7/30/2013 - 7 months old (well, 7 months and 4 days... I'm running late)

Growing, Growing, Growing!  That seems to be the focus of our lives these days.  Little fingernails that grow so fast mommy can't keep up.  Legs that are growing so long, we keep having to get the next size PJs, and bottoms that are growing into bigger and bigger diapers every week.   We've been out on adventures, to the pool and the playground- some more successful than others!

The girls are both wearing 0-3 month clothes, but are tiny at the middle.  Catherine's long legs make the PJs tighter than Paisley, who is rounder with slightly thicker things and belly.  Mac is a quickly out growing his sisters, and is almost out of his 3-6 month clothes.  We've gone to size 2 diapers for the girls, and size 3 for Mac.  I can no longer touch my fingers around the top of his leg... 

The still, snuggle naps are fewer as they've become quite the wiggle worms.  But on the occasion, that I have the luxury of only one, and we are having a cuddle nap, I get to reflect upon how far we've come.  The days of one handed babies on our chest, connected to wires and wires, and now Mac is longer than my whole torso.   

There was a little mix up with our last pediatrician appointment, and as there are three of them, the "squeezing" us in, meant waiting 6 weeks... Even though i made it there solo with them in the rain.  So, their next visit is August 23rd.  It's kind of refreshing to not be as conscious of all the nitty gritty details, so "how much do they weigh now?"  The answer... "I have no clue".

Paisley is great about rolling onto her belly, and awful about rolling back over.  Shouting until someone comes and helps her flip.  Catherine is almost over, but has an arm that gets stuck.  And Mac has been pulling his feet up to grab his toes and rolling side to side.  

The girls hair has been growing in, with Catherine the longest.  However, she's also the fairest, so Paisleys is much more obvious.  Catherine has one hair right on top, that is probably close to 4 inches.  And Paisley has a little mini Mohawk on the back crown of her head.   

Mac is still our chillest at home, even when he's a little sad, a big smile and a little attention and he's smiling back at us.  He loves his toys, and has found his fingers, spending time looking and moving them around.  He's also got a few days where his toes are of interest.  He is always excited to see me and Darren and both his arms start wiggling, and legs start kicking, even at 3 am.

He's the chattier of the Hogglets, with "oohs", "heys" and "heehee"s back and forth.  Hiding under his gums, you can see the lines of his two bottom teeth, they will be here soon.

He's taken to being a little shy around strangers and loud noises, and needs some mommy or daddy snuggles to try out new places.   

Paisley gets more adjectives every day... Spunky, feisty, emotional.  She smiles the biggest of the three, and shouts the loudest.  She is the most commandeering of attention, partly because of sheer volume. Her hands are constantly in her mouth these days, so I think she's on her way to teeth as well. 

She sleeps on her belly now, with her bottom up in the air...  After fighting sleep, and either rocking/patting her way to sleep or needing some kind of assistance :)

Catherine has the shyest, sweetest smile, which she willingly gives to everyone.  She's the best sleeper and eater of the bunch.  She entertains me during feeding because if she's hungry, she looks excited and ready to eat, but as soon as she's done, her face makes it look like the most awful tasting thing ever..  She's ticklish, especially around her chest.  So, every night as you zip up her pjs, she gives a little giggle when you get to the top.

Enough for now, trying to get this out before another day goes past! 

Paisley at the pool (we take 1:1 adult child ratio)

Post pool wrinkly toes 

Guess who's supposed to be asleep? 

Swinging at the park 

Hanging in our glider! 

7/4/2013 - Happy 4th of July (6 months, 1 week)

It has been a busy couple of weeks at our house!  Life never quite seems to slow down.  I saw a cartoon recently that said "I'm all caught up... Said the mom of multiples never" seems pretty accurate to our life! The quick 30 minutes here and there where they are simultaneously sleeping or happily playing go by fast as I struggle to balance dishes, laundry, clutter and enjoying baby time.  We've had great help for the last several weeks, as grandma and grandpa McGuire were here off and on, nana and granddad Hogg for 2 weeks, and the McGuire Gruncles Bob & Dan, and Graunt Susan were on hand to help us set up and celebrate the Hogglets half birthday!

6 months old!  These amazing miracle babies are thriving and getting more interactive every day.  They have started noticing each other, as they stare while laying on the play mat or sitting facing each other in the bouncer.  

On the 26th of June, Paisley surprised us by completing her first roll from back to stomach.  Of course, no one saw her do it, but granddad looked over, and she was propped up on her elbows watching the "football" game with her feet resting on their stuffed caterpillar.  Two days later, she completed a full roll, and made her way off the mat and to the door... Time to baby proof!

This new skill has another benefit as she is enjoying sleeping on her belly, and has slept a few nights til 4 or later.  I am not missing her 12 & 3 feedings.  She is the hardest to go to bed, usually shouting her way to sleep, or needing rocking or swinging,  In a room with no other babies, it would be easier to let her self soothe, but her shouty nature, makes me worry that everyone will be awake!  She has a huge smile, and greets you with bright eyes at every turn.  She's happy on the floor, but still occasionally just needs a snuggle. Her big smile is hard to capture on camera, but I got one today.  You can see her full gums all around.

She has a knack for being quiet and well behaved right up until the food is delivered on our restaurant outings, so I have been perfecting the art of one handed eating,  

Catherine has been her little sweet self, with a shy smile, that is growing every day.  She is great at rolling from belly to back, and rolling to her side, but hasn't quite made it up to her belly yet.  She's gotten great at grabbing on to the rings and as always, is amazing at kicking.  The music turns on and her feet start moving!  She's the least demanding, although has made herself known lately by working on her bottom lip and even letting a cry out.  She wakes up happy, and kicks and smiles when you go get her...  She's our thumb sucker, and self soothes herself to sleep without a peep, even in the middle of the living room floor while the other two are playing around her.

When you kick so fast, sometimes your feet sneak out.

Mac is not really interested in rolling by himself, but he'll tolerate me working on it a little each day. He coos and is smiley whenever you give him a hint of attention, even in the middle of a sad moment.  But when he's sad, he's really sad.  Putting out his "pet lip" as the Brits call it.  He loves the tv, which we try for him not to, but he will crane his neck all the way around.  He kicks his feet and waves his hands around when excited or when he sees the bottle!

He loved the beluga whales and the jelly fish on our recent visit to the aquarium, taking them in with big eyes and watching them swim past with granddads help.

He's also the best at sleepy snuggles. He loves to be held and snuggle up.

All three of them have been giggling, but sometimes they make you work for it a little bit. 

We are close to being out of size 1 diapers, Mac has been in the 2s for awhile.  We head to the pediatrician next Wednesday, so I'll have a size update next week.  They are still seeing the physical therapist once a week, Mac hits craniosacral once a week, and we've started with the babies can't wait program with a special instructor (think play therapist).  So lots of hands to make sure they are all getting plenty of individual attention.