Western Kwartlers Are Moving East

When I named the blog Western Kwartlers I paused and thought "what if we move back east?" I didn't think that was likely so I proceeded, but I was obviously wrong. The blog name will remain as we will be Pacific North Westerners at heart.

Ted got a new job with Liberty Mutual Insurance in downtown Boston as their Director of Service Analytics. I'm so happy for him. His MBA concentration was Analytics and he is passionate about the subject so much it's also a hobby. The movers come Feb 20 and we will depart soon after. Ted found us a great apartment out in the "country" in Concord (we actually live in the country now so east coast country is a good stepping stone for us). There will be some culture shock as we adjust to east coast life, but I'm very excited to be within driving distance to lots of family. Plus we will only be 2 hours from the lake cottage in New Hampshire that my Grandpa built. I have countless childhood memories there and its where Ted and I were married. I'm excited to share this special place with my daughters.

In baby news the girls love to do gymnastics while their diaper is getting changed. It's quite a challenge for the adult.

Aunt Amy!

My Aunt Amy was in Seattle for a conference and took a little plane over the mountains for a quick visit. I can't believe we haven't seen her since our wedding over four years ago. There was lots of laughter. Nora has a new growling noise and Brenna started babbling. We had a ball.

Mom's Turn

Ted left to go out of town yesterday morning and will return Saturday afternoon. I started feel this monstrous cold/flu virus (that the while town has) coming on the day before he left and got pretty fearful of what the next few days would bring. I called Grandma Kelly for some sympathy and a pep talk. It worked. Oh the power of Moms:)

I've continued to give the girls their Vitamin C and they have become quite taken with the spoons I use to crush the tablets. They have been exposed to this virus for a week now between Ted and I so I am very hopeful they won't get it. They have been napping MUCH better which very well may because of the virus, but it's been nice to not struggle in that area. Our bedroom is quite full as we added a pack n play for the girls to sleep separately. It's working well. They were disturbing each other at night as they would wiggle around.

Our previous neighbor came by today so I could have a much needed nap. I should have had more sympathy for Ted-this virus is tough stuff. Poor Victoria is sick as well. We're already halfway done with this single patent stint though-hooray!

Mom + Dad = One Functional Parent

The recent excitement has taken its toll on Ted and I. He came down with the flu Friday and I threw my back out (actually both hips were rotated in opposite directions). We are both feeling better thanks to homeopathic flu remedies and the chiropractor. Our bodies are apparently screaming for some attention. I don't think I should carry both babies around anymore. Poor Ted has been such a trooper even though he felt just terrible at times.

A few days ago Brenna did a full plank. She is so strong. She loves to move backwards. I witnessed Nora grabbing Sofie the teething giraffe right out of Brenna's hands. Brenna will just improvise by chewing on her sister's arm even though we have two Sofies. Nora's dexterity is stunning. She also loves to roll all around the living room. I was in the kitchen and came to find her playing with the quilt.

We are Legal!

The law in Idaho states that the woman who gives birth to the baby shall be listed as the mother on their birth certificate. Therefore, our surrogate was listed even though I am Brenna and Nora's genetic mother. We knew this was going to be the case and that we would have to execute an adoption in order for me to be listed as their mother on their birth certificates. That day has finally arrived! We drove 1.5 hours to a nearby town and spent a whole 5 minutes in the courtroom (not to say that this was a easy process prior). The girls enjoyed our car ride and Ted and I are so relieved to be done with this major, final step. Hooray!

5 Months

I know everyone says time flies by so fast with little ones, but I'm still amazed that Nora and Brenna are already 5 months old. The two nights after Ted returned home were very eventful with poor Brenna up every 1-2 hours with painful teething gums. Mom and Dad took turns sleeping on the floor in the nursery so Nora could still get some sleep in our room. During one of those teething days Nora was so sweet trying to comfort her sister Brenna by holding her arm. It's so neat to watch their twin bond. Brenna's pain has seemed to pass for now and she is sleeping much better now (at least at night :)

I mentioned working in a previous post and have gotten some questions so I might as well fill you all in on our current plan. I will be caring for the girls at home for several years. My previous consulting firm offered me some remote work for which I have committed a whopping 25 hours per month. It works out well so far with a coffee shop trip on the weekend when Ted is home and during the week my friend Victoria comes over so I can go into the guest room to have a conference call.

Welcome Home Dad (on Saturday)

The girls and I were thrilled to have Dad come home after a quick trip away (it felt a lot longer for Mom though). Ted's such a great Dad.

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday was a GREAT day. The girls had similar nap times, Victoria came over to help so I was able to work for 3 hours. I was even able to do a bit of yoga (thank goodness for yogaglo). There was a moment in the afternoon where neither Brenna or Nora needed a nap, a bottle or a clean diaper so the three of us went on our very first errand! We went to the bank drive thru (very adventurous I know) and Super Supplements for some vitamins. The girls liked the woman who helped us and fell asleep in the car on the way home so I drive around for another hour.

Today was a different story. Ted is in Seattle for work until Saturday morning. The girls fought every nap and I felt so bad that I was only able to comfort one at a time. There were still some bright moments of the day as well. At one point during bedtime I thought it might be impossible. It wasn't. I suppose since yesterday was so great today had to be different. Who knows what tomorrow holds!

P.S. the photo of Victoria and Brenna is from a couple weeks ago.

Feet & Squeals & Reverse

Both Brenna and Nora have found their voices; their loud, high pitched voices. They definitely love to squeal especially in the kitchen where it echoes.

Nora has been taken with her feet for a few weeks now. She started with half happy baby (yoga pose); left hand to left foot. Then left hand to right foot. Finally she got the right hand involved. It was such a neat progression to watch. Now she can't get enough of her feet as you can tell from the photo of her and Ted.

Brenna is moving....in reverse. She presses so hard with her hands and engages her back muscles so much that she does an 'almost plank' and then scoots backwards. A friend recently said we have now entered the stage where you leave the room and come back to find the a baby under the couch. Oh my.

Brenna also loves the animals on the quilt made by Grandma Trish and Kathy. I think she talks to them sometimes and definitely tries to chew on them.

Stats

We took the girls to the Dr for their belated 4 month checkup on Friday (they will be 5 months next Tuesday). All their stats look good. Nora's head gets larger by the day (90%). Apparently that's why it's difficult to get clothes over her head. Brenna is close behind at 65%. The baby DHA must be doing wonders for their growing brains. Nora weighs 15 lbs 5 oz (70%) and Brenna is 15 lbs (65%). No wonder I'm sore after carrying them both! Their length is quite different with Brenna in the 16% and Nora in the 70%. I might not be able to have them in the same size clothes for much longer. Two wardrobes to manage-oh my!

Last week Nora had rolled over on to her belly and actually made some forward progress. She pulled her leg up under her belly and pressed down enough to begin to crawl.

Brenna held her own 4 oz glass bottle for several seconds. It was long enough that Ted was able to get several videos. I almost cried because I don't want my babies to grow up so fast.

They both have learned how spit which is sometimes very cute and other times not so cute. Brenna blows spit bubbles and sounds like she is making fart noises (which she found hilarious when Grandpa Yitz demonstrated for her-fake fart noises that is). Nora will eject her pacifier out of her mouth in disgust-projectile!

We are working on more nap time and I currently have fantasies of them napping at the same time. They are sometimes very reluctant to nap which makes for some heartache as there are two babies and only one Momma. Sometimes I have to sing to one who is crying as I tend to the other. This twin business is hard work for sure. I keep telling myself I'm doing the best I can.

Happy New Year!

What a blessed 2012 we have had. We wish you all peace and wellness in 2013. The babes are chomping away on anything they come in contact with. They had fun being silly when Mark came to visit. They also seem to like their high chairs (ours are low chairs for now ;) to watch mom in the kitchen and play with toys.