About the babies:
Jackson is a grunter/snorter/squeaker, and Addison is a squeaker/grunter/squealer. The night we brought Jackson home, I was so worried about his breathing. I was just certain that we'd fed him wrong and he'd sucked milk into his lungs, and his breathing was raspy as a result. I spent the entire night with my head laying right next to the bassinet, listening for any irregularities as he breathed. I was almost ready to haul him back to the hospital--but I'm glad that I stayed (a little bit) calm and rational and didn't, because we found out from his pediatrician the next day that he's just congested. I was hearing the snot in his sinuses, not fluid in his lungs--but it was enough to keep a new mom awake with worry most of the night. And while Jackson blows raspberries and snorts, Addison is rather vocal. She squeals and squeaks and kicks her legs up straight in the air, like she's so excited to tell you something.
When she's hanging out, Addison likes to lay in the pack n' play flat on her back and wiggle around. She doesn't like to have blankets on her--if you put one over her legs, she will promptly kick it off. My mom started calling her a little Rockette, because you'll be looking over the top of the pack n' play, and all of a sudden see two little feet sticking straight out of the top. Addison loves to kick and move around and babble, and to have her hands by her face with her fingers extended. Jackson prefers to be sitting up a little bit, so he hangs out in the bouncy seat or the swing. Both of our babies love playing on their tummies, and both are very strong. When laying on his tummy, Jackson lifts his head with such force that his legs fly up in the air--he needs a counter weight to keep his bum down! But they both will lift and hold up their heads and look around--they've also started reaching out for things. Jackson will grab hold of my necklace and pull--Addison will pull on the collar of my shirt--they'll both hold onto their bottles and their pacifiers (which they can get out of their mouths, and can almost get them back in)--and when they're in their bathtub, they'll reach up and hold onto our arms. They are very strong little stinkers! And of course, if they are in the pack n' play together, no matter how far apart you lay them to start, they always end up right next to each other. It's sweet to see them cuddled up together, often holding hands or touching each other (slightly less sweet when she smacks him in the face, but still...).
Our babies love bath time! They don't cry or fuss at all when we're taking baths--really, they only fuss when it's time to get out of the tub and they're a little bit cold getting dried off, but even that doesn't last very long. They love to lounge in the water and look around--I can't wait until they start splashing and laughing in the bath.
Addison was alert and looking around right after she was born, and she's continued that trend. Her big eyes are so expressive, and she's always very alert and aware of what's going on around her. Jackson has become just as alert as his sister--he is generally a happy little guy, and spends lots of time smiling and looking around (and flirting with the ladies). Both Addison's and Jackson's eyes are focusing more, and they are able to see and recognize more. One of Jackson's signature looks is what I call his sneaky eyes--he'll squint his eyes a little bit, look one way, then the other--he definitely looks like he's up to something. When he makes that face, he reminds me of the penguins in Madagascar: You didn't see anything..., and
Smile and wave, boys.
Our babies are great eaters, and are getting to be really good at the breastfeeding. We eat every three hours during the day, and most nights we are able to stretch feedings to every four hours (which makes their tired mom very happy). Addison wakes up HUNGRY, and lets us hear about it--she is not a patient girl when she's ready to be fed. Jackson is slower to wake up, but when it's his turn to eat, he is almost giddy with excitement--seriously, he smiles and rubs his hands together and gets all wiggly in anticipation. Last week at a breastfeeding consultation, Addison weighed 6 lb and Jackson weighed in at 7 lb 1 oz--so they're eating plenty and gaining weight beautifully. For the last month at our house, we've been really focused on eating. And pooping. Never has there been so much thought given to bodily functions...and both of our babies are really gassy, which gives us a good laugh at least once a day.
Of course, in all of this, Daniel and I are getting better too. Our babies were so little at first, we had a really hard time burping them--getting them high enough over our shoulders, patting their backs just right--one month later, and we're pros. I was a mess when we brought Jackson home and had to make sure he kept taking breaths while we fed him (because sometimes, he didn't)--and we were all a little bit nervous the first time we gave Addison a sponge bath, who was so little and only weighed 4 lb 4 oz. Now, we are much more confident taking care of our babies and reading their cues. And we're having a lot of fun with them.
Jackson and Addison, even though it's only been a month, I can't imagine my life without you two. We love you so much!
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