Seven Weeks Old...

Things are dramatically improving in our household now that the babies are getting older. They are sleeping better, awake more often and in happy dispositions frequently. This weekend Abigail started smiling socially and loved it when her grandpa would smile at her.

We have entered into the cold season full force. George was sick with his second cold last weekend and gave it to me just in time for me to start back to work this past week. Our nanny Sonya started last week and things went really well--she even came back for the second day! Going back to work was okay for me...it was nice to get back into the clinical stuff and my clients all wanted to know about how the babies were doing. I am thankful that I only have to work two days per week--it will be a nice change from the rest of the week consumed with changing diapers and scheduling feedings! Unfortunately, Abigail got my cold and she now has a cough that sounds like she smokes a pack a day and yucky snotty nose, but she has maintained a cheery mood despite her first illness.

This past weekend was wonderful...Matt's parents were here visiting and babysat so we could attend Joe Dewey and Lory Oller's beautiful wedding. We also went to the pumpkin patch at church to shoot pics. George and Abigail will be eight weeks old tomorrow and two months old on Sunday...this is going by so quickly. I got teary-eyed yesterday when I realized that George's hands have grown and Abigail learned to smile...what precious little babies we have!!

Enjoy the pics! Don't forget, you can double click on them to enlarge them...

Life Continues....

We are trying to find some type of "normal life", whatever that is. The babies are growing well and are absolutely the cutest babies on the planet! Daily life is difficult, I won't tell a fib. My life has changed dramatically--of course, everyone tells you it will, but you never quite get it until you live it. So here is my new life: Mounds of laundry, changing my shirt or babies' clothes due to spit up every couple of hours, cracking open the next pack of diapers and wipes (at least 25 diapers per day), trying to guess how long each baby will stay in their piece of "equipment" until they get tired of it (today Abigail set an all-time record for her and sat in the swing for 20 minutes!!), timing everything based on the two hour feeding increments, trying to figure out when I can get a shower, petting the cats and Boomer as often as possible as they are feeling neglected--they are figuring out that they are really animals now, trying to remember the twenty things on my list of to-do's and picking one thing to master in a day (hopefully), finding time to pump breast milk so Matt can give them a bottle at night so I can sleep...the list goes on and on. I know this is no revelation...every new mom goes through this time and wonders if she will keep her sanity amongst the craziness.

But then reality sets in...I start back to work part-time next week. On Weds and Thurs, I will not be spending every waking moment with the precious little ones that I love so dearly. My goal for this weekend is to mentally convince myself that I am ready to go back to work and that it will make me a better mom. We will see how that works out....

George, last weight one week ago was 9 lbs. 5 oz., is an adorable, loveable little guy. Very laid back and observant of his surroundings, he just takes it all in. His big dark blue eyes frequently lock with mine and my heart just melts away. He likes to bat at the toys that hang from his play gym and he likes to lay on his back on our bed kick his legs.

Abigail, last weight one week ago was 7 lbs. 4 oz., is very energetic and spirited and loves kisses. She is always active and mandates being held most of the time she is awake. There are moments where she likes to lay on her back on the floor, raise her hands in the air, and stare at the window. She has the funniest little bird cry and has recently started cooing--too sweet. Don't you love her chipmunk cheeks?

Both babies love to go for walks and be outside--of course they are our children! They are changing so quickly..they are beginning to look more alike and continuing to favor the looks of their daddy. We are trying to get through the colic, constipation, overtiredness, and fussiness as we settle into a "routine". Thank goodness for grandparents who are always "on call" to come to our aid. Nana and Pop (Martins) just left today after being here for seven days while Matt was out of town on a Walk to Emmaus. We are more caught up on laundry, have an organized house, and a great new dog run for Boomer.

George and Abigail are blessings and I am working to focus on the positives and heart-tugging moments that come many times during the day, instead of being stressed about who I haven't called back yet, thank you notes that haven't been written, or laundry that needs to be folded. I cannot believe that six weeks of their life has already passed and every day, we clear another hurdle of figuring each other out and adapting to this new life of family.

Slideshows

NOTE: If you double click on the slideshows, it will allow you to see the photos in larger frame.

This weekend we took our first road trip to Shreveport with the babies. Aunt Laura, Uncle Kevin, Cliff, Evie, and Kirby (and Jack their dog) came in from Houston to meet the newest family members. The kids were great with the babies and seemed to enjoy feeding, burping, and changing diapers (except the poopie ones!). We all went to the Revel and Matt was happy to see George Clinton play (note: yes, that is a diaper GC is wearing).

Sunday we drove to Arkadelphia, AR to stand as sponsors/godparents for the baptism of Carlisle and Jackson Camper Land. It was fabulous to spend time with Kendal, Lauren, and their families. The Land Twins and Jankowski Twins are sure to be the best of friends!! Yay for surviving our first road trip--the babies were great!!

First Three Weeks at Home

Here are pictures from the babies' first three weeks at home.

Survival

Here it is, George and Abigail's four week birthday today and we are all still surviving!
Life in our house has dramatically changed....no more workouts/walks in solitude, dinners with baby-free arms, or thoughts of anything other than poop and feeding times. I would not trade it for anything, but this parenting multiples thing is TOUGH!
Don't get me wrong, there have been many positives, like George and Abigail beginning to make eye contact--that's the best one! They are sleeping for longer periods at night, sometimes 3-4 hours. They are able to alternate between bottle and breast well which allows me to share the feeding responsibility with Matt. They are more interactive with the environment, staring at lights and fans with incredible intensity. They both love being outdoors and riding in the car. They help me to see the world in a simpler way. George loves to take everything in and now enjoys sitting in his Boppy pillow or cradle swing. Abigail loves to be held and seems to like snoozing in Mommy and Daddy's bed while swaddled. They are beautiful and it has been so fun to see how different their personalities are.
They are growing well...George weighs 8 lbs 12 oz and Abigail weighs 6 lbs 12 oz. as of today. Advantages of them eating well means I am hungry all the time and can eat whatever I want! It's great! By the way, if you haven't tried Blue Bell's Blackberry Cobbler ice cream, you must! Yummy!!!
We will post pictures soon...it's amazing how quickly they are changing.
Heading to Shreveport and Arkadelphia this weekend for our first quick road trip. Plan to hit the Revel and listen to George Clinton on Saturday. Hope Laura, Kevin, and the kiddos will come up too to meet the twins. Can't wait for Carlisle and Jackson/Camper Land's baptism and to spend time with Kendal and Lauren. Keep our travels in your thoughts and prayers---hopefully we won't have six hours of screaming little ones....