6 MONTHS!!!

I still can't believe it's been over 6 months since these little miracles came into our lives and changed it forever:) They are growing by leaps and bounds and every week it seems that they have learned something new! Our most recent "developments" are...
Harper's first (and only) word

Owen's little 'rolly poley' night-time routine...

Both kids are learning to sit up unassisted!!!

6 month checkup:
Owen weighed in at 13 pounds, 11 ounces and was 24 3/4 inches long. This puts him in the 1st percentile for weight & length for a (full term) 6 month old. Yeah we're on the charts!

Harper weighed in a little smaller at 13 pounds, 2 ounces (3rd percentile). She's slightly taller (actually longer) than her brother at 25 inches, which puts her in the 12th percentile! (woo hoo!)

Little Explorers!
These little ones are continuously exploring everything around them at all times!!! EVERYTHING goes into their mouths (yuck), which means mommy is constantly cleaning toys. They want to grab everything they possibly can in their little 1 foot radius, including each others' hands, feet, etc.
Owen, who we like to call "Houdini" is our little escape artist. He's figured out how to crawl out of the Bumbo, the Nap Nanny (yes even when he's strapped in) and he can nearly crawl out of the swing! There's NO leaving that child alone - even for a second.





Harper is not quite as mischievous. However, she is on the verge of scooting and she's figured out how to scoot while lying on her back... Pretty funny





Exercises:
Our daily "exercises" and activities include tummy time, playing in their "jump jump" as we call it (Baby Einstein jump seat) and rolling. And boy do they like to roll. Back to tummy, tummy to back, sometimes they just roll over and over again to get from one place to another. Owen can do a full 360, by just rolling back and forth! Of course Owen thinks this is fun to do at bedtime in his crib - rather than going to sleep- (roll back and forth, back and forth...). He cracks himself up:)  They also love to go on walks, bike rides, watch TV and read. Of course the 'reading' usually involves mostly chewing on the books. But hey it's never too early for education right?!

"Talking"
We've decided Owen and Harper both like the sound of their voice. Harper can say "dada" and several other undetectable "words". But Owen sticks mainly to "aaaaabababa" and "aaaaaaahhhh" gradually getting louder until we can ALL hear him. Oh we just can't wait until they have their own little language and talk to each other non-stop! Haha:)

A "typical day" in the Malone household:
With twins you definitely need a pretty rigid routine and a lot of organization (and patience of course - which we're working on)... The kids are sleeping 11-12 hours a night (thank goodness) and usually wake up around 7:30, which is when our nanny, Kristen, arrives. We basically stick to EAT, PLAY, SLEEP... all day in about 3-hour increments. We try to keep them on the same schedule, but it doesn't ALWAYS work out that way...  In addition to formula the kids are eating rice cereal, oatmeal, fruits and veggies 3 times per day. They've even started eating meats every once in awhile. (They love everything except peas... and mommy's homemade carrots :-0) Kristen has been such a blessing & the kids love her. She does a great job while we're at work and sends daily updates & pics so we don't miss out on too much. They usually get 1-2 good long naps during the day & the third nap is a "crapshoot". Every spare minute is spent doing laundry (mainly Owen's because of the spit up problem - poor guy - it doesn't even phase him anymore:)), cleaning bottles, dishes, toys, etc... After their last meal the kids go down around 8 or 8:30... Then FINALLY mommy & daddy time. And it starts all over again:)

I must say that although it's ALOT of work, Harper & Owen are becoming "little people" and are more fun every day! They have truly completed our life and have already brought us so much joy & adventure. Here are a few more pictures from the last few weeks:

Harper & Papa napping:)

The kids with "O"

Yum Yum 'love my toes'

Playin' in Grandpa Sam's ties:)

5 months

Well, most people will say that babies get easier around 4-5 months.... I think there are 2 explanations for this 1) they say this to make you feel as though there's a light at the end of the tunnel or 2) they don't have twins!!!
I will say that it is getting more fun as Harper & Owen are developing little personalities. But easier is NOT the word I would use. Now that they are "talking" more and a little more mobile, it's a bit tougher to go to restaurants, stores, etc. We have now been "those people" with the screaming kids! So, seeing as how we really have no time to cook, our choice for dinner is usually a restaurant that's noisy & has bright decor.

The kiddos have started eating cereal, fruits and veggies. So far, they love them. What fun! Aside from the complete messiness, it is hilarious watching them go after the spoon. Harper even tried to feed herself one day! And actually got it in her mouth! Haha:)

They have come to LOVE water. Bath time and swimming pools make them happy. Thank goodness.

Little Miss Harper has very strong leg and loves to stand up (with only a little help from others). I was completely surprised when she could actually stand in her crib - holding on to the rail of course - but with no help!

And Owen's new trick is trying to climb out of the bumbo. I think this is only because he gets mad if he can't see us, so he does everything he possibly can to get to us. What can I say, the child doesn't like to be alone. He is our little social butterfly.

The twins have finally started to actually notice each other and even "communicate" a little. By communicate I mean grab each others hands and suck on each others fingers or toes... quite entertaining!

Harper and Owen recently got to meet some of their extended family for the first time. And they had such a great time! Sooo many people to give hugs and kisses, and lots of love.

The kiddos are getting more fun all of the time, and really starting to develop little personalities. Owen is definitely still our high maintenance child and our spit up machine! Always squirming and he must have lots of attention! But what a character he is! He has a smile and a laugh that are so contagious!

Harper is still our sweet little angel. Content most of the time and will smile and "talk" to almost anyone. She has the cutest chubby cheeks that are impossible not to kiss.

We're happy to be finally in our house. We moved just before the 4th of July. And although we've still got plenty of boxes to unpack, it is definitely feeling like our 'home'. 2011 has been such a whirlwind, and anything but boring! But with our new family and our new home, this year is becoming one of the best yet:) 

Harper and Owen with all of their Malone cousins

3 1/2 months

 WOW how time flies! The little munchkins are really growing and life is a constant adventure! We have been having a lot of fun, but the word "exhausting" doesn't begin to explain it! As they get bigger, so do their noises (cries, screams, farts, etc.). Haha! But their personalities are really forming.

Little Man slept through most of the shoot!

Finally...got an eye open

 

"Little Man" (Owen) is still our high maintenance one. We've discovered that he has reflux, meaning he spits up ALL of the time! And it must really be uncomfortable, because he tells us all about it. And when the child is hungry he will definitely tell you - he can be heard from across the street! He still goes through three times as many outfits, burp rags, and bibs as his sister. And just like his daddy, he LOVES to be outside (even if it's 100 degrees outside). The three things that will calm him down - a car ride, a stroller ride and being outside (sometimes just looking out the door will do it).

"Little Miss" or "sister" as we call her (Harper) is still just as sweet and happy as they come. She's our little cuddle-bug. She loves to curl up on mommy and daddy's tummy and nap. If she's crying, you know she's REALLY hungry or poopy, or she just wants to be held. It's doesn't take much to make her happy. And she now smiles, laughs and 'talks'/coos all the time.

Owen is about 11 pounds and Harper is around 10 right now. And it seems like they are getting chubbier every day. They still don't pay much attention to each other yet. It seems as though Owen wants nothing to do with his sister, and Harper will just stare at Owen for the longest time. She must be thinking "why are you sooooooo stinkin' loud???" hehe! One thing's for sure they are NOT deprived of hugs and kisses. They are just soooo lovable! These babies have changed our world, and brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. And it's only just beginning....

Naptime....  :-O

Harper with PaPa & "O"

Getting ready for their 'meet & greet' in Clinton

Little Man slept through the entire thing!

But Miss Harper was wide awake & happy

Our first Easter.....

Not excited about these pictures!

He slept through the entire shoot...again!

Her first easter egg hunt!

2 months old!

2 month appointment

Well I realize it's been awhile since my last post. Life has sure been crazy hectic, as you can probably imagine. Harper and Owen are growing like weeds! They are the size of newborn babies now - YAY! We had our 2 month appointment and the doctor said they are "perfect". I happen to agree :)  Harper now weighs 8 lbs. 3 oz. and Owen is finally the BIG brother at 8 lbs. 8 oz.

The last 2 months have been a whirlwind to say the least. The first couple of weeks we had them home were pretty tough with quite a few tears....and the babies cried a little bit too. Ha! But we have had a lot of wonderful people helping. We are so thankful for all of our family and friends who have come to visit, brought food, called and offered positive thoughts and prayers. We've been learning every day and just trying to get into a routine. Our daily routine consists of feeding, changing, feeding, changing, playing, pumping, (sometimes changing again), napping (the babies - not me of course).... and then doing it all over again. Oh yes - and did I mention cleaning about a thousand bottles a day, doing about 100 loads of laundry, and changing about a million diapers?!! Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating.... a tiny bit. But you get the picture.

Little man (Owen) is our high maintenance one! He has a set of lungs on him, and he is not afraid to tell you exactly how he's feeling - especially in the middle of the night. He is also our little spit-up monster. Hardly a day goes by where momma isn't covered in spit up. My favorite bonding time (haha) is when he decides to spit up, pee and poop all at the same time - the trifecta!....on momma! So fun. And the diaper rash! Poor little guy! You know it's bad when I lay him on the changing table and he screams because he knows what's coming :(

Little princess (Harper) is just that! I guess God decided we needed one "easy" child (for now anyway, that could all change soon). I'm still not sure how she sleeps through Owen's screams! However, this child has had some of the nastiest diapers I have ever seen!!!! It's amazing how much poo can come out of something that tiny! But at least the poopy diapers are only about twice a week with her. Daddy got to experience one of these scary diapers one day. However, I might add that he needed a little assistance. Haha! Seeing 3 grown men surrounding little Harper on a picnic table attempting to change her diaper (and her outfit) was one of the funniest things I've seen.

Isn't it funny how conversations are so different after children?! It never fails - poop seems to be the topic of most conversations these days! Even with all of the spit up, poop, pee, tears, etc. these kids have brought so much joy to our lives. And we know this is only the beginning of so many fun, crazy, hectic times.
Daddy is already making plans for little man to help him on projects in the garage. And mommy can't wait til little miss Harper can join her for a day of shopping and pedicures. But for now we'll settle for spit up and smiles.
We want to again thank everyone for the visits, food, gifts, phone calls/texts, thoughts and prayers. It means the world to us, and we couldn't be happier. We feel so blessed to have so many people that care!