Life is getting back to normal...finally!

I am finally feeling better. I had another procedure on Thursday to remove gall stones that were left behind after my surgery. Well when they went in with the scope, there were no more stones! I guess my body took care of them on its own. My jaundice seems to be going away and I can finally eat again without pain. I feel SO much better. Still tired, a little sore, but great. A big thanks goes out to John's parents for helping out AGAIN!

George and Clara are getting so big. Every morning I wake up and think they grew overnight. Clara is "walking" while we hold her. She looks hilarious doing this but seems to really like it. She is still a very serious baby. She seems to take in every bit of the world. Both George and Clara are returning mommy and daddy's smiles. Clara especially likes it when you stick your tongue out at her. George seems to laugh and smile at anything. At a baby shower for the twins at my old school this week he was labeled a "flirt." They both are staying awake longer during the day and sleeping through the night.

We are working on transitioning the twins into their cribs. They've been sleeping in their room for a month and a half but are in their infant positioners. George has slept in his crib for the past two nights and has done great. The only problem is that he is a little inch worm. He starts at one end of the crib and somehow inches his way to the other end of the crib by the morning. Today he woke up with his face firmly planted in the bumper. Not good! So that is coming out of the crib! Clara is going to be a little more difficult to transition so we plan on tackling that adventure next weekend.

This weekend my mom came to stay on Friday night. She cooked us three fantastic meals and was such a big help. I always enjoy having her around. While she was here, Clara let out her first big giggle. We have no idea what she was laughing at but Grammy Quinn sure seemed funny to her that day. We also went to two parties. One was at my co-worker's house. It was really fun to have the twins there and catch up with some good friends. Today we went to Allison Carter's first birthday party at the Children's Museum downtown. We really enjoyed the "Tots" area. It's great to have George and Clara around other kiddos. We really had a nice weekend!


We're pretty cute!


The princess straight out of the bath


The Dragon straight out of the bath


George asleep on Daddy


Clara in her bumbo chair


George not so sure about this party hat


The twins with Maria and the birthday girl Allison


Clara "walking"


Birthday girl after her cake! Best yet!

We caught them!

We finally caught their smiles in a picture. Such sweethearts!


I'm someone's Prince Charming


Pretty Girl Clara

And it's still spinning...

So for the past few weeks I have not felt so great. About a week ago I decided to go to the emergency room because I had severe pain in my stomach. The next day I was in surgery to have my gallbladder removed. So in came the troops...the Hadjioannou and Quinn family gathered around to hold us up in our time of need. John's parents stayed with the babies at our house for the two nights I was in the hospital. My brother was discharged from the hospital from his major surgery the day I was operated on. He still showed up at the hospital to visit. My parents were also by my bedside. John's sister Christina flew in from Toronto to help take care of the twins while I was recovering. She was such a great help! I don't think we would have made it through without her. John and I are so incredibly blessed by the strength of our families. Unfortunately I am still not feeling well so more tests and doctors visit are scheduled. Will keep everyone posted on the results...

On to the twins! We had our first dinner outing on Valentine's Day. It was a very exciting trip...drum roll please...to Luby's! Haha! Little Miss Clara was not happy in her car seat in the restaurant. She wanted to see what was going on so her Aunt Christina held her on her lap the whole time. Of course George slept through it. They are both smiling and giggling so much now. There is nothing better on a bad day then to hear that wonderful sound. Clara loves to sit up and look around. She also loves to stand up on your lap. George is just a joy to watch play. He pays very close attention to where his Daddy is too. They both have also discovered the television. They are amazed by it but we don't let them watch very often.


Starting Clara too early...Thanks Aunt Christina!!


Mommy and Clara at Luby's


Daddy and Clara at Luby's


Aunt Christina with Clara at Luby's


The twins at Luby's


Aunt Christina with George and Clara on Valentine's Day


Silly George

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Three Month Birthday!

Mr. George


Pretty Girl Clara


How did you get so big!?!


Hanging out with Daddy after their bath and bottle

My head is still spinning...

What a crazy few weeks! First of all John and I had our first date night since I went on bedrest almost five months ago. We went to Flemmings, one of our favorite steakhouses. It was a very enjoyable evening and the food was delicious as usual. The next morning John got a call that he needed to head to SINGAPORE for an undetermined amount of time to investigate a plant explosion. His flight left at 4:45 that afternoon so we packed up the twins and the dog and headed to Kingwood. I literally moved in with my parents so I could have help with George and Clara. Meanwhile my brother (who is also currently living with my parents) underwent major surgery to remove a tumor from his pancreas on Monday. So Sunday night we packed up the twins and the dog AGAIN and dropped them off at John's parents' house for their first overnight visit. This way I was able to be at the hospital with my parents as my brother was in surgery for 6 hours and was subsequently placed in ICU for a few days. This was the first time I'd been away from the babies overnight since they came home from the NICU. Surprisingly I was very relaxed about the whole situation but that is probably because I knew they were in good hands. My brother's surgery was successful and the doctor believes he was able to remove the whole tumor. Yay! John has some healing to do before he goes onto the next phase of his treatment, but we are very hopeful for a full recovery. As if that wasn't enough, the twins got their first colds. Yes both of them. Poor babies are so congested and apparently you can do nothing about it when they are so young. Sigh. John finally came home and we moved back into our house. Whew!!! It has been a rough few weeks.

Now onto the amazing beautiful fun twins. Oh have their personalities come to light! They are 12 weeks old and are just the most joyful part of my life. Their smiles and giggles light up my days. George sleeps through the night almost every night and while Clara was staying with Grandma and Grandpa Hadjioannou she started sleeping through the night too! She isn't doing this consistently but there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Our outings have become easier and the twins went to their first birthday party. My friend Lindsey's daughter turned one and the twins did really well among all of the people. It was a great day! This month we have lots of social gatherings to attend. These kiddos will be social butterflies by the end of the month. We also get to celebrate their first Valentine's day. I look forward to making lots of great memories this month and put the insanity of last month behind us. With my husband at home and my brother recovering from a successful surgery it is bound to start looking up!!


George and Clara


"My Little Black Dress"


Naptime with Grandpa


Big Boy George


George and Clara at their first birthday party with my very good friends


My friend Lindsey and the birthday girl Caroline


Mommy loves her big girl Clara