Goobye Spring, Hello Summer

For those of us in the USA, Memorial Day weekend (always the last weekend in May) marks the "official" beginning of summer. This is when we trek downstairs to liberate those boxes of summer clothes (and hope they still fit or are even lose), open our outdoor pools, begin wearing white, and rush to get pedis because we finally break out the sandals.

It's hard to believe that this was the Twinks' first Memorial Day. It's fun to think that over the next few months, they're about to experience so many firsts - smells of burgers and hot dogs cooking on the grill, seeing their first fireworks, splashing in a baby pool in the back yard, and inhaling the scent of fresh-cut grass after a rain storm. Oh, it's so WONDERFUL to discover the world!

The babies are growing so fast. They are infants, quickly going on toddlers:

Smilingfor the camera!



Who's cuter? Me or my puppy? Me thinks me!

This weekend I cleared out all the 3-6 month clothes to make room for the 6-9 month outfits. Goodbye long pants, sweaters and long sleeves, hello hats and sun dresses, t-shirts, rompers, shorts and overalls with nothing underneath! Or, maybe sometimes when they can talk us into it, just a diaper! (Good thing they passed the six-month mark and can start wearing sunscreen too!

Last week, G started rolling from her back to front intentionally. She doesn't do it often, but I can stop being the "nutso" mama for awhile who is constantly looking on the internet to ensure her skills are "on-track." Her balance to "tripod" is coming along and I think she might be siting up on her own before her brother. She is also starting to understand that she can use her toes to bounce in the Jumperoo. Over the last few days, she will also sometimes shake her head from left-to-right as if she's saying "No" (but it's random and doesn't appear to correspond to a thought). We're going to have to start working on "Yes" very, very soon.

Within the last week, both Twinks have proved that they can hold their own bottles and understand that they have to tip it up to get the milk. They sometimes get bored and let go...but other times they hold and drink an entire bottle by themselves.

We have added many new foods to their diet - avocados (F's newest favorite - he nearly ate a whole one by himself), mangoes, string beans and sweet potatoes. F has such good dexterity that I tried puffs, but he thought they were yucky and spit them out. He also gave his nanny a yellow zucchini facial - definitely not his favorite. G has yet to meet a food she doesn't like (although she does have her favorites - bananas, mangoes and pretty much anything sweet). She has gained more control of her tongue, but still opens her mouth and squawks like a little baby bird if it doesn't come fast enough (which is most of the time).

About two weeks ago, F's two bottom teeth finally peeked through. I tried to take a picture, but he wasn't having any of it - this is the face he made instead:

To keep with the summer theme, we have a public pool in our neighborhood and took the babies swimming for the first time. At times, it looked like they thought it was amazing to be in a "bathtub" with Mom and Dad, and at other times they didn't quite know what to make of it. F sneezed a couple of times and his face went into the water, but he didn't cry. In typical F fashion, he remembered he is part-frog and kicked and kicked and kicked underwater. G liked best to lay on her back and float (with Mom or Dad holding her, of course).

Even though we couldn't get any shots of them in the pool (because we were both in there too), we did get some before and after shots:

BEFORE:

Brotherly and Sisterly Love



G practicing her swim strokes while her bro practices his smile to pick-up chicks





Only about 19 years until I can do this professionally



AND AFTER:

We didn't even wait until we were in our car seats to fall asleep...we fell asleep as Mom and Dad carried us from the pool to the car.

For the past few years, my DH has been taking exams to gain his CFA designation. In our house, somewhere between October and January marks the beginning of  "study season" and the first Saturday in June is D-Day. April and May are "don't disturb me - I have to study" weekends. This weekend, F decided that if Dad could do it, he could too - so he wanted in on the action:

Explaining to Dad how to value the price of an option contract if the EPS has been declining3% per year for the past five years, the risk is inversely proportional to the CPI, and the intrinsic P/E ratio has a beta of  0.125 basis points. I don't know if Dad understood, but I did!

Hope you had a great summer kick-off too and are looking forward to a terrific June!

DaDaDaDa...Dog

Every week with the Twinks brings new and exciting changes. It's fascinating to watch how, all of the sudden, they try something new.

We've kept up our near-daily walks and they love to look around when they can stay awake. I have to imagine the change of scenery is quite stimulating for them - especially with all the smells and colors spring brings about.

F is babbling up a storm. The last few days, he's started his "Da, da, da, da, da's" and at one point clearly said "Dog!" He can't connect the da, da, da's to Daddy yet, but I bet that won't take long.

He has also told me (in his own words, of course - that only a Mommy could understand) that in addition to being a professional sun-bather and hot-tubber, he is going to be a part-time yoga instructor. Within the past week, not only is he regularly rolling from his back onto his tummy straight into "Cobra" pose, but he holds the toes on both feet with his hands and simultaneously kicks them straight out to the side - really, really fast. Often, one or both of his big toes find their way into his mouth - especially while on the changing table! I swear I've even seen him do a perfect split once or twice. BABY!

He invented a new game recently too. The objective is to score points each time he can sneak his thumb into his mouth while Mommy or Daddy is feeding him with a spoon. So far, the score is F several thousand and Mommy & Daddy zero.

G loves to try new foods, and there are very few foods she's met that she doesn't like. Recently we added some Plum Organics to the mix, so she's gotten to taste some "exotic" foods mixed together like "pears and peas and spinach" and "bananas and mangoes." Last night, I made string beans and blended it with a very ripe banana. I think we found her new favorite food combination...she finished the entire 1/2 cup ramekin in record-speed and continued to imitate a baby bird and squawk for more. She was so disappointed when she realized it was all gone.

Some of my favorite times with her have become after she finishes her breakfast / burping / diaper change  and I'm running out the door to work (usually late). I'll plant kisses all over her cheeks and forehead, and she'll squiggle, squiggle, squiggle her little face, close her eyes tight and smile in bliss, never wanting it to end. It makes it SO HARD to leave on the mornings that I have to come into the office.

G is now showing signs of wanting to be a physicist. Instead of rolling over, she'll pull her legs high up into the air, then slam them down as fast as she can - testing the theory of motion. She believes that if she bangs them down hard enough, her whole body will pop off the play-mat and she'll flip onto her belly vertically. Go G! Go G! Go G!

Today, at lunch, I was trying to describe the difference in personalities between them - and I think this about sums it up...

Earlier this week, I purchased a roller-coaster bead-maze toy which was recommended for 18-month olds.

Well, the manufacturers never met my son - because when I sat him up in front of it, he looked at the toy, a switch flipped, the brain cells started humming (yes, you could actually hear them), and in about two minutes his fingers were pushing the beads along the wires and his eyes were following them as they coasted and dropped. Granted, he wasn't very coordinated and sometimes was just happy to spin the beads, but he clearly got the point of the toy.

G preferred to lay on her side next to the toy and had a cartoon bubble over her head that said "Oooooohhh....ahhhhhh...red and yellow and green and blue and green and yellow and blue and yellow and red...and oh, it's shiny...and look, there's my puppy - I have to lick his nose...and yellow and blue and green and red....Great Grapes G! (giggle, giggle, giggle)"

And, so it goes in our happy house!

Six Months - Written By F

Happy .5, 1/2, fifty-fifty and 50% Birthday to Us Today!

I did such a good job last month that Mommy is letting me write again. So much has changed in just four, short weeks!

Bath times are my FAVORITE! I am part frog - I kick and kick and kick and kick my legs as fast as I can to splash the water,  and I giggle harder the wetter I get Mommy . I also like to hug my rubber toys, but can't figure out how to make them squirt on my chest like Mommy does for me. It's a good thing she's there to serve this purpose.

Mommy says that next month, when the pool opens, she and Daddy are going to take us swimming. I can hardly wait!

I still LOVE my Jumperoo - especially now that I have grown two more inches and both my feet touch the ground. When I get going, I REALLY get going! I jump in-time with the music, yakkety yak to the animals in a high-pitched voice (Why don't they answer my questions?) and jump so high that my baby butt pops out of the seat and my head almost hits the ceiling. Mommy, Daddy and my Nanny (in-GAAA) put me in the Jumperoo at least three times a day just so I can get out all the energy that builds-up inside me. I am glad they are smart enough to know when it's my Jumperoo time. Thanks Mom, Dad and in-GAAA!

About three times a week, Mommy will take us to the park for a walk in our stroller. It's my favorite time to ponder the tough questions in my little world, like how worms taste or what my first Duplo block building should be - a rocket ship or a replica of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Oh decisions, decisions! It's also a great time to catch up on sleep...which I often do.

Mom and Dad took us to the doctor on Monday. I worked hard to pass my physical with flying colors...squiggling and squiggling and squiggling - trying to show the doctor my daily workout routine. She didn't even comment on my 6-pack...boo!

I am now 15 lbs. 10 oz. and 26" tall - so over 2 feet, tall-and-lean is how Mom describes me, but still not quite tall enough for the carousel. I'm making progress though. I no longer look like Elmer Fudd when I smile and wrinkle my forehead because - guess what?! I have hair now! G...you've always had all the hair, but you better watch out now...that's all I'm sayin.

Look at all my hair!

I grab at things all the time (I especially like pulling Mommy's hair as hard as I can). And, within the last few days, I've also started to discover my toes! Aren't toes so much fun?! Hello toes!

My sister has also grown. She is also over 26" and weighs several ounces more than me - little piglet! I am jealous because she has two teeth already!

G's two bottom teeth on 4/28

G's two bottom teeth on 5-10

 ...and I am still stuck with this adorable, gummy, toothless smile.

I got to meet Pap Pap and Mia (my "other" grandparents) last week. At first, Pap Pap didn't want to hold us, but as soon as he broke down, G knew exactly how to wrap herself around his little finger (or should I say cuddle on his chest) - so by the end of our visit, he was holding us on a regular basis. We sure do love our grandparents. They make such great pillows when we're tired!

I sleep just like my Daddy...with my mouth wide open. Sometimes, I even snore!



 

In case you're taking notes, the picture above or below is how to wrap a Pap Pap or a Mia around a little finger...
works like a charm - every time.



Oh Mia, what big eyes you have!



If  "motorboating" were an Olympic sport, there is no doubt I'd take Gold. I've perfected it and NO ONE can ptttthhhhffff quite like me (ok, maybe Lilly Tomlin, but no one else). It's most effective right after Mom has given me a spoon full of food. So far, we've tried squash, peas, carrots, bananas, and, our VERY favorite - applesauce. Mommy says we might try string beans this weekend.

Ooooo...carrots!

Since my sister likes to gurgle, Mom has been teaching her to say "Great grapes G!" When she hears this, she opens her mouth open wide, smiles and giggles at the top of her voice.

We've also been working on our "Ooooooos" and "Ohhhhhhhs". Mom make's "o's" with her mouth and we scrunch up our lips, but the noise we make doesn't sound the same. I think I talk very clearly, but Mom and Dad just don't understand.

Arching my back and scooting my butt has been a true adventure, but about about two weeks ago, I found a better way. I noticed that if I kicked my legs way, way high up in the air and swiveled my hips just right, I would occasionally end up on my stomach. From there, I could push, and push, and push (great for the pecs, you know), but one day I leaned over a little too much to one side and ended up on my back again. Well, a few more times doing that and something clicked...I realized I could do it myself if I pushed up on both hands and threw my head to the side just right. Now, they can't stop me! I can even go from right to left and left to right. Even though G throws her legs into the air and brings them down to roll on her side, this trick is mine and mine alone. I discovered it and I perfected it!

Another Perfect Beethoven Impersonation!

G isn't rolling over yet, but I did teach her how to do push-ups.

G has become best buddies with Rusty. When he comes close, she tries to pet him with her fists. And, when he sniffs her nose, she tries (and many times succeeds) to lick his. Rusty will come check on us often and, many times, lays down next to us to let us know he's watching over us. It's like we have our very own brown, furry guardian angel.

I've been looking at my sister more and more. It's special being a twin! Even though Mommy's told me that G is made of sugar and spice and everything nice, I still grab her hand once in a while...to let her know how much her brother loves her.

Tomorrow, we have a big day planned. We are going to Bubbie Jan's Bat Mitzvah! We've never been to a Bat Mitzvah before! Mommy is going to say the second Aliyah (that's an important prayer that's sung before the Torah is read).  I've been practicing with Mommy, so maybe I'll sing too. We'll see.

Thanks for letting me share my half-birthday with you!

Signing Off With a Great Big Pfffftttthhhhh,

F

DANGER, DANGER: Step Away From the Bib

I think I've mentioned before, my little girl has a severe case of baby bulimia. No matter what we try - different formulas, burping frequently, trying to slow down her feedings - nothing works.
On the bright side:

• She doesn't have colic or acid reflux - she just does her business and smiles


• Our pediatrician isn't concerned. She is gaining weight and has an almost insatiable appetite (typical girl)

Each time she tosses-her-cookies, often without any warning whatsoever, my DH or I sigh "Oh G!"

I've even threatened to buy a "Staples Easy Button" and reprogram it to say "Oh G!" - so we can press it each time before we start running around in a panicked fit looking for a burp cloth. (Murphy's Law - the baby only spits up when you don't have a burp cloth handy, or the one you have is already soaked through).

I've been using terry cloth bibs, but they don't catch all of the mess. So, this weekend, I made a special trip to the baby store to buy plastic molded bib with a "pocket" at the bottom to catch the runoff. What I didn't take into account is that she likes to play with her bib between sips of formula. So, instead of it running into her lap and on the floor, she up-ended her bib and dumped everything caught by the bib all over her head.

I don't know who laughed harder...her or me.

The Next Time You Go to Costco

On Monday, we took the twinks to the pediatrician for their six-month checkup. I'll write more about that later, but in summary:

- The twinks are both doing great - developing as they should
- They are both close to 16 lbs. G weighs a bit more than F - I would have never believed it!
- F is in the 25% - 50% for height, weight, head circumference. G is in the 50-75% - again, a surprise.

They had their six-months shots - four pokes in all. They handled it pretty well - a little crying afterwards, but calm and happy again within minutes.

When they went in for their four-month shots, I mentioned to the pedi that they both slept most of the day and through the night, but starting on the second night, G woke up multiple times during the night for the next six nights. My DH claims that he has that inherited "I can't hear them" gift - while I hear the first whimper (which is usually a full-force, all out, bloody scream). When I asked if there was anything I can do, the pedi said she thought it was a coincidence and it probably wasn't caused by the shots. Please excuse me, but that's a bunch of baloney (and not even Oscar Meyer)!

Last night, the Twinks double-teamed me. If one wasn't hysterical, the other one was.

I cuddled, rocked, fed, offered frozen fruit, administered baby Tylenol, took them outside for some fresh air and show them the moon (sure the neighbors appreciated that one)...no matter what I did, neither of the Twinks would calm down.

By the time 4 am rolled around, I tried once more, then said to myself (because little ones pick up so much)"to he!! with it...we're having breakfast"...so we did. Even their VERY favorite - applesauce, straight up, didn't offer relief.

I know it's not personal, but having my babies in misery and failing to calm them down made me feel like a parental failure - even knowing that it's an after-affect of the vaccines.

I also did something that was terribly humbling - emailed my boss to tell her I was coming in late because I had to get some sleep to function. Yes, I could have lied, but that's not my nature. Maybe I made a mistake by being so candid?

People have asked if going back to work was easy. The honest answer is NO.

Yes, I love what I do, but I also dread the "goodbyes" on the days I come into the office. I drag them out until the very last minute (and often beyond).

This weekend, I was honestly thinking about applying for a cashier job at Costco. It's one of my favorite stores, being a general merchandise buyer (or whatever they call the "crap" section in the middle of the store that's filled with clothes, books, movies, seasonal items and other stuff that makes our lives complete) would be so much fun, and the job would be one that I likely wouldn't take home with me.

The danger is that Costco, to me, is addictive.

As soon as I start wheeling my oversized cart down those wide aisles doing my best to avoid all the patrons in their "golden years" who have blinders on when maneuvering to get to the sample ladies before their tray is picked clean (because there might not EVER be any more samples coming), I get a glazed-over look and go into a zombie-like state.

Instead of Extreme Couponing, if there were a show about crazy-stupid Costco patrons, I'd be a shoe-in!

There is no question I would spend my WHOLE PAYCHECK because every time I find stuff I can't live without. That 12-pack of Kenyan Killer-Bug Killer - it's mine, mine, mine! That 120 count of dental floss - what a great idea, we'll never be without! Since we don't raise our own chickens, why not purchase seventy-two dozen organic eggs? I can never remember if we have enough laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, Snapple, Crystal Light, sandwich bags, tin foil (and I am too lazy or forget to check before I leave the house) - so, let's get another package in addition to the gross already stored in our garage!

Now that we have the mini-van, it's even more of a curse because there's always room for more, right?!

Oh...and the samples. Let's not even go there...

So, don't be surprised if, very soon, I trade my business suits and high-heels for jeans, a vest and a red-and-white name tag where I proudly display my achievement stars.

Whirring In a Blender...

I am well aware that almost three weeks have passed since my last post and last week was a very important one - National Infertility Awareness Week. I was hoping to crank out a post, but it just wasn't meant to be...

Between a trip to take the Twinks to see Grandma in early May (which I still haven't totally unpacked from) and a VERY BUSY business trip to LA last week (where, despite being in all-day departmental meetings, other deadlines didn't stop), I feel like I've been living in a blender on hi-speed lately.

The whirring isn't about to stop either...

My in-laws, who almost NEVER travel (their first trip on an airplane was when they were both in their 70's) have surprised us again and are flying out to meet the grandkids! They live in the almost-middle-of-nowhere USA and for us to visit them would have meant a FULL DAY plane ride followed by a 2.5 car ride, each way. Even though I know it is a hassle for them, I hope they know how much I appreciate them making this trip, especially since the Twinks probably won't remember much about them. Now, I hope that I can talk my MIL into taking a picture with the Twinks so they will have something to remember them by.

I am glad they waited until now to visit. While I am sure it is very special to see newborns, the twins have become very interactive now - full of wonder and smiles. I think we'll all appreciate the experience much, much more.

While I Was Gone
Leaving the Twinks wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I imagine that's because:

1. I've been looking forward to this trip for a long time. I work very closely with many colleagues remotely and haven't seen or ever met many of them. Heck, I only met my boss once - five years ago, before she became my boss. I was supposed to make this trip last year, but due to an early scare with my pregnancy, I had to cancel my trip at almost the last minute. This year felt like a coming-full-circle celebration now that I have our Twinks in my life.

2. (And I Do Not Mean To Whine and Complain - I LOVE My Life and Know How LUCKY We Are) Although I had one overnight at the office because I was working until 1:30 am and had to be back in the office at 8 am, I haven't been away from them for more than a few hours since they were born.

As soon as I arrive home from work, every night is a furry of feeding, playing, bathing, diaper-changing, feeding again and, finally, to sleep. By the time 9:30 pm rolls around, I am exhausted. I generally take them with me on the weekends, so my DH gets a break, but he doesn't understand that I occasionally need the same detachment. The few times he is home with them so I can run an errand (usually grocery shopping), one of the Twinks is screaming the whole time - so I come home feeling guilty.

I know this stage is just temporary, but I'd be lying if I said the non-stop 18-hour days never leave me tired. Having a "small break", even though I didn't sleep very well being in a strange bed and away from them, was a welcome change.

Even though I was only gone for a few days, it was like LIGHT YEARS when I returned.

F grew more hair - lots. I can't exactly decide what color to call it. Depending on how the light hits it, his hair varies from bleach-blond, to crème caramel, to ginger red. Seriously. It's like it can't make up its mind. Doesn't really matter...he's handsome to his Mommy no matter the color of his hair .

He has also now learned how to roll from front to back and back to front. He's not consistent about it, but he's now done it enough times that I know that very soon he'll be turning over-and-over-and-over.

The difference in his fine motor skills between just a couple weeks ago and now is fascinating. He knows exactly what he wants to reach for and his grip is strong.

He is still dying to walk and talk and figure things out. I swear you can sometimes see his brain processing how to solve a problem.

G now has, get this...not one...but two teeth (on the bottom). One day they weren't there, and the next day BINGO - little white peeks topped by saw-toothed edges. She has also become more adept at eating "food". We added carrots to her repertoire, but her favorite is still applesauce. Instead of trying to lick it, she now opens her mouth wide and lets out a hefty squawk if I can't shovel it into her mouth fast enough. I think that most time the "solids" help her not be so spitty...but sometimes it doesn't matter - she ends up "wearing" most of her meal - smiling and giggling through it all.

Both Twinks are starting to outgrow more clothes - so it's been sad to say "goodbye" to the old, but also gratifying to say "hello" to the new. They are going to the pediatrician on Monday for their six-month checkup (Already? How did that happen so fast?!), so we'll get an offical height and weight tally then. F has to be constantly in-motion and doesn't always finish a full bottle - so he is already tall and slender. G is filling out and getting folds in her "fat".

I hope to get off this roller-coaster ride soon and start planning a family vacation. So far, every idea I come up with seems like it's more work than vacation. Since both sets of Grandparents aren't really in a position to take care of babies and we don't have any other family to help, either we pay to take a nanny with us somewhere, or we go somewhere knowing we will be on 24-7 baby care. Maybe this year, it ought to be about staying close to home and taking car trips during the day while my nanny is there to watch the kids. If you have any ideas about where to go with two infants where Mom and Dad could go to relax, I would love to hear them!

I will try to post some pictures soon...but wanted to let you know we are still here and thinking of all of you!