Our babies are growing up so fast!

You hear it your whole life, but I never imagined they'd get so big, so fast. We feel like infancy is nearly over. The boys are cutting teeth, crawling backwards and nearly sitting up on their own. We started solids a week ago and they are doing great. So much all at once, it's unbelievable. They are now five months corrected and on the 12th, will be eight months old. Chase is about 17 lbs. while Austin is about 16.5 lbs. Here are some of their latest adventures - enjoy!


Down the Cape in our sun cabana.

Ready for the beach!

Summer is here!

Well, as any of you living in the northeast know, summer has arrived with a fury! It's hot out and thank goodness we have air conditioning. Don't get me wrong - we love the heat, but again, we're limited to the time we can spend outside with the boys so they do not overheat, etc. But, I did sneak them out for a quick walk early yesterday morning and then we took a dip in our kiddie pool - all 2" deep of water! Yes, I too dip my whole self in. If anyone is watching, we must look hilarious. Me in my bathing suit that absolutely does not fit, and the boys - well they're in the buff. We get in there and it's just a fit of laughing and splashing. Chase is a maniac in there. He kicks constantly and Austin is just mesmerized by the whole experience. Without us doing anything, when we brought the boys in the pool for the first time on Sunday, both of them just let out this wonderful belly laugh. They just really got a kick out of the whole experience. But what a great age this is! Of course, I feel like I really don't know their age...are they 4 months or 7? That is the question. Ahhhh, life is too short to worry over these details. So, since I'm always in the pool with the boys, there are no pictures yet of their wet adventures, but I'll have Dan take some soon.

The only other update I have (hopefully our streak won't be jinxed by me writing it here) but we're heading into night 10 of sleeping through the night. Usually we get about 10 hours, but last night we got 12! I think we've hit that magic 15 lbs. and they no longer need a mid-night feed. Of course, now they'll probably start cutting teeth...it's alway something!

Stay cool and enjoy this wonderful weather we're having!

Six Months Old!

The boys are six months old today! And get this, Chase has officially caught up to Austin and they are exactly the same size. I know, big shock, given the size of his cheeks and his many chins... For the longest time Chase was about a pound smaller but now, both boys are 14 pounds and 25.5 inches long. While modern medicine gives Austin and Chase two full years to catch up to term babies their same age (that is other babies born in mid-November 2007) the boys are nearly there. It's amazing and we are so proud. It's also nice to not be doing math everytime we try to figure out what clothes should fit, etc. It's so much easier this way! So, as someone recently said, "they like their groceries." Of course, we still correct their age, because while they are six months old, they are acting somewhere in between three and four months, with regard to development, etc. For example, we aren't starting rice cereal or any other solids until at least the end of June.

The boys are really starting to develop personalities. Austin is our cuddler and he suckers mommy into naps whenever he can. He is laid back and really quite content. He talks a lot and is overall happy. Chase is feisty as always. He has found his thumb and seems to prefer that to the pacifier at times. He has totally discovered his brother and when we put them in front of each other, he lights up the room with a huge smile while reaching for Austin. It really is the cutest thing. Chase is our worrier. He just looks so concerned sometimes but luckily he smiles and laughs a lot too - a ball of emotion is the best way to describe him.

The boys were recently part of a "Then & Now" poster campaign (see their poster below) and charity walk sponsored by the March of Dimes. We're in the process of finding ways to become more involved with the March of Dimes in addition to the Dartmouth Hitchcock ICN Parents Council. If we can't prevent some of the hardships we've gone through for others, our goal is to help others cope with premature birth, loss and overall complicated pregnancies. While our journey has felt grueling at times, we would do the past six months again in a heart beat if it gave us the honor of being parents to these amazing little boys. Journey on!

New Pictures

Auntie Kerry and her baby bump! Feeling great, looking amazingly fit and due in July, we got to visit with my sister Kerry yesterday and the boys got to hang out with their cousin...well kind of. This counts, doesn't it?

New Pictures!

Spring Is Finally Here...We Hope

It's official. Our mounds of snow are disappearing, the birds are chirping and people are outdoors again - it's spring! We're getting out nearly everyday and it feels so good! Our weekly appointments with the visiting nurse are done so we won't have new weights until this Friday. Until then, here are some smiles (and serious faces too) to brighten your day!