4 Month Review

We are snowed in today, and my sis and bro-in-law are visiting so I have freer hands and finally a chance to update.  So here goes, as quickly as I can, until the babes need to eat again.

Four Months

This month went by in a whirr!  I’m a week late in writing and I honestly can’t remember what has gone on this month.  We have seen a lot of changes in the boys, but it is hard to pick out specific details as things happen so quickly.

Eat/Sleep

Eating was a challenge this last little while.  MJ went through a growth spurt and was eating like CRAZY!  He now weighs at least 14lbs.  RJ has been very difficult with his feedings.  We haven’t been able to identify the cause of the problem (thrush, stuffy nose, bottle preference, distractibility, ear infection), but he is super picky about eating.  The conditions have to be absolutely perfect in order for him to focus and actually eat something.  He is finicky on breast and only lasts 5-10 minutes most days.  His bottles range from 60-140mLs depending on his mood.  MJ is consistently breastfeeding 15-20 minutes (sometimes 30-40) and drinking 120-160mLs.  At his last weigh-in, RJ was 11lb,8oz.  The boys are wearing 3-6 month clothing (MJ wears some 6 month outfits) and in size 1-2 diapers (1 is a bit tight but can do sometimes).  

Sleep has been hit and miss.  Since his growth spurt, MJ has been doing much better!  He normally wakes up once, and sometimes twice a night.  For the first time just after turning 4 months he slept 12 hours, straight through the night!  RJ normally sleeps well right after his bath (4-5 hours) and then is up every 3 hours after that, so usually 3 times per night.  The boys typically wake up between 7:30-8:00am and go to bed at the same time at night.  We try to do 3 naps per day and rely on the walk or drive for the long nap of the day.  

Play

The boys are so much more interactive now.  They both talk a lot.  MJ coos like crazy, and RJ just makes the loudest squaks and squeaks.  They often “talk” to one another in the morning.  Other than that, they aren’t too aware of each other’s presence, except when tandem nursing - they like to touch and hold hands.  It is super cute.  They love to lay on their pay mat and try to grab at the toys.  They can hold on pretty well, when they are not moving so much.  They both kick their legs a lot.  We are practicing rolling over with them but they are not quite ready for it.  MJ tries to sit himself up whenever he is propped back.  They both can hold their necks more steady (MJ more than RJ) and practice tummy time every day.  Once a week we go to Preemie Group at the Infant Development Center.  It is a lot of stimulation but they enjoy the toys and the play there.  They both suck on their hands and are just starting to “look” at them.  

Events

This month has been pretty busy just doing normal life.  We have gotten out to church more frequently, and go to group once a week.  Those are the most consistent activities of the week.  Other than that we try to do daily walks when it’s not raining/snowing.  A few times we have met with friends with other twins for walks too.  The routine to our day is great and I am slowly gaining a bit more time to myself (though I don't expect that to last long). 

All in all, I really love this stage the best so far (apart from the feeding woes) and continue to look forward to what is next.