Some things never change :) 

We have been blessed with 2 wonderful little babies! They have been sleeping through the night for quite some time now...about 3 months probably. They are happy babies unless they are hungry or poopy. That makes trouble shooting a lot easier. They have started to teethe and while Riley is more laid back and sleeps through most of it (so far), Echo is more restless and fussy about it.
Echo is my mover and shaker. She will turn herself around on the floor and scoot and roll across the room to get something she sees. Riley is really strong and sits up on her own for a long time. She is more likely to just wait for you to give her something to put in her mouth...if not, there is always the thumb!
Riley had a case of pink eye a few weeks ago and we had to split them up into separate cribs. After one night of trying to put them back together, we realized that it was probably time for them to each have their own space. Echo is a roller. She is in a different position and facing a different direction every time I go in to check on her. She is constantly spitting out and pushing her paci out of the crib, so we have to find it and give it back to her! Last night, she got her legs stuck in the slats of the crib. Riley stays in one place. You lay her down, she turns her head to the side, sticks her thumb in her mouth and goes to sleep. The next morning, she is the same way until she turns her head, opens her big eyes and gives you the biggest, most beautiful smile you've seen.
I was helping the teachers get our new daycare set up this weekend and Mr. Keith (one of the owners) was talking to me about the girls. He loves Riley and has nicknamed her Bright Eyes. He said she just has the biggest, brightest eyes that just warm your heart. "And Echo..." he said. "I know why you named her Echo. She has such a loud, shrill cry!" She is a very vocal little girl, but Riley has started to babble as well.
I am anxious to see at their 6 month checkup what their difference in size is. They have graduated from the baby tub and now bathe in a laundry basket that I put in the bathtub. They like to kick and splash each other. I need to get some little toys for them so they don't have to play with their wash rags.
They have started eating soft foods. Mainly just rice cereal right now. They have had a few fruits and veggies, but surprisingly, just really want the plain cereal. I don't force it, but it does help not have to make bottles so much-they can go a little longer between feedings. They are holding their own bottles, which is FABULOUS. It is now easier for one parent to help Max with his bath/bed routine and one parent to get the girls fed and to bed. On a good night, all kids are in their beds by 8:30 p.m.
So, there is a little update on us!

Six Weeks to Catch Up!

Just goes to show you how busy we are around here with the 3 kiddos! The girls are 19 weeks old this week. Max is just as crazy as ever. Eric and I are just trying to keep up! We are looking forward to a parade and party this week for the 4th! Here are some pictures to catch you up on things!

The girls with their friend Mia.

It's so cute how they sleep facing the same way in their car seats.

Riley cannot be contained!

Riley loves her bath!

Echo and her funny ways of sleeping!

Max and Riley

They like to play together

My Bradley Babies!

Rescue Bots...Roll to the Rescue!

Max and Echo Cuddles

My big girls!

Superman to the rescue!

Ellie and Eric having fun playing the Kinect

Two tired little girls!

At the office with Mommy...they are scheming how they are not going
to let me get any work done!

Look at those chunky little legs!!!!!

My thumbsucker

Baby Einstein

11, 12 and 13 Weeks Old

OK, I really didn't mean to let 3 weeks go by without posting, but that's just what happens around this house. Time flies. It's all about making bottles, changing diapers, feeding babies, cleaning bottles and doing the whole thing over and over again. Throw a 3 year old's needs, wants and desires into the mix and you'll go as crazy as I feel. I really do love it though. Max is still going to gymnastics and really having a lot of fun with it. He is so happy that the weather is warmer and he is able to go outside and play more. I like it too because he runs himself tired and goes to sleep easier at night. He is not so easy to wake up in the morning...I guess that is payback from when I was younger. Some mornings he is just a bear!
The girls are doing well. We are starting to see signs of teething with the drooling and chewing on fingers. They get a little cranky in the evenings, but still go to sleep on their own and are still sleeping through the night. They are so cute the way they will scootch themselves next to each other and sleep with their heads touching. They have been going to work with me on Wednesdays and Thursdays. They do really well and I have the most wonderful co-workers that enjoy seeing them. I'm really lucky to have such a supportive "family" at work! They will start daycare in August and I think it will be pretty hard for me not to have them with me all of the time, but we will make do and get through it. :)
I think things are going more smoothly since I've been back to work. It helps me to be in a routine and I feel more productive.
My mom and brother came to visit this past weekend. It was SO nice to have them here. I think my mom realizes just how crazy our life is even when we are just staying home. My goal for this summer is to do what we would normally do and take the girls with us. There is no reason why we can't still go to parades, barbeques, festivals...whatever. It will take a little extra prep time, but it is important to me to do things as a family and to get out and enjoy the summer!
Here are our pictures from the last three weeks!

 Echo is so cute the way she slides down the 

Boppy when she is sleeping.

 I'm telling you, Riley is going to be my little dancer.

Look at those hands. She looks like she is in first position.

 Crazy Riley!

11 Weeks Old

 My 'laid back' Echo

11 Weeks Old

 More silliness from Riley

 Max already loves video games...just like his Daddy!

 He had fun playing the Kinect one day. Popping balloons,

destroying cities, blowing bubbles...it was a lot of fun!

 Max went with me to the Hancher stagehand picnic.

It was cold and windy, but he still had fun and enjoyed pizza

and cupcakes with Mommy!

 Echo and Riley

12 Weeks Old

 Riley Bug

 Maybe Echo was dreaming of one miiiiiii-llion dollars

 Max and Eric playing catch

 Max's black eye!

He was goofing around at Culvers and hit his head on the table

 This picture cracks me up!

Echo is like a cool mob boss and Riley is the nervous side kick!

 Riley Paige

13 Weeks Old

 Echo Delaney

13 Weeks Old

Sisters hanging out!

10 Weeks Old

Another week gone. The girls are still growing and being cute. Riley is standing in our laps, she is getting so strong. Echo is trying, but she still has some work to do. She isn't a fan tummy time, but she needs to have more of it. As I'm sitting here typing, they are both crying in their crib. We've had a pretty good week so far getting them down and them sleeping most all night, so I guess it is time for a rough night. Usually, it is getting them down that proves to be the challenge. Once they are asleep, they sleep for pretty long stretches, which is nice for Mommy and Daddy!
I started back to work this week. It was so nice to be back and around my Hancher family! We have gone back and forth trying to figure out if I will return to work full time and what that will mean to our family. Eric and I finally decided that I would. I think what made it easier for us to make the decision is finding a good place for our kids to go to daycare that we feel that we can afford. 3 in daycare is EXPENSIVE. But, there is a wonderful couple that runs an in-home in our neighborhood that are wonderful. They broke ground on a center and will be opening at the end of the summer. We were just looking to put Echo and Riley there, but we like them so much that we are going to switch Max there too. We also just want all three of them to be in the same place. So, with that decision made, we felt better about me returning to work full time. Also, I don't think there would have been much of a choice there with my job. It will be a challenge next season, but we will make it through. We will probably just get some help on nights that I have to work a show and we will see how things go. Anyway, it was a HUGE weight off of my shoulders and I finally feel at peace with what we have decided...now that we have finally decided something.
Max is doing well. We still have problems with him listening and following directions, but hopefully, that is typical 3 year old behavior. We had warmer weather this week, so it was nice to be able to get outside and play and that is what he has done. Unfortunately, we got a cold front last night and it was back in the 30's today. Hopefully, this is the last of the cooler weather and we can get on with summertime. Max is looking forward to going swimming and riding his bike and going to the park. We also can't wait for my family to come up in July. It seems so far away, but I know the summer will fly by...it always does. Just a few pictures this week, but they're good ones!

I took this the other night...I think they look more alike here than they ever have.
They love their little play mat-the star lights up and plays music.

Riley Paige-10 weeks old

Echo Delaney-10 weeks old

Seven, Eight and Nine Weeks Old

Twins! The days go by twice as fast with two of them. Once one is squared away, it's time to soothe the other one and then a few minutes to shower, get something to eat or drink or try to get a quick nap in before doing it all over again. I have so many projects half way started lying around the house and I just can't seem to get anything done. I love them though. They are growing so fast and turning into their own little selves. It's amazing to me how they can be next to each other, one screaming at the top of her lungs and the other sound asleep. They do sleep like a Wilbanks. Luckily, their big brother does too. In fact, I think he has been sleeping better since the girls have been born. Guess he figured out real quick that sleeping in Mommy's bed isn't necessarily better. So, what have we been up to since Easter. Well, our weeks are pretty much the same, just the girls and I hanging out at home while Max goes to school and Daddy goes to work. Then, our evenings fly by with dinner and bath for Max, then Eric and I get a little bit of time-usually to work on laundry and clean up the kitchen-and it's feed the girls and try to get them down to bed. Doesn't matter how soundly they are sleeping, it takes them awhile to calm down once we get them in their bed. Most nights, they sleep well. If one of them wakes up, it usually Riley around 4 am, but she will go right back to sleep after a bottle and diaper change. They have been spending their time growing. We had their 2 month checkup last week and Riley is still ahead at 10 pounds, 2 ounces. But, Echo is not far behind at 9 pounds, 7.5 ounces. I can't believe how much they are changing and growing.
Max enjoyed a couple of weeks playing kickball at the Rec Center. He started a gymnastics class a few weeks ago. He goes on Saturday mornings and I think he really likes it. He is looking forward to the weather warming up, he talks about going swimming all of the time. I had to drive him by the pool the other day so that he could see that there was no water in it. There have been a few warmer days that he has been able to go outside and play. Our niece, Ellie has come and stayed with us on the weekends a lot lately. She is a big help with the girls and playing with Max.
Well, I am going to get pictures on here and get it posted...I'm already a few weeks behind. Pictures are pretty scarce. I need to be better at taking them...I'm sure once we can get outside and start doing more, it will be easier to remember!

Echo doesn't seem too amused by me taking pictures...or maybe it's because Daddy left his shoes there.

Daddy's Girls 

Mommy thought it was funny that they could both fit in one swing 

Riley Paige - 7 weeks

Put the camera down, Mommy!

Echo Delaney - 7 weeks

Riley was sleeping with her hands up like she was doing the Thriller dance.
I think she is going to be a little dancer....look at those hands!

Playtime with sister!

Riley Paige - 8 weeks
I think she is rehearsing some kind of performance ;)

Echo Delaney - 8 weeks 

Riley looked so cute and was sleeping so soundly.

TWINS!!!!

Riley Paige - 9 weeks

Echo Delaney - 9 weeks