They're almost 6 months!

Alexis and JJ have almost reached six months in age (on July 23rd) ... we figured, if we ever were going to start sharing updates with our family and friends, we should start now!  I've uploaded all the latest videos and pictures -- linked on the sidebar.  [FYI The videos are at both the dropshots and the photobucket site, but are better resolution at photobucket (though it takes longer to play).]

They have come so far since January 23rd!  We love watching them learn and explore their world every day.  They are amazingly good babies -- they sleep well and are pretty happy (except for the evening witching hour which persists even at almost six months!).  Here's a brief list of their milestones as we remember them :)

• January 23rd, 2008:  Baby boy A and Baby girl B born at 4lbs8oz and 3lbs3oz.  They arrived early via emergency C-section -- babies already showing signs of impatience (like their momma!)
• Month 1 (February 2008):  Spent the first month in the NICU ... 3 or 4 days at Level III and the rest at Level II.  It was hard seeing them hooked up to so many devices in the beginning but before we knew it, they were gulping down their bottles and heading home -- neither had any major complications, for which we are so thankful!
• Month 2 (March 2008):  This month is a blur.  They came home at the end of February and we don't remember the month of March much at all.  They came home on a 3-hour feeding schedule which we gradually increased to 3.5 hours and then to 4 hours--which was a lifesaver.  The biggest challenge during this time was figuring out how to feed two infants simultaneously, so one or the other of us could get some sleep.  Visits from Alechia's and Mike's parents certainly helped!
• Month 3 (April 2008):  They started staying awake for longer periods, and showed their first signs of real smiles!  Though we weren't really that impressed, since they were still hitting themselves (and each other) in the face pretty regularly.  Alechia's sister and best friend made trips out as well this month.
• Month 4 (May 2008):  Real cooing and talking began!  They took their first trip to Utah--they did very well on the plane rides and enjoyed their first hikes in the mountains.
• Month 5 (June 2008):  This month it was all about the hands!  Who knew how fascinating those things can be?!  They spent hours staring at them, then chewing on them,  then concentrating on how to use them.  Now they like to grab anything and everything (but especially mommy's hair!).  They also both rolled over (from front to back) and discovered the art of screaming and gurgling -- cute at first but after a continuous hour, we long for the soft cooing they started with. Alexis and JJ went dancing at the wedding of Melissa and Desten Tyner. We also survived Mike's first business trip (11 days to Asia no less)!