Three Months Old

I figure before 2012 comes I better finish blogging about the end of 2011.  The day after Christmas (12.26.11) Suzie and Ian turned 3 months old!  With no doctor visit this month and having already been in 3 month clothing for a good few weeks now it seemed a bit anti-climactic, but don't worry we still documented with pictures.

Gotta love those chubby legs!

Ian turns into a little ham and sure does turn on the charm when the photo session starts.  This is super funny since it is a totally false representation of how he is normally.  Ian is a sweet boy, but mostly one who likes to sit and observe the happenings around him.  Suzie is usually the one who is smiling up a storm all day long, but for her the camera brings on the opposite effect than it does in Ian and her smile gets tucked away until the camera is off.  One of these days I'll have to capture it because it is dang cute.  So our Mr. Ian is quite the talker these days.  His ah-goos are too cute.  I love laying in bed in our room and hearing him down the hall in their nursery "talk" to Suzie after we put them down at bedtime.  She just quietly lays there listening to all his stories.  We try to mimic his sounds back to him and it's fun when we go a few exchanges and he totally thinks there is a real conversation going on.  Ian is gaining better control of his arms.  He can bat at the toys dangling from the activity center mat very well now and enjoys hearing the sounds they make.  His legs are quite strong as well, while on his back on a blanket Ian can push himself clear across the room!  Tummy time is hard for him since his head is really heavy, but he is doing better each day with lifting it up higher and higher.

Suzie is fascinated by all black&white and bold patterned objects we have for her to gaze at.  She'll be quite content to lay a look at them for over 1/2 an hour all the while smiling and cooing.  And I love to lay right beside her and gaze at her the whole time!  I'm loving seeing her little girl features emerge.  Her lovely eyelashes, the rosebud lips and dainty girl movements.  She is so precious.  She doesn't have quite as much control over her arms as her brother does, but during tummy time she is a rock star.  Suzie is now holding her head high and pushing herself up pretty far.  Dave and I will clap and cheer for her and she just smiles and continues to hold the pose even longer.  It's a good time for all!  As I said before, Suzie is our smiler.  She greets me in the morning with smiles and while chatting on the changing table some of the biggest grins come out.  It melts my heart every time.  

It is so fun to see these guys grow and even more fun to see them become more aware of their sibling next to them.  I feel so lucky and privileged to have a front row seat to seeing these boy/girl twins develop a bond that will unite them together for life.   

Christmas

Our celebration this year began on the 22nd with a trip to see the Festival of Lights at the DC Temple.  It turned out to be a very rainy evening, but we had fun seeing the lights and running into some good friends while there.

a little blurry, but you get the idea

Next we spent Christmas Eve with the Traxler family.  It was our first semi-long trip away from home (3 hour drive round trip) with the twins and they both did very well.  We hit up the Hagerstown outlets on the way for some last minute shopping (I think we should get a prize for doing that with twins!) and arrived just in time for the yummy dinner Dave's mom and sister, Wendy, spent the afternoon preparing.

Wendy and Dave's brother Leamon had not seen Suzie and Ian yet so it was fun to watch them hold them and meet their newest niece and nephew for the first time.  Of course their cousin Victoria was anxious to hold them again and commented, "Their heads feel like peaches!"  I told her she was exactly right :-)  We opened presents and my favorite was one Dave's dad got Ian and Suzie - a pack of diapers that he went to the store to buy on his own.  I love picturing their Grandpa Traxler standing at the check out line with a box of diapers, classic!  Towards the end of the evening they started to get a bit restless since they weren't able to totally get to sleep during their nap time - wether it was a new environment or just the excitement of Christmas Eve we're not 100% sure (wink wink), but we knew it was time to head back home.

After feeding Ian and Suzie and getting them in their Christmas jammies we read the account of our Savior's birth in Luke.  It was really nice to have such a sweet peaceful moment with all four of us where we were totally focused on the real meaning of Christmas.  Next year I'd like to start a tradition of making an angel food cake and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas day.

pardon Suzie's bulging diaper ;-)

Once we put them down to sleep I was greeted with my first of many Christmas Eve's where I stayed up to wrap presents well past midnight.  When I was older I always knew why my parents were so tired Christmas morning, but now I really understand it!

Since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year we had the added trip of going to church Christmas day which made for a bit of a hectic morning.  Once we were dressed for church, which was at noon, we got Ian and Suzie ready to head over to Dan & Anne's house where Christmas morning was in full swing.  Jamie & Brook and my parents were there so after eating a yummy breakfast we got down to business of opening gifts.  It was an enjoyable time for us and one Ian and Suzie mostly slept through.

sleeping before going to church...

and sleeping after coming home from church

We dashed off to church and enjoyed the carols and musical numbers that were performed.  My favorite was Mary Did You Know performed by one of the Young Women.The lyrics definitely got me all teary eyed -

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little boy
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rules the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am

We got back to the house just as all the extended family started showing up.  After a quick feeding and wardrobe change the twins were ready to be adored!  They spent the rest of the day being passed around from one family member to the next.  I enjoyed seeing the happiness in everyones eyes as they held them.  

It was a lovely Christmas afternoon with a wonderful dinner by my Aunt Deb and Uncle Tom featuring shrimp scampi, salad with the most wonderful dressing, honey baked ham and potatoes, yummy stir fry over jasmine rice and the BEST rolls ever!  Nobody had a belly that wasn't filled by the end of the night.  This Christmas was a first for a few different reasons.  It was Ian & Suzie's first Christmas, but it was also the first Christmas my family has had without my Grandma Quayle.  We knew Christmas 2010 would most likely be her last due to the terminal illness she had and we celebrated well!  But this year it was still hard to get through the holidays knowing a loved one is not there.  My heart smiled when I heard my grandfather, who claims no religion but a belief in mankind, commented that he felt her presence in the house on Christmas day and I would agree.  All in all, a lovely first Christmas with our son and daughter and we can't wait to experience more and create our own family traditions along the way!

Tummy Time

We love it when mom puts us on our tummies!  We're getting stronger and learning a little better each day how to hold up our big noggins.

Minimum Requirement Met

Now that Ian and Suzie meet the minimum requirements for the Baby Bjorn carriers we are so excited to finally use them!  Today we went for a lovely, but chilly, walk along the C&O Canal.  It was fun to get these guys out in the fresh air and enjoy time with all four of us together.  When they finally fell asleep it was funny to see the look on other peoples faces as we walked by with our limp noodle babies - their legs and arms just dangling and swaying with each step we took. 

 Sometimes I still can't believe we're a family of four.  It seems like it was FOREVER in the making, but I am thankful beyond words we are finally at this point in our lives.  We sure do love these cute little goobers and all the ways they've changed us for the better!

I'm A Big(er) Baby Now

We've reached a pretty big milestone.  From the day they were born Suzie and Ian have been swaddled and by each others side most of their sleeping hours...

up until now!  

So they don't get cold without the extra layer of the swaddle we now have them in fleece footed pajamas.  These are their My First Christmas ones, aren't they so stinkin' cute in them?!

At their 2 month visit with the pediatrician we were instructed to forgo the swaddles, not just some of the time, but ALL of the time.  I think I asked the doctor if he was serious 3 or 4 times.  To help promote gross motor development he said they were old enough and big enough to put an end to the swaddling blankets we have come to love so much.  I highly doubt any of us would have gotten as much sleep as we did in the early weeks without the blessed miracle blanket.  Occasionally we used the Halo sleep sacks with swaddle, but the miracle blanket was where it was at with special flaps that went around their arms and under their backs to keep their arms securely at their sides.  So when Dr. Hirsch asked me if they were starting to get their legs and arms out of them I knew we were headed in a direction I wasn't ready to go.  I answered yes and he informed me it would be worth it to allow them to learn how to sleep on their own without them.  I parted ways with the beloved swaddles and packed them away for next time and only shed a tear or two.

We are also now following a new sleep routine.  We had been keeping them up about an hour from the start of their feeding time to play then laying them down to sleep.  If cries started we did the graduated extinction method found in Healthy Sleep Habits where we would go in and comfort them after 5 minutes, if it started again then wait 10 minutes, then 15 minutes.  It was an adjustment for all of us and by no means did any of us perfect it.  I will say having an exact time to know when I'd go into the nursery to soothe my crying baby(babies) helped A LOT!  I'm so glad we had started that the 6 week mark because from their 2 month appt. until now we've upped the ante quite a bit.

Now we try to keep them awake for 1.5-2 hours from the time a feeding starts by playing, reading books, listening and dancing to music, etc.  Then while they are still awake and not drowsy yet we move them to their awesome bassinets my SIL gave us.  Then when the inevitable crying begins we wait...15 minutes!  Yes, a whole 15 minutes right off the bat.  I about fell off my chair with the doctor said this.  Then go in comfort them, put them back down and leave.  Repeat this up to three times (with comforting time in between each cycle this adds up to almost 1 hour!) if crying doesn't stop.  If they don't self soothe within the three 15 minute blocks then we go in and put them in the bouncer or swing so they can sleep.  Sometimes both or one of them will cry so long it ends up being their next feeding time.  I will say when this happens they usually go to sleep fairly easily the next go-around.

Dr. Hirsch warned us that everyone would think this was crazy, especially our parents and grandparents who would say they never did that with us and we turned out fine, but it would be well worth investing the time to sleep train now so putting them down for naps later is easier.  And so far, we're still working on it.  Usually once a day each of them will fall asleep during their awake time in the swing or bouncer and I just leave them.  I don't stick to the proposed sleep training routine to a T, but for the most part we're trying to implement it as best we can.  And for all the we's I've been using I mostly mean me.  Dave is super helpful in the evenings once he is home from work, but really they are pretty awesome sleepers at night and usually go right to sleep without a fuss.  I've been at it for 2 1/2 weeks now and I can already tell you with two babies sleep training success is critical to our survival.  Here's to hoping Dr. Hirsch is right ! Only time will tell...

First Night Away

Dave's holiday work party this year tops them all!  Since he is working for a company based out of Northern California they left it up to him and the one other east coast employee, Matt, to decide their own holiday party.  Matt's wife researched fun things to do in the area and proposed an idea to the rest of us and we loved it.  Once approval was given from company headquarters the reservations were made!  So what was the plan?  For starters Saturday night we went to Baltimore's Inner Harbor for a holiday themed Probable Claus murder mystery dinner cruise  

then topped off the evening with a stay in a Bed & Breakfast near Little Italy.  

Matt's wife was pregnant and her due date was the end of December, but she ended up having the baby over Thanksgiving weekend.  Even though baby Alex was premature he is doing well and at home now.  So that meant a work holiday party turned into a date night for us!  I was bummed we didn't get to hang out with Matt and his wife, but it was sooooo nice for Dave and I to have a night away just to enjoy together.  I'm super lame and didn't get any pictures while we were there even though I brought my camera with us.  But here is one from the website of our room - 

On the other side of the room was a fireplace.  After coming back from the dinner cruise we sat by the fireplace and sipped hot apple cider, it was QUIET = heavenly!  It was such an amazing feeling climbing under the covers knowing I wouldn't have to wake up in a few hours to feed the babies.  And once my head hit that pillow I was out!  We both had our first real FULL night of sound sleep since the babies were born.  Simply wonderful.  We woke up the next morning and sipped the hot chocolate they delivered to our room and sat by the fireplace while enjoying it.  Then we headed down to the dining room to enjoy our feast of a breakfast!  When I say feast, I kid you not.  Fresh fruit, raspberry & blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, brioche french toast with powered sugar, omelets filled with ham, shiitake mushrooms, swiss cheese, onions and green peppers, eggs benedict, home fries, bacon & sausage filled our bellies.  Since check out time wasn't until 11am we went back to the room to.... SLEEP MORE!!!  Oh how glorious it was :-)  

It was a massive combined effort of my aunt, uncle, mom, dad and grandpa to help watch the babies for the 20 hours we were away.  We knew the kiddos were in good hands (I only called once to check in) and are so thankful to have such willing/caring family nearby to help us have moments like these.  And I find the old adage distance make the heart grow fonder to be true.  It was nice to be away from Ian and Suzie for a little while so I could come home and hug them tighter and smother them with kisses!

Noggin

Super cute hats, right?  Having babies born in the fall I was really excited to have fun hats for them to wear in the cooler weather.  Well guess who won't be wearing any of these again...

Out of 100 two month old babies only ONE would have a head bigger than Ian!  That's right, he is in the 99th percentile for head circumference.  Our pediatrician told us at his 2 month visit that is head is pretty large, but nothing to be too concerned about at this time.  Then I got the growth charts when our visit was over and holy cow, he wasn't kidding.  Ian is nearly off the charts! 

Dave and I are just hoping the old wives tale is true that the larger the brain the higher the intelligence :-)  So I guess we'll be looking for some bigger winter hats for our big headed boy.

Two Months Old

Official Stats-

Suzie - 12 lbs. 11 oz. / 23 inches

Ian - 12 lbs. 8 oz. / 23 3/4 inches 

Look who turned 2 months old on Saturday the 26th

This past month was filled with lots of holiday fun and seemed to go by so fast.  We didn't get a single picture to capture the twins first Thanksgiving, but rest assured we know they throughly enjoyed it.  How do we know that?  Because they spent the day in Grandma and Pop-pop Traxler's arms!  I guess they think Ian and Suzie are pretty cute too.  Each day we see more and more of their personalities.  Suzie is a sweetie pie who likes to nuzzle into your neck and make sweet girly whimpers.  Then goes from 0 to 60 and lets out a scream that will leave your eardrum ringing to let you know she is hungry and she wants food NOW!  Then once she get what she's after she becomes the sweet little chunker again.  She is a pretty good self soother and will usually calm herself after one round of "crying it out" when put down for naps or bedtime.  Her hair is growing and no doubt about it she'll be our beautiful brunette.  Suzie also has lovely long eyelashes.  Her social skills are heart warming seeing as they consist of smiles and cooing babble talk.  She even smiles for daddy when he leaves for work in the morning.  How can a day start off any better than that?!Ian is my little buddy.  I already find myself talking in a lower tone to him than I do to Suzie.  You know, because he is so manly.  Most of the time Ian is passive and even when upset his cries are like a low bass line compared to Suzie's loud wails.  He is very good at tracking and has fun just observing the coming and goings of people around.  He often will be entertained for upwards of half and hour watching mommy do her workout routine.  He started about a week after Suzie, but now Ian is also smiling.  Not so much in response to our smiles, but more so our voices.  His blonde fuzz is getting longer and is the softest thing I've ever touched in this world.  I could stroke his head all day.  Ian's big blue eyes are ones that melt my heart every time.  Especially when accompanied by his furrowed brow.  Like when I feed him and tell him stories about how great he is and all the awesome things he'll do in his life and he just looks up with those big blue eyes and brings his eyebrows together almost saying, "Mom, I'm just a baby.  Don't get a head of yourself."  Ahh, love my little buddy to pieces.

  

Thankful

On this Thanksgiving day I give thanks to my Father in Heaven for allowing Suzette and Ian to make the choice to join our eternal family and make me a mother and Dave a father.  Way to go guys, I'm thrilled you decided to take the plunge and choose us!

Blessing Day

This morning while holding Suzie and telling her how she is the most beautiful girl in the whole wide world she looked up at me with her big blue eyes and gave me the widest, gummiest smile and my heart melted.  I'd like to think my sweet girl knew something special was going to happen. 

Friends and family gathered together to celebrate Ian Grant and Suzette Yvonne being given a name and a blessing by their father at church this morning.  Both of our fathers, Dave's brother Sam and good friend Brent all participated in the blessing circle.  We went in birth order, first Suzie then Ian.  The blessings were beautiful and our friend, Eme, even jotted some notes of what was said:

Suzette Yvonne Traxler:

• Blessed that the Spirit will be a powerful influence in her life to guide her and help her to be a positive influence to others, to allow her to help the down trodden.
• Blessed to prepare for and serve a mission.  Blessed with a temple marriage.
• A final emphasis that the Spirit will be a guide to her throughout her life

Ian Grant Traxler:

• "...Like his sister," Ian was blessed that "the Spirit would smile upon" him and love and encourage him throughout his life and be an aide to him during his life.  
• Blessed to be an ardent seminary student.
• Blessed that he would be able to see the power of the Atonement work in his life and that of others.
• Blessed with health and strength during his life
• Blessed to serve a mission
• Blessed to choose an elect lady and marry her in the temple
• Blessed to be an example to his parents

Since the blessings are done in the front of the chapel, but on the floor level, not on the stage, I had told Dave not to forget to hold each of them up after their blessings.  Suzie was a quite as could be during hers (my dad told me her eyes were wide open just looking around and listening) and Dave gently lifted her up when the blessing was done.  She was 100% adorable and I'm not being biased at all ;-)  Poor Ian wasn't taken out of his car seat until right before his so he was a bit fussier.  After his was over Dave held him close to his chest and I thought he may not hold him up and just comfort him, but I was wrong.  He fliped him over and held him up so high even those on the back row of the chapel we sure to see our cute little man.  I loved seeing how proud Dave was in that moment :)  


It totally reminded me of the moment in The Lion King when Simba was held up on pride rock after being born.  

Have I mentioned what a wonderful father he is?  No?  Okay, let me tell you this - I really think he was born to be the father of twins.  He has handled them and me with such ease, excitement, wonder and grace.  He has helped me ease into the transition of being a twin mom in ways I never would have expected, but always appreciate.  How neat is it to be able to bless 2 of your children at once?!  Today he made me proud to be his wife and mother of his (I know it's really our) children.

my handsome little man in his first suit, a special white satin suit

a little blurry, but had to get a picture w/out the flash to capture the full cuteness of the bow tie!

I grew up with a copy of the painting and poem My Three White Dresses on my wall as a little girl and young woman.  Seeing my daughter dressed in her first white dress today made my heart overflow with joy knowing the blessing that will come from the covenants and promises she makes as she continues on her white dress journey through baptism and marriage.

my princess in her first white dress

The song What Heaven Sees In You by Doug Walker was also on my mind today.  The words get me every time, but today as a new mom they take on a whole new meaning. 

 Pure and holy in a little white dress.  You were held in a circle and you were blessed.  And the Father looked down and the angles surrounded that place.  They knew the truth, all that you could do and you will too if you have eyes to see what heaven sees in you.

I have no doubt that my grandmother was one of those 'angles surrounding that place' today.

Hellie Grandparents

Traxler Grandparents

We are FAM-I-LY!

Spending time with our friends on family on this beautiful November Sunday enjoying each other, laughing together and being reminded of the most important things in life made for the perfect day.  

Ian and Suzette may have been the once receiving their blessings today, but my heart feels full knowing how blessed we are to have the love and support of our dear friends and wonderful family and that Ian and Suzie and now a part of it.