I am not ashamed, nor am I embarrassed; after 5 1/2 years, I have come to terms with the situation. Do not misunderstand, I love them, like them and have learned throughout the years that they did not ask to be here, more importantly, they really like me. I have grown to love them because I have known them since they were three and four years old. As I have mentioned, it is only now that I am no longer upset that my soon to be fiance has two other kids from a previous relationship.
It is not a topic I share quite often with others and although it is more common for a significant other to have children, many, still judge and immediately say "I could NEVER date anyone with kids!" I use to say that too; I had a check list of the perfect man and already have kids was definetely not on it, however, I fell for a man who did, so sue me.
At first, I could not get over that the man that I love made two creations with someone else? How could this man be near perfect but has this one imperfection? It took me awhile to realize that having children is not an imperfection, it is a blessing. I use to confuse the love he had for his children with feelings he still had for his
"baby mama," again, a realization that I learned years later that the love that one has for a child(ren) is separate from any feelings that one could have for someone else.
I share this part of my relationship for several reasons; being with a man who has children has it perks, I am able to see what kind of father he would be to our children as well as he could teach me or give me advice on some aspects of parenting. Needless to say, his children are pretty awesome.
How will "Everyone" else react to the news?
The most obvious reaction when finding out that you are pregnant is excitement. I would be lying if I didn't mentioned that in the back of my mind I was nervous on how "she" (we do not need to know the baby mama by name) and the kids would react to the new edition (at the time I thought there was just one). Some ask, why does their opinion matter? My response is that it is not necessarly "her" opinion that I care about, it is the children's feelings that give me pause. If you have not figured it out, the children do not live with us and we see them maybe twice a year. The relationship with my father is extremely rocky to the point of non-existent and I would hate for the kids to feel that they are not wanted, neglected or that we did not care about them because their father and I were having children together.
As I reached my sixth month of being pregnant, my fiance spilled the beans to the baby mama and the children. Naturally, she was upset and I didn't ask how the children felt.
The Kids are More Mature than I am
I do not want my readers to misinterpret this blog as if I am bashing blended families because I am not. My brother is a mere product of a blended family (from my father) and I love him dearly. I am pretty sure that I am not alone as to wonder how to bring new editions into a family that is somewhat established. For starters, explain the situation with the other children. Luckly, my fiance and "her" have not been together for a long time and the children know that so it was not hard to say that we were having babies. Second, send pictures to get them ready to meet in person. Third, just do it! Have them involved in some parts of the daily routine of taken care of their new brother or sister or both or one or the other. The kids met my daughters on Christmas and to my surprise they were extremely excited. They wanted to help, hold them, take pictures with them and my fiance's daughter even brought them a gift. I do not remember if I was even that mature when my father told me that his girlfriend was having a baby and I was in college. Eased my mind that they did not feel neglected but involved. There wasn't any awkward feelings at all.
Blended Families
I will admit that I use to be jealous of my fiance and "her" because they shared something so special that I yurned for. I also did not understand the love that he had for them until I had my own. The anxiety I felt before was gone because now my fiance and I had children of our own together. I always wanted a brother and unfortunately my mother and father did not stay together long enough for that to happen; however, I got one in a different way and I would not change it for anything. There were times when blended families were look down upon or was taboo, but now, it is the modern American family. I am lucky that have future step children who embrace such change and love their sisters so much.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
6 Months and Eating Solid Foods
This is an update blog and I PROMISE to write more often; I did not realize how many fans I had.
*UPDATE* Mya and Milani are now 6 months and a week old. Times has flown! I remember visiting the NICU once I was released from the hospital to bring the girls breast milk and visit. Then, I thought I wasn't getting any sleep, but I soon realize, that was an understatement. The real work doesn't begin until they come home.
I discussed in a previous blog that I do not look at my girls any differently because they were born premature. I am aware that there are certain milestones they might get to later but for the most part, they are on schedule. I say this because now that my girls are 6 months, the doctor approved them for starting solid foods.
One Has it, the Other...Not So Much
Since they were 5 months, I began giving the girls cereal in their bottle. They were on 8 oz of formula and still wanted more. I gave cereal during breakfast time ( one tablespoon) and one at night. Sometimes, the cereal helped them go to sleep faster and other days it did not. To introduce the girls to solid food, I started putting the cereal in a bowl with a couple of tablespoons of formula. When starting a baby on solid food, make sure the spoon is rubber and has a small scoop. I recommend Nuby hot safe spoons; they are small and there is a color indicator that changes when the food is too hot.
*UPDATE* Mya and Milani are now 6 months and a week old. Times has flown! I remember visiting the NICU once I was released from the hospital to bring the girls breast milk and visit. Then, I thought I wasn't getting any sleep, but I soon realize, that was an understatement. The real work doesn't begin until they come home.
I discussed in a previous blog that I do not look at my girls any differently because they were born premature. I am aware that there are certain milestones they might get to later but for the most part, they are on schedule. I say this because now that my girls are 6 months, the doctor approved them for starting solid foods.
One Has it, the Other...Not So Much
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| Nuby Hot Safe Spoons Walmart $3.00 |
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| Boon Inc. Spoon Target $7.00 |
I also recommend the Boon Inc. squirt baby spoon. Feed a baby can get messy and the Boon Inc. spoon makes the mess manageable by having a compartment to store food in the spoon that squirts out when parents squeeze. I was extremely nervous to start the girls on solid food and in the beginning it was a challenge. Mya and Milani both cried as well as started spitting out the cereal. I felt myself getting frustrated because I really wanted them to eat by spoon. I had to remember that babies aren't dolls, they are not robots and have their own mind. I also remembered that my girls were preemies and may not be ready just yet and that is okay. The last thought quickly faded as Mya started taken the spoon and gumming the cereal, swallowing every bit and opening her mouth for more. Milani, to this day, I am still working on but she has gotten much better. She would not gum the food, nor swallow. As time went on, she has figured out what to do but she still spits some of it. Mothers with twins, REMEMBER just because they are twins does not mean they are going to do the same thing or develop the same. A lesson that I will forever learn.
Baby Will Not Take Food, Now What?
At 6 months, most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods, however, that does not mean they are ready. Here are some signs that suggest if a baby is ready or not:
- Can sit up right with support or with out support
- Moves toward bottle
- Opens mouth wide before the bottle comes into contact
- Makes noise or watches you eat your own food
- Grabs bottle or tries to hold on their own with support
- If your baby is crying because they are extremely hungry and want their bottle, try using a rattle or a favorite toy that makes noise to get their attention and feed them while shaking the object.
- Patience. Do not try to over feed your baby just get it over with, put a little food on the TIP of the spoon at a time. If some of the food comes out of their mouth, swipe with the spoon and try again.
- To feed; feed your baby with a scoop motion, making sure the food hits the roof of their mouth so they can swallow.
- Tried all the suggestions and still won't swallow? Try again in a week or so. Breast milk or formula is still the main source of nutrition, so it is okay if they do not take the cereal or any other solid food right away.
To mothers of infants who were born premature, remember the joy you felt when your baby finally got the hang of suck, breathe, swallow when eating by bottle? It was a challenge for your little one because of being born early and it was a huge milestone when they mastered it. Eating solids is the same thing and is the same way for those who were born full term. For 6 months (others maybe less) your baby received their food through the bottle, now they have to learn to swallow and chew. Some get the hang of it (like Mya) others will take a little longer. Keep working on it. As I mentioned before, try again in a week or so.
Trying New Foods
Research has suggested to try new foods with your baby in 5 to 8 days durations because you want to your baby to know the taste of each particular food. I do not recommend mixing foods together just yet. Your doctor may suggest starting with cereal first. At the beginning, give cereal in a bowl after the first formula or breast milk feeding. Sometimes babies are extremely hungry and are not in the mood to gum solids. Before they go to sleep, give cereal in a bowl with the last feeding of the night.
Doctors have stated to start babies with vegetables first and then move on to fruits. I suggest sweet potato and string beans. Gerber's foods are labeled with certain levels so parents know which food to start off with.
What are your tips for solid foods?
Monday, December 26, 2011
The RSV Blues
It is every mothers worst fear, when your baby is sick. We all think that our baby can defend against any colds but I learned that it is inevitable.
I Thought it was Just Teething...
My girls began teething at four months. They have experienced most of symptoms of excessive drooling, itchy gums, placing their fingers or my fingers in their mouths and becoming fussy. When I noticed the girls were drooling mucus, I just assumed that it was because of the teething. Instantly they began to cough for two days and as I researched about the coughing, the information stated that it was because of teething. However, as the days went on the coughing and the mucus drool became worst.
It's Time To Go To the ER...
My fiance came home from work and released me from my motherly duty so that I could go outside and run some errands. On my way back, he called me in a panic. "Milani is choking on all this spit, she will not stop!" I was already aware. Every time Milani took a sip of formula, she would immediately began to choke for at least 10 minutes and then proceed to scream because of the pain. Mya was starting to become the same way. When I got home, I placed the girls in front of the humidifier and began to suck some of the mucus out of their nose. Those with babies know, they hate the nose suction like the hate to be denied food. For a moment it seemed to be working until I looked over at Mya who was slumped down in her car seat. She appeared to be lethargic and I decided it's time to take their temperature.
I took the temperature every hour throughout the day along with Tylenol because their temperature would seem to start to rise. As I stuck the thermometer rectally, Mya's temperature was rising every second. It went from 98 to 99 to 100 to 101 to 102 in a blink of an eye. I looked over to my fiance and said, "it is time to go to the ER." I called my mother to let her know and she said that she would meet us over there. We got the girls ready, hopped in the car and drove to the hospital where they were born. I was praying I would never see this place again.
There Isn't a Treatment for RSV...
Word of advice, if possible, try to take your baby to the hospital where they were born because their information is already in the hospital's system and that means less paper work to fill out. We were placed in a room and watching my girls be defeated against this cold, broke my heart. Mya had a fever and Milani could not eat. I just wanted answers. We were in the hospital since 9pm and at 4am after the chest x-rays, the abuterol treatment (helps open the lung passage ways and helps with wheezing) and mucus culture, the doctor finally comes in and tells me the news. My daughters have bronchitis, which was caused by RSV. Bronchitis is when the air sacs in the lungs are filled and are close shut.
What is RSV?
RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a leading cause of bronchitis. It is a very common virus and everyone has had it at least once before the age of three in the U.S. RSV virus is spread through close contact with infected people or through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. In adults and older children, the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus are similar to the common cold. However, the RSV virus can sometimes be severe, especially in premature babies.Symptoms include:
Because RSV is a virus, there isn't any medicine that can make it go away. Unfortunately, it goes away on its own. However, there are certain things that you can do to help your baby feel more comfortable.
I'm please to say that the girls are doing much better. They are eating and coming back to their normal selves. The cough will last for another week or so but it is breaking down.
I Thought it was Just Teething...
My girls began teething at four months. They have experienced most of symptoms of excessive drooling, itchy gums, placing their fingers or my fingers in their mouths and becoming fussy. When I noticed the girls were drooling mucus, I just assumed that it was because of the teething. Instantly they began to cough for two days and as I researched about the coughing, the information stated that it was because of teething. However, as the days went on the coughing and the mucus drool became worst.
It's Time To Go To the ER...
My fiance came home from work and released me from my motherly duty so that I could go outside and run some errands. On my way back, he called me in a panic. "Milani is choking on all this spit, she will not stop!" I was already aware. Every time Milani took a sip of formula, she would immediately began to choke for at least 10 minutes and then proceed to scream because of the pain. Mya was starting to become the same way. When I got home, I placed the girls in front of the humidifier and began to suck some of the mucus out of their nose. Those with babies know, they hate the nose suction like the hate to be denied food. For a moment it seemed to be working until I looked over at Mya who was slumped down in her car seat. She appeared to be lethargic and I decided it's time to take their temperature.
I took the temperature every hour throughout the day along with Tylenol because their temperature would seem to start to rise. As I stuck the thermometer rectally, Mya's temperature was rising every second. It went from 98 to 99 to 100 to 101 to 102 in a blink of an eye. I looked over to my fiance and said, "it is time to go to the ER." I called my mother to let her know and she said that she would meet us over there. We got the girls ready, hopped in the car and drove to the hospital where they were born. I was praying I would never see this place again.
There Isn't a Treatment for RSV...
Word of advice, if possible, try to take your baby to the hospital where they were born because their information is already in the hospital's system and that means less paper work to fill out. We were placed in a room and watching my girls be defeated against this cold, broke my heart. Mya had a fever and Milani could not eat. I just wanted answers. We were in the hospital since 9pm and at 4am after the chest x-rays, the abuterol treatment (helps open the lung passage ways and helps with wheezing) and mucus culture, the doctor finally comes in and tells me the news. My daughters have bronchitis, which was caused by RSV. Bronchitis is when the air sacs in the lungs are filled and are close shut.
What is RSV?
RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a leading cause of bronchitis. It is a very common virus and everyone has had it at least once before the age of three in the U.S. RSV virus is spread through close contact with infected people or through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. In adults and older children, the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus are similar to the common cold. However, the RSV virus can sometimes be severe, especially in premature babies.Symptoms include:
- Cough
- Stuffy Nose
- Mucus
- Yellow or Green Mucus
- Fever
Because RSV is a virus, there isn't any medicine that can make it go away. Unfortunately, it goes away on its own. However, there are certain things that you can do to help your baby feel more comfortable.
- Place them in front of the humidifier so the moisture can open their passage ways.
- The doctor may prescribe a nebulizer and abuterol to help open the passage ways as well. This does not help with getting rid of the cough but the moisture helps the mucus run down the nose.
- Saline. Saline breaks up the mucus.
- Suction. Use the nose aspirator daily. I use it every time for a feeding or when the girls and are just relaxing. I recommend the Nose Frida, it is amazing.
- Wash your hands and disinfect daily
I'm please to say that the girls are doing much better. They are eating and coming back to their normal selves. The cough will last for another week or so but it is breaking down.
Friday, December 9, 2011
I Still Feel Like I am Eating For Two: The Start of My Weight Loss
I was sitting in my mothers kitchen when she asked me, "are you sure you are not pregnant again?" I looked down at my stomach and if I hadn't already finished my menstrual cycle, I would have thought I was at least three months pregnant.
It is a struggle most women go through, trying to loose the pregnancy weight. I never struggled with my weight before and after the girls were delivered, I actually slimmed down a lot quicker due to breastfeeding (which I unfortuantely stopped. Once the girls came home and I was no longer working, food became my escape from the screams and cries. As I ate one serving, I still felt the need to fill myself with other nonsense such as cookies, cake, hamburgers, etc. because I still had the room in my stomach.
One afternoon, I put on a tight shirt and from the side profile, my stomach fell over my jeans. It was the most embarassing image I ever saw. Of course the obvious solution is to exercise and small portions of food; replace unhealthy snacks with healthy ones. As new moms or veterans, especially those who stay at home, understand raising newborns is tough. The only time I get a breather is when the girls take their nap during the day and when they go sleep, which is around 10:30pm. At that point, the last thing I want to do is exercise.
Not an excuse but I am in the house 7 days a week as I am currently looking for employment (I just cannot take anything) and I am in school. When I am bored, I turn to food or Facebook. Before the babies I was at work, I had time on my hands to work out. I didn't realize how much of myself I was sacrificing when I had the girls; how much of myself gets lost just so they can survive.
The Wii Rose From the Grave...or The Bottom of The Box
The days that my fiance is off I am able to get in some Zumba on the Wii (I am too broke to join a gym). I started Zumba when my fiance was at work and that was a huge mistake. A 15 minute session on the Wii turned into an hour because I had stop and see who is crying or stop and feed the twins; that was a work out in itself.
Our Daily Walks
I cannot stay in the house for a long period of time. An alternative to me eating the worst snacks is the girls and I go on our walks either to the park, the library or the mall. I would think by my walking all over Brooklyn, my weight would just disappear, but it is the food aspect that I am working on.
Jennifer Hudson Diet
Jennifer Hudson had a son and she looks better than she did before she was pregnant. I want to be the size that I was when my fiance met me. Part of me however likes the thickness that I have acquired. I do not want my readers to get the wrong impression, I am not 200 lbs or 180 lbs, I weight 154 lbs and I am 5"2. I decided that after Thanksgiving it was time to get back into shape. I found the meal plan that Jennifer Hudson did with Weight Watchers, which I have done Weight Watchers and it does work) went to the grocery store to buy the items in order to begin. The problem with meal plans, some of the items I do not like to eat. For example, greek yogurt. I cannot stand greek yogurt but I ate it with Kashi cereal. It is difficult to diet when the items are not tasty. Needless to say, I have quit the Hudson meal plan and I am currently looking else where for a plan that will work for me.
My Goals for the New Year
My goal for myself and my family is to start loosing the weight January 1st 2012. My other goals is to finish school so that I can finally have a career and stop working these dead end jobs. I am not just doing this for me, I am doing this for my girls.
It is a struggle most women go through, trying to loose the pregnancy weight. I never struggled with my weight before and after the girls were delivered, I actually slimmed down a lot quicker due to breastfeeding (which I unfortuantely stopped. Once the girls came home and I was no longer working, food became my escape from the screams and cries. As I ate one serving, I still felt the need to fill myself with other nonsense such as cookies, cake, hamburgers, etc. because I still had the room in my stomach.
One afternoon, I put on a tight shirt and from the side profile, my stomach fell over my jeans. It was the most embarassing image I ever saw. Of course the obvious solution is to exercise and small portions of food; replace unhealthy snacks with healthy ones. As new moms or veterans, especially those who stay at home, understand raising newborns is tough. The only time I get a breather is when the girls take their nap during the day and when they go sleep, which is around 10:30pm. At that point, the last thing I want to do is exercise.
Not an excuse but I am in the house 7 days a week as I am currently looking for employment (I just cannot take anything) and I am in school. When I am bored, I turn to food or Facebook. Before the babies I was at work, I had time on my hands to work out. I didn't realize how much of myself I was sacrificing when I had the girls; how much of myself gets lost just so they can survive.
The Wii Rose From the Grave...or The Bottom of The Box
The days that my fiance is off I am able to get in some Zumba on the Wii (I am too broke to join a gym). I started Zumba when my fiance was at work and that was a huge mistake. A 15 minute session on the Wii turned into an hour because I had stop and see who is crying or stop and feed the twins; that was a work out in itself.
Our Daily Walks
I cannot stay in the house for a long period of time. An alternative to me eating the worst snacks is the girls and I go on our walks either to the park, the library or the mall. I would think by my walking all over Brooklyn, my weight would just disappear, but it is the food aspect that I am working on.
Jennifer Hudson Diet
Jennifer Hudson had a son and she looks better than she did before she was pregnant. I want to be the size that I was when my fiance met me. Part of me however likes the thickness that I have acquired. I do not want my readers to get the wrong impression, I am not 200 lbs or 180 lbs, I weight 154 lbs and I am 5"2. I decided that after Thanksgiving it was time to get back into shape. I found the meal plan that Jennifer Hudson did with Weight Watchers, which I have done Weight Watchers and it does work) went to the grocery store to buy the items in order to begin. The problem with meal plans, some of the items I do not like to eat. For example, greek yogurt. I cannot stand greek yogurt but I ate it with Kashi cereal. It is difficult to diet when the items are not tasty. Needless to say, I have quit the Hudson meal plan and I am currently looking else where for a plan that will work for me.
My Goals for the New Year
My goal for myself and my family is to start loosing the weight January 1st 2012. My other goals is to finish school so that I can finally have a career and stop working these dead end jobs. I am not just doing this for me, I am doing this for my girls.
Monday, November 28, 2011
12 Fun Facts about Twins
I realized that this blog is entitled Preemie Twins and Me and I haven't done a lot of blogging about twins but overall parenting and taken care of infants. I have a lot of topics that I need to educate myself on and share to the audience such as, I am a new mom; whatever experience I have learned thus far, I must share, I am a mommy to infants who were born premature; I have to talk about my journey and share encouraging words to those in my shoes and most importantly I am a new mom of twins. In result, I have to learn about twins and share my experience in raising twins. This blog entry is for the multiples.
Interesting Facts About Twins
1. 22% of twins are left handed: I hope this works in my favor because I am left handed!
2. Rate of twin births vary by location: Certain parts the world have much higher rates of twin births than other places such as New Jersey or Connecticut has a 25% twin rate than the general population.
3. There are 7 different types of twins: Identical, fraternal, half-identical, mirror image twins, mixed chromosome twins, super fecundation and superfetation. Those other than identical and fraternal can be quite rare.
4. Twins do not have to be born on the same date: The longest recorded gap between twin births is 85 days. The can happen when one twin is born just before midnight and the other after or where there is a longer gap, one twin is born early due to complications while the other is left in the womb to develop further.
5. Twins do not have to have the same father: I saw this on Maury where the father was the found to be the dad of one twin but not the other. This is called hetero paternal super fecundation. This is when a women releases multiple eggs, each fertilized by sperm from separate instances of sexual intercourse.
6. 25% of identical twins are called mirror image twins: For example, if one twin has mole on the left side of her face, the other will have the mole on the right side of her face. However, my twins are fraternal and one has a whole on the top left ear and the other has a hole on the top right ear.
7. Twins have their own secret language: The term is Ideoglossia. Once twins learn to talk, they mispronounce words but because their other half is capable of recognizing and understanding those words, it seems as if they have their own language. Some say that twins secret language is a myth but being a parent of twins, I think it is true.
8. Fraternal twins are much more common than identical twins: Did you know Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are fraternal twins? Go figure.
9. Once a women has had fraternal twins, she is three to four times more likely to have another set!
10. Twins share DNA, but it is not identical.
11. Twins can have different gestational age: Fraternal twins specifically, fertilization doesn't always have to happen at the same time. Fraternal twins is the product of releasing two eggs within the same cycle, however, the eggs are not necessarily released on the same day; one egg may be fertilized days or even weeks before the other, thus causing a slight difference in age and development between the twins.
12. The heaviest combined birth weight of any set of twins is a whopping 27lbs and 12oz: The heaviest birth weight was born to Mrs. J.P. Haskin of Arkansas, on February 20 1924. Recently a women in North Carolina gave birth to twins with a combined birth weight of 23lbs! (Picture)
Do you know any more facts about twins? Share!
Interesting Facts About Twins
1. 22% of twins are left handed: I hope this works in my favor because I am left handed!
2. Rate of twin births vary by location: Certain parts the world have much higher rates of twin births than other places such as New Jersey or Connecticut has a 25% twin rate than the general population.
3. There are 7 different types of twins: Identical, fraternal, half-identical, mirror image twins, mixed chromosome twins, super fecundation and superfetation. Those other than identical and fraternal can be quite rare.
4. Twins do not have to be born on the same date: The longest recorded gap between twin births is 85 days. The can happen when one twin is born just before midnight and the other after or where there is a longer gap, one twin is born early due to complications while the other is left in the womb to develop further.
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| Mya and Milani's hole in their ear |
6. 25% of identical twins are called mirror image twins: For example, if one twin has mole on the left side of her face, the other will have the mole on the right side of her face. However, my twins are fraternal and one has a whole on the top left ear and the other has a hole on the top right ear.
7. Twins have their own secret language: The term is Ideoglossia. Once twins learn to talk, they mispronounce words but because their other half is capable of recognizing and understanding those words, it seems as if they have their own language. Some say that twins secret language is a myth but being a parent of twins, I think it is true.
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| Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen |
9. Once a women has had fraternal twins, she is three to four times more likely to have another set!
10. Twins share DNA, but it is not identical.
11. Twins can have different gestational age: Fraternal twins specifically, fertilization doesn't always have to happen at the same time. Fraternal twins is the product of releasing two eggs within the same cycle, however, the eggs are not necessarily released on the same day; one egg may be fertilized days or even weeks before the other, thus causing a slight difference in age and development between the twins.
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| Couple in North Carolina who gave birth to twins with a combined birth weight of 23lbs |
Do you know any more facts about twins? Share!
My Girls First Thanksgiving
I hope everyone had a great and blessed Thanksgiving! As my girls celebrated their first Thanksgiving, I couldn't help but reminisce on my Thanksgiving traditions as a child. Every year until I reached a certain age that I cannot remember, my father and I would go to the Thanksgiving Day Parade; one of the many perks of living in New York. We would wake up at 4 am, my dad would be placing the hot apple cider he just made into our thermoses (I had the pink Cabbage Patch one). Around 4:30 in the morning we would head out in the dark cold air to the subway. Our destination, every year was 34th street. One year my dad was able to get us into the VIP section by flashing his badge. The year after, we were weren't so lucky because it was so cold outside that my little toes were frozen solid. We had to watch the parade from the second floor of a restaurant. It wasn't a bad view though.
These memories that I forever cherish only excites me to create new ones with my girls. This year, my girls and I watched the parade on television while my mother perfumed the house with her sweet smelling sweet potato pie and potato salad; the two main items that are always demanded at the dinner table at my Aunts house.
Once the food was ready and Aaron arrived, we made our way to my Aunt's house. Not only were the rest of the family going to meet the girls, but two things made this Thanksgiving extra special. My grandma came all the way from North Carolina (she hasn't been to New York in 11 years!) to see the girls and I was going to meet my new cousin (born a month later after the girls).
My aunt's house was packed with great food and family. I don't think we all were in the same room together for a holiday since the 2006 Thanksgiving dinner. Before the meal, my aunt does the blessing, which is at least 30 minutes long. I think it gets longer each year. Once she is finish, we go around the table to say what we are grateful for. Although my life seems to be spiraling out of control, I have with stand every obstacle that I have encountered. I am grateful to have two beautiful little girls, a fiance to share my joy, my mother who has been a true blessing, friends and family that always get me through my challenges that I seem to find myself in. Even though I am not where I would like to be yet, my life could be far worst.
After a great meal, my fiance invites his brother to go with us to my friends house who lives up the street. It has become a tradition ever since my friend moved down the block from my aunt's house to spend Thanksgiving with her family. Besides, after a couple of hours, my family starts to get a little bit overwhelming and it is nice to relax and converse with my friend.
Overall, I had a great Thanksgiving. I couldn't ask for a better one. Now onto my favorite holiday, Christmas.
How was your Thanksgiving?
These memories that I forever cherish only excites me to create new ones with my girls. This year, my girls and I watched the parade on television while my mother perfumed the house with her sweet smelling sweet potato pie and potato salad; the two main items that are always demanded at the dinner table at my Aunts house.
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| Grandma Bonnie in the back and Aunt Charlotte |
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| Ladies Man. Huggie in between Milani (purple hat) and Mya |
After a great meal, my fiance invites his brother to go with us to my friends house who lives up the street. It has become a tradition ever since my friend moved down the block from my aunt's house to spend Thanksgiving with her family. Besides, after a couple of hours, my family starts to get a little bit overwhelming and it is nice to relax and converse with my friend.
Overall, I had a great Thanksgiving. I couldn't ask for a better one. Now onto my favorite holiday, Christmas.
How was your Thanksgiving?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
5 Items You Must Have for Your Baby in Your Medicine Cabinets
I received a huge reality check, yesterday, November 21st 2011. My twin girls were not perfect. They are defenseless to certain germs and they do not have an invisible bubble surrounding them against infections. My girls CAN get sick. Three days ago this became apparent when Mya started to sneeze and mucus dribbled down her little nose. Like a domino effect, Milani coughed minutes after. Sniffling back in forth and with Mya developing a rash around her neck that was not going away, I began to get frustrated. My girls do not get sick, I thought I took all precautions to protect them; the rain cover for their Cadillac stroller, three layers of clothing plus hat and sneakers. What more could I do? "It is not your fault, the weather is changing, this is the time most babies get sick," my mother reassured me. She should know about parenting, she did give birth to me 25 years ago.
As a new mom, I tried not to get flustered (oh how hard that was). However, as I start to get the hang of being a parent, I began to think more clearly. I laid in my bed and thought, what I could I give my children to help with their sniffles? Memories of the NICU surrounded my brain and the image of one of the nurses handing me saline came to my mind. I popped up from the pillow and ran to the closet that held their first aid kit. Untouched were two tubes of saline packaged in a see through pink plastic. This should flush their mucus out and I will be able to use the nose suction, which they love so much (sarcasm) to help.
What was I going to do about Mya's rash that was now transcending toward her chest?
We went to the doctor yesterday in which she prescribed a medication much stronger for Mya's rash. I will update to let you know how it is clearing. My experience of taken care of two children with colds, inspired me to write this blog. Specifically in Mya's case, I had to go back and forth to the pharmacy for products that worked in the beginning for her rash. If there was a package that were given to new moms, some of the items that I had to go buy, would be in that bag. Here are my top five items, that are must for your babies:
As a new mom, I tried not to get flustered (oh how hard that was). However, as I start to get the hang of being a parent, I began to think more clearly. I laid in my bed and thought, what I could I give my children to help with their sniffles? Memories of the NICU surrounded my brain and the image of one of the nurses handing me saline came to my mind. I popped up from the pillow and ran to the closet that held their first aid kit. Untouched were two tubes of saline packaged in a see through pink plastic. This should flush their mucus out and I will be able to use the nose suction, which they love so much (sarcasm) to help.
What was I going to do about Mya's rash that was now transcending toward her chest?
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| Mya's Rash |
- Saline: All doctors are different. My doctor said that my girls are too young to receive any medication and saline is the best bet to help with the sniffles. I think also because my girls did not have a temperature and therefore was not necessary to prescribe medicine. Saline is sold over the counter and if your baby is still in the NICU or ICU, just ask the nurses to give you a sample. Saline is great in breaking down the mucus and helps get it out of your infants system. Be sure to give two to three drops in each nostril while positioning your infant upright. Use a nose suction immediately after the drops because you do not want the saline to go down their throat.
- Aquaphor: Aquaphor is great for reducing baby acne on your infants face. It is also good for redness that might appear in the crease of your infants neck or genital area.
- Cornstarch Powder: Cornstarch powder (not the one you cook with) is great for absorbing moisture in rashes. It dries the rashes out, however it does not get rid of rashes. I like Johnson & Johnson Cornstarch Powder for infants, but Gold Bonds makes a good one as well.
- Nose Suction: This pairs with saline. As stated before, some doctors do not recommend medication for infants for colds. After adding a couple of drops in your babies nose, the suction helps the mucus come up.
- Baby Oil: I mentioned this in my previous blog on Cradle Cap (I hope that you have been reading). Baby oil is not just great for your babies skin but I use it for my daughter's scalp. She has Cradle Cap and baby oil helps bring the flakes up from the scalp.
Happy Reading! :)
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