Play Time, Nap Time

The older they get, the more we get to see them play. It's neat to watch them as they observe the world around them. Graham and Kennedy are a lot more alert and stay awake a lot more during the day.

Graham is watching the owls at the top of the swing, he likes to "play" with them

Kennedy is hanging out in her bouncy seat

They play so hard, Graham is yawning big!

On their play mat, they are just attached at the... er, arms?

We like to play together!

We played so hard, it wore us out... nap time!

Look at that cute little Graham bottom stickin' up in the air! Hehe!

Tim thinks Kennedy looks like she's striking a Hulk Hogan pose. :)

Bath Time!!

Since their umbilical cords fell off and their belly buttons healed, we have been giving them baths in their bathtub- IN the bathtub! The first time they hated it, but now they don't seem to mind too much. We sing songs, like "Rubber Ducky" while we wash all their little baby bits and pieces. :)

"Hey Daddy! I'm trying to take a bath, here!"

chillin in the tub...

"Oh Mommy, it's so cold!"

Reality Check

Please don't misinterpret our blog - being parents of two is really hard. Both our babies were diagnosed with Gastroesophogeal Reflux (heartburn, basically) and we've been messing with prescriptions and dosages with the pediatrician, trying to get it right. We thought that was why Graham screamed his head off (and our ears off) every night sometime between 5:30 and 8:00. Inconsolable, painful, earsplitting sobs that make him sweat and turn his face red. Not only is it difficult to listen to your baby scream and not be able to help, but it's hard to listen to period. I love the afternoons when Tim comes home, but I hate the evenings because I know they will inevitably bring the onslaught of tears and tantrums, and I don't have the answer.

Then it dawned on us: Graham has colic. I have been keeping a daily journal of what each kiddo does and when, and Graham- our sweet little cuddly man, cries most of the time he's awake. Lately it hasn't even been at night, I get the added bonus of daytime screamfests as well. And then Kennedy started in on the fun. I guess she thought she was missing out? Really, we think because she is smaller she is just a few weeks behind Graham developmentally, which means she may have developed colic a few weeks later, too.

Isn't it hard enough to have twins? But then throw in reflux AND colic and some days it's more than we can bear. Many times I have held my little man and cried with him, a helpless mommy with too many questions and no answers. Like, "how can this be fair?"

We're still hoping to hit the jackpot with their medicine, still hoping to find a magical answer online, or hoping one evening he'll just stop crying... in the meantime I've decided to stop giving them breast milk in case it's something I've been eating that's making them so miserable. The list of food on the "DO NOT EAT" list is too much to contemplate unless you have a chef making your food for you! I mean, I barely have time to scarf down a Lean Cuisine with one baby in my arms and the other possibly crying in the bouncy seat to make sure I have enough energy to get through the afternoon. So we'll try just plain formula for a few days to see if that's part of the answer. That didn't work so well today, Graham spent all but one hour of being awake screaming and crying - including through his bottles.

Until then, we're waiting for it to get better, like everyone keeps telling us it will be...

Tummy Time

We have been doing tummy time almost every night with Kennedy and Graham. They have been working on their neck muscles and social skills. Graham does a great job, and actually prefers to be on his tummy. Kennedy is over it after a few minutes, but we're working on it! Sometimes we'll read a book and sing songs and sometimes we'll play with toys and rattles. The toys are still a little too big for the kids, but we have fun playing with them!

It's amazing how much they've grown and changed already in their 6 weeks of life. We can tell they're going to be cool little kids already! We can't believe they are almost two months old...

Kennedy is a little behind Graham in terms of her abilities to do certain things.

She can't lift her head as high as he can, but she tries! She wasn't really

into the tummy time today.

Graham is really alert during tummy time, and he can lift his head really high.

And this is a really cute picture of him :) Look at those big eyes!

Busy Week!

We have had a busy, busy week...

Monday Grandma Kim came over and helped take the kids to the pediatrician so we could weigh Kennedy- she's a lovely 5 pounds 14 ounces! Then we went to Target for the babies first shopping trip and they were fantastic! They love to shop, two kids after my own heart. :) Then back home to eat lunch part 1, Lowes to get some pretty plants, the farmer's market to get lunch for mommy and Grandma, then back home for lunch part 2. Whew!

Tuesday we went to see Daddy at work and meet his friends. It was a great visit! Then Mommy went back to Target to return an item- our first Target trip solo! No help required and again the babies were amazing.

Wednesday we went to work with Grandma Kim to see our friends Lisa, Katie, Mimi, Linda and Mary. We love those ladies, and they sure loved the babies! It was a great day of visiting and lunch, but we were all pooped by the time we got home.

Thursday Mommy decided to venture to the grocery store with babies in tow. Honestly I was a little worried about how they'd do, but again they were stunningly perfect (what else do you expect from our children? Hehe!) And they got lots of "oh, how adorable!" Um, duh. :) We also did laundry and vacuumed.

Friday we went on an epic walk- almost an hour! They love to be outside and on the go, so they slept almost the whole walk while Mommy got in a good workout. Lemme tell you, pushing them up hills in their double stroller (aka. the Minivan of strollers!) is definitely good for my legs! More laundry and housework.

Saturday... a nap?

1 month!

We can't believe the babies are already one month old! Almost five weeks actually... We decided to take some pictures with all the stuffed animals we have so you can gauge their progress from month to month.

Graham slept the whole time..

Lets play a new game. Instead of "Where's Waldo," lets play "Where's the babies?"

I love you, Sweet Grandma

Today was a hard day, as we gathered together to honor my Grandma Cleda. Her service was lovely, and she was remembered by lots of people who loved her dearly. I wish I had the strength to stand up and tell everyone at the funeral what she meant to me, but I didn't think I had it in me today. So please bear with me as I try to put into words all that I felt for my Sweet Grandma, knowing it will never capture the amazing person that she was.

Grandma, you were one of the strongest, most patient. loving and kind people I have ever met. You fought an uphill battle most of your life, and you never complained. Instead you cherished all the goodness you found in people and in your circumstances. You found the positive in everything. Regardless of the challenges you met, you just kept pushing ahead. Since I can remember you always put other people and their wishes ahead of yourself- part of your giving and loving persona. I want to be just like you when I grow up.

It was such a blessing that my babies got to meet you. They won't remember of course, but I will- it is somthing I will cherish forever. I promise that I will tell them stories about you and tell them how much you loved them, so they will know you, too. It is so sad to me that they will not get to see your charming smile and hear you laugh, and feel your hugs and kisses that always meant so much. But they will know your love, I promise.

You have left your mark on the world, and it is such a better place for it. We are better people for having known you. You have been waiting such a long time to be with Grandpa again, I'm happy for you that you can meet him in God's kingdom. But I miss you so much...

Rest well, Sweet Girl. Goodnight.

Easter 2010

Well, we made it through our first big holiday as a family, even though we were exhausted by the end of the day. We started the day with church with the Heather's family. Then we had brunch at Chris and Megan's house. After that, we went home for a quick feeding, and we ended the day with dinner at Tim's parents' house. It was a beautiful day, and the babies were spoiled with all the lovin' they had gotten from everyone. : )

Kennedy in her Easter outfit.

Graham in his Easter outfit.

The happy family