Our First BBQ

Today we went to our first BBQ!  There were two other babies there about our age -- Kamilla and Marina -- and a big girl named Isabelle. We had fun hanging out for a while, but we got hungry when Mom and Dad were hungry, and it took them a while to catch on.  So we had to cry for a while to get their attention.  Once we finished our bottles, we felt better and let Mom and Dad eat and enjoy talking to their friends.  It was fun to get out of our house and go somewhere new, especially because the sun came out for a little while.

Yesterday it rained all day and we stayed indoors.  Mom and Dad spent a lot of time cleaning out the basement, so it can be fixed up for us.  We can't wait to have our own bedroom!  

Mall Walking

Emma and Mia made their first trip to the mall today!  Since the weather put a damper on our walking plans with Melissa and Jack, we decided to meet at the mall instead.  The five of us made 4 or 5 laps along with many other new moms and babies in strollers.  While we power-walked the majority of the time, we did take a break to browse the cute kids' clothes at Gymboree. Melissa and I weren't even tempted by the Nordstrom shoe department. My how things of changed... 

The girls snooze while Jack plays.

Jack says, "How did I get roped into going to the mall with all these ladies?  Good thing I have me toys."

Note from the Editor

We have some great new photos to post from the last week or so, but our computer's photo program is acting up and I'm not able to upload them.  Take it from me, though - Emma and Mia are as cute as ever! Stay tuned while we figure out what's wrong...

Also, I'm finishing up some entries I started but never posted, so there are some new ones below.  

Growing Like Weeds

We went to the doctor today to get the girls' weight checked.

Mia is 10 lbs, 15 oz and just at the 10th percentile compared to a single, term baby.  If we went by her adjusted age (if she'd been born on her due date) she would be in the 50th percentile for weight. Yay, Mia!

Emma topped 11 lbs at 11 lbs, 6.5 oz.  She is just over the 10th percentile, or almost to the 75th percentile using her adjusted age.  Great job, Emma!

After the doctor's office, we took them on their first trip to the grocery store and Starbucks.  (It was a cold, rainy, gray Seattle June day so a walk outside wasn't as appealing.)  The girls didn't mind the car or stroller ride, as long as they were constantly moving. They're not fans of red lights, that's for sure. But they put up with us as we grabbed a few groceries and sat and drank or latte and tea.  They even met some twin boys and their mom and sister.  They belong to the multiples group we just joined so we'll probably see them around.  

P.S.  The girls' overt happiness didn't seem to be related to their awesome night of sleep the other night, as they didn't sleep very well last night and they were still very smiley. However, their Dad's return home from his trip was cause for many smiles. 

Smiley, Happy People

Some sort of switch must have been flipped today because the girls have suddenly become so expressive and active.  Could it have been the 7 straight hours of sleep Emma had?  Or the two long stretches of sleep Mia had?  Or is it because they're so excited for their Daddy to return home from his overnight business trip?

Mia thinks the ceiling fan is hilarious!

Emma smiles during tummy time.

Emma and Mia work out in their jogging suits.  Too cute!

They are deliberately smiling, and smiling with their whole face, especially their eyes.  They laugh and giggle and funny things like the ceiling fan, or the blinds or nothing at all. They even smile through spit ups!  They have also figured out how to use their hands.  They reach out to grasp Mommy's hair, the burp cloths, toys and blankets.  Emma loves her little bug toy that makes a crinkling sound.  And Mia loves her little teddy bear/blanket and cuddles up with it.

Mia cuddles with her bear.

Emma plays with her bug.

They're really starting to look and act like little girls.  What fun!

Houston, we have a problem. We miss our Daddy.

Daddy had to go on a business trip tonight to Houston.  We miss him a lot and can't wait to see him tomorrow.  But we got to play with Great Aunt Janis again, which was fun.  She came up to help Mom take care of us. She must really love us because we know we wore her out last weekend.  We're so lucky!  

Daddy, we love you!  Its' past our bedtime, so we'll see you tomorrow. 

Mom's Weekend Away

This weekend I made my first overnight trip away from the girls. It was for a good cause -- to surprise my mom at her retirement party in San Diego.  Matt stayed with the girls, and Great Aunt Janis was gracious enough to stay the weekend and help him out. 

I had a wonderful time in sunny San Diego.  The retirement party was a lot of fun, and a great tribute to my mom and her 39 years of teaching. While it was a quick overnight trip, it felt much longer as I didn't know what to do with myself most of the time. I'm just not used to any down time these days!  So it seemed like a much longer trip.  I missed Matt and the girls, but admit it was a nice break for me.  

Back in Seattle, Matt, Janis and the girls had a great time.  Emma and Mia made their first trip to the Ballard Locks. It was a rainy day, but they enjoyed the walk anyway.  Janis was a trooper to put in such long hours and give up her weekend, and we thank her very much!