Mooserific!

Trying rice cereal.

Yum?

When Abby had her first taste of solid food, we were enjoying regular Sunday dinners with John’s parents. On our way over one Sunday, we made a special stop at the grocery store to pick up cereal, baby spoons, and a bib. We were excited about this milestone and liked that we were sharing it with John’s parents. Shortly after we arrived, I found an enthusiastic Papa and Grandpa attempting to feed Abby!

I missed out on that photo opportunity then, but not today. It was a family affair. I fed the babies their first tastes of rice cereal, Abby helped, Grandma Susan watched, and Papa snapped lots of memorable photos. Gwen and Josie may have even liked it!

I think this photo perfectly encapsulates our day, especially our evening. We broke out the strollers and took a much-loved walk. I think we’re all ready for regular walks on lovely spring days.

Mending

It’s been about a week now since sickness descended upon our home, and I think we’re finally starting to get better. Abby was back in high spirits today; barely bothered by her double ear infection. Josie didn’t nurse as well as usual, but her cough is virtually gone and her color is back. John still feels “wrapped in gauze,” but is mostly better. Gwen, on the other hand, was late to the party and is still getting over it. Thankfully, I managed to keep myself fairly well. I firmly believe I can sometimes manage my symptoms with sheer stubbornness. I will not get sick! I cannot get sick!<\i>

**
Everything we’ve read about encouraging healthy sleep habits, instructed us to put the baby down while drowsy, but still awake. I never managed to do this with Abby (until she was older), but we’ve been trying this with the twins since they were just shy of two months old, and Josie just proved that the books are right. Tonight, she had a nursey and then made an explosive poop. I got her cleaned up, changed, and thought I’d never get her back to sleep without waking up Gwen. She showed me that she’s an awesome baby and that her parents have been teaching her good sleep habits. I laid her in her crib, popped in her pacifier, and she went right back to sleep without any trouble. Gwen snoozed away. Good baby girls.

An admonition

“Grandma, you need to go to the potty before you go home,” Abby said, while shaking her finger. “You wouldn’t want to pee your pants in the car.”

First cold

Our Josie is a trooper. She’s still smiling in spite of her runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. I’m amazed. Abby’s now sick too. Luckily, Gwen still seems pretty well. She’s just napping longer. I imagine this is how it will be for years to come: one kid gets sick and then we all do. That’s kind of a bummer.

Four months already

Our beautiful babes are already four months old! Time seems to be passing quickly by. I’m glad. I’m ready for spring and more mobility. Not only do the babies get more interesting as they can do more, but life also seems to get a little bit easier. It’s far easier to chase after a toddler than it is to juggle two fussy babies. Not that they’re very fussy. They have their moments, of course (they are babies), but usually they’re pretty happy girls. We get lots of smiles and baby talk. Josie is an especially smiley baby. Gwen is our talker, and scooter. She now scoots herself around in a full circle on her tummytime blanket. She also rolled over for the first time this week. We all missed it. My mom, John, and I were talking and when we looked down, she was on her tummy! She hasn’t done it again. I suspect it was an unwelcome surprise. Josie enjoys being on her tummy now and can crane her neck up. They’re both getting stronger every day. I’m working on helping them with their sitting up skills now.

Today was a special day. Not only did I leave the house with just Abby to go grocery shopping, but we also enjoyed a nearly chaotic-free dinner with John’s parents. Last weekend, we learned that we can’t really leave our house for extended periods of time until the babies give up their evening cat naps, but this weekend we realized that we can finally host a dinner and all sit down at the same time to eat. It was quite nice. We also learned this weekend (and last) that our tolerance for noise and commotion has definitely risen. We now have a quite bustling house!

In other news, we refinanced our house this week. Our 4.75 interest rate is now 3.375. We’re thrilled!

Sisterly love

Abby: I’m so glad you got this baby for me. I love this baby.

Super splasher!

Abby: Papa, did you recognize that my coat has gloves in the sleeves?

Reading already?

From John and Abby’s drive to meet Grandma and Grandpa this morning, John shared:

Abby: Stop, Papa! S-T-O-P, that says ‘stop!’

Chores

When she’s a teenager, I’m going to remind her of this.

Me: Abby, do you want to help me do laundry?
Abby: Yes, please! (Off she runs to our bedroom.)
Me: Abby, the laundry is already downstairs. Do you want to come with me.
Abby: Of course, I can! (She excitedly grabs my hand and we make our way to the laundry room.)

She also hums while she puts away the clean silverware.

The kids are messing with me today. Josie woke up for a nursey shortly after 5am, and then just super smiled at me when I tried to put her back to bed. Abby took an exceedingly unusual 20 minute nap this afternoon. It’s as if she knew I really, really needed a nap today. Early bedtime for me tonight?

Abby smile

This is the kind of face Abby makes when you point a camera at her and say “smile.”

Determined

We had a very good weekend. We didn’t really do much beyond baby care, but we never do anyway these days. It’s to be expected. John did go grocery shopping and returned a mirror to Ikea. He picked up a new shoe rack for us and our Abby helped to put it together by screwing in all of the screws. Is it unusual for a two year to have such concentration? On a typical day at our house — yes.

Gwen and Josie spent the past few days working on rolling over. They can now roll onto their sides. They’re also working on pushing themselves up during tummy time. Today, Josie got herself up AND considered an attempt to reach for a nearby toy.

Hands

Today was all about hands. Gwen and Josie both discovered their hands this week, and they spent most of today investigating them and gnawing on them. Josie likes to try shoving the whole thing in her mouth and gets very frustrated when it just doesn’t fit. Gwen likes to spend many minutes pondering them as she works them around in front of her face. And when they both cry when we’re home alone, I like to remind them that I only have two hands.