4 Months old!

I can't believe the boys are already 4 months old, they're getting so big! I also can't believe I have to go back to work in less then 3 weeks. It is going to be so sad to leave them, I just love staying at home with them. I am so happy that my mom will be able to be with them on the days I work, I can't get used to the thought of daycare.

A lot is new these days (since my last post almost 2 months ago - sorry!). I'm currently typing while the boys are napping on their tummies (I know major no no) on the floor next to me. But they're happy, and I have hands free to post an update!

We went to the pediatrician on Wednesday and the boys are officially on the "infant" growth charts and no longer on the preemie charts - which is great news. This means they've caught up enough that we can start infant formula and not use the expensive preemie stuff anymore. Overall the doctor is pleased with their growth and development thus far.

Gavin: length 24 3/4 inches (50%). Weight 14 lbs 1 oz (30%). Head 16 3/4 inches (52%).

Lucas: length 24 inches (10%). Weight 12 lbs 11 1/2 oz (10%). Head 16 inches (15%).

The doctor said that we can start rice cereal whenever we want, just as long as they have neck control while they are sitting up supported. He tested this while we were in the office and the boys did well. I think they will be better and ready to try in the next few weeks. It will be fun to see their reaction to "real" food.

The boys are very animated these days, laughing, cooing, squealing in delight and also crying much more when they know what they want and aren't getting it. It is fun to see them interact and "talk" to each other.

They are down to 5 feedings a day of 6 ounces each feed. This has been much easier on us as we don't spend as many hours feeding, making formula and washing bottles. We also got lucky a few weeks ago and they started sleeping more during the night. Most parents would say they now "sleep through the night" we feed them between 9-10 pm, and put them down at around 10 pm. Sometimes they will wake up and need to be comforted at around 2 am but usually go right back to sleep. They wake up in the morning between 5:30 - 6:30 happy and ready to eat. Daddy gets up with them and feeds them so I can keep sleeping.

Gavin loves to try and copy what we say to him; his favorite is "AHHH GUHHH" the "g" sound is the latest, and he laughs and smiles when he can copy us - so proud! He has also found his hands this past week. He holds them together, puts them in his drool filled mouth, and is starting to grab onto toys that are small enough to fit. His favorite toy is a set of plastic keys and a caterpillar rattle (picture below).

Lucas is still our little squealing baby - so loud! It even startled the doctor when Lucas screamed as he was having his ears checked. He is starting to focus on faces more and tries to copy our mouth shapes. He hasn't quite mastered copying sounds yet, but more and more vowel-consonant pairs are starting to come out as he learns his voice. He too is putting everything in his mouth, and loves to hold onto his own hands. He is very close to rolling over from his tummy to his back, and is our little "wiggle worm" always on the move (picture below). We constantly find him awake and unswddled in his bed where he is supposed to be sleeping. He just stares up at us so proud of himself that he "got free" with a cheesy toothless grin on his face.

Both boys have bouncy chairs (picture below) they sit in, that have toys dangling above on a bar. They could spend hours sitting there and "talking" to their friends. They kick their feet and squeal in delight when that makes the toys shake and rattle above them. They are starting to figure out that if they reach up they can make them rattle and move that way too! It is fun to see them learning every day.

We took our first road trip over the easter holiday to my cousin Megan & Tony's house - there the boys met great grandpa and grandma Neel, great aunt and uncle Blair and the Cabasco cousins. The kids were so cute with the babies around, and Gavin and Lucas couldn't get enough of Hannah and Gracie talking to them. (The whole family and boy's easter outfits pictures below.)

They are such sweet babies and we can't get enough of them! I can't believe I am celebrating my first mothers day on Sunday! This time last year our IVF trials were starting, I can't believe it paid off and I have these adorable twin boys to be so thankful for!