Mark and Cassey: 9 MONTHS (a month late)

We are kind of behind in life right now. Between the house, starting school, the twins are new to Daycare, and the tasks of everyday parenthood, we are a little bogged down at the moment. I took 9 months pictures (was it yesterday??) and then I looked up and its time for 10 month photos. The girls are just growing up so quickly. I would never have believed that they were lil' 4 pounders struggling for life at one time. My memories of the NICU are as crisp as if they happened yesterday but the heartache our family experienced a mere 10 months ago is slowly starting to fade. I guess time does heal a lot of wounds and fear. Memories make you grateful of how far you have come. It really does put a new perspective on EVERYTHING. Lately, poor Mare Bear is packing on the pounds. Several people have commented on her chubby thighs, round cheeks, and jolly little belly. It brings tears to my eyes. Literally. In a good way. If you only had the memories of the 3 pound 12 ounce bony little body inflated every 10 seconds by machine you would cry at the sight of a fat roll too. I could not be prouder of my chubby little baby. Her smile will light your little world up. (It might be full of this mornings breakfast she is saving for snack time) but none the less her excitement for life can melt your heart. She is full of love and laughter. She ALWAYS has a smile on her face. ALWAYS. She can be a little more demanding for attention and the girl knows how to get her point across, but she literally does not meet a stranger and everyone she meets instantaneously falls in love with her.
Millie has become my more reserved child. She reminds me of Papa Rose. I look at her all the time and wonder what she is thinking because by the look in her eyes you know it has to be pure genius. Of all three of my children, Mills is the easiest. She is smart. She is a people watcher. She is a thinker. Not much is going to get past Miss Millie. She enjoys watching the party but not necessarily being the life of the party anymore (this has definitely changed over the course of the 10 months). She is not one to be passed around easily and is a momma and daddys girl for sure. She can spot either one of us out in a crowd of 100 and crawl straight for us. She is quiet most of the time and rarely cries unless she is tired or hungry. She is mellow and gentle and sweet natured. If you crack a smile out of her sweet little cheeks consider yourself blessed. She is 3 1/2 pounds lighter than Maryn now. The kid rarely eats. She is not loving the "big people food" at all. She spits it out and examines it for a good 10 minutes before she sometimes tries it again. As soon as I turn my head she slips it in her diaper or under the cushion of the chair (thats where the genius comes into play). I get about 1 bite down her for every 8 I get down Maryn. She is worse than Rose when it comes to eating. But, she is growing and is actually taller than Maryn, so I am not going to worry yet. The kid has more of a 6 pack than I do (which is not saying much). How would I be so lucky for 2 out of 3 kids to have Mark's figure??? Poor Maryn. Sorry kid. Your built like your Momma and you love food like your Momma does too. That apple didnt fall far from the tree!