We've taken the girls out once for a walk, but didn't have the camera. So on this particular day we decided we better get a pic. Kendall was fussy, so it's hard to see her. Sydney sat there like a champ...maybe it's because she couldn't move!!!
Daycare
Grandma Shelley helps us out once a week by picking up the girls from daycare. Gives her some time to spend with the girls, and it gives mommy and daddy a day to work late or get some errands done. When Grandma Shelley picked the girls up, she got a picture of them with their provider, Erin.
What Happend To My Formula???
Dr. Westlund informed Chad and I that we can now try to feed the girls cereal. So, me being super excited about this, decided to give it a try. What a mess…but a good mess. For those of you who don’t know, you mix the dry cereal with water, breast milk or formula. And the first time you mix it, it should be fairly soupy. Anyhoo, I’m all pumped to try this out with the girls. I have them in their highchairs with bibs on. Chad has the video camera ready to go. I first put it to Kendall’s lips and she gives me a frown. Then it was Sydney’s turn…she just looked at me as to say “what the heck.” I think most of it ended up on the girls, than in their mouths. I’d have to say it wasn’t a success. Not to worry though, we’ll keep on trying.
My friend recommends that we don’t make it as soupy. She said both of her kids took it better when it was more like the consistency of Cream of Wheat. She also recommended mixing it with some baby foods, like carrots. It gives it some more taste. I think we’ll take a few weeks off, then try again. It is still a bit on the early side.
Here’s a pic of them girls after trying out the cereal.
My friend recommends that we don’t make it as soupy. She said both of her kids took it better when it was more like the consistency of Cream of Wheat. She also recommended mixing it with some baby foods, like carrots. It gives it some more taste. I think we’ll take a few weeks off, then try again. It is still a bit on the early side.
Here’s a pic of them girls after trying out the cereal.
Week of April 7th...Update
4 Months Old
Can you believe it, the girls are 4 months old?!?!? YIKES, where has the time gone??? They seem to amaze me each and every day. They started off in this world so early and so tiny. You look at them now and would never know they were preemies. They sure do make a mommy proud!
Kendall
Sydney
Here’s an update for the week…
The Change In Daycare
On Monday, 4/7, the girls started with their new daycare provider, Erin. They have already spent some time with Erin while they were at Amy’s last week, so she wasn’t a complete stranger. I did call Erin once during the day to see how their first day with her was going…and she laughed saying, hardly a peep. When I got there to pick them up, they seemed happy and content!
Last RSV Shot
The girls received their last RSV shot on Tuesday, 4/8. When getting the shot the nurse also weighs them…helps her determine how much to give them. Kendall weighed in at 12 lbs, 7oz and Sydney weighed in at 11 lbs, 7oz…so 1 lb difference. Chad was home with them to get the shot and said they definitely got their tear ducts in now. I guess the tears were flowing, but they didn’t last long.
The nurse did indicate to Chad that the doctor may have us do the shots again next year. She said most times if the babies are under a year, they may require the shots to be administered again. So we’ll wait to hear what the doctor says.
4 Month Check-up
The girls had their 4 month check up on Friday, 4/11. Grandma Shelley went with me as daddy had a hearing…and I knew they would be getting shots, so a little extra help to console them was needed.
Dr. Westlund said they both looked great and were both in the 25% for their age (this is on the normal scale, not the preemie scale). She asked a series of questions…do they smile, do they hold their hands, etc…they were all a yes, except, do they roll to their side. But she said this will come, not to worry.
I also had her take a look at both girls’ heads. Kendall tends to always look to her right and has a flat spot there. Sydney has a flat spot on the center of her head. Dr. Westlund did give us a referral to a specialist to take a look at it. She did say that it’s very normal in babies now, especially preemies. The girls were born 7 weeks early, which would have been time for their heads to develop more in the womb. This makes their heads a bit softer than the normal baby and it needs to develop more than the normal baby. I hope to have that appointment soon to find out if we need to do anything. I have a gut feeling that we may have 2 girls in helmets to help round their heads. My nephew Kyle had to wear one of these.
It actually wasn’t all that bad. I think it’s worse on the parents than it is on the kids. But I can’t get too excited yet, we need to talk to the doc first.
Oh, and we were informed that we can try to feed the girls cereal. How exciting, something other than formula!!! Here is a picture of the girls with Dr. Westlund.
What are these things?!?!?!
Both girls have been using her hands a lot lately. They will hold her hands, swat at things and sucks on their hands quite a bit. On Sunday, Chad had Kendall lying on the couch next to him. She was moving her arms and hands around, when all of a sudden she stopped. Her arm was straight up in the air with her hand in a fist. She was just staring at her hand. She’d move it slightly to the left and right, just staring at it. She did this for about 2 minutes, most likely thinking…what the heck are these things? Chad and I just watched her in amazement, as she just discovered something new. Then Chad looked at her and said…”Did you find something new”…and Kendall gave him a HUGE smile.
Update
With the girls now in daycare and me working fulltime, it's hard to update our blog as often. This blog is a bit long, but it should get you all up to date on our family.
Grandma Karen 
The week of March 24th was the last week the girls were at home, before starting daycare. Grandma Karen helped us out this week by taking care of the girls on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Sounds like all three had a GREAT time. On Wednesday, grandma’s aunt Pam came over to see the girls. They had the girls looking at each other, and I guess the smiles were non-stop between the little ones…I guess they do like one another!!! In the end grandma said they were easy girls to take care of, very content. I know the girls loved all the love they got from grandma as well…from what I hear there was a lot of cuddling, which was good for all! Thanks Grandma.
The week of March 24th was the last week the girls were at home, before starting daycare. Grandma Karen helped us out this week by taking care of the girls on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Sounds like all three had a GREAT time. On Wednesday, grandma’s aunt Pam came over to see the girls. They had the girls looking at each other, and I guess the smiles were non-stop between the little ones…I guess they do like one another!!! In the end grandma said they were easy girls to take care of, very content. I know the girls loved all the love they got from grandma as well…from what I hear there was a lot of cuddling, which was good for all! Thanks Grandma.
The First Dobbelaere Meeting
Kyle Vowel’s party, 3/29/08, was the girls’ first Dobbelaere family gathering they have been to since they were born. In order to keep the girls healthy, their doctors asked us to keep them away from sick people and kids. Up to this date they had not met any of their cousins. It was a great day and the girls did just fine. Kendall was a bit fussy, but that was to be expected…there were a lot of people there. Sydney was her typical self, checking out everyone and everything.
The girls got to meet their Great Grandparents on Chad’s side today, 3/30/08. I attached some pictures, which I just love. It’s always fun to see all the layers of these generations together.
And Daycare Starts
March 31st was the first day of daycare for the girls. I wasn’t really all that nerves or scarred. I’ve been working for 3 weeks by now and knew I could handle being away from them during the day. We have also formed a relationship with their caregiver and trusted her. With all of this, my mind was at ease. Chad and I decided to do the first day together, pick up and drop off, which also helped both of us out. The drop off went really good, no worries. And you would be very proud of me…I only called her once to check in. When we got there to pick them up, they looked good, happy and content. Amy, the daycare provider, said they were easy and content. No problems, which made me a very proud parent. They must have had a good time, as they were so exhausted that evening. Chad and I had a heck of a time keeping them awake. But the best part, they slept all night, we actually had to wake them up!
The girls will have a change next week as they move to Erin’s house, since Amy will no longer be doing daycare. I’m not too worried about this change. I’ve met Erin and see her since the girls have been in daycare. I believe they will be just has loved and cared for as they were at Amy’s.
Hey Are You My Sister???
I wish we would have gotten this on video camera, but of course the camera’s battery was dead. I had Sydney sitting in the boppy on the floor and I was holding Kendall. I had them facing each other, when all of a sudden Kendall started cooing at Sydney. First of all, Kendall just recently started cooing in the last week. Sydney has been cooing for some time now. Kendall kept cooing at Sydney, and then Sydney would coo back. They were actually having a conversation, going back and forth. Chad and I were in awe. It was the neatest thing ever!!! They really have not acknowledged one another too much, so this was amazing. It just makes me think of all the conversations the two will have as sisters. Who knows, maybe there were telling each other what was on their minds…like how totally cool their parents were!!!
The Week Comes To A Close...
It is Sunday, we are about to start a new week. The girls had a great week and seem to be adjusting to daycare well. Last night was a new goal for them as they slept 9 1/2 hours. We heard Kendall in there a couple times throughout the night...making a noise, but not a full cry. Each time she fell back to sleep. They went down just before 10pm and woke at 730am. What a nice treat for mom and dad to get some rest!
This week the girls have their last RSV shot and their 4 month checkup. Can you believe it, they are already 4 months old?!?!?!
Easter - March 2008
We spent Easter with my family this year, down in Faribault at my grandparents house. This was the girls' first major outting since they have been home, and they had a wonderful time. Grandma Shelley bought them their first Easter outfits, which were dresses...first time they have been in dresses. All in all it was a great day to spend with family.
I attached a picture of the girls in their Easter dresses. Kendall was a bit fussy, so we couldn't get one of her smiling, but we got her little Miss Sassy attitude. Sydney is just staring and most likely thinking "take the picture already, would ya." I also attached a 4 generation picture of my grandma, mom, me and the girls.
Time with Grandma Shelley
The week of March 17-21, 2008, the girls spent some time with Grandma Shelley. The girls were watched by Grandma and Sweetpea for the week. Well, I don’t think Sweetpea helped out too much. Matter of fact, I’m sure she was very ready to go home on Friday night…she ran for the door. The girls had a wonderful time with Grandma and even learned to play with some toys. We got home one day and found both girls holding on to little rattles. Kendall was even bringing it up to her face, to lick of course. Grandma Shelley got up each night as well to help us with the feedings…so Chad and I took turns. I don’t know what we will do when we have to get up each night without help. But the girls are slowly making it through the entire night…so hopefully we won’t have the mid-night feedings much longer.
Daycare Change
Last night I received a call from our daycare provider (Amy) asking if we could come by that same evening…she had some changes that she needed to go over with us. At first I thought this is weird, Chad and I had already planned to go over to her house on Thursday night so she could see the girls and go over stuff. So we bundled up the girls and headed over. At first I didn’t think anything of it, as she was holding Kendall and you could see she was enjoying every minute of it. Then she says, well I have bad but good news. I just sat there thinking, oh no. She then proceeds on with, given my husband and my financial situation…we have decided that I need to stop daycare and get a full time job. Then in the next breath, she says, but Erin (the girl who did daycare with her) is going to open her own daycare and wants to take on the twins. At first I didn’t know what to say, I felt so bad for her as she was crying and really having a hard time telling us. We’ve met Erin when we interviewed the 2 of them, but we’ve really formed the relationship with Amy. Chad and I have grown to really like Amy, her morals, the way she raised her daughters and even her religious beliefs. We only hope that we have the same type of relationship with Erin.
The girls will start off at Amy’s house and Amy will be there for the first week of daycare. Erin will be using Amy’s house until her house has been approved to do daycare (Erin only lives 2 blocks from Amy). So the girls will get to spend some time with Amy. Erin is keeping her daycare small: her son (just over 1), Amy’s 3 daughters (1 is in school full time, 1 in school part time and the other will be at the daycare full time), 1 little boy from their daycare (close to 2) and the girls. The nice thing about Erin is she does have an Early Childhood Education degree, so I’m hoping she will be able to set a preschool curriculum for the girls. Amy also informed us that Erin’s husband works part time from the home and loves the kids as well. Matter of fact, if they could afford it, they’d open a husband and wife daycare.
I’m sure we will enjoy Erin, it’s just we’ve gotten to know Amy and have really come to like her. We knew the girls would be in safe hands and with someone who would treat them very special. I believe we will have the same feelings with Erin as she worked with Amy and Amy highly recommends her, it will just take time.
The girls will start off at Amy’s house and Amy will be there for the first week of daycare. Erin will be using Amy’s house until her house has been approved to do daycare (Erin only lives 2 blocks from Amy). So the girls will get to spend some time with Amy. Erin is keeping her daycare small: her son (just over 1), Amy’s 3 daughters (1 is in school full time, 1 in school part time and the other will be at the daycare full time), 1 little boy from their daycare (close to 2) and the girls. The nice thing about Erin is she does have an Early Childhood Education degree, so I’m hoping she will be able to set a preschool curriculum for the girls. Amy also informed us that Erin’s husband works part time from the home and loves the kids as well. Matter of fact, if they could afford it, they’d open a husband and wife daycare.
I’m sure we will enjoy Erin, it’s just we’ve gotten to know Amy and have really come to like her. We knew the girls would be in safe hands and with someone who would treat them very special. I believe we will have the same feelings with Erin as she worked with Amy and Amy highly recommends her, it will just take time.
Sweet Dreams
Not to jinx ourselves, but I had to share...the girls slept all night long, without waking up last night. They were fed at 830pm and went down at 9pm. I heard Kendall yell out at 3am then again at 330am, but both times she went right back to sleep. At 430am I woke up and had to make sure they were breathing...they were. Chad and I got up at 515am and about 2 minutes later the girls woke up as well. That's a full nights sleep...almost 9 hours. Man oh man, they are getting there!!! I'm sure it won't stay this way consistently, but it sure is a sign that it should happen soon!!!
Grandpa Mike and Grandma Elaine
The girls got to spend all of last week with Grandpa Mike and Grandma Elaine. I’m not sure who enjoyed it more…the girls or the grandparents. From what we’ve been told, they talked, played, danced and exercised. Since grandpa and grandma live in Seattle they don’t get to do too much of this, so I’m sure every minute was spent well. I’m pretty sure they all had a great time!!!Chad and I on the other hand had a great week too. Grandpa and Grandma offered to get up in the middle of the night to feed the girls, so Chad and I could get some rest. Let me tell you, this was a gift on its own. I haven’t slept a full night since I was in my first trimester with the girls (had to use the bathroom quite often). Then when we got home from work, dinner was ready. It was GREAT!!!
On another note, Sydney’s RSV results came back negative. We did however bring her in again on Saturday as she still seemed to be very stuffed up. The doctor informed us that Sydney is fine, but told us to keep an eye on her. Some newborns have stuffed up noses for a few months and if they catch a mild cold, it sounds even worse. So poor Sydney gets saline drops about a million times a day. She sure is a trooper though…keeps smiling and talking through it all!!!
Kendall on the other hand, is still sassy and chubby. When she wants to eat, she wants to eat now. Then she typically falls asleep. But when she is awake, she is all smiles and HUGE smiles too!
On another note, Sydney’s RSV results came back negative. We did however bring her in again on Saturday as she still seemed to be very stuffed up. The doctor informed us that Sydney is fine, but told us to keep an eye on her. Some newborns have stuffed up noses for a few months and if they catch a mild cold, it sounds even worse. So poor Sydney gets saline drops about a million times a day. She sure is a trooper though…keeps smiling and talking through it all!!!
Kendall on the other hand, is still sassy and chubby. When she wants to eat, she wants to eat now. Then she typically falls asleep. But when she is awake, she is all smiles and HUGE smiles too!
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