6-Month Stats

(Sorry, just two pictures today)

So far, in our house, baby book=fail, as I just keep procrastinating on updating them, so I thought I'd post the babies' stats here, as we had their 6-month pediatrician appointment yesterday. Someday, I am hoping to do a blog-to-print, and that will be their baby book.

So here are the numbers:

Piper

Head: 17 inches (68th percentile)

Height: 25 inches (19th percentile, although this might be inaccurate...the dr. thinks they may have mismeasured her either this time or last time)

Weight: 15 lbs 11 oz (39th percentile--up from the 26th percentile last time)

Fletch

Head: 17.5 inches (66th percentile)

Height: 27 inches (66th percentile)

Weight: 18 lbs 12 oz (68th percentile...yes, a full 3 pounds heavier than his sister. Fletch remains a brute)

Ok, sorry for the short post. Will try to post more pictures

Happy Half Birthday!

Just a little over six months ago, we met two amazing creatures--one who aspired to be a hand model and one who did a killer Walter Matthau impersonation. Today, they are these funny, sweet, smart, squirmy babies that we love so much. In some ways, it's hard to believe they are six months old already, but in other ways, it's hard to believe we've only known them six months. It feels like they've always been with us, and our family was incomplete before they came along. In any case, Piper and Fletcher, we love you so much and can't imagine our world without you.

Ok, with all that out of the way, there's lots to talk about and report on. Here is an update, in no particular order.

Sleep: In my last post, I discussed the trouble we were having with sleep. It's gotten only mildly better since then. I hate to type this for fear that I'll jinx it, but Fletch is going to sleep easier. That's an improvement. Piper is still rolling all over her crib at night, and both of them are waking up several times throughout the evening. We're working on all this and trying to make it better because Eric and I are still suffering from the lack of sleep at night as well as the "joy" of two cranky babies on the weekends because they don't always nap well. So, it's a work in progress.

Milestones: The babies seem to be changing everyday. Piper is just trying to roll everywhere, and wants to explore. She's getting so strong at standing (when we hold her, of course) that she's going to be walking in no time. She's also doing amazingly well with her hands, although this is to be expected given her previous penchance for hand modeling. Fletch is starting to roll to his sides a bit and is getting good at balancing while sitting up. Neither of them are sitting unassisted yet or getting onto all fours while doing tummy time, but that's ok. We're not in a huge hurry to have mobile babies. They are becoming more talkative and make up new noises all the time. Fletch's latest noise makes him sound like a snake, while Piper is all about the giggling and squealing.

Food: A few weeks ago, we started solids. So far, the clear favorite is bananas, although they haven't discovered a food that they don't like. We did get some weird looks with green beans, which was understandable because I also tasted it, and frankly, I thought it was pretty gross, so good for them for sucking it down.

Latest visit: My mom came to visit the babies this past week while Eric was out of town. Thank goodness for her help because I was pretty sick all week, so she helped so much with some of the nightime feedings and caring for me. I guess it goes to show that no matter how old you are, sometimes, you still need your mom to take care of you. The babies had a great time during her visit and can't wait to see her again. They also had fun today with Eric's parents, who came over so I could take a nap and continue to recover from this cold, and Eric could finish unpacking from his trip. We're so lucky to have such wonderful parents to help us, and the babies love spending time with all of their grandparents.

Photos: The photos above were taken while out walking yesterday. I realize we haven't done any pro photos yet. I REALLY want to get some done, but we're waiting until the babies can sit unassisted because I think that will be cuter than if they are just laying on the ground like blobs.

Life at Six Months: All the twin moms I spoke to said that life would get easier with the babies around 6 months. So far, we haven't found that to be true. Right now, we're still in this survival phase, more so than we were even a few months ago. Being a parent is hard work, and being a parent of multiples is really rough at times. There are moments when I think I'm going to go nuts and wonder what the heck we're doing, but then I get a smile from Fletch or a giggle from Piper and I remember exactly what we're doing--raising two of the sweetest babies ever. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've been struggling a bit lately with keeping it all together, given our lack of sleep, so I apologize if I haven't returned emails or phone calls, if my hair seems a bit crazy, or I come to work with formula on my pants. I'm hoping this too shall pass, but in the meantime, I have the cuties pictured at the top of this post (and an incredible husband) to keep me sane and grounded.

Too Excited to Sleep

A few years ago, Disney had a commercial where the kids were too excited to sleep because they were leaving for vacation the next day. I think that same sentiment--too excited to sleep--has hit the babies. Recently, they have just been too excited about the world around them to take naps or sleep through the night. Sure, we occassionally get a full night's sleep out of them, but that hasn't been the norm for a while. Their sleep has also been plagued by RSV, teething, the full moon (I swear it affects their sleep cycles), and new milestones like teething and learning to roll over.

The babies don't seem particularly bothered by this newfound insomnia, but Eric and I are suffering. With so little sleep for us, it's hard to find the motivation for anything beyond just getting through work, a tiny bit of exercise, and watching TV. While this sleep deprivation has led to us walking around like zombies, it's also meant that we have had lots of great times with Piper and Fletch. They have started solid foods, and Fletch just loves them. Most of you that know me know my love for dip and how I may have in the past eaten enough to be sick--that's the way Fletch is with solids. He could easily keep eating until his belly aches. Piper, on the other hand, hasn't taken to solids quite as quickly, but she's catching on. Both babies are also getting lots better at tummy time, holding toys (especially Piper), and babbling. It's just too cute.

In addition to eating, playing, and not sleeping, the babies also just had an exciting visit from my mom this past weekend. We had a great time with her, although Fletch chose Saturday to begin teething and was particularly fussy. Thankfully he recovered on Sunday and was his normal, adorable self.

That's the latest around here. When I get more pictures from my mom from this past weekend, I'll try to post them.

That's the latest around here. If anyone has any good sleep tips, we'd love to hear them.

5-Months Old

There are two things I can't believe right now. The first one is how bad I have been at blogging regularly. I really need to get better about it. Second, I can't believe how big the babies are getting. They turned 5-months on January 30. They are starting to seem less like babies and more like little people every day.

We've had a pretty good few weeks. In early January, I went back to work, so Piper and Fletch started going to Grandma's house two days a week and to a small, in-home daycare on the other three days. So far, this arrangement seems to be working well. We're all still adjusting to the routine and it's hard to leave them, but they come home happy every day (at least until bedtime), so that makes things a bit easier.

At daycare, they are apparently learning tons. Just a few days ago, Piper rolled over for the first time, and tonight, Fletch rolled from his tummy to his back for the first time. They'll be crawling before we know it. They also are starting to take a real interest in playing with books and toys. Fletch is our little bookworm. He loves being read to. They also love the little "phone" that my mom gave them, and they are starting to get the hang of their jumperoo and exersaucer. It's so cute to watch them explore everything, especially when they start their yelling, giggling, and laughing. Eric and I can't get enough of those crazy smiles and noises.

While they have been doing great at playing, growing, and all that other baby stuff, they also experienced their first baby colds. They both got RSV, and then it spread around to us adults. The babies did okay with it and just required some nebulizer treatments. I think it was harder for the adults who got it. Thankfully, we're all on the mend now. The only thing still suffering is their routine. They've gotten so off schedule and aren't sleeping well at night. Hopefully that will change soon. If you see me walking around like a zombie, it's because I'm up all night doing laps between our bedroom and Fletch's crib.

That's the latest on the babies. I promise to try harder to post more often.

Christmas/NYE/4-Months Old

We've had a busy few weeks. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Here's a recap of the past month.

In early December, we went to a party hosted by one of Eric's former colleagues. The babies got to meet Secretary Clinton and Eric's other friends from work. They were so well-behaved (the babies that is) and charmed everyone.

A few weeks after that, we went to a tour of the White House for political appointees. We questioned whether bringing the babies was a good idea or not, but they did a fabulous job from start to finish. Fletch loved all the lights and people, and Piper slept through the whole thing.

As Christmas neared, the babies got to meet Santa for the first time. As most babies do, they cried when they sat on Santa's lap. Why is Santa such a scary guy for babies and little kids?!? Maybe it's the beard?

When the babies were visiting Santa, they must have asked for a fantastic Christmas because that's what we had. We celebrated with Eric's parents and my mom and Danny. The babies received so many adorable gifts, and we all just had a terrific time.

Now, the year is coming to a close. The last photo on here is from today--New Year's Eve. The babies are 4-months and 1 day old. They had their 4-month well visit yesterday, and they are doing great. Fletch is 15lbs 3oz and 24.75 inches tall. Piper, our peanut, is 12 lbs 8 oz and 24.25 inches tall.

This has been a roller coaster, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have wonderful family and friends, including an amazing husband and adorable babies. Let's hope for more good things in 2011.

Bath Time/3-Month Pictures

Piper

Fletch
Here are some pictures of Piper and Fletch during bath time last night. They are getting so big! Piper is even sporting a cute double chin these days, since she's finally gaining some weight. This past Tuesday, they turned 3-months, which means we've all survived the first quarter of their first year. :)

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great. The fun started on Wednesday when Mom and Danny arrived. On Thursday, Eric and I ran in our first 5K race since the babies were born, and it was so fun. Thanks go my mom and Danny for watching the babies while we raced. It was so great to be out there again. After that, Eric's parents brought over all the Thanksgiving food (thanks so much for that!), and we had a delicious meal. Friday was spent trying out our new BOB stroller at Huntley Meadows park, and doing a little shopping. Over the weekend, Eric and I just caught up on everything.

This year, we have so much to be thankful for...friends, family, and most of all, two beautiful babies. A year ago, we couldn't have imagined being so blessed.

In baby development news, both Piper and Fletcher have discovered their hands, although they are very frustrated with their inability to fit their entire fist into their mouth. Hate to break it to them that no matter how hard they work on that, they may never acheive their goal of eating all their fingers at once.

That's the latest. This week is back to normal.