Where we at- Six months

Chip and I have always been into the self portraits...so we are working on continuing that tradition.  A little more difficult to get all five of us, but here is our attempt at least getting the humans in.  Kessler, we will figure out how to get you in eventually.

Six months.  26 weeks.  Half a year.  That is how much time Ruby and Owen have spent outside the womb as part of this world.  Insane!  It has been a big three months since my last detailed update about the kiddos progress.  Again, I will probably include more details than usual, mostly for us when we book the blog, so enjoy or skip.  Either way, I will try to include some pictures to check out.  

In general, raising these guys reminds me of the weather in MT.  We used to say if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.  With these guys, it seems like just when you think we have a routine in place that works and I understand, or you think you have their personality or strengths figured out, they change.

Owen Thomas

Weight- 15 pounds 4 ounces (he is up to the 15th percentile!)
Length- 26 inches (35th percentile)
Head circumference- 16.7 inches

Sleep- Owen doesn't need a swaddle, but he still LOVES his binky.  We are not stressed about it anymore.   If Owen were your only child, you would wonder why there are so many books on how to get babies to sleep.   We pretty much just have to put him into his sleep sack, give him his binkie, and put him in his crib and he will put himself to sleep.  Sometimes he wakes up and needs to be cuddled for a little, which is awesome.  He loves to put his head on your shoulder and snuggle in or sleep on our chests.  He melts into your embrace.  It is pure joy to cuddle with him.  Neither of them are sleeping all the way through the night yet.  We get up for one feeding after about seven or eight hours and then again threeish (if I am lucky!) hours later for the morning...way too early in my opinion, but apparently they aren't considering that. I am still hopeful that we can work out a schedule that includes a slightly later wake up time than somewhere between 5:30 and 6:30am.  We'll see.

Owen has been rolling over from his back to his belly since about five months.  I will never forget the first time I went into his room to find him sleeping on his belly.  Somewhat surprised and worried as this was a new thing, I came back into our bedroom to tell Chip, only to find him sleeping on his belly too in almost exactly the same position as I just left Owen.  Funny.

Owen loves to grab and touch ANYTHING he can get his hands on.  He is so busy.  You have to watch what is within his reach, because he is stronger than you think, and will tip a glass of water over, put your bowl of cereal on the floor, and put the magazine near by in his mouth.  

He has been sitting up on his own for about a week now.  This is a major milestone for mom.  I love that when they are not in my arms, they are not mostly on their backs.   He also can scoot around on his belly, mostly in circles for now to reach whatever it is he wants.

Holy sounds.  Owen loves to scream.  He often sends his sister into tears after practicing these screams. He giggles with delight as I have to console and often move Ruby...he must be so entertained by the power and control he has already.  He also loves to laugh (see video below).

We are eating solids now and Owen loves to eat.  He has gobbled up every food we have tried so far.  He does not seem to be very picky so far.  Let’s hope that continues.  

Ruby  Elizabeth

Weight- 16 pounds 4 ounces (she is up to the 30th percentile! )

Length- 25.5 inches (35th percentile)

Head circumference- 17 inches

Sleep- Ruby continues to need her swaddle to sleep.  This is what my worry has latched onto now.  We have tried desperately to wean her off the swaddle, but it just doesn’t work and she ends up needing to be tightly wrapped so that her arms and hands don‘t get into her face and keep her awake.  However, once wrapped up, she sleeps well and wakes up SUPER happy.  It is one of my favorite moments of the day...going to get Ruby when she wakes up.  She welcomes me with giant smiles and wiggles.  We have been rocking Ruby down to sleep, but recently started putting her down to let her get herself to sleep.  And, with a few binkie pops, it seems successful so far.  The whole sleep thing seems to be an ever changing  challenging situation.

Ruby can roll from her belly to her back, the opposite of Owen.  They seem to ying yang each other a lot.  She LOVES to lay on her back and play with her toes.  It is the cutest thing.  She has started scooting around on her belly too.  She can’t seem to move forwards or backwards, but she rotates in a circle on her belly. 

Ruby is a pretty mellow girl.  However, she enjoys playing with her brother… in the gym, in their high chairs, and in the crib.  She loves to stroke his head (or pull his hair), which he is a pretty good sport about.  When he starts messing with her though, she cries right away.  So funny.  

Ruby has also been sitting up on her own for a week or so.  They picked up this skill at almost the exact same time.  Have I mentioned how much easier this skill seems to make my life?

Ruby is a chatty one also.  When other people are around besides mom and dad, she tends to clam up and just observe.  But, when in her comfort zone at home, she loves to experiment with her mouth and throat, making some of the funniest sounds.  And, when left to play with her brother, really gets going.  I often wonder if something is wrong, so I run back to check on them, only to find Ruby squealing at her brother about whatever toys they are playing with.  

And eating.  Ruby eats everything we have tried, but is partial to the avocado for sure.  She smiles and bounces in her seat when she tastes it.  The ground beef is another story.  And honestly, I can't blame her.  It kind of grosses me out.

Well, I could go on and on about more details, I think that is the bulk of it for now.  Next, an update about mom and dad at six months.

 Ruby and Owen love their daddy.  They especially get a kick out of his silly ways.  Here, they are thoroughly entertained by his spins.  The more continuous belly laugh is Ruby, and the screeches of laughter are Owen.