Two months old!

Bayla and Harper are 2 months old! We had our checkup this morning (complete with 6 vaccinations), and everything looks great with them. Bayla weighs 8 lbs, 6 oz. and is 20 in. long, and Harper weighs 9 lbs even and is 20 3/4 in. long. We've gotten the okay to let them sleep at night as long as they want-- we don't have to wake them to eat any longer. Hallelujah!! I imagine they'll still wake btwn 4 and 5 hours, but I'll take it. This is great for us because we can now start getting into a routine. Should be interesting to see if Brady wakes up from their cries at night. Because let me tell you, these formerly placid girls are LOUD. Harper's cries are piercing, and Bayla's are just heartbreaking. Because they're twins, they both cry a little more than a single baby just because I can't get to them both immediately. As I've said before, thank God these are my second and third babies because I now understand that a little crying won't kill them.
Bayla's head is rounding out nicely, and her neck is much more flexible since we've continued PT and stretches. Both girls are VERY strong. Bayla is the stronger one, which is just crazy to me. Bayla also needs to be held more, but we're working it out.
For Brady's part, his 3-yr-old hijinks have led to power matches, time outs, truck-take-aways, and more. We're looking forward to 4 years old. If he makes it. If we make it. Still, when he's sweet, he's the sweetest, and when he's funny, he's the funniest. We try to remember those times to avoid his serious injury. If you've ever had a 3-yr-old, I'm sure you can relate.
Shawn and I had our first date since January on Monday. We saw Conan O'Brien at the Fox. It was a great time, and it was wonderful to be Shawn & Becky and not just Daddy & Mommy for a while. We got to eat in peace! It was fantastic.
We're exhausted, tired of power struggles with Brady, and achy from holding 2 babies, but for the most part, everything's going well. It's funny-- sometimes I'll just be sitting here and realize we have twin girls, and 3 kids. As used to the concept as I am, I don't think I'll ever stop being amazed and surprised by it. It's a lot to take in! It's constant juggling and lots of work, and sometimes we're so worn out we can barely handle it. But I'm grateful to my friends who are moms and dads of twins for their perspectives and support-- they survived, and so will we! And we're also grateful to the continuing support of our neighbors, family, and friends, who have provided so much help as we figure out what being a family of 5 (plus dog) is like. The bumpy road that is our life will smooth out eventually, right?
So I know I promised some cute photos, but I have to find the cord that connects the camera to the computer. As soon as I do (you should see this house right now-- it might be a while), I'll stick 'em up here. More updates soon!

Whew!

Whew! It's been quite a few weeks. The girls are now 8 weeks old and have been home nearly 5 weeks. Brady has adjusted to being a big brother-- now his tantrums are related to being 3, rather than to all the huge changes in his life. Potty training is coming along. We're down to 2 diapers a day for him, which does nothing to offset the 20+ diapers a day for the girls. Bayla's diaper rash, which began in the NICU, is continuing to stump us. We've been to the dermatologist and are trying several medications and treatments to finally do away with it. It's awful, just awful. I've been hopping around from doctor's appt to doctor's appt trying to keep these girls checked out and healthy, Shawn's been working and helping hold down the fort, Brady's been in camp, the girls have been maturing, all we're an all-around chaotic family!
Brady is almost always very sweet with his sisters, bringing them pacis when they cry (often with dirty hands, oh well), helping me diaper or feed them, and giving hugs and kisses. He also is testing his limits by poking his sisters or touching their faces, which he isn't allowed to do. At least he's not hurting them!
There's just always something to do! One of the 3 kids (or all 3 at the same time!) is always in need of something, there's bottles to clean and prepare, breast milk to pump, incessant laundry to do, a household to keep relatively clean and orderly, and a life to keep up. We're exhausted!
Overall we've been enjoying the girls a heck of a lot. Except when one or the other of them won't go back to sleep after their middle of the night feed. We have gone to feeding them every 4 hrs (instead of 3) at night, and that helps with sleep a bit.
On a happy note, June 12 is our 5th anniversary. If you'd have told us 5 years ago that we'd have 3 kids by now, you would have gotten a huge laugh. Funny how life works out. I wouldn't change it for the world. I would consider swapping something for a full night's sleep though. :)
Speaking of.... time to pump, then give a "top-off" feed to the girls, then I'll have a couple hours to rest before it's time to feed again. Then it's Shawn's shift. :)
More updates and photos soon! (teasers: Superman Brady using the potty, Bayla blissful in the swing)

OH.MY.GOODNESS.

Tonight was the first night we truly felt like the parents of 3 kids. Brady had a complete and total meltdown, and the girls were both hungry and screaming. I'm writing this post in the hopes that someone will have pity on me and bring over several pitchers of margaritas. Any tequila will be fine- I'm not picky. ;)

But seriously... the next few years are going to be something. I can't imagine how the teenage years are going to look and feel.