Baybay & Baybee: Week 56 (8/29-9/4)

56 weeks old!

Maya and Ella were sick for most of this week. They had Roseola, which is their first real illness. They had a high fever (at times above 103) for two full days before they developed the rash. It wasn't fun for any of us, but we made it through and came out stronger on the other side. Once you've had Roseola, you don't get it again. So, that's one sickness checked off the list!

We did the Hep A vaccination on Wednesday afternoon. It was by far the easiest shot that the girls have gotten. Ella didn't even cry and Maya only got upset because she was scared of the nurse. Both enjoyed picking at the other's bandage and didn't show any sign of being uncomfortable from the vaccination that evening. 

However, a few days later, the fever started. I thought it must be a delayed reaction from the shot, and worried because the fevers were high and didn't seem to be going away. They didn't really have any other symptoms besides the temperature. What worried me most was the lethargy. We mostly hung out in the living room on a blanket on the floor. The girls cuddled their doggies and clung to me. We made sure they drank lots of water and had some juice. Maya didn't have much of an appetite for anything besides yogurt and both girls (especially Maya) nursed constantly for those two days.

I went out and bought a new thermometer. It's the kind that you hold to the forehead and in two seconds it gives the temperature. I also got some children's chewable acetaminophen, which they refused to chew, but we had some luck crushing it up and mixing it with yogurt. 

The day the rash appeared, Brett was out working until the late afternoon. I was home alone with the girls and had been watching it spread, showing up first on their arms, then face and finally covering their entire bodies. By the time Brett got home, I had made an appointment at NAP to have them checked because I was so worried. Their fevers were lower and Ella especially had much more energy, but they both looked like someone had dotted their entire skin with a fine-tipped pink marker. We all went together to the doctor in the evening and right away he knew what they had. The good news was that once they get the rash, it means they are almost better!

 It's just miserable to feel sick.

Ella felt just as miserable as Maya,
but for the most part kept her appetite through it all.

Despite the sickness, we got a few things done and had a little bit of fun when we had the energy. Kathy came and spent an afternoon with the girls, I made some good meals, and we (thanks mostly to the help of Guy) tackled a a project on the house that had needed to be done for a few years. We are having gutters put on the sides of our house in a couple weeks, so before that happens, a section of rotten soffet needed to be repaired. Brett and Guy worked on cutting out the rotten boards, and cleaning out the birds nest that had adorned that spot for the past few years. I painted the new boards and Guy put them up.  

Rotten wood and birds nest all gone!

It's hard to paint without getting any on your hands.

Mostly, at the end of the week, we were just glad that our babies were feeling better. They didn't smile or laugh much for a few days there. Seeing them turn back into their happy, pleasant selves, made us stop and feel very thankful that our girls are so easy and so much fun to be around most of the time.

Maya's, "No thanks, I just want yogurt" face.

The girls have been enjoying these nesting boxes, a recent thrift store find.

They can build a tower almost as tall as themselves!

Baybay & Baybee: Week 55 (8/22-8/28)

55 weeks old!

Most of this week was spent enjoying our time with Mama and Papa. We also had nice visit with Brett's parents on Wednesday up in Leyden. We had a picnic lunch followed by a swim in the river. Unfortunately, the river was a bit chilly and shallower than last year, and both girls were not that excited about it.  Brett had fun improving the rock dam (trying to raise the water level). Afterwards, the girls wore cute dresses and we took some pictures.

Ella balances on Papa's hands.

Drinking water.

"I can do it all by myself!"

Grandpa Craig and Ella.

Ella was fascinated with Grandma's tea that was too hot to touch.

Father and daughter.

Grandma Kathy and Ella.

All of us together.

While they were here, Mama and Papa took our tandem for a spin around the block! I rode with them on my bike, which I realized I hadn't been on in over a year. I forgot how fast my bike can go!

The day my parents left, Brett, the girls and I spent the afternoon with Chris and his daughters, Evelyn and Olivia. We walked over to Maines Field and the babies enjoyed lunch on a blanket, followed by rides on the swings. I think all four twins enjoyed spending time together. A highlight for them seemed to be sharing sippy cups.

After lunch it was time to play with the stroller.

Maya really wanted to climb in.

She almost made it!

Evelyn.

Olivia.

Ella.

Maya.

Everyone on their way to the swings!

Four babies, two swings. No problem.

They had fun.

We discovered that the Lilly Library is a great place to take the girls. It's just a short stroller walk away and they have a fun house to go in and out of, stuffed animals to hug/kiss, plus puzzles, a bucket of crayons to carry around (and dump out and put back in), and a few toys to play with! That's not to mention all the books to look at.

Peeking into the play house at the library.

Ella decides to go inside.

"Hi, Mama! Just making sure you're still there."

Maya covets other people's shoes.
 She followed this girl around the room for a while, pointing longingly at her sandals.

This rug was a fun and silly place to run around and play.

Here are some shots from the Tuesday Farmer's Market. We all biked there this week and enjoyed popcorn, apples and chatting with lot of people we knew. We stayed just a tad too long and the ride home wasn't as fun because some of us were hungry and tired.

On the lookout for people who might want to steal their apples and popcorn.

People-watching while eating.

Selena was "lucky" enough to get all the extra nutritional yeast that Maya had on her hands.

Squirrels. Maya and Ella are fascinated by them.  We go for walks just to look for squirrels. One morning, I was so proud for deciding to go out and do something on my own with the babies. I got everyone dressed and into the car and to the Northampton library. Well, I forgot that it wasn't open until 1pm that day. Wanh wah. So what did we do? Play in the grass outside and watch the squirrels, of course! And by "watch" I mean point excitedly while saying "Oooo!  Oooooooo!" and then trying to chase them. Just as much fun -- if not more than my original plan.

Girls, watching squirrel.

Squirrel, watching girls.

Baybay & Baybee: Week 54 (8/15-8/21)

54 weeks old!

The girls had their one-year check up on Wednesday. They were due for vaccinations, but we decided to hold off on the shots for now because we'll be having company for a week or two.  Everything looked good for both girls and they both weigh over 20 lbs now! They did have to have blood work done, and that wasn't fun, but they handled it really well.

The results of their blood work came back the next day and it turns out that both girls might have very mild Spherocytosis.  This was a bit of a shock to us, as neither girl has been showing any signs of it. It might be so mild that they will never be affected by it, but Dr. Steele does want to monitor them, meaning more blood work at their next appointment and he recommended they start taking folic acid pills, just in case, to help in the production of red blood cells. 

When you only have one pair of boots, but two babies, they each get to wear one.

Aunt Anne came for a visit for her birthday on the 16th. We had planned to spend the day on the Cape with her, but the weather was supposed to be overcast so it worked out better for Aunt Anne to come see us. We had lunch together, complete with yogurt frosted watermelon birthday cake for Aunt Anne, and the weather even ended up being warm enough in the afternoon for a swim in the river!

Aunt Anne and the girls play with their new turtles (Slow & Steady), a birthday gift from Uncle Harold and Aunt Heidi.

On Saturday, Mama and Papa arrived! They are here to visit for a week and are staying in a little guest house in the center of Florence. We were so excited to see them that we biked up to town shortly after they arrived and spent a while visiting together before all heading back to our house. We just couldn't wait to see them!

Kisses for Grandma.

On Sunday, Mama and Papa watched the girls while Brett and I went together to Springfield for a few hours to do some work on one of the apartments. We got a lot done and it was nice to be together for a change while working on projects. We've spent so much time separate recently -- one of us staying with the girls and one of us off getting work done -- it was almost like a date! Plus, Maya and Ella had fun with their grandparents. They warmed up to them a lot quicker this time.

Our little climber.

Ella and me.

Picking raspberries was a highlight for Papa. The babies thoroughly appreciated his efforts and gobbled up as many berries as were put in front of them.

Papa tried out the tandem with Brett. They biked into town while the rest of us drove.

We met up for lunch out at Paul and Elizabeth's -- a favorite restaurant.

While Mama and Papa were here, for the first time since the twins were born, I wasn't home for bedtime! I left before they went to sleep, Brett stayed home with them, fed them dinner and put them to bed on his own. I had a nice time out at the farmer's market, picking raspberries, and then dinner with Selena and my parents. I am glad that I did it, and though I had a good time, I am not eager to do it again. I enjoy putting the girls to bed and really missed everyone!

Strawberries are a current favorite food.

Dada wears his helmet. Maya wears her new slippers.

Ella practices climbing onto her rocking horse.

Ice cubes and cups. This is a current favorite activity. Lots of fun until all the ice is melted, then even more fun playing with the water!