2 Weeks

They boys are 2 weeks old today! We are getting more into the swing of things and into more of a schedule (if you could call it that). During the day we are feeding every 3 hours. At night we are trying to stretch them to 4 hours. Sometimes they make it that long on their own, and other times we have to do some convincing that they want to wait that long. There seems to always be one of them that is ready while the other is sound asleep. It's times like this that having just one baby to feed seems so easy! But we are getting faster and better each time and with both of us helping with the feeding, we can get it all done in about 40 minutes (including pumping, washing bottles, burping, changing diapers, etc). I'm still pumping after (or before, it depends) every feeding and then we bottle feed. It gives me peace of mind knowing how much they are actually eating and it is wonderful to be able to have some assistance during the feedings instead of trying to just nurse. Highlights from the week:

Today I did my first feeding all by myself at home. Huge accomplishment that I've been scared for ever since my mom left and knew Zach would be at school this morning. We all survived! These boys sure are patient waiting their turns. 

Jack and Eli have found their voices this week. Instead of only the cute little whines and grunts, they've got some screaming skills now! Jack seems to be more black and white and will one second be totally fine and the next screaming. Eli more works up to it. We are doing a good job at trying to let them cry it out a little before we pick them up and they almost always have been able to calm themselves down within just a minute or so. Hopefully we can keep this up to have great self-soothing/sleeping babies!

Mom left to go home on Friday (not actually a highlight) so we've had the weekend to prove ourselves as parents! We sure miss having her help and having her around! But it's been fun to figure things out together as our little family. We spent all Saturday and Sunday basically in bed in our room. Napping between feedings and lots of cuddle time. It was quite wonderful actually.

This week the boys have done lots of tummy time. Their little heads/necks are so strong! They are always cranking their heads back when we hold them up to burp and can switch from side to side on their tummies. 

They both lost their umbilical cords and have official belly buttons! We got to do their first big boy baths because of their belly button debuts. We now do baths as part of the night time routine rather than in the morning. They were both a little startled at first, but ended up loving it. 

Eli first.

 Then Jack.

They spent their first night in their room last night. They did really well! It helped me sleep a lot better between feedings to not hear every little sound coming from them.

They got to meet Great Grandma Johnson. Jack's middle name, Arthur, is after Great Grandpa Johnson who has now passed. 

They make the cutest faces. Especially when sleeping. We see lots of smiles (although I know they aren't real yet)

Eli

Jack

 Eli will sleep like this when he's super relaxed and out of it. It totally cracks us up!

 Jack

We like to set them together in a boppy after feedings to keep them awake for a bit. They get in the cutest cuddly positions and often end up sucking on each other somehow. 

Matching stripes and bright colors with daddy!