All Aboard!

After successful plane and road trips in December, it was time for Ryan and Lucie's adventure on yet another form of transportation - the train. With my mom visiting, we hopped on the train and met my aunts and cousins for a ladies' lunch (Ryan and cousin Milo joined the ladies, of course). The babies didn't pay much attention to the gorgeous weather, surfers and sunbathers as we cruised up the coast, though they did enjoy a good meal and snooze on the short trip, and convinced the conductor to let us stay in first class after we mistakenly got on the wrong car. (There we go playing the twins card again!)

A few more zzz's followed at lunch, as cousin Milo had a great time watching the trains come and go from our perfectly positioned table overlooking the tracks. He enthusiastically kept us up to date on every incoming train between bites - "Look, this one's a Metroliner!" What more could a four-year-old in a conductor's cap ask for?

4 Month Checkup

It's been 11 weeks since Lucie and Ryan have been to the doctor's office. That seems like a lifetime considering the round-the-clock medical attention they entered the world to. But with no ear infections, colds, bumps, or bruises to trigger a visit, it wasn't until today's 4 month checkup (19 weeks actually) that we went back to the pediatrician.

Both babies were proclaimed happy and healthy after an extensive checkup. Lucie weighed in at 12 lbs, 11 ozs (25th percentile) and 25.5 inches tall (75th). Ryan's still the bigger twin at 13 lbs, 14 ozs (25th) and 26 inches (80th). The exciting news for us, other than the obvious continued good health of our babies, was that their growth can finally be tracked on the full-term chart.

In the photo, Lucie and Ryan show off their well-earned post-immunization band-aids.

Playing the Twins Card

There are many upsides to having twins. But one of the more unexpected has been the special treatment we receive in public. Facing a long line at the grocery with fussy babies, no problem as we're escorted to a newly opened register. Looking to pickup dinner with Lucie and Ryan in tow, our order is cooked first.

And today, on our way back from looking for cribs at Babies R Us, we got a flat tire. After not-so-discretely mentioning that I had 4 month old twins in the car, AAA shows up in less than 20 minutes and had us up and running five minutes later. And while some may question the manliness of calling AAA for a simple tire change, consider that I had Megan breastfeeding Lucie in the front seat, Ryan screaming, and absolutely no idea how to deal with Volkswagen's custom lug nut lock.

Little Individuals Part Deux

Lucie and Ryan's personalities develop more and more each day. Here's a little taste:

Morning Disposition - While Ryan wakes up slowly and peacefully, Lucie goes from totally asleep to screaming in seconds.

Activity Mat Play - When Lucie hears the "ABC" song, she squeals with joy. Ryan is quite partial to the "Charge!" song, sure to be heard at future baseball games.

Most Common Nap Length - Ryan will sometimes take a solid 2-3 hour nap. Lucie, on the other hand, will nap for 40 minutes, wake, play, eat, then nap for another 30 minutes in the time Ryan snoozes.

Latest Trick (demonstrated by photos) - Ryan blows bubbles every chance he gets. Lucie is perfecting the "Full Body" laugh, starting at her toes and shaking her whole body with glee (by the way, those hairy legs belong to Chris, not me!).

Best Buddy - This morning I walked to the other side of the room, looked back, and saw Ryan reaching to hold Lucie's hand. They rarely do this when I'm around (too busy trying to get my attention), but when I look away, they often can be found checking out their big sis or little brother.

Dining Out

Until last weekend, our family dining out options consisted solely of burrito stands, bagel shops, takeout pizza, and those rotisserie chickens from the grocery store. All fine options, but we hadn't ventured to an actual restaurant for a real meal. Someplace with cloth napkins, actual glasses, and an ordering system that doesn't involve talking into a clown's nose.

With the adult to infant ratio dramatically in our favor (Great Aunt Renae, Great Uncle Dana, and my parents were all visiting), we decided to gamble. We left for the restaurant immediately after Megan finished feeding Lucie and Ryan. And, with the exception of one crying jag by Ryan, everyone did great. Fresh seafood was eaten, good wine was drunk, and actual conversations were had.