First attempts at x-mas pictures

So, I attempted to take some x-mas pictures today in the outfits that Julie gave to the babies. I did this while Roger was at work...I should have waited for his assistance. Trying to get both Ada and Emmet to look at me, give some sort of smile AND hold the camera steady while I'm wearing a stocking on my head to hopefully elicit some laughs is next to impossible. I think we'll try again tomorrow but for now my these are my favorites...I actually really like the one in the middle but the bottom one is funny! Decisions, decisions...you will all have to wait and see which picture will become our holiday card!

Ada is scootin'!

As of yesterday Ada is officially scooting! While playing catch with the dog yesterday Ada discovered that she could chase the ball (and the dog) too! What an amazing development! She's not up on her hands and knees yet but she's doing the "army crawl". She also took several steps while I was holding her hands. She was so excited.

Emmet's preferred mode of transportation continues to be rolling. I walked away for a minute last night and returned to find him under the desk eating my shoe, so he gets around too. He's got a modified army crawl going on, which involves rolling up on his head and shoulder then scooting his butt up in the air. It's not quite efficient yet so rolling is his first choice.

Everyday I am amazed at the changes that occur with these two. I LOVE MY BABIES!

Thanksgiving

It was the babies first Thanksgiving! I only have one picture to post right now (Aunt Gina & Ada who would not look at the camera, above) as the batteries in my camera pooped out. I'll post some more from Nana soon. We went to Nana and Pops house for some YUMMY food. Uncle Greg and Aunt Gina came, along with Great Aunt Barb, her friend Frank, cousins Pat and Sam and Pat's girlfriend Allison. The weather was beautiful so we all went for a walk after eating. By the end of the evening Ada and Emmet were CRANKY from skipping a nap (we thought they would sleep on the walk but apparently the scenery was too exciting to sleep through). Emmet eventually (after some loud screaming and a bottle) fell asleep on Nana in the rocker. Ada snoozed for a bit with Pops while watching the movie Cars. The food was delicious and it was nice to get out of the house and spend some time with family.

Mommy & babies

Daddy took a picture of mommy playing with the babies....swimming in the sea of toys in babyland!

Pre-Thanksgiving

We had a nice visit from Great Grandma and Grandpa Arenz along with Great Aunt Kathy and Great Uncle Jack the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Grandpa and Julie came too! Kathy and Jack were visiting from Georgia. It was so nice to spend the evening with family that we don't get to see very often. We all some time to spend with the babies before they went to bed and then we all went over to Greg and Gina's (they own the other half of our duplex) for dinner. Julie made delicious ribs. We brought the baby monitor of course! Kathy and Jack brought and ENORMOUS bag of clothes from cousin Jenna for Ada. We're so lucky!

Crazy outfits and those hats!

"Don't you love our wacky outfits?"

"Hey, what's that thing on your head?"

"You're lookin' kinda goofy yourself!"

Emmet is sitting!!!

We are proud to report that our little man has figured out the whole sitting thing! It's amazing how different the babies are from eachother. Ada has been sitting independently for a month. In Emmet's defense though, he did have the Torticollis to contend with that has slowed his physical development. It's so nice to see him sitting up!

Babyland

We created "babyland" this weekend. The only thing to add will be some sort of gating to keep them contained once they start movin' and groovin'. They really liked scratching and banging on the new mats.

Emmet and his toys

Emmet had fun emptying out the toy bin! Here is he surrounded by his favorite toys.

Ada...pretty in pink!

Ada had fun wearing mommy's sunglasses yesterday.

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!