Tobie here: OMG!! Are we in some kind of torture reality? Some freaky weird experiment? I feel like I’m going through the motions of living…but the minute I wake up I start counting down the hours until I can go to bed again. Drew is still dreamy…he’s just an eating machine. He’s eating every two hours (which we read is totally normal), but it takes about 30 minutes to feed him…leaving only 1.5 hours in between feedings. Aaghhh! It feels like that is all I do is feed Drew. Thank god we’ve had grandparents these last two weeks to help out! Did we mention we hired help full-time for the week after the grandparents are gone?
Speaking of help…I think this has set Paige back with her anxiety. It’s returned full force and is almost unbearable (especially on limited sleep). We can’t leave the room or be out of her eyesight or she goes bonkers. It’s really bad when Daddy is home…then it’s forget Mommy. But when Daddy’s at work, then her next choice to cling to is Mommy. We need you Aunt Nancy! You broke her of this last time.
Another baby update: we are discontinuing feeding therapy for Cole. This is ironic since we had a GI appt on Tuesday and he hadn’t gained any weight in 6 weeks. The doctor thinks this could partially be due to the rotavirus he’s had. They aren’t that concerned, no changes to diet, and we have a follow-up weight check in two weeks. I think he’s been eating better than ever which really seems odd he didn’t gain any weight.
So instead of feeding therapy we are going to begin speech therapy. The babies are babbling great, no real words yet but that’s not uncommon. Our speech therapy is going to consist of teaching the babies sign language (and Mommy so I know what the heck they’re telling me). Apparently there are studies that show that babies that learn sign language early on will have an increased vocabulary when they actually do begin to speak. I’m excited. The words that we’re not going to learn are “no” and “more” because these words can backfire on parents.
Special thanks to Aunt Nikki! We got your packages and the baby stuff is awesome! I think we’ll use everything you sent us!
Got to go…can’t stand the screaming!!!
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Oh Tobie, big virtual hugs from us. Will Drew take the bottle so you can get a full nights sleep (do you want him taking the bottle?) just one night?
If there was any up side to NICU time, it was at least getting some sleep while you heal.
I hope things improve quickly.
Maybe I should go away for a week to help Paige get used to not having me there? Please? I can hear the screaming in my head at work!
Bummer that Paige is having a problem again with separation. She probably just needs a little extra TLC with the arrival of Drew. We did sign language with our little ones and it was awesome.
We used Signing Times. I have the first 6 DVD’s they are yours if you want them. Also Sunday mornings on PBS they run the a Signing time video.
Our girls love them as they are geared to little kids and have little ones doing the songs. But I warn you. You will catch yourself singing the songs in the shower or at work! It is horrible. LOL!
Ugh, this post brings back memories of sleepless nights spent with infants who took up to 60 minutes to finish a feed. I totally feel your pain! The good news is that once he gets a little bigger and a little older and has a little more practice, he will get more and more efficient at nursing and what is now taking 30 minutes will only take 20… then 15… then 10… then you’ll be wishing for those 30 minutes back!
Sorry to hear that Paige’s anxiety is back. It’s probably completely normal based on having a new little bro at home. That doesn’t make it any easier to deal with, though, does it?
As I have said before, Tobie, you are my superhero. I can’t imagine dealing with a newborn and two toddlers! You may be sleep deprived, but you can put together a well-thought-out blog post… pretty amazing.
ps. We did sign language with our two and loved it–I really think it cuts down on the temper tantrums because they are able to tell you what they want rather than having to scream until you figure it out. And, for the love of Pete, never ever ever teach “No.”
Yay! I am glad you liked everything. I have soo much more to send you in the next few months.
Oh goodness, looks like you guys are having a hard time. I know it seems like it will never end, but in no time Drew will be as big as Paige and Cole. :o)
I remember only having an hour in between feeds, and knowing that by the time I tried to lay down it would just be time to feed again. It was really hard. No advice, just *hugs* It will space out. Night time feeds drop first and then day time spaces out eventually (though my 12 month old still nurses about every two hours during the day sometimes!)
Tobie-
You are my hero (and you too Eric) we are so in awe of you guys that we thought we would add another little one to our family (we are due 12/29/07)… opps
So I will probably emailing you for advice very soon… YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!!! GO TOBIE..oh.. and Eric too LOL
Sweet, someone is showing me the love for once! Love the blog!