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