A typical feeding for the boys

Several of you have asked what a typical feeding for the boys is like.  Well, here it is:

1.  Heather nurses Jack for around 15-20 minutes.
2.  At the same time, Craig gives Mark a bottle that contains almost all breastmilk, but also a little formula is added.  It is a higher calorie formula to help Mark gain more weight faster.  Currently Mark gets 120 ml (4 oz) in a bottle.
3.  Both Jack and Mark typically finish around the same time.
4.  Now Craig gives Jack a supplemental bottle of breastmilk.  Currently, Jack receives 65 ml (a little over 2 oz) in the bottle.
5.  At the same time, Heather pumps for about 15-20 minutes.
6.  After we both finish, the boys both have a diaper change and a clothes change (if necessary).  Also, we take the milk that Heather has pumped and put it into a vial to be used in tomorrow's bottles. 

After the 5 PM feeding, we run the dish washer that includes all of the previous night's and day's bottles.  After it is finished, this is the number of bottles and other parts and accessories that we clean...all in a day's work.

More pictures of the boys

We haven't uploaded too many pictures lately to the blog.  Today is Halloween and we just watched our Wolfpack blow another chance at an ACC victory with poor clock management at the end of both halves.  On a much better note, we have the following pictures for everyone's enjoyment.

Look how they are sleeping in the same manner with their legs crossed.

Just before time to go to bed, the boys relax together on the couch.

Jack looks up during tummy time and is wondering what is going on in front of me.

Mark is showing off his little man attaire saying "Hey look at me."

Not to be outdone, Jack looks at the camera and is saying "Hey, don't forget about me."

After a feeding one afternoon, Mark asked to be seated while Jack was fed.  We said sure and hooked him up with the double boppy.  How cool does he look?

Mark is peacefully sleeping in his crib.  Look how his arms are while he sleeps.

The boys are growing

Here is a picture of the boys in their car seats when we brought them home from the hospital, and a picture of the boys in their same car seat 3 months later.

Play time with Jack and Mark

Here are a couple of videos from tonight's play time with the boys.

Trip to Granna and Grandpa's house

On Monday, October 5th, my parents came to Raleigh to help me take the boys to Gastonia for the week. We left Tuesday morning heading to Granna and Grandpa's house right after the 8am feeding....well and after packing half the house! We were on the road by 9:45!  We stopped at a gas station around 10:30 so we could give the boys their Prilosec (medicine for their reflux), which they must take at least 30 minutes before eating.  We have to hold them flat to get them to swallow the medicine, so that required us taking them out of their car seats. Then, we were on the road again.  We stopped at 11am at a Wendy's in Greensboro for the 11am feeding.  We fed both and changed both diapers and then went through the drive thru to get us some lunch. Then, we were on the road again for the final leg of the trip. Jack and Mark did excellent travelling...what little time they weren't asleep, they were looking out their windows and very content.

As soon as we got home, it was time for the 2pm feeding. Mama and Papa (Jack and Mark's great grandparents) came down and enjoyed feeding and holding them!

On Wednesday, we took Jack and Mark to Charlotte.  Our first stop was to meet Granna's coworkers.  Which, by the way, Congratulations to Granna on her retirement on October 2nd from 15 years at Queens University in Charlotte!!!  Jack and Mark were great while visiting Granna's coworkers.  They smiled and "cooed" and entertained everyone they met.  And, everyone enjoyed seeing the boys....who wouldn't mind a break from work to see some cute babies, huh???  We even did the 11am feeding outside Granna's vacant office!!  Then, we were off to Grandpa's previous employer...Piedmont Natural Gas. Of course, since we were so close, Grandpa had to take the opportunity to show off his grandsons to some of his previous coworkers. Once again, the boys were excellent visitors!  Then, we stopped for lunch on our way back to Gastonia.  When we got back to Gastonia, we went to Mama and Papa's so that two of my great aunts and one of my cousins could meet Jack and Mark. They had travelled from Franklin, NC to Gastonia just to meet Jack and Mark...how very nice of them and what a treat for us to see them! Once we got home, Uncle Roger came by the house to visit his great nephews! Then, Wednesday night, our cousins the Courtney family and my great aunt came by to see Jack and Mark. We enjoyed visiting with them as well....so much so that we forgot to get any pictures with them!

The boys did really good sleeping in pack n plays at Granna and Grandpa's.  You wouldn't have known they were away from the "norm."

Thursday was another day full of visitors. Thursday morning, Mama and Papa came down to Granna and Grandpa's to watch the boys get their baths.  Baths are always so much fun!  Several friends came by Granna and Grandpa's to meet Jack and Mark later in the day.  Our cousin Rachel and her daughter Evianna also came by to meet them. Then, Thursday night, Mama and Papa came back down to see them again and have dinner with us.

What a busy trip it was.  It was SO good to see so many people.  But, it sure was tiring too! 

We left Gastonia on Friday morning and drove through Pinehurst to come back to Raleigh. We stopped in Pinehurst so that Granny B could meet Jack and Mark.  She wants the boys to call her "GG" (for Great Grandmother...very clever!).  She really enjoyed seeing the boys and even holding each one! We had a feeding while we were there and then hit the road back to Raleigh.

We were glad to get away for a few days, but it was good to get back to Raleigh to see Daddy!  He sure did miss his boys while we were gone.  And, they missed him too!  And, so did Mommy!  It was good to all be together again!

Pics of Jack and Mark

Their 3 month picture:

A college football Saturday....Jack and Mark's game faces:

Got sleep?

Sunday night, the third night of no alarm clock for night time feedings, was different from the first two.  The boys were put to bed around 9:30.  Heather and Craig woke up at 2:09 and realized that we had not fed for the normal midnight feeding yet.  We immediately thought the worst.  We jumped out of bed and checked on the boys.  When we got to their rooms, we heard and saw both of them breathing and sleeping.  What a relief!  Then, we quickly returned to bed and slept until Mark woke up at 2:30.  After that feeding, the boys slept until 6 AM.  Then, we got one more hour of sleep from 7-8.  We had a great night of sleep.  We hope tonight is as good or better.  We will keep everyone updated.

Good job boys!  Keep up the good sleep.

Pumpkin Patch

The boys told us the other day that they wanted to go to a pumpkin patch.  We were like sure, sounds fun.  So we as a family hopped in the car and traveled all over Wake County trying to find a pumpkin patch.  Heather had found one online in North Raleigh off of Falls of the Neuse Road.  So, we drove up to the location and found...nothing.  Then we drove down Six Forks Road, knowing that most United Methodist churches have pumpkin patches.  With several churches on that main road, including our church of Trinity Baptist, we felt sure we would find one.  We found...nothing.   Then a light bulb went off in our head.  There is a great nursery down off of Holly Springs Road near Ten Ten Road.  We drove down there and we felt sure we would find one. We found...nothing.  So, by now, it was almost feeding time and we had to come home.  On our way home, we got on Maynard Road and were near the mall and drove by White Plains United Methodist Church.  They have a huge pumpkin patch.  It is a whole 7 minutes from our house.  So, to recap, we drove about a hour and a half to find a pumpkin patch that was 7 minutes away.  It was dark by now and we couldn't get a good picture.  The next day, we went back to the church and got the following picture:

3 month doctor visits

Today, we went to the pediatrician for a weight check.  Up till now, we have been on a four hour feeding schedule at night.  The boys feed at 12 and 4 every night.  We set the alarm clock for both of these feedings.  The hope for the meeting today was that the boys would be big enough so that they we can stop setting the clock for their feedings.  This way, they can start sleeping until they wake up hungry and then we can feed them at that time.  This will eventually allow the boys to sleep later and longer and eventually, sleep through the night.  And what a glorious night that will be.

Today, their weight's are:

Jack - 12 lbs 8.5 oz
Mark - 10 lbs

They are really growing well.  The doctor said we didn't need to set the alarm clock anymore.  WOO HOO!!!

Enjoying time on our backs

A few minutes after Jack and Mark had a successful session of tummy time, we decided to flip them over and let them lay on their backs for a few moments.  Well, a few moments turned into a few minutes and next thing we knew, it had been 30 minutes.  They absolutely loved kicking and moving their arms and legs.  They also at times were holding hands.  It was so cute.  After they moved their arms and legs around without any reprecussions for half an hour, we noticed, as we were about to sit down for dinner, that both Jack and Mark had fallen fast asleep.  They wore themselves out.  Here is the youtube link:

Quiet Time

It is really quiet at the DeVault household this week. Jack and Mark are currently in Gastonia with Mommy, Granna, and Grandpa. I am still here in Raleigh though. And it is really quiet. REALLY quiet.

I have been able to get several things done around the house that need to be done. Now I know what my parents always say..."It sure gets quiet when you kids leave."

Weight Check

Yesterday, we went to the doctor's office to get a weight check for the boys. We were noticing that their reflux medicine wasn't working as well as it did a couple of weeks ago. We wanted to make sure that we had the right dose amounts for them, as the dose is based on their weight. We found out the following:

Jack is now 11 lbs and 8 oz
Mark is now 8 lbs and 13 oz

They are really growing up at a fast and healthy rate.

Feeding time

Just wanted you all to see what feeding time is like at the DeVault household. Enjoy...

Night Nurse

Last Thursday, we had a good friend come over and volunteer to be something akin to a night nurse. Susan Haller came over around 7 pm and stayed until 5:45 am. Susan would take care of the boys if they woke up between feedings. She changed diapers, comforted, and helped them fall back asleep. We really enjoyed getting some more solid sleep for a night, especially since we hadn't gotten much sleep the previous night.

Thanks alot Susan. We appreciate it.