12 Months Old

sleeping habits:
All three sleep soundly in their cribs from 7 a.m.--7 p.m. Maddie seems to have a few restless nights every few months, then returns to her usual sleep patterns.

They still take two naps a day. Morning nap is from 10-11:30 a.m.  Afternoon naps are typically between 3-4:30 p.m.

eating habits: 
We introduced cow's milk at 11.5 months. The cow's milk immediately caused Maddie's reflux and eczema to flare up. James has up to 6 poopy diapers a day now. After talking with the pediatrician today, we will be switching to soy milk. Amelia hasn't had any reactions.

7:00 a.m.- sippy cup of formula/milk (in cribs)
8 a.m.--fruit cup, oatmeal, string cheese, graham crackers, waffles, etc

11:30/12.--sippy cup of formula/milk with lunch (quesadilla, grilled ham and cheese, leftovers, etc)

5:00 p.m.--sippy cup of formula/milk with dinner (table food)

7 p.m.--6 oz bottle of formula/milk

The trio mostly eat finger foods at their high chairs, though they also use squeezable pouches on the go.

milestones:
James-pulls himself up to standing position, crawls, has two bottom teeth, drinks from a straw sippy cup
Amelia-pulls herself up to standing, crawls, waves, claps, drinks from a straw sippy cup
Maddie-crawls (with incorrect form), pulls herself up to knees (and standing a few times), has two bottom teeth, waves, drinks from a straw sippy cup

challenges:
-Maddie has mastered crawling while extending her leg. She no longer tolerates wearing the hip helpers because they make it so much harder for her to crawl.
-Picnics and outdoor outings are becoming impossible between the extreme heat and chasing three very fast crawlers.
-Jackson gets frustrated when his siblings steal his food on the coffee table, turn the channel while playing with the remote, and take his toys.

victories:
-First birthday photos have been a lot of fun. The babies played with their cakes and made a mess. The girls looked especially cute in their tutus and bows.
-Maddie is making huge strides and closing the gap of how many months delayed she is. She is also on the growth chart for the first time since birth!
-The trio entertain one another all day long. James and Amelia make each other laugh so hard when they play in the curtains or pull up on opposite sides of the table.

special notes:
-We made it an entire year without spending a single dime on formula, thanks to pumping for 9 months, donor milk, and Enfamil multiples program.
-I made an appointment to register for WIC tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about this, but it is no secret that we could use the help.

BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!

The trio turn one in two days, which means every post this week will be celebrating their first year of life. Prepare yourself for a lot of pictures this week!

11 Months

sleeping habits:
All three are asleep in their cribs between 7-7:15 p.m. They wake up between 6:30-7 a.m.  They rarely wake in the middle of the night and haven't had any middle of the night feedings in over a month. (Confession: Maddie has been waking hourly the past few nights! It's like having a newborn again.)

They go down for a morning nap in their cribs around 9:30/10 and sleep until noon on good days. Afternoon naps are shorter and the times vary depending on our outings.

eating habits: 
The babies receive four 6-oz bottles a day. Three are formula and one is donor breastmilk.

7:00 am- 6 oz bottle
8 a.m.--fruit cup, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, graham crackers, pancakes, etc

11:30/12.--6 oz bottle
1 p.m.-quesadilla, grilled cheese, leftovers, heated deli meat, fruit, veggies, etc (all finger foods)

4/4:30 p.m.--6 oz bottle
5/5:30 p.m.--eat table food in high chairs

7 p.m.--6 oz bottle

I just purchased squeezable pouches and look forward to offering yogurt, oatmeal, purees, etc.

milestones:
James-pull himself up to standing position, crawls on hands and knees, sits unassisted, feeds himself finger foods, has two bottom teeth, drinks from a sippy cup
Amelia-pull herself up to knees, crawls on hands and knees, sits unassisted, feeds herself finger foods
Maddie-smoothly transitions from belly to seated position, takes a few steps on hands and knees, sits unassisted, feeds herself finger foods, has two teeth

challenges:
-The girls are boycotting sippy cups, despite being offered water three times a day. Amelia will suck it out and let the water dribble down. Maddie just plays with the cup.
-We've all been a sweaty mess after our air conditioner finally broke a week ago.

victories:
-Connecting both baby gates has created a large, safe space on the deck for the babies to play outside.
-Maddie has increased mobility and core strength thanks to regularly wearing hip-helpers.

special notes:
-The babies love swimming in their inflatable swimming pool and their aunt's in-ground swimming pool.
-We have yet to spend a single dime on formula, thanks to pumping for 9 months, donor milk, and Enfamil multiples program.
-Friday was the last day of school, which means the babies get to enjoy summer with their Mommy AND Daddy!

10 Months Old

sleeping habits:
All three are asleep between 7-7:15 p.m. They wake up between 6:30-7 a.m.  They rarely wake in the middle of the night and they don't get any middle of the night feedings.

They go down for a morning nap in their cribs around 9:30/10 and sleep until noon on good days. Afternoon naps are shorter and the times vary depending on our outings.

eating habits: 
I have officially stopped pumping. The babies receive four bottles. Three are formula and one is donor breastmilk.

7:00 am- 6 oz bottle
8 a.m.--fruit cup, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, graham crackers, pancakes, etc

11:30/12.--6 oz bottle
1 p.m.-quesadilla, leftovers, heated deli meat, fruit, veggies, etc (all finger foods)

4/4:30 p.m.--6 oz bottle
5/5:30 p.m.--eat table food in high chairs

7 p.m.--6 oz bottle

milestones:
James-sits unassisted, feeds himself finger foods, army crawls backwards
Amelia-sits unassisted, feeds herself finger foods, quickly moves around (not quite crawling)
Maddie-sits unassisted, feeds herself finger foods, scoots backwards, has two teeth

challenges:
-I'm so bad about offering sippy cups. I need to buy straw sippy cups for the babies to use at every meal.
-Changing Amelia and James' diapers can be very difficult with them rolling over and leaving.

victories:
-Maddie accomplished her first two goals on her IFSP and is continuing to make great progress during physical therapy.
-Maddie has two teeth (bottom, front teeth)
-The babies are so good at feeding themselves.
-Caught up on all vaccines

special notes:
-The babies sat in a shopping cart for the first time this month and went out to eat (IKEA) for the first time.

9 Months Old

sleeping habits:
All three are asleep by 8 p.m. (Maddie is still in our bedroom but I am *considering* allowing her to sleep in her crib in the nursery with James and Amelia.)  All three wake up for the day between 7-7:30 a.m.  Maddie inconsistenly requires a middle of the night feed, though James and Amelia have been sleeping 11 straight hours.

They take a morning and afternoon nap, though those times have varied daily this month. All naps are taken in cribs/pack-n-play.

eating habits: 
All three consume around 22 ounces of breastmilk/formula a day. Maddie takes up to 27 oz.

8:30 am- 5 oz bottle (breastmilk)
9 a.m.--pureed fruit, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, waffles, etc

12:30/1 p.m.--5 oz bottle (formula)
1:30 p.m.-bites of cheerios, veggie straws, graham crackers, etc

5 p.m.--6 oz bottle (formula)
6 p.m.--eat table food (fed by Jesse and I, not by themselves)

7:30/8 p.m.--6 oz bottle (breastmilk)

*MOTN bottle for Maddie?

milestones:
James-sits up unassisted and moves around the floor, holds his own bottle, feeds himself beans/cereal/etc claps his hands, rocks on hands and knees
Amelia-inconsistently sits up, slides backwards on her stomach all over the living room, rocks on hands and knees, holds her own bottle, feeds herself beans/cereal/etc
Maddie-sits up unassisted, holds her own bottle, feeds herself beans/cereal/etc, lifts head for extended periods of time during tummy time

challenges:
-Double ear infections for James and Amelia and a stomach virus for Maddie led to some sleepless, miserable days and nights.
-We had obstacles following paper trails and playing phone tag to get Maddie a physical therapist.
-We will likely change the babies schedule because they are naturally sleeping longer but waking up very hungry. Sleep and meal times are fluctuating.

victories:
 -Maddie began physical therapy and is already showing improvement. We were given specific strategies to help strengthen her core muscles.
-Maddie's legs are finally thick enough that you can't put your fingers around. (Jesse says, "They are the same size as Amelia's cankles.")
-The trio will be caught up on all immunizations at their 9 month well check tomorrow.

special notes:
-The babies had their first trip to the zoo the day before they turned 9 months.
-Still NO teeth from anyone!

8 Months Old

sleeping habits:
All three are asleep by 9 p.m. (Maddie still sleeps in the pack-n-play in our bedroom for no reason other than I like her nearby.  James and Amelia sleep in their cribs in the nursery.)  All three wake up around 6 a.m. for a morning snack, then fall back asleep until 8-8:30.  Maddie has inconsistently added back a middle of the night feed most nights, anywhere between midnight and 3 a.m. (in addition to her 6 a.m. feed).

Naps have decreased in length this month. Morning nap is from 11 a.m. until about 12:30.  Their afternoon nap is 3:30 until 5.  Naps are taken in cribs or pack-n-plays.

eating habits: 
Last month they were each consuming 30 oz of breastmilk/formula per day.  This amount has decreased to 25 oz per day for James and Amelia.  Maddie consumes 25-30 oz, depending on if she needs a nighttime bottle.

 9 am- 5 oz bottle (breastmilk)
10 a.m.--split 12 oz of pureed fruit, oatmeal

1 p.m.--5 oz bottle (breastmilk)
1:30 p.m.-bites of cheerios, veggie straws, graham crackers, etc

5 p.m.--5 oz bottle (formula)
6 p.m.--eat table food (fed by Jesse and I, not by themselves)

9 p.m.--5 oz bottle (breastmilk)

5 a.m.--5 oz bottle (breastmilk)

milestones:
James-sits up unassisted, holds his own bottle
Amelia-slides backwards on her stomach all over the living room, holds her own bottle
Maddie-feeds herself dry foods (graham crackers, cheerios, veggie straws), holds her own bottle

challenges:
-Maddie is months behind in gross motor skills.  We have set up appointments with various specialists to hopefully rule out more serious causes for her delays.
-None of the babies like dairy.  Yogurt and cottage cheese are not well received.
 -They are still incessant droolers, but no teeth.

victories:
 -All three have a great appetite and love eating.  Their new favorite thing is graham crackers.
-Maddie qualifies for free Early Intervention services through the county.  She will begin physical therapy at home within a few weeks.
-After five months, we finally received updated insurance cards with the correct PCP.

special notes:
-When at the museum, park, or rec center, I now take the trio out of their stroller and let them swing, play, feed themselves, sit, or have tummy time.
-When Jackson was this age he had separation anxiety anytime we dropped him off at the church nursery or left him.  The babies are so social and smile at overly friendly/inquisitive strangers every day.  They don't seem to mind (yet) being left with someone new for an hour.
-At 8 exactly months old (today) we switched from infant carriers to convertible carseats.  The configuration is the same, but they were getting too heavy and difficult to take in and out of the van using the infant carseats.

7 Months Old

sleeping habits:
All three are asleep by 9 p.m. (Maddie still sleeps in the pack-n-play in our bedroom for no reason other than I like her nearby.  James and Amelia sleep in their cribs in the nursery.)  All three wake up around 5 a.m. for a morning snack, then fall back asleep until 8-8:30.  James always wakes up first.  Amelia could sleep all morning if I let her.

By 10:30 a.m. all three are back in their cribs or pack-in-play for a morning nap.  They typically nap until 12/12:30.  Their afternoon nap is 3/3:30 until 5.

eating habits: 
9 am- 6 oz bottle (breastmilk)
10 a.m.--split 12 oz of baby food

1 p.m.--6 oz bottle (breastmilk/formula)
1:30 p.m.-bites of cheerios, yogurt melts, diced fruit, etc

5 p.m.--6 oz bottle (breastmilk/formula)
6 p.m.--split 8 oz of food

9 p.m.--6 oz bottle (breastmilk/formula)

5 a.m.--5 oz bottle (breastmilk)

*We just introduced sippy cups of water and small bites of food (rather than purees) at exactly 7 months old.

milestones:
James-holds his own bottle
Amelia-so close to sitting up unassisted
Maddie-keeps her food down!

challenges:
-They all still lack coordination to put finger foods in their mouth.
-Vaccines seem to cause fevers and serious fussing.
-Where are the teeth??? The drooling and teething is chronic, but still no teeth.

victories:
-Maddie is gaining weight at the same rate as James and Amelia.
-All three have a great appetite and love eating.
-Maddie had an uneventful cardiologist appointment with no major concerns.
-We go everywhere using the quad stroller with relative ease.

special notes:
-The babies had a few more firsts this month: swinging at the park, snowfall, Valentine's Day, and playing at Discovery Place.

6 Months Old

sleeping habits:
For nearly two weeks, all three babies were sleeping an uninterrupted 12 hours.  They have returned to the habit of waking to eat once (between 4-6 AM) most nights, but they occasionally sleep the entire night.  I should note that all three are fully swaddled before their last bottle.

It took me five months of tears and babies fighting sleep to learn that James and Amelia both need naps within 60-90 minutes of waking up.  If I put them down at the first cues of overstimulation and sleepiness, I've waited too long and it becomes a battle.  After they stop smiling and playing, I put them in their cribs and they immediately fall asleep.  They nap for up to two hours (generally 10:30-12:30).  If I wait, they are cranky and fight sleep.  Maddie still cat naps throughout the day.  All three take an afternoon nap around 3:30-4:30. 

eating habits: 
Eating habits have changed significantly in the last month.  We finally moved from a 3 hour feeding schedule to eating every 4 hours.  Each baby takes a 6 oz bottle of breastmilk 4 times a day (9 AM, 1 PM, 5 PM, 8:30 PM) and an occasional 5 oz bottle between 4-6 AM. 

I have stopped fortifying Maddie's bottles and have rarely needed to use any formula in the last three weeks.  The babies are consuming 90-95% breastmilk and 5-10% formula.

We introduced rice cereal at 5.5 months old.  It quickly progressed to bananas, sweet potatoes, oatmeal cereal, and apples.  The babies have enjoyed everything thus far and are eating more and more purees.  They split a banana each day in the morning around 10 and eat another solid in the late afternoon.

milestones:
James-put weight on legs and feet while in standing position, roll from tummy to back, fully extend his arms to lift himself up during tummy time
Amelia-put weight on legs and feet while in standing position, roll from tummy to back, begin to get on her knees during tummy time
Maddie-has rolled from tummy to back twice now, regularly lifts her upper body during tummy time (finally!)

challenges:
-It seems as though Maddie's reflux will never go away.
-James' hands are constantly in his mouth, even when he's trying to eat (via bottle or spoon).  It's frustrating for everyone. 

victories:
-The babies celebrated their first Christmas through an eventful day visiting both families.  They received more gifts than they'll ever be able to use.
-Baby food has been fun for me to make and fun for the babies to eat.

special notes:
-The babies were baptized December 22.  Over 20 family members came to the church service as well as our home afterwards for lunch.
-Jesse had two weeks off of work for winter break.  This was the longest he's spent with the babies since they were a month old.  It was so nice!



5 Months Old

sleeping habits:
The babies have been all over the place when it comes to sleeping through the night.  There were about 4 consecutive days where all three slept from 8:30 PM to 6 AM.  (FYI, skipping the middle of the night pump is what led to engorgement, mastitis, and a decrease in supply that I'm still struggling to rebuild.)  Then there were multiple nights where someone (most often Amelia) was literally up every single hour.  Amelia most often sleeps in a swing, James in his crib, and Maddie in the pack-n-play in our bedroom.  All three eat once in the middle of the night, but that time varies.  James and Maddie are naturally awake between 7:30 and 8 AM, and Amelia tends to be a half hour behind them. 

eating habits: 
All three babies are taking 5 oz bottles 6 times per day.  Much like sleeping, it's been a struggle to find a new routine.  They seem to be settling into a pattern of eating approximately every 3.5 hours during the day.  The times vary depending on when they had their middle of the night feed and when they wake up.  Feeding times are somewhere around 7:30/8:00 AM, 11:00/11:30 AM, 2:30/3:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00/8:30 PM, and anywhere between 2-5 AM.

After providing nothing but breastmilk for 4.5 months, I have had to supplement with two 12 oz cans of Enfamil powder formula just in the last 2.5 weeks.  In an effort to put on weight, half of Maddie's breastmilk bottles are fortified with a scoop of formula.  I give James and Amelia whatever pumped milk I have, then top off with formula. 

We have not introduced any solids yet, though they show signs of readiness.  James is never immediately content after drinking his milk.  They all have excellent head control and increased appetite.  They are always gnawing on their fists or whatever objects they put in their mouths.  And they have recently started watching our forks move from plate to mouth and appear quite curious while we eat.

milestones:
James-excellent head control, rolls from tummy to back, sleeps six consecutive hours, babbles, laughs, sucks hand, loves to put weight on his legs and be in standing position, doubled birth weight
Amelia-keeps head and upper body up for extended periods of time, sleeps six consecutive hours, coos, grabs and pulls at things (especially my hair), doubled birth weight
Madeline-babbles constantly, smiles/interacts with people, sleeps 6-8 consecutive hours, sucks on hands and toys, lifts head and upper body for brief periods of time

challenges:
-Maddie went almost three weeks without taking her Prevacid.  Her reflux peaked, and I'm sure she lost weight.  When we finally got her to a doctor at 4.5 months, she weighed a mere 9 lbs.  We were given Similac Alimentum to supplement with, but Maddie refused to eat it.  We are having success with breastmilk.fortified with Enfamil AR. 
-Having to supplement with formula is emotionally draining

victories:
-We finally have a pediatrician!  We still don't have corrected insurance cards, but we once again have access to prescription medicine, vaccinations, and medical advice whenever needed.

special notes:
-Our quad stroller is assembled and ready for use.
-The babies more or less slept through their first Thanksgiving.
-We had a Christmas photo shoot at a portrait studio.  It resulted in mediocre photos.

4 Months Old

sleeping habits: If you've been reading monthly updates, you probably have this memorized, because nothing has changed since 6 weeks old!  After eating, changing, and swaddling around 8:30 p.m. James and Amelia wake up around 2:00 and 6:00 AM.  James and Amelia sleep in their individual cribs in the nursery.  Maddie sleeps in our bedroom, either in the pack-n-play or in our bed.  She wakes up to eat around 4 AM and again at 7 AM.  All three wake up for good by 9 AM.

All three babies nap during each feeding cycle.  Sometimes they sleep 20 minutes within a 3 hour period; sometimes they sleep 90 minutes.  Truly, they should go to bed at 7:30 because that is when they are cranky and inevitably fall asleep downstairs.  We just wait to put them to bed later so we can keep the feeding times consistent and all six of us can get ready for bed at the same time.  This allows Jesse and I to have a longer stretch of sleep.

eating habits: 
All babies continue to receive 100% expressed breastmilk.  They still eat every three hours during the day (9 AM., noon, 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM) and twice at night.  James and Amelia eat 4.5 oz at each feed. Maddie eats 4 ounces.

milestones:
James-excellent head control, rolls from tummy to back, sleeps six consecutive hours, babbles, laughs, sucks hand
Amelia-keeps head and upper body up for extended periods of time, sleeps six consecutive hours, coos, grabs and pulls at things (especially my hair)
Madeline-babbles constantly, smiles/interacts with people, sleeps 6-8 consecutive hours, less frequent reflux, discovered hands and fingers

challenges:
-Everything related to insurance has been a nightmare!  The babies haven't seen the pediatrician since they were 2 weeks old, but it is not from a lack of trying.  Despite multiple calls, visits, and waiting at DSS, our insurance cards still do not have the correct Primary Care Physician listed.  Our beloved pediatrician left the practice to be a stay-at-home mom.  We looked for a new office but none are accepting new Medicaid patients.  The babies are now behind on their 2 month and 4 month shots.

victories:
-Maddie has gained full control of her neck, thanks to the amazing Dr. Greenberg.
-I'm enjoying a couple extra hours a week of cuddles and downtime with the babies while Jackson is at preschool two mornings a week.
-The babies had several first family traditions, including fall festival, Halloween candy swap, and annual beach trip.  They are such easy babies when it comes to travel and public outings.
-Watching babies begin to interact with one another!

special notes:
-All three babies are drooling like crazy, especially James.  Jackson got his first tooth at 5 months old, so early teething is something we are prepared for.