I fear that this blog has quickly become a "twin overload" picture montage. I would apologize, but I'm not really that sorry! These little people have stolen our hearts and also all of our attention. :) I wouldn't have it any other way. 

This last weekend, Valentine's weekend, Russ and I kept reflecting on how much has changed since last Valentine's day. Last year at this time we were knee-deep in IVF treatments with shots and appointments galore. In fact, we had tried to escape the stress of it all by going on a little "stay-cation," but that weekend was also a major bust. It was the first night of a new shot which Russ had to administer in my butt. Long story short, there was blood and tears and a ruined weekend. Ha ha. Oh what a difference a year makes. This year my aunt was kind enough to stay with the twins as we had a casual evening to dinner and a movie. Not surprisingly, we couldn't wait to come home to our two little babies. 

On Presidents day we had the twins' 4-month appointments. Wow! I can't believe they are that old. Both twins were in the 90th percentile for height and head circumference (no surprise there), and about the 50th percentile for weight. 4 months down, eternity to go!

This picture melts my heart.

Clara loves her little doggy. Clara is such a content and happy little girl. She makes you earn her smiles and they are near impossible to capture on camera :)

Max loves balloons. Russ got a balloon for his birthday in January and it is still bringing smiles!

This little boy is so happy. He makes me smile.

We're Growing!

The twins are 4 months today! Holy shmoly. Max and Clara are changing every day. I love watching as new discoveries are made - like hands! Hands are so fun! Sometimes Max tries to eat both hands at once (highly unsuccessful), and Clara will stick her little fingers so far in her mouth she gags herself. It's funny and sad. This morning we had our first big parent fail. Russ left Clara on the rocking chair and looked away. Next thing he heard was a "thud" and poor little Clara on the floor! Ah! Luckily she is just fine, but lesson learned - we cannot expect them to stay where they are anymore!

We think Clara will be the first to move. Mr. Max is quite content sitting and watching what's going on. Clara is wanting to sit up. She loves tummy time. She squirms and wiggles. It won't be long now. 

This is one of my favorite faces she makes, as she is trying so hard to keep that head up. {heart melter}

 

Tummy time isn't so bad (for her... Max isn't as big of a fan)

Playing together!

Ups and Downs

This picture was one of the few things that kept me keepin' on this week! Sounds dramatic, I know. But quite honestly it has been a ROUGH few weeks. But we survived.

Russ has been traveling with work. I've been on dual baby duty day and night, which is nothing short of exhausting by myself. I got really sick. The babies got really sick. Max had an ear infection. Sleep has been lacking (ha... understatement).

Despite the whining above (hey, it's my blog, right?), I also had some really cool experiences. Last Sunday Russ left town at 3 pm and by 3:30 both babies were screaming and I could not get them to calm down. After 3 or 4 hours of struggling, I finally called my neighbor and good friend to ask if she could come hold a baby. She was over in 2 minutes. After we got them both to sleep, she then told me she was coming back and was spending the night and taking care of all of the shifts. Seriously?! She wouldn't back down. I decided to accept the help. It's something I'm working on. I know people want to help, and I know I need it. Like when another friend brought me old fashioned doughnuts and Diet Coke. Ummm, thank you.

So yes, it's been a bit rough lately. But it's also been so incredibly humbling and heart-warming to know that so many people care. I am blessed!