#41. Lucky Seven

Happy seven months, Luke & Clare!!

Still getting along....for now! (Note...yes, this is an
accurate representation of their comparative sizes!)

Thanks for the knitted sweaters, Aunt Robin!!

Pre-bedtime play time on the couch with Papa

Happy belated Valentine's Day from the Heartbreakers Club!

Well, we all survived another month. Before I discuss happenings from the last few weeks, I want to first share some exciting news (for those that may not already know).  First, we are 'officially' (using quotes because we never needed a formal court order to tell us this) a family.  As of the end of 2014, Clare and Luke are both legally children of both Chris and me.  Additionally, the twins are formally now known as Clare and Luke Knapp-Heald.  We feel so fortunate to have gotten through the adoption and name change process quickly and with such little hassle (unlike what it took to get home from Thailand!).  Thank you to Jill Metz and her office here in Chicago for your help.  We feel privileged to live in a country/state/city where there is so much support for us to have a family. After Luke & Clare had 'official' names declared, we took them to order their social security numbers.
  

Waiting...they were more patient than me!

The woman at our counter (who carried the typical government worker 'I am an expert at this one thing you know nothing about so I will hold that over you and intimidate you' chip on her shoulder) seemed like she didn't want anyone to have an easy time obtaining a social security number that day. First, (before looking through my documents) she criticized me for not having everything I needed (despite the fact I had everything I needed) and then said (as if Luke and Clare would be denied numeric existence) 'We'll see how far this gets us'. Fortunately, two weeks after our visit, the cards arrived. Next step is setting up checking accounts for the twins (good thing we haven't spent all of their money yet!).

They are officially numbers now (pinked out, of course)!!

A few weeks ago (though Clare had to go back later because she was sick the day of) the twins had successful 6 month check-ups.

                    Here they are at the 4 month check up                                            Here they are at 6 months...more hair and what                                                                                                                    happened to Clare!!

Luke tipped the scales at 17 lbs and 7 oz (up 2 lbs and 12 oz in 2 months and 12 lbs 4 oz since birth),

4 mos vs. 6 mos...More weight, more hair, more alert, and more perpendicular legs!

and Clare at 15 lbs and 4 oz (up 3 lbs and 7 oz in 2 months and 10 lbs and 4 oz since birth).

4 mos vs. 6 mos...Sister's starting to pack it on!!  We couldn't be more proud of her chubby(er) cheeks!

Around the house it's still smiles (mostly),

Clare on Papa's lap                                                                     Luke in the walker            

teething (where Luke is a pro),

         Taking down a rainforest                                             Yes, that's a drop of drool...see video later

and a game of who can stray furthest away from the playmat (where Clare excels).  Movement is more of a scoot for now, but I imagine they will be crawling by the next blog post!

After kicking herself out of her PJs (upper left), Clare makes her way to the fireplace (upper right),
under her rock n' play (lower left) and almost outside into the snow (lower right)

Even Brother is finally getting the idea

Sometimes, the twins play to the point of pure exhaustion!

      Victim #1                                                                           Victim #2

We survived a bout of colds.  Clare had it worst (low fever, and sick for almost a week),

Look at those tired eyes...we were proud of how
tough she was during a very difficult week

followed by Chris (4-5 days), Luke (2 days), and then, me (1 day...phew!).  When everyone is healthy, we are really enjoying this stage 'hanging out' with the twins.

Chillin' with my three babies

Papa provides a nice shoulder to cuddle up to

 

Our diapered dapper dude hanging with Aunt Amy

Clare and Trig share some down time on the couch

Finally, for those who have survived the post this far, here are a handful of videos showing the twins in action at seven months:

A typical view of the corner of our living room (if bottled drool were a commodity, it would pay Luke through college....and not sure what song is going through Clare's head here....or anytime she's going to town on the jumper!).

Luke performing his newly popular spit & scream act (usually indicating its nap time):

Clare getting lazy in the jumper:

Luke enjoying some floor time with the elephant ball from Uncle Jeremy and Uncle Steve:

Clare doing what she does best...scooting EVERYWHERE!  Here she is pushing her walker:

We know our days are numbered but we are going to try to enjoy the final stage of immobility in our household!