tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31510560605757212472024-03-06T14:09:12.025-05:00Baby To BeOur journey from Baby To Be to Twin Miracles in our Life!BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-75210923587754720862012-10-27T01:12:00.002-04:002012-10-27T01:14:31.813-04:00Hello from the 2.5 year olds! :)<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Hello there... Has it really been over 6 months? As cliche as it may sound, time has flown by... and I have not had much motivation to write!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have enjoyed being home with the twins, but I feel the urge to step out and get active part time. In an attempt to re-discover myself, I have taken upon myself to loose some weight. I have lost approximately 17 lbs in 5 months, which is no where close to my pre-pregnancy weight... but better late than never! I was brisk walking 2-3 miles at least 3-5 times a week... the weather has been a damper (excuses ;)). I need to get our treadmill working so I can start doing my routine indoors. I am also eating a lot of salads and less/low carbs... which has helped a lot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Few of our highlights...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">-RT is completely potty trained (we still have night diaper on though); RM is done with pee-pee, but holds his poop till he has woken up in the morning or after a nap, and goes in his diaper/pull ups; We do not wear any pull ups or diapers when we are going out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">-We have two bilingual chatter boxes here. They can easily switch between English and our native tongue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">-We still sleep in our cribs. Ever since RT took a dive on to the floor just after they turned 2, they haven't really tried hoping across the railing. I am hoping we can get over naps and do the transitions! In which case I wouldn't have two bouncy kids running around their rooms multiples times in a day. I am sure I am speaking too soon! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">-We still do a 1-3 hour nap. Though, we can very well skip a nap... but that usually leads to tired and fussy evenings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">-We are still going to the Y for their enrichment programs... 2-3 times a week. We will most likely continue with this till they turn 3. I feel like they are getting the social/educational exposure that they need at home and outside... and we can wait a little before starting school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">-RT finally switched over to straw sippy at 2 years (our third attempt).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">-We have done a lot of fun stuff (fairs, zoo, museum, beaches, mountains, farmers markets, amusement park, weekend trips) this summer... things they remember and appreciate. Whave finally reached a stage where we can spend time away from home and not have to worry about night time sleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">With Sandy approaching... everyone stay safe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-73756960548276678872012-04-09T11:28:00.003-04:002012-04-09T11:37:44.010-04:00Wash Your Hands, Daddy - LOL<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Some tit-bits of our speaking toddler'ism<br /><br />Lol... Daddy was cleaning the vacuum cleaner, and RT thought it was disgusting. She repeatedly went - "Yucky, wash your hands Daddy!"<br /><br />RM gets in to the bath tub, and goes "Beach". Its been for ever since we have taken them to a beach. I was surprised that he could relate to the fact that there is a big puddle of water in the "ocean", and there is the same stuff here in the "tub".<br /><br />We are on to our 3rd attempt to transition RT to straw sippy for milk. RM has been taking milk from sippy for the last 6 months now! He can very well drink straight out of the glass too! It's been a week, and things are not going well here! She is drinking may be 2-3 oz milk every few days. I am ending up giving her around 1.5 to 2 serving of yogurt a day. Homemade made milkshakes, flavored milk, cheese are also almost a no go. She is such a tough cookie. But amidst all this... we have managed to give up our after dinner/before bed milk. I had imagined that would be difficult. RM was already not wanting to drink before bedtime. And RT could care less with her transition. So we just stopped!<br /><br /></span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-89309360959336323212012-04-05T01:36:00.003-04:002012-04-05T01:58:17.218-04:00Soul Searching<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">The other day I went grocery shopping, alone... since my Mom was home with the kids! After I checked out, there was a really old man walking inch by inch... holding up a huge row of people behind him at the narrow exit of the grocery store. It took everybody a long time to get out of there. I wanted to help, but I was way behind him, and momentarily felt rushed as well... because it was nearing kids lunch time. The old man finally stepped out of the grocery store, and everybody rushed out after him. I rushed to my car, quickly drove to the bank ATM, and then zoomed by. The old man, was still inching towards his car. One man offered to help, but the old man either denied or probably gave a convincing reason for the guy to not help him!<br /><br /><br />I felt very guilty! I should have offered to help him! I was not juggling my twins!<br /><br /><br />Besides the guilt of not helping, because I was so preoccupied with things to do, it just hit me that one day I might (will) be in that stage. It will be nice to have family around to help me out, but who knows what situation they/I will be in and will there really be some one to look out for me?<br /><br /><br />It was easy to go in to the self pity mode when we were struggling with fertility, it is easy to be disappointed now with some one when they don't behave the way you expect them to, or be annoyed when some one plays politics with you. But when you are at that age... when every moment of your life is a struggle... who do you blame? Would you expect empathy from the person across from you?<br /><br /><br />It just humbled me. Life is not easy, and no matter how blessed I feel, I do get flustered and worked up with the terrible twos. Its a phase, and I will miss that too. In general I am stressed with things that are going on around me, but where does all this fall in my life when I actually look back at it may be 30 years from now? <br /><br /></span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-85371105472239264642012-03-26T15:04:00.002-04:002012-03-26T15:16:36.470-04:00Happy 2nd Birthday!!Happy 2nd Birthday to my twin Cup Cakes!! :)BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-90939860440130328362012-03-19T14:51:00.004-04:002012-04-01T15:38:53.590-04:0024 months Update!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Our little babies have transformed in to these toddlers who like to go run down the slope with older kids, climb up a huge play set in our tot-lot, and mimic anything we say or do.<br /><br />My bedrest (the whole of third trimester), just seems like a fleeting past. And the IF journey which has brought us to this stage a distant memory. I can still empathize with an IF, and wouldn't think of myself anything other than an IF... but the aches and pains are overshadowed by the beautiful smiles and heart warming calls for Mamma and Dadda! It's been almost 3 years since I have been home, and I have loved every minute of it without a doubt of why I left my job!<br /><br />Between their first birthday and 18 months, there seemed to be a huge transformation... they left behind their babyhood in that span! But they have become big people in true sense, since their 18 month birthday!<br /><br />-We back seat drive already (stop, slow, careful, oops)!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-We can identify our community/house, costco (from three different roads), some other landmarks that we usually pass while driving around.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-We can identify, red, blue, green, pink, purple colors. Blue is RM's favorite, and RT shows preference to green.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We pretend play with doll house, house, have music sessions, love making food in our kitchen, race car arounds, play basketball.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-We perfectly arrange our shoes in a line on our own.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We will not leave the bathroom without shutting off the lights on our own.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-We will get you your towel after you shower (lol - if they get to come in while I am showering).<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-We can pretty much name all our friends.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-For almost a week, they knew that their birthday was coming up! And there were going to be cake, candles, food, friends, balloons!<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-We are almost in to 3T clothes, 2T/24 months are mostly too small. I am missing all those cute-cute baby clothes! Diaper still size 6. Going to have to upgrade their shoes to 8 and 9 for RT and RM respectively.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-We are going through phases of being a picky eater.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-Potty training hasn't really commenced. They can pee on demand when they are getting ready for their bath, but poo-poo signs are not very concrete... so we haven't gone all out.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />-Grandma is here... she headed our way especially for their birthday! A lot of pampering and attention is on the cards for the next several weeks!<br /><br />We had a celebration with friends at the local Y with friends and family on March 24th... and a small celebration at hone on their actual birthday March 26th.</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-8878410778854686172012-02-01T10:02:00.004-05:002012-02-01T10:08:51.664-05:00Blessed!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I just realized, that pretty much most Mommies I had started following when our Journey began... are Blessed! By a child or two, who is their own... after all the struggle, heartaches and tears! For some it took longer, for some it was several losses in between, for some it was adoption, but most of my bloggers are mommies today.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">If you are not yet blessed, you will be! Life is not easy, but it rewards you for your perseverance!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span> </div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-39833629762181895522012-01-17T03:00:00.005-05:002012-01-17T03:15:20.408-05:00*Birthday* Plans<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Oh its winter, and all the festive season is over. So, what is a Mommy to do!? Start thinking about a birthday party!<br /><br />Yes, that is what has happened! We will be turning two, in 2 short months. It won't be a super big celebration, but we will be going to a small party place, since it is just too crammed with 10-15 kiddies running around (along with their parents) in our little house!<br /><br />So far, I have tried to keep the duo away from as much commercialized stuff as possible. Their diapers, clothes, sippy cups, bags... none of it has any characters on it! But, these animated characters have made a grand entry in to our household through the limited TV that they watch. And Emo (E.l.m.o) is our favorite (besides Th.omas). And, I just can't think of anything else for their birthday other than Se.asa.me Str.eet! They adore Emo... and are so happy and enchanted when they see him. I can't imagine what else would make them so excited - other than to see Emo balloons, Emo happy (cake), Emo decor. So, most likely, the theme is going to be a no brainer this time! :)<br /><br /><strong>Has anybody celebrated or attended a birthday party at YMCA? How has your experience been at the Y?</strong></span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-80865039393992888862012-01-17T02:38:00.008-05:002012-01-17T02:54:13.516-05:00Potty Question Mark!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">PAATTY- That's what POTTY is called in our household. Where does Mommy and Daddy Poo-poo/pee-pee... and the answer goes Patty! Hehe....<br /><br />The duo is starting to show interest in the potty a lot now a days. We have had a potty in the house for almost 9 months now, but never used it... but now a days they like to go sit on it (RM with his pants down, RT could care less), and then they also want to wash their hands. All this made me go buy Elmo Potty DVD!<br /><br />RM tries to strain a little bit when he sits on the potty, as if trying to go... but we haven't really had any trinkle in the potty. But its a start. I am in no rush, I "might" give it a shot in spring/summer. I am hoping to have some company then and plus it won't be as cold to leave naked kids running around.<br /><br /><strong>Now for all you folks who have been there done that:</strong> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><strong>-</strong>I am thinking of using the potty seat (on regular toilet bowl) than the kiddie potty at home. Is that just less work, because you have one (or two) less things to clean? </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><strong>-</strong>If you are using the potty seat, there is no way twins can be sitting there at the same time... how do you handle it when one is on and one is not (but wanting to get on the seat right then and there)! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><strong>-</strong>How have you handled the situation when one was more ready to be trained than the other? Did you just wait?<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Any other tips/advice will be greatly appreciated!</span>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-78724712855267864412012-01-10T14:01:00.013-05:002012-03-04T01:22:41.028-05:0023 months<div align="justify"><div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">23 months and 1 week, really!!</span></div><div> </div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">This is a recap of the last two months - this post was started in January (yes, I have really been lazy with updating here)! To me they seem like little big people, and it is unrealistic to note down each small thing they do. As much as I would love to keep a record every month of their progress, I am not sure how I am going to address this in the upcoming months. It is bitter sweet, this blog started with my fertility journey - it was my life line, and today they are almost two, and I don't know where this blog is headed. I don't want to shut it down, neither do I want to neglect it... this is my baby too!! Only time will tell!</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Here are the highlights:</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They can repeat pretty much any word we say, and communicate with all sorts of words and mini sentences in 2 different languages.</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-The call out each other with names. They know their names, last name, Mommy & Daddy's names, street address!</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They can both identify up to 20 and pretty much say A through Z, along with some nursery rhymes.</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RT by herself has started identifying the letters that go with words. Like she will say herself Monkey.... M... and I have never purposefully prompted this to her!</span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They both climb and sit on to their high chairs. RM has hopped in to RT's crib after getting up from a nap once. They are trying to climb in to their cribs from outside. Our days of them jumping out of the crib are near. I don't think I am ready for yet another transition and the sleep battle that may arise with it. I think we do have the railings for the crib to toddler bed conversion in the garage. Its stay in the garage may be numbered!</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-The other day, during one of our cold/cough days, RT threw up... we had to change her and her sheets, I asked her if she wanted to sleep with us and she said yes. And yes, she did co-sleep with us without any problem. She was asleep in a few minutes without any wake ups. Though, she did get up a little earlier than usual. Just gives me some hope that we might be able to go out this summer for overnight trips without major sleep issues.</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">RT sits with her baby doll and reads her stories. Her favorite thing to tell her doll is "Goo (Good) Job Baby".</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RT loves helping Mommy put groceries away.</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-To them "Costco" equals "Grocery". Since Costco has the mega carts (side by side seating), that is our hot favorite place to go get stuff! So for their little minds, every item is picked up from Costco. If they are pretend playing that they are going out... they will tell me that they are going to Costco and start with a list of items (eggs, bread, broccoli (bocoli), beans, tomano (tomato)), Cheerios, chicken, fish etc) they are getting. Pizza (Pisha as they say it) tops the list.</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We went to a bounce house twice in the last 2 months. RM had such an awesome (aawshum </span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"> as per RM) time. He climbed up super big slides and came down it without any fear. RT had fun too, but she was a little hesitant and reluctant to go explore a few of the things out there.</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We did Gymboree in January... I basically had a groupon deal, where I got fee initiation and then super cheap 1 month class deal. The kids loved it. We will be starting gymtime at the local Y as well this month. We are thinking of getting them in to some sort of school environment this summer.</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-It's crazy how much both of them have picked up. Like, we no longer have to tell them - oh look its raining! They will identify it and tell us even before we realize it! Even though we haven't really had much snow (besides the freak storm in October and some snow fall in February), they love seeing it on TV or in books.</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-The other day they were roaming around the house holding each others hands, and RT was holding a baby doll as well! That is the cutest thing ever! They were waving us bye-bye! :) There is a lot of pretend play. They even act out our bed time rituals with their dolls - step by step! And, there is a lot of love too - kissing, hugging, helping out, consoling... at the same time some terrible two's as well!</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">-We saw our first movie in the theatre today - The Lorax. And I was pretty impressed how </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">well they handled it. There was no stepping out in the middle of the movie because of an uncontrollable tantrum or meltdown. They were a little scared during some parts of the movie (where its dark and has creepy (to their ears) music), but otherwise they enjoyed it. They had their own interpretation... as in Lorax was a Monkey, and the fishes were Dorothy (thanks to Elmo)... besides that they had appropriate reactions of "Oh noooo" or "oh ooh" or clapping, or dancing to music etc!</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We have had another failed attempt of sippy cup transition for RT. RM has been on straw sippy for almost 5 months now! But RT... she is giving me nightmares about potty training, just looking at how difficult she is in transitioning to sippy and how fussy she is at eating her food. </span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-I ordered their Elmo birthday dresses from Etsy! I have a cake design in mind. The rest I still need to plan out. We have been so very busy off late, that I have been exhausted. We have been out and about every weekend doing some kiddo activity or the other... weekdays have been busy too!</span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We go in for their 24 months appointment on April 13th, and RM's <a href="http://bb-babytobe.blogspot.com/2011/05/enjoy-him.html"><em>yearly follow up appointment</em></a> with the neurogeneticist is May 4th. </span></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">-We are 3 weeks away from their 2nd birthday! The party is going to be on March 24th! :)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-83606763825951485732011-12-26T22:04:00.003-05:002012-01-06T00:28:44.342-05:0021 Months!!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Happy New Year everyone! <br /><br />We are already 21 months and 9 days old. The biggest part of this month has been how much their communication has improved.<br /><br />-Both RT and RM are speaking up to 4 word sentences... Favorite of RT is "Happy to you Emo" (Happy Birthday to you, Elmo).<br /><br />-They have two friends whose names (say - xyz) are similar (just one letter different), so if you ask them who is their friend or which friend they are meeting up with... their answer will always be xyz!<br /><br />-They distinctly understand the difference between hot and cold, and will tell you if/when an item/object is hot/cold.<br /><br />-They have been trying to sing their nursery rhymes by picking up on few random words in the song.<br /><br />-We count 1 through 10 and A through Z... of course we skip a few numbers and letters, but we still make a good attempt at it. RT is obsessed with letters and numbers. She will read labels, she will count your hair strands, will count along with the minutes/seconds on a digital clock... she just loves any text! <br /><br />-They both mimic my dads laughter and are proud about their mimicry.<br /><br />-RM is obsessed with Choo Choo Trains, he has even stopped his meal once to go see Thomas on PBS one afternoon.<br /><br />-RM tries real hard to whistle (blows air)<br /><br />-RM will mischievously try to irritate RT by laying on her, or pulling pranks on her when she is least interested in reciprocating back... which leaves RT fussy and RM gets a kick out of it!<br /><br />-Our kids are bilingual, and they mostly understand words and directions in both languages (english being one of them). Sometimes they will say both words when they are telling us<br /><br />And, my husband just found my first gray hair today - I am getting old!! :O</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-31852685015099686562011-12-26T22:00:00.003-05:002011-12-26T22:04:15.729-05:00Happy Holidays!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Happy Holidays to every one! :)</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I can't believe it is almost end of this year... and I have turned in to such a slacker on this blog. Couple of things have been happening. One - kids are taking turns getting sick for the last 2 months, two - its holiday time and we have had family visiting off and on, and three - I started another blog. Its to do with fun kiddie stuff.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">21 month update will be next!</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-34107535690820154452011-11-27T00:38:00.004-05:002011-12-04T18:28:56.827-05:0020 months!!<div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">We are 20 months old as of November 26th!</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">This past month has just zoomed by! Right after recovering from the viral that made us cancel our trips late last month (October), we were hit by another one... which whacked up 2 more weeks! RM had to take antibiotics because the doctor suspected lung infection (since his coughing actually worsened (terribly) after a week). Then one week passed by alright, and RT is now down with fever for the last 3 days! This post has been sitting in my blogger for over a week now and it might just be a mumble jumble, but I am just going to post it! </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-RT can identify and call out 8 numbers out of the first 10 numbers (she is confused about 1 and 7). She even kind of knows which number comes after which. She can identify and verbalize 24 off the 26 alphabets. She loves, loves, loves books and will keep asking "what" a million times. It will tire you out, but it has been totally worth it (looking at how much she has grasped). RM is attempting to pick on numbers and letters as well.</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-They can identify: circle, square, triangle, heart, star, diamond, crescent shapes. They are starting to relate to colors, but aren't really able to identify them yet. RM can identify orange.</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-RM loves to be held like a baby. Especially, with the viral... all he wanted to do was hop in to my lap and demand baby-baby, to which I held him close to my heart and rocked him. Just so precious! RT is not too fond of baby-baby... but oh my... she is a big smoocher! ;) She will randomly come and smacks her lips to yours and give you the sweetest kiss ever - over and over again! She generally likes to sit on your lap and read books, or play with her doll.</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-Just after I posted last time that they still don't call out to each other, they actually started referring to each other by E (for RM) and V (for RT)... they are just letters which kind of go with their names. It's funny, they will actually kind of call out to each other with it.</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-RM is starting to make 2 letter sentences, and sometimes randomly says copied jumbled up sentences!</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-They are starting to call and identify some of their friends with names.</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-RM can spin... and spin he does! If he spins a disk, it can very well take 5-6 (proper) rounds. He even twists his wrist in opposite direction to get a momentum! His kicks and throws (ball) are phenomenal!</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-RM loves to hug his sister and caress her. And RT loves to get pampered! They look so cute when they do that!</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-Both of them have been helping us clean up (their toys) before bathing/bedtime... but recently RM has been doing it unprompted... he even perfectly stacks up all the books. They both exactly know where each item goes in the room!</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">-They have moved on to size 6 diapers for day and night!</font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"></font> </div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">We have just been hit by one illness after another (every 2 weeks or so)... I am so exhausted, and I am sure the kids aren't very pleased with all this either! I can't wait for it to be spring already! </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">Hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving! We roasted a chicken for Thanksgiving this time... and the kids loved it! </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman"> </font></div><div align="justify"><font size="4" face="times new roman">I can't believe that in 4 short months, they will be turning 2 years old! Where has time gone?</font></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-80874093226316507582011-10-25T15:02:00.007-04:002011-10-27T14:51:26.156-04:0019 months!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Happy 19 months (@ Oct 26th) my little ducklings!!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">We are big people who like to hold conversations! The highlight of this month is how much they are talking! </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RT has spoken on the phone with my parents for as long as 8 minutes! Answering questions in one word, saying words when prompted... with lots of gibberish along with it (of course)!</span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-At one time when RT was crying... RM went ahead and kept asking her "what" (as in what happened), caressing her, kissing her (trying to pacify her)... this went on for a minute or so.</span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They are identifying food objects and demanding more of it verbally. Their hot favorite is "kak-kak" - that's how chicken goes! </span></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Peek-a-boo is called as "PeePaa" by RM. It is the cutest thing! :) He is a big copy cat, and will imitate and repeat random stuff after you!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RT is a very observant little girl... she knows exactly where the laundry goes (after changing their PJs in the morning); she will grab our diaper bag when we are heading out; she knows what clothes are her own and which ones are her brothers. Once while waiting at the doctor's office, I was showing her a very densely filled cartoon sketch, and she could identify a small fish, dog and bird amongst all the cluster literally with in a fraction of a second!<br /></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Body parts they can identify and pretty much say out loud are: elbows, shoulders, knees, fingers, tongue; besides the heart, head, hair, eyes, ears, nose, teeth, chin, cheeks, belly, belly button, hand, legs, buttocks, peepee! They can co-relate and identify most of these body parts on other animals and other creatures as well. RM tries to show a tail (pronounced as "Tae") on his rear! :)</span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They can identify and try to pronounce (call out) or at least try to make sounds of: tiger, lion, monkey, giraffe, zebra, elephant, kangaroo, monkey, dog, cat, sheep, lamb, rabbit, cow, horse, fish, duck, turtle, frog, chicken ant, bee, owl, eagle, penguin, ostrich, butterfly... and I am sure I am missing out on some.</span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They can also identify (shapes) star, circle, triangle and square. They love to gaze at stars and moon in the sky and can identify them in the books!</span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-"Happy" (Happy birthday to you...) is one of their favorite songs, so we celebrate birthdays several times in a day. "Whee" (Wheels on the bus...) is the other favorite song which gets repeated several times as well.</span></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They still don't call out to each other. Their names are not the easiest, and they start with "R" which is not always the easiest letter to pronounce.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Stairs are climbed like big people (by holding on to the side railings). They hop on to couches as if we were born doing that. Jumping has been mastered long back. We are constantly attempting somersaults. RM loves to climb up on things and jump off it.</span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-After strictly following the guidelines of not putting anything in the cribs, for like ever... we introduced these cute little teddy bears (in preparation for the vacation). </span></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-For the most part both are announcing their poopoo (mostly after the act, and some times before)!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We have watched a LOT of tv in the last week. With our viral infection, there was no other way I could keep things sane (for the kids and us). We are in love with EMO (that's how we call Elmo).</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-With the high fever and all the after effects for RM, things were pretty out of control. RT started getting insecure because we had to pay more attention to RM, on top of it RT started showing some signs of the viral. Plus we lost our sippy - </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">RT is back to bottles! :( The one and only sippy that worked for RT, broke! And we had the virus going around. With RT being an animated and sensitive eater, and Mommy-Daddy loosing our wits over the craziness going around the house (tears, doctor, 106 F fever, tears, poopoo, medications, puke, tears, ?vacation?...), and with no help (our extended families don't live close by), and most people we could possibly seek help from have small kids - so introducing the virus to them was out of question... ...Dr. Brown is back in action! Sigh! I am going to give her some time, hopefully I can start reasoning with her and can get her over her dislike for the milk sippy.</span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-32132974234326520922011-10-25T14:44:00.003-04:002011-10-25T15:00:44.366-04:00Vacation... Vacation...<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I am a planner, I love planning parties, vacations... if becoming a "planner" was a little less stressful and a little more thankful job or at least a fancy paying job, I would be a professional planner. Enough of my BS.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">So, we planned a *fantabulous* vacation!!! Three months in advance!! Found an awesome deal at a resort on the beach! Packed our bags a week in advance (you see - planning?) with most of the basic stuff so that I wasn't running like a maniac just before the vacation. I even went paranoid about exposing the kids to potentially snotty kids (trying to avoid last minute sickness). And then - bam! RM and I were down with a fever last Tuesday (18th). I was fine in a day, but RM's fever continued for 3 days and it went as high as 106 F. It was a viral infection (possibly </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001963"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Roseola</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">), which also lead to a rash, puking and diarrhea! RT was affected by puking and diarrhea (and I am hoping we don't see the fever and rash at all for her). So we cancelled!! And we are home! And I am <em>happy</em> that the kids seem to be recovering! Vacations can happen some time later!!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-34541219490869595462011-10-07T23:37:00.002-04:002011-10-07T23:40:50.757-04:00200 :)<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">And the previous post marked 200! I knew it up until I posted it! A little slow at posting as compared to some of the fellow cycle buddies (been blogging for 2.5 years now), but a happy 200 nevertheless! :)</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-61138689530871535862011-09-26T08:51:00.004-04:002011-10-04T09:08:40.703-04:0018 months!!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Yay - we turned 1.5 years old on September 26th. Their birth, just seems like yesterday!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We are down to one nap. Usually the kids get up between 0730 and 0830 (sometimes 0900 if they have slept late - which is very rare). So, we do lunch at around 1130-1200 and then they are off to nap by around 1230-0100. They nap 1.5-3 hours. I think they are still mastering this whole thing, because they are sometimes very exhausted by the end of he day (depending upon how the day has gone by).</span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-S-i-p-p-y! Yes, RM is drinking from straw sippy all his milk (including before bed), for RT... we have finally settled for a Nuk soft spout 6 oz red cup. Yes, that is the only one she will take! I purchased a bigger one of the same kind, and nope, she won't drink from that. I think she is a little shaken with the loss of her bottle, and me eventually flipping (in the third week) and trying multiple sippy's after two weeks of close to zero (straw sippy) milk consumption. We stopped night time bottle (switched to sippy) at the beginning of third week - which was a trigger for RM to start accepting his straw sippy, and a slow progress for RT to let go off her bottle dependency. So, I guess I will give her some time. I want her to get her milk and I can not tolerate her taking less than 5 oz milk a day for days together. The duo is not a very big cheese eater, and yogurt I can only give so much. I am hoping that eventually she will try to experiment with RM's straw sippy.<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We can point at our heart, cheeks, chin, knees, pee-pee and butt, besides the hair, head, nose, ears, eyes, teeth, hand, feet, belly, belly button that we could already identify.<br /></p></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They love to fart and laugh!! Before they start laughing, they will make the fart sound by their mouth! RT will occasionally tell that she has poopoo'ed, but RM has consistently told "Pooo" the last couple of days. We are not planning on potty training any time soon. I have no intentions of having 2 naked toddlers running around with some poopoo disasters happening just yet! They need to be more aware of their bowel movements.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Sometimes, one will hold the others hand and lead them to me, especially if I am calling out for them.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They hug, kiss, and caress each other and us a lot more frequently... pushing and a little hitting is also a new tool they have discovered to get the other one away or grab something the other one has. RM has gotten a lot more aggressive, and as a result, RT's toy grabbing has reduced. </span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We kiss everything we like, from a food item on the tray to a character/animal on a book or DVD.</span></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-One of our favorite songs is Robots are Dancing on a Baby Genius DVD. They dance like a robot and have started identifying robots in books. It's hilarious - the way the dance!! We did not show them any tv till they turned 15 months, and I do abide by the recommendation of no tv/less than 2 hours tv a day till they turn 2. Though, I think there is a fine balance between showing them stuff on these children's DVDs. They have picked up on so much that my brain could have hardly imagined.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RT can sit at one place going through books or playing with a toy for a very long time, and RM is bouncing around from one place to another constantly. It used to be the other way round. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They love to drop Mommy's cell phone behind the couch (between couch and the wall). I have to move the heavy couch at least once or twice a day to get my phone. Some times they just lay their hand on my phone before I can figure it out!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-There vocabulary has blossomed this month! I am not much in to counting the number of words they speak, but they pick up any random word they hear... or repeat something completely unusual. It's amazing how much it changes every month. They can associate words with actions and purpose much more now than they had ever before.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We already have complete set of teeth. So no more counting till we get to the last 4 set of teeth around 2 years.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Our Pediatrician appointment was yesterday (rescheduled) Oct 03, 2011. RT weighed 23.91 lbs (50 %ile), is 33.4 inches tall (I don't think they got her height right - might be a little taller than that), and head circumference is 19.2. RM weighed 26.6 lbs (75 %ile), is 33.4 inches tall and head circumference is 19.8. We have stayed consistent with our %ile's. I was a little concerned with their weights, especially RT's after her diarrhea, colds, <em>picky eating habit</em>, <em>transition to sippy</em>. But she is doing fine (touch wood). We got our flu shots for the season. Our next appointment will be at 2 years!!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">We will be going on vacation this month and I am in a prep mode! :)</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-55806287409308665592011-09-17T02:34:00.005-04:002011-09-17T02:54:29.364-04:00The Sippy Saga!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">RT is a very-very fussy eater. And along with diarrhea, cold, teething... I wasn't sure when I was going to get them both to give up their milk bottle (Baabaa). Then one fine day (Friday, Sept 9), enough was enough... and I just decided to give them the straw-sippy for milk (they have been drinking water from straw-sippy for a couple of months now). </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">The first time they were not really pleased. But, RM sucked it up (drank the milk in real sense). RM fussed a couple of times for the next few days, but then eventually had his milk. He seems to be doing fine with straw-sippy for milk (now). </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">RT took a week to be willing to accept the sippy. She used to push/throw the sippy cup and wanted nothing to do with it. Lack of milk and (below-average) food consumption through the day time, didn't really let my heart take the bottle before bed away from them (she is a smarty, and may be that prolonged the transition). We had decided that we were going cold turkey and taking the night time bottle away too by Thursday (if she hadn't already switched). Anyhow, Wednesday dawns and there came a "cold" (lots of runny nose and miserable little RT). Daddy was working from home that day, so he offered her the bottle to get her through the cranky day. I didn't want her to associate the bottle with me any more. Then, Thursday was a day of either a TIPPING POINT for her or a BREAKING POINT for Mommy. Three bites of rice cereal breakfast, followed by 1.5 oz milk, and four bites of chicken for lunch... that's all RT had till 0300 pm (along with a semi-runny nose). I was about to break down and give her the bottle... and bam! She finished 5 oz of milk from her straw-sippy! She has willingly taken 2 oz and 6 oz of milk after that (on Friday). </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I hope this continues and I can report a bottle free household at their 18 month birthday (I am hoping that I am not speaking too soon).</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-69598133329454692102011-09-17T02:25:00.003-04:002011-09-17T02:33:12.505-04:00Opthalmologist Appointment<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">RM had his appointment with the Pediatric Opthalmologist on Sept 2, 2011. They checked for Lisch Nodules and looked at his Optic Nerve (markers for </span><a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1219222-overview"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">NF</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">). Everything looked clear and we are supposed to follow up once a years.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Something else I learned (our Ped never quite mentioned), if there is any kind of squint (Strabismus) in the family (grandma and cousin), then a child is recommended to get their eyes checked up in the first 3 years. So we will be getting RT's eyes checked sometimes too.</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-68931972884101835652011-09-07T12:15:00.007-04:002011-09-07T13:57:13.218-04:00Aaah - Naps!!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I am having a very tough time with the transition from two naps to one! I didn't even realize when they dropped from three to two. But this one is taking for ever! </span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">When we are out and about, RM falls asleep right away in the car at around 1100'ish, where as RT can stay up till 0300 -partying away all the while. When at home, RT just can not hold it together around 3 hours after waking (1100'ish) and RM just can't sleep till its past 1200-1230! Aaah! I have tried to stick to a schedule, they still both go in together... but it is not necessary that they will sleep at the same time - RM can be up for almost 1-1.5 hours after I put him in (sometimes fussing, sometimes blabbering, and sometimes crying). RT will normally need a second nap if she sleep this early (1100)... and since RM stays up for almost 1.5 hours, sometimes he has hardly had a 45 min to 1 hour nap in the morning and will nap again. If I let them sleep individually (as and when they want), I don't want to have naps from 1100 am to 0500 pm (approximately 1100-0100 RT, 0130-0300 RM and then 0400-0500 RT again )! This whole thing probably sounds messed up/confusing. </span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">With all the rains and the temperatures dropping, it is already starting to get difficult to go out in the evening, and with their naps... we end up in a house arrest! Mommy doesn't like it and neither do the babes!</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Thanks for all your comments about the naps, toy snatching and other recent posts!</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">----</span><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Just to be a little clear... we usually don't step out in the morning (only on weekends if there are lunch birthday parties etc - which is when RT has proved that she can party till 0300 pm without a nap)... so things stay consistent. The kids are not hungry for lunch at 1100 if they have gotten up at around 0800 am, and had breakfast and milk. :( And RT gets so fussy around 1100, that it is difficult to keep her entertained with anything - may be she needs party style entertainment every day! So, if I think of taking them out (play dates) in the morning, RM will definitely doze off in the car. They both have such different personalities! Hopefuly its just a matter of time... Mommy needs to cool down!!</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-14738299893636240202011-08-30T08:20:00.003-04:002011-08-30T08:50:00.776-04:00PRE Irene...<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Irene didn't cause us much woes, but nevertheless... I had prep'ed like a mad woman. I had volunteered through work for Katrina and was in Katrina-land for almost 1.5 months (soon after), and I KNOW how bad it can get. I had even packed bags, loaded up a tote with food and what not. But, fortunately... we didn't have to use any of it. We still have light, water and gas... and I am hoping we don't loose any while the authorities are fixing it for others.</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">So that was that! A relief. Of course Thursday and Friday before the hurricane were spent in stores trying to bulk up on bare essentials under the hope that I could chill on Saturday! <strong>I was so wrong</strong>!! Saturday was very eventful!</span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I am thinking that the cold/cough that was going around our house - I picked up on it. Normally, no big deal! But, I had a super stiff and sore back of my neck, shoulders and ears. I thought I sprained my neck while running around, but I realized that it hurt when I swallowed anything (even my own saliva). So, I ran to the doctor first thing in the morning on Saturday - because I wasn't sure what the heck was going on and didn't want to risk it through any crazy weather. Since, most people had panicked like me - it took for ever at the doctors office. I am fine now with the antibiotics the doctor gave me. When I had decided to go to the doctor, I also figured that our non-kiddo car died on us. Perfect! We got the battery changed on Saturday, but that wasn't the culprit and now it is sitting in the shop again. Anyways, that was still okay! </span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Then late in the afternoon, kids were doing their own silly stuff and all of a sudden RM started crying while holding her left hand (at the wrist) and sometimes keeping that hand limp!! She just wouldn't stop! Finally in 1.5 hours we decided that we had to run to the urgent care to figure out what the heck was happening before Irene hit us. Off I went to the doctor. It was a <strong>dislocated shoulder</strong>!!! </span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Around a week ago, we went for a walk while holding their hands. And they both tried to escape by trying to let go of my grip. I didn't let them go and RM decided to just plop down on the road (yes, we were walking on the side of a road close to our house (with in our community) - no side walk here - I thought the wise thing to do was to not let them escape on the road). We came home and RM started crying while holding her left wrist (just as I described above). But, she was sooo very sleepy, that she slept off, and then nothing for a week. Absolutely nothing. No signs of pain, no limpness, perfect use of her left hand - as if nothing had happened. It appears to me that something had actually happened that day, and it somehow went away and then she was playing around pre-Irene and her shoulder popped out again!</span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I have had dislocated shoulders thrice when I was younger - so I am very careful (never lift kids by their arms or swing them either). It looks like my daughter takes after me!</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">She is fine now and we are giving her Ibuprofen as per the doctors recommendation. I have never been pro-leash... but after this episode, I think may be I should get one for worst case situations - airport, fair (i.e.: super crowded unfamiliar places). </span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">This probably sounds like a bitchy post and I know millions are in a worse off condition right now, but I just had to vent a little!</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-25064778763811488402011-08-26T00:08:00.005-04:002011-08-27T16:37:20.109-04:0017 Months!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">The duo turns 17 months today! One month shy of 1.5 yrs - unbelievable! </span>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RM has all 16 teeth, RT is popping 4 to make her total count of 16.</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Our little people can identify A to Z. As in not each letter, but they identify it when they see it anywhere (tv, toys, songs). RM's favorite is "E" and RT's is "G". They will point out any letter and keep saying E/G. </span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">-For them cow goes - Mooo, goat goes - Maah, elephant goes - huuu (with trunk in the air), puppy goes - wooowooo, tiger and lion go - khaaw (with a deep sound). We saw 4 deers very up close on one of the trails by our house. The kids were enchanted by them. RT calls Deer as "Dea".</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RT tries to repeat quite a few things after us. RM is catching up. He is more vocal than he was last month. I feel like RT is usually a couple of weeks ahead of RM (walking, climbing, speech). The way they refer to certain items keep changing... like diaper went from dia-dia to dibar to bar.</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RT is obsessed with "Wheels on the Bus go round and round". She will make me sing it or play the song at the drop of a hat! They both can pretty much act out the whole song. Thanks to it, they can also identify a bus, viper, wheels (on toys, cars, pictures).</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RM can properly jump with his both feet in the air at the same time. He will say "Pop" (from Pop goes the weasel) when he jumps! RT pretends with her hand in the air and sometimes one foot in the air.</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RT can properly spin balls and disks/rings. He throws a ball (to a great distance) in a very well coordinated way.</span>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They both can identify: head, hair, eyes, nose, teeth, ears, tummy, belly button, hands, feet (and almost chin) on themselves, other people and other objects (baby doll, puppy).</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-It's amazing how much they can co-relate and identify random things. Like the Veg Straws at Costco or a bicycle in a store (after seen older kids ride it around our place).</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We did a couple of 1 nap days successfully this week. Once RT was over her cold, she could manage staying up through an early lunch, followed by a 1-2 hour nap. I am hoping that will become a routine slowly.</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RT just went through a phase of non-eating (rather bad eating) for almost 5 weeks. After the diarrhea, we were hit by cold/cough and teething! We have had a long couple of weeks. I am just hoping things will settle in a little. It also means that we didn't try milk in a sippy cup!</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-For now, RT seems to be more dominating. She will grab whatever she wants from RM, where as RM will not try to pull anything away from RT. He will many a times start crying and run over to me. A very tricky situation to handle. I don't want to teach RM that it is okay to run back to RT and grab things from her, but at the same time, I don't want him to learn that it is okay to be at the receiving end. <strong>How do you handle such situations</strong>?</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">We are renting a house in the mountains with some friends for the long weekend. I am a little concerned about the sleep situation. But it will be a good practice to see how things will go when we go on Vacation in October (more on that later).</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">We go for RM's eye check up (as recommended by the Neuro specialist as a check for NF) on Friday, September 02, 2011. I hope the appointment goes well.</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">---</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Everyone stay safe with Irene headed to the northeast. I hope it is not going to create a big mess around the coast.</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-43685977227835683862011-08-10T10:20:00.004-04:002011-08-10T21:10:13.412-04:00CD 777<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Yes, that's approximately how long it has been since I saw AF last - around 777 days (2 years, 1 month and 17 days... not counting the bleeding (lochia) after c-section in March 2010 and bleeding/blood clot/ER visit at around 8w pregnant... and oh yes, I stopped breastfeeding in January 2011).</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I just finished my first cycle on BCP last week and AF visited right away. I felt so freakin' sick. I was nauseous (never had that before), crampy and had a head ache! LOL - it felt like puberty - only almost 2 decades later. Not fun to have the monthly AF - I definitely did not miss the outwardly physical aspect of it, but I am hoping that regulates my hormones a little!</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-26778142096605613842011-08-10T07:49:00.005-04:002011-08-10T11:17:13.963-04:00Naps - 11 to 5<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Well, sort of!</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">As I had mentioned before, RM is pretty much on one nap. He used to go in with his sister between 1030 and 1130 depending upon how sleepy they "looked" and then they both would be out in 1.5 to 2 hours. Of which RM used to chatter away atleast 30 min. And then both went in again at around 4'ish... RT took her 2nd nap and RM used to be out in 30 minutes if he hadn't napped by then. 99% of the time RM used to be perfectly alright with one early nap - no fussiness before bed... which is not the case with RT. She can be supper fussy even after 2 naps if their bedtime is delayed (which normally it is not) or is over tired.</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Anyways, so RM decided he is done with 2 naps (or so I think... unless its teething (he has already popped 16 teeth!!) or something else). For the last two days, he went in with his sister and did not sleep in the morning. The first day he was in for 1.5 hours, more than half of which he was playing and the remaining fussing! He came out when his sister woke up. Yesterday, I gave up and took him out after 1 hour. And then he has been sleeping at around 0100-0200 pm for 1.5 to 2 hours. After which he is done with his nap for the day. That is followed by his sister's second nap. So technically we have been napping between 1100 am'ish to 0500 pm'ish for the last two days!</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I know RT can do 1 nap, but as I said, she can be super fussy with even 2 naps.... so she can, but she is not ready to completely transition! Aah... so now I need to figure out how I am going to handle this. I am going to experiment with not letting RT sleep in the morning and then doing an early lunch and then putting them both in for their naps. Now here is hoping that they sleep for at least 2 hours, which will help RT not take her 2nd nap and still be fine!</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Any twin mommy tips will be greatly appreciated!</span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-77146793354416762882011-07-28T11:49:00.003-04:002011-07-28T12:00:27.220-04:00Brotherly Affection<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">What do you do when a 16 month old goes and caresses, hugs, kisses his sibling because the sibling is crying and miserable?</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Yes, that's what is happening. RT has been the fussiest best ever since her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">diarrhea</span>. I would like to cautiously say that she is over it... but she is probably weak from the self induced fasting during the poop fest. Which makes her very sensitive and cranky. RM on the other hand, has been very understanding and caring. He will come to RT and caress her, kiss her, hug her, stroke her back/head... he has done this repeatedly when she throws a tantrum. Yesterday, Daddy dearest tried to pull RM away from RT so that he could hug and play with RM. But, RM pushed away Daddy and came back to RT to give her some love! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">OMG</span>, my heart melts to see his affection and concern for his sister.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">RM has always been the more affection-giving of the two right from the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">beginning</span>. But to see him do this at his own will and at the appropriate time just amazes me!</span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3151056060575721247.post-49167026076516787762011-07-26T22:04:00.003-04:002011-07-28T12:55:42.149-04:0016 Months!!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Almost time to celebrate their (one and a) half year birthday! ;) We turned 16 months on July 26th. It's also 2 years today, since they have been with me. <a href="http://bb-babytobe.blogspot.com/2009/07/2-embie-babies-in-me.html">ET</a> was July 28th, 2009.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">This month has been a pretty hectic one with the (2+ week) diarrhea for the twins. There have been days when I wanted to run away! But, <em>this</em> is motherhood - it's a package deal, and I still love it... and can't feel blessed enough to be able to spend this time with them at home!</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Highlights for the past month...</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They can identify songs (by action) even before the song is to start (just music or even video). Favorites include: <em>I am a little tea pot, wheels on the bus, itsy bitsy spider, twinkle-twinkle, i am bringing home a baby bumble bee, old mcdonald's farm, six little ducks</em>. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Last week they have repeated words like: <em>actual</em>, <em>tiger</em>, <em>train</em>. So far they have kind of repeated words which are either very simple or more of a monosyllabic kinds, or are used to saying words which are repetitive like: <em>Mama</em> (actually <em>Mimi</em> for RT and <em>MaeMae</em> for RM), <em>Dada</em>, <em>Baba</em> (Baby) etc. RT says more words than RM. I haven't really kept a count!</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Shoes and socks as "shaaz" and Car as "kaa". We know some of these words very well, because we love being outside! Both of them will point at a car outside the window and say it out loud!</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Both of them have their favorite puppies (stuffed animals). RM is very affectionate to his puppy. He will rock him, kiss him, hug him. They have petted our neighbors dog. I foresee a demand for a dog! :)</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-Love is in the air (cliche :P)... but both have become very affectionate recently. Out of the blue we will get hugs and kisses. They kiss Mommy & Daddy, and each other good night.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We have completely mastered the straw sippy (for water) and Mommy is going to try giving milk in the sippy this month (letting go of the "baa" (bottle) is not going to be fun) once we have settled back in to our routine.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-There is a farmer's market close to our house, where we go every Friday afternoon (they have fresh farm produce - summer - yumm!). It's fun to be outside, where I don't have to be worried about a cart and stroller with narrow isles (as a result grocery trips with kids don't happen very frequently - as expected). </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-So far, they are in love with those giant (un-maneuverable) kiddo carts at Target (and their likes). They get a different view and Mommy can get things done! </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-With the heat wave and the poopoo issues we have stayed indoors a lot this month. We got </span><a href="http://www.target.com/Blast-Zone-Set-Play-Balls/dp/B00200K30K/ref=sc_pd_gwb_1_title"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">this</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"> (the Circo version actually) during our indoor stay (Thanks to </span><a href="http://tootles23.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Katie</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"> for the idea). But, yesterday when we went out, they did slides on our own for the first time. We have a tot-lot right behind our house and there are tons of kids of all ages playing in the evening (out there). I have been a little hesitant letting them on to the slides with all (other kids) wild play around. So, I never encouraged or introduced them the slides purposefully. Yesterday, they figured it out themselves. So, now Mommy ain't stopping them. I am just hoping that Daddy will be back home before they get to the slides! </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-We are switching from size 4 diapers to size 5 diapers after the last pack is used up today. We are soon going to need 6.5 or 7 size shoes. 18 months clothes are starting to get a little snug, but I am trying to pull through a little, because I am not too keen on buying 24 months summer/fall and winter clothes! </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-RM is pretty much down to 1 nap. He still gets quite time with his sis, because there are days when he will fall asleep (if he has taken a short or an early morning nap). RT can also do 1 nap, but she will 99% of the time fall asleep when she goes in for her second nap. One weekend, RT did not take her (one and only) nap till 0400 pm - we had a (lunch) birthday party. I am just hoping they push their nap time to after lunch. They get up between 0700 and 0800 am and get sleepy between 1030 and 1130 am. Usually they sleep for 1.5 to 2 hrs.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">-They understand complex commands with multiple aspects involved. :)</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div>BBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655915132773501244noreply@blogger.com0