Twins: 8 months old

Here I sit... it's 9:33 pm and I'm waiting on Zander's 10:30 wake, cry and go back to sleep.  I can see him on the monitor as he sleeps cross-ways in the crib.  Oh - he doesn't fit cross-ways :)

The babies have been fantastic and are growing personalities as much as anything else.  These include happiness, laughter, temper tantrums, sharing and lack-there-of, and Zella will even offer an un-solicited kiss sometimes. Wow.

Since last month,  Zella has gone thru a spell of learning to sleep on her stomach sans binky.  She still likes it to get to sleep but that's about it.  As soon as she can eat mac-n-cheese, she won't need it anymore :)

Zander is still living on the edges... he laughs the most, cries the most, tantrums the most, gets excited the most. He's on the edge man! Zella is right there, but in her own way. She's the thinker, contemplator and actually gets scared a little easier the he does.  They both take tubbies sitting up now in the real tub,   but the water from the faucet used to scare her.  She would just cling to her daddy like the place was on fire. Precious.

They both love the pool, although Zander puts up with going underwater a lote more then she does.  She is the kicker... actually we call her "Running Bear" and he is "Morning Dove". Funny story that I told Julija before they were born that I had finally come up with the perfect names: Running Bear and Morning Dove. Now Zander whines and sounds like a morning dove,  and Zella is constantly kicking her feat like a running bear... ha ha ha.

Sissie Jessica is still their best friend.  She helps us and loves them to no end. We love her like crazy. Ok here are the pics. See you next month.

Twins: 7 months old

We recently added solar heat to our pool -- possibly the best money ever spent. The babies take an almost-daily swim and seem to love being in the pool.  The water is hovering around 90 degrees so it's almost a bath to them.  Zella started off as the water baby -- kicking and really loving it.  Unfortunately,  she thinks she can breathe under water so Julija is working on that.  Now Zander was a bit more cautious with the water but now goes under water for a real second with no problem.  He just surfaces and looks around.  Amazing.



Both babies are still sleeping about 12 hours a night with a few wake ups.  We don't usually get them up but sometimes need a quick burp or turn over. Lovely.

Both babies have been working on their two bottom teeth that are in full force.  A week or so ago Zander's top two teeth came to the surface and one broke thru.  No tops for Zella yet.

Zander is the better roller... Zella is the better stander. Zander is always smiling and laughing... Zella is contemplating and engineering.  Zella can sit up on her own... Zander, not so much :)

Twins: 6 months old

Six months old... wow.  Overall I would say that things have gotten very easy compared to the first couple of months. They are mostly sleeping all night (go to bed at 7pm and get up at 5:30am) and have similar but different vibrant personalities.  Julija is feeding them almost everything -- and they like different things. Just the other day Zella loved crushed avocado... Zander? Not so much. Morning food is typically organic plain yogurt mixed with organic fruit. Then evenings are all about oatmeal and veggies.  We're also going down the "My baby can read" path with a lot of "clap clap clap" and "arms up!".  The kids are responding very well.

Oldest daughter Jessica is joined at the hip with the twins.  She's awesome in her own right and is still my favorite [oldest] daughter :)  The twins just light up when they see her and she has become my right hand on Sundays when Julija is working.

Zander had an ear infection this past week and measured in at 20lb 4 oz. Doc called him a "heifer". Love it! He was a typical dude -- pitiful and needy while he's sick.  I'm very proud :) ha ha.

Zella is the talker. Oh my she never stops.  She wakes us up from across the house every morning. She's just in there talking up a storm saying "Mom! Dad! come get me." She can go 30 minutes no problem.... just keeps talking. And oh by the way -- she only sleeps on her back. Period. Zander -- only on his stomach. Period. Do not vary from this protocol or you will feel the pain :)

Zander also learned to roll from front to back which makes 2am very interesting. I better scream now 'cause I woke up and flipped to my back. MOM!!!

Both kids are standing with help,  but Zella is really the star here. Could be because she is a few pounds lighter. ha.

OK -- here are the pictures....

Twins: 5 months old

The twins have come so far and in my estimation, have really turned a corner into being little kids.  They recognize us, communicate very well and are sleeping very well too.  Julija is an incredible mom, always working with them on development using fun tools.  They are both eating early foods: carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, peas and even green beans. 

Zella has been sleeping on her own for quite a while.  We put her down around 7pm into her crib, turn off the lights and leave her alone.  She self-soothes most times and goes to sleep.  Then around 6am she stirs, starts talking and lets us know she's ready to get up.  Amazing.

Zander has not taken to sleeping quite so quickly but is doing a great job too.  We moved his crib mattress into the master bedroom and he sleeps there very well -- usually waking up a couple times at night but still doing a great job.

In the last week or so both kids starting drooling and chewing on their fingers a lot. We know teeth are on the way but hadn't seen any until Julija saw one... then two in Zella's mouth.  Very cool.


Can't say enough about my lovely wife.  I've never seen anyone work so hard and selflessly to be a mom.  She is awesome and we are all lucky to have her in our lives. OK -- I know you really want the pics... here you go.