The Frenches: 1 Month Photo Shoot

6 Weeks Update

I haven’t been as good at recording all the moments and thoughts I’ve wanted to the past couple of weeks; mainly because the past couple of weeks have been a little different and ‘busier’ than before. They were doing great on their schedule during week 4; first morning feeding b/w 7 and 8am, then naps that happen to fall close b/w 9 and 1pm. We started bath time about 7:30ish and then fed and got ready for bed. But at 5 weeks, both boys started acting fussier than normal throughout the day and sleep became less and less; both at night and during the day. They were eating every 3 hours or less and only 2-3oz at a time it seemed. Perhaps this was the start of the ‘6 week growth spurt’… I am not sure. Well, this lasted for a little over a week. Now, at 6 weeks, we are going through some of the same things and some new… The night they turned 6 weeks, both boys went 5 hours between feedings at their first night feeding… that’s about 4 hours of sleep! Woohoo!!! But sleep the next day was way off. Their naps were strange and they were up almost all afternoon/evening… I know… babies should sleep, but ours don’t like to these days. Anywho, it happened again last night, but this time it was 6 hours between feedings; 5 hours of sleep. That’s right! How exciting! They days are still off, but I can tell something is changing with their cycle. I’m thinking there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Time will tell.

Here are some other tidbits to share about our precious blessings:
• They are becoming more ‘aware’ of their surroundings. When noises occur, they often turn to look for it.
• They are starting to smile more and more AT us and things, not just random smiles. They have the cutest smiles in the world. One smile from them just melts your heart!
• They are starting to recognize when they hit a toy and cause it to move. This has made them pretty happy the past few days. It’s so cute to watch! Gavin has really taking a liking to this right now, but Wyatt has enjoyed quite a bit too. Neither of the boys are truly understanding how to grip a toy yet (to be expected). I have been letting them play with ‘burp cloths’ though which they seem to really enjoy. It’s easy for them to hold and ‘play with’.
• We spend about half the day upstairs in the game room. They love looking around in their newly expanded world. Lots to see up here!
• Naps are taken in their own room these days. They are sharing Gavin’s crib for now. This has worked very well. We love our video/audio monitor to use when we are downstairs. They are still in the pack’n’play in our room at night. This is easier on me since they still are getting up multiple times a night and their room is upstairs while ours is downstairs.
• Both boys have been fussier as mentioned above, but overall, you can see they have beautiful happy personalities already developing.
• They weight between 11.5 and 12 lbs already! Wow, we are retiring many clothes already and pulling out what was once too big only a couple of weeks ago.
• They’ve started to spit up more, but nothing to worry about. Just something we’ve had to ‘watch out for’.
• They’re talking more and more with each week that passes. They have the sweetest little voices!
• Gavin’s eyes are starting to change color; either to green or brown. Wyatt’s are bright blue at this time.
• Both boys lost a lot of hair on top the past couple of weeks. It is now starting to grow back. The color has stayed the same for both so far. We still think Gavin might have ‘wavy’ hair, but not sure yet.
• Bath time is a joy… UNTIL… it’s time to take them out, dry them, wash their bottom, lotion and dress them! Some nights are enjoyable as we ‘wind down’, and then others are full of sounds ;)
• The boys still enjoy their ‘tummy time’, but it’s harder these days since they spit up more. Seems like 90% of the time they lay on their tummy they spit up.
• Both boys have also started to ‘drool’ a little. They also like to explore moving their tongue.
• We’ve attended church the past couple of weeks and the boys have been GREAT! It feels so good to finally be back with our church family and see our boys there with us!

I know I’m forgetting a lot, but I’ll have to catch up on another post. Before I end though, I do want to write about some of my thoughts on motherhood. I have truly enjoyed our wonderful blessings God has entrusted us with. Being a mother is so much better than I could ever imagine (hard to believe)! There is no other job out there that is more perfect for me right now. I am so thankful to have a husband who wants me to and supports my desire to stay home with the boys. I have so enjoyed being the one to take care of, teach and love on them during the day. I always knew I’d be good with babies because I’ve had lots of experience. But being a mother is so much more than that. As a mother, you are responsible for not only their physical well being, but their mental and spiritual growth as well. I do not take any of these lightly (to fault I’ll explain later). Each day we spend doing a variety of activity to stimulate them physically, mentally and most important spiritually. We read, we play with toys, play on play mats, tummy time, listening to music, talking, snuggling, reading Scripture, singing songs, enjoying the outdoors, going for walks, bouncer time, etc…

As I mentioned above, I do not take my role as a mother lightly. I think I’ve put too much pressure on myself lately actually. I’ve constantly been worried if I’m stimulating our boys enough and yet not too much. Do they feel loved enough? With two, your time is split. All parents feel this at some point if they have more than one, I just feel it right off the bat. I pray they do and know in my heart they do. But I had still been stressing about it. Also, are they ‘entertained’ enough? I’d hate for them to be bored, but let’s face it… they are 6 weeks and can’t do much. I think they are stimulated very well and I have to realize this. God has spoken to me this past week to ‘relax’ and enjoy this time instead of stressing that I’m doing everything perfect. God has reminded me that I am to do my best and He will take care of the rest. He loves them more than I can imagine, and thus will not let them lack in anything. Just as He provides for me, He provides for Gavin and Wyatt too!

The past couple of weeks have been a very big struggle for me in the area of breastfeeding. This as been such a huge importance and desire of mine and yet such a struggle with twins. I always planned to go into pregnancy and parenthood (as with most things in life) without expectations, but I didn’t realize that I had set one up already with breastfeeding. I read and prepared as much as I could and was confident and determined to breastfeed my boys. Naturally it’s harder with two, but then take into account my health issues the first two weeks, the C-section and then, did I mention having two, and two big boys at that. Gavin and Wyatt demanded 3-4oz each feeding when most babies were taking 1-2oz. It quickly increased from there. So, while I was producing more milk then most moms at that stage, there was no way I could make enough milk to feed both of them. So we continue to supplement with formula. I learned that pumping was much easier and frankly the only way I could provide breastmilk with my twins. I then faced the even harder fact that I just wasn’t finding the time to pump. I tried so hard, but there were days when I wouldn’t be able to pump for 6-8 hours! That’s not good when trying to keep up your supply. But there was nothing I could do unless I let both boys scream while I pumped for 30 minutes; which I won’t or can’t do. This struggle created a lot of emotions for me. I knew God was trying to tell me something, but what could it be. Surely He wanted me to breastfeed because, ‘breast is best’, right? After MUCH struggle with God on this topic, I conceded and surrendered my desire for His will. At this point, I realize that I will not be able to breastfeed my boys much longer. I’m down to pumping about 3-4 times a day and will see how long my supply is maintained. I’ll do everything I can until it dries up, but I realize that this is God’s will for some reason. I have to remind myself to stop assuming how God will be most glorified. As I mentioned above, I am to do the best I can and God will take care of the rest. Just as He provides for me, He provides for Gavin and Wyatt too. He will not let them lack. This I am confident of and must trust Him.

Because of the struggle with breastfeeding and their ‘crazy lack of routine’ lately without any answers, some days have been harder than others. But even on the hardest of days, I won’t trade this time with them for anything. I feel so blessed to be able to be their mother. While trying to conceive was different than we envisioned, while a mandatory C-section was not what I desired and while I have not been able to breastfeed to the fullest as I planned on, I can not help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude and joy at what I do have and what I have been able to experience. I am always reminded that God did allow us to have children. And not only have children, but for me to carry them and experience the joys of pregnancy. Life doesn’t always go as you intend, but with God, it always turns out better!

Other tidbits from this mama’s point of view:
• At my 6 weeks check-up, I was given the okay to proceed with any activity… zero limitations. Working out… here we come!
• I have enjoyed and am so thankful for caffeine these days!
• I never thought I’d be so excited at a 3 hour stretch of sleep, but I am!
• I LOVE taking care of my boys! They are so great!!
• Nothing really grosses me out… all the poopy diapers, spit up, and things you must clean…
• My ‘mama brain’ has taken over already. I scared myself the other day when in my own thoughts, I used the word ‘tooty’… Yes, that is right. I was thinking about the boys having so much gas, and I used the word ‘totty’ for ‘gas’. I think my IQ lowered a bunch that day… sigh…
• I’ve never sang and talked about so much random topics in my life; but the boys love just to hear my voice!
• I have found that keeping the house straightened at this stage is much easier than I thought! I know this will all change though when the boys start moving and playing with toys! I’m enjoying it while I can.
• I love going for walks with the boys. It’s the best for of exercise for me right now and we have a great stroller that allows me to take the boys very easily. Plus it’s beautiful weather right now.

I find it hard to do much of anything else besides take care of the boys and the house. I'm so thankful for the meals my mom made us while she was here and put in the freezer, as well as all the meals friends and family have provided!

I'm WAY behind on thank you cards which is driving me nuts :( Please know they are all coming.

I'm so thankful for all the love and support we've received from our friends and family over the past couple of months.

I've honestly forgotten what it was like to feel pregnant. Remember how uncomfortable and huge I was in the end, I think that is a good thing! I still can't believe that my sweet boys were once inside my tummy... what an amazing gift God gives us!

Again, I know I’m forgetting a lot of things I wanted to post about, but I’ll have to do that at a later time. Tata For Now!