It’s hard to believe a month of such change, emotional,
physical and mental exertion could pass so quickly, but it has. It’s also hard
to believe that my two little “doll” babies are looking more and more like real
substantial newborns every day.
The two are so different already. Sam has a temper – he has
found his voice and will let you know if he is hungry. He really loves to be
held, as much as possible, and would much rather sleep on someone than in his
bouncer or crib. He is the messiest eater
I’ve ever seen in my life, and can burp so loud it blows your hair back. He has
a few nicknames: Mr. Sam, Sammy D, Sailor, Frat Boy, The Dude. He hates to have
his diaper changed and to be cold. His big beautiful eyes are very alert and he
has increasing periods of being awake during the day. He is so close to making little cooing noises and copying our gestures. He makes little noises that sound like a dolphin - sometimes we call him Flipper.
Miss August is a dainty little fairy of a baby. She has a
delicate voice, delicate features and moves softly and slowly. She even nurses so much differently than Sam
– very gently and methodically. I call
her my little Hummingbird because of her fragility and her beauty. She is a bit
of an escape artist, and can wriggle out of nearly any swaddle. Shortly after
she came home from the hospital, we found her in her crib in nothing but a
diaper…. Her swaddle blanket and jammies just a shell that she had vacated in
the crib. Somehow, the little Houdini is able to escape out of her clothing and
blankets. It’s hilarious. She doesn’t mind being cold or having her diaper
changed.
Claire is wonderful to both babies – she calls them “the
boy” and “the girl.” The smallest things they do amaze her – like when they
open their eyes or touch their clothing or reach for her hand. She and I got to
witness a huge smile from Miss August yesterday on the back porch during our al
fresco breakfast. I don’t think it was an intentional smile yet, but it was so
special to see Claire witness it and the look of awe on her face.
An unexpected joy in having these children, is watching
Claire experience their growth and development. She is more aware of the
slightest changes and subtleties and it allows me to experience having newborns
in an entirely new way.
We are still working on our schedule and our sleep… it’s
difficult but not impossible. They go about 3-4 hours at night at a time and
then we give them bottles to be sure they’ve eaten enough. During the day they
take turns nursing and having bottles of pumped milk and formula. We have tried
tandem nursing a few times, but to be honest, they get so competitive and
highly aware of the other twin that we don’t get much accomplished (except a
good show). It undoubtedly the time that they are most aware of each other's
presence….
