- Holding their heads up when on their tummies
- Awake and active a lot more during the day
- Rolling over
- Laughing and talking (a lot!)
- Sleeping on their sides
- Eating a lot more at feedings (up to 9 ozs of formula at times)
- Sleeping at night from about 8:30 pm to 7:00 am (YEAH!)
- Becoming aware of each other
Olivia, all smiles
Alyssa, all smiles
The girls, holding their heads up, Alyssa on the left, Olivia on the right
Alyssa, rolling over!
Just a little more!
Hey, that looks just like me!
FRIDAY
Friday night Mike and I just pretty much played with them for a while and then it was bed time at 8:30, they slept the night thru so it was pretty uneventful. We were just unpacking and getting the girls settled and us organized. Back to making bottles, and making sure diapers and wipes are handy, and all their clothes put away. Of course I had a couple of new outfits for them that I just couldn't resist buying. Funny thing is that Julia had bought the same outfits and so had her mom. The good thing is we had all bought them in different sizes. Immediately the girls showed us how they could roll over. We would put them on their tummies and right away they would flip over on their backs. It took a little more to go from their backs to their tummies.
Papa Mike and Olivia, playing
We had the girls' swings, pack n plays, and car seats in the living room and then added their bumbos, boppies, diaper bags, and toys that Julia had packed. And you all thought that a living room was for furniture!
Alyssa and Olivia in their bumbos, a gift from the Ayers ladies!
We've had a lot of people ask us how we tell them apart. You might be able to tell from the photos that Alyssa has a really round head right now so when they're together it's pretty easy for us altho most everyone can't tell them apart. Some of the photos the girls look really different and then you'll see another and they look so similar. We are anxious to see how they develop. Both still have a little bit of a mishapen head from the birth and Doug and Julia have had them to a specialist. So far it's a wait and see. The doctor thought it would get better once the girls were spending less time on their backs. I think Doug and Julia are taking them back for another check up with the specialist soon and the worst that will happen is they will have to wear those helmets until they're a year old. Julia is looking for helmets that make a fashion statement!
SATURDAY
Saturday was pretty much full of just watching and playing with the girls, feedings, diapering and napping (for them, not us!) It was also bath time. We tried to give them baths in the sink instead of the tub but I think we'll go back to the tub. It just seems to work better. Nothing like a couple of freshly bathed babies, clean and lotioned.
Jane and Olivia
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Mike and Alyssa
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We knew we were going to church so it was an all day affair to schedule their feedings and napping so we could get thru one hour of mass without crying. When we got to church we saw it was Father Kramer so we were even more nervous about trying to get thru the service without any crying. But the girls were perfect. They were asleep when we got there and woke up soon after but seemed to be content in our laps with their pacifiers. Every time there was a song Alyssa would cloud up like she was going to cry. Evidently Julia has them brainwashed to think there is only the Lutheran way!
On Saturday evening after church we went to Mark and Rikki's for a BBQ and birthday celebration for Shelby. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHELBY! Of course the girls were hungry at the same time as supper was ready so Mike and I took shifts eating our meal and feeding the girls. I know I ate something but I ate so quickly I can barely remember what it was! Sine we were inside the house and took time out to feed Olivia and Alyssa we missed out on some of the activities (not that we minded) but it reminded me again how much attention babies take. Since we were out of our routine Olivia and Alyssa were held (thanks to all for the extra hands) until they were asleep and we were able to finally put them down on the floor on a blanket about 8:30 pm. and join the festivities. We were able to eat some cake and watch Shelby open presents. Funny thing is that by about 10:00 Mike and I were ready to get home, get the girls in their pack n plays, and go to bed ourselves. We forgot how exhausting it is to entertain and take care of 2 babies.
SUNDAY
Sunday was another day of playing around with the girls. Since Doug's birthday was the next day we decided to go to Wal-Mart to get groceries for the meal on Monday. I guess I could have gone by myself but it's kind of fun to go with Alyssa and Olivia and show them off. So...we all got packed up and drove to the store. It only took Mike and I a few minutes to get our shopping done but it took a lot longer to get out of Wal-Mart because with twins lots of people stop you to talk. Mike and I don't mind cause we're the grandparents but Doug and Julia say it definitely slows them down and they try not to make eye contact with people that they know will stop and talk to them. Mike and I had one woman stop us, tell us she had had twins and people were always stopping her and how it always delayed her. I thought that was funny since she was one of them that stopped us and delayed us! Not much else happened that day except have I mentioned how much laundry I've been doing for just two little girls?? I'm also trying to take some photos of the girls today. A few of our observations since we've had the girls and I think Doug and Julia agree--Alyssa seems a little more layed back, not so fussy, and a little better sleeper. Alyssa loves her pacifier and Olivia not so much however she likes it when she is tired or hungry. Altho both girls are good eaters, Olivia eats a lot faster than Alyssa. They're both grabbing the bottle when fed and want to be holding on to something, but Alyssa likes to have a blanket (or a cloth diaper which is what we used) to hold when she's eating and when she sleeps. Another big change for both of them is now when they wake up in the morning they love to see you come in the room and will actually laugh and play for a few minutes before crying to be fed.
Olivia and Alyssa with pacifiers!
I can't get enough of pink little toes. (Olivia's)
Alyssa's pinkies
At least one load a day!
MONDAY
Monday we were out again, we filled Doug's car up with gas, and stopped at the credit union so the girls could see Alyssa and Olivia. They had asked me to come to the credit union so they could see them and of course I was happy to oblige. Doug and Julia were getting to our house by lunch time so we didn't stay long, picked up subs for lunch (who has time to cook!), and got home for a little more Papa and Grandma time. When Doug and Julia got there they were really anxious to see the girls and it was nice to have two more pairs of hands. We celebrated Doug's birthday at lunch (just cake and presents). Hung out, watched a few movies, ate a meal that I actually cooked, and just had a nice visit.
Doug and birthday cake, Sorry Doug,
once your kids were born your birthday almost doesn't get noticed!
TUESDAY
Tuesday was another work day for Mike and I so we left for work early and Doug and Julia took the grandkids away from us about mid morning. We are really tired but it was so great to be able to be with Olivia and Alyssa. Doug and Julia are so good about letting us have our time with the girls and I can't say enough about how wonderful a mom I think Julia is with the twins. She amazes me with how she handles everything especially since she has them by herself a lot and of course I think Doug is a pretty wonderful dad!
FASHION PARADE:
Here's a couple of photos from the boys weekend. This is all I got from them.
