Getting SOOO big!!

<------Grabbing onto a toy for the first time!!!

Well, the boys are now 8 weeks, and I'm officially past my due date! I was afraid they'd be 7 weeks behind a normal baby's schedule, but I think they're catching up fast. All the books say that they'll be a little behind developmentally, since they were preemies, but I think they'll be caught up soon. They're starting to hold their heads up and smile on cue. They also weigh over 8 1/2 pounds!!!

Watching "Baby Einstein" --------->

<---- Sharing a pillow Aunt Julie was here this week too, which was so awesome! Matt and I got so much accomplished. We even ventured out to look at some new minivans. I can't believe we're getting one! Anyway, she was such a huge help. Thanks, Jules!!

<--- Julie Multi-tasking!

Last night Matt and I had a breakthrough with them sleeping at night. I read a little more of my "Baby Wise" book and learned how to properly let them cry themselves to sleep. It seems that maybe we were holding them too much before. It was hard to do, but we let them cry in their cribs after each feeding and they both, miraculously went to sleep on their own. They also slept for 4.5-5 hours between feedings. Woo hoo!!!!

I also had to share this picture of my hot, "Spanish pool boy!" Actually, Matt was carrying one of the boys while sweeping the pool & trying to keep the sun out of his face. I just had to get a picture!! Matt keeps telling me to get a big hat to shade them while I'm carrying them outside. I jokingly remembered the sombrrero we had with the Halloween stuff & brought it out to him. If you can tell, he is holding a baby too. So funny & so cute!! (Click on any of the pictures to enlarge)

7 weeks old!

<----Ben

Hey! I finally found the charger for my digital camera, so I was finally Eli----> able to take a few more pictures. The boys are getting so big! I weighed them 2 days ago and they each were a little over 7 1/2 pounds. That's nearly 3 pounds they've each gained since birth!!

(Ben, below. Eli, lower right) Overall, things are going really well. Matt and I were talking the other night and we both commented on how much easier this all is compared to what we had really expected. The boys are sticking to a schedule very well. They eat every 3 hours during the day and every 4 at night. They're usually pretty good about falling asleep in their beds on their own too, which absolutely amazes me!

Ben had a little trouble with reflux last week, which in turn made him quite an unhappy baby. His pediatrician prescribed some Prilosec for him though and it has made a world of difference. Both boys love to lay and stare at the toys hanging over them in their little play

mat. Eli is even starting to grab onto them a little now. He loves holding onto my finger when he's eating too. It's so sweet!

I'm loving soaking up every minute of all of this. I get so excited when they gain even an ounce, yet I tear up every time I "Retire" one of their preemie outfits to a storage box. Let the "Hellos & Goodbyes" emotional rollercoaster of being a mom begin!

Photo shoot!

The boys are 5 weeks old now! What better way to celebrate than with a professional photo shoot. I wanted to capture some "Newborn" pictures before all the little wrinkles went away and turned to chub. Although, chub is cute too...we'll probably go back for a 3-month shoot too!

Check out my photographer's blog for a sample of some shots. I can't wait to see the rest!
http://regruthimagery.blogspot.com/ They are pictured under her April 1st post entitled, "A Happy Ending."