5 months and 21 days old - Thanksgiving preview

The babes are 5 months and 21 days old. They are so aware of their surroundings these days. At feeding time, they are still eating on their boppies, but there are many breaks. They like to look around, keeping aware of who is coming in and out of the room. They like to make sure that you are still feeding them. Sometimes, we have to hold the bottle in their mouth while they move their heads around. So busy!

When it comes to play time, the babes are spending time on their tummies. They are able to teeter back and forth, like a turtle on it's back. They are kicking their feet in a motion that shows how a baby will begin to crawl. They both grunt and yell out as they eye their toys, move their legs and try to move. You can see their determination. When we put toys in front of them, they can reach with their hands to grab them. If they miss the toy on the first try, they try again. We love watching them learn.

On their backs, Cora is able to lift her legs straight up and then roll to the side. She can even roll to her stomach now. In bed, she prefers to sleep on her stomach, although it causes me a bit of nervousness. I find myself checking the monitor to be sure that she is still breathing. Sutter hasn't mastered rolling over yet, but this weekend, he is determined to grab his feet. He will lift his legs, and at least grab his pants, and sometimes even his foot.

In outdoor news, we've taken them to the two local parks for some swing time. We are able to put them in the baby swings, leaning them forward so their arms hang out the sides. At first, they didn't really know what to make of the experience. You could see them teetering inside the swing. But they are starting to get the hang of it now. They have laughed a little and Cora even opens her mouth as she gets close to me. She thinks that there may be something to put in her mouth. Funny girl!

We received these onesies from our good friends, Kelli & Erwin. They are so cute. The hat fairy sent along these turkey tops. They wear little hats every night when we take our family walk between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. They need to stay warm as the nights have begun to cool down for us. I had a good time taking their photos. I think that you can say that the babes had an OK time being photographed.

First Bites

We've been waiting for this day since their four month appointment. We were finally able to give the babes their first tastes of food. We made them Dahl - which is a mix of red lentils, chicken stock, curry powder and turmeric. The pediatrician said to make it so we would like it. And we did.

We put the kids in their new high chairs. I heated up about a quarter cup of the Dahl in the microwave. Frank started filming their big event.

It was so much fun to feed them, watching them enjoy their first tastes. I like seeing how they learn to accept the spoon coming to their mouths. It's fun to watch them learn how to use their tounge. It feels so good as a parent to be able to feed them healthy food. I hope that we're able to continue to give them food that we eat as they continue to expand their growing palates.

We've moved on to giving them sweet potatoes, a taste of bananas and today they will try avocados. It so amazing to give them human food. Downside...the diapers.

Busy Bodies

I'm back in the swing of things at work. I go into the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Mondays and Fridays I work from home, for 4 hours in the morning. It's a good balance between work life and home life. So far the schedule is working out well for everyone.

The babes had their four month check up on September 18. Cora weighed 13 lbs 15 oz. Sutter weighed 15 lbs 6 oz. They both measured over 24 inches. At that appointment they received two shots each. They handled it really well, only crying a little more than I did. The pediatrician said that they would be ready for sleep training around 6 months. I was disappointed because we were gearing up to begin sleep training the weekend after that appointment. I wanted to get my kids trained to sleep through the night. According to our book, Sleep Easy Solutions for the Tired Parent, our kids qualified to sleep through the night. But I wanted to follow the pediatricians guidelines, so we set out to have a modified sleep schedule.

I couldn't wait for the weekend, so Frank and I started it two days after the appointment. We began with the nighttime routine. Starting at 5:30, we read books, play on the ground and hang out until 6:15. At that point, the kids get a bath, one at a time on the counter in their tub. By the time they are both done, they drink an 8 oz bottle of formula. They would be passing out before they were even done with the bottle, which is not a good thing. We wanted them to be awake when they eat so that the little cat nap didn't give them more energy if they were to wake up after the bottle. They went down at 7:30. We, well Frank, woke them at 10:30 and fed them another 6 oz. They then learned to sleep until 6:30. This was terrific. At the same time we were working on the night routine, we began working on the daytime nap routine.

7 a.m. eat - play
8 a.m. nap
10 a.m. wake - eat - play
11 a.m. - nap
1 p.m. wake - eat - play
2 p.m. nap
3 p.m. walk
4 p.m. eat - play
5 - 5:30 walk/nap
begin night routine!

We had fantastic support from our nannies. Melanie during the day and Jackie at night, to get us through the first couple of weeks. Last week, we decided to wean the babes off the 10:30 feed to see if they could make it all night...and they did! On the flip side, I didn't make it through the night, as I anticipated that they were going to be waking up at any moment.So, we're now a few days into full nights of sleep and it's pretty cool. We are able to get some better rest now. It's also fun to have a routine with the kids, instead of the different timing of everything every day. I like the predictability of it.

The other fun milestones have been their laughter. Cora has been laughing these days when I tickle her. I think it's more of a repetitive motion of nudging her neck, but she giggles. Sometimes just our faces make her laugh, even though we don't think we look that funny. Or do we? Sutter started with some chuckling. But the other day, I was able to get him to laugh for about a minute. It was fun for Frank and I to watch him laugh. We love that they're getting to be so interactive.

They realize that each other exists in small doses. We have seen them interact with each other, but then one loses interest in the other and looks away. I know in just a few short months, we won't be able to get them away from each other, but it's exciting to see them with their first interactions.

They are also learning to sit up, using their core strength. They use their bumbo's to prop up. Learning to sit up also causes a bunch of spit-up, but we don't mind.

Finally, they are learning to grab --- toys, their own shirts, my hair...

Here are a few fun photos of the last month, all taken by their nanny, Melanie.

The faces of Cora, 4 months 2 weeks old

The faces of Sutter, 4 months 2 weeks old

We are four months old!

Cora in her Bumbo, leaning to the side.

Sutter...chillin'

Pretty soon, we'll be eating solids!

xoxo

Summer Lovin'

Today was my last day of my maternity leave. I keep humming the tune from Grease, "summer nights" as the day has rolled along. I met a boy. I met a girl. While not all the lyrics apply, there are a few lines that stick out for me...

"met a boy, cute as can be...
...met a girl, crazy for me"

Well, those really are the only lines that apply. But the sentiment that I found some new loves in my life this summer is right. The babes will be four months old on Tuesday, September 17.

This summer did not fly by, as many people have claimed it would. I suppose when you are up nearly every three hours feeding two little humans, time goes by slowly. I really felt every moment. I do look back and marvel at how much they have grown since the day that they were born. And we helped them grow.

These first few months (and I suppose for years to come) were only possible because we had such amazing help from family, friends and our new discovery - nannies! My mom, aka Granny, Dad and Sister were there on that first day. While it was pretty hazy, it's so special that they were there for me. My mom, who is retired, was able to stay along with us during those first two weeks that the babes were in the NICU. She helped me to get back and forth from the hospital, stayed up with me when I was pumping, and provided such amazing support for both of us those first two weeks. Frank and I were so lucky she was able to help us during those weeks, and for many weeks to come. It was so great for her and I to bond over the summer with the kids. I am so lucky to have been able to spend such quality time with my mom during the babes first few months of their lives.

Here we are at 12 weeks old with Granny!

We also loved our nannies this summer. Vikki was a tremendous help for us overnight for our first few months at home. She arrived at 9:45 and left at 5:45. She watched over the babes, gave us great advice and support during those first few months, and provided great conversation in the middle of the night. We were sad to see Vikki leave, but there are other families that will benefit from her love and care.

One of the hardest decisions I had to make this summer was hiring a nanny for the babes so I could go back to work. It took nearly 5 weeks to find the right person. But we did it. Melanie started with us in the middle of August. In hindsight, I'm glad she started so early so I could get really understand how she interacts with the babes. Since she was here, working along side of me, I could take the time to get out of the house. I braved the world without the kids a few times over the last few weeks. It was hard the first time, but I did it.

We took two trips this summer to meet lots of family and see some friends. I'll post on those trips next. We have so many photos from those visits. What a delight!

Here are a few highlights of the babes this summer! Some photos you've seen, and some will be new.

Do you REALLY have to go back to work, Mom?

It's hard to just pick a few...but at least I'll have something to look at when I'm at work this week.

xo

Bacon Boost

The babes were 16 weeks old on Friday, September 6. Look how much they've grown since they originally took a photo with their bacon buddy.

In 10 weeks, they've grown a few more inches. They are alert to voices and sounds. They both have started laughing. They enjoy talking. Sutter says "ooh-ooh-ooh" in a boy voice. Cora likes to "coo-coo-ooo" in a soft, girly voice. When they lay on the ground on their backs, they like to kick and flail their arms, as if they are either swimming or biking. They are able to "stand" on us when we hold them, and even jump on us too. When we hold them in the sitting position, they are able to better use their necks to look around. Of course, there is still a good amount of bobbleheadedness. But they're getting it. Just last week, they started sleeping longer at night, going nearly 6 hours between feeds. It's so fun to have them become more interactive, literally overnight.

Here are a two other photos from Friday's photo session. We want to give a special thanks to Adam and Gina (who are newly engaged) for giving the babes the throwback onesies!

12 weeks old

Sutter and Cora were 12 weeks old on Friday, August 9. We celebrated by taking photos, getting out the blocks to acknowledge their age, and having them endure a little extended tummy time. At 12 weeks old, they are becoming more alert of their surroundings. I've noticed that when I walk in the room and start talking they will turn their heads towards me in recognition of my voice. Cora has begun smiling back at us, and we've even heard her laughing in her sleep. Sutter is trying to talk to us. His arms go straight by his side as he focuses on us. Then he begins to talk. His bottom lip may quiver a bit and he lets out a few grunts and a smirk or two. It's great to see their progress as they engage us. We feel that they are hitting their milestones for being 12 weeks old. But most of all, it feels so good to have them recognize us.

Cora & Sutter are 12 weeks old today.

Sutter often smiles at objects that are interesting - corner of the room, the contrasting artwork on the wall, and the blinds that cover the front window. Actually, both kids like those things.

Sutter puts his arms straight down getting ready to talk. 

Tiny feet

At 12 weeks old, his hands are as big as half of my pointer finger. 

It's not always the best time to take photos, Mom. 

Oh, wait...you mean you want to take pictures of me? OK!

Cora, still loving to smile all the time, moves her arms involuntarily. It often looks like she is raising her hand to ask a question. I have a voice that I use to say, "excuse me, I have a question..." and proceed to address what I think would be on her mind. It's all part of my non-stop chatter at the kids.

Round 2 of photos, post-nap and afternoon snack, Sutter and Cora were talking to me during this shoot.

Sometimes I get the crazy looks from the kids, perhaps with my incessant talking. 

12 week tummy time, except Cora who was laying on her back that moment.

My phone is in the foreground. It's playing the Lullabytes app, which has 12 classical pieces for kids. There is a timer on it, that allows you to keep track of how long it takes for the babies to fall asleep. I'm not convinced that my kids are able to fall asleep to music, yet, but they do enjoy it. You'll also notice that Sutter is attempting to roll over onto Cora. His gaze is fixed on the artwork in the room that is both of their favorite thing to look at.