Busy times in the Myers household

Things have been pretty busy the last few weeks with Marcus and I both back to work full time. We are both realizing how nice it was to be home and how easy it was to get things done around the house with one on one care for the girls. Now with us each of us home alone with the two girls things are much more difficult. Simple tasks like unloading the dishwasher and taking a shower have become balancing acts.

The girls seem to be getting along well with Jenna, our nanny. Brie enjoys playing with her and is eating well and has been taking naps for her. All of this is a welcome change from a few months ago when we couldn't leave her with anyone but Nanna because she would not eat or sleep for them. She has grown up quite a bit since Sophie's birth. We no longer give her a bottle for naps and nighttime and she goes down for both without a fight. Currently she will fall asleep in her crib with us sitting in her chair. Soon we will transition to putting her down and leaving the room.

The girls are also both growing. Sophie is almost 10 and a half pounds and some of her 0-3 month clothes are getting too short. She is much more alert and smiles all the time. She still sleeps alot during the day and is up often at night to eat, but as long as she is happy and growing who needs sleep!!! Brie also seems to be getting bigger. She is now 22 lbs and finally into 18 month clothes. Some are a little long on her and adjustable waists are a necessity, but the 12 month stuff was way too short.

My have the last 2 months flown by!

Sophie had her 2 month check up yesterday with the pediatrician. She is doing well and growing appropriately. Her latest stats are: weight 9 lbs 9 oz (between the 5-10%), length 20.5 in (below the 5%), head 15 in (between 10-25%). Although she is on the small side she has grown 2 inches in length and gained almost 4 lbs in 9 short weeks so that is not too shabby.

She has a bit of reflux, just like Brie, but we are trying to get it under control early. She was on Zantac and is now on Prilosec so hopefully we can avoid any feeding aversions. Brie almost never spit up and Sophie does alot, usually about 10 bibs worth a day. Their temperaments are also so much different. Sophie is content to sit in her swing or rocking chair and look around. Brie would never do that she always wanted to be held and entertained.

Life with 2 under 2

Marcus has been very busy the last 3 days taking care of both girls. I think nighttime is particularly difficult with both girls getting ready for bed. Brie is now learning very quickly to fall asleep on her own. Daddy has much more willpower then mommy and will let her cry herself to sleep. He does go in and calm her down if she gets to upset and it seems to be working. She has fallen asleep the last 2 nights on her own after just a few minutes of crying. Sophie is generally a bit fussy for Marcus in the evenings without mommy home and has been keeping him busy after Brie goes to bed. Last night she was still awake when I returned home from work at midnight. Within 10 minutes daddy and Sophie were fast asleep. Hopefully she gets used to me not being home and nursing to sleep soon for Marcus's sake.

Growing up

As I put Brie to bed tonight all I could think about is how my little baby has grown up. Marcus and I decided that as of the new year the bottle is gone and Brie does not seem to care. Granted she has not had any formula in two days, but the bottle to bed ritual was getting old. Hopefully we can get her drinking pediasure out of a cup during the day to prevent weight loss and continue our small gains. Tonight she went to bed without much fuss. Marcus was working so I was alone with the girls. I fed Sophie a little early in anticipation of a fight, as many of you know daddy does bedtime and has for some time, and got her to sleep in the glider in Brie's room. We read Brie's story and she refused her cup of formula, put her head on my shoulder and settled down for the night. Sophie started to fuss so I put Brie awake but sleepy in her crib. I explained to her that I would stay with her until she fell asleep. She laid down with her covers and baby and after 5 minutes was fast asleep. What a wonderful end to a day.
Also Brie has taken a significant interest in potty training. She actually started asking to use the potty. So out I went and bought some training pants for her. Now as many of you know there are a lot of changes coming up so it is not the best time, but the past two days she has used to potty 5 times. She is very proud of herself when she goes and loves to flush the toilet.

These are a few of my favorite things!

Brie and Sophie have had a good holiday so far. Brie has enjoyed getting to see family and friends again and Sophie has met many people for the first time over the last few weeks. It has been a wonderful holiday season with both Marcus and I being home. We are not looking forward to the return of work for both of us. I am planning to return the first week in January and Marcus will be starting a full time job the end of January. There will be a lot of adjustments for our little ones, but they will do fine. We have been interviewing Nannies and think we found one that will work out. Over the next 2 weeks we will have her over to get used to the girls before I return to work. It is an expensive route, but with our two preemies for the best.

Both girls are growing and getting more opinionated. Sophie now has a voice and cries to be held at times, but she is still a good baby. She continues to eat well and sleeps a lot, though mostly during the day. She is over 8 lbs already and seems to be getting longer and has nice full cheeks. At one month she was 7 lbs 10 oz and 2o.5 inches long so she has gained almost 2 lbs and grown 2.5 inches in one month. Brie, despite the stomach flu, managed to gain weight in the last few weeks. She was 22 lbs last week which is about a pound in one month. Hopefully she will continue to gain and get taller. She is in the 5% for height and weight at this point, but at least she is on the charts.

We have celebrated 3 Christmases already and have one more to go. On Monday Marcus's dad's side of the family came down for a visit. Everyone seemed to have a nice time and Brie loves the playhouse and ironing board she got for Christmas presents. Who knew that the kid liked to iron. I think that will come in handy in a few years. At least maybe our dry cleaning bill will decrease when Brie is old enough to actually iron.

Last night we spent the day with my family. Brie got to open presents and play with her cousins Brandon and Christian. She had a great time and at the end of the night the three of them got to share a bubble bath before getting into their pjs and getting into the car to await Santa's arrival.

This morning we spent the morning "ride, riding" Brie's new tricycle. She loves the little bike and her new "helm" and was very willing to be pushed around the house and where her helmet. We had to take a ride around the house between each present. The tricycle has a little basket on the back and every present had to be put in it and go for a ride. It was very cute. Sophie was even awake for some of the present opening and I am sure when she gets older she will love playing with her new toys and books.

A visit with santa

Sophie's first visit with Santa:

Brie's second visit:

As you can see it went well.

Making of a gingerbread house, our should I say eating of a gingerbread house!

Well after many unsuccessful attempts to get pictures for a Christmas card, we decided to make a gingerbread house last night. Brie is obviously feeling better because she did more eating of the candy and icing then actually putting them on the house, but she did have a good time.

We did manage to get a few good shots of each of the girls so our Christmas cards are ordered.