10.6.09: Sweaters

Daphne (blue), Stella (orange), Fiona (purple)

The girls finally fit into the beautiful sweaters that Keren made for them (perfect timing seasonally). I guess it really is fall as the temperature barely reached 70. This was our first walk with them. Thanks Keren!

10.3.09: Long and lean

During our move out to LA in mid-August, I realized when packing that the girls newborn clothes didn't fit them anymore, especially their sleepers. The girls seem to be long and lean with huge feet. When you look at their bellies in the newborn attire, there is plenty of room, however when you look at the length - things were awfully snug. Brant actually pointed out to me that the girls toes were curled up inside their sleeper feet - what a bad mom - I totally didn't realize this and promptly put them into their 3 month clothes.

So here is my rant - why on earth are the clothes for babies between 8-12lbs called 3 month clothes? Even our girls (who started off extremely small) are beyond 8lbs at three months. So I guess I have learned that 3 month clothes are really for babies 0-3 and six month clothes are for babies 3-6 months. Why not just label this way?

Needless to say this same issue repeated itself (ALREADY). While both grandmas were here, they teamed up to show me that the girls were ready for the 6 month clothes. I feel silly putting the girls into 6 month clothes when they are still less than four months, but I guess this is just the ridiculous labeling that children's clothing manufacturers use. Don't we have enough to worry about when raising children, must we really worry about confusing clothing labels too?

10.1.09: What season is it?

Finally today, we decided it was time to use blankets when taking the girls for their daily walk. Until now, the girls had just worn their onesie and coordinated (usually) pants, no socks, shoes or blankets as it has been pretty warm (mid 80s most evenings). It is crazy to talk to people in Boston and Chicago and realize that they are already experiencing 'sweater weather' while I am here in CA just experiencing a continuation of the summer with many days in the 90s - is it really October?

While on this walk, the grandmas decided to spoil me. They each took turns wearing the Baby Bjorn and the other pushed the stroller - I didn't carry anyone! As I enjoyed the free hands, I found myself walking quicker than normal and even bouncing unnecessarily at crosswalks - apparently trying to sooth the phantom baby that I was holding.

9.30.09: Grandmas

Today the girls are officially spoiled - both grandmas are here and finally the number of adults outnumbers the number of babies. This is wonderful! Everyone can be held and get the attention that they deserve. I only wonder how it will be when everyone leaves, but for now I am going to totally embrace that both of our moms are here. I know the girls are thrilled and love the constant attention. I got some time to run errands (and nap!) without feeling guilty about leaving three babies with one person. Heaven!

9.25.09: DMV

Have you ever had an idea in your head that later you realize was totally ridiculous? Well here was one of mine. Brant and I needed to register the car and get new CA licenses. My first thought was that we would just bring the girls to the DMV and then take turns taking the written driver's test and dealing with the process - seems reasonable right? We are in the suburbs after all. In the Seattle suburbs this wouldn't have been a problem. Well thankfully my mom was coming into town so we saved our DMV visit until she arrived. Wow - that was a lucky thing. The DMV here is crazy! People everywhere, 25+ windows to which you visit at least 5 just to get a license and chaos, udder chaos. There was no room for a stroller, let alone a twin stroller, let alone infants, let alone all the germs and of course don't forget the hours it took to complete these simple tasks. I definitely didn't think that through very well - it would have been a disaster if we brought the girls. Again, this was an idea that thankfully didn't occur - I really need to think through the environment I bring the girls into a little more - sometimes I just forget how simple tasks can become very complicated with three infants.

Also today Brant and I went on our first (I think) adult outing since having the girls. A colleague at Brant's work had a gathering and we were able to travel to his house and socialize with other adults - without babies. (Again, thanks to the babysitting of my mom) Little did my mom realize that her visit would be full of babysitting within the first 24 hours after her arrival - I wonder if she would have come had she known this... It was nice to get away, of course we missed the girls, but it was nice to remember that we are humans first and parents second. Sometimes I feel like I am just an entity to feed, change and get spit up on :)

9.24.09: Fitting the curve

Today was our first appointment with a pediatrician in LA. Turns out we were really lucky and ended up with a great new pediatrician. Are all pediatricians great? maybe. The girls are growing well; Daphne 12lbs 3oz, Fiona 11lbs 10oz, and Stella 11lbs 2oz. The most exciting news is that all the girls are now on the growth chart - we are in the normal range! Of course all the girls are below the 35th percentile, but we will take it - remember we started under 5 lbs. Finally we are on the growth chart. Success!

After some immunizations and therefore screaming, we made it home and did pretty well the rest of the day. The one thing missing for me as I am learning my role as a stay at home parent is a good book (or website) about the development of infants - what to do with them to stimulate their minds and development, any recommendations? (please leave suggestions in the comments section - now open to everyone).

In the final development of the day, we now have three cribs set up. Fiona and Stella were found headbutting each other several times during the night and it was decided that we had to cave in and finally set up the third crib. Turns out after some debating with the room layout, the nursery doesn't look too bad with three cribs. The girls seem to sleep in their own cribs just fine too - so that is a huge relief.

Auntie Kelly left yesterday, I caught this cute picture of her with the girls napping in the morning.

9.20.09: Atlanta in the house

My dear friend Kelly from Atlanta was in the LA area for a wedding and was able to finagle a visit to the Robertson household to meet the three newest members. Upon arrival she was promptly given Daphne to hold and feed (we save diaper changing for the second visit as we want people to return). Stella took a serious liking to Kelly and would not stop staring at her during the photos. It was so wonderful to see her as it had been way too long (over two years) - we vowed not to let it be this long again before we see each other.

Today also brought over my sister-in-law Catherine. Well I guess she is my sister's sister-in-law, but our family is so small we are willing to stretch the family tree a little further to include all those who are willing. My sister and I had decided previously on Halloween costumes for the girls and while Catherine was over (taking a break from dorm life at USC) we put her to work on the costumes. A group effort by all, these costumes are adorable and creative. She even gave us an idea for costumes next Halloween. Can't say what the outfits are yet, you will have to wait for the picture on Halloween. I will give you one clue - it involved onesies, felt and cost less than $8 for all three outfits.

I adjusted the blog so everyone can leave comments if you'd like (no gmail account required) but please include your name if you do.

9.18.09: In loving memory

In loving memory of
C. Edward Robertson
Beloved father and grandfather

Although too short, we are thankful for the time we had together and wonderful memories we will cherish forever.

9.17.09: Photo shoot - take two

Fiona (pink), Daphne (blue), Stella (yellow)

My mom and sister decided to replicate the attempted photo shoot as well as they could while I was running errands. It was a wonderful surprise to come home to several adorable pictures of the girls who were happy participants this time.

9.15.09: Photo shoot

So I got this idea into my head (suggested by several people) that I should get 'professional' three month photos taken of the girls. Please keep in mind that Brant and I take several group and individual shots on the 11th of each month. The idea of these photos would be to have pictures that are more refined than those that we take at home with the children wedged into the couch or a boppy. So I made an appointment for the photo department at a nearby Target. Kim has done really well at her Target with these milestone pictures so I thought I'd give it a try (of course the lack of a sitting fee was also rather enticing).

My mom and I arrived at Target. The girls dressed, recently fed and napping comfortably in their stroller or wrap - what could go wrong? A whole lot. The room was really cold, dark and had bright shining lights. The photographer decided it was a good idea to rattle and make loud noises and of course the repetitive flash did not help either. She also suggested that the girls sit up on their own, something they can't do yet. After a solid 15 minutes, I couldn't take the screaming anymore and we ceased the photo shoot. The photographer suggested I come back in a couple months and with three adults instead of two. I tried to explain that the idea of a three month photo shoot at five months wasn't as novel. Once I recovered from my near breakdown, we left Target with no photos and totally exhausted. I am so thankful that we take the photos ourselves each month - screaming or not at least they are at home where they are more comfortable. Maybe we will try again at six months, but definitely not before.