6 Months

The boys' official first semi-annual birthday was this past Sunday, June 11. What an amazing six months it has been -- such a blessing to get to watch these babies develop from ultra-fragile slow-moving tiny creatures into the strong, quick, and expressive little humans they are today. You can read an emotion into almost every moment of their existence now.

Birthday scene in the living room

The boys are now using their hands very well, and able to sit up for short intervals. Recently, our dear friend "Saint" Shelby lent us the bouncy chair pictured above. It's been a hit with both boys.

 Birthday morning playtime

More birthday morning play

They are now strong enough to stay upright when propped, and we try to keep them that way as much as we can, in part to give Charlie's head a chance to stop being flat.

On this special day, the boys got their first solid food!

Bruno's first helping of solid food

After being put in a diaper that wasn't full of poop, Charlie

was much more receptive to his first helping of solid food.

And now, more from the history of the ClarkBrose:

 Asleep in the crib on June 3.

June 2. I'm not sure I managed to cut a single nail!

 May 29. Still not aware enough that they get mad when one takes stuff from the other :-)

 May 24

 May 11

May 24: Opa's handiwork.

 May 25: Opa strikes again!

 Opa with the boys on May 26.

 May 27

April 30

April 28

April 28

April 27

And one more from today:
Charlie getting into programming.
Proof that the keyboard will never die!

Succuss Story from the Chef of Food Salvage

I love making something out of leftover scraps. Tonight is our last night in Arkansas for the Artosphere music festival, in which Katy is playing, and after putting the boys to bed I found the ultimate scenario awaiting the Food Salvage Chef: Katy had pulled out all the uneaten scraps onto the kitchen counter, including

• a half bowl of Thai coconut and lemongrass soup
• a small bag of dry egg noodles

I dumped egg noodles into the soup, cut it 1:1 with water, microwaved it to boiling, covered it, and microwaved it 4 more minutes at power level 2 to set.

The result was delicious. The natural flavor of the egg noodles complemented the soup perfectly, and of course they picked up a ton of flavor by soaking up half the soup. Not overly flavorful like in the restaurant, but perfectly wholesome, and wonderfully soothing on the stomach. I love it when things work out like that.

4-Month Well Visit

Since I haven't managed to compile photos, I'll let this update take the form of a narrative that Katy wrote to my parents about the outcomes of the boys' 4-month appointment with the pediatricians at UVA Hospital. We saw a med student, a resident, Dr. Caileigh Pudela, and probably our favorite attending pediatrician, Dr. Mendelsohn.

Some background: the boys are in great shape, smiling a lot and even proving from time to time that they can giggle. Charlie has a flat head, and Bruno has a blood-oozing belly button.

Both of these conditions are common... flat heads especially since it has become the practice to always lay your babies on their backs when they're unattended. Bruno turns his head to the side while on his back, but Charlie quite stubbornly always looks up... hence Bruno's head is deep and narrow and Charlie's is flat and wide. (It's actually oblong, because Charlie prefers to look slightly to the right. Oy.) There are treatments for this, including helmets that distribute the load to allow the head to round out. We've decided to pursue this expeditiously, before Charlie becomes aware that he's wearing a goofy helmet all day.

Bruno's belly button has a bit of guts sticking out of it that just won't die and fall off. This happens in 5% of babies, if I recall a previous consultation correctly. This granuloma, as it's called, oozes a little blood regularly. Thankfully, it's not infected or getting worse, and an ultrasound a few weeks ago established that it's not connected to anything sensitive on the inside. Still, it hasn't responded to two applications of silver nitrate intended to dry it out.

Now, you have enough background to read Katy's report:

The doctors are all very happy with the boys! They are growing very well – both are just over 2 feet long and right around 15 pounds heavy! Bruno has mostly caught up to Charlie, their head circumferences were exactly the same, even though their shapes are so different.

The consensus is that their overall health is excellent and they are progressing beautifully. They each have one minor problem and we will both see specialists soon.

Bruno will see a pediatric surgeon to finally take care of the granuloma in his belly button, and Charlie will see an orthopedist to determine whether to begin PT or a helmet. Insurance requires that we try PT first, otherwise they won’t cover the cost of a helmet (because plagiocephaly is cosmetic). I’m glad that I pushed to talk to the attending about his head because the resident seemed to be leaning toward not doing anything about it today. The attending doctor, Dr. Mendelsohn, has seen the boys a few times and was very pleased to see their growth and sweet personalities (the boys really laid on the charm!)

They had their shots again and hated that, but were otherwise charmers and all smiles and giggles for the nurses and doctors. Since coming home this afternoon they have been alternatively sleepy and fussy, from the shots, so I think it might be a rough night for all of us! We shall see.

Epilogue: the last two days have indeed been rough, with a fair bit more unattributable crankiness than usual. I think they're mellowing out again. They are still the most charming, adorable creatures I've ever seen. And it feels intensely thrilling that it is up to us to raise and guide them. You know that feeling when you buy your first fancy new car or house, when you take joy in submitting yourself to a new responsibility and attachment? I'm pretty sure that those experiences are channeling the natural response to having a baby.

P.S.: OK, you get some pictures:

Month 2, Part 2

Warning: this post is ridiculously tardy and excessively detailed and long! Here is the 2nd half of Charlie's and Bruno's 2nd month in the world, starting with an all-time favorite...

Milk Vampire

Jan 20: Bruno is a Milk Vampire, as evidenced by this chilling photograph.

Opa can get them to sleep on their bellies, indeed something to be proud of.

Jan 21

Charlie looking at Bruno... but does he see him?  Jan 24

"Hallo Papa" and Charlie at the playground!  Jan 24

Always one of them fussing!  Jan 24

FaceTime with Ambroses on Jan 28

Bruno is patient with his sleeping brother (Jan 28)

Reciprocal sneezing, LOL!  Jan 29

Hi from the parents.  Jan 29

Jan 29: Fun Ways To Arrange Twins

First Public Appearance: CCRi Lobby, Jan 31

Modern Economy

This has almost nothing to do with babies, but I can't resist.

The tweezers actually are precise, believe it or not.

Grandpa with beautiful little Charlie, Feb 5.

Hyperactive parents check out every aspect of their babies' development, Feb 5.

Feb 5: it must have actually been cold that day!

Milo wants you to know that he can be as good a baby as anyone.

Feb 9: just, you know, getting around with our gear.

Lazy Morning in Bed, Feb 8

Feb 10-11

Feb 10

Feb 10 -- a favorite of Mama's

Feb 10 -- a favorite of Papa's

 Hallo from Papa on Feb 11

Oma and Opa love Charlie and Bruno

Feb 11: Visit from Aunt Steph and Uncle Matt

They showed us great tips on how to entertain your baby.

Birthday Glamor Shots

On the occasion of their 2-month birthday on Feb 11.

And with that, we bid you goodbye until the Month 3 update, which will feature the boys' first road trips...