Twins 5 Month Update

5 Month Update

I'm a few days early, but since I had some time to sit down and write, I thought I'd post this now.  As challenging as raising twins are, it is such incredible fun too.  I absolutely LOVE the stage the boys are in (apart from the "wonder week" difficult behavior).  Also, they are so incredibly cute!  How can you not love them?

So, here's this month's update for anyone who is interested.

 

Eat

This month the picky eating trend continued with RJ.  We did everything we could to rule out thrush, nipple confusion, ear infection...and at the end of the day we have decided he just is a picky eater.  He even struggles with the bottle at times but he is too distracted to eat during the day.  His nursing sessions only last 5-10 minutes but he can drink 120-160 from a bottle.  MJ settled down in his eating, but continues to do well at breastfeeding.  He nurses in 10-20 minutes and drinks 140-160 in a bottle.  We only tandem feed 1-2x per day now, but it is cute when we do. The boys play with each other’s hands and stare at each other.  RJ now weighs 13lbs, 5oz and is in size 1-2 diapers and 3-6 month clothing and MJ weighs a whopping 15lbs, 11oz and is in size 2 diapers and mostly 6 month clothing!

Sleep

Though people say the 4-month regression maybe is not real, we definitely felt the effects of a regression this month.  It hit RJ especially bad.  He was going through such brain development and learning lots of new skills, but it really affected his eating and sleeping.  After quite a few nights of 7-8 feedings between the two boys, we buckled down and hired a sleep consultant.  We have only just started to implement some of the changes, but I am really excited to get the boys on a better schedule so that we can have happier, healthy boys.  Sleep and food are the most important things right now, so it was well worth it to shell out $200.  Also she will continue to support us through different stages of growth and development as the boys get older.  Our hope is to have the boys feed just twice through the night.  We are getting close, though usually RJ needs an extra little top-up early in the morning (and often he snuggles with us after that).  The boys go to bed no problem between 7-8pm, and usually get up by 7:30.  We had Daylight Savings last week and it threw us off a bit, but they seem to be adjusting now that we have incorporated a new schedule.  The goal is to have 3 naps of a total of 4 hours per day as well.  Here’s to hoping the next month gets us on track!

Play

This has been the most fun development to watch this month.  The boys really did hit a 4-month brain development growth spurt.  All of a sudden they were so much more active!  They love to hold objects with both hands and bring them to their mouths.  They put anything they can into their mouths (especially their hands).  They reach for objects hanging over them.  They are much better at tummy time and hold their heads up and are starting to reach towards object (sometimes).  They aren’t rolling over yet, but RJ especially is always squirming around.  He loves to kick his arms and legs like crazy and hits anything in his way.  They both sit in the bumbo seats and will reach for toys on the tray in front of them.  RJ is especially talkative this month.  MJ doesn’t cry in the mornings, but wakes up and sits in his crib “talking” until we come get him.  It is so cute!  The best is how excited they get about music!  We try not to let them watch media, but occasionally we play a music video on the computer and they both love it!  RJ moves all around and “sings.”  MJ sings and just stares engrossed in the music.  We love it.  

Events

This month was pretty busy with church events and just surviving, but after the AGM we decided to take our first trip with the boys!  We went to Tofino and stayed at Middle Beach Lodge along with our friend L.  It was such fun!  Super tiring, but still fun.  We took the boys walking on Long Beach in their new Ergo carriers, and played in the cabin by the fire.  We enjoyed hanging out in the lodge drinking coffee and watching the waves.  Even with a 3-hour drive each way, the boys did great.  They are quite adaptable and it was fun to be away with them.  Other than that, we carried on with our regular activities of church, preemie group, play dates, and walks as often as we could.  The boys are much more aware of their surroundings and the people around them so it is so much fun.