Month 4 is upon us...sorry, what? Time is a theif.
This past month has easily gone the fastest of all the months because:
A. They're showing more signs of being human.
B. I go back to work in 1.5 weeks. (All the feels.)
C. feel like I'm starting to finally figure this life out and am resuming pre-motherhood activities.
D. Mayyyybe...oh hell, I don't know.
E: all of the above!
If you answered E, you are correct! You get a gold star!
I made a quiz, which must mean I'm going back to school soon. True, sad, nauseating story. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my career. I love where I get to spend my career, and whom I get to share it with, both juveniles and adults alike. I thought by now I'd be ready to go back, and I am, but I think it's because it's actually back-to-school time, not because I need out of my house. I'm a homebody. Not sure that I could actually do the SAHM gig, but I love my career too much. If we could swing it, I might really consider it to be quite honest. Alas, Discover wants their money back for my time at BGSU...so many feels.
Month 3 was the month of smiling...legit, not-related-to-gas or sleeping smiles, but real ones. The kind where they're excited to see you; the kind that turn you into a puddle and make you want to cry. The first couple I definitely did tear up. Scroll down to see the cyuh-huuuuuutest picture ever, courtesy of my talented hubby! Gonna have that one blown up and put on a billboard, I think.
The boys are getting to be masters at Tummy Time and the neck control is fabulous. Their legs are getting pretty strong too, which makes me excited for the bouncy swing things and exersaucers! (But time can still slow down a little bit, k?)
This month we also started sleeping longer without eating more...that doesn't really add up to me but I'm definitely NOT going to argue! I can actually get things done! It's amazing! And we finally figured out a schedule, for the most part, which is exciting...it allows each of us to s l e e p. Yes, that's right. Sleep. Up to 5 hours straight. Praise Jesus.
Alrighty, on to the good stuff!
1. Carter's Sleepers These are cute alternatives (or in addition to) the sleep sacks...but a PITA to get on their little bodies, though becomes easier with practice. Don't give up! They are awfully adorable, too. Some of these are OS (one size) and others we have go by the months. The OS are more like newborn-3 mo at the most. They make midnight diaper changes pretty easy, you just have to slide the elastic bottom up to their bellies. No pants, no buttons, which is heaven at 3am.
2. Infantino Grow-With-Me Activity Gym & Ball Pit Kevin just busted this bad boy out the other day and it's pretty great seeing how animated the boys get when they're lying there under the little stuffed sea creatures. When they get bigger, there is a mesh side that can be put up and it turns into a ball pit. COME ON. I want one for myself. If you angle them just right, they can kick the legs of the arch and make it move on their own. There are fun little features on the dangling sea creatures, as well. Some have things to grab on to, a couple have that crinkly paper stuff inside that gets their attention, and the colors! At this age they are differentiating colors and we're encouraged to do what we can with bright colors to get their attention, so this is a great product to have!
3. Lyfeline Milestones iPhone app I was in search of something to tell me activities to do with the boys, and at what age they should be doing certain things. I came across this app a couple months ago but just really started getting in to it. I would strongly encourage using it earlier than later! It has some great tips for certain ages, things to do and things to not do, and fun little facts that help you make sense of why babies do what they do when they do them. You plug in info about what your baby does at certain stages and it can tell you if they're on target or not (Woah...teacher-speak there.) You can purchase the full app for $85 a year, but so far I'm just utilizing the free version. I don't know if I have time for all that the full app offers, anyway!
4. Booger Sucker More maturely known as a "nasal aspirator"...this gem has become a necessary favorite in the past several weeks. Following their 2 month Dr. appt and several immunizations, both boys have become quite congested, which is normal. I'm not the greatest at using this thing, but it does the job of sucking giant boogers out of my tiny boys' noses. And I mean GIANT. Bleh.
5. Gas Drops We have used both the Major brand and Little Remedies. Little Remedies are flavored and the boys don't seem to mind, but both do the job fairly quickly. I've used the gas drops when they're screaming and curling into the fetal position, as well as when it seems like the spit-up just. won't. stop. It helps them calm down within minutes, which is wonderful for all of us!
6. Munchkin Formula Dispensers As we've gotten more confident in traveling with the boys, we obviously require more things to survive. Since we (and our very generous parents) have the pleasure of funding a formula supply, I quickly realized we needed these gems. You can't pre-make formula bottles, as it's only good in the bottle for like an hour unless refrigerated. So I put the water in and just dump in the formula when they're ready. The top twists and locks over one of the compartments at a time and has a lid that fits perfectly just inside the top of a bottle, making for nearly mess-free dumping. And it's already measured out so you don't have to lug that measuring spoon thing (do they REALLY need to include one in every container??? What a waste!) with you, either. These are also nifty to keep next to your bed with a bottle if you don't want to make your way out to the kitchen at whatever hour of the night your little nugget(s) decides to eat.
7. Munchkin Sound Machine & Projector This machine is amazing! We've been using it for awhile just for the sounds, but now that they can see things a little better, we are using the projector feature a little more and they are totally entranced. It has six different sound options, including heartbeat (creepy), ocean sounds (favorite), and Beethoven. There are three different projector options as well, and you can change the angle the projector to have it on the wall or ceiling. It also comes with a nightlight feature. (Currently on sale on Amazon!)
8. Ceiling Fan Yep, you can buy anything on Amazon. Shortly after month 3 began, my boys discovered the wonder that is the turned-on ceiling fan. It has helped to cease many meltdowns and lull to sleep. Hopefully you already have one of these in your home, but if not...here ye be.
Owen having an identity crisis following bathtime...
Owen Payton
My three babies...my heart. Melted.
In their vacation outfits...which we are not going on.
The first picture we have of both boys smiling at the same time! Good job, Daddy!
Remember these onesies from January? They fit now!!
