2 1/2

This month we registered Claire for pre-school. How did that happen? How is it time to send our oldest baby to school? She goes to an in-home daycare while we are at work where she has learned so much, and I'd like to think with my teaching skills I've taught her a thing or two, but it's still hard to believe that in August she will be at the school I've taught at the past 5 years. I love the school and know she will learn so much and have so much fun.

In the past 3 months I've seen a huge change in Claire. I think maybe because of the fact that there are two seriously helpless babies crying and napping around here. She isn't helpless anymore, she is able to do so many things on her own and wants it that way. She has a certain routine and she follows it every single day. She does get angry if something isn't going her way or if someone gets in her way of doing something, but for the most part I find myself laughing at her daily. She's sassy, hardheaded, loves her sisters, and her daddy the most.

She is a crafty little person and loves to use paint, stamps, markers, stickers, and play dough. All I have to do is open up the craft closest and she is instantly ready to create something. I love watching her get excited about using her imagination and making something for the refrigerator. We've recently explored scissors, Lord help me! She makes quick little cuts all around the paper...lets hope we don't end up with a botched haircut, clothes cut, or someone else getting hurt from the crazy scissor cutter! We've also seen her dance moves coming out! I think in the fall after our summer vacation we will go try out a gymnastics class for her. Jumping and twirling makes her happy.

Since Kennedy and Kinley were born she has had to entertain herself while we are feeding. In her playroom she likes to dress up like all the Disney princesses and the occasional pirate. She likes to put together puzzles and read books. Sneaking in on her reading to herself or feeding her baby dolls makes me so happy.

We think she's a pretty happy kid and her recent crazy vocabulary is always expanding. I love that she is able to talk so clearly now and tell us what she needs or is feeling. She still has times of being quiet around people, but I refuse to use the word shy. I don't want her growing up thinking she's shy and use that as a crutch. I want her to be a confident little person who can do anything she wants....not now because I obviously regulate that ;)

• You are able to say all your letters and sounds
• You count to 20...sometimes skipping 14 and random other numbers
• You like to pick out several books at a time to read
• You love animals and I signed you up for a summer program learning about different animals
• When one of your sisters starts to get upset you like to go check on her...and find her "pinkly" and tell her "it's okay sister, it's okay"
• You love taking glow sticks in the bath tub
• If daddy is in the garage it's the only place you want to be
• Your favorite movies are Tangled and Toy Story
• You like to watch Curious George and Cat In the Hat...mostly when it's way past your bedtime
• You love to go to the park 
• You are learning to ride your tricycle 
• You love to jump on anything and everything. Tutu and Pop got you a bounce house for Christmas and Daddy bought you a small jumper thing for the back lanai-(without telling me because I think he secretly wanted it) and if you're outside you're jumping on it. 
• You love to put Winston in his bed at night and get him out in the morning- if you don't and someone else lets him out your morning starts off horribly. 
• You love cereal, blueberries, raspberries, hotdogs, pizza, yogurt, mac n cheese, rice, oranges, cheese, pouches....and any candy. Horrible, I know.
• You like to play like you are feeding your dolls and pushing them in the stroller
• You love going to Ms. Diane's
• Your favorite friends are Bryson, Keegan, Ryan, and Jack. You love when you get to play with them.

The list could go on forever of the new things you do and say every single day. You are our biggest baby and we love your little guts too much little girl! 

Kennedy and Kinley: 2 Months

Two months- TWO MONTHS- how that happened so fast is beyond me! It's just so crazy to look back at pictures we took two months ago all hooked up to monitors and now free to kick around.

At two months Kennedy and Kinley are still eating every 3 hours on the dot. We haven't gotten tandem feeding down yet, so it takes two people to do every feeding. Whew! What a job. We had Pop help make us a feeding schedule for during the night so that everyone has the opportunity to get good sleep. It's been in effect for about a week and it's been great. Towards the end of two months we decided to let you two sleep in the middle of the night and not wake you up to eat. After the 11 pm feeding we head to bed. One of you will usually start stirring around 3 am, which is an hour longer than you were sleeping, and then will really wake up about thirty minutes later. One new development around feeding is we have started you both on reflux medicine. Kennedy started the medicine first after I called the doctor since she sounded really congested with no snot, had serious hiccups and was spitting out her mouth and nose. Once Kennedy started the medicine then Kinley's symptoms were amplified, so tonight she started the medicine.

Both girls are starting to like bath time more. I love their Boon bathtub that has a small incline in it and lays flat when not in use. They like the water a little warmer than I would think would be okay, but they like to be relaxed and moving around while someone is talking to them. I love that during bath they look up at us with their big blue eyes. Sweet girls.

We went and had their 2nd RSV shot this month and will get another one in February. That was our first solo trip of three out in public. It went pretty smoothly. We for sure were an attraction maneuvering through the hospital. We also made a trip to the hospital that week to go get ultrasounds done on the girls hips. They needed this done due to being breech. Luckily all is well and nothing else needs to be done. This week we go back to the doctor for our checkup and shots. Yikes!

The girls have been playing on the floor and looking around more. Watching them look around and soak up the activities going on in the room makes me so happy. One thing that is hard is looking back on what Claire did at different stages and remembering that the girls are going to be a little behind those milestones. While I'm not hung up on the actual milestones and they will both do things at different times- I like a plan, ask anyone who really knows me! In the past few days we have started seeing some  facial expressions that look like they might break a smile soon. I really can't wait until those little gummy smiles start! Claire is still loving every chance she can get to smooch them or hug them. She tried to pick up Kinley the other night off the couch- luckily she said "she's too heavy"!

We are still fortunate enough to have my mom staying with us until May. Who knows whats going to happen when she leaves. We will adjust but it will be crazy!

At our two month doctor appointment it was strange to see that they aren't hitting those milestones yet that are designated for two month olds...because they were technically about 3 weeks with their adjusted age. I will be glad when they are on track with "normal" age and not adjusted. I will just have to get used to these two beating to the own drum. Both girls were over 7 pounds and Kinley is still slightly bigger. After our appointment with our new pediatrician, Dr. Woods, and seeing Dr. Lentz, we made our way up to see some of our favorite nurses in the NICU. Our doctors and nurses from our time in the NICU have been amazing while in the NICU and out. I love that when I have issues I can send a text or Facebook message and they get back with me really quickly. Premature twins is a different ball game than a full term singleton.