Time just flew, a wonderful vacation in Denmark came to an end and we're all back in Barcelona. Albert missed his family so much that he pretty spontaniuosly decided to come up. He arrived Thursday afternoon and went home Sunday morning. Before he arrived, my mom took Liva, Laia and me to see cows (my favorite animal) and then to an amazing café by a lake. There were ducks and ducklings, frogs, dogs, birds, etc. Liva and Laia loved it there, so did I!
Albert was happy to see all four of us came to pick him up, Liva and Laia were thrilled to see their daddy, I was overjoyed having my husband with me in Denmark. We spent loads of time together as a family the few days he was there; walked around Hornbæk, went to Elsinore, looked at houses for sale near my parent's house, simply just enjoyed being together.
Sunday was my mom's birthday, she had prepared a huge lunch for my dad's family who all live in Copenhagen. It was a nice day, and great to see everyone again. Monday I packed during the day, in the afternoon after my mom got home from work we went to Rungsted. My dad's cousin has a shop there, she gave us some really nice clothes for Liva and Laia - I'm saving it for their first birthday! :) We had a coffee, then went back home.
Tuesday I got up a 5:00, my mom got up shortly after, around 5:45 I woke up the girls and off we went to the airport. Saying goodbye was difficult, as always my mom had teary eyes. The flight home was fine, Liva and Laia only slept for 40 minutes, so it seemed like a very long trip. Luckily we had 3 seats where they could climb around without me needing to worry too much about disturbing other people. We arrived home at lunch time, the girls were so tired I gave them a bottle and put them straight down for their nap. When Albert got home we had less than 30 minutes togehter before I had to leave to go teach. That sucked! I got home after 21:00 and was so tired that I went to bed shortly after.
Wednesday Heather came, Liva and Laia were happy to see her again, and I was happy to get a break... In the afternoon we met up with their friend Luca and his mom Susan, it was nice seeing them again! Thursday morning I had more meetings, Heather came back again. Since it was mid-summer which is a huge party here, Albert finished work early. We went out for a stroll in the afternoon, then just relaxed after putting Liva and Laia to sleep.
Today is a public holiday, I met up with my German friend Linda and her 2 girls, that was nice. We went to a playground, then to a café. We had actually agreed to meet in her area of town, I had everything ready, had packed lunch, diapers, drinks, extra snacks and everything. Leaving the house with the new stroller is not easy since it doesn't fit in the elevator, and not even through the front door. So I've taught Liva and Laia to crawl in and out of the elevator on their own, I carry the stroller collapsed all the way out on the sidewalk, open it there and put the girls in. We got down to the station lobby, the wide doors for strollers weren't working. I had to call for help over some machine, then wait 10 minutes for somebody to come let me through. When we were finally on the other side, I went for the elevator to get down to the tracks - the stroller didn't fit in the elevator...... So I called Linda, she was nice enough to come to our side of town. Good thing we didn't manage to sell our old stroller, that way I can still get around by metro if necessary. Liva and Laia both love the new stroller by now.
This afternoon my mother-in-law came, she was so happy to see the girls, and kept telling them over and over how much she loves them. Albert and I went out for a drink, walked around town for a while, then went for dinner. Now it's time to go to bed! My mother-in-law is coming back tomorrow afternoon, in the morning we're going to Luca's birthday celebration - Liva and Laia's first friend's birthday party!
11 MONTHS & 2 WEEKs - 12 June 2011
We've been in Denmark for four days now, and it's absolutely wonderful!
The trip here was problem free. At Barcelona airport Albert was allowed to go with me through security check - there was an airport-police officer there just to watch him the whole time, who told us he also was a twin-dad, so he knew exactly how difficult it is. Inside the airport Liva and Laia crawled around, ate and looked at all the people and things there. We boarded the plane, and the half hour after boarding before take-off was tough for Laia. She was in the car-seat, it was hot, we couldn't really move, they were both really tired, and she cried loads. Two minutes after take-off she fell asleep, fifteen minutes later Liva was asleep. They slept for 1½ hours, had some snacks and just needed to be entertained the last 30 minutes, just like I had hoped! My dad picked us up at the airport, it was so nice seeing my parents and being in Denmark again.
Friday I took the girls out for a walk in their stroller, we went into Hornbæk, played at the playground, did some shopping, and went back home again. In the afternoon my brother and his family came over and stayed all evening - Liva and Laia didn't sleep until almost 21:00! We called Albert over Skype so he could be part of it all, at least for a while.
Yesterday the weather was absolutely brilliant, in the afternoon Liva and Laia played in a paddle-pool for the first time.
They loved it - until Liva pooped....
This morning my mom got up with the girls so I could sleep in a bit, that was wonderful! We played in the garden, in the afternoon my mom and I walked to the playground again, my dad met us there with the bicycle. After playing we all had ice-cream, then walked home again. Liva doesn't seem to like the new stroller very much, screams every time we put her in it. I hope it's just a matter of her having to get used to it...
I also saw an ad for a job here in Denmark, so I've spent hours writing an application. I told Albert on Skype, he liked the idea :)
The trip here was problem free. At Barcelona airport Albert was allowed to go with me through security check - there was an airport-police officer there just to watch him the whole time, who told us he also was a twin-dad, so he knew exactly how difficult it is. Inside the airport Liva and Laia crawled around, ate and looked at all the people and things there. We boarded the plane, and the half hour after boarding before take-off was tough for Laia. She was in the car-seat, it was hot, we couldn't really move, they were both really tired, and she cried loads. Two minutes after take-off she fell asleep, fifteen minutes later Liva was asleep. They slept for 1½ hours, had some snacks and just needed to be entertained the last 30 minutes, just like I had hoped! My dad picked us up at the airport, it was so nice seeing my parents and being in Denmark again.
Friday I took the girls out for a walk in their stroller, we went into Hornbæk, played at the playground, did some shopping, and went back home again. In the afternoon my brother and his family came over and stayed all evening - Liva and Laia didn't sleep until almost 21:00! We called Albert over Skype so he could be part of it all, at least for a while.
Yesterday the weather was absolutely brilliant, in the afternoon Liva and Laia played in a paddle-pool for the first time.
They loved it - until Liva pooped....
This morning my mom got up with the girls so I could sleep in a bit, that was wonderful! We played in the garden, in the afternoon my mom and I walked to the playground again, my dad met us there with the bicycle. After playing we all had ice-cream, then walked home again. Liva doesn't seem to like the new stroller very much, screams every time we put her in it. I hope it's just a matter of her having to get used to it...
I also saw an ad for a job here in Denmark, so I've spent hours writing an application. I told Albert on Skype, he liked the idea :)
11 MONTHS & 1 WEEK - 8 June 2011
Tomorrow is a big day! First of all, we will know whether the girls get into daycare or not. I'm trying to be optimistic, but am - completely contrary to how I normally am - more realistic. With the numbers 24 to 152, it's difficult to be anything else.
Secondly, I'm flying to Denmark with Liva and Laia for 12 days. On my own..... I did it last year as well, when Liva and Laia were 7 weeks old. That was different, they slept most of the time. Now they are awake most of the time, active and want to be entertained. All the time... What will I do for 3 hours on a plane? I'm not worried about the time at the airport, I can let them crawl around and feed them. We take off around the time they normally nap, I hope they will sleep for the first hour of the flight. Then I'll feed them, I can probably keep them busy with food for about 30 minutes. But then what? At least an hour! I have packed toys and books, and hope there will be people around who will think Liva and Laia are so cute they want to play with them. There might even be other kids, Laia isn't contagious anymore, maybe she can be entertained for a while.
I'm looking forward to the trip and at the same time dreading it! The good thing is the girls love to eat, I will make sandwiches, a new thing and a huge hit with the girls! So far they've only had Philadelphia sandwiches, tomorrow I will also make banana ones, I'm sure they'll love that. I'm also convinced they'll love the waiting time at the airport, they'll find crawling around in the huge waiting area hillarious! Actually, I'm only worried about the last hour on the plane, I get restless so it would only be natural for them to get restless, too. But they are such girls, I'm sure we'll have a lovely trip.
My dad will pick us up in Copenhagen, I'm really looking forward to seeing my family and friends again, especially my parents, brother and his family.
Secondly, I'm flying to Denmark with Liva and Laia for 12 days. On my own..... I did it last year as well, when Liva and Laia were 7 weeks old. That was different, they slept most of the time. Now they are awake most of the time, active and want to be entertained. All the time... What will I do for 3 hours on a plane? I'm not worried about the time at the airport, I can let them crawl around and feed them. We take off around the time they normally nap, I hope they will sleep for the first hour of the flight. Then I'll feed them, I can probably keep them busy with food for about 30 minutes. But then what? At least an hour! I have packed toys and books, and hope there will be people around who will think Liva and Laia are so cute they want to play with them. There might even be other kids, Laia isn't contagious anymore, maybe she can be entertained for a while.
I'm looking forward to the trip and at the same time dreading it! The good thing is the girls love to eat, I will make sandwiches, a new thing and a huge hit with the girls! So far they've only had Philadelphia sandwiches, tomorrow I will also make banana ones, I'm sure they'll love that. I'm also convinced they'll love the waiting time at the airport, they'll find crawling around in the huge waiting area hillarious! Actually, I'm only worried about the last hour on the plane, I get restless so it would only be natural for them to get restless, too. But they are such girls, I'm sure we'll have a lovely trip.
My dad will pick us up in Copenhagen, I'm really looking forward to seeing my family and friends again, especially my parents, brother and his family.
11 MONTHS & 1 WEEK - 7 June 2011
It just never ends!! Laia woke up with red spots all over her belly yesterday. I was convinced it was chicken pox, and called the doctor straight away. I had a hectic day - meetings in the morning, class at mid-day - so the appointment was at 16:00. Heather came at 10:00, by then the spots had spread to arms and legs as well. Heather pointed out that chicken-pox-spot normally stay around the belly area, I have no clue but figured it must be chicked pox, what else could it be?
Turns out it wasn't. It's a virus caused by the fever her little body has been fighting for almost 2 weeks now, her immune system is so worn down that it actually created this virus. It's just as contagious as chicken pox, so we were warned that Liva will probably get very high fever followed by the same kind of spots soon. Since Liva has fought every other illness so far, I choose to believe that her immune system is strong enough to fight this one as well!
Poor Laia is covered in spots from top to toe - even the soles of her feet and palms of her hands are covered. The doctor said they don't itch, but they still bother her. She's doing great, though! She's such a trooper, is still happy, laughing and playing most of the day. It should be gone in 3-5 days, I hope it ends soon, I feel so bad for my little girl, there's constantly something wrong with her.
She's getting really good at walking, now she stands up on her own from sitting position. And Liva is starting to take a few steps on her own - she still gets so proud every time, it's such a joy watching her!
Turns out it wasn't. It's a virus caused by the fever her little body has been fighting for almost 2 weeks now, her immune system is so worn down that it actually created this virus. It's just as contagious as chicken pox, so we were warned that Liva will probably get very high fever followed by the same kind of spots soon. Since Liva has fought every other illness so far, I choose to believe that her immune system is strong enough to fight this one as well!
Poor Laia is covered in spots from top to toe - even the soles of her feet and palms of her hands are covered. The doctor said they don't itch, but they still bother her. She's doing great, though! She's such a trooper, is still happy, laughing and playing most of the day. It should be gone in 3-5 days, I hope it ends soon, I feel so bad for my little girl, there's constantly something wrong with her.
She's getting really good at walking, now she stands up on her own from sitting position. And Liva is starting to take a few steps on her own - she still gets so proud every time, it's such a joy watching her!
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| Little Laia covered in spots |
11 MONTHS & 1 WEEK - 4 June 2011
Laia is doing somewhat better, she still has on-and-off fever and is on penicilin, but she's eating and active again. I am sure she's going to be a gymnast when she grows up, no doubt about it! She loves climbing onto things, into things, over things, she loves being up-side-down, being swung in her arms or legs - preferably up-side-down - she basically loves anything that involves body movement. She can now get up from a sitting position and walk a couple of meters on her own.
Liva is not quite a agile.... She tries, she still walks around all over the house with her little walker, and loves it - until she hits a wall or some furniture and can't get any further. She takes about 1 step on her own when we practice walking with her, and gets so proud you'd think she had just managed a marathon. She desperately tries to climb onto the same things as her sister, but doesn't quite manage. She can get onto most of our chairs by now, Laia can also get onto our bed and the couch (when she has something to pull herself up with, the couch is quite high), and Laia climbs into the stroller on her own.
The most important thing, though, is that they are incredibly happy! They laugh when they walk - with or without help - they laugh when they climb on things, regardless of whether they actually get up or not, and they laugh when we play with them. Even when they fall off furniture, strollers or just their own feet, it takes very little to get them to stop crying and be happy again. I think they know they are adored, they feel safe, and they know that when they fall and hurt themselves someone will come rushing to pick them up and hold them. And I deeply believe that these are the most important feelings in life - love and security. I try to give my daughters and my husband those feelings every day!
Liva is not quite a agile.... She tries, she still walks around all over the house with her little walker, and loves it - until she hits a wall or some furniture and can't get any further. She takes about 1 step on her own when we practice walking with her, and gets so proud you'd think she had just managed a marathon. She desperately tries to climb onto the same things as her sister, but doesn't quite manage. She can get onto most of our chairs by now, Laia can also get onto our bed and the couch (when she has something to pull herself up with, the couch is quite high), and Laia climbs into the stroller on her own.
The most important thing, though, is that they are incredibly happy! They laugh when they walk - with or without help - they laugh when they climb on things, regardless of whether they actually get up or not, and they laugh when we play with them. Even when they fall off furniture, strollers or just their own feet, it takes very little to get them to stop crying and be happy again. I think they know they are adored, they feel safe, and they know that when they fall and hurt themselves someone will come rushing to pick them up and hold them. And I deeply believe that these are the most important feelings in life - love and security. I try to give my daughters and my husband those feelings every day!
11 MONTHS - 29 May 2011
Liva and Laia are 11 months old today, my big girls!! And poor Laia is more sick than they have ever been before. She has had a fever for 5 days now, on Thursday we took her to the doctor's and got some medication. She wasn't getting better, and all night last night she cried. At 5 am I took her to the hospital - she has a very bad ear-infection and is now on penicilin. All day she has had a fever, and slept most of the day. Albert and I took turns taking care of her or Liva, in the afternoon my mother-in-law came over to take Liva out for a few hours. Poor girl, I felt we were neglecting her! But she seems fine, is crawling around laughing most of the time.
Besides Laia being sick, both girls are doing great. Liva is getting extremely heavy, Laia is getting really long, they can hardly fit size 18 months clothes now.
Laia hasn't gotten any further with her walking, the problem is that she doesn't believe she can walk. She'll take a few steps and then suddenly realize she's walking on her own and sit down. Liva shows no interest in walking on her own, she loves their walker and she loves pushing furniture around to help her walk, but she has no interest in walking on her own, and not much in walking holding our hands. We're not pushing her, they're still so small and it's perfectly normal not to walk yet at 11 months.
They love food, especially Liva. She will eat anything, except feta cheese. Laia is a bit more picky and not too crazy about meat. They love eating on their own, and can even get little things like peas into their mouth.
They have started communicating more, they copy each other's sounds or sometimes even seem to "talk" to one another, using intonation and everything. It's so sweet to watch them.
Sleeping through the night is no problem, they still sleep around 19:00 and wake up between 6 and 7. We've tried putting them down later in the hope they'll wake up later, but it's no use - they just wake up cranky instead. They take a short morning nap of 20-40 minutes, and another nap in the afternoon of 45 minutes to 1½ hours.
We go out every morning for 1-2 hours and again in the afternoon for 2-3 hours. Very often we meet up with other moms, it's wonderful. Liva and Laia get cranky after a while in their stroller, I'm sure it's because they feel squashed. The stroller is really narrow, they don't look comfortable anymore. We've bought a new one in Denmark which I'll have while I'm there in less than 2 week's time, and will bring back down here with me. We're hoping to sell the one we have now.
Liva and Laia love being out (as long as they don't have to sit in the stroller for too long) and look at everything. They especially love dogs! We can spend hours at parks just sitting in the grass looking at dogs. Every time Liva sees a dog on the street she reaches out for it.
They also adore our cats! They still don't talk, the only word they say is "Tatanka" (also when they see Tomahawk). Just seeing one of the cats is enough to make them laugh, the few times they actually get to touch one of the cats they hardly know what to do, they get so happy and excited. Though I get really annoyed at the cats sometimes, I see every day how important pets are to children.
They also say papa, and they're starting to say it when they see Albert. Laia says mam-mam-mam when she's hungry or sees food she wants, and she says Laia quite a bit. They both say other words such as hola, bana (banana?), Header (Heather?), kitty etc, but it all seems very random still. Then again, they have 3 languages to work with, their little brains must be completely overworked at times!
I can't believe Liva and Laia will be 1 year old next time I have to write the monthly update! :)
Besides Laia being sick, both girls are doing great. Liva is getting extremely heavy, Laia is getting really long, they can hardly fit size 18 months clothes now.
Laia hasn't gotten any further with her walking, the problem is that she doesn't believe she can walk. She'll take a few steps and then suddenly realize she's walking on her own and sit down. Liva shows no interest in walking on her own, she loves their walker and she loves pushing furniture around to help her walk, but she has no interest in walking on her own, and not much in walking holding our hands. We're not pushing her, they're still so small and it's perfectly normal not to walk yet at 11 months.
They love food, especially Liva. She will eat anything, except feta cheese. Laia is a bit more picky and not too crazy about meat. They love eating on their own, and can even get little things like peas into their mouth.
They have started communicating more, they copy each other's sounds or sometimes even seem to "talk" to one another, using intonation and everything. It's so sweet to watch them.
Sleeping through the night is no problem, they still sleep around 19:00 and wake up between 6 and 7. We've tried putting them down later in the hope they'll wake up later, but it's no use - they just wake up cranky instead. They take a short morning nap of 20-40 minutes, and another nap in the afternoon of 45 minutes to 1½ hours.
We go out every morning for 1-2 hours and again in the afternoon for 2-3 hours. Very often we meet up with other moms, it's wonderful. Liva and Laia get cranky after a while in their stroller, I'm sure it's because they feel squashed. The stroller is really narrow, they don't look comfortable anymore. We've bought a new one in Denmark which I'll have while I'm there in less than 2 week's time, and will bring back down here with me. We're hoping to sell the one we have now.
Liva and Laia love being out (as long as they don't have to sit in the stroller for too long) and look at everything. They especially love dogs! We can spend hours at parks just sitting in the grass looking at dogs. Every time Liva sees a dog on the street she reaches out for it.
They also adore our cats! They still don't talk, the only word they say is "Tatanka" (also when they see Tomahawk). Just seeing one of the cats is enough to make them laugh, the few times they actually get to touch one of the cats they hardly know what to do, they get so happy and excited. Though I get really annoyed at the cats sometimes, I see every day how important pets are to children.
They also say papa, and they're starting to say it when they see Albert. Laia says mam-mam-mam when she's hungry or sees food she wants, and she says Laia quite a bit. They both say other words such as hola, bana (banana?), Header (Heather?), kitty etc, but it all seems very random still. Then again, they have 3 languages to work with, their little brains must be completely overworked at times!
I can't believe Liva and Laia will be 1 year old next time I have to write the monthly update! :)
10 MONTHS + 3 WEEK - 24 May 2011
Wow, talk about a surreal day! This morning I went to pick up a high-chair at someone's house who I barely know. She's one of the moms in the older kid's mommy-group, we met a few times. Though I hardly know her, I gave her my breastpump a few months back - hers had broken, I didn't need it anymore, she desperately did. As they say, what goes around come around. Albert and I need highchairs to have at my mother-in-law's, but don't want to spend too much money (well, we don't want to spend any money, really!). Now this girl I gave the breastpump to is leaving the country and they want to get rid of all their stuff. So, I went to pick up this chair, of course with Liva and Laia, and it's HUGE! I had to transport the chair and double stroller half way through the city, on 2 different metros. I managed without problems, but it was quite embarassing....
In the afternoon I met up with a German twin-mom who I haven't seen for months because she was in Germany. We had agreed to meet at 4:45pm which was already quite late for us, since Liva and Laia have dinner at 6pm and we were meeting about 30 minutes from where we live. We got there about 10 minutes early and received an sms from my friend - she would be late, about 15 minutes. She was almost 25 minutes late, by the time she arrived we should have been leaving. Of course we stayed for a while and chatted, then hopped on a bus to get home as quickly as possible. It was right at the beginning of rush-hour, the bus was full! Liva and Laia were getting hungry and tired, but they have been so happy all day today and did great on the bus-ride as well. There were loads of people entertaining them, this probably helped a lot as well! :) We arrived shortly before Albert got home, I changed and went to work to go teach my student. It is so weird changing from being a twin-mom for almost 11 month old babies to being a serious English teacher all dressed up to a very important business man who is the boss of 40.000 people! But I love this change, and I love that I can do it!
In the afternoon I met up with a German twin-mom who I haven't seen for months because she was in Germany. We had agreed to meet at 4:45pm which was already quite late for us, since Liva and Laia have dinner at 6pm and we were meeting about 30 minutes from where we live. We got there about 10 minutes early and received an sms from my friend - she would be late, about 15 minutes. She was almost 25 minutes late, by the time she arrived we should have been leaving. Of course we stayed for a while and chatted, then hopped on a bus to get home as quickly as possible. It was right at the beginning of rush-hour, the bus was full! Liva and Laia were getting hungry and tired, but they have been so happy all day today and did great on the bus-ride as well. There were loads of people entertaining them, this probably helped a lot as well! :) We arrived shortly before Albert got home, I changed and went to work to go teach my student. It is so weird changing from being a twin-mom for almost 11 month old babies to being a serious English teacher all dressed up to a very important business man who is the boss of 40.000 people! But I love this change, and I love that I can do it!
10 MONTHS + 3 WEEK - 23 May 2011
Time is passing so quickly, in less than a week Liva and Laia will be 11 months old!
We're keeping really busy, and loving it! This weekend we all four went to my nephew's birthday Saturday afternoon, there were 7 other kids there, from our niece who's a few months younger than Liva and Laia to my niece and nephew´s cousins where the oldest is 8 years old. Liva and Laia loved it, they were being carried around and given loads of attention by all the older kids.
On Sunday I took the girls to a Danish parent-group here in Barcelona, that was nice as well. Though supposedly lots of babies normally come to those meetings, Liva and Laia were the youngest this time.
Today Heather came and took the girls out to a playground while I got some work done. They were in such a good mood when they came home, it was wonderful! In the afternoon we met up with the Italian twin-mom. Her girls hadn't slept all afternoon and she was going crazy. But the girls did great, all four of them had a really good time, and so did I. The rest of the week is pretty much booked up, and I love it!
I feel really bad for Laia, she wants to play with her sister, but Liva is such a cry-baby and doesn't quite understand the concept of playing yet. One of Liva's favorite games is when we chase her around the house, catch her and tickle or kiss her. Laia has started chasing Liva, but Liva just starts crying. Sometimes Laia will grab Liva and try to play by putting her head on Liva's stomach or something. Laia loves is, and cracks up every time. Liva starts crying... We try to tell Liva it's OK, Laia is only playing. Or to show them how they can play together. But Liva either doesn't get it, or doesn't want to play with her sister. Which is a shame, because they could have so much fun together already!
We're keeping really busy, and loving it! This weekend we all four went to my nephew's birthday Saturday afternoon, there were 7 other kids there, from our niece who's a few months younger than Liva and Laia to my niece and nephew´s cousins where the oldest is 8 years old. Liva and Laia loved it, they were being carried around and given loads of attention by all the older kids.
On Sunday I took the girls to a Danish parent-group here in Barcelona, that was nice as well. Though supposedly lots of babies normally come to those meetings, Liva and Laia were the youngest this time.
Today Heather came and took the girls out to a playground while I got some work done. They were in such a good mood when they came home, it was wonderful! In the afternoon we met up with the Italian twin-mom. Her girls hadn't slept all afternoon and she was going crazy. But the girls did great, all four of them had a really good time, and so did I. The rest of the week is pretty much booked up, and I love it!
I feel really bad for Laia, she wants to play with her sister, but Liva is such a cry-baby and doesn't quite understand the concept of playing yet. One of Liva's favorite games is when we chase her around the house, catch her and tickle or kiss her. Laia has started chasing Liva, but Liva just starts crying. Sometimes Laia will grab Liva and try to play by putting her head on Liva's stomach or something. Laia loves is, and cracks up every time. Liva starts crying... We try to tell Liva it's OK, Laia is only playing. Or to show them how they can play together. But Liva either doesn't get it, or doesn't want to play with her sister. Which is a shame, because they could have so much fun together already!
10 MONTHS + 2 WEEK - 17 May 2011
We went to a mommy-meeting this morning, and it was great - for all three of us. Liva and Laia were crawling around among the other babies, grabbing toys, eating food that had fallen on the floor, sharing their toys and watching other babies eat the food they dropped on the ground. One little girls who's only 1 week older than Liva and Laia can stand up on her own and is walking around - Laia seemed very impressed and has walked more today than ever before. She now goes about a meter or so before she lets herself fall forward into someone's arms. It's so sweet to watch her afterwards because she is so proud of herself! She laughs with every step she takes, and jumps up and down with joy when she is safely in someone's arms - it doesn't matter whose, as long as it's an adult willing to hug and praise her.
Liva is starting to show an interest in walking as well, she is getting really good with their push-walker toy, she can balance on her own now, and she's starting to want to walk while we hold her hands. She'll get there very soon as well.
They are both completely obsessed with the cats lately, especially with Tatanka since he lets them touch him and always wants to be where the are. Both Liva and Laia are all over the house calling "Tatata" all day, when they see him they laugh and stretch out their arms trying to touch him. But since they still haven't really learned the meaning of "gentle", Tatata usually goes running.
Liva has apparently decided that she can do everything herself, she insists on eating on her own. Today she ate her porridge partly with a spoon, partly with her fingers. I was actually quite impressed at how well she handled the spoon, she put it in her mouth without problems -although about half her dinner landed on the floor, her chair and her.
Liva slipped in the bathroom today while I was washing Laia's hands - I had told Liva a hundred times to back away from the shower, but couldn't physically remove her since I couldn't let go of Laia who was standing on a stool. As I had feared, Liva slipped and bumped her mouth on the shower-plate. She cried, bled and her lip swelled up. She's now all blue in her mouth behind her upper lip, and looks like a boxer. Poor girl, she is constantly hurting herself.
Besides that, they're doing great! They are such loving, happy girls, Laia gives cuddles to anyone who'll take them, Liva gives cuddles to anyone she knows. They smile and wave at people when we go for walks, Liva has loooong conversations with ... well, with herself, trees, strangers, maybe the stroller, I honestly don't know. Laia tends to ignore her when we're out for walks, but they seem to have profound conversations when we're home. They even have the intonation of questions and statements, it's fun to listen to. They play loads, they giggle and squeel like teenagers. I just love them both with all my heart, and never get tired of watching them develop and learn new things every day.
Liva is starting to show an interest in walking as well, she is getting really good with their push-walker toy, she can balance on her own now, and she's starting to want to walk while we hold her hands. She'll get there very soon as well.
They are both completely obsessed with the cats lately, especially with Tatanka since he lets them touch him and always wants to be where the are. Both Liva and Laia are all over the house calling "Tatata" all day, when they see him they laugh and stretch out their arms trying to touch him. But since they still haven't really learned the meaning of "gentle", Tatata usually goes running.
Liva has apparently decided that she can do everything herself, she insists on eating on her own. Today she ate her porridge partly with a spoon, partly with her fingers. I was actually quite impressed at how well she handled the spoon, she put it in her mouth without problems -although about half her dinner landed on the floor, her chair and her.
Liva slipped in the bathroom today while I was washing Laia's hands - I had told Liva a hundred times to back away from the shower, but couldn't physically remove her since I couldn't let go of Laia who was standing on a stool. As I had feared, Liva slipped and bumped her mouth on the shower-plate. She cried, bled and her lip swelled up. She's now all blue in her mouth behind her upper lip, and looks like a boxer. Poor girl, she is constantly hurting herself.
Besides that, they're doing great! They are such loving, happy girls, Laia gives cuddles to anyone who'll take them, Liva gives cuddles to anyone she knows. They smile and wave at people when we go for walks, Liva has loooong conversations with ... well, with herself, trees, strangers, maybe the stroller, I honestly don't know. Laia tends to ignore her when we're out for walks, but they seem to have profound conversations when we're home. They even have the intonation of questions and statements, it's fun to listen to. They play loads, they giggle and squeel like teenagers. I just love them both with all my heart, and never get tired of watching them develop and learn new things every day.
10 MONTHS + 2 WEEK - 14 May 2011
So, it's Saturday again, yippee!! We all four went to the park this morning, looked at birds and dogs, swang on the swings and had a snack and coffee - I had coffee, the girls did the rest.
My mother-in-law came around 4pm and shortly after Albert and I left. We went to look at parquet and then bought underwear for me. Wow, first time in months that I've come home with a bag full of stuff for me and nothing for Liva and Laia. It feels wonderful! I can't wait to wear my new stuff tomorrow!:) Afterwards we went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant we go to quite often but haven't been in a long time, got tipsy on one glass of wine and walked home hand in hand in the rain. What a lovely evening!
Laia is really enjoying this whole walking-thing, she still only takes a few steps at a time before letting herself fall, but she loves it when we hold her hands and she gets to walk. Liva is all over the apartment with their walker, and is starting to stand on her own for a few seconds. My plan is that at least Laia can walk by the time I fly to Denmark with them, almost four weeks to practice should be plenty.
My mother-in-law came around 4pm and shortly after Albert and I left. We went to look at parquet and then bought underwear for me. Wow, first time in months that I've come home with a bag full of stuff for me and nothing for Liva and Laia. It feels wonderful! I can't wait to wear my new stuff tomorrow!:) Afterwards we went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant we go to quite often but haven't been in a long time, got tipsy on one glass of wine and walked home hand in hand in the rain. What a lovely evening!
Laia is really enjoying this whole walking-thing, she still only takes a few steps at a time before letting herself fall, but she loves it when we hold her hands and she gets to walk. Liva is all over the apartment with their walker, and is starting to stand on her own for a few seconds. My plan is that at least Laia can walk by the time I fly to Denmark with them, almost four weeks to practice should be plenty.
10 MONTHS + almost 2 WEEK - 12 May 2011
Laia took her first steps on her own today!! I didn't see it, it happened with Heather who showed Albert when he got home. I can't wait for tomorrow, I want to see my big girl walk!
I have the feeling tomorrow will be a great day, in the morning I'm meeting the mommy-group in the park, Heather will come when it's time to feed the girls lunch and I will leave shortly after. First I teach a class, then I go to Oxford House for a marketing course for 3 hours. By the time I get home the girls will already be asleep, I will have to give them loads of cuddles and kisses the few hours I get to be with them in the morning.
I have the feeling tomorrow will be a great day, in the morning I'm meeting the mommy-group in the park, Heather will come when it's time to feed the girls lunch and I will leave shortly after. First I teach a class, then I go to Oxford House for a marketing course for 3 hours. By the time I get home the girls will already be asleep, I will have to give them loads of cuddles and kisses the few hours I get to be with them in the morning.
10 MONTHS + 1 WEEK - 9 May 2011
After this week we had, Albert and I decided to enjoy the weekend. Friday was just as rough as the other days, I had meetings and work all day, when I finished Albert and I met up to go see a lawyer. He helped us do our taxes for 2010 - I have to pay money! :( - and helped me with paperwork since I'm working freelance. We didn't get home until 20:00 and we were both exhausted.
Saturday morning we all four went out, it was raining so we decided to go to a mall with a little play-area that Liva and Laia love. Though both Albert and I had quite a bit of work, we tried to enjoy the days together as a family, and worked when Liva and Laia napped. Saturday afternoon my mother-in-law came and Albert and I left straight away. She enjoyed time with the girls, Albert and I had a lovely afternoon and evening in the center. In the evening we opened a bottle of wine and watched a show we both quite enjoy on TV.
Sunday morning the weather was lovely, we all went for a walk, had coffee and brunch at a small café, Liva and Laia tried ice-cream for the first time. At first they were a little suspicious about this cold thing I was feeding them, but after a couple of spoonfuls they just couldn't get enough. We walked home along the beach, by the time we arrived home it was time for Liva and Laia's nap. In the afternoon I played with them while Albert cleaned the house, the evening we spent working - after the lovely dinner Albert prepared and the last of the wine from Saturday night. All in all a lovely family weekend!
Saturday morning we all four went out, it was raining so we decided to go to a mall with a little play-area that Liva and Laia love. Though both Albert and I had quite a bit of work, we tried to enjoy the days together as a family, and worked when Liva and Laia napped. Saturday afternoon my mother-in-law came and Albert and I left straight away. She enjoyed time with the girls, Albert and I had a lovely afternoon and evening in the center. In the evening we opened a bottle of wine and watched a show we both quite enjoy on TV.
Sunday morning the weather was lovely, we all went for a walk, had coffee and brunch at a small café, Liva and Laia tried ice-cream for the first time. At first they were a little suspicious about this cold thing I was feeding them, but after a couple of spoonfuls they just couldn't get enough. We walked home along the beach, by the time we arrived home it was time for Liva and Laia's nap. In the afternoon I played with them while Albert cleaned the house, the evening we spent working - after the lovely dinner Albert prepared and the last of the wine from Saturday night. All in all a lovely family weekend!
10 MONTHS + 1 WEEK - 7 May 2011
The week calmed down a bit, but not much. Albert took the day off Wednesday to be home and help me. The doorbell rang non-stop, and Albert was on the phone most of the day - insurance companies, the building responsible, etc, etc, etc. The insurance companies agreed that our parquet needs to be changed, and possibly some of the doors as well. We just had the entire apartment done when we moved in less than two years ago...
At the same time, the neighbor 2 floors down has been complaining about water damage in her apartment, and the neighbor below us kept insisting it came from us and was our fault. The plumbers came Thursday and fixed the pipe, it wasn't our fault, it was a broken pipe in our down-stairs neighbor's apartment. So we've had insurance people and plumbers here for that, too.
Liva an Laia are doing so good, Heather came for a couple of hours on Thursday and they are such sweet girls, they are happy to be with her. Wednesday we went to playground with another mom and her daughter, the three girls had such a good time there. I can't believe how quickly things are happening now. Laia has had another tooth come out, she now has 6! Liva still has 4. Liva is walking all over the apartment with the walker we actually bought for Laia, but Laia doesn't care for it. Laia walks all over the place holding our hands. They love eating on their own, I keep giving them new things to try, they like everything. Today we had breadsticks dipped in cheese, the other day they had tomatoe and goat cheese, they love it all. They especially love chocolate and chocolate cookies, though! Like their parents... :)
At the same time, the neighbor 2 floors down has been complaining about water damage in her apartment, and the neighbor below us kept insisting it came from us and was our fault. The plumbers came Thursday and fixed the pipe, it wasn't our fault, it was a broken pipe in our down-stairs neighbor's apartment. So we've had insurance people and plumbers here for that, too.
Liva an Laia are doing so good, Heather came for a couple of hours on Thursday and they are such sweet girls, they are happy to be with her. Wednesday we went to playground with another mom and her daughter, the three girls had such a good time there. I can't believe how quickly things are happening now. Laia has had another tooth come out, she now has 6! Liva still has 4. Liva is walking all over the apartment with the walker we actually bought for Laia, but Laia doesn't care for it. Laia walks all over the place holding our hands. They love eating on their own, I keep giving them new things to try, they like everything. Today we had breadsticks dipped in cheese, the other day they had tomatoe and goat cheese, they love it all. They especially love chocolate and chocolate cookies, though! Like their parents... :)
10 MONTHS - 3 May 2011
What a week - and it's only Tuesday!!
Yesterday I went to sign the girls up in daycare, now all we can do is keep our fingers crossed. We'll know June 9th whether they're in or not.
While I was out getting that done, Albert called. He had just watched a person die at work! One of his bosses died of a heart attack, right in the office in front of everyone. Horrible!
This morning our new friends Susan and her son Luca came over, and we all walked together to the mommy-meeting which was at one of the mom's house. We had a wonderful morning playing and talking (Liva and Laia doing the first, me doing the second), and a nice walk home again. I fed the girls lunch they could eat on their own, they loved it! After their afternoon nap we went out for another walk in the sun, watched the birds and all the kids finishing school. While they were having dinner it started raining. A lot. Next thing I know, our kitchen sink is filling up with water, then water started pouring out of the pipes from the dishwasher and washingmachine. Albert was on his way home, the water was running over the sides of the sink, the kitchen was flooded. Shortly after, the water poured into the hall and computerroom. I switched off the electricity, took the girls into their room - they had been having fun playing with the water, which was all dirty and gross - wiped them down with wipes, put lotion on them and got them into their pyjamas. Albert came home just as I was finishing up. We left the girls in their beds while we tried to do something about the water. Poor Liva and Laia were eventually crying so much I just couldn't take it anymore, and it was their bedtime anyway so I gave them their bottle and put them to bed. They fell asleep in no time. The water was still pouring out of the pipes and running over the side of the sink, eventually we called the firebrigade. They got here within minutes, and helped us get the water sorted out - it turned out to be a plugged drain on the roof. They were here for 45 minutes, 3 guys and 1 lady, one hotter than the other! One positive thing about having the apartment flooded! Though they were walking around the house in their big boots and yelling to each other, Liva and Laia slept through it all. They must have been exhausted.
After 45 minutes or so the firemen (and woman) left again, Albert and I spent quite a while drying and cleaning everything, now things are more or less back to normal. Someone from the insurance is coming tomorrow, our parquet couldn't handle all that water, we'll see what has to be done.
I hope tomorrow will be a bit calmer, we're meeting a mom and her daughter who's 1 day older than Liva and Laia, I hope that will be the most exciting thing of the day! :)
Yesterday I went to sign the girls up in daycare, now all we can do is keep our fingers crossed. We'll know June 9th whether they're in or not.
While I was out getting that done, Albert called. He had just watched a person die at work! One of his bosses died of a heart attack, right in the office in front of everyone. Horrible!
This morning our new friends Susan and her son Luca came over, and we all walked together to the mommy-meeting which was at one of the mom's house. We had a wonderful morning playing and talking (Liva and Laia doing the first, me doing the second), and a nice walk home again. I fed the girls lunch they could eat on their own, they loved it! After their afternoon nap we went out for another walk in the sun, watched the birds and all the kids finishing school. While they were having dinner it started raining. A lot. Next thing I know, our kitchen sink is filling up with water, then water started pouring out of the pipes from the dishwasher and washingmachine. Albert was on his way home, the water was running over the sides of the sink, the kitchen was flooded. Shortly after, the water poured into the hall and computerroom. I switched off the electricity, took the girls into their room - they had been having fun playing with the water, which was all dirty and gross - wiped them down with wipes, put lotion on them and got them into their pyjamas. Albert came home just as I was finishing up. We left the girls in their beds while we tried to do something about the water. Poor Liva and Laia were eventually crying so much I just couldn't take it anymore, and it was their bedtime anyway so I gave them their bottle and put them to bed. They fell asleep in no time. The water was still pouring out of the pipes and running over the side of the sink, eventually we called the firebrigade. They got here within minutes, and helped us get the water sorted out - it turned out to be a plugged drain on the roof. They were here for 45 minutes, 3 guys and 1 lady, one hotter than the other! One positive thing about having the apartment flooded! Though they were walking around the house in their big boots and yelling to each other, Liva and Laia slept through it all. They must have been exhausted.
After 45 minutes or so the firemen (and woman) left again, Albert and I spent quite a while drying and cleaning everything, now things are more or less back to normal. Someone from the insurance is coming tomorrow, our parquet couldn't handle all that water, we'll see what has to be done.
I hope tomorrow will be a bit calmer, we're meeting a mom and her daughter who's 1 day older than Liva and Laia, I hope that will be the most exciting thing of the day! :)
10 MONTHS - 29 April 2011
Liva and Laia are 10 months old today, WOW!!! I know I have been neglecting this blog, but I have been extremely busy with loads of translations. Deadline for one is tomorrow, I'm starting to feel like I know what I'm doing again now.
Back to Liva and Laia! They are such wonderful girls!! Always happy, playing and talking loads. Laia can stand on her own, but doesn't know it herself yet. We often hold her and then let go, she'll stand for a couple of seconds until she realizes nobody is holding her, then she sits down. They both cruise all over the place, walking around holding on to furniture. We bought a walker for them a while ago, but they're not interested in that.
They eat almost everything, and love tasting new food. We're giving them more and more finger foods and they're doing great eating on their own.
They both talk loads, real words come out of their mouth but we still don't think they actually know what they're saying. They often seem to understand each other, though.
The cats are being chased all over the house, so now we're teaching Liva and Laia to not touch them when they're sleeping in their beds or on their pillows. It seems to be working, and the poor cats get a break.
Liva still looks for her Senyor Zebra on the shelves, and still grabs the cows that are up there. She has accepted her bunny, but I think she would happily exchange it for Senyor Zebra if we could get him back.
I've started meeting other moms with babies, and Liva and Laia love interacting with other kids. It's great watching them learn how to play. We meet one little boy who is one week older than them once or twice a week, and go to a mommy meeting once a week. Last time there were five babies all born in June last year, a 6-month old, some even smaller and one older, loads of fun!
Going for a walk is getting more and more difficult, Liva and Laia still love being out and seeing new things - they especially love seeing animals and want to touch all the dogs, the bigger the better. But their stroller is quite narrow, we bought the most narrow one we could find so it would fit in our elevator and through our front door. Up until now the stroller has been perfect, but it's getting too small for Liva and Laia, they're not comfortable anymore. We've bought a second hand much bigger stroller, but in Denmark. I'm going up for ten days on my own with the girls in June, we'll get the stroller then and bring it down.
I'm starting to get extremely annoyed with people's comments, especially the question whether they are a boy and a girl or 2 boys. It's not that I care what strangers think about my girls, it's the fact that people talk or comment without even looking or thinking. Even when I dress the girls in pink, open the pink parasols on their stroller, and they sit on their pink blankets people ask - Laia hardly has any hair, and since Liva does they must be boy and girl. Or since they don't have their ears pierced, they must be 2 boys. If one wears a pink dress and the other wears a blue dress, it's boy and girl because they're wearing pink and blue. I HATE people who don't think, I've hated that all my life! One of the worst things for me as a teacher are students who don't think and just answer with "I don't know". I don't expect everybody to know everything, and it's fine if you don't know, that's why I'm there teaching you. But PLEASE think a bit before you tell me you don't know. PLEASE look at my daughters and their clothes or the colors around them before you tell me they are beautiful little boys. Or, best solution of all, please just leave me alone and let me enjoy my walk with my daughters, without making me feel like some kind of attraction!
Work's keeping me very busy, lately there's been too much and I have been extremely stressed. But it's calming down a bit now, and I have learned not to take on so much, I can't deal with it. Except for that I'm doing great. I haven't lost any more weight, but have more or less given up worrying about it.
Albert and me are doing great as well, we love our Saturday afternoons off and are extremely thankful to my mother-in-law for coming every Saturday.
Back to Liva and Laia! They are such wonderful girls!! Always happy, playing and talking loads. Laia can stand on her own, but doesn't know it herself yet. We often hold her and then let go, she'll stand for a couple of seconds until she realizes nobody is holding her, then she sits down. They both cruise all over the place, walking around holding on to furniture. We bought a walker for them a while ago, but they're not interested in that.
They eat almost everything, and love tasting new food. We're giving them more and more finger foods and they're doing great eating on their own.
They both talk loads, real words come out of their mouth but we still don't think they actually know what they're saying. They often seem to understand each other, though.
The cats are being chased all over the house, so now we're teaching Liva and Laia to not touch them when they're sleeping in their beds or on their pillows. It seems to be working, and the poor cats get a break.
Liva still looks for her Senyor Zebra on the shelves, and still grabs the cows that are up there. She has accepted her bunny, but I think she would happily exchange it for Senyor Zebra if we could get him back.
I've started meeting other moms with babies, and Liva and Laia love interacting with other kids. It's great watching them learn how to play. We meet one little boy who is one week older than them once or twice a week, and go to a mommy meeting once a week. Last time there were five babies all born in June last year, a 6-month old, some even smaller and one older, loads of fun!
Going for a walk is getting more and more difficult, Liva and Laia still love being out and seeing new things - they especially love seeing animals and want to touch all the dogs, the bigger the better. But their stroller is quite narrow, we bought the most narrow one we could find so it would fit in our elevator and through our front door. Up until now the stroller has been perfect, but it's getting too small for Liva and Laia, they're not comfortable anymore. We've bought a second hand much bigger stroller, but in Denmark. I'm going up for ten days on my own with the girls in June, we'll get the stroller then and bring it down.
I'm starting to get extremely annoyed with people's comments, especially the question whether they are a boy and a girl or 2 boys. It's not that I care what strangers think about my girls, it's the fact that people talk or comment without even looking or thinking. Even when I dress the girls in pink, open the pink parasols on their stroller, and they sit on their pink blankets people ask - Laia hardly has any hair, and since Liva does they must be boy and girl. Or since they don't have their ears pierced, they must be 2 boys. If one wears a pink dress and the other wears a blue dress, it's boy and girl because they're wearing pink and blue. I HATE people who don't think, I've hated that all my life! One of the worst things for me as a teacher are students who don't think and just answer with "I don't know". I don't expect everybody to know everything, and it's fine if you don't know, that's why I'm there teaching you. But PLEASE think a bit before you tell me you don't know. PLEASE look at my daughters and their clothes or the colors around them before you tell me they are beautiful little boys. Or, best solution of all, please just leave me alone and let me enjoy my walk with my daughters, without making me feel like some kind of attraction!
Work's keeping me very busy, lately there's been too much and I have been extremely stressed. But it's calming down a bit now, and I have learned not to take on so much, I can't deal with it. Except for that I'm doing great. I haven't lost any more weight, but have more or less given up worrying about it.
Albert and me are doing great as well, we love our Saturday afternoons off and are extremely thankful to my mother-in-law for coming every Saturday.
9½ MONTHS - 17 April 2011
I haven't really been very motivated to write, since I couldn't find anything to write about. Though the weather is brilliant, I am soooooooooooooooo bored on my daily walks, and Liva and Laia seem to be as well. So last week I decided to do something about it. As I've mentioned before, I know of an international mothers group here, and have met up with them at a playground a few Fridays. The problem is that the kids are mostly 18-24 months, so they're all very different to Liva and Laia - and the playground is not very baby-friendly, it's more for toddlers.
Last week I sent out a mail to all the people in the group, saying I needed to meet mothers with children Liva and Laia's age. I need other mothers to talk to, I need people who can give me help and advice when I don't know what I'm doing, and I would love for Liva and Laia to interact with babies their own age. We have a playdate with Heather, our babysitter, and a little girl she babysits every Wednesday, but it's only 20-30 minutes, and the girl is 5 or 6 years old.
On Monday I'm meeting a mother of a 9-month old boy for a playdate and a coffee, and on Tuesday I'm going to another international mom's group with babies 5-11 months old. I've also agreed with an American mom who I've met once before who has a daughter 1 day older than Liva and Laia, that we meet up 1 day every week and let the girls play while we chat. I'm really looking forward to all this, it will break the routine for all 3 of us.
More moms replied to my mail, I'm sure that after Easter I'll be meeting up with mothers much more. That will be great! And who knows, maybe I'll even make a couple of friends for myself.
Last week I sent out a mail to all the people in the group, saying I needed to meet mothers with children Liva and Laia's age. I need other mothers to talk to, I need people who can give me help and advice when I don't know what I'm doing, and I would love for Liva and Laia to interact with babies their own age. We have a playdate with Heather, our babysitter, and a little girl she babysits every Wednesday, but it's only 20-30 minutes, and the girl is 5 or 6 years old.
On Monday I'm meeting a mother of a 9-month old boy for a playdate and a coffee, and on Tuesday I'm going to another international mom's group with babies 5-11 months old. I've also agreed with an American mom who I've met once before who has a daughter 1 day older than Liva and Laia, that we meet up 1 day every week and let the girls play while we chat. I'm really looking forward to all this, it will break the routine for all 3 of us.
More moms replied to my mail, I'm sure that after Easter I'll be meeting up with mothers much more. That will be great! And who knows, maybe I'll even make a couple of friends for myself.
9 MONTHS + 2 week - 12 April 2011
The days all seem to blend together lately, I know what day it is depending on what I have to do - Mondays nothing or meeting, Tuesdays teach in the evening, Wednesdays nothing or meetings, Thursdays teach in the evening, Fridays teach in the afternoon and possible meetings, Albert home early, Saturdays Albert home, mother-in-law here to give us a break in the afternoon, Sundays sleep in. I used to get up 6 of 7 mornings a week with Liva and Laia, but last week I told Albert that wasn't fair - I also work, I have deadlines, classes to teach and prepare, meetings, etc, I don't have time during the day because Liva and Laia require 100% attention at the moment and hardly sleep, and I also have to do stuff around the house. So this morning Albert got up when Liva and Laia woke up, first time shortly after 5:00, then again around 6:00. At 7:30 he came in and gently woke me up, the girls were changed and happier than they have been for days, and there was a huge, hot cup of coffee prepared for me. It was a wonderful morning! :) The agreement is that Albert will get up Tuesdays and Thursdays and wake me up when he has to get ready for work. I still get to sleep in as long as I want Sunday mornings. Oh, it will be lovely!
9 MONTHS + 1 week - 7 April 2011
I'm wearing pre-pregnancy pants!! They're a bit tight, and I think they were a bit big before the pregnancy, but I tried them on a few months ago and couldn't wear them. I'm wearing them now, and they look fine! A few more kilos and I guess I can wear all my clothes from before the pregnancy. Well, it's about time, it's been 9 months. I remember when Liva and Laia were 3 months old, I was complaining about my body and a friend of mine said: "It takes 9 months for your body to make a baby, so give your body 9 months to get back to normal". At that time I thought "6 months, plenty of time". I was in for a surprise, it's not as easy as it sounds.
The weather in Barcelona is lovely at the moment, sunny and not too hot. Liva and Laia are clearly ejoying it too. While on our walk today, they suddenly spontaniously started cuddeling in their stroller:
The disadvantage is that they don't sleep much. They won't sleep while we're out, there's just too much going on. For a few weeks they slept for almost 2 hours in the afternoon, they are now back to sleeping only about 1 hour. And they've started waking up earlier in the morning, around 6, sometimes even 5:30. So now they sleep from 19:00 to 6:00, again from 8:00 to 9:00 (which is important, this gives me time to shower and get ready for the day), and then from 15:00 to 16:00. Doesn't give me a lot of time to do other things during the day. But they are healthy and happy, that's all that matters! :)
The weather in Barcelona is lovely at the moment, sunny and not too hot. Liva and Laia are clearly ejoying it too. While on our walk today, they suddenly spontaniously started cuddeling in their stroller:
The disadvantage is that they don't sleep much. They won't sleep while we're out, there's just too much going on. For a few weeks they slept for almost 2 hours in the afternoon, they are now back to sleeping only about 1 hour. And they've started waking up earlier in the morning, around 6, sometimes even 5:30. So now they sleep from 19:00 to 6:00, again from 8:00 to 9:00 (which is important, this gives me time to shower and get ready for the day), and then from 15:00 to 16:00. Doesn't give me a lot of time to do other things during the day. But they are healthy and happy, that's all that matters! :)
9 MONTHS - 4 April 2011
I took Liva and Laia for their nine-month check-up this afternoon and the nurse was absolutely amazed by them. She says they are very advanced and intelligent; the way Laia can stand and almost walk is impressive, how Liva "talks" is unbelievable, the way they take in their surroundings and how much they understand is unusual for babies their age, and they are as tall as 12-18 month olds. The nurse even went as far as to say that they will be models when they are older, they'll have the body and the looks for it! :) And then she said about five times that they are so sweet she could just eat them, she wants to cuddle them and never let go. I know exactly how she feels, I'm lucky enough to cuddle them every day!
Liva weighs a little over 9 kgs and is 74.5cm tall, Laia weighs about 8.5 kgs and is 74cm tall. We have to start giving them fish, and they can have cheese and real yoghurt - so far we've been giving them special baby yoghurts.
I am so proud of my little girls, I think I walked out of that doctor's office beaming brighter than any christmas tree ever! When we came home and I took them out of the stroller I gave them an extra long cuddle and tons of kisses - I can't get enough of them, and it seems other people can't either. Luckily Liva and Laia seem to love it when I cuddle and kiss them, so I will continue doing it ALL the time.
Liva weighs a little over 9 kgs and is 74.5cm tall, Laia weighs about 8.5 kgs and is 74cm tall. We have to start giving them fish, and they can have cheese and real yoghurt - so far we've been giving them special baby yoghurts.
I am so proud of my little girls, I think I walked out of that doctor's office beaming brighter than any christmas tree ever! When we came home and I took them out of the stroller I gave them an extra long cuddle and tons of kisses - I can't get enough of them, and it seems other people can't either. Luckily Liva and Laia seem to love it when I cuddle and kiss them, so I will continue doing it ALL the time.
9 MONTHS - 3 April 2011
I spent the whole day without my family today for the first time since Liva & Laia were born! While we were in Denmark in December there were days where Albert and I went out together for the whole day while my parents took care of the girls, and I think we might have done it once or twice here in Barcelona as well, but I haven't been all on my own the entire day for the past nine months. And though I might sound like a horrible mom (again), I really enjoyed it! I thought I would miss them all terribly, especially Liva and Laia, but I was fine. The school where I work had organized a day out for all the staff - admin, teachers, managers, everyone. They had hired a bus to take us about 1 hour north of Barcelona to the middle of nowhere for the typical Catalan tradition of calçots. I LOVE calçots, and since I haven't been at the school much the past year or so, I figured this was a good opportunity to catch up with everybody. We were about 30-35 people, the youngest were around 3 years old, the oldest in their 40s. The weather was decent, the wine was OK, the place was nice, the food was wonderful and the atmosphere was fantastic!
The school is now talking about making it an annual event, I will definitely go again in the future, though then I will bring the girls and Albert if he wants to come. I saw Liva and Laia briefly before putting them to bed, I'm looking forward to spending time with them tomorrow afternoon - I'm going to be out all morning, Heather will take care of them. Gosh, am I really a bad mother???
The school is now talking about making it an annual event, I will definitely go again in the future, though then I will bring the girls and Albert if he wants to come. I saw Liva and Laia briefly before putting them to bed, I'm looking forward to spending time with them tomorrow afternoon - I'm going to be out all morning, Heather will take care of them. Gosh, am I really a bad mother???
9 MONTHS - 29 March 2011
Liva and Laia are 9 months old today, and how they have developed over the past month is just incredible!
They both stand up using any furniture or anything else they can grab hold of - our legs, their stroller, each other... Laia walks by holding onto furniture, and loves walking holding our fingers. She sometimes lets go of whatever she's holding onto and practices her balance - she can manage a few seconds before falling over.
They can both pick anything up from anywhere, the smaller the better. Liva puts everything in her mouth, Laia just picks it up and drops it again.
One of their favorite past-times is taking toys out of boxes, Liva loves putting the toys in the box and then taking them out again. I can leave them on their own to entertain themselves or each other, but I do have to keep an eye on them the whole time - they are extremely quick, and know exactly where they shouldn't be. Like in the kitchen eating catfood.
They love playgrounds, especially the swings and slides. They love being where there are other children, sometimes it's enough to just place them where they can see other kids and they'll laugh out loud watching them play. They can also stay entertained for hours watching pigeons, parrots or dogs on our walks.
They understand "no", but react very differently. Laia looks at us with a cheeky smile and continues doing whatever she is doing. Liva gets all upset about having done something wrong, and looks at us with a sad face for the longest time.
Laia doesn't seem to be afraid of anything, Liva is afraid of strangers and loud noises.
Though Liva is the more careful and scared one of the two, she seems to be the one hurting herself all the time - she choked on catfood a few days ago, she fell off their rocking horse and hurt herself, she's constantly falling over when she tries to stand up, and she seems to have a new blue mark daily. Laia is just much more agile, and better at keeping her balance to avoid falling. Laia crawls really well and really quickly, I've seen Liva crawl a few times, but she still prefers dragging herself zombie-style along the floor.
They love our walks, and many times they don't sleep when we're out, they're too busy looking around.
They eat really well, and eat most things we serve them. It's great that they can eat banana, cookies and bread on their own, that keeps them busy in their stroller when they start getting cranky. They both hold their bottle when drinking milk, and are getting really good at drinking water from sippy-cups.
Their sleeping patterns are changing a bit, they still wake up around 6:00/6:30, sleep again around 8:00 for 30-45 minutes so I can shower. If they sleep again in the morning it's normally only for 20-30 minutes, instead they nap for 1½ hours in the afternoon, which is great! They normally sleep at the same time, which is the most important for me!
Though Liva was a lot of work as an infant, and we thought she'd be the more difficult one as they got bigger, she's such an easy baby. She can sit on the floor and play with her toys for the longest time, she "crawls" around and picks up different toys, plays with one for a while, then takes another, chases the cats a bit, plays with toys again, and is generally happy. If I (or Albert, my mother-in-law, Heather, whoever) sit on the floor, she loves playing giving and taking toys. Laia, on the other hand, is hard work. She wants to be with someone all the time! If we sit on the floor to play with them, she crawls all over us, pulling our hair, jewellery, glasses, whatever she can pull. If we sit on the couch, she's on her feet pulling at our legs, trying to climb up. She can't, so whines. If I try to do some work at the computer, she's next to the chair, on her feet, whining, wanting to sit with me - so she can pull my hair & jewellery. We ignore her most of the time, she has to learn to be on her own or with her sister.
Laia teases Liva all the time; when Liva has a toy, Laia takes it from her. When Liva tries to stand up somewhere but struggles, Laia will climb over right next to her, stand up, and look down at her. Liva cries easily and Laia knows exactly what she has to do to make Liva cry. Since Liva is much more developed with her speach, we believe that as they get older, Liva will know how to get Laia back verbally - it will be interesting to see how they'll get along when they are bigger.
They are tall girls, wear size 12-18 months clothes, and Liva is very heavy! On Moday I have a doctor's appointment with them for their 9-month check-up, I'm looking forward to that.
I'm doing well, keeping busy with combining work and being a mother. It's all working out great still, but I'm starting to realize just how exhausting being a twin mom is! Liva and Laia crate a lot of work, besides the obvious of feeding, dressing and changing 2 babies, there are also bottles, laundry and dishes to clean, food to cook for 2 lunches, fruit to prepare for 2 snacks, and 2 little lives to divide my love evenly between. As much as I love seeing them smile, hearing them laugh, watching them take in the world on our walks, I also love when Heather or my mother-in-law come and take Liva and Laia off my hands for a few hours. When they sleep and I think I can get a break for a few minutes to watch the news or have a coffee without them pulling at my cup or needing me to hold them becuase they've hurt themselves, they wake up the moment I've switched on the TV or finished preparing the coffee. Only in the afternoon when they take their long nap do I get some time off, and in the evenings after 19:00 (after cooking, cleaning the kitchen, doing the laundry and preparing bottles and lunch for the following day).
I've lost 2 kgs, not a lot, I know, but a start and a great motivation. It's wonderful knowing that the scale isn't frozen on that same horrible number that I was seeing for months! Another 4 kgs to be back at my pre-pregnancy weight, 6½ kgs to be back at my wedding-day weight, but I'm not sure that will happen again... The goal is the pre-pregnancy weight.
Albert and I are doing great! Just as good if not better than before Liva and Laia entered our lives. I love my evenings with him, and we have loads of fun during the day at the weekends when we can all 4 be together. Being a little family is working out great, and is even better than I had ever imagined it would be!
They both stand up using any furniture or anything else they can grab hold of - our legs, their stroller, each other... Laia walks by holding onto furniture, and loves walking holding our fingers. She sometimes lets go of whatever she's holding onto and practices her balance - she can manage a few seconds before falling over.
They can both pick anything up from anywhere, the smaller the better. Liva puts everything in her mouth, Laia just picks it up and drops it again.
One of their favorite past-times is taking toys out of boxes, Liva loves putting the toys in the box and then taking them out again. I can leave them on their own to entertain themselves or each other, but I do have to keep an eye on them the whole time - they are extremely quick, and know exactly where they shouldn't be. Like in the kitchen eating catfood.
They love playgrounds, especially the swings and slides. They love being where there are other children, sometimes it's enough to just place them where they can see other kids and they'll laugh out loud watching them play. They can also stay entertained for hours watching pigeons, parrots or dogs on our walks.
They understand "no", but react very differently. Laia looks at us with a cheeky smile and continues doing whatever she is doing. Liva gets all upset about having done something wrong, and looks at us with a sad face for the longest time.
Laia doesn't seem to be afraid of anything, Liva is afraid of strangers and loud noises.
Though Liva is the more careful and scared one of the two, she seems to be the one hurting herself all the time - she choked on catfood a few days ago, she fell off their rocking horse and hurt herself, she's constantly falling over when she tries to stand up, and she seems to have a new blue mark daily. Laia is just much more agile, and better at keeping her balance to avoid falling. Laia crawls really well and really quickly, I've seen Liva crawl a few times, but she still prefers dragging herself zombie-style along the floor.
They love our walks, and many times they don't sleep when we're out, they're too busy looking around.
They eat really well, and eat most things we serve them. It's great that they can eat banana, cookies and bread on their own, that keeps them busy in their stroller when they start getting cranky. They both hold their bottle when drinking milk, and are getting really good at drinking water from sippy-cups.
Their sleeping patterns are changing a bit, they still wake up around 6:00/6:30, sleep again around 8:00 for 30-45 minutes so I can shower. If they sleep again in the morning it's normally only for 20-30 minutes, instead they nap for 1½ hours in the afternoon, which is great! They normally sleep at the same time, which is the most important for me!
Though Liva was a lot of work as an infant, and we thought she'd be the more difficult one as they got bigger, she's such an easy baby. She can sit on the floor and play with her toys for the longest time, she "crawls" around and picks up different toys, plays with one for a while, then takes another, chases the cats a bit, plays with toys again, and is generally happy. If I (or Albert, my mother-in-law, Heather, whoever) sit on the floor, she loves playing giving and taking toys. Laia, on the other hand, is hard work. She wants to be with someone all the time! If we sit on the floor to play with them, she crawls all over us, pulling our hair, jewellery, glasses, whatever she can pull. If we sit on the couch, she's on her feet pulling at our legs, trying to climb up. She can't, so whines. If I try to do some work at the computer, she's next to the chair, on her feet, whining, wanting to sit with me - so she can pull my hair & jewellery. We ignore her most of the time, she has to learn to be on her own or with her sister.
Laia teases Liva all the time; when Liva has a toy, Laia takes it from her. When Liva tries to stand up somewhere but struggles, Laia will climb over right next to her, stand up, and look down at her. Liva cries easily and Laia knows exactly what she has to do to make Liva cry. Since Liva is much more developed with her speach, we believe that as they get older, Liva will know how to get Laia back verbally - it will be interesting to see how they'll get along when they are bigger.
They are tall girls, wear size 12-18 months clothes, and Liva is very heavy! On Moday I have a doctor's appointment with them for their 9-month check-up, I'm looking forward to that.
I'm doing well, keeping busy with combining work and being a mother. It's all working out great still, but I'm starting to realize just how exhausting being a twin mom is! Liva and Laia crate a lot of work, besides the obvious of feeding, dressing and changing 2 babies, there are also bottles, laundry and dishes to clean, food to cook for 2 lunches, fruit to prepare for 2 snacks, and 2 little lives to divide my love evenly between. As much as I love seeing them smile, hearing them laugh, watching them take in the world on our walks, I also love when Heather or my mother-in-law come and take Liva and Laia off my hands for a few hours. When they sleep and I think I can get a break for a few minutes to watch the news or have a coffee without them pulling at my cup or needing me to hold them becuase they've hurt themselves, they wake up the moment I've switched on the TV or finished preparing the coffee. Only in the afternoon when they take their long nap do I get some time off, and in the evenings after 19:00 (after cooking, cleaning the kitchen, doing the laundry and preparing bottles and lunch for the following day).
I've lost 2 kgs, not a lot, I know, but a start and a great motivation. It's wonderful knowing that the scale isn't frozen on that same horrible number that I was seeing for months! Another 4 kgs to be back at my pre-pregnancy weight, 6½ kgs to be back at my wedding-day weight, but I'm not sure that will happen again... The goal is the pre-pregnancy weight.
Albert and I are doing great! Just as good if not better than before Liva and Laia entered our lives. I love my evenings with him, and we have loads of fun during the day at the weekends when we can all 4 be together. Being a little family is working out great, and is even better than I had ever imagined it would be!
8½ MONTHS - 24 March 2011
While Liva, Laia and I were out for our walk, I noticed a lady walking her dog and pushing a stroller. It made me remember the pang of envy I used to feel up until about 18 months ago everytime I saw a lady, a stroller and a dog - I wanted to be that lady. Then it hit me; I am more than that lady now! I'm not only pushing a stroller, I'm pushing a twin stroller! I'm not walking a dog, but we have two wonderful cats at home, and though I'm so much more a dog-person than a cat-person, I would never exchange Tatanka and Tomahawk for a dog.
I also noticed that the lady today didn't look happy. She looked tired. Exhausted. And then I thought, maybe all these ladies I've been envying for all these years aren't even happy. Maybe their situation at home isn't a happy one, maybe they don't like their job, maybe they don't have a job and are worried all the time about finances, maybe the kid doesn't sleep, maybe the kid screams a lot, maybe it's a real hassle having to take out the dog god knows how many times a day. I have always been happy with my life, with my situation. Of course I have done things I sometimes wished I hadn't done, but whenever I've found myself in an unhappy situation, I have done something about it, and have changed it. Now I have everything I've always dreamed of! My mother told me shortly after Liva and Laia were born that she remembers when I was five or six years old, I said I wanted a nice, good-looking husband and twins. All I know is that as far back as I can remember, that's what I have wanted. And that's what I have. Not only do I have a nice, good-looking husband, I have a great, romantic, sweet, funny, generous, good-looking husband! Not only do I have twins, I have sweet, easy, fun, absolutely beautiful twin girls! I've said it before, and I'm happy to say it again: I love my life!
I also noticed that the lady today didn't look happy. She looked tired. Exhausted. And then I thought, maybe all these ladies I've been envying for all these years aren't even happy. Maybe their situation at home isn't a happy one, maybe they don't like their job, maybe they don't have a job and are worried all the time about finances, maybe the kid doesn't sleep, maybe the kid screams a lot, maybe it's a real hassle having to take out the dog god knows how many times a day. I have always been happy with my life, with my situation. Of course I have done things I sometimes wished I hadn't done, but whenever I've found myself in an unhappy situation, I have done something about it, and have changed it. Now I have everything I've always dreamed of! My mother told me shortly after Liva and Laia were born that she remembers when I was five or six years old, I said I wanted a nice, good-looking husband and twins. All I know is that as far back as I can remember, that's what I have wanted. And that's what I have. Not only do I have a nice, good-looking husband, I have a great, romantic, sweet, funny, generous, good-looking husband! Not only do I have twins, I have sweet, easy, fun, absolutely beautiful twin girls! I've said it before, and I'm happy to say it again: I love my life!
8½ MONTHS - 23 March 2011
I've just been sick for three days, it's been dreadful! On Wednesday when I came home from work, Albert said he wasn't feeling good, and went to lay down. I hardly saw him again until Thursday morning. He said everything hurt and that he felt unbelievably tired. He felt better and better as Thursday went by, and by the evening he was fine. I woke up Sunday morning and felt the same way - even my eyes hurt. Albert took Liva & Laia out with his German friends for a couple of hours, I was in bed most of the day. Monday Heather came for three hours, the original plan was that I would go get a haircut, the first since July last year, but the plans changed. She took Liva & Laia out, I stayed at home and relaxed and prepared lunch for the girls for the coming week. I felt OK, Liva and Laia were so considerate that they napped almost 2 hours in the afternoon. But then I woke up yesterday morning and felt terrible. Once again everything hurt, including my belly. Albert called in sick and stayed home, we called Heather and asked her to come for three hours to help out. I spent the entire day in bed, sleeping most of the time. Today I feel better, though still not great - and I'm unbelievably tired though I've done nothing but sleep for three days. Liva and Laia haven't been very considerate today, and refused to nap this afternoon. Which means they were really tired by 17:00, by then it's too late to put them down. Liva started crying and cried for 1½ hours - while they had dinner, while I bathed them and after I had put them to bed. Eventually at 18:30 she collapsed into deep sleep. Laia did great for not having slept at all, she hardly cried and even laughed a few times. Now I've just worked a few hours, eaten the dinner Albert prepared, and though it's only 22:00 I'm off to bed - read a bit and then sleep. I hope to feel better again soon, I don't have much patience with Liva and Laia when I'm tired and half sick, and then I feel really guilty for not being patient with them. It's not their fault, poor girls!! And on top of it all, Liva is sick as well - this explains the pooping all the way up her back for the past few days. She has a stomch flu, and is now on medication and a no-dairy diet. She has to eat soy milk instead if their regular milk, and a rice-pudding something for dinner instead of their regular puddings. She also has to have medicine for the next 6 days. Poor little thing!
8½ MONTHS - 19 March 2011
I'm feeling unwelcome in my own home! As I've explained before, my mother-in-law comes every Saturday afternoon to be with Liva & Laia. It gives Albert and me a break, and we normally take advantage of the time to go out together, clothes-shopping, out to dinner, for a drink or whatever. We make sure we're not back until after the girls are asleep, it's a blessing - most of the time!
First of all, my mother-in-law always brings something when she comes. A few weeks ago she had spent 30-40€ on seafood, so we had "a little something" for dinner. Sometimes she brings fruit and vegetables, but so much that we can't eat it all and end up throwing some away because it's gone bad. Or she'll bring unnecessary little things for Liva and Laia, or whatever. Though I heard Albert say to her three times on the phone this morning not to bring anything, she came with a box of chocolates. I don't know whether she feels like a guest who has to come with a present for the hosts when she comes over, but it's how she makes me feel she feels, which sucks! She's Liva and Laia's grandma and my husband's mom, I don't understand why she feels she has to bring us something. And she has very little money, it would be different if she were super rich, but she isn't.
Today she arrived at 16:30, we had only been home for an hour or so and were all exhausted. We've been out all day with our German friends, walking along the beach and enjoying the nice weather. Liva had poop all the way up her back again, but this time we were prepared, we had extra clothes along, and changed her while we were out. When Iaia came over, we were all relaxing. After about 2 minutes she asks when we're leaving. I wasn't planning on leaving today, I had figured we could all be here, Albert and I could relax while she's with the girls. Both Albert and I avoid answering her. We're all in the living room, and Liva and Laia are partly with her, partly with me. Every time one of the girls looks at me or comes to me she says something along the lines of "always with mommy - are you a mommy's girls at the moment?". And every 5 minutes at least she tells us we should go. I have no idea where we'd go, we have no intentions of going out to dinner tonight, we just want to be home and relax. So right now I'm hiding away in our bedroom, I'm clearly not wanted in the living room where my girls are.
First of all, my mother-in-law always brings something when she comes. A few weeks ago she had spent 30-40€ on seafood, so we had "a little something" for dinner. Sometimes she brings fruit and vegetables, but so much that we can't eat it all and end up throwing some away because it's gone bad. Or she'll bring unnecessary little things for Liva and Laia, or whatever. Though I heard Albert say to her three times on the phone this morning not to bring anything, she came with a box of chocolates. I don't know whether she feels like a guest who has to come with a present for the hosts when she comes over, but it's how she makes me feel she feels, which sucks! She's Liva and Laia's grandma and my husband's mom, I don't understand why she feels she has to bring us something. And she has very little money, it would be different if she were super rich, but she isn't.
Today she arrived at 16:30, we had only been home for an hour or so and were all exhausted. We've been out all day with our German friends, walking along the beach and enjoying the nice weather. Liva had poop all the way up her back again, but this time we were prepared, we had extra clothes along, and changed her while we were out. When Iaia came over, we were all relaxing. After about 2 minutes she asks when we're leaving. I wasn't planning on leaving today, I had figured we could all be here, Albert and I could relax while she's with the girls. Both Albert and I avoid answering her. We're all in the living room, and Liva and Laia are partly with her, partly with me. Every time one of the girls looks at me or comes to me she says something along the lines of "always with mommy - are you a mommy's girls at the moment?". And every 5 minutes at least she tells us we should go. I have no idea where we'd go, we have no intentions of going out to dinner tonight, we just want to be home and relax. So right now I'm hiding away in our bedroom, I'm clearly not wanted in the living room where my girls are.
8½ MONTHS - 18 March 2011
The toy cow I ordered for Liva over the internet has finally arrived - and it's nothing like what I had expected... But it doesn't really matter, because Liva seems to be accepting the rabbit I bought a while back, which we're calling Senyorita Ninus. Liva still looks for Senyor Zebra on the shelves, and it still breaks my heart every time she does. Especially when she looks up at me and starts saying things I don't understand; I'm convinced she's trying to ask me where her zebra is and why she can't have it back. Close to tears, I explain that he's gone and he won't be coming back. Then I give her Senyorita Ninus. Liva accepts it, yesterday she grabbed it herself and played with it for a while. Ninus will never be Senyor Zebra, but hopefully Liva will learn to love this new friend as much as she loved him!
8½ MONTHS - 17 March 2011
I'M A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE MOTHER!!!!! We went out to meet Albert's friend from Germany and his wife and daughter. It was a wonderful day, the first really sunny and warm day this year. We left home around 11 and spent most of the day outside, first at the park where the girls got to swing, Laia got to walk around a bit holding my hands, and everybody was enjoying themselves. We went to a café to have something to eat and drink, it was still too early for the girls' solids, so they had banana, cookies, bread and milk. When it was actually time for their solids, it was quite inconvenient - there was a 5-year old who was had to think of as well, so we skipped Liva and Laia's solids. By about 15:00 they started getting cranky, we took them out of the stroller a bit, carried them instead of pushing them, we knew they were tired but there was so much going on they wouldn't sleep. Eventually by 15:30 I said I was going to take them home, I felt bad keeping them out like that. We agreed to all just call it a day, and around 16:00 Albert, Liva, Laia and I arrived at home. When I took Laia out of the stroller, she was all wet. Suddenly I remembered, they hadn't been changed since 10:30 this morning. We quickly got all their clothes off, I did Laia while Albert did Liva. Besides being wet on her pants and having her diaper full, Laia was OK. But Liva, poor, poor Liva! She was full of poop all the way up to her neck! Albert can't handle poop, so when he realized, I took over and he took care of Laia. I carried Liva in nothing but her diaper - and poop all over - into the bathroom, put her in the shower while I got the tub ready for her. She sat there, small, cold, chubby, in her diaper, covered in poop, shivering. I will never forget that image. Poor little baby!!! She was better after her bath, but I've learned my lesson - I will never forget to change my girls ever again!
8 MONTHS + 2 WEEKS - 15 March 2011
My parents have just been here for four days, and it's been wonderful! They left this morning, it's always difficult to say goodbye, especially when we don't know when we'll see each other again. It's not really difficult for me to say goodbye, we haven't lived in the same country since I moved away from home at 18. But I feel sad for the girls, having their grandparents here 24 hours a day, then suddenly they're not here anymore. The girls were taking their morning nap when my parents left, when they woke up I brought them into the living room. As we were going there, I explained that Mormor & Morfar had left, though I was pretty sure they had no idea what I was saying. I brought Liva in first, she looked towards the couch all ready to smile when we entered the living room. When she realized it was empty, she looked up at me, back to the couch, and back to me. I explained again that Mormor & Morfar had gone home, but that we'll see them again in a couple of months. I put her on the floor to play and went to get Laia. I explained the situation to her as well, but when we entered the living room she looked at the couch, quickly turned her head towards the dining table, back to the couch, then up at me. It's been a really grey, rainy day today, and impossible to leave the house with Liva & Laia, making them even more cranky - on top of having had three adults around them for the past four days, they were stuck in the apartment with only mommy...
At one point I had had enough and decided to take them out, rain or not. I got them all ready, shoes on, jackets on, stroller wrapped in plastic, food ready to take along, umbrellas, etc. We get to the elevator, I push the button and..... nothing..... I am SO fed up with this elevator!!! Girls back inside, shoes off, jackets off, back on the living room floor. Girls whining, mom going crazy. Lunch. Laia cranky, would hardly eat. Bed. Both girls go straight to sleep. I watch TV for a while, then decide to take a nap as well - my parents being here means going to bed quite late, but still waking up with the girls, who decided to wake up at 6 at the latest every morning the past 4 mornings. It was 14:55 when I lay down for my nap, at 15:05 I woke up because Liva was awake, crying. Great! After a few minutes I went to get her, by then Laia was also awake, crying. Luckily I could hear the elevator was working again; shoes back on, jackets back on, plastic on stroller, food ready, and off we went. We went to the mall, there's a play area which Liva and Laia love. We spent about 20 minutes there, they had a yoghurt, we walked around a bit, and about 1½ hours later we were back home, Liva and Laia in a great mood!! Shortly after I prepared dinner, we were fooling around while eating and Liva laughed more than I have ever seen her laugh. Laia laughed loads as well, but Liva was completely out of it. It was wonderful, a great end to a pretty difficult day! Albert came home while I was getting them ready for bed, he took over and I went to teach. I've just done some work for my meeting tomorrow, now it's off to bed. Albert has vacation the rest of the week, one of his friends from Germany is coming tomorrow with his wife and daughter, we're looking forward to that. They'll be staying at a hotel, but hopefully we'll see them loads. Heather is coming tomorrow morning, I had forgotten Albert wasn't working this week, and we want to give her hours to make sure we don't lose her! I'm sure Liva and Laia will be happy to see her, and they'll have fun with Albert's friend's daughter, they like being around other children.
At one point I had had enough and decided to take them out, rain or not. I got them all ready, shoes on, jackets on, stroller wrapped in plastic, food ready to take along, umbrellas, etc. We get to the elevator, I push the button and..... nothing..... I am SO fed up with this elevator!!! Girls back inside, shoes off, jackets off, back on the living room floor. Girls whining, mom going crazy. Lunch. Laia cranky, would hardly eat. Bed. Both girls go straight to sleep. I watch TV for a while, then decide to take a nap as well - my parents being here means going to bed quite late, but still waking up with the girls, who decided to wake up at 6 at the latest every morning the past 4 mornings. It was 14:55 when I lay down for my nap, at 15:05 I woke up because Liva was awake, crying. Great! After a few minutes I went to get her, by then Laia was also awake, crying. Luckily I could hear the elevator was working again; shoes back on, jackets back on, plastic on stroller, food ready, and off we went. We went to the mall, there's a play area which Liva and Laia love. We spent about 20 minutes there, they had a yoghurt, we walked around a bit, and about 1½ hours later we were back home, Liva and Laia in a great mood!! Shortly after I prepared dinner, we were fooling around while eating and Liva laughed more than I have ever seen her laugh. Laia laughed loads as well, but Liva was completely out of it. It was wonderful, a great end to a pretty difficult day! Albert came home while I was getting them ready for bed, he took over and I went to teach. I've just done some work for my meeting tomorrow, now it's off to bed. Albert has vacation the rest of the week, one of his friends from Germany is coming tomorrow with his wife and daughter, we're looking forward to that. They'll be staying at a hotel, but hopefully we'll see them loads. Heather is coming tomorrow morning, I had forgotten Albert wasn't working this week, and we want to give her hours to make sure we don't lose her! I'm sure Liva and Laia will be happy to see her, and they'll have fun with Albert's friend's daughter, they like being around other children.
8 MONTHS + 1 WEEK - 10 March 2011
Liva misses her Senyor Zebra!! Liva and Laia have two shelves in their room with all their stuffed animals on, they have never shown any interest in these shelves. After Senyor Zebra has gone missing, Liva looks at the shelves every time we're in their room. There's a cow which from far resembles Senyor Zebra a bit, every time she sees it she gets all excited, stretches out her arms and says "Tatatata". When we let her grab the cow she gets all disappointed, drops him and continues looking on the shelves. But there's no Senyor Zebra... We've tried with almost every stuffed animal they have, she won't accept any of them. Both Albert and I have spent hours searching the internet to see if we could find a new Senyor Zebra, Albert even contacted the company who made him. They have no more, and have stopped producing them. I checked E-bay, amazon etc, no luck. Yesterday I ordered a new teddy at amazon, a pink and white striped cow. It has long, thin arms and legs like the zebra, we assume it is the shape more than anything else which makes Liva & Laia love these animals so dearly. We'll see what happens when it arrives. Today I came past a baby store and saw a rabbit in the window, also with long, thin arms and legs. In the shop they let Liva hold it, it's the first stuffed animal she hasn't thrown away with all her force when we give it to her, so I bought it. She touched it a bit like she used to touch Senyor Zebra, I think she might accept it in a few days. When we came home and I wanted to put them in their beds for their nap, she looked all over the shelves again. Still no Senyor Zebra... The rabbit (or the cow we ordered) will never be Senyor Zebra, but hopefully it will compensate a bit.
8 MONTHS + 1 WEEK - 7 March 2011
LOL - Albert and I took Liva & Laia out for a loooong walk today. When it was time for their nap, we lay them down as always. Normally we put Senyor zebra and Senyor mono close to their face for them to cuddle with. Without Senyor zebra, we had taken a cow along for Liva - same material as Senyor zebra and more or less the same colors. But of course a completely different shape and just not what she's used to. We had put Liva comfortably in the stroller, and put the cow where Senyor zebra normally goes. As we were putting down Laia, the cow was descreetly dropped over the side of the stroller onto the sidewalk. We put him back where he should be, and started walking. Next thing we see is the poor cow come flying full power out of the stroller - this time Liva didn't just drop it, she actually threw it with all her force. Poor little cow! And poor Liva... We put the cow back, and eventually she accepted it. But it will never be Senyor zebra. How sad!!
8 MONTHS + 1 WEEK - 6 March 2011
It seems that Liva and Laia can do new things every day. Laia can now stand up using any furniture in the house, and she crawls really well. Liva is starting to get up on all fours, ready to crawl instead of dragging herself along the floor like a zombie. Yesterday we all went out for a walk, Liva and Laia look at everything, smile at people, wave, and we think Laia said "hola".
This morning my mother-in-law took the girls for a walk on her own for the first time. She was really excited about it, and it was great for Albert and me to get a few hours on our own. When she came back she was thrilled, the girls had been wonderful, she had loved how everybody looked at them and made comments, she had been really proud and told everyone that she is the Iaia. BUT - when I was in Denmark with Liva and Laia in August, when they were only about 7 weeks old, my aunt gave them each a stuffed animal; a zebra for Liva and a monkey for Laia. They love these teddies, sleep with them, cuddle them and play with them when we go for a walk. Of course I had put the teddies in the stroller this morning, as always when going out for a walk. When it was time for Liva and Laia's nap there was no zebra.... We looked everywhere, he's gone. It makes both Albert and me really sad, the girls have had these teddies since they were only a few weeks old and love them. We have loads of pictures where the teddies are in the background somewhere, and they were very special to us, and to the girls as well. Now Liva's beloved Senyor Zebra is gone :(. Albert is furious with his mother for not being more careful. I'm just really sad, it's such a shame. I imagine the girls being bigger and seeing pictures of themselves as babies with Senyor Zebra and Senyor Mono, it will be fun for Laia to see herself with Senyor Mono, Liva will ask what happened to her Senyor Zebra. What do we tell her??
This morning my mother-in-law took the girls for a walk on her own for the first time. She was really excited about it, and it was great for Albert and me to get a few hours on our own. When she came back she was thrilled, the girls had been wonderful, she had loved how everybody looked at them and made comments, she had been really proud and told everyone that she is the Iaia. BUT - when I was in Denmark with Liva and Laia in August, when they were only about 7 weeks old, my aunt gave them each a stuffed animal; a zebra for Liva and a monkey for Laia. They love these teddies, sleep with them, cuddle them and play with them when we go for a walk. Of course I had put the teddies in the stroller this morning, as always when going out for a walk. When it was time for Liva and Laia's nap there was no zebra.... We looked everywhere, he's gone. It makes both Albert and me really sad, the girls have had these teddies since they were only a few weeks old and love them. We have loads of pictures where the teddies are in the background somewhere, and they were very special to us, and to the girls as well. Now Liva's beloved Senyor Zebra is gone :(. Albert is furious with his mother for not being more careful. I'm just really sad, it's such a shame. I imagine the girls being bigger and seeing pictures of themselves as babies with Senyor Zebra and Senyor Mono, it will be fun for Laia to see herself with Senyor Mono, Liva will ask what happened to her Senyor Zebra. What do we tell her??
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| Liva (2 months) & Senyor Zebra |
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| Laia (2½ months) & Senyor Mono |
8 MONTHS - 1 March 2011
When we moved into our apartment a little over a year ago, we spent a long time looking for a shower curtain. We didn't actually want a curtain, we wanted a glass wall but couldn't afford it. We couldn't find a curtain we both liked, probably because we didn't want one in the first place, and eventually ended up buying one with a cow on - I love cows and Albert had reached a point where he just didn't care anymore. The curtain is white on the bottom half, and see through on the top half. I never quite understood why it was see through, but this morning I was very happy about it! Liva and Laia have had one of those rare days where they won't sleep at the same time - meaning I can't shower in the morning when they're asleep. Since they're all mobile now, I can't just put them somewhere and shower quickly, too scary! So I put them in their bouncing chairs in the bathroom. Thanks to the curtain being see through they could see me and thought it was loads of fun, and I could see them. Not the ideal situation for showering, but the ideal solution when they won't sleep at the same time. And at the moment we're happy we have a curtain instead of a glass wall, it would have been so much harder to bathe Liva and Laia had there been a wall in our tiny bathroom!
When I change the girls, I normally put one in one of their beds while I change the other. Today I was wiping Liva's little bum when suddenly Laia started laughing and laughing from her bed behind me. When I turned around she was standing up, holding onto the side of the bed and clearly thought it was the best thing that ever happened to her during her 8 months of life. While she was standing there, Tatanka walked past her bed. Laia tried to touch him, and leaned (way too!!) far over the side, I was worried she'd fall out. But I had Liva naked and squirming on the changing table, and for a few seconds had no idea what to do! Luckily Laia decided Tatanka wasn't all that interesting and decided to jump up and down instead. When Albert came home, we lowered the bottoms of the beds so the girls can stand up as they please without me worrying they'll fall out.
So much has happened with the girls in just one week, suddenly they're mobile and come into the kitchen when I'm preparing their food, they can stand up in their bed, they have learned new games, they communicate with each other and laugh loads. Liva's favorite game is when we catch her and tickle her. When we come in after she wakes up, she tries to hide in her blankets (yes in, not under, she hasn't quite grasped that yet) and squeels in delight because she knows we'll tickle her. We have a big duck handpuppet which we play with, the duck will look at the girls for a while and then suddenly attack and tickle one of them. Liva goes nuts every time we play, screams in delight and laughs and laughs. Laia doesn't quite see the fun in those kind of games, she prefers being thrown into the air, swung around by her arms, or anything which involves standing and jumping and using her legs. And I'll play any of those games with them all day long just to hear them laugh! My reward is kisses and cuddles from the girls, I can't think of anything I'd rather want!
When I change the girls, I normally put one in one of their beds while I change the other. Today I was wiping Liva's little bum when suddenly Laia started laughing and laughing from her bed behind me. When I turned around she was standing up, holding onto the side of the bed and clearly thought it was the best thing that ever happened to her during her 8 months of life. While she was standing there, Tatanka walked past her bed. Laia tried to touch him, and leaned (way too!!) far over the side, I was worried she'd fall out. But I had Liva naked and squirming on the changing table, and for a few seconds had no idea what to do! Luckily Laia decided Tatanka wasn't all that interesting and decided to jump up and down instead. When Albert came home, we lowered the bottoms of the beds so the girls can stand up as they please without me worrying they'll fall out.
So much has happened with the girls in just one week, suddenly they're mobile and come into the kitchen when I'm preparing their food, they can stand up in their bed, they have learned new games, they communicate with each other and laugh loads. Liva's favorite game is when we catch her and tickle her. When we come in after she wakes up, she tries to hide in her blankets (yes in, not under, she hasn't quite grasped that yet) and squeels in delight because she knows we'll tickle her. We have a big duck handpuppet which we play with, the duck will look at the girls for a while and then suddenly attack and tickle one of them. Liva goes nuts every time we play, screams in delight and laughs and laughs. Laia doesn't quite see the fun in those kind of games, she prefers being thrown into the air, swung around by her arms, or anything which involves standing and jumping and using her legs. And I'll play any of those games with them all day long just to hear them laugh! My reward is kisses and cuddles from the girls, I can't think of anything I'd rather want!
8 MONTHS - 28 February 2011
Liva and Laia are 8 months old today - well, the 29th, but since there is no 29th this month it's today.
They are extremely happy girls, and love playing. They're starting to play more and more with each other, looking at each other and laughing or grabbing and giving things. Laia started crawling about 3 days ago, Liva drags herself along the floor with her arms - Albert says she looks like a zombie. They love being able to go where they want. Liva still makes loads of sounds and sometimes words such as "Laia", "papa" or "Tata" (Tatanka, the name of our black cat) come out - the only one she seems conscious of is Tatanka. Laia doesn't talk quite as much, last Friday she started clicking her tongue which she has been doing ever since.
Liva holds her own bottle when eating, once I tried to get Laia to do it and after a while she grabbed her bottle with one hand and looked at me with an expression that said "I can do this no problem!". Just to prove her point she took the bottle out of her mouth, swung it around in the air for a bit, and put it back in her mouth - all still with just one hand - and kept looking at me with that same expression. After the show she let go of the bottle and her look said "I can do it, but if you want me to eat, you hold it because I can't be bothered!". So we still hold Laia's bottle when she eats.... They can eat cookies on their own, but not much else. I tried with banana, they almost choked because they put the whole piece into their mouth. Smaller pieces they "chew" on for a bit, then spit them out.
Laia can get from crawling or lying position into a sitting position, and both can pull themselves onto their knees when sitting in their beds and pulling themselves up by the bars. Laia can almost get into standing position when holding on to furniture.
Liva can clap her hands, and loves doing it. They both wave, but never when we say hello or goodbye.
They love being bathed and splash water everywhere. I am really looking forward to the summer and taking them to the beach!
They are extremely happy girls, and love playing. They're starting to play more and more with each other, looking at each other and laughing or grabbing and giving things. Laia started crawling about 3 days ago, Liva drags herself along the floor with her arms - Albert says she looks like a zombie. They love being able to go where they want. Liva still makes loads of sounds and sometimes words such as "Laia", "papa" or "Tata" (Tatanka, the name of our black cat) come out - the only one she seems conscious of is Tatanka. Laia doesn't talk quite as much, last Friday she started clicking her tongue which she has been doing ever since.
Liva holds her own bottle when eating, once I tried to get Laia to do it and after a while she grabbed her bottle with one hand and looked at me with an expression that said "I can do this no problem!". Just to prove her point she took the bottle out of her mouth, swung it around in the air for a bit, and put it back in her mouth - all still with just one hand - and kept looking at me with that same expression. After the show she let go of the bottle and her look said "I can do it, but if you want me to eat, you hold it because I can't be bothered!". So we still hold Laia's bottle when she eats.... They can eat cookies on their own, but not much else. I tried with banana, they almost choked because they put the whole piece into their mouth. Smaller pieces they "chew" on for a bit, then spit them out.
Laia can get from crawling or lying position into a sitting position, and both can pull themselves onto their knees when sitting in their beds and pulling themselves up by the bars. Laia can almost get into standing position when holding on to furniture.
Liva can clap her hands, and loves doing it. They both wave, but never when we say hello or goodbye.
They love being bathed and splash water everywhere. I am really looking forward to the summer and taking them to the beach!
They love being tickled, they love when we lie on the floor with them, they love playing peeka-boo, they love dancing and singing, and they love being cuddled and kissed. They hate having their faces wiped or their noses touched. Liva doesn't particularly enjoy being dressed - undressed is no problem, dressed is a huge theater. They don't like when we leave them alone in a room, but after a while they seem to forget they're alone and start playing. They are very open, loving girls, they smile at strangers - though Liva is a bit more reserved - and give kisses and cuddles to the people they know - Heather, Iaia and above all mom, dad and each other!
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| Liva & Laia 8 months |
ALMOST 8 MONTHS - 26 February 2011
I love Saturdays!! The four of us spent the whole morning in the botanic garden of Barcelona, the weather was great, Liva and Laia were wonderful, Albert and I had a lovely time together as a family. We came home at lunchtime, fed the girls, played with them for an hour, then put them down for their nap. While they were sleeping my mother-in-law came over. We talked until the girls woke up, then she fed them their fruit. We all hung out and played until Albert and I left. We had a great afternoon in the center shopping followed by a wonderful sushi dinner. When we got home and said goodbye to Iaia we looked at the photos from the botanic garden once again, now we're off to bed. Tomorrow is another busy day, I have a meeting in the morning reg. a possible Scandinavian school here in Barcelona, my father-in-law is coming over for lunch and my mother-in-law will join us for the coffee in the afternoon. I love weekends, the only problem is that they're too short!
ALMOST 8 MONTHS - 25 February 2011
What a great day! This morning we went to a playground - well, that was a bit of a hassle at first, the girls were cranky after their morning nap and the elevator still wasn't working. Another fun adventure of carrying stroller, babies, bag, etc down 6-7 floors, at least nobody came out of the elevator and told me it was working just when I had carried everything down this time!
At the playground we met up with other moms from all over the world, there was an American mom who has a daughter only 1 day older than Liva and Laia, and an Italian mom who has twin girls 1 week younger than Liva and Laia. It was great meeting moms with children the same age and sharing stories, experiences, thoughts, worries, etc. If the weather is nice we'll meet up next Friday again.
We were gone most of the morning, 30 minutes after we came home Heather and Jenn came, the girls were thrilled (and so was I). They were here for an hour, Albert came home shortly after they left.
When Albert got home I had to go to a marketing course at the school where I'm employed. A 3-hour course where the whole management team was present. It felt sooooo good doing something else for an afternoon, using different parts of my brain again - or just using my brain again! It's nice to know I can still do other things, and concentrate and focus when I have to.
By the time I came home, Albert had bathed the girls and they were both sound asleep. My little angel girls + my wonderful angel husband = my incredible angel family!!
At the playground we met up with other moms from all over the world, there was an American mom who has a daughter only 1 day older than Liva and Laia, and an Italian mom who has twin girls 1 week younger than Liva and Laia. It was great meeting moms with children the same age and sharing stories, experiences, thoughts, worries, etc. If the weather is nice we'll meet up next Friday again.
We were gone most of the morning, 30 minutes after we came home Heather and Jenn came, the girls were thrilled (and so was I). They were here for an hour, Albert came home shortly after they left.
When Albert got home I had to go to a marketing course at the school where I'm employed. A 3-hour course where the whole management team was present. It felt sooooo good doing something else for an afternoon, using different parts of my brain again - or just using my brain again! It's nice to know I can still do other things, and concentrate and focus when I have to.
By the time I came home, Albert had bathed the girls and they were both sound asleep. My little angel girls + my wonderful angel husband = my incredible angel family!!
7 MONTHS + 3 WEEKS - 24 February 2011
I've just come home from teaching, and the elevator wasn't working - again! Yesterday they were working on it all day, Heather was here in the morning and wanted to take the girls out, she got them all dressed up and ready, but when she went for the elevator, nothing happened. They told her it would be fixed within a few minutes, but she knew that in Spain this can mean hours. So she took the girls back inside, undressed them and gave up on going out. I had a doctor's appointment with the girls at 16:30, since they hadn't been out all day I wanted to leave earlier and take them for a stroll. Around 15:00 I asked the guys working on the elevator how long it would take, they told me about 10 minutes. 15 minutes later I asked again, same answer. This happend 3-4 times, the guys were clearly getting sick of me. Eventually I couldn't wait any longer or I'd be late for the doctor's. I got the girls ready and put them in their beds, the safest place I could think of. Then I carried the stroller 6 floor down (7 if you're American and consider the ground floor the first floor), ran back upstairs, grabbed the girls and the stroller bag, managed to lock the door with both girls in my arms and the bag over my shoulder, and got us all 3 safely down the stairs. I passed the guys who were fixing the elevator everytime I went up or down, they didn't say anything, didn't offer to help, nothing. As I was putting the girls in the stroller, I heard the elevator come down. Out stepped one of the guys who had been fixing it, looked at me and said "Now it works". I almost killed him!! At least it worked when we came home again.
7 MONTHS + 3 WEEKS - 23 February 2011
Liva and Laia are still sick, they had gotten better, but now especially Laia is coughing again, waking up at night and has a runny nose. I took them to the pediatrician, she gave us some different medicine for them. Poor girls, they are so fed up with coughing and being sick, they hate having their noses wiped and they cry at night when they can't breathe properly because their little noses are blocked. I feel completely helpless and useless because I can't do anything to make them feel better! Instead I kiss and cuddle them as much as I can. Luckily the pediatrician said not to worry, they seem fine and it's just a regular cold which is difficult to get rid of with this weather.
While I was at the doctor's office waiting, I saw loads of little babies, most of them there for their first check-up. It reminded me of the first time I was there, Liva and Laia were about 1 week old, I remember seeing the older babies and being a bit envious of the mothers that they had already been through the first six months. I always knew I wouldn't enjoy the first three months, and I always looked forward to Liva and Laia reaching six months. Many people told me to enjoy the time they were so small because it would pass quickly and then I'd regret not having dwelled in it more. Well, I don't regret anything! I don't miss one second of the first six months, and I thoroughly enjoy every second of Liva and Laia now! I love seeing new things they can do every day, I love playing with them and learning what they like and what they don't like, what makes them laugh, what awakens their interest, what catches their attention, etc. I love seeing how they react when I feed them new things, when we go for a walk and discover new things, when they suddenly realize they can do something they couldn't do before and get really happy - new sounds and new movements. They are so much fun now, more and more every day. I don't miss the first six months, I don't know if I will miss these months, but just in case, I make sure I enjoy it as much as possible and spend as much time with them as I possibly can. I love waking up in the morning to the sound of their babbeling in their room, every evening before going to sleep and every morning when I wake up I look forward to a new day with them. They are such wonderful little human beings and make me more happy than I had ever imagined possible.
While I was at the doctor's office waiting, I saw loads of little babies, most of them there for their first check-up. It reminded me of the first time I was there, Liva and Laia were about 1 week old, I remember seeing the older babies and being a bit envious of the mothers that they had already been through the first six months. I always knew I wouldn't enjoy the first three months, and I always looked forward to Liva and Laia reaching six months. Many people told me to enjoy the time they were so small because it would pass quickly and then I'd regret not having dwelled in it more. Well, I don't regret anything! I don't miss one second of the first six months, and I thoroughly enjoy every second of Liva and Laia now! I love seeing new things they can do every day, I love playing with them and learning what they like and what they don't like, what makes them laugh, what awakens their interest, what catches their attention, etc. I love seeing how they react when I feed them new things, when we go for a walk and discover new things, when they suddenly realize they can do something they couldn't do before and get really happy - new sounds and new movements. They are so much fun now, more and more every day. I don't miss the first six months, I don't know if I will miss these months, but just in case, I make sure I enjoy it as much as possible and spend as much time with them as I possibly can. I love waking up in the morning to the sound of their babbeling in their room, every evening before going to sleep and every morning when I wake up I look forward to a new day with them. They are such wonderful little human beings and make me more happy than I had ever imagined possible.
7½ MONTHS - 19 February 2011
Today is Albert and my 6th knowing-each-other anniversary - and Albert had forgotten..... It's no big deal, it's not a day we really celebrate after having a real (wedding)anniversary to celebrate, it was just funny seeing his face when I gave him a small present this morning and he had no clue why. He invited me out for lunch, and in the afternoon bought a nice flower arrangement.
Albert and I met through a language exchange program - you sign up to practice/learn a language (I wanted to learn Spanish, he wanted to practice his English), and then you meet up with someone who's a native or near-native speaker of the language you want to learn/practice. These meetings normally last about an hour, 30 minutes for each language. That was also what Albert and I had expected six years ago. We met up in the center at 18:00, I had a party to go to later in the evening, Albert was meeting a friend. We went to a bar and sat outside on the terrace talking. After about an hour we paid our drinks and got ready to leave - but neither really wanted to leave. Albert asked if I had ever been to another bar which was close by, and though I had, I said no. We went there for a while, and when we were ready to leave, Albert mentioned another bar. I had never been there, so off we went. This continued all evening, until it was about 22:00 - I was late for my party and still needed to shower and change, Albert was late meeting his friend, had already spoken to him a few times on the phone. We walked part of the way home together, and when we had to say goodbye I was desperately hoping he'd kiss me - and at the same time not, because it would somehow also seem desperate. He gave absolutely no impression of wanting to kiss me, and I left, feeling a little bit disappointed... We had talked about meeting up in town if my party continued at a bar or a disco - which it did. Two or three hours after saying goodbye we met up again. We spent the whole night together in bars and discos, said goodbye around 6:00 Sunday morning - still no kiss or any hint from Albert that he'd like to. This time I was REALLY disappointed! I didn't hear from him all day, so in the afternoon I sent him an sms, to which he replied and asked if I wanted to meet up for a coffee. We walked around town for a bit after the coffee, until he (finally!) invited me to his place - the excuse was that I should come see a wall he had painted orange that same day... I gladly came along, and there he finally kissed me! It turns out that he had wanted to all along as well, but didn't want to seem desperate. He did everything just right, and I think it was quite clear right from the beginning for both of us that there was more than just language exchange going on between us - you could almost talk of love at first sight! But if somebody had said that six years later we'd have two cats, be married, own an apartment, be the parents of twin girls, and still be madly in love with each other, we would have assumed they were crazy! I couldn't be happier, though, it's everything I've always dreamed of!!
Tonight we had friends over for dinner, they're our age but have no kids - it's not something we talk about with them, the few times it has been brought up, it seems like he would like kids but she absolutely wouldn't. But we have no idea. Since they have no kids, we didn't spend much time talking about Laia and Liva - actually, they were hardly even mentioned the whole evening. As I've mentioned loads of times, they are so easy and we're so lucky - we put them to bed at 19:00 and had it not been for the playmats, bouncing chairs and highchairs in the livingroom, you would never have known that we have kids; we didn't hear them all night, and Albert and I didn't talk about them. It's actually quite nice to know that we can still be a "normal" couple and talk about "normal" couple things. We assume our friends were having a good time, because they didn't leave until after 01:00.
Albert and I met through a language exchange program - you sign up to practice/learn a language (I wanted to learn Spanish, he wanted to practice his English), and then you meet up with someone who's a native or near-native speaker of the language you want to learn/practice. These meetings normally last about an hour, 30 minutes for each language. That was also what Albert and I had expected six years ago. We met up in the center at 18:00, I had a party to go to later in the evening, Albert was meeting a friend. We went to a bar and sat outside on the terrace talking. After about an hour we paid our drinks and got ready to leave - but neither really wanted to leave. Albert asked if I had ever been to another bar which was close by, and though I had, I said no. We went there for a while, and when we were ready to leave, Albert mentioned another bar. I had never been there, so off we went. This continued all evening, until it was about 22:00 - I was late for my party and still needed to shower and change, Albert was late meeting his friend, had already spoken to him a few times on the phone. We walked part of the way home together, and when we had to say goodbye I was desperately hoping he'd kiss me - and at the same time not, because it would somehow also seem desperate. He gave absolutely no impression of wanting to kiss me, and I left, feeling a little bit disappointed... We had talked about meeting up in town if my party continued at a bar or a disco - which it did. Two or three hours after saying goodbye we met up again. We spent the whole night together in bars and discos, said goodbye around 6:00 Sunday morning - still no kiss or any hint from Albert that he'd like to. This time I was REALLY disappointed! I didn't hear from him all day, so in the afternoon I sent him an sms, to which he replied and asked if I wanted to meet up for a coffee. We walked around town for a bit after the coffee, until he (finally!) invited me to his place - the excuse was that I should come see a wall he had painted orange that same day... I gladly came along, and there he finally kissed me! It turns out that he had wanted to all along as well, but didn't want to seem desperate. He did everything just right, and I think it was quite clear right from the beginning for both of us that there was more than just language exchange going on between us - you could almost talk of love at first sight! But if somebody had said that six years later we'd have two cats, be married, own an apartment, be the parents of twin girls, and still be madly in love with each other, we would have assumed they were crazy! I couldn't be happier, though, it's everything I've always dreamed of!!
Tonight we had friends over for dinner, they're our age but have no kids - it's not something we talk about with them, the few times it has been brought up, it seems like he would like kids but she absolutely wouldn't. But we have no idea. Since they have no kids, we didn't spend much time talking about Laia and Liva - actually, they were hardly even mentioned the whole evening. As I've mentioned loads of times, they are so easy and we're so lucky - we put them to bed at 19:00 and had it not been for the playmats, bouncing chairs and highchairs in the livingroom, you would never have known that we have kids; we didn't hear them all night, and Albert and I didn't talk about them. It's actually quite nice to know that we can still be a "normal" couple and talk about "normal" couple things. We assume our friends were having a good time, because they didn't leave until after 01:00.
7½ MONTHS - 17 February 2011
Liva & Laia do not have whooping cough!! We got the results from the hospital today, the tests were negative! And the girls are much better, so all is OK! We have to take them to a check-up with the pedeatrician and hear what she says, I'm sooooo relieved.
The past 2-3 days Liva and Laia have been extremely happy, it's been even more wonderful being with them. I love how they "crawl" to me when I sit down on the floor with them to cuddle. They want to be picked up, nuzzle my neck, giggle at the kisses and hugs I give them, and laugh when I whisper in their little ears how wonderful they are and how much I love them.
And I've found out why I'm still fat!! I read in a medical paper (I was waiting for a student who was in a meeting, not the kind of literature I normally read) that lack of sleep or periods of extreme tiredness increase the risks of becoming fat. That explains it all - I just need sleep, then I'll be thin again! :)
The past 2-3 days Liva and Laia have been extremely happy, it's been even more wonderful being with them. I love how they "crawl" to me when I sit down on the floor with them to cuddle. They want to be picked up, nuzzle my neck, giggle at the kisses and hugs I give them, and laugh when I whisper in their little ears how wonderful they are and how much I love them.
And I've found out why I'm still fat!! I read in a medical paper (I was waiting for a student who was in a meeting, not the kind of literature I normally read) that lack of sleep or periods of extreme tiredness increase the risks of becoming fat. That explains it all - I just need sleep, then I'll be thin again! :)
7½ MONTHS - 15 February 2011
I called the hospital yesterday, but they still didn't have the results of the tests, they said to call back in 2-3 days. I spoke to the doctor who attended the girls when we were there, she asked how they were doing. When I said they were better, she said it's very likely that the tests will be positive, since it seems the medication is working and that particular medication only works on whooping cough. So we'll see. But Liva & Laia are better, that's what's most important!!
This morning I skipped breakfast and weighed myself just before showering - not a good idea. The scale just seems frozen on that same number! When I was pregnant I was so sure that losing weight wouldn't be a problem at all; I hardly moved the last few months of my pregnancy, so just the fact that I am moving again should be enough to lose weight. I'm carrying twins around, walking loads around the house since they're getting so big now I struggle with carrying both, I have to do two trips every time. And we go for a walk every day for at least an hour, usually around two or more, where I push the stroller which, with Liva & Laia inside, must weigh at least 20 Kg. I know it has wheels, but I'm still pushing it. And Barcelona isn't a flat city. But no, even after more than 7 months I still can't fit my clothes. Summer (well, spring) is coming up, and I'm already dreaming about spending days at the beach with the girls. But when I imagine myself in a bikini I panic - I probably can't even fit my bikini. Oh, the horror of having to buy a new one....
I've even gotten over my chocolate addiction and eat much less (yes, I still eat some!!), I snack on yoghurts - low fat - when I'm hungry, I eat fruit. I don't exercise, I just don't see when I would be able to. I'd love to start jogging again, but I'm just not motivated in the evenings when the girls are in bed. And NO WAY am I getting up at 5 in the morning to go for a jog before getting the girls ready for the day. I can hardly find the time to work, it's impossible to fit in exercising as well. So I guess I'll just have to stay fat for a while still. One day I will be back to normal, that day is just further away than I originally thought.
This morning I skipped breakfast and weighed myself just before showering - not a good idea. The scale just seems frozen on that same number! When I was pregnant I was so sure that losing weight wouldn't be a problem at all; I hardly moved the last few months of my pregnancy, so just the fact that I am moving again should be enough to lose weight. I'm carrying twins around, walking loads around the house since they're getting so big now I struggle with carrying both, I have to do two trips every time. And we go for a walk every day for at least an hour, usually around two or more, where I push the stroller which, with Liva & Laia inside, must weigh at least 20 Kg. I know it has wheels, but I'm still pushing it. And Barcelona isn't a flat city. But no, even after more than 7 months I still can't fit my clothes. Summer (well, spring) is coming up, and I'm already dreaming about spending days at the beach with the girls. But when I imagine myself in a bikini I panic - I probably can't even fit my bikini. Oh, the horror of having to buy a new one....
I've even gotten over my chocolate addiction and eat much less (yes, I still eat some!!), I snack on yoghurts - low fat - when I'm hungry, I eat fruit. I don't exercise, I just don't see when I would be able to. I'd love to start jogging again, but I'm just not motivated in the evenings when the girls are in bed. And NO WAY am I getting up at 5 in the morning to go for a jog before getting the girls ready for the day. I can hardly find the time to work, it's impossible to fit in exercising as well. So I guess I'll just have to stay fat for a while still. One day I will be back to normal, that day is just further away than I originally thought.
7 MONTHS + 2 WEEKS - 13 February 2011
Wow, I feel like a whole new person!! Yesterday morning Albert got up with the girls, and told me to sleep. I slept until 11 o'clock!! We had a lovely day together, the four of us went for a walk and in the afternoon my mother-in-law came for a few hours while Albert and I went out. We went to the center and did things I wanted to do, bought some clothes for me. When we came home we put the girls to bed, Albert made dinner, and we chilled on the couch watching a program on TV I wanted to watch.
This morning Albert got up again, but I told him it was his turn to sleep, I'd take over. He insisted I go back to bed - though it didn't take much insisting! I slept until 9:30! When I got up Liva & Laia were asleep, meaning we could relax for a bit. When they woke up I took them for a walk for about 2 hours, while Albert cleaned the apartment - and so much more. The kitchen shines, he cleaned the oven, the cooker, everything. After we had bathed the girls and put them to sleep, he again made dinner. I started preparing the girls' lunch for the week - I always cook for a whole week and freeze the food (for tips and ideas how to make life as a (twin)parent easier, click here), Albert kept coming into the kitchen to help. I hope this lasts, this weekend has been wonderful, for the first time in over a year I feel I have slept (I didn't sleep the last few months of the pregnancy either, but that's a whole different story! And Albert was absolutely wonderful throughout the entire pregnancy, I guess one day I'll explain about that time in my life).
On top of all this, the girls are feeling better. They don't cough as much anymore, they haven't had any of the strong attacks for the past two nights, and they have been all happy and smiling again today for the first time in weeks. Poor babies, they must really have felt terrible!! It's nice to see them happy again! And they've started eating again as well - Laia has gotten so thin, poor little thing!
All in all things seem to be improving, in all aspects! :)
This morning Albert got up again, but I told him it was his turn to sleep, I'd take over. He insisted I go back to bed - though it didn't take much insisting! I slept until 9:30! When I got up Liva & Laia were asleep, meaning we could relax for a bit. When they woke up I took them for a walk for about 2 hours, while Albert cleaned the apartment - and so much more. The kitchen shines, he cleaned the oven, the cooker, everything. After we had bathed the girls and put them to sleep, he again made dinner. I started preparing the girls' lunch for the week - I always cook for a whole week and freeze the food (for tips and ideas how to make life as a (twin)parent easier, click here), Albert kept coming into the kitchen to help. I hope this lasts, this weekend has been wonderful, for the first time in over a year I feel I have slept (I didn't sleep the last few months of the pregnancy either, but that's a whole different story! And Albert was absolutely wonderful throughout the entire pregnancy, I guess one day I'll explain about that time in my life).
On top of all this, the girls are feeling better. They don't cough as much anymore, they haven't had any of the strong attacks for the past two nights, and they have been all happy and smiling again today for the first time in weeks. Poor babies, they must really have felt terrible!! It's nice to see them happy again! And they've started eating again as well - Laia has gotten so thin, poor little thing!
All in all things seem to be improving, in all aspects! :)
7 MONTHS + 2 WEEKS - 11 February 2011
Laia and Liva have been getting medicin for three days now, and already seem a bit better. They still get cough attacks during the night that are so bad they can hardly breathe, and sometimes so bad they end up throwing up. I haven't slept properly in days, when I'm not up holding one of the girls through a cough attack, I'm in bed fretting! Going to bed early is impossible, every night around 22:00 I'm on my way to bed and remember things I need to do - hang up laundry, clean the kitchen, feed the cats, prepare the girls' bottles for the night, put away groceries that have been in the way for 6 days, which Albert was supposed to put away but didn't, etc, etc, etc. By the time I'm in bed it's close to midnight. Yesterday I vacuumed the house, another thing Albert's supposed to do but hasn't done.
This morning I was feeding the girls when Albert came into their room to kiss me goodmorning. When he asked me how I was doing, I started crying. I can't keep this up anymore! I am sooo tired, I can't be taking care of the girls 24/7, as well as the cats, the house, the shopping and everything else. Albert felt really bad and promised to help out more. I don't need him to help out more, I need him to do the chores we agreed are his. He has said various time during the day I don't need to worry, he'll do more around the house. I really do think he felt horrible this morning, we'll see how it goes the next couple of weeks.
This morning I was feeding the girls when Albert came into their room to kiss me goodmorning. When he asked me how I was doing, I started crying. I can't keep this up anymore! I am sooo tired, I can't be taking care of the girls 24/7, as well as the cats, the house, the shopping and everything else. Albert felt really bad and promised to help out more. I don't need him to help out more, I need him to do the chores we agreed are his. He has said various time during the day I don't need to worry, he'll do more around the house. I really do think he felt horrible this morning, we'll see how it goes the next couple of weeks.
7 MONTHS + 1½ WEEKS - 9 February 2011
Okay, so going to the hospital didn't give us better news - they also suspect it might be whooping cough... They did some tests to which we'll have the results next week. The girls are now in treatment for whooping cough - if that is what they have, they have to be treated straight away, if it isn't, the medication won't hurt them. We were also shown how to clean their little noses, so they're not so full of snot, making it easier for the girls to breathe. Oh, I hope they'll be OK again soon, I'm really worried about them!!
7 MONTHS + 1½ WEEKS - 8 February 2011
Good news and bad news... I'll start with the good news. Laia sat up on her own today. But I have NO idea how she did it. I had left her on the floor to play - Liva was sleeping - while I went to the kitchen for a while. I am 100% sure she was lying down, I am always afraid of leaving them on their own sitting up because they still very often fall over. If they land outside the blankets they bang their heads, which can be quite painful on our parquet floor. When I came back 5 minutes later she was sitting up! Big girl!! :)
The bad news is that they're more sick then we originally thought. The bronchitis medicine the pediatrician gave us last week hasn't helped at all. Today I took them back to the pediatrician for a check-up and they've gotten worse instead of better. Liva is full of slime in her little lungs, sometimes she coughs so hard she can barely breathe. Laia has less slime but her cough is worse. The pediatrician told us to go to the hospital with both of them first thing tomorrow morning. She basically wants to rule out whooping cough, though it's pretty unlikely that's what they have - they have all their shots and it's very rare that it happens in Europe to babies with their shots. Also, they don't have all the symptoms. But better safe than sorry! And hopefully at the hospital they'll be able to find out what it is, and give us medicine. Poor, poor little girls!!
The bad news is that they're more sick then we originally thought. The bronchitis medicine the pediatrician gave us last week hasn't helped at all. Today I took them back to the pediatrician for a check-up and they've gotten worse instead of better. Liva is full of slime in her little lungs, sometimes she coughs so hard she can barely breathe. Laia has less slime but her cough is worse. The pediatrician told us to go to the hospital with both of them first thing tomorrow morning. She basically wants to rule out whooping cough, though it's pretty unlikely that's what they have - they have all their shots and it's very rare that it happens in Europe to babies with their shots. Also, they don't have all the symptoms. But better safe than sorry! And hopefully at the hospital they'll be able to find out what it is, and give us medicine. Poor, poor little girls!!
7 MONTHS + ALMOST 1 WEEK - 4 February 2011
Oh the joys of having twins.... They're both sick - a mild bronchitis. When one's sick, two are sick, that's just how it works. And when they're sick, they're hard work! They cry more (poor things!!!), they sleep more often during the day, but for much less time than normal - since they normally don't sleep for more than 30-45 minutes, it means they now sleep for 15-20 minutes. And worst of all, they don't sleep well at night. A few nights ago I was up every hour, last night every hour and a half or so. Albert doesn't hear them at night, and feels really bad about me getting up all the time. He makes up for it in the mornings - though he has to go to work he lets me sleep while he takes care of the girls - feeds them, gives them their medicine and changes them. The night I had been up every hour he even managed to get them to sleep again - we all three slept until 9 am, it was wonderful!
Heather (our babysitter) is wonderful as well, a bundle of joy! The girls smile as soon as they see her, and it's wonderful for me to get some time off while knowing the girls are in good hands.
Heather (our babysitter) is wonderful as well, a bundle of joy! The girls smile as soon as they see her, and it's wonderful for me to get some time off while knowing the girls are in good hands.
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| Laia & Liva - 7 months and almost 1 week |
7 MONTHS + ALMOST 1 WEEK - 3 February 2011
For the first time since the girls were born, I've managed not to get baby-puke, baby-food or any other baby-stuff on my clothes today! I can actually put it back in the wardrobe and wear it another time, without washing it first. That doesn't happen often! And since I'm too fat to wear most of my clothes, it's a big deal!
7 MONTHS + a few days - 2 February 2011
The girls are so sick, poor things! They have a really bad cold and both cough all the time. It's clear that it hurts them when they cough. They also sleep loads more than normally during the day - which then means they can't fall asleep in the evening when we put them to bed.
Sunday evening I went to the pharmacy to get some cough medication, but there is hardly anything you can give 7 month old babies. They gave me a cough syrup which we can give them, but it just doesn't seem to be helping. We have an appointment with their pediatrician this afternoon, I hope she can give us something to relieve the coughing and the pain.
Sunday evening I went to the pharmacy to get some cough medication, but there is hardly anything you can give 7 month old babies. They gave me a cough syrup which we can give them, but it just doesn't seem to be helping. We have an appointment with their pediatrician this afternoon, I hope she can give us something to relieve the coughing and the pain.
7 MONTHS + a few days - 1 February 2011
Idea for new invention:
Diapers that go further up the back!!
How is it possible for shit to travel upwards? Why doesn't it just come straight out and down, into the diaper instead of all over their back? I've noticed that it happens mainly when they poop while sitting, I guess there just isn't space for it to go down so it travels up instead. Fun.......
Diapers that go further up the back!!
How is it possible for shit to travel upwards? Why doesn't it just come straight out and down, into the diaper instead of all over their back? I've noticed that it happens mainly when they poop while sitting, I guess there just isn't space for it to go down so it travels up instead. Fun.......
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