Eight Weeks

By the time Harper and Sam turned eight weeks we were starting to discover their little personalities more and more. We started to decipher what the different cries might mean, and what might soothe one baby but not the other. Some semblance of routine was starting to emerge, but the second we thought to ourselves: "ok, we've got this, we can do this, this twin thing isn't all that hard," it was as though they were plotting and the very next day our confidence would be shaken and they would despise all of our magic tricks that worked just the day prior! But, all kidding aside, at around eight weeks we started feeling like we were swimming through twin parenting (albeit maybe the stroke was doggy paddle) instead of frantically trying to keep our heads above water.

At eight weeks, Harper is content to hang out and take in all that is going on around her. You'll often find her with eyebrows raised, as though she is surprised by everything she is seeing. For the most part, she is a very smiley baby, hence her new nickname: "Happy." When she smiles, her whole face lights up, eyes and nose crinkle with joy and it appears she uses all of her effort to turn her mouth into the sweetest little grin you've ever seen. She frequently coos and seems to want to engage in conversation with whoever has been sucked in by her joyfulness.

Harper's eight week stats:

Weight: 9 lbs even Height: 21. 2 inches

 

 

At eight weeks, we confirmed that Sammie is quite the mama's boy (AKA: wants milk in sight at all times!) He loves to be held (again usually by mama). He is quite the serious little guy, we joke that the intense eye contact he makes is almost like he is daring you to try and break his stare. His brow is usually furrowed, as though he is trying to steal your thoughts and analyze your every move. Sam is usually the first to wake to eat at night and lets us know he is ready by sucking his hands louder than you would think is humanly possible. He has quite the pitiful little cry and seems to know how to work the system already, because there is no way anyone could turn him down with his sweet little wails, which seem to say "how could you leave me here, all by myself?!" He does NOT like to be alone, and will often start whimpering as soon as we leave the room. He is starting to smile more, too. He doesn't have the same eye crinkle characteristic as his twin sister, but instead has bilateral dimples that instantly melt your heart. He also has a little chuckle that is absolutely adorable!

Sam's eight week stats:

Weight: 10 lbs 1 oz Height: 21.1 inches

 

 

The eight week check-up went well for both babies (Mom, on the other hand flew solo to this appointment and was quite frazzled by the end!) The babies pediatrician is quite impressed with their weight gain and says they are "putting it on like gang busters!" We continue to give them two bottles of higher calorie premie formula each day to help with their weight gain. We will be able to stop this if they are still packing on the poundage by four months. Both babies tolerated their slew of vaccinations well (aside for some tears for all three of us). Our doctor mentioned some concern over Sam's head shape at this appointment. They will take a look again at the four month check up and if it hasn't evened out some, they will send us to a specialist for evaluation and possible helmet. Sam was our baby B and ran out of room at some point in the pregnancy, which could have led to the flat spot on the left side of his ead. The nurses in special care had some concern over his head shape in the first couple weeks after birth, but we just figured it was because he was so tiny. We are trying to improve things by making sure he stays off his left side (which he prefers the most), but we'll know more after the next appointment.

Bennie continues to love up his new siblings. He can usually decipher which baby is crying before we can (we call him the "cry analyzer") and can almost always get them to settle down with a pacifier. He sings to his baby brother and sister and always tells them how "funny" they are! The are starting to notice him more, too - especially Harper who is starting to give Ben some of her crinkle eye smiles, which he loves!

All in all, we are finding our way. It might not always be the most graceful, but it is getting easier!

 

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