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Fargo, N.D. (AP) ― Belle Carlsen happily bounced in a freestanding jumper until she noticed her mother directing her attention elsewhere.

Nearby, Amy Carlsen was changing 7-month-old Abby's diaper, and Belle didn't like it. Squeals of delight quickly turned into screams of anger before Amy had a hand free to comfort both twins. Then, she handed down the verdict.

"We're going to have to learn patience around here," Amy said, balancing a baby on each hip. "There's only one mama and two of you."

The formerly conjoined twins, Abbigail and Isabelle, and their parents have been home for about a month, and life is starting to look more normal. Abby and Belle roll over and grab socks off their feet. They eat rice cereal and fruit. Slight bumps on their gums signal emerging teeth.

One the biggest changes in their daily routine occurred this week when their dad returned to work for the first time since mid-January. Jesse Carlsen's co-workers at the North Dakota Department of Transportation and other state employees donated vacation time so he could be with his family while the girls were conjoined. The twins were surgically separated May 12 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Jesse's return was quiet. One co-worker shook his hand with a hearty "welcome back," another hugged him as he cleaned out the state-issued Suburban he is assigned.

"Yeah, I'll miss the girls," he told David Stout, who works in the sign shop. "But I had to come back eventually."

As Jesse drove to a project in western Cass County, Amy settled into her day with two babies who -- like many of their peers -- only want their parents.

Beforehand, she perfected alternating spoonfuls of cereal into hungry mouths and propping each girl up on a pillow for simultaneous bottle feedings.

What she hasn't perfected was getting both twins to nap at the same time. Belle, nicknamed the "Energizer Baby," functions on much less sleep than her sister. At one point, Amy rocked Abby as Belle contentedly chewed on an orange plastic lion.

"Thank you for being patient," Amy told Belle.

A little while later, Amy wondered out loud whether the babies missed their dad.

Both girls continue to do well. They will return to Mayo at the end of the month for a regular checkup.

Three times a week, a physical therapist works with Abby and Belle to strengthen their trunk muscles. The twins were connected at their lower chest and abdomen. Soon they will be able to sit by themselves. Crawling will follow. Twice a week, an occupational therapist works with Belle, who still favors her left side. Abby graduated from that therapy a couple of weeks ago.

For the past month, family members have visited the Carlsens, including Jesse's grandma from Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. Together, the family does such everyday things as stroller rides, shopping and attending church.

During most outings, community members recognize the Carlsens, which often results in whispers, diverted glances and the occasional face-to-face greeting. Until the family establishes a new routine, Amy will stay home full time with the twins. She plans to eventually pick up a few nursing shifts a month.

Jesse came home from work Wednesday and didn't say a word until he walked into the living room where the girls played on a blanket.

Belle flailed her limbs and let out a high-pitched squeak. Abby waved her arms in excitement.

"Hi, babies," Jesse said, reaching down for both. He picked them up and placed kisses on one chubby cheek and a down-covered head. "How are you, babies?"

Abby and Belle just grinned in response, as if they didn't realize what had been missing until he came back.

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According to the Mayo Clinic, conjoined twins are extremely rare, occurring once in every 200,000 births.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)