Sleepless nights...

Deb with Ben
Joe, Nikki, Jake

We are still trying to figure out a daily and nightly routine that works for us. We have had many sleepless nights while we are trying to get things right. Both Ben & Nikki seem to be very awake from 11pm to 1am. This makes it extremely difficult for Joe to get the feeding/burping/diapering done. Our latest thought is that we have to keep them awake a bit more during the day, and hopefully then they will be sleepier at night.

We had our 2-week check-up with the doctor this past Thursday. He is very impressed with our children. Ben now weighs 7 lbs. 5 oz., and Nikki weighs 7 lbs. 4 oz. They have increased their weight significantly since leaving the hospital (6lbs 5.5 oz., 6 lbs. 2.6 oz.). They also had their repeat PKU test (a few drops of blood from their heels). Nikki slept through the entire visit, opening her eyes once when the stuck her heel. Ben did not like anything about the appointment, and he cried and screamed with the heel stick. Everything else checked out okay. They have another appointment in two weeks.

We are already noticing differences in personalities. I'm sure it will change several times in the future, but it seems that Nikki is the fussy, drama-queen, while Ben is normally the more sedate, laid-back type. Nikki sleeps a lot, probably about the amount that a normal newborn sleeps, while Ben is awake probably 40-50% of the time. He is usually perfectly happy just looking around at stuff.

Also, Nikki (and probably Ben, too) are finally big enough to fit in the sling carriers that we have. I have been looking forward to that--more mobility for me!

Nikki and Ben having playtime
Nikki is sucking on Mom's finger while being burped