Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Four Months Old

The babies turned four months old yesterday.

They are now semi-consistantly sleeping through the night, which is SUCH a blessing! Ben and Maggs never slept through the night this early. Sometimes, they go to bed as early as 7 p.m. (but not usually). This frees Mommy up to spend some quality time with their siblings. I really miss evenings with Ben and Maggs. They are smiling all the time, and laughing a bit too. I think they each added a couple of rolls to their thighs and wrists. Big accomplishment for this month: they can now hold onto toys. Everything goes straight to their mouths!

Thank you, Bickels for the cute tushy-ruffles.

Maggie wanted the girls to cozy in her bed after the photo shoot.
I'm SHOCKED that Maggs didn't insist on taking her clothes off too.
(I just realized that I honestly don't know which girl is which in this picture above.)

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Fall Break in Batesville

Ben was so excited about our visit to Batesville for Fall Break that I don't think he truly slept for an entire week! The day before we left, he wanted to pack his suitcase in the morning before school. He settled for doing it immediately after school. Packing up our family for two nights at my parents' is a CHORE. Nonetheless, we made it out the door by 10 a.m. on Thursday morning. The minute my dad walked in the door after our arrival, Ben said, "Grandpa, I'm ready to go fishing!" (Didn't even give my poor dad a chance to change out of his business clothes before he attacked him.) Dad was Grandpa-on-the-Go all weekend. He took the kids fishing twice, on a long wagon ride to the post office, out to some soccer fields and a park, and to the farm to "hunt" for hickory nuts. When they came home from the nut-hunt, Maggie was so proud to show us the full ear of feed-corn she found in the field (which she put out for the squirrels), and Ben had a ball smashing the nuts with a hammer.

Daddy, Grandpa, & Ben fishing on Crosstie Lane

Java managed to take a swim too. She was SO excited about the fish! She has never done this before, despite all the coaxing from us. Wouldn't you know it, she chose the weekend at my parents' to dive into the mud and water. Brian had to bathe her before she could set foot (paw) back in their house. She smelled like my mom's shampoo for the rest of the weekend, which wasn't a bad thing!


Ben told me that Grandpa used "plizers" to remove the hook from the fish.

Ben's expression here is too good to pass by. I wish I had gotten more pictures of Maggie.
After their second fishing excursion, Ben came home w/ a bluegill in a bucket. He wanted to keep it as a pet. He named it "Blue" (creative, huh?). Grandpa allowed him to keep the fish for the remainder of the day. Java did not leave her post next to the bucket the entire time. She kept a good eye on that fish. At one point, Ben went outside to check on Blue, and he found the fish had flopped out of the bucket and into a pile of dry leaves. Grandpa put the poor, still-gasping thing back in the bucket, and it seemed to spring back to life. My dad said the fish swam away happily as soon as they returned it to the pond and its freedom. I heard Grandpa teaching Ben a lesson about how all life is precious.

Monday, October 18, 2010

What a great Sunday afternoon!



When we got home from church yesterday, everyone was in a silly mood.
(Maggie is wearing my boots, if you can't tell.)



We went to the little park in our neighborhood (Ben's request), and we put the babies in the bucket swings for the first time. They really seemed to enjoy it. Unfortunately for Bree, Maggie wanted her "Baby Bear" to have a turn in the swing, so Bree had to sit on Mommy's lap on the big-kid swing.


Notice the crystal-clear sky... Ahhh, fall!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

He wears his game face!


Ben's game face has to be the funniest expression I have ever seen him make! He doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body, but this face would lead you to believe otherwise.

(below:) Just had to post a couple of pics of his awesome kicks.



Thank you, Uncle Scott for the photos!

Why Brian is the World's Best Dad


Here is one of the many, many reasons I think Brian is the World's Best Dad.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

I love fall!

One of my favorite things about fall is this beautiful plant by our mailbox. Just as everything else is beginning to die, these purple flowers explode! I couldn't resist taking these pictures of Maggie after pre-school. She wanted to dress for Halloween, and I think she looked so cute with the black bows in her hair. Maggie, you are so beautiful!
(I also love the way Java looks in the background of the first pic.)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

3 & 1/2 months


Bree on the left, Betsy on the right.
It looks like Bree is a ton bigger than Betsy in this picture, but they're actually only 2oz apart in size (and Betsy is the bigger one). I think Betsy is just pressed back into the couch, making her look smaller. Their faces seem to get fuller by the day!
Current progress: 1. Bree usually sleeps through the night, sometimes for 11 hours straight. Betsy can't seem to go more than 4 or 5 hours without needing another bottle. It's eat or be eaten for that kid! 2. Betsy learned to roll onto her side this past weekend. This has opened up a new world of exploration for her. She rolls over to look at her sister laying on the blanket next to her. Yesterday, I found them holding hands and playing with each others' faces/hair. 3. Smiles come regularaly. They are totally the happiest babies EVER! I can get Bree to giggle if I press my chin under hers. 4. They sing back to us when we sing to them, something Daddy really gets a kick out of!

Friday, October 08, 2010

That's Entertainment!











This was the twins' first experience watching tv. I set them up in the Bumbo seats to watch a little "Praise Baby." Clearly, they enjoyed it!
(Bree is in the "sister" bib, and Betsy is in the "brother" bib.)

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Ben & Bree

Ben is asking to hold the babies more and more. He truly loves being a big brother.