She's Four!

This face, it fools everyone!  Maybe it's the anticipation of the birthday, the craziness of having two new babies in the house, or the thought of cake - but this one has been bonkers lately!  Just when I thought 4 was going to be the year of calm, collected, and maturity.  ;)

Even through all the crabbing and tantruming, we celebrated the 4th year like we have every year prior.  Apple picking at our favorite orchard.  We got there bright and early...

This had been a bad year for apples. The early Spring frost left much of the orchard with little to pick.  Usually the trees are exploding with apple this time of year, but I think the orchard prepicked what they did have, and have it ready to sell in the store. 

 

There were apples on the trees, but at the very tip tops. Luckily dad has some long arms and we were able to fill our bags with just enough to take home for applesauce and or pie.

And while Mimi took good care of the sisters, we cruised around and stopped for lunch.  Naps were needed by all, and the anticipation of THE CAKE was high... 

It was my best yet, and still lots of room for improvement.  But it tasted good and came through for our traditional cupcake cake birthday ceremony! 



Cousins

Our annual family picnic, a blast.  If it wasn't for all the bees and strong winds, they day would have been perfect!

First time at the pinata with a blindfold, she's lumped in with the big kids now!

a month

An entire month has gone by since the day these two joined our family.  It's hardly believable that much time has passed. After all, they've been home less than two weeks and are still only 38 weekers, not even a "newborn" yet, at least in terms of clothing sizes. Having spent their first few weeks in the NICU, and the blur of how our home and lives have had to adjust to this new life - here we are.  One month old.



Annalise, one month old

At one month, we continue our round the clock feedings every three hours.  The efforts well worth the zombie walks in the middle of the night, both girlies are superbly gaining weight and will maybe even fit into newborn clothes very soon! We're making do with N clothes, but they still swim in them. 5lb5oz for Alivia and 5lb10oz for Annalise.  



Annalise, one month old

 Sleep, for the girls, is easy.  They eat, and right back to sleep, around the clock.  I presume as they near their due date (September 19th), they'll start to behave more newbornish and be awake more often.  And with that, I anticipate I'm in trouble ;) but for now I savour their sweet velvety heads, their soft cheeks, and warm cuddly bodies as they rest and grow. 

Alivia, one month

 While they're near identical in most things still, and while we wait for their personalities to emerge, we know for certain Alivia is our pokey eater, and tends to spit-up on a regular basis.  All normal, we know, just never had that with Josie.  And today was our first day home alone while Dad headed back to work.  A house full of 4 girls, and I think I did a fine job of holding down the fort.


Alivia, one month

And on their one month birthday, the new stroller arrives and I'm looking forward to getting back out there, if not running yet, at least putting some miles walking and getting back into shape.  If they keep up this nice sleep/eat schedule, I foresee lots of miles being put on the new stroller this fall.