too fast!

I'm having one of those "hug your babies extra tight" kind of days.  You know, the ones where you just want to squeeze them all and say an extra little prayer of thanks for being given such blessings?  There are several reasons I'm feeling this way today, but most of all, I think it's because I've been realizing how quickly this time with little ones goes by and how sweet it is.  So with that in mind, here are some pictures and videos that I've taken on my phone this week of some of the little moments that I don't want to forget. 

{Caroline hanging out with me after everyone else was asleep!}

Will's favorite activity right now: puzzles!!

July 4th

We had SUCH a fun fourth of July this year!   Maybe it was no more exciting than usual, but after being somewhat housebound for the past few months with newborns, just getting out and doing some things seemed extra special.  We started the day by checking out the LH 4th of July celebration.  We didn't make it in time for the parade, but we went to the carnival part, and Will LOVED riding the train, playing in the splash park, and of course, playing on the playground.

After grilling out for lunch and giving everyone some time to nap, we headed over to visit Ben, Holly, and Brian at their new house!  Will, Ben, and Brian played in the kiddie pool while the rest of us played with the babies and watched their antics.  And then in the evening, Will got to see his first fireworks show!  We went up to the DAC {thanks, Websters!} and it was a blast.  Although we had to bribe both boys with fruit snacks to keep them on the blanket through the end of the fireworks, I think they had a great time.  Plus, we all got to watch them race back and forth from our blanket to a nearby tree about a hundred times before the fireworks started.  Pretty sure they both slept well that night!  Here are some pictures from the day.

4 months!

 Caroline and Emily are 4 months old!  

What sweet girls we have!  At four months, Caroline and Emily are technically 2 months old developmentally {we go by their adjusted age since they were 2 months premature}, and so far the adjusted age is pretty accurate for them.  They have really changed a lot in the past couple of weeks, and we're loving all the smiles and interaction.  They stay awake for longer stretches, smile when they see us, and continue to love to be held more than anything.  Both girls found their hands this month and are pretty obsessed with them.   And while Emily started smiling consistently a couple of days before Caroline, Caroline found her voice a couple of days before Emily {and still "talks" more}.  I love hearing them make sweet little baby noises!

We visited with Dr. D this afternoon, and here are their 4 month stats {percentages are based on the regular 4 month averages, so they are still teeny!}:

Caroline:

10 lbs, 5 oz {less than 5%}

23 inches long {10%}

16 inch head circumference {45% - whoa!}

Emily:

10 lbs, 4.4 oz {less than 5%}

22 3/4 inches long {9%}

16 inch head circumference {45%}

One disclaimer on their weights...to be fair to Emily, Caroline had her dry diaper on for the weigh in, and a different nurse weighed Emily and took off her diaper.  So I feel like C got a teeny bonus there.  ;)  We are so excited that their lengths put them on the big girl curve this time {over 5% is on the actual curve}, and although they are still below 5% on weights, they are SO close!  They are growing well, and we're so happy about that!  And where did those heads come from!?  Will is usually on the upper end of the curve for head circumference, and I guess the girls are quickly catching up there.  They're right on track for regular 4 month olds!  I haven't noticed them looking like bobble heads. . .

And we can't take monthly pictures without a couple of shots with big brother.  Enjoy!