Day 13 - Batteries Drained

Even if there had been no new [high-maintenance, completely dependent] additions to the family, this would have been a rough couple of months around here. One of my favorite SNL quotes:  I, too, have worn the brown helmet. 


Last night was a really rough one. Girlie slept only sporadically--hence, so did we. I completely zone out with regard to the current time, during the night. As I mentioned to Wifey today, I no longer even know if I'm sleep deprived. I used to shamble about the house in a stupor--now I think my stupor is somewhat swifter.

I had finally fallen asleep around 7 this morning when the phone rang. It was my darling informing me that the car was dying and she would not likely make it to work. So I [like shambling of old] got out of bed and packed up the babes for a fun trip to meet Mommy at the mechanic. New alternator. Yay. But enough about me.


The babes are doing just fine. Hard to say if/how Girlie's fussiness is affecting Boy. Hopefully this is just a short stage. A friend of a friend--with twins--sent this yesterday. I'm still laughing about it. It's funny and scary how spot on it is. Enjoy.

Day 11 - Putting the Grin in Chagrin

At 8:00 this morning, my little tank boy gave me a wonderful gift--he smiled at me. :) At first, I was naturally suspicious of other forces at work. I tried some more goofy cooing and it worked--three more times. It's official--he can stay! I was really looking forward to this moment--more so than any developmental milestone to date. To this point, they've been so apparently oblivious to their world. I mean, they respond to some sounds and gaze at bright colors and patterns, but until today I haven't felt as if they've had any real appreciation for their environment. It's perhaps especially rewarding following yesterday--a busy, crazy, but doable day!


The emotional caveat is that the smile occurred during my feeding shift as Wifey slept in the next room. I posted my excitement on facebook before returning to bed. By the time I woke up, she had seen my post. I felt a little bad about that.


It's unrealistic to hope that the twins' milestones will always occur at similar times--let alone the same day. And then one did. Girlie smiled at me at 1:15 this afternoon. How gorgeous--one of those big, open-mouthed baby smiles! My faith in this smile's genuineness was something slightly less than 100%. Not that I think she was leading me on--I was merely able to coax two of them. But I'm counting it!


Did Wifey get to see this one? Sadly, no. She was getting her hair did.


This is something she and I have discussed; it's likely that she will miss more of these milestones as they occur. We're both a little sad about that. All I can do is keep the video cam handy. Maybe she'll witness the first solid poop! I love you, Wifey. :)

Day 10 - The Latest Twinfusion, etc.

Guy in futon store:

"Oh, you have a boy and a girl?" Futon Guy said, after noticing the pink and blue carseat covers. "Identical?"

"No, a boy and a girl can't be identical." I said.

Slightly flustered, but playing it off--and without missing a beat, he said, "I meant just in the face."

"Oh, OK," I said. "No, they're not."

Lady passing by as I pushed the stroller:

"Ooooh, they'll never be that small again."  

So I hope.

I should really compile these.

 *****************

Today I attempted solo bathtime. Don't giggle. It was Boy's turn first and he wasn't happy about it. He was, however, significantly less upset than his sister who was waiting on deck. I have to say, holding onto a slippery, flailing & wailing baby while another baby hollered from across the room....not so pleasant. Ahhh, but the reward.....clean, happy, napping babies. That they were slathered in pretty-smelling baby lotion didn't even detract from the situation!

Wifey returned home to clean babes, dinner in the oven and dishes done. Believe me, I'm rarely if ever a horn-tooter, but I felt pretty good about my dadding for the day.

Day 9 - Run of the Mill Bedlam

Haven't been on in a few days--well, I mean here. I feel like I'm on 24/7. No dress rehearsal--I'm on.


The past few days were marked with lots of bodily functions, and unpleasant substances. Another family day tomorrow (Thursday) with the four of us at home. I have already come to savor such days as they will shortly be limited to weekends. 


Today I packed up the babes for a road trip. The idea was to head to Bed Bath & Beyond for an iPod dock for Twin Pop followed by a visit to the local beverage superstore for a brand new tequila--I collect exotic tequila species. Can I tell you how odd it feels (and probably looks) to carry two car seats into a liquor store? Alright, I will. If felt all kinds of odd. I plopped one seat into a the shopping cart basket and put the other on the rack above the child seat. (Pretty cool how that fits there. Things I never thought of.) I wheeled the squeaky cart around the store picking up a few goodies and becoming engaged in a couple of conversations.


My trip home took longer than expected. And I should also mention that I broke a cardinal rule for new parents. The diaper bag is your American Express Card. Yep, I left home without it. I could embellish a more interesting consequence, but fortunately we made it home without incident. I can say, however, that I've become remarkably adept at one armed, behind-the-seat pacifier management. 

Day 6 - The Trend. Remember the TREND.

What a night. So this is what all the warnings and stories are all about.


Girl was inconsolable most of the night--that is until feeding time. More in a moment.


With Wifey transitioning back to work, we're really trying (so far with good success) to feed them between 2 and 4am. The goal being to allow her to feed them right before leaving for work. I have to say that we've done well, considering the opposition. Last night, however, it was...harder. Last night was the first night--ever--that there's been any extended period of inconsolable nighttime crying. (By the babies.)


Girl was fussy for a good portion of the day yesterday--and into the evening. Could be growth spurts, could be...I dunno...gingivitis. Anyhow, as bedtime came and went, they were in their cribs but she wasn't having any of it. I stayed up in the nursery, trying to nap on the twin bed (not to be confused with the twin's bed.) She was alternating between crying and screaming. Crying is better. 


While waiting it out, one of our two dogs barked to be let out of the bedroom across the hall. This is her new thing. She can hold it for 12 hours, unless someone is awake and she's thinking about it. Well, she was definitely thinking about it. I let her out and into the nursery and I returned to consolation duty. The dog promptly peed on the floor. Yay. I hurried downstairs to get the carpet stuff--now both babies were crying. I cleaned up the mess and sat back down to feed them. I should also mention the baby pee, spit-up, and poop outs sprinkled liberally throughout the ordeal.


Boy was still crying. Girl was now totally asleep. Out so cold that I almost got up for help. She was fine, but really had no interest in eating.


As I type this, it's surprises me how less-significant the situation seems. Well, at 2:30am, it seemed pretty damned significant. So much so that my jaw still hurts from clenching.


They're sleeping next to me on the couch right now. A very, very welcome relief. I'm mentally recharging. We're all exhausted.


Why are the line breaks so huge on this page? I can't fix that either.

Day Four - Vaccination "Fallout"

The babes both slept remarkably well last night following their vaccinations. We were told this might happen. There was one 6.5 hour stretch followed by a 5 hour; we slept pretty well too! 


One thing we weren't told, however, was that there might be a little bit of...constipation. Not to get too graphic, but I was a bit surprised that constipation can actually exist given the typical consistency of day-to-day liquid-diet diaper content. It can. We know this because diapers today were essentially just wet. Oh, and because of the explosion on the changing table just before bedtime. HO-LY CRAP. Our poor girl must have dropped half her weight. Wifey was sitting on the couch holding her and said, "Oh, my. I think I need help." I dropped everything, including [gently] the boy I was holding. She barely made it to the changing table in time. I shudder to think of the mess we would have found in the middle of the night had it not happened when it did. I couldn't help myself--I took a picture. I will not be posting or sharing it--at least not until I need ammunition during her teen years.


Another crisis averted. Except now we wait for Boy's turn. So far, no suspicious sounds from the baby monitor. Crossing my fingers.

Day Three - Mom's Home!

As she transitions back to full-time work, the wife is home today and for the weekend. Ahhh...seems like old times! The babes don't yet know the difference--I mean, at this point they wouldn't know the difference between me and Koko the gorilla. Still, it's nice to have the additional hands and the free[er] time to take care of some other stuff. (Like work I've been putting off. As I sit here blogging.)


It's vaccination day today. :) & :(
This round consists of rotovirus, polio, and I think parvo and hogwarts.
*****
Just got back. Poor babies--but they were brave and did remarkably well. Must be very frightening. Our pedes' office is a group with 16 doctors. We usually have the same doc, but today we had the short, bumbling, and dull guy. No help for Boy'a diaper rash, unfortunately. Just waiting & airing it out.

One of Wifey's co-worker's husbands is a woodworker and built the babes this gorgeous rocking horse. He doesn't even really know us--which makes it that much more surprising. This is a treasure that we'll be sure to bring out in a few years. Actually, it may stay out on display.


That's about all for today. I can't adequately describe how great it is to have Wifey home for a few more days. I'm going to miss her a lot during the work weeks that follow. I'm embarrassed to say that it took something like this to make me appreciate her presence so. Babies or no, she's the best and I'm the luckiest guy I know.

Day Two - Preserving Sanity

Yesterday ended on sort of a downer--unrelated to the twins. But that's another story. Today, however, it was back to business as "usual". After a few hours of feed/change/wait/repeat, I decided to pack up the babes and head to the local mall. Seemed like a good time of day--school hadn't yet let out. Getting them in their infant seats is becoming easier. And yet, they're becoming more and more aware of the process, which proves less of a novelty to them--thus any impending fussiness is not forestalled.

We made it to the mall, after a quick fast food detour. I'm trying to be healthy and good to myself, but the stop sprinkled a bit of normalcy into my day. I score that as Body: 0 - Mind: 1. While pushing the stroller (aka, the bus) through the mall, I am intrigued by peoples' reaction to us. Lots of eyes see one baby, but not all see both. Those who do, tend to next look up at me--no doubt formulating some story in their heads. Then there are those who see the twins and say something like, "Oh, there's two!" And, "Look, honey, twins." Usually in the tone of voice that's meant to be heard only by others in their group. Maybe not even noteworthy--but I just take it all in.

Boy started fussing so much that I had to unstrap him and take him out. You'd think the Walmart doors opened at 4AM on December 26th. Wow, I was almost immediately swamped by a group of senior citizens awwing and cooing. "Not many men would do what you're doing." One said as they walked away. Maybe. But I think a lot of that has to do with circumstance. I think if a lot of men were in my shoes--they would.

Day One

Wifey headed back to work today; the babes are seven weeks old. As this day approached, I was bombarded by several feelings--most lay somewhere in between fear and doubt. They're so helpless--and SO hard to read. I have to say that they've been better than expected with regard to temperament. But as any new parent knows, that inconsolable meltdown is about the hardest thing yet. Fortunately, knock on mouse, there hasn't been an excess of that sort of thing.

My girl was fussier than usual today. She acted hungry but when I offered her a bottle, she just fell asleep. Whatever works, I guess.

Boy has a nasty diaper rash that we've been battling. As I type, he's laying face-down next to me airing out his bare bum. Poor guy. We've tried everything we (and our doc) can think of. I guess it's just a matter of time.

As I return to the blogging world, following a hiatus of over six years, I am reminded of how challenging it is to entertain. I plan to rely on the ever-present material, likely served-up daily, as I begin this journey. I don't really like the term stay-at-home-dad. It's trite. I'm a dad.