Cary and Dean in a nutshell

Since this blog is new, I thought I'd bring folks up to speed on the basics about Cary and Dean.

Cary Glenn - Baby A
Born at 2:21 p.m., May 11
4 lbs., 4 oz.
Stayed in the NICU for two weeks, mostly because he was not a fan of eating. He'd rather sleep instead. (Boy, how I wish he retained some of that last part.)

Cary, Day 2


Dean Ezra -- Baby B
Born at 3:50 p.m., May 11
4 lbs., 10 oz.
Stayed in the NICU for one week, and ate up all the food the nurses gave him. (He has absolutely retained that.)

Dean, Day 2

(Careful readers will notice that these babies were born 90 minutes!!!! apart. Gracious. THAT was an ordeal.)

Cary started out sleepy and floppy and in need of lots of snuggling. Dean was intense and highly-excitable, with a piercing wail.
Today, Cary is not as good a sleeper as Dean, and his muscle tone is still lower than Dean's but he can move like a stealthy athlete.
Dean is still intense; when he's upset, it's extremely difficult to calm him. But he is more independent than Cary, and can play for long stretches, quietly observing the world around him. Cary still needs to be in a lap or on a shoulder more often than his tired parents would like.
Cary is silly; his infectious giggle cracks Lester and me up till our bellies hurt.
Dean is stoic; you have to work hard to make him laugh. But when you do get him going -- oh, the sound is so satisfying! His smile and belly-laugh melts your heart.
One thing we've noticed lately: When Cary wants to be held, it's because he needs love from us. He soaks it all up and smiles and glows. It makes us feel good to be able to meet his needs with simple hugs and holding and kisses.
Dean, on the other hand, needs love, too, but also gives it back. He hugs us, and squeezes our necks. He cuddles his head into our bodies and snuggles in tight. When we say, "Kiss!" he opens his mouth, leans in and rests his drooly lips on our foreheads or chins. It's adorably sweet.

We can't wait to see how they grow and develop, what they'll be like as toddlers or pre-schoolers or (gasp!) teenagers. Will they stay basically the same, or will they flip-flop personalities the way people say twins do? Will their personalities clash or complement? Will their inevitable epic fights be eclipsed by an even greater loyalty and love?

We have so many questions and, thankfully, God willing, the rest of their lives to discover the answers.

Cary (left); Dean (right)