What a difference a day makes

Yesterday was my first real challenge day...and by challenge I mean that at one point both girls were screaming bloody murder and I was crying right along with them. We've been pretty lucky up until now but for some reason yesterday they both decided to show me what they're capable of at the same time. It was interesting to say the least! It didn't get any better when Matt got home from work! Matt and I woke up this morning with smiles knowing that we survived yesterday! I'm sure there will be many more days like that to contend with in the future but I'm fine if they hold off on showing us that side of them (at least at the same time!) again anytime soon!
TODAY however, was an amazing day!!!! We got out and about and ran some errands with the girls and got a lot accomplished around the house too. Matt and I were laughing at how much our lives have changed in such a short period of time. We were excited because we made it to Babies R Us AND the Chick Fil A drive thru today!!! Ha! Not quite the Saturdays we've had in the past but we'll take it!
Grandma Susan came over to watch the girls with Matt this afternoon and I got to run out and do some shopping on my own! I never realized how relaxing it is to drive in a quiet car alone. I was so relaxed when I got home! We're grilling out (the Big Green Egg is back after it's winter hibernation!) and we just got back from a family walk around the block.
It's so nice to have a day like today after a tough one yesterday. It makes me realize that while these early months are going to be super hard, there will be days like today where we smile and laugh and where being together as a family makes all of those rough times worth it. And April is officially over tomorrow and we're praying for more of the sunshine that we saw today...it makes everything better!

The Iofredo girls go shopping

Today was another cloudy day here in Cleveland (surprise, surprise!) and the forecast called for severe storms. I am LOVING every single second with the girls, but I have to be honest...the thought of another day stuck inside was about to make me have a mini-meltdown. April showers may bring May flowers but this is getting ridiculous! So...I decided to venture out with my little ladies. It took me almost an hour just to get ready to go and getting them in the car, packing the diaper bag etc, etc...I was exhausted before I even left the house! But the girls and I got going and our first official trip without any help was a HUGE success and I had a lot of fun! I felt like a normal person again! We went to Beachwood Mall and I walked around and around and around for almost an hour! The girls slept like champs the whole time. I may, or may not have gone in a couple of stores too...but mostly it was good exercise and I saw other grown ups and had a few grown up conversations so I was thrilled! We got back home and I could tell it was about to storm, so the girls and I grabbed Madison and took her on ANOTHER walk around the neighborhood. Now all 4 of us (Maddie included) are wiped out! The girls are napping once again, Maddie is snoring on her favorite chair and I'm just thinking about how lucky I am and what a fabulous day this has been! I'd much rather have Matt with us on any outing we take...but it's empowering to know that I CAN do it myself (even if it takes me a LONG time to get anywhere!)

Pictures from the beginning

If you're reading this then it's likely that you've already seen these pictures, but I'm going to post them on here anyway since this is really about following Reagan and Riley's growth from the beginning...I had to throw in one pic of THE BELLY that Matt took the morning that we left for the hospital. Unreal.
Here are some comments/observations that Matt and I have about the girls so far. We recognize that they are two totally different people, but it continues to amaze us how totally different the two of them are!
Reagan- she is so hilarious. Most everyone that has been to visit so far comments about how much she looks like Matt. I see it sometimes, but I'm not seeing it quite as much anymore as I did the first few days. She is SO feisty! When there is something wrong with her she will immediately let us know. The problem is that we haven't exactly figured out how to tell which one of the 5 or so things that is...so it's a total puzzle trying to figure it out. We usually get it right on the last guess...poor girl. As soon as we fix whatever it is that's bugging her she is a perfect angel. She smiles a lot already (I'm convinced it's not always gas either!) and makes some of the funniest faces ever. She LOVES to eat (a lot) and while she's just now reached the 7 pound mark, she seems SO big to us compared to Riley. She makes funny noises and can even be heard on the video that we posted from Easter doing the classic Reagan squawk. She does that a lot and we love it. I can't wait to see what she's going to be like...she seems to already know what she wants and won't take no for an answer!
Riley- she is such a little peanut. Everyone that has been to visit so far comments about how much she looks like me! I see it sometimes but other times I see Yoda, E.T. or a little old man. She is adorable in every way, don't get me wrong....but she is such an old soul that sometimes looking at her you feel like she's truly looking at you and studying you and that she is having legitimate thoughts about you! She is SO laid back (the opposite of her big sister) and rarely makes a sound louder than a little peep. Even when she cries (which is rare) her cry is just a tiny little sound and is so cute. It doesn't even bother me at 3 a.m.! She has gained over a pound since coming home from the hospital and the doctors are so pleased with how big she's getting already. She has HUGE feet and the most perfect skin. I love to rub her face and feel it while she's eating. She smiles A LOT and really seems content almost all of the time.
Our girls are miracles to be sure...as every child is, but we feel so blessed it's unbelievable. Every morning we wake up and are in awe that these two little perfect girls are ours. We can't wait to see all of the amazing things that they are going to do and to watch them grow into beautiful young ladies.

Getting out of the house...finally

Here are some pictures from our walks yesterday...the girls were so wiped out that they fell asleep on me when we got home!

Happy Easter

I have decided to start a blog so that family and friends can follow Riley and Reagan and our adventures with them more easily! I've found that I am definitely not as "on the ball" with taking and sending pictures as I thought that I would be...so hopefully I'll be better at posting them here!
Happy Easter! The girls spent their Easter morning playing together on the rug (until Reagan peed on her sister) and we're heading out to Susan's (Matt's mom) house this afternoon for an early dinner! We haven't taken the girls out and about too much yet so it will be so nice to take them somewhere besides our house. The weather continues to stink here in Cleveland but we went on 2 long walks yesterday because the sun was actually out for a bit! They did a great job and slept the whole way. I'm thinking of becoming a mall walker this week just so that I can get out and start walking with them. I will NOT be posting pictures of that!