Where we at- Three months

Ruby and Owen are now three months old!  It seems impossible that three months have already passed since those first days at the hospital and home where we did not have a clue, were in awe and scared at the same time of what we just started, and had so much healing to do (mostly on my part) to get back to some semblance of normal functioning....and here we are!  Feels good.  

This entry may have more words and facts than you care to read.  Don't.  Just look at the pictures, enjoy, and I promise I won't quiz you on anything I wrote in here later (not even Oma or Nana!).  It is mostly for when we "book the blog" (love that term, Bella).

Every day is a little different around here.  Although composed of a small handful of activities in a systematic order, the times are always different, the speed at which we cycle through "feed, wake, sleep" and the collateral events that accompany those things (like changing diapers, playing, and walks in the neighborhood) is different and, the people who are here to help changes as well.  

Ruby and Owen are changing...developing...so quickly!  At this point they are alert for two hours at a time before they need a nap, and are able to coo, smile, and interact with the world around them- so incredible.

Ruby -

Length- 23"

Weight- 9lbs 1oz

This little gem has been smiling the biggest baby smile I have ever seen since about 8 weeks.  She practiced many times before this in her sleep or when she was "getting her money's worth out of her diaper", but around 8 weeks, she would do it in response to our smile, or something that we did that caused her utter joy.  Things that make her smile are; getting her diaper changed, specific rattles, and reclining on our bent legs facing us for a conversation.

Ruby has a significantly larger head than Owen, so when she lagged behind him a bit in holding it up on her own, we were not surprised.  However, once she decided to hold it up, she figured she would apply this skill to tummy time as well and suddenly seemed totally confident wielding around that beautiful head.  I think she might actually like being on her front side now.  For most of the three months tummy time has been a struggle for us- not that fun to have your face smashed into the ground.  Anyway, things are looking up (ha!) in this department.

These are the sweet packages that I bring home from our walk each day to unwrap and feed

She has also started batting at things hanging from the gym and over her bouncy chair.  At about 9 weeks she started to do this really cute hap hazard swinging, like her arms where numb or something, but she had a little bit of control over where they ended up.  Then, over night, at about 10 weeks it became very directed hitting.  She loves to hit this snail and watch him swing around all crazy in front in front of her.  Chip says it is no wonder kids are so drawn to drugs, what with all the floating and swinging animals we expose them to so early in life.

Other randomness- Ruby loves mobiles, especially the one in her pack and play.  She also loves to kick her legs while laying on her back.  she will have these periods of total spastic leg kicking that will go on for 10 or 15 minutes.  Hilarious to watch and seems to fit her feisty personality.  It is also probably why she is not able to sleep unswaddled yet...we tried...which led to several sleepless nights.  Maybe in a few weeks we will try again.

Owen-

Length- 22.75"

Weight- 8lbs 7oz

Our boy wonder.  He smiles, but more with his eyes than his mouth.  They get really big and full of wonder and he looks so pleased, usually after doing something really fun and new or while cooing at you.  

Oh my! The cooing.  I could not have told you what cooing sounded like...and then I heard it.  It is definitely the best sound in the universe.  Owen loves to coo, and I love to listen.  I want to eat that sound.  It would be the most decadent morsel one could consume.  

Owen has also been holding his head up for some time now.  I sure am glad that both of them do because without that skill, I am not sure I would be able to get them both in my arms at once when I am alone.  Owen's other physical feat is his ability to not only hold his own weight with his legs, but if you pull him into a sitting position when he is laying on his back, he can push himself up into a standing position.  And, he has been doing that since about 6 weeks!  It looks unreal...impossible...like when an ant picks up a twig five times the size of its body. 

Not to sound repetitive, but Owen can also bat at things hanging with precision.  Very cool to watch.  And the crazy thing is that both Ruby and Owen developed this skill at almost the same exact time.  It is like they are already watching and learning from each other.

Randomness about Owen- he LOVES his binkie (Chip prefers we use the word binkie because he had no idea what a binkie was before these two were born and therefore really feels part of the parenthood club when he uses the word).  I actually worry about how much he loves his binkie, but he is so small and sweet and sensitive that I am really glad he is so comforted by something so simple.   Owen, is sleeping swaddle free as of 10 weeks- also fits his mellow personality.  And, he looks so stinkin cute laying there with his arms sprawled about in total peace when he sleeps- love it.

"Change always comes bearing gifts."
  ~Price Pritchett