14 Week Review of Juliana and Olivia

Allergies-
 - This past week Mike and I found out that our girls have allergies. As mentioned before in previous blogs, the girls were put on soy formula for supplementing in addition to breastfeeding.Right at three months, we saw a change in our girls. They started breaking out around the mouth and Olivia had a light rash all over her body. Their noses were plugged with clear mucus and we were concerned. We did some research and decided to try a few things. 1) We first tried taking them off of soy and putting them back on the milk base formula. This cleared up the rash on Olivia and around their mouths. The only problem with this that that they were still congested and spitting up. 2) We then tried taking them off of the milk and soy formula and try giving them Alimentum by Similac. This was a hypoallergenic formula that cost $25.00 for 12.9 ounces! Needless to say, the girls did not take it and spit it up more than the milk formula. The taste was awful and it smelled really bad. 3) We took them off of the Alimentum and thought that we were going to be in trouble, but then a friend suggested the cheap Walmart brand for sensitivity. It was lactose free and soy free. So we gave it a try. This was a much better price, $14.00 for about 30 ounces. The girls did really well. They took it down with no problem and did not spit up one bit. They have been on it for about three days now. They have not had as much gas and drink a lot more.

Reflux-
Since we put the girls on the Walmart formula, we had actually forgotten to give the girls their medicine. So far it has been three days and the girls have not spit up once. They have been doing well and we hope that this was the answer for their reflux. 

Hands-
This week the girls have found new toys...their hands. They have been putting them together and gripping things, like daddy's hair. They have found that their hands will fit into their mouths really easily. This makes trying to nurse a battle between the hands and Mama. Mama always wins. We look forward to seeing what other body parts will be found next. 


Swing-
Yesterday as we were getting ready for church, Mike put the girls in their swings so we could practice our special music at the piano. I happened to be in another room when I heard this wailing cry followed by a quick stop of the piano and Mike rushing over to the girls. When I came out into the living room, Mike had told me that Juliana had pushed herself almost completely off the back of the swing and her head was hanging. OH! my poor baby!  

Juliana in the swing

Bubbles-
The girls are staring to blow bubbles in their spit. Whenever they get excited, they move their arms and legs all over the place and blow bubbles and coo. They are becoming more active everyday.

Pets-
Since the girls were born, the cats have nothing to do with the girls. They really stay away and avoid any contact. Precious, our toy rat terrier loves the girls. She already wants to play with them, sleep with them and in general likes to be around the girls. I have caught her, on occasion, licking the girls' ears.

 Precious sleeping with the girls.

So the past 14 weeks has been exciting and a blessing. There has never been a dull moment with Juliana and Olivia. We are proud of them and we can't wait to see what they have in store these next few months.

Freedom!