We have walkers!!!! Both babies are walking now, and getting very good at it. They both walk much more than they crawl. Both fall, but get up and go again. Hudson did start first, but Hattie caught up quickly and has been walking for over two weeks now.

Teeth update - Hattie's 4th on the bottom is finally visible when she smiles.. still no teeth on the top. Her teeth are very small, like mine. She eats slow, but is a good eater. She still gets in trouble for dropping food on purpose and for rubbing her hands back in forth over her food, making it fly everywhere.. Hudson has 4 on top, and 3 on bottom. He has Ben's teeth. Hudson is a great eater. He shoves food in as quick as we put it on his tray. I don't know of anything that they won't eat. They both like breads and sweets the best.

I took Hudson to the doctor the other day, thinking he had an ear infection. He didn't.. he weighed 20 lbs, 8 oz. I tried to get the babies flu shots, but they are out of the medicine. I was able to get Wyatt the flu mist. So, at least one of us is vaccinated.

Ben and I have been able to get out a copy of times over the last few weeks. First, Mimi came in town and watched the three of them and Ben and I went to Marcus and Christina's. Then, last weekend we had a wedding out of town. Janice and Ed kept them from Saturday mid morning to Sunday around 3:00. Then, this past weekend, my parents came around noon and kept them while we went to Hermann! Ben and I needed the time together and were so appreciative of everyone's help! I think the kids were good for all of them! WHEW!!

Hattie and Hudson both say UH OH all the time. Both wave bye bye from time to time. Hudson shakes his head no when you say it. Hattie raises her hands over her head when you ask how big she is. Hattie still is the bruiser. She will love and kiss you one second and the next she is slapping you in the face. It is dangerous to lay on the floor next to her... Hudson is a screamer when he doesn't get his way. If something is stuck, or Hattie steals a toy, he just looks at you and screams. He gets so mad that he makes a fist and shakes.

Ben asked Wyatt the other day, "Isn't Hattie a pretty girl?" "Wyatt said "no, not really.". Ben said "Wyatt, that is not nice, that will hurt your sister's feelings!" Wyatt said, "she doesn't know that I am saying that". Ben explained that she would some day know and that would upset her. Wyatt said"Fine, she is pretty."

Ben told Wyatt the other day on the way to school that they would be home by themselves that night b/c I was going to dinner with the girls. Wyatt said "I want Mommy. She is the best Mommy in the whole wide world." Ben asked Wyatt "who is the best daddy?" Wyatt replied "I really don't know who the best daddy is." After a lot of coaxing from both Ben and I, Wyatt finally gave in and said "okay, then.. you are the best Dad"... poor Daddy..

We have a big week this week. I am preparing for a double "1st Birthday party" and a double baptism. I know.. I can't believe I put it off so long. Both activities are planned for Sunday. It is going to be crazy!

I made it back from Madison in one piece and no further injuries. I also came home with a repaired, primed and painted fender that I am so proud of! I never thought that would be something I would do... I was so excited to get home to see everyone. The day I was coming home I talked to all of the kids. I asked Wyatt if he missed me, and he said, "UH HUH, BAD!". When I talked to Hattie, she said "MaMa". Ben said Hudson smiled. I picked up El Jimador on the way home to celebrate, but the celebration was short when I got home b/c they forgot to include the cheese dip and Wyatt was devastated! Ben had been great at keeping up the routine and it was like I was never gone around the house.


I knew it would happen, and it did... Hattie fell down the first flight of our stairs. I didn't see it happen, but I heard her crying afterwards and came running. Wyatt was on the couch watching TV and told me he wasn't watching her b/c he was watching his show! The stairs are carpeted, there aren't that many of them and it didn't seem to hurt her any. I really think she was just mad that it happened and she couldn't see anyone. I am sure it won't be the last time that they fall down them. The gate goes up, but somehow it always gets taken down. I think Wyatt fell down them twice. GREAT PARENTS AREN'T WE???


I came in to the living room to the sweetest site the other day. I was in the babies' room with them and went to put a load of laundry in. When I came back, they had both made their way into the living room. Hudson was on his back and Hattie was sitting next to him. She would leap on him and scream and Hudson would crack up. This repeated about 5 times. I tried to get my camera, but I made a noise and they both spotted me. This was the first time I witnessed them playing together. They always stare/smile at each other and have stolen many of toys from each other, but this was actually playing.. I loved it!


Wyatt recently was staying home with Ben and Hudson while Hattie went to Aunt Heather's for a little bit when I was gone. Wyatt was upset that Hattie was leaving. I explained to him that he still had Hudson to play with and it would be fine. He said "Well, I won't have anyone to play with when Hudson is mean to me!" He has it rough..


Wyatt did really good this week at soccer practice and we were so proud. We had a game Tuesday night, and he did run, but it was just following the other kids, not chasing the ball. So, we are improving! He had quite the fan club. Hattie, Hudson, me, Heather, Mitch, Hunter, Zach, Grandma Janice, Grandma Bonnie and Papa Dennis.


Hudson is working on forming words, but nothing is coming together yet. He talks non stop and it sounds like he is really telling a story. Hattie says ut oh all the time, especially as she throws objects/food. I swear they both say bubba and I really think Hattie says "hereyougo" when she gives you something. They both do say mama and dada some.


The babies are getting on their feet alot and are getting fast with their walker cart things they push around. Hattie is quick at walking around the furniture. Hudson has taken one step several times now, and then falls.. so we are making progress!


Hattie is getting her fourth tooth on the bottom.. still none on the top. Hudson is working on getting his fifth and sixth tooth, on each side of his front top teeth. They have been grouchy this week and I am blaming teething. We have been laying Hattie down awake. She cries and usually wakes up Hudson, but we just let them go and they finally both go asleep..


I found out yesterday that I have more change ahead of me at work. I work at a vendor's building assessing total losses. We were informed that we will no longer be working with this vendor. I am hoping and have been told that I will have a job..... It looks like I will be working from my house and driving to see my assignments now instead of them being delivered to me. I should know more this month. I just want a stable, secure job. If that exists.


The kids and I are home by ourself tonight, like most Thursdays. This cool weather makes me anxious to put away all their summer clothes and spread out the fall/winter clothes, so that is our plans for tonight. Wyatt always wants crescent rolls for dinner when it is just us at home. Last Thursday I asked what he wanted if we didn't have any crescent rolls.. he said "uh, how about my favorite.... not eat.." He always has a comment..

Ben called and said Wyatt did actually participate a little in soccer tonight.. Still didn't really play, but at least ran around! It is a start! He also said that Hattie said dada all night long and that neither of them have no idea who I am.. WHAT A TERD!

I had to take Hattie back to the doctor on Sept 2 and she had another ear infection. Dr. Herrbold said it wasn't very bad, but it seems that Hattie has pretty low pain tolerance with them.. She was a bear and was running a fever. She weighed 18 lbs 7 oz.

A little over a week ago Ben and I had enough and decided it was time to split up the babies at night... Both of them were getting up several times a night for some reason and we were exhausted! They would wake each other up with any little movement/noise. We left Hudson in their room, moved Hattie to Wyatt's room, and moved poor Wyatt to a cot in our room. The first night I heard the babies crying some, but we stayed out and eventually they stopped. Since then, I haven't heard them cry! Either I am sleeping deep, or they aren't crying.. Wyatt has slept restless and always asks me to sleep on the cot WITH HIM.. just a tiny bit uncomfortable.. but, it is just while we get things straightetened out. I am trying to convince Ben that we just need to sell and get a bigger house..

Both babies are completely on table food and we have given all the baby food away. They are really good eaters. Hattie shows her attitude alot and slings her food everywhere, on purpose as she says "ut oh". Once we stearnly say "no no" she will eat a bite and then start slinging all over again. Hudson eats as quick as he can and half of it ends up in his lap, which we have to put back on his tray a couple of times each meal..

They both crawl every where and pull up to every thing. We have had several falls and several bruises. When you tell Hattie to get you, she will crawl up to you, stand up, and fall right on your chest while smiling and laughing.. she loves it. She also loves to pull hair, slap, and scratch. Hudson is the snuggler and smiles shyly while putting his chin in his chest. He has really started clinging to his Daddy while Hattie is turning in to a complete momma's girl.

I don't know if I have said before that we enrolled Wyatt in soccer this fall through the YMCA. Ben also volunteered to coach his team, something he said years ago he would do when Wyatt played... little did we know that Wyatt won't play!! He said it is boring to run and boring to kick the ball and that he isn't good.. I brought the babies to his first game and tried my best to encourage him to play.. nothing worked! He sat on the sidelines and talked to the babies. Once, I shamed him in to running and even kicking the ball ONE TIME, but then I and the lady next to me made the mistake of cheering and he started bawling his eyes out. Ben gets so frustrated with him at practice.... We have learned that Wyatt and Soccer are not meant to be.. He has another game tonight, so I am praying that he is playing.... I bribed him with a Monster Buster Club toy..

He says he wants to play baseball, but I can almost put money on that fact that he will cry with that too... let's hope I am wrong..

Wyatt has just started being a little onery with the babies.. He always wants them in the room with him, but has a terrible habit of taking the toys they grab and says he was playing with it. He does try to give them a toy in exchange, but we are trying to explain to him that it isn't right to take the toy they have.. We have threatened no new toys until he learns to share... He loves the computer right now and gets very upset when we tell him it is time to get off for the night. He asked me the other day if he ate alot if it would make his birthday come quicker and told me he ran so fast b/c he had 100 foods in his belly. He likes to pretend fight with swords and told me he was going to defeat me.

I am writing tonight from Madison, Wisconsin - here for training since Sunday. I left home at 9:30 on Sunday morning and won't be home til midnight on Friday night - A LONG TIME. I was nervous leaving, not that I don't trust the kids in Ben's care.. just nervous that the babies will forget me and Wyatt will miss me too much... so far, all is going okay. Ben says Wyatt has been good and the babies have slept well.. I am learning a lot and eating way too much. Only one incident.. today I was looking at different bumper covers on the creeper (rolling thing, as I like to call it) and I ran over my hair, which then became locked in the wheel.. I freaked out and two guys were trying to help me.. I eventually rolled off in panic and a huge section of my hair was pulled out!! I would guess like 200 strands was pulled out.. It HURT! I can see the tender spot where a lot of it came from. The instructor was looking at me like I was a freak! anyway, I am fine and luckily, I am not going bald any time soon..

Yesterday I picked up the kids from daycare and surprised Wyatt with El Jimador carry out. He was so excited. I asked him if he had a good day and if he missed me. He said "Mom, I always miss you. I never want you to leave me and I never want to go away from you with anyone. Because I miss you too much." I hope he always loves me that much!!

So, I guess the babies have a little kitty cat in them, b/c they used one of their nine lives last night... they both started getting fussy at 7:30. I decided to take them outside for a short ride in their stroller. Wyatt stayed inside and watched his cartoons, so I just circled the cul de sac several times. As I walked by the house, I would pull any visible weeds. I then went onto the porch and turned around. As I went by our fish pond in front I saw a couple of weeds. As I was pulling them I heard this weird noise.. I turned around to see THE STROLLER AND STRAPPED -IN BABIES WERE FLYING DOWN THE HILL. they were going so fast it was the wheels making the noise I heard. I ran as fast as I could, but could not catch them. They hit the curb, went air-borne and somehow landed on the wheels, shaking back and forth. I was finally able to stop it... luckily they hit the curb straight on, and it is a double stroller, both of which must have helped it from flipping. Hattie was in front and was screaming her head off and tears streaming down her face, Hudson was in back, looking around like he was wondering what in the world had just happened. I had just given them a newspaper each to keep them busy. Hattie's flew out half way down the hill. Hudson was still clinging to his. I had the weakest knees ever....

July 25th was Wyatt's 4th birthday. We celebrated it on the 23rd at Riverside Park. It was a great evening. The weather cooperated and, although a little too windy, it wasn't miserably hot. We wanted at the park so the kids could play at the playground, and I didn't have to clean house. It was a Batman themed party.. he was spoiled enough to have TWO cakes, one Batman and one Scooby Doo. I know, the perfect combination! He had a great night and got lots of goodies, including a DS from us, a mask and sword from the Kempkers, soccer stuff and a razor trike from Mimi, ds stuff from the Herigon's, batman stuff from the Steenburgen's, money from Mema and Bud and Grandma Ada, batman stuff and a ds game from grandma Bonnie & Papa Dennis.. Missy and Brad found all kinds of things batman, Rob got him more batman stuff! Grandma Janice and Papa Eddie got him a pair of shoes, shirt, watch and a bat and ball set that pitches to you.. SPOILED!!


The 24th of July we had our pictures taken. I had bribed Wyatt with another gift if he did good, and he did really good.. he had some very fake smiles, but that is normal for him right now! He tries so hard it looks like he is straining. Of course I still haven't had time to order pictures.. such a procrastinator!


That afternoon I took Wyatt to the pool with Christina and her boys at Eldon. We had a great time, it was hot out! I brought my camera and had a major catastrophe on my hands when I dropped it and the shutter button popped out. Problem was, I didn't know that it was gone until I was trying to take a picture. I looked for it for most of the afternoon and never found it. I finally broke down a week later and called Sony. They shipped the button to me and it is now back in working order.. Whew!


That night Janice watched the kids so Ben and I could go out. It was nice to get out again! Life has definitely changed since the babies came. It is really hard to find sitters for 3 kids!!!


The day of Wyatt's birthday was a bummer.. Hattie woke up with a fever and it just kept getting higher. I was home alone with all 3 kids. I planned on taking them somewhere for Wyatt's birthday, but nothing was working out. I finally ended up leaving Hudson with Heather and Mitch while Wyatt and I took Hattie to urgent care at 1:00 when they take their last appt at 1:30. I was flying, and lucky there were no cops on the road. I made Wyatt unbuckle as we pulled into the parking lot and we ran inside at exactly 1:30. When we got to the office, Hattie pooped everywhere.. mother of the year didn't bring a diaper bag inside so the nurse had to find me a diaper and I had to use napkins for wipes. They had to change rooms b/c the first room had crap everywhere and smelled awful!!!! The doctor looked at Hattie for all of 30 seconds and said she had a virus and it will have to run its course. I think she weighed 17 lbs 6 oz. As we were at the doctor, Wyatt started crying b/c his feet hurt. I looked at his feet and he had blisters on his feet, I guess from playing outside the night before. So, he decided he couldn't walk anymore... my blood pressure was probably off the charts. Wyatt said "well, this hasn't been a very good birthday". Of course that broke my heart, so when we left I took him to Target (with Hattie naked hiding under a blanket, b/c her clothes was covered in poop!) and he picked out a pirate kit. Of course I was mad then b/c it was the most ridiculous toy there.. he said everything I picked out was not cool. So, we finally got home and I was completed stressed, but still upset that Wyatt's bday sucked. I called Nicole and her and the kids came over and played.. I went into town to get El Jimador after the babies were asleep. WHAT A DAY.


I ended up taking Hattie back to the doctor on Tuesday b/c when I got to daycare on Monday night she had 102.8 fever. She had an ear infection. I feel like the urgent care doctor should have seen the infection, but was just ready for us to get out of the office on Saturday...


On August 2nd, we finally got together with Lance and Angie. This was the first time our twins got to meet. It was fun to seem all! I can't imagine having more than twins... wow.. Angie and Lance fixed a great dinner and it was a nice night.


Wyatt went to Big Surf two times in the past few weeks. The first time was with my Mom, Nicole and the girls. The second time was with Janice, me, Hunter and his friend, and Zach. Wyatt LOVES the wave pool. I couldn't get him to try a slide for the life of me.. maybe next year.


Last weekend we went camping again. Mom and Dad, Nicole's family and Jen and her boys all went. This time Ben went down early to set up camp and I came later with the kids. I stopped and got Wyatt some fries and me a soda. Hattie started crying by the time we got to Eugene. Then Hudson started at the Lake. THEY BOTH CRIED THE REST OF THE TRIP. It was so stressful, I thought I was going to cry or scream or just lose it. I got out of the car and was shaking like crazy. To make it worse, I made a wrong turn and was in the car for an extra 20 minutes than necessary. Luckily, the rest of the weekend was nice. The babies liked to be on the ground, but kept trying to eat the rocks. That was a pain.. but the weather was nice and no major accidents besides Wyatt getting a huge knot on his head after tripping on the pavement. The way home was quiet, THANK GOD. I had to pull the boat home, my first time pulling anything. I was a little nervous afraid of repeating the trip there.


Wyatt told me the other night as we were going to my mom and dad's that he did not care if dad came there or not, b/c he does not care about anything, except there being a fire.. then he immediately said that he would try a chocolate candy bar again b/c he may like them now. Then he said there is a lot of food in his stomach, and we have to eat to get big like dad and God. He is always thinking!!! All of that going on in his mind in a few minute conversation...


Wyatt has now picked up saying "You make my heart dead" when his feelings get hurt. I am not sure where he picked up on that.. His favorite shows right now are Monster Buster Club and Johnny Test.

Wyatt and I recently had a dentist appt. He was such a big boy... he didn't even need me in his room... they cleaned our teeth at the same time. When he was done, he came back to my room and watched me finish up.. Good news is, no cavity for him. Bad news is... I had to schedule for a filling. I got it a few days later and tried to faint... They had to put a wet cloth on me, fan me and give me a sugary drink. Why, after having 3 children, am I still such a wuss with needles????

About a week after my last entry, or several weeks ago, Hattie officially started crawling. She is everywhere now! They both are! They pull up on furniture and go get whatever they want. Hattie likes to crawl and carry her toys.

They are both eating table food now, and neither one will eat baby food. So far they seem to like most everything. Hattie doesn't eat quite as much as Hudson, but both eat good. What messy little turds.. I don't remember Wyatt being so messy!!!!

Hattie now says "ut oh" ALL THE TIME. She started two weeks ago and is all about it. She is getting more of the hang of it on when it is appropriate and likes to "drop" things on purpose just to see me pick it up. She is still mean... beating up on Hudson and slapping us when we hold her. If you try to give her her bottle when she doesn't want it, she will just slap it right out of your hands. and she loves to scratch your face with her fingernails. She has been standing up in her bed alot now and wakes WAY TOO EASY to Hudson crying during the night. She is an early bird and never sleeps past 6 am.

Hudson... he is still pretty quiet, but makes up with it physically. he can stand by himself for about 15 to 20 seconds at a time. He doesn't want to really walk yet, but can stand up from sitting in the middle of the room. He just refuses to sleep all night. He will do good for a few nights, then it is back to square one. I have trouble letting him cry it out b/c he now wakes Hattie, then they are both up. And Hattie doesn't stop crying with some lovin'.

Hattie and Hudson had their 9 month appts on 8-17-09. Dr. Gordon was suprised to see how physically active they were, and surprised that they would say mama, dada.. It was a good appt... Hattie weighed 17 lbs, 10 oz (25%), was 26 1/2 inches (15%) and her head was in the 6oth%. Hudson weighed 18 lbs, 12 oz (20%), 28 inches long (30%) and his head was in the 75%!

I am still pumping twice a day... SO READY TO QUIT. I am not sure when I officially will, but it is getting close. Hattie is taking formula too, so I am slowly switching her. Hudson is still on formula only.