Double Trouble: An Update

Three weeks since our peas in the pod made their appearance.  Since then, both are making early strides toward the competitive eating arena, with Elyssa at the forefront gaining a pound and a half.  Once lagging behind her brother by almost that much, she's a solid 7-pounder behind her brother's 8.  Ethan's breathing hasn't been a problem since he left the hospital - unless he's gasping in desperation to be fed.  Elyssa's eye infection cleared up, although both twins still have mysterious eye colors that could go blue like Dillon or brown like Reese or something else all together.  Both are also champions at destroying diapers, and it's like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow if you're emptying a trashcan that isn't piled with Pampers.  And while most of the time, you probably envision the twins looking sweet and serene cuddled together like this:

Elyssa & Ethan

The fact of the matter is that we see a lot of this:

Big yawn

And this:

Just loving having her picture made

 And in case you were wondering about Dillon and Reese...well, they're still some of the cutest bugaboos around, although perhaps Daddy would disagree at this moment here:

Wake up, Daddy!

All in all, four kids are keeping everyone...on their toes.

Elyssa

Ethan

Big Brother Goes to the Hospital

In the past 36 hours, Ethan has rotated between the regular nursery and NICU, his breathing regulating itself and then growing rapid again.  So he'd take his transport - which I imagine to be very Star Wars-like - between the 7th and 5th floors.  With his yo-yoing progress, Justin and Eva's discharge from the hospital has shifted, too.  Plus the silver drops they put in Elyssa's eyes have resulted in a reaction and subsequent infection. 

And while everyone wants what's best for the twins, there are two other little people who miss Mommy and Daddy so much - and I know Mommy and Daddy miss them, too.  And though we felt Reese was too small, we thought Dillon might enjoy a visit to the see them.  So while Reese napped, Nana, Aunt Sneaky Pete and me took Dillon out into the garden where he clipped four black-eyed susans: one for Mommy, one for Daddy and one for each of the twins.  Sporting his big brother t-shirt and pin and wearing his ever-present firehat, we trekked down to Northside.  He walked very calmly to the hospital, holding my hand and Nana's, but when he spotted Daddy in the lobby, he took off running and launched himself into Justin's arms like it'd been two months rather than two days since he'd seen him.  Mommy got an equally enthusiastic reaction when she opened the door to the room.  He didn't even care that his helmet was knocked off by her big hug for her big boy. 

He took meeting the twins in stride, declaring them both "cutie patooties" and very carefully holding them in his lap.  He wanted to pet their heads, and his zeal led to several reminders to touch gently.  But he was sweet and kissed them and sang lullabies to them and asked them to please come watch cartoons with him tomorrow morning.  And right about now, Justin and Eva should be departing from the hospital with both twins in tow, and so Big Brother just might get his wish.

Ethan

Dillon meets Ethan

So unbelievably sweet

Mommy gets Ethan to open his eyes

Dillon meets Elyssa

Dillon says, "Hi, Elyssa!"

Dillon plays peek-a-boo with Ethan so he'll smile.