Kylie is 8 weeks old

Kylie is 8 weeks old today. She has been doing so much better in the past 2 weeks. She had some terrible colic from about 3 weeks until 6 weeks old. After trying some different formulas, she is a new baby! Much happier, much less screaming. Good for Kylie; very good for Mom and Dad.

Look at that sweet little smile!

Uncle Chris (or Uncle Kiss)

Uncle Chris came over yesterday to join us for Thanksgiving weekend. After eating and drinking, it was time to read some books. Chris did a great job reading and playing with them Kate especially liked playing hide-n-seek with him.
The kids loved playing with "Uncle Kiss" (they couldn't quite say Uncle Chris).

The Best Toys....

Some times, the best toys are FREE. This year, I decided to not "make" Thanksgiving dinner, but to "make it possible." When I brought home the meal, it was packed in a huge box, that I promptly emptied and placed on the floor. It only took seconds for Kate and Connor to find it and declare it a train, or a school bus (or who actually knows what they were really saying at this age).

The only problem with this toy is that there was only ONE box. After a few tears, everyone got a turn to sit in the box.

Shelby Comes to visit

Shelby was off school and came to see the kids today. It's been a while since she's come to the house to see the twins, and she hadn't met Kylie at all - so it was great for her to come over. I told her that she was a natural holding Kylie, but she should probably wait a few years before she has her own. As a graduating high school senior, I hope she waits quite a few years!



Notice the precious outfit that Kate is wearing. She has become quite the fashion diva in the mornings. She is very particular about what she will and won't wear. The outfit that Aunt Roxie and Uncle Ross sent made the cute for sure! And for Connor, any shirt with trucks, trains or dinosaurs will do!

Ring Around The Rosie

After a few days of rain, the kids were getting stir-crazy to play outside. Connor would stand by the kitchen window and plaintively say "outside? outside?" So, while it was cold today, it was sunny and dry - so the kids went outside to play.

Connor ran around and around - up and down the berm in the yard, picking up sticks and leaves. Kate had other plans - she wanted to be in the swing to play, but not to swing. Her new request is that you spin her around and around, and then release the swing seat so that it spins around in the opposite direction. A daredevil in the making.

What really got them giggling, though, was playing Ring Around the Rosie. They do it really well, and Connor likes the "all fall down" part so much that he does it way to early. I captured a video too....

Smiles!

Kylie gave me a true smile today! No pictures (heck, I was too busy smiling myself) - but it was very sweet. Especially after 4 weeks of screaming, raging, colic - a smile was certainly in order. Kylie is 6 weeks old now.

Off to see Santa

We had a family outing today to see Santa. All week, we've been talking about what Santa says (Ho Ho Ho) and showing the kids pictures of Santa.

After quite the struggle to get the kids dressed up and out the door, we finally made it to see Santa. Turns out Santa is popular - so we had to wait about an hour to see him. That's a long time with 3 little ones - but it was worth it!

Kylie slept through the whole event (good). Kate decided maybe this Santa thing wasn't such a good idea after all, and Connor totally ignored Santa once he received his candy cane.

Veronique visits

Veronique came by to visit with the kids and to bring dinner (a yummy version of Shepard's pie). It was great to see V-Dawg hold Kylie... there's a Mom in training for sure (many years from now).

Jana visits

It was so nice to have Jana visit with us today. Jana's "babies" Caroline and Susannah are now in 7th and 9th grade - but she still remembers being a new mom too.

While Kate and Connor were being shy and weren't ready to chat much - Jana and I had a great visit with baby Kylie. We even gave baby Kylie another bath today (in the Nanna approved and tested bathing technique).

Those magic words

I've been waiting for a few magic words these past 2 years - and last night I got my wish. As Hugh was taking Connor was going up to bed, I blew him a kiss and said "I love you." He blew me a kiss and said "I love you too." Wow! That's what I've been waiting so long to hear. Kate is not one to be outdone, so at lunch today, she said "I love you."

Soooo sweet!

Visit with Aunt Anne-Maree

Aunt Anne-Maree was able to spend a few days with us this week. Since she lives in California - we mostly see her via Skype these days - so it was especially good to see her in person and to be able to get a big hug from her.

Anne-Maree did a great job reading to Kate and Connor (which they LOVED) and was a big help in holding Kylie. The twins call her Maw-whee - I just call her a wonderful big sis.

Kylie is 1 month old

Kylie is one month old already today. Time is flying (again, still). The past month has been a bit of a blur, with recovering from being pregnant and getting settled in to a routine with 3 kids at home. While we are thrilled - we are also tired.

Kylie is now 21.5 inches long (65%) and 11 pounds (92%). Her head is 38cm (75%). She's our chunky monkey for sure! She likes her bottle and takes 4 ounces or so about 6 or 7 times a day. She is still fitting in to size 1 diapers.


She has had some pretty tough colic for the past 2 weeks, so Doc B has suggested we try a lactose-free formula to help settle her down a little. Let's hope that helps - as Mom and Dad could sure use some more sleep (and less ear plugs).

People keep asking if Snookums (as we call her) is more like Kate or more like Connor. I think the best answer is that she is more like Kylie - she's just her own person. Her hair and head shape is more like Kate's, but her eyes and her mouth are more like Connor's. She likes to be held a lot, and really likes to be held on your chest or shoulder.

All I know is... we are BLESSED!

Weigh in time

Kate and Connor had their 2 year check-up with Doctor B this morning. I love Doctor B for many reasons - but one reason is that she loves children so much. She just coos and dotes on our little ones.

Connor weighed in at 28.6lbs (60%) and is 35.25 inches tall (75%). His head is 50 cm (85%). He's such a big boy he was able to stand up to be measured and weighed this time (a first).


Kate is now 27lbs, 12 oz (60%) and 33.5 inches tall (45%). Her head is 47.5 cm (50%). Being the wiggle monkey that she is, she wouldn't/couldn't stand still on the scale to be weighed or have her height checked, so she had to lay down on the weighing table. Maybe next time.

The only shot we had to have this time was for the flu, and then we had a toe pricked for a little blood for a hemoglobin test. The twins results came back perfect!

Late, but still fun

We never got around to decorating our little pumpkins before Halloween - but it seemed like a good activity for today since it was cold and windy outside. Tracy and Nanna helped Kate and Connor put decals on their little pumpkins. Cute!

As for our other little pumpkin - she just watched the festivities in her other little festive outfit.