Constipation Continued... Poor Baby!!

In January at 4 1/2 months old, Charlotte started grunting when trying to poop. It was horrifying to watch her little face contort and go completely red! We laughed and tried to film it, not really realizing how constipated you were becoming.

As we went into the 5th month and went to Grandma Knapke's for Great Grandma Knapke's funeral, it was really, really bad. Uncle Tony taught us how to raise your legs to your chest to help you push it out. We rubbed your bloated belly to help you.

We had to start you on Miralax per doctor's instructions (1 teas. in 8 oz. formula) in late February because you had gone almost the entire month with only hard, dark milkdud-like turds, which worked like a charm. However, it was bad again this week. So bad that you pushed and pushed to no avail, but then when you did go, it was so big that it made you bleed down there, as I literally had to pull it out of you. So sad!!!

So, now we've cut out your night cereal alltogether and I give you 50% apple juice and 50% water (2 -4 oz) every other day. I try to cut out a fruit to make up for the extra calories you're getting, but the sugars in the fruit juice and the liquid really help. I pray this works for you. We added Miralax on Wednesday and you've gone pretty good, but if we stop, will you stay regular????

(Olivia did have the same problem earlier this month, but is better now with no assistance.)

Charlie trying to poo on 2/7

2 or 3 naps... what to do?

We are going on vacation next week and we think that you're ready for 2 naps, but we're not sure.... I think that some days you could do it, and the next you really need to go down at that 2 hour mark. Your schedule has been this for the last 2 months, with just a small increase in amount of food, resulting in this as of today: 

730: 7 oz bottle

830 am 2TB oatmeal and fruit

10-12 nap

12p: 6 oz bottle

2-3p: nap

3 pm: 6 oz bottle

5-6p: nap 

6pm: 1TB oatmeal with fruit and veggies

730 bath

800 8 oz bottle and bed

My bigger question is: how do I get in another feeding and get you to 2 naps??  Monday and Tuesday we did this: 

730: 7 oz bottle

830 am 2TB oatmeal and fruit

10-12 nap

12p: 7 oz bottle

3 pm: 7 oz bottle

3-5: nap (one day it was only until 430, so I gave you a small bottle and fed dinner at 6)

530: fruit and veggies (cut out cereal here due to constipation issues)

730 bath

800 8 oz bottle and bed

But then Wednesday we went back to 3 naps because you were absolute fussy bears at 2 pm... and then you only slept 30 minutes. And then 30 minutes again at 5 (Olivia) and only 5 minutes at 5pm (Charlotte). So... today I will try 2 naps again! The key will be to more than 1 activity between 12-3 wake time. If you get bored, you fuss bad and it grates on my nerves and I give in too easily. I think we'll go shopping after your noon bottle! 

And now it's time for your cereal.... 

I love you so much!

That's all... my heart is just swelling today with love. Nothing abnormal, but wanted to tell you.

Binky Ups and Downs

Ah, the beloved, and often hated, binky. Charlotte LOVES it, Olivia likes it A LOT. We've struggled terribly over whether or not to let you have it. We only let you have it when you go to sleep, so it is super at signaling bedtime. We wrap you up, give you a binky, and you go to sleep immediately. Mommy LOVES that.

However, when you wake in the middle of the night, we have to replace that binky to get you to go back to sleep. That was fine when it was once a night, but there are nights that I drag myself out of bed every 30 minutes from 3am - 7am, which is just brutal. Daddy wants to "sleep train" you so that you learn to just cry and soothe yourself without this sleep crutch. I think the occasional rough night is a small price to pay for the convenience of your bedtime simplicity.

I have committed the sin of putting a blanket next to your face so that then binky doesn't fall when you open your mouth. I have shoved it in your mouth when you won't stop moaning in your sleep. I have panicked in the middle of the night when I can't find it. I have had nightmares about taking it away.

My doctor and fellow twin mother explained to me that I don't have to take it away. She explained that eventually you will learn to replace it yourself. So, I've convinced your father to keep the binky as long as it is strictly used for bedtime only.

So Charlotte; now I watch you pull it out of your mouth and play with it. I know now that you will do that for a period of time until you drop it and can't reach it, you loudly pout, and then I simply replace it and you sleep. Easy. But there are times that you've literally spit it at me too. I've also seen you successfully p lace it back in your mouth, tilt your head back, and fall asleep. Tonight was my favorite: you played, replaced it and tilted your head for sleep. You were so sweet suckling away.... except it was upside down. I can't explain why, but my heart swelled. Someday you'll not need my help anymore, but for now, you still do and I love it.

Miss Olivia: You need your bink to go to sleep, but if you wake up, you don't usually need it to go back to sleep. Your crutch is your blankie. You pull that think around your head every single time. That's how we know you're going to sleep :) You're so funny when I walk in the room-- I think you're playing peek-a-boo with me! You fake that you don't see me, then you snap down the blanket and smile that big gummy (one-tooth) smile!

Anyway... we're keeping the binkies and the blankets!