A New Olympic Sport?

What a week it’s been at the Grainger household. For some reason, Mason and Ike used their one-month anniversary this past Sunday to perfect a new, almost Olympics-worthy skill – ‘synchronized’ crying. For the first four weeks of their life they were oblivious to what the other was doing. One would cry and the other would sleep. The other would sleep and one would cry. It was definitely a manageable situation between Brooks and me. Now, Mason and Ike work in perfect unison. They can both be in a deep sleep, but as soon as one of them starts to chirp, the other chimes in almost immediately. These synchronized outbursts start innocently enough but inevitably culminate into something so shrill and painful to the ear that I can’t believe the sound is coming from such small beings. We aren’t sure exactly what’s causing these tantrums – maybe reflux, gas, hunger, the need for attention??? – but they certainly make us wonder if all parents of multiples have endured this type of dual chaos. Even Simba has started to become affected by the disruption of his peace during these crying episodes, often times nuzzling his head underneath a pillow or letting out a loud sigh.

So I guess, given these set of circumstances, this week was the perfect time for me to make an overnight business trip, which is exactly what I did on Monday night. Late last week I found out I had to be in Atlanta for a client meeting this past Tuesday morning. ‘Reluctantly’ (yea, right), I planned my overnight trip and booked a room at the luxurious W Hotel in Midtown Atlanta. As I retired to my king-sized pillow top bed at approximately 11:44 p.m. on Monday night, I can honestly say it took me all of 15 seconds to fall asleep. Sure, I felt a little guilty for leaving Brooks, Mason and Ike for the first time since their birth, but not quite guilty enough to keep me from my best night’s sleep in a long time.

Below are some new photos of Mason and Ike, and as you can probably tell, they are growing like weeds. Today they had another regularly-scheduled appointment with the pediatrician. Everything checked out well. Ike tipped the scales at 10 lbs. 1 oz. and Mason weighed in at 9 lbs. 12 oz. Ike, who seems to suffer more from reflux and gas, has been switched to a new formula. I think the visit to the doctor’s office wore them out, because this evening they slept for almost three straight hours with NO CRYING all the way up until our night nurse arrived. Brooks and I were able to enjoy a rare dinner before 9 p.m. Oh, how much the simple luxuries in life mean to us these days.