Month 5

Aside from a few common cold viruses, 2012 has been off to a good start for our family! Caroline went for her well-baby checkup on January 5th - she weighed 15 pounds 8.5 ounces and measured 26.5 inches long ... On January 12th she moved up into 6-9 month clothing (including her 1st pair of jeans)! Mid-month, while shopping for some much needed pants, it became clear that Katie had moved up from toddler sizes to girls 4-5! Near the end of the month she weighed in at 37.5 pounds. Pushing the girls in our double stroller has become quite a workout!

Caroline's highlights from the month are focused entirely in the field of movement. Our little baby has been found in various locations in her crib at the conclusion of slumber ... on the 25th she was found on her belly for the 1st time at the end of her nap. Cara shocked us on the 14th when she wiggled out of her bouncy seat and moved to the floor where some toys were laying on a blanket. A very determined Cara pushed up on her hands and knees at exactly 4.5 months old, and near the end of the month she was moving around so well that frequently she could be found under furniture. Just days before she turned 5 months she pushed up with fierce resolve and took her first two leg crawls forward; unfortunately her hands have yet to move forward, resulting in her knees meeting her elbows and a face-plant to follow. We do have every confidence that our little Caroline will be crawling by 6 months!

Katelyn has been working hard at so many different things this month. She has begun using manners and can correctly make requests with “please” and show her gratitude with “thank you”. She often needs reminders, but she is trying hard and very cooperative when reminded. Katie has learned how to clean up her toys; her proficiency was made evident at Cara’s well-baby checkup when the appointment concluded and without being asked Katie put every toy back into the basket. We are so proud of her! Naptime is rarely used for actual sleeping these days, but that has not stopped Katie from using this time to impress us. Apparently Katie has taught herself to undress; at naptime’s conclusion she is sometimes found no longer wearing her shirt or pants. It is possible that she becomes hot from all the jumping she does instead of sleeping! Katie’s most impressive accomplishment this month is her ability to recite The Lord’s Pray in its entirety. She has also begun memorizing several Bible verses including book, chapter, and verse. We pray often for God to hide His word in her heart and to shape her heart to look like his … this is evidence that our Great God is answering these prayers!

We are so blessed to have these 2 healthy children that bring us such joy! We love them immensely and I cannot remember a time when we were happier. Sleeping though the night is still a dream, but someday it will happen; and, I know another day will follow when I’ll think back and cry about how quickly my babies have grown. So for now I just try to cherish those sweet midnight smiles and gentle waking cries for food only a Mommy can provide. I’ll sleep later …