The Last of July

I promise that the aim of this post is not solely to move July's post tally ahead of February's meager record of six entries. On to more important matters: the Chilean trade deficit. No, sorry, that's for my other blog.

Noelle and Lucas have passed their 1-month birthday by six days. As in the last post, there is little to report in the way of "news." Our July has been an unbreakable routine of 7AM nursings supplemented by bottled formula, changing diapers, holding baby, talking to baby, shushing baby, retrieving dropped pacifier from floor followed by hot-water rinsing and re-applying pacifier, a couple of hours of quiet sleepy time, then short quiet whimpers quickly turning into anguished high-pitched wails, then diaper check, and then nursing baby right into the next cycle. Repeat this five or six times a day, times two babies. Since returning to work these are essentially Kelly and MarMa's days; at 6PM I enter the picture and join the torment already in progress. Around 1 to 2 A.M., Kelly and I wrap up the day's final cycle, zombie-over to bed, and await the 7 A.M. crow of the twins.

In the midst of this routine the elder Wieleckis and Silvestris arrived, bottle-fed, held, talked, shushed, changed diapers, and left. NL hardly altered their plans to accommodate the visitors, and in fact escalated the frequency and intensity of their mess-making.

The next highlight in NL's lives is their two-month pediatrician visit on August 25th. In the meantime, our summer will continue to smash all records for high-octane exhilaration. Oh, I kid; Lucas: as I type this you lay warmly bundled on my lap, contemplating your next move with the hospital-issued green pacifier and occasionally glancing around the room. I'd not modify our state of affairs for one clean diaper or quiet nine-hour night. You're so totally worth it. Now, on to Chile's copper exports.

Fourth Wednesday

Yesterday Noelle and Lucas were four weeks old. They neither realized nor cared. As long as they can continue chugging down the contents of plastic bottles stuck into their face six times a day, deposit the remnants into a clean diaper as frequently, and sleep in the interim, they are happy. Forget colorful party hats, obnoxious unfurly paper horns, or candles. NL are strictly business and have no time for fanfare. Neither do we, apparently. Though, we do have time to eat pizza and eat we will tonight at 7PM, accompanied by a significant contingent of the Wielecki side of the family tree: my parents arrived from Chicago on Tuesday, and my sister and family from Toronto this afternoon. Including three-quarters of both the Hamiltons and Mikoszes, all will be participating in musical chairs in our cozy quarters built for two.

I'd like to report that NL are progressing daily and growing right in front of our eyes. But I won't, as I dislike that expression and have no proof of any "progress." I hear an occasional exclamation of wonder at an independent stomach-to-back flip by Lucas or an attentive gaze from Noelle, but as those are strictly hearsay they don't qualify for any distinctive merits. Yet, I love those kids and will name a blog entry after the first human trick I'm presented with.

Yet another delayed set of photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/NL_midJuly

And Then They Were Three (Weeks Old)

I'll spare the apologies for scant blog updates. I'm sure the few remaining patrons of WT will understand. Not only are NL two handfuls, but as I returned to work last week, my days have become just magical: sleep five to six hours, work four, run home for an hour of diaper changes and maybe half a sandwich, back to work for four more, then back home to wallow in twin glory until 1 A.M. If I could type with my toes, this blog would really see action.

The big news to report is that for the third night in a row now, NL have slept straight through. Well, six or so hours; still not enough for us to forget they're here, but at least MarMa gets a break from the 3:30 A.M. feedings. By day, NL are becoming more alert and inquisitive. Their eyes are staying open longer. They've also begun a daily regimen of clothing-optional tummy times which they seem almost to enjoy, if anything indicated by an occasional bladder evacuation. Now they are pre-occupied by an effort to avoid catching my funk: I've been dealing with a rather nasty sore throat and care not to see their doctor sooner than scheduled.

Finally, here's a belated link to last week's photo album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/NLThirdWeek

We ARE In For It

Finally a free minute. Not a second more, though. 

So--we got the kind of kids you have to feed every day. Quite a bit of work with those guys. Cute as a button but boy do they require attention. And $88 extra in health insurance deductions per pay period.

Partial Progress Report

Today was NL's two-week pediatrician appointment. Both are in top form health-wise. Lucas was back to his birth weight, while Noelle outpaced hers by five ounces. Keeping with custom, each child messed their diaper while on the exam table. We return on August 25th for the two-month visit.

The diapers are flying out of the box, around a warm butt, and into the trash can at breakneck speed. The 800+ count box of wipes, which I thought initially would last us through the Obama administration, is likewise being depleted in short order. As a result, I've developed quite the aptitude at changing, swaddling, and shushing. I've even entered into a staring contest or two with Lucas--I'm told this aids infants' absorption of potassium.

Several days ago I read to Lucas one chapter from my favorite author James Thurber's The 13 Clocks and part of an Economist article to Noelle. Both kids responded to reading time with slightly less enthusiasm than does our dog Hana. So, they may not quite be on a direct path to scholarly achievement, but at least they held their drool until it was over.

Ten Days In

I will refrain from titling every entry with the week of NL's existence. That would be too predictable. I'll leave the predictability to the entries themselves. Still, for the record, I will mention that this is our second week with the chilluns* and am pleased to report they haven't yet left us or discovered tobacco. Though, a bit worriedly, neither has expressed much interest in college.

Although they've been hanging with us for only 10 days, I much quicker am able to discern one from the other. Either I'm just getting good, or their features have morphed into their separate visages sooner than anticipated. No longer need I inspect the nose to identify which child's scream is presently rattling my eardrum; now, a quick glance at the face or inside a diaper provides the answer.

There've also been a few modifications in me. Since their arrival, I've discovered a whole new world of patience and tolerance: if the twins summon, I think nothing of springing up whilst reading or whatever else I'm doing (these days, not much), whereas before I'd groan and dither. Suddenly I can perform complex tasks with only one arm. I wash hands (mine, mostly) with unprecedented frequency. I've learned that milliliters and cubic centimeters are the same. And that's all. I've learned nothing else. I'll open my mind for the next several days and see what soaks in.


* For the diehards, see http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/NLFirstWeek and http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/NLSecondWeek

Week One

As predicted, blog updates have become scare now that we are otherwise engaged. Though, while NL do demand many hours of attention, they do doze off frequently and for two- to three-hour stretches. These periods of calm allow us to attend to other pressing matters like paying bills and flossing.

At present Kelly is napping. A few minutes ago, she left me with 50 ml of breastmilk and a request to feed NL at 4:45PM. So, this entry will be abbreviated. I at least wanted to make a July blog appearance and inform all that the twins are carrying on splendidly. We had some initial 'concern' (really, just on the part of the doctors; what do they know?) that Lucas wasn't gaining weight at the recommended rate. I shamelessly blame this on the hospital staff, who could not agree on a figure for the correct amount of milk/formula to feed. Thus, we were underfeeding NL until our first pediatrician exam gave the proper advice. Now we're back where we should be. DCFS, get lost.