We're cruising around

Kate and Connor are all over the place these days. Thank goodness we got these colorful mats to put on the floor so they could fall down without hurting themselves. Actually - right now - they're just massive spit-catchers while the twins continue to teeth. Nice!!! Nothing a little bleach and water can't clean up.

Hugh brought the twins out to watch me play tennis today. Wish I could say they brought me good luck - but it just wasn't meant to be today. They didn't stay long since they really just aren't used to the heat.

Cheerios and Sippy Cups

We tried cheerios tonight for the first time. Connor - with 4 teeth - can't figure out quite yet how to chew them...but he does a nice job of sucking on them until they fall apart. On the other hand, Kate with only 2 teeth starting chewing on them right away. She even used a pincher grasp to pick up a few of them (OK - well more went on the floor than in the mouth - but that's ok).

We also tried the sippy cups again. Connor likes the idea of the control (holding the cup and putting it in and out when he wants to), but can't quite seem to grasp the different sipping motion needed vs. a bottle. Kate just wants me to hold the cup for her. Well - we'll try again in a few more weeks.

Recent new food for the twins include prunes, apricots, pears, zucchini and green beans. Later this month, we'll try some chicken and see how they do.

What's up?

I came home for lunch to check on Hugh, who has been under the weather. What a nice treat to see Kate and Connor during the day while they were both still in a good mood. Sometimes by the time I get home from work, they are too wound up from the day and are starting to get cranky. "Mary Poppins" never seems to have that issue!!!

Both are doing a really nice job of practicing sitting up. We just have to be on standby if/when one decides to slump or tumble over. Yikes! They don't give much notice before they wipe out and don't seem to realize that they should try to catch them selves either.

We're 7 months old today!

Kate and Connor are now 7 months old. Each time I look at them, It's hard to even remember when they could barely lift their heads up off the floor to look at you.

Hugh loaded some of the early video we have on to the computer, and I hope to be able to upload some of that to the web site soon. Of course, I'll have to do some HEAVY editing first so you aren't bored to tears of the minute after minute riveting video of the twins doing absolutely nothing but breathing.

Now of course, they are much more active. Kate leap-frogged Connor on this crawling thing. She watched him for 2 weeks, crawled backwards for 2 days, and the next day was crawling and scooting around the floor mats with ease. Way to go little Kate!

Connor, on the other hand, is doing better at sitting up for longer periods of time. We helped him sit up today, and he was able to stay sitting up for about 15 minutes without toppling over.

It really brings a whole new dimension to their activities when they can stay sitting up and get mobile. OK - it brings a whole new dimension to Hugh's and my life too!!!

Hanging out

Just some pics after work of the kids trying their new crawling skills. Kate was being camera shy...nothing new there.

Crawling backwards

Both Kate and Connor are crawling backwards these days - so they end up in some funny places. Today, Connor got himself caught up under a club chair. Kate slowed down long enough from playing with her race car to let me snap a photo.

Also - we realized it's time to start putting up the oriental rugs, putting down the foam squares, covering the electrical outlets... in general - baby proofing the house. While the house isn't as "pretty" this way - it's much more a HOME... and that's much better.

Ms. Shirley and Kelly come over

How often do you get a mother and daughter combo (who are actually both a great-grandmother and a grandmother) to hang out on the floor with little babies? Not often enough (as I remind Kelly).

After a while, we had Hugh join in on the fun too. He was "flying" Kate over his head and giving plenty of raspberries to her too. Connor was getting lot's of kisses on his neck and a little teasing about the new curls starting in his previously straight hair. Oh so cute.

A case of the giggles

During dinner tonight, Kate and Connor both had the best case of giggles. It was awesome to hear both of their voices SQUEAL in delight to my silly faces and sounds. Hope I can get some of that video on here for you to see.

Rob and Shelby come by

I'm so glad Shelby FINALLY had a chance to meet Kate and Connor.

Rob brought her by to meet them and it looks like they had a great time. Well - Hugh said they had a great time (I wasn't able to be here). Shelby is quite the thespian, so I'm sure she had all of the voices and faces that would make the twins giggle.

Tricia and the Twins

Tricia met us at the West Egg for brunch today. Why did we pick such a rainy, dreary day to go out? Oh well! Tricia was a true friend indeed. The parking lot was full - but she stepped out in to the first available space near the building and actually STOOD IN the space to hold it for us. That sure helped us stay dry as we unloaded the twins and the double stroller. Even as fast as we can move, that still takes a few minutes to do.

Once inside, we had a great visit. Tricia held Connor (little stinker wouldn't take his nap) while we waited for our brunch to come. Of course, the food came right when he decided he was hungry. So - I put Connor in his car seat, propped up his bottle against his bunched up blanket and then I showed Connor how to hold on to his bottle to feed himself. Much easier than me bouncing a baby on my knee while I eat Huevos Rancheros. Kate was a sweetie and slept peacefully while we ate. then, I taught her the same trick too.

YAY smart babies. Ok - I think they're smart - you may think they are just getting older and growing up.

Kate and Connor's first night without Mom

The time came where I needed to take an overnight business trip. A quick trip to Denver was in order (out Wednesday at 6:30am, home Thursday at 7pm).

How would the twins ever do without me? More importantly - how would I ever do without them?

Part one - work really hard so that you're exhausted and can easily fall asleep.
Part two - have a terrific nanny who you totally trust.
Part three - have an amazing, loving husband who sends you pictures during the day of your little tykes!

Anyway - Got back to home to LOT'S of snuggles. All is right in the universe.

Separated (well after) birth

The night finally came... Kate and Connor are now sleeping in their own separate cribs. Flag the tape - they are 6.5 months old. Connor was just wiggling too much and trying to crawl (all over Kate) in the crib - so - we put them in their own cribs.

To my surprise - they both did really well. While they can't actually see each other when they are sleeping, if they get up on their hands and knees, they can see each other in the next crib by peeking over the bumper linens.

My babies are growing up :-(

Learning to hang on!

The twins are starting to learn how to hang on to your hip when we lug them around.

My first Mother's Day

Hugh took care of everything today! We had Hugh's family over for lunch and I didn't have to lift a finger. As the expression goes, "he didn't make it, he made it possible."

Kate and Connor seemed very interested in people food and generally were in great moods for the afternoon. I loved seeing Connor in his little summer suit, and Kate couldn't have been more precious in her little strawberry outfit. Dolls I tell you.



Hugh's Mom was able to make it over for the whole weekend. Aunt Anne and Patrick, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Gar, as well as Cousin David were able to join us. As a last minute surprise, Aunt Martha and Uncle Tom made it back in town in time to join us too.

Connor showed off his conversational skills (you say "hey" and he says "hhhheh"), and then he demonstrated how he can crawl backwards and get all the way up on his knees.

Later, Kate demonstrated her love for anything musical. She danced to "The Noble Duke of York," played "piano," played with her favorite musical fish, then squealed with delight as Aunt Anne made raspberries on her little tummy. I see an artist in our future.

Of course - I'm proud of Kate and Connor no matter how big or small their accomplishments. Now I understand why Hugh's Mom gazes at him so sometimes - with total love....I get it. I called my own Mom late today to make sure she really knows how much I love her. I really, really do Nanna!

Drool, Drool everywhere

I've been calling burp clothes "spit clothes" since Kate and Connor were born. Now I know why...I was ahead of my time. These babies are drooling EVERYWHERE. Hugh said he could tell where Connor had crawled in the family room by following the drool trail along the hardwood floor.

Needless to say, we think more teeth are on the way. Hopefully, we'll be able to capture some of the twins new little baby teeth in a picture or two soon.

6 Month check up

Kate and Connor went to see Doc B today. Connor is now 26.5 inches long (55%) and 17lbs (50%), and he still has a "double yella" head - 75%. Kate is 25 inches long (40%)and is 16 lbs, 2 oz (60%), with her head at 60%. That means they've finally evened out a little bit in height and weight.

They each had 3 shots and an oral vaccine. Connor is soooo pathetic when he gets shots (even though we had given them Tylenol before). Oh well - it's good for him and I get good snuggles out of it when it's all over.

Next scheduled appointment is at 9 months - and no shots!!!

Peek a Boo!

Kate and Connor still LOVE peek-a-boo. It's almost a sure-fire way to change their moods and distract them from what ever they may be fussing about.




Miss Tracy has perfected the way to play peek-a-boo with both of them at once...she uses a quilt. Not just any quilt of course. Today she was using one of our favorite ones - the one Nanna made for little Kate.

The Confirmand Weekend

Cousin Lauren was confirmed this weekend, so it was a great excuse to have family together. Nanna came in town from Miami, and Uncle Chris came in from Chattanooga.

After Church, Cousins Kevin and Lauren were great helpers feeding Kate and Connor while the rest of the family ate lunch. They really seem to have a knack with the twins. They were precious and well-behaved (yes - ALL of the cousins)

Our first Starbucks

After dinner, we all went for a coffee at Starbucks. Well, actually - we Hugh had green tea, I had chai tea and I'm sure someone actually had plain ol' coffee.

As we were sipping our drinks, it occurred to me that this was Kate and Connor's first Starbucks experience. Pictures please!

Our great Italian Family (dinner, that is)

Aunt Shirley and Nanna had worked so hard all day making the confirmation lunch for tomorrow, that we decided to go out to eat.

Where could we go? It had to be a little loud (so they babies wouldn't disturb anyone), but not so loud that the babies got upset). We knew we wanted something casual, but not pizza. Where could we go? Scalini's!


We all had a great time. Poor Uncle Michael was still recovering from a cold bug - so he couldn't hold Kate or Connor.

The twins were a hit and loved being passed around while they ate their bottles and oatmeal. Kate now has 2 bottom teeth, and out of nowhere, Connor now has 4 teeth that are in (2 uppers and 2 lowers).