Starting Solids...

It's hard to believe that it's time for the boys to start eating solid food! So...three nights ago we gave them their first taste of rice cereal. Surprisingly enough, they seemed to like it. As all babies do, they initially pushed it back out of their mouth, but then they caught on and realized they were supposed to swallow it. (Preston is in the first two pictures, Parker is in the last two pictures.) So now they are off and running with solids...they are becoming such "big boys!" And speaking of that, they both now weigh 11 pounds, 9 ounces and are 25 inches long (as of three days ago). In fact, they are about to outgrow (in length) the infant carrier car seats (at 26 inches) and go into the "big boy" convertible car seats. My, my...how quickly the past six months have flown by!!

Happy 6 Month Birthday, Boys!!

I can not believe that today the boys are 6 months old (well, technically yesterday, since it is now after midnight and no longer the 18th)! Although it has been exhausting and so much work, it has also been so much fun--Preston and Parker are such blessings! I still think back to the day they were born...the anxiety of them arriving early, the speedy ambulance ride to the hospital 45 minutes away, being whisked into an emergency c-section, and finally, holding them for the first time. What a wonderful sound to hear them cry, and then to hear the neonatologist say, "They look great!" And as crazy as it may seem, those four weeks that they spent in the NICU were a special time, too. I think back on those days with very fond memories. God has been so, so good to our family and I think I am the luckiest person in the world to have such a wonderful husband and these four beautiful children.

Tired Girl...

People have been asking if Katie has been really tired since school started. Yes, I would say that she has, although she hasn't come home quite as tired as I expected. More than anything, she is hungry (lunch is around 11:15am)! However, the new school routine has been VERY tiring for Lauren. She and Katie share a room, so when I go in to wake up Katie around 7:15am, Lauren usually wakes up then, too. For the most part, she has "outgrown" taking a nap, but on several days recently she just fell asleep while watching cartoons. You can tell in the pictures just how tired she was (yes, one of the pics shows that she was lying in the middle of the family room floor...no pillow, no blanket, nothing but the area rug to make the hardwood floors a little "softer"). Boy, when I can get Lauren AND the twins asleep at the same time, it sure is quiet around the house! :)

Just Like Mommy...

About six weeks ago, Preston started sucking his thumb (top picture). I thought that was so cute because I used to suck my thumb until I was, well, old enough to know that if I didn't wash my hands first I was sucking a bunch of germs! (And yes, I did finally break the habit, and no, I did not need braces.) Once Preston started doing it, I thought "Great, another way to tell them apart when they are sleeping!" Well, about two weeks ago...you guessed it...Parker started sucking his thumb, too (second picture)! I know it's a habit they will eventually need to break, but for now it really works as a way for them to comfort themselves. It just continues to amaze me how alike the boys are and what a strong bond and connection they share. I just had to grab the camera and snap the picture of them sleeping; notice how their arms are intertwined and Preston has his other arm on top of Parker. The boys are starting to roll over, so we may need to move them to separate cribs in the near future. It makes me sad to think of that because I know they will miss sleeping side by side. We will keep them together as long as we safely can! As for the last picture, they just love to smile...which makes me smile, too! :)

First Days of School

Yea!! I finally have my computer back and am able to post some new pictures. Let's go back about three weeks to the first day of school for Katie. She started Kindergarten and is loving it! I think she was a little nervous at first because she didn't know anyone in her class. However, being the outgoing little girl that she is, she has made some new friends and comes home with stories about the other kids in her class. She is also riding the bus...how convenient for me! She enjoys riding the bus because her friend who lives two doors down from us is in first grade, and they always have a play date cooked up when they get off the bus in the afternoon. My baby is growing up! (Can your firstborn, oldest-of-four-kids be considered your baby?)

Lauren started preschool two weeks ago, and she is loving school as well. She attends preschool two days a week at our church. She enjoys being Ms. Sherri's helper! I think she has a leg up on some of the academic skills because Katie has been "teaching" her at home. In fact, she likes to give her homework ("Okay, Lauren, write a row of L's, a row of A's, and a row of U's..."). I think she is getting used to Katie being gone all day. Lauren is a great helper with her brothers on the days that she doesn't go to school. I must say that I am exhausted with our new school schedule! :)