Katie and Zach, the Story: Wide eyes and cries

Bryna, two and a half months

Inessa, two and a half months

From the nursery window, we see the green, showers and sunshine announcing that spring is here. Our daughters, Inessa and Bryna, are two and a half months old now! Growing strong and healthy. Even though, they are still experiencing colic, they are curious and joyful babies. At the two month appointment, they were both about 8.5 lbs, about twice what they were at birth.

Bryna and Inessa

Grandpa Greg

They have met many important people, including family, Godparents, church and work friends, and other families with twins. They are good with company, putting forward their unique and happy personalities.

Grandma Kathie getting Bryna ready for a bath.

Aunt Heather

Nana Bonnie

GrandPapa Ken watching Inessa nap.

Aunt Ashley

Godmother Glenna and Inessa

Godfather Chris and Bryna

Uncle Tristan holding Inessa

Uncle Steve holding Bryna

Inessa and Hubble

Both babies take in the world with wide eyes and sometimes a cute serious furled brow. They spend time studying bright colors, engaging with us more, and gazing into our eyes. Inessa, first noticed toys, showing a curiosity for the color red. She is experimenting with her arms, not yet grabbing but she appears to make the connection between reaching and touch. Inessa is a bit taller in length, already looking graceful and dancing with her legs. Bryna is not far behind on this dexterity and Bryna takes a special interest in music and song. She coos and tries to vocalize low beautiful adult sounds. Bryna is now more patient, waiting to eat second, happily rocking in the swing or using her pacifier.

Bryna and Inessa

We have started playing with them with rattles and in their colorful play yards, where they lie on their backs and gaze at the jingling toys hanging from it. They make jerky motions with their clumsy arms and legs. They don't like being strapped into the car seats but they seem to enjoy the motion of the car ride, especially if it's paired with loud classical music. Both babies are learning to nurse and we hope that soon they will do less bottle feeding. We are also looking forward for them to smile and giggle.

We love holding them and getting to know them. Their behavior is so similar, we wonder if all babies furl their brows, arch their backs, stare with wide "bug eyes," cry to rival a bagpipe band, and make a satisfied "glum ... glum ... glum" sound while drinking milk from a bottle.

Inessa

Everything takes longer than we expected. I've read that feeding baby twins is like painting the Golden Gate Bridge; when you finish on one side, it's time to start again back at the other side. This is true for us. We are thankful to have so many people to help us. When people come to help, we enjoy the extra time to sleep, eat and shower. And if you're wondering how we found time to create this blog, trust me, I'm multitasking, because I think it's important to make and share this keepsake.

Bryna and Inessa

Bryna and Inessa in their Easter dresses.

We make an effort to keep the camera close.

Inessa and Bryna, in the stroller for a walk.

These first months of parenting is non-stop attention, sleep deprivation and a humbling mix of emotions. I feel joy, pride, terror, exhaustion, gratitude, pain, sadness, bliss, peace, isolation. Frustrating baby crying jags are interspersed with beautiful deep-in-your-heart bonding between mother and baby and father and baby. Disheveled, hungry enough to think about eating the mysterious food on the kitchen counter, feeding one baby while rocking the other, holding a pacifier in my teeth, asking the cat to get off the diaper station, listening to "Bah Bah Blacksheep" again, leads to some amusing bonding moments. The other night, I found Zach face-down collapsed asleep on the nursery floor at 2:30 in the morning. And I had the good sense to leave him there. Sleep is sleep!

Because sometimes it's more like this.

We truly feel blessed to have been given the gift of these two amazing children. I trust that I will look back and only remember the sweet moments, rocking them to sleep and humming "Stay Awake" from Mary Poppins to each girl while she sleeps against my shoulder. Goodnight girls, I miss you even when I'm asleep.