[Celry]

I love my girls and I'm extremely lucky to have them, but it's a miracle I'm still sane after a day like today. They will not sleep unless they are on me and have spent the majority of the day screaming. I didn't eat anything weird, they're just having one of their really grouchy days. I'm sure they'd be happier if they'd just nap. I have had them swaddled. We've gone for a walk in the double and single strollers. We've tried a ride in the car. I paced with them until my arms were burning and couldn't possibly hold and bounce them anymore. We tried the swing, the bouncy chair, playmat, floor, bumbo chairs, crib and even my bed. UH! They just won't sleep or stop crying. I keep them on the boob just to keep them quiet, but then they scream when they don't want that.

Sorry to vent and thanks for listening. I have a splitting headache, am super sleep deprived and DH won't be home until at least 9 pm.

[Boo]

I'm sorry. I can relate to wanting to pull my hair out and I only have one. I can't imagine how rough of a day you had today. I hope tomorrow is better and I also hope DH is able to give you a break tonight when he gets home.

[KCMomma]

Oh Valerie...I feel your pain (not with TWO of them) but still I understand the frustration. Seems like you tried everything. I tell ya, one thing that calmed Paige down was the exhaust fan in the bathroom...have you tried rocking them in the bathroom? Sounds weird I know but it helped us. Also, I have an hour long CD of a repeative vacuum cleaner. If you want I can burn you a copy and try that? I'm so sorry. I seriously couldn't imgaine doing that with TWO babies! Do you have any family that can helP?

[Celry]

OMG! I would love a copy of that CD. I'm willing to try anything. I will try the fan thing too.

I would normally call my mom, but she and my dad are driving home from visiting one of my brothers in TX. I'm sure my sister would help, but she has a 3 year old and a 14 month old. I feel bad calling her.

They are finally asleep. I threw them both back in the single stroller and walked forever. I got home and am moving the stroller with one hand. It's the first time they've both been asleep together since 7:00 am. Thye've been alseep for about 30 minutes, which is the longest either has slept all day.

I'm sure DH will help when he gets home. He has Frisbee on Tuesday nights and goes there straight from work. He called to tell me there was a party after the game tonight and could tell how frazzled I was. He offered to come home and not go to the game at all. I told him to go since he needs to have a little fun too, but he won't be going to the party.

[courtneytcu98]

I had those days when Elliott was the girls' age and it made me insane! I can't imagine feeling that with 2! I second the vacuum. . . I didn't have the cd, just would set the vacuum in his room and let it run until he was in a fairly deep sleep and just the sound machine would cut it.

I would also say that if you feel overwhelmed and are by yourself, TAKE A BREAK. Sometimes 5 minutes of calming breaths is what is needed so that you can be a mommy without feeling the frustration (as much). That 5 minutes is not going to hurt the girls, as it is not something you will be doing a lot of, but sometimes it is necessary in order to be the parent you want to be.

Those moments really made me understand how someone a whole lot younger than me, without my support network, education and coping skills could shake their baby. It is a terrible feeling, and I would never hurt Elliott, but I still remember thinking that "Aha moment."

This time does pass and their sleeping WILL get better. Not that it makes these days much easier! The 10-week mark was magic for us.

Hang in there, Valerie.

[samspain]

I second the 10 week mark, Ana learnt to roll and could occupy herself for 3 minutes at a time! and all of a sudden she could fall asleep by herself, didnt need to be held or rocked all the time.

I just cant magine having 2 at the same time, I used to put Ana in her rocky chair in front of the washing machine (its a front loader and she watched the washing going round), that used to keep her quiet for 45 minutes whilst I made dinner. Luckily there was always washing to be done!!.

[CandaceDianne]

Glad to hear the girls finally fell asleep! You poor thing!!

[lttle_one]

Gosh, Val, I know that frustration with just 1, I can't imagine 2. I'm so glad they finally fell asleep! Do you have a Moby? I know with Cherie, when nothing else would work, that would calm her down and put her to sleep. Actually, it still does. I've seen on the website that there is a way to carry twins in it. Just an idea.

Hang in there! It does get easier when they can occupy themselves for a while. Cherie actually played alone (well, next to me, but I did schoolwork) for half an hour yesterday! So it gets better eventually. HUGS

[KCMomma]

PM me your address Valerie and I'll copy that CD for you and send it right away!!! I hope it works for you. I second the Moby wrap thing...I don't have a Moby but a bijorn and there were nights/days that we had to just constantly carry her in it all around the house and up and down the stairs. I wish I could say the 10 week mark was magically for us but it honestly wasn't until about the 4 month mark that I really noticed any differences. But there is an END in sight. I totally 150% know how you feel, if you remember my posts before. I don't live close to you, but you can feel free to call or text me anytime!!! I'm so hear for you.

[Celry]

I have a moby and bjorns. I swear the second i put one in a bjorn, her sister knows and wakes up. They love the moby some days and hate it others. Yesterday they just weren't having it.

I already take breaks and walk away. I need to eat, use the bathroom etc. If I waited for them to both be content, I'd never do anything I needed to. We also go to the gym every day, so I get a break. yesterday was just especially bad and i'm so stinkin' exhausted since they don't sleep. usually i'm fine through even their worst days.

[Lo_and_Behold]

Originally Posted by courtneytcu98

I had those days when Elliott was the girls' age and it made me insane! I can't imagine feeling that with 2! I second the vacuum. . . I didn't have the cd, just would set the vacuum in his room and let it run until he was in a fairly deep sleep and just the sound machine would cut it.

I would also say that if you feel overwhelmed and are by yourself, TAKE A BREAK. Sometimes 5 minutes of calming breaths is what is needed so that you can be a mommy without feeling the frustration (as much). That 5 minutes is not going to hurt the girls, as it is not something you will be doing a lot of, but sometimes it is necessary in order to be the parent you want to be.

Those moments really made me understand how someone a whole lot younger than me, without my support network, education and coping skills could shake their baby. It is a terrible feeling, and I would never hurt Elliott, but I still remember thinking that "Aha moment."

This time does pass and their sleeping WILL get better. Not that it makes these days much easier! The 10-week mark was magic for us.

Hang in there, Valerie.

and
I second everything Courtney wrote. Sounds like they're both going through the colicky stage. It's so tough. They usually say that babies outgrow that by 3 months. I think Allie was out of it a little before then but it didn't make those days waiting for it to happen any easier. There were some days when I really wondered why I ever thought I could be a mother. I just cried & wanted to pull out my hair. Allie definitely had worse times than others. 6pm always seemed to be the worst & she'd cry & scream for a good hour or two before finally succumbing to sleep.
DH bought this stuff online called Colic Calm. It did work really well. Unfortunately by the time we discovered it, she was nearly out of that stage, but I'd still recommend it. Sometimes the colic is caused by tummy troubles or reflux (which Allie had & still has...she's been on Zantac since 3 weeks old). I'm sure that one of the babies sets off the other so it's twice as hard.

I feel awful for you because it's such a stressful time. I'm with the others on the white noise. We have the Sleep Sheep from Cloudb which has rain, waves, heartbeat, & whale sounds. First, Allie preferred the heartbeat but now she likes the rain (yes, we're still dealing with our share of those days when she just won't settle ). And by all means, you need 5 minutes to yourself. As long as the babies are somewhere safe, it's ok to let them be for a few minutes. It's far worth it to let them cry for your own sanity. I've had to do this on several occassions. No one can withstand that crying for hours on end.

I really hope things get better soon for you all!!

[Lauren S]

You poor thing! I'm glad you came here and vented. Sometimes it helps just to get it out. I agree with the noise factor. When Bradi is fussy, sometimes the only thing that will calm him down is the hair dryer. I'll admit I've put him in his bouncy seat with the hair dryer on next to him just to use the bathroom or something like that. Whatever works!!!!

[ChristinaR]

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. It must be even harder with two. I can't even imagine. I hope they outgrow this stage really fast. HUGS!!!

[stlgirl]

I'm not a mommy yet so I have no advice for you, but just wanted to give you

[Hoosier Kitty]

I just want to give you a virtual hug IF I lived closer, I would help out and teach them sign language and do the fun things and kick you out to do some retail therapy or work out!

Many ladies gave you great advices. I find it interesting CD of vaccuum cleaner running calms the baby. I wonder how deaf parents deal with deaf babies who just screams and how they calm them down? Just a thought I have been thinking but haven't asked deaf parents yet.

[KCMomma]

Aaron Nicole...that's a very interesting thought. I have no idea how you would calm a deaf baby because it seems like white noise helps so much. Very interesting.

[Celry]

I would think that if the child is deaf when he is born he's not used to the white noise from the womb. He would be used to the movement though, so the other things used to sooth a hearing baby would work (swaddle, swing etc.).

Aaron, thanks for the offer. We're signing to the kiddos as much as possible. I can't when I'm holding both, but now that they can spend a little time in their boppys they get signed to more. They seem to really like it, especially when we do the alphabet. There is a deaf church a couple miles from our house. I may see if they have a play group or something when the girlies get older. I know a ton of words, but don't sign ASL. I want them to be more proficient at it than they will be with just me signing to them. My SIL signs to them, of course, but she only sees them every few weeks.

[Etph007]

I'm sorry you're having such a rough day!!! Hang in there sweety!!!

[LindsLuvsSi]

Awwww man I'm sooo sorry Valerie, I cannot imagine how rough a day you are having with 2 of them being like that I would go crazy when Z is like that! So kudos to you!!

Have you tried Gripe Water or Colic Tablets? (I swear by them, they totally helped when Zane was going thru major colic around that age)