We have an unwelcome visitor in our home. Three letters we've been trying to avoid all winter- RSV. Poor Barnes was officially diagnosed, and Frances is getting more congested and is almost certainly also battling this virus (especially since Barnes continually eats her hands). So far they are doing well. Their precious preemie bodies are, once again, fighting harder than we wish they had to but rising to the challenge. It's so difficult to see them struggle. Hearing the rattles with each breath is torture. Thankfully, though, they are still smiling and playing at times, showing us that they have moments when they feel better. I love those moments.
Please pray that Barnes's breathing treatments work, that Frances does not get sicker, and that no one ends up in the hospital. I am not ready to reenter those doors with my sweet little loves.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
no faux
I am anti-imposter. I don't believe in buying designer knock offs. The lawyer in me shudders at the intellectual property implications, and the girl-who-still-cares-about-clothes-despite-the-fact-that-she-wears-yoga-pants-everyday would rather have one quality item over 10 items that will be destroyed after one season. Still, against my better judgment I tried an imitation product this weekend.
Since January 6th, I have had no dairy. That means no cheese, no yogurt, no ice cream. It also means no foods containing dairy in any form, which basically rules out my entire normal pantry. This has been extraordinarily difficult, but seeing B with a huge smile on his face each day has numbed the pain of my dairy free world....with one exception. I love pizza. And I mean LOVE. Not in a "I have pizza once a month" kind of way, but in a "I have to limit the number of times I can eat pizza per week" kind of way. I want pizza, crave it, dream about it...and not even B's precious smiles make these yearnings go away.
So on Saturday I did some research. I knew that virtually all soy cheeses actually contain the milk protein which triggers allergy, but I was hoping to find one that was truly dairy free. And I did. One vegan cheese that claimed to taste like actual cheese. And a nearby pizza shop actually carried this cheese and could make a dairy free pizza. Armed with this new information, I went downstairs and excitedly announced that we were having pizza for dinner. I even did a pizza dance, which Frances found hilarious. Once the twins were tucked in, I made the call. My pulse raced as I waited for Andrew to arrive with pizza in tow. I had not been this excited about food since........ever. It looked a little odd, but I remained hopeful. So I took a bite. And it was absolutely disgusting. Literally one of the worst things I have ever tried to eat.
Further proof that my no faux rule should be strictly enforced.
Since January 6th, I have had no dairy. That means no cheese, no yogurt, no ice cream. It also means no foods containing dairy in any form, which basically rules out my entire normal pantry. This has been extraordinarily difficult, but seeing B with a huge smile on his face each day has numbed the pain of my dairy free world....with one exception. I love pizza. And I mean LOVE. Not in a "I have pizza once a month" kind of way, but in a "I have to limit the number of times I can eat pizza per week" kind of way. I want pizza, crave it, dream about it...and not even B's precious smiles make these yearnings go away.
So on Saturday I did some research. I knew that virtually all soy cheeses actually contain the milk protein which triggers allergy, but I was hoping to find one that was truly dairy free. And I did. One vegan cheese that claimed to taste like actual cheese. And a nearby pizza shop actually carried this cheese and could make a dairy free pizza. Armed with this new information, I went downstairs and excitedly announced that we were having pizza for dinner. I even did a pizza dance, which Frances found hilarious. Once the twins were tucked in, I made the call. My pulse raced as I waited for Andrew to arrive with pizza in tow. I had not been this excited about food since........ever. It looked a little odd, but I remained hopeful. So I took a bite. And it was absolutely disgusting. Literally one of the worst things I have ever tried to eat.
Further proof that my no faux rule should be strictly enforced.
Friday, March 2, 2012
check-up time
We had our 6 month well visit today and got all new stats for the little ones. Barnes moved up significantly on the growth chart, while Frances retained her petite status. I cannot believe we have a 6 month old who still doesn't weigh 13 pounds, but we are so proud of each ounce they gain!
Barnes:
16 lbs. 6 oz. (25%)
26.1 inches long (33%)
head- 46 cm (94%...which explains why I had to buy him an 18-24 month hat)
Frances:
12 lbs. 10 oz. (not on chart)
24 inches long (3%)
head- 41.9 cm (30%)
Barnes:
16 lbs. 6 oz. (25%)
26.1 inches long (33%)
head- 46 cm (94%...which explains why I had to buy him an 18-24 month hat)
Frances:
12 lbs. 10 oz. (not on chart)
24 inches long (3%)
head- 41.9 cm (30%)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
doing it all
In the not so distant past, a woman's place was considered to be the home. Then women began finding their footing in the workplace, leaving their ovens behind (at least until after work). Slowly, women moved from the secretary's desk to the CEO's office. Now, thankfully, women can be found in virtually every career and every company in the world. Girls are taught to dream big. If a little girl announces that she wants to be President someday, no one tells her that her goal is impossible. No. Now we teach girls that they can do it all.
In my previous life, I was a lawyer. I spent a few years in a big firm doing real lawyer type things...going back to the office after dinner, working on Thanksgiving weekend, feeling the pressure of billable hours. Then I took a more mom-friendly job--great hours, great people, lower stress. But when news of our double blessing came along, we jointly decided that even this mom-friendly position wasn't quite mom-friendly enough. Thus, I began a new career as Barnes and Frances's mom.
Soon after the babes arrived, a wonderful opportunity for me to work a few hours a week from home presented itself. I immediately jumped on board. So now I spend my days taking care of two six-month olds, and some of my nights researching and writing about legal issues.
Why was I so anxious to work again? I believe much of my desire to be "more than just a mom" stems from now having a daughter. I look at Frances and so badly want her to know that she can have anything, be anything. That her aspirations should be limitless. That she really can do it all. And I feel compelled to lead by example...to be both a full-time mom and a part-time lawyer...to give her something to say when someone asks her what her mom does. But will I be selling her a fantasy? Can women, or anyone for that matter, really do it all?
Although it's not the most popular opinion, I do not believe that we can do it all. Women with full-time jobs can be excellent mothers. Stay-at-home moms can make significant contributions through part-time work. But we all have to make choices. We all have to sacrifice something. Some women sacrifice being the first one to see their child walk; others sacrifice the career they worked their whole lives to build. Either way, from my vantage point doing it all seems literally impossible.
So maybe instead of teaching our daughters that they can do it all, we should encourage them to do their best. And maybe we should hold ourselves to this same standard.
In my previous life, I was a lawyer. I spent a few years in a big firm doing real lawyer type things...going back to the office after dinner, working on Thanksgiving weekend, feeling the pressure of billable hours. Then I took a more mom-friendly job--great hours, great people, lower stress. But when news of our double blessing came along, we jointly decided that even this mom-friendly position wasn't quite mom-friendly enough. Thus, I began a new career as Barnes and Frances's mom.
Soon after the babes arrived, a wonderful opportunity for me to work a few hours a week from home presented itself. I immediately jumped on board. So now I spend my days taking care of two six-month olds, and some of my nights researching and writing about legal issues.
Why was I so anxious to work again? I believe much of my desire to be "more than just a mom" stems from now having a daughter. I look at Frances and so badly want her to know that she can have anything, be anything. That her aspirations should be limitless. That she really can do it all. And I feel compelled to lead by example...to be both a full-time mom and a part-time lawyer...to give her something to say when someone asks her what her mom does. But will I be selling her a fantasy? Can women, or anyone for that matter, really do it all?
Although it's not the most popular opinion, I do not believe that we can do it all. Women with full-time jobs can be excellent mothers. Stay-at-home moms can make significant contributions through part-time work. But we all have to make choices. We all have to sacrifice something. Some women sacrifice being the first one to see their child walk; others sacrifice the career they worked their whole lives to build. Either way, from my vantage point doing it all seems literally impossible.
So maybe instead of teaching our daughters that they can do it all, we should encourage them to do their best. And maybe we should hold ourselves to this same standard.
Monday, February 27, 2012
hello, cereal
B&F tried cereal on their 6 month birthday, and it went exactly as we predicted.
let's do this
hmmmm.....
does mom know this is happening?
this is delicious!
just hand this spoon thing to me
there must be more somewhere
are we going to play in our highchairs now?
what's this all about?
not interested, thank you
didn't you hear me say i'm not interested
why are you doing this to me
is it over?
and i have to do this again tomorrow?
Barnes:
let's do this
hmmmm.....
does mom know this is happening?
this is delicious!
just hand this spoon thing to me
there must be more somewhereFrances:
are we going to play in our highchairs now?
what's this all about?
not interested, thank you
didn't you hear me say i'm not interested
why are you doing this to me
is it over?
and i have to do this again tomorrow?Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
10 things we love
In the past 26 weeks, we have found some products that we absolutely love. Some are items we expected to be useful, and some took us by surprise. Here are the top 10 Shafer family must haves:
B with his O-Ball
1. O-Balls: These funny looking toys are a hands-down favorite in our home. They were the first thing B&F could grasp, and have continued to be the twins' toy of choice.
2. Soothies: Though they may not be the cutest pacifiers, soothies have magical powers. Seriously.
3. Pampers Swaddlers: We have tried other diapers, and these are the best by far. They are soft and absorbent, and seem to keep "things" under control.
4. Free Nipples from the NICU: When we left the NICU, we were sent home with a bag full of nipples. Cheap, brandless nipples. We have tried the fancy stuff, but have always come back to these. B&F love them...they are the perfect flow speed and seem to be as good as anything at keeping gas away. Thanks, NICU!
5. Ameda Hospital Grade Pump: If you ever have to exclusively pump, you must rent one of these. It looks a little scary, but trust me--it gets the job done.
6. Dishwasher: This is Andrew's addition to the list. We run a full dishwasher every night, and we are oh so thankful for this appliance. Yes, we have practically killed the one we have (it now has two bowls under it to catch drips), but it's still chugging along. I cannot imagine washing all those bottles by hand.
7. Sound Machine: When B&F first left the NICU, they slept to country music cranked up loud. Thankfully, we slowly weaned them down to just the sound machine. Now they nap at the beach and sleep in the rain. This genius little machine allows us to carry on with our normal activities without waking our little ones.
8. Onesies: B&F love to be naked. Unfortunately, taking your children out in public naked is frowned upon. We love onesies around here. B&F get to keep their legs free of clothing, yet no one calls DCS to report undressed children.
9. Video Monitor: We weren't sure whether we really needed a video monitor, but now we love it. Being able to see which twin is stirring--and more importantly, whether they are waking the other twin with their antics--is priceless.
10. Sophie the Giraffe: Y'all...this may be the most overpriced toy ever, but babies truly love it. B is especially enamored with sweet Sophie. And what's cuter than a little one chewing on a rubber giraffe leg?
Note: I am not getting paid to endorse any of these products. If you would like to pay me to endorse your product, however, I would be happy to. I am not one of those people who are "not for sell." The twins are always open to sponsorship opportunities!
B with his O-Ball
1. O-Balls: These funny looking toys are a hands-down favorite in our home. They were the first thing B&F could grasp, and have continued to be the twins' toy of choice.
2. Soothies: Though they may not be the cutest pacifiers, soothies have magical powers. Seriously.
3. Pampers Swaddlers: We have tried other diapers, and these are the best by far. They are soft and absorbent, and seem to keep "things" under control.
4. Free Nipples from the NICU: When we left the NICU, we were sent home with a bag full of nipples. Cheap, brandless nipples. We have tried the fancy stuff, but have always come back to these. B&F love them...they are the perfect flow speed and seem to be as good as anything at keeping gas away. Thanks, NICU!
5. Ameda Hospital Grade Pump: If you ever have to exclusively pump, you must rent one of these. It looks a little scary, but trust me--it gets the job done.
6. Dishwasher: This is Andrew's addition to the list. We run a full dishwasher every night, and we are oh so thankful for this appliance. Yes, we have practically killed the one we have (it now has two bowls under it to catch drips), but it's still chugging along. I cannot imagine washing all those bottles by hand.
7. Sound Machine: When B&F first left the NICU, they slept to country music cranked up loud. Thankfully, we slowly weaned them down to just the sound machine. Now they nap at the beach and sleep in the rain. This genius little machine allows us to carry on with our normal activities without waking our little ones.
8. Onesies: B&F love to be naked. Unfortunately, taking your children out in public naked is frowned upon. We love onesies around here. B&F get to keep their legs free of clothing, yet no one calls DCS to report undressed children.
9. Video Monitor: We weren't sure whether we really needed a video monitor, but now we love it. Being able to see which twin is stirring--and more importantly, whether they are waking the other twin with their antics--is priceless.
10. Sophie the Giraffe: Y'all...this may be the most overpriced toy ever, but babies truly love it. B is especially enamored with sweet Sophie. And what's cuter than a little one chewing on a rubber giraffe leg?
Note: I am not getting paid to endorse any of these products. If you would like to pay me to endorse your product, however, I would be happy to. I am not one of those people who are "not for sell." The twins are always open to sponsorship opportunities!
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