Purim

So Purim was fine- not spectacular.

We dressed the girls up in a Elephant & Bumble Bee costumes and headed to my parents house. Neve was not happy in her costume, and Soleil was crying uncontrollably. We only stayed for a few minutes and then headed to my girlfriend's house. Her children were supposed to be dressed up as well, but since they weren't feeling well- they weren't wearing their costumes that night. We stayed by her house for a few minutes and then came home. It was really cold out! Here are some pictures of the occasion:

You see, this is why I hate living in the states, all our family is in Israel- we could have really celebrated and enjoyed their first Purim! What we had was a little time with the grandparents. I'm not knocking my parents- it's just not fun when you're on your own- so far away from family.

You served us well
On Saturday we took the girls out for a bit. Our microwave decided to bid us farewell and left this cruel, cruel world. And since no household can exist without one, we needed to buy a microwave asap. We also went to a clothing store nearby and purchased a few pj's for the girls.

Can you please repeat that?
On thursday evening I went to my OB. He did the post pregnancy exam, and all seems to be well. The funniest thing he asked me- "would you like me to prescribe some bcp for you"? Ha! As if I need them. Of course, stranger things have happened...

SICK
My girls are not feeling so well. First it started with Soleil on Sunday- she was pretty quiet the whole day which is NOT like her at all. She was congested and toward the night she was screaming while she ate (her throat must have hurt) so we tried warm food, then cold but nothing helped. Then I noticed Neve was congested as well. I used bulb syringes on them, and let me tell you- they cried so hard you would think someone was beating them! They are now using their hands as defense mechanisms (when I go to their faces with the syringe). They don't have fevers which is good- but they seem to have gotten their daddy's cold.

As for me- I am exhausted! I worked so hard at home yesterday- I need a break from my day off! Sometimes it's a lot easier to go to work- stay at home mom's are wonder women in my eyes. I know I work many hours, then I come home and clean. But being home 24-7 is just so much harder.


Bathing Suits

So I got the bathing suits on Friday. I purchased the size 12-18 months. You would think that would fit a 4 month old right? Wrong. They were just right- which means in two months from now, they wont fit! What the hell is wrong with sizes? I would think my 4 month old preemies would be able to wear the size, but apparently not. So I proceeded to go online to order a bigger size, but alas- it's sold out! How rude! I want to send a letter to the manufacturer or something. That is so messed up. I ended up with these 4:

The one I really wanted was sold out. Oh well.

Chubby Monkeys

I also started putting their small clothes away. It's surreal to put away clothes that are too small. Everything was soooooo huge on them a few short months ago.

I send pictures of the girls out to co-workers at times- and the responses are always "look at those chubby faces"... and it's so strange to hear. They were 3 pounds just a few months ago.

If you see them now a person would not be able to tell that they were/ are preemies. And although it's nice to hear that people think they are chubby-the scared, evil-eye believer in me worries that it will all go away... I worry so much but its below the surface. I mean, I'm not one of those scared moms that are dramatic about everything- like if their skin is red and blotchy, they are congested, constipated etc... My mom is so dramatic- she gets worked up over every little thing- and when she sees me calm about things, it pisses her off. For example, this morning when I told her the girls were a bit congested, she said "Then why didnt you take them to the doctor"?- I proceeded to tell her that they didnt have a fever, and there was no need to go as long as they were eating. She seemed peeved at me!

I mean, after going through the whole NICU experience, the little things don't get me riled up. Seeing my daughter (soleil) turn blue and stop breathing in front of my eyes (while she was in the nicu)..... that scared the shit out of me. so things are definitely in perspective.

Anywho- told my bosslady about my vacation- she's totally cool with it. .Load off of my mind. Now, I can plan without worrying.

Travel, and Hair Loss, and Stool, Oh My!

What to write about?

The other day I looked in the mirror and was sick of myself. I needed a change. So on my lunch break, I went to the hairdresser and got a haircut. Nothing major... just got my bangs cut and angled my hair a bit. I cannot part with the length of it though, not now.

Vacation
So, my father-in-law was supposed to come to New York to finally meet his granddaughters in June. But since his mother passed away last month, he cannot travel for a year (a mourning period in Judaism). That means that we will be leaving for Israel. Knowing that his father was not going to come here, gave my husband the needed push to buy tickets. So we did. 2 adult tickets and two infant tickets. Total? $3,375.00- yeah, that's before the rental car and spending money.

Oh, and did I mention, that I will be traveling 11 hours by plane with two infants? They will get two bassinets, but since the bassinets aren't right next to one another, me and my husband will have two people sitting between us. We're leaving May 22nd, returning June 8th. I would only be missing 10 days of work since it falls on memorial day. We wanted those dates because of memorial day, but also because my husband's best friend is getting married on June 3rd (one day before my bday). Oh, and my mother will also be in Israel on those dates (since it will be a year since my grandmother has passed, and they have a memorial planned). This way, we wont be stuck without a babysitter. Well, we will be for 4 days, but my best friend has offered to watch the girls for me.

Oh- and to top it all off? I have yet to tell my boss. I will be shaking in my pants. I feel guilty about taking a vacation since I was out for 4 months on bed rest/ mat leave but hey- I do get vacation days too. I just really need this trip. No one in our family (except my parents) have seen my girls. Mind you, I have a HUGE family- and so does my husband. It's so hard to be away from them.


We will be taking the girls to the beach and just enjoying ourselves. Cannot wait to put them bathing suits! These are the bathing suits I bought them:


I always thought I would never put my daughters in bikinis, I always considered it skeevy. But they are so small at this point that I think it's ok. Plus, I was given some great advice about not buying a one piece for a baby (since its a hassle to change their diaper in it).


Not sure if its ok to take 6 month olds to the beach or not- not too sure about the rules. And although I HATE the beach, I will take the girls there. I hate getting in a suit, I hate sand, and I hate being hot. But, I am no longer a selifish little girl, and since my husband too enjoys the beach, I will go. Of course, I have already purchased a WONDERFUL dress/cover up for my bathing suit:




One thing about going to Israel, is that I will be seeing my sister-in-law. She is due in a month of two (I dont really know, since we are not speaking) you can click on the link and read why not.

It will bother me seeing her. I was so close to her, and her actions just ended our relationship. I was so good to her. And then, when I was going through my hardest time, she was horrible with me. I mean, she knew that I was finally pregnant, and I didnt even get a phone call! Then I was in the hospital for 6 weeks, gave birth 10 weeks early, and still nothing. Now, she's having a girl as well. It's sad that it had to come to no speaking. And no- I will not be the bigger person and talk to her. My honor is at stake. You cant let someoen treat you horribly, and accept it.



Hair Loss:
Neve has gone through quite the significant hair loss lately. She was born with much more hair than Soleil, but now looks like a balding middle aged man. Oh, I have also started losing hair! No one told me I would have a receding hair line once I give birth? Where was all this information when I was pregnant! It's a good thing I got some bangs now to cover up the war zone that is my hair line.

Bumbo Chair:

They both seem to like it. I prop a pillow behind them to help with their head support. My mother, asked a pediatrician friend about the chair and she says that she doesnt recommend it. I did my own research and I think its ok. I only leave them in there for 2 minutes tops and I am always there with them. I hate how mothers second guess you.
Neve:


Soleil giving me the finger:




Sleep:

They have become much better sleepers, knock on wood.. but they have started giving us trouble when we try to put them to bed. One cries, then the other one begins- they then form a choir. The only way to calm Neve once she starts crying is to put her in her swing, let her swing for a while. This calms her, then we put her to bed. But me and my husband agreed, the more sleep we get, the more tired we are during the day!

Formula:

We switched their formula to Soy last week. If you remember, Neve used to produce very watery stool. The soy seems to have helped! Yeahy! But poor Soleil, still constipated to no end! Not sure what to do anymore. She is a big ball of gas. She is always so cranky!

Punky:

Did I ever mention that I picked up the name Soleil, from none other than Punky Brewster herself? I loved that show as a child, I even had her doll. One day as a teen, I sat in my freind's car and for some reason her name popped into my mind. I made a mental note, and said that if I ever had a daughter I would name her Soleil. Of course, her name is much crazier.




Purim
Tonight is Purim, I am soooo excited! I get to dress my girls up in adorable costumes and take them out to friend's. Last night I attempted to make traditional purim cookies called "Hamantash"- say that 5 times fast.
When I say attempted, I mean they were gross.

I am not a baker. There, I said it.

I always wanted to be one since I am pretty good with my hands. I can cook really well, but baking is a whole other relm. Baking involves exact measurments (most of the time) and it's a damn science. It's not easy to make perfect dough.

So I decided to print out a recipe called "The working mother's hamantash". This recipe is so quick and simple to make, even a monkey can do it. WELL, NOT THIS MONKEY.

I got home a little early, brought the girls into the kitchen with me so that we could bake "together". I want to be one of those moms who bakes with her kids.




Not sure I will be able to be the mom who bakes though since my finished products are not too tasty. There is always cake mix and cookie dough!

Neve fell asleep ( I dont think she was too into it from the start), so it was just me and Soleil:






I still wanted Neve to get in on the action, so I strategically placed a cookie on her- although she seems to be giving me or the cookie the finger:




My husband took a bite of the cookie, said "It's not for me" and proceeded to wake to the garbage can and spit it out. Damn, couldnt you just have swallowed what was in your mouth? Why do you have to be so harsh?


This is what a hamantash is supposed to look like:




This was mine:


Picture time!
I purchased a box/ carry on for our trip the ther day (for the girls) and realized that they had a shirt that matched the bag, so of course, I decided to be the photgrapher. Mind you, I took these of Soleil because Neve was STILL sleeping.How cute is she?





But then the little lady decided to wake up, and I put on some bunny ears for her to wear (to get her into the hoiday spirit)





Adorable!



That's all for now, I will def post some pictures tomorrow with my little cuties!