Skyler is officially crawling, then Hudson---kids playing together---SCT picnic

Today kids are 8 months old. I can't believe how much time has gone by and how big they've gotten. I know I say that all the time, but I just can't believe that they all came from my belly. Before I know it, their first birthday will creep up on me...I've got some planning to do. They all love the food I've made, I've been mixing a veggie w/meat every night, sometimes more than one veggie and so far they don't mind it at all.

Skyler officially crawled yesterday. She was going after a toy yesterday and this morning a book during story time. She's been "pumping" her legs for the past week now, looks like she's swimming and she finally took off. This morning I left my bagel w/cream cheese on the gaming chair and she went for it. Then later she went for the box of kleenex and took some of it out and started eating it. I've got to find another spot for my basket of supplies which has bibs, burp cloths, plastic bags, kleenex, baby wipes, Lysol wipes, and paper towels. BTW, Skyler totally knows the camera now, she loves to smile when she sees it! And they all know their names and sitting up really well.

Hudson sorta crawled this morning too, he took a couple of steps. Tobin is taking his time with the teething and crawling. That's OK, it gives us a chance to enjoy all of them in different stages. Actually I think he may cut a tooth or two within the next two weeks. He's been having a hard time with his food.

I was watching them play one day and this is what I caught. They really crack me up a lot. (Skyler, Hudson, and Tobin) Hudson's the one that's crying.

We went to the SCT picnic this Sunday. It was a beautiful day and the kids really enjoyed being outside. We packed them up after their breakfast and morning playtime and let them nap in the car on the way there. We feed them their bottles and didn't do solids there. They seemed OK with the day even though everyone was totally worn out especially us. Dan and I took a quick nap while they were playing before we feed them dinner at 6. My mom, brother, cousins, Gail, Bob, and Rebecca came.

My bro, Matthew w/Tobin. Tobin looks upset like he didn't want his picture taken.

They had enough at one point and all clonked out (Skyler, Hudson, Tobin).

Maggie (my cousin) holding Tobin, Matthew w/Skyler, and my mom w/Hudson. I was somewhat nervous when Maggie came and immediately picked up Hudson and gave him a kiss. Maggie hasn't seen these guys since the NICU days. All of them have been going through "stranger awareness" and I never really know who makes them cry. I thought for sure Maggie, but I was so wrong. They all warmed up to her and she was even able to feed, Skyler (I think).

Bob w/Skyler and Gail w/Tobin.

My mom holding Skyler while Gail makes her smile.

My other cousin, Patrick kissing Skyler. He's actually kinda staying w/us on and off; he just moved back from Georgia. When he's not in Houston, he's staying in College Station where his work is. He's been coming back atleast once a week and each time, he's been bringing us Vietnamese food. Dan thinks he's so thoughtful for always thinking of us.

My mom holding Hudson.

Bob holding Hudson.

Hudson also cutting two tooth---I'm going out to lunch---Marie came to visit w/Andrew---baby food update

Marie with Andrew and Tobin. He was the first one who woke up.

Andrew holding Tobin.


Hudson has had a hard time sleeping this week and we couldn't figure it out. We were so focused on Skyler teething that I think we forgot about the boys. I checked his mouth the other night when he just wouldn't settled in for bed and sure enough I felt two little tooth coming out. Now let's see when it's Tobin's turn.

Dan's off today and since he doesn't have any errands to run, he's offered to do the lunch shift with Alejandra so I can go have lunch with my girlfriend, Alyssa. I have been dying to have a good hot meal, not that I don't appreciate my mom's cooking, but I love to eat and I love to eat all sorts of food...so we're gonna have Thai food today and I'm also getting dessert! :-) On Dan's off Friday, he's been having to run all sorts of errands, from getting things for the kids, household errands, and real estate errands. The trade off is he gets to sleep until 11:30 today, that's the first time he's gotten to sleep that late! I know I know, I'm such a wonderful wife! :-)

Marie came by yesterday with Andrew after his swimming lessons. Andrew got to hang out with his cousins.

Making baby food update: I spent $20 bucks at Walmart and everything I've made is twice the quantity it would be if I had bought jarred food. I spend a total of 7 hours from baking, cutting, pureeing, and putting it all in freezer storage. I think it's time well spent considering the freshness and cost, bedsides I think they like it too. Last night they had chicken mixed with green beans and corn. It was a hit! I made broccali, but I forgot about the gassiness of it so I may wait a while to introduce that one.

making baby food---Skyler cutting two tooth!!!---new nanny

After going to Walmart on Sunday and looking at how much those jarred baby food cost, I thought I'd give making my own baby food a try. I bought chicken, beef and a bunch of frozen veggies. I got the ones w/o salt in them. Yesterday, I baked the chicken and beef and cut them up in small pieces. Today I pureed both of them. The chicken was easier than beef, it didn't take long to puree at all. I added a little water and organic chicken broth to it. The beef took forever to puree, about 30 minutes!!! Tonight I mixed in some green beans to the beef and everyone loved it! Hudson even opened up for it. Ever since his fever last week, he's been quite particular about the solids he eats. We'll try chicken tomorrow night. And I'll attempt to puree the veggies tomorrow...only problem now is finding space in the freezer.

Skyler is cutting two tooth. She's been a pain during feedings, but it's all part of it. Who can blame her? Atleast she sleeps through the night. I'm glad for that!

We've had to let Susana go last week, it wasn't working out for us. Luckily our old night nanny, Alejandra, was available. This week she works Tuesday-Friday and next week it's only Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. So I was alone with the kids yesterday...it wasn't too bad, our schedule just gets a little off about 15-30 minutes. Next week I'll be by myself for two days. It's actually kinda nice spending the time with them, even though I'm in pain every night...physical pain!

Our first Easter egg hunt---Hudson is all better

We went to our first Easter egg hunt on Friday. It was at the neighborhood park with the MOCA mommy group. It was nice to be out and meet all the different families. We didn't know there were so many kids in our neighborhood. It's from all the re-development going on here. When we first moved here in 2003, we were the youngest couple and there were no families around, now they are everywhere! I'm glad they revitilized this park too, it's so close to our home.

Here's Skyler, Hudson and Tobin with their decorated Easter stroller.

"Grandma" holding Hudson. She's the neighborhood Grandma, she takes care of her granddaughters so her daughter can go to work. She knows all the scoop in the neighborhood...til this day we still don't know her name, she just goes by "Grandma". I was surprised Hudson didn't cry when she picked him up.

Skyler hanging out in her carseat, sucking her toes. She was just fascinated by all the kids there.
Tobin also chillin' in his carseat watching all the activities.

Everyone had their first time on the swing. Here's Hudson w/Daddy. Hudson is all better, his fever went away Thursday morning and the rash yesterday. YEA--- he's smiling again!!!

Skyler and Mommy.

Mommy pushing Tobin.

another mommy group

Dan's parents and Julie came by couple weeks ago to help Dan with the dinner feeding so I could go to another mommy group. This group is for the neighborhood moms who decided to start their own group called "MOCA Moms". MOCA is the abbreviation for the subdivision name, not that we drink a lot of coffee or anything.

Grandma Gail w/Skyler.

Julie w/Tobin.

Tobin smiling at Grandpa.

Skyler asleep in Grandpa's lap.

Hudson sitting w/Grandma Gail.

poor Hudson is sick

Hudson hardly slept last night and woke up at 3 am with a fever of 100.7. I gave him Tylenol and he slept in our room. I took him to the doc this morning and he said he physically didn't see anything wrong with him, no ear infections, etc. He just told me to monitor him and see if other symptoms shows up. He also said it's probably a viral infection and to monitor visitors and keep washing those hands. His fever's been going up and down all day and at bedtime tonight, it was higher than before at 101.9. Last night I also was not feeling well, I had a mild fever...maybe I gave it to him? But where did I get it from? Anyhow it totally sux being sick taking care of the kids! Please pray it'll pass and we can have our smiling Hudson back!

Skyler in the AM---furries

Skyler's been waking herself up cuz she keeps rolling onto her tummy. This is what I've been seeing most morning. She lays like this and gives me a big ole smile when I come in.

I caught all the furries on our bed this afternoon. Usually it's just Redford and Molly, but I was shocked to find Dudley there with them.

Marie came to visit w/her kids

Marie came by last Thursday to visit since her kiddos were on Spring Break. It was the first time her kids got to really interact with my kids. These cousins saw each other once in January when they came by to exchange Christmas gifts, but didn't get to touch them (due to RSV season). They were here pretty much all afternoon and stayed for dinner. She even bathe Anne and Andrew here so it would be easier once she got home late with them. Their lunch feeding went so fast since they're were so many hands to help feed them. It was kinda nice to have that extra time, 30 minutes or so makes huge difference! My cousin Patrick also drove from Georgia to live in Houston for good now. Unfortunately I don't have any pics of him.

My mom with Skyler (Hudson in the background).

Matthew with Hudson.
My kiddos: Tobin, Skyler, and Hudson.

Marie with Tobin.

I'm reading a Curious George book to Andrew.

My mom with Anne and Andrew. I can't believe how big they both have gotten. Anne's 7 and Andrew's turning 5 in June.

Everyone in the play area.

Anne with Skyler.

Anne with Hudson.

Anne kissing Tobin.