Nursery Pictures...finally

New Highchairs...thanks Grandpa!!

We finally purchased some highchairs! Thanks to Grandpa, that is, who funded the purchase. They are very nice and they attach to our dining chair, which was ideal for us...no room for two enormous highchairs. The babies seem to like them too! Here are some pictures of them reclining and drinking their bottles.

Nana reading with Ada

Uncle Rob visits the babies!

We had a quick but nice visit with Roger's oldest and dearest friend Rob a few weeks ago. (I'm behind on my posting) Rob lives in Florida so we don't get to see him very often...we cherish the time we have with him. This was his first time seeing the babies. Rob is a twin too! There is actually a pretty neat story that he reminded us of while he was here.

Roger and Rob's families have been closely connected in several different ways for many years. Rob has a twin brother and apparently there are nine sets of twins in his family...none from any of his siblings. Rob's mother had a son. This son had some complications and sadly did not survive...his name was Roger. Rob's mother has always considered Roger her "son", and Roger has always affectionately called her "mom". I'm not telling this story as well as Rob does. Anyway...the moral of the story is that none of Rob's siblings have had twins despite the fact that there are nine sets in the family. And then...of course Roger had twins. Bizarre, huh???

Photo Shoot

We took the babies for a real photo shoot...as opposed to the fake ones we've been doing here at home. It was quite the adventure. Ada and Emmet did great despite the fact that Ada peed on the floor and Emmet kept barfing all over. Even though friends had urged me to "be strong" saying that I did NOT need to purchase all of the poses they would take, it was so hard to resist! We spent a pretty penny and now have 8 million photos. Ah well. Unfortunately the poses of the two of them together did not turn out very well but I'm pretty happy with the outcome. They gave us a cd with all of the shots on it, which is where I've uploaded the pictures from. They have not been edited so pretend that you can't see our hands in the individual photos. ENJOY!

The Fam...again!

Ada and her "monster smile"

Emmet

Daddy & babies...this is my favorite picture!

Mommy & babies

The Marcin Family

Emmet & Nana

Super Grandpa!

Roger was racing all weekend and I had plans to go see a movie with friends today so Grandpa came to babysit....ALONE! All three of them (grandpa and babies) were happy as could be when I returned! I was nervous....not for the babies, more for Grandpa...it's a lot to ask of someone! He has babysat before, but today was his first time alone. The babies treated him very well. They took a nice long nap and were ready for bottles and play time when they woke up! Thanks Grandpa!

Ada's Sittin' Pretty

More pictures from Grandpa's birthday

Emmet REALLY like uncle Greg's Packer hat!


Ada and Julie having fun on the floor!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

We had a nice day with Grandpa on Sunday celebrating his birthday! Ada enjoyed watching the Packers sitting on Grandpa's lap. Emmet was cranky (darn teeth) but did pretty well too!

Handsome little man Emmet

Fun with books!

Hard to keep up!

A quick (I hope) update....

We had Ada and Emmet's 6-month check-up. We've got two chunky babies on our hands! Ada now weighs 18lbs 2oz and Emmet weighs 17lbs 14oz. They are both 26 inches long. The doctor was pleased with their progress. They both received two shots containing 4 or 5 vaccines. They screamed but it didn't last long. The doctor recommended they both get a flu shot and a Synergis shot/RSV vaccine. And, something that I keep forgetting to post about - Emmet had been going to Physical Therapy and fighting through the required PT exercises at home for his Torticollis. I am proud to report that he has been "released" from PT. We were told to continue doing his exercises but that he's on the right track. He's made significant progress in the last 3 weeks! It's so nice to see him holding his head straight instead of tilted.

Let's see what else. Oh! Last Friday, Emmet cut his first tooth! He's working on his second and I'm expecting it to come through any day now. Poor little man...he's been just miserable for the last 3 weeks. Constant whining, and I mean CONSTANT! Ada is still toothless but she's been starting to gnaw on her fingers so I suspect she's starting. Ada is now able to sit on her own for several minutes at a time now and Emmet will tripod sit for about 30 seconds before he face plants! One of my favorite new developments is that Ada is reaching for me now...melts my heart! Emmet likes to suck on my face and wipe his slobbering hands on my cheeks - yum!

It's all going so fast. I just can't believe how big they are and how much they're doing! I swear there is a new skill every day! I still miss being home. This new schedule is difficult. I miss seeing Roger as we seem to be ships passing in the night right now. We're both exhausted...trying to remind ourselves that it won't be like this forever. Luckily the babies don't seem to notice!

Fun with family

Grandma Marcin with Emmet, Alexis with Ada



Cousin Alexis and Ada

Grandma Marcin, Emmet, Alexis & Ada

Today we had a nice visit with Roger's family. It's always nice when we can get together as it's often hard for us to find time in all of our busy lives! The babies had fun snuggling with Grandma Marcin and they LOVED their uncle Bill who made them giggle! Ada enjoyed sitting with her cousin Alexis.

Best Buds

Hi ho, hi ho, it's back to work I go

Boo hoo, sniffle, sniffle. Friday was my first official and full day back to work after this wonderful summer. Today was the first day of school. I spent a while sobbing last night and had to choke back the tears several times this morning and again this evening when I put the babies to bed. They go to bed so early (which I don't want to mess with because they are sleeping through the night) that I only get to see them for a little over 2 hours when I come home from work. I know they are being well cared for...there's no one better than Daddy (except me of course, he he) to be with them all day. I know they know I love them to pieces. I know this is what's best (and financially necessary) for our family and in that way I'm caring for our babies in the best way. BUT - I'm experiencing what I can only imagine is the "guilt of a mother" in a big way. How do I do this? How do I give 100% to both "jobs"? How do I "turn off" work mode when I come home? And if I can't, does that make me a bad mother? See? It's mommy guilt. Of course I will survive this and it will get easier with time. Right now though...not so fun.

Reflection

As I prepare to return to work I am reflecting on my time spent home with the babies. It seems to have gone so fast and yet so much has happened since the beginning of June. I decided to make a list...in no particular order.

• Ada and Emmet had their first trip to Nebraska
• They have increased their feeding amounts from 4oz to 6oz and now are moving on to 8oz.
• Lots and lots of smiles.
• They are giggling. Not the full fledged belly laughs but it's darn close.
• They are both rolling from back to tummy - but very rarely tummy to back. (Not so good when they wake up in the middle of the night and find themselves on their tummy and are not happy)
• They moved upstairs into their own room.
• They are no longer sharing a crib, although they don't sleep well unless their cribs are right next to one another.
• They LOVE to play with "stuff"...anything really - toys, mommy's hair, faces, daddy's facial hair, their own and eachothers hands.
• They are trying to feed themselves - "trying" being the operative word here.
• They JUST started rice cereal, which Ada loved and Emmet gagged through.
• They are (most days) on a pretty regular schedule.
• SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT! This is huge, obviously!
• They're showing interest in books (really just to play with them and eat them)
• They love watching the dog.
• Ada loves to stand up now and is working hard to sit on her own.
• Emmet has pretty good head control now (that darn Torticollis) - in June he was still so floppy.
• They're into (and growing out of) 3-6 month clothes and are wearing size 3 diapers. We had just started wearing size 2 at the end of June.
• It appears that they are remembering faces...they solemly stare at new people and just LOVE their Nana and mommy and daddy of course.
• Everything (and I mean everything) goes in their mouths.

I know there are more items I could add to the list but I will stop for now. They never cease to amaze me. My little miracles. Looking at this list makes me so happy and yet incredibly sad too. It's just a reminder of how much I will miss when I return to work and am no longer home to see it all happen! Good thing I have a job that completely consumes me when I'm there - I'd be a sobbing mess otherwise.

2nd and probably last attempt!

So, here are our 2nd attempts at a 5-month picture. I think they're adorable, however, they are not usually this serious. Honestly, they smile, smile, smile until I pull the camera out! These will probably be our last attempts at 5-month photos as I will be returning to work tomorrow (unofficially) - Friday is my official start day. Roger will be Mr. Mom during the day and working evenings and weekends. I have had 3 meltdowns already...I'm enjoying my time at home so much. Going back to work at the end of the summer is always hard, but this year is something else all together! I keep reminding myself that I am lucky that my career allows me to have 2 breaks throughout the year and the summers...it doesn't make it any easier but it helps!

1st Attempt at a 5 month photo

This is my first try at a 5-month picture of Ada and Emmet. Obviously they were not phased by my numerous and truth-be-told wacky attempts to get some smiles. I often times crack myself up with the silly antics I engage in just to entertain my babies. For example, this afternoon I put on an exhilirating and exhausting dance routine, complete with flowing receiving blankets (similar to those ribbon things in the olympics) to several Jackson 5 songs. If you can't laugh at yourself, who will? Oh, and 5 MONTHS!!! Can you believe it?

Exercising in our exersaucer!

Ms. Ada Lee


Mr. E-Man

Look what we're trying to do!

Ada and Emmet have been trying to feed themselves lately! It's too cute!

Our first swim!

Today we had an opportunity to take Ada and Emmet swimming with my best friend's family! The weather was perfect, not too hot and overcast - so no sun in the babies eyes! They didn't have a strong reaction to the water either way. We got some smiles and no screaming...so I'm counting that as a success! It was so nice to spend some time with friends and all of our kids!

It's mine...no, it's mine!!

Just can't stop...

I had to post this picture of Ada as it is SO typical. She will play, play, play until she just can't play anymore. Here she fell asleep with her hand on the toy in the swing!

Ada trying to roll

Ada has been trying to roll over...hasn't quite gotten there yet but she's working on it!

Morning Acrobatics

Last night we swaddled Ada and Emmet and put them in the crib in the usual way - heads in opposite corners of the crib. This is how we found them this morning. Completely turned around and sort of snuggled up together. Needless to say they are unswaddled from here on out as these loose blankets freak me out. Ada was scratching and sucking on Emmets head - the evidence was a red and slobbery head!

Sleepy Emmet

Happy Momma, Sleepy Emmet & Cranky Ada

4-month Appointment

We had our 4-month appointment today. Overall it went well. Ada is 14 lbs 4 oz and 24.25 inches - both measurments are in the 50th percentile. He head measurement however is in the 75th percentile...big noggin! The pediatrician was very happy with Ada's progress and body strength.

Emmet is 13 lbs 7 oz (25th percentile) and 24.5 inches tall (50th percentile). For a while now we've had some concern with Emmet's head, neck, shoulder strength. Although he's gotten much stronger he continues to be floppy and always has his head tilted to one side. I had read about a condition called "Torticollis", which as it turns out Emmet has.

CMT (Congenital Muscular Torticollis) is caused by damage to or a shortening of the Sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle in an infants neck. Sometimes, but not in all cases, there is a hematoma (lump) in the muscle where it was damaged. That lump will eventually go away as the muscle heals and is stretched. The most common causes of CMT are inutero positioning, lack of space inutero (big baby or little mom), a traumatic birth, multiples (lack of room again!), and low amniotic fluid inutero.

In our case they think it's due to how he was positioned in utero - sideways and squished! So we have to start going to physical therapy to work on his neck strength. The pedi seemed fairly confident that it will correct with the PT. In extreme cases surgery would be needed to lengthen the muscle in the neck - but Emmet is not an extreme case. She also said that we can see an ENT about his congestion issues, which seem to happen after eating and sleeping.

The shots (3 this time) almost seemed worse this time. Maybe it was because they are smiling and more social now. Emmet was smiling away at me until....OUCH!!! The crying starts, which is heartbreaking. They both did well though and stopped crying when picked up and cuddled. They were both really fussy this evening but I think that had more to do with missing their nap than the shot!

The pediatrician suggested that we wait on the solid foods, especially with Emmet due to his lack of head control. She said they really don't need it until 6 months. She did say that if they start showing readiness signs, showing interest in us while we're eating, grabbing etc that we can start slow.

On the sleeping front.....we offically moved them upstairs to their room this past Monday. Last Friday started sleeping through the night...well, for the most part. They have however stopped needing a middle of the night feeding. They do (especially Emmet) need some assistance (pacifier, re-swaddling etc) falling back to sleep after waking up sometimes. Of course now that I've written it here...they will wake up to eat tonight! Typically though they go to bed between 6:30-7:00pm and sleep until 6:00-7:00am. Not too shabby!!!!

Speaking of sleep...it's time for me to hit the sack!!!

Precious! Ada (L), Emmet (R)

Ada's Noggin

We received good news from the neurologist today about Ada's head. As many of you know Ada had an enormous hematoma on her head when she was born. It has since decreased quite dramatically but her head is still a little lopsided and the peditrician felt that we should see a neurologist because some of the blood has calcified. The neurologist feels that it is not large enough to require surgery, will not interfere with brain or skull growth and may even decrease some more yet. We were very happy to hear this as the thought of our precious little girl having to have surgery on her head did not sit well with us. Oh and we also found out that she is 14 lbs and 23 inches long. Takin' after her momma with those chunky monkey thighs!!!

Reading with Daddy

Kisses from Nana

Ada and Nana

Ada's new discovery...hey these hands actually do stuff!

Really rollin'

Emmet managed to roll all the way over yesterday morning while trying to get at his favorite yellow lion! He still had his one arm stuck underneath him but I was so proud. Now, if only I had seen it! I was talking to Gina on the phone, looked away for a second when I hung up and when I turned back around there he was on his tummy! Figures!!!

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'... or trying anyway - Emmet

Smiley Girl

Ada in her Bumbo

Our trip to Nebraska and more...

Our trip to Nebraska was a success! As many of you know I was a nervous, anxious wreck during the week leading up to our departure....would the babies travel okay, how many times will we need to stop, will it take us 20 hours to get there, will they sleep okay while we're there, what if we get in an accident? The list of neurotic questions and what if's goes on and on. I am happy to report, however, that all went well! It took us 9 hours with 3 stops along the way to get there. We made it home in under 8 hours with only 2 stops. Ada and Emmet slept most of the way and we stopped when they told us it was time. I brought along my trusty double nursing pillow and was able to nurse in the back of the van. Nana and Pops followed us and were a big help during stops - the extra hands to feed (when we did bottles), hold and play were invaluable! I sat in the very back of the van so I could entertain, soothe and offer pacifiers when needed. Roger drove, obviously!

Great Great Grandma was delighted beyond words to meet Ada and Emmet and hold them in her arms. I had to choke back the tears watching her with them as I hadn't expected the strong emotions that would bring out in me. It was a very special trip...how many people can say they have met their Great Great Grandma? Ada and Emmet got to meet A LOT of new people and they were quite a hit! We were anxious to get home but sad to say goodbye.

The day after we returned Great Uncle Jack, Great Aunt Kathy, 2nd cousins Mark and his girlfriend Carrie, Paul and his wife Michele and 3rd cousin Jenna came to visit from Atlanta. It was great to see them! Jenna is a cutie pie and liked looking at the babies! The babies were recovering from their trip and were kinda cranky but hey, we can't all be happy all the time right? We don't get to see this crew very often so it was so nice to spend some time together, even if it's a different kind of visit than it used to be - diapers, bottles and babies have replaced restaurants, beers and music!

The next day was 4th of July and we had another busy day. Grandma Marcin, Uncle Bill and cousin Alexis and Cantrell came for a cookout. Ada and Emmet did pretty well but were still recovering and a little fussy. They certainly enjoyed being held by Grandma Marcin and Uncle Bill! That night we had a cookout with friends and Greg and Gina. The babies joined us for a little while and after bedtime Roger and I were able to enjoy some adult time with a fire and good food in the back yard!

I was anxious to get back on schedule and have some peaceful days at home with the babies. They are slowly getting back to "normal" after all the commotion and have been much happier the last two days. Roger and I woke up to Emmet talking away in the crib this morning with a big smile on his face! So precious!