Happy Memorial Day

University Heights has an annual Memorial Day Parade and we have gone every year that we've lived here. We love UH and where we live. It's pretty much textbook "Small Town USA" and we are really going to miss it. We love our neighbors, the street and of course our house. We've had amazing memories here and we hope that our new neighborhood and neighbors are as special as they are here!
We took the girls to their first UH Parade this morning. It's a beautiful day here but really hot! Reagan loved the parade (she especially loved the fire trucks!) but Riley wasn't as impressed and slept through the whole thing. They were a huge attraction though and I think more people paid attention to them than to the parade! We hope that everyone is having a fantastic Memorial Day!

Reagan and Riley head to the office

The girls had such a big day today! They hit the big city (well, they went to downtown Cleveland) and met Daddy at work at IMG! They were a huge hit and the whole office came out to meet them. We were most excited to see Michelle, Matt's colleague in the women's golf group. Michelle not only takes such good care of Matt at work but has been a HUGE source of support to me for the past few years and has spoiled the girls rotten. She even organized a surprise "thunder shower" (a baby shower for a guy!) for Matt at the office in February. Everyone at IMG gave Matt (and us) so many amazing things. Michelle is amazing and means so much to our family. We were so happy to see her today and she went out to lunch with us. It was like stepping back in time for me because we had lunch at the place where my dad worked for years and years (the Galleria). We spent a lot of time there when we were little!
This weekend we were visited by Uncle Kevin (Kevin Hopkins), another one of Matt's colleagues at IMG. Kevin wasn't going to be in the office today so we were so happy that he came over to meet the girls. He brought them the best gift ever! Matt and I loved the tv show LOST that was on for a few years and he found LOST bibs! He also brought some grown up beverages for mom and dad...so sweet!
The weather is beautiful and the girls are doing great...it's been a great day!

Our first international visitor and one tired dog

We were so excited this morning to have our awesome friend Katy Doggett come over to visit the girls! Katy lives in London and not only did she bring the girls some classic London presents but she also brought them a paper doll set of the Royal wedding! SO fun! We'll be able to dress Princess Katherine and Prince William. The girls attended Katy's wedding in January...only they were still in my belly, but we're sure that they enjoyed themselves!
Katy's mom also hand made the girls some beautiful yellow blankets...so sweet and thoughtful and they took a walk this afternoon cuddled up in them. They are going to be something that the girls will have forever. So special.
While out on our walk with Madison it got a little warm. The sun is finally out and it's absolutely beautiful here. We were on a pretty long walk and Maddie did great until the last half when she just gave up and decided she didn't really want to go any farther. That wasn't really an option as I wasn't about to hitchhike home with a dog and twin babies and one huge stroller. SO...Maddie hitchhiked and caught a ride on the stroller with the girls! While it's definitely possible she was completely squishing Reagan...she seemed so happy and even laid herself down the rest of the way home. I think I may have created a monster!

6 week update

We have had such an amazing visit with my Aunt Conni and Uncle Ron. Matt has been up in New Jersey since Tuesday for the LPGA tournament and they came all the way here to help me out and to help me to take care of the girls. There is no way I could ever, ever thank them enough for all that they have done for me (and the girls) while they have been here. Con has even gotten up with me in the middle of the night to help me feed the girls. It has been such a great visit and I am going to be so sad to see them go...but since we're moving to Charleston in about a month we'll be so much closer to them and we are thrilled about that.
Conni went with me to the pediatrician yesterday for the girls 6 week checkup! Can you believe it's been 6 weeks already?! The visit was fantastic...except for the fact that they got their 2 month shots! Ouch! Each girl got 3 shots in their thighs...they were the ultimate champs (they screamed so hard that you couldn't even hear a sound) and of course I had tears in my eyes just watching the whole thing. I wish I could have taken the shots for them! The girls recovered right away (the baby Tylenol helped too!!!) and bathtime helped to put them to sleep last night.
As far as their weight goes.....
HOLY MOLY! Reagan is up to 9 pounds 14 ounces! She's in the 50th percentile for her weight now and at 22 3/4 inches she's in the 95th percentile for her height. (Matt is sure she's getting her height advantage from him! Ha!) She loves to eat and is doing such a great job getting big and strong. She's still eating every 3 hours during the day and is able to go a bit longer at night. The doctor told us to expect that we could have them both sleeping 5-6 hours a night by 4 months. Matt and I can't wait for that to happen!
Riley is still our little peanut! She's growing every day and has reached 6 pounds 12 ounces! I would love to tell you what percentile she is on the charts....but she hasn't made them yet! She's 20 1/4 inches tall (but I think she looks longer than Reagan even...must be because she's so skinny). The doctors continue to tell us that she's doing just fine and since she's growing and tracking close to the chart we should be happy. Since Conni and Ron have been here Conni has helped her to start eating a lot more with each feeding...it just takes a LOT longer than Reagan. Patience is key when feeding Riley and Conni has the patience of a saint so that helps. Hopefully some of it will rub off on me while she's here.
All in all everything is going so well...we're getting lots of smiles from the girls and they are just about as sweet and cuddly as you could ever imagine.

Given the green light

I had my 6 week follow up appointment today and I've been officially cleared to resume all "normal" activities! I haven't gone for a run or worked out in SO long so I'm so excited to start again. Matt took me to Second Sole and I got a new pair of running shoes (in my new bigger shoe size) so I'm ready to go. The only thing holding me back now....
THE WORST WEATHER EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even the weather people on the news seem stunned by what we're experiencing here in Cleveland. Tonight they said that the normal temp for May 16th would be 68 degrees. Nice, right? Today's HIGH was 44. And it rained. All day. However, watching the news tonight and comparing what we're dealing with here to what the poor people in Louisiana and Mississippi are dealing with I can't complain about being cold and rainy.
Thank goodness for Grandma Susan who came over and watched the girls for me while I went to my appointment (and shopping after!) so that I didn't have to take the girls out in this mess. The bad news for us (and for my poor Aunt and Uncle who are on their way from beautiful and warm NC to visit us) is that it doesn't look like it's going to be any better until Friday (the day that they leave!). Matt is heading to NJ tomorrow for a tournament so my Aunt Conni and Uncle Ron are coming to stay with me and the girls to visit and help me out. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that they are coming and how thankful I am that they will be here so I won't be with the little munchkins all alone. We'll just have to find some inside activities to entertain us for the next few days...
An update on the cribs....the girls did AMAZING the first night. Matt and I were wondering why people make such a big deal about the transition. Until last night. Then it seems they realized what we were up to. We're still not exactly sure what the problem was other than the fact that they just weren't happy and let us know about it. It almost seemed like they were in cahoots and decided together that last night was just going to be a rough one for Mommy and Daddy.
We're not giving up...we're just saying our prayers and hoping that tonight will be better. We know we're bound to have ups and downs. In the big scheme of things we are so lucky. Sleeping 2 hours at a time is not fun...but we recognize that it could be worse! (although at 3 in the morning it doesn't seem like it!)
The next update will be after the girls big 6 week appointment on Wednesday! We're hoping for big numbers from Riley girl...she's been eating a lot better but still just seems like such a peanut to us compared to Reagan. They may be getting their 2 month shots at this appointment too...I think it may be harder for Mommy to deal with than the girls!

Wish us luck

Up until now the girls have been sleeping in our room in little bassinet type things right by our bed. It's allowed us to feel more comfortable at night and as much as they've been waking up it's made our life a little bit easier for all of those night time feedings. HOWEVER...the time has come. Tonight is the night. We're moving them to their cribs! We would love to put them in the same crib but know that it's just going to make our life more difficult later on when we have to separate them. (Plus Riley would probably just stay awake all night trying to play with Reagan!)
Only a Cleveland Browns fan will understand the picture above. Josh Cribbs is a wide receiver for the Browns and Matt came downstairs wearing this shirt a little while ago to get the girls pumped up about their cribs for the night. I laughed so hard I almost started to cry. I'm hoping his secret weapon works....we'll keep you posted!

My favorite picture so far

This picture perfectly captures the girls. I know it's early but I swear Riley loves being with Reagan so much. She is constantly grabbing for her and touching her. Don't get me wrong, I am sure Reagan loves Riley just as much, but we can seemingly make Riley's day by just putting her next to her sister. I've said this before but I pray that they always love each other this much and appreciate how lucky they are to have each other! I can always whip out this picture to show them when they fight in the future, right?! How could they not smile when they see this?!

Bathtime fun

We have to give a HUGE thank you to our friend Meghan Brady DeVoe. The girls were having a rough time taking baths...they screamed bloody murder and made it virtually impossible to bathe them. She offered the fantastic advice to just wet a whole bunch of wash cloths with warm water and cover them up...any part of them that isn't being washed stays warm with the wash cloth! Her son Charlie learned to love baths this way. It seems so obvious and simple but we hadn't thought of it and ever since Meghan suggested it bath time is a LOT more fun! The girls (almost) look like they like it!

Meeting Grandpa David

Grandpa David came back from Long Boat Key this week to meet the girls! He came over yesterday with the cutest little Indians outfits for them...they will be very proud to wear them when we're in Charleston! Especially because the Indians are in FIRST PLACE! GO TRIBE!!!!! Grandpa David took us out to eat and he definitely got the full twin experience! He was so sweet with them and we're so happy that he's back for a little while to spend some time with us.

One month old today

This has been the most amazing month. It has been the hardest and most rewarding month ever and we know it's only going to get better and better each day! Reagan and Riley are doing so well. They're growing big and strong and their favorite thing to do is to play together. We give them time together every day and we just laugh and laugh at how they interact together. Reagan typically just tries to eat Riley in some way or another. Riley LOVES to be next to her sister. She tries to hold her hand non-stop. It melts my heart every time.

Our first dinner date with the girls

This blog has been full of firsts for us so far...and last night we had a big one. Well, it seemed big to us at least! As I've mentioned nearly every post so far, the weather here in Cleveland has literally been the WORST that anyone can remember in a long time. Rainy and cold almost every single day. Yesterday was more of the same until right about the time Matt got home from work. We both decided to take the girls out and about and attempt a dinner out. We drove over to Eton and walked around the shops for awhile and then went to one of our favorite pre-kids places (Mitchells). It was quite the production! They had to make room for us in the dining room because we couldn't fit in the bar. The girls were angels until right at the end of the meal when Matt and I had to finish eating with one hand because our other hand was stuffing a pacifier in each girl's mouth. We got in and out of there in less than 30 minutes which was a record for the restaurant I'm sure. It was so nice to be out though and while it definitely was different than all of the times Matt and I went there without the girls, it was another thing that we can check off of our list that we've conquered! Things aren't easy with twins but they are definitely always an adventure.

AND IN THIS CORNER.....

Weighing in at a WHOPPING 6 lbs 1/2 oz...RILEY HARPER! Yay...she's in the 6 pound club!

And clearly not one to turn down a meal.....weighing in at 8 lbs 2 oz....REAGAN ELIZABETH!

We are thrilled with their growth and the doctors are too! They even said that we could "attempt" to go 4 hours between feedings at night time. I almost cried when I heard that! Yippee! They said it's likely that the girls will wake us up before the 4 hour mark anyways, but that it was safe to try! Reagan is now in the 25th percentile for weight and Riley is only in the 1st-2nd percentile but she's making gains so they're not worried. They got a clean bill of health today and were perfect angels at the doctor's office. Grandma Susan came along to help me and it was a HUGE relief to have the extra set of hands!
No pictures today...just the update! We're back home and the girls are sleeping after all of the excitement. Madison is hoping that they stay that way for a little bit longer (Mommy is too!).

We love visitors

We have been overwhelmed by how generous our friends and family have been since the girls were born. We have had so many visitors lately and everyone arrives with something that has helped to make our life so much easier! Matt and I haven't had to cook in 3 weeks....I'm not so sure how I'm going to lose all of the baby weight with all the fantastic food people keep bringing over but I'm not going to worry about it because the food has been amazing!
Today we were visited by some very special family friends who have been a part of the Sturgell family for many, many years. Kay and Lou Dorazio drove a LONG way to come over and meet Reagan and Riley and they brought us the most amazing meal. It was so great to catch up with them and yet again we feel so blessed to have such fantastic people in our lives.