Has it been a month???

I don't guess that really surprises me. The part about them being another month older - yes; the part about me not blogging for a month - no. It is a trial, let me tell you. I rarely get anything done during the day, and if I do, it sure isn't hanging out on the computer. It's more like take a shower, wash clothes, wash and make bottles, cook dinner. When dad gets home, he takes over so that I can take care of the needs of the other kids or do some of those things listed above that I didn't do during the day.

The evenings are a nightmare.

They are just not happy from about 4 pm until they go to bed for the night, which usually isn't until 11 or 12. Generally, dad handles it while I go to bed around 9 or so because I'm going to be back up with them anywhere from 2 to 4 am. The problem is that once they start stirring, it wakes me up and I can't go back to sleep until they are fed and settled back to sleep. All of their grunting, fussing, coughing, etc, plus my knowing I'll have to get right back up just keeps me awake, often for 2 or 3 hours straight. This wouldn't be so bad if there was a chance of me napping the next day, but that just doesn't happen anymore as they don't all sleep for long periods of time during the day.

There have been quite a few nights where they've made it to 5 or so before they wake. The last week or so, I have put Molly in bed with me (always the first to wake, then get everybody else started) for a snuggle and she goes back to sleep for a couple of hours. This has gotten us through until 5 many nights, and sometimes even 6. Last night, they were down by 10ish, and slept until 6 am!! Woo Hoo! Dad and I both got a nice, long night's sleep. What are the chances that this is the new norm? My guess - slim to none.

As for everyone else:

Hunter got a cast

and then got it offin the space of just 2 weeks. The break is somewhere near the growth plates, so the orthopedist wants to follow him for a year or so.

Hannah lost her two front teeth, also in the space of just 2 weeks.

She's just so darn cute with that smile!

School is out which makes the twins 1st graders, and Jamie...a high school student! :o That doesn't seem possible. I remember what was important and what we were up to in 9th grade and I just don't even want to think about it. YIKES!! She's already gone on the first leg of her summer travels, having left the day after school was out.

The babies at 3 months:

They all smile and coo, though Cooper is most proficient at both. If you "ooo" and "ah" at him he will do it right back to you. The girls are just more occasional and inconsistent. Molly smiles quite a bit, but it is much harder to get one out of Em.

Their weights are Cooper at 11.2 lbs (NOT 11 lbs 2 oz, but 11.2 on our home scale; we had dad hold the babies, then weigh without them and subtract the difference, LOL), Molly at 10.6 lbs and Em at 8.2 lbs. Em is still our peanut!! The gap between the bigger two and our little peanut is growing. But, she doubled her birth weight, so no worries.

They all have rolled over from their belly to their back if put on a little incline, lol, since they are often on the couch. From their side, I've seen them each try to go to their belly, and they will all go to their back.

I've started watching them for torticollis; they just too often seem to keep their head turned to one direction, but then I'll notice that the next time they are turned the other way, so maybe they just don't like to look straight ahead.

Ok, that's enough "therapy" stuff :)

They did start tracking shortly after the 2 month mark. You can really tell they are watching your face and if you walk by, they'll follow you over a small arc. They even watch TV! Of course, it's just light, color and movement, but it's funny to see.

Well, 2 hours after starting this update, I'm going to close. I will try to keep updating periodically, as much to look back on as for all of you (both of you??) out there interested :)