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!