all things OWEN & ETHAN : 4/5 months

The boys are 5 months old.  What can I say, they are absolute perfection.  Sweet, happy, innocent babies.

4 Month Statistics (percentages corrected for prematurity - 2.5 months)

Owen 13 lbs 2 oz (75%), 24 in (65%), HC 16 in (50%)

Ethan 15 lbs (95%), 25.5 in (95%), HC 16.25 (65%)

5 Month Statistics
* Since there was no doctor appointment I weighed them on our scale when we did their chair picture.  I wrote down their weights on a scrap paper and left it on the kitchen counter where it was last seen. Whoops.  I do recall there was hardly any weight gain and the weight spread between the two was the similar.  

4 months

E, O 

 

5 months

E, O

E, O

E, O

Ethan

Owen

Don't let their freakin adorable little selves fool you.  They can take down a grown person in less than 10 minutes.  Raising infant twins (and a toddler) is not for the weak.  It requires excessive patience and a sense of humor.  The good news is we are finally forming a routine.   Routine is absolutely necessary with 3 small children.  The downside, with routine comes baby jail.  Unfamiliar with baby jail?  That's a topic for another day.

~ Smiles.  Oh how I love to see them smile.  Each one smiles so differently and for such different reasons. Ethan usually wakes with a big grin whereas Owen is more like his mama and wakes a bit less enthusiastic.  Both boys will belly laugh, usually for reasons unknown to anyone, and it's the most adorable noise in the world.

Owen

Ethan

~ Both are grabbing on to toys but Ethan is a bit better at handling them thus far.  In fact, Ethan grabs on to everything in his reach.  E's also a little more inquisitive at this point.  I love to watch them watch Ryan play.  They seem to be in such wonderment.

Ethan and monkey

~ I'm happy to report night time sleeping is much improved.  Usually one or both babes get up for one night feeding.  And when they do they go right back to sleep, mostly.  There have been nights when neither get up and since Chris still takes night duty he appreciates the extra sleep.

Neither are very interested in the pacifier but both like their thumbs...just like big brother.  By the way, I love this!

Owen

~ I'm a true believer that sleep begets sleep and therefore naps are not optional.  Unfortunately Ethan tends to sleep in 45 minute intervals.  Owen does better, sometimes taking a 2 or 3 hour nap once a day (with a couple shorter naps mixed in).  Their longest nap is often the first of the day, just a hour or so from when they wake from a long nights sleep!  Sleep begets sleep!

~ Everyone always tells me how twins have such a special bond.  Really?  Cause mine don't seem to realize the other exists.  Ok, I realize they are little but I did expect them to somehow seem connected. Nope.  It wasn't until recently that they started noticing the other (other twin moms said that's expected...now they tell me!).  Here's a picture of their first fight.  Ethan actually got a solid grip on Owen's ear.  Ouch!

~ We are a babywearing family.  We have an Ergo and a Boba.  Ryan calls them baby belts.  The babies mostly enjoy the ride...when they don't fall asleep.  We often use them to calm the babies for sleep, our version of rocking I suppose.  Not only do I love having them close to me, its quite a necessity when managing 3 little ones and all the stuff that comes with them.   

~ It's no surprise that big E eats a little more than little Owen.  Not much though.  Bottom line is they are eating anywhere from 38 to 42 ounces a day EACH!  Holy moly is right.  While they've upped the amount per feeding, they are still eating at least every 3 hours during the day.  That's a total of 10-12 bottles a day. Or 2+ hours a day spent bottle feeding.  I can't wait til they can hold their own bottles!

~ Neither are fans of riding in the car, though Ethan is more willing to sleep in the car.

~ The twins are such sweet-natured boys.  That's why when they scream like wild animals I'm still so shocked.  I'm talking the most ear piercing sounds with force that causes their pink faces to turn cherry red.  Sometimes its obvious why they are screaming.  Hungry.  Tired.  Other times, I haven't a clue.  Nothing with calm them and then they just stop and smile.  Seriously boys!?!



~ Ethan's rolling like a champ from back to belly and occasionally from belly to back.  Meanwhile Owen's trying so hard to copy his younger brother but that pesky shoulder keeps getting in his way.

~ Like true boys, they both love the outdoors.  When they are overly fussy and/or won't go to sleep I strap them in the carrier and go for a walk.  They calm almost instantly.

~ They've been enjoying the play yard for some time now but now they're starting to play in the jumperoo.  This video is Ethan's first time.  He's since learned to jump, jump, jump!

~ Owen and Ethan, along with their big brother, are the three most loved little boys in the whole world!