Just being cute

The girls have decided that they absolutely HATE tummy time now, so they get mad at me for forcing them to do at least a few minutes of it each day. The other day during one of these torture sessions, Olivia worked herself into such a frenzy crying and tightening her whole body in a full out temper tantrum that she rolled herself over! She was confused as I was cheering her on and smiling while she continued to cry and cry. She hasn't done it since that one time despite my egging them both on each day during tummy time. Oh well, we'll get there one of these days.

Here are some pics I took of them just hanging out on the couch today. My girls are getting so big! Even little Caroline is starting to fill out I think.

Liney in white, Livi in pink

Outing

The weather this weekend was the nicest it's been in months here in Chicago! We even made it to the mid 50's! We decided to take advantage of this sure to be short-lived break from the snow and cold and got the girls out of the house for a bit. We took a nice little family Sunday stroll around the neighborhood and down to get some lunch and a starbucks. Believe me - this is the highlight of my week considering I rarely get out of my sweatpants these days! You should see the looks and attention I get from pushing around a double stroller. Everyone stops us and asks, "is it twins??" or "wow! twins??" I don't know what other scenario it could be when one sees two infant carriers a-top a double stroller, but oh well. I enjoy showing off my precious daughters anyways.

Here we are in front of our condo building.

The stroller pusher's point of view

Diagnosis: PFO

Olivia's appointment with the Cardiologist went very well this morning. She had an EKG test, and the results from that in combination with her previous echocardiogram have lead the doctors to believe she has a PFO and not an ASD (atrial septal defect). This is great news! Unlike an ASD, a PFO is NOT a permanent defect and generally causes no harm during the course of life and should close on its own by the time she is one year of age. We are due back to the Cardiologist for a follow up in 6 months to see if the murmur is gone by that point. Thanks to Mama Diane and Papa Bede for babysitting for us today!

Here's a cute video of the girls I took the other day of them just making baby noises.

4 Months Old!

My little girls are 4 months old today. We had our pediatrician check-up yesterday - each had to have three shots and an oral vaccination so they were not happy campers. The good news is that they both checked out great and the doctor applauded Rob and I since both girls are doing so well and gaining weight steadily.

Caroline:
Weight - 10lbs, 14.5 oz; 5th % on non adjusted charts
Length - 23 inches; 10th % non adjusted charts

Olivia:
Weight - 12lbs, 8oz; 25th% non adjusted
Lenth - 23.5 inches; 25th% non adjusted

Because the girls are at good weights now, we were approved to discontinue the high calorie preemie formula and start any regular formula of our choice. This is great because that other stuff only came in one small size (we went through one can in a little over one day) and was sooooo expensive! We also discussed Caroline's crying fits while eating and the pediatrician suspects she has reflux so prescribed her some medication to be taken three times a day to help relieve her of the pain. Hopefully this will help her eat faster and therefore eat more in one sitting so she can catch up to her sister. Olivia still has a heart murmur and has a follow up appointment with a Cardiologist tomorrow at Childrens Memorial Hospital for another echocardiogram. We're hoping this hole still closes on its own in time and that it does not become a life long issue.

My mom went home yesterday :( and she will definitely be missed! Thanks for your help Grandma Karen!

My little peanut Caroline
Grandma helping Liv with tummy time

Liv and her bed head look

We love Mama Karen!

My mom is here visiting for a few days and the girls are just loving it! They talk and talk to her and have been smiling for her like crazy. Here's a few pictures from the past couple days.

Liv and Grandma
Twinks in one of their cribs


Caroline reading a magazine with Grandma

Sleepy Caroline

Mommy with her girls after a long long sleepless night

Weekend

My dad and step-mom left this morning to head back to St. Louis. We always thoroughly enjoy them visiting mostly because they refuse to let Rob and I do pretty much anything - they fed and changed and held the babies the whole time, woke up with them for the overnight feedings, and even cooked and washed bottles for us! Wow. Talk about a nice little break for us. I went out with some girlfriends on Friday night - dinner and drinks. Rob and I went to a movie on Saturday night, and even though he fell asleep in the theater, it was still nice to be on a little date with my hubby. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Me & My Girls

This is how I feed them all day long
Daddy & Caroline

Caroline being sweet

Grandma Linda

Grandpa Richard

Liv content in her rocker chair

Before going out with the girls

Smiles for Grandpa

Caroline Grace

Olivia Reese

Thank goodness for Grandparents!

Grandma & Grandpa Krupa watched the girls all day yesterday while I got to go to the gym and run a couple errands and then they stayed through the evening so Rob and I could go out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary. We went to this trendy little restaurant in our neighborhood and had a delicious four course meal with champagne and wine! Very nice. And this weekend Grandma & Grandpa Smith are coming in town from St. Louis again to see the girls so Rob and I are already planning a couple fun things we can go do while they're here. AND Grandma Karen is coming in town next weekend from Texas because she misses them so much! It sure is nice to have such wonderful grandparents in our lives that love these little girls so much.

Before leaving for dinner last night
Caroline waited up for us!