Five Months

It's hard to believe that the girls are already 5 months old. Last week, they had their "4 month" appointments, which had been post-poned 3 times due to the holidays, inclement weather, and a dead car battery, in that order.

Both little ladies impressed the pediatrician, having put on around 4 lbs each since their 2 month appointment. Elli weighed in at 12 lbs (8.26 percentile) and measured 24 inches in length (26.56 percentile). Anni was 10 lbs 5 oz (0.68 percentile) and 23.5 inches long (12.9 percentile). We are still rocking our 0-3 month clothing, and even some newborn pieces.

The past 2 months have been incredible in terms of their development.

Anni has been flipping herself from front to back since just before Thanksgiving. Elli followed shortly thereafter. Both girls are bridging their backs now and can nearly flip from back to front. Tummy-time is nearly non-existent because they both enjoy rolling over so much.

Elli started reaching and grabbing for things in mid-December. Anni was jealous so the first thing she reached and grabbed for was Elli's binky, and popped it out of her mouth... repeatedly. Both girls can now do simple manipulations: pulling on stretchy things, grabbing individual items that hang in a group, pushing things together to make a noise. When the hands aren't busy, they are in their mouths. So delicious. Or clasped together as though they might pray. I expect them to soon "find their feet".

They are also quite the conversationalists. Their first noises were literally "goo" and "gah", also in mid-December. They have since added all of the vowel sounds and the consonants m, k, b, and p. When they start jabbering, they watch to be sure you're listening, then wait for you to respond before continuing. If I make a noise they haven't heard before, they raise their eyebrows and analyze my face to see if it is because I'm happy or sad, then respond in turn. Their awareness of social humor is funny in itself. They gurgle laughter in response to me, or when they know they are doing something that I will find amusing.

Anni Post-Roll and Elli Ready-to-Roll

Hello, Friend.

Just before Christmas, Elli really took notice of Anni for the first time. She was constantly staring over at Anni and reaching to keep a hand on her.

Anni couldn't be bothered to notice until after Christmas, but now she does the same.

During their independent play, I often find the twins reaching their nearest arms to touch one another, and then doing whatever the task-at-hand is with the other hand. When one girl cries, the other is usually offering comfort by fondling her ear and staring at her.

Two weeks ago I captured them holding hands for the first time.

Then I put them on their bellies facing each other and they really checked each other out.

Now I need to start being concerned that they are orchestrating and plotting against me.

Assumptions

One of the most valuable lessons I learned as an engineering student was how to properly make assumptions. (Not the kind where you make an arse out of yourself and someone else. No, not that kind.) These assumptions were statements you made outright before you solved a problem. Sometimes solutions were only possible once you had made an assumption or two. Sometimes you slept through a particular lecture and missed out on vital knowledge for a test question, so you had to just make up an assumption to circumvent your idiocy, then pray to the god of partial credit.

But, I digress...

Here are some assumptions for my life. These are statements I'm so tired of making that I'm just going to say them here, then move forward with solving bigger problems.

1) I'm tired. I really don't see this changing at any point in the future. It's not like I just have to make it to the weekend, or make it to some school break, before I can catch up on my sleep. The girls wouldn't cooperate for the fall time change, much less my desire to sleep in.

2) I think the girls are teething. I could blame just about any unpleasant behavior on "teething". I mean, technically, the girls will be teething for the next year or more. But, how do I really know if it's teething or not? I don't. So, unless I see a tooth cutting through, they are not allowed this excuse. (This is about as useful as calling a baby "colicky". What does that actually mean? There doesn't seem to be a definition, and yet it is an acceptable medical diagnosis offered by my pediatrician?)

3) Daytime television is terrible. Could daytime programming get any worse? Have you ever actually tried to watch Kathy Lee Gifford? Or those Judge shows? Or infomercials? Gag me with a spoon! Ellen is my new-found exception to this rule.

4) You want pictures. Let's face it... You want pictures of the Doubleshot, and my ramblings are just a bonus. Here is your gratuitous cute-baby photo.

I'm sure there are more assumptions. I'll keep you posted.

Resolutions

They are dumb. Well, those of the New Year's variety, anyway. If I cannot commit to something on, say, December 11th, then waiting until January 1st is only pro-longing my failure... and making that failure that much more memorable because I went as far as to label it a Resolution. (Resolving to do something is so much more weighty than setting a goal.) So, it's better if this Resolution is something not so very important.

My resolution this year is to do 1 pull-up. Yes. That's right. ONE pull-up. I've never done one before. (I couldn't even hang long enough to get the Presidential Physical Fitness award in school. EVER.) I do believe I have a decent shot at it with all of the upper-body exercise that comes with being the mom of twins, and the keeper/carrier of all of their stuff.

I discussed this with the girls as I was doing press-ups with them.

So they thought about it...

They, too, have each decided to be mindful of certain things this year. Ellsa has decided to be more mindful of what it means to be "green".

And, Anneli... Well, she's going to keep on taking care of Number 1.

Wardrobe provided by Grandma A!

Landscape Plans