The Twins

I knew that my twins would be smaller but I was pleasantly surprised at their birth weights. I knew being a month premature, that they wouldn't hit all the milestones ahead of the curve. Being the daughter of a FABULOUS preschool teacher (she really should teach early childhood courses at a college), I know that all children will eventually reach milestones and that they are all on their own timeline.

That being said, my babies aren't the most advanced but they are doing well for their age. At their 6 month appointment, Holden weighed in at 12lbs 12.4oz and Emma Cate was 12lbs 11oz. Holden is below 1% in weight and Emma Cate is 3%. Holden is in the 25% for height at 26 and 3/4" and Emma Cate 10% at 25 and 1/4". They are strong, alert little babies but man they are skinny!

Yesterday, my mom had a doctor's appointment and had to bring the babies to school around 2pm. I have planning in the afternoon so they just hung out in my classroom and played while I finished up (seriously having my kids at work was the BEST thing ever. Wish I could do it everyday!). Holden has rolled over for my mom but I've never seen him do it. He tried so hard yesterday and I kept videotaping him and and he wouldn't make it all the way over. Finally I started taping Emma Cate a little and Holden decided to roll over in the background. Woo Hoo! At 6.5 months neither of my babies are sitting up unassisted for very long. They are good in their high chairs playing with toys, they LOVE to stand up and dance, they aren't too keen on bending to sit. They are not consistently rolling over or getting on all fours and "rocking" (i.e. trying to crawl). Emma Cate actually doesn't even put her arms down during tummy time (she prefers to do superman style with arms out to the side and occasionally face plants on the blanket when she is tired). She is headed to physical therapy to work on bearing weight in her arms.

I am happy and proud of my kids. I know they are healthy, they are tiny, and they are not in the early development group. It AMAZES how when I tell people that Emma Cate is going to start physical therapy, they all start to comfort me and tell me how babies grow at their own pace and that I shouldn't worry or compare. Um duh. I know that. I'm also not asking for advice or sympathy; I'm just telling it like it is. I am thankful for early intervention and physical therapy. By all means, if there is something I can do to help my kid out in life I am going to do it!

This post was really brought on by the Bump email I received today telling me that my child is 29 weeks old. I clicked "read more info" and saw a whole slew of comments of parents talking about how wonderful their 6 month olds were and how they have been eating solids for 4 months now, and they crawl all around the room, and have already moved on from sippy cups to regular cups. I mean seriously, come on ladies of the internet! I feel like my babies are growing up too fast already. Lets slow things down a bit. Lets stop comparing children. I am very thankful for my real life mom friends. I have a great group of women that aren't judgmental, they are laid back and supportive. I hope that every mother finds a group of friends where they fit in well, feel comfortable, and to celebrate all the little moments and milestones of motherhood with.

Here's a video of Holden trying to roll over:

And here is one where I was filming EC and he decided to roll over in the background!

These videos and pictures were taken when the kids came to hangout with me at work (note the ugly school carpet)

i wish this would rotate!

Here's EC with her superman arms

and a quick shot where her arms are actually in front of her!