Welcome Spring

A few weeks ago we took Kate to the Spring Arts and Craft Show at Kelly and Billy's church.  I'm not real sure what it is about the Easter Bunny that freaks out all children...they seem to be even more afraid of him than Santa Claus.  Kate and Will were no exception that day.  Will kept saying to Kelly (through tears), "Go into the other room, please!" ...meaning the room that the Easter Bunny was not in.  We did manage to sneak a picture with him, but only so long as I was holding her.  I guess I kinda get it...I've never really seen an Easter Bunny who didn't look at least a little strange.

Her face says it all..."I know I'm supposed to look happy, but I'm terrified!"

The Singing Princesses were at the show...we didn't have to twist Kate's arm so tightly to get a picture with "Belle" ;)

Julee and Grammy were in town visiting so they came along with us

The boys are officially 8 months old now.  Matthew is sitting up very well on his own now; John is still working on it.  These shots were taken on their 8 month "birthday."

Matthew---rockin' the hiney dimples!

Looking like a big boy :(

John thinks just about everything is funny, except when he is tired or hungry

Yes, John, Mommy got a naked shot of your brother so we have to get one of you, too

When did they get this big?!?!?!

The weather has been outstanding lately.  It has been really warm around here for several weeks now...a very early Spring for us.  I can't imagine what the summer will be like, but I must say it has been so nice getting outdoors and enjoying it.  The kids love to be outside.  

I have to say this now about our 3 children because I know it could be over as soon as tomorrow, but they just love each other to pieces.  Anytime Kate walks into the room the boys light up and start giggling.  They love to watch her and are interested in everything she does.  And I think she is equally into them...she loves talking to them, playing with them in the floor, and pushing them around outside.   I'm sure they will read that one day and think, "What was she, NUTS?!?!"  

Sweet babies...

A few times the past few weeks I have had Josh around lunchtime for a short time while Kathryn ran to pick up the kids for us.  It is no small task managing three babies, even for a short time.  I used to say I had no idea how moms of twins do it...now I say I have no idea how moms of triplets (or more!) do it.  At least I have TWO arms!  I have a new level of respect...

Board Meeting

Kate looking cute on the way out the door to MDO

This past weekend Joe took Kate fishing along with our dear friends the McMurray's.  I'm not sure who was more excited, Kate or Joe, but he said she did really well for her first trip!

Big catch

Hugh looks like he's having way too much fun

Girl loves some potato chips

Kate and John playing with the new water table

Oh goodness almost forgot to mention.  We have teeth now!  Both boys have one bottom tooth poking through as of this past weekend...finally!  We were beginning to wonder if they actually were going to get any teeth at all.  Kate was just about this same age when she got her first tooth, too.  

The Things They Say...

Last night I was putting a diaper on Kate to get her ready for bed.  I got out the diaper cream like always and coated her up.  While I was putting the cream on her she said, "Whatchyoo doin' to my hiney?"  Trying not to laugh, I looked down at her with as straight a face as I could muster and said, "Just putting some medicine on it."  She stared off for a moment while looking slightly perplexed, then looked back at me with a very concerned face and said, "Is it sick?"

Potty Training 101...Family Visits...& Other Updates

Matthew and Grandpa sharing a laugh

John & Casey

Not sure what he was looking at here...my guess is he was probably about to yell for Casey to "Git back over here!!" while holding onto the stroller.  Anyways, I like this pic of Joe so I included it!

John

We had a fun day today!  Anne, Ella, Abby, and Maggie all came to spend the day with us.  Kate really enjoyed her girl time and we had so much fun catching up with our cousins.  Miss and love y'all!  Thanks so much for coming to see us!

Sweet cousins:  Ella, Maggie, & Kate

3 little cuties just a' swangin'

Haven't you heard?!  The latest fashion is to wear your tutu underneath your smocked dress.  Thank you Ella for sharing this new trend with us :)

Maggie, John, & Abby

Think John likes women?!  Lol!!!

...and again chillin' on cousin Maggie's lap :)

Kate, Maggie, and Matthew

Matthew and Anne

We have been working on potty training pretty solid since Saturday, which means today was day 3 of no diapers except at night.  She is doing what I would consider to be very well.  We have of course had a few accidents but I think we are finally beginning to make some progress.  Woohoo!!!  Going to tackle school tomorrow in pull-ups so we'll see how that goes.  We have not yet attempted any public outings, which I hear is when the real fun begins ;)

The boys have finally begun to sit up on their own.  Matthew is a little ahead of John with it but both are pretty much there.  We can sit Matthew in the floor and walk away for a bit and know that he will be fine, whereas John we really still have to stay right there with him.  Their personalities have been funny lately.  They constantly flip-flop but lately Matthew has been the "bruiser" and John has been "laid-back Jack."  This has actually probably been the trend we've observed since the day we came home from the hospital with them...although we try to be careful so as not to pin labels on them.  If Matthew is sitting in the floor and suddenly happens to topple over it does not phase him whatsoever.  He just rolls around until he's either on his tummy or his back and looks around for something else to do.  John is pretty content to just lay on the floor , not quite as interested in putting forth the effort to try to sit up.  He likes to be in the Jumperoo and will stay there jumping until he is wore slap out.  Matthew has also been quite temperamental lately.  He grunts really loudly and his face turns bright red as if he is making a huge diaper for you, but you know he's not.  He's just throwing a baby tantrum.  He especially likes to do this when he's eating his solids.  John is usually content to just keep eating through it all and seems to even be amused and entertained by Matthew's fits.

Matthew sitting:  sweet lil dumplin'

What all can I do from this position?

Happy Sitter

Happy to report that I believe we finally have just about everyone well and healthy here in our house.  John is bringing up the rear with still finishing up his antibiotic for ear infections.  We have had a rough month of ear and nasty upper respiratory infections, rashes, pink eye, etc.  You name it.  It seems the only thing that hasn't paid us a visit has been the stomach bug, praise the Lord. Praying that statement does not come back to haunt me later!!

I have been busy here at home but also dabbling back into work some.  I have enjoyed getting back into it a little.  I'm only working about 3-4 days per month right now, doing some consulting as well as staffing at the pharmacy.  It has been a good, healthy balance for right now, and I thoroughly enjoy the adult time ;)

We are looking forward to Spring!