda, my best friend from home, and her daughter Hannah Beth drove from Arkansas for a visit. It was the first time either of them had been to South Carolina let alone our house. Gramps, Grandmother Jane, and Belle (their black lab) drove over on Saturday in their new motor home. They parked "the bus" in the cul de sac and plugged her up to our house....sounds funny doesn't it? It was really very nice. No complaints from the neighbors either. We also had a surprise visit from Donna and Jason who are some good friends from Georgia who now live in Charlotte. They brought their new baby Grayson who was born in December. They stopped by our house on their way to Charleston. I was so surprised and very happy to see them. Donna and I worked together in GA....miss her and the job. Anyway, we had a wonderful weekend with all of our guests. The twins are getting so much better when we have company in that they aren't as timid.

Thomas and Elizabeth LOVED Hannah Beth! They went right to her when she arrived which is quite rare. Typically they cling to me -- E more than T -- when we have company until they have time to warm up. Not with Hannah Beth or Amanda. They would reach for them --- something they have only done to David and I so far. Who knew an eleven year old could be SO helpful? Hannah Beth changed diapers, fed the babies table food, burped them at Baboo time, got them dressed, etc. You name it....she did it. It was so nice! T and E loved every minute of her visit. I think they missed her when she and Amanda left.

I told David we need to buy an eleven year old :)

More standing

Elizabeth pulled to stand in her crib this morning! She works so hard all day long.

Thomas had some good tummy time last night before bed. He pushed himself up higher than he ever has.

Wish I could write more....gotta go.

update

Elizabeth is crawling EVERYWHERE! Up until the end of last week she would only crawl on the rug or carpet -- would stop when she got to the hardwood. Now she is everywhere! Yesterday I had to spat her little hand for getting on the stairs. Afterwards she would crawl to the stairs and look back at me. Ah....learning "no" is so hard....hard for grown ups as well. This morning she pulled to stand on the exersaucer all by herself. She has been pulling to her knees while in her crib but got to her feet today. Life in the Hopkins' House is getting busier each day.

Thomas loves to watch his sister crawl. He gets so excited and talks and laughs while watching her. He loves to stand but has not tried pulling himself to stand. All in his own time.....

I got the twins' birthday party invitations in the mail over the weekend, and David and I plan to get started on them tonight. We are going to have mostly family and a few of our friends over. I found out over the weekend that my aunt is going to bring Franny and Grandaddy to the party. I am so glad they are going to be able to come! They have not been to our house yet and don't get to see the twins enough. That pretty much means my whole family will be here. Thanks, Aunt Peg!

It is so hard to believe they are almost one year old. We have had such a good year.

E is clapping!

Elizabeth started clapping her hands....was it today or last nigh? I can't remember lol! Anyway, she is clapping!

Bye-bye Feeding Fort

The "feeding fort" was officially dissassembled yesterday. For those of you who don't know, the feeding fort was a compilation of pillows and blankets piled in the floor of the nursery used exclusively for nursing the twins once they outgrew their gigantic nursing pillow. I knew they had outgrown their nursing pillow when Elizabeth rolled off into the floor. That was when I made the decision to nurse them while sitting in the floor, and the feeding fort was created. It reminded me of my sister Jo who is very crafty at "building" things like the feeding fort. Thomas and Elizabeth have been completely weaned from the breast for a couple of weeks now, but I was just unable to clean up the feeding fort. Yesterday, while changing their crib sheets I knew it was time. David seemed quite surprised when I told him the feeding fort was gone. I do still have two blankets down for getting the twins dressed and for a play area.

Elizabeth is starting to try to pull up on things. She will raise one arm to grab onto something (usually me but has also tried the exersaucers, her crib, and the couch) but seems unsure of what to do next. Thomas has started moving around more both in his crib and on the floor -- rolling that is. Thomas has always slept on his back but recently has been on his side when David and I go in for our bed time peeks. Elizabeth sleeps ALL OVER THE PLACE. It is funny how the personalities they had while in the NICU are still pretty much the same. Thomas is the quieter, laid back baby, and Elizabeth is still a firecracker whose cry can shatter glass (and eardrums).

Oh, how we love our babies!

Happy to report....

I am very happy to report that my blogging friend's twins are doing better and getting stronger everyday. Ben is off the ventilator, and Liam is currently being weaned from the ventilator. She got to hold both babies at the same time yesterday and has a beautiful picture on her blog. Go to http://ingliseast.typepad.com/ to view her blog and recent pics.

My twins are doing great! Elizabeth will crawl anywhere except on the hardwood floors. She just slides whenever she tries to crawl there. Thomas is really watching his sister move and starting to act a little sad that he can't....poor little guy. I'm not worried. He will move when he is ready. They may be twins, but they are different babies and will develop on their own timetables.

DAdadada

Thomas started saying dadadada today. He said it tonight until he fell asleep. David is away but could hear him when I put the phone up to the monitor. Sweet, sweet boy....

10 months old and so thankful!

T and E are ten months old now and are so healthy and strong. I am so thankful for this and so many other things. I have recently found an acquaintence/friend in the "blogging world" who gave birth to her identical twin boys at 28 weeks due to acute twin to twin transfusion. They are both in the NICU and having lots of problems as would be expected at such an early gestational age. I can't get her and her babies out of my head. I read her blog ferociously, but at the same time I can't/don't want to read it. I know what we went through with T and E at 36 weeks gestation and know it could have been so much worse. I sympathize with my new friend and wish I could console her. Now I want to look at T and E longer during our "night time peek" before David and I go to sleep. They are beautiful, amazing creatures.

At ten months we have had lots of changes. E is pretty much crawling though it is still a little awkward for her. She talks all the time and has started screaming as loud as she can when she wants a response from me ( I remember my niece MaryJo doing this at about the same age). She is testing her mom's resolve in that she thinks No is funny and will look at me when she is knowingly doing something she is not supposed to....the fun begins.

T is sitting up all by himself and loves to clap his hands. He still hates his tummy and doesn't role much. He has started talking/babbling more in the last couple of days. T remains the "quiet baby" for the most part except for when E is taking a toy away from him. He responds more appropriately to No than E does at this point. No teeth for T yet.

T and E have started fighting already....They scream at each other and take things away from each other. It is quite funny to watch them interacting from a distance. T is starting to take up for himself rather than letting E have whatever she wants. I know all siblings fight, but I do hope T and E are close.

T and E are completely weaned from the breast as of this past Saturday night. I had gotten down to only nursing them at bed time and was finally able to let go of that feeding. They didn't seem to miss it at all. I was sad of course and would have cried, but we were at a Karli's birthday party (Brett and Amy's baby girl). I think I chose their house subconsciously so that I wouldn't be able to get upset. I have found a sippy cup that is to T and E's liking -- Nuby is the brand. I have only given them juice out of it at this point but will start putting formula in it soon. I'm trying not to change too many things at once.

I have started giving the twins "self play time" in their pack and plays. This is when I put them in their pack and plays with a few toys and then leave the room -- they can't hear me or see me. This is to help them learn to play alone and to focus on one toy/task at a time. I started at ten minutes and have worked up to twenty minutes of self play time. They have done really well with this new concept and seem excited whenever I put them in their pack and plays. I want them to be able to play without Mommy or Daddy being right next to them. T and E both love their exersaucers and love it when I take them out on the porch to play. They love to have their bottles out on the back porch as well.

T and E are growing so fast. We are so blessed to have these beautiful creatures in our lives. I thank God for them everyday and pray he will guide David and I on our journey into parenthood.