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Alice has always been the sleepier twin of our two. When she was very little and we had struggle to wake her up for every meal, Alasdair was afraid she would grow up thinking her name was “Wake Up!”

She’s gotten better as she’s gotten older (one of my favorite things is waking her up from naps — I say, “Alice!” and she smiles with her eyes closed before sleepily opening them and beaming at me. And her just-woken-up chubby cheeks are always so rosy and warm and oh-so-kissable!), but her ability to fall and stay asleep is still a great source of amusement.

She can fall asleep anywhere — like in her Bumbo:

4 months – Sleepy girl #1 from Alasdair & Melissa Macleod on Vimeo.

Or her bouncer:

4 months – Sleepy girl #2 from Alasdair & Melissa Macleod on Vimeo.

Or the middle of the floor:

And she is still occasionally quite difficult to awaken:

5 months – Sleepy Girl #3 from Alasdair & Melissa Macleod on Vimeo.

(Still trying:)

5 months – Sleepy Girl #4 from Alasdair & Melissa Macleod on Vimeo.

We love our baby girl!

“Many years ago in a small town in the southern part of the state of Utah, my great-grandmother was called to be the president of the Relief Society. During this period of our Church’s history there existed a very bitter and antagonistic spirit between the Mormons and the Gentiles.

(anonymous story quoted in Cat’s Cradle by Chieko Okazaki)

I was thinking the other day while I was driving (doesn’t it seem like many of the best epiphanies come while we are driving?) about something I’d said to my sister-in-law, Marla, when we were staying at her house over Thanksgiving. The babies hadn’t handled the travelling and holiday craziness well, and one night they were both having a hard time settling down to sleep. I was dealing with Andrew, and while I did so, Marla just held and rocked Alice while the wee girl screamed her head off and eventually fell asleep. I was so, so grateful for her help. What I was even more grateful for was that she enjoyed giving the help. It was clear that she really loved my daughter and wanted to comfort her.

What I said to her was, “Thank you for loving my kids.”

My sister has often said (something to the effect of) “The best thing you can do for me is do something for my kids.” And now that I’m a parent, I understand what she means. I love these two little people more than anything else in the world, and there is nothing anyone could do for or give to me that is worth more than seeing my children happy. And if you can help with that, that’s a gift to me.

It seems like I’ve often heard the comment in Sunday School or Relief Society lessons that being parents ourselves gives us an insight into God’s love for us. And I expected, and have felt, this. But what I didn’t expect is the insight into God’s love for everyone else. But as I drove through the suburbs of Denver, my precious children in the backseat, I realised why the scriptures entreat us over and over:

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

“He saith unto him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?’ Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, ‘Lovest thou me?’ And he said unto him, ‘Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.’ Jesus saith unto him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:15-17)

Because He loves all people more than anything else in the world, and there is nothing anyone could do for or give to Him that is worth more than seeing His children happy. And if you can help with that, that’s a gift to Him.

Alice really loves our doorway bouncer. She gets this look on her face like she is so proud of herself and laughs as she spins and dances around. I took these shots of her the other day — I just couldn’t decide which one was cutest! These also show off her funny spikey hairdo — it just keeps growing and growing straight out!

The twins had a bit of a rough afternoon after their shots, but seemed to be feeling better by this evening. Andrew went to bed a bit early, and while I was checking my email I let Alice play on the floor beside me. I turned around to find that she had removed two of her band-aids:

And to show that she is not alone in her goofiness, here’s a foot-eating shot of Andrew from last week (both babies are obsessed with their feet the last couple of weeks!):

Andrew:

Weight: 13 lb 3 oz (5th percentile)
Height: 24 1/2 in (10th percentile)
Head Circumference: 44 cm (75th percentile)

(I believe the phrase you are looking for is: “like an orange on a toothpick!”)

Alice:

Weight: 13 lb 15 oz (25th percentile)
Height: 24 in (10th percentile)
Head Circumference: 42 1/2 cm (50th percentile)

(She appears to have gotten shorter since her three month check up…)

I was pretty proud of myself for handling them both at the doctor’s by myself, although it was difficult trying to comfort them both after their shots. Is it bad that I sort of like immunization day because they sleep so well?

“Parenthood: When you’re getting dressed on Sunday morning, and put the clean suit back in the closet in favor of the one that already has spit-up on it.”

- Alasdair

Tonight, the babies laughed at the same thing for the first time. I sneezed, and Alice laughed, so Alasdair and I started doing fake sneezes to earn more of her adorable baby giggles. Andrew (who smiles easily but has high standards when it comes to bestowing laughter) then joined in, and the four of us were all in stitches together.

Sometimes, like these times, I think my heart might just explode from trying to contain all the joy that’s in it.