to schedule or not to schedule

In child rearing, everyone has an opinion. And a very strongly, heartfelt opinion. And most aren't shy about sharing. For me, it's a wonderful thing. I'm not really in to reading all the books or many of them for that matter. I've tried. I posted about a few I was able to get through. I keep a few for reference sources. But, when it really comes down to it, I prefer polling the masses. Perhaps because I'm extroverted. I like to think its because I can ask questions and get more nuanced information. It's really probably because I'm lazy, let's be honest. Of course, I take everything with a grain of salt and filter for what works for my family. What I've learned is that there's not right way of doing any of this. Just different ways. With different outcomes. The right and wrong depends entirely on your values and desired outcomes.

There are many different styles of childrearing which can clumsily be grouped as parent-led, baby-led and combo. Most people probably thinks they're in the middle (combo), and of course I think I am more than most.

The thing about twinfants is that you can't really decide to do things your way. They teach you flexibility. We've tried to more or less let the babies dictate their schedule (baby-led) except that when one baby wants something, the other gets it, too (parent-led). So, if one baby gets tired, they both nap. Well, at least we put them both down. Which in the past meant they both napped. Now they are fighting back more if they don't want to sleep. It's coming to a head as we contemplate going from three naps to two. I'm really resisting their being on different schedules. At least so far, they seem to be getting tired enough to still need 3 naps, but I can tell it's coming that one is going I want to make the switch.

They are also getting pickier about where they sleep. Sylvia, in particular, is having a hard time sleeping in places other than her crib. I suppose that might be a reason to go to 2 naps. If we can't get her to nap while we're out, 2 naps will give us a little more freedom.

Although I suppose in some ways this is getting easier, it feels like it's really just getting to be different.

sweet men

Sweet boys? Whatever. I am so lucky.

the toothy smile

It's cute until she gnaws on your finger. Those pearly whites are sharp!

a new perspective

Rafa is tired of lying down and wants a new perspective on the world. So, he's mastered sitting unsupported.

He's been sitting on his own for about a week, I just haven't had time to celebrate and announce to this little world...

We also think he might want to be like his sister and sprout a couple teeth. He woke up in a fit last night around midnight and nothing got him to stop wailing, and I mean wailing!, until we broke out the orajel. We do feel a little more advanced in our parenting, though, because it only took about 5 minutes to work through all the possible causes and figure out something to get him some relief.

stranger anxiety

I had always hoped that our children would only cry when they were hungry or tired or needed a new diaper.  Because those are things we can easily fix.  Unrealistic, I know, but a girl can dream, right?  Well, the kiddos seem to be sorting out people they know and people they don't and letting us know when they're with someone they don't know.  And they un-know people relatively quickly.  Oma spent multiple days with them in Florida (travel post to come when I finally have time to write it), and a mere week later and they even acted like she was a stranger!  Fortunately, it's a new phenomenon that doesn't show up all the time and it's not so bad when they're well rested.  The social side still does shine through some, and when it does, they win everyone over with their smiles.  Love those smiles.

joy

There really is nothing like the feeling you get seeing the joy of your child when you get home at the end of the day. At that moment, all is right in the world.

the squealing boy

Rafael has found his voice. He's been squealing for a few days, now, but of course stops every time I get out the camera. I finally caught him. It cracks us up.

a tooth!

Sylvia's first tooth is out! And...we think there must be a couple more on the way. Poor thing is NOT happy.

Dad to the rescue!




And here is super dad feeding both babies so I could go to dinner with Oma and Gong-Gong.

Now we know that she probably wasn't impatient with her brother, she just needed something to soothe her little gums!

A little chatter from Rafa

Six months today!!

Rafael has some serous camera shyness. He was talking up a storm until I got the camera out to record him.

Sylvia talking

Happy 6 months!!

no cramping our style!

We had toyed with the idea of taking the twins out with us Friday evening (past their bedtime) to watch Rice play UT. We weren't sure what it would do to their sleep or how well they would handle it. Some have told us that it's better to do it now because it'll be worse as they get older. But, then we looked at our calendar and realized that we'll be out every night from Thursday through Monday and I'm out Tuesday night and decided we probably needed a rest last night and an opportunity to get $#!+ done, as we say in our house. Ok, so maybe would have gone out on Friday if we were sans kiddos, but by looking at out calendar, it sure doesn't look like they're slowing us down much. I think part of it is because we have a fairly early bedtime for the Vassariños. So, once they've gone to bed at 7, we don't feel guilty going out and leaving them with the nanny (or the aunt babysitter!!!)




Here we are at the rodeo.




Posing with the astronaut in the Houston, We Have a Problem suite at Hotel ZaZa. (birthday party #2 for the evening...)

update

Kiddos are getting the hang of this eating thing and greedily devour every food we've given them. Our pedi recommended only cereal before they're 6-months old, but we have been a little noncompliant... They now eat rice cereal, avocados, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, pears and bananas. Sylvia hasn't paused for one second with any food. Rafa had been a little more reluctant, but he's come around. He still is a little picky about texture or just likes to play with his food more, hard to tell.

We've been pretty comfortable with the Vasasariños not being mobile. They rarely even roll over. We are in no rush for them to be able relocate themselves from one side of the crib to another, from the playmat onto the rug, from the sofa to the floor... But, alas, our selfish lazy bliss can't last forever. That is starting to sink in. Last night, Rafael was on his tummy in his crib and started pushing up onto all fours and scooching forward! Yikes! Fortunately for us, since he hasn't exhibited signs of rolling from back to belly, we can still strand him like a bug on his back. For now.

good morning sunshine