Ruby "Pea Pod"

A pea pod with eyes!

Blessed, Blessed Sleep!

Bellevue Christian School Friends Forever!

Three of Kristin's friends from high school came to visit today on Bainbridge. Jessica came first during the day and spent some quality time catching up with Kristin and meeting the twins. Kelly and Annie came after work and shared dinner with us. In this first photo Annie's baby girl, Georgia Grace, was still sleeping in the car seat. Georgia is 3 weeks younger than the twins, but just about the same size. It was fun for Kelly and Annie to meet the twins, and for us to get acquainted with sweet Georgia. Kelly has a great touch with babies. She can quiet them right down. Here she is showing her auntie skills with Ruby, who moments before this photo was very much out-of-sorts!

My Original Two Blessings!

It was such a joy to have both of my first two blessings at our home over the weekend. They took a sister's walk on the beach and had some fun time being silly girls again.

Enjoying Our Babies

Here is a leaning row of second cousins. Kind of hard to get them to sit upright. I don't think Emma even knew her big cousin, Ruby, had her head on her shoulder. This is the first of many group photos that will come in the future for these precious babies. Hopefully they will learn to sit up straight! (or as Aunt Stephanie said "At least no one was pulling someone's hair in this picture!")

Great Aunt Stephanie giving Carson a love!

Megan getting a turn with Ruby. I bet 4 1/2 months feels a lot heavier than 5 weeks.

We think Ruby's new hair that is coming in has a strawberry blonde touch to it, just like her Auntie Kat's.

Bill Turns 57 Surrounded by Family

Bill celebrated his 57th birthday on Sunday, Oct. 19th, surrounded by family. Here is Bill with brother Jimmy, who is holding his 5 week old granddaughter, Emma Christine. Bill's arms are filled up with 4 1/2 month old Ruby and Carson. Emma was sound asleep and wasn't much into posing for the many cameras that were clicking away.

Great Uncle Billy is holding Emma for the first time. She is a beautiful combination of both her mommy and daddy and seems so tiny compared to R&C.

Here is Kristin meeting little Emma for the very first time. Kat got her hands on Emma as well.

We played "pass-the-baby".

Sweet Ruby Holding Her Head High

Ruby was holding her head up so high, we thought she might roll over. Not yet! Carson has her beat on that trick.

Baby Bjorn Carriers

We bundled the babies up and took them for a walk around Kristin's neighborhood today in the Baby Bjorn carriers. As it turned out, it wasn't that cold so we took off the mittens and they both seemed comfortable. The funny thing for us is that both babies laughed and giggled for most of the walk. It was so cute. No one was entertaining them or trying to make them laugh. They both just got a kick out of being in the carriers and outside for a walk.

A Boy and His Dog.

I love this little chair-thing that Carson is so good about sitting in. This morning Sonny went right up to him and put his head down for Carson to touch. All three of the dogs (Snowy, Sonny and Zipper) are very sweet with the babies.

Mihoko's Baby Girl

My Japanese niece, Mihoko, gave birth to a baby girl Sept. 23rd. named Yui. She looks so much like her beautiful Mom. (For those of you who don't know, Mihoko lived with Bill's brother and sister-in-law for 7 years while she completed high school and college and was like a cousin to Kristin and Kat and a niece to Bill and me. Her mother, Kayo, lived with Bill's parents when Bill was in high school.)

Kristin's Little Helper

I had to laugh, and grab my camera when I saw Kristin trying to get some work done on the computer, with her little helper. Notice in the second photo how his little hands are right on the desk, like he is typing, too. Both babies love the "baby Bjorn" carriers that Kristin has two of. They are big enough to hold their heads up and look all around while Kristin gets whatever done that she needs to do. Kristin even teased about putting one of the babies in the front and one on her back! That would be 28 lbs. of babies..... (Can you spy Sonny peeking through the window?)

Rolling Over Is Such Fun!

Carson was not even 4 mos. old when he rolled over for the first time. Now he does it all the time.

Random Carson

My Aunt Pat lovingly crocheted this afghan for Carson. (She gave Ruby a darling little figurine of Dorothy that pops open to tiny little pair of ruby-red slippers!) Aunt Pat told me she added some ribbons on the afghan for the baby to play with!! I thought that was a bit unusual, but the first time I laid him down on the blanket, he reached right for the ribbons. (Auntie Pat, you are so right and what a lovely blanket you made for him. Thank you) This sitting thing is so new to me, I don't even know what to call it. When my friend Gretchen saw this picture she said "Carson looks like he is on a sit-and-spin and is ready to take off!" Kristin was given two of these at her shower (thank you Melissa) and I was so surprised that Carson was ready to actually sit up in it. Doesn't he look like a little man? (By the way -- the shirt he is wearing doesn't have an alien on the front. It is a pond with 3 gold fish swimming around!)

Pass It On Baby Clothes Sale

At the Pass It On Sale, Kristin hit the jackpot with baby clothes. She got over 30 items for $100.00. The first time we went Kristin was still pregnant and we got a boatload of clothes. This particular group of mothers have the sale every 6 months and next time we will be sellers. Where else could we find a 80/20 split for consigned clothes?? This little silly hat came with a darling, pink REI vest for Ruby.

Carson-mobile

Carson loves his new toy that Kristin got at the Pass It On Sale. Since Carson can hold his head up really well and is trying to stand all the time, we figured he was ready for this type of get-around-mobile. This one actually has 2 wheels and one stationary post-thing. That means he can move and grove, but only go in a circle. Makes it nice for trying to keep an eye on him.

Thing 1 & Thing 2

When Kristin first told me she was expecting twins back in November and sent me the ultra-sound photo of them, she called them "Thing 1 and Thing 2". I laughed so hard at that name. Shortly after learning she was carrying twins, her BFF, Stacie, gave her these little onesies. I have been waiting and waiting for them to fit, and now they do. Here they are in Carson's crib with his new mobile that plays very relaxing music (not the typical lullaby and good night!). They both love it. Kristin put the baby legs on both of them, but when it got too warm today, I pulled them off so the chubby little legs could get some air!

Birthday Party at Kruger Farm

Today we celebrated little Memphis' first birthday at a farm on Sauvie Island, OR. Her mommy went to college with Kristin. Here is Tiffany with Memphis soundly sleeping in the carrier. Would you believe Tiffany is about 2-3 weeks from delivering Memphis' little sister? (Great party Tiff, and fabulous location!) These were by far the largest cabbage I have ever seen. You can see how small the twins' heads look compared to them. (I forgot when I use the flash on my camera with the B.O.B. stroller, the reflector tape glows!) Carson missed the hay ride -- maybe next year! Lunch under an apple tree. These two trees had great climbing branches and were a fun place for the children at the party who were old enough to climb. (Someday it will be Carson and Ruby!) The farm also had flowers to pick. These Cosmos were lovely against the blue back drop. (The white in the bottom left of the picture was actually a tent where a wedding was taking place.)

Kruger Farm, Sauvie Island, OR

Today we celebrated little Memphis' first birthday with a party at a farm on Sauvie Island, complete with a hay ride for older kids (order than 3 months), corn maze, and pick your own pumpkins. Kristin helped pick just the right pumpkins for the twins. I'm sure in a few years they will both have a lot to say about which one is perfect for them to take home! The B.O.B. stroller certainly proved to be an "all terrain" vehicle!