10 Months (and a 1/2)

These boys are so silly and goofy.  It's beyond entertaining.  Being a working mom, I try my hardest to cherish every moment with them.  Even if that means leaving their dinner stuck to their high chair trays like I did tonight. 

The boys are crawling like bulldogs, pushing things to walk and strolling along the couch.  They're attempting to mimic what Mark and I say and even starting to get clingy.  I thought we were gonna skip that phase completely.  I was wrong.  Cannon and Cooper go to just about anyone.  But recently have been noticing when Mark or me leave the room, and it's NOT pretty.  Not cute either.  But I'm sure it could be worse. 

Since the boys were 5-6 months is when I went back to work full time and the boys stayed with a nanny, child care provider, whatever you want to call her.  But what I call her is amazing.  Being able to go to work confident that the boys are in GREAT hands means a lot to me.  You would think that's an obvious, why wouldn't you leave them with someone you feel comfortable with, right?  But there is such a level of comfort, I just don't know what I would do without her.  The boys, I think, are even learning from her son.  They're starting to wave.

I even think they're funny when they're cranky.  I mean, they are seriously.  Cooper yells at people.  I know, I know, I think this is foreshadowing bad things for the future.  They both bite (but I know this is because they're teething.)  They both tense up and yell out of frustration (pretty sure that was me when I was younger.)  My Grandma had a video of me trying to drive a little firetruck and I couldn't get it going, let's just say I freaked out on it and threw my body around like a fish out of water, then proceeded to put my head on the steering wheel and pout.  I have a feeling both boys will have my temper.  Not a good thing to have.  Hopefully Mark and I will be able to teach them the right way to communicate as they get older.  But for now, clinching down on our arms, legs, hair and anything else they can get their hands, and or teeth, and or feet on will have to do.

Mark started a new job and is loving it.  He's really happy and really confident that he will succeed.  I love his confidence and I love knowing that together him and I will always make things happen.  The two of us are definitely doers and I think that's a trait too many people lack nowadays.

 Yes, I made him take off his sunglasses. 

Finding Mark and starting our family has been the highlight of my life so far.  This adventure is so much fun and words cannot describe how in love I am with my life.

8 and 9 MONTHS! (yeah I suck)

Let me tell you how bad I suck. I started crocheting a blanket for the boys back in October of 2010 while on bed rest and I'm MAYBE a quarter of the way done. With that being said...

Sometime within the 8 month period the boys started, eating more solids, scooting around on the ground, cutting teeth and even started to crawl.




Then the next couple days we had this...

The boys are now nine months and full on speed crawlers, pulling themselves up on stuff and cutting top teeth. They LOVE everyone and go to anyone. They get a kick out of other kids and belly laugh everyday. They are SOOOOOOO much fun and I'm really loving this age. Cooper says, ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma (literally like that), and Cannon says da-da. I know most babies say da-da first but because of Cooper's cleft he will struggle with all the hard sounds.

The nine month weights were 18.10 (Cannon) and 15.8 (Cooper) Both still consistent for their growth. Cooper is 1/2 inch shorter than Cannon.

I can't believe the difference between two months and nine months. All of the stuff that is happening now is so worth all the crying, colic, and reflux. To see their faces light up when I walk in a room is the MOST rewarding thing in the world. Better than any paycheck or any good news for that matter.

Now let's see how the 10-11 month post goes if they're walking.... I may have a different attitude.

SEVEN MONTHS!!!

Love this picture!!!  As you can see, the boys are sitting up now.  They really enjoy the new views and seeing things from a new angle.  It is really easy to make them laugh and we all love to get them going.  Now I don't know exactly how much they know that the other one is around but if they are sitting together facing each other they do babble and giggle together. (This was shot on the 9th of July on my phone.)



I love watching them interact (whether they know it or not).  I like to think they're super advanced and they just have this crazy intuition with one another.  I can think that right?

 Look at this happy guy!  His nose and lip are still pretty sensitive to the touch but we're really happy with his surgery results.

Still a silly guy!  Still chatting it up with anything and everything.  And when Cannon is hungry or tired he'll tell you and it's not pretty.  I swear he throws tantrums already.

Both both are so curious and love to grab at everything.  They swivel on their bellies to turn in different directions and bring their knees up under their bellies.  My prediction is that they will be crawling before nine months (and I'm scared).  They are both eating two meals a day, lunch and dinner.  They have tried many things so far:

Peas, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, squash, prunes, bananas, apples, pears, mango, avocado and just recently I even boiled them chicken.  The pediatrician has given the okay to go ahead with the proteins and up to 3 meals a day but I don't think I'm ready to do 3 clean up sessions a day.  The boys tend to like the vegies more than the fruits (but Cannon eats it ALL).  Cooper tends to reject fruits that I think may burn if they come out of his nose.  (pears and apples)  Because of his cleft palate it's a little more challenging for him to eat solids and it's normal for it to come out of his nose.  It's actually guaranteed.  I do my best to protect my clothes every time I see him getting ready to sneeze cause food goes EVERYWHERE. 

The wedding is around the corner... It's not the easiest thing to plan and stay on top of while dealing with two little monsters, but I wouldn't want it any other way.  Mark and I have decided we want to add more to our family in the future.  When that's going to happen, we're not sure...

Identical or fraternal?  We're still not sure. Only a DNA test will tell and there's no real reason to hurry to find out. (except for allergy issues)

Life is good.  It's tough sometimes, but it's fun.

SIX MONTHS!!!

 Pretty sure every time I start one of this 'month' posts, I start it with how fast time is flying by.  It's going so fast that I have been falling behind in posting. I can't put into words how fast time goes when you have kids.  Sometimes I have to remind myself to sit and breathe.

Cooper and Cannon are rolling over like crazy.  They're trying to sit up on their own too but still not all that great at it and end up nose diving into the floor.  They're both getting one - two solid meals a day and starting to drink 5-6 oz of formula in their bottles about 6 times a day.  Both boys get a kick out of me and Mark.  They enjoy being entertained by us any way we can.  I'm unsure of their weights right now cause we still haven't been to their six month check up.  My guess is 17 and close to 14 pounds.  We will see next Wednesday. 

Ever since Cooper's surgery, he's been an eating machine.

We stopped giving Cannon his medicine for his reflux and he seems to be doing fine without it.  Cannon tends to refuse some bottles ever since we started him on solids, it seems like he's going to like his food.

Both boys are really funny. (But I would say that, they're my kids right?)  Cannon loves talking.  He loves talking PERIOD.  He'll talk to anyone, talk to himself, he even talks himself to sleep.  He's still a really silly, overall low key baby.  Cooper loves his mommy, he is most comfortable with me and still enjoys being held A LOT.  We have also entered the teething phase.  The boys can't go more than 30 minutes without soaking their shirts with drool.  They have their hands in their mouths as much as they can.  They have just recently started sleeping on their bellies and every once and a while will sleep 7-8 hours straight.  Mark and I LOVE those nights. 

An update on me and Mark. We can't believe the wedding is in 10 weeks.  I've been struggling to get rid of this baby weight and still have at least 15 pounds to go.  I was doing well for a while when the boys were keeping me so busy I didn't have time to eat nor did I have an appetite.  The appetite is back and there's a little more downtime now that we have established a bedtime routine with the boys.  I have been easing my way back into full time at work.  I recently got offered a few more perks and benefits to come back full time and the offer was a blessing.  I knew having two babies would cost a lot but until the costs starting rolling in I really didn't understand.  Since I made the decision to formula feed we pay anywhere between $250-$275 a month in formula.  That's an F'ing car payment! For this reason only, I cannot wait until the boys turn one and I can move to whole milk and then soon after sippy cups.  Mark has been working really hard lately, he's always on the phone trying to close deals and provide for us.  I admire and love his hard work and dedication.  He then comes home and applies those same things to his home life, plus some.  We're finding it really hard to find time for one another.  Some things tend to slip through the cracks cause so much time and energy is devoted to the boys.  We have not had a day or evening to ourselves since March and I definitely think it's needed.  I can't wait til our wedding night!  The thought of spending the night together alone and being able to sleep in and not have to sleep next to a monitor will be really nice.  I absolutely can't wait to change my last name and be able to officially call him my husband.  I can be a very difficult woman to please and be around and Mark puts up with all of me (most of time).  I can honestly say that we are a really good couple and I'm still really excited for our future as a couple and as a family.  Since we've been together, life has thrown some pretty interesting curves our way, but with the two of us side by side, we handle it all really well and enjoy it all.  Through the struggles, life is still really good.

5 MONTHS

I'm getting bad at keeping up.  I really need to work on it.  The boys are actually 5.5 months as I'm writing this.

Boys: About 15 and 11 pounds.  I get full on no teeth smiles and laughs!  It's awesome.  Both boys laugh now and it's like my mission everyday to hear it.  Every time they laugh they also get the hiccups...weird... Both boys are developmentally doing the same things.  Cannon tends to do things a day or so ahead of Cooper but for the most part they are both changing like crazy everyday.  They are reaching and grabbing things now which is fun to watch.  Cooper likes my phone and Cannon LOVES pulling blankets up over his face to go to sleep.  (I don't of course).  Cannon has also found his thumb.  As much as I don't want it, it's kinda better than replacing a pacifier every 10 minutes.  Cooper can't keep ANYTHING out of his mouth.  I know he's gonna be the one eating bugs and dirt.  Gross.  The boys love the exersaucer and LOVE being bounced and talked to.  They are horrible nappers and it's driving me nuts.

4 MONTHS!

This is so hard to start so I'll just jump right in...

The 4 month doctor appointment is this Friday so I'm estimating...

Cannon: About 13 1/2 pounds.  He's sleeping anywhere from 5-7 hour stretches at night.  He's goofy and silly already.  He loves sticking his tongue out and talking very loud.  He is so fun to hang out with and is a pretty independent baby so far.  I'm afraid he may have a mild case of reflux cause he isn't eating as well as he has and tends to fuss during feeds.  He eats anywhere from 24-28 ounces a day.

Cooper: About 10 1/2 pounds.  He's sleeping anywhere from 4-6 hour stretches at night.  He's becoming a happier baby now that we've switched formulas and his poo issues are almost gone.  Him and Mark like to growl back and forth at each other.  He is definitely my cuddle bug and loves sleeping on anyone's chest and hates sleeping alone.  He is eating anywhere from 18-24 ounces a day.

The boys have somewhat noticed each other.  Where they may not know what's going on, they know something else is there.  They will stare at each other and check each other out, it's pretty fun to watch.  Makes me think of all the things they will plot against mom and dad in the future.  They have also just recently decided that naps are overrated and they'd rather stay up and be cranky.  They used to fall asleep on their own and now I am needed to rock, bounce or do SOMETHING to get them to fall asleep and then heaven forbid I try to set them down cause they'll be up as soon as I do.  I'm being told this is their 4 month wakeful period where they begin to be more aware of their surroundings.  Makes sense but it still sucks, BAD. 

I just recently went back to work part time so we hired a nanny.  She's very sweet and so far she's doing well.  Cooper had an ear infection her first day with them so you can imagine what kind of day she had.  So for her not to go running for the hills was nice cause believe me, it's hard work.  So here I go again, into another adjustment period.  I was just getting used to staying home and it was time for me to go back. Of course I know my role will always be mom, now it's like, where and what's my routine?  Where did it go?

I've been struggling with all the baby care and all the crying and the unpredictable things babies bring to the world so I've reached out to family and they've responded perfectly.  I don't know where I'd be without them.  Life is definitely a little rough at times with two babies but at of the end, I wouldn't change a thing.  I love my life.  I love my family...

kisses for your face...

happy boy

Here's to 4 more months!  May they be filled with sleepful nights and happy smiley babies...

3 MONTHS!!!!

"Brother, you can always lean on me."

I think we've hit a turning point!  So much is happening everyday so fast if I blink I may miss it.  Here's what's been happening...

Cannon is just over 12 lbs and Cooper is just over 9.  They've both been eating between 17-24 ounces of formula a day. I have one more freezer bag of breast milk stored, not sure what I'm waiting for.   Both boys are smiling and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get a laugh out of Cannon any day now.  I can tell they know who I am now and that's a really good feeling.  Mark and I can both get them to smile (most of the time-this photo shoot was another story).  They're holding up their heads really well so I broke these seats out.

Both boys are cooing and ahhing.  Cannon's head is really flat so I'm working on getting him off his back, but he LOVES to lay flat on his back.  They're responding to my looks and my voice (no head turning to look for it) but they respond with their facial expressions and as small as that seems, it's HUGE to me.  (I'm sure you moms know what I'm talking about)  I'm really starting to love what I do and the stress of the 'new mommy' stuff is going away (kinda).  These small milestones are making me really excited to see what's next.  Still no sleeping through the night but that's okay because mark and I started working the nights in shifts.  He helps out a TON when he gets home from work, I go to bed around 9:00ish he cleans up from dinner and bottles and takes care of the boys from 9:00 pm - 1:00 am.  I then take the 1:00 am - 5:00 am shift.  We both end up feeding both boys once within each shift.

I try to give the boys tummy time during the day to work on their head strength and to get them off their backs.  Cooper loves him tummy.  He's gonna be a tummy sleeper.  Cannon, not so much. 

Cannon is swatting at things - I'm just not sure it's on purpose. the blanket that Cannon is laying on is from his cousin Genevieve, she made it for him.

Even though it may not look like it here, the boys are diggin bath time.  It's becoming part of our bedtime routine, well I hope it is...I need Mark to help.  :)

So things are getting better, not that they were bad.  I just see a light...a this is going to be fun light.

"Mom!!! Cannon elbowed me!!"

Two Months!

We're Growing!

The boys-

Cooper - HOLY MOLY high maintenance Cooper!  He's gassy and fussy.  I'm in the process of attempting to transition to formula because the boobie sucking machine is taking up way too much time and it's hard to manage the boys while being attached to it.  Well Cooper hates all formula and he lets me know.  It's a chore to get him to take formula bottles and I usually pay for it later while he is screaming with a tummy ache.  He loves to be cuddled and will let anyone have the honor.  So far I've noticed that he loves to sleep on his tummy and if it wasn't so taboo I would let him.  He sleeps so much better and I do think he has the head strength to do it. He also puts weight on his legs, we can stand him up and he bounces a little.  Pretty good for his age.  We're still working on the weight gain, I tend to stress about it so I had Mark go buy me a baby scale. According to that scale, he's just under 8 lbs.  He really enjoys the swing and of course hates being naked and getting his diaper changed.

Cannon- My mother nicknamed him M&M for Mini Mark.  Many people are starting to say he looks like Mark.  I don't really see anyone in either of them but okay.  Cannon is like a garbage disposal, he's a GREAT eater!  Taking 100 mls every 2-3 hours.  I am also guilty of giving him anything Cooper didn't finish. (I hate wasting my milk)  So if Cannon has weight issues in the future, yup that's my fault.  Cannon is (most days) my low maintenance child.  He will sit in the swing, the bouncy, the boppy.  He's a pretty chill kid.  He also ROLLED OVER last week.  From belly to back...NOT fond of tummy time.

Both boys are puckering their lips like they're about to coo any day and I'm waiting excitedly.  They make little smiles here and there and I'm still not sure if its gas or real. They're BEYOND gassy, but they're such beautiful babies (of course I would say that, they're mine).  They both have colds as I finish typing this post (cause it's taken me two days, like most posts do.)  I'm actually waiting to hear from the doctors to see if it's RSV which would mean a hospital visit.  I hate seeing them sick, it's no fun at all.

It's scary how fast this is going.  Do I want it to slow down right now?  I'm not gonna lie, NOPE.  This is tough, very tough.  I was just telling my sister the other day that if I had a fast forward button I would be very tempted to push it.  I am constantly reminding myself that I'll never get these days back and one day I'll look back and wish I could rewind time but SHIT, I don't know that I care right now.  However I will say that I'm adapting.  Things may not be getting easier, but it's easier to deal.  I'm learning the boys cries and I'm better at assessing their needs, so I guess that makes the process of baby care a little less stressful.  I'm also beginning to realize that this is for keeps, they're not going back inside my belly, this is for keeps.  For KEEPS, FOREVER!  The lack of sleep still sucks.  I'll never get those nights back.  Mark and I are still adjusting in our new added roles to our lives, while attempting to make time for one another. (Probably the hardest part of it all.)  I want to set a good example for these boys and in order to do that, mom and dad must be on the same page, reading at the same pace.  We're working on it.

I still can't believe I'm a mother. What's even more crazy, I already know this soon that I want to do this again....I see more kids in our future.  :)

One Month Old!!

We're One Month

The weeks are still flying by.  I'm going to try to recap each month of the boy's first year of life, let's hope I can keep up.

The boys spent the first 8 days of their lives in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).  These 8 days were the toughest on me emotionally so far.  Any woman who has experienced caring a child for 9 months can somewhat understand.   Most women expect to leave the hospital with baby/babies in arms and well, I didn't.  I left them with nurses.  I cried myself to sleep some of those nights, a few of them fighting with Mark cause I felt he did not and could not understand what I was going through.  He tried so hard to continue to explain that it was best for the boys, yada, yada but I knew all that already, I just wanted to be allowed to be sad.  I spent my days in the NICU with the nurses feeding the boys every three hours and pumping for them once done with the feedings.  One of the nurses who took great care of the boys name was Kim.  She was a pleasure to talk to.  I could feel her care and passion for her job and my sons.  While in the NICU, Cooper managed to pee on Kim before getting a bath.  It was pretty funny cause all Kim could do was stand there and let him finish peeing. Then to hear her say, "Ahh, Cooper, you peed on me!" in her Asian accent  was hilarious.  (Go ahead say it in your head, you'll chuckle)  But anyways while in the NICU, the boys spent 4 or 5 days in the isolettes (they would have been out sooner but they became jaundiced and needed to stay warm while they laid naked under the photo-therapy lights.)  They started off on IVs but both came off within 4 days. They both spent the first 6 days losing weight every night which is normal for newborn babies.  But both had gained by the 7th night.  Cannon took a few days to get the hang of sucking, swallowing, then breathing.  But he figured it out and became a great eater.  All both boys really needed to do was to grow and eat.  And that they did.

They came home on Friday December 17th and it was crazy!  It was raining as we tried to get the boys into the car quickly, by the time the boys finally got discharged it was almost time for them to eat again and by the time we got home they were more then ready to eat.  It was our first chaotic moment of many to come.
Like I said in the three week old update, the next few weeks were a blur.  My time has been filled with changing diapers, feeding babies, cleaning bottles and pumping breast milk every 3 hours!  Mark took the first week off work and has helped a ton (even though we don't see eye-to-eye) and then my mom was here with us the week after Christmas.  It was beyond awesome.  For Christmas we debated for days on whether or not to get out of the house to see family.  We ended up going to Mark's parents and the boys did great.  New Year's Eve we went and showed the boys off at my best friends Keri's parents house and New Years Day we were back at Mark's parents to hang and eat all day, again the boys are very content, and so far, they do great in cars.

Grandmas and boys on New Years Day 2011

Mom taking care of business

So month one was full of poop and milk and NO sleep.  Mark and I are running on fumes but we love our gifts from God.  I break down weeks by days and I break down days by 3 hour work sessions. And every morning I wake up looking forward to my cup of coffee and think to myself, it's a new day, I made it.  (Corny but it works for me)

As I sit on the couch pumping my boobs, writing this blog (Mark's out to go get us some McFlurries from McDonalds) it's easy to get distracted by watching the boys sleep in their bouncy seats.  Their little personalities are starting to come out and I am truly enjoying every minute  with them.

As of 1/3/11
Cannon: 7.1

Cannon Alex Johnson

Cooper: 5.11

Cooper Anthony Johnson

My goal by the end of month 2: To get a few full nights sleep.

To my boys:  Welcome home.  Your dad and I are so excited for our future together as a family.  We of course like excited young parents have big plans for you guys.  Our hope is that you will grow to have big plans for yourselves as well.  Keep growing strong. (Even if it means you have to wake up every 2-2.5 hours to eat.)  I know one day you'll let me sleep again (or buy me a Hawaii vacation)

<3,

Mom