Public Service Announcement on Behalf of All Mom's of Multiples

I may look like a sideshow when I am out and about with my Cadillac stroller and two cooing babies.  I may even bump into a thing or two because store managers do not think about us Moms that have to maneuver a double stroller in the store when they set up all of those racks of clothes.  Sometimes I may look like I just rolled out of bed but I promise that is far from the truth.  In fact I've probably been up since dawn but haven't had a second to take care of myself.  So when I am walking through the store please don't follow me from aisle to aisle chatting about how hard it was to take care of your three year old and newborn.  I promise it's not like having twins.  Please don't touch my children on the face, hair, or even foot.  Please don't point out to me that I must be tired.  Please don't ask if I had fertility treatments or if twins run in my family.  That's personal. 

What you don't know is that I run in a very tight time frame.  My life is in three hour cycles between feedings and it is a production to get these two out of the house.  So by the time I get in the car I probably have an hour and half to get things done.  You are taking up my precious time trying to stop me to look at my children.  Yes I know they are adorable.  I get to look at them every minute of every day.  And I promise they are not identical.  Even though they look alike they are a BOY and a GIRL therefore it is impossible for them to be IDENTICAL.  So when you see a mom of multiples out and about if she looks like she is on a mission, she is.  Either leave her alone or a quick comment will do.  Believe me, when we got pregnant with multiples we had no idea it came with celebrity status.

The more you know :)

Embrace the Insanity

Clara is such a curious baby.  She can't be in one position for too long.  She wants me to move her from her bumbo to laying on the floor to the jumper to the play mat to being held to walking her around.  She has to see everything!  It's pretty funny when Clara really likes something because she opens her mouth really big and tries to stuff whatever it is in it.  If she can't get whatever it is in her mouth then she gets really frustrated and screeches.  When she gets excited she often tenses up her whole body and stares at something with wide eyes.  She makes me giggle!!  Clara is sitting up alone pretty well these days.  She still topples over if she makes any sudden movements but the balance is getting better.  Clara loves our dog Bailey.  She watches her wherever she goes and sometimes she cries if Bailey leaves the room.  She also loves to get Bailey kisses!  She is starting to get the hang of the jumper and seems to enjoy her time spent standing up.  We stopped swaddling Clara because she is rolling over and also busting out at night.  Unfortunately this has been a tough thing for her so we had to turn to the progressive cry it out method.  In three days she learned to put herself to sleep without the swaddle but we still have to work through her middle of the night wake up.  She used to want a snack and cuddle at about 3 AM and it is time to kick that habit.  It's tough listening to her cry but all my mommy friends say it will be so worth it in the end.

George is still the happiest baby on the planet.  He smiles all the time especially at his sister!  He is beginning to grasp the use of his hands and is reaching and grabbing for things more and more.  He is such a good eater and sleeper.  Usually he sleeps 12 hours at night!  His naps would be long during the day too but since we stay on the same schedule he is always waking up for Clara...poor guy!  George has also turned into a cuddle monster.  When he wakes up he wants to cuddle for a while before you put him down.  He loves to fall asleep on your shoulder too.  All of this from the little tiny baby who sometimes just wanted to be put down!  We are still working on little Georgie's neck in hopes that it will correct itself.  I was hoping by his six month appointment he would be able to hold that head up straight but it is still drooping to the right side a bit.  We'll keep stretching and I know it will get better.  George also recently figured out how to hold his bottle while laying down.  While this is far from totally feeding himself there is hope that one day I will no longer be a feeding machine!  Probably not anytime soon though.  :)  We are so blessed by these two munchkins and I am enjoying every minute with them at home.  Some days are insane but I think I am learning to embrace it!

 

Yes that is a panda on my booty

 

Mommy broke out the toys for 6 month olds - It was Christmas all over again!

 Mr. Personality

 

 

I love my jumper!

These are Things to Remember

Cuddle time with Daddy

 

Picnic with Grandpa and Georgie held his bottle!

Bathing Beauty

Mommy's Munchkins

Backyard Fun

 

 

5 Months and Baptism

The babies are five months old!  George and Clara talk and squeal so much during the day.  We've also heard many belly laughs from both of them!  I loved the giggles before but you can't help but laugh when they think something is really funny!  George has mastered the art of rolling over and sleeps on his tummy now.  Clara finally rolled over from her tummy to her back!   Clara really understands how to use her hands.  She reaches for things and grabs toys.  She always pulls them straight into her mouth!  They have both gotten used to solids which they eat in the morning and evening.  They are starting to sleep through the night again...woohoo!  Hopefully within the next few weeks they will sleep through the night EVERY night...probably wishful thinking.  They also pay very close attention to each other.  They often hold hands or grab at each other.  It's pretty adorable.  

 Is that a smile!?!

 

Story time before bed

Hi Mom!

 

I'm pushing up but I am NOT happy about it!

 

Bubbles with Daddy

We had an amazing weekend this past week.  The babies were baptized at the church that I grew up in and got married in.  It was an awesome ceremony and they didn't make a peep throughout the whole service.  After the church service we had a brunch at my parents' house.  My brother prepared all the food for the brunch and it was great!  He is such a talented chef!  We enjoyed our time with our family and friends.  We were so honored that John's Aunt and Uncle flew in from London and John's sister flew in from Toronto for the event.  I was also so happy to see my best friend Brandi who flew in from Washington DC to be a part of the ceremony as Clara's Godmother.  A big thanks also goes out to Jake and Mark for being the twins' Godfathers and Ashley for being George's Godmother.  We love you guys!

  

Our Family

Clara with her Godmother Brandi

 

 Mr. George in his Suit

 Ceremony

Unbelievable

I checked on the twins last night before I went to bed and was just amazed at how big George is.  

How did we go from this little guy...

 

...to this big guy sleeping unswaddled on his side in his crib in less then 5 months!

Twins First Easter

George and Clara got their first visit from the Easter Bunny!  We spent Easter Sunday with both of our families at the Hadjioannou's house.  It was great to have my brother there who has missed many holidays living in Atlanta.  We did miss Christina and Sayed who were in Toronto.  The babies participated in some of the family Easter traditions.  It was a great celebration!
 

 

George checking out his Easter basket

 

Thank you Easter Bunny!

 

It's a little bright out here Daddy!

 

Mommy loves her little bunnies!

 

Clara playing her first game of Epper

 

George is that frosting on your lips?!?

Sunny Afternoon at Mercer Arboretum