Ever since Kevin went back to work a few weeks ago, I have had the privilege and challenge of taking care of Ian and Eleanor on my own. I would like to say that it’s been easy as cake, but that’s not true. In fact, I very much look forward to the days that Kevin stays home with us and the days that Mary comes in from Annapolis to visit. The ratio of adults to babies is far more balanced and each baby gets plenty of attention and coddling.When it’s just the three of us, there is a little more fussing and a little more crying during the day. A typical day goes something like this:
7-8 a.m.: The last “night” feeding ends. I burp the babies, re-swaddle them, and lay them back in bed. Kevin usually starts getting ready for work while I am feeding them, stopping in between each of his tasks to see if I need anything (when I’m wearing my twin breastfeeding pillow and the twins, I’m basically helpless). He makes his lunch, feeds and walks the dog, and makes a fire to warm up the house. I get dressed, brush my teeth, and go downstairs to eat. I bring the big pillow with me and make sure that my downstairs feeding area is ready for when the babies wake up.
8-9 a.m.: Kevin leaves for work. I try to do some laundry, wash dishes, and check email. Sometimes this just doesn’t happen.
9-10 a.m.: One or both of the babies wake up. If it’s just one of them, I put him or her in a sling to buy some more time until the other one awakens. If both wake up, I change their diapers and the first daytime feeding commences. A few details about my feeding setup: I’ve set two boppy (doughnut-shaped) pillows on either side of me where the babies are laid before each feeding. Using these allows me to strap on my big breastfeeding pillow and sit down without worrying that the babies will roll off the couch. Plus, I can more easily reach the babies over the edge of my big breastfeeding pillow when they're in their boppies -- and every inch counts.
The fire is nice and warm at this point and has warmed up the living room. Sometimes we listen to NPR Morning Edition or we just sit in silence. I burp one of the babies at a time. The other baby lays in the boppy waiting, and occasionally crying or spitting up because s/he needs to be burped. I’ve decided that I can’t stress about this or feel too bad about it because I’m doing the best I can.
10-11 a.m.: The babies relax in their boppies as I read to them. Sometimes this is very nice – with both babies wide awake and watching me. Other times, I’ve got one or two fussy babies and I’m holding them or trying to calm them with their pacifiers. When Eleanor starts getting tired, she lets out raging screams. I try to change her diaper before this happens, and then I swaddle her and hold her tight until she gives up the fight against sleep. Ian coos, yelps, and wines when he is tired and is usually content in the boppy or a swing as he falls back to sleep.
11 a.m.-12 p.m.: The babies are usually sleeping. I try to prep and eat my lunch early. I usually check my email again and sometimes even throw the laundry that I’ve washed in the dryer (other times, I end up getting back to the laundry after Kevin gets home at the end of the day).
12-1 p.m. Another feeding begins. And ends. And then I burp them and change their diapers.
1-2 p.m. This is usually the time of day when I try to get out for a walk with the stroller. We’ve got a very nice jogger-type stroller with fully reclining seats for newborn babies. Plus, we’ve got some awesome accessories to go with it. First is the pair of fuzzy seat liners that supports their heads and keep them nice and cozy (thanks Mary). Second is the amazing diaper bag that holds all of their gear (and mine – thanks Mannie and Elisa). Our community is pretty conducive to walking – tree-lined streets with sidewalks and lots of interesting houses to look at. I can usually return from the walk and get a couple little things done around the house – a phone call or some minor dinner prep. They are usually hungry again by 2.2-6 p.m. Needless to say, the feeding, playing, sleeping cycle happens a couple more times before Kevin gets home. Sometimes I spend a decent amount of the afternoon feeding them (also known as cluster feeding). When this happens, I tend to turn on the TV. I need to figure out how to hold a book or control the stereo better while I’m feeding them so that I am not exposing them to so much TV. We’re not planning to let them watch as much as I’ve been watching lately!
This week, I had plans three days in a row! On Tuesday, our neighbor Laura and baby Isaiah came over to spend the morning with us. On Wednesday, a new friend Mary came over to help out. She is preparing to be a postpartum doula so she is looking to clock some hours with a mother who needs help (that would definitely be me!). And then on Thursday, we met Julie and baby Audrey at Mark's Kitchen for lunch and then they came over afterward. It was really nice to be with some adults during the day.
6-10 p.m. When Kevin gets home, he typically plays with the babies and pulls the remainder of dinner together while I take a shower. Many of our dinners have been generously prepared and delivered by countless friends, colleagues, and relatives (thank you!) and are often simply pulled out of the freezer and microwaved. We eat, feed the babies, and head upstairs to bed where we’ll sometimes read for a little while but often pass out – especially lately since its been getting dark so early and we’ve been fighting a cold.
10 p.m.-7 a.m. Feedings usually take place between 10 and 11, then again between 2 and 3, and then again between 5 and 6. This means we get two or three 3-hour stints of sleep over night. Not bad. But we’re definitely looking forward to longer nights in the future!Even though the days are pretty hectic, we'd like to start posting more. (Sorry it's been so long...)
