Christmas Day 2009

Smiles!

The twins have begun to smile a lot more as of 6 weeks. We don't know if they really understand what it means, but they are doing it a lot more--especially when they see our reactions. They are also smiling more with their eyes, so we think they are beginning to form connections between happiness and smiles. I am putting some pictures on this post.

We are enjoying getting to know each child more and more. Both babies are pretty content, although Peter is definitely more relaxed than Joy. Joy tends to get upset a lot quicker, but she is oh so cuddly! She is happiest when someone is holding her with her face against their chest, binky in mouth. We think she likes the sound of a heartbeat. This is almost a sure fire way to get her to sleep! Peter and Joy LOVE being patted on their backs, and sometimes it seems like the harder we pat (almost whack!), the happier they are!

For our extended family Christmas party, we stayed overnight at the Gerber Guest House in Fremont, and everyone was amazed at how content the babies were and how little they cried. And they actually let us get 2 4-hour stretches between feedings at night! It was great for us, because we had tons of people who wanted to help us with the babies at any moment, so we could get in a nap or eat our supper undisturbed.

I mentioned earlier how much I LOVE napping with both babies on me. I'll put a picture of that in.

Watch this darling video of Peter smiling!

Pictures up to 5 weeks

3 wks (above)



Peter and Grandpa in the man chair
5 weeks (above)




First Christmas tree before we chopped it (above)

One month

As of this past Friday, the twins turned one month old! They seem to be growing like crazy. Sometimes it even feels like they've grown from one feeding to the next. Yesterday (Monday), we had another doctor appointment. The doctor and nurses were astounded to see that both twins had gained between 2 and 2 1/2 lbs in the past 2 weeks on breast milk alone! Peter is now 8 lbs 9 oz, and Joy is now 7 lbs 7 oz. They are nursing like champs, and we are celebrating both their growth, and the fact that WE made it through the first month. Period. AND without having to supplement with formula. Both babies received the second of Hepatitis B shots, and Peter proceeded to pee all over the exam table during a diaper change, completing an eventful trip to the doctor's office.

I am enjoying staying at home with the babies. My favorite thing is the peaceful times when both babies have their eyes open and are contentedly looking around (Maybe I like it so much because it seems to happen only once a day!) Another favorite is falling asleep with both babies laying on me.

As of Friday, we have discovered the magic of the pacifier! There are those who would dislike the idea of pacifiers, but when there are 2 crying babies, a little bit of peace is worth A LOT!!