Another review, and then some shorter, more regular posts, I promise!!  Each week that flies by we say to each other, "we have to post on the blog this week!"  And it gets put on the perpetual to-do list.  And we so often find that only the absolutely urgent things get crossed off that list.  But enough rationalizing and excuses.  Here I am, and I won't waste valuable time telling you of all my good intentions (which, by the way, are very numerous these days). 


Isaac

William

Big picture:  we are all doing very well.  The boys are growing like weeds.  They're all over 12 lbs now, and are becoming much more aware of their surroundings.  They are more interactive -- smiling, testing their voices, laughing at their sisters, grabbing whatever their hands come in contact with: blankets, clothes, toys, their hands, each other's hands.  :)   They're holding their heads up a bit better and can sit up assisted for a little while. We set up their high chairs (the hook-on-to-the-table variety) and they have enjoyed sitting in those (with the help of some blankets to prop them upright) and watching the goings-on at the table. 

We've been focusing on establishing a good sleeping routine, and they are becoming slightly more predictable with their sleep patterns.  They have a regular bedtime between 6:00 and 6:30 pm, then they usually sleep till 11:00 or so, at which time they are bottle-fed and put promptly back to bed.  They then usually sleep till 3:30-4:30, get fed and changed, and put right back to bed, then sleep till 7:30-8:30.  They are taking fairly regular naps during the day, which makes us feel a fair bit more house-bound than before!  All that said, they still have their share of total unpredictability and general "wonkiness".  Just when we think we have something figured out, they throw us for a loop!



David



The girls keep growing and developing, too.  Abigail started preschool in September, and loves it.  She is a big help around the house, fetching things for us, plugging in soothers, and making her brothers smile.  She and Dana are typical siblings:  they can't stay away from each other, but definitely know how to push each other's buttons.  Dana just had her 3rd birthday (photos in another post!) and keeps us chuckling with the things she says and does. 

We (Dan and I) are busy.  That sums us up!! 



Small Picture:  Seriously, though, each day is full and tiring.  I am so thankful each day that Dan is home with me.  Having 2 parents in the house makes such a huge difference in how it all runs.  I cannot imagine how it would be if he were having to work right now, but I know for certain it would be much more stressful for all of us.  Dan is so often Super Dad to the Rescue!!!!!  



We've scaled back a bit on the "official" (scheduled) help we receive.  After 3 full months of people coming to help both late at night (10 pm - 1 am) and after supper (6 pm - 7 pm), Dan and I were ready to reclaim some normalcy and slow the revolving door.  We would not have been able to function nearly as well for those 3 months without all that help.  I've read accounts of other parents of multiples who have trouble recalling the first several months of their children's lives because of the extreme fatigue they had to endure.  Thanks to lots and lots of help, these last few months have gone relatively smoothly.  Now we're taking more on ourselves.  We are enjoying having a bit more "privacy".  I put that in quotes, because we have had such wonderful, caring people involved that we didn't feel invaded upon or uncomfortable, but at some point, we need to start taking over again, and this feels like a natural time to begin.  We definitely notice we're more tired and busy, but it's overall a good thing to be managing many of the household/childcare tasks on our own.  

So.  Once again, we've resolved to keep up a bit more.  So please don't stop checking up on us! :) 

-K