Happy Easter!

As we prepare for the Easter holiday we are always mindful of how blessed we are. I can't say thank you enough to our parents for the sacrifices they make to help us with caring for the children. We also want to espcially thank my Aunt Marilyn for coming to our home weekly to help and entertain the children while I try to get some things done. Thank you to my Aunt Josephine for stepping in for my mother when her schedule conflicts with the time alotted for the kids. Today we were brave and took the children to have photos taken. It was an event as usual. They were running behind, the children were sleepy and became hungry. We had to give them a bottle. Afterwards everyone wanted to escape from their carseats. We made it home after a long day starting with attending church and photos immediately afterwards. A lot of work but I'm definately happy with the photos. By the way Happy Easter!

Crawling and Climbing

This week Jackson has gotten the hang of crawling, pulling up on anything and anyone. He is at his best when he is footloose and fancy free. Matthew is the King of sitting. He teters and balances like a pro. Madeline is taking her time still. She rolls wherever she wants to go. They are all enjoying their new entertainer/walker like toys.

We went to have another round of Synergis injections this week. Madeline is now weighing 16lbs 1.5ozs, Matthew 14lbs 11ozs and Jackson 15lbs 4.5ozs.

They are still struggling with issues with their gums. Madeline is getting up multiple times in the night. Jackson now only gets up if he needs help finding his pacifier. He sleeps through the night more often now. Matthew fights the process of getting to sleep but when he's out its for the night. Due to Matthew's large hernia he continues to wet the bed because his navel pushes his diaper down.

Madeline loves television and is now responding to things she find amusing. Matthew and Jackson play really well together. They love music and flash cards. I think Madeline loves the flash cards the most. There is a lot of babbling going on these days. Only a few melt downs. Keeping to our schedule is key.

They will be eight months old on Sunday. I'm so happy and feel blessed with the progess they are making and the help we are receiving from my parents, in-laws, aunts and friends.

Pics over the past few months

7 months

The blog main photo is the 6 month pic of Matthew, Madeline and Jackson. They are growing by leaps and bounds.



Madeline: She is attached to Matthew. She has to touch him every chance she gets. Now rolling back and forth on the floor somehow she finds her way to him. She's still happy as ever with an Elmo giggle. She loves to watch t.v. Her favorite toy is her pink bear that is a definite must during any naps and bedtime. I kiss her often and now she tries to kiss but with her mouth open. We are still working on it. Teething is the new thing now. Itching gums and slobbering endlessly with a dash of irritability. She is a little over 15 lbs and wearing a size 2-3 diaper and 6 month clothing and some 6-9 month clothing. She wears a size 2 shoe.



Matthew: The cuddle bug! He has not mastered rolling from his back to his tummy but he scoots a bit backwards and from side to side. He has such a warm smile. He loves hugs and I love giving him lots of them. His pacifier is a must for bedtime, awake time ...well just anytime. He can toss that pacifier from left to right like a pro! He enjoys swinging in his swing Bobby and Sabrina gave him. We recently had to put the tray back on the swing because I caught him swinging while bending over holding on the cuffs of his pants. I gasped and then laughed later. He hates naps but when he goes he goes down for a while. He's drooling a lot but his gums doesn't seem to bother him as much as the others. He is weighing 13 lbs and 13 oz and wearing a size 2 diaper and 3-6 month clothes and still some 0-3 pants. He has small feet and he is wearing a size 1 shoe.



Jackson: Our mover and shaker! He is rolling, scooting and almost crawling. He gets on his hands and toes like a track star in the box. It is hilarious to see. When he laughs you can't help but join him because it's so infectious. He's sleeping better and I don't have to get up with him as often. He likes his pacifier but I think he enjoys playing with it more. He doesn't have a favorite toy but enjoys going around the floor and playing with toys I have thrown everywhere to encourage them to move about. He's definitely experiencing the lows of teething complimented by a needy disposition. He is weighing 14 lbs and 9 oz and wearing a size 2 diaper and 3-6 month clothes and some 9 month. He has long yet wide feet and wears a size 2 shoe.



Health Update: So far no colds or ear infections. That is due to me being a stickler for hand washing and not exposing the children to people who are ill or have recently been ill. Every person who cares for the babies must have had a flu shot. This includes all grandparents, parents and sitter. Madeline and Matthew have acid reflux and must have zantac twice a day. Madeline developed eczema and it's being treated with Locoid as she flares. At night I put Cortizone 10 and Vaseline on her face to minimize the flare ups. Jackson's acne is now being treated with Eletone cream and a topical foam antibiotic. It has worked wonders!!!!



Eating: Matthew and Jackson are pros at eating baby food. They aren't too picky. Madeline has her moments. She eats when she is hungry and will lock her jaw like vice grips when she doesn't.



Bath time: Everyone seems to enjoy bath time. Madeline must have her own bath cloth to suck on or she will slow down the process by wrestling with her for one cloth. Make it easy on us, we just give her one of her own. Matthew seems to just be mellow, no fussing at all. He just wets himself with cloth but if you were to try to wet his face as much as he does he will cry. Jackson is trying to do flips, stand and any other acrobats he can while getting a bath.



Our Daily Schedule (keep in mind mom gets up during the night when needed and things DO NOT always go according to the schedule)

4:35 Dad gets ready for work.

5:15 Mom gets up and gets ready for the day or work

6:00 Get babies up one or two at a time for breakfast.(breakfast includes 6 oz bottle, bowl of apple rice cereal and diaper change) Usually Jackson is awake first.

6:20 Next two babies up for breakfast

7:00 Sponge bath for babies

8:00 Last minute change my shirt and someone arrives to care for the babies.

8:15 On my way to work

11:00 Babies eat lunch (includes 5-7 oz milk, 2 veggies and 1 fruit)

12-1:00 Nap time begins for a duration for at least an hour no more than 2.5 hours

3:00 Snack (includes 9 oz milk and 3 oz juice)

5:00 Mom arrives home from work and relieve whomever is caring for the babies

6:30 Dinner for babies

7:30-8:30 Bath time

9:00-9:30 Bottle before Bedtime

10:00 Dad makes bottles for the next day and cleans the kitchen & mom gets ready for bed.

Midnight: Dad goes to bed.

We cook and eat when we can. I have help in the evenings on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday which helps significantly.

Many ask me about the supplies we go through now, so here it is



Diapers: 500-600/month

Wipes: 1000-1200/month

Formula: 13 oz concentrated cans 93/month

Juice: 96 oz/month



I know it's been a while but I hope you enjoyed this update.

Happy New Year

5 months old

Madeline, Matthew and Jackson can roll from their tummies to their backs. Jackson is still working on rolling from his back to his tummy. Madeline found her feet on yesterday. She thinks they are amazing. Matthew is still observing everything and everyone before he commits. Feeding is much better. Jackson must have a bottle of milk prior to feeding him food. Matthew can be convinced to get through half his meal before he demands his bottle. Madeline is now eating but require trading 4 sucks of her pacifier for a spoon of food. Imagine how long that takes! Afterwards she will take her bottle.

We are still struggling with Jackson's skin. We have gone through 3 rounds of antibiotics. We've decided it's time to see a dermatologist.

We enjoyed Christmas with the children. It was just last December 20th when I found out I was pregnant. It was a lot of work to prepare the children to be gone away from home but it was worth it. The babies were able to spend a lot of time with my grandparents and parents. I feel blessed!


The West Family wish all of you a spectacular New Year!!

Happy Holiday!