Smile

This past week the babies have started really smiling with a purpose. There is nothing more rewarding right now than saying something or making a face and have Harper or Jack smile back; Tony and I could sit all day just trying to make them smile and be content with the grins in return. I've said before that I'm going to try my best not wish any phase and while waking up at 3am to feed the twins is tedious, this is our reward and it makes everything worth it.  I told Tony I can't wait to hear their little belly laughs, but then that would be wishing something away too quickly also- wishing them bigger than they need to be right now.  So, for now I'm content to watch the smiles and relish the moments when I get one; when one of these precious babies smiles, the day is brighter, the air is lighter, the world, for the moment, seems at peace. No, I'm not overselling it. Here's the evolution of Jack's smiling; try to look at it without breaking into a grin- nearly impossible.






On an unrelated note, we had to big firsts tonight. Tonight was the first time Jack sat in his bathtub without the newborn sling. This is a big first because when we intitally got the tub as a shower gift and took it to the NICU, Jack hardly filled up the newborn sling. He seemed to get swallowed in the fabric and one hand had to be kept behind his head so he didn't slide down into the water. Tonight when I went to put him in the tub, he didn't fit in the sling anymore. He did great in the tub sitting in the infant seat and leaning on the backrest; he even splashed his arms and kicked his feet a little. My little man is growing up.

The other important first of the night was the first time one of our kids went to the grocery store. Tony loaded Harper up and took her for a rice cereal and formula run while Jack was taking a bath. I know going to Kroger doesn't seem like a milestone; it's just a grocery store, but it symbolized so much more. This was a sign that we are doing okay; we're making things work. We are no longer debating over schedules at dinner (we have a set schedule now), we are no longer taking 30 minutes to gather things up and put kids in car seats to try and leave the house, we are no longer worried that we can't take them places.

After almost 4 months and two months at home with Jack and a month home with Harper, we are starting to figure this out and starting to be able to breathe again, and it feels great.