Double the blessings

The girls are growing so fast.  They can both sit up unsupported.  Abby is a scooting machine, but Izzy just turns herself around in circles.  They both get up on all fours and rock back and forth, which is a good indicator that they’ll be crawling soon.  Just last week they started feeding themselves finger foods.  They are definitely working on their fine motor skills.  They babble a lot and are still sleeping through the night.  They are so much fun!

Not quite sure if anyone still checks our blog.  I apologize for the hiatus.  Life became really busy with deadlines with school, keeping up with the girls, and all the recent holidays.  The girls are now 7 months old.  They’ll be 8 months on January 18th.  I can’t believe how fast time flies.  They have cut their first tooth, and their second tooth will appear any day now.  They baby talk like crazy.  When they eat their solids, they say “NUM NUM.”  They give kisses though sloppy are wonderful.  They aren’t crawling yet, but they are rolling around like champs.  Just two nights ago, we broke down their pack and play bassinet, and they are now sleeping in their cribs in their nursery.  A part of me is sad that they are so big and no longer sleeping in mommy and daddy’s room.  But now they love sleeping unswaddled (finally) on their sides and tummies in their big girl cribs. 

Christmas was very special this year since it was our first Christmas as a family.  I know next Christmas will be so much fun.  We have Doug’s mom here for a month, and his dad arrives tomorrow.  We probably won’t see them again until next Christmas so we’re enjoying our time together.  I’ll try harder to keep this blog up to date.  Thanks for those of you who continue to check in on us.  2010 is going to be an awesome year.

I took the girls in this morning to the pediatrician for their 4 month check up.  In two months, they have gained three pounds.  Abigail weighs 12 lbs, 4 oz. while Isabelle weighs 12 lbs, 13 oz.  Abby is 24 1/2″ long, and Izzy is 25″ long.  Their brain is growing with Ab’s head being 15 1/2″, and Iz’ head being 16″.  They received three immunizations today, too.  It breaks my heart when they get their shots.  But all in all, the doctor was happy with their progress.  They are in the 25th percentile as far as their growth is concerned.

Their doctor wants us to start them on solids…yay!  I’m so excited.  I just have to go out and buy two highchairs, padded spoons, plastic bowls, and food.  I’m going to start them on rice cereal for a few days until they get used to swallowing food.  Then I can start them on stage 1 veggies, introducing one every three days.  The doctor also told us to give them an ounce of water a day.  I’m going to try to get out to Babies R Us either today or tomorrow so we can start this exciting new journey in the next couple of days.  I can’t wait to see how they’ll react to the foods. 

I know I haven’t posted pictures in a while.  We’ve taken a bunch, but I’m just trying to really focus on school right now and practice on my machine as much as possible.  Blogging, uploading pictures, facebooking….it can all be so time-consuming.  I promise to post some recent pictures of the girls within the next week.  Thanks for keeping up to date with us and the chicklets.  They are being dedicated at church on October 11th so if you are local, you should come to Sandals that day.

I had the girls’ 3 month pictures taken at the Picture People in the mall yesterday.  It went well, and the pictures turned out cute.  Doug’s parents are flying back to Japan as we speak so it’s just me and the girls at home again.  We had a very nice visit and will be together again at Christmas.  Abby started laughing this past weekend.  Both girls have been smiling for a while now, but no sound comes out.  On Saturday, Abby started actually laughing, and it was the cutest thing ever!

The girls are still sleeping through the night…about 10 – 11 hours.  They are also learning to put themselves to sleep.  We’ve been putting them in their basinets for naps.  We put them down awake and within minutes, they have fallen asleep on their own.  They are rockstar babies.  They make my job as a new mom so enjoyable and easy.

Doug’s parents came for their summer vacation last Wednesday and are staying with us for two weeks.  It was the first time that the girls met their grandpa.  They were able to watch the twins while Doug and I attended our church’s annual marriage getaway in Palm Desert.  It was bittersweet being away from them.  Doug and I enjoyed our time alone, but I missed them so much.  The retreat was amazing, and we had so much fun.  We even got massages at the spa in our hotel on Friday.  By Sunday I was ready to come home and love on my girls.  It was weird…I was only gone for two days, but when I saw them, they looked bigger, older, different.  It’s been a great visit with family so far.  Doug even had some family from Oklahoma come for a visit, and we had such a great time with them.  What sweet, nice people!  Anyways, here are some pictures of Grandpa holding his grandtwins and one of me, Doug, Kim, and Ted from the marriage getaway.