another progress report

It has indeed been good three weeks since the last update.  Much has changed.  The boys now sometimes go entire seven hours at night without eating (Ben more so than Zev).  Ben also recently switched to sleeping unswaddled, in a sack of sorts.

The psychedelic-colored toy gym thingy no longer freaks the boys out.  They are starting to grasp at things somewhat and, when in the mood, talk back in their own language.  The differences persists as well.  Ben continues to prefer the bottle and poop once a day.  Zev continues to prefer the breast (does he ever) and poop pretty much every other meal.  Zev also learned that if he refuses the bottle long enough, mom will come and feed him, at least a little.  It mostly works well, unless it is 11pm and daddy is hell-bent on letting mommy sleep through the feeding.  In which case the boob thing is just not happening.  On a memorable occasion Zev took about 35 minutes to eat an ounce and a half (just enough not to feel hungry), fighting me all the way.  Just as I was ready to put him down hungry and go bang my head against a nearby reinforced wall, Zev said "ah, f@ck it" and sucked down another two ounces in ninety seconds.

9/6, the boys with mom and grandma Lina

9/8 fed, content Zev after breastfeeding

9/9 together

9/9 Zev: "eat?  we gonna eat?"

9/12 Ben, looking rather grown up.

9/12 Zev, about to be fed.  The boy sure knows what he likes.

9/12 Ben laughing

It should also be noted that on some days the boys switch roles, just to keep everyone on their toes.  Ben, who by know has a reputation for a calm demeanor, may choose to spend the day being very active and particular in what he likes - namely, being held and held upright only.  He might also choose to fuss and not eat during the 11pm meal - just to keep daddy entertained.  Zev, on the other hand, often gets into an introspective mood and prefers to observe the world calmly during the day, and chooses the night to process and share his impressions.

The boys continue to enjoy trips around the neighborhood in the stroller and have recently been introduced to "baby bjorns" which they seem to enjoy - in their own way.  Ben - to watch what goes one around him and Zev - to sleep calmly, not too far from his favorite food source.

the long weekend

Tomorrow the boys are three months.  More importantly, they had a great time over the long weekend.  The boys had a visit from the Boston grandparents.  The said grandparents were delighted to take part in all activities, comparing how things changed since the first two weeks.  This time around the boys were clearly more responsive, much more willing to "talk", especially Benjamin, who is more than happy to hold up his end of a conversation.  Zev is not in a talkative mood quite as often, but is also willing to communicate at the right time.  The boys are also discovering mirrors and lights (both readily available at one of their changing locations).

Besides being more talkative, the boys are now better at tracking people and sounds, at least sometimes turning head towards the speaker.  They continue to be fascinated by moving and singing toys, but level of attention seems to be increasing nicely.

The boys also had a great park outing where they saw (and were seen by) lots of friends.

Before I am asked - our camera is out on assignment currently.  However, the Boston grandparents had a camera with them, as did some of the friends at the park, so please be patient - the pictures are coming.  Also, enjoy the videos in the previous post.  I learned that posting video as videos actually works better than telling the blog that they are pictures.  Which happen to be large and moving.  Go figure.

two videos, attempt 2